Prosperity and Free Market Capitalism Are Utterly Linked

The linkage between classic liberalism (free choice, free markets) is so strong, it is a wonder that significant numbers of people -- e.g. virtually all the Democrat candidates for President -- want to move the US  in the opposite direction.  Are they just that ignorant? Or do they actually prefer lower living standards (as long as they get to make the decisions)?

The Effect of Competition in ETFs

Eric Blachunas at Boomberg in one chart shows the effect of competition on Exchange Traded Funds. Management fees are much lower in the categories in which Vanguard (the low cost provider in mutual finds and ETFs) has an offering.

Is it any wonder that large financial firms continue to support regulations from Congress in order to stifle competition? Where they haven't been successful (e.g. ETFs) you can see the effect quite dramatically.

We Don't Need No Stinkin' Energy Policy

Mark Perry noticed how the US oil and gas industry has pivoted over the last few years from producing more gas produce more oil. How could this possibly have happened without a National Energy Policy directing them to do so? Is it possible that this occurred simply because the market price of gas fell while the market price of oil was rising?