Jim Ulvog

This is what religious freedom looks like

Yesterday one-third of the people on the planet celebrated the most holy day of their faith – Easter.

Yesterday was just another Sunday for two-thirds of the people on the planet.

As I understand it, tomorrow marks the last day of Passover, a high point of the Jewish faith.  Passover celebrates the exodus from slavery as Moses led the people of Israel toward the promised land. For those reading this blog who are Jews, I sincerely hope you have a wonderful and blessed time of celebration.

For everyone else, I sincerely hope you had a relaxing weekend, maybe got to sleep in late. I’m quite serious. I hope you had a nice, fun, refreshing weekend.

Here’s what religious freedom looks like:

(more…)

By Jim Ulvog, ago

An old joke shows the value of religious freedom

There is an old joke poking fun at denominationalism. That’s the idea that my denomination is right and since you and I have some subtle doctrinal differences, you are completely wrong.

Here it goes…

A guy was walking along on a hill near the edge of a cliff enjoying scenery that can’t help but make you think of God.  He slipped over the edge. As he was holding on for dear life he screamed for help.

Another guy heard the screams and ran to assist. After huffing and puffing and pulling, the rescuer pulled the helpless fellow back to safety.

“Thanks be to God for your help,” said the rescued.

(more…)

By Jim Ulvog, ago

Capitalism is based on morality

It seems as I try to explain why freedom is moral, I find the issues and explanations go deeper than I realized. Don’t quite know when I came to the conclusion that freedom is the moral option – it seems I’ve always believed that.

In The Moral Case for Capitalism: More than Utility, Jacqueline Otto explains that capitalism and morality go hand-in-hand:

Capitalism is designed to marry a man’s moral and material growth, so that both can be fully mature. (more…)

By Jim Ulvog, ago

Q: Can tax policy kill off a popular industry?

A: Yes.

How the Taxman Cleared the Dance Floor in the Wall Street Journal explains a 30% excise tax on any venue that served food and had dancing did in two-thirds of the very popular dance clubs. Passed in 1944, the so-called ‘cabaret tax’ was intended to hit those filthy rich people who dined and danced in fancy places.

Eric Felton explains shortly after the tax was passed, the Bureau of Internal Revenue provided a very broad definition of what places the tax applied. It covered anyplace that served food and dancing with live singing. Those were an extremely popular form of entertainment during and after WWII.

The entire industry of dining and dancing was devastated: (more…)

By Jim Ulvog, ago

Role of regulatory failure in the sinking of the Titanic

The sinking of the Titanic is usually blamed on that careless, horrible Captain Smith and the greedy capitalist shipowner who didn’t want the expense or inconvenience or clutter of enough lifeboats.  Rarely discussed is the role of the regulators in the tragedy.

Chris Berg points out in his Wall Street Journal article a year ago, The Real Reason for the Tragedy of the Titanic, that the regulators, the British Board of Trade, required all boats over 10,000 metric tons to have 16 lifeboats. It didn’t matter how many passengers were on board. Just put 16 lifeboats on.

Was the Titanic in compliance? Yes. (more…)

By Jim Ulvog, ago

Profits are moral

“Profits earned honestly in the market are moral. They arise from morality and they reinforce morality.”

Providing goods or services that other people value and are willing to pay for is moral. Check out this video for a deeper explanation.

The Morality of Profit:

 [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnHQammdwGQ&feature=player_embedded]

(more…)

By Jim Ulvog, ago

Capitalism creates value for customers, vendors, and employees

Capitalism involves voluntary exchanges.

Vendors don’t have to supply a company.

Employees don’t have to work for a particular store.

Customers don’t have to shop there.

Each of those people do so because it provides value to them. The business in turn creates value for everybody it deals with, not just investors.

From the book Morality of Capitalism, available free from Students for Liberty here , here is one of many great comments from John Mackey, co-founder of Whole Foods:

Putting it generally, successful businesses create value. (more…)

By Jim Ulvog, ago