The logical next step in this game ...

Merry Christmas All!

Republicans want to prevent fraud and have voters show an ID (cough, Chicago, cough).  Democrats don't want this, in part because minorities are apparently less likely to have or show IDs.

The next step for Republicans should be to pair this ID requirement bill with a bill that helps those without IDs obtain them.  That should quiet opposition (it won't quiet the ones who want fraud, but it should quiet those who want to ensure all people who are legally able to vote, can vote).

When I went to the voting booth with my kids this past November, the lady behind the desk told me that "next year I'd need my ID". When I asked my 8-year old about why that will be required, she said: "That way, somebody can't come to vote claiming their somebody who their not, right?".  Sometimes kids see issues more clearly than adults.

Death to Pennies Video

Subsidizing higher education - a pro argument vs. con

The pro is by SU president Jay Lemons.

The con is by marginal revolution blogger and economics professor Alex Taborrok.

Discrimination in academia ...

Links here and here

We just covered economic discrimination on Friday in my principles of microeconomics course.  One take home message is that if a firm's only goal is to maximize profits, they won't discriminate (except for a couple unusual scenarios).  The students also then realize that discrimination is much more likely to occur by governments or academia, where there isn't the same motive to maximize profits.

This quote from marginal revolution ...


"Interestingly, the Obama administration has recently reversed Bush era rules and interpretations in order to promote race-based admissions" (i.e., race-based discrimination) 


makes me realize we're a long way from MLK's dream of people being viewed by the content of their character, instead of the color of their skin.