‘Landslide’ Victories in US Presidential Elections: Obama vs Reagan

I’ve covered Obama compared to Reagan before at here:

• Employment: What Reagan Achieved in 8 Years, And 3 Presidents Maintained Over 18 Years, Obama Has Destroyed in Under 4 Years

• Whenever Obama Blames the Mess Inherited From Bush and Compares Himself to Reagan, He Shoots Himself in the Lazy Foot That’s Lodged in His Own Big Mouth.

As well as other mentions of that great President.

Now I’ll rehash an old comment of mine that was in response to a naive Obama worshipper who mistakenly thought that Obama’s 2008 victory was anything close to a ‘landslide’.

———————–

First, we look at the percentage of votes as follows. Wikipedia: United States presidential election, 2008:

Barack Obama vs John McCain
Electoral vote 365 vs 173
States carried 28 + DC + NE-02 vs 22
Popular vote 69,456,897 vs 59,934,814 (116:100 ratio)
Percentage 52.9% vs 45.7%

Not a very impressive map, really.

Compared to Wikipedia: United States presidential election, 1980:

Ronald Reagan vs Jimmy Carter vs John B. Anderson
Electoral vote 489 vs 49 vs 0
States carried 44 vs 6 + DC vs 0
Popular vote 43,903,230 vs 35,480,115 vs 5,719,850 (124:100:16 ratio)
Percentage 51.6% vs 41.7% vs 6.70%

Lookit that sea of red!

1980 Reagan’s 489 electoral votes clearly outstrips Obama’s 365 electoral votes. But fair enough, Reagan got 51.6% of the popular vote against Obama’s 52.9% – though one could argue that the Independent contender John B. Anderson’s 6.70% would other wise have gone to Reagan (using Anderson’s 0 electoral votes as precedent) to give the Gipper a total of 58.30%.

And a 58.30% is not a wild fantasy, because now let’s look at the even more incredible Wikipedia: United States presidential election, 1984:

Ronald Reagan vs Walter Mondale
Electoral vote 525 vs 13
States carried 49 vs 1 + DC (Head to the link and look at the map! It’s almost entirely red!)
Popular vote 54,455,472 vs 37,577,352 (145:100 ratio)
Percentage 58.8% vs 40.6%

Now even the last few blue holdouts have almost all surrendered!

So in 1984, Reagan got a far higher ratio of the electoral vote, states and popular vote than Obama in 2008. Obama is a featherweight compared to what Reagan achieved!

And note that Reagan was running for a second term, which means people voted for his 4 years of proven policies – very different from the untested Obama benefiting from anti-Bush sentiment and a crony media that refused to vet him.

In fact, adjusting for total votes cast (2008′s 129,391,711 which is 40.59% more than 1984′s 92,032,824 or 52.04% more than 1980′s 85,103,195) due to expanding population, if Reagan’s popular votes percentages were adjusted to 2008′s voting population, 1984 Reagan would have gotten 76,558,948 votes – 7,102,051 more than Obama ever managed!

And if the 2010 elections are anything to judge by:

Then 2012 will see an even more massive landslide for the Republican nominee – just as 1980 saw Reagan first elected on the back of Carter’s failed Democrat policies!

Proven General Deliverables of Conservatism Would Influence Ideology

Via AoSHQ, this snippet:

It is my belief that ideologies flourish not based upon argument or rhetoric, but when a party comes to power and then delivers the general deliverables. When a president or party is able to deliver objective goods, his ideology advances, not because people have become convinced by reason or rhetoric, but simply because they decide If they’ve got everything working smoothly, I guess that means they’re probably right about these ideological points they keep talking about, too.

This echoes with my own thinking, something I’d independently decided since my post A Short Pondering: Should a Christian Leader Impose Laws Based on Christian Standards?

I have come to the conclusion that a good solution to that problem, personally, would be: If I were to run for and become President, I would focus exclusively on jobs, the economy, energy, security etc (all the general deliverables) and would not focus on sociopolitical issues such as gay marriage, abortion, etc.

This doesn’t mean I don’t care about the latter – on the contrary, they are very crucial matters to me as a Christian.

However, my strategy would be along the lines of this passage:

I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? – John 3:12

Namely, I would deliver such an outstanding performance on the economy and so forth (as Reagan did), that the country would have to stop and ponder: Hey, this guy’s on to something. Could it be that his way of thinking (i.e. Conservatism, Christianity) is RIGHT about things?

The pondering would start on economic, physical, worldly things of course. But then, through association and osmosis, the pondering would lead to social, philosophical and even spiritual things.

The general public would already believe me on worldly issues, so they would be likelier to believe me on spiritual issues as well… The reverse of speaking of earthly things which people don’t believe.

To wit, the observable effectiveness of my worldly policies would convince people that my social/spiritual ideas probable are right too.

PS. Ace continues:

And I believe the contrary: Liberalism will suffer greatly due to Obama’s Miserable Failure, the same as it did under Jimmy Carter.

Which is proven, Obama’s amazing economic ineptness has caused more and more Americans to become Conservatives.

North Korea vs South Korea: We Require More Minerals

Via Comixed, from The Oatmeal. So sadly true…

Once again, I thank the selfless Americans who allowed me to be a middle class capitalist pig, wasting time on teh Internets, instead of having to be a dirt farming tourist leech.

So, who wants to espouse Communism/Socialism over capitalism?

PS. So why is it murderous commies were also always atheists?

Obama Has Beliefs Far More UnChristian Than the Mormon Romney Does – Me on Twitter

Now I’m a Christian, and don’t agree with the beliefs of the Latter Day Saints (aka Mormonism).

But to those Christians who are recoiling at the thought of Mitt Romney being potentially the first Mormon President… Where were you when Obama was sworn into office with his skewed, godless, way-out, even-more-at-odds-with-mainstream-Christianity-than-Mormonism-is beliefs and narcisstic, hubristic teachings?

It’s not like Obama is anything much of a real Christian, as these tweets snarkily point out. (And he is just the logical next progression in the long line of Self Worshiping Liberals, following Slick Willie and Jimmi the Dhimmi.)

If Romney and Mormons in general ever do the following, then maybe “We can’t have a nonChristian President!” would have more basis…

(Tweets are in reverse order.)

——————————-

I’m #Christian & disagree w #Mormon belief. But see #notmormonbeliefs if you fear a nonChristian Pres #Romney

Many crude violent thugs & murderers among 493+ examples think like me and support me! http://alturl.com/4d46e #notmormonbeliefs #romney

Convicted criminals think the same way as I do! http://alturl.com/c3pdk #notmormonbeliefs #romney

North Korea’s tyrannical, atheist, communist leaders like me! http://alturl.com/hcoyv #notmormonbeliefs #romney

I pal around with terrorists pt 2 http://alturl.com/9vppa http://alturl.com/wyohs http://alturl.com/xxgjs #notmormonbeliefs #romney

I pal around with terrorists http://alturl.com/54mak http://alturl.com/tiskc http://alturl.com/9rg5a #notmormonbeliefs #romney

Babies are punishment #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/7awnr

Babies born alive from failed abortions should be left to die utility room #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/bbfsy

Skip the National Day of Prayer – AGAIN #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Heck, my supporters consider me Jesus! #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

My supporters consider me the Second Coming of Jesus #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

My supporters want new chapters added to the Bible to commemorate me #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Take off shoes, prosrtate self at Muslim prayers #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

My supporters sue Christian publishers cos Bible versions refer to homosexuality as a sin #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Join Muslim prayers at the White House #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Skip church for over 2 years since winning the election #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Carry a statue of Hanuman the Hindu monkey god in pocket #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Leave out the phrase ‘endowed by their Creator’ from US Declaration of Independence – 3 times #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Consider America one of the largest Muslim nations #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

3 times deny that America Christian nation – but could consider one of largest Muslim nations #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

No longer just Christian nation; also a Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, nonbelievers nation #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Do not consider America a Christian nation #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs
View media

The Bible says slavery is okay! Eating shellfish is an abomination. #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Jesus Sermon on the Mount so radical, doubtful Defense Department would survive application #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

True Christian is @ALSHARPTON_REV and @DoctorDobson of @FocusFamily is not #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Abraham & Isaac? Call police, wrestle him down, take Isaac away, charge Abe w child abuse #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

To base policy on uncompromising commitments to God’s edicts is a dangerous thing #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

My supporters consider me the Messiah, the New Jesus #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/6rbpt
View media

I’m like Moses and Jesus #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Comprehensive sex education – for kindergarteners! #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Support homosexuality #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Memorial service – use Native American ritual and make no reference to the Christian God #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Skip Christmas service #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Do not want Nativity scene at White House for Christmas #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Omit any mention of God from thanksgiving message #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Give an Easter message – aimed at all faiths #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Leave Easter sermon 30 minutes early #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Give statements 4 Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr, Hajj, Eid-ul-Adha, Nowruz. Skip Easter statement 2011 #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Skip the National Day of Prayer. Give a 5 minutes Ramadan greeting. #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

The Muslim call to prayer is the most beautiful sound in the world #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Study the Quran. Recite the azan. #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Destroy Israel and push all the Jews into the sea #notmormonbeliefs #romney

America started the AIDS virus to keep Third World in grinding poverty #notmormonbeliefs #romney

Go #Hamas rah rah rah !!! #notmormonbeliefs #romney

We are only able to maintain our level of living by making sure that Third World people live in grinding poverty #notmormonbeliefs #romney

America invented the HIV virus as genocide against Blacks #notmormonbeliefs #romney

America started the AIDS virus #notmormonbeliefs #romney

The government lied about inventing HIV virus as means of genocide against people of color. #notmormonbeliefs #romney

America is still the No. 1 killer in the world #notmormonbeliefs #romney

O yes I say it plain, America never was America to me #notmormonbeliefs #romney

Our enemies may have justifiable reasons to be suspicious of the good faith of the United States #notmormonbeliefs #romney

We have committed more war crimes almost than any other nation in the world #notmormonbeliefs #romney

All of America’s wealth today could not adequately compensate blacks for centuries of exploitation and humiliation #notmormonbeliefs #romney

The question is not whether we will be extremist but what kind of extremist will we be #notmormonbeliefs #romney

Blacks have committed crimes but they are derivative crimes, born of the greater crimes of the white society #notmormonbeliefs #romney

A riot is the language of the unheard #notmormonbeliefs #romney

It is true that blacks do hate whites, but black hatred is not racism #notmormonbeliefs #romney

We have had too much of white love #notmormonbeliefs #romney

There is no use for a God who loves white oppressors the same as oppressed blacks #notmormonbeliefs #romney

Jesus Christ was a poor Black man oppressed by White Europeans #notmormonbeliefs #romney

Divine Racism: The Unacknowledged Threshold Issue for #notmormonbeliefs #romney

9/11 is America’s chickens coming home to roost #notmormonbeliefs #romney

If God is not for us & against whites, then we’d best kill him #notmormonbeliefs #romney

AIDS was created by the US for black geneocide #notmormonbeliefs #romney

Unless God participate in holy activity of black people destroy oppressors by any means disposal, reject his love #notmormonbeliefs #romney

We need the divine love as expressed in Black Power #notmormonbeliefs #romney

Refuse to accept a God who is not identified totally with the goals of the black community #notmormonbeliefs #romney

Kill Gods who do not belong to the black community #notmormonbeliefs #romney

If God is not for us and against white people then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him. #notmormonbeliefs #romney

Accept only the love of God which participates in the destruction of the white enemy #notmormonbeliefs #romney

Not God bless America, no no no, God d*mn America! #notmormonbeliefs #romney

20 years in a racist, America-hating church #notmormonbeliefs #romney

————————

If you didn’t get the latter half (the ones without the links), it’s referring to Obama’s 20 years of absorbing the rantings of this guy.

And I’m also starting to warm to Romney in general…

“Is it easier to make ends meet? Is it easier to sell your home or buy a new one?”

“Have you saved what you needed for retirement? Are you making more AT your job? Do you have a better chance to get a better job? Are you paying less at the pump?”

“It’s still about the economy. And we’re not stupid.”

“You might have heard that I was successful in business. And that rumor is true. … After 25 years, I know how to lead us out of this stagnant Obama economy and into a job-creating recovery.”

Admit It – People Hate Israel and Jews Just For Being Israel and Jews

Come on, just admit it already. Admit that you have searched your heart and soul deep down, and can say that the above is not true.

Israel occupies land that it took by force? So does China with Tibet, Indonesia with Irian Jaya (and up to recntly East Timor),the current ruling Al Saud family in Saudi Arabia, and pretty much every Muslim state today if you want to go back that far. Plus these did not have seven surrounding nations declare unilateral war and invade.

Israel commits mass murder, genocide and killing of civilians? Far worse by orders of magnitude goes on in Syria, Libya, and Iraq while under Saddam Hussein. Far worse is the status quo in other states in the Middle East. Far worse happens every single day in whichever places are currently featured at the list updated daily here.

Israel carries out oppression and discrimination against those of differing race, religion or political thought? Nothing comparable to what goes on in Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Sudan, Iran, Syria, and whichever places are currently featured in the pages of the latest Barnabas Fund news alerts.

Israel is an artificial state formed by the Western colonial powers? So are Algeria, Morocco, Jordan – in fact almost ANY Arab state or nation that used to be under Ottoman rule – Malaysia, Pakistan (another case of cut along the dotted religious lines) – and yes, Palestine. And the formation of Israel got a greater than 70% vote in the UN.

So of all the nations and peoples in the world, why is only one singled out for more UN resolutions than all other nations combined? Why is only one not recognized by most of the Muslim majority nations in the world – despite the aforementioned UN-ratified-and-approved formation? Why is only one used as an excuse to justify racist attacks only totally unrelated, apolitical persons worldwide? Why do only the Palestinians have their own separate UN refugee agency, receive more aid than all other refugees combined, and with their people passing down refugee status to multiple generations of descendants instead of being settled into receptive host nations like every other refugee group? (Apart from the fact that they try to overthrow the host nation.)

So just come clean, be honest, and admit that you are biased against Israel and Jews. Then go a step further and admit why you have this bias.

Cartoon: Where Obama Won’t Drill For Oil

Very telling summary in one cartoon, by Michael Ramirez:

References here and here.

No wonder among all these 40+ charts detailing his economic achievements, a bunch show gas prices spiking upwards!

And some graphics on what is mentioned above…

Via The Gateway Pundit:

Via Death By 1000 Papercuts, Red Planet Cartoons on the ANWR:

And from The Gateway Pundit on offshore drilling:

And get this via AoSHQ: RECOVERABLE OIL IN COLORADO, UTAH, WYOMING “ABOUT EQUAL TO ENTIRE WORLD’S PROVEN OIL RESERVES” COMBINED

See also related:

• All-American Oil Driller on Obama’s Energy Greensanity, Economy-Killing Regulation, Blatant Double Standards

• Wong Chun Wai Lauds Obama For Not Knowing How to Reduce Gas Prices

• BP Oil Leak Conspiracy Theory

Global March to Jerusalem Aims to Reverse 3000 Years of History

That’s a lotta work.

Tipped by hutchrun, Fact Sheet: Global March to Jerusalem (GMJ), March 30, 2012 reveals that the GMJ’s aim is to highlight the so-called ‘Judaization of Jerusalem’.

Riiiiight…

The ‘Judaization of Jerusalem’ which began roughly since King David went and conquered it and made it capital of the Jewish kingdom, circa 1000 B.C.

The ‘Judaization of Jerusalem’, a city specifically mentioned 655 times in the Old Testament, 146 times in the New Testament, and 0 times in the Quran.

The ‘Judaization of Jerusalem’, the city which is No. 1 Most Holy Place in Judaism and only No. 3 Most Holy Place in Islam… And this is not counting the fact that – as mentioned above – it is never once mentioned by name in the Quran, and only assumed to be ‘the Remote House of Worship’ that their prophet visited. (Really, check out that link, they have to add it in in parentheses as a commentator’s note.)

The ‘Judaization of Jerusalem’, a city which has countless features, locations and nearby landmarks described in the Bible which either still exist today or have been uncovered by archaeological digs. Examples: water systems, defensive walls, city walls.

And if the Temple Mount area is really soooooooo sacred to Muslims – and not, say, just pushed as such in order to be used as a propaganda tool against the Jews – then why was it so poorly upkeeped and overgrown with weeds before the modern state of Israel encompassed Jerusalem?

Above tipped by hutchrun.

As usual and as expected, our own local leading Juice-fearer, Dr M is on board as an Advisory Board member (as in Obama’s spiritual mentor, Jeremiah ‘God D*mn America!’ Wright).

For more posts on this specific matter of laying claim to Jerusalem, see the following:

4000 Years in 4 minutes – Israel Animated History – Many videos on the ancient and modern history of Israel

Jordan is Palestine – Anyone familiar with the history knows it is correct. Immediately after World War One, Palestine consisted of what is now Jordan, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. … Jordanians, for decades, were avid proponents of the ‘Jordan is Palestine’ position. They used that position as justification for the annexation of the West Bank, arguing that Palestine was one single, indivisible unit, and that Jordan was the legitimate governing body of Palestine…

What to Do to Get Israel to Do This and That – You say: Israel should give back the land to the Palestinians and retreat to the 1967/1948 borders! Israel says: If the surrounding Arab nations will never ever attempt to attack, invade and conquer Israel again – which, if you’ll remember, is what led to Israel defeating them and capturing the land in war in the first place – then sure!

Is Israel Carrying Out a ‘Holocaust’ on Gaza Palestinians? – When Israel entered Gaza in a war of self-defense in 1967, the population was 360,000. After Israel withdrew totally from Gaza in 2005, it was estimated at 1.4 million. … When Israel entered Gaza in 1967, life expectancy for women was 46. When it left Gaza, it was 73.

Hamas TV: The Jews Carried Out the Holocaust on Themselves -

This Neocon Zionist Supports The Right of Return to Palestine/Israel – As long as the Jewish right of return is also recognized.

Pakistan-Israel Hypocritical Double Standards – …why it is that the world thinks that Pakistan is a legitimate and bona fide country created when a religious minority demanded independence, but not Israel?

Don’t Fark With the Jews! – A Brief History of How Israel Kicks Butt – In 1948, the U.N. agrees to give Israel and Palestine their own states. Seven Arab nations and a specially-formed anti-Israel force responded by immediately declaring war on and attacking Israel. … Israel’s 29,677 non-professional soldiers completely kicked the butts of 54,000 well-equipped enemy troops, armour and planes. The result was a doubling of Israel’s territory under the rules of ‘whoever wins the war gets the land’. The aftermath that lasts till today is the Arabs whining about Israel’s ‘aggression’ and ‘occupation’ of those lands.

The Cyrus Cylinder – Not Isolated and Not Vague Verification of the Bible’s Historical Accou – Anyone of his people among you – may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the LORD, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem.

Hunter x Hunter Coincidences With GOP Primaries 2012

So the latest in the 2012 Republican nominee race is that candidate Rick Perry is dropping out and endorsing Newt Gingrich. This follows shortly after Sarah Palin endorsed Newt.

With the backing of these two big names – Perry the Texas governor and jobs creator, and Sarah Palin the former Alaska governor, Vice Presidential candidate and always Tea Party darling – Newt suddenly has the boost he needs to reliably take on front-runner Mitt Romney.

By coincidence or freaky paranormal prediction by mangaka Yoshihiro Togashi, the current arc of Hunter x Hunter has some eerie similarities:

The smooth-talking, smart-suited, confident front-runner

Mitt Romney / Pariston Hill

The blunt-speaking hot-headed Unlikely getting a sudden wave of support upon his late entry

Newt Gingrich / Leorio Paladiknight

The reliable but otherwise unremarkable cowboy dude, (ultimately) passing on his votes to the Unlikely

Rick Perry / Mizaistom Nana

The classy-looking lady with the glasses, passing votes to the Unlikely

Sarah Palin / Cheadle Yorkshire

Front-runner will probably keep the country/organization along almost the same course, while Unlikely will most likely shake up the status quo.

And you know what’s the kicker? That chapter of Hunter x Hunter was published a few days before Rick Perry endorsed Newt Gingrich, and must have been planned, penciled, inked and submitted long before even Sarah Palin’s endorsement!

Like I said, Yoshihiro Togashi’s eerie powers! Not surprising coming from the author of creepy and often outright disturbing manga. ‘illness‘ nothing, he’s at home busy breaching the barriers between dimensions!

——————–

See also Silly Coincidences Between One Piece and Hunter x Hunter.

Peter Boettke on Austrian Economics: Ludqig von Mises’ 3 Great Contributions

Via AoSHQ, a long interview with this excerpt:

ONE: MONEY IS KEY TO ECONOMICS, DUH

Mises made at least three significant contributions to economics. The first contribution is in money and business cycle theory. What Mises tried to show is how money is central to all exchanges, because in a monetary economy, goods trade for money and money trades for goods. Goods don’t trade directly with other goods. Since money is one-half of all exchanges, if you screw around with money, you’re going to screw around with all the exchanges in the economy. He postulated that when the government distorts the monetary unit, through the manipulation of money and credit, it can generate boom-and-bust cycles. So rather than the business cycle being inherent to capitalism, it’s a consequence of distortions caused by the manipulation of money and credit.

TWO: PERFECT ECONOMIC PLANNING IS IMPOSSIBLE, WHAT MORE WITHOUT MARKET PRICES AS KEY INFORMATION

His second contribution was on the controversy over socialism, and whether it could engage in economic calculation. To put it simply, economic calculation helps you sort out – from the array of technologically feasible projects – those which are economic and those that aren’t. For example, you don’t want to build railroad tracks out of platinum, you want to build them out of steel. Platinum might well be technologically superior – smoother, longer-lasting – but it costs too much. The idea of socialism was to completely transcend the market economy, but if I don’t have prices and I don’t have exchange ratios established on the market because I have abolished commodity production, how am I going to know that I have to use steel?

Mises came in and said: Let’s assume that ends of socialism are highly desired – I’m not going to engage in a battle over ends. What is it socialists want to achieve? A burst of productivity, leading to an overcoming of the conflict between classes. What is their means to attain that goal? Collective ownership over the means of production. Rationalisation of production for direct use and not for exchange will produce this burst of productivity that will overcome scarcity and therefore the conflict between the classes. What Mises said was: Your means are in conflict with your ends, because you can’t engage in economic calculation. You’re not going to get rationalisation of production, you’re going to have endemic waste. He was the first person to demonstrate that. As the history of the Soviet system played out, including its early history from 1917-21, it seemed to play out Mises’s argument. Socialists were always making compromises with respect to their original plan, trying to jerry-rig it, and you get on this treadmill of economic reforms that characterise the entire Soviet period. Then, eventually, it unwinds in the late 1980s, and you even have people like [left-wing economist] Robert Heilbroner admitting that Mises was right.

THREE: ECONOMCIS IS A WONKY SCIENCE BASED ON WONKY HUMAN BEHAVIOUR

Mises’s third contribution is an argument about methodology in the social sciences. He argues that human sciences are different from the natural sciences. His methodological argument cut against the trend of the times, which was to move towards a unity of science approach – what’s right for physics is right across the board. Mises talks about methodological dualism. To communicate this simply, he used to say: “If you throw a rock into water it sinks; if you throw a stick into water it floats; if you throw a man into water he must decide whether to sink or swim.” What does that mean then for the way we approach the social sciences? If you think about economists, in the 18th and19th centuries – John Stuart Mill, David Hume, Adam Smith – they were philosophers. The way they reasoned was like a philosopher. When you get to the mid-20th century and you look at Paul Samuelson, he’s not a philosopher any more, he’s more like an engineer. His books look like engineering or chemistry books. There was a transformation of economics – it became a tool of social control.

To the Austrians, economics is not a tool of social control, it’s a framework for helping us understand humanity, its history, and our plight in the world. Hayek had a great phrase about this. He said that the curious task of economics is “to demonstrate to men how little they really know about what they imagine they can design”. Hayek’s Nobel Prize address was called “The Pretence of Knowledge”. He was going after the idea not only of socialism, but of large-scale macro models. Because in the mid-20th century, and going up through the 1970s, the economy was envisaged like a bathtub. One spigot was monetary policy and the other was fiscal policy, and an economist’s task was to turn those spigots on to make sure the water rose to the level in the bathtub that was consistent with full employment.

Mises and Hayek stood in complete opposition to that view. Even more so than Milton Friedman, because he’s arguing over which is more effective – fiscal or the monetary policy, but he’s still telling us we’re in control of the levers. What Mises and Hayek are saying is that that whole way of thinking about the economy reflects a pretence of knowledge – that we know what the full employment output level would be, that we know exactly how much water to let in, and how much to let out – whereas in reality, if we make a mistake with any of that, the water comes gushing out all over our bathroom floor, or it drains completely out and we have nothing.

The belief that social sciences should be like social physics is built on an assumption which Mises says you can’t make. Therefore you mischaracterise what the task of economics is – you send economics in a direction which is totally different from our heritage, of what we got from David Hume, Adam Smith, Jean-Baptiste Say and John Stuart Mill, and then Carl Menger, and then Mises, Hayek, and other people in the 20th century, like Jim Buchanan.

Newt Judges You – Best Picks

In a similar vein to Rick Perry Facts, it’s…

Link here!

Reference.

I still lean towards a Perry/Gingrich run. Perry for the policy and job creation, Newt for the murdering in debates.

Watch your little pencil necks, Dems and the crony media…

PS. Previously: Gingrich vs The Sheep