NOTE: This is an occasional piece, unrelated to the weekly economic analysis piece that is circulated over the weekends, which will, of course, continue.

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August 3rd, 2015

 

IT DEPENDS WHAT THE MEANING OF CHARITY IS

 

       The New York Times notes that the Clintons have decided to contribute between $5 million and $10 million to the Clinton Foundation. "That may reflect their enhanced wherewithal" - they earned more than $30 million in the past year and a half, and, it would seem, want to share the wealth. Actually, as The Times later points out, "They did not write personal checks, however: the money was transferred from a smaller charity, the Clinton Family Foundation, to the larger entity." Oh. So what then does taking from one pocket and putting the money into another  have to do with "their enhanced wherewithal", which they have not shared with their Foundation? In fact, the story might go, "Despite their enhanced wherewithal, the Clintons have decided against a new donation to their Foundation."

 

 

 

LIBERTARIANS FOR BIGGER GOVERNMENT  

 

     Libertarians in Colorado are flying high after their success in getting marijuana legalized in the state. In our little town of Aspen, there are now seven stores in which eager consumers - I perhaps should say addicts because one user recently held up a store, threatening staff with a hammer, because he absolutely positively had to have the $11,000 worth of weed - can satisfy their desire for the stuff. Score one for libertarians.


 

       Not so fast. After a liberty of this sort is won, more government will inevitably be right there to monitor it. On Wednesday the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement and Taxation wing of the Department of Revenue swept through Aspen. Also known as The Marijuana Enforcement Division, acronym a handy MED, performed "compliance checks." The Aspen Daily News says that the MED did not notify the Aspen Police Department (APD) until after the sweep, and that MED intervened because a young woman a few weeks shy of the legal age of 21 attempted to purchase marijuana at several stores. 


 

     The agents of MED, salaries between $55,000 and $82,000 plus benefits, performed and closed 3,200 due diligence and complaint investigations last year. MED is accepting applications to fill more posts. Congratulations to the libertarians for shrinking government. 
 

 

For Questions or Comments please email Irwin Stelzer at irwin@irwinstelzer.com 


 

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