On ‘liberation day,’ April 2, President Donald Trump announced, to the shock and awe of the world, sweeping reciprocal tariffs on the goods of most countries, bringing to an end, in one fell swoop, the era of free trade, the foremost champion of which was Adam Smith in 1776 in “An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth […]
Tag Archives: Opinion
THE BANKS AND THE STONE AGE
The institutions most often criticized by the Government and private sector officials are the banks. The most recent is that the banks are in the stone age. If the Government has the power to legislate, and the banks are among the most regulated institutions in the country, a relevant question is: having regard to the […]
WOULD I BE ABLE TO FINALLY BUY A NEW CAR?
Whether or not readers of this column believe me, I have never been able to afford a new car because of the exorbitant duty. I once purchased one twenty-five years ago. But I could only afford it because I was entitled to duty free as Speaker of the House. I could not otherwise afford a new car then or now, if I have to pay duty. But I look forward very soon to being able […]
THE LAW IS A JEALOUS MISTRESS – A NEW DIMENSION
“The law is a jealous mistress and requires long and constant courtship. It is not won by trifling favours, but by lavish homage.” So said US Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story in 1929. Much has been written about this statement, including its origins. One suggestion is that it was first used by James Madison, the fourth President of the United States, […]
THE ADVENTURES OF MELLY MEL
Melissa Ann Atwell, a Facebook personality, who goes by the call name of ‘Melly Mel,’ attracted the ire of the Attorney General (AG) who has filed a court action against her claiming $100 million in damages for libel. Over the past week Ms. Atwell, in a series of posts on Facebook, revealed in a diatribe ripe with abuse of Mr. Nandlall, that he is the source of a great deal of juicy, but […]