“All plans of government, which suppose great reformation in the manners of mankind, are plainly imaginary.”
David Hume, Idea of a Perfect Commonwealth quoted in Samuel Brittan Against the Flow
In my latest National Post column I say we must get over our belief that we can live without trade-offs or anything bad ever happening, and make real-world choices about quarantines and everything else.
“the fastest execution since someone said, ‘This Guy Fawkes bloke, do we let him off, or what?’”
Edmund Blackadder in Black Adder Goes Forth, quoted in blackadderquotes.com/blackadder-series-4-episode-3-major-star-full-script
“After all that has been said of the levity and inconstancy of human nature, it appears evidently from experience that a man is of all sorts of luggage the most difficult to be transported.”
Adam Smith The Wealth of Nations
In my latest National Post column I say government should focus on public health and forget central planning.
In my latest Loonie Politics column I warn that, as a rising tide lifts many boats, one that suddenly recedes leaves a lot of things broken and stranded, and that unsound government programs will be conspicuous among them.
“There is a widespread desire everywhere to have human rights declared, protected and advanced.”
Michael Novak in First Things November 2002