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A Stitch in Haste

A Stitch in Time Saves Nine … But Haste Makes Waste

A collection of real-world libertarian, individualist and laissez-faire rants on law, economics, politics, culture and other current events
by an average, everyday lawyer & investment banker and part-time pop scholar.


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Entries Tagged as 'Freedom of Contract'

On Religious Bigots' New-Found (Faux) Libertarianism

April 16th, 2009 · 22 Comments

If religious bigots really want to invoke libertarian arguments to legitimize their bigotry, then they better be prepared to be judged by real libertarians about the entire spectrum of libertarian issues.

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Tags: Capitalism · First Amendment - Religion · Freedom of Contract · Law · Society, Religion, Culture Wars

Are All Asymmetrical Contracts "Unjust"?

February 7th, 2009 · 3 Comments

The Times' "Ethicist" channels George Costanza.

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Tags: Capitalism · Freedom of Contract · Kip's Law · Law

CRS Recommendation: Federal Civil Rights Statutes

November 28th, 2008 · 1 Comment

A Stitch in Haste recommends the following report from the Congressional Research Service:
Federal Civil Rights Statutes: A Primer
Summary:
Under federal law, an array of civil rights statutes are available to protect individuals from discrimination. This report provides a brief summary of selected federal civil rights statutes, including the Civil Rights Act, the Equal Pay Act, the [...]

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Tags: Constitutional Issues · Freedom of Contract · Law · Libertarianism · Property Rights · Society, Religion, Culture Wars

From the Archives: Is the eHarmony eLawsuit eFrivolous?

November 20th, 2008 · 1 Comment

While I was not surprised to learn that the online dating site eHarmony would eventually be compelled to cease its policy of not accepting gays as clients, I was surprised to learn that the compulsion would come from New Jersey:
Under terms of the settlement between Eric McKinley, a gay match-seeker from New Jersey, and eHarmony, [...]

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Tags: Activist Legislators & Nanny Statists · Freedom of Contract · Gay Rights and Issues · Law · Society, Religion, Culture Wars · Updates

"Constitution Day" Apparently Not on the List

November 19th, 2008 · Comments Off

Interesting:
A state appeals court ruled Wednesday that a western Pennsylvania township violated constitutional protections in forcing a sexually oriented business to close on minor holidays such as Flag Day.

The video and book store, Adultland XXX, faced the prospect of being shut down for a year because it conducted sales on Flag Day 2006. It previously [...]

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Tags: Constitutional Issues · Freedom of Contract · Law Enforcement Abuses · Property Rights · Society, Religion, Culture Wars

Linkfest: Go Nudge Yourself

November 19th, 2008 · Comments Off

To review: There was a flash in the blogospheric pan a few months ago over a controversial book called Nudge, the authors of which (a law professor and an economics professor, both of some renown) insisted that "libertarian paternalism" is not an axiomatic oxymoron. I, along with almost every other libertarian commentator, was skeptical.
Through sheer [...]

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Tags: Freedom of Contract · Kip's Law · Libertarianism · Updates

Another "Market Communism" Anecdote

November 18th, 2008 · Comments Off

Anyone still pretending that China's authoritarians are committed to free-market principles?
Companies in two Chinese provinces, Shandong and Hubei, have been told they must seek official consent if they want to lay off more than 40 people. The order highlights the Chinese authorities' concern over mounting job losses.

The Chinese authorities are keen to avoid social instability, [...]

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Tags: Capitalism · Foreign Affairs · Freedom of Contract

We Killed Off Lochner for This?

November 8th, 2008 · 4 Comments

Another oblivious contribution from the increasingly silly New York Times "Ethicist" column. The question put to him:
I own a busy cafe-delicatessen with 25 employees. All the workers except two enjoy listening to background music from the radio while they work, as do I; those two say it irritates them, gives them headaches and makes it [...]

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Tags: Capitalism · Freedom of Contract · Property Rights

Kip's Law Sighting: Are We at "Socialism" Yet?

October 22nd, 2008 · Comments Off

Barney Frank calls for making Wall Street bonuses illegal:
"There should be a moratorium on bonuses," Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat, told reporters yesterday in Washington. "They have a negative incentive effect because they are the ones that say if you take a risk and it pays off you get a big bonus," and if it causes [...]

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Tags: Capitalism · Freedom of Contract · Kip's Law · Politics

On "The New Incompetents™"

October 20th, 2008 · 1 Comment

Anyone remember Benny Stulwicz?
Benny was the affable, mildly retarded mailroom clerk in everyone's favorite dysfunctional law firm, McKenzie Brackman. Although Benny, brilliantly played by Larry Drake, was a secondary character, his disability was a productive font of story lines across many seasons of L.A. Law.
In one episode, Benny arrives at work wearing a turban. When [...]

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Tags: Freedom of Contract · Law