Good Intentions: Philanthropy and Microfinance

Good intentions don't always yield good results: "Your help is hurting" considers handouts versus investment and training.  You may recall this interview with Kenyan economist James Shikwati.

Property Rights ... In Spaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaace!

All kidding aside, this is very interesting.

"Secretary of Business" as Symptomatic

I've already mocked this, but Ricochet points out that the President's whole risible (and clueless) "Secretary of Business" suggestion is actually (and grimly) symptomatic of Obama's entire approach to business:

This is really how President Obama sees the private sector. It’s just one more interest group in need of care and feeding by Big Government. And since we already have a Commerce Department, let’s just rebrand that sucker and subject it to a little technocratic tinkering. Given this administration’s love of industrial policy — picking winners and losers — Obama might as call the position Secretary of Crony Capitalists.

Do recall, gentle readers, that crony capitalism is not the same thing as actual capitalism.

UPDATE: Well, that took no time at all.  Add this.

Startup Hopes to Hack the Immigration System with a Floating Incubator

Um ... what?   Hmmm ... Is it so crazy that it just might work?   I'm intrigued.  Blurb after the fold.