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A Politically Incorrect Thanksgiving List

By Roy Cordato -- November 24, 2021

“Great entrepreneurs that I’m particularly thankful for include John D. Rockefeller, whose market insights and innovations drove down the price of kerosene in the late 1800s by almost 70 percent, making lighting affordable to the masses and giving them a life after sunset.”

1. Styrofoam cups and take-out containers—I love Styrofoam containers, especially in the winter. I like my coffee to be piping hot and I want it to stay that way to the very last drop. Paper cups just don’t do it, plus I typically have to use two. Also, the best way to be sure that your take-out orders remain hot all the way home is for them to be packaged in Styrofoam. It is truly a great invention. Paper is a terrible substitute.

2. Plastic Grocery Bags—they are clearly the most convenient way to bag your groceries, but they are also sturdy and great for a whole host of second, third, and fourth uses.…

Price ‘Gouging’ Laws & Hoarding: Institutionalizing Waste

By Roy Cordato -- May 17, 2021

“What actually constitutes ‘an extreme pricing practice,’ typically referred to as ‘price gouging,’ has nothing to do with sound economic theory and shows no consideration of what constitutes efficient price formation or the role of prices in an economy.”

“A year ago it was toilette paper; today it’s gasoline. The products that are hoarded may differ, but the cause of these shortages is ultimately the same: price controls.”

In the wake of the cyber-attack on the Colonial Pipeline, Southeast public officials at all levels of government are pleading with consumers not to hoard gasoline. Yet consumers are topping off the tanks of every car they own, even if those cars will ultimately be sitting in the driveways.

And with widespread hoarding comes shortages and long gasoline lines, which, in turn, incites more hoarding….…

A Politically Incorrect Thanksgiving List

By Roy Cordato -- November 27, 2019

As I think about all that I’m thankful for this year I realize that, in addition to my wonderful wife, family, friends and Church, there are a number of things that come to mind that have to be placed in the category of “politically incorrect” or even (horrors) the unwoke. So, I thought it would be fun to list my top ten politically incorrect blessings, plus a few honorable mentions. So here they are, in no particular order.

1. Styrofoam cups and take-out containers—I love Styrofoam containers, especially in the winter. I like my coffee to be piping hot and I want it to stay that way to the very last drop. Paper cups just don’t do it, plus I typically have to use two. Also, the best way to be sure that your take-out orders remain hot all the way home is for them to be packaged in Styrofoam.…

Is Solar Really Renewable–and Free?

By Roy Cordato -- January 5, 2016

Third-Party Solar Sales: Free Market Not

By Roy Cordato -- April 21, 2015

“Carbon Taxes and Global Warming” (Roy Cordato’s 1992 insight for today)

By Roy Cordato -- April 6, 2015

The ‘General Interest Effect’: Why the Free Market is a Hard Sell

By Roy Cordato -- February 6, 2015

Nuclear Power: Our High Costs Benefits! (Bastiat, call your office)

By Roy Cordato -- December 4, 2013

Net Subsidy Analysis: A Better Way to Assess Government Energy Policy

By Roy Cordato -- November 14, 2013

McCrory Cronyism: Republican Governor Saves Renewables Mandate

By Roy Cordato -- August 2, 2013