Reason Magazine Needs Your Help

I think Mike and I (0.00 / 0)

would disagree with the following comment, but whatever...

As the lone libertarian among the four

Is it because we don't toke?

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by: Rob "EaBo Clipper" Eno @ Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 07:21:07 AM CST

Maybe Reason can get bail-out... (0.00 / 0)

...either that, it can compete in the market place of ideas and live or die.  Of course it would be no surprise to me if Reason is having problems, given that it's poster boy for libertarian ideals, Alan Greenspan,  admitted he had it all wrong and if his libertarian efforts were the single biggest contribution to the near collapse of our financial system.  These idealogical error then required the massive government intervention you decry.  Garrett, I have to much respect for you...please don't lower yourself with the knee-jerk, "it was Barney Frank's fault" whine.  

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by: Festus Garvey @ Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 07:49:09 AM CST

citation (0.00 / 0)

Can you cite where Alan Greenspan said what you attribute to him?

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by: Rob "EaBo Clipper" Eno @ Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 08:00:17 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I think Festus is referncing this. (0.00 / 0)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27...

Greenspan, 82, acknowledged under questioning that he had made a "mistake" in believing that banks, operating in their own self-interest, would do what was necessary to protect their shareholders and institutions. Greenspan called that "a flaw in the model ... that defines how the world works."

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"It is true that I am of an older fashion; much that I love has been destroyed or sent into exile." - The Judgement of Dr. Johnson, Act III

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by: Patrick @ Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 09:52:44 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Let's go to the video... (0.00 / 0)

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by: Festus Garvey @ Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 10:30:16 AM CST

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Uh... (0.00 / 0)

I've never used the "it was Barney Frank's fault" whine. Don't know where that is coming from.  

"The prediction here is that RMG will peter out in a couple of months." - Adam Reilly, 2/28/2007

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by: Garrett Quinn @ Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 08:57:39 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Hence why I have respect for you... (0.00 / 0)

...you have enough brains not to fall in line with conventional talking points, whether they come from the left or the right.

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by: Festus Garvey @ Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 10:23:30 AM CST

[ Parent ]

it was barney frank's fault (0.00 / 0)

no justice, no peace.

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by: benwetmore @ Sun Nov 15, 2009 at 15:55:21 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Greenspan (0.00 / 0)

As other commenters have pointed out, Reason is "competing in the market place of ideas." It isn't "having problems" any more than a public radio station is having problems when it has its annual pledge drive. And it isn't violating its principles, because libertarianism favors every sort of voluntary transaction, not just buying and selling.

Also, Alan Greenspan is not the "poster boy for libertarian ideals." He spent two decades as the head of an institution charged with centrally planning one of the most important aspects of the economy, and he engaged in targetted interventions several times over the years, e.g. during the Asian financial crisis of the late '90s. Not very libertarian.

Now, there are libertarians who will argue that, overall, he was a more benign Fed chair than the others; and there are libertarians who disagree. But the fact remains that he was a Fed chair -- and that, unlike asking for donations, does fly in the face of libertarianisn.

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by: JW @ Sun Nov 15, 2009 at 10:14:40 AM CST

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Somewhat echoing Festus. (0.00 / 0)

I also find it odd how people who supposedly have a better understanding of the economy over everyone else are unable to use that understanding to make money.  Why can't Reason invest what they have in ways that are sure to make themselves lots of money?

Anyways, Reason is a better place for interesting information than other places.  If I were stuck on a deserted island and could only have 2 magazine subscriptions with me, it would be The American Conservative and Reason.

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"It is true that I am of an older fashion; much that I love has been destroyed or sent into exile." - The Judgement of Dr. Johnson, Act III

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by: Patrick @ Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 08:59:13 AM CST

Now for a back pedal, before I make a socialist leap... (0.00 / 0)

...history shows that narrow intellectual magazines--regardless of their ideology--have two traits in common.  They have great influence in shaping future political movements and events and that they NEVER are a commercial success.  That is why many operate as non-profits and seek generous contributions.  

So it is healthy for our democracy that we have many of these small publications, yet the free market can not sustain them and we need ways to support them, because the market can't.  

This is just another of many examples that the glorified free markets are not the answer.  If we want a vibrant exchange of ideas that shape the long-term course we take as a society, we need to support the idea-labortories that give birth to them.  Sorry, but Capitalism an't the solution to everything.

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by: Festus Garvey @ Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 10:40:25 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Contributions. (0.00 / 0)

Can contributions be seen as part of the business model?

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"It is true that I am of an older fashion; much that I love has been destroyed or sent into exile." - The Judgement of Dr. Johnson, Act III

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by: Patrick @ Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 11:00:21 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Yes! (0.00 / 0)

My point exactly.  Private donations are a part of capitalism.  We talk about a FREE market.  That means you are FREE to spend your money (or give it away) they way you see fit.  Charities and non-profits are capitalism at work.  Those who want the services of Reason magazine more can choose to give more.

Corporatism and capitalism are not the same.  Big government bailouts, subsidies and so on are the opposite of capitalism.  The money being sent to businesses is irrelevant.

"Victory is Mine!" - Stewart Gilligan Griffin.

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by: Mike "DD4RP" Rossettie @ Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 13:30:16 PM CST

[ Parent ]

no... (4.00 / 1)

...another name for contributions is charity.  And where does charity fall in scheme of things of Capitalism?  Well, as charity.  

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by: Festus Garvey @ Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 18:30:52 PM CST

[ Parent ]

You have (0.00 / 0)

Once again proven you have no idea what you are talking about.  Study after study shows the rate of charitable giving is higher among conservatives than progressives. You see liberals/progressives think the government should take care of all the world's ills. Conservatives believe they have an individual responsibility to help their fellow man.

This is why I am involved in Saturday Sunday Bread.  An organization that feeds close to 100 homeless and low income people twice a week.  It does this while taking absolutely NO Government funding.

I put my money and effort where my mouth is. Do you? Or does government fill the charity role for you?

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by: Rob "EaBo Clipper" Eno @ Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 19:38:29 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Here Here (0.00 / 0)

While charity may not figure into the technical discussion of capitalism it has been a component of our society since it's inception.  It's why it's part of our tax code....you know that whole government trying to encourage those things it deems socially positive (like owning a home, having children, donating to charity).  

It has been my observation that as government has taken a more active role in daily life, and less emphasis has been placed on the traditional family (married, kids, church, community involvement), that more and more people are of the belief that if there is a problem/need gov't must meet that need....and has bred the entitlement generation.  There are some things that only government is big/powerful enough to do, and they should have a role.  But it is a double edged sword.  Now instead of meeting basic needs of the poor, we've created a culture of dependence for some.  Values that used be taught in churches & temples are part of the curriculum at schools.  But typical of any philosophical discussion some deem that as progress while others call it decay.

Charity is a big part of American society through churches, civic organizations and other non profits.  Personally, I prefer it because I can decide where my time and money are directed. I know and seen many individuals personally who have had much more positive influence in their communities than the mighty government could ever hope for....they did it quicker, with less redtape, and cheaper than Congress or Beacon Hill could order pizza...probably because getting votes wasn't part of their motivation.

Follow me on twitter @garyrlake

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by: garyrlake @ Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 20:18:01 PM CST

[ Parent ]

You're comment has nothing to do with my point... (0.00 / 0)

...with regards to Reason and the way society supports important functions, and he want to spin it into a tired talking point about about liberals and conservatives.  As for my personal behavior, I'm on two advisory boards for two different non-profits (one with a national scope) and recently (summer and fall) I donated about 40 hours of my time to help two other non-profits strengthen their fundraising efforts.  So get off your high horse and go bleep yourself.  

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by: Festus Garvey @ Sun Nov 15, 2009 at 09:31:06 AM CST

[ Parent ]

BTW... (0.00 / 0)

...one reason why I'm supporting long-shoot Senate candidate Alan Khazie because of his approach to solving problems.  It's not so much that he started a non-profit instead of creating a new government agencies (he has obtained gov $), but that his approach is from the ground up, community-based.  He and many liberals distain bureaucracies and they are found in both the private and public sector.  Sure there are some Dems that knee-jerk for a government solution, but there are many more that use other means to solve problems.  The key is to solve problems and not have ideological blinders as to how the problems are solved.    

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by: Festus Garvey @ Sun Nov 15, 2009 at 09:37:18 AM CST

[ Parent ]

That sir, is a great reason to support a candidate. Good luck (0.00 / 0)

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by: politicalmadman @ Sun Nov 15, 2009 at 22:02:24 PM CST

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E, You are correct on those stats, proven true time and time again. (0.00 / 0)

Except the Clintons, after all they donated their used underware and took the deduction.

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by: politicalmadman @ Sun Nov 15, 2009 at 22:00:47 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Charity is a part of capitalism (0.00 / 0)

People are voluntarily putting their money where they so choose.

"Victory is Mine!" - Stewart Gilligan Griffin.

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by: Mike "DD4RP" Rossettie @ Sun Nov 15, 2009 at 17:44:43 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Alyssa Rosenbaum begs to differ (0.00 / 0)

no justice, no peace.

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by: benwetmore @ Mon Nov 16, 2009 at 00:22:52 AM CST

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screw TAC, TakiMag is where it's at. (0.00 / 0)

no justice, no peace.

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by: benwetmore @ Sun Nov 15, 2009 at 15:56:31 PM CST

[ Parent ]

If it isn't available in print... (0.00 / 0)

...then it isn't a real magazine.  Sorry, I didn't make the rules.

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"It is true that I am of an older fashion; much that I love has been destroyed or sent into exile." - The Judgement of Dr. Johnson, Act III

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by: Patrick @ Sun Nov 15, 2009 at 18:32:28 PM CST

[ Parent ]

humbug! (0.00 / 0)

web mag is just as legit/worthy of the word "mag" as print mag.

i.e. the statement "Rich Lowry ruined the print version of the National Review magazine by enabling sophomoric and moronic Jonah Goldberg to switch the essence of the magazine to the internets."

National Review was a print magazine, now, of course, it's substantively only an online one.  

And, yes yes yes, they publish a print version, but no one really reads that anymore.

no justice, no peace.

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by: benwetmore @ Mon Nov 16, 2009 at 00:21:06 AM CST

[ Parent ]

oh and I should have been clearer in saying that Lowry ruined NR in the process (0.00 / 0)

no justice, no peace.

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by: benwetmore @ Mon Nov 16, 2009 at 00:21:36 AM CST

[ Parent ]

May 2011 (0.00 / 0)

My National Review subscription is good through May 2011.  

I need to renew my Weekly Standard subscription which is due in January, I think.

I gave up on the American Conservative & Human Events a couple years back.

I found myself not having the time to read Human Events along with my other reading (books, other mags, etc) & the American Conservative... eh, I've bought it, let is expire, bought it & let it expire a few times now.

"Tomorrow will be better for as long as America keeps alive the ideals of freedom and a better life." - Walt Disney

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by: BNCordeiro @ Mon Nov 16, 2009 at 06:35:47 AM CST

[ Parent ]

yea, I hear you on TAC (0.00 / 0)

they seem to come close to greatness, and then go crazy and write something almost entirely nonsensical.

But Brock, let me bring you to the darkside, embrace takimag.  You'll love it.

www.takimag.com

if nothing else, just read Steve Sailer's stuff and tell me you don't love it:

http://www.takimag.com/blogs/S...
http://isteve.blogspot.com/

no justice, no peace.

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by: benwetmore @ Tue Nov 17, 2009 at 02:07:35 AM CST

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" If I were stuck on a deserted island and could only have 2 magazine subscriptions with me, it would be The American Conservative and Reason." (0.00 / 0)

LIAR!!!!


Help rebuild the MA GOP - Defeat Baker/Tisei!

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by: Republican Ram Rod Radio @ Mon Nov 16, 2009 at 09:35:15 AM CST

[ Parent ]