Making it to morning
“Tell us about the American miracle,” someone yelled breaking the crowd’s silence.
It was 1981. The event was an international economic summit in Canada, and America was firing on all cylinders. The country was entering...
Let business go: regulations
It was just months ago that economic indicators marked the most welcome creation of wealth and growth, and the nation made record gains in prosperity fueled by optimism and ability.
How do we get the...
Beauty will save the world
It is said that beauty preserves the human essence. Through time and modernity, styles will change but human nature, the truth at man’s core—remains constant. Behavioral scientists know this. Marketers know this. Those purveyors...
The creators
“Beauty is the promise of happiness,” wrote 19th Century French writer Stendhal. Beauty “exalts the mind or spirit,” according to Merriam-Webster and “truth, beauty and goodness” are the eternal principles for which the soul...
Jumping from planes
I know this because he told us at the recent Mortgage Bankers Association conference in San Diego. He had just had his second hip replaced, but you couldn't tell it. No matter what you...
Unintended consequences of public housing
My grandfather was the first landlord I ever met. It was he who taught me about the business of rental housing, starting and running companies, and the intrinsic value of hard work—all without ever...
The fable of the bees
The fable of bees (or private vices, public benefits) was written in 1714 by Bernard Mandeville, who is today considered one of the first purveyors of economic theory. At the time of his writing...
Make your own luck
Rumors of America’s death have been greatly exaggerated. The proverbial lucky fool—these United States of America—has proven itself replete with those things that truly matter—an innovative, hard-working citizenry, a self-correcting Constitution and a land...
America 2.0
Within the pages ahead, you will read about folks living the "original" American Dream, one of mere opportunity. It's a grand tale of strength, determination and stunning beauty; the stuff of legend.
Clearly, as we...
A great deal of ruin in a nation
Asked if the loss of the American colonies would mean ruin for Britain, Adam Smith replied, “There is a great deal of ruin in a nation.” Even after the loss, Britain went on to...
Truth and consequences
"America did not tell the millions of men and women who came from every country in the world and who -- with their hands, their intelligence and their heart -- built the greatest nation...
Fighting back
There was a sign posted on a wall of St. Thomas More school in Bel-Nor, Mo, entitled, “Lest we forget.” It was a short list—a reminder—of what “we” students believed and how these beliefs...
Birth of a builder
Christmas makes me think of builders. It celebrates, among other supernatural events, the birth of a carpenter who apprenticed in the family business. Once grounded in the principles of earthly construction he went on...
Choose courage
The growth that once propelled America and generated expansion, upward mobility and a pervasive prosperity is now the weakest in at least seven decades.
So we’re anxious.
Still, there are points of light like consumer spending,...
When Irish eyes are smiling
I shake my head in agreement because no one can win against the Irish drinking song argument. It's just one of those life-truths.
In fact, I hear Irish drinking songs every time I open a...
