Economic Freedom Zones?

Posted by Wonky 11 years, 4 months ago to Politics
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This is surreal. I generally approve of Rand Paul's stated goals, but this is one has me scratching my head. It's sort of like wealth/debt redistribution by zip code. I can see how success could lead to national implementation, but I don't see any short term benefit to the rest of us unless we all migrate to these zones (maybe that's the point- that many would?).


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  • Posted by mruhland16 11 years, 4 months ago
    You could just send your capital to Detroit. You could stay a safe distance away.
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  • Posted by jconne 11 years, 4 months ago
    Demented antiemetic comments aside (who's moderating this site?)...

    The idea of slicing out an experiment in freedom by a geographical zone could serve as a demonstration to those who have been intellectually crippled by government education - those who have learned nothing from history.

    We may need to address the concrete bound thinkers too as we reeducate the electorate to vote for freedom.
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  • Posted by Henry 11 years, 4 months ago
    Again government will pick winners and losers!
    America does not need government relief, America needs relief from government!
    HR
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  • Posted by $ jlc 11 years, 4 months ago
    Great idea. I do not think it will pass, as it undercuts the power structure of agencies whose only rational is their ability to restrict technology. It is certainly heartening to read, though. I have been downcast by the fact that, bad as the US is, I cannot find any country that is 'freer'. The idea that we could develop enclaves within the US that are allowed to be productive...Ahhh! Maybe all is not lost.
    Jan
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  • -1
    Posted by $ Commander 11 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Bully! Bully! Look to the history of contemporary fiat monetary systems (past 400 years) and the "controls" they acquire and enact. As I recall, Allan Greenspan was an opponent of the "Fed".....at one time.
    As for your "hanging" Dargo.....I'll swing with you.
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  • -1
    Posted by Dargo 11 years, 4 months ago
    Rand Paul has sold out to the money changers. I will not state who they are, over half the people on this site will try to hang me.
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  • -1
    Posted by Dargo 11 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    It is the jewish bankers. Rand Paul went to jewland for a week and they paid for it with US taxpayers money.
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  • Posted by 11 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Agreed. It seems like a bizarre political move for Rand Paul - except insofar as counties in his state might benefit. I have a hunch there's something more to this... I guess we'll see if/when it plays out. At the very least, it appears, on the surface, to be less like a bailout.
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  • Posted by 11 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Yep. I'm a bit disenchanted with Rand Paul for this. I guess his interests are currently in Kentucky, so it makes a certain degree of political sense for him. On the other hand, I see it interfering with presidential ambitions.
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  • Posted by khalling 11 years, 4 months ago
    as much as I loved Jack Kemp, this has always worked out as a big fat pork barrel project. I'm with Hiraghm. picks the winners and the rest are losers.
    If they really wanted to make Detroit an "experiment" go the whole way and make it truly free market
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  • Posted by Lucky 11 years, 4 months ago
    Any pragmatic government faced with economic decline would give the idea a try, there is not much downside if it fails. There are many variations so even a statist regime could do it.
    I do not have links to hand but there are a number of similar zones around the world, curious that there is no reference to these in the paper (it loads ok here). From memory all have had at least some moderate success.
    Consider, the relative success of Hong Kong and Macao compared with mainland China, and China after the economic freeing up compared with before.
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  • Posted by khalling 11 years, 4 months ago
    I'm not able to open the article. I'm really interested in this. where did you find it?
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