After failing to reach an agreement, the deferral budget expired on the evening of September 30th, officially beginning what is commonly referred to as a “government shutdown.” Leading off this week, Craig Eyermann foreshadows the political spectacle.

Francis Crescia continues, writing up how Mark Carney’s government recycles old Liberal policies under a fresh bureaucratic facade while achieving little tangible progress.

Caleb Fuller and Art Carden respond to a review of Mere Economics, defending economics as a vital tool for understanding human choice, arguing that incentives shape behavior even in areas such as love, faith, and family life.

James Rushmore reminds us that, despite tragic events and political pressure, decades of Supreme Court precedent affirm that the First Amendment protects even offensive or hateful speech from government censorship.

I discuss a scene in The Devil Wears Prada that illustrates how ideas often trickle down from elites to the masses through cultural osmosis, shaping decisions in ways people may not even be aware of.

Finally, Lawrence McQuillan writes how recent fires emphasize how private land ownership incentivizes better wildfire prevention.

Enjoy.

Jonathan Hofer
Managing Editor