Business Forum: NAFTA helped increase flow of illegal immigrants by David Morris Originally published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, May 7, 2006 The debate about illegal immigration rarely mentions the North American Free Trade Agreement, known as NAFTA. That’s regrettable, since the flood of illegal Mexicans in 2006 empirically challenges the philosophy that guided NAFTA’s design. … Read More
Business Forum: ‘Givings’ could help fund LRT expansion by David Morris Originally published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, April 2, 2006 We’re all familiar with the “takings” movement, and its central argument. If a public action reduces the value of property, the public should compensate the owner for the loss. You’ve probably never heard of the … Read More
Commentary: Before long, a vehicle that solves problems? by David Morris Originally published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, April 1, 2006 I magine driving a car without consuming petroleum, or generating pollution, or making noise. Imagine getting the equivalent of 100 to 150 miles per gallon. Imagine that every time you drove, you pumped money into … Read More
Business Forum: Ford can find its way by looking to future by David Morris Originally published in Minneapolis Star Tribune, December 5, 2005 The imminent eclipse of General Motors by Toyota as the world’s largest car manufacturer was decades in the making. We will read many instructive tales about how General Motors, and U.S. car companies … Read More
Hybrids and biofuels would be a good fit for Minnesota by David Morris Originally published in Minneapolis Star Tribune, September 18, 2005 In the aftermath of Katrina’s fury, and the passage of a remarkably weak and largely irrelevant federal energy bill, Americans have learned two important lessons. We need desperately and rapidly to eliminate our dependence … Read More
Airline deregulation wasn’t cure-all by David Morris Originally published in Minneapolis Star Tribune, August 28, 2005 Two weeks ago I was searching online for a nonstop flight from Albany, N.Y., to Washington, D.C. United’s flight was full, but a direct flight was available from a company called Independence Air, and it was $100 cheaper. I was … Read More
Watching minutes, ignoring hours by David Morris Originally published in Minneapolis Star Tribune, May 1, 2005 A few years ago the following tongue-in-cheek economics lesson made the rounds of mainstream news journals: Bill Gates would lose money if, on his way to work, he stopped to pick up a $100 bill. Why? Over his business career … Read More
Malpractice suits aren’t what needs fixing here by David Morris Originally published in Minneapolis Star Tribune, January 10, 2005 One of the major cost drivers in the delivery of health care are these junk and frivolous lawsuits, President Bush has told the American people. Here are seven facts that prove him wrong. Insurance rates do not … Read More
Ethanol production makes sense, when you consider the facts by David Morris Originally published in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, November 28, 2004 A recent column by Craig Westover claimed it takes more energy to make ethanol than is contained in ethanol (“Let’s have both sides of ethanol debate,” Nov. 17). The only evidence he offered … Read More
