In the Ukraine war, after the war had been won, the only stable solution to this conflict is Ukraine being a member of NATO. Ukraine then can focus on reforming institutions to bring themselves in line with European Union acquis in preparation for membership. Any time a conflict ends, the most important thing is what …
Author Archives: stidmatt
Timelines
Paradox of Tolerance
Radical Islamists gather in Hamburg to call for caliphate https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hizb_ut-Tahrir_in_Deutschland https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/10/08/pro-palestinian-protest-erupts-in-frankfurt-despite-city-ban https://www.rferl.org/a/germany-pro-russia-rallies-discrimination/31795983.html Germany is failing the Paradox of Tolerance. While anti-Semites can freely protest in Germany, people calling for freedom in Palestine and an end to the bombardment of Gaza face the full brutality of the law. Supporters of Putin are allowed to rally in …
Canadian, Newfoundland, and US elections, 1836 to present
Having some fun drawing maps this morning. I hope this is helpful in seeing long-term political trends in North America.
The key to peace
It’s travel and frequent communication between countries. The way this would work, in order: Debt-free college. Educated citizens are less likely to fall for populism. Abolish eVisas between democracies. Implement eGates for your citizens at airport customs. It will tremendously improve everyone’s speed through airports. Extend eGate access to other countries where the risks are …
2024 checklist
Here are the major changes that need to happen in the next year: Ukraine must win the war and be accepted as a full member of NATO. For this to happen, Ukraine needs to be able to strike all Russian military targets. Accept Georgia as a full member of NATO. Israel needs to stop bombing …
We need a tourism lobby
I was doing some reading this evening and wondering why the Andean Community and MERCOSUR don’t merge. I thought about the intricacies of that relationship, which led me to look at how Brazil is now going to implement a new visa for “security reasons.” That made me think: What is the actual evidence on visas …
The Tax, service, inflation trilemma
Modern democracy is based on the following system: Low inflation Tax rates to cover services Services provided for no additional at point of use You can have all three of these, and people love having low inflation and services provided for no additional charge. Highways without tolls, city parks without a fee to enter, everyone …
Quick answers to structural problems
This article by Strong Towns is a good one, read this before reading my commentary on it. I mostly agree with this article. I do not believe there is a free quick fix to ending the insane housing inflation we are experiencing in this country. We have had restrictive zoning which has reduced the quantity …
Results of compromise
The center-right party in Austria has spent the last couple of years doing everything it possibly can to get votes from the far right. They have denied Schengen membership to Romania and Bulgaria and have not been supporting Ukraine with military weapons. They’ve played right into Putin’s hands. Yesterday, the far right still won the …