Sunday, March 25, 2007

Phrase of the Day

PB learned a new phrase today, while catching up on George Will columns - "rent-seeking." OK, I've actually heard it before, without necessarily knowing what it meant, and I'm sure you business school types are scoffing at PB's ignorance.

It is not true that businesses, as a matter of principle, want to fend off government regulation. Businesses have a metabolic urge to make money, which is as it should be. But when a compliant government gives them the opportunity to use government regulations to enhance their moneymaking, that metabolic urge will overpower any principles about the virtues of free (from government intervention) enterprise.

Sound like anyone we know?

BTW, note the link on the right from the page above for the Pat Sajak columns. Did you know Pat was a columnist? PB is having an enlightening weekend.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great blog.



We are launching a web forum – primarily focused on the clinical development side of pharma and I wanted to inquire about having your blog on our site in the “what to know” section – I would envision posting your bio as part of the gateway to your blog as well.



Please let me know if you are open to this idea and what other questions you may have.



Thank you.



Scott
scott.ballenger@epharmamindshare.com

Anonymous said...

I am an R&D executive......I ve launched a new forum, why not we discuss few thimgs over there....

www,pharmaw.ueuo.com

Anonymous said...

I enjoy your blog greatly. But of course I only come every few months because you do not write that often.

Write more! People are listening.

Caitlin

pedro velasquez said...

"The world of books is the most remarkable creation of man. Nothing else that he builds ever lasts. Monuments fall, sportsbook nations perish, civilizations grow old and die out; and, after an era of darkness, new races build others. But in the world of books are volumes that have seen this happen again and again, and yet live on, still young, still as fresh as the day they were written, still telling men’s hearts of the hearts of men centuries dead."
http://www.enterbet.com

kimberly sayer said...

George F. Will, whose newspaper column has been syndicated by The Washington Post Writers Group since 1974, today appears in more than 460 papers.costa rica fishingIn 1976, Will became a regular Newsweek contributor, providing the backpage essay twice a month. In the same year, George Will won a Pulitzer Prize for commentary for his newspaper column.
http://www.fishingcostaricaexperts.com

Anonymous said...

Will served as an editor for National Review from 1972 to 1978. He joined the Washington Post Writers Group in 1979, Costa rica tourswriting a syndicated twice-weekly column, which became widely circulated among newspapers across the country. In 1976, he became a contributing editor for Newsweek,
http://www.kingtours.com