Incentives. We love them. Without our parents’ offer of a cash bonus for good grades, we probably would have totally blown off Mrs. Smethels’ Home Economics class in 8th grade. The incentive […]
Beware the Unintended Consequences of the Cobra Effect
Luxembourg Cars Must Have Windshield Wipers But Windshields Are Optional
Governments can be famous for making regulations that put more emphasis on form than substance. No better example can be found than the highly-bureaucratic Vogons in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: […]
It is Illegal to Resign from the British Parliament
Those who hold national elected office typically consider it a high honor, difficult to achieve, and easy to lose. This has not always been the case. Evidence of this can be seen […]
The Cafeteria Named After a Notorious Cannibal
Those who gathered for the dedication of the Alferd Packer Memorial Grill in the Department of Agriculture thought they were witnessing homage to an enterprising pioneer. Little did they realize they were […]
Holy Humor
Pope John XXIII (1881-1963) had an impatience for bureaucracy and a wonderful sense of humor. Sometimes these two qualities came together with memorable results. When asked how many people work at the […]
Throw it All Away — But Be Sure to Keep It All
President Ronald Reagan devoted his presidency to combating an ever-growing and intrusive federal government. He recounted his days in the Army Air Force during World War II when he first faced the […]
At the Pentagon Making Brownies Isn’t as Easy as Pie
When you consider that the Constitution of the United States, at 4,400 words and fitting comfortably on 11 pages, gives the instructions needed to govern a nation of over 300 million people, […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 