Entries by Andrew Cline

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A N.H. commuter rail question: Should Paul Revere have taken the T to Lexington (or Nashua)?

When considering commuter rail in New Hampshire, here’s thought experiment that offers a great place to start. Should the Massachusetts Bay Colony have built commuter rail in Revolutionary-era Boston? Assuming the technology had been available, would this have made any sense? We can get to an answer by looking at the primary obstacle to building […]

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How licensing makes you wait longer for a haircut

Unless you’re still growing your pandemic beard, you might’ve noticed that getting an appointment with your barber or stylist seems to take longer than it did before the pandemic.  It’s not all the extra alcohol you got accustomed to consuming on a weekly basis since 2020. The supply of barbers, hairdressers, hair stylists and cosmetologists […]

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An island of liberty — under attack

New Hampshire’s view of national politics is distorted by the presidential primary. The distortion is so strong that sometimes we fail to see broader national trends until they become part of a narrower story about presidential ambitions. Gov. Chris Sununu’s 2023 inaugural address is a perfect example. The speech stands on its own as a […]

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The foundation of all Christmas giving is prosperity

The legend of Santa Claus is based on the actual St. Nicholas, and all tales of jolly old St. Nick share the same beginning.  Nicholas, born in 280 AD, was orphaned when his parents died in an epidemic. He went to live with his uncle, a Christian bishop. Strong in his faith, the young Nicholas […]

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Humbug! Scrooge would want fewer apartments

In the opening of “The Muppets Christmas Carol,” Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat are selling apples in a dingy London market. Gonzo scolds Rizzo for eating the inventory.  “Hey, I’m creatin’ scarcity,” Rizzo replies. “Drives the prices up.” Rizzo is a clever rat. Later in the movie, the ghosts of the Marleys tell Scrooge how […]