February, 2026 | Joel Gross's Blog

Free Countries Much Wealthier Per Capita

On average, countries categorized as “Free” (highly capitalist) have a GDP per capita nearly 10 times higher than those categorized as “Repressed” (highly state-controlled or socialist). There is a consistent positive correlation where higher levels of economic freedom (lower government intervention, stronger property rights, and open markets) correspond to higher average incomes. Iconic capitalist hubs like Singapore and Switzerland maintain some of the highest standards of living globally ($90k–$150k+ PPP), while modern states with heavy socialist policies or state control, like Venezuela, have seen significant economic declines ($8k PPP or lower).

End Factory Learning, Return Choice to Families

Industrialization didn’t just change how we make things. It changed how we make people.

For most of history, families worked together. The farm was a school; the shop was a home. Then we invented the factory. To make the factory work, we needed the parents on the assembly line and the children in a holding pen.… read more “End Factory Learning, Return Choice to Families”

Public vs Private School Test Scores

The data on test scores shows a clear gap. It isn’t a fluke. It’s the predictable result of incentives. If a public school fails, it gets more funding. If a private school fails, it closes. Choice introduces the only force that has ever reliably improved quality: competition. When parents can take their money elsewhere, schools have to compete for the right to educate.

Washington State Public School Spending Per Student vs Test Scores

Washington State DSHS / RCS Fraud Investigations Needed

When I was signing paperwork for my grandmother to enter a residential care home two days ago, the owner told me that Washington state had not checked any of the homes for the last five years after Covid. She said she was honest and did things right, but there was opportunity for dishonest owners to commit massive fraud.