By Matthew Hayward Current Bitcoin price $26,967 The crypto world is abuzz with whispers and rumors . The name on everyone's lips? BlackRock. The financial giant, known for its prowess in traditional markets, is making calculated moves into the realm of cryptocurrencies. But what does this mean for the average crypto enthusiast or investor? Imagine a chessboard, each piece representing a different player in the crypto ecosystem. Now, picture a new piece entering the board, not just any piece but a queen—the most versatile and powerful. That's BlackRock. Its entry is not a casual stroll but a calculated march that could reshape the entire board. Arthur Hayes, a name synonymous with crypto innovation , recently sounded the alarm. He warns that BlackRock aims to offer crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other managed products. On the surface, this seems like a win for crypto adoption. But dig a little deeper, and you'll find a more complex narrative unfolding. BlackRock is...

By Matthew Hayward   Imagine a bright sunny day, the decent of blooming flowers in the air, the temperature soaring into the 90°s. Hikers ascend mountain trails, their faces glistening with sweat, and in the midst of this natural splendor, you spot an individual with a mask firmly in place. Similarly, in a bustling park, a lone cyclist pedals by among joggers and picnickers, mask on, despite the sweltering heat. Such sights prompt an immediate question: Why? In a post-pandemic world, an intriguing trend surfaces as mask mandates lift and faces emerge from behind their coverings. A significant portion of those still choosing to wear masks hail from the LGBTQ+ community. But what drives this continued embrace of masks? Historically, masks have played a role in the LGBTQ+ community's fight for rights and acceptance. The story of Dr. Henry Anonymous stands out as a poignant example. In an era when homosexuality was deemed a mental disorder, this psychiatrist, a gay man himself, donne...

 Originally posted on  The Sly Economics of Government Union Activism | RealClearPennsylvania By Matthew Hayward September 11, 2023 As Labor Day loomed, the airwaves filled with pro-union sentiment, celebrating the virtues of solidarity. The union advocates didn’t have much to say, though, about the underhanded way government unions force members who want workplace representation to also pay for the unions’ social activism. The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling in Janus v. AFSCME fundamentally altered the landscape of union membership for public employees. The decision upended the Abood v. Detroit Board of Education framework, which had allowed public employees to opt out of the portion of their union dues earmarked for explicit political activities while still mandating payment for other union advocacy efforts. The Abood framework, in other words, permitted public employees to only pay dues for workplace representational activities. Janus, however, changed the rules. It declar...

 By Matthew Hayward As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." This sentiment resonates deeply with me. The essence of liberty is like a roaring fire, warming the heart of my home—a sanctuary that values freedom and individuality above all else. Now, let's take a moment to delve into the roots of this freedom-loving mindset. The phrase "Live and let live" is more than just a catchy slogan; it's a philosophy that has stood the test of time. Originating from various cultural and philosophical traditions, it found fertile ground during the Enlightenment era. Thinkers of that time were challenging the status quo, advocating for individual rights and freedoms. The social contract emerged, suggesting that we give up some freedoms to a governing body for the greater good, but with the caveat that the ...

By Matthew Hayward In the eternal battle between liberty and oppression, we must recognize the crucial roles that individuals, including those in public service , play in upholding or dismantling the chains of tyranny. We must also accept that sometimes, making those who enforce unjust rules uncomfortable might be the only way to tip the scales in favor of freedom. This is a path not of violence but of conviction, courage, and unwavering commitment to our rights . The Discomfort of Enforcement The concept of making enforcement more uncomfortable than refusal is not merely a theoretical idea but a practical tool we can wield in our struggle for liberty. Let's examine how this principle has been put into action: Law Enforcement: A personal experience showed that standing firm against law enforcement led to their backing down. The public's general outrage and subtle suggestions about individual accountability and comparisons to the Nuremberg Trials and being armed created a situa...

By Matthew Hayward In the land of liberty, a peculiar and troubling paradox exists. A citizen, once confined within the walls of a prison, is under the care and protection of the state. Upon release, they are thrust back into society, expected to fend for themselves, yet stripped of their fundamental rights to self-protection and participation in the democratic process. The Second Amendment, a cornerstone of American freedom, is denied to many who have paid their debt to society. But the injustice doesn't end there. The right to vote, the very essence of a democratic society, is often withheld as well. Imagine a bird, caged for years, finally set free but with clipped wings and a silenced song. Such is the plight of the released prisoner, expected to navigate life without the means to protect themselves or the voice to influence the society they rejoin. The state's duty to protect does not end at the prison gate, nor does its obligation to uphold the principles of our Constitut...

In an era engulfed by a relentless deluge of crises, the dramatic panorama of socio-political dynamics eclipses our ageless pursuit of truth and justice. The narrative reins are held by a cabal of elites - political puppeteers and media maestros who, with s killed hands, guide the public discourse's tempo and tone , more often than not, to further their own agendas. This piece is a journey into the heart of this absurd theater, where fear and coercion are wielded by these puppet masters of power . It seeks to examine the implications of such manipulative dynamics from the collective social psyche's critical vantage point. As informed citizens, we must resist becoming ensnared in this choreographed dance of fear and manipulation . Acknowledging the intricate machinations and standing firm against their riptides is essential. By confronting the unseen forces that control us, we begin the process of severing these ties, reclaiming our narratives, and reshaping the social contra...