My Weekly Reading and Viewing for July 6, 2025

For the next 19 days, my travels will limit my posting frequency.

Cincinnati’s Beer-Loving Germans Weathered Anti-Immigrant and Anti-Alcohol Sentiments

by Elizabeth Nolan Brown, Reason, August/September, 2025.

Selected Insights:

Cincinnati experienced a remarkable population surge in the 19th century, skyrocketing from just 2,540 residents in 1810 to a bustling 115,435 by 1850, making it the sixth-largest city in America. The Census Bureau recorded a further increase to 325,902 residents by 1900.

A significant driver of this growth was immigration; by 1850, almost half of Cincinnati’s inhabitants were foreign-born. The German community was particularly prominent, with 57 percent of the population identifying as German or having German parentage by 1890, as noted in the October 1964 issue of the Bulletin of the Cincinnati Historical Society.

The German immigrants in Cincinnati formed tight-knit communities, establishing German-language schools, churches, newspapers, and social clubs. They also laid the groundwork for an impressive array of businesses, including beer gardens and some of the city’s most notable breweries, such as Christian Moerlein, founded in 1853, and the Hudepohl Brewing Company, which began operations in 1885.

Additionally:

Today, Cincinnati’s immigration landscape is changing again, with a new wave of arrivals from Africa, particularly Mauritania. While the German immigrants have become a chapter of the past, the specter of alcohol bans has not entirely vanished. We now find ourselves in a climate of heightened concern regarding immigrants—especially those who retain their native languages or appear reluctant to fully integrate. Concurrently, there are renewed movements to warn Americans about the perceived threats of alcohol consumption.

The historical experience of Cincinnati’s German immigrants serves as a valuable lesson. It illustrates that immediate assimilation is not a prerequisite for eventual integration and that maintaining one’s cultural identity can coexist with contributing to a community’s economic and social fabric. In an era characterized by isolation and globalization, the role of alcohol as a social lubricant, fostering local identity and community ties, seems more crucial than ever. So, here’s to that tradition—Prost!

Moreover:

At one point, Cincinnati’s local distillers were churning out a staggering 1,145 barrels of whisky daily. It’s reported that nearly every shopkeeper had a barrel on hand for customers, who enjoyed complimentary drinks while shopping—though alas, state regulations eventually dashed that delightful practice.

DRH note: This article provides a fascinating overview of how immigrants navigated integration in the 19th century, albeit not without challenges.

The accompanying image reflects the Germanophobia that emerged during World War I, resulting in significant changes, such as the renaming of streets. A similar fate befell Berlin, Ontario, which was rebranded as Kitchener in the same era.

Ben Powell Discusses How Immigration Enhances Economic Freedom and Institutions

Nathan Goodman interviews Ben Powell, Mercatus Center, June 25, 2025.

In the first six minutes, Ben Powell expertly organizes his discussion, beginning with the most pressing issues before delving into secondary topics. The remainder of the interview is equally compelling.

Have You Heard the Good News?

by Clifford S. Asness and Michael R. Strain, The Free Press, July 1, 2025.

Key Takeaways:

The wages of typical American workers have reached unprecedented heights. After inflation adjustments, wages for nonsupervisory workers—representing about 80 percent of the workforce, including those in manufacturing and service sectors—have surged approximately 60 percent over the last two generations. In the last thirty years, these inflation-adjusted wages have grown by 44 percent.

Furthermore:

According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), families within the 51st to 90th percentiles of wealth held an average of $1.3 million in assets by 2022, a significant increase from around $500,000 in 1990, when adjusted for inflation.

DRH note: The primary downside, of course, remains skyrocketing housing costs. Nonetheless, the overall standard of living continues on an upward trajectory.

Taxing Remittances: A Risky Move for Minimal Gain

by Yvonne Su, Los Angeles Times, June 30, 2025.

Insight:

A proposal to levy a 3.5% tax on remittances sent by individuals without Social Security numbers has successfully passed the House and is now under Senate review. Initially projected to generate $26 billion over the next decade, Senate amendments have significantly narrowed its scope, reducing the tax to 1% and the anticipated yield to a mere $10 billion.

Despite the scaled-back ambitions, the intent remains: to discourage undocumented migration and recoup funds from those working outside legal boundaries but supporting families back home.

While taxing migrants might seem like a quick revenue fix, such a policy is fraught with risks. It could drive billions into unregulated financial channels, complicating law enforcement efforts and ultimately harming the very communities the U.S. aims to support globally.

Permission to use the Cincinnati image granted by Elizabeth Nolan Brown, Reason Magazine.