Reinke Faces Life

https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/nutria-should-we-eat-invasive-species-swamp-rats-12726054.php

Giant swamp rats are poised to dig into California. Should we eat ’em?
By Filipa Ioannou Updated 5:12 am, Sunday, March 4, 2018

*** begin quote *** 

It’s been about a month since California wildlife officials started sounding the alarm on nutria, invasive South American rodents that look like enormous, 20-pound rats and have the power to devastate wetlands. They’re making a comeback after being eradicated in the 1970s and have been spotted in Stanislaus, Fresno, Tuolumne and Merced counties so far.

*** end quote ***

Turn the hunting community loose on them. 

Have the “Governor’s Prize” for the biggest, the most, and the last one shot in a “season”.

Instead of being against “guns”, put them to use.

Seems obvious to me.

# – # – # – # – #

https://www.wsj.com/articles/big-batteries-are-taking-a-bite-out-of-the-power-market-1518431400?mod=djem10point

Big Batteries Are Taking a Bite Out of the Power Market
Batteries charged by renewable energy are nibbling at power plants that generate extra surges of electricity during peak hours
By Russell Gold
Feb. 12, 2018 5:30 a.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

Overall, it still generally costs 35% more today to provide extra power via a battery compared with a conventional peaker plant, according to energy analysts at SSR LLC. But they estimate that batteries will be less expensive by 2024. Batteries, they add, are better suited to replace peaker plants in warmer areas than in colder climates, where winter peaks can last for longer than four hours.

*** and ***

The American Petroleum Institute, a lobbying group that represents natural-gas producers, applauds batteries but believes they should compete on a level playing field. Storage projects, when paired with renewable energy, currently qualify for a 30% federal investment tax credit, which was left intact in the recent tax overhaul.

“It appears that battery technology is now ready to compete in the market. This means the financial support provided by governments intended to encourage the development and deployment of the technology can be eliminated,” an Institute spokesman said.

*** end quote ***

The Gooferment should not have special tax breaks for their “favorite” Crony Capitalists.

In this case, let solar power stand or fall on its own merits.

Look at the computer marketplace, the “invisible hand” of the truly free market will deliver benefits to everyone without help from the politicians and bureaucrats taking a cut.

Argh!

# – # – # – # – #

https://www.cato.org/blog/trial-penalty

FEBRUARY 9, 2018 9:51AM
The Trial Penalty
By CLARK NEILY

*** begin quote ***

Have you ever heard of the “Trial Penalty”? It is among the most important features of America’s criminal justice system, and yet there is no reference to it in the Constitution, it is not taught in high school civics classes or even law schools, and most lawyers have never heard of it. Nevertheless, the Trial Penalty is the grease that keeps the massive engine of American criminal justice humming along at peak efficiency.

So what is it? Simply put, the Trial Penalty is the array of penalties, paybacks, and repercussions that are inflicted upon criminal defendants who presume to insist upon exercising their Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial—or what Cato Research Fellow Trevor Burrus calls “bespoke justice.”

With more than 10 million arrests last year and the world’s highest incarceration rate, America’s criminal justice system simply cannot afford to provide each and every defendant with an expensive and time-consuming jury trial. Nor do we: These days, about 95 percent of criminal convictions are obtained through plea bargains rather than jury trials. In the federal system, the numbers are even higher—more than 97 percent of convictions come from plea bargains.

Think about that for a moment. The citizen jury is the cornerstone of American criminal justice. It is a historic and hallowed institution. Why would so few people choose to invoke such a precious and fundamental right as the opportunity to challenge the government’s case in court and force the prosecutors to convince a unanimous jury (in most jurisdictions) of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt?

*** end quote ***

Up in NH, I took part in a jury outreach that had two aims:

• get every  defendant to demand a jury trial — when the system was maxed out, the judge was forced to dismiss. The “serious crimes” would push the Marijuana “crimes” down the list and some, if not all, were pushed off and dismissed.
• get every juror to be aware that they could judge the law and the circumstances and vote “not guilty”. Regardless of what the judge said. “Keep quiet and vote to acquit.” Ever heard of Zenger and the reason we have “freedom of the press”? 

Made me feel like I made a contribution to justice.

# – # – # – # – #

https://www.howtogeek.com/trivia/in-the-1930s-there-was-a-craze-to-get-which-of-these-things-tattooed-on-your-body/

*** begin quote ***

In The 1930s, There Was A Craze To Get Which Of These Things Tattooed On Your Body?

• Franklin Roosevelt’s Face
• Social Security Number
• Tube TVs
• Airships

Answer: Social Security Number

*** and ***

Because the program was so new (and favored so strongly by the public), there was a certain excitement surrounding the launch of Social Security. People were instructed to keep their cards safe, but they also needed to keep the number handy at the same time. While some people simply memorized the number, there was a fad of sorts where individuals rushed out to get the number tattooed on their bodies. Some simply had the number itself—as seen here on the arm of Memphis-area engineer Jeon Reese Roofener—while others had the number embedded in a flag, Social Security Administration logo, or other embellishment. Even for those that wished to avoid getting a tattoo, there was a market for Social Security number related products. To this day, you’ll occasionally find signet rings and other jewelry in antique stores with Social Security numbers openly displayed on them.

*** end quote ***

In all the horrors of the Nazi extermination camps, one that stands out was the tattooing of tracking numbers on the poor victims.

Here we have an example of the same thing, except people are doing it voluntarily!

Craziness.

When you realize that current day “identity theft” would not be possible without the “social security number”, you’ll understand how “We, The Sheeple” was fooled.

Hard to believe that it was “(and favored so strongly by the public)”. Guess they didn’t see the Ponzi-like scheme behind the curtain. Like the bull fighter’s sword behind the cape, the politicians and bureaucrats really stuck it to us. Intergenerational theft!

So how do we unwind it?

Demand the politicians and bureaucrats give us back our identites. Maybe the new blockchain technology can do that for us?

Argh!

# – # – # – # – #

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/NYC-School-Cafeterias-Cited-Violations-Health-Department-Pests-Mice-Roaches-Flies-471957173.html

Roaches, Flies and Mice: Nearly Half of NYC Public School Cafeterias Cited for Critical Violations, Report Finds
Of the 1,150 critical violations found at nearly 700 cafeterias, about half of those inspected by health officials in 2017, most indicated evidence of mice, rats, roaches, flies and other insects in areas where food is prepared and eaten
Published at 2:06 PM EST on Jan 31, 2018 | Updated 6 hours ago

*** begin quote ***

Nearly half of all New York City school cafeterias inspected last year were cited for at least one critical violation for issues that could lead to foodborne illnesses, according to a recently released report.

Of the 1,150 critical violations found at nearly 700 cafeterias, about half of those inspected by health officials in 2017, most indicated evidence of mice, rats, roaches, flies and other insects in areas where food is prepared and eaten, according to the investigation by NYCity News Service, a CUNY University student-powered news service that provides special reports and feeds stories to news organizations.

NYCity News Service based its reporting on data obtained by the Department of Health under the Freedom of Information Act. 

*** end quote ***

It’s a disgusting report. I feel for the children imprisioned there. How would you describe it? There’s no excuse for this but there is an explanation. Politicians and bureaucrats don’t care. Have them eat there and let’s see what happens?

Argh!

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2018-Feb-02

http://www.kob.com/politics-news/new-mexico-legislature-politics-post-high-school-plan-bill/4766980/

New Mexico bill would force students to apply to college
By MARY HUDETZ and MORGAN LEE
January 31, 2018 04:45 PM

*** begin quote ***

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico’s high school juniors would be required to apply to at least one college or show they have committed to other post-high school plans as part of a new high school graduation requirement being pushed by two state lawmakers.
The proposal is scheduled for its first legislative hearing on Thursday. If it eventually becomes law, New Mexico would be the first state to require post-high school plans of students, said Jennifer Zinth, who is the director of high school and STEM research at the Education Commission of the States, a Denver-based group that tracks education policy.

The bill sponsored by Rep. Nate Gentry, a Republican, and Daniel Ivey-Soto, a Democrat, would make it mandatory for public school juniors to apply to at least one two- or four-year college. Exceptions would be made for students who can prove they have committed to military service, a vocational program, or work upon graduation in an apprenticeship or internship. Parents and school guidance counselors would have to approve of the students’ plans.

*** end quote ***

This has to be the dumbest piece of legislation I’ve heard of lately.

As the “college degree” has been generally acknowledged as worthless unless you want to be a doctor, lawyer, engineer, or such. The cost of “college” inflict a huge debt burden on the “student” that is often impossible to repay. The inflation of college cost is linked to the Gooferment, its loan programs, and its subsidization of “state skrules”.

Argh!

# – # – # – # – #

http://keywestlou.com/george-bernard-shaws-caesar-and-cleopatra

A blog post from Petrone, Louis S. “Key West Lou” (MC1957)

*** begin quote ***

You have to admire Iceland. They are always a step ahead.

Following the bank debacle of 2008, they prosecuted and jailed bankers. Those at the top. Something I have been recommending for years we do in the U.S.

They elect women big time. Almost 50 percent of their Parliament is female. They elected a woman Prime Minister in November.

Iceland recently passed a law that allows companies who pay women less than men to be punished. Fined. No jail. A step forward, however.

Equal pay laws have no teeth. They tell the companies females must be paid equal to men. Enforcement lacking. Iceland recognized the problem and moved the step ahead.

It is generally acknowledged the law would not have come into being were it not for the large number of women in Parliament. 

*** end quote ***

Equal pay laws are a joke.

The invisible hand of the free market will quickly, efficiently, and effectively punish companies that underpay women. It’s only logical. If a business systematically underpays anyone, they will leave for someone who will pay them what they are worth.

That brain drain will hurt in numerous ways  — cost of replacement, poor morale, loss of competitive advantage, bad image, impaired reputation.

The Gooferment probably is the worst offender in this regard. Politicians and bureaucrats routinely are exposed for pay disparities, but they always seem to spin their way out of it. Women don’t need “protection” and especially not from the Gooferment! Those “gals” are pretty tough imho.

Now if we could just end Gooferment Skrules, then both the girls and boys would not be brainwashed to think like serfs. Argh!

# – # – # – # – # 

FROM BEHIND THE WSJ PAYWALL

*** begin quote ***

Why Tax Hospitals?

It’s a Medicaid Shell GameProviders pay the state. The state pays providers, then collects matching funds from Uncle Sam.

By Red JahnckeDec. 29, 2017 5:22 p.m. ET

When Connecticut faced a budget shortfall of $2.2 billion, or 11%, this year, it helped close the gap by almost doubling its tax on hospitals, to $900 million. Taxing hospitals sounds strange, especially since most are nonprofits. It also would seem to increase their costs and, thus, the cost of care—much of which, thanks to Medicaid, is borne by the state that levies the tax.

Yet 42 states tax hospitals. Why? One answer is the perverse incentives built into the Medicaid law. When a state returns tax money to hospitals through Medicaid “supplemental payments,” it qualifies for matching funds from Washington.

Connecticut hospitals will pay $900 million in taxes, but the state will offset that with $600 million in supplemental Medicaid payments—matched with $450 million of federal funds. The state keeps those matching funds, plus the $300 million from the hospital tax, meaning Hartford comes out ahead in the whole scheme by $750 million. Nice work if you can get it.

*** end quote ***

Oh come on. Hope DJT45 shuts this stupidity down immediately. 

When you consider all the costs of “handling” this money from one Gooferment pocket to another, the Taxpayers are really getting screwed.

By “handling” I mean, the “loss” at each level of Gooferment that passes Taxpayer money to another level of Gooferment. I’ve seen calculations that estimate it at 50%. So a CT Taxpayer sends the “Federal” Gooferment a dollar, from which then the “Federal” Gooferment send the “Connecticut” Gooferment fifty cents. The CT Taxpayer would be better off just allowing the “Connecticut” Gooferment to steal the fifty cents directly. Argh! 

Why can’t “We, The Sheeple” see that?

Argh!

So if the “Connecticut” Gooferment steals 450M$ from the “Federal” Gooferment, then the “Federal” Gooferment has to steal 900M$ from everyone paying taxes. Mutliply that by 50 States and who knows what else and that’s a lot of <synonym for the act of procreation in real time> money.

Argh!

# – # – # – # – # 

https://www.cato.org/blog/horrible-way-be-right

DECEMBER 18, 2017 3:50PM
A Horrible Way to Be Right
By RANDAL O’TOOLE

*** begin quote ***

No matter what speed, intercity passenger trains are obsolete and have been at least since the advent of jet airliner service. Even after hundreds of millions spent on improvements, this particular train would have been slower than driving from Seattle to Portland, but even the fastest high-speed trains are slower than flying.

*** end quote ***

I really am tired of politicians and bureaucrats deciding how to waste Taxpayer money on feel good projects!

At some point in time, “We, The Sheeple” need to say “enuf’s enuf”.

There’s no need for these boondoggles and at least 6 people paid the ultimate price for this stupidity.

Argh!

# – # – # – # – # 

FROM BEHIND THE WSJ PAYWALL

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-taxman-cometh-senate-bills-marginal-rates-could-top-100-for-some-1512942118

POLITICS
The Taxman Cometh: Senate Bill’s Marginal Rates Could Top 100% for Some
Certain high-income business owners would face backwards incentives; lawmakers work to bridge gap
By Richard RubinUpdated Dec. 10, 2017 6:46 p.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

WASHINGTON—Some high-income business owners could face marginal tax rates exceeding 100% under the Senate’s tax bill, far beyond the listed rates in the Republican plan.

That means a business owner’s next $100 in earnings, under certain circumstances, would require paying more than $100 in additional federal and state taxes.

As lawmakers rush to write the final tax bill over the next week, they already are looking at changes to prevent this from happening. Broadly, House and Senate Republicans are trying to reconcile their bills, looking for ways to pay for eliminating the most contentious proposals. The formal House-Senate conference committee will meet on Wednesday, and GOP lawmakers may unveil an agreement by week’s end.

*** end quote ***

Would anyone like them to be required to READ what they are voting on?

DNF Democrat Nancy Pelosi’s “Have to pass the bill so you can see what’s in it”?

Argh!

https://downsizedc.org/rtba/

*** begin quote ***

If ignorance of the law is no excuse for me, neither can it be permitted to you.

Congress keeps voting on healthcare bills that no member has even seen, let alone read. This must end. But I can’t expect Congressional leaders to end the practice because they benefit from it. That means I have to rely on YOU, my supposed representative.

I can see no good reason why you would NOT introduce RTBA. I want you to immediately contact Downsize DC and work with them to introduce this bill.

*** end quote ***

Seems simple enough!

Argh!

# – # – # – # – # 

http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/11/09/report-undercover-operation-reveals-tsa-failed-security-checkpoint-tests-u-s-airports/

Report: Undercover Operation Reveals TSA Failed Most Security Checkpoint Tests at U.S. Airports

# – # – #

Isn’t it time to nuke George Bush’s TSA?

Obviously no one is attack airplanes because if they were, then they’d be succeeding.

“Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program” —Milton Friedman 

Shut down “Homeland Security”, turn “airline security” back to the airlines, and ask the “Department of Defense” to do its job.

Seems simple to me but what do I know; I’m just a fat old white guy retired injineer who’s a poor old senior citizen on a fixed income.

Argh!

# – # – # – # – # 

2017-Oct-31

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5016799/Student-disciplined-Pledge-chair-kicking-incident.html

Shocking moment student kicked the chair out from underneath a classmate who refused to stand during the Pledge of Allegiance

• The incident happened at Winters Mill High School in Westminster, Maryland 
• The student who kicked the chair posted video of the event on his Instagram
• He said the other teen was ‘disrespectful’ and needed to get his ‘a** kicked’
• The student who stayed sitting said he was protesting the current US leadership 
• Carroll County Schools said the student who kicked the chair was disciplined

By Kelly Mclaughlin For Mailonline
PUBLISHED: 11:56 EDT, 25 October 2017 | UPDATED: 12:53 EDT, 25 October 2017    

*** begin quote ***

A high school student in Maryland has been disciplined after kicking a chair out from underneath another student who was not standing during the Pledge of Allegiance.

The incident happened at Winters Mill High School in Westminster, Maryland, on Tuesday morning.

The student who kicked the chair posted video footage of the event on Instagram, calling the other teen ‘disrespectful’ and said he need to get his ‘a** kicked’.

The Pledge of Allegiance is recited every morning during morning announcements across Carroll County public schools, but students aren’t required to stand during it.

*** end quote ***

Sorry, but this wouldn’t be a problem if the Gooferment Skrules didn’t recite the Pledge every morning.

You have to realize the PURPOSE of Gooferment Skrules.

BRAIN WASHING!

It’s always been to create cannon fodder for the Army, willing morons for the factories, and useful idiots to vote for and be led by the elite.

“They can jail us. They can shoot us. They can even conscript us. They can use us as cannon-fodder in the Somme. But… but, we have a weapon more powerful than any in the whole arsenal of their British Empire. And that weapon is our refusal. Our refusal to bow to any order but our own, any institutions but our own.” — Liam Neeson portraying Michael Collins, 1996.

Argh!

# – # – # – # – # 

2017-Oct-25

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2017/10/tyler-durden/ron-paul-rages-at-the-decades-of-wars-damage-to-the-american-economy/

Ron Paul Rages At The Decades Of Wars’ Damage To The American Economy
By Tyler Durden Zero Hedge October 21, 2017

*** begin quote ***

“Just think if all the money we have spent overseas since World War II ended, if that money had been left in this country to let wealth grow,” proposes Paul.

Had that happened, Paul says there would not be so many people using food stamps, the middle class would not be dwindling, and the jobs situation would be better in America.

While the American economy in general has been hurt by the wars, Paul notes that some Americans have benefited financially. Paul concludes,

“It’s insanity to think that war improves your economic condition; it improves the condition of the war manufacturers.”

*** end quote ***

Time to “repurpose” the Department of DEFENSE?

With all these “wars” that go on forever, “We, The Sheeple” need to stop these politicians and bureaucrats in their tracks. 

Personally, I blame Congress. They don’t want to take any responsibility for their actions. “The devil made me do it” is really the campaign contributions make me the corrupt venial fool that I am.

“Campaign Finance Reform” has to start with “Free Speech”. 

But, shouldn’t a politician be limited to raising funds within their own constituents?

And, corporations, as artificial creations of the Gooferment, shouldn’t have “free speech”?

Argh!

“WE” have to stop the warfare state.

# – # – # – # – # 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6522758/

Wisdom of the Crowd

A tech innovator creates a cutting-edge crowd-sourcing hub to solve his own daughter’s murder, as well as revolutionizing crime solving in San Francisco.

# – # – # – # – # 

I like the premise of the show.

(a) wonder why no one is trying it — maybe they are?

(b) I like how it makes the Gooferment politician so venial.

(c) It shows the police “protecting their turf” from an outsider with a better idea.

(d) It shows how people can be empowered to act on their own.

The corollary is that we are all reponsible for our own and the collective security. 

Get armed, trained, and pro-active.

# – # – # – # – # 

https://spectator.org/on-the-department-of-welfare-crony-subsidies-and-math-about-vegetables/

Crony Capitalism Watch
On the Department of Welfare, Crony Subsidies, and Math About Vegetables
* If the Department of Agriculture were honest, that’s what it would call itself.
JON CASSIDY October 11, 2017, 12:05 am

*** begin quote ***

The bulk of its budget, some $126 billion, is required by law to be wasted on welfare, farm subsidies, and such, but for the $25 billion remainder, the department has some discretion as to how it would like to waste the money on welfare and farm subsidies. There are massive programs for wasting the money indiscriminately, but also grant programs to spend the money in a targeted pointless way. An Austin gardener wants $100,000 to sell his hippie neighbors on the merits of organic produce? This is the place to fund that.*

*** and ***

*It should be noted that organic food is a good idea. But it’s an idea that sells itself and we don’t need the Feds making the case.

*** end quote ***

Let’s end the DoA as a bad idea whose time has past!

# – # – # – # – # 

FROM BEHIND THE WSJ PAYWALL

https://www.wsj.com/articles/end-of-the-social-security-number-a-white-house-official-thinks-so-1507069469

*** begin quote ***

‘I feel very strongly that the Social Security number has outlived its usefulness.’—Rob Joyce, the White House’s cybersecurity coordinator

*** end quote ***

Identity theft would be VIRTUALLY impossible without the “Social Security Number”.

Ignore for a moment that the societal problems that the whole concept of “Social Security” has created, just look at the havoc that the “identifier” has created.

The Nazis tattooed numbers not hose they wanted to kill. Cows are ear tagged “identification purposes”. What’s the difference?

Argh!

# – # – # – # – # 

https://www.ericpetersautos.com/2017/09/30/not-merry-men/

Not So Merry Men
By eric – September 30, 2017

*** begin quote ***

Calling it a “fine” doesn’t legitimate the taking-by-force of someone’s money who has not damaged anyone, for the benefit of the government – which is precisely what a tax is

*** and ***

These 4.2 million have become outlaws as a result of not having ponied up. Which triggers escalation by the “sheriff” – who revokes their “privilege” to drive. Very much in the way Robin and his men were forbidden to hunt the King’s deer in Sherwood Forest.

*** end quote ***

Sorry but the “motor vehicle laws” needs a lot of revisions!

Most need imho is that a license can not be suspended without notice by certified mail return receipt requested and a court hearing that allows the “defendant” to be heard BEFORE they are penalized.

Argh!

# – # – # – # – #  

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4959446/Houston-student-punished-sitting-Pledge-suit.html

*** begin quote ***

India Landry, 17, says she was send home from Windfern High School on Monday after refusing to stand for the pledge, event though she has sat through it hundreds of times previously.

*** end quote ***

Sorry, for as wrong as I think the MP4B = “Millionaires Playing For Billionaires” are, this girl ABSOLUTELY has a Constitutional right to freedom of speech.

I may have a different opinion, but that is her right.

The Gooferment Skrules are just that — part of the Gooferment. As such they have no power to discipline her for that.

And, by the way, isn’t this what we criticized the Communists for doing in the 1950’s?

Maybe “We, The Sheeple” will recognize that Gooferment Skrules are merely Gooferment Reeducation Camps in disguise.

Argh!

# – # – # – # – # 

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/09/new-york-voters-have-no-1st-amendment-right-to-snap-ballot-booth-selfies/#p3

New York voters have no 1st Amendment right to snap ballot-booth selfies
“The State’s interest in the integrity of its elections is paramount,” court says.
DAVID KRAVETS – 9/30/2017, 5:55 PM

*** begin quote ***

A New York federal judge is upholding New York’s ban on voters photographing their marked ballots in polling places. The judge says the First Amendment is trumped by the law’s stated goal to cut down on election fraud via vote buying and extortion.

US District Judge P. Kevin Castel said the statute deprives a perpetrator of election fraud the modern-day means to verify that a target voted a certain way. That verification method is a selfie of a voter holding a marked ballot at a polling place, which would then be posted to social media, he said.

*** end quote ***

Then we’d have photo ids to vote and big prison terms for those who cheat.

Given that it’s the politicians and bureaucrats that “cheat” or authorize cheating, then that’s why the penalties are minimal if any.

Argh!

How about election fraud by a candidate disqualifies them from any office — now and in the future.

Argh!

# – # – # – # – # 

2017-Oct-01

http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/42020-us-provides-military-assistance-to-73-percent-of-world-s-dictatorships

US Provides Military Assistance to 73 Percent of World’s Dictatorships
Saturday, September 23, 2017 — By Rich Whitney, Truthout | News Analysis

*** begin quote ***

For decades, the American people have been repeatedly told by their government and corporate-run media that acts of war ordered by their president have been largely motivated by the need to counter acts of aggression or oppression by “evil dictators.” We were told we had to invade Iraq because Saddam Hussein was an evil dictator. We had to bomb Libya because Muammar Gaddafi was an evil dictator, bent on unleashing a “bloodbath” on his own people. Today, of course, we are told that we should support insurgents in Syria because Bashar al-Assad is an evil dictator, and we must repeatedly rattle our sabers at North Korea’s Kim Jong-un and Russia’s Vladimir Putin because they, too, are evil dictators.

This is part of the larger, usually unquestioned mainstream corporate media narrative that the US leads the “Western democracies” in a global struggle to combat terrorism and totalitarianism and promote democracy.

I set out to answer a simple question: Is it true? Does the US government actually oppose dictatorships and champion democracy around the world, as we are repeatedly told?

The truth is not easy to find, but federal sources do provide an answer: No. According to Freedom House’s rating system of political rights around the world, there were 49 nations in the world, as of 2015, that can be fairly categorized as “dictatorships.” As of fiscal year 2015, the last year for which we have publicly available data, the federal government of the United States had been providing military assistance to 36 of them, courtesy of your tax dollars. The United States currently supports over 73 percent of the world’s dictatorships!

*** end quote ***

Does this upset anyone else?

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2017-Sep-30

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-09-18/florida-you-cant-use-your-own-solar-panels-crisis

In Florida, You Can’t Use Your Own Solar Panels In A Crisis
by Tyler Durden — Sep 18, 2017 10:05 PM
Authored by Mike Krieger via Liberty Blitzkrieg blog

*** begin quote ***

When it comes to the U.S. economy, the “con” part offers the best description of the current relationship between business, government and the preyed upon consumer.

The way things work in early 21st century America is large businesses bribe politicians in a variety of ways at both the local and federal level, and the end result is laws that are designed to increase corporate profits at the expense of the wellbeing and freedom of the American public. Politicians end up with financial war chests to run their next campaign, while bureaucrats see a lucrative opportunity to swing through the ever spinning revolving door should they play ball with lobbyists and their patrons.

*** and ***

FPL and its parent company, NextEra Energy, have for years heavily influenced state and local politics through donations, making billions in profits each year ($1.7 billion alone in 2016) thanks to favorable state laws that are sometimes literally written by the power company’s own lobbyists.

FPL’s lobbying wing has fought hard against letting Floridians power their own homes with solar panels. Thanks to power-company rules, it’s impossible across Florida to simply buy a solar panel and power your individual home with it. You are instead legally mandated to connect your panels to your local electric grid.

More egregious, FPL mandates that if the power goes out, your solar-power system must power down along with the rest of the grid, robbing potentially needy people of power during major outages.

*** end quote ***

Once again, we find that Gooferment intervention in the free market makes the consumer / rate payer / taxpayer worse off by permitting Crony Capitalism to influence the political process.

Wonder if Tesla’s home power offering will “magically” be equally unacceptable!

Argh!

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