Tag: LIBERTY

POLITICAL: Separation of Marriage and Gooferment

Published on by reinkefjLeave a comment

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2010/08/06/time_for_a_divorce_106646.html

August 6, 2010
Time For a Divorce
By David Harsanyi

*** begin quote ***

In the 1500s, a pestering theologian instituted something called the Marriage Ordinance in Geneva, which made “state registration and church consecration” a dual requirement of matrimony.

We have yet to get over this mistake. But isn’t it about time we freed marriage from the state?

Imagine if government had no interest in the definition of marriage. Individuals could commit to each other, head to the local priest or rabbi or shaman — or no one at all — and enter into contractual agreements, call their blissful union whatever they felt it should be called and go about the business of their lives.

*** end quote ***

Time for the Separation of Marriage and Gooferment!

There’s no reason for the State to be involved in it. They’ve demonstrated it’s all about control and money.

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LIBERTY: The Gooferment can’t do anything right!

Published on by reinkefjLeave a comment

http://reason.com/archives/2010/08/05/private-enterprise-does-it-bet

Private Enterprise Does It Better
Why freedom and responsibility triumph over regulation and central planning
John Stossel | August 5, 2010

*** begin quote ***

In Myths, Lies and Downright Stupidity, I bet my readers $1,000 that they couldn’t name one thing that government does better than the private sector.

I am yet to pay.

Free enterprise does everything better.

Why? Because if private companies don’t do things efficiently, they lose money and die. Unlike government, they cannot compel payment through the power to tax.

Even when a private company operates a public facility under contract to government, it must perform. If it doesn’t, it will be “fired”—its contract won’t be renewed. Government is never fired.

*** end quote ***

I can’t think of a single thing it does well?

Even if I could think of something it accomplishes, then we have to examine that “accomplishment” under the dual lens of effectiveness and efficiency.

I think the Gooferment is sadly lacking. Whatever it attempt to do, it screws it up.

It’s all rooted in the concept that it can initiate force in our name on others. Once that mistake is made, all it’s efforts are poisoned.

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LIBERTY: The Gooferment is the new plantation owner for all of us

Published on by reinkefjLeave a comment

http://dumpdc.wordpress.com/2010/08/04/abolishing-slavery/

Abolishing Slavery by Patrick Samuels, author of: “Memories of a Former American”

*** begin quote ***

Our society no longer operates under a system of economic liberty. We live under a system of collectivism in which all property is owned by the society as a whole, the collective, the state. Call it socialism, call it communism, but don’t call it capitalism. Consider all your significant property. You don’t own your house even if the mortgage is paid. If you don’t pay your property taxes, your house reverts to the ownership of the state. You merely rent it. You only have use of your car at the behest of the state. If you don’t pay the necessary fees, that car cannot leave the driveway. The paycheck your receive is the property of the state first and after they have “deducted” their portion, your receive your allowance. The harder you work, the smaller, percentage wise, is your allowance. Even your allowance is spent according to the dictates of the “master”. He now requires you to buy health insurance and scolds or prohibits you from buying things he deems dangerous or risky. You have little privacy as all medical records and financial transactions are now at his fingertips. We have been fooled into thinking we are free because we have a thousand channels on our televisions and a hundred different cell phone plans; just bread and circuses. How different are we than the black slave working at Jefferson’s Monticello? He lived in a hut not his own, couldn’t travel without permission, ate what he was told, was dependent on his master for any health care and until he died, never received anything close to the value of his labor.

Today, our masters are not the aristocracy, the plantation owners, the rich. In our republic, our masters are the mob and the politicians who manipulate them for power.

*** end quote ***

Gooferment steals our wealth for services, that we may or may not want, performed badly and at prices we can’t afford or don’t want to pay.

How is that “liberty”?

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GOVEROTRAGEOUS: The TSA is abusive

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http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig11/hjelm1.1.1.html

Our Stupid State Transportation Security
by Drew Hjelm
Ad Libertad

*** begin quote ***

On my way back from Mises University last Sunday, I had the opportunity to encounter the Transportation Security Administration. A week prior, I flew from Cedar Rapids. The security there is reasonable because it is a small regional airport. However, on my return trip I had to start out in Atlanta.

*** end quote ***

And, the one big reason, I ain’t flying. The TSA.

Thanks, George Bush, for creating a massive federal intrusion into air travel. Security should be the responsibility of the airline. Another case of “socialize the costs and privatize the profits”.

Why “volunteer” to be abused?

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LIBERTY: The pseudo “War” on (SOME) drugs

Published on by reinkefjLeave a comment

http://freekeene.com/2010/08/03/keenes-latest-drug-war-victims/

Keene’s Latest Drug War Victims
August 3, 2010 by Ian Freeman

*** begin quote ***

If there were no War on Drugs, drugs could be sold legally anywhere. People could go to the corner store, for instance, to buy their marijuana and other drugs. They would be manufactured safely and distributed with usage recommendations, just like aspirin. They’d also be cheap because in the regular market competition brings prices down when the distributors aren’t jacking their rates due to risk of arrest.

Since unfortunately there IS a War on Drugs, criminal thugs are frequently the only way to acquire the drugs that people are looking for. This is because criminals are the ones most willing to risk arrest to do business. Since people are going to do drugs regardless of their legal status, this puts a lot of buyers in serious danger of being ripped off, or worse. The Keene Sentinel reports on the “or worse” part of drug prohibition. When was the last time the clerk at Walgreens beat the shit out of a customer trying to buy some aspirin?

*** end quote ***

This sparks my continued opposition to the PWOSD (“Pseudo War On Some Drugs”).

As usual, I’ll trot out my big three points: It’s immoral, ineffective, and inefficient. As with all Gooferment efforts as well as anything based on other than voluntary agreement between two or more people, it just doesn’t achieve the stated aims.

IMMORAL

Do you own your own body? If so, then NO ONE has the right to tell you what you can or can not put in your body.

A gangs of costumed people kill and maim in our name. Funded by wealth stolen from us. All under the guise of “savings us from the scourge of drugs”.

Prisons a full of minorities. Full of non-violent offenders. And, the inner cities are destroyed by the PWOSD.

INEFFECTIVE

The addiction rates have been constant over eons. How can they claim the PWOSD has any effect.

Children die from drugs cut with rat poison or drugs with unknown potency. “Illegal” drugs kill. There’s no second chance form that mistake. Legalization would put “clean” “safe” drugs out there.

Drug Lords and Terrorists are empowered by the money funneled to them by “illegal” drugs. Let WalMart put them in the poor house.

Doing “illegal” drugs has the allure of the forbidden. “Legalizing” eliminates the attraction.

INEFFICIENT

Prohibition didn’t work for alcohol; it CAN NOT work for some drugs.

The militarized police are running roughshod over the citizens’ rights.

Graft subverts the police, politicians and bureaucrats.

“Illegal” drugs should cost should be comparable to aspirin. At those prices, it should be able to hold a job while being an addict.

Money spent of punishment could be spent on rehabilitation.

AND IT JUST DOESN’T WORK

Can anyone think it does? Children tell me it’s easier for them to get pot than alcohol. How can that be? It just doesn’t work. Put WalMart, Walgreens, Duane Reade, CVS, … in charge of selling them and I’m sure they can do a great job of keeping it out of the hands of children. Prohibition doesn’t work. Ever see kids with cigarettes?

Argh!

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LIBERTY: Stefan Molyneux

Published on by reinkefjLeave a comment

http://freekeene.com/2010/08/05/important-video-the-sunset-of-the-state/

Stefan Molyneux (born September 24, 1966) is a Canadian blogger, essayist, author, and host of the Freedomain Radio[2] series of podcasts, living in Mississauga, Southern Ontario.

# – # – #

He may be the most powerful Libertarian thinker in my time. TO envision a world without Gooferment is either loony or insightful. Either way, here’s a challenging 10 minute video that challenges the assumption of Gooferment.

Makes you think about evolution and revolution.

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RANT: Hospitals catching the “indentification” disease

Published on by reinkefjLeave a comment

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick is becoming a police state.

Today we have new “rules”!

Argh!

First is that everyone has to “sign in”. Now that’s not too bad for the casual visitor; regulars have to wait in line. Argh! Shades of the TSA at the airport.

# # # # #

REWRITTEN

BUT, in concept it’s a bad policy. 10AM ensures that you’ll miss any of the doctors on their morning rounds. (I usually am their between 7 and 8 to catch them as they roll thru.) 9PM ensures that you’ll miss any of the stuff that goes on at night. (I recently sat with Frau until 3AM after they started a transfusion and gave her a sleeping pill.) Sorry but “one size” doesn’t recognize that my spouse has a complicated medical problem and the hospital is just not trustworthy enough to operate without supervision. Everyone tries hard, but it’s complicated and confusing with lots of different “hands”. American medicine doesn’t have a holistic approach where one person is the “quarterback”. The patient and their “advocates” have to be on top of everything.

BUT, more than anything, it’s about the “we’re going to tell you what to do”! Maybe they can get away with it. I’ll know tomorrow when I tell them that they are not meeting my and my patient’s needs. None of the “leadership” was available at 11PM when my wife was transferred out of MICU and a nurse informed me of the visiting hours. It’s demeaning and just one more loss of liberty. AND, it’s immoral, ineffective, and inefficient.

  • Immoral in that you are unilaterally enforcing rules that have not been agreed to in a voluntary fashion.
      
  • Ineffective because you have uneven enforcement and undocumented exceptions.
  • Inefficient in that it’s over reaching the need (i.e., secure the hospital from strangers by keeping out most “civilians”).

And, it’s not like you have a lot of choice. Saint Peters University Hospital has the same “identification requirement”. The Gooferment has limited the number of hospitals and they can’t be run like a McDonalds. So you have no choice. Like the Credit Card companies, politicians and bureaucrats make their problem yours. (Why don’t we have pictures on credit cards?)

So, why not “triage” visitors by the patient’s medical condition, patient’s mental condition, who the visitor is (e.g., spouse), and why would a sensible policy be. Why not have a more automated system? Why not badge relatives for chronic patients differently? Why not open visiting for caregivers? Why the police state?

Sorry, but it’s just wrong. No one wants food delivery people floating around the hospital at strange hours. And, in some cases, that policy might be appropriate. I’m not looking for a confrontation or a fight, but it may come to that. I bet they have exceptions already. Are parents of new borns restricted? Pediatrics? CCU and MIC may have a more liberal policy? Now if my wife was in for a bunion removal, I’d probably be a little less cranked up. But maybe not.

Are they running a hospital or a jail?

And, once they take Gooferment money and operate under Gooferment diktats, they become an agent of the Gooferment. Hence, everyone has their Constitutional rights. So what gives them the right to keep certain folks out? They can’t claim it’s private property.

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POLITICAL: An unholy attempt to fix the Constitution in a back room! Cui bono? (Updated!)

Published on by reinkefjLeave a comment

MY ORIGINAL JULY POSTING

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/07/mass_may_join_e.html

Mass. may join effort to bypass Electoral College
By Martin Finucane, Globe Staff

*** begin quote ***

Supporters are waging a state-by-state campaign to try to get such bills enacted. Once states possessing a majority of the electoral votes (or 270 of 538) have enacted the laws, the candidate winning the most votes nationally would be assured a majority of the Electoral College votes, no matter how the other states vote and how their electoral votes are distributed.

*** end quote ***

The political elite are seeking to rewrite the Constitution via backroom deals and open conspiracy to disenfranchise the “small states”.

When will we learn NOT to mess with the wisdom of the Dead Old White Guys. They were possible the smartest men ever assembled in one lucky place at the right time in history. We can go thru the Amendments passed, and one unpassed, as a litany to pure collective stupidity.

The Political Effete and the Party Powerbrokers would love nothing better than to have to win the popular vote in California, Chicago, New York, and host of other corrupt places to be assured of a national win. Ballot box stuffing and recounts on a National basis would become the norm. Argh!

The Electoral College was put in to protect the small states. The Constitution would have never been adopted without that design. I don’t know if they intended it, but it does firewall ballot box stuffing. Go ahead and stuff all you want in Massachusetts, you’ll only get 12 Electoral votes. Now if this change was adopted, that stuffing could determine the national election. Ever read any stories where there were more votes than registered voters (Say “hi” to Al Franken) or a large “graveyard vote” (Sam Rayburn and LBJ) or “voting machine breakdowns” in the non-machine party’s precincts? How about “keep counting until you get the answer you want then stop”?No, that could never happen in America!

And who is to tabulate and certify that grand total that all the conspiratorial states will use to determine their votes?

Argh! How stupid can we be!

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UPDATE 01 August 2010

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/08/01/massachusetts_for_palin

Massachusetts for Palin?
By Jeff Jacoby
Globe Columnist / August 1, 2010

*** begin quote ***

IT IS Election Night, 2012. The polls have closed. State by state, the votes are being counted, and gradually it becomes clear, to the bottomless horror of some voters and the unbridled delight of others, that Sarah Palin, the Republican presidential nominee, has bested President Barack Obama in the popular vote nationwide.

In Massachusetts, where Obama crushed Palin in a 79 percent landslide — the most lopsidedly anti-Palin vote of any state — “bottomless horror’’ doesn’t begin to describe the political reaction. For in 2010, Massachusetts joined the National Popular Vote compact, making a commitment to cast all of its electoral votes for the presidential candidate receiving the most votes nationally, regardless of the results in Massachusetts. The compact took effect in December 2011, when California became the 15th state to join, thereby uniting enough states to control a majority of the Electoral College. Now Massachusetts, the bluest of the blue states, must award its presidential electors to a candidate Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly opposed.

*** end quote ***

ROFL!

Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution passed by the Republicans, to prevent a repeat of FDR’s four terms, term limited Ike. And, has dramatically altered the political landscape by making the President a “lame duck” in his second term.

That’s the best example of political stupidity.

The above Palin scenario would be absolutely hysterical.

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RANT: Who speaks for all women?

Published on by reinkefjLeave a comment

http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Newest-Vatican-document-is-last-straw-for-women-99538714.html

Newest Vatican document is last straw for women
By DANIEL O’CARROLL, IrishCentral.com Staff Writer
Published Thursday, July 29, 2010, 8:14 AM

*** begin quote ***In a strongly worded article in today’s Irish Times, Dr Mary Condren of the Centre for Gender and Women’s Studies in Trinity College Dublin, the Republic of Ireland’s foremost university, said that such “misogynist” attitudes by the Church were legitimizing violence and discrimination worldwide and called for an end to the Church’s use of Gospel to justify discrimination, as she saw it.

*** end quote ***

Isn’t it a bit presumptuous for the male writer to presume to speak for all woman?

And, further, maybe there are some women who like the status quo?

I’m a little L libertarian and I suggest that we leave “women” alone to figure out what they want and then they can do it. Frankly, if women are that upset and leave the Church in significant numbers, then it will pinch them in their pocketbook. That might end the old boys club.

As for me, I don’t think that they have to end it.

Just leave well enough alone.

Not everything has to conform to the new political correctness.

As a private organization, “they”, who ever “they” are, can set the rules how ever “they” want. Unlike the Gooferment, “they” can’t use force to compel anything.

Now, I DO think that a society that puts half its population in head to toe sacks is depriving itself of half its creative energy. Just as I think the society that puts the largest number of people in the world in cages deprives itself of a huge pool of “human resources”.

1. Restore us to “honest” commodity money;

2. End the personal and corporate dole;

3. Stop the various wars — foreign and domestic — repatriate the troops home;

4. End the drug war; pardon all non-violent drug offenders;

5. Transition out of gooferment public education;

6. Downsize ALL gooferments;

7. Eliminate all taxes but tariffs and excise.

We don’t have a lot of time and energy to waste. We have to rescue ourselves form all the tragic and horrible mistakes that we and our forefathers have made.

We have to restore the American Dream.

It all starts with the use of force to compel people to do things. Anything. The Government’s sole role is to protect We, The People from force or fraud. That’s it. Once it goes beyond that it becomes the Gooferment

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RANT: Gooferment swimming pools?

Published on by reinkefjLeave a comment

http://wcbstv.com/topstories/pool.armed.guards.2.1799352.html

Jul 13, 2010 6:40 am US/Eastern
Armed Guards At Pools After Lifeguard Attack

*** begin quote ***

BUFFALO, N.Y. (CBS/AP) ―

Armed security guards have been posted at public pools in Buffalo after a lifeguard was pulled into the water by rowdy teenagers and other unruly behavior prompted safety concerns for parks employees.

*** end quote ***

Why is the Gooferment running a swimming pool? Why does the Gooferment try to operate anything? Why do we have the modern day equivalent of the Roman “Bread and Circuses”?

Argh!

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LIBERTY: Gooferment should get out of the “marriage” business

Published on by reinkefjLeave a comment

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/07/judge_declares_3.html

Judge declares US gay-marriage ban is unconstitutional
July 8, 2010 06:55 PM
By Michael Levenson, Globe Staff

*** begin quote ***

A federal district court judge in Boston today struck down the 1996 federal law that defines marriage as a union exclusively between a man and a woman. Judge Joseph L. Tauro ruled that the federal Defense of Marriage law violates the Constitutional right of married same-sex couples to equal protection under the law and upends the federal government’s long history of allowing states to set their own marriage laws.

*** and ***

Today, a Justice Department spokeswoman, Tracy Schmaler, declined to comment on Tauro’s ruling, saying in a statement, “We’re reviewing the decision.”

*** end quote ***

Interesting how the Obama administration is “studying” this one. Studying how it can let it stand. Since it aligns with their identity politics. Isn’t Kagan the Solicitor General? Doesn’t she have to appeal that. Talk about a conflict!

As a little L libertarian, it’s always been my assertion that the Gooferment has no business in the definition of “marriage”. Churches do marriage; not Gooferment. Remember the purposes of “marriage licenses” was, in the South, to keep black men from marrying white women.

The tax code confers benefits to “marriages” that are inexcusable. The Gooferment already has “corporations”. That it favors with tax breaks and stuff. Perhaps it can just extend “corporate status” to individuals. Like a subschapter S.

Or me could just remove the tax favored status of marriage and simplify the tax code.

See, bottom line, it’s really the right of the people to be left alone and to make their choices without the Gooferment trying to influence those choices by picking winners and losers. Or, the things it “likes” better than other things. Gooferment fails at everything; so why is this any different.

It’s always about force. In this case, forcing people to do what the people in chage of the levers of Gooferment want them to do.

A recipe for disaster.

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RANT: Janeane Garofalo, suitable for ostracism

Published on by reinkefjLeave a comment

*** begin quote ***

Janeane Garofalo to take on ‘Criminal Minds’ role

Wednesday, June 30, 2010, 7:01 AM

Janeane Garofalo is considering a deal to join a CBS “Criminal Minds” crime drama spin-off. The actress-comedienne has starred iin “24,” though she’s most well know for her stand-up comedy and her roles in films such as “The Truth about Cats and Dogs.”

*** end quote ***

While everyone has First Amendment right, we have rights too.

She is such a loon. And, I have heard her make disgusting editorials.

So I am exercising my rights to shun her.

So should you!

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RANT: It’s always about the “something else”

Published on by reinkefjLeave a comment

http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/106887-health-law-risks-turning-away-sick

Health law risks turning away sick
By Julian Pecquet – 07/01/10 07:13 PM ET

*** begin quote ***

The Obama administration has not ruled out turning sick people away from an insurance program created by the new healthcare law to provide coverage for the uninsured.

Critics of the $5 billion high-risk pool program insist it will run out of money before Jan. 1, 2014. That’s when the program sunsets and health plans can no longer discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions.

*** and ***

“Along with that, we can work with the states to adjust their benefit structure, the deductibles, the co-pays, the overall plan structure to address some of those cost drivers, again to help the plan make it to 2014, when it will no longer be needed.”

In addition, Popper said, many people won’t be able to afford to participate in the program since premiums will range between about $140 and $900 a month, depending on applicants’ age and where they live. HHS estimates that at least 200,000 people will be in the program at any one time. To be eligible, applicants have to be citizens or nationals of the United States or be lawfully present; have a pre-existing medical condition; and have been uninsured for at least six months before applying for the high-risk pool plan.

*** and ***

If it looks like too many people are signing up — states will get monthly updates on how many people they can cover with the money they have left — there’s always the option of turning people down.

The bill “does give the secretary authority to limit enrollment in the plan … nationally or on a state-by-state basis,” Popper said. “So that is present, but at this point, we’re starting with no one in the plan as of today … so we don’t see that happening anytime soon.”

*** end quote ***

One giant criticism of BHO44 and his Obamacare is that it had muddled objectives. Was it about “health”, “health care”, “health care insurance”, or something else. Us, tin foil hats, believe it’s the “something else”.

By not being specific about their objectives, they don’t have to be specific about their results. We, The People have allowed our elected representatives to get away with this muddled thinking. And, as such, we once again find ourselves faced with a confused mess. Argh!

I believe this is all about “control”. By centralizing one seventh of the economy, the politicians and bureaucrats are in control of our lives. By controlling “health care” and “health care insurance”, they control us.

Remember the three “laws” of political motivation: (1) reward your friends; (2) punish your enemies; and (3) feather your own nest. Clearly, this wins on all three fronts.

By controlling “health care” and “health care insurance”, they create a voting block. Look what Social Security and Medicare has done to create a “senior citizen” voting block for the Democratic Party. Look at Florida. Created by Social Security. That’s the power to reward yor friends — the incumbent politicians. Never mind the endless opportunities for graft, corruption and outright theft for the .

By controlling “health care” and “health care insurance”, they have won a war with the Catholic Church and Right To Life groups over abortion. The “sacrament” of the modern liberal feminist, enshrined by Roe v Wade, will now be fully funded to the abhorrence of Right To Life taxpaying advocates. That’s punishing your enemy — the Religious Right.

By controlling “health care” and “health care insurance”, they have created endless bureaucratic positions. Of course, to be filled by “them”, their friends ‘n’ family, and their supporters. And, created countless opportunities for lobbyists to fill their pockets as they create loopholes, exceptions, and prohibitions. That’s feathering, with some pretty comfortable feathers.

Silly Taxpayer, you didn’t think this was about anything as trivial as helping sick people now did you?

By pulling the Sheeple’s own wool over the Sheeple’s eyes, they are able to sheer the Sheeple some more.

See if the objective was “health”, “health care”, or “health care insurance”, then it would be relatively easy and cheap to address the issue. For “health”, address the root cause of poor health — we have to make it a national priority to find out what that was. (I’d say “gooferment skrules”, but that’s another story.) If it was “health care”, then perhaps better records, uniform forms, or — shocked hush — eliminating medical licensing. If it is was “health care insurance” slash cost, then we could change the tax law to make everyone their own subchapter S copr and make cost of earning a living deductible to all. If it is was “health care insurance” slash cost, then the gooferment could just buy poor people health insurance as part of the federal health insurance system. (Whoopi Goldberg had it right: “What the hell! I just want what you <Congressmen> got. <for health insurance>. Way to nail the issue, Whoopster!)

See it’s always about something else!

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MONEY: Wikipedia’s explanation of “malinvestment” is sparse

Published on by reinkefj1 Comment

A OPEN EMAIL TO LEW ROCKWELL, A CHAMPION OF AUSTRIAN ECONOMICS

Dear Mister Lew:

Re: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malinvestment

Perhaps you could (if you are so moved), or one of your bright interns (you exploiter of the youth), could write an appropriate text for Wikipedia that truly reflect such an important word.

I’d do it, but I’m just a fat old white guy injineer. Remember the sources of my education: I’m just a fat old white guy injineer with: Law “degree” from watching Judge Judy, Medical “degree” from watching Doctor Phil, Building “degree” from watching “Holmes on Homes”, and Investing “degree” from reading about Bernie Made-off.

To which I’ll probably add ekenomicks from reading Mises and Rockwell. Yes, in college, (manhattan college manhattan dot edu), in my economics course, “Human Action” was on the supplemental reading list. And I read it then. Didn’t understand most of it. Surprised? Don’t be; in theology, we had to read a translation of Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses, Bhagavad Gita, and “Essays in Zen Budhism”. I hated that class; the Professor had a thing for “God and the Ways of Knowing” by Jean Danielou. Even four decades later, I can remember him babbling on about good old Danny Lou. But, those were the days. When Universities were truly about imparting wisdom regardless of the source. Not like today when it’s ersatz “whizdumb”.

In any event, I commend the link for your attention.

fjohn aka alibertarianin08824
behind enemy lines in Pepuls Republik of Nu Jerzee

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LIBERTARIAN: DoI’s “an inalienable right to life” when, and under what circumstances?

Published on by reinkefj2 Comments

http://www.tidewaternews.com/news/2010/jun/12/extremist-libertarianism/

Extremist libertarianism By Steve Stewart | Tidewater News Published Saturday, June 12, 2010 Steve Stewart is publisher of The Tidewater News. His e-mail address is steve.stewart@tidewaternews.com

*** begin quote ***

If an adult chooses not to wear a life jacket — or a seat belt or a motorcycle helmet — that’s one thing. He is old enough to weigh the risks and make a decision. It’s his life. An 8-year-old kid isn’t equipped to make that decision. When a reckless parent doesn’t see fit to take a simple step that will save a kid from drowning, I have no problem with the state saying he must.

Libertarian instincts aside, I disagree with Pollard. The collective wisdom of society does occasionally trump the not-so-common sense of an individual. In such cases, there oughta be a law.

*** end quote ***

The death of child is tragic. The unnecessary death is even more so.

That being said, we don’t worry about the preventable deaths of children in war, collateral damage, boycotts, embargoes, aboortion, the war against (some) drugs, poverty, swimming pools, car accidents, DWI, bathtubs, and … the ultimate killers … pais of water in the home!

(Before you say I’m absurd, please look up the most frequent cause of accidental drownings.)

SO what we have here is the political class saying they know better how to raise your child. We’ve already established that there is no EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE of a problem, no evidence that this law will solve more problems than it corrects, nor any evidence that the “law” would have any practical impact at all.

Now I understand that in the Declaration of Independence, “we”, (as if there was such a thing as “we”), assert that there is “an inalienable right to life”. (Isn’t it amusing when you quote their own documents back to the Statists and Socialists?) We have never agreed on when those “inalienable rights” inure to the “person”.

Is the legislator trying to state an answer to that question by preempting parental decision making?

The busybody politicians and bureaucrats are trying to run everything. With the fatal conceit. What did Thomas Sowell call it. “Conceit of the Anointed” Or Walter Williams. “The bottom line is that the idea that government bureaucrats have enough knowledge to manage an economy well is the height of conceit — what Nobel Laureate Friedrich Hayek called the “fatal conceit.” I’d call it the “conceit of the elite” that they would know better how to run your life than you do. With all their fancy “laws” (not like natural Laws), rules, regulations, diktats, or no-nos. And stuff still happens,

When you try to force someone to do something, even something that they would have wanted to do if left alone, they rebel. Because, instinctively, in their DNA, they “know” where that leads to: being a slave, mistreatment, and eventually the death camps. That’s why calling someone a Nazi is such a powerful slur. Like racist. Because you can IMMEDIATELY associate a picture with a label. And, we all know where it ends.

So, this politician tries to mandate “life jackets” for kids and we can trace it to its logical conclusion killing children in Auschwitz. May sound far fetched, but to me it’s as logical an outcome as any chemical reaction, the drips that cause stalactites and stalagmites. (Tites are tight to the ceiling) Or ants building a mound.

Drip, drip, drip. We lose out freedom. As Guliver is tied down thread by thread. No single drip, no single thread, no single “law” is enough to fight about. Like a parasite in a host, slowly eating it to death.

So the answer to every new intrusion, must be a firm “No”. “Never”. “Buzz off”.

“but it’s for the children”?

Well how about all these other “for the children” items that you don’t seem to care about.

Argh!

Take your gooferment off our liberty!

“I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do.” — Robert A. Heinlein

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LIBERTY: The USA has been overthrown; by professional politicians and bureaucrats

Published on by reinkefjLeave a comment

http://www.keywestlou.com/2010/06/i-slept-late.html

My Life in Key West
Thursday, June 24, 2010
I slept late.

*** begin quote ***

President Obama did the right thing yesterday in the General saga. He was correct to replace McCrystal. The chain of command has to be followed. Civilian control of the military has to be respected.

I dislike a professional army. And we have one. There is always the danger of a military take over. Trust my concern. That is how revolutions occur in many countries. And with all the crazy factions out there today, it is a possibility.

I have spoken of this concern on the radio show and in this blog in the past. Just beware. Ever cautious.

The solution to the possible danger is simple. Return to the draft. Or perhaps one or two years of compulsory service starting at 18. If such occurred, our military would be less a possible danger to democracy. It would also result in less wars. Politicians would be less inclined to get us involved if their contstituent’s children would definitely have to serve.

*** end quote ***

>I dislike a professional army. And we have one.

Interesting that the Dead Old White Guys felt the same way. The Army was supposed to be disbanded after two years. And yet we have one? Navy was OK Constitutionally.

AND, don’t over look what the Dead Old White Guys may have found inconceivable. FBI, DEA, and all such bureaucrats with guns. Do not forget the KGB! Err, I mean Homeland Security and the TSA.

We should be afraid. Very afraid. You’d have thought that Obama coming form the Left side of the aisle, the side supposedly for Civil Liberties, would have dismantled some of these “Bush” or right wing intrusions. But, NO! Demonstrating that both sides of the aisle (supposedly separate and distinct “hate each other” political parties) merely want to take power over others. They are all alike: reward their friends, punish their enemies, and feather their own nests.

>There is always the danger of a military take over.

I’d suggest that we have been “taken over”. Not by the military, but by a class of professional politicians. They don’t follow the Constitution. (Lysander Spooner was right!) And, they do what they want and loot the public treasury at will. (If you think not, explain the so called “health care” vote. Most don’t want it. It wasn’t about “health”, “health care”, or even “health care insurance”. It WAS about seizing the power to control people by restricting their “heath care”. Just like any totalitarian.) No we need a “French Revolution” where these new aristocrats are removed from power.

>Just beware. Ever cautious.

I think the time for “awareness” is long over. If we are to have ANY hope of liberty, the Tea Parties must succeed in turning Congress into a revolving door. One term and your gone. Reduce the size of gooferment by a half or two thirds. Renege on the debt; end the Fed; and return to honest money. Stop the drug war and empty the prisons of non-violent offenders.

>The solution to the possible danger is simple. Return to the draft.

Oh, how could you advocate a return to slavery? Have you forgotten the lessons of the VietNam war? Remember Bush in the National Guard? Sure, the elite’s children will never go to war. And, like anyone cared about killing their constituents’ kids!

> Or perhaps one or two years of compulsory service starting at 18.

Slavery! My personal bias is that only combat vets should vote. Like Heinlein wrote. http://tinyurl.com/p4n8e

“Interestingly, Heinlein also received some complaints about the lack of conscription in Starship Troopers (the military draft was the law in the United States when he wrote the novel).[50] Heinlein was always vehemently opposed to the idea of conscription (calling conscripts “slave soldiers” and arguing that a nation which was not able to find volunteers to fight for it did not deserve to endure).’

Or how about this?

“No man or group of men—including any group of men calling themselves “the government”—is morally entitled to initiate (that is, to start) the use of physical force, the threat of force, or any substitute for force (such as fraud) against any other man or group of men.” The Market for Liberty” Linda & Morris Tannehill 1970

May I suggest a short less than ten minute video? “An Animated Introduction to the Philosophy of Liberty” http://www.isil.org/resources/introduction.swf

It is a simple yet intelligent introduction to libertarian ideas.

Perhaps, it might change your thinking?

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LIBERTY: What is this thing called “government”; the Gooferment

Published on by reinkefjLeave a comment

“No man or group of men—including any group of men calling themselves “the government”—is morally entitled to initiate (that is, to start) the use of physical force, the threat of force, or any substitute for force (such as fraud) against any other man or group of men.”

“The Market for Liberty” Linda & Morris Tannehill (1970)

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RANT: Independence Day?

Published on by reinkefjLeave a comment

A fellow alumni shared his thoughts for the Fourth. I’m not sure if I agree with his “patriotic” take on the day, the vet, and patriotism. I tapped out a response. Maybe it is harsh. But it’s authentic.

>considering some of the problems we Veterans have had in displaying things, I

The flag limitations are outrageous.

>Happy 4th of July!….

It’s Independence Day. But with the Gooferment taking an obscene percentage of our income and wealth (it’s incalcuable with taxes and fees hidden everywhere) and the large prison population (by number and percentage) and the 52/48 split between welfare / work and the huge number of gooferment “employees” and the national debt and the unfunded liabilities, it’s hard to say “independence” with a straight face.

Since 1970, the dollar has lost 98% of it’s value. The Constitution says only gold and silver are money. The income tax has been a disaster of special interest meddling. The death tax has destroyed more family farms and small business than can be counted. The debt and unfunded liabilities make us serfs. Corporate taxes bury taxes in both every day items and the capital cost of everything that makes stuff. And don’t get me started on welfare with its four generations of “welfare farmers”, corporatism, and the disabling of America. Or the psuedo war on (some) drug and how that impacts our “freedom”.

>I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE

The Pledge is un-American. Written by an American Nazi flag salesman. TO indoctrinate school children. The whole American education system is designed to create dummies. Cannon fodder for the Army and the factories. Designed to be led by the Elite! Argh!

>For all of our other military personnel, where ever they may be.

We need to bring the troops home. And, engage in George Washington’s dictum “trade will all; no entangling alliances”. We need to be the Swiss porcupine.

>Support all of the troops defending our Country.

In case we don’t notice, the borders are being over run and the troops are NOT “defending”. At least, not “defending” us.

>our Military who are protecting our Country for our Freedom.

Ditto. With all the gooferment intrusions into civil society, we’ve lost our freedom. Have you noticed: “free speech zones”, “the surveillance society”, traveled through an airport, tried to carry a gun, or plan your finances with what the gooferment leaves you? Freedom, liberty?

>Thanks to them, and their sacrifices, we can celebrate the 4th of July.

They’ve been duped as have we. Doesn’t make them, and their sacrifices, any less noble.

>We must never forget who gets the credit for the freedoms we have,

Dead Old White Guys?

>of which we should be eternally grateful.

The unique American experiment in liberty. Never occurred anywhere else. Lost to the tyranny of “free lunch” socialism.

>I looked at him in uniform;

And was … … sad. Look at how we treat the wounded warriors. It’s a national disgrace.

>had fallen through the years.

In wars made by deceptive stupid politicians. Did I mention I like Heinlein’s idea that “only combat vets can vote and be allowed to hold public office”? Certainly would make for a lot less “wars”. And, all “wars” should be Constitutionally declared; not fought by tacit agreement. Last “war” that was fought was WW2.

>How many died on foreign soil;

Inexcusable!

>how many mothers’ tears?

Absolutely inexcusable!!

>No, freedom isn’t free.

No, it’s been sold in the halls of Congress and we are made serfs by their perfidy and treason!

>When a flag had draped a coffin of a brother or a friend.

Is brought home in the dead of night, hidden by the media when the right flavor of politician is in office, and wasted by these venial corrupt men and women. Where’s the outrage? I think the President, the Senators of that State, and the Congressional Rep, the Govenor, State reps, and mayor should “welcome” every body home and attend EVERY funeral. If that’s all they did, that would be fine. Maybe then they’d get the “message”?

>Enjoy Your Freedom

I don’t feel very “free”!

>God Bless Our Troops.

With enlightenment.

>say a prayer for our servicemen.

Every night. That they get home safe. Now!

>I HOPE THERE ISN’T ANYONE ON MY E-MAIL LIST THAT WON’T KEEP THIS GOING

I hope that everyone practices “intelligent patriotism.

I hope this comes across as I intended it.

250px-Gadsden_flag_large

Let’s get back to the Dead Old White Guys’ design.

Betsy-Ross-flag-icon

Hope this gets passed around as well. Are you feeling “free”? With Obamacare coming soon?

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RANT: Perp walks for kids?

Published on by reinkefjLeave a comment

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/views/os-mike-thomas-juvenile-arrest-06151020100615,0,4905741.column

Handling of ‘abduction’ case involving teen has been absurd
Mike Thomas
COMMENTARY
June 15 2010

*** begin quote ***

I know that in this paranoid world, you never approach a small child who is by herself, take her by the hand and walk out of a store with her in search of mommy.

*** end quote ***

Now I sent this to a budding little L libertarian who thinks highly of the cops.

*** begin quote ***

From: little L libertarian fat old white guy injineer
Subject: Handling of ‘abduction’ case involving teen has been absurd
To: budding little L libertarian
Date: Wednesday, June 16, 2010, 2:22 AM

Cops over reacting and then violating their own rules, laws, and the accused ‘s rights. Argh! And, you like these guys?

*** end quote ***

And the response was:

*** begin quote ***

You have really become over-biased….I read the entire article and there is absolutely nothing wrong here.

*** end quote ***

To which I responded:

*** begin quote ***

Doing a perp walk on a 14 year old?

That’s against the FL “law”, their own regs, and human decency.

For a mistake?

And, at the time if they didn’t know! (No fault there.) But they had a legal and moral obligation to protect BOTH children until the facts were sorted out.

They were so swelled with their own ego. I’m surprised they didn’t have flogging or worse right there. I’m upset by the fact that you see nothing wrong!

*** end quote ***

Argh!

The police are out of control bureaucrats in funny costumes designed to impress us and bluff us in to subservience!

Argh squared!

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GOVEROTRAGEOUS: Automatic DUI check for all accidents?

Published on by reinkefjLeave a comment

http://www.suntimes.com/2354708,thanksgiving-day-crash-charges-dropped-060410.article

*** begin quote ***

Prosecutors made two attempts to prove that Ardelean did. After the two-vehicle fatal crash Nov. 22 in Roscoe Village, Ardelean was charged with misdemeanor DUI — later upgraded to a felony. But those charges were dismissed when Cook County Judge Don Panarese ruled there was “no indication” Ardelean, who was off-duty at the time, was drunk. Prosecutors reinstated charges after saying they had a lengthy surveillance videotape showing Ardelean drinking five shots and other drinks at a North Side bar shortly before the crash.

Prosecutors also suggested in pretrial hearings that police the night of the crash turned a blind eye to Ardelean’s intoxication. Among other things, he wasn’t arrested or given a Breathalyzer until seven hours after the crash. But Gainer ruled in April that the supervising officer who ultimately made the arrest didn’t have strong enough evidence to do so. Gainer’s ruling also suppressed key blood-alcohol evidence.

*** end quote ***

You’d think that ANY police involved accident would have an immediate blood test. Or, they are fired! Caesar’s wife must be above reproach. Ditto for ANY politician or bureaucrat!

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LIBERTY: Markets allow peaceful cooperation

Published on by reinkefjLeave a comment

http://freekeene.com/free-audiobook/

“The Market for Liberty”
Linda & Morris Tannehill (1970)

*** begin quote ***

Government: An Unnecessary Evil

There was once a time when it was widely believed the world was flat and the sun revolved around the earth. Now we know better and most reasonable people have rejected these ideas. Similarly, most people have rejected the once widely accepted idea of slavery, and rightfully so. If you’re like most people, your government high school history classes probably taught you that slavery was abolished years ago. Government people wouldn’t lie to you, would they?

The book you are about to listen to explodes the myths of government. Its message is simple:

“Government is an unnecessary evil and freedom is the best and most practical way of life.” Spread this idea, and we can change the world. That is why I’ve taken the time to create this audio book. These days, many people do not have time to read and it would be a shame to allow such a brilliant work to continue to gather dust on the shelves of history.

*** end quote ***

Gooferment is the meme that kills.

It’s hard to imagine a person, killing millions, without the assistance of a “government” to help him.

Genocides, Purges, Killing Fields, and such are only possible by gooferment. Even religious wars can’t match the numbers.

Liberty and Free Markets allow humans to peacefully cooperate with each other.

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LIBERTY: Dr. Mary Ruwart’s “Healing Our World”

Published on by reinkefjLeave a comment

http://freekeene.com/2010/05/19/world-exclusive-healing-our-world-now-in-kindle-and-epub-formats/

FK EXCLUSIVE: “Healing Our World” Now In Kindle and Epub Formats!

May 19, 2010 by Ian Freeman

*** begin quote ***

Thanks to Keeniac and liberty activist Abbie, we are proud to announce the world exclusives of Dr. Mary Ruwart’s awesome book, “Healing Our World” (90s edition) in Epub (.epub) and Kindle (.azw) formats! Just click your preferred format to download.

Plus, we still have the .PDF of “Healing” http://freekeene.com/files/Healing_Our_World.pdf and some other books like “The Market for Liberty” and “Complete Liberty” free in audio format as well as .PDF on our Free Books page!

*** end quote ***

Absolutely worth a read!

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GOVEROTRAGEOUS: You can’t record Maryland cops; even if they are abusing you

Published on by reinkefjLeave a comment

http://reason.com/blog/2010/05/29/maryland-cops-say-its-illegal

In Spite of State Law, Maryland Law Enforcement Officials Still Arresting, Charging People for Recording Cops
Radley Balko | May 29, 2010

*** begin quote ***

Graber’s case is starting to spur some local and national media discussion of the state’s wiretapping law. As I mentioned in my column last month, his arrest came at about the same time the Jack McKenna case broke nationally. McKenna, a student at the University of Maryland, was given an unprovoked beating by police during student celebrations after a basketball game last February. McKenna would probably still be facing criminal charges and the cops who beat him would likely still be on the beat were it not for several cell phone videos that captured his beating. According to Cassily’s interpretation of the law, if any of those cell phones were close enough to record audio of the beating, the people who shot the videos are felons.

*** and ***

Whatever their motivation, their legal justification is dubious. The McKenna case is a strong argument in favor of more citizen monitoring of on-duty police. The police not only beat the kid, they then lied about it in police reports. The security camera footage of McKenna’s beating, which is controlled by University of Maryland Campus Police, mysteriously disappeared. The officer in charge of the camera system is married to one of the officers involved in the beating. Does anyone really think the charges against McKenna would have been dropped—and the officers who beat him suspended—if it weren’t for the cell phone videos?

*** end quote ***

Video recording police abuse should be applauded; not prosecuted.

It would appear that “wiretap” laws need a Federal preemption that: (1) Permits recording any interaction with a gooferment official performing their duties. (2) Permits recording any situation where there is no expectation of privacy. (3) Guarantees any citizen being taped must have suitable controls to prevent it’s “accidental” deletion when the cops don’t like what it shows.

The cops have dash cams; why not the citizens?

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RANT: Libertarians are misunderstood

Published on by reinkefjLeave a comment

http://channel-surfing.blogspot.com/2010/05/about-that-progressive-agenda.html

Saturday, May 22, 2010

*** begin quote ***

*** end quote ***
>Libertarians are supposedly anti the Democrats and the Republicans
“Anti” is such a strong word. As a little L libertarian, I bear them no ill will. Unfortunately, they keep trying to impose their will, their vision of Plato’s “the good”, on all the rest of us by force. When they do, we’re a little more forceful than the Amish voicing our displeasure.
>they say a pox on the Ds and Rs.
I’d never wish ill on anyone. Like the Buddhist, we know that ill will comes back to haunt you. THe D’s and R’s are like children, who JUST don’t understand that bad things result form their initiation of force on other human beings. So us little L libertarians have to just patiently just have to keep explaining it. Over and over. Eventually they will get it. It’s human destiny to be free. Tyrants and dictators can’t bottle up the human spirit to be free.
>But their libertarian heroes are Ayn Rand Paul and Ron Paul, GOPers.
Us little L libertarians have very few “heroes”. Lysander Spooner, Thomas Paine, Gandhi, MLK, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and such come to mine. But no one is perfect.
>When it comes down to crunch time, libertarians (the 2 Pauls) >choose to associate themselves with the evil Gopers.
In the rigged game that is the American political system, it’s impossible to mount an effective challenge. The two parties conspire to keep it just that way. Think a game of old maid where only two players can play because they set the entry rules impossibly high. When Ross Perot, who was in just to take votes from Bush, came surprisingly close, the duopoly quickly revise all sorts of rules to make it harder. SO you have to worm your way in and like a vampire or parasite, take one over. For example, Libertarian members of the Free State Project are infiltrating the D’s and running.
>Isn’t that precious.
It’s expediency!
>Libertarians are supposedly for freedom
Not supposedly. We forsake the initiation of force. That’s the platinum standard. Libertarians come in a vast number of flavors, but all adhere to that Zero Aggression Principle.
>they always end up being against unions and for the giant corporations
Sigh! Most libertarians have absolutely no problem with unions except in two cases: (1) they initiate force against others; or (2) if they are gooferment captives (e.g., the Post Office workers union; the teachers’ union). When the unions use force to prevent “scabs” from working, that’s immoral. When the teachers’ union, for example, exerts political power or uses children as hostages, that’s immoral.
>like BP, which killed 11 workers and Massey Energy which killed 29 miners.
In the examples cited, where was OSHA? Where was the Gooferment law enforcement? If the workers of BP took out an ad saying “don’t buy BP they endanger workers”, then who would buy from them? If they are so dangerous, why are people working there? Does BP chain their legs like a slave ship? No only the gooferment can do that; like in the military.
>In libertarian world, unions are evil blood suckers and >workers are a nuisance to be barely tolerated.
No, if you ever saw a libertarian world, then you’d see no need for unions. People could vote where they would work by the feet. Bad conditions or low wages, I’m outa here. No, the gooferment conspires with big biz and big labor to lock people in. With pensions and “benefits” and laws that supposedly protect them from bad treatment. Argh! Business doesn’t necessarily equate to a “limited liability corporation. That LLC is a gooferment creation to protect the monied interests.
>Those damn unions want good wages, good benefits, safe work >conditions and a voice in their employment conditions.
Please don’t make me laff and insult everyone’s iq. The unions have long since stopped representing the workers and are all about “the union”. Dues and handouts from the gooferment. Workers have to vote the right way. It’s not about good anything.
>serfs who lose their first amendment rights
“First amendment” ONLY applies to restrict the gooferment.
>Libertarians always end up being for the rich and powerful
NAH, WHERE DID YOU EVER GET THAT IDEA.
>private property more than they value human rights.
“Private property” is the essential human right. Your property is your past. It’s the sum of your past efforts. What gives you, any collection of “yous”, or the gooferment to steal it?
I’d suggest that you watch a little video about Liberty at http://goo.gl/Cy2X and tell us what you think. Essentially it says “we all own ourselves” and everything flows from that. It’s pretty good. And simple enough for even a D or an R to understand.

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POLITICAL: I’ll defend the country; not the regime, administration, or the gooferment

Published on by reinkefjLeave a comment

http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/56783.html

April 29, 2010
The Quintessential Defender of the Military
Posted by Laurence Vance on April 29, 2010 07:40 PM

*** begin quote ***

<<Quoting a student who was upset with his blog post>>

“It comes down to patriotism and the saying the [sic] many people live by is Love It, Or Leave It. If you don’t love the country or those who defend it then there is no room for you here. The people who put their lives on the line everyday no matter what the politics are in a conflict, they are Hero’s. [sic] If you enjoyed the freedom of typing out this article, than you can thank the military. People join the military to do their duty to protect our freedoms for not only us but our future generations.”

*** end quote ***

My “humble” observations:

  1. “Luv it or leave it” — Why? I paid my dues. Taxes were stolen from me. Loving the country is not necessarily “loving” the regime, government, or its military.
  2. “Defend it” — As soon as the “enemy” comes across the border or lands on the beaches, I’ll be on the line. And, I’ll even bring my own gun.
  3. “Lives on the line every day” — If the government was observing its own Constitution, then we would not have several undeclared wars going on while having troops in about (I’m told) 170 countries. (When did WW2 end? “We” still have troops in Germany!)
  4. “Hero’s” — No, they are mercenaries. And, the word implies a value judgement. Values we clearly don’t share.
      
  5. “Enjoy freedom” — The Dead Old White Guys told me in their writings that my “rights” come from my Creator. And, that Gooferments were instituted among Men to secure these rights. Were they wrong?
  6. “Thank the military” — If they were defending the borders within their Constitutional bounds, maybe I’d agree. remember the Constitution only authorize the Army to be called up for two years. What ever did happen to that restriction?
  7. “Join the military” — Sorry, folks join the military for numerous reasons that has nothing to do with posterity’s freedom. Tuition, pay the bills, and shoot big guns leaps to mind.

I think we need patriots who will stay out of the military and fight the expansion of the gooferment. That’s heroic. And dangerous.

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