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

Monday, July 5, 2010

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

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

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?

Friday, June 25, 2010

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

Thursday, June 24, 2010

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

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

“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?

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

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?

Thursday, June 17, 2010

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?

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

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

Sunday, June 13, 2010

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”

Monday, June 7, 2010

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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