We're now hosted on our own domain at www.morallibertarian.com. Be sure to update your favorites and follow the new blog. They don't make migration easy, but I'll be able to add additional pages and features to the new site over time.
Looking forward to your comments.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Mission Ridiculous...
Why does it feel like amateur hour in the manner in which our nations military is being operated? From published troop movements, to firm dates of withdrawal being set. The unecessary wars that are being waged in Afghanistan, Yemen, Libya and Iraq (yes, still in Iraq) seem more and more like they're being conducted by some guy in the basement with a headset and an XBox controller.
Special Ops are being over-used and we're losing some of our best because of it.
First we hear that the recently killed SEALS were on a rescue mission of other commandos, now it appears that what they were really doing is going in to harry a retreating foe. I don't condone armchair quarterbacking, but let's at least make sure the signal callers are more experienced than that pimply faced kid or our ivy league president.
Special Ops are being over-used and we're losing some of our best because of it.
First we hear that the recently killed SEALS were on a rescue mission of other commandos, now it appears that what they were really doing is going in to harry a retreating foe. I don't condone armchair quarterbacking, but let's at least make sure the signal callers are more experienced than that pimply faced kid or our ivy league president.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Entitlement Society
Entitlement. It's a word that makes me cringe more than just about any other. From Entitlement Spending to being told that someone is "entitled to respect," the sense of the same is burning through our nation and our world like a disease.
Webster defines the word in one sense as a Right and in another as a Privilege. Maybe this explains the confusion surrounding the word. If you are entitled to respect, what that really means is that you deserve respect because you have earned respect. If you think that you are entitled to respect simply for being, well, get over yourself pal. I may treat you respectfully, that doesn't mean I am required by law to actually respect you, nor will I.
Another of Webster's definitions is that of an entitlement spending program. A right to payment created by act of law. When you think you're entitled to money simply for being...well, I think that's a problem. However, entitlements that come through what is earned, that is not so much of a problem.
Next time you hear someone say that they are entitled to this, ask them if they've earned it. The reaction I get is both amusing and disheartening.
If you want to know what an entitlement society looks like when the entitlements begin to ebb, look at England over the past 4 days and Greece over the past 18 months. The governments of those countries have had to retract many of their something for nothing pledges. Riots, fires, looting, murder. This is the response of the huddled masses. They just want the "respect they're entitled to." So, how do they earn that respect, by destroying homes, property, businesses, lives. By rampaging through Manchester and London or Athens? One couple was seen rampaging through the streets with their child along in her stroller. As windows were smashed, storefronts looted, they jovially trotted along with the crowd, hurling insults at police.
This is the entitlement society.
In Wisconsin, some were hoping for similar scenes leading up to the recall attempts against 6 Republican Senators in that state. A supporter of the movement and Professor of Political Science lamented that the "revolution has not occurred" and "the Proletariat did not take over the streets." I am not sure if the lament was because the scenes of this past winter did not repeat themselves in Wisconsin's capital or because the losses prevent the extension of entitlements by right. More likely it's both. That story is here.
More and more I've begun to believe that our world is turning into Never Never Land. Where no one wants to grow up and take responsibility for their own lives. Instead, we're all entitled to life and happiness at the cost of liberty. It's time to cast off these delusions, it's time to grow up.
Webster defines the word in one sense as a Right and in another as a Privilege. Maybe this explains the confusion surrounding the word. If you are entitled to respect, what that really means is that you deserve respect because you have earned respect. If you think that you are entitled to respect simply for being, well, get over yourself pal. I may treat you respectfully, that doesn't mean I am required by law to actually respect you, nor will I.
Another of Webster's definitions is that of an entitlement spending program. A right to payment created by act of law. When you think you're entitled to money simply for being...well, I think that's a problem. However, entitlements that come through what is earned, that is not so much of a problem.
Next time you hear someone say that they are entitled to this, ask them if they've earned it. The reaction I get is both amusing and disheartening.
If you want to know what an entitlement society looks like when the entitlements begin to ebb, look at England over the past 4 days and Greece over the past 18 months. The governments of those countries have had to retract many of their something for nothing pledges. Riots, fires, looting, murder. This is the response of the huddled masses. They just want the "respect they're entitled to." So, how do they earn that respect, by destroying homes, property, businesses, lives. By rampaging through Manchester and London or Athens? One couple was seen rampaging through the streets with their child along in her stroller. As windows were smashed, storefronts looted, they jovially trotted along with the crowd, hurling insults at police.
This is the entitlement society.
In Wisconsin, some were hoping for similar scenes leading up to the recall attempts against 6 Republican Senators in that state. A supporter of the movement and Professor of Political Science lamented that the "revolution has not occurred" and "the Proletariat did not take over the streets." I am not sure if the lament was because the scenes of this past winter did not repeat themselves in Wisconsin's capital or because the losses prevent the extension of entitlements by right. More likely it's both. That story is here.
More and more I've begun to believe that our world is turning into Never Never Land. Where no one wants to grow up and take responsibility for their own lives. Instead, we're all entitled to life and happiness at the cost of liberty. It's time to cast off these delusions, it's time to grow up.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Who's Going to Get us Out of This Mess?
We are. You and I will do it. We, the workers, thinkers, innovators and doers of this nation will lift us up and carry us through these times of economic uncertainty. Do not ask the government, do not expect any aid from that quarter. Demand instead that they remove their impediments to innovation, remove the incentives for failure.
In too much of our lives now we look to the Government to solve our problems. Problem with schools, what is the Government doing to help? Problem with crime? What is the Government doing? The more effective response to both of these is community action. Schools with more parental involvement are many times more successful than schools with low parental involvement. Areas that have a neighborhood watch, community involvement, and that participate in the "Night Out" program typically have much lower rates of crime.
Our nation is riddled with examples of how we, the People of this nation, are better equipped than our Government to handle our problems for ourselves. Social Security isn't enough to retire on, for many, it barely makes a dent in their retirement plans. Anyone under 50 who anticipates Social Security being around for them is probably delusional. Self-saving plans, 401(k), IRA, etc have become the mainstay of most retirement portfolios.
Trial lawyers, while they have overshot their marks far too often (mainly due to government interference in loosening standards) are responsible for keeping more unsafe products, medicines, and foods out of the stream of American commerce than the FDA, USDA, and EPA combined.
We are the answer. As individuals, as families, as neighbors, as communities, as cities and states and this one nation, we the people are the answer.
In too much of our lives now we look to the Government to solve our problems. Problem with schools, what is the Government doing to help? Problem with crime? What is the Government doing? The more effective response to both of these is community action. Schools with more parental involvement are many times more successful than schools with low parental involvement. Areas that have a neighborhood watch, community involvement, and that participate in the "Night Out" program typically have much lower rates of crime.
Our nation is riddled with examples of how we, the People of this nation, are better equipped than our Government to handle our problems for ourselves. Social Security isn't enough to retire on, for many, it barely makes a dent in their retirement plans. Anyone under 50 who anticipates Social Security being around for them is probably delusional. Self-saving plans, 401(k), IRA, etc have become the mainstay of most retirement portfolios.
Trial lawyers, while they have overshot their marks far too often (mainly due to government interference in loosening standards) are responsible for keeping more unsafe products, medicines, and foods out of the stream of American commerce than the FDA, USDA, and EPA combined.
We are the answer. As individuals, as families, as neighbors, as communities, as cities and states and this one nation, we the people are the answer.
Monday, August 8, 2011
What's the Line?
Obama is about to speak on the economy. What kind of odds can I get that he blames Bush, Republicans, Tea Party miscreants? What are the odds on the trifecta?
I will write a blog from the progressive perspective if he honestly and humbly accepts this as his responsibility.
I will write a blog from the progressive perspective if he honestly and humbly accepts this as his responsibility.
Our Government or a Drug Pusher?
Cigarette companies used to give out free cigarettes to GI's in the field. When those soldiers returned they were loyal customers for life. Today they are condemned for these and other marketing ploys they used over the last 100 years. A doctor in California was recently convicted after getting pain treatment patients hooked on pain killers in order to manipulate them into expensive nerve block treatments. He literally turned people into addicts, then threatened to withhold new prescriptions for their pain killers if they didn't agree to undergo these expensive nerveblock shots. They were painful, but cost the patients nothing. Insurance companies paid the doctor $5,000 per shot.
Our government does something similar. You see, we have this pesky 10th Amendment that says, essentially, that on some issues the federal government can't tell the state's what to do. Well, like the tobacco company, like the drug pusher, our government has found a way to control. When the constitution doesn't allow direct manipulation of the states the feds have used Money as their drug. Federal highway dollars are dangled and states race to change laws to meet the requirements of the Central Ruler. Education money is dangled and states implement "No Child Makes It To the Top." Unemployment money is dangled and states jump on the bandwagon.
And, like a good dealer, the feds know how to keep them hooked. When the states are a little short on a test score, the feds say, sure, you can still have the money...you just can't do x or you also have to do y.
You know, the Constitution also says the feds can't tell We the People what to do in certain things...could they be doing the same thing to us? What do you think?
Our government does something similar. You see, we have this pesky 10th Amendment that says, essentially, that on some issues the federal government can't tell the state's what to do. Well, like the tobacco company, like the drug pusher, our government has found a way to control. When the constitution doesn't allow direct manipulation of the states the feds have used Money as their drug. Federal highway dollars are dangled and states race to change laws to meet the requirements of the Central Ruler. Education money is dangled and states implement "No Child Makes It To the Top." Unemployment money is dangled and states jump on the bandwagon.
And, like a good dealer, the feds know how to keep them hooked. When the states are a little short on a test score, the feds say, sure, you can still have the money...you just can't do x or you also have to do y.
You know, the Constitution also says the feds can't tell We the People what to do in certain things...could they be doing the same thing to us? What do you think?
Friday, August 5, 2011
The Petulant Child...
...was at the microphone again today. He wanted to make sure that we all knew how bad things were when he took office and dang that Congress, what's up with THOSE guys and you heard about that Tsunami right? That was bad. Then there was the Arab Spring, which is/was great, but gosh, it really hurt the economy. Bottom line, things are bad, but we need to remember that it's not his fault. He's done everything he could.
He borrowed $800 billion from your kids and grandkids to keep union workers in jobs. He bent the rules of Bankruptcy to benefit Unions and continued the plan to reward bad investments with government bailouts. He fought hard in order to raise taxes on "millionaires and billionaires," and passed a MASSIVE new government entitlement. Meanwhile his Labor Board, EPA, SEC, and Justice Department have waged an all out war on businesses. The countries mood is darker than any time since the Great Depression, the housing market is toast, the dollar is struggling hard to become worthless, and the Fed and Treasury have abdicated any responsibility over monetary policy.
Just keep in mind, none of our current problems are his fault.
You wanted the job, Mr. President, you got it. Shut up and eat your peas. Take credit for that which you have wrought.
He borrowed $800 billion from your kids and grandkids to keep union workers in jobs. He bent the rules of Bankruptcy to benefit Unions and continued the plan to reward bad investments with government bailouts. He fought hard in order to raise taxes on "millionaires and billionaires," and passed a MASSIVE new government entitlement. Meanwhile his Labor Board, EPA, SEC, and Justice Department have waged an all out war on businesses. The countries mood is darker than any time since the Great Depression, the housing market is toast, the dollar is struggling hard to become worthless, and the Fed and Treasury have abdicated any responsibility over monetary policy.
Just keep in mind, none of our current problems are his fault.
You wanted the job, Mr. President, you got it. Shut up and eat your peas. Take credit for that which you have wrought.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Nobody Panic!!!!!
Obama is going to start concentrating on jobs again! All will be well. I repeat, no need to panic. His Majesty will be focusing on jobs again. Like a laser this time.
Wait, laser was the metaphor from the time after he was inaugurated, or maybe it was the time he focused really hard after the stimulus failed to stop the official unemployment statistic from hitting 10%. I'm pretty sure he was focused on jobs after the Senate passed health care in December of 2009, then he got REALLY focused after the House passed it in early 2010.
Seriously people. We keep hearing this same song and dance from the guy. When are you going to stop believing it? Jobs, jobs, jobs. The only jobs he's ever created have been government jobs. Meanwhile, that ever-expanding government monstrosity keeps churning out new rules and regulations. 608 new Federal Rules issued last month. That's 608 new reasons NOT to hire someone for your business. 608 reasons why you can't find a better job. 608 ways in which your freedoms were just taken away from you.
I pray that this correction is just a blip on what I hope is a stout recovery. I'm sorry to say that I just don't believe that it is. We're in for some tough times. Keep your eyes and ears open. Help your neighbor, it's not the government's job anymore and it never should have been.
Wait, laser was the metaphor from the time after he was inaugurated, or maybe it was the time he focused really hard after the stimulus failed to stop the official unemployment statistic from hitting 10%. I'm pretty sure he was focused on jobs after the Senate passed health care in December of 2009, then he got REALLY focused after the House passed it in early 2010.
Seriously people. We keep hearing this same song and dance from the guy. When are you going to stop believing it? Jobs, jobs, jobs. The only jobs he's ever created have been government jobs. Meanwhile, that ever-expanding government monstrosity keeps churning out new rules and regulations. 608 new Federal Rules issued last month. That's 608 new reasons NOT to hire someone for your business. 608 reasons why you can't find a better job. 608 ways in which your freedoms were just taken away from you.
I pray that this correction is just a blip on what I hope is a stout recovery. I'm sorry to say that I just don't believe that it is. We're in for some tough times. Keep your eyes and ears open. Help your neighbor, it's not the government's job anymore and it never should have been.
Monday, August 1, 2011
What is Baseline Budgeting
A "compromise" deal has been reached. We'll continue to borrow money to pay for an ineffective government to provide unecessary services to a nation, the majority of which does not contribute anything, much less their "fair share."
The deal allegedly calls for "massive" spending cuts. "Historic reductions in spending" show the purported resolve of our elected leaders to delay our descent into national bankruptcy. This year our government will spending $3.8 Trillion. To hear our overlords talk you'd think that next year we'd be spending significantly less than this. Not so. In fact, we'll spend more, and more the year after that, and more the year after that.
If we see massive economic growth for the next 10 years, our projected budget deficits still exceed $8 trillion. If, on the other hand, our economy continues for the next 2 years to grow at the anemic pace it has for the previous year, or worse, contracts. The 10 year deficit figures could top $12 trillion. We could easily double our national debt in 10 years.
But, doesnt' this deal cut $1 trillion in spending? If you believe that, I have an investment opportunity for you.
What the deal does is make extraordinarily optimistic ASSUMPTIONS about the growth in the economy, the capture of tax revenues at rates higher than we have ever captured them, and, most importantly, a SLIGHT reduction in the RATE OF GROWTH of government spending. That's assuming that any of these cuts ACTUALLY HAPPEN. A commission will make the recommendations, but Congress still has to agree to make it happen.
So, what is baseline budgeting. Let's assume you're going to spend $1,000 this month and next month you plan to increase your spending by 10% to $1,100 and each month thereafter you increase by 10%. $1,000 is your baseline. Pretty soon your budget has increased significantly. In 10 months, it's more than doubled. Budget "cuts" under a baseline budgeting method mean you only increase it by 9% or maybe 8% each month. Yes, you spend LESS than you had originally ASSUMED, but you're not really spending less.
This is the deal that was struck, and so we continue a long succession of presidents and congresses failing to deliver the necessary fiscal discipline to truly make this a prosperous nation.
The deal allegedly calls for "massive" spending cuts. "Historic reductions in spending" show the purported resolve of our elected leaders to delay our descent into national bankruptcy. This year our government will spending $3.8 Trillion. To hear our overlords talk you'd think that next year we'd be spending significantly less than this. Not so. In fact, we'll spend more, and more the year after that, and more the year after that.
If we see massive economic growth for the next 10 years, our projected budget deficits still exceed $8 trillion. If, on the other hand, our economy continues for the next 2 years to grow at the anemic pace it has for the previous year, or worse, contracts. The 10 year deficit figures could top $12 trillion. We could easily double our national debt in 10 years.
But, doesnt' this deal cut $1 trillion in spending? If you believe that, I have an investment opportunity for you.
What the deal does is make extraordinarily optimistic ASSUMPTIONS about the growth in the economy, the capture of tax revenues at rates higher than we have ever captured them, and, most importantly, a SLIGHT reduction in the RATE OF GROWTH of government spending. That's assuming that any of these cuts ACTUALLY HAPPEN. A commission will make the recommendations, but Congress still has to agree to make it happen.
So, what is baseline budgeting. Let's assume you're going to spend $1,000 this month and next month you plan to increase your spending by 10% to $1,100 and each month thereafter you increase by 10%. $1,000 is your baseline. Pretty soon your budget has increased significantly. In 10 months, it's more than doubled. Budget "cuts" under a baseline budgeting method mean you only increase it by 9% or maybe 8% each month. Yes, you spend LESS than you had originally ASSUMED, but you're not really spending less.
This is the deal that was struck, and so we continue a long succession of presidents and congresses failing to deliver the necessary fiscal discipline to truly make this a prosperous nation.
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