A Healthy Reminder

The Healthcare Debate right now is not new. Reagan talked about this during his time as well. The year is 1961, when another nationalized healthcare bill was being put forth. Like today, the call went out becuase of a trumped up "Great emergency." And if you dare to doubt the need for this Federal Government oversight, supporters will challenge you on an emotional basis.

Reagan quotes one of our Founding Fathers when he talks about the introduction and success of Socialism as a "gradual and silent encroachment instead of through violent means." Reagan did not support intrusive government. He talks about how we have "the right and the ability" to make our own choices. Abdicating this responsibility to our governemtn means we are no longer free.

Hear more of the speech below:

My favorite quote:

"Governments don't tax to get the money they need. Governments will always find a need for the money they get."

Hat Tip - Hot Air

Why the West is Slowly Sinking

Why is the Western world slowing losing influence globally? The short asnwer is an over-reliance on large regulations to "fix" everything. In this article from the Wall Street Journal, Mark Steyn discusses the trend in more detail. The book he references, Soft Despotism, Democracy's Drift, is now on my reading list.

It's interesting to me the idea of men giving up their freedom of choice is not a new idea. The books author Paul Rahe references thinkers almost two hundred of years old, yet still relevant. What we see in the West is a soft slide to more state intervention and control. No major event or revolution, just an apathetic slouching towards control by the few.

Seems Devo was right, "Freedom from choice... It's what you want."

More Reasons to Hate Cap and Trade

The Cap and Trade bill keeps looking worse and worse. Not only will it put the brakes on our economy and become a hidden tax, it will limit personal choice and freedom when it comes to our homes. 'How?' you ask. By including regulations in Section 304 of the bill that allow more governmental intrusion, based on requiring more energy effiencies for your house. For a better look at Section 304, review this article from the American Issues Project web site. The tone is a bit alarmist but, based on how laws can be twisted to have unintended consequences, not too much of a stretch.

Tie the problems with Cap and Trade legislation in with the fact that anthropogenic global warming doesn't seem real, and it just looks like the "Environment Police" are going too far. The more I read about Cap and Trade (something already tried in Europe, with no real positive effects), the more I think it's a bad bill. But you already knew that.

Cap and Trade Explained

Funy stuff, if it weren't so bad for the economy.

I love the part where he mentions that the effects are not measurable! Of course, this assumes there is an anthropogenic cause to global warming, which there isn't.

The Health Care Bill is not About Choice

The following video is a great summation of why the healthcare discussion currently in Congress is so important. Remember, any 'public option' healthcare program will have "changed [our nation] in damaging ways."



It is obvious the Obama administration is interested in a full single payer system. One thing to keep in mind is that any plan with a public option will not increase choice, but decrease it. It will do this by squeezing out the small companies first, as Democratic Representative Schakowsky from Illinois pointed out.

SO, can the president please explain how attacking smaller businesses and forcing them to close (with a large number of lost jobs) will "help increase competition" in the healthcare insurance market? It won't. Further, he knows it won't. He knows the "public option" plan is just a step towards fully socialized healthcare.

Call your Senators or Representatives and tell them to vote against a "public option" in healthcare.

Hat Tip - Hot Air

A Good Review of Why We Don't Need Government Run Health Care

Reading this Wall Street Journal article about government run health care is a quick review of why our private system is a better alternative. The author gives five reasons a government run health insurance system is a bad idea.

Of course, one strong arguement for individuals who believe in freedom is kept in the introduction. "If Democrats enact a public-option health-insurance program, America is on the way to becoming a European-style welfare state." This thought disturbs me, since America has an incredible system now. Swapping it out for watered down 'freedom' is not my idea of progress.

The author's final warning should be reason enough for all of us to call our Senators and Representatives to block government run healthcare, "Defeating the public option should be a top priority for the GOP this year. Otherwise, our nation will be changed in damaging ways almost impossible to reverse."

Hat Tip - Hot Air

Fact Vs. Emotion in the Credit Card Debate

Obama's administration, including many Democrats in Congress, wants to force the credit card industry to cap their percentage rate at a ridiculous 15% (blocked, luckily). However, it looks like the bill they're putting together would reward bad behavior and punish good behavior.

I think the Democratic Congress and Obama are stepping in over their heads, trying to tackle credit card companies during a recession. As this article from the Motley Fool details, there are some major problems when government tries to regulate an industry. In this case, the government meddling and populist backlash against credit card companies will only hurt the industry, and ultimately, all consumers. Even NPR, normally a 'progressive' station, is reporting the regulation could backfire.

The sad thing is, responsible spending and paying attention to your credit card statements, two basic principles of correctly handling a credit card, seem to be lacking in those crying loudest for credit card reform. The example Obama cites for 'unfair practices' is: 

"One... woman saw her credit card interest rate jump to nearly 30 percent because she mistakenly went over the card's limit." (Emphasis mine.)

Okay, so the woman makes a mistake... and it's the company's fault for raising her rate? Somehow this just defies logic.

More personal responsibility and less whining to the government for regulation, please.

Anti-Gun Treaty

Call you Senators and tell them to vote against ratification of the SIFTA treaty. See this video to learn more about this gun registration treaty Obama wants to pass.

At least Senator Barrasso has it right. Our Second Amendment right should not be curtailed. Of course, when you have an anti-gun presidency, you have to work hard to protect those rights.

The Bail Outs, as Explained by South Park

This is AWESOME!!! I mean, how else can you explain the government mucking about in the economy, throwing away billions of dollars, without any noticable effect?

South Park	Wed 10pm / 9c
Bailout!
comedycentral.com
Joke of the Day Stand-Up Comedy Free Online Games

Gangster Government on the Rise

The United States is supposed to be a Republic. Our nation was founded on the rule of law, to help protect smaller and less popular ideas from being snuffed out by the rule of the mob, which we would see in a Democracy. In a Republic, laws and contracts apply to all individuals equally. However, our new Federal government seems to be changing that.

This article outlines how Obama's leadership is "undermining the legal and financial stability of the United States." And it's not the only article to notice our President's disdain for the rule of law. The articles touch on some major ways in which Obama's organized labor friends are receiving preferential treatment, instead of being treated equally under the law. Of course, influence pedaling and corruption is the Chicago way.

In addition to issues relating to Unions and other cronies , the Obama administration is interfering in our open banking system. This includes forcing certain private banks and financial organizations, such as Citibank, to take TARP money. This, in turn, gives the Federal Government a say in how these companies are run. This is not open business.

So far, with Obama's administration, we've seen bigger government being more intrusive in our businesses and everyday lives. Couple this with some of the losses of freedoms from Bush's push against terrorism with the misnamed Patriot Act and it's a dangerous mix. This is not how we made this nation great.

The recent tea parties, far from being partisan protests, show more that people are ready for the Federal government to step back out of our lives. If we are to succeed as individuals and as a nation, we need the Federal Government to get out of our way instead of laying down road blocks.

I believe it was Thoreau who said, "That government is best which governs least." On that note, I think we need a better government.

Hat Tip - Hot Air

Can Gun Control Work? Probably Not.

I recently read a blog post a friend forwarded to me. The post text is not nearly as important as the video. In the video, ABC News interviews the author of the book Can Gun Control Work?, Professor James Jacobs from New York University. 

I was very interested in what Prof. Jacobs had to say about gun control. I thought his interview would include more emotion and rhetoric than reasoned discussion. Prof. Jacobs approached the subject rationally, with an open mind when he wrote the book. Of special interest is the fact that he's not a gun owner himself.

His answer to the question? "I think it's not possible to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people." You can tell this is not the answer the hostess wanted to hear. She tries to qualify his answer by talking about "trying" gun control if it will save one life. Prof. Jacobs rightly points out, however, the cost of that law would be more than most of society would be willing to bare. Jacobs states that the number of gun deaths each year (almost 31,000 in 2006*) is the cost we pay for gun ownership.

As an example, Jacobs points to the known statistic of traffic fatalities (over 45,000 in 2006**). If we wanted to save one life, we could definitely enact more traffic laws, or even ban all private cars and make everyone use public transportation. Would these laws save more lives? Yes, undoubtedly. However, whether society would actually be willing to do this is another question. 

This interview happens without even touching on an important point, however, the constitutionality of more gun ownership. The 2nd Amendment gives individuals (i.e., "the people") the right to have guns. Any laws developed have to be balanced against this fundamental right.

*This number includes ALL gun related deaths, including accidents, sucides, homocides and officer involved shootings. Numbers based on information from the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.

**As indicated by the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.

How Government Funding is Stifling Science

This article about research funding is like a snowball. It starts small, and with little energy. However, as it rolls along, it picks up more momentum. By the end, most right thinking people can easily agree that the funding system outlined by Dr. Miller is indeed flawed and in need of redirection.

Dr. Miller's point throughout the article is the current funding system will not fund scientists who do truly groundbreaking work. Miller states, "Peer review replaces true scientific research by only funding those projects that follow the established path." This the problem is this truly damns real scientific research. Miller backs up his assertation with real examples and includes enough evidence to show the need for a different system.

"In 21st century America, consensus and computer models masquerade as science. They supplant experimental data." I agree with this statement.  The current system "develops established lines of knowledge to perfection." However, major advances in science are not accomplished this way. Instead, we need more research where "long-cherished ideas are replaced wholesale by new ones that lead science in a different direction." These new-thinking projects, however, are not funded because of the orthodoxy of the reviewers, not because the new ideas are not sound science.

Read the whole article and judge for yourself.

Hat Tip Crossfit. 

Stop Giving Away My Money!!!

This article perfectly illustrates my frustration with my government giving away my money to corporations.

The whole idea of the capitalist system is, "You reap what you sow." This means if a company makes bad decisions, the company goes under. Period.

This also means that no company is "too big to fail," contrary to what some in the Obama administration would have you believe. This also means, stop giving them more money when they are failing.

What the Tea Parties are all About

Unless you've been living in a cave with no TV or internet access, you've hear about the recent collection of "Tea Parties" happening all across the country. But what are all of these people saying? What are these protests about? 

This video addresses the root issue, although it comes at the topic from a non-tea party way.

The reason we have so much unrest is because we have such a powerful government that is redistributing our money. People are becoming more and more upset about government intrusion in our lives, both through intrusive laws and high taxation. There is a strong movement against more government.

Call your Senators and Congressman. Tell them that Washington's excessive interferance in our lives is what people are upset about. We want LESS intervention and more reliance on local and individual authority. After all, Amendment IX states, "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people." 

This means we, the people hold all of the rights. Our government should work to ensure we can exercise our rights to the utmost.

The Media is Catching On

No matter that Obama initially inherited a troubled economy. He's had almost three months to lay out his policies for moving forward. However, from all indications, he's really messed up.

Here's a great article that takes a look at the changes he's made and how they impact the economy:

1. Raising the tax rate on hedge funds and private equity funds will do nothing but slow investment in new business (and it's already been having a negative impact).

2. The cap-and trade program for carbon emissions (which don't matter anyways) would put a big handicap on any chance already hard hit manufacturers would have rebuilding their business.

3. Housing prices are definitely not going to go up if you make buying houses harder for anyone. Yet that is what Obama's new cut back on tax deductions for home loan interest for some individuals would do.

So far, all of the President's moves have had a negative effect on the economy. Is that what he's going for?

Where Did This Big Stimulus (BS) Come From?

So, as we discuss the BS spending package that passed the House and is currently being bandied about in the Senate, you have to wonder. Where does the blame for all of this pork need to be assigned? I mean, the stimulus is so bad, even the Democratically controlled Congressional Budget Office finds fault with it.

One place it does not belong is with the Republican representatives. They voted unanimously against the spending. They felt, rightly so, that the bill included WAY too much government spending spread across too broad a time frame, without any measures to retard the spending if the economy got better. In addition, the measures they supported, measures that have been shown to work in the past, were not included.

That leaves President Obama and the Democratic leadership in the house. The president shares blame for getting the ball rolling. However, I'm not sure this bill is what he had in mind.

As this audio from Congressman Timm Cooper (D - TN) explains, it seems the president is quietly opposing the current package that came out of the House. Even more telling is the Congressman's indictment of the Democratic legislative leadership. This points to a growing shift from unquestioning support to a desire for more open leadership. Listen to the interview.

Another Democratic Nominee a Tax Cheat?

Having one appointee with tax problems can seem like an easy mistake for the new President. Having two nominees who don't pay their taxes, however, sounds like more than that. The second nominee to run into problems, Daschle as Secretary of Health and Human Services, makes me pause and look a little more closely at Obama's administration.

I mean, here is a man who forgot to report more than $80,000 in income. Doesn't this disqualify him from office? I think so.

Hat Tip Hot Air for the start.

NASA's Climatologists Now Against Anthropogenic Global Warming

If we really listen to climatologists, instead of ex-politicians parading as celebrities, we will see more and more scientists speaking out about the fallacy of CO2 and the failed climate models used to predict dire consequences.

Instead, these climatologists point to cooling global temperatures and a slowing of the "dramatic rise" of ocean levels. In fact, more climate scientists signed on as anthropogenic global warming skeptics than those authors supporting the IPCC report.

It looks more and more like the debate about global warming, far from being over, is just now starting to get going.

See also this article detailing dissent from the IPCC models used to predict global warming.

Hat Tip - Crossfit - Breaking the 'dumb jock' stereotype.

Not Learning from History, Hope We Don’t Repeat It

Obama is all rhetoric and no substance. He talks a good game, mentioning words like "bipartisanship" and "job creation." Unfortunately, his actions don't follow his words. He constantly ignores history when it does not agree with his point of view.

Now he's trying to push through a bloated spending bill disguised as a stimulus package, with almost HALF of the spending happening 2 years from now or more. Spending that far out CANNOT jump start the budget. Even John McCain, who supported the first failed bailout, learned that this spending bill will not be able to dig America out. In addition, everyone knows that the new "temporary" programs put in place by this bill would become another piece of the entrenched Federal bureaucracy.

Now, if we look at what Obama wants to do to help “create jobs” in America, we will realize his policies sound very familiar. These policies include public works and more big government spending, to the tune of over $800 BILLION. In addition, it includes such stupid measures as requirements to “buy American” requirements that have caused more problems in the past than they helped.

As anyone who is a student of history can see, this didn’t work then and it won’t work now. Let's hope Obama and lawmakers realize this before it's too late.

Stand By Your Guns

I'm glad to see the Republicans in the House standing firm and not giving ANY support to the "stimulus package" that was grunted out of the House. This package is more like a flaming pile of poo flung on the American tax payers front door than a real attempt to help fix things now.

Economists agree that for the stimulus to work, it needs to take effect immediately and start pushing things through sooner rather than later. However, reading the text shows that only 20% of the stimulus would be spent this year! What? So why load up the bill with a bunch of crap?

Now we just need to see whether the Republicans in the Senate will fold. I'm thinking no, although I don't see a filibuster on the way.