I was guilty of judging capitalism by its operations and socialism by its hopes and aspirations; capitalism by its works and socialism by its literature. Sidney Hook, Out of Step, 1988
All posts by admin
McCain-Feingold limits McCain’s Campaign
One might call it ironic that the McCain campaign is faltering due to lack of funds. Ironic because he has helped to silence his own speech rights while limiting everyone else?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s. Instead of being free to donate and disclose to a candidate who shares your views, you are greatly limited. McCain suffers from that problem.
It might be that people think he has nothing worthwhile to say and won?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t donate. Or it might be that they don?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t know what he has to say since they haven?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t been able to hear it to decide if they wish to donate. Either way McCain loses his chance to influence the political process because he has limited everyone else’s opportunity too. Certainly McCain?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s (theoretical) base knows many of his positions and disagrees with his anti-freedom views, however there could have been more people who agreed with him, but won?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t hear his message. He can thank himself and Senator Feingold for that.
That is the nature of free speech. You are free to speak when you want, but it costs money to get your speech out there in front of many people. That means convincing people you have something worth saying and can express it. McCain has ensured that he can?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t do that, and who knows how many other candidates he has shut out of the marketplace of ideas.
Warren Buffett attacks tax rates as being too low?
“Mr Buffett said that he was taxed at 17.7 per cent on the $46 million he made last year, without trying to avoid paying higher taxes, while his secretary, who earned $60,000, was taxed at 30 per cent.” (see Times Online article)
Sounds like Warren Buffett has a perfect argument to lower his secretary’s tax rate to 17.7% (or lower). How about that Warren? Of course, that is unlikely to happen since Buffett has made his stance clear – that he wants everyone to pay MORE taxes, not less. Continue reading Warren Buffett attacks tax rates as being too low?
Supreme Court Eases Restrictions on First Amendment Ads
The United States Supreme Court today (in a 5-4 ruling) ruled that some restrictions on speech that were contained in the McCain-Feingold Campaign finance act were un-Constitutional.
While the Supreme Court should have tossed out all restrictions on television ads airing close to elections and campaign funding as contrary to the First Amendment (among other things), the Supreme Court today did loosen restrictions on ads airing near an election.
Every small victory for freedom and freedom of speech is welcome.
Chief Justice Roberts said:
Discussion of issues cannot be suppressed simply because the issues also may be pertinent in an election. Where the First Amendment is implicated, the tie goes to the speaker, not the censor.
Commenting Mitt Romney stated: Continue reading Supreme Court Eases Restrictions on First Amendment Ads
Brian Lamb of C-SPAN and the meaning of “give”
Brian Lamb of CSPAN obviously has no idea what the meaning of the word ?¢‚Ǩ?ìgive?¢‚Ǩ¬ù is.
Politico.com quotes him as stating:
?¢‚Ǩ?ìWe are not a taxpayer organization ?¢‚Ǩ¬¶ We get no federal funds, state funds, local funds. We get our money from you. You give us a nickel a month when you pay your bills, and that’s how we operate here.?¢‚Ǩ¬ù
(See the original article here.)
Brian, to ?¢‚Ǩ?ìgive?¢‚Ǩ¬ù means FREELY transfer. Somehow I missed where I could opt out of my monthly ?¢‚Ǩ?ìgift?¢‚Ǩ¬ù to you. We may pay it in return for supposedly unbiased coverage, but we don’t “give” it. Please consider this a request to opt out and for a refund of my previous “gifts.” Continue reading Brian Lamb of C-SPAN and the meaning of “give”
Global Cooling/Warming and Hurricanes
Hurricane.com has a nice little summary with a link to an article dealing with global cooling and global warming. The linked article says: “It is global cooling, not warming, that is the major climate threat to the world.”Hurricane.com has a nice little summary with a link to an article dealing with global cooling and global warming.
Republican Ron Paul Excluded from June Iowa Debate
Iowans for Tax Relief and Iowa Christian Alliance hosts a Republican presidential debate Saturday, June 30th in Des Moines. Candidates Mitt Romney, Sam Brownback, Jim Gilmore, Mike Huckabee, Tommy Thompson, and Tom Tancredo will participate. Republican Ron Paul was not invited.
The most ardent tax reformer of the Republican hopefuls, the candidate who scored at the top of all online polls after the MSNBC, CNN, and Fox News debates, and one of the most Christian members of the Republican field was excluded here? Insanity. Continue reading Republican Ron Paul Excluded from June Iowa Debate
Florida Property Tax Reform and Elimination
As you may already know, the State of Florida is currently considering a measure to eliminate the Florida Property tax during a special session (June 12-22, 2007), so action today is important. Property values in Florida have increased significantly over the past 5 years – 11 percent, 12.2 percent, 18.2 percent, 19 percent and 25 percent. The combined impact from all taxing jurisdictions is that property tax revenues have doubled, significantly outpacing inflation. Over the last decade state population has grown by 25 percent, personal income has grown by 86 percent, but property taxes have increased by 148 percent. The politicians whining about not having enough revenue want power over you, nothing more and will use fear and any technique than can in order to keep it. Their special interest friends want their handouts that the politicians take from you.
Abolishing the property tax would be a boon for the State of Florida for many reasons:
* Increased property values: people can afford more for their money without worrying about property taxes each year.
* Increased growth: lower taxes increase growth; meaning more jobs and better wages.
* Easier Home sales: people will be able to afford a more expensive house and be more mobile because they won?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t fear a huge tax increase that a move currently would cause. Continue reading Florida Property Tax Reform and Elimination
Immigration Reform – A Pig in the Parlor (June 4, 2007)
Let us be completely clear, we have no problem with legal immigration. The current problem with legal immigration is too few visas, particularly provisions that all but require students to leave the United States after they are educated in our Universities instead of encouraging them to stay. But that is a topic for a later time.
The problem is illegal immigration and the current proposed legislation rewards lawbreakers Continue reading Immigration Reform – A Pig in the Parlor (June 4, 2007)
Islam and Muslims in America, only 78% say suicide bombs are never justified according to Pew
A Pew Research survey of American Muslims say 8% say suicide bombings against civilian targets are justified sometimes justified to defend Islam. 9% refused to answer the question, and another 5% said they are “rarely justified.” Only 78% said suicide bombings were “never justified” but that means 13% of American Muslims think suicide bombings are justified at least under some circumstances and 9% refused to answer meaning 22% of American Muslims believe that suicide bombings can be justified.
Pew neglected to ask the percentage who approve of suicide bombings against military targets. 41% of the over 30 crowd think of themselves as Muslim first, 30% as American first.
Interestingly 15% of American Muslims under 30 believe that suicide bombings are often or sometimes justified in the defense of Islam. 5% refused to answer the question. 60% think of themselves as Muslim first, 25% as American first.
24% say that it is unacceptable for a Muslim to marry a non-Muslim. 26% say that Muslims “coming to the U.S. today should mostly try to remain distinct from the larger American society.”