Posts
God And Man At Yale: 50Th Anniversary Edition
Friday, February 27, 2009
Buckley
A year ago today a wonderful man by the name of William F. Buckley Jr. passed away. He was one of the greatest conservative minds of the 20th century and was one of the leading intellectuals behind the movement for over 40 years. He founded National Review and brought together several different groups that now form the constituency of the Conservative Movement. He had an extraordinarily bright mind and was an excellent debater. We owe a debt of gratitude to all that he did during his lifetime. He authored many books, the first of which I will recommend to you:
God And Man At Yale: 50Th Anniversary Edition
God And Man At Yale: 50Th Anniversary Edition
Monday, February 23, 2009
Amazing
I hope that you have all seen this by now, but it is very funny and SO true. We live in the greatest period of all human history, and we live in the most free country in all human history. And no one seems to care!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Environmentalism
To expound a little on what I wrote Tuesday concerning the Great Society, I want to briefly outline what came out of the Environmental legislation of the 1960's.
Just for starters, here's what we got thanks to that wave of noodnik politicians:
The Wilderness Act of 1964
The Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966
The National Trails System Act of 1968
The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968
The Land and Water Conservation Act of 1965
The Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1965
The Motor Vehicle Air Pollution Control Act of 1965
The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966
The Aircraft Noise Abatement Act of 1968
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
Many of the offices, bureaus, and agencies created from these Acts were then combined into one to form the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970.
So what are all these agencies and acts for??? A very fair question, isn't it? Well besides issuing thousands of regulations with the force of law each year that have a cost to citizens and business of hundreds upon hundreds of billions of dollars and millions of hours for compliance over the last 30-40 years, they use up $8 billion of discretionary spending each year and have a lot of power to slam down the iron fist on individuals and businesses.
No, I don't want raw sewage in my drinking water or acid in my streams that kill off all the fish or anything else like that. But the problem is that we have a bunch of extremists who are part of the bureaucracy and who lobby like crazy, and frankly they care more about the glaciers in the Arctic than they do about the life of their next door neighbor. They truly believe the earth is a random event in the expansion of the universe and man unfortunately evolved here and presents a great danger to the existence of the planet.
The freedom that we have in America gives voice to these people, and the dirty little secret about environmentalism is that those who support it through governmental fiat don't give an ounce of care to the earth and see this as an opportunity to grab power over your life like they have never before had.
Just a thought in closing, all these losers who were college students in the '60's would have been born between 1936-1951. Putting them at 57-73 today. Indeed many of these hippie retreads might have grown up in homes with fathers at war or killed and mothers at work (for the first time). Hence the Greatest Generation gave way to the generation that is trying to destroy America. I'm not saying that growing up without a father and being raised by a working mother is a formula destined to fail in every case, only in most cases!
Just for starters, here's what we got thanks to that wave of noodnik politicians:
The Wilderness Act of 1964
The Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966
The National Trails System Act of 1968
The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968
The Land and Water Conservation Act of 1965
The Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1965
The Motor Vehicle Air Pollution Control Act of 1965
The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966
The Aircraft Noise Abatement Act of 1968
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
Many of the offices, bureaus, and agencies created from these Acts were then combined into one to form the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970.
So what are all these agencies and acts for??? A very fair question, isn't it? Well besides issuing thousands of regulations with the force of law each year that have a cost to citizens and business of hundreds upon hundreds of billions of dollars and millions of hours for compliance over the last 30-40 years, they use up $8 billion of discretionary spending each year and have a lot of power to slam down the iron fist on individuals and businesses.
No, I don't want raw sewage in my drinking water or acid in my streams that kill off all the fish or anything else like that. But the problem is that we have a bunch of extremists who are part of the bureaucracy and who lobby like crazy, and frankly they care more about the glaciers in the Arctic than they do about the life of their next door neighbor. They truly believe the earth is a random event in the expansion of the universe and man unfortunately evolved here and presents a great danger to the existence of the planet.
The freedom that we have in America gives voice to these people, and the dirty little secret about environmentalism is that those who support it through governmental fiat don't give an ounce of care to the earth and see this as an opportunity to grab power over your life like they have never before had.
Just a thought in closing, all these losers who were college students in the '60's would have been born between 1936-1951. Putting them at 57-73 today. Indeed many of these hippie retreads might have grown up in homes with fathers at war or killed and mothers at work (for the first time). Hence the Greatest Generation gave way to the generation that is trying to destroy America. I'm not saying that growing up without a father and being raised by a working mother is a formula destined to fail in every case, only in most cases!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Battle
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." --Ephesians 6:11-12
"We are involved in an intense battle. It is a battle between right and wrong, between truth and error, between the design of the Almighty on the one hand and that of Lucifer on the other. For that reason, we desperately need moral men and women who stand on principle, to be involved in the political process. Otherwise, we abdicate power to those whose designs are almost entirely selfish."
--Gordon B. Hinckley in Stand a Little Taller pg.15
This statement echos the quote that is often attributed to Edmund Burke:
"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
We are in a war, and I write more about that elsewhere; but as I frequently say, scores of thousands of the apathetic or disinterested will be the downfall of our country and our way of life unless we can wake them up!
What we are trying to accomplish:
1) Shake people out of a slumber of ignorance.
2) Get more people involved in bringing these important principles to the attention of others.
3) Spark debate with opposing view points and possibly convert some, but if not, strengthen our position by juxtaposing its foolish contrast.
We must all do a little more, not only to protect the remaining liberty we have, but also to begin winning back the liberty we have already lost and continue to lose today.
I will do my part to bring to your attention ideas of simple things we must begin to do to close ranks and to strengthen our position. Let us Stand Tall! Stand on principle! And most importantly Stand together!
"We are involved in an intense battle. It is a battle between right and wrong, between truth and error, between the design of the Almighty on the one hand and that of Lucifer on the other. For that reason, we desperately need moral men and women who stand on principle, to be involved in the political process. Otherwise, we abdicate power to those whose designs are almost entirely selfish."
--Gordon B. Hinckley in Stand a Little Taller pg.15
This statement echos the quote that is often attributed to Edmund Burke:
"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
We are in a war, and I write more about that elsewhere; but as I frequently say, scores of thousands of the apathetic or disinterested will be the downfall of our country and our way of life unless we can wake them up!
What we are trying to accomplish:
1) Shake people out of a slumber of ignorance.
2) Get more people involved in bringing these important principles to the attention of others.
3) Spark debate with opposing view points and possibly convert some, but if not, strengthen our position by juxtaposing its foolish contrast.
We must all do a little more, not only to protect the remaining liberty we have, but also to begin winning back the liberty we have already lost and continue to lose today.
I will do my part to bring to your attention ideas of simple things we must begin to do to close ranks and to strengthen our position. Let us Stand Tall! Stand on principle! And most importantly Stand together!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Intentions
From Rush Limbaugh today:
"The Great Society was a failure, the war on poverty was a failure. We've spent ten trillion dollars. It's a failure, and yet the people that came up with the plan are lauded to this day as great, compassionate, concerned Americans, not because it succeeded or failed, but because they cared, because of their intentions."
This is a major problem with politicians. They go out on a crusade to right the wrongs of society, to fix the failings of the free market. And they end up screwing everything up! They create more wrongs and greater failings, but when the dust settles they are not held to account. Those who backed the Great Society have now created a $30+ Trillion liability through Medicare on top of $100's of Billions already spent, add to that $100's of Billions spent on education, fighting poverty, Medicaid (which is starting to bankrupt many states), and then throw in funding for the arts, public broadcasting, transportation, and environmental protection; throw in all the government agencies created with all their regulations and you have a cost to our society that is enormous that we truly can't even comprehend it.
And where are all these noble and benevolent individuals, other than LBJ most Americans probably couldn't name one single politician from the 1960's who was involved in the passage of the Acts that comprise the Great Society. In my study I have run across a few of them and they are obscure and unrecognizable names (footnotes to footnotes in the pages of history, as the Great One calls them). And every single one of us is paying a huge price in so many ways for this legislative disaster.
We must remember though, all of these people had the best of intentions...
But
"The Great Society was a failure, the war on poverty was a failure. We've spent ten trillion dollars. It's a failure, and yet the people that came up with the plan are lauded to this day as great, compassionate, concerned Americans, not because it succeeded or failed, but because they cared, because of their intentions."
This is a major problem with politicians. They go out on a crusade to right the wrongs of society, to fix the failings of the free market. And they end up screwing everything up! They create more wrongs and greater failings, but when the dust settles they are not held to account. Those who backed the Great Society have now created a $30+ Trillion liability through Medicare on top of $100's of Billions already spent, add to that $100's of Billions spent on education, fighting poverty, Medicaid (which is starting to bankrupt many states), and then throw in funding for the arts, public broadcasting, transportation, and environmental protection; throw in all the government agencies created with all their regulations and you have a cost to our society that is enormous that we truly can't even comprehend it.
And where are all these noble and benevolent individuals, other than LBJ most Americans probably couldn't name one single politician from the 1960's who was involved in the passage of the Acts that comprise the Great Society. In my study I have run across a few of them and they are obscure and unrecognizable names (footnotes to footnotes in the pages of history, as the Great One calls them). And every single one of us is paying a huge price in so many ways for this legislative disaster.
We must remember though, all of these people had the best of intentions...
But
Monday, February 16, 2009
Forgotten
The Forgotten Man is a must read book about events leading up to and during the Great Depression and the policies that have ever since changed the direction of American government. This book helps you to understand the roots of the socialization of America and lays out a frightening parallel to the current discussions about governmental and economic policy.The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression
Let's Don't Forget the Forgotten People
The 'forgotten people' are already doing something for economic recovery
Friday, February 13, 2009
Distortion
One of the tricks of the trade for politicians is to use extreme rhetoric to incite emotional response and yield public support. Unfortunately this tactic seems to be used more often to promote bad ideas than good ones. Good ideas have a way of slowly winning public support as good, intelligent people think them through. Bad ideas are usually very popular in the beginning if deceptively presented or cleverly promoted.
The WSJ just put up a great op-ed on this by Bradley Schiller. Yes things are bad. No this is not the great depression. It's obviously not even the late 70's/early 80's. But every day we are hearing the drum beat of calamity and catastrophe. To be perfectly honest I liked the campaign slogans of hope and change a lot better!
The WSJ just put up a great op-ed on this by Bradley Schiller. Yes things are bad. No this is not the great depression. It's obviously not even the late 70's/early 80's. But every day we are hearing the drum beat of calamity and catastrophe. To be perfectly honest I liked the campaign slogans of hope and change a lot better!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Reaganomics!
Stimulus Plan by Mark Levin
1) Send every member of Congress on a 6 month junket
2) Cut the federal bureaucracy by 20 percent
3) Shut down the Departments of:
a. Energy - which produces no energy
b. Education - which produces illiteracy
c. Commerce - which interferes with commerce
4) Limit the amount of taxation that the central government can impose on the people
5) Eliminate progressive income tax and implement a flat tax or a national sales tax
The concept of supply side economics is based on the principle that the productive sector of our economy (aka business) produces wealth, food, energy, transportation, housing, employment, and technological advances; to say nothing of its investment in plant and equipment, education and training, research and development, and every other important aspect necessary for the growth of a nation.
Our nation was founded on these ideas, and interestingly enough the father of modern economics, Adam Smith, who wrote The Wealth of Nations
did so in the same year, 1776, as Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.
In the midst of the last major recession, 1981-1982, Ronald Reagan put into play the principles of Smith and other like minds, and it brought about the greatest economic expansion in the history of the world. Consequently, many of my generation --who have never known anything different-- fall prey to ignoring what got us to where we are and not knowing where our prosperity comes from. Too many are uneducated in matters of simple economics, and they are susceptible to being deceived and mislead by malcontents with evil designs for our nation.
Right now, what will save our embattled nation is a return to the principles of our founding, which we have not seen now for over two decades. Viva Reagonomics!
I just found a great article from yesterday's WSJ: Reaganomics vs. Obamanomics
1) Send every member of Congress on a 6 month junket
2) Cut the federal bureaucracy by 20 percent
3) Shut down the Departments of:
a. Energy - which produces no energy
b. Education - which produces illiteracy
c. Commerce - which interferes with commerce
4) Limit the amount of taxation that the central government can impose on the people
5) Eliminate progressive income tax and implement a flat tax or a national sales tax
The concept of supply side economics is based on the principle that the productive sector of our economy (aka business) produces wealth, food, energy, transportation, housing, employment, and technological advances; to say nothing of its investment in plant and equipment, education and training, research and development, and every other important aspect necessary for the growth of a nation.
Our nation was founded on these ideas, and interestingly enough the father of modern economics, Adam Smith, who wrote The Wealth of Nations
did so in the same year, 1776, as Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.In the midst of the last major recession, 1981-1982, Ronald Reagan put into play the principles of Smith and other like minds, and it brought about the greatest economic expansion in the history of the world. Consequently, many of my generation --who have never known anything different-- fall prey to ignoring what got us to where we are and not knowing where our prosperity comes from. Too many are uneducated in matters of simple economics, and they are susceptible to being deceived and mislead by malcontents with evil designs for our nation.
Right now, what will save our embattled nation is a return to the principles of our founding, which we have not seen now for over two decades. Viva Reagonomics!
I just found a great article from yesterday's WSJ: Reaganomics vs. Obamanomics
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
California
The once great state of California is in all sorts of financial, social, and political pain. From top to bottom, the state is dealing with all sorts of difficult problems; with almost no exception these problems are being created by the leftist legislature whose damaging policies are consistently signed onto by the governor (who is not anywhere close to being a conservative).
The Wall Street Journal had a good article today about some of the consequences that will shortly come about because of the mounting strain on the state. The problem with liberal policies is that they have to be funded by the very economy that those policies end up destroying. The state doesn't do anything to sustain itself or generate revenue; all it can do is take from the productive citizens and business.
Way to go California! To all my brothers and sisters there, to my many family and friends: Keep Fighting and Don't let up! We need to win back as much of the state as we can. Even though San Francisco and Hollywood appear to be lost causes there is still much good to be found in the Golden State.
The Wall Street Journal had a good article today about some of the consequences that will shortly come about because of the mounting strain on the state. The problem with liberal policies is that they have to be funded by the very economy that those policies end up destroying. The state doesn't do anything to sustain itself or generate revenue; all it can do is take from the productive citizens and business.
Way to go California! To all my brothers and sisters there, to my many family and friends: Keep Fighting and Don't let up! We need to win back as much of the state as we can. Even though San Francisco and Hollywood appear to be lost causes there is still much good to be found in the Golden State.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Hope
No matter how bleak things get out there; no matter how bad the world becomes due to the false hope preached by false prophets, we will always have happiness if we find meaning within ourselves.
Our lives are a reflection of who are, the sum of everything we do each and every day. Nothing that anyone else does, especially anything that government does, will change the fact that you are responsible for your life. Even when governments create miserable Hell Holes on earth, they cannot take away your soul and your inner freedom to be happy - to believe, hope, exercise faith, or pray.
If you have never read Man's Search for Meaning
it is an excellent book. In it Viktor Frankl discusses how we grow and succeed in life through the meaning we find in it. In 1930's Europe, we see what happens in a society where tyranny takes the form of fascism - destruction, misery, fear - where millions are killed and millions more have their lives ruined. But despite all of that within the confines of man's soul there can be inner peace and true hope.
We are so blessed to live in America. Our nation has prospered greatly during my entire lifetime. We MUST NOT take America for granted any longer because there are forces at work that are seeking to destroy everything that makes this country great. If enough of us do not open our eyes and start actively preserving our freedom then we will wake up one day not too long from now and wonder what happened, and then the blessings of liberty will be but a dream and a tale.
If we transform this country into a society without liberty and freedom, it will serve to suck the meaning out of people's lives and make it harder for the individual to succeed. We in our generation, and the one before us, have taken for granted all the wonderful freedoms that we have, and I fear lest we will not be grateful enough to fight for them until they are lost.
Our lives are a reflection of who are, the sum of everything we do each and every day. Nothing that anyone else does, especially anything that government does, will change the fact that you are responsible for your life. Even when governments create miserable Hell Holes on earth, they cannot take away your soul and your inner freedom to be happy - to believe, hope, exercise faith, or pray.
If you have never read Man's Search for Meaning
it is an excellent book. In it Viktor Frankl discusses how we grow and succeed in life through the meaning we find in it. In 1930's Europe, we see what happens in a society where tyranny takes the form of fascism - destruction, misery, fear - where millions are killed and millions more have their lives ruined. But despite all of that within the confines of man's soul there can be inner peace and true hope.We are so blessed to live in America. Our nation has prospered greatly during my entire lifetime. We MUST NOT take America for granted any longer because there are forces at work that are seeking to destroy everything that makes this country great. If enough of us do not open our eyes and start actively preserving our freedom then we will wake up one day not too long from now and wonder what happened, and then the blessings of liberty will be but a dream and a tale.
If we transform this country into a society without liberty and freedom, it will serve to suck the meaning out of people's lives and make it harder for the individual to succeed. We in our generation, and the one before us, have taken for granted all the wonderful freedoms that we have, and I fear lest we will not be grateful enough to fight for them until they are lost.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Redistribution
We will most likely address this topic over and over again because people need to hear it. But I want to quote James Madison, he said:
If Congress can employ money indefinitely to the general welfare, they may take the care of religion into their own hands; they may appoint teachers in every state, county and parish and pay them out of their public treasure; they may take into their own hands the education of children, establishing in like manner schools throughout the Union; they may assume the provision of the poor. . . Were the power of Congress to be established in the latitude contended for, it would subvert the very foundations, and transmute the very nature of the limited Government established by the people of America. [quoted in Donald L. Newquist, Prophets, Principles, and National Survival, p. 342]
Without going into any other topics now, we can see that this has come to pass in our nation. We are currently living under conditions that the Founding Fathers sought to prevent.
The problem with income redistribution is that it punishes success, diligence, and hard work; and in like manner it rewards failure, indolence, and laziness. If implemented on a large scale it will undermine the vibrancy of the most productive and giving nation on the face of the earth.
We have started down this road and we need to wake up and together turn the tide the other way!!!
I found an insightful blog entry that illustrates the unethical nature and destructive results of income redistribution: Click Here
If Congress can employ money indefinitely to the general welfare, they may take the care of religion into their own hands; they may appoint teachers in every state, county and parish and pay them out of their public treasure; they may take into their own hands the education of children, establishing in like manner schools throughout the Union; they may assume the provision of the poor. . . Were the power of Congress to be established in the latitude contended for, it would subvert the very foundations, and transmute the very nature of the limited Government established by the people of America. [quoted in Donald L. Newquist, Prophets, Principles, and National Survival, p. 342]
Without going into any other topics now, we can see that this has come to pass in our nation. We are currently living under conditions that the Founding Fathers sought to prevent.
The problem with income redistribution is that it punishes success, diligence, and hard work; and in like manner it rewards failure, indolence, and laziness. If implemented on a large scale it will undermine the vibrancy of the most productive and giving nation on the face of the earth.
We have started down this road and we need to wake up and together turn the tide the other way!!!
I found an insightful blog entry that illustrates the unethical nature and destructive results of income redistribution: Click Here
Friday, February 6, 2009
Dependence
If you or someone you know works for the government, is supported by the government, or was supported by the government; then you know someone who agrees that government creates dependency. In America "We the People" are the government, and to the extent that we centralize power and grant more authority to bureaus, agencies, departments, and boards, we will lose our liberty and "We the People" will become 'we the plebes.'
Big government creates dependence on government, and dependence on government tends to create bigger government. Government does not create anything; it does not produce anything; it does not improve anything. We the people, you and me, the average citizens, are the ones that do all of these things. You and I do not need people making decisions for us and telling us how to live our lives.
Nearly every society throughout history was founded on the notion of centralized power or else they eventually ended up there. Each and every one of these examples teaches us that living under centralized power means less freedom and opportunity, more suffering and hunger, and in the end, the powers that be will dictate how, when, and what you can legally worship.
In conclusion, the more you and the people around you are dependent on government the faster will be the advancement of our ultimate demise. Reject the dole! Be independent! Take care of yourself and your family; otherwise the state will one day be your care taker and you will wish you had listened me...
Big government creates dependence on government, and dependence on government tends to create bigger government. Government does not create anything; it does not produce anything; it does not improve anything. We the people, you and me, the average citizens, are the ones that do all of these things. You and I do not need people making decisions for us and telling us how to live our lives.
Nearly every society throughout history was founded on the notion of centralized power or else they eventually ended up there. Each and every one of these examples teaches us that living under centralized power means less freedom and opportunity, more suffering and hunger, and in the end, the powers that be will dictate how, when, and what you can legally worship.
In conclusion, the more you and the people around you are dependent on government the faster will be the advancement of our ultimate demise. Reject the dole! Be independent! Take care of yourself and your family; otherwise the state will one day be your care taker and you will wish you had listened me...
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Greed
People who attack capitalism often say that it is based on greed and is therefore a flawed system. Just the other day I heard someone accuse doctors of "only caring about money," and then go on to make a case for socialized medicine. These same people criticize big business, small business, and everything in between. The late Milton Friedman, one of the greatest minds of the 20th Century, made a remarkable point about what greed is and what it isn't as it relates to our freedom to interact with one another. I share it with you below. If you have never read his works you are missing out. I highly recommend starting with Free to Choose.
Free to Choose: A Personal Statement
I heard this clip on the Mark Levin Show (I recommend that you occasionally check out his website and listen to his show when you have the time.) tonight.
Free to Choose: A Personal StatementI heard this clip on the Mark Levin Show (I recommend that you occasionally check out his website and listen to his show when you have the time.) tonight.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Optimism
What is it about the toils of life that create feelings of negativity and criticism? I would say that either the optimist embraces Conservatism or Conservatism begets optimism. One way or the other, the two go hand in hand. Liberals tend to be very negative, unhappy people. Why do these two political philosophies have such an impact on the demeanor of the individual?
I firmly believe that much of this stems from the fact that most Conservatives exercise faith in God and an adherence to a set of moral principles. Secondary to this is the empowering nature of conservative principles, which parallel the Judeo/Christian ethic: individual greatness and worth, self-reliance and stewardship, love and concern for neighbor, security through preparation and strength, and so on and so forth.
The principles of our founding and our Constitution align with our spiritual makeup and nature. As we come to understand this we will come to understand the inspired nature of that great document and the hand of God in the founding of our great nation.
This will bring a renewed sense of hope and optimism for the destiny of our country and for the future of our nation in the decades that lay ahead.
I firmly believe that much of this stems from the fact that most Conservatives exercise faith in God and an adherence to a set of moral principles. Secondary to this is the empowering nature of conservative principles, which parallel the Judeo/Christian ethic: individual greatness and worth, self-reliance and stewardship, love and concern for neighbor, security through preparation and strength, and so on and so forth.
The principles of our founding and our Constitution align with our spiritual makeup and nature. As we come to understand this we will come to understand the inspired nature of that great document and the hand of God in the founding of our great nation.
This will bring a renewed sense of hope and optimism for the destiny of our country and for the future of our nation in the decades that lay ahead.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Disappointment
Last night both senators from my home state of AZ and my current state of residence, UT, voted to confirm Eric H. Holder, Jr., of the District of Columbia, to be Attorney General of the United States of America. I think very highly of both senators from UT, but it's time for Orrin Hatch to go. Senator Bennett will have served for nearly two decades by the end of this term. We should thank him for his service, but he needs to be replaced as well.
Now in AZ we have one John McCain who needs to retire and go do something productive with his final years. Thank you Senator for all the good you have done for your country, but it's time to pass the baton and let someone else run in your place. And preferable someone who stands on sound principles, is that asking too much? And Senator Kyl, come on! get with it! I didn't know that McCain's political schizophrenia was contagious.
I love both these states, and I still believe that their residents will do the right thing. But again, we will have to overcome the abundance of civic apathy that exists in both states (most of the country for that matter). I firmly believe that Utah and Arizona are capable of electing strong leaders to a Senate that has none. And I hope that they will lead the way in doing so over the next four years.
Now in AZ we have one John McCain who needs to retire and go do something productive with his final years. Thank you Senator for all the good you have done for your country, but it's time to pass the baton and let someone else run in your place. And preferable someone who stands on sound principles, is that asking too much? And Senator Kyl, come on! get with it! I didn't know that McCain's political schizophrenia was contagious.
I love both these states, and I still believe that their residents will do the right thing. But again, we will have to overcome the abundance of civic apathy that exists in both states (most of the country for that matter). I firmly believe that Utah and Arizona are capable of electing strong leaders to a Senate that has none. And I hope that they will lead the way in doing so over the next four years.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Cheats!
First Geithner and now Daschle...how pathetic (not to mention Congressman Rangel). Should either of these men be appointed and confirmed to high office? Emphatically NO!
Instead of being cabinet secretaries they should be subject to the same fines and penalties as the rest of us:
General Tax Fraud Penalties
• Attempt to evade or defeat tax: Imprisonment for up to 5 years, or fined up to $250,000, or both
• Willful failure to collect or pay over tax: Imprisonment for up to 5 years, or fined up to $250,000, or both
• Willful failure to file return, supply information, or pay tax: Imprisonment for up to 1 year, or fined not more than $100,000, or both
• Fraud and false statements: Imprisonment for up to 3 years, or fined not more than $250,000, or both
• Fraud and false statements: Imprisonment for up to 3 years, or fined not more than $250,000, or both
From: http://www.getirshelp.com/irsblog/?p=162
The same website says the following:
"Auditors expect to find errors on every tax return. The general public is not expected to know all the tax laws so most of the time an auditor will not penalize you for making an honest mistake."
Here's the real story as I see it. First, either these two men are too stupid to be running the treasury and HHS or they should be in prison. Second and more relevant to us all is this, the tax system is too incredibly complicated and it needs to be overhauled in a major way. Our problem and a seemingly insurmountable task is getting that done because far too many Washington politicians see the tax system as being advantageous to their political and social agendas. We must get these men and women the heck out of office. And in a perfect world none of them would ever again be put in a position of power for the rest of their lives. This is one of the major thorns in the side of the American economy, and we need to remove it soon.
So wake up and let's move toward reform. And in the mean time NO MORE TAX CHEATS IN THE CABINET!!!
Instead of being cabinet secretaries they should be subject to the same fines and penalties as the rest of us:
General Tax Fraud Penalties
• Attempt to evade or defeat tax: Imprisonment for up to 5 years, or fined up to $250,000, or both
• Willful failure to collect or pay over tax: Imprisonment for up to 5 years, or fined up to $250,000, or both
• Willful failure to file return, supply information, or pay tax: Imprisonment for up to 1 year, or fined not more than $100,000, or both
• Fraud and false statements: Imprisonment for up to 3 years, or fined not more than $250,000, or both
• Fraud and false statements: Imprisonment for up to 3 years, or fined not more than $250,000, or both
From: http://www.getirshelp.com/irsblog/?p=162
The same website says the following:
"Auditors expect to find errors on every tax return. The general public is not expected to know all the tax laws so most of the time an auditor will not penalize you for making an honest mistake."
Here's the real story as I see it. First, either these two men are too stupid to be running the treasury and HHS or they should be in prison. Second and more relevant to us all is this, the tax system is too incredibly complicated and it needs to be overhauled in a major way. Our problem and a seemingly insurmountable task is getting that done because far too many Washington politicians see the tax system as being advantageous to their political and social agendas. We must get these men and women the heck out of office. And in a perfect world none of them would ever again be put in a position of power for the rest of their lives. This is one of the major thorns in the side of the American economy, and we need to remove it soon.
So wake up and let's move toward reform. And in the mean time NO MORE TAX CHEATS IN THE CABINET!!!
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