Republicans want a president who will get spending under control, make jobs, education, and seniors a priority. They want a president who will get health care working correctly and make meaningful improvements to other social programs.
Democrats want a president who will get spending under control, make jobs, education, and seniors a priority. They want a president who will get health care working correctly and make meaningful improvements to other social programs.
Hmmm... Notice any similarities? Here's the Libertarian / Classical Liberal ideal:
Libertarians want a president who will drastically reduce spending by shrinking the size of government. They want a president who will set in motion the elimination of government involvement in jobs, education, and senior / health care, as well as all social programs.
Well, that sounds harsh, you say. Why? Given the history of incredible monetary efficiency in government (tongue-in-cheek), everyone should be clamoring for a libertarian president. If that was the only consideration, we'd still be in trouble, but not much less. Our freedoms depend on our ability to choose for ourselves. When presidents and Congress call themselves "lawmakers," I cringe! Please! No more laws! We have too many already, and if politicians didn't feel the need to meddle in every single facet of Americans' lives, we'd all feel and be more free.
What America needs in a President is someone who will reverse the tsunami of government meddling in the personal lives of its people. So far, no one from either party seems willing to "lay off." So, we're left to decide on the speed at which we move toward more government control rather than whether we want it at all.
Not much of a choice at all, is it?
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Friday, July 20, 2012
Obamacare's Not For Everyone
Obamacare is a divisive piece of legislation. You all know which side of the issue IVLG lands on, of course.
But it makes me wonder why anyone would want the government to tell them what to do... again. Supporting legislation like this only diminishes your own right to choose.
Reason.com has a very interesting article that discusses and outlines the unenforceable nature of Obamacare. I suggest everyone read it.
-Matthew Nielsen
IVLG
But it makes me wonder why anyone would want the government to tell them what to do... again. Supporting legislation like this only diminishes your own right to choose.
Reason.com has a very interesting article that discusses and outlines the unenforceable nature of Obamacare. I suggest everyone read it.
-Matthew Nielsen
IVLG
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Free? Trade
How "free" is Free Trade?
It's not. The only thing free about free trade is the freedom to push for any special treatment you want. Which quickly and regularly negates the first half of the operation's name... Free.
Individuals with influence do this all the time. Special treatment.
I once was talking with an employee at a zoo. During our conversation, a big-name movie star, celebrity type came into the zoo with her children. Immediately she wanted special treatment: a golf cart to shuttle her and her kids to each exhibit, food and beverages, and a gift bag for the kids when they left. This person paid for nothing. Amazing? Normal. Too normal.
The same goes for any of the world's economic leaders. All of them have gained their economic status as a result of foreign trade. This trade between nations is typically governed by trade agreements. The details of these agreements are not always free of elements of protectionism. Often, and nearly always, trade agreements include "provisions" for tariffs and duties on products which a nation is attempting to discourage other countries from exporting to them. They are "protecting" their economy from the competitive imports they receive from other countries.
Crazy!
If you're not competitive with your trading partners, improve or find something you are competitive at!
What is your government really protecting you from? Lower prices. That doesn't seem like protection, though, does it?
"Well, they're protecting our jobs, though." How so? If everyone could buy everything cheaper than they are now through the removal of tariffs, do you think there's a possibility that some of that money may be invested in technologies and industries in your home country? The quick answer is "Of course it could and most likely would, as a normal part of any healthy economy."
I'm ready for free trade.
Bring it on.
It's not. The only thing free about free trade is the freedom to push for any special treatment you want. Which quickly and regularly negates the first half of the operation's name... Free.
Individuals with influence do this all the time. Special treatment.
I once was talking with an employee at a zoo. During our conversation, a big-name movie star, celebrity type came into the zoo with her children. Immediately she wanted special treatment: a golf cart to shuttle her and her kids to each exhibit, food and beverages, and a gift bag for the kids when they left. This person paid for nothing. Amazing? Normal. Too normal.
The same goes for any of the world's economic leaders. All of them have gained their economic status as a result of foreign trade. This trade between nations is typically governed by trade agreements. The details of these agreements are not always free of elements of protectionism. Often, and nearly always, trade agreements include "provisions" for tariffs and duties on products which a nation is attempting to discourage other countries from exporting to them. They are "protecting" their economy from the competitive imports they receive from other countries.
Crazy!
If you're not competitive with your trading partners, improve or find something you are competitive at!
What is your government really protecting you from? Lower prices. That doesn't seem like protection, though, does it?
"Well, they're protecting our jobs, though." How so? If everyone could buy everything cheaper than they are now through the removal of tariffs, do you think there's a possibility that some of that money may be invested in technologies and industries in your home country? The quick answer is "Of course it could and most likely would, as a normal part of any healthy economy."
I'm ready for free trade.
Bring it on.
Nuclear Iran: US Foreign Policy
In today's "global village" foreign relations is immeasurably important.
First and foremost, a nation has a responsibility to its citizens to
engage in relationships with other countries for economic reasons. When
you're the United States, it's an absolute necessity. How about politics? Today the United States gives away billions of dollars to other countries in the name of... Charity? Good Sportsmanship? Fairness? Economic Interest?
But, how far is too far? Should we be telling other countries what they can and can't do? If you think so, should other countries be telling the USA what to do?
"The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop." -George Washington, 1796
Why do politicians tax our incomes then throw it over an ocean or two? WHY!?
They believe they're better judges of who needs my money than I am. Why else would they do it? WHY!?
WHY!?
But, how far is too far? Should we be telling other countries what they can and can't do? If you think so, should other countries be telling the USA what to do?
"The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop." -George Washington, 1796
Why do politicians tax our incomes then throw it over an ocean or two? WHY!?
They believe they're better judges of who needs my money than I am. Why else would they do it? WHY!?
WHY!?
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Who Can We Trust?
Trust is a complicated thing. It's difficult to gain and easy to lose... or is it? How difficult is trust to gain, really?
Do you trust the media? Probably less now than ever, right?
But, honestly. Do you still believe what the talking heads tell you?
Okay, another question. Do you trust your school teachers, whether yours or your children's or grandchildren's, as the case may be? "Trust them in what arena," you may ask. Do you trust teachers to educate? To tell the whole truth? Yes, Somewhat, No? If you answered anything other than "Yes," then you are more likely involved personally in the education process which will only help. That's my opinion.
Do you think it's possible that teachers' views may possibly purposely or accidentally get spilled into their curriculum, lesson plans and lectures? Do you think it's possible that they feed their views with the nightly news program of their choice? Do you think that the producers and anchors of these channels have their own views that may get mixed into the program?
Hmmm...
Do you think it's possible that a bit of doubt has crept into any trust you may have had in anyone? Well, there is no suggestion here that you should trust no one. That would be absurd at the least and maddening at worst.
However, there is an important idea here related to government and its ideal limitations. If seemingly everyone is susceptible to bias which shapes their worldview, and the spreading of it through their circles of influence, what prevents government from creating their own bubble where everything contrary to their position is ludicrous? Nothing, of course. You've seen it. You're experiencing it and it's been going on since 1789. That's the truth. I happen to believe that the Republic was created in the form that was most likely to succeed. But, we could not "keep it," as Ben Franklin famously quipped as he exited Independence Hall in Pennsylvania.
So, can I trust politicians? Hmmm... That's a tough one. My answer is, rarely. It's rare to find a politician who recognizes the bloated state of government and then votes to reduce its size. Why would an employee vote to reduce the size of his/her company? Fair question.
Who do I trust? Libertarians. People who will keep me safe from physical harm (foreign invasions, etc.), protect my property, preserve my freedom and then leave me alone.
Who can YOU trust?
Do you trust the media? Probably less now than ever, right?
But, honestly. Do you still believe what the talking heads tell you?
Okay, another question. Do you trust your school teachers, whether yours or your children's or grandchildren's, as the case may be? "Trust them in what arena," you may ask. Do you trust teachers to educate? To tell the whole truth? Yes, Somewhat, No? If you answered anything other than "Yes," then you are more likely involved personally in the education process which will only help. That's my opinion.
Do you think it's possible that teachers' views may possibly purposely or accidentally get spilled into their curriculum, lesson plans and lectures? Do you think it's possible that they feed their views with the nightly news program of their choice? Do you think that the producers and anchors of these channels have their own views that may get mixed into the program?
Hmmm...
Do you think it's possible that a bit of doubt has crept into any trust you may have had in anyone? Well, there is no suggestion here that you should trust no one. That would be absurd at the least and maddening at worst.
However, there is an important idea here related to government and its ideal limitations. If seemingly everyone is susceptible to bias which shapes their worldview, and the spreading of it through their circles of influence, what prevents government from creating their own bubble where everything contrary to their position is ludicrous? Nothing, of course. You've seen it. You're experiencing it and it's been going on since 1789. That's the truth. I happen to believe that the Republic was created in the form that was most likely to succeed. But, we could not "keep it," as Ben Franklin famously quipped as he exited Independence Hall in Pennsylvania.
So, can I trust politicians? Hmmm... That's a tough one. My answer is, rarely. It's rare to find a politician who recognizes the bloated state of government and then votes to reduce its size. Why would an employee vote to reduce the size of his/her company? Fair question.
Who do I trust? Libertarians. People who will keep me safe from physical harm (foreign invasions, etc.), protect my property, preserve my freedom and then leave me alone.
Who can YOU trust?
Monday, July 16, 2012
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Taxes and Limited Govt
Taxes are a part of every government. Citizens pay a portion of their incomes in return for administrative services by their elected officials. It sounds pretty simple, while the code that governs taxes is anything but simple.
There are several proposed solutions to this including the flat tax and "fair tax."
These will be the subject of our next post. Stay tuned.
-Matthew Nielsen
IVLG
There are several proposed solutions to this including the flat tax and "fair tax."
These will be the subject of our next post. Stay tuned.
-Matthew Nielsen
IVLG
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