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Sunday, June 28, 2009

TB Pickens: Man with a Plan for Us

T. Boone Pickens has a plan, which he discussed on "Coast to Coast." He states the plan in generalities. It involves a lot of good things that he says we will get and bad things we can avoid by supporting him and his plan.
Sounds like Al Gore to me. Personally, I like a simple statement of a simple plan. Apparently he has made some sort of a "non-aggression" pact with Harry Ried. I guess that means Pickens will not speak out against cap-and-trade. What does he get in return? He thinks he get natural gas development I guess. If his plan involves more natural gas development, that part would be great. Apparently Mr. Pickens wants the coercive powers of the state to force natural gas on industries whether they want it or not. If that's the plan, I see why he isn't telling us. If he's from Texas, why doesn't he talk straight? I smell chicken shit.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Economic Freedom


“Special interests…can think of the most ingenious reasons why they should be the objects of special solicitude. Their spokesmen present a plan in their favor; and it seems at first so absurd that disinterested writers do not trouble to expose it.” So begins Chapter 13 of Henry Hazlitt’s 1946 book, Economics in One Lesson. He was speaking of the folly of the New Deal agricultural price fixing scheme which FDR wanted and got. This chapter is an informative example of how government meddling causes all kinds of problems that need to be fixed by further meddling. Each step along the way impoverished the farmers and consumers who it was suppose to help and took away personal choice and liberty.
When will they ever learn? Apparently the current administration learned a lot about how demagogues (those who gain control by playing on public fears) can maneuver into positions of power and profit. The chief instrumentality is a gullible and/or duplicitous press. Our times have become very interesting for those who are interested in economics theories. For years “free market fringe economists" have been explaining how a demagogue or a party apparatus can take control. They explained how propaganda is the main tool. Promises of great prosperity at the cost of a little freedom only lead to less prosperity followed by more loss of freedom. I thought they were talking about South American dictatorships or European fascists. It is interesting to see it now play out with only the thinnest of disguise.
Henry Hazlitt’s book gives several examples and works out the logical consequences of government intervention in the economy. It was meant to be and is an introduction to how economics works. This is simple stuff that many politicians don’t want you to know. This has really never been widely debated because one side in the debate controls the forum of any debate. Mr. Hazlitt’s books are for sale at the regular on-line outlets and at some bookstores. The Ludwig von Mises Institute specializes in that sort of book.
(Professor von Mises, The Last Knight of Freedom, escaped from Austria just before the Nazi take-over and taught and wrote in this country. His work systematizes the school of thought known as the Austrian School. He shows over and over in his work that only economic freedom can make us politically free and prosperous.)

Friday, June 26, 2009

Sent to My Congressional Representatives today:



This Cap-and-Trade bill does not accomplish much even if there was much of anything that needed to be accomplished. Yet its potential long-term cost to the economy is more than any bill ever proposed by congress to date. Why haven’t you read it? Why do you not object to its being rushed through congress? Why would you even consider voting for it? This is a big Government and big business consortium money/power grab. If you liked the mortgage scam, you’ll love this.


There is an explanation of the current bill with some fact and figures at:
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2009/06/capandtrade_the_biggest_scam_o.html

Environmentalism is a Fake

I enjoy hiking, camping, running, photography, and other outdoor activities. I do not like seeing the natural world degraded. I pick up litter and do not leave any behind. Unfortunately, environmental organizations that I have respected in the past have not been honest and I now distrust any sort of environmentalism. They seem more intent on destructionism that preservation. The global Warming hoax is so outlandish that it at long last exposes them for what they are. Environmentalism is being used to advance socialistic type of control over the national economy. This will destroy the only thing about this country that separates us from the rest of the world: FREEDOM. Freedom is the only thing that I write about in this blog.

Ludwig von Mises: "Socialism... is not the pioneer of a better and finer world, but the spoiler of what thousands of years of civilization have created. It does not build; it destroys. For destruction is the essence of it. It produces nothing, it only consumes what the social order based on private ownership in the means of production has created." - Socialism

Regarding global warming there are many sources of scientific inquiry that attempt to explain and refute the warmist ideology. However, it is difficult to refute their theory because the theory has no definitive statement. How do you refute something that does not exist? Opponents almost have to develop their own theory and explain its flaws. Al Gore is a spokesperson for a theory that he says scientists agree upon. Show me the theory. Scientific theories are necessarily stated in mathematical terms that allow for no rhetorical tricks. It is what it is. Global warming theory seems to morph whenever it is attacked. Proponents claim that it exists in the ever expanding, ever improving black boxes of their computer models. That is like the Wizard of Oz behind the curtain or the swindlers behind locked doors weaving the emperor’s non existent new clothes. I want a statement of the theory with numbers that can be checked and that are based upon empirical results, which can also be checked.

A good starting point to understand why manmade CO2 generated global warming is not scientifically plausible is:
http://www.middlebury.net/op-ed/global-warming-01.html

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Back Bencher Department

Back Bencher Links


His Excellency Mark Levin has it right about global warming. Listen or go to: http://www.marklevinshow.com/home.asp He suggests we contact our members of congress about the tax and kill bill (global warming). Go to http://www.marklevinshow.com/Article.asp?id=1383201&spid=32364 for names and House of Representatives main phone number.

Also see, listen to, or read Glen Beck for straight talk. http://www.glennbeck.com/ Read “The Letter” (written to Glen by a woman in Arizona) at his site for a succinct statement of good sense advice to our government.

For the best economic information, classic writing, commentary, etc. go to http://mises.org/
I do not have much time for research so I depend on these sources for current information and honest commentary.

For Pacific Northwest legal news regarding personal rights under attack and who is fighting back go to http://nwlegalonline.wordpress.com


Mark Levin refers to bloggers who listen to him for their ideas then repeat (or distort) what he says as Back Benchers. If I had the time to actually post many blogs, I guess I would be guilty.

Global Warming Alert: Extreme Danger

The worse bill in the history of this nation is now before congress. It makes the Japanese American Internment bill look like a deliberative, well reasoned solution to a pressing, real problem. Unfortunately, as with most horrible legislation that finds its way to approval, the press has been complicit by silence and by mindless repetition of the talking points of their chosen favorites.
There are very good economic arguments against cap-and-trade. There are also obvious conflicts of interest involved that will lead to the worst imaginable fraud and corruption. This will cost the American economy Trillions and not accomplish much (even if there is anything that needs accomplishing).
Moreover, the debate regarding the existence of and causation of global warming is not over. It never started. The press along with political and business special interests declared it over.
The bill will hardly be debated, if at all, and will not be read in total by a single house representative. It is a monumental power grab. It will impose huge taxes that affect everyone. There is no real, pressing danger from global warming. If it exists at all, the manmade component is miniscule. The percentage of CO2 in the atmosphere is extremely small. Based upon their own estimates, cap-and-trade will not reduce CO2 by much.
Why does anyone even consider supporting this bill: because they are crooks or deluded fools. They complained about banks that destroyed billions of America’s wealth because of their greed and stupidity. Now large corporations are doing the same thing with cap-and-trade. What they have in common is that they act at the government’s behest to achieve political ends. When it falls apart, GE and other corporate followers better have a good exit strategy or they will go the way of Lehmann Brothers and GM.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Link: Congress Just Says No to Energy

Congress does not want this country to have (barely) affordable energy. See the following link to an article that has some of the figures (I haven't got time to check these. Maybe TV or newspaper reporters who complain that internet sources don't check facts would like to check this. It seems that it would be important to those of us who can barely aford heat and gas as it is.)
http://soundofcannons.blogspot.com/2008/05/your-congress-does-not-feel-your-pain.html

OPINION (the rest is all fact)

Detroit Makes Great Cars
Chrysler and GM's 2009 and 2010 cars are beautiful. They also appear to have great features and good gas mileage. Their biggest problem was high gas prices. Obviously, on top of higher unit price due to extravogent wage and benefit packages, a severe downturn in sales was the result. We still are not developing more oil recourses (or gas, shale, coal, or nuclear). Alternative energy is a long way out notwithstanding Cap-and-Trade, which is the histories biggest scam. It seems that we can not expect a different result even with marginally improved gas mileage vehicles. Further government intervention is the predictable outcome.

However, there is now a new wildcard. Since Chrysler workers now own a 55% stake in the company, their economic interests no longer align with the union. Perhaps they should decertify their unions and demand lower wages. Even union wages are chicken scratch compared to capitalist profits. At least that is what I always hear.
Global Warming


Once upon a time there lived a vain Emperor whose only worry in life was to dress in elegant clothes. He changed clothes almost every hour and loved to show them off to his people.
Word of the Emperor's refined habits spread over his kingdom and beyond. Two scoundrels who had heard of the Emperor's vanity decided to take advantage of it. They introduced themselves at the gates of the palace with a scheme in mind.
"We are two very good tailors and after many years of research we have invented an extraordinary method to weave a cloth so light and fine that it looks invisible. As a matter of fact it is invisible to anyone who is too stupid and incompetent to appreciate its quality."
The chief of the guards heard the scoundrel's strange story and sent for the court chamberlain. The chamberlain notified the prime minister, who ran to the Emperor and disclosed the incredible news. The Emperor's curiosity got the better of him and he decided to see the two scoundrels.
"Besides being invisible, your Highness, this cloth will be woven in colors and patterns created especially for you." The emperor gave the two men a bag of gold coins in exchange for their promise to begin working on the fabric immediately.
"Just tell us what you need to get started and we'll give it to you." The two scoundrels asked for a loom, silk, gold thread and then pretended to begin working. The Emperor thought he had spent his money quite well: in addition to getting a new extraordinary suit, he would discover which of his subjects were ignorant and incompetent. A few days later, he called the old and wise prime minister, who was considered by everyone as a man with common sense.
"Go and see how the work is proceeding," the Emperor told him, "and come back to let me know."
The prime minister was welcomed by the two scoundrels.
"We're almost finished, but we need a lot more gold thread. Here, Excellency! Admire the colors, feel the softness!" The old man bent over the loom and tried to see the fabric that was not there. He felt cold sweat on his forehead.
"I can't see anything," he thought. "If I see nothing, that means I'm stupid! Or, worse, incompetent!" If the prime minister admitted that he didn't see anything, he would be discharged from his office.
"What a marvelous fabric, he said then. "I'll certainly tell the Emperor." The two scoundrels rubbed their hands gleefully. They had almost made it. More thread was requested to finish the work.
Finally, the Emperor received the announcement that the two tailors had come to take all the measurements needed to sew his new suit.
"Come in," the Emperor ordered. Even as they bowed, the two scoundrels pretended to be holding large roll of fabric.
"Here it is your Highness, the result of our labour," the scoundrels said. "We have worked night and day but, at last, the most beautiful fabric in the world is ready for you. Look at the colors and feel how fine it is." Of course the Emperor did not see any colors and could not feel any cloth between his fingers. He panicked and felt like fainting. But luckily the throne was right behind him and he sat down. But when he realized that no one could know that he did not see the fabric, he felt better. Nobody could find out he was stupid and incompetent. And the Emperor didn't know that everybody else around him thought and did the very same thing.
The farce continued as the two scoundrels had foreseen it. Once they had taken the measurements, the two began cutting the air with scissors while sewing with their needles an invisible cloth.
"Your Highness, you'll have to take off your clothes to try on your new ones." The two scoundrels draped the new clothes on him and then held up a mirror. The Emperor was embarrassed but since none of his bystanders were, he felt relieved.
"Yes, this is a beautiful suit and it looks very good on me," the Emperor said trying to look comfortable. "You've done a fine job."
"Your Majesty," the prime minister said, "we have a request for you. The people have found out about this extraordinary fabric and they are anxious to see you in your new suit." The Emperor was doubtful showing himself naked to the people, but then he abandoned his fears. After all, no one would know about it except the ignorant and the incompetent.
"All right," he said. "I will grant the people this privilege." He summoned his carriage and the ceremonial parade was formed. A group of dignitaries walked at the very front of the procession and anxiously scrutinized the faces of the people in the street. All the people had gathered in the main square, pushing and shoving to get a better look. An applause welcomed the regal procession. Everyone wanted to know how stupid or incompetent his or her neighbor was but, as the Emperor passed, a strange murmur rose from the crowd.
Everyone said, loud enough for the others to hear: "Look at the Emperor's new clothes. They're beautiful!"
"What a marvellous train!"
"And the colors! The colors of that beautiful fabric! I have never seen anything like it in my life!" They all tried to conceal their disappointment at not being able to see the clothes, and since nobody was willing to admit his own stupidity and incompetence, they all behaved as the two scoundrels had predicted.
A child, however, who had no important job and could only see things as his eyes showed them to him, went up to the carriage.
"The Emperor is naked," he said.
"Fool!" his father reprimanded, running after him. "Don't talk nonsense!" He grabbed his child and took him away. But the boy's remark, which had been heard by the bystanders, was repeated over and over again until everyone cried:
"The boy is right! The Emperor is naked! It's true!"
The Emperor realized that the people were right but could not admit to that. He though it better to continue the procession under the illusion that anyone who couldn't see his clothes was either stupid or incompetent. And he stood stiffly on his carriage, while behind him a page held his imaginary mantle.

translation from: http://deoxy.org/emperors.htm
appears to be Public Domain
(Also see: http://hca.gilead.org.il/emperor.html)

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Insanity is trying socialism over and over again and expecting a new result.


Socialism does not work. Economic theory has explained why it leads to a lower standard of living and the need for increasing government control. This is exactly what has happen every time is has been tried. Currently the administration of our federal government is implementing socialism at a breakneck speed. Our congress is going along as a willing accessory, as is the press. Corporations are rapidly being co-opted, as is the so-called loyal opposition party. Voters are being enticed by promises of something for nothing from the government, or by other empty promises. The public of course is mostly kept in the dark by the incompetence of the press. Our courts are intimidated by the executive branch. Even the Supreme Court has show its unwillingness to exercise its constitutional powers and responsibilities. Everyone who is not on the take is intimidated. Welcome to the chicken shit new world.