Another Obama Speech, more Shenanigans

I have not been writing my comments on current events lately, partly because I am too busy, but also because there has not been much new. Current political events are merely elaborations on the themes of one or two years ago. For instance, see my post of August 11, 2009, Mixed-Up Economy: We Are All Blood Suckers Now. The war of ideas between the Keynesian outlook and the Free market/Small Government school rages even more today.

Another theme of this blog, which has never been as obvious as now, is the observation that generally liberals accuse conservatives of doing exactly what they do, or plan on doing soon. (Such as their accusations of "uncivil" remarks from conservatives.) Today, Obama waved a newspaper and stated that the Republicans oppose his so-called jobs bill because it is to their political advantage, without regard to the damage to the country of not going along with his latest scheme. In actuality, it would seem to me very politically courageous to oppose Obama's proposal to hand out more stimulus money. For conservatives, who believe that less government intervention in the economy will ultimately bring the best results, it could be political suicide to advocate abandonment of bailouts and other government largess.

On the other hand, it may not be difficult to make the point that the "jobs bill" would not save any jobs, and is intended primarily to save Obama's job. He asks that our congressional representatives pass the bill right away, presumably before they have time to read it, just as they passed the other masterpieces of the Harry Reid bill writing factory. Those bills are never what we are told they are. We have to pass the bill "to see what is in it," as Nancy Pelosi tells us. (For instance, we just learned that if congress does not adopt the suggestions of the super-committee of bipartisan spending cutters, we will automatically get cuts to the military and cuts to what medical providers are paid by medicare. It was advertised that there would be cuts to medicare but it was not explained how the cuts would come about. Doctor fees are already cut to the bone.) No telling what will be lurking in the hundreds of pages of the latest Obamination.

What does seem obvious is that the new bill is the same as the old bill. It is a way of looting the treasury and giving the proceeds to his constituents, i.e. to serve Obama's political ends. The primary constituents to be rewarded are, as usual, the unions, especially government unions. There was little or no economic stimulant effect the first time. The Austrian school of free market economics, as well as the Gods of the Copybook Headings, would explain that only the free market can allocate recourse's to fill our most urgent needs. Government intervention only makes things worse with unintended consequences. Bailing out state government workers, for instance, only prolongs the problem of wages and benefits being too high. A 5% cut in government salaries would be a better way to avoid government layoffs. Longterm changes in government pension systems also are needed as soon as possible.

Glenn Beck had a guess the speech segment this morning. He played cuts from Obama's speech advancing the 2009 stimulus bill and his speech the other day pushing the "jobs bill'" You had to guess which speech was which. The only difference that I heard was the new strident, almost threatening tones of the president. He seemed to be ordering congress to pass this latest bill. I guess he was desperate, and ought to be.

Tacoma Ethnic Fest

I had a very pleasant day at the Tacoma 'Ethnic Fest.' This is an annual event held in our large, near to downtown, Wright Park. There are always many booths selling items from around the world and 'ethnic' food. I am not exactly sure what ethnic means and am not comfortable with the concept. Once my own ethnicity was represented at the event. There was a French Canadian booth selling hot dogs with Frenches mustard.

Today there were also many political and semi-political booths. I had long discussions at the Republican booth. Jesse Young, candidate for US Congressional Sixth District, was there. He is an excellent conservative candidate running for the nomination to face Representative Norm Dicks in the general election. Is web cite is at:

http://www.jesseyoungforcongress.com/issues.html

Mr. Young's primary concern is to try to bring some sanity to the budget, that is less spending. He also favors repeal of the Health Care law. Outright repeal and redoing health care legislation from scratch is a position that separates the conservatives from the RINO's. He says all the right things about free market economics. That also is something the RINO's give only lip service to. Mr. Young seems to have a real understanding of the terrible results of government intervention in economic affairs.

Other people working at the Republican booth were interesting and informative. I emphasised that I was wholly in favor of the Tea Party principles and would support candidates similarly inclined. For the most part, I believe that they were sympathetic. Dick Muri is an excellent candidate for the 9th Congressional District. There are three candidates for the Republican nomination in the Senate race. At this point, I am uncertain who is best.

Claire Sussman is a very nice lady and well qualified by experience to be on the bench. She is running for County District Court. When asked about her philosophy, she stated that she does not believe in legislating from the bench. Unfortunately, they all say that, even Sotamayor and Kagan. Her campaign brochure emphasises that she is a working mother, former deputy prosecutor, handled over 20,000 cases as a pro temp judge, and worked as a private attorney. She certainly sounds good. As the first judge candidate I have met or asked a question, it occurs to me that the most that can be expected of a judge is an extensive knowledge of the law and respect for it. She seemed to have those qualities based upon my limited discussion with her.

I also spoke to the Democrats, who were cordial. As I was wearing a couple of Republican buttons, I felt somewhat protected against attempts to win my vote. I bought an artistically done BHO button for my collection. The ACLU people were pleasant and I even signed up for their emails. Their sign-up sheet asked for areas of interest so I put 'freedom.' They claim to support that. I talked to people at the Centro Latino, The Washington Health Plan, and the Islam booth. I told the very polite young lady at the Islam booth that I certainly supported her right to wear the Hijab (veil) and would like to wear a burka myself. We also talked about the Qaran. I talked to the Theosophical Society people. Their motto is 'There is no higher religion that truth.' That sounds good to me.

The teamsters were about the only standoffish people. I picked up 'The Guardian' newsletter and a flyer opposing I-1082. This initiative would end the state run monopoly on workers compensation insurance. Of course, their argument is something along the lines of big corporations: bad, insurance companies: bad. That is, the same old anti-business claims they have made for decades to take over or destroy industry. I was not so anxious to talk to them either. Of course conservatives support the people, we are the people. We do not support the oppressive policies toward business that make us less prosperous and makes life harder for anyone just trying to support themselves and their family. Unions can only help a select few at the expense of everyone else. How can anyone but the select few favor that? If all workers were in a union, as they claim to want, no one would be helped. Higher wages would only cause higher prices. The only ones to benefit from that would be the union bigwigs through dues. The goals and methods of labor are deceptive and illogical. Ultimate success of the labor movement could bring only complete socialism and should be opposed because socialism is destructive. (Progressives and Unions go hand in hand and are equally dishonest and destructive.)