• « Previous Entries

Category

Limits on government power

• 02.17.10
  Remember to celebrate Newburgh Day on the Ides of March
  Limits on government power (0)

  I was pleased to see John Willson talking up George Washington's reaction to the Newburgh Conspiracy over at Front Porch Republic. It's a fitting topic to think about on President's Day. My response is here: Now there’s an idea! Let’s abolish the stupid President’s Day holiday and replace it with Newburgh Day on March 15. King George 3 appreciated the significance of that event. We should, too. Several years ago when some of us were compiling our lists of the Ten Most Significant Political Events of the Millenium, I put this Newburgh event close to the top of my list, ...
  
  
• 02.11.10
  How to be an agnostic
  Limits on government power, Tax policy, Term limits (0)

  President Obama says he is agnostic about keeping his campaign promises. That's OK. I've been atheistic about him for a long time. But here are some conditions before we even think about increasing taxes. These items should help offset the damage. Abolish public employee unions and re-instate the Hatch Act. Enact term limits for members of Congress. No, they do not need to be severe limits, but they do need to result in at least a 10 percent turnover. Yes, we need a Constitutional amendment to do it. So get ...
  
  
• 10.18.09
  Rise above partisanship? Yuck.
  Authoritarianism, Limits on government power (0)

  The following is what I wrote in response to the Battle Creek Enquirer article, "State to hear B.C.'s voice : Forum gives area residents a say in Michigan's future." I was especially responding to the part that said, "Michael McCullough, general manager and executive editor of the Enquirer, said the goal is to rise above partisanship for the good of the state." Rise above partisanship for the good of the state? Yeck. Sounds way too totalitarian to me. And now I see that John Schwarz is involved. What we need is more partisan bickering, not any "rising above bipartisanship". Partisan bickering is ...
  
  
• 10.15.09
  David Harsanyi and the Urge to Regulate
  Limits on government power, Regulation (0)

  "For some people, the urge to regulate is as strong as the urge to copulate." That is the commented I posted in response to a David Harsanyi article at the Denver Post: Who is David Harsanyi? I never heard of him until I followed the links on a Russ Roberts article at Cafe Hayek. Now that I've looked at a sample, it looks like he will be a good one to watch. Here's how today's article begins: How can Americans be expected to wrestle with the myriad of dangers that confront them each day? Insalubrious cereal? Unregulated garage ...
  
  
• 04.09.09
  Border Q&A
  Limits on government power (0)

  Tonight there was a report on BBC about emigration from New Zealand. It seems the best and brightest of the young people are leaving for greener pastures, and the government is looking for ways to keep them from leaving or to get them to return home after a short time abroad. I looked for information about this on the web and found a couple of references (here and here). Most of what I found is about immigration, though. There is a lot of information about how to immigrate into New Zealand. It got me to wondering whether this could ...
  
  
• 04.05.09
  Haglund redefines capitalism
  Bailouts, Bash the Messenger, Limits on government power (0)

  Rick Haglund writes a column that appears in the Business/Jobs section of the Sunday Kalamazoo Gazette. But it's almost always a lot more about government than business. His article in today's print section is headlined: "Wagoner exit will force automakers to fix problems fast." The online version is headlined: "Obama lays out capitalistic path for General Motors, Chrysler." Both headlines reflect the content of Haglund's article. (This is not always the case in the Gazette). And both are wrong. Those who believe President Barack Obama is a socialist are now convinced of it after he sacked General Motors ...
  
  
• 03.24.09
  How to reward government workers
  Limits on government power (0)

  Here's another thing that hasn't changed since the Bush administration. The Treasury Secretary and the Fed chairman have screwed up everything they've done so far. The remedy? They propose that they be given more power. WSJ: "Tapping AIG Furor, Regulators Seek Power to Seize Nonbanks"
  
  
• 03.23.09
  How to preserve, protect, and defend
  Legislative process, Limits on government power (0)

  Back in 2002 George W. Bush signed the McCain-Feingold bill, despite having said that parts of it violated the First Amendment. (So much for his oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution.) Now in 2009 Barak Obama is telling us that the ex post facto tax on AIG bonuses is of doubtful constitutionality. That's true and it's good of him to point it out. But is he going to pull a George W. Bush and sign it anyway?
  
  
• 03.23.09
  Do the math
  Limits on government power (0)

  Jay Leno asked a good question of his guest the other night when Barak Obama made a celebrity appearance. Well, technically speaking it wasn't a question. But he pointed out how it's scary that Congress can decide to tax people because they are unpopular. I didn't watch the program, but activerain.com has a link to a YouTube clip of this part. And I'm also glad to see that activerain makes the points that our Constitution prohibits Bills of Attainder and Ex Post Facto laws. I don't know why Obama didn't take the opportunity to demonstrate that he's a ...
  
  
• 03.16.09
  Horse trading
  Limits on government power, Stimulus spending, Sustainability (3)

  Horses may be going hungry, but here's some food for thought. It's inspired by a front page story in Sunday's Kalamazoo Gazette. The article explains that people can't afford to take care of their horses, but they're required to anyway, even if they've lost their jobs and incomes. There is no longer a market for the animals, so they can't be sold. And the other alternatives (such as euthanasia) are even more expensive or non-existent. Kalamazoo County's Animal Services and Enforcement director explains: Winter time is tough, with people being laid off and home foreclosures. ...
  
  

• « Previous Entries