Government services?

Posted on 2016-10-07 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

A quick follow-up note on my column a while back on stupidity in and out of government. “Tyler Durdan” over at ZeroHedge has “nine weird things” about the NYC-NJ bombing guy and situation that are very much on the weird side. His last point about distractions is important. (And ties in with this article:)

What does government really provide to its “people” – the citizens of the state which the government rules – as services in exchange for the prices we pay in money (and everything else)?

Yes, I know the usual arguments. “Government provides us protection.” From what? Continue reading →

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Religious tests for office?

Posted on 2016-10-06 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

An infamous Hollywood celebrity (whom I refuse to name) has stated that if you do not believe in manmade global warming (climate change) you should not be allowed to hold public office, as reported by CNS News. Since this was done at a government-sponsored event, on the South Lawn of the White Hose, and the squatter there at 1600 did not object or contradict him, we have every reason to assume that this is now FedGov policy, whether implemented or not.

This is a direct, explicit violation of the No Religious Test Clause of the United States Constitution. As Wikipedia writes, it “is a clause within Article VI, Clause 3. By its plain terms, no federal office holder or employee can be required to adhere to or accept any particular religion or doctrine as a prerequisite to holding a federal office or a federal government job. It immediately follows a clause requiring all federal and state officers to take an oath or affirmation to support the Constitution.”

The Constitution reads: “but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.” Pretty clear. Continue reading →

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Stupidity or malice? A case study

Posted on 2016-10-04 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

Did some staffer in the Obama Administration accidentally confuse customs of modern society and give Iranian nuclear facilities a money bomb instead of a high-explosives bombing? Or was it accidental? Was this the large scale equivalent of a “shout-out” by the guy who squats in DC?

I understand that someone once asked either Mark Twain or Will Rogers which he believed in: the conspiracy theory of history or the accidental theory of history. The reply was “both” – that it made no sense that were not many, many groups of people, including some with great wealth and power already, who were conspiring to change events and the course of history. But at the same time, that conspiracies could not and never would account for all the strange events and actions that do change the history of our world. Continue reading →

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The emperor’s new clothes

Posted on 2016-10-04 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

The mainstream media, and the various alternate media groupings, are hard to figure out. On the one hand, they make a living by peddling things: they sell advertising. Not even the most expensive newspaper or premium channel is supported by subscriptions. But on the other hand, they think of themselves as “professional” and “elite” and clearly well above the average level of intelligence, breeding, poise, success, power, and everything else they count important. And yet at the same time, they (especially the mainstream media) have a perverse and obvious desire to tear down anything and everything that they can. This ranges from the politically powerful and popular media (music and art figures) themselves to society’s foundations, all fields of human knowledge, and common (or commonly-accepted) morals. Continue reading →

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Does it matter? Does it make any difference?

Posted on 2016-09-30 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

We’ve now had a few days to digest the first 2016 debate of “two of the four” candidates to be Massa of the FedGov and all its denizens and dependents.

It is indigestible. No question at all. Downright stomach churning and can’t be absorbed – if we are honest with ourselves.

We saw (well, you did, maybe: I didn’t waste time to watch the thing, just reviewed the reviews afterwards and listened to a few sound bytes) one vision – NOT two – of the future of the Fifty States. And indeed, the world.

It is a bleak future:
* More action by government
* More force (by government and its minions and favored entities)
* Just plain MORE government: of, by, for, on and pressing down on the people
* And especially, more violence, both BY government and because of governments Continue reading →

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Government: the Disaster

Posted on 2016-09-30 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

My recent commentary on disasters and government response triggered a response from a friend: the REAL disaster in this country is GOVERNMENT.

How true. It seems that every year, there are more and more disasters, but when you look at the actual incidents, it is NOT that we are having more floods, more blizzards, more tornadoes, more wildfires, and whatever else we want to add to the list. Notice I left hurricanes off: do you realize we are in the MIDDLE of Hurricane season and while it is supposed to be the most active season since 2012, it is so far a dud (according to Nature World News). Though this story is about 35 days old, nothing has really changed in September: remarkably calm, overall.

Why is this? Is the end of the world upon us? Hardly. It is, rather, a combination of several things: Continue reading →

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Entitlements

Posted on 2016-09-29 by MamaLiberty

By MamaLiberty

Are we all clear on that now?

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What is wrong?

Posted on 2016-09-28 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

In the same web page as the commentary about “dumbing down” and cannabis, “legendary singer” Charlie Daniels also has a commentary on CNS News profanely asking what has happened to our country. Of the same generation as my departed father, he comes to a similar conclusion: that it is the people who have let themselves be led astray, and yet in turn blame the politicians who did the leading.

I don’t agree with much of what Charlie had to write in the column, and want to avoid the mistake of too many liberals who think that being a celebrity gives some special insight into politics, religion, or anything else. But Charlie is not alone in his generation, and in following generations, who point out that “we, the people” are to blame for our own mess: we made our bed, and now we are sleeping in it. Continue reading →

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But… but, You HAVE To Vote For SOMEONE!!!

Posted on 2016-09-27 by MamaLiberty

By MamaLiberty

A dear friend sent me a raft of article links today, all begging, screaming or whining about how people “must” vote for someone, anyone… but especially FOR Clinton! I had avoided talking with her about this over the years because I knew she was a dedicated liberal and I believed there was no point to the discussion. We had other, very important things in common. But this was the last straw, so to speak.

I’ve read many such things over the years, and continue to do so. None of it will ever change my mind. It is a matter of principle, the foundation of integrity and non-aggression I live by. Everything is measured by that, and non-voluntary government in general – electoral politics in particular – is not supported in any way as desirable, moral or even practical.  I think I’ve tried to explain that here at PoL, but maybe not. Continue reading →

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Dumbing down? Or smartening up?

Posted on 2016-09-27 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

A commentary by Thomas Ascik, on CNS News, bemoans that five states are voting on outright legalizing cannabis for any use (including recreational) during this year’s election. He apparently attributes it, together with five more states voting on legalizing what he scoffs as “medical” use of cannabis, to the increasing stupidity of Americans in general and of government officials (although he doesn’t come right out and state it). His arguments sound reasonable and logical until you read the part about federal agencies “maintaining their integrity” and get to the end where you find he is a retired federal prosecutor.

Are we dumbing down America? Just who is “we?” Government DOES seem intent on doing so. But the recent reversal in public opinion on the use of cannabis – especially when compared in effect and history to the use of beverage alcohol and tobacco of all types – suggests rather, that Americans are getting smarter in some ways. Continue reading →

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