This is a Test

Posted on 2015-03-16 by MamaLiberty

By MamaLiberty

Had a short discussion with a good friend the other day, and we were in agreement over so many things… but he made a statement I consider entirely too optimistic, and very unlikely.

We agree to the principle of non-aggression, that freedom simply means doing what you want as long as you don’t hurt others. Now, this isn’t cut and dried, by any means, but negotiation and voluntary association is the answer to disagreements, rather than “laws” and cops and jails.

And, as I’ve said so many times before, what prevents people from truly understanding that important difference is the fact that so many of them accept without question the idea that any “government” or other “rulers” have a legitimate authority to dictate those “laws” and so forth, rather than seeing their own natural authority over themselves. And that natural authority gives each individual the proper basis for whatever negotiation or association works for them – and is always subject to change as the situation changes. Continue reading →

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Libertarian Commentary on the News, #15-10B: Our beloved government!

Posted on 2015-03-14 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

In Golden, Colorado (west of Denver) it turns out that the Postal Investigation Service has been recording the license plates and faces of drivers and passengers doing business at the US Post Office (80401) for at least three months, and possibly longer.  What fun! I am sure that the USPS is glad to do what NSA and other agencies do all the time to us.  Big Brother lives!

Mama’s Note: I wonder why… probably a silly question, but I can’t imagine what they thought this would gain for them. Guess they don’t really need any reason to be both foolish and evil. Continue reading →

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Libertarian Commentary on the News, #15-10: Immigration, Education, more.

Posted on 2015-03-12 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

Good morning.

California, even by FedGov admission, has higher than average unemployment.  In fact, the processing of unemployment checks by the state government is a big and growing business, which the state contracts out.  But is it not interesting to find that the jobs are being out-sourced to (east) Indian nationals imported into the United States on work visas?  The justification for the “legal” border jumpers is that Americans do not have the skills needed, according to the federal program doing this. An interesting way to reduce unemployment, no?  Of course, while some people blame the heavy Democratic-control of state government in the Golden State, and its strongly Democratic Congressional delegation, it is just another example of how government damages the economy, often in multiple ways. Continue reading →

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Do You Smile Every Day?

Posted on 2015-03-07 by MamaLiberty

By MamaLiberty

Everyone knows there is plenty in this world to worry about. Even those who avoid the world and national “news” as much as possible can’t help but note the downward spiral in their own financial situation, especially if they or those they love are unemployed. There is the constant push to destroy God given rights to life and liberty, and increasing efforts to criminalize and control everything. Then there is the cost of everyday necessities, increasing due to the sinking national economy and shrinking dollar. A great many people are seriously worried about their health, and the increasing Obummercare insanity replacing free market medicine and insurance. And so much more. Did you know that stress, worry and fear, are far more detrimental to good health than you might think? Continue reading →

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Libertarian Commentary on the News, #15-09B: This and that

Posted on 2015-03-05 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

Good afternoon.

In recent months, many of us have distanced ourselves from Jews for Preservation of Firearms Ownership, justifiably due to the takeover of that once fine organization by people who do NOT hold liberty as dear as they should.  It has divided us, and there are still some people who seem to honor and defend liberty that still write for JPFO (as hard as I find that to understand, which I am sure both Mama Liberty and Claire also find difficult).  I do still read their regular postings, and was pleased to see this article on the proposed BATFE (Fuehrer Directive) ban on a very common type of ammunition, which cuts to the heart of the matter: bans (or limits) on ammunition are a DIRECT and IMMORAL attack on a G-d-given right to defend ourselves, our families, our communities, and our property.  End of the story.  The JFPO article challenges NSSF and NRA, which are making “technical” arguments and demanding an apology as well as withdrawal of the proposal.  Continue reading →

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Libertarian Commentary on the News, #15-09A: Liberty dwindling

Posted on 2015-03-03 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

Good morning.  Liberty continues to be attacked, right here in the Fifty States, where this week and last we see a good many examples.  Here are a few that caught my eye. The price we must pay to restore our liberty grows greater and greater with each passing day.

Back in January, the Mises Circle in Houston had excellent presentations on Secession by Jeff Deist and Ron Paul, pointing out that secession begins at home and CAN be successful in the cause of Liberty.  Apparently someone noticed, as on Valentine’s Day in Bryan, Texas, a joint Federal-State-County-City assault force of 20 officers raided a scheduled meeting of the “Republic of Texas,” a long-existing secession group, arresting, fingerprinting, and harassing the sixty people present (except apparently for the Judas that opened the doors for the raiders) to carry out a warrant involving a “possible misdemeanor” being committed.  Freedom of speech?  Freedom of assembly?  Freedom of thought? I don’t know if this was a direct response to the Houston Mises meeting or not, but I do have my suspicions. Continue reading →

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Libertarian Commentary on the News, #15-08B: Ownership and Power

Posted on 2015-03-01 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

Today, we accept that people who OWN something may not actually control it:  shareholders in a corporation (especially a large, publicly-traded one) do not control that company; we “own” our house and land but government dictates to us what we can and cannot do with it and on it; supposedly “we, the people” own vast acreages of land and parks but must follow the dictates of bureaucrats to do anything on it – and indeed usually must pay for the “privilege” of using “our own land.”  Here are a few stories related directly to this problem.

Mama’s Note: Not to mention the property and other taxes extorted because of what we “own.” Then there is the threat of “asset forfeiture” if TPTB decide they like what we have and want to take it. Continue reading →

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Libertarian commentary on the news, #15-08A: The Fuehrer and The Nation

Posted on 2015-02-27 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

Good morning.  Several news stories as I still am fighting sickness… These center mostly about that guy squatting at 1600 PA.

History in the making? The Fuehrer to make WWII internment camp in Hawaii a national monument. For more than half a century, what had once been Hawaii’s largest and longest-operating internment camp was ignored and forgotten. On Thursday, President Barack Obama will designate the plot of land in western Oahu that was the site of the Honouliuli camp as a national monument, White House officials said.  There are many MANY more locations far more suitable for such a national monument to recognize this evil action during WWII, but of course, this is the Fuehrer’s “home state” and so an internment camp in the middle of a tropical paradise is what he wants.  Much better choices would be the desolate, isolated, harsh climates of Heart Mountain in Wyoming, Grenada in Southeast Colorado, Topaz in Lake Bonneville of Utah, or even Tule Lake, in far Northern California.  It occurs to me: there are several different kind of “national monuments” which exist: there are scenic and historical and “research” sites, among others.  This could be a dual-purpose site: not just historical but a place to better train those who will run the NEXT cycle of internment camps for Americans? Continue reading →

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Asking The Wrong Questions

Posted on 2015-02-26 by MamaLiberty

Uniting Constitutional Protection for Economic and Social Liberties, Part 1: Substantive Due Process and Unenumerated Rights by Steven Horwitz

For libertarians the right to engage in contract and exchange with other consenting adults is just as important as the right to engage in speech and sex with other consenting adults. Other civil liberties, such as the right to bear arms or to buy, sell, and ingest various chemical substances are outgrowths of the rights to contract and the right to engage in “anything that’s peaceful” (i.e., that does not cause harm to innocent others).

Steve goes on at length about all this, and obviously plans to write a great deal more, but I would like to ask him a few simple questions.

Where and how does anyone, or any group of people, obtain legitimate authority to dictate anything to anyone? Please carefully consider the meaning of the word legitimate as I’m using it. Continue reading →

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Nathan still under the weather

Posted on 2015-02-24 by MamaLiberty

For any who are wondering what has happened to the Commentary on the News, Nathan Barton has been ill for a little more than two weeks now, and it may be a while before he can return to regular columns. If you are the praying sort, I’m sure he would appreciate yours.

In the meantime, I’m going to try to post at least one item a day. Thanks for your patience. MamaLiberty

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