Tag Archives: government power

War… and plague… is the health of the state

Posted on March 19, 2020 by

Readers may recall this quote: “War is the health of the state,” made by radical writer Randolph Bourne, as the Great War ground its bloody way across Europe. We saw then, as the European empires went to war in 1914, … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary on the News, Nathan's Rants | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rational response to political problems? Not in Congress.

Posted on November 30, 2019 by

Is it possible for “democracy” to address matters that affect communities, states, and even the world in a way that is rational, and not overwhelmed by emotions, even madness? Is it possible even in a republic? Or a tyranny or … Continue reading →

Posted in Nathan's Rants | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Comparing apples and oranges – education and more

Posted on August 23, 2019 by

By Nathan Barton What should government provide?  How? Under what limits? Over at FEE.org, Kerry McDonald has an excellent article comparing public libraries and public schools. It triggered more thoughts and some memories of political campaigns from years back. She … Continue reading →

Posted in Nathan's Rants | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Trump, Pittsburgh, and the royal presidency

Posted on October 31, 2018 by

By Nathan Barton Well, actually, by Tom Knapp.  Tom beat me to the punch this morning or last night by writing an EXCELLENT commentary about the way that The Donald is being treated by politicians and others at all levels … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary on the News, Nathan's Rants | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Free people do not get permission

Posted on September 28, 2018 by

Nathan’s note: Mama Liberty (Lady Susan) and I both have four fingers pointing back at us in this commentary, at least for our professions in the past. Because she had retired from the profession of nursing, she had freed herself. Because … Continue reading →

Posted in Nathan's Rants | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Is more government the solution to attacks on free speech?

Posted on August 8, 2018 by

By Nathan Barton Alex Jones, the gravel-voiced publisher, owner, editor, and voice of InfoWars and other websites and podcasts, is in the news and the commentaries this week. And he is actually in trouble.  As I understand it, Apple, Facebook, … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary on the News, Nathan's Rants | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The corruption of government spreads

Posted on June 22, 2018 by

By Nathan Barton “Power corrupts.  And absolute power corrupts absolutely.” – Lord Acton Today, we take government corruption for granted. Indeed, government corruption has been a feature (NOT a defect) of government since Nimrod started his little empire in Mesopotamia … Continue reading →

Posted in Nathan's Rants | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is it government’s duty to control weeds? (Part II)

Posted on May 23, 2018 by

By Nathan Barton In the last commentary I discussed the role of government in controlling weeds.  Weeds along streets and roads, on public property, and on private property. I believe that there are many ways to deal with weeds that … Continue reading →

Posted in Nathan's Rants | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bitcoin – tool for liberty or just another tool for tyranny?

Posted on July 9, 2017 by

By Nathan Barton MIT just published a story about Communist China’s central bank testing a digital currency to use instead of (in competition with) Bitcoin and all the rest. “Speeches and research papers from officials at the People’s Bank of … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary on the News, Nathan's Rants | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind

Posted on January 22, 2017 by

By Nathan Barton I date myself with this column, but that is fine, after spending an evening (while working, I admit) listening to Peter Paul and Mary, and the Kingston Trio, from the long distant 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. What … Continue reading →

Posted in Nathan's Rants | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment