Memorial Day

Today we honor the war dead with parades, moments of silence, and blog posts cranked out at the last minute. For the rest of the year, let's honor them by preserving what they fought for and ensuring that their ranks do not increase as much in the future.

Libertarians At Large Live Tonight

Libertarians At Large airs on channels Comcast 57 and Verizon 27, from 7-8 p.m., every third Thursday of the month. Tune in tonight as this month's guest will be Libertarian, Robert Enders our local Party's new chair. Call in to ask questions or just let us know you are listening. Contribute to the conversation.

As always the Libertarian Party of Allen County would like to thank Access Fort Wayne and the Allen County Public Library for providing us these opportunities to serve the public and promote the discussion at all levels of government about what is best for the future of of our communities, state, and nation.

Release the photos

Obama changed his mind and now wants to block the release of classified photos that show detainees being abused. After seeing the photos, he became worried that releasing them would further endanger US troops. I take this to mean that the images could have propaganda value for al Qaeda.

Since I haven't seen the photos, I can only imagine how horrible the images must be. Can the images be worse than I can imagine? It might be better to release the photos than have everyone wonder what's in them. The secrecy can have just as much enemy propaganda value as the actual images. The best thing to do is to release the images, admit that the abuse was wrong, and say that it won't happen again.

The upside of blandness

Here's an interesting article about small banks remaining healthy during the current crisis. When the Indiana Bankers Association held a conference in Indianapolis, many of the bankers in attendance highlighted the boring ways that they do business. The real estate bubble simply did not have as big an impact in our state as it did in exciting places like New York and California. While there is nothing wrong with excitement, it shouldn't be driving economic policy.

Janeane Garafalo calls tea partiers "racist"

I probably should have just ignored this, but I'm bored. A couple thoughts:
1. Does she think that Alan Keyes is a racist? We were protesting the President's policies, not his pigmentation.
2. With any large protest, you can find a few whack jobs advocating an issue completely unrelated to the issue that is being protested.
3. LPAC has been conducting tax protests since 2005. I would imagine that had McCain won, more Democrats would be protesting corporate bailouts.

Downtown casino may be a moot point

Barney Frank has introduced a bill that will rollback restrictions on online gambling. I think this is a step in the right direction. If adults should be allowed to gamble at all, they should be allowed to gamble whenever they want.

This will likely have an impact on the viability of brick-and-mortar casinos. I personally do not care if a new casino gets built as long as public funds aren't used. But if you're strongly for or against a new casino, then you should see where this bill goes. There is far more at stake with this bill.

The real way to close the corporate tax loophole

The best way to close the loophole is to replace taxes on corporate profits with an increase on the dividend tax. This will make it impossible for any American CEO to get out of paying taxes without renouncing his own citizenship.

Will it discourage payment of dividends? It would to the extend that a personal income tax discourages working. People still work in spite of the income tax; corporations will still pay dividends even if there is a tax increase on them. A upside to this is that companies will have an increase incentive to reinvest their profits and pay off debt.

I am the new LPAC chair

As of the next meeting, I will be replacing Doug Horner as chair of the Libertarian Party of Allen County, and Doug will be replacing me as vice-chair.

Will more people switch parties?

I think that more people will switch parties more frequently than in the past. People used to belong to political parties because everyone else in their family or neighborhood belonged to that same party. With better access to information, individuals are more likely to join a party because of its current platform and not because of its past history. With an increasingly dynamic political landscape, politicians may switch parties as often as they switch spouses. Seriously, I wouldn't be surprised if some folks change their party affiliation several times throughout their adult lives.

Advice to major league teams

The US government asserted that it has the right to make personnel decisions for private companies that receive taxpayer funds. Be very careful about asking state and local governments to build new stadiums. A legislature might grant your request, then decide that it simply isn't fair that the worst player on your team still makes more money than the best public school teacher.

Obama, when is the right time to cut spending?

Obama is quoted in this article as saying "The last thing a government should do in the middle of a recession is to cut back on spending."

Should the government cut back spending at the start of a recession instead? How about cutting back when the recession is over? If a program is unnecessary, it should be cut irregardless of the current economic situation. It's even wore vital to do so when tax revenues are down.

I Might Need Therapy...

To All,

I was putting together all of the numbers, statistics, and data that needs to be done for a reasonably accurate tax bill that we hand out every April 15th.

I try to keep things simple. #1) Pull out the old bill; #2) Go through it line by line to see what information is out of date; #3) update the information; #4) do the math and fill in the new data.

Simple, right?

Right.

So why do I believe I might need therapy? I think I might be the only American who has burst out laughing and giggling at a Congressional Budget Office Report. This is sadly true.

To clarify, I use the CBO report to determine deficit spending projections. I use this to show that not only are we being irresponsible today but that there is no end in sight AND our elected officials know this!

Last year the CBO was projecting deficit spending through fiscal year 2012. So I need to review their current report and see what madness lies ahead.

When I pull up the report (it is very easy to see) I just see negative projections for as far as the budget goes out (fiscal year 2019). This is when Doug starts his little giggling fit. I did not get hysterical, but I was definitely beyond a loud guffaw.

I do not know what I expected to see, I really do not. I was just taken so completely off guard by this insanity that I laughed for a good 60 seconds, maybe even approaching 2 minutes.

If you would like, here is a link to the CBO table I was looking at:

http://www.cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=10014

Look down at the bottom and click the link to "Budget Projections". Please let me know if you start laughing, giggling, cackling or making any other noise that might indicate that I am not alone.

What I appreciate about this is that you do not need a degree in Economics or an interpretation by a CPA to read it. This document is put together simply, concisely, and horrifically bleak if you consider the mess it will leave for future generations.

I giggle for us, I cry for our children and future generations.

With All Sincerity,

Doug

Cost of current programs compared to past programs

Compared to Bush, FDR was a fiscal conservative...

Rail

When it comes to mass transit, nothing is more efficient at moving large amounts of passengers and freight than a train. Because of our manufacturing base, we have a lot of freight trains in Indiana. But because of our low population density, we have a very limited market for passenger trains.

Trains are great for traveling between large cities. But the number of people who travel daily from any two points in Indiana isn’t enough to justify the expense of a rail route. The catch behind mass transit is that its only more fuel efficient if people actually use it.

They can go faster than a car on a highway. But they aren’t as flexible as buses and planes. A common problem with trains in that another train is blocking the route. Ever come to a railroad crossing and notice that the train isn’t moving? Buses have an easier time finding an alternate route, and planes never have that problem. So even though they can go at a faster speed limit than a car, it can still take longer to get to your destination due to delays.

Passenger trains are more practical along the coasts, which have higher population density than the Midwest. Rather than arguing for trains that we do not need, Indiana’s congressional delegation should move to deny federal funding for rail lines that do not benefit us. The high traffic rail lines in New England and California are profitable enough that they can be privatized with no disruption in service.

For more rail bashing, click here.

Upcoming tax protests

We'll be having our annual April 15th tax protest to 4:30pm and until it gets dark in front of the Anthis Career Center parking lot, next to the parking lot.

Hoosiers for Fair Taxation is holding a "tea party" at the courthouse square from 11am to 1pm on the 18th.

Obama steps down as part of Chinese bailout package

President Obama stepped down on the request of Chinese Premier Hu Jintao as part of a mandatory restructuring. The United States government has 60 days to create a restructuring plan in order to qualify for more Chinese bailout funds. Government industry experts believe that as many as 400 Congressmen may be laid off.

Three Mile Island anniversary

The US nuclear power industry has gone 30 years without a major accident. The airline, mining, and oil industries cannot make the same claim. Working in a nuclear power plant is safer than driving a hybrid car, or any other car for that matter. Any discussion of our future energy needs must include construction of new reactor sites.

Renaissance: Attempted Gentrification

Gentrification is the process of increasing affluence in a neighborhood. It leads to higher property values and higher rent rates. It is generally considered to be good for property owners and bad for tenants. Often groups with conflicting interests will actively try to promote or combat gentrification.

The city tried to promote gentrification through the Renaissance Pointe project by building $120K homes on the southeast side. Opposition from neighbors was to be expected, since it could have lead to an increase in rent. But the real reason it didn't work is because people aren't going to spend six figures to live between Creighton and Pontiac. People generally prefer to have neighbors with the same socioeconomic status.

Gentrification has to start with affordable housing. First-time home buyers look for quality bargains. After a few homeowners establish themselves, the respectability of the neighborhood improves and house prices go up.

Moral of the story

What everyone should be learning from the AIG mess:

Congress: If you give a company money, they might not do what you want them to do with it. So don't give money to failing companies.

Failing companies: If you accept money from the government, they might tell you what to what to do with it. It's better to declare bankruptcy and start from stratch than it is to go down this road.

Executives: If you work for a firm that accepts bailout funds, you may have to give your bonus back. Consider signing on with a different company.

Successful companies: Consider what the inflation rate is going to be before issuing any loans or buying bonds.

Libertarians At Large goes live in less than an hour

Libertarians At Large airs on channels Comcast 57 and Verizon 27, from 7-8 p.m., every third Thursday of the month. Tune in tonight as this month's guest will be Libertarian, William Larsen. Call in to ask questions or just let us know you are listening. Contribute to the conversation.

As always the Libertarian Party of Allen County would like to thank Access Fort Wayne and The Allen County Public Library for providing us these opportunities to serve the public and promote the discussion at all levels of government about what is best for the future of of our communities, state, and nation.

Next LPAC meeting

The next meeting is to be held at the Rib Room on Saturday, 28th of March at 5pm. Here is a map:


View Larger Map

China wonders if we'll pay them back

You all knew this was coming.
It is bad to owe money to the Chinese. It is even worse to go into default with them. They will cut off our line of credit if they do not think that they will be paid back. They might decide to do so anyway if Sino-American relations break down. Either we make some painful spending cuts soon, or we'll have to make excruciating spending cuts later. If the stock market continues to go up, Obama cannot use the economy as a pretext for more spending.

Daylight Savings

Congress keeps extending DST. It lasts 8 months while standard time only lasts 4 months; it's becoming more normal to have our clocks running an hour fast. Daylight savings time was first instituted during World War I in order conserve coal. But does it still save energy in the age of CFL bulbs? The National Bureau of Economic Research has published a paper saying that Indiana is using more energy per capita since we adopted DST.

Congress does have a right and a responsibility to establish standards for measuring time, but ideally those standards should remain as uniform as possible. States and counties should not be allowed to make up their own time zones at will. If an Indiana company orders a shipment from a New York company and wants it delivered by 4pm Friday, there needs to be a mutual understanding of when 4pm is. In my job, I have personally watched truckers miss appointments because of confusion over DST. This can lead to expensive supply chain problems. While I do not fault Governor Daniels for bringing Indiana in line with the rest of the country, I do blame Congress for creating a complex scheme for keeping time. Congress should recognize the costs of DST, and abolish it throughout the country.

What Happens When 4 Libertarians Get Together? Fox News Has An Orgasm! And Almost Agrees With Russia?

Glenn Beck Show with Steven Moore, Penn Jillette and Mark Skousen



Here is the remainder of the clip which brings up a very scary perspective of splitting up the Country to prove which side Liberal or Conservative would succeed in restoring the economy.



The reason why this is so concerning that Conservative and even Libertarian pundits are starting to talk about is because it has also been mentioned by Igor Parain (updated link) a Russian Foriegn Ministry Professor and Dean who back in 1998 started to lament and is again asserting that, if America continues on the path of moral decline, then President Barack Obama will order martial law this year, following such action, the United States will split into six rump-states before 2011, and Russia and China will become the backbones of a new world order.


Now with a gun toting Maverick in Alaska and the Country of Mexico in shambles, obviously Dr. Panarin left a few things to account for in his analysis. But this is why our Country is better in almost everything especially the rule of law. Why you ask? State Sovereignty Rights! You see, our Founders built fail safes into both the Federal Constitution and the State Constitutions to address certain issues of insolvency and dissolution from the Union. So while Martial Law may be very likely very soon, and there is a concern amongst even Libertarians of our Union lasting, there are provisions in place to both a. make it a smooth transition and b. keep it from destroying this Country. Because aside from any popular misconception, We The People were a nation before we were the United States of America under the Constitution, and the power to govern always has and always will reside with US! Now all We need to do is force our leadership to follow the rules We wrote.

SOURCES VIDEO: MRTACOJOSH NEWS STORY: AKA WILLIAM

UPDATE: Certain Text and Links have been updated/corrected for your information.

Click Here to view another video from under 2 months ago where Glenn Beck talks about his desire for California to be removed from the Union and that We as Americans may need to read the instruction manual on secession again by States, even if it was "invalidated" by the Civil War and the 14th Amendment which made everyone Citizens of the USA rather than a particular State, Commonwealth, Territory, Province or Jurisdiction. What is left in a very sad reality is the only Constitutional Rights left to We The People are those of Revolution or Responsibility of each Citizen to Vote!

The Gentlemen over @ Queer Cincinnati have two posts here and here on this topic too.

Some good news?

There hasn't been a major terrorist attack in the US since 9/11. Remember when people seemed certain that another attack was going to happen? Some people acted like they knew more about bin Ladin's inner circle than they knew about what their own kids were doing after school.

Let's face it. Terrorism is so much more fun to talk about than the economy. Timothy Noah has an 8 part piece detailing various theories on why we haven't been hit since.

Ron Reinking on Harrison Square

Harrison Square Doubts Were Well-Founded
By Ron Reinking, CPA
Reposted with permission

In the ongoing discussion in the press and the chatter on local talk radio regarding Fort Wayne's Harrison Square there's a line of reasoning that goes like this:

“Nobody could have foreseen these economic times . . . city officials did their very best with our money . . . they should not be blamed for having the courage to bring a vision to reality, a plan that could have worked, something good for the entire community.”

That is a defense, however, against accusations never made.

No one believed that those involved in the planning of Harrison Square were careless or insincere. It did become obvious, however, that while promoters initially may have wished good for the community, human nature inevitably took over and self-interest began to drive public policy.

As a result, Fort Wayne now must be counted another victim of well-intentioned visionaries with the power to tax.

The Nobel laureate Milton Freidman in his award-winning book and television series, "Free to Choose," describes such a situation in the context of one of four different ways people spend money, i.e., "spending other people's money on other people."

Thus the well-meaning fellow with a fuzzy civic vision places himself in the position of spending others money for community "good." Classically, it means serving on a not-for-profit board or assuming the position of “public servant.” In many of these positions, Friedman wants us to know, there is virtually no restraints on spending and, if your intentions are deemed worthy by the media, honor and esteem to boot.

And when, as is the case of Harrison Square, the wheels do fall off, there is no personal punishment or accountability. Indeed, failure itself is often used to justify even more money to “clean up the mess.”

Dr. Friedman continues: “If I want to do good with other people's money, I first have to take it away from them. That means, at its very bottom, a philosophy of violence and coercion. It's against freedom, because I have to use force to get the money. In the second place, few people spend other people's money as carefully as they spend their own.”

Citizens of Fort Wayne, if they hope to prevent future debacles, must hold the boosters of Harrison Square accountable to the Freidman dictum, and for a number of reasons.

First, we must question how much civic courage it takes to pursue a vision of “good” with money taken from other people. Was it ethical, appropriate and even legal to expropriate the taxpayers' resources for condominiums and baseball stadiums? If the answer is “yes”, then we are little more than indentured servants of a government granted unrestrained power to tax and spend.

Second, we must ask if it is true that nobody could have foreseen this outcome. Eighty percent of the public saw it coming, according to opinion polling. And 100 percent of private investors refused to risk their own capital on the government's vision. The politicians, with no skin in the game, proceeding anyway, calculating they could make excuses if the bag (which we now hold) ultimately turned up empty.

It is a good guess that the Atlanta "investors" in Harrison Square still retain benefits in the form of tax abatements, forgiven leases of the old stadium and probably cash.* Fort Wayne citizens wish they could say the same.

On this last point it is interesting to note that practically all construction contracts contain performance bond requirements and set dates for completion of a project, thus placing risks on the developers. In the case of Harrison Square, these risks have now apparently become the taxpayers’ problem. (Some will recall that Councilmen Tom Smith and former Councilman Don Schmidt asked unsuccessfully to review our Harrison Square partners' financial statements in order to evaluate their credit capacities.)

And finally, as hard as it is to say, nobody can ever know for sure that the project is honest. That, unfortunately, is the nature of other people spending your money — you’re never quite certain where it went.

This was the primary concern of Fort Wayne citizens like me with Harrison Square — specifically, that without the tests of a free market we would never really know whether it was a good idea or bad.

That concern, recent events now demonstrate, was spot on.

Gambling

Gambling is a form of entertainment. People bet money, and most of the time the house wins. But in between the time that the bet is placed and the moment that the bet is lost, they enjoy the fantasy that they might go home richer.

Like any fun activity, people can get addicted to it, and they can waste a lot of money on it. This can lead to other problems, and this is the justification that is often used to regulate it. Some people even argue for outlawing it, claiming that gambling is a vice that destroys families.

But vice doesn't destroy families. Family members destroy families. If 10,000 people gamble in a city in a given year and one of them kills somebody, that is no reason to punish the other 9,999 people.

Since I don't gamble, I really don't care if a casino gets built. If an investor wants to build one here with his or her own money, I would welcome that. I don't think that the state should restrict legal gambling at all. I have mixed feelings about the potential referendum, since I don't think private property rights should be put to a vote. If you don't like gambling, stay out of casinos and tell your pastor to cancel Bingo Night. But I hope that the referendum does one of two things:
1. People vote for it and show potential investors that there is a possible market here.
2. People vote against it, killing the idea so that we can move on and talk about something else.

Funny & On Point!!!

To All,

This has got to be one of the funniest video's I've seen in a LONG time!

Harrison Square on point!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWIO7fe3cZE

I don't know who did this, yet, but I'd love to buy them a beer! German, of course!

Enjoy,

Doug

My response to Reverend White's Tincaps promotion

In my opinion, this blog is primarily intended to promote libertarian policies. Occasionally it can be used to promote the common good in other ways as well, like encouraging people to volunteer or use energy-saving light bulbs. Fozy and I share an equal partnership in administrating this blog, and neither of us exercise editorial control over each other's posts.

Parkview Field is one of many entertainment venues in Fort Wayne. It does not serve this blog purposes to encourage people to choose one form of entertainment over other entertainment.

It is nobody's business but your own how you choose to spend your free time. Go out to a movie or stay home and watch TV. Go out to a bar or stay home and get drunk. Sit down and watch sports or get up and play sports. Do nothing or do something; it's entirely up to you.

It is nobody's business but your own how you choose to spend your discretionary income. Shop online or shop in a mall. Gamble in a casino or speculate in the stock market. Give to a charity or go on vacation.

Ignore anyone who implies that you have a obligation to support any particular business. It is up to that business to earn your support.

F6 FWD: SUPPORT d TIN CAPS: Buy Tickets on Tuesday, Job Fair on Saturday!

The FORT WAYNE TIN CAPS begin their freshman season, with 70 home games, on the 16th of April @ Parkview Field.

WOWO 1190AM, Around Fort Wayne, and several other media outlets and blogs are covering the stories quite well so this post, a copy of the original on F6, my personal blog, is just a recap and continuation of the promotion of our own minor league team's hard work in the Community at large.

Tickets will be available for purchase in person tomorrow, aka Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras, @ The Grand Wayne Center beginning at 10A. After that, tickets can be purchased online or the Tin Caps offices located at Parkview Field, and continue to be on-sale both online and via phone. For more information on Tin Caps season tickets, group outings or corporate partnerships for the 2009 season at Parkview Field contact the Team @ 260-482-6400 or visit the Team's website.

Tickets range between $5 for Lawn Seats and $12.50 for Scout Seats behind home plate; the medium ranged tickets of either $8 - 9 range are probably the most economical and better viewing choice for the baseball fan in every inner child. The Tin Caps Group Rates for Lawn (outfield) and Reserved (dugouts) seating are fairly economic, between $5-8 respectively.

There is just sometimes when you have to be in the stands and the middle of the action otherwise it is not the hearty American tradition of hot dogs, baseball, and a nice warm apple pie with ice cream on the side.

Citing a need to accommodate better customer service at Parkview Field, during games and other special events, they will be holding a job fair for 200 Seasonal and Part Time position as well, this Saturday the 28th from 10A-2P @ The Grand Wayne Center's Calhoun Room on the second floor. Some of the positions that need filled include: Ushers, Ticket Takers, Parking Lot Attendants, Ticket Office Sales, Merchandise Sales, Video Production, In-Game Promotions, Field Maintenance, Special Events, Food Preparation and Service Staff. Applicants must be 16 years of age or older.

Certain positions require specific skills and previous experience. Most positions do not require previous experience. Applicants that are not available to attend the Job Fair are welcome to stop by the Administrative Offices located at Parkview Field during normal business hours (Mon-Fri, 9A to 5P). Please call 260-482-6400 for directions and parking information.

They put tickets for games @ new ball stadium for sale on MARDI GRAS! Does anybody else see the irony?

The impact of the war on the economy

What if the 9/11 attacks never took place? What if Saddam Hussein allowed the UN inspectors to go wherever they wanted? Would the economy be stronger right now if the country wasn’t at war? Could President Obama fix the economy simply by bringing America’s best back to America?

We need to get past the myth that war is good for the economy. Whether military action is justified or not, it involves sending good people and expensive equipment from this country to some other part of the world. War is a drain on resources, and it is a tremendous expense that we shouldn’t want to pay unless we have no other choice.

The economic effects on our civilian population is a secondary concern in any decision to go to war. If the war is necessary and justified, then we really don’t have any choice but to endure certain hardships on the homefront. But whether one thinks that the ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq should continue, whether or not one agrees with the decision to go to war in the first place, our overseas engagements are contributing factors in the current situation.

Don't waste it?

The President has warned America's mayors not to waste their stimulus packages. "Waste" is a subjective term in politics, but I usually interpret it to mean "expending more resources than necessary to achieve the desired result", "expending resources while failing to to achieve the desired result", or "my second year in college".

Here's the problem. These mayors are beholden to their respective constituents and nobody else. I suspect that these mayors will compete with each other to attract industries and professionals to their cities. Some mayors will win and some will lose.

I propose that cities and states should not be allowed to use public funds to steal jobs from each other. This is the sort of thing that the much abused interstate commerce clause in the Constitution was meant to address. If we really are all in this together, then there is no need for an economic zero-sum game.

Milton Friedman

This video has been posted on several blogs recently.

Indianapolis city councilman switches to LP

Is this the start of a large-scale political realignment? I think that the GOP blew its fiscal conservative credentials with the last administration. Anyone who supported TARP last year but opposes the stimulus package this year is a hypocrite. Any actual fiscal conservatives left in the GOP is more than welcome to switch over to our side.

Please Mayor Henry...

To All,

I have considered Harrison Square to be a blight on our communities economic health from the beginning, but the Fort Wayne City Council and previous Mayor disagreed with me and proceeded to go ahead with funding it.

Now with the massive revitalization project on course you would think that our city leaders would get down there from time to time in order to see first hand where things stand. Sadly, it would appear that none of them have taken the time to check on the status of our cities downtown anchor of economic progress. For if they had they would certainly have been as saddened and outraged as I am tonight.

For you see tonight I went downtown to King Gyro's with a friend for dinner. When I pulled up in the parking lot I could not believe the disgrace and dishonor flying above Harrison Square.

On the tallest crane overlooking Harrison Square was a sad and offensive sight: The American Flag in tatters and ruin. This was not a combat Flag that had survived a great battle such as Normandy, Iwo Jima, or Belleau Wood. No, this was just a Flag that should be put to rest by the VFW with the respect and dignity that it rightfully and justly deserves.

We do not need this dishonor on our city. The funding of Harrison Square is a laughable tragedy. The flying of this Flag over Harrison Square is an offense to all who understand that the American Flag is not just a piece of cloth with pretty colours, but rather a symbol of the ideals and greatness that we as a nation strive to achieve. To some of us it actually means something.

So please Mayor Henry, tear down that flag. Send it to the VFW where it will be shown the respect that it has earned.

Respectfully,

Doug Horner
Chairman, LPAC

Editor: Pictures were modified for coding and cleaned for resolution; Post's tags/labels were added.

UPDATE: 16th of February 2009

I spoke with Rachel Blakeman, Public Information Officer for the City of Fort Wayne, this afternoon to conference on this issue. She assured me that the City has been informed, per the reading of this post earlier in the day, and have, as of this afternoon, replaced the flag on the crane @ Harrison Square. Thanks goes out to Rachel for her candor and the persons who very timely corrected this disrespect to our Nation's banner of stars and stripes, Ol' Glory is now once again a grand olde flag.

Blessings In Liberty & Peace Be With Y'all,

MRev. Kenneth White, Jnr.
Secretary, Libertarian Party of Allen County:

While watching TV yesterday, I heard the names "Obama" and "Lincoln" used in the same sentence a whole bunch of times. But people from all parties can draw inspiration from Lincoln. . He was a controversial Republican president who had to crush an insurgency. He was also a minor party candidate who was not on the ballot in every state, and he ended a failed, immoral economic institution that had been propped up by the federal government for decades.

Lincoln turns 200

The world will little note, nor long remember what I say here about Lincoln. So instead of simply rewording what has already been said, here is an essay by Tibor Machan. In my opinion, it is the best essay on Lincoln written by a libertarian. It pretty much sums up my feelings about our 16th President.

Just don't do it again

Government spending can create short term economic gains at the cost of future taxes increases, inflation, and more debt. We may very well see some improvement this year, but we will pay the price of this stimulus package over time. Congress should refrain from passing another package even if this one yields some results. We cannot keep using the same short term fixes over and over again.

Think of it this way. If you have a car that has to be jumpstarted every couple of days, then you need to address the underlying problem. It might seem like a bigger hassle to fix the alternator or replace the battery, but it saves you a lot of grief in the long run.

Collab Music Video: Born Again American: "Conceived In Liberty!....My Bible and the Bill of Rights....My Creed Is Equality!"

This new music video that I found on Boston based WICKED GAY BLOG is a collaboration "Born Again American" with many different artists and two choirs. I thought you might all enjoy a gander at this one. I have more to say on the message. That can wait until later, stay tuned for my commentary later on tonight. Until then, have a listen and leave your comments below, please.

New $500K limit on salaries in bailout companies

Obama has imposed a salary cap on bailed out corporations. Last year, the salary cap was not imposed because it would have detered companies from accepting TARP funds.

From the AP:

"This is America. We don't disparage wealth. We don't begrudge anybody for achieving success," Obama said. "But what gets people upset — and rightfully so — are executives being rewarded for failure. Especially when those rewards are subsidized by U.S. taxpayers."

Wouldn't it be cool if we applied this principal with every company that receives government assistance? Imagine if every major league athlete only made $500,000.

Is Stimulus right for you?

Banks paying executive bonuses

Should any of us be surprised that banks that have received bailout funds are still providing bonuses to their executives? Once you have given someone money, it is theirs to do as they wish. Any special requirements must be spelled out in advance. If you want money to be spent in a special way, spend it yourself.

Personally, I can’t even bring myself to get upset over this. I’m upset that they were given taxpayer money in the first place. A bank is either solvent or it isn’t. If it isn’t, it will make the needed cuts like eliminating bonuses and dividends or it will simply fail. A few banks failing isn’t the end of the world, since savings accounts of working class Americans are covered by the FDIC. There are still plenty of banks and credit unions willing to lend you money if you have a good credit rating.

Cell phone use in cars

The General Assembly is considering restricting the use of cell phones while driving. Representative Vanessa Summers and Senator Dennis Kruse have both admitted to using poor judgment in the past and now want the rest of us to use their judgment instead of our own. Their intent to save lives is noble, but the real threat to public safety on the road is driving while stupid, or "DWS" for short.

DWS means not using common sense on the road. It means trying to steer and change a CD, change your clothes, apply makeup, metabolize alcohol, etc. There is no way for elected officials to anticipate what idiots are going to do. Since it is impossible to ban every form of impairment or distraction, the solution is to educate the public on the hazards.

There seems to be a lot of people who think that if it's legal, it must be safe. Consider seatbelt laws for a moment. Shouldn't we find it odd that some folks buckle up not to avoid being killed but to avoid a $25 fine? Riding a motorcycle without a helmet is way more dangerous than riding in a car without a seatbelt. In fact, riding a motorcycle WITH a helmet is still more deadly than riding in a car without seatbelts or airbags. Yet it is perfectly legal in Indiana to ride with your head as bare as it was on the day you were born. This discrepancy makes it look like Indiana cares more for the lives of drivers than it does for the lives of cyclists.

Public health and safety will improve if people are encouraged to use their judgment to make rational decisions. I realize that many people lack this capacity at this point, but to pass laws that will simply be ignored is ineffective and ultimately counterproductive. When people are treated like children, they act like children. When they are treated like adults, some will act like adults and some intially will act like teenagers, but everyone is still in a better position to gain experience and learn from their mistakes of others. Dennis Kruse and Vanessa Summers are to be commended for owning up to past mistakes, but it is also a mistake to simply pass a law, think that the problem is solved, and move on.

New Stimulus Bill

To use the current economic crisis to justify the latest stimulus package is dishonest. A lot of the money isn’t scheduled to be spent until next year. Considering that the longest post-WWII recession only lasted 2 years, and that this one started in December 2007, the recession should be over by the time they get around to spending it all.
Republicans were right to vote against this, but the GOP has lost the last of its free market credentials last year when TARP passed. It may be generous of me to say that, since that presumes they had any free market credentials prior to that. Usually there are two kinds of fiscal conservatives: Libertarians and Republicans during Democratic administrations.

What I spent on Gas

To All,

Since 2003 I've recorded what I've spent on gas and driving. 2003 & 2004 were incomplete. 2005 got better as did 2006. 2007 was almost 100% along w/ 2008.

I just thought I'd share a little w/ you.

In 2007 I drove 12,595 miles and spent $1,615.05 on 559.468 gallons of fuel. This was in my 2002 Focus and I used premium fuel from mid August to the end of the year. I did this to see whether the use of premium fuel would significantly improve my vehicles mileage.

My Focus was destroyed in my Christmas Eve accident.

My new car is a safer 2002 Volvo S80.

In 2008 I drove 15,297 miles and spent $2,395.12 on 707.452 gallons of fuel. My Volvo requires premium so that would equate to about $100 over the Focus.

Fuel efficiency is almost the same. My Focus averaged 22.65 MPG and my Volvo averaged 22.12 MPG.

The cheapest gas I bought in 2007 was $1.88 on Jan 18th and the cheapest gas I bought in 2008 was $1.54 on Dec 27th.

Just sad to see where fuel prices have gone.

Doug

F6 FWD: HOW MANY WAYS CAN WE GO GREEN IN '09

EDITOR: This is an excerpted forward from my original post on my personal blog F6 for your perusal. You may read the information in full context by clicking on the above previous link.

1. Commit to using less power by switching to CFL or LED lighting. They are going the way of the dinosaur and the 8 track cassette tape, oblivion in 2011. The Enviromental Working Group released the results of their study into the best, least toxic, long lasting CFL bulbs on the market. Listing in the top seven were: Earthmate, Litetronics, Sylvania, Feit, MaxLite and Philips. (Photo: Towle Road)

2. Claim your tax credits for 2009 by making your home more efficent now. One of the things accomplished by the Wall Street Bailout was the restoration of the home energy efficency tax credits that had expired in 2007. For more information and a detailed list of tax credits, visit the US Government's ENERGY STAR website.

3. Attend workshops at Allen Co. Public Library to learn how to make your home energy efficient. The Indiana Office of Energy Development (OED) is hosting monthly workshops on different areas that affect Hoosier Homeowners. There are two remaining courses Basic Photo Voltaics on the 4th of February and Introduction to Residential Wind on the 17th of March this quarter. To register for the free OED workshops contact: Chris Dorman (info is @ bottom of page), as space is limited. Once you register, more detailed information will be sent to you.

4. Watch the Docu Drama LIQUID ASSETS when it rebroadcast in February on PBS 39. "Liquid Assets" tells the story of essential utility systems: drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater. These complex and aging systems-some in the ground for more than 100 years-are critical for basic sanitation, public safety, economic development, and a host of other necessities of life. The documentary highlights communities from across the United States, providing an understanding of hidden water infrastructure assets, demonstrating watershed protection approaches, and illustrating twenty-first century solutions. On the 28th of January Fort Wayne City Utilities is hosting a screening and discussion at the Allen Co. Public Library.

5. Get a little dirty for clean rivers and water. Participate in Save Maumee and other organizations river clean up projects. For now the fourth year in a row, Abi and Ryan Bailey are planning putting together Save Maumee's Earth Day Project this year it will take place on Divine Mercy Sunday, the 19th of April, 2009 from 11A-4P.

6. Insist that the City uses pedal power for all concerts and events Downtown. We have all heard of Rock The Vote initiatives since the early nineties to get people out to exercise their civil duties and participate in the political process. Do you want to see something really cool and a way to literally return the power to the people? Then check out Rock The Bike and these soon possibilities of people generated power supplies coming to a concert venue near you.

SoyLent Green, Here We Come! This is just the beginning of the list to find out the last three and view more detailed information and analysis check out this post on F6 at your leisure.

Obama is right to close Gitmo

We're Americans. We're supposed to be the good guys. Part of our strength is our capacity to be humane. While our nation has mastered the art of the big stick, it has forgotten the part about speaking softly.

Towards the end of World War II, Germans fled west towards the Americans and British to surrender while putting up a stiff resistance against the Soviets. This is because they expected better treatment from the western Allies. If Taliban holdouts expect to be subject to torture or "advanced interrogation techniques" (or whatever euphemism you prefer) when captured, that makes it much more likely that they will fight instead of surrender when cornered, thus increasing the possibility of American casualties.

Obama's speech

One paragraph struck me in particular as I was listening. My comments are in red:

What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them — that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply.

I am a cynic and I do understand that the ground has shifted. The stale political arguments still apply more than ever.

The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works — whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified.

The size of something has an impact on its performance. An SUV may be more powerful, but it also consumes more resources than a subcompact. Are you using that power effectively? If not, then you are just wasting resources. Sure, the SUV still "works" in that it gets you to point A to point B, but just because something works does not make it the best solution.

Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end.

Promise?

THIS POST IS COMPLETELY OPEN AND OFF TOPIC

This post is being written to establish part of our new format on this blog forum.
There will now be better use of the Label/Category System for distribution between the different types of post.
You may quickly visit any new post from this point forward that is labeled as a following category:
Social, Federal, State, Local, US History, Civic, and Libertarian Party,

This post is established herein between now through June of 2009 for any information and topics that you wish to discuss or bring to our attention or ask our opinion on. After June 2009 we will review and see if this post is necessary still.

PLEASE LEAVE ANY COMMENTS OR CONCERNS BELOW THAT ARE NOT COVERED ON OR BY OTHER POSTS AND WIDGETS ON THIS BLOG FORUM, THANK YOU. ~ THE OFFICERS OF LPAC.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

One way you can observe today's holiday (aside from refusing to use public transportation) is to read MLK's "Letter from Birmingham Jail". (Hat tip to Reason.com)

We'll be addressing present-day social and economic injustice at the downtown library at 7pm tonight. While these injustices certainly are pale when compared to what civil rights activists experienced during the 1960's, it beats sitting on the couch. Sloth is no way to honor a great man.

One way to win the War on Terror

In the past, the US has won wars in part by attacking the enemy's infrastructure. However, al Qaeda and the Taliban do not have much in the way of buildings and roads. But they do get a lot of funding through the production and sale of illegal drugs. If people were able to obtain drugs legally, depriving the terrorists' of their monopoly/cash cow.

Is this country willing to legalize drugs to win the War on Terror? Think of all the drastic measures this nation took in prior conflicts: the draft, the Manhattan Project, food rationing. During World War II, Ford and GM stopped making new cars in order to save vital resources. Can you imagine Congress or the President asking these two companies to cease production today? The legalization of drugs would be a far lesser strain on our way of life than any of these.

Timothy Geithner

Timothy Geithner, the nominee to replace Hank Paulson as SecTres, supposedly forgot to pay his Social Security and Medicare taxes.

A couple questions:
1. Is it at all possible for someone involved in finance to not know that he is supposed to pay these taxes?
2. If a Republican or Libertarian were accused of the same offense, could he get away with claiming that he forgot?
3. Shouldn't anyone who believes in the Social Security system be calling for this guy's head?

Perhaps it is best that we all overlook this. But if it is overlooked when Mr. Geithner does it, it should be overlooked when anyone else does it.

UPDATE: Libertarians At Large To Air Next Thursday

Libertarians At Large usually airs on channels Comcast 57 and Verizon 27, from 7-8 p.m., every third Thursday of the month. Tune next Thursday as tonight's show had to be delayed in broadcasting due to technical difficulties. This month's guest will be Libertarian, Mike Jablanski, longtime Libertarian Party of Allen County member. We apologize for the inconvience and will return live to the air next month.

As always the Libertarian Party of Allen County would like to thank Access Fort Wayne and The Allen County Public Library for providing us these opportunities to serve the public and promote the discussion at all levels of government about what is best for the future of of our communities, state, and nation.

Stimulus

I maintain that tax cuts are the most effective form of "stimulus". When the taxes of ordinary people are cut, they do one of the following:

1. Spend the money, which helps retail and manufacturing.
2. Save the money, which helps to increase the amount of capital available to banks.
3. Invest the money, which helps increase the amount of capital available to corporations.
4. Use the money to start a business, which helps create jobs.
5. Burn the money on the front lawn, which helps control inflation.

Right now, a lot of government projects are being proposed under the pretext of creating jobs. These projects must be justified on their own merits, otherwise it would be cheaper to simply provide the unemployed with food stamps.

Recent shooting

A Fort Wayne police officer fatally shot a man in the head yesterday. With the information available from this article, the shooting was probably justified. If that is the case, then I heartily commend the actions of the FWPD. This probably was a case of "suicide by cop", since the deceased called the police and made threats, then pointed a weapon at the officers. I wish that this fellow had sought counseling rather than putting the police in this situation.

A couple thoughts:
1. I would like to point out that this incident did not take place on the south side of Fort Wayne. In the past, TV stations, radio stations, and newspapers included the phrase "South Side" in the headline when a killing took place on the south side of town, but never used the phrase "North Side" in the when a killing took place on the north side of town.
2. In this case, the dead man's actions were what led to his demise. Many homicide victims do place themselves in dangerous yet avoidable situations. Your own actions play a larger role in your risk of being murdered than your place of residence.
3. No matter where you live in Fort Wayne, you are more likely to die in a traffic accident than be murdered. I personally feel safer walking down Oxford at night than I do driving on Coldwater Road during rush hour.

A small bit of advice to both Obama supprters and opponents

Blagojevich is accused of demanding payment in exchange for appointing a US Senator. But politicians trade favors all the time. You vote my way on a bill, I’ll vote your way on a different bill. If you vote against my lucrative contract, I’ll stop giving to your campaign committee. How would you like a job as a “consultant”? A savvy politician always makes sure little is said aloud and nothing is in writing so that there’s a reasonable doubt and criminal charges won’t stick.

To be sure, there’s plenty of corruption in the private sector as well. Human nature being what it is, we cannot rid the country of corruption. While it is essential to give government a certain amount of power to control private sector corruption, too much power increases the risk and possible damages by corrupt officials.

Obama’s supporters must be careful what they ask of this man and what powers they wish to endow upon him. Even if he turns out to be the greatest president who ever was or will be, he will only be in office for a maximum of 8 years. Whoever succeeds Obama as POTUS will retain the powers and privileges that were assigned to Obama during his administration.

Gas tax

It's rare that you'll hear a libertarian call for a tax increase, but here it is in this article.
Very few people, libertarian or otherwise, enjoy paying taxes. But it is argued that gas taxes are a fair way to pay for road construction. It's certainly more fair than than using revenue from income tax. But the problem that I have with this is that a person driving a $90K electric car pays no gasoline tax but still uses and benefits from the same roads that I pay for when I buy gas for my 1995 Suzuki Swift. If you use public roads then you should pay for public roads, regardless of how fuel efficient your car is. The best solution that I can come up with is to have states collect a federal tax to pay for interstate highways when motorists renew their license plates.

To call a gas tax a "carbon tax" is dishonest if that same tax isn't applied to coal, natural gas, ethanol, kerosene, wood, or any other organic material burned by humans. You cannot claim that the purpose of the tax is protect the environment if the funds are used to pay for road construction and maintenance.

The good news

Why do blogs such as this and the media at large focus on bad news? Because it more dramatic, and it's what people want to read and watch in spite of claims to the contrary. Some of the most popular shows on TV are about crime and bad relationships. Nobody is going to watch a sitcom called "Two People in a Happy, Stable Marriage". But if it's truly what you want to see, here is some good news for everyone regardless of their ideology or partisan affiliation on the Reason website.

What if your boss borrowed your retirement money?

Some poor guy thinks that his boss "borrowed" his IRA. If it's true, then his boss probably will go to jail. This sort of thing is illegal for a very good reason. Your employer should not be able to borrow your money without your permission. You should be allowed to demand interest payments in return if you decide to take on additional financial risk.

Yet the federal government borrows money from the Social Security trust fund. And the rate of "return" is often lower than a certificate of deposit.

Monday's healthcare meeting

Unfortunately, this meeting at the Unitarian church took place at the same time as the monthly LPAC meeting. Anyone who did attend and wants to share what they learned can comment below.

Santa Claus Is Coming To Indiana

He'll be staying in the federal penitentiary in Terre Haute.
From the national LP website:

Will the Feds Bust Santa Claus?
posted by Andrew Davis on Dec 25, 2008

by George Getz (former Director of Communications for the Libertarian Party)

When Santa Claus comes to town this week, he'd better watch out -- because the federal government may be making a list of his crimes (and checking it twice), the Libertarian Party warned today.

"Hark the federal agents sing, Santa is guilty of nearly everything," said Libertarian Party press secretary George Getz. "The feds know when Santa's been bad or good -- and he's been bad, for goodness sakes."

Does Santa belong in the slammer? Instead of stuffing stockings, should he be making license plates?

Yes, said Getz, if he's held to the same standards as a typical American. For example:

* Every December 25, the illegal immigrant known as Santa Claus crosses the border into the United States without a passport. He carries concealed contraband, which he sneaks into the country in order to avoid inspection by the U.S. Customs Service. And just what's in all those brightly colored packages tied up with ribbons, anyway? The Drug Czar and Homeland Security want to know.
* Look at how this international fugitive gets around: Santa flies in a custom-built sleigh that hasn't been approved by the FAA. He never files a flight plan. He has no pilot's license. In the dark of night, he rides the skies with just a tiny bioluminescent red light to guide him -- a clear violation of traffic safety regulations.
* Pulling Santa's sleigh: Eight tiny reindeer, a federally protected species being put to hard labor. None of these reindeer have their required shots, and Santa's never bothered to get these genetically- engineered animals registered and licensed. It's no wonder: He keeps them penned outside his workplace in a clear violation of zoning laws.
* But Crooked Claus the Conniving Capitalist harms more than just animals -- he's hurting hard-working American laborers, too. Isn't Santa's Workshop really Santa's Sweatshop, where his non-union employees don't make minimum wage and get no holiday pay? Add the fact that OSHA has never inspected the place, and you have a Third-World elf-exploitation operation that only Kathy Lee Gifford could love.
* No wonder Santa is able to maintain his monopoly over the toy distribution industry: He's cornered the Christmas gift market. Santa dares to give away his products for free in a sinister attempt to crush all competition -- just like Microsoft's Internet Explorer. Antitrust Lawsuit Memo to the feds: Is Santa Claus the Bill Gates of Christmas?

The bottom line, said Getz: "It might be tough sledding for Jolly St. Nick this Christmas if the government decides to prosecute him.

"We're just surprised it hasn't already happened. After all, Santa Claus is everything that politicians aren't: He's popular, reliable, and gives us something for nothing every December 25th -- instead of taking our money every April 15th," says Getz

I bet he left little lumps of an alternative to foreign oil in a lot of politicians stockings this year. Maybe that will earn him a pardon.

My prediction from January didn't pan out

Whoever wins the Iowa caucus will either lose their party's nomination or lose the general election. Since 1972, the year in which Iowa's caucus started to come first, only two non-incumbent candidates won both that state in the primary and the November election. George W. Bush won Iowa in 2000, and so did Carter in 1976. Reagan, Bush I, and Clinton all lost Iowa when they were running for their first terms in the White House.

Obama did win the Iowa caucus and was elected President. I still think the media blows that particular contest way out of proportion.

Miscellaneous bailout stuff

Slate has a fascinating guide that shows the scale of various bailout programs. According to Slate's guide, the government has only spent $1.604 trillion out of $5.568 trillion. Big 3 bailout supporters might argue that the $25 billion is pocket change compared with the total package. Maybe so, but when Congress voted to spent $600 billion on Fannie and Freddie, that means that the campaign contributions from those companies are worth 24 times as much to to members of Congress as the votes of autoworkers.

Much is being made of executives of bailed out companies still flying on corporate jets. But I would like to remind everybody that there is one organization that is $10 trillion in debt and its chief executive still has his own jet. While perks make up a small percentage of both corporate and government expenditures, cutting back on them is a great way to show you're serious about saving money. Maybe Obama can start telecommuting instead of flying back and forth.

Open "New and Improved Deal" Thread

About the potential for a casino

I will give Mayor Henry credit for holding the line and insisting that no public money be used in building a casino in Fort Wayne. It is important to hold that line in bad economic times. It is also important to hold that line in good to mediocre economic times, since that kind of thing can lead to bad economic times. While I have nothing against casinos, it should be stressed that the primary economic beneficiaries of a casino are the owners. That is also true for most businesses, since businesses that do not benefit their owners typically close in short order.

I do have my doubts that a casino would have long term viability, but I welcome any potential casino investors to try their luck here.

The Bill of Rights: Preventing Government From Usurping The Peoples' Rights For 217 Years

George Mason, a member of the Continental Congress/Constitutional Convention, wrote, "The Eyes of the United States are turned upon this Assembly and their Expectations raised to a very anxious Degree." Mason had earlier written the Virginia Declaration of Rights that strongly influenced Thomas Jefferson in writing the first part of the Declaration of Independence. He left the convention bitterly disappointed, however, and became one of the Constitution's most vocal opponents. "It has no declaration of rights," he was to state. Ultimately, George Mason's views prevailed. When James Madison drafted the amendments to the Constitution that were to become the Bill of Rights, he drew heavily upon the ideas put forth in the Virginia Declaration of Rights. (Government Archives) They were originally introduced by James Madison in 1789 as a set of twelve amendments and came into effect on December 15, 1791, when they had been ratified by three-fourths of the States.(WIKI)

As most are aware one of my absolutely favorite of our previous Presidents of the United States is Honorable James Madison, Jr. of Virginia. His quote regarding religion and politics and civil society separation is on the header of my personal blog. He was the father of the Constitution, which we are currently allowing to be left on the floor like used bathroom tissue, as well as co author of the Federalist papers. It was his work during his time in the Colonial Legislature of Virginia and his strong oratory skills which gave us the benefits of the strongest ten protections from government intrusion into our lives and placing limits on the Constitutional authority or force that Government could exude against We The People without getting bitch slapped back in place by the Courts or the citizens.



Please take time to review and memorize these jewels of our liberty in law:

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Amendment VII

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

We need to pay better attention to these Rights before we loose them, as they have already begun to be withered away and we have sat idly by and let it happen, for the sake of our national security and political stupidity. As Benjamin Franklin wrote in the Historical Review of Pennsylvania (1759), "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." If you don't believe me that we are getting ready to loose our rights or the Constitution all together read the article at the bottom that this latest resolution by the Libertarian National Committee is in response to:

RESOLUTION CONDEMNING DOMESTIC DEPLOYMENT OF THE U.S. MILITARY

WHEREAS, the domestic deployment of 20,000 uniformed military personnel planned by the United States government undermines the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which forbids the use of the military for domestic policing; and,

WHEREAS, such a deployment is an alarming example of the increasing militarization of our society; and,

WHEREAS, the increasing use of active duty military personnel, has led, and will lead, to the abuse of American civil liberties, such as violations of the Fourth Amendment; and,

WHEREAS, a state's National Guard – not active duty members of Army combat units – is the appropriate authority to handle local emergencies and disasters should they arise; and,

WHEREAS, the use of the 3rd Infantry Division 1st Brigade Combat Team during a time of war puts further tension on an already strained U.S. military.

THEREFORE, be it resolved, the Libertarian National Committee and its undersigned members hereby condemn the plans of the federal government to deploy 20,000 active duty members of the U.S. military to serve, for whatever reason, domestically in the United States. Furthermore, the Libertarian National Committee calls for the immediate abandonment of these plans, and instead suggests that should an emergency response team comprised of members other than local emergency responders (fire, police, HAZMAT) be developed and trained, it consist of members of the National Guard – not active duty personnel of the United States military.

The Libertarian National Committee calls for the citizens of the United States to oppose this militarization of our society, and its encroachment on American civil liberties, to their local, state and federal representatives.

Pentagon to Detail Troops to Bolster Domestic Security
By Spencer S. Hsu and Ann Scott Tyson Staff Writers

The U.S. military expects to have 20,000 uniformed troops inside the United States by 2011 trained to help state and local officials respond to a nuclear terrorist attack or other domestic catastrophe, according to Pentagon officials.

The long-planned shift in the Defense Department's role in homeland security was recently backed with funding and troop commitments after years of prodding by Congress and outside experts, defense analysts said.

There are critics of the change, in the military and among civil liberties groups and libertarians who express concern that the new homeland emphasis threatens to strain the military and possibly undermine the Posse Comitatus Act, a 130-year-old federal law restricting the military's role in domestic law enforcement.

But the Bush administration and some in Congress have pushed for a heightened homeland military role since the middle of this decade, saying the greatest domestic threat is terrorists exploiting the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, dedicating 20,000 troops to domestic response -- a nearly sevenfold increase in five years -- "would have been extraordinary to the point of unbelievable," Paul McHale, assistant defense secretary for homeland defense, said in remarks last month at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. But the realization that civilian authorities may be overwhelmed in a catastrophe prompted "a fundamental change in military culture," he said.

The Pentagon's plan calls for three rapid-reaction forces to be ready for emergency response by September 2011. The first 4,700-person unit, built around an active-duty combat brigade based at Fort Stewart, Ga., was available as of Oct. 1, said Gen. Victor E. Renuart Jr., commander of the U.S. Northern Command.

If funding continues, two additional teams will join nearly 80 smaller National Guard and reserve units made up of about 6,000 troops in supporting local and state officials nationwide. All would be trained to respond to a domestic chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or high-yield explosive attack, or CBRNE event, as the military calls it.

Military preparations for a domestic weapon-of-mass-destruction attack have been underway since at least 1996, when the Marine Corps activated a 350-member chemical and biological incident response force and later based it in Indian Head, Md., a Washington suburb. Such efforts accelerated after the Sept. 11 attacks, and at the time Iraq was invaded in 2003, a Pentagon joint task force drew on 3,000 civil support personnel across the United States.

In 2005, a new Pentagon homeland defense strategy emphasized "preparing for multiple, simultaneous mass casualty incidents." National security threats were not limited to adversaries who seek to grind down U.S. combat forces abroad, McHale said, but also include those who "want to inflict such brutality on our society that we give up the fight," such as by detonating a nuclear bomb in a U.S. city.

In late 2007, Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England signed a directive approving more than $556 million over five years to set up the three response teams, known as CBRNE Consequence Management Response Forces. Planners assume an incident could lead to thousands of casualties, more than 1 million evacuees and contamination of as many as 3,000 square miles, about the scope of damage Hurricane Katrina caused in 2005.

Last month, McHale said, authorities agreed to begin a $1.8 million pilot project funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency through which civilian authorities in five states could tap military planners to develop disaster response plans. Hawaii, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Washington and West Virginia will each focus on a particular threat -- pandemic flu, a terrorist attack, hurricane, earthquake and catastrophic chemical release, respectively -- speeding up federal and state emergency planning begun in 2003.

Last Monday, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates ordered defense officials to review whether the military, Guard and reserves can respond adequately to domestic disasters. Gates gave commanders 25 days to propose changes and cost estimates. He cited the work of a congressionally chartered commission, which concluded in January that the Guard and reserve forces are not ready and that they lack equipment and training.

Bert B. Tussing, director of homeland defense and security issues at the U.S. Army War College's Center for Strategic Leadership, said the new Pentagon approach "breaks the mold" by assigning an active-duty combat brigade to the Northern Command for the first time. Until now, the military required the command to rely on troops requested from other sources. "This is a genuine recognition that this [job] isn't something that you want to have a pickup team responsible for," said Tussing, who has assessed the military's homeland security strategies.

The American Civil Liberties Union and the libertarian Cato Institute are troubled by what they consider an expansion of executive authority. Domestic emergency deployment may be "just the first example of a series of expansions in presidential and military authority," or even an increase in domestic surveillance, said Anna Christensen of the ACLU's National Security Project. And Cato Vice President Gene Healy warned of "a creeping militarization" of homeland security. "There's a notion that whenever there's an important problem, that the thing to do is to call in the boys in green," Healy said, "and that's at odds with our long-standing tradition of being wary of the use of standing armies to keep the peace."

McHale stressed that the response units will be subject to the act, that only 8 percent of their personnel will be responsible for security and that their duties will be to protect the force, not other law enforcement. For decades, the military has assigned larger units to respond to civil disturbances, such as during the Los Angeles riot in 1992.

U.S. forces are already under heavy strain, however. The first reaction force is built around the Army's 3rd Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team, which returned in April after 15 months in Iraq. The team includes operations, aviation and medical task forces that are to be ready to deploy at home or overseas within 48 hours, with units specializing in chemical decontamination, bomb disposal, emergency care and logistics.

The one-year domestic mission, however, does not replace the brigade's next scheduled combat deployment in 2010. The brigade may get additional time in the United States to rest and regroup, compared with other combat units, but it may also face more training and operational requirements depending on its homeland security assignments.

Renuart said the Pentagon is accounting for the strain of fighting two wars, and the need for troops to spend time with their families. "We want to make sure the parameters are right for Iraq and Afghanistan," he said. The 1st Brigade's soldiers "will have some very aggressive training, but will also be home for much of that."

Although some Pentagon leaders initially expected to build the next two response units around combat teams, they are likely to be drawn mainly from reserves and the National Guard, such as the 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade from South Carolina, which returned in May after more than a year in Afghanistan.

Now that Pentagon strategy gives new priority to homeland security and calls for heavier reliance on the Guard and reserves, McHale said, Washington has to figure out how to pay for it. "It's one thing to decide upon a course of action, and it's something else to make it happen," he said. "It's time to put our money where our mouth is."

Washington Post | 01 DEC 08

Need Ideas for LPAC Flier

To All,

For sometime now we have been working on a flyer for the Libertarian Party of Allen County to print and distribute. We look forward to sharing our views and information with the general public.

For a long time one of my concerns has been how we are perceived by the public. Many have heard of us but few really know what our agenda is (or is NOT).

I look forward to giving every Libertarian who lives in Allen County or NE Indiana the tools available to help us share a vision of government.

While this flier could be used anywhere we are focusing on Allen County.

One of the dilemmas has been the use of pictures to bring to the reader a sense of the county itself. Any ideas you may have of a photograph that would tell you "yep, this is my county" would be greatly appreciated!!!

So far I have come up with the idea of the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, however, I don't believe this is the best and it could be misinterpreted by a reader who may wonder what it has to do with Allen County. I am looking for a better idea of what you would see that would remind you of home. And not JUST Fort Wayne, but rather the entire county.

I don't know if such a location, building, or site even exists, but I do know that more people generating ideas is better than just the officers or the people who can make it to a meeting.

So think about it. You can post any idea you have here or Email me directly at Doug.Horner2@Verizon.Net.

Have a Happy Holiday Season!!!

Doug Horner

"Freakonomics" author Steven Levitt on the economy

Here it is.
I like "Freakonomics" because it makes economics interesting to ordinary people. To most folks, the only thing more boring than politics is economics. Yet the way the former has it's greatest impact is through the latter. My advice to everybody: We got two years before the midterms, so take 12 months to learn more about the economy in depth. Do more than just read the newspaper or watch TV news, read something more in-depth. I would imagine that a lot of people will have a lot of time on their hands in the coming months. Instead of marching through the streets demanding that the government do something, first figure out what it is that you want the government to do (or refrain from doing), then ask them to do it (or stop doing it).

Bailout video from the Cato Institute

Illinois governor tried to sell US Senate seat

There is potential for corruption in any organization. The power of elected office makes it especially attractive to the corrupt among us. Keep this in mind before giving the government even more power to protect you from greedy corporations.

December 5th is Repeal Day!

Let’s end the war. Let’s end the war that has lasted over 35 years. Let’s end the war that neither side has a hope of winning. Let’s free the thousands of American prisoners held on US soil. Let’s end the war against ourselves. Like many Americans, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama have served on both sides of this war. Let’s end the war on drugs.

Many of this blog’s readers would agree with the slogan “Guns don’t kill people. People kill people.” Well drugs don’t destroy lives. People destroy their own lives. Inanimate objects are not responsible for your actions, be it a gun, a rock of crack, or a Judas Priest album. More people die from heart attacks than drug abuse. Yet we don’t see headlines like “Feds Seize 50 Kilos of Ground Beef.”

Today is Repeal Day. Seventy-five years ago today, the 21st Amendment was ratified, the 18th Amendment was repealed, and America’s favorite drug was legalized. This ended all the alcohol-related violence and corruption that plagued the 1920’s. Alcohol taxes created a new source of government revenue.

There happens to be excise taxes imposed on illegal drugs, but of course hardly anyone pays these taxes. We can create new sources of revenue for cash-strapped state governments while simultaneously lifting a huge burden off of law enforcement and the prison system. Legalizing drugs is the single best thing that Obama can do for the economy.

How Fort Wayne can benefit from the downturn

To be sure, Fort Wayne would be better off if the nation's economy were better off. We can't fix the US economy from where we're sitting, but here is how Fort Wayne can benefit:

1.Fort Wayne’s low cost of living will make this city attractive to those who have decreased earning potential.
2.Inflation will make municipal debt easier to pay off. This isn’t a reason to accrue more debt; it just mitigates previous mistakes.
3.The Internet is making geographic location less relevant. It’s impossible for an online company to be near to their customers, because their customers are everywhere. So a startup might just decide to go where they have the lowest costs. Having said that, a company building for the long term will want some reassurance that the land where their business is to be located won’t be seized on account that someone wants a new waterpark, casino, hotel, etc.
4.These external factors can be used as a face-saving pretext for canceling the proposed hotel. While I still maintain that the hotel would have been a bad idea even during an economic boom, the new contingencies should deter even the staunchest HS supporters from staying the course.