Saturday, June 13, 2009
Libertarian Quote of the Day
"Liberals want the government to be your Mommy. Conservatives want government to be your Daddy. Libertarians want it to treat you like an adult."
Andre Marrou
Friday, June 12, 2009
Friday's 2nd Amendment Quote
"[We] should not blame a gun itself for any crime or any acts of violence, any more than we can blame a pen for misspelling a word."
Senator Wallace F. Bennett (R-UT), Congressional Record, 5/16/68
Libertarian Quote of the Day
"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away."
Henry David Thoreau, Walden (1854)
Libertarian Quote of the Day
"The usual road to slavery is that first they take away your guns, then they take away your property, then last of all they tell you to shut up and say you are enjoying it."
James A. Donald
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Difference Between Government & The State
"We should distinguish at this point between "government" and "state" … A government is the consensual organization by which we adjudicate disputes, defend our rights, and provide for certain common needs … A state on the other hand, is a coercive organization asserting or enjoying a monopoly over the use of physical force in some geographic area and exercising power over its subjects. "
David Boaz
Funny Money
"While the feds … leave Social Security off their books, the government's obligation to make benefit payments to current and near-term Social Security recipients is certainly no less real than its obligation to pay interest on its Treasury bonds. "
Laurence K. Kotlikoff, Harvard Business Review, "From Deficit Delusion to Generational Accounting", May-June, 1993
Scary Quotes
"We have to offer up scary scenarios, make simplified dramatic statements, and make little mention of any doubts we may have. Each of us has to decide what the right balance is between being effective and being honest."
Stephen Schneider, environmental activist, in "Discover", Oct. '89
Libertarian Quote of the Day
"This country is a one-party country. Half of it is called Republican and half is called Democrat. It doesn't make any difference. All the really good ideas belong to the Libertarians."
Hugh Downs (1997)
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Wednesday's Hump Day Bonus Quote
"In 1940, teachers were asked what they regarded as the three major problems in American schools. They identified the three major problems as: Littering, noise, and chewing gum. Teachers last year were asked what the three major problems in American schools were, and they defined them as: Rape, assault, and suicide."
William Bennett (1993)
Expansion of My Position on City Elections: Part 1
There were some good discussions Monday Evening at the Salisbury City Council meeting on a wide range of issues. It was also good to finally see an even wider variety of concerned citizens speaking up. One individual, Bob Taylor who is a local attorney, spoke in response to my editorial in Sunday’s Daily Times, though he did not mention me specifically.
Mr. Taylor slightly disagreed with my reason on moving the elections to November, as he felt local candidates will “get lost in the shuffle” as voters juggle national, state, and local issues. Mr. Taylor eluded he would rather have a low voter turnout elect candidates than a larger turnout where all the voters may not have a complete grasp on the important local issues. I’ll touch on that viewpoint later.
Tuesday followed with an article in the Daily Times by Laura D'Alessandro in response to my editorial in Sunday’s paper. It was a very good article with a wide range of viewpoints. Harry Basehart a political science professor from Salisbury University had a similar opinion to Mr. Taylor. Professor Basehart said in the article, “There's no doubt that if we elected the mayor and council members at the same time we have state elections, the turnout would increase but the downside is people will focus on local issues and local candidates, while they're also trying to focus on state candidates and state issues."
I certainly understand where they both are coming and I don’t totally disagree with them. I just felt we needed to bring this issue to the forefront, as this was one of the constant questions citizens were asking me during the campaign. Certainly there are other issues, crime, taxes, the WWTP, among other that are important, as is the important step in how and when we choose the individuals who will be making those decisions.
Now where I disagree with Mr. Taylor and Mr. Basehart is the assumption that voters cannot handle the Municipal elections at the same time as the Gubernatorial elections. I believe the voting population is smarter than most people think. Many abstain from voting but pay attention. Many don’t pay attention and vote. Some vote for a name they recognize, there are those that always vote against incumbents, and you always have Mickey Mouse receiving a few write-ins. That is Democracy.
I believe there are more advantages to moving the election to November. First, it is the traditional time to vote, we are programmed to vote in November. Second, in Salisbury the ones that go south for the winter will not be gone yet. When they return in the spring, many have missed the primary and are not up to speed on all the candidates. Third, the transition of power will not be in the middle of the budget session for a new mayor or council. They will be able to assimilate into their positions better if elected in the fall and avoid a “baptism by fire.”
Hopefully this debate will continue. My next post will be about creating voting districts within the city.
Mr. Taylor slightly disagreed with my reason on moving the elections to November, as he felt local candidates will “get lost in the shuffle” as voters juggle national, state, and local issues. Mr. Taylor eluded he would rather have a low voter turnout elect candidates than a larger turnout where all the voters may not have a complete grasp on the important local issues. I’ll touch on that viewpoint later.
Tuesday followed with an article in the Daily Times by Laura D'Alessandro in response to my editorial in Sunday’s paper. It was a very good article with a wide range of viewpoints. Harry Basehart a political science professor from Salisbury University had a similar opinion to Mr. Taylor. Professor Basehart said in the article, “There's no doubt that if we elected the mayor and council members at the same time we have state elections, the turnout would increase but the downside is people will focus on local issues and local candidates, while they're also trying to focus on state candidates and state issues."
I certainly understand where they both are coming and I don’t totally disagree with them. I just felt we needed to bring this issue to the forefront, as this was one of the constant questions citizens were asking me during the campaign. Certainly there are other issues, crime, taxes, the WWTP, among other that are important, as is the important step in how and when we choose the individuals who will be making those decisions.
Now where I disagree with Mr. Taylor and Mr. Basehart is the assumption that voters cannot handle the Municipal elections at the same time as the Gubernatorial elections. I believe the voting population is smarter than most people think. Many abstain from voting but pay attention. Many don’t pay attention and vote. Some vote for a name they recognize, there are those that always vote against incumbents, and you always have Mickey Mouse receiving a few write-ins. That is Democracy.
I believe there are more advantages to moving the election to November. First, it is the traditional time to vote, we are programmed to vote in November. Second, in Salisbury the ones that go south for the winter will not be gone yet. When they return in the spring, many have missed the primary and are not up to speed on all the candidates. Third, the transition of power will not be in the middle of the budget session for a new mayor or council. They will be able to assimilate into their positions better if elected in the fall and avoid a “baptism by fire.”
Hopefully this debate will continue. My next post will be about creating voting districts within the city.
Libertarian Quote of the Day
"Sometimes it is said that man cannot be trusted with the government of himself. Can he, then, be trusted with the government of others?"
Thomas Jefferson (1801)
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Libertarian Quote of the Day
"The threat posed by humans to the natural environment is nothing compared to the threat to humans posed by global environmental policy."
Fred L. Smith (1992)
Monday, June 8, 2009
True Patriotism
"In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man and brave, hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot."
Mark Twain
Libertarian Quotes
"If I were a Brazilian without land or money or the means to feed my children, I would be burning the rain forest too."
Sting
Ron Paul Says.....
"The most important element of a free society, where individual rights are held in the highest esteem, is the rejection of the initiation of violence. All initiation of force is a violation of someone else's rights, whether initiated by an individual or the state, for the benefit of an individual or group of individuals, even if it's supposed to be for the benefit of another individual or group of individuals. Legitimate use of violence can only be that which is required in self-defense."
Congressman Ron Paul, (R) Texas
Wisdom
"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors."
Plato
Sound Familiar?
The Nazi agenda from years past sounds well intentioned. It's familiarity however sounds more recent.
"We ask that the government undertake the obligation above all of providing citizens with adequate opportunity for employment and earning a living. The activities of the individual must not be allowed to clash with the interests of the community, but must take place within its confines and be for the good of all. Therefore, we demand: … an end to the power of the financial interests. We demand profit sharing in big business. We demand a broad extension of care for the aged. We demand … the greatest possible consideration of small business in the purchases of national, state, and municipal governments. In order to make possible to every capable and industrious [citizen] the attainment of higher education and thus the achievement of a post of leadership, the government must provide an all-around enlargement of our entire system of public education … We demand the education at government expense of gifted children of poor parents … The government must undertake the improvement of public health – by protecting mother and child, by prohibiting child labor … by the greatest possible support for all clubs concerned with the physical education of youth. We combat the … materialistic spirit within and without us, and are convinced that a permanent recovery of our people can only proceed from within on the foundation of the common good before the individual good."
From the political program of the Nazi Party, adopted in Munich, February 24, 1920
Sounds so much like what is being worked on today by our government.
Libertarian Quote of the Day
"We must have government, but we must watch them like a hawk."
Millicent Fenwick (1983)
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Editorial in Daily Times
Salisbury has two issues that need to be addressed in the near future. They are compensation for elected officials and reviewing the municipal election cycle. Common sense and levelheaded discourse will bring consensus on a solution.
With the recent controversy over Health Benefits for elected officials the problem is, this is not included in the Municipal Code as a part of the compensation package. Historically this has been offered to elected officials and was simply added in the budget, hence the precedent and policy argument. The problem is the Municipal Code and the Salary Review Committee never offered Health Benefits as part of the compensation package.
The benefit as used by Council Members is worth over $7,000 making total compensation for those who use it at $17,000. The Salary Review Committee should review it this year and make a recommendation that is codified if they opine it should be added to the compensation package.
Next, I believe the Municipal Election Cycle should be returned to the fall with the national and state elections. First this will increase voter turnout and reduce another election cycle. Second this will allow a newly elected Mayor time to settle in and execute priorities with his/her own budget in the spring when that is submitted.
This was changed several years ago due to concern local candidates were lost in the shuffle, the consequence has been less participation at the polls.
With the recent controversy over Health Benefits for elected officials the problem is, this is not included in the Municipal Code as a part of the compensation package. Historically this has been offered to elected officials and was simply added in the budget, hence the precedent and policy argument. The problem is the Municipal Code and the Salary Review Committee never offered Health Benefits as part of the compensation package.
The benefit as used by Council Members is worth over $7,000 making total compensation for those who use it at $17,000. The Salary Review Committee should review it this year and make a recommendation that is codified if they opine it should be added to the compensation package.
Next, I believe the Municipal Election Cycle should be returned to the fall with the national and state elections. First this will increase voter turnout and reduce another election cycle. Second this will allow a newly elected Mayor time to settle in and execute priorities with his/her own budget in the spring when that is submitted.
This was changed several years ago due to concern local candidates were lost in the shuffle, the consequence has been less participation at the polls.
Thomas Jefferson Quotes That Ring True Today
"The care of every man's soul belongs to himself. But what if he neglect the care of it? Well what if he neglect the care of his health or his estate, which would more nearly relate to the state. Will the magistrate make a law that he not be poor or sick? Laws provide against injury from others; but not from ourselves. God himself will not save men against their wills."
Thomas Jefferson
Wal-Mart Workers on Welfare? Let's Look for the Spin.
This was posted on the Great Divide.
Wal-Mart Workers on Welfare? Let's Look for the Spin.
This has been a hot topic over the past few years and specifically when Maryland passed legislation to require companies with over 10,000 employees to spend a certain amount on Health Benefits. The Law was of course targeted at Wal-Mart which already exceeded the requirement. Surprising the Maryland General Assembly would an unnecessary law.
Many of these individuals that are on state assistance come to Wal-Mart already on it. Expecting to people to make $60,000 a year off the bat at new job is ridiculous. You have to work your way up to get the proper promotions and raises, just like any other job.
Posted using ShareThis
Wal-Mart Workers on Welfare? Let's Look for the Spin.
This has been a hot topic over the past few years and specifically when Maryland passed legislation to require companies with over 10,000 employees to spend a certain amount on Health Benefits. The Law was of course targeted at Wal-Mart which already exceeded the requirement. Surprising the Maryland General Assembly would an unnecessary law.
Many of these individuals that are on state assistance come to Wal-Mart already on it. Expecting to people to make $60,000 a year off the bat at new job is ridiculous. You have to work your way up to get the proper promotions and raises, just like any other job.
Posted using ShareThis
Sunday's Libertarian Sermon
"Good intentions will always be pleaded for every assumption of authority. It is hardly too strong to say that the Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters."
Daniel Webster
Libertarian Quote of the Day
"We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle."
Winston Churchill (1903)
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