Recently I’ve been reading The Return of George Washington, a history of George Washington’s life between the end of the Revolutionary War and his election as the first President of the United States. I’ll likely write a book review later, when I’m done reading it. Right now, I feel the need to comment on a particular issue that was briefly discussed in the book.
Tag: Government
Lands of the Free
I don’t know all the history and details of the Bundy cattle ranch controversy, but I do know one thing for certain: It’s high time the federal government relinquished its control over so-called “federal” lands.
Absolutely contrary to the Founder’s idea of federalism, the federal government has become a monolithic power whose tentacles invade and pervade everything, everywhere. Over the years states have willingly and unwillingly relinquished rights and powers to the federal government, including control of land within their own borders.
The Homeschoolers Can Stay!
Remember the German family that came to the United States because the German government was punishing them and threatening to take their children from them because they homeschooled them? Things weren’t looking very hopeful for them, after the Obama Administration issued an inexplicable order of removal and the Supreme Court rejected to hear their appeal for asylum.
Old Nancy Pelosi
In an interview on CNN, Nancy Pelosi made the astonishing claim that there is nothing that can be cut from the enormous $4 trillion annual federal budget.
“The cupboard is bare. There’s no more cuts to make,” Pelosi claimed. “It’s really important that people understand that.” [ref]
So, to help Pelosi’s effort to educate people about how bare the cupboard really is, I’ve written a little poem modeled after Old Mother Hubbard….
Obama’s Ever-expanding Enemies List
Back in December of 2012 I wrote an article titled “The IRS and Obama’s Enemies List“, detailing how the Obama administration was using the IRS to attack and intimidate political opponents. It wasn’t long afterwards that the IRS targeting scandal broke.
I could now add dozens of pages of additional damning evidence against Obama and his minions. At some point I may find the time to do that.
For now, I just want to mention one other conservative that the IRS targeted, undoubtedly at the behest of Obama or his aides.
More Certain than Death and Taxes
For failure to pay a tax penalty approximately equivalent to the cost of a fast food meal — $6.30 — the $280,000 home of a widow in western Pennsylvania was auctioned off for $116,000 [ref].
While I believe that people should pay their taxes (and vote for fiscally-conservative politicians who will rein in spending and lower taxes), I find it incredibly outrageous that such a meager unpaid amount would result in such a harsh penalty.
To me, this case speaks volumes about the sad state of our country.
Let the Homeschoolers Stay
Back in 2008 a German family immigrated to the United States. The Romeike family left Germany because Germany prohibits home schooling, and the parents objected to the mandated school curriculum.
Now the Obama administration is trying to send them back to Germany, where they will be subject to thousands of dollars of fines, face possible prison time, and risk losing custody of their children if they don’t submit [ref].
Don’t Cry for Chávez, Venezuela
Chávez should not be mourned. On the contrary, the death of a dictator is cause for celebration.
Yes, Chávez was a dictator. While he didn’t stoop to the depraved despotism of Stalin, Mao or Hitler, he was still a dictator.
Once Chávez obtained the power of presidency in 1999, he did everything he could to centralize and consolidate power into his own hands, trampling on individual liberties and private property rights in the process.
To Greener Pastures
Tina Turner just announced that she is awaiting approval for Swiss citizenship, and planning on relinquishing her U.S. citizenship. She’s lived in Switzerland for over 15 years [ref].
“I’m very happy in Switzerland and I feel at home here,” Turner said. “I cannot imagine a better place to live.” [ref]
The Fundamental Right to Work
I find it preposterous that there is even the slightest debate about the Right to Work legislation that just passed in Michigan [ref].
Actually, I find it incomprehensible that Right to Work laws should even have to exist.