Tag: Leviathan

Is it Time?

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Is it Time?

I’ve seen this comment, or one very much like it, several places around the Web:

Only one solution… if the bastards have no money, they can not steal it. Tax revolt 2010. Don’t send the IRS anything. Pass it on.

This is what Billy Beck has been advocating for as long as I’ve been reading him. It’s actually a pretty good idea, but it depends on significant buy-in by the tax-paying population – enough that imprisoning us becomes a significant problem, and confiscating our property must be made as difficult as possible. Onesy-twoseys like Wesley Snipes are easy “example” targets. Flood the system with these cases, and that’s a problem of a different order.

So now we have unemployment at about 10%. Is ten percent of the population enough? Would it take twenty? Twenty-five? And what exactly happens when the .govs – Federal, state and local – can’t fund their daily operations, much less their pyramid schemes? “Starve the beast” is the challenge, but we all have a pretty good idea of what a starving beast can do.

I’ve said previously that one thing that struck me on my first reading of Heinlein’s The Moon is a Harsh Mistress was that after the plotters decided to revolt against the Lunar Authority, the first thing they did was go about making the lives of their fellow citizens worse, and antagonizing that government to be the agent of that worsening. It was necessary in order to motivate the majority of the population to stand up and say “ENOUGH!”

A tax-revolt won’t do that. It’ll be people “not paying their fair share” etc, etc. But would it be possible for people to just drop off the IRS radar entirely? No principled stand, middle finger held high, just walk away. How would they go about doing that? CAN a significant chunk of the contributors to this society “go Galt”? What would be the actual result?

Yes, That’s It Exactly

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Yes, That’s It Exactly

These details are obnoxious not merely in and of themselves but because they tell us the truth about where we’re headed: Think of the way almost every Big Government project bursts its bodice and winds up bigger and more bloated than its creators allegedly foresaw. In this instance, the stays come pre-loosened, and studded with loopholes. Because the Democrat operators — the Nancy Pelosis and Barney Franks — know that what matters is to get something, anything across the river, and then burn the bridge behind you. — Mark Steyn, National Review Online: Cross the River, Burn the Bridge Behind You

As always with Steyn, read the whole thing.

Quote of the Day – Repeating History Division

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I am not a historian or a statistician. Nonetheless I had been skimming Climate Audit for a couple of years and knew enough to write, in January 2009, “Michael Mann should be in prison.” I continue to enthusiastically endorse this view. I also do know a bit about the past.

And the past has sent me its report on Climategate. It is a short message – quite pithy – full of punch. I transcribed it this week from my favorite Ouija board. At the planchette: me and my 2-year-old daughter, Sibyl.

After data corrections, the text reads:

Your entire system of government is incurably insane.

— Unqualified Reservations – Climategate: history’s message

I am reminded by this of The Geek with a .45‘s observation upon deciding to get the hell out of Dodge New Jersey,

“Entire Societies Can and Have Gone Stark Raving Batshit Fucking Insane.”

For some, it was brief and temporary, and for others, it was more or less a permanent state of affairs.

His quote was in the context of WWII, but he expanded it to the current government (and accepting populace) of New Jersey. And it’s gone beyond just New Jersey and California.

Mencius Moldbug’s post is unquestionably of Überpost status, but do give it a thorough read. (Edited to add: I think Climategate: history’s message is the best post I’ve read in years. It’s epic-length, but worth your time.) And re-peruse the Geek’s piece.

And think.

“A Monstrosity” is Right

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“A Monstrosity” is Right

“This bill is a monstrosity,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). “This is not renaming the post office. Make no mistake — this bill will reshape our nation and our lives.” – WaPo, Deal on health bill is reached

And who didn’t see this coming?

Unless the GOP yields, the bill is expected to pass in a final Senate vote at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Negotiations to merge the bill with the House version would begin early next month.

So it’s still not – quite – a done deal, but it might as well be. They are going to shove this power-grab down our throats.

Many liberals, however, were bitterly disappointed with the bargains Reid struck to win support from moderates in his caucus, any member of which could seek alterations in exchange for his or her support. Democratic leaders dropped a government insurance option and the idea of expanding Medicare to younger Americans. Reid also omitted language that would have eliminated the federal antitrust exemption for health insurers — another nonstarter for Nelson.

Like this is going to be the final version of the bill, and it will never, ever be modified by lawmakers in the future?

Congressional budget analysts reported Saturday that the revised package would not worsen the nation’s fiscal situation, as GOP critics have warned. The analysts said the updated Senate bill would spend $871 billion over the next decade to extend coverage to more than 31 million Americans by dramatically expanding Medicaid, and by offering federal subsidies to those who lack affordable coverage through employers.

Those costs would be more than covered by nearly $400 billion in new taxes over the next decade and by nearly $500 billion in spending reductions, primarily cuts to Medicare, the federal health program for people 65 and older. All told, the package would reduce federal budget deficits by $132 billion by 2019, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

Over the long term, the analysts predicted, the package could reduce budget deficits even more sharply, slicing as much as $1.3 trillion from projected deficits between 2019 and 2029. That would represent a significant improvement in long-run savings compared with the bill approved by the House and a measure previously crafted by Reid.

If you believe any of that, I have the title to this bridge in Brooklyn I’d like to talk to you about. “Spending reductions” on Medicare? On what planet? Oh no, there are powerful constituencies who are loath to see their particular ox gored. Cost-cutting and deficit reduction my aching ass.

And it will never, ever be repealed. Once seized, governments do not yield power easily.

More FUD

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More FUD

That’s Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt.

Peruse the following:

“Consider whether it is in the best interests of America’s future to accept or reject the following transformations inherent in what Obama describes as “change we can believe in:”

-From a nation of investors to a nation of debtors.
-From a free market economy to a government-run economy.
-From a value system that prizes personal independence to a political system that fosters personal dependency.
-From a society where wealth accumulation, job creation and innovation are aspirations, to a society where wealth redistribution, high unemployment and stagnation are expectations.
-From a country confident that it is worthy of emulation to a country apologetic about its actions, beliefs and systems.
-From a military power that punches hard in the fight for freedom to a military that is sometimes commanded to pull its punches in the war against terrorism.
-From a quest to achieve the correct political course at the right cost to a quest to achieve the politically correct course at any cost.
-From a competitive environment where failure is part of a course correction to a government-controlled environment where the course of failure produces bailouts, handouts, payouts and layabouts
-From a public debate that is challenging because of strongly-held views to a public debate that is stifled because only one party’s views are challenged.
-From a country that celebrates strength and competes to a country that cultivates enervation and retreats.”

That’s from the post Basic Disbelief quoted by the hilariously named “FREUDIANSLIPNSLIDE” from a FOX News op-ed. I invite you to read his take on it.

The Bill of Rights

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Remember those? They came into effect today, Dec. 15, 1791. They are as follows:

Amendment 1: 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.

That freedom of speech and assembly thing? Not so much.

Amendment 2: 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.

We’re doing somewhat better on this one, but McDonald v. Chicago will tell us whether that will continue, I think.

Amendment 3: 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.

Not a lot of applicability with this one, but it has at least received an “incorporation” decision – the 2nd Circuit’s Engblom v Carey in 1982.

Amendment 4: 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.

The War on (Some) Drugs has pretty much gutted this one. “Asset forfeiture,” warrantless searches, etc.

Amendment 5: 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 offense 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.

Ah, yes. “Public use.” Shall we discuss the Kelo decision?

Amendment 6: 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 defense.

“Speedy”? It often takes years for cases to come to trial. “Impartial jury”? Yeah, right. Pull my other one – it has bells on it. As for the rest of it, can you say “Mike Nifong“? “Patrick Fitzgerald“? How many haven’t been caught abusing the system?

Amendment 7: 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.

Lawsuits. Oy veh. Can you say “Tort reform”? Good idea, but abused to incredible extents.

Amendment 8: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Several somebodies have somehow decided that the death penalty is “cruel and unusual,” even though the 5th Amendment includes deprivation of life through due process of law. Now I’m not a fan of government, believing that pretty much everything it does, it does poorly, but there are those cases that are so heinous and guilt so unquestionable that I have absolutely no problem with taking the perp out behind the courthouse and blowing his damned head off upon the announcement of “guilty!” by the jury. Still, can’t argue with the Amendment itself, and we haven’t screwed this one up too badly.

Amendment 9: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Ah, the “inkblot.” Madison’s nice idea to cover James Irdell’s objections, but it hasn’t worked out all that well. We have emanations from Constitutional penumbras producing some rights, but we have had to fight for decades to preserve an enumerated one. As Ninth Circuit judge Alex Kozinski has put it,

Judges know very well how to read the Constitution broadly when they are sympathetic to the right being asserted. We have held, without much ado, that “speech, or . . . the press” also means the Internet…and that “persons, houses, papers, and effects” also means public telephone booths….When a particular right comports especially well with our notions of good social policy, we build magnificent legal edifices on elliptical constitutional phrases – or even the white spaces between lines of constitutional text. But…when we’re none too keen on a particular constitutional guarantee, we can be equally ingenious in burying language that is incontrovertibly there.

Madison’s attempt has not been particularly successful at preserving our unenumerated rights.

Amendment 10: 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.

And this one has failed totally. As Professor Randy Barnett has put it, America has gone from a sea of liberty with islands of government power, to a sea of government power with sinking islands of liberty. The Federal government has seized powers not delegated to it, and in some cases even prohibited to it.

As Alexis de Tocqueville warned, once the Congress learned it could bribe the public with the public’s money, it was all over.

Happy Bill of Rights day!

Sorry about the rant. I’m just in that kind of mood.

Quote of the Day – Recession Edition

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Quote of the Day – Recession Edition

I am not so worried about the recession, it’s the recovery that terrifies me, given looming energy hikes, inflation and interest sure to rise—overseen by a government intent on redistributing income. – Victor Davis Hanson, Works and Days, Is America a Deer in the Headlights?

C’mon, Victor, everybody knows that “spread(ing) the wealth around is good for everybody.” It’s economic justice!

Edited to add this tidbit:

After only 11 months of Barack Obama, nearly half the country polls that it would prefer instead the old bogeyman George Bush. The poor media is equally confused. It has two loyalties: 1) it likes, for social reasons alone, to be liberal; 2) but it also is popularity-driven and has no real independent judgment or core belief.

The result is that it wants to keep promoting Obama, but not if his popularity sinks to 40%. Then it too will pile on, and we will see all sorts of ‘insightful’ analyses proclaiming that this pundit or that reporter saw these Obama flaws “all along.”

Give that man a kewpie doll!

Oh hell, this too:

Spiraling public debt, a sinking currency, and a bankrupt popular culture are simply symptoms when the body politic no longer adheres to a time-honored protocol of proven success. Ask ourselves—are we more hard-working, more lawful, more prudent, more independent—or less—than our grandparents? Can we say that we have on average lived more upright lives, both more productive and moral, than our grandparents? If in 50% of the cases, the answer is no, then we can begin to see the problem.

When schools cannot guarantee that their graduates are literate, know basic math, and have some sense of being American—the rights and responsibilities of citizenship—then those, rich or poor, who seek government assistance and violate the protocols will grow, and those able to pay sufficient taxes for them and who follow the letter of the law will shrink.

Kewpie doll, hell. He gets the giant stuffed animal of his choice.