There are times that I feel like Sisyphus (no, that’s not a lisper talking about an STD). Oh, by the way, this is going to be a bipolar piece of writing as I attempt to share my thoughts and tag them with parenthetical asides as I meander through the landscape of my once-fertile mind. I am radically ticked off. I look around me as I skim through my daily reading of the news (usually about two to two and a half hours), and I see madness. One would think if you know me or read my work, that I would feel quite at home in the center of madness. That’s not the case, however, because even crazy people sometimes perceive that craziness is nuts. I have a passion for freedom. Throughout my sixty-some years that passion has varied from a tiny ember in my soul to a flaming inferno of frustration. As a child, I would chafe at the rules of my parents. Usually, I recognized the reasoning behind them, but I resisted and resented their application. I know…I know…I know that no one else can look at me and discern exactly what it is that I am thinking at that moment. They may have some sense of my thoughts, but they do NOT know precisely what is fermenting in my conscious self. I knew this at a very early age, therefore, I became starkly aware of my uniqueness…and correspondingly, aware of the unique properties of every person.
As one who struggled to grow up in the Sixties, I went through much of the dissonance associated with one who wants to “find himself” without totally disengaging from the planet. In my moments of self examination I often wondered if those who had preceded me had their own quiet moments of self examination. Perhaps they were too busy scuffling for food and shelter to have the luxury of thoughtful introspection. But then I discovered that the philosophers of the ages gone by had questioned many of the same issues as I…and in most cases had done so more thoroughly and more lucidly than my feeble quest for answers. So, maybe I’m not so unique…which technically speaking, means that I’m not unique, but at this very moment, in this place, under these circumstances…I am unique. (Stupid metaphor coming, ask my daughter about it) Like a snowflake that is unique (I still can’t grasp this concept), I fall into an environment or an age and blend into the snow bank. Is my uniqueness now gone? Or is it merely suppressed by the millions of unique snowflakes clustered around me? Is it possible that underlying the softly falling snow is a cacophony of sub-auditory shouts screaming “Hey, its me, I’m here, hear me, see me!”
To the point: So far this exercise has seemed to be wallowing in self aggrandizement. I suspect, however, that everyone goes through a similar process at some stage in her/his life. If this is in fact true, then the burning yearning for freedom is present in each of us. Some of us hide it in order to be liked. Some of us have it extinguished by others who degrade us or denigrate our dreams. Some resist the efforts to drown the spark and fight back with a vengeance. Here I sit in my mid-sixties on my 5-acre little patch of paradise. I should be relishing my time to write, to garden and to create sawdust in my woodworking shop. Instead, I’m becoming politically active again…against my better judgment. Rather than maximizing my precious moments with my three grandchildren, I engage in a flurry of activity for a cause that seems lost. That little spark is now a conflagration, the lonely snowflake doesn’t want to melt into nothingness.
I am now a Libertarian. Yes, I have joined a band of misfit dope smokers, wild-eyed anarchists, adamant atheists and geeks. I have also united with people from all walks of life and various backgrounds who KNOW that the unrestrained growth of government will dampen the spark of liberty in each of us. They and I know that as government grows larger and more oppressive, it consumes the oxygen of opportunity, the air of dreams, and the hope of freedom. In our historic past when freedom-lovers felt the crush of too much government or restriction, they pulled-up their stakes, loaded their wagons and headed west. There are not too many places for the freedom-lovers to go now, so many of us have come together to take freedom back from the dream stealers. As many of you know, I used to be a Republican…an ardent one. But the party and too many of its representatives have failed. They give lip-service to the basic principles of freedom, then tag along trying to “improve” liberal legislation rather than fighting to defeat it. Too many Republicans have joined the professional political class where holding the job outranks doing what is best for the country and their constituents. So, I’ve attached myself to a motley group of rank amateurs who merely want freedom to thrive.
I am a Christian. A fundamental, evangelical born-again believer in the divinity of Jesus Christ. Some might think that my faith would place me 180 degrees from the political position that I have embraced. Au contraire, dear Reader, three bedrock elements of Biblical Christianity are faith, grace and freedom. Original Christian believers do not want an oppressive overbearing government to dictate the parameters of their belief. Many of the early colonialists migrated to our shores to escape repressive state-supported churches. As long as the state has an interest in religious behavior, then an individual’s practice of faith will be circumscribed or limited. Grace is God’s gift to me as a result of Christ’s going to the cross, taking MY sin with Him into death, and rising to life. As a result of his paying the debt for my deplorable words and deeds, I am free to reconstruct my life, my attitudes, and my priorities without the monumental guilt of my past transgressions. Does Grace suggest that everything I do from now on is guiltless? No, of course not. The gift of grace has made me more cognizant of my weaknesses and my hurtful actions, but grace has freed me from the paralyzing fear of erring or seeking the approval of others. Some place their faith in the government. I know from my experience that their faith has been misplaced. Some place their faith solely in themselves. With all due respect to their intellects and their motives, that’s not enough for me. Through my personal experience, I know how lacking, how fragile and how misplaced it is to trust only in oneself. So give me freedom surrounded by a bunch of headstrong Libertarians, and I will practice my faith without harassment while having ample opportunities to explain it and share during typical Libertarian bull sessions.
This column to some degree has been a cathartic undertaking. On the other hand, it is only a beginning. I don’t know if anyone will read this…or read all of it. Perhaps someone who loves me will read it and call the EMT’s to come and take me away to the funny farm. I suspect that if I were confined by the folks in the white coats that it might be somewhat akin to how our entire country will be sometime in the future. So I’m a born-again, born-again (yes, I meant that twice) Libertarian. I may be crazy and have some loony associates, but our goals are worthy. I’m sure that some people thought that John Hancock or Nathan Hale were crazy. I know they thought that way about Sam Adams and Tom Paine. I joyfully join this ragtag group who truly love this country, but more importantly…love freedom. Freedom works anywhere, anytime. Other generations fought for our freedom (many of them Christians), now we must fight to restore our freedom. Please go to http://www.lp.org/
and http://www.lpo.org/ to get just a tiny taste of freedom.
Please respond or email: cnpearl@woh.rr.com
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Fighting the tide
In a column I wrote for another venue (Buckeye Libertarian, LPO.org due in February), I used a beach/tide metaphor to describe the present political environment in the United States. Now that I have become fully infatuated with nautical metaphors, I want to develop another one to illustrate the differences between Republicans, Democrats and Libertarians. It’s not a perfect metaphor, but if it were perfect, then it wouldn’t be a metaphor, it would be what is. I once worked with a corporate training company that sought to teach supervisory personnel how to communicate using word pictures. The theory was that some people are visual learners and some retain information better from an auditory source, therefore word pictures should be an effective tool for both of them.
Imagine a small island. We’ll name it Freedom Island, and it sits in the bay a couple of miles from the mainland. It’s a tropical island that is rich in natural resources that are sufficient for everyone to survive and thrive. Some people might think of Freedom Island as utopian because of the bounty that’s available. Others aren’t so sure. They believe that because the residents of Freedom Island have to climb the trees to pick the fruit, to till the rich soil to raise the crops or to hunt and fish for meat, then the island lifestyle is unnecessarily demanding. They whine that not everyone is capable of climbing, farming or hunting with a high level of skill. They complain that some trees are more productive than others. They bemoan the fact that some residents awaken before others in order to acquire the best farmland or fishing hole. They call an island-wide meeting, and insist that all the crops, housing, water and meat be pooled and distributed equally. Fortunately for Freedom Island the true believers in redistribution were few, and their demands were defeated. In a huff, the Complainers decided to leave the island and go to the mainland. They hysterically demanded that “the island” provide them with a boat for the journey, and chose a 16 footer with the only two motors to make the trip. Seeing that they would be left behind without a boat with motors, and feeling some pity for the complainers, another group of residents asked for a boat to follow the Complainers to the mainland. We’ll name them the Followers. Those who remained on the island called themselves “The Doers,” and they wished the others good fortune as they cast off for the journey to the other side.
The Complainers revved the engines wide open as they streaked across the water to the promised land of equality and fairness. The Followers left shortly thereafter with all eight members rowing in unison as they trailed the speeding Complainers. It was an incoming tide to the mainland and both boats made remarkable progress. The Complainers arrived on the mainland and joyfully celebrated their escape from Freedom Island. The mainland was barren and harsh, but everyone there was equal. The Followers were rowing as diligently as they could, but their arms, backs and shoulders were aching. The tide stopped. The waters became calm, and the Followers could go no further. They were halfway between the island and the mainland, and they called for help. Meanwhile, their boat began to leak…slowly sinking into the water. Their cries were more frantic, but the Complainers couldn’t hear them because their joyous celebration drowned out the pleas for help. One Doer on the island shore heard the distant voices and sprang into action. He jumped into the only remaining boat and rowed toward the Followers. He noted as he rowed that the Followers boat continued to slowly drift toward the mainland, but he discerned that their craft would sink before they reached the shore. He rowed on without stopping.
Finally, the diligent Doer reached the Followers’ foundering boat. He helped them into his tiny watercraft. Because the boat would be overloaded, he had them discard their excess baggage. The only gear permitted on the little was the bare essentials. The Doer began to row back to the island as the Followers thankfully expressed their relief about returning to Freedom. It took a long time for the Doer to steer the tiny heavy craft across the bay to Freedom Island, but when they finally arrived, the Followers kissed the soil and exclaimed that they never really wanted to leave. The only reason for their abandoning Freedom Island, they claimed, was because so many other people wanted to go to the mainland. End of story.
Unless you are a complete dolt, you understand that the Complainers are Democrats/ Progressives, the Followers are Republicans/Conservatives and the Doers are Libertarians. Dump the excess baggage. Turn this boat around. Row against the tide for freedom. The left is racing toward a socialist/fascist state while the right is drifting just behind them. The Right doesn’t turn it around. It merely slows down the drift to tyranny. Only by supporting and electing someone whose principles are smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom can we turn the tide. I hope that we aren’t too late. I hope that the boat doesn’t sink before we can save the republic. It’s the principles that matter. The people are incidental.
Please comment or email: cnpearl@woh.rr.com
Imagine a small island. We’ll name it Freedom Island, and it sits in the bay a couple of miles from the mainland. It’s a tropical island that is rich in natural resources that are sufficient for everyone to survive and thrive. Some people might think of Freedom Island as utopian because of the bounty that’s available. Others aren’t so sure. They believe that because the residents of Freedom Island have to climb the trees to pick the fruit, to till the rich soil to raise the crops or to hunt and fish for meat, then the island lifestyle is unnecessarily demanding. They whine that not everyone is capable of climbing, farming or hunting with a high level of skill. They complain that some trees are more productive than others. They bemoan the fact that some residents awaken before others in order to acquire the best farmland or fishing hole. They call an island-wide meeting, and insist that all the crops, housing, water and meat be pooled and distributed equally. Fortunately for Freedom Island the true believers in redistribution were few, and their demands were defeated. In a huff, the Complainers decided to leave the island and go to the mainland. They hysterically demanded that “the island” provide them with a boat for the journey, and chose a 16 footer with the only two motors to make the trip. Seeing that they would be left behind without a boat with motors, and feeling some pity for the complainers, another group of residents asked for a boat to follow the Complainers to the mainland. We’ll name them the Followers. Those who remained on the island called themselves “The Doers,” and they wished the others good fortune as they cast off for the journey to the other side.
The Complainers revved the engines wide open as they streaked across the water to the promised land of equality and fairness. The Followers left shortly thereafter with all eight members rowing in unison as they trailed the speeding Complainers. It was an incoming tide to the mainland and both boats made remarkable progress. The Complainers arrived on the mainland and joyfully celebrated their escape from Freedom Island. The mainland was barren and harsh, but everyone there was equal. The Followers were rowing as diligently as they could, but their arms, backs and shoulders were aching. The tide stopped. The waters became calm, and the Followers could go no further. They were halfway between the island and the mainland, and they called for help. Meanwhile, their boat began to leak…slowly sinking into the water. Their cries were more frantic, but the Complainers couldn’t hear them because their joyous celebration drowned out the pleas for help. One Doer on the island shore heard the distant voices and sprang into action. He jumped into the only remaining boat and rowed toward the Followers. He noted as he rowed that the Followers boat continued to slowly drift toward the mainland, but he discerned that their craft would sink before they reached the shore. He rowed on without stopping.
Finally, the diligent Doer reached the Followers’ foundering boat. He helped them into his tiny watercraft. Because the boat would be overloaded, he had them discard their excess baggage. The only gear permitted on the little was the bare essentials. The Doer began to row back to the island as the Followers thankfully expressed their relief about returning to Freedom. It took a long time for the Doer to steer the tiny heavy craft across the bay to Freedom Island, but when they finally arrived, the Followers kissed the soil and exclaimed that they never really wanted to leave. The only reason for their abandoning Freedom Island, they claimed, was because so many other people wanted to go to the mainland. End of story.
Unless you are a complete dolt, you understand that the Complainers are Democrats/ Progressives, the Followers are Republicans/Conservatives and the Doers are Libertarians. Dump the excess baggage. Turn this boat around. Row against the tide for freedom. The left is racing toward a socialist/fascist state while the right is drifting just behind them. The Right doesn’t turn it around. It merely slows down the drift to tyranny. Only by supporting and electing someone whose principles are smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom can we turn the tide. I hope that we aren’t too late. I hope that the boat doesn’t sink before we can save the republic. It’s the principles that matter. The people are incidental.
Please comment or email: cnpearl@woh.rr.com
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Branding freedom
Kellyanne Conway made a speech last week that I found very interesting. As an accomplished pollster and poll analyst, she examined the motivations for current voters in various demographic groups. She made one point that really caught my attention, and that observation will be the focus of this column.
“(in the present environment) most consumers are brand loyal but not brand monogamous.”
In other words, we have strong preferences, but occasionally drift outside our circle of comfort. The reasons for aberrations may be many but generally revolve around circumstances that encourage us to alter our usual patterns of purchasing. One such example may be price. If a competing brand of similar quality is demonstrably cheaper than our normal, then we may opt to consume the competitor. Perhaps the unfamiliar brand is a new entry into the market, and we buy it to compare with our traditional one. Possibly, our normal brand is temporarily out of stock, therefore we pick up what, we hope, is a viable stand-in.
So how does Kellyanne’s pithy observation apply to Today’s political scene? Consider the term “brand loyal” to reflect traditional Democrats and Republicans. Voters are generally party-loyal for three primary reasons: Family tradition, the party platform, or personal involvement. But when the brand becomes disagreeable or not up to its expected standards, then the voter may to test another variety. From my own experience I have heard people condemn the unresponsiveness of the two Old Parties. They vote for them because they’re loyal and unsure of the reliability of an “off” brand. Alternate brands, especially Libertarians, must seize the opportunity that massive voter discontent with the two majors has developed. While I am aware that some within the Libertarian Party sneer at those who remain blindly attached to the dying duopoly, it is time to swallow the bile and actively recruit those who may be privately questioning their previous loyalty.
Just as some Democrats jumped the fence and voted for Reagan, so too did some Republicans support Obama. Perhaps in both cases (certainly the present one) they may have felt “burned,” but that sense of betrayal works in our favor because it illustrates the paucity of honor and consistency within the other parties. We can sell our message by emphasizing our long-lasting fealty to the ideal of a smaller government that is faithful to its Constitutional roots. We can emphasize that our commitment to lower taxes will generate more funds for economic activity, and thus create more jobs, more growth and more prosperity. Finally…our greatest brand is freedom. True political and economic freedom isn’t enough. People, citizens, voters must exercise every element of freedom that does not threaten a civil society. They must be allowed to do so without any suggestion of government interference. Polls and anecdotal evidence seem to suggest that a huge number of U.S. voters are willing to hear the Libertarian message. We are tasked to deliver that message of freedom in such a way that our audience believes we care about their well-being, and that we seek victory for our own selfish reasons.
Please comment or respond: cnpearl@woh.rr.com
“(in the present environment) most consumers are brand loyal but not brand monogamous.”
In other words, we have strong preferences, but occasionally drift outside our circle of comfort. The reasons for aberrations may be many but generally revolve around circumstances that encourage us to alter our usual patterns of purchasing. One such example may be price. If a competing brand of similar quality is demonstrably cheaper than our normal, then we may opt to consume the competitor. Perhaps the unfamiliar brand is a new entry into the market, and we buy it to compare with our traditional one. Possibly, our normal brand is temporarily out of stock, therefore we pick up what, we hope, is a viable stand-in.
So how does Kellyanne’s pithy observation apply to Today’s political scene? Consider the term “brand loyal” to reflect traditional Democrats and Republicans. Voters are generally party-loyal for three primary reasons: Family tradition, the party platform, or personal involvement. But when the brand becomes disagreeable or not up to its expected standards, then the voter may to test another variety. From my own experience I have heard people condemn the unresponsiveness of the two Old Parties. They vote for them because they’re loyal and unsure of the reliability of an “off” brand. Alternate brands, especially Libertarians, must seize the opportunity that massive voter discontent with the two majors has developed. While I am aware that some within the Libertarian Party sneer at those who remain blindly attached to the dying duopoly, it is time to swallow the bile and actively recruit those who may be privately questioning their previous loyalty.
Just as some Democrats jumped the fence and voted for Reagan, so too did some Republicans support Obama. Perhaps in both cases (certainly the present one) they may have felt “burned,” but that sense of betrayal works in our favor because it illustrates the paucity of honor and consistency within the other parties. We can sell our message by emphasizing our long-lasting fealty to the ideal of a smaller government that is faithful to its Constitutional roots. We can emphasize that our commitment to lower taxes will generate more funds for economic activity, and thus create more jobs, more growth and more prosperity. Finally…our greatest brand is freedom. True political and economic freedom isn’t enough. People, citizens, voters must exercise every element of freedom that does not threaten a civil society. They must be allowed to do so without any suggestion of government interference. Polls and anecdotal evidence seem to suggest that a huge number of U.S. voters are willing to hear the Libertarian message. We are tasked to deliver that message of freedom in such a way that our audience believes we care about their well-being, and that we seek victory for our own selfish reasons.
Please comment or respond: cnpearl@woh.rr.com
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Promise little, deliver less
Historically our politicians have not been reluctant to shower us with promises. Although President Obama’s multitude of “I will’s” is currently in the spotlight, all of them are eager to tell us what they will or will not do once elected to office. There is nothing wrong with that per se because voters desire to know each candidate’s objectives and priorities. The process has become so cynical, however, that political promises possess a value similar to a 15 year-old Yugo…practically nil. With apologies to Dionne Warwick and other musical artists I offer these lyrics written by Richard Gillinson and David Hayes:
Promises, promises
I’m all through with promises now
I don’t know how I got the nerve to wall out
If I shout, remember I feel free.
Now I can look at myself and be proud
I’m laughing out loud
Oh, promises, promises
This is where the promises end.
I don’t pretend that what was wrong can be right
Every night I sleep now, no more lies
Things that I promised myself fell apart
But I found my heart.
As the lyrics suggest, I’m done with the promises…especially those that promise me more. My admonition for political candidates for this year and the near future is “Promise little and deliver less.” If I were running for office today, I would strike the following words from my lexicon: grants, aid, new laws, new programs, except, but, underfunded etc. Unless a candidate pledges to labor to restore the country or the state to basic Constitutional fundamentals, then they will lack the vision that is necessary for restoring this republic as a standard for freedom. Any other response from a candidate would imply that the individual is fearful of the restoration movement and is merely waffling so as to not offend anyone. In the past we have elected people to office whose rhetoric indicated that they shared our values and our love for liberty. Too often, however, they used lofty language and broad generalities to explain their positions. After arriving in Columbus or Washington, they soon found themselves co-opted by the system.
Candidates, say it straight, say it loud, no weasel words….smaller government, lower taxes, more freedom. Promise little, deliver less…government.
Please comment or email: cnpearl@woh.rr.com
Promises, promises
I’m all through with promises now
I don’t know how I got the nerve to wall out
If I shout, remember I feel free.
Now I can look at myself and be proud
I’m laughing out loud
Oh, promises, promises
This is where the promises end.
I don’t pretend that what was wrong can be right
Every night I sleep now, no more lies
Things that I promised myself fell apart
But I found my heart.
As the lyrics suggest, I’m done with the promises…especially those that promise me more. My admonition for political candidates for this year and the near future is “Promise little and deliver less.” If I were running for office today, I would strike the following words from my lexicon: grants, aid, new laws, new programs, except, but, underfunded etc. Unless a candidate pledges to labor to restore the country or the state to basic Constitutional fundamentals, then they will lack the vision that is necessary for restoring this republic as a standard for freedom. Any other response from a candidate would imply that the individual is fearful of the restoration movement and is merely waffling so as to not offend anyone. In the past we have elected people to office whose rhetoric indicated that they shared our values and our love for liberty. Too often, however, they used lofty language and broad generalities to explain their positions. After arriving in Columbus or Washington, they soon found themselves co-opted by the system.
Candidates, say it straight, say it loud, no weasel words….smaller government, lower taxes, more freedom. Promise little, deliver less…government.
Please comment or email: cnpearl@woh.rr.com
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
If I were king...
If I were king,…you’d probably move. Nevertheless, I shall share with you a few of my actions as supreme sole (or soul) ruler of the U.S. of A.
Dismiss Congress.
Establish new elections for 6 months later and ban any House member with more than 8 years service and any Senator with more than 12 years in office from running ever again.
Require that all budget bills include a 5% surplus and be zero based.
Demand that Members live under every law that impacts the general populace.
Eliminate 75% of the Committee and Congressional staffs (I choose who goes, who stays).
Raise the price of bean soup and haircuts. Charge fees for other perks such as gym.
Cancel every Department, program, bureau and agency. Require new authorization for each Constitutional one that is radically pared down with super majority of 75% to implement any new line item.
Every new law or expenditure must have a sunset provision—not to exceed 3 years. Re-authorization to require 75% and a maximum 10 year sunset proviso.
Elimination of mandates to state and local governments. If the proposal is Constitutional and merits federal action, then the federal government should fund it and enforce.
Restructure the tax code by creating 3 classifications @ 0%, 7% and 13%. This would be a modified flat tax with NO deductions. Reduce corporate income tax to 20%.
Eliminate capital gains (you’ve already paid income tax on invested capital). Eliminate inheritance tax and gift tax. Eliminate payroll and Medicare taxes, but grandfather everyone over age 50 for contributions and means-tested benefits.
Re-evaluate all fees and licenses levied by government. If fee is for use of citizen-owned property or privilege, then adjust it for equitable purposes and reasonableness. If the fee or license is generated from activity that is private in nature, then eliminate it.
If other nations want to trade with the United States, then insist on absolute open and free markets without subsidies. If a country violates this provision or refuses to engage in absolute open trade, then tariffs and taxes will be placed upon their products upon entry.
Eliminate funding of all non-essential (non-Constitutional) programs, grants and awards. For example, public broadcasting is not required in a digital age. Eliminate the subsidy. While the arts are a vital component of the culture, the government should not assume the role of judging whether or not particular art is worthy of support. That is the duty of critics, galleries, collectors and consumers.
For grants and awards in the realms of theoretical and applied science, the general principle should be that the free market will generate necessary support based upon perceived needs. There may be instances when there is a compelling national interest for underwriting scientific research. The criteria for such actions should be concisely written with minimal opportunity for abuse.
In essence, the Constitution, interpreted as literally as is practicable in the 21st Century shall be the immovable guiding document for governmental involvement in the affairs of the nation and its citizens. All so-called “gray areas” shall be decided in favor of freedom for citizens and restricting government. Clearly, this little column addresses but a few of the issues between a free citizenry and a legitimate governing structure. But, hey, I’ ve only been King for one day.
As always, your comments are coveted or email: cnpearl@woh.rr.com
Dismiss Congress.
Establish new elections for 6 months later and ban any House member with more than 8 years service and any Senator with more than 12 years in office from running ever again.
Require that all budget bills include a 5% surplus and be zero based.
Demand that Members live under every law that impacts the general populace.
Eliminate 75% of the Committee and Congressional staffs (I choose who goes, who stays).
Raise the price of bean soup and haircuts. Charge fees for other perks such as gym.
Cancel every Department, program, bureau and agency. Require new authorization for each Constitutional one that is radically pared down with super majority of 75% to implement any new line item.
Every new law or expenditure must have a sunset provision—not to exceed 3 years. Re-authorization to require 75% and a maximum 10 year sunset proviso.
Elimination of mandates to state and local governments. If the proposal is Constitutional and merits federal action, then the federal government should fund it and enforce.
Restructure the tax code by creating 3 classifications @ 0%, 7% and 13%. This would be a modified flat tax with NO deductions. Reduce corporate income tax to 20%.
Eliminate capital gains (you’ve already paid income tax on invested capital). Eliminate inheritance tax and gift tax. Eliminate payroll and Medicare taxes, but grandfather everyone over age 50 for contributions and means-tested benefits.
Re-evaluate all fees and licenses levied by government. If fee is for use of citizen-owned property or privilege, then adjust it for equitable purposes and reasonableness. If the fee or license is generated from activity that is private in nature, then eliminate it.
If other nations want to trade with the United States, then insist on absolute open and free markets without subsidies. If a country violates this provision or refuses to engage in absolute open trade, then tariffs and taxes will be placed upon their products upon entry.
Eliminate funding of all non-essential (non-Constitutional) programs, grants and awards. For example, public broadcasting is not required in a digital age. Eliminate the subsidy. While the arts are a vital component of the culture, the government should not assume the role of judging whether or not particular art is worthy of support. That is the duty of critics, galleries, collectors and consumers.
For grants and awards in the realms of theoretical and applied science, the general principle should be that the free market will generate necessary support based upon perceived needs. There may be instances when there is a compelling national interest for underwriting scientific research. The criteria for such actions should be concisely written with minimal opportunity for abuse.
In essence, the Constitution, interpreted as literally as is practicable in the 21st Century shall be the immovable guiding document for governmental involvement in the affairs of the nation and its citizens. All so-called “gray areas” shall be decided in favor of freedom for citizens and restricting government. Clearly, this little column addresses but a few of the issues between a free citizenry and a legitimate governing structure. But, hey, I’ ve only been King for one day.
As always, your comments are coveted or email: cnpearl@woh.rr.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
