Littlestuff Weekender-10-15-2011

Here at our little farm, the Little Pat-Ch of Paradise, in Wood County, Ohio the first teasing touch of autumn has arrived. It’s a chilly, breezy morning, and one can imagine a snowflake or two if you squeeze your eyes closed. We will be attending the Libertarian tailgate party that precedes the University of Toledo-Bowling Green State University football game (The Battle of I-75). These two long-time rivals are but 25 miles apart and nearly every workplace in NW Ohio has grads from each so the intensity of the competitive spirit runs high. It is not quite as huge as the Ohio State-Michigan face off, but the MAC is not the B10 Ten (or eleven). Our primarily rural area loves fall. High school football, college football, soybean and corn harvest dominate the social calendars for a few weeks until it’s time to prepare for Thanksgiving, Christmas and a New Year.

The GOP presidential nomination race continues to have more twists and turns than Le Mans. The current candidate de jour is Herman Cain, the former Godfather of Pizza. His recent surge has the Republicans, the media and the RINO GOP establishment elites all a-twitter. If you recall, the previous wunderkind was Rick Perry who is hanging in there despite being treated like the piñata de jour. Clearly the Amazon forests are not the only site where one can find cannibals. The shooting star who preceded Governor Perry was the little lady from Minnesota, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, who is struggling to regain traction and her mojo. Rick Santorum and Jon Huntsman are still waiting for their moments in the spotlight while Newt’s numbers are creeping upward a notch at a time. The two whose fortunes have remained relatively consistent are Mitt Romney and Ron Paul….the Establishment and the Anti-Establishment candidates. Governor Romney continues to lead in most national polls though he seldom emerges as the favorite in individual state surveys. Dr. Paul has a hard-core dedicated group of adherents who keep his numbers consistently in the 8-15% range in nearly every battleground state. At this point in the campaign it seems as if there are 7 hares and two tortoises (torti?). Timing is critical as the primary season may begin as early as December (WHAT!?). Whoever is “up” at the beginning may capture some momentum to catapult them to the nomination. Then again, perhaps not. One of the sluggish turtles could amass numbers large enough to prevail.

Mr. Cain’s 9-9-9 taxation plan has been the butt of jokes, object of ridicule and subject of praise. Nine per cent corporate taxes would certainly encourage our businesses to leap into action if the government regulatory structure were applied more reasonably. The nine per cent national sales tax would be a new element in our federal property grab, but at least provides some element of choice for the taxpayer. The nine per cent personal income tax is the greatest flaw of Mr. Cain’s plan in my view because it leaves the loathsome IRS intact while adding the sales tax to the government’s confiscatory mix. The plan has elements that are somewhat appealing, but on the whole, for me, is too reliant on the government’s self discipline to be an effective long term remedy for our burgeoning national government share of the economic production of the country.

About that national sales tax….Monday evening at 7:00pm I’ll be discussing the Fair Tax with the Marion County (Ohio) Tea Party, Voices of Liberty. We’ll be in the MARCA conference room. While the Fair Tax has no greater constitutional justification than does the income tax (progressive or flat), it can be a transformational method for funding our bloated government that allows a maximum of personal choice for taxpayers (www.fairtax.org). Again, its efficacy depends on repealing the 16^th Amendment, severely pruning the federal regulatory apparatus and limiting spending in the “out years.” I’m not optimistic about Congress’ will to cut and dismantle the massive federal bureaucracies, but the Fair Tax allows us the freedom to choose when and how to spend tax dollars as we hustle to prepare for the coming fiscal collapse of the nation. It truly represents a “Hobson’s Choice” for those of us who are dedicated to smaller constitutional government. Presently, about 15% of the Congress has signed on as co-sponsors for introducing Fair Tax legislation.

Have a great weekend. Enjoy your family and friends. Read some accurate national history and prepare your “Ready Bag.”

Comment: cearlwriting@hotmail.com

www.littlestuff-minoosha.blogspot.com

Tue. & Wed., 6-7:00pm, 1370 WSPD, Toledo.  www.wspd.com

Temporary Custody

“Temporary Custody” is a term that has many applications. If a family is experiencing a tragedy, it may be necessary for the children to be temporarily placed with grandparents or other family members. Sometimes the state children’s services or judiciary place the children in someone’s care for a period of time. As people grow older and less able to manage their own affairs, they sometimes transfer the “power of attorney” to an individual whom they trust as a form of temporary custody. The sum value of temporary custody is that an individual or an institution assumes responsibility for the well-being of an individual or group of persons for a short period of time. It might be fitting, therefore, to designate elected officials as the temporary custodians of our nation, the Constitution and our liberties.

Temporary custodians….if you think about each of those words, you must conclude that our elected “servants” have been miserable failures. They have consistently failed to perform at an acceptable level. If their custody had been awarded by the court rather than the voters, they surely would be found guilty of contempt and removed from their respective positions of trust. What would the response of the courts, the community and the families be if an entity that had been awarded temporary custody absconded with all the funds and used the assets of the ward to borrow more money for profligate spending? The answer is outrage followed by arrest, prosecution and conviction.

Historically, we have ignored the “temporary” aspect of political custodianship by electing and re-electing venal old fossils who somehow manage to enrich themselves while collecting a paltry public servant’s salary. Though citizens often speak of the necessity for term limits (federally speaking), it has been proven time and again that voters lack the knowledge or the will to turn out long-time officeholders. Term limits would simply create the merry-go-round of office switching that we witness in several states. The only true remedy for dealing with an irresponsible custodian is to soundly defeat her or him at the ballot box. The humiliation of a resounding spanking should make the career politician pause and ponder before initiating another run for office on the public teat.

Defeating an entrenched blood-sucking veteran is a difficult task. I’m aware of that, but a defeated senior member of the Congress should transmit ripples of awareness throughout the political class. One of the more difficult calculations in determining whom to target for retirement is deciding what level of proper voting is acceptable. That is not the only criterion that should be examined, however, because voting from cover (see “Diving for Cover” 8/8/2011 at www.littlestuff-minoosha.blogspot.com) and other sneaky legislative devices skew the numbers. In addition, the officeholder’s attentiveness to district concerns, his or her leadership for critical local and national issues, the contributor list for the incumbent’s re-election campaign, the number of terms in office and finally the appreciation of the officeholder’s net worth while “serving” the people. When taken as a whole, the above list of decisive factors can be helpful when determining which incumbent to challenge.

A legitimate custodian is legally and honor bound to fulfill the custodial responsibilities faithfully and fully. A failure to exert the greatest effort possible for the performance of the duty smacks of misfeasance. Legislative voting and promotion of unconstitutional policies, legislative measures that harm the nation or active or passive allowance for government infringement on our liberties should be labeled as malfeasance. Misfeasance can result in censure or defeat, but malfeasance should lead to either defeat or prosecution. Knowingly violating one’s sworn oath should lead to charges of perjury. Congresspersons get really steamed when someone perjures him-or-herself after swearing an oath prior to testifying before a committee. Ask Roger Clemens. The oath of office that is sworn by Congresspersons….in the company of other Congressmen and women….should be considered as weighty as a normal citizen’s oath before Congress. Perjury is a crime. Willfully violating one’s oath of office should be a criminal act. Our forefathers didn’t take oaths lightly, and we should not allow our present-day career politicians any greater leeway than our early legislative leaders were given.

“Temporary custody” is a serious matter whenever someone has responsibility for another person or for a nation and a district. If the essence of the custody component is violated, the politician should be quickly relegated to temporary status. Just as a child, an ill person or a senior citizen in the final stage of life are to be protected, so should our nation, our Constitution and our liberties be defended and preserved. If an elected official is reading this and believes that these recommendations are too strict, then Madame or Sir, you must resign because your oath is meaningless to you. The citizens….most of them…cherish our nation, its constitutional foundation and our freedom.

Comment:  cearlwriting@hotmail.com

www.littlestuff-minoosha.blogspot.com

Tue. & Wed., 6-7:00pm, 1370 WSPD, Toledo  www.wspd.com

  

Just for Kicks

Although historians have identified some significant dates for the beginning of our nation’s slide away from constitutional governance, my sense is that the major drift has taken place in the past 50 years. While one can make a case that the Alien and Sedition Act initiated the tendency of politicians to ignore their constitutional oaths, others would identify Woodrow Wilson (with able assistance from Teddy Roosevelt) and his progressive agenda as the beginning of our dismal path. Both of those actions or movements were instrumental in our fall, but the pace of our demise has accelerated dramatically during the past half-century…..and I know why.

Soccer is the dominant sport of socialist Europe and socialist/communist South America. It has become a major participatory sport here in the United States. Drive through any community during a summer or fall Saturday, and you will observe legions of fields full of young girls and boys chasing a spotted ball from end to end. Hordes of parents including the legendary soccer moms line the playing fields cheering on their offspring and chiding the officials. The parking lots are laden with scores of SUV’s from every imaginable auto manufacturer, and the tiny siblings of the players kick miniature versions of the game ball as they, too, roam the sidelines and snack areas.

Note as you watch that there are very few “chubby” kids, particularly boys, playing the favorite game of the New World Order. The male children are being transformed into a collection of seemingly anorexic metrosexuals because of their affinity for a sport that celebrates “flopping’ as opposed to the more manly pursuits of blocking and tackling while playing football. We can project that later in life the young men who were subjected to soccer will become the emaciated runners that so many of us see trudging along the streets and bike paths of our communities.

Soccer undermines one of the most important physical developments necessary for young people to be active participants throughout their lifetimes. The skill that becomes lost through soccer-induced atrophy is eye-hand coordination. When you think about it, you realize that a sport that relies almost entirely on the feet is as far away from the brain as one can anatomically get which explains a lot about why our citizens have become susceptible to the statists’ message.

There is a distinct and alarming correlation between the rise in soccer’s popularity and the decline in our freedom. Our liberty is being trampled on the field of “futball.” Our strength and our commitment to freedom have been replaced by short pants and yellow cards. Our economic might and willingness to risk have been overcome by “2 to 1” final scores. The unpredictable bounces of life and footballs have been superseded by the boring predictability of a round ball…..a stark reminder of the globe. We are doomed. J

Comment:  cearlwriting@hotmail.com

www.littlestuff-minoosha.blogspot.com

Tue. & Wed., 6-7:00pm, 1370 WSPD, Toledo.  www.wspd.com

   

Leery Erie

Those of us who live in Ohio should be aware that the Lake Erie eco-system is threatened again. As the shallowest and warmest of the Great Lakes, Lake Erie seems susceptible to every potential fresh-water malady. Unlike the alarmism spread by the chicken-little earth-is-melting crowd, the Erie threats are visible to anyone who chooses to look. Invasive species and highly toxic algae are the headliners of the choking attempt to strangle Lake Erie. This challenge is not Ohio’s alone because 3 other states and the province of Ontario access the lake. Aside from Ontario, Ohio does enjoy the largest coastal area.

Last week I sat in for Brian Wilson, the afternoon host at WSPD, Toledo, and the topic of Lake Erie’s precarious position was one that we discussed. The danger from the invasive species and the algae is so great and so imminent that proactive measures must be initiated promptly. If they are not, the combined threats could prove to be devastating for the lake. State officials are aware of the lurking danger, but have spent the bulk of their efforts pleading for federal help and intervention. Given that Ohio is now controlled lock, stock and barrel by the Republicans, the EPA under an extremely partisan Democratic administration will not soon be rushing to the rescue. That is a fortunate development because the Environmental Protection Agency   is an out-of-control, sometimes-rogue element of the federal government.

The proliferation of algae is related to the phosphate discharges and runoffs in the Lake Erie Basin Area. Because of the federal EPA’s propensity for overreaching, it seems likely that their remedy for restoring the balance of the lake would include severe restrictions on watershed agriculture and more stringent discharge allowances for the many municipalities and water/sewer districts that use the lake and its feeders and tributaries as repositories for effluent. The typical heavy-handed EPA approach is to levy massive fines, issue “cease and desist” orders and require massive disruptions in policies, procedures and practices of the affected industries and political subdivisions. Clearly the lake must be preserved for a number of obvious reasons. First, good stewardship requires that we protect a valuable resource such as Lake Erie. Second, the lake is an outstanding economic factor for the state and the region as a source for fresh water fish and a recreational bonanza. In addition, Lake Erie provides a shipping and transportation resource that serves the entire Midwest region of the United States. There may be other critical reasons for protecting Lake Erie, but the final one that I wish to address at this time is the lakes’ fresh water. The Great Lakes’ water is a huge valuable resource that is coveted by other regions.

Because the federal EPA is so strident and restrictive, it is best if the states and Ontario can address and resolve Lake Erie’s problems. In a sense the coordinated effort could be similar to “passive nullification.” Even though political considerations have led to EPA foot-dragging regarding the condition of Lake Erie, if the feds observe an active approach from the states, they will attempt to intervene to protect their turf. The states should respond with a “thank you, but no, thank you.” I fear, however, the state legislature has already sought federal assistance and will submissively yield to any federal effort to assume control. The state political class will once again fail to do its duty and place the people and the economy of Ohio in peril.

From the point of view of a native Ohioan Lake Erie is a precious resource that should be protected and preserved. It is too important for federal government interference. If our state legislators lack the will to tackle the lake’s problems without federal intervention, the resource will eventually be lost to the state, the neighboring states and the region. The federal government will either make the situation worse or assume total control of Lake Erie and eventually the other four Great Lakes plus Lake St. Clair. The State of Ohio must stand firm, defend and restore Lake Erie. It’s a civic duty and a constitutional necessity. We are already drowning in a sea of big federal government statism. We do not need to watch our lake go underwater as well. It is time for the private sector interests who are stakeholders in the lake such as the shipping industry, the recreational businesses and agriculture to band together for solutions. In addition the private sector entities should insist on state action and resist any federal involvement. The attitude that the federal government will come to the rescue is mistaken and costly.

Comment:  cearlwriting@hotmail.com

www.littlestuff-minoosha.blogspot.com

Tue. & Wed., 1370 WSPD, Toledo   www.wspd.com