Littlestuff Weekender-1-21-2012

South Carolinians are voting in the primaries today (Saturday). If the most recent polls are correct, Newt Gingrich should eke out a victory. This development would mean that Santorum narrowly wins Iowa, Romney cruises in New Hampshire and Gingrich nails the first Southern contest. Delegate apportionment is all over the map, but it appears that Ron Paul will be hanging in there in second place with committed delegates. Newt’s victory (if it occurs) would suggest that Republicans of South Carolina detest the main stream media more than they loathe marital infidelity. Newt’s response to CNN’s John King’s opening question in the Thursday night debate seems to have catapulted him into a true contender despite the allegations from his former wife, Marrianne. The situation, as they say, is fluid. The steady one is Dr. Paul which is reflective of his consistency and reliability. Santorum is having difficulty gaining traction and Romney often appears to be weak and indecisive. Stay tuned. Florida is next.

While most political watchers were focused on the goings-on in South Carolina, the Congress and the Executive Branch absconded with more of your liberty and increased our national indebtedness. Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary for HHS, RULED that all private health insurance plans MUST include certain contraceptive aids with NO co-pay for everyone in the plan….regardless of gender or moral and religious objections. The dictate is not only offensive, but it will make the private plans more costly for everyone….companies and insured. If I were cynical ( and I am), I would think this is a blatant attempt to put financial pressure on private insurers and companies thus increasing the likelihood that they might prefer a government insurance plan in the future.

Public outcry and reactions forced the tabling of the SOPA legislation in the House. Supporters of the over-reaching effort to protect copyrights and intellectual property admitted that there were some vaguely written portions of the bill that could allow bureaucrats a broad area for engaging in 1^st Amendment mischief. The bill was shelved…..for now. Be prepared because it will probably reappear as an obscure amendment to an appropriations bill sometime in the near future. Statists of the two old parties do not give up in their efforts to exercise control over us. They merely postpone the most egregious efforts until our interests are focused elsewhere.

The anti-human, anti-progress progressives won a small victory when President Obama delayed his decision about the Keystone Pipeline from Canada to the Gulf Coast because of “environmental concerns.” Actually….as he often does, he blamed the delay on someone else….his own Department of State…because of the international aspect of the pipeline’s crossing our border with Canada. Trans-Canadian, the company that is developing the pipe line announced that they were trumping the Socialist-in-Chief by constructing a domestic line from the Dakotas to the Gulf thus avoiding for now the international aspects. I’ll wager the federal government and its Marxist leader will devise, create, make-up or discover another compelling reason for refusing to allow more private sector jobs and energy independence. I do not recall ever witnessing such a collection of anal orifices in our country in my lifetime. We’ve always had them lurking around trying to undermine liberty and increase government power, but it seems as if they have metastasized almost beyond treatment. Radical surgery appears to be our last best hope. Electing another statist with a slower-moving agenda will not do, we need a surgeon who’s capable, consistent and committed to the task of putting the monster back into its cage.

If any of the candidates for President says they would have signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), they should immediately be dismissed as a serious contender for the office. Their answer indicates one of two things: they see no problem with the military detaining U.S. citizens without trial or habeas corpus rights….which makes them an enemy of the Constitution of the United States and an adversary of freedom; or they are too stupid, ignorant and clueless to serve. Why anyone….let alone a serious candidate for Chief Executive…would endorse increasing the power of the Federal Government at this time is beyond comprehension for any person with reasonable cognitive ability.

Government is force (see Bastiat, The Law). Even in its most benign applications it represents an oppressive passive coercion. It may introduce legislation, rules or regulations that clearly violate the natural rights of individuals, but if the aggrieved parties lack the resources or the power to fight back, their liberties will be denied forever as the government moves on to the next unwitting victim. Promoting a larger footprint for government at any level suggests that one is either a masochist or a collectivist. Both maladies are evidence of sickness and must be exorcised and discarded. “Soft” tyranny always hardens as time moves on. Tyranny is deadly. It kills the spirit, the soul and the dreams of the people. It must be restricted and defeated every time it rears its ugly head. Liberty must prevail….first, foremost and forever!

Comment: cearlwriting@hotmail.com

www.littlestuff-minoosha.blogspot.com

Tuesday, 6-7:00pm, 1370 WSPD, Toledo  www.wspd.com

Tightening the Beltway

All levels of government should be required to join “Slim Fast” because most of them operate “Half Fast.” The size and intrusiveness of our governments at all levels has been a consistent theme in these columns, but how is this massive monstrosity fueled? What feeds it? Obviously the taxpayers and compliant lenders are the greatest sources for satisfying the voracious appetite of government. Don’t overlook the licenses, fees and fines the various agencies levy….seemingly arbitrarily. If you are one of the few remaining Luddites who still has a landline telephone, scan your next bill very carefully to find the layers of fees and taxes collected by government…..many of which you have not noticed over the years.

Total Spending by Function

Function -yr 2012 +yr Total Spending $6.2 trillion Pensions $1.0 trillion Health Care $1.1 trillion Education $0.9 trillion Defense $0.9 trillion Welfare $0.7 trillion source: guesstimated2

Click chart for table of Spendings or click: 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Note:
1. Federal spending after 2010 is budgeted.
2. State spending after 2009 and local spending after 2008 are “guesstimated” by projecting the latest change in reported spending forward to future years

From: www.usgovernmentspending.com

You may suspect that there’s an error in the chart shown above because it lists $6.2 trillion in government spending versus the $2.2 trillion dollar budget that is thrown around in the national dialogue. So, if we’re borrowing in the neighborhood of $1.3 trillion to $1.7 trillion in order to meet our obligations, where does the other money come from? Also, you will note that interest payments on the debt are not included in the disbursement totals. If we get an increase of a couple of basis points, interest costs would soar. Even with tighter spending controls, the National Debt will increase to nearly $22 trillion by 2014. That’s assuming that Congress stays within its budget….which isn’t likely.

Click chart for briefing on Federal Deficit. For deficit as %GDP from 1950-2015 click here.

Click chart for briefing on Government Debt. For debt as %GDP from 1950-2015 click here

One of the measures of economic freedom for a nation is the percentage of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that is consumed by the non-productive public sector. That percentage is a very good indicator of a nation’s prosperity.

GDP / Spending

Click chart for chart of Gross Domestic Product. For Real GDP from 1950-2015 click here.

Click chart for briefing on Total Spending. For Spending as %GDP from 1950-2015 click

If these glide paths continue, then government will absorb 38% of the GDP in the United States in 2014. Historically for the past century or so, government has consumed 18-22% of GDP. In other words the government’s consumption and wasting of our productivity will nearly double in the next two years. This is a prescription for disaster on two fronts: 1) private sector wealth and prosperity will be more difficult to acquire because government is gobbling resources;2) individual freedom and opportunity will be more severely restricted because of the enormity of the government apparatus. So total government spending….local, state and federal will claim 40cents out of every dollar’s worth of value produced in the United States….if interest rates ratchet upward as is likely, then the figure is higher.

We are headed for economic, fiscal and social upheaval. As government continues the current path of growth, the resources available for research, development, investment and job creation will wither. The overall GDP of the nation will shrink, and governments’ shares will grow larger. It’s a downward spiral toward collapse. Politicians are fond of saying that spending must be controlled, but they are too clever by half. Government spending must be severely REDUCED in order to service the massive public indebtedness. There is another lurking danger to our economy and our way of life. Personal and commercial indebtedness is higher than normal. If taxes, fees and other government revenue streams are increased, private sector entities will have fewer funds available for their debt service thus further compounding the problem.

One of the ironies of expanding government is that the interdependence created by the growth destroys the so-called “safety net,” and places every sector of the nation in economic risk when government falters. It’s the ultimate “all your eggs in one basket” illustration. For too long we have lived under the illusion that government cannot and will not fail. For too long we have been deceived…..or self-delusional. As the charts clearly show, our government, our nation’s economy and our personal and economic freedom are approaching the “tipping point” at warp speed. Once government begins to consume half of the GDP of the nation, freedom becomes a quaint historical concept and prosperity will be limited to the “black market” underground. In most business organizations…51% means you have control. For the moment we are out of control, but government’s share grows by the minute, the hour and the day.

Our fearful political leaders fail to understand the enormity of the problem, or if they do, they lack the courage to forthrightly address it. To save our nation’s plunge into mediocrity and socialism requires massive spending cuts, elimination of entire agencies and departments, and repeal of numerous laws, rules and regulations. The mantra for many in this election cycle is ABO (Anybody but Obama). That’s “OK,” but it is not enough. Review the charts….whoever succeeds Obama will be in power when the economic wheels fall off our country---unless they have the brains and the courage to use chainsaws instead of scalpels when attacking government spending. If they don’t vigorously reduce spending, they may be succeeded by someone more deadly than Obama because of the chaos we will encounter. Be careful what you wish for.

Comment: cearlwriting@hotmail.com

www.littlestuff-minoosha.blogspot.com

Palpating Liberty

Back in the day when I was a young lad on the farm we would occasionally have the veterinarian palpate some of our cows. He would check them for pregnancy. We did have times and dates of the cows’ assignations with the bull or with the A.I. technician from the Northern Ohio Breeders Association, but after a time we would want to know if certain members of the herd had “took.” If the doc failed to find any evidence of a tiny calf forming, we would have to rebreed the cow or re-introduce her to “Major,” the 2500 pound behemoth. It was a minor but critical procedure in our operation of the dairy farm.

Palpating liberty is a vital task if we have any hope at all for saving our Republic. For far too long too many of our fellow citizens have been   unaware and unconcerned about the socialist path we have been following. Most of them grumble and complain about various aspects of the government and our society. They may even acknowledge that government is too large and becoming increasingly oppressive, but have they internalized those sentiments? Or are they “just talk” with little emotional or intellectual investment by the grouser? Clearly the performance of Congress following the 2010 elections indicates that many more constitutional loyalists and freedom defenders must be elected. The best method for selecting and electing such people is to expand the universe of voters for that (our) type of candidate.

The need for more people to formally or informally join the cadre of constitutional restorers is why we must develop the art of palpating for liberty. When we encounter someone who expresses disbelief or disgust with the latest government over reach or foul up, we should probe (figuratively speaking) them to discern just how deep-seated their frustration may be. Questions always work better than statements for ascertaining someone’s point of view. Definitive assertions may drive them into a defensive posture and solidify their former allegiances. Questions about the role of government or the effectiveness of government programs may elicit more candid responses and create an opening for sharing with them that if our Constitution were honored, then we wouldn’t have the plethora of difficulties we have today because government would be restrained from “minding our business.” This short Q & A with a disgruntled colleague or friend should generate enough information for you and me to detect an embryonic thirst for liberty…..or the absence of one.

Some people routinely complain about the government with no principle or philosophical foundation. For example you may know of a man who complains about his wife’s spending habits when, in reality, she’s the thrifty one of the family. Same with those who complain about government but never think it through. They do not understand that their demands on government, their attitudes about government involvement and their acceptance of government control make them partially responsible for the current mess. They have not bothered to reason why the system isn’t working. They just know that it’s dysfunctional and so they complain. They have no investment in change, however because they have not yet decided that reformation is necessary. Their discontent is shallow and unfocused. Liberty has not yet been internally implanted in them.

Obviously we can use every ally possible as we seek to restore our Republic to its original purpose, but if we attempt to ignite the passions of those who have not yet become pregnant with the idea of personal freedom, we may instead encourage them to form a counter-force. Their natural resistance to change may overcome their whining complaints about government. Perhaps they have believed that they ALWAYS get the short end of the bargain, and they prefer their current impotent status to an unknown future than may not include the taxpayer funded “safety nets.” So as we build our alliance for liberty and restoration, we must not assume that the grumbling discontent will be with us. Her or his mind understands that “things aren’t right,” but he or she has not yet experienced the internal transformational germination of liberty. The concept exists but the passion does not.

As we palpate our acquaintances to detect their intensity for liberty, we should actively recruit those who have clearly “seen the light” and fear for the future if matters continue as they are. Those whose unhappiness is limited to the surface should be encouraged to study and pay attention to current events, but they should not be pressured into voting. Without the internal seed for freedom, they will tend to support the status quo. At the risk of sounding calloused and indifferent, I must confess that “Get Out the Vote” makes me angry. Unmotivated voters always seek to maintain the present circumstances and are generally less informed than those who want reform. Of course the career political class and their entrenched buddies are aware of voter dynamics, and diligently work to get every species of animal life to the polls.

If we truly desire a rebirth of liberty and a restoration of our Republic, then we must palpate the people to find those who share our aims….and those who do not. Questions lead to answers and answers help us to determine if the seed of freedom has been implanted. We must work to give liberty that chance to grow, and resist the growth of the government structure that seeks to extinguish freedom.

Comments:  cearlwriting@hotmail.com

www.littlestuff-minoosha.blogspot.com

     

Two Little Towns

Nearby my home here in Northwest Ohio are two little towns that have been tempting me to use them metaphorically. There are other towns in the region that are phenomenal candidates for illustrative purposes, but these two are a mere 15 miles apart and are perfect for a reflective metaphor. Liberty Center and Whitehouse are ideal settings for an apocryphal look at our current situation in the United States of America. For those of you familiar with our little corner of the world, the nation and Ohio, you will note that I’m not writing about Luckey, Kansas, Texas, Oregon or Florida all of which are situated here. No, it’s Liberty Center and Whitehouse that have captured my attention. Maybe someday I’ll extol the beauties of Melmore, Belmore and Elmore…..but I doubt it.

Whitehouse is a great little town with excellent eating places and a number of small local businesses who treat one fairly and do quality work. It hosts an annual cherry festival, so what could be better? The town bridges the gap between the fertile farmlands of our region and the forested remnants of the Black Swamp. The greatest drawback for Whitehouse, however, is its name. The White House is a symbol of a nation that has become corrupt and venal. The White House has been the temporary home for megalomaniacs, incompetents, liars and thieves. The notion of pristine purity that should be projected by the stark alabaster façade of the building has been indelibly stained by occupants who cavalierly ignored their oaths of office to protect and defend The Constitution of the United States. Many of our former presidents disgracefully violated their solemn duties, but the present inhabitant and his surly ungrateful spouse have inflicted grave damage to the stately old mansion and its legacy.

The White House and its adjacent West Wing has become the seat of numerous unconstitutional power grabs by frustrated Chief Executives whose sense of self-importance is second only to their maniacal desires to impose their will on the Congress, the courts and, more tragically, the people of the nation. The White House has been the scene of underhanded deals, outright bribery and secretive efforts to hide the truth from the citizens of the United States. It is the center of power in a power hungry city. It houses (at least for now) the most powerful and influential head of state on the planet. The White House or The Executive Mansion as it is formally named is the symbol of liberty, hope and opportunity through the world. Nearly all of us grew up believing that even we…yes, you or I, could be President of the United States someday. The machinations of the elites and the crony capitalists have punctured that dream, but the promise of the Founding and the structure of the Framing are still with us….though tragically ignored.

Ideally one could point to the White House (Whitehouse), the Capitol or Washington, District of Columbia, as the center of liberty. But alas, that is not the case today. Liberty Center is roughly 15 miles from Whitehouse, but the ideal it represents is generations and light years from the President’s official home. Because our political class and their nefarious accomplices have so thoroughly trashed the concept of freedom that formed our nation, the center of Liberty is difficult to locate. Is it in Kansas (the state) near the geographic center of the country? Is it in Texas (the state) where the economy is booming? Is it in Montana where folks can enjoy the “big sky’ and generally ignore the bleating of the D.C. crowd? Perhaps the center of Liberty is in Idaho…land of rugged terrain, fertile valleys and Ruby Ridge. No, it clearly isn’t there…no matter how remote or far off the grid it may be. It may be that the center of liberty has been secured in a vault somewhere and buried far beneath the ground where the bureaucrats, politicians, regulators and busy-bodies can’t find it.

The answer to our perplexing question is really a simple one. The center of liberty can be discovered when the hearts and minds of a few people are fused in a passion for freedom. It only takes a few, then several more followed by a determined cadre who builds brigades of patriots to spread the message of liberty. The movement grows and its intensity increases until someday…..soon, we pray….a new freedom engulfs the land, and the people prosper.

It has been my good fortune to have seen people who hold a love for liberty in their hearts and minds. I have met many of them, but their numbers are not yet sufficient to restore the promise of freedom for all. Many, many more are needed. If they come, will it be in time? Whitehouse and Liberty center merely 15 miles apart but metaphorically they are not in the same universe.

Comment: cearlwriting@hotmail.com

www.littlestuff-minoosha.blogspot.com