Of all the enemies to public liberty, war is perhaps the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes; and armies, debts, and taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few … No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare. – James Madison
War is just one more big government program. – Joseph Sobran
I find it hard to get comfortable with the thought media's insistence that we are at war in Iraq. From my perspective, this war ended roughly around the time that "W" did his flyboy impression on the aircraft carrier. You know, the now famous "mission accomplished" speech. As the commander-in-chief, he is uniquely qualified to say that, you know. And certainly, the mission as it was defined was, you know, accomplished. So, the war was and is over, isn't it?.
It's over of course, until it's convenient for the president or any of his friends or enemies to cite the war as some justification for some other transgression, but I quibble.
Really, what's happening now in Iraq, is the 21st century version of the Marshall plan. This is where we transfer billions of dollars of our wealth, to a country that already has a sought after, most valuable natural resource of its own. That makes this the very essence of a welfare program.
So, it's not really still a war, at least not our war. For our men, it's an infrastructure enterprise, and a police training operation. We have no clear military objective. That objective was met when Saddam's statue was pulled from it's moorings. There's another thing. People get all ballistic and emotional about the prospect of a civil war in Iraq. Listen, it's a civil war, okay? Not that big a deal. We have those all the time. Think Waco. Think NOW rallies. Think Devil's Night in Detroit.
We have another big government program, now, this Marshall plan masquerading as a military engagement. If we all just look at it that way, we will be able to see it for what it is, and take the right action.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Public sentiment
When the people have no tyrant, their own public opinion becomes one. – Lord Lytton
As I've said before, polls and surveys are unnecessary because if you know enough to write a decent survey, you already know all the answers. It is also possible to design a survey to give the result that you want.
So it is with some recent made for TV polls. Now we are told that only 37% of people think George Bush is doing a good job. This is viewed as some sort of "good" sign for the Democrats. There are a lot of folks who want to believe that, and many of them are the people designing the polls.
I have a different analysis of those results. George Bush has bad poll numbers, because he is spending like a Democrat; and growing the government in proportions unseen since the days of Lyndon Johnson.
Now, why would that be seen as a positive for Democrats, when most people know the Dems have no intention of fixing that problem? See what I mean? Ask the "wrong" poll question, and this is what you get.
I think if George would show a little backbone on spending and big government issues (he won't), he'd be back in the 60 point territory. He could still do that, but it won't save the rest of the Republicans who have squandered the golden opportunity to fix problems they said they would fix in 1994. It's probably too late for them. George isn't running for anything.
As I've said before, polls and surveys are unnecessary because if you know enough to write a decent survey, you already know all the answers. It is also possible to design a survey to give the result that you want.
So it is with some recent made for TV polls. Now we are told that only 37% of people think George Bush is doing a good job. This is viewed as some sort of "good" sign for the Democrats. There are a lot of folks who want to believe that, and many of them are the people designing the polls.
I have a different analysis of those results. George Bush has bad poll numbers, because he is spending like a Democrat; and growing the government in proportions unseen since the days of Lyndon Johnson.
Now, why would that be seen as a positive for Democrats, when most people know the Dems have no intention of fixing that problem? See what I mean? Ask the "wrong" poll question, and this is what you get.
I think if George would show a little backbone on spending and big government issues (he won't), he'd be back in the 60 point territory. He could still do that, but it won't save the rest of the Republicans who have squandered the golden opportunity to fix problems they said they would fix in 1994. It's probably too late for them. George isn't running for anything.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Seaport Ownership
No nation was ever ruined by trade. – Benjamin Franklin
When I first heard about the plan for the Dubai based operation to own and operate the seaports, I had an immediate negative reaction. Then I saw Chuck Schumer come out in opposition to it. Chuck, you see, is my rabbit test on whether the idea has merit or not. The rule is if he doesn't like it, it's probably a good idea.
Generally, the best approach is to go with the side of free trade. We whine all the time about a trade deficit with the oil countries; and then when one of them wants to reinvest in our country, and bring our dollars back home, we question the deal, obstruct it, vilify it.
Like any private concern (at least one looking to make a favorable business transaction), the interest in this deal after all the political piling on will quickly dissipate. Dubai doesn't need this hassle. They can go invest in another port in China, Australia, or India. I wouldn't blame them a bit if they just said "Thanks, but this isn't worth it".
The bigger issue is what are we going to do to allow Arab countries access to the mainstream of our economic world. If we don't do it soon, then we are pretty hypocritical about our wish to export democracy. Disallowing this type of investment is ultimately akin to keeping minority home buyers out of white neighborhoods.
I remember being a little upset about the Sears tower purchase by the Japanese, followed by the Augusta golf course. Then a friend pointed out that they are not going to move these. They are still our landmark.
Those who cite security issues must understand that freedom has to be given the chance to prevail. Otherwise, we will wind up without security or freedom.
When I first heard about the plan for the Dubai based operation to own and operate the seaports, I had an immediate negative reaction. Then I saw Chuck Schumer come out in opposition to it. Chuck, you see, is my rabbit test on whether the idea has merit or not. The rule is if he doesn't like it, it's probably a good idea.
Generally, the best approach is to go with the side of free trade. We whine all the time about a trade deficit with the oil countries; and then when one of them wants to reinvest in our country, and bring our dollars back home, we question the deal, obstruct it, vilify it.
Like any private concern (at least one looking to make a favorable business transaction), the interest in this deal after all the political piling on will quickly dissipate. Dubai doesn't need this hassle. They can go invest in another port in China, Australia, or India. I wouldn't blame them a bit if they just said "Thanks, but this isn't worth it".
The bigger issue is what are we going to do to allow Arab countries access to the mainstream of our economic world. If we don't do it soon, then we are pretty hypocritical about our wish to export democracy. Disallowing this type of investment is ultimately akin to keeping minority home buyers out of white neighborhoods.
I remember being a little upset about the Sears tower purchase by the Japanese, followed by the Augusta golf course. Then a friend pointed out that they are not going to move these. They are still our landmark.
Those who cite security issues must understand that freedom has to be given the chance to prevail. Otherwise, we will wind up without security or freedom.
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