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Robert Taylor I made that first point kind of ironically; I would argue that to the extent that big corporations run roughshod over us (which can be a lot) is due to the special priviliges government regulations and interventions. Without these, it would be much tougher for corporations to gain power. Yes, I am taking credit away from unions because they don't deserve the credit. One can make all the demands in the world for better conditions, pay, etc. but it is impossible to meet without the capital and wealth to meet those demands. Just like min, wage laws, the govt can say it should be $20 tomorrow, unemployment would skyrocket. And yes, Europe had archaic political systems, heavily cartelized and socialized and far different than the largely free U.S. There's they key! Freedom always beats control and statism.
Robert Taylor Great article James! I really enjoyed reading this. I listened to that interview with Paul on Bloomberg News and I had similar reactions; sadness that his public life is finally over, but happy that he can finally live his private (conservative) life. I love that you highlight his true political conservatism (conserving constitutional principles) as well as his personal conservatism that makes him such a unique figure in American history. I really liked the Hemingway reference as well; I didn't even think of that after hearing the interview, but it makes total sense and is a perfect analogy. I, too, share your affection and love for Dr. Paul who also got me involved and interested in politics. Thanks for a great read and a great article, lots of emotion, history, and great analysis.
Robert Taylor Good points, Andrew. But that, of course, assumes that the Republican Party would actually follow the rules that they enacted. Instead, they have simply been quietly stealing Paul votes/delegates from places like Maine, Minnesota, Louisiana, and North Dakota, hoping that he and his delegates will go away. But he won't!
Robert Taylor I have to admit that I am not the hugest Rage fan in the world. I like Tom Morello and their general outlook, but it's just not my kind of music. Full disclaimer: the last song on my list is by by my favorite band ever so I had to sneak them in.
Robert Taylor It was very hard to keep Dylan off the list, Lawrence!
Robert Taylor Thanks Joe, those two Keynes vs. Hayek videos are fantastic!
Robert Taylor It was hard to keep Rage off of the list, but I felt it would have been too cliche to put them on there you know?
Robert Taylor Seriously? There are still thousands of troops in Iraq, and Obama only agreed to the SOFA that was signed by Bush. Plus, he's simply moving troops and hardware from Iraq into the Gulf, like Kuwait and UAE. When Bush left office, 30,000 troops were in Afghanistan. Now there's 100,000 and Obama promises to stay until at least 2024. He even ignored a report that said a surge in Afghanistan would fail. What about Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, and all throughout Africa? There's a new drone base in Djbiouti for Obama's aggressive drone warfare. And Libya a temporary action? That country was turned to rubble, and now the jihadis and crazies are running around Libya and Mali. Syria is being funnelled with weapons and aid. Please tell me, in specifics, how Paul Ryan is different from Obama.
Robert Taylor Great points Joseph. I have seen a few "anybody but Obama" bumper stickers and I can't help but laugh. That mentality has what lead to the Romney-Ryan cabal. And I don't even know if I'd call them "Obama-lite," they may even be worse!
Robert Taylor I guess you literally can print money forever, but increasing the money supply without the equivalent increase in production/savings simply destroys the value of the dollar. So yes, the U.S. government could print up tomorrow the amount of money it needs to meet its financial obligations but what would happen to the dollar? It would break and become worthless paper. But I agree that we should raise interest rates and deal with some short term pain, but the longer we wait, the worse it will be. I don't envy Obama or the next president: either print the money, continue to borrow at an unsustainable pace, or raise interest rates and default.
Robert Taylor I think you may be right, centralized banking may grow in the short term, but it is inherently unstable and will collapse, I 100% guarantee it. When? I am not sure, but you can't print money forever.
Robert Taylor Sure it does. Without the TSA or the government in charge of airline security, the airlines themselves would be in charge of it. Some may have more restrictive, some may have more lenient ones. Just like how armored cars, hotels, and other private property is protected: by the feedback of consumers in a profit-loss test, the great regulator. But by far the best thing to stop people from comitting terrorism against us is for us to stop participating in it through sanctions, puppet dictators, invasions, occupations, and drones. This is why it boomerangs back to us. And even with all of this, do you know how likely one is to be killed by a terrorist attack compared to say, being killed by a cop? Drowning in a pool? Killed in a car accident?
Robert Taylor Amen to that Tami!
Robert Taylor Sadly, you may be right Jeff. Although there I think there is a lot of bottled-up dissent in this country, there are too many that would rather accept the latest government intrusion for a myriad of delusions that they can think of.
Robert Taylor You bring up a good point, but I think you slightly miss the target. The phenonemon you describe I think is closer to corporatism, not capitalism. The corporations that make money off of the military-industrial-complex are rent-seeking, relying on transfers of wealth from the government rather than providing goods/services in a marketplace that consumers voluntarily value and purchase. I remember reading that over 90% of Lockheed's "profits" come from welfare!
Robert Taylor Romney and the Republicans want to lower taxes? They're not Keynesians? WHAT? This is what the left-right spectrum does, Paul and the Austrians are not right or left, they're libertarians, and see both right and left as wrong. I think you need to research Austrian economics, you misrepresent it here. It's very simple. Capital comes from productions and savings. In that order. Artificially lowering interest rates distorts this. The Great Depression was just another example of the Austrian theory of the business cycle, the fed inflated all throughout the '20 and boom, crash. IT wasn't until 1946 when the budget and taxes were cut massively was there recovery. And how come you don't bring up the great depression of 1920, where the economy crashed and 15% unemployment? Oh because there was no "stimulus" or money printing, the debt was liquidated, and there was recovery in 12 months. The Depression took 16 YEARS! Debt and printing money do not create prosperity, only booms and busts
Robert Taylor Huh? I am not a Gary Johnson supporter. I only root for him in the sense that he could get 15% polling and debate on the national stage, but I'm a Ron Paul fan first and foremost. Johnson has a decent record and great libertarian instincts, but is bad on some issues too. But compared to the two bloodthirsty warmongers he's up against, I'll take him. If you read any one of the other 80 or so articles I have up here, you'll probably take back what you said. Oh, and it's there, not their.
Robert Taylor Very interesting article, Max. I find myself making some of the same arguments (though not the one that it should be taxed!) In my opinion, marijuana should be legal because everyone has the right to ingest any substance that they want so long as they don't harm the rights of anyone else. To tell a man what he can and can't put into his body is like telling him what he can or can't read.
Robert Taylor I think it's "they're," not their. And yes, they're not the same, no one is saying they are...
Robert Taylor Great point Zachary! His position hasn't changed, it's been the same since day one. I was just using this speech (and the Examiner article about how focusing on weed is a bad strategy that I linked to) and his position to do what I always try to do: defend civil liberties at all times!
Robert Taylor No, no, no...Johnson would pull from the Right and the Left, the libertarian elements of both sides (the only redeeming features of each side). In other words, Johnson would chip away at Obamney since with either half of this two-headed monster, there will be more war, more spending, more clamp downs on capital and civil liberties, and more police state.
Robert Taylor In what way do libertarians "not know what they're talking about" when it comes to legalization?
Robert Taylor Great points, Jeff. When people start booing, instead of cheering, when politicians call for locking sick people and doctors in cages, then we'll know we're in the right direction. It reminds me of when Santorum was campaigning in NH after Iowa and people literally booed him off the stage for his views on gay marriage. Hopefully, more of this happens with that and other issues as well. You are so right about Romney being a political animal; he totally could afford to turn his back on that guy in the wheelchair because he knew he could. And I remember my dad mentioning something similar to your sentiments about marijuana not being an issue in the future. But I guess one can never underestimate the force and cruely of the state.
Robert Taylor Hmmm, well he won't win that is true. But I tried to use his support for the issue to bring up how important it is, not focus on the mind-numbing horserace over who will win. But you know who will win? Either Obama or Romney, and as I point out in the article, they're both horrible on this issue and on civil liberties in general and will continue to make America look like East Germany.
Robert Taylor That is a great way to put it John. And thanks for pointing out that even if you don't smoke, it's still a vital issue that threatens all of our liberties.
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Robert Taylor I made that first point kind of ironically; I would argue that to the extent that big corporations run roughshod over us (which can be a lot) is due to the special priviliges government regulations and interventions. Without these, it would be much tougher for corporations to gain power. Yes, I am taking credit away from unions because they don't deserve the credit. One can make all the demands in the world for better conditions, pay, etc. but it is impossible to meet without the capital and wealth to meet those demands. Just like min, wage laws, the govt can say it should be $20 tomorrow, unemployment would skyrocket. And yes, Europe had archaic political systems, heavily cartelized and socialized and far different than the largely free U.S. There's they key! Freedom always beats control and statism.
Robert Taylor Great article James! I really enjoyed reading this. I listened to that interview with Paul on Bloomberg News and I had similar reactions; sadness that his public life is finally over, but happy that he can finally live his private (conservative) life. I love that you highlight his true political conservatism (conserving constitutional principles) as well as his personal conservatism that makes him such a unique figure in American history. I really liked the Hemingway reference as well; I didn't even think of that after hearing the interview, but it makes total sense and is a perfect analogy. I, too, share your affection and love for Dr. Paul who also got me involved and interested in politics. Thanks for a great read and a great article, lots of emotion, history, and great analysis.
Robert Taylor Good points, Andrew. But that, of course, assumes that the Republican Party would actually follow the rules that they enacted. Instead, they have simply been quietly stealing Paul votes/delegates from places like Maine, Minnesota, Louisiana, and North Dakota, hoping that he and his delegates will go away. But he won't!
Robert Taylor I have to admit that I am not the hugest Rage fan in the world. I like Tom Morello and their general outlook, but it's just not my kind of music. Full disclaimer: the last song on my list is by by my favorite band ever so I had to sneak them in.
Robert Taylor It was very hard to keep Dylan off the list, Lawrence!
Robert Taylor Thanks Joe, those two Keynes vs. Hayek videos are fantastic!
Robert Taylor It was hard to keep Rage off of the list, but I felt it would have been too cliche to put them on there you know?
Robert Taylor Seriously? There are still thousands of troops in Iraq, and Obama only agreed to the SOFA that was signed by Bush. Plus, he's simply moving troops and hardware from Iraq into the Gulf, like Kuwait and UAE. When Bush left office, 30,000 troops were in Afghanistan. Now there's 100,000 and Obama promises to stay until at least 2024. He even ignored a report that said a surge in Afghanistan would fail. What about Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, and all throughout Africa? There's a new drone base in Djbiouti for Obama's aggressive drone warfare. And Libya a temporary action? That country was turned to rubble, and now the jihadis and crazies are running around Libya and Mali. Syria is being funnelled with weapons and aid. Please tell me, in specifics, how Paul Ryan is different from Obama.
Robert Taylor Great points Joseph. I have seen a few "anybody but Obama" bumper stickers and I can't help but laugh. That mentality has what lead to the Romney-Ryan cabal. And I don't even know if I'd call them "Obama-lite," they may even be worse!
Robert Taylor I guess you literally can print money forever, but increasing the money supply without the equivalent increase in production/savings simply destroys the value of the dollar. So yes, the U.S. government could print up tomorrow the amount of money it needs to meet its financial obligations but what would happen to the dollar? It would break and become worthless paper. But I agree that we should raise interest rates and deal with some short term pain, but the longer we wait, the worse it will be. I don't envy Obama or the next president: either print the money, continue to borrow at an unsustainable pace, or raise interest rates and default.
Robert Taylor I think you may be right, centralized banking may grow in the short term, but it is inherently unstable and will collapse, I 100% guarantee it. When? I am not sure, but you can't print money forever.
Robert Taylor Sure it does. Without the TSA or the government in charge of airline security, the airlines themselves would be in charge of it. Some may have more restrictive, some may have more lenient ones. Just like how armored cars, hotels, and other private property is protected: by the feedback of consumers in a profit-loss test, the great regulator. But by far the best thing to stop people from comitting terrorism against us is for us to stop participating in it through sanctions, puppet dictators, invasions, occupations, and drones. This is why it boomerangs back to us. And even with all of this, do you know how likely one is to be killed by a terrorist attack compared to say, being killed by a cop? Drowning in a pool? Killed in a car accident?
Robert Taylor Amen to that Tami!
Robert Taylor Sadly, you may be right Jeff. Although there I think there is a lot of bottled-up dissent in this country, there are too many that would rather accept the latest government intrusion for a myriad of delusions that they can think of.
Robert Taylor You bring up a good point, but I think you slightly miss the target. The phenonemon you describe I think is closer to corporatism, not capitalism. The corporations that make money off of the military-industrial-complex are rent-seeking, relying on transfers of wealth from the government rather than providing goods/services in a marketplace that consumers voluntarily value and purchase. I remember reading that over 90% of Lockheed's "profits" come from welfare!
Robert Taylor Romney and the Republicans want to lower taxes? They're not Keynesians? WHAT? This is what the left-right spectrum does, Paul and the Austrians are not right or left, they're libertarians, and see both right and left as wrong. I think you need to research Austrian economics, you misrepresent it here. It's very simple. Capital comes from productions and savings. In that order. Artificially lowering interest rates distorts this. The Great Depression was just another example of the Austrian theory of the business cycle, the fed inflated all throughout the '20 and boom, crash. IT wasn't until 1946 when the budget and taxes were cut massively was there recovery. And how come you don't bring up the great depression of 1920, where the economy crashed and 15% unemployment? Oh because there was no "stimulus" or money printing, the debt was liquidated, and there was recovery in 12 months. The Depression took 16 YEARS! Debt and printing money do not create prosperity, only booms and busts
Robert Taylor Huh? I am not a Gary Johnson supporter. I only root for him in the sense that he could get 15% polling and debate on the national stage, but I'm a Ron Paul fan first and foremost. Johnson has a decent record and great libertarian instincts, but is bad on some issues too. But compared to the two bloodthirsty warmongers he's up against, I'll take him. If you read any one of the other 80 or so articles I have up here, you'll probably take back what you said. Oh, and it's there, not their.
Robert Taylor Very interesting article, Max. I find myself making some of the same arguments (though not the one that it should be taxed!) In my opinion, marijuana should be legal because everyone has the right to ingest any substance that they want so long as they don't harm the rights of anyone else. To tell a man what he can and can't put into his body is like telling him what he can or can't read.
Robert Taylor I think it's "they're," not their. And yes, they're not the same, no one is saying they are...
Robert Taylor Great point Zachary! His position hasn't changed, it's been the same since day one. I was just using this speech (and the Examiner article about how focusing on weed is a bad strategy that I linked to) and his position to do what I always try to do: defend civil liberties at all times!
Robert Taylor No, no, no...Johnson would pull from the Right and the Left, the libertarian elements of both sides (the only redeeming features of each side). In other words, Johnson would chip away at Obamney since with either half of this two-headed monster, there will be more war, more spending, more clamp downs on capital and civil liberties, and more police state.
Robert Taylor In what way do libertarians "not know what they're talking about" when it comes to legalization?
Robert Taylor Great points, Jeff. When people start booing, instead of cheering, when politicians call for locking sick people and doctors in cages, then we'll know we're in the right direction. It reminds me of when Santorum was campaigning in NH after Iowa and people literally booed him off the stage for his views on gay marriage. Hopefully, more of this happens with that and other issues as well. You are so right about Romney being a political animal; he totally could afford to turn his back on that guy in the wheelchair because he knew he could. And I remember my dad mentioning something similar to your sentiments about marijuana not being an issue in the future. But I guess one can never underestimate the force and cruely of the state.
Robert Taylor Hmmm, well he won't win that is true. But I tried to use his support for the issue to bring up how important it is, not focus on the mind-numbing horserace over who will win. But you know who will win? Either Obama or Romney, and as I point out in the article, they're both horrible on this issue and on civil liberties in general and will continue to make America look like East Germany.
Robert Taylor That is a great way to put it John. And thanks for pointing out that even if you don't smoke, it's still a vital issue that threatens all of our liberties.