Ideas Roll West II

The Pussification Of America (oops I mean The United States)

It took shape in 1913 when representatives empowered the Federal Government to collect income taxes forever. New life was breathed into it in 1935 by the Social Security Act. Floods of tried ideas rolled in from the east and nurtured it from inception to autonomy. Today, like Frankenstein, American Socialism is bigger than the hand that feeds it. If not stopped or slowed to a trickle, we will soon be no better off than France. Just kidding but seriously ...I intend to link progressive ideas with heavy taxation and big government. This paper will also claim that a softening or pussying (if you will) of America is underway.
One by-product of ideas continually rolling west is the dilution of the bold and defiant spirit that once defined us. We still value individual rights and responsibilities but to a lesser degree. Today we accept Governments larger role in our lives. It may seem a trivial example but when I was a kid there were no seat belt or helmet laws. Such laws would have been laughable. Today, an apathetic populace accepts legislation that protects individuals from themselves. Americans now accept the premise that government knows what's best for them.
Adopting precedent, big or small, that allows government to assume paternal control is likely an unwise move. Paternalistic laws, though largely the products of good intentions, lead us down a narrowing path of government encroachment. Little by little the government will expand its capacity to parent the governed. It may start with a seat belt law here and a tobacco or junk food tax there. Soon there will be little discussion over whether the government has parental authority over us but rather to what extent. Line drawing along a slippery slope is troublesome and should be avoided whenever possible. Along a slippery slope, judges are likely to do more line drawing than working guys like you and me.
Many Scholars are skeptical of slippery slope arguments. They maintain that slippery slope is a scare tactic not rooted in fact but rather paranoid speculations by reactionaries like myself. They may be right in most cases but history provides examples supporing my claims.
Consider that before 1935 there were no federal drug laws. Today (in some states) Visine in your pocket may suffice for probable cause to search your house. Also, consider the following excerpt from Wikipedia regarding asset forfeiture legislation:

...In 1984, Congress catapulted asset forfeiture into the political landscape, with the passage of the Omnibus Crime Bill, which drastically changed the federal forfeiture laws. The bill vastly expanded the forfeiture laws applicable to drug offenses. It mimicked the Customs laws by making the process "in rem", which means against the property itself instead of against its owner. It used the "in rem" label as an exception to basic constitutional principles as it took away any semblence of due process for the hapless forfeiture victim.

www.answers.com/topic/asset-forfeiture



With little effort I was able to site two examples of slippery slope in action. Let's not even get started with the recent imminent domain phenomenon. Judges, like politicians, are predisposed side with the government. Think about whose buttering their muffin. In other words, who’s issuing their paychecks?


Well it's getting late and I got some chores to do…


Kitty cat photo: /www.toppetinfo.com

Bush and Mccain Are Totally Lame

The following was anonymously posted at craigslist:


Coming to a city near you soon!

As you all listen to the news about the student protests over illegal immigration there are some things that you should be aware of.

As most of you know my wife is in charge of the English-as-a-second-language (ESL) department at large southern California high school, which is designated a Title 1 school, meaning that its students average lower socio economic and income levels. Most of the schools you are hearing about--South Gate High, Bell Gardens, Huntington Park, etc.--where these students are protesting, are also Title 1 schools.

My wife tells me that 100% of the students in her school and other Title 1 schools are on the free breakfast, free lunch program. When I say free breakfast I'm not talking a glass of milk and roll...but a full breakfast and cereal bar with fruits and juices that would make a Marriott proud. The waste of this food is monumental, with trays and trays of it being dumped in the trash uneaten.

She estimates that About 75% or more have cell phones.

The school also provides day care centers for the unwed teenage pregnant girls so they can attend class without the inconvenience of having to arrange for babysitters.

She was ordered to spend $700,000 on her department or risk losing funding for the upcoming year even though there was little need for anything; her budget was already substantial. She ended up buying new computers for their computer learning center; half of which, one month later, have been carved with graffiti by the appreciative students who obviously feel humbled and grateful to have a free education in America.


Free medical, free education, free food, day care etc. etc. Is it any wonder they feel entitled to not only be in this country but to demand rights, and entitlements?


To my bleeding-heart liberal friends who want to point out how much these illegal immigrants contribute to our society because they LIKE their gardener and housekeeper and they like to pay less for tomatoes: spend some time in the real world of illegal immigration and see the TRUE costs. Higher insurance, Medical facilities closing, higher medical costs, more crime, lower standards of education in our schools, overcrowding, new diseases etc., etc., etc.. For me, I'll pay more for tomatoes.

We need to wake up. The guest worker program will be a disaster because we won't have the guts to enforce it. Does anyone in their right mind really think they will leave and return voluntarily?

What's The Deal With Iran?

Dan:

"Every time I read something about the Iran/uranium enrichment/UN Security Council/sanctions situation, Iran seems defiant and is basically giving the finger to EU, US, UN Security Council, and the Nuclear watchdogs. Shit, we've got enough problems with Iraq. Our military is already spread thin. What would we do if Iran, Russia, and China stood up against the US and Europe? World War Three. Damn. That's scary."

Poffrono:

"It is a scary situation. The crisis brewing with Iran is is heading toward a hardcore confrontation. Those sun of a bitchen Iranian tyrants are determined to cause us harm. It is doubtful however, that the Russians and the Chinese would risk engaging the U.S. and E.U. militarily. Although the Russians and the Chinese have economic ties with Iran, we are still their best customer. The Russians, though much different from us aren't criminally insane like the Islamic Fascists who rule Iran. We must continue to pander to Russia and China but only for a time.
They may protest hardily, they may posture militarily but in the end they will back down. The Russians and the Chinese know that military intervention would be suicide. We are still protected by the concept of mutual assured destruction (MAD) when dealing with the Russians and even the Chinese.
The (MAD) law does not apply to martyrs for allah. They are on an unequal moral footing - less is expected of them morally and that's what makes Islamic fascists dangerous. Everyone must understand why it is so imperative that evil Iranian leadership do not acquire nuclear weaponry.
Let's not fail to act while the consequences are endurable. If Iran continues its present course a nuclear crisis or hostage situation is imminent. These guys are bastards and they get extra points for killing people.
It is likely unwise to fret unnecessarily with the prospect of war with a non nuclear Iran. Like Saddam’s Republican Guard (who were puffed up by the pussies to the left), Iranian militarily resistance would be crushed in a matter of days. I remember much talk a few years ago of fears that it would take many months to topple Saddam. The same will hold true in the unfortunate event that war with Iran ensues. Also let us not forget that Israel is the major power of the gulf region. Israel stands undefeated against the Islamic fascists in two wars. Israel will kick fanny again - It's only a matter of time."

Trading News Update: Gold Corp Shares Sold.

Whew! That was a long ride. It's been over a year since I bought 100 shares of Gold Corp at $12.41. Friday I finally sold stock for $37.90! Good thing I sold it when I did, actually I should have sold on Wednesday. The stock had soared to over $40.00 before beginning its correction.



http://www.google.com/finance?q=GG

Still, $37.90 wasn't bad considering GG closed today under $34.00. I continue holding 23 shares of GG in my retirement account. I will recommend GG if you're long. I sold it because I needed to free up some cash to buy another cheep stock.
This Morning I did a little day trade that proved to under perform. I purchased 166 shares of Orion Resources (NTO). Like Gold Corp, NTO is mining for gold, but in Argentina and Cuba. I figured that since these are countries I do not like, investment in them would be a wise choice. Truth of the matter I sold too soon. I got in at $5.12 and skipped out at $5.35. The stock closed at $5.27. My guess is I should have hung in there. I expect it will climb in coming days. Although the trade did not meet my greatest expectations, I did manage to add $26.00 to the coffers. Actual gain was $46.00 but I had to pay $20.00 in commission. Not bad considering they procured the shares at significantly less than the limit I placed. Well it's past my bedtime. The market opens at 7 am Arizona time and I want to see how my next purchase goes. I placed an order for ACLS solely because it has taken an unnecessary beating lately. Considering the sudden and marked downturn of the market in general, I anticipate ACLS to recover near it's 52 week high. THis will likely be a long position. I'll give it a week and We'll see what happens :)

New report suggests Iraq war saving lives.

May 13th 12:34pm Tempe:
Poffrono said Saturday that the net result of US intervention in Iraq is in Bush's favor:

“…Estimates vary but it’s fair to say that during Saddam Hussein’s reign (24 years) he was responsible for at least 500,000 deaths. Study results reported a conservative estimate of 57 people killed every day Saddam was in power”, He continued, “ in this study we entered a median estimate of 40,000 Iraqi civilians killed by US military intervention. The campaign has drawn on now for 1,000 days. Study results average about 40 people US intervention kills daily. The report concludes that US intervention saves 17 people every day or 17,000 people to date.”