Thursday, April 1, 2010
The Philosophy of Liberty
A good video that explains the basic philosophy behind my political views. It is long, but well worth the time.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Comments on Government, and the American System
We need a system of government where the people retain all government power; where they can only willingly cede power to other levels of government including Homeowners Associations, School Boards, City/Town Councils, State Governments, and the Federal Government. There need to be limits established on the Federal Government to allow for the competition of ideas within the nation. State Governments should be limited by their respective constitutions to allow for the competition of ideas and governmental systems within their boundaries. Local Government should be restricted by their charters to allow for individuals to act according to their desires in a rational manner, as determined by the population served by a local government. The restriction of governments from the smallest local government to the Federal Government allows for the competition of ideas and governmental systems, which allows individuals to gravitate to the systems that make economic sense to them.
The limits on Federal power should be the most restrictive, as it sets policy for the entire nation. Expanded Federal power then would naturally crowd out any conflicting governmental system or ideology through sheer scope. Restricted Federal power allows for other ideologies and governmental systems to exist, and allows for the competition of said ideologies and systems. This is why changing the restrictions on Federal powers is supposed to be hard. It prevents the crowding out of the minority.
Limits on State powers should be less restrictive, and subject to easier change. The individuals can vote with their feet easier with states than nations. State Governments are also more accessible than the Federal Government to the individual, and more receptive to their needs. The ability for individuals to gravitate towards policies that fit them best is what drives the competition in ideology and State governmental systems.
Local Governments and smaller government institutions should be restricted less than the states, and should be allowed to change almost freely. Individuals can “vote with their feet” with municipalities, and gravitate to what fits them in an easier manner than with states. Local Governments are also more accessible to individuals, and more receptive to their needs than State and Federal Governments.
Described above is how the American system of governance is supposed to function. The American system was revolutionary and so successful because it was the first successful merger of the competitive market and government. It calmed the tides of faction through competition on the state and local levels. The federal level existed as a source of protection to the states and individuals, the diplomatic representation for the states and individuals, a broker of international trade for the states and individuals, and a provider of intra-state communication and commerce for individuals. The Federal Government exists to serve us in that manner. Everything else was left to the individuals and the states.
Recent events suggests that an ideology(call it corporatism or fascism) is asserting its self on a Federal level which is crowding out competition on the state, local, and individual level. We can’t let that happen, as our nation will lose the unique quality that set us apart, and made us successful. The end result of the Federal take over is the United States loosing its competitive advantage over the world.
The limits on Federal power should be the most restrictive, as it sets policy for the entire nation. Expanded Federal power then would naturally crowd out any conflicting governmental system or ideology through sheer scope. Restricted Federal power allows for other ideologies and governmental systems to exist, and allows for the competition of said ideologies and systems. This is why changing the restrictions on Federal powers is supposed to be hard. It prevents the crowding out of the minority.
Limits on State powers should be less restrictive, and subject to easier change. The individuals can vote with their feet easier with states than nations. State Governments are also more accessible than the Federal Government to the individual, and more receptive to their needs. The ability for individuals to gravitate towards policies that fit them best is what drives the competition in ideology and State governmental systems.
Local Governments and smaller government institutions should be restricted less than the states, and should be allowed to change almost freely. Individuals can “vote with their feet” with municipalities, and gravitate to what fits them in an easier manner than with states. Local Governments are also more accessible to individuals, and more receptive to their needs than State and Federal Governments.
Described above is how the American system of governance is supposed to function. The American system was revolutionary and so successful because it was the first successful merger of the competitive market and government. It calmed the tides of faction through competition on the state and local levels. The federal level existed as a source of protection to the states and individuals, the diplomatic representation for the states and individuals, a broker of international trade for the states and individuals, and a provider of intra-state communication and commerce for individuals. The Federal Government exists to serve us in that manner. Everything else was left to the individuals and the states.
Recent events suggests that an ideology(call it corporatism or fascism) is asserting its self on a Federal level which is crowding out competition on the state, local, and individual level. We can’t let that happen, as our nation will lose the unique quality that set us apart, and made us successful. The end result of the Federal take over is the United States loosing its competitive advantage over the world.
Quick Reaction to the Massachusetts Election
First off, way to go Scott Brown!
Alright, now that I've gotten that out of the way, time for analysis. Now that a Republican has won a seat in Massachusetts of all places, the Democratic legislators in states such as Montana, Nebraska, Tennessee, Nevada, Idaho, and any other states with a more conservative bent have to be shaking in their boots. 2010 is going to be an ugly year for the Democrat party if current trends hold. The nation does not want health care reform as it is currently being presented by Democrats. Rasmussen Reports polls show that only 38% support the current reform proposal while 56% are opposed. Also, only 12% think that the plan will actually reduce health care costs. 12%, Americans sure have faith in you Democrats.Source Disclaimer: Polls while a valuable source of information on larger trends in a macro-society are not the end-all-be-all. They therefore are to be taken with a grain of salt. However, polls are what Political Scientists and Politicians use to form policy so I will use them too.
I am preparing a larger posting that I will have up in the near future where I will give my input on Health Care Reform, my ideas for how costs can be cut, and Human freedom in general.
Alright, now that I've gotten that out of the way, time for analysis. Now that a Republican has won a seat in Massachusetts of all places, the Democratic legislators in states such as Montana, Nebraska, Tennessee, Nevada, Idaho, and any other states with a more conservative bent have to be shaking in their boots. 2010 is going to be an ugly year for the Democrat party if current trends hold. The nation does not want health care reform as it is currently being presented by Democrats. Rasmussen Reports polls show that only 38% support the current reform proposal while 56% are opposed. Also, only 12% think that the plan will actually reduce health care costs. 12%, Americans sure have faith in you Democrats.Source Disclaimer: Polls while a valuable source of information on larger trends in a macro-society are not the end-all-be-all. They therefore are to be taken with a grain of salt. However, polls are what Political Scientists and Politicians use to form policy so I will use them too.
I am preparing a larger posting that I will have up in the near future where I will give my input on Health Care Reform, my ideas for how costs can be cut, and Human freedom in general.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Contemplating 19
The crossroads of one's life. When one lays a solid foundation to fall back upon and revisit during their lowest and darkest hours. The first true test of a person's character, when one decides to either wallow and subsist, or rise and prosper.
The year 19 is something different to each of us. For all of us, it is our first chance to experience true independence. The first chance to be responsible for all of our actions, words, and relationships. Gone is the sure safety net of our parental stewards of 18 years. We are now our own people.
On a more personal level, the 19th year has exceeded the fanfare I bestowed on it above. It held a great deal of "firsts" for me, and as a result I have grown and matured more in the past 11 months physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially than I had in the previous 5 awkward years that made up my teenage existence.
I've learned what it feels like to receive an almost unconditional love from something that is neither parent nor animal. To receive it from someone you view as an equal partner in the human race makes it all the more sweet. My only regret is that I haven't been able to match that in its entirety.
The first year I've been comfortable with all facets of my personality. I've finally come to terms with a few issues that I had successfully ignored, and am all the better for it.
The first divorce I've ever gone through, and even though it wasn't my own it was still harder to get through than I could've thought possible.
The first year where I wasn't afraid to put myself out there. Well, I was still terrified, but still went through with it anyways. Thanks to those that didn't crush me when you had the opportunity to.
Learning to have empathy for fellow humans. Wanting to make amends for deeds committed long ago. Understanding that we all look for the same things in life, just take different paths to get there. Knowing that if I can make it through this unscathed and stronger, than I can withstand anything. It is with this knowledge and experience that I look forward and become excited at the prospect of what is to come.
(From the Day I fell in love with Photography)
With less than one month before I hit the big 19 I thought that I would take this opportunity to collect my thoughts on the past year, and my thoughts on the near future.
I came up with the idea while out on a run. For some reason I like to think about writing things down while I run. Feel free to rail me on bad grammar, spelling, horrific/boring writing, etc. I would enjoy feedback though.
The year 19 is something different to each of us. For all of us, it is our first chance to experience true independence. The first chance to be responsible for all of our actions, words, and relationships. Gone is the sure safety net of our parental stewards of 18 years. We are now our own people.
On a more personal level, the 19th year has exceeded the fanfare I bestowed on it above. It held a great deal of "firsts" for me, and as a result I have grown and matured more in the past 11 months physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially than I had in the previous 5 awkward years that made up my teenage existence.
I've learned what it feels like to receive an almost unconditional love from something that is neither parent nor animal. To receive it from someone you view as an equal partner in the human race makes it all the more sweet. My only regret is that I haven't been able to match that in its entirety.
The first year I've been comfortable with all facets of my personality. I've finally come to terms with a few issues that I had successfully ignored, and am all the better for it.
The first divorce I've ever gone through, and even though it wasn't my own it was still harder to get through than I could've thought possible.
The first year where I wasn't afraid to put myself out there. Well, I was still terrified, but still went through with it anyways. Thanks to those that didn't crush me when you had the opportunity to.
Learning to have empathy for fellow humans. Wanting to make amends for deeds committed long ago. Understanding that we all look for the same things in life, just take different paths to get there. Knowing that if I can make it through this unscathed and stronger, than I can withstand anything. It is with this knowledge and experience that I look forward and become excited at the prospect of what is to come.
(From the Day I fell in love with Photography)
With less than one month before I hit the big 19 I thought that I would take this opportunity to collect my thoughts on the past year, and my thoughts on the near future.
I came up with the idea while out on a run. For some reason I like to think about writing things down while I run. Feel free to rail me on bad grammar, spelling, horrific/boring writing, etc. I would enjoy feedback though.
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