What’s it going to be America? Are you going to be free? Do you remember how?
I wish I knew how it would feel to be free
I wish I could break all the chains holding me
I wish I could say all the things that I should say
Say 'em loud, say 'em clear
For the whole round world to hear.
Does the Government Own the Whole Economy?
In a recent New York Times op-ed, economist Robert Shiller (coproducer of the famous housing-price index) recommended that the US government begin to sell claims on fractions of Gross Domestic Product. Besides the practical problems with his proposal, it rests on the premise that the US government owns the entire economy.
Fascism in America
Fascism will come at the hands of perfectly authentic Americans . . . who are convinced that the present economic system is washed up . . . and who wish to commit this country to the rule of the bureaucratic state; interfering in the affairs of the states and cities; taking part in the management of industry and finance and agriculture; assuming the role of great national banker and investor, borrowing billions every year and spending them on all sorts of projects through which such a government can paralyze opposition and command public support; marshaling great armies and navies at crushing costs to support the industry of war and preparation for war which will become our greatest industry; and adding to all this the most romantic adventures in global planning, regeneration, and domination all to be done under the authority of a powerfully centralized government in which the executive will hold in effect all the powers with Congress reduced to the role of a debating society. There is your fascist. And the sooner America realizes this dreadful fact the sooner it will arm itself to make an end of American fascism masquerading under the guise of the champion of democracy.
Reflections on Liberty
For this country boy, America is infected with two diseases: first, the displacement of virtue by materialism, social degradation, and dependence. When challenged about referring to the "good ol' days", I sincerely argue that the Frontier American had no choice except to tend toward virtue of character. I knew Frontier Americans -- people born before 1900. There were several characteristics about them that you simply don't see any more:
1) The tendency in conversation was to listen, rather than shout some mindless opinion.
2) Table manners were expected by all who called themselves human.
In other words, the key to polite society, healthy relationships, prosperity and happiness all derive from a single factor:
SELF CONTROL
Second, the republic has given way to democratic machinery: unions, voting blocs, big government, high taxation. I would say the average American cannot conceive of an America run by principle, though that is exactly what needs to happen.
So What’s it going to be America? Are you going to be free?
We liketh your style.