I think...

Change, My Ass!

This past year we have all heard Americans from across the board calling for change. The catchphrase has become so popular it has been used by our top Presidential candidates. But the promise for change is empty.

“Change” is the worst possible battle-cry for American politics I have yet had the privilege (or misfortune) of befalling my ears. Not because America does not need change (I will be the first to admit it does), but because of the sources using such a phrase.

Both Barrack Obama and John McCain belong to a self-perpetuating political dynasty that has spanned many decades. The Democrats and Republicans. Although change is a good theory, both of these groups are so entrenched in their values and opinions, that even the strongest wind will not force them to blow a different way.

Take a look at each candidates top issues. They run the gamut from education, to health care. Although their positions are both noteworthy, I think you need to re-visit the constitution. Who passes legislature in the United States? Congress. The President acts as an executor to the issues and acts that Congress passes. Without change in Congress, you cannot hope to see it in America as a whole.

Next, take a look at who has controlled Congress for the past four years. The Democrats. Yet, which party has been the most outspoken for “change”…. If I actually have to answer that question myself, you should probably quit reading, and start looking to current events. I find it pathetic that the most vocal party for “change” has yet to produce any.

The Republicans are not better. They continue to claim “laissez-faire” economics, and small government, yet we have seen them pass the Patriot Act, get us into entangling economic treaties, and work to bail out several corporations.

Both leading political parties have become a pile of broken-promises and failed ideas. They have not created anything more than a mess in a mine-field, and it is not going to change as long as we continue to fall for their pranks and propaganda.

So next time you hear the word “change” muttered, consider the source. Is the change actually being practiced by those supporting the speaker? Is he or she working to actively make change? Or just further his or her own goals, and the policies of the podium he or she stands on? It is time we as American people start looking through the lies that are fed to us.

Flip-Flopping or Taking Advantage of the Situation?

After staunchly refusing the right of Michigan and Florida delegates to have full votes in the Democratic National Convention after both states moved their primaries forward, Barrack Obama has had a reversal. He new believes both states should be allowed to have full votes at the upcoming convention.

During their heated contest, Hillary Clinton had always supported the seating of the delegates of both states, but Obama had consistently spoke against it, claiming the bumping of the primaries an illegal move. Now that he has clinched the Democratic nomination for president, he has changed his opinion.

This comes at a time when it is most advantageous to him. Had he supported the move when Hillary and he were still debating, Hillary easily could have slid into the nomination with the 366 delegates from both states. Now that she has dropped out, supporting the full votes of the states will garner him support in each.

Is this the kind of man you want for president?

Who do your Congressmen serve?

No matter on which side of the aisle they sit, the large majority of Congressmen and women consistently vote to bolster and increase the size of our federal government. From national healthcare, gun control, to national security Congress continually make laws governing rights that are in reality, reserved to the states.

Why does this happen? First off, it is human nature to protect your position and power. So passing more laws to make their job ever more important is self-preservation in the most corrupt form. Secondly, we rarely hold our Congressmen and women to the standards and principles they were elected on. We also continue to elect them year after year, resigning ourselves to supporting the current system, under false beliefs of no alternative. Finally, there is no reason for our Representatives and Senators to remain aligned to their states. Their allegiance remains solely to the federal government, and serving the american people as a whole, rather than the population segment they represent.

This is a bastardization of Constitutional intentions. Our Congress was meant to represent the seperate populations, so all americans had a representative voice in our federal government. Instead of looking to the average views of their respective districts, our Congressmen and Women have begun to concentrate on the popular views of the United States, even if said opinions drastically differ from the district he or she represents.

This is far from how things should run. It has effectively removed our individual voices from our federal government. We can no longer influence decisions in Congress to meet our local needs, and ensure our opinions are heard and respected in congressional forum. We have effectively lost all control of our government.

It does not have to remain this way. We have options to regain control of OUR government. We are not helpless, afterall we elect those representatives to office, and we can vote differently. American ingenuity has always found a way to meet every challenge we have ever faced, and this is no different. I have several recommendations to re-align Congress with the views of its constituents.

The 17th Amendment changed the election of Senators, from that of the State Legislature to that of the population within districts. In doing so, it was ensured that the State has no say in who shall represent them nationally. So often you find the views of State governments at odds with that of the National Government. Repealing the 17th Amendment and placing power back in the hands of the state legislature will ensure state issues are heard at national levels, and the allegiance of the senators will once again be alligned with the state from which they come.

Senators and Representatives are paid by the federal government. This both hands them control over their own salaries, and ensures they act for the entire United States population rather than respecting the views of the districts they serve. I will reiterate that our represenatives are supposed to be representing the views and opinions district they serve at a national level, rather than representing ALL american people at once. Each area of the United States has its own representative that should be speaking independently for those people. In order to re-affirm this view, I would like to see the salaries of the Congressmen paid by the area they represent. To be set, paid, and if needed withheld by those people. A good guideline would perhaps be the average local income of that area. This would give the Congressman the incentive to work to better his home district. This will ensure the Congressmen and women pay more close attention to their citizens, and represent them truly, and more equally at the national level.

We do not have to resign ourselves to continually vote for National Representatives who do not serve our local needs, and respect the opinions of the local citizenship. There are actions we, as citizens, can take to force our government back on track, and representing the people it serves. Rather than complaining how congress has been acting these past few years, try proposing a change in salary payment, or support the repeal of the 17th amendment. These options will help you regain control of YOUR Congress, and hopefully place us well on the way to the change we so desperately need, and a better America.

To Protect and Serve

So tonight I visited the local county fair of which the main event was a destruction derby. Nothing is better than watching high-power cars smash into each other in a mess of carnage and destruction. It is ALWAYS a good time, no matter how down you may be feeling.

Naturally at such events, beer is a neccesity. We all drink it, we all get rather sloshed, and enjoy the event even more. Unfortunately at this particular fair, you were required to take a pilgrammage to receive your reward. The Beer was clear on the other side of the stadium.

So, me being the alcoholic I am, left my buddy to go in search of alcoholic beverages. At this point it was not a want, it was a need.

I was having some trouble locating the beer tent, and figured the best person to ask would be the local law enforcement walking around the place. After all, their job is to PROTECT and SERVE, right?

I was wrong. In asking this nice-looking young-man where the beer tent was I was slightly harassed. Rather than pointing me in the correct direction, and allowing the employees at the tent to do their job, he first asked to see my ID. The conversation went something like this:

Me: Excuse me, could you point me in the direction of the beer tent?

Power-Trip Man (PTM): Uhh… Do you have your ID on you?

Me: Do I need an ID for directions?

PTM: No, but I’m not going to tell someone underage where the beer tent is.

Me: What happened to the serve part of your job? What if I was meeting a buddy over there? Or my parent? Or maybe I lost something over there? There is more things I may be doing than looking for alcohol underage.

PTM: Calm down sir. Do you have your ID on you?

Me: Yes, I do. (Pulled out my ID).

PTM: Very well, it’s over there. (points).

Me: Now that wasn’t that hard was it?

Now keep in mind, I never raised my voice, I never made wild gestures. I was questionative, and polite throughout my entire interaction. You may be skepticle, but ask anyone who knows me, and they will agree I am not an agressive person.

This is a perfect example of the attitudes our law enforcement and government have come to gain. In general law enforcement forgets that they are serving the people they are also protecting. Harassment is not part of their duty. There is no reason they should be automatically expecting I am breaking a law, before they have any evidence of it.

Police do not have the ability to prevent people from breaking the law. It is not their job. Their job is to take action against those who have, and to keep the peace. That is it. Probable cause, and prevention against law breakers is absolutely against the fourth and fifth amendment.

We have become a police state, in which our law-enforcement has gained the ability to do what they want, when they want, regardless of our rights protected by the constitution.

It is high-time we reclaim our rights that we have always had, and the constitution reinforced. There is no reason our law-enforcement should have this much power and influence. We are only allowing ourselves to more closely resemble the picture painted by George Orwell in 1984. The more and more we do not allow checks to our law enforcement, the less free, and the more enslaved we as people will become. Let us stop this tyranny before it starts. Quit giving away your god-given rights.

How Open is YOUR Congress?

Following the adjournment of Congress today, Republicans have refused to leave the premises. They are protesting the inaction of the House on addressing the issue of oil prices and domestic oil drilling. A issue they promised to review and resolve before leaving for their 5-week long vacation.

The lights has been turned off, the air-conditioning is gone, and the Republicans has had no access to the microphone. Yet they continued to fight to make their positions known, and hopefully see congress come back in session.

Democrats went as far as to kick journalists from the chambers, and turn off the power to C-SPAN cameras. The police were called to remove journalists from the gallery. Is this where our freedom has gone? Preventing press and speech when we wish our issues to be solved?

The Republicans called for a bull-horn and hijacked the microphone system in order to continue to speak to taxpayers who remain in the gallery. It seems if the Democrats continue to have their way, the taxpayers will not even be able to listen to their representatives.

Republican from Michigan, Thaddeus McCotter is recorded saying “This is the peoples house, this is not Pelosi’s politiburo.” Although I do not usually make it a habit of supporting McCotter he is absolutely right. We, the Citizens of the United states, should have our problems and our concerns addressed. Unfortunately the Deomocrats do not see eye-to-eye.

After five-hours of the Republican standoff it was called to an end. They had hoped for either Pelosi to call congress back into session, or the President to call a special session. Neither has happened, and the media has been unable, or refused to cover the situation. It was called as a lost-cause only when it was getting started. However, plenty of press releases and audio are available around the web from the standoff, and I highly suggest tracking them down.

This should be a wakening call to Americans that care for how their country is run. We cannot allow our congressional representatives to go home instead of addressing key issues and making important decisions. We pay them to act, and work for us, rather than leave when convienant. It is time we start to let them know how we feel.

More Information:

http://www.opencongress.org/articles/view/586-Crazy-House

http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0808/House_Dems_turn_out_out_the_light_but_GOP_keep_talking.html?showall

http://qik.com/video/147408

A Message from Barrett

Barret is an American rifle producer. When California banned civilian ownership of any powerful Barret rifles, Barret subsequently stopped all sales to California government agencies. The following is a letter from the President of Barret to the government of Hawaii, whom is considering a similar ban.

Original: http://www.barrettrifles.com/news_articles.aspx?id=50

Dear Chief Correa:

I am Ronnie Barrett, President of Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Inc.  In 1982, I invented a rifle and started producing it in my gravel-floor garage.  Through hard work and financial risk, my company has grown into a brand that is known around the world for its products and services.

What began for me as a personal sport shooting rifle has evolved into one that is used by many sportsmen throughout the country, the United States military, law enforcement agencies and by nearly 50 American allied countries around the world.

Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, like all U.S. small arms defense contractors, has a combination of civilian, police and government defense sales in order to sustain its business life.  This is the only way we can stand ready when products are needed in both peacetime and during war.

Simply put, the small arms defense industry in America would not survive if not for commercial sales, which are a significant part of our business.  Unless the government is ready to bring back its manufacturing arsenals that were finally closed in 1968, it needs to guard and protect the privately-owned businesses that provide these essential products.

The act of a governmental entity banning commercial sales of legal firearms, such as my .50 caliber rifle, not only violates the basic principles of the United States Constitution, but also puts national security at risk by ending the delicate balance between the government and the private sector.  Furthermore, it sets a precedent that endangers the future of other vital defense contractors.

How important is this particular rifle?  In 2004, the United States Army named the Barrett M107 Rifle as one of the Top 10 Greatest Inventions for helping our brave service men and women do their jobs.  The free enterprise system allowed me, a civilian sportsman and manufacturer, to perfect that rifle and get it into the hands of those who use it to defend freedom.

I am, of course, aware that you are receiving exaggerated and untrue information that is originating from the Violence Policy Center.  For many years The VPC has claimed an urgent need to ban powerful rifles by predicting some attack will soon happen that would result in preposterous destruction.  Well, as much as they promote the attack idea, they don’t happen, as this is not the type of weapon our enemies are using against us.

VPC’s call for urgent action is in hopes that no time will be spent in factual research that easily reveals the irrationality of these exaggerated claims.  All of these tactics have failed to work in Washington, D.C.  Now, the VPC’s plan is to continue this deception at the state level.

I was in law enforcement myself for several years. There is something that bothers me, and I believe it should bother you as a police official.  Sir, your general testimony and statements must be based on factual evidence.  All police work in this great nation must be firmly grounded in facts, collected evidence, and the solid truth.

Throughout history, when police work was contaminated with innuendos, fabrications and fear tactics, the society was doomed.  Now, I must ask you how many murders can you report that were committed in your jurisdiction with a .50-caliber rifle? How many robberies? How many .50-caliber rifles have you found at crime scenes?  The answers should be the true facts; anything else is the destroyer of our society, our great republic.

It is the law. Barrett Firearms Manufacturing cannot sell our products to those who break the law even though the officials responsible may not yet be indicted.   Barrett will not support a state or local government that is obviously in violation of the United States Constitution thereby jeopardizing the safety and security of its citizens.

Be aware there are more companies that will respect this position.  If Hawaii or any state bans the sale of the .50-caliber rifle, we will immediately stop the sale and service of all Barrett products to that state’s government agencies. We will also welcome all small arms manufacturers to take the same action.

Sincerely,

Ronnie G. Barrett

President

Differing Viewpoints #1: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

A Free Market relies on its ability to balance and solve its own problems. Individual actors within the economy know best how to fulfill his or her needs, and at which price. This is what makes capitalism extremely efficient. Government regulation and interference in the economy only leads to impede the natural actions that produce the said efficiency. This interference is exactly what has caused our current economic issues, and the endangerment of several economic firms.

Following the Great Depression congress set up Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSE), which include Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac. The goal of these organizations was to create liquidity in the mortgage market. The general theory was and is that the ability of more citizens to own homes positively influences the economy, the neighborhoods, and American quality of life. Considering this tends to be the case, the potentially damaging and negative side effects were not as thoroughly examined as should have been.

Although the hope was more low-income families would be capable of purchasing homes, the effect turned out to be larger, and more extravagant homes for those who could already afford one. This also led to the increased production and maintenance of homes that would otherwise have been non-existent in a healthy, un-touched economy. The ability of homeowners to secure cheap mortgages also led to many Americans living with large piles of debt, and beyond their means.

To complicate the issue even more, these “corporations” were semi-privatized and only marginally removed from government control. They were given certain breaks and privileges other companies cannot and will not receive. Even though these companies were not given the ability for unlimited government support, the backing they did and do receive led investors to believe them “invincible enterprises” that the government would support and bail out if necessary. Unfortunately it seems investors were correct.

This “government halo” that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac received also allowed them to participate in somewhat risky business. They felt empowered to practice more risk, in order to return more profits, as long as they had the netting of the US Government to fall back on. This has greatly contributed to the current economic problems and the situation Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac currently find themselves in. For if they had bought and practiced good business, and acted more conservatively, they would not find themselves unable to collect money.

Further, this “support” from the government that these corporations have been issued have largely prevented completely private, governmentally independent organizations from entering the market. Instead, we have placed all our proverbial financial eggs in one basket. As this basket falls, everything can and will break.

Without the government regulation and backing, it is likely (although unproved and untested) that private companies would have entered the secondary mortgage market, diversifying that economic sector. So if a financial crisis did happen, as we are currently experiencing, less of the economy would be threatened by the collapse of one or two companies.

Not only would our economy be more sound and supported by the diversification, but the lack of governmental support would prevent excessive risky business actions. Instead, mortgage-brokers would rely on sound investments in order to stay afloat and turn a profit. Less risky business means fewer issues when an economy goes sour, and less chain-reaction problems than we are currently experiencing.

Now, what do we do? It is hard to say. Unfortunately the problem is already created and there is no “easy fix”. Economists have seen this issue approaching for quite a few years, and have warned against the government backing of such industries. At this point we have already dug the hole; it is just a matter of who is going to end up laying in it.

This is an economic issue in which many actors contributed to the current problem. We cannot blame one group, or punish one and not the other. Everyone involved needs to feel the pain in order for the market to balance, and to prevent such problems from re-forming. If we privatize these GSEs now, enact strict penalties for using government funds, or withdraw them completely we will see a change in the actions of future markets. Companies will learn not to rely on the government, and will become entirely self-sufficient. Sure failures will happen here and there, but it will become more profitable to be conservative in business practices, and more profitable to be a small to medium sized company. Meaning when one does fail, it will have less impact on the economy as a whole.

I strongly believe Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should have been completely removed from government help, aid, and protection long before this crisis reared its ugly head. Unfortunately we are now stuck with a problem that only has ugly solutions. Hopefully in the future it can be made clear that our economy is independent, has no government ties, and will not ensure it remain afloat. This should be a standard policy of all economic sectors, as we try to allow the free-market economy to regain its natural balance and control. Only then, can we hope for true economic stabilization.

References:

Hayek, Friedrich A. The Road to Serfdom. University of Chicago Press. Chicago, IL. September 1944.

Higgs, Robert. Notes on the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac Bailout. The Independent Institute. July 15, 2008.

McKinley, Verne. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae: Corporate Welfare King & Queen. Individual Liberty, Free Markets, and Peace. CATO Institute. November 17, 1997.

White, Lawrence J. Policy Analysis: Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Housing Finance: Why True Privatization is Good Public Policy. Individual Liberty, Free Markets, and Peace. CATO Institue. October 7, 2004.

Differing Viewpoints is an attempt at offering other opinions on the same issue. Please click one of the blog links to the right hand side, to read what other people may have to say.