A sad, pathetic story

Yet another sad story of government seeking to provide for, rather than protect, its citizens liberties. When a group of people (in this case the UAW) seeks "job security" in the form of special governmental laws and provisions, not only do they ironically have less job security overall, but everyone else suffers as well.

"In a real bankruptcy, which is the natural fate of companies unable to meet their obligations, Chrysler and GM would be run (or liquidated) for the benefit of their creditors, not their workers. But, here, "pattern bargaining" will remain the law of the Detroit jungle. The UAW will continue to use its unnaturally augmented clout to extract uncompetitive pay and benefits (it can do no other given its internal incentives). As it has for 40 years, Washington will pitch in with one improvisation after another, disguised as energy policy, trade policy, health-care policy or environmental policy, to stop the rivets from popping off. Politics, especially Democratic electoral politics, will play a more dominant role than ever."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124096698307566437.html

What a joke

Like saving $6 from a budget of $60,000. Laughable.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/SPIN-METER-Saving-federal-apf-14976290.html?.v=1

A pathetic showing at the Summit

What is so difficult about standing up for liberty?

"Mr. Obama had to know that the meeting is used by the region's politicians to rally the base back home by showing that they can put Uncle Sam in his place. Realizing this, the American president might have arrived at the Port of Spain prepared to return their volley. They have, after all, tolerated and even encouraged for decades one of the most repressive regimes of the 20th century. In recent years, that repression has spread from Cuba to Venezuela, and today millions of Latin Americans live under tyranny. As the leader of the free world, Mr. Obama had the duty to speak out for these voiceless souls. In this he failed." Mary Anastasia O'Grady

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124018390302433097.html

Democrats will split

I predict that the Democratic party will split in the very near future.

(a) Pelosi-Reid-Frank-Dodd-Obama contingent

(b) The-yet-to-have-a-leader (maybe Evan Bayh?) portion that will begin to vote with republicans at least on real fiscal reform.

Hypocrisy of the week

"Anti-capitalist" French guy runs a business that trains other "anti-capitalists" on how to protest. Charges 50 euros per student for a weekend course.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123914741342998983.html

Of course, destroying economic liberty and entrepreneurship is all about making the world fairer.

Why am I not surprised?

Bonuses paid out to House aides highest in 8 years - http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123854799133476409.html.

The harder one works, the more money he or she deserves.

The hypocrisy of many U.S. Representatives appreciating this principle in paying out bonuses to their aides while bashing private companies for doing the equivalent is not surprising.

Once again, it's say one thing, do another.

"And here's to you, Mr. Jefferson..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUBIJCXz9M8

Tax Day Tea Party April 15th...

"Logic and evidence"

I'm glad to see somebody speaking for logic and evidence in helping developing countries, not celebrities and "corporate responsibility".

Dambisa Moyo. http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/index.php?cl=12657148

Rush. Nailed. It.

"For those of you just tuning in on the Fox News Channel or C-SPAN, I'm Rush Limbaugh and I want everyone in this room and every one of you around the country to succeed. I want anyone who believes in life, liberty, pursuit of happiness to succeed. And I want any force, any person, any element of an overarching Big Government that would stop your success, I want that organization, that element or that person to fail."

A bit long, but well worth a watch. I was able to get a great seat, and even started the first "Rush" chant with some rowdy college kids a row behind me.

http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_030209/content/01125106.guest.html

Future leadership

I wonder how the leadership of the Republican party will evolve in the near future. We certainly haven't hit the bottom in the ideological/principles debate. It's only once that occurs that we'll have clear leadership and a direction. When might that be?

It impressed me today to see the Democratic governor of Tennessee maintain his integrity and stand for the positive future of his state. Wouldn't it be wild to see an ideological rupture in the Democratic party? I think about that today having just read about a former Democratic Senator from Oklahoma, Thomas Gore, who was one of the only senators to vote against the WPA in 1935 - on the grounds of limited government.