Development's foregone conclusion

Attended an event on "development policy for a changed world" yesterday at AEI. Was surprised to hear that the federal government having its hands in "international development/aid" was a foregone conclusion among the panelists; more specifically, that the infusion of public money is necessary (i.e. USAID, the MCC).

I have a lot of research to do on the entrenched development bureaucracy; however, any foregone conclusions in this debate do an injustice to Americans and especially the people we claim to help.

Go Lado

"Our taxes are so low and flat, there will never be a market for tax lawyers in the country of Georgia."

"We made our government reforms idiot proof, or rather, marxist-proof."

"My job was to keep the government as small as possible."

Three quotes at an event today from Lado Gurgenidze, prime minister of Georgia from November 2007 - November 2008. This guy kicks ass.

Sad for Minnesota, and everyone else

It will be a sad day if Al Franken gets seated in the Senate: not only for the rule of law in Minnesota, but for the rest of the country bound to suffer with another far-left liberal in the Senate.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123111967642552909.html

Bold, courageous

There are no two better words to describe Mosab Hassan.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,475226,00.html#

New Year

With relatively few things providing optimism as 2009 begins, I'm still confident we have a good year ahead of us.

Good luck Obama and god bless the troops.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123085828475347775.html

Sickening

There is nothing to celebrate about Che Guevara other than his much deserved death. He was nothing but a raging lunatic who cost the lives of thousands and helped usher in utter oppression and chaos for the Cuban people.

Yet, despite the facts, he is once again glorified in a new Hollywood movie.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123051070523038351.html

Irony

Throwing a shoe at the very man who helped usher in the liberty to throw the shoe.

Reminds me of the folks in Berkeley who protested the presence of local Marine Corps recruiters.

Insightful quote from FDR's secretary of the treasury

"We have tried spending money. We are spending more than we have ever spent before and it does not work. And I have just one interest, and if I am wrong...somebody else can have my job. I want to see this country prosperous. I want to see people get a job. I want to see people get enough to eat. We have never made good on our promises...I saw after eight years of this Administration we have just as much unemployment as when we started...And an enormous debt to boot!" - Henry Morgenthau, Jr.

I recommend picking up a copy of "New Deal or Raw Deal" by Burton Folsom, Jr. Important lessons for all.

I'm pulling for Obama

As characteristic as this is of two-faced, liberal politicans, I really hope Obama is not involved.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D94VB81O1&show_article=1

I may have to cheers Obama

Needless to say, one month ago I never would have expected cheering to Obama. That may change one night in mid-January.

Bars open 24 hours for four days January 17 - 20: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/02/AR2008120203063.html.

One month of taking a break (as much as possible) from 24/7 politics, campaigns and policy, with the following on my mind: Bush's legacy, Obama's choices, Islam vs. Islamic ideology, a nuclear Iran, authentic leadership, the words leaders use and their effects, the future of the GOP, our Founding Fathers, igniting entrepreneurship, and of course, liberty.