Power Blogging

I was feeling particularly verbose today and posted about half a dozen items. I strongly suggest you start here and read them in chronological order (upward on the page) rather than reverse chronological (downward on the page). Yes, I know that this is probably backwards from the way you are used to reading, but frankly, it's how blogs work. Get used to it.

Hyper-Inflation?

$600 for two bags of chips! Yeah, that's special alright.

Improvements for all Time

How, you might be wondering, would our government behave if we returned to our founding principles and a strict adherence to the Constitution. To reiterate, our original principles include small, limited transparent accountable republican government with equal application of the law to all citizens and corporate entities. Here are specific examples of what that type of governance would look like, and how it differs from the corruption we are subjected to today.

1. No bailouts. To anyone or any company at any time (except possibly in time of war to keep a crucial manufacturer in operation temporarily). It is an abuse of power and a violation of equal protection for the government to choose economic winners and losers. As in intervening on behalf of Bear Stearns but not Lehman Bros. In fact, the potential for catastrophic failures like those occurring in the real estate and credit markets would likely be lower if government did nothing to "ease the pain". Under our limited government approach Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would never have existed as quasi-governmental groups, much less have had any implicit federal backing. Without those two creating artificial demand for subprime mortgages, the RE bubble would not have been as large as it was and the ripple effect not so damaging.
2. Flat rate income tax. The vast majority of people would pay one, and only one, rate. Probably something between 10% and 20%. Those at the bottom of the income brackets, earning under maybe $25,000 per year would pay no income tax. Ideally, everyone would pay some tax, if we're to have an income tax at all, but this approach reduces the need for supplemental programs or credits for the poor that could be abused by both recipients and government officials. This scheme would eliminate all deductions, credits, and other tricks that politicians can use to grant favors to special interests and friends. Also, it ensures that nearly all citizens have an economic interest in voting and active civic participation.
3. No czars. The word, or the position, is not found in the Constitution and there is no accountability of them to Congress or the voters. Therefore, the czars and their offices, staff, and budgets are gone. And let's not be slick by labeling them "special advisors" or any similar.
   
4. The number of cabinet positions and their corresponding departments would be reduced, at least by half. Those that would remain include State, Justice, Defense, Treasury, and something that would address natural resources and infrastructure. Key agencies that would stay include FDA, CDC, Coast Guard (under Defense), and possibly FCC.
5. Balanced budgets. Congress could not pass deficit budgets unless during times of declared war.
6. No career politicians. Term limits are probably the only feasible route to accomplish this, although it is not without its own faults. In general, no person could hold elected office or appointed position for more than 8-12 years before having to return to private life for at least 2 or possibly 4 years. Also, Congress would meet only 5-6 months of the year in total. It was never expected or intended that legislators and top officials would be anything other than private citizens with real professions that paid their bills. Another solution beside term limits is to ban A/C from all federal buildings, with the exception of military posts. Congress would flee from Washington as soon as Spring arrived like rats from a sinking ship.
7. Social Security funds (or other non-discretionary entitlements) could not be used for anything but Social Security. Ideally, we would admit that this is the largest Ponzi scheme in the history of world and radically reform it. Make it into something like a mandatory savings/retirement account. Social Security is very tricky, both financially and political, so I won't expound on it here.
   

Go let this sink in for a while. I'll have a few more wacky radical ideas for you soon.

Sweet Space Station Animation

How the International Space Station was constructed in orbit.

We Own That Dome

While we are on the subject of criticizing government, let me share some pictures from the 9/12 Taxpayer Protest March in DC.



I've never seen so many Don't Tread on Me or Come and Take It flags in one place before. And I've never felt so safe in Washington before either.

Message to Congress, the President, and the media: "Can you hear us now?!"

I encourage all of you to go right now to Meetup.com and search for your local Tea Party or 9/12 group. It's high time to restore respect for the Constitution, fiscal responsibility and restraint, transparency, accountability, and integrity to all levels and branches of our government.

Music to My Ears

Russian Punk Rockers Rage Against the Putin Machine


Russia and Putin are usually not topics covered here on Yankee Scribble; I typically leave those Ballista. But since Ballista hasn't made an appearance in over a year, it seems I must take up the slack. Or, more to the point, the angst-filled youth of St. Petersburg have taking their musical jabs at the Soviet-styled strongman. Oh yes, the Ramones and Sex Pistols would be proud. I certainly am. If there is one group that is never afraid to speak out, it's the punk rockers. God bless them.

[T]he outspoken singer of Saint Petersburg-based punk rock band PTVP, saves much of his venom for Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, referring to him as a "pig" in one of his most strident songs.

As the article explains, this is nothing new for Russia, however, these voices have been fading.

[R]ussian rock music lost much of its rebellious spirit after being at the forefront of perestroika, the liberal reforms introduced by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in the 1980s, musicians and critics say.

Ironically, some of the leading figures in 1980s rock now perform at patriotic concerts organised by the Kremlin.

But in Saint Petersburg, a city long seen as Russia's "window to the West", a handful of bands have defied the trend and continue to speak out.

They include PTVP, whose full name translates as "The Last Tanks in Paris," and some veteran bands who complain of being marginalized on television and radio because of their politics.

"Most bands, for some reason, have become conformist and most music is just fun," said Sergey Chernov, a music columnist for the St. Petersburg Times newspaper who has followed Russian rock since the 1980s.

So how is Vladimir reacting to this scrutiny and criticism? As one would expect of a KGB colonel.

Several times over the years, police rushed the stage and stopped concerts after Nikonov sang about Putin, and once in Vyborg he was hauled off to jail before being freed without charges, band members recalled.

"It is mostly provincial towns that are afraid," Nikonov said.

I sincerely hope PTVP keep it up, regardless of the quality of their music. If democracy is ever going to take deep root in Russia, then the artists, musicians, writers, and other creative folk need to lead the way. Imagine America without Thomas Nast, Bob Dylan, or Thomas Paine. Sadly, I have to ask, how long before these guys are found each with a bullet to the head? Or is that reserved for human rights lawyers? It's so hard to keep track of the many methods used by the Kremlin to eliminate its opponents.

Come to think of it, maybe Ballista has become a PTVP groupie. Either that or he's in the gulag. After all, Ballista's last post was on the Russian invasion of Georgia and I wouldn't put it past Ballista to go ballistic and join the Georgian cause.

The Inane Continues

I'm down with a nasty cold on this grey, dreary, chilly, rain-soaked day so I decided to catch up on blogging. Get your readin' glasses 'cause I've got a whole day to kill, endless streams of hot tea, and plenty of cerebral fodder. And, as we all know, I produce some of my best exposition when my head is cloudy with sinus meds and mucus.

Speaking of cold medicine, let's begin with more inane drug laws that are totally out of proportion to reality or common sense:

Wabash Valley woman didn’t realize second cold medicine purchase violated drug laws.

When Sally Harpold bought cold medicine for her family back in March, she never dreamed that four months later she would end up in handcuffs.

Get ready for the next big reality tv hit: Grandmas Behind Bars!

Want more on how I feel about these laws and the jackasses that cause the problems prompting them? Read here.

Surprisingly, I actually enjoy Breaking Bad on A&E. Chalk it up to the same interest we all have for the mob and The Sopranos.

Google Celebrates the Pipe Bomb?

No, today is not the anniversary of the IRA or anything so combustible. It's the birthday of the scientist who is credited with first observing and investigating electromagnetism. But seriously, Google Doodlers, it looks like a time-fused pipe bomb. Listen to the Scribbler on this one.

Forty Years of Foam Fun

Ah, Nerf. So many fond childhood memories of mine involve squishy footballs thrown around a swimming pool or small yellow orbs of foam propelled at people's heads. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Nerf brand. Until the juvenile energetic staff at PC World posted this video of themselves trying out the goody-box sent by Nerf, I had no idea it was that old. Hope Nerf doesn't enter a midlife crisis. Although, judging by some of the current product offerings, you might argue that it has. I prefer to think of it more in terms of "product innovation".





Nerf circa 1969 (Wikipedia)









Nerf circa 2009 (Hasbro)

If I had one of those belt-fed behemoths in my pillow fort nobody would ever capture my flag. That is, of course, until Nerf develops the N-Bomb, which will unleash massive amounts of atom-sized foam balls annihilating everything within a square mile.

By the way, did you know that Nerf is really an acronym? Watch the PC World video to find out what it is, if you don't already know.

Endeth the Empire?

...Uncle Sam is on the verge of paying the City of Los Angeles $30 million to subsidize a ten-year run of Cirque du Soleil.

So it's finally come to pass - America has embarked on the same road down which ancient Rome marched to its ruin: Uncle Sam not only subsidizes bread (by subsidizing wheat production) but now also circuses.

Don Boudreaux - GMU Econ dept. chair

Alex at Marginal Revolution says this is enough to call it the "official" end of us all.

This time the barbarians aren't so much at the gate... they are inside... they are the apathetic, the uninformed, the lazy, the ones who think it's okay for their neighbors to pay for everything, not realizing that their own pockets are in turn being picked. Wake up people, and don't allow your principles, common sense, and personal dignity to be bought off by politicians.

However, as Rome shows the way to ruin, she always lights the way back to prosperity - The Republic.