In America the rich is not a closed caste

Pundits and Occupiers talk about the rich or the “super rich” as if they were a closed caste. They seem to think that the wealthy in America are the product of generation after generation of rich families. It is true that some of the wealthy members of American society can trace their wealthy ancestors to the 19th century, but this is actually really rare.

In a recent op-Ed Michael Tanner of the Cato Institute pointed out that 80% of America’s millionaires come from families that are not rich.

So the vast majority of the wealthiest came about their wealth by moving up the income scale. I would also point out that it is not uncommon for the children of millionaires to lose all their parent’s money after inheriting.

What we have here is a society where people are rising and falling to the top of the economic/social scale as fortune and skill dictates. This is incredibly rare in the history of humanity and it should be celebrated more.

What if Chinese military bases were located in Texas?

Gary Johnson to be included in GOP debate

This is fantastic news. All things considered Gary Johnson would likely be my pick for president. I am ecstatic that he is finally being included in the debate. He is a voice that needs to heard.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Government Spending Doesn't Create Jobs

Well it does create jobs, but it doesn't create wealth. And as the video points out wealth is what needs to be created for a more prosperous society.

Clint Eastwood on gay marriage

No one has ever articulated my own position on gay marriage as well as Clint Eastwood has:

"These people who are making a big deal out of gay marriage?" Eastwood opined. "I don't give a fuck about who wants to get married to anybody else! Why not?! We're making a big deal out of things we shouldn't be making a deal out of."

"They go on and on with all this bullshit about 'sanctity' -- don't give me that sanctity crap! Just give everybody the chance to have the life they want."

Also, I hope that the Ron Paul campaign team is in touch with Mr. Eastwood for a possible Paul/Eastwood ticket:

"I was an Eisenhower Republican when I started out at 21, because he promised to get us out of the Korean War," he told GQ. "And over the years, I realized there was a Republican philosophy that I liked. And then they lost it. And libertarians had more of it. Because what I really believe is, let's spend a little more time leaving everybody alone."

In politics money isn't everything

The importance of money in politics is usually exaggerated. Consider the recent Republican victory in New York.

Money raised:

Bob Turner (R) $200,000
David Weprin (D) $500,000

Having more money is an advantage certainly, but you can't buy an election.

Ron Paul advert: more choices than Romney and Perry

Obama's job plan won't work

Chris Edwards of the Cato Institute has written a nice summary of the bad ideas that can be found in Obama's new spending plan.

• A temporary payroll tax cut. This is not a tax cut at all because the president would “pay for it” with tax hikes later on. And if it’s temporary, it won’t encourage businesses to hire additional workers anyway.
• More federal infrastructure. When the federal government spends on infrastructure, it often misallocates the funds. The list of federal infrastructure boondoggles and cost overruns is endless — in public housing, dam-building, Corps of Engineers projects, bridges to nowhere, high-speed rail, etc. Instead, what we need is higher-quality infrastructure spending financed and built by the private sector. We need private airports, private air-traffic control, and private toll highways.
• A federal infrastructure bank. Such a financial scheme would reduce transparency in federal spending, which would go directly against a key Obama promise of increased budget transparency.
• Federal jobs training programs. Since the 1960s, federal jobs-training programs simply haven’t worked.
• New business tax credits. New tax credits for hiring will distort business decisionmaking and, by making the tax code more complicated, such credits would encourage more tax cheating. They would be the exact sort of tax loophole that Obama claims to hate.
• Crony capitalism. When Obama talks about “government and business working side-by-side,” it sounds to me like an invitation to corruption.
• Extending unemployment insurance. Such subsidies would help keep the unemployment rate high.

Video for yesterday's GOP debate

Ron Paul vs Rick Perry

Yesterday I posted a video by Ron Paul's campaign pointing out that Rick Perry is an Al Gore liberal. Rick Perry's team pointed out that Ron Paul is too conservative for Reagan. Ron Paul's team responded that Rick Perry is too liberal for what is good for the country.

Should be an interesting debate tonight.

Ron Paul: Rick Perry is an Al Gore supporter

This is by far the best advert I've seen from Ron Paul this year. They finally do away with that silly movie motif.



This is a great advert because it is an attack ad with a positive message. Rick Perry is a liberal cheerleader and small government mavericks can win an election.

(The Reagan worship in the GOP has reached silly heights the last couple of years, but I guess it makes sense for Ron Paul to try and cash in on it.)

Top 3 Health Care Policy Proposals (for America)

Ron Paul advert: the one

Maybe this is the reason he shouldn't be ignored by the media.

Ron Paul, fuck that guy right?

Jon Stewart takes a moment to examine the media's reaction to Ron Paul's strong result in the straw poll.

Pay your bills B

Stop messing around Obama

Standard & Poor has lowered the USA federal government`s credit rating. This was more than predictable. It is exactly what they said would happen if the US government doesn`t come forth with a real plan to bring the country out of red. Despite the antics around the debt ceiling. The United States is in no better position today than it was on July 31st.

Barrick Obama must wake up to the steady decline of America`s finances and the inevitible consequances. Stop the smoke and mirrows and actually cut spending.