More Liberty

Monster Stories and Moral Values

Andrew Sullivan listens to David Walker's horror story and draws the appropriate moral:

"Here's what i [sic] consider a basic moral value.  You do not leave your children and grandchildren the debt that you have accrued to buy yourself a few votes.  That is what this administration and Congress have done.  The debt the next generation had to pay off - the unfunded future liabilities of the federal government - was $20 trillion in 2000. After four years of Bush Republicanism, it is $43 trillion.  Bush won't face the consequences.  He never has.  But he is immorally shunting the costs of his profligacy on the next generation.  It is profoundly immoral and dishonest.  Which is why values voters among Republicans and Democrats need to demand reform and honest debate about the real fiscal trade-offs we need to confront.  The current GOP leadership won't do that.  Because they are immoral and corrupt.  Which is why change in this election is essential. the [sic] longer we wait to deal with this, the more brutal the reckoning."

"Real Moral Values" by Andrew Sullivan, 10/30/06

Richard Wilkins

American Horror Story

Below are excerpts from the article "GAO chief warns economic disaster looms" by Matt Crenson.  The Government Accounting Office (GAO) chief is David M. Walker.  In that position, Mr. Walker is our nation's chief accountant.

If the United States government conducts business as usual over the next few decades, a national debt that is already $8.5 trillion could reach $46 trillion or more, adjusted for inflation.  That's almost as much as the total net worth of every person in America -- Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and those Google guys included.

A hole that big could paralyze the U.S. economy; according to some projections, just the interest payments on a debt that big would be as much as all the taxes the government collects today. 

And every year that nothing is done about it, Walker says, the problem grows by $2 trillion to $3 trillion.

But that's about to change, thanks to the country's three big entitlement programs -- Social Security, Medicaid and especially Medicare.  Medicaid and Medicare have grown progressively more expensive as the cost of health care has dramatically outpaced inflation over the past 30 years, a trend that is expected to continue for at least another decade or two. 

And with the first baby boomers becoming eligible for Social Security in 2008 and for Medicare in 2011, the expenses of those two programs are about to increase dramatically due to demographic pressures.  People are also living longer, which makes any program that provides benefits to retirees more expensive. 

Medicare already costs four times as much as it did in 1970, measured as a percentage of the nation's gross domestic product.  It currently comprises 13 percent of federal spending; by 2030, the Congressional Budget Office projects it will consume nearly a quarter of the budget. 

Economists Jagadeesh Gokhale of the American Enterprise Institute and Kent Smetters of the University of Pennsylvania have an even scarier way of looking at Medicare.  Their method calculates the program's long-term fiscal shortfall -- the annual difference between its dedicated revenues and costs -- over time. 

By 2030 they calculate Medicare will be about $5 trillion in the hole, measured in 2004 dollars.  By 2080, the fiscal imbalance will have risen to $25 trillion.  And when you project the gap out to an infinite time horizon, it reaches $60 trillion.

Trick or treat!

Richard Wilkins

Tony Snow's Snow Job

Al Kamen reports in today's Washington Post about an exchange between White House press secretary Tony Snow and reporters.  The subject was whether Vice President Dick Cheney approves or disapproves of using water torture.  Here's the text of the article:

White House spokesman Tony Snow was hounded by reporters last week as he insisted that Vice President Cheney's approval of "a dunk in the water" during a radio interview in no way indicated that he approved of waterboarding, a torture technique meant to simulate drowning.

Snow pointed out to incredulous reporters that Cheney was very careful in his use of language and the word "waterboarding" was never uttered.  If he meant waterboarding, he would have said it.

Reporters weren't buying it.

"So, wait a minute," CBS reporter Jim Axelrod said.  "So 'dunk in the water' means what?  We have a pool now at Guantanamo and they go swimming?"

"You doing stand-up?" Snow asked.

"Saying that Vice President Cheney doesn't make mistakes like this," said ABC's Ann Compton, doesn't quite wash. "He did go up and curse a senator to his face on the Senate floor and accidentally shot his friend.  So he's not perfect," she noted.

"Not germane," Snow said.

It is clear from the transcript that the interviewer brought up "dunking" in a discussion about terrorism and questioning techniques.

Perhaps Cheney thought he was talking about those county-fair water tanks: five tickets for $10, throw the ball, hit the target, and the person sitting above drops into the water?

As Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told reporters: "Back off."

Kent Snyder

There Is Something Terribly Wrong

There is something terribly wrong with the DC-based leadership of the conservative movement.  These folks have spent the better part of the last two years defending the House leadership against charges of corruption and are now frantically trying to convince conservatives and libertarians not to abandon the GOP on election day, so as not to give control of the House to the dreaded Democrats.  While I am not one of those who looking forward to a Democrat Congress, in large part because I don't expect this president to veto many of the economically dangerous items the Democrats will pass, it is hard to say a defeat for the current GOP leadership will be a setback for the cause of liberty.

These are, after all, the same people who extended the voting time of the Medicare prescription drug bill for three hours so they could threaten and bribe (allegedly) defenders of limited government to vote for the greatest expansion of the welfare state since LBJ.  In blatant violation of House rules and tradition, Speaker J. Dennis Hastert left the podium to twist arms for the bill, accompanied by then Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson.  Leaders of the official conservative movement (and their Beltway libertarian allies) may have think their marriage with the GOP is a love like Romeo and Juliet's, but in truth the relationship DC-conservatives and libertarians have with the GOP hierarchy is more like OJ and Nicole's.

Richard Wilkins

Press Freedom Index

"US now ranks 53rd in World Press Freedom Index"

Christian Science Monitor, 10/27/06

The Treason of September

Below is a poem (loosely based on the Guy Fawkes poem) written the day after Congress sent the Military Commissions Act to President Bush.  That bill is but the codification of the treasonous doctrine both the executive branch and the judiciary have been asserting for years – that even U.S. citizens can be declared “enemy combatants” and stripped of their ancient right to jury trial, and of the rest of the protections in our Bill of Rights.  Click the hyperlinks for a multi-media experience.  Pass it along to others.  Then resolve to do your utmost to stop anyone, from any political party, who would destroy our Constitutional Republic.

Stewart Rhodes

They Did it Again!

Senator Patrick Leahy exposes another executive power grab snuck into major legislation rushed through Congress before adjourning for the election: 

Not only does this Conference Report unfortunately drop the Empowerment amendment entirely, it adopts some incredible changes to the Insurrection Act, which would give the President more authority to declare martial law.  Let me repeat: The National Guard Empowerment Act, which is designed to make it more likely for the National Guard to remain in State control, is dropped from this conference report in favor of provisions making it easier to usurp the Governors control and making it more likely that the President will take control of the Guard and the active military operating in the States. 

The changes to the Insurrection Act will allow the President to use the military, including the National Guard, to carry out law enforcement activities without the consent of a governor.  When the Insurrection Act is invoked posse comitatus does not apply.  Using the military for law enforcement goes against one of the founding tenets of our democracy, and it is for that reason that the Insurrection Act has only been invoked on three - three - in recent history.  The implications of changing the Act are enormous, but this change was just slipped in the defense bill as a rider with little study. Other congressional committees with jurisdiction over these matters had no chance to comment, let alone hold hearings on, these proposals.

Senator Leahy gives yet another reason why Congress should pass Congressman Ron Paul's Sunlight Rule.

Richard Wilkins

Netflix: Missing in Action

Netflix advertises it has "virtually every DVD published -- from classics and new releases to TV and cable series."  Netflix touts it has 65,000 titles available with over 5,000 documentary DVDs.

Why then has Netflix decided not to carry a new documentary film about American POWs in Korea and Vietnam?  The documentary is Missing, Presumed Dead:  The Search for American POWs produced and directed by Bill Dumas. 

A promotional piece about the film states:

Hundreds of American POWs from the Korean War were abandoned in North Korea after hostilities ended in 1953.  The U.S. government declared them, "Missing, Presumed Dead."  This film unveils the mystery of why these POWs were abandoned, the probability some are still alive in North Korea and why our government doesn't want them back.

"Everything it says is the truth."  -- Ross Perot

MISSING, PRESUMED DEAD, investigates these persistent questions:

• Why were these POWs abandoned?
• Are some of these POWs still alive in North Korea and Vietnam?
• Why doesn't our government demand their repatriation?

Netflix carries over 5,000 documentary films ranging in subjects from the game of bingo to the sinking of the Titanic.  Why then won't Netflix carry this new documentary about American POWs?  If you're a Netflix customer, please urge them to carry Missing, Presumed Dead or at least explain why they won't.  Netflix Requests and Suggestions

Kent Snyder

N.S.A. Telephone Monitoring Center

Explained in song by the Big Brother Chorale.

Neither Party Deserves to Win

"In a sense, then, both parties could benefit by losing this election.  And there is a certain justice to that, because both deserve to,"  concludes Cait Murphy of Fortune magazine.

More importantly Cait, our country would benefit by both parties losing this election!

Kent Snyder

"Beginning of the end of America"

"We have lived as if in a trance.

"We have lived as people in fear.

"And now -- our rights and freedoms in peril -- we slowly awaken to learn that we have been afraid of the wrong thing."

Keith Olbermann comments on the Military Commissions Act, 10/19/06

High Chancellor Bush

President Bush's role model must be that of High Chancellor Adam Sutler of the movie "V for Vendetta."  Chancellor Sutler would no doubt be proud of The Decider's use of signing statements to tell the legislative branch and the judicial branch, along with the American public, that he is the one who will say what the law is.

"Bush nullification"  San Diego Union-Tribune, 10/23/06

"Bush's Signing Statement Dictatorship"  James Bovard, 10/11/06 

Kent Snyder

GOP Trouble in Kansas

Some high-profile Republicans in Kansas have left the Republican Party to run for statewide office as Democrats, according to the Washington Post today.  The former chairman of the Kansas GOP is now the running mate of the Democratic incumbent governor, Kathleen Sebilius.  And Paul Morrison, a former Republican, is running for state attorney general.

I detest both the Republican and Democratic parties.  Both parties have become cults.  Therefore, I'm happy to see anything that shakes up the status quo of either party, whether in my home state of Kansas or elsewhere.  I say this as a former long-standing Republican myself.

Kent Snyder

Signing Away the American Way

"President Bush is claiming powers that would make him — and any future president — to a large degree a dictator.  Congress must assert anew its constitutional authority by giving itself the power to challenge presidential signing statements in court."

"This president is signing away the American way"  Editorial, Asheville Citizen-Times, 10/11/06

D.C. Swamp

The swamp known as Washington, D.C. is swarming with elites.  These elites portray themselves as "public servants."  But in reality, they believe the public should serve them.  Serve them with tax dollars to spend as they see fit.  Serve them with privilege and position.

On February 6, 2006, we noted how then director of the A.T.F. Carl Truscott spent taxpayers' money hand over fist for lavish decorative extras for his new office suite.  We now learn that Mr. Truscott ordered his staff to help his nephew complete a high school project.  The Associated Press reported yesterday that 20 A.T.F. employees were involved.

The American public would be much better off if the D.C. swamp, our nation's capital, was full of crocodiles, instead of people like Carl Truscott.

Related Article:  "Report Criticizes Ex-ATF Chief"  Washington Post, 10/12/06

Kent Snyder

GOP and the Super-Sized State

Kent, you are not the only one turning his back on the "neoconned" GOP.  Richard Viguerie, a "founding father" of the modern conservative movement and a pioneer of the direct-mail techniques responsible for so many conservative-libertarian victories, is advocating that conservatives sit this election out.  Joining Viguerie in supporting a GOP defeat this fall are former GOP Representative Joe Scarborough, and former Reagan economic advisor William Niskanen. Viguerie makes a good point that GOP losses sometimes lead to conservative-libertarian gains, e.g. Ford's loss in 1976 set up Reagan's 1980 victory, while George the First's 1993 defeat set up the "Revolution of 1994."

"Distraught Republicans lambasting one another" San Francisco Chronicle, 10/08/06 

Richard Viguerie's "Conservatives Betrayed"

Richard Wilkins

"Jeb Bush hides in supply closet"

"PITTSBURGH -- Florida Gov. Jeb Bush took refuge in a subway station supply closet when he was greeted by protesters on his way to a campaign event for a Pennsylvania Republican senator."

Associated Press, 10/08/06

GOP: Biggie Size Government

Republicans have long said they are the party of small government.  The reality, however, is much different than their rhetoric.

Since my days in high school, I took the GOP promise to reduce the size of government (among other promises) hook, line and sinker.  But no more.  Because of their lie about reducing government, along with many other lies over the years, I say "good bye" to the GOP.

"Big Government Gets Bigger"  The Washington Post, 10/06/06

Kent Snyder

Tribute to Helen Chenoweth-Hage

To My Dear Friends,

Tragic news.  I just learned this morning that The Honorable (one of the few) Helen Chenoweth-Hage, former congresswoman from Idaho, was killed in a car rollover yesterday (Monday the 2nd of October) near Tonopah, Nevada.  Helen was one in a million.  A great lady and a courageous fighter for the principles of Americanism.  Helen was beautiful, vivacious and intelligent.  She was extraordinarily gifted with just plain common sense.  Or, as her late rancher husband Wayne would have said, "Horse sense."   

Helen's departure from this life was most untimely.  This world has been a better place because Helen was here.   She contributed much. She will be sorely missed.  She has continued to contribute much to the cause of human liberty and justice.  Helen was much loved by all conservative Americans.  Of course, she was hated by the liberals, socialists, communists and other traitors to humanity.  I do not know what higher tribute can be paid to anyone than to be said that they were not only loved by the best but despised by the most evil people on earth.   

Helen -- We who love liberty will love you forever and we will miss you.

Joe H. Ferguson, Utah

Helen Chenoweth-Hage, Champion of Liberty, RIP

Former Congresswoman Helen Chenoweth-Hage died in a car crash on Monday.  Congresswoman Chenoweth-Hage was a member of the "revolutionary class of '94" and one of the few who lived up to the hype.  She was the first member of the House to join Congressman Ron Paul's Liberty Caucus.  She was a staunch defender of Second Amendment rights, private property, sovereignty, and the Constitution.  Mrs. Chenoweth-Hage came to Congress to make a difference, not a career.  She stepped down in 2000 honoring the term limit pledge she made in 1994. 

Jim Bovard writes about Mrs. Chenoweth-Hage.

"Former congresswoman dies in Nevada"  Las Vegas Sun, 10/02/06

Richard Wilkins

Doing the People's Business

Kent, I noticed the House spent a grand total of less than two hours the other day debating the military commissions bill.  Good to know the members of the "people's house" will not let a trivial manner like the giving the president the authority to declare American citizens "enemy combatants," and thus subject them to indefinite detention, distract them from the important task of naming post offices. 

Richard Wilkins

Dr. Frist's Late-Night Surgery

Gambling with Port Security

What does a ban on Internet gambling have to do with port security? If you said "nothing" than you haven't been following the goings on in Congress.  Late Friday night/early Saturday morning, the House and Senate passed an important bill increasing security at our nation's ports.  However, the bill contained an unrelated provision banning the use of credit cards for most forms of Internet gambling.  Highly-placed Hill sources have informed yours truly that the gambling provisions were placed there because of a last-minute demand by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. 

According to my sources, First walked into the House-Senate Conference Committee Friday night as they where completing work on the bill and demanding that they insert the gambling provision in the bill or else he would block it from consideration on the Senate floor.  Most representatives and senators probably had no idea the gambling provision was in the bill. 

Congressman Ron Paul's Sunlight Rule would put an end to these type of late-night shenanigans.

Richard Wilkins