Tag Archives: Leftist

Don't Be a Turkey: Czar

Posted on December 2, 2009 | Leave a comment

Really.  All ya’ll.  Just get out of the way and let people make decisions that reflect their best interests.  If you do that, wonderful wonderful things will happen.  All by themselves!

Like in previous years, you probably didn’t call your local supermarket ahead of time and order your Thanksgiving turkey this year. Why not? Because you automatically assumed that a turkey would be there when you showed up, and it probably was there when you showed up “unannounced” at the grocery store to select your bird.

The reason your Thanksgiving turkey was waiting for you without an advance order? Because of “spontaneous order,” “self-interest,” and the “invisible hand” of the free market – “the mysterious power that leads innumerable people, each working for his own gain, to promote ends that benefit many.” And even if your turkey appeared in your local grocery stores only because of the “selfishness” or “corporate greed” of thousands of turkey farmers, truckers, and supermarket owners who are complete strangers to you and your family, it’s still part of the miracle of the marketplace where “individually selfish decisions lead to collectively efficient outcomes.”

The entire process of raising turkeys for slaughter is timed so that a huge demand is met with a huge supply, but not TOO much of a supply.  And nobody, not even ONE body, is in charge of making it so.

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Posted in Economics

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The Dangers of Global Warming. And Solutions

Posted on November 29, 2009 | 1 comment

I am pretty sure that the Earth’s climate is changing.  I am equally sure that it has been changing since, well, since  “Let their be Light”.  <Heh heh…that should drive the Leftists crazy.>

Further, I think that when you take a Disney Bluebird in a Disney Meadow and rip it up, throw down tons of asphalt and generators and buildings and stuff, the Disney Bluebird is going to be warmer than he used to be.  I have no doubt that parts of the world are warmer than they otherwise would have been.

But I do NOT think that said parking lot in Bluebird’s meadow is causing massive shifts in weather patterns.  I just don’t.  But some people do.  And those that do, allow THIS to happen:

MANAUS, Brazil – Brazil’s president said that “gringos” should pay Amazon nations to prevent deforestation, insisting rich Western nations have caused much more past environmental destruction than the loggers and farmers who cut and burn trees in the world’s largest tropical rain forest.

Yup.  This guy thinks that we should pay him NOT to cut down trees in HIS forest.  Which if course, reminds me of the old joke.  How does a farmer in America double his earnings?  Put up another mailbox!  Now look, I don’t know if El Presidente really thinks that the world is burning or not.  In fact, if I had to guess, I would say he doesn’t.  But the fact that a lot of people DO feel that way may actually help funnel that money to him.

Is Global Warming real?  Fake?  I have my suspicions.  But the fact that we break down party lines gives me the impression that “The Science” isn’t anywhere close to “being in”.

Oh.  Yeah.  The solution:

The Brazilian Amazon is arguably the world’s biggest natural defense against global warming, acting as an absorber of carbon dioxide. But it is also a big contributor to warming because about 75 percent of Brazil’s emissions come from rainforest clearing, as vegetation burns and felled trees rot.

It would seem that if the Amazon were truly such a defender of the planet, and that it is a given that we want to increase CO2 eating trees, that we should cut down the WHOLE thing, sequester all of the lumber in things like houses or boats or whatever and replant it all with younger faster growing trees that will consume MORE CO2.  I mean certainly young trees growing eat more CO2 than old trees simply eeking out a living?

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Posted in Global Warming

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California: Part I

Posted on November 23, 2009 | Leave a comment

I think that I’m gonna keep a running tally of the crap that’s going on in California.  It is possible, very likely, that the State is going to have to go bankrupt or beg for and receive a bailout from the Federal Government.

Part I:

California is known for its car culture. But it turns out those wheels are rolling over some of the worst roads in the nation. A recent study ranked California 49th out of the 50 states for the quality of its pavement. New Jersey came in last. But California has the distinction of having the nation’s worst roads in urban areas.

I should be happy that NPR is saying anything negative on the darling of the left.  But then again, not one single reference as to why the roads are so bad.  Not one mention as to the shrinking revenues, the mounting debt and the tendency of California to drive out both business and the wealthy.

A guy can dream?

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Posted in Economics, Politics: National, States Behaving Badly

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A New Low

Posted on November 19, 2009 | Leave a comment

Unbelievable.  Then again, maybe it IS believable.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson on Wednesday night injected race into the national debate on health care, saying any black lawmaker who votes against President Obama’s sweeping overhaul isn’t really black, the Hill newspaper reported.

“We even have blacks voting against the health care bill,” Jackson reportedly said at a Congressional Black Caucus reception Wednesday night honoring the 25th anniversary of the civil rights leader’s run for president.

“You can’t vote against health care and call yourself a black man,” the Hill reported him saying.

What an ass.

And on a second note:

The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race.

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Posted in Health Care, Race

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Additional Cost of Health Care

Posted on November 17, 2009 | Leave a comment

The big knock against private insurance is that profit is immoral.  “How  can you make money off other people being sick?”  That’s all we hear from the Leftists when it comes to this plan.

The thing is, these people have no clue, ZERO, about the role that profits play.  Profits, see, are the thing that incent “better behavior.”  If you have a lemonade stand and are making stupid money, I am going to start my own lemonade stand.  And how am I going to make money or steal your customers?  I’m going to have to challenge you on price or quality.  Maybe both.

THAT’S the power of profits.  When it comes to making sure the public is getting as good a deal as possible, you have to make sure that the incentives are aligned as such.  If you want to have the lemonade drinking public better served, you can use lots and lots of tools and regulations and edicts.  Or.  Or you can allow for free market and the profit signal.

Oh, the other benefit of those who like to make profits?  They don’t like to see their money just flushed down the toilet.

WASHINGTON — The government paid more than $47 billion in questionable Medicare claims including medical treatment showing little relation to a patient’s condition, wasting taxpayer dollars at a rate nearly three times the previous year.

Excerpts of a new federal report, obtained by The Associated Press, show a dramatic increase in improper payments in the $440 billion Medicare program that has been cited by government auditors as a high risk for fraud and waste for 20 years.

For you Leftists out there; that better than 10% just in WASTE.  Insurance companies bring in about 2-3% in PROFIT.  That’s 3-5 times the difference.  Talk about waste.

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Posted in Economics, Health Care

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How They Spend Their Time

Posted on November 14, 2009 | 2 comments

A long time ago I worked at a corporate cafeteria.  In addition to serving lunches to the folks that had an office in the building, we would also cater events; weddings, anniversaries and what not.  On top of that, we would cater corporate lunches and “moral boosters.”  You know, that lunch outside serving picnic food and a coke.  Or, maybe it’s just a free ice cream sundae one afternoon.  All good ideas.

As I worked these that one summer, I was struck by one thing.  These high paid professional people would wait in line, in the sun, for a long long time to get a hot dog or a scoop of ice cream.  I never have understood it.  And now that I’m that professional worker in that office building and have the opportunity to wait 40 minutes in line for some chocolate ice cream, I smile and just keep on keepin’ on.

This story in France reminded me of those days:

An angry crowd hurled missiles and tipped over a vehicle near the Eiffel Tower in Paris Saturday after a company promised a massive cash giveaway but then failed to deliver, police said.

Trouble flared among the crowd of around 7,000 people when they realised the Internet company Rentabiliweb were not going ahead with the publicity stunt to give away some 40,000 euros (60,000 dollars).

Much like the cube dwellers on the offices above, these people apparently value their time at about $2,50 an hour.  See, I’m guessing that the whole ordeal took about two hours,  and the most likely payout for these folks would be $5.  Again, to be clear, these people would rather just blow hours of their time fo $5 than actually DO something.  Now, to be fair, maybe I’m making too big a deal over nothing.  Maybe the idea of spending time in a park in front of the Eiffel Tower is time well spent and heck, 5 free dollars with the chance to earn more seems like a bonus.  I think it’s a sign of what happens when people have an entitlement attitude.  When they are used to being take care of.  When they forget that they have to earn what is theirs.  My proof in this theory?

Police arrested around 10 people and nine were remanded in custody as anger erupted in the shadow of the Paris landmark.

I am afraid that this is where WE are heading.

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Posted in Politics: International

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What Have We Become

Posted on November 9, 2009 | 5 comments

Stumbled across a letter to Joe Lieberman tonight over at American Hatriotism today.  It’s awesome.  Basically you have someone over there talking about how awful, simply AWFUL, Mr. Lieberman is for coming out against the health care bill.  After a WHOLE bunch of discussion on the fact, we get to the point where a letter is penned and delivered to the Senator’s office.  I’ve captured all I could stand the beginning and then added my response to it.  If ya want, stop on over the Hatriotism and see if the comment got any action:

Dear Mr. Lieberman,

Do you sleep well while …..

so many Americans struggle to bear the pain and anguish they are experiencing today?

Far be it that people ought to struggle.

somewhere in America a hard working student finds out there is no means, no money, no way to college?

Is that hard-working student willing to work hard at a job?

a mother and father are struggling to provide the bare necessities for their disabled child?

Good bless then for being able to supply the necessities for their child; disabled or not.

an elderly man who fought for his country eats a can of beans for dinner and must dress in several layers of clothing because he can not afford a decent meal or to heat his meager home?

We thank him for his service; service to ensure that we are all free.  Free to be responsible.  Or not to be responsible.

a Mother over-medicates her baby with tylenol for his earache because she can not take him to the urgent care or doctor for treatment?

She should take the bay to urgent care or the doctor for treatment.

a family will huddle in the cold behind a dumpster to block the wind because they have nowhere else to go?

Before they go to the government, they should go to church.

a husband and wife lie in bed discussing how to break it to their children that they will soon lose their home and have to move?

The tender mercies of learning not to borrow money you can’t afford to pay back.

a couple that saved thousands for a home they will now lose when the bank takes it away?

This should be sent to Senator Frank actually.

a father tells his family he has lost his job and they can no longer count on him to take care of them?

A real father would say that he has lost his job and will do whatever it takes to take care of them.  Even if it means working 3 others.

a mother tells her children there isn’t anything left in the house to eat?

How many different ways can you say the same thing?

another father wonders how many more days, weeks, months before he will work again and worries how they’ll make it until then?

Jeez.

The whole rest of your letter is the same point on and on and on.

And the real tragedy?  Passing a law isn’t going to change any of that.

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Posted in Health Care, Liberty, Raising Men

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The Mind of a Leftist

Posted on November 8, 2009 | Leave a comment

Washington state has to play the “add-value” card, not “low-cost-leader” ace

That’s the headline from the Seattle Times this morning discussing why Puget Sound lost out on the Boeing factory to South Carolina.

We all look for value in the things that we buy.  Old Milwaukee is a cheaper beer than Long Hammer.  You can buy WAY more of it than you can that better beer for the money.  But, then again, Long Hammer is a better beer.  So, what do you buy?  Well, that depends.  On YOUR value proposition.  Almost every American I know enjoys this freedom, this Liberty.  The ability to tend to your individual tastes and take advantage of choices.  We do it with beer, with gas and even with eye glasses.

Why wouldn’t a corporation do the same?  In fact, value is one of the key considerations for corporations.  If they do NOT go after the best value, you could argue that they aren’t acting in the best interest of their shareholders.  Which makes this just laughable:

Boeing’s decision to establish a second 787 production line in South Carolina was a “race to the bottom” on pay punch to the solar plexus of the Puget Sound region.

Boeing didn’t decide to establish its second production line in South Carolina because of low pay.  They established their second production line in South Carolina because it offered more VALUE.  But Mr. Talson, contrary to his headline, hammers home the point of low pay:

After all, South Carolina’s new Boeing workers will make about $15 an hour compared with on average the $26 earned by veterans in the company’s Washington-state factories.

But wait, it gets even better.  As if lower pay isn’t enough, these Southern states offer such “amenities” as :

few unions and light environmental regulations

Further, those States have *gasp*

spent billions of dollars on incentives, such as cutting taxes and providing job training.

How dare those States create tax structures such that businesses can survive and even flourish.  And don’t even get me started on job training; down right repressive!

After these first few salvos, the tone of the article changes.  Mostly nonsense not having to do with why South Carolina won the line and Washington lost it.  But then comes this gem:

Washington workers are caught in the same downdraft that has been affecting Americans for at least 30 years: slowing growth of middle-class incomes, declining benefits and, through most of the 2000s, stagnant wages.

Ahh, huh?

When you ask the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank, they disagree:

non-monetary gains

Whatever.  Different topic for a different post.  However, its stunning what people can just write.  Because they want to.  Simply stunning.

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Posted in Economics, Politics: North Carolina

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Capitalism: Bringing Books to Millions

Posted on November 4, 2009 | Leave a comment

Some of the world’s best authors are having their books controlled by the most massive corporations the history has eve seen.  Prices are manipulated and the result is that consumers are getting the shaft are seeing some of the best deals ever seen.

Early in the day, Amazon was selling Grisham’s book of short stories for $9, the same price it had offered for “Ford County” before publication and a sign that Amazon was ready to continue the cost competition beyond the release date. Walmart.com was selling “Ford County” for $12 early Tuesday, then cut the price to the pre-order discount of $8.98.

And how are consumers across the country being abused?

Hardcovers generally have a list price of $24 or higher,

Wait.  Their not?  You mean that we are bring the most popular books in print to millions of people who otherwise may not have been able to afford ’em?  This MUST be bad, right?  Yup.

“We run the risk of seriously devaluing our product,” Grisham told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Poor starving artist.

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Posted in Economics

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The Stunning Effect of Government

Posted on November 2, 2009 | Leave a comment

History is littered with the stories of government abuse.  Instances where brutal dictators have stolen from their nations and enslaved their people.  In other cases, these leaders actually sing a song so enticing that the people don’t even see what’s going on.  The readily hand over their treasures, their hard work and even their dignity.  All because of some false promise with no hope of delivery.  A modern-day example is taking place in Venezuela.

Five months after Venezuela nationalized dozens of oil service contractors in Zulia state, the once-bustling industrial dock on Lake Maracaibo is nearly abandoned, and the 16 red flags raised to celebrate the takeovers are already tattered and faded.

First, this should shock no one.  The very idea that a government could run a corporation is laughable.

The this gem:

A few small groups of workers remain, hoping to get the jobs they were promised after the expropriations.

At least the story doesn’t read “A few large groups…..”

And then the tragedy:

“We demand our jobs. Because we haven’t gotten an answer, we’re still here,” said Demostenes Velasquez

I love it.  Our jobs.  Like, you know, they’re his.  And someone came and took ’em.   “We haven’t gotten an answer!”  as he just STOMPS his feet.  Okay, sorry.  Mr. Velasquez is prolly just a little angry and will move on as soon as this reporter walks away, right?  Wrong:

Demostenes Velasquez, who for months has lived under the scorching sun in a tent improvised from remnants of oil union election pamphlets.

At least he has the Union to thank for his shelter.  But that’s about all their going to give him, cause even THEY have left.  But check out the brother.  Living for MONTHS in a tent!  I’ve never heard such outrageous bullshit.

But the best part?  The BEST part?

Despite the protests, most of the workers don’t blame Chavez or his revolution, but individual managers of the state oil company.  “Five months ago, our President Hugo Chavez announced the glorious news (of the nationalization) that would benefit the town, but some (PDVSA) managers have contradicted it,” said Velasquez, a self-proclaimed “Chavista” who dresses in the red clothing popular with champions of the president.

I should be surprised that we elected Obama.  Maybe I should be surprised that it took us this long.

But hey, a little sacrifice is nothing compared to the benefit of the oil industry, right?  Ooops.

Experts said production in west Maracaibo has a capacity of up to 1 million barrels per day (bpd). But experts say its rate of decline has accelerated since nationalizations.

…

The oil industry slowdown has reverberated throughout the economy. According to the Association of Retailers and Industrialists of Lagunillas, commercial activity in the region has contracted between 30 and 70 percent.

Yeah.  This is gonna work out just fine.  Just fine.

Oil tanker

A few small groups of workers remain, hoping to get the jobs they were promised after the expropriations.

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Posted in Economics, Politics: International

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