Thursday, December 27, 2012

Guns Are Not the Problem, People Are | Campaign for Liberty

Guns Are Not the Problem, People Are | Campaign for Liberty: "There is already an assault weapons ban enacted there, and obviously it did not stop Adam Lanza from obtaining weapons. To illustrate the point, consider that cocaine is 74% cheaper today than it was 30 years ago, despite the $20-25 billion dollars per year the Government has spent trying to stop its entry into the country. Making something illegal does not stop it from getting into the hands of those who desire it."

"Every day, we make choices that expose us to extreme danger.  Acts like merging onto the highway, standing next to a forklift operator, even turning on a light switch or stepping onto an elevator require a high level of trust in the benevolence of an unknown stranger; our lives literally depend on them doing the right thing."

"we should instead look within.  Are we being compassionate towards those around us?  Are we treating each other with respect and dignity?"

A New Republican Agenda for the Future | Doug Bandow | Cato Institute

A New Republican Agenda for the Future | Doug Bandow | Cato Institute: "Washington’s wild spending, huge deficits, and massive unfunded liabilities are the most important challenge today. However, the Republican Party gave away that issue under George W. Bush and the Republican Congress."

"their argument against tax hikes is not hatred of government, but recognition that Washington wastes money prodigiously"

"Republicans should promise there will be no more interminable wars for democracy promotion and nation-building in the future"

"The GOP should support an increase in legal immigration, long a plus to American society"

"The desire was not to ensure access to contraception, which is inexpensive and widely available, but to force those who oppose the practice to pay for it. That is, the mandate is an aggressive, offensive use of the state against a fundamental freedom."

"The principle is simple: If you choose to have sex, you share responsibility for any life that results. The debate should be over what that responsibility entails. The purpose of an abortion ban is not to impose values but to protect life and choice by ensuring responsibility."

"Every few years someone writes the political obituary of one of the major parties. Doing so always ends up being premature."

All about Taxes | Michael D. Tanner | Cato Institute

All about Taxes | Michael D. Tanner | Cato Institute: "But there is a profound lack of curiosity when it comes to the other half of this supposed bargain. Remember that hypothetical deal of $1 in tax increases to $10 in spending cuts? Republicans are still being asked about it and criticized for rejecting it. But balancing the budget under that formula would require $9 trillion in spending cuts over the next ten years. When was the last time the president or a Democratic congressman was asked whether or not they would agree to such a deal?"

"it’s worth noting that more than half of Democratic congressmen and eleven senators have signed a pledge to oppose any changes to Social Security or Medicare. If pledges are the root of all evil, couldn’t we pause for just a moment in our attempts to run Grover Norquist out of town to work up the tiniest bit of outrage about this one?"

"The president’s most recent budget calls for $2.6 in increased spending between now and 2022. That’s $1 trillion more than the $1.6 trillion that the president has called for in new taxes. Therefore, the tax hikes would not be used to reduce the deficit, but to finance new spending."