AlbertMohler.com – Thrown Over the Fence — Infanticide, Canadian Style: "So a superior court judge in a relatively civilized jurisdiction is happy to extend the principles underlying legalized abortion in order to mitigate the killing of a legal person — that’s to say, someone who has managed to make it to the post-fetus stage. How long do those mitigating factors apply? I mean, “onerous demands”-wise, the first month of a newborn’s life is no picnic for the mother. How about six months in? The terrible twos?"
Is a rebellious teenager a "mitigating factor" too?
"Katrina Effert just might actually spend time behind bars — not for killing her son but for throwing the boy’s body over the fence. For that infraction, she might serve 16 days in jail."
Friday, September 16, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Well Worth the Money | David Boaz | Cato Institute: Commentary
Well Worth the Money | David Boaz | Cato Institute: Commentary: For those who benefited from it, it is indeed well worth the money. But, as with all government programs, the beneficiaries weren't paying for it.
Tax Hikes Will Only Make Us All Poorer | Jim Powell | Cato Institute: Commentary
Tax Hikes Will Only Make Us All Poorer | Jim Powell | Cato Institute: Commentary: Truth be told, Obama recognizes there aren't enough rich people to pay for everything. That's why he has expanded the number of "millionaires and billionaires" to include those who earn more than $200,000. As runaway government spending continues, soak-the-rich taxes will have to hit more people — the "millionaires and billionaires earning $100,000, then $50,000 and perhaps even less.'
'during the past six decades, tax revenues as a percentage of GDP have hovered around 19 percent, despite changes in tax rates. This was true even when the top federal income tax rate was 92 percent (1952-53).'
'during the past six decades, tax revenues as a percentage of GDP have hovered around 19 percent, despite changes in tax rates. This was true even when the top federal income tax rate was 92 percent (1952-53).'
Inequality of Wealth and Incomes - Ludwig von Mises - Mises Daily
Inequality of Wealth and Incomes - Ludwig von Mises - Mises Daily: "Inequality of wealth and incomes is an essential feature of the market economy." "He who best serves the consumers profits most and accumulates riches."
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Terminate the Small Business Administration | Tad DeHaven | Cato Institute: Commentary
Terminate the Small Business Administration | Tad DeHaven | Cato Institute: Commentary: The SBA does this by guaranteeing loans issued by private lenders for up to 85 percent of losses in the event that loan recipients default. As a result of the guarantee, lenders are more willing to lend money to riskier applicants because the SBA -- and thus taxpayers -- is ultimately responsible for the bulk of any losses.
Never mind that surveys of small-businesses owners consistently show that taxes and regulations are their biggest problems while financing polls in the single digits.
Never mind that surveys of small-businesses owners consistently show that taxes and regulations are their biggest problems while financing polls in the single digits.
Are You Authorized to Defend Yourself? - Wendy McElroy - Mises Daily
Are You Authorized to Defend Yourself? - Wendy McElroy - Mises Daily: denying the right of self-defense to a person because he might get hurt is like denying freedom of speech because he might misspeak or denying freedom of religion because he could join the wrong church.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Now Answer Some Questions | Michael D. Tanner | Cato Institute: Commentary
Now Answer Some Questions | Michael D. Tanner | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Balancing the budget without raising taxes is going to require cutting specific programs, so tell us which ones you would cut."
"Do you support Paul Ryan's plan for Medicare reform? If not, what would you do? What about Social Security?"
"President Bush was all for states rights until a state did something he didn't like, such as legalize medical marijuana or physician-assisted suicide. What happens now if a state, say, chooses to permit gay marriage?"
"Under what circumstances would you commit U.S. troops to combat? It's not enough to say you would protect U.S. vital interests. What are those vital interests? Promoting democracy? Human rights? Fighting every last terrorist in any country that they pop up in? Ensuring 'stability' in every area of the globe?"
"Is it government's role to 'create jobs'? Should government enforce moral values? What things can only government do, and what should be left to civil society?"
"Do you support Paul Ryan's plan for Medicare reform? If not, what would you do? What about Social Security?"
"President Bush was all for states rights until a state did something he didn't like, such as legalize medical marijuana or physician-assisted suicide. What happens now if a state, say, chooses to permit gay marriage?"
"Under what circumstances would you commit U.S. troops to combat? It's not enough to say you would protect U.S. vital interests. What are those vital interests? Promoting democracy? Human rights? Fighting every last terrorist in any country that they pop up in? Ensuring 'stability' in every area of the globe?"
"Is it government's role to 'create jobs'? Should government enforce moral values? What things can only government do, and what should be left to civil society?"
Who Serves During Disaster? - Doug French - Mises Daily
Who Serves During Disaster? - Doug French - Mises Daily: Government monopolies have the incentive to provide the least amount of service for the highest cost. So, the government brass suspends services and tells their constituents to go away and come back when it's more convenient. Meanwhile, Waffle House fires up the generators, eager to serve their faithful customers in the worst of conditions.
Why Warren Buffett Is Wrong | Jeffrey A. Miron | Cato Institute: Commentary
Why Warren Buffett Is Wrong | Jeffrey A. Miron | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Focusing on the super-rich also fosters a counterproductive attitude toward material success. The way to promote a hard-working, entrepreneurial and innovative society is to celebrate great wealth so long as it has been earned by legitimate means. When this is not the case, policy should target the wrongdoing directly, not demonize everyone who hits it big.
Most importantly, singling out the super-rich distracts from the real problem: the myriad policies that make no sense in the first place because they inhibit economic growth and that simultaneously redistribute from low-income households to the middle and upper classes."
"taxing investment returns plays a huge role in what kinds of investments occur, and where, even if it has minor effects on the amounts. These tax-induced distortions in investment choices then reduce economic growth. High U.S. taxation on capital income drives investment overseas.
So raising capital tax rates will not make the super-rich pay their 'fair' share; it will encourage capital flight, driving factories and innovation abroad. The rich will still get their high returns, but U.S. workers will have fewer jobs and lower wages."
Most importantly, singling out the super-rich distracts from the real problem: the myriad policies that make no sense in the first place because they inhibit economic growth and that simultaneously redistribute from low-income households to the middle and upper classes."
"taxing investment returns plays a huge role in what kinds of investments occur, and where, even if it has minor effects on the amounts. These tax-induced distortions in investment choices then reduce economic growth. High U.S. taxation on capital income drives investment overseas.
So raising capital tax rates will not make the super-rich pay their 'fair' share; it will encourage capital flight, driving factories and innovation abroad. The rich will still get their high returns, but U.S. workers will have fewer jobs and lower wages."
Time for a Constitutional Fix | Richard W. Rahn | Cato Institute: Commentary
Time for a Constitutional Fix | Richard W. Rahn | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Mr. McClaughry would limit the total amount of federal debt to $20 trillion. Setting an absolute amount makes the calculation unambiguous, unlike most other proposals that refer to some percentage of gross domestic product or other less precise numbers. The United States has a gross debt of about $15 trillion, so the proposal would give Congress several years to get its house in order and give adequate time for the states to ratify it. Mr. McClaughry would allow the issuance of additional debt if, and only if, Congress formally declared war, and only while the armed forces were engaged in combat."
A specific limit would also discourage monetary inflation.
A specific limit would also discourage monetary inflation.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)