First-term Assembly Republicans drove history-making changes - JSOnline

First-term Assembly Republicans drove history-making changes - JSOnline: "'You had freshmen standing up that are in swing districts that said, 'You know what? I didn't come down here to be re-elected again. I came down here to set the state right, and that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to take this vote; I know it's probably not the easiest politically for me,' ' Fitzgerald said, adding:

'That was the beauty - the political courage - of it, that these folks were like, 'I'll take this vote and, if I don't come back, I can look myself in the mirror and say, 'That's what I went down there to do and that's what I think the people sent me there to do.' '"

Why 70% Tax Rates Won't Work | Alan Reynolds | Cato Institute: Commentary

Why 70% Tax Rates Won't Work | Alan Reynolds | Cato Institute: Commentary: "reductions in top tax rates under Presidents Kennedy and Reagan, and reductions in capital gains tax rates under Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush, not only 'paid for themselves' but also provided enough extra revenue to finance negative income taxes for the bottom 40% and record-low income taxes at middle incomes."

Johnson Comments on Obama Involvement in Debt Ceiling Negotiations - Press Releases - Newsroom - Ron Johnson, United States Senator for Wisconsin

Johnson Comments on Obama Involvement in Debt Ceiling Negotiations - Press Releases - Newsroom - Ron Johnson, United States Senator for Wisconsin: "Although I'm glad the President has finally decided to get personally involved in addressing this nation's severe economic and budgetary problems, it would be far better if that discussion and debate occurred in the open where the American people can see and hear the results."

The Yugo: The Rise and Fall of the Worst Car in History | The Freeman | Ideas On Liberty

The Yugo: The Rise and Fall of the Worst Car in History | The Freeman | Ideas On Liberty: "Interestingly, the very reason the Yugo even became an item was a U.S. government move to keep small Japanese cars out of the United States. The Japanese automakers responded to this protectionism by making mid-sized luxury cars, which created a void for a small, inexpensive vehicle. The Yugo would (at least temporarily) fill that void thanks to the foresight of entrepreneur Malcolm Bricklin."

Blame the Wheel | The Freeman | Ideas On Liberty

Blame the Wheel | The Freeman | Ideas On Liberty: "President Obama says automation accounts for high unemployment today. He really said that. And he said: “You see it when you go to a bank and you use an ATM, you don’t go to a bank teller, or you go to the airport and you’re using a kiosk instead of checking in at the gate.” So maybe when his administration finances “shovel-ready projects,” they should literally use shovels and not modern equipment. That would put a lot of people to work."

He better give up Air Force one, Marine One, limos, etc and use a chair carried by people. Give up internet and T.V. and pay messengers and heralds!

Taking Marriage Private - New York Times

Taking Marriage Private - New York Times: "For 16 centuries, Christianity also defined the validity of a marriage on the basis of a couple’s wishes. If two people claimed they had exchanged marital vows — even out alone by the haystack — the Catholic Church accepted that they were validly married."

"The American colonies officially required marriages to be registered, but until the mid-19th century, state supreme courts routinely ruled that public cohabitation was sufficient evidence of a valid marriage."

Privatize Marriage Now by Ryan McMaken

Privatize Marriage Now by Ryan McMaken: "Many people get 'married' in courthouses in totally non-religious ceremonies. Such marriage contracts are in essence no different from run-of-the-mill legal contracts. The fact that we call such unions 'marriage' doesn’t make them so. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, marriage is a religious matter. Some government judge can’t make you 'married' any more than can your hair dresser."

Truth about Trade Deficits and Jobs | Daniel Griswold | Cato Institute: Commentary

Truth about Trade Deficits and Jobs | Daniel Griswold | Cato Institute: Commentary: "A trade deficit doesn't mean those dollars flowing abroad just disappear. They quickly return to the United States. If they are not used to buy our goods and services to export, they are used to buy American assets — Treasury bills, corporate stock and bonds, real estate and bank deposits.

In this way, America's trade deficit is always and almost exactly offset by a foreign investment surplus. The net surplus of foreign investment into the U.S. each year keeps long-term interest rates down, prevents the crowding out of private investment by government borrowing and promotes job creation through direct investment in U.S. factories and businesses."

"Since 1980, real U.S. GDP has grown at an annualized rate of 3.6 percent during those periods of rising trade deficits, compared to a sluggish 1.0 percent during periods of shrinking deficits. So much for trade deficits being a drag on growth."

"Despite worries about the U.S. industrial base, manufacturing output during periods of expanding trade deficits rose a healthy 5.2 percent per year. During periods of declining (i.e. 'improving') trade deficits, manufacturing output contracted at an annualized rate of 2.0 percent."

"during periods of rising trade deficits, employment has grown at an annualized average of 1.4 percent, compared to zero growth on average during periods of declining deficits. The unemployment rate dropped by an average of 0.4 percentage points a year during periods of rising deficits, compared to a painful 1.0 point per year when the deficit was declining"

The Real Budget Problem | Michael D. Tanner | Cato Institute: Commentary

The Real Budget Problem | Michael D. Tanner | Cato Institute: Commentary: "In fact, the Congressional Budget Office predicts that as economic growth returns, federal tax revenues will grow by an average of 7.3 percent annually over the next ten years. By the end of the decade, taxes will have pushed back through the 18 percent level, and be headed toward 20 percent — all without any changes in tax policy."

"the real cost of government is the size of government. According to the CBO, the federal government is on track to consume 42 percent of GDP by 2050. (State and local governments will consume another 10 to 15 percent of GDP.)"

Targeting the World's Worst Religious Persecutors | Doug Bandow | Cato Institute: Commentary

Targeting the World's Worst Religious Persecutors | Doug Bandow | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Although there is great variety among persecuting states, two characteristics stand out: Islamic national or regional majorities and Communist or former Communist ideologies. Of the 25 nations singled out as the worst abusers by the Commission, 11 are majority Muslim and 10 are Communist/former Communist."