Local Election Endorsements
Yesterday, the Travis County Libertarian Party officially endorsed Pat Dixon for Lago Vista City Council and Sam Osemene for Austin City Council. Both of these gentlemen would do a fine job of representing their constituents and will greatly advance the ideas of personal freedom on a local level. I want to encourage everyone to research the candidates running this Saturday and to make sure you vote! Local elections are just as important, if not more important, than statewide and national elections. Don’t ignore them just because they don’t receive as much attention.
Constituwhat?
The founding fathers thought it would be a good idea to have a system of checks and balances. One of the mains checks was having three different branches of government that checked each other so that none of them could gain too much power. Many people think this was, is and will continue to be a pretty good idea. Unfortunately, none of those people happen to work in the executive branch of the Texas government.
A few weeks ago I wrote about a judge ruling that the Texas “sin tax” placed on strip clubs was unconstitutional and that the tax could not be collected. This was a logical decision and it proved the wisdom of having separate branches of government to stop excesses. Sadly, the Texas Comptroller decided that the court decision didn’t matter and is requiring payment of the sin tax. Their justification for this second violation of the constitution is that the Texas AG appealed the ruling. In the minds of the Texas executive, appealing a court decision renders it null until the appeal trial starts. This is blatantly unconstitutional on several levels. I have no idea why the Texas Comptroller is pursuing this illegal action. Are they really so desperate for money that will willingly violate the courts and the constitution to take money from businesses that have done nothing wrong other than supply a service that is demanded by the market?
Let me also remind you that the Texas executive is controlled by Republicans who frequently claim to respect and adhere to the constitution. Actions like these are rarely large in scope but they are occurring with increasing frequency around the country. Other than breaking out the pitchforks and the tar can you think of a better way of stopping these abuses than voting our lying and power hungry executives and legislators out of office? I guess that Texas Republicans view their oath to protect the constitution more as a tradition than an actual pledge that must always be upheld with integrity.
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Credit Given Where Credit is Due
Well as much as I criticize Republicans, they do occasionally say and do the right things. Being an honest commentator I feel that it is important to not only point out errors but also to praise politicians when they get things right. So this post is dedicated to our Republican Senator Cornyn. This past week Cornyn addressed the issue of America’s energy crisis. This particular quote from him is music unto my ears: “We can pass a lot of laws here in Congress, and we can actually even repeal a law every now and then. But we can’t repeal the law of supply and demand. And this is the law that, for some reason, Congress just refuses to learn.”
Talk about hitting the nail on the head. Senator Cornyn calls for opening more of the oil resources that are in America which are estimated to be enough to fully supply America’s oil consumption for 5 years. Cornyn also criticizes America’s ethanol subsidies as being responsible for increasing the price of food here and around the world. He actually calls for Congress to get out of the way of American companies. Many of his comments have a very strong Neo-Con overtone to them. I also realize that he is in large part pandering to the oil lobby. Although his motives may be questionable, his proposals are smart and accurate in their assessment of what needs to be done. Let’s hope that the rest of the Republicans and maybe even a few enlightened Democrats will see be struck by the logic of trusting in the free market (or by the high price of corn at the local grocery store) and repeal the ethanol subsidies and open up more U.S. land for oil drilling.
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The Carrot and the Stick
I am yet again confused by the “logic” of the Texas legislature. I recently wrote about profitable Texas companies receiving multi-million dollar subsidies from the government to stay in Texas. I have also been reading many complaints about the new Texas Gross Margin Business Tax. This new tax, which goes into effect this year, is going to greatly increase the amount many small business have to pay in taxes. In fact, this new tax is eventually going to give the State of Texas over $10 billion in surplus funds by 2015.
So if I understand the government’s logic correctly their plan is to implement a much higher tax on businesses, taking away billions each year. Then when companies react to this extra strain on their finances and start threatening to move to other states where taxes are less burdensome, the Texas government will throw a few million in subsidies at them to get them to stay. Take their money now, make them mad, then give them back their money later and come across as benevolent hero. Why not just make things simpler and cut down on bureaucracy by simply not taxing businesses more so that Texas never looks like a bad place to run your business? Am I the only one that is scratching my head trying to understand the Texas government’s “logic” on taxes and subsidies?
Good thing we have a Republican legislature and executive in Texas to maintain fiscally conservative policies right?
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Benedict - Root Campaign Event a Success!
Today, Wes Benedict launched his campaign for County Commissioner in Travis County. Approximately forty five people showed to the two hour campaign event. Benedict opened by sharing his goals for his race which include kicking incumbent Gerald Daugherty out of office as well as setting a new record for votes obtained by a Libertarian.
Benedict’s campaign message was followed by an energetic presentation from Wayne Allyn Root, candidate for the Libertarian nomination for President. Root made a thorough presentation highlighting his background and beliefs as well as his reasons for running for President. Root’s speech was followed by a brief Q&A session.
I was very impressed by this event. The combination of a strong turn out with the energy from Benedict and Root made for a very enjoyable few hours. It is exciting to see so many people passionate for liberty gather and express their enthusiasm for tackling the election process and their eagerness to spread the message of personal freedom. This event was a great reminder that the Libertarian message is a positive message and one of hope for a better future.
Click here for Wes Benedict’s Campaign website.
Click here for Wayne Allyn Root’s Campaign website.
The Failure of Public Transportation
The City of Austin is considering spending over $500 million to build a light-rail system. They have already paid $250,000 for a study of how it would be done. There is no doubt that Austin’s transportation network is inadequate for the size of the city. Things look even bleaker in the future considering Austin’s growth rate. Is a light rail system the answer?
The answer to that question can of course be found in who is paying for it, the taxpayer / city. If a light-rail system in Austin was a good idea a company would invest it’s own money, build it and then pull in the heaps of cash from the abundance of people that would use it every day. Since no company has even so much as hinted that they would want to undertake such a project, the city council decides that Austin needs a shiny new toy even though virtually none of the people that would pay for it are asking for one.
Does anyone honestly think that a half a billion dollar light-rail system will significantly reduce the number of people that drive on Austin’s roads everyday? Has the fact that the Austin bus system is one of the least used in the country had any effect on the city council? How many public transportation systems have been total financial disasters in other American cities? I really wonder where they come up with ideas like this. Even more mystifying is how anyone could think that this is a wise and intelligent use of taxpayer money. I hope that when this stupid idea comes to the ballot that Austinites will be wise enough to shoot down this train wreck.
Failing to cover up failure
Nothing like a good old cover up attempt to show that government really does fail at everything it sets its large hands to. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is investigating why 41 of the children seized that FLDS compound have had broken bones at some point in their lives (less than 10% of the children). An orthopedic surgeon has testified that there is nothing unusual or alarming about these bone fractures but that’s only the opinion of an expert. Obviously his testimony is worthless because the government has decided that it’s not normal for children to break bones.
I feel fairly confident in saying that the vast majority of people have broken a bone at some point in their lives. I had three broken bones by the age of 16 and fortunately none since (although I probably just jinxed myself by writing that). So what is suspicious about children having had broken bones? Especially children that live in a rural area and most likely do more manual labor than most American children? What is suspicious about it is that evidence is surfacing that Texas law enforcement overreacted. They assaulted the little house on the prairie and hauled off all the children of the extended Ingalls family. Good thing they had an APC and assault rifles to take on those intimidating cow milking maidens. They did all of this based on a random phone call that was not investigated. They have clearly not found any signs of mass sexual abuse on minors as they would have trumpeted their glorious and noble deed far and wide by now.
Since it seems that Texas Law Enforcement overreached they are issuing a public apology, returning the children to their parents, promising an investigation into their failure to investigate and disciplining those responsible for authoring the raid. Hahaha. If only. Instead they are trying to refocus media attention on ridiculous, absurd and of course unsubstantiated notions that the FLDS men and women routinely break the bones of their children for the sake of being purely evil beings. This is so pathetic but yet so predictable. What can you do in a situation like this but sigh and pray that the truth will come to light?
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Republicrats?
First off I want to apologize for talking about a national issue rather than staying focused on Texas. That being said I was so outraged when I read about McCain’s health care plan I had to throw my two cents out to the world. McCain, who has been endorsed by the Republican party as it’s foremost representative, wants socialized health care. Since this is “Bash the Republican Party” week I think this is another nail worthy of a prize spot on the coffin of conservative ideology in the GOP. Sen. McCain wants the Federal government to fund state level non-profits that provide health care and insurance to those that can’t afford it. So basically McCain is proposing Diet Socialized Health Care.
It only costs $7 billion a year so it is much more reasonable than the Democrat plan right? The best part is how he plans to fund this $7 billion. McCain wants to fund this plan with a $2500 tax credit for everyone which is somehow going to lower health care expenses. So the Republican party’s plan is to tax less, spend more, interfere with the free market and yet still claim to be fiscally conservative and to respect the free market. Makes perfect sense right?
Here is a priceless quote from Sen. McCain: “cooperation among states in the purchase of insurance would also be a crucial step in ridding the market of both needless and costly regulations, and the dominance in the market of only a few insurance companies”. So even though those few insurance companies came to dominate through the (mostly) free market, it is important for the government to destroy their positions for the sake of the free market. This is the kind of twisted logic that gives me a headache. I’m going to go get some advil before I read the next Republican press release.
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Want millions of dollars? Threaten to move to North Carolina
Where does the easiest money in Texas come from? Your state government of course. The Texas Enterprise Fund has agreed to pay over $20 million to a company that has seen over 500% growth in the last six years. Your initial reaction is most likely that the state is saving a company from bankruptcy to prevent thousands of jobs from being lost. That would be true if government was only inept. However, you can’t forget the corrupt and reckless factors.
The Texas Enterprise Fund (aka your tax dollars) is paying this large sum of money to Rackspace Inc. a web hosting company based out of San Antonio. Rackspace is a very profitable company that has made over $56 million in profit these last five years. It is currently in the process of launching it’s IPO which will bring in several hundred million dollars. So why is our state government subsidizing this company? Because North Carolina threatened to subsidize it heavily if it moved there. That’s the logic of government for you. If a state can’t attract a business through natural means and through smart government with low taxes, it takes the money of its citizens and engages in a little corporate welfare.
Does this mean that any time another state offers a Texas company some tax payer dollars the state of Texas will offer it more subsidies? Is this the future of the “free & open” American economy? Heading down this path is absurd and completely illogical. Good thing we have a Republican governor right? I mean, the Republicans are the party of fiscal conservatives aren’t they? I am outraged by how our tax money is being spent and I hope you are too. The only way to stop this is to slap the Republican Party of Texas across the face. What better way to do that than to vote Libertarian?
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Gov. Perry doing something right?
This past week Governor Perry sent a letter to the EPA asking them to reduce their requirements that more ethanol be used in gasoline each year. He used the rising price of food as his justification for the request. Even though many economists and libertarians have predicated that ethanol subsidies and mandates would increase the price of food for many years, our politicians are just now reacting. Granted, it does take a lot longer for politicians to grasp common sense than it does for regular humans.
Now I am not foolish enough to think that Perry did this because of a sudden enlightenment that allowed him to grasp the concepts of basic economics. This move was undoubtedly spurred by the potential electoral benefits gained by opposing ethanol subsidies in a state that produces more livestock than corn. Nonetheless, this is a victory for Libertarians and I think it is important that we rejoice over it. Whether or not the EPA will actually respond to the will of the American people, our governor launched a plea that would help make the market more free. So here’s to you Gov. Perry, even though I still don’t trust you or your motives at all.
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