Values implicit in American principles continue to be destroyed in service to power.

The source of government funding and thus power is compulsion, the threat of loss of your assets or freedom if you don’t comply.

In an American world this very power to compel carries with it the responsibility to serve for our government is of, by, and for the people. Implicit in serving the people is respect for diversity of beliefs, free markets, ownership, and rule of law.

It is clear, however, that the concept of public service is now corrupted to mean getting elected for the purpose of imposing your will on those who disagree with you.

What world do we live in when our government compels us to financially support people so they can choose not to work, compels us to buy healthcare coverage we don’t want, compels us to accept Medicare as the only healthcare choice when we turn 65, limits the amount of money we can spend speaking, selectively prohibits political speech, maintains a digital history of our personal behavior, and in the case of our current President, unilaterally changes laws to suit a personal agenda?

The world we live in now is definitely not American. It has many of the characteristics of cronyism and fascism. Large businesses, trade groups, and unions seek rents with explicit government approval while the government seeks to control the economy and control political opposition. If you have doubts see the recently passed farm bill, the 2009 stimulus bill, the Affordable Care Act, the Dodd-Frank bill, the Federal Reserve, and the IRS as starting points.

We do not live in America.

Our political leaders have sacrificed our freedoms, our opportunities, and our futures to political expediency of the moment, to getting re-elected at any cost in dollars and principle, to political bribes, to a false promise of human security that can never be purchased and can only be earned.

Where are the leaders who will stand for individual freedom and individual responsibility? Where are the voters who will elect them?

We must apply our time and treasure to the continual pursuit of American leadership if we believe in these principles for, even in America, freedom is never free.

Find candidates for political office who are committed to American principles then work and spend to get them elected.

Regards, Pete Weldon
americanstance.org

How do we get past stereotypes in our political discourse and responsibly face the real issues? New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is now the poster child for promoting stereotypes to support the imposition of liberal/progressive priorities in law.

Here is the full context of what Andrew Cuomo said during a recent radio interview:

“I think what you’re seeing is, you have a schism within the Republican Party. The Republican Party is searching for an identity. They’re searching to define their soul. That’s what’s going on. Is the Republican Party in this state a moderate party or is it an extreme conservative party? That’s what they’re trying to figure out. And it’s very interesting because it’s a mirror of what is going on in Washington, right?

“The gridlock in Washington is less about Democrats and Republicans. It’s more about extreme Republicans versus moderate Republicans. And the moderate Republicans in Washington can’t figure out how to deal with the extreme Republicans. And the moderate Republicans are afraid of the extreme conservative Republicans in Washington, in my opinion.

“You’re seeing that play out in New York. There’s SAFE-ACT. The Republican Party candidates are running against the SAFE-ACT. It was voted for by moderate Republicans who run the Senate. Their problem is not me and the Democrats, their problem is themselves. Who are they? Are they these extreme conservatives who are “right to life,” “pro assault weapon” “anti-gay”? Is that who they are? Because if that’s who they are, and if they are the extreme conservatives, they have no place in the state of New York because that’s not who New Yorkers are. If they’re moderate Republicans, like in the Senate right now, who control the Senate — moderate Republicans have a place in this state.”

Let’s parse the nonsense. Mr. Cuomo characterizes “extreme conservatives” as those who are “right to life,” “pro assault weapon,” and “anti-gay” and further notes that such people (according to his definition) “have no place in the state of New York.” It is uncertain whether he considers people “extreme conservatives” if they satisfy one, two, or all three of his criteria.

The only one of his three stereotypes that holds water is “right to life.” Yes, Mr. Cuomo, there are millions of American’s (and possibly even New Yorkers:) who believe a fetus has a right to live, and I am sorry that you disagree. It would seem, then, only people who believe a female has a legal right to choose to end the life of her unborn fetus have a “place” in the politics of the state of New York.

Using the phrase “pro assault weapon” undermines the credibility and seeks to diminish the worth of those who believe the right to bear arms to be a core American value prioritizing and protecting the freedom of the individual from state power. Why don’t those who see insufficient evidence to conclude that banning certain weapons serves any purpose other than to unreasonably limit the right to bear arms deserve a “place” at the political table in New York, Mr. Cuomo?

Using the phrase “anti-gay” undermines the credibility and seeks to diminish the worth of those who believe that marriage between a man and a woman creates and sustains the family bonds and parenting union necessary to develop secure, independent, and strong individuals capable of assuming responsibility for their own lives and to willingly undertake perhaps the only true value of life, that being to have and raise children. According to Mr. Cuomo, then, only people who want to diminish the value of marriage between a man and a women and by implication diminish the family have a “place” at the political table in New York.

Mr. Cuomo’s comments promote divisiveness and disrespect that are the real cause of the political conflicts he helps to perpetuate as a liberal/progressive Democrat. Mr. Cuomo needs to stand in front of a full length mirror and look closely at himself, his state, and his party; as should those who gleefully embrace his stereotypes.

Regards, Pete Weldon
americanstance.org

Here is my edited version of an email I recently received.

The Obama administration has just passed a new law titled: “Golfer Protection and Affordable Golf Club Act” declaring that every citizen MUST purchase a new set of golf clubs by April 2014.

These affordable golf clubs will cost $3,000 per set per year for a single person. This cost does not include taxes, pull cart, electric cart fees, green fees, golf lessons, membership fees, balls, tees, gloves, range finders, and storage fees, maintenance, or repair costs which are in any event limited to an additional $6,350 per year out of pocket max per person, after which the company selling you the golf clubs is required to pay 100% of such costs. The government will subsidize the cost of the set of golf clubs and subsidize the out of pocket maximum if your income is sufficiently low that the government deems you deserve to have higher income people subsidize your golf game (even if you never play).

You will be required to enroll on-line to purchase the required set of golf clubs where you will find a “marketplace” where you will purchase the mandated number of golf clubs designed and constructed according to government standards. Of course, since all the clubs meet identical standards and are required to be produced in the United States the cost (and thus the price) will not vary materially between manufacturers (although manufacturers are permitted by law to offer “Golf Club Plans” that include bags, balls, and other accoutrements at extra cost).

This law has been passed, because until now, typically only wealthy or financially responsible people have been able to purchase new golf clubs. This new law mandates that every American will now have golf clubs of their own, because everyone is “entitled” to new golf clubs.

To subsidize those who cannot “afford” to purchase the mandatory golf clubs, the costs of a set of golf clubs will increase on average 250%-400% above market rates that would otherwise apply. This way, people not deemed by the government as deserving of a subsidy will pay more for something that many other people don’t want but are now required to pay for. Those who refuse to purchase golf clubs will pay an annual tax (that descriptive word being required because of a related US Supreme Court ruling) averaging about $850 (2.5% of income capped at the average cost of a set of golf clubs). Children can use their parents’ golf clubs until they turn 27 but then must purchase their own golf clubs.

If you already have golf clubs, you can keep your golf clubs, period (just kidding; no you can’t). If you like your current golf instructor you can keep your current golf instructor, period (just kidding; no you can’t).

A government review board will decide everything, including; when, where, how often and for what purposes you can use your golf clubs along with how many people can ride in your golf cart and determine if one is too old or not healthy enough to be able to use their golf clubs. They will also tell your golf instructor what to say and what to do so that everyone is treated equally and learns exactly the same things about golf.

Government officials are exempt from this new law. If they want a new set of golf clubs, they and their families can obtain golf clubs free, at the expense of tax payers.

Unions and large companies are also exempt, and you, my hard working middle class friends, are screwed.

Regards, Pete Weldon
americanstance.org