Yearly Archives: 2013

Which State Is Headed in the Wrong Direction at the Fastest Rate?

"I was very interested in the data showing that most European nations actually increased the size of government in recent years – notwithstanding all the hyperbole about 'savage' and 'draconian' austerity. That’s why the 'exceptions to the rule' in Europe – such as Estonia and Germany – are so noteworthy. While their neighbors are doing the wrong thing, these countries are being at least semi-responsible and trying to rein in the burden of government spending. The same thing is true for state governments, which is why this new map from the Tax Foundation is worth sharing. It shows how fast spending has increased in each state over the past 10 years." Continue reading →

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‘Bitcoin steals power from both banks and gangsters’

"Digital currency Bitcoin is gaining popularity around the globe as people become more and more dissatisfied with the conventional banking system. Instant, safe and nearly anonymous, is what Bitcoin claims to be. It takes no commission for transactions and can be used internationally wherever you have internet access. Is it the currency of the future? We talk to Bitcoin developer from UK Amir Taaki." Continue reading →

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Erik Voorhees: “Bitcoin is the new Frontier”

"Erik Voorhees is one of the foremost Bitcoin entrepreneurs and has helped build some critical parts of the Bitcoin business ecosystem, as well as being a loud advocate for a free, decentralised and voluntary currency. When the history of Bitcoin is written, he will be remembered as one of the brave few explorers ready to set out into the unknown and risk life and fortune to create a new world." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingErik Voorhees: “Bitcoin is the new Frontier”

The Relentless Market for “Saturday Night Specials”

"The phrase 'Saturday night special' used to be applied to cheap handguns available to gangs. These days, the gangs have Uzis. But I am sure that low-budget criminals still buy Saturday night specials. About 30 years ago, I applied the phrase to describe the microcomputer. I said that this would shift power away from the federal government. It would provide the common man with a tool of resistance. The American government worries about its lack of gun control: the decentralization of power. But that is nothing when compared to the threat of Android." Continue reading →

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House Democrat proposes police registration for neighborhood watchmen

"Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) said Wednesday that she would soon introduce legislation that would cut federal funding to any state that doesn't require neighborhood watch programs to register with police. 'We will … decrease the incidence of gun violence resulting from vigilantes by reducing by 20 percent the funds that would otherwise be allocated … to any state that does not require local neighborhood watch programs to be registered with a local [law] enforcement agency,' Jackson Lee said on the House floor. She said her bill would also use the threat of less federal money to entice states to change their 'stand your ground' laws." Continue reading →

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Unintended Consequence: Colorado’s Gun Control Law Kills Gun Buy-Back Program.

"The group wanted citizens to come down and sell their guns, cheap, to the group. Well, under the July 1 gun control law, the group cannot pay for any guns. It’s not licensed. To go through with the plan, the group must find a licensed gun dealer to host the event. Then the people with guns to sell must come to the gun dealer and sell them. Then the group can legally buy them — after the mandatory background checks, purchase by purchase. The local police chief called off the event. It’s illegal." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUnintended Consequence: Colorado’s Gun Control Law Kills Gun Buy-Back Program.

Community organizers train to enroll the masses in Obamacare

"Their work is key to the success of the new law in its first year, when the Obama administration seeks to enroll as many as 7 million people, including 2.7 million young and healthy people who are cheaper to insure, for 2014. Oregon and Vermont have already begun training their enrollment advisers, while Connecticut and Washington are just starting up and other states, including Illinois and New York, will commence later this summer. The playbook for these ambassadors focuses on two main points: First, tell people how they will benefit from Obamacare; second, stay away from divisive political talk." Continue reading →

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IRS employee union: We don’t want Obamacare

"IRS employees have a prominent role in Obamacare, but their union wants no part of the law. National Treasury Employees Union officials are urging members to write their congressional representatives in opposition to receiving coverage through President Obama’s health care law. The NTEU represents 150,000 federal employees overall, including most of the nearly 100,000 IRS workers. Like most other federal workers, IRS employees currently get their health insurance through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, which also covers members of Congress." Continue reading →

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Uber Unveils On-Demand Boating Service in Amsterdam

"During last week's heat wave in the U.S., Uber modified its on-demand car service by letting residents in cities around the world order up ice cream trucks. Now the team at Uber has come up with another twist on the service called Uber Sloep. Launched as a special program in Amsterdam, the Netherlands' capital and largest city, Uber Sloep will allow anyone to use the Uber app to order up a private boat to travel the scenic canals of the city. For one day over the July 4 weekend, Uber offered $3,000 helicopter rides from New York City to the Hamptons under the 'Uber Chopper' moniker." Continue reading →

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