statism

The Government Steals Raisins

"Why does the federal government steal one-third to one-half of the raisin crop every year? Why aren’t the farmers paid for the stolen crop? Why does the government then sell the stolen raisins to foreigners at below-market prices? Why has this been going on ever since 1948? There are at least 29 other programs just like it. How many government employees spend their entire careers enforcing laws like this one? No one knows. Congress does not care. A story like this never makes it into high school civics textbooks. Stories like this one make the federal government sound like a loony bin." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Government Steals Raisins

The Government Steals Raisins

"Why does the federal government steal one-third to one-half of the raisin crop every year? Why aren’t the farmers paid for the stolen crop? Why does the government then sell the stolen raisins to foreigners at below-market prices? Why has this been going on ever since 1948? There are at least 29 other programs just like it. How many government employees spend their entire careers enforcing laws like this one? No one knows. Congress does not care. A story like this never makes it into high school civics textbooks. Stories like this one make the federal government sound like a loony bin." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Government Steals Raisins

The Government Steals Raisins

"Why does the federal government steal one-third to one-half of the raisin crop every year? Why aren’t the farmers paid for the stolen crop? Why does the government then sell the stolen raisins to foreigners at below-market prices? Why has this been going on ever since 1948? There are at least 29 other programs just like it. How many government employees spend their entire careers enforcing laws like this one? No one knows. Congress does not care. A story like this never makes it into high school civics textbooks. Stories like this one make the federal government sound like a loony bin." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Government Steals Raisins

As Gold Declines Will Stocks Fly?

"We often write of directed history, the idea that powerful forces create conditions for the policies that they want to implement. When it comes to money metals, the idea would be to drive down metals prices while simultaneously affirming that these same metals are simply not a good investment. They are barbarous and whatnot. At the same time as precious metals prices are falling, stock indexes are rising – presumably at least in part because of the pump priming by central banks that are printing great gouts of money. Some of this money gets stuck in bank coffers but a fair amount is obviously finding its way into various stock markets." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAs Gold Declines Will Stocks Fly?

Doug Casey on Second Passports

"It used to be that a passport was a document that a ruler of one country would give to a traveler to ask the rulers of other countries to assist him in his travels. Now, instead of a convenience, it's become a required permit for travel. It's degrading and actually runs counter to the whole idea of the thing. The original purpose of a passport has been turned upside down. But since they are necessary in today's world, you ought to have several of them, for your own convenience. If nothing else, it prevents any one government from basically placing you under house arrest by taking your passport away from you." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDoug Casey on Second Passports

537 Taser-Related Deaths In The United States Since 2001

"Between 2001 and 2008, 351 people in the United States died after being shocked by police Tasers. Our blog has documented another 186 taser-related deaths in the United States in 2009-2012. That means there have been 537 documented taser-related deaths in America. I think that something is wrong in America when the police electrocute folks on a WEEKLY basis with their taser arsenal … and the public is mute in its response. Sometimes it takes a lawsuit … like the one recently settled in Ohio … to get the police to cool it. The police in Cincinnati, Ohio took the hint … they changed their taser policy!" Continue reading →

Continue Reading537 Taser-Related Deaths In The United States Since 2001

ACLU Appeals Ruling Allowing Feds to Stay Mum on Drone Targeted Killings

"The American Civil Liberties Union today appealed a judge’s ruling allowing the President Barack Obama administration to keep mum on its legal basis for its drone targeted killing program, including information connected to the killing of Americans via drones. The appeal concerns an 'Alice in Wonderland' decision by U.S. District Court Judge Colleen McMahon of New York, who in January ruled that she was trapped in a 'paradoxical situation' of allowing the administration to claim it was legal to kill enemies outside traditional combat zones while keeping the legal rationale secret." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingACLU Appeals Ruling Allowing Feds to Stay Mum on Drone Targeted Killings

Don’t Sell Your Gold!

"You would be crazy to look upon the current events in the gold market and presume the golden age is over. It won’t end until America has a credible plan for dealing honestly with our country’s debt and Washington’s financial diarrhea. That isn’t likely for many more years yet. As I told attendees at the Global Currency Expo earlier this month, I don’t care if gold goes to $2,000 or $500, I don’t sell. I don’t cancel my homeowners insurance just because I don’t expect a fire at my house this year. Why would I cancel my lifestyle insurance just because some investors are bailing on gold?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDon’t Sell Your Gold!

Helmut Kohl: ‘I acted like a dictator to bring in the euro’

"The Kohl administration actually donated funds to French politicians to influence French domestic opinion. And now it turns out that Kohl himself confesses he 'acted like a dictator' to ensure that Germany adopted the euro. Kohl explains that he acted like a dictator because he believes a centralized Europe with a single currency is the greatest hope for a peaceful Europe. Of course, there are plenty of questions about Europe's last two wars. If it is true, as history books now allege, that Adolf Hitler and National Socialism received a good deal of funding from American and British industrialists, then it would seem the historical recipe is incorrect." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHelmut Kohl: ‘I acted like a dictator to bring in the euro’

France’s President Hollande: Eradicate tax havens

"We think we can recognize a dominant social theme when we see one. This sudden emphasis on eradicating tax havens is a manufactured media firestorm, intended to go on and on until there are few places to hide money from increasingly demanding governments. Believe, if you wish, that taxes are a legitimate duty of citizens in the 21st century. This argument still begs the question of why, in an era of central banking, governments need to collect taxes. Banks can print as much as is necessary. And according to such wise men as Ben Bernanke, banks can also drain money if the economy is getting overheated. So why taxes?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFrance’s President Hollande: Eradicate tax havens