eRevolution.us

The World Will Burn Unless We Act

Scientists at the University of Sussex have declared that the earth will be boiled and swallowed by our expanding sun. There is hope, however, that technology and radical government intervention may save the day (literally). I have reproduced the press release below, following a few of my own comments on the matter.

My observations about this impending disaster:

Victimnomics - Road to Riches

Victimnomics is the study of how victimized "less successful" people can benefit from their victimhood, and how "less successful" people can strike back at "more successful" people by victimizing them, so that everyone can suffer a painful sort of victimized equality.

It is a complicated art (but a profitable one, for those willing to put in the time and creative energy to make a career of it). A few of history’s most revered characters were experts in the field:

 

Is the Bible Socialist?

I recently learned that my friend lost his job.

As my wife and I pondered what we could do to help, I was reminded of a time when this particular friend helped me pay for a college class I couldn’t afford, but needed to take. In the Bible I found these words:

“For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.  Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality…” (2 Cor. 8:12-15, NIV)

My first thought when I read this was, “Is the Bible supporting socialism? I mean, any time you start talking about economic equality, you’re talking about former Soviet Union stuff, right?”

Some Help for Barack Obama

Charitable as I am, I thought I’d offer some assistance to the Obama camp. First, I’ll offer them “what the other side would say if they heard this,” and then, I’ll offer some insights on “change” that will outwit the critics and land their man in the Oval Office.

What the Other Side Would Say If They Heard This

Barack: On Feb. 13, 2008 you commented:

“It’s a Washington where George Bush hands out billions in tax cuts year after year to the biggest corporations and the wealthiest few who don’t need them and don’t ask for them — tax breaks that are mortgaging our children’s future on a mountain of debt; tax breaks that could’ve gone into the pockets of the working families who needed them most."

A few points the other side would make:

The Eve of Liberty

Tomorrow could be the beginning of the end for all them, their declaration doubling as a death warrant.

Sleep was the furthest thing from Thomas Jefferson's mind.

The words he had written, read and re-read by John Adams, hashed and re-hashed by Benjamin Franklin, considered and reworked by representatives from thirteen colonies, were finally ready to show the world.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”

The months of discussion, disagreement, and compromise had come to an end. Tomorrow Patrick Henry’s demand for liberty or death would be met – perhaps with both. 

Attracting Jobs to the USA

We’ve all heard the story: John lost his job when the company moved south of the border; Sally's corporation outsourced her position to a partner in the Far East.

How can American companies can compete in the long-run, with higher labor costs and stricter environmental regulations than other countries, and with a tax code that penalizes success? It’s a fair question, even though, to date, the problem of job “loss” has been overblown. (Sure, jobs are “lost,” but they are just as quickly replaced by other types of jobs, in most cases. That’s why the “unemployment rate” has remained roughly the same for many years.)

However, for all the talk in the media about job “loss,” few solutions are set forward other than more government hand-holding for those who’ve lost a job – no one addresses the root issues (Why were the jobs were lost in the first place? Is it good or bad for the economy that this happened? What the best way to build and keep quality businesses?).

 

Even better than job loss prevention, Americans ought to be interested in quality job attraction. 

I have an idea: let’s lay out a welcome mat for businesses large and small at the doorstep of America. 

The Answer is the Same Today...

Every generation has a rendezvous with destiny.  Reagan led America to stand against the tyranny of socialism.  Today, we face new enemies (and some old ones), and the answer remains the same.  And like always, the answer isn't easy, but it is simple.

Patrick Henry, one of America's founding fathers, said it well, as Reagan noted:

Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

"Fair Trade" equals more poverty

Trade is one of the most enriching activities that we humans engage in - providing all of us with far more things (and better things) than we could ever produce on our own.  Here's the problem: when the government dabbles in the trade business, the enriching power of trade is lost.  In the name of helping people, the government hurts them.

To illustrate: The Smith's make their own food from scratch.  Let's say that Dad makes fish sandwiches, Mom makes salad, and Junior makes lemonade.  Each family member trades with each other.  Everyone is employed and happy, right?

Junior gets so good at making lemonade, he can produce enough for his family and the Franklin's, next door.  Since he likes the cookies Mrs. Franklin produces, he works out a deal - if she'll overproduce cookies, Junior will overproduce lemonade.  Now, both families get more to eat - and some variety. 

Things get even better when other neighborhood families enter the trade.  

The Path to Riches is Paved with Freedom

This helpful chart from the Heritage Foundation demonstrates one of the most important aspects of growing an economy: more government equals less wealth.

(Click to enlarge the chart)

Politicians are quick to promise assistance in the form of medical care, free insurance, help with heating bills, free food, free transportation, free housing (need we continue?) - but in fact, such "help" actually hurts.  The more the government taxes citizens and redistributes their money (no matter how noble the motives may be), the less wealth the nation enjoys. 

Even though in the short term it may feel good to "help" the poor or disgruntled, those who truly care won't offer a free lunch - instead, they'll protect your right to make and keep your own lunch!  If you have more than you need, you can share on your own.

The best way to help America's poor is also the best way to help the world's poor - lower taxes on everyone, reduce government intervention in the economy, give people the responsibility to provide for themselves and the freedom to pursue their dreams. 

What's the Purpose of eRevolution?

To offer inspiration and enlightenment to Americans who wish to see their nation improved and their freedoms preserved for the next century and beyond.

Promoting liberty and justice for all has not been an easy task for any generation of Americans, including our own. The revolutionaries shook off the chains of British tyranny, struggling against the odds to secure a free nation. The leaders of that era set out to build a republic such as the world had never seen: a government accountable to its people, crowned only by the rule of law, as set forth in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.