First Bummer
Whether speaking politically or economically, in my 10 months in Indiana, I have found almost everything to be more positive here than in the state I left behind, Ohio.
I gave myself a decent raise just in terms of the income taxes. In Ohio, my income tax rate was a little above 7%. In Indiana, it is 3.13%. In Ohio, I was subjected to double municipal taxes. When I worked in Parma but lived in Cleveland, one charged me 2% and the other 1.5%. In Indiana, I am charged 0.25% by Marion County. That's better than a 7% raise... just for swapping states!
I gained the ability to vote for the party I am a member of, the Libertarian Party, when I moved to Indiana. I couldn't do that in Ohio. The Republicans- Secretary of State Ken Blackwell in particular- made sure of that. Indiana had 160 candidates in 2002. Ohio had zero.
As much as I like my new state, I had hoped to hang on to my Ohio driver's license until it would expire in 2005. My plan was that it would stay in my wallet, along with the money I save in not getting an Indiana licnese. But the BMV threw a wrench in that plan, since my Ohio plates expired in June of 2003. The clever Indiana BMV would not issue Indiana plates without an Indiana drivers license.
So, about 50 bucks and a written test later, I got my Indiana license. It was pretty much in line with the cost of one in Ohio. Then I got my new title and Indiana plate.
$100!
I asked why the heck it cost so much. I was told that there was an excise tax collected by the BMV, the amount of which depended upon my vehicle.
I have a 1997 Saturn SL2. It's a simple A-to-B car. No frills. 130,000 miles. I asked how much the tax would be on an average new car. I was told that it would be anywhere from $800 to $1,000!
Back home, I told Ame about this. Ame has a 1996 Chevy Cadaver, er, Cavalier, with about 125,000 miles. It isn't surviving nearly as well as the Saturn, and she talks frequently about buying a new car. Her response? A definite, "I won't be buying a new car any time soon."
Isn't this a great policy? The people of Indiana are discouraged from buying new cars by an agregious tax. Think about the ramifications of that. Hoosiers are encouraged to drive cars that are falling apart, posing safety risks to the driver inside and everyone else on the roadway. The state that relies more on manufacturing for employment than any other state in the Union, and is especially reliant on the auto industry, proactively shies its own people away from purchasing the products they help make.
The tax is part of an economic shell game. Where Indiana doesn't take through the income tax, it takes through the BMV. It even brags about how the Hoosier Lottery- the greatest tax on ignorance ever invented- helps lessen the excise taxes. You mean if people were smarter and didn't play the Lottery, the excise tax would be higher? Is intelligence ever rewarded instead of punished?
Indiana may be better than Ohio, but it isn't any kind of utopia.
Thursday, July 17, 2003
Wednesday, July 16, 2003
Suits Me
Remember when that zealot, Stephen Joseph, tried to get Oreo Cookies banned in the People's Republic of California?
I was shopping at Wild Oats- one of those hoity-toity grocers where everything seems to be priced 200% higher than at the usual chain grocers, with a heavy emphasis on organic products.
I always get a chuckle out of packaged organic foods. There may not have been any pesticide used, but there is often no shortage of sodium or fat in these packaged goodies.
I got the biggest guffaw out of Paul Newman's line of snacks. The Newmans make a big deal on their packaging about being organic and giving the profits to their favorite 'progressive' causes.
That wasn't the gag. The gag was seeing the Newman Oreo equivalent on the shelf. Newman-O's have that naughty saturated fat, but no word on that bad, evil, trans-fat.
Will the zealot be pursuing Newman-O's with the same rigor? I doubt it.
Don't get me wrong. I actually like seeing Newman's products on the shelf. The difference between a capitalist and an authoritarian such as Stephen Joseph is this: A capitalist enjoys seeing more choices in the marketplace, not less, and even enjoys seeing products such as Newman's, that have it built in to support causes I do not necessarily support. The authoritarian will actively seek to eliminate marketplace choices, preventing the capitalist from enjoying the freedom the capitalist will grant the authoritarian.
Remember when that zealot, Stephen Joseph, tried to get Oreo Cookies banned in the People's Republic of California?
I was shopping at Wild Oats- one of those hoity-toity grocers where everything seems to be priced 200% higher than at the usual chain grocers, with a heavy emphasis on organic products.
I always get a chuckle out of packaged organic foods. There may not have been any pesticide used, but there is often no shortage of sodium or fat in these packaged goodies.
I got the biggest guffaw out of Paul Newman's line of snacks. The Newmans make a big deal on their packaging about being organic and giving the profits to their favorite 'progressive' causes.
That wasn't the gag. The gag was seeing the Newman Oreo equivalent on the shelf. Newman-O's have that naughty saturated fat, but no word on that bad, evil, trans-fat.
Will the zealot be pursuing Newman-O's with the same rigor? I doubt it.
Don't get me wrong. I actually like seeing Newman's products on the shelf. The difference between a capitalist and an authoritarian such as Stephen Joseph is this: A capitalist enjoys seeing more choices in the marketplace, not less, and even enjoys seeing products such as Newman's, that have it built in to support causes I do not necessarily support. The authoritarian will actively seek to eliminate marketplace choices, preventing the capitalist from enjoying the freedom the capitalist will grant the authoritarian.
Sunday, July 13, 2003
More From a Most Favored Source
If 6,995 American workers lost their lives on the job in one year, how would most critics react?
If these lives were lost in just one industry, how much howling would be heard about the need to get the government involved?
If these lives- just shy of seven thousand- were lost in just one segment of one industry in one year, wouldn't there be almost universal outcry?
Of course. One could expect the usual accusations to fly from the usual critics: lousy, indifferent management; exploitation of the workers; the greed of ownership; etc.
In this case, the usual critics would be correct. Unfortunately, I have not heard the accusations from the usual critics. Why? The operation in question is China's state owned coal mining industry.
My latest Most Favored Source ran an expose` on this Most Favored Nation's latest human rights outrage in their Tuesday, July 8 edition. There is a dismaying photograph of mine workers pushing three loaded coal hopper cars on a railroad track, up grade.
Mining is filthy business, but at least in the United States, where the greedy capitalist owners are said to run amok, locomotives do this work, and have done so since roughly the time of the Civil War.
If anyone needs to see the difference between capitalism and socialism, this should serve nicely.
If 6,995 American workers lost their lives on the job in one year, how would most critics react?
If these lives were lost in just one industry, how much howling would be heard about the need to get the government involved?
If these lives- just shy of seven thousand- were lost in just one segment of one industry in one year, wouldn't there be almost universal outcry?
Of course. One could expect the usual accusations to fly from the usual critics: lousy, indifferent management; exploitation of the workers; the greed of ownership; etc.
In this case, the usual critics would be correct. Unfortunately, I have not heard the accusations from the usual critics. Why? The operation in question is China's state owned coal mining industry.
My latest Most Favored Source ran an expose` on this Most Favored Nation's latest human rights outrage in their Tuesday, July 8 edition. There is a dismaying photograph of mine workers pushing three loaded coal hopper cars on a railroad track, up grade.
Mining is filthy business, but at least in the United States, where the greedy capitalist owners are said to run amok, locomotives do this work, and have done so since roughly the time of the Civil War.
If anyone needs to see the difference between capitalism and socialism, this should serve nicely.
Favored Source
I tend to pick up a newspaper every day when at work, usually the Indianapolis Star, but sometimes I get the Noblesville papers. When nothing else is available, I get the USA Today.
That's not a slam on the USA Today, although if I have my first choice for a national paper, I get the Investors Business Daily. That's an excellent newspaper. I just prefer to read the local papers.
I ended up picking up USA Today three times this past week. It was just as well, since the local papers were loaded with little but flood coverage. Since I work for the County Surveyor, I get my fillover flood coverage first hand.
One thing had me riveted through three lunches: the States section. It lists one item from each of the 50 states every day. Here are some that caught my eye:
Tuesday, July 8
Columbus - Ohio State University lost a $540,000 state grant for reducing tobacco use among adults in two rural counties after accepting a grant from Philip Morris. The medical school's neuroscience department is using $590,000 from the tobacco company to study how nicotine affects nerve cells. The state grant prohibited recipients from taking money from a tobacco company.
Sounds like OSU is still money ahead, no matter what politically correct edit is issued.
Tuesday, July 8
Portola - Six years after the state poisoned a Sierra lake to rid it of voracious northern pike, the population of the non-native fish is growing fast. A recent effort using explosives to destroy spawning pike in Lake Davis also failed. The pike threaten native fish, and officials fear they will escape from the lake.
If California poisons a lake, it's considered environmental action. If anyone else does it? I've love to see what would happen if a group of sportsmen took to the lake with explosives.
Friday, July 11
Los Angeles - The city will pay nearly $170,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by dozens of homeless people arrested during police sweeps of Skid Row. About $75,000 will go to about 58 people. A class-action lawsuit claimed that the two-day probation and parole sweep resulted in the arrests of many without a violation being properly documented.
How many forties of St. Ides will that buy?
Monday, July 7
Nampa - A former Mexican police officer was among those arrested in a drug bust that netted 100 pounds of marijuana. Adan Diaz, 28, of Stockton, Calif., and two others were arrested on an anonymous tip.
And the Free State Project is seriously looking at Idaho... I guess there will be some changes to be made right away!
Bloggers take note. These are rarely the big stories, but often, they should be. The bonus of the online edition: a full week for each state, per page!
I tend to pick up a newspaper every day when at work, usually the Indianapolis Star, but sometimes I get the Noblesville papers. When nothing else is available, I get the USA Today.
That's not a slam on the USA Today, although if I have my first choice for a national paper, I get the Investors Business Daily. That's an excellent newspaper. I just prefer to read the local papers.
I ended up picking up USA Today three times this past week. It was just as well, since the local papers were loaded with little but flood coverage. Since I work for the County Surveyor, I get my fillover flood coverage first hand.
One thing had me riveted through three lunches: the States section. It lists one item from each of the 50 states every day. Here are some that caught my eye:
Tuesday, July 8
Columbus - Ohio State University lost a $540,000 state grant for reducing tobacco use among adults in two rural counties after accepting a grant from Philip Morris. The medical school's neuroscience department is using $590,000 from the tobacco company to study how nicotine affects nerve cells. The state grant prohibited recipients from taking money from a tobacco company.
Sounds like OSU is still money ahead, no matter what politically correct edit is issued.
Tuesday, July 8
Portola - Six years after the state poisoned a Sierra lake to rid it of voracious northern pike, the population of the non-native fish is growing fast. A recent effort using explosives to destroy spawning pike in Lake Davis also failed. The pike threaten native fish, and officials fear they will escape from the lake.
If California poisons a lake, it's considered environmental action. If anyone else does it? I've love to see what would happen if a group of sportsmen took to the lake with explosives.
Friday, July 11
Los Angeles - The city will pay nearly $170,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by dozens of homeless people arrested during police sweeps of Skid Row. About $75,000 will go to about 58 people. A class-action lawsuit claimed that the two-day probation and parole sweep resulted in the arrests of many without a violation being properly documented.
How many forties of St. Ides will that buy?
Monday, July 7
Nampa - A former Mexican police officer was among those arrested in a drug bust that netted 100 pounds of marijuana. Adan Diaz, 28, of Stockton, Calif., and two others were arrested on an anonymous tip.
And the Free State Project is seriously looking at Idaho... I guess there will be some changes to be made right away!
Bloggers take note. These are rarely the big stories, but often, they should be. The bonus of the online edition: a full week for each state, per page!
Wednesday, July 09, 2003
The Mystery of the Media Mind
I fired off a copy of my entry on the Ellen Goodman / Maine-Health-Care-Is-Good column to my local paper, the Indy Star, and they ran it as a Letter to the Editor.
It is interesting to see what gets cut out. I'll reprint the original below, and highlight in bold the things that were cut, and put in italics the things that were changed or added.
This responds to Ellen Goodman's July 8 column, "What he's done for the people."
If ice cream cones are offered to the public free of charge, you can expect that there will be a run on ice cream cones. The line will be long, and even people who don't particulalry want or need an ice cream cone will queue up to get one. After all- they're free!
If luxury automobiles are similarly given away, the line will be longer, since the unearned value to be obtained is greater.
In the usual analysis of health care, the cost is derided as a great negative. The cost is seen as high, and as preventing some from access to the care. But high cost does have a function. It ensures that need really is the driving force behind acquisition of care. Cost makes all interested parties choose carefully before committing to spending.
Health care, like any other human product or service, is still subject to the laws of supply and demand. Maine Gov. John Baldacci's plan ignores this reality.
What has Baldacci done for the people? He has done something for all of the people, wittingly or not.
I was hoping that Oregon would have passed statewide universal healthcare when the voters had the chance to adapt it. Alas, the voters shot it down 80-20. Maybe the people there know something.
What Baldacci has done in not letting the voters decide is to give the other 49 states a classroom experience. We will all get to see if this thing works or if it fails. Expect it to be a disaster.
Mark Maine's current population statistics. That will be a telling figure. The other telling figure will be the poverty statistics. Expect both to increase. Sure, the people paying the tax bill will have a good reason to exodus, but they will have trouble getting to the turnstyle as those looking for health care that is provided by someone other than themselves clog the entrance.
Maine may not be the last state to enact this hideous policy. If my home state of Indiana follows suit Maine's example, I will make good on the kind of threat George Clooney reneged on: I'll leave it for a more liberty-loving, hospitable state.
That's no idle threat. I gave myself a 7% raise when I left Ohio last August, just on the tax savings. Think I wouldn't do it again?
The edit that strikes me as most curious is the one that begins, 'Mark Maine's current population statistics..." What the edit has done is to leave my assertion hanging out there with no support.
Not surprisingly, both references to unearned benefits were chopped. Also not so surprising was the chopping of my reminder that Oregon voters opposed universal health care in their state in a landslide.
Lastly, I was not surprised to see my description of Maine's policy as 'hideous' removed.
I was glad that what was left of the letter was printed, and that the main case could still be gleaned from it. I find it a fascinating before-and-after comparison, to be sure.
I fired off a copy of my entry on the Ellen Goodman / Maine-Health-Care-Is-Good column to my local paper, the Indy Star, and they ran it as a Letter to the Editor.
It is interesting to see what gets cut out. I'll reprint the original below, and highlight in bold the things that were cut, and put in italics the things that were changed or added.
This responds to Ellen Goodman's July 8 column, "What he's done for the people."
If ice cream cones are offered to the public free of charge, you can expect that there will be a run on ice cream cones. The line will be long, and even people who don't particulalry want or need an ice cream cone will queue up to get one. After all- they're free!
If luxury automobiles are similarly given away, the line will be longer, since the unearned value to be obtained is greater.
In the usual analysis of health care, the cost is derided as a great negative. The cost is seen as high, and as preventing some from access to the care. But high cost does have a function. It ensures that need really is the driving force behind acquisition of care. Cost makes all interested parties choose carefully before committing to spending.
Health care, like any other human product or service, is still subject to the laws of supply and demand. Maine Gov. John Baldacci's plan ignores this reality.
What has Baldacci done for the people? He has done something for all of the people, wittingly or not.
I was hoping that Oregon would have passed statewide universal healthcare when the voters had the chance to adapt it. Alas, the voters shot it down 80-20. Maybe the people there know something.
What Baldacci has done in not letting the voters decide is to give the other 49 states a classroom experience. We will all get to see if this thing works or if it fails. Expect it to be a disaster.
Mark Maine's current population statistics. That will be a telling figure. The other telling figure will be the poverty statistics. Expect both to increase. Sure, the people paying the tax bill will have a good reason to exodus, but they will have trouble getting to the turnstyle as those looking for health care that is provided by someone other than themselves clog the entrance.
Maine may not be the last state to enact this hideous policy. If my home state of Indiana follows suit Maine's example, I will make good on the kind of threat George Clooney reneged on: I'll leave it for a more liberty-loving, hospitable state.
That's no idle threat. I gave myself a 7% raise when I left Ohio last August, just on the tax savings. Think I wouldn't do it again?
The edit that strikes me as most curious is the one that begins, 'Mark Maine's current population statistics..." What the edit has done is to leave my assertion hanging out there with no support.
Not surprisingly, both references to unearned benefits were chopped. Also not so surprising was the chopping of my reminder that Oregon voters opposed universal health care in their state in a landslide.
Lastly, I was not surprised to see my description of Maine's policy as 'hideous' removed.
I was glad that what was left of the letter was printed, and that the main case could still be gleaned from it. I find it a fascinating before-and-after comparison, to be sure.
Tuesday, July 08, 2003
Great Boost!
It was a real thrill for me to get the news that my pal Brad Klopfenstein, a Libertarian candidate for City-County Council here in Indy, earned the endorsement of the F.O.P. The Indy Star has already published a story on the web, which should appear in tomorrow's print edition.
Who knew that the F.O.P. would even consider endorsing a Libertarian?
I ran what I thought of as very good news past a local LP member, and he told me that he was not impressed. He expressed concern that the endorsement of the F.O.P. could send the signal to local party members a shift away from principle.
I think it's terrific to receive the F.O.P.'s nod. It may as easily signal that they are coming around to our principles, that we have made our case convincingly, and that we Libertarians are credible and worthy of support.
I'm not sure which principle he meant. Consistently losing races, perhaps?
See, I'm very interested in conveying credibility to those who haven't voted LP in the past. An endorsement like this can only help convey credibility across party lines in a way few other tools can. It can prompt the timid voter to finally pull that LP lever. After all, we belong to a political party- and not a debate society- for the purpose of electing candidates. What sense is there in scorning an endorsement? What sense is there in preaching only to the choir? Bollocks!
So, rah-rah Brad. I hope you win a seat on the Council because I know that you are the kind of prinicpled man that should be on the Council.
It was a real thrill for me to get the news that my pal Brad Klopfenstein, a Libertarian candidate for City-County Council here in Indy, earned the endorsement of the F.O.P. The Indy Star has already published a story on the web, which should appear in tomorrow's print edition.
Who knew that the F.O.P. would even consider endorsing a Libertarian?
I ran what I thought of as very good news past a local LP member, and he told me that he was not impressed. He expressed concern that the endorsement of the F.O.P. could send the signal to local party members a shift away from principle.
I think it's terrific to receive the F.O.P.'s nod. It may as easily signal that they are coming around to our principles, that we have made our case convincingly, and that we Libertarians are credible and worthy of support.
I'm not sure which principle he meant. Consistently losing races, perhaps?
See, I'm very interested in conveying credibility to those who haven't voted LP in the past. An endorsement like this can only help convey credibility across party lines in a way few other tools can. It can prompt the timid voter to finally pull that LP lever. After all, we belong to a political party- and not a debate society- for the purpose of electing candidates. What sense is there in scorning an endorsement? What sense is there in preaching only to the choir? Bollocks!
So, rah-rah Brad. I hope you win a seat on the Council because I know that you are the kind of prinicpled man that should be on the Council.
No Myopic Stalinist Dwarf is Going to Make a George Clooney out of Me!
Let's nip this thing in the bud before it spreads like a cancer. I felt the tiniest twinge of fear when I read Ellen Goodman's column this morning. Maine passed statewide universal health care, and she thinks it's grand.
My presentation is allegorical. You'll get it as an economic issue this way. Besides, I get to make a reference to luxury automobiles!
If ice cream cones are offered to the public free of charge, you can expect that there will be a run on ice cream cones. The line will be long, and even people who don't particulalry want or need an ice cream cone will queue up to get one. After all- they're free!
If luxury automobiles are similarly given away, the line will be longer, since the unearned value to be obtained is greater.
In the usual analysis of health care, the cost is derided as a great negative. The cost is seen as high, and as preventing some from access to the care. But high cost does have a function. It ensures that need really is the driving force behind acquisition of care. Cost makes all interested parties choose carefully before committing to spending.
Health care, like any other human product or service, is still subject to the laws of supply and demand. Maine Gov. Baldacci's plan ignores this reality.
What has Baldacci done for the people? He has done something for all of the people, wittingly or not.
I was hoping that Oregon would have passed statewide universal healthcare when the voters had the chance to adapt it. Alas, the voters shot it down 80-20. Maybe the people there know something.
What Baldacci has done in not letting the voters decide is to give the other 49 states a classroom experience. We will all get to see if this thing works or if it fails. Expect it to be a disaster.
Mark Maine's current population statistics. That will be a telling figure. The other telling figure will be the poverty statistics. Expect both to increase. Sure, the people paying the tax bill will have a good reason to exodus, but they will have trouble getting to the turnstyle as those looking for health care that is provided by someone other than themselves clog the entrance.
Maine may not be the last state to enact this hideous policy. If my home state of Indiana follows suit, I will make good on the kind of threat George Clooney reneged on: I'll leave it for a more liberty-loving, hospitable state.
That's no idle threat. I gave myself a 7% raise when I left Ohio last August, just on the tax savings. Think I wouldn't do it again?
Let's nip this thing in the bud before it spreads like a cancer. I felt the tiniest twinge of fear when I read Ellen Goodman's column this morning. Maine passed statewide universal health care, and she thinks it's grand.
My presentation is allegorical. You'll get it as an economic issue this way. Besides, I get to make a reference to luxury automobiles!
If ice cream cones are offered to the public free of charge, you can expect that there will be a run on ice cream cones. The line will be long, and even people who don't particulalry want or need an ice cream cone will queue up to get one. After all- they're free!
If luxury automobiles are similarly given away, the line will be longer, since the unearned value to be obtained is greater.
In the usual analysis of health care, the cost is derided as a great negative. The cost is seen as high, and as preventing some from access to the care. But high cost does have a function. It ensures that need really is the driving force behind acquisition of care. Cost makes all interested parties choose carefully before committing to spending.
Health care, like any other human product or service, is still subject to the laws of supply and demand. Maine Gov. Baldacci's plan ignores this reality.
What has Baldacci done for the people? He has done something for all of the people, wittingly or not.
I was hoping that Oregon would have passed statewide universal healthcare when the voters had the chance to adapt it. Alas, the voters shot it down 80-20. Maybe the people there know something.
What Baldacci has done in not letting the voters decide is to give the other 49 states a classroom experience. We will all get to see if this thing works or if it fails. Expect it to be a disaster.
Mark Maine's current population statistics. That will be a telling figure. The other telling figure will be the poverty statistics. Expect both to increase. Sure, the people paying the tax bill will have a good reason to exodus, but they will have trouble getting to the turnstyle as those looking for health care that is provided by someone other than themselves clog the entrance.
Maine may not be the last state to enact this hideous policy. If my home state of Indiana follows suit, I will make good on the kind of threat George Clooney reneged on: I'll leave it for a more liberty-loving, hospitable state.
That's no idle threat. I gave myself a 7% raise when I left Ohio last August, just on the tax savings. Think I wouldn't do it again?
Thursday, July 03, 2003
Some Actually Apologize
I spent the last two weeks in the company of my wife, Ame. It delights me to say that, 'my wife'! We were in our own little world, especially while honeymooning in Banff, Alberta.
It's all too precious to share with those I hope read here. Too impersonal. I love showing the pictures and sharing choice little moments with friends and associates. I won't do it here.
Returning to work was fairly jarring in the break from our private bubble. It wasn't unwelcome. I'm too much a part of the world to stay isolated for long, even though deeply in love. I was unwittingly granted a fine acknowledgement over the phone. The other party noticed that I did not apologize for my absense. I asked if, given the circumstances, they expected that I should. I was told, 'no! of course not!'. Understanding me is the best gift I can receive.
I spent the last two weeks in the company of my wife, Ame. It delights me to say that, 'my wife'! We were in our own little world, especially while honeymooning in Banff, Alberta.
It's all too precious to share with those I hope read here. Too impersonal. I love showing the pictures and sharing choice little moments with friends and associates. I won't do it here.
Returning to work was fairly jarring in the break from our private bubble. It wasn't unwelcome. I'm too much a part of the world to stay isolated for long, even though deeply in love. I was unwittingly granted a fine acknowledgement over the phone. The other party noticed that I did not apologize for my absense. I asked if, given the circumstances, they expected that I should. I was told, 'no! of course not!'. Understanding me is the best gift I can receive.
Saturday, June 14, 2003
The Colts
So, Mr. Irsay wants the City of Indianapolis to shell out some money to improve the RCA Dome, so that he makes more money. Either that, or the Indianapolis Colts will take a drive down the interstate, just as the Baltimore Colts did back in the early 80s.
I can't say I blame him for asking. So many cities give the moon. City officials always cite jobs, but are also always certain to insist that the prestige of the city would dive if a major sports team left.
I'm a big sports fan, but I'm also a big fan of classic and exotic automobiles. I drive a 1997 Saturn, which is neither of these things, but it sure gets me from-A-to-B. It's a reliable car, and gets very good fuel economy.
Just the same, I'm thinking that I'd like to have a Rolls-Royce... and a Ferrari... and a Maserati. These would look really good in my driveway, and I would look and feel good driving them.
I'm thinking that I'd like everyone on my block to pay for these luxury automobiles. Heck- it will improve the prestige of my neighborhood if out-of-towners were to drive down my street and see the Rolls. My neighbors will enjoy the benefit of this enhanced pretige, and it will only cost them each a little bit. They'll hardly notice how much it is.
I'm even thinking that about 10 to 12 times a year, I will allow my neighbors to take a spin with me in the Rolls or the Maserati. They can pay me admission to ride in my car, getting the direct benefit of having purchased the cars for me. Sometimes they can even ride shotgun. Of course, you don't always get to sit on the 50-yard line, so sometimes, my neighbors will have to ride in the trunk. Heck, though- the ticket are almost half as expensive!
Maybe they can't afford the price of tickets for the whole family to ride. Well, they can stand on the sidewalk and watch as I drive by with those who can afford the price of admission. Still- they're getting the enormous benefit of having created a sense of civic pride and pretige for our neighborhood, thanks to my cars. Of course, I'll only let them stand on the sidewalk if I've sold out the admissions to all of the seats, including the trunk. I'm not kind of idiot who is going to let people watch for free from the sidewalk when I have empty seats.
Man, that Irsay guy is a genius! After all, you won't be subsidizing my desire to have exotic cars. But you will seriously consider subsidizing the Colts. Is it for the enormous benefits you will derive?
As for the prestige- does anyone think badly of Los Angeles because the Rams left? Does anybody look down their nose at Houston because the Oilers left? Cleveland and the Browns? No. People have plenty of other good reason for looking down on these cities, the departure of an NFL franchise is the least of the reasons.
I look down my nose on cities that have socialized football. There is no prestige or honor in creating as vapid an elite as that.
So, Mr. Irsay wants the City of Indianapolis to shell out some money to improve the RCA Dome, so that he makes more money. Either that, or the Indianapolis Colts will take a drive down the interstate, just as the Baltimore Colts did back in the early 80s.
I can't say I blame him for asking. So many cities give the moon. City officials always cite jobs, but are also always certain to insist that the prestige of the city would dive if a major sports team left.
I'm a big sports fan, but I'm also a big fan of classic and exotic automobiles. I drive a 1997 Saturn, which is neither of these things, but it sure gets me from-A-to-B. It's a reliable car, and gets very good fuel economy.
Just the same, I'm thinking that I'd like to have a Rolls-Royce... and a Ferrari... and a Maserati. These would look really good in my driveway, and I would look and feel good driving them.
I'm thinking that I'd like everyone on my block to pay for these luxury automobiles. Heck- it will improve the prestige of my neighborhood if out-of-towners were to drive down my street and see the Rolls. My neighbors will enjoy the benefit of this enhanced pretige, and it will only cost them each a little bit. They'll hardly notice how much it is.
I'm even thinking that about 10 to 12 times a year, I will allow my neighbors to take a spin with me in the Rolls or the Maserati. They can pay me admission to ride in my car, getting the direct benefit of having purchased the cars for me. Sometimes they can even ride shotgun. Of course, you don't always get to sit on the 50-yard line, so sometimes, my neighbors will have to ride in the trunk. Heck, though- the ticket are almost half as expensive!
Maybe they can't afford the price of tickets for the whole family to ride. Well, they can stand on the sidewalk and watch as I drive by with those who can afford the price of admission. Still- they're getting the enormous benefit of having created a sense of civic pride and pretige for our neighborhood, thanks to my cars. Of course, I'll only let them stand on the sidewalk if I've sold out the admissions to all of the seats, including the trunk. I'm not kind of idiot who is going to let people watch for free from the sidewalk when I have empty seats.
Man, that Irsay guy is a genius! After all, you won't be subsidizing my desire to have exotic cars. But you will seriously consider subsidizing the Colts. Is it for the enormous benefits you will derive?
As for the prestige- does anyone think badly of Los Angeles because the Rams left? Does anybody look down their nose at Houston because the Oilers left? Cleveland and the Browns? No. People have plenty of other good reason for looking down on these cities, the departure of an NFL franchise is the least of the reasons.
I look down my nose on cities that have socialized football. There is no prestige or honor in creating as vapid an elite as that.
Tuesday, June 10, 2003
Grandpa
Ame's grandfather, Sven Langmack, passed away last Wednesday, after a battle with cancer. We were in Cleveland as her extended family mourned his passing and celebrated his life. Ame held him as the dearest, sweetest man, and although I did not know him long, I came to share the sentiment.
I only knew him as 'Grandpa', the guy Ame loved to cuddle up to during our frequent visits. I had a vague idea that he was a fairly involved and successful businessman. I had the realization just a few days before he died that he is the only man I've ever known whom I'd never heard a negative word about. I had no idea the scope of his impact.
My favorite anecdote: Sven was in D.C. participating in a conference on world trade. During a break, he went to the men's room, and found himself next to Henry Kissinger at a urinal. He glanced over at Kissinger and said, 'You know, I think that at the moment, we're the only ones who know what we're doing'. Kissinger glanced over and said, 'You know, Sven, I tink you are correct'.
I was struck by the burial at Lakeview Cemetary. I know- it isn't immediately the most uplifting imagery, but you had to be there and to know where I sitting to fully appreciate it.
As I sat, I looked past the casket and the minister and saw an obelisk rising through the trees and towering above. I used to sit at the foot of the obelisk on occasional lunch breaks, when I happened to be in the neighborhood. I would eat my sandwich and daydream of a Cleveland of yore, when smokestacks and trains dominated the landscape. When I rose to leave my lunchbreak, I would place a dime on the stone marking the grave of John D. Rockefeller.
Right of the towering monument watching over the great industrialist's family is a stone building. Sometimes after lunch, I would enter the building and hike the narrow, winding stairs to get to the balcony, which offers one of the finest views of the city. In the lower floor, visitors pay tribute to slain President James A. Garfield, whose body rests under an American flag.
To look about the area of Sven's grave was to realize that he had been placed among the greats. Other family names are familiar to you for the products you still use. Glidden (paint) and Otis (elevators), for instance, were right behind me.
The thing I liked most about Sven was that he was still terribly in love with Ame's grandmother, Virgie. After 62 years, and at his age, he still had a twinkle in his eye for his girl. When I stood in their living room this past Christmas to announce that I had proposed to Ame, and that she had accepted, Sven followed with an announcement of his own. With some difficulty, he rose and announced that 61 years before, he had done just I had done, proposing marriage right around Christmas. Given the chance, he'd do it again. We moved the date up, hoping Grandpa would make it to our wedding. Although he missed by just over two weeks, there will be a continuity. Ame and I want to have the kind of love that Sven and Virgie had, ever romantic, even if the aid of a walker is necessary. We're going for at least 70 years together. I figure that medical science being continuously improving, I should make it to 105 easily enough.
As for the other stuff... I figure it will be sufficient tribute if I have a girl cuddling up to me on the couch, calling me Grandpa.
Ame's grandfather, Sven Langmack, passed away last Wednesday, after a battle with cancer. We were in Cleveland as her extended family mourned his passing and celebrated his life. Ame held him as the dearest, sweetest man, and although I did not know him long, I came to share the sentiment.
I only knew him as 'Grandpa', the guy Ame loved to cuddle up to during our frequent visits. I had a vague idea that he was a fairly involved and successful businessman. I had the realization just a few days before he died that he is the only man I've ever known whom I'd never heard a negative word about. I had no idea the scope of his impact.
My favorite anecdote: Sven was in D.C. participating in a conference on world trade. During a break, he went to the men's room, and found himself next to Henry Kissinger at a urinal. He glanced over at Kissinger and said, 'You know, I think that at the moment, we're the only ones who know what we're doing'. Kissinger glanced over and said, 'You know, Sven, I tink you are correct'.
I was struck by the burial at Lakeview Cemetary. I know- it isn't immediately the most uplifting imagery, but you had to be there and to know where I sitting to fully appreciate it.
As I sat, I looked past the casket and the minister and saw an obelisk rising through the trees and towering above. I used to sit at the foot of the obelisk on occasional lunch breaks, when I happened to be in the neighborhood. I would eat my sandwich and daydream of a Cleveland of yore, when smokestacks and trains dominated the landscape. When I rose to leave my lunchbreak, I would place a dime on the stone marking the grave of John D. Rockefeller.
Right of the towering monument watching over the great industrialist's family is a stone building. Sometimes after lunch, I would enter the building and hike the narrow, winding stairs to get to the balcony, which offers one of the finest views of the city. In the lower floor, visitors pay tribute to slain President James A. Garfield, whose body rests under an American flag.
To look about the area of Sven's grave was to realize that he had been placed among the greats. Other family names are familiar to you for the products you still use. Glidden (paint) and Otis (elevators), for instance, were right behind me.
The thing I liked most about Sven was that he was still terribly in love with Ame's grandmother, Virgie. After 62 years, and at his age, he still had a twinkle in his eye for his girl. When I stood in their living room this past Christmas to announce that I had proposed to Ame, and that she had accepted, Sven followed with an announcement of his own. With some difficulty, he rose and announced that 61 years before, he had done just I had done, proposing marriage right around Christmas. Given the chance, he'd do it again. We moved the date up, hoping Grandpa would make it to our wedding. Although he missed by just over two weeks, there will be a continuity. Ame and I want to have the kind of love that Sven and Virgie had, ever romantic, even if the aid of a walker is necessary. We're going for at least 70 years together. I figure that medical science being continuously improving, I should make it to 105 easily enough.
As for the other stuff... I figure it will be sufficient tribute if I have a girl cuddling up to me on the couch, calling me Grandpa.
Tuesday, June 03, 2003
Remembrance and Inspiration
Thanks to Al Barger for recalling the upcoming anniversary of the events at Tiananmen Square, in June 1989. Images
"...the Chinese military opened fire on a crowd of peaceful protesters in Tiananmen Square. They directly slaughtered hundreds of non-violent young people on live television just to make the point that they were in charge."
For years, I have drawn inspiration from the unfathomable courage of a few individuals in the face of one of human history's greatest oppression machines, the People's Republic of China.
I decorate my work space with very little. I have one picture of Ame, and one picture of Alex. That's it. In my old home in Cleveland, I hung in my office an enormous print of Stuart Franklin's breathtaking image of raw courage and integrity. Whenever I thought I had it rough, I forced myself to look at that image. It never failed to get me off it, and back into action. Unfortunately, the print is larger than any wall of my cube at work.
Goethe said, "To think is easy. To act is hard. But the hardest thing in the world is to act in accordance with your thinking."
I bought the poster because, at the time, I was struggling with my implementation if my thinking. It had previously been enough to merely be a young capitalist. The time had come to become a public advocate for freedom in all areas of life, and I was terrified. I was certain I would end up gunned down. Patrick Henry nailed me to a post by my shorts.
"Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains or slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take but as for me; give me liberty or give me death!"
Fact is, it will probably never come to that. However, should it, I'll think of the man with the briefcase.
Everyone should get to see the full video of the man with the briefcase and a bag, because despite the power inherent in such an image, Stuart's photograph still suffers the constraints of the medium. The column of tanks rolled, and he, armed only with his integrity, blocked the column's advance. The tank driver attempted to move around the man. The man moved to block the tanks.
HE MOVED TO BLOCK THE TANKS.
What a worthy project it would be to find the name of this man. Patrick Henry is a giant, and Goethe ranks, but this man showed the world how it is done, and should be recognized as a giant in our times. Future generations need to be able to know that giants lived in all eras of human history, who they were, and that they need not be philosophers.
Thanks to Al Barger for recalling the upcoming anniversary of the events at Tiananmen Square, in June 1989. Images
"...the Chinese military opened fire on a crowd of peaceful protesters in Tiananmen Square. They directly slaughtered hundreds of non-violent young people on live television just to make the point that they were in charge."
For years, I have drawn inspiration from the unfathomable courage of a few individuals in the face of one of human history's greatest oppression machines, the People's Republic of China.
I decorate my work space with very little. I have one picture of Ame, and one picture of Alex. That's it. In my old home in Cleveland, I hung in my office an enormous print of Stuart Franklin's breathtaking image of raw courage and integrity. Whenever I thought I had it rough, I forced myself to look at that image. It never failed to get me off it, and back into action. Unfortunately, the print is larger than any wall of my cube at work.
Goethe said, "To think is easy. To act is hard. But the hardest thing in the world is to act in accordance with your thinking."
I bought the poster because, at the time, I was struggling with my implementation if my thinking. It had previously been enough to merely be a young capitalist. The time had come to become a public advocate for freedom in all areas of life, and I was terrified. I was certain I would end up gunned down. Patrick Henry nailed me to a post by my shorts.
"Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains or slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take but as for me; give me liberty or give me death!"
Fact is, it will probably never come to that. However, should it, I'll think of the man with the briefcase.
Everyone should get to see the full video of the man with the briefcase and a bag, because despite the power inherent in such an image, Stuart's photograph still suffers the constraints of the medium. The column of tanks rolled, and he, armed only with his integrity, blocked the column's advance. The tank driver attempted to move around the man. The man moved to block the tanks.
HE MOVED TO BLOCK THE TANKS.
What a worthy project it would be to find the name of this man. Patrick Henry is a giant, and Goethe ranks, but this man showed the world how it is done, and should be recognized as a giant in our times. Future generations need to be able to know that giants lived in all eras of human history, who they were, and that they need not be philosophers.
Sunday, June 01, 2003
A Just and Noble Cause
Edward Bowers, a California libertarian, is promoting the week of June 8-15 as the week to buy a particular book so as to try to pump the best-seller statistics, at least for a week. The book is called, "Ain't Nobody's Business If You Do" by Peter McWilliams.
Medical marijuana isn't any kind of passion of mine, probably because I don't use the stuff. But Mr. McWilliams died because his government banned a product that, had he been taking it, he probably would have been alive today. If you puke every time you take food or swallow a pill you need to fight cancer, you will die quickly. Marijuana helps people keep food- and pills- down.
Most people who promote the War On Drugs tend to cite their belief in the morality of keeping harmful substances away from people.
In this case, clearly, marijuana was anything but a harmful substance. Was morality promoted by the death of Peter McWilliams? Maybe it's time, at long last, for a new policy. Maybe it's time for the drug warriors to consider weather or not Americans own themselves.
Edward Bowers, a California libertarian, is promoting the week of June 8-15 as the week to buy a particular book so as to try to pump the best-seller statistics, at least for a week. The book is called, "Ain't Nobody's Business If You Do" by Peter McWilliams.
Medical marijuana isn't any kind of passion of mine, probably because I don't use the stuff. But Mr. McWilliams died because his government banned a product that, had he been taking it, he probably would have been alive today. If you puke every time you take food or swallow a pill you need to fight cancer, you will die quickly. Marijuana helps people keep food- and pills- down.
Most people who promote the War On Drugs tend to cite their belief in the morality of keeping harmful substances away from people.
In this case, clearly, marijuana was anything but a harmful substance. Was morality promoted by the death of Peter McWilliams? Maybe it's time, at long last, for a new policy. Maybe it's time for the drug warriors to consider weather or not Americans own themselves.
You Own Yourself
There it is- my philosophy boiled down to three words.
Note to everyone: this means, you own your body.
Clarification for those on 'The Right': This means, you can do what you want to do with your body, no matter how stupid it seems to someone else. You can pump drugs into it, sell it to be used sexually, take it to any country you wish it to visit- anything, so long as you do not initiate force or fraud on another human being.
Clarification for those on 'The Left': This means, when you use the body to earn money, you earned it, it's your money. By the way, the mind is part of the body.
It always has mystified me how people on 'The Left' can get that government has no place telling people how to use their minds and bodies in the home, but yet insist that government has a rightful place telling people how to use their minds and bodies in commerce. Similarly, 'The Right' can get that the mind and body should be free in commerce, so long as it isn't commerce that may satisfy the mind or body for pleasure at home. Talk about cognitive dissonance.
There it is- my philosophy boiled down to three words.
Note to everyone: this means, you own your body.
Clarification for those on 'The Right': This means, you can do what you want to do with your body, no matter how stupid it seems to someone else. You can pump drugs into it, sell it to be used sexually, take it to any country you wish it to visit- anything, so long as you do not initiate force or fraud on another human being.
Clarification for those on 'The Left': This means, when you use the body to earn money, you earned it, it's your money. By the way, the mind is part of the body.
It always has mystified me how people on 'The Left' can get that government has no place telling people how to use their minds and bodies in the home, but yet insist that government has a rightful place telling people how to use their minds and bodies in commerce. Similarly, 'The Right' can get that the mind and body should be free in commerce, so long as it isn't commerce that may satisfy the mind or body for pleasure at home. Talk about cognitive dissonance.
Good Game, Great Entertainment
Even though I was rooting for the Devils, the Ducks won Game Three in overtime, 3-2, to get back into the Series. They are now down two games to one. I enjoyed the game thoroughly. Devils' goalie Martin Brodeur made a rare boneheaded play to allow a goal, but his team came back to tie the score and send the game to overtime. Anaheim's Ruslan Salei scored the game-winner on an excellent faceoff win by Adam Oates.
The Ducks responded to the pressure to finally win a game and make the Series a contest. The Devils lost, but honorably so, fighting to the end.
Game Four is Monday night, 8pm Eastern, televised by ABC. I'll be glued to the set.
Even though I was rooting for the Devils, the Ducks won Game Three in overtime, 3-2, to get back into the Series. They are now down two games to one. I enjoyed the game thoroughly. Devils' goalie Martin Brodeur made a rare boneheaded play to allow a goal, but his team came back to tie the score and send the game to overtime. Anaheim's Ruslan Salei scored the game-winner on an excellent faceoff win by Adam Oates.
The Ducks responded to the pressure to finally win a game and make the Series a contest. The Devils lost, but honorably so, fighting to the end.
Game Four is Monday night, 8pm Eastern, televised by ABC. I'll be glued to the set.
Monday, May 26, 2003
Rooting for the Underdog
I know, it's what sports fans like to do if their team isn't in the Big Game to root for. Root against the Yankees and the Braves when they are in the World Series, root against the Lakers in the NBA playoffs, and root against the Dallas Cowboys, even when they suck.
Hockey's my game, and the San Jose Sharks have been my team for years. They were built around a strict coach, and have had mostly gritty players who work hard and never take their talent for granted. I especially dig Mike Ricci, with long black hair sticking every which way out of his helmet, his toothless grimace, and his nose two-thirds the way across his right cheekbone. I like all of that. Unfortunately, this year, the Sharks fell apart thanks to the holdouts of two key players. They failed to make the playoffs, which in hockey terms means: you really stunk this year.
Even though the Sharks were on the links in April, I have been keeping an eye on the NHL Playoffs. I've enjoyed the run of the Disney-owned and -inspired Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, beginning with their knocking off the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings- a team that did take its' talent for granted. Some of the other teams have tasted success like never before, such as Ottawa and Minnesota's new team.
I love to enjoy the successes of the competition, especially when games are close and hard-fought. Who scored the series-winning goal? Which third-line player emerged as a go-to guy? I really don't care who is on the losing side. In fact, many times when a series goes seven games, and into overtime in that last contest, I find it somehow unsatisfying one team must be eliminated. I know them's the facts, but I appreciate an honorable defeat.
That's why I can't stand sports fans that root against successful franchises. Especially in hockey, talent alone doesn't win championships. Talent alone can get you embarrassed in the playoffs. Just ask the Wings. Or the Stars or the Flyers. The owners of those teams emptied their wallets on talent, and yet, they're playing golf while the Devils and the Ducks, owned by tightwads who look for men of character for their squads, will play for Lord Stanley's Cup. It's true for all of the sports. Money can buy proven talent, but in doing so, it doesn't always purchase the greatest desire. People who should get this miss it routinely, driven more by their real jealousy of money than any spiel they offer about caring for the heart.
Now that jealousy of money is out of the equation, if fans watch the Cup finals at all, it will be to root against the Devils out of jealousy of their success. You see, the Devils are playing for the Cup for the third time in four seasons.
I'll be rooting for the Devils. I appreciate their mastering the great difficulty of managing consistent success. I'm betting, though, that the ratings for the games will be abysmal, without someone for the jealous fans to really hate. Nobody is rooting for the Ducks.
Parallel culture note: I've never understood this obsessive pro-underdog stance. Sure, the United States is a nation built on England's castoffs and won an unlikely independence. Alas, the U.S. hasn't been any kind of underdog since before the Spanish-American War. If you root for the underdog every time, you must invariably root against the United States.
I know, it's what sports fans like to do if their team isn't in the Big Game to root for. Root against the Yankees and the Braves when they are in the World Series, root against the Lakers in the NBA playoffs, and root against the Dallas Cowboys, even when they suck.
Hockey's my game, and the San Jose Sharks have been my team for years. They were built around a strict coach, and have had mostly gritty players who work hard and never take their talent for granted. I especially dig Mike Ricci, with long black hair sticking every which way out of his helmet, his toothless grimace, and his nose two-thirds the way across his right cheekbone. I like all of that. Unfortunately, this year, the Sharks fell apart thanks to the holdouts of two key players. They failed to make the playoffs, which in hockey terms means: you really stunk this year.
Even though the Sharks were on the links in April, I have been keeping an eye on the NHL Playoffs. I've enjoyed the run of the Disney-owned and -inspired Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, beginning with their knocking off the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings- a team that did take its' talent for granted. Some of the other teams have tasted success like never before, such as Ottawa and Minnesota's new team.
I love to enjoy the successes of the competition, especially when games are close and hard-fought. Who scored the series-winning goal? Which third-line player emerged as a go-to guy? I really don't care who is on the losing side. In fact, many times when a series goes seven games, and into overtime in that last contest, I find it somehow unsatisfying one team must be eliminated. I know them's the facts, but I appreciate an honorable defeat.
That's why I can't stand sports fans that root against successful franchises. Especially in hockey, talent alone doesn't win championships. Talent alone can get you embarrassed in the playoffs. Just ask the Wings. Or the Stars or the Flyers. The owners of those teams emptied their wallets on talent, and yet, they're playing golf while the Devils and the Ducks, owned by tightwads who look for men of character for their squads, will play for Lord Stanley's Cup. It's true for all of the sports. Money can buy proven talent, but in doing so, it doesn't always purchase the greatest desire. People who should get this miss it routinely, driven more by their real jealousy of money than any spiel they offer about caring for the heart.
Now that jealousy of money is out of the equation, if fans watch the Cup finals at all, it will be to root against the Devils out of jealousy of their success. You see, the Devils are playing for the Cup for the third time in four seasons.
I'll be rooting for the Devils. I appreciate their mastering the great difficulty of managing consistent success. I'm betting, though, that the ratings for the games will be abysmal, without someone for the jealous fans to really hate. Nobody is rooting for the Ducks.
Parallel culture note: I've never understood this obsessive pro-underdog stance. Sure, the United States is a nation built on England's castoffs and won an unlikely independence. Alas, the U.S. hasn't been any kind of underdog since before the Spanish-American War. If you root for the underdog every time, you must invariably root against the United States.
Wednesday, May 21, 2003
Doesn't Matter Who
Just like that, I've found a financial giant worthy of being ignored- right after I punch his nose.
He isn't this era's answer to JP Morgan in terms of the sheer awe that man inspired, but Warren Buffet has more hundred dollar bills to rub together than your average millionaire has pennies, so people tend to dote on his every word. However, he just gave me all the reason in the world to ignore his political and economic views. He spoke out against the Bush tax cut.
I don't think that the Bush tax cut is the best thing in the world. It could have been bigger, for instance, and it could have cut rates on much more than dividends. But the fact is, any elected official who offers to return taxpayer dollars to the taxpayers is moving policy in the right direction. I'll support the tiniest tax cut, if it's the only cut being proposed, and I don't care if it's Bush, or Democrats Indiana Governor Frank O'Bannon, or Indy Mayor Bart Peterson doing the cutting.
Of course, Buffett did fail to mention one important fact. His Berkshire Hathaway shares don't pay dividends.
Hmm? Could it be that Mr. Buffett is afraid that if the tax cut on dividends passes, stocks that do pay dividends will become more valuable for producing tax-free income? Could it be that Mr. Buffett would rather not have to feel pressure to start paying a dividend?
J.P. Morgan would have kept his mouth shut.
Just like that, I've found a financial giant worthy of being ignored- right after I punch his nose.
He isn't this era's answer to JP Morgan in terms of the sheer awe that man inspired, but Warren Buffet has more hundred dollar bills to rub together than your average millionaire has pennies, so people tend to dote on his every word. However, he just gave me all the reason in the world to ignore his political and economic views. He spoke out against the Bush tax cut.
I don't think that the Bush tax cut is the best thing in the world. It could have been bigger, for instance, and it could have cut rates on much more than dividends. But the fact is, any elected official who offers to return taxpayer dollars to the taxpayers is moving policy in the right direction. I'll support the tiniest tax cut, if it's the only cut being proposed, and I don't care if it's Bush, or Democrats Indiana Governor Frank O'Bannon, or Indy Mayor Bart Peterson doing the cutting.
Of course, Buffett did fail to mention one important fact. His Berkshire Hathaway shares don't pay dividends.
Hmm? Could it be that Mr. Buffett is afraid that if the tax cut on dividends passes, stocks that do pay dividends will become more valuable for producing tax-free income? Could it be that Mr. Buffett would rather not have to feel pressure to start paying a dividend?
J.P. Morgan would have kept his mouth shut.
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
Wither Morgan?
The referee's arm goes up in the air over this blogging activity. It violates JP Morgan's very wise credo, as contained in a wonderful little book of collected insights called Wisdom from the Robber Barons:
"Think a lot. Say little. Write nothing."
When I run for office, I'll have to scramble like hell to purge the net of these musings. I'll rue the day I ignored a financial giant.
The referee's arm goes up in the air over this blogging activity. It violates JP Morgan's very wise credo, as contained in a wonderful little book of collected insights called Wisdom from the Robber Barons:
"Think a lot. Say little. Write nothing."
When I run for office, I'll have to scramble like hell to purge the net of these musings. I'll rue the day I ignored a financial giant.
Monday, May 19, 2003
Supply and Demand Remains, Even in Utopian Societies
A lot of my friends, especially the non-libertarian ones, like to ask me if I'll be moving to Idaho, Wyoming, or New Hampshire soon. At first, the question vexed me. After living in the Cleveland area since the age of three, I relocated with Ame to Indianapolis some nine months ago. It's not like I'll need to be here for 31 more years before considering the next move, but nor will it be happening next year.
Next year, some 20,000 libertarians may be faced with moving to one of those three states mentioned before as part of the Free State Project.
With my first complete reading of Atlas Shrugged, I began to occasionally indulge in the delicious daydream of a Galt's Gulch- a utopia devoid of compulsion, loaded with choices and freedom, and sole responsibilty for the exercise thereof. To be the builder of a city was a particularly fond daydream. Jason Sorens shares my reading list, and apparently, my daydreams, though not my taste in music.
The idea is that 20,000 libertarians will move en masse to one of the aforementioned states and rapidly transform the selected state's policies to libertarian policies.
On the surface, it's rather a tempting proposition... except that the chosen states all *suck*. These are underpopulated states for a reason. Remember reason? This all smacks of a Galt's Gulch Lite, without the oath that unlocks the door to the power plant, and yet with all the rest of the residents that resent you for being a carpetbagger.
Going to a population that is just sitting there, minding its own business, and imposing your political will over it en mass is the kind of thing I expect of US foreign policy in, well, name your country. Just like so many of our foreign adventures, I expect some current residents to wave the Free State flag and throw flowers, and others to hold up signs saying, 'libertarian go home', and rolling hand grenades under their tents.
I expect believers in utopia to gloss over that. Utopians don't want to hear about being outnumbered 20 to 1 as a negative. Those are odds they'll take! What I do not expect libertarian utopians to get glassy-eyed about is the consideration of supply and demand. That, after all, is the kind of hard-boiled reality that they do like to know about.
Remember that? Supply and demand? It is the stark fist of reality in the same was as gravity is to other dreamers. Oh, gravity can be overcome- in the same way as supply and demand: at great cost.
Take land that is cheap by virtue of the lack of a population. Now add 20,000 people that must have land now. We call the sum a boom town. Everywhere in this country's history, we have seen boom towns spring up, with land prices going from pennies per acre to Park Place and Boardwalk overnight... and often back to nothing, from Dodge City to Carson City to Silver City, Idaho. Better buy up that land now, while the getting's good.
While you're at it, set up a grocery store before the Sons of Sam Walton can. All commodities will be exorbitantly priced until real competition can move in. In the meantime, the naturally occurring monopoly stores will have a field day seperating utopians from greenbacks, long before the laws imposing taxes on food can be vanquished. After all, 20,000 of you will arrive on Monday, and by Thursday, there will be six cans of creamed corn and a bottle of Diet Vernors to go around.
I know libertarians know supply and demand. You can't read as much Adam Smith, Ludwig von Mises, Milton Friedman, Thomas Sowell, and Walter Williams as the average lib does and not pick up at least a little of it. And yet, I hear astonishingly little about provisions like, 'take all the provisions you can haul, including a whole lot of cash 'coz we're going to make the cost of living double or triple for a while'.
I wish these believers in the destinational approach well. I hope they prove me wrong. If they do, they will have to clear out a lot of space in their bookshelves.
A lot of my friends, especially the non-libertarian ones, like to ask me if I'll be moving to Idaho, Wyoming, or New Hampshire soon. At first, the question vexed me. After living in the Cleveland area since the age of three, I relocated with Ame to Indianapolis some nine months ago. It's not like I'll need to be here for 31 more years before considering the next move, but nor will it be happening next year.
Next year, some 20,000 libertarians may be faced with moving to one of those three states mentioned before as part of the Free State Project.
With my first complete reading of Atlas Shrugged, I began to occasionally indulge in the delicious daydream of a Galt's Gulch- a utopia devoid of compulsion, loaded with choices and freedom, and sole responsibilty for the exercise thereof. To be the builder of a city was a particularly fond daydream. Jason Sorens shares my reading list, and apparently, my daydreams, though not my taste in music.
The idea is that 20,000 libertarians will move en masse to one of the aforementioned states and rapidly transform the selected state's policies to libertarian policies.
On the surface, it's rather a tempting proposition... except that the chosen states all *suck*. These are underpopulated states for a reason. Remember reason? This all smacks of a Galt's Gulch Lite, without the oath that unlocks the door to the power plant, and yet with all the rest of the residents that resent you for being a carpetbagger.
Going to a population that is just sitting there, minding its own business, and imposing your political will over it en mass is the kind of thing I expect of US foreign policy in, well, name your country. Just like so many of our foreign adventures, I expect some current residents to wave the Free State flag and throw flowers, and others to hold up signs saying, 'libertarian go home', and rolling hand grenades under their tents.
I expect believers in utopia to gloss over that. Utopians don't want to hear about being outnumbered 20 to 1 as a negative. Those are odds they'll take! What I do not expect libertarian utopians to get glassy-eyed about is the consideration of supply and demand. That, after all, is the kind of hard-boiled reality that they do like to know about.
Remember that? Supply and demand? It is the stark fist of reality in the same was as gravity is to other dreamers. Oh, gravity can be overcome- in the same way as supply and demand: at great cost.
Take land that is cheap by virtue of the lack of a population. Now add 20,000 people that must have land now. We call the sum a boom town. Everywhere in this country's history, we have seen boom towns spring up, with land prices going from pennies per acre to Park Place and Boardwalk overnight... and often back to nothing, from Dodge City to Carson City to Silver City, Idaho. Better buy up that land now, while the getting's good.
While you're at it, set up a grocery store before the Sons of Sam Walton can. All commodities will be exorbitantly priced until real competition can move in. In the meantime, the naturally occurring monopoly stores will have a field day seperating utopians from greenbacks, long before the laws imposing taxes on food can be vanquished. After all, 20,000 of you will arrive on Monday, and by Thursday, there will be six cans of creamed corn and a bottle of Diet Vernors to go around.
I know libertarians know supply and demand. You can't read as much Adam Smith, Ludwig von Mises, Milton Friedman, Thomas Sowell, and Walter Williams as the average lib does and not pick up at least a little of it. And yet, I hear astonishingly little about provisions like, 'take all the provisions you can haul, including a whole lot of cash 'coz we're going to make the cost of living double or triple for a while'.
I wish these believers in the destinational approach well. I hope they prove me wrong. If they do, they will have to clear out a lot of space in their bookshelves.
Thursday, May 15, 2003
Planning and Reading.
So, where's the honeymoon? It's in Banff, Alberta!
That's in Canada. It's amazing how many people you have to explain that to. I've heard, 'That's in Europe, right?' Also, Africa. I've also heard that Alberta is one of the Canadian *States*. Here's how I was taught to remember that Canada has Provinces: think of the put-down 'provincial', and you can't fail to think of Canada. It was reinforced by a gag in an early South Park episode with Terrance and Philip where Toronto was labeled 'Downtown Canada'. Or was that in the movie?
Anyhow, I've been reading up on wilderness backpacking and camping, since Ame and I will be doing plenty in serious backcountry. My book of choice is The Backpacker's Field Manual, by Princeton's Rick Curtis. He is very big on 'leave no trace' methods, and I like reading up on it. I want to do what I can to keep that area as pristine as possible.
I'm sure that some readers would find Curtis an overbearing tree hugger, but what the hell? I'm going for the pristine nature of the areas surrounding Banff, Jasper, and Lake Louise and I want to find it pristine, and they guy after me will want to find it the same way, so I read. However, I found one sensible passage that was too rich in irony for me to pass up:
"Resist the temptation to feed animals, even leaving bread crumbs or seeds for birds or squirrels. Feeding wildlife can upset the natural balance of their food chain, or make them dependent on human food."
The Sierra Club types all say this about feeding animals. The feeder creates the dependency of the fed. How is it that they routinely miss the logic as applied to humans?
There was one double standard that left me a little perplexed. Some who practice 'leave no trace methods' rail against emptying the ol' dump truck in the woods, recommending carrying your feces out with you. I have to think back to the days of yore when I would ask my old co-worker Jerry if he'd like to break for lunch. He'd reply, "Does a bear shit in the woods?"
And so a bear does. The bear does not bring a double lined ammo box. Nor does he use a Glad bag as a glove so that he may retrieve his solids. He just lets it fly any ol' place. Sometimes it hit vegetation. Rarely to bears group up and dig field latrine pits. Sometimes, the bear even unloads the truck less than 200 feet (or about 70 human steps) away from water. I dare say that on some odd Tuesdays, the bear lets it go in the stream itself, just as some men are reputed to let fly in the shower. The human gets nothing but grief.
Truly, humans are held to a higher standard.
So, where's the honeymoon? It's in Banff, Alberta!
That's in Canada. It's amazing how many people you have to explain that to. I've heard, 'That's in Europe, right?' Also, Africa. I've also heard that Alberta is one of the Canadian *States*. Here's how I was taught to remember that Canada has Provinces: think of the put-down 'provincial', and you can't fail to think of Canada. It was reinforced by a gag in an early South Park episode with Terrance and Philip where Toronto was labeled 'Downtown Canada'. Or was that in the movie?
Anyhow, I've been reading up on wilderness backpacking and camping, since Ame and I will be doing plenty in serious backcountry. My book of choice is The Backpacker's Field Manual, by Princeton's Rick Curtis. He is very big on 'leave no trace' methods, and I like reading up on it. I want to do what I can to keep that area as pristine as possible.
I'm sure that some readers would find Curtis an overbearing tree hugger, but what the hell? I'm going for the pristine nature of the areas surrounding Banff, Jasper, and Lake Louise and I want to find it pristine, and they guy after me will want to find it the same way, so I read. However, I found one sensible passage that was too rich in irony for me to pass up:
"Resist the temptation to feed animals, even leaving bread crumbs or seeds for birds or squirrels. Feeding wildlife can upset the natural balance of their food chain, or make them dependent on human food."
The Sierra Club types all say this about feeding animals. The feeder creates the dependency of the fed. How is it that they routinely miss the logic as applied to humans?
There was one double standard that left me a little perplexed. Some who practice 'leave no trace methods' rail against emptying the ol' dump truck in the woods, recommending carrying your feces out with you. I have to think back to the days of yore when I would ask my old co-worker Jerry if he'd like to break for lunch. He'd reply, "Does a bear shit in the woods?"
And so a bear does. The bear does not bring a double lined ammo box. Nor does he use a Glad bag as a glove so that he may retrieve his solids. He just lets it fly any ol' place. Sometimes it hit vegetation. Rarely to bears group up and dig field latrine pits. Sometimes, the bear even unloads the truck less than 200 feet (or about 70 human steps) away from water. I dare say that on some odd Tuesdays, the bear lets it go in the stream itself, just as some men are reputed to let fly in the shower. The human gets nothing but grief.
Truly, humans are held to a higher standard.
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