More Ben Stein

The following article, (in grey highlight), was recieved today by RN USA via e-mail. It is stated to be written by Ben Stein and is preceded by and introduction. It is reproduced here without verifying authenticity of authorship or accuracy of content because it is, simply good thoughts and worth passing on for consideration.

Ben Stein is a writer, actor, economist, and lawyer living in Beverly Hills and Malibu . He writes "Ben Stein's Diary" for every issue of The American Spectator.

As President Barack Obama's poll ratings head south, Ben Stein explains why in The American Spectator:

Why is President Barack Obama in such a hurry to get his socialized medicine bill passed?

Because he and his cunning circle realize some basic truths:

The American people in their unimaginable kindness and trust voted for a pig in a poke in 2008. They wanted so much to believe Barack Obama was somehow better and different from other ultra-leftists that they simply took him on faith.

They ignored his anti-white writings in his books. They ignored his quiet acceptance of hysterical anti-American diatribes by his minister, Jeremiah Wright.

They ignored his refusal to explain years at a time of his life as a student. They ignored his ultra-left record as a "communityborganizer," Illinois state legislator, and Senator.

The American people ignored his total zero of an academic record as a student and teacher, his complete lack of scholarship when he was being touted as a scholar.

Now, the American people are starting to wake up to the truth. Barack Obama is a super likeable super leftist, not a fan of this country, way, way too cozy with the terrorist leaders in the Middle East, way beyond naïveté, all the way into active destruction of our interests and our allies and our future.

The American people have already awakened to the truth that the stimulus bill -- a great idea in theory -- was really an immense bribe to Democrat interest groups, and in no way an effort to help all bAmericans.

Now, Americans are waking up to the truth that ObamaCare basically means that every time you are sick or injured, you will have a clerk from the Department of Motor Vehicles telling your doctor what he can and cannot do.

The American people already know that Mr. Obama's plan to lower health costs while expanding coverage and bureaucracy is a myth, a promise of something that never was and never will be -- a bureaucracy lowering costs in a free society. Either the costs go up or the free society goes away....

Mr. Obama knows Americans are getting wise and will stop him if he delays at all in taking away our freedoms. There is his urgency and our opportunity. Once freedom is lost, America is lost.. Wake up, beloved America .

“Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive.”

Assualt on Individualism and Liberty

RN USA is pleased as never before. The reason is because Ayn Rand, although gone from this world since 1982, simply refuses to die.

Aside from the  fact she penned two best selling novels, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, as well as many other literary works,  she is now being given a new life by those who most fear her messages of individualism, self sufficiency, rational self interest, and capitalism.

The socialist and statist mindset, so profligate in the media, academia, and government are apparently gearing up to trash her by misrepresentation and misinterpretation of her philosophy. Why? Because she is a threat to everything they wish to accomplish.

They will likely not rest until they gain total control of the mechanisms of government and the countries productive capacity. Not to mention the control to determine what liberties they would allow us to retain, if any.

Enough ranting. The purpose for this short post is to direct my readers to a piece in The New York Times Sunday Book Review that is sickening. The author, Adam Kirsch,  is using selected excerpts from her works and twisting them in an attempt to demean and discredit her intellect.

Since Ayn Rands philosophy is powerful when correctly understood, and since it gives so much power to the individual, the liberal collectivists believe it must be crushed.  Adam Kirsch is merely one of the foot soldiers of the socialist/statist power structure that is intent on crushing individualism and freedom.

Read Adam Kirsch article here.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: New York Times

Our Socialist Future?

It is looking more like the Pelosi, Reid, Obama Steam Roller Company, aka, The United States Governmental Leadership Troika is about  to succeed in forcing their socialized vision of health care down the throats of all Americans. Cradle to Grave socialism is about to become a reality in what was once the bastion of capitalism and individual liberty.

Pay close attention to Representative Michelle Bachman in the following video segment. The new comprise bill on national health care reform, presumably improved, is approximately twice as many pages as the original. Written by attorneys in legalese, it is only logical to draw the conclusion no one fully understands the bill. It is also logical to conclude it further erodes individual freedom and self sufficiency.

As a nation we are looking squarely into the eyes of an insatiable beast known as our government, and unless we begin to consider the words of individuals like Representative Bachman, and other who value our freedoms, we will sesend into a less free and more dependent society.





As you consider the words and warning of Representative Bachman, consider these words of one of Americas champions for individualism and liberty.





This next video segment seems to have correctly predicted our current slide into economic disaster and the socialist welfare state President Obama and his leadership appears to desire for our country.





I, like Ayn Rand did in the 1950's continue to believe we can reverse our slide into socialism and total statism. However, the sand is running low in our hour glass. We have not much more time.

Think of your children, grandchildren, and your great grand children as you think on the preceding messages of liberty and the freedom to chose. It is ours to lose.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: Gateway Pundit

Anti Beck Leftist Propaganda (Parody)

Talk about a leftist propaganda piece. Found this amusing at first glance. Then I realizes just how precarious our nations future really is.




The lefts answer to the legitimate concerns Beck and millions of others hold that our government is now, and has been for some time drifting in the direction of Fascism. Fascism is socialism, and communism is an extremme form of socialism.

Beck realizes that the American public is by and large moderate to conservative. The truth is that its the power brokers, politicians, left wing social activist organizations, media, and academia that he is primarily talking about. And he is correct.

It is as interesting as it is predictable that youth would be used as actors in this cute skit. For who but the youth hold the key to the eventual success of the socialist/staist movement overthrowing capitalism, individualism, self reliance, and just about evertything America once
stood for when it was truly the beacon of strenght for the free world.

I shed a tear for future generations each time I see this propaganda game by the left. The impressionable, and already propagandized by academia youth generation, buys this cow dung without giving it a thought.

Qoutes From Atlas Shrugged

Two weeks ago RN USA started Ayn Rand Monday, which is meant to be to be a tribute to Rand, her philosophy, and her literary works.While perusing the library of Rand videos at You Tube today in preparation for next Monday I happened on a video illustration I thought really good.

So, even though it is not Rand Monday, the urge to post was so great the temptation could not be resisted. Call it a special Ayn Rand Friday. It is hoped you enjoy these simple, yet profound words of wisdom.

A Canadian Editorial

Received the following recently from one of my readers. It dates back to July of this year so it is not new, and certainly the thoughts presented have been heard before in some form.

I had never come across this,  perhaps because it was reportedly written by a Canadian and published in a Canadian newspaper. If this is how President Obama is viewed by a sizable number around the world he is indeed in trouble. Or will be sooner or later as the rose colored glasses of  more of the American electorate slowly change to a soft shade of grey.

The following opinions are those of Howard Galganov.

By Howard Galganov

Montreal, Quebec , Canada

23 July 2009

When Obama won the Presidency with the help of the LEFTIST Media,

Hollywood And Entertainment Liberals, Ethnic Socialists (ACORN),

Stupid Non-Business Professionals and Bush Haters, I wrote: It won't

take six months until the People figure this guy out and realize how

horrible a mistake they've made. And when they come to that

realization, the damage to the United States of America will be so

great it will take a generation or more to repair - IF EVER.

The IDIOTS who not only voted for the Messiah, but also worked [hard]

to promote his Lordship, are now left holding the bag.

Here are two things they will NEVER do: They will NEVER admit to

making a Blunder out of all proportion by electing a snake-oil

salesman with no Positive social history or management experience of

any kind.. They will NEVER take responsibility for the curse they've

imposed upon the immediate and long-term future of their country.

In essence, the people responsible for putting this horror show in

power are themselves responsible for every cataclysmic decision he

makes and the Consequences thereof.

In just six months, the Messiah's polls are showing the following: On

Healthcare Reform - He's going under for the third time with polling

well Under 50 percent, even within his own Party. Even though he might

be able to Muscle a Healthcare Reform Bill by using Chicago BULLY

tactics against his Fellow Democrats, it will just make things worse.

On Cap and Trade (Cap and Tax) - The Fat-Lady is already singing. On

the Stimulus Package (Tax and Spend) - His popularity is in FREE-FALL.

 On the TARP package he took and ran With from President Bush -It's

all but Good-Night Irene. On the closing of GITMO and "HIS" war on

what he no longer wants called the War On Terrorism - He's standing in

quicksand with his head just about to go under. On a Comparison

between himself and George W Bush at the same six months into Their

respective first term Presidencies - Bush is ahead of him in the

Polls. On a comparison between He Who Walks On Water and the 12

preceding Presidents between WW II and now - Obama ranks 10th. On a

Poll just Conducted, that asks who would you vote for today between

Obama and Mitt Romney - It's a dead heat. Between Obama and Palin -

Obama's ONLY ahead by 8 Points and she hasn't even begun to campaign.

It seems to me that Obama Wants to be everywhere where he shouldn't

be.

He's personally invested in [totally insulting] America 's ONLY REAL

Middle Eastern ally ( Israel ) in favor of Palestinian Despots and

Murderers. He's traveling the world apologizing for the USA while

lecturing others on how to do it right, when in fact and truth he has

no experience at doing anything other than getting elected.

He went to the Muslim world in Egypt to declare that America IS NOT A

CHRISTIAN NATION while he heaped praises on Islam, where he compared

the "plight" of the Palestinians to the Holocaust.

The Russians think he's a putz, The French think he's rude.

The Germans want him to stop spending.

The Indians want him to mix his nose out of their environmental business.

The North Koreans think he's a joke, The Iranians won't acknowledge his calls.

And the British can't even come up with a comprehensive opinion of him.

As for the Chinese, he's too frightened to even glance their way.

[After All, China now owns a large portion of the United States .]

Maybe if America 's first Emperor would stay home more, travel less,

and work A little bit instead of being on television just about

everyday (or forget About his Wednesday Date Nights with his Amazon

Wife) or stop running to "papered" Town Hall Meetings, perhaps he

would have a little bit of time to Do the work of the nation.

In all fairness, it wasn't HARD to be RIGHT in my prediction

concerning Obama's presidency, even in its first six months, so I'm

going to make yet another prediction:

OBAMA WILL PROBABLY NOT FINISH HIS 4-YEAR TERM, at least not in a

Conventional way.

He is such a political HORROR SHOW, and so detrimental to the USA and

his Own Democratic Party, that the Democrats themselves will either

FORCE him to Resign or figure out a way to have him thrown out.

Who knows, maybe he really isn't a BORN US Citizen and that's a way

the Democrats will be able to get rid of him. [He is a citizen, but

not a naturalized citizen with both mother and father being US

citizens.]

Or - MORE LIKELY THAN NOT, the Democrats will make Obama THEIR OWN

LAME DUCK PRESIDENT.

I don't believe the Democrats have nearly as much love for their

country as they do for their own political fortunes. And with Obama,

their fortunes are rapidly becoming toast.

The Democrats can keep on blaming Bush for EVERYTHING, but that game's

already begun to wear real thin.

Their mantra was "WE DON'T WANT 4 MORE YEARS," which the STUPID people

bought, since McCain was nothing at all like George W Bush.

The new mantra will soon become: "WE DON'T WANT 6 MORE MONTHS."

Any further thoughts anyone?

Liberty and It's Philosophical Meaning

The people of  the United States of America are possibly  facing the greatest threat to their liberties since The rise of Adolph Hitler and WW II.. The threat Hitler posed for our nation, indeed the entire world, was external and easily identified. The current threat is subtle and resides within our own borders.

The election of the man of Hope and Change to the presidency of this great nation, and the radical socialist/statist ideology he believes in, is the threat we must understand and fear. For this threat to our liberties is both subtle and insidious. The loss of our liberties will come at the hands of a growing socialist government bent on exerting more power and control over our lives.

If one has been paying attention over these past 10 months it is clear that the growth of government, and its increased intrusion into the private sector is, evident. The only way to combat this growing cancer is to understand the Philosophy of Liberty in all its many forms.

By focusing time on the Philosophy of Liberty one is helped in their quest to identify and understand those actions that pose a threat to ones liberty. And so it is with these thoughts in mind I post here for my readership The Philosophy of Liberty.




Hope you enjoyed this illustration and maybe even found it useful. If so RN USA would appreciate your comments (pro or con) as to whether you believe such posts are worthwhile.

A Coalition of Conservatives and Libertarians in 2012?

While doing my morning check for an interesting lead the Cato @ Liberty, Gallup's Conservatives and Libertarians spot caught my eye. It didn't interest me so much because I am a Libertarian, (I define myself as a true modern independent conservative and a classical radical in the mold of our founding fathers), but  rather as I read the article I could not help but think a strong coalition of true Conservatives and Libertarians could win the White House in 2012.

Some numbers from the Poll;

1) 40 percent of respondents consider themselves to be consevative
2) 36 percent consider themselves to be moderate
3) 20 percent consider themselves to be liberal

Based on respondents answers to two broad questions noted below Gallup consistently find approximately 20 percent of the electorate hold Libertarian beliefs.

• Some people think the government is trying to do too many things that should be left to individuals and businesses. Others think that government should do more to solve our country’s problems. Which comes closer to your own view?

• Some people think the government should promote traditional values in our society. Others think the government should not favor any particular set of values. Which comes closer to your own view?

The poll numbers are of course not scientific. They do however provide an indication of where the voting public is at. The numbers indicate an opportunity exists for a strong candidate with integrity and strong ethical values to unseat the current socialist/statist occupant of the White House.

Something else I found of interest in the article is the apparent lack of understanding of Libertarian values. Note the following excerpt:

The word “libertarian” isn’t well known, so pollsters don’t find many people claiming to be libertarian. And usually they don’t ask. But a large portion of Americans hold generally libertarian views.... They don’t fit the red-blue paradigm, and they have their doubts about both conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats. They’re potentially a swing vote in elections.

As I was reading the article I couldn't help thinking what a dynamic ticket a coalition of true Conservatives and Libertarians would make in the 2012 election and the effort to unseat our current socialist/statist President.

So I went for a walk through the video info world and hit pay dirt. Here is a series of 4 videos on Libertarianism by none other than that giant intellect Milton Friedman. Rational Nation USA runs them here for your viewing pleasure.









Via: Cato @ Liberty 

Can Obama Make a Decision?

Your inability to make a decision on Afghanistan is costing American lives, and damaging your credibility with the troops you keep in harms way. Either make the decision to pull the troop out Mr. President, or give them a clear mission, commit the money required to win, and then let them kick ass.

Your dithering serves no purpose other than to show your weakness. While you dither troops die without any idea if you even have a vision for Afghanistan.

Here are your words Mr. President; "While I will never hesitate to use force to protect the American people or our vital interests, I also promise you this—and this is very important as we consider our next steps in Afghanistan: I will never rush the solemn decision of sending you into harm's way,"

So what's it going to be Mr. President?  You have in fact hesitated, and you have in fact kept troops in harms way as you remain indecisive.  Troops are dying. Our men and women in uniform deserve a damn sight better Mr. President. Either get them out or give them a clear mission and let them win.

Your not alone in your dithering ways. The hero of the lost cause of Vietnam had this to say, "Under the right circumstances, if we can be confident that military efforts can be sustained and built upon, then I would support the president should he decide to send some additional troops to regain the initiative,"

Certainly sounds like another "political war" in the making. Reminiscent of the Vietnam war which was fought by politicians from Washington while they tied the hands of our troops on the field of battle.

Mr. President, Rational Nation USA has went on record questioning our continued involvement in Afghanistan. Questioning exactly what our continued national interest is in remaining in that hell hole. You have thus far failed to answer these or any questions.

 The time for questioning has passed. The time for decision making in now. Our troops deserve a decision, and our nation deserves a decision. That is your job Mr. President, to make a decision.

If only you could call a real leader, someone like President Ronald Wilson Reagan, perhaps you might finally find the strength to make what is admittedly a difficult decision.

Via: Breitbart

Ayn Rand Monday

Today is none other than Ayn Rand Monday. A day set aside by Rational Nation USA to highlight in a small way the enormously profound philosophy she developed, Objectivism. Rands philosophy was consistent across the specific fields within philosophy's broad reach. Her belief in consistently applied objective reasoning, fierce individualism, and capitalism make her unique amongst philosophers.

Born in Russia prior to the Bolshevik Revolution she came to America and became one of the strongest voices for true American capitalism and the ideals and values that much of our nation was founded on. She feared the eventual lose of American freedoms and values and today much of what she foresaw is in fact coming to pass.

Rands Monday Quotes at RN USA:


The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities. 
Ayn Rand 

Wealth is the product of man's capacity to think.
Ayn Rand 

Individual rights are not subject to a public vote; a majority has no right to vote away the rights of a minority; the political function of rights is precisely to protect minorities from oppression by majorities (and the smallest minority on earth is the individual).
Ayn Rand 

Rands featured video at RN USA:

For more information on Ayn Rand,  her Philosophy of Objectivism, and her works go to the following links.

Ayn Rand Institute 
Ayn Rand

Victicrat

My friend the Griper found this amazing video and posted on his site this morning. It is called Victicrat and Rational Nation USA  posts it here with a huge hat tip to the Griper over at Just a Man With His Thoughts.

Check out his sight, he has some really good stuff posted and  the Griper is a man with a strong  voice for America.




Via: Just a Man With His Thoughts

New School of Thought for Economic and Energy Models

As the discussions over energy use and consumption world wide wages on, there is one thing we can all agree on. The amount of "conventional" energy, fossil fuel is limited and will one day run out.

The impact on economic systems world wide will be enormous. Countries hit hardest will no doubt be those most dependent on the use of fossil fuels to derive a majority of their energy  needs.

Common sense tells us that the world at large needs to find alternative methods to create energy. With the alternative energies alternative economic models need be developed as well.

Rational Nation USA, rather than editorializing on the right approach, is merely providing a source of information for its readership to consider. The following excerpts are taken from an Article in The New York Times entitled, New School of Thought Brings Energy to the 'Dismal Science', written by Nathaniel Gronewald.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The financial crisis and subsequent global recession have led to much soul-searching among economists, the vast majority of whom never saw it coming. But were their assumptions and models wrong only because of minor errors or because today's dominant economic thinking violates the laws of physics?

A small but growing group of academics believe the latter is true, and they are out to prove it. These thinkers say that the neoclassical mantra of constant economic growth is ignoring the world's diminishing supply of energy at humanity's peril, failing to take account of the principle of net energy return on investment. They hope that a set of theories they call "biophysical economics" will improve upon neoclassical theory, or even replace it altogether.

"Real economics is the study of how people transform nature to meet their needs," said Charles Hall, professor of systems ecology at SUNY-ESF and organizer of both gatherings in Syracuse. "Neoclassical economics is inconsistent with the laws of thermodynamics."

Central to their argument is an understanding that the survival of all living creatures is limited by the concept of energy return on investment (EROI): that any living thing or living societies can survive only so long as they are capable of getting more net energy from any activity than they expend during the performance of that activity

These are but a few short excerpts from the article. The piece in its entirety is quite informative and certainly worth reading in full. Follow the link to  New School of Thought Brings Energy to 'Dismal Science.'  


Via: Memeorandum
Via: New York Times

A Pelosi Response to a Constitutional Question

Every so often you come across news that really isn't news. At least in the sense it is exactly what you have come to expect. However, when the individual that is the subject of the news piece happens to show such audacity that it actually has you frothing at the mouth, you sometimes simply must cover it and "get some stuff off your chest."

CNSNews.com  recently asked Speaker of the House, Nance Pelosi where in the Constitution is authorization given for the Congress to require (order) Americans to purchase health insurance, -- a mandate included in both the House and Senate versions of national health care bill.

In dismissing the question her answer was; "Are you serious? Are you serious?"  Further,  Madame Speakers press secretary, in answer to written questions from CNSNews.com had this to say on the "Constitutionality of Heath Insurance Reform."  Congress derives the authority to mandate that people purchase  health insurance from its constitutiinal power to regulate interstate commerce.

Now that sounds exactly like some socialist/statist attorney for the ACLU was hard at work crafting that utterly nonsensical arguement. And it is why an individual can find themselves frothing at the mouth. Certainly such utter audacity requires a response, so here it comes folks.

Dear Madame Speaker,

If you will, for just a moment, please bear with this unapologetic and outspoken radical. I speak of radicalism with respect to liberty, individualism, capitalism, self reliance, and a strict constructionist reading of our Constitution.

I, and millions of other liberty loving Americans  simply do not want, nor do we need you or the President, telling us what we need or how much or little of it we need. Let alone treating us as criminals should we CHOOSE not to purchase health insurance. Nothing is free in life, or at least it shouldn't be.

Our Constitution was drafted giving limited power to the government. It was intentionally done so to protect the people against the possible tyranny of government. But with all due respect, Madame Speaker, this concept is something you and the President apparently don't understand.

This time it isn't Rome that is burning. It is our beloved Untied States of America, and the values that truly enlightened individuals, those responsible for the existence of our Republic, who are burning.

We will not just sit back and follow a group of lemmings as they attempt to march us into a sea of darkness. A sea where the values that made our nation great are lost forever.

The heat needs to be turned up. And it needs to be turned on those who would deny our individual rights as law abiding citizens of this nation. It needs to be turned on the socialist/statist Representatives, Senators, and the President who wish make us subservient to THEIR will.

Those who preach the socialist/statist, collectivist, communist mantra, and attempt to force it down our freedom loving throats will face the wrath of the voters.

Neither you nor the President are fooling anybody. Your radical agenda is clear and the intent to make us look like the rest of the collective world is glaringly obvious.

If you wish to retain your power in OUR government, which power by the way is granted you by the PEOPLE,  you would do well to hear us and not underestimate your opposition. If you do you will find yourself losing the power you apparently need to find any self worth.

With all Due Respect,
Rational Nation USA

Read the entire article, and hear the Pelosi audio that sparked my comments here

What do you think about the Pelosi position?

Via: CNSNews

President Obama's Approval Rating Drop Worst in 50 Years

President Obama has suffered the worst approval rating drop of any president in 50 years at this stage of hisfirst term. Normally one would view this as sad because, well, everyone should want the President to succeed.

Some telling numbers. The Presidents average approval rating for the third quarter stand at 53%. This is a 9% drop from his April recorded numbers. What is most astounding is upon entering the White House his approval rating was at 78%

Over a nine month period the Presidents rating had dropped 25 percentage points, or a 47% decrease in approval in nine short months. These numbers should give the President reason to worry. More importantly they make him stop and rethink what the nation at large really wants by way of change.

We are a nation by and large of reasonable, and center to right political views. The President would do well to consider this fact. His radical agenda of socialism, statism, Cap and Trade, nationalized health care, nationalizing American businesses, one world view, and the list could go on, will mean the end of America as we know it.

After reading the Presidents current poll standing, and thinking about a possible  post, a needed break was taken. While "surfing" the many blogs I check in with regularly I came across a post that explains the Presidents drastic drop perfectly. Check out MAINFO for an amazing post, big h/t.

So back to my original point that everyone should want the President to succeed. Were the President a man of  liberty, individualism, free market capitalism, with a deep and abiding love of this country, and one who respects the constitution, Rational Nation USA would wish him success. If he stood for American values it is likely his approval ratings wold not have experienced such a drop.

If the President does not recognize his errors,  make the changes the People Really want, and give us back our United States of America, the image below (taken from MAINFO) will likely become our reality.















Via: Memeorandum
Via: Telegraph
Via: MAINFO