Rational Nation USA

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty - vs- Tyranny Recently, while looking for new material discussing statism I came across a very compelling article in Campaign for Liberty . What struck me is the articles focus on the dangers of increasing statism in our society and our apparent willingness to grant the state ever greater control over our lives because we increasingly perceive Leviathan to be a benevolent benefactor. The author makes a powerful argument against this assumption. The articles author makes the point that it is "... not liberalism versus conservatism, or capitalism versus socialism, but statism -- the belief that government is inherently superior to the citizenry...". Discussing statism in a context free of partisans labels allows for open and honest dialogue and frees people to have the debate without the need to defend ones political party or proclivities. In other words the practice of statism is not specific to any political group, philoso...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny The Iron Curtain Memorial in Budapest The Iron Curtain that spread across eastern Europe following the end of WW II eventually fell. When the west (the Allies) effectively won the Cold War the curtain, a most glaring construct of totalitarian tyranny saw its last days. Now in 21st century America, a bastion of freedom and liberty, legislation is moving through the Congress that at it's core has the potential of creating an "Iron Curtain" for USA citizens. And without the due process of law. Investors Business Daily -The Republican House of Representatives may soon follow the Democratic Senate and give the IRS the power to confiscate your passport on mere suspicion (emphasis mine) of owing taxes. There's no place like home, comrade. 'America, Love It Or Leave It" might be an obsolete slogan if the "bipartisan transportation bill" that just passed the Senate is approved by th...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -v s- Tyranny Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee Cheerleader for the Statist in Chief Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, (D-Texas) says President Obama should extend unemployment benefits and the payroll tax cut by Executive Order. Or, put more accurately by Presidential Decree. ( The Hill ) - Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) said Tuesday that President Obama "absolutely" should use his executive power to continue the unemployment benefits and payroll tax cut extension and said she hoped to discuss the option with the White House later in the day. "It is extraordinary, don't get me wrong. But I'm feeling the pain of the constituents I left [at] home," Jackson Lee said, speaking on the progressive Ed Schultz's radio show. "I consider this a crisis. I consider leaving Americans without unemployment insurance for January and February a crime. I consider not extending the payroll tax cut ... a crime." Jacks...