Rational Nation USA

By: Les Carpenter III Rational Nation USA Just back from vacation I find myself short on time with much to do over the next three days. Posting will thusly remain light, although I will attempt to get in a post of two as time allows. I extend a most sincere thank you to the Left Coast Rebel , The Oracular Opinion , Western Hero , and  The Humble Libertarian   for plugging the hole during my brief vacation in Vermont. Thank you all so much. As you no doubt noticed a new contributor has joined Rational Nation USA. Writing under the pen name Bastiatarian, The owner of the blog Old-Fashioned Clarity   has graciously agreed to add his powerful voice for liberty and reason to the line up at. Welcome aboard and continue to "give em hell!" And now for a brief video by The Cato Institute   on ObamaCare. Or more appropriately stated on the need to repeal this monstrosity of a bill. Now you have Cato's take on the issue. What's...

This Cato video discuses free global trade, NAFTA, and the perceived benefits and drawbacks of free trade. I find the discussion interesting however it raises perhaps as many questions as it may answer. It is nevertheless interesting for those who are interested in and concerned with U.S. trade policy. "Protectionism is rising. The stakes for prosperity couldn't be higher. On C-SPAN's Washington Journal, Daniel Griswold discussed the virtues of free trade. Griswold is author of Mad About Trade and serves as director of the Cato Institute's Center for Trade Policy Studies."

At the certain risk of antagonizing the intractable and emotional left further (and oh how I love it) I have decided to revisit the recent Supreme Court decision with respect to free speech and campaign finance law. Having covered this in an earlier post  I decided to endeavor to find additional rational arguments (note I did not say emotional) that would lend further perspective and light on the subject. After visiting several sites I found perhaps one of the most compelling arguments I have yet heard in support of the Courts decision. Here are a few short excerpts: "The ruling threw out limits on corporate "independent expenditures" on campaign advertising — the case in point being a hatchet-job documentary on Hillary Clinton produced by a non-profit corporation called Citizens United. Government censorship of political documentaries certainly seems to violate the very sinews of the First Amendment. "Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech...

Rational Nation USA came out in support of the recent Supreme Court decision in Citizens United. The argument by the liberal establishment was it would in effect increase the influence of corporations and other "fat cat" interests if you will. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. Restrictions on direct contributions remain in effect. The most important consideration in reversing campaign laws was the protection of free speech for all. Particularly political speech, and specifically any and all dissenting viewpoints. If the government has the power to curb political speech it finds undesirable it becomes open season on liberty and we all become losers. The Cato Institute puts forth a compelling and objective argument for restricting the governments power to control or prevent free speech and expression of thought, and why the Supreme Courts reversal was appropriate. Via: Cato Institute