A Slow Blog Day

Have you ever had one of those days where nothing seems to be the topic de jour?

 

Last night, I attended my first-ever city council meeting. It was interesting to say the least. The topic of discussion was about the gambling tax I mentioned a few posts ago. I expressed to the council my views on the subject of taxation, opening with the quote, "The power to tax is the power to destroy." I then pointed to the business owners and then to the employees that had come down to lend their support to the business owner and reminded them that this new tax had the potential to destroy both the business and the employee's lives through loss of employment. Lucky for me, public speaking was made easier because a couple of the council members were long-time customers of mine.  It will be interesting to see how this gambling tax issue shakes out...

 

NewsWithViews.com has an excellent lineup of articles today. Here's a brief summary of each:

1. Would You Hire This Congress to Run Your Business?, by John W. Slagle
   Mr. Slagle takes a hard look at corruption in politics using a Capital Hill Blue study done a few years back as his backdrop. I especially liked his recommendation for single term limits on elected officials to help thwart corruption.
2. Some Choice: Socialist Democrats or Fascist Republicans, by Pastor Chuck Baldwin
   Pastor Baldwin doesn't mince words. The problem with our government is that voters have no choice at the ballot box, i.e. there is no longer the choice ot the lesser of two evils--both parties are just as evil. And I quote:
   "As things stand now, we do not need to fear al Qaeda, Iran, or North Korea near as much as we need to fear the abuse of power from within our own government. There is no question in my mind that we have the military power and strength to fight off any foreign enemy. The bigger question is, Do we have the moral power and strength to fight off those within our own country who would strip us of our freedoms? How we answer that question will determine our ultimate destiny."
3. The Republic's Nemisis: 2-Party Addiction, by Nancy Levant
   This article can be best summed up in her own words:
   "If you hate Democrats for being Democrats or Republicans for being Republicans, and then vote based upon such loyalty, you've ended every possibility for the survival of this nation. I could end here, with this statement, but for the sake of bitter truth, onward we go."
   And she does, exploring such avenues as Agenda 21, the New World Order, etc.
4. Bureaucratic Tyranny, by Jim R. Schwiesow
   This was an interesting read. I think many of us forget the role our elected sheriffs play in society. Mr. Schwiesow's article serves as a refresher for us through an example of federal oppression (USDA) committed against a farm that was allowed through the complicity of a local sheriff. The question was asked whether this sheriff could have stopped or at least stalled the ransacking of this farm by federal agents. Mr. Schwiesow explains that, in fact, it could have been stopped and should have been stopped.