You can't always get what you want, You can't always get what you want; But if You Try Sometimes You Just Might Find, You Just Might Find, You Get What You Need - Rolling Stones

You can't always get what you want, You can't always get what you want; But if You Try Sometimes You Just Might Find, You Just Might Find, You Get What You Need - Rolling Stones

You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you just might find
You just might find
You get what you needb - Rolling Stones

Krauthammer and Coolidge on our Founding Principles

"Government isn't paternalism. It is not servitude imposed from without, but freedom of a right to self direction from within." -- Calvin Coolidge

John F. Kennedy Comments: "an economy hampered by restrictive tax rates will never produce enough revenues to balance our budget" 05/15/14

Our true choice is not between tax reduction, on the one hand, and the avoidance of large Federal deficits on the other. It is increasingly clear that no matter what party is in power, so long as our national security needs keep rising, an economy hampered by restrictive tax rates will never produce enough revenues to balance our budget just as it will never produce enough jobs or enough profits. Surely the lesson of the last decade is that budget deficits are not caused by wild-eyed spenders but by slow economic growth and periodic recessions, and any new recession would break all deficit records.
In short, it is a paradoxical truth that tax rates are too high today and tax revenues are too low and the soundest way to raise the revenues in the long run is to cut the rates now. The experience of a number of European countries and Japan have borne this out. This country’s own experience with tax reduction in 1954 has borne this out. And the reason is that only full employment can balance the budget, and tax reduction can pave the way to that employment. The purpose of cutting taxes now is not to incur a budget deficit, but to achieve the more prosperous, expanding economy which can bring a budget surplus.
I repeat: our practical choice is not between a tax-cut deficit and a budgetary surplus. It is between two kinds of deficits: a chronic deficit of inertia, as the unwanted result of inadequate revenues and a restricted economy; or a temporary deficit of transition, resulting from a tax cut designed to boost the economy, increase tax revenues, and achieve – and I believe this can be done – a budget surplus. The first type of deficit is a sign of waste and weakness; the second reflects an investment in the future.
This Nation can afford to reduce taxes, we can afford a temporary deficit, but we cannot afford to do nothing. For on the strength of our free economy rests the hope of all free nations. We shall not fail that hope, for free men and free nations must prosper and they must prevail.

The Adminsitrative State 04/26/14

The Adminsitrative State

Sometimes referred to as the fourth branch of government, the bureaucracies which constitute the administrative state exercise legislative, executive, and judicial powers—a practice which Publius describes in Federalist 47 as “the very definition of tyranny.” Since its inception, the administrative state has undergone many changes and reforms, which have had profound effects on the way American national policy is made and implemented by Congress and the president. Originally a barrier to the implementation of the Progressive agenda, the judiciary today largely defers to the bureaucracy. These developments have produced a system which continues to erode America’s constitutional foundations.

Boston Beer Company Ad Omitting "Endowed ( by Our Creator)" is Inaccurate. 08/14/14

Boston Beer Company Ad Omitting "Endowed ( by Our Creator)" is Inaccurate.

Last last July 4th, the Boston Beer Company, brewers of Samuel Adams Beer ran an ad using the Declaration of Independence but inaccurately omitting reference to God "endowed ( by our creator)". 

“No people will tamely surrender their liberties, nor can any be easily subdued, when knowledge is diffused and virtue is preserved. On the contrary, when people are universally ignorant, and debauched in their manners, they will sink under their own weight without the aid of foreign invaders.” — Samuel Adams, letter to James Warren, 1775 

"No other theory is adequate to explain or comprehend the Declaration of Independence. It is the product of the spiritual insight of the people. We live in an age of science and of abounding accumulation of material things. These did not create our Declaration. Our Declaration created them. The things of the spirit come first. Unless we cling to that, all our material prosperity, overwhelming though it may appear, will turn to a barren sceptre in our grasp. If we are to maintain the great heritage which has been bequeathed to us, we must be like-minded as the fathers who created it. We must not sink into a pagan materialism. We must cultivate the reverence which they had for the things that are holy. We must follow the spiritual and moral leadership which they showed. We must keep replenished, that they may glow with a more compelling flame, the altar fires before which they worshiped." - Calvin Coolidge

Montesquieu With Comments by Constitutional Scholar Mark Levin 09/24/14

 As for republican government, Montesquieu asserts that "in a popular state there must be an additional spring, which is VIRTUE. What I say is confirmed by the entire body of history and is quite in conformity with the nature of things. For it is clear that less virtue is needed in a monarchy, where the one who sees
to the execution of the laws judges himself above the laws, than in a popular government, where the one who sees to the execution of the laws feels that he is subject to them himself and that he will bear their weight.. . . But in a popular government when the laws have ceased to be executed, as this can come only from the corruption of the republic, the state is already lost" (1, 3, 3). In despotic government, "virtue is not at all necessary to it. . .." (1, 3, 8) Montesquieu saw despotism, including its frequent antecedent, anarchy, as a continuing threat to republican government. "When that virtue ceases, ambition enters those hearts that can
admit it, and avarice enters them all. Desires change their objects: that which one used to love, one loves no longer. One was free under the laws, one wants to be free against them. Each citizen is like a slave who has escaped from his master's house. What was a maxim is now called severity; what was a rule is now called constraint; what was vigilance is now called fear. There, frugality, not the desire to possess, is avarice. Formerly the goods of individuals made up the public treasury; the public treasury has now become
the patrimony of individuals. The republic is a cast-off husk, and its strength is no more than the power of a few citizens and the license of all" (1,3, 3).

 Montesquieu considered excessive taxation and the confiscation of private property an assault on equality—
that is, the individual's liberty and rights. Montesquieu's view of equality, therefore, is consistent with Locke's.
Montesquieu also viewed commerce as essential to the character of republican government. "[T]he spirit of commerce brings with it the spirit of frugality, economy, moderation, work, wisdom, tranquility, order, and rule...." (1, 5, 6) Furthermore, commerce helps promote republican mores in other countries. "Commerce
cures destructive prejudices, and it is an almost general rule that everywhere there are gentle mores, there is commerce and that everywhere there is commerce, there are gentle mores. . .." (4, 20,1) Commerce also encourages prosperity. "In short, one's belief that one's prosperity is more certain in these states makes one undertake everything, and because one believes that what one has acquired is secure, one dares to expose it in order to acquire more; only the means for acquisition are at risk; now, men expect much
of their fortune. . .."

 Thus, just as destructive nations do evil things that last longer than themselves, there
are industrious nations that do good things that do not end with themselves" (3, 18, 7). Montesquieu, like Locke, explained that commerce, industriousness, and laws that inspire them require a moderate or republican government, which, in combination, preserve and improve the society. Alternatively, "Every lazy nation is grave; for those who do not work regard themselves as sovereigns of those who work" (3,19,9).

 "The government should not force a way upon the people against their will, for to do so is tyranny by legislation. There are two sorts of tyranny: a real one, which consists in the violence of the government, and one of opinion, which is felt when those who govern establish things that run counter to a nation's way of
thinking" (3,19,3). • It is essential, therefore, that in republican government, representatives avoid efforts intended to change the general spirit of the nation—that is, the legislator must help preserve and pro-
tect society, not eradicate it. As if describing the American people, Montesquieu wrote, "If there were in the world a nation which had a sociable humor, an openness of heart, a joy of life, a taste, an ease in communicating its thoughts; which was lively, pleasant, playful, sometimes imprudent, often indiscreet; and which had with all that, courage, generosity, frankness, and a certain point of honor, one should avoid disturbing its manners by laws, in order not to disturb its virtues. If the character is generally good, what
difference do a few faults make?...

 From this it follows that when one wants to change the mores and manners, one must not change them by laws, as this would appear to be too tyrannical; it would be better to change them by other mores
and other manners" (3,19,9). • Montesquieu argues that government should not attempt to correct or control all things and intervene in all matters. Government should be limited in its power, scope, and purposes. "May
we be left as we are, said a gentleman of [a republican government]. Nature repairs everything. It has given us a vivacity capable of offending and one apt to make inconsiderate; this same vivacity is corrected by the politeness it brings us, by inspiring us with a taste for the world. ... May we be left as we are. Our discretions joined to our harmlessness make unsuitable such laws as would curb our social humor" (3,19,6).


 Laws should reflect the uniqueness of societies. "[Laws] should be related to the physical aspect of the country; to the climate, be it freezing, torrid, or temperate; to the properties of the terrain, its location and extent; to the way of life of the peoples, be they plowmen, hunters, or herdsmen; they should relate to the
degree of liberty that the constitution can sustain, to the religion of the inhabitants, their inclinations, their wealth, their number, their commerce, their mores, and their manners; finally, the laws are related to one another, to their origin, to the purpose of the legislator, and to the order of things on which they are established. They must be considered from all these points of view" (1, 1,3).

 Clearly, Montesquieu argued that foreign governmental systems and laws do not necessarily serve the best interests of other countries, and he would object to their application by American jurists
to interpreting the U.S. Constitution.

Montesquieu's concern is with the imprudence, and worse, the danger of republican government attempting to transform the civil society—including superseding the effects of religion, family, commerce, traditions, customs, mores, etc.—through legal coercion.

 Montesquieu's concern is with the imprudence, and worse, the danger of republican government attempting to transform the civil society—including superseding the effects of religion, family, commerce, traditions, customs, mores, etc.—through legal coercion.

There are some gifted people who have the ability to put into words that which most of us are thinking. 02/20/15

There are some gifted people who have the ability to put into words that which most of us are thinking. Maureen Scott is an ardent American patriot who was born in Pittsburgh, PA and retired to Richmond, VA in 2000. Free from the nine-to-five grind of writing for employers and clients, she began writing political commentary to please herself and express her convictions.

The Architect of Destruction 

By Maureen Scott 

Barack Obama appears to be a tormented man filled with resentment, anger and disdain for anyone of an opinion or view other than his. He acts in the most hateful, spiteful, malevolent, vindictive ways in order to manipulate and maintain power   and control over others. Perhaps, because, as a child, he grew up harboring an abiding bitterness toward the U.S. that was instilled in him by his family and mentors…it seems to have never left him.

It is not the color of his skin that is a problem in America . Rather it is the blackness that fills his soul and the hollowness in his heart where there should be abiding pride and love for this country.

Think: Have we ever heard Obama speak lovingly of the U.S. or its people, with   deep appreciation and genuine respect for our history, our customs, our sufferings and our blessings? Has he ever revealed that, like most patriotic Americans, he   gets "goose bumps" when a band plays "The Star Spangled Banner," or sheds a tear when he hears a beautiful rendition of " America the Beautiful?" Does his heart burst with pride when millions of American flags wave on a National holiday or someone plays "taps" on a trumpet? Has he ever shared the admiration of   the military, as we as lovers of those who keep us free, feel when soldiers march-by? It is doubtful because Obama did not grow up sharing our experiences or our values. He did not sit at the knee of a Grandfather or Uncle who showed us his medals and told us about the bravery of his fellow troops as they tramped through foreign lands to keep us free.

He didn't have grandparents who told stories of suffering and then coming to America, penniless, and the opportunities they had for building a business and life for their children.

Away from this country as a young child, Obama didn't delight in being part of America and its greatness. He wasn't singing our patriotic songs in kindergarten, or standing on the roadside for a holiday parade and eating a hot dog or lighting sparklers around a campfire on July 4th as fireworks exploded over head or placing flags on the grave sites of fallen and beloved American heroes.

Rather he was separated from all of these experiences and doesn't really understand us and what it means to be an American. He is void of the basic emotions that most feel regarding this country and insensitive to the instinctive pride we have in our national heritage. His opinions were formed by those who either envied us or wanted him to devalue the United States and the traditions and patriotism that unites us.

He has never given a speech that is filled with calm, reassuring, complimentary, heartfelt statements about all the people in the U.S. Or one that inspires us to be better and grateful and proud that in a short time our country became a leader, and a protector of many.

 

Quite the contrary, his speeches always degenerate into mocking, ridiculing tirades as he faults our achievements as well as any critics or opposition for the sake of a laugh, or to bolster his ego.

 

He uses his Office to threaten and create fear while demeaning and degrading any American who opposes his policies and actions. A secure leader, who has noble self-esteem and not false confidence, refrains from showing such dread of critics and displaying a cocky, haughty attitude.

 

Mostly, his time seems to be spent causing dissension, unrest, and anxiety among the people of America rather than uniting us (even though he was presented to us as the "Great Uniter"). He creates chaos for the sake of keeping people separated, envious, aggrieved and ready to argue. Under his leadership Americans have been kept on edge rather than in a state of comfort and security. He incites people to be aggressive toward and disrespectful of those of differing opinions.

And through such behavior Obama has lowered the standards for self-control and mature restraint to the level of street-fighting gangs when he should be raising the bar for people to strive toward becoming more considerate, tolerant, self-disciplined, self-sustaining and self-assured.

Not a day goes by that he is not attempting to defy our laws, remove our rights, over-ride established procedures, install controversial appointees, enact divisive mandates and assert a dictatorial form of power.

 

Never has there been a leader of this great land who used such tactics to harm and hurt the people and this country.

Never have we had a President who spoke with a caustic, evil tongue against the citizenry rather than present himself as a soothing, calming and trustworthy force.

Never, in this country, have we experienced how much stress one man can cause a nation of people - on a daily basis!

Obama has promoted the degeneration of peace, civility, and quality of cooperation between us. He thrives on tearing us down rather than building us up. He is the Architect of the decline of America and the epitome of a Demagogue.

© Maureen Scott