Liberty, justice, taxes, and the U.S. Constitution

Article 1 Section 9 of the U.S. Constitution limits the taxation powers of Congress, saying:
“No capitation, or other direct, tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.”
This simply outlaws income taxes.
The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution ends:
“…nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, [...]

Jefferson v. Hamilton, federal powers, and the Marshall Court

Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson were the most prominent representatives of two contrary interpretations of the U.S. Constitution. Two landmark Supreme Court cases, Marbury v. Madison (1803) and McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), show the relative influences of these two interpretations on American political thought.
Jefferson was a strict constructionist. He desired a limited government, [...]

Who are the true patriots?

“Complacency and fear drive our legislation without any serious objection by our elected leaders.  Sadly though, those few who do object to the self-evident trend away from personal liberty and empire building overseas are portrayed as unpatriotic and uncaring.
Though welfare and socialism always fail, opponents of them are said to lack compassion.  Though opposition to [...]

No liquidity problems for Lawson campaign

While every other entity in America is crying about its inability to access cash, BJ Lawson’s Congressional campaign just received a huge injection of liquidity.  Lawson, who is running for a U.S. House seat in North Carolina’s 4th district, raised over $150,000 from thousands of donors on Tuesday alone.
Many citizens across the nation feel betrayed [...]

Open bailout opposition letter to Congress

“That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves.” – Thomas Jefferson
There is a lot of hype in Washington this week, a lot of short-term thinking, but very little honest reflection and philosophically sound governance based on the long term prospects of the American economy.  Jefferson was right: our financial markets [...]

Want some bad debt? Bailing on America.

“I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.” – Presidential Oath of Office in its entirety
“Stop throwing the Constitution in my face!  It’s just a goddamn piece of [...]

Thomas Jefferson on “implied powers” of the Congress

Thomas Jefferson gave his opinion on the Constitutionality of a national bank on February 15, 1791. In that testament, he not only provided a brilliant legal argument against the institution of a national bank; he also explained the intent of the Constitution’s two most controversial phrases. Today’s political analysts exchange differing opinions on [...]

Sifting through the crap

99.9% of everything you will ever hear from a U.S. politician or media pundit is total crap. I present to you five widely discussed issues that do not matter, so that next time you hear them on the radio or television, you can say to yourself “this is pointless conversation”:

Energy policy: The energy industry [...]

Nationalism, socialism, and empire

Those three things will soon destroy America. We’re wasting money on things that aren’t working. “But old people…” “But the terrorists…” “But poverty…” “But kids need things…” “But diseases…” Please.
“But universal health care…”  Stop.  If you have purchased cable television, or even electricity, but no health insurance, you obviously do not care [...]

The role of government, as taught in university

I like studying the arguments of those who disagree with me, mostly because of the proof that they provide, that the American educational system is worthless, even at its highest levels. In my earnest opinion (and I think most would agree), Americans should not spend a penny on anything that is worthless, and they [...]