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August 31, 2009

Should Free Liberals Use “The Secret?”

Last week, as part of my ongoing project to expose the secret subsidies to the super rich , I decided to do a review of “The Secret.” I figured the latter would be a nice segue into the former. The “physics” in “The Secret” is bunk and some of the recommendations and beliefs quite dangerous to your sanity, and I reviewed the video accordingly. Nonetheless, I kept asking myself, “What if some of these techniques actually work, but for other reasons?” In particular, what if they could be used for something less selfish than making money rain down on your backyard, for example: increasing liberty and justice in the world?

Let’s visualize the possibilities. “The Secret” teaches about the Law of Attraction. You attract what you think about, especially what you think about with strong emotions. Complain about and dwell on your problems and you’ll get more of them. Spend the time instead dreaming about that shiny new BMW you want, and cartoon waves will emanate from your brain into the Universe, which will then deliver you that BMW in accordance with the laws of quantum physics. It’s like Christian faith without the inconvenience of a judgmental deity.

Okay, I don’t buy the quantum mumbo-jumbo either. The unlucky poor often complain because they are unlucky and poor, not the other way around. Rich people can confidently visualize that new BMW in the garage because they actually have the money to pay for one. And relying on brainwaves to rearrange reality doesn’t pass the giggle test. If everyone applied The Secret, who would take out the garbage? Answer: the Universe would – via ants and rats. No thanks.

That said, New Age gurus are good at communication and motivation, or at least they write a lot of books on these subjects. Politics is a game of communication and motivation. So while you might not build a moon rocket using the Law of Attraction, you might be able to attract some votes. Replace those cartoon vibes with sound waves and subtle body language, and the Universe with the body politic, and the hypothesis has promise.

Let’s test this hypothesis with a political group known for its electoral failures: libertarians. What do libertarians attract? What do libertarians think about? Answer: government! Big government. Bad government. Incompetent government. Black helicopters owned by the government. Government taxes. Government jails. Government regulations. Bad! Bad! Bad! Government! Government! GOVERNMENT!! Is there anyone who uses the word “government” in daily conversation more than a libertarian? I doubt it. And what do libertarians get? More government!

What would happen if libertarians thought more about what they want vs. what they hate? What if they did positive visualization? Let’s find out. Let’s do a guided meditation:

The government is gone! Whoo-hoo! Look at your paycheck: no deductions! It’s all yours! Feel the check in your hand. Smell the ink. Nix that: feel the gold coins in your hand. Who needs paychecks when there’s no need for government records? Walk your neighborhood. Feel the heft of the gold coins in your left pocket and the machine pistol on your right hip. Wave to the stoned hippies next door.

Check out your car: V12 land yacht, high-compression engine burning gold ole leaded gas. Let’s hook up the boat trailer; it’s time to go dynamite fishing in the Pamlico Sound. You roar out of town at a satisfying 90 miles per hour; easily, no catalytic converter getting in the way of your exhaust gases. As you blow past the trailer park you see one of the residents has a new rocket launcher. Cool! Turn on the radio. The news says that the shantytown surrounding Raleigh has grown by 50,000 this month – unlimited immigration works. Time for a commercial break: Bedmates-R-Us has some great deals on Laotian teenage girls.

After a fine day of dynamite fishing, you realize it’s time to get back to reading the law books. You have 15 sets to choose from. You need to pick several back-up legal systems since each protection agency has multiple treaties, involving different legal systems. The permutations are endless. Speaking of which, Sam’s Clubs has some really cheap deals on goons, but perhaps the Mafia might be a better choice: more personal service. Then again, there is that redneck with the rocket launcher you drove past earlier…

Hmmmm, maybe libertarians ought to stick to abstraction and negative thinking. Better leave the positive visions of liberty to us free liberals.

So, what would the free liberal vision of liberty look like? What should we visualize? What should we get other people to see?

Posted by CarlMilsted at 07:04 PM | Comments (3)

August 25, 2009

My Health Care Debate with Rep. Martin Heinrich

Check it out and let me know what you think:

Posted by PaulGessing at 04:40 PM | Comments (0)

August 19, 2009

Cash, er...IOUs for Clunkers

I really haven't blogged about the government's "Cash for Clunkers" program in which federal taxpayers give purchasers of certain automobiles from $3,500 to $4,500. The program is based on such transparently bad economics that it really didn't merit any mention. Of course, politicians, those who take money from one group of people and give it to others, have justified the program based on its popularity. Dropping money our of airplanes would be popular as well, at least if you are one of the lucky people standing on the street as the planes fly over.

But, as is so often the case with government, what they say and what they do are two different things. This report from Maryland explains that fewer than 2 percent of claims for reimbursement in Maryland have been paid by the feds. Of course, government officials are blaming dealers for "submitting incomplete claims, which in turn cause delays."

It is no surprise that car dealers, most of whom until recently were not experts in filling out government paperwork might not dot all the i's and cross all the t's required by the bureaucrats. I'm not sure how this situation will play out, but it seems quite likely that many dealers will lose out on thousands or even millions of dollars while the government reimburses other people who take advantage of the system.

The real story is that this is the way government works all the time. It's not just health care, but "cap-and-trade," Social Security, Medicare, and nearly all programs administered by the federal government that are not found in the US Constitution.

Posted by PaulGessing at 12:52 PM | Comments (5)

August 12, 2009

Number 1699 from the "Own Worst Enemy" Files

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYUmCj4yud4

Or is that the "Not Ready for Prime Time" files?

While I agree with much of the abstract theory that Chris Matthews's guest espouses in this clip, if he'd asked me whether he advanced his cause on this day, I'd say No. Stay home. Or leave your gun. And don't take the interview. And if you do, change your shirt. You will be portrayed as a dangerous rube, perhaps a would be Lee Harvey Oswald.

Perhaps someone can explain to me how he concludes that a thousand people with a gun in a crowd enhances safety.

-RC

Posted by RobertCapozzi at 06:57 AM | Comments (0)

August 11, 2009

Note to Dr. Paul - Rebuke the Screamers

Many who are participating in the Screamer Town Halls claim to be Paulistas. They are hardly conducting themselves like Libertarians, however. In fact, they are often using industry talking points. Until the health insurance shareholders become personally responsible to the policy holders, they are advantaged by the state and therefore reform is a necessity. Even if you don't agree, the conduct of the screamers is hardly that one would expect of those who support a champion of libertarianism. While I do not support the pledge as a gate for all party members, I do believe that the non-violence of the libertarian ideal is necessary, especially in civil discourse. Therefore, I call upon Dr. Paul to very vocally denounce the screamers, who are bordering on inciting violence.

Posted by MichaelBindner at 12:51 PM | Comments (2)

Free-for-all (frfr-ôl) -- n. A disorderly fight, argument, or competition in which everyone present participates.

from Dictionary.com



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