No We're Not

Barack Obama told Joe the Plumber that we are all better when we “spread around the wealth.”

I have often stated that I generally believe that people are capable of spending their own money more wisely than politicians spending that same money.

Unless the wealthy are burying their money in mason jars in their backyards though, they are spreading the wealth around. Even if they put their money in a bank, that money is being spread.

I will engage in a bit of projection for a moment. It is another logical fallacy but, at least in this instance, is “safe” to use. Obama would take from those making more and give it to those who would not invest it but simply consume it. There will likely be the rare exception but most would spend it on bread and circuses.

If we look at what he literally said, “We are all better off…” we see that it is immediately false. Certainly, the five percent that had their taxes increased are not in any improved state. If you will pardon a cliché, it is all too often the case that those who have been given a nickel demand a dime. Most people whom are given a tax “break”, i.e. given money though they have not paid any taxes, come to expect it. That terrible five-percent crowd is losing more than money at this point.

Even if we disregard those evil, vile five-percent people, it serves people no good to reward bad behavior. We are free to make our own choices. We are not free to choose our own consequences. If we give any credence to Darwin, trying to modify this core tenet is self destructive.

Taking from those who have saved and invested, who have bettered their minds and their bodies, and who have made intelligence decisions to give to those who ignored prudence, shirked responsibility, and failed to make sacrifices, is repugnant and immoral.

This is not the treatment of free people who may succeed or fail in accordance with their own actions and abilities.

A government of free people should do for people what they cannot do for themselves. A government of free people should not do for people what they will not do for themselves.

Expected Reaction

What kind of reaction do you think you would get if you approached any police officer and tried to take his sidearm?

What reaction would you expect from police if you told them that you were going to require them to carry their pistols in their trunks and unloaded?

What would the police say if you told them they are not allowed to have a black rifle, or a rifle with a pistol grip, or a rifle with picatinny rails and flashlight?

With some exceptions, policemen are civilians. They deserve our gratitude and respect for doing the jobs many of us care not to do. They regularly face the worst that humanity has to offer. They are not, collectively, the lone recipients of society’s transgressions, though.

This is not a post advocating disarming police. This is a post against disarming the public.

I am a strong advocate for police. (Note: This is different from being an advocate for strong police – though I certainly see the need for them to maintain heavy arms and S.W.A.T.) When police – or “police chiefs” – start to lay claim to my rights, they quickly lose my respect, my gratitude, and my advocacy.

Policemen are integral parts of our communities. They are our neighbors, relatives, and friends. Police should not be a protected class of people. When they are, a police state naturally follows.

Saying people do not need “assault weapons” is as irrelevant as it is incorrect. When facing an armed mob, even so called assault weapons are inadequate.

I view with much disgust the “presidential position” of endorsing an assault weapons ban. I use the term “presidential position” because the current president and the president-elect both support it.

Saying “the police support it” is, if you will pardon the expression, a copout.

I will make a statement that is guilty of a logical fallacy but is very likely true all then same: Policemen are generally decent people who do not get violent without good reason.

Try to approach a policeman and take his sidearm from him and he will get violent very quickly. Try to approach the American population to take their weapons and the result will be very much the same.

Smart Money

Given the Democrats propensity to ban weapons and ammunition, people should forget investing in gold. Instead, invest in lead.

Speaking of which, I will be returning the range tomorrow with my new shooter. After some more coaching and shooty goodness, I will be teaching him how to clean weapons.

Is It Irony?

Is it not at least slightly ironic that Barack Obama’s pastor called on God to damn America and then Barack Obama is elected?

I wonder if HE did.

Perspective for My German Friends

I have relatives that are German. Although I do not know their thoughts on the United States elections, I know that one (very close relative) did not like George W. Bush. He could not give any particular reason why he did not. I think he simply took the news that was reported at face value. Of course, the European news agencies are never biased.

For him and those Germans who are my friends but do not understand my dislike for Senator Barack Obama let me draw an analogy:

First the roles of the German Federal Chancellor and German President have been combined into the role of the Federal Chancellor. German law requires that this person be native-born to Germany as well.

Imagine a councilman from the Bundesrat who, after less than a single year decided to run for Federal Chancellor. Furthermore, this councilman had not created any meaningful legislation with the possible exception of naming a stretch of the autobahn. He also told his constituents that he would be serving a full term before even considering another office.

Now imagine that there are nearly ten million Turks living in Germany illegally. Most of these Turks are refusing to learn the German language. Most of them work manual labor but a very high percentage is there for organized crime.

This councilman of your now tells you that it is inconsiderate for Germans to expect the Turks to learn the German language but instead, Germans should be teaching their children the Turkish language.

Now imagine that this council man is pledging five hundred billion Euros to the European Union to expand the Union’s influence.

This councilman then travels to the United States and gives a speech to hundreds of thousands. He tells them that Germans know that many view them as the source of the world’s problems. He says that the United States and Germany must stand together despite our differences. He says that Germany must work as the United States has toward lofty, yet incalculable goals.

In Germany, the ddp, KNA, German Press, French Press, Reuters, Associated Press, and even sid only report the favorable information about him. None of them ever report anything substantial regarding him or his past. None of them question his background.

A German court requires him to prove his citizenship. There is a (very legitimate) question regarding his place of birth. There is evidence he may have been born not only outside of Germany, but outside of Europe entirely (probably in Mexico). Instead of providing proof of his place of birth, his campaign works with the governments of his claimed birth state and the government of Mexico to secure all records.

This man accepts money for his campaign from outside of Germany. Indeed, he takes it from any source at all, contrary to German law. Ten percent is known to be illegally contributed and nearly half is suspect.

There are many other problems with this man. His allies in parliament are discussing taking privately owned accounts of German citizens and spending that money on any number of social programs, ostensibly to “buy votes.” In addition to the already high taxes, German people will be required to work for the state for two to three weeks of the year under this man’s legislative plans. He promises that Germany will be attacked and that German citizens will not like his response but they must support him. German citizens are not allowed to be cynical of this new government.

Had I heard of such a man taking the highest office in Germany, I would have heart-felt sorrow for Germany.

The man I describe is Barack Obama. This is his government in his own words.

Funny III

At work last Thursday, one guy, an Obama fan, was talking about a mid-night rally in Florida that drew a crowd of thirty-five thousand people.

"Barack Obama drew thirty-five thousand people in Florida! At mid-night! That many people!"

To which another guy, originally from Florida, asked:

"Were they wearing hoods?"

Funny II

On a forum that I often visit, there was a discussion thread about Obama's "Civil Defense Force" that is to be the same size, funding, and power as the United States Military.

I mentioned that the government would have trouble housing all of these people and that they would have to be boarded in the houses of American citizens. "...since [the security forces] are civilians, there's no worry about Constitutional violations there."

I then asked the forum moderators and regulars what their home addresses were and "are the beds suitably comfortable for His Agents?"

One of the regulars replied, "Probably not. Must buy more lime!"

Funny I

This got a chuckle from a few people who work with me:

Me: Barack Obama is promising a 50-inch plasma television in every household in the United States. In addition to being able to receive transmissions, these can also send them.