Home of Today's Common Sense

Published Brownsville Herald 1/18/2010

In the last week “Tea Parties” the Populist grassroots movement has been described by “progressives” and liberals as Republican minions, Nazis and other derogative descriptions. This is evidence positive that the ideals they espouse are finding agreement everywhere.
The Republican leadership recognized early on that the concepts were traditional and would catch on widely. That said, I find it difficult for the elephant to change colors so drastically and advocate a smaller government that lives within its means when it has been gorging on the “fruit” for so long.
This movement towards socialism and the imperial nanny government began with President Wilson, professor of political economy at Princeton, and the Federal Reserve Act, which created the Federal Reserve system, and the first federal income tax after the passage of the 16th Amendment. Every administration, Republican and Democrat, since has expanded government power over its citizens.
The Tea Party folks believe this imperial expansion must stop and the Federal Government be contracted to its intended function the servant of the people not their ruler.
The “Tea Party Patriots” issued a statement on January 6 the following is an excerpt:
“This country does not belong to any one party, nor does it belong to the career politicians. This country belongs to the citizens. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “We have given you a republic madam, if you can keep it.” The founders knew that it would be our sacred obligation as citizens to get involved, and to work hard to hold on to this great nation. We have much work to do, and future generations will look back in judgment. We hope you will join us in preserving the republic.”
As opposed to the demonstrated activities of both Republicans and Democrats in the last century, we Libertarians consistently believe in these same sentiments.
What of the public!
Most of the folks around the country get their news from comedians, people in their social environment that they agree with however more increasingly many are visiting blogs on the internet. Locally, there three very popular and socially active websites, that I follow with regularity.
The following comments, related to the ‘Tea Party’ movement, and the economy were noted:
“ the opinions of the Teabaggers on the economy, and regulations is about as valuable as the opinion of 5 year old playing doctor is to a brain surgeon.”
“Are the Teabaggers against the new credit card regulations or are they in favor of 50% interests rates and endless hidden fees. Let’s see how long their movement lasts they day they come out against the regulation of credit card fees and interest rates.”
“The people love to complain about regulations while also complaining about how corporations screw them.”
It would appear that most folks are unsure where regulations come from.
During my career with U.S. Customs, I participated in the process.
Though Congress originates the law and the President issues final approval the appropriate agency of the government is responsible for issuing the rules that describe exactly how the law will be enforced.
Usually this will be the issuance of regulations that describe specifically what the law means, who must comply, what reporting to the agency will be needed, what fees are required and how the enforcing office will accomplish the job.
This information is first published as a proposed rule and the public has the opportunity to comment during a period of time. Subsequently, the agency will respond to the comment possibly adopting some and the issue the regulation as a final rule.
Most people affected, don’t even know about the proposals much less express interest in the regulation, even though it is really up to everyone affected to help shape the regulation by commenting and writing to your representative to secure action. How many do? Has our Congressman involved himself in regulation? I don’t see any evidence other than the 12 bills he put forward in all these years and votes that place his constituents more under the control of the political masters like the hideous health plan that we are required to pay for years before we see any benefits. That is except for special folks who don’t pay at all; guess who must pay – yep us.
As you can see some regulation is necessary but must be watched carefully and Libertarians are against excess regulation and some do take the time yo comment and secure necessary change.
The Cato Institute, a prominent Libertarian think tank examines these policies.
As many have commented about the position on drug regulation I suggest http://www.cato.org/fda-drug-regulation as a place to find a rational point of view.
The mission of the Cato Institute is to increase the understanding of public policies based on the principles of limited government, free markets, individual liberty, and peace. The Institute uses the most effective means to originate, advocate, promote, and disseminate applicable policy proposals that create free, open, and civil societies.
Currently our rulers are trying to pervert the Constitution without amending it by creating rights not recognized in the constitution. According to the Declaration ‘inalienable rights” are given by creator others are specified in the Constitution not created by congress. The only way to add rights is by amending constitution. We have a one Bill of Rights now the rulers want to enslave us with a Second that they control access to and can change or take away.
The Tea Party folks just want to relieve the oppression of too much taxation and oppression just as they did a bit over 200 years ago. They were right then and they are right now. The Libertarians have always supported individual choice, the Republicans are just more of the same as we have seen from the previous administration; they only realized earlier how much they could get away with. Stop the game and vote for the candidate not the perty or it really is just a game and we all lose.