Free Speech Only Applies to the Left
September 1, 2009 by Cato
Filed under Democrat Campaigns, Healthcare, Liberalism, Maryland, Maryland Politics, National, National Politics, Video
When Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) held a meeting with constituents last Friday the meeting was civil. Given the leftward leanings of Van Hollen’s district that should be expected. One question posed by a bastion of the government class:
when medical industry lobbyists might be banned from trying to sink reform
Van Hollen diplomatically responded that there was a little thing called “free speech”:
"There are constitutional issues here," he said. "You can’t say people can’t advertise on TV."
Oh yes you can, at least if you are a statist like Van Hollen, Barack Obama, or their pal Frank Kratovil. Why did the networks refuse to run the commercial below? There certainly aren’t any fighting words in those 30 seconds. You might want to argue over the facts (I think they’re spot on), but isn’t that what a civil debate is about?
Free speech exists. If you adhere to the left wing orthodoxy of people like Chris Van Hollen. if not, expect to be attacked … or silenced.
Sphere: Related ContentObama To Receive Power Over Internet
August 29, 2009 by Cato
Filed under Homeland Security, National, National Politics
Don’t count on your First Amendment rights to save us; not if S773 passes Congress. According to the most recent draft of the bill, the President need only declare a “cyber-emergency” to seize control of vaguely defined “non-governmental networks”. In addition, certain private networks will be required to be managed by federally licensed “cyber-security professionals”. And since this is the Obama administration, I’m sure we’ll have some sort of “Internet Czar” wholly unaccountable to our elected representatives.
To be fair to President Obama, I don’t care whether he’s in the White House or not. This type of legislation is a threat to the liberty of all Americans who use the internet. Ironically, many of the same politicians who voted for the Patriot Act, and then later decried President George W. Bush’s use of it, are lining up to support this measure. I’m reminded of when Woodrow Wilson was president and the postal service was used to censor media. If you think that it can’t happen here, remember that it already has.
Sphere: Related ContentFree Speech Doesn’t Exist For Conservatives
August 25, 2009 by Cato
Filed under Conservatism, National, National Politics, Virginia
Lynn Mitchell nails itWhy should everyday Americans speak up in today’s nasty political atmosphere?
Free speech simply doesn’t exist for the ordinary citizen. If you express you’re opinion you’re attacked as astroturf or worse. Yet, the Obama administration believes that it’s perfectly fine to wield a billy club at a polling place – provided you are running off Republicans or conservative / moderate Democrats.
Sphere: Related ContentYou Though Maryland Was the “Free State”
March 9, 2009 by Cato
Filed under Conservatism, Economics, Fiscal Policy, Taxes
Not according to a new study by George Mason University’s Mercatus Center. This is their snapshot of the the not so free state:
Maryland is the fifth least free state in the country. The state is 34th in economic freedom but a distant 50th in personal freedom. Maryland’s impositions on personal freedom include the second-strictest gun laws in the country, and marijuana laws are fairly harsh (except that the first offense of high-level possession is a misdemeanor, and there is a weak medical marijuana law), motorists’ freedoms are highly restricted, gambling laws are tight, home schooling laws are burdensome (curricula must be approved by the government), centralized land-use planning is very advanced, eminent domain abuse is totally unreformed, victimless crimes arrest rates are high, and civil unions are not recognized. On the plus side, taxes on beer, wine, and spirits are fairly low, and overall Maryland has one of the least restrictive alcohol control systems in the country. Surprisingly, the state has not enacted complete smoking bans yet. On economic regulation, the state has the usual left-of-center failings on labor law, but more strikingly it has the second-most health insurance mandates in the country (they add 67 percent to the cost). (my emphasis)
This study is well worth reading.
If Maryland is such an enemy of liberty why does it rank so high in personal income? The answer is real simple. Federal installations, overpaid government workers, federal contractors and no shame when it comes to suckling on the federal sow. There is no doubt that BHO will continue to enjoy widespread popularity in this neck of the woods.
Ronald Reagan’s Birthday
February 6, 2009 by Cato
Filed under Conservatism, Video
Today is the 98th birthday of Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States and winner of the Cold War.
A few weeks before the 1964 Presidential election, private citizen Ronald Reagan spoke to the nation about “A Time for Choosing”.
[googlevideo:http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1777069922535499977]
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FISA Bill Not What We’re Being Told
July 11, 2008 by Cato
Filed under Conservatism, Homeland Security
Alex Harris, of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, tells us that the new FISA bill “goes way beyond telecom imunity”. While not a libertarian like Alex, I still believe in the wisdom of Ben Franklin:
Let’s assume that you are foolish enough to trust the government today. Will you then trust it with Barack Obama in the White House? Or did you trust it with Bill and Hillary in power?
That is why we have the rule of law. It shouldn’t matter who is in power. The government should protect our property and our liberty. When we willingly turn over our liberty, what should we then expect from the government?
Sphere: Related ContentThe Importance of the Heller Decision
June 30, 2008 by Cato
Filed under Conservatism, Courts
Yes, we all want to keep our guns; but that is not what makes this decision so important. Andrew Langer of the Institute for Liberty explains the impact of this decision on ALL of us, whether we own guns or not.
Read his most recent column at Townhall.com
Contrary to what many of us may believe, the Constitution does not convey rights upon individuals. Our Founding Fathers had read John Locke and knew that we are endowed with certain rights. The purpose of the Constitution is to LIMIT government, not to bestow rights; just read the 9th and 10th Amendments.
Rarely does the U.S. Supreme Court deliver a ruling that confirms what our Constitution is all about. That is why the Heller decision will prove so important.
cross posted at Red Maryland
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Lincoln and Bush – Two Wrongs DO NOT Make a Right
June 14, 2008 by Cato
Filed under Courts, Maryland, National Politics
My Red Maryland colleague Last Reporter takes Thursday’s 5-4 SCOTUS decision on granting habeas corpus to Gitmo detaineess and draws an excellent historical analogy (with a bit of local flavor). For an opposing view, check out our local curmudgeon Bill Duvall.
Sphere: Related ContentLouise Smith, “Respectfully and Professionally”
February 7, 2008 by Cato
Filed under Maryland, Salisbury Politics, Video
Salisbury City Councilwoman Louise Smith has repeatedly lectured her fellow council members, and her own constituents, that she will make sure that council is run “respectfully and professionally”. If you have not seen the WBOC story from Monday night, its now out there on YouTube.
Smith shows how respectful of her constituents and other council members she is. Respect is defined in the Louise Smith dictionary as “lecturing all assembled while they are forced to remain silent”. Professionalism is defined as “any behavior deemed appropriate by Louise Smith, regardless of generally accepted societal norms”. (if the YouTube player doesn’t appear, click here)
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d35bZJ4jIEU]
If you wish to re-experience the joys of liberty, you must first cross the borders of Barrieland.
crossposted at Salisbury News
Technorati Tags: Maryland, politics, Salisbury, Salisbury politics, Louise Smith, video, liberty
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Ronald Reagan’s Birthday
February 6, 2008 by Cato
Filed under Conservatism, Video
Today is the 97th birthday of Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States and winner of the Cold War.
A few weeks before the 1964 Presidential election, private citizen Ronald Reagan spoke to the nation about “A Time for Choosing”.
[googlevideo:http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1777069922535499977]
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