QOTD-Joe Huffman (correction: Lyle)

Fundamentally Transform THIS

The whole post is truth, and pretty much describes how I live my life as well. I think most minarchist libertarians (formerly known as classic liberals) feel the same way. Go read the whole thing.

Newbius

In the heat of the Summer

So here we are, in the heat of the summer, in the heat of passionate argument about the future path of our nation. I am watching the proceedings in Washington with bemused detachment. The Evil party wants to spend us into oblivion, in order to retain power over whatever is left after they destroy our structure. The Stupid party just wants to do the same, but more slowly, as long as they get to keep their jobs too. This delicate balance is upset by the TEA party who just want...well nobody is really sure what they want, except it better have a lower price tag on it.

And me? I am going to the range to meet up with my friends, trade some stories, and then have lunch. I might meet with a couple of 'subversives' while I am at it. Got to keep them guessing, you know.

Know who you are. Know what you stand for. Stay alert. Maintain your networks, because Tribes are important. Remember to have some fun. The bastards hate it when you are smiling...

Newbius
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Ten Percent

That's my proposed tax rate. As long as we have an income tax, then let's do it the right way.

10% PERIOD. No exemptions, no deductions, no poverty exceptions and no wealth surcharges. No "employer portion" hidden in the mix. No corporate welfare, targeted tax breaks, funding exceptions, 'green initiatives', wealth transfers, wealth redistribution, or handouts to special interests.

Individuals and Corporations pay 10% on the first dollars earned. All savings and investment income is tax-free, as it will use after-tax dollars. Eliminate the Capital Gains and Estate taxes. Then, stand back and watch the economy explode with productivity.

Too bad it will never work. The entitlement mentality has been inculcated into our youth through government indoctrination. Our Media and politicians depend on vote-buying and class warfare to remain in power. We have gone too far down the Socialism path to turn it around quickly (if we ever do).

Ten Percent.

All of the GOV's fundamental duties can be supported inside that figure. Almost NOTHING beyond their constitutional authority can be supported inside that figure.

Think about it.

Anybody who complains that "XXX pet project/agency/department/regulatory function/redistribution scheme is vital to our (YYY special interest bloc)" is trying to enslave you and steal your money to enable their power over you. The problem is that you sheep have accepted your chains without protest for too long. Anybody who tries that argument better show the black-letter Constitutional authority for their claim, or shut the hell up.

Time to throw the chains off and force the GOV to live within its means. Take a scalpel to the budget? No. How about a chainsaw instead? How about a bulldozer? How about we begin eliminating entire Cabinet departments? How about we eliminate every malum prohibitum law on the books. How about we pare down to a War Department, Customs and Border Protection (and kill the rest of DHS), Coast Guard, Treasury (and Mint, eliminate the Federal Reserve), judiciary, and part-time Congress.

Restore the right to Keep and Bear Arms, without infringement (like it says in the Constitution). Get the Government out of our lives. It is time to live like Free people once more.

Are you with me?

Newbius

QOTD: Judge Diane Sykes

"Mr. Gura, what would you like your injunction to say?"

7th Circuit Court of Appeals, oral arguments, Ezell v. City of Chicago.

The full audio recording is HERE. Save this one to your MP3 player. It is worth listening to over and over and over again. :)

Newbius

H/T Sebastian, John Richardson

Perhaps I should have closed the sarcasm tag...

Regarding my post on the CFL quote, the lovely Miss Tam at View From The Porch weighed in:

Over at the Newbius Papers, the idea is advanced that because hippies want to register your guns, then hippies should have to... register their compact florescent light bulbs. Because CFLs contain mercury, get it? So they're dangerous, like guns!

First, I like CFLs for a lot of applications, such as any light you basically want to leave burning. They're the berries for a back porch light. More importantly, though, I like freedom, so I don't like the idea of registering anything. Not guns, not CFLs, not even filthy hippies or nosy statists.

Telling people what kind of light bulbs they have to buy is for commies.

My reply began to approach post length, so I am instead going to put it here:

Tam, for the record: I find the idea of registering my light bulbs as repugnant as the idea of registering my firearms, and for the same reason. Further, the fact that our government even thinks it has the authority to regulate what type of light bulb I am allowed to purchase offends my Wookie-suiter sensibilities. That I must engage them, and ask for their permission, in order to exercise my Constitutional right to purchase (4473), keep (MA Licenses anyone?), and bear (CCW permit) Arms is beyond the pale.

The comment that I quoted is "sauce for the gander", and hopefully caused some of the hippie-statists to wince. Especially as it Gores (pun intended) one of their pet oxen (Anthropogenic Global Warming).

Thanks for the link, Miss Tam.

Newbius

Subversion

Subversion is defined by those in power as opposition to their policies and power.

When those who are in power enact policies anathema to our governing Constitution and founding Declaration, then the 'subversive' is the Patriot who still believes in individual Liberty.

As I do.

Newbius
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For the new reader

Just a quick note to advise you that my latest series of posts is not the usual tone around here. I am just getting a mite tired of my rights coming under assault because of the criminal actions of a few, while the media studiously ignores the real tragedies in our culture. Especially since some of those tragedies are of their own making.

The Liberal Progressive establishment owns the media, the cultural institutions, and the education establishment. There has been a concerted effort over these last 100+ years to destroy our national memory, history, and ethos, so that it can be replaced by the soft tyranny of Social Progressivism. You may or may not like Glenn Beck, but on this issue he is spot on. It is time to take our culture back from those who would destroy it for their own gain.

Lighter blogging fare will return when I am calmer...

Pax,

Newbius

Dear Airline Industry

You have lost me as a customer.

Just as I am entering into the years of my life where I planned to do a lot of travel, you enabled the thugs of TSA to completely and forever alter the relationship with your customers. Now, instead of responding to the millions of advertising dollars that you spend every year by purchasing a seat on the "friendly skies", I will travel by car.

The revenue that you hoped to see during the holidays? It will instead be spent at a string of Exxon, Texaco, and Unocal stations from sea to shining sea. Do not expect me to be helping you pay off your 777's and 787's any time soon.

In order for me to fly on your airline, I must:

Endure the indignity of shoe checks, naked scans, or groin gropes.
Leave my toiletries at home.
Leave my pocket knife at home.
Leave my handgun at home (because if it doesn't get damaged in-transit, your baggage handlers will steal it).
Arrive several hours in advance of my flight, get hassled by rejects from rent-a-cop school, get questioned about my destination, purpose for traveling, length of stay, and desire to remain a sane citizen (Papers, please!).
Be willing to submit to indignities under penalty of excessive fines without ability to appeal.
For the pleasure of enduring all of the above, I have to pay you, and pay extra if I wish to bring more than two changes of clothes.

No thanks.

You (the airline industry) are clamoring for the government to make you feel safe, while trampling the liberty of the citizenry. Too bad. I refuse to play any longer.

In the near future, I am embarking on a round-trip journey across the country, from Virginia to California and back. All-told, this could have generated a couple of thousand dollars of ticket sales for you, as I intend to stop in Tennessee, Arizona, Colorado, and Kansas along the way. Instead, I will take the lesson that you are trying to teach me to heart. Namely, you value your alleged security more than you value my liberty or my custom. So, I am taking away my custom and keeping my Liberty.

In opting out, you will lose my revenue, as you have lost my willingness to be subject to arbitrary rules without logical purpose (except to teach me subjugation). My schedule can tolerate a few extra days devoted to travel. Can your profit margin tolerate people like me boycotting your services? If so, how many, and for how long?

The traveling public wishes to know.

The traveling public is waiting for the Airline Transport Association to decide that the pendulum has swung too far. The public is waiting to see what breaks first: your industry, or the TSA. I am betting the former. The bureaucracy has finally gotten what it has always wanted: Carte-Blanche to inspect and detain citizens at-will, and without cause; and you are the smokescreen.

When the last airline is destroyed, sacrificed upon the altar of the Security god, don't whine that you "didn't know". You are all hoping to be the last one standing, to receive the final bailout and nationalization. In truth, the TSA parasite has already killed the Airline Industry host. All that remains to be seen are the agonizing throes of your demise.

I'll be the one with the popcorn.

Newbius
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Election predictions

Not now, from the past. I got it right HERE when I said that "either Obama has them all fooled, or the electorate will wake up". He had them all fooled.

I advocated that people vote for Liberty, HERE.

Then I noted that Liberty lost, HERE.

It is now 2 years later. The truth about the Democratic Party has been exposed. Now the question remains, will there be a big enough turnout to overcome the 'margin of fraud' and the partisan hacks doing the counting?

Here's hoping...

Newbius

Random Thoughts, People of the Gun

What really happens during a blogmeet or blogshoot?

Think about this, if you have attended one (or even if you have not).

We are a people, defined by a love of an object which, in itself, defines personal freedom and responsibility. We will, on very short notice, drive hundreds of miles to be with other people of our kind. Who, on little to no notice, are willing to extend the bounds of hospitality to us, and welcome us into their lives and homes as family.

Little introduction is necessary if you are a Person of the Gun...If you are friends of the People of the Gun. Usually, that is enough.

This past weekend, I met some amazing people. I reunited with some friends, put faces to the names of people that I have been speaking to daily for months, and got introduced to friends of friends. The only common bond between us is our love of firearms. We are all from different backgrounds, and lifestyles, and cultures. Yet, we are all bound through the love of this thing to also be brothers and sisters of a very tight family.

I think that the "anti" crowd completely fails to understand this.

We, who are diverse, are united by objects which symbolize Freedom, Liberty, and the essence of the American Ideal. We are giving, loving, sharing people who revel in indulging our newly-discovered compatriots by giving them our stuff to enjoy. Seriously. This past weekend, people whom I had only recently met face to face were offering to me the chance to shoot their guns and ammunition to my heart's content. For nothing but the joy of seeing the smile on my face when I finished. Cost be damned (and the cost can be considerable).

I loved offering my handguns and rifles to my new friends and encouraging them to shoot, and experience the joy that is a fine piece of equipment functioning properly and giving pleasure in a task completed well.

Think about this. We, who are advocates for Liberty, enjoy spreading the joy of shooting to others. In hopes that they would also derive the same joy that we feel. In hopes that they would celebrate a truly American past-time: Shooting, for pleasure.

This past weekend, I had an amazing time with amazing people. Heath and Amanda, Les, Marty, Chris, Adam, Jay, Miss B, Destiny, Van, Chuck, Jack, Mike, David, and everybody else who attended. You people are truly great. You are the reason why this idea called America will survive. Because, you are celebrants of that gift known as Liberty. And, you are People of the Gun.

Pax,

Newbius

Why the light blogging?

In short, everything I want to say about politics, and the current people in charge, I have already said at least once. "The current administration is staffed by tyrants who wish to curtail Liberty and replace our current economic system with a command economy and top-down regulatory structures" (even more so than we currently have).

I can say this twenty different ways, but the message remains the same at the core: Liberty is in jeopardy.

I plan to vote, as that is the peaceful expression of the "will of the people". I hope that there are enough votes to counteract the expected Democratic Party voter fraud, and the disenfranchisement of the military, to toss these bums out of office. You lefty statists can whine all you want, but this truth always comes to light every election and it isn't the Right/Republicans who do it.

I look forward to gridlock in Washington, the "District of Criminals". It will be a welcome change. All efficient government ever results in, is death (See Russia, Germany, Laos, Cambodia, China, Turkey).

So, unless I feel the urge to blog about my life's trivialities, or get some range time worth talking about, posting will continue to be light. Sorry...

Pax,

Newbius

What I did on 9/11/10

Remember the message of 9/11/01?

"We are vulnerable, and the bad people want to kill us and destroy our way of life."

Remember what you did on 9/11/01?

I do.

I hugged and kissed my wife. I checked on my neighbors. I made sure my kids were safe at school. Then, I cleaned my guns and made sure they functioned and I re-checked my ammunition supply. Then, we watched in horror and fear as our way of life was threatened, our citizens were murdered, and symbols of our prosperity came crashing down-killing thousands.

So now it is nine years later. The only extant threats to our way of life come from our own government. The "religion of peace" advocates are still at war with the West. The Patriot Movement is branded as nothing but Domestic Terrorists. And, normal people continue to live their lives as is they have no power or control in our society, where power and control rest in The People.

So what did I do yesterday? I changed the backstrap on my new pistol to better fit my hand. I made pizza for my kids in college. I did some shopping. I took my wife and oldest son to visit my other two kids at college. We had dinner and conversation until late in the evening.

I lived my life normally.

In the United States today, living life normally and well, enjoying the time together, is the ultimate tribute to those who have sacrificed to make it possible.

Our nation is not just a geographic location. We are a state of mind. Our soldiers do not fight for territory, they fight for ideas. We fight for ideas. We fight for Liberty, and the ability to enjoy it.

So, on 9/11/2010, I celebrated Liberty. I lived. I loved. I prospered.

I hope that you did too.

Pax,

Newbius

Independence Day July 4th, 2010

..."We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness"...

As it was written 234 years ago, and is still the foundation of our Nation. We are a Nation, not of Men or Corporations, but of Law. Justice requires that assurance of equality be found in our dealings with others. That we not sacrifice the unpopular for the popular. That we not render the fruits of prosperity as a crime to be apologized for, nor taken for benefit of those who will not earn it.

The American Dream is that each of us, citizens of the greatest experiment in self-governance, be free to achieve to the level of our industry, innovation, or effort. That each of us has the freedom to pursue our livelihood, without fear of confiscation by arbitrary men with the trappings of power yet no moral basis to exercise it.

We were founded on the principles of Liberty. We broke free of one tyrant three thousand miles away. Did we trade him for three thousand tyrants, one mile away?

On this Independence Day, 2010, take the time between grilling your burgers and dogs and pouring another cold beer to reflect upon the founding idea enshrined in our Declaration of Independence. Take the time to understand that Freedom and Liberty are messy, and yet being Free is the only just way to live one's life.

To all of the Patriots who have sacrificed for my Freedom, all the way back to April 19, 1775 and up through to today: I salute you.

Pax,

Newbius

McDonald Case Prediction

Today or this coming Monday, SCOTUS will rule against Chicago.

I predict that the ruling will be so convoluted, so shameless in the attempt to both strike down Chicago's laws, while preserving the worst aspects of NFA34, GCA68 and FOPA86, that the follow-on litigation will carry on for years.

Actually striking a clear blow for Liberty seems to be beyond the realm of the possible for the Roberts Court. I hope I am wrong. I hope that the ruling will be as clear and concise as the wording of the 2nd Amendment.

Reasonable restrictions? Fuck that. What part of "Shall not be infringed" is hard to understand?

Newbius
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NRA and the DISCLOSE Act

Please go read David Codrea's piece on this.

I just got off the phone with ILA also.

I sat through the talking points message, then held for a live person. After registering my view with them opposing their position (as self-serving and wrong), and urging them to score this vote like they would any gun legislation (regardless of their self-serving carve-out), I asked the rep if NRA would be changing their position. She said "yes" and that there would be an announcement. They are supposed to have a press release out shortly about it.

Apparently, the membership is fired up over this more than they have been in recent times. The rep I spoke to told me that they have received over 50,000 calls on this issue in the last 24 hours.

Good.

Keep up the pressure on the NRA. Let them know that your Liberties need to be defended, and that throwing the smaller advocate groups under the bus doesn't cut it, even for a "single-issue organization". We all stand together on this, or surely we will hang separately.

Newbius
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UPDATE (11:58PM): Politico is reporting that Pelosi is pulling the DISCLOSE bill from a floor vote tomorrow. Objections from the Congressional Black Caucus and the Blue Dog Democrats were insurmountable and Pelosi doesn't have the votes necessary to pass this bill this week. Expect more arm-twisting in the next few days as the Democrats try their fervent best to re-instate their most draconian anti-speech laws recently struck down by the SCOTUS in the Citizens United case.

Reminder to Congress on Memorial Day

The following is a recitation on the limits of your authority. EVERYTHING beyond the limits set forth below is a usurpation of the power of the States, or of the People.

United States Constitution, Article 1

Section. 8.

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;

To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

To establish Post Offices and post Roads;

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

To provide and maintain a Navy;

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;--And

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

Accordingly, and taking them in order, let's look at the action of the Federal Government in relation to their defined limits of authority.

To borrow Money on the credit of the United States

No mention of the Federal Reserve and its actions recently in purchasing the debts of private companies and sovereign nations to preserve "too big to fail" entities.

To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

This means normalizing trade and tariffs, and ensuring that each State doesn't blockade or embargo a neighbor (Like California is trying to do to Arizona right now). This does NOT mean that the "Commerce Clause" is a blank check to commit acts and actions not enumerated here in Article 1 Section 8.

To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

This does not mean that illegal aliens should be granted amnesty and citizenship because a political party wants more power voters voting for them. The Bankruptcy provision means that the laws should pertain to everybody equally, and not be changed arbitrarily because a sympathetic Union is pulling your strings (General Motors, Chrysler).

To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

Our official, Constitutional Dollar, is a fixed amount of silver, and the value of Gold is relative to this. Any other paper "fiat" currency not redeemable in Silver is government-sanctioned theft of the People's wealth and is a violation of trust with the People. Under the next clause, the Federal Reserve should be prosecuted:

To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

Enough said.

To establish Post Offices and post Roads;

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

US Postal Service (and I will even accept the Interstate Highway system as "post Roads"), and the Patent and Trademark Office. Check.

To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

Federal District Courts are authorized, check.

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;

This charter of authorization (which defines the scope of the Navy authorization below) means the our Government has written into its charter the duty to ensure safe passage on the open ocean of its citizens. Unlike the next clause, no formal declaration of war is required after "piracy" has been defined. Why we need to do the Presidential kabuki dance every time a Maersk Alabama-like incident occurs is beyond my comprehension.

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

As in Colonial times, the Congress has the authority to engage "privateers" with Letters of Marque, in order that they could become a force-multiplier against acts of piracy and other offenses against the citizens. This also means that, if the Congress so desired, privateers could act to defend our borders, and local militias (see "militia", below) were obligated to act to defend their communities and also to deter invasion.

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

To provide and maintain a Navy;

Standing armies were heavily frowned upon by the Founders, and the appropriation limitation of funding for 2 year cycles was designed as a check against the entrenching of power by the military. A standing Navy posed much less threat to Liberty, and provided a significant defensive deterrent to aggression, so no such funding prohibition is listed in Section 8.

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

The military was to be under the control of the civilian government.

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

"You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind every blade of grass" Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, Imperial Japanese Navy, World War 2.

Who are the Militia?

The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard.

In short, every citizen is the militia with preference towards able-bodied males of draft age. In this light, civilian arms, as guaranteed by the Second Amendment, are necessary for the defense of the nation and their possession shall not be infringed. Further: "Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Is it feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man against his own bosom? Congress shall have no power to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birth-right of an American ... The unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments, but where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the People."— Tench Coxe, 1788. (Suck it, BradyBunch)

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;

The District of Columbia is the Federal seat of Power, and Congress has the control over the laws therein. Any land designated for Federal use shall be purchased from the States and such purchase shall be agreed-to by the State Legislatures. Federal eminent domain land-grabs are unconstitutional if not agreed-to by the states and appropriately compensated.

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

The Congress is authorized to legislate only in the areas where Federal power is enumerated. It is time we reminded them of that.

This weekend is a holiday celebration. Memorial Day is the day we commemorate all of the brave men and women who have fought for, and died for, our country. Too much blood has been shed to preserve the Liberty enshrined in our Constitution. Many of these soldiers went to foreign lands to fight against fascist dictators (even lawfully-elected ones) and communist oligarchies. These fine soldiers, seamen, and airmen, were fighting for the ideal that is Freedom. They did so with the absolute moral certitude that genocide was wrong. They fought against regimes which subjugated their citizens, enslaved their minorities, and killed their political opponents who dissented.

They did not fight these enemies of freedom so that their own government could emulate them. They did not fight Communism and Fascism and Socialism so that their government could violate Article 4, Section 4 and become just like the enemies they defeated. We are constitutionally guaranteed "a Republican form of Government", not a Democracy. Just because SanFranNan and Dingy Harry can muster 51% of the votes does not make their actions legal or proper.

I hope you will enjoy this Memorial Day holiday. Please take some time to reflect upon the truths laid out in our Constitution. Take the time to compare the actions of our government with the limitations imposed upon it by our Charter. The mere fact that any specific piece of legislation hasn't yet been overturned by the judiciary does not make it proper or acceptable or Constitutional. Ultimately, the power rests with the People to enforce this.

Oh, and make sure you thank the people you know who are military, current or former. They have pledged themselves to the service of this country for your Liberty. They have written a blank check to Freedom, payable in an amount up to, and including, their very lives. That is the pledge which defines Honor. Never forget.

God Bless.

Pax,

Newbius

Please go read

Billy Beck today.

Pax,

Newbius

Taxes...and other ramblings

I just finished navigating the maze that is our nation's tax code. As usual, we paid more than we were supposed to. However, when filing estimated taxes for self-employment (you know, the voluntary part) it is difficult to accurately predict how the arcana will affect you without a Ouija Board or expensive accountant/lawyer.

The bad news is I lent Leviathan a metric crap-load of money, interest-free. The good news is that Leviathan still has some greenbacks left over from the last printing press run.

It is too bad they don't do refunds in Double Eagles...

As for the State, I owe them less than $100 bucks-"net" after withholding. All things considered, I'll take that outcome.

Now, if we could just repeal the 16th Amendment and go to a consumption-based tax, life would be good. And, don't even try and tell me that sales taxes are regressive and affect the "poor" disproportionately. That's crap and everybody knows it. A flat-rate sales or consumption tax on ALL new items is the most fair way to fund the necessary functions of government. It also means that those who spend more pay more in taxes, while those who spend less would pay less. Oh, and if you spend someone else's money (using debt like credit cards and personal loans), you would pay more in taxes than your earnings would otherwise dictate.

Perhaps that would incentivize people to actually save for things instead of feeding the beast with debt. It is too bad that common sense, isn't, nowadays. With a National Sales tax, fairly applied (meaning EVERYBODY pays), the consumer's choices become paramount in minimizing their taxable exposure. If someone has less money to spend, then buying used (which would incur no sales tax) lowers the burden. Someone who desires to have the latest and greatest new thing would pay for that choice with the attendant cost of government included.

Speaking of the cost of government, if every purchase exposed the cost to the consumer, don't you think it would make said consumer a wee bit more active in the machinations of governance? Plus, if the incentives for indolence are removed (meaning NO welfare), it removes a perversely powerful special interest from the pressure groups influencing Congress.

And, YES, I said NO welfare. The care and feeding of the elderly, sick, and unexpectedly pregnant used to fall to family and friends, including faith-based charities and churches. It worked well for a couple of hundred years. It is time to return to that system.

Please note that I do NOT include disabled veterans in the above category. Any veteran who was injured in the line of duty battling for our Liberty, and who needs support, should get it. These men and women are willing to pay the ultimate price to secure our liberty. This is NOT welfare. This is a debt of honor that is owed.

Anyway, enough ramblings. I hope your weekend went well.

Pax,

Newbius

Prejudice

Isn't it funny how the people who claim to be against prejudice are typically the same people who advocate for infringements of your rights in different ways?

In the current brouhahas regarding DADT and HCI/Brady Campaign vs Starbucks, the prejudices are telling. If you substituted "Negro" or "Jew", or "Catholic", or "Italian", or "Chinaman" for "Gays" or "Guns" in the arguments, you could rightly conclude that the people doing the advocacy against certain people, groups, or rights are merely exercising prejudice against the targeted group. Prejudice that would not be tolerated were it directed against a politically-favored group today.

Any time you run across someone attempting to curtail your rights, or advocate for policies which do not assure the maximum liberty possible, do a check and see if the policy fails the "Jews in the attic" test. If it fails, it should be opposed.

In the fight for Liberty in America today, we are all Jews...

Pax,

Newbius

2010 Virginia Legislative update

On the subject of emails, I received the below email from my representative in the VA House of Delegates, Mark Cole. Several pro-gun bills are making their way through the session. And, with a new Governor, they even have a chance of making it into law.

Here is the update, reprinted here with permission from Delegate Cole, in its entirety:

The Virginia General Assembly session is underway in Richmond and this is to up date you on on its progress. If you do not want to receive these updates, please reply to this email with DELETE in the subject line. In this update:

- New Governor
- Legislation
- Open House February 15th in Richmond


NEW GOVERNOR

Virginia inaugurated a new governor, Bob McDonnell. Not surprisingly, he got to work very quickly. In an address to a joint session of the General Assembly on Martin Luther King Day, he laid out his priorities; making it clear that job creation and economic growth would be the chief focus of his new administration for the year ahead.

Specifically, Governor McDonnell is asking the General Assembly to pass measures and changes to the budget that will strengthen Virginia ’s economy. He also made clear that he will not support tax increases, pledging to veto bills that raised taxes or a budget based on higher taxes. This marks a significant change from the previous administration. The budget proposed by former Governor Kaine included a large hike in the income tax. Last week, the House voted on that plan.

Most delegates, myself included, had already indicated they would not support higher taxes. So, it wasn’t entirely surprising that the House rejected former Governor Kaine’s plan to raise the income tax. What was somewhat surprising was the margin, as the House rejected the tax hike by a vote of 97 to 0. Not a single member of the House of Delegates voted to raise the income tax.

While the Senate has yet to weigh in on the issue of taxes, it is clear that the House and Governor McDonnell will not support higher taxes. For people already struggling to make ends meet in the current economy, this is very good news.

LEGISLATION

While the state’s budget will receive most of the attention in news pages during this session, we’re considering a lot of other legislation as well. Among the hundreds of bills that will be considered by the General Assembly are several that I am submitting. Here is an overview of some of the legislation I am sponsoring:

House Bill (HB) 576 is in response to the Federal government’s plans to force individuals to buy health insurance. It simply states that residents of Virginia shall not be required to obtain a health insurance policy. It is similar to Delegate Bob Marshall’s HB 10 and I would expect these two bills to be combined.

House Joint Resolution (HJ) 88 is a resolution asking the US Congress to adopt an amendment to U.S. Constitution to require a balanced Federal budget. The Federal budget deficit has just ballooned in the last few years and I believe threatens our long term economic stability.

HB 18 Provides that goods and services made, sold, and retained in Virginia , shall be the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth and not the Federal government. The US Constitution gives the Federal government the ability to regulate interstate commerce, commerce that crosses state boundaries. The original intent was that states would regulate commerce within their borders. Over the years Congress and the Courts have expanded Federal reach to all commerce whether it crosses a state boundary or not. It is time for the states to begin pushing back and restrict the Federal government to its original mission. The states are perfectly capable of regulating commerce within their boundaries without Federal intrusion.

HB 50 would tighten the requirements to process absentee ballots in a timely manner. In recent years some localities have had problems sending out absentee ballots and the previous administration even argued in Federal court that they had no obligation to process absentee ballots in accordance with regulations. This legislation will make it clear that absentee ballots must be handled in a timely fashion.

HB 57 would freeze the Business, professional, and occupational license (BPOL) tax on businesses. Localities that have not imposed the tax would not be permitted to impose it in the future and localities that do impose the tax could not increase their rate. The BPOL tax is a very unfair tax on businesses because it is based on their gross receipts and not on profits or income. So a company could be losing money and still have to pay the tax. The BPOL tax was originally imposed to pay for the War of 1812. I think all the bills from that war were paid off a long time ago.

HJ 11 and HB 16 would place an amendment to the Virginia Constitution on the ballot that would give localities great flexibility in granting property tax relief to senior citizens and the disabled.

HB 17 reduces period of limitation for collection of delinquent state taxes from 20 to 10 years. Currently the Virginia Department of Taxation can go back 20 years to collect taxes. I think this is excessive and it is unreasonable to expect individuals and businesses to retain records for 20 years in order to defend themselves from an accusation that they may owe back taxes.

HB 55 would limit the amount of money that the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) can assess member localities to not more than the localities collection from the 2 percent gas tax that they impose to pay for VRE. This would keep member localities from having to use their general fund to pay the VRE subsidy and provide some incentive for VRE to control costs.

HB 106 would repeal the restaurant ban for concealed handgun permit holders and clarify that a permit holder could carry in a church with the church’s permission. The current law is confusing and open to interpretation. Guns are banned in church unless someone has a good reason to carry in church. But it never states what a good reason might be. What might be a good reason to one judge or Commonwealth Attorney might not be a good reason for another.

HB 107 corrects an oversight in the code. Currently school superintendents are supposed to be informed whenever one of their minor students is arrested or charged with a crime; this is so that the school may take action to protect other students in the school. However, the notification does not apply if the student is 18 or older. Some high school students are 18 or older and this bill would require that the superintendent be notified if they are arrested or charged as well.

HB 110 is another bill dealing with the BPOL tax. It would allow localities to decide to impose on business's gross receipts or its State taxable income, making the tax a little fairer.

HB 575 would give school systems flexibility in meeting specific state education mandates when their state funding is being reduced. This would give local school boards greater flexibility in dealing with state budget cuts.

HB 577 would extend the time to appeal real estate property assessments.

HB 580 Allows localities to exempt long time members of the sheriff's volunteer citizen support units from local vehicle license fees.

OPEN HOUSE

I would like to invite you, your family and your neighbors to spend the day with us at the General Assembly for our “Richmond Open House” on Monday, February 15th (President’s Day). There will be coffee and doughnuts in the morning along with an explanation of how the General Assembly works. Depending on your schedule, you are welcome to sit in on committee meetings and attend Session. We will be gathering from 9:30am to 11:00am in 8th Floor West Conference Room of the General Assembly Building, which is located at the corner of 9th and Broad Streets in Richmond . If you will be attending and have not already replied, please call my office at (804) 698-1088 or email us at Delegate@MarkLCole.com. If you are not able to attend on February 15th, but would like to visit on another day, please give us a call.

If you have any questions about anything mentioned in this email or an issue before the General Assembly, please feel free to reply to this email or contact me.

Thanks,

Mark

Mark L. Cole
Delegate, 88th District
Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Fauquier Counties

Web page: www.MarkLCole.com

Authorized and Paid for by Mark Cole for Delegate

I am thankful to have a representative in the House of Delegates who is pro-family, pro-gun rights, and fiscally responsible (and who is a nice guy to boot!). If you notice on the VCDL Legislative Tracker, Delegate Cole is the primary sponsor in several pro-liberty reforms to our Commonwealth's gun laws. Go Mark!

Pax,

Newbius