Re: Some interesting snippets from the Libertarian rag...

On Dec 22, 3:20�pm, "btorvik2" <btorv...@xxxxxxx> wrote:
Judge Gray starts with an excellent succinct definition of libertarianism:
"Simply stated, a libertarian has a belief in liberty. Thus, all adults
should own their lives and property, and have the right to make their own
choices as to how they live their lives, as long as they respect the same
right of other people."

A fundamental rule of effective libertarian communication is that every
libertarian should have a short, clear definition of libertarianism
memorized and ready to use when asked. Judge Gray's is a fine example.

He then strengthens his definition by adding humor, by quoting long-time
Advocates Board of Directors member Ken Bisson:

"In other words, as Dr. Kenneth Bisson was quoted as saying: 'Libertarianism
is what your mom taught you: behave yourself and don't hit your sister.'
Thus, libertarians strongly support individual civil liberties, social
tolerance, private property, and the positive powers of a free market, which
in turn means that libertarians bring to life the philosophy of 'live and
let live.'"

...................................................
Federal Government: Do As We Say, Not As We Do

The federal government is planning to spend millions of dollars to teach
Americans how to handle their personal finances more responsibly, according
to Politico.com.

Yes, that's the same federal government whose own mega-debt is just about to
surpass the national statutory limit of $12.104 trillion
...........................................................
Poll: Solid Majority in U.S. Favor Legal Marijuana

As we've reported recently, public support for re-legalizing marijuana is
growing at lightning speed.

A new poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion, conducted December 3 and 4, finds
that fully 53% of Americans now favor re-legalization. Only 43 per cent are
opposed. Four percent were not sure.

Marijuana was outlawed by the federal government in 1937, after a lurid
campaign of outright lies and unscientific nonsense. Ironically, this was
just a few years after the repeal of the disastrous experiment of alcohol
Prohibition. (Government never seems to learn.)

Why is legalizing marijuana so important to the cause of liberty? Few people
realize that marijuana is today the major focus of the War on Drugs. A 2005
study by the Sentencing Project, a liberal Washington-based think tank,
found that almost half of Drug War arrests were for marijuana, and most of
those arrested were just casual users. A huge percentage of Drug War
activity and spending goes towards marijuana prohibition.

The War on Drugs, in turn, has been responsible for a massive erosion of
fundamental Bill of Rights liberties. As retired judge and Drug War critic
James P. Gray has said: "Drug Prohibition has resulted in a greater loss of
civil liberties than anything else in the history of our country."

Legalizing marijuana will end much of the Drug War. And that is good news
for liberty.
......................................................
USA TODAY: Gov't Salaries Skyrocketing During Recession

What recession?

If you work for the federal government, you might be excused for asking that
question, according to USA TODAY.

Federal workers are enjoying a boom time -- in pay and hiring -- during a
recession that has destroyed 7.3 million jobs in the private sector.

The number of federal employees making salaries of $100,000 or more jumped
from 14 percent to 19 percent during the first 18 months of the recession..

And that's not even counting overtime pay and bonuses.

Further:

* The number of Defense Department civilian employees earning $150,000 or
more has jumped dramatically -- from 1,868 in December 2007 to 10,100 in
June 2009.

* The number of Transportation Department employees earning $170,000 or
above jumped in 18 months from just *one* to... 1,690.

The trend to six-figure salaries is occurring throughout the federal
government, according to USA TODAY -- in agencies big and small, high-tech
and low-tech.

........................................

RON PAUL'S SIGN: "On the desk in my office I have a sign that says: 'Don't
steal -- the government hates competition.'"
...................................................

And that's all I have to say about that.

bernie

--
"Official ASC Shaman"

Well hell, I guess I'm a Libertarian.
.

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