Obama Follows Down Bush's Path

With the release of the CIA memos, there has been an outcry by many to at least investigate the Bush Administration's use of questionable interrogation practices in Guantanamo, Afghanistan, and Iraq. However, President Obama has stated repeatedly that he sees no point in prosecuting the torturers themselves or those from the Bush Administration that approved it. It has come to light now that the Department of Justice wants to at least look into the matter. A source from the Department of Justice has said lawyers at the DOJ are incensed over the White House getting in the way of any independent investigation.

Bush was ridiculed for interfering with DOJ investigation. Towards the end of his administration his handling of the DOJ became a blemish on his legacy. Although never proven, many suspected Karl Rove and others of encouraging the prosecution of others based on their political affiliations. Now Obama is becoming entrenched in DOJ affairs when he has no place to do so. Bush blurred the line between justice and politics and Obama is doing the same. Obama does not want to offend moderate voters, many of who voted for Bush twice, by investigating the previous administration. By doing so, he is destroying the criminal justice system. To not even allow an investigation is ludicrous.

An example needs to be made of the Bush Administration that no one is above the Constitution or the law. There is now credible evidence that the Bush Administration endorsed torture methods for enemy combatants. Let's take advantage of this moment so that future political figures understand that when break the law, they must pay the price.

A Valid Point About Lobbyists

Jacob Weisberg discusses the unintended consequences of banning current lobbyists from the Obama Administration.

Tea Parties Hijacked by Conservative Opportunists

If I am correct in understanding this, those at the TEA (Taxed Enough Already) Parties are taking a stand against bailouts and tax increases. And If I am correct in my understanding of current and past events, they are idiots.

The Tea Parties have been an on-going event for several years. It started as a Libertarian event to showcase a belief in minimal taxes and regulations. Unlike this year's Tea Party, these actually had a single coherent message: in principle taxes are a necessary evil and ought to be kept to absolute low levels while keeping the government out of private affairs of all sorts.

This year's Tea Party was hijacked by Conservatives and Republican think-tanks however. The relationship between Libertarians and Conservatives has also been a very uncomfortable one of forced marriage forged by fiscal issues. The difference is that Libertarians are consistent in their message and are very critical of any tax or regulation. Conservatives are when they see it as politically feasible.

The Stimulus Plan passed by the federal government actually reduced taxes. About $400 billion of the $1 trillion Stimulus Plan was in tax breaks to the middle class. So what are they protesting, a reduction in taxes? Maybe its because the rich didn't get as a great as tax break? Oh right, the tax on the top tax bracket is 10% less than under Mr. Neo-Con Ronald Regan. So why weren't Conservatives protesting back in the 1980s when they saw their wealth was being taken from them at a higher rate?

The truth is they really didn't care. Whereas Libertarians have always protested taxes, Conservatives see this year as a political opportunity time to jump on the anti-tax bandwagon and join the populist movement. The rise of Ron Paul has not gone unnoticed by Republicans and Conservatives. They want to tap into the Libertarian movement to build up votes for 2010 mid-term elections. This has become apparent in recent days as Gov. Rick Perry (R) of Texas has threatened secession from the Union. It is no doubt a empty threat to appeal to Constitutionists and Libertarians.

This wouldn't be the first time Conservatives joined forces with a sub-section of society to garner votes. In the 1980s they reached out to Evangelicals to win votes in the South and MidWest. And now everyone can start to see that their relationship is souring. Gay marriage is becoming more socially acceptable and the abortion debate is dying. The Christian Right are becoming irrelvent after years of success. And I do not doubt that Libertarians will dropped years from now when another opportunity arises to get votes.

Libertarians have a fundamental difference with Conservatives. It is that Libertarians believe the government has no right to interfere with any private, whether economic or social, matters while Conservatives believe the government should interfere with social matters like drug use and gay marriage. Neo-Cons especially are in conflict of Libertarians. Neo-Cons want to concentrate federal powers while Libertarians want more state rights.

Do Conservatives really love freedom? Yes, as long as what you are doing is deemed okay by them? Do Conservatives really want the government out of your paycheck? Yes, as long as it damages the Liberal's reputation. Libertarians would be wise not align with Conservatives and become entrenched in partisan politics. Hold your own and keep your values true because Conservatives will dump you as soon as they see another opportunity on the horizon.

Piracy A Result of Failed Interventionism

Journalist Matthew Yglesias describes how the Clinton and Bush Administrations have helped create the failed Somali state in which pirates thrive.

It's ridiculous that anyone is contemplating the idea of invading Somalia to fight the pirates on land. The best we can do is protect our own ships to the fullest extent and stop interfering with Somalian politics. You don't fight a forest fire by jumping into the middle of it. You contain it and stop its spread. Only then can you start to reduce its effects. I thought this was obvious after Iraq and Vietnam.

Tax Rates Around the World

According to the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) the United States has the third lowest tax rate for individuals who are married with two kids. Without kids and single the United States ranks in the middle. Which begs the question, why do people with kids pay less when their kids put more burden on the system with education and such?

The Socialist Republic of the United States?

A poll recently released suggests that Americans are taking a second look at socialism.

Karl Marx always said the United States would be the biggest proponent of socialism in time.

Damn Facist Homosexuals

This is a press release from the conservative Family Research Council in response to the legislative and judicial actions taken by Iowa, Vermont, and DC to allow gay marriage in the past week.

I did not know that a legislature voting to allow gay marriage was considered un-democratic.
Ridiculous. Just ridiculous.