Walk The Walk

This morning, while getting ready for work, a local radio program provided a wonderful example of why changing the status quo may be nearly impossible.  The morning talk show on KCPS featured a question and answer time with Senator Chuck Grassley.  One of the topics was a GOP move to eliminate much of the "social" spending in Washington.  A caller, known for being conservative, even more libertarian, told Grassley that cutting spending was a great idea; however, he encouraged the senator to use discretion and not touch some "re-employment" program that is well-used in Southeast Iowa.  Translation: cut the pork, but not our pork.

This is what American politics is.  We elect people to go to Washington and bring back the goodies.  For example, Grassley's counterpart, Sen Harkin thought that "Cap-And-Trade" was a great policy to save the planet, something that all should embrace...wait, not everybody.  The farmer's livestock in Iowa produce huge amounts of methane.  Cap-And-Trade, according to the Iowa senator, needed exceptions for his voting base.  Translation: its okay to raise costs on business in other states, but not on my state.

Conservatives, Tea-Party members, libertarians, many of them talk a good game, but only when it doesn't affect them.  There is always the program that touched a family member's life, and because of one anecdotal instance, it is necessary government spending.  Everything else needs to go.

For change to happen, we must be selfless.  If I'm going to cut someone else's program and clamor about the bloated nature of our nanny-state government, I have to be willing to have my program defunded.

Have Some Class

Pima County Sheriff Sets Off Debate on Price of Free Speech - FoxNews.com

I'm only going to say this once. Anyone who sees this incident as anything else but a tragedy perpetuated by a nutcase is a political bottom-feeder without a conscience or a soul. Instead of rabidly doing anything to advance an agenda, how about taking a time-out to honor those murdered in a senseless act. That's right. Senseless. There is no rhyme, no reason. Some people really are crazy and do irrational and unreasonable things. To try and tie there actions to an ideology or political cause is really classless and disgusting.

Back Off!!

Last night, in the "wee hours of the morning", I was watching Charlie Rose. To my pleasured surprise, he was engaging in an actual intellectual discussion instead of the usual liberal hack talking points. He and three guests were analyzing the culture, environment, successes, etc. of social networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and MySpace. They especially examined the success of Facebook and how it is dominating the Internet, including Google (hear, hear).

The panel moved on to the topic of obstacles that Facebook will have to overcome as it gets bigger. What was at the top of the list? Governments. Governments and their regulations. China, of course, is at the forefront, and as they mentioned, Google had to learn this the hard way.

The beauty of the Internet is the unregulated, free-flow of information and opinions among "the people". As one guest said, it is the most prolific empowering of the individual in history. A fat, bald dude can sit in his mom's basement and tell the entire world what he thinks without repercussions, that is unless he lives in a country like China.

To Communists, Islamo-Facists, and other "control-freaks", the unabated circulation of information and ideas contends directly with the agenda: to have a few control the many. Facebook and Google are not welcome in China. The current Iranian regime was incensed with Twitter as Iranian citizens had an outlet to tell the world about a fraudulent election and the iron fist of those who perpetrated the outcomes. The "ruling class" does not like ideas, opinions, and data to be shared among the citizens. For their own good, the facts, the news, it must be kept from the common man.

We in the United States have nothing to fear. Right? Yeah, right!!! This country was founded to protect the rights of the individual. Government was viewed by many of the Founding Fathers as a "necessary evil" to protect an individuals rights. For over two hundred years, politicians have gradually piled on restriction after restriction, law after law, because is it for the greater good. "Security" and "safety" have trumped freedom and liberty over and over.

The Internet, refreshingly, has grown so fast that the politicians could not catch up. You can buy and sell online without being taxed. You can advertise for free. You can publish your thoughts and ideas to millions of people (if they so choose to read them) without any censorship or having to wait for the hacks in the press to show interest.

Not so fast!! The fat, bloated, greedy, aristocratic political class has shifted gears. A few may have a heart attack trying to get a hold of this liberation juggernaut that is the Internet, but they will die trying. There is too much goin' on out there without "our" oversight. We need some regulations; we need some controls!! That's our money, you foolish and simple peasants!!!

Net Neutrality is the latest charge, and like the "Ministry of Love", it's true intentions masked with an Orwellian paradoxical title. It is only one of many. See this article for Obama's recently reported plans to "identify" us on the Internet so that "they" may protect our privacy and security: "Obama Administration Reportedly Plans to Create Internet ID For All Americans" - Fox News.

Hey, Barack! Hey, Nancy! Hey, Harry! I don't remember anyone clamoring about the injustice of the Internet and how unsafe and dangerous it is. We free people would appreciate it if you would stay out of those things that don't concern you. You are public servants, not divinely appointed rulers. Legislate those matters for which the Constitution directed you to target, and let freedom ring in cyberspace!!!