The High Cost of Pot

     Supply and Demand are the basics of economics.  You don’t need a degree in economics to realize that if there is an abundance of something, it won’t be expensive compared to an item that is scarce.  From what I remember, and what I hear, pot is everywhere…you can get it from co-workers, bartenders and if YOU can’t, one of your close friends probably has a direct line on it…so why is it so expensive compared to any other item that grows anywhere with sunlight, soil and water?  What is it that has artificially pumped up the price of pot over the past 20 years?  Is it a ploy to fund terrorism?  Well…kind of.  You see for every ounce of weed that gets through the myriad of police, homeland security officials, TSA goons and border agents, there is some that doesn’t.  And when someone is caught with an illegal drug, the government can seize assets from the “criminal” that goes into a fund and is split by the Department of Justice, the agency involved in the bust, and local cops.  Wow…that’s a stiff penalty for trafficking…but I don’t remember seeing a jury award someone’s car, wallet or other property when they are found guilty; so how does this work?  Well, it is simple…due to Maritime law of the 18^th century, cops can seize your property without judicial involvement…just probable cause.  WHAT??? Surely there is more to it…otherwise cops could just take what they wanted…and fill in the gap in their budgets when taxpayers want cuts…and that is exactly what happens.  To the tune of $12 BILLION!!!  Almost $2 Billion in 2010 alone.  And we thought the pirates off Ethiopia were crooks.

     You see, supply and demand is still at work; only it isn’t about weed, it is about how to afford specially trained SWAT teams, state of the art electronics, and keeping up with the Jones’…if the Jones’ are the drug mules.  You will never guess one of the biggest stings going on now…it isn’t to catch drug dealers and keep streets safe…it is cops pretending to BE drug dealers…then seizing all the assets of the person trying to score a bag of weed.  YUP.  What are you gonna do, complain to a judge?  This is what you get when you allow the state to limit your freedoms “for your own good”, and when someone complains…well, they are just druggies…no, man…this aggression, this aggression will not stand, man.  Fucking Fascists.

     Here is a perfect example, United States of America v. 434 Main St., Tewksbury, Mass. Which is the federal government conniving with the state of Massachusetts to seize a 50 year old motel that Russ and Pat Caswell own.  You see, they aren’t convicted or even charged with a crime; but since the early 1990’s there have been roughly 30 people arrested on charges of drug possession, use, or trafficking.  WOW, imagine having your business taken from you by the cops because out of the 125,000 customers in almost 20 years, 30 of them had drugs on them.  Surely there is something else going on…maybe evil Russ and Pat are complicit in helping these druggies?  No, in fact they have installed cameras and started keeping photocopies of customers identification to maintain their business’ good standing in the community.  Their real problem though, is this property is worth about $1.5 million, and guess who needs the money more than the Caswells?  To read the whole story, check out George Will’s article last week at   http://www.jewishworldreview.com/

     The real cost of pot is not measured in dollars…at least not per ounce.  It is measured in the human toll doing time in jail, which does not help them get jobs when they get out with a tarnished record.  It is measured in the loss of liberty of the individual,  akin to some of the most heavy handed governments this world has ever endured.  These united states that we live in are united, however no longer is it with the bond of brotherhood and the united desire for freedom and opportunity…we are united in chains under a regime that plunders, steals and outright robs us, be it in this war on drugs, congressional insider stock trading, Solyndras, General Motors and the UAW Bailouts, Bell California City Commissioner’s paychecks of  $500,000/year plus pensions and benefits that no working man could ever achieve.  When was the last time a congressman or government official  had all his or her  possessions forfeited to the government when they were caught evading taxes (Rangell, Geitner etc…) Why didn’t Marion Barry lose his home when he was caught with crack?  We have allowed this because we just want to watch American Idol and don’t want to fight…after all, they are only going after drug dealers…and I don’t deal drugs, so why should I care?   What happens when the beast needs feeding, and the drug war isn’t filling the gaps in the budget?  What else will become illegal, or what else will be used to distract us from what is going on?  A new war?  Who or what the hell haven’t we gone to war with yet…Iran, Salt, Sugar, China, lightbulbs?  Until we realize that the cost of all of these distractions is our very freedom, we will continue to allow shiny objects and manufactured wars to keep us occupied or scared enough to allow it all to continue.  Unfortunately Republicans and Democrats have bought into it, because one way or another, it fuels their engines.  It’s too bad we are forced to decide between them, because nobody else is electable.  How sheepish is that?  You know, if pot wasn’t so expensive, it would be a great way to get my mind off of all this…but I hear it costs your car, house, watch, wallet and job…and that’s an expensive joint.

I know where his mouth has been...

                It’s been said that politics makes strange bedfellows.  Indeed it does, but how far do you go with your new lover before you become just as dirty as that whore you’re in bed with?  That is a searing question in my head, as I try to rationalize being reserved and holding back a left jab at Mitt Romney for his rebuking of a Colorado reporter’s question on legalizing medical marijuana.  On one hand, as a Libertarian, I support the individual’s right to decide what to do with his or her health, but on the other hand, we Libertarians don’t want to be labeled the “legalize pot” or  “gay marriage” fanatics…especially when Mitt’s rebuke was because there are more pressing matters at hand, like the economy and jobs.   In the world of government spending, after all, the Republicans and Libertarians are “kissing cousins” who differ on some social issues, but fundamentally we are related on the smaller role of government…except…

                On the 2012 Republican platform website, a few tiny details may irk some libertarian minded people…as well as some Republicans who may not have ever read it…because their parents told them they were republicans…or maybe it was their preacher after scolding those gays and druggies that they are going to hell…but I digress…let’s get to the nookie:   

Defense

 “We will not rule out ‘ANY ACTION’ deemed necessary for security”…but they don’t define necessary, security or any of the actions…sounds pretty open to interpretation by whomever. 

“We need to increase the size of our military forces”

“Homosexuals are incompatible with military service”

“Private Education Institutions should bridge the gap between the GI Bill and the current cost of education”…what…did I read this right?

“Employers should bear more of the burden/cost of transitioning soldiers back into the workforce”…again…what????

Immigration

                “Government should track every individual entering and leaving our country”

                “Government should mandate the burden of enforcement of immigration policy be borne by the employer”

                “Government should deny federal funds to sanctuary cities refusing to do the job of the federal government regarding immigration.”  Uh…what is the government doing by abdicating this role to states and municipalities in the first place??

               

Role of Government

                Frequently throughout the platform of the Republican party, there is reference to the rights of the individual (when appropriate and convenient to the tenets of the Republican Party) and the separation of governmental control over private industry (again…when convenient)

                “There should be a public/private partnership to develop and secure production…namely in the field of Energy”

                “There should be a ‘National Disaster Insurance Policy’ to work with private industry to rebuild devastated areas after natural disasters”

                “We lament the judges who undermine traditional marriage laws from coast to coast”

                “To further the role of traditional families and encourage more children, we would double the tax exemptions for children” …so the individual without children can pick up the slack???

                “We would use the tax code to promote savings”…I thought the tax code was to raise money for essential government functions??

                ***I love this statement*** “The legislature seems unable to deal with the most pressing problems of families, businesses and communities.”  Hahahaha, yeah…well maybe you need to do MORE???

                “The government can play an important role in retraining workers to reenter the workplace.”

                “Government should support timely and targeted aid to those hurt in the housing crisis, as well as a voucher program, urban homesteading and keeping interest rates low” (ARTIFICIALLY???) Is this fiscal conservativism  in a nutshell?  I thought that gov’t meddling caused the housing bubble.

                “Government should maintain the mortgage interest deduction to encourage home ownership” and in the next paragraph, referencing the need to advocate free market principles.  We’re at war(undeclared), damn it, pick a side.

                “Workers should have portable pensions and health care”…and a car, and a nice house, and a pretty wife, and nice mustache…come on!!

                “Education is a parental right, state and local responsibility and national strategic interest.  It is through education that we ensure the transmission of a culture, a set of values we hold in common.  All students must be proficient in English…” Oh brother…I think this comes right out of the founding father’s beliefs…or the communist manifesto…I can’t remember which.

                “We support federal investment in basic and applied biomedical research”…kinda seems tame after the last one.

                “We support head start for low income families, and reaffirm support for the child care tax credit for parents to choose care best for family.” (and paid for by those sterile losers who can’t have kids to lessen their tax burden)

                “We support the public and private partnership that offers students and their families a vibrant marketplace in selecting student loan providers” (paid for by the taxpayers, even the ones who don’t have kids, or paid for their own kids to go to school…or…and this is exceptionally rare…the kids who put their own ass through school.)

                “Millions of Americans suffer from pathological gambling, and we support the law prohibiting online gambling.”  (Unlike that party of Gay, Pot smoking gamblers)

Free and Fair Trade

                “Farming communities have been hurt hard by flood and weather, Federal aid should go to those as a safety net to farmers.”  What about federal limits to the free market that force commodities to sell at or above predetermined levels to protect the farmer?  What about barriers to trading foreign commodities to force local producers to become more competitive?  Oops…how libertarian of me.

                “USDA should remain an international leader in agricultural research to ensure America and the world will not have to choose between energy and food.”  (In case that free market thing doesn’t work?)

                “US should end ethanol mandate and let the free market work”…but if it doesn’t…we should get the USDA to study it because they are best suited to determine when free markets should and shouldn’t be used?

               

I don’t want the Libertarian party to be known as the “Pot Party” or “Gay Party”, mostly because I don’t want us reduced to a one issue  group who is unhappy with the only two options Americans are supposed to have.  I want us to be heard and seen for what we are, which is the only consistent party of the people…independent and free people.  This means we embrace individuals, and respect their freedoms and liberties.  We are not able to choose which liberties we should defend, we should take EVERY opportunity to defend them.  Conversely, we should not be hiding the fact, or omitting from the argument, the tenets of Republicans which are in direct violation of our sacred belief that the individual is more important than the collective, and that our rights are endowed upon us by our creator…not the federal government.   I have no problem focussing on the economy and the lack of a healthy and growth oriented business environment in the USA...because the Libertarian party is best at solving economic issues...so let's get in the fight.  Gary Johnson said it, and it bears repeating.  "If I had to choose between Romney and Obama, or death…kill me."  So, let's stop kissing Republicans...I know where their mouth has been.

-Rev

At the end of the day

   It is lunchtime on Friday.  I have so much racing through my mind about an amazing experience this past weekend at the Libertarian National Convention, my first such even.  I am a relative unknown in political circles, I don’t run any kind of organization to push a political agenda…hell, I hate politics and have no aspirations for office; mostly because I don’t really like to mingle and glad-hand and bullshit people…except for work…because I’m in sales…and that just comes with the territory.  So, what is it that keeps me thinking about politics, the convention and checking Facebook every 30 minutes?  I’ll tell you, it is a debate and soap opera about who runs the party, who will run the party and the unending question of who SHOULD run the party.  I have one answer to all three questions, and it is this: I don’t give a damn.  I don’t.  I don’t know them, I don’t interact with them on a regular basis, and I don’t care what they think…because I don’t really like politics, and I don’t give a shit if anyone thinks I’m good enough to be in their party.   So why am I writing this?  I’m not sure…I’m spit-balling here because I can’t stop thinking about one frustrating question:

   Why aren’t Libertarians getting elected when I see our principles being espoused and talked about more than ever before?  This is the nature of all the drama that happened at the convention, and subsequently what is being discussed and debated on the social media websites.  I have a theory… I think the party is based on individuals and independence, so it is philosophically against organizing and the “follow the leader” mentality which is fundamental to growing a party and building support.  If there is one thing “Occupy” has shown us, it is leaderless organizations descend into chaos and disorder.  So as long as the “leader” is actually a servant to the cause, and not a “ruler”…it should be seen as a step towards progress.  There is a visceral response I have though, when I hear a voice preaching to me that we are a family.  We are not a family, we are a political party.  I get the sentimentality of it, I just don’t believe in it…it is why I am a Libertarian.  I didn’t register to join a family, and I don’t need a daddy telling me what to do, how to think or vote.  I registered and donated to support a movement to get libertarian minded individuals elected who will be independent and honest and who won’t answer the call from the Establishment Republicans and Democrats to compromise our values to  support issues that further the growth of  government.  That’s it in a nutshell…so when I hear that there is an evil “Kabal” and a “Radical/Purist” faction fighting for control, I can’t help but slap my own forehead and think that we are missing the opportunity to exploit the absolute retarded jack-holes being forced on us by the other political parties.  So, what is the answer?

Let’s approach this from the perspective of a business.   We are not succeeding in our goal of electing libertarian minded people…so what do we change?  Who IS getting elected, and what are they doing differently?   The money is a big difference between the LP and the RP/DP.  Fundraising comes when you inspire people who have money to support your goals and they see a potential return on their investment.      This “kabal” has organized and gathered impressive support for Gary Johnson and Jim Gray, and with these two on our national ticket, we can expect good publicity and press coverage compared to past tickets.  Can we agree, so far?  Can we all sit down and discuss the possibility that organizing the party in the way the RP and DP are organized is the more effective way to run a political party, but stipulate that the individuals in this party will not abide being told to hold their nose for substandard candidates and establishment dictates that are anathema to the tenets of libertarians?  If we can, and if we do…we are on the precipice of changing politics in America for the better.  There is a hunger in this country…in this world…for leadership based on the values of our party.  We are sitting on political gold…the liberation of millions if not billions with the idea that we are free and capable individuals and don’t need someone telling us how to live.  The belief that we are inherently good people, and don’t need the shackles of countless regulations to “keep us in line”.  The hunger is growing, and we are starving with every election we allow internal bickering about methodology to keep us from success.  Those of us who are afraid of success, clinging to ideology…I understand why you feel the way you do.  Nobody fears and hates tyranny more than me…including in our own party.  But libertarians’ individuality and independence can be a hindrance to expansion…and if we don’t evolve our methods of growth…we will starve to death, with the hopes of the world dying with us.   I imagine if a Republican, Democrat and Libertarian were all sitting down and talking, it wouldn’t matter which faction of the LP was represented, he or she would be the only one sitting there with a consistent position of “That isn’t the role of government” answer to most topics…and that is what binds us, makes us kindred (a reference to family?) and that is what is important…at the end of the day.

-Rev

Rugged Individualism vs Entitled Recipient Class

     I am opinionated...no breaking news on this point.  But I understand that my opinion is not widely held by the public, and that is a source of anger and frustration.  Not because I have expectations of society being molded to my opinions...but rather that society expects me to support those that choose not to give enough of a damn to work for their wants, needs and desires.  There are so many people now who expect...yes, expect a home, food, transportation, school, tv, healthcare, a job...and the list gets even more ridiculous.  These people say, "the rich aren't taxed enough"...and their basis for this is not the tax rate the "rich" pay...but the lack of things in their home, cabinets, garages or belly.  If the recipient class in America were given food, health care, a home, a job, and a car...does anyone really think they would say the rich paid their fair share?  Or would this class of mooches just add more stuff to the list of things they "deserve"?  
      Where does this idea of social equality come from?  Is this just the next step of a country that has been so successful for so long...and complacency has taken over?  Is our fight against this lazy socializing of our country useless...and are we just destined to eventually fall into the Marxist statist existence until there is a call for revolution?  Is Romney going to stop or reverse the compromising of our rooted values of individualism and independence for social equality...or will he just compromise less and make this process slower and take longer?   I don't have any faith in our current politicians reversing anything...sure, they may vote to repeal Obamacare, and it may succeed...partially, but they will replace it with something else to appease the recipients who have already grown attached to free/subsidized health care.  I mean, we can't just take away what has already been given...look at every giveaway for the past 70 years...how many of them have been phased out?  No, we are just going to throw rose pedals on the road of shit we are trudging down...and hopefully enough of the people won't smell it until it's too late.  But, as cynical as I am, I would like to put a few quotes from some people...some I agree with, some I don't...but the theme is independence and individualism.  Enjoy:

“If you want to be a slave in life, then continue going around asking others to do for you. They will oblige, but you will find the price is your choices, your freedom, your life itself. They will do for you, and as a result you will be in bondage to them forever, having given your identity away for a paltry price. Then, and only then, you will be a nobody, a slave, because you yourself and nobody else made it so.”
― Terry Goodkind, The Pillars of Creation

I particularly like this one, it reminds me of when my father taught me about work and ownership vs borrowing and mooching.  It had to do with a 72 Mustang that still needed some work to get running, and I asked to borrow his car to go on a date.  I could borrow his car, on conditions that I filled it up, washed it, and did menial work around the house for my mom on the weekend...vs spending the afternoon with him fixing the mustang and then not having other people making the rules for me to live by.  I passed on the date, and the next day we got my car running and I have kept that lesson with me...be my own man, don't eat someone else's shit because they have something I want...go earn it myself.  The problem is, we let anyone have what they want without having to earn it...maybe welfare items should be tied to work somehow...what a concept.

“The foundation of individual rights is the assumption that people have wants and needs and are authorities on what those wants and needs are. If people's stated desires were just some kind of erasable inscription or reprogrammable brainwashing, any atrocity could be justified.”
― Steven Pinker, The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature

Wow...that speaks for itself.

“When you think of the long and gloomy history of man, you will find more hideous crimes have been committed in the name of obedience than have ever been committed in the name of rebellion.”
― C.P. Snow

  I dare anyone to refute that.  But that is the difference between fighting for freedom, and fighting to keep someone down. 

Fascism is capitalism in decay. Vladimir Lenin

Kinda looks that way.

I am going to fight capitalism even if it kills me. It is wrong that people like you should be comfortable and well fed while all around you people are starving. Sylvia Pankhurst

This one boils my blood.   It doesn't say whether the people starving are just waiting for food to fall from the sky...and what does their hunger have to do with the freedom and entrepreneur spirit that wakes up at 5AM to compete for business and success?  Capitalism isn't picky...it rewards any race, any gender and any individual with success if they work smart, hard, or a combination.  It doesn't reward stupid, or lazy. 

It has been true in Western societies and it seems to be true elsewhere that you do not find democratic systems apart from capitalism, or apart from a market economy, if you prefer that term. Peter L. Berger

Well, this is true simply because you lose your sense of democracy and democratic principles when you remove or limit market principles.  If the gov't forces farms to grow a certain good...it is most likely that the gov't isn't one that respects the rights of the individual.  duh.

Now a great debate has been born. The thesis is Democratic Socialism. The antithesis is free-market capitalism. The Obama Democrats have posed the challenge. It is now up to the Republicans to pick it up and fight along these lines. Dick Morris

What is sad is that Dick believes that Republicans are the counter to Democrats...and that is patently false.  I don't have enough room in cyberspace to list the republicans who have contributed to the demise of individualism and freedom in the United States.  Sure, Obama Democrats have done more to further and quicken the swan dive off the edge of our free world we have lived in...but make no mistake, the Republicans are not pulling in the opposite direction of the Democrats...they are just the fat kid at camp who is slower than the rest on the same path. 

The basic law of capitalism is you or I, not both you and I. Karl Liebknecht

  Well, Karl...you clearly do not understand the basics of capitalism.  If capitalism was "you or I"...then why did both Steve Jobs and Bill Gates succeed?  Shouldn't one of them failed?  What about Ford...shouldn't the others have failed if Henry got the assembly line going first?  Why do we have 100's of types of cereal for breakfast...shouldn't just one have been successful?  Why do we have so many types of High Def televisions?  The first should have won...and the rest should have failed by your logic.  No, Karl...what capitalism does is it allows people to improve and adapt...it doesn't throw failure out..it inspires others to be better.  But do you know what the opposite is...apathy.  When nobody is allowed to succeed, because the gov't is in control...then you get the same type of progress that every other country that has embraced socialism gets...but at least we'd all be equal...equally poor and miserable. 

Give me nothing, I will earn it.  Grant me nothing but the freedom to achieve, and I will excel...but limit me to what you allow...and you will foster nothing but bitterness and resentment that will foment into resolve and revolution.  My will is stronger than your tyranny.  Yes, I am frustrated, but I truly believe that I am not alone, and when we reach our point where our sympathies for the poor are outweighed by our resentment of our leader's hyperbole and hypocricy...then we have change...and hope for a resurgence of rugged individualism.

-Rev