Cliven Bundy & The Rule of Law

The Cliven Bundy saga reminds me of the Trayvon Martin case: it is a very squishy example of a very real problem. Because the facts of these cases could be interpreted either way, they divide the rank and file rather than uniting us against the real enemy from above. In light of this, rather than the nuanced Bundy case, it would have been nicer to see the government forced to back down on a cut-and-dried asset forfeiture in which property was permanently confiscated from someone never convicted of a crime (like Rudy Ramirez), or an eminent domain case in which the government seized private property for the benefit of a private developer (like in the case of Vera Coking).

Sometimes I think that political operators deliberately choose cases that aren’t clear-cut because rather than despite the fact that they will generate grassroots activism on both sides of the aisle. In order for this to work, the case must have merit and flaws on both sides of the argument.

Read more

On Tomorrow's Show…

Both the events at the Bundy Ranch in Nevada and in Eastern Ukraine demonstrate how anti-government action begins and how it might unfold…let’s talk about the causes and prospects in both situations and I’ll tell you my gut on the geopolitical significance of what Putin’s up to…3-6PM ET on News 95-5 and AM750 WSB.   … Read more

On Tomorrow’s Show…

Both the events at the Bundy Ranch in Nevada and in Eastern Ukraine demonstrate how anti-government action begins and how it might unfold…let’s talk about the causes and prospects in both situations and I’ll tell you my gut on the geopolitical significance of what Putin’s up to…3-6PM ET on News 95-5 and AM750 WSB.   … Read more

The Rise of "The Dissipant"

As a libertarian, I don’t advocate for social legislation and I think doing so undermines limited government. That doesn’t mean I don’t actually have social values. The beauty of liberty, however, is that it creates social good without social legislation. Liberty comes with responsibility. In a free society, liberty and responsibility go hand in hand because there are no moral hazards created by illusory safety nets or the artificial disconnection between actions and natural consequences. In a free system, experiencing the consequences of one’s actions gives rise to a stable, just and productive society with human relationships and mutually beneficial bonds at its heart.
I think it is reasonable to claim that the history of the United States through the mid-20th century demonstrates this principle. I don’t think the culture here was perfect then – I certainly would have been miserable with the economic and social limitations my mother experienced – but I would say in net we have traded a strong and virtuous culture for a less rigid but also less valuable one. Specifically, we seem to be losing the legacy of our industrious past and are losing sight of the connection between behavior and outcome.

Read more

The Rise of “The Dissipant”

As a libertarian, I don’t advocate for social legislation and I think doing so undermines limited government. That doesn’t mean I don’t actually have social values. The beauty of liberty, however, is that it creates social good without social legislation. Liberty comes with responsibility. In a free society, liberty and responsibility go hand in hand because there are no moral hazards created by illusory safety nets or the artificial disconnection between actions and natural consequences. In a free system, experiencing the consequences of one’s actions gives rise to a stable, just and productive society with human relationships and mutually beneficial bonds at its heart.

I think it is reasonable to claim that the history of the United States through the mid-20th century demonstrates this principle. I don’t think the culture here was perfect then – I certainly would have been miserable with the economic and social limitations my mother experienced – but I would say in net we have traded a strong and virtuous culture for a less rigid but also less valuable one. Specifically, we seem to be losing the legacy of our industrious past and are losing sight of the connection between behavior and outcome.

Read more

Sorry No Show Today

It is my sad duty to report that the great Captain Herb died of a heart attack today helping victims of an automobile accident. WSB will be running a memorial for Captain Herb today and I will not be on. This is a terrible loss for Captain Herb’s family and for the WSB family. My … Read more

Today's Show Starts at 7PM ET on News 95-5 and AM 750 WSB

I’ll give you the latest on the Nevada rancher, Cliven Bundy, and his standoff with the feds…here’s a hint…it’s a victory for the resistance! Also give you a big picture approach to where all your tax money is going (tax day is just 3 days away!) Tune in to 95.5fm, 750am, iheartradio, www.wsbradio.com all at … Read more

There Is Something Wrong

There is something wrong and we all know it.

What do I think it is? I think it is that power is concentrated in the hands of those with different goals from the people from whom that power derives. I call the top of the pyramid “the power elite” and the source of the power “the sovereign citizen,” but whatever you call it, you have probably noticed the disconnect between our agents, the government we pay for and which acts in our name, and our wishes – better reflected in campaign promises than legislation.

But what can we do? I always answer this question in the same way: Start by not talking yourself out of the truth.

During the last presidential primary season, I advocated for Ron Paul. I didn’t stump for him – I’m an anarcho-capitalist and have no hope for coercive monopoly government no matter who holds the top title – but I do respect Ron Paul and supported him. In response to my suggestion that people actually vote for him, I got two arguments:

Read more