Is Secession Going Mainstream

Secession has been a hot topic as of late. Ron Paul's secession talk generated the most discussion among the mainstream media. On Fox News radio, host Alan Colmes asked Paul about his comments on secession. Paul reaffirmed his position by saying, "secession is generating interest as a reflection of the failure of the state." I found the Sunday, September 28, 2014 talk by Paul to be the most important secession speech by a leading politician since the Declaration of Independence. I believe my favorite portion of Paul's talk was the following, "Americans who embrace secession are acting in a grand American tradition. The Declaration of Independence was written to justify secession from Britain. Supporters of liberty should cheer the growth in support for secession, as it is the ultimate rejection of centralized government and the ideologies of Keynesianism, welfarism, and militarism."

Scotland of course received the majority of the press attention recently. While the supporters of Union were victorious this time around, think about the precedent this sets. Almost 9 out of 10 Scots voted, a percentage unheard of in modern democracies. Catalonia is a region in northeastern Spain that would like to vote on a referendum to leave Spain and form an independent nation. I entered "secession" in a Google search and I found ABC news reporting "Catalans Seek Legal Case For Secession Vote." Next I found Fox Business News reporting, "Catalonia says plan still on, to hold secession vote, hopes court will lift suspension." In the United States California, Texas and Kansas have garnered the occasional news article, but did you know all 50 states have offered petitions to the central government to leave the union? Is it legal? Not if you ask the U.S. Supreme Court, Congress, or the President. But then when our founders sent the Declaration of Independence to the King, he said the same thing!

Duck Dynasty Highlights Lack of Free Speech

Artist and entertainers have been some of the biggest supporters of free speech. With Duck Dynasty, and the Gay comments from Phil, A&E has publicly announced that they are no better than the conservatives who will not allow points of view not traditionally seen as popular. Who cares if you agree with what Phil says. Last I checked he has the right to say what he thinks, without being harassed or fired, just as the gays and lesbians do. Quit picking and choosing what speech you allow. Or soon we will treat you as you treat others and stop listening to your network because we disagree with something you say. Let people say what they want without being afraid of the repercussions. Citizens who are afraid to speak, have already lost their freedom of speech. I would think Artists and Entertainers would be the last to punish someone for self expression that is not approved of by those in control. Popular speech doesn't need protection, it is unpopular speech that we as Artists must protect and stand for.

How Much Do They Make?

Read Forbes estimates of earnings for some of the great talkers of our time today. The ones who make you feel as though they are just like you. They are speaking for the "little man" or should I say "poor average man." Glenn Beck, the super conservative who has moved to Texas, so he doesn't have to pay state income tax, earned an estimated $90 million dollars in the last 12 months. The old standard of conservative talk, Rush Limbaugh, who moved to Florida to avoid paying a state income tax made an estimated $66 million dollars in the last 12 months. Fox News big conservative talker Hannity made an estimated $30 million in just 12 months. Even liberal funny man Jon Stewart did well. His estimated income for the last 12 months was $16 million dollars.

Conservative philosopher John Locke's Second Treatise, ended with the following conclusion.

"Right and conveniency went together; for as a man had a right to all he could employ his labour upon, so he had no temptation to labour for more than he could make use of. This left no room for controversy about the title, nor for encroachment on the right of others; what portion a man carved to himself, was easily seen; and it was useless, as well as dishonest, to carve himself too much, or take more than he needed."

For perspective, if you had $1,000,000 you could spend $40,000 each year for the next 25 years and not run out of money. If you invested the million at only 3 or 4 percent return you could comfortably live out the entire lifetime of the average American. Is $90 million in 12 months, the portion Glenn Beck, carved to himself, or Limbaugh's $66 million, or Hannity's $30 million, or Stewart's $16 million too much? If so, I agree with Locke, "it was useless, as well as dishonest, to carve himself too much, or take more than he needed."

I'm not saying they should redistribute their wealth through forced taxation. However they have more than they could ever make use of. They should choose their own way to share the wealth. With so many in America doing without, what goodness is served by the wealthy thriving among paupers?

What are Bitcoins, Why Buy Them, and Where Do I Get Some?

A Better America suggest some changes to our economic system. Many very talented young people are creating new and better ways of managing the exchange of goods and services. One area that is new to most Americans is "crypto currency" and the most well known of these is called Bitcoin.

Bitcoins are the absolute best new way to exchange goods and services in the world today. They are computer based, and can be used to buy and sell products and services, just like Dollars or Euros. If you have a smart phone, iPad or computer you can use Bitcoins to purchase or sell anything.

There are some big advantages to using Bitcoins. One is the high likely-hood that they will increase in value over time, as contrasted with the US Dollar. For example if you bought one Bitcoin for one dollar three years ago, now that same Bitcoin is worth $125 dollars.

Bitcoins can be used in any country in the world without needing to worry about exchange. Wether you are spending a week in Brazil or London you can use the exact same Bitcoins. Berlin, Germany has become the “home” of Bitcoin in Europe, with Spain and Greece not far behind. In Asia, Japan leads the way with Mt. Gox as the largest exchange in the world.

Finally, never worry about keeping receipts or records of your transactions. Officially Bitcoins are not considered money. So you can move your Bitcoins privately without concern for various government rules, bank fees, or credit card charges.

When asked, how to buy Bitcoins, I recommend the following website:

  https://localbitcoins.com/

On this site, you will see a list of people in your area that buy and sell Bitcoins. Typically this is the best way to go for a beginner. Meetup groups are also found in most larger population centers.

http://www.meetup.com

This will give you a chance to meet people and ask questions. Most people involved with Bitcoin are well educated and quite helpful to new people. They will also show you how to exchange products or services using Bitcoins.

Will the financial winners, with the government acting as their enforcer, give you trouble if you use Bitcoin? Maybe. Even though Bitcoin is a better, more sound system of exchange for the modern world, the winners with dollars will not want to take a chance on acquiring their wealth again with a new medium of exchange.

Cut Foreign Aide and Increase American Citizens Aide

Give Americans the Foreign Aide
By Lee Davis
Many Americans would agree that its time to begin cutting the foreign aide budget. More politicians are beginning to listen to the proposals to reduce foreign aide but not enough. My plan is to increase the incentive for politicians to follow through and actually make some changes for the better to our nation. I propose adding one of Ayn Rand's favorite methods, Greed.

The following creative plan is found in the book, A Better America. The chart shows the yearly foreign aide distributed from the United States taxpayer to citizens of other countries. Yes, every year! our government redistributes all this money, confiscated from you through taxation, and gives it to the citizens of other countries.

There are around 200 countries in the world as of 2012. How about we stop giving our money to about 10% of the world to start. We can get to the other 90% eventually, but let's try this plan for a start.

Take the foreign aide from these 18 countries, and award it to outstanding United States citizens. Each state would have its citizens suggest the best way to award this new U.S. aide to deserving American citizens. Each year 59,280 citizens, or 162 people every day of the year, would be awarded with a payment of $500,000 (half a million dollars). Money is a great motivator. If enough of our citizens understood that we could (redistribute) the tax money, which is already being taken, and award $500,000 to 162 citizens each and every day of the year, I believe there would be a national outcry to change the distribution of our tax money from foreign citizens to US citizens. Call it "American Aide" and give it to deserving citizens of our country. Even if we distributed these funds through a national lottery can you imagine the impact of a nightly announcement of the 162 lucky citizens who have been awarded half a million dollars. Drawings could be done by social security number. No entry fee required, just proof of US citizenship and a social security number. The boost to our economy of 162 new half millionaires 365 days a year would be amazing. I know it's a different idea, but it's time for some creative ideas to save our Republic before its to late.

Data from U.S. Census Bureau, The 2012 Statistical Abstract, The National Data Book, Foreign Aid 1299

Country that foreign aide is withheld from for awards to American Citizens	Amount of foreign aide withheld for awards to American Citizens	Number of new Americans awarded $500,000
Afghanistan	$8,892,000,000	17,748
Armenia	$215,000,000	430
Botswana	$211,000,000	422
Columbia	$888,000,000	1776
Egypt	$1,492,000,000	2984
Iraq	$7,506,000,000	15012
Israel	$2,452,000,000	4904
Russia	$1,216,000,000	2432
Sudan	$1,416,000,000	2832
Tanzania	$1,056,000,000	2112
Uganda	$456,000,000	912
Gaza	$575,000,000	1150
South Africa	$568,000,000	1136
Pakistan	$963,000,000	1926
Mozambique	$799,000,000	1598
Morocco	$525,000,000	1050
Mongolia	$325,000,000	650
China	$103,000,000	206
Totals	$29,658,000,000	59,280

Help Us Create A Better America

Are you the type that sits around complaining about the government, taxes, crime or a litany of other things? I was, so I decided to do something about it! I wrote the book, A Better America, and I created this blog, with the hope that like minded Americans would read and contribute their wisdom. If you have an idea that you honestly believe would make America a better place, please share it here. We are the best and brightest generation, easily capable of improving America. Don't wait for others to act! It is our duty to future generations to make America the best it can be. Help us create, A Better America.