Intellectuals feel they are the most valuable people, the ones with the highest merit, and that society should reward people in accordance with their value and merit. But a capitalist society does not satisfy the principle of distribution "to each according to his merit or value." Apart from the gifts, inheritances, and gambling winnings that occur in a free society, the market distributes to those who satisfy the perceived market-expressed demands of others, and how much it so distributes depends on how much is demanded and how great the alternative supply is. Unsuccessful businessmen and workers do not have the same animus against the capitalist system as do the wordsmith intellectuals. Only the sense of unrecognized superiority, of entitlement betrayed, produces that animus.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Why "Intellectuals" Are Not Conservatives - The Atlantic
One of a few explanations:
We Barely Had a Chance to Cringe
We haven't had a good sex scandal in a while. So (former) Rep Christopher Lee (R-NY) - one of those abundant Northeast Republicans - decided to fix that, by lookin' for some love on Craigslist.
It's barely worth commenting on the complete idiocy of a married father doing this...or the fact that Republicans desperately need to stay away from such scandals...or wondering why the lesson is so difficult to learn, that when someone embarks on such foolhardy behavior they will ALWAYS be discovered.
However-and this is NOT to be construed as a defense of the former Congressman-unlike the torturous press conferences Mark Sanford put us through, or the embarrassing tales that spilled out of Eric Massa's mouth every day for a week or two, this story broke around lunchtime yesterday. By dinner, he'd resigned. Either there's more to the story that he was trying to contain, or the House leadership put the hammer down (I hope it was the latter).
And today, barely a mention of the guy. Don't know if he was an effective Congressman, but he knew how to handle an embarrassing sex scandal. If he stays in Washington, he may have a future in consulting on such matters...
It's barely worth commenting on the complete idiocy of a married father doing this...or the fact that Republicans desperately need to stay away from such scandals...or wondering why the lesson is so difficult to learn, that when someone embarks on such foolhardy behavior they will ALWAYS be discovered.
However-and this is NOT to be construed as a defense of the former Congressman-unlike the torturous press conferences Mark Sanford put us through, or the embarrassing tales that spilled out of Eric Massa's mouth every day for a week or two, this story broke around lunchtime yesterday. By dinner, he'd resigned. Either there's more to the story that he was trying to contain, or the House leadership put the hammer down (I hope it was the latter).
And today, barely a mention of the guy. Don't know if he was an effective Congressman, but he knew how to handle an embarrassing sex scandal. If he stays in Washington, he may have a future in consulting on such matters...
Jon Kyl to Retire
The senior senator from Arizona announced today he'll retire at the end of term. Mildly surprising news from the number two guy in the GOP leadership, but Republicans should be able to hang on to the seat (until there's a movement to get Gabby Giffords to run-just wait). I'm hoping Rep Jeff Flake (below) runs. For no apparent reason.
Rumsfeld Criticized on the Right
Republican defense policy expert Kori Schake is out with a withering criticism of Don Rumsfeld's tenure as SECDEF. Clearly, she's not a fan....
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
The Old Dominion is in Play in 2012
High Speed Rail Haters
High speed rail lines have come in for special criticism by a loose confederation of libertarians, fiscal conservatives, and critics of the President. A side benefit to such criticism is the opportunity to lampoon the always compliant Joe Biden, Amtrak's most famous customer. Such criticism (of high speed rail, that is--criticism of Biden is always appropriate) seems misguided to me. Here's why.
1. Conservatives should all agree that there are few things the government ought to do. Among them however, must be a dedication to enhancing commerce. Investments in transportation infrastructure that move freight and people more efficiently across this great land fall squarely into the category of "things the federal government ought to be doing."
2. To the extent that certain high-speed rail lines have come under special criticism for the routes they take, I would point to the construction of the interstate highway system as an example of the "if you build it they will come" theory. Let's face it--if folks are going to complain about the cost of high speed rail, and then also complain about where it is put--then they've neatly stymied the entire conversation. OF COURSE we would all love bullet trains in the Northeast Corridor. But have you ridden the rails between DC and Connecticut lately? Going 60 mph on that infrastructure often seems unsafe, let alone 190mph. The expenses associated with high-speeding already densely populated areas make lines like the one in Florida and in Nevada seem cheap by comparison.
3. Let us not forget the national greatness side of this, shall we? What exactly did the average Joe get out of going to the Moon? Zilch, nada, nil, nul. He got a great sense of pride, but he didn't get a trip there. He didn't sit atop the rocket. But CW, what about all the great technology that was spun off from the space program? What about all the jobs that were created in high technology to support the space program.....see where I'm going with this? If you think that government has no ability and no role in "priming the pump", well then you will see no value in my thinking. But if you think the government has SOME role and SOME value in such things, but that such activities should almost always be associated with 1) national defense or 2) the promotion of commerce, maybe you'll come around to it.
1. Conservatives should all agree that there are few things the government ought to do. Among them however, must be a dedication to enhancing commerce. Investments in transportation infrastructure that move freight and people more efficiently across this great land fall squarely into the category of "things the federal government ought to be doing."
2. To the extent that certain high-speed rail lines have come under special criticism for the routes they take, I would point to the construction of the interstate highway system as an example of the "if you build it they will come" theory. Let's face it--if folks are going to complain about the cost of high speed rail, and then also complain about where it is put--then they've neatly stymied the entire conversation. OF COURSE we would all love bullet trains in the Northeast Corridor. But have you ridden the rails between DC and Connecticut lately? Going 60 mph on that infrastructure often seems unsafe, let alone 190mph. The expenses associated with high-speeding already densely populated areas make lines like the one in Florida and in Nevada seem cheap by comparison.
3. Let us not forget the national greatness side of this, shall we? What exactly did the average Joe get out of going to the Moon? Zilch, nada, nil, nul. He got a great sense of pride, but he didn't get a trip there. He didn't sit atop the rocket. But CW, what about all the great technology that was spun off from the space program? What about all the jobs that were created in high technology to support the space program.....see where I'm going with this? If you think that government has no ability and no role in "priming the pump", well then you will see no value in my thinking. But if you think the government has SOME role and SOME value in such things, but that such activities should almost always be associated with 1) national defense or 2) the promotion of commerce, maybe you'll come around to it.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
A New Spring Porkpie
That's right folks, Spring's just around the corner. And what fashionable blogger would be without this dandy hat?
What's in a Name?
The city of Fort Wayne, Indiana has a new government center, and they're conducting an online poll of its residents to come up with the best name. The runaway winner so far is the longest serving mayor of the city, a gentleman who served three terms as mayor and was first elected in 1934. He died in office in 1954.
The present deputy mayor, however, is not likely to honor the poll. I think I know why.
His name was Harry Baalz.
The present deputy mayor, however, is not likely to honor the poll. I think I know why.
His name was Harry Baalz.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Do people think this is the student council?
There's no shortage of total losers on the list of prospective GOP candidates for 2012. But here's a new one: Sharron Angle, whose PAC is reportedly is opening up offices in New Hampshire, Iowa and Florida, and who hasn't ruled out a run.
What is wrong with these people? What makes them think they can successfully run for President?
On the Decline of Man Space
Here's an interesting look at the elements in life that used to be exclusively male, which have declined over time. I am in complete agreement as to the importance of man space. I resent the intrusion of the modern world upon that which is by Grand Design, mine. I rage against the dying light of manliness, the impulse to take rather than to be given; to claim, rather than to seek. A mancave is my destiny, my right, my solemn claim to that which I share with all great men of the past.
Oh, and thank you Kitten for providing me with all of that.
HT: Instapundit
 |
| TR's ManCave |
Oh, and thank you Kitten for providing me with all of that.
HT: Instapundit
Shup Up and Pay Your Taxes, Al
HT: Instapundit
The Star Mangled Banner
I know I'm a curmudgeonly old fogey but I really don't care for people making our National Anthem "their own" as contestants on American Idol might do to show their musical versatility. I can't stand what my mother refers to as "searching for the note" that so many women singers do today where they run up and down the scale as if trying to get the right note in there somewhere. So when Christina Aguilera started right off the bat searching and searching and searching for notes, I was already turned off...but when I heard the "what so proudly we WATCHED," I was no longer proudly watching.
Yes, it's a challenging song to sing well. Yes, people sing it less and less these days. Yes, singing front and center at a televised Super Bowl adds a level of tension that would defeat lesser performers. But Christina Aguilera is a highly-paid, and highly-skilled professional. Maybe, just maybe if she had been searching less for the notes, she might have not misplaced the lyrics.
Yes, it's a challenging song to sing well. Yes, people sing it less and less these days. Yes, singing front and center at a televised Super Bowl adds a level of tension that would defeat lesser performers. But Christina Aguilera is a highly-paid, and highly-skilled professional. Maybe, just maybe if she had been searching less for the notes, she might have not misplaced the lyrics.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Agenda for Monday's Conservative Wahoo Live! Internet Radio Program
That's right folks, we've moved to Monday nights! Listen in at The Conservative Wahoo Live!, Monday from 8-9 PM.
Here's what we'll cover:
Here's what we'll cover:
· Events in Egypt
· Obamacare Battle Heating Up
· Reagan Retrospective
· Is Obama Anti-Business?
· Super Bowl Recap
Super Bowl Sunday With The Kittens
Well, it is Super Bowl Sunday, and I'm two hours away from beginning preparations for the Fourth Annual Super Bowl Picnic with The Kittens. Seems that before I showed up on the scene here, there wasn't much in the way of football watching going on. Back in Super Bowl 2008, the older of the Kittens informed me that the Super Bowl was coming up, and that she wanted to watch it because she heard "there were funny commercials". Seizing the opportunity, I proposed that she and her younger sister and I have a "Super Bowl Party", while we watched the game. The Kittens thought this a capital idea.
Well, soon after that first Super Bowl started, the Kittens realized they weren't terribly into football, and that many of the commercials simply sailed over their heads. Fearing disaster, I called an audible...The Puppy Bowl.
Seems that while the Super Bowl is on (and today, from 3PM until midnight), Animal Planet broadcasts this fantastic bit of TV in which squads of puppies take to a mockup football field and romp and play with each other. The Kittens can watch this FOR HOURS, and I could probably too. Riveting stuff with very cute puppies.
So, now we've woven The Puppy Bowl formally into the day--we watch some game, some commercials, and some puppy bowl, all while eating my famous nachos (famous here, at least), chicken wings, shrimp, bacon-wrapped scallops, crab balls and veggies.
Slowly, but surely, the Kittens are becoming football fans.
Green Bay over Pittsburgh 17-9
Well, soon after that first Super Bowl started, the Kittens realized they weren't terribly into football, and that many of the commercials simply sailed over their heads. Fearing disaster, I called an audible...The Puppy Bowl.
Seems that while the Super Bowl is on (and today, from 3PM until midnight), Animal Planet broadcasts this fantastic bit of TV in which squads of puppies take to a mockup football field and romp and play with each other. The Kittens can watch this FOR HOURS, and I could probably too. Riveting stuff with very cute puppies.
So, now we've woven The Puppy Bowl formally into the day--we watch some game, some commercials, and some puppy bowl, all while eating my famous nachos (famous here, at least), chicken wings, shrimp, bacon-wrapped scallops, crab balls and veggies.
Slowly, but surely, the Kittens are becoming football fans.
Green Bay over Pittsburgh 17-9
Friday, February 4, 2011
We're just too darn noble to take your money
The dirtiest word to a Democrat is 'corporation,' and in case anyone doubted it, they've announced they will accept no corporate donations for their 2012 Charlotte convention that Hammer is looking forward to attending. Nor will they accept money from PACs or lobbyists. Additionally, individual contributions may not exceed $100,000. However, they feel they'll have no problem raising the necessary $36 million.
This may possibly be noble, if it wasn't totally bogus. Does anyone really believe that corporate money is not sneaking in? How about George Soros' donations, think they will be exceeding $100,000?
Or is it possible this will be the first convention funded by Doodad Pro and Good Will?
This may possibly be noble, if it wasn't totally bogus. Does anyone really believe that corporate money is not sneaking in? How about George Soros' donations, think they will be exceeding $100,000?
Or is it possible this will be the first convention funded by Doodad Pro and Good Will?
Thursday, February 3, 2011
New Day for Radio Show
Ok, we'll start the radio show on Monday nights starting this Monday Feb 7. We'll take off on the 14th so that we can spend the time with our sweethearts, then back on the 21st.
I hope you'll all continue to join in.
I hope you'll all continue to join in.
Journalists Arrested in Egypt
The Washington Post breathlessly informs us that journalists have been arrested in Egypt. No word yet from the American Bar Association if lawyers have been arrested, the American Medical Association if doctors have been arrested, or the US Post Office if letter-carriers have been arrested.
On Healthcare and the Courts
And so we find ourselves in the year after its passage, deadlocked at 2 decisions apiece for either side of the question of whether Obamacare is Constitutional. The first two decisions favored the Administration, the second two favored the forces arrayed against it. We're moving toward a Supreme Court case of epic proportion here, certainly one of the biggest of my lifetime, and surely as big as those FDR faced while he sought to expand the role of government. I can't wait.
I've read bits of the reasoning from all four cases, and I must say, there are coherent and interesting arguments on both sides. Ultimately though, I do think the Supremes will find the individual mandate to be contrary to the Commerce Clause.
I have frequently cited my support for an individual mandate here in the blog--but I want to remind readers that it was ALWAYS conditional--that is, as long as the country was going to impose the coverage of pre-existing conditions on the insurance industry--along with approaching universal coverage--the only way to affordable do so was to deepen the risk pool--a.k.a--the Individual Mandate.
Without the mandate, forced pre-existing condition coverage will go away--and I'm ok with that. Ultimately, our society DOES want folks with pre-existing conditions to have medical care, and so such matters should be treated as entitlements carved out of general revenue--rather than upending the entire system to get at it.
I have frequently cited my support for an individual mandate here in the blog--but I want to remind readers that it was ALWAYS conditional--that is, as long as the country was going to impose the coverage of pre-existing conditions on the insurance industry--along with approaching universal coverage--the only way to affordable do so was to deepen the risk pool--a.k.a--the Individual Mandate.
Without the mandate, forced pre-existing condition coverage will go away--and I'm ok with that. Ultimately, our society DOES want folks with pre-existing conditions to have medical care, and so such matters should be treated as entitlements carved out of general revenue--rather than upending the entire system to get at it.
Rummy's Revenge
Former Secretary of Defense (twice), White House Chief of Staff and Congressman Donald Rumsfeld's memoir will hit the streets in under a week. It is a read I will not miss.
I've always said Don Rumsfeld was a fantastic Secretary of Defense, but a bad Minister of War. We'll see whether he mounts a defense of himself in this work.
Famous for his "Snowflakes", memos that asked incredibly inconvenient questions of the defense establishment, Rumsfeld has always been one of my favorites. I LOVED reading snowflakes, even the ones that made me want to take my eyelids and pull them over the back of my head--because I had to come up with some small part of a larger answer. He made that bureaucracy DANCE....he made people justify their programs, he made them add value.
His relationship with Colin Powell will be one of the things I am most interested in. Two HUGE power-brokers, made men of the highest order. Great stuff.
I've always said Don Rumsfeld was a fantastic Secretary of Defense, but a bad Minister of War. We'll see whether he mounts a defense of himself in this work.
Famous for his "Snowflakes", memos that asked incredibly inconvenient questions of the defense establishment, Rumsfeld has always been one of my favorites. I LOVED reading snowflakes, even the ones that made me want to take my eyelids and pull them over the back of my head--because I had to come up with some small part of a larger answer. He made that bureaucracy DANCE....he made people justify their programs, he made them add value.
His relationship with Colin Powell will be one of the things I am most interested in. Two HUGE power-brokers, made men of the highest order. Great stuff.
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