"it's communiqué, everyone, we can all go home." That's my favorite part. Hilarious.

TypePad HTML Email Ooooooooooh. Youre right... I am silly, but Im trying to learn the ways of the political mind.

Great article, Eric. Thanks.

Great series of posts. Perfect for the think tank. I look forward to the next installment.

"- Taxes are collected to keep inflation in check and to ensure the state monopoly on currency. When you understand at least these two basic points, you then begin to understand why the Federal Reserve and the income tax were both created in the same year, 1913. The two must work side by side to balance the economy" It seems that this patawan was correct when he wrote: ["The federal government has an unlimited amount of money at its disposal." Technically, yes. Practically, no. Unless it has an infinite number of vehicles in which to absorb it so that it never causes hyperinflation.] Unlimited, or infinite, amounts of money lent into existence would require unlimited, or infinite, vehicles designed to absorb it back in or there would be a very finite end to the economical system we now enjoy as we spiraled into hyperinflationary chaos. The student has become the master.

I watched this video somewhere in the past. I remember the fast talking lawyer, heh. And I remember being really concerned about my well being if an officer or officers ever came to question me about anything. I doubt that I would utter anything but, "I will not answer without a lawyer present."

Son of a .... I never Tricky dick was a Quaker! Certainly, he wasn't a practicing one. Well, then, maybe we need a Shaker. They made good furniture and used to be the premier plant seed distributors, maybe they would make good politicians if there are any left.

"Some would say it never existed." Out history certainly shows that to be the case. Most anti-war rhetoric from democrats or republicans is a disagreement on procedure rather than a condemnation of war in general. We need to elect some Quakers into office.

Chuckle... best go easy on the drink, T.H. It sure would be nice if the Mosler website was working. My browser keeps giving me a timed-out message.

"To Be A Servant To Our President" Is there any difference between that and saying "To Be A Subject To Our King"

Who knows whether or not we've reached that point? If so, it means we move forward with any attempt to peaceably stop what is happening with little or no success. Time will tell. If it is truly beyond the point of repair, then there is nothing left to do but to watch the whole thing crumble someday from its own weight; sort of like the USSR. That is, if we live long enough. If we haven't moved beyond that point then we should start to see some success moving forward. I sincerely hope we see some success.

"The federal government has an unlimited amount of money at its disposal." Technically, yes. Practically, no. Unless it has an infinite number of vehicles in which to absorb it so that it never causes hyperinflation. I need to read the links you provided but it is all very fascinating. Thanks for the great post.

That's just plain creepy. Sadly, many with whom I have conversed over the past few years aren't even aware of what posse comitatus even is, nor do they care much. I guess they figure Americans would never attack their own. Where the hell the historical precedent is for that? I have no idea.

"managed a pathetic 59%" That's better than me! I don't even want to know how I would do with the maps for the other areas around the globe. I've never tried the South America quiz. Maybe I'll give that one a go.

Yeah, if you get one of the midwest states that doesn't have a river or coastal reference point, it's darn near impossible to plunk it down in the right spot. But you can see why the kids like it so much. It's nice that they have easier ones too. That helped me to learn my capitols last year. I never knew my capitols. My brother always did. In fact, he knows the capitol of every country in the world as well, the show-off.

"they found a million bureaucratic excuses" Hmph! Must have been an off day for the bureaucrats. I have to chuckle at the "concern" about emissions, smoke, contaminates, etc. Yet the mayor is in his eighties and doing fine, except for his property value being low but he was just ahead of the rest of the country by a few decades. At least his house is paid off. Maybe all of that stuff is prolonging his life? What they have there is a perfect make-shift work project to busy the unemployed. And why hasn't someone harnessed the heat from that thing? There must be a way.

Wow, a little sanity can be seen through the fog. Initially, three things come to mind. First, how great if all of the states would do this and hopefully put an end to the incredibly horrid tradition of ordering their legions to cite, ticket, and generally plunder their states' citizens to make up for lost revenue. Second, if the states all do the same, they would immediately free up a great number of people into the economy which would, at first, lead to some discomfort but would ultimately result in a more robust economy as people went back to work in the private sector. Lastly, this could only work if the federal government does the same and stops leaning on its printing press. With a reduction of services at the state level, I can't imagine that the central politicians would resist picking up the slack. They would jump on the opportunity to debilitate the states even further while spending money to buy even more votes.

Nebraskan Sandhills, Nebraskan drivers ... one of these days I'm really going to have to get out that way and check it out.

"Why is Rhode Island a state?" They must have been the most outspoken for a senate body when forming our government. ;) I just gave the link to Georg to try an easier click-on-the-country map instead of of a drag-the-country kind, quizzing him on his European geography prowess. Give it a try and note the tiny countries which might even be smaller than Rhode Island: http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Europe/Eur_G0_1280_1024.html

Not bad, Georg. Did you try to do one of the maps for Europe? http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Europe/Eur_G0_1280_1024.html

That's a good analogy, but, whenever you try to slow the car down, someone spots a bear or an tank coming down the road behind you - prompting you to speed up. Or you spot a billboard that reads, "Utopia Just Ahead." So you keep driving just a little farther to see what it looks like. It's as if the car can not slow down due to either irrational fears or irrational hopes. The only time the car seems likely to stop is when the engine finally goes. That would be a circumstance we would all wish to avoid if possible. We've got to figure out how to apply the brakes. Can the constitution still muster itself?

Could it be that we are seeing the old guard (sort of brought along and educated by an oligarchy of centrist conservatives) being replaced by the new guard (individuals with an internet-supplied autodidactic understanding of natural rights as it relates to politics at home, abroad, and in the economy)? I think it could be so and I think that the new guard is comprised of people of all demographics. If so, the new republican group from the upcoming midterm elections may not all be libertarian leaning, but they may be led by those C4l/RLC type candidates who get into office. Then, we watch them like hawks like Laura suggests. The question remains whether there is enough robustness within this movement to enable an actual reduction in government rather than just a slowing of its growth.

One of their more gruesome skits. Art imitating life?

"usually the films that are done end up on YouTube in a compromising position." Gosh, you mean sound bytes can be used against politicians?!? Say it ain't so! Well, if we do get midterm elections, hopefully this kind of crap will result in some small-government types getting elected. I only hope there are a few honest men left and districts willing to vote them in.

Stossel is the Will Rogers of our time.