On the BorderLine » Government http://www.ontheborderline.net Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito. Defending the constitution from government intrusion where ever it may be lurking. Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:10:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Hillary Spews Her Sophistry (again) http://www.ontheborderline.net/hillary-spews-sophistry/ http://www.ontheborderline.net/hillary-spews-sophistry/#comments Fri, 28 May 2010 15:01:23 +0000 donttreadonme http://www.ontheborderline.net/?p=6748
Hillary Spews Her Sophistry (again)

Sophistry: a plausible (to an ignoramus) but erroneous (seriously, in this case) argument.

Thunder thighs said this recently:

The rich are not paying their fair share in any nation that is facing the kind of employment issues that confront the United States and other nations, whether it is individual, corporate, whatever the taxation forms are.

Then she offered up an example. Brazil has the highest tax-to-G.D.P. rate in the Western hemisphere. And guess what? Its growing like crazy. The rich are getting richer, but they are pulling people out of poverty. There is a certain formula there that used to work for us until we abandoned it to our regret, in my opinion. My view is that you have to get many countries to increase their public revenues.

Someone needs to inform this ignorant nitwit that real economic growth-real wealth creation-is not and cannot be created merely by increasing the level of confiscatory taxation on whomever you deem as “rich.” The only thing that grows under that misguided paradigm is government and those beholding to more and higher degrees of redistribution.

If what Mrs Clinton is actually referring to is more government employment, well then let’s run the table and define the “rich” as anyone who earns more than $99,999, and tax them at 100% of their earnings over this imaginary point of total sufficiency.. Let’s just see what happens, shall we?

In reality, increased levels of confiscatory taxation impel the propensity for government employment, and government entitlements, to grow, and for more and more far reaching control over the lives of individuals and businesses. But such is only a short run effect, in the long run you actually end up not with Brazil, or with sustainable full employment, but rather Greece! That’s the real axiom, madame. That is the actual lesson of history. Ignore it at your (and sadly, our) peril.

As for Brazil.. please. Here are the actual tax rates for Brazil: http://www.worldwide-tax.com/brazil/brazil_taxe…

Something tells me this is not what Mrs Clinton is advocating for here (essentially, Reaganomics). She is merely commenting on the Brazilian effects of essentially implementing laffer-curve taxation, but this is nothing to crow about nor can it be the cause of whatever real wealth creation is taking place in Brazil. The mere fact that their “tax to GDP” is relatively high is a non-sequitur.

Hillary would never admit this, but the fact of the matter is that lowered marginal tax rates (please note that dividend income is not taxed in Brazil) coupled with taxing low income people (which she would never advocate for here in the U.S.), has resulted in significant inflows of earned income to the state. While a greedy statist might see this as virtuous, anyone with an iota of respect for individual rights sees this as an abomination. It was an abomination when Reagan and the Bush’s promoted it, it is an abomination in Brazil as well.

The real question is what would have been the case in Brazil WITHOUT, for example, marginal rate surtaxes on corporations or lowered taxation international investments and investors?

To argue that the tax revenues which have flowed into the statist realm of Brazil are due to confiscatory taxing of the “rich” is simply sophistry. Don’t be suckered into this one..


Hillary Spews Her Sophistry (again)

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]]> http://www.ontheborderline.net/hillary-spews-sophistry/feed/ 0 Government and Your Security http://www.ontheborderline.net/government-and-your-security/ http://www.ontheborderline.net/government-and-your-security/#comments Wed, 05 May 2010 09:37:38 +0000 Citizen Joe http://www.ontheborderline.net/?p=6738
Government and Your Security


Government and Your Security

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]]> http://www.ontheborderline.net/government-and-your-security/feed/ 2 St. Croix County Supervisor Elections http://www.ontheborderline.net/st-croix-county-supervisor-elections/ http://www.ontheborderline.net/st-croix-county-supervisor-elections/#comments Tue, 30 Mar 2010 23:06:33 +0000 Jack Bauer http://www.ontheborderline.net/?p=6707
St. Croix County Supervisor Elections

Looks as if the incumbents have something to fear.

They voted to allow the Green Police to enter citizens homes on what? Suspicions? The word of a neighbor expert? Someone who doesn’t agree with them politically? Next, they will want citizens to have papers to travel from city to city. Folks, this is a slippery slope and we have to stop this. This was narrowly defeated.

Vote for CHANGE!

Incumbent Gene Ruetz voted for it. Stan Kruger the challenger is the one you should vote for.

Incumbent Dave Otsness voted for it. Lorin Sather the challenger is the one you should vote for.

Incumbent Sharon Norton-Bauman voted for it. Chris Kilber the challenger is the one you should vote for.

Incumbent Roger Rehebholz voted for it. Peter Post the challenger is the one you should vote for.

Incumbent Daryl Stanafer voted for it. Curt Weese the challenger is the one you should vote for.

Incumbent Buck Malick voted for it. Mark Pribonic the challenger is the one you should vote for.

Incumbent Ken Kolbe voted for it. Robert Shearer the challenger is the one you should vote for.


St. Croix County Supervisor Elections

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]]> http://www.ontheborderline.net/st-croix-county-supervisor-elections/feed/ 0 Dingell Says ObamaCare Will Eventually ‘Control the People’ http://www.ontheborderline.net/dingell-says-obamacare-will-eventually-control-the-people/ http://www.ontheborderline.net/dingell-says-obamacare-will-eventually-control-the-people/#comments Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:40:48 +0000 Citizen Jane http://www.ontheborderline.net/?p=6699
Dingell Says ObamaCare Will Eventually Control the People


Dingell Says ObamaCare Will Eventually Control the People

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]]> http://www.ontheborderline.net/dingell-says-obamacare-will-eventually-control-the-people/feed/ 0 Remember This Night.. http://www.ontheborderline.net/remember-night/ http://www.ontheborderline.net/remember-night/#comments Sun, 21 Mar 2010 02:45:48 +0000 Flashy http://www.ontheborderline.net/?p=6693
Remember This Night..

For it is the eve of what may very well be the 2nd American Revoloution..

If the democrats pass this incredibly irrational piece of shit know as the health care bill, it should be the lighting of the proverbial fuse that results in an amazing sequence of events. There are turning points and hinges in history, this is without a doubt a profound one.

I for one plan on losing some people that heretofore I considered “friends.” I will be asking people who they voted for, and if they supported this nightmare. If they answer Obama and/or Yes. That’s it, its FUCK YOU ASSHOLE and Good bye. I am getting a very strong sense of what it must have felt like to live in the south just prior to the start of the war for southern independence..

Folks, this is the time when all honest men and women need to stand up and start judging. Forget all that bullshit about thou shalt not judge! If you don’t judge your neighbors and your elected representatives on this, then shame on you! You will be part of the sinking of this formerly great county damn it!


Remember This Night..

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]]> http://www.ontheborderline.net/remember-night/feed/ 0 Senatar McCain http://www.ontheborderline.net/senatar-mccain/ http://www.ontheborderline.net/senatar-mccain/#comments Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:09:55 +0000 Flashy http://www.ontheborderline.net/?p=6686
Senatar McCain

senatar Senatar McCain


Senatar McCain

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]]> http://www.ontheborderline.net/senatar-mccain/feed/ 0 A Snow Job http://www.ontheborderline.net/snow-job/ http://www.ontheborderline.net/snow-job/#comments Tue, 02 Mar 2010 06:19:46 +0000 Henry Patrick http://www.ontheborderline.net/?p=6679
A Snow Job

White house economic advisor Larry Summers stated in an interview with CNBC that the recent blizzards probably distorted the unemployment numbers due to be released on Friday morning. According to Summers, the mountain of accumulated snow halted construction projects and also temporarily closed many stores plus restaurants.

The White House reasoning quickly melts in the face of economic logic. Businesses make hiring or firing decisions based on the benefit that an employee brings to the table versus their cost. No doubt the weather kept people from eating out or shopping for a few days. But the dress that was not bought on Saturday because of the weather more than likely will be purchased after the roads have been plowed. The lobster whose life was saved by little snowflakes on Friday night will be boiled a week later for a delayed celebration.

The fact is that construction has hemorrhaged jobs for over a year. In a report authored by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and released at the beginning of February, the construction industry shed another 75,000 jobs, which was about the average monthly loss for the preceding 12 months. Currently, one out of four unemployed people came from construction.

Despite the rosier picture painted by the unemployment rate dipping under 10% the last three months, raw numbers show net additions to the jobless rolls. The White house has used the magical decline in the unemployment rate as proof of a successful economic plan.

Is Summers statement a preview of a disappointing jobs report? Many believe the actual unemployment rate hovers above 15% when individuals no longer actively looking for work are included. A bad jobs report could chill financial markets running on hope and stifle White House claims of success.


A Snow Job

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]]> http://www.ontheborderline.net/snow-job/feed/ 0 John Taylor Gatto speaks about schools and brainwashing http://www.ontheborderline.net/john-taylor-gatto-speaks-schools-brainwashing/ http://www.ontheborderline.net/john-taylor-gatto-speaks-schools-brainwashing/#comments Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:39:27 +0000 Citizen Joe http://www.ontheborderline.net/?p=6678
John Taylor Gatto speaks about schools and brainwashing


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]]> http://www.ontheborderline.net/john-taylor-gatto-speaks-schools-brainwashing/feed/ 0 Jack Webb “Schools” Obama http://www.ontheborderline.net/jack-webb-schools-obama/ http://www.ontheborderline.net/jack-webb-schools-obama/#comments Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:45:12 +0000 Citizen Joe http://www.ontheborderline.net/?p=6677
Jack Webb Schools Obama


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]]> http://www.ontheborderline.net/jack-webb-schools-obama/feed/ 0 Knight to c2 http://www.ontheborderline.net/knight-c2/ http://www.ontheborderline.net/knight-c2/#comments Thu, 25 Feb 2010 03:41:45 +0000 Henry Patrick http://www.ontheborderline.net/?p=6675
Knight to c2

In chess a fork occurs when a piece moves into a position where it can simultaneously attack two or more opposing pieces. The knight, which can move in an L shaped pattern and four different directions, is the piece most commonly used to execute this type of attack. A fork usually results in the opposing player losing a major piece. High caliber players often take care to avoid moves that could leave an opening for two quality pieces like a Queen and a Bishop to be attacked at the same time.

In his aggression to flood the economy with fiat money and lower key interest rates to zero, Ben Bernanke may have moved his monetary pieces and the economy into a vulnerable position. The Federal Reserve faces two problems. While lower rates did little to boost an economy already flooded in debt, they did help chase money toward the stock market where indices have bounced approximately 60% from the lows made almost a year ago.

A dramatically inflated money supply creates the very real danger of rapid price increases across the economic landscape. At its very worse, inflation can destroy the currency as illustrated historically by the experience of the Weimar Republic. The Producer Price Index, which showed an annualized rise of 16%, sounded an alarm to put the brakes on the monetary printing presses.

The likely result of pulling back on the monetary reins will be much higher interest rates and siphoning money out of the stock market. On the other hand, if the Federal Reserve continues on its present course, then the odds of a currency crisis increase with each passing day.

It looks like Bernake is sure to lose a piece. He has to be careful not to put the country into checkmate.


Knight to c2

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]]> http://www.ontheborderline.net/knight-c2/feed/ 0 The Great Lie of the Nanny State http://www.ontheborderline.net/great-lie-nanny-state/ http://www.ontheborderline.net/great-lie-nanny-state/#comments Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:37:51 +0000 Citizen Joe http://www.ontheborderline.net/?p=6674
The Great Lie of the Nanny State


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]]> http://www.ontheborderline.net/great-lie-nanny-state/feed/ 0 Another Flawed Keynesian Approach http://www.ontheborderline.net/flawed-keynesian-legislation/ http://www.ontheborderline.net/flawed-keynesian-legislation/#comments Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:37:24 +0000 Henry Patrick http://www.ontheborderline.net/?p=6673
Another Flawed Keynesian Approach

With the help of five Republicans in the US Senate, it appears the hurdle has been cleared for some form of a jobs bill to pass approval in Congress. Perhaps I am mistaken, but Congress already passed and the president signed a $750 billion spending bill to get people back to work. What is different about raiding an empty treasury of billions more this time to create jobs?

Architects of the legislation point to the tax credits available to businesses that increase their headcount. One idea is to give employers a tax-credit up to $5000 for each additional person hired. At first glance this may seem like a logical incentive. But as my economic students learn, two sides exist to transaction.

The tax credit will only reduce the marginal cost of a new employee for the first year. After the initial year the cost of the new hire will balloon by at least the amount of the tax credit. As any student passing a Principles of Economic realizes, cost is just one factor in the employment equation. The other side of the coin takes into account the revenue benefit that an employee brings to the table. Firms will retain or hire individuals as long as their additional benefit exceeds their additional cost. Without a significant pick up in demand, many firms will pass on expanding their payrolls.

Small business owners point to another flaw of the proposal in that tax-credits are realized at the end of the year. The cost of a new hire drains cash flow in the meantime. As one owner stated, cash flow is at the heart of staying in business. My creditors may not wait for the federal government to reimburse me.

It looks like another lesson in failed Keynesian economics.


Another Flawed Keynesian Approach

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]]> http://www.ontheborderline.net/flawed-keynesian-legislation/feed/ 0 Is It a Warning Shot? http://www.ontheborderline.net/warning-shot/ http://www.ontheborderline.net/warning-shot/#comments Tue, 23 Feb 2010 05:24:17 +0000 Henry Patrick http://www.ontheborderline.net/?p=6671
Is It a Warning Shot?

On a recent financial statement, Citibank notified customers that effective April 1, 2010 the institution reserves the right to require seven days notice before permitting withdrawals from all checking accounts. The bank later clarified that the restriction only applied to residents of Texas.

If I am a Citibank customer, living in Texas or not, then it may be prudent to take my money to another institution where the bank is going to let me have access to a checking account. The question being ignored by many reporting on this story is why Citibank has targeted Texas.

It must be remembered that the federal government owns about a third of Citibank. Furthermore, the folks in Texas and the state legislature have been raising their voices about nullification. Recently, bills have been introduced in the state house questioning the Constitutional authority of the federal government to regulate emissions, healthcare, and gun registration. Some of the largest Tea party gatherings have occurred in the Lone Star State.

With the Democrats running full speed ahead to pass nationalized healthcare and the President using the power of the EPA to mandate global warming regulation, a good chance exists that Texas may invoke its rights under the Ninth and Tenth Amendments to nullify any such intrusions from Washington D.C.

It only takes one spark to start a raging inferno. Montana and Tennessee have already passed what amounts to nullification legislation concerning gun and ammunition laws. In the last month Virginia legislation stated that the home to Jefferson and Madison would not be part of a healthcare plan that mandated citizens to buy insurance. Virginia also joined Alabama and Texas in filing suit against the EPA. Utah filed suit to reclaim land within its borders now controlled by the US government. Dozens of states are lined up to defy federal laws on marijuana and many more have pending resolutions declaring their Constitutional rights.

Could the Obama administration be using its bank to send the good people of Texas and the rest of the nation a message to stop making overtures for a fight or risk losing access to their money? I would not bet my checking account on it.


Is It a Warning Shot?

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]]> http://www.ontheborderline.net/warning-shot/feed/ 0 Frozen Wasteland http://www.ontheborderline.net/frozen-wasteland/ http://www.ontheborderline.net/frozen-wasteland/#comments Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:23:47 +0000 Citizen Joe http://www.ontheborderline.net/?p=6669
Frozen Wasteland


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]]> http://www.ontheborderline.net/frozen-wasteland/feed/ 0 India Snubs Own Nobel Prize Winner http://www.ontheborderline.net/india-snubs-nobel-prize-winner/ http://www.ontheborderline.net/india-snubs-nobel-prize-winner/#comments Fri, 05 Feb 2010 04:13:58 +0000 Taz http://www.ontheborderline.net/?p=6665
India Snubs Own Nobel Prize Winner

India has established its own body to monitor the effects of global warming because it cannot rely on the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the group headed by its own Nobel Prize-winning scientist Dr R K Pachauri.

India forms new climate change body


India Snubs Own Nobel Prize Winner

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