A week ago The Record’s editor, Alfred P. Doblin, criticized me in his column for defending the right of bigoted business owners to refuse service to blacks or anyone else they disliked. I responded to Mr. Doblin in a letter to the editor that was published on May 30. The slightly edited letter contains all the major points I made in my original response about the sanctity of property rights, the foundation of a free society.
Archive for May, 2010
Now they’re worried about debt?
28
May
So-called Blue Dog Democrats in the House of Representatives are worried about the latest bill to increase spending and raise taxes before the May 31st deadline, when extended unemployment benefits and Cobra health insurance subsidies expire. The $146 billion spending bill may not be voted upon by today, the last working session before the end of the month, unless the House will meet on Memorial Day weekend–a highly unlikely situation even for the most committed welfare state advocates in Congress who want to spend, spend, and spend.
The financial collapse is accelerating
27
May
In an New York Times op-ed, “Easy Money, Hard Truths,” hedge fund manager David Einhorn lays out the case that we should not worry about future generations feeling the pain of a huge national debt, unfunded liabilities and a weak economy. Instead, Mr. Einhorn argues that the imbalances in our economy are going to get worse, because he observes “I don’t see the political will to steer the country away from crisis.” The most recent crisis that just passed was “fixed” by massive government “stimulus” and a heavy dose of easy money. And more easy money is on the way.
Rand Paul is right, Rachel Maddow is wrong: anti-discrimination laws discriminate
21
May
As I predicted Wednesday, the demonization of Rand Paul has begun. On Wednesday evening Paul was a guest on Rachel Maddow’s MSNBC show and was asked about his support of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the landmark legislation that bans discrimination in so-called public accommodations (i.e., private businesses) and government facilities on the basis of race, color, sex and national origin.
Rand Paul’s landslide and Richard Blumenthal’s lies
19
May
Dr. Rand Paul crushed Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson in the GOP U.S. Senate primary last night, 59% to 35%. Paul, son of Texas congressman and 2008 GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul, was attacked by the GOP establishment throughout the campaign, but to no avail. Rand Paul had the message and the backing of Tea Party activists while Grayson had the support of all the big government Republicans, from U.S. Senate Minority Leader Senator McConnell to Dick Cheney and Rudy Giuliani, among others.
Shameless legal plundering in Trenton
17
May
Last week, both the Assembly Budget Committee and the Senate Budget and Appropriation Committee voted along party lines to impose a “temporary” surcharge (from 8.97 percent to 10.75 percent) on New Jerseyans who have taxable incomes of more than $1 million. The temporary surcharge was in effect last year, and Governor Corzine and the legislature did not renew it during the lame duck session after Corzine lost his reelection bid last November.
Guest column, Dr. Alieta Eck
14
May
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ As Illegals Take, Are Americans Free? By Alieta Eck, MD
We do not have “universal health care. We have mandatory free “health care for the universe.” A middle-aged woman came to our local emergency room, suitcase in tow, complaining of a severe headache and diminished vision. A CT scan of the head showed a brain tumor. The neurosurgeon on call was summoned and within days the patient had surgery to preserve her vision. An inspiring story giving tribute to the wonderful ingenuity, generosity, and high standards in our country? There’s more.
Christie’s micromanaging New Jersey. Free the cities and suburbs instead.
10
May
Chris Christie became governor promising to “shake up Trenton”–exactly what is needed to overhaul the state budget. He has been praised for taking on the Trenton establishment and the NJEA. Christie, however, has been accused of being a “bully” for “waging war” on teachers, cutting school aid to the suburbs, and failing to resurrect the so-called millionaire’s tax to help close the 2011 budget gap.
There’s school choice and there’s real school choice
05
May
In a speech before a school choice group in the nation’s capital Monday, Governor Christie announced his support for a bipartisan bill in the legislature that would allow corporations to receive tax credits for scholarships they provide to children in failing school districts. Parents would be able to send their children to public or private schools with a scholarship that would be valued at about $15,000 per student. The Governor also supports increasing the number of charter schools in the state.
Racism–and sexism–is alive and well in New Jersey
03
May
Governor Christie announced the nomination of Anne M. Patterson, a former deputy state Attorney General, to replace Justice John Wallace on the state Supreme Court. If Ms. Patterson is confirmed, a majority of the New Jersey Supreme Court Justices will be women. However, by not reappointing Justice Wallace, who could only serve for two years because he would have to step down when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70 in 2012, Governor Christie will leave the Court without a black justice.
Greece, Taxes and the Collapsing Welfare State(s)
03
May
Over the weekend European nations and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreed to provide Greece with a 110 billion Euro loan over three years, or about $147 billion, to prevent it from defaulting on its national debt.