Content by tracycoyle
Posted at 11:27am on Jun. 17, 2008 Institutionalized
By tracycoyle
My family is hard to get involved with. We are not unlikeable, on the contrary, most people will tell you we are a very likable and we friendly bunch. What makes it hard is that we all talk at the same time.
At the family table, us 6 kids would be talking with each other and we would be talking to our parents too. It was nothing to have 4 or 5 conversations going at once. Yes, that means I could be having 2 or 3 going at one time. To most people, the family chat was almost incomprehensible. Spouses would take months, sometimes longer, to learn how to participate fully.
Posted in Life Issues — Comments (0) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 2:20pm on Jun. 10, 2008 Hardball, taxes and 55 MPH
By tracycoyle
The Federal Government has it's hands in way too many pies, why?
Well, often, the states demanded it. "Give us money and we will do thy bidding My Master." If a state receives little or no money from the Feds, how much can the Fed make the states do?
55 MPH is enforced by the threat that the Feds will withhold federal transportation monies. What if a state didn't get transportation money - no threat would work. We have words for people that will do anything to keep a benefit.
Posted in State Politics — Comments (0) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 2:15pm on May 31, 2008 My Rights
By tracycoyle
Yesterday commenters here informed me that it was possible for a super-majority to vote a right out of existence if they could maintain a super-majority long enough to complete the process.
I found the comment to be stunning and it left me sorely depressed for many hours.
Our rights exist whether the Constitution exists or not. The Constitution SPECIFICALLY addresses this:
Amendment IX
Posted in Law — Comments (290) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 12:33pm on May 29, 2008 First Principles
By tracycoyle
I posted this to my blog in honor of my 300th post:
300
One would think that after 299 posts, I would have said something that provoked more than a casual glance. With the exception of a discussion that was carried over to to this blog, nothing I have written has garnered much comment - and from the number of people that subscribe to the feed, it hasn't garnered much interest either.
BUT! I didn't start this blog to build a readership. I built it because after reading a lot, I have to have a writing outlet. I have a directory on my computer that is titled: Essays. It is over a gig and nothing there is much bigger than 100k. I like to write. But, frankly, I will probably never get paid to.
Posted in Life Issues — Comments (0) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 12:28pm on May 29, 2008 A Principle of Taxation
By tracycoyle
Tax policy exists ONLY for the purpose of assessing and collecting funds necessary for government to function in the broadest and most equitable manner. Tax policy does not exist to promote, or punish any perceived or preferred behavior.
Posted in Taxes — Comments (0) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 12:27pm on May 29, 2008 Values
By tracycoyle
Someone told me that they could not participate in a political party that did not share the same values as he did.
Why?
If a person thinks drinking is bad, should a political party support prohibition?
If a person thinks Moslems are all terrorists, should a political party ban or deny Moslems?
If a person thinks only married couples should have children, should a political party ban single mothers or fathers or support the child's removal by child welfare?
Posted in Culture — Comments (1) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 12:24pm on May 29, 2008 Social issues
By tracycoyle
My Principles are based on the foundation set by our founding documents. I have argued for, supported and defended the premise that the individual is sovereign. I have made no secret of my positions on social matters and I have quoted J.S. Mill several times; I will do so again in a moment.
Virtually every attempt to get Conservatives onto the same page has failed on the rocky shore of social issues. Fiscal conservatives can compromise and agree on economic issues. National security conservatives can compromise and agree on defense issues. But social conservatives are single or dual issue, compromise be damned, their positions ARE litmus tests and if people don't precisely agree, then they will have nothing to do with the heretics.
Posted in Life Issues — Comments (2) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 12:01pm on May 29, 2008 On Liberty
By tracycoyle
When does a government have the right to limit or restrict my liberty?
That principle is, that the sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the opinions of others, to do so would be wise, or even right. "On Liberty" J.S. Mill