Did you ever notice that individual freedom is dead? Honestly, you cannot own property. It may seem like it, but if you don't pay taxes, your property can be taken away. At what point do you actually own the property? I bought my boat, paid tax, and now it is mine. I don't have to keep paying for it. I bought my car, paid tax and now it is mine. If I want to keep my car on my land (or what should be my land), I never have to pay for insurance, taxes, registration, etc.
The problem is that I will never actually own my land. If I can produce enough energy to run my equipment, grow enough food to eat, and survive off my own land, I will still have to pay taxes every year and could have my property taken away from me simply because I didn't give more money to the government. Just like being penalized for the Obamacare mandate, I am forced to pay. I don't get a choice.
We have no freedom to simply exist as we see fit without the government demanding something from us. Real freedom means simply that. I have no problem with sales taxes. In fact, I personally believe that all tax should be sales tax. It would incentivize savings and wealth creation while simultaneously removing the burden of tax season. Everyone who purchases any products would participate in the taxation and once a property is purchased, there would be no further taxation. People would keep the full value of their labors and only pay tax when choosing to make a purchase. The government would be forced to live on what they receive and it would incentivize the government keep a healthy economic environment.
All I am saying is that it is about time that we are able to own property, and there are several ways that this can be accomplished. I would love for my kids to be able to actually own property of their own as well. some day.
Peace and Freedom,
Geoff
Monday, February 27, 2017
Monday, February 20, 2017
Enough Already
Some love Trump, others well, not so much. I must admit that I am not a Trump fan, and here is why. I am tired of the unconstitutional wielding of executive orders. I know that every President does it, but that doesn't make it alright. It is time to stop the executive orders. If it is a policy worth adopting, use the legislature and let the process work. Republicans have the both houses and the executive branch. Lets go back to separation of powers and real leadership.
Can we really make meaningful change if with a simple signature from the next president, all good things must come to an end? I get it. With Obama, many bad things have come to an end under Trump's mighty pen, but neither Trump nor Obama should have that much power. Legislatures create the laws, Presidents must enforce the laws. Of course it is more complicated that a couple sentences in a blog. The reality is that the great American Experiment is still going on and as long as we maintain the Jeffersonian approach to freedom, giving the people the benefit of the doubt over the government, there is a chance this republic can sustain and persevere.
The standard method of operation should benefit the citizen over the government, the business over the regulator, the truly free enterprise over favoritism. Incentivize companies to do business in the USA by eliminating the corporate tax. Encourage real wealth and growth of all classes by eliminating income taxes. Switch to sales taxes and grow the economy through ingenuity, a level playing field and let the markets make the decision.
Trump claims to be a great businessman and his platform is based on America first. I think this all sounds good, but populism and executive orders are not how to make long lasting change. My hope is that congress will review each of the policies set forth and consider how to make any of the executive orders into law if they warrant such movement. If they are not worthy of law, then it is time to eliminate the executive orders altogether.
Can we really make meaningful change if with a simple signature from the next president, all good things must come to an end? I get it. With Obama, many bad things have come to an end under Trump's mighty pen, but neither Trump nor Obama should have that much power. Legislatures create the laws, Presidents must enforce the laws. Of course it is more complicated that a couple sentences in a blog. The reality is that the great American Experiment is still going on and as long as we maintain the Jeffersonian approach to freedom, giving the people the benefit of the doubt over the government, there is a chance this republic can sustain and persevere.
The standard method of operation should benefit the citizen over the government, the business over the regulator, the truly free enterprise over favoritism. Incentivize companies to do business in the USA by eliminating the corporate tax. Encourage real wealth and growth of all classes by eliminating income taxes. Switch to sales taxes and grow the economy through ingenuity, a level playing field and let the markets make the decision.
Trump claims to be a great businessman and his platform is based on America first. I think this all sounds good, but populism and executive orders are not how to make long lasting change. My hope is that congress will review each of the policies set forth and consider how to make any of the executive orders into law if they warrant such movement. If they are not worthy of law, then it is time to eliminate the executive orders altogether.
Monday, February 13, 2017
The Melting Pot
Can I start by saying that I am pro-immigration? I want people to come to this country, or any country for that matter, if they are seeking a better life and are willing to assimilate. The problem comes when a few "bad apples" ruin it for everyone.
I know that is sugar coating it, but lets be honest. If there wasn't such uncertainty with people coming to this country from predominantly Muslim backgrounds, Trump wouldn't have instituted a ban on these individuals. The reality is that people aren't assimilating.
When I was in school, long ago, I learned about the immigrants seeking freedom, opportunity and a chance to be part of the American culture. Today however, we are accepting that people bring their culture here with the intent to change us. I understand that not all immigrants are looking to chance our society, but what makes America great is the uniting under the Star Spangled Banner and coming together as one people from many diverse backgrounds but one unified nation.
Unfortunately, too often we see burning of our great flag. This is completely fine as a right, but it is saddening that we have individuals willing to express their freedom of speech in this manner. I am deeply saddened that so many people refuse to become part of the American culture in favor of maintaining their own but simply reside in the USA.
Don't get me wrong, I love my heritage, I love learning of my families journey to America. All of my ancestors were immigrants as well. What I have trouble with is that while my family remembers and honors our past, we also have chosen America as our future. We didn't throw away our ancestry, we didn't betray our history, but we did choose to be part of the fabric of this country. It is our willingness to embrace the great melting pot and participate in the American experiment that adds to the flavor of this country.
Of course we will continue to participate in activities that honor our heritage. I wear a kilt to lead Kirkin. But I am first and foremost an American. I'm not a European American, I am not a Scottish American, I am an American. We need more immigrants wanting to be a part of the American society and claim that they are Americans first. I know several immigrants who have taken the painstaking process of following the legal system to gain permanent citizenship. They have embraced the American life, as have many others. But this country will gain its strength again not from new laws, not from border walls, but from the American identity.
America is probably the only country that doesn't need border walls or fences so long as the people embrace what it means to be an American. If we can adopt the American ideal and join together again, then skin color, hair style, religion, gender, age, and any other possible way to categorize a person becomes irrelevant. That is the great melting pot and the American experiment.
God Bless,
Geoff
I know that is sugar coating it, but lets be honest. If there wasn't such uncertainty with people coming to this country from predominantly Muslim backgrounds, Trump wouldn't have instituted a ban on these individuals. The reality is that people aren't assimilating.
When I was in school, long ago, I learned about the immigrants seeking freedom, opportunity and a chance to be part of the American culture. Today however, we are accepting that people bring their culture here with the intent to change us. I understand that not all immigrants are looking to chance our society, but what makes America great is the uniting under the Star Spangled Banner and coming together as one people from many diverse backgrounds but one unified nation.
Unfortunately, too often we see burning of our great flag. This is completely fine as a right, but it is saddening that we have individuals willing to express their freedom of speech in this manner. I am deeply saddened that so many people refuse to become part of the American culture in favor of maintaining their own but simply reside in the USA.
Don't get me wrong, I love my heritage, I love learning of my families journey to America. All of my ancestors were immigrants as well. What I have trouble with is that while my family remembers and honors our past, we also have chosen America as our future. We didn't throw away our ancestry, we didn't betray our history, but we did choose to be part of the fabric of this country. It is our willingness to embrace the great melting pot and participate in the American experiment that adds to the flavor of this country.
Of course we will continue to participate in activities that honor our heritage. I wear a kilt to lead Kirkin. But I am first and foremost an American. I'm not a European American, I am not a Scottish American, I am an American. We need more immigrants wanting to be a part of the American society and claim that they are Americans first. I know several immigrants who have taken the painstaking process of following the legal system to gain permanent citizenship. They have embraced the American life, as have many others. But this country will gain its strength again not from new laws, not from border walls, but from the American identity.
America is probably the only country that doesn't need border walls or fences so long as the people embrace what it means to be an American. If we can adopt the American ideal and join together again, then skin color, hair style, religion, gender, age, and any other possible way to categorize a person becomes irrelevant. That is the great melting pot and the American experiment.
God Bless,
Geoff
Thursday, February 9, 2017
Annie, Get Your Gun!
So I have been spending much of my time in NY recently. I can think of several things both favorable and unfavorable about my experiences just outside the big apple. I have found my favorite beer at a local establishment in Tarrytown, I have found a great cigar shop/lounge in Elmsford. I have even found a great little tactical shop in Hawthorne. However, while I can smoke and drink as I please in my free time, not only can I not rent a gun to shoot down the range, I cannot even bring my own.
Coming from a relatively free state, Ohio, I am able to purchase most firearms without much thought. Of course there is still too much regulation from the FBI and ATF and other federal agencies, but Ohio doesn't much infringe on my rights to own a firearm. It is good to know that back home, I can stop in to my local retailer and pick up my new firearm and take it home with me. But NY is much different.
Many of the good people I meet in NY cannot believe just how easy it is to get a gun in Ohio. I on the other hand, cannot believe just how restrictive the laws of NY are. My understanding of the second amendment allows any citizen of the USA (who has no other restrictions) to purchase any type, size, action, shape, etc. that they can afford. As far as I am concerned, if you can afford it, you can own it.
There are obvious exceptions to nuclear arms and other mass destruction devises. The second amendment is meant for citizens to be able to protect themselves from an oppressive government. Weapons of Mass Destruction don't meet the self protection aspect of the constitution, but certainly any gun does. Even a tank is fine for me. If you can afford an Abrams tank, more power to you. Just as law abiding citizens are not shooting up the place now, law abiding citizens won't shoot up places just because the size of the round or rate at which it can be fired increases.
Honestly, magazine restrictions don't have any impact on criminals, only the average citizen. Whether a gun has a semi automatic or automatic action doesn't matter to the average person. Laws such as these only prevent good people from having fun and choosing what is best for their own personal security.
Think about it in these terms. if you see someone exiting a liquor store with cases of beer and multiple bottles of various liquors, you probably think there must be some great party going on somewhere nearby and don't think much of it. However, for many, if that same person was seen exiting a gun store with several guns and cases full of ammo, there is a hesitation to wonder what exactly that person is going to do with all of that weaponry.
Why have we become so concerned? The statistics say that we are far more likely to be harmed or killed by the person at the liquor store or one of their party friends than we would ever be by the guy with the guns and ammo. So why the double standard?
The reality is that we have been desensitized by politicians politicizing all shootings as the fault of the gun. If they were honest, the politicians would eliminate the "gun free" zones. Gun free zones are the most dangerous places in the country these days. It is specifically where terrorists and lone wolves look to do the most damage. This is because they know that no one will be able to defend his/herself.
The next major incident is likely to happen at a gun free zone. As someone not allowed to carry in NY, this is a significant concern to me. According to an article I read recently in a NY publication, there are only 4 officers who are able to process handgun permits in Westchester County.
For those of you who don't know, Westchester County has about 1 million residents crammed into 500 square miles. First, there shouldn't be any permit needed for ownership of any gun, but moreso, if they think they will be safer by requiring a permit before purchase of a handgun, there needs to be many more than 4 people processing the paperwork. Based on the article, most permits take approximately one year to process. One whole year to get the gun you bought today. Insane! There is absolutely no reason for this delay. No one should have to wait that long for any firearm that is in the store already.
Here is the main issue for me. If the government is trying to tell me what I can or cannot have or do, then they are overstepping their authority. It shouldn't matter if I am from Ohio. If I want to bring my gun to NY, I should be able to do so. I am all in favor of states rights, but the constitution clearly delineates that the right to keep and bear arms "shall not be infringed." There is no situation where preventing me from carrying my firearm in NY upholds the rights listed in the second amendment. It is time to put the power back in the hands of the people and stop accepting the oppression from any government or governmental agency that wants to dictate what you can own.
Peace and Freedom,
Geoff
Coming from a relatively free state, Ohio, I am able to purchase most firearms without much thought. Of course there is still too much regulation from the FBI and ATF and other federal agencies, but Ohio doesn't much infringe on my rights to own a firearm. It is good to know that back home, I can stop in to my local retailer and pick up my new firearm and take it home with me. But NY is much different.
Many of the good people I meet in NY cannot believe just how easy it is to get a gun in Ohio. I on the other hand, cannot believe just how restrictive the laws of NY are. My understanding of the second amendment allows any citizen of the USA (who has no other restrictions) to purchase any type, size, action, shape, etc. that they can afford. As far as I am concerned, if you can afford it, you can own it.
There are obvious exceptions to nuclear arms and other mass destruction devises. The second amendment is meant for citizens to be able to protect themselves from an oppressive government. Weapons of Mass Destruction don't meet the self protection aspect of the constitution, but certainly any gun does. Even a tank is fine for me. If you can afford an Abrams tank, more power to you. Just as law abiding citizens are not shooting up the place now, law abiding citizens won't shoot up places just because the size of the round or rate at which it can be fired increases.
Honestly, magazine restrictions don't have any impact on criminals, only the average citizen. Whether a gun has a semi automatic or automatic action doesn't matter to the average person. Laws such as these only prevent good people from having fun and choosing what is best for their own personal security.
Think about it in these terms. if you see someone exiting a liquor store with cases of beer and multiple bottles of various liquors, you probably think there must be some great party going on somewhere nearby and don't think much of it. However, for many, if that same person was seen exiting a gun store with several guns and cases full of ammo, there is a hesitation to wonder what exactly that person is going to do with all of that weaponry.
Why have we become so concerned? The statistics say that we are far more likely to be harmed or killed by the person at the liquor store or one of their party friends than we would ever be by the guy with the guns and ammo. So why the double standard?
The reality is that we have been desensitized by politicians politicizing all shootings as the fault of the gun. If they were honest, the politicians would eliminate the "gun free" zones. Gun free zones are the most dangerous places in the country these days. It is specifically where terrorists and lone wolves look to do the most damage. This is because they know that no one will be able to defend his/herself.
The next major incident is likely to happen at a gun free zone. As someone not allowed to carry in NY, this is a significant concern to me. According to an article I read recently in a NY publication, there are only 4 officers who are able to process handgun permits in Westchester County.
For those of you who don't know, Westchester County has about 1 million residents crammed into 500 square miles. First, there shouldn't be any permit needed for ownership of any gun, but moreso, if they think they will be safer by requiring a permit before purchase of a handgun, there needs to be many more than 4 people processing the paperwork. Based on the article, most permits take approximately one year to process. One whole year to get the gun you bought today. Insane! There is absolutely no reason for this delay. No one should have to wait that long for any firearm that is in the store already.
Here is the main issue for me. If the government is trying to tell me what I can or cannot have or do, then they are overstepping their authority. It shouldn't matter if I am from Ohio. If I want to bring my gun to NY, I should be able to do so. I am all in favor of states rights, but the constitution clearly delineates that the right to keep and bear arms "shall not be infringed." There is no situation where preventing me from carrying my firearm in NY upholds the rights listed in the second amendment. It is time to put the power back in the hands of the people and stop accepting the oppression from any government or governmental agency that wants to dictate what you can own.
Peace and Freedom,
Geoff
Friday, February 3, 2017
Stay at Home
So FORMER President Barry Hussein Soetoro (Barak Obama), who would be best served playing golf, has spoken out against the current President Trump. First, why does anyone care. I respect the office of the President, but once you are out of office, you are a nobody. I think that only the media cares about what Obama has to say at this point. I know that most former Presidents eventually speak to the press or make some other formal statement, but within 10 days of leaving the White House? Really? Talk about ego.
There was documentary after documentary in the final days and weeks of the Obama Presidency touting his legacy. You know what Obama's real legacy is? The fact that Trump is President. The election of Trump is a referendum on Obama's policies. The reality is that while we cannot keep a former President from speaking his mind, I don't know a single person that is interested in what Obama's opinion on anything is at this point in time.
If a former President is going to open his mouth, shouldn't be in a manner that attempts to unite the people instead of divide them? Honestly, I don't really care that Obama has spoken up. If not for being a politics junkie, I wouldn't have even paid any attention, which is where I think the majority of people are on this issue. They just don't care. My point is simply that with a divided country, clearly more divided than it was eight years ago, we need to find excuses to unite not divide.
Imagine the influence a former President could have by simply edifying the system, the election and the new President regardless of their personal opinions on politics. In lieu of this type of support, maybe playing golf is the better option. For now, lets just plan on Obama trying to get involved in the political arena again. How this will play out, I don't know but I would be just fine if he stayed home.
Spring is coming,
Geoff
There was documentary after documentary in the final days and weeks of the Obama Presidency touting his legacy. You know what Obama's real legacy is? The fact that Trump is President. The election of Trump is a referendum on Obama's policies. The reality is that while we cannot keep a former President from speaking his mind, I don't know a single person that is interested in what Obama's opinion on anything is at this point in time.
If a former President is going to open his mouth, shouldn't be in a manner that attempts to unite the people instead of divide them? Honestly, I don't really care that Obama has spoken up. If not for being a politics junkie, I wouldn't have even paid any attention, which is where I think the majority of people are on this issue. They just don't care. My point is simply that with a divided country, clearly more divided than it was eight years ago, we need to find excuses to unite not divide.
Imagine the influence a former President could have by simply edifying the system, the election and the new President regardless of their personal opinions on politics. In lieu of this type of support, maybe playing golf is the better option. For now, lets just plan on Obama trying to get involved in the political arena again. How this will play out, I don't know but I would be just fine if he stayed home.
Spring is coming,
Geoff
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Super Bowl LI
Like most Americans that can remember back to 2001, I was ecstatic that the Patriots won the Super Bowl after the terrorist attacks on NYC to the the twin towers. And, like most Americans, I am tired of the Patriots being in the Super Bowl. I couldn't care less about the Super Bowl this year. Like any other unrelated American institution, national politics has entered the arena.
Why does anyone care what relationship may or may not exist between Tom Brady and President Trump? I am an Ohio State Buckeyes fan. I am supposed to hate Tom Brady because he has yellow streaks down his helmet. To be completely honest, I care more about college football than any NFL game, but that is just a side note. Back to Brady. I don't know his politics. I treat him like I do any famous person. I don't want to know their politics. It is only after I learn them that I stop supporting them. Read my Celebrity Cesspool blog for more on this.
At this point I have heard that Tom Brady is a devout Christian, philanthropist and great role model. I honestly don't know if any of this is true, but why is it even being brought up? I don't need any media or other celebrity telling me who I should or should not associate with. Why does anyone care what they think about Tom Brady? My only reason for believing that Brady is a Christian is because he is being attacked.
Just a few days ago Whoopi Goldberg was equating Trump to the Taliban. Other pundits were claiming that Brady is un-American for associating with Trump while Colin Kapernick (that guy that took a knee during the national anthem several times) is a true patriot. How dumb are we now? Does anyone really believe that dishonoring those who fought and died for our freedoms (whats left of them anyway) is more American than having an unsubstantiated relationship with the current President?
I don't offend easily, but this really ticks me off. I am so tired of the militant leftists trying to tell me how I am in violation of American values when there is nothing these liberals and statists believe that is close to moral. I am fine with these individuals exercising their right to free speech. However, it is time to stop consuming the information. I am not calling for a boycott. I think those are stupid. What I am saying is to act and live your conscious. Live your beliefs. Don't support companies and people who act contrary to your beliefs. Don't watch TV and movies that have material in them you don't support.
At the end of the day, it is time to stop giving credibility to speculation and the PC police. My ultimate judge is God alone and I seek the counsel of my closest friends from my church and my small group. Best I can tell is that if the world says I should live one way, I should probably do the opposite. I'm just sorry that the cynic in me believes that whatever the media says is the way we should live, the contrary is likely the better option.
Anyway, go Patriots......and I don't mean the NFL team.
Freedom and Peace,
Geoff
Why does anyone care what relationship may or may not exist between Tom Brady and President Trump? I am an Ohio State Buckeyes fan. I am supposed to hate Tom Brady because he has yellow streaks down his helmet. To be completely honest, I care more about college football than any NFL game, but that is just a side note. Back to Brady. I don't know his politics. I treat him like I do any famous person. I don't want to know their politics. It is only after I learn them that I stop supporting them. Read my Celebrity Cesspool blog for more on this.
At this point I have heard that Tom Brady is a devout Christian, philanthropist and great role model. I honestly don't know if any of this is true, but why is it even being brought up? I don't need any media or other celebrity telling me who I should or should not associate with. Why does anyone care what they think about Tom Brady? My only reason for believing that Brady is a Christian is because he is being attacked.
Just a few days ago Whoopi Goldberg was equating Trump to the Taliban. Other pundits were claiming that Brady is un-American for associating with Trump while Colin Kapernick (that guy that took a knee during the national anthem several times) is a true patriot. How dumb are we now? Does anyone really believe that dishonoring those who fought and died for our freedoms (whats left of them anyway) is more American than having an unsubstantiated relationship with the current President?
I don't offend easily, but this really ticks me off. I am so tired of the militant leftists trying to tell me how I am in violation of American values when there is nothing these liberals and statists believe that is close to moral. I am fine with these individuals exercising their right to free speech. However, it is time to stop consuming the information. I am not calling for a boycott. I think those are stupid. What I am saying is to act and live your conscious. Live your beliefs. Don't support companies and people who act contrary to your beliefs. Don't watch TV and movies that have material in them you don't support.
At the end of the day, it is time to stop giving credibility to speculation and the PC police. My ultimate judge is God alone and I seek the counsel of my closest friends from my church and my small group. Best I can tell is that if the world says I should live one way, I should probably do the opposite. I'm just sorry that the cynic in me believes that whatever the media says is the way we should live, the contrary is likely the better option.
Anyway, go Patriots......and I don't mean the NFL team.
Freedom and Peace,
Geoff
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