Who is up for some fake news? Who gets to determine "fake" news? What makes news fake? As an avid consumer of politics, I hear half truths, falsities, lies and other questionable statements presented as unbiased fact on a daily basis. What I do know is that regardless of the source, journalism is pretty much dead. There is almost no objective reporting anymore. In fact, I cannot tell you where I can even find objective reporting. Every reporter has some agenda or talking points they want to emphasize. Some are more overt than others, but they all have it.
For those of you reading this, you know my biases as well, but at least I acknowledge them and mention when I am trying to be objective. I don't pretend to be a journalist and then spin the information to meet my narrative. The media is so intellectually dishonest these days that I don't think there is such a thing as honest reporting anymore.
Regardless of where you get your news, I don't think there is a single source you can find adequate reporting of simple facts. I used to believe that Fox News was "Fair and Balanced," but now I see that it is neither. I come to this conclusion from two lenses. First, There is always an odd number of panelists. From an equal share perspective, there is never equal time allotted for opposite opinions. Additionally, the amount of time that liberals have on Fox is seldom as long as that of the more conservative commentators. On the "Five" which is one of my favorite shows, Juan is always outnumbered and they are always cutting him off. In many cases he is completely off base, but he should be able to speak his mind as well and be given the time to express his point to the fullest.
All I am getting at is that it is no wonder that Trump uses tweets to get his message out. While a healthy dose of skepticism is good for the media, their clear agenda and attempt to politicize every action has all but verified that they cannot produce honest news. I'm sure the Trump propaganda machine is alive and well, but so is the media, so turnabout is fair play as far as I am concerned. It just means that the average American won't have any idea what is really going on for the foreseeable future.
Thanks and God Bless,
Geoff
Monday, March 6, 2017
Monday, February 27, 2017
Where did freedom go?
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
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 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
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