13th Amendment

So we have this amendment that prohibits involuntary servitude but we still have Selective Service. Does anyone see a problem with this or am I just being quaint in thinking that the Constitution of the United States is actually law.

Arguments:

1. B-b-b-b-but then couldn't get enough people to fight our wars. What war? There hasn't been a declared war since WWII. If the Congress (which is the only body that has the authority to declare war, they don't have the authority to "authorize" military action) and they can't get enough people to show up for it what does that tell you?

2. B-b-b-b-but we have to protect ourselves. From what? If we do have a problem just follow the law and declare war. Then take care of business and come home.

Side issue on feminism: It is noted that we do have this travesty of Selective Service. It is also noted that the feminist movement has not marched on Washington D.C. to demand that women be included. It is only men and that is sexist. I am defeaned by the silence on that issue.

Women should enjoy all of the human rights that men do. The concept of women's rights implies that they get something extra. In the full inclusion of women in our society they should be included in the full violation of natural rights. They should have to register in case we need another slave army.

An Open Letter

This will be sent everywhere that I can send it. Hopefully some of you will support it and send it where you can.

“Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice; moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue”

- Marcus Tullius Cicero

An open letter to all candidates, from all the parties, for the nomination to be President of the United States of America.

The nature of political debate in our great nation has devolved into a quagmire of 30 second sound bites and skirting of the issues facing our society. There are a few significant issues that are of great importance to our nation and our future. Please, at your leisure of course, review these questions and respond if you would be so kind.

Foreign Policy:

1. Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution specifies the powers granted to the United States Congress. It states that one of those powers is “To declare War, grant letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;” The War Powers Act of 1973 allows for the President to send troops into combat (by authorization of Congress) for a period of 60 days with a further 30 withdrawal period. This act, and the sole authority of the Congress to declare war, seems to be in conflict with other actions that have allowed long term occupations and “nation building.” Will you commit now in writing and word to never place our troops in harm’s way without a Declaration of War from the Congress?
2. Will you pledge now in writing and in word to effectively secure the borders of the United States of America? The treasury of the United States, and the several states, cannot be spent for the benefit of those peoples that are not legally in the United States. This is a matter of protecting our laws and our economy.
3. Will you pledge now in writing and in word to sponsor an effective overhaul of our immigration laws that will allow for reasonable immigration balanced against our employment rate and needs?

Domestic Policy:

1. Will you commit now, in writing and in word, to support an amendment to the United States Constitution that will prohibit our Legislature from passing any law that has provisions that preclude the Senators, Representatives, and the President from having to live under those laws?
2. Will you commit now, in writing and in word, to adhere to the United States Constitution and not attempt by action or omission to pass laws that have an effect on the private lives of our fellow citizens excepting of course those actions that cause material harm to others?
3. Will you commit now, in writing and in word, to repeal any law that allows for the use of Federal troops in domestic law enforcement actions?
4. Will you commit now, in writing and in word, to support and defend Amendment II of the United States Constitution and support the sovereign right of the citizens to defend themselves from criminal actions?
5. Article II, Section 1 states that “Each state shall appoint, in such a manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in Congress . . .” Will you commit now, in writing and in word, to support an amendment to the United States Constitution that requires all states to publish the names, offices, and manner of selection of all Electors vested with the authority to cast ballots for the office of the President of the United States?
6. Will you commit now, in writing and in word, to an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that prohibits any alteration or infringement upon the “Bill of Rights?”
7. Will you commit now, in writing and in word, to support Amendment XIII of the U.S. Constitution that specifically forbids slavery and involuntary servitude by repealing the Selective Service Act (in all of its manifestations)?
8. Will you commit now, in writing and in word, to support an amendment to the United States Constitution that would require the United States Supreme Court to grant certiorari to all questions of the meaning and application of the “Bill of Rights?”

Economic Policy:

1. Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution specifies the powers granted to the United States Congress. It states that one of those powers is “To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the standard of Weights and Measures;” This section of the Constitution does not allow for the Congress to delegate this authority to a private body. The Federal Reserve as a private institution is allowed to operate as a private bank but they do not have the authority to take over Congressional authority and Congress can not delegate this authority any more than the Department of Defense can delegate our national armed forces to Black Water.
2. Will commit now, in writing and in word, to support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would prohibit the use of public funds for the benefit of private institutions and foreign governments without a popular vote to do so?

Any qualm with the United States Constitution cannot be solved by the Legislature passing a law to by-pass our foundation legal document. It cannot be solved by “signing statements” by the President of the United States. If there issues with our Constitution the mechanism exists to change the Constitution. I ask that you obey the Constitution.

Sincerely and most respectfully,

Brandt Smith

Citizen, veteran USAF

Year end wrap up: War on Drugs

Congressman Ron Paul has recently called the War on Drugs of "total failure." Well, he is right. It is easier to get drugs now than it is to get firewood around here. I even hear that fewer teenagers are using tobacco and alcohol than in previous years but are using more pot.

As I sit down to write this the Drug War Clock shows federal and state spending on the War on Drugs has exceeded $39 billion. The money should raise a few eyebrows. If that doesn't there is the moral case. How can the government decide what we can or cannot put in our bodies. Do we not own our body?

I get it, I had to sit through those D.A.R.E. speaches too. "Drugs are bad, ummkay." So? That isn't the point. Smoking crack is just stupid and if you are smart you won't do it. Stop the War on Drugs. Any government functionary or candidate that says otherwise should be thrown out of office.

What would you do with the wrench?

Another short message to Occupy Wall Street

You folks seem to be embracing the barbaric and murderous philosophy of socialism. After you cease the means of production and run it collectively what will you do when the machine breaks down? Do you think a drum circle will make the machine work again? You guys can't even work the faucet to take a shower how do you think that you will be able to turn a wrench?

Newsflash for you. The means of production are not the factories that you want to cease. It is the human mind working for its own benefit. It isn't greed that is the problem, it is envy. You want what other people have so you want to have armed thugs take it from those that produced and have handed over to you.

I understand why you think "tuition is theft." Your art appreciation degree didn't get you a $150,000 a year job. (Pay attention, that burger is going to flip itself). Let me state what your problem is, you already know this but have been afraid to say it out loud. You have nothing that anyone is willing to pay for. Nobody wants your women's studies degree. You have nothing to offer. Nobody wants your damn opinions, they don't matter.

Go ahead and have your camps. Try not to know that you are being used by thuggish organizations and as a political stump for those that will trampled your self-esteem even further.

In closing, sometimes (and certainly in your case) poor self-esteem is just accurate observation.

A short class

A short class in political science, for our Senate at least.

The legislature and Courts are not part of the government. The government consists of those those functions, that we have decided in the United States, that are under the authority of the Executive. Our "head of government" and "head of state" are unified in the President of the United States. Note that the Executive does not have legislative or judicial power. Our Founders, in their wisdom, took those powers away from government.

The Senate exists, or at least used to, to act as the voice of the several states in our federal union. It was decided that each state regardless of population would be treated equally and each would have two senators. The House of Representatives, in which all spending bills must originate, is designed to the be the voice of the People. The Court is designed to counter balance the states and people, and the government. A senator is not in the government, he is the voice of his state. A representative is not in the government, he is the voice of his district. The Senate and the House control legislation.

A solution

90% taxation.

All income, no matter the source, should be taxed at 90%. In the distant past there was this big pile of money that belonged to everyone. Then some bad, evil, greedy people ran up to this pile and took more than their "fair share." The only way that we can get back to fairness is to take all of the money and put it back in that pile. This time we will post guards around the pile so that unauthorized people don't run in and take more than their "fair share." Think of all the jobs that will be created. We will need a lot of guards.

Don't worry about not having enough money, being permitted to keep only 10% of your income, because there won't be any food to buy. Nobody could afford to produce so there won't be anything to purchase. That being the case you won't be needing that 10% either so hand that over. More jobs will be created buy having to hire people to take the rest of the 10%.

A few problems will arise, like people starving for example, but those can be solved by forcing people to produce. More jobs will be created by having to hire people to force other people to produce. A new problem comes up when we can't produce at a price that people can afford. So we can then require the forced producers to simply keep their prices low so that people can get their "fair share."

In the end, the producers, the guards, and the consumers will all work for the government. We will only need a Department of Production to monitor the forced producers on government farms and in government factories, a Department of Guards to monitor and direct the government guards and enforcers, and a Department of Consumption to make sure that people are consuming enough and a enough of the right stuff at the right time.

We will most likely need a Department of Prisons so that we can remove those that fail the system. The system cannot fail, only treasonous people fail the system. We will have to have a gulag to send them to. I suggest Kansas. Think of all the jobs that will be created by having to hire all those people to staff and work for the Department of Prisons.

About the pile of money. We can't just divide it equally amongst all the people that live here. They can't be trusted to use it correctly and we don't really have any idea of how much money is out there so we can't give out an equal share to everyone. What we can do though is determine how much you need. Then we give that to you.

What do you really need? Some food, a shelter, some water, and maybe some clothing. To make sure that you are not a burden on the system by have clothing that is too expensive (that might make you seem better than the next guy) we are going to issue jumpsuits to everyone. All other clothing is not permitted. If found wearing other clothing you are deemed an enemy of equality (this is where the Department of Prisons comes in). The jumpsuit is "enough" clothing.

Shelter, you will have "enough." To make sure that we are all equal and fair the shelter will be a single room for each member of your family plus a kitchen and living room. Of course there is the problem of some families being bigger than others. To remedy this inequality all families will be limited to one man and one woman (the way Gawd intended it) and two children. More children or less children is unequal and will make you an enemy of equality and fairness. (Again the Department of Prisons will be useful).

Water, you will be issued your daily ration at your government mandated job. You will consume all of it. Over-consumption of water is unfair. Under-consumption of water is a terrorist attempt to unbalance the system. Department of Prisons, you already have the jumpsuit.

Food, you will be issued the perfectly balanced diet. You will voluntarily agree to comply by consuming every bit of the perfectly balanced diet. Over- or under-consumption are enemies of equality. There is a slight problem with food and water. Not every current metabolism or body requires the same amount of calories and water. To remedy this inequality all adults will be required to weigh the same and be of the same height. Body fat content between men and women will have to equalized to get rid of that inequality. Drugs will have to be introduced to control or inhibit growth for those criminals who attempt to be too tall.

The cash again. The cash is just too clumsy. Here is your card. It will be loaded with precisely the fair amount. To make life easier for you the card will also serve as your driver's permit (remember it is a privilege to drive), your medical card, your library card (no worries, all offensive books have been taken care of), and your Blockbuster card.

To the men in America, and elsewhere maybe

I have been working recently in this statistics class. I have noticed something interesting.

Of the younger students most of the really good students are female, that is controlling for the disportionate representation of females to males in college. There is at least one notable exception in a young man that I expect to see great things from him. As far as other males doing well, they are considered "non-traditional students." Why is it that the slightly older males are doing so much better? Is that they actually show up and do the work while handling a family and a full time job but are doing better than those that have no other responsibilities?

Is it that the unique snowflakes just can't compete with the drive and ambition of the older generation? Why have we contributed to the wussification of America.

Men, young and old, stand up and be a man. Work harder and accomplish. Nothing is owed to you without effort. I am concerned about our future as a nation when our future leaders were given a trophy just for showing up and losing. A loser leader can only lead a losing nation.