Maggie's Farm

We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.

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Wednesday, February 23. 2011

Wednesday morning links

In Commentary, How to understand Rush Limbaugh


Chevy Volt rebate rip-off


WSJ: Political Fight Over Unions Escalates


A BA for $10,000?


Jonah: Government Unions Have Not Benefited the Public


David Brooks says this too:



Private sector unions confront managers who have an incentive to push back against their demands. Public sector unions face managers who have an incentive to give in to them for the sake of their own survival. Most important, public sector unions help choose those they negotiate with. Through gigantic campaign contributions and overall clout, they have enormous influence over who gets elected to bargain with them, especially in state and local races.


Rep. Allen West smacks down CAIR (h/t, Gateway):


Posted by Bird Dog in Hot News & Misc. Short Subjects at 06:30 | Comments (16) | Trackbacks (0)

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It misses the chief element of Rush's success - that his bombastic larger-than-life persona is self-deprecatory humor, a kind of humor that always succeeds.

The left can't make fun of themselves because the house of cards would come down.

So no lefty radio succeeds.
#1 rhhardin (Link) on 2011-02-23 07:54 (Reply)
"With half my brain tied behind my back, just to make it fair."
#1.1 Bird Dog on 2011-02-23 07:56 (Reply)
Does that bother you, BD? Jeez, I hope not.
#1.1.1 D on 2011-02-23 11:37 (Reply)
That Alan West clip is going viral in spite of the audio quality. I suspect the reason is the non apologetic nature of his response to the CAIR person.

I believe it is the first honest dialog I have heard from an American leader since 9/11. Meet aggression with aggression.
#2 Brian in Idaho on 2011-02-23 08:27 (Reply)
I'm proud to have donated to West's campaign (I don't live in Florida)
#2.1 mudbug on 2011-02-23 09:00 (Reply)
What a great article on Limbaugh, radio, and us. Why, oh why can no-one in the mainstream media do an honest and enlightening piece like this?

Of course they can, they just wont. To all our detriment.
#3 Big___Al on 2011-02-23 08:45 (Reply)
Malfomed link on the BA for $10K:
I'd enter the correct one here but the spam trap will attack me if I do...
#4 Douglas2 on 2011-02-23 11:06 (Reply)
I think this will work:

http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/a-bachelor’s-degree-for-10k-yes-we-can/
#4.1 beenel on 2011-02-23 12:02 (Reply)
The Chevy Volt rebate, like similar rebates, does have the failing the linked article mentions: it distorts markets by paying people to do what they would probably do anyway.
But my real complaint about rebates is that taxpayers are being compelled to support what engineering and market forces do not support: solar panels that cost more than the electricity they produce, cars with short ranges and limited capacity, and other things I wouldn't buy for myself, let alone for someone else.
I know that most taxes are raised from wealthier people than me but I'm just as angry that their money is being put to such foolish use as I am that my money is.
If alternative energy has a future as economically viable, and therefore environmentally viable as well, let the private sector run the experiments that look like they will become profitable. Stockholders can support or oppose such schemes more readily than taxpayers can because they have more influence on the corporations than I have on Obama.
#5 Geoff Brown on 2011-02-23 11:49 (Reply)
I'm with you, Brian, on the splendid response of Col. West to CAIR's whining. "Don't try to blow sunshine, etc." Meet rude aggression with aggression when necessary. And don't pull your punches.

Did you note this morning that Gov. Walker of Wisconsin is insisting that Democrat congressmen who want their paychecks must get them personally in the legislative chamber? "No tickee, no washee" as the old joke said. He also noted that if the"fleebaggers" remain in their vacation spots out of state, he is going to start furloughing their office staffs, along with other goverment employees.

Yes, indeedy. Actions have consequences. Grown-ups know that.

Marianne
#6 Marianne Matthews on 2011-02-23 12:41 (Reply)
Hopefully, Walker, Christie, West, Kasich, are ushering in a resurgence of grown-upism.

We can only hope.
#6.1 mudbug on 2011-02-23 14:04 (Reply)
Marianne, mudbug et al...

I've said this before: The horse has left the barn. Some grown-ups might slightly improve things, or should I say slow the collapse. Nothing short of revolution and/or a total collapse is ever going to fix our problems. Look at what's happening in Wisconsin with just proposed minor cuts and tweaks.

If I was elected president, and decided to uphold my and every other elected official's oath to the constitution, there would be chaos. We're 100 years into this progressive mess, by my understanding. 100 years into ignoring the constitution and the founders' intent, with the addition of a few terrible amendments to further hinder us. Many, many years of losing our faith in God and our way as a country and society.

It's over. But there's nowhere else to go... YET. Maybe there needs to be a new nation formed by those of us who are able.

The only optimism I have is in eternity.
#7 Big___Al on 2011-02-23 14:28 (Reply)
This is probably not an exact quote, but Churchill is reputed to have said something to the effect that democracy is a terrible form of government -- but is better than every other form of government.

If any person with a younger, better memory than mine has a more accurate version of this, please correct me. I'm always ready to learn.

My husband says, if you shove enough information into the front of your brain, stuff falls out the back.

Marianne
#8 Marianne Matthews on 2011-02-23 15:33 (Reply)
My husband says, if you shove enough information into the front of your brain, stuff falls out the back

--i do believe Sherlock Holmes held the same belief, MM.

Freud, too, iirc.
#8.1 buddy larsen on 2011-02-23 15:55 (Reply)
Marianne,

I always heard it as "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others". Churchill was an incredible mind who also had as much courage. It's easy to see why Obummer doesn't appreciate him and sent his bust back to England.

I hope you're wrong, but I fear you're right about the US. Secession may be the only answer. I try to be more optimistic, but it isn't usually easy. I find some comfort in getting older for this reason. I just pray that things will at least hang on while my daughter is alive - maybe another 60 or 70 years.
#9 mudbug on 2011-02-23 16:03 (Reply)
Mr West please STAND FOR THE PRESIDENCY. YOU ARE THE BEST PUBLIC OFFICE HOLDER I HAVE SEEN SINCE REAGAN.
#10 thehawkreturns on 2011-02-24 02:00 (Reply)

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