June 23rd, 2008
The Advantage
Better Car Rentals
It seems as though every time I travel for business I learn something new, and I’ve done quite a significant amount of business travel over the past ten years or so. My most recent learning experience was – when in need of a car rental, go straight to Advantage Rent A Car and bypass all of the hassles you’re bound to experience with the competition.
Of course, I learned this the hard way… Only after the company I originally had reserved a “full size” vehicle with could only provide me with a subcompact. I’m not sure they actually know the meaning of “reservation”.
Anyhow, Advantage bailed me out and earned my future business. Not only did they have the vehicle I originally reserved from the other company, but it was cheaper!
Heck, right now they have a special offer of up to 50% discount on luxury and convertible models. Hopefully they’ll still have that offer available the next time I travel.
Posted in Misc |
June 22nd, 2008
Issues 2008 - Part III
Secure The Borders
The current platform of the Libertarian Party paints a bright and accurate picture regarding the issue of immigration: “Our borders are currently neither open, closed, nor secure. This situation restricts the labor pool, encouraging employers to hire undocumented workers, while leaving those workers neither subject to nor protected by the law. A completely open border allows foreign criminals, carriers of communicable diseases, terrorists and other potential threats to enter the country unchecked. Pandering politicians guarantee access to public services for undocumented aliens, to the detriment of those who would enter to work productively, and increasing the burden on taxpayers.”
Resolving this issue will be a challenge for America as it means that we must be aggressive in securing our borders while at the same time, vigilantly fighting the nanny state that seeks to coddle even those capable of providing for their own personal prosperity.
Until all governments are willing to take a unified front to confront this problem, it is the duty of the federal government to secure our borders from criminals, terrorists and those seeking to take advantage of the American taxpayer.
See Also:
Issue 2008 - Part I
Issue 2008 - Part II
Tags: barr 2008, borders
Posted in Libertarian |
June 22nd, 2008
Let It Snow
OK, So It’s 90 Degrees Right now…
As a native Vermonter who has moved south to enjoy the better climate (and lower taxes!), there’s still some things that leave me longing for visits back to the Great White North, or out west to Colorado. And there’s nothing I miss more than carving through that fresh white powder on a snowboard.
I’ve been skiing since I was about 5 years old, but after first being introduced to snowboarding while in my teens, there was no looking back at the ski. And, in my opinion, there is no competition for Burton snowboards. My skis were always K2 or Rossignol, and my snowboard was always Burton.
Despite the sweltering heat of the summer that’s upon us – or maybe because of that heat – my old Burton is on my mind lately. I might just have to visit my favorite online ski and board shop, Christy Sports, and set myself up with gear for a winter trip to the mountains this year.
Posted in Misc |
June 21st, 2008
Issues 2008 - Part II
Maximize Individual Liberty & Restore the Constitution
The United States was created for the purpose of securing the liberties of its people. The colonists fled oppressive old world governments. The nation’s founders drafted the Constitution to sharply limit the federal government’s powers. The horrors perpetrated by the many collectivist tyrannies of the 20th Century demonstrate that the danger of government, any government, violating individual liberty is greater today than when America was founded.
Unfortunately, in recent years government at all levels has shown growing disrespect for the Constitution, particularly the Fourth Amendment that protects citizens from unlawful searches and seizures. The sustained government attack on the sanctity of the rights of the individual, including their right to be secure in their privacy and property, has created a moral and Constitutional crisis. America’s elected officials at all levels must renew their respect for the law and work to protect the rights of individuals.
The place to start is restoring the writ of Habeas Corpus, which protects against unlawful detention, and thus stands at the core of individual liberty. Article 1 of the Constitution provides that this right shall not be suspended without clear and necessary cause, such as during an invasion. In passing the Military Commissions Act of 2006, Congress, pushed by President George W. Bush, effectively ended this protection within America. The Constitutional protections of Habeas Corpus should not be sacrificed so easily.
Finally, an increasingly intrusive Nanny State is watching over our nation, meddling in the lives of its citizens. New measures, often rushed through legislatures and regulatory agencies with little consideration or thought, seek to control ever more aspects of people’s lives. Government limits individual actions and choices, from the way in which we educate our children to the food that we eat, from the type of light bulbs that illuminate our living rooms to the benefits that we receive for working. It is time to again trust individuals to make their own decisions. At the core of libertarianism is a trust in and respect for the personal choices of every individual. All Americans should be free to decide what is best for themselves and their families. At the same time, they must bear personal responsibility for the consequences of the decisions that they make, whether those decisions prove to be good or bad.
See Also:
Issue 2008 - Part I
Tags: barr 2008
Posted in Libertarian |
June 21st, 2008
Web Hosting Resource
The Easy Way
I’ve been hosting my blogs with paid webhosting companies for several years now, and regular websites for many years longer. I’ve been hosting websites in one capacity or another for at least 10 years. I have to admit, I’ve been through quite a few web hosts during this time, but am happiest with my current host.
After you’ve done it once or twice, moving from one web host to another isn’t all that difficult. The most difficult part is deciding upon the host to begin with. This is where WebHostingGeeks.com shines.
These guys have done a fantastic job of gathering data about the leading web hosting companies, and have organized it in such a way that most of your research into potential web hosts can be done right from their website.
WebHostingGeeks.com even lists the features and bonus features, as well as the rating of the host, in an easy to read side-by-side chart to make comparisons easy. You can even find the best budget hosting, quickly and easily.
If I ever changes hosts again, this website will be my first stop.
Posted in Misc |
June 21st, 2008
Issues 2008 - Part I
Big Government and Big Spending - The Root of all Problems
Government spending at all levels is out of control. Most Americans understand the problem of “earmarks,” commonly used by pork-minded congressmen to buy votes. But while earmarks are an outrageous abuse of the taxpayer’s money, they account for a very small percentage of federal spending. Over the past decade, total government spending (state, local and federal) has increased from $2.9 trillion to an astonishing $5.1 trillion in 2008. The $3.1 trillion federal budget submitted by President Bush for next year was greater than the combined 1998 spending of the federal government, all 50 states and over 87,000 local governments.
The federal government must take the lead in making significant cuts in spending. Focusing on earmarks risks distracting attention from the broader problem of a government wildly wasting the money of hard-working Americans. Tens of billions of dollars in corporate welfare — essentially aid to dependent corporations — should be eliminated. Largesse for middle- and upper-income Americans, particularly so-called “entitlement” programs, must be cut. Billions in so-called defense spending, which protects America’s populous, prosperous allies rather than Americans, must be eliminated.
Cutting spending would allow America to implement real tax reform. Our goal should be to reduce both the tax burden on Americans and the intrusion in their lives resulting from IRS enforcement of the income tax. One of the best approaches would be to adopt some form of a consumption tax, like a national sales tax, replacing the Internal Revenue Service and all federal income taxes as well as payroll taxes.
It is not enough to eliminate the income tax. We also must repeal the 16th amendment, which authorizes Congress to levy an income tax. Without doing so, there would be an ever-present danger that a future Congress would attempt to bring back the income tax on top of the Fair Tax or any other alternative to the income tax.
Tags: barr 2008
Posted in Libertarian |
June 20th, 2008
Domain Name Score
Have You Checked Yours?
In the world of web hosting, it is recognized that your website is only as good as the domain name representing it. Choosing the wrong domain name, no matter the intentions, can be the difference between success or failure for any website, as well as the services, products, or organization which the website represents or promotes.
Exactly how strong is your domain name? Does it accurately represent your product or service? Could another choice of name be better?
The only way to know for sure is to perform a domain name analysis on your chosen name. And there is no better expert in the area of domain names than Network Solutions.
Network Solutions have long been known as the domain name authority. They have taken this knowledge and expertise, and have created a simple online application to assist you with evaluating the strength of your domain name.
Once you’ve created a shortlist of potential domain name candidates, visit the Network Solutions website and follow the easy instructions on their “Domain Name Scorecard” to determine which domain name will be the best choice for your website.
This is a quick, easy, and free service from Network Solutions – and the reward for determining the score of your domain name could be priceless.
Posted in Misc |
June 20th, 2008
Alone
No Surprises
So, where is the news about all of the countries rushing to aid the flood victims in the midwest United States?
Hey, Kuwait, remember that whole “saved your ass from Iraqi invasion” thing?
Hey, Iraq, you know that whole “liberate you from Saddam” thing?
Um, Israel, who’s been protecting your asses from the entire Middle East for the past 50 years?
Oh, nevermind… I’m sure the checks are in the mail.
Tags: disaster relief
Posted in Current Events |
June 19th, 2008
Camping In Style
And Staying Dry
Camping is great.
Well, OK… By “camping” I mean being really close to nature, but also close to a bathroom, shower, microwave, comfortable beds, shelter from the rain, electricity, a refrigerator, video games, DVD player, LCD HDTV, and my computer.
But, you know, still really close to nature, with like real trees, mosquitoes, and bears.
Clearly, an RV is the closest to “camping” that I’ll get these days. While I used to go camping all the time in my younger years, sleeping in a wet tent just doesn’t appeal to me like it used to.
I’ve been browsing the used RVs at RVs.com and I’m actually quite amazed at the current selection. New RVs are being offered at great prices as well. I suppose the high cost of gasoline has convinced many to sell their RVs, but when compared to other forms of travel – especially when including lodging – the RV is still a very affordable option.
Plus, it will allow me to “camp”, yet not miss an episode of Family Guy.
Posted in Misc |
June 19th, 2008
Marxist America
It’s Closer Than You Think
House Democrats yesterday called for the government to own refineries so it could better control the flow of the oil supply.
Representative Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) said “We (the government) should own the refineries. Then we can control how much gets out into the market.”
Excuse me Rep. Hinchey… It appears that you might need some help removing your head from your ass.
Honestly, who the fuck votes for these imbeciles?
The last thing our country needs is the government owning anything related to oil, gasoline, or refineries.
What is the government’s track record on:
- Public schools?
- Social Security?
- Veterans Hospitals?
- FEMA?
- Balancing budgets?
- Tax code?
- Immigration?
- Border enforcement?
Government control of services and consumer goods has another name by definition: Socialism.
Tags: government, oil
Posted in Dumbass |
