Dan Hannan waxes eloquent about friend Timo Soini, leader of the True Finns, who recently told Europe to take a hike, refusing to bail out its reckless bankers with their taxes.
DanHan refers to Soini's WSJ editorial, which is a cheerful explanation of the pernicious practices that occur when bankers and politicians get together to perform a gang-rape on the citizenry.
When I had the honor of leading the True Finn Party to electoral victory in April, we made a solemn promise to oppose the bailouts of euro-zone member states. Europe is suffering from the economic gangrene of insolvency—both public and private. Unless we amputate that which cannot be saved, we risk poisoning the whole body.
To understand the real nature and purpose of the bailouts, we first have to understand who really benefits from them.
At the risk of being accused of populism, we'll begin with the obvious: It is not the little guy who benefits. He is being milked and lied to in order to keep the insolvent system running. He is paid less and taxed more to provide the money needed to keep this Ponzi scheme going. Meanwhile, a symbiosis has developed between politicians and banks: Our political leaders borrow ever more money to pay off the banks, which return the favor by lending ever more money back to our governments.
In a true market economy, bad choices get penalized. Instead of accepting losses on unsound investments—which would have led to the probable collapse of some banks—it was decided to transfer the losses to taxpayers via loans, guarantees and opaque constructs such as the European Financial Stability Fund.
In a true market economy, bad choices get penalized. Soini understands, and states, the obvious. Why won't our politicians do likewise?
Further, he notes:
This is not just about economics. People feel betrayed. In Ireland, the incoming parties to the new government promised to hold senior bondholders responsible, but under pressure they succumbed, leaving their voters with a sense of disenfranchisement. The elites in Brussels have said that Finland must honor its commitments to its European partners, but Brussels is silent on whether national politicians should honor their commitments to their own voters.
This is not just about economics.
Green Shoots nomination for Timo, ya'll. He gets it. Here's hoping Finland ends up being the real-life Mouse That Roared. All it take for a Ponzi scheme to collapse is for one of the victims to scream bloody murder and refuse to play. After that, it's just a matter of time.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
The Greek Two-Year Bond Now Yielding +25%: But, No Worries, Just Go Back To Watching 'Housewives' And 'Oprah'
What happens when a nation is run by politicians who promise to spend more and more into perpetuity, all the while simply borrowing from the rest of the world to cover its shortfalls?
It goes broke. Like Greece. And we get moon-shot charts of short-term gubbermint interest rates that look like this.
The US carries 15 trillion in debt, and Barry and Timmy insist we just must-must-must borrow 2 trillion more, lest bad-bad-bad things happen to us.
What might happen here?
OK, ya'll. Didn't wanna get nobody upset, heah? Jes' go back to that re-run of yesterday's NASCAR event, and make sure you got the tivo set up for wrasslin' tonight.
It goes broke. Like Greece. And we get moon-shot charts of short-term gubbermint interest rates that look like this.
The US carries 15 trillion in debt, and Barry and Timmy insist we just must-must-must borrow 2 trillion more, lest bad-bad-bad things happen to us.
What might happen here?
OK, ya'll. Didn't wanna get nobody upset, heah? Jes' go back to that re-run of yesterday's NASCAR event, and make sure you got the tivo set up for wrasslin' tonight.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Why Obama And Company Still Need To Depart Office: Taxing Cars By The Mile
OS is truly happy that President Obama gave the order to kill Bin Laden. But, let us remember always, it was the Navy that killed the monster, supported by a 'cloud of witnesses' from around the world, most of whom will go to their graves with crucial information and the methods employed to glean it. The President, for once in his extended childhood, made an adult decision, and acted in his constitutional role as Commander-in-Chief. Let's not not give Little Barry a new Audi A-4 just because he brought home one good grade on one report card, know-whud-I-mean?
Meanwhile, back in Washington, a new plan (as reported by The Hill) is being floated--a scheme to tax people per mile for driving their cars, with the mileage to be calculated by the mandatory installation of an electronic tracking device, and tax to be collected at the pump each time theserf driver fills up.
Damn! It's brilliant! What could possibly go wrong, ya'll?
Liddle electronic devices never malfunction, right? And dah gubbermint never ever ever ever screws stuff up when it comes to collecting taxes, right? And this won't fall disproportionately upon the poor, with their older and less efficient cars, will it? And there's no possibility whatsoever of any infringement of civil liberties, ever ever ever, right?
Now, for a quick civics lesson: This is just one example of the sort of nonsense floated about daily by gubbermints--unelected people with post-grad degrees, on the public payroll, sitting in offices bought by taxpayer dollars, who seriously pursue these schemes to oppress and defraud the citizenry, in the name of SomeGreaterGood.
The brutal beasts who ran the prison camps of the Gulag and Nazi Germany didn't actually set up the system, ya'll! That was done (to paraphrase C.S. Lewis) by polite gentlemen with pedigrees and university diplomas, dressed in suits, meeting in book-lined conference rooms, quietly planning The Future after their own desires, with motions taken and seconded, voted upon, and duly noted in the minutes--followed of course by a quiet dinner to congratulate themselves for their good work, also bought with tax dollars. Or, now better yet, the final decisions are taken at a private resort, with private beaches and golf, away from The Rabble Whose Lives Must Be Run For Them.
This is why Congress must take away the credit card from the Executive, defund to zero these agencies, lest they herd our children and grandchildren onto the trains to GodKnowsWhere. It's crucial this be done now, while time allows.
The noisy debate is about 'We can't afford to spend this money, borrowing forty cents of every dollar'. That's just the chatter about the terrible math we have created for ourselves.
What's really at stake is our culture, our freedom, our dignity, our lives.
This is why Obama must go, and all his fellow travelers with him.
Don't imagine for a moment that Himself ordered the death of Bin Laden, motivated by love of country.
Meanwhile, back in Washington, a new plan (as reported by The Hill) is being floated--a scheme to tax people per mile for driving their cars, with the mileage to be calculated by the mandatory installation of an electronic tracking device, and tax to be collected at the pump each time the
Damn! It's brilliant! What could possibly go wrong, ya'll?
Liddle electronic devices never malfunction, right? And dah gubbermint never ever ever ever screws stuff up when it comes to collecting taxes, right? And this won't fall disproportionately upon the poor, with their older and less efficient cars, will it? And there's no possibility whatsoever of any infringement of civil liberties, ever ever ever, right?
Now, for a quick civics lesson: This is just one example of the sort of nonsense floated about daily by gubbermints--unelected people with post-grad degrees, on the public payroll, sitting in offices bought by taxpayer dollars, who seriously pursue these schemes to oppress and defraud the citizenry, in the name of SomeGreaterGood.
The brutal beasts who ran the prison camps of the Gulag and Nazi Germany didn't actually set up the system, ya'll! That was done (to paraphrase C.S. Lewis) by polite gentlemen with pedigrees and university diplomas, dressed in suits, meeting in book-lined conference rooms, quietly planning The Future after their own desires, with motions taken and seconded, voted upon, and duly noted in the minutes--followed of course by a quiet dinner to congratulate themselves for their good work, also bought with tax dollars. Or, now better yet, the final decisions are taken at a private resort, with private beaches and golf, away from The Rabble Whose Lives Must Be Run For Them.
This is why Congress must take away the credit card from the Executive, defund to zero these agencies, lest they herd our children and grandchildren onto the trains to GodKnowsWhere. It's crucial this be done now, while time allows.
The noisy debate is about 'We can't afford to spend this money, borrowing forty cents of every dollar'. That's just the chatter about the terrible math we have created for ourselves.
What's really at stake is our culture, our freedom, our dignity, our lives.
This is why Obama must go, and all his fellow travelers with him.
Don't imagine for a moment that Himself ordered the death of Bin Laden, motivated by love of country.
David Letterman Shares Osama Bin Laden's Final Words
Letterman's Top Ten is an American institution. Every night, this respectable-looking Midwesterner in a natty suit reads an outrageous list, usually composed of the thoughts we dare not express.
(Drum roll in background...)
10. "My horoscope says big surprises are in store."
9. "See, this is why I normally don't answer the door."
8. "The one time I give my bodyguards a day off to go to the zoo ..."
7. "What on Earth could be interrupting Celebrity Apprentice?"
6. "I hear Brian Williams is on Dave to discuss my imminent demise."
5. "At least I'll be reunited with my dear, departed friend Jack LaLanne."
4. "I'm not sure I want to live in a world where Fast Five is the #1 movie."
3. "Any man with multiple wives welcomes death. Am I right, fellas?"
2. "I need a house full of Navy SEALs like I need a hole in the head."
1. "Oh, crap!"
As usual, the writers wait until #2 to unload the true zinger of the evening...
(Drum roll in background...)
10. "My horoscope says big surprises are in store."
9. "See, this is why I normally don't answer the door."
8. "The one time I give my bodyguards a day off to go to the zoo ..."
7. "What on Earth could be interrupting Celebrity Apprentice?"
6. "I hear Brian Williams is on Dave to discuss my imminent demise."
5. "At least I'll be reunited with my dear, departed friend Jack LaLanne."
4. "I'm not sure I want to live in a world where Fast Five is the #1 movie."
3. "Any man with multiple wives welcomes death. Am I right, fellas?"
2. "I need a house full of Navy SEALs like I need a hole in the head."
1. "Oh, crap!"
As usual, the writers wait until #2 to unload the true zinger of the evening...
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Quick Takes For The Week
OS is up to his keister in work, so it may be a few days before he gets to gather any thoughts.
Last Friday through today have been eventful, and uplifting, both in the 'big picture' and the 'little picture' of life in OS's house.
So, quickly: OS notes that the Almighty often affords us glimpses of the contrast between His ways and the ways of the evil one. The royal wedding, a thing of dignity and beauty, contrasted with the mass murderer hiding behind women and children in his blast-proof compound (undoubtedly living under the protection of the Pakis). Which approach to life and culture offers hope, which offers despair?
OS was able to check an item off his personal 'bucket list'. He attended the Tom Jones concert at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium, the home of the Grand Ole Opry. Jones is seventy, still in wonderful health and voice. OS attended to be entertained, and came away inspired and deeply moved. He's still mulling over the evening, will have more to say as the words organize themselves. In the meantime, for those readers in Europe and the UK, his upcoming schedule is here. If you can, attend. You'll thank OS later.
OS rejoices always at the defeat of evil, at the administration of justice, and the demise of those who prey upon the innocent. It occurs to him that this weekend may be remembered as the first adult decision made by Barack Obama, in a life dedicated to avoidance of such necessities. All credit to all those who, over the past decade, made the moment of bullet insertion above Bin Laden's left eye possible. Obama's second adult act should be to invite President Bush, Vice-President Cheney, Secretary Rumsfeld, and the commandants of Club Gitmo to the White House for a public acknowledgment of the wisdom of their approach in pursuit of the monster. Time will tell if the effect of the first adult moment will wear off too soon.
Back to work. Take care, say your prayers, and give thanks to the Almighty for the US Navy.
Last Friday through today have been eventful, and uplifting, both in the 'big picture' and the 'little picture' of life in OS's house.
So, quickly: OS notes that the Almighty often affords us glimpses of the contrast between His ways and the ways of the evil one. The royal wedding, a thing of dignity and beauty, contrasted with the mass murderer hiding behind women and children in his blast-proof compound (undoubtedly living under the protection of the Pakis). Which approach to life and culture offers hope, which offers despair?
OS was able to check an item off his personal 'bucket list'. He attended the Tom Jones concert at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium, the home of the Grand Ole Opry. Jones is seventy, still in wonderful health and voice. OS attended to be entertained, and came away inspired and deeply moved. He's still mulling over the evening, will have more to say as the words organize themselves. In the meantime, for those readers in Europe and the UK, his upcoming schedule is here. If you can, attend. You'll thank OS later.
OS rejoices always at the defeat of evil, at the administration of justice, and the demise of those who prey upon the innocent. It occurs to him that this weekend may be remembered as the first adult decision made by Barack Obama, in a life dedicated to avoidance of such necessities. All credit to all those who, over the past decade, made the moment of bullet insertion above Bin Laden's left eye possible. Obama's second adult act should be to invite President Bush, Vice-President Cheney, Secretary Rumsfeld, and the commandants of Club Gitmo to the White House for a public acknowledgment of the wisdom of their approach in pursuit of the monster. Time will tell if the effect of the first adult moment will wear off too soon.
Back to work. Take care, say your prayers, and give thanks to the Almighty for the US Navy.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Bin-Laden, The Hero Of Islam, Found Hiding Behind Women And Children, The Sick And Students
From Atlantic Monthly:
Osama's compound on Google Maps.
Bin Laden's compound is just north, as you can see below, of a hospital for women and children and a cinema. About 800 feet to the west is the Cantt Police Station. There's little information available about the station online, but a Flickr photo taken in February 2007 shows it in rough condition. The station, at that time, was "included in the demolition list of the provincial government works department," the caption claims.
It's unclear who added the hideout to Google Maps or when, but it's already there -- and labeled as an "amusement park."
His compound was surrounded by hospitals, clinics, schools. At the end, he hid behind women as human shields, one of whom was apparently killed, with others wounded.
Dear readers, if at any point you encounter someone who wishes to serve as an apologist for this man and his brand of politics and religions, OS grants you leave to scream curses at the top of your lungs, and direct the idiot to view this map.
Osama's compound on Google Maps.
Bin Laden's compound is just north, as you can see below, of a hospital for women and children and a cinema. About 800 feet to the west is the Cantt Police Station. There's little information available about the station online, but a Flickr photo taken in February 2007 shows it in rough condition. The station, at that time, was "included in the demolition list of the provincial government works department," the caption claims.
It's unclear who added the hideout to Google Maps or when, but it's already there -- and labeled as an "amusement park."
His compound was surrounded by hospitals, clinics, schools. At the end, he hid behind women as human shields, one of whom was apparently killed, with others wounded.
Dear readers, if at any point you encounter someone who wishes to serve as an apologist for this man and his brand of politics and religions, OS grants you leave to scream curses at the top of your lungs, and direct the idiot to view this map.
Bin Laden Is Killed, And Learns That 72 Virgins Story Is Bogus: Hell Is Hot And Eternity Lasts FOREVER
This is a good moment for the United States, and the world.
OS remembers the day clearly, that bright and otherwise normal Tuesday morning when everything about our world changed. The tragedy and the rage and the fear and the rage.
Almost ten years later, and heaven only knows how much blood and treasure spent, the United States found the murdering scumbag, and killed him.
Finally. Justice. Revenge.
In honor of the occasion, the best song ever on the subject--Toby Keith's 'Beer For My Horses':
OS remembers the day clearly, that bright and otherwise normal Tuesday morning when everything about our world changed. The tragedy and the rage and the fear and the rage.
Almost ten years later, and heaven only knows how much blood and treasure spent, the United States found the murdering scumbag, and killed him.
Finally. Justice. Revenge.
In honor of the occasion, the best song ever on the subject--Toby Keith's 'Beer For My Horses':
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