The History of Our Freedom

I've been watching the HBO mini series John Adams on DVD. What a powerful account of the efforts and sacrifices made by our forefathers to secure the freedom and liberties that our nation enjoys today.

There are likely several inaccuracies in this account compared to the true history of these events. Frankly, that's not going to make me throw out the overall message. The principles, and their basis, are too important to ignore.

I hope that more people study our history - the events, the foundations, the perspectives and the people - to better understand the origins of the freedom that was secured on our behalf. We need to learn from our history and foundational principles rather than discard them out of ignorance.

I would also hope that we would more carefully understand the references that we cite in our political arguments, such as our constitution and the bill of rights, to understand the true language and purpose behind the writings created to both document and preserve our freedom.

As one of my mentors often says, "Know why you believe what you believe."

What made us a free nation will keep us free. What made us strong will keep us strong. What was won on our behalf must be preserved.


"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."

Ronald Reagan

The Incentive to Succeed

One of my network connections sent out a weekly commentary today. Great information to spur thought and conversation.

"Lyndon Johnson declared a War on Poverty, some 40+ years ago. Based on proposals I've seen, it appears that a War on Prosperity is on its way.

Current proposals would increase the top federal income tax rate to 39.6% for those with $200,000 in AGI, or $250,000 in AGI for joint filers.

In addition, about one-third of these earner's deductions would be disallowed, and we can expect payroll (FICA) taxes to be applied to all income over $250,000.

This combination of benefits will increase taxes for taxpayers in this bracket by about half. Finally, capital gains tax rates are expected to increase to 20%.

The beauty of this strategy is that the 2% of taxpayers affected cast only about 4% of the votes."

I was drawn to the final line about "votes" represented by the impacted taxpayers. I recall the recent elections and the campaign platforms, and put the entirety of this commentary in that perspective. It suggests that the slim minority of the voting public, affected by these proposals, lack the power to respond with any force in the ballot box.

I think that a review of history and a comparison of other national economies have both shown, however, that the general prosperity intended by this redistribution would eventually drive the opposite results. The incentive to succeed, to work towards prosperity, becomes a negative incentive when the fruits of those efforts are taken away. Over time, when the rewards diminish, the incentive to prosper fades as well.

I welcome your comments and insights.

History Lesson... or is that an Economy Lesson?

"All the perplexities, confusion and distress in America arise, not from defects in their Constitution or Confederation, not from want of honor or virtue, so much as from the downright ignorance of the nature of coin, credit and circulation."

John Adams

Spreading the Wealth

I received this in an e-mail recently. I welcome your comments!

You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom.

What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.

The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.

When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation.

You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.