…but we’ll let you off lightly, this time.
Category: Gummint
And So Say All Of Us
The most important and consequential trend of the twenty-first century has been the rapid expansion of centralized power and the resulting collapse of government competence. We are experiencing widespread and accelerating [federal] government failure.
…
Ironically, a collapse of the U.S. government would produce many great benefits, given its present size, cost, intrusiveness, and ineptitude. Of course, the social dysfunction caused by disruption of Social Security and other entitlements would be massive; shortages of food and other essentials would be devastating; the temptation for other nations to attack us in a variety of ways would be irresistible; and other dire problems would arise.
The states, however, especially the red ones, would surely step in to restore order and cooperate with one another to support interstate commerce, protect the nation’s borders, and take care of the less fortunate in more sensible and affordable ways. As the Texas border protection effort indicates, many states are eager to do just that.
Though it would involve an agonizing period of adjustment, a devolution of power from the federal government to the states and localities would be a boon, well worth the temporary suffering. Until governments stop promising the moon, conditions here in the real world will continue to deteriorate.
I wonder just what all the ramifications of this could be. Read the whole article for details.
That Pesky Constitution Thing
I know that all the Kool Kidz (i.e. the Biden Administration and the Deep State) seem to treat the Constitution as a minor annoyance, to be brushed aside whenever it gets in the way of whatever ghastly thing they’re doing to fuck America over.
Of course, that might cut both ways, in this case when it comes to that pesky part that says that only U.S.-born people can become President. (Lest we get any ideas: amongst other things, it prevents me from running for President, which really is A Good Thing.)
But tell me that you don’t get feelings of longing when you realize that this guy is also prevented from becoming Our Guy:
Argentinian President Javier Milei is continuing his effort to shrink the size of the country’s government. Under his leadership, the government recently cut yet another pound of regulatory flesh from Argentina’s economy.
On Monday, it was reported that the state pushed forth another deregulation package in an effort to free up more of the nation’s market by getting rid of “Soviet resolutions.”
I just came over all tingly. None of that “Add one, subtract two” of the First Trump Presidency: this guy’s just chainsawing the whole fucking regulatory thicket out of existence.
Every time I see what Milei’s doing, I feel the need for a cigarette. And I don’t even smoke.
Point : Counterpoint
Point:
Counterpoint:
Finally, to paraphrase some Big Guy in Government: hammers and sickles aren’t much use against F-16s.
Suppose They Ordered A War…
…and nobody showed up? That’s the old Vietnam-era trope. Here’s the modern-day equivalent:
And:
Fox News reports that a high ranking CBP official told the network that their relationship with the Guard is “strong”.
“While this issue plays out in the courts, the relationship between Border Patrol, Texas DPS [Department of Public Safety], & TMD [Texas Military Dept.] remains strong,” the official said, adding “Our focus is and will always be the mission of protecting this country and its people.”
“On the ground, we continue to work alongside these valuable partners in that endeavor,” the official continued, adding “Bottom line: Border Patrol has no plans to remove infrastructure (c-wire) placed by Texas along the border.”
“Our posture remains the same. If we need to access an area for emergency response, we will do so. When that happens, we will coordinate with Texas DPS & TMD,” the official further declared.
You see, long after the current Administration has passed into the “Bad News” section of the history books, the Border Patrol will still have to work with the Texas guys. Let’s just hope they stick to their ummm statements.
So, ask that question again…?
More Gummint Bastardy
The Treasury Department, on behalf of federal law enforcement after January 6, 2021, asked banks to snoop through customers’ transactions for signs of “extremism,” such as purchases of “small arms” or from gun retailers Dick’s Sporting Goods, Bass Pro Shop, or Cabela’s.
Dunno why they’d include Dick’s, which doesn’t sell any guns anymore (or shouldn’t, given their track record), but whatever. It’s Gummint, so their lists are probably way out of date. But it gets worse, by Rep Jim Jordan’s (R-OH) estimate:
According to the analysis, FinCEN warned financial institutions of “extremism” indicators that include “Transportation charges, such as bus tickets, rental cars, or plane tickets. for travel to areas with no apparent purpose,” or the purchase of books — including religious texts — and subscriptions to other media containing extremist views.
“In other words, FinCEN urged large financial institutions to comb through the private transactions of their customers for suspicious charges on the basis of protected political and religious expression,” Jordan wrote.
Jordan said FinCEN also distributed slides prepared by one bank explaining how other banks could use MCCs to detect customers whose transactions may reflect “potential active shooters, [and] who may include dangerous International Terrorists / Domestic Terrorists / Homegrown Violent Extremists (‘Lone Wolves’).”
This, by the way, is why you should never give the government any information, if you can — they’ll just use it, and not always (or ever) to your advantage.
I shouldn’t have to remind anyone of this, but: cash purchases, individual sales, gun shows, and you know the rest, Anything to prevent the fucking Gummint from seeing what’s under your fingernails.
As for the travel part: drive, buy gas with cash, disable any tracking bullshit on your phone (Google Maps, for instance) and leave as little trace as possible.
Range time, Kim? Yes, indeed.