The Eleven Questions

I haven't linked to anything over at Counting Cats lately. 
A relatively new contributor called "Single Acts Of Tyranny" is asking various folks eleven questions about politics and liberty. 

The questions have a slight bent toward the U.K., but all still apply to the U.S.A.  To save "Single Acts Of Tyranny" the trouble of emailing me, I'm going to answer the eleven questions now, just for the good of The Republic. 

The Whited Sepulchre is a Fort Worth, TX blogger, shipping manager, inadequate guitarist, dachshund owner, and Chair of the Tarrant County Libertarian Party.  He often requires a helicopter pilot as a designated driver. 

1. Who was the greatest political leader in the Western world?

President Calvin Coolidge.  He grew the U.S. economy, retired a huge chunk of the national debt, was almost an isolationist, spoke out in favor of civil rights, and made no effort at all to be a great political "leader".  Therefore, the nation prospered.  The worst thing that can happen to a nation is for it to be afflicted with a great political leader, as presently defined.  May Coolidge and his tribe increase. 

2. If you could change, introduce or abolish one law, what would it be?

I would eliminate the "General Welfare Clause" from the U.S. Constitution, and tighten up the "Commerce Clause".  These have been slowly misinterpreted to mean that Congress can do whatever the hell it wants. 

3. What advice would you give to a sixteen year-old today?

The same advice that my mother gave me as I was going away to college.  "Don't wash anything in hot water, and watch out for wild women."  I might add: "Invest as much as you can in gold and silver".
 

4. Who do you most admire?

Almost any entrepreneur who has taken the risk of creating something that people will desire more than their money.  Also, my parents. 

5. Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the future of your country?

Incredibly pessimistic.  We're 17 trillion in debt, and are in the hands of Drug Warriors, Crony Capitalists, the Military Industrial Complex, and a machine politician from Chicago.   But I am looking forward to saying "I told you so!!"  

6. If you think voting for establishment parties changes little or nothing, what is the one thing we can do as individuals to cause real change?

Vote for the Libertarian Party.  We will slay the beast and replace it with a puppy.  

  

7. When will we finally say good-bye to the state?

We won't.  Mostly because no matter what Grandmother Stalin said, there really is such a thing as a bad, bad boy. 

8. Should free people have the right to keep and bear arms openly or covertly without government permission, sanction or registration?

Yep. 

9. What annoys you most about current politics?

Oh god....Ok, in spite of serious competition, it's the belief that if someone is opposed to Barack's education, healthcare, charity, relief, energy, and agriculture con games, then that person is opposed to all education, healthcare, charity, relief, energy, and agriculture. 

10. Gold standard or fiat currency and interest rate control?

That question presupposes a false dichotomy.  We could have a gold standard, and a currency issued by a neighborhood bank, and another currency issued by Wal-Mart, and dozens of others.  Let a thousand currencies bloom!!  Anyone foolish enough to want a fiat currency could continue trading with his fiat currency and saving his fiat currency.  But one day he would look in his wallet and realize that his dollars are made of paper. 

11. Do we have an obligation to help the poor?

No, but if you don't help the poor and disabled, you're probably an asshole.  I just wish that government anti-poverty programs left us with more money to help the poor.  Two years ago, the U.S. anti-poverty programs blew through $63,000.00 per poor family in the nation.  I don't think it went to the poor. 

Hope this has been entertaining, Cat Counters!!