Showing posts with label red tape. Show all posts
Showing posts with label red tape. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Monday, September 23, 2013
ObamaCare in two charts
Here's your first chart, explaining how much your premiums will likely rise. It was put together by the Society of Actuaries. (You can go here to read what the sent to the Wall Street Journal editors about our upcoming healthcare debacle. Good stuff.)
Here's the 2nd chart, explaining WHY your premiums are likely to rise. It was put together by some Republican Congressman's staff. And I bet they had a great time doing it.
I hope these help. Don't get sick.
Here's the 2nd chart, explaining WHY your premiums are likely to rise. It was put together by some Republican Congressman's staff. And I bet they had a great time doing it.
I hope these help. Don't get sick.
Saturday, June 29, 2013
A brief word on committees....
The only hope for America is the Libertarian Party. We're the only ones truly standing up for economic and personal freedom. (The Republicrats and Demoblicans talk about both, but don't make much progress.)
We're the party in favor of LESS REGULATION.
I'm in a State Libertarian Executive Committee meeting. It's mostly about regulations and rules.
All I'm gonna say is God help us all.
We're the party in favor of LESS REGULATION.
I'm in a State Libertarian Executive Committee meeting. It's mostly about regulations and rules.
All I'm gonna say is God help us all.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
The Tax Implications Of The X-Men Being Human Or Not Human
The X-Men are not human. The courts have said so.
Why would the courts care?
To enjoy this particular situation, one must be aware of the following:
1) Politicians are elected by selling exemptions to the tax code. Sometimes these exemptions are in the form of exceptions to tariff and quota rules. Sometimes a rule is put in place to punish a competitor.
2) This is why our tax code is four million words long, and growing by the day.
3) Efficiency is good. Inefficiency is bad. If all merchandise came into the United States at the same tax/tariff rate, we could eliminate tens of thousands of government jobs and the godawful pensions that go with them.
4) These wasteful "jobs" will never be eliminated. There will always be an organized groups for exemptions in their medical device / green energy / children with cooties / American flag / Bibles For The Troops / javelin / coffin handle / Scrabble tile-manufacturing industries. These groups are more organized than you. They'll get their exemption, and you'll be taxed to supply enough bureaucrats, lawyers and courts to keep the rules sorted out.
Now that my preliminary throat-clearing is out of the way, here goes:
To summarize, the taxes on imported (human) dolls are lower than the taxes on imported (non-human) toys. There's no reason for this distinction, and it would take a dozen Library Of Congress employees to figure out which politician put the distinction in place. The donor he did it for is probably long-dead.
It took almost ten years and hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of dollars in expenses to make this toy vs. doll distinction.
Here's just part of one logic behind one of the official rulings. Go here for the whole thing. If you can read this without praying for a nuclear strike on D.C., you're not part of the 49% who pay taxes.
Why would the courts care?
To enjoy this particular situation, one must be aware of the following:
1) Politicians are elected by selling exemptions to the tax code. Sometimes these exemptions are in the form of exceptions to tariff and quota rules. Sometimes a rule is put in place to punish a competitor.
2) This is why our tax code is four million words long, and growing by the day.
3) Efficiency is good. Inefficiency is bad. If all merchandise came into the United States at the same tax/tariff rate, we could eliminate tens of thousands of government jobs and the godawful pensions that go with them.
4) These wasteful "jobs" will never be eliminated. There will always be an organized groups for exemptions in their medical device / green energy / children with cooties / American flag / Bibles For The Troops / javelin / coffin handle / Scrabble tile-manufacturing industries. These groups are more organized than you. They'll get their exemption, and you'll be taxed to supply enough bureaucrats, lawyers and courts to keep the rules sorted out.
Now that my preliminary throat-clearing is out of the way, here goes:
Toy Biz v. United States was a 2003 decision in the United States Court of International Trade that determined that for purposes of tariffs, Toy Biz's action figures were toys, not dolls, because they represented "nonhuman creatures." This decision effectively reduced the tariff rate by a factor of two.
U.S. law distinguishes between two types of action figures for determining tariffs: dolls, which are defined to include human figures, and toys, which include "nonhuman creatures". Because duties on dolls were higher than on toys, Marvel Comics subsidiary Toy Biz argued before the U.S. Court of International Trade, that their action figures (including the X-Men and Fantastic Four) represented "nonhuman creatures" and were subject to the lower tariff rates for toys instead of the higher ones for dolls. On January 3, 2003, after examining more than 60 action figures, Judge Judith Barzilay ruled in their favor, granting Toy Biz reimbursement for import taxes on previous toys.
To summarize, the taxes on imported (human) dolls are lower than the taxes on imported (non-human) toys. There's no reason for this distinction, and it would take a dozen Library Of Congress employees to figure out which politician put the distinction in place. The donor he did it for is probably long-dead.
It took almost ten years and hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of dollars in expenses to make this toy vs. doll distinction.
Here's just part of one logic behind one of the official rulings. Go here for the whole thing. If you can read this without praying for a nuclear strike on D.C., you're not part of the 49% who pay taxes.
It is Customs position that the intent of the committees in reaching this conclusion is to deny the doll classification to those figures which possess non-human characteristics that are immediately apparent to the casual observer. Where the non-human feature(s) can only be discovered by close examination, the doll classification may be appropriate. The phrase "close examination" may encompass the need to look closely, the need to remove the clothes of the figure, or perhaps even the need of the observer to guess as to whether a feature that appears to be non-human is, in actuality, such a feature. Most angels and devils possess readily apparent non-human features, i.e., halos, large wings, visible horns, pointed tails, etc. -6-Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Come quickly.
However, if a figure is marketed as an angel or devil, and yet appears human to the casual observer, then, again, the doll classification may be appropriate.
In HRLs 081201 and 089895, issued October 3, 1988 and November 4, 1991, respectively, we classified certain troll figures that were described, in pertinent part, as being pot- bellied, flesh-colored, erect-standing figures, having flat heads with virtually no foreheads, pointed ears, and large, upturned snouts. We noted the guidance provided by the EN, that dolls should "represent" human beings, and cited Webster's Third New International Dictionary (1961), which defines "represent" as meaning "to portray by pictorial, plastic, or musical art: delineate, depict...to serve as the counterpart or image of: typify." In each case, we held that, while certain troll figures may have "resembled" human beings to some extent, it was immediately apparent to the casual observer that the subject figures did not "represent" humans, but rather represented widely recognized non-human creatures, i.e., trolls.
In HRL 085855, issued August 9, 1990, this office affirmed the doll classification of a "Beetlejuice" figure, which represented the ghost character from a popular movie and television show. The doll featured characteristics claimed to be non-human, but which could only be discovered by close examination. We stated that "[i]n order not to be classified as dolls, figures representing...other creatures, must possess appendages and features which immediately, at first glance, identify them as non-human."
Looking to the figures that have been classified as dolls in this case, we note that in most instances, the patent distortions essentially consist of such features as odd skin color, intricate headgear, capes which bear resemblance to wings, weaponry that is uniquely attached to, but is not an integral part of, the body, etc. As noted above, when a figure's non-human features can only be discovered by close examination, the doll classification may be appropriate.
This brings us to the related case of Kamar Int’l v. United States, 10 C.I.T. 658 (Ct. Int’l Trade 1986).
That case dealt with whether E.T. the Extraterrestrial dolls represented an “animate” object, which would result in a lower tax rate than for toys in general (the customs classifications have changed a lot over the years, apparently). The Court of International Trade agreed with the plaintiff, despite the United States’ arguments that E.T. was a fictional alien and thus not an animate object. The Court cited as precedent the classification of Star Wars toys as toy figures of animate objects because “as depicted in the movie Star Wars they are living beings endowed with animal life.” Kamar, 10 C.I.T. at 661.I don't believe that the E.T. case should have been argued as Dolls vs. Toys.
Dolls vs. some other type of toy woulda been the appropriate discussion.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Billie Holiday on the evils of Occupational Licensing
If you've read Les Miserables (or seen the recent film of the musical) you know that Jean ValJean had a heck of a time getting a job. Something to do with having the word "Convict" stamped on his papers.
On a related note, here's Billie Holiday, courtesy of Bryan Kaplan, talking about the evils of Occupational Licensing. This is from her autobiography:
The same thing happens with interior designers, hairdressers, food-handlers, and coffin-makers.
Here's a handy chart, broken down by state, of the funnier ones. :
If I'm going to hire an Arizona Rainmaker, I want to have the confidence that John McCain has approved his license. Sheesh....
When time permits, hit the 2nd link in the Bryan Kaplan piece. It's an outstanding PDF about what all this licensing does to the economy, and how it harms entrepreneurs. Even Interior Designers and Lightning Rod Installers....
Here's some Billie Holiday.
On a related note, here's Billie Holiday, courtesy of Bryan Kaplan, talking about the evils of Occupational Licensing. This is from her autobiography:
Before you can work in a joint where liquor is sold you have to have a permit from the police department and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. This is a life-and-death matter. According to the law, which must be a hangover from the days of prohibition, nobody who has a police record can hold a liquor license...Sometime in the next few weeks, I have to attend a Drug'n'Alcohol Awareness Seminar for work. The cheapest one is $100.00 and the more expensive ones are $200.00. This is so I can tell if a truck driver is drunk or stoned. The instructor will have little or no idea what he's talking about. But someone, somewhere, convinced a congressman once started an Awareness School and convinced a bureaucrat to make his school a requirement for Freight Brokers and Dispatchers. (I promise you, the Congressman responsible didn't have the idea himself.)
When I got out of jail they threw the book at me. My application for a cabaret card was turned down flat. Without a card no one would hire me, and there was no place I could work in New York - not if they sold juice there.
I could play in theaters and sing to an audience of kids in their teens who couldn't get in any bar. I could appear on radio or TV... But if I opened my mouth in the crummiest bar in town, I was violating the law...
That's how screwy the setup is. The right to work everybody screams about doesn't mean a damn. If I had been a booster or a petty thief I'd have the parole board helping me to get a job so I could go straight and keep straight. But as a singer, the parole board couldn't do a thing for me. It was out of their hands.
The same thing happens with interior designers, hairdressers, food-handlers, and coffin-makers.
Here's a handy chart, broken down by state, of the funnier ones. :
| Occupation | State(s) |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer | Most |
| Auctioneer | Several |
| Barber, Cosmetologist | All |
| Beekeeper | Maine |
| Casket Seller | Several |
| Chimney Sweep | Vermont |
| Dietician | Most |
| Elevator Operator | Massachusetts |
| Florist | Louisiana |
| Fortune Teller | Maryland |
| Hairbraider | Several |
| Hearing Aid Dispenser/Fitter | All |
| Interior Designer | Several |
| Interpreter for the Deaf | Illinois, Texas |
| Jai Alai Athlete, Umpire, Vendor, Ball Maker, Ticket Seller | Rhode Island |
| Junkyard Dealer | Ohio |
| Lightning Rod Installer | Vermont |
| Lobster Seller | Rhode Island |
| Manure Applicator | Iowa |
| Maple Dealer | Vermont |
| Motion Picture Projectionist | Massachusetts |
| Mussel Dealer | Illinois |
| Photographer (Itinerant) | Vermont |
| Prospector | Maine |
| Quilted Clothing Manufacturer | Utah |
| Rainmaker | Arizona |
If I'm going to hire an Arizona Rainmaker, I want to have the confidence that John McCain has approved his license. Sheesh....
When time permits, hit the 2nd link in the Bryan Kaplan piece. It's an outstanding PDF about what all this licensing does to the economy, and how it harms entrepreneurs. Even Interior Designers and Lightning Rod Installers....
Here's some Billie Holiday.
Friday, June 15, 2012
My Unemployment Lawsuit
My family's Human Resources department warned me not to post this, but I'm doing it anyway.
I haven't had time to post much this week because of an unemployment lawsuit. One of the groups I hire has pressed charges against me for discrimination, hostile work environment, failure to document performance deficiencies, and everything else they can think of. They've thrown a lot of stuff against the wall, just to see what will stick.
It's exhausting. Enough to make me wonder why people don't just give up and produce everything themselves with no employees.
Here's the story....
Up until last week, I had food employment agreements in place with Kroger, Food King, and Wal-Mart. I agreed that I would purchase fresh produce and dairy products from Kroger, meat from Food King, and everything else from Wal-Mart. I believe that I treated all three of these groups of employees equally well.
I gave them enough money to pay for my percentage of their taxes, child support, and health insurance. I think that I provided meaningful work for them at good wages at least twice a week.
About a week ago, I went to Food King for some ground beef. The slacker behind the counter didn't want to get off his cell phone long enough to help me. When he finally did, he acted like I was doing HIM a favor by purchasing his time. The meat looked ok through the clear wrap, but when I got it home it was a dark brown on the bottom. To make matters worse, and I can't prove this, but I'm reasonably sure that the cashier short-changed me. Please don't get me started on the Food King cashiers. I've never met a ruder, slower, more incompetent bunch of victims in my life
This isn't the first problem I've had with Food King. Three weeks ago, I got some steaks from them that had metal fragments from the cutting saw embedded in the meat. My daughter chipped a tooth! I filed some paperwork on the incident with my Human Resources department, of course.
Back to the story....As I was leaving Food King last week, and this was before I discovered that the meat was bad, I made a huge mistake. I told my daughter that "I'm gonna break this contract and start buying all of my meat from Kroger's."
Huge mistake. Three of the Food King employees heard what I said.
When I got home, I started filling out the required forms to document the poor performance at Food King. I took photos of the brown meat. I called my Human Resources department, and told them I wanted to start purchasing meat from Kroger. They were nervous about the decision, but told me to go forward if I felt strongly about the need for a change, and that it would probably take about 6 months.
But hell, can you blame me? I DON'T WANT TO EMPLOY THOSE PEOPLE ANY MORE !!!! I don't want to purchase what they're selling. Should I be punished for giving them a chance at a job?
Anyway (sorry for the digression) I filled out the paperwork, completed all the written warning forms, and filed them with H.R., the State of Texas, and with Food King.
That's when the storm began. Good Lord in heaven. The Food King cashier who wouldn't get off his cell phone long enough to sell me some rancid meat? He happens to be Hispanic. He claimed that I have a "thing" against Hispanics, and was able to show how, back in 2009, I filed papers to change my membership from a majority Hispanic Starbucks to a majority White Starbucks. That was a totally different situation, plus the government wouldn't allow me to switch Starbucks locations because it would've meant moving from a majority female to a majority male coffee bar. I should've known better than to even try during an election year.
I swear to Jesus, I had NO idea that the kid was Hispanic.
Food King is also saying I have unreasonable performance expectations. IMHO, all I'm expecting is decent cuts of meat at a reasonable price from a prompt butcher and a cashier who knows how to make change. If I'm not getting that, how much hell should I have to go through before I can start purchasing meat elsewhere?
But dang it, they have me on tape telling my daughter that I want to start buying meat from Kroger instead of Food King. Therefore, I've created a hostile work environment for the Food King employees. I can't believe I did something that stupid. Neither can my Human Resources department. There's a chance that this will turn into a huge lawsuit. Even if I win the lawsuit and get to start buying meat from Kroger, I'll still have to pay unemployment compensation to the idiots at Food King.
As you know, almost 1/3rd of our lives as employers is now consumed with documenting performance issues. It exhausts me.
If I hire someone to provide a service in exchange for money, that's all the transaction should involve. If I give Food King some money in exchange for some hamburger meat, that should be the end of it. I don't want to be responsible for Food King's taxes, their child support, their healthcare, their insurance, their emotional well-being, or their childcare.
I want to purchase hamburger meat, not be the overseer at an 1840's plantation. I don't want to be a Feudal Lord & Master.
Can you imagine how much it would help the economy if customers/employers could simply spend their money without worrying about lawsuits like this one? I think jobs would start popping up everywhere.
Enough of my fantasies about a free market employment system. I won't be posting as much in the future. This is going to get ugly.
I haven't had time to post much this week because of an unemployment lawsuit. One of the groups I hire has pressed charges against me for discrimination, hostile work environment, failure to document performance deficiencies, and everything else they can think of. They've thrown a lot of stuff against the wall, just to see what will stick.
It's exhausting. Enough to make me wonder why people don't just give up and produce everything themselves with no employees.
Here's the story....
Up until last week, I had food employment agreements in place with Kroger, Food King, and Wal-Mart. I agreed that I would purchase fresh produce and dairy products from Kroger, meat from Food King, and everything else from Wal-Mart. I believe that I treated all three of these groups of employees equally well.
I gave them enough money to pay for my percentage of their taxes, child support, and health insurance. I think that I provided meaningful work for them at good wages at least twice a week.
About a week ago, I went to Food King for some ground beef. The slacker behind the counter didn't want to get off his cell phone long enough to help me. When he finally did, he acted like I was doing HIM a favor by purchasing his time. The meat looked ok through the clear wrap, but when I got it home it was a dark brown on the bottom. To make matters worse, and I can't prove this, but I'm reasonably sure that the cashier short-changed me. Please don't get me started on the Food King cashiers. I've never met a ruder, slower, more incompetent bunch of victims in my life
This isn't the first problem I've had with Food King. Three weeks ago, I got some steaks from them that had metal fragments from the cutting saw embedded in the meat. My daughter chipped a tooth! I filed some paperwork on the incident with my Human Resources department, of course.
Back to the story....As I was leaving Food King last week, and this was before I discovered that the meat was bad, I made a huge mistake. I told my daughter that "I'm gonna break this contract and start buying all of my meat from Kroger's."
Huge mistake. Three of the Food King employees heard what I said.
When I got home, I started filling out the required forms to document the poor performance at Food King. I took photos of the brown meat. I called my Human Resources department, and told them I wanted to start purchasing meat from Kroger. They were nervous about the decision, but told me to go forward if I felt strongly about the need for a change, and that it would probably take about 6 months.
But hell, can you blame me? I DON'T WANT TO EMPLOY THOSE PEOPLE ANY MORE !!!! I don't want to purchase what they're selling. Should I be punished for giving them a chance at a job?
Anyway (sorry for the digression) I filled out the paperwork, completed all the written warning forms, and filed them with H.R., the State of Texas, and with Food King.
That's when the storm began. Good Lord in heaven. The Food King cashier who wouldn't get off his cell phone long enough to sell me some rancid meat? He happens to be Hispanic. He claimed that I have a "thing" against Hispanics, and was able to show how, back in 2009, I filed papers to change my membership from a majority Hispanic Starbucks to a majority White Starbucks. That was a totally different situation, plus the government wouldn't allow me to switch Starbucks locations because it would've meant moving from a majority female to a majority male coffee bar. I should've known better than to even try during an election year.
I swear to Jesus, I had NO idea that the kid was Hispanic.
Food King is also saying I have unreasonable performance expectations. IMHO, all I'm expecting is decent cuts of meat at a reasonable price from a prompt butcher and a cashier who knows how to make change. If I'm not getting that, how much hell should I have to go through before I can start purchasing meat elsewhere?
But dang it, they have me on tape telling my daughter that I want to start buying meat from Kroger instead of Food King. Therefore, I've created a hostile work environment for the Food King employees. I can't believe I did something that stupid. Neither can my Human Resources department. There's a chance that this will turn into a huge lawsuit. Even if I win the lawsuit and get to start buying meat from Kroger, I'll still have to pay unemployment compensation to the idiots at Food King.
As you know, almost 1/3rd of our lives as employers is now consumed with documenting performance issues. It exhausts me.
If I hire someone to provide a service in exchange for money, that's all the transaction should involve. If I give Food King some money in exchange for some hamburger meat, that should be the end of it. I don't want to be responsible for Food King's taxes, their child support, their healthcare, their insurance, their emotional well-being, or their childcare.
I want to purchase hamburger meat, not be the overseer at an 1840's plantation. I don't want to be a Feudal Lord & Master.
Can you imagine how much it would help the economy if customers/employers could simply spend their money without worrying about lawsuits like this one? I think jobs would start popping up everywhere.
Enough of my fantasies about a free market employment system. I won't be posting as much in the future. This is going to get ugly.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Why Chuck can't start a business (along with a listing of every state agency in California)
And just for fun, compliments of the Maggie's Farm blog, here's a list of all the state agencies in California.
California Academic Performance Index (API) California Access for Infants and Mothers California Acupuncture Board California Administrative Office of the Courts California Adoptions Branch California African American Museum California Agricultural Export Program California Agricultural Labor Relations Board California Agricultural Statistics Service California Air Resources Board (CARB) California Allocation Board California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority California Animal Health and Food Safety Services California Anti-Terrorism Information Center California Apprenticeship Council California Arbitration Certification Program California Architects Board California Area VI Developmental Disabilities Board California Arts Council California Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus California Assembly Democratic Caucus California Assembly Republican Caucus California Athletic Commission * California Attorney General California Bay Conservation and Development Commission California Bay-Delta Authority California Bay-Delta Office California Biodiversity Council California Board for Geologists and Geophysicists California Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors California Board of Accountancy California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology California Board of Behavioral Sciences California Board of Chiropractic Examiners California Board of Equalization (BOE) California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection California Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind California Board of Occupational Therapy California Board of Optometry California Board of Pharmacy California Board of Podiatric Medicine California Board of Prison Terms California Board of Psychology California Board of Registered Nursing California Board of Trustees California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians California Braille and Talking Book Library California Building Standards Commission California Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education California Bureau of Automotive Repair California Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair California Bureau of Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation California Bureau of Naturopathic Medicine California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services California Bureau of State Audits California Business Agency California Business Investment Services (CalBIS) California Business Permit Information (CalGOLD) California Business Portal California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency California Cal Grants California CalJOBS California Cal-Learn Program California CalVet Home Loan Program California Career Resource Network California Cemetery and Funeral Bureau California Center for Analytical Chemistry California Center for Distributed Learning California Center for Teaching Careers (Teach California) California Chancellors Office California Charter Schools California Children and Families Commission California Children and Family Services Division California Citizens Compensation Commission California Civil Rights Bureau California Coastal Commission California Coastal Conservancy California Code of Regulations California Collaborative Projects with UC Davis California Commission for Jobs and Economic Growth California Commission on Aging California Commission on Health and Safety and Workers Compensation California Commission on Judicial Performance California Commission on State Mandates California Commission on Status of Women California Commission on Teacher Credentialing California Commission on the Status of Women California Committee on Dental Auxiliaries California Community Colleges Chancellors Office, Junior Colleges California Community Colleges Chancellors Office California Complaint Mediation Program California Conservation Corps California Constitution Revision Commission California Consumer Hotline California Consumer Information Center California Consumer Information California Consumer Services Division California Consumers and Families Agency California Contractors State License Board California Corrections Standards Authority California Council for the Humanities California Council on Criminal Justice California Council on Developmental Disabilities California Court Reporters Board California Courts of Appeal California Crime and Violence Prevention Center California Criminal Justice Statistics Center California Criminalist Institute Forensic Library California CSGnet Network Management California Cultural and Historical Endowment California Cultural Resources Division California Curriculum and Instructional Leadership Branch California Data Exchange Center California Data Management Division California Debt and Investment Advisory Commission California Delta Protection Commission California Democratic Caucus California Demographic Research Unit California Dental Auxiliaries California Department of Aging California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control California Department of Boating and Waterways (Cal Boating) California Department of Child Support Services (CDCSS) California Department of Community Services and Development California Department of Conservation California Department of Consumer Affairs California Department of Corporations California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation California Department of Developmental Services California Department of Education California Department of Fair Employment and Housing California Department of Finance California Department of Financial Institutions California Department of Fish and Game California Department of Food and Agriculture California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) California Department of General Services California Department of General Services, Office of State Publishing California Department of Health Care Services California Department of Housing and Community Development California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) California Department of Insurance California Department of Justice Firearms Division California Department of Justice Opinion Unit California Department of Justice, Consumer Information, Public Inquiry Unit California Department of Justice California Department of Managed Health Care California Department of Mental Health California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) California Department of Personnel Administration California Department of Pesticide Regulation California Department of Public Health California Department of Real Estate California Department of Rehabilitation California Department of Social Services Adoptions Branch California Department of Social Services California Department of Technology Services Training Center (DTSTC) California Department of Technology Services (DTS) California Department of Toxic Substances Control California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVets) California Department of Water Resources California Departmento de Vehiculos Motorizados California Digital Library California Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Certification Program California Division of Apprenticeship Standards California Division of Codes and Standards California Division of Communicable Disease Control California Division of Engineering California Division of Environmental and Occupational Disease Control California Division of Gambling Control California Division of Housing Policy Development California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement California Division of Labor Statistics and Research California Division of Land and Right of Way California Division of Land Resource Protection California Division of Law Enforcement General Library California Division of Measurement Standards California Division of Mines and Geology California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) California Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources California Division of Planning and Local Assistance California Division of Recycling California Division of Safety of Dams California Division of the State Architect California Division of Tourism California Division of Workers Compensation Medical Unit California Division of Workers Compensation California Economic Assistance, Business and Community Resources California Economic Strategy Panel California Education and Training Agency California Education Audit Appeals Panel California Educational Facilities Authority California Elections Division California Electricity Oversight Board California Emergency Management Agency California Emergency Medical Services Authority California Employment Development Department (EDD) California Employment Information State Jobs California Employment Training Panel California Energy Commission California Environment and Natural Resources Agency California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) California Environmental Resources Evaluation System (CERES) California Executive Office California Export Laboratory Services California Exposition and State Fair (Cal Expo) California Fair Political Practices Commission California Fairs and Expositions Division California Film Commission California Fire and Resource Assessment Program California Firearms Division California Fiscal Services California Fish and Game Commission California Fisheries Program Branch California Floodplain Management California Foster Youth Help California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) California Fraud Division California Gambling Control Commission California Geographic Information Systems Council (GIS) California Geological Survey California Government Claims and Victim Compensation Board California Governors Committee for Employment of Disabled Persons California Governors Mentoring Partnership California Governors Office of Emergency Services California Governors Office of Homeland Security California Governors Office of Planning and Research California Governors Office California Grant and Enterprise Zone Programs HCD Loan California Health and Human Services Agency California Health and Safety Agency California Healthy Families Program California Hearing Aid Dispensers Bureau California High-Speed Rail Authority California Highway Patrol (CHP) California History and Culture Agency California Horse Racing Board California Housing Finance Agency California Indoor Air Quality Program California Industrial Development Financing Advisory Commission California Industrial Welfare Commission California InFoPeople California Information Center for the Environment California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (I-Bank) California Inspection Services California Institute for County Government California Institute for Education Reform California Integrated Waste Management Board California Interagency Ecological Program California Job Service California Junta Estatal de Personal California Labor and Employment Agency California Labor and Workforce Development Agency California Labor Market Information Division California Land Use Planning Information Network (LUPIN) California Lands Commission California Landscape Architects Technical Committee California Latino Legislative Caucus California Law Enforcement Branch California Law Enforcement General Library California Law Revision Commission California Legislative Analyst's Office California Legislative Black Caucus California Legislative Counsel California Legislative Division California Legislative Information California Legislative Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Caucus California Legislature Internet Caucus California Library De velopment Services California License and Revenue Branch California Major Risk Medical Insurance Program California Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board California Maritime Academy California Marketing Services California Measurement Standards California Medical Assistance Commission California Medical Care Services California Military Department California Mining and Geology Board California Museum for History, Women, and the Arts California Museum Resource Center California National Guard California Native American Heritage Commission California Natural Community Conservation Planning Program California New Motor Vehicle Board California Nursing Home Administrator Program California Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board California Ocean Resources Management Program California Office of Administrative Hearings California Office of Administrative Law California Office of AIDS California Office of Binational Border Health California Office of Child Abuse Prevention California Office of Deaf Access California Office of Emergency Services (OES) California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment California Office of Fiscal Services California Office of Fleet Administration California Office of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Implementation (CalOHI) California Office of Historic Preservation California Office of Homeland Security California Office of Human Resources California Office of Legal Services California Office of Legislation California Office of Lieutenant Governor California Office of Military and Aerospace Support California Office of Mine Reclamation California Office of Natural Resource Education California Office of Privacy Protection California Office of Public School Construction California Office of Real Estate Appraisers California Office of Risk and Insurance Management California Office of Services to the Blind California Office of Spill Prevention and Response California Office of State Publishing (OSP) California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development California Office of Systems Integration California Office of the Inspector General California Office of the Ombudsman California Office of the Patient Advocate California Office of the President California Office of the Secretary for Education California Office of the State Fire Marshal California Office of the State Public Defender California Office of Traffic Safety California Office of Vital Records California Online Directory California Operations Control Office California Opinion Unit California Outreach and Technical Assistance Network (OTAN) California Park and Recreation Commission California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) California Performance Review (CPR) California Permit Information for Business (CalGOLD) California Physical Therapy Board California Physician Assistant Committee California Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services California Policy and Evaluation Division California Political Reform Division California Pollution Control Financing Authority California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo California Postsecondary Education Commission California Prevention Services California Primary Care and Family Health California Prison Industry Authority California Procurement Division California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) California Real Estate Services Division California Refugee Programs Branch California Regional Water Quality Control Boards California Registered Veterinary Technician Committee California Registrar of Charitable Trusts California Republican Caucus California Research and Development Division California Research Bureau California Resources Agency California Respiratory Care Board California Rivers Assessment California Rural Health Policy Council California Safe Schools California San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission California San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy California San Joaquin River Conservancy California School to Career California Science Center California Scripps Institution of Oceanography California Secretary of State Business Portal California Secretary of State California Seismic Safety Commission California Self Insurance Plans (SIP) California Senate Office of Research California Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Certification Program California Small Business Development Center Program California Smart Growth Caucus California Smog Check Information Center California Spatial Information Library California Special Education Division California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board California Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) California Standards and Assessment Division California State Administrative Manual (SAM) California State Allocation Board California State and Consumer Services Agency California State Architect California State Archives California State Assembly California State Association of Counties (CSAC) California State Board of Education * California State Board of Food and Agriculture California Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) California State Children's Trust Fund California State Compensation Insurance Fund California State Contracts Register Program California State Contracts Register California State Controller California State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) California State Disability Insurance (SDI) California State Fair (Cal Expo) California State Jobs Employment Information California State Lands Commission California State Legislative Portal California State Legislature California State Library Catalog California State Library Services Bureau California State Library California State Lottery California State Mediation and Conciliation Service California State Mining and Geology Board California State Park and Recreation Commission California State Parks California State Personnel Board California State Polytechnic University, Pomona California State Railroad Museum California State Science Fair California State Senate California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS) California State Summer School for the Arts California State Superintendent of Public Instruction California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS) California State Treasurer California State University Center for Distributed Learning California State University, Bakersfield California State University, Channel Islands California State University, Chico California State University, Dominguez Hills California State University, East Bay California State University, Fresno California State University, Fullerton California State University, Long Beach California State University, Los Angeles California State University, Monterey Bay California State University, Northridge California State University, Sacramento California State University, San Bernardino California State University, San Marcos California State University, Stanislaus California State University (CSU) California State Water Project Analysis Office California State Water Project California State Water Resources Control Board California Structural Pest Control Board California Student Aid Commission California Superintendent of Public Instruction California Superior Courts California Tahoe Conservancy California Task Force on Culturally and Linguistically Competent Physicians and Dentists California Tax Information Center California Technology and Administration Branch Finance California Telecommunications Division California Telephone Medical Advice Services (TAMS) California Transportation Commission California Travel and Transportation Agency California Unclaimed Property Program California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board California Unemployment Insurance Program California Uniform Construction Cost Accounting Commission California Veterans Board California Veterans Memorial California Veterinary Medical Board and Registered Veterinary Technician Examining Committee California Veterinary Medical Board California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board California Volunteers California Voter Registration California Water Commission California Water Environment Association (COWPEA) California Water Resources Control Board California Welfare to Work Division California Wetlands Information System California Wildlife and Habitat Data Analysis Branch California Wildlife Conservation Board California Wildlife Programs Branch California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) California Workers Compensation Appeals Board California Workforce and Labor Development Agency California Workforce Investment Board California Youth Authority (CYA) Central Valley Flood Protection Board Center for California Studies Colorado River Board of California Counting California Dental Board of California Health Insurance Plan of California (PacAdvantage) Humboldt State University Jobs with the State of California Judicial Council of California Learn California Library of California Lieutenant Governors Commission for One California Little Hoover Commission (on California State Government Organization and Economy) Medical Board of California Medi-Cal Osteopathic Medical Board of California Physical Therapy Board of California Regents of the University of California San Diego State University San Francisco State University San Jose State University Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy State Bar of California Supreme Court of California Teach California University of California University of California, Berkeley University of California, Davis University of California, Hastings College of the Law University of California, Irvine University of California, Los Angeles University of California, Merced University of California, Riverside University of California, San Diego University of California, San Francisco University of California, Santa Barbara University of California, Santa Cruz * Veterans Home of California
Every one of these institutions is loaded full of folks who try to justify their existence by regulating yours.
Good luck, Chuck !
Monday, September 13, 2010
On Chris McGregor's hair in Godley Texas, and signs with more than 10 colors in Cleveland Ohio
From Reason magazine's "Daily Brickbats" column:
Officials at Godley Middle School in Texas have placed 12-year-old Chris McGregor in in-school detention until he cuts his hair. The school dress code bars male students from having hair below the shoulders, and McGregor's locks are too long. Superintendent Paul Smithson says the rule helps reduce bullying. You see, students who stand out in some way might be teased or picked on, said Smithson. "And all of a sudden we have a problem."
A San Antonio news station has Smithson's complete quote:
"Bullying's a big thing, and we want to make sure everyone's dressed appropriately, someone doesn't bring attention to themselves so that someone says something to them, and all of a sudden we have a problem."
Lordy.
Mr. Smithson is probably a great guy, but he's been put in charge of enforcing unnecessary regulatory mess that was probably written as a response to the hippie movement in 1968.
I just happened to read this next exchange in the latest issue of Reason. Here are Reason editor Nick Gillespie, TV funnyman Drew Carey, and The Cleveland Ohio City Council, discussing Reason's recent video series "Reason Saves Cleveland", in which Carey and other libertarians make some helpful suggestions about keeping Cleveland from going under.
Councilor Zack Reed: I’ll give you a great example. It leads right into what you’re saying. There’s a gentleman in the city of Cleveland who is a very successful businessperson who now works for one of the nonprofits. He owns a business in the city, and he wants to put in a $20,000 sign, because he’s trying to bring up his business. He applied for a variance to do it. This is what he says—I’m just going to read it because it’s pretty short: “If we have to go to the zoning review board, I understand that it may take 60 days for approval. That is simply too long. I applied for a variance on 4/21. Based on the progress to the day, I will have my sign installed by 9/1.…The summer will be over. The car wash will have lost more money. This is the kind of stuff that hurts Cleveland and puts people out of business. It’s just ridiculous. I need the variance to be approved ASAP so that the sign can be manufactured and I can have some hope of getting the sign installed before the summer’s over.”
Carey: That’s a lot of money for a car wash owner in Cleveland who can only be open in the summer.
Sweeney: Let me give some context to this. If you apply for a sign that’s within our regulation, it would take somewhere between three and five days. If it’s outside the regulations, it needs to be [no bigger than] four foot by eight foot, no more than two or three colors. If you want to go 10 by 10, and put it up a little bit higher, and have 10 colors on it, you have to get approval to go outside the variance.
Carey: Why does it matter how many colors are on it?
Sweeney: It’s one of the regulations we have.
Carey: Get rid of it.
Sweeney: Got it. But what I was trying to get at, the three to five days is if you stay within the regulations, if you agree with them. If you want to go outside, it’s six weeks to put it on the calendar and have it heard. And then all the other steps.
Carey: You should be able to put up whatever sign you want, man. If it’s your business.
Reed: But understand, you can say that simplistically. We can’t say that because there has to be some type of structure.
Yeah, otherwise people would be putting up signs with more than 10 colors.
You can hit the link above to read a transcript of the entire meeting. High comedy breaks out several more times.
I think our bureaucracies are willing to go to the wall to defend their old unnecessary regulations just to avoid admitting that it was silly to enforce them in the past.
Officials at Godley Middle School in Texas have placed 12-year-old Chris McGregor in in-school detention until he cuts his hair. The school dress code bars male students from having hair below the shoulders, and McGregor's locks are too long. Superintendent Paul Smithson says the rule helps reduce bullying. You see, students who stand out in some way might be teased or picked on, said Smithson. "And all of a sudden we have a problem."
A San Antonio news station has Smithson's complete quote:
"Bullying's a big thing, and we want to make sure everyone's dressed appropriately, someone doesn't bring attention to themselves so that someone says something to them, and all of a sudden we have a problem."
Lordy.
Mr. Smithson is probably a great guy, but he's been put in charge of enforcing unnecessary regulatory mess that was probably written as a response to the hippie movement in 1968.
I just happened to read this next exchange in the latest issue of Reason. Here are Reason editor Nick Gillespie, TV funnyman Drew Carey, and The Cleveland Ohio City Council, discussing Reason's recent video series "Reason Saves Cleveland", in which Carey and other libertarians make some helpful suggestions about keeping Cleveland from going under.
Councilor Zack Reed: I’ll give you a great example. It leads right into what you’re saying. There’s a gentleman in the city of Cleveland who is a very successful businessperson who now works for one of the nonprofits. He owns a business in the city, and he wants to put in a $20,000 sign, because he’s trying to bring up his business. He applied for a variance to do it. This is what he says—I’m just going to read it because it’s pretty short: “If we have to go to the zoning review board, I understand that it may take 60 days for approval. That is simply too long. I applied for a variance on 4/21. Based on the progress to the day, I will have my sign installed by 9/1.…The summer will be over. The car wash will have lost more money. This is the kind of stuff that hurts Cleveland and puts people out of business. It’s just ridiculous. I need the variance to be approved ASAP so that the sign can be manufactured and I can have some hope of getting the sign installed before the summer’s over.”
Carey: That’s a lot of money for a car wash owner in Cleveland who can only be open in the summer.
Sweeney: Let me give some context to this. If you apply for a sign that’s within our regulation, it would take somewhere between three and five days. If it’s outside the regulations, it needs to be [no bigger than] four foot by eight foot, no more than two or three colors. If you want to go 10 by 10, and put it up a little bit higher, and have 10 colors on it, you have to get approval to go outside the variance.
Carey: Why does it matter how many colors are on it?
Sweeney: It’s one of the regulations we have.
Carey: Get rid of it.
Sweeney: Got it. But what I was trying to get at, the three to five days is if you stay within the regulations, if you agree with them. If you want to go outside, it’s six weeks to put it on the calendar and have it heard. And then all the other steps.
Carey: You should be able to put up whatever sign you want, man. If it’s your business.
Reed: But understand, you can say that simplistically. We can’t say that because there has to be some type of structure.
Yeah, otherwise people would be putting up signs with more than 10 colors.
You can hit the link above to read a transcript of the entire meeting. High comedy breaks out several more times.
I think our bureaucracies are willing to go to the wall to defend their old unnecessary regulations just to avoid admitting that it was silly to enforce them in the past.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
New legislation would prevent shoppers from changing retailers without documentation ! !
I spend a lot of money at Home Depot.
When I give them my money, it's proof that I value ceiling fan pull chains, deck lumber, weed eater string, fertilizer and the expertise of Home Depot employees more than I value my money.
When the group at Home Depot gives me their merchandise and their expertise in exchange for my money, it's proof that they had rather have my cash than their inventory of chains, lumber, string, fertilizer, or their free time.
Each party in the exchange believes that they're getting the better end of the deal. Otherwise, no exchange would be taking place.
I'm no longer happy with the Home Depot closest to my home. I want to start swapping my money with a Lowe's Home Improvement Center.
Unfortunately, Congressman Alan Smithee (R-California) has introduced legislation that would require me to give my neighborhood Home Depot a series of documented verbal and written warnings prior to spending my money at Lowe's. Plus, in some cases, the burden of proof would be on me to prove that I didn't stop purchasing time and materials from Home Depot because of the race, religion, age, sexual orientation, or political views of their employees.
Should I fail to follow the letter of the law, I could be required to pay unemployment compensation to the Home Depot employees who are affected by my shopping decision. My attorney has told me that making the switch probably isn't worth the risk.
And that's not the worst part....all I want to do is walk into a freakin' Home Depot, find an electrical department employee who can explain how to wire a multi-speed ceiling fan, buy a pull-chain from him, and get the hell out. But the Smithee Bill would make me responsible for the electrical department employee's health insurance ! ! ! ! I don't want to be the employee's mother, I just want to purchase some of his time, his work, his opinions, and a pull chain.
Please help lobby to kill the Smithee Bill, and all legislation similar to it.
If you know what I mean.
When I give them my money, it's proof that I value ceiling fan pull chains, deck lumber, weed eater string, fertilizer and the expertise of Home Depot employees more than I value my money.
When the group at Home Depot gives me their merchandise and their expertise in exchange for my money, it's proof that they had rather have my cash than their inventory of chains, lumber, string, fertilizer, or their free time.
I'm no longer happy with the Home Depot closest to my home. I want to start swapping my money with a Lowe's Home Improvement Center.
Should I fail to follow the letter of the law, I could be required to pay unemployment compensation to the Home Depot employees who are affected by my shopping decision. My attorney has told me that making the switch probably isn't worth the risk.
And that's not the worst part....all I want to do is walk into a freakin' Home Depot, find an electrical department employee who can explain how to wire a multi-speed ceiling fan, buy a pull-chain from him, and get the hell out. But the Smithee Bill would make me responsible for the electrical department employee's health insurance ! ! ! ! I don't want to be the employee's mother, I just want to purchase some of his time, his work, his opinions, and a pull chain.
Please help lobby to kill the Smithee Bill, and all legislation similar to it.
If you know what I mean.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Jesus tries to make a triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Without a permit.
For the last 6 months, I've been putting my theological training to work by re-examining our deeply flawed Bible translations. Hit this link for a few examples.
Since it is almost Easter, I thought I would translate part of the Gospel Of Mark, Chapter 11, where Jesus makes his triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
1. As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples,
2. ....saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find an ass and a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie them and bring them here.
3. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' tell him, 'The Lord needs them and will send them back here shortly.' "
4. They went and found an ass and a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied them,
5. .....some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying those animals?"
6. They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go.
7. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it.
8. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields.
9. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
10. "Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!" "Hosanna in the highest!"
11. Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple.
12. And then the City Council Of Jerusalem approached him, asking, "Why, Lord, did you not apply for a parade permit? Where was your protective Roman Legion, required to block traffic at major intersections, as per Caesar's statute CDH-30978?"
13. Then the Lord answered him with a parable, saying "In a far country, there was a man who...." but the Lord was interrupted by a woman afflicted with a demon.
14. "Who do you think you are?" said the woman. "A man of your weight riding that young colt ! You are a species-centric monster ! For you disregard the rights of animals, casting demons into herds of swine, and who knows what else."
15. And the Lord began to answer her, saying "Away from me, vile spirit ! I shall name thee PETA, and upon this crock I shall build my...."
16. But before he could continue, a small man approached Jesus, saying "Lord, Lord, did you prepare an environmental impact statement before allowing palm branches to be strewn about the streets of Jerusalem?"
17. And the city officials of Jerusalem turned Jesus over to the Romans, who forced the Lord to complete administrative paperwork and travel about the city for permits for the rest of his days.
18. And many years later, as he died, Jesus let forth a loud cry, saying "Father forgive them, even though they have no idea what they're doing."
Pics came from here and here and here and here.
Since it is almost Easter, I thought I would translate part of the Gospel Of Mark, Chapter 11, where Jesus makes his triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
2. ....saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find an ass and a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie them and bring them here.
4. They went and found an ass and a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied them,
5. .....some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying those animals?"
6. They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go.
7. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it.
8. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields.
9. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
11. Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple.
12. And then the City Council Of Jerusalem approached him, asking, "Why, Lord, did you not apply for a parade permit? Where was your protective Roman Legion, required to block traffic at major intersections, as per Caesar's statute CDH-30978?"
13. Then the Lord answered him with a parable, saying "In a far country, there was a man who...." but the Lord was interrupted by a woman afflicted with a demon.
14. "Who do you think you are?" said the woman. "A man of your weight riding that young colt ! You are a species-centric monster ! For you disregard the rights of animals, casting demons into herds of swine, and who knows what else."
15. And the Lord began to answer her, saying "Away from me, vile spirit ! I shall name thee PETA, and upon this crock I shall build my...."
16. But before he could continue, a small man approached Jesus, saying "Lord, Lord, did you prepare an environmental impact statement before allowing palm branches to be strewn about the streets of Jerusalem?"
17. And the city officials of Jerusalem turned Jesus over to the Romans, who forced the Lord to complete administrative paperwork and travel about the city for permits for the rest of his days.
Pics came from here and here and here and here.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
What's the difference between a gas station and a hospital?
Robert Butler, Executive Director of the Libertarian Party Of Texas, sent me this little gem this morning.
We hear a lot of Republican and Democrat talking points about healthcare. As Libertarians, it's important that people understand that we have our own voice and our own solutions for the rising costs of healthcare. If you like this story, please forward it to your friends and family by clicking the Forward button below.
So, what is the difference between gas stations and hospitals?
1. Prices - The most obvious difference is price. Gas Stations have big signs advertising their prices so that you as a consumer can decide how much you are willing to pay without even slowing down along the highway. There are federal regulations that prohibit hospitals from advertising and competing based on prices.
2. Upfront Estimates - When you need a mechanic to replace your head gasket, he will give you an upfront estimate of the price. He will often give you a list of less expensive alternatives if they are available. When you ask a surgeon to replace your heart, there are federal regulations and AMA rules that prevent the distribution of price estimates.
3. Competition - If someone wants to build a Gas Station across the street from a competing Gas Station, its quite alright. If someone wants to build a hospital, they have to prove to the Federal Trade Commission that the hospital won't lower prices in the community or cause undue competition.
4. Monopoly - In the early 20th century, the federal government broke up a monopoly on oil and gasoline distribution. In the mid-20th century, they created a monopoly on hospitals and doctors because the American Medical Association said there were too many doctors, too much competition, and doctor's couldn't earn enough money.
Allow me a brief digression....Please go here and then get back to Mr. Butler's excellent email. The AMA's monopoly is the leading cause of high healthcare costs. Deregulating this mess would lower costs quicker than any Republicrat or Demoblican scheme ever conceived. Things are expensive when they are scarce (relative to demand). Ending scarcity or reducing demand is the only way to lower the cost of anything. It really is that simple.
5. Do It Yourself - When you go to the Gas Station, you can pay someone to fix your car and fill up your tank, or you can buy what you need to do it yourself. At a hospital or pharmacy, you can't make any decisions on what medications you can take, dosage levels, or treatments. You must have the "official" opinion of a state regulated doctor.
6. Choice - When shopping for mechanics, you can decide to hire your handy neighbor, or find someone with all the latest training and certifications. When shopping for doctors, your only choice is regulated by the state.
7. Purchasing Power - When you buy gasoline, you are paying for the gasoline you actually purchase (and a little extra for the small amount of theft). When you buy healthcare, your price includes a large government imposed subsidy for those who can't afford it, thus making healthcare less affordable to more and more people each year.
So if you wanted to make healthcare cheaper what would you do? Impose more rules or less? Allow competition or create a more restrictive monopoly?
Only the Libertarian Party supports more freedom, more choices, and more competition on healthcare. The Democrats have passed their bill to create a government guaranteed monopoly on health insurance and hospitals. And the Republicans will be campaigning this year on "Repeal and Replace". Yes, Republicans want to repeal or reject the Democrats' reform, and replace it with their own rules, restrictions, and regulations. "Repeal and Replace" is not the answer.
The real answer is to make hospitals a little more like gas stations and end the government's monopoly on healthcare. Vote Libertarian; the revolution is golden.
Go here to double the effectiveness of any contribution you make to the Libertarian Party.
We hear a lot of Republican and Democrat talking points about healthcare. As Libertarians, it's important that people understand that we have our own voice and our own solutions for the rising costs of healthcare. If you like this story, please forward it to your friends and family by clicking the Forward button below.
So, what is the difference between gas stations and hospitals?
1. Prices - The most obvious difference is price. Gas Stations have big signs advertising their prices so that you as a consumer can decide how much you are willing to pay without even slowing down along the highway. There are federal regulations that prohibit hospitals from advertising and competing based on prices.
2. Upfront Estimates - When you need a mechanic to replace your head gasket, he will give you an upfront estimate of the price. He will often give you a list of less expensive alternatives if they are available. When you ask a surgeon to replace your heart, there are federal regulations and AMA rules that prevent the distribution of price estimates.
3. Competition - If someone wants to build a Gas Station across the street from a competing Gas Station, its quite alright. If someone wants to build a hospital, they have to prove to the Federal Trade Commission that the hospital won't lower prices in the community or cause undue competition.
4. Monopoly - In the early 20th century, the federal government broke up a monopoly on oil and gasoline distribution. In the mid-20th century, they created a monopoly on hospitals and doctors because the American Medical Association said there were too many doctors, too much competition, and doctor's couldn't earn enough money.
Allow me a brief digression....Please go here and then get back to Mr. Butler's excellent email. The AMA's monopoly is the leading cause of high healthcare costs. Deregulating this mess would lower costs quicker than any Republicrat or Demoblican scheme ever conceived. Things are expensive when they are scarce (relative to demand). Ending scarcity or reducing demand is the only way to lower the cost of anything. It really is that simple.
5. Do It Yourself - When you go to the Gas Station, you can pay someone to fix your car and fill up your tank, or you can buy what you need to do it yourself. At a hospital or pharmacy, you can't make any decisions on what medications you can take, dosage levels, or treatments. You must have the "official" opinion of a state regulated doctor.
6. Choice - When shopping for mechanics, you can decide to hire your handy neighbor, or find someone with all the latest training and certifications. When shopping for doctors, your only choice is regulated by the state.
7. Purchasing Power - When you buy gasoline, you are paying for the gasoline you actually purchase (and a little extra for the small amount of theft). When you buy healthcare, your price includes a large government imposed subsidy for those who can't afford it, thus making healthcare less affordable to more and more people each year.
So if you wanted to make healthcare cheaper what would you do? Impose more rules or less? Allow competition or create a more restrictive monopoly?
Only the Libertarian Party supports more freedom, more choices, and more competition on healthcare. The Democrats have passed their bill to create a government guaranteed monopoly on health insurance and hospitals. And the Republicans will be campaigning this year on "Repeal and Replace". Yes, Republicans want to repeal or reject the Democrats' reform, and replace it with their own rules, restrictions, and regulations. "Repeal and Replace" is not the answer.
The real answer is to make hospitals a little more like gas stations and end the government's monopoly on healthcare. Vote Libertarian; the revolution is golden.
Go here to double the effectiveness of any contribution you make to the Libertarian Party.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Ohio households now restricted to 288 bottles of wine per year
For reasons totally unrelated to alcoholism, scarcity, morality, or a higher purpose, it is now illegal for Ohio households to purchase more than 288 bottles of wine in one year.
It's all about taxes, and the insane efforts of regulatory munchkins to wring every last penny from independent wineries.
The battle against red tape continues.
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