Canadian Health Care

It works, if you have the cash.

Jacksonian Code

Are you a Jacksonian? HT ajacksonian

Separation of Church and State

Here's a different take on Separation of Church and State. A Jacksonian suggests that government does not need to be devoid of religious concepts or traditions so long as the people are allowed to practice whatever religion they choose. I like that concept, because there are some Christian values, like prohibiting murder and stealing (property rights), that help make America what she is today. There's more information on the Treaty of Westphalia, which apparently is where the concept of Separation of Church and State started, here.

World's First Rock and Roll Song

"That's All Right Mama" by Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup. 1949. Listen to it here. HT directorblue

More TSA follies

Here. Maybe someone ought to start a new reality show called "TSA".

TSA Bumper Stickers

Here. And watch this from SNL.

Comply With Me

Here

Speed Records

It looks like the Department of Health and Human Services is setting some bureaucratic speed records in approving waivers to Obamacare. One company, Harden Healthcare, got theirs approved before the application was finalized! (probably a transposition). Anyway, 111 waivers covering 1,175,411 employees have been approved so far. There's a couple of same day approvals, too. HT Michelle Malkin

Go Texas!

Here. HT directorblue.

State Bailouts

This column by Denver Post columnist Al Lewis, got me to thinking about how to put pressure on California, New York, and other states to resolve their pension and spending crises.

What if, as a condition of bailing them out, we required all of their state elected officials and pension officers to resign and prohibited them from ever holding a position of influence over public policy again? I'm sure there are constitutional and legal questions about whether the feds can do that. On the other hand, Congress could tell them to go jump in the lake, a sentiment that should resonate with more than a few of the new Republicans. We'd probably lose a few good legislators, but, IMO, the price would be worth it.

We could also force the state legislators to stand trial for fiscal malfeasance, and their voting records should be evidence enough to convict a large majority.

Lawmaker's salaries

Instapundit wants lawmakers to cut staff rather than salaries. I'd pay them 10 times as much if they would take a permanent vacation. There are lots of reforms that would do a lot more than either cutting staff or salary. 1) repeal 5 laws for every new law; 2) put a limit on the number of words in regulations for each department. Read The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress by Heinlein for some more good ideas.

What GOP Congress should do

Here's a recommendation from the Heritage Foundation about what programs the GOP can cut. It's only $343 Billion, but you've got to start somewhere. IMO, the Tea Party congresscritters should put each line item from this report in a separate bill, without earmarks, for an up or down vote to repeal. If they did 2 a week, they'd have 45 weeks of press releases to tell us how they are doing. It would also tell us who's not in favor of getting our house in order and would provide great material for campaign ads (but that works both ways).

Liberals

are members of a cargo cult because they have no idea of how to get the goods and services they want. I guess the stuff is supposed to magically show up on their doorstep.