One of the most perplexing dichotomies in America is how close we are to having true separation of church and state, while simultaneously on the verge of economic collapse, further increasing governmental power and becoming a pre-penniless communitarian society. We are free and enslaved at the same time – a paradox of the highest order. It’s amazing to consider how this country is still going. I normally don’t discuss social politics here as I believe there are far more important matters at hand – namely our economy and our freedom – but I will share my view on a few.
I have a big problem with all popular political views. I consider liberalism and conservatism to be far too one-sided and in a way a form of “pop culture” politics that avoids the central issues. I have criticized liberals more than conservatives, so I will let off a little steam about the latter.
One irritating idea of conservative ideologues is on social issues. Most believe that allowing gay marriage will destroy the sanctity and purity of this “sacred” contract which is simply not true. How can gay people being married cause problems for heterosexual marriages? It will not. The truth is, marriage is what you make it. To some people it’s merely a legal formality, to others it’s a sacred bond under God. What another person does has no impact on you and your personal life. In other words, it is not the government’s job to keep gay people from getting married. Let them do what they want, it’s their lives. Their lives have nothing to do with your life. We are all individuals and should all be afforded equal rights…period.
I strongly believe in the separation of church and state, and it’s amazing that the issue is still relevant. In terms of social policy, I am what Fox News ideologue Bill O’Reilly terms a secular progressive – the enemy of true America in his view. I like O’Reilly and his show is great entertainment. Hell, I even agree with his independent position on capitalistic anarchy, but secular progressivism is not a bad thing. America was designed to be a melting pot of all races – a free society where all people are considered equal.
My view on abortion is also very liberal. It should be up to each individual woman, after all, it’s her baby. If you oppose abortion, don’t have one. Teach your children the values you hold dear. It is none of your business what someone else does.
You can raise your children as satanic warlocks who eat an all pork and chocolate diet – I do not care, they are your kids.
Now I do agree with some conservative beliefs, such as small government and low taxes. Having said that, most conservative republicans are not representative of small government. Look at the gargantuan monster of a government George W. Bush built – massive government power, spending, war and borrowing from China. The Bush administration was the most disgusting in history. I am still reeling from the maddening corruption and debt caused by this one administration. It is beyond ridiculous.
That in no way means I support Barack Obama’s economic plans either. Before I say anything, I am extremely glad an African American was elected. Every American born child can grow up knowing they too can become president regardless of race – and that is of monumental importance. I want every person of every race or gender to know they have endless possibilities and can become great. I am white, so I cannot even begin to understand how it feels to be treated as a lesser human being because of race.
The truth is, somewhere down the line, we are all related. Somewhere in history there were the first humans. According to most anthropologists, those original humans were black. As human beings, we are all brothers and sisters and it’s time we started treating each other like that.
Back to the original discussion, I still cannot understand how America will survive with so much debt. The government and media keeps trying to figure out how to “get the gears” going again. What does that mean exactly? Does it mean to get another colossal credit bubble going? This credit based society is what caused the problem in the first place. Loans, loans loans and more loans have crippled our entire society.
Fiat Money
Underlying all these problems is the Federal Reserve. Besides Ron Paul, The CATO Institute and a select few libertarians – nobody in the two main parties has ever even mentioned it. We keep printing more and more money, which brings me to a term everyone should learn about:
Fiat money – Answers.com had a simple definition everyone can understand:
Legal tender, especially paper currency, authorized by a government but not based on or convertible into gold or silver.
If billions of counterfeit bills disperse into society, it causes severe problems like devaluing the dollar, inflation and deflation among many others. In many ways, by virtue of the Federal Reserve pumping freshly printed bills into the banking system – has the same exact effect as pumping in counterfeit bills. Why? It’s because the dollar is fiat money and backed by nothing. It is worthless paper and eventually will become more and more worthless. Eventually, the dollar will be like Japanese yen where we pay $60,000 per month for rent – and that will be the norm. The term ‘millionaire’ will mean you make an average income.
Wealth Redistribution
If Obama wants to do something beneficial, he would stop printing bills and reform the federal reserve. Of course, that will not happen. Don’t get me wrong, there is no way anyone could be worse than Bush, or so I hope. I am confounded when I hear a republican complain about redistribution of wealth. America has been redistributing wealth for decades, but all the money goes to corporations. How can an intelligent person oppose something and believe in it at the same time?
Now, I do oppose redistribution of money to people and corporations (corporate welfare). I oppose the federal income tax and think it should be eliminated. The government should be reduced in size by 75% and stop policing the world…period.
Having said that, if we are going to “redistribute wealth” as America has already been doing for years, I would prefer it to get distributed to the people rather than already rich corporations and banks. I’m a libertarian and feel like I’m living in a different universe than most people. I am only one person and I cannot make the world like I want it, it goes on with or without me. I have to live in this world and will always oppose big government. If the republican party wants to be viable again, it must drop its social conservatism and be for equality. I am personally afraid of a welfare state and our society is producing welfare experts – people who have mastered ways of getting more and more free money and think of themselves as “entitled”.
I don’t know what will happen with Obama and how it will impact our economy, but a panacea he will not be. I hope for the best for him and all of us. Also, I cannot criticize him as he’s not in office yet. I am just a hardcore capitalistic anarchist who opposes all forms and variations of socialism. All said, I will not let my government affect my personal happiness and will remain positive about life.
On another note, I want to point out that I read a diverse spectrum of material and am friends with people of every political, religious and racial difference. I read many conservative, liberal and libertarian based sites among many others – and do not degrade any of them. Here’s a few links you should check out:
The Fog: My Friend J.C. from Jasmin’s Heart has a three part interview with Nihad Hasanović, a Bosnian writer. The Fog is actually part three, but they all stand as individual articles and you can read them out of order. He has posted all three links at the top and I highly recommend you read all three parts. It is a fantastic series and really gives you an inside look into Bosnia and surrounding areas, their politics, art, literature and serious problems. This is truly worth your time.
The Peace Freedom & Prosperity Movement: a new blog from my Facebook friend James Cox. Like me, he is concerned with the direction of this country and believes in liberty and self-ownership. I will be writing some upcoming articles for him to help out. He’s just starting out and has a difficult mission ahead. Be sure to visit and check his site out.
The Predator State – End of the Free Market: A potent look into the”predator state” by my friend Euroyank. He pulls no punches and as always, presents a well crafted view of his ideas on America and where it’s headed. Euro is an equal oppurtunity critic/investigator and nobody more brutally criticized the Bush administration than him. He tore Bush into ribbons, but with good reason. His new post is starring Barack Obama.
There is No Country: From my friend Mentarch at Another Point of View – who has also shredded Bush into tiny slivers. This is a liberal progressive blog that I’ve been reading for a long time. I don’t always agree with his positions, but I do agree with him on his view on war and Bush. This great post was actually written by Diane G., a contributor to his blog. It’s scathing look into the myth of patriotism and country – an insightful essay. This is my favorite liberal blog.
Election 08 Aftermath: No Kool-Aid for Me: From my friend Debbie (who did not drink the koolaid), offers a little political humor about Obama voters and a hilarious link. Debbie often mixes humor with trenchant liberal criticism. While liberals might not like her humor, I do because I’m neither liberal or conservative. I do believe most McCain supporters are just as clueless.
No matter what our beliefs, we can all find common ground and all get along.






#1 by Eric "Speedcat Hollydale" at November 23rd, 2008
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Simple thoughts … FLAT TAX. No deductions, no special rules, FLAT
Lobbiests become outlaws. Make it a federal crime to buy polititions.
Do you know how simple and sound this would be??
#2 by Eric "Speedcat Hollydale" at November 23rd, 2008
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… free chicken too
#3 by Revellian at November 23rd, 2008
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Hi Eric! Since America will probably never have what I want, which is NO TAX, a flat tax would be fine with me. To be honest, I think Obama’s tax plan is just as screwy as Bush’s. A flat tax is far too simple and our leaders believe we need a complex system. We spend billions taxing and then refunding that same collected tax. Sorry, your idea makes too much sense.
Yes, welfare chicken sounds like a great entitlement!
#4 by teeni at November 23rd, 2008
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I like to think we can all get along too or that we need to at least try. Because at some point we may all need to band together and stop nitpicking on issues like abortion or gay marriage. I think the bigger issue will be poverty/malnutrition in this country.
#5 by teeni at November 23rd, 2008
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Your fiat money thoughts are very logical. It does sound like it would have the same effect as counterfeit money.
#6 by Revellian at November 23rd, 2008
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Hi Teeni! I think gay marriage is a state issue, not federal. The federal government should not be in the business of social politics. And yes, ever since 1934 with the Federal Reserve Gold Act, the gold standard was destroyed. Did you know the U.S. government stole all the gold from its own citizens by law and under threat of prison? It was the greatest robbery in American history. Since that day, all legal tender has been fiat money.
#7 by Michelle Gartner at November 23rd, 2008
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Hi Speedcat- save a chicken for me when I am in your neck of the woods again…
Well- I don’t want to get to heavily into arguing politics online or person’s values. I do tend to disagree with allowing people to teach their children anything… there are parents who teach their kids to be selfish bastards with disregard for others well being or even life. At that point society must step in and say no this is wrong. Where the lines get drawn though are becoming more and more subjective. Laws don’t mean anything any more either because now judges overturn things that they have no business overturning. A lot of laws are nonsense and I think America is becoming a freak show. I mean to say that people tend to know more about celebrities and who is getting divorced, then about important issues like politics or financial systems. If I really thought about this all the time I would be chronically depressed. Instead life goes on surrounded by the kids and my life is good.
Take care Bobby.
#8 by Revellian at November 23rd, 2008
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Hi Michelle! I agree America is a freak show and in my heart, I disagree with most of it; however, it is not up to me to decide. It is up to the majority. Yes there should be laws and lines to not be crossed. This is a very sensitive subject, but law cannot be used to govern family values except in a very general way. I personally have very conservative values, but I cannot force my view on other people, nor does what other people do hurt my values. My parents raised me to have strong morals, to be kind, not hurt others and to respect other people’s beliefs – even if I disagree with them. While many of my friends became loser scumbags without moral lines, I chose to drop them because of my personal ethics. The outside world can do whatever, but I will remain who I am.
#9 by Miss Moneypenny at November 23rd, 2008
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Hi Bobby!
Thank you for the humorous plug, my friend!
What Bush started, his cousin Obama will finish… Change you can really believe in
Would Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson be secular progressives per Bill O’Reilly’s viewpoint? ~
“Is uniformity attainable? Millions of innocent men, women, and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined, imprisoned; yet we have not advanced one inch towards uniformity. What has been the effect of coercion? To make one half the world fools and the other half hypocrites. To support roguery and error all over the earth.” – Thomas Jefferson (Notes on Virginia, 1782; from George Seldes, ed., The Great Quotations, Secaucus, New Jersey: Citadel Press, 1983, p. 363.)
Will Fiat Money also redistribute the debt, too?
When does the sanctity of human life begin? A human fetus has no rights to life?
Murder in the womb is legal yet, Murder after birth is a capital crime.
Do morals govern the actions of Americans and Lawmakers anymore?
“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” — John Adams
Where in the Constitution of John Adams was the Supreme Court given authority to enforce its “moral” views upon our nation or make decisions about when life becomes viable in the womb?
@ Speedcat Hollydale: Free Chicken Breasts, too?
#10 by Revellian at November 24th, 2008
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Hi Debbie! Yes, Bill O’Reilly has actually said that Paine and Jefferson were early American secular progressives.
Without a gold standard (or some kind of standard), all U.S. tender will remain fiat money. I wish our leaders understood that. If the bottom really falls out – a thousand times worse than now – the government could simply declare cash illegal and declare martial law. I doubt that would happen, but If they simply stopped printing money for a few weeks, it would help…lol.
I would never allow an abortion of a baby I caused. I would never date or marry a woman who would get an abortion, except in the case of rape or incest. Having said that, what other people do is their business. Perhaps abortion is murder, but I’m not the one doing it. What other people do is their business.
In today’s world, freedom loving people cannot nitpick over these issues. We will be lucky just to reduce the size of government. I doubt that reduction will ever happen.
What I’m saying is most Americans have morals and strong values. These things are family issues and I’m thankful to have the parents I have. I personally get sick about some issues in our society, but they do not reflect my personal views. Bill O’Reilly is worried our country will become a big San Francisco…lol. Yes San Francisco is a freak show filled with bizarre people, but those bizarre people have the same rights as everyone else and most places/people will never be like them. I don’t or never would live there. I’ll stay over here in my conservative value laden nook.
#11 by Diane G at November 24th, 2008
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Hi Bobby…
Diane here, thanks for linking my “There is no Country” that I crossposted to APOV from my little blog, The Wild Wild Left.
I have no exact answer to your question yet, but here is something to ponder I wrote a few weeks ago, called “Democratic Socialism”:
http://thewildwildleft.soapblox.net/showDiary.do?diaryId=1047
Then I kind of answered myself on “Fractals…”
http://thewildwildleft.soapblox.net/showDiary.do?diaryId=1053
Think about these and I’ll check back and see what you think. (Or comment there!)
The only conversation you don’t want to have with me is probably about Ron Paul. Not my favorite, even though some Libertarian ideas I like…..
I won’t link that one, it’ll burn your eyes! LOL!!!!
#12 by Revellian at November 26th, 2008
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Thanks for visiting and commenting here Diane! Nothing you say or write about Ron Paul or anyone could bother me in any way. I don’t agree with the entire libertarian ideology, but I do agree that the over-printing of cash is causing huge problems and the federal reserve is a corrupted crime racket.
The main reason I oppose socialism is I do not trust the government to wipe its own ass, much less be responsible for handling money!
#13 by Miss Moneypenny at November 26th, 2008
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Thanks, Bobby for your “I do not trust the government to wipe its own ass” statement… you made my busy beaver day during a overdue break from preparing my big Thanksgiving meal for all the Turkeys who will eat my feast while they watch football!
#14 by Diane G at November 26th, 2008
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It seems to work for Scandinavian Countries….
What did you think of the essays I linked?
#15 by Revellian at November 26th, 2008
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@Debbie: No, thank you for being my friend through thick and thin. The government will have to prove itself to me. Have a happy turkey day!
@Diane: It may very well work for Sweden and other countries, but America’s people and situation is much different. I’m not saying I would never agree to free college, health care and so forth. I’m saying the government is a corrupted knot of disgust and it will take a lot for me to believe anything they say. I’ll come by today and read your articles – I’m finally off work until Monday!
#16 by Miss Moneypenny at November 26th, 2008
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Hi Bobby!
You’re welcome, my friend!
If I may add my own personal experience… no government socialist programs ever helped me and my family. Both my husband and I needed to work hard to support our family whereas our fathers were the only bread winners. Our fathers may have earned less than us yet, their gold based dollar went a lot further during their lifetime.
Our combined income was always below the average middle class income yet, my family received better private health care before employers forced their HMO plans on everyone. At the time of the HMO changeover, our private Doctor noted he was “fully aware that all government programs do NOT work and now, the federal government wants to get into the healthcare business.”
In light of all of this, I’m completely baffled by the seemingly large number of Americans who believe their government, using monopoly game fiat money and their increasing debt to foreign interests, is capable of taking care of any part of their life like “free” health care.
“A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.” – Do we need another Thomas Jefferson to warn Americans?
Have a Happy Thanksgiving
#17 by WonderWoman at November 26th, 2008
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I loved the “Socialism Illustrated”! It totally made me laugh out loud.
As usual, your thoughts gave me cause to consider things I definitely wouldn’t have thought of today. <3
#18 by Revellian at November 28th, 2008
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@Debbie: If I had confidence the American government could manage anything, I may change my view on some socialistic ideas. Currently, it is easier for a lazy crackhead to get welfare, cheap housing and medical care than the people who actually work and need it. It would take a lot for me to be convinced otherwise. I take care of myself and am prepared to move and or get another job at a moments notice.
@Becca: I just don’t trust the government to handle money! Maybe I’ll change my mind one day, but I doubt it…lol!
#19 by Eric "Speedcat Hollydale" at December 11th, 2008
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Forgive my off topic coment here Bobby, I just wanted to tell you that after getting to the bottom of “Revellian”, I noticed just how unique and interesting your blog really is. Unlike my own, your blog is extremely sharing, and thought provoking. It is a bit like being invited into your life, and sharing your thoughts on … , well, EVERYTHING.
One of the best in the blogosphere
#20 by Revellian at December 11th, 2008
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Thank you Eric, that made my day! I love deep discussions and I guess I’ve subconsciously geared my content over time to make that happen.
Your main blog is different than mine but it is definitely one of the most original, and strangely enigmatic on line. No matter who arrives there, they cannot forget it. Some blogs stand out when you first see them even before you read, and yours has that factor. Plus that, you are the most gracious guy out there and treat everyone like an old friend. So, yours in one of the best my friend!