Written by Eric Plourde | 25 April 2008

Hometown Blues

How Local Governments Are Attacking Freedom

By Eric Plourde

The erosion of civil liberties and the growth of government intrusion by the federal government in the United States are alarming trends. However, the tendency of elected officials to perform their jobs as if they have the right to run the lives of their constituents does not stop at the federal level. State and local governments around the country are taking it upon themselves to regulate the behavior of their citizens with ordinances and local restrictions.

Written by Justin Hartfield | 18 April 2008

Is Kansas More Liberal Than California?
How closed primaries ended the Ron Paul revolution
By Justin Hartfield

An estimated 59% of the country would agree that they're socially liberal and fiscally conservative. So one would superficially suspect that Dr. Ron Paul would have at least made a Ross Perot-esque showing (about 20% of the popular vote) in the 2008 Presidential Primaries.

Yet in California, arguably the state with the heaviest libertarian leanings, Ron Paul finished fifth in primary voting with 4%, just behind Rudy Giuliani (who dropped out months before the election). In Colorado, the second most libertarian leaning state, Paul received just 8% of the vote.

But in states like Kansas, Paul received 11% of the vote, in Maine 19%, in Minnesota 16%, in Washington 22%, and in Nevada 14% (second only to Mitt Romney).

So the question arises: is Kansas really more libertarian than Colorado or California?

Written by Justin Hartfield | 17 April 2008

Your Taco Bell Value Meal Should be 90 Cents

But the government is conspiring to make you pay more

By Justin Hartfield



The average Taco Bell restaurant generates $1.2 million dollars a year. Hourly wages account for $242,000 or 20% of the gross income of the store.

Now let's say for a minute that the minimum wage was abolished, and Taco Bell decided to try an experiment hiring lower cost employers in one Watts, CA location, one of the lowest income and highest crime areas in the nation.

Hiring reformed felons to work for the store for half the current minimum wage (CA is $8.00/hour), the store would give currently disenfranchised citizens a rare opportunity for professional growth.

This in turn would reduce the total expenditures of the store by 10% and enable Taco Bell to charge you just 90 cents for their Crunchwrap Supreme, Beef & Potato Burrito, or (my personal favorite) Spicy Chicken Soft Taco. In fact, the entire Big Bell Value Menu would be rendered even more valuable! This is a win/win situation for all parties involved.

Lower (or preferably abolish) the minimum wage and give me the ultra-cheap, mostly chemical tacos that I crave oh so much. After all, is there anything more American than Mexican fast food?

Written by Joe Holmes | 16 April 2008

Do You Qualify for Food Stamps?

It seems the government just can't wait to give away your money

By Joe Holmes

I was driving home the other day and heard a very interest radio advertisement. I may qualify for food stamps and the United States government wants to help me in this pursuit. Do I have a job? If I do, it is no problem, according to this recent radio spot. Call and talk to someone today!

Am I the only one who finds this a little absurd? It is estimated that within the year a record 28 million citizens will be on food stamps. This is nearly 1 in 10 Americans. Some states such as West Virginia and Michigan boast rates as high as one in six citizens on food stamps. The U.S. government spends roughly $3 billion dollars a month on this federal program. And where do at least some of these resources go? Towards advertising and bringing in new recipients.

According to the ad, I no longer have to hang my head in shame when using food stamps. No, I can get a check card with upwards of $500 a month for a family of four on it and I can use it discreetly. No one ever has to know that I am on food stamps, not even the checker at my local grocery store. Is there a maximum time-period that I can receive food stamps? Of course not!

Written by Dr. Troy Camplin | 15 April 2008

If I Were a “Captain Planet” Supervillian...

By Dr. Troy Camplin

Some of you may remember about twenty years ago there was a cartoon called “Captain Planet.” It was a pro-environmentalist cartoon whose villains were always trying to destroy the environment. My friends and I used to joke that it was the only superhero show where the villains were suicidal, since if any of them had managed to succeed, they would have died along with the rest of life on the planet.

Nonetheless, I have recently begun to wonder what I would do if I were a “Captain Planet” supervillain. Most “Captain Planet” villains were as subtle as the chainsaws they were using – and this is why they were always caught. So, learning from my predecessors, I would try to be more subtle. If at all possible, I would try to get Captain Planet to think I was on his side.

As a “Captain Planet” villain, I would have several goals. Naturally, I will have to try to destroy the rainforests. The more senseless the deforestation, the better. Next, I would try to make sure there’s more air pollution. The great thing about smog is you can see it – so ozone pollution would be great. I would also try to increase oil usage and water usage.