The Conscience of a Libertarian: Empowering the Citizen Revolution with God, Guns, Gambling & Tax Cuts
Back in 2006, I left the Republican Party after a lifetime of support, because of their Nanny State attitude about many social issues- prominent among them their ban of online gaming. I argued at the time that this issue was the very definition of personal freedom. Any politician or political party that wants to tell us what we are "allowed" to do in our own bedrooms, on our own computers, with our own money, cannot claim to stand for limited government (or freedom for that matter).
The ban of online gaming, while seemingly a minor issue to many political activists, is actually a huge issue. It represents the lengths government will go to, to try to control (and micro-manage) our lives and our personal freedoms. The ban of online gaming represented intolerance and the violation of personal freedom. This over-reaching of power is one of the reasons that the Republican Party lost control of every level of political power in America.
Yet this latest controversy about Rush Limbaugh's attempt to buy the St. Louis Rams is an example of why the Democratic Party and liberals in this country are even worse when it comes to the issue of freedom (and free speech). NFL players- particularly black NFL players- are incensed that Rush might become a NFL owner. They are demanding that the NFL prevent Rush from owning a team. They are blaming his supposedly "racist views." NFL players obviously won't let the idea of free speech or freedom of expression get in the way of their desire to ban Rush. Afterall, no NFL player ever said or did anything to offend the sensibilities of the American public.
Liberals tend to believe that if they disagree with your opinions, you or your opinions should be banned. Or you should be labeled a "racist" thereby destroying your credibility, and possibly your career. Liberals are the Joseph McCarthy's of today. Is there anything American about the idea that someone should be banned from ownership of a NFL football team because of his or her political views?
I would never have even thought of demanding that the NFL reject the purchase of a team by someone that I disagree with politically. Have we all forgotten that free speech and freedom of thought are at the very root (excuse the pun) of why we founded this great country? You mean someone should be banned from ownership of a company in America because of their political beliefs? Which beliefs? How do we decide which beliefs are offensive?
Is this what America has become? We are no longer free to have an opinion for fear of being banned from the right to buy a business? Should Rush Limbaugh be free to own a McDonalds franchise? Afterall, something he said at one time on the radio must be offensive to some group that may one day buy a cheeseburger. Should that group demand that McDonalds ban him from ownership? Is eating the food of a conservative now banned in America?
What about Glenn Beck? Should he be banned from owning a Century 21 real estate franchise? Afterall, something he said at one time somewhere on TV or radio must offend some group that may one day buy a home. How far should we take this? Personally, I'm offended by almost everything that comes out of the mouth of George Clooney. Should George Clooney be prevented or banned from buying a movie studio (or a NFL team) because I don't approve of his political views?
And exactly what is the definition of "racism?" Last I checked freedom of speech and opinion is allowed in America. "Diversity" is a buzzword constantly bandied about by liberals. Yet they don't support diversity of thought when it disagrees with their opinions. Check schools and universities in this country. The only unrepresented group on campuses across America is conservatives. There is no diversity of thought among the elite liberal education class- obviously they believe that only liberal thought is "diverse" enough to be tolerated. So let me get this straight- if you agree with liberals, or have a radical leftist view, that is the definition of diversity and it's encouraged. But if you disagree with liberals, that is labeled "racist" and it should be banned.
Ironically, Rush Limbaugh has stated views that a large portion of American voters agree with- some might call it "the Silent Majority." Not only is Rush Limbaugh the most popular and successful radio host in the history of America, but recent national polls prove that Rush's conservative views are in the majority, not minority. A recent poll of America's political opinions proves that conservatives are in the majority in all 50 states- yes, even in Vermont, Massachusetts, and Obama's Illinois. Another detailed political poll proved that the political identification "conservative" leads "liberal" by more than 2 to 1 across this great country. And a poll out only days ago proves that of all the political "brand names" in America, only one was a landslide winner with the American public- Ronald Reagan.
So are black NFL players accusing the majority of Americans of being racist? How about the people in the stands they buy the tickets, thereby paying for the multi-million dollar salaries of NFL players- are they racist too? Are NFL players accusing one of our greatest Presidents Ronald Reagan of being racist? Because Ronald Reagan's views certainly matched those of Rush Limbaugh on most issues. Would those same NFL players demand a ban on the right of Ronald Reagan to own a team?
I call myself a "Reagan Libertarian." I am fiscally conservative and agree with both Rush Limbaugh and Ronald Reagan on most economic issues. Should I demand a ban on the right of Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid to own an NFL team because I consider their political views offensive and insulting? Should the right of a player to play on a team in the NFL be based on his political views, or his talent on the field? Why would anyone's right to own a NFL team be based on anything different?
Should the majority in a free society that values free speech and diversity be allowed to ban anyone from owning anything? Well how about the minority? The NFL players who are demanding that the NFL block Rush from his attempt to own an NFL team are clearly- based on the latest polls- in the political minority. Should a vocal minority be allowed to censor the speech or rights of the majority? That's exactly what's happening here- and it's wrong, it's offensive to me, and it flies in the face of what America is about.
The reason I became a Libertarian is because I believe passionately in freedom, free speech and free markets. I may not always agree with Barack Obama (actually I never agree with Obama), or Rush
Limbaugh, but I would fight (to the death if necessary) to defend the rights of both of them to own any business, or any NFL team they desire.
The NFL players protesting Rush's freedom had better be careful- they are moving down a slippery slope. If they are successful in limiting Rush Limbaugh's freedom, then conservatives will protest whenever a liberal political figure tries to buy a NFL team. Worse, what if the wealthy conservative-leaning fans who buy the majority of seats (and certainly the majority of the sky boxes and luxury seats) decide to boycott NFL games because they don't like the political views of the players?
I wonder how NFL players would feel about free speech in that case?
My advice- Don't open that door. Keep politics out of sports. In a free and capitalist society, if you have the money, it is your right to buy any business you want. PERIOD. What an amazing country where a radio host can earn enough success and wealth to buy a $700,000,000 NFL football team. Instead of fighting over it, or denigrating his opinions, or trying to ban his options and opportunities, we should all be celebrating Rush Limbaugh's success. God Bless America, freedom, the NFL, and Rush Limbaugh.
But hey, if it doesn't work out because of protests by black NFL players...don't despair Rush. There's always hockey.
Wayne Allyn Root was the 2008 Libertarian Vice Presidential candidate. His new book is entitled, “The Conscience of a Libertarian: Empowering the Citizen Revolution with God, Guns, Gambling & Tax Cuts.” For more of Wayne's views, commentaries, or to watch his many national media appearances, please visit his web site at: ROOTforAmerica.com
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( 3 / 1891 )They Really Do All Lie!
Proof That Politicians and Government Bureaucrats Lie to Us Everyday- Inspector General Finds that Paulsen and Bernanke Lied to Americans About Bailouts and Health of Banks.
By Wayne Allyn Root, Author
The Conscience of a Libertarian: Empowering the Citizen Revolution with God, Guns, Gambling & Tax Cuts
Just last week I wrote a commentary entitled, “They ALL Lie.” It referred to the controversy surrounding Congressman Joe Wilson screaming out “You Lie” to President Obama. I said that Congressman Wilson was only partially right. The fact is they all lie. Politicians of all political parties have been lying to us for many decades and we’ve accepted this. The result is a $100 trillion national debt and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. The result is an American economy teetering on the verge of collapse. The result is the bankruptcy and insolvency of our nation. The result is that our children and grandchildren will be enslaved to debt and high taxes for generations to come, to pay for it all.
I said in my commentary of last week that it was time to stop being so civil, humble and well mannered. It’s time for all of us to call them liars and take back our country. It’s time to V.E.T.O. the entire U.S. Congress (Vote Everyone of Them Out). It’s time to throw all the bums out. It’s time to put term limits on all incumbent politicians- whether they approve or not. It’s time to demand accountability. It’s time to find out what government is doing with our money. It’s time to shout to our politicians, “We’re not giving you another cent, until you tell us where all the money went!”
Well I was proven right just this morning. U.S. Special Inspector General Neil Barofsky reported today that Treasury Secretary Hank Paulsen and Federal Reserve Chief Ben Bernanke lied to us when they announced at a press conference last October that the nine giant banks receiving the first round of bailouts were financially healthy. This was a blatant lie. So was Treasury Secretary Paulsen’s explanation about where the emergency money was going- it turns out that the billions of dollars of taxpayer money was not used to buy up toxic assets. That program is just starting now- a year later. So where did the money go? Who has it? Why did those particular banks get the money?
So let me get this straight- Our own government lied to us about the health of our banks….about where the money was going…and we still don’t know the specific details of who got the bailout trillions…or how much they got…or what it was used for. The excuse used to justify the outright lies by Treasury officials this morning was “the extraordinary circumstances” of last Fall’s financial meltdown.
That’s the “excuse of the day” for this particular lie. But what about all the other lies told to taxpayers about all the other programs for the past century? What’s the excuse for those blatant lies? Or how about the lies Obama, Reid and Pelosi tell us every day about government-run universal healthcare, or cap and trade, or card check, or the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? There’s always a new lie or rationalization to explain every government decision to spend our taxpayer money.
The lies never end. The reasons are always the same: “We know what’s best for you.” “It was extraordinary circumstances.” “It was necessary to protect you, or the country, or the economy.“ “Government knows best.” Really? So how come we are $100 trillion in debt? I guess we could have survived without those programs. Perhaps we’d be in much better financial shape without those programs…without those lies…without those politicians. Perhaps the politicians are the problem, not the solution. Perhaps government is the problem, not the solution. Perhaps government doesn’t know best. Perhaps if they lie to us under “extraordinary circumstance,” they’ll lie under ordinary circumstances too. It’s time to stop accepting the lies and excuses and rationalizations. It’s time to stop trusting that “government knows best.” We’re $100 trillion in debt- almost two times world GDP (all the money earned in the world each year). We couldn’t possibly have done any worse.
Yet nothing changes. Just days ago Congress voted down a bill that would have demanded that all bills before Congress be published online for 48 hours before a vote- so the American people had a chance to actually read them before they are voted on. What a concept. I’m sure this made Congress laugh. Why on earth would the American people read the bills, when Congress doesn’t ever read them?
No wonder we are $100 trillion in debt. We have liars, thieves and conmen running the government. We have czars running the government- unaccountable to the peasants (ie the people). We have a Federal Reserve running the economy and printing dollars, without authority or accountability. And politicians lying to us, because they think they know best.
Well it’s our money. It belongs to the taxpayers- not the politicians. Don’t count on us being docile, or quiet, or ignorant anymore. From this day forward, we are demanding an accounting of where our money goes, who gets it, and exactly what they’re using it for. The days of lies and secrecy are over. It’s time to throw civility and manners to the curb. It’s time to shout with rage and passion:
“WE’RE NOT GIVING YOU ANOTHER CENT, UNTIL YOU TELL US WHERE THE MONEY WENT.”
Wayne Allyn Root was the 2008 Libertarian Vice Presidential candidate. His new book is entitled, “The Conscience of a Libertarian: Empowering the Citizen Revolution with God, Guns, Gambling & Tax Cuts.” For more of Wayne’s views, commentaries, or to watch his many national media appearances, please visit his web site at: www.ROOTforAmerica.com.
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( 3 / 1932 )UNEMPLOYMENT CONTINUES TO SKYROCKET: MORE PROOF THAT “BIG GOVERNMENT IS TOO BIG TO SUCCEED.”
Obama Desperately Needed Olympics to Distract the Masses from Deepening Economic Disaster.
By Wayne Allyn Root, Author
The Conscience of a Libertarian: Empowering the Citizen Revolution with God, Guns, Gambling & Tax Cuts
Experts love to say that certain big companies and banks are “too big to fail.” The reality is our federal government is too big to succeed. It's all going down in flames for Obama- “the anointed one.” He has proven once again that government spending has failed miserably. The economy continues to crumble. Unemployment continues to rise (another 200,000+ announced today). The full (ie truthful) unemployment picture is now at a unimaginable 17%. Sales of cars- without the “Cash for Clunkers” giveaway- continue to collapse. Banking experts know that a new wave of residential housing foreclosures is on the way. Worse, a complete collapse of commercial real estate is starting, as landlords of office buildings, strip malls, and shopping centers hand the keys to banks. How do I know? It's happening now in Las Vegas- and we all know “what happens in Vegas, doesn't stay in Vegas.” Consumer spending is getting worse- small business owner friends of mine report sales are dropping off a cliff- the worst they've seen yet in this 2 year depression.
As the economic disaster deepens, the White House and Fed lie to us all and tell us that the recession is over. It's either ignorance, delusion, irrational exuberance, or outright fabrication. You decide.
I believe the bad news above is a sign that not only is the recession not over, but the pain is deepening. We are not at the end, but rather only at the beginning. Before this is over, it will be called “The Great Depression II” in the history books. All of Obama's big government intervention has failed. Worse, his irresponsible and incomprehensible spending has made it far worse. Government screws up everything it touches- only this time it is our economic future on the line.
And President Obama's reaction to the dark storm clouds approaching? He chooses to fly off to Denmark to lobby for the Olympics. Huh? Is this man kidding? Think of all the wasted airplane fuel that will contribute to global warming- all for a one day trip to discuss…sports? What, no furor from liberal environmentalists? What a surprise.
My educated guess is that Obama and his cynical political advisors desperately needed this victory. They realized that Obama's sinking polls needed an instant boost to stop the bleeding. Worse, they desperately NEEDED to be awarded a Chicago Olympics as a distraction for the masses because of what is coming down the road- economic Armageddon. But Obama's latest weapon of mass distraction is now scuttled.
What would the Olympics have meant for Obama? More “Weapons of Mass Distraction.” More government spending of money we don't have. More rip-off of American taxpayers and future generations of our children. More bribes and payoffs for Obama's corrupt friends in Chicago. More overpaid jobs for Obama's union cronies. And one giant distraction for those Americans too ignorant to understand that Rome is burning, while they are distracted by the pageantry of a meaningless Olympic event.
Well it didn't happen. We got lucky. The world saved us from another event that would plunge us even further into insolvency and bankruptcy. Even Obama's global fans are getting sick of “the Anointed One.” This Olympic rejection was an embarassing global slap in the face. The world just handed Obama the worst defeat of his Presidency. He must be in shock. My advice: Get used to it Mr. President- I have a gut instinct that far worse news is coming down the road.
Wayne Allyn Root was the 2008 Libertarian Vice Presidential candidate. His new book is entitled, “The Conscience of a Libertarian: Empowering the Citizen Revolution with God, Guns, Gambling & Tax Cuts.” For more of Wayne's views, commentaries, or to watch his many national media appearances, please visit his web si
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( 3 / 1696 )We Don’t Need Civility Towards Our Political Leaders; We Need Rage!
We Need to Limit Our Politicians to Two Terms- One in Office, One in Prison!
We need to Throw All the Bums Out- V.E.T.O. the U.S. Congress (Vote Everyone of Them Out).
By Wayne Allyn Root, Author
The Conscience of a Libertarian: Empowering the Citizen Revolution with God, Guns, Gambling & Tax Cuts
When Congressman Joe Wilson screamed “You Lie!” at President Obama, many liberal critics, political commentators and media experts responded by criticizing the lack of manners and civility in modern day politics. Yet I believe the opposite is true. We’ve all been too nice, mannered, and civil. For far too long, we’ve stood by as politicians destroyed our country, wrecked our economy, spent us into bankruptcy, and indebted our children and grandchildren for generations to come. This situation doesn’t demand civility; it demands rage. Why should we show respect and civility to the corrupt thieves who are lying to our faces and robbing us blind? Why show respect to the very people who are stealing our children’s future?
The problem isn’t civility; it is stupidity. We’ve been far too civil and docile. We’ve been intimidated and blinded by the power and fancy titles of our political leaders. We’ve all accepted the lies for far too long. We’ve actually given the benefit of the doubt to the people in charge- even though most of the political class is a bunch of criminals. We’ve respected and re-elected the very people who have been lying to our faces and robbing us blind. In reality we should have been throwing the bums out- ALL of them, from both parties. We should have been limiting our politicians to 2 terms- one in office, one in prison!
We stuck our heads in the sand. We wanted to believe they were telling us the truth. We might have cursed “Congress,” but we each praised and thanked our own Congressperson. We showed “respect” for their authority. It can only be called “Groundhog Day.” Each day we keep doing the same illogical things (supporting the same incumbents who are bankrupting the country); and wake up the next morning hoping the outcome will be different. But it never is.
A half century of manners and civility has led to the worst depression since 1929; an unimaginable annual deficit of almost $2 trillion; and over $100 trillion in national debt. Our country is at the brink of economic ruin, bankruptcy and insolvency because we’ve been so nice, naďve, and trusting. We all should have screamed “You Lie” a long time ago.
OTB recently filed for bankruptcy in New York. That’s Off Track Betting- otherwise known as government-run gambling. You mean the government can’t make a profit in the gambling business, but President Obama wants us to believe that they’ll magically run national healthcare profitably? That’s a lie. Obama wants us to believe that we’re going to add 50 million uninsured to the healthcare rolls, and it won’t cost us a thing? That’s a lie. Or that government will “save” us money by spending trillions on a new program? That’s a lie. That the estimate of one trillion dollars is accurate, even though Medicare was once estimated to cost $12 billion annually, and actually cost $110 billion? That’s a lie. That the trillion or trillions Obama wants to spend on government-run healthcare won’t add to the ballooning deficit? That’s a lie. That adding 50 million new patients, while losing doctors, won’t result in rationing? That’s a lie. That the rest of us can forever keep our present health insurance and doctors at no added cost? That’s a lie. That illegal immigrants won’t soon be included in universal healthcare? That’s a lie. Politicians like Obama are good at lying. They’ll actually remove illegals from the new healthcare bill, but soon thereafter they’ll make sure that illegals are granted legal citizenship, thereby allowing all of their healthcare bills to be added to the government’s tab.
Or how about cap and trade. President Obama wants us to believe that a massive multi-trillion dollar cap and trade program won’t hurt business? That’s a lie. That cap and trade won’t put us at a competitive disadvantage to China and India (who won’t agree to the same rules and standards)? That’s a lie. That cap and trade won’t double or triple our energy bills? That’s a lie. That this massive increase in our utility bills is not a tax increase on the middle class? That’s a lie. That cap and trade isn’t an excuse for a government takeover of business? That’s a lie. That cap and trade is necessary to fight global warming (even though the last decade has seen more proof of global cooling)? That’s a lie.
Do you remember the original fairy-tales told to you by President Obama? He said that his $800 billion stimulus bill was necessary to “save” the economy. That was a lie. Instead it was an almost trillion dollar handout to his campaign contributors and supporters that did nothing for the economy. Obama said we had to spend trillions to create 3 million new jobs. That was a lie. Instead we wasted trillions and lost 3 million jobs. Obama said we had to spend billions to save U.S. automakers. That was a lie. Instead Obama fleeced taxpayers, stockholders, lien holders, banks and hedge funds to hand control of the U.S. automakers to the auto unions- his campaign contributors. Now GM and Chrysler are a $100 billion government-funded welfare program, that just happens to make cars (that no one wants). Obama said that corporate bailouts would be paid back. That was a lie. Now it turns out that we may never get back tens of billions loaned to AIG, GM or Chrysler. How many more lies are we willing to accept, while still being civil and mannered?
But Obama is far from being the only politician to lie to our faces. They all lie. Pelosi, Reid, Dodd and Frank have lied about virtually every spending bill that Congress passes. Bush lied about the war in Iraq and wasted a trillion dollars (or more) on his military misadventures, all the while allowing Congress to break the bank on spending, earmarks and waste. The leaders of the Republican Congress lied about virtually every bill they passed too. It’s what politicians do.
Just don’t tell me to accept it anymore. Don’t tell me to respond to being lied to my face with manners, grace and civility. No, it’s well past the time for civility. It’s time for rage. It’s time to throw all the bums out. It’s time to V.E.T.O. the entire Congress- Vote Everyone of Them Out. It’s time to send a message to the spoiled, corrupt, overpaid D.C. political class. It’s time for a political revolution. It’s time to increase unemployment- by at least 435 members of Congress (and every Senator up for re-election too). It’s time to say to every incumbent politician in America: YOU’RE FIRED! In 2010, let’s forget civility and let’s get angry, vicious and vengeful. Let’s fight with tenacity and passion. Because this is the battle of our lives- our country, our economy, capitalism itself, our children’s future is at stake. It’s time to take back our country from the liars and thieves currently in control. It’s time to admit “THEY ALL LIE!”
Wayne Allyn Root was the 2008 Libertarian Vice Presidential candidate. His new book is entitled, “The Conscience of a Libertarian: Empowering the Citizen Revolution with God, Guns, Gambling & Tax Cuts.” For more of Wayne’s views, commentaries, or to watch his many national media appearances, please visit his web site at: www.ROOTforAmerica.com.
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( 3 / 1753 )Bailout of Newspapers Threatens Free Speech and Editorial Independence.
Bailouts Constitute “Legal Bribery.”
By Wayne Allyn Root, Author
The Conscience of a Libertarian: Empowering the Citizen Revolution with God, Guns, Gambling & Tax Cuts
Members of Congress have recently suggested that the federal government should undertake a billion dollar newspaper bailout. President Obama seems interested. Really? Why? Because the other bailouts worked out so well? Congressional investigators recently disclosed their doubts that AIG will ever be able to payback it’s government loans. At the same time, economists suggest that at least $20 billion of the government loans to U.S. automakers are lost forever. GM and Chrysler now constitute a $100 billion welfare program, that just happens to sell cars (that no one wants). Meanwhile the economy continues to flounder despite the $800 billion economic stimulus package (a bailout to more fat cat corporations and Obama contributors). This disaster just keeps on growing (because government is involved).
Now we’re discussing billion dollar government loans to newspapers? Who suggested that idea? Let me guess- perhaps newspaper publishers whispered in the ears of Democratic Senators and Congressmen who have accepted their contributions and editorial endorsements over the years. And what did they promise in return for a bailout? More contributions? More endorsements? Did they promise favorable news coverage of the pet programs of Obama and the Democratic Congress? Perhaps they promised negative news coverage (or complete blackouts) of the massive Tea Party rallies and protests gathering steam across America. Isn’t that called “pay for play?” Doesn’t the idea of newspaper bailouts threaten the very image of media impartiality and independence? Who is going to report on this scandal, if the entire media is compromised by one political party?
Bailouts are symbolic of government at its worst- showcasing incompetence, corruption, favoritism and arrogance. Let’s start with the simple idea that this is all unconstitutional. The Constitution bans government from getting involved in private enterprise- PERIOD. But setting aside that little problem, common sense alone should result in the banning of any more bailouts. Darwin was correct with his “survival of the fittest” philosophy. The free market and consumers should best determine who survives and who thrives- not government. Let’s look at the auto industry. Perhaps there are simply too many auto brands and dealerships. Perhaps thousands of auto dealerships need to go out of business in order to heal the industry and jumpstart the comeback. Perhaps 2500 auto dealerships nationwide instead of 5000 would make the survivors healthier, stronger, more profitable, built for the long haul. Perhaps if the auto industry contracted, the surviving players would create even more jobs in the long run. No pain, no gain- perhaps by keeping failing companies alive, we are hurting consumers and costing more jobs.
When airlines like TWA, Eastern and Pan Am went out of business, consumers simply turned to different brands, such as Southwest. When Zenith went out of business, consumers simply bought more Sonys. Did life as we know it in America cease to exist? Of course not. In the long run, these business failures were healthy for the system. Consumers benefitted from newer and less expensive alternatives. In any case, it isn’t government’s job to pick winners, or prevent failures. History proves politicians and government bureaucrats are poor (and corrupt) decision-makers.
What holds true for automakers, holds true for all businesses in a capitalist economy. Would the world have survived the loss of AIG? Certainly. Other insurance companies would have taken over their niche (and perhaps done a better job). We survived the loss of Wall Street behemoths such as Lehman Brothers, Bear Stearns and Merrill Lynch. Dozens of banks have failed in the past year, yet our banking industry has survived. Why didn’t we save each of them? Casino giants like MGM Mirage and Las Vegas Sands (Venetian) teetered on the verge of bankruptcy and insolvency. Yet Las Vegas survived. Even lawyers are struggling in this terrible economy. This contraction in the legal profession will put hundreds of law firms out of business, costing thousands of lawyers their jobs. Should we bailout lawyers to save the economy? (To the contrary- my educated guess is that the world will be a better place with fewer lawyers).
The same holds true for newspapers. Perhaps there were far too many newspapers in this country in the first place. Perhaps there weren’t enough advertisers to go around. Perhaps it’s healthier for the newspaper industry if a few hundred (or even a few thousand) newspapers go out of business. Perhaps the ones who survive will be stronger. Perhaps the failed newspaper companies will be replaced by media mavericks with better business models.
Or perhaps newspapers are a dying business, slated for extinction. Within a few short years, we may be all getting our news exclusively from the Internet. What’s wrong with that? Isn’t that up to consumers to decide? Why should government artificially prop up a failing industry that the consumer no longer wants to buy or read? That’s the point of capitalism- if consumers wanted to read those newspapers, they wouldn’t be going out of business. Why is it government’s job to prop up a company that is rejected by consumers in a free market economy?
But the biggest (and worst) danger of all in a possible newspaper bailout, is the potential for political corruption and censorship. If President Obama saves the New York Times, will that newspaper ever write a negative editorial about Obama? (Of course, it never has and never will- but that’s another commentary about liberal media bias). If the Democratic Congress saves newspapers in Seattle, Chicago, New Orleans, Boston and Philadelphia, would it surprise you to think that the editors of those newspapers will only endorse Democrats for Congress as a thank you to their benefactors? Or visa versa- perhaps a Democratic Congress will only choose to bailout newspapers that have reliably endorsed Democrats for decades. The potential for corruption, bias and censorship is startling. The potential to silence freedom of speech based on partisan politics and what can only be described as “open bribery” is enormous.
The bailout of banks, insurance companies, and automakers was unfair, immoral and unconstitutional. But the potential bailout of newspapers is the worst mistake of all. The very underpinnings of America- free speech, an unbiased and independent media, separation of editorial opinions from financial dependence- are all at stake. But perhaps that’s exactly what President Obama and the Democratic Congress are banking on. Afterall, once the Obama cabal controls the media, the rest of their plan falls easily into place.
Wayne Allyn Root was the 2008 Libertarian Vice Presidential candidate. His new book is entitled, “The Conscience of a Libertarian: Empowering the Citizen Revolution with God, Guns, Gambling & Tax Cuts.” For more of Wayne’s views, commentaries, or to watch his many national media appearances, please visit his web site at: www.ROOTforAmerica.com.
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