Federal Government @ MindSay

"Education reform is of critical importance in America today. Over the past decades, we have witnessed two undeniable trends in our education system. First, the role of the federal government has steadily increased. Second, the quality of our nation's public schools has steadily decreased. These unfortunate developments compel me (and millions of parents across the country) to question our approach, to ask hard questions about the obvious failure of many public schools to provide children with a quality education. Why, given 70 years of ever-increasing federal spending, has government failed to create the wonderful public school system promised us by Great Society politicians? Why do we spend far more per student today than in the past, with far worse results? Why, despite the increases in federal spending, are public school teachers still underpaid (with the brightest young people refusing to enter the profession)? Finally, why have we allowed the federal government to consistently expand its control over our local school systems?"

Congressman Ron Paul, Sept. 2000

I referred to the masses as 'sheeple' in my blog post, dated Oct. 28th I believe, in reference to my feelings about Daylight Savings Time. Today, on the day it is implemented (a week later than last year), I see this article. Seemed appropo so I'm sharing it. 

Judge Andrew P. Napolitano's new book (released October 30),
A NATION OF SHEEP to our sale list. In this powerful book, Judge Napolitano frankly discusses how the federal government has circumvented the Constitution and is systematically dismantling the rights and freedoms that are the foundation of American democrac y. He challenges Americans to recognize they are being led down a very dangerous path and the cost of following without challenge is the loss of the basic freedoms that facilitate our pursuit of happiness and define us as a nation.

Judge Napolitano reminds readers what America is all about, that the purpose of government is to protect freedom, and freedom is the ability to follow your own free will and not the will of government bureaucrats. He asks the simple question, which are YOU, a sheep or a wolf? Do you blindly follow behind where you are led, or do you challenge the government at every pass, forcing it to make decisions that will protect our freedoms?

"Only Ontario and Prince Edward Island are currently operating in the red, Flaherty said. 'The majority of governments in Canada - the federal government, the territories and eight of the 10 provinces - have either balanced their budgets or (are) in surplus, and that's good to know as we enter into a discussion . . .to address this complex issue of fiscal imbalance.' ..... In his speech, Flaherty offered few hints about the federal budget expected next month, save one: it will shave a percentage point off the GST, a key campaign promise that's expected to rob federal coffers of at least $4.5 billion a year. Some analysts have suggested the cost could be as much as $5.2 billion. "

Well, I'm back. Yeah Yeah, I know, who cares, get on with it already. When last I was here in any useful capacity jimschweizer and I were going on about tax policy. Exciting, eh? I've been gone but I had wanted to respond so I'll start by reposting his last comment in it's entirety and then responding.

Just listened to a debate in the House of Commons. Our Prime Minister, Paul Martin, responded to a challenge from the opposition about the fuel tax revenues raked in by the Government. The opposition feels that the record revenues being raked in by the federal government would easily justify a reduction in the gax taxes paid at the pumps to save Canadians money. Our gas prices have risen quickly and our earnings are already heavily taxed; the equilibrium has been disturbed. This makes his point valid, I'm sure, to many Canadians. The Prime Minster, Paul Martin, refused by justifying the revenues that will be returned to the provinces and municipalities. One example that he used for emphasis was to upgrade roads and highways.I couldn't help think how great that'll be to have such great roads that no one can afford to use. That day could conceivably come sooner than we think. :)