NONE OF THEIR BUSINESS

A news item today notes a survey in which 30% of respondents think government should limit the salaries of athletes and celebrities. This is where it's going, America. Bureaucrats start with outrage against AIG bailout money then the mood shifts to "hey, who else makes lots of money?" In a free country (which this still is, at last check), the idea that anyone thinks it's government's business to limit who-makes-what should be a concern for all of us.

MORE MEDDLING: Late today comes news that the Obama administration demanded that GM's Rick Wagoner (CEO) pack it in before getting more bailout money. Wagoner quit. No heads of banks have had similar demands, despite sucking up lots more taxpayer cash.  This comes on the heels of the government also pushing automakers for a big increase (biggest in 20 years) in fuel economy by 2011.  The thought of bureaucrats who've never run any business trying to run everything is increasingly absurd.

EARTH HOUR LUNACY

Does anyone really believe turning off lights and appliances for an hour tonight makes any real difference? All becuase we're supposed to buy "global warming" as 100% fact? "Earth Hour" is like wearing a special "I care" ribbon on a TV awards show...  or, in the case of many politicians, talking about how important charity is then doing nothing personally to make a difference. (Note: In the years prior to hitting the Presidential campaign, Barack Obama gave about 1.3% of his income to charity. On average, liberals give under 2% annually to charitable causes; conservatives over 4%.)  I'll be celebrating "Earth Hour" this evening by turning on most lights and running extra appliances. Just because.

A WHOLE LOTTA SHAKIN'

Much is being made of the recent flurry of hyper seismic activity here in Southern California. One report tonight featured some Cal Tech scientists who are nearly salivating over possible increased prospects of "The Big One".  That's pretty creepy, really. Hey, this is earthquake country. We get used to it, most times. Californians experience many (many!) quakes each month, often "micro" in size... but all part of the regional geography. Living in a higher risk zone beats, well, winter elsewhere.  That's why we feature the LarsonBlog "Quake Tracker" (click on menu to the right).  It's not only informative and adds perspective each day, but it's also a way to scare unwanted visitors... keeping them from coming out and hanging with you at your house. Even during times of little quake activity, a glimpse at the map will frighten anyone away. 

STOP IT, PLEASE: The California State Air Resources Board is now considering ways to stop the sale of black cars in the Golden State.  They say it's all about reducing the carbon footprint of air conditioning. In other words, more overreaction to "global warming". You see, these experts have determined that black cars force the A/C to work harder, resulting in more wear on the environment. This begs a question: Don't these people have anything else to do?  

NOT TO BE OUTDONE: The Obama Administration is pushing auto makers to greatly increase the fuel economy of cars by 2011. Nice job, guys. Work extra hard to kill off an essential American business that is already on the ropes, big time.

WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON

Today's Financial Times has a story about the big increase in gun and ammo sales in the USA. It's under the headline, "Gun Sales on the Increase Amid Fears that Recession Fuels Crime". This dovetails with the current spin from government officials that the drug battles in Mexico are really "our" fault,  since American drug demand and southern flow of guns and money "create more violence". (Love how evil is rarely called evil, and no matter what the issue happens to be it will be turned around to make us feel guilty about it.)  All of this news will cause grandstanding politicians to press for more restrictions on law-abiding gun owners in this country.  That's the real issue behind the increase in gun sales: The threat of more government restrictions and bans. The Times article totally ignores the main cause of the upswing: The election of Barack Obama, whose comments on Second Amendment issues through the campaign have not exactly encouraged gun owners. There's no mention of this real reason in the story, only a quote from one dealer who notes, "The most monumental gun sale in the history of mankind has been going on since November".  Hmmm. What a "coincidence".

MORE MUZZLING

The latest Congressional plan to "help" newspapers also includes a "no political endorsements" provision: reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE52N67F20090324

IT'S TIME TO WORRY...

... when government exercises control over things that are none of its business. Here's the New York Times blurb about the latest: "The Obama administration will call for increased oversight of executive pay at all banks, Wall Street firms and possibly other companies as part of a sweeping plan to overhaul financial regulation, government officials said." And "other companies"? What's to stop Uncle Sam from trying to grab the reins of everything? Too many Americans are caught up in the populist rants about AIG et al... mostly hyped-up emotion that leads to giving up liberty for... well, for what? How private companies pay executives and run their businesses is not the business of the government.

SIGNS OF HOPE?

More media outlets are showing signs of doing occasional "positive" news. Though some of them make it seem like they're only going about such things since "the people" want it. Oh. This doesn't mean I think hard news should be sugar-coated. Just keep some perspective. Maybe offer a little context, too. Really... how many of the same stories do we have to see about people being forced to make ends meet? The scaring of America is a big part of the confidence problem. Maybe they're doing it for the benefit of government leaders. Real people "get it" and realize what they need to do to adjust to tougher times. Political types are slower learners.

CHARLES SCHUMER...

... makes anyone's skin crawl. Is there any "public servant" in either major party more repulsive these days? Of course not (though Barney Frank or Nancy Pelosi may run very closely behind).

Yes, AIG has to answer plenty of questions. No, Schumer's grandstanding ala "we'll take the money back from you with taxes" threat isn't the answer. The time to worry is when government continually oversteps and Americans think it's just fine. It's pure populism, Constitution be damned.

BRAVE DUMB WORLD

Those clever public servants are at it again! Boldly going into "solutions mode", fighting the rough economy with...more tax hikes! Here's the latest dumb move, from the new Governor of Illinois... a 50% income tax increase proposal: http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/income.tax.hike.2.958201.html
This is a state that already has oppressive property taxes (no "Prop 13" ala California). Pat Quinn's push may cause locals to want Blago back. Too many politicians have no clue how business works and heavier taxes kill jobs.

TRASHING ALL THAT IS HELD DEAR

The media continue to help the nation feel even worse. It's not enough that the markets have been tanking (despite a welcome surge today) and the day's events are so negative, now there's an increase in news about how America is "losing its religion". In the last 48 hours, everyone's been touting a new survey about how people want to make up something to believe in, just nothing much with substance. Various stories highlight how religion is losing influence. In others words, the message is: In times like these your faith gives you peace. But not so fast... we'll tell you why you're stupid to believe that. The implication is that only government will be your savior. Then there's this article today about the "demise of evangelicals": http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0310/p09s01-coop.html The drumbeat continues.
Note to the "experts" God has been declared dead before. Many times. It's not going to work.

I LIKE IT

Well, I like what the President said on his Saturday message today: "We've experienced great trials before. And with every test, each generation has found the capacity to not only endure, but to prosper - to discover great opportunity in the midst of great crisis".   OK, he does need to stop using "crisis" at every opportunity, but he's right about the concept of rising above the current situation.  It's the American way to use adversity to get us moving again, and often inspires creative people to greatness. Business grows, jobs are created, revenue increases. The problem is that the administration seems to keep nailing any sector making money (even stressing out charities with tax changes) in order to expand government jobs and, ultimately, government power.  Speeches and rhetoric are wonderful, especially when comments inspire us to get out of the national funk.  But the question is always this: What's the real motivation behind the message?

I'M TRYING...

... to support the President when its appropriate. It's increasingly difficult to do that. Pick any issue. Here's one: Not only has the promotion of abortion increased since inauguration day (and taxpayer funding for it, too), now the White House is going to embrace embryonic stem cell research. I heard a doctor today on CBS Radio excitedly referring to this as "opening up a new box of toys" for researchers. Embryo=toy? The fact is the big advances in science have come from adult stem cells, not embryonic.

HILLARY'S POLICY? Was it her idea to present Russia with the goofy "restart" button, complete with the wrong translation ("overcharged")? Only a couple months into the new administration and they're already resorting to props.

LARSON ON-AIR TODAY

I'm guest-hosting on Hugh Hewitt's network radio show today from 3-6PM Pacific. It's heard on over 150 stations across America, including KCBQ 1170AM in Southern California.

THE TRUTH

I wanted to believe President Obama was going to be a centrist... at least avoiding going full speed into far-left moves. I was wrong. His decisions and plans regarding abortion are enough to make clear-thinking Americans sick.