By Kyle Roberts The former Alaska Attorney General John Havelock recently wrote: “The ‘Originalists’ of 2011 want to throw out much of what generations of judges have had to say, [about the Constitution] in favor of a new interpretation of what the draftsmen thought." "Originalists color themselves as conservatives, but this approach … [Read more...]
A No-Party System
February 4, 2011 by 3 Comments
By Oliver DeMille Paine versus Burke It is popular to describe the differences between two big divisions of each major political party. For example, Democrats are sometimes called cluster liberals (who “view politics as a battle between implacable opponents”) versus network liberals (who “believe progress is achieved by leaders savvy … [Read more...]
Let Us Dare: Writings From John Adams
February 1, 2011 by Leave a Comment
By Shanon Brooks In late 1765, John Adams began writing an essay entitled, "A Dissertation on the Canon and Feudal Law." He was 30 years old and just beginning to stretch his legal and political wings. His purpose for writing this essay was to contrast the tyranny of feudal and canon law with the glorious struggle for freedom in the … [Read more...]
The Conservative Contradiction
January 31, 2011 by Leave a Comment
By Marc Roberts “So are people still as riled up at Obama and the ‘Democrats” as they were a year ago?” my friend Paul asked me at a Christmas party. “Or has that ‘Tea Party’ sentiment died down?” Have people returned to their lives again and left government to run itself like before? “I don’t think it has to do with Obama or the … [Read more...]
Redcoats to the Rescue!
January 25, 2011 by Leave a Comment
By Oliver DeMille Republicans and Democrats have increased government spending for years. Bush’s budget was drastically higher than Clinton’s, and President Obama has continued increasing spending. The White House blames the Bush Administration for the economic meltdown it inherited, and rightly so. But now independents, conservatives and … [Read more...]
The Vital Shift From Issues to Forms
January 11, 2011 by 1 Comment
By Kyle Roberts You can never change things by fighting the present reality. Instead, change the model that has created it, and the reality will change automatically. Another way to say this is you can never change things by haggling over issues and their complex nature. Instead reexamine the form, or the structure, or the system that … [Read more...]
In Defense of the Flip-Flop
January 10, 2011 by Leave a Comment
By Dave Wilson “I have no other end in this writing, but only to discover myself, who, also, shall, peradventure, be another thing tomorrow, if I chance to meet any new instruction to change me.” – Montaigne The term flip-flop has become as ubiquitous in accusatory politics as the ridiculous “footwear” that bear the same name have become in … [Read more...]
Building With Kryptonite: Small Business ‘Bailout’ and the Future of the American Economy
January 7, 2011 by 1 Comment
by Oliver DeMille When recessions make things difficult for a lot of people across the nation — especially when accompanied by high unemployment — many turn against markets and seek government solutions to economic challenges. This is both predictable and understandable. But one group typically responds in a different way that is … [Read more...]
Overcoming the Agency Costs of Representative Government, Part 2
December 31, 2010 by Leave a Comment
By Kyle Roberts This is Part 2 of a two-part series. Read Part 1 here. The Power of the States Large-scale republics do not allow the people to effectively monitor their elected officials. The more people there are, the more issues follow. When issues increase it is harder for the people to create a stable majority to fight special … [Read more...]
Overcoming the Agency Costs of Representative Government, Part 1
December 30, 2010 by Leave a Comment
By Kyle Roberts One of the disadvantages of a republic is agency costs. The smaller the ratio between the people and their elected officials the more secure are the rights of the people. Conversely, the larger the ratio between the people and their elected officials the less secure are the rights of the people. This ratio and its … [Read more...]
