Life is a Highway

Life is a Highway
Source: Haiku Deck

Monday, October 24, 2011

Joey Sykes: The Tonight Show With Jay Leno- Meredith Brooks & Queen Latifah: Lay Down From 1999

Source:The Tonight Show With Jay Leno- Queen Latifah & Meredith Brooks.
"Meredith Brooks Lay Down, on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

From Joey Sykes

I'm not a big Meredith Brooks fan, but I like her blues rock sound. Especially the song lay down. And love watching her perform this song because she looks just like a sexy rocker chick should look. She's a beautiful well-built tall brunette, performing in her go to black leather jeans and black leather boots.

She has good voice, but her lyrics and sound are what are impressive about her. She's not a headbanger or a pop star, but a blues rocker. A combination of classic rock and blues, similar to Sheryl Crow. But I think she doesn't sound as good. Or Meredith Etheridge, but I believe she sounds better.

And she gave this performance back in 1999 or 2000 at the Hard Rock Cafe, performing Lay Down as well as Bitch and a few other songs. And she performed Lay Down with Queen Latifah. Who she did the Lay Down music video with, as well kids singing group and they did a great job. She gives great performances and makes sexy music videos which makes her a great rocker chick.  

You can also see this post on WordPress.

You can also see this post at FreeState Now, on Blogger. 

You can also see this post at FreeState Now, on WordPress.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Liberty Pen: The Mike Wallace Interview: Ayn Rand- 'Saving American Liberty (1959)'



Source:Liberty Pen- Objectivist philosopher Ayn Rand, on the Mike Wallace Interview, in 1959. 

Source:FreeState Now 

"Ayn Rand delivers a message that has never been more needed than today. Liberty Pen." 

I have some respect for Ayn Rand when it comes to individual liberty and even economic freedom. I’m not a fan of socialism either, but this idea of Cowboy Capitalism, which how we would describe her brand of capitalism today, is exactly what we shouldn’t be doing today. 

We have more than ten years now of evidence to know that Cowboy Capitalism doesn’t work. Cowboy Capitalism, is where you don’t regulate the economy at all. You essentially let American enterprise govern themselves and when they screw up, tough for taxpayers, because now they have to bail them out. Which is what TARP represented in 2008 and why Dodd-Frank was passed in 2010 to reform how Wall Street was regulated.

One problem with the Bush Administration from 2001-09 was that they didn’t bother to do much if any regulating of Wall Street. They didn’t enforce the current laws that we're on the books and the Congress not only passed new laws to go along with the laws that were already there, but not being enforced. 

Because of Cowboy Capitalism the Federal Government has to figure out how to enforce its old laws which may be old and outdated now, as well as the new laws from the Dodd-Frank legislation. 

You need to have a referee in the economy especially an economy as large as America’s, otherwise people are going to be abused and screwed over. Because people can get away with it and you’ll see monopoly’s forming. Because again they can get away with it. Not public monopoly’s, but private monopoly’s and I’m not in favor of either.

American capitalism, works best when the Federal Government is spending a set amount based on what they take in. And only doing what they do well and can only do well. And you have to lay these things out ahead of time instead of letting them pick and choose what they do. 

The Federal Government, needs to be regulated as well and also when their taxes that we pay are low, but high enough not to hurt the economy. But so they can do the things that they should be doing. Again that are decided ahead of time. One of the problems with the Federal Government right now, is that it doesn’t budget and borrows 40% of the revenue it spends and this gives them a lot of freedom to do a lot of things.

The Federal Government, used to operate under a budget and we need to get back to that. We need a lot of economic freedom again that’s low taxed. With a maximum amount of free, fair and open competition. With anti-monopoly laws that can be enforced and are enforced. 

Let business’s and individuals run their business’s as they see fit, as long as they are not abusing anyone with their freedom. Including their workforce, without them they would be out of business. 

What doesn’t work in America is Cowboy Capitalism as we are finding out the hard way and socialism. Which so far we’ve avoided going down that road and only have a safety net. 

What works in America is American capitalism as I just laid out and regulation as well as economic freedom have to be part of that. 

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Liberty Pen: Phil Donahue Show- Milton Friedman: 'Self-Interest & Self-Ownership (1979)'


Source:Liberty Pen- Economics Professor Milton Friedman, on The Phil Donahue Show, in 1979.
Source:FreeState Now 

"Professor Friedman explains fundamental principles of self-ownership and self-interest to Phil Donahue. Liberty Pen." 

From Liberty Pen

I have a lot of respect for Classical Liberal Economist Milton Friedman, but we don't agree on everything. 

I believe under the Welfare Clause in the U.S. Constitution, that government has a right and responsibility to look after the safety of its people. I believe that government has a right to regulate free enterprise. In this sense to protect the safety for its people. Like forcing them to make cars that are reasonably safe. And this is where Dr. Friedman and I disagree. But government doesn't have a role to tell auto companies what kind of cars to make. Except in how it relates to public safety.

If people want to buy something, there will be market for people to buy it. Government doesn't need to come in and try to force things on people. And shouldn't try to prevent people from doing things, as long as they are not hurting anyone else with their activities. 

The power of American capitalism, is that if people have something to sell and then are able to market it and convince other people that they should buy what they are trying to sell, then they'll end up selling a lot of what they have. 

You don't need government to step in and force people to buy their products. The people know better than anyone what they should be buying, what they need and what they can afford. And if people have products to sell and convince a lot of people that what they have is worth buying. Then they'll be able to sell a lot of what they produce and make a very good profit off of that.

I make this case to supporters of single payer health insurance on a regular basis that if single payer health insurance is so great and that we need a health insurance monopoly in America, that they should have no problem convincing people of that. And that they should take their message to the people. 

What single payer supporters generally do is instead of trying to get the Federal Government to force single payer down the throats of the country giving us no choice in where we have to go for health insurance or how we pay for our health care. 

But as long as 3/5 people in America like their health insurance and don't want the Federal Government to come in and force them to switch health insurers, single payer supporters are going to have a very tough time at convincing people that they are right.

And then single payer supporters have to try to convince 3/5 Americans, that they are wrong about their own health insurance that they have selected for themselves. So what single payer supporters have to do, is take their message to the people instead state by state like what is going on in Vermont and convince Americans state by state, that they are right about health insurance and the rest of the country is wrong. 

This is the power of the market: if people want fast cars, then fast cars will be made. If they want to eat healthy, a lot of healthy food will be made. They want to stop drinking, the alcohol industry will lose a lot of money. 

Government shouldn't try to make these decisions for us by mandating them on us. If they want us to do something, provide some incentive instead of trying to take the freedom we have away to make those decisions for ourselves. 

Friday, September 16, 2011

Federal Expression: Dan Smoot Report- 'A Constitutional Republic'

Source:Federal Expression- The Dan Smoot Report.

Source:FreeState Now

"The Dan Smoot Report The true form of the US Government is a Republic, Not A Democracy. Not merely a symantic difference. The Founding Fathers despised democracy. They formed a Republic to guard against rule by majority. First we were told we were a democracy, then the republic was transformed into a democracy. Now we are witnessing the democracy collapse into dictatorship."


"Howard Smoot, known as Dan Smoot (October 5, 1913, in East Prairie, Mississippi County, Missouri – July 24, 2003, in Tyler, Smith County, Texas), was a Federal Bureau of Investigation agent and a conservative political activist. From 1957 to 1971, he published The Dan Smoot Report, which chronicled alleged communist infiltration in various sectors of American government and society." 

From Wikipedia 

"Thereafter, Smoot published his weekly syndicated The Dan Smoot Report. He also carried his conservative message via weekly reports over radio. The Dan Smoot Report started with 3,000 paid subscribers; at its peak in 1965, it had more than 33,000 subscribers. Each newsletter usually focused on one major story. One issue, for instance, was devoted to the Alaska Mental Health Bill of 1956, which Smoot claimed was a communist conspiracy to establish concentration camps on American soil. Another issue lionized Douglas MacArthur after his death in the spring of 1964."  

From Wikipedia 

It’s not a Constitutional Republic that should be goal for people who believe in individual freedom, but individual freedom that should be the goal. And then figuring out what type of governmental system is best that guarantees individual freedom for its people. 

A Constitutional Republic, doesn’t guarantee freedom, Egypt is a republic with a constitution. But even after the fall of the Mubarak Regime which was very authoritarian, they are still not a democracy yet but hopefully for the Egyptian people are moving in that direction.

And if individual freedom is a goal, then it's democracy that you want. And then you have to figure out what type of democracy you want. A liberal democracy, conservative democracy or a social democracy, or a majoritarian democracy and then you have to figure out exactly what’s the best type of government to guarantee your democracy. 

If democracy is what you want, then you’re a democrat in the sense you believe in democracy. Small d democrat, actually, both Democrats and Republicans are democrats. Republicans being Small d democrats. They both believe in democracy just have different views in what democracy is.

If you’re a Liberal such as myself, or a Conservative or Libertarian, you believe in liberal democracy. The ability for individuals to have the liberty to live their own lives and not be harassed by government. As long as they are not hurting any innocent people with their actions. Thats called individual liberty, or Freedom, means the same thing. 

If you’re a Socialist, or Democratic Socialist, you believe in social democracy. With a lot of individual liberty for the people when it comes to social freedom , for the most part, but where the state is highly involved in the economy.

With a social democracy, you get a big centralized government providing a lot of social services through a welfare state financed through high taxes. If you’re lets say a majoritarian for lack of a better word, that government has to be responsive to a majority of the people and what the majority wants is what the country gets and minority rights aren’t respected, then of course you want a majoritarian democracy. Where the majority rules over the minority and gets what they wants. And can make the minority do things, even if the minority doesn’t want to do these things.

After you figure out what type of democracy you want, you have to figure out what type of government is the best form to provide and guarantee this democracy. 

America as I see it is a liberal democracy and not just saying this because I’m a Liberal, but it's the case we are and have been a liberal democracy in the form of a Constitutional Federal Republic. Thats designed to guarantee our constitutional rights. Where Europe is made up of mostly social democracies. Mostly in the form of Constitutional Federal Republics, like in Germany, France and Italy. (To use as examples) And in Britain’s case, they are a social democracy with a monarchy. 

So if you’re a Liberal, Conservative, or a Libertarian, you probably prefer the American form of government. And if you’re a Socialist, you prefer the European form of government. And Liberals, Conservatives and libertarians debate Socialists in America all the time about what’s the best form of government, America, or Europe. And I’m in these debates on a regular basis as well. 

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

The New American: 'Dan Smoot Report- Basic Constitutional Government'



Source:Camp Constitution- Dan Smoot and his Dan Smoot Report in the 1960s.

Source:FreeState Now 

"Dan Smoot Report.  The late Dan Smoot was a pioneer in the Freedom Movement.  He was one of the first Constitutionalists to have a Televison Show.  He authored "The Invisible Government," one of the earliesft exposes on The Council on Foreign Relations.  This is a series of shows delaing with numerous issues-a timeless classic."  


"Howard Smoot, known as Dan Smoot (October 5, 1913, in East Prairie, Mississippi County, Missouri – July 24, 2003, in Tyler, Smith County, Texas), was a Federal Bureau of Investigation agent and a conservative political activist. From 1957 to 1971, he published The Dan Smoot Report, which chronicled alleged communist infiltration in various sectors of American government and society."  

From Wikipedia 

"Thereafter, Smoot published his weekly syndicated The Dan Smoot Report. He also carried his conservative message via weekly reports over radio. The Dan Smoot Report started with 3,000 paid subscribers; at its peak in 1965, it had more than 33,000 subscribers. Each newsletter usually focused on one major story. One issue, for instance, was devoted to the Alaska Mental Health Bill of 1956, which Smoot claimed was a communist conspiracy to establish concentration camps on American soil. Another issue lionized Douglas MacArthur after his death in the spring of 1964.

A subsequent 1964 issue opposed a proposal by U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson to transfer sovereignty of the Panama Canal to the Republic of Panama. Johnson failed in his attempt, but President Jimmy Carter in 1978, with bipartisan U. S. Senate support led by Moderate Republican Howard Baker of Tennessee, prevailed by a one-vote margin to extend control of the Canal Zone to Panama. It was Moderate Republican support for many Democratic proposals that particularly angered Smoot, who gave up on the national Republican Party as a viable alternative to the majority Democrats of his day.

In 1962, Smoot wrote The Invisible Government concerning early members of the Council on Foreign Relations. Other books include The Hope of the World; The Business End of Government; and his autobiography, People Along the Way. Additionally he was associated with Robert W. Welch, Jr.'s John Birch Society and wrote for the society's American Opinion bi-monthly magazine...  

From Wikipedia

If you’re a supporter of limited government, as well as individual freedom, that without limited government, individual freedom is threatened (as I am) then you believe in the U.S. Constitution. 

The reason why the U.S. Constitution is so important and what the theory is that the more power that government (and I mean any government at any level) has to regulate our lives and do more for us and take more of our money, the less freedom that we have to live our own lives and do these things for ourselves. It’s a big difference between America and Europe.

America in many ways is about individualism, the liberty for Americans to live their own lives without being harassed by government. And government taking a lot of their money away from them. Where 

Europe in a lot of ways is about collectivism: “That we are all in this together meaning life and that we need to put a lot of our resources together into one pot. For the betterment of all people. And government will take this money from people to make the country as good as possible. Through government services basically.” This is a simple way of putting it, but accurate. 

If you’re a what’s called Constitutional Conservative, or a Constitutional Constructionist, that you basically believe that government should only do what is laid out for it in the Constitution, that you take that text to be literal and only read the constitution in its literal sense, then of course a lot of what the Federal Government does today would be unconstitutional, as you see it.

For me, I see the Constitution as meaning that it’s based on limited government and individual freedom. And the main role of the Federal Government is to protect our individual freedom and not harass us. And not get involved in areas like medical care. Except to regulate it, or marriage at all, except to maybe how it relates to the tax code. Or marijuana, or alcohol, tobacco, prostitution, pornography, etc. Let the people live their own lives as they see fit. (Short of hurting innocent people with what they are doing) That free people have the right to live freely in a free society.

The government should only be doing what the people can’t for themselves, or not as well. That government should be there to regulate and protect. Not regulate people, but regulate how people interact with each other, which is different. 

Government should step  in when innocent people are being abused unfairly and protect and defend the country. Law Enforcement and a military, both strong, efficient and affordable enough to defend the country. Basically looking after the welfare of the people like a referee, but not try to control the people with the Welfare Clause in the U.S. Constitution.

I wouldn’t eliminate a lot of the programs that the Federal Government currently operates. I would just reform a lot of them. Most of them in the social welfare area by making them independent of the Federal Government. And letting each state set up their own system in how these services would be operated in their state. That would have to meet basic Federal standards and also run independently of the state and local governments as well. 

If we had a Federal Government like this, then I believe we could answer a lot of questions and settle debates. About the role of the Federal Government and what it's supposed to do under the U.S. Constitution. 

Monday, June 6, 2011

Tina Turner: Viva La Money (1979)

Source:Fritz 5173- Tina Turner's Viva La Money. 
Source:Real Life Journal 

“Turner – Viva la Money 1979” 

From Fritz 5173

Tina Turner to me is the Queen of Blues Rock because of her songs, her sound, her lyrics, her style. And the realness she puts into her music. She not only has one of the best singing voices in the music business, but one of the best sounds.

Tina combines both classic rock with rhythm and blues as well as about anyone. Only Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan both Hall of Famers when it comes to musical artists I believe are better than Tina.

Tina doesn’t have one or two great songs, but a long list of great songs. Like Proud Mary, Rolling on the River, Simply the Best, I don’t Want to Fight and others. She’s not a one-hit wonder, but a master of developing hits that goes back to the 1960s. Because of how professional she is and how hard she works. She’s dedicated to her craft which someone would have to be to look, sound and perform as well as she has at now 71 years old.

She’s a Hall of Famer as a rocker, but also as a human being and I hope she last for years if not decades to come. And I wouldn’t be surprised if she does now in her early seventies. Because of how professional and dedicated to her craft she is. Tina Turner is the Queen of Blues Rock and Simply the Best at what she does because of her talent and how hard and well she works.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Alyssa Milano: NFL Commercial

Source:Real Life Journal- Actress/comedian, and Hollywood Babydoll and now Denim Diva: Alyssa Milano. 
Source:Real Life Journal 

“Yep. Give’m back that old jersey. It’s time to take sexy back! NFL. Music: April Smith and the Great Picture Show, “You Don’t Own Me” 

Source:Captain Cruise Control- Redskins owner Dan Snyder: with his mistress?

From Captain Cruise Control

I used to have the impression of actress/comedian Alyssa Milano as a little baby-face cutie, who became famous from Who’s the Boss, Melrose Place and later Charmed. Who yes, was and is beautiful, but her baby-face looks is what I noticed about her physically. But the last few years, she’s grown up physically and I’ve seen her in a couple of denim jeans commercials and she has looked great in them.

And she’s clearly has sex appeal while still being as adorable as she probably always has been. But now we see her out in public showcasing her sex appeal, the legs especially and even her butt.

Lately we’ve seen a lot of her out in tight denim jeans in leather boots and photographers love to take her picture out in this outfit. Why wouldn’t they, she’s a beautiful sexy women and she loves to showcase that.

Not many better ways if any for a sexy woman to show what she’s working with, especially the lower body, then tight denim jeans with boots. Whether it jeans in boots which is more common today, or jeans over boots, which is classic and still sexy, for women and men. Alyssa Milano is no longer a baby cutie, she’s still baby-face and probably always be that.

But now Alyssa has a woman’s body to go with that. You gotta to be a sexy woman, a grownup to pull off the tight denim jeans in boots look. You have to have legs where you are short, average, or tall and that means healthy looking legs. Rail-thin women look rail-thin in this look and of course skinny jeans make obese women look ever large. But now Alyssa is a sexy woman with a beautiful baby-face that looks great in jeans in boots.