He never stops, he never stays, he never asks to be thanked.

Lessons for life.

If you are sick of living in an area crammed with payday lenders on every corner, maybe Arkansas is the right place for you.

On August 11, 2009, the final payday lending storefront shuttered its doors in Little Rock, Arkansas. Though the Arkansas Constitution limits interest on loans to 17%, a decade-old law enabled payday lenders to dodge the issue and charge triple-digit interest on loans.

Needless to say, the law had many vocal opponents. And, in an example of the judicial system at its best, the Arkansas Supreme Court found the law unconstitutional in 2008.

But did the government interfere with the free market? No way.

Michael Novak says our economy rests on a three-legged stool comprised of political freedom, economic freedom and moral restraint. Without any of these three “legs,” the economy—as we know it—collapses.

In this instance, payday lenders had no moral restraint. They commonly took advantage of lower-class people by charging outrageous interest rates. So the government had to step in and pass laws to keep these predators from operating.

Capitalism without moral restraint is anarchy. Anarchy is anything goes—no laws, no restrictions, total chaos. A true capitalist believes in moral restraint.

So when a scummy “businessman” attempts to make a profit by charging 300% interest rates to lower-income citizens, the government can—and should—step in and shut down the business.

This isn’t new. The government has laws against all sorts of unscrupulous activity. If some dirtbag decides to make a profit from child pornography, then he will eventually find himself in a jail cell. If the citizens of a capitalistic society have no moral restraint, then the government will eventually provide it.

But what about credit card companies? The credit card companies are operating a bad product—it’s definitely predatory—but the customers are not all poor people. The companies are not beating up one segment of society. The credit card companies should not be put out of business by the government, but they should be put out of business because you quit using their stupid product.

So, yes, the government does get involved in too many things. But, in some cases, people must be protected from predators—because predators don’t have moral restraint.

The question is: With Arkansas leading the way in removing these types of predatory payday lenders, will other states take notice and follow suit?

WASHINGTON - Libertarian Party (LP) Chairman William Redpath issued the following statement today in response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address:

“Tonight’s speech was a reminder that, for decades, the policies of Republicans and Democrats alike have failed. Libertarians are asking people to take matters into their own hands. Instead of just complaining, we’re encouraging ordinary Americans to step up and run for Congress on the Libertarian Party ballot line.

“I can say exactly the same thing about President Obama’s speech tonight that I said about George W. Bush’s State of the Union speech in January 2008: ‘Tonight’s State of the Union address went much as expected. Instead of calling for a more limited role of the federal government in American society, the President laid out plans that would only increase the government’s intervention into the realm of economics, health care, education and foreign policy.’

“I am weary of the President’s unspoken premise that only government–indeed, only the federal government–can accomplish good in our society.

“President Obama seems to be totally blind to the concept that government can cause problems rather than solve them. His speech was filled with ‘More’: more handouts, more spending, more programs, more bailouts, more regulations. We Libertarians want less government, not more.

“Not to be outmatched by the Democrats, the Republican Party conveyed its lack of seriousness in addressing this nation’s government spending problems by having Bob McDonnell, Virginia Governor for eleven (11) days, deliver its rebuttal to the President. If they were really serious about addressing the dire fiscal circumstances of this nation, they would have had Paul Ryan, a six-term congressman from Wisconsin, who has proposed the most serious plan of anyone in the two older parties to keep us from going off a fiscal cliff.

“Last week, Alan Auerbach, Professor of Economics and Law at UC Berkeley and US government fiscal policy expert, said that the Democratic and Republican parties are in a ‘death embrace’ with their government spending. The only political party that is rationally and forthrightly addressing the need to cut government spending and end our culture of ever expanding entitlements is the Libertarian Party.

“As Americans lose hope in Obama, we Libertarians are warning voters against running back to the Republicans who got us into such big messes in the first place. Republicans started the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Republicans made the false intellectual case for bailing out banks and car companies. Republicans argued that deficits don’t matter. Republicans gave us the giant Medicare expansion bill.

“The President’s suggestion of a ’spending freeze’ was especially ludicrous and insulting to the intelligence of Americans. The amounts involved are minuscule, and Congress won’t accept them anyway. Will Obama sign the spending bills that ignore his ‘freeze’? You bet he will. Instead, the President should demand across-the-board cuts in all areas, including entitlements.

“The President talked a lot about jobs. Unfortunately, the policies he supports are responsible for most of the unemployment we see today. High taxes, minimum wage laws, hiring regulations, firing regulations, mandatory unemployment benefits, and other government interference make it much more difficult for businesses to hire and keep employees. As expected, the President’s prescription is to increase the dosage of this government poison.

“While our nation is declining dangerously right now, a turnaround could be straightforward and simple with steps like these: 1. Bring our troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan; 2. Stop rewarding failed companies with bailouts; 3. Cut taxes and spending and let the free market work.

“Finally, on the matter of political rhetoric, I call upon the two older parties to stop spoon feeding politics to the American people as if we are a bunch of overgrown children. These are difficult times that call for more than rhetorical flourish or positioning a group of diverse people around a politician. Older party politicians need to be specific about their proposed policies, as Libertarians are.

“And, I know I’m probably just wasting electrons, but can’t we go back to the days in which the President sent a copy of his speech to Congress and left it at that. The speech last night took 1/7000th of an entire year. I think the vast majority of the American people would agree that we have better ways to spend our time.”

William Redpath has served as the Chairman of the Libertarian Party since 2006.

The LP is America’s third-largest political party, founded in 1971. The Libertarian Party stands for free markets and civil liberties. You can find more information on the Libertarian Party at our website.

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Dear all 535 voting members of Congress,

It is now official: You are all morons.

· The U.S. Post Service - established in 1775 - you have had 234 years to get it right; it is broke.

· Social Security - established in 1935 - you have had 74 years to get it right; it is broke.

· Fannie Mae - established in 1938 - you have had 71 years to get it right; it is broke..

· War on Poverty - started in 1964 - you have had 45 years to get it right; $1 trillion of our money is confiscated each year and transferred to “the poor”; it hasn’t worked.

· Medicare and Medicaid - established in 1965 - you’ve had 44 years to get it right; they’re broke

· Freddie Mac - established in 1970 - you have had 39 years to get it right; it is broke

· Trillions of dollars in the massive political payoff called the TARP bill of 2009 shows NO sign of working.

And finally - to set a new record: “Cash for Clunkers” was established in 2009 and went broke in 2009!

So with a perfect 100% failure rate and a record that proves that “services” you shove down our throats are failing faster and faster, you want Americans to believe you can be trusted with a government-run health care system? 15% of our economy? Are you crazy?

Truly, the inmates are running the asylum! (And what does this say about voters who put such morons in office….hmmm? Maybe we need to let others in on this brilliant record before 2010 and just vote against incumbents.)

Once again… it’s official, you are ALL morons. I don’t care what your political leanings are.

• If you can’t afford it, don’t buy it. Live within your means.

• Create a monthly budget and stick to it.

• Evaluate your finances, and cut back on unnecessary expenditures.

• Keep up to date with your monthly payments. Missing a single month could cost you thousands of dollars in interest down the road.

• Reassess your life and car insurance policies. You could potentially save money by switching to a different company.

Commit to these and other smart money saving behaviors and you may find yourself in a better financial position for 2010. For more information, read eight steps for rebuilding your finances.

Visit www.FeedthePig.org for more money-saving tips!

If we want to actually achieve our goals this year, then consider the following:

Be specific: When setting goals, be specific in what you want to achieve. Vagueness will only cause you to feel overwhelmed, and you will just give up.

Make your goals measureable: In order to know if you achieved the goal, it must be measurable. For example, if you want to lose weight, don’t simply write down “lose weight” as a goal. How much weight do you want to lose? Or don’t just write “spend more time with family.” How much time do you want to spend with your family every night?

Are they your goals?: Only you can set your own goals. If your spouse, co-worker or friend sets a goal for you, you’re not going to achieve it. Taking ownership will give you more incentive to meet your goal.

Set a time limit: Setting a time frame will help you set realistic goals. For example, if you want to save more money, list how much money a month you want to put into your savings account.

Put them in writing: Putting your goals in writing will make you much more likely to achieve them. Write down your goals and review them often. This will give you motivation to make them a reality.

This is the process to succeed. Successful people reassess their lives and then start living intentionally, in writing, on paper, on purpose. Make your resolutions a reality in 2010.

Mayor Ballard’s new pick for Public Safety Director is anti-gun, and appears to have the New York attitude towards guns. Statistics show crime goes down when honest citizens own guns. Encourage our councilors to vote no on his appointment!

What kind of new appointee comes into town with these kind of statements?

http://www.indystar.com/article/20091218/LOCAL18/912180367/Cutting-juvenile-crime-is-high-priority

Controlling gun trafficking

“My own personal perspective is we have way too many guns on the street and way too many people that own guns,” Straub said, adding there is no clear national policy dealing with guns.

“The policy has to start at the federal level and then work its way down to the states and to the local level. Until we control the flow of guns between states . . . you have a problem.”

As the end of the year approaches, take some time to consider strategies that may help reduce your tax bill. Dust off last year’s tax return, put on your thinking cap and follow these tips to save on your year-end taxes:

• This year, Congress passed the Making Work Pay credit, which gave every worker a $290 tax credit. The IRS changed the withholding tables to accommodate this new credit so your actual tax liability may not match your withholdings, especially for a married couple. When you check if your withholdings are adequate, make sure you are not underwithholding an amount that could trigger the penalty.

• Check your potential alternative minimum tax (AMT) liability, as the AMT minimums don’t keep pace with inflation. Certain items, such as large medical expenses and large incentive stock options, can be triggers. Consult a tax professional if you think you’ll be subject to an AMT liability. If you’ve been close to being subject to the AMT in the past, it is critical that you review this before year end as there still may be time to take action.

• If you think you will be in a lower tax bracket in the future, consider delaying deductions. You can delay income by deferring compensation or bonuses and accelerate deductions by paying alimony or medical expenses early, or by pre-paying state income, real estate taxes or making charitable donations.

[Disclaimer: I am not a tax proffessional.] For other useful tips on taxes year-round, visit the Tax Planning section of the 360 Financial Literacy website.

Visit www.FeedthePig.org for more money-saving tips!

Freedoms to speak, print, read, assemble, pray, petition the government, keep and bear arms. Protection from unreasonable arrests and searches, excessive bail, double jeopardy, coerced confessions, cruel and unusual punishment. Rights to due process, jury trials, counsel, and to present defense witnesses. These are the freedoms and rights that define America.

We should celebrate December 15 every year. A Bill of Rights Day would annually remind politicians, bureaucrats, prosecutors, and judges that their authority and power are limited – that the government SERVES us, it does not rule us. A Bill of Rights Day would remind us of the liberty we have and what it costs to keep it. By celebrating Bill of Rights Day every year, perhaps we shall never forget.

—–

From the Libertarian National Committee…

Happy Bill of Rights Day!

December 15 is Bill of Rights Day. I don’t know how much we’ll hear about it in the media, but you and I know how important the Bill of Rights is. The Founders recognized that it was important to be specific about what government must not do.

The Libertarian Party platform expresses support for the Bill of Rights in many places. For example:

First Amendment:
“We support full freedom of expression and oppose government censorship, regulation or control of communications media and technology. We favor the freedom to engage in or abstain from any religious activities that do not violate the rights of others. We oppose government actions which either aid or attack any religion.” (1.1)

Second Amendment:
“We affirm the right to keep and bear arms, and oppose the prosecution of individuals for exercising their rights of self-defense. We oppose all laws at any level of government requiring registration of, or restricting, the ownership, manufacture, or transfer or sale of firearms or ammunition.” (1.6)

Fourth Amendment:
“We support the protections provided by the Fourth Amendment to be secure in our persons, homes, and property.” (1.2)

Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Amendments:
“We oppose reduction of constitutional safeguards of the rights of the criminally accused. The rights of due process, a speedy trial, legal counsel, trial by jury, and the legal presumption of innocence until proven guilty, must not be denied.” (1.5)

http://announce.lp.org/t/21897/86382/210/0/

Of course, one of the most serious problems America faces today is that the federal government completely ignores the Tenth Amendment, which says the federal government only has the limited powers granted by the Constitution, and no other powers. Unfortunately, our federal government has usurped a long list of powers that are not granted by the Constitution — far too many to list in this email.

The Democratic and Republican parties, and their politicians, have very little respect for the Bill of Rights. The Bush and Obama administrations have been especially destructive, not only continuing the expansion of federal power far beyond what is allowed by the Tenth Amendment, but also trampling on due process, privacy protections, and free speech.

Most Americans admire the Bill of Rights, but I think many of them are unaware how much our government violates them. If you run for office as a Libertarian candidate, you can help inform people. We not only need Libertarian candidates elected, we also need to convince Americans to demand that the government must get back inside the limits of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

http://announce.lp.org/t/21897/86382/436/0/

Sincerely,
Wes Benedict
Executive Director
Libertarian National Committee

—–

Here is the complete text of the original twelve amendments to the U.S. Constitution (the first two were not ratified).

 
Article I
After the first enumeration required by the first article of the Constitution, there shall be one representative for every thirty thousand, until the number shall amount to one hundred, after which the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress, that there shall be not less than one hundred representatives, nor less than one representative for every forty thousand persons, until the number of representatives shall amount to two hundred; after which the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress, that there shall be not less than two hundred representatives, nor more than one representative for every fifty thousand persons.

Article II
No law varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.

Article III
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Article IV
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Article V
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Article VI
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Article VII
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Article VIII
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Article IX
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Article X
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Article XI
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Article XII
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

The holiday rush can lead to a rush of money out of your accounts. Here are a few ways to keep your spending in check and still have a festive holiday season:

• Many stores offer one-day or weekend money-saving sales during the month. Plan to shop your favorite stores on these days.

• Don’t be tempted to overspend on last minute purchases. Planning ahead could prevent night-before emergency shopping trips.

• Exchange favors as gifts or make handmade gifts such as baked goods and ornaments.

• Send e-cards. Savings could be significant depending on the length of your mailing list.

• Pay with cash whenever possible. Interest charges accrued by not paying off your credit bill in January may offset any savings you received.

• Remember to establish a budget and a shopping list before heading to stores. A little planning beforehand will help you keep your financial wits about you.

[Editor’s note: BEST IDEA: Call a time-out on this gift-giving craziness, and just enjoy the festivities with friends and family.]

Visit www.FeedthePig.org for more money-saving tips!