February 23, 2005

Book Review: U.S. Economic Freedom Index
by Sunni Maravillosa

U.S. Economic Freedom Index, 2004 Report
by Ying Huang, Robert E. McCormick, & Lawrence J McQuillan

The U.S. economy is facing many challenges on the world market, as news stories remind us daily. Staying competitive is necessary for companies to survive; but it can be difficult to assess the numerous, complex factors that contribute to success. Similarly, individuals are looking for the best places to live -- fun places to be, that help them stretch their dollars, as well as their entrepreneurial creativity, in order to get ahead. Often overlooked in the focus on worldwide markets is the variable state of the 50 United States. What's the best place to be in the U.S., from a purely economic perspective? Are the states with no income taxes best, or do other factors complicate the issue? (Read the rest here)

Are you seeking greater freedom by moving to a new state sometime in the near future? We'd like to hear about it, especially why you want to move and what you expect to find in your new home. Please send your comments to MamaLiberty and we will publish as many of them as we can. You can also discuss your plans with others who are moving or have already established themselves. Look at Free State Wyoming, Free Montana, and the Free West Alliance for starters. There are numerous email discussion lists available, as well as our own reader's forum.

Secrets Neither Political Cult Will Tell You
By Ed Henry

I’m against Bush’s Social Security reform plan despite the fact that we haven’t seen it yet. He claims everything is on the table, and we’ve only received hints of his plans, mostly from his 2001 Social Security committee that was chaired by Daniel Patrick Moynihan, the same man that together with Bob Dole raised payroll taxes far beyond necessity back in 1983. Bush put the fox back in the chicken coop. Did you expect something good to come out of it?

The democrats aren’t any better. In their arguments on Social Security, they avoid the really big and immediate Social Security problem because they too refuse to give up the cash-cow, the golden goose, the greatest slush fund that both political cults have, as Moynihan put it so eloquently, “enjoyed” for a long time with more to come, the surpluses payroll taxes generate and the government steals. (Read the rest here)

Saber Rattling Against Syria
By Ivan Eland

According to The New York Times, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice admitted that the suicide killers of Rafik Hariri, the former Lebanese prime minister, were unknown and said: “We’re not laying blame. It needs to be investigated.” But the U.S. government began blaming Syria even before an investigation had been completed.

Because the Bush administration suspects Syrian involvement in the murder, it has recalled the U.S. ambassador to Syria and demanded that the Syrians withdraw their troops from Lebanon. Yet even Ariel Sharon, the hawkish prime minister of Syria’s archenemy Israel, said that he did not know who was behind the killing. Some Lebanese believe that al Qaeda could have slain Hariri because he is close to the government of Saudi Arabia, which Osama bin Laden despises. (Read the rest here)

Libertarian Commentary on The News
By Nathan A. Barton © 2004

Continuing my seasonal campaign for improving our character as lovers of liberty, today let me urge us to consider the important trait of "justice" (as contrasted to corruption) - an important trait not just for judges but for friends of freedom. It is critical that we speak out for, and speak up for, what is right and true and just. We must resist the temptation to give up the fight from other motives, to allow our sense of justice to be numbed or corrupted. We need to avoid prejudging people and events as well - to remain open and willing to listen and honestly decide. Sadly, too many people do not - at least in my opinion. Of course, my views here and elsewhere are not necessarily those of anyone else!

Powerful earthquake hits Iran
AOL
SARBAGH, Iran (Feb. 22) -- A powerful earthquake flattened villages and collapsed mud-brick homes in central Iran on Tuesday, killing at least 270 people and injuring nearly 1,000. Officials warned the toll could rise to 350. Survivors dug frantically through slabs of concrete and piles of dirt, searching for loved ones buried under the rubble of destroyed homes. Some slapped their faces in grief as they sat beside dead relatives wrapped in blankets.

It is tempting to view this as a warning that getting into another war would not be a good idea, especially for Iran. Hopefully, though nothing at all like the devastation of the post-Christmas tsunami, the West will respond with its usual generosity in helping Iran recover, as it has done for previous earthquakes in Iran and other middle-eastern countries.

It is worth commenting a bit on the differences in benevolence between nations with a Christian heritage and those with an Islamic heritage. Western societies have always been very generous, and I attribute this to two influences: the old Roman civic virtue of giving to the community (especially on the part of high officials and rich businessmen) in various ways, and especially the example of tithing in the Law of Moses (giving 10% of your income to God by giving to those in need). Jesus built on this, and while too many modern Christians try to adopt the idea of tithing from the Old Testament, many also realize that Jesus expected His followers to START at ten percent, and give more "as they are prospered" - a goal not often met, true, on a national basis, but still demonstrated in the relative generosity of westerners.

On the other hand, however, the Koran commands that Muslims give a fortieth (2.5%) of their income in alms - only 1/4 of what Jews were expected to give, and this shows in the relative giving to Indonesia after the Tsunami, where even post-Christian western nations gave far more, in both real and relative terms, than any Islamic nation. Think about it. (Read the rest of the Commentary here)

Features From The Last Issue

Beware of Marriage Amendment By Robert Greenslade © Nitwit Press Real Scary By Lady Liberty Libertarian Commentary for Tuesday

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