Tim Swanson, an American living in mainland China, writes for the Mises Institute:
http://mises.org/story/3299
China not only makes the stuff that Westerners consume, it lends us the money to buy it.
Thursday, 29 January 2009
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
You'll Never Work Again.
The Mainstream Media have got this one backwards. The recession won't be a picnic in Liverpool but the south will fare much worse.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/jan/26/recession-britain-liverpool-cities
Will the words "negative equity" have a greater sting for a mortgage payer in Cambridge or a housing association tenant in Liverpool?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/jan/26/recession-britain-liverpool-cities
Will the words "negative equity" have a greater sting for a mortgage payer in Cambridge or a housing association tenant in Liverpool?
Sunday, 25 January 2009
KRS-one exposes Barack Obama.
If it were my job to choose the 44th President of the United States (which it wasn't) and my choices were strictly limited to Black men (bear with me...) I wouldn't choose the statist Barack Hussien Obama. No sir.
I'd pick the libertarian rapper KRS-one. Here he is on the Alex Jones youtube channel.
part one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wB20Cc86cnU&feature=channel_page
part two:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRLdlQ-Ed-M&feature=channel
part three:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3KgKGxeY0c&feature=channel
part four:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Eu8mJoLJj0&feature=channel_page
I'd pick the libertarian rapper KRS-one. Here he is on the Alex Jones youtube channel.
part one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wB20Cc86cnU&feature=channel_page
part two:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRLdlQ-Ed-M&feature=channel
part three:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3KgKGxeY0c&feature=channel
part four:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Eu8mJoLJj0&feature=channel_page
Saturday, 24 January 2009
I can't wait for the Gordon Brown version...
...of this party political broadcast:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=51kAw4OTlA0&e
"I pledge: to flush only after a deuce and not a single." Beyond parody.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=51kAw4OTlA0&e
"I pledge: to flush only after a deuce and not a single." Beyond parody.
Thursday, 22 January 2009
NOT A PARTY POLITICAL BROADCAST BY THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY...
... but well worth watching anyway. This video, a production of the Taxpayers' Alliance and 18 Doughty Street, makes the point just as well as we could have:
Saturday, 17 January 2009
The Pete Stockley Phenomenon.
The LPUK favours the rule of law and self-defence over vigilante justice.
With this in mind, I would like to examine what I call the "Pete Stockley Phenomenon".
Staff at the Liverpool Echo offices were pretty star-struck when they met ex-gangster turned vigilante Pete Stockley last summer.
So star-struck in fact, that they failed to do any fact checking at all. When Stockley claimed to run Dovecot Community Centre they blithlely accepted this nonsense at face value. Just for the record, Pete Stockley has no connection with the local community centre, Dovecot MAC, or the charity that runs it, The Dovecot Mac Trust.
Of course, if you read between the lines, Stockley actually runs a pub with creche. He claims that all proceeds from the pub go to the "community centre". So why isn't it a registered charity then?
Since the following article is also based on first hand testimony from Pete Stockley I'd take this one with a hefty pinch of salt as well.
Personally, I'd love to believe his vigilante stories. Should I?
Northern Rock used to boost lending.
Predictable eh?
If the government has "recapitalised" private banks to the hilt and those banks insist on acting like businesses rather than charities (imagine that!) then it was only a matter of time before the now publically-owned Northern Rock was used in a desperate attempt to re-inflate the credit bubble.
Laugh or cry? Its your call.
Against Intellectual Monopoly.
With issues like Big Pharma and illegal downloads on his mind, Jeffrey A. Tucker of the Mises Institute reviews "Against Intellectual Monopoly" by Michele Boldrin and David Levine:
Thought provoking stuff, to say the least.
Friday, 16 January 2009
Yes, the banks are STILL insolvent.
Shhhh! don't mention the Fractional Reserve System.
Why is anyone surprised?
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
Record Fall in Property Prices
The "record fall" reported in this article seems rather modest to me.
That is just the tip of the iceberg.
Saturday, 10 January 2009
The Bond Market Bubble.
If you were an investor, where would you put your money right now?
In the following video, Peter Schiff from Euro Pacific Capital does his best to answer that question:
With the housing and stock markets going into free-fall, many investors have been purchasing government bonds as a safe haven.
What happens when the Bond Bubble bursts?
The underlying fiat money rapidly becomes worthless.
Teen paid £50 to brandish guns on BBC Panorama
This story on the Liverpool Echo website is a good demonstration that, in the absense of a good story, the media can actually set about creating one themselves.
Very sad.
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
Vaclav Klaus as EU President refuses to be bullied
As the Czech Republic takes over the rotating European Union presidency, Czech President Vaclav Klaus lays out his thoughts for the next 6 months as the comic Napoleonic style of the diminutive French President Nicholas Sarkozy is finally cast aside.
Klaus makes very clear that he will not be pushed or bullied by the Righteous in Brussels, not will he succumb to the kind of threat that was all to visible with the Commission's last visit to the Czech Republic where he refused to fly the EU flag in preference to his own National flag.
I have a good deal of respect for this man who knows only too well what the slide into an authoritarian super state will mean, not just for his own Czech countrymen, but for all of the 'citizens' of this fabricated Western model of the USSR.
The next 6 months of the Czech EU Presidency will be a telling one, but probably more than anything it will show everyone just how intolerant the political elite in Brussels has become as their end game is nearly in sight, and will employ every dirty trick in the book to limit the Klaus effect.
This attempt to undermine Klaus has already begun as highlighted for us by Longrider, and as he shows, they are already clearly rattled.
It is clear that Vaclav Klaus will upset a lot of people in Brussels, but we can be certain that this man of the people will stand proud for us all.
You can read this Vision for Europe by Vaclav Klaus, 'Do not tie the markets, Free them', in the FT here.
We wish Mr Klaus good fortune in this most difficult role that he has undertaken.
Klaus makes very clear that he will not be pushed or bullied by the Righteous in Brussels, not will he succumb to the kind of threat that was all to visible with the Commission's last visit to the Czech Republic where he refused to fly the EU flag in preference to his own National flag.
I have a good deal of respect for this man who knows only too well what the slide into an authoritarian super state will mean, not just for his own Czech countrymen, but for all of the 'citizens' of this fabricated Western model of the USSR.
The next 6 months of the Czech EU Presidency will be a telling one, but probably more than anything it will show everyone just how intolerant the political elite in Brussels has become as their end game is nearly in sight, and will employ every dirty trick in the book to limit the Klaus effect.
This attempt to undermine Klaus has already begun as highlighted for us by Longrider, and as he shows, they are already clearly rattled.
It is clear that Vaclav Klaus will upset a lot of people in Brussels, but we can be certain that this man of the people will stand proud for us all.
You can read this Vision for Europe by Vaclav Klaus, 'Do not tie the markets, Free them', in the FT here.
We wish Mr Klaus good fortune in this most difficult role that he has undertaken.
.
Saturday, 3 January 2009
Secret LibLab coalition government being discussed
Have the LibDems taken leave of their senses? Is their leadership stark raving mad?
Peter Oborne reports today that secret talks have already begun between Labour and Liberal Democrat figures about a possible coalition. He reports that as a sweetener to any possible deal the Labour Whips office is already drumming up support for Ming Campbell as the next Speaker.
Are certain senior LibDem members so bent on attaining power that they can seriously be considering a pact with the most authoritarian government this country has ever seen?.
Oborne points to an article by Vince Cable suggesting that a national government might not be a bad idea and says:
Peter Oborne reports today that secret talks have already begun between Labour and Liberal Democrat figures about a possible coalition. He reports that as a sweetener to any possible deal the Labour Whips office is already drumming up support for Ming Campbell as the next Speaker.
Are certain senior LibDem members so bent on attaining power that they can seriously be considering a pact with the most authoritarian government this country has ever seen?.
Oborne points to an article by Vince Cable suggesting that a national government might not be a bad idea and says:
"Throughout all my years of reporting politics I have rarely encountered such a blatant hint by a senior politician from an opposition party that he wants a job in government - and all the signs are that Gordon Brown is warming to the idea of Vince Cable as Chancellor of the Exchequer in a government of national unity.
However, the position of Nick Clegg (Cable's boss) is much less clear. I understand that Vince Cable's public musings about a coalition government were emphatically not sanctioned in advance by his leader. Furthermore, insiders speak of a growing split inside the Liberal Democrats over the issue."
It is apparently Cable and Ming Campbell, who are pushing for this deal. If Clegg were to go along with it, I suspect he would split his party.
Can the Libertarian wing of the LibDems honestly feel that they could back such a move by the power hungry Cable. I can see the logic in promoting Campbell to the role of speaker, but Cable as Chancellor?
However, there is a younger generation of LibDems who are very hostile to this idea of a coalition with Labour. As a result, Nick Clegg faces a very difficult few months.
As Oborne points out those in favour of an "arrangement" within the Lib Dems are "on the whole, the older and more Left-leaning members of the party."
The Libertarian Party (LPUK) is ready to open its doors to those Libertarian minded LibDem members who finally realise that there is no room for them and reform of the LibDems is impossible.
Meanwhile, Gordon Brown, who is being closely advised on this matter by Peter Mandelson, is not only contemplating a grand coalition in the event of a hung parliament after the next election, but Brown is also ready to consider heading a national government in the coming months in the event of the economic situation getting worse.
Indeed, as the financial crisis deteriorates, this momentous decision may come sooner than he expects, but a Churchill he is not. (we understand what all the Churchillian propaganda was for!)
Beware the Ides of March. There is much political intrigue afoot.
Hattip Coffee House
Can the Libertarian wing of the LibDems honestly feel that they could back such a move by the power hungry Cable. I can see the logic in promoting Campbell to the role of speaker, but Cable as Chancellor?
However, there is a younger generation of LibDems who are very hostile to this idea of a coalition with Labour. As a result, Nick Clegg faces a very difficult few months.
As Oborne points out those in favour of an "arrangement" within the Lib Dems are "on the whole, the older and more Left-leaning members of the party."
The Libertarian Party (LPUK) is ready to open its doors to those Libertarian minded LibDem members who finally realise that there is no room for them and reform of the LibDems is impossible.
Meanwhile, Gordon Brown, who is being closely advised on this matter by Peter Mandelson, is not only contemplating a grand coalition in the event of a hung parliament after the next election, but Brown is also ready to consider heading a national government in the coming months in the event of the economic situation getting worse.
Indeed, as the financial crisis deteriorates, this momentous decision may come sooner than he expects, but a Churchill he is not. (we understand what all the Churchillian propaganda was for!)
Beware the Ides of March. There is much political intrigue afoot.
Hattip Coffee House
.
Thursday, 1 January 2009
A first UK Libertarian Party New Year
As 2008 draws to a close, I take pride in being able to offer the first New Years message from the Libertarian Party.
This is the first year that the Libertarian Party in the UK has been in operation, having launched itself into the public arena on the 1st January 2008. During this year we have purposely kept our size and numbers close to our chest as the party has steadily grown in strength and members throughout the year, not least because we did not wish to alarm those in the established mainstream parties as to the groundswell of public opinion that has quietly risen and is eagerly awaiting news of a general election.
2008 has seen yet more civil and personal liberties being swept away under the relentless tide of new and draconian laws, ever changing by stealth using the statutory instruments that add meat to the legal frameworks that are rarely discussed in our parliament. One by one our rights are ever diminished, slice by slice we succumb to the corporatist money making machine that is backed up by legislative protection, enforced by a continuing expansion of a privatised policing structure headed by the ACPO, ever tightening their authoritarian grip over the everyday lives of the public.
If we were to look back just 10 years, it would have been difficult to imagine a United Kingdom in such disarray, in such financial trouble, with such elitist authoritarian aims of its politicians, but that is indeed where we stand today.
As I look forward to the New Year, I like most others wonder what 2009 will bring. It is clear that it will become much worse before it gets any better, both in political and financial terms, as mass unemployment, financial hardship, bankruptcy, evictions and mass criminalisation of the population takes its toll, and where there is no let up on the volume of new statutes and SI's increasing our daily financial burden.
The mass of regulation imposed by the EU, rubber stamped by Westminster is also increasing, making UK business and industry less and less competitive in the wider world, as taxes of one sort or another increase the financial strain for business to survive and keep employment levels stable. With Sterling now at parity with the Euro and the National Debt increasing on a daily basis beyond all records, the UK economy is inexorably being driven into the ground.
At what stage the Government will dare to go to the country is anyone's guess, and whilst it is fairly certain that the current Government will be swept from power at any free election, there is still uncertainty as to who will be best placed to serve the real interests of the nation overall.
In this new corporatist world, we can see little difference between any of the 3 major parties, other than the colour of their rosettes, and none have promised to roll back any more than some of the icing on the legislative nightmare that has befallen us all.
The Libertarian Party in that respect promises to be very different, to be bold and to be true to the people of this country, promising to undertake a programme of repeal, to undo the wrongs which have been done during the past 10 years and more, and to make the UK proud of itself and its people again.
As we now move into 2009, we in the Libertarian Party feel that we have done the groundwork, we have put together our policy framework, and we have established a working, functioning party structure which is now ready for the rigours of representing the public in Central and Local government.
Amongst the 80 million who now live in the UK, we are sure that there are 646 honest people who are more capable of governing this country than those handful of elitists who believe they have a right to rule over us, that there are many ordinary people out there who would like to replace them and do what is right for this country.
The first step is to understand that today the UK is no longer governed, it is ruled. One of our primary tasks will be to rein Government back to its simple role of governance, for and on behalf of the people.
The Libertarian Party would like to give you the opportunity to stand as a Prospective Parliamentary Candidate if you feel that you have what it takes to govern. Perhaps you have been a local councillor, a business leader, a butcher, a baker or even a candlestick maker. If you feel that you can make a positive difference to the way that this country is run, then let me know.
How different would we be? Well, from day 1 we would expect anyone elected as a Libertarian MP to fund their own pension plan from their generous salary, not to sponge from the taxpayer with gold plated provisions. We would expect a Libertarian MP to furnish and maintain their own London accommodation, not to sponge from the taxpayer and we would expect a Libertarian MP to take their role seriously, and that means no second job that will detract from their responsibilities as MP's. It would of course be necessary to cover legitimate and reasonable expenses, however the abuses of recent years will be halted
That's just for starters, but if you think you can live with those rules and would like to become a Libertarian PPC, then let me know. If you would like to stand as a Libertarian Candidate at local elections, let me know so that I can put you in touch with the LPUK lead in your area.
I am looking forward to 2009, because I know that the Libertarian Party has a lot to offer the people of the UK, and its time to give the establishment a wake up call they will never forget, through the ballot box.
May I conclude by wishing everyone, of whatever political hue you may be, a very Happy New Year, and may 2009 be as prosperous as this Government permits.
Ian Parker-Joseph
Party Leader - Libertarian Party UK
www.lpuk.org
This is the first year that the Libertarian Party in the UK has been in operation, having launched itself into the public arena on the 1st January 2008. During this year we have purposely kept our size and numbers close to our chest as the party has steadily grown in strength and members throughout the year, not least because we did not wish to alarm those in the established mainstream parties as to the groundswell of public opinion that has quietly risen and is eagerly awaiting news of a general election.
2008 has seen yet more civil and personal liberties being swept away under the relentless tide of new and draconian laws, ever changing by stealth using the statutory instruments that add meat to the legal frameworks that are rarely discussed in our parliament. One by one our rights are ever diminished, slice by slice we succumb to the corporatist money making machine that is backed up by legislative protection, enforced by a continuing expansion of a privatised policing structure headed by the ACPO, ever tightening their authoritarian grip over the everyday lives of the public.
If we were to look back just 10 years, it would have been difficult to imagine a United Kingdom in such disarray, in such financial trouble, with such elitist authoritarian aims of its politicians, but that is indeed where we stand today.
As I look forward to the New Year, I like most others wonder what 2009 will bring. It is clear that it will become much worse before it gets any better, both in political and financial terms, as mass unemployment, financial hardship, bankruptcy, evictions and mass criminalisation of the population takes its toll, and where there is no let up on the volume of new statutes and SI's increasing our daily financial burden.
The mass of regulation imposed by the EU, rubber stamped by Westminster is also increasing, making UK business and industry less and less competitive in the wider world, as taxes of one sort or another increase the financial strain for business to survive and keep employment levels stable. With Sterling now at parity with the Euro and the National Debt increasing on a daily basis beyond all records, the UK economy is inexorably being driven into the ground.
At what stage the Government will dare to go to the country is anyone's guess, and whilst it is fairly certain that the current Government will be swept from power at any free election, there is still uncertainty as to who will be best placed to serve the real interests of the nation overall.
In this new corporatist world, we can see little difference between any of the 3 major parties, other than the colour of their rosettes, and none have promised to roll back any more than some of the icing on the legislative nightmare that has befallen us all.
The Libertarian Party in that respect promises to be very different, to be bold and to be true to the people of this country, promising to undertake a programme of repeal, to undo the wrongs which have been done during the past 10 years and more, and to make the UK proud of itself and its people again.
As we now move into 2009, we in the Libertarian Party feel that we have done the groundwork, we have put together our policy framework, and we have established a working, functioning party structure which is now ready for the rigours of representing the public in Central and Local government.
Amongst the 80 million who now live in the UK, we are sure that there are 646 honest people who are more capable of governing this country than those handful of elitists who believe they have a right to rule over us, that there are many ordinary people out there who would like to replace them and do what is right for this country.
The first step is to understand that today the UK is no longer governed, it is ruled. One of our primary tasks will be to rein Government back to its simple role of governance, for and on behalf of the people.
The Libertarian Party would like to give you the opportunity to stand as a Prospective Parliamentary Candidate if you feel that you have what it takes to govern. Perhaps you have been a local councillor, a business leader, a butcher, a baker or even a candlestick maker. If you feel that you can make a positive difference to the way that this country is run, then let me know.
How different would we be? Well, from day 1 we would expect anyone elected as a Libertarian MP to fund their own pension plan from their generous salary, not to sponge from the taxpayer with gold plated provisions. We would expect a Libertarian MP to furnish and maintain their own London accommodation, not to sponge from the taxpayer and we would expect a Libertarian MP to take their role seriously, and that means no second job that will detract from their responsibilities as MP's. It would of course be necessary to cover legitimate and reasonable expenses, however the abuses of recent years will be halted
That's just for starters, but if you think you can live with those rules and would like to become a Libertarian PPC, then let me know. If you would like to stand as a Libertarian Candidate at local elections, let me know so that I can put you in touch with the LPUK lead in your area.
I am looking forward to 2009, because I know that the Libertarian Party has a lot to offer the people of the UK, and its time to give the establishment a wake up call they will never forget, through the ballot box.
May I conclude by wishing everyone, of whatever political hue you may be, a very Happy New Year, and may 2009 be as prosperous as this Government permits.
Ian Parker-Joseph
Party Leader - Libertarian Party UK
www.lpuk.org
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