This Fourth of July weekend think about what truly represents freedom: Old Glory, the Liberty Bell, and an ice-cold glass of lemonade.
This month's lineup of busybodies includes two regulars: the FDA, which is slapping new, more graphic, possibly counterproductive, warning labels on cigarette packs and the goldfish grabbers on San Francisco's Animal Control and Welfare Commission.
But top dishonors go to the sour bureaucrat who put the squeeze on a group of kids for running a lemonade stand. Sure they were raising money for a worthy cause (pediatric cancer research), but they were doing it without a permit, and that's why they got slapped with a $500 fine.
Presenting Reason.tv's Nanny of the Month for June 2011: Jennifer Hughes of Montgomery County, Maryland's Department of Permitting Services!
The episode sparked so much outrage that the county eventually backed off, but this is no isolated incident. Across America, the permit police are cracking down on pint-sized peddlers of liquid freedom.
Why did politicians cut a trivial amount of money in the recent budget agreement? Prof. Ben Powell explains why politicians don't cut spending, as a general rule. Using public choice economics, or the economics of politics, he shows how the political system naturally leads to overspending.
Calvin's father certainly has some interesting notions on what happens at sunset, which most of us know are completely false, and thus we are able to see the humor in the comic. But how often do we find ourselves telling our children these "little white lies" or make-believe tales, when we could be telling them a truth that is just as awe-inspiring? Wouldn't Calvin have learned a valuable lesson, and wouldn't both he and his father have gained knowledge, if his father had simply said something to the effect "I don't know Calvin, why don't we find out together?"
Don't get me wrong, I know this is just a comic strip, and it's intention is to be humorous, but it rings with a certain truth. We've all been guilty of what Calvin's father is doing here at some point. I would contend, that before you are tempted to confront your children with a silly story about the "birds and the bees", you are frank with them and tell them about the penises and the vaginas. A healthy curiosity is a great attribute, and should be properly nurtured and encouraged to seek the truth.
Francisco D'Anconica's classic remarks about money, from Ayn Rand's masterwork, "Atlas Shrugged." Narrated by Scott Brick.
This is definitely a thought provoking piece, especially in these times when people have been taught to despise Capitalism by the left, and have been taught that the pursuit of profit or money is evil. The fact is, nothing could be farther from the truth. Capitalism is what made this country great, and it is our ability to prosper through the strength of our backs and the sweat of our brows that will keep us great, not government handouts and unsustainable entitlements.
Monday, July 11, 2011 at 10:00AM 
