American Republic Online

We've all had irritating seatmates on planes.  Well, now there's a solution. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Quietly and calmly open up your laptop case.
2. Remove your laptop.
3. Start up your laptop.
4. Make sure the guy who is annoying you, can see the screen.
5. Close your eyes and tilt your head up to the sky.
6. Then hit this link

The verdict is in.  A new report coming out says we have 10 years left before the world is on an "irreversible" course towards destruction.  What does that mean?  Florida falling into the sea, cities spontaneous starting on fire…?  Who knows.

Well, I hate to burst their bubble, but Al Gore predicted that we only had 10 years left a year ago.  For those interested, Rush Limbaugh has a countdown to Doomsday on his webpage.  As you can see, we already have less than 9 years left…

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The Democrat response to Bush's State of the Union was the same old thing: Bush lied, people died.  However, Webb did say something that stuck out to me: "tuition costs are off the charts."  And, as though it was their responsibility to do something about it, what are the Democrats proposing?  Making the student loan industry even more highly regulated.  They would have the interest rates on student loans lowered to below market levels.  Of course, lowering the interest rates will simply make tuition even higher, further compound the problem. (Perhaps the increase in the student loan industry is the cause of the higher tuition?)

Robert Novak tackles the new Democrat student loan bill, and points out that not only the changes not fully happen for over 4 years,  but it would cost $7 billion.  Neat!

Watching the President's State of the Union address, I observed a couple of things that I'd like to mention.  First, he proposed a new tax deduction for individuals who buy their own health insurance.  Great idea!  It's about time individuals were able to take advantage of the same benefits that corporations have.  (Of course the Fair Tax would solve all the tax headaches, but that's another post.)  The Democrats did not like this idea apparently, as they did not clap.  And why would they?  Their plan is to make people more dependent on the government, not less.  Side note: you do realize that if Senator Clinton brings back Hillarycare we would be confronted with such ideas as making it illegal to pay for the doctor of your choice.  Seriously.  That was one of the parts of her health reform.  People want more access to healthcare that is cheaper for them.  However, are we willing to pay the price in terms of liberty?  Listen to the rhetoric: "right to healthcare."  Right?  Where is that written?  What's next?

Second, after the address George Stephanopoulos reminded us that a poll reports that 70% of the American public disapprove of the direction the country is heading.  Only the media would attribute this to the President.  Partly because they dislike Bush.  I disapprove of the the direction we are heading, but it has very little to do with the President.  Every day people are more and more willing to cede more of their liberty to a governing class.  It's a similar situation with Iraq: yes, people are disappointed with the job we doing over there, but how many would have rather we bombed the entire country into oblivion?  More than a few I suspect, but they are apart of the "disappointed class."  However, the media lumps them together and uses it to say that people hate the President. 

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Milton Friedman gave a final interview by email.  See it here.  His insight is, as always, fantastic.

Again, he will be missed.  Rest in peace.

This is great.  SNL hammers Hillary.  It's a little long, but worth it.  

It's going to be great couple of years… 

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Sam Zell sent out a Christmas card this year.  Who's Sam Zell?  He manages Equity Office Properties Trust.  What's that?  Well, dear reader, they own and manage office properties.  And there is currently a battle going on to acquire it, with bids up to $37 billion (that's 22 times earnings).  For a real estate investment trust.  At 22 times earnings.  For less than 5% return on cash flow. 

His latest Christmas card is quite entertaining, and quite interesting.  See it here at www.yieldsz.com.  It is to the tune of Raindrops Keep Fallin on My Head.  

"Liquidity abounds…

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BREAKING NEWS: Senator Clinton (Hillary) is going to run for President.  Surprise!  One report says she has been "considering a presidential bid over the past few months."  Right.

Here's a great new ad from Coke: a Grand Theft Auto rip-off.

Contrast that with the new Office Depot campaign: The Helping Hand.  Has anyone seen this? (I can't find it on the web.)  Thing from the Addams family pops out of a box and guides people around the store.  This is the response to Staples' Easy Button?  Didn't Staples win that battle 2 years ago?  Someone is gonna lose their job.  

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