I’m puzzled by two political occurrences in Midwestern states the President won. Just when conservatives thought all hope was lost, they have earned surprise victories. Michigan has become a “Right To Work” state, the 23rd, where union membership and dues payment is now voluntary rather than mandatory. According to an op-ed piece by Mark Mix in the NY Post, studies show that workers in states that have adopted the law see an increase of $4300 in purchasing power on average. Of course, unionists staged mass protests and Obama condemned the move. Wisconsin saw a large decline in union membership after the law was adopted.
In Ohio the legislature approved a new “Conceal and Carry” measure by a vote of 57-22, largely along party lines. Studies show there is less gun violence in areas where the law exists, the theory being that a criminal will think twice about preying on someone who may be armed. Of course, this good news was tempered by the nut who opened fire in a mall in Oregon, killing two before doing everyone a favor and turning the gun on himself. In these matters I always tilt to the side of freedom, despite the gun violence that plagues us. Understandably, the police are angry, but they are armed, able to protect themselves. Why shouldn’t private citizens have that privilege? A victim may be dead, and usually is, by the time authorities arrive.
Smugglers along the Mexican border have found another creative way of getting drugs into the U.S.. 33 cans of marijuana have been discovered, believed to have been shot from cannons. Each weighs 85 pounds and has a street value of $42,500. If only these people would use their ingenuity in legitimate businesses. Of course, the point may soon be moot, as pot has been legalized in several areas of the country. Whether that will be a plus or a minus for society is anyone’s guess. I think it will certainly be more cost effective to regulate, but I wonder about the unintended consequences, the push of the cultural envelope further left. Freedom is both wonderful and dangerous, as is life itself.
There wasn't much sunshine out there today, so I limited the floating book shop to less than two hours, leaving before I started shivering. I thank the six people who bought books, and the two ladies who donated a few.
Visit Vic's sites:
Vic's Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
No comments:
Post a Comment