A 230 mpg car?!? What should surprise us more is how fast this will arrive. I'm pretty sure the rhetoric is that we are 10 years out before we see any significant reduction in fossil fuel use. But as soon as 2010 230mpg. What can we all learn from this? In desperate times innovations and entrepreneurs will come from everywhere to fix a problem. Now, if we can keep the governments hands out of it.
Speaking of the government, what do you suppose will happen to gasoline taxes as mpg increases and less fuel is used. Keep in mind that those taxes are used to help keep infrastructure from deteriorating. Logic tells us that the less gas people use, tax revenue will drop off. Then what? Imagine this. In 2010, there is a massive shift to 230 mpg cars. Instead of paying an average of $10.00/ month in taxes, that might shift to $2 max. But remember, driving habits will probably increase and more drivers will hit the road- then what?
As the article suggests, this VW is very tiny and may not be as safe as a SUV or mid-sized sedan. I wonder if the government will ban the car for safety or loss of tax revenue? Or will new regulations come from the bootleggers and Baptists?
Thursday, May 15, 2008
If The Shoe Fits
I heard this morning about Pres. Bush's comment he maid about appeasing the terrorists or leaders of rogue nations. They made sense to me. Then I hear almost instantly that Obama had issued a statement saying how the comment was directed at him and he found it offensive.
Now, I have sense heard Bush's comments over again at least five times, and not once did I hear him mention Obama's name or any other Democrat's name, yet they are ALL in an uproar. Now I am inclined to say that yes, Bush did take a swipe at Obama and the Democrats, but I also think that he was considering the French, the Germans, and others who did not stand with us when we went to war with Iraq and who do not take our side when it concerns Iran.
It seems funny to me that Obama (and the Democrats) is so sensitive about Bush's comments. SO all I have to say is. . . If the shoe fits!
Now, I have sense heard Bush's comments over again at least five times, and not once did I hear him mention Obama's name or any other Democrat's name, yet they are ALL in an uproar. Now I am inclined to say that yes, Bush did take a swipe at Obama and the Democrats, but I also think that he was considering the French, the Germans, and others who did not stand with us when we went to war with Iraq and who do not take our side when it concerns Iran.
It seems funny to me that Obama (and the Democrats) is so sensitive about Bush's comments. SO all I have to say is. . . If the shoe fits!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
God is NOT a Politician
I was just reading an article about how evangelicals are leaving the GOP. In one of the comments, the author stated she was having a hard time with the GOP because they he/she/ did not think the GOP cared about the poor.
Remember that the Bible does not say to go to your government to take care of the poor, it is each and every one of ours responsibility to take care of one another.
Government is coercive and is not "human". Government is an institution and does not have rights, feelings, etc. It is not even close to the same level of existence as you and I. We were created by a living and awesome God who loves us, not government.
Also remember that government is made up of the same sinning people as everyone else. They have no "super-capacity" to help the poor any more than the U.N. or any other nation for that matter. God wants us to be involved with one another and help each other out- let's just leave government out of it, they tend to screw things up anyway.
Remember that the Bible does not say to go to your government to take care of the poor, it is each and every one of ours responsibility to take care of one another.
Government is coercive and is not "human". Government is an institution and does not have rights, feelings, etc. It is not even close to the same level of existence as you and I. We were created by a living and awesome God who loves us, not government.
Also remember that government is made up of the same sinning people as everyone else. They have no "super-capacity" to help the poor any more than the U.N. or any other nation for that matter. God wants us to be involved with one another and help each other out- let's just leave government out of it, they tend to screw things up anyway.
Was Bon Jovi Libertarian?
I was driving home from work yesterday and I heard the 80's song "Living on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi. The lyrics are interesting to say the least. If you remember the song, it talks about a young couple up against the world. After listening to the entire song, I realized there was not one mention of the government helping them out or the couple using food stamps or welfare. In fact, the lyrics are inspiring.
They talk about making it whatever the costs. I believe that is what life is like. Stuff happens and life- you lose your job to someone overseas, you contract some sort of disease, that unexpected child comes along, what you thought was a good deal on a mortgage winds up costing you your house. What defines you is what you do next. The weak will blame everyone else and then go camp out on the governments doorstep. The strong pick themselves up, find new opportunities and make something better of themselves.
Isn't that the way it should be.
They talk about making it whatever the costs. I believe that is what life is like. Stuff happens and life- you lose your job to someone overseas, you contract some sort of disease, that unexpected child comes along, what you thought was a good deal on a mortgage winds up costing you your house. What defines you is what you do next. The weak will blame everyone else and then go camp out on the governments doorstep. The strong pick themselves up, find new opportunities and make something better of themselves.
Isn't that the way it should be.
Friday, May 9, 2008
I Smell Rent Seeking
I just finished watching a segment on ABC's 20/20 about tires. Having been in the tire business for several years, I feel I know a lot about the tire industry. The basis of this report was that tires over 6 years old are unsafe and are causing deaths from the tires coming apart. Here is one fault I found.
The reporter presented someone from the tire industry with a report from the British rubber and tire association. That was my first tip-off; an association. The reporter had no scientific reports or findings as to why tires are bad after 6 years.
What do I think? The association here in the US will ask the government to step in and make selling tires over 6 years old illegal. This of course will give those in the tire industry with the association a leg up over those not in the association.
I wonder this: how soon will it be then until it is illegal to have tires on your vehicle that are over 6 years old?
The reporter presented someone from the tire industry with a report from the British rubber and tire association. That was my first tip-off; an association. The reporter had no scientific reports or findings as to why tires are bad after 6 years.
What do I think? The association here in the US will ask the government to step in and make selling tires over 6 years old illegal. This of course will give those in the tire industry with the association a leg up over those not in the association.
I wonder this: how soon will it be then until it is illegal to have tires on your vehicle that are over 6 years old?
The Power in Russia
I have been learning about power recently. I have many questions about power- who has it, how did they get it, what motivates them to get and keep power,all things power. What a lucky time to have these questions. Russia is going through somewhat of a power change now and this time we have front row seats.
I admit that I have not brushed up on my Russian political system, but apparently there is a president and a prime minister. Putin is now the pm and Medvedev is the president. According to this article, Putin does not want to let go of his power. In fact, while he stays in power, those in power of the state's enterprises will stay in power. From what I have read, Medvedev is Putin's protoge but does not have a complete identical set of standards as Putin. What I think I see happening is what is happening here in the US. Those in power want to stay in power and Putin can not risk losing his power or the gains from those in power will give him.
In a way, I can see this having "macroeconomic" implications. Lets say that Russia is becoming a better place to invest. In a way, Putin has had some part in securing those investments and "insuring" that they stay good investments. I may still be learning, but this seems an awful lot like our governemnt. The major difference may be that Putin is defying Medvedev in plain view while our leaders tend to hide their power in regulations, court descisons, earmarks, legislation.
When will we see some good, decent leaders who are not obsessed with power and can deal with what life gives them without getting help from those in power?
I admit that I have not brushed up on my Russian political system, but apparently there is a president and a prime minister. Putin is now the pm and Medvedev is the president. According to this article, Putin does not want to let go of his power. In fact, while he stays in power, those in power of the state's enterprises will stay in power. From what I have read, Medvedev is Putin's protoge but does not have a complete identical set of standards as Putin. What I think I see happening is what is happening here in the US. Those in power want to stay in power and Putin can not risk losing his power or the gains from those in power will give him.
In a way, I can see this having "macroeconomic" implications. Lets say that Russia is becoming a better place to invest. In a way, Putin has had some part in securing those investments and "insuring" that they stay good investments. I may still be learning, but this seems an awful lot like our governemnt. The major difference may be that Putin is defying Medvedev in plain view while our leaders tend to hide their power in regulations, court descisons, earmarks, legislation.
When will we see some good, decent leaders who are not obsessed with power and can deal with what life gives them without getting help from those in power?
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