Tag United States

Are Democrats Smarter than a 6th grader on economics?

Allen Frederick 3 Comments

English: A teacher and young pupils at The Bri...

Dr. Jay Richards tells a great story about his sixth grade teacher’s explanation of economics. One day the teacher came into class and gave each student a small toy…a silly putty egg, a whiffle ball, a set of Barbi trading cards, and so on. (This was back in the day when 6th graders were still kids, not the mini adults parents send to school today.) The teacher said, “Each of you look at your toy and the ones around you. Then I want you to mark on a piece of paper how much you like the toy on a 1 to 10 scale. A 10 means you love it and you wouldn’t trade for anything you see. A 1 means you hate it and would trade for anything else. Everything else means you are somewhere in the middle.” Each child submitted a number. The teacher added them up, and wrote the sum on the board.

“Now,” said the teacher, “you are sitting in five rows of five desks each. You may trade freely with any student in your row, but you don’t have to trade if you don’t want to.”

After a few minutes some of the students had traded toys, and the teacher once again asked them to write a number representing how much they liked their toy. Amazingly (if you are a zero sum believer) the sum of the numbers was higher. The toys were the same, but free trade had made the children collectively much happier.

The teacher then told the class they could now trade with anyone in the room as many times as they liked. There was pandemonium for a few minutes as the kids moved around trading, re-trading, laughing, and enjoying the exercise. At the end, the teacher added up their submitted numbers. As someone who believes in a free economy would expect, the last sum was much higher than the earlier ones.

One notable thing from this elementary school exercise is that there was nothing new added to the equation…no new wealth, in other words. The kids made themselves happier by creating an exchange on their own terms, without strict rules (government regulations), without intervention by the teacher or school board (bureaucracy), without someone taking away their toys (taxation) and giving them to someone else (redistribution). Imagine what the result might have been if, like in a free economy, new and better toys (new wealth) had been added to the exchange. Eventually, newer and better toys would have allowed every child in the room to mark his or her toy as a “10.”

Zero sum? Don’t believe it! Zero sum economics is one of the many canards invented by Marxists and adopted by Democrats whose main desire is to control all the wealth generated by the working people of America. Free trade coupled with invention will create more wealth and greater contentment for all.

Obama and the Democrats are wrong. American ingenuity and businesses do not steal dollars from the poor; quite the contrary, those once-lauded elements of the American experience actually create new wealth, which creates new jobs and opportunities for all citizens, which creates even more wealth!

Proving that they are not smarter than a 6th grader. 

eagle_feather_icon.gifThis is a view from the nest. What say you?

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)

Along for the journey

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This has been A View from the Nest. The statements, comments, or opinions expressed are solely that of the author and do not represent the views or opinions of the host of this site or any affiliates thereof. Any questions or comments should be directed to myself and not to the host or hosts of this site.
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Deliver Us From Evil

Allen Frederick 13 Comments

21/365: Deliver Us From Evil

21/365: Deliver Us From Evil (Photo credit: The Cleveland Kid)

Perhaps one of the best known biblical passages is the Lord’s prayer, often recited by rote by many who perhaps do not even know they are reciting scripture. In this famous prayer we read these words: deliver us from evil…

The horrible massacre of December 14th at the Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut will always be remembered as a tragic and heartbreaking act that forever altered the lives of hundreds of families and sent shock waves throughout the nation. At the very least it was a despicable act of evil targeting the innocent in our society, and our hearts and prayers are directed to the loved ones of each victim.

At this moment psychiatrists, counselors, politicians, journalists, law enforcement and many other professionals everywhere are scrambling to reason out the cause of such a heinous act by looking for some mental disorder which may have precipitated this violent act when the answer is a clear and obvious indictment against the moral condition of our very culture..a culture of death.

Everywhere we look in our society we see a wall of self appeasement, godless rebellion and disrespect for human life. Hollywood cranks out movies of ever-increasing gore and prolific bloodshed. Video games center around killing and destruction without conscience or thought. But the single most egregious part and centerpiece to all of this is the “shedding of innocent blood”, the killing of the defenseless for personal convenience.The blood of the innocent cries out as a witness against us. The many innocent children who lost their lives at the hands of a mad gunman although heinous pales in comparison to the millions of children who lost their lives at the hands of an abortionists. Although nameless and faceless they too are known and loved by God. Their lives are just as precious as the ones lost in Connecticut.

I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, Deuteronomy 30:19 (HCSB)

We continually excuse evil and attempt to rehabilitate violent offenders by trying to understand the mindset of an evil person but completely ignore the heart-set of the same. Any attempts to alter the mind without regard to reshaping the heart attitude of an individual will only lead to failure. Altering the human heart can not be accomplished on a couch in some therapist’s office. Changing the very nature of an individual can not be regulated or legislated. No law is able to alter the human condition, only God can permanently transform a human heart and cause it to turn from the culture of death.

And they will come there, and take away all the hated and disgusting things from it. And I will give them a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in them; and I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh: So that they may be guided by my rules and keep my orders and do them: and they will be to me a people, and I will be to them a God. But as for those whose heart goes after their hated and disgusting things, I will send on their heads the punishment of their ways, says the Lord. Ezekiel 11:18-21 (BBE)

The is the real power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in it lies the power of God to transform a life, to change an evil heart into a loving heart. Yes we can debate and discuss and try to get into the head of the madman who gunned down the innocents in Connecticut, but what is needed is to get to the heart of the man and change it. There is no law capable of changing the intents of a man’s heart; to do that we need more of Christ in the world, not more laws.

As repulsive and heartbreaking as the tragedy in Connecticut was, if we continue to embrace the culture of death and continually cheapen human life things will not get better but get progressively worse.

There is an answer and a cure for this evil, it can be found in the Biblical words of: 2 Chronicles 7:14.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

We need to get back to godly morality instead of trying to cut God from our culture. We need to repent of turning our collective backs on God and instead invite Him to change America’s heart. We need to repent of our culture of death and embrace life and love which comes from following after God.

We need to seek Him while there is yet time

For I am conscious of my thoughts about you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you hope at the end. And you will go on crying to me and making prayer to me, and I will give ear to you. And you will be searching for me and I will be there, when you have gone after me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13 (BBE)

Yes America there is evil in the world, pray with me as many have prayed for many years:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV)

eagle_feather_icon.gifThis is a view from the nest. What say you?

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness.

Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)

Along for the journey

 tj201009292334-3.jpg

This has been A View from the Nest. The statements, comments, or opinions expressed are solely that of the author and do not represent the views or opinions of the host of this site or any affiliates thereof. Any questions or comments should be directed to myself and not to the host or hosts of this site.

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Powerless

Allen Frederick 2 Comments

 

 

 

Psalm 27:14 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Transmission lines in Romania Of which the nea...

The resulting power outage caused by Hurricane Sandy caused teenagers for the first time in their lifetime to live without any electricity, and (can you even imagine) – without a cell phone! For the first time in their lives they enjoyed the privilege of experiencing what life was like decades ago. Forced to slow down, unable to text or “Facebook”, everyone who lost power entered a “moment” of technological communication silence, and they waited anxiously for the powers that be to restore their normal life patterns. How many actually enjoyed this, or found a relief from the tyranny of communication technology, I wonder? How many actually took any time out to “wait on the Lord”? I have to wonder if the Almighty had much more company than He was used to during this time.

How much, really, do we depend on earthly power? And how much on the power of God?

 

The past election was another power outage that affected the loosing party in particular. After their lose the excuses started to pile up one on top of another. Every possible reason for their political power being shut-off was addressed with one glaring exception. There was no mention of lawlessness, or rebellion against God.

 

It would seem even from the electorate that there is no longer any interest in Godliness, but rather we are attempting to work out our own salvation. We are attempting to work in our own limited strength and not tapping into the source of all power-God. This is idolatry at its worst. To think that we mere humans are capable of addressing life’s storms apart from God is foolhardy. Trying to power-up our own lives while separated from the true ‘power grid‘ is about as useful as the teens toys during the Hurricane Sandy power outage. No amount of complaining or arguing is going to restore this lost power until the power lines are reconnected.

 

Perhaps there are those who have generators as back-up power sources and there maybe others who have the ability to recharge batteries using solar power. But in every case there must be a source of power to generate power.

 

For the East Coast effected by Hurricane Sandy the restoration of electrical power rests in the hands of  the power company‘s ability to repair service lines and restore damaged generating stations. For inner strength and the power to overcome defeats and set-backs there is a different source of power. That source is the Lord! If we truly want to gain power in this world then we need to get access to the greatest power source in the entire universe.

It is far better to be working with God rather than against Him don’t you think?

 

Wait I say on the Lord!

This is a view from the nest. What say you?

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)

Along for the journey

 

This has been A View from the Nest. The statements, comments, or opinions expressed are solely that of the author and do not represent the views or opinions of the host of this site or any affiliates thereof. Any questions or comments should be directed to myself and not to the host or hosts of this site.

 

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Fed Up!

Allen Frederick 2 Comments

English: Detail of Preamble to Constitution of...

English: Detail of Preamble to Constitution of the United States Polski: Fragment preambuły Konstytucji Stanów Zjednoczonych (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

HEY BOEHNER AND FRIENDS if you really want to help the economy take your JACK BOOT off the neck of the PRODUCERS and place it instead on the hose that feeds the federal government. Turn off the spigot that feeds into the BOTTOMLESS pool of money the government spends so freely. Instead of asking the AMERICAN people to put their plans and aspirations on hold to clean up your mess how about you lead by example. CUT YOUR OWN BUDGETS and salaries and lay-off some of your employees. DOWNSIZE the government instead of asking the private sector to DOWNSIZE their plans and objectives. SINCE WHEN is our sweat and toil yours to take whenever you want simply because you can not stifle your insatiable appetites to continually spend spend and spend?

You do not have a mandate to invent new and grander ways to steal our labor and industry. There was no mandate for OBAMACARE in 2008 nor was there one in 2012 kill it we can not afford it! The people did not ask for nor want this intrusion into their lives. All your GRAND PLANS and programs to date have gone bust and you guys continually want to invent new ways to spend even more money. STOP IT!

Your only mandate is to DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION of the United States. Since you do not know how to do that perhaps you should take a refresher course on the Constitution. I am sure Hillsdale College would be more than willing to teach you. They offer a free on-line course. HIRE a tutor if you who are intellectually challenged.

Since the House controls the purse strings, lock the vault, tear up the credit card, put a lock and key on the check book, refuse any additional requests for an increased debt limit, turn out the lights and go home. I believe the AMERICAN people can live a few months or even years without you guys constantly harassing us and pestering us for more of our hard-earned cash. WHEN you guys finally get serious about doing what is GOOD AND RIGHT for the AMERICAN people and not just for your OWN POLITICAL BACKSIDES then we’ll talk in the mean time take some time off.

And Harry Reid we are not interested in a compromise. YOU have failed to produce a budget for the entirety of Obama‘s first term. DO YOUR JOB! Figure out a way to live within your means or do without. You already collect $2 trillion each year that should be enough to provide BASIC GOVERNMENT SERVICES.

That is all we want, we do not want any more GRAND SCHEMES or more social programs. WE WANT TO BE LEFT ALONE to engage our OWN GRAND SCHEMES and plans and programs. WE WOULD LIKE to save for our own futures instead of constantly having to fork over any advances we make for ourselves and our families to fund another of your grand schemes. YOU MADE THE MESS FIGURE OUT A WAY TO FIX IT! TAP YOUR OWN FORTUNES AND DENY YOURSELVES YOUR FUTURES since you have stolen ours and robbed our kids of theirs.

Call me fed up!

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Time to Pony Up America: Do Your Fair Share

Allen Frederick 3 Comments

Now that half of the voting public has re-elected spendthrift Obama for another round of spending we must brace now for the unending raiding of our bank accounts. Anyone who believes that taxing the RICH will put even the slightest dent in the huge hole Obama has dug for us is kidding themselves. There will be tax increases alright, lots of them, on lots of things and on most of the American population.

DON’T worry those of you who do not pay any income taxes, you shall not see any change to your budgets. Your stimulus checks will continue to come to you and you will probably even get a cost of living increase besides. Those Americans who do not have to actually earn their incomes will not have to worry since no one will ask you to SHARE THE PAIN. You shall be exempt from any obligation to repay any of the borrowed money that was given to you.

As for the rest of you, you will be asked to bring over buckets of dirt to fill in the CRATER that was dug all the way to China. Resistance is futile since half of the country wants it this way. You shall be asked to fill-in this hole regardless of the fact that you told them not dig it in the first place, nor provided the shovels to dig the hole. Ignore the fact that your objections to the project were ignored, you still will have to pony up and contribute. AFTER ALL it is only fair.

Again I need to reiterate that anyone who receives a government check or is paid from the general fund will not see any reductions in their incomes and in fact might actually see a cost of living increase. This is to be expected and a reward for your faithful service to the cause.

Back to the rest of you louts. If you ask why we are asking you to fill-up the hole it is because we intend to dig another one and we need the dirt. OKAY AMERICA grab your shovels and start to dig oh I mean fill-in the hole.

Ain’t it grand to be an American? Aren’t you proud to serve your fellow-man and willing to sacrifice for the good of the cause? What is the cause you ask? CAUSE WE SAY SO!

This has been A View from the Nest. The statements, comments, or opinions expressed are solely that of the author and do not represent the views or opinions of the host of this site or any affiliates thereof. Any questions or comments should be directed to myself and not to the host or hosts of this site.
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