Young Americans for Liberty

Rein in the American Empire!

Brian Beyer — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:39:41 +0000

Do you want to end senseless wars?

Do you want to put an end to American Imperialism?

Do you want the government to honor your personal liberties?

We can only do achieve these goals with your help.

The moneybomb is a mere two weeks away.

Please donate and encourage others to do the same!

Any donation, no matter the size, will help us make America the free country that it used to be.

Are Corporations an Invention of the Free Market?

Justin Head — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 03:01:55 +0000

In a very interesting article, Gene DeNardo discusses a viewpoint that I believe should get way more attention in the libertarian world: whether or not corporations should be considered part of the free market. I know through a class I took on corporate law that a corporation is purely an invention of the state and owes all of its success to the government which protects its investors from the liability normally associated with similar investment ventures.

The main draw to investing in a corporation is the limited liability one receives for choosing the corporate form of investment over investing in, say, a general partnership. However, where does this limited liability come from, and who pays the price when the consequences of ones actions are not allowed to be divvied out? It is the opinion of DeNardo that society bears the cost. Therefore, in order to protect certain investors, the costs those investors would normally be held responsible for are distributed onto all of us:

Basically, when a corporation exceeds its liability in any way, when it extends itself beyond its value, the cost is socialized. It matters not whether the creditors take a bath or the government steps in, someone besides those within the corporation must make up the difference. This forced market condition in and of itself, is blantant socialism.

Thoughts?

State Marijuana Laws Moving Towards Legalization

Matt Cockerill — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 03:01:12 +0000

From USA Today:

Attorney General Eric Holder last fall announced that raiding medical marijuana facilities would be the lowest priority for U.S. law enforcement agents — a major shift that is spurring many states to re-examine their policies. The American Medical Association recommended in November that Congress reclassify marijuana as a drug with possible medicinal benefit.

At least 14 states this year — some deeply conservative and Republican-leaning, such as Kansas — will consider legalizing pot for medical purposes or lessening the penalties for possessing small amounts for personal use. Fourteen other states and the District of Columbia already have liberalized their marijuana laws.

This is all to the good, of course. But it still bothers me that reasons like "pot is no worse than alcohol" are usually the only justifications offered for legalization. Why not argue that a government-issued uniform, shiny badge, and nightstick don't absolve cops from the moral law the rest of humanity is bound to? "Legalization" of victimless crimes is more properly understood as forbidding our "protectors" from grabbing, shackling, and kidnapping innocent people whose habits politicians disapprove of.

"Blessed be the Warmakers"?

Matt Cockerill — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 03:00:11 +0000

If someone is a devout Christian, or merely a libertarian believer in natural rights and individual responsibility, he can't deny the logic of Laurence Vance's arguments on military service. Vance's belief that enlisting is morally wrong is uncomfortable, but the unadulterated truth rarely is easy to swallow. Still, it is my conviction that pure truth, bereft of disclaimers and sugar-coating, is the only way to change minds. This is especially important when talking to fellow young people considering military service. If members of YAL aren't going to speak the truth, no other group of young people will.

If you know of anyone who is thinking about enlisting, I'd recommend showing he or she this great and highly relevant interview of Vance by Lew Rockwell:

Mainstream Economics

Luke Walker — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 02:58:10 +0000

This clip from The Onion in 2008 really sounds like any mainstream media conversation about the economy.

Antiwar Radio and YAL

Brian Beyer — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 21:08:01 +0000

Yesterday, March 12th, Jeff Frazee and I were guests on Antiwar radio. We focused on the current state of the youth antiwar movement, more specifically YAL's leadership. I was also asked about the upcoming moneybomb on March 16th (Please donate! We're some of the only youngsters actually concerned about ending the senseless wars.) To hear the interview, go here. As of now, it is the very first show at the top (3/12/10). Our interview starts at 30:00.

I would like to thank Scott Horton and Angela Keaton of Antiwar Radio for having us on the show. Please support them as well. They're doing a great job!

Public Diplomacy: Foreign Intervention Part II

Roy Antoun — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:44:05 +0000

A Senate hearing on Wednesday, March 10^th, “The Future of U.S. Public Diplomacy,” explained quite well where our diplomatic priorities are regarding what Senators in the Foreign Relations committee called, “Public Diplomacy.”

Chairman Kaufman explained that there is a need for the United States to “promote soft power” to the outreach of foreign populations. Essentially, public diplomacy is the act of one state influencing the culture of another by means of television, religion, radio, or internet; it is influencing another state by any means other than the military or hard power. At face value, this sounds wonderful. At least our government is no longer resorting to the dropping of bombs in foreign countries as an act of negotiation.

Senator Wicker testified and noted that the Federal government has spent $10 billion on public diplomacy since September 11^th, 2001 and plans to spend another $7.5 billion over the next five years. The plan was to target Pakistan and work with USAID, the same government agency operated by Stuart Bowen, in sending internal aid and internal educational benefits to Pakistan and Afghanistan.

U.S. Hyperinflation Possible by 2015

Stephen Parvin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:28:19 +0000

Check out this recent report from the National Inflation Association:

The U.S. government this week reported a record monthly budget deficit for February 2010 of $220.9 billion. Total tax receipts for the month were only $107.5 billion compared to outlays of $328.4 billion. The total U.S. deficit for the first five months of fiscal year 2010 was $651.6 billion, with tax receipts of $800.5 billion and outlays of $1.45 trillion. The deficit was up 10.5% for the first five months of fiscal year 2010 over the same period in fiscal year 2009.

We are now at a point where if the U.S. government taxed Americans 100% of their income, the tax receipts generated would not be enough to balance the budget. Likewise, if the U.S. government cut 100% of its spending including defense, but kept paying Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, we would still have a budget deficit. NIA believes it will be impossible for the U.S. to have a balanced budget ever again.

Capitalism vs. Free Markets

Elliot Engstrom — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:39:40 +0000

Anyone who has seen any of my YAL posts on capitalism or economics probably knows that I'm a big fan of the left-libertarian/mutualist school of thought. We of this mindset always try to ask the question: Are capitalism and a free market necessarily the same thing?

While I greatly appreciate the Austrian School of Economics, in particular its views on business cycle theory, monetary policy, and government, I break from Austrian theory on the historical development and current nature of capitalism. For example, I take issue with Ludwig von Mises's claims that the industrial revolution was such a wonderful thing for the common people. He writes in Economic Policy:

All the talk about the so-called unspeakable horror of early capitalism can be refuted by a single statistic: precisely in these years in which British capitalism developed, precisely in the age called the Industrial Revolution in England, in the years from 1760 to 1830, precisely in those years the population of England doubled.

Well, China's population has increased at a faster rate over the past 50 years than the United States,' so I suppose that this "single statistic" must mean that China has been a better place to live during this time. I think we all know this is not the case. Hence the falsity of the idea held by many capitalists that "growth" is always an ultimate good.

Foreign Policy Handbook

Roy Antoun — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:47:00 +0000

To End the War,

We Must Learn the Theory & Practice of War...

I have been working on compiling a "Foreign Policy Handbook" for everyone to read as a guide to understanding the different theories and practices that to go developing foreign policy and why nonintervention is essential for American Foreign Policy to be Realist.

This is a work in progress, so if anyone would like to contribute to, or offer suggestions to the Handbook, feel free to contact me at: roy.antoun@yaliberty.org

You can snag a PDF copy of the handbook HERE.

The TSA and Lady Gaga

Bonnie Kristian — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:01:18 +0000

If you use the internet, you probably already know that Lady Gaga released a new video last night. It's umm...a bit much for the YAL blog (so I won't be linking to it), and less germane than this lesser story about the singer:

The Telephone singer was catching a flight out of Los Angeles last night, and in true Gaga fashion, turned up in a bizarre emsemble....

But it was the sunglasses and black netting on her face that drew the most attention after she refused to take it off at passport control. Security guards were forced to escort her into a private room where she was body-searched before being released 15 minutes later to catch her departing flight.

"Were forced"? Really? Gaga became famous relatively recently (or I'm more out of touch with pop music than I think...hmm, I feel old now), but she's known world-wide and instantly recognizable -- even without her typically outrageous outfits. Does anyone really think that the TSA needed her to remove the glasses and netting to identify her? I don't think so. This is yet another example of the TSA's abuse of its unconstitutional power (albeit one which, since it got her publicity, Lady Gaga herself may not mind) (oh and each of those words is a separate link).

Obama to Appoint New Fed Vice Chairman

Aaron Ricks — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:24:01 +0000

It has been reported that President Obama plans to appoint Janet Yellen, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, as the new Fed Vice Chairman.

She is considered one of the most 'dovish' members of the central bank's policymakers, meaning she is seen to lean toward policies that will boost growth and promote employment rather than those aimed at keeping inflation at bay.

Yep. You heard it correctly. She is willing to risk further inflation in a vain attempt to promote economic growth with a printing press.

Planning to take a Tour of the District of Corruption (D.C.)?

Matt Cockerill — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:45:04 +0000

Here's a visual metaphor of what to expect:

(Cartoon from Townhall)

Salaries of the Productive vs. Parasitical Sectors

Matt Cockerill — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:43:50 +0000

Should it be any surprise that the latter is bigger than the former?

Overall, federal workers earned an average salary of $67,691 in 2008 for occupations that exist both in government and the private sector, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The average pay for the same mix of jobs in the private sector was $60,046 in 2008,

Angry yet? Consider the (uncounted in the prior number) amount of money federal employees get from "health, pension, and other benefits:"

$40,785 per federal employee in 2008 vs. $9,882 per private worker, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Activism Against the War

Justin Head — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:42:40 +0000

In an effort to bring the war closer to home, our YAL group at Ole Miss decided to create a memorial for all the Mississippians that have lost their lives in the Iraq War. We called it the, "Mississippi Wall of Innocence."

YAL Welcomes Illustrator Brian Defferding

Shane Helm — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:41:31 +0000

YAL is excited to announce the addition of political cartoonist and illustrator Brian Defferding to its staff. With that said, we bring you Brian's first YAL exclusive political cartoon.

YAL in the News

Bonnie Kristian — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:51:49 +0000

Here are some recent news stories on YAL chapter activities. If you're a member of one of these chapters, congratulations! (And if your chapter isn't in the news, why not?)

Alice in Wonderland is Really About Health Care Reform

Wes Messamore — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:33:56 +0000

Reprinted with permission from CAIVN:

Okay, so the recent Tim Burton blockbuster featuring Johnny Depp may not have had much at all to do with health care reform, and certainly Lewis Carroll didn't have health care reform on his mind when he wrote Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the original novel upon which the Burton film was based. But the strikingly odd story bears some remarkable parallels to our present system of health care.

Wonderland, you see, is a perfectly nonsensical world. Nothing is logical there, and while it may be very entertaining to enjoy on a big screen or from the comfort of your couch, I doubt very many people would elect to live in such a strange and terrifying world. Nothing in Wonderland is what it seems, so it's impossible even for a rational person to behave rationally, because they cannot know what to expect. The strange and terrifying world of health care is no different.

Another Bi-Partisan Policy

Kelse Moen — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:32:19 +0000

John Nichols at The Nation has a pithy and pointed article on the defeat of Dennis Kucinich's bill to end the war in Afghanistan. The article reminds me of something Tom Woods said at the Rally for the Republic: "We have in this country two parties: the stupid party and the evil party. Occasionally, they get together to do something both stupid and evil, and that is called bipartisanship." Nichols:

The House voted 356-65 to stay the course Bush set in Afghanistan.
Of the 356 members who voted to maintain the occupation, 189 were Democrats and 167 were Republicans.

Equally telling, Nichols notes, was the press' reaction.

Noting that press gallery was virtually empty, [Congressman Patrick] Kennedy observed: "we're talking about war and peace, $3 billion, 1,000 lives and no press? No press!"
"(The) press of the United States is not covering the most significant issue of national importance and that's the laying of lives down in (Afghanistan) for the service of our country," Kennedy roared. "It's despicable, the national press corps right now."

And all the mainstream media outlets still say no one can reach agreement in Washington.

Got a question for the Judge?

Bonnie Kristian — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:14:51 +0000

I may have an opportunity to interview Judge Napolitano about his new book, "Lies the Government Told You." I've started reading it to prepare (including Ron Paul's foreward, which you can check out here), and the next thing on my list is preparing a number of questions.

Coming up with questions has never been my forte, however, so I'm wondering if you all can help me out: Do you have a question for the Judge? Leave a comment here and depending on how my list of questions (and this interview possibility) works out, I'll ask him for you! (I'd prefer if you could leave it with your full name and college or university.)

Cockerill Interviews Dr. Tom Palmer

Matt Cockerill — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:02:56 +0000

The merits of minarchism vs. anarcho-capitalism are a matter of serious debate, albeit not tension, between members of YAL. Cato Sr. Fellow Dr. Tom Palmer was kind enough to do an interview with me, which included extensive discussion on this topic (click below the jump for more):

Hit Pieces and Yellow Journalism

Brian Beyer — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:57:24 +0000

There are several things that neoconservatives are great at: running America into the ground, starting wars, and marginalizing and villifying anyone that threatens their aristocracy. Establishment hack Michelle Malkin would make Bill Kristol proud after her vicious hit piece of Adam Kokesh. Malkin writes,

... and another prominent member who smeared the Young America’s Foundation by faking an anti-Muslim hate flyer and smeared David Horowitz with similar race-card playing flyers, then weaseled out of the attacks by claiming they were “satire.”
The last two incidents involved an IVAW member named Adam Kokesh. He marched in uniform in mock patrols for the anti-war movement, paraded around holding an upside-down American flag (see Jonn Lilyea for more), was arrested for defacing signs, and traveled to Germany to urge soldiers to abandon their posts and seek aid and comfort with his anti-war minions."

If Ms. Malkin would actually do some research, she would probably realize just how wrong she is.

Petition to End the Wars Update

Sam Swedberg — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:50:17 +0000

Today the House held a debate on whether or not to end the war in Afghanistan. This means we now have a bill that we can petition our local members of Congress to co-sponser. The bill is H.R. 248 to remove the United States Armed Forces from Afghanistan. Ron Paul is already a co-sponser of this bill.

Here is the updated petition.

Ron's speech given on the floor this afternoon:

File Attachments
Petition_to_End_the_War2.pdf	235.31 KB

The Dangers of "Wartime Powers"

Matthew Malkus — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:13:08 +0000

A few weeks ago at CPAC, a Friday panel was assembled to answer the question: “Does security trump freedom?” Among the panelists were Robert “Skip” Ash, who teaches a course on “national security law” at Regent University, and also serves at the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) as their Senior Litigation Counsel for National Security Law. The deck was stacked beforehand: The ACLJ claims to be “focused on National Security issues and waging an effective and constitutional war on terrorism” (Constitutional? What Constitution?), and the debate moderator was Jay Sekulow, who serves as the organization’s Chief Counsel.

In his opening statements to the audience, Ash commented: “[The troops] also wonder why the President of the United States cannot bring himself to admit that the United States is in a long-term war with enemy jihadists, who seek to destroy us.” [Emphasis mine.] Several panelists, including the chief architect of the Patriot Act, went on to defend the PATRIOT Act as a set of wartime powers necessary to protecting freedom; as former Attorney General John Ashcroft had explained earlier in the day, “the purpose of security is to reinforce and enhance freedom.” Or, as George Orwell famously listed as a slogan of “the Party": Freedom is Slavery.

Alan Grayson: "We Won in Iraq & Afghanistan!"

Dustin Reid — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:11:24 +0000

I wish this guy was in step with the liberty movement because on issues we agree on no one makes more convincing arguments.