Genesis of the "NO" Logo

In history there have been two basic forms of social organization: collectivism and individualism. In the 20th and 21st century, collective variations have included socialism, fascism, Nazism, and communism. Under collectivism, a ruling class of “intellectuals”, bureaucrats, politicians and/or social planners decides what people want or what is “good” for society and then uses the coercive power of the State to regulate, tax and redistribute wealth in an attempt to achieve their desired objectives. Individualism is a political and social philosophy that emphasizes individual liberty, belief in the primary importance of the individual and in the virtues of self-reliance and personal independence and responsibility. It embraces opposition to controls over the individual when exercised by the state. The Preamble to our Constitution makes it plain that all power rests originally with the people, as individuals.
The “O” within the circle represents collectivism in its various forms. The “N” represents an emphatic repudiation of collectivism. The red, white and blue circles encompassing the “NO” are emblematic of our Republic. It is the responsibility of the individuals in an engaged and enlightened republic to limit the influence of the government, especially one that attempts to wield power outside the boundaries delineated by the Constitution.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

The Threat is in Spending

As the Fed purchases Treasury bonds or other such assets, it creates new dollars that tend to undermine the currency’s foreign exchange value. Indeed, the dollar is more than 9 percent lower against a broad basket of currencies than it was a year ago, the lowest point since 2008 and down more than 40 percent against the same basket over six years. Federal Reserve data indicate that when adjusted for inflation, the dollar is at its lowest value against major trading partners’ currencies since it began fluctuating in January 1973.