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.
Over the next couple of months there will be fewer postings per week. I have to recertify(for the 3rd time) thru the American Board of Emergency Medicine and will be using much of my spare time for study. I will still try to post articles of interest as they cross my desk. Two such articles can be found by clicking on the links below. The first article discusses the threats of nationalized health care and the second discusses the threat that our impending debt will have on our economy and our way of life. I love paraphrasing Churchill when he said that a nation that tries to tax and spend itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle. Here are the links:
EXPLODING DEBT THREATENS AMERICA
John TaylorPublished: May 26 2009 20:48 Last updated: May 26 2009 20:48
Standard and Poor’s decision to downgrade its outlook for British sovereign debt from “stable” to “negative” should be a wake-up call for the US Congress and administration. Let us hope they wake up. Under President Barack Obama’s budget plan, the federal debt is exploding. To be precise, it is rising – and will continue to rise – much faster than gross domestic product, a measure of America’s ability to service it. The federal debt was equivalent to 41 per cent of GDP at the end of 2008; the Congressional Budget Office projects it will increase to 82 per cent of GDP in 10 years. With no change in policy, it could hit 100 per cent of GDP in just another five years. This article can be found at:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/71520770-4a2c-11de-8e7e-00144feabdc0,_i_email=y.html
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Copyright The Financial Times Ltd 2009
