T.J. Prebil

Free Speech

Wednesday, November 19th, 2008

The first amendment states that congress shall make no law prohibiting the freedom of speech or the right of people to peaceably assemble.

It is no secret that some of the strongest supporters of the first amendment are on the Left (e.g. the ACLU). If fact, there are many minority groups and organizations, doing great things and representing honorable causes, that deserve to be heard.

However, what I don’t understand is why many on the Left are so for free speech when they’re the ones talking but so against it when those with different opinions exercise their first amendment right.

Case in point, recently gay activists disrupted a Sunday mass, McCain supporters were given the finger in NYC during a march and an 8th grader had two very different experiences at school.

To me, these kinds of outbursts and disruptions are not only obnoxiously immature but also unmistakenly hypocritical.

Change?

Wednesday, November 12th, 2008

I found this video on You Tube particularly interesting. A woman, after attending an Obama speech, claimed that she would no longer have to worry about putting gas in her car or pay for her mortgage under an Obama presidency.

Is the type of change that people voted for?

I would venture to say that most people voted for change because they believe Obama can fix the economy, improve foreign relations and end the war in Iraq, all of which are valid arguments.

However, those who voted for Obama because they expect him (and the government) to “change their lives” are going to be sorely disappointed come January 21, 2009.

Despite Obama claims to “spread the wealth around” it’s is unlikely that, even if all of his policies pass, that individuals, like the one quoted in the You Tube video, will receive more than a few thousand dollars a year. Granted, that’s a lot of money, but it’s hardly enough to pay the mortgage and put gas in the car throughout the year.

In reality, politicians, despite their continued claims, cannot change lives! Why? Because the desire to change is solely up to the each individual and it comes from being persistence and dedicated to improving one’s life. The government, no matter how hard it tries, cannot make you work harder, study more, wake earlier, exercise more, be more financially disciplined, have better ideas or take advantage of opportunities when presented.

The sooner people realize that the government cannot change their lives, the sooner they can begin to take responsibility for changing their own lives.

American Democracy

Wednesday, November 5th, 2008

Though my candidate did not win last night’s presidential election, I could not help but be impressed with the Democratic system in the United States.

55,821,650 people essentially lost last night, yet no violence ensued, no cities burned and there were no riots.  Instead, calmness prevailed as the realization set in that, come January 20th, 2009, a new president will be sworn into office.

Why?

Because four years from now, just as sure as the sun rises every morning, there will be another election, between presidential candidates, where U.S. citizens will once again have an opportunity to voice their opinion by castings their votes.

Bottom-Up Economy?

Friday, October 24th, 2008

I enjoyed this post in response to Obama’s bottom-up approach to growing our economy.

Simply put, the greatness of the United States was not built on a bottom-up economy.  Visionaries, pioneers and risk takers are the engines that make the U.S. economy work.  Without their pursuits to improve or to create something, people wouldn’t have jobs, cities wouldn’t have roads and many wouldn’t have dreams (or hope).

One of the greatest things about the U.S. is that there are no limitations to what one can achieve.  Anyone, regardless of his or her race, religion, age or upbringing has the same opportunity to succeed in life. Infringing upon the incentives of pioneers, to improve their own lives and the lives of others, is a slippery slope; it works in contradiction to the fundamental principles that this country was built upon.

There’s no denying that Obama is an incredibly gifted politician.  Occasionally, he even makes a few good points.  However, the bottom line is that is impossible to grow the economy from the bottom-up!  Obama’s failure to understand this causes me to question his ability to make long-term strategic decisions.

10/27/08 Update: the author of this article, published this weekend, seems to share my opinion.

Finally!

Tuesday, October 14th, 2008

After exhausting nearly every conceivable means to generate new income for the city – including increasing sales tax, property tax, train/bus fares, bottled water tax, gas tax, parking fees, parking fines – it looks like Daley has finally decided to actually cutback on municipal spending.  Kuddos to him!  Now, if only he could get a few of the city’s licensing offices to operate more efficiently, I’m sure he’d have the deficit straightened out in no time at all.