Reason and Capitalism » Archive
Words of Reagan
I was in a bit of a sour mood earlier this morning, so did what any liberty-addict would do — I looked on YouTube for a patriotic video. Well, I found one that reminds me why Ronald Reagan will always be my favorite president. The video below includes a bit of Reagan’s famous “Time for Choosing” speech that was given in ’64. Below you will find the entire text. It’s a bit long, but you owe it to yourself to read it. It’s a gem. Ronald Reagan — American Hero. Thank you very much. Thank you and good evening. The sponsor has been identified, but unlike most television programs, the performer hasn’t been provided with a script. As a matter of fact, I have been permitted to choose my own ideas regarding … Read entire article »
Filed under: Capitalism, Politics
The Best That He Could Be
There was once a man named passion, preoccupied with perfection. They said they wanted to be happy, he said he wanted to be free. So they laughed themselves to sleep, sitting in trash, and he read all the night, being all that he could be. And secretly they wished that they were more. Life was a restless fool, they tried not to want more. But she saw just what he was, and she knew that it was good. No matter what they said, she fell up to his life, wanting the best that he could be. And she knew that it was good. He was a student of study, but a teacher of life and of love and all. And she knew that it was good. College to congress, life and victory. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Philosophy, Religion
The Shortest Case for Predestination. Ever.
Up to this point, I’ve only posted one theological argument, that being an explanation for what “authority” means in Romans 13. Well, I’m going to break my tradition of purely secular philosophy, and dive a bit into doctrine. This, interestingly enough, is going to be a cause for predestination through logical deduction. I could post a plethora of scriptures, but we’ve all seen those before. I want to discuss the controversy, but I don’t want to beat a dead horse. The shortest case for predestination, ever: Cause and effect guide all of reality. This is why reason is important. God does nothing without cause (He even died for a cause). Man can do nothing without a cause. Cause and effect guide all of reality. Since cause and effect guide God as well as … Read entire article »
Filed under: Religion
Money, by Ayn Rand
The following is an excerpt from Atlas Shrugged, written by Ayn Rand, page 387. Used without permission. Rearden heard Bertram Scudder, outside the group, say to a girl who made some sound of indignation, “Don’t let him disturb you. You know, money is the root of all evil … Read entire article »
Filed under: Capitalism, Philosophy, Politics
Huckabee a Conservative?
Mike Huckabee is a former minister, therefore he must be the Christian choice, and all Christians should vote for him, right? Not a chance. He’s fiscally as liberal as it gets in the GOP, and we’ve got better choices before him. Huck likes government. He likes big government. He likes more government. He likes restrictive government. He even likes taxes. Want proof? His actions couldn’t be screaming it any louder. Michael Tanner at Cato said the following (emphasis mine): “Mike Huckabee? As governor, he never saw a tax increase he didn’t love. He presided over a massive increase in state spending, including an expansion of Medicaid, and approved increases in the sales, income, and cigarette taxes. On its annual governor’s report card, Cato gave him an “F” for fiscal policy. Most Democratic governors … Read entire article »
Filed under: Politics
Come What May
I finally watched the trailer of Advent Film Group’s latest movie, “Come What May”. It’s about a young man who must choose between a scholarship and making just one morally corrupt argument in his debate career. The trailer gave me goosebumps. I can most certainly relate to the main character, given that I’ve been debating in the NCFCA for the past four years. Sometimes making that one morally corrupt argument seems so enticing. It’s easy to forget the whole purpose to our actions — doing the right thing. I most certainly plan on purchasing the DVD of this film, if not just to fund the creation of more films by Advent Film Group in the future. “Do what’s right.” … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
Culture Flaws
I have often been challenged and ridiculed for my near-fanatical support of a certain unpopular philosophy of life … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
“Self-Reliance”, by Ralph Waldo Emerson
I just finished reading the essay “Self-Reliance“, once again, by Americas’ son, Ralph Waldo Emerson. This is, by far, one of my favorite essays, and most certainly my favorite essay on the topic of individuality. Emerson takes on the culture that he saw being created in his time, a culture that rejected rigid individuality and self-reliance, a culture that replaced individuality with a weaker dependence upon others, places and statures. Especially consider the following: “Insist on yourself; never imitate. Your own gift you can present every moment with the cumulative force of a whole life’s cultivation; but of the adopted talent of another, you have only an extemporaneous, half possession. That which each can do best, none but his Maker can teach him. No man yet knows what … Read entire article »
Filed under: Philosophy