Monthly Archives: December 2013

| THE 28ERS PRESENTS | Money as Speech: A Debate Worth Buying

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The 28ers are a local group in Riverside, CA that advocate a 28th Amendment to the Constitution, to restrict the right of corporations to engage in political speech through campaign contributions. On Tuesday, January 28, 2014 the 28ers will sponsor a debate:

Resolved: Limiting Freedom of Speech Guarantees Freedom Speech

In this new century, how should the individual, and the society at large, define the notion of speech, especially in the case of money? Arguing for the resolution is Dr. Matthew Snyder, of UC Riverside, and arguing against is Gene Berkman, co-founder of the Libertarian Party of California.

In the event that Dick Kavit can’t make it, Elizabeth Ayala will be moderating the debate.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

6:30 – 7:15: The Debate Ensues
7:15 – 7:45: Entertaining Questions from the Audience
7:45 – 8:05: Introducing The 28ers and The Riverside Libertarian Chapter

The debate will take place at:
Universalist-Unitarian Church
3657 Lemon St, Riverside, California 92501-2834

https://www.facebook.com/events/411785125591640/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular

Gallup:”Record High in U.S. Say Big Government Greatest Threat”

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A new poll from the Gallup organization shows:
Seventy-two percent of Americans say big government is a greater threat to the U.S. in the future than is big business or big labor, a record high in the nearly 50-year history of this question. The prior high for big government was 65% in 1999 and 2000. Big government has always topped big business and big labor, including in the initial asking in 1965, but just 35% named it at that time

Gallup polling shows a trend of steadily increasing concern with big government since 2009
This suggests that government policies specific to the period, such as the Affordable Care Act — perhaps coupled with recent revelations of government spying tactics by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden — may be factors.

92% of Republicans saw big government as the biggest threat, along with 71% of Independents. Even with a Democrat in the White House, 56% of Democrats see a threat from big government.

Full results of the poll, along with a graph showing increasing opposition to big government, @ http://www.gallup.com/poll/166535/record-high-say-big-government-greatest-threat.aspx

Washington Times:”Obama’s Afghanistan experts stumped on U.S. death toll, war costs during hearing”

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The Washington Times reports on a Congressional hearing on Afghanistan, at which representatives of the Obama administration were unable to answer questions on the cost – in money or lives – of America’s ongoing intervention in that country.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee held a hearing on what will happen in Afghanistan after most U.S. troops leave in 2014. Witnesses included “James F. Dobbins, State’s special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan; Donald Sampler, assistant to the administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development, which provides civilian foreign aid; and Michael Dumont, deputy assistant secretary of defense for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia.”

Congressman Dana Rohrabacher of California asked ““How much are we spending annually in Afghanistan? How much is the cost to the American taxpayer?”

He was met with stone silence from the witness panel. Mr. Dobbins gestured to the other witnesses for the answer. They, too, came up empty.

“Anybody know?” Mr. Rohrabacker asked. “Nobody knows the total budget, what we’re spending in Afghanistan. It’s a hearing on Afghanistan. Can I have an estimate?

“I’m sorry, congressman,” Mr. Dobbins said.
Mr. Rohrabacker called the lack of an answer “disheartening.”
“How many killed and wounded have we suffered in the last 12 months,” he asked.
Again, none of the three had an answer. Mr. Dumont said he would get back to him.

Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/dec/12/obamas-afghanistan-experts-stumped-us-death-toll-w/#ixzz2nOtehEpG