In yet another example that funding from our government doesn't equal success, it was reported today that the solar panel company Solyndra is going bankrupt. After receiving direct support from the White House and hundreds of millions of dollars in financial backing; the company turned away workers with seemingly no warning. When will we learn that the government can not create demand in the market? Whether or not solar energy is environmentally responsible, financially profitable, or morally preferable to oil; simply throwing money at the industry will never guarantee viability. Without the damage done to individual liberty by requiring the usage and/or purchase of alternative fuels our government will not be able to force an industry upon us. Perhaps a better way would be to produce domestic oil while placing an import tax of some sort on foreign oil. Perhaps that would push private companies to invest in changing their business model when the end is actually in site. Better yet, why not enforce the laws we already have and punish companies who pollute through the defense of property rights (the rights of everyone else, whose property is being polluted). The free market will work folks. We just have to punish companies who damage our health and our property while removing the relationship and rewards our current corporatism-style government structure provides.
Phlegm
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/massive-taxpayer-backed-solar-panel-manufacturer-goes-bankrupt/
http://dailycaller.com/2011/02/22/panel-green-jobs-company-endorsed-by-obama-and-biden-squandered-535-million-in-stimulus-money/
http://venturebeat.com/2010/05/26/obama-stumps-for-climate-bill-at-solyndra-giving-it-a-pre-ipo-lift/
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Is peace a bad word?
In the article attached below this post, Gov. Perry leaves open the door to the possibility (and I should say probability) of yet another war-happy President. While claiming to support using troops only for defensive reasons, he hides behind the old slogan of "our vital interests" being threatened. This is tantamount to the often heard claims of secrets within government due to "national security". Sure, our leaders must have secrets but the phrase is abused far too often. But back to Gov Perry; to be honest I find it difficult to write much even though another candidate certain to promote war finds me disagreeable. Not once did he make mention, at least where I looked, of bringing any troops home in general or specific. Not once did he talk about a reasonably sized military or number of bases. Not once did he talk about Europe's role in providing their own defense. I heard no call to the world's leaders to share the responsibility of protecting those who are innocent and helpless throughout the world. I heard the familiar call of war for profit, for defense of profit and business (what they call our vital interests.....for if our government is owned by the bureaucrats and corporations then theirs are the interests of which he speaks) and the defense of preemptive war (what they call the moral authority). I hear the toll bell and it is ringing for any country unwilling to be humble, be respectful, stand strong, demand fairness and promote liberty by example rather than force. We can not afford more financial or moral debt, it is just that simple. We can not help future populations around the world if we do not first ensure our country's continued survival, prosperity and dedication to liberty through restricted government.
Phlegm
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