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Who Is John Galt?

Posted on by sjcammenga
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After recently finishing Atlas Shrugged for the first time I could finally answer this question for myself. Perhaps stemming from the state of the economy, Atlas Shrugged has become wildly popular; after selling 200 thousand copies in 2008 it sold half a million in 2009. Although I beg to differ from much of Rand’s objectivist philosophy of life, where economics and politics are concerned I found she had some terrific insights which are applicable today.

John Galt is the man who felt no debt to society and took care of himself, not asking for handouts from anyone nor giving any. When the government demanded he give his mind and money for others who did not work for it, he went on strike and took the other movers of his world with him. With them gone, the nation went to pieces as the government watched each regulation they made cause more damage than the one before.

In our day as well, where there is a crisis more government control seems to appear. The increased regulations and restrictions on production cause more problems which the government again steps in to fix. What could help the people is the exact opposite, freedom to spend their own money and produce at their maximum capacity without restrictions.

An intriguing, though very time consuming read, the length gives you the time to digest how each directive affects jobs and production and how the businesses relate to one another. Competition is welcomed and there is no place for the government’s force – only for the justice of receiving what one has earned. Though this does let some have more than others, it harkens back to the old quote “free people are not equal and equal people are not free.”

State Parks

Posted on by sjcammenga
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My family and I love the scenery of Michigan and have thoroughly enjoyed visits to Sleeping Bear Dunes, Pictured Rocks and our annual trip to Ludington State Park. We have seen the disrepair of some parks as well, most notably the collapsed roof of the visitor’s center at Ludington we liked to visit. This is not an isolated incident; many parks in Michigan are struggling for funds. The parks currently get around $52.6 million of the $70 million they name as the minimum needed for the repairs and upkeep. Most of their money is made from campers and visitor fees, but with visiting down by 24%, they are feeling the blow.

Despite the deficit, Gov. Granholm does not want to close any of Michigan’s parks, as they are essential to tourism. To close them would give the impression that Michigan was closing down as well. Suggestions for how to fund the parks are mainly along the lines of adding new or higher fees for admission or vehicle registration and requesting state funding.

A different voice in the blend is the Mackinac Center’s own Russ Harding, who suggests better management of the funds the parks already possess rather than finding new sources of revenue. His suggestions include privatizing the law enforcement and custodial duties of the parks, bidding out food and lodging that will generate revenue, and selling the parks that are not essential. Michigan’s natural beauty is a great asset, but we may need new policies to maintain it.

Obama in Holland MI

Posted on by sjcammenga
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Earlier this summer, Vice President Biden visited a battery plant in Midland. This week another visitor from the White House visited a battery plant in Michigan: President Obama himself.

Obama called it a rebound from desperate times. Apparently he feels pressured to demonstrate that his administration has made progress and this plant seems like a poster child for his plan. Not only should it create jobs for 300 full-time workers; it doubles as a step toward his desire for clean energy.

According to the Associated Press, though the Holland battery plant was built with $2.4 billion of stimulus money awarded by the government and is the ninth factory to be constructed with stimulus money, Obama declared that government programs were not the goal. Instead, he wants to unleash private sector growth.

I would suggest unleashing this growth with less regulations and taxes, making it easier for anyone in the private sector to obtain property and support a business. Just a thought.

More Taxes

Posted on by sjcammenga
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Though the health care is yet unavailable, the first taxes of the Health Care Reform Bill are beginning to take effect. For instance, Michiganders now face a 10% tax on tanning. This will increase prices and some have worried that it will result in salons closing, leaving even more people unemployed.
The resoning behind this tanning tax is that studies seem to show that indoor tanning almost doubles the risk of melanoma, though the VP of International Smart Tan Network says that it is a gross oversimplication that tanning should be stopped because of this possibility. He also holds that one of the causes for this tax as opposed to another option of taxing botox (which would not have as much of an impact on the middle class) was lobbying done behind closed doors.
I personally do not tan, but I do enjoy having the freedom to tan at will without extra taxes because it might harm my health. It is my job to be responsible in how I treat my body and I will suffer the consequences if I abuse it. It is not the job of the government to try to limit my freedom and possibly cause negative effects on the owners and patrons of any business, including tanning salons.

Biden coming to Midland

Posted on by sjcammenga
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My fellow residents of Midland Michigan can be prepared for a great celebration – one so big that Vice President Joe Biden will be coming to our very town. What is the occasion for this visit and the huge celebration? Obama and Biden have launched “Recovery Summer”- six weeks for them to highlight their stimulus jobs. Biden is coming here Monday for the groundbreaking of the new Dow Kokam advanced battery manufacturing facility, which was given a $161 million grant from the government. If you are interested in learning how well the government created jobs helped in the last depression, I highly recommend Great Myths of the Great Depression by Larry Reed, my personal favorite Mackinac Center pamphlet.

Gulf Oil Spill’s Effect on Michigan

Posted on by sjcammenga
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The Gulf Oil spill has been a much publicized disaster. While most are aware there will be devastating effects on the offshore drilling in the gulf, not all may be aware of the effects it is having closer to home. Senator Debbie Stabenow has called for a stop to Canada’s drilling in the Great Lakes, and wants to check what safeties are in place.
While Canadians can drill, Michiganders can’t due to a state ban. According to the Petoskey News, Stabenow addressed the question of whether or not the ban would be repealed as the dependence on oil increases: “It’s very good we have a president that understands the Great Lakes. So, I’m confident that the ban on oil and gas drilling in the Great Lakes is going to stay in place.” Oh great, that’s comforting…  

In fact, it is possible that instead of being loosened to allow more drilling to respond to the growing demand for oil, the ban may become permanent. This could come to a vote before Michigan voters in November. If it is passed this “no drill” ban would be added to the Michigan Constitution. It would be the first Great Lake state to do so.
Of the seven states Michigan shares the Great Lakes with, only three others prevent drilling. Canada currently has 500 offshore gas wells in Lake Erie and allows both onshore and offshore drilling.