Last Updated: Mar 25th, 2013 - 16:46:15 Newsletters : 2007 Newsletters : 21 December 2007 Thought for Christmas Well, they've gone been went and done it now. We are definitely living in La-la land (The Land of the Long White Shroud). If I wish to say what I think next year I will now have to apply to the government and jump through various bureaucratic hoops or else risk being fined $200,000 and/or spending two years in prison. Didn't Hitler first start on the Jews by requiring that they each apply for an identity card? I think I recognise the thin edge of the wedge! Isn't democracy designed to ensure the right to free speech? Without let or hindrance? Voltair's thoughts on the matter are quite clear: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." The Red Queen's thoughts on the subject are also quite clear: "I disapprove of what you say, and I will put you to death if you say it." "Off with his head!" On this question I sent the following email to my local MP, Peter Dunne, the morning before the vote on the third reading of the Electoral Finance bill this week: **** **** **** "Hi Peter, I am most concerned that your team is voting to restrict free speech during election years. Have you surveyed your constituents on this matter? I am having difficulty believing that New Zealand should be turning out this way. The legislation has been watered down, as I understand it, but, like Xmas presents, it is the thought that counts. New Zealand has been dropped down to the bottom section of the OECD with ex-communist nations of central Europe, Turkey and Mexico and now we have legislation restricting what I can say and how I can say it. I am beginning to feel that I am living in Putin's Russia and that we are going in the same direction as Mugabe. My Scottish ancestors arrived in New Zealand in 1870 and set up farming in Southland. My ancestors have fought and died so that I could live free. Mel Gibson's Braveheart has particular resonance with me and William Wallace's final cry of FREEDOM still echoes around my head. The way that the polls are going we may be headed for a major change through parliament and we may see the disappearance of three minor parties. Despite your good work in reducing taxes (a small change but in the right direction) I feel that a vote for this Electoral Finance bill will be so bad for the country that I must move Heaven and Earth to stop it or repeal it. We are all entitled to our opinions and in a free democracy we should all be free to express them. Having to do so under the yoke of repressive government regulations is just not on. I am sorry that you are being a part of this fiasco. Yours sincerely, Phil Scott" **** **** **** Peter Dunne voted against the bill. I think I was just one of many constituents expressing their abhorrence at socialisms latest move for control. This blow to democracy will definitely reduce the chances of New Zealand ever rising up to the top ten of the OECD. If you look at the graph on our site entitled "New Century Politics" you will see how we visualise politics in our modern era. We can use this concept to assess where political parties place themselves in the drive for wealth and happiness for their citizens. The Red Queen has now pushed her government firmly around the left hand side to about the eight o'clock position. Our direction is definitely down further! How many Kiwis will flee to Australia next year? MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE Dec 21, 2007, 11:29 Newsletters : 2007 Newsletters : 21 December 2007 The Song That Is Irresistible: How the State Leads People to Their Own Destruction. Robert Higgs's Schlarbaum Award Acceptance Speech, delivered on October 13, 2007, at the Mises Institute's 25th Anniversary Celebration. Whenever I read articles like this I cannot help but remember (as portrayed by Mel Gibson) William Wallace's last word: "Freedom". Dec 21, 2007, 11:26 Newsletters : 2007 Newsletters : 21 December 2007 Print, Print, Print Put simply, when politicians have the ability to buy votes by printing money, they do so. Dec 20, 2007, 15:11 Newsletters : 2007 Newsletters : 21 December 2007 Kondratieff Kondratieff’s work showed that a long-term inflation/debt cycle is essentially a natural phenomenon associated with the self-regenerating capitalist system. Consequently, the K-Winter is inevitable and cannot be staved off indefinitely – there is no such thing as a “free lunch”. This is well understood by the “Austrian School” of economics and perhaps best summed up by one of its foremost proponents, Ludwig von Mises: “There is no means of avoiding the final collapse of a boom brought on by credit expansion. The only alternative is whether the crisis should come sooner… or later as a final and total catastrophe of the currency system involved.” Von Mises holds that the longer the K-Winter is delayed by more and more credit/debt creation, the more severe the consequences when it arrives. Unfortunately, it is likely that this will be the experience of the US, with important ramifications for the rest of the world. This article is written by an investment advisor and contains some investment advice. We are not promoting advice on investments. This article is offered as a detailed summary of our findings about money. For sound economic growth we need: The smallest possible government, Strong property laws, Uncorrupted Justice and Police systems, Sound money. This article is the best complete discussion on our modern version of money I have found. It was written for wealthy clients so that they should understand the truth of the world economic situation and be able to act to protect their wealth. Read this to understand how banks and politicians are manipulating our fiat currencies. There is a price to be paid. Let us just hope that we are not the individuals that pay that price. [ Visit Website ] Dec 20, 2007, 12:07 Newsletters : 2007 Newsletters : 21 December 2007 Manipulating the Interest Rate: a Recipe for Disaster. Austrian thought with a Samuelson twist. Serious demonstration of the problems facing our politicians. To inflate or not to inflate. That is the question. Whether it is better to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune now or perform a little goosing of the system which will make everyone feel better and help with the elections next year? Seems obvious, doesn't it? [ Visit Website ] Dec 14, 2007, 12:15 Newsletters : 2007 Newsletters : 21 December 2007 Blue In Green It's time to put greens in their place. And just for something more controversial to chew on over Xmas - Think Blue: Dec 12, 2007, 12:43