Comments for PubliusNM

Comment on Weekly Rand Plus by Woody

Woody — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 23:46:54 +0000

John Piper’s essay is somewhat interesting, but misses the mark explaining the core theology/principles of evangelical Christianity. Christian and hedonist are mutually exclusive words. The writers of the Bible clearly describe the need to die to self; that is to put the needs of others before oneself. Jesus taught us to love God with all one’s heart, soul, mind and strength – and to love others as your self.

The best overlap of Christian doctrine and Rand’s Objectivism lies in working to one’s potential. Both paradigms value achievement. In Rand’s view, the reward for doing our best is honoring our self. In Christ’s view, the reward for doing our best is honoring God.

Rand’s description of the importance of high achieving individuals is right on. Piper’s description of her ethics being similar to the Christian’s misses the mark.

Comment on Publius Daily Digest by NM OBJECTIVIST

NM OBJECTIVIST — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 20:51:06 +0000

Jeffrey Toobin says, “Thomas’s views both reflect and inspire the Tea Party movement….”

More important and more fundamental is that Justice Thomas is known to have read Ayn Rand and is pretty clearly influenced by her ideas. He is not an Objectivist but he’s pretty good as Supreme Court Justices go.

Comment on Weekly Rand by NM OBJECTIVIST

NM OBJECTIVIST — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 19:11:39 +0000

I like the Ayn Rand quotes. No one says it better.

Comment on Publius Daily Digest by William Ruest

William Ruest — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 03:27:27 +0000

Great stuff, dude! Keep that fine mind a-hummin!

Comment on Publius Daily Digest by NM OBJECTIVIST

NM OBJECTIVIST — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 21:19:33 +0000

Regarding the terms: “spending,” “increase” and “budget cuts” — one of the most valuable effects of the recent debt limit fight is the public educational value of the process. Who knew “no increase in spending” meant a 7% automatic increase every year forever? Who knew we were borrowing 40% of what we spend? Who knew a true decrease in spending of 1% per year would balance the budget in about 7 years? Everyone knew we were going broke eventually but who knew it is now?

May we have more such educational fights.

Comment on Publius Daily Digest by Eddie

Eddie — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:15:39 +0000

Earlier today I took strong exception with both Chris Chocola and Eric Erickson at Red State and their strong rhetorical posturing against Boehner and what he is trying to do. In fact, I characterized both of them, and their separate responses would suggest maybe unfairly so, that they are sounding like BO, disagreeing with John’s plan without putting a plan of their own on the table.

Or said another way, I agree with the WSJ and Bill Kristol’s position that passing John’s plan will be a major victory for Republicans and a major defeat for OB and the dems,

But what is really concerning me now is that whichever way it goes, we may come away with our own base so badly split that it is going to be very difficult for us to generate the 2010 mood again which sets up the very real possibility that 2012 will end up feeling and looking like 2008.

Comment on Joe Monahan: “Journalist” or Mere Rumor Monger With Ethics Issues? by Bob

Bob — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 00:54:59 +0000

Monahan has been getting public sector contracts for years, and I always wonder how he maintains his professional distance with that monetary relationship. He also gets contracts to consult candidates. The other problem that bothers me with Monahan is that his site accepts paid ads from candidates and elected officials he is reporting on, (I know, the newspapers do the same).

Comment on Declaration of Independents by commission black ops review

commission black ops review — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:17:33 +0000

This is great info and thanks for the updates please keep them coming

Comment on Publius Daily Digest by Common Sense

Common Sense — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 04:32:39 +0000

I think we need to bring back the idea of nullification. To allow a court of politically appointed judges to be the ultimate be all say all interpreters of the constitution is just plain silly. The United States of America was created as an agreement between several sovereign states, and the power the federal government has are delegated powers from the sovereign states. How is it that a branch of the federal government happens to be the arbitrator between the federal government and the states on the constitutionality of a law? Thomas Jefferson and James Madison both championed the notion that the states are not only within their rights but “duty bound” to nullify and refuse to enforce unconstitutional laws created by the federal government. There are also court cases in which the judges held up the notion of state nullification.

Comment on Publius Daily Digest by Dagny Taggart

Dagny Taggart — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 20:43:11 +0000

I think you will appreciate this article by Ilya Somin (not the same piece as those quoted above): http://jurist.org/forum/2011/07/ilya-somin-sixth-circuit-ruling.php.