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Monday, February 11, 2013
Concerning the Foldvary: The Natural Laws of Economics article:
demand of theory
--Bamidele Oluwatobi
NIGERIA

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Monday, February 11, 2013
Concerning the US Bans Americans from Predictions Market article:
It seems like its not just US that try to regulate all kinds of online gambling markets like the prediction ones you refer to. Australia and Europe have also similar plans.

I am discussing about your article in my recent post. You can find it here: htap://jimmakos.com/2013/02/us-australia-europe-going-after-gambling-industry/
--Jim Makos
Greece

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
Thanks for connecting.

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Sunday, February 10, 2013
Concerning the The Right Way to Eliminate Income Taxes article:
Rather than tax business profits (revenues minus expenses), tax _markup_, i.e. sales minus cost of goods sold. Why not tax unprofitable businesses if theyre ripping people off? Businesses have myriad ways to hide profits, and they pass the cost of taxes they do pay on to consumers. If we taxed markup, the only ways to avoid taxes would be to lower prices or raise wages. Since taxing markup would by definition not add to product cost, the tax should not be deductible. Tax markup on a sliding scale so that, say, any markup over 100% is taxed at least 90%. Waive tax on markup less than, say, 10%, so theoretically, unlimited potential profit is possible. This is basically a tax on cheating (or rent), so it would be hard to argue against. The lower prices are, the less we would need govt programs for people who cant afford things. I could go on. Thanks.
--Eric
Oregon

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
Eric, interesting thinking. We have some bills in Salem if you'd like to help pass them. Email us at info @ commongroundorwa.org. Hope to see you.

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Thursday, February 7, 2013
Concerning the Bertrand Russell Anti-War article:
Russel, our prophet withstood the test of time. Bravo, Russell! Still, two wrongs dont make one right. Americans did it to save one million expected deaths, had they chosen to conventional ways. Remaining testing, without rehearsal how could it be possible to make bomb! For the big-fives it was necessary to have bomb, after all theyre responsible countries, and here in South Asia, it was India who came with their smiling Budha, and the world was resumed with them after some petty sanctions, and the longterm results we saw in the obama administration by signing the civilian atomic programme; pakistan was imposed to become A-power. I dont believe in the doctrine: "end justifies the means." We cannot say so, still its accomplice : "thing done cannot be undone." In conclusion, tests should be banned and war should be imposed on countries like iran who intends to make bombs, and israel should be punished to beggary if plans so, simply by banning aid from its patron. Some deterrence was needed and if looked on the world map, the seven countries who has managed, of course by the rule: prior in time, prior in right. Still, it covers and assembles all the strategic areas like asia; and the hub of civilisation, namely europe and the sole power. Thats enough. I believe in UN, but it believes in long term policies, it shouldnt be so optimistic about sanctions. A clear solution is to install IAEA members in the regions which are suspicious; and those who oppose white colors, should talk to brass
--AkhterIqbalKhan

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Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Concerning the Gasolines True Cost article:
It would be helpful if you dated your reports. I searched for "real cost of gas" and got a link directly to this report so it was not in the context of your home page.

Can you tell me the date of your "Far From Free-Market Prices for Gasoline" report?
--Andy Gorman

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
The earlier staff possibly could but they're long gone.

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Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Concerning the Pure Geoism article:
"In geoist principle, the natural land rent, due to nature rather than public works and commerce, should be collected and then distributed (by the global agency) in equal shares to all human beings."

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I think this wouldnt be necessary at all, if the sizes of the countries are in inverse proportion to their rent capacity.

An efficient allocation of world resources and populations implies that territorial claims ought to be justified by a correspondence between the fraction of the worlds population making a claim and the fraction of the worlds territorial resources in terms of rental value being claimed.

Another solution is immigration. Since the rent of land is the only fund from which governmental expenditure can be met without injustice, such expenditure - equitably made - confers equal benefits on all citizens. So, the admission to citizenship of the members of other nations confers upon all who claim citizenship an equal share in the rent of land.
--Gilbert De Bruycker
East Flanders

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Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Concerning the Many Corporations Going GM-Free, in Europe but Not USA article:
I am buying organic products when I can. Same with grass fed beef and chickens fed no Gmo corn wheat or soy. The reason for there frankenfood is to make money at the expense of hurting the people.
--Carol

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Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Concerning the Technology Servitude article:
But time is saved. Info via mobile can tell you when appointments are not going to be kept. Look at how easy it is to sign or distribute an online petition. Time with new technology need not be wasted.
--Diana E Forrest
UK

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
If you're in power and get an e-petition that took the signers no effort at all, how seriously do you consider it? compared to one circulated the old fashioned way? However, I should not pick on just one example. Because if an e-petition does get enough signatures, it will be taken seriously.

Like you, I also like the convenience, esp. of e-transactions. But using the internet does leave a trail easily followed by "legal criminals" in big business and big government.

What would comfort me would be a really strong popular movement for equality both political and economic, equal opportunity and equal shares of the common wealth.

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Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Concerning the Government Considers Huge Land Giveaway for Nothing article:
Hi my name Randy IV never won anything love to fish and hunt like to move to Alaska and build a log cabin that would be so exciting
--randy bostrom

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Monday, February 4, 2013
Concerning the Christmas, the Bible, and the Selling of Land article:
When it was time for Abraham to die, his family bought a small site for the family burial ground. The Biblical instruction about not selling land applies to agricultural land only. This was the sole means of earning a livelyhood in those days. Thus it is necessary to interpret the Bible in terms of more recent methods of land tenure. Much of what is written needs to be better explained by experts of which this particular religious authority appears to have limited knowledge.
--David Chester
Israel

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Sunday, February 3, 2013
Concerning the Foldvary on Liberty as Determined by My Cat article:
I agree with everything except the taxation thing. Our forefathers did try that once, but it didnt go well. The central government didnt have enough money to operate. Also, it is sometimes necessary to call the police to protect ourselves, when we are unable to do so. And lastly, is it more wrong to kill criminals, or restrict their freedom? This was a cute article, but people are more complicated than cats.
--Kim F

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Sunday, February 3, 2013
Concerning the Abandon all Constitutions, Ye who enter Congress article:
I tried to think of whom to share this with who would care that another private boondoggle at public expense is being created, but I could not think of anyone to send it to who has an incentive to notice and push back. Any ideas?
--Mary Saunders
OR

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
Not off hand, but we do have some bills in Salem if you and yours would like to help us get them passed. Please come to a mtg or write your reps or both!

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Friday, February 1, 2013
Concerning the Penguins and Global Warming article:
The penguins need to be saved! we cant let another animal be extinct. I believe that all the animals are threatened to be extinct cause of oil spills, pollution and etc. there has to be something we can do to same the penguins and all the other animals! we should take action before it is too late. we dont want about 10 years later, there will be no more animals on earth cause of our technology getting better(
--Kaitlyn Taylor
USA

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Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Concerning the Saving the Penguins article:
Wow new stuff and very interesting if the writer of this information is reading I love it:-)
--aspen

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Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Concerning the Landless Movement in Brazil article:
please help me? im dieng!
--Adele Littledog

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Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Concerning the Many Corporations Going GM-Free, in Europe but Not USA article:
We live in Ottawa, Canada and we are totally disgusted! Why are we treated as less important? Answer - as always its all about money these countries wont allow these products to enter these countries because the governments and consumers are smart and know they are making people, animals sick, dying bees and destroying our land and water so consequently consumers wont purchase the disease laden products! Our governments need to tell these companies that their is a rising tide of ordinary folks like us that have woken up and will not purchase any more of these GMO laden products or products that are sprayed with Round-Up, or animals mistreated and injected with antibiotics and hormones!

They are destroying our fertile lands, lakes, rivers with the run off of these chemicals, killing the bees, birds etc! Also, the mistreatment of animals and injecting them with antibiotics and hormones!!!
--Marion & Allan Lebeau

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Monday, January 28, 2013
Concerning the Many Corporations Going GM-Free, in Europe but Not USA article:
Americans repeatedly have spoken out and want their foods labeled with GMO ingredients, yet the government, lobbyists, and bureaucratic process continue to stand in the way! We have the right to know and the right to make our owned informed decisions about what we put in our bodies! The time for change is now, before these mutant foods create mutant diseases, symptoms and humans!
--Heather

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Monday, January 28, 2013
Concerning the Many Corporations Going GM-Free, in Europe but Not USA article:
People in the US deserve to be able to purchase non-GMO foods, just like citizens in Europe. Poisoning us to make a profit is obscene. I personally boycott all of the companies who use GMO ingredients in their foods and am doing my best to spread the word.
--Barbara Guss

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Monday, January 28, 2013
Concerning the Many Corporations Going GM-Free, in Europe but Not USA article:
Yes, they should be able to get uncontaminated foods! And so should we!!!!! Uncontaminated, nonGMO food should be the right of every human being and animal on earth. Its time to put these blood suckers out of business!
--Carmella Fatland

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Monday, January 28, 2013
Concerning a letter below on this page:
Story Idea: HIV-Negative AIDS?

Allied NATO Government is hiding millions of infectious NON HIV AIDS cases (like mine) under the "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)" ICD-code.

UK PROGRESSIVE published one of my letters about NON HIV AIDS.

This marked it’s 11th publication on 4 continents. This topic has been censored from mainstream media since 1992.

www.ukprogressive.co.uk/the-aids-like-disease-seldom-mentioned/article20891.html

I hope that you will support this humanitarian issue, and spread-the-news too (e.g., write a story, add to your e*Newsletter and/or post on Facebook/Twitter).

In the fight for humanity, k

Or simply google "NON HIV AIDS"
--Lemonfoundation
USA

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Sunday, January 27, 2013
Concerning the f37 article:
I learned different info! I think you should get actual professors from colleges and get the info from them.... Smh
--Shondell Rotner

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
Step up and recruit more than we have now.

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Sunday, January 27, 2013
Concerning the Abolish the Presidency article:
get rid of the office, have the cabinet elected by the congress and from amounst them let them pick one of themselves who will serve a term of 6 months as head of state, but have no authority to issue executive orders
--Russ

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Saturday, January 26, 2013
Concerning the Foldvary on Gender-Neutral Pronouns for English article:
One of the shortcomings of these types of proposals is their artificial complexity. I believe that the success of any gender-neutral pronoun system will be in its ease and efficiency of comprehension and communication. This is why my own proposal (one that I originally conceived a couple decades ago) affords a reduction of existing morphemes rather the creation of entirely novel, and very obfuscated or esoteric morphemes. She and He can be reduced to "E". One letter, much like the first-person. It is concise, beautiful, and intelligible. You can review my ongoing work in this project at htap://y.alterpride.org/
--Randall Krause

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Saturday, January 26, 2013
Concerning a letter below on this page:
My graphs on rent are now in jpg at (change htap to htap):
htap://www.foldvary.net/images/RentTaxLand.jpg
htap://www.foldvary.net/images/RentWages.jpg
htap://www.foldvary.net/images/RentasInterest.jpg
htap://www.foldvary.net/images/TaxesfromRent.jpg
--Fred Foldvary
California

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Saturday, January 26, 2013
Concerning the Many Corporations Going GM-Free, in Europe but Not USA article:
As a uk resident with a family. I am against gm in our food. Clear labelling is a must.
--Eileen Allan

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Saturday, January 26, 2013
Concerning a letter below on this page:
Concerning the Foldvary: The Natural Laws of Economics article: Thanks for your utmost notes you gave us. I would like to ask if its possible to post graphs of all these laws! --DUSABIMANA amarade, Rwanda

Try downloading these files: http://foldvary.net/images/taxes-from-rent.pdf http://foldvary.net/images/rent-wages.pdf http://foldvary.net/images/rent-tax.pdf
--Fred Foldvary
California

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Friday, January 25, 2013
Concerning the The Middle Class In America Is Being Wiped Out article:
Could not read about Mickelson for a flood of tears. How many $millions has the poor chap left?
--Diana E Forrest
UK

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
Hah!

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Friday, January 25, 2013
Concerning the Four Business Gangs Run the USA article:
While Geonomics could be a giant step forward, it does, as presently described, possess a number of resolvable problems. It is respectfully suggested that Socioeconomic Democracy provides the solution to those problems. If interested, I would be happy to provide an article which addresses and resolves the present problems of Geonomics. Here, we simply include a brief introduction to Socioeconomic Democracy and request your serious consideration thereof.

Socioeconomic Democracy is a theoretically consistent and practically implementable socioeconomic system wherein there exist both some form and amount of locally appropriate Universally Guaranteed Personal Income and some form and amount of locally appropriate Maximum Allowable Personal Wealth, with both the lower bound on personal material poverty and the upper bound on personal material wealth set and adjusted democratically by all participants of a democratic society. This is trivially accomplished with elementary Public Choice Theory.

The intimately intertwined and serious societal problems Socioeconomic Democracy will eliminate or significantly reduce include (but are by no means limited to) those familiar ones associated with: automation, computerization and robotization; budget deficits and national debts; bureaucracy; maltreatment of children; crime and punishment; development, sustainable or otherwise; ecology, environment, resources and pollution; education; the elderly; farcical "free-market" fantasies, the feminine majority; inflation; international conflict; intranational conflict; involuntary employment; involuntary unemployment; labor strife and strikes; sick medical and health care; military metamorphosis; natural disasters; pay justice; planned obsolescence; political participation; poverty; racism; sexism; untamed technologies; and the General Welfare.

A few, of many, relevant links:

Socioeconomic Democracy: An Advanced Socioeconomic System (Praeger Studies on the 21st Century, 2002)
htap://www.centersds.com/thebook.htm

“A Democratic Socioeconomic Platform, in Search of a Democratic Political Party”
htap://www.centersds.com/dsep.html

“Socioeconomic Democracy: A Nonkilling, Life-Affirming and Enhancing Psycho-Politico-Socio-Economic System” PelicanWeb’s Journal of Sustainable Development
htap://www.pelicanweb.org/solisustv06n10page2robleygeorge.html

"Introducing a Socioeconomic Democracy" Prepared for Pakistan Futuristics Institute Silver Jubilee Publication: 4 Islamabad, Pakistan, 8 May 2011. This article includes an analysis of the many similarities and a few minor differences between Socioeconomic Democracy and Zakat, one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

"Socioeconomic Democracy and Sustainable Development"
htap://rio20.net/en/documentos/socioeconomic-democracy-and-sustainable-development

"Socioeconomic Democracy" International Journal of Science, vol. 1, Feb., 2012 (pp.33-48).
htap://ijosc.net/index.html

"Socioeconomic Democracy: a Progressive Societal Arrangement" Studies of Changing Societies: Comparative and Interdisciplinary Focus, vol.1, Jun., 2012.
htap://www.scsjournal.org/index.php?option
--Robley E. George
California

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
Yes, please do send along the article with a bio-blurb for being introduced to readers. Thanks.

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Friday, January 25, 2013
Concerning the Support This Bill article:
I am sending this email in case it might add to your already extensive GMO - related information. I was part of our movement to label GE foods in California. Honestly, I would have fought even harder had I known the very alarming information revealed below. I hope this information is helpful.

Below is the email video summary and link I sent out to my friends and loved ones.

All the best, Randy Powers

The link below is to a 1 hour video interview containing some of the most important and shocking information from a concerned scientist about the proven effects of genetic engineering on our crops, our livestock, our soil, and our health & fertility. Our genetic engineering has created an entity new to science that is now causing massive reproductive failure in animals, and very possibly, humans. The interview is of Dr. Don Huber by Dr. Mercola. Interview link: htap://www.youtube.com/watch?v
--Randy Powers

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Thursday, January 24, 2013
Concerning the Who Owns the Oceans? article:
I believe that in the interest of the world an at all cost in order to maintain an to balance the nature of our speciesd for the good of all we should continue to protect our oceans
--Donald Evans

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Thursday, January 24, 2013
Concerning the Corporate Welfare Scandal Hits Wal-Mart article:
It is a publid road they are building. You start the article off accusing them of public welfare when in reality there widening an already exsisting road.
--James
Washington State

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Thursday, January 24, 2013
Concerning the Foldvary: The Natural Laws of Economics article:
Thanks for your utmost notes you gave us. I would like to ask if its possible to post graphs of all these laws!
--DUSABIMANA camarade
Rwanda

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Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Concerning the Get Rid of Speed Limits article:
GET RID OF SPEED LIMITS!
--YAAKOV

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
get rid of all caps!

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Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Concerning the Interview with Saul Alinsky Part Four article:
I think Saul Alinsky is burning in the eternal punishment of hell along with the mobsters, chicago politions, and future national poiticians his dirty mind infected like slick willy clinton, obama, and the Rahm emanuels of the world. Every man and woman will give an account of their deeds while on earth whether you believe it or not!
--Darry Moore

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
So, where is this hell of yours?

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Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Concerning the The Trillion-Dollar Platinum Coin article:
"as Hegel observed, people don’t learn the right lessons from history..." ---

Economists continually try and sell the public the idea that recessions or depressions are a natural part of what they call the “business cycle”.

This timeline below will prove that is simply not the case. Recessions and depressions only occur because the Central Bankers manipulate the money supply, to ensure more and more is in their hands and less and less is in the hands of the people.

Central Bankers developed out of money changers and it is with these people we pick the story up in 48 B.C. below. (...)

The only monetary system that seems to have worked in history is one which is backed by the goodwill of a government and is debt free, such as President Lincolns, "Greenbacks." Fortunately, the Nobel Peace Prize winning economist, Milton Friedman came up with an ingenious solution of wresting back control of the money supply from the bankers, paying off all outstanding debt, and preventing inflation or deflation whilst this process is completed.

htap://www.iamthewitness.com/DarylBradfordSmith_Bankers.htm
--Gilbert De Bruycker
East Flanders

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Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Concerning the Martin Luther King on Employment and Income Floors article:
Common sense. But I think a lot of capitalists would prefer the setup of Victorian times - a few rich people and lots of hungry workers.
--Diana E Forrest
UK

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Monday, January 21, 2013
Concerning the Foldvary on The Broken Window article:
Just as the commons was not free, nor are any other "gifts from nature". But the ignorance of their cost pales compared to the cost of not knowing Bastiat. Great commentary. Sorry I took so long to find it.
--Steve Slack

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Thursday, January 17, 2013
Concerning the Why are People in Spain Eating out of Trash Bins? article:
Great - lets all try to falsify Georgist economics - because that will require putting them into practice.
--Diana E Forrest
UK

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
Hah, yes!

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Thursday, January 17, 2013
Concerning the The Top 20 Social Change Documentaries of 2012 article:
Its due to the losses incurred by Bankers that prevent georgist solutions. What can be done? (Im not a Banker ;))
--Thomas Manthe
Wisconsin

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
Join with others of like mine, form a nucleus, so others can join you. Organize events, collect dues, get in the media. Then lobby en masse for change!

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Thursday, January 17, 2013
Concerning the In Memory of James M. Buchanan (1919-2013) article:
Giovanni Montemartini (1867 - 1913), author of "La teorica delle produttività marginali," was professor of political economy at the University of Padova. He was a supporter of the marginal school of economic thought and is best remembered for being a precursor to the modern Public Choice school as represented by James Buchanan.
--Gilbert De Bruycker
East Flanders

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Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Concerning the Four Business Gangs Run the USA article:
Executing billionaires does not seem to have helped Chinese workers much.
--Diana E Forrest
UK

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
Good point.

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Sunday, January 13, 2013
Concerning the Delusional Democracy Breeds Delusional Prosperity article:
Revolution on grounds of repossessing wealth is doomed to fail because American conservatives (both rich and poor) are extremely paranoid of a Soviet style take over by the working class.

I suspect for a trend of rising equality to succeed, it would require not only honorable leadership, but the defense of legitimately earned wealth against an overreaching, tyrannical ruling business class.

In much the way Capitalism eventually overtook Feudal royalty from the inside out, so too must a new system of Economic Democracy and worker-ownership replace tradition capitalism in America.

Mondragon cooperatives in Spain are the best example of what this kind of new system would look like. They needed no violent revolution - quite the opposite, they had to defend their socialist wealth from an aggressive right wing Franco who sought to take it from them.
--Anon
Texas

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Sunday, January 13, 2013
Concerning the Ignorance, Apathy, Greed article:
very helpful with advancing understanding of social problems.
--Terry

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Sunday, January 13, 2013
Concerning the Gasolines True Cost article:
I had no idea and still the oil industry makes how much money?
--Bryce Wormell

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Saturday, January 12, 2013
Concerning the Iran Pollution Worsens as Thousands Die article:
Taxing rubbish would be a good idea in theory but in practice people would just fill up other peoples bins.
--Diana E Forrest
UK

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
Depends on the people, but if too many do that, then the tax might backfire.

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Saturday, January 12, 2013
Concerning the Government Takes Away Basic Freedoms article:
can the president be president for 20 years in my country united states of america.
--joe

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Friday, January 11, 2013
Concerning the Foldvary on Snitches and Drugs article:
With no doub about it, put a stop to that subject. Because it aint fair for the inocent ones.. i was a victem of that law.in 1998 i wrongly accuse of a 211 charges for what i did not commit,of course i fought my case and won.. since i couldnt afford a lawyer, a public deffender was all i had in 1999 i fiealy got out of jail, but the charges ageisnt me never did. Thil this day them charges are still show on my back round check..my who life was ruin since thst day
--maria

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Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Concerning the The Disunited Parties of America article:
Franz Oppenheimer(1864-1943) also developed his economic and social ideas out of his desire to suggest practical solutions to universal social problems and, in particular, German ones, as is apparent from the title of his first book (1895) "Freiland in Deutschland," which contained the core of his later doctrine: to conquer capitalist exploitation and instability through cooperative settlement.

A year later he wrote another book, "Die Siedlungsgenossenschaft" (the cooperative settlement) – subtitled: "an attempt to reject Communism in a positive way through a solution to the cooperative and agrarian question."

See also:

htap://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/franz-oppenheimer/land-tenure-in-palestine-hci/1-land-tenure-in-palestine-hci.shtml
--Gilbert De Bruycker
Select a state

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Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Concerning the Depardieu and Fat Joe Vs. The Tax Collector article:
M Depardieu, vous ne pouvez pas avoir votre gateau et aussi le manger (cant have your cake and eat it).
--Diana E Forrest
UK

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Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Concerning the Los Angeles Times et al Poke at Prop 13 article:
Jeff, is Mitchell Moss any kin to Larry Moss (R.I.P), onetime ed. of the AJES?
--mASON gAFFNEY
CA

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
Mase, I wish I knew but haven't heard. Best,

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Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Concerning the Saving the Penguins article:
I love penguins. I dont want them to die!!!!!!!
--Concerned_Penguin_Lover

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Monday, January 7, 2013
Concerning a letter below on this page:
"The key is not to produce more money than the productive capacity of the nation can absorb." --Scott Baker NY

That would work well if the monetary policy is conducted by an all-knowing benevolent dictator. When conducted by a mass-elected president and congress, witness the fiscal cliff fiasco.
--Fred Foldvary
California

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
What about leaving the question of how much new money to issue up to the economy's nerve endings? the community groups engaged in local trade and issuing consensual currency? Those notes could easily and electronically be converted into regional, national, and global currencies.

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Monday, January 7, 2013
Concerning the What is a Fair Share of Taxes? article:
Excellent. Only through achieving justice by adopting a Land Value Tax system will we ever find equality. Is the World finally ready for georgism? Single Tax Now!
--Thomas Manthe
Wisconsin

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Sunday, January 6, 2013
Concerning the The Trillion-Dollar Platinum Coin article:
Foldvary takes a simplistic view to monetary reform regarding creating money via direct issuance via the Treasury. Lincoln did it when the country needed money to fight the Civil War & the banks wanted up to 36% interest. There WAS inflation for a while, but that was as much due to shortages caused by the war itself; afterwards the price of commodities, including gold, actually declined relative to the new Greenback (U.S. Notes).

The key is not to produce more money than the productive capacity of the nation can absorb. Right now, there is plenty of money, but it goes into the gambling operations of speculators and hoarders on Wall Street and beyond. It needs to go into the REAL economy.

Michael Hudson understands this and draws comparisons to WWI Germany:

"But the Great War dragged on for four destructive years. European governments did what the United States had done after the Civil War broke out in 1861 when the Treasury printed greenbacks. They paid for more fighting simply by printing their own money. Their economies did not buckle and there was no major inflation. That would happen only after the war ended, as a result of Germany trying to pay reparations in foreign currency. This is what caused its exchange rate to plunge, raising import prices and hence domestic prices. The culprit was not government spending on the war itself (much less on social programs)."

Its time to return to debt-free money, money direct form government, not borrowed from a - yes - private central bank (it will cease being private when they cease charging interest for money, or, for that matter, principal).

The constitution, wisely, allows for it.

Of course, we also need a Land Value Tax, or else this new economic stream will be taxed by the landowner. As always, he takes all that remains, if not stopped.
--Scott Baker
NY

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Sunday, January 6, 2013
Concerning the US Taxpayers Pay the Pentagon to Occupy the Planet article:
You see: the 15 trillion $ debt has something to warranty some value left behind...
--Jean-Francois Morf
Switzerland

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Sunday, January 6, 2013
Concerning the Economist Galbraith says Cut the Retirement Age article:
Tenants protection in Europe is so high that little wants to rent: if the tenants dont pay you, you must let them in for many years! If the tenants make everything kaput, you must also let them in until everything is destroyed!
--Jean-Francois Morf
Switzerland

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Sunday, January 6, 2013
Concerning the Pentagon is World’s Leading Landlord article:
Declaring some part of the beach as anybody "private property" means that some elected politician must be corrupted! At first, never elect him again, and second, let the police destroy all the "private" barriers on all beaches! If the police does not destroy all barriers, then the police is corrupt: in that case, you must make self justice, and burn all barriers, nightly...
--Jean-Francois Morf

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Saturday, January 5, 2013
Concerning the Saving the Penguins article:
i plan to save there pengings because there are a lot of them and i dont want them to die!!
--Saskya

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Friday, January 4, 2013
Concerning the Many Corporations Going GM-Free, in Europe but Not USA article:
Companies that are selling products containing GMO crops, care nothing for the consumer, only profits. We should NOT agree to be guinea pigs for any company selling products with GMOs that is consumed or applied to our bodis!!
--shari ka

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Friday, January 4, 2013
Concerning the Support This Bill article:
We do not know the short or long term effects of eating foods or animals that are fed GMOs. We, the people, have a right to know what foods are genetically modified and also irradiated.In order to make good choices for ones self, we must know what we are putting into our bodies. WE NEED ALL GMO FOODS TO BE LABELED. If honest with yourself, you are afraid that the public will not purchase GM foods and farmers will not have to purchase the Monsanto seeds. WE HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW!NOW!
--Dianne Fournier

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Friday, January 4, 2013
Concerning the Transparency Bill Would Decrease Corruption, Corporate Welfare article:
Could you timestamp these entries so we can put it in context? Thanks
--Ron Siewert
MA

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Thursday, January 3, 2013
Concerning the New Campaign -- End All Subsidies article:
All kneel before and worship the almighty Dollar. The new true god of Washington. A government of, for, and by the people became extinct years ago. Our Founding Fathers must be in tears...
--Tony Armstrong
Mississippi

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Thursday, January 3, 2013
Concerning the Many Corporations Going GM-Free, in Europe but Not USA article:
I was just wondering what the date was, when this article was posted?
--Kristine Barrera

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Thursday, January 3, 2013
Concerning the Many Corporations Going GM-Free, in Europe but Not USA article:
The U.S. Congress is probably taking lobbying money $$$$ from Monsanto to prevent labeling and banning GMOs in the U.S. Money and Greed exceed concerns for environment, human and animal welfare and health.
--Cynthia Sloan

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Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Concerning the f31 article:
i think montserrat has recovered excently, it has overcomed the volcano and its othere accidents, it seems that all the people that fled have not had the courage to come back, i do not blame them though because it must be extremly hard, but it seems as if montserrat is kindve a waste of space and time now, but then i definatly wouldnt have the guts to go back there after all what has happened.
--jossie madden

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Friday, December 28, 2012
Concerning the The 25-Hour Work Week article:
Quite right - why should some be overworked and others unemployed?
--Diana E Forrest
UK

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Saturday, December 22, 2012
Concerning the US Gun Patriotism Or Hypocrisy? article:
Sanjay Sanghoee is right about gun ownership. By being armed you might have had a chance to take the government on in 1776 - but not now. They could just take you out with a drone.
--Diana E Forrest
UK

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Friday, December 21, 2012
Concerning the Farmers Endorse Free Market Hemp Cultivation article:
Hemp for America and American jobs!
--Jayme

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Thursday, December 20, 2012
Concerning a letter below on this page:
Why no mention of any members of the French Physiocrats such as Quesnay, Turgot, Mirabeau, Cantillon and sieur de Boisguilbert? They made great contributions to economics and should be in your top 10 ahead of Hayek and von Mises.--Tim Louisiana

The Physiocrats altogether made great contributions, but in my judgment each individually did not contribute as much as did Mises and Hayek. The Austrian-schools business cycle theory well complements that of Henry George, and we need a synthesis to really understand the boom and bust.
--Fred Foldvary
California

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Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Concerning the U.S. Court Bars 2.4 Million Puerto Ricans from Voting article:
We should join the states.
--sydney

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Saturday, December 15, 2012
Concerning a letter below on this page:
Concerning the f37 (Spanish American War) article: are there any other territorys annexed by the us --dairrius

Yes, Hawaii.
--Fred Foldvary
California

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Saturday, December 15, 2012
Concerning the Lets Kill the Electoral College article:
If anyone likes to sign my petition abolish the electoral college, go to htap://wh.gov/Rfey.
--Conor Sargent
North Carolina

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Friday, December 14, 2012
Concerning the Why Land is at the Centre of All Scandals article:
My university is the University of Missouri-Kansas City -- not the University of Kansas
Best,
Bill Black
--Bill Black
Missouri

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
Thanks for passing that on. I hope the others were passed on to us correctly. Best,

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Friday, December 14, 2012
Concerning the Many Corporations Going GM-Free, in Europe but Not USA article:
down with GMOs and anyone who supports them, WORLDWIDE.....shame on Monsatan and all tier cronies creatqing such poisons
--isabelle

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Thursday, December 13, 2012
Concerning the Corporate Welfare Scandal Hits Wal-Mart article:
I would suggest feature on people in Walmart extended family. How much of shares do they control? Name their names. Wont get better til individuals doing this feel shamed. Another article on grandkids. Same question plus how do they feel about having so much family wealth and paying workers so little they have to draw welfare. If anyone likely to change family behavior it wd be younger generation
--Donn Cole
Colorado

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Thursday, December 13, 2012
Concerning the Pentagon is World’s Leading Landlord article:
I agree with the Open Beaches Act. If you want to be private pick somewhere people dont want to go and they wont bother you.
--Diana E Forrest
UK

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Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Concerning a letter below on this page:
Dear Jeff,
Thanks for finding and reproducing the Fay data on "big" landowners. Important material. Herewith five suggestions.
1. Point out the difference between "vast" and "valuable".
2. At the same time, point out that knee-jerk Georgism over time has gotten grooved into overstressing the relative importance of urban land vis-à-vis other land, thus ignoring rural and sylvan land and sporting estates, mineral rights, aquifers, etc.: the "dacha" economy, if you will. Wind power and solar power are new resources giving value to such lands.
3. Also point out the political power of such landowners. NH State Rep Dick Noyes (RIP) said they led the opposition to a statewide land tax in NH, when he proposed it. They also beat down Susan Pace Hamill in AL. They ally with gun lobbies (hunters) to form a huge voting bloc.
4. Allow comments from readers right after the article to which the comments appertain. Otherwise the reader must sift through reams of junk to find any relevant or interesting letter. Theres a lot of cranky stuff in the LTE section.
5. Point out how such latifundia stifle small towns trapped next to them. Walter Goldschmidts research on Arvin, CA, is a classic. Roseburg, OR, inside the Ford holdings cited in the Fay article, is another. Thats why you never heard of it - tiny population, but for years it had its own Congressman, James Weaver, with seniority on Ways and Means.
--Mason Gaffney
California

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Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Concerning the f37 article:
are there any other territorys annexed by the us
--dairrius

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Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Concerning the Arab Spring and the Israeli Enemy article:
The main problem with the article is that is focuses on Israeli culpability in terms of wars, but doesnt get into the Israeli actions that Palestinians actually talk about. It seems to me if you asked most Palestinians what the main problem they had with Israel, listing the past wars wouldnt even come up. I think they would be MUCH more likely to talk about the conditions of living under military occupation, getting kicked off of their land, and Israel constantly expanding into their miniscule remaining territory.

Nowhere is this error more evident that when the author incorrectly says "The Arabs lost the war and called this war Nakbah (catastrophic war)". "Nakbah" does not mean "catastrophic war," it means "catastrophe," and it refers not to a war, but to the force displacement of Arabs out of their homes and cities.

"Ethnic cleansing" means "The mass expulsion or killing of members of an ethnic or religious group in a society," and it is a good description of what has happened to Palestinians. It is a crime under Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, and the Nuremberg Charter. It is a big deal, and to ignore it and focus only on the wars is as offensive as if someone said "I dont see what big deal is about the treatment of the Native Americans by Europeans. They lost a war, but so have many other nations, so get over it already."
--Nick Cooper
Texas

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Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Concerning a letter below on this page:
Henrys condition has worstened. Call the doctor!
--Stewart Goldwater
UK

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Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Concerning the The Pigou Club article:
"We should include A. C. Pigou to the pantheon of the ten great economists: Adam Smith, David Ricardo, Henry George, Alfred Marshall, Milton Friedman, Carl Menger, Ludwig von Mises, Friedrich Hayek, and James Buchanan" Why no mention of any members of the French Physiocrats such as Quesnay, Turgot, Mirabeau, Cantillon and sieur de Boisguilbert? They made great contributions to economics and should be in your top 10 ahead of Hayek and von Mises.
--Tim
Louisiana

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Monday, December 10, 2012
Concerning a letter below on this page:
Hano, Henry (search engine) seems a bit off colour today!
--Stewart Goldwater
UK

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Sunday, December 9, 2012
Concerning the Foldvary on The Right to Abortion article:
I rather feel that you have elided the issue in this essay. You define a person as "a living being which makes conscious, reasoned choices". You then assert that after the third month of pregnancy the "fetus may have feelings and thoughts, and respond to its environment. It develops a mind and becomes a person." Hence, according to your definition, a three month old fetus is capable of making "conscious, reasoned choices". Well, sorry, but clearly this is false. The problem is that if "personhood" is made a necessary condition for the possession of a right to life, then a newborn infant has no right to life. There are philosophers who accept this conclusion and regard infanticide as morally permissible. On the other hand, if you want to say that infanticide is morally impermissible then youre going to have to maintain some criterion for being the subject of rights other than the capacity to make "conscious, reasoned choices".
--John Hamilton

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Sunday, December 9, 2012
Concerning the Foldvary: Fixing Capitalism article:
Land rent is only one of many ways to profit without creating value. By progressively taxing all profit that is not made by inspiring and managing human capital, we can ensure capitalism creates value and sustainable profits.
--Christopher Story

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Sunday, December 9, 2012
Concerning the f31 article:
My opinion about Montserrat is that this is the best place on planet earth. I was born in Montserrat but now lives in the UK. I wish to come back home but as I have no land or house there and no idea if I will get a job I cannot go home at the moment. I am home sick and always dream about being back home where it is lovely and warm and peaceful. The population home is very small and I do think that we do need to seriously think about heading home in order to save our beautiful country. This is the land of my birth and this is where I want to be. The only thing I know is that my great grandparents have land in underwood but Ihave no idea how to get access to it or if there is any planning wwhatsoever for real estate in that area. Please can you inform me if this is an area that can be used for living. Thank you.
--Claudina Hazel

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Sunday, December 9, 2012
Concerning the Foldvary: Marriage, Shmarriage, why not Pairage? article:
I like the word PAIRAGE for a guy union and keep the definition of marriage for a union between a man and women. I voted against guy marriage but would vote for Guy union if it was called PAIRAGE. No e-mails, please. I get too many.
--Vic Uhlik
USA

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Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Concerning the A Bad National Sales Tax for the Deficit article:
Im in favor of the proposal.
--Ronald J Maffrand
Missouri

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Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Concerning the oreg01 article:
all about oregon
--natalia rivera

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Monday, December 3, 2012
Concerning a letter below on this page:
In response to Mr. de Bruycker, if we taxed land values, we wouldnt need to tax capital gains on land speculation, or on stocks tied to land ownership, because there would be very little in the way of such gains to tax. And I dont propose to tax capital gains on actual capital, meaning productive investment.
--Nicholas D. Rosen
Virginia

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Monday, December 3, 2012
Concerning the What is a Fair Share of Taxes? article:
f Henry George were here today he would see the same great disparity in wealth as he saw in 1879, but his analysis of what causes it and how to address it would undoubtedly be different. Today I believe he would look at stocks and bonds as well as at land, and would have to take into account the expanded responsibilities of government.

I believe he would support taxing a portion of corporate stock dividends, and that he would also favor a tax on capital gains, especially on gains received by buying land, holding it for ten years as population growth and highway construction increased its value, then selling it at a huge profit.
--Gilbert De Bruycker
België

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Monday, December 3, 2012
Concerning the Parallels Between Iraq War and Vietnam War Are Piling Up article:
just stop.
--blue
pa

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Monday, December 3, 2012
Concerning a letter below on this page:
I cant call up my old articles. Has the archive been purged?

Warren Faulk Palaver From Persimmon Crossing
--Warren
Georgia,USA

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
No, it's just under transition. Hopefully, all will be fixed soon.

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Saturday, December 1, 2012
Concerning the Goldman Sachs Global Coup dEtat article:
Speaking of Land Value and Land Speculation - here is an excerpt from an article entitled "Ecuador Ag Potential":

A recent Wall Street Journal article points out that land prices in key U.S. farm states continued to soar.

Prices of nonirrigated farmland in a seven-state stretch of the Midwest and West rose 26 percent, compared with a year earlier according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City .

Some of the best corn-growing land in the U.S. is still selling for more than $10,000 an acre and drawing buyers to auctions, despite the drought that has stunted crops and created uncertainty about the coming harvest.

Farmland prices nationwide had already nearly doubled in the past five years, as high prices for corn and other crops pushed up farmers’ incomes and fueled competition with institutional investors in land auctions across the Farm Belt.

Entire article at:

htap://www.garyascott.com/2012/12/01/25575.html
--Nus
FL

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Friday, November 30, 2012
Concerning the Foldvary on Justice for the Native American Indian article:
Well said justice now!!! Paul (Ireland)
--Paul

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Friday, November 30, 2012
Concerning a letter below on this page:
isnt sex with a consensual partner also a victimless crime that does not hurt anyone? --douglas in san fran

Among adults, yes, but parents have the right to control the sexual environment of their children. Sexuality has deep psychological effects, which could involve harm, but I am not a psychologist, so I defer to their judgment.
--Fred Foldvary
California

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Friday, November 30, 2012
Concerning a letter below on this page:
Would you agree that government is allowed to collect personal information (putting the privacy and free speech rights of everyone at risk), simply because being spied on does NOT hurt ? --Gilbert De Bruycker België

Yes, intrusive spying is an invasion, and a harm. But if one is out in a public street, one should expect to be viewed.
--Fred Foldvary
California

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Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Concerning the Foldvary: Ammonium Nitrate Should Be Regulated article:
No.
--drew

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Monday, November 26, 2012
Concerning the San Francisco versus Naturists article:
"A harm involves an invasion, an unwanted entering into another’s domain, such as sticking a knife into another’s body, or stealing from another. A truly free society may only prohibit and penalize acts that coercively harm others." ---

"The basic rule for law is that an act is evil if, and only if, it coercively harms others." But what about spying on people? People are being watched, tracked and monitored more today than at any other time in human history.

Big Brother is becoming all-pervasive! This surveillance activity is not directed solely at suspected terrorists and criminals. Its directed at all of us.

This surveillance often takes place in secret, with little or no oversight by the courts, by legislatures, or by the public.

Would you agree that government is allowed to collect personal information (putting the privacy and free speech rights of everyone at risk), simply because being spied on does NOT hurt ?
--Gilbert De Bruycker
België

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Monday, November 26, 2012
Concerning the San Francisco versus Naturists article:
i live in the castro neighorhood and last night i came across two young male street musicians, one playing an accordion and the other a small drum, standing on a busy corner completely naked. it was a beautiful evening and i most people responded favorably to them, especially as they were talented, spirited and something new in the neighborhood. standing nearby were two members of the "naked males" "club" who, for the past few years, have walked around the neighborhood almost every single day. they seemed uncomfortable because no one was paying them attention and i noticed that most people ignored them and many went out their way to stay away from the "naked guys." ive seen these very same "naked guys" naked almost every day for over a year now and they just give me the creeps. that said, i just want to ask this: if nudity is a victimless crime and does not hurt anyone including children, isnt sex with a consensual parter also a victimless crime that does not hurt anyone? it seems hypocrital to me for people to advocate for public nudity by arguing fhat it is not sexual. it sends a message that sex can not be a form of expression and that there is something wrong with sex. but do i want people having sex in public??? no and neither do i want people running around naked in front of me every day. for over a year now ive seen naked men in public almost daily and i can tell you after awhile its not that interesting and most of the time not that pretty and in general it contributes to a less civil, respectful and sanitary milieu. but i suppose people find it interesting that a supervisor named weiner has proposed the ban and the "naked guys" are now suing the city with an attorney who used to be named christoper but is now named christine and their lawsuit is funded in part by a man who sells porn videos. thats the world we live. laugh and then cry!
--douglas in san fran

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Saturday, November 24, 2012
Concerning the f34 article:
Public nudity harms no one. It should be legal everywhere.
--Woody Miller

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Saturday, November 24, 2012
Concerning the Privatizing Public Space article:
Ms. Kressel, Watched you on Fox News /Strossel and would like to say I am amazed but recognize you are a Democrat who can only think the bigger the government the better!!! It is apparent from the parks that were shown on TV private intervention has made them much better at NO cost to the taxpayers and I doubt there is money left over for profit! In our current economy HOW CAN THAT BE WRONG? More, you are part of the problem with government and misguided taxpayers! I have been in the construction industry since 1970 and have first hand experience with the better and worse related to governmental control and private business control on everything! Being a landscape architect you must realize the layer after layer of government waste. Bryant Park and NY Central Parks seem like shining examples of success! Lets get rid of BIG GOVERNMENT ON ALL LEVELS.
--Sandra Marcum

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Saturday, November 24, 2012
Concerning the Dying of hunger in a land of surplus article:
We need to change the system of governance in India .
--Rohit

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Saturday, November 24, 2012
Concerning the Many Corporations Going GM-Free, in Europe but Not USA article:
I praise you for your work and I hope all nations will do thesame.However "its easier said than done".GMO food testing should still be carried out to monitor the 100% safety of the consumers and not just rely on the companys enticing words of promises.Cause me I dont trust them..."Money Talks"...see Nestle case its horribly a full dishonest company going against their own principles of promoting healthy eating.And theres more companys on the look out.
--Allan

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Thursday, November 22, 2012
Concerning the Citizens Arise Against Property Seizures article:
This is practice is organized crime hiding behind a supposed legal scheme, this is like taking a mans horse, taking a mans car.
--adrienne pickett

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Sunday, November 18, 2012
Concerning the Starbucks Using Genetically Manipulated Food article:
Its always better to go to where it hurts. People who protest against a product or place of operation get faster results because the company will listen to what their customers want. They dont want to loose money, so they will figure a way to keep their customers happy and continue to make a profit.
--Peggy Jensen

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Saturday, November 17, 2012
Concerning the Foldvary on Who shall own Jerusalem? article:
Am a xtian ...i want jerusalem to be with the isrealites..but i want a unify peace..the palestine shuld just accept there fate on this
--ingod

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
Majorities need to respect minorities and vice versa.

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Friday, November 16, 2012
Concerning the Saving the Penguins article:
Hi, I have made a video on penguins and the effect of global warming on them. htap://www.youtube.com/watch?v
--Varun

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Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Concerning the Foldvary on Snitches and Drugs article:
drug dealers and drug addicts propel theft (& other crimes) they prey on hard working people or hard working businesses eg walmart, future shop, even grocery stores (meat sold for drugs)...the fewer there are on the street, the better
--jane doe

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
if you want them off the street, you could give them drugs. or give them love, that might work, too.

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Monday, November 12, 2012
Concerning the Conserving Earths Most Valuable Resource article:
why is water fresh water the earths most valuable resource? could you tell me on the website?
--<<<<<>>>>>
ny

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Monday, November 12, 2012
Concerning the Saving the Penguins article:
penguins need to be saved
--josh

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Monday, November 12, 2012
Concerning the Review of Who Owns Britain article:
The top titled landowners attributed to these statistics, wear their badges since they exist as legal entities subject to processes connected to abolition of the monarchy, or vice versa, or compulsory purchases. What about all the lesser estates though, for which the associated title is no longer recognised, for example Baron by tenure may no longer exist, but the tenure does? First you have to identify the old estate, then determine, what has happened to it, whether it is now appropriately owned. Meanwhile the tenure in what ever shape it exists now, can have the undesirable economic effects you mention, drawing a short line from feudalism to the present.
--B.Robertson

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Monday, November 12, 2012
Concerning a letter below on this page:
if the government would simply implement the peoples right to the airwaves and other transmission media. Instead of requiring giant corporate contributions for media access, candidates could simply be gven media access by the public. --Lindy, Maine

That would be fine in this second-best world, but media access is a scarce resource that would need to be rationed, and the ruling powers would ration it their way, e.g. domination by democrats and republicans.
--Fred Foldvary
California

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Monday, November 12, 2012
Concerning a letter below on this page:
... capitalism wants people to work long hours. --Diana E Forrest, UK

Individual persons have wants, but how can a system, especially one that is undefined, "want" anything?
--Fred Foldvary
California

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Monday, November 12, 2012
Concerning a letter below on this page:
At the other end we have destructive influences which strip the person of their identity. It is at this end that we find destructive cults and sects, using mind control as a system of influences that significantly disrupts an individual at their very core, at the level of their identity (their values, beliefs, preferences, decisions, behaviors, relationships etc.).

I wonder whether this kind of mental control/manipulation can be considered as "neutral" - as a mere "offense that exists within the subjects mind"?
--Gilbert De Bruycker

If it's fraud, it is theft and harm. If the person is told in advance that the cult will use mind control, it is voluntary and not harm. If he is not told, it is fraud, because it should be presumed that physical intrusion will not be done unless so informed.
--Fred Foldvary
California

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Sunday, November 11, 2012
Concerning the Foldvary on the Universal Ethic article:
"there are two types of acts that individuals feel are personally bad. One is an offense that exists within the subjects mind, and the other is an invasion into the persons body and possessions, thus involving more than just his mind. For example, if someone wears a T-shirt with a message that some find displeasing, that is an offense, since whether one is pleased or displeased depends on ones personal viewpoint. In contrast, if one person shoots a bullet into another persons body, that is an unwelcomed invasion. "

---

After having read this, I am puzzled regarding an issue concerning mind control (also known as manipulation, deception or brainwashing).

One can think of influence as a continuum, at one end we have ethical and respectful influences which respect the individual and his or her rights.

At the other end we have destructive influences which strip the person of their identity. It is at this end that we find destructive cults and sects, using mind control as a system of influences that significantly disrupts an individual at their very core, at the level of their identity (their values, beliefs, preferences, decisions, behaviors, relationships etc.).

I wonder whether this kind of mental control/manipulation can be considered as "neutral" - as a mere "offense that exists within the subjects mind"?
--Gilbert De Bruycker

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Sunday, November 11, 2012
Concerning the Foldvary: Psychiatric Imprisonment in Oregon article:
Im shocked. I always thought these kinds of things go on behind closed doors and it always has bothered me but I feel like what can I do American Horror Story ( a tv series) is about a mental institution with a bad head Dr set around 1950 I believe. One case a woman is committed because she was gay. Unrelated but still to put someone away in a place like that for any reason other than a criminal act or clearly disturbed such as possession or demonic oppression ( I do believe in that) is wrong. Even someone who attempted suicede who are we to say no you cant do that? Its your life your body - absorption is legall so what really is the difference if you take the phrase your body your life your right. I feel awful for that woman. Give her a ticket if needed but shes not insane lol thats insane to sentence her the judge should be in the institution. In Portland downtown we had about I think it was around 100 bycicalists go down the street naked all men they got a permit for ur. It really is not illegal unless you are touching your privates. Good luck to her Im going to read this arrival again and see if the judges name is on it I want to put this on my Facebook. And you NEED TO PUT THIS ON YOU TUBE
--Havalah

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Friday, November 9, 2012
Concerning the Why the Protestant Work Ethic Is a Menace to Society article:
Figures - capitalism wants people to work long hours. They will then crave booze and cigs, which capitalism sells them.
--Diana E Forrest
UK

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Friday, November 9, 2012
Concerning the Many Corporations Going GM-Free, in Europe but Not USA article:
Since Monsanto is a US company, and is the major polluter of our environment in this respect, it is hardly surprising that The US should suffer most. Your political system favours selfish actions on the part of business and until you fix that failing you are likely to suffer from it. We in Europe struggle under many oppressive regulations but in this matter it seems to help.
--Syd

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Thursday, November 8, 2012
Concerning the Many Corporations Going GM-Free, in Europe but Not USA article:
Californias 2012 ballot proposal defeated by expensive false advertising. What can we do to combat the food industrys propaganda and have the truth understood by the masses? Can Europe throw a few million to the cause, because we certainly dont seem to be able to raise it on our own in the states. Why is America so much easier to dupe?
--Jessica

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Thursday, November 8, 2012
Concerning the Foldvary on Natural Monopolies article:
Very interesting and very concise. I seem to remember monopolies like Ma bell that owned all the rights to the phone system,owning all the stock of course because they were the family of the inventor alexander grahm bell. They were finally bought out when someone argued by going to the U.S Supreme Court.
--john martin

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Thursday, November 8, 2012
Concerning the Foldvary: An Editorial About Nothing article:
My opinion is nothing... `-_-
--zdcg6544

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Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Concerning the Foldvary: Marriage, Shmarriage, why not Pairage? article:
I agree with the use of the term "pairage" to describe a same sex lifelong commitment!!!

While I feel strongly that same sex couples should be allowed equal tax status, benefits, etc., I feel just as strongly that the word "marriage" should not be redefined. Historically--worldwide--marriage has always referred to the lifelong union between a man and a woman.

A new living arrangement (as with a same-sex couple) should have its OWN term. I think "pairage" is perfect!
--
USA

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Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Concerning the Foldvary on Snitches and Drugs article:
it is illegal by the declaration of independence,constitution, and bill of rights to convict anyone of any crime that is without a victim, and your fifth amendment says that you do not have to blame your self for hurting your self. that is common law jurisdiction. equity jurisdiction is civil which is money, suing, etc, no jail time. so that leaves one jurisdiction admiralty/maritime pact, and that is secret to all eyes in the year 2013. so you can only refer bact to one specific section in common law which states: I do not acknolwedge sexret law if I am accused of a crime show me what contract I signed and violated under admirality/maritime pact jurisdiction.
--bubba

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Monday, November 5, 2012
Concerning a letter below on this page:
> It cant possibly be that only the Congress can initiate a war.<
That is what the US Constitution prescribes. The founders wanted to avoid king-started wars.

> A foreign power can initiate a war with the United States.<
The Commander in Chief would be authorized to defend the country; the USA would not INITIATE a war.

> Doesnt "declare" then mean "recognize" that a state of war exists?
No. It would already be obvious.

> Did the court indicate that Lincoln was permitted to defend the country from an insurrection?< --Bob Policy
Wrongly so, because the insurrection did not at first invade the North. There was no need to "defend."
--Fred Foldvary
California

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Monday, November 5, 2012
Concerning a letter below on this page:
On Todays Radio Show we have John Peragine a ex serving CPS Child Protective Services US SOCIAL WORKER REVEALS All John is a Journalist for major newspapers and a WRITER IN THE USA. htap://www.blogtalkradio.com/free-thinking-voice-radio/2012/11/05/the-earth-needs-rebels-show-john-peragine
--Robert Honecker

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Monday, November 5, 2012
Concerning the Forward to the Failed Past article:
Just one quibble with your otherwise excellent statement, Fred: Mass media could be utilized in a nationwide democracy, if the government would simply implement the peoples right to the airwaves and other transmission media. Instead of requiring giant corporate contributions for media access, candidates could simply be gven media access by the public.
--Lindy
Maine

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
Hear, hear!

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Sunday, November 4, 2012
Concerning the The Self-Destruction of the 1 Percent article:
This article was recommended to me by the Yahoo News Search feature keying on "Henry George".
--Nathaniel Foote
california

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Thursday, November 1, 2012
Concerning a letter below on this page:
I thought this would interest you. A story showing that banks like JP Morgan and Bank of America have become the country’s largest organized crime families. htap://www.houstonpress.com/2012-11-01/news/wells-fargo-175-million-settlement/
--tom kariya
ohio

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
Similar articles, minus the strong language, have been linked to here.

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Thursday, November 1, 2012
Concerning the Gasolines True Cost article:
What is the date of these findings?
--Bud

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Thursday, November 1, 2012
Concerning the Indian Marchers for Land Reform Win Promises article:
new web looks fine, but this one is very logical and easy to navigate..I come to read.
--dana andrusik
md

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
Many thanks for the feedback.

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Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Concerning the Foldvary: War and the U.S. Constitution article:
It cant possibly be that only the Congress can initiate a war.

A foreign power can initiate a war with the United States.

Doesnt "declare" then mean "recognize" that a state of war exists, together with enabling legislation to fund the war?

Did the court indicate that Lincoln was permitted to defend the country from an insurrection, and would this have applied if the country had been invaded by Great Britain in support of the Confederacy, especially if the Congress had been neutralized by an invasion?
--Bob Policy

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Monday, October 29, 2012
Concerning the Eminent Domain Abuse article:
When our founding fathers sat down and discussed how to prevent excessive government control they said that everyone had the right to life libety and property. that however was changed to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness. this was a grave mistake and will come back to haunt us if we the people dont take a stand and change our laws.
--Chris French

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Monday, October 29, 2012
Concerning the f37 article:
Thank you, That explained exactly what I needed to know!
--Vaughn Ludwig

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Sunday, October 28, 2012
Concerning the Foldvary on Justice for the Native American Indian article:
i agree with dr. foldvary the whiteman really hammered the redman.... it breaks my white heart or should i say black heart
--longhorn

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Saturday, October 27, 2012
Concerning the Support This Bill article:
please put a date on this report so that we know if this is current or old. I hate it when stuff is posted on the internet and shows up in search results without a date. This could be years old and outdated by now. Thanks
--Tony

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Friday, October 26, 2012
Concerning the Who Owns the I Have a Dream Speech article:
MLK, Jr. made such actions, as giving away pre-copyrighted vids of his performance, that can be construed as a deliberate act to insure the maximum amount of exposure to his cause. His actions are akin to free leaflets handed out on the street corner to passersby. Its the best cheapest way to get your message to the most amounts of people while your audience gets to exert the littliest amount of effort in return. Video beats reading. MLK, Jr. was ahead of his time in recognizing the power of the visual media. His estate has little to no claiming rights beyond the potection of defamation of character. But an incdent has to occur first before a defaming claim can be made. You cant sue for intent before an action occurs. You can sue to cease and desist. But you have to prove intent beyond the simple writ to receive damages.
--Baba Ganush

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Thursday, October 25, 2012
Concerning the Arab Spring and the Israeli Enemy article:
Its not going to help the Palestinians to tell them how much worse the Syrians are suffering. What is needed is for the peacemakers on each side to try to work out a solution that can be sold to both Israelis and Palestinians.
--Diana E Forrest
UK

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
Hear, hear!

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Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Concerning the Presidential Debate Fantasy article:
But no mention of the medium used to pay the tax.

1 Timothy 6:10 states:

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

We will never solve the evils of taxation until we replace monetarism and usury with the Constitutional Federal Credit System which was based on the Colonial Scrip used to fund our victory over the Brutish Monarchy during our Revolution for Independence which was promoted by Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, John Quincy Adams and other Patriotic Founders of our Republic.

Time to abolish stupid Parties and support sane Principles.
--Nus
FL

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Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Concerning a letter below on this page:
REPEATING MY LETTER OF NOVEMBER 26, 2011:

Compare Lord Bertrand Russells view with that of the Creator and of the Declaration of Independence.

Russell - "[B]ad times, you may say, are exceptional, and can be dealt with by exceptional methods. This has been more or less true during the honeymoon period of industrialism, but it will not remain true unless the increase of POPULATION can be ENORMOUSLY DIMINISHED. At present the population of the world is increasing at about 58,000 per diem. War, so far, has had no very great effect on this increase, which continued through each of the world wars. . . . War . . . has hitherto been disappointing in this respect . . . but perhaps bacteriological war may prove more effective. If a Black Death could spread throughout the world once in every generation, survivors could procreate freely without making the world too full. . . . The state of affairs might be somewhat unpleasant, but what of it? Really high-minded people are INDIFFERENT to HAPPINESS, especially other people’s." —The Impact of Science on Society (1953)

Genesis 1:27-28 - So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be FRUITFUL, and MULTIPLY, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Declaration of Independence - We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are LIFE, LIBERTY and the PURSUIT of HAPPINESS.

Russell was a genocidalist mouthpiece for the Satanic Brutish Vampire in London.

We need at least 100 billion people to expand onto the moon and mars to subdue and replenish the galaxy and beyond.

True Progress entails developing scientific breakthrough technologies to demonstrate that we truly are made in the image of the Creator as we love our neighbor as ourself for the general welfare of all humanity.
--Nus
FL

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Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Concerning the U.S. Court Bars 2.4 Million Puerto Ricans from Voting article:
Those who accept colonialism do not believe in justice for all!

Now that we know that the political parties will not solve this problem, I invite you to join the non-violent protest to demand that the United States (US) decolonize Puerto Rico (PR) immediately. It will be on Monday, June 17, 2013 from 8 AM to 5 PM outside the United Nations (UN) visitor’s entrance located on 46th Street and First Avenue in New York City.

Through education, we must create a domestic and international solidarity with this cause to pressure the US to do what historically she has refused to do. This is why we need everyone who also believes that colonialism is a crime against humanity to join the protest to demand compliance to international law!

Puerto Rico has been a colony of the US for 114 years. The US’ intention is to keep PR a colony forever unless we do something about it. It is important to note that: democracy isn’t what a government does. Democracy is what people do!

For more information: www.TodosUnidosDescolonizarPR.blogspot.com Compañeros Unidos para la Descolonización de Puerto Rico
--Jose Lopez

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Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Concerning the How Big Companies Use Plain English to Rob You Blind article:
I feel worthy, and gosh darn it, I am good enough for my share.
--Nathaniel Foote
california

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
Hey, yey, spread the cheer!

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Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Concerning the Foldvary on Snitches and Drugs article:
My name is Derek Eanes I have to turn my self in This friday i was convicted of perjury and conspiracy to distribute, I never have sold a drug in my life and I have never done a drug in my life but I knew some one that was selling drugs and just so happen to be there at the time some drugs where being weighed up and a buyer came in at this time and he knew me and assumed i had something to do with it. He got busted and snitched on everyone he knew, I mean he would have told on his mom to save his ass, but I got charged and since i wouldnt run my mouth they charged me with everything and now im headed to prison, and i have been told that the guy that did all the snitching will be getting out in two months, and he was the one selling the stuff... The justice system is not justice, it is all about the money to the government they could care less about who is in prison or who does drugs or sells drugs, if they had a way to tax it they wouldnt give 2 cents. But anyways hopefully the government will wake up one day and actually try to do the right thing, to bad it couldnt be sooner. Anyways i saved this page to my computer cause it is the reallest shit i have ever read.
--Derek

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Thursday, October 18, 2012
Concerning the Bertrand Russell on Economics article:
...And here we are today, in the year 2012, 80 years after this was written, with the credit card debt in the U.S. nearly reaching 1 trillion dollars. Bertrand Russell was right in 1932, and is still right in 2012.
--Chris

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Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Concerning the Many Corporations Going GM-Free, in Europe but Not USA article:
GMO Companies are the health version of the Wall Street Banks.
--Bob Rowan

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Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Concerning the The Improbable Resilience of Singapore article:
Singapores property tax is not much more than U.S. At say 4% annual value, it is probably close to or less than 1% of propertys value.
--teddy
california

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
By value, do you mean price? Value is the total amount one is willing to pay for land, including price, tax, insurance, etc. Anyway, yes, annual rental value is much less than lump-sum price (capitalized value). Could you identify your source? Thanks.

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Monday, October 15, 2012
Concerning the Why Do Working-Class People Vote Conservative? article:
One reason the left has such difficulty forging a lasting connection with voters is that the right has a built-in advantage -- conservatives have a broader moral palate than liberals (as we call leftists in the US). Of the six concerns that seem to comprise our moral sense -- care/harm, fairness/cheating, liberty/oppression, loyalty/betrayal, authority/subversion, and sanctity/degradation -- more of them matter and perhaps more strongly to conservatives. If you want to hire someone to criticize your nation on a radio show in another nation (loyalty), give the finger to his boss (authority), or sign a piece of paper stating ones willingness to sell his soul (sanctity), you can save a lot of money by posting a sign: "Conservatives need not apply."

- moral sense???! Is this explained in the book? What if authority doesnt have a whole lotta moral sense? Is standing up for ones rights, for justice, subversive? These hot button words you use are troubling, very black and white. Is it strict and blind adherence to authority vs. betrayal? Isnt moral sense subjective?
--Dante
NY

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Sunday, October 14, 2012
Concerning the Saving the Penguins article:
this was a good report only that its very old it should be updated
--sodaosdsa

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Saturday, October 13, 2012
Concerning the Questions and Answers About Islam article:
2:193 (or 2:189):- ... Fight the unbelievers until no other religion except Islam is left.
3:83 (or 3:77):- Are they seeking a religion other than Allahs, when every soul in the heavens and the earth has submitted to Him, willingly or by comp­ulsion? ...
Koran 66:2:- Allah has allowed you release from your oaths. ...

Bukharis, Vol. 9, Bk. 84, No. 58:- [[Regarding a Jew who had become a Muslim, then returned to Judaism:]] Muadh said, I will not sit down till he has been killed. ... and he was killed.
--Colin Fortune

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Saturday, October 13, 2012
Concerning the Transparency Bill Would Decrease Corruption, Corporate Welfare article:
Hey Progress Report, please DATE your articles. Thanks.
--s coleman
NC

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Thursday, October 11, 2012
Concerning the Icelands Economy Growing faster than US and EU article:
The failure of the banks was almost inevitable given the system. Suppose they had not invested in sub prime mortgages, what were they going to do? They presumably could not invest in businesses which were not able to borrow, nor would they have invested in sub prime mortgages if prime ones had been going.
--Diana E Forrest
UK

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Thursday, October 11, 2012
Concerning the Icelands Economy Growing faster than US and EU article:
The lessons from thousands of years ago must be learned - Moses gave the LAND LAW - Jesus enforced it by throwing the money-changer speculators out of the temple.

THE OTHER LAW OF MOSES by John L. Kelly explains Commonwealth in depth.

His new book can be found at: htap://georgist.com/
--Nus
FL

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Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Concerning the Rent-Seeking In Omaha and Lincoln NE article:
And how about if public transport were disabled-accessible? This would ease the problem of disabled people needing cabs.
--Diana E Forrest
UK

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Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Concerning the f37 article:
I love it i was GREAT!
--Aretha Seals

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Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Concerning a letter below on this page:
Concerning "Subjective values create objective market prices." "... costs themselves for individual consumers are established - arbitrarily - to be too high to afford." May I ask your opinion about this issue please? --Gilbert De Bruycker

These are assertions with no evidence offered. In a global economy, it is unlikely that firms will set prices higher than the costs of production, including normal profits. Also, an objective price means that the price is a known number, so even if prices are manipulated, they are objective.
--Fred Foldvary
California

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Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Concerning the Values are Subjective article:
"Subjective values create objective market prices."

I agree. However,I got from a FB correspondent this message:

"I find that Price is subjective. By subjective I mean they - prices - are set no longer by the interaction of cost, profit, competitive pricing vs alternatives, or supply vs, demand.

PT Companies are owned by share-holders, but the wealthiest few families ultimately control the necessary amount of stocks needed to have the most votes in the election of CEOs. The representatives of the controlling families also sit on the Board of Directors of a given firm, and the apparently competing firm, ultimately forming an Interlocking Directorate. This is a corporatist model.

The economy has moved into a post-modern era. The virtual or notional value of goods - commodity fetishism - has subsumed value as understood in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.

Prices for many items are set as the result of algorithmic functions of compterized systems. They are not subject to the economic forces affecting individuals or medium to large size firms. They are not based upon particular sales or particular supply of that item. Alongside Monopolization and the total subsumption of industrial enterprise by the Financial sector of the economy, prices are a means for social control.

All prices reflect massive subsidization on the one hand, or over-pricing on the other. The over-pricing of goods of a particular type, subsidizes *part* of the subsidizing of costs occurring in other sectors of the economy. In general, though, costs themselves for individual consumers are established - arbitrarily - to be too high to afford. This forces the consumer to be in debt. This forces the consumer to think like a slave, and not a free-man. The consumer must behave in the economic sphere as an indentured servant.

Social control is the primary concern. Profit/loss is no longer at issue, because money is simply printed when banks run out. QE1, QE2, QE3, and now QE Unlimited - this quantitative easing demonstrates that the entirely non-regulated fractional reserve system no longer even requires reserves of any sort. There is no trust in that system either, it is not backed by anything but the US military-industrial complex. Its moved from fiat to force.

The economy is based in petrol and the military machine. Debt and Sex are the ultimate tools of social control, and many prices for regular consumer goods are based upon how much debt (control) the financial sector determines it needs to have over consumers sense of affordability, and how much it costs to be sexy.

Prices, thusly, are subjective. This does not mean that supplies of raw materials, particularly petrol, are not affecting the price. On the universal scale, petrol absolutely does affect price. But between the plethora of consumer choices, price is subjective and has little connection with the traditional spheres which once determined it."

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May I ask your opinion about this issue please?
--Gilbert De Bruycker

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Monday, October 8, 2012
Concerning the saland article:
I think the youth should be given the land for job creation and farming
--Raffia

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Monday, October 8, 2012
Concerning the Frapping the Fracking Fracas article:
"...may well make..." suggested edit, to "...makes..."
--Nathaniel Foote
Fracking California

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Monday, October 8, 2012
Concerning the Foldvary: Is the U.S. Constitution Terrorist? article:
if i have been sent on jail for One day & one night & followed by forced job quitting in Gulf by US embassy . can i sue US govt In India for constitutional right ..

If you have some other person( mukultra based victim or mind control victims ) who have done like this . pl send their advocate contact detail or their contact detail . at rajeshmangal@hotmail.com
--Rajesh mangal

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Sunday, October 7, 2012
Concerning the Many Corporations Going GM-Free, in Europe but Not USA article:
I do no choose to consume GMO products. Living in a country where freedom is our center it seems ironic I cannot get the foods I want without growing them myself. Genetic Engineering is a good idea gone bad. At least label so WE can choose!
--Marcus Evans

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Friday, October 5, 2012
Concerning the Many Corporations Going GM-Free, in Europe but Not USA article:
There is enough bad news about GMO products and still corporations continue to use Americans as guinea pigs. Its shamefull how corporations care more about the money than they care about our health. I suspect that the "Bees" dont like Monsanto either.
--monte norris

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Thursday, October 4, 2012
Concerning the The Future of Food Production article:
htap://www.oxfam.org/en/grow/issues/land-grabs htap://tinyurl.com/3st69wg htap://tinyurl.com/77fv7s7
--Eileen Atkins
UK

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Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Concerning a letter below on this page:
But please, lets not rehash the old, bad notion that human fertility is the cause of these things; it just isnt.--Lindy Davies

Im blaming climate change. If the normal rains turn to drought and flood, there will be food problems even if the population stops growing. Plus, water usage is unsustainable.
--Fred Foldvary
California

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Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Concerning the The Double-Edged American Dream, Part Two article:
Is there any contact information for Natalie Smith? Thank you.
--Rhonda Neuhaus
MD

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Monday, October 1, 2012
Concerning the Napoleoni on 10 Things You Dont Know About Terrorism article:
When was this written
--Will
Florida

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
2004, I believe.

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Monday, October 1, 2012
Concerning the The Future of Food Production article:
Not up to your usual standard, Fred. While I do agree that climate change will put increasing stress on food production in many ways, there are many reasons why even that problem, serious as it is, doesnt support a Malthusian outlook.

In less-developed countries there tends to be poor transportation and storage, yes. But! IN LDCs there are high levels of external debt, and lots of agricultural output is exported, despite high levels of hunger among the very people who pick the crops! Is there any doubt that is those people had acces to their own land, they would provide food for themselves MUCH more efficiently?

Furthermore, you mention the high cost of corn and meat in the US, and rightly note the amount of corn taken by ethanol (currently over 50% of the US crop). The level of waste is mind-boggling. Ethanol is a net-harmful boondoggle that *worsens* environmental problems. And with the amount of unhealthily-produced, heavily subsidized meat that Americans eat, one can only hope that higher prices -- much higher prices -- will stimulate local, sustainably-produced meat, eaten in smaller quantities.

There may indeed be a global environmental catastrophe leading to great death and suffering. And the rent-as-revenue solution may indeed be the only thing that can avert such a horrible future. But please, lets not rehash the old, bad notion that human fertility is the cause of these things; it just isn't.
--Lindy Davies
Waldo County Maine

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Monday, October 1, 2012
Concerning a letter below on this page:
We are starting an Philosophy Politcs and Economics educational venture in the new year. We would be very gratefull if you and your readers would take an early preview of what we are about on our facebook site Adults in kindergarten or Philosophy Politics Economics for Adults in kindergarten. Please comment as we would appreciate your advice. Many Thanks, Nigel Darko.
--Nigel Darko
UK

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Saturday, September 29, 2012
Concerning the Norm Solomon on Media Monopoly article:
Im writing about this for DigitalJournal.com. Can I interview you?
--Victoria Alexander

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
Yes.

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Saturday, September 29, 2012
Concerning the Reject the Two-Party Plutocracy article:
I suggest instead of having PARTIES and Professional Politicians (aka POLITS), which produces NOT a Democracy but a POLITOCRACY, abandon votes for one or another particular gang of professional liars, expense fiddlers and power-addicts, and replace them with a Lottery, in which a secure randon number selecting computer makes a random choice from all those entitled now to vote, and the people so randomly selected are required as a Duty, not a privilege, to serve in one of the legislative bodies, where they must propose or discuss and ammend or reject proposed new rules, for which their normal income will have to be met by the State, plus very limited but necessary extra expenses (but only against a proper official receipt!), and they are relieved after serving for one month.

If you included at least 200 individuals to form a legislative body, all important points of view would be represented in roughly the same proportions and found in the community in general, so this body would reflect public opinion and be truly democratic. After serving the selected people would be excused having to serve in that legislature ever again. Professionalpolits are after all in it for the money, and even the few saintly individuals who begin with a genuine desire to serve the people, the power and privileges granted them soon become addictive, and as everyone should know, Power Corrupts ! In just a month, it could be arranged that one only had time to propose a new law, of to argue over it, or to vote on it being passed or rejected. Thus effectively nobody would have the of of seeing their pet project through to the end ! Indeed, if the country were fairly evenly divided whether to go forwards or back, it would probably end up staying still, which would probably be the best thing to do.

Another point I like to make is that, there are already far too many laws - even attorneys dont know them all, and most of them are superfuous. The Legislatures should be required to spend ony one third of their time inventing new ones, another third to modify any that are not working well,and only the last thirs inventing and passing new ones !

Some have suggested that ordinary folks would not be able to understand the issues enough to make proper decisions. I reject this claim - first, it is certainly not rocket science, and anyway, look at the dumb idiots that have been sitting in legislative bodies for the last 50 years :)! See what I mean ?
--Briar
UK

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
I've read that Switzerland and Ancient Greece use(d) random selection in place of elections.

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Friday, September 28, 2012
Concerning the Gates Green Revolution Promotes False Solutions article:
Let the women in Africa have access to the land and most of the problem will vanish.
--Diana E Forrest
UK

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
Hear, hear!

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Friday, September 28, 2012
Concerning the Reject the Two-Party Plutocracy article:
Gary Johnson if I remember correctly favors a sales tax to replace the current income tax so that would make him the worst of three evils. That said there is no need to worry about spoiling this presidential election as it is already spoiled by Obama and Romney.
--Allen Stambaugh
Washington

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
Hah! Good point.

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Thursday, September 27, 2012
Concerning the Foldvary: Psychiatric Imprisonment in Oregon article:
Very well said. It is said that someone in this country is involuntarily committed every MINUTE. Folks need to think about that. I would love to see Ben Franklin, Tom Paine, James Madison, James Monroe, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington view American society in how it is today in this regard. No rights whatsoever. There is only the right for the healthcare megalopoly to continue to grab as much money as it can until the lifeblood of all of our freedoms are GONE. That is how it has ALWAYS happened in society and life. Folks like you need to continue to speak the truth. Thank you for doing so.
--Jeff Kelly

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Thursday, September 27, 2012
Concerning the US Incomes Fall to 1989 Levels. How Did That Happen? article:
Alan Greenspan fivefolded financial costs 2004-2007, making CPI rise (supermarkets have financial costs) for enriching the banksters. But its impossible to enrich Rothschild et al without transforming 0,8 billion middle class into new poor...
--Jean-Francois Morf
switzerland

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Thursday, September 27, 2012
Concerning the How the 1% Leave the Rest of America Behind article:
400 richest arnt the richest: Rothshild, Rockefeller, Abdallah, Muhammad6, Khamenei, Assad, Mubarak, Ben Ali, Gaddafi, Suharto are NOT in the list! Who possess half of the 1 Peta EUR derivative bets is so rich that he can manipulate the stock market in order to win against the market makers in any case, and ruin all banks in 2008, then all Europa in 2012...
--Jean-Francois Morf
Switzerland

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Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Concerning the Real Estate Forecasts 2012 – 2026 article:
Thanks, Fred. Good reading
--Giesen

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Monday, September 24, 2012
Concerning the U.S. Court Bars 2.4 Million Puerto Ricans from Voting article:
Since we know that the political parties will not solve this, I invite you to join the non-violent protest to demand that the United States (US) decolonize Puerto Rico (PR) immediately. It will be on Monday, June 17, 2013 from 8 AM to 5 PM outside the United Nations (UN) visitor’s entrance located on 46th Street and First Avenue in New York City.

Puerto Rico has been a colony of the US for 114 years. The US’ intention is to keep PR a colony forever unless we do something about it. It is important to note that: democracy isn’t what a government does. Democracy is what people do!

It is up to us to defend the fundamental human rights that promote world peace. The tragedy of doing nothing is that we will have the kind of government that we deserve!

Sincerely,

José M. López Sierra

For more information:
www.TodosUnidosDescolonizarPR.blogspot.com
Compañeros Unidos para la Descolonización de Puerto Rico
--Jose Lopez

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Monday, September 24, 2012
Concerning the Who Owns the I Have a Dream Speech article:
The speech is too important to be owned. And too important too be used too sell products. The estate has other ways to get paid.
--Bryan Barcelo

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Monday, September 24, 2012
Concerning the The Sex of Economics article:
When Alan Greenspan fivefold financial costs from 1% to 5%, real estate coming on market 1 year later rise 4%, coming on market 2 years later rise 8%, coming on market 3 years later rise 12%. Suddenly, all folk want to buy real estate, thinking its a good investment, because real estate prices rises! Your theory that rate rise reduce real estate investments is right for economists, but false for folk!
--Jean-Francois Morf
Switzerland

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Sunday, September 23, 2012
Concerning the Many Corporations Going GM-Free, in Europe but Not USA article:
Its disgusting the way these companies have complete control. I try not to buy GMO poison, but its almost impossible to not end up with GMOs in my food. I definitely dont want to eat them.
--Wynne Carter

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Sunday, September 23, 2012
Concerning the Crushing the Free Market & Promoting Rent-Seeking article:
Hold on! When you "trim, blend, and append" articles from 3 different persons and sources, ask first! The Heritage Fdtn is a house of ill repute, subsidized by and a front for some of the worst rent-takers and mind-twisters going. I am embarrassed to have my name associated with theirs. Dont do this to me again!
--Mason Gaffney
CA

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
Sorry you feel embarrassed, Mase. As for asking first, that's a very slow process, so by the time any article would get cited, it'd no longer be news. Further, citing and highlighting differs greatly from reprinting; it's not something that requires permission. Finally, the people we need on our side are impressed by our willingness to try to communicate with everyone, and also by the occasional flash of rationality, when privileged conservatives take a position that might go against their usual interests. Let's feel encouraged by that!

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Sunday, September 23, 2012
Concerning the The Sex of Economics article:
This kind of sex in economics is a great improvement in the kind that I previously read about, which is when the system is groped (by Leon Walrus) with the invisible hand (of Adam Smith)!
--David Chester
Israel

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Sunday, September 23, 2012
Concerning the Three Thousand Years of Philosophy Down the Drain article:
Just 3 basic ideas, for a better and fairer world. Why wont they see? So simple in concept, for those who allow themselves to see. A little more difficult in the implementation, maybe. Good article; keep them coming. Little by little, just perhaps....
--Leo Foley
Tasmania, Land of Oz

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Saturday, September 22, 2012
Concerning a letter below on this page:
MUST READ FROM htap://georgist.com/

at: 9. RSF News: Special Book Offers

New book by John L. Kelly entitled:

THE OTHER LAW OF MOSES Gods Remarkable Plan for Prosperity

From ancient "LAND LAW" to today - this great work will inspire all Georgists and anyone with the vision to bring liberty and justice and peace and Heaven on Earth for the General Welfare of all present and future humanity.
--Nus
FL

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Friday, September 21, 2012
Concerning the Foldvary Questions Sexual Harassment by Children article:
I think that sexual harassment should be more limited and that there are cases in which you shouldnt be punished like a kid doing something he really didnt intend to do to another person.
--Christian

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Friday, September 21, 2012
Concerning the For Time Off, See How the Real Estate Cycles Works article:
Today a bus driver said that he may have to work 5 hours without a break. The UK has not adopted more rigorous European rules on working hours.
--Diana E Forrest
UK

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Thursday, September 20, 2012
Concerning the Foldvary on Banker Spies article:
Hi, Neat post. Theres an issue along with your site in internet explorer, might check this¡K IE nonetheless is the marketplace chief and a large portion of folks will pass over your magnificent writing because of this problem. wow gold prices htap://iwowgold.tumblr.com/
--wow gold prices

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Thursday, September 20, 2012
Concerning the Many Corporations Going GM-Free, in Europe but Not USA article:
Thanks for the article. I would be great if there were a date on it. I have no idea how long ago this was written.
--Sarah

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Thursday, September 20, 2012
Concerning the Gadsden Purchase Land Deal article:
tell me about the state its self weirdos not the people
--cora

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Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Concerning the Values are Subjective article:
Market values are objective. Personal values are subjective.
--Bret Barker
Californio

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
Depends on how one defines the terms. All beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, so all value is subjective. Things don't have value, rather, humans do valuing.

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Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Concerning the US Incomes Fall to 1989 Levels. How Did That Happen? article:
A fat lot of use taking income from labour if labour gets less and less money. Tax where the money is instead.
--Diana E Forrest
UK

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
So much sense! And I'd get it upstream, while people are spending it on land, etc, rather than downstream, once a few have already become an elite.

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Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Concerning the Colleges Compete But Dont Lower Their Prices article:
Maybe it works like this: if college courses are expensive, then fewer students will take them. If fewer students take them, then the degrees from that college will be rarer. If rarer, perhaps more desirable - the degree you cannot afford will get you the job?
--Diana E Forrest
UK

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
Hah! And the job you get won't pay for your degree for a couple decades! Yet, I recall college attendance being up, growing a bit more than the population.

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Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Concerning the Many Corporations Going GM-Free, in Europe but Not USA article:
I do not even care to go out to eat. All I can think about looking at the menu is I wonder where this food source is from and I probably cannot trust it. It really helps with anorexia. Land of the free...we are in a sad, sad state
--Kassandra

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Monday, September 17, 2012
Concerning the Saving the Penguins article:
I think all animals have the right to be saved because it would be a real shame if certain animals die out and we didnt help them or do anything to stop it. I really love penguins becauese i find them intreseting and fasinating, i wouldnt want them to become extinct.
--damien nash

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Thursday, September 13, 2012
Concerning the Foldvary: Letters of Marque and Reprisal article:
Is that not what the military is doing in effect when it hires private contractors? The biggest issue is proper coordination of efforts and huge backlash if something goes wrong with the efforts of reprisal hurting innocent people. Govt hired bounty hunters does seem a logical & ethical choice though. Why did the French et al stop it in 1856?
--david clisset

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Thursday, September 13, 2012
Concerning the Eminent Domain Abuse article:
love that someone wins sometimes
--chas third

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Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Concerning the Governments Are Privatizing the Natural World article:
A local landowner is getting a subsidy for Walshaw Moor, a blanket bog, but they are draining it. Nearby land is a grouse moor and they seem to want more of that. However the blanket bog is valuable for retaining CO2 and water.
--Diana E Forrest
UK

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
My preferred gov't would only defend rights. To uphold our right to a healthy environment, instead of limit the culpable's liability, it'd: (1) collect an Ecology Security Deposit, (2) require Restoration Insurance, (3) auction off any needed Emission Permits, and (4) mulct with stiff Fines anyone who violates standards. To avoid or minimize these four charges, owners and users would behave much more eco-friendly.

Of course, the above four are much less necessary when gov't employs (5) Land Dues (or land taxes) to recover the socially-generated values of sites and resources.

When people pay for what they take, and on an ongoing basis, they take less and use that wisely.

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Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Concerning the The Pony Express and other Rent-Seekers in America article:
The UK equivalent of the Pony Express is the proposal to overrule local planning in favour of greenfield house building. These houses will probably not be near jobs or public transport, therefore they wont help the people who are most in housing need. They will probably be built for rich people. But at that end of the housing market there may be a risk of oversupply.
--Diana E Forrest
UK

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Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Concerning the The Pony Express and other Rent-Seekers in America article:
I would love to generate a blogging site nonetheless.. I not really know which type of blogging obtain the most site visitors? What type of blogging will you waves? My spouse and i generally waves shot blogging and designer blogging. Merely finding a ballot listed here thanks a lot!
--riva omennik
htap://rivaomernik.livejournal

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
What do you want to blog about? It is possible for people to blog here at our site. We're open to many possibilities.

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Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Concerning the Foldvary on Capital Punishment article:
i dot like capital punishment its wrong and unjust they should get rid of it
--gaby

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Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Concerning the Foldvary on Hemp Legalization article:
Its the trillion dollar crop. Very recently Ive been exposed to the knowledge about hemp which was hidden from humanity for a long time in history. That has been keeping me in a question since and I was awed to know the reasons behind it explained by various hemp activists on the internet.
--Amar

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Monday, September 10, 2012
Concerning the Join the Storm to End Fossil Fuel Subsidies article:
The main contributer to global warming and the poisoning of the atmosphere is the human desire for big house and car.We should go back to selfcontained communities that require less tranport.
--bharat Maharaj
Trinidad

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Sunday, September 9, 2012
Concerning the How to Go from Income Taxation to LVT article:
Show me the LVT tax proposal, not just the concept. The devil is often in the details. For example, what about farming, government owned land, etc? What happens to the 75,000 plus pages of the laws today? How is foreign trade handled? Are we creating another barrier to American products? Until I can see that, this is just a frivolous and distracting exercise.
--Ollie Johnson
New York

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
Farmers could probably need a rent-share or Citizens Dividend. Governments could pay land rent (as some do now, feds to local gov'ts), especially if there's a separate land trust to manage the public recovery of all rents and their disbursement as a CD. Once economic issues fade away, so could many laws. Trade that crosses national borders is no different from trade that crosses state borders or county borders or neighborhood borders or family borders; it's a mistake to mix nationalism and sound economics. So-called American products get ingredients (like copper from Chile) and workers (like specialists from Israel) and customers (like buyers in Mexico) and investors (like pensioners in Canada) from all over. To better see how public recovery of rents works, check out where it's in use, at http://www.progress.org/geonomy/Numbers.html

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Saturday, September 8, 2012
Concerning the Foldvary: Ammonium Nitrate Should Be Regulated article:
If you regulate Ammonium nitrate in America,what is it going to do? Its only going to make this country more and more communist. I like to use Ammonium Nitrate for my personal use. Stop telling Americans how to live. (What we can and cant do).You want something to fight for? Fight people coming here and getting a welfare check twice a month for the rest of there lives. I work everyday and give money med,food,dental, enough is enough,,,they dont even pay taxes and you give them the right to vote. ,,,Regulate Ammonium nitrate,,,how many people killed a year by Ammonium Nitrate? Im sure there are alot more people killed by people on welfare. I have to take a drug test at random to keep my job!, So why does America let them drain us dry for the hard working people can suffer and have there freedom taken away a little more everyday. You have to get a permit to have a tag sale or build a tree house now,or put a swing set up,,,are you kidding me? Welfare is a much bigger problem then Ammonium Nitrate,
--scott

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
Some people object to welfare for the poor, a policy that is at least well-maining and charitable, yet never object to welfare for the rich, all the corporate subsidies and rent-retention, a behavior that is self-centered and greedy. My theory is that such critics of the poor and forgivers of the rich put the poor below themselves and the rich above (ranking is what social animals always do). People who rank like that have an easier time kissing up to the rich and stepping on the fingers of the poor, trying to climb up the social ladder, than vice versa. Ideally, of course, one would neither be charitable or pick on the poor but join with others to change the system so that everyone could prosper, without taxes, without subsidies, but with public recovery of social surplus and sharing of that common wealth.

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Friday, September 7, 2012
Concerning the Gasolines True Cost article:
I think that this sort of quasi government/corporate system is slowly undoing the free-market system. I think that the costs of the tax-breaks, subsidies, and clean-up costs of not only Gasoline, but also cars, energy, mail, agriculture, and a long list of other things has the potential to either end the US or cause some sort of disaster financially. As a young American, I feel powerless because I get the impression that I have a choice between two candidates for every office who will not try and fix these problems.
--Katan Cheti

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Friday, September 7, 2012
Concerning the Foldvary: Monetary Geo-economics article:
Dr. Fred,

I like your ideas. I also wrote about land value tax in my Ph.D. dissertation. I am now working at Mass DOR.

I am interested in learning your forecasting model. If you dont mind, could you give me some study materials to learn your model technically?

Best regards...
--David Choi

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Thursday, September 6, 2012
Concerning the Henry Georges Concept of Money, Concluding Remarks article:
The wikipedia page presents George as an inflationist. He was not, he never got to see what would happen in a non-gold standard world. IMHO, after seeing the current mess, he would support a gold standard. Especially with his comment regarding anarchism.
--Bill

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Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Concerning the Parallels Between Iraq War and Vietnam War Are Piling Up article:
let them deal with it on thier own we have to many problems over in usa to focus on its kind like avirus or the flu u dont go around those people cut off all ties look for other options on fuel and we start to rebuild.
--Bobby Q
California

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Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Concerning the US military spending can be completely counterproductive article:
Thanks for your post. I also believe that laptop computers are getting to be more and more popular today, and now in many cases are the only kind of computer employed in a household. The reason is that at the same time potentially they are becoming more and more economical, their processing power is growing to the point where therere as strong as pcs coming from just a few years back.
--hermes bags outlet
htap://www.hermesbags-outlet.u

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Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Concerning the In India, As Much As 40% of Electricity is Not Paid For article:
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--Windows 8 Key
htap://www.windows8keyonline.n

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Monday, September 3, 2012
Concerning the Government Takes Away Basic Freedoms article:
They are not following the constitutional rights.
--Brandon Cronin

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Sunday, September 2, 2012
Concerning the No Congressional Support for Welfare Cuts article:
please include dates on your postings. i was reading one and all the way through it sounded like you were speaking of the current administration, but the last lines finally identified the previous one. good stuff though
--veronica mataafa
texas, usa

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Sunday, September 2, 2012
Concerning the Land Rights, Gentrification and Urban Planning article:
I have lived in the UK all my life and I have now realised that at the age of 35 and with a wife and two children I have failed. I will never be in a position to purchase my own home and I will never be able to purchase a small plot of land to even build on. Instead I will have to leave the UK and look for somewhere more affordable and hope that they accept me and my family. I would say to the goverment this. Do something now to help the people of this country live their life. Free up some land and make it easier for those on a low income to build something for their future. If theres no hope in someones future then crime and depression is all that will exist.
--Derek Griffin

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Saturday, September 1, 2012
Concerning the IRS Lady Sqats at Home, Togo Ladies Cross Legs article:
Keep up the good work !
--John C. Massam
Australian

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Thursday, August 30, 2012
Concerning the Foldvary on Concealed Weapons article:
I feel if you have conceal weapon permit should be able too carry anywhere in the USA.. Especially since the person name and finger prints have been sent to the FBI data bank and have a background check to check if they a felon or a wanted by any other LAW enforcement. Drug Dealers nor Robbers and the rest of the LOWLIFES arent on apply for a permit because of the fingerprints and their faces will be put in Law enforcement data banks!!!!
--DERRICK Jones

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Thursday, August 30, 2012
Concerning the Foldvary on Abolishing the NEA article:
Nice article- youre definitely right there. I totally agree with you.
--Arwen Undomiel

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Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Concerning a letter below on this page:
Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies -- Good find. Digging deeper, it was not just debt in general, it was owed rent -- owed to the wrong people (the elite), instead of to the community, we would say. Check it out:

Jeffrey, your comment, "Digging deeper ... owed ... to the community" reflects what the Diggers and Levellers proposed in the 17th century - level-headed folks will dig those principles.

The noun "solon" means: a man who is a respected leader in national or international affairs.

We definitely need real solons today promoting the general welfare of all the people by sharing the commonwealth with a constitutional national credit system to spur technological advancement.

Instead of feeding the usurious bankster parasites, we can bless current society and all posterity with the fruit of discoveries and inventions which stimulate production from the infinite physical resources of nature.

Since the love of money is the root of all evil - we can overcome evil with good by abolishing money as we love our neighbors as ourselves.
--Nus
FL

Managing Editor Jeffery Smith replies --
At least abolish the monopoly on money creation -- digging it!

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Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Concerning the Advertising to Children article:
I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up! Ill go ahead and bookmark your website to come back later on. Cheers htap://www.collectionallgoods.org/
--www.collectionallgoods.org

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Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Concerning a letter below on this page:
Trying to tie the Ancient Greeks to a free market ideology proabably wont fly. --Michael Sullenszino; Washington, USA

True; that is why Greek philosophy went down the drain.
--Fred Foldvary
California

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