Alas, Detroit

With today's announcement of a bankruptcy filing by Chrysler Corporation, America's once mighty industrial giants have revealed their weakness. In light of the recent economic crash, federal bailouts, and skyrocketing spending and job losses, this is no surprise. However, what made it unique was the President's announcement of the bankruptcy - which came on the heels of his demand that the CEO of GM resign. Whether right or wrong (hey, I'm from Detroit - I am all for saving the Big 3), what has been missing from the equation are our First Principles. How does this all square with (1) the rule of law, (2) equality, (3) unalienable rights, (4) the Social Compact, and (5) limited government. The answer may be out there, but no one is asking the question. If the question is not asked, how can we expect that our nation's founding principles will be followed?

Emancipation Day

April 16 marks the anniversary of Emancipation Day. This is the day on which Abraham Lincoln signed a bill that emancipated about 3100 slaves in the District of Columbia. The First Principle of equality was finally beginning to be recognized. This came months before Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation - which freed slaves in all states in a state rebellion.

TAX DAY

April 15 is a day that lives in infamy in America. Every year millions of manhours are spent calculating taxes and wading through complicated tax regulations and forms. Every year the Congress tinkers with the tax code, adding to its complexities and mammoth size. In America, the rule of law is supposed to govern - but it is undermined because the tax code is so complicated, and so large, and its compliance costs are so high, that most citizens are befuddled by what exactly is taxed, at what rate, for how long. Tax evasion (legal and illegal) is rampant. A healthy state of affairs would be furthered if those in Washington, DC and across state capitals began to look at the First Principles of the rule of law, equality, and limited government when reforming the tax code.

Striking at the Pirates - Protecting the Rule of Law and Unalienable Rights

The US Navy's liberation of US Captain Richard Phillips is a victory not only against piracy, but also for the rule of law and unalienable rights. Watching ABC's This Week this morning, one could rightfully have wondered whether a large portion of America's pundits cared much about either. Thankfully, the President and the US Navy stood up against the ravages of piracy and acted decisively to save Captain Phillips by killing 3 of the 4 pirates, and capturing the fourth.

Apparently over 60 pirate attacks on non-USA targets have already occurred this year. To continue to allow the pirates to run roughshod would simply give victory to lawlessness. By taking the pirates out, the rule of law and the protection of unalienable rights have triumphed.

The pirates operating around the Horn of Africa continue to hold over 200 hostages from several non-USA countries. The question becomes, will the rest of the world act follow America's lead and act decisively to protect the rule of law and unalienable rights?