News & Analysis
DB Briefs: Solyndra Hits Obama Hard / Germany's Pirates Storm Berlin / Mainstream Economists Favor Carbon Tax?
Solyndra Hits Obama Hard
Issa to launch probe of Obama actions on Solyndra, LightSquared ... Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) said Tuesday that his committee plans to investigate government loan programs to private corporations in light of allegations of improper dealings between the White House and failed energy company Solyndra and wireless start-up LightSquared. "I want to see when the president and his cronies are picking winners and losers... it wasn't because there were large contributions given to them," the chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee said Tuesday morning on C-SPAN. – The Hill
Dominant Social Theme: Corruption is a fact of life. Plus, Obama is an honest president. His enemies are just trying to take advantage ...
Free-Market Analysis: Is it serious? Darrell Issa's committee is now looking at whether it was improper for members of Congress or White House staff to select companies eligible for subsidized government loans when those companies could give campaign donations.
Here at DB we cannot be faulted over a slow response. The day the FBI raided Solyndra, back on September 9, we noted the raid in these electronic pages and asked "Is Solyndra the End of Obama?" We're convinced that Obama is a creature of the Anglosphere power elite, and given his lamentable performance as US president, we wonder whether the powers-that-be have tired of him. The best way of getting rid of someone in high office is through scandal. Could Solyndra be a shot across the bow?
Obama was supposed to be the second coming of FDR, a young man with boundless energy and charisma. A cool cat who was "hot." An analytical fellow who was also a man of the people. It didn't hurt that he was black and was perceived overseas as having a Muslim heritage. This was doubtless intended to make him a great conciliator.
But Obama has muffed it. His endless vacations and golf outings have revealed a man who is either overwhelmed or uncaring. And his expensive jobs and health care legislation has done little or nothing to improve people's health or employment prospects. The US is headed toward an ever steeper recession (depression, really) and nothing Obama has tried has in any way alleviated the economy's evident difficulties.
Thus when we heard that Solyndra had gone bust owing the federal government some US$535 million in federal loans under a green energy program of President Obama's, we figured the "tea leaves" might be aligning in ways that were not favorable to America's hippest prez.
Barack Obama, we wrote, "has been a great disappointment to the elite central banking families that want to run the world ... Have those with the real power in America decided that Obama's days are numbered? ... Is someone trying to send a message?"
We concluded the case "bears watching." And it does.
Germany's Pirates Storm Berlin
Pirates' Strong Showing in Berlin Elections Surprises Even Them ... The party won 8.9 percent in elections in the city-state ... With laptops open like shields against the encroaching cameramen, the young men resembled Peter Pan's Lost Boys more than Captain Hook's buccaneers when they were introduced Monday as Berlin's newest legislators: They are the members of the Pirate Party. Asked if they were just some chaotic troop of troublemakers, Christopher Lauer, newly voted in as a state lawmaker for the district of Pankow, replied with no lack of confidence, "You ought to wait for the first session in the house of representatives." – NY Times
Dominant Social Theme: Well, this is a sign of the times. But no worries. The establishment is still in charge.
Free-Market Analysis: The Pirates Party was started in Sweden in 2006 and by winning 8.9 percent of the Berlin vote in Sunday's election, the party apparently surpassed all expectations. It's main theme – Internet freedom – proved to have an unexpected resonance. The Pirates ran 15 candidates, expecting perhaps that a few might be elected. Instead, all of them were.
There were other surprising results, the Times reports. "The pro-business Free Democrats, Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition partners in the federal Parliament, crashed and burned, again, receiving less than 2 percent of the vote. That is well below the 5 percent needed to remain in the statehouse. The Green Party continued to build on its recent successes and may well become one of the governing parties in Berlin."
In with the new, out with the old. What is the attraction of parties like the "Pirates"? Issues of online privacy and data protection may seem incredibly narrow to older generations, according to the Times, but for young people who spend a great deal of time on the Internet, such issues are relevant and important
Additionally, the Pirates promise something other than politics as usual. They have called for complete transparency in politics, a meme we have already identified with WikiLeaks' Julian Assange. Of course, when it comes to Assange and Wikileaks, we have made a case that the group may be a kind of controlled opposition. The whole issue of "transparency in politics" is a bit suspicious to us.
One of the ways that the powers-that-be control the current system is by sponsoring movements to "reform it." Are the Pirates a kind of controlled opposition? There are mutterings to that effect in the alternative press. Thus, as much as the party seems to constitute a bold, new force in German politics, we will withhold our enthusiastic support. Too much is not as it seems these days.
Mainstream Economists Favor Carbon Tax?
Do economists all favour a carbon tax? Last week, a Twitter conversation broke out among a few economists concerning whether any serious economists opposed a carbon tax. No, concluded the tweeters, but Tyler Cowen begged to differ. Mr Cowen writes that he personally favours a carbon tax but can imagine a number of principled reasons other economists might not. – Economist
Dominant Social Theme: A carbon tax makes perfect sense, but still there may be other options. Not serious ones, though.
Free-Market Analysis: The Economist is the thought magazine of the global elites. Its mission is to analyze the world's problems and suggest globalist solutions. It is relentlessly international in its focus and unquestioning in its support of the elite's dominant social themes, those scarcity memes promoted by the Anglosphere in order to consolidate global control.
One of the biggest and most controversial memes of the elite is global warming. The idea is that global warming is a terrible, almost existentialist problem – and that only a variety of world-spanning institutions have the expertise to deal with it. Of course, global warming has received considerable pushback, with an increasing number of people, especially in the West, being dubious about its reality or at least the depth of the danger it poses.
The Economist has no such skepticism, however, or not in this article. It doesn't even bother to bring up the idea that someone could oppose global warming on the grounds that it is not real. It begins with the idea that the science of global warming is "established" and goes from there.
The issue, in this article, is not whether global warming exists, or even whether "all" economists support a carbon tax to counteract it. The issue is simply whether a carbon tax is the "best" solution. The article is written to bring up the provocative point that it may not be.
Tyler Cowen is the vehicle utilized to examine the Economist's thesis. Cowen apparently wrote to the Economist that while he favors a carbon tax, he can imagine why other economists might not.
According to the Economist, "The carbon tax is an elegant solution to a complicated problem, which allows the everyday business of consumer decision-making to do the work of emission reduction ... it is the one we'd expect economists to embrace."
Cowen, however, argues that a carbon tax will be less effective if it's not universally applied. "He worries that where carbon fees have been applied innovation has not been quick to respond ... He suggests that a 'green-energy subsidies first' policy might make more sense, and he talks about distributional and rent-seeking costs of the policy.
There you have it, dear reader ...The issue is not whether global warming exists, but how best to tackle the consequences: either by taxation or via green subsidies. And this from what is supposed to be one of the most sophisticated business and finance magazines available in the Western world!
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Posted by Avatar on 09/28/11 06:41 PM
You got it.
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Posted by non-statist on 09/22/11 03:36 AM
"Looks like more taxes on humans who definitely have a carbon footprint and cattle/dairy farmers will be forced into insolvency without subsidies as cows are HUGE polluters."
Who else can be taxed effectively besides humans? Last time I checked, cows polluted less than the governments that enact taxes and exempt themselves from environmental pollution laws.
The only legitimate carbon footprint I've ever seen came from a chimney sweep after he had finished his job.
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Posted by taxesbyanyothername on 09/21/11 06:13 PM
Due to the internet secrecy of any kind will be more and more difficult. This is not only true about direct access but indirect as well. Books like those by Malkin and Morris can now be cranked out in months whereas in the past they would have taken years, hardly affecting current debate. What bits and pieces are emphasized by governments with friendly media are becomming less relevent. Nevertheless willful ignorance can still trump truth. Anyone who thinks that people telling them to kill their babies are the good guys is completely lost, and yet they get elected again and again.
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Posted by scousekraut on 09/21/11 12:12 PM
I have just checked the results for Berlin. The three socialist parties - SPD, Lefts (Die Linke) and Greens accumulated 69 per cent of the votes between them. The FDP were annihilated but this was no surprise as the current government is increasingly unpopular for a variety of reasons and the party has been poorly led.
The Pirates are an interesting alternative. So far they have not developed a complete political platform. They have no monetary policy or foreign policy. They do call for decentralisation of power to the local communities however, a step in the right direction. As the DB mentions they also call for political transparency and freedom of information.
On the other hand they call for free education for everybody up to and including university. In Germany many people leave school at 19 and then do a Diplom at University that takes at least four and a half years. In Berlin they also called for free transport in the City for all citizens I believe. So they are a little populist to say the least.
Nevertheless they are a much needed breath of fresh air in a country in which the main political parties are all fairly close together and all believe in centralisation of power more or less. Most of the votes come from young men in the 18-35 year old bracket and this must worry the other parties and the elites as they are the future of the country. Furthermore this generation is far less burdened with guilt over their countrie's history and alleged history than older people are. They will be far harder to manipulate with politics of "fear and guilt" than the current leaders.
Reply from The Daily Bell
Thanks for this report from "the front lines."
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Posted by dotti on 09/21/11 11:22 AM
Okay, Avatar.
I take this to mean that a "series of one" is not truly a series; therefore, you mean in this instance I should not assume that the Pirates Party success is the beginning of a trend.
Did I get it?
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Posted by rossbcan on 09/21/11 11:10 AM
"tax is an elegant solution to a complicated problem, which allows the everyday business of consumer decision-making to do the work of emission reduction"
Translation to RealSpeak:
decision-making (choice) must be coerced in the directions we want by attaching higher costs to choices we disfavor or choices that must be made, independent of cost (such as consuming energy, securing our "cut"). "Obey or Else" via the mechanism of courts is just too expensive due to "cuts" of the legal "profession", so, let's get hapless business to enforce our will, for free by "collecting our cut, or else"
Those who coerce / influence choice to their advantage and your disadvantage will have a survival advantage (and, you by the cohones), for so long as YOU tolerate these survival hits, personally, and, to civilization in general:
Click to view link
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Posted by dotti on 09/21/11 09:51 AM
Avatar, I usually find your posts easy to understand, which is much appreciated!
This one, I don't "get".
Help, please?
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Posted by Avatar on 09/21/11 09:32 AM
Beware of a series of One.
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Posted by Avatar on 09/21/11 09:32 AM
Looks like more taxes on humans who definitely have a carbon footprint and cattle/dairy farmers will be forced into insolvency without subsidies as cows are HUGE polluters. Since we cannot measure the water vapor in the air over the entire earth, GW will always be disputed. However, we can measure the pollution in the air and water and should take measures to reduce such pollution in these vital resources.
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Posted by dotti on 09/21/11 09:16 AM
DB, I really like this part of your overall format--the news briefs and analysis of them. I get most of my news here so it helps me stay informed on a broader basis.
Re: "Additionally, the Pirates promise something other than politics as usual. They have called for complete transparency in politics, a meme we have already identified with WikiLeaks' Julian Assange. Of course, when it comes to Assange and Wikileaks, we have made a case that the group may be a kind of controlled opposition. The whole issue of "transparency in politics" is a bit suspicious to us.
One of the ways that the powers-that-be control the current system is by sponsoring movements to "reform it." Are the Pirates a kind of controlled opposition? There are mutterings to that effect in the alternative press. Thus, as much as the party seems to constitute a bold, new force in German politics, we will withhold our enthusiastic support. Too much is not as it seems these days."
My initial reaction was one of hope--that the tide was turning. That maybe citizens around the world were becoming more aware and even non-reported and non-supported by the MSM, it was the great Internet Revolution--beginning to happen!
Unfortunately, I agree with your last two paragraphs--which are not so hopeful.
Many of us are indeed trying to get at the truth, but lies are so pervasive that it seems impossible to know what is truth.
Does anyone here believe that the Pirates--or the Tea Party--have not been infiltrated by the PTB--using CIA or other covert forces?
And given that the MSM is the tool of the PE and even the Internet is not so reliable as to be trustworthy in terms of what is truth, how will Truth be found?
I have heard people say that in order to truly believe in the Bible (for instance), that they would have to study Hebrew and Greek and go to the original documents and do the translation themselves. While I understand what they are saying, I of necessity have to accept the translations as authentic. I may occasionally look up a phrase to see what the alternative translation would be, but I do not have any expectation of ever being able to achieve a status where I could offer a superior translation myself.
I believe that the PE are so powerful and their agents so pervasive that it is difficult to see how anything other than a total global collapse would disract them from their goal of one world government.
Think back to the French Revolution. I think most who read here have accepted that it was fomented by the PE way back in that day. How much more powerful have they become?
Well. I'm going to put my head down and press forward and accomplish today--for myself and my loved ones. Invisible. Head down. Accomplish.
Best to all. Keep reading here! Thanks AW for providing this space for our "meetings".
Reply from The Daily Bell
Thanks, Dotti, good points. The Pirate movement in part stems from a leftist court case in Europe on Internet and copyright issues and there are questions to be raised about its founders, etc. despite the good stances they seem to be taking ...
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Posted by John Danforth on 09/21/11 09:05 AM
"The issue is not whether global warming exists... "
And the solution is never a question of whether globalists should run everyone's lives at the point of a gun, but which tyrannical policy will get the job done most efficiency.
You gotta give 'em points for tenacity.
Underneath it all, the most basic question for any central planner is the consideration of just how far he can carry his plans forward without losing his own skin as a result. If they put their plans through by force without brainwashing the victims first, blowback could ruin everything. Constant publication of ruminations about various things to try serves both to keep the issue alive and to test the waters for the strength of the backlash it will create.
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Posted by kenn on 09/21/11 08:55 AM
It's not a question of transparency as much as it is a willingness to see.
Selective blindness?
Reply from The Daily Bell
Good point. But we believe more and more "transparency" may be a significant meme. There is actually a non profit organization founded in the past few years dedicated to "transparency" and Assange hits it hard as well. Something going on here, in our view ...
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Posted by Frank on 09/21/11 08:26 AM
"Solyndra Hits Obama Hard"
However: "Dominant Social Theme: Corruption is a fact of life."
This "Dominant Social Theme" is exactly what I heard the Democrats give on TV yesterday as an excuse for the Obama Administrations actions in this case. Incredible! Even if true... 2 wrongs don't make a right & it should not be overlooked or tolerated. Instead, they should be made examples of & prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
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Posted by SwifterMan on 09/21/11 08:06 AM
. . .
Germany's Pirates Storm Berlin
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Transparency is badly needed in Germany as well as in America !
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Have transparency reign, and most of the government will wake up in jail.
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And the road back to the top - is once again open to the honest . . .
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Posted by SwifterMan on 09/21/11 08:03 AM
. . .
CITATION:
"The whole issue of "transparency in politics" is a bit suspicious to us."
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It shouldn't be !
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Just use logics, use your brain !
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Politics & government is responsibility given by all to a few.
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Those few are paid for their work for the people - by the people.
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Their work should be the best and most thoroughly controlled in the world !
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Our lives depend on their correct work.
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On the other hand - the history of mass murder on this planet, is a history of government crime.
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As much as the privacy of private people in private spaces should be absolutely tabou for government spying - official employes of the government should be transparent every single minute and in every single detail of their work for the people that pay them - the citizens of America and other countries as well.
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When Mikhail Gorbatchev introduced Glasnost & Perestroika (transparency)to the world - many were laughing.
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Not only the Gulag's, also the USSR are gone now . . .
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Modern Gulag's like Abu Greib or Guantanamo are under US-control, whistleblower Bradley Manning is not (yet) considered a hero, and is used to frighten the shit out of every american NOT to dare to tell the truth.
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All this is going to end badly, and transparency for the government is the most harmonious way to change the world for the better.
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If America refuses to come clean - the US will sink deeper and deeper into oppression and hidden crime.
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The CIA will be the real government.
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And America will continue it's descent into oblivion.
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Change we can ?
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America - I can't believe you at this moment in time, where Hilary Clinton orders the US-embassys to gather DNA in secret of foreign politicians for the CIA.
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America ist off it's rails, and people have a hard time to realize this.
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Transparency of your government will lead you out of the morass.
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Small government, no debts, lots of freedom, excellent education and discipline were the secrets of two miracles of the economy in the past.
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Have your government become transparent - and half of those sinister servants to the state will wake up in jail for good reasons . . .
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And America may once again fly free !
Reply from The Daily Bell
OK, you concentrate on making government more transparent. We'll focus on making it smaller.
