I'm not the biggest fan of the NRA, but I've decided that change must come from within in that organization. I've become a member with voting rights and have cast my ballot for more hard line candidates. I've also decided to go to the convention this weekend to check out all the new cool stuff they have to show off. I'd like to get some Sellebrity pics as well. Yes, I spelled that correctly.
Have fun if you plan to head out.
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act backlash?
The more I hear about the RFRA, the more genius the idea is. The conservatives have played this card knowing perfectly well the backlash that would ensue. They also knew that the law wouldn't allow rote discrimination, yet the progressive media and various associations decided it was their chance to rally under a flag and pull an all out nonviolent protest. This whole issue was thought to be a PR gold mine for progressives.
Right now you're probably thinking I'm daft or the wife beat me too hard last night, but that's not the case and I'll explain the facts as I see them. I'll start by saying that I have a very diverse group of friends on facebook. Schoolmates, work associates, motorcycle community, diving friends, etc. are on here and fairly active with their accounts. Of the nearly 800 friends, around 50 of them were very upset at the RFRA, about twice that number are outspokenly for it. For the other 650, it's not enough of an issue either way for them to worry about because it doesn't affect them in any way. They don't discriminate, nor do they wish to deal with the strife created. They quietly go about their day just trying to get by. What they do pay attention to is the amount of disinformation being heralded by both sides. The right attempted to sway the argument by looking at other states that have similar laws while the left really went overboard saying that the laws would allow civil right violations, Jim Crowe era segregation and then called for the financial destruction of the state they live in if they didn't get their way. That's just so.... Inclusive of them.
Those 650 people noticed the grandstanding, and along with the 100 staunchly conservative people in my feed, will have an overwhelming majority once again when they vote next year. The whole affair is pure genius on the part of the right. They knew up front it would cause a stir, they knew how progressives would (over)react.
What people don't understand is the social dynamic. The low to no information voter will always vote for the hand that feeds them, even though it also is responsible for keeping them caged. They don't care about religious freedom one way or another. They are still getting fed when someone else gets elected, so it's not important to get out and vote until they might lose their meal ticket.
On the other hand, hard core progressives are a small minority of the voter pool. They always vote the same way, hard left, and will never change their tune unless their candidate changes position, which they will follow along while goose stepping to the polls. These "enlightened" souls make a lot of noise, but rarely find a following unless there's a scandal. Now here they are holding the narrative that the sky is falling while everyone else is aware that nothing has changed.
The supposed financial backlash is more of a blessing in disguise. Conservative groups have a great following in the midwest. The NRA came to town a last year and dropped 70 thousand tourists in the city. Religious organizations are clamoring to host events in the city. The Gen Con that is attempting to hold the state hostage was bankrupt just a couple years ago, and they don't bring in half the total dollars that the NRA did due to the demographics involved.
All in all, the RFRA is a huge coup for conservatives in the next election. You will see another landslide in the electorate, verifying that religious freedom and personal freedom is important to Indiana, while progressive culture won't know what happened to their elitist momentum. While I've enjoyed the roll back of the firearms laws, this and many other conservative ideas are a bit unnerving to say the least. I'd prefer things to stop where they are this year, after constitutional carry is passed.
Right now you're probably thinking I'm daft or the wife beat me too hard last night, but that's not the case and I'll explain the facts as I see them. I'll start by saying that I have a very diverse group of friends on facebook. Schoolmates, work associates, motorcycle community, diving friends, etc. are on here and fairly active with their accounts. Of the nearly 800 friends, around 50 of them were very upset at the RFRA, about twice that number are outspokenly for it. For the other 650, it's not enough of an issue either way for them to worry about because it doesn't affect them in any way. They don't discriminate, nor do they wish to deal with the strife created. They quietly go about their day just trying to get by. What they do pay attention to is the amount of disinformation being heralded by both sides. The right attempted to sway the argument by looking at other states that have similar laws while the left really went overboard saying that the laws would allow civil right violations, Jim Crowe era segregation and then called for the financial destruction of the state they live in if they didn't get their way. That's just so.... Inclusive of them.
Those 650 people noticed the grandstanding, and along with the 100 staunchly conservative people in my feed, will have an overwhelming majority once again when they vote next year. The whole affair is pure genius on the part of the right. They knew up front it would cause a stir, they knew how progressives would (over)react.
What people don't understand is the social dynamic. The low to no information voter will always vote for the hand that feeds them, even though it also is responsible for keeping them caged. They don't care about religious freedom one way or another. They are still getting fed when someone else gets elected, so it's not important to get out and vote until they might lose their meal ticket.
On the other hand, hard core progressives are a small minority of the voter pool. They always vote the same way, hard left, and will never change their tune unless their candidate changes position, which they will follow along while goose stepping to the polls. These "enlightened" souls make a lot of noise, but rarely find a following unless there's a scandal. Now here they are holding the narrative that the sky is falling while everyone else is aware that nothing has changed.
The supposed financial backlash is more of a blessing in disguise. Conservative groups have a great following in the midwest. The NRA came to town a last year and dropped 70 thousand tourists in the city. Religious organizations are clamoring to host events in the city. The Gen Con that is attempting to hold the state hostage was bankrupt just a couple years ago, and they don't bring in half the total dollars that the NRA did due to the demographics involved.
All in all, the RFRA is a huge coup for conservatives in the next election. You will see another landslide in the electorate, verifying that religious freedom and personal freedom is important to Indiana, while progressive culture won't know what happened to their elitist momentum. While I've enjoyed the roll back of the firearms laws, this and many other conservative ideas are a bit unnerving to say the least. I'd prefer things to stop where they are this year, after constitutional carry is passed.
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Back From Mordor on the Potomac
I was very happy to be out of DC and West of the mountains this past Friday. I'd spent several days in amongst the sites that once held prestige and glory for our nation. I'm still amazed at how our ancestors (well, the countries ancestors since most of my family is rather new here, arriving in about 1890.) built our nation from a ragtag group of states. The genius of a living document that protects the individual's rights over that of the government is unheard of throughout history. To think that ink on parchment can hold such esteem and cognitive intelligence is mind boggling.
Then I think about all that has been lost over the years. Today we cannot even think in deference to popular culture without severe repercussion from some group or quasi governmental agency. How far the mighty have fallen. We as a people have allowed progressive culture to rape liberty while using some pop culture tag line to make us feel better about it. It's maddeningly simple to see the teachings of Alinsky come to life within the borders of the US. Karl Marx would be proud.
There will come a day when the powers that be will come for your liberty. They will use the money they steal from you with Quantitative Easing, Quadruple Taxation and Commodities Manipulation to exact their revenge on you for thinking differently than how they like. We see flower shops, pizza joints and religious venues being sued for upholding their freedom to choose. Regardless of what that choice is, the fact that they have the ability to choose is far more important that the choice they make. One day it will be you in the crosshairs.
I've personally gone Galt. I refuse to pay for my own destruction. I am very careful to not break any laws, but I'm not going to allow myself to be penalized for my success. Many of my friends and merchant associates have moved to bartering for goods and services. No taxes on trades. Completely legal and legit, but it removes my support of the system. I still pay my property taxes and some sales taxes, but when I get a chance, I barter.
How many times has the same story been told throughout history? A great empire emerges, out grows it's utility, inflates it's economy and it's dying stroke is to penalize success. We are there. Our country is as tyrannical as the greatest in history. We have yet to crown a Caesar, but our elite banking culture and privileged governing class chooses the candidates we are allowed to vote for. Invention and success is ridiculed and regulated into the dustbin. Freedom is squandered for safety. Our citizens are penalized for being citizens while illegal aliens are protected from prosecution that would land us in jail for the same behavior. It's absurd.
Then I think about all that has been lost over the years. Today we cannot even think in deference to popular culture without severe repercussion from some group or quasi governmental agency. How far the mighty have fallen. We as a people have allowed progressive culture to rape liberty while using some pop culture tag line to make us feel better about it. It's maddeningly simple to see the teachings of Alinsky come to life within the borders of the US. Karl Marx would be proud.
There will come a day when the powers that be will come for your liberty. They will use the money they steal from you with Quantitative Easing, Quadruple Taxation and Commodities Manipulation to exact their revenge on you for thinking differently than how they like. We see flower shops, pizza joints and religious venues being sued for upholding their freedom to choose. Regardless of what that choice is, the fact that they have the ability to choose is far more important that the choice they make. One day it will be you in the crosshairs.
I've personally gone Galt. I refuse to pay for my own destruction. I am very careful to not break any laws, but I'm not going to allow myself to be penalized for my success. Many of my friends and merchant associates have moved to bartering for goods and services. No taxes on trades. Completely legal and legit, but it removes my support of the system. I still pay my property taxes and some sales taxes, but when I get a chance, I barter.
How many times has the same story been told throughout history? A great empire emerges, out grows it's utility, inflates it's economy and it's dying stroke is to penalize success. We are there. Our country is as tyrannical as the greatest in history. We have yet to crown a Caesar, but our elite banking culture and privileged governing class chooses the candidates we are allowed to vote for. Invention and success is ridiculed and regulated into the dustbin. Freedom is squandered for safety. Our citizens are penalized for being citizens while illegal aliens are protected from prosecution that would land us in jail for the same behavior. It's absurd.
Study the Past, or repeat it forever.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Dealing with Travel Into Occupied Territory.
As much as I dislike the idea, at times I must travel into areas where liberty is suspended by the local gooberment. I'm currently residing about as near the dark land of Mordor as you can get without seeing the statuesque marble columns that used to represent freedom and prosperity. Coming from a free state, and being used to carrying a means to defend one's self, it's against my personal stratagem to go without a defensive item or two, or three...
Planning a trip of this nature makes it nearly impossible to prepare as needed for a disaster while away. I was only able to bring a small kit with me that was cash and silver heavy. This would allow me to buy what I needed to get where I needed. The inability to legally have a firearms of sufficient power made things a bit more difficult, but I chose to fracture a law or two in order to feel somewhat safe should the situation become dire.
We have set up some tours to go into some heavily controlled areas that will make defensive carry an impossibility. I'm going to have to rely on my situational awareness to the point of becoming mentally taxed while we are out. I'm not going to be able to enjoy myself as much as I'd like, but I will remain vigilant over being an easy target.
Update:
Wrote a huge amount of info, lost it when my signal dropped. Ugh.
What to bring on a trip like this
Shelter. A 3 man tent/ Hammocks/ Tarps etc.
Water Tabs and a Sawyer mini filter.
Hiking gear that is weather appropriate, with packs.
Cashola! and maybe some silver.
Regular EDC travel kit from your car/truck/SUV. At minimum, decent med kit, bush craft kit, quality knife like my Cold Steel Spartan, cordage, gorilla tape, 21" expanding baton for primate relief, some wire for traps, lock pick/bypass kit, batteries, nav equipment, maps and some quick energy snacks. Something like Wifey's 3 day pack, or my EDC truck kit. (old pic pre update)
We are Bingo on food, so we'd have to deal with it if it came down to it. About 3 days worth at max rationing.
Mordor gun laws
Firearms are verboten in Mordor, but if you were to accidentally leave your Glock 26 and a few mags with a box of ammo, stranger things have happened. The 10/22 Take Down Rifle with a few 25rnd mags and a noise cancelling device would be the bees knees. Light weight/ universally known and non threatening anemic rifle with glaring utility and effective fire. It breaks down to fit easily in several nooks and crannies in the wifey mobile.
There's a mountain range between our FOB and home, so we must be prepared to hoof it if need be. We've kept our fuel tank topped off in the 4wd mini SUV since getting on this side of the mountains, so unless something serious happens, we should make it home.
Planning a trip of this nature makes it nearly impossible to prepare as needed for a disaster while away. I was only able to bring a small kit with me that was cash and silver heavy. This would allow me to buy what I needed to get where I needed. The inability to legally have a firearms of sufficient power made things a bit more difficult, but I chose to fracture a law or two in order to feel somewhat safe should the situation become dire.
We have set up some tours to go into some heavily controlled areas that will make defensive carry an impossibility. I'm going to have to rely on my situational awareness to the point of becoming mentally taxed while we are out. I'm not going to be able to enjoy myself as much as I'd like, but I will remain vigilant over being an easy target.
Update:
Wrote a huge amount of info, lost it when my signal dropped. Ugh.
What to bring on a trip like this
Shelter. A 3 man tent/ Hammocks/ Tarps etc.
Water Tabs and a Sawyer mini filter.
Hiking gear that is weather appropriate, with packs.
Cashola! and maybe some silver.
Regular EDC travel kit from your car/truck/SUV. At minimum, decent med kit, bush craft kit, quality knife like my Cold Steel Spartan, cordage, gorilla tape, 21" expanding baton for primate relief, some wire for traps, lock pick/bypass kit, batteries, nav equipment, maps and some quick energy snacks. Something like Wifey's 3 day pack, or my EDC truck kit. (old pic pre update)
We are Bingo on food, so we'd have to deal with it if it came down to it. About 3 days worth at max rationing.
Mordor gun laws
Firearms are verboten in Mordor, but if you were to accidentally leave your Glock 26 and a few mags with a box of ammo, stranger things have happened. The 10/22 Take Down Rifle with a few 25rnd mags and a noise cancelling device would be the bees knees. Light weight/ universally known and non threatening anemic rifle with glaring utility and effective fire. It breaks down to fit easily in several nooks and crannies in the wifey mobile.
There's a mountain range between our FOB and home, so we must be prepared to hoof it if need be. We've kept our fuel tank topped off in the 4wd mini SUV since getting on this side of the mountains, so unless something serious happens, we should make it home.
Monday, March 23, 2015
A Great, Thought Provoking Post/Discussion
Firearm Selection/ Concept of Use
Most Geardo's agree, More/Bigger/Cooler is better. Most purists tend to gravitate towards simplistic designs. Why? Well, the story above tells the tale of why. In motorcycle circles, we call it "Target Fixation". It's when a cyclist concentrates so hard on the object they wish to miss, that they steer right into it.
Like most items on the list of survivalist or preparedness supplies, firearms are a basic necessity of the lifestyle. The big difference is, they are way cooler than pasta, more fun to operate than a canner, and get more cool guy comments from your friends than your herb garden. Another stark reality is that if the poop hits the prop, you don't want to have to use them for more than harvesting meat. Everything else you've hopefully purchased you fully plan to utilize in earnest.
Firearms are a tool, and just as Ryan has eluded to in his post. You must use a bit of reason and planning to have the proper tool for the job. Just this weekend, I was teaching a Hunter Education class for a new generation of sportsmen/women in the ways of the conservationist mentality. Much of the class is spent with firearms safety and choice. This includes all types of weapons from archery to antique muzzle loaders to modern centerfire weapons. After a while, the students begin to glaze over and they miss some of the important points and intricacies of firearms choice.
Even the well informed such as myself will throw need to the wind and serve the "Want" crisis of the day/week/month. My silliest purchase to date was a Tangfolio custom built 45 cal race gun in all brushed bright stainless and aluminum. Man, that thing was cool. I owned it a week and sold it off after I came to my senses. I have since instituted some rules for myself when it comes to purchases. Those rules go something like this.
At this point, I cannot justify the expense of a $13k rifle. There are far more practical and usable items out there for me to invest in. For most, the idea of owning more than just a hunting rifle and a pocket revolver is borderline deranged. Statistics and modern social beliefs may even support that theory, but I'm not willing to bet my life on statistics. Anomalies happen, and when they do, you might need 50 rounds of ammo to overcome and survive a fight.
One thing I know for certain is that with 6 basic firearms, you can solve most issues and needs:
Pocket pistol- Deep cover or backup
Main pistol- Primary defensive weapon during day to day travels
Military pattern rifle- WROL use for homestead protection
Precision Rifle- Hunting/over watch use
22 Rifle- small game harvesting (quietly)
Shotgun- Close up and personal fighting/winged game
Ryan's basic ideas are valid and very well thought out. His approach and analogies are spot on, especially with regard to personal choice. I realize that tribe interchangeability is a huge issue, but most accessories used to personalize weapons don't change the major workings or affect the interchangeable parts or calibers. His approach to serviceability is another basic category you must consider. If it only works with a couple brands of ammo, what are the chances you can find that ammo all the time? I generally go by the wal mart rule. If I can go to a wal mart and buy the caliber ammo I'm buying the gun in, it's a common caliber.
Once again, don't waste all your brain power on guns. They can become a distraction to your over all preparedness or survivability if you spend too much time and effort choosing the perfect arsenal. If you run out of food and must trade your gun(s) for food, you're back to square one.
Beans/Bullets/Band Aids- In that order of importance.
Most Geardo's agree, More/Bigger/Cooler is better. Most purists tend to gravitate towards simplistic designs. Why? Well, the story above tells the tale of why. In motorcycle circles, we call it "Target Fixation". It's when a cyclist concentrates so hard on the object they wish to miss, that they steer right into it.
Like most items on the list of survivalist or preparedness supplies, firearms are a basic necessity of the lifestyle. The big difference is, they are way cooler than pasta, more fun to operate than a canner, and get more cool guy comments from your friends than your herb garden. Another stark reality is that if the poop hits the prop, you don't want to have to use them for more than harvesting meat. Everything else you've hopefully purchased you fully plan to utilize in earnest.
Firearms are a tool, and just as Ryan has eluded to in his post. You must use a bit of reason and planning to have the proper tool for the job. Just this weekend, I was teaching a Hunter Education class for a new generation of sportsmen/women in the ways of the conservationist mentality. Much of the class is spent with firearms safety and choice. This includes all types of weapons from archery to antique muzzle loaders to modern centerfire weapons. After a while, the students begin to glaze over and they miss some of the important points and intricacies of firearms choice.
Even the well informed such as myself will throw need to the wind and serve the "Want" crisis of the day/week/month. My silliest purchase to date was a Tangfolio custom built 45 cal race gun in all brushed bright stainless and aluminum. Man, that thing was cool. I owned it a week and sold it off after I came to my senses. I have since instituted some rules for myself when it comes to purchases. Those rules go something like this.
- Will this purchase facilitate a more secure environment for my tribe?
- Does this purchase serve a purpose already covered in my arsenal?
- Am I being selfish and unjustly spending money better served elsewhere?
- Are there ancillary costs to consider? New/Different ammo, accessories
- Can others in my tribe utilize it with ease?
At this point, I cannot justify the expense of a $13k rifle. There are far more practical and usable items out there for me to invest in. For most, the idea of owning more than just a hunting rifle and a pocket revolver is borderline deranged. Statistics and modern social beliefs may even support that theory, but I'm not willing to bet my life on statistics. Anomalies happen, and when they do, you might need 50 rounds of ammo to overcome and survive a fight.
One thing I know for certain is that with 6 basic firearms, you can solve most issues and needs:
Pocket pistol- Deep cover or backup
Main pistol- Primary defensive weapon during day to day travels
Military pattern rifle- WROL use for homestead protection
Precision Rifle- Hunting/over watch use
22 Rifle- small game harvesting (quietly)
Shotgun- Close up and personal fighting/winged game
Ryan's basic ideas are valid and very well thought out. His approach and analogies are spot on, especially with regard to personal choice. I realize that tribe interchangeability is a huge issue, but most accessories used to personalize weapons don't change the major workings or affect the interchangeable parts or calibers. His approach to serviceability is another basic category you must consider. If it only works with a couple brands of ammo, what are the chances you can find that ammo all the time? I generally go by the wal mart rule. If I can go to a wal mart and buy the caliber ammo I'm buying the gun in, it's a common caliber.
Once again, don't waste all your brain power on guns. They can become a distraction to your over all preparedness or survivability if you spend too much time and effort choosing the perfect arsenal. If you run out of food and must trade your gun(s) for food, you're back to square one.
Beans/Bullets/Band Aids- In that order of importance.
Thursday, March 19, 2015
New 380 Ammunition Choice
There's A new contender in the 380 pocket gun ammunition challenge. MAC, Military Arms Channel is a local guy that does youtube videos and also has a gun shop called Copper Customs. He's a nice guy, and I've been told that I met him a while back. I don't remember it, but others seem to? In this video he details the performance of ball and 2 different loads of a new bullet design. From the results, I'm going to make a change away from ball to these bullets. Impressive to say the least. Ryan over at Total Survivalist Blog, formerly TSLRF, has made the purchase of an LCP custom by Ruger. I'd say that the Underwood loading of this bullet seems like a no brainer, making 380 pocket guns a far more viable option with these results. I may even try "Stacking" my ammo, starting with the first couple rounds as hollow point, then the rest as the Underwood loading.
The gun culture crowd has certainly come a long way from it's infancy in the 80's. I can remember reading guns and ammo and waiting for the next magazine to come out in order to see the new stuff that's coming into the market place. Rarely did the magazines test the products in such a manner as these videos, so we were left to either test it ourselves or trust the gimmicky advertising. I made a Fackler box and test all my ammo to determine the best, but never had a venue to show the results. Today we have the advantage of social media and free testing galore. It's a glorious time for Gun Culture in America.
Monday, March 16, 2015
Invisible Bread Lines
Modern Survival Blog ran a story tonight about "Invisible Bread Lines" that really hit home to me. We may not notice the 44.5 million destitute people standing in bread lines, because the bread lines no longer exist. There is no stigmata to failure, it is entirely acceptable now to never try to work a day in your life. You can go right on down and shop with everyone else that earned their money (and had your benefits stolen from them) to pay for their food. There is no accountability either, it's just cash on a card. We are the society that rewards failure, both corporate and individual failure. There is to personal responsibility, no corporate accountability that can pierce the corporate shield. Everyone must win at all costs. The real losers are those of us that foot the bill. The ones that support the lower class, the mandarin class, the political class and those with no class.
What does that entitlement behavior do to us? How can we motivate the masses to succeed when they cannot fail? Programs that offer a hand up are far more successful than those that give a hand out. The lack of accountability has led to people driving 60-80 thousand dollar cards using SNAP benefits to buy steaks and champagne. This is not acceptable, nor is it legal in my opinion. The federal Gooberment has no ability to offer benefits to the specific welfare of an individual. The general welfare clause means to benefit everyone, and because everyone doesn't get SNAP benefits, it's not legally justified in the constitution. The same with "Bailout" giveaways, not legal.
The "Recovery Pandemic" I see nationwide singing the praises of rising GDP, DOW and S&P 500 values is highly optimistic to say the least. We have record debt to go along with that record tax revenue. There's a bubble in the market that is growing daily. True inflation is running at near 8 percent a year and it's not long before us working stiffs can't afford all the cool new stuff we don't need. Once that happens, or if gas prices spike this year like they are supposed to, we may see a large decline in the markets.
Employment participation is the lowest it's been in 35 years, leading me to believe that it's not all rosy out there in blue collar land. Over 1/3 of employment age people are sitting it out. I'm lucky that I have a skill I can use to make money from several different sources instead of being required to punch a clock. That gives me the ability to know my income threshold and to decide when I can coast a bit and when to churn some business. Why you ask? Because I can go Galt anytime I wish. I can remove myself from the machine at the federal level. What is "Going Galt"?
I can make far more if I worked more, but my family and my sanity are worth too much to me. I have also pulled away from doing business in the closest metropolitan city in my area. I gave up the license I carried for 15 years in protest of the way they are treating professionals and making up violations in order to generate income. After 15 years of never being fined, they attempted to issue a fine. I was just 2 weeks from my renew on my license, but just let it lapse. They can do without my services making them money. I was literally paying them to extract additional funds from me. No More! I will continue to work in the city, but will not allow them to make money off me. Even if that means fracturing a law. Their Gestapo crew can find another shill.
One of my best customers was fined 250 bucks over a $2.70 cup of coffee. He bought it on his business credit card, and the employment office audited his books. They considered that cup of coffee unreported income, leveling a fine on him. This is what it's like to live in tyranny. I will not comply, I will not be violated at their every whim with my own support.
Every person has a point where they say "No More". It might be when they can't buy food because of tax hikes, it might be when their life savings is stolen out of the banks like they did in Greece. There's no telling what the trigger is, but everyone has a point of no return. Once reached, a person will wave the black flag high, and do what needs to be done. The sad thing is, they have bred failure into our populace. They make sure the masses are fed. They ensure that things are JUST tolerable enough for people to stay seated when they should be stringing up the tyrannical bastards.
They may charge me rent for the land I own, they can tax or claim ownership of the rain that falls, they can charge me to drive on the roads I paid for, they can force me to buy insurance I don't want, they can shame me into keeping my mouth shut when I see wrong, they can teach my children to be sheep, but they can't force me to pay for the privilege.
What does that entitlement behavior do to us? How can we motivate the masses to succeed when they cannot fail? Programs that offer a hand up are far more successful than those that give a hand out. The lack of accountability has led to people driving 60-80 thousand dollar cards using SNAP benefits to buy steaks and champagne. This is not acceptable, nor is it legal in my opinion. The federal Gooberment has no ability to offer benefits to the specific welfare of an individual. The general welfare clause means to benefit everyone, and because everyone doesn't get SNAP benefits, it's not legally justified in the constitution. The same with "Bailout" giveaways, not legal.
The "Recovery Pandemic" I see nationwide singing the praises of rising GDP, DOW and S&P 500 values is highly optimistic to say the least. We have record debt to go along with that record tax revenue. There's a bubble in the market that is growing daily. True inflation is running at near 8 percent a year and it's not long before us working stiffs can't afford all the cool new stuff we don't need. Once that happens, or if gas prices spike this year like they are supposed to, we may see a large decline in the markets.
Employment participation is the lowest it's been in 35 years, leading me to believe that it's not all rosy out there in blue collar land. Over 1/3 of employment age people are sitting it out. I'm lucky that I have a skill I can use to make money from several different sources instead of being required to punch a clock. That gives me the ability to know my income threshold and to decide when I can coast a bit and when to churn some business. Why you ask? Because I can go Galt anytime I wish. I can remove myself from the machine at the federal level. What is "Going Galt"?
Expression for undergoing a voluntary financial strike or decrease in income. An individual might choose to do this in order to protest the amount of money going to the government, or to protest what they feel are unfair taxes (if they earn less, they will be taxed less, therefore hurting the government). The term is taken from a character in Ayn Rand's novel "Atlas Shrugged"; the main character John Galt leads a movement where the wealthiest individuals leave their jobs for low-paying jobs in order to protest the socialist economy.
I can make far more if I worked more, but my family and my sanity are worth too much to me. I have also pulled away from doing business in the closest metropolitan city in my area. I gave up the license I carried for 15 years in protest of the way they are treating professionals and making up violations in order to generate income. After 15 years of never being fined, they attempted to issue a fine. I was just 2 weeks from my renew on my license, but just let it lapse. They can do without my services making them money. I was literally paying them to extract additional funds from me. No More! I will continue to work in the city, but will not allow them to make money off me. Even if that means fracturing a law. Their Gestapo crew can find another shill.
One of my best customers was fined 250 bucks over a $2.70 cup of coffee. He bought it on his business credit card, and the employment office audited his books. They considered that cup of coffee unreported income, leveling a fine on him. This is what it's like to live in tyranny. I will not comply, I will not be violated at their every whim with my own support.
Every person has a point where they say "No More". It might be when they can't buy food because of tax hikes, it might be when their life savings is stolen out of the banks like they did in Greece. There's no telling what the trigger is, but everyone has a point of no return. Once reached, a person will wave the black flag high, and do what needs to be done. The sad thing is, they have bred failure into our populace. They make sure the masses are fed. They ensure that things are JUST tolerable enough for people to stay seated when they should be stringing up the tyrannical bastards.
They may charge me rent for the land I own, they can tax or claim ownership of the rain that falls, they can charge me to drive on the roads I paid for, they can force me to buy insurance I don't want, they can shame me into keeping my mouth shut when I see wrong, they can teach my children to be sheep, but they can't force me to pay for the privilege.
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