Tag Archives: Mark Levin

On the Shoulders of Giants

Posted by Tim on
Walter E Williams

Walter E Williams

I was thrilled to hear a familiar voice guest hosting Rush Limbaugh’s show today. I turned the program on a few minutes late at work. I had been listening to an old Dream Theater album, but turned it off when I realized that I was missing “the fastest 3 hours of radio”. The voice belongs to Walter E Williams, an author and economist. Not long after I started listening, Williams mentioned that the great Thomas Sowell would be making a guest appearance on the show in the 2nd hour. What a treat!

I quickly texted a friend who I know would be interested – the friend who introduced me to Sowell, and economics in general. Of course he’s a busy guy, regularly working 70+ hours a week as an outstanding recording engineer (with a number of songs actually on Billboard’s lists). Its nice when talk radio can flex its muscles and show off a bit. Talk radio isn’t just pundits rambling about the latest controversy. Often times it delves deep into America’s most troubling problems. Today, for instance, Williams talked about the social security debacle; how its going broke and won’t be around for many people in their 20s and 30s.

Williams was great. I hardly ever hear him on the radio, but when I do I listen up. The first time I heard him was when he was promoting his latest book, Race and Economics: How Much Can Be Blamed on Discrimination?, on the Mark Levin Show. The two of them got along wonderful, and you could hear the mutual respect in their voices. Mark is another host who goes beyond typical talk radio. Mark Levin worked in the Reagan administration, operates a law firm, and as such knows quite a bit about law and most importantly, the Constitution. He also regularly makes references to famous political theorists such as John Locke and Montesquieu.

Without a doubt, the talk radio trifecta (Limbaugh, Hannity, and Levin) have helped shape my views of the world. Notable libertarian economists such as Milton Friedman, Henry Hazlitt, and Thomas Sowell have also all influenced me. None of what I know (when it comes to politics or economics) is outside anyone else’s capabilities. Let’s be very clear here – 95% of what I know about history, economics, and the Constitution I learned on my own after my mandatory public education.

But learning for myself wasn’t enough. I found that what I learned I wanted to express to my friends and coworkers. Its weird to just start up a conversation about price controls, Marxism, or the 2nd Amendment. I was willing to take on the challenge, however. While driving to the bars on a Friday night I might turn on Mark Levin’s show (which for me goes from 9pm-12am). Or I might loan out copies of Sowell books. Or, just this last week, I gave out copies of the Constitution and Declaration as gifts for the Fourth of July. That oughta get the conversation going.

I’ve also extended my thoughts to the internet, to this very blog you’re reading right now. My thoughts aren’t just for people who know me personally. I feel I have something to offer people, and its more than likely that I don’t actually know all of them. Whoever you are, I hope you’re enjoying my ramblings as much as I’m enjoying writing them!

Milton Friedman

Milton Friedman

But like many other people, I know I’m standing on the shoulders of giants. Those who I’ve learned from are far more famous and respectable than I can dream to be. The most I can do to pay homage to them is let you know where I get what I’m talking about. Most of my ideas aren’t mine. They’re Thomas Sowell’s, or Milton Friedman’s, or Mark Levin’s. They say I can’t list them all – but I’ll try. Here’s goes – Shelby Steele, John Locke, F.A. Hayek, William Buckley, Wayne LaPierre, Edmund Burke, John Stossel, Ayn Rand, Henry Hazlitt, David & Rush Limbaugh, Mark Steyn, Adam Smith, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, John Lott, Mark Belling, Sean Hannity, Victor Davis Hanson, Burton Folsom Jr, Walter E Williams, Frederic Bastiat, and Andrew Breitbart. These are the giants whose shoulders I stand on.

Recommended Reading (4/2/12)

Posted by Tim on

The ideas on political theory today can all be traced back centuries. Before we ever knew who Barack Obama or Mitt Romney were, old guys in Europe were talking about the same things we’re talking about today. Just like today, the differences are stark, but unlike today – they were clear. Nowadays, it can be hard to see any real difference between a Democrat and a Republican. But by taking a step back, and understanding the fundamentals of each argument, the differences are in plain view.

No recent book spells out the differences better than Mark Levin’s most recent book, Ameritopia: The Unmaking of America. In the follow-up to Mark’s last best selling book, Liberty and Tyranny, he dives deeper into the history and philosophy of the left – who he refers to as Utopians. The magical dream world where equality is places above all else, and where wise men make rules for everyone else’s life. Its the dream of the modern day leftist, but also the dream of Plato, Thomas Hobbes, Thomas More, and Karl Marx. In each of their writings they create their own utopia, complete with an all powerful centralized government.

Conversely, Mark also brings to light the philosophers behind the founding of America – Charles de Montesquieu, and John Locke. John Locke gave our founders the idea of inalienable rights given to us by our creator – life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Locke also brought us property rights. Montesquieu gave us the gift of our republicanism. A federal government that has certain powers, but most powers and duties are left to the states. Separation of powers, limited government, liberty, property rights – these are the principles of America.

But today, as Mark sees it, (and I tend to agree with him) we are no longer living in a constitutional republic. The government controls more of our lives than ever, and the outlook is grim. Only by returning to the principles which this nation was built on can we escape the wrath of the left’s utopia. We are no longer living in America, but “Ameritopia”.

This book is a great introduction to political theory. It discusses the real differences between the right and left in history and today. Just like Levin’s last book, Ameritopia is a huge hit – debuting as the #1 New York Times best seller, and remaining on the best seller list for weeks. This is a must read for anyone who wants to learn a bit about political theory, the principles of the Constitution and Declaration, and gain a perspective for where we are headed in the future if drastic changes are not made.

Montesquieu, Virtue, and the Republic

Posted by Tim on

I usually don’t write in the morning. In fact, I can’t remember a time when I did. This might be the first morning post. Today I woke up and I’m trying this new idea – I drink 40 oz of water before I do anything else. Our bodies like to flush out toxins often, but since I was asleep for 8 hours or so, I’m a little behind. Toxins have built up in my body, and it’s time to flush them out. This is supposed to keep me healthier, and make me feel better for the rest of the day. We’ll see how it works. I imagine I’ll just have to pee real bad.

Charles de Montesquieu

Charles de Montesquieu

Anyways – I was reading Mark Levin’s new book, Ameritopia, and I came across an important passage, and one that triggered a few troublesome thoughts. (By the way – that’s how you know it’s a good book – it makes you think.) In a chapter discussing Charles de Montesquieu, Mark explains the differences between the three forms of government; republic, monarchy, despotism. In a republic, the people have sovereign power. In a monarchy, one person or group has power, but is bound by established laws. In a despot, one person or group has all power, and can make and break laws however they sees fit.

Now, although you could argue that America is no longer a republic, given that our government continues to push it’s people around more and more, I’m going to just go ahead and say we’re a republic. While we certainly aren’t the republic we once were, we’re not a monarchy, and although the left seeks despotism, we’re not there yet either. We’re a republic.

Something very important separates republicanism from monarchism and despotism. Monarchism and despotism deal only with the nature of government, and it’s principles. Montesquieu writes, “There is a difference between the nature of government and it’s principle: its nature is that which makes it what it is, and it’s principle, that which makes it act. The one is its particular structure, the other is the human passions that set it in motion.” And that’s all there is – nature, and principle.

Montesquieu continues, however, to confront republicanism – “In a popular state (a republic) there must be an additional spring, which is virtue.” Well, then – virtue is something that matters. While in a despotic government (fascism, totalitarianism, etc) there is no need for virtue since one person has absolute power and need not answer to anyone else, a republic requires virtue to stay a republic. Otherwise it slowly slips away, and we wind up with some kind of pseudo-republic like we have now.

It’s been said over and over again, by countless people, “Freedom is fragile.” How true. When the entire state of government and society rests on the virtue of those in office, our system is very fragile. This tells us that because those in power can make or break a republic, and turn it into a tyrannical despotic nation, it’s important to limit their power. Those in office make the decisions that in the end affect our freedom. And if we’re only going on their “virtues” to maintain our freedom, well – let’s just not give them that power in the first place.

This is an argument for smaller government. Because freedom and individual sovereignty is widely dispersed, so power should be the same way. The power to make decisions in our own lives should come from us as individuals. Not only is freedom dispersed, but so is knowledge. Only you, the individual, have the knowledge to know what is best for your life. The government should not, and cannot, make decisions for you – whether those decisions have to do with your healthcare, energy bill, or what kinds of guns you keep in your house.

Our government and all the crooks and cronies in it, all affect the way our country works. Does it sound like a good idea to give them more power, as if they’re somehow more noble, wise, and well-meaning than any other human? No – of course not. Limit their power, and we can sustain all the freedoms that come along with being a republic.

Recommended reading – “The Spirit of Laws” by Charles de Montesquieu, and “Ameritopia” by Mark Levin.