American Exceptionalism

This new Gallup poll shows that a large majority of American's agree that "that the United States has a unique character because of its history and Constitution that sets it apart from other nations as the greatest in the world."  The same poll shows that just 58% believe that President Obama agrees with the sentiment.

In 2009, President Obama was asked if he believed in American exceptionalism. He replied, 

"I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism." 

In fairness, Obama does go on, in the same reply, to state that he is "proud of my country and its role and history in the world."  The quote continues with nuanced language about partnerships and compromise and how the other nations of the world are also wonderful, etc.  He doesn't seem to understand what American exceptionalism is actually referring to.

Many, mostly on the left, conflate American exceptionalism with nationalism.  American exceptionalism is not based on national pride, but rather refers to the opinion that America was uniquely founded upon an idea.  It was designed by the founding fathers as a nation of laws, based on liberty and individualism.

Obama's relativism regarding American exceptionalism can be summed up with a quote from the movie "The Incredibles":

Helen: Everyone's special, Dash.
Dash: Which is another way of saying no one is.

Does unemployment stimulate the economy?

Does unemployment stimulate the economy?  It seems, on it's face, like an absurd economic strategy.  But, upon further analysis - yes, it is absurd.

Keith Olbermann, Nancy Pelosi and other Keynesian Democrats would like to believe that is true. It's simply wrong (and dangerous).

Olbermann's claim:

"The unemployed, unlike the rich ... are, in fact, the job creators"

A panel on PJTV, including Yaron Brooks and Terry Jones, dissects Olbermann's theory here:

UPDATE:  Trickle-up economics via xtranormal.

Curtis Got Slapped ...

A child named Curtis Bowen © was allegedly slapped by his teacher at Martin Luther King Jr., Elementary School.  In response, his mother, Lisa Henry Bowen © wrote a racially charged 40-page letter of demands for reparations.

This site shows most of the 40-page letter.  

To start things off, Ms. Bowen © presents a bill, payable by money order or silver coinage, for $250,000.  She uses some basic math to arrive at that figure.

"Curtis Bowen © has a million dollar face, and I've always told him so.  Curtis Bowen © is my sovereign property and belongs to me, according to God's laws, the Common Law ... Curtis Bowen © demonstrated for me how Ms. Curry slapped him and it appears, by his demonstration, she slapped 1/4 of his face."

The 14 page list of demands that follows ranges from merely ridiculous ...

  - Annual trips to Disneyland

  - An audience with the President

  - A $15,000 per month consulting job for Ms. Bowen ©

... to entirely insane: 

  - No H.A.A.R.P. signals used to "... make us confused, crazy, stupid ... "

  - No "mind control tactics ... "

  - No "... "mysterious deaths" in an effort to avoid paying us"

You have to read the whole thing to fully appreciate the magnitude of the madness required to write this manifesto.