Michael Austin - Independent Voter News (Page 11)

A Parable, on the Eve of a Government Shutdown

Long ago, the organs of the body gathered to form a nation. Each part knew that it brought something unique and wonderful to the body politic. The nation was to

By Michael Austin

/ September 26, 2013

A Parable, on the Eve of a Government Shutdown

A Last Resort Against Tyranny? Think Again

I am a fortunate blogger indeed. In response to my recent post arguing that the Second Amendment conveys no Constitutional right to treason, I have been gifted with no fewer

By Michael Austin

/ September 24, 2013

A Last Resort Against Tyranny? Think Again

The Myths of American Exceptionalism

"To deny American exceptionalism is in essence to deny the heart and soul of this nation."—Mike Huckabee I spent most of last week in Mexico as part

By Michael Austin

/ September 21, 2013

Treason Is Not a Constitutional Right

I am not anti-gun activist. I believe that the Second Amendment gives all Americans the right to own firearms, to go hunting, to shoot targets, and, in the gravest emergency,

By Michael Austin

/ September 20, 2013

The Constitution Is Not the Code of Hammurabi

“If a man, who had adopted a son and reared him, founded a household, and had children, wish to put this adopted son out, then this son shall not simply

By Michael Austin

/ September 18, 2013

The Constitution Is Not the Code of Hammurabi

On Not Bombing Syria: The Case Against Altruistic Punishment

To call Syria a hornets nest would be an insult to hornets everywhere. And, to be fair, hornets don’t deserve the comparison. They are actually among nature’s greatest

By Michael Austin

/ September 4, 2013

On Not Bombing Syria: The Case Against Altruistic Punishment

How About We Have Congress Do Its Job

The British Parliament has determined that the Commonwealth shall not be going to war. David Cameron, though apparently disappointed, appears to be completely bound by the officially nonbinding resolution. The

By Michael Austin

/ August 30, 2013

Hey Kids, Let's Put on an Impeachment

In a recent town hall meeting, Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn let it be known that, in his opinion, President Obama is “perilously close to the Constitutional standard for impeachment.” He

By Michael Austin

/ August 27, 2013

Why Obamacare Won’t Do Much Good, Or Much Harm

The results are in, and the argument is settled. We can now say conclusively that the Affordable Care Act—otherwise known as “Obamacare”—is now either 1) saving lives by

By Michael Austin

/ August 21, 2013

Why Obamacare Won’t Do Much Good, Or Much Harm

In Egypt We Can Have Democracy, or We Can Have Democracy—but We Probably Can’t Have Both

But, for he knew his title not allowed, Would keep him still depending on the crowd; That kingly power, thus ebbing out, might be Drawn to the dregs of a

By Michael Austin

/ August 15, 2013

In Egypt We Can Have Democracy, or We Can Have Democracy—but We Probably Can’t Have Both

Can We Please, Please, Please Stop Comparing Stuff to Hitler?

Call it the argumentum ad nazium, or maybe the dicto simplicihitler, but it has become one of the most common forms of argument in American political discourse, and it really

By Michael Austin

/ August 14, 2013

Can We Please, Please, Please Stop Comparing Stuff to Hitler?

The Original Solution: Parties Are Inevitable; A Two-Party Monopoly Is Not

3 of 3 “Extend the sphere, and you take in a greater variety of parties and interests; you make it less probable that a majority of the whole will have

By Michael Austin

/ July 30, 2013

The Original Solution: Parties Are Inevitable; A Two-Party Monopoly Is Not