The Rational Argumentator

A Journal for Western Man

Issue CCXXIV

December 18-19, 2009

Economics
A Case for the Inflation Camp:
Robert P. Murphy
December 19, 2009
One of the more awkward situations facing Austrian economists today is that they are divided on whether to expect price deflation or inflation. In the present article Dr. Robert Murphy wants to reiterate why he views rising prices as the real threat. He also wants to point out some problems for the deflation camp.

The Fed's Money Monopoly:
Ron Paul
December 19, 2009
Last week, in the name of protecting the little guy from Wall Street, the House passed HR 4173 to increase the little guy’s false sense of security in the financial system.  This mammoth piece of legislation would massively increase government regulation and oversight in the banking industry under the misguided reasoning that more government could have stopped faulty lending practices, when in actuality it caused them. This bill would also greatly increase the powers of the Federal Reserve, which too many in Congress still see as savior rather than perpetrator in this mess. Rep. Ron Paul explains the dangers of the Federal Reserve's extensive powers over the U. S. currency.

Politics
America's Red Sea:
Paul Driessen
December 18, 2009
America is diving into a Marianas Trench of red ink. There is barely a digit of black anywhere on the federal balance sheet, and spendthrift lawmakers are closing off numerous sources of positive revenue. Paul Driessen discusses the dangers of out-of-control federal spending.

Telling CO₂ Lies to Destroy America:
Alan Caruba
December 18, 2009
Alan Caruba is increasingly of the opinion that the main goal of the Obama administration through CO₂ regulation, exploding deficits, punishing taxation, and any other means at their disposal is the destruction of the economy and the complete control of impoverished Americans. This is an administration that intends to impose an Orwellian socialist utopia after the smokescreen clears.

A Formula for Failure:
Alan Caruba
December 18, 2009
Oil-producing nations such as Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states, along with Venezuela, will grow rich while Americans will be faced with high costs for gasoline, motor and heating oil, and everything else that depends on oil, such as asphalt or even Vaseline. Meanwhile, oil producers in America, large and small, will take a financial beating. If you don’t like living in a modern, advanced, and industrialized society, you will favor this. If you think Americans consume too much, drive too much, and deserve to be punished for it, you will favor this. This is what Alan Caruba believes will happen if the Obama administration's energy policy gets implemented as proposed.

When the Inmates are in Charge:
Alan Caruba
December 18, 2009
If you ever wondered what it would be like if seriously deranged people were close to the seat of power in America, you can stop wondering. Some of them, writes Alan Caruba, are working in high positions for the Obama administration.

Obama: What a Difference a Year Makes:
Alan Caruba
December 19, 2009
Alan Caruba writes that historians are likely to look back at 2009, the first year of Barack Obama’s term in office, and assess the damage it has done to Americans and to the image of America as the primary line of defense against the world’s thugs.

CFACT Unfurls Banners on Greenpeace Ships in Daring Land and Sea Raids:
Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT)
December 19, 2009
Global warming skeptics from CFACT on December 15 pulled off an international climate caper, navigating with Greenpeace's own on-board camera photos to locate and sail up alongside the infamous Greenpeace vessel, Rainbow Warrior. Then, in Greenpeace-like fashion, the CFACT activists unfurled a "Propaganda Warrior" banner from the rails, to underscore how the radical green group’s lies, exaggerations and policies perpetuate poverty, disease, and premature death in Third World countries. This press release from CFACT details these events and the motivations behind them.

Videos
Painting "Saira" - Part I - Video:
Wendy Stolyarov
December 19, 2009
In her first video painting demonstration, accomplished artist Wendy Stolyarov shows some of her work in Photoshop on a painting of Saira, a character from a computer game of the same name.

Painting "Kima" - Part I - Video:
Wendy Stolyarov
December 19, 2009
In her second video painting demonstration, Mrs. Stolyarov shows her work process on a digital painting she is preparing for a friend.

"The meaning of economic freedom is this: that the individual is in a position to choose the way in which he wants to integrate himself into the totality of society. " 
~ Ludwig von Mises