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The Spectacle Blog
Congressman Barney Frank’s (D-MA) bill legalizing online gambling has advanced. Jacob Sullum has more over at Reason. Personally, I see this as the first piece of legislation in this Congress that advances rather than curtails personal freedom. But I’m more interested in Frank’s reasoning here.
“Some adults will spend their money foolishly,” Frank said, “but it is not the purpose of the federal government to prevent them legally from doing it.” But this is the same Barney Frank whose Wall Street financial reform bill that, among many other things, tells people what kind of credit they can and cannot have. Like his anti-gambling colleagues, Frank is all for individual liberty until those liberties might be exercised in activities he deems unwise.
View all comments (22) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by W. James Antle, III
http://spectator.org/blog/2010/07/30/barney-franks-selective-libert
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Oldefarte| 7.30.10 @ 3:58PM
I wish we all had the INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY to exclude this vile, putrid, disgusting subhuman from the halls of congress permanently!!!!!
KJW| 7.31.10 @ 12:53AM
It's telling that this "first piece" of legislation from this group promoting any kind of freedom would involve gambling, which has enslaved a lot of people and which used to be looked upon, even in the hollywood/entertainment crowd*, in a negative light.
(*Remembering the Twilight Zone episode called "The fever", plus a lot of CBS Radio Mystery Theatre episodes that were equally unfavorable toward betting and gaming.)
Eisenhower| 8.1.10 @ 12:50AM
" gambling, which has enslaved a lot of "
So what? So has smoking, so has many other vices, but at the end of the day if its your money and you wanna gamble it way it's none of mine or anyone else's business.
maverick muse| 7.31.10 @ 10:22AM
Hardly fair to Libertarianism.
"Some adults will spend their money foolishly," Frank said, "but it is not the purpose of the federal government to prevent them legally from doing it."
That translates into how foolish Americans are to fork out to pay all these taxes to fund the politicians' self interest gambles.
Margie| 7.31.10 @ 11:13AM
Antle~
What do you call the "selective Libertarianism" of Ron Paul who is working with Barney Frank to defund our Military? Hmmm?
I call it despicable!
Pete | 7.31.10 @ 2:08PM
Mawgie, I think that's pronounced 'dithpicable'. And just why isn't Bawney Fwank in a Federew Penitentuwy?
Margie| 7.31.10 @ 3:52PM
Pete,
Because Bawney told the police, "I tawt I taw a puddy-tat!" And they looked the other way.
Tim*| 7.31.10 @ 2:12PM
Republican Ron Paul makes some valid points and all budget expenses should be reviewed , discussed .
Republican Congressman Ron Paul :
"......We spend more on defense than the rest of the world combined, and far more than we spent during the Cold War. These expenditures in many cases foment resentment that does not make us safer, but instead makes us a target. We referee and arm conflicts the world over, and have troops in some 140 countries with over 700 military bases.
With this enormous amount of money and energy spent on efforts that have nothing to do with the security of the United States, when the time comes to defend American soil, we will be too involved in other adventures to do so.
There is nothing conservative about spending money we don’t have simply because that spending is for defense. No enemy can harm us in the way we are harming ourselves, namely bankrupting the nation and destroying our own currency. The former Soviet Union did not implode because it was attacked; it imploded because it was broke. We cannot improve our economy if we refuse to examine all major outlays, including so-called defense spending."
The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates .
Time For Real Change .
aware| 7.31.10 @ 2:35PM
Threatening to take away 1500 dollar toilet seats will only invite invasion by hordes of "enemies" that are just waiting for that very chance! Massed and waiting!
Margie| 7.31.10 @ 3:50PM
*"So-called"* defense spending, hmmm? Lying freakazoid scumbag.
So called?
Tim*| 8.1.10 @ 11:15AM
All Budget Categories can be reviewed and discussed .
President Reagan's Secretary of The Navy , John Lehman :
" Navy shipbuilding fiascoes like the staggering overruns on new surface combatants, the near total failure of the Army's Future Combat System that was meant to re-equip the entire army, the 400% cost overrun of the new Air Force weather satellite -- to name but a few -- all prove that we are currently unable to design, develop and deliver major weapons systems in anything approaching a cost-effective and timely manner. The Government Accountability Office recently reported that the cost overruns for the top 75% procurement programs were over $295 billion. We are rapidly disarming ourselves, even as defense spending grows."
http://online.wsj.com/article/.....60493.html
The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates .
Real Tea Party Change In November .
Margie| 8.1.10 @ 2:00PM
We get it, Toddard, I mean Timmy* We get who's side you're on, scum.
Tim*| 8.1.10 @ 2:58PM
We Got It Axis Sally , I mean Zany CINO-RINO Margie . We get whose side you're on , Scumette .
Ha,Ha,Ha !
Dems are BS| 8.2.10 @ 9:10AM
Tim, go move to another country. Tired of people like you claiming to be for America when you haven't a clue as to the sacrifices made on your behalf. Congress during Clinton years decimated the military and look what that got us. He bombed Iraq first due to WMD's [ 12/98] and we were attacked as a nation because he neglected our military. Please leave, so we don't have to worry about your empty head anymore.
Dems are BS| 8.2.10 @ 9:14AM
In case any of you low lifes forget, there were massive amounts of military personnel and families of miltary, on FOOD STAMPS and WELFARE, while on active duty. All during Clinton years. Thats what Bush inherited. Thanks a lot head up your a s s.