Walter E. Williams on Democracy

Walter E. Williams

“Some say that big government is what the majority of voters want and that in a democracy the majority rules.  But America’s Founders didn’t found a democracy, they founded a Republic.  The Founders knew how democracy had led to tyranny.  Instead, they set up a limited government, with checks and balances.  Unaware of the distinction between a democracy and a republic, many today believe that a majority consensus establishes morality.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

Another common argument is that we need big government to protect the little guy from corporate giants.  But a corporation can’t pick a consumer’s pocket.  The consumer must voluntarily pay money for the corporation’s product.  It is big government, not corporations, that have the p0wer to take our money by force.  It should also be mentioned that private business can force us to pay them by employing government.  To see this happening look at GM or manufacturers that employ government to establish tariffs to keep out competition, or organized labor that thinks government should protect their jobs from non-union competition.  So it is a big government that the little guy needs protection against, not big business.”

  –  Walter E. Williams

The Master Flow Green Machine

I have an attic fan on my house.  It is a solar fan with a thermostat so that it will vent hot air in the summer when I want to cool the attic, but not in the winter when heat in the attic is positive for energy savings.  Unfortunately the one I have is located on west side of the ridge so it only gets sun in the afternoons.

The Master Flow Green Machine Solar Powered Ridge Vent sits on the ridge.    This has the advantage of being at the highest point so it takes out the hottest air as well as being in a position to get the maximum amount of sunlight.

I would consider this Green that saves Green…

The World is Burning!

A fire pit in the form of a globe or “Third Rock – Earth and all its glory reveal a fiery inner core through the continents of our planet” as it is put at the Fire Pit Art site.  There is a whole series of pictures including ones showing its creation at the Fire Pit Art site here.

I thought the image was fascinating.  Originally I thought this could be another option for the Firemen’s Memorial, but it’s not designed to a be a gas-fired display.  In any case, this is an interesting art piece, each one individually signed and numbered by its designer, Rick Wittrig.

It is made of 1/4″ steel, stands 40″ tall and has a diameter of 36″.  It has a drain in the bottom to allow rain to run out.

The Third Rock fire pit can be purchased at the Fire Pit Art site here for $1,679.

VTAC Silent Auction

VTAC LogoThis is a reminder that VTAC, Veterans Therapeutic Arts Center will be having an open house and silent auction next Saturday.  VTAC was started earlier this year by a great group of veterans to provide a center for therapy to all those who have served in the U.S. military and their families through instruction and participation in the arts, crafts, mechanics and similar activities and endeavors  I had the opportunity to meet with them as a representative of the Marshall County Community Foundation grants committee.  After meeting them and hearing about the good work they are doing, I was pleased to be able to champion their cause and help them secure a grant.

If you’re interested in reading about my meeting with them, you can find it on the Easterday Construction Co., Inc. blog here.

If you’re looking for something to do on October 20th, go out to MoonTree Studios and support these guys.  They’re a wonderful group and they have found a fantastic way to help our community.