@ David3036, Why are Homosexual groups so interested in getting the BOY scouts to have Gay scout leaders? Can you help me understand how this position is not pedophile?

Uh, John, Seven Cents a gallon? Really? Where does the rest of the three fifty go? Frankly, without some documentation I challenge that figure. I remember driving in the 1980's when gas was less than a dollar a gallon and my dodge colt got 45 mpg. On the other hand, if you want to see excessive regulation, look at the NRC. Nuclear power is regulated to the point that it cannot compete. If ANY other power source were regulated that highly they would not exist. But because there is a million times more energy in Uranium and Thorium than in any hydrocarbon the average cost of Electricity production at a NPP is 1.8 cents a KWh. Still the lowest of any generation source. Only when Wind is subsidized can it compete.

wow! What is the proper response to such a vast overreach?

I think you missed the point of the piece. The author is railing AGAINST crony capitalism, and specifically says that this is NOT the same as capitalism. Even Adam Smith recognized this important difference.

If you want to drive down the cost of gasoline - work to allow Nuclear energy to be used to produce the ammonia needed for fertilizer. Currently about 1/2 of the Natural Gas produced is used to make fertilizer. Natural Gas is an excellent motor fuel and is being used all over Asia now. Use Nuclear power to replace all the diesel engines in Cargo ships. The US Navy has used Nuclear power safely for 60 years - run by twenty year olds who have had some intensive training.

Yes, crony capitalism drives up costs and supports large corporations over those just starting. In the area of energy production we see Nuclear energy HIGHLY regulated to the point where Yuca Mountain was required to maintain radiation levels at 1/20 of the normal background levels we all live with. Nuclear Energy has a million times the energy per pound as ANY fossil fuel. It is safe, clean and abundant. Crony Capitalism keeps Nuclear power more highly regulated than any of it's competition.

Excellent comment and exactly right.

Jim69, I believe the Catholic Church is inconsistent in this one. Both in the way they argue and the conflict of the values they hold. The idea that live is to be preserved at all costs is actually a Buddhist concept rather than a Christian one. Buddhist oppose taking any life because you interrupt the cycle of Karma that will allow the person to progress toward Nirvana (the disappearance of self after all desire has been eliminated). after suffering in this life. In contrast, Christians understand that death is appointed for all of us and then we face the Judgement of Christ himself - who died for us to save us from sin. The imminence of death after a person commits a horrible crime like Rape, will urge that person to repent.

Jimmylynn, Mike is being fairly restrained for his personality. You are mistaking deadly seriousness for flippancy. Rape is an act of violence and women suffer for years from the memories of the event. The death penalty has historically been applied to this crime. But Mike's distinction between innocent and guilty is crucial. Also, his point about the selfishness of those who argue for abortion and against the death penalty is cogent. Our major loss has been the loss of the distinction between guilty and innocent.

Thanks for a great commentary and forcing me to reach for the dictionary. :)