If Burners Ran the World

[theCryptofishist]

I look at Dunbar's Number and think about scaling up anything and really get impatient with people who say toss things around like others "want to be governed". How we comport ourselves as groups is a real issue, and "want to be governed" is only a couple of steps above "sheeple" as a smug, snide, I'm better than the herd, sort of remark.
Of course, it's also a good marker for people whose opinions aren't worth much.

[Trishntek]

if someone is asking, "What should we be protesting exactly?" It exemplifies the ignorance which got us into this mess in the first place.

Actually, I was asking because I wanted your perspective without bringing in my preconceptions. I was hoping two burners could have a civil exchange of ideas, but you would rather call me ignorant.

But I'm willing to give it another try. I'm open to being persuaded. So, specifically, what do you protest? All the items you listed are pretty general except No.2, but the Federal Reserve existed well before the current administration, so I don't see how that's particularly relevant. And as for No.1, TARP was signed into law by the previous administration, so that's not really relevant to "the prez."

Of the rest, I'll pose a few questions to get a more specific idea of what you're actually talking about.

1. Exactly hich "private companies" do you mean?

2. Who exactly are the "unworthy" you refer to?

4. Which bureaucracies exactly?

5. Which local and state concerns, exactly?

What I said had NOTHING to do with you! So don't be putting words in my mouth. Your QUESTION exemplifies OUR ignorance. WE have trusted the gubmint to protect the freedoms of our forefathers. WE have languished in ignorance while they have put in place a Federal Government void of any and all accountability to the Constitution they vow to uphold and protect from foreign and domestic foes.

AND,,,, who the fuck said anything about the current administration being the sole problem? It D.C. and all it creates,,,, which is nothing more than,,,,, MORE government!

The ignorance referred to has gone on for several generations. None of this happened overnight. It is only now that more people are realizing how close we are to tyranny.

Gubmint should have nothing to do with bailing out anybody!

Gubmint should manage our money supply, not a private bank.

Gubmint should not interfere with anything a state does, unless it affects another state.

Gubmint should not own land.

Gubmint should not cherry pick which business fails and which business thrives.

If one believes gubmint has no business interfering with a woman's womb, then how the hell is gubmint justified to control the entire healthcare industry?

What EXACTLY do you see the Federal Government doing well these days?

[swampdog]

See, the problem I have with this sort of comment is that while you claim "things are just now coming to a head, it's not directed at the current administration" - well, why did so many people wait until the current administration came in to "wake up"?

And what would most of the people arguing this line propose we do about it? I'll bet that a lot of people would say, "Bring back the republicans", despite the fact that our personal freedoms declined dramatically, our economy was shattered, and we got into two wars of choice the last time the Repubs ran the show. I'll bet that for a lot of people it is purely partisan, and that many who think it is not partisan are fooling themselves.

What do you propose we do about the current dire state?

[Sanddog42]

What I said had NOTHING to do with you!

Well, you did respond to my post, which you also quoted in your response, so you can forgive me for thinking it had something to do with me.

So don't be putting words in my mouth.

I didn’t introduce the word “ignoranceâ€

[ygmir]

W

,,,, who the fuck said anything about the current administration being the sole problem?

No one said anything about the current administration being the sole problem, but I think it’s safe to say the current administration is what ygmir was referring to as “the prez, et al,â€

[Sanddog42]

Ah! I see.

Well, I think the protesters that protested that last prez were protesting different things than the ones protesting now. I don't agree they would have protested the healthcare bill (for instance) if the last prez had proposed it. They would have supported it.

On the other hand, I don't think the TEA Party would protest the same things the protesters of a few years ago did. For instance, the plan to invade Iraq.

So I think it really is more about policy than who is at the helm. Different issues, not just different guys. It just so happens that there were more people who opposed the invasion than there are who oppose healthcare, so there were more protesters then than there are now. And bigger protests are bigger news.

But one of the many brilliant features of our system is that we have a voice. We each have a vote, and we have the right to debate openly in the free market of ideas. The best ideas eventually win out (theoretically) and as more people adopt them, more votes support them. But for that to happen there has to be dialog and education. We educate each other through dialog. In the meantime, the checks and balances - as long as they're respected - prevent us from ever becoming a true tyranny. God, I love America!

[Trishntek]

We've gotten way off the OP,,,, but when has that ever stopped a lively conversation?

Education has traditionally been in the hands of the state and local governments. The fed got involved within my lifetime,,,,, don't remember when, but the Dept. of Education interferes with states on a continuous basis.

The Dept. of Interior grabs land from states which inhibits their ability to develop any source of income other than tourism.

Big oil is the only industry you decry gubmint support of out of all they do? What about big unions, car manufacturing, banking, news media, educational institutions, agriculture, water, power, mining, import/export, rail, air, sea,,,, name an industry gubmint has NOT influenced who succeeds and who fails?

Arizona's ability to protect their own CITIZENS is being challenged in the courts right now! And that law exists in other states,,,, California and Rhode Island for example. Why does gubmint not hold cities accountable which do NOT uphold federal law?

You seem to think the worst is behind us,,,, that the banks had us over a barrel,,,, TARP, STIMULUS, and whatever other bullshit name they call the rest of them, is simply pouring money into a bottomless pit. Do you not understand that our economy is hanging on pretty paper full of empty promises? The debt we are in now,,,,, if the entire United States Gross National Product was poured into this hole,,,,, without any more spending,,,, for TEN YEARS with interest,,,, might,,,, just might break us even by 2020.

Of course by then,,,, there will be no United States, in my opinion,,,, it will be the North American Union. Dollars will be no more,,,,, we will be earning Ameros and sharing them with Canada and Mexico. China will run the shipping industry on land and sea. We will be paying tolls for the pleasure of driving to anywhere,,,, and banks will all be run by ONE WORLD BANK.

Give your head a shake man! We are living in historic times,,,, and that is not a history I want for my grandchildren. If Wall Street was allowed to fail in 2008, the puss would have been expelled and the wounds would be healing. Now, we are simply kicking the can down the road like everything is okidoki and live selfishly, exorbitantly and beyond our means.

If burners ran the world,,,, Stupidity would get its just reward as would success. Liberty of self expression, self reliance, generosity and creativity are at the heart of most Burners souls. Are those principles being encouraged by our gubmint today?

As it is now, those who love the U.S. Constitution and the PRINCIPLES of this nations founding are considered "extremists". Meanwhile, self-proclaimed communists, socialists, tax evaders and individuals of questionable character are considered,,,,,,, our LEADERS!

You can go on several threads in the OPEN DISCUSSION forums and see page after page of evidence that we have all dissected, digested and regurgitated too many times to count. Do not ask us to write what has already been written just a couple mouse clicks away.

[Sanddog42]

Education has traditionally been in the hands of the state and local governments. The fed got involved within my lifetime,,,,, don't remember when, but the Dept. of Education interferes with states on a continuous basis.

Okay, I’m gonna just take a shot in the dark here, so please forgive me if I miss the mark: Are you talking about prayer in schools, the teaching of evolution, and desegregation?

The Dept. of Interior grabs land from states which inhibits their ability to develop any source of income other than tourism.

This I hadn’t heard. Where? When?

Big oil is the only industry you decry gubmint support of out of all they do? What about big unions, car manufacturing, banking, news media, educational institutions, agriculture, water, power, mining, import/export, rail, air, sea,,,, name an industry gubmint has NOT influenced who succeeds and who fails?

I was just using Big Oil as a particularly egregious example.

Arizona's ability to protect their own CITIZENS is being challenged in the courts right now! And that law exists in other states,,,, California and Rhode Island for example. Why does gubmint not hold cities accountable which do NOT uphold federal law?

I’m a bit confused here. I think you’re talking about the anti-immigration bill in AZ, but I don’t know of any similar laws in CA or RI. And I don’t know what you mean by cities that don’t uphold federal law. (See, without specifics, I have to guess at what you’re trying to say.)

You seem to think the worst is behind us,,,, that the banks had us over a barrel,,,, TARP, STIMULUS, and whatever other bullshit name they call the rest of them, is simply pouring money into a bottomless pit. Do you not understand that our economy is hanging on pretty paper full of empty promises? The debt we are in now,,,,, if the entire United States Gross National Product was poured into this hole,,,,, without any more spending,,,, for TEN YEARS with interest,,,, might,,,, just might break us even by 2020.

I hope the worst is behind us. Otherwise there’s no point in doing anything.

What do you suggest we do?

As it is now, those who love the U.S. Constitution and the PRINCIPLES of this nations founding are considered "extremists". Meanwhile, self-proclaimed communists, socialists, tax evaders and individuals of questionable character are considered,,,,,,, our LEADERS!

I can’t think of single self-proclaimed Communist in a leadership position, and only one Socialist (Bernie Sanders). But those are economic theories, not political ones. The Constitution doesn’t say anything about either of them. I happen to be a capitalist, but that’s not mentioned in the Constitution either.

The principles this nation was founded, which are in the Constitution, are individual liberty and democracy. I can’t think of anyone who supports those principles that is considered an “extremist.â€

[Trishntek]

I absolutely refuse to continue spoon-feeding you information already demonstrated in other threads. Some choose to be ignorant because of their unwillingness to learn. Others learn by their unwillingness to be ignorant.

[swampdog]

Trishntek said

I absolutely refuse to continue spoon-feeding you information already demonstrated in other threads. Some choose to be ignorant because of their unwillingness to learn. Others learn by their unwillingness to be ignorant.

AHAHAAHAHA!!!!

"My talking points don't match your facts and logic! You must be wrong! (puts fingers in ears) LALALALALALALALALA"

[Token]

This is why I insist on the burn barrel, whiskey and rope bondage for this kind of talk.

I do however admire some of these quotable moments being in print and easily referenced.

There are some gems in there.

[swampdog]

Ok, I'll play. Here goes:

Education has traditionally been in the hands of the state and local governments. The fed got involved within my lifetime,,,,, don't remember when, but the Dept. of Education interferes with states on a continuous basis.

1. Education is an issue of national importance. It affects our global competitiveness and the ability of our citizens to stay out of poverty. Clearly a national level interest.
2. Federal student loan and grant programs for college extend back longer that the DOEd.
3. DOEd was started in '79 - so that one may be accurate (depending on how old you are)
4. The biggest direct impact the federal government has had on a non-college level was "No child left behind". Where was the outrage then?
5. You can't really be talking about evolution can you? That's a whole 'nother can of worms.
6. School prayer? ditto

The Dept. of Interior grabs land from states which inhibits their ability to develop any source of income other than tourism.

No idea what you're talking about. It sounds extremely dubious that any "DOI land grab" could impact a state's ability to develop a source of income, but I'd need an example.

Big oil is the only industry you decry gubmint support of out of all they do? What about big unions, car manufacturing, banking, news media, educational institutions, agriculture, water, power, mining, import/export, rail, air, sea,,,, name an industry gubmint has NOT influenced who succeeds and who fails?

Partially true, but misleading.
1. Lobbying distorts policy. Money supports lobbying. Those with the most money manage to distort policy the most.
2. That includes non-corporate citizen groups like AARP
3. Tax policy clearly impacts every company. If you can't make enough to pay your taxes, you fail. Yet, funds must be raised to support our massive debt, social security/medicare, and defense spending, all of which ballooned under Bush. Granted that some tax policy may impact small business more than large business, but I can't believe you think government wants all small businesses to fail.
4. Federal government clearly has a role in requiring companies to make safe products, in a safe manner. Federal government clearly has a role in requiring companies not to degrade the air, water, and soil that feed and support all other Americans.

Arizona's ability to protect their own CITIZENS is being challenged in the courts right now! And that law exists in other states,,,, California and Rhode Island for example. Why does gubmint not hold cities accountable which do NOT uphold federal law?

Arizona's law is being tested for compliance with the Constitution. Does it permit unreasonable search or not? Remember the Constitution? Some people even say

As it is now, those who love the U.S. Constitution and the PRINCIPLES of this nations founding are considered "extremists".

[Trishntek]

This is why I insist on the burn barrel, whiskey and rope bondage for this kind of talk.

I do however admire some of these quotable moments being in print and easily referenced.

There are some gems in there.

Yeah, you are so right,,,, I seem to fall for it every time and should know better by now. Now if you want to come off as brilliant at the M&G, print these discussions and create chapters and verses so we can all be on the same page.

By the way,,,,, what is an FKO?

[theCryptofishist]

Is anybody else's view of page two totally fcuked?

[Trishntek]

Yeah, mine started with ygmir's post, so it's gotta be his fault!

[ygmir]

Yeah, mine started with ygmir's post, so it's gotta be his fault!

I think you're going blind for other reasons...........

[Sanddog42]

By the way,,,,, what is an FKO?

For Kids Only?

Fried Kimchee with Oranges?

Frenzied Kinetic Orgasm?

[bx1]

I like pizza.

[knowmad]

Over a century ago, a famous writer quipped that the industrial worker was "a mere appendage of flesh on a machine of iron." Today, that description can be applied across the board: each of us is no more than an appendage of flesh on the vast machine that is our society, for our lives and communities are atomized into isolated sectors. If we want to change the whole of life, we must first become whole again.

let us look at the integrated, holistic life of the "savage" or young adventurer. For her, there is no distinction between working and playing, between spending time with her friends and lovers, taking care of her practical needs, and seeking pleasure. She moves through the world, finding sustenance and getting exercise from the same activities, using her creativity with her friends to weave a daily life that is both challenging and familiar, at once adventure, livelihood, and religious ceremony.

Perhaps you've experienced this kind of lifestyle before, when you were doing something that incorporated every aspect of your being into a perfect equilibrium. We all need to find ways to integrate our lives, so that we will not always be trying to make impossible choices between equally necessary pieces of ourselves. . . and if we want to make this world a better place, we have to find ways of living that are revolutionary in their very nature; for politics, activism, or social responsibility as a separate domain of life, as a hobby or part-time operation, can never outweigh the effects of the rest of life.

Just as our individual lives are fragmented by compartmentalization, our society is fragmented by ever-increasing specialization. Every sphere of life is relegated to the care of an elite core of specialists, who administer it without consulting the rest of us. Every profession is divided and subdivided: from scientist to chemist, from chemist to biochemist, from biochemist to pharmaceutical neurobiologist until no one outside a handful of experts can understand what is going on. At that point, the division of knowledge itself becomes authoritarian, for it grants small groups of people vast powers over others who cannot even fathom what those powers are.

When being active is no longer an off-putting specialty, and partisans of different struggles are able to find common cause, the world will finally change.

Somewhere across the world there is an underground circus or punk rock band on tour as you read this. Unbeknownst to themselves and others, they carry with them the seeds of a new and yet ancient social structure, which could totally transform the ways all of us live and interact. Within the group, responsibilities are shared and valued equally, and whenever someone wants a break from doing something or is curious to learn about something else, people switch roles. No one member's participation is less important than anyone else's, whatever their individual strengths may be, for the cooperation and contentment of each is crucial to the functioning of the group. Each member's daily activities satisfy her various desires: she feels at home with her friends while she travels through new environments, she makes art that simultaneously entertains and educates others, she gets exercise and learns new things repairing the van, she has adventures collecting food and other supplies through an urban hunting and gathering that does not conflict with her anti-consumerist ethics. Best of all, she no longer has to distinguish between her own needs and those of the people around her, which eliminates the greater part of the stress of human interaction. Together all the participants function as an extended family, and the positive atmosphere is so strong that over time they are able to lose some members and gain others without losing any momentum.

Yes, we'd have to downsize and restructure our whole civilization to follow the lead this merry little band offers, but for the past few centuries we've been struggling to deal with the difficulties of not living in such communities—and we haven't had much success. If we're going to struggle anyway, it might as well be towards a utopia in which our lives encompass can everything the cosmos has to offer.

but really, we are deconstructing our civilization any way, why not rebuild it into something that makes sense.

[Dr. Pyro]

Knowmad, you're a real buzzkill, aren't you?

[The CO]

The most compatible classification of Burning Man and how it operates is Anarchism.

Yes, Anarchy in the US, and it's not a punk rock movement.

Don't confuse Anarchy with the common American interpretation of the wild west, cats and dogs sleeping together, bands of marauders raping pillaging and burning, and Zombieland. That is Chaos, quite different than Anarchy and Anarchism.

For centuries, Anarchism has been a political, social, economic and moral philosophy....

Bravo Token!

My favorite game to play with the street rats that call themselves anarchists nowadays: Strike up a conversation with them about Emma Goldman or Andrew Baikunin, and wait for them to say "who?".

Part of being an anarchist (philosophically et. al) nowadays, is that one must accept that your preferred state is pretty much impossible with large groups of humans.

[ygmir]

The most compatible classification of Burning Man and how it operates is Anarchism.

Yes, Anarchy in the US, and it's not a punk rock movement.

Don't confuse Anarchy with the common American interpretation of the wild west, cats and dogs sleeping together, bands of marauders raping pillaging and burning, and Zombieland. That is Chaos, quite different than Anarchy and Anarchism.

For centuries, Anarchism has been a political, social, economic and moral philosophy....

Bravo Token!

My favorite game to play with the street rats that call themselves anarchists nowadays: Strike up a conversation with them about Emma Goldman or Andrew Baikunin, and wait for them to say "who?".

Part of being an anarchist (philosophically et. al) nowadays, is that one must accept that your preferred state is pretty much impossible with large groups of humans.

*stands behind CO, raising hand in agreement*

[theCryptofishist]

If "Saint" Emma's quote about not dancing didn't exist, I'd have to make it up.

[Da Mule]

Yeah, if there aren't cheez doodles at that revolution, I'm not coming either.

But pssst... "if" Burners Ran the World?

ummmm, I guess you haven't noticed, but I do.

[Trishntek]

Over a century ago, a famous writer quipped that the industrial worker was "a mere appendage of flesh on a machine of iron." Today, that description can be applied across the board: each of us is no more than an appendage of flesh on the vast machine that is our society, for our lives and communities are atomized into isolated sectors. If we want to change the whole of life, we must first become whole again.

let us look at the integrated, holistic life of the "savage" or young adventurer. For her, there is no distinction between working and playing, between spending time with her friends and lovers, taking care of her practical needs, and seeking pleasure. She moves through the world, finding sustenance and getting exercise from the same activities, using her creativity with her friends to weave a daily life that is both challenging and familiar, at once adventure, livelihood, and religious ceremony.

Perhaps you've experienced this kind of lifestyle before, when you were doing something that incorporated every aspect of your being into a perfect equilibrium. We all need to find ways to integrate our lives, so that we will not always be trying to make impossible choices between equally necessary pieces of ourselves. . . and if we want to make this world a better place, we have to find ways of living that are revolutionary in their very nature; for politics, activism, or social responsibility as a separate domain of life, as a hobby or part-time operation, can never outweigh the effects of the rest of life.

Just as our individual lives are fragmented by compartmentalization, our society is fragmented by ever-increasing specialization. Every sphere of life is relegated to the care of an elite core of specialists, who administer it without consulting the rest of us. Every profession is divided and subdivided: from scientist to chemist, from chemist to biochemist, from biochemist to pharmaceutical neurobiologist until no one outside a handful of experts can understand what is going on. At that point, the division of knowledge itself becomes authoritarian, for it grants small groups of people vast powers over others who cannot even fathom what those powers are.

When being active is no longer an off-putting specialty, and partisans of different struggles are able to find common cause, the world will finally change.

Somewhere across the world there is an underground circus or punk rock band on tour as you read this. Unbeknownst to themselves and others, they carry with them the seeds of a new and yet ancient social structure, which could totally transform the ways all of us live and interact. Within the group, responsibilities are shared and valued equally, and whenever someone wants a break from doing something or is curious to learn about something else, people switch roles. No one member's participation is less important than anyone else's, whatever their individual strengths may be, for the cooperation and contentment of each is crucial to the functioning of the group. Each member's daily activities satisfy her various desires: she feels at home with her friends while she travels through new environments, she makes art that simultaneously entertains and educates others, she gets exercise and learns new things repairing the van, she has adventures collecting food and other supplies through an urban hunting and gathering that does not conflict with her anti-consumerist ethics. Best of all, she no longer has to distinguish between her own needs and those of the people around her, which eliminates the greater part of the stress of human interaction. Together all the participants function as an extended family, and the positive atmosphere is so strong that over time they are able to lose some members and gain others without losing any momentum.

Yes, we'd have to downsize and restructure our whole civilization to follow the lead this merry little band offers, but for the past few centuries we've been struggling to deal with the difficulties of not living in such communities—and we haven't had much success. If we're going to struggle anyway, it might as well be towards a utopia in which our lives encompass can everything the cosmos has to offer.

but really, we are deconstructing our civilization any way, why not rebuild it into something that makes sense.

It was over a century ago when Frederick Taylor began studying factory workers. He would time each motion and analyze groups of actions to determine specific job responsibilities for each individual. This gave birth to Henry Ford's assembly line.

It seems to me since then, specialization and elitism has fostered the environment you describe. Now being a "specialist" myself, I appreciate the fact that anybody could certainly do my job. And like many other "specialties", not many are WILLING to accept the responsibilities that go with the territory.

I'm probably asking for it, but labor unions have created specialties where they shouldn't really exist. I remember when a fabrication shop I worked in went union. Suddenly, heaven forbid the machinist or welder sweep his own area. They had floor maintenance to that! As a forklift operator, I had to either work outside the shop or inside. Yeah,,,, alofasudden we had two doing the work of one. And OMG! We had to have a welder cut our scrap for us! We were no longer allowed to operate a cutting torch!

Knowmad, you speak of the utopia where everyone willingly participates in a common project for the good of all. I do not think you would go so far as to say we all have equal gifts, talents and abilities. But I do agree that, when people are truly free to practice, perfect and exercise what they truly enjoy doing, work becomes play,,,, or visa versa.

That is something I experienced at Burning Man. Each of our camp members brought unique abilities and gifts. We meshed together so well that sometimes it was like Radar O'reilly all over the place. Needs were anticipated by others without speech. Stuff got done without a discussion.

That sort of environment in defaultia is rare. Due to mandatory breaks, defining chores by the amount of time it SHOULD take, and removing any sense of ownership in the workplace, creativity is stifled and individual accomplishment is practically prohibited.

[knowmad]

...
Knowmad, you speak of the utopia where everyone willingly participates in a common project for the good of all. I do not think you would go so far as to say we all have equal gifts, talents and abilities. But I do agree that, when people are truly free to practice, perfect and exercise what they truly enjoy doing, work becomes play,,,, or visa versa.

That is something I experienced at Burning Man. Each of our camp members brought unique abilities and gifts. We meshed together so well that sometimes it was like Radar O'reilly all over the place. Needs were anticipated by others without speech. Stuff got done without a discussion.

Yes our Burn clan. (The Specialist Clan) talked allot about our collective, and learned allot from other burners, we adopted the Honeycomb pattern and covered our camp with it. We came to a lopsided conclusion that there are basically two types of burn-camps; collectives, and dues/fee camps. Sometimes I envied the Fee camp set up. With one clear vision and voice, meals on time(ish) and an agenda. I'd come home and see a big mess made by my beloveds and sigh knowing it was my turn to be an adult. No discussion and no hard feelings.

And then on the other hand a camp across the road witch used the I-paid more-so-I-do-less model had sad burners who "got Stuck" with the chores. Being the Preachy SOB I am, I filled them in on how to maintain domestic tranquility; [basically keep the glass more than half full.!]

...
If we're going to struggle anyway, it might as well be towards a utopia in which our lives can encompass everything the cosmos has to offer.

Oh, and we will struggle. Hopefully it will keep us from being bored enough to tolerate assholes. And engaged enough to feel a wholesome pride.

[gunsmith]

ANARCHY!

It's why I vote R half the time, I was all lefty anarchist in the late 70's early eighties- only to discover that D's have wars/bomb villages/kill innocent children in those villages & are just as fucked up racist/homophobic as any R is.

Can't stand the "tea bagging" stuff though, when those chumps at msnbc started that I had to google it to find out what it meant.

They want people to focus on that instead of focusing on where the name originated ( the American Revolution).

I'm all for anarchy but while I really love the event ... sorry... "burners" are totally ignorant when it comes to history/politics

I've had countless discussions at the event. ppl don't know who won the Civil War and what side was which, confuse Vietnam with WW2.

I think that it is because they're more focused on the creative not the linear that they believe all the liberal/progressive propaganda that the media in general is awash with.

burners running the world would be just another stupid mess. A nice party though.

[Speedbump]

Burners "should" by default be very self sufficient and even in getting to the place have proven themselves to have at least the minimum ability to get something done. That being said, I'm also reminded of the people walking up and down the line as we waited to get in begging for money in order to get a ticket to get in. I wonder if next year the police will be in line giving writing tickets for pandering.

I'm an engineer btw: So I hope I'd fall into the 10% building things as well as the FUBAR most of the time group

[Simon of the Playa]

http://www.scribd.com/doc/21926670/The- ... eld-Manual

[JStep]

"This morning I was awoken by my alarm clock powered by electricity generated by the public power monopoly regulated by the US Department of Energy (DOE). I then took a shower in the clean water provided by the municipal water utility regulated by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).



After that I turned on the TV to one of the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) regulated channels to see what the National Weather Service (NWS) of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) determined the weather was going to be like using satellites designed, built, and launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). I watched this while eating my breakfast of US Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspected food and taking the drugs which have been deemed safe by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).



At the appropriate time as regulated by the US Congress and kept accurate by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the US Naval Observatory, I get into my National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) approved automobile and set out to work on the roads built by the local, state, and federal Departments of Transportation (DOT), possibly stopping to purchase additional fuel of a quality level determined by the EPA, using legal tender issued by the Federal Reserve Bank. On the way out the door, I deposit any mail I have to be sent out via the US Postal Service and drop the kids off at public school.



After work I drive my NHTSA automobile back home on the DOT roads, to a house that has not burned down in my absence because of the state and local building codes and fire marshal's inspection, and which has not been plundered of all it's valuables thanks to the local police department.



I then log onto the internet which was developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Administration and read posts about how SOCIALISM in medicine is BAD because the Government can't do anything right."



~ Author Unknown



(Pass it on...)