Who Owns What?
Paul Hein
2012-03-28 00:00
Column by Paul Hein.
Exclusive to STR
Are you the owner of some property? For many of us, the answer would be, “Of course. I own a home, and a car.” Maybe, for some, an additional home, and several cars, plus a boat. But whatever it is, it’s yours, and you own it, right? You even have impressive documents like “Title,” or “Deed.”
It is interesting...
Keep the Home Fires Burning
Paul Hein
2011-03-09 04:00
Column by Paul Hein.
Exclusive to STR
As the economy collapses, and civilization disintegrates, increasing numbers of people are becoming aware of the corrupt, vicious, and arrogantly stupid nature of government—especially the federal government--and its role in the dissolution.
But wait! Do we really want to believe that government is the problem? Keep in mind...
Going Down With the Ship
Paul Hein
2010-10-05 03:00
Column by Paul Hein.
Exclusive to STR
In 1939, a movie entitled “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” made its debut, to critical acclaim. It was the story of an idealistic young man who went to Washington to fight corruption and cronyism.
One of the first things our young Congressman did, however, was to propose a government purchase of some land in his own state, for a...
A Robber By Any Other Name
Paul Hein
2012-12-18 08:40
Column by Paul Hein.
Exclusive to STR
From time to time I receive in the mail demands from strangers for money, often a rather large amount of money. The people making these demands may have impressive titles, such as Revenue Director, or Collector of Revenue, but the writer is often anonymous, although on an impressive letterhead that, presumably, is sufficient to convince you to send the money...
Psychology Rules Again!
Paul Hein
2012-03-09 01:00
Column by Paul Hein.
Exclusive to STR
Readers of STR are no doubt familiar with George Washington’s characterization of government as force, not reason. (Has any president since ever acknowledged that?) In our time, we can find plenty of examples of government achieving its goals with violence, and I’m thinking not only of the federal government, but even local government. Just search...
It Never Stops!
Paul Hein
2010-10-28 03:00
Column by Paul Hein.
Exclusive to STR
As a younger man, I had plenty of patients, but little patience; and my meager supply is diminishing with age.
Elections are particularly annoying, with the same inane platitudes voiced over and over again, until I wonder how the public, even as numbed and dumbed as it is, can stand it.
There is, for example, the incessant...
The Little Issues
Paul Hein
2012-11-05 01:00
Column by Paul Hein.
Exclusive to STR
Although I have little interest in politics--except as outstanding examples of the madness of crowds--there was no avoiding them during the final days of the 2012 electoral campaigns. There seem to be two predominant campaign types.
There are the well-known negative campaign ads, in which candidate A points out the utterly baseless character, lack of...
Psychology Rules!
Paul Hein
2011-02-03 04:00
Column by Paul Hein.
Exclusive to STR
By coincidence, I recently watched two television programs in the same evening that, upon reflection, said a great deal about society. One was a documentary about the President’s airplane, “On Board Air Force One.” I had seen it before, but it seemed worth a second look.
The other was “Downton Abbey,” a sort...
A Couple of Fallacies
Paul Hein
2012-09-18 00:00
Column by Paul Hein.
Exclusive to STR
Forgive me for repeating myself, for I have written about these matters before. However, my readership in those days, decades ago, varied between one and two, and today it must be at least ten times as large, and, as the economy crumbles, these ideas seem worth repeating.
First let’s consider the truly absurd statement: “There’s no...
Being Rich--Even a Little Bit
Paul Hein
2012-06-05 00:00
Column by Paul Hein
Exclusive to STR
I’ve said this before, with the usual worldwide repercussions that greet all of my pronouncements. I’m going to say it again, so prepare yourself. I do not want to frighten, alarm, or shock anyone, but there are some things that simply must be said, so here goes: THERE ARE ADVANTAGES TO BEING RICH!! I’ll go even further: There...
Bad News Is Good News
Paul Hein
2011-12-05 01:00
Column by Paul Hein.
Exclusive to STR
The pretty TV newsperson was interviewing a doctor about the coming crisis in the funding of health care. It seems that physicians will be taking a 27% cut in reimbursements by Medicare, which will not, however, make a corresponding cut in their expenses. (Thank God I’m retired!) Can a doctor opt out of Medicare? Sure, but then he’s not...
Theft by Any Other Name Is Still Theft!
Paul Hein
2012-05-04 00:00
Column by Paul Hein.
Exclusive to STR
You encounter an ominous character on the street who stops you, points his finger at you and declares that he wants your money—all of it---and he wants it now, and you’d better give it to him, or face the consequences.
You reach into your pocket, but instead of pulling forth your wallet, pull forth your .38 caliber automatic...
Monetized Debt
Paul Hein
2010-06-14 03:00
Exclusive to STR
The TV anchor--anchorette?--was interviewing her financial guru, who had just pointed out that the rapid growth of debt, if graphed, would be a virtually vertical line. Nothing like it had ever happened before in American history--at least not in living memory.
“How did we get in this mess?” anchorette asked. “How are we ever going to pay this debt...
The Camel's Nose
Paul Hein
2011-04-04 03:00
Column by Paul Hein.
Exclusive to STR
In considering how one might overthrow the state government, I have decided the safest course is by baby-steps, so to speak. Attacking the requirement to re-new your auto license yearly is a good initial procedure. Not too controversial, and without dire consequences if unsuccessful.
Don’t be put off by the term “overthrow....
Of Dogs and Men
Paul Hein
2011-12-14 01:00
Column by Paul Hein.
Exclusive to STR
We have two dogs. They are both miniature poodles, pure-bred, with papers (gosh!). What I am about to reveal now may make you despise me and my dogs, but at least give me credit for honesty: our dogs are defective. I cringe to admit it, but it’s true.
A poodle, I have learned from the appropriate authorities, may be any color (...
Where Have They Been?
Paul Hein
2010-06-15 03:00
By Paul Hein.
Exclusive to STR
It would be difficult to watch television news for more than five minutes without some mention of the debt “crisis.” Economists are interviewed, and express deep concern about the fact that Uncle Sam is printing money at an unprecedented rate. And, yes, they are very worried about this mountain of debt, and how it can be paid....
A Rose By Any Other Name Is Still Vegetation
Paul Hein
2011-09-01 00:00
Column by Paul Hein
Exclusive to STR
Suppose you hired a landscape architect, and asked him to submit a plan to beautify your yard. He would ask you what you had in mind. “Well, how about some vegetation?” He might smile at that, or frown; but he would want you to be more specific. “What vegetation would you like?” “You know, green plants, maybe...
Respect for the Law
Paul Hein
2013-02-15 09:02
Column by Paul Hein.
Exclusive to STR
If you have any--that is, respect for the law--you ought to reconsider. We are controlled, after all, by psychology, and the “law” is a key player in the ploy.
There is a division of the company called the State that writes down, solemnly, the desires of the company, and calls the finished product The Law. We are supposed to take this law very...
The Emperor's Clothes
Paul Hein
2010-09-09 03:00
By Paul Hein.
Exclusive to STR
Having, by sheer good fortune, escaped any formal training in economics, I often feel like the little boy who observed that the emperor wasn’t wearing any clothes. “Shush,” I’m told. “You don’t know anything about it. It’s too complicated for you to understand.”
Well, maybe so. Despite that,...
Walks and Talks
Paul Hein
2010-11-08 04:00
Column by Paul Hein.
Exclusive to STR
I enjoy taking the dog for a walk, although he probably enjoys it more. These Fall mornings the fresh air is bracing, and the chance to be alone with my thoughts is welcome. I’ll even grudgingly admit that the exercise might be beneficial, although I’m not convinced of that. It’s meeting other walkers that pleases me most...
Economics for Dummies
Paul Hein
2010-03-15 03:00
Exclusive to STR
I don’t want to deceive you: I am not going to present a sort of Economics 101 for the benefit of the economically illiterate. In fact, I am myself among that number, never having studied economics. What I am suggesting is that, in the current financial crisis, economics is, in my opinion, somewhat irrelevant. It may be dumb to think that there is an economic solution to...
What Took So Long?
Paul Hein
2009-08-23 16:00
Exclusive to STR
The public reaction to President Obama's health care program is at the same time pleasing, disappointing, and puzzling.
But before we get into that, let's clear up something: Health is a right. It's something inherent in your very life, and no one can intentionally deprive you of it without seriously wronging you. But health care is no such thing. Care, of any kind, is provided...
A Journey of a Thousand Miles
Paul Hein
2011-03-23 03:00
Column by Paul Hein.
Exclusive to STR
Yes, it starts with a single step. That’s so obvious that it’s easily overlooked, but it’s worth considering when confronted with the realities of life today--especially if what you’re confronted with are the growing challenges to your life, liberty, and property.
In shaking off the rule of George III, the...
I Can Do It; You Can't
Paul Hein
2012-01-30 01:00
Column by Paul Hein.
Exclusive to STR
President Obama was served with a subpoena to appear in an Atlanta court on January 26, to offer proof of his eligibility to be on the ballot in Georgia in the upcoming presidential election. Georgia law, as I understand it, requires that all candidates for federal office be qualified to hold the office to which they aspire.
Of course, Obama did not...
A Different Perspective
Paul Hein
2012-06-14 00:00
Column by Paul Hein.
Exclusive to STR
I recently watched a video clip of a TV commentator remarking about random shootings, in Tucson, as I recall. He said that the shootings presented three elements for our consideration. The first one, he said, was the fact of mental illness, and the need for better treatment of the mentally ill. He then, perhaps predictably, questioned whether gun ownership or...
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