Welcome to the world, Evan!

I thought about what you said about bias during my commute in to work this morning, and now I agree you. I wrote that statement without a lot of thought (which is a problem itself), as if I were talking to a friend. But the truth is, my statement was based on facts that I observed accurately (such as seeing the majority of questions directed at Jeff Britting). There’s nothing to be gained by undercutting what I say as I say it.

The only thing I should admit to when it comes to my ability to judge that evening is the fact that I had a little trouble following the other two speakers. Part of it was the fact that I wasn’t incredibly interested, and the other part was the fact that they weren’t as direct and to-the-point as the discussion about Ayn Rand. Even the literature that was read aloud for Hemingway and Frost didn’t have the same directness as the selections from Atlas Shrugged. Perhaps those with more experience in the works of Hemingway or Frost have a better context in which to judge the discussion, but I didn’t get it. But if I don’t get it, I don’t think the “average” person is going to get it, either.

Thanks again for your comments, Burgess!

2. > “Perhaps I’m a little biased . . . .”

I realize you made this statement casually, perhaps wryly, but I think it brings up an important point.

Bias is a mental condition in which a value held in the subconscious might lead a person who does not supremely value objectivity to make a judgment not supported logically by facts of the case being judged.

My approach is this: If anyone thinks I am biased, the burden of proof is on them to both define “bias” and to prove it exists in a particular case.

I am still wrestling somewhat with this concept — one often used by irrationalists to undermine speakers talking about their own fields or other interests. I welcome correction or other discussion.

Again, thank you for the article.

“The sky is blue” (trademark, AIG)

*a strong military with no overseas bases to defend our shores, airspace and the common shipping lanes;
*courts to settle civil and criminal suites;
*the cop on his beat

Everything else can be handled by private enterprise.

I agree with you that the Fair Tax is not a solution to our problems and just moves one aspect of what is wrong with the structure of our government from one point to another without challenging or changing anything fundamental.

I have been involved with the organizers of the Tea Parties over the past few weeks and they do seem to be concerned not to impose any specific agenda on the protests, leaving it up to local organizers to determine the exact nature and content of the rallies. Most people seem to want the protest to be somewhat generic, leaving it up to individuals to get out our own unique messages.

As a fellow Objectivist, I thought you might be interested in the Atlas Shrugged Books-to-Politicians Campaign that I am sponsoring at my web site: go-galt.org

Take a look and see if this is something you would be interested in participating in, or promoting to others.

Regards,
–
C. Jeffery Small

Under this new tax system will any individual pay more in tax than he paid before?

If the answer is “yes,” then I reject the “reform.” Taxes should always go down, for everyone.