Minnesota Government Shut-Down

What Have We Learned?

Now that the state is again funded, I am wondering about a few things.  Am I just way out of touch with economic reality, or is common sense not an attribute of our governmental leaders?  

I’d like some answers to the following questions:

1. Why do state agencies that bring in revenue shut down when money shortage is the issue?
2. Don’t these agencies bring in enough to cover their own operation?
3. Couldn’t they operate like a ship at sea?  If they loose communications with their land base, doesn’t the captain take over and proceed?  The ship’s engines aren’t just shut down to let it drift and wreck on the rocks.
4. Wouldn’t it be wise to create a plan to have such agencies “self-navigate” in the event of a government shut-down? At least the money would still be collected.  

If the chickens are still laying, at least collect the eggs, even if you don’t have bacon to go with ‘em.  Is my thinking wrong here?  Or are the politicians less savvy than a hungry chicken farmer?

Independence Day – Why We Celebrate July 4th

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as celebrated with parades, fireworks, feast, family and friends is possible because it was fought for by the 13 original colonies, and claimed on this day in 1776. We are pretty much free to indulge as we like because of the foresight and wisdom of the founding fathers of the United States of America. Those who are serious about keeping this liberty in self-determination might check out the roots of our independence from tyranny by monarchy or majority. 

 Wikipedia is a good source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Declaration_of_Independence

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Constitution#Preamble:_Statement_of_purpose

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_republic

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pledge_of_Allegiance

The latter includes these words as originally written: 

I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stand, one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.  

Notice it says republic, not democracy.  Individual rights are of a higher law than that of the will of the majority.  Mob rule is also majority rule.  Revolution is not by out-of-control passion, but rather by advanced creativity and thought toward allowing others what we want for ourselves.