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The View from Abroad
by Kenn Jacobine (Libertarian)
About The Author
My wife and I are international educators currently teaching at the American International School of Lusaka, Zambia. She teaches economics and I teach English and history. I have been active in politics for practically all of my adult life. At first, I was an active campaigner for Reagan-Bush '84. Eight years later, I found my senses and became a libertarian. In 1994, I was a Libertarian Party candidate for the State Senate in Pennsylvania. I have written a guest column for a local newspaper in North Carolina. The Ron Paul candidacy for president has reawakened my political action and made me realize that I should not deny the world my superior ideas and writing prowess any longer. I relish every and all opportunities to debate issues with friend and foe alike.
About The Column
My column will provide commentary and book reviews on issues currently affecting our world and country. It will offer a unique perspective from an American currently living abroad in Zambia, Africa.
Are Presidents Above the Law?
Published: May 12, 2008
Presidential immunity from prosecution was certainly not birthed by Bill Clinton. For that conception we go back to that beacon of presidential morality and paranoia, Richard Nixon.
Dealing with High Gas Prices - The Sequel
Published: May 4, 2008
Sure enough, the politicians are at it again. This week cries went out from presidential candidates to Congressional leaders that something must be done to alleviate the ill effects of high gas prices on the economy. Of course, instead of being honest and considering what Washington has done to create the problem, the politicians are focusing on oil companies and a gimmick.
The Origins of High Gas Prices
Published: April 27, 2008
We are all concerned about the rising price of gasoline and how it makes us all feel the pinch. The politicians and media want us to believe that the oil companies are to blame. The proof is clear: the blame for higher gasoline prices should be placed on Uncle Sam.
Guns and Defense Against the State
Published: April 20, 2008
Present day Zimbabwe is a perfect example of what the founders of the United States had in mind when they devised the second amendment right to own guns. Let’s face it, Zimbabwe is suffering from mischief at the hands of Robert Mugabe and is in dire need of a revolution.
Taxing Times
Published: April 13, 2008
This week, we celebrate Tax Day. While most Americans accept April 15 as a consequence of citizenship, I view it as a national holiday that symbolizes how far we have strayed from Constitutional government. The whole tax code is a complicated web of waste and corruption. If they were alive today, some of our most revered leaders would share my view.
A Golden Opportunity
Published: April 10, 2008
This week the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced plans to sell a portion of its gold reserves. It seems the IMF is not needed as much as it use to be – many developing countries in Asia and Latin America possess large reserves of foreign currency, alleviating the risk of economic crisis and consequently the need for emergency loans from the IMF.
End Foreign Aid. Now!
Published: April 6, 2008
The fact is that foreign aid does not work and is a waste of money. While there have been some success stories in the developing world since independence movements swept across the globe in the 1960s and 1970s, those countries probably would have become successful without foreign aid anyway.
Easy Money, Fraud, and Stupidity
Published: April 1, 2008
CNN recently aired a program entitled “Mortgage Meltdown”. The show featured panelists sitting at a card table in a casino discussing the subprime crisis. As they talked about the various culprits responsible for the current financial mess, three recurring themes were evident – easy money, fraud, and stupidity.
Hakuna Matata – Tidbits from Tanzania
Published: March 26, 2008
Tanzania is actually a lovely country. Some blogable moments came from our visit and I would like to share them with you.
Mad at the Fed
Published: March 17, 2008
You should be as mad as hell. All Americans should be outraged. The Federal Reserve after causing the current economic crisis is now using our currency, the lifeblood of our economy, to bailout investment houses that have been grossly irresponsible in their business practices.
Lock em Up and Throw Away the Key
Published: March 13, 2008
However, this article is not about advocating for the decriminalization of drugs. It is about comparing the two civil rights reports that were released recently. One shows a country with still a long way to go in guaranteeing civil rights for all its citizens. But from other indicators, specifically economic, it is a country that is headed in the right direction as far as building a society based on middle class values and liberty. The other report names the country that imprisons more citizens than any other in the world. But from other indicators, specifically legislative, it is a country that is headed in the wrong direction as far as restoring a society based on middle class values and liberty.
Why Does the Whole World Hate the United States?
Published: March 12, 2008
Last month, while discussing the turmoil in Serbia and the assault on the U.S. Embassy, with my class, one of my eighth graders, a Dutch student, asked, “why does the whole world hate the United States?” I thought for a minute and then realized that the whole world does not hate the United States, quite the contrary, they simply hate our government. I must say it is with good reason.
The Surge is Working?
Published: March 10, 2008
There is no doubt the U.S. government is hunkered down for a long stay in Iraq. Our leaders are no longer keeping that a secret. Their plans will come to fruition easier if they can keep public sentiment at bay. Telling us the surge is working is a means to that end. However, according to Ed’s briefing, the surge is not working.
Book Review - Murray Rothbard's "What Has Government Done to Our Money?
Published: March 9, 2008
It is not often that a book about economics is both brilliant and easy to understand by the lay economist. Professor Rothbard’s book is such a book. He clearly laid out monetary theory and the history of the state’s destruction of it. Originally written in 1963, his analysis of money is timeless. This book is a must read for anyone at all concerned about the future of our country.
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