The Age of Romanticism, with beginnings in the 18th century, was partly a reaction to the Enlightenment and Science. Its focus was on the individual and emotion. Its progenitor, Jean Jacques Rousseau, was a man of dubious character with an over-sized influence. In art and literature Romanticism engendered much to be admired, but not in […]
Romanticism Returns Read More »
I have wrestled with trying to understand what a legitimate right is. The 1776 Declaration of Independence famously cites Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness as among our Creator-given Rights. What others might we acknowledge? Discussion in recent years has focused on rights to health care, housing, food, and a well-paying job. Do such
On 17 Feb 2021, President Biden revoked Trump’s 2017 Executive Order 13801 (Expanding Apprenticeships in America). That EO said, part: It shall be the policy of the Federal Government to provide more affordable pathways to secure, high-paying jobs by promoting apprenticeships (defined, essentially, as work-study arrangements) and effective workforce development programs, while easing the regulatory
Esoteric argument can make bad ideas seem right. Read the NYT op-ed below and make your Judgement. –> my comments look like this Humans Are Animals. Let’s Get Over ItBy Crispin Sartwell, Mr. Sartwell is a professor of philosophy. New York Times Feb. 23, 2021 It’s astonishing how relentlessly Western philosophy has strained to prove we
What’s the Difference? Read More »
In Nichomachean Ethics Aristotle says “Hence the young man is not a fit student of Moral Philosophy, for he has no experience in the actions of life, …”. I must disagree. Proverbs 22:6 says “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. ” The young
Another of president Biden’s orders that caught my eye is: Memorandum on Restoring Trust in Government Through Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based Policymaking. The premise would seem to be that lack of trust rests on prior use of science in ways that lacked integrity. The memo doesn’t explain the lack or why such lack has led
Another of president Biden’s first-day actions was Executive Order on Revocation of Certain Executive Orders Concerning Federal Regulation. Its goal is “executive departments and agencies (agencies) must be equipped with the flexibility to use robust regulatory action to address national priorities.” It does this by rescinding: >> Executive Order 13771 of January 30, 2017 (Reducing
Revoke, Rescind, Regress Read More »
This is the title of one president Biden’s first day orders and memoranda. The full text is here. I think it portends a full-bore Progressive agenda. It notes that “the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has been charged by Presidents of both parties with reviewing
Modernizing Regulatory Review Read More »
I just finished an interesting book about Harry Jaffa. The author makes this statement. “Today’s progressives do not think of themselves as tyrants any more than the Progressives of Wilson’s time, but the underlying doctrines are metaphysically identical to totalitarianism.” — Hayward, Steven F.. Patriotism Is Not Enough (p. 207). Encounter Books. Kindle Edition. Wilson
The Constitution provides 3 branches; Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. Over the past century a 4th has grown — the labyrinth of agencies, often called the Administrative State. The historical underpinnings are complex, but the operation is plain. Congress passes laws establishing, or expanding, an agency and giving to it the authority to promulgate regulations. These
U.S. Government — Branch #4 Read More »