For those of you who have never read Ayn Rand's novel, Atlas Shrugged, I recommend it, even if I have my disagreements with the author.

I bring this up because today is September 2nd (most of the turning points in the book take place on September 2nd of various years), and the book is relevant, if for no other reason, for one particular line.

Speaking of the retreat of Liberty, one character says "The lights are going out all over the world." And that, remember, is in a book published in 1957.

The line has had a powerful impact on me, adding a sense of urgency to the olitical activism I had already committed my life to.

Sadly, the lights are still going out all over the world. (Click "Read More")

This day, Labor Day, is the perfect day to reflect on how harshly Government deals with the working class and the poor.

Frederic Bastiat said, "The state is the great fiction by which everyone attempts to live at the expense of everyone else". It is also the great reality by which the privileged and the powerful become more privileged and powerful at the expense of small businesses and Labor.

How much higher would the standard of living of working men and women be were their tax burden not so high? Income tax, sales tax, property tax, both paid directly to Government and in the form of higher prices on goods and services, all reduce that standard.

How much higher would the real incomes of men and women in the workforce be were there no laws and regulations reducing (in some cases, eliminating) competition among businesses, when such reduced competition means fewer jobs and thus lower wages? (Click "Read More")

As you saw on the Home Page, I addressed two Government classes in late July. I always enjoy these presentations, because there is time to field questions and give answers in detail. I hope to speak to more classes in the future. If you would like me to address one of your classes, go to the "Contact Us" page and let us know!

I was married on August 8th, in a civil ceremony, to the matchless Stephanie Lynn Zachry. She and I had met while attending Centenary College.

This was the first step in a Texas Two-Step: the religious ceremony will be October 18th in Austin.

The service took place in the chambers of Judge David Patronella. I had asked Judge Patronella to perform the service because he and I had worked together on a referendum to impose a more reasonable property-tax limit on the City of Houston many years ago, as members of the tripartisan Greater Houston Tax Coalition.