Updated: Hornbeck & the Tyranny of Low Expectations

Media, The Zeitgeist

“An anonymous sage said that ‘expectations tend to be self-fulfilling’: expect nothing and you’ll get nothing. In the United States, if kids so much as dial 911 in an emergency, they are decorated for bravery. Mitchell Hults, the boy who gave police the description of the perpetrator’s white truck, has been hailed as a hero by the sheriff and showered with awards and gifts. This, for merely reporting what he saw! If the consensus in society is that doing the bare minimum is an act of supreme courage; then failing to perform basic obligations must be considered the norm.

In The Constitution of Liberty, Friedrich A. Hayek insisted that ‘The assigning of responsibility is based, not on what we know to be true in a particular case, but on what we believe will be the probable effects of encouraging people to behave rationally and considerately.’ In other words, don’t fall for the tyranny of low expectations; let your teenagers know you expect them to behave rationally and considerately.”

The excerpt is from, “Hornbeck & the Tyranny of Low Expectations.”

Update: Considering the comments received, I should have called the column “Hornbeck & The Tyranny of No Expectations.”

Updated: Hornbeck & the Tyranny of Low Expectations

Media, The Zeitgeist

“An anonymous sage said that ‘expectations tend to be self-fulfilling’: expect nothing and you’ll get nothing. In the United States, if kids so much as dial 911 in an emergency, they are decorated for bravery. Mitchell Hults, the boy who gave police the description of the perpetrator’s white truck, has been hailed as a hero by the sheriff and showered with awards and gifts. This, for merely reporting what he saw! If the consensus in society is that doing the bare minimum is an act of supreme courage; then failing to perform basic obligations must be considered the norm.

In The Constitution of Liberty, Friedrich A. Hayek insisted that ‘The assigning of responsibility is based, not on what we know to be true in a particular case, but on what we believe will be the probable effects of encouraging people to behave rationally and considerately.’ In other words, don’t fall for the tyranny of low expectations; let your teenagers know you expect them to behave rationally and considerately.”

The excerpt is from, “Hornbeck & the Tyranny of Low Expectations.”

Update: Considering the comments received, I should have called the column “Hornbeck & The Tyranny of No Expectations.”

Deadly Decider

Bush, Government

Here’s what another, far-less dangerous, Decider had to say about war powers:

“No offensive expedition of importance can be taken until after they [Congress] have deliberated on the subject and authorized such a measure.” —George Washington

It goes without saying that having the cockroaches in Congress debate something, guarantees nothing.

The deadly Decider is still on the loose and dangerous.

Gene’s Healey’s paper, “The Arrogance of Power Reborn,” is well-worth reading, but will probably need to be updated with Genghis Bush’s exploits.

To paraphrase the French political scientist Pierre Rosanvallon, the Bushies speak like Tocqueville but think and act like Robespierre.

How Do I Become an Illegal Alien?

IMMIGRATION, Politics

(From a Maryland resident to his Senator)

The Honorable Paul S. Sarbanes
309 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC , 20510

Dear Senator Sarbanes,

As a native Marylander and excellent customer of the Internal Revenue Service, I am writing to ask for your assistance. I have contacted the Department of Homeland Security in an effort to determine the process for becoming an illegal alien and they referred me to you.

My primary reason for wishing to change my status from a U.S. Citizen to an illegal alien stems from the bill that was recently passed by the Senate, and for which you voted. If my understanding of this bill’s provisions is accurate, as an illegal alien who has been in the United States for five years, all I’ll need to do to become a citizen is to pay a $2,000 fine and income taxes for three of the last five years. I know a good deal when I see one and I am anxious to get the process started before everyone figures it out.

Simply put, those of us who have been here legally have had to pay taxes every year so I’m excited about the prospect of avoiding two years of taxes in return for paying a $2,000 fine. Is there any way that I can apply to be illegal retroactively?
¼br /> This would yield an excellent result for me and my family because we paid heavy taxes in 2004 and 2005. Additionally, as an illegal alien I could begin using the local emergency room as my primary health-care provider. Once I have stopped paying premiums for medical insurance, my accountant figures I could save almost $10,000 a year. Another benefit in gaining illegal status would be that my daughter would receive preferential treatment relative to her law-school applications, as well as “in-state” tuition rates for many colleges throughout the United States for my son.

Lastly, I understand that illegal status would relieve me of the burden of renewing my driver’s license and making those burdensome car insurance premiums. This is very important to me given that I still have college-age children driving my car.

If you would provide me with an outline of the process to become illegal (retroactively if possible) and copies of the necessary forms, I would be most appreciative. Thank you for your assistance.

Your Loyal Constituent,
Pete McGlaughlin

Get your Forms (NOW)! Call your Internal Revenue Service 1-800-289-1040. Please pass this onto your friends so they can save on this great offer too!!