Stremf in Numbers
Friday, September 30, 2011
Zut Alors!
The French Revolution is commonly understood in terms of political philosophy. The Enlightenment ideals of individual liberty and vested interest in political discourse caused the masses to revolt against tyrannical rule.
That theory is certainly accurate. Here’s a fun supporting narrative.
France heavily financed the American Revolution in a vindictive move against England. These expenditures may have been detrimental to the aristocrats of Paris and Versailles. By the end of the American Revolution, war debt bankrupted the French economy, which led to increased taxes. Accordingly, this destabilized the historical order causing revolt.
That theory is certainly accurate. Here’s a fun supporting narrative.
France heavily financed the American Revolution in a vindictive move against England. These expenditures may have been detrimental to the aristocrats of Paris and Versailles. By the end of the American Revolution, war debt bankrupted the French economy, which led to increased taxes. Accordingly, this destabilized the historical order causing revolt.
Labels: No taxation without vino libations
¶ 7:52 AM 0 Comments
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
States, pt 1
The drafters of our government cleverly divided it into a trinity of opposing powers. And, of course, benefits of a democratic system are axiomatic. But, a more subtle and unintentional aspect lies in the coevolution of states and federal powers.
Fifty states are, to some extent, fifty simultaneous experiments for common problems. They each offer solutions to, say, the gay marriage issue, or how to tax capital gains on earners in the $82k – 171k bracket. The hope is that the most intelligent and just answers rise to prominence.
Whenever a state (or increasingly a city) becomes the epicenter for an issue (AZ on immigration, NY on public health, MA on gay marriage, CA on solvency, AK on energy) we ought to sit up and pay attention. It’s in these crises and advancements that we find enlightenment.
Fifty states are, to some extent, fifty simultaneous experiments for common problems. They each offer solutions to, say, the gay marriage issue, or how to tax capital gains on earners in the $82k – 171k bracket. The hope is that the most intelligent and just answers rise to prominence.
Whenever a state (or increasingly a city) becomes the epicenter for an issue (AZ on immigration, NY on public health, MA on gay marriage, CA on solvency, AK on energy) we ought to sit up and pay attention. It’s in these crises and advancements that we find enlightenment.
Labels: what about solids liquids gases and plasmas?
¶ 11:57 PM 0 Comments
