Obama and the Constitution

"But, the Supreme Court never ventured into the issues of redistribution of wealth, and of more basic issues such as political and economic justice in society. To that extent, as radical as I think people try to characterize the Warren Court, it wasn't that radical. It didn't break free from the essential constraints that were placed by the Founding Fathers in the Constitution, at least as it's been interpreted, and the Warren Court interpreted in the same way, that generally the Constitution is a charter of negative liberties. Says what the states can't do to you. Says what the federal government can't do to you, but doesn't say what the federal government or state government must do on your behalf."

Signs of Recession

A couple weeks ago, Althouse linked to a photo essay demonstrating the current economic problems. As a photo essay, I found it unconvincing. Sub-divisions with empty lots do not imply hard times, nor do students lined up at a job fair. I think the following photo I took at a repair shop in my town represents a rather more unique perspective of the job market than a job fair does.

Groucho Marx said...

Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and then misapplying the wrong remedies.

I can think of many examples of this. Anthropogenic Global Warming would be one.

The Meaning of Sarah Palin

I've been stymied by the Left's visceral hatred of Sarah Palin (you read that right, they hate her guts). This thought-provoking article explores the varied reactions to her on both the left and the right.

Unpresidential

"I will watch you on Fox News and feel bad about myself." Try being bigger than petty sniping about the media.

"You can't just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done." Again, I would think a President would have better things to do than to pick fights with the media.

"I won. I'm the president." Neener, neener, neener.

Althouse Neutrality

Ann Althouse claims cruel neutrality. That may or may not be the case, but her readership seems to be split right down the middle on the issue.

Palin Properties

After reading Michael Petrelis' post on Sarah Palin's financial disclosures, I decided to do a little research on the properties Palin listed in her latest financial disclosure form. A very quick google search yielded the Matanuska Susitna Borough's – where the Palin's reside and own additional properties – land ownership site, which held records for all the properties listed in Palin's disclosure form.

From that site I was able to find that in addition to their primary residence - land and house appraised at $552,100 - they have joint ownership of 3 unimproved properties with Scott Richter with a total appraised value of $47,300. Todd Palin also has joint ownership of a property with Tod and Ron Richards and Carolyn Nson at an appraised value of $55,400. This property has a building, which accounts for about half of the property's worth, or $28,400. This property may very well be a business, and if not is probably just a small hunting lodge, but I'll leave that research to another.

A listing of all properties owned by the Palins can be found here.

Ever since McCain's large number of houses (properties?) were brought up to demonstrate excessive wealth, and thus imply his inability to associate with average citizens, I've been doubtful of the nature of the actual properties owned. Real estate ownership is a sound investment, and those with even modest resources will buy multiple properties as investments or for business ventures. As the Palins' records show, these are not expensive vacation houses, but rather, small properties used for various purposes or as investments. I am not claiming that McCain only owns small properties apart from his main residence; I'm sure he has several vacation houses, but my guess is that quite a few of his (actually Cindy's) properties are not expensive weekend homes.