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With its patriotism and lone-man-against-the-system theme, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington (1939) is a popular favorite among conservatives. But, although directed by conservative populist Frank Capra, the script was in actuality penned by a then-member of the Communist Party named Sidney Buchman.

It is difficult to believe in our era of flag-burning and bomb-throwing leftism that once upon a time American Communists promoted patriotism, which depending upon your point of view, was either authentic or a pose to meet the needs of Moscow. But Buchman may have been the real deal, as evidenced by his clashes with director Frank Capra and his later abandonment of Communism because it wouldnt fit the democratic conditions of his country.

The argument centered around how each man viewed the American government, and it is interesting to note in our era where conservatives mistrust government and liberals laud it (and want more), that with Capra and Buchman, the sides flipped. Capra, an immigrant, accused Buchman of being a communist because the screenwriter expressed what we would call today a libertarian streak by stating the Jeffersonian view that the American government should be constantly watched for any power-grabs. Capra, by contrast, supported the American government en mass, which led Buchanan to accused Capra of fascism.

Buchmans view made it past Capra because, as the blacklisted screenwriter once wrote, I really believe he never knew what Mr. Smith was actually saying.

There is a sprinkling of leftism in the film, as when it is revealed that Jefferson Smiths father was murdered by a mining syndicate for defending a lone miners claim. And the chief villain of the film, Jim Taylor, is an arm-twisting capitalist who owns politicians and a considerable part of the media.

But there the leftism ends. Smith, played by conservative actor Jimmy Stewart, who was certainly intelligent enough to detect any Stalinism in the script, runs afoul of the capitalist villains bill designed to spread graft by disguised under the project of building a dam. Smiths bill, which would be built on the land set aside for Taylor, is patriotic; he wants to build a boys camp, funded by contributions from citizens, and designed to teach boys woodcraft and patriotism.

The conservative themes are obvious in the film, and not just Smiths one man fight against big government. By controlling all the media outlets and muzzling Smith, Taylor unleashes on Smith what we today call the mainstream media on Smith. Taylor could be George Soros, who today uses his money to influence, if not buy off, politicians, as well as fund violent protests movements. Senator Paine, Smiths previous sponsor in the Senate, who turns on him and then defends him, by being in the pocket of Taylor affirms Thomas Jeffersons warning about special interest politicians ruling not for the common good but for their wealthy benefactors.

Smith would be Capras final moment in the sun, and the director would spend the rest of his career trying to duplicate its success. Meanwhile, Buchman would leave the Communist Party after World War II because he no longer believed communism could be applied to American conditions.

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Mr. Smth: The Ultimate Libertarian - The Liberty Conservative

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CJ Letter Published 6:34 p.m. ET March 23, 2017 | Updated 5:55 p.m. ET March 24, 2017

Mourners hold a copy of a program during the candlelight vigil for Savannah Jeanne Walker on the lawn of Grawmeyer Hall on the University of Louisville campus, Wednesday, March. 22, 2017 in Louisville Ky.(Photo: Timothy D. Easley/Special to CJ)Buy Photo

The usual eye roll preceded the reading of the gospel according to the self-righteous, Doctor "Louisville" Jones (Ricky Jones). Historically, it takes only two paragraphs to identify which of his seemingly permanent needs is screeched over the old megaphone.

He's trained us to look for the same tired themes. This morning's rant could easily have been, "random (gun) violence is caused by anyone other than the evil, soulless, murderer who deserves a pass from judgment due to an unsavory childhood."

But it wasn't.

He used his pulpit to call for genuine action. He used his voice to call for us to help solve one senseless murder. He correctly suggests that someone, at least one individual knows who killed Savanah Walker. He calls for us to help the police find the murderer, and I'll add, to do so quickly.

If this curmudgeon, rock-ribbed, libertarian can join the call with a hopelessly lost, doom-mongering liberal, then perhaps the more moderate among us can do so as well.

A friend mourns:'I'm tired of burying my friends'

We're not asking for world peace, but rather to come together to help Louisville's Finest help find one murderer.

We've come together for less.

David Gibbs

Louisville 40059

MORE COVERAGE

Walker's brother struggles to say goodbye Rapper describes chaos of art gallery shooting We must bring Savannah Walkers killers to justice | Ricky Jones Dad of slain U of L student: She died a hero

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Libertarian agrees with liberal Jones | Letter - The Courier-Journal

On May 19th Iran will hold its 20th presidential election.

The stakes for this election are high as the regional cold war between Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shia Iran has intensified since Trumps election. The United States, Saudi Arabia, and Israel have been on a united front against Iran, pushing forincreased sanctions, especially in the light of Irans ballistic missile test.

Current presidentHassan Rouhani, who presented himself to Iranian voters as a moderate during his2013 presidential campaign, has drawn international criticism for the test, and for his order for Irans Atomic Energy Organisation to begin construction on nuclear-powered warships, a violation of their nuclear deal.

He does, however, remain the front-runner for the election as the Reformist candidate. Also running is the independent Hamid Baqai, a former confident to former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and Iran Revolutionary Guard General Ezzatollah Zarghami.

The main political division is between reformist candidates, who are politically liberal and offer more in terms of womens rights, and principalists who adhere to the doctrines put forth during the Islamic Revolution.

The results of the election will have far-reaching implications for the Middle East, where the Iranian-backed Asad regime waged a successful war against the rebels and ISIS, and in Yemen where the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels staged a successful coup detat in 2015.

Iran has also been involved in the political landscape of Lebanon, funding Hezbollah.

Although the president of Iran is the highest elected office of the nation, the Supreme Leader is in charge of their armed forces, judiciary system, state television and has the final authority on economic, environmental, and foreign policy.

In order to run for president in Iran a candidate must be over the age of 21, Iranian-born, believe in Islam, and approved by the Guardian Council, which does not accept women.

Photo: Time

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Iran to Hold Presidential Election - Being Libertarian - Being Libertarian

Lynchburg-area Libertarians expect to nominate a candidate Saturday to challenge longtime Republican Del. Kathy Byron in the 22nd House of Delegates district.

About 15 to 20 Libertarians plan to nominate Michael C. Millner Jr., of Campbell County, a water restoration technician, in hopes of building the party locally and eventually rising from minor party status, according to Michael Sale, thethe local chapters president.

The candidate, though, said hes running because the district needs a choice other than the two-decade Republican incumbent.

You know, usually its a Democrat, and I think people in this area are more conservative, more small government, so I think there needs to be another option in a different direction, Millner said.

Byron first took the seat in 1998 and has won nine subsequent re-election campaigns, three of which were contested. Her last challenge came in 2013, when she defeated now-Lynchburg Democratic Committee Chairwoman Katie Webb Cyphert with 66 percent of the districts vote. The 1999 and 2001 contenders were a Democrat and Independent, respectively.

The district includes slivers of Lynchburg and Campbell County, a chunk of Bedford County and a piece of Franklin County.

Millner, 34, worked in his familys upholstery business and graduated from Rustburg High School in 2001, he said. He works at Servpro Industries restoring homes damaged by fire-triggered sprinkler systems.

After graduating from Miller-Motte Technical Colleges massage therapy program in 2005, he worked at the Central Virginia Chiropractic Center for two years, he said. He also has worked as a machinist, he said.

The Campbell County resident is married to Tina Millner and has three children.

One responsibility for a third-party candidate is communicating the partys ideals to people who know little about it.

Overall, just generally, it means reducing the size of government, Millner said, referring to Libertarianism. My end of it would be just do it slowly. At some point, maybe it would be too harmful. You could go too small.

Virginias alcohol should be sold by private businesses, rather than through the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Millner said, referring to Nelson County distiller Denver Rigglemans call for liquor deregulation during his recently discontinued gubernatorial campaign.

Education, too, could be fully privatized eventually, Millner said. In the current system, the government interferes far too much with teachers, he said.

While many Republicans talk about small government ideology, Millner said the party is inconsistent.

Republicans, they like to grow government in a certain direction, too. They like to put restrictions on people, Millner said. There shouldnt be a law that states who can use a public restroom.

The government should be completely out of marriage but should allow a legal agreement for any couple addressing finances and children.

Millner called himself a Christian without a home church that makes rounds at different ones.

Byron, R-Bedford County, told The News & Advance on Thursday she will announce a campaign kickoff after the primary filing deadline March 30.

Having already filed for reelection, I am looking forward to taking my record of accomplishment on workforce development, healthcare reform and accountability, and fiscal responsibility directly to the voters, Byron said in a text message Thursday.

Millner said hes been a Libertarian since I graduated high school, but the party hasnt had many candidates, one reason hes running.

The Lynchburg Libertarians hope the local candidate will help them grow their footprint, just after they expanded and rebranded the chapter as the Libertarian Party of South Central Virginia. The group plans to elect officers and nominate the candidate Saturday at the Hampton Inn in Gretna at noon.

Sale, the chapter president from Lynchburg, hopes Millners candidacy will help build the party in the region following national recognition received by Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson last year.

Wed like to run some smaller elections in the area. That way, we can learn the neighborhoods in the area. We want to keep our volunteers working, so they dont disappear, Sale said.

The group hopes to use the extended chapter, including reaching into nearby counties and down to Danville, as an apparatus through which local units can develop and eventually split off on their own.

Instead of them starting from scratch, we already have some type of organization in place, Sale said.

Those interested in joining the Libertarian Party are welcome to attend the Saturday meeting and convention, Sale said. While the party generally has a 30-day period between when someone registers with the party and when they may vote, that gap may be waived, Sale said.

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Libertarian to challenge Byron in 22nd House of Delegates district - Lynchburg News and Advance

The demonetization of high-denomination notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 by the BJP-led Government of India in November last year sent shock waves across the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 2017 New Years speech, dubbed this move as a historic rite of purification, giving it a religious aspect. In the same speech, Modi struck a philosophical note by claiming that humans are inherently good, but over time, evil creeps into societies. He later clarifies that evil is synonymous with corruption, black money and counterfeit notes.

But, judging by the prominent place black money takes in his speech, one can safely assume that the government stripped two currency notes of their legal status principally to undermine Indias underground economy. Black money can be defined as income illegally obtained or not declared for tax purposes. The second part of the definition is often ignored by governments.

In his essay The Underground Economy Hans F. Sennholz accurately predicted this stance of governments when he wrote:

Government officials and agents are ever eager to lump both together, the criminals and their organization with the producers in the underground. Both groups are knowingly violating laws and regulations and defying political authority. But they differ radically in the role they play in society. The underworld comprises criminals who are committing acts of bribery, fraud, and racketeering, and willfully inflicting wrongs on society. The underground economy involves otherwise law-abiding citizens who are seeking refuge from the wrongs inflicted on them by government.

True to Sennholzs prediction, Modi, in his speech, said, It is accepted the world over, that terrorism, Naxalism, Maoism, counterfeit currency trade, drug trade, human trafficking all of these depend on black money. The underlying assumption in this argument that black money serves only criminals is incorrect. There are doctors, lawyers, accountants, and businessmen who seek refuge in the underground economy because of the enormous burden of taxation. Tax is a legalized form of theft and it reduces the marginal utility of productive efforts. In other words, the will to do productive work is lessened because the returns on productive work is reduced. Therefore, the only way such money can be brought into the formal economy is by reducing tax rates across all income groups.

Modi supports his flawed argument with several flawed premises. Economists agree that when cash is outside the formal economy, it is a cause of worry, he said. This is clearly an appeal-to-authority logical fallacy since he fails to mention which economists find it worrisome. There, certainly, will be economists who will be on board with governments agenda to capture money that escaped taxation.

Modis reason for why he wants to incorporate black money into the economy is, When it joins the mainstream, it is an opportunity for development. That is Orwellian double-speak for government spending and it ought to be seen for what it really is: an opportunity to provide even more subsidies to the partys voting blocs. Government spending distorts the economy, and contrary to popular belief, it does not lead to economic growth. True growth is fueled by growth in valuable goods and services in any economy.

Modi declared that inflation is the fallout from an increase in black money in the economy. The excess of cash was fueling inflation and black-marketing, he said. It was denying the poor their due. Granted, monetary inflation erodes the value of money and the poor are hurt most by it, but it is futile to blame black money for it. Monetary inflation is caused by an excess of money and credit circulating in the economy, and it is the Reserve Bank of India, with its market-distorting interest rate cuts, that ought to be blamed.

Another major activity of an underground economy is economic production that flouts minimum wage laws. Minimum wage laws are a form of price control. About minimum wage laws, Sennholz stated:

Minimum wage laws are nothing more than government orders to workers that they must not work for less than the stated minimum, and to employers that they must pay the minimum, or not employ at all. But such mandates may deny millions of workers the right to work, which is synonymous with the basic right to sustain their lives through their own efforts.

Indias Minimum Wages Act of 1948 specifies minimum wages on a per day basis. Last year, Rajasthans state government set Rs. 5,642 (approximately $84.6) per month as the minimum wage for housemaids. In a country where 828 million people (or 75.6% of the population) live below $2 a day, paying a housemaid $84.6 per month seems like a ludicrous proposition.

Underground economies have existed since the dawn of civilizations and they serve a useful purpose. The government would do well to realize that the road to prosperity does not begin with shredding currency notes, increasing taxes and attacking the underground economy.

Sriparna Neogi has a Masters degree in Business Administration. She works as an analyst in one of Indias largest e-commerce companies.

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Demonetization: A Thinly-Veiled Attack on India's Underground Economy - Being Libertarian