Is private property the foundation of prosperity?  America’s founders were convinced that it is.  For more than a century, the vast majority of Americans, and their elected representatives were convinced that it is.  In the last half-century, the majority of Americans, and their elected representatives, have lost sight of this fundamental principle of freedom, and have allowed governments at every level to take, or to take control of, the foundation of prosperity for all Americans.

What’s wrong with this picture?

Congressional Democrats are trying to expand government health insurance to children who don’t need public assistance, while their party’s presidential hopefuls are concocting even grander schemes to achieve “universal coverage.”

At first glance--as those who leaked it last week saw--the Government Accountability Office’s report on Iraq, released today, paints a dark view of progress and prospects in Iraq.

Though the federal government claims the current rate of inflation is a mere 2.36 percent, working Americans know better. However, considering the irrelevant and confused method in which the feds calculate the rate of inflation along with the omission of critical price information, it is little wonder the official rate makes no sense.

As Beijing beings it countdown to the 2008 Olympics, the central government is doing what it can to change the world’s perception of China and its social policies.  There are limits, however, to what propaganda and coercion can change. Earlier this month, new reports revealed the depravity of the Communist Party to those already unaware.  For over forty years China has maintained a one-child-per-couple policy.  There are a few exceptions to the rule – namely, for those in rural areas whose first child is a daughter and for ethnic minorities.  To ensure compliance with the law among the general population, women are forced to abort their children or pay heavy fines for any child born after the first.  Many also undergo coerced sterilization.  One can scarcely comprehend the emotional and physical suffering of many Chinese women.

With all the fuss made over the 300 millionth American, the U.S. Census Bureau enjoyed an unaccustomed moment in the limelight as the work done by this government agency is seldom considered glamorous enough to warrant much coverage in the media.

It took the better part of a year, but Calvin and Carol Whittaker finally got their name and premises registration removed from the National Animal Identification System (NAIS).  Within days of completing what they thought was the renewal of their brand registration last year, they received a letter from the Idaho Department of Agriculture informing them that their ranch had been registered in the NAIS.

Irvine, CA--Congressmen are haggling over which flavors of cigarette to ban. Nearly all agree that chocolate, strawberry, almost any other conceivable flavor be banned, but there is a furious debate as to whether clove-flavored cigarettes should be a permitted exception.

As President Bush and the U.S. Congress prepare to war over $23 billion in domestic discretionary spending in a 2008 fiscal year budget that will approach $3 trillion, now is a good time talk about the $90 trillion Social Security and Medicare elephant in the room.

The Broadcaster Freedom Act, to outlaw return of the so-called Fairness Doctrine, has now been introduced in the House and Senate. Check here to see if your members of Congress are co-sponsors. The Broadcaster Freedom Act is H.R. 2905 in the House and S. 1748 in the Senate. To learn more about this, please read our recent column on the subject, “The Fairness Doctrine is Not Dead.”

The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a decision reinstating the civil rights claims of a long-time pro-life activist in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Fellow gun enthusiasts, We have a major problem with new OSHA rules on transporting gunpowder (including black powder) that will make it impossible for local carriers like UPS to transport the substance. This will effectively destroy our ability to reenact, hunt or target shoot. And we only have until July 12th to speak our minds.

We have forgotten why the Declaration of Independence was signed.

U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton has been operating more as a hit man for George Bush and the Mexican government, than as an advocate for the American people. Sutton has been persecuting American law enforcement officers when they dare to block the path of foreign invaders, thus making the country safe for drug smugglers. Sutton is truly public enemy #1.