Among other things, I'm toying with ideas for:
- an "Ask RAG" question-answer format
- Around the World Quick Takes
- "Liberty Talking Points"
- "RAG Replies" to various topical kerfuffles, debates
- "RAG Review" books, posts, videos
- "RAG Commentary"
- "Politics 2020"
Because of PC issues, I didn't clip my exact response, but here's a paraphrase of my response:
- In American conservatism, we honor the classical liberal foundation of free markets, American roots and its limited government ideal.
- The traditions we focus on, including organized religion, family and other institutions, are based in the private economy, not the public economy and fundamentally based on liberty principles like voluntary association.
- Conservative principles like fiscal conservatism support similar approaches to limit taxes, spending and government authority.
The only thing I want Trump to sign is a blank check. Bibles— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 8, 2019
Makes sense. The same hand which signed a check for hush money to a porn actress Trump used to cheat on his supermodel wife is now being used to sign Bibles— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 8, 2019
And how exactly does Sen. Flowers propose to stop the more prevalent black on black crime problem? By limiting their natural right of self-defense? "Sen. Flowers"— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 8, 2019
Norberg indirectly exposes Trump's economic illiteracy on his southern border wall. He points out that Bush's wall managed to deter less than 83K migrants, and we lost much more than the money invested in the wall but also additional economc growth. https://t.co/RiH6ibgcsv— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 7, 2019
Just like every political whore before him, Trump tries to intimidate the Fed into keeping rates artificially low. This hurts savers and fixed-income people (especially retired folks), but what does he care? His real worry is honest interest rates might trigger a recession.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 5, 2019
Ivanka Trump was pumping her father's economic "accomplishments". While there's a lot to be said for lowering globally high corporate tax rates and for scaling back costly Obama Administration regulations, he failed to win spending cuts and entitlements remain unsustainable.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 5, 2019
You believe in the free market and limited government. #SignsYouAreAGoodPerson— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 5, 2019
Trump reportedly wants to tie strings to federal funds for universities to enforce free speech on campus. I don't mind the intent, but I have an issue with the means. First, I don't like federal funds going to colleges. Second, I don't like partisan agendas tied to funding.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 4, 2019
End of the Cold War #The80sIn5Words— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 4, 2019
Without government, who would put out fires? Volunteershttps://t.co/kobfu9pGA1— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 3, 2019
Unlike hypocritical Democrats, who looked the other way while Obama overreached his constitutional authority, Rand Paul, like his principled father, will not abide by overreaches by his own party's President. Kudos to Rand, my favorite senator! "Rand Paul"— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 3, 2019
America deserves a better choice than Trump and [fill-in-the-jackass]. Neither Trump nor said jackass will reform spending on entitlements and interest expenses Trump has never achieved a balanced budget, despite a more robust economy. https://t.co/SQX1Kfu3FH— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 3, 2019
If you recall how long it took for Donald Trump to fire Omarosa or Gary Busey, I don't hold a lot of hope he'll fire Bolton, a clear liability and a contradiction to America First, anytime soon.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 3, 2019
Let's be clear: considerable negotiations take place before a largely ceremonial summit. Trump knew North Korea's position before leaving for Vietnam. The self-proclaimed master of the art of the deal must have an inflated ego he could make a deal NK could not reject. Bolton— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 3, 2019
Sen. Harris, a Democratic candidate, claims there will be less paperwork under national healthcare. We asked babies for their reaction to Ms. Harris' opinion: https://t.co/WStdnbt8Am— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 3, 2019
Bill O'Reilly is a far more consistent economic nationalist than Trump. Recall he opposed the export of refined oil products for higher prices abroad at the expense of local consumers. The only "fair" trade is possible without government intervention, i.e., free trade.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 3, 2019
If Americans are using 3 rolls of toilet paper a week, just wait until AOC and her fellow American socialist whores succeed in bringing Venezuelan style socialism to America. If you thought Venezuelans have had toilet paper shortages...— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 2, 2019
According to anti-American Canadians, Americans use an average of 3 rolls of toilet paper a week, Seriously? For me, one roll lasts for weeks. Maybe they are counting toilet paper used in Halloween pranks?— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 2, 2019
Trump's economically illiterate trade policy is more mercantilistic than nationalist. A true nationalist welcomes imports vs. exports, because greater supply/lower prices favor consumers and economic growth. https://t.co/vtYmy5QO33— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 2, 2019
You know that foreign policy is screwed up when both parties agree on anti-trade intervention policy. This goes beyond economic illiteracy; it's fundamentally unfair to consumers who benefit from an improved standard of living.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 2, 2019
The first hint Trump should have realized his walking away from a North Korea deal was a major bonehead screw-up was when Senate Minority Leader Schumer praised him for it. https://t.co/m3ktjn17zN— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 2, 2019
I was listening to Dunce-in-Chief Trump explain his decision to walk away from a North Korea agreement was that he wasn't getting enough for dealing away the economic sanctions bargaining chip. The economic illiterate doesn't realize trade is a win-win concept.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 2, 2019
The single most important thing Trump could do for the sake of world peace is to revoke economic sanctions wherever they exist. Restrictions on trade are a double-edged sword. We libertarians have a saying: when goods do not cross borders, armies do.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 2, 2019
Our corrupt foreign policy of economic sanctions has failed, in fact and morally. The US boycott of Cuba didn't kill Fidel Castro; old age did.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 2, 2019
#IdBeOnTrialFor being politically incorrect— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 1, 2019
#IdBeOnTrialFor voting against both Trump and Clinton.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 1, 2019
Twelve Angry Congressmen #CongressionalHearingAMovie— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 1, 2019
EC Ex-Lawyer Cohen #CongressionalHearingAMovie— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 1, 2019
We Subpoenaed All the President's Men #CongressionalHearingAMovie— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 1, 2019
Ever notice how the Trump Propaganda Network (Fox News) Trumpkin sycophants were ready to praise Trump, no matter the outcome, e.g., the failed North Korea summit. If he got a deal, he did something Obama and others never did. If he walked away from a "bad" deal, he's a patriot.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) March 1, 2019
Take the costs of government regulations. The brunt of their costs handicaps smaller enterprises. It's an artifact of scale vs. efficiency, and the scale of related government in healthcare is higher than private insurers. https://t.co/ydYolLMPbS— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 27, 2019
You have to shake your head at the gullibility of people who buy into arguments that the government can operate the healthcare sector more efficiently and effectively. The government doesn't compete or negotiate, have incentives to control costs, like labor, or to innovate.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 27, 2019
"Progressives" are economic morons who never outgrew the myth of Santa Claus, that people are entitled to free stuff appropriating someone else's property and labor. Except the grown-up Santa Claus doesn't have his own workshop but steals others' stuff at the point of a gun.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 27, 2019
This nation was founded on the principle of unalienable rights, particularly the right of life. What the pro-abort Democrats have done is an abomination and exposes the rank hypocrisy of their politics and "ethics". #BornAliveAct— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 26, 2019
Corporations are voluntary associations of people.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 26, 2019
Bernie corruptly represents the political elite, not "people".
Just a reminder that FDR was impressed by and praised Mussolini. https://t.co/TqFIvFL9x4— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 25, 2019
Poor Bernie Sanders can't help it. He was educated in public schools. They didn't teach the difference between nouns and adjectives. pic.twitter.com/9k43GDQFv5— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 24, 2019
No, my favorite President is Grover Cleveland, and he's dead.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 24, 2019
The xenophobes make a talking point about an alleged lack of assimilation of immigrants, Just one example, Chantell Gonzalez, a 6'8" Miami area high school basketball player who is the daughter of a Cuban immigrant, does not speak Spanish. https://t.co/wcBExyJKwx— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 24, 2019
Socialists and other proponents of State authoritarianism believe that markets are better served by monopoly enforced by the political elite. There is no reason to believe any central authority is distinctly competent or responsive to market dynamism,an efficient, effective proxy— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 24, 2019
Conservative atheist George Will points out that government censorship of nominally religious symbols on public land is not based on the First Amendment. Indeed, the military pays for chaplains so that soldiers can exercise their religious freedom. https://t.co/sqon2xSqwn— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 24, 2019
"Democratic socialism" is the belief that a majority of voters agreeing to steal your money for their benefit or political preference somehow makes it more ethical.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 23, 2019
One of the biggest news stories of the day is that a celebrity got arrested for soliciting sex. Apparently an old man having to pay for sex is a public scandal. Why are we spending public money busting old men for voluntary transactions? Versus politicians screwing taxpayers?— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 23, 2019
Trump's phony rationalization of his border wall in terms of the counterproductive War on Drugs is debunked; legalized domestic supply has collapsed black market smuggler profit margins. https://t.co/4482xobncj— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 23, 2019
Bernie Madoff and Bernie Sanders share the same given name. Mere coincidence? I think not. Both promote financially unsustainable schemes.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 22, 2019
The idea that Trump could veto a Congressional resolution rejecting his theft of government money for unapproved wall funding is certainly unethical and unconstitutional. This suggests he could divert funding at will in conspiracy with a veto-sustaining minority.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 21, 2019
Finally, a sign of progress for us libertarians: government is acknowledged to be the biggest problem facing the American people in a ;recent poll: https://t.co/tN1O5GV7LE— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 20, 2019
As a NeverTrumper, I have no interest in helping him win reelection. But Trump must be pleased most of his challengers come the only group less popular than POTUS, Congress. In my judgment, Biden has the best chance of knocking off Trump.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 20, 2019
As much as this NeverTrumper hates next year's election, I despise socialism even more than Trump. I find it quite amusing how Sanders' minions like to pretend Sanders would have beaten Trump in 2016. A recent Emerson poll showed only a 2-point point over Trump, despite ratings.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 20, 2019
My God, you are stupid and uninformed, Recent Emerson polling showed all Dems candidates beating Trump, but Sanders with the slightest advantage, only 2 points. Biden in contrast has a near 10 point advantage.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 20, 2019
According to the Hill, nearly 60% oppose Trump's "national emergency" used to rationalize diverting other allocated government funding for his boondoggle wall, an unconstitutional act, done in the face of Congress rejecting funding over 2 sessions of Congress.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 20, 2019
Imagine the arrogance and hypocrisy of a Soros stooge trying to turn the tables on Carlson. The Left is, in fact, the most corrupt authoritarian elitist force on the earth. The intellectual pygmies like this historian are apologists for corrupt governance. "Tucker Carlson"— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 20, 2019
Can't Trump get more original than rerunning the same lame nickname from 2016? I can think of much better nicknames like "Government Stuff For Free" Bernie. "Crazy Bernie"— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 20, 2019
America has never voted for a socialist and never will.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 20, 2019
A rare, unambiguous, unanimous decision in defense of the Bill of Rights! Civil forfeiture asset abuse has been a corruption of our democratic republic, an abomination. We need rigorous protection of property rights across all levels of government. https://t.co/jqRgnhtgwm— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 20, 2019
The Trump Propaganda Network (aka Fox News) is heavily promoting the story of the parents of Smirking Trumpkin Sandmann filing a frivolous lawsuit against the Washington Post, Trump's arch-nemesis. You would think if any media should be sued, it would be Fox News.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 20, 2019
I'm a proud digital subscriber to the Washington Post and proud of its journalistic leadership under Bezos' ownership, especially in spotlighting the rogue Trump Administration. Trump has hired more criminals than some local crime bosses. WaPo— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 20, 2019
You would think a disrespectful punk like Smirking Trumpkin Sandmann would keep a low profile than engage in a frivolous lawsuit. No, the Washington Post. The Post is not responsible for the kerfuffle. God damn parasitic lawyers! WaPo— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 20, 2019
You've always had an issue with the First Amendment and the free press. Why don't you just resign already and save the country from kicking your ass out of office next year?— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 20, 2019
All the President's Women (the Bill Clinton Story) #ImproveAMovieWithOneWord— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 19, 2019
Another example is my brother-in-law who a few years back worked as a mid-level IT manager for a well-known telecommunications company. The company wanted him to move out of Texas; he opted out of the corporate rat race for a lower-paying academic IT staffer role.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 17, 2019
When I was a full-time doctoral student at UH, I worked as a graduate teaching fellow (two classes a semester) for a few hundred dollars a month. basically a fraction of what I had been earning as a programmer/analyst. It was a long-term trade-off for an academic career.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 17, 2019
Volunteers often do work which is fungible in the real world (people can or do work for compensation). The corrupt anti-liberty asshole argues that volunteers drive down wages. So say the volunteer is unavailable in the short term, and the charity offers $5/hour. "Illegal"!— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 17, 2019
The hypocrisy of minimum-wage proponents knows no bounds. If and when someone changes jobs and/or their profession (say, a highly compensated pro athlete), it's often for lower compensation. But lower-wage workers don't have that right.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 17, 2019
Meme of the Day. Because it's your business to forbid other people from working for a lower wage if that's where the market clears for their knowledge, skills and experience and if they are willing to agree to the wage. pic.twitter.com/v0DgtT0mri— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 17, 2019
For the sake of public safety during this state of emergency, Trump has ordered all federal offices closed for Trump Day Monday. #NotesFromNationalEmergency— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 17, 2019
WRONG. Demagogues put their personal agenda above voluntary transactions of the free market. Amazon has nothing to prove to political whores and their minions. New York was never a good investment given its economically illiterate leadership & blundered its way to this decision.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 17, 2019
The parasitic political whore de Blasio is part of New York's problems, not solutions. Meddling with corrupt New York politicians is bad for business. It's part of the reason I've never trusted Trump.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 17, 2019
Meme of the Day. One of the most evil men ever to be elected President, along with Lincoln and Wilson. pic.twitter.com/b42L2Ihthd— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 17, 2019
If there's anything worse than an economically illiterate leftist political whore, it's one who also has a persecution complex cloaked in political correct bullshit. No, I'll never support a candidate who wants to steal from me and tell me what to do.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 16, 2019
This is Soft Rock America. Trump has a "national emergency"; Foreigner helps him get the message out: https://t.co/AdiqwGgiB8— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 16, 2019
Trump's preferred reelection opponent #WhoIReallyAmIn4Words— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 16, 2019
Why don't you corrupt parasitic leftists talk about addressing the 70% of the federal budget involving unsustainable entitlement spending? We have nearly $100T in unfunded liabilities involving Dem-initiated programs. So save your crocodile tears! Trump is wrong--you're worse.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 15, 2019
Eisenhower handled a similar national "crisis" by legalizing temporary immigrant workers. Trump is hyping a "crisis" that corrupt restrictive immigration policies have created, not smart enough to treat the disease vs. symptoms. #TrumpFakeEmergency— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 15, 2019
Stop your goddamn fear-mongering lies! You are a bunch of economically illiterate hacks out to lower the standard of living for every American.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 15, 2019
What is a 40-odd year emergency? Planned Parenthood accounts for a significant proportion of nearly 60 million babies murdered in cold blood. Lay off your pathetic victim list. Anyone who can rationalize killing a baby has no "ethics"; it's pretentious bullshit.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 15, 2019
Trump must have heard a rumor Vera Coking bought some property bordering the Mexican border. #FakeTrumpEmergency— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 15, 2019
You need to look up the word "emergency" in the dictionary. "a serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action." You have no better a grasp of the term than Trump; you just have differing, wrong political preferences of what government should do.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 15, 2019
And who else enabled Trump? The Democrats who nominated Hillary Clinton.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 15, 2019
Such a self-serving, opportunistic bastard! I really think you should publicly release your psychiatrist's records. Who's the moron who discussed the size of his manhood in a nationally televised debate?— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 15, 2019
There are plenty of legitimate reasons to criticize Sessions:— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 15, 2019
- his corrupt embrace of civil asset forfeiture
- his anti-federalist battle against state decriminalization of certain drugs
- his advocacy of cruel separation of migrant families.
Not racism crap.
"Jeff Sessions"
Is there anything more predictable than a contemptible condescending, hypocritical "progressive" troll calling his political opponent "racist"? It's been over 50 years since the Civil Rights Act, people! "Jeff Sessions"— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 15, 2019
Meme of the Day. I don't think economic illiterate and/or professional politicians should be allowed to propose economically disruptive legislation. pic.twitter.com/fpdTU6EFh2— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 15, 2019
The Let's-Make-a-Deal POTUS can't negotiate a deal with Congress, and some 12 years later into a decline of unauthorized visitors, he exaggerates a "crisis" to rationalize stealing money to fund a political gimmick unable to pass Congress. Stealing from the American people: crime https://t.co/5qqJksnUds— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 14, 2019
Wrong. It's not fascism--it is authoritarianism, and it does violate the rule of law.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 14, 2019
Trump is violating the Constitution and must be impeached. You cannot merely declare lack of funding for your boondoggle an "emergency". Congress, not Trump, holds the nation's purse. This is a violation of the rule of law. "National Emergency"— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 14, 2019
Kudos to the House of Representatives for its rebuke of Trump's immoral support for Saudi Arabia's unconscionable military intervention in Yemen.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 14, 2019
This is Soft Rock America. I would do anything for love, but I won't do that (wear a MAGA cap). https://t.co/5vjujlLsy2— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 14, 2019
America deserves better than recycled neo-conservative hacks "Elliott Abrams"— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 14, 2019
Trump's biggest "achievement": an unprecedented, unsustainable $22T debt: https://t.co/CZHZEyzWA6— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 13, 2019
I don't usually promote my blog on Twitter, but this little essay is a good sample of a libertarian-conservative perspective. If your idea of a conservative is Sean Hannity or other Trumpkins, you have no idea. No conservative supports Trump. https://t.co/vTlOVZsKIC— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 12, 2019
I wonder what Madison would think of his political party today. Today's Dem political whores probably have Madison and Jefferson turning over in their graves.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 12, 2019
Just a reminder that Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, something no Democrat ever managed to do, even with most Jews as part of their coalition. I'm saying this despite being a NeverTrumper. Now you were saying, goddamn hypocrite?— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 11, 2019
Nope. The Left hasn't changed since the 60's. Trump is NOT part pf the American right; He was a registered Democrat who supported Clinton, then Obama 11 years ago. The Right has supported Israel for decades, although Jews have generally supported Democrats.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 11, 2019
Where did you rip off that nonsense? "Animal Farm"?— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 11, 2019
What's your point? You prefer anti-Semitic political whores elected to Congress?— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 11, 2019
Apparently you have problem with political speech. Screw that!— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 11, 2019
The anti-Semitic retard doesn't understand Jewish Americans have been part of the Democratic coalition. He also seems oblivious of current events; King was recently stripped of his committee assignments by GOP leadership. Will Dems sanction their bigot?— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 11, 2019
Wow, she goes from bad to worse. Now she has problems with freedom of speech.— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) February 11, 2019
Images
Please note (beyond their selection) these images are the creative output and appear courtesy of the original artists. I clipped them from other sources like Facebook, Ron Paul's blog or other sources.
