First Principles

In search of the Unified Theory of Conservatism

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Entries from August 2012

There Are Reasons to Boycott Restaurants, and Then There Are Reasons

August 29th, 2012 · 25 Comments

I didn’t know about this until recently, but every Friday in Idlewild Park here in Reno is a little food truck gathering. There is plenty of room to lay out a picnic blanket, open a bottle of wine, and enjoy some tasty and unique cuisine from small business owners who are showing some nice innovation […]

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Tags: 1st Amendment · Communism

“Republican” Thieves in Tampa, and a Hard Blow to Conservatism in Nevada

August 28th, 2012 · 45 Comments

So today Nevada’s delegation to the National Republican Convention stole the votes of thousands of Nevada Republicans.  Caucus goers were promised that their delegates would honor their votes, and would vote on the floor of the convention in proportion to the vote in the caucuses.  The national delegates promised they would “play by the rules” […]

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Tags: Campaign '12 · Corruption · Mitt Romney · Republicans · Ron Paul

Do the Ron Paulestineans in the Nevada GOP Even Want To Win Elections?

August 19th, 2012 · 6 Comments

Sadly, it seems clear from their actions that the answer is “no.”  Recently, Washoe County GOP Chair Dave Buell filed paperwork to make the Washoe County GOP a distinct entity from the State Party, disclaiming any intention to coordinate with or be controlled by the State.  While this Declaration of Independence has the advantage of […]

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Tags: Campaign '12 · Nevada Politics · Republicans · Ron Paul

Paul Ryan – A Serious VP For Serious Times

August 11th, 2012 · 2 Comments

When I was running for the Assembly, I would often say that the good news is that no matter who is elected for any government post, Government will eventually get much, much smaller.  After all its current size and growth is unsustainable, and things that can’t go on forever, don’t. But the choice we have […]

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Tags: Campaign '12 · Deficits and Debt · Mitt Romney · Paul Ryan

It’s Governor Sandoval’s Fault That the Obama Administration Undermined Welfare Reform?

August 8th, 2012 · 2 Comments

Last month, the Obama Administration issued an “Information Memorandum” that broadly reinterprets federal “welfare to work” programs, and encourages states to seek waivers of employment requirements for people on federally subsidized welfare benefits.  While the Memorandum claims that waivers won’t be granted if they violate the spirit of that welfare reform, the reinterpretation of the […]

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Tags: Brian Sandoval · Campaign '12 · Constitutional Law · Federalism · Harry Reid · Mitt Romney · Obama · Welfare

Being Smart on Crime – A Defense of Veteran’s Court

August 1st, 2012 · Comments Off on Being Smart on Crime – A Defense of Veteran’s Court

Last week Thomas Mitchell penned an incredibly ignorant and even offensive post regarding the better-late-than-never expansion of Veteran’s Court in Clark County.  Mr. Mitchell argued against even having a specialized Veteran’s Court, thinking instead that we should ignore everything we know about addiction, the mental trauma of combat, and the relationship between the two, and […]

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Tags: Crime · Veterans