The Fast Lane

The Power of a Misapplied Concept

by steve on September 19, 2011

I read in a NYT editorial today to “check the polls – most Americans want universal health care and the ultra-rich taxed fairly”.

I’ve never trusted polls, manipulating to an ordained outcome is far too easy. So I’ll take the ‘most Americans want universal health care’ with a grain of salt – or 3. I just don’t think it’s true,

But the big head-shaker comes from ‘taxing the ultra-rich fairly’. What is ‘fairly’? The rich and ultra-rich already pay 90% of the income taxes collected in this country.

My guess is this idea comes from the leftish concept that the wealth of a country is owned by the citizenry. This is against the fundamental idea of free enterprise and private property – two of the ideas that made the US the most prosperous and powerful nation in history.

Socialism has been tried, and has failed in every singe instance.

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From Our Old Friend Samuel Adams

by steve on June 22, 2010

in General

No, not Samuel Adams the beermaker…

“You darkeners of counsel, who would make the property, lives and religion of millions depend on the evasive interpretations of musty parchments; who would send us to antiquated charters of uncertain and contradictory meaning, to prove that the present generation are not bound to be victims to cruel and unforgiving despotism, tell us whether our pious and generous ancestors bequeathed to us the miserable privilege of having the rewards of our honesty, industry, the fruits of those fields which they purchased and bled for, wrested from us at the will of men over whom we have no check.

“Contemplate the mangled bodies of your countrymen, and then say, What should be the reward of such sacrifices? Bid us and our posterity bow the knee, and supplicate the friendship, and plough, and sow, and reap, to glut the avarice of the men who have let loose on us the dogs of war to riot in our blood and hunt us from the face of the earth? If you love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom – go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.

“Courage, then, my countrymen, our contest is not only whether we ourselves shall be free, but whether there shall be left to mankind an asylum on earth for civil and religious liberty. Dismissing, therefore, the justice of our cause, as incontestable, the only question is, What is best for us to pursue in our present circumstances?”

- from a comment by Osamas_Pajamas in the Washington Times

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Graphic Design Book Blowout – 70% Off Retail

by steve on March 28, 2010

in General

I am done completely with print design and design in general. Because it’s also spring-cleaning time for my office in preparation for a move, these books really need to find a new home. I would prefer to sell them as one package, but let me know if there’s one or two that you want.

There are almost $250 worth of books here, all in good shape. They have been read, though, so they’re not pristine.

Buy-it-now price: $75 + $10 shipping, total $85. Hit the preloaded PayPal button below or at the end of the post. Yes, you can use credit card or debit card.

Or – give me an offer. I’d like to see these go to someone who can use them and will appreciate them.

Graphic effects and typographic treatments. Jim Krause, $22.99 USD. ISBN 1-58180-046-0

Brochure, poster/flyer, web design, advertising, newsletter, page layout, stationery ideas. Jim Krause, $22.99 USD. ISBN 1-58180-146-7

An index of 150+ concepts, images and exercises to ignite your design ingenuity. Jim Krause, $24.99 USD. ISBN 1-58180-438-5

Over 1100 Color Combinations, CMYK & RGB Formulas, for print and web media. Jim Krause, $23.99 USD. ISBN 1-58180-236-6

A graphic designer’s guide to designing effective compositions, selecting dynamic components & devloping creative concepts. Jim Krause, $24.99 USD. ISBN 1-58180-501-2