The Tinfoil Fedora

yup I'm still breathing

noreply@blogger.com (Oklahoma Mike) — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:16:00 +0000

Yes I'm still here, frankly I've just come to the conclusion that as long as we are a nation of consumers we're destined to fail. I know that election year should be the time this type of blog would be going like gangbusters but I know that I'm not in a position to make any real changes and to be honest I'm not really sure how much I want to put in writing knowing where this place is headed.

With that said just know that if I think it will really happen I'll be voting for Ron Paul, however I will not throw my vote away and risk another 4 years of "change"

Obama Ordered To Denver Bunker By US Military | EUTimes.net

noreply@blogger.com (Oklahoma Mike) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:11:00 +0000

Kind of makes you wonder what's going on? Is it Comet Elenin? Are we preparing for a war that will come to this soil? OR is it just another "exercise"?

Read the article below and let me know what you think.

Obama Ordered To Denver Bunker By US Military | EUTimes.net:

-mike

noreply@blogger.com (Oklahoma Mike) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 19:40:00 +0000

The Brits warn Americans about guns and gun laws.

Just makes we want to buy some on the black market that are unregistered.

Who Doesn't Pay Taxes?

noreply@blogger.com (Oklahoma Mike) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:09:00 +0000

I read a blog post a few weeks ago on rural-revolution about the whole debt fiasco. Since then I have been following the comments on the post and can't believe the mentality of some of the people in this country. There are people that honestly believe that if you do not pay income tax you are somehow evil and not doing your fair share. The latest one was;

Anonymous said...
EVERYONE should pay something - honestly, if you dont pay, you shouldnt be allowed to vote...

So if I'm smart enough to keep my "income" below the level to have to pay income taxes I give up my right to choose the next idiot in Washington? Have you actually been brainwashed enough to believe you're not taxed all day every day for everything you do? This is not even taking into account that income tax is illegal.

Do you want to see a partial list of where you're taxed?

List of taxes paid by Americans
(Source: www.electivedecisions.wordpress.com)
1. Accounts Receivable Tax
2. Accounting and Tax Preparation (cost to taxpayers $300 billion)
3. Accumulated Earnings Tax
4. Accumulation Distribution of Trusts
5. Activity Fee (Dumping Permit Fee)
6 . Air Tax (PA coin-operated vacuums)
7. Aircraft Jet Fuel Tax
8. Aircraft Excise Tax
9 . Alcohol Fuels Tax
10. Alcoholic Beverage Tax
11. Alternative Minimum Tax – Amt
12. Ambulance Services (Air Ambulance Services, SD)
13. Ammunition Tax
14. Amusement Tax (MA, VA, MD)
15. Animal Slaughter Tax (WI, others, Per Animal)
16. Annual Custodial Fees (Ira Accounts)
17. Ballast Water Management Fee (Marine Invasive Species)
18. Biodiesel Fuel Tax
19. Blueberry Tax (Maine)
20. Bribe Taxes (Pay If You Dare)
21. Brothel licensing fees
22. Building Permit Tax
23. Capital Gains Tax
24. California Interstate User Diesel Fuel Tax
25. California Redemption Value (Can and Bottle Tax)
26. CDL License Tax
27. Charter Boat Captain License
28. Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Fee
29. Cigarette Tax
30. Cigarette Tax Stamp (Acts) (Distributors)
31. Compressed Natural Gas Tax
32. Commercial Activity Tax (OH – for Service Providers)
33. Corporate Income Tax
34. Court Fines (Indirect Taxes)
35. County Property Tax
36. Disposable Diapers Tax (Wisconsin)
37. Disposal Fee (Any Landfill Dumping)
38. Dog License Tax
39. Duck Hunting Tax Stamp (PA, others)
40. Electronic Waste Recycling Fee (E-Waste)
41. Emergency Telephone User Surcharge
42. Environmental Fee (CA – HazMat Fees)
43. Estate Tax (Death Tax, to be reinstated)
44. Excise Taxes
45. Facility Fee (CA – HazMat Fees)
46. FDIC tax (insurance premium on bank deposits)
47. Federal Income Tax
48. Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
49. Fiduciary Income Tax (Estates and Trusts)
50. Fishing License Tax
51. Flush Tax (MD Tax For Producing Wastewater)
52. Food License Tax
53. Fountain Soda Drink Tax (Chicago – 9%)
54. Franchise Tax
55. Fresh Fruit (CA, if Purchased From A Vending Machine)
56. Fuel Gross Receipts Tax (Retail/Distributor)
57. Fuel Permit Tax
58. Fur Clothing Tax (MN)
59. Garbage Tax
60. Gasoline Tax (475 Cents Per Gallon)
61. Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax
62. Generator Fee (Recycled Waste Fee)
63. Gift Tax
64. Gross Receipts Tax
65. Habitat Stamp (Hunting/Fishing in some states)
66. Hamburger Tax
67. Hazardous Substances Fees: Generator, Facility, Disposal
68. Highway Access Fee
69. Household Employment Taxes
70. Hunting License Tax
71. Illegal Drug Possession (No Carolina)
72. Individual Income Tax
73. Inheritance Tax
74. Insect Control Hazardous Materials License
75. Insurance Premium Tax
76. Intangible Tax (Leases Of Govt. Owned Real Property)
77. Integrated Waste Management Fee
78. Interstate User Diesel Fuel Tax
79. Inventory Tax
80. IRA Rollover Tax (a transfer of IRA money)
81. IRA Early Withdrawal Tax
82. IRS Interest Charges
83. IRS Penalties (Tax On Top Of Tax)
84. Jock Tax (income earned by athletes in some states)
85. Kerosene, Distillate, & Stove Oil Taxes
86. Kiddie Tax (Child’s Earned Interest Form 8615)
87. Land Gains and Real Estate Withholding
88. Lead Poisoning Prevention Fee (Occupational)
89. Lease Severance Tax
90. Library Tax
91. Liquid Natural Gas Tax
92. Liquid Petroleum Gas Tax
93. Liquor Tax
94. Litigation Tax (TN Imposes Varies With the Offense)
95. LLC/PLLC Corporate Registration Tax
96. Local Income Tax
97. Lodging Taxes
98. Lump-Sum Distributions
99. Luxury Taxes
100. Make-Up Tax (Ohio, applying in a salon is taxable)
101. Marriage License Tax
102. Meal Tax
103. Medicare Tax
104. Mello-Roos Taxes (Special Taxes and Assessments)
105. Migratory Waterfowl Stamp (addition to hunting license)
106. Minnow Dealers License (Retail – For One Shop)
107. Minnow Dealers License (Distributor – For One+ Shops)
108. Mobile Home Ad Valorem Taxes
109. Motor Fuel Tax (For Suppliers)
110. Motor Vehicle Tax
111. Music and Dramatic Performing Rights Tax
112. Nudity Tax (Utah)
113. Nursery Registration (Buying and selling plants)
114. Occupancy Inspection Fees
115. Occupation Taxes and Fees (Various Professional Fees)
116. Oil and Gas Assessment Tax
117. Oil Spill Response, Prevention, and Administration Fee
118. Parking Space Taxes
119. Pass-Through Withholding
120. Pay-Phone Calls Tax (Indiana)
121. Percolation Test Fee
122. Personal Property Tax
123. Personal Holding Company (undistributed earnings)
124. Pest Control License
125. Petroleum Business Tax
126. Playing Card Tax (Al)
127. Pole Tax (TX – A $5 Cover Charge On Strip Clubs)
128. Profit from Illegal Drug Dealing
129. Property Tax
130. Property Transfer Tax (DE, ownership transfer between parties)
131. Prostitution Tax (NV – Prostitute Work Permits)
132. Poultry Registered Premises License (Sales License)
133. Rain Water Tax (Runoff after a Storm)
134. Rat Control Fee (CA)
135. Real Estate Tax
136. Recreational Vehicle Tax
137. Refrigerator and Freezer Recycling Fees
138. Regional Transit Taxing Authority (Trains)
139. Road Usage Tax
140. Room Tax (Hotel Rooms)
141. Sales Tax (State)
142. Sales Tax (City)
143. Sales And Use Tax (Sellers Permit)
144. School Tax
145. Service Charge Tax
146. Self Employment Tax
147. Septic And Drain Field Inspection Fees
148. Sex Sales Tax (UT, when nude people perform services)
149. Sewer & Water Tax
150. Social Security Tax
151. Sparkler and Novelties Tax (WV Sellers of Sparklers, etc)
152. Special Assessment Tax (Not Ad Valorem)
153. State Documentary Stamp Tax on Notes (FL RE Tax)
154. State Franchise Tax
155. State Income Tax
156. State Park Fees
157. State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
158. Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO) Fuel Tax
159. Stud Fees (Kentucky’s Thoroughbred Sex Tax)
160. Tangible Personal Property Tax
161. Tattoo Tax (AR Tax On Tattoos)
162. Telephone 911 Service Tax (some states)
163. Telephone Federal Excise Tax
164. Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
165. Telephone Federal Surcharge Taxes
166. Telephone State Surcharge Taxes
167. Telephone Local Surcharge Taxes
168. Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
169. Telephone Recurring Charges Tax
170. Telephone Universal Access Tax
171. Telephone Non-Recurring Charges Tax
172. Telephone State Usage Charge Tax
173. Telephone Local Usage Charge Tax
174. Tire Recycling Fee
175. Tobacco Tax (Cigar, Pipe, Consumer Tax)
176. Tobacco Tax (Cigar, Pipe, Dealer Tax)
177. Toll Road Taxes
178. Toll Bridge Taxes
179. Toll Tunnel Taxes
180. Tourism or Concession License Fee
181. Traffic Fines (Indirect Taxation)
182. Transportable Treatment Unit Fee (Small Facility)
183. Trailer Registration Tax
184. Trout Stamp (Addendum To Fish License)
185. Use Taxes (On Out-Of-State Purchases)
186. Utility Taxes
187. Unemployment Tax
188. Underground Storage Tank Maintenance Fee
189. Underpayment of Estimated Tax (Form 2210)
190. Unreported Tip Income (Social Security and Medicare Tax)
191. Vehicle License
192. Vehicle Recovery Tax (CO, to find stolen cars)
193. Vehicle Registration Tax
194. Vehicle Sales Tax
195. Wagering Tax (Tax on Gambling Winnings)
196. Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO) Fuel Tax
197. Water Rights Fee
198. Watercraft Registration Tax
199. Waterfowl Stamp Tax
200. Well Permit Tax
201. Wiring Inspection Fees
202. Workers Compensation Tax

Over 200 places where they've found a way to take more money away from you every day yet you need to pay more.

Where does it end? At the end of the next revolution....

White House adviser is an idiot.

noreply@blogger.com (Oklahoma Mike) — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 21:04:00 +0000

OK, this blog has been ignored long enough. This whole budget, debt ceiling, credit rating crap is showing the feds for what they are. This country was founded to cut government and it's daily impact on our lives. Somehow though they have managed to turn this into an elected monarchy and feel they have the right to tell us what to do and how much to pay for it.

In an AP story today;

The adviser to President Barack Obama, David Axelrod, tells CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday that the decision by the Standard & Poor's credit agency to downgrade the U.S. from AAA to AA+ for the first time was strongly influenced by weeks of standoff between Democrats and Republicans over the debt.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House adviser is blaming the downgrade of the U.S. credit rating on tea party Republicans, whom he says were unwilling to compromise on how to reduce the federal debt.
Axelrod calls the action, in his words, "a tea party downgrade" and says it's clearly on the backs of lawmakers who were willing to see the country default to get their way.
Axelrod also criticized GOP presidential candidates for not speaking up in favor of compromise.

Are you freakin' kidding me? The out of control spending with screams of tax more! tax more! has nothing to do with it? Those that actually want to solve the problem by just saying enough is enough are? Senator Obama was the one that said to raise the debt ceiling is financially irresponsible yet now if it doesn't get raised and President Obama doesn't get a trillion dollar blank check then he's not going to pay social security?

I seriously thing it's in the genetic makeup of politicians to make promises they're incapable of keeping and to not accept responsibility for anything negative, and take credit for everything positive even if they were on the other side of teh planet when it happened.

What does it matter?

noreply@blogger.com (Oklahoma Mike) — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 19:48:00 +0000

Through some careful thought and prayers I've decided to keep this blog, but change the style of posting. In reality we will never "fix" the current political system in this country because it's not the political system that's broken. It's corporations in general that are the problem.

I recently read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand and at first thought I have finally read an author that thought the way I did. What I've realized though is she only got part of it right and another part very wrong. She believes in less government and telling them to butt out of our lives which I agree with completely but her problem is she favors the corporate life which is where I am beginning to understand the problem lies. (no pun intended) Her choices leave you with be a slave to the government or slaves to corporations. I choose neither.

My other blog Dreaming of a Country Life is our story getting to true freedom. Our own land, growing/raising our own food, and zero debt. the problem is that is also going against what our government really wants for us so I still need to wear the tinfoil fedora now and then.

I also refuse to walk away from God as she would have everyone do. I do have serious questions about what I've been taught a Christian really is, but those will be answered by a higher power and as long as what I do is based on scripture I can't go wrong.

-mike

Union Rights?

noreply@blogger.com (Oklahoma Mike) — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 18:10:00 +0000

Everyone else seems to have chimed in on the Wisconsin union situation so I figured I'd throw my two cents in. I think I can boil it down to two words.

UNIONS SUCK

There all better now.

Honestly I have never run into a union worker that was under the age of 60 that wasn't either lazy or stupid. Stupid in the fact that they couldn't see through the veil that the union had thrown over their heads. Lazy in the fact that they thought it was a great thing that they got paid for doing nothing just because the union negotiated it that way.

Look, if you aren't happy with the work you do, the conditions you work in, the people you work for, or the wages you get paid the answer to your problem is very simple. Quit and go get another job. Nobody if forcing you to work there. The department of labor doesn't assign you a job and keep you from seeking employment elsewhere. Do you honestly think that your union rep really cares what your standard of living is? Nope, he has one thing on his mind. Get you more money so he can charge more dues so he has a job and a high standard of living. Does that union rep give you part of his pay when you're out of work? Nope.

Now if you and your fellow co-workers feel that what you do is so specialized that nobody else can do it and you want to ask your employer for a raise as a group go ahead and do so. But don't think that you have a right to stop working and keep him from finding a replacement for you if he refuses. You're hired to do a job period. You get paid to do that job period. You refuse to do that job you get fired and replaced period. Why is this so hard to understand?

What if your mechanic decided that the job that should cost $40.00 is now going to cost you $80.00 and if you refuse he's going to sue you and keep any other mechanic from working on your car? Would you stand for that? Why should your employer?

I used to work for a company that did work for the MD-11 aircraft for McDonnell Douglas in Long Beach. Part of my job was to drive over to the line and pick up parts we needed to do some pre-assembly work. I had a grievance filed against what I was doing many times and for the life of me couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. It was finally explained that whenever you see a parts truck running around the grounds there were always two guys in it. One was allowed to drive the truck but couldn't touch the parts. The other could touch the parts but wasn't allowed to drive the truck. Two separate unions and I was "taking another mans job" by working efficiently. We won't even talk about the part where the person in the parts cage spent 7 hours of her day putting together puzzles and was getting paid $65.00 an hour.

If you drive by McDonnell Douglas in Long Beach now it's a shopping mall. They went out of business because they couldn't compete.

I know a few people that are in construction unions that are laid off and rather than accept a lower paying job are sitting on their butts collecting unemployment, paying union dues from that unemployment and waiting for the union to get them a job.

In the meantime I work my $10.00 an hour job and continue to pay my bills and have even managed to buy some property all while living "below the poverty level"

For those of you that work government jobs let me remind you what you are. You are a PUBLIC SERVANT. You should not expect pay or benefits any higher than the public sector. In fact you should expect less. You don't like the work, go get another job. The freakin' government is too big anyway.

Atlas Shrugged

noreply@blogger.com (Oklahoma Mike) — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 17:43:00 +0000

I just finished reading the novel Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. She managed to encapsulate how I feel in those 1300 pages of what is supposed to be fiction, but what was in reality an accurate prediction of where our society is rapidly heading.

I do believe I need to read more of her books.

Who are you really?

noreply@blogger.com (Oklahoma Mike) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 05:04:00 +0000

Let me start this post off with a statement and a warning. I'm writing this blog for me and nobody but me. If you get some enjoyment or knowledge out of it then great keep reading but in reality I write it to put all these things rattling around in my head out in the open. this is going to be a long post. The warning is although I am one that reserves the colorful language for those rare moment when I just can't come up with anything else to say, there may be a word or two in this post you don't want to read if such language offends you. Basically, if that's the first thing that comes to my mind, that's what I'm going to type.

Call it a mid-life crisis, call it an awakening, call it a re-birth, but over the last couple of years I'm beginning to let who I really am out for a breath of fresh air. For the first eight years of my life I was developing into my own self and had no problems with who I was. I grew up a child of the US Army and as such traveled a lot. However, the moments that stand out in my memory the most are the times we spent visiting my Grandma Marie in Ohio. No need to go into details but suffice it to say, life on the farm was nice. Then in 1976 we moved to Kalifornia. From the first day of school I didn't fit in, I wasn't "cool" and tried my best to mold myself into what others wanted to see me as. I almost slipped when I got to high school and joined FFA and was going to raise a pig but that fell short when I got kicked out of high school (another story) and was sent to continuation high to be re-educated.

Now I can look back and see reality is I was always bored in school because it all seemed so simple and what I thought should all be common sense. Boredom in school leads to getting into trouble which leads to the wrong crowd, but they think it's cool so I fit in. At a young age I fell in love with music as well and was raised playing Southern Gospel music and loved every minute of it. the problem is a true musician finds the beauty in every kind of music and as my primary instrument was bass guitar I loved the driving bass of hard rock.

Along comes the opportunity to join a Christian Rock band (this was about 1985 and you can actually find a video of it here) so I was melding the two together. Now looking back if I could change any of that I wouldn't even think of it because that event is what led me to my wife of now 20+ years.

Now once you get married you find out that society has expectations of you. I needed to be able to take care of my wife, provide her with a home, 2.3 kids, a dog, a car, etc. I take a general warehousing job, but of course when the band hits it big, this will not be needed. Along comes an opportunity to work in the IT field (I was always into computers from my first Commodore 64 bought originally for music) from the lead singer in the band and his current place of employment. This means more money and less physical labor which is of course the ultimate goal right? Then of course along the way the rest of the guys get married, I have my daughter (another event I'd never change) and the band breaks up.

But all is not lost, I still have my job, we are only renting a house, but have a great deal that makes buying a house not needed. then of course come the opportunities for promotions and I was climbing the corporate ladder doing something I was good at, but wasn't really what I wanted to do. But that's okay, I'm living the American Dream© making pretty good money yet somehow I still never have any when I really want it. In 2005 I kind of had a wake-up call that I really didn't want to do this anymore, but it didn't click in my head that I wasn't just talking about my job until a year and a half ago.

I took who I grew up as and threw it out the window to be what I thought society expected me to be. You grow up, get a job, raise a family, pay your taxes, never question why, and be a productive part of society. I have a new response for that life. Fuck that... I'm tired of being someone else and not being me. the only people I've ever been true with is my wife and daughter. Notice I didn't even say myself. I've been as truthful with them as I have been with myself and the more I realize who I am, the more they get to see. Now though everyone will get to see.

Who am I?

I'm a man that loves his wife and believes it's his role to support her by providing a roof over her head, feeding her, clothing her, and loving her 100%. Note that none of these require going into debt as the PTB would lead you to believe.
I'm a man that loves country music and especially bluegrass. You don't like it, leave the room.
I'm a man that hates mowing the fucking lawn but loves digging in the dirt and garden. What the hell is the point of having green grass in your front yard?
I'm a man that loves shooting guns. You don't like guns then stop reading now and just go away.
I'm a man that likes wearing cowboy boots, jeans, a nice shirt, the occasional vest, and the largest cowboy hat I can get through the door with. Go ahead and laugh at me, I don't care because your opinion of me matters to the sum of zero.
I'm a man that wants to build his own house without the PTB jumping in and telling me I'm doing it wrong. If I do it wrong, it'll fall down, I'll learn from it and do it different the next time. But I can tell you that I am smart enough to read ahead of time to learn from those that have done it before.
I'm a man that is a hillbilly at heart that wants to learn how to play the banjo, harmonica, mandolin, and slide steel guitar. You don't want to hear me practice? Close your doors.
I'm a man that wants freedom in a country that was founded on freedom and if you want to take that away from me I'll show you why the 2nd amendment to the constitution was written.
I'ma man that wan't to plant some crops and raise some animals without the PTB jumping in and telling me that I can't do that without them inspecting what when where why and how. You want to come on my land and stat telling me what to do, read the last point.
I'm a man that loves the American Flag and will fly them wherever he wants to but also believes this country has been handed to a bunch of greedy bastards that will run it into the ground then escape to somewhere else on this planet leaving us all here to deal with the leftovers. My opinion is to let them do it, get the hell out and let us take it back to where it was meant to be by those that founded it.
I'm a man that believes that the collapse is going to happen sooner than anyone thinks and is going to do everything he can to be prepared for it. If you think I'm nuts, I don't care. Just don't come to me when you're starving and the McDonalds and Ralphs are empty.

Now, most people that have this kind of epiphany have to deal with the fact that it changes their life so much everyone around them thinks their crazy and they either agree and fall back in line, or they choose to leave them all behind and get on with their new life. In my case I have a daughter that although occasionally gets embarrassed will still just stand back and say oh well that's my dad. My wife however has surprised me by not only adjusting to the real me, but has asked what took so long and is just as ready to escape from the clutches of society and go live our lives the way we want.

Now if you've actually read this far you've seen just the tip of who I am, but the more of me that I meet, the more I'm gonna post about it and we can all meet me together.

Overpopulated or just spoiled?

noreply@blogger.com (Oklahoma Mike) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 02:39:00 +0000

I find myself wondering sometimes if we as a species have over-populated the planet. Here in Los Angeles alone we have 3.8 million people living in 498.3 square miles. That's 7626 people per square mile or 3655 square feet per person which is a square with 60.5 feet per side.

Now per person you need power generation, water treatment, sewage treatment, roads, a place to work, a place to sleep, a place to heal, a place to grow/raise food, a place to vacation, a place to be buried, a place to give birth, etc.

Add to that the fact that this is a desert so you have to pump in the water we need and then pump out the waste. You need to pump oil from the ground and refine it for fuel, lubrication, etc. And I'm sure there are a thousand other things I'm not thinking of. Is the reason our country is falling apart because we have too many people?

Nope :^)

There are acres and acres of land in the country where there is nobody living. Yes you have weather to deal with but that's why they're called seasons. I have no idea why I have subjected myself and my family to this crap for 20 years. Okay, I just removed a couple of paragraphs from this post going down that road, but I kept it for another post. I hear people gripe and complain every day that they don't get paid enough, don't have enough money, blah blah, but then the next time you see them they're wearing a new shirt, or driving a new car, got a new toy, etc. and are still complaining about being broke.

A three bedroom house in Los Angeles around 1600 square feet on .15 acres of land will cost you about $380,000 right now. This is land you can't do anything on without someones permission. the same home in Henryetta Oklahoma can be had for about $30,000 but the problem is it's on an acre of land so I guess you'll have to do a little more yard work. $350,000 will buy one heck of a lawn mower. this doesn't even include just buying raw land where there are no restrictions or CCR's written by a bunch of nimby's.

There are nations where they are so crowded together they are instituting plans to control the population yet we crowd together on purpose while we leave perfectly good land we cold spread out on but that would require real work to live on rather than being spoiled and having others do it for you. I know people that own their homes free and clear in Southern California yet complain daily that the utility rates and other costs are too high and they don't know how they're going to make it. I tell them it's easy, sell your house move to a different state and buy one for a third of the price and retire on the balance. I then hear the excuses of I don't want to drive in the snow, it's too cold, they have tornadoes, it rains to much, etc. They're spoiled.

As for me and mine, we're out of here just as soon as it's feasibly possible.

Property Location

noreply@blogger.com (Oklahoma Mike) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 04:45:00 +0000

I have to admit that I wasted my afternoon watching the superbowl but at the same time I also researched and emailed back and forth on some property in Texas and Oklahoma so it wasn't a complete mind numb. I actually do like watching a good football game even though i believe the players are way overpaid and just a bunch of spoiled overgrown kids. Let's not even go into the fact that Homeland Security inspected the area and used it as a part of their tattle-tale program. I wonder how many of the people at the game knew the stadium has built in sniper stands that were manned during the game? This is what our country has come to so that you can walk into a staduim and watch a football game. You have to get groped then sit under the eyes of a sniper.

As for the property, it looks like thay both might be exactly what we're looking for it's just a matter of which one and how much. Both at 10 acres and wooded with one being about $100 a month and the other at twice that. The one that is at $200 has a little easier access and the main town is a little closer as well. One way or another it looks like we might actually have a plot of land to call our own in the next month or so.

Are we a Democracy?

noreply@blogger.com (Oklahoma Mike) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 18:11:00 +0000

How many of you would agree that this country is a democracy? Raise your hand if you agree.

Those of you that raised your hand have been duped into believing this country is a democracy when in fact it was established as a constitutional republic. The difference between these two is great and very significant.

Since it is not done in most schools anymore I wonder how many of you could recite the pledge of allegiance for me? I'll give you a hint, it does not contain the word democracy.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

In the Pledge of Allegiance we all pledge allegiance to our Republic, not to a democracy. "Republic" is the proper description of our government, not "democracy."

What is the difference you ask?

A republic and a democracy are identical in every aspect except one. In a republic the sovereignty is in each individual person. In a democracy the sovereignty is in the group.

Republic. That form of government in which the powers of sovereignty are vested in the people and are exercised by the people, either directly, or through representatives chosen by the people, to whom those powers are specially delegated. [NOTE: The word "people" may be either plural or singular. In a republic the group only has advisory powers; the sovereign individual is free to reject the majority group-think. USA/exception: if 100% of a jury convicts, then the individual loses sovereignty and is subject to group-think as in a democracy.]

Democracy. That form of government in which the sovereign power resides in and is exercised by the whole body of free citizens directly or indirectly through a system of representation, as distinguished from a monarchy, aristocracy, or oligarchy. [NOTE: In a pure democracy, 51% beats 49%. In other words, the minority has no rights. The minority only has those privileges granted by the dictatorship of the majority.]

The Constitution guarantees to every state a Republican form of government (Art. 4, Sec. 4). No state may join the United States unless it is a Republic. Our Republic is one dedicated to "liberty and justice for all." Minority individual rights are the priority. The people have natural rights instead of civil rights. The people are protected by the Bill of Rights from the majority. One vote in a jury can stop all of the majority from depriving any one of the people of his rights; this would not be so if the United States were a democracy.

In a pure democracy 51% beats 49%. In a democracy there is no such thing as a significant minority: there are no minority rights except civil rights (privileges) granted by a condescending majority. Only five of the U.S. Constitution's first ten amendments apply to Citizens of the United States. Simply stated, a democracy is a dictatorship of the majority.

Let me give you a rather long but simple example.

Democratic Form of Government: An environmental organization proposes a bill for the ballot that every individual should reduce his water household usage by 25%. To assure that this goal is met, the government, or private sector, will monitor every individual's household water consumption rate. If an individual does not meet the goal, his first offense is $500 fine. Second offense is $750 fine and 30 days community service. Third offense is $1,500 fine and 30 days imprisonment. Fourth offense is $1,750 fine and 90 days imprisonment. Fifth offense is a felony (1-year imprisonment) and $2,000 fine.

The people argue this environmental issue back and forth. They argue the pros and cons of the issue. This great debate is held at town hall meetings. Strong opinions are on both sides of the matter. One side preaches, "It is for the common good!" The other side rebuttals, "This is control and not freedom, and lost of choice!" Election day occurs. The people go to the ballot box to settle the problem. The majority won by a vote of 51% whereas the minority lost with a vote of 49%. The minority is ignored. The majority celebrates while the minority jeers in disappointment. Since the majority won, the bill goes in effect. As a result of the majority winning, every individual must reduce his household water usage by 25%. For the reason that the majority has mandatory powers in a democracy. Those who wish to go against the collective (whole body politic) will be punished accordingly. The minority has neither voice nor rights to refuse to accept the dictatorial majority. Everything is mandatory in a democracy. This brings dictatorship and lividity to the realm.

Republican Form of Government: An environmental organization proposes a bill for the ballot that every individual should reduce his water household usage by 25%. To assure that this goal is met, the government, or private sector, will monitor every individual's household water consumption rate. If an individual does not meet the goal, his first offense is $500 fine. Second offense is $750 fine and 30 days community service. Third offense is $1,500 fine and 30 days imprisonment. Fourth offense is $1,750 fine and 90 days imprisonment. Fifth offense is a felony (1-year imprisonment) and $2,000 fine.

The people argue this environmental issue back and forth. They argue the pros and cons of the issue. This great debate is held at town hall meetings. Strong opinions are on both sides of the matter. One side preaches, "It is for the common good!" The other side rebuttals, "This is control and not freedom, and lost of choice!" Election day occurs. The people go to the ballot box to settle the problem. The majority won by a vote of 51% whereas the minority lost with a vote of 49%. The minority may have lost, but not all is gone. The majority celebrates while the minority jeers in disappointment. Since the majority won, the bill goes in effect. As a result of the majority winning, it is advisory that every individual reduce his household water usage by 25%. For the reason that the majority has advisory powers in a republic. Bearing in mind that each individual is equally sovereign in a republic, he is free to reject the majority. He may choose to follow the majority and subject himself to the rule, or he may choose not to follow the majority and not subject himself to the rule. The minority has a voice and rights to refuse to accept the majority. Everything is advisory in a republic. This brings liberty and peace to the realm.

I'll ask the question again. Are we a Democracy? Go find out for yourself.

PrepareWise Food Storage Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Oklahoma Mike) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 15:59:00 +0000

Just thought I'd mention that PrepareWise Food Storage is having an awesome giveaway contest in February. Who doesn't want free freeze-dried food and survival gear? Details can be found here.

I haven't placed an order with them yet, but they have great reviews and they also offer free shipping on all domestic orders over $100.00. That in itself can save you some serious cash when buying the larger pails. I know it's simple math, but I like the fact that you can put in how many adults and children you have and it will tell you how long each one will last.

Also Paladin Press is offering 40% off everything through Monday Feb 7 2011.

Don’t forget to mention The Tinfoil Fedora when you place an order or comment on their blogs. Thanks.

Bugging Out.

noreply@blogger.com (Oklahoma Mike) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 04:00:00 +0000

So I've been having some discussions with the wife about prepping and I have to say I am extremely glad to have a wife that agrees with me on this and not one I have to hide things from. In fact, she gets more upset if I don't tell her what I buy because I think she just likes to know what we have. We have a lost of things prepared, but Bug Out Bags unfortunately isn't one of them that's ready yet.

This lead me to another train of thought though. Those that prepare know that if the reason for needing those preps is a major life changing event for everyone, we're going to be a target. If I were stuck and had no food for my family, I can guarantee you the people walking down the road with full backpacks weapons are going to be a target for me to get food for my family. The question is, how do you bug out taking what you need including your weapons and draw as little attention to yourself as possible? If I needed to go, you can bet my 12ga and hunting rifle is going with me along with as much ammo as I can carry but I know that any law enforcement that might still be around isn't going to be pleased at a guy walking down the street with a shotgun slung over his shoulder.

Is the answer to have your bugout location chosen well in advance with as much stuff buried as possible so you only need enough supplies to get there? You'll still want a weapon with you but it could be a handgun that is easily concealed. Do you say screw it and carry whatever you want and let them take it from you barrel end first?

I don't have the answer here, it's something I'm still figuring out, but I know I see the world collapsing around us and while I wish it was different, I have a feeling a TEOTWAWKI situation is going to happen in my lifetime. I don't believe we're all going to be knocked back to the stone age but it't definitely going to be different than we know it now.

-mike

Blog Name and url.

noreply@blogger.com (Oklahoma Mike) — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 22:23:00 +0000

When I created this blog I called it tinfoil hat time but then after making myself a tinfoil fedora I decided to change it. Just for continuity I have changed the url to http://thetinfoilfedora.blogspot.com.

Those reading via the feed, make sure to update your bookmarks.

Gotta go work a stupid 4 hour shift in a few but have a nice little rant on those idiotic center islands they are building everywhere I'm gonna post later.

Congress Shall Make No Law

noreply@blogger.com (Oklahoma Mike) — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 04:16:00 +0000

I don't know if it's because I'm getting older (my hair color is rapidly matching the color of my fedora) or if I'm just finally waking up to just how enslaved "freedom" is, but I find myself more and more not liking our current government.

In much the same way Fundamentalist Christians believe the bible is the literal word of God, with no room for symbolism, metaphor or interpretation, I believe the framers of our Constitution meant what they said and how they said it. It's not a "living document" open to new interpretations at the whim of every elected official, Supreme Court Justice or special interest lobbyist.

When you read you should comprehend what the writers intended you to get from it. No more and no less. If I write a list of rules and the first rule is "The dogs are allowed to jump over the fence." What do you get from it?

1) There are dogs.
2) There is a fence.
3)The dogs should not be stopped from jumping over the fence.

There is no number 4, 5, 6, 7, etc.

Now what if someone comes along and says but there is a thorn bush on the other side of the fence?

It does not matter, refer to rule number 1.

Can you teach the dog not to jump over the fence? If you wish to, be my guest and you may even train one or more not to, but for those that choose to jump, refer to rule number 1.

This is very simple and exactly what the constitution was meant to be.

The first amendment of the constitution reads;

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
Note that it does not begin with "Provided no federal judge disagrees, "

What do we get from this?

1) Congress (meaning the federal government) shall not interfere with any of the following items.
a) A persons religious beliefs or their ability to follow and express that religion.
b) A persons right to say anything they want at any time.
c) A persons right to print or write down anything they want.
d) A persons right to gather together with others provided that gathering is peaceful.
e) That groups right to challenge the government when they do not agree with them.

That is it. Nothing more, nothing less. Yet somehow we've allowed the supreme court, a group of idiots we don't even have the choice to elect to break their oaths to protect this document on many occasions. A single example?

Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, 484 US 260 (1988)
The Court held that public school student newspapers are subject to less First Amendment protection than commercial newspapers, or even student publications established as forums for student expression. Schools may impose restrictions on student newspaper content.
This case should have taken 5 minutes and their answer to Hazelwood School district should have been refer to rule number 1.

This will end only when we stand up and say enough is enough.

Egypt

noreply@blogger.com (Oklahoma Mike) — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 23:21:00 +0000

Just a quick question. Why is it when another country (Egypt) starts to collapse under a dictatorship we get people protesting here in front of government buildings, yet when the same thing is happening here under their noses, they go and watch tv instead?

Hazards of new blogs

noreply@blogger.com (Oklahoma Mike) — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 18:54:00 +0000

Not that I want to lead others away from this budding blog, but dagnabit Mayberry, you owe me some time...

See I found this blog a couple of weeks ago and liked what I was reading so I decided to go back and read some of his older posts. I do this using calibre and my nook so that I don't have to be tied down to the laptop to read. This allows me to read while I'm on lunch at work or if I happen to be working in a booth I can read while I'm actually working. The problem is to go back to the beginning created an ebook that is over 1500 pages long!! Every day I spend reading older posts, he keeps writing more and I don't know if I'll ever catch up.

I may not be quite as extreme as he is and ready to declare my independence from the United States but we definitely have the same views of CONgress. Not to mention I'm enjoying the fiction he's writing. I'm currently creating an ebook of that alone and adding the chapters as he writes. I'm guessing by his writing style he's read the Jerry Ahern Survivalist series which is probably why I like reading it.

Take a minute to jump over and read his latest posts,(click on his banner above) but don't say I didn't warn you when you start reading his older posts and wonder what happened to last week....

Walmart Public Service Announcement

noreply@blogger.com (Oklahoma Mike) — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 02:03:00 +0000

Since when did George Orwell's 1984 become the official field manual for Homeland Security?

Venting Place

noreply@blogger.com (Oklahoma Mike) — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 00:18:00 +0000

This is going to be my place to vent all of my political crap as well as talk about getting my family prepped for the eventual collapse of this country. Do I think we'll be over-run? Not a chance, but I do see another civil war in our future. Keep your hats tuned into this station and maybe we'll find a few things we have in common...