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Worst decade ever?

By Julian Harris
December 31st, 2009 at 11:59 pm | 1 Comment | Posted in Satire, US Politics

Reason.com thinks so. Or at least since the ’90s.

Warning: very American.

Happy 2010, from everyone at Liberal Vision.

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Time to Park Taxi Regulation

By Sara Scarlett
December 28th, 2009 at 2:15 pm | 2 Comments | Posted in Uncategorized

From an excellent article in yesterday’s Times. Phillip Stevens explains how unnecessary regulation may be adding extortionate amounts to your fare home:

There are two fundamental reasons why the taxi market isn’t working.

In the mid-19th century, laws were passed to limit town centre congestion by horses and carriages. Many local authorities still use these laws to restrict the number of licences granted to taxis, which results in fewer taxis on the road than are needed — explaining the long queues at taxi ranks in certain towns on a Saturday night.

Second, the fear of unscrupulous drivers extorting hapless passengers has resulted in highly regulated fares. Instead of relying on competition, as is the case for most other services, local authorities set fares with the taxi industry. The needs of the travelling public are secondary in these opaque discussions.

With too few “rank and hail” taxis on the road, all of which charge too much, what can be done? We need a free market in taxis, in which any individual or company can offer a service, providing they can show the driver is safe and the vehicle roadworthy. The distinction between “rank and hail” and phone-only minicabs should also be abolished.

The article is well worth a read. Great stuff from the people at IPN.

Worst Propaganda Ever…

By Sara Scarlett
December 27th, 2009 at 11:30 pm | 5 Comments | Posted in Uncategorized

One of the reasons I am grateful to be a Liberal is that we’re not completely moonbat when it comes to Europe. Although I may have discovered the reason many are. Truly shocking as a propaganda attempt:

Queen’s Speech: the Libertarian Draft

By admin
December 25th, 2009 at 4:00 pm | 1 Comment | Posted in Satire, UK Politics

What a lot of people don’t know is Her Majesty the Queen of England, is in fact a rampant libertarian. Every year Elizabeth II writes a secret libertarian draft of her speech which is quickly dismissed by courtiers. Well, this year Liberal Vision has obtained a copy of that draft and is proud to publish it here:

Merry Christmas,

What we really, really want for Christmas is the real proletariat revolution, libertarianism.

Many would not think myself or my family to be, in any way, libertarian, yet my darling Phillip has been doing his bit for freedom of speech for quite some time now.

Some may say that inheriting a monarchy and being a Libertarian are mutually exclusive. Yet our system, with a ceremonial head of state and an elected premier is less expensive to the taxpayer than the elected head of the executive also carrying out ceremonial duties. So it’s all good, bruv.

For those of you who question the appropriateness of an unelected leader in this day and age, I ask you this: “where exactly have you been since June 2007?”

I’m not too upset with Gordon, to be honest with you. He has a good heart but he is more than a little dull and clearly incompetent. Which is an easy combination to endure when you know it’ll be over soon. I must admit I am more partial to the lovely Sarah than that dreadful Cherie woman… It is important to remember that we are a nation at war. So don’t forget that they’re actually my armies, Gordo. Treat them with respect.

So I wish you a Merry Christmas and for most of you merry will mean your grandparents being high as a kite from having mixed their morphine based arthritis medicine with Tesco Value Lumbrusco or just plain drunk. But whilst you loll about in self-induced food and liquor coma, which as a Libertarian I’m all for, in everything you do and whatever path you choose, think of ways you can make this country more free.

In 2010 I wish you all a happy life, liberty and an elected premier.

Happy New Year.

No escape from “world government”

By Angela Harbutt
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:14 pm | Comments Off on No escape from “world government” | Posted in UK Politics

Back from snowy East Anglia, I’ve been busy this afternoon catching up on what’s been going on across the web. I was especially struck by an article by TomPapworth on the prospects of a “World Government”.  Posed with the question “[If] democracy creates stability and raises living standards… why not introduce it on a worldwide scale?” , Tom answers in short order where the pitfalls in this particular form of utopia lie.

Tom: Great article.

Everyone else: Read it for yourself HERE.

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