Chip Wood is the geopolitical editor of PersonalLiberty.com. He is the founder of Soundview Publications, in Atlanta, where he was also the host of an award-winning radio talk show for many years. He was the publisher of several bestselling books, including Crisis Investing by Doug Casey, None Dare Call It Conspiracy by Gary Allen and Larry Abraham and The War on Gold by Anthony Sutton. Chip is well known on the investment conference circuit where he has served as Master of Ceremonies for FreedomFest, The New Orleans Investment Conference, Sovereign Society, and The Atlanta Investment Conference. Email this author.

The Republicans’ Pretty Good Party

Conservative friends who were at the Republican National Convention have told me, with considerable pride, that the Republican platform for 2012 is “the best one we’ve seen in the past 20 years.” Looking over the various provisions in it, they’re probably right. But so what?

Obama Puts Millions More On The Dole

Did you know that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has been spending hundreds of millions of dollars trying to get more people to sign up for food stamps? One of the most absurd examples was “a 10-part series of Spanish-language ‘novelas’ that trumpeted the benefits of the food stamp program.”

Will Biden’s Gaffes Cost Him?

Will Biden get dumped? Barack Obama’s Vice President has a bad case of foot-in-mouth disease. First, Joe Biden told an audience in Virginia that with their help, “We can win North Carolina again.” Then he warned another audience that if Mitt Romney wins: “They’re gonna put y’all back in chains.” Biden’s gaffes have some Democrats urging Obama to drop him from the ticket. Who’s their favorite choice to replace him? Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Too Much Spending Is The Problem

Even taxing all their money won’t do it. The Administration of President Barack Obama plans to raise taxes on anyone making more than $250,000 a year, which will collect about $85 billion more revenue, a recent study concludes. But last year’s Federal deficit was $1.3 trillion. Even taxing every penny the “rich” make over $250,000 won’t close the gap. Clearly, the problem in Washington isn’t too little revenue; it’s too much spending.

Hurray For Mitt Romney’s Bold Choice

Last Saturday, we learned that Mitt Romney had selected Paul Ryan to be his running mate. I can’t imagine any selection Romney could have made that would make the battle lines between the two parties any clearer.

The Beautiful Backlash From Chick-fil-A Bashing

What a mistake the gay and lesbian agitators made when they decided to attack Chick-fil-A and its outspoken president, Dan Cathy! It was a mistake that several prominent politicians promptly compounded, with some of the most absurd threats ever uttered by a city official.

Texas Tea

The Tea Party’s huge victory in Texas. Congratulations to all of the Ted Cruz supporters who saw their man come from behind in the Republican primary in Texas and score a smashing victory over his opponent. Cruz trailed the establishment’s choice, Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, 45 percent to 34 percent, in the May 29 primary. But less than three months later, he easily won the runoff, 57 percent to 43 percent. The results should be a wake-up call for anyone who has written off the Tea Party in this year’s elections.

Your Paycheck Is All Yours Now

Finally, you can keep what you earn. In a new report, the Americans for Tax Reform Foundation and the Cost of Government Center say that the average American has to work more than half of the year to pay the cost of government. This year’s Cost of Government Day — when the average worker has earned enough to pay for government at the Federal, State and local levels — didn’t arrive until July 15 this year. I’m glad unfunded liabilities weren’t included; if they were, the day would never arrive.

Rand Paul Takes On The TSA

Senator Rand Paul has introduced a bill in the Senate that would privatize the Transportation Security Administration. He said that while many Democrats in Congress have told him privately that they agree with him, he doesn’t expect any action in the current Congress.

Heroes In Aurora

Amazing acts of courage. Like you, I was heartsick at the stories of the massacre at that movie theater in Aurora, Colo., last week. But I was also impressed by the heroic acts that occurred there. Four of the victims were men who gave their lives to protect the women who were with them. The courage, bravery and self-sacrifice of Alex Teves, Matthew Robert McQuinn, Jonathan Blunk and John Larimer should be an inspiration for us all.