Hotair.com asks if it’s a good idea and links to some of the participants.

On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department — the Department of Defense.

The Pols quickly pointed to businesses that raised prices as “price gougers.” Governor Patrick said,

There is never an excuse for taking advantage of consumers, especially not during times like this. I have asked our Division of Standards to closely monitor the situation so that we are protecting consumers.

He must have missed his Economics 101 course that described the role prices play in regulating supply and demand. Although some stores did raise prices, most did not and the result was empty shelves.

Water which was sold at the normal price was quickly sold out. Think of what an increased price might do. Since water is now scarce, or at least more valuable to many consumers, buyers are looking to stock up. At the regular price this is no hardship to consumers but since demand is up businesses have not had time to react by increasing inventory. This is where prices come in. By raising the price of a six pack of gallons from the normal $8 to $20 buyers are not so quick to overstock leaving more for other buyers.

This is basic supply and demand but the demagogues in the government and the media are happy to highlight the “greedy” opportunists. They don’t realize that by raising prices to a level that regulates demand the business is providing a service. If they raise the price too high people will adjust their habits. Maybe they will buy soda or milk, or just boil tap water.

As Thomas Sowell notes, “But facts are not nearly as exciting as rhetoric — and the role of most political rhetoric is to be a substitute for facts.”

View Doug Ross’ complete post here.

Welcome to this year’s May Day commemoration. As is our tradition, today, we remember the all those who have died at the hands of communism. Their story is sometimes overlooked, usually brushed aside if acknowledged at all, and often denied outright. They deserve their day of remembrance.

To remind yourself of the size of the communist tragedy, read The Red Plague by R.J. Rummel, originally published during our 2005 May Day commemoration.

Go to his Myspace page and support him or I will track you down and make you listen to the Black Eyed Peas.

Also, go to his online store and buy his stuff.

No doubt, the difference between those who look for an increased role and those who favor liberty and individual responsibility is wide and controversial. But we’ve been through this before. A site hosted by Boston online has some of the background, and great links.

The shot heard ’round the world continues to reverbate. Each April, Massachusetts and Maine celebrate Patriots Day in honor of the battles and skirmishes that began our fight for independence.

Four year old Joshua Sacco, from Tennessee memorized the speech and became an internet sensation on Youtube with his video of the speech.

On Opening Night of the 2010 MLB season in Boston, the Red Sox invited Joshua, now five years old, to give a Sox/Yankees version of the speech.