Incompetent Boobs are Getting Ahead

Tom Woods, author of the bestseller Meltdown, appeared with Ben Ferguson and Grover Norquist on Fox Business, March 27, 2009.

Woods says the American Dream could come back if the Federal Reserve and government would get out of the way. The Federal government and the Federal Reserve are destroying peoples dreams and futures with their half baked schemes and policies. Woods states that Americans are finding out that instead of hard work and entrepreneurial getting you ahead, incompetent boobs with Washington connections are getting ahead.

Time to End the War on Drugs

Weekly message from Texas Congressman Ron Paul:

End the War on Drugs

We have recently heard many shocking stories of brutal killings and ruthless violence related to drug cartels warring with Mexican and US officials. It is approaching the fever pitch of a full blown crisis. Unfortunately, the administration is not likely to waste this opportunity to further expand government. Hopefully, we can take a deep breath and look at history for the optimal way to deal with this dangerous situation, which is not unprecedented.

Alcohol prohibition in the 1920’s brought similar violence, gangs, lawlessness, corruption and brutality. The reason for the violence was not that making and selling alcohol was inherently dangerous. The violence came about because of the creation of a brutal black market which also drove profits through the roof. These profits enabled criminals like Al Capone to become incredibly wealthy, and militantly defensive of that wealth. Al Capone saw the repeal of Prohibition as a great threat, and indeed smuggling operations and gangland violence fell apart after repeal. Today, picking up a bottle of wine for dinner is a relatively benign transaction, and beer trucks travel openly and peacefully along their distribution routes.

Similarly today, the best way to fight violent drug cartels would be to pull the rug out from under their profits by bringing these transactions out into the sunlight. People who, unwisely, buy drugs would hardly opt for the back alley criminal dealer as a source, if a coffeehouse-style dispensary was an option. Moreover, a law-abiding dispensary is likely to check ID’s and refuse sale to minors, as bars and ABC stores tend to do very diligently. Think of all the time and resources law enforcement could save if they could instead focus on violent crimes, instead of this impossible nanny-state mandate of saving people from themselves!

If these reasons don’t convince the drug warriors, I would urge them to go back to the Constitution and consider where there is any authority to prohibit private personal choices like this. All of our freedoms – the freedom of religion and assembly, the freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, the right to be free from unnecessary government searches and seizures – stem from the precept that you own yourself and are responsible for your own choices. Prohibition laws negate self-ownership and are an absolute affront to the principles of freedom. I disagree vehemently with the recreational use of drugs, but at the same time, if people are only free to make good decisions, they are not truly free. In any case, states should decide for themselves how to handle these issues and the federal government should respect their choices.

My great concern is that instead of dealing deliberatively with the actual problems, Congress will be pressed again to act quickly without much thought or debate. I can’t think of a single problem we haven’t made worse that way. The panic generated by the looming crisis in Mexico should not be redirected into curtailing more rights, especially our second amendment rights, as seems to be in the works. Certainly, more gun laws in response to this violence will only serve to disarm lawful citizens. This is something to watch out for and stand up against. We have escalated the drug war enough to see it only escalates the violence and profits associated with drugs. It is time to try freedom instead.

More Daniel Hannan

British MP Daniel Hannan appears on Glenn Beck, March 26 2009. Hannan says the US is in better shape than the UK. Perhaps here Mr. Hannan is a bit optimistic. It is true in theory that we have safeguards against big centralized government, but they have been ignored for at least a hundred years.

Perhaps You Would Have More Moral Authority If Your Actions Matched Your Words

Daniel Hannan a Conservative Member of the British Parliament lays into British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and tells it like it is. Hannan gave this speech at the European Parliament on March 26, 2009.

The most repeated line from this speech is "The devalued Prime Minister of a devalued Government." But the line I like is "Perhaps you would have more moral authority if your actions matched your words." That hits the nail on the head in regards to most politicians. You simply can't believe a word they say. They talk out of both sides of their mouth and are habitual liars and masters of obfuscation.




Here is what Hannan had to say about this speech:

The internet has changed politics - changed it utterly and forever. Twenty-four hours ago, I made a three-minute speech in the European Parliament, aimed at Gordon Brown. I tipped off the BBC and some of the newspaper correspondents but, unsurprisingly, they ignored me: I am, after all, simply a backbench MEP.

When I woke up this morning, my phone was clogged with texts, my email inbox with messages. Overnight, the YouTube clip of my remarks had attracted over 36,000 hits. By today, it was the most watched video in Britain.

How did it happen, in the absence of any media coverage? The answer is that political reporters no longer get to decide what's news. The days when a minister gave briefings to a dozen lobby correspondents, and thereby dictated the next day's headlines, are over. Now, a thousand bloggers decide for themselves what is interesting. If enough of them are tickled then, bingo, you're news. (Huge thanks to all those who linked: Guido, Iain Dale, Tim Montgomerie, James Delingpole, Donal Blaney, Dizzy, Devil, James Forsyth, PoliticalBetting, Gerald Warner and the rest. And jumbo thanks to all the American bloggers: you chaps are way ahead of us in this regard.)

What caught their attention? To be honest, I'm slightly perplexed. I have been making similar speeches every week and posting them on YouTube for the past seven months. I made one just now: 60 seconds on how Brussels is spraying money at the European Investment Bank (see above clip). Perhaps people felt frustrated about the way Gordon Brown had carried on without once asking for their votes. Perhaps they would have loved to tell him what they thought of him, but lacked the opportunity.

Breaking the press monopoly is one thing. But the internet has also broken the political monopoly. Ten or even five years ago, when the Minister for Widgets put out a press release, the mere fact of his position guaranteed a measure of coverage. Nowadays, a politician must compel attention by virtue of what he is saying, not his position.

It's all a bit unsettling for professional journalists and politicians. But it's good news for libertarians of every stripe. Lefties have always relied on control, as much of information as of physical resources. Such control is no longer technically feasible

Daniel Hannan is a writer and journalist. He has authored seven books on the EU, contributes regularly to a number of European newspapers, and has served as Conservative MEP for South East England since 1999. He blogs every day at www.hannan.co.uk

Bernanke and Geithner Grilled

Ben Bernanke (aka Spawn of Satan) and Tim "Taxes, What Taxes" Geithner are grilled by Representative Michelle Bachmann. I have problems with Bachmann's social conservatism and pro war stance, but she does a great job here.

Notice how any time she asks about Constitutional authority for what is being done, Geithner and Bernanke always come back to Congress giving them authority. That of course is avoiding the question. Where in the Constitution is Congress given the power to grant this authority?

Obama's Terrorism Policies the Same as Bush's

From Reason TV:

Amongst liberals, libertarians, and even some conservatives, there has considerable "hope" that a Barack Obama presidency would radically transform Bush administration policies regarding the "war on terror." And, on certain issues, the new administration has delivered a measured amount of "change." But were Obama's executive orders banning torture and closing down the prison at Guantanamo Bay, signed on his first two days in office, just a head fake? Were they designed to placate a certain segment of his base, while actually continuing—or even expanding—many of Bush administration terrorism policies?

Business As Usual In Washington

Jack Hunter comments on the AIG bonus controversy. Hunter says it is business as usual in Washington, DC. No one in Congress reads any of the bills they pass, most are clueless as to what are in the bills.

Hunter's best line is why would anyone expect the Senators and Representatives to have read a 1,000 page bill when they have obviously never read the Constitution.

Most of our so called leaders are frauds, basically criminals who sell their soul for campaign contributions and power.

Black Cars to be Banned?

No this is not a report from the Onion. California is considering banning black cars.

Campaign for Liberty To The MIAC Report Being Retracted

Here is the response from the Campaign for Liberty on the State of Missouri's retraction of the MIAC Report:

March 28, 2009


Dear Friend of Liberty,

Although it sometimes seems that freedom is shrinking everywhere we turn, the fact is a powerful grassroots stand can still stop Big Government bureaucrats in their tracks.

That is exactly what happened to the Missouri Highway Patrol this week after being forced by your vocal outrage to retract the incendiary Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC) report.

This report identified peaceful, freedom-loving Americans as possible security threats, simply for supporting Ron Paul or opposing tyrannical government.

Faced with an overwhelming public outcry, Missouri officials quickly started backpedaling, removing references to Ron Paul and Campaign for Liberty.

Then, just hours before Dr. Paul’s plane touched down in St. Louis to lead our Celebration of Freedom rally Friday night, the Missouri Highway Patrol officially retracted the entire offending document.
The Missouri Highway Patrol will be performing an investigation into the origin of the report. Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder has even called for the suspension of the Director of Public Safety until those responsible have been identified.

Click here to read the news report.

It is no surprise that oversight and accountability are in short supply at the MIAC, a Big Government “fusion center” combining federal, state and local agencies into an unconstitutional mess of a bureaucracy. But government disorganization is no excuse for making political profiling and persecution into official policy.

This victory for the grassroots freedom movement, coupled with this weekend’s Campaign for Liberty Regional Conference in St. Louis, marks a great moment for liberty in Missouri and all of America.

This week we saw that politicians still respond to the voices of their constituents.

This week we saw that freedom can triumph over tyranny when we unite to take a stand.

In Liberty,

John Tate
President, Campaign for Liberty

Now I'm Not A Terrorist

Just a few weeks ago I was labeled a terrorist by the State of Missouri: It's Official: I Am A Terrorist . Well now it seems that the State of Missouri has had second thoughts and a bunch of phone calls, emails etc.

From the Kansas City Star:

The Missouri Highway Patrol this week retracted a controversial report on militia activity and will change how such reports are reviewed before being distributed to law enforcement agencies.

The Highway Patrol also will open an investigation into the origin of the report, which linked conservative groups with domestic terrorism and named former presidential candidates Ron Paul, Bob Barr and Chuck Baldwin.

The Highway Patrol’s announcement followed a news conference in which Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, a Republican, suggested putting the director of public safety on administrative leave and investigating how the report was produced.

The uproar revolves around a report released last month by the Missouri Information Analysis Center, a “fusion center” for local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to collaborate on domestic security issues. The report concerned militia movements in Missouri and across the U.S., and described how they had evolved over the last several years.

But it suggested that domestic militias often subscribed to radical ideologies rooted in Christian views and opposition to immigration, abortion or federal taxes. The report also stated that it was “not uncommon” for militia members to support third-party political candidates.

The Highway Patrol’s superintendent, Col. James F. Keathley, released a memo saying the report did not meet the agency’s standard for quality and would not have been released if it had been seen by top officials.

“For that reason,” Keathley wrote, “I have ordered the MIAC to permanently cease distribution of the militia report.”

The memo noted the report was compiled by an employee of the information analysis center and reviewed only by the center director before being sent to law enforcement agencies across the state.

In the future, Keathley wrote, reports from the center will be reviewed by leaders of the Highway Patrol and the Department of Public Safety.

On Thursday, Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat, expressed support for Keathley’s order and distanced his administration from the process that allowed the report to be released.

“Under a previous system, MIAC would prepare and distribute these reports to law enforcement agencies without review or approval from the colonel of the Highway Patrol or the director of Public Safety,” Nixon said. “That’s simply not acceptable.”

“Under the guidance of the present director, who apparently must think it is Nixon’s secret service, the Department of Public Safety has taken on the new and sinister role of political profiling,” Kinder said.

The state’s response to the conservative outcry over the report evolved over the last few weeks. In one early response, the information analysis center released a statement reaffirming its “regard for the Constitutions of the United States and Missouri” and expressing regret that “any citizens or groups were unintentionally offended by the content of the document.”

Then earlier this week, Department of Public Safety Director John M. Britt retracted the portions that noted third party and Republican presidential candidates by name and sent letters of apology to the politicians.

But even with the retraction and the investigation announced Wednesday, Britt should be suspended and the General Assembly should investigate how the report was prepared, Kinder said.

“Director Britt has still not answered any of the questions about what other reports may have been developed and the procedure behind these memos,” Kinder’s spokesman, Gary McElyea, said in a statement. “Until those questions are answered Mr. Britt should be placed on immediate leave.”

Britt had no comment.

It is widely thought among libertarians, Ron Paul and Second Amendment groups that other states have issued similar reports as Missouri. The Missouri report came to light because it was leaked by a couple of Missouri law enforcement officers who were troubled by it.

Do We Want to Save $77 Billion A Year?

Harvard Economist Jeffrey Miron on CNN discussing Marijuana Legalization says that we would save $77 billion each year if marijuana were legalized.

Guilty Until Proven Innocent

Texas Congressman Ron Paul questioning Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner.

Paul explains how far we have gotten from the Constitution which states that only Congress shall make laws. We now have a myriad of agencies under the control of the President that make laws (by making regulations) every day. Paul asks Geithner about changing the IRS practice of requiring citizens to prove their innocence. The IRS and other agencies put the burden of proof on the individual rather than following the American ideal of "innocent until proven guilty."

Peter Schiff: We Need A Recession

Peter Schiff on Morning Joe, March 25, 2009. Schiff says we got into trouble by borrowing and spending too much. We need a recession to correct the misallocation of resources.

Schiff says following Keynesians economics is like following a witch doctor. The actions by the government is only leading to more problems.

Restrictions On Home Gardening?

In a move similar to the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), there is a bill (H.R.875) in the House to regulate farming. The bill is vague enough that it appears that the government could regulate the food you grow for yourself.

Liberal Fascism On Glenn Beck

Michael C. Moynihan, Reason Magazine senior editor visited the Glenn Beck show on Tuesday, March 24, 2009, to discuss the Obama administration's plan to allow the government to seize control of non-bank financial companies.

Jonah Goldberg talks about liberal fascism, which is what we have in this country.

Easy Money Is The Main Cause

Congressman Ron Paul says easy money was the main cause of our economic problems. Paul continues that we need to get away from crony capitalism and go to a true free market.

This Is The End Of The Game

Ron Paul on the Glenn Beck's radio show discuss the Missouri Information Analysis Center's report "The Modern Militia Movement" that ties in Ron Paul supporters, Libertarians, Bob Barr supporters, people who oppose Real ID, universal national service and the Federal Reserve System with violent anti government and racist groups.

They also discuss the latest Billionaire Bailout, this one buying worthless assets. Paul and Beck say that the latest scheme of monetizing our own debt is the end of the game.

Part I:



Part II:

Bailouts and Bull**** Part 6 of 6

Bailouts and Bull**** with John Stossel,originally aired on March 13, 2009. Whether the government should fix the economy; the attainability of the American Dream; a proposal for universal pre-kindergarten; fencing in the U.S. border; increasing traffic and killer commutes; medical marijuana.

Bailouts and Bull**** Part 5 of 6

Bailouts and Bull**** with John Stossel,originally aired on March 13, 2009. Whether the government should fix the economy; the attainability of the American Dream; a proposal for universal pre-kindergarten; fencing in the U.S. border; increasing traffic and killer commutes; medical marijuana.

Bailouts and Bull**** Part 4 of 6

Bailouts and Bull**** with John Stossel,originally aired on March 13, 2009. Whether the government should fix the economy; the attainability of the American Dream; a proposal for universal pre-kindergarten; fencing in the U.S. border; increasing traffic and killer commutes; medical marijuana.

Bailouts and Bull**** Part 3 of 6

Bailouts and Bull**** with John Stossel,originally aired on March 13, 2009. Whether the government should fix the economy; the attainability of the American Dream; a proposal for universal pre-kindergarten; fencing in the U.S. border; increasing traffic and killer commutes; medical marijuana.

Bailouts and Bull**** Part 2 of 6

Bailouts and Bull**** with John Stossel,originally aired on March 13, 2009. Whether the government should fix the economy; the attainability of the American Dream; a proposal for universal pre-kindergarten; fencing in the U.S. border; increasing traffic and killer commutes; medical marijuana.

Bailouts and Bull**** Part 1 of 6

Bailouts and Bull**** with John Stossel,originally aired on March 13, 2009. Whether the government should fix the economy; the attainability of the American Dream; a proposal for universal pre-kindergarten; fencing in the U.S. border; increasing traffic and killer commutes; medical marijuana.

Demand Your Rights Be Restored

AIG Tax Law is Unconstitutional

Congressman Ron Paul states that the law Congress passed taxing the AIG bonus is unconstitutional since it is an ex post facto law and a bill of attainder.

Bills of attainder and ex post facto laws are forbidden by Article I, section 9, clause 3 of the United States Constitution, which states:

"No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed."


This clip also shows Paul commenting back when the "stimulus bill" was passed in February about how Congress doesn't know what it is voting on because they never read the laws.

Most of the members of Congress are frauds. They are clueless as to what they are voting on, not to mention the implications of what they are voting for. They are owned lock, stock and barrel by special interests. The only cure for this corruption in to follow the Constitution by limiting the power of the government.

Jitters Over the Federal Reserve's Printing of Trillions of Dollars

As the press is consumed with Obama's Special Olympics comment, the announcement that the Federal Reserve was going to spend $1.2 trillion dollars to buy government debt and mortgage securities was pushed into the background. The $1.2 trillion would of course have to be created out of thin air, thus creating inflation and stealing from those who have saved. In other words legalized theft, but hey its okay because the Fed is doing it.

Russia Today's Marina Portnaya reports on the jitters about the dollar, including a United Nations panel's recommendation to drop the US Dollar as the world's reserve currency.

Israeli Forces Killed Palestinian Civilians Under Permissive Rules of Engagement

From the Israeli newspaper Haaretz:

During Operation Cast Lead, Israeli forces killed Palestinian civilians under permissive rules of engagement and intentionally destroyed their property, say soldiers who fought in the offensive.

The speakers included combat pilots and infantry soldiers. Their testimony runs counter to the Israel Defense Forces' claims that Israeli troops observed a high level of moral behavior during the operation. The session's transcript was published this week in the newsletter for the course's graduates.

The testimonies include a description by an infantry squad leader of an incident where an IDF sharpshooter mistakenly shot a Palestinian mother and her two children. "There was a house with a family inside .... We put them in a room. Later we left the house and another platoon entered it, and a few days after that there was an order to release the family. They had set up positions upstairs. There was a sniper position on the roof," the soldier said.

"The platoon commander let the family go and told them to go to the right. One mother and her two children didn't understand and went to the left, but they forgot to tell the sharpshooter on the roof they had let them go and it was okay, and he should hold his fire and he ... he did what he was supposed to, like he was following his orders."

According to the squad leader: "The sharpshooter saw a woman and children approaching him, closer than the lines he was told no one should pass. He shot them straight away. In any case, what happened is that in the end he killed them.

"I don't think he felt too bad about it, because after all, as far as he was concerned, he did his job according to the orders he was given. And the atmosphere in general, from what I understood from most of my men who I talked to ... I don't know how to describe it .... The lives of Palestinians, let's say, is something very, very less important than the lives of our soldiers. So as far as they are concerned they can justify it that way," he said.

Another squad leader from the same brigade told of an incident where the company commander ordered that an elderly Palestinian woman be shot and killed; she was walking on a road about 100 meters from a house the company had commandeered.

The squad leader said he argued with his commander over the permissive rules of engagement that allowed the clearing out of houses by shooting without warning the residents beforehand. After the orders were changed, the squad leader's soldiers complained that "we should kill everyone there [in the center of Gaza]. Everyone there is a terrorist."

The squad leader said: "You do not get the impression from the officers that there is any logic to it, but they won't say anything. To write 'death to the Arabs' on the walls, to take family pictures and spit on them, just because you can. I think this is the main thing: To understand how much the IDF has fallen in the realm of ethics, really. It's what I'll remember the most."

Here Israel Defense Forces Major Avital Leibovich disccusses the investigation into the allegations:



Al Jazeera's Hoda Abdel Hamid talks to Khaled who lost his two daughters in the Gaza conflict.

State Sovereignty And The Left

Jack Hunter suggests that maybe the left should embrace state sovereignty also.

Maoist Rule in Nepal

The Maoist government came to power seven months ago promising sweeping social changes, but life for the Nepalese has changed little.

Judge Andrew Napolitano on Unalienable Rights

Judge Andrew Napolitano monologue on Unalienable rights, natural law and contracts from his March 18, 2009 web show Freedom Watch:

Chris Dodd, Senator for AIG

Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd who, after first flatly denying it, has finally admitted putting in the provision allowing bonuses at AIG. Dodd is one of the top recipients of contributions from AIG. From Open Secrets:

Over time, AIG hasn't shown an especially partisan streak, splitting evenly the $9.3 million it has contributed since 1989. In the last election cycle, though, 68 percent of contributions associated with the company went to Democrats. Two senators who chair committees charged with overseeing AIG and the insurance industry, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) and Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), are among the top recipients of AIG contributions. Baucus chairs the Senate Finance Committee and has collected more money from AIG in his congressional career than from any other company--$91,000. And with more than $280,000, AIG has been the fourth largest contributor to Dodd, who chairs the Senate's banking committee. President Obama and his rival in last year's election, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), are also high on the list of top recipients.

Most politicians are wholly owned subsidiaries of their fatcat special interest contributors. This goes for politicians of both major parties. They have been propping up their friends and contributors on Wall Street, banks, big corporations and elsewhere for decades.

Not to mention the revolving door between government and these big corporations.

This will continue on until people get a clue that both parties do this. All the rhetoric by the GOP about being for free markets and all the rhetoric from the Democrats about being for the little guy is just bull.

Here is Chris Dodd being forced to admit his role in allowing the AIG bonuses:

The Meltdown Should Have Surprised No One

Okay this is over an hour, but here is Peter Schiff talking in depth about the meltdown:

Missouri Libertarian Party Condemns Missouri Highway Patrol Training Document

From the Libertarian Party of Missouri:

For Immediate Release

March 15, 2009

Contact: Mike Ferguson, Missouri Libertarian Party Spokesperson at 816.695.1425 or mike@focalpointcommunications.net.

Missouri Libertarian Party Condemns Missouri Highway Patrol Training Document as Political Profiling
Internal MIAC “Strategic Report” implies Libertarian Party members and other political activists could be members of “the militia movement”

Columbia, MO Mar. 15 — The Missouri Libertarian Party, the third-largest political party in the state, issued the following statement regarding a “Strategic Report” issued by the Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC) on February 22nd, which became known to the public late last week:

An internal document designed for law enforcement education purposes inaccurately and dangerously implies that among the indicators of possible involvement in extremist, militant militia activity is support for the Libertarian Party. This memo and its findings are potentially dangerous to both the people of Missouri and to our system of free political speech.

The memo claims that membership in, among other groups, the Libertarian Party and/or the display of what it calls “political paraphernalia” in support of the party or its 2008 presidential nominee (former US Congressman Bob Barr) could be an indicator that someone is involved in a “militant militia”.

“Not only is this assertion baseless, it is outrageous and very dangerous,” stated Missouri LP spokesman Mike Ferguson, who was also the national field director for the Barr presidential campaign in 2008. “it is also misleading. Libertarians oppose the violence, racism and extremism of the ‘militant militia’ that MIAC expresses concern about. Anyone who understands basic libertarian thought knows we adamantly oppose any violence for political purposes.”

The memo purports to outline “trends” in extremist militia activity and claims those involved in such activity “…commonly associate with 3rd party political groups.” It went on to claim that militia members are “usually supporters of” Bob Barr, another third party candidate and Republican Ron Paul. While the report claims to be a memo about trends in militia activity, no specific evidence is offered to support the claim.

“The evidence is not offered because it is not there,” explained Ferguson, “the claims amount to political profiling. If support for a legitimate political party might lead the police to worry that you are a violent extremist, you are less likely to become involved in our political process. This incorrect document has the potential to stifle political free speech that opposes the two larger political parties’ policies. This is dangerous for anyone who wants to be part of our political and social discourse.”

The Missouri Libertarian Party is asking for meetings with Missouri State Highway Patrol Col. James Keathley, MIAC Director Van Godsey, Department of Public Safety Director John Britt and Governor Jay Nixon to correct the misinformation. The party also demands that the potentially libelous statements about the Libertarian Party and Bob Barr are removed from the training document and calls for a public apology from those responsible for the irresponsible MIAC “strategic memo.”

Campaign for Liberty Responds to Missouri Report

A response by the Campaign for Liberty to the disgusting report put out by the Missouri Information Analysis Center:

March 17, 2009

Dear Friend of Liberty,

Maybe you've heard, or maybe not, but the Missouri State Police think you might be a security threat.

Why? Because you support Ron Paul and the Campaign for Liberty. Also, because maybe you own guns, oppose abortion or homeschool.

Even, and I'm serious, because you support the U.S. Constitution.

I know, it's ridiculous...and probably steams you a bit.

But here at Campaign for Liberty we are going to give this foolishness the treatment it deserves. More on that in a moment. Let me give you a bit more background.

As you may be aware by now, the Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC) recently released a report titled, "The Modern Militia Movement" to over one thousand Missouri law enforcement officers.

What is the Missouri Information Analysis Center? According to its website,

"MIAC is the mechanism to collect incident reports of suspicious activities to be evaluated and analyzed in an effort to identify potential trends or patterns of terrorist or criminal operations within the state of Missouri. MIAC will also function as a vehicle for two-way communication between federal, state and local law enforcement community within our region."

The MIAC warned officers that violent militia members are "usually" supporters of presidential candidates like Ron Paul and are also known for opposition to things like the Federal Reserve and the income tax.

The "study" was undoubtably written by some university liberal who knows nothing of the hundreds of thousands of Missourians who share our values. I can only imagine how many hundreds of thousands of Missouri tax dollars funded this.

Both Ron Paul and Campaign for Liberty champion principles of freedom, peace, and prosperity. We believe that the Founder's vision for America can be reclaimed through education and peaceful activism. It is a common practice of elitist intellectuals and backroom bureaucrats to attempt to crowd everyone into groups and stick labels on them, especially when it involves those who support a Constitutionally-limited government.

Anthony Gregory, editor-in-chief at Campaign for Liberty, has posted an excellent new article on our site concerning government broad-brush fear campaigns.

It is important that we respond in the right way when faced with such a government labeling, and the proper way is to go straight to the top in Missouri.

The way to fight thugs and ignorant people in authority is not to cower or rage, but to proudly proclaim who you are and what you believe.

That's why I urge you to sign our Citizen's Petition here today.

Our petition spells out in no uncertain terms who we are and what we believe. And it reminds those in charge of enforcing Missouri's laws that we are citizen activists who will not be intimidated nor embarassed into silence.

Simply owning a gun does not make you a threat. It means you are a free citizen.

Supporting our Constitution does not make you worthy of a watchlist, it makes you a Patriot.

So please, sign our Citizen's Petition today . Be sure to stay tuned for more information on how we plan to respond to the MIAC.

Finally, I want to ask you a final favor. If you can, please join us next week as we gather in St. Louis for the first Campaign for Liberty Regional Conference and show the people of Missouri what Campaign for Liberty truly stands for and represents.

We will be hosting a free event on Friday Night with Ron Paul and Judge Andrew Napolitano that is open to the public, and the conference will be highlighted by grassroots training on Saturday, March 28.

Learning how to properly mobilize in order to implement liberty-based legislation is absolutely critical to our success as a movement, and our Regional Conference will provide you with the tools you need as we move forward.

For more information on our Conference, check out our Regional Conference page. For special travel and hotel information, click here .

Liberty is never free, and demands vigilance.

I look forward to seeing you in St. Louis for an exciting weekend of celebration and training!

In Liberty,

John Tate
President, Campaign for Liberty

It's Official: I Am A Terrorist

I first heard this story last week, but held off on posting about it until I could be sure it was true and not just a rumor. The Missouri Information Analysis Center has produced a report called "The Modern Militia Movement" that ties in Ron Paul supporters, Libertarians, Bob Barr supporters, people who oppose Real ID, universal national service and the Federal Reserve System with violent anti government and racist groups.

From the Kansas City Star:

A new document meant to help Missouri law enforcement agencies identify militia members or domestic terrorists has drawn criticism for some of the warning signs mentioned.

The Feb. 20 report called "The Modern Militia Movement" mentions such red flags as political bumper stickers for third-party candidates, such as U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, who ran for president last year; talk of conspiracy theories, such as the plan for a superhighway linking Canada to Mexico; and possession of subversive literature.

"It seems like they want to stifle political thought," said Roger Webb, president of the University of Missouri campus Libertarians. "There are a lot of third parties out there, and none of them express any violence. In fact, if you join the Libertarian Party, one of the things you sign in your membership application is that you don't support violence as a means to any ends."

But state law enforcement officials said the report is being misinterpreted.

Lt. John Hotz of the Missouri State Highway Patrol said the report comes from publicly available, trend data on militias. It was compiled by the Missouri Information Analysis Center, a "fusion center" in Jefferson City that combines resources from the federal Department of Homeland Security and other agencies. The center, which opened in 2005, was set up to collect local intelligence to better combat terrorism and other criminal activity, he said.

"All this is an educational thing," Hotz said of the report. "Troopers have been shot by members of groups, so it's our job to let law enforcement officers know what the trends are in the modern militia movement."

But Tim Neal, a military veteran and delegate to last year's state GOP convention, was shocked by the report's contents.

"I was going down the list and thinking, 'Check, that's me,'" he said. "I'm a Ron Paul supporter, check. I talk about the North American union, check. I've got the 'America: Freedom to Fascism' video loaned out to somebody right now. So that means I'm a domestic terrorist? Because I've got a video about the Federal Reserve?"

Neal, who has a Ron Paul bumper sticker on his car, said the next time he is pulled over by a police officer, he won't know whether it's because he was speeding or because of his political views.

"If a police officer is pulling me over with my family in the car and he sees a bumper sticker on my vehicle that has been specifically identified as one that an extremist would have in their vehicle, the guy is probably going to be pretty apprehensive and not thinking in a rational manner," Neal said. "And this guy's walking up to my vehicle with a gun."

But Hotz said using factors in the report to determine whether someone could be a terrorist is not profiling. He said people who display signs or bumper stickers from third-party groups are not in danger of harassment from police.

"It's giving the makeup of militia members and their political beliefs," Hotz said of the report. "It's not saying that everybody who supports these candidates is involved in a militia. It's not even saying that all militias are bad."

Gosh, I better be careful what I say here before I get into more trouble.

This type of BS has become all too common in our ever faster descent into a police state. To lump Libertarians, Ron Paul supporters and others who question government policies that infringe on our privacy and freedom, with violent anti government and racist groups is beyond the pale. But it also proves the truth in what we are saying: the government is too powerful and is violating individual rights.

To be a member of the Libertarian Party, one must sign an oath opposing the use of force and philosophically libertarians believe in the supremacy of the individual and that all individuals have the same rights. This precludes holding racist or sexist views and means that we believe everyone is entitled to their religious views.

If you would like to let Missouri Information Analysis Center know what you think of this travesty the email address is:

miac@mshp.dps.mo.gov

or call 866-362-6422

Jacqueline Holland at Front Sight

Jacqueline Holland, Broadway actress, talking about her experience at Front Sight:

The Politics of Global Warming

MIT Climatologist Richard Lindzen speaks to the second annual International Conference on Climate Change in New York.

Lindzen, one of the most-respected climatologists on the planet, says:

... that most of the atmospheric scientists who I respect do endorse Global Warming. The important point, however, is that the science they do, that I respect, is not about Global Warming. Endorsing Global Warming just makes their lives easier.

The second point is that most of the arguments about Global Warming boil down to science versus authority. For much of the public, authority will generally win, since they do not wish to deal with science. My third point is related to the second point and that is that the success of environmentalism with respect to authority also gives the alarm movement control over carrots and sticks. Which in turn is what makes it so convenient for scientists to go along. The process of co opting science on behalf of a political movement has had an extraordinarily corrupting influence on science. Especially since the issue has been a major motivation for funding. Most funding for climate would not be there without this issue.

Canadian Police Officers Murdered By Unregistered Guns

Every officer listed was killed by an unregistered weapon. Registration of firearms did nothing to prevent their deaths.

Registering the firearms of lawful citizens has exactly zero effect on crime, while diminishing the rights of those who are already law-abiding.

Another great video from Katey Montague.

Peter Schiff Video Blog - March 12, 3009

Peter Schiff says Barack Obama talks out of both sides of his mouth. On one side Obama talking the need for sacrifice. ending our phony prosperity and the need to build our economy on a solid foundation. On the other side he talks about more consumer credit, bigger government and more spending.

Schiff says the government needs to get out of the way, we need more savings not more spending. Schiff states that the government by encouraging home ownership it actually increases the cost of housing making less affordable for people.

Statism Doesn't Sleep: Young American Revolution

Young American Revolution is a national magazine published by Young Americans for Liberty.

Legalizing Marijuana? Ron Paul vs. Stephen Baldwin

On March 13, 2009,Texas Congressman Ron Paul debated actor Stephen Baldwin regarding whether Marijuana should be legalized.

Baldwin brings up the standard drug warrior argument of it be gateway drug, when of course alcohol is usually the first drug anyone uses.

John Stossel and Drew Carey: Bailouts and Bull

A preview of Bailouts and Bull this week's special 20/20 program with John Stossel. It airs on Friday March 13, 2009 at 9pm CT (check local listings) and was inspired by Drew Carey's work at Reason.tv. For more information, go to http://reason.com/blog/show/132208.html.

United States Encircling Russia

Russia Today talks with American anti-war activist Rick Rozoff about how the United States continues to encircle Russia with American Forces and bases. This despite the public overtures made by the Obama Administration. Rozoff says actions speak louder than words. Rozoff lists off some current expansion of US military presence around Russia by the Obama Administration.

Rozoff's article is here.

Beer Is Proof God Loves Us And Wants Us To Be Happy

Nick Gillespie of Reason TV explores the history of American Beer:



More from Reason TV:

In 1920, the National Prohibition Act destroyed the beer industry in the United States, putting some 1,500 breweries out of business. When the "noble experiment" was repealed in 1933, beer lovers rejoiced, and the beer industry staggered back to its feet. The industry had lost much of its diversity, however, and the emergence of national brands in the 1950s and 1960s led to industry consolidation and fewer choices for American beer drinkers. By 1980, there were less than 50 breweries in the U.S.

By the 1980s, American beer had an international reputation as weak and watery as a case of Hamm's. Most breweries only produced American-style lagers, a light and inexpensive style of beer typically made with rice or corn adjuncts in addition to barley, hops, yeast and water.

What American beer lovers didn't know at the time was that a revolution was imminent. In 1979, a clerical error in the 21st Amendment was corrected, and for the first time in nearly 50 years it became legal to brew small batches of beer at home. Home brewers who had little interest in cutting costs or making beer with mass appeal began brewing big, flavorful beers in a wide range of styles. Many of these home brewers decided to turn their passion into small businesses, and microbreweries began popping up all over the country.

Today, although mainstream beers still dominate the market, more than 1,400 breweries in the U.S. produce more styles of beer than anywhere else in the world, and American beers routinely dominate international beer competitions.

So the next time you're at your favorite brewpub, hold your glass up high and celebrate the American beer revolution.

"Beer: An American Revolution" was written and produced by Paul Feine. Alex Manning was the director of photography and Nick Gillespie is the narrator.

The "clerical error" mentioned above really isn't an error in the 21st Amendment, rather it was an error in the Federal Statutes written after the 21st Amendment was ratified. From Wikipedia:

Unfortunately for homebrewers, the homebrewing of beer remained illegal after the adoption of the Twenty-first Amendment. Due to a clerical error, the words "and/or beer" were not included in the Federal Register after the U.S. Congress adopted the statutes that put the Twenty-first Amendment into effect. Thus, commercial brewing of beer was legalized, but the homebrewing of beer was not, despite the fact that the statutes had legalized the making of homemade wine.

It was not until November 1978 that Congress took action to correct this omission. President Jimmy Carter signed the law legalizing the homebrewing of beer in February 1979. Now, by federal law, an adult who is 21 years of age or older can legally brew up to 100 gallons of beer each year, so long as the beer is for personal use. It remains illegal for a homebrewer to sell his or her creations. The homebrewer may, however, give their beer away to friends or at social gatherings or brewing competitions.

The majority of U.S. states permit the homebrewing of beer by statute. There may, however, remain some states or locales that prohibit the practice of brewing one's own beer. Prudent advice would be to verify with state or county officials the legality of the practice before brewing the first batch of homebrewed beer.

Power Is An Aphrodisiac

Judge Andrew Napolitano talks about how some of the same men who threw off the shackles of King George and established a nation that recognized the inalienable rights of individuals, violated those rights only a few years later.

Why did they do this? Because power is an aphrodisiac. Power corrupts. This is why the power of government must be limited.

Imagine

Weekly message from Congressman Ron Paul:

Imagine

Imagine for a moment that somewhere in the middle of Texas there was a large foreign military base, say Chinese or Russian. Imagine that thousands of armed foreign troops were constantly patrolling American streets in military vehicles. Imagine they were here under the auspices of “keeping us safe” or “promoting democracy” or “protecting their strategic interests.”

Imagine that they operated outside of US law, and that the Constitution did not apply to them. Imagine that every now and then they made mistakes or acted on bad information and accidentally killed or terrorized innocent Americans, including women and children, most of the time with little to no repercussions or consequences. Imagine that they set up check points on our soil and routinely searched and ransacked entire neighborhoods of homes. Imagine if Americans were fearful of these foreign troops, and overwhelmingly thought America would be better off without their presence.

Imagine if some Americans were so angry about them being in Texas that they actually joined together to fight them off, in defense of our soil and sovereignty, because leadership in government refused or were unable to do so. Imagine that those Americans were labeled terrorists or insurgents for their defensive actions, and routinely killed, or captured and tortured by the foreign troops on our land. Imagine that the occupiers’ attitude was that if they just killed enough Americans, the resistance would stop, but instead, for every American killed, ten more would take up arms against them, resulting in perpetual bloodshed. Imagine if most of the citizens of the foreign land also wanted these troops to return home. Imagine if they elected a leader who promised to bring them home and put an end to this horror.

Imagine if that leader changed his mind once he took office.

The reality is that our military presence on foreign soil is as offensive to the people that live there as armed Chinese troops would be if they were stationed in Texas. We would not stand for it here, but we have had a globe straddling empire and a very intrusive foreign policy for decades that incites a lot of hatred and resentment towards us.

According to our own CIA, our meddling in the Middle East was the prime motivation for the horrific attacks on 9/11. But instead of re-evaluating our foreign policy, we have simply escalated it. We had a right to go after those responsible for 9/11, to be sure, but why do so many Americans feel as if we have a right to a military presence in some 160 countries when we wouldn’t stand for even one foreign base on our soil, for any reason? These are not embassies, mind you, these are military installations. The new administration is not materially changing anything about this. Shuffling troops around and playing with semantics does not accomplish the goals of the American people, who simply want our men and women to come home. 50,000 troops left behind in Iraq is not conducive to peace any more than 50,000 Russian soldiers would be in the United States.

Shutting down military bases and ceasing to deal with other nations with threats and violence is not isolationism. It is the opposite. Opening ourselves up to friendship, honest trade and diplomacy is the foreign policy of peace and prosperity. It is the only foreign policy that will not bankrupt us in short order, as our current actions most definitely will. I share the disappointment of the American people in the foreign policy rhetoric coming from the administration. The sad thing is, our foreign policy WILL change eventually, as Rome’s did, when all budgetary and monetary tricks to fund it are exhausted.

2009 International Conference on Climate Change

Vaclav Klaus, president of the Czech Republic and the European Union, speaks at the 2009 International Conference on Climate Change. Klaus argues that global warming "alarmists" are short on data and long on coercive measures that will reduce wealth and development in the Third World without having any impact on environmental concerns.

Klaus states:

"It is evident that environmentalists don't want to change the climate, they want to change us and our behavior. Their ambition is to control and manipulate us."

National Animal Identification System And Food Safety Plans

Katie Brewer and Nancy Robbins of Liberty Cafe discuss the Orwellian National Animal Identification System (NAIS)and various so called Food Safety Laws which put onerous regulations on small producers and individuals. The regulations on big corporations are not only easier for them to comply with, but in the case of NAIS, they are simply less rigorous.

This is another example of how our so called leaders in Washington DC are in bed with the special interests that fund their campaigns and "employ" them after their time in office is over.

Big Government is the friend of Big Business, Big Unions and Big Special interests. It is not the friend of small businesses, organizations or the individual.



From Liberty Cafe:

Do you think the government should be able to track your animals and food? Do you really think we need more government intervention into our lives?

Judith McGeary of Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance was our guest on last night's show. She's a lawyer turned activist and farmer who saw the need to fight against NAIS - The National Animal Identification System. She currently has a bill in the Texas Senate, SB 682. You can help kill the funding for NAIS here in Texas by calling your Texas State Senator and asking them to sponsor the bill.

You can get more information on Judith's website.


Texas residents can find their State Senator and email them directly from the State website.


It's also time to contact your US Senators and Representatives as well! There are several bills currently in Congress that address "Food Safety". Sounds like a good idea, right? Not so much when the bills are written by big corporations like Monsanto and Cargill. "Food Safety" becomes Food Control under these bills. If they pass, they will effectively shut down your local farmer's markets and food vendors. It will make YOU as a backyard gardener subject to inspections and require you to create a "Food Safety Plan" with fines up to $1 million dollars a DAY. (I guess when you're throwing around billions and trillions, a mere million doesn't seem like all that much to you anymore.)

You can find these bills by searching "Food Safety" at the following website:
http://www.tomas.gov

Currently there are three in the House: HR875, HR759, and HR814.
The Senate bill is SB425.

Now that people are returning to home gardening and supporting local farmers, the big guys, like Monsanto, are trying to clamp down on controlling your food supply. It's up to us to make sure this doesn't happen.

He who controls the food, controls the population. Let's control our own food supplies. Act now!

Largest Industrial Spill in US History

In December, the US suffered its worst environmental accident in over a decade. Billions of gallons of toxic sludge were strewn across East Tennessee after a coal ash dump ruptured.

Who was the responsible party? Some evil greedy business? No, it was the Federal government and its Tennessee Valley Authority. Just another example of the government not protecting people from harm as it promises.

Peter Schiff Talks About The Dow, Gold, Obama, and FDIC

Peter Schiff's Vlog Report for March 6 2009. Schiff talks about the FDIC bailout and how it really doesn't keep your money safe. The FDIC is not funded and needs money from the Treasury which will either borrow it or print it, which means more inflation.

Schiff says we are in the third Bush term led by Obama. Schiff believes the Barack Obama/Ben Bernanke combination will be even more destructive to the economy than the George W. Bush/Alan Greenspan combination was.

You're Too Human To Be A Republican

DL Hughley had Ron Paul on his show March 7,2009. The conservation touched on issues ranging from the economy to Iraq to the Civil War.

Obama, No Stranger to the Bong

From Reason TV:

Thank you, President Obama, for keeping your campaign pledge to end raids on medical marijuana dispensaries that are legal under state laws in California and elsewhere.

Thank you for reversing an inhumane policy established by the Clinton administration and continued by the Bush administration.

Given the experience you and other elected officials have had with illegal drugs and your willingness to challenge the status quo, now is the time to reconsider decades of prohibitionist drug policies that have succeeded only in massively increasing the toll of human misery, violence, and hypocrisy. As with alcohol prohibition, the drug war intensifies and exacerbates every negative outcome it is ostensibly designed to combat.

President Obama, do the right thing and end the war on drugs.

"Obama, You're No Stranger to the Bong" was written, performed, and edited by Paul Feine; special thanks to Alex Manning.

For more drug policy videos, articles, and links, go to http://www.reason.tv/video/show/705.html

Hearing on War Powers Act 3/5/09

Ron Paul agitates Jim Baker over War Powers during hearing 03/05/2009. Apparently Mr. Baker only cares about the Constitution some of the time.

How Washington Doesn't Work

A couple of videos from the Republican Study Committee. As anybody who has read much of my blog knows, I think Republicans are as much to blame for our economic problems as the Democrats. I post these videos to show the idiocy of our so called leaders and government.

Nobody reads these bills, the fools in Congress don't know what they are voting on. The system is corrupt and immoral. It needs to be dismantled and replaced with something closer to what the Founders intended. I am very pessimistic for the the future of this country and for freedom in this country.

Most of our so called leaders in Washington DC really should be in Federal prison rather than Federal office.

Republican Study Committee Chairman Tom Price discusses the big-government handout that Democrats are going to push through Congress. The final version of the bill even has hand written notes that allow for more irresponsible spending.

Democrats made the bill available at 11 p.m. on Thursday night. At 9 a.m. Friday morning, the House begins debate on the bill. If members of Congress actually took the time to read the bill, they would have to read through the night at a rate of 626 words per minute before heading to the House floor. What are the odds of that happening?

Republican Study Committee Chairman Tom Price (R-GA) goes through the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill, a pork-stuffed spendfest with over 9,000 earmarks that comes in at just under half a billion dollars.

Minnesota Health Plan

Twila Brase, president of Citizens' Council on Health Care, testifies against the Minnesota Health Plan, a single-payer health care (socialized medicine) and health care rationing in Minnesota House (2/25/09):



The Minnesota Health Plan as described by its supporters:

The MN Health Plan (MnHP) would be a single, statewide plan that would cover all Minnesotans for all their medical needs. Under the plan, patients would be able to see the medical providers of their choice when they need care, and their coverage by the health plan would not end when they lose their job or switch to a new employer. Consumers would use the same doctors and medical professionals, the same hospitals and clinics, but all the payments, covering all of the costs, would be made by the MnHP, and everyone would be covered.

Peter Schiff Talks About the Latest Economic News

Peter Schiff's Vlog Report for March 05 2009:

Ben Bernanke Has Never Been Right

Jim Rogers says that the only people helped by the so called stimulus are those who get the money. Rogers says it will hurt everybody else.

Rogers says that Japan tried the same thing in the 90's, which they now refer to as the lost decade. Nineteen years later Japan's stock market is still down 80% from 1990.

Rogers says Ben Bernanke has never been right in his entire government career. In regards to the tax evading Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, Rogers states that Geithner was the head of the New York Federal Reserve and oversaw Wall Street and allowed the problems to happen.

World War II Did Not End the Great Depression

Contrary to what Keynesians like Paul Krugman say, World War II did not end the Great Depression. Rather the end of World War II ended the Great Depression.

From Thomas DiLorenzo at Lew Rockwell.com:

It was a "stimulus" provided by about a two-thirds reduction of federal spending, from $98.7 billion in 1945 to $33.8 billion in 1948. See the Statistical Abstract of the United States, and click on #14, "Federal Government Finances" on the left.

As Bob Higgs has said, every Keyensian economist in the world, led by Paul Samuelson, predicted an economic calamity at the time, and every Keyensian in the world was dead wrong. Taking all of that money from the parasitic clutches of the state and returning it to its rightful owners (taxpayers) caused the post-war recovery. Today's Keynesians, led by Paul Krugman, insist that they have no idea whatsoever why the Great Depression did not resume after WW II ended. Thus, they haven't learned a single thing in over 60 years. (Either that, or they are and always have been nothing by shills for the state masquerading as "economists").

More from Bob Higgs on the Dennis Prager program:

Rush Limbaugh a Poor Choice

Congressman Ron Paul says Rush Limbaugh is a poor choice to be the spokesman for the Republican Party. Paul says Limbaugh is a polarizing force and is tied to the failed Bush Administration and its supporters.

Republicans Are Clueless

Jack Hunter, the Southern Avenger, skewers the clueless Republicans who are complaining about Obama's socialism and liberals failure to obey the Constitution. Hunter correctly points out that the Republicans were just as guilty of both under George W. Bush.

Hunter says Republicans prefer style over substance. How sad.

More Spending is Not the Answer

Weekly message from Congressman Ron Paul:

Is Spending the Answer?

This week, Congress and the administration once again showed their lack of economic understanding, as they ramped up spending to record levels. On the surface, maybe it does look to some like the economic crisis is a liquidity problem, that the economy is in trouble because money is not changing hands at the pace it once did in the boom years. They believe that to get back to a booming economy money needs to start changing hands again – and the quickest way to do this is for the federal government to massively expand spending to pump new money into the system. If this is the extent of their understanding, no wonder they call for spending, taxing, bailouts and inflation.

If spending was the solution, we never would have had a problem. During the last eight years, we’ve blown up the size of government and certainly had no want of spending on foreign or domestic policy. The Bush administration increased spending almost 20% its first term, and nearly doubled the national debt by the end of the second term. Certainly the case cannot be made that lack of government spending created the problem or can be the solution.

This is mirrored in American households. According to CNN private sector debt is 365% private sector gross domestic product. Many relied simply on steady and continued increase in home values to enable spending and secure more debt. That trend has proven unsustainable and many Americans are adjusting their finances accordingly. For the first time, household debt is beginning to fall as consumers wake up to the realities of paying off debt and living within their means.

Wouldn’t it be great if the government would do the same?

A lot of capital and liquidity is out there waiting in the wings as the new administration is bringing about government uncertainty, a concept discussed by Robert Higgs as prolonging the Great Depression. In other words, it is a foregone conclusion that government will act. But, like a chicken with its head cut off, no one knows which way it will run, just that it will flail about wildly until it collapses.

Why start a business, when businesses could face the brunt of an increase in future taxation? Similarly, why hire a new employee if tax policy will just force you to fire them later on to stay afloat? Why buy a house, when you have no idea how future government meddling in the housing market will affect its value? Why spend at the shopping mall, or buy a new car when you don’t know how tax policy will affect your family budget, or if your job will come under the axe because your employer’s tax burden is increased?

I argue these kinds of questions and concerns contribute to the weakening economy. This type of tax policy keeps capital out of third world nations, and now is keeping capital in hiding here in the US. People are concerned about security and savings again, retrenching their household and business budgets. The economy could be helped if the government would just get out of the way and restore sound monetary and fiscal policies.

Rand Paul Talks About Possible Senate Run in 2010

Ron Paul's son, Rand Paul discusses possible Senate run in 2010.

Ron Paul on Washington Unplugged: Part II

Republican Congressman Ron Paul tells Bob Schieffer that the troop increase in Afghanistan is a "disaster" and says the economic crisis could take "a decade" to recover from. This part two of the interview. Go here for part one.