November 2nd, 2009 12:03 pm |
by Mike Miller
|
Published in
Activism, Big Government, DownsizeDC.org, Health Care, Liberty, Market Regulation, Politics, congress, fascism |
D o w n s i z e r – D i s p a t c h
It seems like the more the American people demand that Congress slow down and read its bills, the more Congressional leaders arrogantly counter with mammoth legislation they want to pass in a hurry.
The latest example is the 1,900 page healthcare monstrosity the House leadership unveiled last week. They want a vote on it this week!
I believe they’re overreaching, and helping to build our movement.
Please send Congress a letter demanding that they introduce and pass DownsizeDC.org’s Read the Bills Act.
This is what I wrote in my personal comments . . .
Congress passed the Patriot renewal bill in 2006, only to discover later that someone had inserted a provision allowing the President to appoint U.S. Attorneys without Senate approval. This year, Congress passed the stimulus bill with the AIG bonuses.
Nearly everyone in Congress was shocked when they learned what they had passed. This happened because Congress didn’t read these bills before they voted on them. This is irresponsible.
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October 27th, 2009 11:14 am |
by Mike Miller
|
Published in
Activism, BJ Lawson, Big Government, DownsizeDC.org, Federal Reserve, Liberty, Politics, congress, law |
D o w n s i z e r – D i s p a t c h
We’re pleased to welcome BJ Lawson to the pages of the Downsizer-Dispatch as a Commentator.
Here’s BJ’s first call to action . . .
Your success promoting the Audit the Fed bills has scared the banking cartel into offering a fake alternative, the so-called Federal Reserve Accountability Act (S 1803).
Please send Congress a letter opposing S 1803, and favoring the real Audit the Fed bill, S 604.
You can use my letter to Congress as a guide to your own . . .
I want my Senators to oppose S 1803, and support S 604 instead. I also want my House Rep. to reject any attempt to foster a bill similar to S 1803 in that chamber.
S 604 would perform a real audit of the Federal Reserve, but S 1803, the so-called Federal Reserve Accountability Act, would actually help the Fed avoid accountability! It would . . .
* Severely limit the scope of any audit,
* Set unreasonable time-frames that will delay or postpone certain audits indefinitely,
* Permit some audits to be performed only one year after a program has been terminated.
Give me a break!
It should be perfectly obvious to any reasonable person that active Federal Reserve programs need the most accountability. And what about programs that are never terminated? Focusing audits on terminated programs is like closing the proverbial barn door after the cow is gone, while giving on-going programs a permanent pass.
Frankly, it seems to me that S 1803 is a fraud designed to preserve the status quo while fooling some Americans into thinking you’ve enacted a real reform. Where did this idea come from anyway? The banking lobby?
You politicians constantly claim that citizens who aren’t doing anything wrong have nothing to fear from their government. Well, if the Federal Reserve isn’t doing anything wrong then it too has nothing to fear. S 1803 actually enhances my suspicion that the Federal Reserve is probably doing lots of bad things!
The cure for this is transparency.
The self-serving political claim that Federal Reserve transparency would disrupt the financial markets is simply wrong. Financial markets require honesty and transparency for the efficient allocation of capital, and for systemic stability. The lack of transparency for Federal Reserve actions is actually the source of market disruption, and creates constant chaos in our international financial relationships.
Please audit the Fed! And make sure it’s a real audit, not a fake one.
Believe me, I’m paying close attention to how you represent me.
END OF SAMPLE LETTER
You can send your letter to Congress using the DownsizeDC.org Educate the Powerful System.
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October 26th, 2009 10:55 am |
by Mike Miller
|
Published in
Activism, Big Government, DownsizeDC.org, Health Care, Politics, congress |
D o w n s i z e r – D i s p a t c h
The healthcare bill and the cap and trade bill both threaten to completely remake two of the largest sectors of our economy. The President and Congressional leaders tell us these massive makeovers are so urgent that these bills must be passed soon — so soon that they can’t allow time to read them, even for 72 hours. But notice . . .
- They’re taking months to work out the gruesome details
- Most health care reforms won’t begin until 2013
- The effects of the cap&trade bill won’t be seen for decades
- After spending months on both of these bills, secret provisions will still be added at the last minute
In short, Congress is taking a long time to reach the point where they’ll rush these bills to a final vote, but then it will take years or decades for these bills to really take effect.
This is a contradiction. DownsizeDC.org’s Read the Bills Act would resolve the contradiction by compelling Congress to be deliberate.
Please send Congress a letter telling them they need to pass DownsizeDC.org’s Read the Bills Act.
You can use my letter as a model for your own, or simply past it into your personal comments . . .
Congress is taking months to craft legislation on health care and cap and trade. These bills will then have delayed implementations, or delayed effects. But despite these facts I know that you’ll rush them to a vote at the last minute, without taking the time to read them, understand them, or debate them. This is a contradiction.
I also know that many secret and probably unrelated provisions will be added to them at the last minute. This has happened so often in the past that I know you’ll do it again with the health care and cap & trade bills. This is irresponsible.
Neither I nor you will really know what you’ve passed for days or weeks after the final vote. This is intolerable.
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October 22nd, 2009 3:47 pm |
by Mike Miller
|
Published in
Activism, Big Government, DownsizeDC.org, Environment, Liberty, Market Regulation, Politics, congress, energy, globalism |
D o w n s i z e r – D i s p a t c h
Will President Obama sign a treaty in Copenhagen this December that will give international bureaucrats control over the U.S. economy?
Our own James Wilson has analyzed this issue on our blog.
The good news is that President Obama isn’t going to Copenhagen to sign a treaty, but he may sign a proposal that could lead to a treaty at a later date. The Copenhagen proposal is designed to create an international scheme to control carbon emissions (and the entire world economy in the bargain).
President Obama wants to have the “cap and trade” (cap and tax) bill passed before he goes to Copenhagen.
Our goal should be to send him to Denmark empty-handed.
Cap and trade should be defeated because . . .
- It hasn’t worked in Europe
- It probably isn’t the best way to control carbon emissions, assuming you believe that’s important
- The climate models that supposedly justify cap and trade have been consistently wrong
Cap and trade needs 60 votes to come to the floor in the Senate. If we can stop that from happening now then there’s no way that 67 Senators will come together later to ratify a treaty for the same purpose, especially if that treaty cedes American sovereignty to international organizations.
We must defeat cap and trade. We must send Obama to Denmark empty-handed.
Please send Congress a letter opposing cap and trade.
You can use my letter to Congress as a guide . . .
Read More »
October 21st, 2009 8:00 am |
by Marc Gallagher
|
Published in
Activism, Bailouts, Banking, Big Government, Commentary, Federal Reserve, Maven Commentary, Ron Paul |
Well, it was only a matter of time before this happened. Actions such as these are the reason the word “cynic” was created. Ron Paul’s HR.1207 (S.604 in the Senate) which would require a complete audit of the Federal Reserve has 303 cosponsors in the House and 30 in the Senate. Yesterday, a new bill was introduced by obviously bought and paid for lawmakers that is a “waterboarded” version of Ron Paul’s bill.
“The Federal Reserve Accountability Act” was introduced by Democrat Jeff Merkley and Republican Bob Corker yesterday. The bill takes the cake out of Paul’s bill and leaves nothing but the frosting.
The bill avoids review of the Fed’s regular lending programs, such as the longstanding discount window, and its interest-rate decisions.
So, it excludes the fundamentals, the very actions 75% of the American people say they want to know about. The attitude of these so-called representatives is reprehensible.
I’m willing to bet that Merkley and Corker have some large donors in the banking industry.
This may be expected, but it doesn’t mean those of us that support a full audit as outlined in Ron Paul’s bill should just lay down. If anything, the fight has just begun. Please call your representatives and make sure they understand the difference between the full audit and the waterboarded audit introduced yesterday. Tell them that you will not accept anything other than a full audit. It is time to take off the gloves and fight. It’s going to get dirty in DC. Well, more dirty than it already is.
Here is a PDF of the new bill.
Here is a Press Release from the Campaign For Liberty about the bill.
October 15th, 2009 9:53 am |
by Jake Towne
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Published in
Activism, Big Government, Foreign Policy, Liberty, Politics, War |
“The Congress shall have Power… to declare War.” – The Constitution of the United States, 1787-present. Article I, Section 8, Clause 11.
“No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.” – James Madison, 1795
Originally published October 14, 2009 at http://towneforcongress.com/economy/iraq-war-plank-1
Summary: As Congressman, I will drive for a rapid, immediate and orderly withdrawal from Iraq. Under no circumstances will I approve spending to extend this unconstitutional, preemptive war of aggression.
Besides the creating new dollars to debase the currency and spending taxpayer funds to fund war during adverse economic times, my justification for the position is the following:
First and foremost, without a declaration of war, the Iraq War is an unconstitutional and illegal war as it conflicts with the Constitution, the supreme law of the land. In dereliction of their duty and oaths of office, the House voted down by unanimous vote a motion in committee to follow the Constitution and declare war in H.R.J. 114, the bill that authorized Bush II to invade with attack in March 2003. (1) (2)
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October 14th, 2009 11:18 am |
by Mike Miller
|
Published in
Activism, DownsizeDC.org, Federal Reserve, Liberty, Politics, congress |
D o w n s i z e r – D i s p a t c h
Please send Congress another letter demanding that they audit the Federal Reserve.
Your constant pressure can make a difference, as evidenced by this email we just received from DC Downsizer Nick Hasulak . . .
“I’ve used the Educate the Powerful system to send probably over 30 messages to Senator Boxer regarding HR 1207/S604 (the Audit the Fed bill). As recently as August 27th, her response was basically “I’ll keep your opinions in mind”. Finally today, October 8th, I received an email stating that she had signed on as a co-sponsor to S604! It’s extremely gratifying to win this victory even if it is small! Knowing her past record, I know this change is due to nothing but constant pressure from the People. DownsizeDC works!”
The Audit the Fed bill currently has . . .
- 30 co-sponsors in the Senate (up by 3 since our last report)
- 301 co-sponsors in the House (up by 11 since our last report)
The Audit the Fed bill already has a substantial majority in the House. Can we achieve the same thing in the Senate? Here’s the letter I sent to my elected representatives to try and make this happen . . .
“Thank you to Representative Giffords and Senator McCain for co-sponsoring the Audit the Fed bill. I hope Senator Kyl will see fit to join them soon.”
Then, send your letter to Congress here.
Read More »
October 12th, 2009 4:50 pm |
by Marc Gallagher
|
Published in
Activism, Constitution, Liberty, rule of law |
Editor’s Note: This item comes to us from Ryan McCain of CC2009. Any organization or event that promotes enforcing the rule of law inherent in the U.S. Constitution is more than worthy of our time.
Citizens fed up with constitutional violations causing devastation to the economy and the Nation, are stepping up to join constitutional activist Robert L. Schulz, Chairman of We The People Foundation for Constitutional Education, to prepare for a modern-day Continental Congress to take place November 8-22, 2009 at the Pheasant Run Conference Center in St. Charles, Illinois. Continental Congress 2009 is not political or partisan and seeks to defend, not amend, the current Constitution.
Billed as the “next appropriate step for the free people of America,” planners hope the historic national assembly will inspire the critical mass necessary to restore constitutional governance. 153 citizen-nominated-and-elected Delegates – three from each state and Washington, D.C. — will convene for two weeks to methodically and factually document constitutional abuses which have taken place over many years, across many administrations, every branch of government and both parties. Delegates will consider specific non-violent, legal civic actions to stop the wrongs.
To help finance the historic event a .999 pure silver CC2009 commemorative round will be given for each donation of $100.00 or more. Planners are also seeking bigger donors they are calling the “patriotic, brave and wealthy” who “understand what Continental Congress can do for America.” Furthermore, a money bomb is also in the works.
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October 9th, 2009 10:32 am |
by Mike Miller
|
Published in
Activism, Big Government, Constitution, DownsizeDC.org, Federal Reserve, Free Market, Liberty, Money, Politics, gold, silver |
D o w n s i z e r – D i s p a t c h
This week the UK Independent newspaper reported that a host of countries are planning to abandon the use of Federal Reserve Notes, for oil purchases.
You should ask Congress to give you the same option for your own transactions. Otherwise, you risk losing everything you’ve worked for.
Send another letter to Congress asking them to repeal the legal tender law that forces you to do business ONLY in Federal Reserve Notes. In your personal comments use the latest news about countries dropping the dollar for oil transactions.
Here’s what I wrote in my letter to Congress . . .
Several countries are making plans to stop using Federal Reserve Notes for oil purchases. I want the same freedom for my personal transactions.
The Fed has nearly doubled the money supply since last Fall. This will cut the future value of my savings in half and send my cost of living through the roof. Add to that . . .
* The $100 trillion in unfunded liabilities for Social Security and Medicare
* Your big bailout schemes,
* Your so-called stimulus package,
* Your cap and trade boondoggle,
* Your disastrous healthcare plans, and the result is . . .
I see no hope for the dollar. You guys have ruined our currency, and I WANT OUT.
If foreigners can stop using Federal Reserve Notes, I should have the same freedom. Why should foreigners have more right to control their own economic destiny than I do?
Many in Washington claim they want to protect the Fed’s independence. What about my independence? I just want you to repeal the legal tender law so I can use forms of money other than Federal Reserve Notes (like gold and silver for instance). Doing this would also moderate the Fed’s behavior. If they want me to keep using Federal Reserve Notes then they’ll have to stop their legalized counterfeiting activities.
Please represent me. Break the Federal Reserve’s money monopoly. Give me the same right that foreigners have.
You can send your own letter to Congress using DownsizeDC.org’s Educate the Powerful System.
Read More »
September 30th, 2009 2:16 pm |
by Mike Miller
|
Published in
Activism, Big Government, Federal Reserve, Liberty, Politics, congress |
As most readers of Liberty Maven know, there’s been a push for quite some time now to get the Federal Reserve audited, a first small step in getting it abolished altogether (in my mind).
As many have done, I’ve contacted my Congressmen and Senators to let them know that I unequivocally support the Fed audit and that they should too.
Now that we have 296 Congressmen and 28 Senators co-sponsoring the bill(s), I received an email today from Senator Barbara Mikulski from Maryland. Her response, included below, is one huge noncommittal non-answer. What she’s basically doing is waiting until the last minute when she’s pressured to make a decision, and then she’ll stick a moistened finger up into the air to determine which way the political winds are blowing. Then she’ll join the side with the momentum and suddenly become vociferous that she’s been on that side all along. I just hope she ends up joining the fight to audit the Fed.
- – - -
Dear Mr. Miller:
Thank you for getting in touch with me about the Federal Reserve. It’s great to hear from you.
I appreciate hearing your views and I understand your concerns. Congress created the Fed in 1913 to serve as the central bank and set monetary policy for the United States. It has two equally critical goals: to promote full employment and contain inflation. Pursuing these goals requires the Federal Reserve be insulated against political pressures so that it can make decisions in the long term best interests of the economy. At the same time, the Fed must be accountable for its actions. This is especially true now after the Fed has taken such dramatic and unprecedented steps to head off the collapse of the financial system and the economy.
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