I think it’s a great idea for Rand to release videos like these. In doing so he becomes more than just Ron Paul’s son. We get to know him as an individual rather than through his father. Hopefully these “get to know me” style videos continue.

Rand Paul is scheduled to be on the Brian and The Judge show on Fox News Radio during the 9am (Eastern) hour. He is also scheduled to be on with the Judge on Freedom Watch this afternoon at 2pm with several other freedom loving guests.

The gift agreement stipulates that WCU’s College of Business will use the money—plus another $500,000 in matching funds it hopes to obtain from the state Legislature—to create a new “BB&T Distinguished Professorship in Capitalism” and develop a program exploring “the moral and ethical foundation of capitalism,” according to the school’s Nov. 17 announcement. While the new program will encompass “all points of view,” the agreement specifically focuses on just one, “the philosophy of objectivism as portrayed by Ayn Rand in her classic novel Atlas Shrugged and in her essays,” the announcement states.

There are some who believe this is dangerous territory for colleges to tread upon saying that corporations should not have this kind of influence on what gets taught in the classroom. I believe we need more of this, not less. In essence this is free market capitalism at work.

If a college doesn’t want to abide by the stipulations accompanying any monetary gift then they can refrain from accepting the gift. According to the article some already have.

It is stories like these that give me hope that capitalism isn’t quite dead yet.

(Thanks to Tim Peck for pointing us to the article)

…[Cultural Marxists] took over and began acting, well, like lunatics. I learned from the local media that the former academic vice president had rejected an applicant for a top job because the applicant “wasn’t black enough.” The job was academic vice president for diversity and the interviewee was an African-American man with very impressive credentials. According to news reports, this man was told that he was well qualified, but that the College preferred an African-American with somewhat darker skin.

So here was a man who had probably been discriminated against in employment during his lifetime who had reached the peak of his professional career, and was interviewing for what was probably his dream job. And he is told he wasn’t getting the job, once again, because of his skin color. And you probably thought “lunatic” was too strong a word.

This is a very entertaining article. Highly recommended.  Read it here.

“I don’t see any easy answers.”

Greenspan “used to know what capitalism was about.”

Allowing “the federal reserve chairman to have the power is the problem.”

“It’s a flawed system.”

“They are intellectually arrogant.”

“No one knows what the proper rate of interest is. It’s always too high or too low.”

“…this new mission marks the first time an active unit has been given a dedicated assignment to NorthCom, a joint command established in 2002 to provide command and control for federal homeland defense efforts and coordinate defense support of civil authorities.”

“The 1st BCT’s soldiers also will learn how to use ‘the first ever nonlethal package that the Army has fielded,’ 1st BCT commander Col. Roger Cloutier said, referring to crowd and traffic control equipment and nonlethal weapons designed to subdue unruly or dangerous individuals without killing them.”

So, then, what is an unruly crowd?  Is it anything at all akin to the peaceful, park-loving protesters and bystanders who were spontaneously surrounded by SWAT Police in full riot gear and arrested on Labor Day in St. Paul, Minnesota?

Folks, this concerns me.  In fact, quite frankly, this makes me want to go run and find a cave.

Let’s look at the big picture:

1) We won’t defend our borders, and, quite frankly, neither of the two mainstream Presidential candidates are interested in any action on that front. Instead, we’ve got volunteer Minutemen who have to do the government’s duty, from spotting illegal immigrants and alerting authorities on the border of McCain’s home state of Arizona, to building a fence in Texas.

2) We now have greater civil unrest in Mexico, as the Mexican Mafia has now turned to terrorist-like acts of violence against citizens, as opposed to singling out politicians and others involved in the drug trade. In fact, as civil unrest and violence in Mexico increase at our own borders, and even crosses over them into our own nation, the government decides that the most sensible and effective course of action is to label these individuals as “narcoterrorists”. Instead of focusing on the most TRULY sensible and logical next step, working to secure our borders, Washington now uses recent events as a justification for increasing “its investment in the fight against the drug trade by spending $2 billion in counternarcotics aid money to Mexico and Central America through the Merida Initiative.” Well, why not?  The War on Drugs and the War on Terror haven’t been successful so far, so why not throw a couple more billion at the problem, doing the exact opposite of what common sense dictates?

3) Speaking of the War On Terror, has anyone noticed that Osama Bin Laden was never charged with a crime for his involvement in 9/11?  Has anyone noticed that no criteria have ever been suggested towards an identification of success, or victory, in the War on Terror?  Heck, even Asia, which is “home to more Muslims than the Middle East”, believes that “the current US administration has been overly focused on the Middle East”.

So, we’re not accomplishing anything by “addressing threats abroad”, or by fighting a “War on Drugs”, or even with the official Border Patrol.  Yet, we will train our militaries for domestic crowd control?  Congress and the military will put together equipment to stand up a hasty road block; spike strips for slowing, stopping or controlling traffic…, but they won’t defend our borders, or even bother to read Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, which specifically states that everything they are doing is THE EXACT OPPOSITE of what they are empowered and obligated to do?:

…To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations;

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

To provide and maintain a Navy;

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress…

Congress is, at this very moment, collapsing our economy.  Whether you believe that the Wall Street disasters are incidents of negligence or of deliberate fraud and corruption, the end result is the same:  our government has failed us, and it won’t take much more for a total economic collapse.  It would seem to me that, in the event of a total economic collapse, there might be a little bit of “civil unrest”.  Apparently, the U.S. Government also feels that our country is headed down this path, as they are doing more to prepare for “dealing with crowds” than they are about returning to the Fundamentals of the Founding Fathers in an effort to nurture and naturally heal this country back to a position of financial strength.

Originally published by Jake, the Champion of the Constitution on August 1, 2008, at http://www.nolanchart.com/article4396.html

Dear Reader,

This series will seek to explain what I’ve nicknamed the Money Matrix. We will first discuss what money really is or should be, then educate ourselves on why the current global monetary system is intrinsically flawed. As we proceed, taboo topics or not-well-understood time-bombs like the Federal Reserve, financial derivatives, and hyperinflation will be discussed. The last part of the series will seek to provide basic understandings of US big government finances such as the national debt, social security, the income tax, the trade deficit, etc. My goal is to explain this as simply as possible and how the current global monetary policy is morally wrong, so please ask any questions as probably both you and I will learn something further.

However, anything I write will just be tidbits of a greater truth, what I write will not be a substitute for thorough understanding. With that end in mind, I’ve included an online source list with comments at the end of this letter for you, the Reader, to peruse.

For your reference, this column really started with my outrage and personal search for truth concerning the morally wrong American wars of invasion or the “War on Terror,” but in a way I now believe I have been treating just a particularly egregious symptom, not the disease itself. Like Neo choosing the pill of reality, I believe I have at last come in contact with the walls of this ‘Matrix’, and having ripped a hole in it, and at long last can peek out and gaze at a reality for the first time from the outside in. I see how this Matrix has enslaved (or controlled, take your pick) all, and constrained mankind from our full potential. I see how this Matrix has enabled more wars and strife for our world, and I will now oppose it, rid of my ignorance. However, make no mistake, history is littered with battles of free men against this Matrix, and the wreckage of defeat is strewn throughout the sands of time, as well as the modern day. (To clarify the ‘Money Matrix’ idea, I believe it just consists of people and groups with their own motives, ideas, beliefs, resources, and desires, not some type of wacko conspiracy. These people (just like I) are just acting out life in their vision which may include “for the greater good of all” or for more self-centered reasons.)

I stand on the shoulders of giants like Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Murray Rothbard and Ludwig von Mises, and follow in the footsteps of modern-day heroes like Dr. Ron Paul, Chris Powell, John Williams, and Lance Detweiller, so what I will write is not a brand new way thinking, but it certainly will be new for many. However, let’s see if I can interest you, Reader, with anything I write. Although the evils of this Matrix are depressing and will likely result in tumultuous times, especially for America, I will include my thoughts on what could be a very bright future – the name may very well be Austrian economics although there are other possibilities. It is your decision, Reader, not mine, on whatever you do next, thanks for reading.

However, the main purpose of this series is simply to interest and educate. Knowledge truly is Power. It has also been my discovery that Liberty comes as a package, of economic freedoms, personal and civil freedoms, or freedom from war. A free society cannot just have one part without the whole, just as a keystone needs the rest of the arch. I urge all Readers to ask any questions or leave any comments in the articles, or send me an email at forchrissakesbreakthematrix@gmail.com.

Fortunately, if my version of freedom is what you want, it is yours for the taking. Let’s get started.

In Liberty,

Jake, the Champion of the Constitution

www.campaignforliberty.com

Coming up next is Part 2, which asks the simple question, what is a dollar bill worth?

The Money Matrix – What is a Dollar Bill Worth? (PART 2/15)
Published: August 2, 2008
“Living so free is a tragedy when you can’t see what you need to see!” – Powerman 5000 ‘Free’

The Money Matrix – What Makes Money Money? (PART 3/15)
Published: August 3, 2008
A quick history of money per Rothbard followed by the properties of money per Ron Paul

____________________________________________________

Money Matrix Source List

(if any links don’t work send me an email and I will email you the pdf file, with the exception of the link to Anthem, which has copyright issues)

Rothbard, Murray N. “What has the Government Done with Our Money? ” (1990) A 50-page document that describes Austrian economics. This is the critical key to everything in this series. Rothbard has written a host of other great sources as well, like the 1994 work “The Case Against the Fed. ”

Detweiller, Lance. “Fractional Reserve Banking as Economic Parasitism. ” (2002) Simply a powerful modern comparison to how the current global monetary system is stealing from the people. Strongly recommended for anyone with an elementary knowledge of the banking systems, or can be read after the Federal Reserve articles in this series. Detweiller’s views of the future are quite interesting, whether it is a “full-reserves” system, or “honest money.” For those who may be put off by his scientific correlations to the Ideal Gas Law, thermodynamics, electrical currents, etc. just press through, these are meant as food for thought, not literally. The rest of this 60-pager is worth your while.

Bastiat, Frederic. “The Law .” (1848) Takes an hour to absorb, it is so key to understand his concept of how the government can “legally plunder.” Bastiat describes why the force of the state used to rob or redistribute wealth from the populace is a major moral wrong. Bastiat wrote this in France as the socialists drove the country to ruin. This source and the Ayn Rand novella below are best to read before the latter part of the series on the massive US government finances.

Rand, Ayn. “Anthem ” (1938) A short 25-page novella set in a future of totalitarian government control. Just as elegant as Bastiat, Rand was warning the world to be on guard against the evil side of socialism, or the sacrifice of yourself for the good of all, many elements of which are present in the United States today.

Williams, John. “Hyperinflation Special Report. ” (2008) Great reading on worst-case scenario for the dollar. I myself delved into Weimar hyperinflation in a previous article here .

Paul, Ron. “Pillars of Prosperity. ” (2008) A 400+ page compilation of Dr. Paul’s writings. After reading these, one realizes that Dr. Paul did very little recent work in putting together his best-selling “The Revolution” as most of this book was written 20+ years ago.

Powell, Chris. “There Are No Markets Anymore; Just Interventions. ” (2008) Article focused on the suppression of the gold market.

Millar, Peter. “The Relevance and Importance of Gold in the World Monetary System. ” (2006). Self-explanatory title. Understanding Graph 2 on page 3 is key.

Greenspan, Alan. “Gold and Economic Freedom. ” (1966) Interesting work from the Maestro prior to his conversion to inflationary Keynesian theory.

Mises, Ludwig von. “Human Action: A Treatise on Economics .” (1966). Heavy duty reading, but is a classic of the Austrian school and Ron Paul.

Anonymous. “Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars. ” (1979?) Whether the author was an individual or a government is fairly moot. The crux of this document is the idea for a weapon system unlike all others that stealthily takes over and controls society. The idea that this is possible is important to grasp. See also the Detweiller article. One concept, that of economic shock treatment, is similar to Naomi Klein’s theory in the new bestseller “The Shock Doctrine.”

_________________________________________________________

Other Recommended Articles on the Honest Money from the Author [Reach the Author Here!]

The 3 Trillion Dollar Government: Hyperinflation in America? (Part 1/2)
Published: July 13, 2008
A Prelude. Interesting statistics on the Federal Government Taxation and Deficit, the Trade Deficit, the National Debt, and more

Calling All Wheelbarrows: Hyperinflation in America? (Part 2/2)
Published: July 16, 2008
“Let it not be said that No One Cared, that No One Objected, once it is realized that our Liberties and our Wealth are in Jeopardy.” – Dr. Ron Paul

Bob Barr, What is the Cost of Money? Because Ron Paul and I think you Don’t Know (PART 4/6)
Published: June 6, 2008
A Ron Paul Revolutionary asks Bob Barr if he knows how much a Steel Penny is worth.

Dear Bob Barr, Ron Paul Knows where the “Road to Roota” Leads, Do You? (PART 5/6)
Published: June 6, 2008
Bob Barr, relax for a bit and read a lovely Federal Reserve state-sponsored comic book for schoolchildren. Then tell me what it means.

Billionaires for the Ron Paul Revolution (PART 6/6)
Published: June 6, 2008
Bob Barr, where are the Billionaires that Support You? Jim Rogers, Axel Merk, Peter Schiff all support Ron Paul.

Find the speech audio here at Lone Star Liberty, the official blog of the Libertarian Party of Texas.

1. As a doctor, he did not accept Medicare or Medicaid. He would do the work for free or work at a greatly lowered payment or payment plan for needy patients.
2. He has a son named “Rand”. There seems to be no official word on whether the name was chosen as a tribute to Ayn Rand.
3. Paul supported his children during their undergraduate and medical school years, not allowing them to take part in subsidized federal student loan programs.
4. He had decided to enter politics on August 15, 1971, when President Richard Nixon went off the gold standard completely. He said, “After that day, all money would be political money rather than money of real value. I was astounded.”
5. Paul delivered babies on Mondays and Saturdays during his entire term as the 22nd District representative.
6. Paul said that he was doing more during his 1988 presidential run than reach office: he was trying to spread his liberty-minded ideas and would often talk to school groups that weren’t old enough to vote. “We’re just as interested in the future generation as this election. These kids will vote eventually, and maybe, just maybe, they’ll go home and talk to their parents.”
7. Paul has said that when he has money left over from campaigns, he either transfers it to his next campaign fund or donates it to charity.
8. In an “overwhelmingly rural region,” Paul opposes farm subsidies because they go to big corporations rather than small farmers. Despite voting against bills with large support in Congress, such as the farm bill, the congressman’s “contrarian nature” and devotion to lowering taxes appeals to voters in the 14th District.
9. He attends graduations, civic ceremonies, and Boy Scout honor ceremonies. In an expansive district, it is not unusual for him to log more than 300 miles per day visiting constituents or handling their concerns. He is particularly effective at reaching 14th District voters on veterans’ issues, such as procuring medals for war veterans who lost or never received their medals; he holds medal ceremonies for those whose medals are being presented.
10. He has helped senior citizens of the district get free or low-cost prescription drugs through a little-known drug company program.
11. Paul was one of 17 members of a bipartisan coalition of members of Congress who filed a lawsuit against President Bill Clinton in 1999 over his conduct of the war in Kosovo. In the filing, they accused Clinton of not reporting to Congress within 48 hours on the status of the action as required by the 1973 War Powers Resolution and not first obtaining a declaration of war from Congress as required in the Constitution.
12. Paul introduced legislation to declare war on Iraq in October 2002. He said he would not vote for his own bill, but if his fellow members of Congress wished to go to war in Iraq, they should follow the Constitution and declare war.
13. Unlike many political candidates, Paul receives the overwhelming majority of his campaign contributions (96.8% in 2005–2006) from individuals.

BONUS: Ron Paul’s middle name is “Ernest”. The name Ernest is derived from the German word ernst, approximately meaning honest and trustworthy.

NOTE: All items listed are taken directly from Ron Paul’s Wikipedia page. These are items that I found most interesting. If you want citations then please see the Wikipedia page for them.

The book is a modern day version of “The Fountainhead” by Ayn Rand. It explores the logical progression of government run/mandated health care where the doctors are beholden to government administrator’s decisions on how to treat patients and only the lowest cost / lowest common denominator treatments are authorized by the government. Today Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have pushed for nationalized health care. Obama has recently revealed his “plan” to cover every American.

An article that articulates why this is such a bad plan and idea can be found here.

Obama’s Health Care Plan: Wrong RX by Michael D. Tanner

Tanner explains how Obama’s plan will cause higher taxes, less choice, lost jobs, and worse care than we have today.