Thursday, December 9, 2010
Dr. Ron Paul is now the Chairman
Dr. Ron Paul is now the Chairman of the House Domestic Monetary Policies Subcommittee! http://dailypaul.com/node/151680
Saturday, August 14, 2010
The Tax Trap: How a Florida Couple Declined Participation in a Government Ponzi Scheme and Ended Up in Prison by Bill Sardi
Your property may be confiscated if you write checks under $10,000 The Tax Trap: How a Florida Couple Declined Participation in a Government Ponzi Scheme and Ended Up in Prison by Bill Sardi
Monday, July 12, 2010
The Federal Election Commission is attacking Ron Paul's Campaign For Liberty. See the email sent to me:
Dear Liberty Activist, The FEC has launched a pair of investigations on Campaign for Liberty. Both are meritless, but could seriously disrupt our growing program.Please read Campaign for Liberty President John Tate's letter below and stand with us. This is exactly the type of government action to quell liberty that I have spent my life opposing.
Sincerely, Congressman Ron Paul
Dear Friend of Liberty, The best way to know you are succeeding in changing Washington is when you get attacked by the FEC. And attack us they have! I'm writing you this letter today not to scare you or to cry wolf. I'm writing to let you know that our success has its price, and that price right now is the wrath of the Obama Administration and its attack dogs at the Federal Election Commission. I urge you to read this message and then sign the Declaration of Support (in which I ask for your advice on a critical legal and moral question), as we are forced into battle with federal agencies and courts. You see, this isn't theoretical. They've already come after us in multiple cases, alleging that Campaign for Liberty has acted illegally merely by putting the candidates on the record and reporting their positions. My attorneys tell me we are under a gag rule and cannot go in to too many details or even tell you with what we have been charged and where the charges originated. But I can say there have been at least two complaints filed in two different states against our issue discussion activities. They claim we are in violation of various FEC rules and laws. Their allegations are completely false. And we must fight back now, or they will win and be able to silence our movement.
You see, the Washington, D.C., establishment doesn't like to be challenged. They hate it when we fight back. They are absolutely BESIDE themselves when we are winning.In less than 2 years, your Campaign for Liberty has become a major force on the American political landscape. I can give you a list of our accomplishments, talk about our growth (we are approaching half a million members), and show you press coverage from across the nation on our efforts. But nothing shows our success more than how our enemies react when challenged. When that happens, they do what they do best: use the power of the federal government to attack us. They want to do one of two things: shut us up, or shut us down. This battle is over a very fundamental idea - that Campaign for Liberty and our members should have a voice in lobbying their legislators and exposing the radical views of candidates for office. Exposing what they're up to - that's what the powers that be can't stand. That's because they don't want Americans to know:** Congress is spending at a record pace and has now left us over 13 TRILLION dollars in debt, with no end in sight.** The out of control FED has not accounted for nearly 2 trillion dollars and has doubled our monetary base, risking our entire economy.** The federal government has imposed a mandate that every American either purchase a health care product the Feds approve of, costing tens of thousands of dollars, or risk fines and jail time.** The federal government has attempted to take away your 1st, 2nd and 4th Amendment rights, all in the past year, with more certainly to come.
We're exposing them - and holding them accountable as they come back home to seek reelection. Of course, this may not sound like the end of the world. But just think: the FEC has an ARMY of lawyers and a budget of nearly $70 MILLION dollars. That's a lot of lawyers. And add to it the fact that this group of people is adamantly against free speech under the First Amendment, and well, you have a recipe for trouble.Subpoenas. Depositions. Fishing expeditions that cover tens of thousands of documents.Legal fees just to defend our right to free speech.Thousands of hours of staff time to comply with their demands. You can see where this is going.If FEC radicals succeed, I will not even be allowed to tell you and your neighbors how candidates for the House and Senate (or for President in the future) have voted on Liberty issues, so you can put the heat on them when they are most likely to listen. Let me explain that a bit more. For the first time ever, there is a nationwide group that is dedicated to holding politicians accountable for their votes on Liberty issues. It's Campaign for Liberty, and our over 450,000 members are doing battle across the country to hold the politicians' feet to the fire.Whether it is getting more than 300 sponsors for Audit the Fed, or lobbying to stop Cap and Tax and Real ID schemes, Campaign for Liberty is making a difference.And we're prepared to make an even bigger difference this fall, as the time comes to inform the people where their candidates stand.So the statists in Washington are out to make sure that doesn't happen. Their main weapon is the Federal Election Commission.The FEC has always been against free speech and a tool of the powerful elite in Washington, who desperately seek to hang on to power.But as bad as the FEC has been since its inception, with the Obama Administration in power, you and I face even more aggressive assaults on our free speech. My attorneys have warned me that the puppets at the Federal Election Commission are ordering me to stop mobilizing hundreds of thousands of Americans against power grabs in Congress. In doing so, they are trying to cripple our ability to stop dangerous legislation in Congress. If we continue to oppose these Liberty-stealing bills as we have in the past, I face the danger of multimillion-dollar fines and even a jail term! In fact, I may even be questioned in court for writing this letter tonight. I must make a decision soon. Should I allow the Federal Election Commission to tie my hands during this crucial election year? Or should I defy their gag-rule regulations . . . and face prosecution from the out of control federal authorities for exercising our right to political speech?
Please give me your answer by filling out the Declaration of Support. If you and other members want me to proceed with our efforts to inform the public of the positions of your candidates on Liberty issues, and to oppose legislation in the Congress (and I hope you do), I will also need your financial help.So please consider making a generous contribution of 10, 20 or even 40 for this battle, if you can.The fact is the enemies of Liberty are preparing for a political attack far more serious than their election power grab of 2008, in which they put in power some of the biggest enemies of freedom and promoters of Big Government in a generation.Our program to stop more statist takeovers in Congress is simple. By mobilizing our grassroots army, we can put a lot of heat on individual Congressmen and Senators. The FEC insists we can't do that during election years. They say by telling you where your Congressman and Senators stand, I may influence your vote. The FEC election regulators contend that's illegal electioneering. Basically, government bureaucrats and their out of control regulations insist I dismantle our lobbying operation during election years -- precisely at the time it would have its greatest impact. Top legal experts tell me that this harassment by the FEC and any attempts to shut down our program violate several decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court and are flatly unconstitutional. But they also warn me that if I challenge the FEC ruling, I may face a huge, tax-funded lawsuit which could stretch on for decades and cost us as much as a million dollars. In addition to potential million-dollar fines and legal penalties, I also face an enormous funding challenge.Our program to fight back in Congress will require at least $3.2 million. So there are a lot of decisions to make, and I wanted to be sure I have your support as we move forward. If I am to proceed with this effort (which I am hoping you will allow), I will need more than just your authorization. I will need your financial support as well. I'm hoping you will be able to help with a special contribution of 10, 20 or 40. But perhaps you could afford even more. Every dollar, every quarter, every dime will be used to defeat dangerous Liberty-stealing schemes in Congress and in all 50 states. Arthur, please respond soon. This is one of the most far-reaching questions I have ever had to pose to you. The future of Campaign for Liberty is at stake.If our people are heard, I am sure Liberty will once again thrive in our country. And we are making great strides in even just the past year.So please, act today. If you believe our voices should be heard, and that the federal government CANNOT be allowed to silence them, it's vital you answer today. Please fill out your Declaration of Support, and consider making a generous contribution of 10, 20, or even 40 today.
http://www.chooseliberty.org/fecattacks1.aspx?pid=fc15&r=10
Thank you for all you do for Liberty. In Liberty, John Tate President
PS: Your Declaration of Support and your maximum possible contribution today will ensure Campaign for Liberty will be able to keep fighting this election year.Just like in 2008, the establishment and statists are desperate to shut us up or shut us down. They don't want to have their records exposed. You and I cannot give them the playing field. We must fight back today.
Sincerely, Congressman Ron Paul
Dear Friend of Liberty, The best way to know you are succeeding in changing Washington is when you get attacked by the FEC. And attack us they have! I'm writing you this letter today not to scare you or to cry wolf. I'm writing to let you know that our success has its price, and that price right now is the wrath of the Obama Administration and its attack dogs at the Federal Election Commission. I urge you to read this message and then sign the Declaration of Support (in which I ask for your advice on a critical legal and moral question), as we are forced into battle with federal agencies and courts. You see, this isn't theoretical. They've already come after us in multiple cases, alleging that Campaign for Liberty has acted illegally merely by putting the candidates on the record and reporting their positions. My attorneys tell me we are under a gag rule and cannot go in to too many details or even tell you with what we have been charged and where the charges originated. But I can say there have been at least two complaints filed in two different states against our issue discussion activities. They claim we are in violation of various FEC rules and laws. Their allegations are completely false. And we must fight back now, or they will win and be able to silence our movement.
You see, the Washington, D.C., establishment doesn't like to be challenged. They hate it when we fight back. They are absolutely BESIDE themselves when we are winning.In less than 2 years, your Campaign for Liberty has become a major force on the American political landscape. I can give you a list of our accomplishments, talk about our growth (we are approaching half a million members), and show you press coverage from across the nation on our efforts. But nothing shows our success more than how our enemies react when challenged. When that happens, they do what they do best: use the power of the federal government to attack us. They want to do one of two things: shut us up, or shut us down. This battle is over a very fundamental idea - that Campaign for Liberty and our members should have a voice in lobbying their legislators and exposing the radical views of candidates for office. Exposing what they're up to - that's what the powers that be can't stand. That's because they don't want Americans to know:** Congress is spending at a record pace and has now left us over 13 TRILLION dollars in debt, with no end in sight.** The out of control FED has not accounted for nearly 2 trillion dollars and has doubled our monetary base, risking our entire economy.** The federal government has imposed a mandate that every American either purchase a health care product the Feds approve of, costing tens of thousands of dollars, or risk fines and jail time.** The federal government has attempted to take away your 1st, 2nd and 4th Amendment rights, all in the past year, with more certainly to come.
We're exposing them - and holding them accountable as they come back home to seek reelection. Of course, this may not sound like the end of the world. But just think: the FEC has an ARMY of lawyers and a budget of nearly $70 MILLION dollars. That's a lot of lawyers. And add to it the fact that this group of people is adamantly against free speech under the First Amendment, and well, you have a recipe for trouble.Subpoenas. Depositions. Fishing expeditions that cover tens of thousands of documents.Legal fees just to defend our right to free speech.Thousands of hours of staff time to comply with their demands. You can see where this is going.If FEC radicals succeed, I will not even be allowed to tell you and your neighbors how candidates for the House and Senate (or for President in the future) have voted on Liberty issues, so you can put the heat on them when they are most likely to listen. Let me explain that a bit more. For the first time ever, there is a nationwide group that is dedicated to holding politicians accountable for their votes on Liberty issues. It's Campaign for Liberty, and our over 450,000 members are doing battle across the country to hold the politicians' feet to the fire.Whether it is getting more than 300 sponsors for Audit the Fed, or lobbying to stop Cap and Tax and Real ID schemes, Campaign for Liberty is making a difference.And we're prepared to make an even bigger difference this fall, as the time comes to inform the people where their candidates stand.So the statists in Washington are out to make sure that doesn't happen. Their main weapon is the Federal Election Commission.The FEC has always been against free speech and a tool of the powerful elite in Washington, who desperately seek to hang on to power.But as bad as the FEC has been since its inception, with the Obama Administration in power, you and I face even more aggressive assaults on our free speech. My attorneys have warned me that the puppets at the Federal Election Commission are ordering me to stop mobilizing hundreds of thousands of Americans against power grabs in Congress. In doing so, they are trying to cripple our ability to stop dangerous legislation in Congress. If we continue to oppose these Liberty-stealing bills as we have in the past, I face the danger of multimillion-dollar fines and even a jail term! In fact, I may even be questioned in court for writing this letter tonight. I must make a decision soon. Should I allow the Federal Election Commission to tie my hands during this crucial election year? Or should I defy their gag-rule regulations . . . and face prosecution from the out of control federal authorities for exercising our right to political speech?
Please give me your answer by filling out the Declaration of Support. If you and other members want me to proceed with our efforts to inform the public of the positions of your candidates on Liberty issues, and to oppose legislation in the Congress (and I hope you do), I will also need your financial help.So please consider making a generous contribution of 10, 20 or even 40 for this battle, if you can.The fact is the enemies of Liberty are preparing for a political attack far more serious than their election power grab of 2008, in which they put in power some of the biggest enemies of freedom and promoters of Big Government in a generation.Our program to stop more statist takeovers in Congress is simple. By mobilizing our grassroots army, we can put a lot of heat on individual Congressmen and Senators. The FEC insists we can't do that during election years. They say by telling you where your Congressman and Senators stand, I may influence your vote. The FEC election regulators contend that's illegal electioneering. Basically, government bureaucrats and their out of control regulations insist I dismantle our lobbying operation during election years -- precisely at the time it would have its greatest impact. Top legal experts tell me that this harassment by the FEC and any attempts to shut down our program violate several decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court and are flatly unconstitutional. But they also warn me that if I challenge the FEC ruling, I may face a huge, tax-funded lawsuit which could stretch on for decades and cost us as much as a million dollars. In addition to potential million-dollar fines and legal penalties, I also face an enormous funding challenge.Our program to fight back in Congress will require at least $3.2 million. So there are a lot of decisions to make, and I wanted to be sure I have your support as we move forward. If I am to proceed with this effort (which I am hoping you will allow), I will need more than just your authorization. I will need your financial support as well. I'm hoping you will be able to help with a special contribution of 10, 20 or 40. But perhaps you could afford even more. Every dollar, every quarter, every dime will be used to defeat dangerous Liberty-stealing schemes in Congress and in all 50 states. Arthur, please respond soon. This is one of the most far-reaching questions I have ever had to pose to you. The future of Campaign for Liberty is at stake.If our people are heard, I am sure Liberty will once again thrive in our country. And we are making great strides in even just the past year.So please, act today. If you believe our voices should be heard, and that the federal government CANNOT be allowed to silence them, it's vital you answer today. Please fill out your Declaration of Support, and consider making a generous contribution of 10, 20, or even 40 today.
http://www.chooseliberty.org/fecattacks1.aspx?pid=fc15&r=10
Thank you for all you do for Liberty. In Liberty, John Tate President
PS: Your Declaration of Support and your maximum possible contribution today will ensure Campaign for Liberty will be able to keep fighting this election year.Just like in 2008, the establishment and statists are desperate to shut us up or shut us down. They don't want to have their records exposed. You and I cannot give them the playing field. We must fight back today.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
How Did We Loose All The Jobs Here?
First back in Nixon's time, we were on the Bretton Woods System where all currencies were tied to the US dollar. Nixon took us off the the BWS since other countries complained that the US wasn't living up to it's agreement.
Nixon also took us off the gold standard. This opened the door for inflation. The USD began to devaluate and continues to devaluate. So when the price of goods became higher due to this devaluation, people were no longer able to keep up with the cost of living.
So in order to keep the economy going the banks began to loosen up the credit.
So people who couldn't obtain a credit card could do so now. Then came the bankruptcies.People who couldn't pay their debt declared bankruptcy.
But then came the new law that you had to pay your debt regardless.
Then the Republican party came up with the idea which was implemented by Clinton called the Free Trade Agreement.
This would bring in cheap imports to compliment the weak dollar. Once this happened along with over regulation and over demanding Unions, it opened the door for our companies to flee to other countries.
Clinton tried to cover up for this by opening the door for banks to give credit for new home buyers even if they didn't qualify. This way there would be plenty of new construction of new homes. And that's how the housing bubble got started and wrecked are economy.
I remember when we had a thriving industry.
I remember when I looked up in the sky here in New York City, it was filled with smog and I couldn't see the stars.I remember when it only took me one day to find a job.
I remember when US citizens were working the jobs that Illegal Aliens now work for cheaper pay.
I remember when this was the land of opportunity.
Now it's all up to you folks. Are you ready to reverse all these things that has happened?Going back on the gold standard, putting Tariffs back on imports and giving companies a fair shake if they come and reopen here.
Are we going to stick together and have the laws enforced on illegal immigrants and have the troops come home to secure our own border?
Do you really want to bring the America that we knew back?
Do you still want to give away billions of our tax dollars in foreign aid that can be helping us to get out of this mess?
Are you ready to fight against the corruption that exists in our government?
Because if not get ready for the same that's happening in Chicago.
Because if not we will be a nation that's no better then Mexico.
Because if not the people of this country will have no future.
Because if we don't restore the Constitution, it's all over.
Do we have the same kind of stuff as the people who built this nation? We'll see.
Some people threw stones at them and weren't satisfied with what we had.
I say to them, what have you done that serves us now? Where is your miracle? Is living in insecurity, instability your idea of a wholesome life?
And I say to you, let us join hands as one voice. Because I tell you that the numbers of discontentment that have came to us speak for themselves through out the country.
It's the voice of freedom and how sweet it is. Will you stand with us in the glory that's just on the other side?
Do you still have some of that American spirit in you? Join us at http://www.campaignforliberty.com/
Nixon also took us off the gold standard. This opened the door for inflation. The USD began to devaluate and continues to devaluate. So when the price of goods became higher due to this devaluation, people were no longer able to keep up with the cost of living.
So in order to keep the economy going the banks began to loosen up the credit.
So people who couldn't obtain a credit card could do so now. Then came the bankruptcies.People who couldn't pay their debt declared bankruptcy.
But then came the new law that you had to pay your debt regardless.
Then the Republican party came up with the idea which was implemented by Clinton called the Free Trade Agreement.
This would bring in cheap imports to compliment the weak dollar. Once this happened along with over regulation and over demanding Unions, it opened the door for our companies to flee to other countries.
Clinton tried to cover up for this by opening the door for banks to give credit for new home buyers even if they didn't qualify. This way there would be plenty of new construction of new homes. And that's how the housing bubble got started and wrecked are economy.
I remember when we had a thriving industry.
I remember when I looked up in the sky here in New York City, it was filled with smog and I couldn't see the stars.I remember when it only took me one day to find a job.
I remember when US citizens were working the jobs that Illegal Aliens now work for cheaper pay.
I remember when this was the land of opportunity.
Now it's all up to you folks. Are you ready to reverse all these things that has happened?Going back on the gold standard, putting Tariffs back on imports and giving companies a fair shake if they come and reopen here.
Are we going to stick together and have the laws enforced on illegal immigrants and have the troops come home to secure our own border?
Do you really want to bring the America that we knew back?
Do you still want to give away billions of our tax dollars in foreign aid that can be helping us to get out of this mess?
Are you ready to fight against the corruption that exists in our government?
Because if not get ready for the same that's happening in Chicago.
Because if not we will be a nation that's no better then Mexico.
Because if not the people of this country will have no future.
Because if we don't restore the Constitution, it's all over.
Do we have the same kind of stuff as the people who built this nation? We'll see.
Some people threw stones at them and weren't satisfied with what we had.
I say to them, what have you done that serves us now? Where is your miracle? Is living in insecurity, instability your idea of a wholesome life?
And I say to you, let us join hands as one voice. Because I tell you that the numbers of discontentment that have came to us speak for themselves through out the country.
It's the voice of freedom and how sweet it is. Will you stand with us in the glory that's just on the other side?
Do you still have some of that American spirit in you? Join us at http://www.campaignforliberty.com/
Monday, April 12, 2010
UN climate talks conclude
This is from an email from Lord Christopher Monckton
I'm at the final day of the UN climate talks in Bonn, gracing what the BBC just described as “the most colourful display in NGO alley.” We gave the rather po-faced delegates a good laugh when CFACT's Christina Wilson sold “carbon indulgences” to all assembled, dressed as Mother Earth, and pardoned us all for our “climate sins.” Our “carbon indulgences”, on parchment scrolls rolled up and tied with ribbon (Christina was up all night doing that), told delegates that they were “hereby forgiven for flying when you choose; machine-washed clothes; driving your vehicle; using your computer; taking hot showers; exhaling CO2; making things in factories; growing food with tractors; eating meat; watching TV; refrigerating your food; using Edison's light-bulbs; turning on the AC or heating or both; and, above all, attending international conferences.” The scroll made it plain that “This indulgence will not meaningfully alter the weather or climate. It is therefore the most honest carbon trading strategy you can find.” The High Representative of Guatemala, a Catholic, said the indulgences were a great idea. They reminded him of his youth, when anyone who ate meat instead of fish on a Friday had to pay a fine into the Church poor-box. The conference has failed advance the global warming treaty. Delegates have, however, resolved to increase the frequency and intensity of the talks hoping to lock us into the treaty in Mexico this fall. I'm astonished at how much more open and willing to discuss matters the delegates have grown. When we first arrived we worked hard to seek out the delegates. The entire affair is much easier now that they are approaching us. Something even more astonishing is that UN staff has decided to handle us with kid gloves. At a briefing yesterday for nongovernmental organizations, two dour campaigners from the “Women and Gender Constiuency” complained about our presence to Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer. De Boer replied that it would be wrong for the UN to discriminate in allocating space based on viewpoint. This is a radical shift from the tone we heard just a few months ago. The reason for this seems clear. The UN climate agency has lost so much credibility in recent months that it is going to great lengths to appear even handed. We have made our presence felt: that's for sure. The proposed world-government treaty will be a disaster for the freedom and prosperity we all take too much for granted. We must not let up a moment. We must counter every false climate assertion with cold hard fact. We are well on our way to winning the hearts and minds of the people. We must undertake the more difficult task of ending the climate binge our political class has enjoyed for so long. Enough is enough.
I'm at the final day of the UN climate talks in Bonn, gracing what the BBC just described as “the most colourful display in NGO alley.” We gave the rather po-faced delegates a good laugh when CFACT's Christina Wilson sold “carbon indulgences” to all assembled, dressed as Mother Earth, and pardoned us all for our “climate sins.” Our “carbon indulgences”, on parchment scrolls rolled up and tied with ribbon (Christina was up all night doing that), told delegates that they were “hereby forgiven for flying when you choose; machine-washed clothes; driving your vehicle; using your computer; taking hot showers; exhaling CO2; making things in factories; growing food with tractors; eating meat; watching TV; refrigerating your food; using Edison's light-bulbs; turning on the AC or heating or both; and, above all, attending international conferences.” The scroll made it plain that “This indulgence will not meaningfully alter the weather or climate. It is therefore the most honest carbon trading strategy you can find.” The High Representative of Guatemala, a Catholic, said the indulgences were a great idea. They reminded him of his youth, when anyone who ate meat instead of fish on a Friday had to pay a fine into the Church poor-box. The conference has failed advance the global warming treaty. Delegates have, however, resolved to increase the frequency and intensity of the talks hoping to lock us into the treaty in Mexico this fall. I'm astonished at how much more open and willing to discuss matters the delegates have grown. When we first arrived we worked hard to seek out the delegates. The entire affair is much easier now that they are approaching us. Something even more astonishing is that UN staff has decided to handle us with kid gloves. At a briefing yesterday for nongovernmental organizations, two dour campaigners from the “Women and Gender Constiuency” complained about our presence to Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer. De Boer replied that it would be wrong for the UN to discriminate in allocating space based on viewpoint. This is a radical shift from the tone we heard just a few months ago. The reason for this seems clear. The UN climate agency has lost so much credibility in recent months that it is going to great lengths to appear even handed. We have made our presence felt: that's for sure. The proposed world-government treaty will be a disaster for the freedom and prosperity we all take too much for granted. We must not let up a moment. We must counter every false climate assertion with cold hard fact. We are well on our way to winning the hearts and minds of the people. We must undertake the more difficult task of ending the climate binge our political class has enjoyed for so long. Enough is enough.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Warren Redlich for Governor of New York State
Proposes meaningful change to grow the economy. See Video
http://www.blip.tv/file/3450976
http://www.blip.tv/file/3450976
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Alert!! FBI Conducts Raids On US Militias
The FBI is conducting raids in 3 different states aimed at Militias. See video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X4B4X8KCRE&feature=player_embedded
Also Alex Jones is targeted as a source of this activity. See video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAYMazodmEQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X4B4X8KCRE&feature=player_embedded
Also Alex Jones is targeted as a source of this activity. See video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAYMazodmEQ
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
The Best Congress AIPAC Can Buy
by Philip Giraldi, September 03, 2009
Source: Anti War .Com
Many Americans who thought that the health care debate was important must have wondered where their congressmen were in early August during the first two weeks of the House of Representatives recess. It turns out they were not hosting town hall meetings or listening to constituents because many of them were in Israel together with their spouses on a trip paid for by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Fully 13% of the entire US House of Representatives, 56 members, traveled to Israel in the largest AIPAC-sponsored fact-finding visit by American politicians ever conducted. And the leaders of the two congressional groups, 25 Republicans for a week starting on August 2nd followed by 31 Democrats beginning on August 13th, were drawn from the top ranks of their respective parties. House Minority whip Eric Cantor headed the Republican group and House Majority leader Steny Hoyer led the Democrats.
Cantor and Hoyer are longtime enthusiasts for Israel and all its works. In January, when Israel was pounding Gaza to rubble and killing over a thousand civilians, Hoyer and Cantor wrote an op-ed entitled "A Defensive War," which began with "During this difficult war in the Gaza Strip, we stand with Israel." Why? Because "Instead of building roads, bridges, schools and industry, Hamas and other terrorists wasted millions turning Gaza into an armory." Hoyer and Cantor, clearly noticing a militarization of the Gaza Strip that no else quite picked up on, also affirmed that Israel occupied the moral high ground in the conflict, "While Israel targets military combatants, Hamas aims to kill as many civilians as possible." That Hoyer and Cantor were completely wrong on this vital point as well as others, in fact reversing the truth, has never resulted in an apology or a correction of the record from either lawmaker.
And there’s more. In May 2009, Cantor and Hoyer teamed up again in a congressional letter sent to their colleagues in congress. The message described how Washington must be "both a trusted mediator and a devoted friend to Israel" because "Israel will be taking the greatest risks in any peace agreement." AIPAC couldn’t have put it better. In fact, AIPAC wrote the missive since Cantor and Hoyer apparently needed a little help to get the message just right. The actual source of the letter was revealed when the document was circulated with the file name "AIPAC Letter Hoyer Cantor May 2009.pdf," which the intrepid congressional duo had failed to change before sending out.
The August congressional junkets were paid for by the American Israel Education Foundation, which is a non-profit foundation that is part of AIPAC. The non-profit foundation part means that the trip to convince already acquiescent congressmen that Israel needs more aid and special treatment was more-or-less subsidized by the US taxpayer. Taking congressmen to Israel to make sure they understand the issues properly is not exactly new, but the scale and seniority of the recent visits sent a clear message to President Barack Obama that he should not pressure Israel in any way or he will face bipartisan opposition, opposition that he will not be able to overcome. It appears that Obama might have already received the message loud and clear if the rumors that he will harden his line on Iran and soften his approach to Tel Aviv to permit Israeli settlement expansion are true.
The current Israeli government line as regurgitated by AIPAC is an attempt, aided and abetted by the congressional visitors, to shift the narrative. According to AIPAC and Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, the settlements have nothing to do with the issue of negotiating peace so Israel should be able to continue to expand its occupation of Arab East Jerusalem without any restraint while permitting "natural growth" in the other West Bank settlements. Israel claims to be willing to talk peace with the Palestinians while decrying that there is no one to talk to. Tel Aviv and its cheerleaders in Washington insist that the real threat to peace in the Middle East is Iran, which is seeking a nuclear weapon and will use it to bomb Israel and arm terrorists to attack the United States.
Eric Cantor was fully on-message, prepping his group by writing an op-ed for the Israeli newspaper Haaretz on August 3rd. He wrote that "Israel is not only a democratic ally and our only true friend in the Middle East; it is also a vital pillar of US national security strategy…Israel has a right to accommodate the natural growth of its population…excessive handwringing over natural growth is a diversion from the main threat in the Middle East: Iran." If the line sounds familiar, it should as it is straight out of Israel and AIPAC’s playbook garnished with its ridiculous pretense that Israel is some kind of strategic asset and an eternal friend.
Cantor and Hoyer’s lawmaker colleagues apparently benefited greatly from their travels, which included a visit to the illegal West Bank settlement of Alfei Menashe to express solidarity with the heroic and widely misunderstood Israeli settlers. According to Cantor there should not be any confusion about who is doing what to whom in the Middle East. In describing the purpose of the trip, he noted that his Republican colleagues were eager to learn about "…the challenges on the ground in the Middle East, especially those challenges faced by Israel." He then returned to his script, describing the situation in more detail and expressing his concern about the "…focus being placed on settlements and settlement growth when the real threat is the existential threat that Israel faces from Iran and the impending nuclearization of Iran."
During the trip itself, Cantor could hardly shut up about how much he loves Israel and its policies, no matter what those policies are. When two Arab families were evicted from their homes in Jerusalem, resulting in a worldwide protest that included criticism from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Cantor discovered another way to look at the situation. He complained about Clinton, "I’m very troubled by that, because I don’t think we in America would want another country telling us how to implement and execute our laws."
Cantor’s travelmates evidently agreed with his rosy view of all things Israeli. Steve Scalise marveled at "all the things that the people of Israel have been through," while Louie Gohmert pressed Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad for a commitment to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, apparently oblivious to the fact that the status of a Muslim or a Christian in a Jewish state would be somewhat precarious. Leonard Lance called for working together against Iran while Mike Coffman noted that the Obama Administration failed to comprehend "the magnitude of this threat of Iran obtaining nuclear weapons." Perhaps Coffman and Lance should read some of the intelligence that the US government produces at great expense which reveals that Iran has no nuclear weapons program.
Congressman Pete Olson reported that he had known in "his head" how important the relationship with Israel was and, after three days, knew it also in his heart. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who has been to Israel seven times and is the author of numerous pro-Israel and anti-Palestinian resolutions in the House, called Israel "our US ally against the violent extremists" and twittered to her constituents a gushing account of her "amazing dinner with soldiers of the Israeli Defense Forces. Courageous young men…"
Hoyer, who has been to Israel a dozen times, led the cheerleading for the Democrats. The House Majority leader contradicted his own party’s president in finding that the settlements were not a "big issue" hindering a peace agreement, noting that they should be a "subject of negotiations." The real problem for Hoyer was completely predictably the Palestinians, specifically the "unwillingness of Abbas to sit down now." Hoyer also declared Jerusalem to be a "unified city" under Israeli control and reiterated Congressman’s Gohmert’s demand that the Palestinians recognized Israel as a Jewish State, neither of which is US policy. Shelly Berkley, who has never met an Israeli she didn’t like, put it more bluntly, "The goals of this trip are to express Congress’s solidarity with the State of Israel and to find out what Israel’s needs are." Representative Kendrick Meek welcomed his opportunity to visit Israel to help him "make better decisions as a member of congress."
President George Washington counseled explicitly against getting involved in the quarrels of foreign nations. What would he think of Hoyer and Cantor and the drones that followed them to Israel on a "fact finding" trip paid for by the Israel Lobby? Words like "disloyalty" come to mind immediately, but the AIPAC trips targeting congress are signs of a deeper problem. Many congressmen undoubtedly display knee-jerk support for Israel either because it is career enhancing or because they are afraid not to. Those who truly believe that Israel’s interests are of paramount importance and that the United States ought to go to war on its behalf should perhaps find another line of work. If they retain even a shred of decency and love of country, it is time for Cantor, Hoyer and others like them to go away. They should leave quietly but do so quickly. The well-being of the United States and its citizens demands it.
Source: Anti War .Com
Many Americans who thought that the health care debate was important must have wondered where their congressmen were in early August during the first two weeks of the House of Representatives recess. It turns out they were not hosting town hall meetings or listening to constituents because many of them were in Israel together with their spouses on a trip paid for by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Fully 13% of the entire US House of Representatives, 56 members, traveled to Israel in the largest AIPAC-sponsored fact-finding visit by American politicians ever conducted. And the leaders of the two congressional groups, 25 Republicans for a week starting on August 2nd followed by 31 Democrats beginning on August 13th, were drawn from the top ranks of their respective parties. House Minority whip Eric Cantor headed the Republican group and House Majority leader Steny Hoyer led the Democrats.
Cantor and Hoyer are longtime enthusiasts for Israel and all its works. In January, when Israel was pounding Gaza to rubble and killing over a thousand civilians, Hoyer and Cantor wrote an op-ed entitled "A Defensive War," which began with "During this difficult war in the Gaza Strip, we stand with Israel." Why? Because "Instead of building roads, bridges, schools and industry, Hamas and other terrorists wasted millions turning Gaza into an armory." Hoyer and Cantor, clearly noticing a militarization of the Gaza Strip that no else quite picked up on, also affirmed that Israel occupied the moral high ground in the conflict, "While Israel targets military combatants, Hamas aims to kill as many civilians as possible." That Hoyer and Cantor were completely wrong on this vital point as well as others, in fact reversing the truth, has never resulted in an apology or a correction of the record from either lawmaker.
And there’s more. In May 2009, Cantor and Hoyer teamed up again in a congressional letter sent to their colleagues in congress. The message described how Washington must be "both a trusted mediator and a devoted friend to Israel" because "Israel will be taking the greatest risks in any peace agreement." AIPAC couldn’t have put it better. In fact, AIPAC wrote the missive since Cantor and Hoyer apparently needed a little help to get the message just right. The actual source of the letter was revealed when the document was circulated with the file name "AIPAC Letter Hoyer Cantor May 2009.pdf," which the intrepid congressional duo had failed to change before sending out.
The August congressional junkets were paid for by the American Israel Education Foundation, which is a non-profit foundation that is part of AIPAC. The non-profit foundation part means that the trip to convince already acquiescent congressmen that Israel needs more aid and special treatment was more-or-less subsidized by the US taxpayer. Taking congressmen to Israel to make sure they understand the issues properly is not exactly new, but the scale and seniority of the recent visits sent a clear message to President Barack Obama that he should not pressure Israel in any way or he will face bipartisan opposition, opposition that he will not be able to overcome. It appears that Obama might have already received the message loud and clear if the rumors that he will harden his line on Iran and soften his approach to Tel Aviv to permit Israeli settlement expansion are true.
The current Israeli government line as regurgitated by AIPAC is an attempt, aided and abetted by the congressional visitors, to shift the narrative. According to AIPAC and Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, the settlements have nothing to do with the issue of negotiating peace so Israel should be able to continue to expand its occupation of Arab East Jerusalem without any restraint while permitting "natural growth" in the other West Bank settlements. Israel claims to be willing to talk peace with the Palestinians while decrying that there is no one to talk to. Tel Aviv and its cheerleaders in Washington insist that the real threat to peace in the Middle East is Iran, which is seeking a nuclear weapon and will use it to bomb Israel and arm terrorists to attack the United States.
Eric Cantor was fully on-message, prepping his group by writing an op-ed for the Israeli newspaper Haaretz on August 3rd. He wrote that "Israel is not only a democratic ally and our only true friend in the Middle East; it is also a vital pillar of US national security strategy…Israel has a right to accommodate the natural growth of its population…excessive handwringing over natural growth is a diversion from the main threat in the Middle East: Iran." If the line sounds familiar, it should as it is straight out of Israel and AIPAC’s playbook garnished with its ridiculous pretense that Israel is some kind of strategic asset and an eternal friend.
Cantor and Hoyer’s lawmaker colleagues apparently benefited greatly from their travels, which included a visit to the illegal West Bank settlement of Alfei Menashe to express solidarity with the heroic and widely misunderstood Israeli settlers. According to Cantor there should not be any confusion about who is doing what to whom in the Middle East. In describing the purpose of the trip, he noted that his Republican colleagues were eager to learn about "…the challenges on the ground in the Middle East, especially those challenges faced by Israel." He then returned to his script, describing the situation in more detail and expressing his concern about the "…focus being placed on settlements and settlement growth when the real threat is the existential threat that Israel faces from Iran and the impending nuclearization of Iran."
During the trip itself, Cantor could hardly shut up about how much he loves Israel and its policies, no matter what those policies are. When two Arab families were evicted from their homes in Jerusalem, resulting in a worldwide protest that included criticism from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Cantor discovered another way to look at the situation. He complained about Clinton, "I’m very troubled by that, because I don’t think we in America would want another country telling us how to implement and execute our laws."
Cantor’s travelmates evidently agreed with his rosy view of all things Israeli. Steve Scalise marveled at "all the things that the people of Israel have been through," while Louie Gohmert pressed Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad for a commitment to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, apparently oblivious to the fact that the status of a Muslim or a Christian in a Jewish state would be somewhat precarious. Leonard Lance called for working together against Iran while Mike Coffman noted that the Obama Administration failed to comprehend "the magnitude of this threat of Iran obtaining nuclear weapons." Perhaps Coffman and Lance should read some of the intelligence that the US government produces at great expense which reveals that Iran has no nuclear weapons program.
Congressman Pete Olson reported that he had known in "his head" how important the relationship with Israel was and, after three days, knew it also in his heart. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who has been to Israel seven times and is the author of numerous pro-Israel and anti-Palestinian resolutions in the House, called Israel "our US ally against the violent extremists" and twittered to her constituents a gushing account of her "amazing dinner with soldiers of the Israeli Defense Forces. Courageous young men…"
Hoyer, who has been to Israel a dozen times, led the cheerleading for the Democrats. The House Majority leader contradicted his own party’s president in finding that the settlements were not a "big issue" hindering a peace agreement, noting that they should be a "subject of negotiations." The real problem for Hoyer was completely predictably the Palestinians, specifically the "unwillingness of Abbas to sit down now." Hoyer also declared Jerusalem to be a "unified city" under Israeli control and reiterated Congressman’s Gohmert’s demand that the Palestinians recognized Israel as a Jewish State, neither of which is US policy. Shelly Berkley, who has never met an Israeli she didn’t like, put it more bluntly, "The goals of this trip are to express Congress’s solidarity with the State of Israel and to find out what Israel’s needs are." Representative Kendrick Meek welcomed his opportunity to visit Israel to help him "make better decisions as a member of congress."
President George Washington counseled explicitly against getting involved in the quarrels of foreign nations. What would he think of Hoyer and Cantor and the drones that followed them to Israel on a "fact finding" trip paid for by the Israel Lobby? Words like "disloyalty" come to mind immediately, but the AIPAC trips targeting congress are signs of a deeper problem. Many congressmen undoubtedly display knee-jerk support for Israel either because it is career enhancing or because they are afraid not to. Those who truly believe that Israel’s interests are of paramount importance and that the United States ought to go to war on its behalf should perhaps find another line of work. If they retain even a shred of decency and love of country, it is time for Cantor, Hoyer and others like them to go away. They should leave quietly but do so quickly. The well-being of the United States and its citizens demands it.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
FDIC Closes Seven Banks, 2010 Total Climbs To 37
By: MARCY GORDON
Source: Huffington Post
Regulators on Friday shut down seven banks in five states, bringing to 37 the number of bank failures in the U.S. so far this year. The closings follow the 140 that succumbed in 2009 to mounting loan defaults and the recession.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. took over First Lowndes Bank, in Fort Deposit, Ala.; Appalachian Community Bank in Ellijay, Ga.; Bank of Hiawassee, in Hiawassee, Ga.; and Century Security Bank in Duluth, Ga.
The agency also closed down State Bank of Aurora, in Aurora, Minn.; Advanta Bank Corp., based in Draper, Utah; and American National Bank of Parma, Ohio.
The FDIC was unable to find a buyer for Advanta Bank, which had $1.6 billion in assets and $1.5 billion in deposits. The regulatory agency approved the payout of the bank's insured deposits and it said checks to depositors for their insured funds will be mailed on Monday.
The failure of Advanta Bank is expected to cost the federal deposit insurance fund $635.6 million.
For the other banks:
_ First Citizens Bank of Luverne, Ala., agreed to assume the deposits and assets of First Lowndes Bank. First Lowndes had $137.2 million in assets and $131.1 million in deposits. The FDIC expects that the cost to its insurance fund will be $38.3 million.
_ Community & Southern Bank of Carrollton, Ga., agreed to assume the deposits and assets of Appalachian Community Bank. The bank had $1 billion in assets and about $917.6 million in deposits. The cost to the insurance fund is expected to be $419.3 million.
Citizens South Bank of Gastonia, N.C., will assume the deposits and assets of Bank of Hiawassee. Bank of Hiawassee had about $377.8 million in assets and $339.6 million in deposits. The failure is expected to cost the insurance fund $137.7 million.
_ Bank of Upson, based in Thomaston, Ga., agreed to assume the assets and deposits of Century Security Bank, which had $96.5 million in assets and $94 million in deposits. It is expected to cost the insurance fund $29.9 million.
_ Northern State Bank in Ashland, Wisc., agreed to assume the deposits and assets of State Bank of Aurora. The bank had about $28.2 million in assets and $27.8 million in deposits. The FDIC expects the move will cost the insurance fund $4.2 million.
_ National Bank and Trust Co., based in Wilmington, Ohio, agreed to assume the assets and deposits of American National Bank, which had $70.3 million in assets and $66.8 million in deposits. The cost to the insurance fund is expected to total $17.1 million.
The pace of bank seizures this year is likely to accelerate in coming months, regulators have said, as losses mount on loans made for commercial property and development.
The bank failures – the 140 last year was the highest annual tally since the height of the savings and loan crisis in 1992 – have sapped billions of dollars out of the deposit insurance fund. It fell into the red last year, hitting a $20.9 billion deficit as of Dec. 31.
Depositors' money – insured up to $250,000 per account – is not at risk, with the FDIC backed by the government. Apart from the fund, the FDIC has about $66 billion in cash and securities available in reserve to cover losses at failed banks.
Banks, meanwhile, have tightened their lending standards. U.S. bank lending last year posted its steepest drop since World War II, with the volume of loans falling $587.3 billion, or 7.5 percent, from 2008, the FDIC reported recently.
New Senate legislation was unveiled this week that is a blueprint for the biggest overhaul of financial regulations since the 1930s, giving the government unprecedented powers to split up large complex firms if they pose a threat to the nation's financial system. It would also create an independent consumer watchdog.
The bill crafted by Sen. Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., would force big, complex financial firms to pay insurance premiums in advance for a $50 billion fund to cover possible failures in their ranks. The fees levied up front would give the FDIC an immediate source of funds to resolve big failed institutions, so that taxpayer money wouldn't be used.
The costs of resolving smaller banks that fail would continue to be covered by the FDIC.
The FDIC expects the cost of resolving failed banks to grow to about $100 billion over the next four years.
Source: Huffington Post
Regulators on Friday shut down seven banks in five states, bringing to 37 the number of bank failures in the U.S. so far this year. The closings follow the 140 that succumbed in 2009 to mounting loan defaults and the recession.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. took over First Lowndes Bank, in Fort Deposit, Ala.; Appalachian Community Bank in Ellijay, Ga.; Bank of Hiawassee, in Hiawassee, Ga.; and Century Security Bank in Duluth, Ga.
The agency also closed down State Bank of Aurora, in Aurora, Minn.; Advanta Bank Corp., based in Draper, Utah; and American National Bank of Parma, Ohio.
The FDIC was unable to find a buyer for Advanta Bank, which had $1.6 billion in assets and $1.5 billion in deposits. The regulatory agency approved the payout of the bank's insured deposits and it said checks to depositors for their insured funds will be mailed on Monday.
The failure of Advanta Bank is expected to cost the federal deposit insurance fund $635.6 million.
For the other banks:
_ First Citizens Bank of Luverne, Ala., agreed to assume the deposits and assets of First Lowndes Bank. First Lowndes had $137.2 million in assets and $131.1 million in deposits. The FDIC expects that the cost to its insurance fund will be $38.3 million.
_ Community & Southern Bank of Carrollton, Ga., agreed to assume the deposits and assets of Appalachian Community Bank. The bank had $1 billion in assets and about $917.6 million in deposits. The cost to the insurance fund is expected to be $419.3 million.
Citizens South Bank of Gastonia, N.C., will assume the deposits and assets of Bank of Hiawassee. Bank of Hiawassee had about $377.8 million in assets and $339.6 million in deposits. The failure is expected to cost the insurance fund $137.7 million.
_ Bank of Upson, based in Thomaston, Ga., agreed to assume the assets and deposits of Century Security Bank, which had $96.5 million in assets and $94 million in deposits. It is expected to cost the insurance fund $29.9 million.
_ Northern State Bank in Ashland, Wisc., agreed to assume the deposits and assets of State Bank of Aurora. The bank had about $28.2 million in assets and $27.8 million in deposits. The FDIC expects the move will cost the insurance fund $4.2 million.
_ National Bank and Trust Co., based in Wilmington, Ohio, agreed to assume the assets and deposits of American National Bank, which had $70.3 million in assets and $66.8 million in deposits. The cost to the insurance fund is expected to total $17.1 million.
The pace of bank seizures this year is likely to accelerate in coming months, regulators have said, as losses mount on loans made for commercial property and development.
The bank failures – the 140 last year was the highest annual tally since the height of the savings and loan crisis in 1992 – have sapped billions of dollars out of the deposit insurance fund. It fell into the red last year, hitting a $20.9 billion deficit as of Dec. 31.
Depositors' money – insured up to $250,000 per account – is not at risk, with the FDIC backed by the government. Apart from the fund, the FDIC has about $66 billion in cash and securities available in reserve to cover losses at failed banks.
Banks, meanwhile, have tightened their lending standards. U.S. bank lending last year posted its steepest drop since World War II, with the volume of loans falling $587.3 billion, or 7.5 percent, from 2008, the FDIC reported recently.
New Senate legislation was unveiled this week that is a blueprint for the biggest overhaul of financial regulations since the 1930s, giving the government unprecedented powers to split up large complex firms if they pose a threat to the nation's financial system. It would also create an independent consumer watchdog.
The bill crafted by Sen. Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., would force big, complex financial firms to pay insurance premiums in advance for a $50 billion fund to cover possible failures in their ranks. The fees levied up front would give the FDIC an immediate source of funds to resolve big failed institutions, so that taxpayer money wouldn't be used.
The costs of resolving smaller banks that fail would continue to be covered by the FDIC.
The FDIC expects the cost of resolving failed banks to grow to about $100 billion over the next four years.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
900 NYS employees earned more than the Governor’s $179,000 salary
This is a total outrage. While people in NY State are struggling to keep their head above water, these employees are raking in huge salaries at our expense. See the article at:
http://frankseabrook.com/2010/03/13/900-nys-employees-earned-more-than-the-governor%e2%80%99s-179000-salary/
http://frankseabrook.com/2010/03/13/900-nys-employees-earned-more-than-the-governor%e2%80%99s-179000-salary/
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Manhattan & Queens Candidates
Any members in Queens and Manhattan that are Ron Paul Republicans who are interested and qualified to run for the Congress or Senate in Queens or Manhattan, I would like to put you on TV to begin to give input to the public on the vital issues. This way you can get some early exposure. Because if you expect to become electable you need to get down into the trenches now.
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