Congressman Paul gives and opening statement and questions Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke
And, at a Foreign Affairs hearing on the same day, Congressman Paul questions Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on recent events in Afghanistan and Iran.
Want Change? Be A Weapon of Mass Dissent - Read "The President"
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Economy Squeezed As Debt Accelerates - Essay by Ron Paul
Hear Congressman Paul read his weekly Monday morning column aloud at 888-322-1414
The Essay is updated every Monday morning.
Economy Squeezed As Debt Accelerates
Essay by Ron Paul for week of February 27, 2012
Senator Jeff Sessions, ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee has pointed out that our per capita government debt is already larger than Greece's. Per person, our government owes over $49,000 compared to $38,937 per Greek citizen. Our debt has just reached 101% of our Gross Domestic Product. Our creditors see this and have quietly slowed down or stopped their lending to us. As a result, the Federal Reserve has been outright monetizing debt as a way to patch things together and keep the economy on life support a little longer. There is rapidly shrinking demand for our debt, and confidence in the dollar is falling. This phenomenon is hidden only by the fact that confidence in all other fiat currencies is falling faster.
None of this seems to really alarm the administration, obviously, as they have just released a budget that accelerates spending and borrowing. The reason the debt and deficits plague the economy, according to this administration, is that the American economy is not taxed enough. Therefore, hidden in the fine print of the budget is a provision that ramps up the corporate dividends tax rate from its current 15% to 39.6%. In addition, certain deductions and exemptions will be phased out; an additional 3.8% Obamacare investment tax surcharge will be tacked on, bringing the effective dividend tax rate to 44.8% in 2013. Keep in mind, this is not just a tax on big business, this is a tax on anyone who depends on dividend income to live - retirees will be hit hard by these changes and dividend yielding stock prices will adjust downward rapidly to reflect their decreased value.
Not only this, but the Obama administration is worsening the uniquely American policy of taxing income of US based companies earned overseas. No other country presumes to tax globally in this manner, so it amounts to a huge penalty for basing a company in the US. Companies have been able to manage this penalty by deferring taxation until it is repatriated or by paying dividends. What will happen to US based businesses with strong international ties if these allowances are abolished as the Obama administration proposes? A massive wave of permanent capital flight will undoubtedly cause the already high levels of unemployment to rise.
Businesses are struggling and failing in this economy. The government ultimately depends on a healthy business climate to provide jobs and a tax base. It is penny wise and pound foolish to add to business tax burden in a misguided attempt to close the colossal gap between our government's revenue and spending. Rather than crippling and absorbing more of our shrinking economy, government needs to be drastically cut - not in 10 years, but immediately.
Those who understand the underpinnings of the dollar and how the Federal Reserve works have known for some time that we are on an unsustainable course, that major chaos is in store if nothing is done quickly to reform things. Politicians pay lip-service to reforms that never materialize or turn out to be at best small and meaningless, or at worst actively harmful. It seems more and more inevitable that because the necessary changes would be too inconvenient for the elites to enact now, we will get them later Greek-style, through collapse and chaos.
The Essay is updated every Monday morning.
Economy Squeezed As Debt Accelerates
Essay by Ron Paul for week of February 27, 2012
Senator Jeff Sessions, ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee has pointed out that our per capita government debt is already larger than Greece's. Per person, our government owes over $49,000 compared to $38,937 per Greek citizen. Our debt has just reached 101% of our Gross Domestic Product. Our creditors see this and have quietly slowed down or stopped their lending to us. As a result, the Federal Reserve has been outright monetizing debt as a way to patch things together and keep the economy on life support a little longer. There is rapidly shrinking demand for our debt, and confidence in the dollar is falling. This phenomenon is hidden only by the fact that confidence in all other fiat currencies is falling faster.
None of this seems to really alarm the administration, obviously, as they have just released a budget that accelerates spending and borrowing. The reason the debt and deficits plague the economy, according to this administration, is that the American economy is not taxed enough. Therefore, hidden in the fine print of the budget is a provision that ramps up the corporate dividends tax rate from its current 15% to 39.6%. In addition, certain deductions and exemptions will be phased out; an additional 3.8% Obamacare investment tax surcharge will be tacked on, bringing the effective dividend tax rate to 44.8% in 2013. Keep in mind, this is not just a tax on big business, this is a tax on anyone who depends on dividend income to live - retirees will be hit hard by these changes and dividend yielding stock prices will adjust downward rapidly to reflect their decreased value.
Not only this, but the Obama administration is worsening the uniquely American policy of taxing income of US based companies earned overseas. No other country presumes to tax globally in this manner, so it amounts to a huge penalty for basing a company in the US. Companies have been able to manage this penalty by deferring taxation until it is repatriated or by paying dividends. What will happen to US based businesses with strong international ties if these allowances are abolished as the Obama administration proposes? A massive wave of permanent capital flight will undoubtedly cause the already high levels of unemployment to rise.
Businesses are struggling and failing in this economy. The government ultimately depends on a healthy business climate to provide jobs and a tax base. It is penny wise and pound foolish to add to business tax burden in a misguided attempt to close the colossal gap between our government's revenue and spending. Rather than crippling and absorbing more of our shrinking economy, government needs to be drastically cut - not in 10 years, but immediately.
Those who understand the underpinnings of the dollar and how the Federal Reserve works have known for some time that we are on an unsustainable course, that major chaos is in store if nothing is done quickly to reform things. Politicians pay lip-service to reforms that never materialize or turn out to be at best small and meaningless, or at worst actively harmful. It seems more and more inevitable that because the necessary changes would be too inconvenient for the elites to enact now, we will get them later Greek-style, through collapse and chaos.
Ron Paul's speech (40 Minutes) at Central Michigan University on 02/25/2012
Great speech where Ron talks about how we will eventually consider ourselves, as a country, Austrian Free Market economists, rather than Keynesians. He went on to speak about how Washington DC is actually asleep and does not know about The Revolution in progress, yet. He spoke about Brenton Woods and the loss of a commitment to a Gold Standard and the bankruptcy of the U.S. through unsustainable debt that has been perpetuated. He talks about cutting $1 Trillion dollars in his first year as president, meaning the average person would be keeping more in his/her pocket during that time. He talks about the shift of resources back to we, the people, not into the pockets of government which misspends on endless wars and corporate welfare. He talks about what the role of government should be. He says the primary role of government should be focused on "Protect your individual liberty and your right to your life".
Ron Paul goes on to say that the American people are waking up and see that these wars that we are waging in the Middle East and around the world make no sense, whatsoever.
Peace,
Greg Chamberlain
Ron Paul goes on to say that the American people are waking up and see that these wars that we are waging in the Middle East and around the world make no sense, whatsoever.
Peace,
Greg Chamberlain
Oscar Award 2012 Foreign Language Film - A Separation - By Asghar Farhadi
Kudos to Sony Pictures Classics and the excellent Iranian film maker, Asghar Farhadi. Farhadi's film, titled The Separation, is the first ever Iranian motion picture to have won a Academy Award for Foreign Language Film.
Farhadi's acceptance speech brought tears to my eyes. It was a plea for tolerance and peace and a sharp poke at political rhetoric.
The film won the award standing on it's own creative legs, and the Academy Committee should be proud for picking this film that shows the human side of a people who our inept government is fraudulently painting as our enemy, once again.
Peace,
Greg Chamberlain
Farhadi's acceptance speech brought tears to my eyes. It was a plea for tolerance and peace and a sharp poke at political rhetoric.
The film won the award standing on it's own creative legs, and the Academy Committee should be proud for picking this film that shows the human side of a people who our inept government is fraudulently painting as our enemy, once again.
Peace,
Greg Chamberlain
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Republican Nominees & Their Positions - Reality Check by Ben Swann
Thank you to RonPaulFlix.Com for posting this video.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Noam Chomsky Response to Ron Paul Foreign Policy Debate - Democracy Now!
Am a huge fan of the Amy Goodman and Democracy Now! and have lobbied DN! several times to invite Ron Paul on the show. I am not as left in my personal ideology as DN!, but at least I know DN! goes out of it's way to uncover the truth, rather than feed it's viewers bullshit.
It was nice to see them discussing Ron Paul's foreign policy positions with the world's most renowned living author, MIT professor and linguist, Noam Chomsky.
Peace,
Greg Chamberlain
It was nice to see them discussing Ron Paul's foreign policy positions with the world's most renowned living author, MIT professor and linguist, Noam Chomsky.
Peace,
Greg Chamberlain
Roseanne Barr U.S. Presidential campaign announcement
As we have a president who supports the indefinite detention of American citizens without any sort of due process, while expanding the so called war on terror, increasing the military industrial budgets and even breaking his promise not to interfere with states who passes medical marijuana referendums, people must ask themselves... is this the kind of president who supports true freedom and personal liberty? Or does he only support freedom and liberty for the corporatists who steal resources abroad and while expanding the police state here at home? If you have been paying attention, you already know the answer. If you drink the mainstream media and Obama PR machine Cool-Aid, you might still be in the dark.
There are alternatives. Obviously, Ron Paul tops the list of true peace, freedom and personal liberty candidates. But who else is there....
Wow! Props to Roseanne Barr and her Presidential Candidacy Announcement. I realize she is a comedian, and her delivery sounds tongue & cheek like Steven Colbert, but.... I may just switch to the Green Party and she'll probably get my vote if Ron Paul is not on my ballot. At least she is more real than the other clowns.
Peace,
Greg Chamberlain
Part I
Part II
Don't drink the Cool-Aid.... Obama's Hopenosis flavored Cool-Aid will turn into a disease of never ending delusion...
There are alternatives. Obviously, Ron Paul tops the list of true peace, freedom and personal liberty candidates. But who else is there....
Wow! Props to Roseanne Barr and her Presidential Candidacy Announcement. I realize she is a comedian, and her delivery sounds tongue & cheek like Steven Colbert, but.... I may just switch to the Green Party and she'll probably get my vote if Ron Paul is not on my ballot. At least she is more real than the other clowns.
Peace,
Greg Chamberlain
Part I
Part II
Don't drink the Cool-Aid.... Obama's Hopenosis flavored Cool-Aid will turn into a disease of never ending delusion...
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Overspending on National Security Threatens National Security - Essay by Ron Paul
Hear Congressman Paul read his weekly Monday morning column aloud at 888-322-1414
The Essay is updated every Monday morning.
Overspending on National Security Threatens National Security
Essay by Ron Paul for week of February 20, 2012
The administration recently released its 2013 budget proposal, and conservatives are correctly alarmed that it calls for unprecedented spending and continued annual deficits exceeding $1 trillion. But the same conservatives complain that the budget does not devote enough funds to overseas adventurism.
I continue to be dismayed that in spite of our economic problems, most of those who call themselves fiscal conservatives refuse to consider any reductions in military spending. Doug Bandow of the Cato Institute very aptly addresses this in his recent article for the American Conservative entitled "Attack of the Pork Hawks". He points out that conservatives are using a tired liberal argument to defend the bloated military budget: namely, that more spending equals better results. The federal education morass is merely one example that clearly disproves this.
The facts are that the President’s budget calls for an 18% increase versus the previously planned 20% increase. This is not a cut, yet Pentagon hawks continue to issue dire warnings that this "draconian" decrease in proposed future spending will seriously threaten our national security. In truth, the majority of DOD spending goes to protect other nations, including prosperous allies like Europe and Japan and South Korea - nations that could and should take more responsibility for their own defense.
Is there any amount of money that would satisfy the hawks and the neoconservatives? Even adjusted for inflation, military spending is 17% higher now than when Obama took office. Even the worst case scenarios of Obama's "cuts", adjusted for inflation, still put outlays at 2007 levels, which are 40% higher than a decade ago. Our total spending on overseas adventurism and nation building equals more than the next 13 highest spending countries in the world combined. Even if we were to slash our military budget in half, we would still be the world’s dominant military power, by far.
In reality, the military industrial complex that President Eisenhower warned us about has become every bit the voracious monolith he feared. It wastes as much as any other arm of government, if not more, because it knows it can depend on unlimited blank checks from a terrified Congress.
Mr. Bandow concludes that America is more secure today than at any point since before WWII, and that military outlays should be reduced accordingly. We should, Mr. Bandow argues,
"stop garrisoning the globe, subsidizing rich friends, and reconstructing poor enemies. Instead, it's about time Washington focused on defending American and its people."
I couldn't agree more. Wasting money on overseas adventurism and nation building threatens our national security by massively contributing to our debt. Both welfare and warfare spending are tipping our economy into a serious currency and debt crisis. We can afford no sacred cows in our budget. One only has to look to the violence and civil unrest in Greece and ask - is that the sort of security we envision for our nation's future?
The Essay is updated every Monday morning.
Overspending on National Security Threatens National Security
Essay by Ron Paul for week of February 20, 2012
The administration recently released its 2013 budget proposal, and conservatives are correctly alarmed that it calls for unprecedented spending and continued annual deficits exceeding $1 trillion. But the same conservatives complain that the budget does not devote enough funds to overseas adventurism.
I continue to be dismayed that in spite of our economic problems, most of those who call themselves fiscal conservatives refuse to consider any reductions in military spending. Doug Bandow of the Cato Institute very aptly addresses this in his recent article for the American Conservative entitled "Attack of the Pork Hawks". He points out that conservatives are using a tired liberal argument to defend the bloated military budget: namely, that more spending equals better results. The federal education morass is merely one example that clearly disproves this.
The facts are that the President’s budget calls for an 18% increase versus the previously planned 20% increase. This is not a cut, yet Pentagon hawks continue to issue dire warnings that this "draconian" decrease in proposed future spending will seriously threaten our national security. In truth, the majority of DOD spending goes to protect other nations, including prosperous allies like Europe and Japan and South Korea - nations that could and should take more responsibility for their own defense.
Is there any amount of money that would satisfy the hawks and the neoconservatives? Even adjusted for inflation, military spending is 17% higher now than when Obama took office. Even the worst case scenarios of Obama's "cuts", adjusted for inflation, still put outlays at 2007 levels, which are 40% higher than a decade ago. Our total spending on overseas adventurism and nation building equals more than the next 13 highest spending countries in the world combined. Even if we were to slash our military budget in half, we would still be the world’s dominant military power, by far.
In reality, the military industrial complex that President Eisenhower warned us about has become every bit the voracious monolith he feared. It wastes as much as any other arm of government, if not more, because it knows it can depend on unlimited blank checks from a terrified Congress.
Mr. Bandow concludes that America is more secure today than at any point since before WWII, and that military outlays should be reduced accordingly. We should, Mr. Bandow argues,
"stop garrisoning the globe, subsidizing rich friends, and reconstructing poor enemies. Instead, it's about time Washington focused on defending American and its people."
I couldn't agree more. Wasting money on overseas adventurism and nation building threatens our national security by massively contributing to our debt. Both welfare and warfare spending are tipping our economy into a serious currency and debt crisis. We can afford no sacred cows in our budget. One only has to look to the violence and civil unrest in Greece and ask - is that the sort of security we envision for our nation's future?
Jaffa - The Orange's Clockwork
Al Jazeera TV's Witness traces Jaffa's journey from Palestinian place name to Israeli brand name and finds an erased history of unity.
Filmmaker: Eyan Sival
This film shows how Jaffa started out as a Palestinian place name before becoming an Israeli brand name and how the orange harvest shifted from being a joint undertaking into a symbol used by both parties in the conflict.
Archive film and photographs show how propaganda was used to erase the memory of a thriving place where Arabs and Jews worked together.
Art historians and political analysts talk about the images which are projected onto their walls, and elderly orange growers remember the time before their world was destroyed.
Filmmaker: Eyan Sival
This film shows how Jaffa started out as a Palestinian place name before becoming an Israeli brand name and how the orange harvest shifted from being a joint undertaking into a symbol used by both parties in the conflict.
Archive film and photographs show how propaganda was used to erase the memory of a thriving place where Arabs and Jews worked together.
Art historians and political analysts talk about the images which are projected onto their walls, and elderly orange growers remember the time before their world was destroyed.
Story of the Week: Salon - Hypnotized into an endless dirty war
via AntiWar.Com, came across what should be cosidered the story of the week.
Peace,
GC
Hypnotized into an endless dirty war: America has decided it has the right to kill whoever it wants, whenever it wants.
http://www.salon.com/2012/02/20/hypnotized_into_an_endless_dirty_war/singleton/
Peace,
GC
Hypnotized into an endless dirty war: America has decided it has the right to kill whoever it wants, whenever it wants.
http://www.salon.com/2012/02/20/hypnotized_into_an_endless_dirty_war/singleton/
Mortgage Settlement Is Great - For Big Banks
Is the $25-billion mortgage fraud settlement involving five large banks a good deal for most Americans? The Young Turks host Cenk Uygur explains why the deal is great for banks but terrible for you.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Muzzlewatch, Jewish Voices for Peace, California Universities and Ilan Pappe
Opinion by Greg Chamberlain
Anyone who personally knows me, knows I am against all of the wars and war mongering the U.S. has been engaged in since George Bush Sr. started bombing the Middle East in the early 90's. My friends know I am not only at odds with my own U.S. government's flawed foreign policy, but I have also been critical of Israeli foreign policy when, in my humble opinion, it overlaps negatively with U.S. foreign policy and/or continues to collectively punish all Palestinians.
I am not and have never been against Jewish, Arab people, Muslims or Islam. I am not interested in squelching groups of people, labeling resistance to bad U.S. policy as terrorists, just because my government or so called Christian Evangelicals or right wing Jewish groups demonize some. There are those who resist U.S. and Israeli pressures and advances. Bravo to them for their own internal patriotism, being willing to die to end occupation, just like any American would do if, say the Chinese, began to occupy the United States against our will. I am for friendship and open dialog and open/free trade with all. I don't want my government to dictate to others in far away lands, just like we would not want another government dictating to us. This is one major reason why I support Ron Paul.
The fact that I am critical of U.S./Israel foreign policy has led some ignorant fools to call me anti-Jewish and some have even been ignorant enough to call me anti-Semetic, or infer that I somehow was aligned with such people. Nothing could be further from the truth than that sick idea. Once again, I am happy to clarify my position(s) and am able to do so, once again, with regard to a recent event that took place on a few California university campuses.
MuzzleWatch.Com is a website run by my kind of group, Jewish Voices for Peace at JVP.Org.
It was on MuzzleWatch.Com where I read a recent news story, State University Hosts Israeli Historian Ilan Pappe- Says No to McCarthyite Campaign, where Jewish extremists on California College Campuses are attempting to stifle on campus speaker forums where people like the contrarian Jewish-Israeli historian, Ilan Pappe, who wrote hard hitting books like The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine, have been scheduled to speak.
Kudos to the JVP and a few University Presidents who didn't get bullied by these extremists who are afraid of the public knowing the history/truths/facts from such a contrarian perspective as Pappe's.
While on the subject of Ilan Pappe, I highly recommend one of Pappe's book from several years ago entitled The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine: http://www.amazon.com/Ethnic-Cleansing-Palestine-Ilan-Pappe/dp/1851684670 - Please read the reviews on Amazon to get this gist of Pappe's historical insights that have been erased from our history books, both in the U.S. and Israel and in many Christian churches where a anti Islam message is being propagated, fraudulently, and to a very large and successful extent. Beating this fraud is a intellectual fight. Please buy a copy of Pappe's book. In fact buy several and consider donating copies to your local libraries.
Connect direct with Ilan Pappe at IlanPappe.com
Copy of letter from California University President's supporting Pappe's campus lecture, not catering to those who wished to stifle actual historical facts and contrarian viewpoints such as Pappe's.
Anyone who personally knows me, knows I am against all of the wars and war mongering the U.S. has been engaged in since George Bush Sr. started bombing the Middle East in the early 90's. My friends know I am not only at odds with my own U.S. government's flawed foreign policy, but I have also been critical of Israeli foreign policy when, in my humble opinion, it overlaps negatively with U.S. foreign policy and/or continues to collectively punish all Palestinians.
I am not and have never been against Jewish, Arab people, Muslims or Islam. I am not interested in squelching groups of people, labeling resistance to bad U.S. policy as terrorists, just because my government or so called Christian Evangelicals or right wing Jewish groups demonize some. There are those who resist U.S. and Israeli pressures and advances. Bravo to them for their own internal patriotism, being willing to die to end occupation, just like any American would do if, say the Chinese, began to occupy the United States against our will. I am for friendship and open dialog and open/free trade with all. I don't want my government to dictate to others in far away lands, just like we would not want another government dictating to us. This is one major reason why I support Ron Paul.
The fact that I am critical of U.S./Israel foreign policy has led some ignorant fools to call me anti-Jewish and some have even been ignorant enough to call me anti-Semetic, or infer that I somehow was aligned with such people. Nothing could be further from the truth than that sick idea. Once again, I am happy to clarify my position(s) and am able to do so, once again, with regard to a recent event that took place on a few California university campuses.
MuzzleWatch.Com is a website run by my kind of group, Jewish Voices for Peace at JVP.Org.
It was on MuzzleWatch.Com where I read a recent news story, State University Hosts Israeli Historian Ilan Pappe- Says No to McCarthyite Campaign, where Jewish extremists on California College Campuses are attempting to stifle on campus speaker forums where people like the contrarian Jewish-Israeli historian, Ilan Pappe, who wrote hard hitting books like The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine, have been scheduled to speak.
Kudos to the JVP and a few University Presidents who didn't get bullied by these extremists who are afraid of the public knowing the history/truths/facts from such a contrarian perspective as Pappe's.
While on the subject of Ilan Pappe, I highly recommend one of Pappe's book from several years ago entitled The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine: http://www.amazon.com/Ethnic-Cleansing-Palestine-Ilan-Pappe/dp/1851684670 - Please read the reviews on Amazon to get this gist of Pappe's historical insights that have been erased from our history books, both in the U.S. and Israel and in many Christian churches where a anti Islam message is being propagated, fraudulently, and to a very large and successful extent. Beating this fraud is a intellectual fight. Please buy a copy of Pappe's book. In fact buy several and consider donating copies to your local libraries.
Connect direct with Ilan Pappe at IlanPappe.com
Copy of letter from California University President's supporting Pappe's campus lecture, not catering to those who wished to stifle actual historical facts and contrarian viewpoints such as Pappe's.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Rachel Maddow - Feature on Maine Caucus Recount
It appears that there is some corruption in our election/electoral system.
Rachel Maddow - Maine Will Recount the Votes
Rachel Maddow - Maine Will Recount the Votes
Monday, February 13, 2012
The Federal Reserve's Explicit Goal: Devalue The Dollar 33%
This goes beyond President Obama, Republicans vs. Democrats, Right vs. Left, Occupy Wall Street vs. Occupy My Ass. The Federal Reserve is being allowed to deliberately debase America's currency. There is NO INCENTIVE TO SAVE. Besides, it's a fraudulent crime that has somehow become acceptable.
Read this very important Forbes article here: http://www.forbes.com/sites/charleskadlec/2012/02/06/the-federal-reserves-explicit-goal-devalue-the-dollar-33/?view=pc
Read this very important Forbes article here: http://www.forbes.com/sites/charleskadlec/2012/02/06/the-federal-reserves-explicit-goal-devalue-the-dollar-33/?view=pc
The Latest Obamacare Overreach - Essay by Ron Paul
Hear Congressman Paul read his weekly Monday morning column aloud at 888-322-1414
The Essay is updated every Monday morning.
The Latest Obamacare Overreach
Essay by Ron Paul for February 13, 2012
Many religious conservatives understandably are upset with the latest Obamacare mandate, which will require religious employers (including Catholic employers) to provide birth control to workers receiving healthcare benefits. This mandate includes certain birth control devices that are considered abortifacients, like IUDs and the "morning after" pill.
Of course Catholic teachings forbid the use of any sort of contraceptive devices, so this rule is anathema to the religious beliefs of Catholic employers. Religious freedom always has been considered sacrosanct in this country. However, our federal bureaucracy increasingly forces Americans to subsidize behaviors they find personally abhorrent, either through agency mandates or direct transfer payments funded by tax dollars.
Proponents of this mandate do not understand the gravity of forcing employers to subsidize activities that deeply conflict with their religious convictions. Proponents also do not understand that a refusal to subsidize those activities does not mean the employer is "denying access" to healthcare. If employers don't provide free food to employees, do we accuse them of starving their workers?
In truth this mandate has nothing to do with healthcare, and everything to do with the abortion industry and a hatred for traditional religious values. Obamacare apologists cannot abide any religious philosophy that promotes large, two parent, nuclear, heterosexual families and frowns on divorce and abortion. Because the political class hates these values, it feels compelled to impose—by force of law—its preferred vision of society: single parents are noble; birth control should be encouraged at an early age; and abortion must be upheld as an absolute moral right.
So the political class simply tells the American people and American industry what values must prevail, and what costs much be borne to implement those values. This time, however, the political class has been shocked by the uproar to the new mandate that it did not anticipate or understand.
But Catholic hospitals face the existential choice of obeying their conscience and engaging in civil disobedience, or closing their doors because government claims the power to force them to violate the teachings of their faith. This terrible imposition has resonated with many Americans, and now the Obama administration finds itself having to defend the terrible cultural baggage of the anti-religious left.
Of course many Catholic leaders originally supported Obamacare because they naively believe against all evidence that benign angels in government will improve medical care for the poor. And many religious leaders support federal welfare programs generally without understanding that recipients of those dollars can use them for abortions, contraceptives, or any number of activities that conflict deeply with religious teachings. This is why private charity is so vitally important and morally superior to a government-run medical system.
The First Amendment guarantee of religious liberty is intended to ensure that Americans never have to put the demands of the federal government ahead of the their own conscience or religious beliefs. This new policy turns that guarantee on its head. The benefits or drawbacks of birth control are not the issue. The issue is whether government may force private employers and private citizens to violate their moral codes simply by operating their businesses or paying their taxes.
The Essay is updated every Monday morning.
The Latest Obamacare Overreach
Essay by Ron Paul for February 13, 2012
Many religious conservatives understandably are upset with the latest Obamacare mandate, which will require religious employers (including Catholic employers) to provide birth control to workers receiving healthcare benefits. This mandate includes certain birth control devices that are considered abortifacients, like IUDs and the "morning after" pill.
Of course Catholic teachings forbid the use of any sort of contraceptive devices, so this rule is anathema to the religious beliefs of Catholic employers. Religious freedom always has been considered sacrosanct in this country. However, our federal bureaucracy increasingly forces Americans to subsidize behaviors they find personally abhorrent, either through agency mandates or direct transfer payments funded by tax dollars.
Proponents of this mandate do not understand the gravity of forcing employers to subsidize activities that deeply conflict with their religious convictions. Proponents also do not understand that a refusal to subsidize those activities does not mean the employer is "denying access" to healthcare. If employers don't provide free food to employees, do we accuse them of starving their workers?
In truth this mandate has nothing to do with healthcare, and everything to do with the abortion industry and a hatred for traditional religious values. Obamacare apologists cannot abide any religious philosophy that promotes large, two parent, nuclear, heterosexual families and frowns on divorce and abortion. Because the political class hates these values, it feels compelled to impose—by force of law—its preferred vision of society: single parents are noble; birth control should be encouraged at an early age; and abortion must be upheld as an absolute moral right.
So the political class simply tells the American people and American industry what values must prevail, and what costs much be borne to implement those values. This time, however, the political class has been shocked by the uproar to the new mandate that it did not anticipate or understand.
But Catholic hospitals face the existential choice of obeying their conscience and engaging in civil disobedience, or closing their doors because government claims the power to force them to violate the teachings of their faith. This terrible imposition has resonated with many Americans, and now the Obama administration finds itself having to defend the terrible cultural baggage of the anti-religious left.
Of course many Catholic leaders originally supported Obamacare because they naively believe against all evidence that benign angels in government will improve medical care for the poor. And many religious leaders support federal welfare programs generally without understanding that recipients of those dollars can use them for abortions, contraceptives, or any number of activities that conflict deeply with religious teachings. This is why private charity is so vitally important and morally superior to a government-run medical system.
The First Amendment guarantee of religious liberty is intended to ensure that Americans never have to put the demands of the federal government ahead of the their own conscience or religious beliefs. This new policy turns that guarantee on its head. The benefits or drawbacks of birth control are not the issue. The issue is whether government may force private employers and private citizens to violate their moral codes simply by operating their businesses or paying their taxes.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
A Case To End the Use of Drones in U.S. Military Attacks
by Greg Chamberlain
I support Ron Paul because I am anti-war and pro-peace, first and foremost. Actually, let me clarify, I am against all the wars this country is presently in. I would not be opposed to engaging a country that actually used it's military to attack us. But, that is beside the point, because the U.S. has not yet been in that situation in my lifetime. And, I am tired of listening to the news wrongly label or describe those who are defending themselves from U.S. military aggression. Most who resist the U.S., on their own land, are not terrorists. They are resisting U.S. troops on their land. The U.S. is always busy crafting overthrows and attacks upon others, generally for narrow corporatist gain, but disguised as something else.
I'm attracted to having friends in other parties who share my same anti war view. Some may be in it for different reasons, but we are all united. Marcy Winograd is a progressive lefty who has run for office in my district as a Democrat and embraces the Green Party and the alternative wings. She is great.
Today, Marcy posts a link to Ralph Nader's recent article entitled Can Democrats Landslide Republicans? onto her Facebook and comments herself, saying: "I particularly like Nader's suggestion that all able-bodied sons and daughters of congresss members be the first drafted in the event of another US invasion. That would change their hawkish tune."
I agree with Marcy and wrote my own comment, posted below:
I support Ron Paul because I am anti-war and pro-peace, first and foremost. Actually, let me clarify, I am against all the wars this country is presently in. I would not be opposed to engaging a country that actually used it's military to attack us. But, that is beside the point, because the U.S. has not yet been in that situation in my lifetime. And, I am tired of listening to the news wrongly label or describe those who are defending themselves from U.S. military aggression. Most who resist the U.S., on their own land, are not terrorists. They are resisting U.S. troops on their land. The U.S. is always busy crafting overthrows and attacks upon others, generally for narrow corporatist gain, but disguised as something else.
I'm attracted to having friends in other parties who share my same anti war view. Some may be in it for different reasons, but we are all united. Marcy Winograd is a progressive lefty who has run for office in my district as a Democrat and embraces the Green Party and the alternative wings. She is great.
Today, Marcy posts a link to Ralph Nader's recent article entitled Can Democrats Landslide Republicans? onto her Facebook and comments herself, saying: "I particularly like Nader's suggestion that all able-bodied sons and daughters of congresss members be the first drafted in the event of another US invasion. That would change their hawkish tune."
I agree with Marcy and wrote my own comment, posted below:
It sounds unrealistic, but only to those in Congress.
The funny thing is... Congress handed over their authority to declare war. Now, any president can run roughshod over the Constitution. We have not had any declared wars in my lifetime. Perhaps this would get them to take back their constitutional powers and not declare war unless we were attacked, first.
But, knowing Congress, they would pass new laws to protect themselves, taking away our liberties to accomplish their objectives.. Like they have already been doing.
There are always unintended consequences of laws meant to do good.
And, as drones are already the happening thing with the Chicken Hawk politicians... Congress would pass a law to only use only drones in combat. And they would pay the button pushes a ton of money, since it would be their kids pushing the buttons.
On a final note... We need to stop using drones. Drones imposing terror without risk, not counting the risk to the economy, just printing money to pay for it... but you know what I mean. Fighting.... or Terror without risk of killing oneself is far more evil than even that of a suicide bomber, in my humble opinion. Because, all it does is create new victims who wish to avenge. And, once they do, or even once they even think about avenging, they are a terrorist in the minds of these chicken hawks, when they should never have been hurt in the first place. We attacked them.
This use of drones seems to be taking terror to a whole new level. The vast majority of both parties and the White House have lost their compasses, long ago.
Sorry about this long rant. It's been building up for a while.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Truth, lies and Afghanistan - How military leaders have let us down
Justin Amash is the United States Congressman whom Ron Paul endorsed and who is now in his first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, upholding his oath in the constitutionalist style of Ron Paul.
Been following Congressman Amash on Twitter where he tweeted a featured article in Armed Forces Journal. The article is titled Truth, lies and Afghanistan - How military leaders have let us down
The important piece was was written by LT. COL. DANIEL L. DAVIS. He has a real life/death view of what's going on with regards to the U.S. occupation of Afghanistan, without living in fantasy. This is the link to his important feature story: http://armedforcesjournal.com/2012/02/8904030
Been following Congressman Amash on Twitter where he tweeted a featured article in Armed Forces Journal. The article is titled Truth, lies and Afghanistan - How military leaders have let us down
The important piece was was written by LT. COL. DANIEL L. DAVIS. He has a real life/death view of what's going on with regards to the U.S. occupation of Afghanistan, without living in fantasy. This is the link to his important feature story: http://armedforcesjournal.com/2012/02/8904030
Trust Us; We're the Government - Essay By Ron Paul
Hear Congressman Paul read his weekly Monday morning column aloud at 888-322-1414
The Essay is updated every Monday morning.
Trust Us; We're the Government
Essay by Ron Paul for February 6, 2012
While much has been made recently of the President's unconstitutional appointment of Richard Cordray to be director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), lost in the hubbub has been any discussion of the unconstitutionality of, or the need for, the CFPB itself. Proponents of the CFPB claim that this new bureaucracy will help consumers by protecting them from fraudulent activity. In reality, it will only expose consumers to more financial harm.
Housed within the unconstitutional Federal Reserve, and funded not through Congressional appropriations but through the Federal Reserve's interest revenue off the trillions of dollars of US government debt it holds, the structure of the CFPB ensures that it is run by unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats, with no effective oversight from Congress. Given broad power to regulate the activities not only of banks, but also of any other entity which the government deems offers a financial product, there is almost no limit to the scope of financial activities which the CFPB can oversee.
Giving impetus to the CFPB's creation was the poor reputation of Wall Street banks and financial firms that developed as a result of the financial crisis. Banks which received trillions of dollars of taxpayer-funded bailouts turned around and shafted their customers by foreclosing on homes, raising credit card interest rates, and introducing numerous new fees.
But rather than keeping Wall Street in check as its proponents allege, the CFPB will end up placing further restrictions on the ability of Main Street Americans to engage in productive financial endeavors. Current law already allows only the richest Americans to invest in potentially lucrative ventures such as hedge funds because such investments are deemed to be "too risky" for the average American to invest in. The government in its paternalistic wisdom treats American investors as too stupid to know what to do with their own money, and "protects" them, supposedly, by keeping them poorer than they otherwise would be. We can expect even more of this once the CFPB is running in full stride.
The CFPB will further harm consumers by encouraging them to use only financial products which have received the Bureau's approval. Many consumers will assume that these products are "safe", and will fail to engage in their own due diligence, with predictably unfortunate results. We have seen this with the stock markets and the cases of Bernie Madoff and Allen Stanford, where investors trusting the SEC to prevent fraud ended up suffering huge losses. Social Security is a similar case, in which millions of people placed their trust in the government to take care of them in their old age. The inability of Social Security to pay its future obligations is well understood but ignored, and millions of Americans will likely once again learn the hard way that the government cannot be taken at its word.
The Essay is updated every Monday morning.
Trust Us; We're the Government
Essay by Ron Paul for February 6, 2012
While much has been made recently of the President's unconstitutional appointment of Richard Cordray to be director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), lost in the hubbub has been any discussion of the unconstitutionality of, or the need for, the CFPB itself. Proponents of the CFPB claim that this new bureaucracy will help consumers by protecting them from fraudulent activity. In reality, it will only expose consumers to more financial harm.
Housed within the unconstitutional Federal Reserve, and funded not through Congressional appropriations but through the Federal Reserve's interest revenue off the trillions of dollars of US government debt it holds, the structure of the CFPB ensures that it is run by unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats, with no effective oversight from Congress. Given broad power to regulate the activities not only of banks, but also of any other entity which the government deems offers a financial product, there is almost no limit to the scope of financial activities which the CFPB can oversee.
Giving impetus to the CFPB's creation was the poor reputation of Wall Street banks and financial firms that developed as a result of the financial crisis. Banks which received trillions of dollars of taxpayer-funded bailouts turned around and shafted their customers by foreclosing on homes, raising credit card interest rates, and introducing numerous new fees.
But rather than keeping Wall Street in check as its proponents allege, the CFPB will end up placing further restrictions on the ability of Main Street Americans to engage in productive financial endeavors. Current law already allows only the richest Americans to invest in potentially lucrative ventures such as hedge funds because such investments are deemed to be "too risky" for the average American to invest in. The government in its paternalistic wisdom treats American investors as too stupid to know what to do with their own money, and "protects" them, supposedly, by keeping them poorer than they otherwise would be. We can expect even more of this once the CFPB is running in full stride.
The CFPB will further harm consumers by encouraging them to use only financial products which have received the Bureau's approval. Many consumers will assume that these products are "safe", and will fail to engage in their own due diligence, with predictably unfortunate results. We have seen this with the stock markets and the cases of Bernie Madoff and Allen Stanford, where investors trusting the SEC to prevent fraud ended up suffering huge losses. Social Security is a similar case, in which millions of people placed their trust in the government to take care of them in their old age. The inability of Social Security to pay its future obligations is well understood but ignored, and millions of Americans will likely once again learn the hard way that the government cannot be taken at its word.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Ron Paul Supporters Speak Out At Adelson Caucus In Nevada 02/04/12
On CNN, Wolf Blitzer tunes into very eloquent Ron Paul Supporters Speaking Out At Adelson Caucus In Nevada, almost giving them more time than Ron Paul get's in your average debate.
Especially love the guy at the end before Wolf pulled out to cut to Newt.
Especially love the guy at the end before Wolf pulled out to cut to Newt.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Ron Paul on the FBI & CIA Misdeeds in 1988 Interviews
Both interviews below are from a 1988 interview while Ron Paul was running for President under the Libertarian ticket.
Ron Paul on the FBI and CIA
Ron Paul on the CIA's Drug Trafficking
Ron Paul on the FBI and CIA
Ron Paul on the CIA's Drug Trafficking
Ron Paul on CNN w/ Piers Morgan - February 3, 2012 (40 Minutes)
Ron Paul vigorously debates substantive topics with Piers Morgan and elaborates on his positions & the issues, his campaign and his life.
thank you to Ron Paul Flix at RonPaulFlix.Com
thank you to Ron Paul Flix at RonPaulFlix.Com
Friday, February 3, 2012
Connect The Dots - The Drumbeat To War
CBS News in 2002: Israel To U.S.: Don't Delay Iraq Attack http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/08/18/world/main519037.shtml
The Guardian 2012: Israel defence minister warns it may soon be too late for Iran military strike http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/feb/02/iran-israel-ehud-barak-strike?newsfeed=true
This is all just one more very big reason why the U.S. voter who is anti-war should vote for Ron Paul.
The Guardian 2012: Israel defence minister warns it may soon be too late for Iran military strike http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/feb/02/iran-israel-ehud-barak-strike?newsfeed=true
This is all just one more very big reason why the U.S. voter who is anti-war should vote for Ron Paul.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
My Letter to the Nobel Prize Committee
I sent a e-mail to the Nobel Prize Committee to express my feelings about their prize, which was tarnished through their past decisions.
Those who wish to send similar comments may wish to do so at comments@nobelprize.org
Dear Nobel Prize Committee,
I was disgusted by the Peace Prize being given to President Obama in the past. I was keenly aware of his actual voting record as a U.S. Senator. I supported his campaign to become a U.S. Senator based on his campaign rhetoric. But once he was elected, he voted on multiple occasions to continue funding the military assaults in the Middle East by the U.S. Military. His reasoning was to supposedly "support the troops".
There was another man, on the other hand, who has spawned a true peace movement. His name is Ron Paul. As a very lone voice of dissent, especially when it was unpopular, he has voted against ALL of the wars the U.S. is presently in and also voted against ALL funding to continue those wars. He has worked tirelessly to promote a non-interventionist agenda and to bring U.S. troops home, so we can inflict no more harm to others. Ron Paul is more deserving of a Nobel Peace Prize than President Obama ever was or ever will be.
Regards
Gregory J. Chamberlain
Those who wish to send similar comments may wish to do so at comments@nobelprize.org
Dear Nobel Prize Committee,
I was disgusted by the Peace Prize being given to President Obama in the past. I was keenly aware of his actual voting record as a U.S. Senator. I supported his campaign to become a U.S. Senator based on his campaign rhetoric. But once he was elected, he voted on multiple occasions to continue funding the military assaults in the Middle East by the U.S. Military. His reasoning was to supposedly "support the troops".
There was another man, on the other hand, who has spawned a true peace movement. His name is Ron Paul. As a very lone voice of dissent, especially when it was unpopular, he has voted against ALL of the wars the U.S. is presently in and also voted against ALL funding to continue those wars. He has worked tirelessly to promote a non-interventionist agenda and to bring U.S. troops home, so we can inflict no more harm to others. Ron Paul is more deserving of a Nobel Peace Prize than President Obama ever was or ever will be.
Regards
Gregory J. Chamberlain
John Stewart on Romney's Private Sector vs. Presidential Hypocrisy
For Bain Capital to borrow money from other people knowing those debts can never be paid.... blah blah blah...
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