Ron Paul 10/20/2008 "New Era of Slavery"

[peaceandlove]

Congressman Ron Paul ~ TEXAS STRAIGHT TALKS

3/29/2010: "Healthcare and Economic Realities" Page #5, Post #107

3/22/2010: "Healthcare Reform Passes" Page #5, Post #106
3/15/2010: "Supporting the War Instead of the Troops" Page #5, Post #105
3/8/2010: "Census: A Little Too Personal" Page #5, Post #104
3/1/2010: "Bizarre Spending Habits" Page #5, Post #103
2/22/2010: "Government Stimulus, One Year Later" Page #5, Post #102
2/15/2010: "Are US Taxpayers Bailing Out Greece?" Page #5, Post #101
2/8/2010: "More Spending is Always the Answer" Page #4, Post #97
2/1/2010: "Spending Freeze Not Likely" Page #4, Post #96
1/25/2010: "Legalize Competing Currencies" Page #4, Post #94
1/19/2010: "Government is Too Big to Succeed" Page #4, Post #93
1/11/2010: "Why the Fed Likes Independence" Page #4, Post #92
1/4/2010: "Keynesianism Delivers a Decade of Zero" Page #4, Post #91
12/26/2009: "Healthcare Reform is a Lump of Coal" Page #4, Post #90
12/21/2009: "Iran Sanctions are Precursor to War" Page #4, Post #89
12/14/2009: "The Fed's Money Monopoly" Page #4, Post #88
12/7/2009: "Who Wants War?" Page #4, Post #87
11/30/2009: "Healthcare Freedom or Healthcare Bureaucracy?" Page #4, Post #86
11/23/2009: "Audit the Fed Attached as an Amendment" Page #4, Post #85
11/16/2009: "Competition With the Government?" Page #4, Post #84
11/9/2009: "Healthcare Reform is Economic Malpractice" Page #4, Post #83
11/2/2009: "Government Statistics and Lies" Page 4, Post #82
10/26/2009: "Anything Less Than Full Disclosure is Unacceptable" Page 4, Post #81
10/19/2009: "The Very Busy Politicians in Washington DC" Page 4, Post #80
10/13/2009: "Saving Face in Afghanistan" Page 4, Post #78
10/5/2009: "Bombs and Bribes" Page 4, Post #77
9/28/2009: "The Real Reasons Behind Fed Secrecy" Page 4, Post #76
9/21/2009: "Trade Wars and Protectionism are not Free Trade" Page #3, Post #75
9/14/2009: "Healthcare Reform is More Corporate Welfare" Page #3, Post #74
9/8/2009: "Government Solutions Lack Understanding" Page #3, Post #73
8/31/2009: "The Fed's Interesting Week" Page #3, Post #71 :sweatdrop:
8/24/2009: "We Need Sunlight to Disinfect the Legislative Process!" Page #3, Post #69
8/17/2009: "The Free Market as Regulator" Page #3, Post #68 :wall:
8/11/2009: "Cash for Clunkers" Page #3, Post #67
8/3/2009: "Healthcare Plan Based on Economic Fantasy" Page #3, Post #66 :bash:
7/27/2009: "The Immorality of Taxpayer Funded Abortion" Page #3, Post #65
7/20/2009: "Healthcare is a Good, Not a Right" Page #3, Post #64 :stretcher:
7/13/2009: "Fed Independence or Fed Secrecy?" Page #3, Post #63 :lol3:
7/6/2009: "Celebrating the Fight for Freedom on the Fourth" Page #3, Post #61
6/29/2009: "Cap and Trade Will Lead to Capital Flight" Page #3, Post #60 :yikes:
6/22/2009: "International Bailout Brings Us Closer to Economic Collapse" Page #3, Post #59:death1:
6/15/2009: "Moving Towards Tobacco Prohibition" Page #3, Post #58 :smoke:
6/8/2009: "GM, Amtrak and an Increasingly Fascist America" Page #3, Post #57 :thumbdown:
6/1/2009: "Fight Government Encroachment into Healthcare!" Page #3, Post #55 :boxing:
5/25/2009: "Torturing the Rule of Law" Page #3, Post #54
5/18/2009: "Audit the Fed, Then End It!" Page #3, Post #53 :wall:
5/11/2009: On Af-Pak: Stop "Helping" Page #3, Post #52
5/4/2009: "When Government Plays Doctor" Page #3, Post #51
4/27/2009: "Secession: the Ultimate States' Right" Page #2, Post #50
4/20/2009: "Responses to Piracy" Page #2, Post #49
4/13/2009: "Fewer Taxes for Real Economic Stimulus" Page #2, Post #48
4/6/2009: "Budget Expands Government as Economy Contracts" Page #2, Post #47
3/30/2009: "End the War on Drugs" Page #2, Post #46
3/23/2009: "Bankruptcy IS Economic Stimulus" Page #2, Post #45
3/16/2009: "Earmarks Don't Add Up" Page #2, Post #44 PLUS RECENT VIDEO INTERVIEWS
3/9/2009: "Imagine" Page #2, Post #43
3/3/2009: New Interviews ~ BLOOMBERG, CNBC, MSNBC, WASHINGTON WATCH
3/2/2009: "Is Spending the Answer?" Page #2, Post #41 MORE ADDED
2/23/2009: "On Transparency of the Fed" Page #2, Post #40
2/16/2009: "On Reinstating the Draft" Page #2, Post #39
2/9/2009: "Freedom From Government" Page #2, Post #38
2/2/2009: "Cures for Our Economic Disease" Page #2, Post #37
1/26/2009: "Stimulus for Who?" Page #2, Post #36
1/19/2009: "Strengthening or Weakening the Economy?" Page #2, Post #35
1/12/2009: "Stimulating Our Way to Rock Bottom" Page #2, Post #31
1/5/2009 "Opportunities for Peace and Nonintervention" Page #2, Post #29
Also Video: Ron Paul Speech in Congress on Madoff and US Government Ponzi Schemes 1/5/2009
12/29/2008 "Transition and Hope" Page #2, Post #27
12/22/2008 "Government and Fraud" Page #2, Post #26,
12/15/2008 "Economic Freedom or Socialist Intervention?" Post #22
12/8/2008 "Gun Control: Protecting Terrorists and Despots and the Economy" Post #21
12/1/2008 "The Neo-Alchemy of the Federal Reserve" Post #19
11/24/2008 "The Bailout Surge at Post" #15
11/10/2008 "The Economy Under The New Administration" Post #14
10/28/2008 "Spending the Economy Into Oblivion" Post #7
11/3/2008 "The Moral Hazard of Regulation" Post #11
ALSO GREAT NEW VIDEO WITH LINK AT POST #10 Please don't give up the FIGHT!

TEXAS STRAIGHT TALK ~ A weekly column.

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

October 20, 2008 "Too Big to Fail?"

NEW ERA OF SLAVERY

In the midst of highly unpopular bailouts of Wall Street, many justifications have been given about why Washington feels the need to act. Some claim that capitalism and the free market are to blame, but we have not had capitalism. If you compare our financial capital to our aggregate debt, this would be obvious. In the same way, we have not had a truly free market. The monetary manipulations of the Federal Reserve, a complex tax code, the many “oversight” agencies and their mountains of regulations show that we are far removed from a free market economy.

Another unsatisfying argument is that certain entities have to be bailed out because of their economic importance. Supposedly, some entities can be so big, so important, that no matter what they do, citizens must perpetually sustain them.

Even limited government has a basic duty to defend against force and fraud. Some argue that force is somehow permissible just because the entity engaging in it is "economically significant." But one could use this reasoning to prop up slavery. It could be deemed unfortunate but economically beneficial, and indeed these arguments have been used historically to deprive people of their liberty. But slavery should never be tolerated regardless of any economic benefit, just as systemic fraud should not be tolerated. Some banks on Wall Street should fail. Fannie and Freddie should fail. They are perpetrating fraud against the people. Yet, government insists on rewarding behavior which should instead be investigated, prosecuted, and punished.

There has been much evidence of fraud at Fannie and Freddie, but when one man, Franklin Raines, defrauded the organization out of millions of dollars through illegal accounting tricks, and ends up agreeing to pay back just a fraction, one could argue that it was well worth it to him. Fannie went on to only get more deeply involved in subprime mortgages after this investigation. Several organizations are suffering right now precisely because the free market is trying to work and punish mismanagement, if only the government would get out of the way and let it. Perhaps banks are not lending to each other because they know that complicated accounting standards, created in part to defend against confiscatory tax policy, enables false fiscal pictures to be presented, which erodes trust. But this is not a time for the government to step in with more burdensome and complicated regulations, or more foolish liquidity injections. This is a time for some banks to fail, and remaining banks to deal honestly and transparently once again. More regulations will only result in more lies.

Just as economies that turned away from slave labor had a transition period, our economy would transition as well, but in the end, if we turned to honest, sound money and a truly free market, we would end up with a more just society, founded on truthfulness and decency, not subject to the violence of force or the whims of fraudulent institutions. Unfortunately, it seems we are headed into a new era of slavery, however, where all taxpayers will be forced to render to the Fed and big banking interests the bulk of the fruits of their labor, possibly through higher taxes but definitely through the eroding force of inflation.

See Also: www.campaignforliberty.com

[Myra]

He may have a point there, since everyone continues to bail out the Fraudsters. The people look on in malaise as if they're sheep going to the slaughter. Too much Fluoride in the water supply I guess.

[Knightbk]

We already have "slave labour". The idiots in Washington will "save" the current system and we will continue with it.

The sheeples don't care provided they can watch TV, eat and screw.

[bakseat]

if u want see it this way!
Look back50years ago, person working in a factory would be pointed out
As a working class, he be living a simple life making just about enough money for food
No luxuries at all &constant straggle getting on with life, he would usually comeback from work covered with dirt. Frustrated..
In compare to our days someone that works in hi-tek, he's making a big salary &gets car from work &all different luxuries.
But this is just for show off. They are like sum1here already said are sheep's for slaughter, making sum1els very rich sacrificing their own life for someone else's progress
Doomed for lifetime between the walls of the office, yet when they look around they get the feeling they are in a good place maybe even made a success in life.
Maybe so, the material aspect of life as bout them over, they don’t have an observation to dig in side their soul, where the spirit is craving for more, light, independence &amore rewarding being.
Ands that’s called happiness in slavery.
Here comes up the argument of which sum will say there are bills to pay and kids to feeds & ect.
The madness after the material gain in this life as taken charge of people's way of development from in spirit.
. you got the house of your dreams, but every time u get home all you think about is the bills u need to pay& hardly anytime to be in it.
You have a family /kids, but you never have the time for them being so busy with work, you neglect being apart of them growing.
You even have a car from work ,all costs included but you spend half the time in it being stuck in traffic on way to work and back Frustrated...
So I ask, when are u gone release u not yet came out the chimney????
Its obvious getting for yourself only is why economy is going down hill,
One as to think of others in order to make a balance with his growth and success.
Must of the people suffering from this chaos in economic are victims to the action of the rich people that have NO understandings toward the less fortunate ones.
"Maria Antoinette the queen of France was told that the citizens have no brad to eat,
She was so stuck up that she said, if u haven’t got brad eat cakes"
And we are drinking bloody maries ever since!!!!

A good soul is a giving soul, and that’s the soul-tion

[peaceandlove]

Posted 10/25/2008 on campaignforliberty.com

Ron Paul Promises To Return When Country Needs Him Most

October 24, 2008 | Issue 44•43 WASHINGTON—After piling the last of his Campaign for Liberty signs in the back of a beat-up Ford truck Thursday, Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) once again abandoned his candidacy for president and rode on out toward the low western sun, but not before vowing to come back to Washington "when [the country] is ready." "When the river swirls and the wind blows, and when uncontrollable inflation forces us to revert to the gold standard, and the Federal Reserve bank is exposed as the unconstitutional, neofascist cabal it really is, you'll see me coming over that hill," said Paul, leaving a dusty cowboy hat and a stack of "no" votes on his seat in the House of Representatives. "But don't you fret, America. If you ever feel like your government is getting too big or too intrusive, just give a little whistle, and there I'll be. I'll be there quicker'n you can spit." Although no one has seen or heard from the Texas congressman since Thursday, sources report the Ron Paul for President campaign has gained an additional $2.3 million in contributions since his disappearance.

[RubyTuesday]

Posted 10/25/2008 on campaignforliberty.com

Ron Paul Promises To Return When Country Needs Him Most

October 24, 2008 | Issue 44•43 WASHINGTON—After piling the last of his Campaign for Liberty signs in the back of a beat-up Ford truck Thursday, Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) once again abandoned his candidacy for president and rode on out toward the low western sun, but not before vowing to come back to Washington said Paul, leaving a dusty cowboy hat and a stack of "no" votes on his seat in the House of Representatives. Although no one has seen or heard from the Texas congressman since Thursday, sources report the Ron Paul for President campaign has gained an additional $2.3 million in contributions since his disappearance.



:lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao:

I love Ron Paul. The force is with him. :lightsabre: :wub2:

[peaceandlove]

;) TEXAS STRAIGHT TALK ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

October 28, 2008 "Spending the Economy Into Oblivion"

With news this week that Congress is poised to consider a new stimulus package, I am forced to again ask a question that seems silly in Washington: How will we pay for this?

While a few Members of Congress have raised the issue, it certainly was not the primary concern of the House Budget Committee when they interviewed Ben Bernanke on Monday. And, when they did direct this question to the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, his answer was the standard rhetoric about how Congress needed to make tough choices. Needless to say, not many specifics were discussed.

One of the most liberal members of the House, Barney Frank, has at least volunteered something of a suggestion: “We can let Iraq take care of itself.” This, of course, goes in the right direction, but hardly far enough.

We need to declare the facts and their obvious consequences. The deficit of the United States is now spiraling out of control, and the recent bailout package has only made it worse. Our crushing federal debt is one key reason behind our current economic turbulence.

As Congress begins to consider the third “stimulus package” of the year, we need to realize it is time to start setting priorities. Priority number one should be cutting spending in foreign countries. This does not simply mean Iraq, but everywhere.

The next stimulus package is likely to include money for infrastructure. While these investments are, constitutionally speaking, supposed to be made by state and local governments, it is not likely that Congress will suddenly begin to pay heed to the document we are all sworn to uphold. Still, we need to acknowledge the fact that the current Congress and Administration are rushing the nation toward bankruptcy.

This being the case, we could hope they would at least come to their senses regarding our debt and foreign spending sprees. Our nation’s foreign-held debt is at record highs and moving ever higher. Continuing to borrow money from Red China and others in order to pay “dues” to the United Nations and run “Plan Colombia” makes no sense at all.

Our whole carrot-and-stick approach to foreign policy makes no sense. The US government simultaneously gives money to Israel, and to Egypt. We send AIDS money to Africa while AIDS clinics in America shut down. “Millennium challenge” funding goes to countries which enact “market based reforms” as we push our own country further and further into a centrally planned economy.

Economic recovery will only come through financial prudence, savings and getting back to producing things of value again. But it seems to be a foregone conclusion that we are about to enact another government initiative to “stimulate the economy.” Instead, there should be some serious talk about cutting all of these foreign giveaway programs. But, alas and again, we should not hold our breath. Congress is still not close to being serious about ending its addiction to debt and spending, and is again faced with the deadly temptation to attempt to spend us out of a recession. We should not forget that in the 1930’s those types of efforts gave us the Great Depression.

ALSO SEE: campaignforliberty.com for newest Lew Rockwell Interview: http://www.campaignforliberty.com/index.php?blogpage=2

[mntruthseeker]

I am just sorry that people didnt listen to Ron Paul a long time ago..............he was swept under the carpet as many of the "true stories" floating around the net

I go along with Ron as he has right on everything else so far. Thats a straight talker not a BS'er like the other two

[GenerationIke]

Too many were saying that he was crazy and with even crazier ideas. That's how they get people to not listen to the best candidate we could have here. I say best because he isn't all fancied up with baggage behind him telling him what to do and pulling the strings if he doesn't do as they say.

I'm sorry I still can't get people to look at the 3rd and 4th party candidates and really consider voting for them instead of just one of the two they throw at us every four years. They are forcing me to vote for the person to keep McCain out of office. I may be an older person, but I see the need for a new direction, a new generation to bring us to a better way. God help us if we don't get rid of the old government.

And if I hear any of them tell me one more time about how great Ronald Reagn was a president, I'm going to punch their lights out!

[peaceandlove]

;) PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP ~ GIVE IT UP FOR FREEDOM, FOR PEACE AND FOR PROSPERITY


The Mises Summit according to blogging is probably going to be archived for watching at THE MISES INSTITUTE http://www.mises.org.

Ron Paul's speech today took place outdoors. I am hoping to hear his speech will also show up in the archived Mises media or possibly show up on youtube in the next few days.

Also check http://www.campaignforliberty.com for archived media, where the information about the live airing of the Mises Institute Summit for 10/31 and 11/1 was originally posted. You may have to scroll to the bottom of the Campaign For Liberty website and click on older entries or Search their site at the top left hand side on the home page. No need to register to view articles or videos.

Great New Video "The Ultimate Change in Washington" with statements by G. Edward Griffin (enter: ultimate change in washington) in search window at top left hand side of home page at: http://www.campaignforliberty.com New 'Truths' revealed every day! Same Video is Available on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIOX9IQhL3M

Another great champion of freedom: G. Edward Griffin of Freedom Force International: http://www.freedom-force.org. Another site related to G. Edward Griffin with current 'real, unfiltered' news: http://www.realityzone.com

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A weekly column.

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

November 3, 2008 "The Moral Hazard of Regulation"

Since the bailout bill passed, I have been frequently disturbed to hear “experts” wrongly blaming the free market for our recent economic problems and calling for more regulation. In fact, further regulation can only make things worse.

It is important to understand that regulators are not omniscient. It is not feasible for them to anticipate every possible thing that could go wrong with whatever industry or activity they are regulating. They are making their best guesses when formulating rules. It is often difficult for those being regulated to understand the many complex rules they are expected to follow. Very wealthy corporations hire attorneys who may discover a myriad of loopholes to exploit and render the spirit of the regulations null and void. For this reason, heavy regulation favors big business against those small businesses who cannot afford high-priced attorneys.

The other problem is the trust that people blindly put in regulations, and the moral hazard this creates. Too many people trust government regulators so completely that they abdicate their own common sense to these government bureaucrats. They trust that if something violates no law, it must be safe. How many scams have “It’s perfectly legal” as a hypnotic selling point, luring in the gullible? Many people did not understand the financial house of cards that are derivatives, but since they were legal and promised a great return, people invested. It is much the same in any area rife with government involvement. Many feel that just because their children are getting good grades at a government school, they are getting a good education. After all, they are passing the government-mandated litmus test. But, this does not guarantee educational excellence. Neither is it always the case that a child who does NOT achieve good marks in school is going to be unsuccessful in life. Is your drinking water safe, just because the government says it is? Is the internet going to magically become safer for your children if the government approves regulations on it? I would caution any parent against believing this would be the case. Nothing should take the place of your own common sense and due diligence.

These principles explain why the free market works so much better than a centrally planned economy. With central planning, everything shifts from one’s own judgment about safety, wisdom and relative benefits of a behavior, to the discretion of government bureaucrats. The question then becomes “what can I get away with,” and there will always be advantages for those who can afford lawyers to find the loopholes. The result then is that bad behavior, that would quickly fail under the free market, is propped up, protected and perpetuated, and sometimes good behavior is actually discouraged.

Regulation can actually benefit big business and corporate greed, while simultaneously killing small businesses that are the backbone of our now faltering economy. This is why I get so upset every time someone claims regulation can resolve the crisis that we are in. Rather, it will only exacerbate it.

[RubyTuesday]

Remember this video? Isn't it AWESOME???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e26FhQo_2JY

I get giddy watching RP tubes. :wub2:

Here is one of my other top favorites!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3fDFSPSoyo


Hmmm...I like the Sweet Emotion one Aravoth did, too. Can't seem to find it.

[JohnWdoe]

Ron Paul is one of the few people left that still has some backbone, he was spot on about Vietnam and the copious FED spending. The economy is wrapped in such a lingo that makes people shrill from its complexity but when you boil it down its all about A and B, lets try to please people without throwing communistic **** and big promises, we can start with our Agriculture and move into production, but yet again we have slave drivers hiking up currency until its worth nothing, then what? form an American union and completely control the free market?

Its such a problem that i have NO involvement in what so ever... This ridiculous armada America has built, god knows how much all the genetic testing and growing costs.

No wonder the FED lost trillions, government spending has gotten way out of hand id say thats a good place to start.

[peaceandlove]

;) Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

November 10, 2008 "Hopes for the Future"

'The Economy Under The New Administration'

With the election behind us, our country turns hopeful eyes to the future. I have a few hopes of my own.

I congratulate our first African-American president-elect. Martin Luther King, Jr. certainly would be proud to see this day. We are stronger for embracing diversity, and I am hopeful that we can continue working through the tensions and wrongs of the past and become a more just and colorblind society. I hope this new administration will help bring us together, and not further divide us. I have always found that freedom is the best way to break down barriers. A free society emphasizes the importance of individuals, and not because they are part of a certain group. That’s the only way equal justice can be achieved.

We will face more tough economic problems during this new administration. In fact, the worst is yet to come. A vast amount of problematic mortgages have not begun to reset their variable interest rates and go into default. We already have unprecedented deficits, spending is out of control, and more big industries are coming to government with their hands out. My hope is that this administration will handle this economic crisis better than the interventionists and big government spenders of the 1930’s, the bureaucrats that prolonged the Depression. I hope that new government programs and spiderwebs of red tape do not pop up to interfere with American productivity, and that we can quickly get our financial footing again. We have to understand that an economic correction needs to take place and the only way out of the coming recession is to go through it. Efforts to avoid it can only prolong it. I hope we can somehow find our way back to sound money and reject corporate cronyism.

We cannot address our budget problems at home without changing our disastrous foreign policy abroad. I am hopeful that the new administration can take on the mantle of peace and diplomacy in foreign policy that many Americans feel they were promised. Many other nations also have this hope, which exudes from their congratulatory sentiments offered after the election. They hope that national sovereignty will be respected. They hope that through diplomacy violence and war can be averted. I hope so too. One thing is unquestionable: our aggressive foreign policy of the past has been costly, in blood and in treasure. Our treasure is running out, and fewer volunteers are stepping up to enable that foreign policy. So for these reasons, if we are to continue to have an all-volunteer military, and see prosperity again in the future, I have every reason to hope our foreign policy will change. In order for it to remain the same, mandatory military service would have to return, as well as accelerated theft through debt and inflation to pay for it. I have a hard time imagining popular support for these policies, simply for the sake of war and conquest, when we clearly want peace.

I have many hopes for the future in this time of transition. But I have seen this country face many forks in the road, and sadly take the wrong one too many times. We have heard a lot of talk, and it remains to be seen what actions and specific policies that talk will translate into. So while I may be hopeful, I remain deeply concerned about our future.

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

November 24, 2008 "The Bailout Surge"

This week the bailout of the Big Three automakers was under heavy consideration in Congress’s lame duck session. I have always opposed government bailouts of private organizations. Back in 1979 Congress had hearings about bailing out Chrysler and I was on record pointing out that these types of policies are foolish and very damaging to the long term economic health of our country. They still are.

There was also renewed pressure this week to bailout homeowners and send another round of stimulus checks to “Main Street” to balance out all the handouts to big business. It seems that eventually the entire economy is going to be blanketed over with Federal Reserve notes. Most in Washington are completely oblivious as to why this model of money creation and spending is so dangerous.

We must remember that governments do not produce anything. Their only resources come from producers in the economy through such means as inflation and taxation. The government has an obligation to be good stewards of these resources. In bailing out failing companies, they are confiscating money from productive members of the economy and giving it to failing ones. By sustaining companies with obsolete or unsustainable business models, the government prevents their resources from being liquidated and made available to other companies that can put them to better, more productive use. An essential element of a healthy free market, is that both success and failure must be permitted to happen when they are earned. But instead with a bailout, the rewards are reversed – the proceeds from successful entities are given to failing ones. How this is supposed to be good for our economy is beyond me.

With each bailout we hear rhetoric that this is the mother of all bailouts. This will fix the problem once and for all, and that this is absolutely necessary to avert disaster. This sense of panic squeezes astonishing amounts of dollars out of reluctant but hopeful legislators, who hate the position they are being put in, but are relieved that it will be the last time. It is never the last time, and again and again we are faced with the same scenarios and the same fears. We are already in the bailout business for such a staggering amount that admitting it was wrong in the first place would be too embarrassing. So the commitment to this course of action is only irrationally escalated, in the hopes that somehow, someway eventually it will work and those in power won’t have to admit they were wrong.

It won’t work. It can’t work. We need to cut our losses and get back on course. There is too much at stake for too many people to continue down this road. The bailouts thus far to AIG, Bear Stearns, Fannie and Freddie, and TARP funds amount to around $1.5 trillion. Considering our GDP is $14 trillion, and our Federal budget is already $3 trillion, this additional amount will significantly eat into our future lifestyles. That amounts to an extra $5,000 that every person in the country needs to somehow produce just to keep up. It is obvious to most Americans that we need to reject corporate cronyism, and allow the natural regulations and incentives of the free market to pick the winners and losers in our economy, not the whims of bureaucrats and politicians.

[Harper]

Hello folks,

Not having any say in the US elections, I have always been a fan of Ron Paul. The only issue we would disagree on is the guns, but considering what he must know secretly- is the plan then I can totally understand it now.

Just not a fan of empires or guns. However I digress, I like to look for the secrets in words or names and this one is hopeful and clear.

Ron Paul makes the anagram 'our plan'

take it easy whereever you guys are

[RubyTuesday]

Hello folks,

Not having any say in the US elections, I have always been a fan of Ron Paul. The only issue we would disagree on is the guns, but considering what he must know secretly- is the plan then I can totally understand it now.

Just not a fan of empires or guns. However I digress, I like to look for the secrets in words or names and this one is hopeful and clear.
Ron Paul makes the anagram 'our plan'

take it easy whereever you guys are

Did you watch Ron Paul's rally in St. Paul? It's still on youtube, amazing stuff! Ah...what could have been...and end to the Fed, IRS, and the war machine. I guess the path we're on wasn't supposed to be so easy as electing someone who sees what's wrong clearly and is open enough to discuss it ALL. A man who would immediately pardon all non violent drug offenders and get them out of prison? Who would bring our troops home from every base all over the world? Who believes the people should decide what they should/should not put in their own bodies? And *they* say Obama was change. :lmao: We couldn't have the real stuff yet I guess. :wub2:

[FrostyMcunicron]

Amen!
Another unsatisfying argument is that certain entities have to be bailed out because of their economic importance. Supposedly, some entities can be so big, so important, that no matter what they do, citizens must perpetually sustain them.

If Its Bull**** and you know it take a stand.

( non violent protest!)

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

December 1, 2008 "The Neo-Alchemy of the Federal Reserve"

Excerpt:

Our central bankers have had a tremendous amount of hubris over the years, believing that they could actually manage a paper money system in such a way as to replicate the behavior and benefits of a gold standard. In fact, back in 2004 then Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan told me as much. People talk about toxic assets, but the real toxicity in our economy comes from the neo-alchemy practiced by the Federal Reserve System. Just as alchemists of the past frequently poisoned themselves with the lead or mercury they were trying to turn to gold, today’s bankers are poisoning the economy with accelerated fiat money creation.

Full article here:
http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=081201_2549,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[Celtic_Man]

At least the slave owners during and before the 1860's in the United States took responsibility for the slaves' housing, health care and other needs. Today, they have other Americans pay for all the expensive benefits the their illegal aliens slaves get.

Imagine the outrage if one were to go to the store and see clothing products using cotton picked by actual slaves from the south. But the same outrage is non existent when it comes to all the Asian slave labor including children... goods sold at Walmart and other stores.

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

December 8, 2008 "Gun Control: Protecting Terrorists and Despots"

Last Paragraph:

In our own country, we should be ever vigilant against any attempts to disarm the people, especially in this economic downturn. I expect violent crime to rise sharply in the coming days, and as states and municipalities are even more financially strained, the police will be even less able or willing to respond to crime. In many areas, local police could become more and more absorbed with revenue generating activities, like minor traffic violations and the asset forfeiture opportunities of non-violent drug offenses. Your safety has always, ultimately been your own responsibility, but never more so than now. People have a natural right to defend themselves. Governments that take that away from their people should be highly suspect.

Full article here: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=081208_2559,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

December 15, 2008 "Economic Freedom or Socialist Intervention?"

The freedom to fail is an essential part of freedom. Government- provided financial security necessitates relinquishing the very essence of freedom. Last week, the big 3 American automakers came back to Capitol Hill with their hands out to the government. Congress spent this past week debating how much money to give them and what strings should be attached. Though the bailout plan for the auto industry has suffered what I would call a temporary setback in the Senate, other avenues for public funding are being explored through the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department. I am afraid the American auto industry will soon learn that having billions rain down from Washington will not be the blessing one might expect.

Article continues here:
http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=081215_2570,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[Sol Invictus]

There needs to be a 'Ron Paul' army.

The uprising is coming.. you can feel it, taste it, smell it as it eddies in the wind of change.

[Czymra]

This gives me hope, indeed. But don't you guys find the imagination of an 'army' under/in the image of one man is a dodgy thought?

[Sol Invictus]

This gives me hope, indeed. But don't you guys find the imagination of an 'army' under/in the image of one man is a dodgy thought?


Washington.... Lincoln...... Just a couple like off the top of my head.

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

December 22, 2008: "Government and Fraud"

Billions of dollars were recently lost in the collapse of Bernie Madoff’s self-described Ponzi scheme, in which too-good-to-be-true returns on investments were not really returns at all, but the funds of defrauded new investors. The pyramid scheme collapsed dramatically when too many clients called in their accounts, and not enough new victims could be found to support these withdrawals. Bernie Madoff was running a blatant fraud operation. Fraud is already illegal, and he will be facing criminal consequences, which is as it should be, and should act as an appropriate deterrent to potential future criminals. But it seems every time someone breaks the law, politicians and pundits decide we need more laws, even though lack of laws was not the problem.

The government itself runs a fraud much bigger than Madoff’s. Our Social Security system is the very definition of a Ponzi, or pyramid scheme. If the government truly had an interest in protecting people’s savings, they would allow people to opt out of Social Security altogether. We would cut wasteful spending, such as our overseas empire, to honor current obligations to seniors, and eventually phase the program out. Instead, as with Enron and Sarbanes Oxley, I expect new, unrelated legislation to be proposed that further damages freedom in the name of protecting us, amidst loud proclamations that they have made the world safe.

Remaining article here:
http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=081222_2580,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

December 29, 2008: "Transition and Hope"

Excerpt:
Many hoped that the changes would signify overwhelming positive steps for our country, and that we would enter a new era, as promised during the campaign. I would like for this to be true, but based on the continuity so far, I would not be surprised to see America stay on the same course of failed monetary and economic policies. The course has been set for several decades, and in reality there is little the new administration could do to fix things without actually making them worse. But I expect them to try. The only real solutions involve allowing the market to liquidate the debt and malinvestment. The political reality is that this is not going to happen....

Unfortunately, government will continue to consolidate and abuse power at an accelerated pace. Government will get bigger, in the short term, and as monetary policy goes from irresponsible to absurd, I have every expectation that we will soon shift from some prices falling to an inflationary nightmare.

But there is hope...

Complete article here:
http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=081229_2583,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[mulder]

This absurd budgeting is another facet to the "You can't trade off freedom for security" arguement. The USA will go bankrupt soon due to crazy spending. All the cost of the Police state will weigh down the economy & soon we will have an inflation nightmare. So, this "security" is going to yield $50 pricetag on a loaf of bread & on a quart of milk. Theres no sceurity here & I'd rather take my chance with the terrorists than suffer hyperinflation!!:mfr_omg:

[peaceandlove]

ALSO SEE: 1/5/2009 Ron Paul Madoff "Irrelevant SEC + Congress + Moral Hazard + US Gov't Ponzi Schemes": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xir5j8SjVlI&eurl=http://www.campaignforliberty.com/ Source: http://www.campaignforliberty.com

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

January 5, 2009: "Opportunities for Peace and Nonintervention"

Last week I discussed our worsening economic situation and the fact that there are very few options for the new administration to improve things in the long run. The same is not true on the foreign policy front. Our interventionist foreign policy stands ready to be put on a new course with the new administration. Unfortunately, it seems the new administration is likely to continue the mistakes of the past. I've often discussed interventionist foreign policy and the resulting blowback. The current administration's foreign policy, I'm afraid, has created a huge impetus for blowback against the United States. However, I truly believe much of the world stands ready to look beyond our nation's recent blunders if the new administration proves to be heading in a more reasonable direction.

Other nations around the world find our interference in their affairs condescending, and it is very dangerous for us. We may think we have much to gain by inserting ourselves in these complex situations, but on the contrary we suffer from many consequences.

Remaining article here:
http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090105_2587,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml:

[giovonni]

It is becoming apparent, as the new O bama Administration approaches its Inauguration Day> Its going to be> the same old same O ?

Barack Obama: The Naked Emperor?
http://www.davidicke.com/content/view/18281

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

January 12, 2009: "Stimulating Our Way to Rock Bottom"

"Washington’s bandaids will only prolong this agony."

With attention turning to the next big economic stimulus package, questions are still swirling about our economic troubles. How did we get here? How do we get out? As usual, Washington has all the wrong answers. According to many politicians, we got here by not spending enough, not consuming enough, and not regulating enough. Now government, like some mythical white knight, is going to ride in to save the day by blanketing the economy with dollars, hiring an army of new bureaucrats, creating make-work jobs, and sending everyone some form of a bailout check. The debate seems to focus on whether this will cost enough to save the economy, or if this is just a “down payment” with much more government spending to come. Talk like that would be comical, if the results weren’t going to be so tragic.

Remaining article here:
http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090112_2598,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[dagon]

just watch this show. its a good one. :thumb_yello::thumb_yello:

Alex Jones TV 1-8-09 David Icke Part 6/7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFAclr4uw80&NR=1

[giovonni]

Does the metaphor>or maybe an analogy> once the train leaves the station> ring any bells?
Well, trains and economies> pretty much operate in the same way.
Our economy, is on a outbound departing train (that left the station awhile back).
Note> trains and economies are both> very difficult to stop!
Once started and in progress> the returnaround for both> is not an immediate process> theres lots of in betweens before getting back too?

I expect this money> is far too little and (most importantly) there is no strategic or logical plan> other than spend our way out? How long can we spend, what we don't have, and when will those with all this money (were borrowing from), object and demand payment> and in what form> of currency?
I believe, it is all about buying time to psychologically> allow the whole population (us passengers) to adjust> to the enevitable (badtrip)?
Now, I'm not saying things> will not eventually turn around> somewhat?
Its the some> who the turnabout will be> for and the what> is going to happen too the rest> I worry about?

sorry about that :shocked: thats what too much :cup::cup::cup: and too little :sleep_1:
can undo> trying to make sense!:lmfao:

[peaceandlove]

just watch this show. its a good one. :thumb_yello::thumb_yello:

Alex Jones TV 1-8-09 David Icke Part 6/7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFAclr4uw80&NR=1


That was a good one. :thumb_yello:

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

January 19, 2009: "Strengthening or Weakening the Economy?"

"Freedom is our strength, government is our weakness."

The economic situation continues to deteriorate this week as past and future bailouts were discussed on Capitol Hill. The debate was over the accountability of already disbursed TARP money, and on whether or not to release remaining funds. Banks that had already been bailed out before are looking for more money to fill the black holes that are their balance sheets, warning that they are simply too big to fail. However, whatever ‘devastating’ consequences these banks are dreaming up and pushing on Capitol Hill regarding their own collapse will be nothing compared to the collapse of our currency if …

Complete Article:
http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090119_2616,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul


January 26, 2009: "Stimulus for Who?"

This week the House is expected to pass an $825 billion economic stimulus package. In reality, this bill is just an escalation of a government-created economic mess. As before, a sense of urgency and impending doom is being used to extract mountains of money from Congress with minimal debate. So much for change. This is déjà vu. We are again being promised that its passage will help employment, help homeowners, help the environment, etc. These promises are worthless. This time around especially, Congress should know better than to pass anything of this magnitude without first reading the fine print. There a many red flags that I have found in this bill.

At least $4 billion is allocated to expanding the police state and the war on drugs through Byrne grants, which even the Bush administration opposed, and the COPS program, both of which are corrupt and largely ineffective programs.

To help Big Brother keep a better eye on us and our children, $20 billion would go towards health information technology, which would create a national system of electronic medical records without adequate privacy protection. These records would instead be subject to the misnamed federal “medical privacy” rule, which allows government and state-favored special interests to see medical records at will. An additional $250 million is allocated for states to nationalize individual student data, expanding Federal control of education and eroding privacy.

$79 billion bails out states that haphazardly expanded their budgets during the bubble years, but refuse to retrench and cut back, as their taxpayers have had to, during recession years.

Article Continues Here: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090126_2631,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

February 02, 2009: "Cures for Our Economic Disease"

"the best cure for a recession is a recession"

I have recently had several opportunities on various news programs to discuss the economy and what is wrong with the so-called economic stimulus package. I have said over and over what we shouldn’t be doing, and now I’d like to explain what we should be doing. But to improve the situation, you must first have a solid grasp of how we got here. Government policies and central planning created the housing bubble, now going bust. About a decade ago the government made expanded homeownership and affordable housing a public goal. Through Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the secondary mortgage market the government incentivized creative, low down-payment, more widely available mortgage products, and discouraged the market-proven lending standards of the past. The Federal Reserve kept interest rates artificially low, which added more fuel to this fire.

Article Continues Here: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090202_2647,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

February 09, 2009: "Freedom From Government"

"Money is the Trojan horse that government uses to infiltrate and infect organizations."

President Obama signed an executive order last week continuing the faith-based initiatives program created by former President Bush. When the program was created, I warned that giving taxpayer money to private religious organizations would eventually lead to political control and manipulation of them. This week has provided some evidence that this was a justified concern. The logic behind funding faith-based initiatives seemed reasonable to some. Private organizations are much more effective in charitable endeavors than government programs and bureaucracies. Therefore, why not “outsource” some of the government’s welfare-state activities to these worthy organizations? This appealed to many conservatives, especially …

Article continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090209_2660,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

February 16, 2009: "On Reinstating the Draft"

"I am convinced that there are more threats to American liberty within the 10 mile radius of my office on Capitol Hill than there are on the rest of the globe."

Much has been made by the new administration of the idea of national service and volunteerism. While service to one’s community is certainly admirable, it is not the federal government’s place to “encourage” or promote volunteerism. Moreover, there are troubling signs that national service could transition from voluntary to mandatory, or de facto mandatory, such as the requirement of service in order to be granted a diploma, or something along those lines. Involuntary servitude was supposed to be abolished by the 13th Amendment, but things like Selective Service and the income tax make me wonder how serious we really …

Article Continues Here: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090216_2679,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

February 23, 2009: "On Transparency of the Fed"

"...with so much of the Fed’s business cloaked in secrecy, these latest initiatives will not even scratch the surface of the Fed’s opaque operations."

This week the Federal Reserve responded to the American people’s increased concerns over our monetary policy by presenting new initiatives aimed at enhancing the Fed’s transparency and accountability. As someone who has called for more openness from the Fed for over 30 years, I was pleased to see the Fed acknowledge the legitimacy of this need. The Federal Reserve controls the flow of money and credit in our economy because Congress has abdicated its responsibility over the nation’s currency. This process therefore occurs centrally, and almost completely outside the system of checks and balances. Because of legal tender laws, …

Article continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090223_2687,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

More wise information from the wise economist, who happens to be associated with the Hijacked Republican Party by default, not by choice, Ron Paul.
I almost forgot to post his weekly 'Texas Straight Talk' with all this talk about politics. Ron Paul does not appear as a politician to me, but as a realist, an economist, and a wiser man than most. In a recent conversation with Giovonni he called him, "The Anti-Politician"; that resonates with me.

The weary warrior, Dr. Paul, sounds soooo tired on the Audio. He has given speeches this last week at
CPAC: http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=12135&cpg=1
and in Austin at the Liberty Banquet 2/28/2009: http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=12328&cpg=1
and all the TV and radio interviews: CNN American Morning 3/2/2009 http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=12299
Live from CPAC: CNN Interview 2/27/2009 http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=12101&cpg=1
And on Washington Unplugged 2/27/2009: http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=12099&cpg=1

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

March 02, 2009: "Is Spending the Answer?"

This week, Congress and the administration once again showed their lack of economic understanding, as they ramped up spending to record levels. On the surface, maybe it does look to some like the economic crisis is a liquidity problem, that the economy is in trouble because money is not changing hands at the pace it once did in the boom years. They believe that to get back to a booming economy money needs to start changing hands again – and the quickest way to do this is for the federal government to massively expand spending to pump new money …

Article continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090302_2706,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Since this directly relates to Dr. Paul's most recent Texas Straight Talk, I've posted this Bloomberg interview here along with two others from today.

Ron Paul on Bloomberg

3/3/2009

On Tuesday, Dr. Paul appeared on Bloomberg TV to discuss the budget and how runaway spending will not solve the economic crisis.

Video (4:29): http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=12440



Ron Paul on Glenn Beck

3/3/2009

Video (5:41): http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=12444&cpg=1



Ron Paul on MSNBC

3/3/2009

Discuss Rush

Video (6:00): http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=12441&cpg=1



Ron Paul on "Washington Watch"

3/3/2009

Dr. Paul discusses the economy, monetary policy, and foreign policy with Congressman Walter Jones in this two part interview:

Videos (19:47): http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=12408&cpg=1

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

March 09, 2009: "Imagine"

Imagine for a moment that somewhere in the middle of Texas there was a large foreign military base, say Chinese or Russian. Imagine that thousands of armed foreign troops were constantly patrolling American streets in military vehicles. Imagine they were here under the auspices of “keeping us safe” or “promoting democracy” or “protecting their strategic interests.” Imagine that they operated outside of US law, and that the Constitution did not apply to them. Imagine that every now and then they made mistakes or acted on bad information and accidentally killed or terrorized innocent Americans, including women and children, most …

Article continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090309_2735,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

March 16, 2009: "Earmarks Don't Add Up"

Earmarks seem to be the hot topic this week, and as a fiscal conservative I am dismayed so many people deliberately distort the earmarking process and grandstand to make political points. It is an easy thing to do with earmarks. It takes a little more time and patience to grasp the reality of what earmarks really are. To be sure, if earmarks were the driving force behind explosive government spending as some have been led to believe, that would be a good reason for all the fuss. The misconception seems to be that members of Congress put together a …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090316_2757,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml



Recent Videos on Earmarks:

Ron Paul on the Steve Gill Show, March 12, 2009
Visit http://www.gillreport.com for more. Former Presidential candidate and champion of the Constitution Congressman Ron Paul of Texas joined the program today to discuss, among other things, the misunderstanding many people have about earmarks and the idea that we need more earmarks, not less.
Video (10:00): http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=13179&cpg=1#comments

Congressman Ron Paul on Earmarks March 10, 2009
Posted by Matt Hawes on 3/10/09 2:25 PM Campaign for Liberty
On Tuesday, Dr. Paul spoke on the House floor concerning the true nature of earmarks.
Video (5:36): http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=12984&cpg=1#comments

Dr. Paul Defends Earmarks on Cavuto March 10, 2009
"This whole thing about 'Earmarks' is totally misunderstood."
Video (4:05): http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=12951&cpg=1#comments



Recent Article on Earmarks:

"Earmarks: Much Ado About Nothing"

Source: http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=12867&cpg=1#comments

Posted by Matt Hawes on 03/09/09

Over at LewRockwell.com today, Dave Gonigam takes a look at earmarks and asks everyone to take a deep breath and actually consider the issue:

We're hearing a lot lately about earmarks - DC-speak for pork-barrel spending. Whether it's the "stimulus" bill signed into law last month, or the $410 billion spending bill that's supposed to tide over Uncle Sam for the rest of fiscal '09, it seems we can't get away from them....

Not so. Earmarks typically make up about 1% of the federal budget. In the spending bill being debated right now, it's a little under 2%....But really, we're talking about a pittance in the big scheme of the federal budget. Slaughter all the earmarks, and it would barely put a dent in runaway spending.

Well actually, it wouldn't even do that.

That's because earmarks come out of a total amount of federal spending that's carved in stone before the earmarks are ever doled out to the lawmakers. In other words, the money's going to get spent anyway.

The only difference is that with earmarks, individual lawmakers get a little bit of say in how it gets spent. Take earmarks out of the equation, and the decisions get made within the executive branch, or at best, among the Congressional leadership - whose primary concern would be rewarding friends and punishing enemies among the back-benchers....

As Dr. Paul has pointed out in the past: http://www.ronpaullibrary.org/document.php?id=836

Because earmarks are funded from spending levels that have been determined before a single earmark is agreed to, with or without earmarks the spending levels remain the same. Eliminating earmarks designated by Members of Congress would simply transfer the funding decision process to federal bureaucrats rather then elected representatives. In an already flawed system, earmarks can at least allow residents of Congressional districts to have a greater role in allocating federal funds - their tax dollars - than if the money is allocated behind locked doors by bureaucrats. So we can be critical of the abuses in the current system but we shouldn't lose sight of how some reforms may not actually make the system much better.

The real problem... is the size of the federal government and the amount of money we are spending in these appropriations bills....

Mr. Gonigam reiterates that point in his article today; the earmark battle serves as a convenient distraction from the larger issues. It is just one piece of a much bigger puzzle.

Small government conservatives may be ready to reduce the number of earmarks in a spending bill, but are they ready to reconsider our $1 trillion foreign policy? Or all of the money spent enforcing anti-civil liberties legislation like the Patriot Act? Or the destruction of our dollar by an out of control Federal Reserve?

Read Dave Gonigam's full article here: http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig9/gonigam4.html

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul



Even more venues for Dr. Paul!
RON PAUL'S TEXAS STRAIGHT TALK NOW AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE
VIDEO (audio)(3:28): "Bankruptcy IS Economic Stimulus" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAUOFnEUC5Y



March 23, 2009: "Bankruptcy IS Economic Stimulus"

The distraction on Capitol Hill this week has to do with the jackpot bonuses that executives at AIG recently received. The argument is over a relative drop in the bucket. The total amount of bonuses given out was $165 million. The government has put $170 billion into AIG so far. Many now are demanding we get this money back. We ought to be spending our time and effort doing something more worthwhile, like figuring out how the Federal Reserve is handling the trillions of dollars they are creating and pumping into the economy, and how that is affecting the …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090323_2780,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

March 30, 2009: "End the War on Drugs"

We have recently heard many shocking stories of brutal killings and ruthless violence related to drug cartels warring with Mexican and US officials. It is approaching the fever pitch of a full blown crisis. Unfortunately, the administration is not likely to waste this opportunity to further expand government. Hopefully, we can take a deep breath and look at history for the optimal way to deal with this dangerous situation, which is not unprecedented. Alcohol prohibition in the 1920’s brought similar violence, gangs, lawlessness, corruption and brutality. The reason for the violence was not that making and selling alcohol was …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090330_2795,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

April 06, 2009: "Budget Expands Government as Economy Contracts"

Last week the House passed another budget that increases federal power, raises taxes, and increases the national debt. I voted against it, and was pleased to see that not a single Republican representative voted for it. Legislators often see bipartisanship as constructive, but I disagree especially where the destruction of our economy or our liberty is concerned. There has been too much bipartisan consensus on expanding government far beyond the bounds of the Constitution which we all swore to defend and uphold. Because of this, I have never been able to vote for a budget. However, it was good …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090406_2816,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

April 13, 2009: "Fewer Taxes for Real Economic Stimulus"

Taxes are the issue this week as Americans struggle to make the April 15th deadline to file their returns. It is a good time to contemplate the effects of big government and what it does to our country. The income tax is one of the most egregious encroachments on our liberties today. It is a form of involuntary servitude, which was supposed to have been outlawed by the 13th Amendment. Tax Freedom Day is defined as the day when the nation as a whole has theoretically earned enough income to fund its annual federal tax burden. For all of...

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090413_2822,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

April 20, 2009: "Responses to Piracy"

The recent episode with the Somali pirates has brought to the forefront many questions about maritime security. What is the best way to deal with a gang of criminals, not acting on behalf of any country, when they attack private vessels? Under whose jurisdiction are these types of criminals to be prosecuted? Most importantly, how do we deter such attacks in the future? Already the administration is saber-rattling with typical big government so-called solutions, like “diplomatically” threatening the weak Somalian government, or any government of any country where pirates are thought to live, with military action if they fail …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090420_2837,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

April 27, 2009: "Secession: the Ultimate States' Right"

Last week the governor of Texas ignited a media firestorm for his remarks involving the idea of secession. He did not call for Texas to secede from the United States. He merely pointed out that the federal government was treading heavily on the sovereignty of the states and that this can not continue indefinitely without a breaking point. The reaction to Governor Perry’s statements has been nothing short of hysterical. He has been called treasonous for making this obvious point and opening up a discussion. I am not calling for secession either, however there is nothing wrong with a …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090427_2851,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

May 04, 2009: "When Government Plays Doctor" :old:

This week, concerns about swine flu have dominated the media and many government officials. While the American people should be made aware of infectious diseases and common sense preventative measures, much of the hysterical reaction from government only serves to remind us how detrimental to your health it can be when government plays doctor. As a physician, I have yet to see any evidence that justifies the current level of alarm. Influenza typically kills around 36,000 people every year in this country and hospitalizes a couple hundred thousand. So far there are only a handful of confirmed deaths attributable …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090504_2874,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

May 11, 2009: On Af-Pak: Stop "Helping" :nono:

While much of the country’s attention is on other issues, a serious situation is developing in Pakistan that threatens to plunge us into another fruitless and bloody war. It is very frustrating to see that many who were so vehemently against the wars of the last administration have suddenly lost interest in foreign policy simply because we were promised change. Those still paying attention know that nothing could be further from the truth. Very little has changed, except perhaps rhetoric, but what does that matter when the bombing missions are only getting deadlier? Rather than drawing down violent military...

Article continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090511_2895,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

May 18, 2009: "Audit the Fed, Then End It!" :wall:

"The failure of central economic planning has been witnessed over and over. It is frankly beyond me why we ever agreed to try it again."

I have been very pleased with the progress of my legislation, HR 1207, which calls for a complete audit of the Federal Reserve and removes many significant barriers towards transparency of our monetary system. This bill now has nearly 170 cosponsors, with support from both Republicans and Democrats. Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced a companion bill in the Senate S 604, which will hopefully begin to gain momentum as well. I am very encouraged to see so many of my colleagues in Congress stand with me for greater transparency in government. Some have begun to push back against this …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090518_2909,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml



Also available at this link:

SPEECHES AND STATEMENTS

May 14, 2009 Statement Introducing Legislation to Help Consumers with Forgiven Credit Card Debt


PRESS RELEASES

May 11, 2009 Congressman Paul Introduces Bill for Fuel Efficient Cars

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

May 25, 2009: "Torturing the Rule of Law" :giljotiini:

While Congress is sidetracked by who said what to whom and when, our nation finds itself at a crossroads on the issue of torture. We are at a point where we must decide if torture is something that is now going to be considered justifiable and reasonable under certain circumstances, or is America better than that? “Enhanced interrogation” as some prefer to call it, has been used throughout history, usually by despotic governments, to cruelly punish or to extract politically useful statements from prisoners. Governments that do these things invariably bring shame on themselves. In addition, information obtained under …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090525_2933,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml



The following video is also posted in the Project Camelot forum under Off-Topic "War is a Racket". It also applies to this thread.

"Slavery Didn't End in the 1860's" ~ Native American Speaker

Income Tax Reality Check

Video (6:18): http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/627.html

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

June 01, 2009: "Fight Government Encroachment into Healthcare!" :boxing:

With a faltering economy, and skyrocketing costs, healthcare continues to be a critical issue for all Americans. Unfortunately government encroachment into the doctor/patient relationship is poised to exacerbate our problems with healthcare. As an OB/GYN with over 30 years of experience in private practice, I understand that one of the foundations of quality healthcare is the patient's confidence that all information shared with his or her healthcare provider will remain private. And yet, the Federal Government plans to undermine this trust with establishment of mandatory electronic medical records collections and “unique health identifier” numbers assigned to all Americans.

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090608_2962,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml



SPEECHES AND STATEMENTS

Statement of Congressman Ron Paul
United States House of Representatives
Statement Introducing the Protect Patients' and Physicians' Privacy Act

May 21, 2009

Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce the Protect Patients’ and Physicians’ Privacy Act. This legislation protects medical privacy, as well as quality health care, by allowing patients and physicians to opt out of any federally mandated, created, or funded electronic medical records system. The bill also repeals the sections of federal law establishing a “unique health identifier” and requires patient consent before any electronic medical records can be released to a third party.

Continues: http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/tx14_paul/ppprivacy.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Oh, I couldn't resist pasting this. :winksmiley02:

(Also see above post #55 for most recent Texas Straight Talk)

Our Major Surprise in Asia Minor :wub2:
By Robert Higgs on May 30, 2009

Excerpt:

When Metin inquired as to how we liked President Barack Obama, we replied that we dislike all politicians. He nodded as if he understood and agreed with our sentiment. Then, after a brief pause, he said. “But there is one who is different.” After pausing again, as if he were searching his mind, he said simply: “Ron Paul.” Quickly following up, he declared emphatically: “I love Ron Paul!” Nearly struck dumb by this amazing declaration, we asked how he knew about Dr. Paul. He said that everybody in Turkey knows about him, and many Turks like him better than other politicians. When we informed him that we are personally acquainted with Dr. Paul, it was almost as if we had told him we are personally acquainted with some world-famous celebrity. Elizabeth confessed to him that although she normally steers clear of politics, she had joined a meetup group to promote Dr. Paul’s Republican presidential candidacy and had placed a big Ron Paul sign in front of our house. Instant solidarity!

Complete article: http://www.independent.org/blog/?p=2324

SOURCE and COMMENTS with LINK TO ARTICLE ALSO: Bob Higgs Bumps into Ron Paul Fans in Turkey http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=19214&cpg=1#comments

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

June 08, 2009: "GM, Amtrak and an Increasingly Fascist America" :thumbdown:

"THE HEIGHT OF HUBRIS!"

Last week, General Motors finally declared bankruptcy. Many in government thought $20 billion in taxpayer dollars would save the company, but as predicted, it only postponed the inevitable. The government will dump another $30 billion into GM and take a 60 percent controlling interest for it. Public officials are now involving themselves in tactical business decisions such as where GM’s headquarters should move and what kind of cars it will build. The promise that this is temporary and will eventually be profitable is supposed to ease the American people into accepting this arrangement, but it is of little comfort …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090608_2962,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

June 15, 2009: "Moving Towards Tobacco Prohibition" :smoke:

Last week, another bill was passed and signed into law that takes more of our freedoms and violates the Constitution of the United States. It was, of course, done for the sake of the children, and in the name of the health of the citizenry. It’s always the case that when your liberty is seized, it is seized for your own good. Such is the condescension of Washington. The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act will give sweeping new powers over tobacco to the FDA. It will require everyone engaged in manufacturing, preparing, compounding, or processing tobacco to …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090615_2978,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml


SEE SPEECHES AND STATEMENTS SAME PAGE:

Speeches and Statements

June 4, 2009 Statement on Global Warming Petition Signed by 31,478 Scientists

Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, before voting on the ``cap-and-trade'' legislation, my colleagues should consider the views expressed in the following petition that has been signed by 31,478 American scientists: ``We urge the United States government to reject the global warming agreement that was written in Kyoto, Japan in December, 1997, and any other similar proposals. The proposed limits on greenhouse gases would harm the environment, hinder the advance of science and technology, and damage the health and welfare of mankind. There is no convincing scientific evidence that human release of carbon dioxide, methane, or other greenhouse gases is causing or will, in the foreseeable future, cause catastrophic heating of the Earth's atmosphere and disruption of the Earth's climate. Moreover, there is substantial scientific evidence that increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide produce many beneficial effects upon the natural plant and animal environments of the Earth.''

Continues: http://www.house.gov/paul/legis.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

June 22, 2009: "International Bailout Brings Us Closer to Economic Collapse" :death1:

Last week Congress passed the war supplemental appropriations bill. In an affront to all those who thought they voted for a peace candidate, the current president will be sending another $106 billion we don’t have to continue the bloodshed in Afghanistan and Iraq, without a hint of a plan to bring our troops home. Many of my colleagues who voted with me as I opposed every war supplemental request under the previous administration seem to have changed their tune. I maintain that a vote to fund the war is a vote in favor of the war. Congress exercises its...

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090622_2993,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

June 29, 2009: "Cap and Trade Will Lead to Capital Flight" :yikes:

"AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH"

In my last column, I joked that with public spending out of control and the piling on of the international bailout bill, economic collapse seems to be the goal of Congress. It is getting harder to joke about such a thing however, as the non-partisan General Accounting Office (GAO) has estimated that the administration’s health care plan would actually cost over a trillion dollars. This reality check may have given us a temporary reprieve on this particular disastrous policy, however an equally disastrous energy policy reared its ugly head on Capitol Hill last week. The Cap and Trade Bill …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090629_3005,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml


Speeches and Statements

June 19, 2009 Statement Opposing Resolution on Iran
I rise in reluctant opposition to H Res 560, which condemns the Iranian government for its recent actions during the unrest in that country. While I never condone violence, much less the violence that governments are only too willing to mete out to their own citizens, I am always very cautious about “condemning” the actions of governments overseas. As an elected member of the United States House of Representatives, I have always questioned our constitutional authority to sit in judgment of the actions of foreign governments of which we are not representatives. I have always hesitated when my colleagues rush to pronounce final judgment on events thousands of miles away about which we know very little. And we know very little beyond limited press reports about what is happening in Iran.

Continue reading: http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/tx14_paul/iranres.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

July 06, 2009: "Celebrating the Fight for Freedom on the Fourth"

Every year on the Fourth of July we remember our founding fathers and the precious inheritance of freedom that they secured for us. Every year it seems we get further and further away from that birthright, but we still have much to celebrate. This country was founded on principles of freedom from overbearing rulers, onerous taxation, and the right to live our lives as we see fit. Our independence was won after decades, and even centuries of abuses that unscrupulous, corrupted leaders and big governments visited upon their subjects. The Founders knew there was a better way, and they …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090706_3008,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

In Congress, July 4, 1776

Catherine and Daily Musings, July 3, 2009 at 4:07 pm

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America.

“WHEN IN the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”

Read more: http://www.truthout.org/article/in-congress-july-4-1776

SOURCE: http://solari.com/blog/?p=1179

http://i28.tinypic.com/33asxzm.jpg

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

July 13, 2009: "Fed Independence or Fed Secrecy?"

"BAILING OUT CRONIES!" :lol3: Gooooooooo Ron...

Last week I was very pleased that hearings were held on the independence of the Federal Reserve system. My bill HR 1207, known as the Federal Reserve Transparency Act, was discussed at length, as well as the general question of whether or not the Federal Reserve should continue to operate independently. The public is demanding transparency in government like never before. A majority of the House has cosponsored HR 1207. Yet, Senator Jim DeMint’s heroic efforts to attach it to another piece of legislation elicited intense opposition by the Senate leadership. The hearings on Capitol Hill provided us with …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090713_3025,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

July 20, 2009: "Healthcare is a Good, Not a Right" :stretcher:

Political philosopher Richard Weaver famously and correctly stated that ideas have consequences. Take for example ideas about rights versus goods. Natural law states that people have rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. A good is something you work for and earn. It might be a need, like food, but more “goods” seem to be becoming “rights” in our culture, and this has troubling consequences. It might seem harmless enough to decide that people have a right to things like education, employment, housing or healthcare. But if we look a little further into the consequences, we can see that the workings of the …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090720_3044,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

July 27, 2009: "The Immorality of Taxpayer Funded Abortion"

Healthcare continues to dominate the agenda on Capitol Hill as House leadership and the administration try to ram through their big government healthcare plan. Fortunately, they have been unsuccessful so far, as there are many horrifying provisions tucked into this massive piece of legislation. One major issue is the public funding of elective abortions. The administration has already removed many longstanding restrictions on abortion, and is unwilling to provide straight answers to questions regarding the public funding of abortion in their plan. This is deeply troubling for those of us who do not want taxpayer dollars funding abortions. Forcing …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090727_3060,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

August 03, 2009: "Healthcare Plan Based on Economic Fantasy" :bash:

As the healthcare debate rages on, there is one reality that even the proponents of this hostile takeover of healthcare by government cannot ignore – and that is money. The government simply does not have the money for a new, expansive, public healthcare plan. The country is in a deep recession that will deepen even further with the coming collapse of the commercial real estate market. The last thing we need is for government to increase and expand taxes to pay for another damaging, wasteful program. Foreigners are becoming less enthusiastic about buying our debt, and creating another open-ended …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090803_3078,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

August 11, 2009: "Cash for Clunkers"

The Cash for Clunkers program has received a lot of attention this week on Capitol Hill and across the country. The program offers a voucher of up to $4500 in federal funds to anyone who trades in a working used car for a new one with better fuel economy. Congress was shocked at how quickly people responded to promises of free money and drained the program, while car dealers have been equally shocked at how slow and arduous the government’s website to claim the rebates has been. It’s not a shock that people respond to incentives. The program has ...

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090811_3088,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

August 17, 2009: "The Free Market as Regulator" :wall:

Since the bailouts last fall, lawmakers have been behaving as quasi-owners of the bailed-out banks and businesses, leading to calls for increased regulation of executive compensation and other wasteful expenditures. We have heard much about bonuses and executive pay packages that sound more like lottery winnings than an honest salary. Many lawmakers voted in favor of these unconstitutional bailouts, believing that these corporations were too big to fail, and allowing them to go under would precipitate widespread economic disaster. This second wave of citizen outrage at the bailouts has left these lawmakers with a bit of egg on their …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090818_3092,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

August 24, 2009: "We Need Sunlight to Disinfect the Legislative Process!"

During August recess, many legislators have heard an unexpected amount of discontent from their constituents about what is happening on Capitol Hill, particularly regarding healthcare. Some people are justifiably terrified at what the government could do to healthcare, should it get its claws even further into it. Others demand a public option for health insurance and are adamant that healthcare be treated as yet another absolute entitlement. One thing everyone agrees on is that the final bill needs to be read and understood by all legislators before a vote is taken. To any American, this is common sense. In …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090824_3501,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[Tango]

True-er words have 'never' been said.....

Personally, I think America needs a ***'n enema...

You Know, to wash all the sfit out...


Trooly,


Tango

[peaceandlove]

Tango, I'm Trooly :mfr_lol:

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

August 31, 2009: "The Fed's Interesting Week" :sweatdrop:

It has been an interesting week indeed for the Federal Reserve. Early this week, it was announced that President Obama intends to reappoint Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke to a second term in January, signaling a vote of confidence in him. Bernanke seems to be popular with the administration and with Wall Street, and with good reason. His lending policies have left big banks flush with newly created cash that covers up old mistakes and allows for new ones. By buying up mountains of Treasury debt he has also enabled spending to soar to ridiculous levels that should startle any …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090831_3507,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[Tango]

I'd Like to introduce you to Tim Hawkins.......

He is going to tell us how: The Government Can....

YouTube - Tim Hawkins - The Government Can

I'm from the Government N' I'm here to HELP YOU.....

Ya'll, Come back now....


Trooly,


Tango

[peaceandlove]

Blessings Tango,

I'm looking forward to the opening night of a musical called "The Government Can" :mfr_lol:

It's so comical now, all I can do is laugh.

What part of evil are blinded people in denial of? :mfr_omg:



Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

September 08, 2009: "Government Solutions Lack Understanding"

Things seem to be unraveling quickly for the new administration. The latest unemployment numbers are worse than the last reports. For all the billions of dollars spent and committed to fixing our economic problems, the situation is only getting worse. This was to be expected by those who understand the root causes of the problems. Throwing money around and creating more government programs is both simplistic and damaging to the economy. Of course, the administration claims that we would have been much worse off without these efforts. You can’t improve this situation by adding to our mountain of public …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090908_3511,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul


September 14, 2009: "Healthcare Reform is More Corporate Welfare"

Last Wednesday the nation was riveted to the President’s speech on healthcare reform before Congress. While the President’s concern for the uninsured is no doubt sincere, his plan amounts to a magnanimous gift to the health insurance industry, despite any implications to the contrary. For decades the insurance industry has been lobbying for mandated coverage for everyone. Imagine if the cell phone industry or the cable TV industry received such a gift from government? If government were to fine individuals simply for not buying a corporation’s product, it would be an incredible and completely unfair boon to that industry, …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090914_3520,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.
NOW available in audio at: http://www.house.gov/paul

September 21, 2009: "Trade Wars and Protectionism are not Free Trade"

Two weeks ago, both the administration and the Fed announced with straight faces that the recession was over and the signs of economic recovery were clear. Then last week, the president made a stunning decision that signals the administration’s determination to repeat the mistakes of the Great Depression. Much like the Smoot-Hawley Tariffs that set off a global trade war and effectively doomed us to ten more years of economic misery, Obama’s decision to enact steep tariffs on Chinese imported tires could spark a trade war with the single most important trading partner we have. Not only does China …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090921_3531,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.


September 28, 2009: "The Real Reasons Behind Fed Secrecy"

Last week I was very pleased that the Financial Services Committee held a hearing on the Federal Reserve Transparency Act, HR 1207. The bill has 295 cosponsors and there is also strong support for the companion bill in the Senate. This hearing was a major step forward in getting the bill passed. I was pleased that the hearing was well-attended, especially considering that it was held on a Friday at nine o’clock in the morning! I have been talking about the immense, unchecked power of the Federal Reserve for many years, while the attention of Congress was always on …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=090928_3543,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.


Reminiscent of his impressive "What If" Speech posted 2/14/2009 here ->: http://projectavalon.net/forum/showthread.php?t=11151&highlight=paul

October 05, 2009: "Bombs and Bribes"

What if tomorrow morning you woke up to headlines that yet another Chinese drone bombing on US soil killed several dozen ranchers in a rural community while they were sleeping?* That a drone aircraft had come across the Canadian border in the middle of the night and carried out the latest of many attacks?* What if it was claimed that many of the victims harbored anti-Chinese sentiments, but most of the dead were innocent women and children?* And what if the Chinese administration, in an effort to improve its public image in the US, had approved an aid package …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=091005_3550,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.


October 13, 2009: "Saving Face in Afghanistan"

This past week there has been a lot of discussion and debate on the continuing war in Afghanistan. Lasting twice as long as World War II and with no end in sight, the war in Afghanistan has been one of the longest conflicts in which our country has ever been involved. The situation has only gotten worse with recent escalations. The current debate is focused entirely on the question of troop levels. How many more troops should be sent over in order to pursue the war? The administration has already approved an additional 21,000 American service men and women …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=091013_3560,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

Better link for reading current straight talk: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog/Foreign%20Policy,999,All,No%20Category%20found,TEM PLATE=blog_bycat.shtml

[no caste]

The situation has only gotten worse with recent escalations. The current debate is focused entirely on the question of troop levels. How many more troops should be sent over in order to pursue the war? The administration has already approved an additional 21,000 American service men and women …

Hmmm. The USSR started it (1979). Then:

The Afghan government was also supported by India, while the mujahideen found other support from a variety of sources including the United States, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and other Muslim nations through the context of the Cold War and the regional India-Pakistan conflict.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_war_in_Afghanistan

It ended in a 9/11 conflagration. Now it's about gas pipelines and poppies. There was no drug trade in the Taliban years. There were schools, universities and hospitals before the Soviet invasion. It looks like a quagmire.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3562/3292775161_fab90b095b.jpg

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.


VIDEO (Audio 4:05): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd2aLYo94zU&feature=player_embedded

October 19, 2009: "The Very Busy Politicians in Washington DC"

With a faltering economy, multiple wars, and the approaching demise of the dollar’s reserve status, there are more than enough problems to keep politicians in Washington working day and night. In between handing out cash for clunkers and nationalizing healthcare, the administration is busy sending more troops overseas, escalating existing wars, and seeking out excuses to start new wars. Congress is working on “urgent” legislation to address crises like healthcare reform and climate change. The reforms are so very urgent that legislation must pass swiftly with no time to read the bills even though the new laws wouldn’t take …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=091019_3569,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.


VIDEO (3:29): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_j2jp8AcDQ&feature=player_embedded

October 26, 2009: "Anything Less Than Full Disclosure is Unacceptable"

Last week a new bill was introduced in the Senate to audit the Federal Reserve. Some backers of my bill HR1207 and the existing Senate companion bill S.604 were a little miffed at this, but depending on how you think about it, this new legislation poses no great threat to our efforts. With the economy in shambles, people are looking for answers - not just because of lost savings on Wall Street, but because of lost houses on Main Street. Because of the many problems we face, the Federal Reserve and its powers over the economy have come under…

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=091026_3574,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.


VIDEO (3:46): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCX5gsCTsg0&feature=player_embedded

November 02, 2009: "Government Statistics and Lies"

There has been a lot of talk in Washington recently about senior citizens, mostly about how various healthcare reform models would help or hurt them. But there is another critical issue that has quietly devastated seniors financially over the last few decades. It concerns how the cost of living is calculated. How does the administration justify not giving a cost of living increase to Social Security recipients this year? According to the official Consumer Price Index calculation, life has gotten cheaper for the first time in decades. If the government can show statistically that the cost of living has …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=091102_3587,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.


VIDEO (3:20): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GsyHaHsHn4&feature=player_embedded

November 09, 2009: "Healthcare Reform is Economic Malpractice"

As Washington continues debating healthcare reform the rest of the country is primarily concerned about jobs and the economy. It is still uncertain what policies will be implemented, but I am certain about one thing: It will only further devastate our economy and our dollar. The leadership has come up with a proposal they are confident will be what they consider fiscally responsible, only to have it scored as nearly twice as expensive by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Estimates of past healthcare spending programs have been off by as much as 100 percent so there is no telling …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=091109_3598,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.


VIDEO (3:35): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK5oZ8fIv9U&feature=related

November 16, 2009: "Competition With the Government?"

Last Saturday many concerned Americans watched in horror as the House passed the healthcare reform bill. If this bill makes it through the Senate, it would massively overhaul the way healthcare is delivered in this country. Today, obviously, we don’t have a perfect system, but this legislation takes all the mistakes we are making with healthcare and makes them worse. Most of what is wrong with healthcare stems from decades of government intervention and the resulting unintended consequences. But the government’s prescription for the ills caused by intervention is always more intervention. We see this not only in healthcare …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=091116_3599,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.


VIDEO (3:12): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnzv1cZ8ouY&feature=related

November 23, 2009: "Audit the Fed Attached as an Amendment"

I was pleased last week when we won a vote in the Financial Services Committee to include language from the Audit the Fed bill HR1207 in the upcoming financial regulatory reform bill. As it stands now, if HR 3996 passes, because of this action, the Federal Reserve’s entire balance sheet will be opened up to a GAO audit. We will at last have a chance to find out what happened to the trillions of dollars the Fed has been giving out. Finally, the blanket restrictions on GAO audits of the Fed that have existed since 1978 will be removed.

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=091123_3603,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.


VIDEO (3:29): http://www.youtube.com/user/minnesotachris#p/a/u/0/oW-cPZkBQkk

This is Minnesota Chris's YouTube Channel where he also posts recent interviews with Ron Paul and other constitutionally minded people. There is a recent 11/25/2009 Montel Williams interview of Ron Paul there also. AND 11/11/2009 Lew Rockwell Videos.



November 30, 2009: "Healthcare Freedom or Healthcare Bureaucracy?"

The U.S. Preventive Task Force caused quite a stir recently when they revised their recommendations on the frequency and age for women to get mammograms. Many have speculated on the timing for this government-funded report, with the Senate vote on health care looming, and cost estimates being watched closely. Just the hint that the government would risk women’s health to cut costs is causing outrage on both sides of the aisle. Even the administration is alarmed at its own panel’s recommendation. One official, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius told women to ignore the new guidelines...

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=091130_3605,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml



PLUS CONGRESSMAN RON PAUL YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/congressmanronpaul

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.


VIDEO (4:14): http://www.youtube.com/user/minnesotachris#p/a/u/0/oW-cPZkBQkk

December 07, 2009: "Who Wants War?"

If anyone still doubted that this administration’s foreign policy would bring any kind of change, this week’s debate on Afghanistan should remove all doubt. The President’s stated justifications for sending more troops to Afghanistan and escalating war amount to little more than recycling all the false reasons we began the conflict. This is so discouraging to see this coming from our new leadership, when the people were hoping for peace. New polls show that 49% the people favor minding our own business on the world stage, up from 30% 2002. Perpetual war is not solving anything. Indeed continually seeking …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=091207_3611,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

VIDEO (3:59): http://www.youtube.com/user/minnesotachris#p/a/u/1/ZDAxsEEZMdg

December 14, 2009: "The Fed's Money Monopoly"

Last week, in the name of protecting the little guy from Wall Street, the House passed HR 4173 to increase the little guy’s false sense of security in the financial system. This mammoth piece of legislation would massively increase government regulation and oversight in the banking industry under the misguided reasoning that more government could have stopped faulty lending practices, when in actuality it caused them. This bill would also greatly increase the powers of the Federal Reserve, which too many in Congress still see as savior rather than perpetrator in this mess. One silver lining is that the...

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=091214_3616,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

VIDEO (3:53): http://www.youtube.com/user/minnesotachris#p/a/u/0/SpROuKbV9x0

I can't resist commenting on Paul's statement "ironic" or could it be spelled "Iranic"! :naughty:

OK, back to seriousness...:nuke:

December 21, 2009: "Iran Sanctions are Precursor to War"

Last week the House overwhelmingly approved a measure to put a new round of sanctions on Iran. If this measure passes the Senate, the United States could no longer do business with anyone who sold refined petroleum products to Iran or helped them develop their ability to refine their own petroleum. The sad thing is that many of my colleagues voted for this measure because they felt it would deflect a military engagement with Iran. I would put the question to them, how would Congress react if another government threatened our critical trading partners in this way? Would we …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=091221_3622,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

VIDEO (3:50): http://www.youtube.com/user/minnesotachris#p/a/u/0/wSfXXIaH9KI

December 26, 2009: "Healthcare Reform is a Lump of Coal"

Last week on Christmas Eve, after many backroom deals were made, the Senate passed the healthcare reform bill with a strictly partisan vote. I was pleased that my colleagues in the GOP are on the right side of this bill. Although this vote was a major step in healthcare reform becoming reality, they still have to reconcile the Senate bill with the House-passed version in conference committee. This could prove even more difficult and costly than the Senate vote. There was a little bit of controversy surrounding one particular Senator who was initially against the bill, but then, coincidentally,

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=091226_3623,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

VIDEO (4:15): http://www.youtube.com/user/minnesotachris#p/a/u/0/Tv6jG0aD3po

January 04, 2010: "Keynesianism Delivers a Decade of Zero"

This past week we celebrated the end of what most people agree was a decade best forgotten. New York Times columnist and leading Keynesian economist Paul Krugman called it the Big Zero in a recent column. He wrote that “there was a whole lot of nothing going on in measures of economic progress or success” which is true. However, Krugman continues to misleadingly blame the free market and supposed lack of regulation for the economic chaos. It was encouraging that he admitted that blowing economic bubbles is a mistake, especially considering he himself advocated creating a housing bubble as …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=100104_3625,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

VIDEO (3:57): http://www.youtube.com/user/minnesotachris#p/u/6/HUwqK4hu5AY

January 11, 2010: "Why the Fed Likes Independence"

Last week it was revealed that when Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner was Chairman of the New York Federal Reserve, he urged AIG officials not to disclose to the Securities Exchange Commission relevant details of agreements with banks to bail out Goldman Sachs. Apparently he felt at the time that regulators and the public would be angry that taxpayer money was used to fully compensate bankers who made some horrifically bad investment decisions. These banks should have suffered the consequences of the huge risks they were taking. After all, they kept plenty of rewards when times were good. Instead, the…

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=100111_3628,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

VIDEO (3:40): http://www.youtube.com/user/minnesotachris#p/u/1/KcxLl8u30l8

January 19, 2010: "Government is Too Big to Succeed"

Last week, the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission kicked off their first round of hearings on the causes of the economic meltdown on Wall Street. The commission is being compared to the the Pecora Commission launched in 1932 to investigate the causes of the Great Depression. The Pecora commission is beloved by those who believe the solution to every problem is more laws because it was used to justify a number of new laws, including Glass-Steagall. Of course, none of those laws addressed the real causes of the Great Depression. It was the introduction of unsound monetary policy and central …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=100119_3630,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml



Ron Paul Powerful Speech

"A Call for Revolutionary Changes"

January 8, 2010

Is Ron Paul the ONLY honest man in American's politics??

VIDEO (4:15): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vLV4jn8BMU&feature=player_embedded%22%3Ehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vLV4jn8BMU&feature=player_embedded%3C/a

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

VIDEO (3:33): http://www.youtube.com/user/minnesotachris#p/u/2/buJ33qvMbkE

January 25, 2010: "Legalize Competing Currencies"

Much has been made recently about the supposed economic recovery. A few blips in a few statistics and many believe our troubles are all over. Of course, they have to redefine recovery as “jobless” to account for the lack of improvement on Main Street. But the banks have money, Wall Street is chugging along, and the administration would like to get on with other agendae. They have even set up a commission to investigate the crisis as if it were all in the past. The truth is that Americans are still losing jobs, the Fed is still inflating, and …

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=100125_3633,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml



Another Ron Paul wonderful, older and still relevant interview.

John Stossel Interviews Ron Paul 2007.12.07

VIDEO Part 1 of 6 (4:32): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJz81lAwY0M&feature=channel

[GenerationIke]

It was like 20 years ago when I was subbing at a high school, I had been talking to a bunch of kids who were giving me a bit of a time. I had been teaching them about migrant workers and their plight that day as a lesson. At the end of class I told them that slavery was not dead in this country. Now you figure out where the new slavery is coming from.

Needless to say, they laughed at me and said there was no slavery anymore in this country.

That was twenty some years ago. Today, we are slaves to our credit cards, things and the whims of the powers that rule our economy.

No slavery in this country????

Thank you, Ron Paul for finally clearing up that bit of misunderstanding on my part. :wall:

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

VIDEO (3:44): http://www.youtube.com/user/minnesotachris#p/u/1/CiDDz-mWaVY

February 01, 2010: "Spending Freeze Not Likely"

Last week politicians in Washington made a few things clear about how they really feel about the state of the union. First, they are beginning to hear the growing discontent with the size and scope of government and the broken promises that keep piling up. Certain events in Massachusetts recently made that statement loud, clear and unavoidable. In the face of those events, the powers that be made the determination that some populist rhetoric was in order, and the idea of a spending freeze in Washington was proposed, albeit with several caveats. These caveats to the proposed spending freeze…

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=100201_3638,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml



A Tale of Two Speeches

As President Obama calls for further government intervention and control, another speech on the state of our country reminds us that the crisis will only get worse if we do not abandon the establishment's failed way of thinking and pursue liberty.

VIDEO (1:36): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f22lHJPrW0g&feature=player_embedded



Ron Paul - CNN Newsroom 01/27/10

State of the Union

VIDEO (4:44): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j28OBUgo5Vk&NR=1

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

VIDEO (4:06): http://www.youtube.com/user/minnesotachris#p/a/u/5/Rr_8_Mo9YUE

February 08, 2010: "More Spending is Always the Answer"

Last week, the House approved another increase in the national debt ceiling. This means the government can borrow $1.9 trillion more to stay afloat and avoid default. It has been little more than a year since the last debt limit increase, and graphs showing the debt limit over time show a steep, almost vertical trend. It is not likely to be very long before this new ceiling is met and the government is back on the brink between default and borrowing us further into oblivion. Congressional leaders and the administration acknowledge that the debt limit will need to be…

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=100208_3643,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[GenerationIke]

It looks like George Washington's vision could come true very soon after all, China invades us to get their money back and enslave many of us to make us work for nothing to pay off our debt to them.

On top of that they'll make us drill the oil discovered in the Dakotas and in Alaska and take it for themselves to pay off our debt.

When these guys are through that is how we will be paying off our loans, with blood, sweat, tears and the riches of our land.

I say it again with all humility, fire these s.o.b.s and get some new blood in there that's got some guts to stand up to robber barons and petty thieves.

[peaceandlove]

Hi Generation Ike,

I know you will appreciate this. :wink2:

The image below was taken from the Chicago Tribune in 1934. "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

http://i47.tinypic.com/fyzh9x.jpg

SOURCE: http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=32450

[GenerationIke]

this is exactly what I said in my post about Barack Obama. These guys did this to FDR as well. we have to start looking beyond the curtain, see the man who manipulates OZ.

Thanks. I did enjoy it, very much!

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

VIDEO (4:00): http://www.youtube.com/user/minnesotachris#p/a/u/0/u0qdw_slpj8

February 15, 2010: "Are US Taxpayers Bailing Out Greece?"

Last week we were reminded that ours is not the only country suffering from severe economic turmoil. The Greek government is the latest to come close to default on their massive public debt. Greece has insufficient funds in their treasury to make even the minimum payments that are now coming due. Their debt level is about 120 percent of their gross domestic product and their public sector absorbs what amounts to 40 percent of GDP. Any talk of cutting costs and spending is met with violent protests from the many Greeks heavily dependent on government payments. Mounting fears of default have sent shockwaves through their creditors and all of the eurozone countries.

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=100216_3645,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

VIDEO (3:39): http://www.youtube.com/user/minnesotachris#p/u/3/Fn8sIoMhhkcFebruary CORRECTED

February 22, 2010: "Government Stimulus, One Year Later"

Last week marked the one year anniversary of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, or the stimulus bill, passing into law. While the debate over its success has been focused on whether or not it is stimulating the economy and on various questionable uses of funds, in my estimation this legislation is accomplishing exactly what it was intended to accomplish – grow the government. Those of us concerned about the ever increasing level of government debt gasped at the astonishing $787 billion cost estimates for this bill. True to form it has actually cost 10 percent more at $862…

Continues: http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20 found,ID=100222_3649,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

VIDEO (4:06): http://www.youtube.com/user/minnesotachris#p/u/4/3KJA3kn6wXQ

March 01, 2010: "Bizarre Spending Habits"

Last week I had the opportunity to bring up spending and transparency in two important hearings. On Wednesday I questioned Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on some highly questionable uses of funds at the Federal Reserve, and on Thursday I asked Secretary of State Hillary Clinton about exorbitant spending at the State Department. It is extremely important to continue bringing these issues up, especially in light of our difficult economic times, when so many are out of work, as I saw up close in my district at the Oceans of Opportunity Job Fair in Galveston two weeks ago. Those…

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The Cost of Our Foreign Operations

Posted by Matt Hawes on 03/01/10

On Thursday, Congressman Paul questioned Secretary of State Hillary Clinton about spending at the State Department during her appearance before the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

VIDEO (5:13): http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=32961




LOL! http://i43.tinypic.com/w86quv.jpg

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

VIDEO (3:42): http://www.youtube.com/user/minnesotachris#p/u/1/vR3lKtK2a34

March 08, 2010: "Census: A Little Too Personal"

Last week Congress voted to encourage participation in the 2010 census. I voted “No” on this resolution for the simple, obvious reason that the census- like so many government programs- has grown far beyond what the framers of our Constitution intended. The invasive nature of the current census raises serious questions about how and why government will use the collected information. It also demonstrates how the federal bureaucracy consistently encourages citizens to think of themselves in terms of groups, rather than as individual Americans. The not so subtle implication is that each group, whether ethnic, religious, social, or geographic,…

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Census worker stopped by my house today to drop off my census paperwork. I think they did the GPS location back in November.

[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

VIDEO (4:18): http://www.youtube.com/user/minnesotachris#p/u/0/hHCfVibozLU

March 15, 2010: "Supporting the War Instead of the Troops"

Last week, Congress debated a resolution directing the President to withdraw our troops from Afghanistan no later than the end of this year. The Constitution gives the power to declare war to the Congress, so it is clearly appropriate for Congress to assert its voice on matters of armed conflict. In recent decades, however, Congress has defaulted on this most critical duty, essentially granting successive presidents the unilateral (and clearly unconstitutional) power to begin and end wars at will. This resolution was not expected to pass; however, the ensuing debate and floor vote served some very important purposes. First, …

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[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

VIDEO (): VIDEO NOT POSTED YET Will Update Soon

Read here or call 1-888-322-1414 for audio of 3/22 Texas Straight Talk.

March 22, 2010: "Healthcare Reform Passes"

Following months of heated public debate and aggressive closed-door negotiations, Congress finally cast a historic vote on healthcare late Sunday evening. It was truly a sad weekend on the House floor as we witnessed further dismantling of the Constitution, disregard of the will of the people, explosive expansion of the reach of government, unprecedented corporate favoritism, and the impending end of quality healthcare as we know it. Those in favor of this bill touted their good intentions of ensuring quality healthcare for all Americans, as if those of us against the bill are against good medical care. They cite…

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[peaceandlove]

Texas Straight Talk ~ A Weekly Column

Congressman Ron Paul
New Every Monday at http://www.house.gov/paul
or phone 1-888-322-1414 for recorded message.

VIDEO (4:10): http://www.youtube.com/user/minnesotachris#p/u/3/PwMZ7MhcRZE

March 29, 2010: Healthcare and Economic Realities

With passage of last week’s bill, the American people are now the unhappy recipients of Washington’s disastrous prescription for healthcare “reform.” Congressional leaders relied on highly dubious budget predictions, faulty market assumptions, and outright fantasy to convince a slim majority that this major expansion of government somehow will reduce federal spending. This legislation is just the next step towards universal, single payer healthcare, which many see as a human right. Of course, this “right” must be produced by the labor of other people, meaning theft and coercion by government is necessary to produce and distribute it. Those who understand…

Continues: http://www.house.gov/paul/

[Sadie]

With passage of last week’s bill, the American people are now the unhappy recipients of Washington’s disastrous prescription for healthcare “reform.” Congressional leaders relied on highly dubious budget predictions, faulty market assumptions, and outright fantasy to convince a slim majority that this major expansion of government somehow will reduce federal spending. This legislation is just the next step towards universal, single payer healthcare, which many see as a human right. Of course, this “right” must be produced by the labor of other people, meaning theft and coercion by government is necessary to produce and distribute it. Those who understand…

Continues: http://www.house.gov/paul/


So well spoken.
Hopefully, this grand government takeover can be averted as more people wake up, strength in numbers.

[peaceandlove]

Blessings Sadie,

I can almost feel the rumblings of people like an volcano preparing to erupt.

One bill after the other we have become prisoners, lost our identity, our individualism and most importantly our rights.

Next we will lose our possessions (even though possession tend to possess us); more precisely we will lose the fruits of our labor.

Taking people to prison for not buying insurance is like saying you are a criminal for being broke. Whereas, the most successful criminals tend to be flush with riches and privileges.

PaL



In this wonderful interview of Ron Paul by Lew Rockwell, the same sense pervades.

Ron Paul on the Lew Rockwell Show 3/31/10

Federal Reserve Transparency Act, Obamacare, 16,500 IRS agents, hidden taxes, earmarks, bankruptcy of the dollar, tea parties, Ron Paul movement mobilizing, presidential dictatorship

VIDEO (16:13): http://www.youtube.com/user/minnesotachris#p/u/0/IKQkz5ZpRM4