I just finished a book entitled ‘The Web of Debt: The Shocking Truth about Our Money System and How We Can Break Free’ by Ellen Hodgson Brown, J.D., and I have to say that I highly recommend anybody who wishes to learn about world economics, the history of money, our U.S. monetary system, our economy, the markets, etc. to read this book. I have yet to come across a book that explains so much (literally jammed so much information that it hurt to read) but could still provide a fantastic introduction to the study of economics and money.
The book covers the history of world money and financial systems, with an obvious emphasis on the United States and how we impact other nations and vice versa. It covers the Founding Fathers’ differing and controversial ideals on government and money and how they came together to create a system that could be less corrupt and taken advantage of – a system based on honesty, equality, and prosperity. Our system has been hijacked by elitists and bankers and we need to take our system back before they bring about the destruction of the U.S. and world economies.
The book covers the varying financial philosophies from the American System, the British system, as well as other systems; Keynesian economics and the ideas of Friedman; central banks and government planning; and laissez-faire, open-free markets. It discusses the pros and cons of the Federal Reserve and how our debt-economy is a giant bubble, no different from the housing and financial bubbles that pop every couple of decades. Find out the major differences and similarities between the dollar, gold and silver coins, a broken stick, and the bonds and IOUs our banks are full of, courtesy of the U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve.
How is money created? What is the intended function of a bank and what do our banks do today? Exactly what is the Federal Reserve and who runs it? Is there really a shadow government pulling the strings behind a curtain of deceit and fraud? Does that old saying “Money is power” really have any merit to it? What of the New World Order? Who profits from war, famine, genocide, and collapsing economies?
Find out exactly who runs the show in our beautiful republic, who makes our valued money, what our money is worth, and ultimately how we can rid ourselves of these radical and dead ideas of debt-money, deficit spending, inflation, International Monetary Funds, and market soars and crashes. Find out for yourself and take a close look at what is going on inside our country and in our world economy, from the perspective of “everyone is right and everyone is wrong, now let’s take a step back.” Find out what L. Frank Baum was talking about when he wrote his timeless classic ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.’ See the truth behind the metaphors of yellow brick roads, Emerald Cities, Wizards of Oz, and what ultimately showed the Cowardly Lion that he had courage all along, and Scarecrow that he had a brain, and the Tin Woodman that he had a heart.
Chrysler may be merging with the Italian auto-maker Lancia this year. The world has seen plenty of international and transnational companies, companies that have owners, plants, sales, and profits in multiple countries. We all have seen what has happened when banks fail: the government bails them out with billions and billions of our taxpayer dollars, then proceeds to take over a majority of the company, forcing adjustments (along with the Fed) to interest rates and forces these banks and financial institutions to accept bad loans, which has a wonderfully disastrous effect on the economy and the credibility of America’s financial industry. But what happens when a automobile manufacturer that the government deems is “too big too fail” merges with a foreign entity? Obviously product, management, shares, and profits get distributed between the owners and workers – that’s what should happen. The American company is has been bailed out multiple times by the government at the taxpayer’s expense because the politicians say that Chrysler or General Motors fails, they will have a damaging effect on the economy. While I would agree that Chrysler and General Motors are huge companies and the consequences of bad management, financial crisis, or unreliable products and a collapse of the companies would be felt throughout the country and world (job loss, stock markets prices) and would damage millions of lives, some permanently, I personally feel that’s the risk of risking it all and starting up a company. Some companies aren’t successful long, others for generations, some aren’t successful at all. But that’s the way business and free markets work. So when Chrysler files for bankruptcy the good American government steps in and says, “You’re too big to fail. So, the American people will help you (at a cost to everybody). We want a majority stake in the company, but you can still make your own decisions as long as you’re honest.” Billions in taxpayer dollars go to prop up Chrysler, Chrysler promises to re-organize and focus on making new, cheap, energy-efficient, reliable cars and a few months later the government says that Chrysler has failed to live up to its end of the bargain. The government intervenes and re-organizes Chrysler, lays off thousands more workers, closes down plants, and focuses on designing these fancy new cars. The unions and the government opt in together to take over and re-organize Chrysler, right? It’s done well. The union leaders, who don’t actually work in the plants but wear nice suits and scarves and have fancy lunches and dinners with politicians, traveling to and from Capitol Hill in their private jets, and the politicians start divvying up the liquid assets: stocks, bonds, benefits, severance and retirement packages. The workers get very little, the unions make out well because they control everything, and the government is happy because it bows down to the unions and the unions are happy. Wonderful. So, that aside, I have a very serious question. When Man first created society and government was formed, there were only treaties and promises to remain honest with each other, take care of one another, and work a hard day’s work for an honest day’s pay. These were villages and communes, localities. Simple. Today, we have states and countries with countless rules and regulations, laws and bylaws, standards and mandates… and plenty of government agencies to enforce them all. While I recognize the necessity of law and order, I worry about the sovereignty of our nation. When a business is started the owner works some stuff out with the government to ensure a safe, honest, efficient role. A business owned by a couple in Arizona abides by state and federal laws, correct? When that business expands to other states, the owners (who might still be living in and managing the store in Arizona) abide by the laws of the states their new stores are operating in, while still abiding by federal laws everywhere. The couple then opens a store in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, abiding by the laws of the city of Montreal, the province of Quebec, and the Canadian government, as well as abiding by the regulations set in place by the American and Canadian governments regarding the cross-border trade and business between the two. But here we have Chrysler, owned by Italian automaker Fiat (20%), the U.S. government (9.85%), the Canadian government (2.46%), and the United Auto Workers (UAW) retiree medical fund (67.69%). Spoken more plainly, we have an American auto manufacturer owned by another Italian auto manufacturer, the Canadian and U.S. governments, also known as the Canadian and American Taxpayers, and the UAW union. I haven’t been able to find out whether Fiat is a public or private entity, maybe I just haven’t looked hard enough, but if it’s public, my question is all the more relevant. So, my question is this: What government entity oversees and regulates a company that is owned by Canadian and American taxpayers / governments, an American union, and an Italian company (Fiat, who owns Lancia), that is deemed “too big to fail?” Does the Canadian government regulate the business? Does the Italian government? Does the American government? What about the United Nations? Or possibly a government entity yet known to the general public? We’ve heard an awful lot about Fiat deals during the past year. Several American companies have merged or been bought out by Italy’s largest automobile manufacturer. I have against Fiat, honest business, the Italians, the Canadians, the stockholders, or the union workers (the leaders are a different story). But I feel that, given what America looks like today and what the world as a whole looks like, this is a very pertinent question. Who will oversee and regulate (and God forbid bail out) a transnational company based in the United States, Italy, and Canada, that is owned and operated by the taxpaying citizens and governments of those 3 respective nations, stockholders, and the unions that organized the laborers? They abide by the laws of the countries they are operating in, I get that. That is plain to see. But, it’s too big to fail. So, honestly, is there an entity in existence that regulated a company owned by multiple governments, via the taxpaying citizens. I ask this as the calls for more world unity, world governance, more regulations, bigger governments, and more power to the United Nations and international government institutions becomes louder and more clear, even within our own government. The sovereignty of a nation depends upon its people’s and government’s willingness to protect, defend, and preserve itself. To me, the sovereignty of our nation is on the brink, we are ready to collapse, we are ready to fall. And there are those throughout the world who would love nothing more than to watch and help America fall into the ruins of once-great nations and become slaves to the nations we once saved or helped. They are within our borders, as citizens and as politicians. I feel this is very important. Who regulates a transnational corporation, owned by various governments and taxpayers that simply cannot fail?
“Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence, (I conjure you to believe me fellow citizens) the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake; since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of Republican Government.” – George Washington’s Farewell Address 19 SEP 1776
As you may already know, the tiny island nation of Haiti has been ravaged by catastrophic earthquakes this past week. Today, Tuesday, Jan 20, 2010, the poor and already distraught nation was struck by a 6.1 magnitude earthquake. The United Nations already estimates over 200,000 people dead, in addition to another 250,000 people left dying on the streets from starvation and dehydration. Estimates put about 1.5 million as homeless (that's about the entire population of Phoenix, Arizona. Or Austin, Texas and San Francisco, California -- combined). The World Food Program estimates some 3 million people (the population of Chicago, Illinois) are in desperate need of the world's generosity and prayer. The world nations have pledged over One BILLION dollars to aid to Haiti and literally thousands of tons of supplies. Unfortunately, the devastation the earthquakes have wrought on Haiti have severely damaged Haiti's lone seaport and airport, hospitals, and embassies, not to mention the dozens of ruined roads and bridges. While there has been a waterfall of aid to Haiti, much of it is still locked up in warehouses, because distribution in a country that is destroyed and all but lawless is dragging things down. You can donate money to one of a thousand different organizations that are sending all funds to Haiti relief efforts. You can go on line or make a phone call to ask where a local distribution center for water, food, medical supplies, blankets, clothes, etc. (usually at donation centers, hospitals, capitals, town halls). You can text "HAITI" to 90999 and $10 will be charged to your monthly cell phone bill, no matter what cellular telephone service provider yo have, all are connected with the Red Cross. I understand that times are very tough right now financially, in America and throughout the world, but people and children in Haiti need the gifts of donations and prayer today. This very moment millions of people in Haiti are dying in the streets of starvation, dehydration, disease, and because of a lack of proper medical equipment [saws, sterilizers (they're using vodka during medical operations)]. Times are tough, but a $10 donation or a donation of a 24-pack of store-brand water bottles, non-perishables like vegetables, soups, dried fruits, grains, etc. I don't mean to guilt or upset you but people are dying and need YOUR help. A simple gift can save one life, or a dozen. The more you give, the more lives your charity will save.
Please, make a difference today and donate. Thank you and God bless.
I received this in an e-mail. It contains two separate ideas, one being a proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution and the other a proposed Congressional Reform Act of 2010. We all label ourselves differently, some of us as Conservatives or Republicans, Liberals or Democrats, or as one of a great number of Independent parties. We all disagree on the issues, big and small. But, I think that as Americans, we should all be united under the notion that America is an exceptional country because we are the promoters of freedom and liberty, we have a beautiful Democratic-Republic, and we have documents written upon our founding that said what America is and what it is not. They stated what our congressional and representative bodies could do and what they could not do.
Since the country's founding, however, our representatives in Washington have been breaking and bending their own rules. We've experienced internal peace and turmoil. We've had corruption and honesty, transparency and smokescreens. But no matter what we had, we always had a number of self-centered, egotistical elitists who regarded themselves as something between the people and the Creator.
This year, 2010, will be an important year. Today, our Congress is divided. Un-willing to compromise, un-willing to serve the people with morals, ethics, and a genuine concern for what is happening on Main Street. They see animals, titles, parties, wages, ethnicity, special interests, and everything else before they see the problems and then the solutions. Some of Congress is corrupt. Some of Congress is miss-guided. Some of Congress is under the impression that they are in control. Some are working day and night to make America the shining city on a hill is was meant to be. We disagree on the issues, but we can agree that the latter is the type of Congressional Representatives we want representing us. Look at what has happened in this decade, look at the last couple of years, look at today. Do we really want these people, people like Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Barney Frank, to be pulling America's reigns for the next several years? Do we want their agendas to be the social and economic engines of America?
This year, we have the opportunity to look for the people who can speak for us in Washington and have the passion to make America great. We need new representatives. Representatives who care for the people. Representatives who live by the same rules as the people. Representatives who live the life of the people. We need representatives who ARE the people. It's time to really change Washington.
If you agree with these proposals send them to as many Americans as you can. If you don't, perhaps to send the word to a friend or relative who might appreciate them. Remember: We can all agree on one thing.
There has been talk for years about a second Bill of Rights. Well, if Congress is willing to shape up and listen to the people, we've got one for you.
Happy New Year!
-- Cody M. Buckmann 11 JAN 10
For too long we have been too complacent about the workings of Congress. Many citizens had no idea that Congressional members could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they didn't pay into Social Security, that they specifically exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed (such as being exempt from any fear of prosecution for sexual harassment) while ordinary citizens must live under those laws. The latest is to exempt themselves from the Health Care reform that is being considered... in all forms. Somehow, that doesn't seem logical. We do not have an elite that is above the law. I truly don't care if they are Democrat, Republican, Independent, or whatever. The self-serving must stop. This is a good way to do that. It is an idea whose time has come. Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution:
"Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and Representatives: and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States."
Congressional Reform Act of 2010:
1. Term limits: 12 years only, one of the possible options below.
A. Two-Six year Senate terms
B. Six-Two year House Terms
C. One-Six year Senate term and three-Two year House terms.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.
2. No Tenure / No Pension:
A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.
3. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security:
All funds in the Congressional Retirement Fund move directly to the Social Security system immediately.
All future funds flow into the Social Security system, Congress participates with the American people.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.
4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan just as all Americans.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.
5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.
6. Congress looses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.
7. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.
8. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/2011.
The American people did not make this contract with Congress, Congress made all these contracts for themselves.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.
Rev. Jeremiah Wright said that the "chickens came home to roost" on 9-11. He was wrong. But they have now, indeed, come home to roost as we witness the results of the unilateral disarmament President Obama has practiced in the war on terror. Beset once more by terrorism on our soil and in our airspace, we find ourselves suddenly overmatched by those who the Bush Administration kept away from our shores for seven years.
This new onset of terrorism is not the product of any change in the international environment or some new "systemic" flaw in our intelligence operations. It is due to the policy of President Obama in letting down our guard and inhibiting those charged with our protection.
Under Obama, the hunters have become the hunted as America inverted her priorities. Those who have been working to keep us safe have, themselves, come under scrutiny for profiling, harsh interrogation techniques, and a failure to give terrorists constitutional rights they don't have.
The result is predictable: Timidity and caution have become the order of the day in our intelligence community. In a world where hunch, guesswork, and a willingness to leap to conclusions by imagining the worst are vital to success, a cover your butt mentality has taken over. If you come to the wrong conclusion, if you profile without adequate justification, if you accuse incorrectly, you are finished. Your career and your pension will be gone. Guess right and you are accorded anonymity. Guess wrong and you're through.
The failure of the intelligence operatives to pass along the information about the Ft. Hood shooter or the airline bomber did not flow from a blind spot or a lack of co-ordination, they stemmed from terrorism of a different sort -- the terror of making a mistake and falling on the harsh mercies of Eric Holder. Now Nigerian terrorist Umar Farouk Abdulmutall sits, lawyered up, in a federal prison. His interrogation will proceed, if at all, under the watchful eye of his counsel. He will not finger other operatives nor warn us of other impending attacks. He will receive the full panoply of constitutional rights, none of which he is entitled to. Barack Obama does not seem to understand that these terrorists come here to use our laws and our system, not to protect us, not even to shelter themselves, but to destroy us. Abdulmutall should be interrogated by the military, without benefit of counsel. The evidence we obtain should not be admissible in a court of law nor used as the basis for his sentencing. But it must be used to ward off future threats and attacks. But Obama is a true believer. His persistence in downgrading the war on terror to a criminal investigation will continue. And we will experience more and more attacks. Because pessimism is the bodyguard of liberalism, he will explain to us that the world has become more threatening and that he is doing all he can to keep us safe. But the truth will be that it will have been his policies and priorities that are leaving us exposed. And the attacks will continue.
I found these to be interesting words regarding Attorney General Eric Holder and his proceedings with this prosecution for a terrorist attempting to commit an act of terror and war. I also find it interesting to consider that while there were many incidents on Bush's watch after September 11th, this year we've had the shooting at the U.S. Army Recruiting Center in Little Rock, AK which killed 1 soldier, the Fort Hood Shooting in Texas, which killed 13, and an attempt to blow up Northwest Airlines flight 253, which had 290 passengers and crew on board, as the plane was descending. However, all of these might have happened no matter who was president. Since the attempted attack on Christmas Day there have been several incidents at airports, including:
-- the Sunday, December 27th, incident where the same flight caused worry over a passenger who spent a "suspicious" amount of time in the bathroom, -- the mystery man who walked through the screening checkpoint exit at Newark Liberty International Airport and temporarily put a terminal on lockdown and delayed several flights for hours on January 3rd, --and today, January 5th, when two airports (Bakersfield's Meadows Field Airport and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, both experienced delays due to suspicious luggage. The suspicious luggage turned out to be an old bag used by airport employees and bag that tested positive for TNT containing a Gatorade bottle with honey inside of it, respectively.
Not to mention the general uptick in airport security and government communication nationwide and internationally. Those three afore-mentioned incidents make me wonder, though, had Umar Farouk Ubdulmutallab not tried to blow up an airplane and murder 290 people (possibly more) would people have payed attention to the guy using the restroom on that same airplane just 2 days later? Would the other man's bag have been sniffed by dogs or would his honey have been discovered and taken into custody? Also, who the hell was that mystery man? Was he a civilian, somebody testing our security, or somebody deliberately setting off panic? If it's one of the latter two, who does he work for and how did he disappear? I doubt we'll ever know the truth about him.
