Ron Paul: The G20 Meeting Is About Replacing the International Dollar Standard

(Via LewRockwell.com)

Fed Chairmen I've Known (and Opposed)

Ron Paul speaks at the Mises Institute Supporters Summit, here.

Includes personal stories about Paul Volcker and Alan Greenspan.

An Open Letter To Ron Paul

The Honorable Ron Paul
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC

Dear Representative Ron Paul,

Congratulations on your run to seek the nomination of the Republican Party for President of the United States. I believe that you have stoked the desire for true liberty in perhaps 5% of the population.

But, now, I am thinking beyond the November elections. As you have pointed out, neither Senator John McCain nor Senator Barack Obama will attempt to advance the cause of liberty as President. But, it is indeed a near virtual certainty that one of them will become the next President of the United States. What is a freedom lover to do?

I believe a freedom lover must demand liberty, and in doing so throw sand in the gears of ever growing government. I believe you, sir, have the ability to recharge the troops like no one else can in the battle for freedom, and lead freedom lovers in carrying the buckets of sand to the gears of growing government. Yes, you have lost the nomination battle, but, sir, you have gained an army.

I believe it is time to deploy that army in the fight for freedom.

I believe it will be a long time, if ever, before the country demands a principled man of liberty as president. Liberty is too cerebral of a concept for the average person to grasp. Indeed, the 5% that is your army may be the ceiling on the number of those who can comprehend the concept of liberty on a theoretical level, and all the many nuances the concept implies. But, at the same time that the concept of liberty may forever be an elusive concept to grasp for the many, I believe concrete examples of liberty can be made understandable and important to the average person.

It is no different for most other situations. It is part of the division of labor. Many desire homes and will pay good money to acquire them, but there are far fewer that know how to work in constructing a house. And, there are even fewer architects.

It is the same with liberty. Many desire liberty but really don't know what it means. Your army, on the other hand, is (please forgive the mixed metaphor)composed of the construction workers and architects of liberty. They need to be deployed to build and advance real world tangible notions of liberty that the public at large can understand.

Thus, I suggest that the fight for liberty be brought to the general public one concrete step at a time, using your the army as the agents of promotion to bring these demands for liberty.

Specifically, here's what I am thinking.

Bills should be introduced in Congress, through you, that are "Liberty Bills". Bills that your army can get behind to promote and that any reasonable person would conclude is a "good" bill. Thus, introduced bills are not introduced simply on principle, but to have real world impact in the advance of liberty. liberty.

Here are examples of the types of bills I am thinking of. I do not in any sense see these bills as comprehensive of the many "Liberty Bills" that could be introduced in Congress, but simply as examples of what might be done.

THE IDENTITY PROTECTION ACT- While most are alarmed at the proliferation of "Identity theft", I believe in many ways that for the most part it is "Social Security Number" theft. If my credit card is stolen, I call my bank and they issue me a new card with a new number. A thief is limited to perhaps hours of an active card.A thief of my social security number has stolen my number, in almost all cases, for life.

Thus, I propose that a bill be introduced into Congress, The Identity Protection Act which makes it illegal for the social security number to be used by anyone other than the Social Security Administration. It should be made illegal to employ the number in conjunction with bank accounts, drivers licenses, credit services etc. It should be illegal for anyone ever to ask for a social security number, outside of the SSA.

THE MILITARY FREEDOM TO RESIGN ACT- The United States has military deployed around the world, some in armed conflict. Yet, no declarations of war have been made. I propose that these good men, who for the most part likely signed up to protect America, may now believe they have been misled in their mission. I, therefore, propose a Bill be introduced into Congress that gives the right for any military man to lay down his weapons and come home if he is deployed outside the United States and Congress has not specifically by roll call vote declared war in the area of his deployment outside the United States. Such person should receive an Honorable Discharge.

THE INNOCENT PERSON'S ACT- If someone is charged with a crime in the United States, they are generally photographed, fingerprinted, and in some cases their DNA is taken. I contend that the state has no right to such tracking material if a person is found innocent in a court of law or the charges against him are dismissed. Thus, I urge the introduction of The Innocent Person's Act, which would require the destruction within 24 hours of all tracking material such as photographs, DNA and fingerprints, if a person is found innocent or charges against him or if such charges are dismissed.

THE RELIEF FROM WHISPERING ACT- Quite simply private correspondence is at the heart of freedom, no one should have to think twice about whether some government authority will at some future date demand copies of a persons emails. Correspondence is an extension of our minds and our souls to others. If we are not free to correspond without the threat that some regulatory body may look at such emails in the future, then how are we to know what others really think, unless we meet them in some dark ally and whisper? I propose that The Relief From Whispering Act ban the ability of government agencies to use and acquire emails for any reason at any time.

The only people I believe more restrictions should be put on are politicians. If they believe regulations are so great, why then, let's regulate them. Thus, I propose one more bill, THE TRUTH IN CAMPAIGNING ACT. As we all know, it is impossible to know what a politician will do once in office, since they outright lie to us during their campaigns. The father and son Bush are perfect examples. The father, of course, campaigned with the slogan "Read My Lips No New Taxes" and then raised taxes. Bush the son ran a "Humble Foreign Policy" campaign, only to announce once in office that he wants to bring "democracy to the world." I propose that The Truth In Campaigning Act make it illegal for politicians to lie about what they plan to do if elected. If they break a campaign promise, i.e. lie, The Truth In Campaign Act should call for jail time for them equal to twice the length of the term a politician was seeking in office at the time of his lie. Thus, a president who lied during his campaign would receive a sentence of eight years. The trial should be in public available on television and the Internet, and the jury should be the people of the United States (or appropriate electoral jurisdiction, e.g. the people of a state for a lying Senator) who vote on guilt or innocence within 72 hours of the end of the trial.

These are my proposals. Again they are not intended to be comprehensive in anyway. They are merely illustrative of the Liberty campaigns that can be built to attract the attention of the populous at large. Further, I understand that these proposed Acts may need amplification and refinement. It is my general thought that I am attempting to present here.

I have one more strategic recommendation. I believe that these type Liberty Bills should be pursued one at a time, so that, sir, your complete army of architects and construction workers for Liberty are all focused on the same point to create the greatest amount of intensity in getting liberty ideas before the public at large, and, thus, passed in Congress.

Sincerely,

Robert Wenzel

Robert Wenzel is an economic consultant and Editor & Publisher of EconomicPolicyJournal.com. He can be reached at rw@economicpolicyjournal.com.

Phil Gramm Still Hustling For John McCain

Phil Gramm was supposedly unceremoniously dumped by John McCain from his campaign after Gramm said the economy was just in a "mental recession" and that the country was a "nation of whiners." 

Gramm has since stated that he is "just another citizen supporting McCain."

But it sure looks like Citizen Gramm is providing advice and working behind the scenes muscle for McCain.

At a recent private business roundtable, Gramm defended the campaign’s vetting of Sarah Palin to be McCain’s running mate by saying, “We went through a process of vetting all possible candidates.”

"We"?

Now, Ron Paul has spilled the beans that Gramm has been hustling for McCain to get a McCain endorsement out of Paul:

[At a press conference] Paul revealed that a McCain representative, who he did not name, had called him as part of what has been a recent effort to score an endorsement.

Later, Paul told The [Los Angeles] Times' Janet Hook the go-between was Gramm

-Robert Wenzel

Ron Paul - Bob Barr Split Gets Vicious

The following was posted by Bob Barr's 2008 National Field Director, Mike Ferguson at his MySpace blog. It has since been removed.

Earlier today, Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) held a press conference in Washington, D.C. where he said…well, nothing…

He invited Libertarian Party Presidential nominee Bob Barr and independent Presidential candidate Ralph Nader along with the nominees of two small, minor political parties to stand behind him as he encouraged Americans to vote for anyone other than Sens. Barak Obama and John McCain.

Ron Paul wasted the press corps’ time with this press conference. It accomplished nothing and displayed a complete lack of leadership on Paul’s part.

Of the four invitees, only Bob Barr had the sense to skip the event. He held his own press conference, also in Washington, D.C., later in the day.

Among the things in Ron Paul’s statement was a reference to the “principled non-voter”, claiming they are sending a message and should start a “League of Non Voters” to impact the nation and government.

So, in other words, Paul stated that people should not vote for Obama or McCain and should vote for a third party nominee…unless they really don’t want to.

Allow me to set the good Doctor straight: “principled non voters” count the same, and have the same impact on America, as lazy, apathetic citizens who simply do not care enough to get involved and vote. There is no difference between the wannabe political philosopher who refuses to cast a vote “out of principle” and the lazy citizen who chooses to remain ignorant of the issues, the candidates and his or her government.

Keep in mind that some of Paul’s followers have placed his name on the Presidential ballot in two states (Louisiana and Montana). Paul could have kept his name off the ballot in those states by simply requesting that he not be listed as a candidate in the general election, but in an effort in ego, he chose to allow his name to go on the ballot in direct competition with the other candidates he claims to encourage people to consider voting for.

Ron Paul has, again, blown a tremendous opportunity to lead and advance the agenda of the Constitution, and individual liberty. Since he launched his Presidential Exploratory Committee almost two years ago, Ron Paul has repeatedly said this campaign is not about the man (him) but about the message (liberty and the Constitution).

Really, Dr. Paul? Your actions belie your words.

If he were truly serious about this being “about the message” and not the man, he would be making sure that the message is resonating far and wide through and during the Presidential campaign.

The Libertarian Party begged him to accept its nomination and continue his campaign through Election Day. He declined.

The Libertarian Party then nominated the only credible pro-freedom candidate in the Presidential race, former Congressman Bob Barr, but Paul refused to support him, saying he is working for freedom within the Republican Party.

Backing Barr would have taken courage on Paul’s part. Instead, today he took a cop-out course of action by encouraging a nondescript “vote third party” message that would water down the impact of the freedom vote. If Americans are serious about sending a message that demands the restoration of our civil liberties, an end to the war in Iraq, a foreign policy that makes sense and solid, realistic economic policies then there is only one option to vote for on November 4th – Bob Barr.

Ron Paul knows that. Instead, he encouraged watering down the vote while maximizing his marketing base for the Campaign for Liberty, his book sales, etc.

After Rep. Paul collected millions in donations from Libertarians, independents and Republicans during his campaign, he has since:

1) Sold his followers a book

2) Had people travel to (or donate to) a march on Washington D.C. that ultimately proved to be too small to even get noticed, much less have any sort of impact

3) Launched the “Campaign for Liberty” and hit up his followers, again, for donations to this organization that has made no noticeable effort to support liberty-minded candidates

4) Sold thousands of tickets to the “Rally for the Republic” in Minnesota, where he then sold t-shirts, more books, vendor booth space, advertising in the programs and a host of other things.

Ron Paul is now in the Ron Paul business – and business is lucrative.

As painful as it is to state the obvious: this campaign by the man is no longer about the message, it is about the money – lots of it. Other than in his pocket and in the pocket of his paid staff, where is all the money going?

No one seems to know for sure.

In a time of economic recession, Paul has found a way to keep going back to the financial well of his followers, creating yet another challenge for candidates who are still running for office at all levels and are unable to raise the funds needed to effectively spread the message of liberty and the Constitution.

I was among the first to donate to Dr. Paul’s Exploratory committee and I also donated to his Presidential campaign. Once he dropped out of the race, though, I did the responsible thing and got behind the only remaining credible candidate, Bob Barr, who is capable of injecting the message Ron Paul claims to want to spread through Election Day and beyond.

America still needs to hear that message and only Bob Barr is capable of taking the message further down the field. Unfortunately, it is obvious that Ron Paul is more interested in making money off the message than helping spread it through someone else. Maybe he is worried that Bob Barr will publish a book and compete for customers.

Thousands of Americans rushed to join Ron Paul’s campaign, myself included. For us, it has always been about the message. We were thrilled to have someone serve as spokesman for the cause of liberty and back a candidate who could leverage his position as a major-party candidate to spread our message to millions through the campaign.

That is why we donated millions of dollars collectively.

Since ending his Presidential campaign, though, Ron Paul has gone from being the hope for America to being a major obstacle to the message of freedom and the Constitution.

By contrast, Bob Barr showed that he is not just talking about and rallying for the message of freedom, he is doing something about the need to put liberty and Constitutional issues front and center in the Presidential campaign.

The Barr campaign continues to pick up steam in the national media and in the polls. People are listening and we cannot miss this opportunity to maximize our reach. The message is still getting out – because of Bob Barr.

Dr. Paul, where is the leadership from you? We certainly did not see any today in Washington, D.C.

Do Paul’s loyal followers, I ask one simple question: Are you serious about continuing to spread the message of Liberty for America?

If so, prove it. Go to www.bobbarr2008.com and sign up for our email updates. Then, look for a MeetUp group in your area – if there isn’t one already, start one. Also, make a donation to the campaign. In any event, get involved in the Barr campaign because this campaign is actually about the message.

-EPJ Original Documents

Bob Barr Disses Ron Paul

Libertarian Party candidate Bob Barr committed to attend Congressman Ron Paul's press conference, calling on voters to reject the Democratic and Republican Party, only to declare minutes before hand that "it just isn't worth it."

Ralph Nader was there. Chuck Baldwin was there. Cynthia McKinney was there.

Bob Barr, instead, held his own new conference, and his campaign issued this press release:

Bob Barr, the Libertarian Party nominee for president, has invited GOP Congressman Ron Paul to be his running mate in the upcoming election. In a letter sent to Paul, Barr called Paul one of the “few American patriots” who exist in today’s society, and asked him to “seriously consider this final offer as an opportunity to show true, lasting leadership beyond party politics.”

Barr cited Paul’s 1987 letter to then-GOP Chairman Frank Fahrenkopf, in which Paul stated that, “after years of trying to work through the Republican Party both in and out of government…[Paul] concluded that [his] efforts must be carried on outside the Republican Party.”

Though recognizing Paul’s personal investment in the Republican Party and his recent attempts to reform the party from inside, Barr said he disagreed with Paul’s strategy. “Better options remain that will carry a message of liberty onto the ballot in November and beyond,” Barr stated, adding at a news conference called today at the National Press Club, that “change in politics and public policy in America cannot and will not be done from within the current, two-party system.

”

At the press conference:

Barr reported on the letter he sent Paul asking Paul to run as Barr’s vice presidential nominee.

Barr said he signed onto the statement of principles that Nader, McKinney and Baldwin signed, and stands by it. But he declined the offer to appear this morning.

“This is no reflection, certainly, on the tremendous and positive leadership that Ron Paul has provided to the liberty," Barr sad.

-EPJ Newsdesk

Ron Paul: Reject The Two Party System

At a news conference held today in Washington D.C. at the National Press Club, Republican congressman Ron Paul (Tex.) has made it clear he is not supporting the John McCain-Sarah Palin Republican Ticket.

At the conference Paul said:

The coverage of the presidential election is designed to be a grand distraction. Pretending that a true difference exists between the two major candidates is a charade of great proportion. Many who help to perpetuate this myth are frequently unaware of what they are doing and believe that significant differences actually do exist. Indeed, on small points there is the appearance of a difference. The real issues, however, are buried in a barrage of miscellaneous nonsense and endless pontifications by robotic pundits hired to perpetuate the myth of a campaign of substance.

The truth is that our two-party system offers no real choice. The real goal of the campaign is to distract people from considering the real issues.

He called on voters to reject the two party system and to vote for a principled candidate. "For me, though, my advice—for what it’s worth—is to vote! Reject the two candidates who demand perpetuation of the status quo and pick one of the alternatives that you have the greatest affinity to, based on the other issues," Paul said

"A huge vote for those running on principle will be a lot more valuable by sending a message that we’ve had enough and want real change than wasting one’s vote on a supposed lesser of two evils."

Minor party presidential candidates, Chuck Baldwin, Cynthia McKinney, and Ralph Nader were in attendance and jointly issued the following statement with Ron Paul:

We Agree

The Republican/Democrat duopoly has, for far too long, ignored the most important issues facing our nation. However, alternate candidates Chuck Baldwin, Cynthia McKinney, and Ralph Nader agree with Ron Paul on four key principles central to the health of our nation. These principles should be key in the considerations of every voter this November and in every election.

We Agree

Foreign Policy: The Iraq War must end as quickly as possible with removal of all our soldiers from the region. We must initiate the return of our soldiers from around the world, including Korea, Japan, Europe and the entire Middle East. We must cease the war propaganda, threats of a blockade and plans for attacks on Iran, nor should we re-ignite the cold war with Russia over Georgia. We must be willing to talk to all countries and offer friendship and trade and travel to all who are willing. We must take off the table the threat of a nuclear first strike against all nations.

Privacy: We must protect the privacy and civil liberties of all persons under US jurisdiction. We must repeal or radically change the Patriot Act, the Military Commissions Act, and the FISA legislation. We must reject the notion and practice of torture, eliminations of habeas corpus, secret tribunals, and secret prisons. We must deny immunity for corporations that spy willingly on the people for the benefit of the government. We must reject the unitary presidency, the illegal use of signing statements and excessive use of executive orders.

The National Debt: We believe that there should be no increase in the national debt. The burden of debt placed on the next generation is unjust and already threatening our economy and the value of our dollar. We must pay our bills as we go along and not unfairly place this burden on a future generation.

The Federal Reserve: We seek a thorough investigation, evaluation and audit of the Federal Reserve System and its cozy relationships with the banking, corporate, and other financial institutions. The arbitrary power to create money and credit out of thin air behind closed doors for the benefit of commercial interests must be ended. There should be no taxpayer bailouts of corporations and no corporate subsidies. Corporations should be aggressively prosecuted for their crimes and frauds.

Earlier speculation had Libertarian candidate, Bob Barr, supporting Ron Paul's plan. However, his name was not included as an endorser of the statement. Ron Paul can best be identified as a libertatrian.

UPDATE: Bob Barr Disses Ron Paul

-EPJ Newsdesk

HOT: Details On Ron Paul Press Conference

It's official:

Released today by Ron Paul's Campaign For Liberty

Ron Paul to Hold Major Press Conference

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jesse Benton
September 8, 2008

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA – Congressman Ron Paul will hold a press conference in the Ball Room at the National Press Club on Wednesday, September 10th at 10:00 am. Dr. Paul will announce his intentions for the fall presidential election and will be accompanied by several special guests.

This event comes on the heels of Dr. Paul’s historic three-day Rally for the Republic in Minneapolis, Minnesota that drew over 12,000 supporters.

Details on The "Major Announcement" Ron Paul Press Conference

The "Major Announcement" Ron Paul press conference will be held at the National Press Club in Washington DC on Wednesday September 10th at 10:30am, to discuss the election.

UPDATE: National Press Club tells me the space is on hold, but not confirmed.

Ron Paul to Make Major Announcement Next Week

Congressman Ron Paul will make a major announcement next week in Washington D.C. at the National Press Club.

Both Bob Barr and Chuck Baldwin are expected at the news conference. Barr is the Libertarian presidential nominee and Baldwin is the presidential nominee of the Constitution Party.

We don't know exactly what is going on, but there is even speculation that Baldwin and Barr are stepping aside so that Paul can become the nominee of both the Constitution and Libertarian Parties.

The Montana Constitution Party has removed Chuck Baldwin from the ballot and is putting the ticket of Ron Paul for President and Michael Peroutka on the ballot for Vice-President.

UPDATE: Eric Garris reports:The Montana Constitution Party has removed Chuck Baldwin from the ballot and is putting the ticket of Ron Paul for President and Michael Peroutka on the ballot for Vice-President.

Ron Paul was aware that the party planned to do this, and has said that as long as he can remain passive and silent about the development, and as long as he need not sign any declaration of candidacy, that he does not object.

A group in Louisiana has also filed to have Ron Paul's name on the ballot for President under the "Louisiana Taxpayers Party" label.

UPDATE 2:The Ron Paul press conference will be held at the National Press Club in DC on Wednesday September 10th at 10:30am, to discuss the election. 

UPDATE 3: National Press Club tells me space is on hold but not confirmed by Ron Paul's people.

UPDATE 4: It's official a press release is out confirming Ron Paul's Press Conference Wednesday at 10:00.

Ron Paul: Housing Rescue Bill Has Provison That Will Require All Credit Card Transactions Be Reported To The IRS

Texas Congressman Ron Paul, in a 7 minute video message, has spilled the beans on the so called "Housing Rescue" bill just passed by the House, and soon to be passed by the Senate.

The bill is some 600 pages long. Sneaked into the bill is a provison that will require that all credit card transactions be reported to the IRS.

Further, the bill gives approval to increase the national debt ceiling by $800 billion. It also requires that those in the mortgage industry be fingerprinted.

With 600 pages, who knows what else was sneaked into this bill? With 600 pages of legalese, you can sneak in a lot. Once the report is in its final form, we are going to attempt to read it, and file a complete report. Check back.

Here's Ron Paul:

Sweet Music: Larry Kudlow and Ron Paul Discuss Bernanke and Trends in the Economy

Ron Paul Warns On Iran Resolution

Congressman Ron Paul, who recently sought the Republican presidential nomination on a non-interventionist/ free market platform, is warning, in a statement delivered before the House of Representatives, about a resolution likely to soon come before the House for a vote:

Now the one issue that I do want to mention tonight is a resolution that is about to come to this floor if our suspicions are correct, after the July 4th holiday. And this bill will probably be brought up under suspension. It is expected to pass easily. It probably will be. And it is just more war propaganda, just more preparation to go to war against Iran.

This resolution, H.J. Res 362 [listed as H. Con. Res 362 online] is a virtual war resolution. It is the declaration of tremendous sanctions, and boycotts and embargoes on the Iranians. It is very, very severe. Let me just read what is involved if this bill passes and what we're telling the President what he must do:

This demands that the President impose stringent inspection requirements on all persons, vehicles, ships, planes, trains and cargo entering or departing Iran, and prohibiting the international movement of all Iranian officials.

This is unbelievable! This is closing down Iran. Where do we have this authority? Where do we get the moral authority? Where do we get the international legality for this? Where do we get the Constitutional authority for this?

Congressman Paul's full statement is here.

Greenspan, The Slasher

A song memorializing Alan Greenspan's interest rate cuts, with apologies to Billy Joel.

He cut it once, he cut it twice
He cut it twelve times before
But still they believe to the core
That this cut was needed even more

But oh, there's no market bounce
And they should know it's time to buy the Mapleleaf gold ounce

Yet they stand there pleadin'
With their portfolios bleedin
'Cause deep down they want even more

Then he says he wants to fight deflation
It's such a clever obfuscation

He's so good with his explanation
They don't even see the looming disastrous inflation

He cuts so hard, he cuts so deep
He's got so much skill
He's so fascinating that they'll still be there waiting
When he comes back with the bill
They' ve been slashed in the face
Their portfolios a disgrace

But still they want more

'Cause he gives them what they need
While their stocks bleed

Then he says he is fighting deflation
What a clever obfuscation

He's so good with his explanation
They even think he is a sensation

He cuts a quarter, he cuts a half
As he carves up the economy’s life
But they won't do nothing
As he keeps on cutting
'Cause you know they love the knife

The market’s been overbought, the market’s been oversold
But they stand there pleadin'
With their portfolios bleedin'
'Cause deep down they want even more

From this Randian phony to the core

Then he says he is fighting deflation
What a clever obfuscation

He's so good with his explanation
They even think it is good for the nation

But the truth is the slasher
Is carving up a big time disaster

Inflation is ahead
You need gold under your bed
Use your head

Crudele, Rogers, Paul and Volcker have got this right
It is not going to be a pretty sight.