Ron Paul on Bailout Fails!

End The Fed

The Petition for Redress Regarding
the private FEDERAL RESERVE

Tell Congress to answer our Petitions.

Join We The People Congress.

Who Predicted U.S. Economic Collapse Years Ago?

Here's the man that was laughed at by the MEDIA during the Primaries.

The man that the Republican Party didn't want on the ticket.

So who's laughing Now?

09/18/2008

Ron Paul on the Global Financial Crisis

MI Lawmakers React to Bailout Failure

(WXYZ) Michigan's lawmakers are reacting to the failure of the House of Representatives to pass the $700 billion bailout measure.

SEE INTERVIEWS WITH REP. THADDEUS MCCOTTER, JOE KNOLLENBERG AND MIKE ROGERS IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ON THE RIGHT

Rep. Conyers today made the following statement on his vote against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008:

Full Story and Video

Who's Laughing Now? End the Fed

SOCIALIST "BAILOUT" COULD SPARK COLLAPSE

By Cliff Kincaid
September 30, 2008
NewsWithViews.com

While media reports and opinion polls demonstrated that the overwhelming majority of Americans were opposed to a socialist takeover of a major sector of the U.S. economy, many voices in the media were urging passage of the takeover plan.

In an article on his website, Schiff had praised House conservatives for trying to preserve American-style capitalism by resisting the scheme.

One of those conservatives, Republican Rep. Thaddeus McCotter of Michigan, who had referred to the plan as “dung,” declared that the bill’s “cosmetic changes” were not enough and that it should go down to defeat. The plan “is a socialist solution,” he said, “one that, by threatening hardworking Americans’ prosperity, unconscionably ransoms hardworking Americans’ money and reduces their liberty. As such, it is a generational threat to Americans’ liberty and prosperity.” Full Story

Will Media Learn?

The Detroit Metro Times just ran an article comparing the candidate’s tax plans. This is good right? The Metro Times is keeping the public informed so we can choose the right person for the job of President right?

Well, when you read the comments left by the readers, it seems that the Detroit Metro Times forgot a few candidates.

On 9/24/2008 10:45:13 AM, MCP-001 said:
I hope that this is a continuing report? Where is the data for Chuck Baldwin from the Constitution Party? Bob Barr from the Libertarian Party? Cynthia McKinney from the Green Party? Ralph Nader? I sincerely hope that The Metro Times does realize that there are more than two candidates?

On 9/24/2008 11:14:55 AM, Doc d20 said:
MCP is right on the money! Roll your eyes all you want about "third party" candidates. An extended comparison (i.e., One that includes plans from all political parites) on most any issue would expose the Democrat and GOP positions as being indistinguishable.

Read Story Here

The Recession Reader

For those new to Austrian economics, this reader will offer an introduction to this unique school of thought. It is unlike any other school of economics you have likely come across. Instead of focusing on unrealistic mathematical models, the writers here build their thinking on human action and observations of how the economy actually runs.

What’s important is not necessarily the specific political opposition to this bailout, but rather educating people about the dangers of nationalization, central banking, and government regulation. Only when people recognize the dangers of the government’s "socialism for the rich" will we be able to get back on the road to prosperity. Unfortunately, a correction is necessary. There is no such thing as a free house. The more the government intervenes, the longer and more painful it will be. But this crisis gives the country a chance to rethink its previous assumptions about the economy and the government’s role in it. Hopefully, this reader will be a first step for many into an exciting, growing branch of economic thought.

Full Story

Wall Street bailout plan divides Michigan delegation in State

WASHINGTON (AP) — Michigan's House delegation was deeply divided Monday over a $700 billion Wall Street rescue plan, as opponents said their constituents didn't want taxpayers to shoulder the burden of a massive bailout.

Opponents included three Democrats — Reps. John Conyers and Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick of Detroit and Bart Stupak of Menominee. The six Republicans who opposed it included Reps. Joe Knollenberg of Oakland County's Bloomfield Township, Tim Walberg of Tipton, Pete Hoekstra of Holland, Mike Rogers of Howell, Thaddeus McCotter of Livonia and Candice Miller of Macomb County's Harrison Township.

Full Story

Don't forget to call these Reps and thank them for listening to you.

House defeats $700B financial markets bailout

By JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS, Associated Press Writer
2 minutes ago
CLICK HERE for Roll Call. See who voted Aye 205 and Nay 228.

WASHINGTON - The House on Monday defeated a $700 billion emergency rescue for the nation's financial system, ignoring urgent warnings from President Bush and congressional leaders of both parties that the economy could nosedive into recession without it

Stocks plummeted on Wall Street even before the 228-205 vote to reject the bill was announced on the House floor. CLICK HERE.

Ron Paul Warns Of “Dark Ages” On Glenn Beck Radio Show

Listen to the interview [MP3]

Paulson's Hyperinflationary Folly! Endless Bailouts. The Current Economic System is Doomed.

Bailout Plan! The House Aint Buyin It!!

Bailing out Wallstreet and the Fed.

I wonder how much of it we would have to deal with if the United States Congress would have answered our Petition for Redress regarding the Private Federal Reserve Bank back in 2002. We have again served the United States Congress with the Petition for Redress regarding the Federal Reserve on June 30, 2008. Not one member of Congress has answered these petitions.

Instead, they have thumbed their nose at us, We The People, and are now sticking us with the bill for the corruption and...well, I guess Ron Paul said it best.

In conclusion, there are three good reasons why Congress should reject this legislation:

a. It is immoral—Dumping bad debt on the innocent taxpayers is an act of theft and is wrong.

b. It is unconstitutional—There is no constitutional authority to use government power to serve special interests.

c. It is bad economic policy—By refusing to address the monetary system while continuing to place the burdens of the bailout on the dollar, we can be certain that in time, we will be faced with another, more severe crisis when the market figures out that there is no magic government bailout or regulation that can make a fraudulent monetary system work.

remarks Dr. Paul delivered this morning:

Let's Play "WALLSTREET BAILOUT" The Rules Are... Rep Kaptur

Has Rep. Kaptur answered the Petition for Redress regarding the Federal Reserve?

Rep. Marcy Kaptur D-Ohio

Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) warns the American people about Constitutional enemies of the Republic and the fraudulent trillion(s) dollar bailout…

“My message to the American people don’t let Congress seal this deal. High financial crimes have been committed.”

“The normal legislative process has been shelved. Only a few insiders are doing the dealing, sounds like insider trading to me. These criminals have so much political power than can shut down the normal legislative process of the highest law making body of this land.”

“We are Constitutionally sworn to protect and defend this Republic against all enemies foreign and domestic. And my friends there are enemies.”

“The people pushing this deal are the very ones who are responsible for the implosion on Wall Street. They were fraudulent then and they are fraudulent now.”

We Are Under Martial Law! As Declared By The Speaker Last Night! Rep Burgess

Letter to Hoekstra, Stabenow and Levin

Dear Congressman Hoekstra, Senator Stabenow, and Senator Levin


As you know, on June 30, 2008, you were served with a Petition for Redress regarding the Federal Reserve for the second time. You were asked by your constituents, who signed the petitions, for you to answer each individual question.

Had you respected us and our request for you to answer our questions, you would not be faced with the dilemma of having to vote for a bailout of these Foreign Banks with our blood, sweet and tears.

RBS will get 'billions' in US bail-out of economy
http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.2453817.0.0.php

Keep in mind, these are the same Foreign Lenders who’s greed put them in the position they are now in. You know or should know that America will survive far better if you do not commit us to this bailout bill.

Your Vote for this bill will be my Vote to fire you.

Sincerely
William and Rose Lear

http://hoekstra.house.gov/Contact/ContactForm.htm

http://stabenow.senate.gov/email.cfm

http://levin.senate.gov/contact/

Cavuto: Ron Paul is a Genius

Los Angeles am830 KLAA Interviews Ron Paul

If you want to understand why so many are against this Corporate Bailout, listen to this interview with Ron Paul.

CLICK HERE to listen to Ron Paul on the Economy.

When enough people get fed up with Washington DC, maybe they will pick up the phone and call Capitol Hill and tell them to answer the Petition for Redress regarding the Federal Reserve Private Bank owned by Foreign Bankers. Click Here to Read and sign Petitions.

No Bailout! Make One Call.

202-224-3121
1-800-828-0498

Call the US Capitol. Ask to speak to your Congressman and your Senators - and tell them...

NO BAILOUT! NO BLANK CHECK!

Forecast: U.S. dollar could plunge 90 pct

Business News

RHINEBECK, N.Y., Nov. 19 (UPI) -- A financial crisis will likely send the U.S. dollar into a free fall of as much as 90 percent and gold soaring to $2,000 an ounce, a trends researcher said.

The Panic of 2008 will lead to a lower U.S. standard of living, he said.

A result will be a drop in holiday spending a year from now, followed by a permanent end of the "retail holiday frenzy" that has driven the U.S. economy since the 1940s, he said.
CLICK HERE for full story.

Glenn is looking for your questions

I have been requesting for the last month that Glenn Beck and Lou Dobbs have Bob Schulz on their shows.

I have also been requesting that Roy Beck and Frosty Wooldrige to join forces with Bob Schulz and demand answers to our Petitions for Redress.

The silence is deafening from all of the above.

Is it, can it be, please don't tell me that Lou Dobbs, Glenn Beck, Roy Beck and Frosty Wooldrige really don't care about our First Amendment.

Well, it really doesn't matter if they do or not, it is an individual Right and the only thing that matters is if YOU care about it.

Contact me@glennbeck.com

Obama, McCain say they have a solution

It truly amazes me how the media can keep up the same old rhetoric between this Republican Presidential Candidate and that Democrat Presidential Candidate. When I read this article published in the Detroit Free Press, it made me want to gag.

WHY?

It doesn’t matter which TV news station you watch, which newspaper you read, it’s all the same game. But what they don’t report is that neither of these candidates, McCain or Obama, have lived up to their oath of office as a United States Senator.

Neither of these candidates, McCain or Obama have even acknowledge that they have received the (7) seven Petitions of Redress let alone answer them.

My question to the American Public is:

If Obama and McCain both are ignoring your MOST IMPORTANT First Amendment Right, Why would you vote for either of them?

Campaigns have to face financial mess

Obama, McCain say they have a solution
BY TODD SPANGLER • FREE PRESS WASHINGTON STAFF • SEPTEMBER 20, 2008

Now voters can add to the long list of issues -- the solvency of Social Security, health care, energy policies, tax policies and the war in Iraq -- this big one: who has the best plan to bring regulatory reform to the financial markets. CLICK HERE for more.

Call your Congressperson and Senators as well as McCain and Obama, tell them you want answers to these Petitions NOW!!!

The Petition for Redress Regarding
the FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM.

The Petition for Redress Regarding
the WAR POWERS CLAUSES/IRAQ.

The Petition for Redress Regarding
the "USA PATRIOT ACT" abuses

The Petition for Redress Regarding
unlawful GUN CONTROL LAWS.

The Petition For Redress Regarding
the NORTH AMERICAN UNION.

The Petition for Redress Regarding
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.

The Petition for Redress Regarding
the FEDERAL INCOME TAX fraud.

Washington declares war on debt crisis!

I woke up this morning and as usual, made a pot of coffee, turned on this computer, and started reading the morning mail and news. Here’s what I found and I really don’t think I need to add much to this post.

Ron Paul: This Bailout Won't Be the Last

September 19, 2008 05:35 PM ET | Luke Mullins | USNews.com

I recently chatted with Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) about the gigantic financial bailout that the government is preparing to undertake.

Some excerpts from the interview:

Washington declares war on debt crisis!

Result: With this step, the U.S. government is shooting its funding operation in the foot. It's merely making it that much more difficult for the U.S. Treasury itself to raise the money it will need for each and every one of its bailout efforts.

And sure enough ...

This morning, U.S. bond prices are collapsing, as the interest rate the U.S. Treasury has to pay on its 10-year bonds has surged by an unprecedented 39 basis points (.39 percentage points).

Bottom line: These three government bombshells do not end the credit crisis. They merely threaten to spread the plague to the one borrower who heretofore stood above the crowd of sinking debtors: The United States Government itself.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Peter Schiff On Glenn Beck 3/17:

Peter Schiff on Glen Beck 9/15

The Party's Over

OPINION
PAT BUCHANAN
A true conservative cherishes prudence and believes in fiscal responsibility, balanced budgets and a self-reliant republic. He believes in saving for retirement and a rainy day, in deferred gratification, in not buying on credit what you cannot afford, in living within your means.

Is that really what got Wall Street and us into this mess — that we followed too religiously the gospel of Robert Taft and Russell Kirk?

"Government must save us!" cries the left, as ever. Yet, who got us into this mess if not the government — the Fed with its easy money, Bush with his profligate spending, and Congress and the SEC by liberating Wall Street and failing to step in and stop the drunken orgy? CLICK HERE to read more.

Once again, bad behavior will be rewarded and those of us who are prudent and responsible will get taxed more to pay for it. OR, you can start holding Washington DC and your State Legislators accountable under your First Amendment. CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

Ron Paul on CNN, 9/19/08

Sign Petitions for Redress

Call your Senators and Congressman/woman and Instruct them to answer the petitions.

WTP Brings Federal Lawsuit to Stop AIG Bailout

PLAINTIFF’S MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT OF
MOTION FOR TEMPORARY AND PRELIMINARY RELIEF

ARGUMENT
PLAINTIFFS HAVE A STRONG LIKELIHOOD OF
SUCCESS ON THE MERITS

This case arises from Defendants’ decision to lend or give public money and public credit to A.I.G., a private corporation, without constitutional authority to do so, in violation of the letter, spirit and intent of the Constitution of the United States of America.

The Constitution must be construed in its entirety.

The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America reads in part:

“Congress shall make no law...abridging ... the Right of the People peaceably to Assemble and to Petition the Government for Redress of Grievances.

This lawsuit is a Petition for Redress (remedy) of a Constitutional tort. No act of
Congress can, in equity or in law, bar this Court from determining the merits of Plaintiff’s complaint and granting the requested relief.

The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America reads in part:

“No person shall be deprived of ...liberty, or property, without due process of law....”

Plaintiff is a payer of federal taxes. The Right not to have his money taken from him for illicit purposes is an unalienable Property Right of the Plaintiff. The unauthorized use of taxpayer funds infringes upon Plaintiff’s individual, unalienable Right to Liberty and Property.

Plaintiff’s Liberty and Property depend upon his vigilance and ability to defend against any act or threat by Defendants to diminish the value of his or her Right to retain his money property.

The Ninth Amendment reads:

“The enumeration in the Constitution of certain Rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the People.”

CLICK HERE to read the entire Memorandum.

Poor governance creates poor policy

We all watched in horror this week as the Fed started balling out the big financial institutions and then big Insurance conglomerate AIG.

So what’s the big deal?

Well, if you watched Glenn Beck’s show last night, you would understand that this is very UN-Constitutional. Here are part 1 and 2 of Glen’s interview with Ron Paul.

Part 1


Part 2


Also in the Michigan news is and article by Olivia Pulsinelli published in the Michigan Business Review.

Regional Policy Conference: Governance, not auto, to blame for Michigan's economy

Economist Robert Genetski called out Michigan's governance, not the auto industry, as the cause of a poor economy.

Genetski, Heartland Institute policy adviser, offered research that showed Michigan's decline from being one of the healthiest economies in the nation in the 1960s to the poorest in the nation the past five years.

"Michigan ranks 50 out of 50 states," he said.
Although many blame the state of the manufacturing industry for the state's tough economic position, Genetski disagrees.

"Poor governance creates poor policy. That's what we have," he said.
He said Michigan governance is moving away from classic principles of a strong economy: low tax rates, free markets, protecting individual property rights and stable prices.

He held up the Michigan Business Tax, which passed quickly last year in a marathon legislative session, as an example of poor public policy. The MBT is the third highest tax in the country, he said, behind California and New York.

"Eliminate this tax entirely," he recommended.

He also blasted so-called "corporate welfare."

Corporate welfare is what the Federal Reserve is handing out as well as Michigan’s administrative government.

This means that you, your children and even your yet to be born grandchildren will foot the bill for bad business practices and bad government.

Now the Feds are proposing another agency to oversee and hand out more welfare to corporations who need YOUR money to bail them out.

When are the people going to say enough is enough?

When are we as a people going to enforce our Constitution and Bill of Rights?

Maybe we all need a refresher course on our Rights. Here is an article published in the Yale Law Journal in March, 1991 by Professor Akhil Reed Amar.

ARTICLE: The Bill of Rights as a Constitution.

So too with the petition clause. I have argued elsewhere that whenever a
majority of voters so petitioned, Congress would be obliged to convene a
constitutional convention, just as it would be when presented with "Application
of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States" under Article V. 116 The
key textual point here is that the Amendment explicitly guarantees "the right
of the people" to petition -- a formulation that decisively signals its connection
to popular sovereignty theory and underscores Gordon Wood's observation that
the ideas of petition, assembly, and convention were tightly intertwined in
eighteenth-century America. 117 The precursors of the petition clause suggested
by state ratifying conventions had obscured these connections. Each of the
four conventions spoke of the "people's" right to "assemble" or to alter or
abolish government (and as we have seen, these two rights were closely
linked); yet each convention described the right of petition in purely individualistic language -- a right of "every freeman," "every person," or "every
man." 118 Under these formulations, petition appeared less a political than a
civil right, akin to the right to sue in court and receive due process. 119 The
language and structure of our First Amendment suggest otherwise. As with
assembly, the core petition right is collective and popular.

To be sure, like its companion assembly clause, the petition clause also
protects individuals and minority groups. Stephen Higginson has persuasively
shown that the clause was originally understood as giving extraordinary power
to even a single individual, for the right to petition implied a corresponding
congressional duty to respond, at least with some kind of hearing. 120

As of this time, 82,490 have signed the Petition for Redress regarding the Federal Reserve. You can click here to read the petition.

You can click here to read all 7 Petitions for Redress that We as a Free and Self-Governing people should be demanding answers to.

Are we going to sit by and watch our do nothing Congress sell this country out to there Private Bankers called the Federal Reserve. This is not a Government Agency People. It is a private Bank handing out credit to Congress with YOUR promise to pay. Think about it.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

We The People Foundation For
Constitutional Education, Inc.
2458 Ridge Road, Queensbury, NY 12804
Tel: (518) 656-3578 Fax: (518) 656-9724
info@givemeliberty.org www.givemeliberty.org

- 30 -

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Bob Schulz
September 18, 2008, 3:00 PM (518) 656-3578

Federal Lawsuit Filed to Stop AIG Bailout

U.S. Lacks Constitutional Authority for Emergency Loan

Queensbury, NY -- On the day following the 221st anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution, WTP Chairman and constitutional activist Robert Schulz today filed a federal lawsuit in United States District Court in Albany seeking to halt the execution of the emergency bailout of American International Group, Inc. (AIG) by the United States Government and the Federal Reserve.

The lawsuit asserts that the commitment of public funds and credit for the direct benefit of privately owned AIG is an ultra virus action by the United States Government and Federal Reserve, i.e., beyond the limited legal authority granted by the Constitution. The lawsuit asks for a "show cause" hearing demanding that the Government produce evidence of its legal authority to commit public funds for such a purpose, as well as emergency and permanent injunctions halting the bailout transaction.

According to available information regarding the transaction, the Federal Reserve will loan AIG $85 billion dollars to stabilize its financial crisis, in effect, using taxpayer money to fund the loan. In consideration of taxpayer financing of the private bailout, the U.S. will receive stock warrants for 79.9% of AIG stock.

Schulz believes that, "Beyond the moral hazard and dangerous precedent established by this action, it is of vital importance that the American people recognize that the present financial crisis is a direct and predictable result of decades of constitutional violations by the Federal Government. Through a long- standing policy of disinformation and collusion with the Federal Reserve and Wall Street financial elite, the United States Federal Government has denied public access to information about the secretive operations of the privately owned and operated Federal Reserve and its monopoly control of America’s money system. This monopoly control of our currency by a private banking cartel has resulted in increasing distortion, volatility and cyclical (boom and bust) economic conditions in the U.S. and abroad. America’s fiat currency (produced from thin air) is manipulated by the Federal Reserve for the benefit of its owners, major Wall Street financial institutions and the Federal Government and is not unaccountable to the taxpayers. These abuses of the Constitution have taken our financial system to edge of the abyss. The chickens have come home to roost."

Since 2002, the We The People Foundation and its supporters have tried, thus far unsuccessfully, to get the Government to respond to a number of First Amendment Petitions for Redress of violations of the Constitution, including the Federal Reserve System’s violation of the money clauses of the Constitution. Had the Government honored the Constitution and its obligation to respond to the citizens’ Petitions for
Redress, many of the nation’s financial and monetary problems could have been avoided.

Click here to read the Complaint, the Memorandum of Law supporting the TRO, and Schulz's Declaration which includes several recent articles from the New York Times.

Can Diesel Ever Become Fashionable In The U.S.?

Some people think that we need to contact Ford and not our Reps in government about this new diesel car. Well, David Kiley did a follow up article on all the reasons why Ford isn't going to build this engine here in the US. It's a very interesting article and everyone should read it.

Automakers such as Volkswagen (VLKAY) and Mercedes-Benz (DAI) have predicted for years that a technology called "clean diesel" would overcome many Americans' antipathy to a fuel still often thought of as the smelly stuff that powers tractor trailers. Diesel vehicles now hitting the market with pollution-fighting technology are as clean or cleaner than gasoline and at least 30% more fuel-efficient.

Yet while half of all cars sold in Europe last year ran on diesel, the U.S. market remains relatively unfriendly to the fuel. Taxes aimed at commercial trucks mean diesel costs anywhere from 40 cents to $1 more per gallon than gasoline. Add to this the success of the Toyota Prius, and you can see why only 3% of cars in the U.S. use diesel. "Americans see hybrids as the darling," says Global Insight auto analyst Philip Gott, "and diesel as old-tech."

None of this is stopping European and Japanese automakers, which are betting they can jump-start the U.S. market with new diesel models. Mercedes-Benz by next year will have three cars it markets as "BlueTec." Even Nissan (NSANY) and Honda, which long opposed building diesel cars in Europe, plan to introduce them in the U.S. in 2010. But Ford, whose Fiesta ECOnetic compares favorably with European diesels, can't make a business case for bringing the car to the U.S.

http://www.businessweek.com/autos/autobeat/archives/2008/09/can_diesel_ever.html

Then read some of the comments like this one.

Mark
September 9, 2008 07:22 PM
I drive a 1996 VW Passat TDI with a 5-speed manual trans and I get 52 mpg hiway and 46-47 in mixed hiway-stop&go driving. I specifically wanted a 95/96/97 Passat TDI because while all Passats have a fuel tank which is calibrated to 18 gal. the tank of those model year actually holds 25 gal. I bought the car with 147,000 on ebay two years ago for about $5,000 more than book value and it now has 200,000 mi. I drive about 600 miles a week mostly to flea markets; I'm retired.
My 29-year-old son now has a 2006 Jetta TDI and gets almost as good fuel economy; almost as good because his engine isn't yet fully broken-in with less than 50,000 miles on it!

The 65 mpg Ford the U.S. Can't Have

Ford's Fiesta ECOnetic gets an astonishing 65 mpg, but the carmaker can't afford to sell it in the U.S.



This is what I found in BusinessWeek after hearing it mentioned on I think the Lou Dobbs show last week. Now think about it, with gas prices the way they are now, and so many people spending all their expendable income at the gas station (except here in Michigan where unemployment is now over 8%), one would think that legislators would jump at the chance to be our hero and get this on the American market.

Let me see, it would put Michigan workers back to work, (even though McCain tells us our jobs aren't coming back so get over it). More people working, more spendable capital equals more retail business equals more sales tax revenue.

Perhaps if we all get on the phone, fax and email to both our Federal and State Representatives, we just might get a break. But then again, that’s just my opinion.

Hello Michigan

Let me introduce myself. I am a mother and grandmother who has lived her entire life here in West Michigan. Michigan…A state that I hardly recognize anymore. The once safe neighborhoods that I remember as a child are gone now to be replaced with fear of sex offenders and drug dealers.

Grand Rapids where I grew up was once the Furniture Capitol of the World and Detroit the Automotive Capitol. Now all that’s left are the office furniture manufactures trying to compete against State and Federal Prison Industries and the BIG Three competing against foreign made cars and trucks. The loss of jobs have been devastating.

We now face the highest rate of unemployment in the nation, home foreclosures due to predatory lending practices and rising property taxes.

Small family owned business can no longer survive under the constant rising rates of Single Business Taxes while Global International Corporations continue to receive huge tax breaks.

I see an apathy of helplessness in people due to lack of education in the most fundamental tools the Founders built into the Bill of Rights for us to use. I can remember my teachers telling us in grade school that if we didn’t know what our rights were, then we wouldn’t know when someone violated them. How true this statement is.

How many people in Michigan have ever read our Bill Of Rights?

How many know what Article 1 § I or Article 1 § III states?

§ 1 Political power.

Sec. 1.

All political power is inherent in the people. Government is instituted for their equal benefit, security and protection.


§ 3 Assembly, consultation, instruction, petition.

Sec. 3.

The people have the right peaceably to assemble, to consult for the common good, to instruct their representatives and to petition the government for redress of grievances.

Sec. 1 tells us that, “ALL political power is inherent in the people.” It doesn’t say that political power is in the government or those we elect to government. It doesn’t say that we must ask government permission to exist. Instead is says that “Government is instituted for our EQUAL benefit, security and protection.

And how about Sec. 3?

We have the right to peaceable assemble!
To consult for the common good!
To INSTRUCT our representatives!

And to PETITION FOR REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES!

§ 14 Jury trials.

Sec. 14.

The right of trial by jury shall remain, but shall be waived in all civil cases unless demanded by one of the parties in the manner prescribed by law. In all civil cases tried by 12 jurors a verdict shall be received when 10 jurors agree.

This is perhaps the most violated of our rights here in Michigan. The Right to a Trial by Jury. Most convictions in Michigan are obtained by a plea bargain. Once the prosecutor finishes piling on enhancement charges, a court appointed attorney brow beats the defendant into a guilty plea and the case never goes to trial.

Now you might ask what’s wrong with this picture. What if the defendant is someone who is objecting to a bad law and wants the jury to nullify it. Well, first, do juries know that they have that power? Unfortunately that’s been left out of Civics Class in our schools since at least 1960. That’s why Michigan has the highest incarceration of any neighbor state.

Again, these are some of the subjects that I will be addressing in my OP ED articles on this blog.