Best Kept Secret

Angst in the Air

We've been bombarded for the past month about recession, depression, and overall economic angst. We have to understand that this problem we are having, the boom and bust cycle, is exactly what Dr. Paul speaks to. Dr. Paul has long said that the economic problems he saw in the 70's drove him to public service. We have detailed Dr. Paul's economic theories, which trace Austrian Economics taught by Mises, Hayek and Rothbard. Here in this interview on Mad Money, Dr. Paul again explains how the boom and bust cycles are created by the Federal Reserve.

McLaughlin Group

The hundreds of billions of dollars that are being pumped into the financial markets are inflating the currency and devaluing the dollar. This adversely affects the average American through inflation, or as Dr. Paul calls the 'Inflation Tax'.

Our current problems can be summed up:

A Trillion dollar war, Massive Deficits, Expensive Foreign Policy, and Loose Monetary Policy, spells doom for the American economy.

The dollar has fallen almost 50% against other major currencies since 2002. This has an incredible effect on your daily lives, as food, energy, and housing costs sky rocket. People's savings are eroded and the elderly struggle to keep up with inflation as their social security checks cannot make up the difference.

Many Americans will admit that monetary policy is not on top of their list of important issues, but when the country is slipping into a hard recession it is important to know that your leaders understand monetary policy and how to attack the source and not the symptoms.

Dr. Paul is well read on economic theory and has written a number of books over the last 2 decades regarding monetary policy and economics. Our elected officials must have a deep understanding monetary policy as it is THE issue effecting the average American. Inflationary policies cripple the poor, middle, and middle/upper classes while enriching the few. Dr. Paul pushes for monetary policy that brings stability and dependability to the economy.

Dr. Paul follows the Austrian School of economics, which emerged in the early 20th century and focuses on sound money and 'true' free market policies. It is shocking to most people that we are not on the gold standard and haven't been since the 1970's. What is sound money? Sound money says that all paper receipts, such as a dollar bill, is redeemable and backed by something. In the past that 'something' has been gold. The founding fathers were wise to the inflationary practices of unsound money, as they emphasized in the constitution that all 'legal tender', or money, should be backed by gold and silver. They knew that if the money were tied to hard assets it would be a check on government power, whether that is deficit spending or war. The government would either have to borrow money increasing the national debt or print the money thus devaluing the currency. In our current situation we have the Federal Reserve printing money to bail out financial institutions, printing money for war, and printing money due to deficits. Further more, that money is not backed by any hard assets. This perfect storm is creating inflationary conditions, a devaluing dollar, and low confidence in the market place. This loose money policy which began in 1913, when the FED was created, has spiraled into the global credit crisis we see today. Too long has the FED created boom and bust cycles, benefiting the rich while punishing the poor. For example, we 'supposedly' have been in a economic boom for the past 6 years, yet the average income of an American has gone down 1000 dollars, while the dollar has gone down 50% to the world currencies, ultimately effecting domestic jobs. Housing prices have doubled along with energy costs. The average American has suffered incredible losses in the past 10 years due to an unsustainable monetary policy. Dr. Paul offers solutions to the root cause of this problem. He calls on balancing the budget and removing the overreaching military presence we have around the world, saving hundreds of billions of dollars. He proposes to roll back government spending to year 2000 levels, while bringing the troops home to protect our boarders, and for natural disaster relief. By rolling back the spending he can remove the income tax burden, which only accounts for 40% of the government's income. This would create an instant kick of money into the economy, allowing individuals to pay their debts off and sure up their financial situations without resorting to inflationary practices. Our economy would recover, the world would welcome the pull back of troops, and the taming of the war rhetoric. Oil prices would fall as confidence in the dollar returns. We are facing important times and we need a true change in policy, one that rewards the individual instead of special interest.

When you are taught and learn Austrian Economics and you watch a the current economic system, called a 'fiat monetary system', in action it becomes clear how the boom and bust cycles operate. Just as Hayek predicted the Depression, and Rothbard predicted the Stagflation of the 70's, and in an earlier post we saw Dr. Paul predict the crash of '87, here Dr. Paul, in a video from 2006, is discussing monetary policy and predicting the current economic crisis. (Two parts)

An article about the declining dollar:

http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=5254

This man predicted the 1987 crash in 1983

1.4 Trillion in Bills

An article at theatlantic.com highlights what Dr. Paul has been saying for decades, that America is borrowing its way into debt. This article highlights the 1.4 Trillion dollar trade surplus to China. And is increasing 1 billion dollars a day. Fallows states "every person in the (rich) United States has over the past 10 years or so borrowed 4,000$ from the (poor) People's Republic of China. Like so many imbalances in economics, this one cannot go on indefinitely, and therefore wont. But the way it ends - suddenly versus gradually, for predictable reasons versus during a panic - will make an enormous difference the US and Chinese economies over the next few years, to say nothing of bystanders in Europe and elsewhere."

Dr. Paul has has been been playing the role of Cassandra during these presidential primaries. He understands that our economy has been borrowing wealth from other nations, namely China and Japan for an unsustainable amount and time. Dr. Paul understands the tsunami of debt and fiscal irresponsibility this government has perpetuated for the past 100 years.

"Let it not be said that no one cared, that no one objected once it's realized that our liberties and wealth are in jeopardy." -Dr. Paul

Dr. Paul on Jay Leno

part 1:

part 2:

Ron Paul at the Liberty Forum 1/6/08

Fox News didn't allow Dr. Paul to participate in the Sunday forum, but Dr. Paul was not going to sit on his hands, here he is at the Liberty Forum. In the speech Dr. Paul refers to Ludwig von Mises, an Austrian Economist in the early 1900's, due to the audio quality Mises's name was jumbled. If you need more information on Mises please see an earlier post which links a Mises biography.

Who do the Troops Support?

Ron Paul on The Journal

I think this is one of the best interviews Dr. Paul has given, and its a must see for Moderate Republicans, Independents, and disillusioned Democrats. His views on liberty are rock solid, well thought out, and wise.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Iowa Primary

I would like to congratulate all the supporters in Iowa who worked tirelessly in pushing the message and getting out the vote. We shocked everyone with 10% of the vote. Here is the message from Lew Moore the campaign director:

"

Yesterday was a remarkable day for Ron Paul, and it wouldn’t have happened without you. For those of you who haven’t yet heard, Ron Paul took over 10% in yesterday’s Iowa caucus, handily beating Rudy Giuliani and finishing right behind both Fred Thompson and John McCain. This despite that Rudy Giuliani made more visits to Iowa than Ron Paul. And, entrance polls showed that Ron Paul took first place (29%) among independent Republicans!

This campaign is just beginning, and we are starting off better than anyone in the “mainstream” media imagined.

Back in February 2007, no one gave Ron Paul any chance to succeed in this race. Ron Paul did not have the name recognition of other candidates, nor the financial resources. Essentially, Ron Paul started at a level of 0% in all 50 states.

But then, as we know, something started to happen. Americans started to hear this message of freedom, and began to galvanize behind the cause. It’s no small feat that we brought in 10% yesterday in Iowa, a double-digit turnout that has brought a lot of commentary – even from Fox News!

Just last night, Greta van Sustern had this to say:

"Ten per cent is not insignificant - that's a huge number. Here you have a candidate that 10 per cent of the people caucused in his party really want him and it's not like he's an insignificant player. He didn't just drop in yesterday to the process, he has been running for president for a long time, and certainly many of the issues he's raised are rather provocative and certainly stimulate the debate; that's not a bad thing."

Keep the effort up!

Who is Ron Paul?

Who is this man and why are a couple thousand college students, in this picture, listening to every word he says?

The Philosophy of Liberty

Happy New Year

Happy New Year's to the Sons and Daughters of Liberty

What Causes Terrorism?

"When the United States aligns with dictatorships and totalitarian regimes, it compromises the basic democratic principles of its foundation -- namely, life, liberty and justice for all. Dictatorships such as Musharraf's suppress individual rights and freedoms and empower the most extreme elements of society. Oppressed citizens, unable to represent themselves through other means, often turn to extremism and religious fundamentalism." - Benazir Bhutto

Dr. Ron Paul on the same subject on Meet The Press.

Who is Mises?

Dr. Ron Paul has written books on Austrian Economics and considers Austrian Economics as the defining principle in his political theory. Linked below is a video chronicling Ludvig Von Mises, the most influential Austrian Economist of the 20th century. The video gives a biography of the man and a summary of the economic ideals that Mises promoted. If we are going to begin to understand Dr. Ron Paul's political ideals we have to first understand what theorists Dr. Paul looks to for guidance, Ludwig Von Mises is a perfect start. For more information and additional free media regarding Austrian Economics please visit www.mises.org for additional information.

Judge Napolitano on the Patriot Act

Fascist America, in 10 easy steps

In daily life when things are going their worst, some find it therapeutic to relax, look to the past for focus and knowledge to prioritize the future. This theory can apply to our Nation's current situation. Dr. Paul references history in many of his speeches to give current conflicts context and reference. It is important for us to recognize the failures and warnings of history in order to make sound decisions for the future. We seem to approach new situations with trepidation and fear, but history can be a wonderful reference, calming those nerves. The linked video below is a radio interview with Naomi Wolf who has written a book called, The End of America: A Letter of Warning to a Young Patriot. You can obtain a copy at Amazon or your local library. In this book she lists out 10 steps that must be taken to erode Liberty and make way for dictatorship or authoritarian governance.

The 10 steps are paraphrased from this article.

1. Invoke a terrifying and external enemy.
2. Create a gulag.
3. Develop a thug caste
4. Set up an internal surveillance system.
5. Harass citizen groups
6. Engage in arbitrary detention and release
7. Target key individuals
8. Control the Press
9. Dissent equals treason
10. Suspend the rule of law

"Its human nature for man to abuse power, when power is unchecked" -Naomi Wolf

Judge Napolitano on Constitutional violations.

One Week

Next week begins this nations long election trek, January 3rd, the Iowa Primary. This primary will set the stage in the new year. We hope that Dr. Paul's message has reached the Iowa voters. His message is a powerful message of limited government, low taxation, and noninterventionism. As Dr. Paul says, "I may have shortcomings, but the messages has no shortcomings."

As we head into this new year, with wall street almost certain we will be heading into a recession, Dr. Paul explains the most important issue that will face the average American in the coming year, the Inflation Tax. We have to place context around the inflation tax, we have a central bank that is printing billions of dollars to float the banking industry and Wall Street. We have a war that is costing us billions every day. An entitlements system that is leaving our children with a currently 60+ trillion dollar bill. 10,000 baby boomers file for Social Security every day. We pay more than 400 billion dollars a year in interest to our national debt, which will be close to 10 trillion at the end of 2008. If the United States were a company, we would resemble Enron and our stock would be zero.

Tree of Liberty

“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.” — Thomas Jefferson

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays!

Glen Beck Interview

After raising over 6 million dollars on Sunday, celebrating the 234th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, Glen Beck invited Dr. Paul onto his show for an hour of uninterrupted questioning of Dr. Paul. I think, for the most part, it was a fantastic interview. I think we will look back at this as one of the turning points for the Revolution. Linked below is the interview. Thank you Mr. Beck for giving a wonderful uninterrupted interview.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Happy Tea Party Anniversary

December 16th, 1773 The Sons of Liberty threw tea into Boston Harbor to protest the oppressive heavy handed governance by the British. This event sparked a Revolution that shook the world. Our lives today have roots in that Revolution. Today, December 16th, we have a chance to spark another Revolution, a people's Revolution. This is the Ron Paul Revolution.

Please go to www.ronpaul2008.com to make a donation to support this cause of Liberty and restoration of our Constitutional Republic!

I have mentioned the website www.teaparty07.com which is hoping to build on the success of the November 5th mass donation. Below is the tally for December 16th. The goal is 10 million dollars direct from one special interest group, the people, independent and free, expressing the freedom of choice, the freedom to chose the candidate they want, not was is chosen for them.

Ron Paul and Jim Cramer, Mad Money

A virtual endorsement by Jim Cramer. The economy is going to emerge as the #1 issue in the coming election, and Dr. Paul has proven an authority on the subject. As Dr. Paul has said more and more young people are waking up to the fact that they must pay for the sins of the fathers, and they don't like it. This is the reason, as he says, that young people are so attracted to the economic positions of Dr. Paul. Every new born child has $30,000 dollars of national debt courtesy the federal government. Dr. Paul began to read the works of the great Austrian Economists like Mises, Hayek, and Rothbard which exposed to him the dangers of run-away spending, excessive taxation, and intrusive federal regulation on free markets. These principles drove him to public service. To research more into Austrian Economics visit the Mises Institute's free media section for mp3's of lectures explaining the economic philosophies of free market Classical-Liberals.

http://www.mises.org/media.aspx

7 minutes in Iowa

Just click the link and it will open your audio player. Gives a good mix of Dr. Paul's positions. All of Dr. Paul's responses from the most recent Iowa debate.

Iowa Register Debate

Fantastic 19 Minute interview on a local Omaha Radio station (highly suggest listening to this)

KFAB Omaha