I wanted to let everyone know that in September, my online Principles of Economics class will begin through the "Mises Academy." It will be a 10-week class giving a solid foundation in free market thinking.
The class is specifically geared towards students in the range of about 6th grade through 10th grade, but I think even many adults would get a lot out of the class. (I already know of a few who have signed up.)
This isn't a class in narrow "Austrian" economics but is a much broader introduction to free market education. If you know of any conservative, homeschooling parents for example, they might be very interested in this class.
The full details of my class are here. Also note that if you are more into history, then Tom Woods is starting up his own online class on the New Deal through Mises Academy at about the same time; details here.
Snappy article title huh? But it isn't hype. There are lots of blogs out there dedicated to holding politicians, or the media, or someone else accountable, but recently a new blog site launched that is holding it's members and commenters accountable.
Liberty Line launched on Independence Day 2010 is a blog dedicated to defending individual liberty and personal responsibility in Iowa politics. As such, we have a unique requirement for all posters and commenters. We require all comments and articles to contain the full real name of the poster. We feel that if something is worth saying, then it is worth saying publically and officially.
The site's official rules have been posted since July 1st and are available here. (http://iowaconstitutionalconservatives.wordpress.com/rules-for-participation)
The site has already had a number of posts including a couple educational stories and some current events commentary. Please check out Liberty Line. We look forward to the future and being on the front lines defending Iowa. Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain!
Congressman Ron Paul, Author Tom Woods are Featured Guests
DES MOINES - The Republican Party of Iowa announced today that on the eve of the Party's state convention, it will host a celebration of the United States Constitution on Friday, June 25 in Des Moines. Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) and New York Times bestselling author Tom Woods are featured guests.
Congressman Paul is widely respected among his colleagues as being an advocate for liberty, never voting for legislation unless it is authorized by the Constitution. Paul, a doctor who has delivered thousands of babies, continues to work for a dramatic reduction in the size of the federal government and a return to constitutional principles. He also competed in Iowa's presidential caucuses in 2008.
Tom Woods has authored nine books, including two New York Times bestsellers. His latest book, to be released later this month, is titled Nullification: How to Resist Federal Tyranny in the 21st Century. Pre-release copies will be available for purchase at the event.
Iowa GOP Chairman Matt Strawn said, "Dr. Ron Paul and Tom Woods are highly respected advocates and defenders of our constitutional liberties. Their message will connect with Iowans who have witnessed an unprecedented expansion of the Federal government by the Obama administration and majority Democrats. Iowans will be at the forefront of returning principled, constitutional leadership to Washington."
The celebration takes place Friday, June 25 at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines. The event includes a dinner followed by the program. Tickets are $50 per person or $500 for a table of 10. Tickets can be purchased online by clicking here, or by calling Iowa GOP headquarters at 515-282-8105.
"The Iowa Republican" has an exciting news feature about Campaign For Liberty's Iowa Regional Conference last weekend. It notes that nearly 800 people showed up at the Freedom Celebration Friday night and described some impressive feats for such a new organization.
The event was full of the energy that we have come to expect from a Ron Paul gathering. What's interesting about these events is that the excitement comes from the crowd, not necessarily from the person behind the podium.
I think you'll feel motivated after reading the rest of the article from The Iowa Republican at this link.
Also, the Saturday Des Moines Register featured this story about Congressman Paul's Iowa vist. Check it out!
It was a fantastic weekend and a great chance for Iowans to hear from so many scholars of freedom such as Ron Paul, Tom Woods, Bob Murphy, Doug Bandow, Bruce Fein, and more! The feedback we've received on the conference has been outstanding and people are feeling energized and inspired to rise up, engage in the process, and tilt the political landscape toward liberty. Thanks to everyone who helped organize the conference and to all the people who came to Des Moines to be a part of it!
Here's the video from Dr. Paul's Iowa speech:
And here's a fun photo montage from the night, put together by C4L member and professional photographer Dave Davidson:
The popular website "The Iowa Republican" has a great news feature about four Iowa leaders of Campaign For Liberty being elected to seats on the Republican Party of Iowa's State Central Committee - the governing board for the state party.
The article talks about the history of our movement in Iowa and the importance of the State Central Committee in leading the Iowa GOP, and concludes with a reference to the exciting Campaign For Liberty Iowa Regional Conference and Forum on the Future of Conservatism in America coming up this Friday-Sunday at the Embassy Suites in Des Moines.
Let's build on our momentum this weekend with a packed house Friday night to welcome Ron Paul back to Iowa! Conference details are available at this link.
We're pleased to announce today that Bob Murphy, adjunct scholar for the Ludwig von Mises Institute, C4L contributor, and the author of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Capitalism, The Human Action Study Guide, The Man, Economy, and State Study Guide, and The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Great Depression and the New Deal will be joining us in Des Moines for our Iowa Regional Conference!
We have also secured a special discounted rate at the Embassy Suites on the River - where our Conference is located - for our members. But this offer is for a limited time only.
Dr. Murphy will be speaking as part of our open to the public Forum on the Future of Conservatism in America on Saturday, May 15. We will also have a private reception, where you will get a chance to meet and spend personal time with Dr. Murphy and our other speakers.
Congressman Ron Paul and Campaign for Liberty are coming to Iowa on May 14-16 for our Iowa Regional Conference and Forum on the Future of Conservatism in America!
With unconstitutional powergrabs such as ObamaCare opening more Americans to our message and causing them to take action, we have an unprecedented opportunity to turn back the tide of statism.
Make no mistake about it, we can win this grassroots Revolution.
But to do so, we'll have to understand the ins-and-outs of the political process and equip ourselves with the knowledge necessary to pass and defeat key legislation, raise the funds to build, expand, and sustain new efforts at the local and national levels, hold our elected officials accountable, and turn every available opportunity to our advantage in fighting for our liberties.
C4L's Iowa Conference will kick off on Friday night, May 14, with a free and open to the public Freedom Celebration featuring Dr. Ron Paul and other special guests.
Our Saturday, May 15 activities will be highlighted by our grassroots training as well as our open to the public Forum on the Future of Conservatism in America, where we will examine true conservative principles from historical, constitutional, and moral perspectives and clearly articulate the need to reduce the size of government, maximize freedom, and return to the Constitution.
I'm proud to announce that we're able to offer tickets to our grassroots training classes, which also includes Saturday lunch with a special guest, for our lowest price ever - only $59!
Our Iowa Regional Conference will:
* Strengthen your understanding of history and foundational principles necessary to maintain liberty * Teach you how to persuasively communicate our movement's mission and message * Train you in how to recruit, equip, and mobilize an army of informed citizens and build the organizational structure necessary to win * Help you master the political process on the local, state, and national level
The Conference will take place at the Embassy Suites on the River in downtown Des Moines, where we have secured a special discounted rate for Conference attendees. However, this discount is only available for a limited time.
On Friday, May 14, Ron Paul will return to Iowa to kick off our Iowa Regional Conference and Forum on the Future of Conservatism in America!
Dr. Paul will appear along with other special guests as part of our free and open to the public Freedom Celebration on the night of the 14th.
We will be holding the Conference at the Embassy Suites on the River in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, and a special room rate is available for a limited time to all Conference attendees.
Our open to the public Forum on the Future of Conservatism will take center stage on Saturday, May 15, with grassroots training also taking place on Saturday and concluding on Sunday, May 16.
The Forum will feature several guest speakers who will examine conservatism from historical, constitutional, and moral perspectives and explain why the limited government ideas that created our country and turned this experiment in liberty into the greatest nation the world has ever seen can restore and revitalize our optimism for the future.
Tickets to our grassroots training sessions are set at their lowest price ever - only $59! A Saturday lunch with special guest Mark Mix, president of the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, is included in the ticket price.
Spend time with fellow liberty-minded activists, learn about history and current events from a freedom perspective you won't hear from the mainstream media, build your local organizations, and get ready to take back your neighborhood for liberty with top-notch training from seasoned experts. Become a Sponsor of our Conference to earn special discounts and benefits available only to Sponsors.
Project Objective: Keep Engaging all our members and their friends in 2010 to contact their Congressman to support this bill for a "stand along vote" when it comes up in 2010.We may need to call them to "push for" the vote sometime soon.
STATUS: All 5 of our Iowa Congressmen and 2 Senators are co-Sponsors, but some are soft on the stand-alone vote. For those of you have not yet called them on holding firm, please do so. It is scheduled for a vote sometime in Feb2010 attached to a broader bill, vs a stand-along vote we were fighting for.
2. Project Title: Cap and Trade: Federal Taxation of Businesses Emitting CO2 Amounts Higher Than an International Standard.
Project Leader: OPEN AT THIS TIME
Project Objective: Attempt to stop this insanity before it gets too far along in the legislative process
STATUS: Looking for volunteers to contact people to in turn start putting pressure on Congress.
3. Project Title: Other Important Federal Issues For 2010 we could/should address IF YOU as one of our members will step up and take charge of your most passionate Federal Issue. Please contact me: 515 832 6097 and let's talk.
Project Leader: NEEDED
Project Objective: Pressure Congress for "LESS GOVERNMENT......NOT MORE!!
STATUS: Waiting for leaders to step forward and make a difference
PARTICIPATE IN THE 2010 LEGISLATIVE PROJECT(S) YOU FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT. CALL THE PROJECT LEADER AND ASK HOW YOU CAN HELP MAKE IT A SUCCESS.[Remember: A project is launched only after we find a competent committed leader willing to plan, lead, and guide it to completion! So.....as you can see, we need you to step up and transform an idea into a reality]
1. Project Title: 2nd Amendment Rights in Iowa (Right to Keep and Bear Arms: RKBA Project)
Time-Date-Place: Jan-April 2010, Des Moines, Iowa House of Representatives
Project Leader: Ed Dolan (redmist@iowatelecom.net) 319 538 7604
Project Objective: Permit "law-abiding" Iowa sovereign citizens to carry a firearm as a right of good citizenship.
STATUS: Looking for volunteers to contact Iowans to lobby their Legislators.
2. Project Title: 10th Amendment Rights in Iowa (State Sovereignty)
Time-Date-Place: Jan-April 2010, Des Moines, Iowa House of Representatives
Project Leaders: Ron Truhlar (robo777@gmail.com) 319 248 9869; Matt DeVries (mdevries78@gmail.com) 515 238 6106
Project Objective: Promote State's Rights of self-government: Powers not expressly given to the US Congress are the State's.
STATUS: Looking for volunteers to contact Iowans to lobby their Legislators.
3. Project Title: Dismantle the "Iowa Office of Film"
Time-Date-Place: Jan-April 2010, Des Moines, Iowa House of Representatives
PICK THE PROJECT (OR TWO) YOU FEEL MOST STRONGLY ABOUT. CALL THE PROJECT LEADER, OFFER TO HELP, AND MAKE IT A SUCCESS [Remember: A project is launched only after we find a competent committed project leader willing to plan, lead, and guide it to completion! So...we need you to step up!]
Project Objective: Calling fellow CFL Members within your county to get together for coffee and talk about LESS GOVERNMENT.
STATUS: Currently have this going on in around half the counties in Iowa. Anyone called you?? If not, call me, Project Leader, I have the list of members in your county.
2. Project Title: 2010 Iowa State Fair Booth:
Time-Date-Place: All day, August ?? to ??, Building to be determined on the State-Fair Grounds.
Iowa Campaign For Liberty Chairman Dr. Drew Ivers has been invited by Steve Deace of Newsradio 1040 WHO in Des Moines to participate in a 28-week book review of "The 5,000 Year Leap: Principles of Freedom 101" by Cleon Skousen on Deace's popular drive-time radio program.
This live book review is a great opportunity for Iowa Campaign For Liberty to reach out to WHO's broad radio audience.
Audio from each radio show can be found at Steve Deace's podcast page at the WHO website located here.
Study 20: (2-22-10) Efficiency and dispatch require government to operate according to the will of the majority, but constitutional provisions must be made to protect the rights of the minority.
Study 19: (2-5-10) Only limited and carefully defined powers should be delegated to government, all others being retained in the people.
Study 18: (1-29-10) The unalienable rights of the people are most likely to be preserved if the principles of government are set forth in a written constitution.
Study 17: (1-15-10 and 1-22-10) A system of checks and balances should be adopted to prevent the abuse of power.
Study 16: (1-8-10) The government should be separated into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
Study 15: (12-18-09) The highest level of prosperity occurs when there is a free market economy and a minimum of government regulations.
Study 14: (12-11-09) Life and liberty are secure only so long as the right of property is secure.
Study 13: (12-4-09) A constitution should be structured to permanently protect the people from the human frailties of their rulers.
Study 12: (11-20-09) The United States of American shall be a republic.
Study 11: (11-13-09) The majority of the poeple may alter or abolish a government which has become tyrannical.
Study 10: (11-13-09) The God-given right to govern is vested in the sovereign authority of the whole people.
Study 9: (11-6-09) To protect man's rights, God has revealed certain principles of divine law.
Study 8: (10-30-09) Men are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.
Study 7: (10-23-09) The proper role of government is to protect equal rights, not provide equal things.
Study 6: (10-16-09) All men are created equal.
Study 5: (10-9-09) All things were created by God, therefore upon Him all mankind are equally dependent, and to Him they are equally responsible.
Study 4: (10-2-09) Without religion the government of a free people cannot be maintained.
Study 3: (9-25-09) The most promising method of securing a virtuous and morally stable people is to elect virtuous leaders.
Study 2: (9-18-09) A free people cannot survive under a republican constitution unless they remain virtuous and morally strong.
Study 1: (9-11-09) The only reliable basis for sound government and just human relations is Natural Law.
STUDIES YET TO BE RECORDED:
Study 21: Strong local self-government is the keystone to preserving human freedom.
Study 22: A free people should be governed by law and not by the whims of men.
Study 23: A free society cannot servive as a republic without a broad program of general education.
Study 24: A free people will not survive unless they stay strong.
Study 25: "Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations: entangling alliances with none."
Study 26: The core unit which determines the strength of any society is the family; therefore, the government should foster and protect its integrity.
Study 27: The burden of debt is as destructive to freedom as subjugation by conquest.
Study 28: The United States has a manifest destiny to be an example and a blessing to the entire human race.
The Johnson County, Iowa Campaign for Liberty group has branched out, into the Medical School. A month ago I started the newest student group in the college, Medical Students for Liberty.
During the first meeting a presentation was given covering an overview of the core principles:
Return to a Constitutionally Limited Government
Sound Money
Free Market Solutions
Non Interventionist Foreign Policy
The college invited representitives from our two senators, Grassley(R) and Harkin (D) to "debate" health care reform. Do we want big government solutions or bigger government solutions? Several Medical Students for Liberty members were there, voicing their solutions for LESS government and a Free Market Solution to the health care problems.
Our second meeting included a special speaker, Jonathan Narcisse, author of the platform "An Iowa Worth Fighting For". Recent speculation puts Narcisse in the middle of the 2010 Iowa Governor race, so it was exciting to hear his plan for the state.
We have also received press coverage in our University newspaper, the Daily Iowan. And have been invited to write an OpEd about healthcare reform for a future issue.
Who would have thought there would be such a thirst for Liberty in such a liberal institution as this Medical School.
Campaign for Libety's director of development is already a hero for getting the Transportation Security Administration to back down from its demands that airline passangers explain any significant sums of cash they might be carrying on domestic flights. It was a small but important victory and imparted a lesson that's worth taking to heart -- tyranny grows when citizens quietly abide by unconstitutional commands.
Iowa Campaign For Liberty had a great presence today at the Iowa Tea Party Statewide Convention. Thanks to District Coordinator Roger Barr for his leadership and to all our great ambassadors. We had a nice booth and lots of our members and leaders worked the crowd and networked with elected officials, candidates, and leaders of other grassroots groups. We promoted Dr. Paul's big Iowa events next week and signed up dozens of new members!
Our own Iowa C4L Chairman Dr. Drew Ivers was interviewed at the event today. Here's an excerpt from O.Kay Henderson's story on Radio Iowa:
Drew Ivers, a long-time GOP activist who led Pat Buchanan's 2000 Iowa campaign and led Ron Paul's 2008 campaign, is now part of a group called "Campaign for Liberty." I ran into him at the Campaign for Liberty table. I asked Ivers to assess the "tea party" coalition and Ivers suggested the general theme for each component group was a desire for "less government."
"We just want less government, not more and of course we're getting more every day and we're saying, ‘Let's slam on the brakes. Don't just veer off to the right in the fork of the road ahead. Let's slam on the brakes, try to put it in reverse and go in the other direction,"" Ivers said, adding it's time to shrink the size of government.
As for the message of the tea party coalition: "We're just telling our political system...we're fed up. We just want less."
Ivers hopes to movement moves beyond a rally three or four times a year. "Let's be connected and ready for action 365 days a year," he said.
There are times in a persons life, where you have acquired something from the past, that you know will come in useful someday, so you stick that "something" in draw, or a folder, or a file until that "someday" arrives. Well, that "someday" has finally arrived!
The following story was told by a credit manager of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, back in the late 1930's. His name, Mr. Robert Hemphill. It is the story of our money......
Once upon a time, to the Temple of the Thirteen Suns came the rich and powerful Chief Oomah the Third, who said to the goldsmith of the Temple, Hansen L. Roschab, "I have much gold and am about to depart for a far country. Wilt thou keep this gold safely for me against my return a year hence? I will pay thee well."
The wily Hansen coughed loudly and covered his countenance with a cloth lest the rich Oomah the Third observe his joy to have his treasure in his possession. When he was calm and could look serious he said unto Oomah, "It is a very great responsibility and risk, but I will undertake it for a tithe which shall be 1 shekel in every 10."
Then said the Chief Oomah, "Its a deal," and forthwith his slaves delivered many bags containing in all a thousand shekels of gold, for which Hansen L. Roschab, the goldsmith, gave the Chief a parchment deposit writing payable to whomsoever; and thereupon Chief Oomah departed happily upon his journey.
As soon as he was well out of the country the shrewed Hansen called his confidential scribe and bade him thus, "Go thee now to the merchants whom I tell thee of and secretly say to each that thy master hath a little gold for hire upon good security," and the servent departed swiftly.
Soon there came to him a great merchant, who said, "Hansen, you old crook, I am in a jam for a few shekels of gold. Wilt thou lend me?" Hansen replied, "Money is very tight these days, but it might be arranged. What is thy need?" The merchant answered, "Two hundred shekels."
Then said Hansen, "It is much money. What security could st thou pledge for so great a sum?"
Then the merchant showed Hansen a writing of his possessions of merchandise to the amount of a thousand shekels. Hansen said, "It is not enough; thou must also pledge thy dwelling and thy slaves and thy raiment," whereupon the merchant, after much protest, pledged all his possessions, even unto his innermost personal raiment.
Then said he to Hansen, "I have no place to store so much gold, keep it safe for me and give me a writing which I may deliver to whomever I will," and Hansen did even so.
The next day came another merchant, and another and still another, and to each Hansen shewed the great store of gold of Oomah the Third, and to each he pretended to loan a portion, although he had previously loaned it all to the first one who came.
Hansen reflected much upon this curious state of affairs, and said to himself, "Thes birds know not how much gold I possess. They do not want the actual gold itself; what they really want is credit, some deposit writing which they may pass from hand to hand as money. I have one grand idea."
And it came to pass at the end of another 10 days, Hansen had pretended to loan to many more merchants and had given writings of deposit for a second thousand shekels, making 2,000 shekels in all, although he had only 1,000 shekels, and still had all the gold.
Thereupon Hansen caused it to be noised about that he possessed a vast store of gold for hire, and many merchants came to borrow, and to each Hansen delivered writings of deposit and collected generous usury and demanded pledges from each of all his possessions even unto his innermost personal raiment, until he held mortgages on substantially the whole city.
Then went Hansen to the wise man of the city and said unto him. "Verily I have discovered the greatest racket of all time. I have learned the magic of making gold out of baloney, and if I can keep my formula secret for a few years, I will collect a fortune that will make Solomon's treasure look like a second-hand clothing store. Tell me how I may keep secret this bonanza for mine own profit."
Then said the wise man,"Look wise and say little and only upon little known matters afar off. Obtain the ear of the town crier. Engage him to spread the impression that money is a mysterious subject which no one understands save thee alone. Be friendly with the king's councilors and grant their favors that the king may smile upon thee."
And Hansen did as he was bid and collected much usury from his phony loan deposits and built for himself a mansion and collected works of art, and clothed his wives and concubines with fine linen and jewels, and when his business had grown to many times its humble beginnings, he took over the entire temple and by way of a sly joke called it the First National Bank, the same being from an obscure language meaning "Place of Imaginary Money."
And this is the reason all banks have great marble pillars and bronze doors, so that they may resemble outside as well as internally the "Place of Imaginary Money" which Hansen L. Roschab build-ed upon the gold of Oomah the Third in the Temple of the Thirteen Suns.
-Robert Hemphill
So, Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, that is the story of our money, as told by Mr. Robert Hemphill, who was for 8 years; credit manager of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.
This is also the reason that we need to "AUDIT THE FED", so that we can "END THE FED."
Much has been said recently about the growing controversy regarding the Iowa Film Office. Missing from all the discussion is why this big-government program exists at all.
In a nutshell, the Iowa government offered 50% tax credits for a company's cost to make a movie in Iowa. These companies could use the credits themselves if they had enough Iowa tax liability or sell them to another Iowa company who did. So, essentially the movie company gets half of its production costs paid for by ordinary Iowans and big businesses in Iowa get to buy some tax coupons from the movie companies (at a discount). The idea was to lure Hollywood to Iowa and grow a film industry here.
As if the existence of this program isn't ridiculous enough, it's the mismanagement of the program that has put it in the headlines. Apparently the movie industry provided very little documentation of their expenses but got the credits anyway - $32 million so far and it could go well over $300 million. Credits include over $125,000 for a Mercedes and a Range Rover that weren't even used in making a movie. This is a good investment for Iowans?
The story is really just getting started. The honchos at the Iowa Film Office and Iowa Department of Economic Development have abruptly resigned. Investigations are forthcoming and there is outrage all around. But nobody should be surprised when government carelessly plays Santa Claus with "other people's money" and opportunists take advantage of the situation.
Where's the call to terminate this unnecessary big-government program and close the Iowa Film Office? Knowing this was among Governor Culver's initiatives, I expected republican legislators to call for its closure...but that's hard when you endorsed its creation. The 2007 legislation that allowed this mess to happen reportedly passed the Iowa House by a 95-1 vote and the Iowa Senate by 48-2. Whoops!
I guess that explains why leaders from both parties think the solution is more probes, more accountability, more oversight, and better management. Such faith in big government solutions is misplaced. The solution is the elimination of this special-interest corporate welfare program. Subsidizing the entertainment industry at the expense of ordinary Iowans is not a proper role for government.
The politicians and bureaucrats who created this mess and the companies taking advantage of it can tell us such a program is in our best interest all day long...this scandal is just more evidence that it isn't. Thumbs down!
A letter to the editor from today's Des Moines Register (available here):
Joel Brinkley's assertion that corrupt officials were the problem in Vietnam and are the problem in Afghanistan strikes at the root of America's foreign-policy mistakes (Sept. 13 column). The nations of Vietnam and Afghanistan never posed a threat to U.S. security.
The lesson we should have learned by now is that futile international adventurism is not worth one precious American life. The action warranted in response to the Sept. 11 attacks is plainly spelled out in the U.S. Constitution. Article One, Section 8 states that Congress shall have the power to grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal. This would offer a reward to individuals for bringing non-state enemies to justice.
Ron Paul, as a member of Congress, proposed this immediately after Sept. 11 and was ignored by his colleagues who were either ignorant of history or working for defense-industry lobbyists.
As the American empire rushes to a Soviet-style economy, the Afghan war could combine with socialist economics to bankrupt us as well. The lesson should not be to choose our foreign puppets more carefully, but to not choose them at all.
Who would have thought the mainstream print media would join the call for transparency at the Fed?
From today's Register editorial:
Obama Should Keep Pledge of Transparency
The Obama administration is expected to weigh in soon on an important legal battle over the Federal Reserve Board's refusal to release information about which banks received public money during the recent financial crisis.
The Register credits reporters at the financial news organization Bloomberg News for bringing the issue to the forefront...but we all know whose efforts resulted in all 5 Iowa congressmen and both senators co-sponsoring bills to audit the Federal Reserve. Yours! Campaign For Liberty!
I'm not optimistic the Obama administration will endorse genuine tranparency at the Federal Reserve, but the political climate is clearly changing when even the media is calling for Fed transparency. Your energy and dedication DOES make a difference.
*****NEWS FLASH*****UPDATE***** H.R.1207 STILL ALIVE!******UPDATE***** NEWS FLASH*****
FELLOW IOWA PATRIOTS,
It has recently been reported that RON PAUL'S "Audit the Fed" bill, H.R.1207 had been gutted! While the "Good Doctor" was in town, this past weekend, (11-12/13-09) I was able to ask him about that report and get an update directly from him! He let us know that, "While Mel Watt had offered an amendment to the bill in committee,(which would gut portions of the bill), He has been asked by the Chairman, Barnie Frank, to offer up his own amendment, which He is working on." He is still comfortable, "at this time", with the possibility of H.R.1207 making it out of committee and accomplishing his original goal of a "Full Audit of the Fed."
My conversation with Dr. Paul, left me with the feeling that He had not given up on H.R.1207 making it out of committee intact,andneither should we!
Why the "LINE-OUT" above? Because H.R.1207 has just made it out of committee INTACT!!!!! Yes, Ron Paul's "AUDIT THE FED" bill is still alive and well at this point! There will be more hurdles for us to jump as we continue to push for a FULL AUDIT of the FED and we will take them on as we come to them, in the mean time, take pride in your accomplishments in keeping H.R.1207 alive and moving forward!
Just for the record, (in case there are new readers to this blog) The Iowa C4L patriots have been successful in obtaining co-sponsorship of all five of our congressmen to H.R.1207 in the house, and both of our senators to S.604, however, it is always possible for an elected representative toremove their co-sponsorship of a bill and support a different bill.We Do Not Want That To Happenwith any of ourelected representatives! They are exactly where we want them right now!
Just in case your wondering why we need to Audit the Fed? Watch The Inspector General of the Federal Reserve, Elizabeth Coleman, display her Keen Understanding and Great Knowledge about where all those Trillions of dollars have gone! (can you say,RAT HOLE!)
Just click here, and then pick up your jaw from the floor when finished!
******************************* PLEASE CHECK THIS BLOG OFTEN FOR OTHER UP AND COMING ACTION ITEMS! ****************************
THE REVOLUTION CONTINUES!
To see the most up-to-date list of co-sponsors, go to,(click here)----> http://thomas.loc.govand then enter the bill number H.R.1207 for the House and S.604 for the Senate, select bill and click search.
This year we had the priveledge to be involved with the NICHE (Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators) Conference June 5th-6th in Des Moines. With over 2,000 people in attendance we were very pleased that we signed up 100 new members.
Our booth passed out literature, had petitions for HR1207, presented a PowerPoint presentation with famous quotes from our founding fathers, had a quick Constitution Quiz and signed up new members. With each new membership we gave away a free pocket Constitution and signed them up for a free book bundle give-away. We also asked new members to wear round stickers that said "New Member" with the Campaign for Liberty logo and the educational quote from the bottom of the C4L website. It was wonderful walking around the conference and seeing our logo on peoples shirts.
My husband (Dave Keagle), Dave Fischer and Dr. Drew Ivers presented a session, with approximately 20 people attending, that gave a quick overview of Campaign for Liberty and the importance of Freedom in the homeschool community. We were pleased to be able to talk to many people about Campaign for Liberty and more pleased when we saw the overwhelming amount of people that believe that now is the time to get involved and get our country back to a Constitutional government and that we need to have more accountability with our fiscal responsibility.
We had many people that volunteered to work the booth and we would like to take to take the time to thank them all:
Dave Fischer, Glenn Massie, Jeremy DeWitt, Bryan Samuell, Crystal McIntyre & Drew Ivers
We look forward to next year's conference and being involved with recruiting new members.
Our objective from the beginning was to determine whether Congressman Boswell (D - Iowa 3) was willing to co-sponsor HR 1207 and we were not going to accept anything other than a definitive yes or no.
The first thing our members did was to call the congressman's offices and ask for an answer as to whether or not the Congressman would sign onto the bill as a co-sponsor. We were told that they would pass the message on to the Congressman and that he would get back to us with an answer.
We determined that it would be good to let them know that we were serious about getting an answer so we sent out a notice asking our members to meet at the Congressman's office to inform them about HR 1207 and ask for our Congressman to be a co-sponsor of the bill.
A group of about 15 Campaign for Liberty members met at the Congressman's office and expressed their concerns about the Federal Reserve System and the lack of accountability when it comes to our government's monetary policy. (See the story here: http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=17050) Our opinions were welcomed by the staff members but we were once again told that the Congressman would be informed of our opinions and they would let us know one way or another where the Congressman stood on the issue.
We also happened to have a booth at the county gun show prior to our office visit where we promoted Campaign for Liberty and were able to secure many more petitions asking for the congressman to co-sponsor HR 1207.
Within a week or so, some of the members who went to the office received a letter in the mail from the Congressman that basically said he would keep our views in mind if the full house considered the legislation. This sounded like a "no" but we were determined to get a specific answer about whether he was willing to co-sponsor HR 1207.
One member was able to talk with one of the chief staff members in the Congressman's Washington D.C. office who was very helpful and through a direct yet cordial approach was able to build a rapport with the staff member and secure a commitment from him to get an answer on the question of whether or not the Congressman would be willing to co-sponsor HR 1207. The CFL member always made sure to follow up with the staff member and if there were no results would politely ask when they should check back with him to see if he was able to speak with the Congressman to get an answer.
After some conflicts of the Congressman's schedule the staff member was able to speak with the Congressman who had some questions as to how it would affect local banks in Iowa but said he was otherwise open to being a co-sponsor. Once again, the staff member asked the CFL member to check back with them in a week once they were able look into it a little further. Surprisingly, within about 30 minutes the CFL member received a call from the staff member and was told that their concerns were alleviated because after a brief investigation they realized it would not affect local banks and the Congressman was now willing to be a co-sponsor!
Incredible news! Through the efforts and perseverance of the Iowa Campaign for Liberty members Iowa's 3rd District Congressman has added his voice to the many voices in Congress who are now seeking transparency from the Federal Reserve Bank!
We still have 3 Congressmen in Iowa who have not heard enough of our voices yet and have been unwilling to take a stand regarding HR 1207! We need to turn up the effort on these remaining Congressmen and make sure that we secure a bipartisan victory with 5 Iowa congressmen as co-sponsors of HR 1207!
