Bailout Battles Continue-Small Victory!

Ron Paul takes the mask off of the Auto Bailout: The fat cats and the unions
are looking to keep their retirement benefits and all their bonuses.

Too bad, we'll probably still have to see them go bankrupt. Hopefully sooner
rather than later.

[Update: Sure enough, GM went bankrupt soon thereafter]

December 12, 2008

Dear fellow Patriot,

Small piece of good news out of Washington last night!

After the House of Representatives rubberstamped a $15 billion bailout package for Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler in a 237-170 mostly party line vote, bailout proceedings croaked in the Senate last night.

See Ron Paul tear the bailout’s mask off during a speech on the House floor on Wednesday and expose it for what it really is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dr6vfHtYu0

While some Senators’ motives for voting down a cloture motion on the Senate floor weren’t as honorable as we could have hoped, public opposition still led a majority of Senate Republicans to refuse consideration of the corporate socialist boondoggle.

If you were one of the many Campaign for Liberty patriots who turned up the heat on Congress, you deserve a hearty “thank you”!

But don’t expect The Big Three and the United Automotive Workers union to just give up.

Now they’re pressuring the White House to cut them big slices of the Treasury’s $700 billion taxpayer pizza – and don’t forget the $50 billion in grants they still want from the Department of Energy.

Read all about it on our Liberty Blog (http://campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=5881).

In liberty,

John Tate
President, Campaign for Liberty

Stop the Car Manufacturers Bailout Today! Ensign Filibuster!

This Just In - ACTION REQUIRED TODAY!

December 10, 2008

Dear fellow Patriot,

Just as we promised, Congressional leaders weren't content with
their $700 billion bailout this past fall and are ready to pass
another one -- this time for the American automotive industry.

Visit our activist Liberty Blog at
http://www.campaignforliberty.com to learn how you can help fight
this round of government theft and wealth redistribution, or just
keep reading.

In the agreement just formulated earlier today by Congressional
Democrats and the White House, our government has pledged to
wrest another $23 billion away from taxpayers to subsidize the
inefficiency and reward the poor management and performance of --
count them -- one, two, three giant corporations.

But that's not all.

More intervention like this means greater government oversight
and regulation -- and more inflation as the government prints and
spends even more dollars.

As one economic thinker once reflected, a subsidy may be a form
of establishment, but it's really a means of capture.

Even if the bailout passes the house, we have a chance to muster
some opposition in the Senate.

Using the contact information provided on our website, tell your
Senator to support the Ensign filibuster. While you're at it,
thank Senator Ensign for standing up to Big Labor and Big
Business.

Auto Bailout Looming

Action Alert from Campaign For Liberty - No Bailout for Big 3

Action Alert

After the Paulson $700 billion bailout package passed in early October, we knew it was only a matter of time before Congress moved to use your money yet again to bail out a struggling industry.

Now, a vote to give funds to the "Big 3" auto manufactures, GM, Ford, and Chrysler, is likely to come up in the Senate tomorrow.

Call your Senators today and ask them to oppose bailing out the auto industry, whether with funds from TARP, revisions of previous loans, or any new grants. To find the information for your Senators, click on our "States" page and look for your state. Phone numbers and links to contact forms can be found near the bottom of each state's page. We have included recommended letters at the end of this email to send your Senator.

The ultimate fate of the auto industry bailout remains uncertain, and it is crucial that we contact our Senators today and urge them to stick to the Constitution and free market principles.

Please also consider making a donation to Campaign for Liberty today to aid us in our efforts to fight big government policies at the local, state, and federal levels. Together, we will achieve our goals of reclaiming our Republic and restoring our Constitution.

In Liberty,

John Tate

President
Campaign for Liberty


**********************

Letter #1

Dear Senator (Name),

I urge you to oppose any bailout of the auto industry, whether by taking existing funds from TARP, revising any previous loans, or making new grants.

The auto industry is lobbying hard for taxpayer money when they should be entirely focused on restructuring their companies and recouping their losses. There is no guarantee that a government handout will have any positive effect, and that GM, Ford, and Chrysler will not be back in a few months asking for additional billions.

Since a bailout will only delay the economic consequences of the Big 3's current predicaments, Congress should allow the market to work so that the fallout can be dealt with and overcome as quickly as possible.

Instead of handing out more of the taxpayers' money and moving further away from the free market ideas that made America great, I ask you to:

1.) Curb regulation: The auto industry is already one of the most heavily-regulated industries, and a bailout will bring more government regulation and additional costs. Alleviating even a little of the red tape would free up resources for them to address their financial situations, save jobs, and produce quality products to jump-start sales.

2.) Cut taxes: Cutting corporate and capital gains taxes would give these companies immediate funds to put toward their problems. Cutting individual income taxes would return much needed money to workers and consumers, strengthening their financial positions and purchasing power during these turbulent times.

Taking just these two steps will save the industry far more in the long run than the numbers currently being proposed for the bailout.

Additionally, because the Paulson TARP plan has abandoned its originally stated purpose of buying toxic assets, is not holding up its promises to be transparent, and has not been properly accountable to Congress, no further expenditures should be authorized until the Treasury Department presents a full accounting to Congress of how it has already dispersed TARP funds.

Since the election, Republicans have talked of returning to their limited government message. This is a chance for you to prove your commitment to free market capitalism and the freedom philosophy by demonstrating that the Republican Party will be worthy of our trust in the next Congress. A vote for another bailout will send the signal that, despite any lip-service paid to limited government principles, Republican talking points of defending them are cheap and little more than campaign rhetoric.

The answers to our economic problems cannot be found in further government intervention. As your constituent, I urge you not to put my tax dollars on the line and to vote "no" on the auto industry bailout.

Sincerely,


**********************

Letter #2

Dear Senator (Name),

I urge you to oppose any bailout of the auto industry, whether by taking existing funds from TARP, revising any previous loans, or making new grants.

The auto industry is lobbying hard for taxpayer money when they should be entirely focused on restructuring their companies and recouping their losses. There is no guarantee that a government handout will have any positive effect, and that GM, Ford, and Chrysler will not be back in a few months asking for additional billions.

Since a bailout will only delay the economic consequences of the Big 3's current predicaments, Congress should allow the market to work so that the fallout can be dealt with and overcome as quickly as possible.

Instead of handing out more of the taxpayers' money and moving further away from the free market ideas that made America great, I ask you to:

1.) Curb regulation: The auto industry is already one of the most heavily-regulated industries, and a bailout will bring more government regulation and additional costs. Alleviating even a little of the red tape would free up resources for them to address their financial situations, save jobs, and produce quality products to jumpstart sales.

2.) Cut taxes: Cutting corporate and capital gains taxes would give these companies immediate funds to put toward their problems. Cutting individual income taxes would return much needed money to workers and consumers, strengthening their financial positions and purchasing power during these turbulent times.

Taking just these two steps will save the industry far more in the long run than the numbers currently being proposed for the bailout.

Additionally, because the Paulson TARP plan has abandoned its originally stated purpose of buying toxic assets, is not holding up its promises to be transparent, and has not been properly accountable to Congress, no further expenditures should be authorized until the Treasury Department presents a full accounting to Congress of how it has already dispersed TARP funds.

The answers to our economic problems cannot be found in further government intervention. As your constituent, I urge you not to put my tax dollars on the line and to vote "no" on the auto industry bailout.

Sincerely,

Bailout Money Bomb!

October 17, 2008

Dear Friend of Liberty,

It is time to hold the politicians accountable!



As you well know, the unconstitutional "bailout" of failed lenders that became law earlier this month has, as Dr. Paul predicted, thrown the economy into even more turmoil.

As Dr. Paul said, the free market did not cause this problem and only the free market can fix it.

But even as I write this, Big Government insiders from both parties are frantically working to design even worse legislation for the next Congress.

This legislation may even be presented in the upcoming lame duck session of Congress to take place after the November elections.

They just don't get it!

And unless you and I, and tens of thousands of other Liberty-minded Americans act now, they will continue us down the road of socialism.

That's why I am asking for your help right away.

Will you make a special contribution of $500, $250, $100, $50, or $25 today by contributing at www.campaignforliberty.com/donate.php ?

You see, your Campaign for Liberty staff is putting the finishing touches on a hard-hitting program to take place over the next 15 days in key districts and states letting concerned Americans know just how their representatives voted on the bailout.

The goal of this effort is two-fold.

First, we want to make sure as many people as possible in key states and districts know whether or not their Congressmen and Senators stood with the Constitution and voted against the bailout, or sold out the American people for this socialist power grab.

Second, we want to let those Congressmen and Senators who voted for the bailout know that the American people have taken notice.

And we want to let ALL the candidates know that this is a defining issue both now and in the future.

We plan to go into as many districts and states as possible, like North Carolina's 4th Congressional District, where incumbent David Price (D) voted for the bailout and is being challenged by strong bailout opponent B.J. Lawson.

To do this, Campaign for Liberty plans to:

Produce and distribute slim jims specifically tailored to districts/states that tell how each Congressman and Senator voted. These will be available soon on the Campaign for Liberty web site for every district and state in the country.

And we will also print and distribute these pieces in as many of the key districts as funds allow.

Send a series of email blasts into many key districts and states, urging our members and supporters to contact the candidates and demand they oppose any further "bailouts."

Run hard-hitting newspaper ads in as many places as funds allow.

Run radio ads and hold news conferences announcing the votes cast on the bailout.

Flood key districts with tens of thousands of phone calls letting people know where their Congressmen and Senators stood on this very important issue.

Of course, carrying out this plan will cost money. That is why your Campaign for Liberty must raise $325,000 in the next few days.

I hope you will make a special contribution today of $500, $250, $100, $50, or $25 right away.

As you know, this bailout—which its supporters tried to rename a "rescue package" in order to make it more palatable to Americans—allows the federal government to "purchase" (with fiat and borrowed money) $700 billion in bad mortgage-related assets, putting the taxpayer on the hook for the mistakes of the Federal Reserve, Congress, and Wall Street.

Despite the rhetoric used by the bill's proponents, this bailout will only prolong and worsen the economic consequences we must endure while the market purges itself of these bad assets.

And though this bailout passed, the battle is not over.

Matter of fact, the fight has intensified, as the Treasury Secretary is now using the powers granted under the bailout to "inject capital" into our nation's banks—essentially nationalizing them.

To get the message out to hundreds of thousands of Americans in the next 15 days so they can hold their politicians accountable, Campaign for Liberty must raise $325,000.

For this effort to have the intended effect, we will need sufficient funding. As one of my mentors has always said, "You can't save the world, if you can't pay the rent."

That's why I hope you will agree to a special contribution of $500, $250, $100, $50, or $25 to help out in this important fight by going to www.campaignforliberty.com/donate.php

All of the funds raised in the next week will go toward this effort to make those responsible—regardless of party or position—pay a price with the American people for their abuse of government, tax revenue, and our nation's future.

With your support, I want to keep up the fight and expand it to more and more Americans—launching a tidal wave of phone calls, emails, and faxes to the politicians of both parties, letting them know we will accept NO more bailouts and will remember their votes.

Thanks for all you have done, and I ask for your crucial continued support of Campaign for Liberty and the cause of Freedom.

In Liberty,

John Tate

President

Campaign for Liberty

P.S. Time is very short. There is one time politicians may listen to the people – right before the election.

If at all possible, please make that special contribution at www.campaignforliberty.com/donate.php so we can contact tens of thousands of Americans over the next few days.



Because of Campaign for Liberty's pending tax-exempt status under IRC Sec. 501 (C) (4) and its state and federal legislative activities, contributions are not tax deductible as charitable contributions (IRC § 170) or as a business deduction (IRC § 162(e)(1)).

THE REAL REASON BEHIND THE BAILOUT! **EXPLOSIVE**

CALL/EMAIL YOUR CONGRESSMAN NOW!

He is talking about Section 112 in this BAILOUT document:




Echoes of Wisdom: Proposed Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 Leaked



CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN NOW - TELL YOUR BEST FRIENDS!

He is talking about Section 112 in this BAILOUT document:

Echoes of Wisdom: Proposed Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 Leaked

Dr. Ron Paul’s House floor remarks on the bailout

Dr. Paul’s House floor remarks on the bailout




Dr. Paul gave a quick speech on the House floor this morning concerning the bailout. Due to the nature of the debate today, he didn’t have time to read his full remarks, which were put into the congressional record and are featured below:

The process of this bailout reminds me of a panic-stricken swimmer thrashing in the water only making his situation worse. Even a “bipartisan deal”—whatever that is supposed to mean— will not stop the Congress from thrashing about.

The beneficiaries of the corrupt monetary system of the last three decades are now desperately looking for victims to stick with the bill after they have reaped decades of profit and privilege.

The difficulties in our economy will continue because the Legislative and the Executive branches have not yet begun to address the real problems. The housing bubble’s collapse, as was the Dot Com bubble’s collapse, was predictable and is merely a symptom of the monetary system that brought us to this point.

Indeed, we do face a major crisis but it is much bigger than the freezing up of Wall Street and dealing with worthless assets on the books of major banks. The true crisis is the pending collapse of the fiat dollar system that emerged after the breakdown of the Bretton Woods agreement in 1971.

For 37 years the world built a financial system based on the dollar as the reserve currency of the world in an attempt to make the dollar serve as the new standard of value. However since 1971, the dollar has had no intrinsic value, as it is not tied to gold. The dollar is simply a fiat currency, which has fluctuated in value on a daily, if not hourly, bias. This worked to some degree until the market realized that too much debt and malinvestment existed and a correction was required.

Because of our economic and military strength, compared to other countries, trust in America’s currency lasted longer than deserved. This resulted in the biggest worldwide economic distortion in all of history. The problem is much bigger than the fears of a temporary decline on Wall Street if the bailout is not agreed to.

Money’s most important function is to serve as a means of exchange—a measurement of value. If this crucial yardstick is not stable, it becomes impossible for investors, entrepreneurs, savers, and consumers to make correct decisions; these mistakes create the bubble that must eventually be corrected.

Just imagine the results if a construction company was forced to use a yardstick whose measures changed daily to construct a skyscraper. The result would be a very unstable and dangerous building. No doubt the construction company would try to cover up their fundamental problem with patchwork repairs, but no amount of patchwork can fix a building with an unstable inner structure. Eventually, the skyscraper will collapse, forcing the construction company to rebuild—hopefully this time with a stable yardstick. This 700 billion package is more patchwork repair and will prove to be money down a rat hole and will only make the dollar crisis that much worse.

But what politicians are willing to say that the financial “skyscraper”—the global financial and monetary system-is a house of cards. It is not going to happen at this juncture. They’re not even talking about this. They talk only of bailouts, more monetary inflation, more special interest spending, more debt, and more regulations. There is almost no talk of the relationship of the Community Reinvestment Act, HUD, and government assisted loans to the housing bubble. And there is no talk of the oversight that is desperately needed for the Federal Reserve, the Exchange Stabilization Fund, and all the activities of the President’s Working Group on financial markets. When these actions are taken we will at last know that Congress is serious about the reforms that are really needed.

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.

Monetary reform will eventually come, but, unfortunately, Congress’ actions this week make it more likely the reform will come under dire circumstances, such as the midst of a worldwide collapse of the dollar. The question then will be how much of our liberties will be sacrificed in the process. Just remember what we lost in the aftermath of 9-11.

The best result we can hope for is that the economic necessity of getting our fiscal house in order will, at last, force us to give up our world empire. Without the empire we can then concentrate on rebuilding the Republic.

Update - Here’s the video of the remarks Dr. Paul delivered this morning:



This entry was posted on Monday, September 29th, 2008 at 11:34 am