Posted by Jeremy Moore on 11/04/09

Below is a message I received from BJ Lawson, who ran for Congress in the 08' election in North Carolina.

It is quite disturbing to see what Rep. Mel Watt of North Carolina changed  in the House Financial Services monetary policy subcommittee.

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Dear Jeremy,

 

Ever want to buy your very own Congressman? A legislative tool to get the job done, especially dirty jobs that violate the trust of the American people? How much do you think it would cost?

 

It turns out surprisingly little.

Meet Rep. Mel Watt of North Carolina's 12th District. Commercial banks have been his largest career donor, giving a total of $319,822 over the past ten years. That's just a little over $30,000 per year.

What do banking lobbyists get in return?

Rep. Watt chairs the House Financial Services monetary policy subcommittee. Last Friday, Rep. Ron Paul reported that our Federal Reserve Transparency Act (HR 1207) was "gutted" in Rep. Watt's subcommittee. Rep. Watt's changes restricted inquiry around transactions with foreign central banks, monetary policy deliberations, transactions made under the direction of the Federal Open Market Committee and communications between the Board, the reserve banks and staff.

 

Not a bad return on investment for the Fed and its lobbyists.

In defense of Rep. Watt, however, it's not totally his fault. His district is the most obviously gerrymandered in North Carolina, following I-85 like a snake from Charlotte to Winston Salem. It is overwhelmingly Democratic, and his re-election has never been seriously challenged. Why should he represent the people when he is electorally invincible?

An invincible incumbent is the most useful tool, and a bargain to boot.

While we may not be able to hold Rep. Watt accountable, we can fight back. His attempt to eviscerate HR1207 must be approved by the full Financial Services committee. It is essential that we contact each member of the Financial Services committee TODAY and let them know Rep. Watt's proposed changes are unacceptable. Please review the list of committee members, and focus on your representative, or those from your state.

I've attached my letter below to help you get started. Join me at DownsizeDC.org to use their Educate the Powerful system -- it's the easiest way to get your message to Congress.

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Dear Representative Miller,

I am writing you in your capacity as a member of the House Committee on Financial Services.

You may be aware that Rep. Mel Watt's subcommittee on monetary policy introduced changes to the Federal Reserve Transparency Act (HR 1207) that restrict inquiry around transactions with foreign central banks, monetary policy deliberations, transactions made under the direction of the Federal Open Market Committee and communications between the Board, the reserve banks and staff.

These changes have the practical effect of killing the bill, and eliminating the transparency that our economy and financial markets require for stability and sustainable growth.

It is clear that Rep. Watt is serving the banking lobbyists who have funded his campaigns over the past decade. It is also clear that he does not fear for his re-election, given his willingness to put the bankers' narrow interests above those of the American people.

Your district is not quite as safe. There are many people across party lines who will work to defeat you if you support Rep. Watt's changes.

HR 1207 has over 300 cosponsors in its original form. I trust you will use your influence to remove Rep. Watt's changes, and bring HR 1207 to a vote on the House floor in its original form.

Sincerely,

William (B.J.) Lawson

 

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P.S -- In a recent video message, Ron Paul indicated that it is especially important that constituents contact the 13 Democrats on the Financial Services committee who already co-sponsored HR 1207, with a VERY polite reminder that you STILL want them to support the ORIGINAL bill, and to resist Mr. Watt's amendments.

 

For your convenience, here is that list . . .

Posted by Jeremy Moore on 10/27/09

Dear Senator Stabenow,

Unfortunately, your response to my comment is clearly a programmed response looted with political ineptitude with no understanding of free markets, the role of the federal government and the U.S. Constitution.

1) Free markets lower prices while government involvement only raises costs. Case in point and a restating of my previous email; The government mandated 3rd party payer system has raised the cost of health care. Now you wish to expand the role of government in this critical area where government involvement has already proven detrimental.

2) The role of government is not to pay for health care. TAXPAYERS would pay for health care and the burdensome rising costs associated with socialized government run health care along with the decreased quality would certainly be a fault of the elected politicians in office who supported such a ridiculous perspective rooted in false arguments, emotion, and ignorance, not to mention the violation of my constitutional rights and that of the states. I am also NOT attempting to leave out this blatant act of misrepresentation that you seem so willing to offer.

3) Health care is not a "RIGHT" granted by the constitution. The U.S. Constitution grants me my rights, certainly not elected politicians such as yourself. Health care is not stated anywhere in my U.S. Constitution, so clearly, you have the wrong information. My U.S. Constitution states that any right not explicitly expressed or granted to the Federal government is left to the states. ... "10th Amendment" you should check it out. If you don't like it, then try to change the Constitution. Let's try to do this the Constitutional way and not as some desperate reach for votes. Remember, this is a Republic, NOT a democracy. 

I am seriously disappointed in your response and position. We do need health care reform, but free markets, individual choice and responsibility, a legitimate and unmolested doctor-patient relationship, enforceable commerce laws, and states rights are the answer. 

More bloated federal government is not the answer.

A shady deal that further empowers politicians to make back door deals with health care providers is not the answer (the power vacuum to D.C. seems to only get bigger).

Increased taxation is not the answer.

Decreased quality is not the answer.

And in 2012, you will certainly be the wrong answer.

You can be certain that I will be one of many citizens of this state to vote against you in the upcoming election. Your attempt to  slam further federal intrusion as well as bureaurocratic inertia cloaked in misguided ineptitude down my throat will not be preserved even when you believe that some "moral high ground" is a politically safe place to be. You can't pull the wool over everyone's eyes. We are not sheep!

Sincerely,

Jeremy Moore

Posted by Jeremy Moore on 10/27/09

MIchigan State University's Young Americans for Liberty will be co-hosting an event along with Students for a Free Economy. This event will host Michael Tanner of the Cato Institute (www.cato.org) who will speak to those in attendance as well as those tuning in through a "Live Webcast".

In a state that has two Senators on board with "Obamacare", Mr. Tanner will enlighten those in a attendance as well as those viewing over the internet to a consistent and logical dialogue regarding healthcare reform.

If you can not attend, then please tune in!

Announcement below:

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Ladies and Gentlemen:

Michael Tanner from the Cato Institute will be speaking at Dublin Square Irish Pub, 327 Abbot Rd. East Lansing, MI at 7:00 pm on October 28. He will be speaking on “The Obamacare to Come: Health Care Reform, Free Markets, and You!”. There will be time for Q&A and a reception following.  Please join us in adding dialogue to the health care debate!

Michael Tanner is a Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute where he heads research into a variety of domestic policies with a particular emphasis on health care reform, social welfare policy, and Social Security. He is the author of 4 books including Healthy Competition: What’s Holding Back Health Care and How to Free It published in 2007. Tanner's writings have appeared in nearly every major American newspaper, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. A prolific writer and frequent guest lecturer, Tanner appears regularly on network and cable news programs. Before joining Cato in 1993, Tanner served as director of research of the Georgia Public Policy Foundation and as legislative director for the American Legislative Exchange Council.

If you have any questions about the event, please contact me at sfe@mackinac.org.

If you are unable to come to either Northwood University or Dublin Square for the event with Michael Tanner, I would highly encourage you to attend virtually!  Tomorrow, Oct. 27 beginning at 6:55 pm, we will be broadcasting the talk LIVE.  Just tune intohttp://www.ustream.tv/channel/michigansfe and you can watch the entire presentation from start to finish!

Hope to see you there in person or online! 

PS
We will be accepting Q&A from online viewers as well as in person viewers. Be sure to watch and have your questions ready!

Thanks and I hope to see you there!

 
Christopher Deming
Students for a Free Economy
A Project of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy
sfe@mackinac.org
deming@mackinac.org
c: 989.430.5031
w: 989.631.0900
michigansfe.org

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Posted by Jeremy Moore on 05/27/09

Posted by Jeremy Moore on 05/15/09

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