Welcome to the Idaho Campaign for Liberty website.
You are invited to join us as we each take the initiative to educate our neighbors, those in our communities and our counties, as to the principles of liberty that these United States were established. It is We the People that will free this great nation from the tyranny that threatens us. We must become the heroes of this Revolution. It is our mission to do so, because we are aware of those same problems that our Founding Fathers fought against, and warned us about. In the 2nd paragraph of the Declaration of Independence it reads : "But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new guards for their future security - What this means, is it is Our Duty to fight for Our freedom. We can not shirk now from what we know must be done.
Our success will depend on each individual here, every member of the Campaign for Liberty and anyone who believes in freedom. It is our personal responsibility and our dedication to sharing our knowledge with as many people as we can that will determine our success. The Campaign for Liberty mission is "To promote and defend the great American principles of individual liberty, constitutional government, sound money, free markets, and a noninterventionist foreign policy, by means of educational and political activity." We must work individually and collectively to make this happen. And with everyone working toward this mission at the grassroots level, we will accomplish much good.
I encourage you to sign up as a member of the Campaign for Liberty and set up your own profile on the website. Take advantage of the tools provided there, walk your precinct as a neighbor and help others to be prepared for their own safety, security and peace of mind. We know the government is NOT the solution, but the problem. Let's recruit others to help in forwarding the cause of Liberty and to restore our unalienable rights.
I will end now with the closing sentence of the Declaration of Independence. May we stand today in support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.
Thank you for all you do! Yours in Liberty and justice for all,
Alanna
Calendar
03/27/10 12:30 PM Ron Paul is coming to Idaho!!!
Congressman Ron Paul of Texas enjoys a national reputation as the premier advocate for liberty in politics today. Dr. Paul is the leading spokesman in Washington for limited constitutional government, low taxes, free markets and a return to sound monetary policies based on commodity-backed currency. He is known among both his colleagues in Congress and his constituents for never voting for legislation unless the proposed measure is expressly authorized by the Constitution.
Campaign for Liberty events are being planned throughout the day.
12:30 - 4:30 PM - C4L State Conference
How to win your campaign for PC
How to build your local organization
Breakout session by region
Statewide and congressional candidate speakers
Legislative panel discussion on state sovereignty and sound money featuring 8-10 legislators
5:00 - 6:30 PM - Private Reception with Ron Paul honoring Ralph Smeed
The Campaign For Liberty, Idaho Freedom Foundation and Idaho Rights Foundation invite you to a private reception that will provide the opportunity for personal question and answer time with Representative Ron Paul. Buy tickets.
During dinner Ron Paul will present the Idaho Freedom Foundation's Friend of Freedom Lifetime Achievement Award to a great defender of liberty and Idaho's favorite curmudgeon, Ralph Smeed, for his relentless fight against statism and his tireless quest for market solutions.
Tickets for this special event are only $100. The first 60 also get a VIP Ticket to attend An Evening With Ron Paul at the Morrison Center at 7:00 PM! Buy tickets.
7:00 PM - An Evening with Ron Paul at The Morrison Center
The public has been very curious about the Idaho Constitutional Tender Act currently being considered in the Idaho Legislature. The House Ways and Means Committee called it, "A very interesting bill." Here are some answers to questions raised.
Question: Will I have to carry gold and silver in my pocket? Do store managers have to give change in gold and silver coins? How would they know the silver or gold content, the true bullion value, in each coin?
Answer: HB 622 calls for the electronic exchange of gold and silver (specie) ounces, not a cash exchange of coins. No coins need be carried. The exact bullion content is valued by electronic specie exchanges, not the store managers.
Question: How does the public determine the worth of each piece of gold and silver? Isn't that too difficult for daily transactions?
Answer: The exchanges would resolve the different weight and bullion content of coins (per ounce valuations). When an exchange does evaluations all day long, every day, it is not complicated at all. Only .999 fine troy ounces and fractions thereof are credited to customer accounts, not individual coins. Only electronic ounces, validated by the exchange, are tendered for debt, not individual coins.
Question: I don't understand what you mean by gold and silver (specie) being priced at market prices? Wouldn't constant changes in price make it too complicated? Isn't specie too volatile?
Answer: Both specie and the U.S. Dollar (USD) are traded on the futures exchange and both are subject to market price fluctuations, minute by minute. The fact that you do not see these fluctuations in your daily USD prices is because you think in USDs. In reality, the USD has been in a long term downtrend (95%) vs. gold and silver since 1913. The average person does not see the short term rises and larger declines in the price of the USD because the USD is all he knows and understands. Once specie is restored, goods and services priced in specie will not steadily rise in price like the USD. Gold and silver pricing will be less volatile than current inflationary pricing we have with the USD. We have to change or widen our mindset to understand; if everything were priced in specie, it would be easy to see the level pricing that would occur. It is the USD price that constantly rises.
Question: Why should I give up the convenience of plastic?
Answer: Yes, most people have already adopted plastic or electronic transfers of USDs for many payments and receipts. We already live in a cashless society and that is why the time is right for Representative Lenore Barrett's electronic gold and silver proposal. HB 622 frees the marketplace from government control. Exchanges are free to issue plastic gold or silver cards (plastic is actually a euphemism for an electronic transaction). The Automated Clearing House (ACH), the Electronic Payments Network (EPN), and PayPal all use electronic transfers. No one need carry any gold or silver in their pocket.
Question: Why the hassle? It is all too strange.
Answer: Is freedom too much hassle? Being forced to use a failed currency is what is truly strange and the real hassle. Adopting a parallel money system to allow freedom of choice may hassle authoritarians, but not the public. This is a private money system. It is not mandatory. No one would be forced to use gold and silver. HB 622 is a voluntary cashless alternative to counteract inflation to keep more of your assets. If it is too much hassle, then don't use it.
George Santayana once said, "Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." Fiat money systems have always failed; whereas gold, history's universal money, has been, "as good as gold." When America completed its conversion to fiat money in 1971, the U.S. Dollar was doomed; whereas, the gold we abandoned still maintains its value.
A Benign Bill
This Act does not expand the role of government. It does not authorize the State to coin money, emit bills of credit, or recommend a state bank. Instead, the Act ceases all governmental restrictions and taxation on gold and silver used as tender in payment of debt. The Act encourages individual action and initiative to build a gold and silver tender infrastructure that would protect property, the benefits of labor, and individual savings. The Act is designed to restore the inalienable rights guaranteed to the citizens of Idaho by the U.S. Constitution. The State is asked to leave the details to the marketplace.
The Act harms no one and the U.S. Dollar (USD) would still be legal. The use of this private parallel system is voluntary by mutual agreement between persons and businesses.
State Activities
The State would encourage usage by opening up accounts with one or more gold and silver exchanges, and deposit all the State's gold and silver (specie) holdings in one or more designated private vaults.
State employees have the option to be paid in specie. In addition, all contracts signed by the State would have the specie option. It would be the State's duty to ensure that all obligations in specie are properly backed 100% by ounce deposits in the appropriate State accounts specified for electronic transfer to the employee, contractor, or vendor.
Competing Currencies
Gold and silver have a superior long-term record for maintaining value, much better than the USD. The best money system is one that is the least corruptible. The Act takes an extra precaution by providing a competing currency within itself. For example, if the gold price is manipulated to an unreasonable level, account holders can switch to silver or go back to the USD. The State should remain flexible and let the public be the final arbiter.
Human Action
In the final analysis, money belongs to the producers in society, not the government or central bank at any level (See Issuing Money at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tismtf/files/). Gold and silver are commodities, produced by blood, sweat, and tears. They have intrinsic value because they represent human action, i.e., human energy is expended to extract the commodities that providers of other goods and services want and need.
Switzerland of America
The small country of Switzerland currently holds one-third of the world's private wealth. The Swiss commitment to a high percentage of gold reserves and its subsequent strong currency is well known. Strong currency and little government interference attract wealth and industry. When Idaho adopts the Constitutional Tender Act, it will be a strong incentive for businesses to relocate to Idaho. If passed by the Idaho legislature, the Act could make Idaho the Switzerland of America.
The task force has received a number of requests from the public to explain how the HB 622, currently being considered by the House, would work.
Parallel System
The Act does not interfere with the present banking industry or the currency established by the Federal Reserve System (Fed). Instead, the Act encourages private persons and businesses to create a voluntary private money system, based on gold and silver. This valid constitutional tender would be allowed to compete with Federal Reserve Notes, commonly called U.S. Dollars (USDs), on an equal playing field.
How it Works
Gold and silver coins or bullion, as distinguished from paper money, are commonly called "specie". The Act's business model creates two private structures: the Specie Exchange (exchange) and the Specie Vault (vault).
The Exchange
An exchange works like a bank. It accepts deposits and honors withdrawals of gold and silver. Specie already in circulation is used by customers to open accounts. Each account is denominated, not in coin, but in troy ounces or fractions thereof. The coins and bullion are secured in reserve at a vault, as collateral for ounces on deposit. Exchanges would limit their holdings of specie by depositing their entire public inventory in an independent specie vault.
Free Market Competition is Good
Exchanges would also exchange specie into USDs and vice versa, similar to how established Idaho coin shops currently buy and sell coins using their own inventories. If the exchange mark-up is too high, the customer is free to shop around for a better deal. Free market competition and an increase of activity will reduce current premium levels for the public.
The Vault
Private vaults safeguard specie deposits for the exchanges. These independent vaults serve as a check and balance on customer account balances. The total of the exchanges' account balances (denominated in ounces) must always be equal (balanced) with the total ounces on deposit in the vault. The separation of powers and functions reduces the risk of fraud. Vaults segregate the stored specie by exchange. Specie deposits would be audited on a regular basis, as well as, privately insured and bonded.
Hypothetical example
I own two American Eagle one ounce silver coins. I take the coins to an exchange to open an account. The exchange accepts the coins and gives me a deposit receipt for 2.00 ounces of silver. The exchange explains how I can sign on to my account on the internet and electronically transfer these ounces to other similar accounts owned by persons, businesses, or the state of Idaho. In addition, they may issue me a silver debit card on the same account for ease of shopping.
Let's say I buy a pizza. The restaurant advertises their new silver ounce prices, which compete with USD prices on the same menu. One large pizza costs 1.25 ounces of silver. I simply give them my silver debit card, as I would a normal debit card, and my account is debited 1.25 ounces. I add .25 ounce to the bill for a tip and the total charge is 1.50, leaving the balance in my account of .50 silver ounces.
The restaurant then tells the waitress that she has a .25 ounce tip, so she opens an account with the exchange and the tip is transferred to her account. Her interest is peaked, so she asks for her salary to be paid in silver. The owner knows doing business in specie is a good way to fight inflation. Inflation is a hidden tax on both the employee and the company. They mutually agree to convert her salary to silver ounces.
This is how specie would gradually work its way into the system by allowing ounces to compete with the USDs.
Weight Determination and Denomination in Ounces
When accounts are opened in private exchanges with specie deposits, each exchange will determine which specie, e.g. a particular gold or silver coin, is acceptable to their exchange for deposit. The exchange determines, with the customer's approval, the exact number of .999 fine troy ounces in each coin or bar and credits the customer's account in ounce denomination.
Specie Pooled at Vault
Once a coin is deposited that particular coin can no longer be withdrawn. If a customer wants to withdrawal coins, he would have to accept specie on hand, which may or may not be the very same coin he deposited. It would be similar to a cash withdrawal from a bank. A customer does not receive the very same USD bill; instead, he receives the equivalent value of his original deposit.
Shop for Lowest Premiums
Numismatic coins and other collectibles should not be deposited, since they have high premiums over their intrinsic bullion value. The purpose of the exchange is to simplify and ensure the safe public usage of specie ounces in commerce and savings. This is done by honoring assured debits and credits in the exact number of ounces drawn on their accounts by outside vendors.
The Idaho Sound Money Task Force today announced their support for House Bill No. 622, The Idaho Constitutional Tender Act.
Tom Dillin, Chairman, of the state-wide task force, stated, "There are many reasons for passing this sound money bill, but the most obvious are: (1) It will restore the rule of law under the U.S. Constitution, (2) It protects the savings of Idaho workers from the continuous devaluation of our dollar, and (3) It will protect the citizens of Idaho from a potential economic collapse by giving them the freedom of choice between the failing U.S. Dollar or constitutional gold and silver tender."
On 3 March 2010, the Idaho House Ways and Means Committee approved the printing of HB 622, The Idaho Constitutional Tender Act. Sponsored by Idaho Representative Lenore Barrett, the Act will restore gold and silver as constitutional tender in the state of Idaho.
The task force will issue a series of press releases (think pieces) over the next week to explain how the bill will work and why it is necessary.
Our congratulations go out to Lowell Nelson and the entire Utah C4L for fighting to ensure SB 11, the Utah State-made Firearms Protection Act, made it to becoming law.
SB 11 is yet another bill in a growing nullification movement. It would prevent federal laws and regulations from being enforced on guns and ammo manfuctured in Utah and staying within Utah.
Though he has taken heat for signing the legislation, Governor Gary Herbert had the following to say last Friday:
"As Governor, I took an oath to uphold the constitutions of the United States and the State of Utah. I take that responsibility seriously, as well as my obligation to act in a fiscally prudent manner," the Governor said. "In order to feel comfortable attaching my name to this legislation, I felt it necessary to reconcile the laudable intent of this bill with my responsibilities as Governor."...
"I am satisfied that Utah can stand confidently with other states that are taking a stand against the federal government's overreach in this area," he said. "The Attorney General has assured me that, should a legal challenge be filed against the state, his office can take a variety of actions to ensure the defense of this legislation will have a minimal cost to the people of Utah," Governor Herbert said....
310 Main Street Lewiston, ID, 83501 (208) 743-1388 (208) 743-0247
Voted against HR 1: ["The Scamulus Package"] American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Voted for HR 1388: ["Obama's Camps"] Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act [More info]
Voted for co-sponsoring HR 1207: The Federal Reserve Transparency Act [More info]
Voted for HR 1256: Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act [More info]
Voted for HR 2346: 2009 $106B War Supplemental [More info]
Voted against HR 2454: American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 [More info]
Voted for H.R. 3435: Another $2 billion for clunkers [More info]
Voted against HR 2749: Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009
Voted for HR 2647: Imperialism Authorization Act of 2010 / Hate Crimes Creation Act [More info]
Voted for co-sponsoring HR 2194: Expanding Economic War with Iran [More info]
Voted for restoring the gutted HR1207: The Federal Reserve Transparency Act [More info]
Voted for HR 2847: Making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, and Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes [More info]
Voted for HR 4061: Cybersecurity Act of 2009 [More info]
Dr. Mike Simpson ID-2nd (R)
2312 RHOB Washington, DC 20515-1202 DC Phone: 202-225-5531 DC Fax: 202-225-8216 [Website] [Contact]
410 Memorial Drive Suite 203 Idaho Falls, ID, 83402 (208) 523-6701 (208) 523-2384
802 West Bannock Suite 600 Boise, ID, 83702-5820 (208) 334-1953 (208) 334-9533
1341 Fillmore Street #202 Twin Falls, ID, 83301 (208) 734-7219 (208) 734-7244
Voted against HR 1: ["The Scamulus Package"] American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Voted for HR 1388: ["Obama's Camps"] Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act [More info]
Voted for co-sponsoring HR 1207: The Federal Reserve Transparency Act [More info]
Voted for HR 1256: Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act [More info]
Voted against HR 2346: 2009 $106B War Supplemental [More info]
Voted against HR 2454: American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 [More info]
Voted for H.R. 3435: Another $2 billion for clunkers [More info]
Voted against HR 2749: Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009
Voted against HR 2647: Imperialism Authorization Act of 2010 / Hate Crimes Creation Act [More info]
Voted for co-sponsoring HR 2194: Expanding Economic War with Iran [More info]
Voted against HR 2847: Making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, and Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes [More info]
Voted for HR 4061: Cybersecurity Act of 2009 [More info]
"Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty."
—Thomas Jefferson
Campaign for Liberty is a 501(c)4 lobbying organization which neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office and claims no responsibility for the actions of individuals or groups of individuals who use the Campaign for Liberty logo or name or who may claim to act as representatives of the Campaign for Liberty without prior written consent of the Campaign for Liberty. [?]
