My Response to Schumer on S604 Posted by msclvr2

Posted 07/06/09

I did my part today to call Gillibrand and Schumer to support the "Audit the Fed" bill.

I also took the time to respond to Schumer's non-response to an e-mail about S604.  Below is his return e-mail and then the one that I sent today.

Enjoy!

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Dear msclvr2:

Thank you for writing to me regarding legislation designed to enhance the audit powers of the Comptroller General with regard to the Federal Reserve. I agree with you that transparency and accountability for the Fed is important. Disclosure is something I've stood for throughout my career, and I intend to continue to support efforts to expand the kinds of information available to the public.

For this reason, I voted in favor of an amendment which Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) offered to the budget resolution which was accepted by a vote of 96 to 2 that would ask the Federal Reserve to publish, on its website, reports which give information regarding the nature and amounts of the collateral which it is accepting on behalf of taxpayers within the various lending programs it is conducting and the number of borrowers that are participating in each of the programs, along with specific details of the amount and type of credit extended. I believe that this will help tremendously to make transparent the amount and type of assistance the Federal Reserve is extending.

Again, thank you for contacting me on this important issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me again if I can be of further assistance on this, or any other matter.


Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Senator Schumer:

Thank you for all you do for the Great State of New York! 

I also want to thank you for your response to my earlier e-mail regarding S.604 "The Federal Reserve Sunshine Act", otherwise known as the Audit the Fed bill.

However, your response said that you voted in favor of a budget amendment that would ASK the Federal Reserve to publish information.  You went on to say that you "believe that this will help tremendously to make transparent the amount and type of assistance the Federal Reserve is extending."

Well, with all due respect, I disagree with you.  Asking the Federal Reserve to publish information is totally different from performing an audit.  Does it not bother you that the Federal Reserve has a monopoly on our monetary policy with little to no oversight from Congress? 

Many argue that this independence is what we need from the Fed for our economic security.  However, many others have argued that it is indeed the Fed that creates the bust and boom insecurity of our economic cycles. 

An audit would not take power away from the Fed.  It would just create the additional transparency and change for which you and those in the Obama administration have been calling. Simply asking the Federal Reserve to be more transparent does not cut it.

I would greatly appreciate your response to this e-mail.  I would further appreciate it if you were to co-sponsor S604 and show your constituents that you are in it for them and not for the beholden interests on Wall Street.

I am looking forward to your reply.  Thank you for your time and consideration.

Respectfully yours,
msclvr2

Campaign for Liberty: New York's 27th District News Posted by edwardstaley

Posted 06/18/09 Last updated 06/18/09

Dear Friends of Liberty,

 As you may know, the Campaign for Liberty has recently celebrated it's first birthday. It's hard to believe that it has already been one year since Ron Paul announced that the fire that was ignited during his bid for the presidency was not going to be allowed to die after the primaries, but rather live on forever through the Campaign for Liberty. We have accomplished much. Of course the Rally for the Republic was no small feet, but since then we have continued to dream big and only big. We've started a series of regional conferences held around the nation with hundreds of attendees at each, focused on learning exactly how to restore this republic. We have well over 100,000 members strong. Our first major effort as an organization, having H.R. 1207 pushed through congress, already has a majority of the House as cosponsors. Many of us have been here long enough to know that we are not alone and real change is possible. We can reclaim liberty, reduce government size and scope. We can kindle vigilance in the minds of people and break the mentality that the government, not the individual, should be looked to for answers to society's problems.

 But our goals can only continue to be reached if we remain in pursuit of them. We must continue to grow as a group, as a coalition of freedom-loving activists who learn not only that can count on each other, but how to be self-reliant when need be and be able to teach others how to be as well. It is vital that we reach out to other members, especially in our area and meet them. That, of course, is the first step to ever working with them. As we learn about each other, our efficiency will naturally improve. We will learn what each of us can bring to the table of assets (nothing is too small and nothing is unimportant). We must also learn what other groups are out there and how best to work with them. Many who were awakened recently, came to our site, got discouraged because of an apparent lack of activity in the area and got involved in other groups. We are still awake and we are still out there. Talking to other members in our district, you will learn of a myriad of other liberty-based activist networking sites and the like, but the Campaign for Liberty should, if not your primary network, at least be kept regularly associated with. We cannot afford to find ourselves in the dark on efforts we would have liked to have been a part of.

 With all of that said, let's get specific. What are we doing? Well I'm sure many of us are well aware that H.R. 1207, Ron Paul's bill that calls for a complete auditing of the Federal Reserve is having some considerable success. It currently has been cosponsored by 234 members of the House. 65 of these sponsors are Democrats (currently only 15 Republican members do not support this bill). Our representative, in this district is Brian Higgins (D-NY-27) and he is not currently a sponsor. This is to be considered our primary focus here in the 27th. I urge you to keep the pressure on. Call his office. Send him an email. Stop by his office. Mail in a few signatures on a petition. If you feel you've about used up your welcome at one office, pester his other two. Our voices have been influential in 234 other districts; they can be heard here as well. Excellent resourses pertaining to auditing the Federal Reserve can be found at www.campaignforliberty.com/campaigns/hr1207home.php .

Brian Higgins

726 Exchange St.

Suite 601

Buffalo, NY 14210

(716) 852-3501

     or

431 Cannon HOB

Washington, DC 20515

(202) 225-3306

     or

Fenton Building

2 East Second St.

Suite 300

Jamestown, NY 14701

(716) 484-0729

 What about here in New York? We want to change the world and there's no shortage of things that should be addressed in order to do it, but we don't want to spread ourselves to thin. We'll naturally spread as we grow, but for now we must keep specific focuses and learn how to work with each other. - before I go on, I want to say that you are very much encouraged to do all you feel compelled to do in the cause of liberty; we are all free-thinkers and there is much diversity with-in our ranks; we're here to help each other and don't hesitate to look to us as a resource for other pursuits- The biggest issues in New York that members have pushed to the front are resisting the REAL ID and fighting the Micro-stamping Bill (SB 4397a) that is currently in our dysfunctional state senate.

 For information on the REAL ID issue, I urge you to poke around our state page. For information on the Micro-stamping bill, and in particular, as it relates to actions taken by our local assemblymen, I refer you to a recent post on our district page entitled "New York Gun-control Legislation 2009". Within our district borders, there are three overlapping senatorial districts, those of: Stachowski (D-58), Young (R-57) and Volker (R-59). I have contacted all of their offices and been assured that should this bill be brought to a vote, they would all vote against it. We are urged to call there offices, affirm there stance and thank them.

Cathy Young (R-57): (716) 372-4901         Dale Volker (R-59): (716) 656-8544      WIlliam Stachowski (D-58): (716) 826-3344

 Additionally, I would like to remind everyone that Interim Erie County Coordinator, Keith Stone, is holding a C4L meeting. All are welcome and their presence is much appreciated. A link to information can be found on the Erie County and Region 27 pages on C4L. I thank everyone for being involved in this movement in any way that they are. 

-In Pursuit of Liberty,

-Edward Donald Staley, Interim Regional Coordinator (NY-27), C4L

Pending 2nd Amendment Legislation - Federal Posted by Deb Wells

Posted 06/16/09

Our 2nd Amendment rights are under attack.  The NRA has posted information regarding four importance pieces of pending federal legislation that protects 2nd Amendment rights:

• S. 941/H.R. 2296-- the "Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Reform and Firearms Modernization Act."

• H.R. 197-- the "National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act."

• H.R. 442-- The "Veterans' Heritage Firearms Act."

• H.R. 1074 -- "The Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform Act."

See full information here.

To contact Congress and urge them to cosponsor and support these measures, call your U.S. Representative at (202) 225-3121, and your U.S. Senators at (202) 224-3121.

HR 1207 Letter to Congress Posted by Steven Vasquez

Posted 03/16/09 Last updated 03/17/09

This is one of the best letters I found to Congress, especially for Democratic representatives.  Thanks to Robert for creating this.  You can download the HR Lobby Pack, which includes this letter in DOC format, a copy of the HR 1207 Bill, and great supplemental information found here: http://distractiblehominid.blogspot.com/2009/03/lobbying-pack-for-hr-1207-federal.html

Dear Representative [Representative's Name Here],

I urgently seek your Support and Co-Sponsorship of H.R. 1207: The Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009.

Recently, it has come to light that the Federal Reserve is not accountable to American citizens. While we are required by law to give an accounting of every penny we come in contact with, the Federal Reserve, in contrast, can spend as it pleases without Congressional approval or oversight. In this economic crisis, we deserve an accounting of how our money is being spent-- H.R. 1207 will shed light on the Federal Reserve. President Obama pledged to bring transparency to Washington D.C., and by supporting this piece of legislation you are assisting the President in achieving this very worthy goal.

President Obama also pledged to work with both parties in order to find bi-partisan solutions to the problems facing America. H.R. 1207 currently has bi-partisan support amongst its 28 and growing co-sponsors. Your support for this legislation will demonstrate a willingness on your part to put the interests of your constituents before party loyalties.

This critical legislation is short and concise, and can be read in less than 5 minutes. I encourage you to take the time to read H.R. 1207, and then swiftly act to support it. A lack of support for H.R. 1207 suggests that you oppose the President's goals of transparency and bi-partisanship, and instead favor secrecy and division.

It should be noted that a common error among many members of Congress is that Title 12, Ch.3, Subchapter II, §248b, which orders the Board of Governors to give an annual independent audit of the Federal Reserve, provides substantive information to Congress or the public. In reality, these audits do not provide Congress with the critical information of how the Federal Reserve is handling trillions of taxpayer dollars, and we need to untie the hands of the Government Accountability Office by reforming Title 31, section 714 to allow them to conduct full, comprehensive audits.

Thank you in advance for your attention. I have every expectation that you will do right by your constituents and support this measure to bring accountability to the Federal Reserve.

Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Your Name Here]
[Your Contact Info]

Schumer's Attempt to Avoid Fed Transparency Posted by msclvr2

Posted 06/04/09

In his response to my e-mail about supporting S604 "The Federal Reserve Sunshine Act of 2009," Charles Schumer wrote:

"Thank you for writing to me regarding legislation designed to enhance the audit powers of the Comptroller General with regard to the Federal Reserve. I agree with you that transparency and accountability for the Fed is important. Disclosure is something I've stood for throughout my career, and I intend to continue to support efforts to expand the kinds of information available to the public.

For this reason, I voted in favor of an amendment which Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) offered to the budget resolution which was accepted by a vote of 96 to 2 that would ASK [bold and capitals inserted] the Federal Reserve to publish, on its website, reports which give information regarding the nature and amounts of the collateral which it is accepting on behalf of taxpayers within the various lending programs it is conducting and the number of borrowers that are participating in each of the programs, along with specific details of the amount and type of credit extended. I believe that this will help tremendously to make transparent the amount and type of assistance the Federal Reserve is extending.

Again, thank you for contacting me on this important issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me again if I can be of further assistance on this, or any other matter."

I can't believe the lip service to Fed transparency and then, in the next paragraph, the watered down language.  This does not even come close to the type of information we need to educate the public about the atrocities of the current Central Banking System.

We need to redouble our efforts on specific issues with every patriot working together for true results!  Keep on truckin'!

Wow what a Letter Posted by Stoney22

Posted 06/01/09

 



April 17, 2009

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Mr. Obama:

I have had it with you and your administration, sir. Your conduct on your recent trip overseas has convinced me that you are not an adequate representative of the United States of America collectively or of me personally.

You are so obsessed with appeasing the Europeans and the Muslim world that you have abdicated the responsibilities of the President of the United States of America. You are responsible to the citizens of the United States. You are not responsible to the peoples of any other country on earth.

I personally resent that you go around the world apologizing for the United States telling Europeans that we are arrogant and do not care about their status in the world. Sir, what do you think the First World War and the Second World War were all about if not the consideration of the peoples of Europe? Are you brain dead? What do you think the Marshall Plan was all about? Do you not understand or know the history of the 20thcentury?

Where do you get off telling a Muslim country that the United States does not consider itself a Christian country? Have you not read the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution of the United States? This country was founded on Judeo-Christian ethics and the principles governing this country, at least until you came along, come directly from this heritage. Do you not understand this?

Your bowing to the king of Saudi Arabia is an affront to all Americans. Our President does not bow down to anyone, let alone the king of Saudi Arabia. You don't show Great Britain, our best and one of our oldest allies, the respect they deserve yet you bow down to the king of Saudi Arabia. How dare you, sir! How dare you!

You can't find the time to visit the graves of our greatest generation because you don't want to offend the Germans but make time to visit a mosque in Turkey. You offended our dead and every veteran when you give the Germans more respect than the people who saved the German people from themselves. What's the matter with you?

I am convinced that you and the members of your administration have the historical and intellectual depth of a mud puddle and should be ashamed of yourselves,20all of you.

You are so self-righteously offended by the big bankers and the American automobile manufacturers yet do nothing about the real thieves in this situation, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Frank, Franklin Raines, Jamie Gorelic, the Fannie Mae bonuses, and the Freddie Mac bonuses. What do you intend to do about them? Anything? I seriously doubt it. 

What about the U.S. House members passing out $9.1 million in bonuses to their staff members - on top of the $2.5 million in automatic pay raises that lawmakers gave themselves? I understand the average House aide got a 17% bonus. I took a 5% cut in my pay to save jobs with my employer.. You haven't said anything about that. Who authorized that? I surely didn't!
Executives at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be receiving $210 million in bonuses over an eighteen-month period, that's $45 million more than the AIG bonuses. In fact, Fannie and Freddie executives have already been awarded $51 million - not a bad take. Who authorized that and why haven't you expressed your outrage at this group who are largely responsible for the economic mess we have right now.
I resent that you take me and my fellow citizens as brain-dead and not caring about what you idiots do. We are watching what you are doing and we are getting increasingly fed up with all of you. I also want you to know that I personally find just about everything you do and say to be offensive to every one of my sensibilities. I promise you that I will work tirelessly to see that you do not get a chance to spend two terms destroying my beautiful country. 

Sincerely,
Ms Kathleen Lyday Fourth Grade Teacher

Grandview Elementary School

11470 Hwy. C

Hillsboro , MO 63050

(636) 944-3291 Phone

(636) 944-3870 Fax

P.S.   I rarely ask that emails be 'passed around'...

PLEASE SEND THIS TO YOUR EMAIL LIST...it's past time for all Americans to wake up!

5/4/09 - Press Conference - Abolish New York State Constitution and Government (Update 5/11) Posted by TonyM

Posted 05/04/09 Last updated 05/11/09

Primary Challenge.org based in Buffalo, New York, is presently holding a press conference to announce the abolishment of the New York State constitution and government. Project 2010 will be a year long project for a statewide citizen referendum to establish a new government under a new constitution. I have been out of town and could not make the press conference. Will update as soon as possible with details.

Tony Matuszak

www.wivb.com/dpp/news/Citizen_referendum_to_abolish_NY_govt_200900504

UPDATE 5/11: 

http://primarychallenge.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58:primary-challenge-announces-project-2010&catid=25:project-2010

Cultivating Your Precinct Leader Garden Posted by Matt Hawes

Posted 11/04/08 Last updated 11/04/08

From Deb Wells, Director of Membership:  

  Posted by Deb Wells on 11/04/08 07:46 AM
                   Last updated 11/04/08 08:50 AM   

The Precinct Leader plants seeds in the neighborhood garden, cultivates and nurtures them, and watches them grow.  The Precinct Leader is a good neighbor.

A Precinct Leader makes the largest impact by simply connecting with neighbors.  Meet a neighbor while out raking leaves, walking the dog, getting the mail, shoveling snow or mowing the lawn.  Bring up something that affects the neighborhood and let them talk about it and you'll have an idea where they stand and what is important to them.  Knowing about specific legislation that affects your neighborhood and keeping up with current events in your area is critical.   That way, the Precinct Leader can match the neighbor's concern with current and upcoming legislation.

"Hey, did you know the city council just approved an increase in what we pay for trash collection?  They're nickel and diming us to death."  Listen to the neighbor's response and take note of it.  If they are a hard-nosed tax and spender or don't want to talk about it, it's time to meet another neighbor.  Listening to your neighbors is the key to good planting practices.

Attending city or town council meetings is a great way to cultivate your garden.  When you listen to what people have to say and watch their reaction to certain things being said, you will know who might be a good person or persons to approach after the meeting and talk a little further to plant a seed.  "I can't believe they just approved that."  Let the neighbor talk.  "I live off of McGee Street.  Where are you?"  If they're in your precinct, they'll remember you when you do your door-to-door survey and other activities.  In fact, they may offer to help you.  They will recognize your name when they read your Letter to the Editor in the news.

Precinct Leaders are instrumental in keeping tabs on what area representatives are doing, watching them closely, building a "file" on them and calling them out on their infractions.  Letters to the Editor, radio call-ins and "tattling" to neighbors is effective and can even be fun.  The whole point is to nurture, protect and cultivate your neighborhood garden.

Before you know it, you'll be the person that neighbors come to when they want to talk about issues.  They'll come to you because they know you care, that you listen to them, that you're knowledgeable and that you will take action to protect your neighborhood.  You will be the person that neighbors come to when they learn of a new piece of legislation and wonder how it may affect them.  They will want to know your thoughts on upcoming election issues and candidates.  Your influence will be felt in the community and you may be asked to become a member of a board or even run for office.

As a team, Precinct Leaders will come together at county- and district-wide meetings and in the state capitol for legislative sessions.  Nationwide strategies will be employed.  The more voices, the greater the impact.  New faces and large crowds will keep local government on their toes.  They are used to having people attend meetings near election time, but they are not used to us being there asking thoughtful questions between elections, where harmful legislation is many times passed virtually unnoticed. 

After this election, our neighbors will begin to realize that nothing has changed.  They'll continue to complain.  We'll continue to listen and plant our seeds, water them and feed them, and with time and patience, reap the rewards as we stand proudly together in our lush neighborhood gardens across the world.