ChiefJoseph's weblog
I don't presume to speak for everyone here and I even do not fully intend on speaking for myself. What I will point out is something perhaps many of you have observed. Maybe you have observed this in yourself, maybe in others. What I'm talking about is the general sense of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty that exists in people in the middle of a so-called "crisis".
If you notice our media and government officials use this word "crisis" more and more. In fact, many formitive words and catch phrases are used to harness the power of repetitive suggestion. The reason for this is simple. A depressed and helpless collective is much less likely to raise opposition than an informed and confident one.
From all sides today we are told about how bad things are and how things will get much worse. How we should be prepared to stock up on food and hide precious metals in our mattresses. Some even suggest that these are the times of eternal salvation and the world as we know will cease to exist, only the second coming of the messiah will vindicate the righteous.
Well, at least one of the last two statements are true if we continue to believe that our destiny is written for us, our world WILL cease to exist as we know it. Of course, the world will not come to an end, but our very fortunate existence in this country will be forever changed. We will become enslaved to dictators and the IMF just as other 3rd world countries have, and if history serves as a guide, emerge years later through revolution into a new nation with respect for the individual. Though it should be known, history does not have to serve as our guide. In fact there needs to be no guide at all. Every new second on this earth presents a chance of a new possibility born of free will. This means the ending is only predetermined if you choose to accept that it is.
When FDR told Americans in his inaugural address in 1933 in the depths of the Depression that "we have nothing to fear but fear itself", he played on a major emotion in all of us. He let us know that together we could overcome anything, so long as your not chicken. Now, his policies completely contradicted his challenge to Americans at the time but that's another blog. What I'm searching for is that person with a soapbox to stand up and remind us all that yes things are bad. Yes things may get worse. Remember though things have been bad for many different generations and it's our ability to rise up and take responsibility that will come to define this generation.
The establishment will continue to push its agenda and a few of us will push back. What those in know do not want you to know is that this is not a battle of will. It is merely a battle of recognition. Once it is realized that the world can be changed instantaneously through a revolution of thought the gig is up.
So, here we are, not the politicians, us. On the wold stage with everyone watching, waiting, anticipating, hoping. What will we do? Will we curl up and go fetal? Or will we take ownership of our destiny and continue to lead the world as free thinkers and champions of liberty?
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Showing comments 1—2 of 2
Posted 12/16/08
PC Oldskool
Rockford, MI | Excellent post. We will change this world. |
Posted 12/18/08
davidjohnson240
Manhattan, MT | Josh,
I am a relatively new member of C4L. I too am greatly troubled by the political weather in this country and the "perfect storm" that is brewing with great potential for (US) constitutional disaster. I am elated that I found the C4L because I started to feel very helpless. I am making efforts to network with other liberty seeking patriots in the area. Please let me know how I can get involved.
Thanks,
David |
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My response to Sen. Murray.
Washington is 1 of 18 states that allows for a recall of a senator. Do we really want to live with a representative that will sell us down the river so easily for another 2yrs?
http://www.ehow.com/how_2096900_recall-us-senator.html
From:
To: senator@murray.senate.gov
Subject: RE: Response from Senator Murray
Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2008 00:14:19 -0700
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Hello Sen. Murray and staff,
I appreciate your response to my concern over the proposed nationalization of the financial markets by the US government. Call it a 'Emergency Act' or a 'Rescue Plan' all you will but this amounts to nothing more than the fleecing of the American taxpayer and the absolute assurance that we will feel the pains of inflation for another 15yrs or even more.
We have been told that should we not act immediately that we will find that credit will no longer be available to businesses and everyday Americans, slowing down business and putting payrolls in jeopardy. My question to you is; after $700 billion dollars of government intervention to date through bailouts to Bear Sterns, AIG, Fannie and Freddie, and the Feds new Term Auction Facility with no improvement seen to credit markets,........how can we be sure that another $700 billion dollars of market intervention will even solve the problem at all? Considering the magnitude of the problem at hand and the time taken for the government to actually realize there is a problem, don't you think it prudent to take a little time to come up with a comprehensive plan to address the cause of the disease and not merely the symptoms?
Let me get this straight. On one hand you cry foul to Wall Street for 'misdeeds' and on the other hand advocate giving money back to Wall Street to lend back to the same people that shouldn't have got a loan in the first place! I bet that'll fix it.
Will things be bad if we do not act? You bet they will, we have lived beyond our means, government and citizens alike. A time like this is a time government must be most restrained and reduce spending and taxation. But what actually happens if we let the market run it's course? We have seen the price of oil drop dramatically over the last few days, this is a good thing. We will see the price of housing come down over time, this is a good thing. In order to help consumers and create economic growth goods and services must be priced in a realm of affordability once again. Let's use housing as an example. Prices in my neighborhood in Kirkland have risen by as much as 400% since 1999. What justified this? Have real incomes risen by 400%? Have housing supplies been diminished dramatically? No. Easy credit introduced into the market place by government mandate (Community Reinvestment Act) inflated prices beyond what the market could sustain. The deflation of housing prices is the only thing that will re-ignite the housing market, not more irresponsible credit. People have to be able to afford a home to buy one. By voting for recapitalization of the commercial banks through monetary creation you are only perpetuating the actual problem.
A las I expect you to understand none of this because you have sold your soul to the devil and voted away the future of the American people. You have sold us out to the money changers. Perhaps your desire to be accepted into the inner circle of counter-culture in Washington DC overwhelms your sense of duty to those you represent. Despite thousands of emails and phone calls to your office against this legislation, you voted for it. There are many numbers out there but I believe the ratio to yea and nay to your office was 1 to 428. I am left with the impression that you are annoyed about the fact that we think we have a say in any of this. Your lack of economic understanding and your apparent utter distain to the will of your constituents has instilled in me a passion to remove you from your position. You are not qualified to make decisions of this nature and must step down.
Please submit your resignation immediately.
Joshua
Kirkland, WA
1st Congressional District
45th Legislative District
From: Senator@murray.senate.gov
To:
Subject: Response from Senator Murray
Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2008 11:13:02 -0400
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Dear Mr. :
Thank you for contacting me about H.R. 1424, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. I appreciate hearing from you about this important issue. The U.S. Senate voted to pass this bill by a margin of 74-25 on Wednesday, October 1, 2008. H.R. 1424 is now being considered by the U.S. House of Representatives.
As you know, in communities across America today, people are finding it increasingly difficult to fill up their tanks, pay for health care, and afford college tuition. Now, all Americans, even those who have paid their bills on time and have excellent credit, are at risk of being severely affected by the current credit freeze on Wall Street.
People want to know if this crisis is real. I have asked the same question of Treasury Secretary Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke. I have spoken with economic experts and Washington state business leaders. Companies like Weyerhaeuser and Microsoft have made it clear that something must be done. Power utilities such as Avista and the farm groups such as the Farm Bureau have told me that the government's proposal to stabilize our financial markets is critically needed. Throughout various sectors of our economy, there is deep and genuine concern about market collapse and the potential impact on jobs, credit and pensions.
We have already experienced a slowdown in home sales and construction. Our home state bank, Washington Mutual, was unable to withstand the crisis and was acquired by another institution. Millions of Americans have tried to obtain a loan or refinance their mortgage, but have found it increasingly difficult to find a willing line of credit and in many cases have been unable to do so at all. If this crisis worsens, credit could freeze completely for consumers and companies who use credit to pay their employees or run their business operations. The bottom line is that without a steady stream of credit, American businesses will not be able to pay their workers and Americans will lose their jobs. Because of the impact the financial crisis could have on all Americans, from layoffs to access to credit, I supported the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.
I understand the frustration of people who want those on Wall Street to be held accountable for their actions and shoulder the consequences of their own misdeeds. Americans are being confronted with two undesirable options. Either do nothing and let the crisis worsen, or take action and use taxpayer dollars to solve a problem they did not create. Americans are rightfully angry. However, those who created the problem will not be those who are hurt most if the government does not act. My top priority is to do what is best for the people of Washington State and the nation, and that is why I believe government action is urgently needed in this situation.
The original plan presented to Congress by President Bush and Secretary Paulson was a non-starter. Congress rightly refused to give Secretary Paulson a blank check to spend hundreds of billions of dollars without oversight. Congress refused to allow executives of failing companies to walk away with millions of dollars in severance packages while taxpayers paid for their mistakes. This legislation is a more prudent agreement to anchor taxpayer dollars to strict Congressional oversight and scrutiny by independent economic experts. We added assistance for responsible borrowers hit by the foreclosure crisis and plans to recoup money from any institutions which use government money and then see a profit. In the future, it is possible that most, if not all, of the taxpayer money invested will be returned once this crisis comes to a close.
Congress has to be vigilant in our oversight of how this law is implemented. I fought to ensure that every transaction that takes place regarding this funding will be on the Internet for all Americans to see. In addition, I strongly support the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) and other state and federal agencies' investigation into the wrongdoing related to the current crisis on Wall Street. If fraud and criminal activity are uncovered, the individuals responsible must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Congress must take a hard look at the factors that brought us to this point and seriously address them. Congress will be holding ongoing hearings into the causes of this crisis and the regulation reform that is desperately needed and has been missing throughout the duration of the Bush Administration. The next administration has to work with Congress to pass and implement new regulatory measures so that taxpayers are never put in this position again.
It will take both investment and honesty to get our economy back on track. The next administration will inherit this economic crisis along with many other serious challenges. I hope our new President is honest with the American people about where we stand and what it will take to move America forward.
I believe that to move America forward, we need to invest in the infrastructure and education that create economic growth and jobs. We have to invest in our workforce and find a way to make health care affordable and accessible. We have to increase funding for research and development and reward innovation. We have to implement a smart, forward-looking energy policy that ends our addiction to foreign oil. It is time to put America's families first and restore their faith that government works for, not against them.
I grew up with a country at my back - one that when my own father got sick and could no longer work was there with Pell Grants and student loans and even food stamps when my family needed them. I will always remember that. I supported this legislation because the American dream of owning a home or going to college is simply too important to take a back seat to politics or to be put at risk by the misdeeds of Wall Street.
As Congress continues to work to restore our economy, I will continue to stand up for our state and listen to your concerns. Thank you for contacting me, and please do not hesitate to contact me in the future.
I hope all is well in Kirkland.
Categories: Finance
Tags: bailout, Federal Reserve, Economy, senator, banking, washington state
Showing comments 1—1 of 1
Posted 10/17/08
littlesister1776
EPHRATA, WA | I got that same song when I wrote to Senator Murray. I know who I won't be voting for. |
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If we keep fighting this we can prevent this. Most polls are showing up to 90% of Americans are not on board here. This is a full scale market-run/power-grab of epic porportions with the fear laden propaganda machine fully lubricated.
'You will lose your investments','Your house value will plummet','You may lose your job.'
Don't let them bully you out of the market! Step back off the ledge. There are safe places to put your money and earn modest gains, at least enough to hedge inflation anyway. Market panics are a creature of design and history shows us this. Inflation and malinvestment by excessive credit will cause prices to spike sharply. Retracting the availability that credit and raising rates to combat the inflation will cause losses. Losses so bad the public cries that the government do something about it fast. Typically a very hasty and unconstitutional piece of legislation is used to create the centralization of the money authorities on the taxpayers back. With the taxpayers money (or money just created or borrowed essentially taxing you through inflation) the government buys their old assets they just sold thanks to their leaders scaring the bejesus out of them. The assets are then dolled out to the banks so they can recapitalize and turn the credit spicket back on to the thirsty masses, fully completing the circle of the transfer of wealth. Real wealth never disappears in a crash, it only changes hands.
How many times will we be “Munsoned” by these hoodwinks? If your thinking its those damn Wall St bankers you can't see the forest through the trees, look at the big picture. There's only one element in any nation that has the power to turn on enough credit to create wide distortions in the marketplace, the central bank or aka our Federal Reserve. Not largely owned by Americans or any form of government institution they are not 'federal' nor a 'reserve' of any kind. In 1913 they were granted the ability to create a 'flexible' currency (to accomodate the countries seasonal, agriculture based economy) and regulate member banks through a network of 12 regional banks. Legislation forced member banks to buy non-transferable stock in their regional banks as well as deposit a specified amount of non-interest bearing reserves with the regional bank. Essentially, place some money with us that we will pay no interest for (we will also invest and loan as we wish worldwide ten times over) and we will make sure we protect all your malinvestment by creating new money out of thin air. Serious centralization of power, serious moral hazard created, seriously concerning.
Will some of those things happen if the government doesn't pass some sort of legislation in the near future? Loosing your job such? Yes. But we can have 1-2yrs of this, let the markets reprice themselves so goods and services become affordable again, or we can battle skyrocketing inflation over the next 15yrs, take your pick. We can also bank on the fact that the next time our debt catches up with us it will be much, much worse.
There are things that can be done though and it includes all of us. Save instead of borrow. Cut excessive and unnecessary costs, just be frugal. Pay down debt and pay the debt you do have if you can. Sound economies are based on strong debt markets. Meaning, it's important that financial institutions are solvent in a strong economy. For that to happen people have to pay their bills on time.
The government can start cutting wasteful spending not only overseas but at home at any time now. Just yesterday a $600 billion defense spending bill was passed without a whisper while most of us are focused about the Bailout package. The welfare-warfare state needs to start losing some limbs and the national debt be addressed.
Finally a full repeal of the Federal Reserve Act should be brought before the House. Currency laws repealed to allow alternative forms of commodity-backed currency to circulate. Interest rates should be determined by the market place through a system of smaller federal, state, and local banks all competing for deposits and loan business. Outlawing fractional reserve banking (threatening deposits by loaning more money than you have by multiples and collecting interest on that fictional money) would put the breaks on dangerous malinvestment and bring some sanity back to the people of this country who have been continuously misled at every intersection.
Don't give up because the fight isn't over yet. The Federal Reserve Act (first known as the Aldrich Bill after Sen. Nathan Aldrich) was in the works for 5yrs before it was passed. The powers that be will use all their might to pass this bill but theirs is no match to the will of the people as was demonstrated today, it just takes a little engagement. Email your Rep.
Much love,
Josh
Categories: Finance
Tags: bailout, Federal Reserve, Economy, banking
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