Posted by plntlgst on 12/27/08
Last updated 01/02/09

The Gallatin County Campaign for Liberty is planning several events this year. The first is 31 January (1400-1800), a showing of the film, I.O.U.S.A., which is a documentary showing how money is being spent and the inability of government to deficit spend at these or any levels. There are multiple purposes for this event. 

Posted 01/01/09 happelmt@3riversdbs Pony, MT

Nick, It will be a pleasure to meet you and the other Gallatin County C4L members. Madison County has always been a very strongly self-reliance and Constitutional Republican conservative area and this winter and spring will be spent recruiting and reigniting the flame that caused Madison County to vote 23 for Ron Paul and 2 for Romney out of 25 eligible caucus voters during the Republican Caucus. I will have my job cut out for me trying to get people to join the C4L just because we are such a large county geographically with such a small population and the economy is almost entirely agricultural; typically people who are not very interested in joining political movements. We have very solidly Constitutional Conservative State Representatives in Bob Wagner (House) and Debby Barrett (Senate). I will call you to participate in your showing of IOUSA on the 6th and look forward to coordinating efforts in bringing people back to Constitutional Government in Montana. Dan Happel

Posted 01/20/09 independent 1 Bozeman, MT

Hello Nick, I haven't visited this site for awhile. I've been to upset over all the misguided info everywhere so I've emersed myself in writings from Thomas Jefferson, which under any circumstance is always very inspirational. A man who reads nothing is more educated than one who only reads newspapers..T. J. Love to learn and help in any way I can, let me know about meetings and more on the movie showing. Thanks to you all you stand up for conservatism of the constitution as our fore fathers and Mr. Reagan saw it. God Bless

Posted by plntlgst on 11/16/08

We are facing truly challenging times ahead. I have often heard candidates speak of change, but the more I hear them, the more I hear the status quo. Plans such as universal healthcare, prolonged war, establishing peace in Israel, expanding benefits, and more, will all help to make the problems much worse. Government is not the solution to the problem, it is the problem.

If we truly value our liberty and independence, not just as a nation, but as individuals, we Americans must take responsibility for our own lives. Allowing government to be our nanny is contrary to the principles this nation was founded on. We must stand up and exercise our rights in order to restore and preserve them. If we remain complacent in where we are with ever-expanding government, those rights will be taken from us like the property of vacationers having their homes robbed.

Given that liberty is in need of our courage to survive, I propose that we all step up and let the government know that we have had enough. It is in our own power to determine our own destiny. We have an opportunity to defend liberty when it is most in peril. I have faith in the dream of our founders because I have faith in my fellow Americans. By admitting to ourselves that we are fully capable of leading our own lives, we may let freedom ring again; ring from every rooftop, ring louder than all the bells in the world's steeples combined, ring on every streetcorner and in every home, ring for all the world to hear that we are still a free people. 

I believe in the America envisioned 232 years ago by people who were willing to grab their destiny by the reins and lead the way in truth and love for their countrymen alive, dead, and yet to be born. We owe it to the victors of freedom to keep their dream alive, for in freedom we can have true prosperity. Our true strength lies in the will and moral courage of free people. It is only when we are truly free from our bondage and wallowing that we can achieve astounding results. 

Won't you join the fight to protect our liberty?

Victory in Freedom,
Nick

Posted 12/13/08 Pat Henry Manhattan, MT

Hi Nick, I totally agree with your thoughts, because if "WE THE PEOPLE" do not fight for individual freedom and liberty we will lose the small amount we have left. I have read several books regarding the American Revolution and became aware years ago that all was not taught in school as to the REAL basic developments that virtually forced people to revolt. The real problem was that England wanted to exploit the American colonies as they did their other colonies. It took "THE PEOPLE" ten years or more to get up the gumption to actually revolt and had it not been for the founding fathers, (THE ELITE) also losing everything along with "THE PEOPLE", the revolution probably would not have happened. It was the greed of the English merchants that drove us to revolt. Of course we are now faced with a similar situation, the wealthy "ELITE" have bought and paid for Congressmen and presidents to get their way to exploit the masses. The outright DARING of them is getting more apparent faster as they seem to smell dictatorial victory. The outright volume of money generated in the last presidential campaign tells us that those candidates had to sell their soul to the ELITE. Much like prostitution. Probably the only way "WE THE PEOPLE" will get the gumption to straighten this out is for the problems get so bad that "THE PEOPLE" have no other choice for survival but to kick out those paid for politicians in the next elections, if we still can vote by then. The people need educating into the real problem which is "the elite" WANT TO make quasi slaves of "WE THE PEOPLE". Keep up the FREEDOM SPIRIT, Pat_henry

Posted by plntlgst on 11/16/08

The Chronicle has claimed I support the local option sales tax. While at a county commission's meeting it was quite clear that I actually oppose the tax in practice. They said that I support giving cities the right to create a local option sales tax and don't explain it any further so I sound like a tax hiker. I said that the base of power starts at home and ends with the Fed having the least influence on our lives. I said, "Bozeman constitutes 8% of the vote in Helena. The other 92% of Montana shouldn't be able to tell Bozeman what's best for Bozeman. Bozeman should determine it's own destiny and if that includes a sales tax, then so be it. I would place the requirement that the people must vote it in as the only moral tax is the one the people have placed upon themselves." Of course, none of that made its way into the article. The media is an exhausting opponent.

In all honesty, I would rather have the FULL removal of the income tax and replace it with a very low sales tax that didn't touch store-bought food or necessities such as soap, toothpaste, toilet paper, a home, etc. The result would be a net increase in spendable money for the average Montanan. They would get to keep what they earn. Rather than discourage productivity, we encourage good saving, though most Montanans wouldn't even be affected other than having more money around. We could capitalize on our large tourist industry and remove the bureaucracy needed to have a state income tax. This would save money by cutting costs of government. Nevada does not have an income tax. They are known for tourism, Las Vegas, Reno, Laughlin, but not much else. Montana could use the same formula.

As it stands, our income tax laws allow for someone to live and work here, using our public facilities, but not having to pay income tax so long as they spend less than 180 days a year here. Obviously, this benefits out-of-staters and not Montanans. I also hear that we need to cut property tax to benefit Montanans and while I'd agree with that, it wouldn't benefit all Montanans and would actually help some out-of-state folks. To truly benefit true Montanans, we must address the income tax.

As for the the local option sales tax, I would vote against it in a local election, as it would just add another tax on the population, but I do believe the cities have every right to do so. It MUST be voted on by the people, because only the people can tax themselves in a moral form of government.

A tough issue to discuss, but those are my beliefs. You know how to contact me with questions or concerns.

Victory in Freedom,
Nick

Posted 01/13/09 winchester86 Noxon, MT

If you haven't learned already, a word to the wise, drop this "optional sales tax" like a hot spud. The surest way to distance yourself from Montanans is any mention of a sales tax or derivative there of. The opposition will link your youthfulness, California and sale tax together for a clean sweep. This is a serious political mis-step, one that neither you nor C4L needs.

Posted by plntlgst on 11/16/08

It's the thing no one is talking about on the campaign trail, but everyone knows it's a problem. Illegal immigration is one of the most commonly committed crimes in this country. People entering by crossing the border, swimming in, stowing away, or slipping past the radar and making a comfy home for themselves. Unforunately, illegal immigrants must be treated like ticks and removed. They are a drain on the economy and a threat to our national security.

I fully support LEGAL immigration. If anyone wants to bring their talents and culture to this country and earn an honest living, I welcome them with open arms so long as they follow the law. I have come across many legal immigrants and am glad I have done so. They have impacted me for the better and exposed me to areas of the world I may be unaware of. It's not fair to those who paid their dues and followed procedure to become legal citizens of the United States. We owe it to ourselves to do something about this very big problem.

Illegal immigration on the other hand hurts everyone. Their children are allowed in our public schools, they are treated for free in our hospitals, they receive benefits that should only be granted to Americans, and they can even influence the vote all without contributing back to society. Some come here in late-term pregnancy to have "anchor babies" so that they cannot be removed. I say, enough is enough! It is time to get tough on illegal immigrants.

If elected, I will push to have high fines and penalties for each worker at businesses found employing illegal aliens. I will make the risk of penalty outweigh the benefit of hiring illegals. Not only is it un-American to deny your fellow citizens the ability to work, but it's immoral to deny a man, from any country, a decent wage for the services he provides. I will ensure that our laws are defended and that upon discovery of illegals, they are handed over to the INS and deported to their homeland.

It is an unfortunate situation for so many nations, but we cannot allow them to flood our markets unless we should find ourselves much like their homeland. If Washington won't do more to protect our nation's borders, then our state must do everything in its power to deter illegal immigration. An Indian chief met with Jimmy Carter and warned him to be vigilant about our immigration laws because they weren't. There is no better example of why we must uphold our laws and prevent illegals from entering.

Let's embrace the diversity the world has to offer, but while doing so, let's not forget to uphold our laws. We must get tough on illegal immigration before it gets tough on us. Join the fight to keep illegal immigration illegal!

Victory in Freedom,
Nick

Posted by plntlgst on 11/16/08

I was asked a few questions on the workings of money. This is my simple answer to a very complex issue. I hope you enjoy, but most of all, find a good educational nugget to take with you.


The economy is supposed to be free-market capitalism. Unfortunately, that is not the case anymore as government meddles in the affairs of the economy where it does not belong. Given the price-fixers at the Federal Reserve, the economy is no longer truly determined by the market, but ruled by banking. Finally, the dollar holds no value. It is a worthless piece of paper. Since our money is no longer backed by anything with intrinsic value, its value is free to roam, and roam it does.

This past Spring, Washington, in an effort to pander to voters, approved a tax credit check to "help stimulate the economy." One big problem with this idea was that when the supply of dollars is way, way up, but their demand is low, the value goes down. The government threw money at the people so they could go out and buy, buy, buy. This put more money into the economy when it needs to be pulled in and taken out of the system. Government also did not cut spending to make up for this, so they borrowed the money from overseas and from the central bank known as the Federal Reserve. So, imagine it's a warm sunny day and you have five friends over. For a refreshment to beat the heat, you provide a pitcher of lemonade. It's sweet, it's refreshing, and everyone wants it. Now let's say those five people each invite five people over. Now you have 30 people to serve, but rather than make more lemonade (or in monetary terms, create more wealth) you just add more water (or print more money). Well, suddenly it's not so sweet and it's not in very high demand and it goes to waste (which the government knows all about).

The Federal Reserve System is anything but Federal. It is a private institution who answers to no one. It is a business and their marketing technique is to be envied by all. They are able to sell their worthless Federal Reserve Notes as currency, when in truth, such an institution is illegal. They have the interest rates fixed which means they fix prices. They do not disclose what they do to manipulate the money supply. In reality, they are fully aware that inflation is much higher than reported (and if you look around you can see it for yourself). They are an immoral group who has spawned the major inflationary periods in our history. They tell us it's a natural part of the business cycle, but when they are manipulating the value of money, how is it natural? The market is demanding much higher interest rates, but the Fed, in an effort to "boost the market" keeps lowering interest rates. How do a few people in the marble palace of the Federal Reserve know what the interest rates should be? Isn't the market the only thing smart enough to determine those rates? If inflation is 10% and the value of money decreases by that amount, haven't I just been robbed by 10%? If everyone went to the bank to withdraw their funds, would the money be there or is it missing because of the fractional reserve system?

Finally, the dollar itself. It is a piece of paper, completely worthless, and truly good for nothing. It is on the full faith of the government (which is a joke) that the value is what it is. Unfortunately, they've signed over the rights to the money to the Federal Reserve and it is happy to bankrupt this country. If we had something backing our dollar, like oh say, gold and silver (as our Constitution says is the only legal currency), then our dollar would carry an intrinsic value like these metals. Prices would remain quite stable because the value doesn't shift much (unless you price it in Federal Reserve Notes in which place it can swing violently). Our buying power would be outstanding and we'd have a better quality of life. Unfortunately, we've been doomed to poverty and to high inflation because we were removed from a gold standard. It has caused the prices of everything to shift wildly. A barrel of oil cost about $3 when we jumped off the gold standard. Had we never left it, today, accounting for inflation, a barrel of oil would cost between $3.20-3.40. That's a huge difference from the $140+ price of today's barrel costs. Also, because our money is so sensitive to more government spending, we have seen the price of oil rise from about $18/barrel pre-Iraq war to what it is today in 5 short years. There is no stability in our money.

So, in theory, our money should be gold and silver based, the government should not meddle in the economy even to correct it, and the Federal Reserve should no longer exist. Unfortunately, since the two major parties do not discuss these issues, the majority of the public is clueless as to how it all works. We've also been educated with the Keynesian Economics Theory which is tax and spend policies, but the poor quality of education in America is for another time. I hope you will research the things I've discussed here and help spread the word.