Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
A day that will live in infamy
Today our House of Representatives voted for the bailout of Wall Street. They had previously rejected it on Monday. The Senate took the bill added an additional 150 billion in earmarks, passed it, and sent it back to the House. The polls showed public opinion at an amazing 50-1 in opposition to this bill, yet it still passed! When the Founders of this country declared independence from England, they stated why they had to break away in a list of grievances. Some things written in this declaration are strikingly relevant today. Among the grievances listed were:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
We are all going to experience the loss of purchasing power through inflation. That is a hidden tax that we all pay and we pay it for the benefit of the banks. Most don't understand how it happens, and if they did, would not consent. In 2006 Congress passed the Military Commissions Act, which allows for permanent detention of "enemy combatants" without ever having to press charges. No contact with your family or a lawyer and certainly no trial by jury, all this on the say so of one man, no probable cause needed. The CIA has openly admitted to the use of extraordinary rendition. We currently live in a Country that, has "free speech zones", allows warrentless wire tapping of our phone calls and emails, tortures people, and has taken away habeas corpus. Our most important rights as free people are being gutted from our Constitution.
So here we are faced, we are told, with an economic meltdown. We are being told that we must give unprecedented power to unelected officials. The fear-mongering on this issue has been great. Every major "leader", including the President, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Federal Reserve Chairman, both presidential nominees, the leader of both parties in both the House and the Senate, all have claimed the sky will fall if Congress does not act immediately. In spite of the warnings the American people in record numbers contacted Congress to tell them NO, DO NOT PASS A BAILOUT. Some polls showed as high as 200-1 against this bill. So Congress goes ahead and passes the bill, and not only passes it, but adds on an additional 150 billion of taxpayer money in giveaways to special interests. The people's message to congress seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
After listing all of the grievances the colonies had, Jefferson wrote this:
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
When will we come to this conclusion again?
--Jeff Avitabile
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
We are all going to experience the loss of purchasing power through inflation. That is a hidden tax that we all pay and we pay it for the benefit of the banks. Most don't understand how it happens, and if they did, would not consent. In 2006 Congress passed the Military Commissions Act, which allows for permanent detention of "enemy combatants" without ever having to press charges. No contact with your family or a lawyer and certainly no trial by jury, all this on the say so of one man, no probable cause needed. The CIA has openly admitted to the use of extraordinary rendition. We currently live in a Country that, has "free speech zones", allows warrentless wire tapping of our phone calls and emails, tortures people, and has taken away habeas corpus. Our most important rights as free people are being gutted from our Constitution.
So here we are faced, we are told, with an economic meltdown. We are being told that we must give unprecedented power to unelected officials. The fear-mongering on this issue has been great. Every major "leader", including the President, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Federal Reserve Chairman, both presidential nominees, the leader of both parties in both the House and the Senate, all have claimed the sky will fall if Congress does not act immediately. In spite of the warnings the American people in record numbers contacted Congress to tell them NO, DO NOT PASS A BAILOUT. Some polls showed as high as 200-1 against this bill. So Congress goes ahead and passes the bill, and not only passes it, but adds on an additional 150 billion of taxpayer money in giveaways to special interests. The people's message to congress seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
After listing all of the grievances the colonies had, Jefferson wrote this:
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
When will we come to this conclusion again?
--Jeff Avitabile
Monday, September 29, 2008
Step In The Right Direction
Today the House of Representatives rejected TARP, the $700 billion bailout proposed by treasury secretary Henry Paulson and favored by Bush and bipartisan congressional leaders alike, and all I hear from the mass media is that we are in dire circumstances now! Albeit, I agree we are in bad times, but let’s take a minute to look at what would have unfolded as a result of the bill being passed. First off, the economy would worsen as a result of the number of foreclosures and job losses that will continue to rise. This would be inevitable seeing that this poorly conceived plan mentioned nothing to regulate against it. Come to think of it, it doesn’t mention much, only that it needs $700 billion (kind of scary to think this is the only idea that they can come up with). With no plan in place to avoid this crisis in the future than what’s the point! Instead of calling it the “trillion dollar crisis” it will be called the “two trillion dollar crisis” down the road. Next on the list, what’s in it for the dollar? I’m not talking about inflation (this time, next article) which already has taken a heavy toll on our economy, but rather the affect that wall street investors will have when they again start to focus on negative interest rates, account deficits and ever increasing banking problems (Wachovia just made the list). The dollar will retreat even farther turning inflation into hyperinflation or worse. In fact the dollar has already begun to retreat, falling somewhere in the area of 5% since its mediocre rally that only lasted about two in a half months. So what can be done in place of this rushed proposal? I hate to just bitch about the problem and not offer any solutions. After reading an anonymous email that is also posted on this blog, it got me thinking. It talks about the $85 billion that had been used to bailout AIG being instead given to the taxpayers. Not such a bad idea in my book. Alright, maybe not so much to the extreme of the email (even though it’s still better than Paulson’s plan), but giving part of that money to hurting homeowners in order to pay part of their mortgage can go a long way. This would help preserve the value of these mortgage backed possessions and add a certain degree of liquidity to the market. It would also mean keeping these taxpayers in their homes where the economy needs them! A friend of mine only a short time ago told me his house recently devalued because the guy next to him had to foreclose. Scary stuff! To come to the point people, I’m fed up with hearing what the overly rich have for solutions. Let’s hear what the majority has to say! I always love to hear what you the “Mob” has for ideas, so feel free to post your ideas in the comments section below. Let’s follow the constitution for a change; it’s there for a reason!
--Charlie Mullen
--Charlie Mullen
Friday, September 26, 2008
You have to love this idea
I'm against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG. Instead, I'm in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to all Americans as a 'Dividend'. To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000 bonafide U.S. Citizens 18+. Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman and child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up. So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billion that equals a hefty '$425,000.00'.
My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a 'Dividend'. Of course, it would NOT be tax free. So let's assume a tax rate of 30%. Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes. That sends $25.5 Billion right back to Uncle Sam. But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket. A husband and wife have $595,000.00. What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family? Pay off your mortgage - 'housing crisis solved' Repay college loans - 'a great boost to new grads'. Put away money for college - 'it'll be there' Save it in a bank - 'create money to loan to entrepreneurs'. Buy a new car - 'create jobs'. Invest in the market - 'capital drives growth'. Pay for your parent's medical insurance - 'health care improves'. Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company. If we're going to re-distribute wealth let's really do it...instead of trickling down. If we're going to do an $85 billion bailout, let's bail out every adult U S Citizen 18+. As for AIG - liquidate it and Sell off its parts. Sell off the real estate. Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up. Here's my rationale. We deserve it and 'AIG doesn't', we were not invited to the last 10 years of 'party time' bonuses And remember, The this plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5 Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.
-anonymous email
received and posted by Jeff Avitabile
This is a funny email, makes me want to do the math on the 700 Billion!!!
My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a 'Dividend'. Of course, it would NOT be tax free. So let's assume a tax rate of 30%. Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes. That sends $25.5 Billion right back to Uncle Sam. But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket. A husband and wife have $595,000.00. What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family? Pay off your mortgage - 'housing crisis solved' Repay college loans - 'a great boost to new grads'. Put away money for college - 'it'll be there' Save it in a bank - 'create money to loan to entrepreneurs'. Buy a new car - 'create jobs'. Invest in the market - 'capital drives growth'. Pay for your parent's medical insurance - 'health care improves'. Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company. If we're going to re-distribute wealth let's really do it...instead of trickling down. If we're going to do an $85 billion bailout, let's bail out every adult U S Citizen 18+. As for AIG - liquidate it and Sell off its parts. Sell off the real estate. Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up. Here's my rationale. We deserve it and 'AIG doesn't', we were not invited to the last 10 years of 'party time' bonuses And remember, The this plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5 Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.
-anonymous email
received and posted by Jeff Avitabile
This is a funny email, makes me want to do the math on the 700 Billion!!!
Have You Had Enough?
Bailouts, Bailouts, Bailouts, or should I say WMD’s, WMD’s, WMD’s. Or how about Patriot Act, Patriot Act, Patriot Act. We’re seeing it over and over again people. More fear mongering from our fearless leaders in order to frighten us into giving them what they want unchecked. They used fear of WMD’s in order to start an unconstitutional war in Iraq; they used fear of terrorism to take away our civil liberties and now they are using fear of a financial meltdown to procure new bailouts by using taxpayer funds. The new bailout in the neighborhood, if you haven’t already heard, also happens to be the largest bailout in U.S history. It’s called TARP, short for Troubled Asset Relief Program which treasury secretary, Henry Paulson proposed as a way for government to take debased mortgages off the loans of our nations “corrupt” institutions. Not to mention, if passed it's going to cost you and me about $2,500 each, and that's not including the multibillion bailouts of the last few weeks. More bailouts are sure to come. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of this shit! I can’t afford to pay for these assholes mistakes over and over again, can you? (So much for the administrations so called "stimulus package". You know, the one released a few months ago in which we each received a check for $600 on average. I guess that was just a loan with an interest rate of about 24% attached to it. A lot of good it did for the economy. I work for a fortune 500 billion dollar company and can damn well tell you that if I made a mistake that cost the business even the tiniest fraction of money that these MORONS are losing, I wouldn’t be rewarded for it. I’d be out on my ass before I realized what happened. I apologize for the language, but that’s what happens when people try and scare me. I get pissed off! Imagine yourself back in grade school and the class bully says “Give me your lunch money, it’s for your own good.” What would you do? Give him the money so he can get wealthy. Hell no, you beat the shit out of the bully (or hire a bigger bully to do it for you)! Same situation people, we are Americans and we don’t take that kind of shit from anybody. So why are we taking it now? If you haven’t already done so, read the passage by Charley Reese called The 545 people responsible for all U.S woes. It’s a brief must read for all of us. It’s time to take care of the bully!!
In short, if the establishment has taught me anything, it’s that it does a great job of scaring you and me into submission. If fear is the only thing that moves you to action, than that’s what I’ll use as my tool. More rants to come soon, prepare to be scared shitless!
--Charlie Mullen
In short, if the establishment has taught me anything, it’s that it does a great job of scaring you and me into submission. If fear is the only thing that moves you to action, than that’s what I’ll use as my tool. More rants to come soon, prepare to be scared shitless!
--Charlie Mullen
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Who will Bail Us out?
by Jeff Avitabile
The economic events of the last couple days should be understood by every American. Our money, our liberties and our well being are all at stake. Unfortunately, our major media outlets are not reporting both sides of the story. Recent polls have shown the vast majority of Americas are against bailing out Wall Street, but to listen to most commentators this bail-out "must be done". The standard reasons are being shouted from every pundit, "if they don't bail them out it will lead to a greater collapse, that will cause more harm." No one seems to know where they are getting the Trillions of dollars they are committing, and no one seems to care. I bet if people understood that the money comes from the purchasing power of our dollars, they would make it a point of becoming more informed. And if most realized that the money they are giving up through inflation, goes directly to the pockets of the bankers that caused the problem, there would be revolution. We are seeing the largest heist in the history of the world, and being told that giving up this money is in our best interest. Only a knowlagable citizenry is capable of ending this scam. It's a shame that we have been through this before in our history and have been warned. Do yourself and your family a favor and learn about fractional-reserve banking, and the Federal Reserve System. FYI, the Federal Reserve is the 4th Central bank the US has had, all the previous ones were disbanded. We as a people need to get informed or we will suffer from our own ignorance. Here are some quotes that have come to mind in the last few days.
"I have faith in the people...The danger is, in their being misled. Let them know the truth and the country is safe."
- A. Lincoln
"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, it expects what never was and never will be. . . . The people cannot be safe without information. Where the press is free, and every man able to read, all is safe."
-Thomas Jefferson
“If the American people ever allow the banks to control the issuance of their currency... the banks and corporations that will grow up around them will deprive the people of all property, until their children wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.”
-Thomas Jefferson
"It is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning."
- Henry Ford
"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors"
-Plato
“A Nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.”
- Edward R. Murrow
“None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
The economic events of the last couple days should be understood by every American. Our money, our liberties and our well being are all at stake. Unfortunately, our major media outlets are not reporting both sides of the story. Recent polls have shown the vast majority of Americas are against bailing out Wall Street, but to listen to most commentators this bail-out "must be done". The standard reasons are being shouted from every pundit, "if they don't bail them out it will lead to a greater collapse, that will cause more harm." No one seems to know where they are getting the Trillions of dollars they are committing, and no one seems to care. I bet if people understood that the money comes from the purchasing power of our dollars, they would make it a point of becoming more informed. And if most realized that the money they are giving up through inflation, goes directly to the pockets of the bankers that caused the problem, there would be revolution. We are seeing the largest heist in the history of the world, and being told that giving up this money is in our best interest. Only a knowlagable citizenry is capable of ending this scam. It's a shame that we have been through this before in our history and have been warned. Do yourself and your family a favor and learn about fractional-reserve banking, and the Federal Reserve System. FYI, the Federal Reserve is the 4th Central bank the US has had, all the previous ones were disbanded. We as a people need to get informed or we will suffer from our own ignorance. Here are some quotes that have come to mind in the last few days.
"I have faith in the people...The danger is, in their being misled. Let them know the truth and the country is safe."
- A. Lincoln
"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, it expects what never was and never will be. . . . The people cannot be safe without information. Where the press is free, and every man able to read, all is safe."
-Thomas Jefferson
“If the American people ever allow the banks to control the issuance of their currency... the banks and corporations that will grow up around them will deprive the people of all property, until their children wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.”
-Thomas Jefferson
"It is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning."
- Henry Ford
"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors"
-Plato
“A Nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.”
- Edward R. Murrow
“None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Friday, September 12, 2008
Police State and what it means to you
What is a police state? (Thank goodness for wiki!)
"The term police state is a term for a state in which the government exercises rigid and repressive controls over the social, economic and political life of the population, potentially by means of a secret police force which operates outside the boundaries normally imposed by a constitutional republic. A police state typically exhibits elements of totalitarianism and social control, and there is usually little or no distinction between the law and the exercise of political power by the executive.
The inhabitants of a police state experience restrictions on their mobility, and on their freedom to express or communicate political or other views, which are subject to police monitoring or enforcement"
In light of the most recent Government bail-out of mortgage giants Fannie and Freddie one has to consider that we are fast approaching the point of no return. Consider that 800 protesters were arrested last week at the Republican National Convention, and 400 the week before at the DNC. Among them journalist and peaceful demonstrators. We will see how many charges result in the massive police actions. Add in the fact that raids were conducted on several homes to basically discourage protesters from demonstrating resulting in hundreds detained and only 7 charged. One of the houses raided was occupied by journalist, who make it a point to film police misconduct, and who had won acquittals for over 400 protesters at the 2004 RNC.
We know that the NSA has a secret wire tapping program, used to spy on millions of Americans illegally. (check that, the Congress made a law making it legal...so much for 'no ex-post facto laws') The CIA uses torture to obtain information. The Pentagon had a secret propaganda program used to disseminate Government talking points to millions of Americans, which directly lead to an unconstitutional war in Iraq. There is no difference between what our Executive has become and monarchy. The Real-ID Act is on our doorsteps.
(This Act requires that all Americans carry an ID card issued by the Federal Government. The card will be used to store personal information including, but not limited to, sexual orientation, political views, buying habits, medical information, travel habits, and of course financial records. The Government has stated that there would be no limitations on the private sector to require the ID. This means, if the corner store wants to scan your card to sell you eggs, then you best have your card! It will just be a matter of time that this voluntary action by stores to scan the card turns into a mandatory requirement.)
Before too long it will be "papers, papers please!"
The Democrats, being pushed by the medical industry, would like to usher in Government health care for the masses. When we socialize the health care in this country what will be left that the government does not control? What industry has the government ever successfully ran?
So what does it all mean? What will be the breaking point? Will there be a breaking point? That is the question that hunts me. All these things are happening around us plain to see, if you care to look. My hope is that the "Sleeping Giant" awakes and shakes off the fleas before it is too late.
--Jeff Avitabile
"The term police state is a term for a state in which the government exercises rigid and repressive controls over the social, economic and political life of the population, potentially by means of a secret police force which operates outside the boundaries normally imposed by a constitutional republic. A police state typically exhibits elements of totalitarianism and social control, and there is usually little or no distinction between the law and the exercise of political power by the executive.
The inhabitants of a police state experience restrictions on their mobility, and on their freedom to express or communicate political or other views, which are subject to police monitoring or enforcement"
In light of the most recent Government bail-out of mortgage giants Fannie and Freddie one has to consider that we are fast approaching the point of no return. Consider that 800 protesters were arrested last week at the Republican National Convention, and 400 the week before at the DNC. Among them journalist and peaceful demonstrators. We will see how many charges result in the massive police actions. Add in the fact that raids were conducted on several homes to basically discourage protesters from demonstrating resulting in hundreds detained and only 7 charged. One of the houses raided was occupied by journalist, who make it a point to film police misconduct, and who had won acquittals for over 400 protesters at the 2004 RNC.
We know that the NSA has a secret wire tapping program, used to spy on millions of Americans illegally. (check that, the Congress made a law making it legal...so much for 'no ex-post facto laws') The CIA uses torture to obtain information. The Pentagon had a secret propaganda program used to disseminate Government talking points to millions of Americans, which directly lead to an unconstitutional war in Iraq. There is no difference between what our Executive has become and monarchy. The Real-ID Act is on our doorsteps.
(This Act requires that all Americans carry an ID card issued by the Federal Government. The card will be used to store personal information including, but not limited to, sexual orientation, political views, buying habits, medical information, travel habits, and of course financial records. The Government has stated that there would be no limitations on the private sector to require the ID. This means, if the corner store wants to scan your card to sell you eggs, then you best have your card! It will just be a matter of time that this voluntary action by stores to scan the card turns into a mandatory requirement.)
Before too long it will be "papers, papers please!"
The Democrats, being pushed by the medical industry, would like to usher in Government health care for the masses. When we socialize the health care in this country what will be left that the government does not control? What industry has the government ever successfully ran?
So what does it all mean? What will be the breaking point? Will there be a breaking point? That is the question that hunts me. All these things are happening around us plain to see, if you care to look. My hope is that the "Sleeping Giant" awakes and shakes off the fleas before it is too late.
--Jeff Avitabile
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Lipstick Gate! Are you freaking Kidding Me@!%^@!%
Echoing the sentiments of Glenn Greenwald (minus the “Obama should do this” theme that GG is so fond of)
As a Country we face more problems that pose a serious risk to our republic then ever before. So in light of all the issues facing this great nation, (war, economy, loss of civil liberties, etc…) what has the media decided to discuss for the last two days?
The American Majority
Ron Paul held a news conference yesterday (9/10) to announce he will not support either of the establishment's candidates (McBama), but instead would like to throw his support behind anyone else!
In a bold move Dr. Paul put the good of the country before the good of any political connection, something that politicians rarely do these days. He was accompanied by major Third Party candidates, Ralph Nader who is running as an independent, Chuck Baldwin who is on the Constitutional Party ticket and Cynthia McKinney running for the Green Party. Dr. Paul declared that:
"The coverage of the presidential election is designed to be a grand distraction. This is not new, but this year, it’s more so than ever.
Pretending that a true difference exists between the two major candidates is a charade of great proportion. Many who help to perpetuate this myth are frequently unaware of what they are doing and believe that significant differences actually do exist. Indeed, on small points there is the appearance of a difference. The real issues, however, are buried in a barrage of miscellaneous nonsense and endless pontifications by robotic pundits hired to perpetuate the myth of a campaign of substance.
The truth is that our two-party system offers no real choice. The real goal of the campaign is to distract people from considering the real issues."
It was one hell of a statement and may have been one of Dr. Paul's most passionately delivered speeches. I suggest everyone checking it out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ1l0E4kZQ4&feature=user
Dr. Paul also laid out the points that all these canidates agree on and pledge to support. You can check that out here.
The candidates present all delivered great talking points and are also worth listening to.
This is the message that needs to be spread!!!!
Read the rest of Ron's statement here
--Jeff Avitabile
In a bold move Dr. Paul put the good of the country before the good of any political connection, something that politicians rarely do these days. He was accompanied by major Third Party candidates, Ralph Nader who is running as an independent, Chuck Baldwin who is on the Constitutional Party ticket and Cynthia McKinney running for the Green Party. Dr. Paul declared that:
"The coverage of the presidential election is designed to be a grand distraction. This is not new, but this year, it’s more so than ever.
Pretending that a true difference exists between the two major candidates is a charade of great proportion. Many who help to perpetuate this myth are frequently unaware of what they are doing and believe that significant differences actually do exist. Indeed, on small points there is the appearance of a difference. The real issues, however, are buried in a barrage of miscellaneous nonsense and endless pontifications by robotic pundits hired to perpetuate the myth of a campaign of substance.
The truth is that our two-party system offers no real choice. The real goal of the campaign is to distract people from considering the real issues."
It was one hell of a statement and may have been one of Dr. Paul's most passionately delivered speeches. I suggest everyone checking it out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ1l0E4kZQ4&feature=user
Dr. Paul also laid out the points that all these canidates agree on and pledge to support. You can check that out here.
The candidates present all delivered great talking points and are also worth listening to.
This is the message that needs to be spread!!!!
Read the rest of Ron's statement here
--Jeff Avitabile
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