Wealthy Americans have the alternative of re-locating overseas

Ex-Pat movement may become the hottest trend for Americans in the Obama years

by Clifford F. Thies

With the revelation of Phase I of Obama’s plan to redistribute the wealth of America, the exodus of wealthy Americans begins. The first wave being those whose wealth and income are not geographically restricted. Some preferred spots: The Cayman Islands, Portugal, Andorra, Switzerland, Hong Kong and New Zealand.

From David S. Lesperance, Atlantic.com, Brave New Deal:

If someone is willing to break the "life inertia" of changing their current location, why would they consider only moving within the U.S.?

With globalization, connectivity and the increasing ability to reproduce one's "American lifestyle" in many parts of the world, it may seem less foreign to move to a different country then to some remote parts of the U.S. With proper tax advice, not only can you reduce or even eliminate your U.S. tax burden (including gift and estate tax), but also vastly reduce your "global tax burden" through pre-immigration tax planning.

Lifting the caps on Social Security “contributions”, ending deductions for charitable and homeowners’ interest expense, raising the top federal personal income tax rate and the corporate tax rate, ending the capital gains tax preference … get the idea? If you have a high income, they’re coming after you.

But, the idea that you can heavily tax the rich is bogus. As the author of the referenced article indicates, “If you look at the background of the top 1%, you realize that they meet my criteria of knowledgeable, worldly, disconnected to location for wealth, and willing and able to pay for proper legal advice.” In response to excessive taxes, these people will simply shift themselves and their wealth overseas. Instead of getting more out of them, the government will actually get less.

As for people with modest incomes, right away you will be tapped by the allowing of the Bush tax cuts to expire and by taxing mileage. And, guess what will have to happen when inflation and national debt piles up, and the rich folk are gone? I’ll just say this: When it comes to the tax collector, don’t ask for whom the bell tolls.

I suggest every productive American follow the advise of the great Czar of Czars himself, and learn a foreign language.

Note - Dr. Thies is a professor of Economics at Shenandoah University in Virginia. He's a former Visiting Fellow of the Heritage Foundation. He's also a former Libertarian National Committeeman, and longtime Chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus. His writings on international politics can be seen regularly at Worldwide Liberty blogspot.

LINKS

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A Republican pick-up in Hawaii? Chinese-American seeks Congressional seat

Last December Republican Anh Cao, an immigration lawyer in New Orleans, won a stunning victory in a special election run-off for a Louisiana Congressional seat. Cao became the first Southeast Asian (Vietnamese) to serve in Congress in the country's history. Now, a second Asian-American is hoping to make it two in the "GOP Asian Caucus."

Honolulu City Councilman Charles Djou has announced his run for one of the two Hawaii Congressional seats, currently held by Neal Abercombrie. LR friend Moe Lane over at RedState.com is reporting that the seat is likely to become open, as Abercombrie considers a run for Governor. Further Lane reports that Djou already has the endorsement of GOP Gov. Linda Lingle, and that fundraising is going well.

Djou (Zhou in Chinese) is a Chinese-American, and active member of the Hawaii Chinese Republican Coalition. He's the former State Vice-Chair of the GOP. And he serves as a Captain in the US Army Reserve.

Djou's agenda is simple: keeping taxes low to spur economic growth and greater job opportunities. From Djou's campaign website:

Charles believes that every resident of Hawai‘i who is looking for a job should be able to find one. Charles has always made it a priority to lower taxes because reducing the tax burden allows you to keep more of your money for your family, to grow your business and to buy goods and services, which in turn fosters small business and job growth in our community. That is why Charles has never voted for a tax increase. You are a better steward of your money and can do more for the economy than the government. Charles will continue this long standing fight in Washington.

On defense matters, Djou is an advocate of a strong military, and backer of Hawaii's numerous military bases. Further, he "understands that we must combat terrorism wherever it is found, whether in Iran, the Pakistan-Afghanistan border regions or in industrialized cities around the world."

To make a contribution or get involved:

CharlesDjouCongress.com

Still Sarah Palin's Party

New CNN Poll finds her steadily in the lead among GOPers

From CNN:

Twenty-nine percent of Republicans questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey released Friday say they are most likely to support Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for the next GOP presidential nomination.

Twenty-six percent of those questioned say they are most likely backing Huckabee... Twenty-one percent of Republicans polled say they most likely would support former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney... Nine percent say they would probably back Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.

The poll also finds that Palin has a significant 10 point lead among Republican woman.

Join TeamSarah.org

Political Correctness gone mad in California: Clint Eastwood has some choice words for those who want to prohibit Ethnic humor

by Eric Dondero

What's in a watermelon? Some PC leftists apparently believe that it should be illegal to suggest that African-Americans have an ethnic preference for the native American fruit. Or, at the very least a firing offense.

Dean Grosse, Mayor Pro-Tem of the small Orange County, CA city of Los Alamitos was forced to resign this week over an email he sent out to friends. The cartoon graph showed a watermelon patch in front of the White House. A black city councilwoman got the email and responded that the Mayor was "friggin' insane," and called for his immediate resignation.

Note - The media did not call the councilwoman on the carpet for the use of the term "friggin'" which is a common substitute for the more explicit "fuckin'."

Grosse has resigned as Mayor, though he will remain on the 5 member City Council.

See local TV News story at Breitbart.com.

Ironically, the very same day as this story broke, another former CA small-town Mayor, had some very strong words for PC Mania sweeping across the US.

From Yahoo News, Feb. 27:

Eastwood thinks political correctness has made society humourless

"People have lost their sense of humour. In former times we constantly made jokes about different races. You can only tell them today with one hand over your mouth or you will be insulted as a racist," the Daily Express quoted him as saying.

"I find that ridiculous. In those earlier days every friendly clique had a 'Sam the Jew' or 'Jose the Mexican' - but we didn't think anything of it or have a racist thought. It was just normal that we made jokes based on our nationality or ethnicity. That was never a problem. I don't want to be politically correct.

We're all spending too much time and energy trying to be politically correct about everything," he added.

Perhaps libertarian Clint should take his message south, away from his hometown of Carmel, and make a guest appearance in Los Alamitos?

RELATED ISSUE

In light of the recent Monkey Cartoon controversy, Mike McNally over at Pajama's Media has a column warning pundits and political cartoonists from depicting primates or using them in satyre for the next four years. In "Political Correctness gone Ape" he writes:

it appears that any and all media depictions of primates which have negative connotations are off limits for at least the next four years, lest they be interpreted as a coded attack on the president.

He adds: "So no more King Kong remakes — unless the star is a giant polar bear battling global warming."

What if the Capitalists went on Strike?

Marxist Obama-nomics Destroy DOW: 14% Lost in First Month of Leftist Power

By JB Williams ©2009 USA

"Let me be very clear on the economics of President Obama's speech and his budget. He is declaring war on investors, entrepreneurs, small businesses, large corporations, and private-equity and venture-capital funds." -- Larry Kudlow, Economist & CNBC Host, Feb. 27

The DOW Jones average closed at $8,281.22 on January 19, 2009, the night before the Obamanation became an historic reality. A little more than a month later, the DOW continues its free-fall approaching the $7000 mark, closing at $7060 yesterday at the final bell. Nobody knows where the bottom is. But so far, Obama-nomics have cost Americans trillions in new debt and 14% of their savings, in just a month...

Hope for economic recovery is fast flying right out the window as Obamanation change sends investors running for cover. Left-leaning news rag Newsweek, proclaimed that We Are All Socialists Now only days after Democratic Socialists claimed unchallenged control of the federal government and started ramming Marxism down the throats of every America.

It appears that the New Leftist regime in Washington DC just can’t figure out why private investors won’t invest in unbridled socialism. Or is it that they simply don’t care, while they are systematically destroying the entire free market?

Obama's new "Responsible Capitalism"

They are selling socialism under every name they can think up and investors are still fleeing from the market. Clearly intent upon destroying free market capitalism at any cost.

They have no interest in saving free market capitalism, a uniquely American system which they have long claimed corrupt, mean-spirited and unfair.

Before the 2008 election, Democrats told the American people that times were bad due to Bush’s deficit spending. Since the election, they have driven the American economy right into the ditch with a level of deficit spending never before seen anywhere on earth.

A week ago today, the Obama White House rushed to settle shaken investor nerves by denying rumors that Obama was going to begin nationalizing the banking industry. The following Monday, they announced that nationalizing banking was indeed their plan, beginning with Citi Group.

Throughout their campaign for power they scoffed at accusations from across the aisle, which suggested they would socialize the health industry once in power. Now they have approved billions in new taxpayer debt earmarked specifically for preparing the nation for socialized medicine.

The average American voter may indeed be stupid enough to buy Marxist Obama-nomics, but clearly, investors aren’t.

What Happens When the People Just Say NO?

Investors are simply saying NO! If you want socialism, then you invest in it. And of course, that is exactly what Obama is doing with YOUR money.

But what happens if the taxpayers say NO too?

Obama says he will take care of 95% of Americans by attacking the top 5% of income earners. Talk about a defenseless minority.... Imagine a 95 to 5 battle of any kind. I’d hate to be the 5...

His administration has already sued Switzerland in an effort to force Swiss banks to give up private information on Americans that hold Swiss bank accounts. An unprecedented move aimed at seizing private holdings in foreign investments, protected by Swiss privacy laws for decades.

They will follow the same line of thinking concerning private holdings in places like Nevada and Delaware, long trusted as safe havens for private investors who do not want the federal government up their rear end with a microscope looking for ways to relieve citizens of their legal earnings.

Yet if America were still the land of the free and home of the brave, American citizens would not have to seek secure safe havens abroad just the keep what they rightfully earned from the greedy hands of Washington politicians who gain political power only on the promise of robbing a few so they buy the rest.

What if America’s most productive simply say NO?

Capitalists Don’t March in Parades

They vote with their wallet.... They stop investing in nonsense and they eventually, stop paying taxes, once they see that their taxes are buying them nothing but grief.

When you're outgunned, your enemy with world class tanks, weaponry and technology, facing 5 to 95 odds... what do you do?

You cut off fuel and parts supply, and watch their weaponry rot and rust in the field, forcing them into hand to hand combat, where they never expected to find themselves.

Likewise, how is socialism advanced in a place where the productive members of society simply refuse to play along? When the means to advance socialism, your money, is simply cut off, like the fuel supply needed to keep tanks moving, then what?

We are talking about America’s most productive here. They actually hold all the cards. So far, they have quietly consented to the nonsense via their silence. That was before push came to shove...

Voters are Stupid... But Investors Are not

Has the left made any contingencies just in case America’s productive class decides to say the hell with the nonproductive class anxious to rob them blind?

If taxpayers simply say NO, are they prepared to jail million of angry taxpayers in order to confiscate their property for the greater communal good? Are they prepared to order Martial Law and raid private citizens as the only means to grab what does not belong to them?

How far are they willing to go to take from some according to their ability; and buy those with a false sense of entitlement?

Both investors and taxpayers are CAPITALISTS. That’s why socialists need them. Nobody else can pick up the tab for socialism.

But what happens when they decide enough is enough? Or have they already decided?

Chicago Tea Party: Middle Class Revolt against Big Government

The City where it all started. All inspired by stock analyst Rick Santelli.

Nationwide protests today in over 20 cities.

Libertarian Chuck Muth now considered the "Puppet-Master" of the Nevada Republican Party

Longtime Libertarian Republican, and former Republican Liberty Caucus National Chairman Chuck Muth, is now being accused of being an evil puppet master pulling the strings on Nevada State Legislators, on issues such as proposed tax increases and budgetary matters.

An ultra-liberal columnist in Nevada says that the Republican Party in the State has now been taken over by radical libertarian interests.


From the Las Vegas Sun, In Business, Guest Column, Michael Green, Feb. 17:

Divided Republicans? Whoda thunk it?

In Carson City, Assemblyman Ed Goedhart of Amargosa Valley sent out an e-mail on the state budget, opposing any tax hike. This irked Bill Raggio, who has represented Washoe County in the state Senate since the dawn of time. He openly criticized Goedhart and suggested he’s a pawn for Chuck Muth, who left the GOP because he thinks it’s too liberal — a straight line in search of a joke if ever there was one.

The article goes on to suggest that current Republican Governor Jim Gibbons is a tool of "libertarian" interests. And that the GOP is currently under control of the "far right" which opposes all tax increases for any reason.

US Army Major General joins lawsuit challening Obama birth certificate

Puts Obama in the same league as Mao, Saddam, Stalin and Hitler

From Citizen Wells blog:

CONSENT FORM
DATE: 24 Feb 2009

Attn. Orly Taitz, Esq.
26302 La Paz, Ste. 211
Mission Viejo, CA 92691

I agree to be a plaintiff in the legal action to be filed by Orly Taitz, Esq. in a PETITION FOR A DECLARATORY JUDGEMENT THAT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA IS NOT QUALIFIED TO BE PRESIDENT of the U.S., nor TO BE COMMANDER IN CHIEF of the U.S. ARMED FORCES, in that I am or was a sworn member of the U.S. military (subject to recall), and therefore when serving as an active member of the military, I would be unable to follow any orders given by a Constitutionally unqualified Commander In Chief, since by doing so I would be subject to charges of aiding and abetting fraud and committing acts of treason.

I can present a long list of reasons, taken individually, which convinced me NOT to vote for Barack Hussein Obama; his crime associates in the USA, his lack of experience, the mystery of his citizenship, his promise to make coal power industry bankrupt through excessive regulations, his constant adjustment of position on issues, his tax plan, his spread the wealth admission, his obvious socialistic goals, his associations with foreign leaders unfriendly to the USA, the lies he tells about a range of subjects including perhaps who his biological father really is, his most recent revelation of having a “National Security Force” (whatever that is)……………all of these says he is a person of mystery, of no integrity, and in fact paints him with the same narcissist paint of Hitler, Stalin, Saddam, Mao, and Kim Jong Ill.

Major General Commanding General Carroll D. Childers

Within the last week two active duty officers, currently serving in Iraq, signed onto the lawsuit.

Rand Paul for US Senate - Kentucky

Incumbent Republican Senator Jim Bunning may or may not be retiring. But the rumors are flying all over the Blue Grass State, as to a possible replacement. Bluegrassredstate blog is reporting that Ron Paul's son Rand, longtime Chairman of the KY Taxpayers Association, is a serious contender.

From the blog:

Rand Paul has stated that if Senator Jim Bunning decides to not seek re-election, a notion Bunning routinely dismisses, he will get in the race for the U.S. Senate.

“We will need a conservative to run against that liberal David Williams,” Dr. Paul, 46, a Bowling Green opthamologist, said.

“Bunning has been treated unfairly,” he said. “It’s been his finest hour within the last year or so with his votes on the bailouts.”

“David Williams has given up the ghost on the budget. He didn’t even put up a fight on raising taxes.”

They go on to note that a possible third contender, Senate President David Williams, a supposed "Republican," supported not only a statewide tax increase, but also a statewide smoking ban.

Constitutional Convention to block Obama's Democratic Socialist Agenda: The Magic Number is 34

Are the States About to Slap
the Runaway Fed Down to Constitutional Size?
By JB Williams ©2009 USA

On February 5, 2009, I released a column titled New Hampshire Leads Next American Revolution! At the time, only a handful of states had introduced legislative efforts to reclaim state sovereignty under the Ninth and Tenth Amendments of the US Constitution.

As of February 17th, when I released It's Time for American Freedom Fighters to Unite, some twenty states had followed that lead, introducing measures of their own aimed at reclaiming state rights to defend against what was clearly becoming a runaway Democratic Socialist juggernaut in Washington DC, running roughshod over Republican members of congress and the millions of Americans they represent.

Today, the number of states claiming state sovereignty, some outlining specific federal actions that have far more to do with usurping the US Constitution than upholding it, has grown to at least thirty two... the magic number is 34....

2009: Arkansas - 9th Amendment, 10th Amendment, Funding Issues

2009: Arizona - 9th Amendment, 10th Amendment

1994: California - 10th Amendment

1995/96: Georgia - 10th Amendment

2009: Georgia - 10th Amendment

2009: Kansas - 10th Amendment

1997/98: Louisiana - Sovereignty Constitutional Amendment

2009: Michigan - 10th Amendment

2009: Minnesota - 10th Amendment

2009: Missouri - Freedom of Choice Act (Abortion), 10th Amendment

2009: Montana - 9th Amendment, 10th Amendment, 2nd Amendment

2009: New Hampshire - 9th Amendment, 10th Amendment, Federal Reserve, Taxes, Martial Law, 2nd Amendment, Draft/War, Patriot Act, Labor Camps, 1st Amendment

2008: Oklahoma - 10th Amendment, (Other Legislation: No Child Left Behind, Real ID Act)

2009: Oklahoma - 9th Amendment, 10th Amendment, Funding Issues

2009: South Carolina - 9th Amendment, 10 Amendment, Martial Law and Related, 1st Amendment, 2nd Amendment

2009: Tennessee - 10th Amendment

2009: Texas - 9th Amendment, 10th Amendment, Funding Issues

2009: Utah - Real ID Act

2009: Washington - 10th Amendment

* Proposed: Alabama - 9th Amendment, 10th Amendment

* Proposed: Alaska

* 1994: Colorado - 10th Amendment

* 1995: Florida - 10th Amendment

* Proposed [HJM RS18517]: Idaho - 10th Amendment

* 2009: Indiana - 10th Amendment

* 2009: Iowa - 10th Amendment

* Proposed: Maine

* Proposed: Nevada

* Proposed: Ohio - 10th Amendment

* Proposed: Pennsylvania - 10th Amendment

* Proposed: Virginia - 10th Amendment

* Proposed: West Virginia - Same as New Hampshire

Republic of Lakotah - Full Independence

Hawaii - Full Independence

It’s all happening so fast, that we have not had time to fully verify the text and status of every state effort, but there is NO missing the clear implications. Where are they heading here? What does it all mean?

We The People Foundation is pushing for a new Continental Congress. Campaign For Liberty - 2009 Continental Congress ... is working towards the same end.

A Call to Action!

HUGE Pro-Constitution blogs like Free Republic run by Jim Robinson are issuing “calls to action” in an effort to get literally hundreds of fractured movements to communicate and network together in defense of American Constitutional Rights currently under siege in Washington DC.

Is this why more than thirty states are rushing to reclaim state powers, in preparation for an all out assault on a federal government clearly intent upon a massive confiscation and redistribution of wealth agenda?

“Hold on, my friends, to the Constitution and the Republic for which it stands. Miracles do not cluster, and what has happened once in 6,000 years, may not happen again. Hold on to the Constitution, for if the American Constitution should fail, there will be anarchy throughout the world.” - Daniel Webster

Obama’s New World Order?

Frankly, I think it’s a mistake to blame Obama for what is happening in Washington DC today. Quite honestly, he is just not that smart. Nothing on his blank résumé suggests that he is capable of “leading” anything. At best, he is a Follower-in-Chief. The question is – who’s lead is he following?

Void of any personal talent, Obama is attempting to “lead” by committee. He has surrounded himself with so-called “experts” whom he relies upon for his every thought pattern and opinion. Unfortunately, every Obama “expert” is an anti-American Marxist.

Throughout his two year campaign for the Oval Office, Obama was accused of being many things, from covert Muslim terrorist to Alinsky Communist and just your average run of the mill empty suit. A little more than a month in power has already proven that the empty suit charge was the most accurate, and likely the most dangerous.

When Conspiracy becomes more than Just Theory

Just as communists learned to take cover under friendlier operating titles, - socialist, liberal and progressive, eventually just plain ole Democrat, - the ONE World Order folks have learned to operate under the cover of New World Order.

President George H.W. Bush used the term New World Order, taking office immediately following the fall of the Soviet Empire, in a world worried about the prospects of one standing superpower with no counter-balance of power in the world.

Bush’s New World Order simply aimed to realign global power at a time when only the United States was a standing economic and military superpower.

Through the United Nations, Bush hoped for diplomatic international peacekeeping that would eliminate the need for the USA to act as a unilateral peacekeeping force around the world. Bush sought to expand the principles and values of freedom and capitalism, so that parts of the world in perpetual war just to survive, would one day feed themselves in peace.

But just as today’s Democrat Party has been hijacked by the Democratic Socialists of America via their legislative body in congress, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Bush’s New World Order was hijacked by the One World Order movement, which has an agenda diametrically opposed to Bush’s vision.

As a result, the two opposing ideologies are often intentionally and unwittingly confused today.

Why Now?

For decades, the federal government has been behaving as if the states and the people at large exist only at the pleasure and benefit of the fed. The popular but false notion that some have no right to individual success, so that others can enjoy a right to other people’s property, has become the foundation of today’s Democrat Party. Without the promise of free access to other people’s stuff, Democrats would not win a single national election.

Obama’s entire campaign for power was based upon penalizing personal success and pushing even more Americans into federal dependency. Since Republicans ran a candidate only marginally to the right of Democrats, it was clear that the nation was going to put a man in the White House who didn’t have the qualifications to even run a US company.

Investors started fleeing from the market almost a year before the election. But once the election was over, they have run for cover at break neck speed. Obama’s efforts to re-title nationalization and democratic socialism as some new form of free market capitalism, is flying with some of his supporters who no longer know the difference.

But investors and state legislatures know unbridled socialism when they see it coming. Today, they can see the whites of their eyes...

Promises to nationalize banking, rumors of “general troop mobilizations,” renewed warnings of terror attacks on US soil and trillions in taxpayer debt being poured into creating “government jobs,” has pushed freedom loving Americans to a boiling point!

The Purpose Behind the State Resolutions

Some suspect that the states are preparing for an armed defense of their territories and rights, expecting the fed to move towards Martial Law once they are successful in their efforts to finish off the free market economy, forcing the people to take to the streets in rebellion.

Others believe that the states are preparing to secede from a union run amuck.

Instead, it appears that the states are preparing to slap the federal government down to its rightful Constitutional size.

A New Continental Congress

Our nation’s Founders provided for a peaceful means by which we the people could protect and defend our Constitution.

In our Declaration of Independence, our Founders established, “That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

Private investors and state legislators know better than to buy the empty rhetoric of the empty suit currently residing in the White House. As he takes to the air waves daily in a failed attempt to paint his socialist plan a pretty color, state after state reclaims state sovereignty and investors run for safe havens.

Only the proletariat class, developed by Democrats over the last seventy years, is foolish enough to place their “hopes” in a man with a blank résumé and a secret past, as he becomes increasingly desperate to put a friendly face on his unfriendly assault on American principles and values.

State legislators are preparing to slap the leftist fed down to size... its Constitutional size. They are preparing for a new continental congress whereby the people and their states can “institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

The Details

Remember! - the magic number is 34 states to call for a convention to enforce the Ninth and Tenth Amendments of the Constitution. 32-34 states are already on the move toward setting a firm foundation for just such an event.

“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.” Declaration of Independence

America is currently in a Constitutional Crisis on several fronts. We have a president whom many Americans, including a growing number of soldiers, believe to be constitutionally ineligible to serve as Commander-in-Chief.

Democratic Socialists now in control of all branches of the federal government are running wild with power, forcing taxpayers and investors into a corner by eliminating all voices of reason across the aisle, which they feel completely entitled to discard without a moment’s consideration.

Over 40 states are now in financial ruin as a direct result of federal misuse of power and ill-fated leftist efforts to stimulate socialism rather than free market recovery.

A Constitutional Convention is the peaceful means by which the states can band together and put an end to the heavy handed unbridled sprint to national Marxism currently led by Speaker Pelosi in the People’s House.

Article V of the US Constitution

"The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as part of this Constitution,"

It takes 34 states to bypass the US Congress and call for a Constitutional Convention. Reasserting state sovereignty under the Ninth and Tenth Amendments would be the appropriate first step towards calling for a new Continental Congress.

Is it possible that state legislatures know exactly what they are doing here? This is the ONE constitutional method for reversing the current rush into Marxism in Washington DC that could preempt the growing public movement towards outright revolution and tax revolt.

It is the ONE thing that state governments can do to stop the nation from falling into an armed public rebellion against the heavy handed socialists running Washington DC. And nobody in Washington DC can stop it, so long as at least 34 states act upon their Constitutional right to slap the fed back down to its legitimate size and scope.

Is this really happening in my time? If it is, what an exciting time to be alive! After years of watching Washington DC elites destroy the republic, it would be an honor indeed, to watch the people take their country back by reasserting state sovereignty and constitutional rights.

The states are setting a firm footing to remind the fed that IT exists only at the pleasure of the states and their people, not the other way around. 34 state legislatures can force a constitutional convention, not for the purpose of a new amendment, but for the purpose of enforcing long existing amendments, specifically, #9 and #10.

As these are existing pieces of the Constitution, there is only a need for an enforcement convention, not a ratification process requiring 39 states and time to ratify.

Is it possible that state legislators know precisely what they are doing? Whether they know it or not, they are putting the people in the proper position to reclaim their country. Do they have the courage to follow through?

Larry 'E' on Obama Speech

CNN ran reactions to the Obama speech yesterday, from across the political spectrum. Of special interest to Libertarian Republicans, from CNN Politics:

Obama's agenda: One of the greatest political dramas

Analysis: Larry Elder, a libertarian commentator, thought that Obama gave a "great political speech" but Elder questioned the president's economics.

"I just wish he was a limited-government, personal-responsibility, hard-core-fiscal-responsibility Republican, which, of course, he isn't. Look, he's got a faith in government that I don't share," he said.

"Whenever I hear somebody talk about investing in health care, investing in education, investing in energy, I put my hand on my wallet and I say, 'These guys are not good stewards of your money the way you are of your own money.' "

Obama boosts Ayn Rand

From the Ayn Rand Center (ARC), Feb. 23:

Washington, D.C., February 23, 2009--Sales of Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged” have almost tripled over the first seven weeks of this year compared with sales for the same period in 2008. This continues a strong trend after bookstore sales reached an all-time annual high in 2008 of about 200,000 copies sold.

“Americans are flocking to buy and read ‘Atlas Shrugged’ because there are uncanny similarities between the plot-line of the book and the events of our day” said Yaron Brook, Executive Director at the Ayn Rand Center for Individual Rights.

(Hat tip to regular LR Reader Rae!)

Libertarian reactions to Assault Weapons Ban proposed earlier today by Obama's AG Eric Holder

First Round of Reactions

Patrick Sperry, Conservative Libertarian Outpost blog:

I warned even before the democrat primary had ended that a renewal of the failed Assault Weapons ban would be coming our way...

We have Hezbollah and Hamas terrorist cells here already. We have MS13 and related gangs here already. The obamanites seek to have you available for slaughter without any method of resisting them as well as the gangs and terrorist’s.

My advice is to arm up as best that you can.

Rob Taylor, Red Alerts:

I warned all you Libertarians, Paulnuts and Alex Jones groupies that you should hold your noses and vote Republican in this election, but you said “No way man, besides if Obama wins the Democrats will move to the center to keep power!” which you knew in your hearts was bull. Now they’ve announced their desire to make “some changes” to gun laws, including a ban on the sale of assault weapons no doubt in preparation for rounding up non-Obamunists when the so-called stimulus bill collapses the economy.

From Todd Andrew Barnette, Boston Tea Party:

Boston Tea Party founder and At-Large Member Thomas L. Knapp has introduced an excellent pro-Second Amendment resolution to the party’s own National Committee discussion list... it’s an outstanding one, given Attorney Generalissimo Eric Holder’s promise to restore the old, god-awful 1994 assault weapons ban that expired in 2004. Read it here.

More expected to come...

New Poll: Exactly the same percentage of Americans want limited government as did back in October

How often does this happen in the world of statistics? Rasmussen received an exact number of respondents answering the same way to the same poll they conducted last October. Precisely 59% of all Americans agree with the statement by Ronald Reagan, that "government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem."

Reports Rasmussen:

In early October, as the meltdown of the financial industry gained momentum following the collapse of Lehman Brothers, a Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 59% of U.S. voters agreed with Ronald Reagan that “government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.”

Since then, the stock market has fallen roughly 3,000 points, millions of jobs have been lost, nearly a trillion dollars has been spent so far to bail out the financial industry, an additional $787-billion government stimulus package has been approved, and a new president has taken office who has proposed spending billions and billions more.

The report adds:

Other recent polls show that most voters continue to believe that tax cuts are good for the economy and 48% hold the view that increased government spending hurts the economy.

Other survey data shows that 72% of voters believe a free market economy is better than one managed by the government. That’s little changed since December.

A majority of all voters say the Republican Party should return to the views and values of Reagan to be successful.

Capitalist heros finally emerging in the business world to challenge Obama

Straight out of an Ayn Rand novel, a new Capitalist hero emerges...

From the Boston Herald, Feb. 25:

Edward Johnson slams FDR, New Deal II

Fidelity’s Edward “Ned” Johnson jumped into the controversial debate over President Obama’s “New Deal II” and what Johnson called government “make-work projects.”

Without naming names, Johnson praised the administration’s effort to make economic recovery its top priority, saying it was “admirable.”

But Johnson, sounding like he’s never been a big fan of the original New Dealers from the 1930s, warned of too much government involvement in the economy and indicated Fidelity is beefing up its government-affairs unit to fend off possibly burdensome new regulations.

“We can only hope that the government’s cure doesn’t further sicken the patient,” Johnson wrote in his annual update on Fidelity’s performance over the past year.

As for the financial-system crisis, Johnson also took a somewhat anti-government conservative view toward its causes, saying “this climate was caused by many well-intentioned policies - stimulated by individuals at high levels in government and sanctioned by regulatory structures.”

Those policies helped make “money ridiculously easy to obtain and business people eager to comply with the policies,” Johnson wrote.

The article later carries a quote from Libertarian Republican blog's contributor:

Daniel Mitchell, a senior fellow at the libertarian Cato Institute, said Johnson’s remarks were on the “right path,” though he said they might be “kind of risky” if they anger government policymakers.

Note - During the final days of the Presidential Campaign in 2008, Democrat candidate Obama repeatedly attacked limited government principles, and in speeches, used the phrase "Virtue of Selfishness" to describe the Republican agenda.

(H/t Gateway)

Are the Ron Paul supporters moving towards Mark Sanford?

Defense stance could prove problematic

Realizing that their hero Ron Paul will be edging close to the high 70s by the time the next Presidential election cycle comes around, some Ron Paulists are taking a more pragmatic approach. The name Gary Johnson, Governor of New Mexico has been a favorite among many in the Ron Paul set. But increasingly, another name is emerging: SC Gov. Mark Sanford.

From NPR, Ron Elving, Watching Washington, Feb. 25:

GOP confronts Stimulus Plan

The National Governors Association came to town over the weekend and staged a debate over President Obama's economic stimulus plan. Notably, the debate featured Republicans arguing with other Republicans.

One of them was Mark Sanford of South Carolina. Another Man of '94, Sanford came to the Capitol with the torch-bearing troops of Newt Gingrich but proved even more conservative than his cohort. He often lined up with libertarian hero Ron Paul, even when no one else did. And unlike many who took the three-terms-and-out pledge, Sanford did his three and left.

Sanford came back to politics two years later as governor and has shown a preference for the executive role. His second term ends in 2010, and he has been touted as a candidate for the White House in 2012. He is now chairman of the National Governors Association (a job once held by Bill Clinton) and has the backing of some who had backed Paul's earlier bids for the presidency.

Though, Sanford takes a decidedly different view on foreign policy matters, than Paul and his supporters. Sanford has a number of Military installations in South Carolina and is known to be a staunch support of the War on Terror. He was also a big Bush supporter and friend throughout his Presidency. His lifetime ACU score as a former Congressman is 92, which includes support for the Defense expenditures and Military votes.

Note - Photo above is Sanford as Governor meeting with a South Carolina-based battalion in Iraq last year.

LINKS

This article received a link from our friends at GOP 12: [As an aside, check out Libertarian Republican's report on whether Paul supporters are moving to SC Gov. Mark Sanford]

HuffPo declares Communism now as "American as Apple Pie"

by Eric Dondero

A zinger this morning from the reliably Marxist Huffington Post that's bound to garner some attention amongst those on the Right.

HuffPo Editorialist Robert Borosage declares that "Progressivism" has now fully taken over America through Obama, and that conservatives and libertarians better just suck it in, grab a shovel or hoe, and get with the new Communist State program.

From HuffPo column, "Progressive Government - The New Center":

He vowed, sensibly, to bring the deficit down - once recovery begins - to half of its current levels by the end of his term. A return to growth will do most of that. And every other choice was a progressive one: savings from Cold War weapons and no bid military contracts, from billions provided insurance companies to compete with Medicare, from agribusiness (and unspecified education programs that don't work). And then progressive taxes - reversing the Bush tax cuts for those making over $250,000, ending tax breaks for companies taking jobs abroad (and unmentioned in the speech, sustaining the estate tax and raising the capital gains tax). He also called for moving on cap and trade on carbon emissions - and his budget will project revenue from this effort, so he won't just let companies pocket the proceeds.

The signature riff, to my mind, was his evocation of US history as proof that progressive and active government is American as apple pie.

He then goes on to quote Obama directly:

"I reject the view that says our problems will simply take care of themselves; that says government has no role in laying the foundation for our common prosperity."

I guess Mr. Borosage believes that libertarians and other critics of Communism, will just go away and dissapear in American politics. Perhaps he's hoping that we'll all become ex-Pats and move to Costa Rica so he and his beloved Obama can continue on their path of building the Socialist Utopia.

While Costa Rica is a fine country, with an even finer climate, libertarians are very unlikely to heed that call. If the recent "Chicago Tea Party" demonstrations in major cities across the Nation is any indication, the Right is just warming up. Borosage and Co. will have to either subjugate or eliminate libertarians or conservatives to get through his radical Marxist agenda. Neither of which is likely to happen without an epic battle of cataclysmic proportions.

And the Right does not go into battle armed with just pitchforks.

Obama inspires Octomoms for federal hand-outs

The ultimate welfare mom. Even scarier than Nadya Suleman.

*Note - Rob Lanham (blog) is a libertarian Republican cartoonist from Alabama.

Libertarian Party Chairman expresses hope that GOP can return to limited government roots

National Chairman of the Libertarian Party Bill Redpath issued a reaction to Obama's speech late last night. In the release he had choice words for both the Republican and Democrat Parties. But Libertarian Republians will be encouraged by one of his closing remarks, where he seemingly leans GOP.

On Obama's speech from Redpath linked at newspapertree.com:

“The American people know better. They know entrepreneurs, not government, create prosperity for all. That is why they agree with Libertarians that tax relief for employers and taxpayers must be at the center of any stimulus plan.

“Sadly, President Obama is taking America in a different direction. His promise last night to raise taxes on employers will delay our eventual recovery, prolonging the suffering of the unemployed and underemployed.

“I salute Governor Jindal’s opposition to the large stimulus bill, and his mea culpa on behalf of the Republican Party. Republicans have a well-earned reputation for expanding deficits, bloated budgets and government largesse. Hopefully, as the current opposition major party, the Republicans can return to the limited government beliefs that the Libertarian Party has never abandoned.

Note - Redpath has served as LP Chair for 6 years, and last year ran for US Senate in Virginia.

Liberal Columnist Peter Dreier labels nationalized health care a new type of "capitalism"

by Eric Dondero

Orwellian Speak: Marxism now equals "responsible capitalism"

Environmental regulations, jobs guaranteed by the government, bank bailouts, subsidies to favored industries by the administration, socialized health care, and compulsory education from K thru 16. That's the new definition of "responsible capitalism," according to TPM's editorialist Peter Dreier.

From TPM:

In his speech, Obama began to carve out a new way of talking about the economy. He is pro-business, but he is anti-corporate. More specifically, he is redefining what a "healthy business climate" means - prosperity that is widely shared by working people, an economy that lifts the working poor into the middle class, provides good schools, decent health care, and housing families can afford, and protects the environment.

President Barack Obama's speech Tuesday night was laced with phrases and ideas that emphasized his view that government has a responsibility not only to foster a strong economy, but also to insure that ordinary people benefit from that economy. He hasn't yet fully articulated his economic philosophy, nor given it a name. But we can see in that speech the outline of a new approach that might be called "responsible capitalism" in contrast to the "crony capitalism" of the Bush era.

Obama said Tuesday night that the federal government has a responsibility to promote economic prosperity, good jobs, a clean environment, health care for all, and a first-class education from kindergarten through college.

Obama knows that bank bailouts are unpopular right now, but explained that they are necessary to restore the economy for ordinary people, so long as the banks are held accountable.

Ayn Rand and Frederich Hayek turning over in their graves

Dreier went on to criticize President Bush for being an extremist government slasher, something an Ayn Randian or Hayekian-style capitalist would find amusing at the very least:

The idea of "responsible capitalism" embedded in Obama's speech is almost a total reversal from the philosophy and practice of the George W. Bush era.

Bush slashed taxes... Under Bush, the financial services industry pushed for and got deregulation... At the behest of the auto industry, the Bush administration stopped California from requiring greater fuel efficient cars, exacerbating the environmental crisis... Bush... rolled back health and safety regulations, and slashed budgets for safety inspection... Bush suspended the Davis-Bacon law - which since1931 has set a minimum pay scare for workers on federally-assisted construction projects.

All ideals that libertarians would applaud, and most libertarians would argue did not go nearly far enough under Bush.

Mr. Dreier is not attacking Bush and Republicans, so much, who are pretty much middle-of-the-road on these matters. But rather he's directly assaulting the entire libertarian movement and agenda. Though, to come out and say so, would put him in direct confrontation with libertarians. Much easier for leftists like Dreier to go after mainline Republicans, and pretend that they're "extremist."

Libertarian Victory at US Supreme Court: Unions no longer able to automatically deduct funds from Government Worker paychecks

Teachers' Unions defeated by libertarian advocacy groups

In a major ruling yesterday, the US Supreme Court held that a state government may prohibit its counties, cities, and towns from subsidizing union political activities via its government payroll systems. The ruling essentially prohibits Unions from automatically deducting funds from the paychecks of government workers.

The case originated in Idaho with Ysursa v. Pocatello Education Association. The 9th Circuit first ruled against the plaintiffs, but the case was appealed. The Supreme Court ruling was 6 - 3, with the majority opinion written by Chief Justice John Roberts.

A coalition of libertarian and free market conservative groups joined in the case, including: National Right to Work, National Federation of Independent Business, the Utah Taxpayers Association, and Americans for Limited Government.

Stefan Gleason, spokesman for the National Right to Work Foundation said:

"It is bad public policy for government bodies essentially to act as bagmen for union political monies.”

Brian Wilson of Americans for Limited Government hailed the decision:

"We at ALG are extremely gratified that the Supreme Court agreed with us,” said Wilson.

"This a victory for taxpayers who do not wish to be forced to fund union politics," he added. "It's a great win. The First Amendment does not require government to devote taxpayer resources to facilitating the speech of its workers, their preferred political organizations, or anyone else,” said Wilson.

Longtime libertarian activist and financier Howie Rich serves as ALG President. He has been the subject of attacks and ridicule by Teachers Unions over the years, for his advocacy and financing of spending caps and other fiscal conservative initiatives around the Nation.

Libertarians to join Conservatives in nationwide Santelli-inspired Tea Party Protests

From Dick Armey:

Last week you may have seen or perhaps heard about CNBC’s Rick Santelli and his report from the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, ground zero for American capitalism and free market commerce, where he called for a “Taxpayer Tea Party” in the wake of efforts to enact a new, multi-billion dollar taxpayer funded housing bailout.

If you are like me, you stood up and cheered.

Rick was channeling what so many limited government advocates have been feeling now for a long time when it comes to out-of-control spending on the backs of hardworking U.S. taxpayers to reward the irresponsible and the corrupt: enough is enough!

FreedomWorks has been contacted by volunteers within the ranks of our own membership (a nationwide network of hundreds of thousands of activists) that want to take to the streets in mass protest to this big government bonanza.

And FreedomWorks is answering the call with a new website, IamWithRick.com.

FreedomWorks is also helping to organize other tea party protests in cities around the country. Currently, we have events planned in Chicago, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Fort Myers, Orlando, Greenville, SC and cities across North Carolina.

UPDATE!

From Steve Beren, Seattle:

Seattle is one of at least fifteen cities holding a Taxpayer Revolt Tea Party onFriday February 27. Events are also scheduled for Washington D.c., Chicago, Portland, San Diego, Houston, Atlanta, St. Louis, Kansas City, Cleveland, Orlando, Fort Worth, Pittsburgh, Tulsa, and Nashville. See links below for more information on the national Taxpayer Revolt Tea Party movement.

PJMediaSchedule

UPDATE!

From Jack Hoogendyk, Michigan:

CNBC's Rick Santelli called earlier this week, backed by mortgage traders, for a "Nationwide Chicago Tea Party" to protest the Obama Administration's Pork Laden Stimulus plan. With foreclosures on the rise, we are made the collateral of out-of-control spending. And, when the bills come due, the IRS knocks on the door of individual responsibility. ENOUGH!

Join With Thousands of Patriots Across the Country! As We Declare Our Independence from Big Government Bailouts!

Friday, February 27th
High Noon
Michigan State Capitol
100 N. Capitol Ave. Lansing, MI

The Return of Rudy?

NewsMax is reporting on new poll numbers that show, that if fiscal conservative Rudy Giuliani were to challenge embattled incumbent Democrat Governor Paterson in 2010, he would win with a comfortable margin.

From NewsMax:

A new poll released Tuesday shows Gov. David Paterson slumping to the lowest job approval and favorability ratings since he took office almost a year ago.

The Siena College Research Institute also looked at potential 2010 election matchups and found the Democrat trailing Republican Rudy Giuliani — 51 percent to 36 percent — despite a 2-to-1 enrollment advantage for Democrats in New York. They were in a dead heat a month ago.

The Mayor has been making the cable news network rounds recently, criticizing the Obama spending bill, and other Obama growth of government agenda items.

Another Michael New case emerges: Active Duty soldier defies non-US born Obama as President, faces possible Court Martial

DEVELOPING STORY!

by Eric Dondero

In 1996, Michael New, an active duty enlisted man in the US Army openly defied the Clinton Administration's order to serve under the United Nations flag, and in the uniform of the UN. New argued that that he should not have to serve under a foreign flag; that he enlisted to serve the USA. The case drew national attention. Eventually, New, was court martialed. He went to the civilian courts to clear his name. But in 2002 a Federal District Judge in DC, a Clinton appointee, dismissed the case. Read more here.

Even so, New became a folk hero to libertarians, and conservative Constitutionalists nationwide.

Now, a new Michael New has emerged. This time the soldier is challenging another liberal Democrat President, "Commander in Chief." Only this time, rather than the United Nations, the soldier is arguing that US Troops should not have to serve under the Command of a foreign born President of the United States.

Scott Easterling, an active duty officer in the US Army has joined a lawsuit to challenge Barack Hussein Obama's eligibility to serve as Commander in Chief. The soldier asserts that Obama is an "imposter" and has not offered clear evidence that he is elgibile to serve as President according to Constitutional guidelines for the office. Full story at WND.

Text of Letter to supporters from American Infidel blog:

To Any and All Interested Parties,

As an active-duty Officer in the United States Army, I have grave concerns about the constitutional eligibilty of Barack Hussein Obama to hold the Office of President of The United States. He has absolutely refused to provide to the American public his original birth certificate, as well as other documents which may prove or disprove his eligibility. In fact, he has fought every attempt made by concerned citizens in their effort to force him to do so.

Until Mr. Obama releases a "vault copy" of his original birth certificate for public review, I will consider him neither my Commander in Chief nor my President, but rather, a usurper to the Office - an impostor.

My conviction is such that I am compelled to join Dr. Orly Taitz's lawsuit, as a plaintiff, against Mr. Obama. As a citizen, it pains me to do this, but as an Offficer, my sworn oath to support and defend our Constitution requires this action.

I joined the Army at age 40, after working in Iraq as a contractor with KBR in '05/'06. I chose to work with KBR to support my troops and then left that lucrative position when the Army raised it's maximum enlistment age to 40. Upon completion of Basic Training, I entered Officer Candidate School and commissioned as a 2LT in August 2007. After completing the subsequent Basic Officer Leadership courses, I was assigned to Ft. Knox and shortly therafter deployed to Balad, Iraq. I was promoted to 1LT on Feb. 2, 2009 and I have approximately five months remaining of our fifteen month deployment.

I implore all Service-members and citizens to contact their Senators and Representatives and demand that they require Mr. Obama prove his eligibility. Our Constitution and our great nation must not be allowed to be disgraced.

Very Respectfull,
Scott R. Easterling
1LT OD/LG
United States Army

The story so far, is receiving very little coverage outside of right blogs and military-oriented websites.

Note - In the late 1990s I served as Congressman Ron Paul's Senior District Aide. Paul took on the New case as a cause celebre for over two years. The young New lived nearby in East Texas. He met with New and his Father on many occasions, and spoke out on their behalf.

Libertarian Economist Thomas Sowell compares Obama to two well-known Totalitarian Dictators from History

From hist latest syndicated column at Creators.com, Feb. 24:

He's not One of Us

"That liberals would be thrilled by another liberal is not surprising. But there are conservative Republicans who voted for Barack Obama, and other conservatives who may not have voted for him, but who are quick to see in various pragmatic moves of his since taking office an indication that he is not an extremist.

Anyone familiar with history knows that Hitler and Stalin were pragmatic...

Pragmatism tells you nothing about extremism. But the conservative intellectuals who seize upon President Obama's pragmatism to give him the benefit of the doubt are obviously bending over backward for some reason."

(H/t GOP 12)

Fox Business's Stuart Varney goes bombastic libertarian on ACORN Thief

Taxpayer bailouts for delinquent home purchasers?

Between Santelli's rant, Cramer a couple weeks ago calling Obama an outright "Leninist," and now the normally reserved gentleman Brit Stuart Varney, America's Financial community is going absolutely bezerk over Obama's hardline Socialist policies. Varney pulls a page out of an Ayn Rand novel, pressing the unprepared and evasive Communist ACORN rep. "show me the right in the Constitution to steal from the taxpayers?"

Never before have such normally mundane fiscal conservatives become such outspoken political activists for the cause of liberty. But a Dow poised to drop under 7,000, worst since 1997, does strange things to people.

A good sign that they're finally fighting back. And we longtime libertarian activists heartily welcome them to the movement. -- ED

Libertarian-leaner Greg Bedell gets GOP Cong. primary endorsement from Chicago Trib.

Republican Liberty Caucus of Illinois member Greg Bedell just got a huge boost in his primary battle for the open Congressional seat in Illinois.

From the Chicago Tribune, Feb. 23:

Yes, lightning has been known to strike for Chicago Republicans. The last time they won a U.S. House seat in the city was 1994, when Michael Flanagan beat the powerhouse Dan Rostenkowski in the 5th Congressional District. Of course, Rostenkowski was under indictment for corruption charges at the time and later went to prison.

No such luck for the Republicans this time. The 5th District seat is merely va- cant because its last incumbent, Rahm Emanuel, is running the White House operation now.

Nevertheless, Republicans have a spirited campaign going for the March 3 special primary election.

Our endorsement goes to Gregory Bedell, a Chicago attorney who is making his first run for office. Bedell, 49, says the Republican Party in recent years lost its way because it abandoned its bedrock values: low taxes, responsible spending and reasonable regulation. He wants government to take a careful, restrained approach to health care, financial regulation, trade and other issues.

If you're in the Chicago area get involved, or outside of Chicago-land, donate, at
http://gregbedellforcongress.ning.com/

Nevada Republican Governor and Democrat School Chancellor trade serious blows over Spending Reductions for State Universities

Former Hillary Campaign Chair attacks Gov. Gibbons for being a "greedy" libertarian, not a real Republican

From the San Jose Mercury News, Feb. 23:

CARSON CITY, Nev.—Chancellor Jim Rogers' [below] criticism of Gov. Jim Gibbons [top left] over higher education funding escalated over the weekend, prompting the governor on Monday to say he won't deal with Rogers any more and will discuss budget issues with a liaison instead.

At the same time, Gibbons released a letter from two regents of the state's university and college system saying they appreciate Rogers' "enthusiastic and zealous advocacy for higher education" but don't endorse what he said in a weekend commentary published in the Nevada Appeal.

In the op-ed piece, Rogers said Gibbons' repeated statements that he will support no new taxes "represent a total lack of understanding of the purpose of government" and indicate he's more of a libertarian than a conservative Republican.

Rogers said his own view is that Gibbons is "simply a greedy, uninterested, unengaged human being whose only, and I mean his only goal is to see what Gibbons can do for himself and his greedy friends."

"The man has absolutely no regard for the welfare of any other human being," Rogers said in the commentary.

At issue is a proposed 50% spending reduction by Gibbons for the state universities in Reno and Las Vegas, to balance the budget.

Note - Rogers served as State Co-Chairman for the Hillary Clinton for President Campaign in 2008. Source - DemocraticUnderground.com

Cato Institute gets a major media figure - Tucker Carlson

LIBERTARIAN MOVEMENT NEWS

The former Host of MSNBC's Tucker Show, Tucker Carlson has joined Cato. The quick-witted, often times smart-allecky Carlson, accepted an appointment as a Senior Fellow at the libertarian institute.

Said Carlson to TVNewser:

"I've admired the Cato Institute since I first read its publications, passed around like samizdat on my college campus," said Carlson. "When I moved to Washington, I discovered that my impression of Cato had been right: The people I met there were some of the smartest, bravest and most interesting in the city."

The report goes on to say that: Carlson will write a book on the state of the American political system. He'll also represent Cato through other writings, media appearances and public speaking engagements.

Carlson, long considered to be of the NeoConservative wing on the Right, was one of a handful of Republicans to endorse the quixotic Presidential campaign of Texas Congressman Ron Paul in 2008.

Islamic TV News Commentary on the Muslim Beheading in Buffalo, NY

At least one Islamic Television Network has responded to the Beheading of a Muslim woman by her Husband last week in Buffalo, NY.

Surprisingly, the Commentator criticizes his fellow "Muslim brother" who committed the horrendous crime.

Geert Wilders invited to United States Senate

BREAKING NEWS!!

Euro-Libertarian Hero gets Inivite from Republican Senator John Kyl

From Radio Netherlands Worldwide:

Wilders takes Fitna to US

Dutch Freedom Party leader Geert Wilders is planning to show his anti-Qu'ran film Fitna to the United States Senate later this week. Mr Wilders was invited to present the film by Jon Kyl, a Republican Senator for Arizona. In an interview with the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Mr Wilders said he did not expect to encounter any problems during his visit.

The politician was recently refused entry to Great Britain. He had been invited to show the film to the House of Lords, but was denied entry to the country when he landed at Heathrow Airport. Mr Wilders is appealing against the British refusal to prevent him from entering the country.

(H/ts GOP 12 & DC Republican)

UPDATE!

Wilders appeared on Bill O'Reilly last night. We have the video up, over at our sister site Worldwide Liberty.

Massive Market Downturn: Obama Economy headed towards Severe Recession

Reactions from Economists, Investment Advisors and Political Commentators to today's huge Market Sell-off of 250 points, and the continuing Down Trend since Obama's Presidency:

CNBC

Cramer, CNBC:

Money managers are pouring into consumer staples because there’s nowhere else to go – except for oil and gold, that is. Forget about all but a select few of the financials right now... Unemployment and lack of credit are hurting the early-cycle stocks. Transports are in trouble. So is retail. The list is virtually endless: real estate investment trusts, technology, media, health care, even the staid utilities – they’re all hurting.


FOX NEWS

Fred Barnes, Fox News Special Report

When he signed the stimulus, the market went down 300 points or something. When Tim Geithner as Treasury Secretary tried to announce some plan on further bailing out the banks, it went down 400 points, or 300 points, and so on. It is really collapsing.

Nobody believes, at least on Wall Street, or anywhere else so far as I know, believes that the stimulus will stimulate. Nobody believes that they have reached a solution on what to do with the banks. Wall Street and everybody else is confused about that.

And their calculation on Wall Street--maybe they're wrong. I don't think they are, but their calculation is that Obama's policies won't work.

Charles Krauthammer, Fox News Special Report

The markets are responding remarkably, exquisitely, sensitively to political events, much more in than in the past.

And the reason is for the last year we have had huge intervention of the government in the markets and the banks, in autos. So it is not just a reaction to economic news, but to what's happening in Washington.

FORBES

Market Analysis, Forbes.com

Abandon all hope? Investors grow weary of DC fixes

"Everybody wants to know where things are at and where is this going to bottom out," said Doug De Groote, managing director of United Wealth Management in Westlake Village, Calif. "They're seeing that the (political) change has not brought any good news to their portfolio."

Well-known financial pessimist Peter Schiff, who was ahead of the pack with predictions the economy and stock market would tank, said Friday he sees the Dow going potentially as low as 4,000 or 5,000.

"If people are looking for a bottom... This bear market is going to last a long time."

INTERNATIONAL TV BUSINESS NEWS

GMA News

NEW YORK – Wall Street has turned the clock back to 1997. Investors unable to extinguish their worries about a recession that has no end in sight dumped stocks again Monday. The Dow Jones industrial average tumbled 251 points to its lowest close since May 7, 1997, while the Standard & Poor's 500 index logged its lowest finish since April 11, 1997. It's as if the decade's dot-com surge, collapse and subsequent recovery never occurred.

"People left and right are throwing in the towel," said Keith Springer, president of Capital Financial Advisory Services.

The market's decline extends massive losses from last week when the major stock indexes tumbled more than 6 percent. While falling to their 1997 levels, the major indexes plunged through the lows they reached in late November, at the height of the credit crisis.

On Monday, the S&P 500 did close above its Nov. 21 trading low of 741.02. But the 14-month recession has decimated the major indexes: The Dow is down 49.8 percent from its record highs of October 2007, while the S&P 500 index is down 52.5 percent.

Detrick warned that a move below the S&P's Nov. 21 low could set off "violent selling" as even more confidence drains from the market.

We all want to know when the market is going to bottom. Well, right now it’s definitely at SOME kind of bottom.

INVESTOR BLOGS

Jim Rogers Blog

Everybody is in the state of panic. Many financial institutions still don’t know what they have. So, in the meantime, everybody is frozen trying to figure out, what are we worth, what can we do?

"Barack Obama is a smart and exciting person but he doesn`t understand economics. His history has nothing to do with economics. He has no real experience, at life or of the way the world works. So his instincts are to do things which are bad for the world. He has a new set of people with him most of whom caused the problems we have now" JIM ROGERS in a interview in China to a Chinese TV Channel.

CNBC Blog

The S&P 500 could slump over 20 percent throughout this year and into the next as the index fails to form a firm base at current levels, Robin Griffiths from Cazenove Capital told CNBC Monday.

Market Speculator Blog

Stocks on the Verge of Collapse Again

Nationalization and depression fears sends stock teetering on the verge of collapse.

The Market Guardian Blog

The Markets Have Broken Down

If it[S&P] falls below [750] there could be massive capitulation.

This past Thursday, markets began to retest their November 20th lows. November 20th was the “first” bottom (of a “crash” that began in late September/early October - a really protracted crash). But this past Thursday, February 19th, was definitely when the next “crash” began. Who knows where this slide’s bottom will be. All I can tell is that

(1) it seems to be happening faster than the Sept/Oct. one, and
If you want to be convinced of the size of this second crash... just look at Royal Bank (TSE: RY). The world’s seventh-largest bank is trading for less than 50% of what it was one year ago.

All in all, this [is a] recession/meltdown (recession seems like too mild of a word for it).

Greg Nguyen, Organized Mind Investments Blog

The Market Takes Another Dump

My negative bias towards equities is playing out as predicted. The Dow Jones Industrials should dip below 7,000--if not this leg down, at some point in the near future. The markets are skeptical that the Obama administration and Congress can wrap their arms around this financial crisis, and that skepticism is well-founded. And Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner's recovery plans haven't exactly elicited confidence in the market place. I've been personally cynical throughout the election and inauguration process, and unfortunately, it's playing out as we called it--this stimulus plan is not stimulative for the economy. It will not create private sector jobs, but detract from private sector investment. If anything, it will dampen future growth for years, as our mounting national debt and bulging deficits will only lower our standard of living and increase our tax burden.

Republican Barbour and Democrat Rendell agree - taking unemployment funds will eventually raise taxes on states, Granholm vehemently dissents

Michigan Gov. says: Give me the Money!

It's not often that you'll see a southern conservative Republican Governor and a northern state liberal Democrat in agreement. But yesterday, Governors Haley Barbour of Mississippi and Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania were singing from the same songbook on unemployment insurance.

From CNN:

(CNN) -- Though they support some federal action to help their states recover from the recession, several Republican governors said Sunday they plan to turn down a portion of what's offered in the stimulus bill that President Obama signed last week.

Gov. Haley Barbour said the stimulus bill would force Mississippi to raise taxes.

"If we were to take the unemployment reform package that they have, it would cause us to raise taxes on employment when the money runs out -- and the money will run out in a couple of years," Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour told CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday.

Reaction from Rendell:

A leading Democrat, meanwhile, said he does see a potential problem.

"I'm not sure that we can, over the long run, cope with the high unemployment compensation standard that this mandates for states," Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, the head of the National Governor's Association, told "Fox News Sunday."

The PA Governor then went on to say he'd still take the money, as did Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, seemingly unconcerned with future tax increases in her State as a result of the new higher unemployment tax standard set. But Granholm is set to leave office in 2010.

"South Carolina, I'll take your money. Louisiana, we'll take it," Granholm said in an interview recorded last week and broadcast Sunday on "State of the Union."

"We got plenty of work here, plenty of jobs that we would like to create here," Granholm added as she discussed the struggling auto industry and job losses in her state.

However, Granholm does not specify whether the jobs she intends to "create" are public sector or private. Many would argue that creating more public sector jobs would lead to even greater unemployment due to the increase in taxes necessary to fund these jobs long term.

Note - Michigan unemployment is by far the highest in the Nation, now standing at 12.6%. The rate has gone up by over 4% since Granholm first took office 6 years ago.

John Ziegler's new video highlights liberal media trashing of Sarah Palin

Follow-up to "How Obama got Elected" YouTube sensation

Ziegler comes out with another smash hit. This time he exposes liberal media bias against Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

Some truly unbelievable clips of network TV news anchors and reporters fawning all over Barack Hussein Obama, including one "reporter" who breaks down in tears over his election.

Granholm attacks Sanford for being a radical "libertarian"

Just Breaking from Fox News Sunday...

From Raw Story:

"They still haven't shown a clear path to solvency," host Chris Wallace charged on Fox News Sunday. "Why should the taxpayers keep them on life support?"

In response, Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm of Michigan gestured towards Republican Governor Mark Stanford, who was seated next to her. "My pal here from South Carolina," she began, "who I think is a bit -- I mean, you'd have to say he's a bit of an outlier in terms of economic theory, he's somebody who's more of a libertarian than the rest of us, or most folks -- would say that this creative destruction would be good."

Granholm went on to insist passionately, "Every single country that has an auto industry is stepping forward to help that auto industry. Why wouldn't we help this industry, too -- because it means 3.5 million jobs. ... We would just take that whole thing away. Communities all across the country ... would be seeing devastation."

Sanford responded (Wallace first):

"You have a BMW plant in South Carolina, which I think is not asking for any federal help," he suggested to Sanford. "So tell Governor Granholm why residents of your state don't want to keep bailing out her companies."

Sanford replied that the US auto companies have to make changes to be competitive, "and the idea of throwing in money, so you take away pressure that would force a reform essential to their long-term survival, I think is short-term in perspective."

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty later jumped in and accused Granholm of being tied to Union special interests and wanting to instill socialized health care across the US.

Read the full exchange here.