by Hank McGrath
Government Entitlements
Did you know more than half of those in Congress are millionaires? Each year RollCall.com does a piece on the 50 richest Congresspersons and also check out…
Think for a moment if you were a millionaire – what is the likelihood that you would care about you or me or any common Joe…You see, it is a way of human nature that as our conditions change so does our frame of mind; Hence, if we were millionaires we would not be concerned about the bottom up, we would primarily be concerned with the up-factor, the higher status once achieved must be defended…
According to a report by Michael Snyder in the Economic Collapse Blog and later reprinted in the SurvivalistBlog.net: 1) Over 500,000 federal workers average $100,000 dollars a year 2)There are over 77,000 federal workers that make more than the Governor of their own State 3)Over 139 White House staffers average $100,000 and 20 staffers average $175,000 4)Obama’s dog handler makes over $102,000 as year 5) The trip Obama took to Africa cost taxpayers over 100 million dollars 6)When Biden visited Moscow FOR TWO DAYS his hotel room cost over $665,000. When he went to Paris for one night the cost was $585,000 and when he went to London for a night the hotel bill was over $450,000…
Now, think, if you were a millionaire and stayed in a motel for one night how in the world do you spend over $500,000? When you have access to that kind of money YOU OWN JUDGES, you own large groups of power people. You have no need for the simple man, the hardworking mom, the toddlers and teenagers, the factory workers and small local business people. They cannot benefit you except by their service, their payment, their devotion and reverence to you …Sorry folks, ITS TRUE! It is a Plutocracy of which you serve. I am not just talking about a few dirty Congressmen here – The system is corrupt by its very pillars of elegance and arrogance. Only the “haves” count and the “have nots” must serve those who have as a way
to perpetuate the system…
YOUR HARD EARNED TAXES PAY FOR THEIR LAVISH LIFESTYLES and the lifestyle is not essential to getting bills passed that protect your rights. That is what I am attempting to convey to the reader. All of Congress could individually have but a five dollar bill in their pocket – does not affect whether they represent us or not. But, if half of Congress are millionaires and the other half are trying to be – the common citizen is “shit outta luck” as far as getting any real political representation in Washington, DC.
In November, 2012, CBS;s “60 Minutes” aired a special on how members of Congress (both parties) are unethically earning millions of dollars in shares and stocks by various schemes which they, themselves, have purposely not passed legislation to prevent. For years members of Congress have manipulated Wall Street and even bailed out Wall Street recently simply because they, themselves, would be directly affected financially if certain companies and corporations went belly up. Its true folks! According to the “60 Minutes segment: Representative Spencer Bachus (R-AL) was trading in funds that would make money if the economy tanked after receiving secret
briefings warning of the pending collapse of the financial sector; Members of Congress have been trading health care stocks during the health care reform debate; Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) “just days before the [public option] provision was publicly killed off, Boehner bought health care stocks, all of which went up.” YET, LEGISLATION HAS BEEN PASSED RECENTLY IN WASHINGTON, DC WHICH MAKES IT ILLEGAL FOR CONGRESS PERSONS TO PARTICIPATE IN “INSIDER TRADING”. The “60 Minutes” report went on to describe how Congresspersons play the IPO game. IPO’s are “Initial Public Offerings” by a company that first goes public and sells its stock. The company seeks to raise capital through the sale of public IPO’s and hires an investment bank to set the price for the market. According to Dave Johnson in License To Profit/TruthOut, “The opportunity for corruption in an IPO occurs if the stock price is manipulated to initially sell for a price that is lower than the market demand, guaranteeing instant profits to purchasers of stock at the opening price. Since this form of price manipulation is under the control of the investment bank that is managing the IPO (with a wink and a nod from executives of the company that is offering the stock), the opportunity for access to the guaranteed quick profit offered by a manipulated IPO can be traded for favors. And, as we know, Congress has, over the years, granted lots of favors to Wall Street.” An example of this is how Nancy Pelosi financially benefited from over 8 IPO’s since 2008. One such stock was on Visa where the initial stock price was $44 dollars a share and two days later the price was trading at $64 dollars a share. Oh, I forgot to tell you that during this same period of days a bill was before her that would have had a bad effect on credit card companies…Seems she made her profitable move PRIOR TO a vote on the bill. The same as with Boehner who bought health care stocks and profited
while a health care provision set before him in Congress…Isn’t that unethical and corrupt behavior? Know how they do it? Their wives or husbands become financial advisors and traders or they make arrangements with their own investor who has specific instructions of what moves to make. It is beyond “insider trading” when you have total control! As you read in Part One, Congresspersons spend 4 hours each day making phone calls to corporations and power brokers to raise capital for themselves and their party. Who the hell do you think they are calling?!! Come on, snap out of it! Washington, DC is a business, a very, VERY large corporation. While the citizen votes with a constitutional concept the candidates are in competition to win control of the corporation – United States of America, Inc. They would be fools to take control simply to relinquish control to the citizenry. That is why they get the titles and the big money “entitlements” and you get the little fat and grizzle cuttings off the steak (food stamps, housing and the like).
Government Entitlements
Did you know more than half of those in Congress are millionaires? Each year RollCall.com does a piece on the 50 richest Congresspersons and also check out…
Think for a moment if you were a millionaire – what is the likelihood that you would care about you or me or any common Joe…You see, it is a way of human nature that as our conditions change so does our frame of mind; Hence, if we were millionaires we would not be concerned about the bottom up, we would primarily be concerned with the up-factor, the higher status once achieved must be defended…
According to a report by Michael Snyder in the Economic Collapse Blog and later reprinted in the SurvivalistBlog.net: 1) Over 500,000 federal workers average $100,000 dollars a year 2)There are over 77,000 federal workers that make more than the Governor of their own State 3)Over 139 White House staffers average $100,000 and 20 staffers average $175,000 4)Obama’s dog handler makes over $102,000 as year 5) The trip Obama took to Africa cost taxpayers over 100 million dollars 6)When Biden visited Moscow FOR TWO DAYS his hotel room cost over $665,000. When he went to Paris for one night the cost was $585,000 and when he went to London for a night the hotel bill was over $450,000…
Now, think, if you were a millionaire and stayed in a motel for one night how in the world do you spend over $500,000? When you have access to that kind of money YOU OWN JUDGES, you own large groups of power people. You have no need for the simple man, the hardworking mom, the toddlers and teenagers, the factory workers and small local business people. They cannot benefit you except by their service, their payment, their devotion and reverence to you …Sorry folks, ITS TRUE! It is a Plutocracy of which you serve. I am not just talking about a few dirty Congressmen here – The system is corrupt by its very pillars of elegance and arrogance. Only the “haves” count and the “have nots” must serve those who have as a way
to perpetuate the system…
YOUR HARD EARNED TAXES PAY FOR THEIR LAVISH LIFESTYLES and the lifestyle is not essential to getting bills passed that protect your rights. That is what I am attempting to convey to the reader. All of Congress could individually have but a five dollar bill in their pocket – does not affect whether they represent us or not. But, if half of Congress are millionaires and the other half are trying to be – the common citizen is “shit outta luck” as far as getting any real political representation in Washington, DC.
In November, 2012, CBS;s “60 Minutes” aired a special on how members of Congress (both parties) are unethically earning millions of dollars in shares and stocks by various schemes which they, themselves, have purposely not passed legislation to prevent. For years members of Congress have manipulated Wall Street and even bailed out Wall Street recently simply because they, themselves, would be directly affected financially if certain companies and corporations went belly up. Its true folks! According to the “60 Minutes segment: Representative Spencer Bachus (R-AL) was trading in funds that would make money if the economy tanked after receiving secret
briefings warning of the pending collapse of the financial sector; Members of Congress have been trading health care stocks during the health care reform debate; Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) “just days before the [public option] provision was publicly killed off, Boehner bought health care stocks, all of which went up.” YET, LEGISLATION HAS BEEN PASSED RECENTLY IN WASHINGTON, DC WHICH MAKES IT ILLEGAL FOR CONGRESS PERSONS TO PARTICIPATE IN “INSIDER TRADING”. The “60 Minutes” report went on to describe how Congresspersons play the IPO game. IPO’s are “Initial Public Offerings” by a company that first goes public and sells its stock. The company seeks to raise capital through the sale of public IPO’s and hires an investment bank to set the price for the market. According to Dave Johnson in License To Profit/TruthOut, “The opportunity for corruption in an IPO occurs if the stock price is manipulated to initially sell for a price that is lower than the market demand, guaranteeing instant profits to purchasers of stock at the opening price. Since this form of price manipulation is under the control of the investment bank that is managing the IPO (with a wink and a nod from executives of the company that is offering the stock), the opportunity for access to the guaranteed quick profit offered by a manipulated IPO can be traded for favors. And, as we know, Congress has, over the years, granted lots of favors to Wall Street.” An example of this is how Nancy Pelosi financially benefited from over 8 IPO’s since 2008. One such stock was on Visa where the initial stock price was $44 dollars a share and two days later the price was trading at $64 dollars a share. Oh, I forgot to tell you that during this same period of days a bill was before her that would have had a bad effect on credit card companies…Seems she made her profitable move PRIOR TO a vote on the bill. The same as with Boehner who bought health care stocks and profited
while a health care provision set before him in Congress…Isn’t that unethical and corrupt behavior? Know how they do it? Their wives or husbands become financial advisors and traders or they make arrangements with their own investor who has specific instructions of what moves to make. It is beyond “insider trading” when you have total control! As you read in Part One, Congresspersons spend 4 hours each day making phone calls to corporations and power brokers to raise capital for themselves and their party. Who the hell do you think they are calling?!! Come on, snap out of it! Washington, DC is a business, a very, VERY large corporation. While the citizen votes with a constitutional concept the candidates are in competition to win control of the corporation – United States of America, Inc. They would be fools to take control simply to relinquish control to the citizenry. That is why they get the titles and the big money “entitlements” and you get the little fat and grizzle cuttings off the steak (food stamps, housing and the like).
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Americans Have Lost VIRTUALLY ALL Constitutional Rights
by Sunshinny
This article is a MUST READ when considering exactly where the citizen stands with the government and at what cost and loss of what “citizen powers” …???
How Many Constitutional Freedoms Have We Lost?
This post explains the liberties guaranteed in the Bill of Rights – the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution – and provides a scorecard on the extent of the loss of each right. (This is an updated version of an essay we wrote in February. Unfortunately, a lot of information has come out since then.)
First Amendment
The 1st Amendment protects speech, religion, assembly and the press:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
The Supreme Court has also interpreted the First Amendment as protecting freedom of association.
However, the government is arresting those speaking out … and violently crushing peaceful assemblies which attempt to petition the government for redress.
A federal judge found that the law allowing indefinite detention of Americans without due process has a“chilling effect” on free speech. And see this and this.
There are also enacted laws allowing the secret service to arrest anyone protesting near the president or other designated folks (that might explain incidents like this).
Mass spying by the NSA violates our freedom of association.
The threat of being labeled a terrorist for exercising our First Amendment rights certainly violates the First Amendment. The government is using laws to crush dissent, and it’s gotten so bad that even U.S. Supreme Court justices are saying that we are descending into tyranny.
For example, the following actions may get an American citizen living on U.S. soil labeled as a “suspected terrorist” today:
However, the government is arresting those speaking out … and violently crushing peaceful assemblies which attempt to petition the government for redress.
A federal judge found that the law allowing indefinite detention of Americans without due process has a“chilling effect” on free speech. And see this and this.
There are also enacted laws allowing the secret service to arrest anyone protesting near the president or other designated folks (that might explain incidents like this).
Mass spying by the NSA violates our freedom of association.
The threat of being labeled a terrorist for exercising our First Amendment rights certainly violates the First Amendment. The government is using laws to crush dissent, and it’s gotten so bad that even U.S. Supreme Court justices are saying that we are descending into tyranny.
For example, the following actions may get an American citizen living on U.S. soil labeled as a “suspected terrorist” today:
- Complaining about the taste of your tap water
- Being young (if you live near a battle zone, you are fair game; and see this)
- Reporting or doing journalism (and here and here)
- Having “strange odors” or “bright colored stains on clothes” (what if you eat mustard or ketchup?)
- Protesting anything (such as participating in the “Occupy” or “Tea Party” movements)
- Questioning war (even though war reduces our national security; and see this)
- Criticizing the government’s targeting of innocent civilians with drones (although killing innocent civilians with drones is one of the main things which increases terrorism. And see this)
- Stocking up on more than 7 days of food (even though all Mormons are taught to stockpile food, and most Hawaiians store up on extra food)
- (Not having a Facebook account may soon be added)
And holding the following beliefs may also be considered grounds for suspected terrorism:
- Liking the Founding Fathers
- Being a Christian
- Being “anti-nuclear”
- Being “anti-abortion”
- Being “anti-Catholic”
- Being “anti-global”
Of course, Muslims are more or less subject to a separate system of justice in America.
And 1st Amendment rights are especially chilled when power has become so concentrated that the same agency which spies on all Americans also decides who should be assassinated.
And 1st Amendment rights are especially chilled when power has become so concentrated that the same agency which spies on all Americans also decides who should be assassinated.
Second Amendment
The 2nd Amendment states:
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Gun control and gun rights advocates obviously have very different views about whether guns are a force for violence or for good.
But even a top liberal Constitutional law expert reluctantly admits that the right to own a gun is as important a Constitutional right as freedom of speech or religion:
But even a top liberal Constitutional law expert reluctantly admits that the right to own a gun is as important a Constitutional right as freedom of speech or religion:
Like many academics, I was happy to blissfully ignore the Second Amendment. It did not fit neatly into my socially liberal agenda.
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It is hard to read the Second Amendment and not honestly conclude that the Framers intended gun ownership to be an individual right. It is true that the amendment begins with a reference to militias: “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” Accordingly, it is argued, this amendment protects the right of the militia to bear arms, not the individual.
Yet, if true, the Second Amendment would be effectively declared a defunct provision. The National Guard is not a true militia in the sense of the Second Amendment and, since the District and others believe governments can ban guns entirely, the Second Amendment would be read out of existence.
***
More important, the mere reference to a purpose of the Second Amendment does not alter the fact that an individual right is created. The right of the people to keep and bear arms is stated in the same way as the right to free speech or free press. The statement of a purpose was intended to reaffirm the power of the states and the people against the central government. At the time, many feared the federal government and its national army. Gun ownership was viewed as a deterrent against abuse by the government, which would be less likely to mess with a well-armed populace.
Considering the Framers and their own traditions of hunting and self-defense, it is clear that they would have viewed such ownership as an individual right — consistent with the plain meaning of the amendment.
None of this is easy for someone raised to believe that the Second Amendment was the dividing line between the enlightenment and the dark ages of American culture. Yet, it is time to honestly reconsider this amendment and admit that … here’s the really hard part … the NRAmay have been right. This does not mean that Charlton Heston is the new Rosa Parks or that no restrictions can be placed on gun ownership. But it does appear that gun ownership was made a protected right by the Framers and, while we might not celebrate it, it is time that we recognize it.
The gun control debate – including which weapons and magazines are banned – is still in flux …
Third Amendment
The 3rd Amendment prohibits the government forcing people to house soldiers:
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
While a recent lawsuit by a Nevada family – covered by (Mother Jones, Fox News and Courthouse News – alleges violation of the Third Amendment, this appears to be an isolated incident and an aberration.
So we’ll count this as an Amendment which is still being honored! Score one for We the People!
So we’ll count this as an Amendment which is still being honored! Score one for We the People!
Fourth Amendment
The 4th Amendment prevents unlawful search and seizure:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
But the government is spying on everything we do … without any real benefit or justification.
Indeed, experts say that the type of spying being carried out by the NSA and other agencies is exactly the kind of thing which King George imposed on the American colonists … which led to the Revolutionary War.
And many Constitutional experts – such as Jonathan Turley – think that the police went too far in Boston with lockdowns and involuntary door-to-door searches.
Indeed, experts say that the type of spying being carried out by the NSA and other agencies is exactly the kind of thing which King George imposed on the American colonists … which led to the Revolutionary War.
And many Constitutional experts – such as Jonathan Turley – think that the police went too far in Boston with lockdowns and involuntary door-to-door searches.
Fifth Amendment
The 5th Amendment addresses due process of law, eminent domain, double jeopardy and grand jury:
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
But the American government has shredded the 5th Amendment by subjecting us to indefinite detentionand taking away our due process rights.
The government claims the right to assassinate or indefinitely detain any American citizen on U.S. citizen without any due process. And see this.
As such, the government is certainly depriving people of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.
There are additional corruptions of 5th Amendment rights – such as property being taken for privatepurposes. And the right to remain silent is gone.
The percentage of prosecutions in which a defendant is denied a grand jury is difficult to gauge, as there isso much secrecy surrounding many terrorism trials.
Protection against being tried twice for the same crime after being found innocent (“double jeopardy”) seems to be intact. Hey … that’s two Constitutional rights which are still intact!
The government claims the right to assassinate or indefinitely detain any American citizen on U.S. citizen without any due process. And see this.
As such, the government is certainly depriving people of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.
There are additional corruptions of 5th Amendment rights – such as property being taken for privatepurposes. And the right to remain silent is gone.
The percentage of prosecutions in which a defendant is denied a grand jury is difficult to gauge, as there isso much secrecy surrounding many terrorism trials.
Protection against being tried twice for the same crime after being found innocent (“double jeopardy”) seems to be intact. Hey … that’s two Constitutional rights which are still intact!
Image by William BanzaiSixth Amendment
The 6th Amendment guarantees the right to hear the criminal charges levied against us and to be able to confront the witnesses who have testified against us, as well as speedy criminal trials, and a public defender for those who cannot hire an attorney:
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
Subjecting people to indefinite detention or assassination obviously violates the 6th Amendment right to a jury trial. In both cases, the defendants is “disposed of” without ever receiving a trial … and often without ever hearing the charges against them.
More and more commonly, the government prosecutes cases based upon “secret evidence” that they don’t show to the defendant … or sometimes even the judge hearing the case.
The government uses “secret evidence” to spy on Americans, prosecute leaking or terrorism charges (even against U.S. soldiers) and even assassinate people. And see this and this.
Secret witnesses are being used in some cases. And sometimes lawyers are not even allowed to read their own briefs.
Indeed, even the laws themselves are now starting to be kept secret. And it’s about to get a lot worse.
True – when defendants are afforded a jury trial – they are provided with assistance of counsel. However, the austerity caused by redistribution of wealth to the super-elite is causing severe budget cuts to the courts and the public defenders’ offices nationwide.
Moreover, there are two systems of justice in America … one for the big banks and other fatcats, and one for everyone else. The government made it official policy not to prosecute fraud, even though fraud is themain business model adopted by Wall Street. Indeed, the biggest financial crime in world history, thelargest insider trading scandal of all time, illegal raiding of customer accounts and blatant financing of drug cartels and terrorists have all been committed recently without any real criminal prosecution or jail time.
On the other hand, government prosecutors are using the legal system to crush dissent and to silence whistleblowers.
And some of the nation’s most powerful judges have lost their independence … and are in bed with the powers-that-be.
More and more commonly, the government prosecutes cases based upon “secret evidence” that they don’t show to the defendant … or sometimes even the judge hearing the case.
The government uses “secret evidence” to spy on Americans, prosecute leaking or terrorism charges (even against U.S. soldiers) and even assassinate people. And see this and this.
Secret witnesses are being used in some cases. And sometimes lawyers are not even allowed to read their own briefs.
Indeed, even the laws themselves are now starting to be kept secret. And it’s about to get a lot worse.
True – when defendants are afforded a jury trial – they are provided with assistance of counsel. However, the austerity caused by redistribution of wealth to the super-elite is causing severe budget cuts to the courts and the public defenders’ offices nationwide.
Moreover, there are two systems of justice in America … one for the big banks and other fatcats, and one for everyone else. The government made it official policy not to prosecute fraud, even though fraud is themain business model adopted by Wall Street. Indeed, the biggest financial crime in world history, thelargest insider trading scandal of all time, illegal raiding of customer accounts and blatant financing of drug cartels and terrorists have all been committed recently without any real criminal prosecution or jail time.
On the other hand, government prosecutors are using the legal system to crush dissent and to silence whistleblowers.
And some of the nation’s most powerful judges have lost their independence … and are in bed with the powers-that-be.
Seventh Amendment
The 7th Amendment guarantees trial by jury in federal court for civil cases:
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
As far as we know, this right is still being respected (that’s three rights still being followed).
However – as noted above – the austerity caused by redistribution of wealth to the super-elite is causing severe budget cuts to the courts, resulting in the wheels of justice slowing down considerably.
However – as noted above – the austerity caused by redistribution of wealth to the super-elite is causing severe budget cuts to the courts, resulting in the wheels of justice slowing down considerably.
Painting by Anthony Freda: www.AnthonyFreda.com
Eighth Amendment
The 8th Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment:
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Indefinite detention and assassination are obviously cruel and unusual punishment.
The widespread system of torture carried out in the last 10 years – with the help of other countries –violates the 8th Amendment. Many want to bring it back … or at least justify its past use.
While Justice Scalia disingenuously argues that torture does not constitute cruel and unusual punishment because it is meant to produce information – not punish – he’s wrong. It’s not only cruel and unusual … it is technically a form of terrorism.
And government whistleblowers are being cruelly and unusually punished with unduly harsh sentences meant to intimidate anyone else from speaking out.
The widespread system of torture carried out in the last 10 years – with the help of other countries –violates the 8th Amendment. Many want to bring it back … or at least justify its past use.
While Justice Scalia disingenuously argues that torture does not constitute cruel and unusual punishment because it is meant to produce information – not punish – he’s wrong. It’s not only cruel and unusual … it is technically a form of terrorism.
And government whistleblowers are being cruelly and unusually punished with unduly harsh sentences meant to intimidate anyone else from speaking out.
Ninth Amendment
The 9th Amendment provides that people have other rights, even if they aren’t specifically listed in the Constitution:
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
We can debate what our inherent rights as human beings are. I believe they include the right to a level playing field, and access to non-toxic food and water. You may disagree.
But everyone agrees that the government should not actively encourage fraud and manipulation. However, the government – through its malignant, symbiotic relation with big corporations – is interfering with our aspirations for economic freedom, safe food and water (instead of arsenic-laden, genetically engineered junk), freedom from undue health hazards such as irradiation due to government support of archaic nuclear power designs, and a level playing field (as opposed to our crony capitalist system in which the little guy has no shot due to redistribution of wealth from the middle class to the super-elite, and government support of white collar criminals).
By working hand-in-glove with giant corporations to defraud us into paying for a lower quality of life, the government is trampling our basic rights as human beings.
But everyone agrees that the government should not actively encourage fraud and manipulation. However, the government – through its malignant, symbiotic relation with big corporations – is interfering with our aspirations for economic freedom, safe food and water (instead of arsenic-laden, genetically engineered junk), freedom from undue health hazards such as irradiation due to government support of archaic nuclear power designs, and a level playing field (as opposed to our crony capitalist system in which the little guy has no shot due to redistribution of wealth from the middle class to the super-elite, and government support of white collar criminals).
By working hand-in-glove with giant corporations to defraud us into paying for a lower quality of life, the government is trampling our basic rights as human beings.
Tenth Amendment
The 10th Amendment provides that powers not specifically given to the Federal government are reserved to the states or individual:
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
Two of the central principles of America’s Founding Fathers are:
(1) The government is created and empowered with the consent of the people
and
(2) Separation of powers
Today, most Americans believe that the government is threatening – rather than protecting – freedom. We’ve become more afraid of our government than of terrorists, and believe that the government is no longer acting with the “consent of the governed“.
And the federal government is trampling the separation of powers by stepping on the toes of the states and the people. For example, former head S&L prosecutor Bill Black – now a professor of law and economics –notes:
And the federal government is trampling the separation of powers by stepping on the toes of the states and the people. For example, former head S&L prosecutor Bill Black – now a professor of law and economics –notes:
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the resident examiners and regional staff of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency [both] competed to weaken federal regulation andaggressively used the preemption doctrine to try to prevent state investigations of and actions against fraudulent mortgage lenders.
Indeed, the federal government is doing everything it can to stick its nose into every aspect of our lives … and act like Big Brother.
Conclusion: While a few of the liberties enshrined in the Bill of Rights still exist, the vast majority are underheavy assault.
Conclusion: While a few of the liberties enshrined in the Bill of Rights still exist, the vast majority are underheavy assault.
Other Constitutional Provisions … and The Declaration of Independence
In addition to the trampling of the Bill of Rights, the government has also trashed the separation of powersenshrined in the main body of the Constitution.
The government is also engaging in activities which the Founding Fathers fought against, such as taxation without representation (here and here), cronyism, deference to central banks, etc.
As thethe preamble to the Declaration of Independence shows, the American government is still carrying out many of the acts the Founding Fathers found most offensive:
The government is also engaging in activities which the Founding Fathers fought against, such as taxation without representation (here and here), cronyism, deference to central banks, etc.
As thethe preamble to the Declaration of Independence shows, the American government is still carrying out many of the acts the Founding Fathers found most offensive:
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
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He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
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For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
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He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
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He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.{Reprinted from http://www.torn-republic.com ,mirrored from http://www.theweepingeagle.com/ }
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