1Declaration: Free Markets, Free People, Free Minds

We are fast approaching the stage of the ultimate inversion: the stage where the government is free to do anything it pleases, while the citizens may act only by permission; which is the stage of the darkest periods of human history, the stage of rule by brute force.--Ayn Rand

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• Increased tax rates without true representation
  
• Forced collection of income for the purposes of social welfare
• Health care decisions made by the government
• Regulations limiting energy production
• Prohibition of what is deemed 'immoral'
• Wiretapping on US citizens
• Continuing erosion of gun control rights
• Forced collection of income for the purposes of retirement without control of the funds

These are all policies that the US has engaged in or is being proposed by 1 or more of the Presidential nominees and yet we celebrate tomorrow the day when Americans made our Declaration of Independence from an overbearing government who thought they knew best. Actually that seems rather similar to today.

Today we are involved in a struggle of a government and politicians that no longer believe in success of the individual without government intervention. The entire idea seems to be repulsive to them. If you take a look at their policies this is the only conclusion that you can draw. Instead of developing policies that favor individual choice and reduce regulation to allow success outside of governmental control these people institute policies that restrict individual liberties, choice, and pit one group against another. They do not spread the word that success is the result of hard work and dedication but instead by luck or some sort of fortune, hence the terms fortunate and less fortunate, terms that I abhor.

Today's politicians have rebelled against our libertarian founding in an effort to gain greater power and greater job security. It seems that Ayn Rand is correct in the idea that a governmental inversion is underway because as she correctly asserts, "the stage of rule by brute force" is being relied on in greater quantity. For instance, the IRS has the right to forcefully view any private income or bank statements with little action for recourse. Government has taken by force the right to save for your own financial security by forcing collection of income into Social Security, which can then be distributed to others without your permission or method for retribution.

This will not end until the electorate wakes up and closely examines the true desire of "men [and women] of zeal, well meaning but without understanding" like Ted Kennedy, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, Ralph Nader, John McCain, judicial activists in the mold of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer and the list can go on as Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis, 1928 stated.

We are on a process of governmental inversion with encroachment on the Liberty and Freedoms of individuals that were put forth clearly in the Constitution and the words of our founding fathers. It is time for the encroachment to halt before the darkest age of man returns again and it is libertarian values that can only take us there.

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We are fast approaching the stage of the ultimate inversion: the stage where the government is free to do anything it pleases, while the citizens may act only by permission; which is the stage of the darkest periods of human history, the stage of rule by brute force.--Ayn Rand

American history is full of great triumphs from its beginning. Against overwhelming odds against the premier power in the world Americans defeated tyranny and won Liberty and Freedom for our country. Americans turned the tide in WWII to claim victory over tyrants when we were unprepared for war. Americans put a man on the moon in short order and defeated the Soviet Union to end the Cold War.

With these great triumphs can come many more but one in these times is of most importance: our Declaration of Energy Independence!



The government of this great country has lost its way. The US government has prohibited use of many of America's energy sources and placed regulations that have hampered refining that would help us on our road to lower energy prices and energy independence from regimes and countries that despise us. Politicians refuse to do everything and anything possible to bring down energy costs and listen to the plea of Americans of all demographics.

Take Action Today

This July 4th, the same day we celebrate American independence over tyranny and oppression, join with me and over 1.25 million of other Americans around the country and make your Declaration of Energy Independence by signing the Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less petition on AmericanSolutions.com.

Then take a moment to send your representative in Washington a correspondence to urge them to take every available step from drilling, refining, coal power, nuclear power, and renewable sources in a rational energy plan.

Make your declaration heard!

Libertarian Presidential hopeful Bob Barr issued a press release today stating that if left alone Americans will solve social problems better than government can. The best way for government to solve social problems is by getting out of the way, cutting spending, and cutting taxes.

This is an idea I have always supported. When government gets entrained in the business of providing welfare governmental power increases and erodes individual liberties and the effectiveness of the private sector of providing more cost effective solutions. Government should remain neutral to all groups providing a fair and reasonable form of governance. Providing social welfare to one group at the cost of another group through higher taxation does not retain the neutrality government should foster in order to preserve the idea that "all men are created equal." Governmental biases favor the erosion individual choice and Liberty.

One of America’s great strengths has always been the willingness of Americans to organize to solve social problems,” notes Bob Barr, the Libertarian Party candidate for president. The great French classical liberal Alexis de Tocqueville commented on American social activism nearly two centuries ago in his classic Democracy in America. “We see this same commitment today, with the news that Americans donated more than $300 billion to charity last year, a record level, despite increased economic uncertainty,” Barr observes.

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Barr adds, “Unfortunately, Senators John McCain and Barack Obama remain mired in a government spending mindset. Indeed, the major parties have even worked to hook private agencies on public funds.” President George W. Bush initiated the so-called faith-based initiative, supported by Sen. McCain, to provide increased grants to religious organizations. Sen. Obama also has endorsed this approach.

Barr expanded further on this idea laying out an idea to encourage donations thereby expanding the private sectors role in social welfare programs, an idea the founding fathers would support without question.

Instead of expanding government social spending, “Washington should encourage Americans to take on greater responsibility in meeting charitable needs.” First, taxes should be cut. “This year Americans will spend almost four months working just to pay for government,” observe Barr. “That leaves far too little for the famous little platoons which do so much to improve American society.”

Second, “we should consider creating a special tax credit for charitable giving, to provide Americans with a dollar-for-dollar tax reduction for money contributed to social services. We could then deduct an equivalent amount from the federal welfare budget. This would enable Americans to shift welfare from the public to the private sectors,” says Barr. It would also avoid the inevitable politicization that accompanies government grant-making.

“Private charity is a better mechanism for helping people because it is more flexible and cost-effective, and is able to speak to more than financial needs—it can help meet the many often complicated problems faced by people and their families,” he explains. Government by its nature must be rule-bound and bureaucratic. But “neighbors helping neighbors at the local level is the way Americans traditionally aided those around them in meeting difficult family circumstances and other social needs.”

To read the rest of the article: Bob Barr 2008 Blog » Blog Archive » Cutting taxes encourages giving

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On this day in 1776 the Continental Congress adopted a resolution declaring the Independence of the United Colonies of America to become the United States of America. That is correct the official independence day of the United States occurred on July 2 1776. John Adams in a letter on July 3rd to his wife Abigail stating that July the 2nd would be the most remembered day in American history.

Yesterday the greatest Question was decided, which ever was debated in America, and a greater perhaps, never was or will be decided among Men. A Resolution was passed without one dissenting Colony "that these united Colonies, are, and of right ought to be free and independent States, and as such, they have, and of Right ought to have full Power to make War, conclude Peace, establish Commerce, and to do all the other Acts and Things, which other States may rightfully do."

You will see in a few days a Declaration setting forth the Causes, which have impell'd Us to this mighty Revolution, and the Reasons which will justify it, in the Sight of God and Man. A Plan of Confederation will be taken up in a few days. On July 2, 1776 the Association known as United Colonies of America officially became the United States of America .

But the Day is past. The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America.

I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.

You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. -- I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. -- Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.

Why July the 4? I would like to bring your attention to a site I have found while browsing the internet for more information on our independence day. This site gives a great summary of the history of the Declaration of Independence I feel no need to summarize. I hope you enjoy!

Declaration Of Independence

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Another article on the benefits of lower taxes on economic growth.

If you want to learn a little bit more about why Barak Obama is wrong about on increasing corporate tax rates and tax rates in general tax a look at this article put out by the Wall Street Journal today giving a vivid example of how lower taxes will result in greater business investment in the United States. Higher taxes are never a solution to problems!

I also encourage you to take a look at the Fair Tax and some of the benefits that this new tax program would bring to the United States including increased domestic investment, trillions of dollars that would be reintroduced into the market, no penalty on hard work or high achievement, no penalty for making sound decisions in investing for your future, and no confusing tax forms each year to fill out. Plus you get to take home your entire pay check and can control your tax burden by making sound financial decisions. See how the following article relate and the FairTax at FairTax.org. You can also view my series on the Fair Tax from March and April of 2008.

Corporate Tax Cut Windfall - WSJ.com

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Every Presidential election is about a new and fair tax plan for the country. Some Presidents prefer to increase taxes, some prefer to increase taxes, while others do little to nothing to change the current tax structure. The current tax structure to say the least is very difficult to understand and has well over 75,000 pages of regulations and the size of the tax policy is not likely to get smaller or simpler anytime soon unless Libertarian Bob Barr gets elected and gets the Fair Tax passed or Congress see's the light.

The Obama tax proposal overall will force $131 income redistribution from the top 1% of income payers to the lower 99%.

While many Americans may cheer this outcome as just or equitable, this sort of direct redistribution raises some important questions that should be part of a larger national discussion:

• What is the long-term effect on the economy of so few households shouldering such a large share of the tax burden?
• What are the consequences for our democratic system when a majority of Americans are disconnected from the full cost of government? Will that majority demand more from the government because they bear little of the cost?
• Should the tax system be used as a means of redistributing income or simply as a neutral mechanism for raising money for government services? Can a tax system premised on redistribution also be compatible with economic growth?
• The Obama plan assumes little behavioral change from such a large tax hike on high-income workers. Is this realistic or will the higher rates encourage tax minimization strategies and reduced work effort, which will lead to lower tax revenues?

The Tax Policy Center has done the public a service by putting hard numbers on the candidates' tax plans and bringing a dose of reality to the political rhetoric. While it is easy for the press and voters to consider only "What's in it for me?," there are larger issues raised by these findings that deserve more public discussion.

Many will not have a problem with the government forcefully taking more money from the rich and giving to the poor but I for one have major contention with this issue. Taking more money from the rich and giving it to the poor will result in greater oppression of upper income families and their equal rights under the law. This is not the ideal of a free society. This is a similar course of the Communists in Soviet Russia, Fascists in Nazi Germany, Communists in Castro's Cuba, and the dictators of the Middle East.

When people become further disconnected from the cost of government they demand more from their government without concern for the impacts on their liberties. A government with the capacity to give you everything is a government that has the capacity to take every freedom away.

Not to mention the negative impact economically on our country from continued high corporate tax rates which hinder the development of job growth, foster the transfer of business overseas, and keep trillions of dollars of assets out of the American economy in overseas tax shelters.

If America ever hopes to regain the foundations of freedoms dreamed by the founding fathers and prescribed in the Constitution we need to pass the Fair Tax immediately. To find out more on the Fair Tax you can view my series from March and April of 2008 or visit FairTax.org. The Fair Tax will promote economic growth and job growth not seen in the history of the United States and that would rival China's growth. People would not longer be taxed for working harder or having higher goals.

The income and payroll taxes are not the mark of a free society. The current "heavy progressive or graduated income tax system" takes its founding from none other than Karl Marx, the founder of Communist ideology, as written in the Communist Manifesto. This is the second step of ten to form a Communist state. Wouldn't he be proud?

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To read the rest of the article on Barak Obama's dangerous tax plan visit The Tax Foundation.

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"I think the terror most people are concerned with is the IRS. "
-Malcolm Forbes, when asked if he was afraid of terrorism