WHY A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT?

WHY A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT?

RIGHTS & AUTHORITY

By:  Mike Foil

 

The War for Independence had just been won.  Thirteen sovereign States were operating under the Articles of Confederation, which had already been shown to be inadequate.  The leaders called for a second constitutional convention to “fix” the Articles of Confederation. 

When these men gathered in Philadelphia, in May of 1787, it did not take long to realize that the Articles of Confederation did not need to be revised, but needed to be replaced.  During this convention, the men produced a proposed Constitution for the United States of America. 

First of all, what is the Constitution? 

The delegates to the convention drew up an agreement; which, if ratified (agreed to and adopted) by the States; would establish a Federal Government.  The Constitution lays out the rules for the operation of such a government.  That’s pretty much it.  The various articles in the Constitution detail what each of the three branches of government are permitted to do.  We refer to the list of duties or powers of the government as the enumerated powers.  In other words, this document established a new government for a few, very specific purposes. 

The Constitution was submitted to the 13 states for debate and possible ratification.  Once approved (by at least nine), a Federation would be formed including all States who ratified the Constitution.  Any State that did not vote to ratify would not be a part of the Federation.  Each State maintained the power to decide its own direction as relates to this matter.  Remember, the States are sovereign and independent. 

Why would independent and sovereign States vote to form a general government, under a Constitution, which would preside over a confederation of the States? 

During the few years that had passed, after declaring independence, it became clear that the individual states could not do certain things separately, as well as a general government could do on their behalf.  The States formed a confederation (alliance) whereby, jointly they would be better able to perform certain aspects of running a country. 

ALL other duties, aspects and powers of government; the States and the people reserved to themselves. 

Who were the parties to the Constitution or the constitutional convention? 

The parties with the authority to call for a convention and to implement the Constitution, which would establish the general government for the United States, were the 13 States and them alone.  The Federal Government was NOT a party to the Constitution. 

It is important that we understand this issue.  The States, through ratification, agreed to the specific document that listed the limited powers of the general government that they (the States) were establishing.  The general government had no say in the convention, the wording of the Constitution, the powers granted by the States, the restrictions to the power of the general government, the debate or the approval.  It could not, as it did not exist prior to ratification by the States. 

The 13 States created the general government, which is the creature designed by the States in the Constitution.  As the creature, it does not have the authority to alter the rules and guidelines approved by its creators.  It only has the power to do those things written in the Constitution, no more. 

Who defines the limits on governmental power?

Along this same line, the creature does not have the authority to define the rules under which it operates.  Only the parties to the formation of the government have that power.  This is the reason that the government cannot add or alter amendments to the Constitution on its own.  A proposed amendment is submitted to the various States for their approval.  If the States reject a proposed amendment, there is nothing the government can do about it.  The States retained the authority over defining the power of the general government.  They approved a Federal Government to operate on their behalf in areas of granted authority, only. 

This understanding, where the States decided the power and authority of the general government, sheds light on a decision where the Supreme Court decided that they are the final authority as to what is and is not constitutional and what the powers or limits on power are as relates to itself and the other two branches of government.  What is wrong with this declaration of final authority?  The States did not produce or approve a document which would establish a government which would then set its own boundaries and dominate over them in any and all areas which the government chooses.  The Supreme Court is legally bound by the restrictions, set forth in the Constitution, as to what power it has and the limits beyond which it is not allowed to expand.  It does not have the authority to expand its own power. 

In order to make this perfectly clear, the 10^th Amendment was added to the Constitution.  It states:  “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.”  The wording in the Constitution, as ratified, made this clear; but the States wanted it to be stated in writing so there would be no confusion as to the restrictions on the general government’s power. 

Notice that our country is called the United States of America.  There is a reason for the use of the word “United”.  We did not form a country where the States lost their independence or sovereignty.  We created a government to do only the things which would be done better as a whole and not as 13 individual states. 

We delegated only “few and defined” powers to the federal government. These are the “enumerated powers” listed in the Constitution. These enumerated powers concern:

• Military defense, international commerce & relations;
• Control of immigration and naturalization of new citizens;
• Creation of a uniform commercial system: Weights & measures, patents & copyrights, money based on gold & silver, bankruptcy laws, mail delivery & some road building; and
• With some of the Amendments, protect certain civil rights and voting rights (for blacks, women, citizens who don’t pay taxes, and citizens 18 years and older).

It is only with respect to the “enumerated powers” that the federal government has lawful authority over the Country at large!!!  All other powers are “reserved to the several States” and The People.

Why do we have the Bill of Rights?

Not only did the States want the 10^th Amendment to be put in writing but they had several other issues they wanted to be in print, also.  This was intended to make it very clear to the new government that they were not to withhold or restrict the rights of the people or the authority of the States.  Almost immediately, the States ratified the Bill of Rights, which includes the first ten amendments.

“The Bill of Rights” is somewhat misleading for a name or title to these amendments.  It has the implication that these amendments granted or are the source of these rights mentioned within the amendments.  These amendments do not grant any rights to the people.  What they do is prohibit the government from messing with these rights. 

If we did not gain these rights from the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, or the Federal Government; where did the people get their rights?  When did the people gain their rights?  The answer lies in the understanding proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence, which states: 

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”

Did you catch that?  Our rights come from God.  They predate the government and the Constitution.  They existed prior to the Declaration of Independence.  The Bill of Rights was added to restrict government.  Examples are found in the first amendment, “Congress shall make no law…” and in the second, “…shall not be infringed.” 

Can the Federal Government restrict our rights?

Since the people did not receive their rights from the government, the government has no right to take them away or restrict them.  Notice also, in the above quote, one of the reasons the States formed the general government was “to secure these rights”.  Secure them, not attempt to restrict them on every turn. 

The Federal Government has no Constitutional authority to limit our rights in any fashion.  The Supreme Court does not have the authority to define, for us, what our rights are and are not.  We The People, through our States, created the Federal Government and it was not so that they would grow and dominate us in all things whatsoever. 

The Constitution established a government to serve the States and the people.  They work for us, not the other way around.  The ultimate political authority in our system is us, WE THE PEOPLE – we are the “pure original fountain of all legitimate political authority” (Federalist No. 22, last para). 

What is the remedy for usurpation of power by the Federal Government?

The Framers of the Constitution were very clear as to what should be done when the Federal Government overstepped its lawful authority.  This situation was answered in the Federalist papers, which is a collection of articles written by some of the same men who helped write the Constitution and were there for the debates.  They were offering explanations for the various questions and concerns presented during the ratification process.

If a new law was passed, which was a bad law, but dealt with an issue under which the Federal Government did have authority to operate; the remedy was through the courts (as the Supreme Court was given the authority to deal with issues under the Constitution).  If not solved that way, the remedy was for the people to vote in new people who would correct the injustice previously done.

If either the President or members of the Supreme Court were responsible for acts which violated the restrictions placed on them by the Constitution, it is the responsibility of the Congress to impeach the offending parties and remove them from office or the Court.  (You may be thinking that justices on the Supreme Court are appointed for life terms.  But, you would be in error.  The Constitution states that they are appointed for a term where they exhibit “good behavior”.  Violating the Constitution is not good behavior and if they have done so, they should be impeached.)

If a new law was passed, but was outside the legal authority of the Constitution, this was considered to be usurpation by the Federal Government.  Per the Founders, any such law was to be treated as no law whatsoever.  The Government does not have legal authority to make laws which are in areas reserved to the States or the people by the Constitution.  When they do so, the law is invalid.  It is also usurpation for the Government to make laws restricting our rights.

The method to be used by the States to deal with usurpation, other than through elections, is nullification.  This is a beautiful concept which is perfectly suited to be the remedy whereby the States protect and defend the People from tyranny and usurpation. 

What is nullification?

Simply stated, nullification is the process whereby a State acts to formally nullify (invalidate) a Federal law, rule, executive order, or federal court decision which that State believes to be unconstitutional.  This is the tool States are to use to keep the Federal Government from overstepping its authority and harming the People or the States in general.  This is an act which works to “secure” our rights. 

Some have argued that nullification is not a valid tool to be used by States.  If not, then how are States to deal with a general government which has over-reached and has imposed tyrannical laws on the people? 

Remember, it is the States that created the Federal Government and it is the States that have the authority to rein this government in to its proper realm of operation.  Without the weapon of nullification, States would be helpless to control the monster they created. 

 

For a more detailed explanation of the above issues, visit the blog by Publius Huldah at:

http://publiushuldah.wordpress.com/

In her articles is a wealth of information and an education on the Constitution. 

The Frog in the Frying Pan

The Frog in the Frying Pan

 

Frog + Frying Pan + Water + Heat = Dinner

The story goes:  take a frog and drop it in a pan of boiling water and he will jump right back out.  Drop the frog in a pan of cool water and slowly turn up the heat.  It will sit right there and eventually boil to death.

Folks, we are the proverbial “frog”.  We have been “gigged” and are sitting in the pan complaining about how hot it is getting. 

A few decades ago, if we were taken from where we were to where we are right now, we would have jumped right back out and saved ourselves.  But, while we were busy catching flies for our own supper, someone snatched us out of our cool pond and placed us in the cool water of the frying pan.  The few, who noticed the difference, looked around and said to no one in particular, “This isn’t so bad, I have clean water and I am sure plenty of bugs will come within striking distance.  I’ll be just fine right here.”  As the heat increased, first came relaxation and letting down the guard.  That was followed by lethargy as it began to get hot.  Once the water began to boil, it was too late to jump out and the frog slowly boiled. 

I don’t know about you, but I am beginning to see little bubbles rising in the water around me.  I feel sweat on my hairless brow and still, for some strange reason, sit here complaining about the heat and who it must be that keeps turning it up more and more.  I converse with other frogs about how bad it is and who might come to save us, but while we all sitting here and waiting, the water just got hotter.  We are now on the verge of boiling!

Americans slept while the Socialists (and worse) were out gigging for frogs, pulling out the pan and turning up the heat.  Over the years we have been over-burdened with national debt, watched while our defensive ability has been diminished, witnessed the stoking of racial fire and class hatred, experienced the decline in our public education system, been amazed by the mushrooming welfare system and ever increasing rolls receiving benefits, suffered the continual eroding of our Rights and individual liberties, observed our nation losing the positive relationship and reputation we once enjoyed with our allies, watched the world rejoice over our sorrow and pain, and tried to keep our heads above water while our society has turned lawless.

We have a government which believes the solution to every problem is increasing the heat.  Time is of the essence!  We have to jump or boil.    

ENTITLEMENT

ENTITLEMENT

“The belief that we are deserving of or entitled to privileges”

Have we created a monster?  We in America are guilty of falling into the same trap where the European countries find themselves.  “Social Justice” is wearing away at our very foundation and the palace is beginning to crumble around us. 

Somehow we have ended up with a large segment of our population who believe they are entitled to money or other benefits which they did not earn or pay for.  The funds to pay for such programs come from one of two sources:  taxes levied by the government on businesses and individuals, or from government borrowing.  When the money is taken, by way of taxation, it is paid by those who earned it; and in turn, distributed to those who did not.  When the money is obtained through borrowing, it is a future burden on following generations who must repay the debt and a current stealth tax because it has a tendency to devalue our currency, causing inflation (amounting to 26% from 2005 to 2012, per Office of Management and Budget for the White House – and estimated to be 41% by 2017). 

Some examples: SNAP (food stamp program) cost $72 billion in 2011, which was up $30 billion from 2007 and the number receiving benefits have continued to rise since 2011, to now reaching almost 50,000,000.  The total budget cost for “Food and nutrition assistance” for 2011 was estimated to be $103 billion.  Unemployment benefits cover 99 weeks, which is almost two years.  Unemployment compensation was estimated to cost $194 billion in 2010.  Housing assistance estimated at $77 billion in 2010.  Federal aid to college students amounted to $180 billion in 2012.  During the past few years, the Federal Government has taken over the student loan program.  Many expect this loan program to be a bubble that will burst in the near future, causing a massive loss/cost to the taxpayers.  The EITC – Earned Income Tax Credit had a cost, in 2008, of $51 billion for 25,000,000 families.  The TANF – Temporary Assistance for Needy Families was $28 billion in 2008.  The budget shows estimated amounts for 2011, of $320 billion for General retirement and disability insurance, Federal employee retirement and disability, and other income security (excluding Social Security). 

This does not list all social programs and has not touched on subsidy programs, other grants, etc.  It does indicate a snapshot of the problem we face.  “Social Justice”, or the redistribution of income, has created an entitlement mentality and is causing class warfare.  Those who have adopted such a mentality have lost the concept of personal responsibility and replaced the idea of the “American Dream” with an expectation of being taken care of by others.  Those with class envy no longer see the rich as an example to follow so as to also become successful. 

This situation has created a political downward spiral between the two main parties as they relate to the financial well-being for America.  Traditionally, though not exclusively, it has been the Democrats (or the Left) who have proposed and encouraged the expansion of the social programs into the modern welfare state.  Politically, this has proven to be a successful strategy for gaining a broader voter base.  One of the Founders of our country stated that a democracy will only survive until the people realize they can vote themselves benefits from the public treasury.  (This is one of the reasons our country was set up to be a Republic and not a Democracy.  Over the years, we have slipped away from Republican [not the party] principles and have transitioned into more of a functioning Democracy.)

As the entitlement segment of the voting public has continued to grow, the Left has seized upon the opportunity to gain a more permanent seat of power.  They even advertise to get more people in the food stamp program.  When people speak out against the situation in which we find ourselves, individuals who have grown dependent upon government to supplement or meet their needs worry that they will lose their benefits is Republicans ever gain control, again.  So they continue to support the Democrats with their votes.  It is estimated that half of the population is not paying Federal Income Tax and many of those are also receiving benefits. 

This presents a stacked deck against the Right ever being in power to reform federal spending.  Meanwhile, we are heading towards national financial ruin due to over spending and excessive borrowing.  The path we are on offers no scenario where it all works out well in the end.  We are in the fourth consecutive year where there is a deficit of over a trillion dollars with no relief on the horizon.  We are borrowing around 45 cents out of every dollar being spent by Washington.  We were recently subjected to a barrage of sound bites as to the “fiscal cliff” we would go over if the mandated trillion dollars of cuts (over the next ten years) were allowed to take place.  It sounded like the world would end by the very next day.  Reality is that the “cuts” are not overall cuts at all, but only a reduction in the projected increase in spending planned for the coming year.  Only in Washington do we find that a smaller increase in spending is a reason for a financial calamity.

Instead of finding a way to better educate the public as to the negative effects of our current path and the benefits of self-responsibility, many of the Republicans are trying to out-promise the Left.  This is a failed strategy if the goal is getting back to financial stability and saving the country.  Abandoning principles is not a path to victory.  The voters on the Left will not trust that you mean what you promise and will still vote for Democrats.  Those on the Right will reject the Left-leaning Republicans and support those who are more conservative.  This will split the Republican Party and the Democrats will continue to win elections and further us on this same path. 

UNALIENABLE RIGHTS

UNALIENABLE RIGHTS:  Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

These three are listed in the Declaration of Independence as being among the Rights which were endowed by the Creator on each person.  It states that we believe that “all men are created equal…”  This is included in the very first sentence explaining why the Americans have declared themselves to be free and independent from Britain.  This sentence is the foundational reason why our Government was established by the people, “…to secure these rights…”  The proper role of the Federal Government is to protect our Rights. 

Why was it not written as “Life, Liberty and Happiness”?  The founding fathers believed that God has given each of us the right to life and the right to be free.  They did not believe that God gave us the right to be happy.  There is considerable difference between the right to be happy and the right to pursue happiness.  We hear much about equality or the right to equal outcomes.  “Sharing the wealth” and “fair share” both relate to this philosophy of equal results.  Neither God nor the Declaration of Independence tells us that we are guaranteed or promised equality in outcome.  What we do have the right to is opportunity.  We each have the right to pursue happiness, as we see fit, as long as our pursuit does not infringe on another’s rights.  Whether you succeed and become happy in your pursuit is not guaranteed or implied.  That is where the challenge enters the picture and your own determination, talents and hard work can be what causes you to succeed or fail. 

Government was never intended to be an equalizer so that those who failed have similar results to those who worked harder and succeeded.  They were never supposed to take from the successful and redistribute their earnings among those who did not succeed.  Those who did well were to be an example for the rest as what is possible if you keep trying.  It was hard work that made America great, one person after another achieving their goals.  No nation will become or remain great where the successful are punished by their government and the unsuccessful are rewarded by the same.  This robs men’s souls of their initiative and drive and fosters a dependency on government. 

We were created equal, but where we end up depends on each of us.

KEEP AND BEAR ARMS

 Can Congress legally pass a law to restrict “rights”?

We need an understanding of “rights” and the role of government.  You DO NOT have a “constitutional right” to have a gun and the 2^nd Amendment did not give you the right to bear arms.

“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.” 2^nd Amendment.

This does not say the government, constitution or this amendment gives you the right to keep and bear arms.  The 2^nd Amendment, just like others, does not bestow a right upon the people, but prohibits the government from infringing on your rights.  Your “right” to keep and bear arms, to free speech, etc.; “shall not be infringed”! 

The 1^st Amendment begins “Congress shall make no law…”  This amendment does not give the right to free speech, it prohibits the government from interfering in the rights we already had.

Neither the Constitution nor the government gave us these rights.  Our rights preceded both the document and the government.  The Constitution was written to establish a general government for a very few, specific reasons.  The Bill of Rights was added making it clear the government did not have the power to restrict “rights”.

If our rights did not come from the government or the Bill of Rights, where did we get them?  “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights…”  (Declaration of Independence-DOI)  Our “rights” come from God.  They predate the Constitution and the government. 

God gave us “unalienable” rights.  This means that no one can take them; they are yours unless YOU relinquish them! 

The DOI goes on to say, “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”  The government was formed by the people for the purpose of securing our rights. 

Our government has passed laws doing what they were forbidden to do.  They took the rights that people gave up.  The more rights we give away, the less liberty we enjoy. 

“A Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever." (John Adams)

“They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." (Ben Franklin)

“If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animating contest of freedom, go from us in peace. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen!" (Samuel Adams)

America sends our military to fight in other countries defending their liberty.  Meanwhile, we have been asleep while our government has been stealing our liberty, bit-by-bit.  As John Adams said, once we lose liberty, we will not get it back! 

THE ANSWER TO THE MASS MURDERS IN AMERICA

The country mourns the unthinkable tragedy that happened to the children and staff of a quiet little school in the Northeast. The funerals are presently taking place with undersized caskets. The pain in the hearts of Americans is indescribable, but nowhere near what is felt by those close to the victims and survivors.

Every aspect of the shooter's life, his family, his online history and his medical past will be examined in great detail. Why? Because we want to know the answer to one question. Why?

With the yellow tape still around the crime scene, the expected cries for more gun control and restrictions are loud and strong. This is the natural and predictable response to such a scene as we all just watched; albeit, from afar. From the White House to the halls of Congress to the media to the main streets of America, the voices are being raised in unison for more laws restricting access to guns.

It only makes sense that if there were fewer guns, there would be less gun violence. There are numbers going around (whether accurate or not) claiming Americans have 300,000,000 privately held guns. That is about one per person in the country. The anti-gun crowd cannot understand why so many want to own guns and especially guns that have been tagged as "assault rifles".

Make no mistake, there will be a very strong push for more laws limiting the ability to purchase guns and ammunition. With the fresh heartache on all of our minds, it will be more difficult for conservative politicians to stand up and speak out against more control of guns. So, expect some form of ban to be passed. Remember the motto of some on the Left, "Don't let a good crisis go to waste."

However, as someone has said, "Facts are a stubborn thing." If an honest evaluation were conducted about recent mass murders, you would find some interesting issues. Most happen in "gun free" zones such as schools or areas that have been posted with "No Guns" allowed signs (the Colorado theater). It appears that as a gunman plans, he chooses a location where he can expect that the population will be gun-free. In other words, he hand picks a place where the targets will most likely be defenseless. He then carries out the dastardly deed, killing one innocent victim after another until one thing happens. For the most part, these situations end while the shooter is still in possession of many more rounds of ammo and there are still many more potential victims. The shooting stops when someone else shows up with their own gun and puts a stop to the shooting. This is usually when the first of the police are able to arrive and enter the building, but only after several minutes of travel time and entry time and finding the shooter time. All the while, more of the unarmed are being slaughtered.

In an attempt to protect the public, the Left has instituted zones which are gun-free but only for the law abiding citizens. These are prime locations for the deranged shooter with a pack load of guns and ammo.

The "answer" to this carnage is not more restrictions on the law abiding citizen's rights to be armed and able to protect themselves and others; but less restrictions. If school staff were allowed to have concealed weapons with them, on campus; when something like the most recent shooting starts, the first responder would not be miles away, but steps away. The first guy to arrive on the scene, with a gun of his own, to have an opportunity to stop a shooter would be someone just down the hall. This is how to save lives, by saving minutes before another first responder can get there. The answer is for more of the good guys among us to be armed and able to deal with horrific situations. We cannot afford the time needed for the police to respond from across town.

THE 18th LEDGE

THE 18^th LEDGE

By:  Mike Foil

Dateline:  11/06/2012, Election Night

Many of us just witnessed the results of a very long and hard fought campaign to select, not only who the next president will be, but also the fundamental direction of the United States.  “Over dramatic!” you might be thinking.  I do not believe so.  We just witnessed four years of a very radical agenda being pushed upon America.  If that was not enough to cause extreme concern in the hearts and minds of her citizens, then those same hearts and minds are so far removed from the principles of our founding that it may not be possible to turn the country around after “four more years”. 

The question was already floating around as to whether or not it was already too late, even with a change in the White House; but, with no change to who sits behind that desk; the laws, treaties and executive orders put in effect during the next term; along with the policies, regulations, and back-room deals by the unelected will change the course of America to such an extent that she will never look the same as she did in the not too distant past. 

It is speculated that during the next four years that the president will appoint two justices to the Supreme Court.  Whoever they are, they will wield considerable influence over our lives and those who follow us for generations.  We have learned by the last two appointments just what type of Justice our president considers to be good for America.  Both are biased towards a very liberal agenda.  With those two on the bench, our current court is pretty much evenly divided; so much so that controversial decisions made by the Supreme Court can go either way.  Once there are additional appointments with the same leaning, there will be court decisions supporting conservative principles only on rare occasions. 

Liberal America has exposed for all to see their desires and dreams for our country.  We had glimpses and had gained a reasonable understanding of their goals, but we had not had an all-out assault, based on those goals, until the last four years.  Especially while the Democrats had full control of the House, Senate and White House; they were quick to push for as much as they could get, as fast as they could.  During this election cycle, we observed the Democrat base unhappy that more of the Left’s agenda was not fully implemented.  With a president who does not have to worry about another election, with the Senate still firmly in control by Leftists and with the Supreme Court not something that will need to be worried about; it will be full-speed-ahead.

What can we expect during the next four years?  First of all, there is no reason to believe that the president or the Senate will see the necessity of “reaching across the aisle” to the Republicans in the House in order to reach compromise on most issues.  They did not do that during the first term when a re-election was an issue.  Why would we believe it when they say they will do it now?  Remember when President Obama told the Republicans, soon after being elected to the first term, that they (the Democrats) won and the Republicans would just have to live with that fact.  Expect more of the same during the upcoming term.

Second, we can expect a continuation of liberal polices, but this time, with more gusto after winning another election.  We will see tax increases (and not just an income tax increase on the “rich”), continual high prices with additional inflation affecting the family budget to a greater degree, more deficit spending, more borrowing, more printing of massive amounts of dollars, much higher national debt, the push towards “green energy”, the restrictions on oil drilling, the closing of coal mines and electric generation plants that use coal, restrictions on atomic power plants, limited drilling for our own oil, a push for environmental issues (of the radical type), promotion of “global warming” and the enactment of regulations to battle “climate change”, more gun control, did I mention less drilling for our own oil, continued snubbing of Israel, a coziness towards Iran and other Islam nations where the Muslim Brotherhood has (or wants) control, a weaker military, a weaker defense of our nation, stronger abortion rights, implementation of “Obamacare” (with its massive costs and oversight on many aspects of our personal lives), less privacy both on and off the Internet, Internet control by government, taxes for using the Internet, national submission to the United Nations, continuation of the policies where we arm our enemies and insult our allies, “more flexibility” with Russia, tax money to support unions, tax money to political supporters of the president, more people on food stamps and other welfare programs, a continuation of high unemployment and underemployment due to government policies which are anti-business, and the continuation of reams of new regulations being dumped on citizens and businesses by unaccountable agencies and czars who are answerable only to the president.  We will see the DOJ (Department of Justice) continue to stonewall the Congress in the investigation of “fast and furious” gun running to Mexican criminals.  We will continue to get no real answers on how and why we had four brave Americans murdered in Libya and why no help was made available.  We will see an all-out push for Comprehensive Immigration Reform (which amounts to weaker laws, more amnesty for those who broke our laws, and less enforcement and protection of our borders).   

There will be tremendous pressure on the Republican members of the House of Representatives to “compromise”.  For the next four years, these Representatives are our only line of defense against the radical agenda.  We have lost the presidency, the control of the Senate and soon, the balance on the Supreme Court.

Half of voting Americans (if you include all the votes cast, whether legal or not) want more of the same.  Half want a drastic change.  The hope for change just vanished into drifting smoke!  The Republicans in the House have been called “the party of ‘No!’”  Right now, all we can hope for is that they will stand strong and do everything possible to save our nation from going full-speed down the same path that is causing countries in Europe to collapse. 

“The 18^th Ledge” is the point of despair where I found myself earlier this evening, after it became clear as to the major outcome of this election.  I have been talked back in, off of the ledge, for now. 

WWIII - Are You Ready?

WWIII

ARE YOU READY?

 

Can you comprehend the concept that the world is heading, at breakneck speed, towards the next major war?  World War III is a logical conclusion to the vast array of serious issues that are causing many parts of the world to be aflame, right now.

Across the Pacific, China and Japan are at odds over an uninhabited island.  Both countries lay claim to the island that lies out in the sea.  Threats have been flying between the nations who have a history of enmity.  The island is located in a strategic position as the waters that surround the island carry importance as to which nation owns control.  The USA has a mutual protection treaty with Japan.

North and South Korea continue to be on edge with the continuing aggressive actions and unending threats spewing from North Korea.  The USA has a mutual protection treaty with South Korea. 

Meanwhile Russia has been sliding towards increased hostility towards America and flexing their muscles (not referring to Putin posing without his shirt) by threats towards some neighbors and making alliances with others, such as Iran.  Their relationship with America appears to have deteriorated over the past few years.  President Obama has backed down, under Russian pressure, to follow through with a missile defense shield for Eastern Europe.  A new version of START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) is being worked out between Russia and Obama’s administration.  Obama expressed his desire for a nuclear free world and promised to set an example by a drastic reduction in our warhead inventory but without a similar requirement for Russia to also reduce warheads.

Iran continues to defy the United Nations and the United States.  As they proceed in the development of nuclear warheads to be attached to the missile delivery arsenal they already possess, they continue to issue threats against Israel (the Little Satan) and America (the Great Satan).  Multiple times Iran’s president has stated his desire to wipe Israel off of the face of the map.  The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu stated in the past few days that he believes Iran is within a few months of having a nuclear warhead.  With the well-founded belief that Iran will use the weapon once they have it (as they have stated such) Netanyahu has been preparing for a preemptive strike against Iran.  As this issue escalates towards a boiling point; America, along with several other nations, has been busy positioning Navy ships in the Persian Gulf in hopes of keeping the waterway open for the shipment of much of the oil that supplies the rest of the world.  Iran has promised to shut down the waterway and attack American bases in the Middle East if Israel launches an attack against them.  Iran possesses the capability of launching missiles which could take out large ships. 

The war in Iraq is mostly over but we still maintain a military presence in that country.  The people of Iraq, to a large degree, do not appreciate America and have recently been expressing anti-American sentiment.

Afghanistan is a continuing battleground due to insurgency by the Taliban.  We continue to lose the lives of Americans in that country each week.  We are in the 11^th year of this war.  The country appears to be becoming less stable as we get closer to Obama’s stated withdrawal date of 2014.  The various factions are attempting to position themselves to fill the vacuum when we depart.  This country will continue to have shedding of blood as a common practice.

Neighboring Pakistan has lost the cooperating attitude they once had towards America.  Not only was Osama Bin Laden hiding in plain sight in Pakistan, when we found and killed him; they have imprisoned the man who helped point out his location to the U.S.  Taliban forces routinely find safe haven within the borders of Pakistan as they depart Afghanistan and the fighting there.

Syria has been in a state of constant revolution for almost one and a half years with many thousands dead.  Russia and Iran are backing the dictator of Syria and his military in their attempt to put down the unrest (in other words, kill all the opposition).  With Syria having a large stockpile of chemical weapons, neighboring Israel is worried about the potential of these weapons of mass destruction falling into the hands of their enemies.

Lebanon, another of Israel’s neighbors, is also ramping up the rhetoric against Israel.

Egypt, to the other side of Israel, just went through an overthrow of their government and has installed a new president who is from the Muslim Brotherhood, a known sponsor of terrorism and a group which is very outspoken about their hatred for Jews.  The new president has informed his people to prepare for war with Israel.

Libya has not settled down since they also overthrew their government last year.  Various factions are fighting for control of the country and for positions of importance in a new government.  During the past few days, terrorists in Libya stormed the American Embassy with the result that four Americans were killed, including our Ambassador.  This was a coordinated attack on the anniversary of 9/11.   

At the same time our embassy in Libya was being attacked so was our embassy in Egypt.  Since then, over the past few days and continuing, many more American Embassies in other countries have been marched upon with some demonstrators burning American flags and climbing over our walls causing security concerns for the Americans within the compounds.

Egypt is now permitting Iran to use the Suez Canal to bring navy ships into the Mediterranean Sea.  Russia has their navy off of the coast of Syria as support for its leader and to protect the port Russia has been allowed to use in Syria on the sea.

While many Muslim countries are in riot mode and acting out against America and Israel, many European countries are facing problems with Muslims within their borders and at the same time, facing financial calamity over their spending and their social programs.  Several of these countries have had riots, with violence, of their own over the past several months.  The financial situation is heading towards, if not already standing on the edge, of a giant cliff.  Measures being taken in the EU – European Union – appear to be trying to put off the collapse as long as they can, but the results appear to be almost inevitable.  A European court recently requested the leaders of the EU to do whatever it found necessary to avoid financial collapse in Europe, including the placing of leaders in various countries.  Greece is bordering on pulling out of the EU, which some say would cause a chain reaction resulting in the total collapse of the EU and the Euro currency.

Some South American countries have been aligning themselves with countries such as Iran and Russia, as well as China; who all agree on a common enemy, the US of A. 

Meanwhile, back at home, Obama is being seen as very weak in foreign relations and foreign policy.  There is much bark (make that whimper) and no bite.  The rest of the world has lost any respect they once had for America and now sees us as a target for at least ridicule.  We have Russia, China, North Korea and Iran; not to mention other Muslim nations, demonstrating anti-American sentiment from within their countries and governments.  As we disarm by reducing our nuclear weapons, cutting back on Navy ships and Air Force planes; as well as reducing the number of troops we have while we cut the military budget; the rest of the world (at least that portion which is anti-American) is busy making themselves stronger and preparing for war.

Presently, the world is a tinderbox and flames have already been lit in various countries.  The tension is so high on various fronts that the situation exists where small events can trigger major consequences.  Once these escalate, the rest of the world can fall like dominoes into a war mentality.  Opposing sides, on multiple issues, are finding no common ground for compromise and peace does not seem to appear in their vocabulary. 

As the song says, “War!  What is it good for?  Absolutely nothing!”  (“War” by Edwin Starr)

We may detest war, but war keeps finding us and every generation or two, the world reshuffles the deck of life and power.  The world has all the signs that it is heading back in for another round.  This time, will the good guys win?  Their white hats look dingy grey and their soldiers are a little tired. 

Do not pray for God to be on our side.  Pray that we would repent and be on God’s side. Many in America have turned their backs on God and subjected Him to ridicule.  This time, it may just be time for judgment.  God will not be mocked!

The reset button is about to be pushed!

QE4-Just Around the Corner

QE4

JUST AROUND THE CORNER

The Federal Reserve just announced what their latest attempt will be to help rescue the American economy.  It is being called QE3, for Quantitative Easing 3.  Quantitative Easing refers to the policy of creating more money and injecting it into the economy in hopes that the additional dollars will stimulate the economy and cause a growth in employment. 

QE1 began four years ago, right at the time of the last presidential election (11/2008).  By the time QE1 ended in 3/2010, the Fed (Federal Reserve) had purchased $1.25 trillion in mortgage backed securities (MBS) and another $175 billion in government debt.

When this failed to solve the problem, they tried it again with QE2.  This round began in 11/2010 and ended in 6/2011.  During this time, the Fed purchased $600 billion in treasury bonds.  The US Treasury Department is responsible for the funds needed to run our government.  They raise additional money by selling Treasury Bonds, which amounts to an IOU from the government to the buyer of the bonds (national debt).

We are talking about “real money” here as the Fed has injected approximately $2.3 trillion into the U.S. economy since 2008. 

The latest announcement (9/2012) by the Fed is that they are beginning QE3.  The first two attempts did not solve the problems in the national economy, so they want to try again, expecting different results.

QE3 will have the Fed buying $40 billion in MBS each month going forward until they decide the employment situation has improved to an acceptable level of stability.  In other words, the Fed is beginning an open-ended, monthly injection of $40,000,000,000 into the money supply.  At that rate, another half trillion dollars will be added each year until they decide to stop.

Investors.com just published an article by Sen. Jim DeMint, where he discusses QE3 and what it means.  He refers to this policy as QE4-ever as it is an open-ended, monthly event.  But, that is not why this article is named QE4.

QE3 will do what most of QE1 did, buy MBS.  These mortgage backed securities amount to bundles of real estate mortgages.  The Fed will gain ownership of $40 billion of additional mortgages each month, on top of the inventory they already own.  These purchases are adding hard assets to the balance sheet of the Fed.  The Fed has also been busy buying gold over the past few years, which is another hard asset.

So, where does the Fed get so much money to do all of these purchases?  They must be very rich.  Well, they are, but that is getting the cart before the horse.  They are not doing all of these purchases with their accumulated wealth.  (Remember, the Fed is not a government agency or department.  It is a private corporation.)  The Fed has been charged with the duty of printing U.S. dollars.  Since dollars are no longer backed by gold or silver, or anything else for that matter, the Fed is in a position to just print money as they feel the need to do so.

It is this freshly printed (or electronically generated) money that is used to make the purchases of these bonds and hard assets (gold and MBS).  Just in case you have not pieced this together in your mind, the Fed makes up new money and then uses that money to buy hard assets and to lend money to the Treasury (at interest, of course).  Over the past couple years the Fed has become the largest buyer of Treasury Bonds and now is the largest holder of U.S. debt.  So, yes, the owners of the Fed are rich.  They transform paper and ink into money which they use to enrich themselves by us paying them interest or by becoming the owners of hard assets.

It is sort of like the position a counterfeiter would hold as he printed money and used that money to buy goods or make investments.  Well, there is one difference; where it is a crime for the counterfeiter, it is legal for the Federal Reserve.

You may be asking yourself, “Why does this concern me?”  The continual playing with the supply of money has a direct and very real effect on every person living in this country and many people elsewhere.  It relates to “supply and demand” and has to do with the supply of dollars in the system.  As the supply increases (through the printing of more dollars), the price of the item in demand changes.  This concept is called “inflation”.  A greater supply of money causes higher prices for goods and services.  Every time the Fed adds more dollars to the economy, the value (purchasing power) of your dollar diminishes.  It now takes more dollars to buy the same products than it did a few years ago. 

Since 2008, the Fed has and will continue to pump approximately a half trillion dollars into the economy on an annual basis.  This policy cannot help but cause additional inflation.  The goods and services you require in the future will cost more than they do now.

But, what is QE4?  It is my speculation that there is additional quantitative easing taking place on an unannounced basis by the Fed.  The policy for QE3 has to do with the purchase of MBS, not Treasury Bonds.  As mentioned above, the Fed has become the largest buyer of U.S. debt (bonds).  Do they plan on going cold-turkey with the bond purchases?  I do not believe they will or can stop, at all.  So, where will the dollars come from for future bond purchases?  I believe the Fed will magically generate more dollars for the bond buying, just as they will for the MBS buying.  The Treasury Department needs the Fed to buy the bonds.  This helps keep the interest rates lower for those bonds.  If the Fed stopped buying, the Treasury would have to offer the bonds at a higher rate in order to attract other investors.

So, as the Fed launches QE3, they will continue to buy bonds with a quiet QE4.  The money supply will take a double hit as trillions more dollars will be added to the supply over the next couple years.  You don’t like paying $7 for a hamburger now.  Just wait; it will be $10 pretty soon.  Oh, and by the way, you probably will not be getting a raise to make up the higher costs you will incur. 

THE DEBT WALL

For those of you who have been around for awhile, you may remember earlier articles about the "wall of debt".  In an attempt to translate the utter size of our national debt, I tried to relate the amount in means other than dollars.  The dollar amount is staggering and incomprehensible.  The "wall of debt" consists of dollar bills, laid flat and end-to-end, stacked on top of each other and stretching around the world at the equator.

On 01/04/2011, I wrote "How Much Do You Owe?"  Our national debt had just passed $14 trillion ($14,000,000,000,000) for the first time.  This amount relates to a 19' tall "wall of debt".  It was equal to a debt of $45,000 per citizen.  If we were to pay off the debt, one dollar per second (with no more borrowing and not paying any interest), it would have taken 448,000 years.

On 06/19/2011, I wrote "The 20' Wall of Debt".  The national debt was $14.437 trillion and the "wall of debt" had reached a height of 20 feet.  At that time, it would have taken 457,797 years to pay it off one dollar per second.

UPDATE!  We are now crossing another infamous milestone.  This week, our national debt will cross the $16 trillion mark.  Our current budget year is not yet over, but we already passed $1.2 trillion in budget deficit for the year.  This means that we are adding to the total debt at well over a trillion dollars each year.  (Trillion is equal to a million times a million.)  It will now take over 504,000 years to pay off the debt, one dollar per second.  The debt per citizen is over $50,000 and the debt per taxpayer is over $140,000. 

The annual interest on our national debt was $454 billion for fiscal year 2011, which was up $40 billion from the year before.  These amounts take into account the low interest rates we are having to pay.  Based on these numbers, for 2012, the interest could be near one half trillion dollars.  The government is borrowing around 40 cents of every dollar it spends. 

Unemployment has been above 8% for just about all of President Obama's first term.  And that does not include the number of workers who have given up looking or have jobs with minimal pay.  We have over 45,000,000 people on the food stamp program and nearly half of the country does not pay any income tax due to low income. 

Our country must have drastic changes to spending in order to survive.  ALL of the above in not sustainable.  The government is predicting deficits each of the next several years of over a trillion dollars.  Even if interest rates do not go up on our debt and even if we froze spending at current levels (which no one is attempting to do), our national debt will reach $20 trillion in five years.  This also does not take into account the added cost of Obamacare which will be hitting our budget by 2014. 

"Hope and Change" was a cute slogan four years ago.  Hope for change is essential now!

Many politicians support the BBA (Balanced Budget Amendment) as a solution to this problem.  The BBA is not solution at all.  Even if it were constitutional and a good idea, which it is not; it would not take effect until our debt has risen to the area of $20 trillion.  It has no feature for paying down the debt, but instead, has a feature to allow additional borrowing in order to pay the interest payments.  It could be exempted during any year the U.S. is involved in a serious military conflict (which is every year for the past ten).  It could be voided for any year the Congress gets the sufficient number of votes to increase spending.    The BBA is a farce and a smokescreen.  We do not need another amendment, we need people that have the backbone to drastically cut government spending - NOW!

If you do not see that this coming election is the most important in your lifetime, you do not understand the difference between liberty and slavery.