One nation under God

Liberty and Justice for All

2008-05-26

Memorial Day - Insult or Honor?

As time nears for the sun to rise on another Memorial Day, our thoughts turn to those men who died to make us free and those men who died to keep us free.

Across this great land, we will hear/read it over and over again in one form or another on this Memorial Day as Bob has written: "Let us not forget those that gave so much that we might be free." But do we understand the words and what they REALLY mean?

So many battles valiantly fought, so many lives irrevocably lost, in order to ensure and preserve our freedoms, while daily those freedoms are taken away one-by-one as our public officials/servants violate their oath in defending the very basic rights guaranteed in The Constitution of the United States of America, touting these violations as a mere matter of "public policy."

Fighting a revolution to free us from tyranny, and taking such meticulous care in drafting our Founding documents, our Founding Fathers most certainly gave us their profound plan for freedom. These patriots are no longer with us - who will now support the Constitution and defend against ALL enemies, foreign AND domestic?

Do we not insult these patriots by allowing this abuse of power and the violations as our government seizes power from the People by stepping outside the boundaries drawn around its power or do we honor their sacrifices as our beacon of liberty and exercise the rights guaranteed to us in the Supreme Law of the Land?

Yes, let's make it a day to honor, respect, and remember - let's not insult those who gave so much in order that we may always be free.

Gina Weiss

Judge's order stifles a basic right

2008-01-02

Government's Strong-Armed Attack on Liberty

Be very aware. The government doesn't like competition.

More than twenty years after its inception, ten years and over twenty million in circulation by hundreds of thousands of Americans, and quotes by the government that the Liberty Dollar was legal and not counterfeit, the US Mint warns that Liberty Dollars are illegal - prompting a lawsuit by Bernard Von NotHaus of NORFED, creator of the Liberty Dollar alternative currency - arguing that the warning had no legal merit and the organization has never portrayed their real gold and silver as "legal tender," but as a privately-owned alternative currency.

Indeed, the whole concept of the gold and silver currency is quite the opposite of Federal Reserve notes (which have been based on debt rather than precious metals for some decades now),  A BAD MONEY SYSTEM resulting in a depreciating US currency.

Is it any coincidence that the recent six-hour raid on Liberty Services - AND the confiscation of all the gold and silver in the Sunshine Mint that backs the currency - occurred just days after Ron Paul's history-making campaign fundraising success and just as its six employees were mailing out the first batch of 60,000 "Ron Paul Dollars?"

"The Ron Paul Revolution" and campaign in full swing, so goes a dubious government tactic to shut down a privately owned business without providing the victim advance notice or opportunity to be heard. Is this the due process guaranteed to all Americans in the Constitution of the United States?

Now re-opened and re-named Liberty Numismatics, business is booming for Liberty Dollars after the raid. An indication of America's demand for ALD and a return to a sound money system? A demand for Free Competition in Currency? A vote for Ron Paul? Or a demand for liberty itself?

Gina Weiss

2007-11-12

Veteran's Day - Honoring Those Who Have Served And Are Serving

A friend of mine, a US Marine himself, has just published a new squidoo lens with the above title. He highlights the differences in the meaning in the celebrations of the Memorial and Veterans Day holidays, presents real-life stories that help us to understand the real-life sacrifices our American heroes have made, and ways to celebrate this very important American holiday.

Please join us in our celebration and visit Veterans Day by Joe Brochin. This is a must-read for all Americans!

Gina Weiss

2007-11-11

A Moving Tribute on a Day to Honor American Veterans

Today, as we celebrate and honor those who gave so much for our freedom, I recalled this powerful and moving tribute which came to my email inbox as a prayer wheel for our soldiers to be shared and sent on, no author's name attached. Finding it so apropos on this solemnly prideful day, I share it with you now, in hopes you will do the same.

The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's; but he has never collected unemployment either.

He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and 155mm howizzitor. He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk.

He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must. He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional. He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march.

He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water
with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.

He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job. He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and death then he should have in his short lifetime.

He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them. He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed. He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.

Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.

He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding. Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.

In the years since 1954, when November 11th officially became Veterans Day, women have joined these ranks of service and sacrifice as well.

Veterans, we salute you! God Bless you, God Bless America!


Gina Weiss

2007-10-03

Make the Internet Tax Moratorium Permanent

The original Internet Tax Freedom Act of 1998 created the tax-free moratorium, which Congress has extended two times.

On November 1 the Internet tax moratorium will expire. If Congress doesn't extend or make permanent this moratorium, state and local governments will be free to impose taxes on Internet access, products or services purchased online and discriminatory fees that treat those purchases differently from other types of sales.

The list of ways officials can tax the Internet is endless, including email, downloads, services, and a host of other transactions, not excluding the tools yet to come.

Legislation introduced in both Houses this year S. 156 and H.R. 743 by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., would make the ban permanent.

Please take the time to send a letter to your local elected officials, and urge them to support these bills and internet freedom.

For more info and further resources, go to Don't Tax Our Web whose supporters include US Chamber of Commerce, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, Google, Yahoo, Ebay, Amazon, and many others. Help them to help us keep the Internet tax-free - or we all suffer the consequences!

Gina Weiss

2007-09-30

Government Shutdown Looms in Michigan

Governor Granholm, claiming the Michigan Legislature has not acted on her budget in seven months, is left with little choice but to impose cutbacks, with an executive directive this past Thursday to members of the Cabinet who manage the departments of state government, instructing them to begin taking the steps necessary to shut down all non-essential state government operations at midnight this Sunday, September 30, when the new fiscal year begins, unless an agreement can be reached. 35,000 state workers have been told not to report to work on Monday and the rush was on to renew licenses and buy booze by Michigan residents.

The state budget is in crisis and without a balanced budget in place, the Constitution prohibits state government operations and while negotiations are underway with the state Legislature for a solution, state workers are being placed on a temporary layoff. If an agreement cannot be reached, there will be massive cuts to public safety, health care, and education - including, but not limited to - courts, civil rights, lottery and gaming, community health, corrections, education, Secretary of State, and the Treasury.

It's reported that lawmakers and Granholm are struggling to close a $1.75 billion gap in the state budget.

What does this mean to Michiganders? You guessed it - increased income taxes and sales tax - in addition to reforming public employee health coverage, and... state government reforms. (We'll wait and see on the latter.)  

In a state already economically depressed, with an exorbitant cigarette tax and already high sales tax, this news does not bode well from a government who endorses MSG-laden fast food and pharmaceuticals, while discriminating on smokers' drug of choice - in the guise of public health concerns - yet knowing the nation's #1 health danger is obesity.   

And I guess this explains the 6 month delay on 2006 income tax refunds... Will Granholm and the Legislature please speed up this agreement so my hubby can FINALLY get his refund? Seems we'll need it to pay the tax hikes.

Gina Weiss

2007-09-03

The state of Labor Unions on Labor Day 2007

There's no doubt the roots of our country's trade unions extend deep into the early history of America. As early as 1620, several Pilgrims who had arrived at Plymouth Rock were working craftsmen. The Labor Day holiday was established in America in 1894, officially signed into law by President Grover Cleveland.

Many of us know the history of the Labor Union Movement - how strikes became an effective tool to campaign for higher wages and job security in the 1930s where many of the federal worker-protection laws were born, and the merger of the AFL-CIO in 1955. The first Labor Day observance held in Detroit attracted 50,000 members and observers in 1884.

In recent years, however, there has been a steady decline in both union membership and influence. Federal statistics claim that only 12 percent of U.S. workers are covered by collective bargaining agreements and while some managers and workers prefer the freer market system where persons are hired and paid on individual merit, the idea itself is still present in many workers' minds - and this a holiday that symbolizes their hopes.

As this Labor Day Holiday approaches, I realized that I knew little about the Labor Unions of today, in 2007. In my quest for the current state of unions, I found the AFL-CIO still very active in political initiatives and that programs like Medicare, Medicaid and Head Start would not have been possible without the strong support of the labor movement. Economist Dean Baker, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) reminds us that the decline of unions has been a key factor in this nation’s worsening inequality.

Is this the state of Labor Unions on Labor Day 2007?

Is America at war against the labor movement?

Have we, as a nation, traded off lower-priced goods and services in place of a unionized work force with the bargaining clout to get higher wages - good deals on consumption but lousy paychecks?

Gina Weiss

2007-07-27

A Vote for Liberty and Truth with the Ron Paul Dollar

Fed up with politics, the Bush regime, and the war? Want to see changes in Washington? Want to exercise a vote for true liberty in the 2008 election?

Your actions will speak louder than words!

Congressman Ron Paul of Texas - long known for his advocacy for liberty and truth in politics, the leading spokesman for limited constitutional government, low taxes, free markets, and a return to sound monetary policies based on commodity-backed currency - has a real chance for a nomination in the coming Presidential election. Ron Paul does not vote for legislation unless the measure is expressly authorized by the Constitution.

Enter: The Ron Paul Dollar, available from Liberty Dollar in silver, gold, and copper created as an "independent contribution" and distributed through the grassroots Volunteer Network.

Now you can support the campaign of a candidate who firmly believes in the principles of freedom - that rights belong to individuals (not groups), property should be owned by people (not government), that government maintain the integrity of the monetary unit (not participate in fraud), and that government exists to protect liberty (not to redistribute wealth or to grant special privileges).

You can vote for liberty and truth with the Ron Paul Dollar. Let Washington know you are fed up with the big lies of big money and big party politics and let's put an honest man in the White House.

Gina Weiss

2007-07-03

Celebrate Independence Day with the Liberty Dollar

Ah, that glorious holiday, the Fourth of July, Independence Day, the celebration of our nation's independence from the rule of England, and the birth of our nation is upon us once again.

No doubt, like most of us, you are busily preparing for the holiday festivities. A day of good times, good friends, good food. Perhaps a visit to a local AmVets and, undoubtedly a fireworks display where, as the speeches are uttered from our brave and noble countrymen, and the colors explode above your head emulating the bursting of bombs in the air, visions of the Star-Spangled Banner and the words of the stirring National Anthem run through your head...

Choked with emotion, feeling the surge of patriotism, you want this day to last and wonder what you alone could possibly do to add to the heartfelt celebration to express your sense of loss and gratitude for those who sacrificed so much for our nation's liberty and your own dedication and devotion in a strikingly meaningful way.

Bernard von NotHaus of the Liberty Dollar found a way for us to do just that, with the creation of the Liberty Dollar - a value based, inflation-proof, alternative currency -  traded for hundreds of goods and services by millions of patriotic Americans for more than five years. Now, in the true American entrepreneurial spirit, just as another Independence Day anniversary approaches, the Liberty Dollar discount is going to be replaced with a new commission program.

Now the Liberty Dollar and US dollar will exchange one-to-one in the marketplace for Liberty Associates and Merchants. The Liberty Dollar will not only function in the marketplace on a one-to-one basis with the US dollar, it will also exchange on a one-to-one basis with the US dollar. If you are a Liberty Associate or Merchant, you will now make your money up front at the time of the currency exchange. That means Liberty Associates and Merchants will literally be getting paid to use the Liberty Dollar!

Not only is the alternative currency 100% backed and redeemable in gold and silver, but a petition to our government that Americans wish to return to a value based economy devoid of inflation as our Founding Fathers intended. What better way to express your love of country than trading in those 'fiat' FRNs and joining the Liberty economy, returning America to value once again?

Now, dear patriots, trade in those dreaded depreciating FRNs, fire up the grill, pour the drinks, serve up the potato salad, start collecting those commissions, and feel the rush of participation in the celebration!

God Bless America!

Gina Weiss


Posted at 10:16:15 AM  |  Post Comment  |  Read Comments (2)

2007-06-13

Government Bureaucracy in Action

I couldn't resist posting this bit of humor about government bureaucracy in action. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Noah in 2007

In the year 2007, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in the United States, and said, "Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me.

Build another Ark and save 2 of every living thing along with a few good humans."

He gave Noah the blueprints, saying, "You have 6 months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights."

Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard but no Ark.

"Noah!" He roared, "I'm about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?"

"Forgive me, Lord," begged Noah, "but things have changed. I needed a building permit. I've been arguing with the inspector about the need for a sprinkler system. My neighbors claim that I've violated the neighborhood zoning laws by building the Ark in my yard and exceeding the height limitations. We had to go to the Development Appeal Board for a decision.

Then the Department of Transportation demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the Ark's move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it.

Getting the wood was another problem. There's a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the spotted owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls - but no go!

When I started gathering the animals, an animal rights group sued me. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodation was too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space.

Then the EPA ruled that I couldn't build the Ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood.

I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I'm supposed to hire for my building crew.

Immigration and Naturalization is checking the green-card status of most of the people who want to work.

The trades unions say I can't use my sons. They insist I have to hire only Union workers with Ark-building experience.

To make matters worse, the IRS seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species.

So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this Ark."

Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky. Noah looked up in wonder and asked, "You mean you're not going to destroy the world?"

"No," said the Lord. "The government beat me to it."

- Author unknown

Gina Weiss

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