WHO IS THIS MAN?

AND WHY IS HE TRYING TO SAVE MY COUNTRY?

Ron Paul is a Medical Doctor, practicing for over 30 years.
Ron Paul is a former United States Air Force officer, flight surgeon.
Ron Paul is a former United States Air National Guardsman.
Ron Paul has been married to the same woman for the past 54 years.
Ron Paul is a #1 New York Times best-selling author.
Ron Paul is a protector and defender of the Constitution & Liberty.
Ron Paul is a Congressman from Texas.
Ron Paul is running for President in 2012.

Dr. Ron Paul is America's leading voice for limited, constitutional government, low taxes, free markets, sound money, and a sensible pro-America foreign policy.  

Congressman Paul’s consistent voting record prompted one of his congressional colleagues to say, “Ron Paul personifies the Founding Fathers’ ideal of the citizen-statesman. He makes it clear that his principles will never be compromised, and they never are.” Another colleague observed, “There are few people in public life who, through thick and thin, rain or shine, stick to their principles. Ron Paul is one of those few.”

Brief Overview of Congressman Paul’s Record:
- He has never voted to raise taxes.
- He has never voted for an unbalanced budget.
- He has never voted for a federal restriction on gun ownership.
- He has never voted to raise congressional pay.
- He has never taken a government-paid junket.
- He has never voted to increase the power of the executive branch.
- He voted against the USA PATRIOT Act. He voted against regulating the Internet.
- He voted against the Iraq war.
- He does not participate in the lucrative congressional pension program.
- He returns a portion of his congressional office budget to the U.S. Treasury every year.

Dr. Paul's top issues are your top issues: the economy, healthcare, taxes, government ethics & corruption, social security, education, immigration, national security/war on terror, Afghanistan, and Iraq.  

If you are looking for a real leader, or are still looking for that "change" promised in Washington DC, look no further than Congressman Ron Paul.  He is the only Republican candidate that can beat President Obama in the 2012 election.  Help him succeed in that mission.  Stand with Liberty, Stand with Freedom, Stand with Dr. Paul.

"Ron Paul is one of the outstanding leaders fighting for a stronger national defense.  As a former Air Force officer, he knows well the needs of our armed forces, and he always puts them first.  We need to keep him fighting for our country." - Ronald Reagan

Dr. Paul cured my apathy, he can yours too.

Google Ron Paul!

Republicrat Budget Theater - Taking Your Eye Off The Prize

Unfortunately that "prize" is just the sad reality that we are in a HUGE mess thanks to the status quo.

2011 Budget for the United States Government is $3,830,000,000,000. That is such a ridiculous number it's hard to even fathom. Part of that 2011 budget is a deficit of $1,500,000,000,000. That is the amount of money we don't have but will spend anyway. Sounds lucrative!

You have politicians on both sides of the aisle, Republicans and Democrats (Republicrats) high-fiving themselves over a budget cut of $38,000,000,000. Sounds like a lot, right? Thirty eight billion dollars! Wow. Well, if you get out your handy-dandy calculator you will see that they cut a whopping 0.99% from the budget. Imagine if your budget at home is $3,830 per month and each month you are short by $1,500. Would reducing spending by ~$38 help anything? Would the bill collectors stop calling?

It's nothing more than theater by our elected "representatives" to distract you. Please please please don't be distracted. You should be OUTRAGED. If you think you are somehow benefiting from anything government does for you, trust me, you are not. One day, probably sooner rather than later, we will wake up wondering just how the heck we got into this awful situation. We will wonder why our money is worth nothing. We will wonder who we can blame for our problems. That's the American thing to do now, blame others for our own problems.

Being sheep for too long is how we got into this awful situation. Allowing Federal Government to usurp the Constitution they swore to uphold is how we got into this awful situation. Giving up Liberty to purchase a little temporary Safety is how we got into this awful situation. Allowing our currency to be backed by nothing more than the word of government and their Federal Reserve is how we got into this awful situation. The Founders of this country would be ashamed, outraged, and embarrassed by all of us.

Don't just take my word for it, even-though I do know best, look at the statistics below:

Apparently those crazy Austrian School guys aren't so crazy after-all.  With the breakdown of the Bretton Woods system and complete end of the gold standard on August 15, 1971 - How has our new fiat currency faired?

Look at the awesome national debt chart above.

This guy certainly hasn't helped - assumed office Feb 2006: Ben Bernanke

Most of today's debt accumulated over the past 6 years. When George W. Bush was inaugurated on January 20th, 2001 the national debt was $5.7 Trillion. In January 2005, when President Bush was starting his second term, the national debt stood at $7.6 Trillion. When President Barack Obama was inaugurated on January 20th, 2009 the national debt stood at $10.6 Trillion. Today it stands at roughly $14.3 Trillion.

Who controlled the House for the past 6 years?
109th United States Congress
110th United States Congress
111th United States Congress

- 2005-2007: We had a Republican President, Republican majority in Congress
- 2007-2009: We had a Republican President, Democrat majority in Congress
- 2009-2011: We had a Democrat President, Democrat majority in Congress

Under President Bush we racked up $612,500,000,000 in debt per year for 8 years ($4.9T)

Under President Obama we have racked up $1,645,000,000,000 in debt per year for 2.25 years ($3.7T)

You can keep claiming one side is more or less to blame than the other and keep the status quo going, they want you to do that. Or, you can actually start voting for people with sound beliefs, and values (especially on monetary policy). Do your homework and really try to avoid anyone with an 'R' or 'D' behind their name next time you get in the voting booth. Look for the candidate that puts your Liberty above anything else.

I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around [the banks] will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs. -Thomas Jefferson

-M

Crony Capitalism Defined - Why You Should Care

What is Capitalism? Think about it for a minute...and then in your head, or aloud, say what you think it means in America, today. Perhaps surprising to you, what we have today in America is NOT capitalism. Thanks to Government's cushy relationship with big business, we have been blessed with something called "Crony Capitalism" over the past decades.

What is Crony Capitalism?

Wikipedia defines Crony Capitalism as, "an allegedly capitalist economy in which success in business depends on close relationships between business people and government officials. It may be exhibited by favoritism in the distribution of legal permits, government grants, special tax breaks, and so forth.  Crony capitalism is believed to arise when political cronyism spills over into the business world; self-serving friendships and family ties between businessmen and the government influence the economy and society to the extent that it corrupts public-serving economic and political ideals."

Why You Should Care

Crony Capitalism is not new. Politicians and big business have been benefitting equally from Crony Capitalism since the creation of the Federal Reserve System in 1913. The Federal Reserve System was created after major banks colluded to create a Central Bank in the United States of America. The Federal Reserve System is the third Central Bank in our history. The Federal Reserve System controls our monetary policy, creation of the dollar, interest rate price fixing, and is supposed to keep inflation in check. Since the Federal Reserve's creation, the dollar of 1913 is worth about 2 cents today. Granted, wages ARE higher but inflation has run rampant under our fiat currency, as it always has throughout the history of fiat currencies. This is just one such example of Crony Capitalism and is an entirely other issue in itself.

There is no major political party (republican/democrat) that will help fix any problem you have with big business, corporations, or Crony Capitalism. Both major parties have far too much to gain by continuing the status quo. It's not a coincidence that Congressional approval ratings are at an all-time low but the same worthless politicians keep getting elected year after year. Too much government creates the "problems" and then when a bubble is created and eventually bursts (as they always do), Government then claims they can solve the problems they created with MORE SPENDING and MORE GOVERNMENT. It's insanity.

Look at our current debt levels. In the past, how many times have you heard republicans and democrats bicker over - military/defense spending, social security, medicare, and medicaid? They usually pit one against the other...not anymore. They realize that continuing the status quo keeps them both in power, and prevents any other political party from rising up in opposition.  Sure, the majority may shift from time to time but nothing actually changes. Why do you think there are NO proposed cuts to any of those programs in the budget even though we are broke as a joke? Somehow NPR makes headlines though!

I don't believe the huge corporations we have today would even exist in a Libertarian society because there would be no lobbyists, fat cats, or PACs to bribe government officials for tax breaks, special permits, and subsidies allowing for the creation of them (big corporations) in the first place… Thus, Crony Capitalism wouldn't exist. You wouldn't have General Electric paying $0 in taxes on a $5 Billion profit and its CEO, Jeffrey Immelt, as the head President Obama's "Council on Jobs and Competitiveness."  STEP 1: DON'T PAY TAXES!

Those big corporations, like GE, only exist today due to their cushy relationship with Government (corporatism and corporatist politicians FTL). Government, even the business itself for that matter, doesn't care if the business makes their customers happy or even run a good business. They don't even care if they are so reckless in their actions that it might put them OUT of business (they will just be bailed out to allow the status quo to continue). Government DOES care that the big corporations have high dollar lobbyists and donate largely to their campaigns. Again, in a Libertarian society - not possible.

I will admit, some businesses are just plain evil and don't care about you or I and only care about the bottom line. This is clear if you look at some of the major corporations on the New York Stock Exchange. But, not all corporations are big and not all corporations are bad. There are some good ones out there, people with morals like you and I, but they don't benefit from a cushy government relationship and are often run out of business…they have to actually pay taxes!

Capitalism in a true sense, meaning NO government handouts, works. It rewards the little guy and those who aren't just in it for the money and greed. In a truly capitalist society, or FREE society if you will, you the consumer have the ultimate power. You don't have to do business with those you don't want to, those nasty - greedy - evil companies. With Crony Capitalism it seems that only those "bad" businesses are left to choose from, so you don't even have the option to vote with your dollars anymore.

You have to make customers happy, and run a decent business.  A business that actually succeeds on its own merits, not because of government intervention and handouts. If you do run a bad business, it should fail…like every Wall Street Bank that got a bailout, and the Auto Industry (Unions are just as guilty as corporations for Crony Capitalism, perhaps worse, as Unions are exempt from Federal Antitrust and Price Fixing Laws). Do you know why certain companies got bailouts and others didn't? Crony Capitalism.

CAPITALISM is fine, CRONY CAPITALISM is evil and what we have in the United States.

With a Republican OR Democrat in office we will always have reckless spending, corporations in bed with government, freedoms eroded, sovereign immunity for the government - allowing them to do whatever they want without fear of prosecution, and you and I left holding the bag.

Ron Paul 2012

-M

NEW Porsche Supercar Coming Late 2013

That is of-course if the world doesn't end first, as the internet thinks it will, on December 21st, 2012.  Apocalyptic doom and gloom aside, if this Porsche sees the light of day I think it might just be the best Porsche ever produced.  And if it isn't, well...it's certainly the most expensive!

A hybrid?  Are you kidding me?  Don't worry, this isn't moms Prius.  Hard to believe I know, especially coming from Porsche but Germans being German, leave it to them to come up with something so ingenius.  Porsche engineers have combined a high-revving V-8 engine with two electric motors and mated it all to seven-speed Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) dual clutch transmission. So what's it called?  The Porsche 918 Spyder.  Top Gear reports that this new Porsche 918 will go around the Nürburgring 2 seconds faster than the Carrera GT.

Get your call into Porsche ASAP because they will only be making 918 of these gems and the price-tag is staggering.  MSRP, are you ready for this?  MSRP is close to $850,000 + taxes!  You might want to set aside a cool million or so just to be safe.  On the plus side, with rising fuel prices, this thing will save you money in the longrun thanks to its 70-90mpg fuel rating.  Running solely on batteries won't get you very far very fast.  Top speed of only 90 or so and a range of only 16 miles.  A recharge will take 3-6 hours.  This new Porsche really shines by combining both power-plants and utilizing its full hybrid capabilities.

Now, for the important stuff:
- 4.0 Liter, V-8 engine producing 500hp
- Two electric motors, one front and one rear producing 218hp
- TOTAL combined horsepower is 718!
- 7-Speed, dual clutch transmission
- 0-62 mph, 3.2 seconds
- Top Speed, 200+ MPH

Just to reminisce over the past 20 years of Porsche Supercardom, this new 918 will most likely be added to the collections of those that include: Porsche Carrera GT, Porsche 911GT1, and the timeless Porsche 959.  I really need to find my billion dollar idea, I have expensive taste!

-M

Technology - or lack thereof...

With the recent happenings in Japan and other natural disasters we've witnessed in our lifetimes it's important to always be prepared. Now, I am not saying anything bad is going to happen to you and I wish nothing does...but it would be foolish to pretend that nothing COULD happen to you or your family so you should definitely be prepared.

I have a saying I use a lot: better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

That couldn't be more true in regards to preparedness for a natural disaster or other calamity that leaves you to depend only on yourself, not the government or anyone else.

Ironically, the very government that we've all come to depend and heavily rely on has this list of items to keep in your "kit" or as I call it, your bug out bag:

1- Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
2- Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
3- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
4- Flashlight and extra batteries
5- First aid kit
6- Whistle to signal for help
7- Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
8- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
9- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
10- Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
11- Local maps
12- Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Additional items that you might want to consider:
1- Prescription medications and glasses
2- Infant formula and diapers
3- Pet food and extra water for your pet
4- Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
5- Cash or traveler's checks and change
6- Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container. You can use the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) -  developed by Operation Hope, FEMA and Citizen Corps to help you organize your information.
7- Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from Ready.gov.
8- Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate
9- Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate
10- Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners
11- Fire Extinguisher
12- Matches in a waterproof container
13- Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
14- Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
15- Paper and pencil
16- Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

"You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least three days. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it might take days. In addition, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be cut off for days, or even a week or longer." - Ready.Gov/FEMA

One glaring omission on their list is a firearm or two, and plenty of ammunition.  You didn't see any looting in Japan but I can guarantee you there would be in most parts of the United States.  There is no better way to protect yourself, your family, and your property from criminals than by exercising your 2nd amendment right to bear arms.  You know that shit has hit the fan (SHTF) when you dial 911 and no one picks-up. Stay safe and good luck!

-M

Non-Interventionism...LOOK IT UP!

Oh wonderful. The US declared an Act of War on another country. So far we have Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and now Libya. Did I miss any? I know technically we are still at war in Korea too.

Libya is not a tricky issue - it's none of our business or concern.

The propaganda machine that we've enjoyed for the past 100 years has done a wonderful job at eroding our freedom, not following our Constitution or the founding fathers advice, and steering the United States down the wrong path.

There is no moral authority to justify our actions. Avoid Entangling Alliances - it's that simple!

"Peace, Commerce, and Honest Friendship with All Nations - Entangling Alliances With None." -Thomas Jefferson, first inaugural address

I've got a good word to sum up our interventionist foreign policy (which is the exact OPPOSITE of what the founders of this country believed): blowback - the unintended consequences of military intervention.

Our involvement in Iraq was propagated under the very same premiss as Libya. Our continual interventionist foreign policy overseas has only expanded hatred of the United States, decreased overall security in whatever region we are in, decreased national security at home, and increased a debt that will surely be our downfall. Remember, the same people that were once our "allies" usually turn into our "enemies" - Saddam Hussein, Taliban, Iran...to name a few. Why? Blowback, interventionism, and meddling in affairs that we shouldn't have in the first place.

"Between 1995 and 2004, the al Qaeda years, two-thirds of all attackers came from countries where the United States had troops stationed. While al Qaeda are twice as likely to hail from a country with a strong Wahhabist (radical Islamic) presence, they are ten times as likely to come from a country in which U.S. troops are stationed. Until the U.S. invasion in 2003, Iraq had never had a suicide terrorist attack in its entire history…Predictably enough, al Qaeda recruitment has exploded after the invasion of Iraq." - Congressman Ron Paul, The Revolution: A Manifesto (p. 20-21)

Congressman Dr. Ron Paul yesterday on the House Floor:



Congressman Paul Libya Reaction:

Follow Dr. Paul On: Twitter - Facebook - YouTube

Websites: Campaign for Liberty - Mises Institute - Lew Rockwell

-M

Formula 1 Is BACK In Less Than One Week!

F-I-N-A-L-L-Y

Thanks Bahrain for making the past month feel like an eternity.  But in all seriousness, power to the people!

We have T-Minus 6 days 23 hours until Formula 1 2011 debuts in Melbourne, Australia.  The official title of the now inaugural race is the Qantas Australian Grand Prix.  On a semi-related note, Qantas Airlines is amazing.  They are one of the best airlines I've ever had a chance to fly with and I highly recommend them to all travelers.  The free Champagne in first class is Dom Pérignon.

For those not familiar with Formula 1 racing, here is the format for the week:
Friday - Practice 1 from 12:30 - 2:00pm.  Practice 2 from 4:30 - 6:00pm.
Saturday - Practice 3 from 2:00 - 3:00pm.  Qualifying at 5:00pm.
Sunday = RACE DAY, starting at 5:00pm (all times listed are local time).

Drivers with a good shot at victory include current World Champion Sebastian Vettel and teammate Mark Weber who race for Red Bull.  In early testing F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone noted that they have a great car again this year and might be hard to beat.  Also past Australian Grand Prix winners in the field include Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Michael Schumacher who are also past World Drivers Champions as well.

Should be an interesting and exciting first race to the 2011 season!

I do find it surprising that more Australians are not into Formula 1 racing given they have a top driver in Mark Weber and an awesome racetrack in their modern European-feeling city of Melbourne.  If you've never watched a race before, definitely try to tune in.  In the states you can catch all the action on Speed Channel, in the UK and Europe you will find the action on BBC - check your local listings.

Go Vettel!

-M