OldNavySailor's Comments

CNBC: No Longer 'Tout TV'?

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 13:34:43 -0500

Congressman Ron Paul, co-sponsor of H.R. 1207 (Audit the Fed) is going to appear on CNBC's Squawk Box, Tuesday, December 15, at 8:00am.

How Would Health Reform Affect Insurance Premiums?

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:33:40 -0500

User 514297, I agree with your comments. I would like to add that state governments must do their part to encourage the competitive forces of the free market to foster reduction of health care costs.

For example in New York State, insurance companies that utilize certain underwriting policies are prohibited from doing business in the state. The ubiquitous "pre-existing condition" requirement should not be a restriction. So what? If a person meets the criteria they will receive a policy at a lower rate. That's for profit capitalism at work. As more and more insurance businesses are allowed to operate in New York the competitive market will stimulate lower costs. The market should be opened up nationally across state lines and even to internationally based insurance companies.

What government should regulate is that insurance companies maintain certain levels of capital to pay claims (as it does for banks to pay back their depositors), not intervene on behalf of a select few which ultimately keeps prices higher.

The Right Reform for the Fed

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:07:45 -0500

The author wrote in his last paragraph:

"Better that the Fed should have tough men as leaders, willing to stand up to the politicians and say no, we won’t inflate."

These elitists are not directly accountable to the people and that is the problem. They cleverly "stand up" to the politicians when it serves their interests.

Since the passing of the Federal Reserve Act of 1913, the Fed has worked to debase the U.S. currency thorough inflationary measures. Our money is worth less today than ever before because of the policy of methodically adding more and more fiat money into the economy. The self-serving agenda of "debt is wealth" by the international banking mafia has enslaved the majority of American citizens.

Not only should Congress pass Congressman Ron Paul's bill to audit the Fed (with or without the President's signature), but another mechanism should be created to replace the function of the Federal Reserve as it clearly has failed to protect the value of the people's money.

Failures Friday: Four More

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 11:17:58 -0400

Actually, seven (7) banks failed on Friday. making a total of 106 for 2009. (see www.fdic.gov/bank/indi...).

Microsoft Wins, Yahoo Folds, Google Reigns

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:00:37 -0400

Carol Bartz clearly deceived shareholders about accepting ANY offer from Microsoft without a capital outlay as part of the deal (a.k.a. "boatload of cash"). She has a responsibility to the investing public to be truthful and she was just the opposite. Her comment about money upfront was not rhetorical, but a statement of fact that ultimately mislead the investment community to purchase shares/call options of Yahoo.

This deception is grounds for a class action suit against her and the board of directors of Yahoo.

Bringing Kodak into Focus

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:19:43 -0400

Ex-Daker is correct in his assessment of Kodak Park (renamed Eastman Business Park) environmental liabilities.

Despite successful marketing as a photographic company, Kodak made its money in photofinishing chemicals provided to dealers around the world. Photo chemical consumption was the real cash generator, not just camera film sales. The company also manufactured and sold specialty chemicals not related to photography that was another big money maker.

When George Fisher left Motorola and was contracted by Kodak as its CEO, his strategy was to establish the foundation for digital photography and to gradually abandon the chemical business. Fisher's vision for the new burgeoning electronic image capture business was short sighted as he did not take into consideration the potential competition that would emerge from the multitude of electronic related companies who also saw the marketing and sales potential of the new photographic industry. Kodak simply could not compete against smaller companies that turned out products and services faster from conception to final delivery to the consumer.

In hindsight, Kodak should have stayed in the chemical business because it already had a fully compliant national program to address the environmental issues dealing with chemical manufacture, distribution and disposal. It employed some of the most innovative chemists in industry and had a distribution network that successfully competed with larger chemical corporations.

It is very difficult to start up a chemical company compared to what it takes to start up an electronics company. Kodak would be thriving today if it wasn't for the board of directors at that time who did not understand the underlying value of Kodak's chemical manufacturing business.

On Jul 15 11:52 AM Rod wrote:

> Are you sure about the chemicals? Eastman Chemical was spun off
> many years ago. Check ticker symbol EMN, Eastman Chemical Company.
>

How Precious Metals Can Preserve Your Wealth

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:24:23 -0400

Okay, I have to ask some practical questions about purchasing and exchanging PM (precious metals) before the economy collapses. I've never bought and owned the commodity and ask you experienced people out there for some guidance.

1. How do I buy PM and how do I know if what I'm buying is real and not fake? Is there a "gold/silver/platinum" test kit? Don't tell me that I should seek "certified" or "reputable" dealers. I want proof that what I'm buying is real and not some alloy of PM and non-PM metals. How do I know?

2. Is it better to take physical possession or keep it stored at a private company site? What are the costs (monthly, annually) and can the government grab the PM?

3. What will be the mechanism be for retail stores to value and accept PM when I go to purchase food, gasoline, clothing, etc. and other staples of life?

4. Is there a website that can answer these basic questions?

I appreciate any help you can offer.

Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:51:19 -0400

I second my fellow Alpha Mate's request. We used to receive one email with all the articles we were interested in reading/commenting. The new process is too cumbersome and unwieldy.

On Jul 07 10:21 AM axelrod608 wrote:

> PLEASE return to the old format listing SA articles.

Time for California Muni Bond Investors to Take a Stand

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:18:35 -0400

The fact that California is issuing IOU's as a substitute for payment for contracted services is a violation of Article 1, section 10, clause 1 ("Contracts Clause") of the United States Constitution; to wit:

"No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility."

These IOU's are nothing more than Bills of Credit, which is prohibited by the Constitution. They can make gold or silver coins as a tender of payment, but not an IOU (see Craig v. Missouri, 29 U.S. - supreme.justia.com/us/.../)

How the Internet Is Wreaking Havoc on Media Companies

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:25:09 -0400

I disagree with the negative posts concerning the Internet trouncing competition that results in havoc for the American worker. The Internet stimulates competition and does not reduce it. Yes, there is local employment loss, but it's not because of "unfair competition"; it's because of rigid government regulations and taxation policies that muck up the marketplace.

First of all, what is the "Internet"? It is am evolutionary mass marketing electronic platform for consumers, political activists, investors, etc. linking people with producers of goods and services as well as a vast library of historical and contemporary knowledge worldwide. Although it touches many industries, it does not affect all of them. For example, if I need to research a provider of professional services (e.g., doctor, lawyer, etc.), I'm able to do research the creditability of that person because of the World Wide Web. I still receive the service (generally speaking) locally.

Yes, I can purchase many products cheaper online and not avail myself of the local "brick and mortar" store. But I pay shipping and handling charges, which brings the cost closer to what I can buy it for locally. Instead of government maintaining the taxation rates on local business, it should reduce the consumer sales tax rate, thereby spurring competition. But does government do that? No, it doesn't.

Government is the beast that restricts the free market through its socialist programs and failed monetary policies, not the Internet/World Wide Web.

Leave the Internet and the World Wide Web free and unfettered from the clutches of government!

Why Credit Card Interchange Fees Should Come Down

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:52:29 -0400

I have totally removed myself from this point of contention because I no longer use credit cards. I use cash to pay for my purchases. Retailers like to see me because they know I'm saving them the cost of the interchange fee. I still purchase things that I need as much as before, just not with that plastic debt maker.

Perhaps American retailers should develop a marketing plan to incentivize customers who pay for products or services with cash instead of credit. A national initiative like this would encourage people to think about the importance of money and real wealth, not debt.

Starve the Economic Beast, Part 3

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:19:16 -0400

Another truthful article on the insidious collusion between government kleptocrats and the international banking elitists to steal our wealth, property and freedoms. Thank you again, by Mr. Quinn.

As I responded in my post on May 25 (see: seekingalpha.com/user/...) we CAN defeat this corruption by taking away what is more precious to them then their immoral souls; their worthless fiat paper money.

We possess the power and conviction to turn our economic ship away from the disastrous waves of inflation and back towards the calmer seas of fiscal prudence and prosperity. The American people must be awakened and the only way is for authors such as James Quinn to keep hitting the public with the facts about the illusion of 'government knows best'.

Take out that piece of plastic from your wallet and set it down on the kitchen table; look at it. What do you see? Is it a measure of purchasing convenience or is it something more? In reality, it is a monstrous vehicle that has been unleashed upon the public to lure you into the realm of fictitious wealth.

I have eliminated credit card dependence by using cash, pay for online products through EFT (electronic funds transfer) and applying for and receive small, short term loans when needed from my local credit union. I am in control of my fiscal house and you must be as well.

The great journey of economic liberty starts with one step, one proclamation of freedom from debt, one act of defiance. This is war; a just conflict against the tyranny of exploitation by an illegal authority whose sole purpose is to enslave people through financial obligation.

Take that first step my fellow Alpha Mates and be free.

No State Prosperity = No National Prosperity

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:38:08 -0400

Here in New York, the teachers' union continues to exert its political influence on the political elitists who accept campaign bribes to stay in office.

700 teachers are paid their full salaries while they wait for administrative hearings on the merits of their dismissal from the schools. This union concession is costing New York taxpayers $65 million fiat dollars per year (see the following article
www.huffingtonpost.com... )

Ain't socialism grand!!

11 Risks Threatening the World Economy

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 10:05:11 -0400

I suggest adding number 12: "Rise in government spending"

How is government going to pay for all these new and temporary public projects? By adding the unproductive burden of taxation and regulation onto the backs of the wealthy, large and small business and the taxpayers.

Government's contribution to the economy by means of spurious monetary growth creates a false illusion of fleeting prosperity that cannot be sustained.

National Sales Tax on the Way?

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:12:58 -0400

Another example of lies and deceit put upon American citizens. The only "value added" for this nefarious national tax is the continued financial support of a corrupt and self-serving government. Once the politicians open the door and force the states to collect a national sales tax there will be no end to the legislated theft of your money. I don't care if other socialist governments in the world collect a consumer tax (including Canada); all taxes are an abuse of individual liberty.

To think some of the posters on this topic support a VAT is incredulous. Maybe we should allow government to nationalize the majority of private business and become a pseudo-communist state like the business model embraced by China?

What the hell is the matter with you people? Are you free market capitalists or communists?

I support a REDUCTION in all forms of income tax; a REDUCTION in regulations that burden business with unproductive paperwork, reporting procedures and unnecessary expense that only benefit the public employee.

America needs a re-growth in private enterprise to spur employment, not more taxes. More political interference to favor one group of voters over another will destroy your wealth, steal your property and weaken you freedoms as Americans.

Show some backbone; show some outrage; show some courage and speak out against this blatant tyranny of enslavement!

The Undefinable, Unstoppable Bull Market of 2009

Sun, 31 May 2009 12:00:14 -0400

You write like Bob Chapman, a great friend of free market capitalism!

On May 31 11:02 AM Burticus wrote:

> The spike in stocks in the last hour of the month is an obvious tape-painting
> exercise by the FedGov plunge protection team and their bankster
> cartel masters. Gubmint intervention and manipulation in FOREX,
> commodity, bond and stock markets has now become routing. Nobody
> and nothing paper/electronic can be trusted any more and no technical
> or fundamental analysis can be relied upon without considering the
> missing PPT internention piece of the puzzle.
>
> Following the massive decline in stocks through November and again
> in March, a "dead cat bounce" or bear rally is no surprise. They
> happened repeatedly in the first depression. Clearly, the current
> rally in stocks is not supported by any fundamentals, since the only
> good news these days is less-horrible news. There is not one positive
> fundamental economic or financial trend, except that the Asians may
> finally accept and take their dollar-paper lickin' and throw the
> western millstone off their necks.
>
> The missing piece of the bear/suckers' rally puzzle is the Illuminist
> plan for Big Sting II - completing the destruction and looting of
> Amerika and crushing its middle class in preparation for global political,
> social and economic control. Use the media propaganda machine, gubmint
> manipulation and Goldman/JP Morgan gangsters to pump up the Dow to
> 10,000. Lure the unwitting sucker-dupe sheeple (who actually work
> for their money and try save it by investing) into the market, allowing
> the insiders dump their paper in opaque OTC markets. Accelerate
> out-of-control gubmint spending and central bankster money-printing
> to doom the dollar, Treasuries and the broader bond market, closing
> off the sheeples' usual escape route. When the stock market is high
> enough, the bankster cartel will give the nod to their puppets in
> the Fed, gubmint and media, short everything, and send the stock
> market to new lows, plucking the chickens again on the way down.
> When there is widespread capitulation and blood in the streets, the
> insiders will buy up everything real, especially gold and silver
> (which will go on a moon-shot), companies at pennies on the dollar
> and farmland.
>
> Welcome to a fascist/socialist/comm... economic system under an political
> oligarchy by the elephant/jackass party! Sure, traders with good
> information and quick reflexes can profit in this type of market,
> but for your average working stiff, the only no-brainer safe investment
> will be physical gold and silver.
>
> Disclosure: Long physical silver & gold, CEF, steel & lead,
> non-perishable food and hangin' rope

Is California in Need of a Bailout?

Sun, 24 May 2009 11:23:04 -0400

You know there will be "strings attached" to any federal bailout money for California, just like the insolvent banks and automotive companies.

Is that what the sensible people of California want, more federal intrusion in their lives?

This economic crisis is an opportunity for Californians to reclaim their wealth, property and freedoms by rejecting ANY federal bailout money! This will force the kleptocracts in Sacramento to downsize; a good thing for the great state of California!

Who Owns the Fed?

Fri, 22 May 2009 13:37:37 -0400

Write your congressman asking him/her to support Congressman Ron Paul's bill HR-1207 "Federal Reserve Transparency Act" (currently 179 co-sponsors). America needs the Federal Reserve to be held accountable to the people!

Student Loans: Can the Government Do a Better Job?

Fri, 22 May 2009 13:27:27 -0400

I agree 100% with your opinion. Higher education ALWAYS get their payment because of government interference in the capitalistic markets via debt peddling.

Colleges/universities have NO INCENTIVE to rein in costs when their revenue is guaranteed by the government!

On May 22 08:47 AM rm wrote:

> The best thing that could ever happen to higher education would be
> the collapse of the student loan market.
>
> People constantly complain about the quality of public schools, but
> what passes for an "education" at most colleges is an embarassment.
> And why have we gotten so far away from the apprenticeship model
> of education? Students spend so very little time in the field.

>
> Most universities are as over-fed and bloated as the worst of federal
> institutions, and they've taken their customer service training from
> the airline industry.
>
> The best solution I see is to force them to operate as fully-taxed,
> for-profit entities.

U.S. Consumer Still Retrenching

Fri, 22 May 2009 13:19:01 -0400

Yes, we are taking corrective action to reduce our personal debt. We are also significantly shrinking our use of credit cards that fatten the coffers of large banks and instead using cash to make purchases.

Buying products or services online? Use EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) or Paypal instead of that addictive credit card.

Planning to travel? Get travelers checks instead of whipping out the plastic debt machine.

Need a short term loan? Borrow money from your local bank or credit union. A loan of $1,000 for 30 days costs about $9.00 USD, which is much cheaper than paying usury credit card fees.

The large 'to big to fail' banks stole our children's future by increasing the national debt to bail them out.

Now it's time to hurt them back!

The Federal Reserve Can Not Account for $9 Trillion in Off-Balance Sheet Transactions?

Tue, 12 May 2009 13:46:01 -0400

Write your congressman asking him/her to support Congressman Ron Paul's bill HR-1207 "Federal Reserve Transparency Act" (currently 149 co-sponsors). America needs the Federal Reserve to be held accountable to the people!

Six Ways to Cut Our Debt and Advance Obama's Agenda

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:37:32 -0400

How about:

1. Eliminating government (federal and state) agencies/departments that are unnecessary (e.g., Federal Reserve Central Bank, Department of Education, etc.)?

2. How about reducing corporate and personal income taxes?

3. How about removing burdensome regulations that have nothing to do with employee safety, consumer safety or environmental safety?

When the private sector shrinks, government must reduce itself as well, otherwise the economy is out of balance and the people suffer.

Is Big Government Necessarily a Bad Thing?

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:59:06 -0400

"Sweden, Denmark, Finland, The Netherlands" - examples of big government working effectively for its people. Perhaps if those countries had a military the size of the USA spreading hegemonic imperialism around the world at the point of a gun they wouldn't be doing so well either.

On Apr 16 11:26 AM Shareholders Unite wrote:

> Unfortunately, SA changed the title, which used to be "Is big government
> necessarily bad government?" I've given you four countries where
> the public sector is almost twice the size of that in the US, and
> in many ways, these countries are more efficiently run and in some
> respects more pleasant places to live (less violence, less inequality,
> better general education, universal healthcare at lower cost, etc.).
> I've also given you reasons why there is a tendency for the public
> sector to increase as economies grow richer.
> Also, all that stress on "the government is always the problem and
> the market is always right" type of market fundamentalism has gotten
> us the present crisis.
> Now, having said that, in many cases bigger government can be worse
> (as the title suggests). In the US that could very well be the case,
> as government is captive to special interests (more especially big
> finance, see the link to that excellent Simon Johnson article), but
> that doesn't dictate that bigger government is ALWAYS necessarily
> worse..

The Misuse of Language in the Financial World

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 13:15:08 -0400

Let us not forget the media propaganda transformation of "toxic" assets into "legacy" assets. Now it doesn't sound so bad.

The Federal Reserve Has Failed Its Economic Mission

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 12:55:29 -0400

"No matter how bankers see it, banks are not the economy."

How true the author writes.

Debt is not wealth; it is the sword of enslavement and poverty unleashed upon the people. Instead of worrying about banks and their ever expanding insolvency, the President should be meeting with small and medium size businesses across America and getting their input.

The full faith and credit of the United States is based upon the real productive capacity of business and the free markets, not the illusion spewed forth by the debt peddlers.

What's Missing from Geithner's Plan? Public Participation

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 11:36:13 -0400

monday1929, you are so correct.

Have you noticed how the word "toxic" is being morphed into the word "legacy"? This is propaganda media speak to get the American people to believe their money (i.e., our money) will receive a "return" on investment.

The truth is that banks are in trouble because the highly leveraged and speculative non-performing assets (i.e., "toxic") they hold have lost their value for two reasons. Mortgages are not being paid by homeowners due to loss of income/employment or because they have walked away from their promissory note of repayment due to market devaluation. Banks are not in the business of hold homes on their books and are losing money. They don't want to hold the collateral until the market is reset upwards, which could be years.

Since the banking industry wields a lot of political power via bribes (oops, I meant "campaign contributions") they have created this illusion of "value" to be sold as a solution to one of the reasons for our economic crisis. These assets are non-performing meaning the underlying promissory note is close to default or in arrears. Why would you want to invest in them? I wouldn't! But a large investor might want to do so if there is enough low risk leverage offered in the form of a taxpayer subsidy.

The bottom line is the government is undermining the wealth of every citizen by committing treasury money to bailout the private sector. It is treasonous!

On Mar 26 09:08 AM monday1929 wrote:

> The program is another CRIME, pure and simple. Sometimes we analyze
> too much. The program, as almost all the others, is simply a way
> to funnel money to the favored Banks.
> How much will Americans take? Do the politicians realize how close
> they are to losing control? Will Americans be willing to fight to
> regain their own Country?
> What would George Washington do????

When America Ruled the World (Part 2)

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:25:29 -0400

More words of encouragement for independent action by Mr. Quinn. Thank you.

The author suggests we stop using credit cards. It’s really not that difficult to do. I used to spend about $10,000 per year on credit card charges, not a lot compared to other household budgets. I always paid the balance in full each month and therefore incurred no interest debt. My previous thinking was to keep the cash in my credit union savings account to earn interest and also had free use of the credit float for 20 something days. Last year I gave up the convenience of plastic in exchange for freedom. I declared war upon Citibank and Chase bank.

Does everyone know what war is, beyond the normal definition of armed conflict? It also means a condition of active antagonism or contention. A concerted campaign to combat or put an end to something considered injurious.

Well, I made personal war against these large credit institutions that are “too big to fail”. I ‘m keeping my credit cards and not using them, effectively an account of zero balance. If I need to make a large purchase on credit I get a small personal loan at my credit union and pay it off in a reasonable time. Last year I borrowed $1,000 for thirty days. It cost me $9.00, a sum of less than 1 percent of principal. This is my chosen weapon of war against these leviathan banking thugs. For those who have the means to resist the “drug” of credit, by all means please do so. It will be a breath of fresh air.

My fellow free market capitalists; I speak to you who give your time and intellect daily on all manner of discourse regarding investment and wealth. We need more men like Mr. Quinn to extol the virtue of freedom from the tyranny of government abuse. The lack of colonial representation in the English system of rule is what planted the seeds of discontent that led to the American Revolution for liberty and justice.

It’s happening again; the debt yoke of oppression is hanging over our heads, our neighbors, and our progeny’s future. It is occurring because our representation in Washington has been stolen from us. The abdication of the solemn oath of office by those we elected to guard the nation’s sovereignty and treasure. These plutocrats have created a kakistocracy to serve their real masters.

All hail the bankers; the creators of false wealth to truss up the masses! All hail the two-faced political parties, minions of the bankers!

This web site is the modern day tavern where men gather to converse on topics that affect their livelihoods, the retention of their property and their hard earned prosperity. We definitely must take measured steps to fight back against this tide of despotism that is deliberately driving the country into poverty by the coerced accumulation of financial obligation. To reject the thought that we cannot overcome this corruption is to refute and deny our rights of existence as Americans.

My parents came to America from Sicily to seek out a better life. They worked hard, saved their money and prospered. I dare say many of you who are reading this missive at this moment, also came from ancestry who sought peace, freedom and escape from the chains of debt enslavement. Shall you dishonor their memory of pursuing happiness for themselves and you, their children? Are you willing to allow this to happen to your children? What says this of us as a people and what we’ve become?

We absolutely must think and act in some quantifiable means to throw off the shackles of monetary indenture. We must not let our markets become a cesspool of manipulation, rigged by shadow elitists. Our personal inalienable rights are the nexus of our freedoms. So must our markets be free and unfettered, to buy and sell at whatever agreed upon price.

Freedom and independence doesn’t begin like a volcano. It starts off by simmering with the fuel of passion and conviction. One by one, it gathers and shapes itself into a storm of resolution that renounces totalitarianism. It is the medium of free men. I choose to be free. You must as well.

Fed and Treasury Sticking It to the U.S. Taxpayer - Something Stinks

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:08:30 -0400

Yes, something stinks to high heaven for sure. Why is Congress not vociferously objecting to what the treasury department is doing? Because they're in on it. They have been bought and paid for and now the printing press that belongs to the American people is being used against them.

I fully realize that Seeking Alpha is a forum for discussing investment opportunity and strategies for growing wealth. But the truth of the matter is that capitalism and our free markets are being destroyed by government intrusion to save the banking elitists.

None of the proposed legislation will help the American people regain their wealth or ease the regulatory burdens put upon the business community. Every conversation, every discussion, every action, rule, decree is all about expanding debt, not preserving wealth. It all has to do with saving the banks and nothing more.

This is clear evidence of the Washington plan that willingly participates in the destruction of the American economy. The death of freedom and the birth of slavery by financial obligation is their goal. It is a direct threat to the national security of the United States.

The bankers who control the three branches of government are evil, manipulating, debt inducing bloodsuckers who want a world currency to replace the American fiat dollar. Where will this lead to?

A world government whose center of power resides in the hands of the international banking cabal. The role of the IMF (International Monetary Fund) will expand to invoke global monetary policy upon all the nations of the earth thereby usurping their sovereign rights as independent countries.

Our Constitution will die, along with our inalienable rights of freedom and liberty. This is the most important agenda we face as citizens. Everything else is a distraction.

Time to Wager on Youbet.com

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 11:16:37 -0400

Can I buy a CDS with my pari-mutuel bet to cover my loss?

Just curious.

The Escalator of Life Is Going Down (Part 2)

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 11:04:28 -0400

The truthfulness of your articles inspire me Mr. Quinn. Thank you again.

I don't know what to do. I write to my congressman and senators, but receive no responses other than political triteness. I’ve decided to take a different course of action to try and make my fellow citizens aware of how government is stealing our wealth and robbing us of our freedoms. I have created a micro-marketing initiative to spread propaganda about the inalienable rights we all have as American citizens.

I have purchased a large quantity of silver-dollar sized wooden buttons from a local business that makes consumer novelties. I had the buttons inscribed with various messages that I hope will get people to start thinking seriously about what government is doing to each and every American. Each of the tokens has the word, “THINK” printed in the middle with different slogans described around it.

For example:

“Government does not work for you. You work for the them”
“Government wants your money and your silence”
“Government will enslave your children, just like you are”
“Your taxes are payment to wealthy bankers”
“Politicians represent the elite class, not you”
“Campaign money is bribery”
“Free markets are no longer free”
“Government will kill you because you allow it”
“Government will steal your wealth because you allow it”
“Welfare creates poverty”
“Give up your gun, give up your liberty”
“George Orwell was a visionary”

I leave these buttons in bars (yeah, I like beer), on shelves of retail stores, on those small stands in banks (one of my favorite places), on book shelves in public libraries, on shelves in grocery stores, in government buildings and restrooms. I do it subtly (e.g., reach for product, leave a button). I don’t know if it will work, but I’m hoping it makes people think and take some action.

What else can we do short of outright rebellion?