Moving over to Tumblr for now

Head over to my Tumblr for the time being to see what I’m up to. I will likely keep changing things up and I may end up back here at WordPress soon enough. For now, keep an eye on http://voxdan.tumblr.com.

Thanks!

Aspiring Author No Longer!

Well, I have broken my blog hiatus to report that I have just been offered a two-book contract for my children’s books.  It has been around 3 years and a lot of ups and downs, but things have finally fallen into place.  Thanks for those of you who have been praying for me and all of this.

Things are still crazy hectic (as I am sure is the case for most people this time of year) so I’m still not planning on being around here much any time soon.  Keep an eye on my Tumblelog for more frequent updates – though not much more frequent.  And I will keep you posted on the books.

Thanks!

Slowing down for a bit

I have a ton of stuff to do in the next month and I am stil recovering from a long election year, so I may or may not be posting much in the next few weeks.  I may throw something interesting up on my tumblelog, so keep an eye out, but forgive me if I don’t have much around here for the time being.

Thanks!

One Last Pro-life and Presidential Post Before the Polls Open

It’s been awhile.  To be completely honest, I needed a break.  I’m just going to leave it at that.

Tomorrow is the big day.  Like most Christians, I have been bombarded with emails and letters and links to videos all telling me why it is imperative that I vote for John McCain because of his pro-life record. Just about every major Christian ministry and organization is flooding the flock with emotionally charged pleas for the unborn, and it is starting to bother me.

Don’t get me wrong.  You will have to look far and wide for someone more pro-life than me.  If any issue deserves some emotional charge, it’s this one.  But let me briefly tell you what is getting me so upset – and a little depressed.

I have written many pages on this topic over the last few days.  I decided to shelve them for now, as it is too late for any of it to make a difference this election and, honestly, I haven’t got it in me to debate the issue anymore – not right now.  I would like to make a few points, at this late hour, just so that I can say I got it out there before the polls opened.

So what’s got me bothered?  Let me tell ya.

CSPAN – Third Party Presidential Debate

And now for a presidential debate that won’t make you sick.  Agree or disagree, it is so refreshing to hear people talking about important issues in meaningful ways.

MUST SEE! Politically Incorrect Guide to Politics – 20/20 John Stossel

This six-part series is something you must see.  In this “Politically Incorrect Guide to Politics,” 20/20’s John Stossel will open your eyes to the reality of politics, the impotence of politicians, and the inevitable broken promises of presidents. Some affiliates apparently refused to air this broadcast.  What does that tell you?

At least watch the first segment.  If you don’t want to watch the rest, then fine.  However, I think you will be hooked and find the time to watch the rest.  Need time?  Just turn off your TV for an hour.  : )

Part 1

Follow the link below to watch the rest of the show.  After that, head over to YouTube to rate the videos and then start sharing them with friends and family.

Don’t Blame Capitalism

Many people are under the impression that “capitalism” is somehow to blame for the financial mess we are in and that what we need is more regulation and government control.  Without putting too fine a point on it, those people are flat out wrong and coming to that conclusion only demonstrates their complete lack of understanding regarding these things.

First, and easiest, is the fact that we are not truly a free-market, capitalist society.  We keep telling ourselves we are, but we’re not.

Second, government control and regulation is primarily what got us into this mess to begin with.

Third, just go read this great article by Peter Schiff.

If you want to learn more about true liberty, freedom, prosperity and more, go read Ron Paul’s, The Revolution.  I can’t think of a more important book to read right now.  It is fundamental reading for anyone wanting to participate in this discussion, regardless of what side they are on.  Get it at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, or a store near you.

This crisis reminds me of an article from 2007

This whole financial crisis has me thinking of an article from 2007.  It’s worth reading again, and we’ll get to it below.

Ya, this could be construed as a little alarmist, but bear with me and try to make it through to the end.

A perfect storm may be brewing as I have mentioned before. A few years ago Bush and his cohorts started down the road to a North American Union with very little mention from the media.  You would think such a thing would be front page news, but alas, most people have never heard a thing.  Why not?

Around that time talk of a new currency, the so-called “Amero” started springing up, but again, received very little coverage except from a few good people like Lou Dobbs.  Sounds like Euro, doesn’t it?  Again, even today, very few people who rely on The Times, Foxnews, or CNN have ever heard of such a thing.  Why not?

I suggest it is primarily due to the fact that the public would not support such moves.  If an NAU or Amero was to come about, it would have to be timed perfectly.

Of course, this reminds many people of the “timing” surrounding the countless liberty-stealing bills and measures passed post-9/11.  When you do a little research, you find that a number of the horrific bills and directives initiated after 9/11 were actually up for consideration before 9/11 and failed miserably – including what came to be known as the Patriot Act, the grand-daddy of all heinous Acts.  Why didn’t you hear much about these things before 9/11?  Simple.  The timing wasn’t right.  It took the fear-mongering surrounding that tragedy to make the sheep give their consent to just about anything and everything, which is exactly what they did.  But that is for another post.

A financial collapse could be the 9/11 that brings about things like the NAU and Amero.  I know it sounds “crazy” but just for a moment, think about this.  If there were a globalist plan to unite North America, and ultimately, the world, under one government, what would the next step be?  You have secured the legality of virtually every dictatorial power necessary to run that government (have you ever read the Acts and Directives since 9/11?).  Now all you need is one people to govern.  An NAU was formally, though quietly, introduced a few years ago, but those taking temperatures told you the time was not ripe.  The same thing goes for the Amero.  So, what would you do?  Well, nothing brings the people together like a good tragedy.

If you ever wanted a good tragedy, the recent financial fallouts are just the ticket.  Think about this.  The people opposed this bill nearly ten to one.  10 to 1!  The Congress voted it down and the Dow fell 777 points (as it should have, I might add).  The media and the higher-ups used this decline to scare (fear-mongering?) the people and the Congress, telling them that if they didn’t pass a Bailout soon, everything would collapse (Or threatening martial law? See this video.) The Senate, who certainly don’t represent any of the people, decides they will pave the way and now it is back on the Congress.  Long story short, a $700 billion dollar, 100 page bill that was too much for Congress to pass the first time around, turned into an exponentially more expensive, nearly 500 page bill, full of earmarks and pork that was apparently more palatable.

The result?  Instead of a 777 point decline to around the 10,500 mark, the Dow has free-fallen to near the 8500 point mark and is still falling with no sure end in sight.

Interestingly enough, the fear tactics didn’t work on the people this time around.  They still opposed the bill and saw it for what it was.  But our Congress, cowering in the face of “experts” wheeled-in for the show and giving into bully-tactics, decided they knew what was best for the people they apparently represented.  Case in point, consider this quote from a letter I received from my Representative, Gary Miller:

“Many of you have expressed opposition to the financial rescue package and are disappointed that I voted for this legislation.  However, as your Representative in Congress I always strive to do what is right and best for Americans, even if it is unpopular.”

He is completely aware that the public, the people he apparently “represents,” opposed this legislation 10 to 1, yet he justifies his vote by saying that he strives to do what is best for Americans.  That is not his job!  His job is to represent the people of his district and it would be hard to find an issue where the people’s choice was more apparent than regarding the bailout.

If that was not bad enough, if I may be allowed to wander a bit, he goes on to appeal to Bernanke and Paulson:

“Secretary Paulson and Chairman Bernanke have warned that the economy could suffer badly if Congress does not swiftly pass legislation to address the financial markets crisis.  Not listening to their warnings proved to be dangerous, as evidenced by the over $1 trillion loss in the stock markets on September 29th.  Doing nothing is a gamble, and quite frankly rolling the dice with our economy is not a gamble I am willing to take.”

Wow!  Did you catch that?  First, I didn’t vote for Paulson or Bernanke.  Second, who exactly are we taking our marching orders from?  Think about it.  Finally, and again, your job is to listen to and represent your constituents!  Bernanke and Paulson have no idea what they are talking about.  They, at best, are trying to salvage a game that has been played according to the wrong rulebook for decades without actually throwing that bad book out.  At worst, they are perpetuating an unconstitutional and fraudulent Federal Reserve system that is a primary cause of the fall of our economy and ultimately our country.  These are not the men we should be listening to.  They certainly don’t represent the 90% of the people who spoke out against this bailout.  Apparently, they do speak for the Congress.

So the bailout bills passes and the market is now in a free-fall.  Now this sounds like a crisis.  And here’s the thing.  Anyone with a head on their shoulders, if they are honest, knows that the bailout bill will kill our economy in the end, and despite what it may sound like, I do not think the people in Washington are stupid.  This means that it is entirely reasonable to think that the people who pushed this bailout through knew exactly what would happen.  This is when things start to get really scary.  It is also the moment I just lost a number of my readers because now we have ventured too far into the land of “conspiracy.”  The problem is, you got here one reasonable step at a time and you know it.

Let me add at this point, that I am not promising you that this is the way things are or that this is the way things are going to go down.  What I’m telling you is that history shows this is nothing new.  What I am trying to get across is that, to whatever degree, something is wrong.  It is time to start putting aside labels such as “conspiracist” and the rest and realize that, whether the problem is something as obvious as Congress not representing the people or as “crazy” as an orchestrated move toward a North American Union, we must unite and fight.  We all agree that something is wrong.  We have to stop the name calling and infighting and get back to holding our government accountable.

Of course, if you really want some “conspiracy,” here’s the kicker.  Is this financial crisis the “national emergency” that will finally lead Bush to cancel national elections and enthrone himself indefinitely?  Now that sounds crazy, but it leads me back full-circle.

Go read this article from 2007 by Harvey Wasserman and Bob Fitrakis at the Online Journal entitled, Will Bush Cancel the 2008 Election?

Alarmist?  Perhaps.  But whether you fear an elitest globalization plot or are simply frustrated with Congress, we are all on the same team.  We need work together, stop the name-calling, and work for change.  Time is of the essence.

Words like “Doomsday,” “Shock” and Scary Graphs!

Remember when Congress voted down the bailout bill, and the market fell drastically, and idiots people started to panic and the MSM was filled with ignoramuses people declaring that the drop in the Dow was the direct result of the failure of the bill to pass.  Remember?  Of course, you never heard how the very people that opposed the bailout fully expected the Dow to drop, and drop big time, but realized that this would be necessary and much better than the alternative.

And remember when the market stabilized and even moved up a bit shortly thereafter?  While a few folks dared to suggest that this was normal, expected and the result of the American people standing firm, most of the media and talking heads credited “an expected bailout” for the stabilization.  Ah, the spin.

And remember when your congressperson said he or she would oppose this outrageously expensive, unfair and unfit bill because the tax payers would be paying for it for generations to come?  Because it was unfair to Main Street?  And then remember when all it took to get your comgressperson to vote on the bill was a few revisions (by few I mean a few hundred more pages) that filled the bill so full of earmarks and more bad debt that he or she just couldn’t resist?  I mean, sure, we just added a few hundred years to your sentence, but our children’s toy factory gets a tax break!  Woo Hoo!

You don’t remember that?  Here are some quotes from the morning after.

WASHINGTON – In a vote that shook the government, Wall Street and markets around the world, the House on Monday defeated a $700 billion emergency rescue for the nation’s financial system, leaving both parties’ lawmakers and the Bush administration scrambling to pick up the pieces. Dismayed investors sent the Dow Jones industrials plunging nearly 800 points, the most ever for a single day.

The final stock carnage was 777 points, far surpassing the 684-point drop on the first trading day after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.  (source)

Oh the carnage!  777 points!

Stock markets reacted violently. Investors who had been counting on the rescue plan’s passage sent the Dow Jones industrial average down well over 700 points. The stock gauge closed 778 points lower – nearly 7%.

Added [Barney] Frank: “Today is the decision day. If we defeat this bill today, it will be a very bad day for the financial sector of the American economy.”

Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., a lead negotiator in the bailout bill negotiations said, “If we don’t act promptly and effectively, then many people are going to lose their jobs.” (source)

777 point drop is an unprecedented, violent reaction.  Remember that.  It is the kind of thing that would only happen if we voted down this savior bill.

SHOCKED, open-mouthed and fearful US lawmakers stood in the well of the House of Representatives, dumbfounded by the magnitude of the chamber’s decision to kill a bid to save Wall Street.

Democratic and Republican party leaders who had battled to pass a $US700 billion ($840 billion) bailout bill, stared in disbelief as an electronic vote counter ticked down on the doomsday scenario many feared if the bill went down. (source)

Shock!  Doomsday!  Drop-jawed and fearful lawmakers….and by lawmakers, I mean people who have absolutely no idea what-so-ever what sound money is or how a free-market economy works.

I could go on and on.  Get out your google and see for yourself.  There was hardly a single news outlet that did not report the tragedy of the failed bailout or say “I told you so” when the market dropped 777 points.  Doomsday, shock and horror filled the headlines.

Well, as most of us expected, they passed their bill, and oh what a bill it was.  Having gone from 3 pages, to about 100 pages to nearly 500 pages before it was passed, the bill that made it through was exponentially worse than the one first introduced, or even the first revision that congress voted down.  Folks, your representatives are criminals and charlatans who are looking out for just about anyone but you.

The public responded nearly 10 to 1 against the bailout that the people “representing” them then passed.  I received a letter from my Representative, Gary Miller, in which he actually said that while the people did not support the bill, he had to do what was best for the country.  He actually said, flat out, that he was NOT going to represent his people.  I don’t even think he noticed it.  Oh well.  If he doesn’t represent me than it is clear I need to work tirelessly to get him voted out of office, which I will.

But the real punch line is this.    About a week after they pushed through their savior, doomsday-diverting bill that was sorely needed after that catastrophic 777 point fall (which took us to around 10,500) here are the numbers as of October 9, 2008 4:05pm EST:

What is particularly telling, when comparing this to the “collapse” after the failed bailout vote, is the not the point drop so much as the percentage drop.  Now let’s look at it from another perspective.

Click on the graph for a larger view

Folks, the economy is going to collapse.  People like Ron Paul have been warning of this for decades.  Austrian economics has predicted this for even longer.  The Fed will continue to put bandaids on this, occassionally eliciting some sort of upturn, and the people will breath a huge sigh of relief because they simply have not idea what the real problem is.

Listen, I would rather see the Dow fall five thousand points over night while letting the market take care of itself, then watch it fall even farther over weeks, months or even years as we try to prop it up and disguise what it really is: a failed system for which we have no one to blame but Wall Street fat cats, greedy Senators and Representatives and a corrupt Administration.

More truth about the bailout

‘nuf said.