Does anybody ACTUALLY believe we can change the destiny of this crippled empire? I wish I could...
I would like to start by saying that I love liberty, both economic and civil. Dr. Paul is a true hero of the constitution, the most important key to true freedom, and I would vote him in for president in a heartbeat. So don't get me wrong about my intentions when I pose this question.
Does anybody ACTUALLY think we (we as in liberty minded people) can steer this country out of the cycle that has befallen every great nation/empire in history? Repression to freedom, freedom to prosperity, prosperity to arrogance, arrogance to apathy, apathy to dependence, and dependence to destruction. Who are we to think that we have the power to break this cycle?
I do believe the United States was a truly special nation built on the blood, sweat, and hard work of generations of free Americans. I also believe that everyone who participates/believes in this website and the values it represents is doing the right thing and embodies those same Americans. Spreading Dr. Paul's ideas of noninterventionism and economic freedom to our fellow sheeple is definitely able to awaken a few minds and maybe save a couple of lives when the final crisis finally hits.
What I do not believe is that we are going to be able to keep this country from sinking into an inflationary depression and eventually into a neo-fascist police state in the name of "safety".
I am a finance and economics major at Florida State University and I work as a bagger at Publix SuperMarkets in Tallahassee, Florida. Publix is an average grocery store chain in the southeast. I got to look at my store's financial statements (the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flows statements). My store does about a million dollars a week in business (revenue). Out of that million dollars, four hundred thousand, or 40% of that is directly from the Federal Government in the form of food stamps. I can't even guess what the percentage would be if you included money from social security and every other government handout. Very few people at my store pay for their own food with their OWN saved money. This is the utmost demonstration of DEPENDENCE that I have ever witnessed. Not only for the 'poor' people, but Publix and every other government-subsidized grocery stores.
What I honestly see the most is that the person will pull out their food stamp card (which ironically has a giant U.S flag on it, giving the impression that you are entitled to food stamps as an American which you aren't) and pay for an assortment of high grade foods such as steak, chicken filets, premium spices and sauces, steamed spicy shrimp, crab legs, full subs from the deli. Food that people on a tight fiscal budget should ABSOLUTELY NOT be purchasing. After that is done, they will whip out a wad of cash and pay for the 2 cases of Miller High Life that the food stamps won't cover. This infuriates me so much as I bag their groceries they bought with my tax dollars with a smile on my face. Sometimes I think bad thoughts and am glad that these people will be unprepared for the true crisis that awaits them.
This is just one of the many ways that I see the people around me dependent of a government of a nation that is at the destruction stage of this classic and unavoidable cycle.
You may read all of this and say to me "Why try then? Why care at all?".
I spreading the words of the constitution and the ideas of freedom not because I believe that We can change the fate of this country, but because in the end, I want to be on the right side of history. I want to be able to tell my kids one day that day that I stuck up for the ideals of liberty, and stood against the oppression that I knew was headed my way.
But when it comes down to prioritizing spreading the word of freedom to others or preparing myself and family for an inflationary depression, I chose preparation.
Does anybody else agree with me? Feel free to disagree with me. Just try and provides some facts or proof to your claims.
Thanks DP
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First of all, we can win and
First of all, we can win and its easy to see how, just read up on history.
Secondly, even if we couldn't win, remember those lines from Braveheart.
"We can't win."
"What's that got to do with fighting?"
Ventura 2012
Miracles happen
it may take several generations though.
Prepare & Share the Message of Freedom through Positive-Peaceful-Activism.
There's room for light
Ancient Rome fell and Italy still exists. The USSR crumbled and Poland regained it's freedom. Muslims and Hindi migrated and formed two countries without a war. I believe the work we do can lead to less despotism than we would experience if we just bent over to these tyrants in charge of our gov't and big corporations. But first, the public must wake up. So take it day by day and do the good work. Though it may seem elusive now, positive opportunities will reveal themselves :-)
I hate it when people freak
I hate it when people freak out over what strangers purchase using food stamps. It's dangerously close to the "I know what's best for you" liberal mentality that tries to regulate everything from what and where we smoke, what junk food we can consume and where, and pretty every other aspect of our lives. I'd rather have the government give these people a food allowance and allow them to make their own decisions than a program that micromanages their diets by strictly regulating what they can and can't buy and in what amounts (and yes I know WIC is run in that manner and I have reservations about that program as well). Of course people will have the freedom to make stupid decisions, but it's better than the alternative. Your problem shouldn't be with them anyways; you should be taking it up with the politicians who continue support and expand ridiculous welfare programs.
In this case it's not an issue of what's "best for you".
It's an issue of "that's my money you're spending." Big difference.
Again, you're thinking like a
Again, you're thinking like a liberal.
"You shouldn't drink soda because that causes my health insurance rates to go up."
"You shouldn't eat junk food because that causes my health insurance rates to go up."
"You shouldn't be fat because that causes my health insurance rates to go up."
"You shouldn't smoke because that causes my health insurance rates to go up."
Just wait until Obamacare passes and "taxes" replaces the phrase "health insurance". Then you'll sound exactly like the people you criticize.
I am not one
who believes America has some sort of divine charter or protection from the consequence of her actions.
"American exceptionalism," so touted by the neocon right, stems not from God's fondness for this nation over others but from the natural benefits of the greater individual freedom provided for in our founding and the determination of the founders to limit the role of government.
We have not been vigilant against our government's growth and usurpations. We have allowed that government to educate us and erase our pro-liberty, anti-government origins from our history. The natural consequence has been moral decay by which I mean the sanctioning of theft from one's neighbor for all manner of "public goods" and the willingness to trade liberty for the illusion of greater security.
I see two likely paths. Either America will be subsumed in some vile and ghastly plot of subversion and submission to a parasitic New World Order with a population of essentially enslaved workers, or there will be successful revolt against the overlords so that they lose control of the military and police forces but the economy and fiat money are still destroyed and we devolve into local canton-sized "survival" governments with regional gold and silver-based money. Either way, America the nation will be gone.
New Hampshire and Ecuador
I am very much inclined to
I am very much inclined to agree with you.
Khomar,
Check your email.
You Have to Believe You Can Do Something Before You Can Do It.
If you don't you will never really try.
Ron Paul's Convention Speech
Mearle Haggard said it best
"Are we rolling down hill like a snowball headed for hell". Our government is all too eager to create entitlement programs to make people dependent on Uncle Sam. Why not? It doesn't cost them anything, just printed up money. It doesn't matter that there is nothing backing the promise as long as we don't expect to ever payoff the debt. We've all seen the riots in LA and elsewhere. Let the food stamp/welfare/disability income cards become inactive and there won't be a safe town in America. And that might just be their plan.
alan laney
Henry Ford said,
and I paraphrase, If the American people knew what the private Fed Reserve banking cartel was doing, there would be a violent uprising by morning.
And he added, So it's better off they don't know. Or something to that effect.
I'm not sure why he thought they'd be better off, but the point is that if the evil of the banksters was widely known, there WOULD BE change.
I'm not sure how that can happen, EVEN WITH AN AUDIT OF THE FED, because the media would black out the news, just as they are doing now.
The sheeple are told what to think.
I'm not sure what can be done when the media only reports what the Powers That Be want to be reported.
Ron Paul's answer is this: and I paraphrase: Even the Fed cannot prevent the consequences of economic law, so that means the FRN (Fed Res. Notes) will crash, which means the folks who are using food stamps, medicaid, etc. will not be able to "cash" the Fed Government's checks. The checks will be of no worth, and that's when there will be a compete collapse, resulting in violence, etc.
The problem is that the media WILL STILL BE controlled, thus paving the way for Obama or the next Bush to rapidly roll out a real and feared police state.
That's why we must support The Oath Keepers, and why we must be armed (for self-defense) and be prepared with food storage.
"It is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning." - Henry Ford
We have to...
do both...prepare for the worst and preach the message of freedom and liberty until those dreary days are upon us.....
“The Internet is the first thing that humanity has built that humanity doesn't understand, the largest experiment in anarchy that we have ever had." - Eric Schmidt
Food subsidies
In economic terms, food stamps are another type of food subsidy.
http://www.vegblog.org/archive/2010/03/05/food-subsidies-in-...
I work offshore in the
I work offshore in the construction industry. Last year I talked a lot about what was going on. One diver which was a neo-con called me crazy. I didn't work on Him and I just put it past me. Well things eventually got slow and He had 4 months without work. While He was sitting at the house broke as hell He started looking around on forums. I guess He wanted to know why the economy went to crap. When this diver finally came back to work He approached Me and said everything I said was true. After that moment He was a full fledged liberty lover that had a 100% understanding of fiat money, wars, corrupt government, constitution, & liberty...
I have ran into many Liberty lovers offshore and its quite surprising. I was talking to a diver the other day and I was surprised about how much He knew about the income tax code.
These people are generally neo-cons but informed people are popping up left and right. The best part about my job is We are on a stinking boat which has very little personal space. You go to work and work Your 12 hour shift and after that You go to bed if You don't have a movie. Movies and Cigs are pretty much the most valuable thing out here and its easy to slip them a good conspiracy fact movie..
I love my job especially since I bounce around from vessel to vessel. I like meeting new people and every job is 100% new and nothing is routine about it..
So I would have to say people ARE WAKING up its just going to take time. All We have to do is keep passing video's around and keep talking about the crooks in washington and how they are screwing us.
The majority of people out there are pissed off at the government and it shouldn't be to hard to hand them the Obama Deception or Fall of the republic. You would be surprised how many people would actually watch it.
Lumping everyone who uses
Lumping everyone who uses food stamps together as illegitimate is wrong. Many people are poor and have children they need to feed. If the assistance is provided by government funding, then these people are going to use it (you would too in that situation). Keep in mind most of these same people would have to be provided for through charity in a free market economy. Getting rid of massive welfarism is not going to happen overnight- Ron Paul has stated this. Incremental change is the only way to solve this problem, we need to focus right now on cutting back on the most expensive and destructive policy which is American militarism.
you missed the point
Nobody is lumping together all people who use food stamps as 'illegitimate.' You're obviously missing the point, which is that the welfare state is bankrupting the country
Also you're completely wrong in saying that militarism is the most expensive policy. In fact, defense is a generally minor portion of the budget. The REAL killer to the federal debt are the big three entitlement programs: Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid.
I appreciate your zeal for the movement, but you clearly don't have a true grasp on the actual problems facing our country.
America's Youth vs. Big Government. The Book!
We will be victorious!
When things hit the complete breaking point, there will be places where the Constitution will be held as a banner. When there is chaos, you will find those of like mind to band together with. You may not be the same religion, race or ethnic background, but you will have a belief in Liberty as a common cause. Then things will turn our way.
Just continue doing what
Just continue doing what you're doing. You are doing well my friend. Stay on the right side of history and let God do the rest.
300!
The only way we can win is if
The only way we can win is if we route the Bankers out and arrest them. Forget an Audit of the Fed, Abolish it and arrest them all.
Because if we don't, the cycle of corruption will keep repeating itslef everytime we remove criminals from Congress, the CIA, FBI DOD etc.
There is no Left or Right -- there is only freedom or tyranny. Everything else is an illusion, an obfuscation to keep you confused and silent as the world burns around you." - Philip Brennan
"Invest only in things that you can stand in front of and pr
Do you want an honest answer, or one the media can deal with?
I think it will take a real bloodshedding Revolution in order to get our government back on track. It will mean weeding out all the socialists, tarring/feathering them and sending out on a rail - like in the old days, I am talking about the feel good welfare Congressmen/women, and Senators. It will mean getting them all out of office, and electing folks that believe the people are what make this country work, and not buying into a bigger government, or that the government is what makes this country work.
this song comes to mind...
from 35 years ago. It said it all then, it says it all now...even louder in fact.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AE3kKUEY5WU
Meanwhile, keep the faith, that precious commodity that keeps life worth living and from which great things do come.
Of course it is possible!
Ideas move the world.
Victor Hugo said: No armies can stop an idea whose time has come.
As a physician one learns that before you can treat one must make the proper diagnosis.
That our society is ailing is obvious. In order to understand what is wrong with it you must first have a clear conception of how a healthy society would be structured and how it would function.
I recommend you read Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged then her journal The Objectivist Newsletter, The Virtue of Selfishness and Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal.
Naturally it would help if you encourage others to do the same.
I understand that Lionsgate Films is going to produce a TV Miniseries of Atlas Shrugged before this year is over.
It is not too late for you to be the first one in your neighborhood to acquire the perspective Ayn Rand's philosophy provides.
Check your premises.
"I swear by my life and my love of it that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine" Ayn Rand in Atlas Shrugged p731
you need to pick up some Rothbard!
i have no major beef with Ayn Rand, but you need to get a copy of The Ethics of Liberty by Murray Rothbard; the most influential and enlightening book i have ever picked up.
It will take far more like
It will take far more like minded people to turn this sinking ship around than we currently have.
When i first heard the liberty message, it was such a breath of fresh air that I foolishly thought others would flock to it like hungry pigs to a trough. I began to openly talk politics again, and at first it worked pretty well. I converted numerous neo-cons in my own family - two sisters, two brothers, two nephews.
As the months went by I hit a brick wall. Other than those original six (who saw the light almost immediately), I have had less and less success to show for my efforts. It was my opposition to the wars that really stuck in peoples craw more than any other. I am convinced that one of my uncles (a life long Air Force man) hates the very thought of me.
But something has occurred to me lately that I want to relate.. sort of a "take heart" exhortation. We must not cease in our educating process, even if few to none our listening. In a word, the reason is this: PAIN.
Now I'm not saying that we should continue because we should want people to avoid pain, though we should. No. What I mean is that pain has not yet been fully realized among the masses.... but it is coming, and coming in spades. And pain is a far better teacher than the pain free realize.
If when the pain comes we are found preaching a consistent message and pointing to the exist, perhaps some will finally heed the advise of people like Ron Paul. But if we cease now, or even relax our diligence, the result will be a clamor for more Big Brother even when the hurt comes crashing down.
Pain is a wonderful teacher. And remember, Ron Paul has been hammering this message for decades, and only now has he gained a significant audience. That very fact lends creadence to the message itself.
This quote from above should give us all a boost in faith
"And remember, Ron Paul has been hammering this message for decades, and only now has he gained a significant audience. That very fact lends credence to the message itself."
It is a FACT that Ron Paul's message has been spreading like wildfire.
The only problem is that there are so many deceived people, and I mean tens of millions.
So it will take time to reach tens of millions.
Will there be enough time? I don't know.
I do think painful times are coming. Let's work on saving ourselves (temporally) so we will be in a position to help others, and be a light to others.
"It is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning." - Henry Ford
get past the CON
... you cant save anything until you save yourself first. Examine yourself and be kind to others... the rest is gravy. Do not be afraid... be of good cheer.
Does my burka make my butt look fatwa?
The biggest question,
The biggest question, however, is?
Do you want to do something about this nation? Like, help to return to original American way of governing: "free republics" or you still want to suffer under the biggest scam in the history of this civilization: democracy.
You can start from here: http://www.oursammie.net/
Wow! for a Second i thought i might have wrote this
I have an Accounting and Finance Degree from FSU. I am in the Business Fraternity Delta Sigma Pi . I Didn't find out about Austrian Economics and The Ron Paul Revolution till a couple years after Graduation. At first I was very excited and felt that I could help steer this country right. I met with a lot of people with the same ideas and principles and really surrounded myself with them. However my hopes would be slowly beaten down as I once again started dealing with the other 99% of people. Its over! they have to many weapons and there are to many brain washed ignorant people. not there fault just products of the system. I still try but im real, Its OVER. and people will call me coward and pessamist and bla bla bla... but give me a victory, even a small one for the liberty movement. Even our Tea Party gets hi-jacked by Neo-Cons. Everyone is a patriot on there keyboards but when it comes time to really stand in the face of tyranny where are we... Its happening people! The Revolution should have been started long ago! but No, we sit and watch them give trillions to Coorporate big wigs, take away our civil rights, get rid of Habeas Corpus, Devalue our currency, escalate Wars, poisen our food, Mandate Vaccination, pass Dictditorial laws, label us terrorists, put up secret prisons, assasinate there own citizens, next thing to go will be your guns and then my friends you will be in a Fema Camp while the 'Trolls' are Microchipped and Big Brother is Finally the party in Power. I still fight but i dont have hope.... So like you i am preparing by getting the Heck out of Here... Im working two Jobs right now and saving every penny( in silver ofCourse) and Will be out of here in August...
Good Luck ...
I too believe that the Nation/State Has Run Its Course
And that it is the source of all wars. We have a Constitution and a Bill of Rights but they have all been ignored and it is probably the result that any Constitution or Bill or Right will produce. It is Nations that cause all the problems. Too that extent I am an anarcho/laisez faire believer, which is a belief that will never be accepted by but a very small minority and words won't change anybody who believe in flag waving and 747s for flights by the President of 200 miles.
Sheldon Waxman
sheldonw72@gmail.com
www.independentcontractor.info
www.thelawyer.info