He then headed up a commission of economists that traveled to Europe to study the central banks of Britain, France and Germany. Upon his return to the United States he worked to pass the Federal Reserve Act.

In order to avoid the messy conflict that would occur if another private central bank was proposed, a regional system with a central board was suggested.

December of 1913, the Federal Reserve Act was passed in Congress, establishing the framework upon with the current Federal Reserve System hangs.  The National Monetary Commission was morphed into a bigger, more efficient version of itself.

Congress relinquished control over the currency to the private central bank allowing privately owned institutions to control our currency. The Fed became, as it still is today, the only unregulated private business in the nation.

Aldrich had succeeded into creating an economy after his own image and likeness. The income tax would be used both to control the populace and fund the private central bank. The bank would also control the populace through controlling their currency with inflation and deflation without fear of reprisal from the states.

Capitalizing on the outcry from the Panic of 1907, the economic future of America had just been placed on the auction block. Americans were promised a stable economy and a future without the ups and downs of the economic cycle.

Controlling the economic cycle through speculation and manipulation has led to 13 recessions and two depressions. The Fed’s promise of stability seems a far cry from reality.

Yet in every case, it wasn’t the market manipulation of the financial elite that was brought into question…no, it was the freedom of the market itself!

Before 1913, the United States didn’t get involved in foreign wars. We have been involved in one form or another of global warfare ever since.

Why the sudden shift in the United States policy on conflicts in other nations? Find out in Part 4.

Restoring the Republic

Mark “True Patriot” West

 Several attempts at national income taxes had been thwarted by the courts, most notably in the Pollack case. Government realized that a Constitutional Amendment was the only way to tax individual income.

The income tax amendment, the sixteenth to our constitution, was proposed by President Howard Taft and Congressman Nelson Aldrich. It was passed through Congress and sent to the states for ratification. Proponents of the tax cited a need to prevent economic aggregation into the hands of the wealthy few as the reason to ratify this amendment.

February of 1913, the Sixteenth Amendment was proclaimed as ratified by Secretary of State Philander Knox. Congress could now, for the first time, legally and directly tax the income of individual citizens of the United States.

The first income tax law, on the “rich”, set the tax at 1% for individuals earning $425,000 in 2009 currency. Funding was now accessible as the amendment allowed Congress to directly tax whatever income they desired from whatever means it was derived.

Yet Congress found another hurdle in the States. Further economic centralization, namely for the banking industry, would need to prevent State’s from blocking legislation through their granted balance of powers in the Senate. Senators were elected by State legislatures.

In 1911, citing corruption, stagnant state legislature elections, and laws in some states providing for such already; Congress sent the Seventeenth Amendment to the states for ratification. If ratified, this amendment would have Senators directly elected by the people.

State’s, via the Senate, tended to balk and deliberate over legislation rather than be malleable to public opinion.

April of 1913, the Seventeenth Amendment was ratified. Senators could now act without fear of reprisal by their State legislature. Another balance of power removed, removing another block of our Republic and dragging us closer to pure democracy.

Yet, what it would cost the nation in the long term was yet unknown.

Pivotal moments affect every nation. Originating from crises that are both external and internal in nature, these moments demand critical attention.

Unfortunately, history is littered with crisis after crisis contrived only to advance an agenda. An ever-increasing interventionism is at the heart of that agenda. How many politicians have you heard say, “from chaos comes order”?

United States’ pivotal year was 1913, culminating in a Congressional coup-d’état.  Follow me as I detail the takeover timeline.

While breaking from English control, many founding fathers still favored the private central banking construct of London. Beginning with the Bank of North America in 1781, this group led by Robert Morris established the first central bank in the history of the United States.

Four years later the bank was shut down due to massive corruption.

Six years later Alexander Hamilton spearheaded another movement establishing the First Bank of the United States. Strident opposition was found in Thomas Jefferson who knew the danger of corruption involved in financial speculation and manipulation. Five years later Congress chartered the Second Bank of the United States, a copy of the first.

Twenty years later, President Andrew Jackson fought for the American people in destroying this bank with corruption again being the culprit. The ability to manipulate finances through market speculation bred corruption, as Jefferson warned.

A quarter-century of freedom from central banks was enjoyed by the populace until the Congressional coup began with the National Banking Act of 1863 which again centralized national banking operations into private banking institutions.

Prior to this, banking was governed by State banks that would issue currency. Currency issued had to be backed by appropriate reserves and could be exchanged for value with other State banks. The NBA of 1863 centralized this process with a charge to the State banks of 10% for currency exchange effectively eviscerating profitability for these banks.

Imperfections created by the NBA of 1863, namely with liquidity (sound familiar), led to the Panic of 1907. Government economic manipulation led to a crisis. A crisis led to a fervent public outcry for economic stability. Public outcry was capitalized on by the government to intervene and gain more control.

How would they do it?

I couldn’t wait to take part in my first election. Growing up, I often accompanied dad to the voting booth and even occasionally pushed the lever.

My time to vote finally arrived and I thought I was well acquainted with my role in the booth. Yet, I had no clue about the people for whom I was voting. Needless to say, I don’t remember who got my first votes in 1994.

In 1996 I covered the election for my college television show, ASU-TV. I got the opportunity to wait with the candidates as votes were counted at the courthouse and then join them afterward for the watch parties at the hotel for the state and national elections.

Most everybody I knew, except for one goof, was a Democrat so naturally I voted mostly Democrat, except for President and I voted for some third party guy named Phillips.

After realizing the perilous danger spending was putting our nation in, I became captivated by the contract with America. I voted Republican in 1998, 2000, 2002 believing that GOP control of Congress and the White House would result in decreased spending. Newt and Dubya were good at selling, but bad at delivery!

Disenchanted with the spending Republicans and socialist Democrats I voted for the lesser of two evils in 2004, 2006, and 2008. However, something changed in 2004. I met a man named Jim Holt who ran as a Republican, but had the support of a group called the Constitution Party.

Admittedly I had a scant memory of the little public school education I had received on the Constitution, so I began to study. I comprehended the fact that the Federal government I saw in the news was nothing like what the Constitution described.

Our founding fathers gave us a Republic. Our Federal government has been prostituted for political benefit. Republicans spent like crazy when they controlled Congress. The Democrats use that as an excuse to spend even more now that they are in control. Very little of this spending is constitutionally authorized!

Americans deserve the Republic their fathers left them. Not the Oligarchy the Republicrats are building for the financial elite.

In this way Political parties are a lot like Christian denominations. They divide us on issues that aren’t essential. Non-essentials seem to keep the full power of the Christian church divided while Satan runs amok in our world.

Non-essentials likewise keep the full power of the American people divided while sinister forces are dismantling the nation we love. By non-essentials I mean non-Constitutional…those things that the Federal government does outside of the authority of the constitution.

On this note, a preacher was talking about Christian denominations. He said that when Christians get together they first have to identify themselves as Baptist, Pentecostal, Episcopalian, etc. He then asked, why can’t we say, “I’m just a Christian, a Christ follower”?

Have you noticed the latest poll numbers on party identification? I’ll use Rasmussen Reports April 2009 polling because it shows the highest number for both parties. Rasmussen’s polling shows 38.7% Democrat and 32.6% Republican. Do you happen to notice that these don’t add up to 100%?

Nearly one-third of the national viewpoint goes unrepresented in the beltway. And they wonder why voter turnout is so low? When voters can’t identify with the candidates, they will stay home.

Who are the other 28.7% that claim no identification with Democrats or Republicans?

As one of them, I’ll say that, “I’m just an American, a Constitution follower!”

So we must ask the honest question: How do we get the ‘just Americans’ involved in the election process?

I believe the main issue for them is choice. Our illegitimate two-party system disenfranchises them. It isn’t for lack of common thought, but rather for lack of opportunity. Restrictive laws prevent Americans from getting to honestly evaluate other viewpoints on how Federal government should operate.

Let’s remove the restrictive laws and see what happens when people have the choice. The Republicrats inhibit the ability of third parties and independents to organize through the unnecessary laws they’ve passed to prevent them from doing so.

Of course, the Republicrats would argue that the laws protect the legitimacy of the ballot. Unfortunately, they don’t tell you that they didn’t have to clear the same hurdles when they organized. As usual, those in power keep their power by passing laws to prevent others from encroaching on their power.

Third parties and independents are a threat to the Republicrat establishment. Republicans know this all too well, themselves being a third party response to the failures of the Whig Party in the mid-to-late 1800’s. Have you ever heard of Abraham Lincoln?

Republicans have the most to loose today. Rush Limbaugh is pleading with his listeners to avoid the temptation of joining third parties. He knows, as well as do Republicans, the fear of replacement. The same circumstances that lead to their power will now take them from power.

If you really want a choice this election then support a third party. We know that at least a third of the country wants something different. So why don’t say it with me?

“I am not a Republican or a Democrat, I am just an American!”

Restoring the Republic

Mark “True Patriot” West

What is this “swine” influenza?

A mutation of the H1N1 subtype…yet this is the same subtype as the USUAL flu we deal with every year.

An epidemic… yet  91% of the cases and 100% of the deaths have occurred on the same continent…North America.

A mix…never before seen of bird, swine and human influenza.

 A combo…strangely of European, Asian, and North American swine flu strains.

Yet, no pigs were infected…until Sunday when the first case is confirmed…in Ottowa, Canada!

But wasn’t Mexico City the epicenter?

Strange barely describes what we are witnessing. Don’t be afraid to ask the question…could this flu be manufactured?

Our mainstream media is effectively spreading the hysteria. Did you know that approximately 36,000 Americans DIE of the flu annually? And we are being whipped into hyper-frenzy over ONE in a month?!

This frenzy is so strong that schools, towns, and businesses are being locked down. Aha, we have uncovered the real story…involuntary quarantine.

 This “outbreak” is nominal compared to the regular flu, yet the media has been in a hyperventilating panic. When the media acts this way I find it beneficial seek and find what else is going on. Then I add it all up to get a picture of what I should prepare for next.

What else is out there? The census bureau is going to GPS mark your home. The DHS is cracking down on “right wing extremism”. Certain provocative speech may soon be considered a hate crime.

Combine these with an overblown case of the flu and you have a viral concoction that threatens to sweep our liberties from under our feet in the name of public protection. NorthCom is manned up and ready for helping with crowd control or civil unrest.

Balloon animals play an important role in our society by placating the minds of our children…and some adults. Watching a balloon animal artist, my own term, captivates me because of the delicacy of the process.

Proper inflation is key! Too little air makes a wimpy critter, too much air is a bust! The artist needs a suitable supply of air to make the perfect balloon animal.

“It is an established rule of construction,” wrote Thomas Jefferson, “where a phrase will bear either of two meanings to give it that which will allow some meaning to the other parts of the instrument, and not that which will render all the others useless. Certainly no such universal power was meant to be given to them. It was intended to lace them up straightly with in the enumerated powers, and those without which, as means, these powers could not be carried into effect.”

Huh? Basically, the federal government is intentionally limited by and to constitutional restraints. If a phrase isn’t clear, it is to be interpreted to limit rather than expand federal authority.

Federal government is like a balloon animal. Too little authority makes a wimpy critter, too much authority is a bust! The people need a suitable supply of authority to make the perfect federal government.

Did you know…the federal government is only constitutionally granted the authority to provide for our common defense? Our constitution is violated every time the federal government seeks to provide education, health care, financial aid…anything other than common defense.

The Tenth Amendment gives such priorities are to the States and to the people.

Our federal government is constitutionally given the role of economic promoter, not provider.

It’s shameful that almost every candidate for federal office openly campaigns on promises to violate the constitution and then swear an oath to uphold and defend it. And somehow we keep voting for them rather than holding them accountable.

“But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.” – Philippians 1:23-24

Did my Resurrection Day missive leave you a little lost? My wife said it jumped around and didn’t really make much sense.

Honestly, I meant to do that! I was conveying the disjointed, busy-ness that accompanies every annual Resurrection Day celebration. Eggs, candy and family dominate this event each year.  Time for thoughtful introspection is hard to find.

As I took time to think, I remembered a trip that I took to Pennsylvania as a child to visit my grandparents. My first night ever being so far away from home, I cried in fear because I just wanted to go home.

Do you ever feel like you just didn’t want to be here anymore? Like somehow this world wouldn’t miss a beat if you abandoned your instrument? Don’t you ever just wanna go home?

I often struggle with the desire to go home. I want to escape the pressure of letting people down. I’m tired of doing things that I’m certain disappoint God. Yet, as soon as I entertain such a thought, I always recall that my local band still needs me to play.

As far as the grand portrait is concerned, I’m insignificant…but my little Polaroid affords me substance. My wife needs my love, support, and security. My children need my discipline and direction. My cats…well…they need a new home! Does anybody want a couple of knucklehead cats?

We struggle with our desire of a painless existence of peace and harmony. However, we must accept that it isn’t our time. God still has a reason for our being here.

“the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Tea Parties took place across the nation on Tax Day. In case you missed it we had about 150 people at the one here in Batesville. I was one of a thousand at the Jonesboro protest.

Unfortunately, according to the news tube, these were nothing more than unpatriotic, ungrateful, right wing attacks on President Obama. Realistically, the parties were a legitimate exercise of First Amendment rights as noted above.

Labeled tax protests, our parties aren’t getting their props. Our gatherings are about so much more than just taxes. Admittedly, we type-cast ourselves by sharing the name used to describe Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty’s tax protest against the British.

But we were protesting more than just taxes!

Media minions driven by either agenda or sloth, take your pick, are focusing on some version of Obama-phobia to describe the events.

While some attended to protest Obama, but most of us were protesting a system in which they feel unrepresented. A system marked by decades of renegade government excess that has imperiled our Republic!

So we assembled and petitioned for a redress of our grievances…many they are, many they have been, many they will remain until we see resolution.

Don’t you want to wake up to a new dawn that is free from the oppression of a Congress disarmed of its foremost weapon against us…the income tax?

In America’s next chapter, you, your children and grandchildren will be free to fully enjoy the produce of your labors rather than some government transfer of wealth program.

In order to get there, we first have to close the book on this dreadful chapter in our history because currently, we are fading into financial fascism.

That’s right! I said fascism…fascism recognizable by its faith, language, and tactics…fascism recognizable because we’ve seen it before in the dark corners of times past.

You have helplessly witnessed an out-of-control Congress spending your tax dollars bailing out banks, as your protests fell on deaf ears. You were told such an act was necessary to preserve the “national best interest”.

The “national best interest” is the faith statement of financial fascism! This is a faith that will make us subjects us to the financial industry, a situation normally found only in the emerging nations of third world fascism!

Having a “national best interest” isn’t the problem…the problem is when our leaders exploit it to rationalize illegal policies that enslave the electorate by putting taxpayers on the tab for unconstitutional spending and influence.

Using fuzzy financial terms, elite financiers invoke a privileged perch as the arbiters of the “national best interest”. We are manipulated by the language of the elite into trusting them to do what they tell us only they can do.

Our natural, patriotic response to this manipulation should be protest and revolution!

Fascism generally uses a form of bait and switch tactic to take and keep control. We’ve swallowed the bait of taxable private property; they have set the hook of financial control.

Fascism influences the economy through centralized government to control production.

Congress, through taxes and subsidies, and the congressionally mandated Federal Reserve Bank, through interest rates, exert control over our financial well-being.

Our economy is by no means a free economy. We are heading down a bleak and treacherous path.

We are on this path because we have drifted…drifted from the moorings of faith and liberty, exchanging them for wealth and security. We are practicing the faith of financial fascism!

But, it is not too late to turn around and choose a better path. However, it will require action that must begin now!

We must abolish the income tax by amending the constitution to repeal the 16^th Amendment and free ourselves from bondage to financial control!

We must eliminate the Federal Reserve Bank which will inhibit the influence of financial elites while liberating the financial prowess of the people.

We must restrict the federal government to its constitutional limits. Federal fiscal responsibility begins by holding Congress to it limits established by the Constitution and the Tenth Amendment.

We must beg for the mercy of God! We need more mercy…not more money!

Nearly a century ago, our leaders held out their hands to us with their palms up and said, “Show us the money”, as they legalized the income tax and Federal Reserve Bank.

We’ve paid our taxes and been swayed by the central bank, it is time for us to hold out our hands, fists clenched and demand they show us the results!

The only results I see after this century of financial slavery are more debt, more deficits, and more divisions! Basically, our money isn’t worth what it used to be.

I am not happy with these results! Are you?

A true people’s revolution begins in the hearts and minds of “we the people” and it is enabled by the blessing of God…but…it requires us to take action!

We must act now, with swift persistence until we are successful in restoring our republic to its rightful owners…”we the people”.

When you lay your children down to sleep do you ask Almighty God to bless their tomorrow and they ask you for a bed time story, what story will you tell them?

Will you tell them about a generation of apathy…a generation that remains on the path of self-slavery to the agents of financial fascism?

Or will you tell them of a generation of action…a generation that carves a new path away from financial tyranny…a generation that shatters the chains of financial fascism…a generation that saves the republic from the brink of self-destruction?

We get to choose the story of this generation!

We can end this fade into financial fascism! I’ve told you how we can do it! The question is, “Are you willing?”

If you are, then we must stand up together and say, “We are angry! We are Taxed Enough Already! We are not going to be taxed anymore!” Are you willing to stand? Are you willing to stand together until we have seen this through?