More Liberty

More Regulations on the Way

The federal government is like the Energizer Bunny.  It keeps growing and growing and growing....

"Congress away but regulations keep on coming"  The Washington Times

Kent Snyder

C-SPAN Pressing Pelosi

Brian Lamb of C-SPAN is urging Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi to allow C-SPAN cameras to show more of what really takes place on the House floor starting next year.  Let's hope Mr. Lamb is persuasive.  More cameras would be great, but ever better would be microphones on the House floor.  Microphones would really show Americans what goes on when votes are traded and then cast on the floor.

"C-SPAN presses Pelosi on transparency"  The Hill

Kent Snyder

Universal Health Care

The Institute for Health Freedom provides a roundup on the efforts around the country to pass so-called universal healthcare or, more accurately called, socialized sickcare.

Kent Snyder

New Hampshire Changing?

Is New Hampshire turning away from its "Live Free or Die" tradition?  According to a Christian Science Monitor article, it is.  Let's hope, however, the Free State Project can counter that change and keep New Hampshire's tradition of freedom alive and well.

Kent Snyder

Please Send Money!

According to The Hill newspaper, the National Republican Congressional Committee is "begging to clear debt" of $2 million.  You see, the committee spent almost $2 million more than it had in the bank in its failed effort to keep a Republican majority in the U.S. House this last election.

The article quotes Sally Vastola the executive director of the committee:  "In the end, we were forced to spend nearly $2 million we didn’t have...."

Spending money they didn't have?!  Well, that's no surprise.  This is Washington, D.C. after all.

Kent Snyder

Big Government for all Stripes

Sabastian Mallaby concludes the era of big government is here to stay; something that will please Democrats, Republicans and even libertarians.  Libertarians for big government?  It's true for the Beltway libertarians.

Kent Snyder

No Liars in Washington

Howard Kurtz of the Washington Post comments today about President Bush and other presidents who tell an "untruth."  He observes that reporters "by nature shy from pinning the 'liar' label on any political leader."

It's funny how folks here in Washington (politicians and bureaucrats, along with their staffs, and lobbyists and yes the media) go to such pains to avoid calling one of their own a liar.  Instead, they use words such as disinformation, falsehood, untruth, misleading, etc.  But using the word "liar" seems to be bad manners here in Washington.

Kent Snyder

"President's Evasion Raises Truth Issues"  by Howard Kurtz, 11/10/06

Tom DeLay on GOP's Defeat

Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay said in a televised interview this morning on Fox News that the reason Republicans got a "real Texas whipping" was because they forgot their principles.  "Forget your principles...you lose," DeLay remarked.  He was asked what "principles Republicans in the House should get back to?"  DeLay answered "limited government," among a few others.

Let's think for a moment...Tom DeLay while he was House majority leader twisted arms to pass the Medicare prescription drug bill, the largest expansion of the federal government since the creation of Medicare itself; the PATRIOT Act, the harshest attack on our civil liberties in our country's history (second only to the Military Commissions Act passed afterwards); and No Child Left Behind, the complete federal takeover of public education.  In addition, Mr. DeLay's "principled leadership" gave us an explosion in the number and cost of earmarks or pork projects.  Under Mr. DeLay's reign of principle, our national debt reached an all-time high, while the size, scope and power of the federal government increased beyond FDR's grandest ambitions.

Mr. DeLay, you say Republicans lost because they forgot their principles.  You should know!  You led that amnesia of principle in the U.S. House; the house you and your buddies were booted out of yesterday.

Kent Snyder

At The Polls

Today is election day.  Americans will have the opportunity to choose between two cults:  Republican or Democrat.  Choose wisely.

Kent Snyder

Frist Building "White House"

Senator Bill Frist of Tennessee fancies himself as president of the United States.  So much so that he is building his new home in Nashville to feed his fantasy.

"Looking Presidential at Home in Nashville, Whether He Runs or Not"  N.Y. Times, 11/03/06

Kent Snyder

Wrath of Cubin: Another Example

U.S. Representative Barbara Cubin of Wyoming recently told one of her opponents, Libertarian Thomas Rankin, that she would have slapped him if he weren't in a wheelchair.  (Mr. Rankin has multiple sclerosis.)  Mrs. Cubin did publicly apologize for her outburst, but apparently not to Mr. Rankin personally.

On March 2, 2006, I also felt the wrath of Cubin; not in Wyoming, but in Washington, D.C.  A few days later, I described my encounter in "A Royal Response."  I did not mention Mrs. Cubin by name at the time because my point was not about the behavior of Mrs. Cubin in particular or any other individual member of Congress.  My general point was to simply tell the public about the arrogance of their elected "public servants" while they are in Washington away from home.

But Representative Cubin's behavior towards me in Washington and later towards Mr. Rankin in Wyoming shows a pattern of behavior that Mrs. Cubin herself has now made into the point.

Kent Snyder

"Cubin tells challenger, 'I'd slap you'"  10/24/06

"Wyoming rep apologizes for 'slap' remark"  10/24/06

Tony Snow's Snow Job

Al Kamen reports in today's Washington Post about an exchange between White House press secretary Tony Snow and reporters.  The subject was whether Vice President Dick Cheney approves or disapproves of using water torture.  Here's the text of the article:

White House spokesman Tony Snow was hounded by reporters last week as he insisted that Vice President Cheney's approval of "a dunk in the water" during a radio interview in no way indicated that he approved of waterboarding, a torture technique meant to simulate drowning.

Snow pointed out to incredulous reporters that Cheney was very careful in his use of language and the word "waterboarding" was never uttered.  If he meant waterboarding, he would have said it.

Reporters weren't buying it.

"So, wait a minute," CBS reporter Jim Axelrod said.  "So 'dunk in the water' means what?  We have a pool now at Guantanamo and they go swimming?"

"You doing stand-up?" Snow asked.

"Saying that Vice President Cheney doesn't make mistakes like this," said ABC's Ann Compton, doesn't quite wash. "He did go up and curse a senator to his face on the Senate floor and accidentally shot his friend.  So he's not perfect," she noted.

"Not germane," Snow said.

It is clear from the transcript that the interviewer brought up "dunking" in a discussion about terrorism and questioning techniques.

Perhaps Cheney thought he was talking about those county-fair water tanks: five tickets for $10, throw the ball, hit the target, and the person sitting above drops into the water?

As Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told reporters: "Back off."

Kent Snyder

Netflix: Missing in Action

Netflix advertises it has "virtually every DVD published -- from classics and new releases to TV and cable series."  Netflix touts it has 65,000 titles available with over 5,000 documentary DVDs.

Why then has Netflix decided not to carry a new documentary film about American POWs in Korea and Vietnam?  The documentary is Missing, Presumed Dead:  The Search for American POWs produced and directed by Bill Dumas. 

A promotional piece about the film states:

Hundreds of American POWs from the Korean War were abandoned in North Korea after hostilities ended in 1953.  The U.S. government declared them, "Missing, Presumed Dead."  This film unveils the mystery of why these POWs were abandoned, the probability some are still alive in North Korea and why our government doesn't want them back.

"Everything it says is the truth."  -- Ross Perot

MISSING, PRESUMED DEAD, investigates these persistent questions:

• Why were these POWs abandoned?
• Are some of these POWs still alive in North Korea and Vietnam?
• Why doesn't our government demand their repatriation?

Netflix carries over 5,000 documentary films ranging in subjects from the game of bingo to the sinking of the Titanic.  Why then won't Netflix carry this new documentary about American POWs?  If you're a Netflix customer, please urge them to carry Missing, Presumed Dead or at least explain why they won't.  Netflix Requests and Suggestions

Kent Snyder

Neither Party Deserves to Win

"In a sense, then, both parties could benefit by losing this election.  And there is a certain justice to that, because both deserve to,"  concludes Cait Murphy of Fortune magazine.

More importantly Cait, our country would benefit by both parties losing this election!

Kent Snyder

High Chancellor Bush

President Bush's role model must be that of High Chancellor Adam Sutler of the movie "V for Vendetta."  Chancellor Sutler would no doubt be proud of The Decider's use of signing statements to tell the legislative branch and the judicial branch, along with the American public, that he is the one who will say what the law is.

"Bush nullification"  San Diego Union-Tribune, 10/23/06

"Bush's Signing Statement Dictatorship"  James Bovard, 10/11/06 

Kent Snyder

GOP Trouble in Kansas

Some high-profile Republicans in Kansas have left the Republican Party to run for statewide office as Democrats, according to the Washington Post today.  The former chairman of the Kansas GOP is now the running mate of the Democratic incumbent governor, Kathleen Sebilius.  And Paul Morrison, a former Republican, is running for state attorney general.

I detest both the Republican and Democratic parties.  Both parties have become cults.  Therefore, I'm happy to see anything that shakes up the status quo of either party, whether in my home state of Kansas or elsewhere.  I say this as a former long-standing Republican myself.

Kent Snyder

D.C. Swamp

The swamp known as Washington, D.C. is swarming with elites.  These elites portray themselves as "public servants."  But in reality, they believe the public should serve them.  Serve them with tax dollars to spend as they see fit.  Serve them with privilege and position.

On February 6, 2006, we noted how then director of the A.T.F. Carl Truscott spent taxpayers' money hand over fist for lavish decorative extras for his new office suite.  We now learn that Mr. Truscott ordered his staff to help his nephew complete a high school project.  The Associated Press reported yesterday that 20 A.T.F. employees were involved.

The American public would be much better off if the D.C. swamp, our nation's capital, was full of crocodiles, instead of people like Carl Truscott.

Related Article:  "Report Criticizes Ex-ATF Chief"  Washington Post, 10/12/06

Kent Snyder

GOP: Biggie Size Government

Republicans have long said they are the party of small government.  The reality, however, is much different than their rhetoric.

Since my days in high school, I took the GOP promise to reduce the size of government (among other promises) hook, line and sinker.  But no more.  Because of their lie about reducing government, along with many other lies over the years, I say "good bye" to the GOP.

"Big Government Gets Bigger"  The Washington Post, 10/06/06

Kent Snyder

Decimating the Constitution

Yesterday, seven Republican members of the U.S. House voted against H.R. 6166, the Military Commission Act.  The seven who did not decimate the Constitution were Ron Paul, Walter Jones, Roscoe Bartlett, Wayne Gilchrest, Jerry Moran, Jim Leach and Steve LaTourette.

Jacob Hornberger, president of the Future of Freedom Foundation, writes:  "The tribunal legislation will confirm once again the power of federal officials to use the 9/11 attacks – attacks that ironically were motivated by anger against wrongful U.S. government policies – as a way to fundamentally alter the American way of life.  More important, the enactment of the tribunal legislation will reflect once again how the American people’s fear of terrorism is causing them to look away while their federal officials decimate the Constitution and dismantle a criminal-justice system whose principles stretch back centuries."

"Decimating the Constitution with Military Tribunals"

Kent Snyder

Clinton v. Bush on bin Laden

Who did more to get Osama bin Laden, Clinton or Bush?  Clinton says he did.  Secretary of State Rice says Bush has. 

What does Michael Scheuer the former head of the CIA's bin Laden unit say?  Mr. Scheuer was interviewed on WTOP radio on July 4, 2006.  WTOP is the major news station in Washington, D.C.

During the interview, Mr. Scheuer said the bin Laden unit gave President Clinton eight chances to kill bin Laden and two chances to capture him.  He also said that every major al Qaeda figure who has been captured between 1995 and 2006 was identified by that special unit.  He characterized the group as the single most successful counter-terrorism unit the U.S. government has ever had. 

However, President Bush recently disbanded the bin Laden unit.  Clinton didn't want to get bin Laden, and it appears Bush doesn't either.

Four-Minute Radio Interview, WTOP, 07/04/06

"A Combative Clinton Defends Record on Fighting Terrorism"

"Rice disputes Clinton on terror claims"

Kent Snyder

$2 Billion Fails to Stop Armed Man

Maybe the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. and the people inside it would be better protected by ADT home security services than by the Capitol Hill Police Department.  After spending a couple of billion dollars to strengthen security around the Capitol in response to 9/11, the feds weren't able to prevent a man from driving through a security barrier, entering the Capitol building with a loaded gun, and roaming four floors until captured by 25 of Capitol Hill's finest.  And from all accounts, this guy isn't even a trained terrorist.

Kent Snyder

"Armed Man Busts Into Capitol"  The Washington Post, 09/19/06

Illegal Immigration

The U.S. House voted yesterday to build a fence on the U.S.-Mexican border by passing the Secure Fence Act of 2006. We applaud that decision.  However, we cannot relax our vigilance on the issue of illegal immigration and here’s why. 

The legislation authorizes construction of only a 700-mile fence on the 2,000-mile border.  (Presently, there is fencing along just 75 miles of the border.)  In addition, the legislation does not authorize any money to pay for the fence construction.  That omission is unusual because most bills include an authorization of money to pay for what the legislation directs.  Money will presumably be added this fall to the Homeland Security appropriations bill, but that is an open question.  In addition, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist has said, according to a Capitol Hill source, the U.S. Senate will not vote on any immigration bills during the rest of this year.  If the Senate doesn’t pass the Secure Fence Act the House passed yesterday, the legislation dies. 

So why don’t the Republican-controlled Congress and White House pass substantial and comprehensive legislation to correct the problem of illegal immigration; legislation the vast majority of Americans want?  In a word: amnesty.  The Democrats want amnesty for the estimated 10 to 20 million illegal aliens in the United States.  The Republicans do also. 

President Bush has always wanted to grant amnesty.  Republican Senators Bill Frist, John McCain, and Kay Bailey Hutchinson have joined Democratic Senators Ed Kennedy and Harry Reid in support of amnesty.  And Republican leaders in the U.S. House have been unclear on their position. 

But it’s clear to us that the political elites of both parties want to grant amnesty because of their desire to create a European-style Union made up of Canada, the U.S., Mexico and Latin America.  To them, the United States of America is an outdated idea. 

So passage of the Secure Fence Act by the U.S. House yesterday was simply a token to voters this November.  But the vast majority of Americans want more than tokens.  They want substantial legislation passed now to stop illegal immigration. 

Congressmen Ron Paul, Tom Tancredo, Virgil Goode, John Hostettler, Walter Jones and others are working to that end.  Congressman Paul proposes: 

1. Physically secure our borders and coastlines.
2. Enforce visa rules on people already in the U.S.
3. Reject amnesty.
4. End welfare-state incentives for illegal aliens.
5. End birthright citizenship. 

Congressman Paul strongly urges his congressional colleagues and President Bush to approve these proposals this year. (See "Immigration Reform in 2006?")

Don’t be lulled into thinking the problem of illegal immigration will be solved by yesterday’s passage of the Secure Fence Act.  Our U.S. representatives and senators, along with President Bush, need to know we know what they are not doing about illegal immigration.  And that their inaction will be remembered this seventh of November. 

Capitol Hill Switchboard: 202-224-3121
White House Switchboard: 202-456-1414

Kent Snyder

9/11 Movie Controversy

Bill Clinton & Company are upset with ABC's upcoming TV series about the September 11th attacks on the U.S.  According to a Reuters report yesterday:  "Chronicling events leading to the September 11 attacks, the movie suggests the Clinton administration was too distracted by the Monica Lewinsky sex scandal to deal properly with the gathering threat posed by Islamic militants."

The article continues:  "Platt also said one scene singled out for criticism by Democrats -- depicting CIA operatives and Afghan fighters coming close to capturing Osama bin Laden in the 1990s, only for then-national security advisor Samuel Berger to refuse authorization of the mission -- was a 'conflation of events.'"

So, the Clinton folks say they never had a chance to capture or kill Osama bin Laden.  Not true, according to Michael Scheuer.  Mr. Scheuer was head of the bin Laden unit at the CIA during Clinton's presidency.  He was interviewed recently on WTOP radio.  During the interview, Mr. Scheuer said the bin Laden unit gave President Clinton eight chances to kill bin Laden and two chances to capture him.

I trust Mr. Scheuer more than Sandy Berger.  Remember, Sandy Berger recently plead guilty to stealing classified documents from the National Archives by putting them in his socks and walking out.

But this four-minute interview with Michael Scheuer not only shines light on Clinton & Company, it also brings Bush & Company out of the darkness.

WTOP Archive:  "CIA Closes Bin Laden Unit"  07/04/06

Related Article:  "CIA disbands Bin Laden unit"  07/04/06

"ABC to Alter Show on Pre-9/11 Run-Up"  Washington Post, 08/08/06

Kent Snyder

35 and Older

This should be good news for those GOP staffers on Capitol Hill who are gung ho for war.  Now, more of them can leave their desks and suit up.

"Newest Army recruits:  the over-35 crowd"  The Christian Science Monitor, 09/06/06

Kent Snyder

Washington's Butchers

The Hill newspaper today explains how pork is cut in Washington.  Simply put, if an incumbent member of Congress of the majority party is in a close race, he will get a truckload of pork to help with his re-election campaign.

Kent Snyder

P.S.  The politicians and their staffs describe this process as "securing funding" which is a polite way of saying "cutting the fat hog."

Serving the Public in Style

Five of the ten wealthiest counties in the United States are in the Washington, D.C. metro area.  In fact, the top three wealthiest counties are here:  1.  Loudoun County with a median household income of $98,483; 2.  Fairfax County with a median household income of $94,610; and, 3. Howard County with a median household income of $91,184.  (The U.S. median household income is $46,242.)

Who says there isn't money to be made by working for and with the federal government?  The term "public servant," often used by the folks who work in our nation's capital to describe themselves, is accurate.  They serve themselves to the public wallet, and have the incomes to prove it.

"D.C. Suburbs Top List Of Richest Counties"  The Washington Post, 08/30/06

Kent Snyder

For Once

For once, America's peasantry is spared hours of frustration and inconvenience by America's imperial presidency.

"HOV Traffic Waits for No Man, Even the President"  Washington Post, 08/25/06

Kent Snyder

Fit for a King or Queen

U.S. taxpayers will pay $6.1 billion for a new fleet of 23 presidential helicopters.  According to the Washington Post (July 28), each of the new aircraft will have twice the cabin space as the existing ones and, for the first time, have kitchen and bathroom facilities.  The imperial presidency continues to grow.

Kent Snyder

Bin Laden Captured!

Well...one would think Osama bin Laden had been captured since the C.I.A.'s special unit charged with capturing or killing him was recently disbanded.  But bin Laden has not been captured.  So why was that special search unit closed?

The former head of the C.I.A.'s special bin Laden unit, Michael Scheuer, was interviewed two days ago on WTOP radio.  WTOP is the major news station in Washington, D.C.

During the interview, Mr. Scheuer said the bin Laden unit gave President Clinton eight chances to kill bin Laden and two chances to capture him.  He also said that every major al Qaeda figure who has been captured between 1995 and 2006 was identified by that special unit.  He characterized the group as the single most successful counter-terrorism unit the U.S. government has ever had.

So why then was this highly successful counter-terrorism unit recently disbanded, even though Osama bin Laden is still at large?

The four-minute interview with Mr. Scheuer is well worth hearing.

WTOP Archive:  "CIA Closes Bin Laden Search Unit"  07/04/06

Related Article:  "CIA disbands Bin Laden unit" 07/04/06

Kent Snyder

State Superiority

Heat and humidity hang in the Ballston Metro station in Arlington, Virginia.  Passengers wait on the platform to board the next crowded train.

The public address system pops, cutting through the thick air:  "Children, please don't run, play or spit on the escalators.  While riding the escalators, please hold your parent's hand."

This might be an insignificant example, but this announcement reminds me of how often the State comes between parents and their children these days.  Instead of reminding parents to keep their children from running or spitting on escalators, the State imposes itself as the superior authority by directly instructing children while treating parents as a side dish.

Kent Snyder

Homes for Everyone

The Maryland Association of Realtors has a 1/2 page ad in today's Washington Post.  Part of the copy reads:  "The Maryland Association of REALTORS believes that anyone who wants to own a home should be able to buy one."

Taxpayers...hold on to your wallets!!

Kent Snyder

"The Dark Side"

An international affairs expert on Capitol Hill told me the recent FRONTLINE program "The Dark Side" is "absolutely brilliant."

Kent Snyder

Home is Where the Heart Is

Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay now makes his residence in Alexandria, Virginia; a suburb of Washington, D.C.  (Mr. DeLay voted in last week's Virginia primary.)  He, like so many other career politicians, finds little interest in their "home" districts when they no longer hold elective office.  Instead, they make their real home as members of the Washington establishment.

Kent Snyder

Medical Privacy

Your Medical Privacy...What You Don't Know was the topic of a luncheon meeting of Congressman Ron Paul's Liberty Caucus yesterday.  Jim Pyles, Sue Blevins and Twila Brase explained to members of the caucus how everyone's medical privacy has been drastically diminished, not enhanced, by the federal medical privacy rule (HIPPA).  They also made a presentation to congressional staffers after the luncheon in Dr. Paul's office.

Jim Pyles is an attorney with Powers, Pyles, Sutter & Verville.
Sue Blevins is the president of the Institute for Health Freedom.
Twila Brase is the president of the Citizens' Council on Health Care.

Kent Snyder

(Click on photo for larger version.)

Update: Tijuana on the Potomac

Politicians and bureaucrats in Washington want you to believe they can solve any problem that faces our country, or the world for that matter.  Whether it be terrorism, poverty, AIDS, global warming, global cooling, illiteracy, traffic congestion, energy shortages, obesity, hurricanes or the bird flu, they can solve it.  The ruling class says, "Trust us to get the job done.  There's no problem too big for us."  Yes, simply give them more money and power and it will be "mission accomplished."

You would think then these competent folks in our nation's capital could solve the problem of unsafe water in the bathrooms of the Capitol Hill office buildings.  But this problem seems to have vexed even the almighty in Washington.

In January of 2005, our nation's problem solvers warned bathroom users not to drink water from the sinks or drinking fountains because of possible lead contamination.  The warning signs were made of 8 1/2 x 11 pieces of white paper with the words "Do Not Drink Water From Restrooms" typed in black, and were taped above the sinks.  Obviously, the warning signs were to be temporary since the problem would no doubt be corrected.

However, over a year later, the temporary signs were replaced with permanent ones.  Mission unaccomplished.

Kent Snyder

(Click on photo for a larger version.)

Rove on the Hunt

Karl Rove met with House Republican members this morning at the Capitol Hill Club as a follow-up to his meeting with them last week.  After last week's meeting, a congressman told me that he and several others were "tired of Rove telling us what to do."  It's about time these congressmen remember they are elected members of the U.S. House, not zombie puppets of the White House.

It's been standard operating procedure ever since W. moved into the Oval Office that nothing comes out of Congress unless it is first cleared by the folks at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, which explains why W. has never vetoed a bill.  Why would you veto your own bills?

Kent Snyder

"Rove to address House GOP, again"  The Hill, 05/24/06

GOP in Trouble?

They should be!

Kent Snyder

"Growing Number of GOP Seats in Doubt" The Washington Post, 05/20/06

NAIS Threatens Small Farmers

Big Agriculture and Big Government are pushing for a federal program to track every livestock animal in the nation using radio frequency identifiers (RFID) or microchips.  This program is the National Animal Identification System of NAIS.

Congressman Ron Paul will offer an amendment to the 2007 agricultural appropriations bill (H.R. 5384) to stop NAIS.  The U.S. House will consider that amendment next week.  Urge your representative to support the Paul amendment to the agricultural appropriations bill to stop NAIS.

Kent Snyder

"Organization forms to fight NAIS"  News 8 Austin, 05/17/06

"Big Brother Wants to Know if You Own Animals, According to Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance"  05/15/06

US Military Option for Iran

Col. Sam Gardiner (USAF, retired) spoke to members of Congressman Ron Paul's Liberty Caucus on Thursday, May 11th.  Later that afternoon, Col. Gardiner spoke to a group of congressional staffers.

Col. Gardiner has taught military strategy and operations at the National War College, Air War College and Naval War College.  He has been interviewed by the broadcast and print media numerous times.  A copy of the five slides he presented to House members and staffers on Thursday, May 11th is linked below.  The slides summarize a new paper Col. Gardiner is developing.

Kent Snyder

Soon, Summer or Fall:  The US Military Option for Iran by Col. Sam Gardiner

Download Gardiner051106.pdf

Parody Video on Bernanke

Dean Glenn Hubbard sings "Every Breath You Take" to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke (1979 photo).  Video (Flash)

Thanks to Dr. Larry Parks at F.A.M.E. for passing on the laughs.

Kent Snyder

Dollar Collapse?

Dr. Lawrence Parks of the Foundation for Advancement of Monetary Education (FAME) was Congressman Ron Paul's guest at a Liberty Caucus luncheon meeting yesterday afternoon.  Dr. Parks met with several members of the caucus and discussed the question:  U.S. Dollar Collapse...Unthinkable or Inevitable?  Afterwards, Dr. Parks discussed that question with a group of congressional staffers pictured here. 

Dr. Parks distributed copies of his book What Does Mr. Greenspan Really Think? to both groups.  His compelling message was not a happy one, but one that Americans should hear; especially middle-class Americans.

A copy of Dr. Parks' discussion points he used during his presentations is linked below.

Kent Snyder

Download discussion_points_5406.pdf  

Sex Scandals Haunt House Gym

The Hill reports that Rep. Martin Sabo (Minn.) doesn't trust his House colleagues to use the House gym late at night.  Why?  That in a moment.

First, House members who want to exercise should join the nearby Golds or Results gyms, instead of forcing the U.S. taxpayers to provide them with a private work-out facility that includes "three basketball half-courts, a golf driving net, a workout room with weightlifting and cardiovascular machines, a sauna, whirlpool machines, a swimming pool and a spacious locker room."  (House members do pay $100 a year to use the gym; a simple gimmick of course.)

However, Rep. Ray LaHood (Illinois) says the present gym facilities aren't good enough.  LaHood is "contemplating a significant expansion" of the gym, which of course will be paid by U.S. taxpayers. 

So, there shouldn't be a House gym in the first place.  But since there is, why doesn't Martin Sabo trust his House colleagues to use it late at night?  He, and others, remember how that taxpayer-financed facility was used for more than playing basketball and swimming laps.

Kent Snyder

The Hill, 5/02/06

Real Meaning of G.O.P.

The abbreviation G.O.P. doesn't stand for the Grand Old Party.  It stands for the Grand Old Pigs.

Kent Snyder

"Emergency spending boondoggle" The Washington Times, 4/30/06

Stuffed on Pork

You might have thought the famous "bridges to nowhere" were scrapped from the federal budget.  Not quite.

After awhile, this sort of thing gets sickening.  These people in Congress give real pigs a bad name.

Kent Snyder

"Pork by Any Other Name..."  The Washington Post, 4/30/06

Poor Public Servants

How many times have you heard politicians refer to themselves as public servants?  Politicians always say those words with a certain tone to make you think they have sacrificed greatly while serving the public.  Don't be duped.

"Lawmakers never faced with losing benefits"  AP, 4/19/06

Kent Snyder

Psychiatric Financial Disorder

The psychiatric establishment and the pharmaecutical industry work hand in pocket to push drugs on you and your children.  How?  The psychiatrists "diagnose" a disorder and the drug industry supplies the "treatment."

But as reported today by The Washington Post, "Every psychiatric expert involved in writing the standard diagnostic criteria for disorders such as depression and schizophrenia has had financial ties to drug companies that sell medications for those illnesses, a new analysis has found."

Here's just another reason for Congress to pass the Parental Consent Act (H.R. 181).  Urge your U.S. representative to co-sponsor H.R. 181.

Kent Snyder

"Experts Defining Mental Disorders Are Linked to Drug Firms"  The Washington Post, 4/20/06

Kaptain Kudlow

Today, Larry Kudlow tells us to wake up to "Hillary's big-government nightmare."  He ends his column by asking, "What planet is Hillary Clinton living on?"

Houston Control to Kaptain Kudlow.  Control to Kudlow.  Larry are you out there?  Respond please.  (No response.)

Kaptain Kudlow must be light years away from earth.  Otherwise, he would have noticed how big Bush's big government is.

Kent Snyder

Paid Volunteers

Our nation's capital is good at creating oxymorons (not just morons).  Paid volunteers is an example.  The AmeriCorps program created during Bill Clinton's administration offers a "modest living allowance" and $4,725 to pay for college or repay outstanding student loans.  AmeriCorps has several programs, one of which is the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC).

This morning, Christopher Lee of The Washington Post reports, "An Office of Management and Budget review found the cost of $27,859 per participant to be 'extremely expensive' and deemed the program 'ineffective.'"  President Bush has proposed to cut the budget of the NCCC by "$22 million and phase it out in a year."  (Great idea!)

But members of Congress of both parties say paying volunteers for "national and community service" is a fine use of the taxpayers' money.  With 52 House members and AmeriCorps alumni now working to stop the proposed budget cuts, AmeriCorps "volunteers" will probably continue to get paid.

Kent Snyder

P.S.  The way Washington works AmeriCorps will likely not get less money, but more money when all the huffing and puffing is done.

Republican Socialism

Republican Governor Mitt Romney of Massachusetts is busy grooming himself to run for the upcoming GOP presidential nomination.  He proudly signed legislation recently creating "universal" health care for the Bay State.

Socialism isn't new in Massachusetts because it's the home of Kennedy and Kerry.  However, Romney is a Republican so you would think he would have opposed a state version of Hillary Care.  But no...Republican Romney says if you can't beat them, join them.

"'I ran against Ted Kennedy (in 1994).  We disagree on almost every issue,' Romney said as he prepared for a splashy signing ceremony in Boston.  'But this shows that Republicans and Democrats can work together to get things done.'"  (Jonathan Altar/Newsweek)

Sue Blevins of the Institute for Health Freedom asks, "What's wrong with the government mandating individuals to purchase health care?"  She also answers.

Kent Snyder

The Republican Lie

In his recent column "Free speech on life support" George Will states, "Traducing the Constitution and disgracing conservatism, they [Republicans] used their power for their only remaining purpose -- to cling to power."  His complaint points to the U.S. House passing H.R. 513.

Will's characterization of Republicans using their power to cling to power was also evident when President Bush and the GOP-controlled Congress pushed through the Medicare prescription-drug benefit -- the largest expansion of the federal government since the creation of Medicare itself.  During the run-up to the vote, Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform held a meeting to rally support for it.  Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich spoke at that gathering.

During his opening remarks Gingrich said, "There are probably some people in this room who don't want Medicare at all."  I softly applauded showing that he was correct.  He looked my way and snapped, "If we would listen to people like you, we wouldn't be in power!"

A Taxing Trend

David Keating of the National Taxpayers Union writes, "Like old age, tax complexity has been creeping up on us.  We may not notice it one year at a time, but a review of older tax documents reveals just how shockingly complicated taxes have become." 

Along those lines, The Washington Post reports today that "[t]hree of the four top lawmakers on the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means committees, which are in charge of writing tax laws, pay professionals to file their annual tax returns...."

The article also states that more than 60 percent of taxpayers pay to have their taxe returns prepared and that percentage increases each year.

Kent Snyder

"A Taxing Trend:  The Rise in Complexity, Forms and Paperwork Burdens"  National Taxpayers Union, 4/17/06

"They Prepare the Tax Laws, but Not Their Own Returns"  The Washington Post, 4/17/06

Patriot's Day

A friend of liberty who was born in Massachusetts but now lives in California says that one of his favorite patriotic holidays will be celebrated tomorrow in Massachusetts and Maine:  Patriot's Day.  He has two direct ancestors who were called out for the alarm of April 19, 1775.  His great-great-great-great grandfather was 58 at the time, and that man's son who was 16.

Schedule of Events

Collection of Photographs

Kent Snyder

"Spare the IPod, Unspoil the Child"

Michelle Singletary's column is not about about legislation, public policy or politics.  However, her words this week are well worth reading by all and should be distributed widely.

Kent Snyder

"Spare the IPod, Unspoil the Child" by Michelle Singletary, The Washington Post, 4/16/06

Iraq War Leads to IPO

The neocons who started the war with Iraq will soon profit even more when Halliburton's KBR issues an initial public offering (IPO).  Reuters reports, "Halliburton Co. subsidiary KBR Inc., which generates more than half its revenue from the U.S. government Iraq war-related contracts, filed with U.S. regulators Friday to raise up to $550 million in an initial public offering."

This IPO tells me the neocons are planning to continue the war in Iraq for many years to come.  Maybe they are also getting their financial chess pieces in place to profit from a war with Iran.

Kent Snyder

Spending Your Money

Members of Congress no longer need lobbyists to pay for their lavish trips overseas.  They just stick the American taxpayers with the bill.

Al Kamen of The Washington Post reports today that Senators Arlen Specter (R-Penn.) and Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) are spending this holiday time in Brazil.  Where most American taxpayers would use Orbitz or Travelocity to search for their airline tickets, the fine senators skipped such a pedestrian way and, instead, reserved an Air Force Boeing 737.

According to Mr. Kamen, the jet is "all business class, with windows in the bathrooms."  He also reports the two senators were accompanied by a staffer and "some military officers."  This must have left plenty of room for everyone on board to stretch out; enough room I'm sure to play Frisbee on their way to the Brazilian resort.

The other perk of senatorial travel is not having to wait in line for the ritual of taking off your shoes.  Andrews Air Force base, just outside Washington, D.C., most likely doesn't require such procedures for the passengers it serves; such as these two fiscally conservative Republican senators.

Kent Snyder

"A Junket in the Jungle?  How Can You Ask?"  The Washington Post, 4/14/06

What a Joke!

"Government spending hit an all-time high for a single month in March, pushing the budget deficit up significantly from the red-ink level of a year ago."

Article:  "Government Spending Hits Record in March"  AP, 4/12/06

The Republican Party platform of 2004 states:  "We believe that good government is based on a system of limited taxes and spending.  Furthermore, we believe that the federal government should be limited and restricted to the functions mandated by the United States Constitution."

What a joke!

Kent Snyder

Our National Boom Town

War, poverty, disease, disaster, destruction, financial depression and terror are always great for business in the Washington, D.C. area.  And business has never been better.

Did you know the federal government is the world's largest consumer of goods and services?  Yes, Uncle Sam buys like no other, and that's a boom to the D.C. metro.  The Washington Post explains in an extensive article "Rallying 'Round the Flag" published this last Sunday.

But some government contractors do show humility.  "Harry M. 'Pete' Howton, the son of an Air Force officer who grew up to be a Navy man and a basement entrepreneur, banked about $50 million last year when he sold his 10-year-old government technology company.

"There were no opulent parties.  He didn't buy a new house or start a yacht collection.  Every morning he wakes up and goes to work.  He's not even sure his neighbors know he is a wealthy man."

See "Contractors Cash Out but Try to Stay Humble"  The Washington Post, 4/10/06

Map of Illegal Immigration

The Arizona Daily Star has a map of the United States showing the estimated number of illegal immigrants by state.  The estimated number for 1990 and for 2004, along with the percentage change is listed.  Also listed is the estimated percentage of the country's illegal immigrants that live in each state.

Interactive Map

Kent Snyder

Video of Press Conference on Iraq

Video

On April 5, 2006, Congressmen Walter Jones (R-North Carolina), Ron Paul (R-Texas) and Wayne Gilchrest (R-Maryland) held a press conference to urge adoption of H. Res. 543, a resolution that would require a congressional debate on the future of U.S. policy in Iraq.  The resolution calls for 17 hours of debate on the floor of the U.S. House divided equally between Republicans and Democrats.

Congressman Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) joined the press conference to thank the Republican House members for their efforts to hold an open debate on U.S. policy in Iraq.

Watch Video  (Windows Media)

"What Does General Anthony Zinni Think About Iraq?"
Download PC040506Item2.pdf

"On Iraq Intelligence..."  (Larry Wilkerson, former Secretary of State Colin Powell's chief of staff; Paul Pillar, national intelligence officer for the Near East and South Asia from 2000 to 2005; Karen Kwiatkowski, former Pentagon Near East and South Asia officer)
Download PC040506Item1.pdf

Kent Snyder

Health Freedom Protection Act

Meetings with several members of the U.S. House were held on April 5th, 6th, and 7th to ask for their support of the Health Freedom Protection Act (H.R. 4282).  The reactions by the House members and their staffs were very encouraging.  Now is the time for them to hear from their constituents about H.R. 4282.

If your U.S. representative is listed below, please encourage him or her to cosponsor H.R. 4282.  They know about the bill.  Their questions were answered.  They have the information needed to support the legislation.  They just need to hear from their constituents.

Please call your representative's D.C. office right away or, better yet, ask him or her in person to join H.R. 4282.  House members will be in their home districts for the next two weeks during the spring district work period.

Rep. Tom Latham (Iowa-4)
D.C. office:  202-225-5476
Ames office:  515-232-2885

Rep. Allan Boyd (Florida-2)
D.C. office:  202-225-5235
Tallahassee office:  850-561-3979

Rep. John Campbell (California-48)
D.C. office:  202-225-5611
Newport Beach office:  949-756-2244

Rep. Henry Bonilla (Texas-23)
D.C. office:  202-225-4511
San Antonio office:  210-697-9055

Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (Colorado-4)
D.C. office:  202-225-4676
Loveland office:  970-663-3536

Rep. John Doolittle (California-4)
D.C. office:  202-225-2511
Granite Bay office:  916-786-5560

Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (Missouri-8)
D.C. office:  202-225-4404
Cape Girardeau office:  573-335-0101

Protect your health freedom.  Urge your representative to join H.R. 4282 today.

Kent Snyder

Dr. Leon Hadar

Congressman Ron Paul hosts a luncheon meeting of his Liberty Caucus on Thursdays.  There is a guest speaker each time.  Yesterday, Dr. Leon Hadar joined the caucus for lunch and conversation about U.S. foreign policy.  Dr. Hadar's latest book is Sandstorm:  Policy Failure in the Middle East.

Dr. Hadar posted a comment on his blog.

Kent Snyder

Compa$$ionate Con$ervati$m

President Bush has learned how to buy more votes for the GOP.  He doles out the cash with his faith-based and community initiatives scheme.  Fox News reports today that Bush has added a "faith-based initiatives" office to the Department of Homeland Security.

It's not surprising that Bush plays Robin Hood with our tax dollars.  He's a politician and that's what 99% of them do.  What's surprising is the increasing number of religious leaders and followers who embrace such thievery.  They have bought into the compassionate conservatism/faith-based philosophy of government to justify their immoral practice of accepting stolen goods.

Kent Snyder

Napolitano Blasts the PATRIOT ACT

Judge Andrew Napolitano spoke to congressional staffers yesterday afternoon.  His topic was "Civil Liberties in a Time of War."  Judge Napolitano gave a blistering denunciation of the PATRIOT ACT.  That evening, he spoke to Congressman Ron Paul's Liberty Caucus.

Judge Napolitano is the senior legal analyst for Fox News and the author of Constitutional Chaos:  What Happens When Government Breaks Its Own Laws, and The Constitution in Exile:  How the Federal Government Has Seized Power by Rewriting the Supreme Law of the Land.

The photograph is of Judge Napolitano and Congressman Paul taken after the dinner.

Kent Snyder

Sour Deal for Consumers & Taxpayers

Sugar costs about twice as much in the U.S. than overseas.  Why?  Because, as Emily Lambert reports, "Congress, in its wisdom, outlaws free trade in sugar in order to protect domestic producers."  (Forbes, March 27, 2006, page 104)  That's a sweet deal for the sugar industry, but a soar one for American consumers and taxpayers.

It's pure-cane protectionism all right.  Congress "influences prices three ways -- with loans to processors, import quotas that can double the price of sugar shipped here and production caps on refiners in the U.S."

Daniel Griswold of the Cato Institute observes, "Communist China has a freer domestic market in most of its markets than we do in sugar."

Kent Snyder

Boehner: No Anti-Israel Laws

"The new Republican majority leader in the U.S. House of Representatives said he would never allow anti-Israel legislation come to the floor."  JTA Daily Briefing

Hmmm, Mr. Boehner.  Even when that anti-Israel legislation is pro-American?

Kent Snyder

Federal Reserve for Kids

According to the Associated Press today, the Federal Reserve launched a new Web page to "bolster financial literacy among young people."  I suggest the youth in America (as well as the adults) read the Fed's pages, and then read the material of the Mises Institute and LewRockwell.com to really learn about the Federal Reserve.

Kent Snyder

"Fed Unveils New Web Page for Youngster"  AP, 3/27/06

Forced Mental Screening of Children

Columnist Laura Adelmann summarizes the push for universal mental screening of children.  Dr. Karen Effrem and EdWatch have led the opposition to this horrific practice.  Congressman Ron Paul introduced the Parental Consent Act (H.R. 181) in January of 2005 to stop any such federal program.

Read Laura Adelmann's column and then urge your representative to cosponsor H.R. 181.  The legislation now has 45 cosponsors.

Kent Snyder

"Government's Big Lie:  The 'Crisis' of Babies With Undiagnosed Mental Illness" by Laura Adelmann, 3/21/06

Parental Consent Act, H.R. 181

GOP Spending Drunkards

When it comes to spending taxpayers' money, President Bush and the Republicans in Congress are like drunkards who try to drink themselves sober.

Kent Snyder

"Fiscal rhetoric meets electoral reality"  The Hill, 3/22/06

Cherry Juice

One federal agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, says eat fruits and vegetables for good health, and it pays for research on the subject.  Another federal agency, the Food and Drug Administration, says such truthful health claims aren't allowed.  We say pass the Health Freedom Protection Act!

Kent Snyder

"Cherry industry sees red over government order"  Chicago-Sun Times, 3/20/06

Mexico's Migration Plans

The government of Mexico has a full-page advertisement in today's Washington Post (3/20/06, page A11).  It's titled "A Message From Mexico About Migration."

The ad tells how Mexico's Federal Congress adopted "Mexico and the Migration Phenomenon" on February 16, 2006.  This document "sets forth important guiding principles, recommendations and commitments to update Mexico's migration policy."  The ad is intended to "offer you, our friends and neighbors in the United States, some of these thoughts as your leaders debate immigration policy."

GOP Spending Addicts

In an article in today's Los Angeles Times, former Republican Congressman Pat Toomey (Pennsylvania) warns that Republican voters will ask themselves this fall why "bother having Republicans in office?"  He predicts Republican candidates will be in "for a very rude awakening in November."

However, the writers of this article present another point:  do voters really care anymore about our historic indebtedness?  "They're [Senate Republicans] convinced that voters now care less about big deficits than they do about the things that increased federal spending will buy."

As a nation, we are addicted to debt.  How painful it will be when we are forced to go cold turkey to kick the habit.  Detox will come and it will be painful.

Kent Snyder

"GOP Spenders Think Voters Dismiss Deficits"  LA Times, 3/18/06

Congressional Car Show

Two days ago, we posted an article about members of Congress leasing luxury vehicles at the public's expense.  (Some members lease more than one vehicle.)  I guess an annual salary of $162,000 paid by you and me isn't quite enough for members of Congress, so they have us pay for their Cadillacs and BMWs.

Knight Ridder reports who drives what car(s) at our expense.  Here's the article:  "Car leases by Congress members by the numbers."

Kent Snyder

Iraq War Leads to IPO

Business is so good at Halliburton's KBR division that it will likely issue an initial public offering (IPO), according to MarketWatch.com.  The neocons will soon profit even more from the war they started with Iraq.

Kent Snyder

"IPO REPORT:  Halliburton says KBR's IPO is on track"  3/13/06

Spending Your Money

Folks in the federal government spend your money like it grows on trees.  I guess in a way it does.  The feds tax people and, if that doesn't bring in enough cash (which it never does), they borrow and print the stuff.

The FBI attempted to install a new computer system dubbed Sentinel, but after spending $100 million concluded the thing didn't work.  So, they'll try again.  Estimates for the second attempt range from $150 million to $792 million.

One of these days, America won't be able to afford such waste.  The time-honored slogan "full faith and credit of the U.S. government" will mean nothing.

Kent Snyder

"Lockheed Picked for FBI Upgrade"  The Washington Post, 3/11/06

"Strategic Drift and Dwarfish Leaders"

Video

General William E. Odom (retired, US Army) spoke to congressional staff members on Thursday, March 2, 2006 as a guest of The Liberty Committee.  General Odom was the director of the National Security Agency for President Reagan.  He is a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and a professor at Yale University.  He graduated from the United States Military Academy and holds a Ph.D. from Columbia University.

General Odom opened his remarks by saying, "I think we're in a time of strategic drift and dwarfish leaders."

During the Q&A, General Odom was asked about President Bush's claim of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.  General Odom characterized the intelligence leading to that claim as "staged intelligence."  He stated that President Bush should be held accountable.

He said, "This is not just an ordinary political gambit where you can sham it and get away with it.  You're making decisions to go to war and kill people and bring them home and put their bodies down under the earth and try to tell people they did it for you, for some good reason.  There's no accountability.  I don't see how you can sit here and not be morally indignant about it."  He added, "The war in Vietnam was as stupid as this one [Iraq war]."

General Odom was also asked about the warrantless wiretapping and use of torture.  He responded, "All of those boggle my mind.  I don't know what to say about them.  I don't see justification for any of them."  He then told of a meeting with 35 flag officers, including the former chairman of the Joints Chiefs, who were all as outraged as he was.

Kent Snyder

The video is 43:36 long.  Q&A starts at 30:50.  Windows Media.
Watch Video

A Royal Response

Many, if not most, members of Congress have an attitude that reeks of superiority; especially when they are strutting on Capitol Hill.  I encountered that attitude firsthand the other day.

On Tuesday, March 2nd, we held a briefing for congressional staff featuring General William Odom (retired, US Army).  General Odom was the director of the National Security Agency for President Reagan.  He spoke about the Iraq war.

We had the room reserved at 2:00 p.m. in the Longworth House Office Building for the briefing.  At 1:55 p.m. the door to the room was closed.  So I quietly opened the door and politely mentioned to the person nearest the doorway that we had the room reserved at 2:00 p.m.  I then quietly closed the door.

Spending Your Anti-Terrorism Money

The federal government and state governments are spending billions of dollars to prepare for bioterrorism.  Among these expenditures are $600 desk chairs; a $46 mahogany tape dispenser; gift bags; letter openers; stress balls; a $4,675 teleprompter; a $3,393 microphone; four copies of the book "The leadership secrets of Santa Claus"; and many other such items.

"County Aims Anti-Terrorism Cash at Some Unusual Targets"