Dennis Kucinich has put forward a proposal to end the Fed by returning monetary regulation to the congress. This presents a huge opportunity for Ron Paul and other libertarians to gain ground on one of their major economic policies. Some will say that congress is given the right to coin money, not to make monetary notes or to make sure that the use of this money is regular, that it will be used throughout the states and with a consistent value. I am not qualified to argue the finer constitutional meaning of this clause, but it would seem that the issuing of federal notes is a means by which congress can provide a regulated monetary system, whether or not it is back by gold and/or silver.
Regardless, Kucinich's bill presents an opportunity for coalition on an important topic. Paul and other libertarians may not like every aspect of the NEED bill, but certainly they will acknowledge that it moves us away from the Federal Reserve's monetary dictatorship. After congress regains control of their constitutional duty, perhaps Paul's idea for allowing competitive currency can also be implemented. Perhaps Paul can persuade Kucinich to support amendments to make it more palatable for libertarians. The point is Kucinich's bill is a net positive for both libertarians and progressives and more importantly, the American people.
Sectarian libertarians will ruin Paul's chances of getting anything accomplished if they do not realize that compromise is not always a rejection of principle. If this bill moves us away from fiat money creation and holds congress responsible for inflation and deflation, isn't that a step toward electing representatives who will create the most effective policy for monetary stability? And if allowing competing currency and/or returning to the gold standard is what makes a currency stable, will not libertarians stand a better chance of getting elected and achieving these goals if congress controls monetary policy rather than the Fed?
Perhaps Paul will reject Kucinich's call for massive public investment in infrastructure. What if this portion of the bill could be rewritten to direct that money to the states to be used for such purposes? I already know that libertarians would prefer the money remain with the states through reducing or eliminating federal taxes rather than having the federal government distribute those funds. It's not a perfect solution from either the libertarian or progressive point of view, but doing it this way for 4 to 8 years and having the debate actually aired before the American people rather than suppressed as it is now under the current corporate duopoly certainly represents a step in the right direction from either perspective.
Congressman Paul has a big opportunity here to gain progressive support in his presidential campaign. He could say, "While I do not agree with every aspect of this bill, its passage would be a big step in the right direction and certainly put our monetary system on much better footing than it is now under the control of the Federal Reserve.... I am more than willing to work with my good friend from the great state of Ohio to make whatever adjustments are necessary for its passage." Even if they could not work something out now, such public cooperation would encourage progressives to jump ship for the primaries and caucuses.
For his part Kucinich ought to seriously consider endorsing Representative Paul's presidential campaign. He could do this at the same time that he throws his support behind Marcy Kaptur, now his rival in their newly combined Ohio district. He could also hit the trail campaigning for Paul and for progressive Democrats across the nation as well as for libertarian Republicans who could unseat blue dog Democrats.
Kucinich has already earned Paul's respect and could easily be included in his cabinet. Most of Paul's supporters would be very comfortable with Secretary of State Kucinich. I would hope that Paul would offer him VP or a major domestic post, combining some of the 5 that he wants to abolish into a Labor, Commerce and Economic Affairs Department.
Paul understandably wants to see how he does in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, but if he manages only second or third in 2 of those states, he ought to explicitly switch to a coalition strategy. He cannot expect that a second place finish brings him anything substantial out of Tampa Bay. He needs to go to Tampa Bay with a plurality of votes. If he could get 5 million progressives on board, he very well could come into Tampa Bay with better than 40% of the vote and a commanding lead in a 3-way race.
Having the GOP refuse to nominate him under such circumstances will garner him a great deal of sympathy, and if he follows it up with naming a truly trans-partisan cabinet, he stands a great chance of coming in first place in the general election, forcing congress to do the right thing by heeding the will of the American people or showing its despicable corporate colors by putting Romney/Biden into executive branch. Either way, the stage is set for a new American revolution.
Regardless, Kucinich's bill presents an opportunity for coalition on an important topic. Paul and other libertarians may not like every aspect of the NEED bill, but certainly they will acknowledge that it moves us away from the Federal Reserve's monetary dictatorship. After congress regains control of their constitutional duty, perhaps Paul's idea for allowing competitive currency can also be implemented. Perhaps Paul can persuade Kucinich to support amendments to make it more palatable for libertarians. The point is Kucinich's bill is a net positive for both libertarians and progressives and more importantly, the American people.
Sectarian libertarians will ruin Paul's chances of getting anything accomplished if they do not realize that compromise is not always a rejection of principle. If this bill moves us away from fiat money creation and holds congress responsible for inflation and deflation, isn't that a step toward electing representatives who will create the most effective policy for monetary stability? And if allowing competing currency and/or returning to the gold standard is what makes a currency stable, will not libertarians stand a better chance of getting elected and achieving these goals if congress controls monetary policy rather than the Fed?
Perhaps Paul will reject Kucinich's call for massive public investment in infrastructure. What if this portion of the bill could be rewritten to direct that money to the states to be used for such purposes? I already know that libertarians would prefer the money remain with the states through reducing or eliminating federal taxes rather than having the federal government distribute those funds. It's not a perfect solution from either the libertarian or progressive point of view, but doing it this way for 4 to 8 years and having the debate actually aired before the American people rather than suppressed as it is now under the current corporate duopoly certainly represents a step in the right direction from either perspective.
Congressman Paul has a big opportunity here to gain progressive support in his presidential campaign. He could say, "While I do not agree with every aspect of this bill, its passage would be a big step in the right direction and certainly put our monetary system on much better footing than it is now under the control of the Federal Reserve.... I am more than willing to work with my good friend from the great state of Ohio to make whatever adjustments are necessary for its passage." Even if they could not work something out now, such public cooperation would encourage progressives to jump ship for the primaries and caucuses.
For his part Kucinich ought to seriously consider endorsing Representative Paul's presidential campaign. He could do this at the same time that he throws his support behind Marcy Kaptur, now his rival in their newly combined Ohio district. He could also hit the trail campaigning for Paul and for progressive Democrats across the nation as well as for libertarian Republicans who could unseat blue dog Democrats.
Kucinich has already earned Paul's respect and could easily be included in his cabinet. Most of Paul's supporters would be very comfortable with Secretary of State Kucinich. I would hope that Paul would offer him VP or a major domestic post, combining some of the 5 that he wants to abolish into a Labor, Commerce and Economic Affairs Department.
Paul understandably wants to see how he does in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, but if he manages only second or third in 2 of those states, he ought to explicitly switch to a coalition strategy. He cannot expect that a second place finish brings him anything substantial out of Tampa Bay. He needs to go to Tampa Bay with a plurality of votes. If he could get 5 million progressives on board, he very well could come into Tampa Bay with better than 40% of the vote and a commanding lead in a 3-way race.
Having the GOP refuse to nominate him under such circumstances will garner him a great deal of sympathy, and if he follows it up with naming a truly trans-partisan cabinet, he stands a great chance of coming in first place in the general election, forcing congress to do the right thing by heeding the will of the American people or showing its despicable corporate colors by putting Romney/Biden into executive branch. Either way, the stage is set for a new American revolution.
I believe that Americans are tired of all the WARS and LIES.
ReplyDeleteRon Paul has been speaking TRUTH to POWER for 35 years.
It is time for this Great Nation to Change Course!
Please do the right thing...
Vote for PEACE, LIBERTY and PROSPERITY.
Vote for RON PAUL 2012
Thanks LibertyBleeds. Do you have any thoughts on the above post in particular or the merits of a coalition between libertarians and progressives as necessary for Ron Paul getting elected and being able to govern in a way that reduces the overall size of government and the amount of taxes most people have to pay?
ReplyDelete