Texas Straight Talk

A weekly column

In Government We Trust? Part 1

Many who agree with me on a lot of other issues, do not understand my enthusiasm for gold and sound money or why I spend so much time studying and talking about monetary policy.  It's true that I talk about money differently than most, but the fact is sound money offers many benefits.  For example – peace.

 

Can sound money really bring about peace?  Actually, it plays a big part in peaceful international relationships.  Money based on commodities, rather than paper, is not subject to government manipulation, and is a key component to free and honest trade.  History shows that if countries engage in trade with each other, their governments tend to find ways to get along for the same reason you do not kill your customers at your place of business, even if they occasionally annoy you.  If someone outright cheats you, however, you may engage in “war” by taking them to court, for example, and the relationship will sour.  Governments and central banks with unfettered power to manipulate currency also have the ability to cheat their creditors.  One way they do this is to simply create enough currency to pay off debts.  This devalues the currency and “cheats” the recipient out of what they are owed.  It would not be fair if you watered down your product the way our government waters down its currency, so it is not hard to understand, in these simplified terms, why loose monetary policy contributes so much to ill will and war around the world.

 

Sound money, on the other hand, simply is what it is.  Removing governmental power to manipulate money, removes the temptation for government to spend, print and cheat.  Sound money ensures that our government’s spending priorities would be brought into sharp focus and reduced to only what we can afford.

 

Sound money also limits the ability to wage wars of aggression.  Imagine how much more careful Washington would have to be about starting a war if they did not have this financial sleight of hand at their disposal!  Fiat currency allows government do expensive things they should not be doing while paying the bills with cheap money.  The Federal Reserve has lately been auctioning off large amounts of treasury bills as a way to finance the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and our crushing entitlement burden.  The resulting devaluation of the dollar is quickly eroding our image as a good trading partner in the world.  As a consequence, there is therefore more talk of economic isolation and war. 

 

This vicious cycle of spending, fighting and inflating is not what Americans want.  It is what the government wants, and it has had to deceive the citizens into allowing and supporting it.  Sound money curbs the government’s ability to engage in these shenanigans and reduces the wars we fight to only truly defensive ones, for which Americans are more than willing to stand and fight.  So in these ways, sound money is very conducive to peace.

 

Feel free to leave a comment - ONCE.  It will not appear immediately.

Posted by Ron Paul (08-31-2008, 12:26 PM) filed under Monetary Policy

Comments

Comment by Doug Eberhardt
August 31, 2008 12:54 PM
Sound money is the only way to keep our government from fighting unnecessary wars, but we should also hold Congress accountable for abdicating its duty by not "declaring" war per Article 1 Section 8 of the Constitution. "War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing."

Keep exposing the deception Ron!
Comment by Mobius
August 31, 2008 12:57 PM
You continue to inspire us with your wisdom, kind sir.
Comment by Bruce Bessell
August 31, 2008 01:01 PM
AMEN!

Can I be your VP?
Comment by Janet
August 31, 2008 01:02 PM
We need Ron Paul in the government to take charge of the USA finances!! I think the Republican Party should announce now that Ron Paul will
be Finance Chairman and Mr Pickens will head the Energy Committee. His name is well known for his extensive TV ads!
Only with a great team announced before the elections will the
McCain ticket pull
back unhappy voters!
Comment by Michael Loughry
August 31, 2008 01:02 PM
Great article! Though I had agreed with you on sound money since I started following you last October due to the resulting regressive inflation tax, I hadn't thought of the issue in this manner.

Now if only we could get more Congressmen like you to stop this madness!
Comment by Lisa M
August 31, 2008 01:08 PM
I agree with all of it, but I do not have much hope for any of it changing. I will still support 3rd party candidates for office and true fiscal conservatives. There are not enough Ron Pauls to save us.
Comment by O D Bonebright
August 31, 2008 01:15 PM
I do THANK YOU for all you have done and are doing in order to regain our Republic and Constitution. However, I do understand the battle at hand as the three eligal bils of 1913 must by all means be resended in order for reality to develope. Further should the WINTER WHEAT 2021:Act of 1871 be what is now government, then this needs to be made known to all the people of the USA, turn Washington D.C. over to the corporation intirely and get them out of the staes business and we thus can function by state Constitutions.

Yes, also deal in hard money such as gold & silver.

We the people have struggled against strangulation far too long as I am currently with the IRS. In which I need some help.
Comment by Andy Liddell
August 31, 2008 01:16 PM
You might consider adding a feature to your column that allows readers to email it to others.
I agree with everything you represent and am very disappointed you are not going to be our nest President even though I will still vote for you!
Comment by reenie
August 31, 2008 01:22 PM
Ron Paul is the only candidate who made any sense. He also appears to be the only one with any amount of integrity. What is wrong with the American people that they can not see this wonderful attribute?
Comment by William Bell
August 31, 2008 01:27 PM
I agree with everything that you say, other than using gold as the standard. In the same breath, however, I have not yet been able to find anything better. Anything else that allows for the money supply to expand with increased wealth due to gains in manufacturing and other real wealth, are all subject to manipulation to some degree, and thus fail.
Comment by Ted Berthelote
August 31, 2008 01:29 PM
Extremely sound reasoning and historical fact. What a shame it is so difficult, nay seemingly impossible, to arouse any significant passion about this critical situation among the general populous. I am constantly astounded by the apathy and gullibility of my fellows.
Comment by ron george
August 31, 2008 01:34 PM
Ron Paul,

How can a gentlemen of such sound advice and principals be associated, and no less run for president representing a criminal organization such as the Republican Party?
Comment by AJ
August 31, 2008 01:38 PM
Right on! See you in St. Paul, MN!
Comment by Mark Cross
August 31, 2008 01:41 PM
You sir are my president, now and after the November elections. Thank you for your lifelong defense of the Constitution and human liberty. You inspire me and countless others to emulate that defense. Current events vindicate your counsel and warnings, and will continue to do so. Future generations of Americans will look back on today's political establishment as a black hole, with one brilliant exception, the TRULY Honorable Rep. Dr. Ron Paul. Peace be with you and your family now and always.
Comment by Peter
August 31, 2008 01:42 PM
Sound money facilitates a clear perspective and personal responsibility, from which the consequences of both individual and government action and consequential reaction are universally transparent but with the falsehood of fiat money progressively many things become equally fiat and we loose the ability to see in a uncomplicated way what is happening.
Comment by Zeugitai
August 31, 2008 01:44 PM
The government, like the Dillinger Gang, Bonnie and Clyde, or any band of pirates, will go on printing tons of money, cheating and warring its way around the world until stopped by force or collapse. It will never get off the gravy train voluntarily. The American people are just hostages in chains below deck and they can shout all they want--it only amuses Cheney. Even if Ron Paul could be elected, one rational man on the deck of a pirate ship can not last long (Jimmy Carter). America has become living proof of the saying that absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Comment by Glyn J Wilkinson
August 31, 2008 01:58 PM
once again Ron is a messenger of truth& reason!
Comment by Scott Luther
August 31, 2008 02:05 PM
Thank you Dr. Paul for your love of Liberty and above all your Common Sense.
God bless you, your family and our Country.
Comment by John Holland
August 31, 2008 02:09 PM
AMEN!! I'm going to send this to all my children and grandchildren. Keep up the good work, Dr. Paul.
Comment by Steven J Silva
August 31, 2008 02:13 PM
Another great, educationl and enlightning article by the brilliant Dr. Ron Paul!
Comment by Kuniaki Mihara
August 31, 2008 02:13 PM
Commodity valuation of money - I agree, but the questions remain: Which commodity/commodities? And why that or those particular commodity/commodities?
Comment by David Small
August 31, 2008 02:15 PM
What is your opinion of the recent revelation in Bloomburg that the governments of Japan and Europe colluded with the US to prop up the dollar?
Comment by Warren Wilson
August 31, 2008 02:21 PM
As clear and concise an explanation as I ever have read. Thank you!
Comment by Mike McDonald
August 31, 2008 02:23 PM
Dr. Paul is "right on the money" with this one :). Every high school student in the USA should be required to understand basic Austrian School economic and monetary theory.
Comment by Jude Foxall
August 31, 2008 02:31 PM
Dear Congressman,
Thank you for your stand on "sound money" A return to something like the "Gold Standard" is needed.Continued money printing only makes the 'hole' deeper. We need courageous men like you to tell us that personal sacrifice is required, and that improvedforeign relations will come through honesttrade.
We must lead by example - not bluster.
Comment by Edwin Fillman
August 31, 2008 02:34 PM
I agree wholeheartedly.
Fiat money has been a problem for years in this country. Most citizens are not savvy to these type of shenanigans. Shame on our leadership in Washington!
Comment by Chris Gilman
August 31, 2008 02:41 PM
Great article!

I wish more people in congress would wake up to this.
Comment by Larry McElhinney
August 31, 2008 02:41 PM
Perhaps the best way to end this constant cycle of warfare is to require those who vote in favor of these conflicts, to pick up a weapon and march directly to the front line. If that was in fact the law, you can be sure that each and every congress person would take their war votes much more seriously. And yes, sound money is always a good idea.
Comment by Ed
August 31, 2008 02:43 PM
Please have a talk with Sarah Palin and
see if she can understand inflation
and how the govt. is
destroying the currency... and let us know -- Thanks
Comment by JR.Inghram
August 31, 2008 02:54 PM
Yes ,

It will put value back into our buying ability in the long run but how do we get there now that the inflated over valued dollar is the constant ?

We are in wars , we do not have the actual buying power and reserves needed to get out of them in one piece based on honestly backed currency .

Thank Nixon for that.

The steps we would need to take to return to backed currency would most likely lead to even more hard feelings between nations and start more wars.

If we put the honest value of gold behind the dollar then an ounce of gold would cost around $40,000.00 U.S dollars today.

Not many Americans can afford that change at the current levels of private Savings and Pay scales.

Your message is good but I see no explanation of the steps needed to get it done without starving millions and starting wars.

To take a long time to try and get it done is just a window for the powers that be to start more wars to keep it from happening as well.

Even so , I am writing you in on the ballot for pres. Alternatives simply do not exist for the American people.

JR.
Comment by Alex
August 31, 2008 03:05 PM
So what do we do? We are going to get one of two major candidates for President this year that base their entire agendas on the ability to expand the money supply. Few in Congress seem to take their responsibilities seriously, and Congressional candidates seem to base their policy proposals on the fiat money concept as well.

I have bought four copies of The Revolution and passed them out to family and friends as an 'Intro to Ron Paul' course, but the message seems to have come too late. I also think people are just a bit too excited about this upcoming Presidential race to allow the third party we desperately need a chance to surface. Where do we go from here?
Comment by Edward Cohen
August 31, 2008 03:06 PM
Hi Ron,
I wonder if you could talk about devolution and secession at the rally.

In my experience, and that, I believe, of Harry Browne, government remains the same, no matter how it changes.

I cannot argue with anything that you have ever put forward, and I do not now.

I have dovoted much or most of my life to politics, and have never won a race, or voted for a winner. Even referendum questions have never gone my way.

Three candidates, myself included, threw their hats into Maine US Senate race. I was sabotaged by so-called Ron Paul coordinators, and the others were rebuked by the courts, even though they submitted enough signatures per Title 21-A,MRSA.

I am strongly considering unregistering from party and roll. I expected to be called everything but a nice man by the party, but only 2 genuine Paul delegates remain on the Maine state ballot, and most of your supporters turned out to be pussies.

In 2004, I voted for Dennis Kucinich at the DNC, Boston. On state committee/platform committee, I put forth a minority platform for devolution of Empire in the occupied territory of Maine.

For years, I have been saying that in order to remove the Empire from occupation of any territory, you must first remove them from your own. Few disagree with the logic, but the only ones, who take it seriously, are those who do not vote.

This week's TEXAS STRAIGHT TALK was the best yet. The content was undeniable in every aspect.

Problem is, law is a con, and government makes law. For example, even if you legalize marijuana, the law will continue to opress those who are not the law.

I would submit that one must ask for what he wants, and I want liberty in my lifetime.

You can criticise the Bolsheviki from now to kingdom come, but they were the wing that expressed nothing bu content for the Duma in which they sat. In that sense, I remain a Bolshevik.

More than ever, I now consider elected office as unobtainable, and reform a pie in the sky.

Thank you once again for all you do. I remain,
Edward Cohen, edin08, Maine GOP 2008 US Senate primary candidate and.
Comment by John H Waiting
August 31, 2008 03:08 PM
You think you've got problems.. you see the problems we are faceing in England.My Grandmother said"out of debt out of danger"All politicians local and national should take heed of this advise
Comment by Alan
August 31, 2008 03:17 PM
You sure got that right too. I wonder what's wrong with people when they still want to vote for Bush's shenanigans that comes out in McCain's doings? McCain is just 4 more years of Bush!!! They must have lost their minds?
Comment by Mike Simpson
August 31, 2008 03:18 PM
Ron,
Can't government be required to not spend more than their income like any other business?
Comment by Dick Gach
August 31, 2008 03:20 PM
How could we make the transition back to the gold standard? How many other countries are on it today?
Comment by Paul Burkeland
August 31, 2008 03:22 PM
Thank you Dr. Paul! As always, you cut to the heart of the issues facing America today and show the causes of them, which are not always readily apparent.
Comment by Zane Wright
August 31, 2008 03:44 PM
"is not subject to government manipulation" Should read is not subject to manipulation by the Federal Reserve, a private corporation of 12 member banks.

"Removing governmental power to manipulate money" Should read removing the Power of the Federal Reserve, a private banking cartel, to manipulate money.

The bottom line is who actually pulls the strings of government? Who is the government? Who is the ruling elite?

Thank you Mr. Paul for opening the eyes of the average american.
Comment by This vicious cycle has gotta stop
August 31, 2008 03:50 PM
I've seen and heard the ridicule of Dr. Paul and the gold standard,it seems to to be a stumbling block on his/our crusade. Ron Paul has taught us so many things and his knowledge of the dynamics of sound economics is really sinking in to this lame brain I thank him . I willnever vote the same, will never think the same.PRAISE BE TO THEE Dr Ron
Comment by Joe Crocker
August 31, 2008 04:00 PM
Amen!
Comment by Chris D'Agnolo
August 31, 2008 04:17 PM
If America was as great a country as most Americans seems to think it is, we'd have Ron Paul ans Dennis Kuchinich running for president and the country would be in good hands no matter who the winner! Thanks again Ron for putting complicated issues into their simplist form so that those of us who DO NOT spend allot of time studying them CAN understand the causes and effects they have!

CD
Comment by David Loftus
August 31, 2008 04:22 PM
I am a democrat but seem to agree with the Congressman on about everything.
Comment by Stan Vial
August 31, 2008 04:24 PM
Once again Dr.Paul shines light on a dark subject.
Comment by cal reeves
August 31, 2008 04:43 PM
Good words.
Walter Williams has spoken on this for a long time and feels we need to drop the federal reserve system.
Comment by John Christensen
August 31, 2008 04:49 PM
Dr Paul:
You have just defined why you are not a Presidential candidate. You tell the truth, threaten the power of the government and the military industrial complex that President Eisenhower warned us against.
You must know that given the choice between bad tasting medicine today and an early death later, the average voter will choose later, on the hope that later won't occur.
You need to be less devoted to the truth and more willing to say whatever B.S. they want to hear.
Comment by Wayne
August 31, 2008 05:23 PM
Your points about sound money are right on. They highlight one of the reasons I could never vote for an administration that embraces monetary policies such as practiced by Bush and endorsed by McCain.

Keep up the good work speaking truth to the American public. We need your straight talk, not the flip flopping of McCain.
Comment by Bernard Elbinger
August 31, 2008 05:23 PM
I am 83 years old and have been saving all my life. Now, the U.S. Government is stealing my savings by inflating the dollar. A few years ago I could buy a Euro for $0.85 now it costs almost $1.50. That's an inflation rate of about 50% in a few years or worse because the Euro has been inflated by several percent in that time. This is in reality a super large tax on savings which is unconstitutional, since only a personal income tax is legal.
Comment by Wayne
August 31, 2008 05:26 PM
Your points about sound money are right on. They highlight one of the reasons I could never vote for an administration that embraces monetary policies as practiced by Bush and endorsed by McCain. Keep up the good work speaking truth to the American public. We need your straight talk, not the flip-flopping talk of McCain.
Comment by Lane Culpepper
August 31, 2008 05:55 PM
I get that part. But cant the value of anything we base our money on fluxuate? Isn't gold just a shiney piece of metal?
Comment by Peter Jensen
August 31, 2008 06:02 PM
Please keep us informed -- through your Texas Straight Talk -- of the first inklings of gold/silver confiscation, or serious exit tax legislation. If not from you, we're not going to hear anything until it's done. Regards, Peter Jensen
Comment by Dom Poulin
August 31, 2008 06:19 PM
Ron you have a way of taking the seemingly complex system created to be as confusing as it is subversive to the working man and making it simple to understand. With knowledge comes responsiblity and the ability to have some control over our futures in this country. Please keep giving us this knowledge! Thanks.

Dominique Poulin
Toronto
Canada
Comment by Ann walton
August 31, 2008 06:27 PM
WONDERFUL Keep talking! And teaching! We need you!

What should we do with our personal money - what is left of it?
Comment by Mark
August 31, 2008 06:27 PM
I love your intent Mr. Ron Paul, and I am with you on the revolution for freedom and peace. However, the truth is the UNITED STATES government is simply a de facto corporation disguised as government. There is no such thing as elections, as it is just hopefull deception in attempts to make the people believe we can make a difference. When we realize that all of the money from the so called "trasury bills" is coming from accounts belonging to the people, and that WE ARE THE CREDITORS, this system is not so bad afterall. We must abide by public policy HJR192, and offset their debts.. we can issue out credit whenever we want, and essentially claim it back after every purchase using the IRS/CRA. The corporations are the ones in debt, not the people, and if everyone realized this everyone could have everything they have ever needed. This is why I'm writing a book on how to do so.. www.StopTheRobbery.com <Book coming soon>
Comment by robert shuman
August 31, 2008 06:39 PM
The New American magazine's latest issue implies Larry McDonald may still be alive. I know you were friends. What can we do?? Is our government so milquetoast that we will continue to be ignored?
Comment by I Hate Republicrats
August 31, 2008 07:05 PM
I'm afraid people do want the vicious cycle of spending, fighting and inflating. If they didn't we would be celebrating Ron Paul's nomination instead watching the circus in St. Paul.
Comment by John Heinbockel
August 31, 2008 07:10 PM
Right on!! Sound Money also preserves "purchasing power." Something that is dissolving like cotton candy today.
Comment by Joe Roman
August 31, 2008 07:14 PM
Thank you, Ron Paul for your continuing effort in trying to educate the public in regard to Fiat money. It is very interesting that the same people who have created the financial meltdown are now in charge of finding a solution. Since when do we ask the fox if the hens are safe. Please don't give up your fight to abolish the Federal Reserve.
Comment by Jeremy McCann
August 31, 2008 07:18 PM
You are the only person I know who is capable of making "difficult" things such as economics make so much sense. You are a good man Dr. Paul. I sure hope this country wakes up before it's too late.

I wish I could be at the rally. I hope it is as good as I believe it will be. God bless you.
Comment by Anthony Powell
August 31, 2008 07:25 PM
Will voters hear this issue discussed in the so-called presidential debates? Not a chance, because neither of the two 'major' party candidates have a clue. Thanks Dr Paul for telling the truth!
Comment by Ethan Carlson
August 31, 2008 07:29 PM
The more I read of Ron Paul, the more I want to vote for him. We must overcome the establishment that prevents people like Ron Paul from leading this country back to greatness. Thank you, Ron, for hanging in there, for keeping us informed, and for being a man of sound principles.
Comment by Robert Hutwohl
August 31, 2008 07:34 PM
Profoundly SOUND thinking by a great human being.
Comment by chris masters
August 31, 2008 08:17 PM
Printing money is sure reason for galloping inflation.
How is it possible than after just printing 800billion to "rescue"Freddie and Fanny the American dollar has increased it's value against Australian dollar and even Euro?
Comment by Steven Fitts
August 31, 2008 08:39 PM
If only we could elect a president and a legislature that understood this.
Comment by Dale
August 31, 2008 09:01 PM
Dear Representative Paul,

Thank you!

Having a sound monetary policy also does well toward having a nation at peace with God. He says in His word, the Bible, "Differing weights are an abomination to the LORD, And a false scale is not good."
God is more than just a trading partner or an ally and we need to heed his will in our policy or be subject to his displeasure.

Thank you for your service to our nation.

Your fellow American,
Dale Sigmundson
Comment by John Clark
August 31, 2008 09:23 PM
It would be a great service if Dr. Paul could serve as Secretary of the Treasury. The future will find your ideas becoming fashionable and new as our unconstitutional behavior reaps its fruit.

God Bless you and your family for your honorable public service. These updates are very educational and I appreciate them very much.

John Clark
Crofton, MD
Comment by Nick Manolache
August 31, 2008 09:33 PM
How do we - ordinary citizens - petition the US Govmnt to create competitive gold/silver based currency in addition to the existing Fed Reserve Bank Notes?
Comment by lamont cranston
August 31, 2008 09:45 PM
Our current currency policy (fiat money) is nothing more than any entry into a ledger. It has no value, other than what some individual or entity is willing to accept. In 1913 when the Federal Reserve Act was signed by Pres. Wilson this country, and its economy, was handed to the organization of bankers that campaigned for this central bank. This new full court press or campaign by these same bankers is just further evidence that they want even more control of the total of this economy, not just commercial banking, but all segments of banking and related institutions. If this campaign is brought to completion it will be the most dangerous of policies and regulations that will be perpetrated on this country.
Comment by chuck m.
August 31, 2008 10:00 PM
You, SIR, are a true Statesman who's honesty is CONTAGIOUS !...
Comment by Ray Montgomery
August 31, 2008 10:29 PM
More sound thinking from Ron Paul. Surely RP is not a politician....he doesn't talk like a politician....tells it like it is.....not what he thinks his audience wants to hear. He not only talks the talk, He walks the Walk
Comment by Eric
August 31, 2008 10:45 PM
This type of commone sense about monetary policy needs to be in our schools' curriculum!
Comment by Tyler Volkes
August 31, 2008 10:58 PM
Can the voters here in NY request and use write-ballots to vote for Ron Paul?
Comment by Perry Noblett
August 31, 2008 11:26 PM
Well Said!
Comment by dan shea
September 01, 2008 00:24 AM
Your argument makes a lot of sense and shows that you really study the issues and understand the situation and give an intelligent summary. Good for you. I support what you are doing.Keep it up.
Comment by dan shea
September 01, 2008 00:24 AM
Your argument makes a lot of sense and shows that you really study the issues and understand the situation and give an intelligent summary. Good for you. I support what you are doing.Keep it up.
Comment by Lynne Ann Kogut
September 01, 2008 00:37 AM
Can you expand on what sound money is and how to start that process.
Comment by Darryl Zuk
September 01, 2008 00:39 AM
Congressman Paul, I have been following your campaign ever since I found out about you. You make so much sense! Why can't the rest of the country see it that way?
Comment by Mario Sikorski
September 01, 2008 01:50 AM
Go Ron Paul Go, but to say the least, in today's world the commodity based money will not allow the economy to take off to new and unrestricted areas of growth by because there is only so much of those commodities available. If economy cured by mathematics then the prosperity is possible the world over and beyond. Take time to digest this Copernicus like brand new way of looking on economics in general.mms
Comment by Travis Ogle
September 01, 2008 02:04 AM
Clearly stated and entirely correct!

Fiat currency may literally be the death of us all.

Travis Ogle
Pensacola, FL
Comment by Larry Friend
September 01, 2008 03:37 AM
Truth be told, there is no our money. To say our money implies ownership (rights, property)and that it is something we have control of. The Fed Reserve has devalued what we call ours quicker tha we can get it into and out of our pocket.

If someone else can change the value of any property, it is theirs and not yours or ours. Property after all is not the physical item or parcel of land or even the dollar bill but the right to control it and determine what will become of it.
Comment by Trevor Crosbie
September 01, 2008 03:59 AM
The reality is that we the people don't have money anymore -what we increasingly have as money is interest bearing debt as the primary foundation of economic activity,
Unfortunately the greater the peoples success in producing more the higher the greater the amount of debt as money must be created to enable consumption.
What is needed is a mechanism, controlled by and for the people, which creates the purchasing power needed for society to grow and prosper free of the burden of unrepayable inter-generational debt.
Comment by Josh
September 01, 2008 04:02 AM
This guy makes too much sense.
Comment by Rashad
September 01, 2008 05:47 AM
Dr. Paul, your wisdom on economic issues is greatly appreciated. With the Campaign for Liberty and numerous other organizations, I believe that we can educate our fellow Americans about liberty, the Constitution, and the economics. I believe that we can restore liberty in our nation.

Thank you Dr. Paul for your tireless efforts in defending liberty.
Comment by John Brogger
September 01, 2008 07:16 AM
The SYSTEMATIC devaluation of the "Dollar" is robbing those of us who are retired of our retirement funds.
For example: Heating oil at the inflated price of almost $3.50 per gallon means that we can no longer afford to heat our home with oil. Now we are faced with coming up with alternative methods to heat our home.
The inflation of the currency means that even though both of us are over 70 years of age, we are both working to keep the burden of skyrocketing taxes from confiscating our home.
The East coast "Bright Boys" have chosen their eternal home, I sure hope they like "warm" climates and the smell of sulfur.
Comment by Rich
September 01, 2008 08:35 AM
I agree with you Mr. Paul, but we have a bigger fight on our hands than getting the government to stop its spending practices and that is to GET RID OF THE
FEDERAL RESERVE!!!
I know you agree on
this, Mr. Paul and
also to getting rid of the IRS, which is there simply to protect the Federal
RESERVE. God Bless
you, Mr. Paul!!!
Comment by Clint
September 01, 2008 09:11 AM
You are right on the money, Ron. I only wish and pray that you are our President.
Comment by Larry Herndon
September 01, 2008 09:25 AM
You hit then nail wright on the head
Comment by Pete
September 01, 2008 09:25 AM
Thank you, Ron, for standing up for these principles you believe in and for educating people like me about what I should be paying attention to!
Comment by George Williams
September 01, 2008 09:31 AM
Dear Dr. Paul,
I hope you enjoy your visit to MN. I wish I could join you there. You will have an impact on our future as a country. Please keep you "Straight Talks" coming.
Best Regards,
George Williams
Waxhaw, NC
Comment by Keith
September 01, 2008 10:00 AM
It amazes me that the federal reserve has survived constitutional muster. Once again Dr. Paul is on the mark. Soon the country will go bankrupt again. (See H.R. 192)
Comment by Stephen Mikowski
September 01, 2008 10:36 AM
We always use the word "government"
to describe the
"problems" IT creates. Actually,
"government" is akin to an innate object and really is a tyrannical mob of people frequently doing harm and damage to The People.
We should (correct this) stating that it is the people in government-- elected and unelected (not the government itself) that are doing harmful things to the people they represent which their oath of office requires them to protect.
spm
Comment by John K. Christian
September 01, 2008 10:49 AM
Dear Ron, This is the best explanation I've seen describing the mechanism of our money system and why it needs to be changed NOW!!! Thankyou
Comment by Brandy
September 01, 2008 11:14 AM
Hello,

Upfront you should know that I didn't read this whole article, but what what I was wondering is: if gold is so sound, then why did I read an article the other day that says gold has gone down 40% in value in the last couple of months? (I really want to know)

Brandy Derrick
Comment by richard c. sizemore
September 01, 2008 12:29 PM
Dear Congressman Paul:
How can the situation be corrected? I would like to see a column by you explaining how we could return to sound money,retire the present debt and abolish the Fed. Can it be done or have we gone too far to do it? If that's so, what's the end result? Thanks, Richard Sizemore
Comment by A. Liss
September 01, 2008 12:54 PM
From Maurice Pinay Blogspot: 1/1/08:

More on Ron Paul and the Gold Standard

It is good that people are becoming more aware of the “Federal” “Reserve” racket and that there is a movement forming around the idea of abolishing it. But the timing is conspicuous. The “Fed” racket, which cannot be sustained forever, may very well be near collapse anyway. What I am attempting to do is anticipate the revolution-makers’ next move. These are people who use the Kabbalistic/Hegelian dialectic against opponents who never seem to identify it, much less understand it. It’s as if a child was playing chess against a master. The chess master has a large bag of gambits to draw from, the best of which feign a weak move which entices an anticipated reaction from the child opponent which results in disaster a few exchanges later. The child opponent is not only tricked into loosing the game, he is tricked into participating in his own defeat.

We are fighting an enemy that thinks and we don’t think. This is the “horrible anti-semitic canard” stated so well by the Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in 2003. This is great wisdom that he tried to impart to others which was drowned out by the screeching and howling of the Zionists of the U.S. media as is so often the case.

The bankers are not just watching the collapse of the “Fed” racket figuring they had a good thing going for a while and that the party will soon be over. They intend to maintain control and further consolidate it. They have contingency plans. The debt-based “Fed” central banking racket is not the only system in their bag of tricks. The gold standard is another system that they have mastered and thrived under in the past. Supporters of Ron Paul must take note of this fact.

St. Thomas explained the role of money for Christians: it is an exchange medium for the good of the people which should serve the people, not bankers. As an exchange medium, money should not fluctuate in value as we are so accustomed. St. Thomas wrote that: “Money must keep the same value, since the value of all things must be expressed in terms of money.”

Gold is a commodity with an arbitrary value which is subject to manipulation as is any commodity. The price of gold rises and falls as it becomes dear or common; as it is hoarded or circulated. Chaining a nation’s money to gold is to chain it also to the fluctuations in volume and price of gold. This is a poor means of reaching the ideal objective of an exchange medium which has a stable value. Look at a price chart for gold over the past 2 years if you need confirmation of this fact.

Ideally, the exchange medium would be issued by the nation’s government, as the U.S. founders provided, but it is not possible for a government to completely control all gold. If the exchange medium was backed by gold it would be subject to manipulation by forces outside the body issuing it. The economy of the nation could be manipulated by manipulating the gold market.

The problem also arises: if specie currency is redeemable in gold, it would be possible for the gold to be drained from reserve by demanding exchange of currency for gold as the Rothschilds did in England. If the currency is not redeemable for gold, then the system is a farce. Why bring gold into the equation at all?

The U.S. Constitution allows the government to issue currency by fiat. This is a sound system as long as the volume of currency issued is carefully controlled to be directly proportionate to the nation’s production. The hucksters who attack the “Federal” “Reserve” in favor of the gold standard generally focus their rhetoric on the fact that the “Fed” issues paper money. This itself is not the problem however. The problems with the “Fed” system are that it is a debt-based, fractional reserve racket controlled by private individuals whose interests are their own, not the interests of the nation; that it is unsound and inevitably results in debt that cannot be paid; that it enslaves the people rather than serving them.

The argument generally is, “well I don’t want those corrupt politicians in charge of issuing currency.” But the fact is that any system no matter how perfectly laid out cannot function well if it is peopled by corrupt individuals. It’s the responsibility of the people to monitor the performance of politicians and hold them responsible for their performance. Better to have the issue of currency handled by politicians who the people have recourse to, as the system was intended, than some untouchable private organization.

The answer to the debt-based federal reserve system is not backing the currency with a commodity. This is a non-sequitur. Fiat currency is not debt-based by nature. The government can issue currency without incurring any debt, for no more cost than the price of printing or stamping the currency. This is the answer to the “Fed”: U.S. government-issued fiat currency.

If fiat currency is handled correctly it’s not subject to the fluctuations of value of any other commodity, it is a stable exchange medium, and there’s no debt incurred in issuing it other than the cost of printing/stamping it. Further, the volume of government-issued fiat currency can be increased as productivity of the nation increases thereby maintaining price stability and assuring sufficient currency to facilitate exchange as the economy grows. In the gold standard system the volume of currency is dictated by the amount of gold in reserve. I leave it to the reader to decide which system is more natural to a healthy economy.

Many of you may be aware that the gold that’s supposed to be in Fort Knox is not there. You may also be aware that whatever gold the nation does have possession of would only back a tiny fraction of the value of our present economy. Even if it were possible to acquire enough gold to back an economy measured in trillions of dollars, as it is today, where do you think that gold is going to come from? How much debt are you willing to put the nation into in order to “return to the gold standard”?

Talk about a debt-based system! Just obtaining the gold would put the nation into crushing debt. The gold would have to be acquired through loan at interest. If our currency must be backed by gold and the gold must be acquired by loan at interest, there would be no way to pay even the principle of the loan without giving the gold back, but even then there would still be debt left based on the interest. Who would be served by this arrangement? The people?

Ron Paul supporters are on notice. Ron Paul is an energetic promoter of the gold standard. If you’re fighting to put Ron Paul in office, you are responsible to understand the effect his policies would have if they’re put into practice. If you’re not dissuaded by this aspect of Paul’s ideology, then I challenge you to make this an issue that Ron Paul and his supporters must address. Let the facts come out in a healthy debate on the matter. When the time comes to deal with the collapse of the Federal Reserve, let people be educated on this issue so they don’t play into the Kabbalistic gambit prepared for them.
Comment by Craig Landefeld
September 01, 2008 02:43 PM
Dr. Paul's observations are important. If the word limit is adequate, I will add 2 comments.

1. Congress wants currency inflation because it hides the true cost of gov. spending. Congress would imprison anyone who threatened its legal counterfeiting racket. Consequently, improvements will be difficult.

2. We have the situation Dr. Paul wants to change because Americans are incredibly ignorant about economics. For that I blame the government schools. In my government high school (1957-60), U.S. currency practices were never discussed. The same was true for the government high schools my children attended. The U.S. citizen must educate himself on this important subject. That is unlikely to happen for most people, because the topic is a bit abstract and is not directly related to earning a living. A modern Henry Hazlitt could help the U.S. by writing a stand-alone high school economics text or a civics text containing some of the same material. The economics text would describe fractional reserve banking and how the world changed in 1913 and 1933. It would contribute to global peace and prosperity if it emphasized that any country benefits from eliminating its own trade barriers even if the world does not reciprocate.
Comment by Robert G Marmon
September 01, 2008 03:33 PM
I so wanted to be able to vote for you. Casting a vote for you takes away from Obama who I think is the lesser of two evils, I sure don't want McCain! I am sorry you have not had a chance to be heard like other politicians, the Good are squelched so you Cannot give the 'blind' people a chance to see You are what we need!
Do you think if Obama gets in, would he possibly listen to you, let you help him to make a difference for us, the people?
Comment by Bob
September 01, 2008 03:42 PM
Thanks for being so honest and forthright. Americans need to be reminded about basic values, including money.
Comment by Chuck Poole
September 01, 2008 04:04 PM
Is the U.S. dollar really an endangered specie?
Comment by Harold U
September 01, 2008 05:59 PM
When we went off the gold standard is when things started going to pot.
Comment by carenot
September 01, 2008 08:19 PM
President John F.Kennedy,
The Federal Reserve
And Executive Order 11110

http://www.john-f-kennedy.net/executiveorder11110.htm
Comment by Julian Mckennariey
September 01, 2008 08:57 PM
Hello! I am an Australian citizen but I am a huge fan of Dr. Ron Paul. I too believe in a future with a gold standard for money. I have a question though, I have read that the goverment fixes the gold price so that gold does not out perform currency. This is obviously illegal, but can you help me understand who does the manipulation and how? &#12288;Where&#12288;Does the gold that they dump into the market(over supplying to keep price down) come from? P.S. I just ordered your book Dr. Paul
Comment by Rich Moeller
September 01, 2008 09:25 PM
Great article. If only more people felt the way you do. But then they would not have the funds for their pork-barrel projects, etc.
Comment by EricFromBoston
September 01, 2008 09:39 PM
Kind of hard to make anyone in government feel accountable when the redress of grievances clause is being completely ignored, no ?!?
Comment by Nino M. D'Agosta
September 01, 2008 09:56 PM
Once again,right on the mark,keep up the good work,someone in D.C. has to!!!!
Comment by Russell Ziegler
September 01, 2008 11:12 PM
I believe the Federal Reserve and the banking system is very destructive to the country. The Fed has never been audited. It should be, this is part of the problem. The Federal Reserve Runs the country, not the US Government.
Comment by Joey
September 02, 2008 00:46 AM
How would we revive the value of our dollar? what actual process would we as American tax payers be subject to in order to do so?
Comment by Bruce G.
September 02, 2008 01:25 AM
If this isn't the very definition of high treason, then I don't know what is.

Dr. Paul, you're absolutely right. I did not vote for this. What our 'elected' government has done to us and our neighbors throughout world is shameful and despicable.
Comment by Marc
September 02, 2008 01:50 AM
Fiat currency not only destroys the ability of Americans to save by relentlessly decreasing the purchasing power of the dollar but also steals the value of their hard earned dollar denominated savings as well. The looted value is, of course, primarily used to help cover government's out-of-control welfare-warfare state spending. Many of those nearing retirement have been shocked by the diminished purchasing power of their once substantial investments. The last five years has been particularly brutal to those who have managed to live below their means.
Comment by Tom LUC student
September 02, 2008 05:44 AM
Very interesting article Dr.Paul. Unfortunately it seems both Democratic and Republican candidates are proposing the exact opposite of this, pumping billions of $ into our fledgling economy and disastrous wars (Iraq, Afghanistan, (Iran?)).
Perhaps there is a way of using a incremental approach to gaining public support behind sound money as well as government policy in that direction.
I guess something similar in the way Homeland Security and the Patriot Act came about and are slowly taking away our civil liberties while wasting billions of dollars.

I'd be interested to hear your approach, Dr.Paul.
Many blessings and thanks for you true dedication to America and our Constitution.
Comment by Tom Leser
September 02, 2008 07:38 AM
Excellent article Dr. Paul. I had delved into this topic around two years ago when I was posed with the question of "Why does the government have to tax us at all when they can simply print money?". Sound monetary policy quickly became the single most important issue to me and why I was so enthused to help when you announced you'd run for the presidency. It was your free market Austrian principles in addition that overall had me so enthusiastic. You then proceeded to quickly turn me into a noninterventionist on foreign policy. Thank you for everything you do for liberty!
Comment by Pacer
September 02, 2008 08:20 AM
Yes, but if we had sound money and subjected the federal government to GAAP accounting, the baby boomers would actually have to pay for the benefits they're about to receive, instead of leaving the bill to their children and grandchildren...
Comment by Bert
September 02, 2008 09:03 AM
Basic idea,put in an easy to understand way...Thank-you
Comment by Peter
September 02, 2008 10:15 AM
I would suggest that the best way to pierce this monetary power matrix that they hold on us is for each one of us, as citizens, to simply hold the mental image that WE have domnion here. This is our country. We stand for Truth, God government and a divine ecomomy. Remind ourselves every morning and build the momentum. They cannot withstand the Light of God.
Call to your Spiritual Master for help. When done this way we have already won.
Comment by Marty McGregor, SCG
September 02, 2008 10:38 AM
Thanks, Dr. Paul for your continuing words of wisdom on a subject which is taught and publicly discussed much too little in the USA.

Since I vote in Mac Thornberry's District, I do not have the privilege of giving you my vote. However, it is my considered opinion -- after finally reading "Triumph of Politics", by Dave Stockman this summer -- that the future of the USA would look much brighter if American voters would elect at least 217 "Dr. Paul Clones" to the House of Representatives.

I am currently studying Finance and Economics at one of Europe's leading Universities for these subjects. The "astounding revelations" you discuss in today's TST, seem not to be understood -- not even by those who in the USG who should know about the use of money as an instrument of foreign policy. They seem to pretend our Governments deficits are not a major problem; and to wish "Dr. Paul's Cracked-pot Ideas" would go away.
These concepts are known and at least partly understood not only by the professors here; even undergraduate students here can engage in at least limited debate among themselves, and in their seminars, about this topic!

Keep on trying to light a candle of truth for my fellow Americans.

God, bless Dr. Paul and bless America (before it is too late).

McG.
Comment by Brian M.
September 02, 2008 12:59 PM
What's so tragic and sad is that Dr. Paul's brand of substance and sanity can't attract more than a small fraction of Americans. Today's so-called conservatives -- and I say so-called because they've betrayed virtually every fundamental principle of the founders, with both their domestic and foreign adventurism, as well as their disdain for fiscal frugality (never mind how much they love the RHETORIC of limited government and spending) are more concerned with Sarah Palin's daughter's pregnancy and making sure everyone is wearing their flag lapel pins. You know, the important stuff.
Comment by Josh Hancock
September 02, 2008 01:03 PM
Thankyou Congressman Paul once again for speaking about what Americans really want. Resposible limited goverment, and leaders who stand on logic and research for their positions.
Comment by bernard
September 02, 2008 02:11 PM
Dear Ron
Except for us who love you dearly no one is listening to you. You must say something controversial that will force all the media to report your words. Look at http://www.primaryfundamentalright.org/index.php?pageName=pfrWhatIs for inspiration. You may think it might be too radical but at the moment it appears you are going to lose anyway.
Comment by Erik Hofvander
September 02, 2008 03:05 PM
Ron Paul,
This is one of the few points I have disagreed with you on, and only for a specific reasons. My problem lies in that ting moneys values to a commodity like gold not only effects the currency, but also strongly effects the gold itself. If for excample the productive output of our nation were to rise faster than the increase in the gold supply we would begin to artificially increase the value gold compared to its real usefulness. This would seem to be a rather large drag on the economy as it would appear to cause deflation, and problem for capital investment by private companies. For this reason I have always found Milton Friedman's Economic Bill of rights Proposal appealing.
-A fan of freedom
Comment by Erik Hofvander
September 02, 2008 03:06 PM
Ron Paul,
This is one of the few points I have disagreed with you on, and only for a specific reasons. My problem lies in that ting moneys values to a commodity like gold not only effects the currency, but also strongly effects the gold itself. If for excample the productive output of our nation were to rise faster than the increase in the gold supply we would begin to artificially increase the value gold compared to its real usefulness. This would seem to be a rather large drag on the economy as it would appear to cause deflation, and problem for capital investment by private companies. For this reason I have always found Milton Friedman's Economic Bill of rights Proposal appealing.
-A fan of freedom
Comment by Steve Luce
September 02, 2008 03:43 PM
I would love to see statistics and in real terms, what the printing of money and issuing of credit is doing to our economy. I have thought it through and see the peril of the system we are using, but it took me a while before I listened and understood the full ramifications of what you are saying and I've been reading your articles since 1999. I still haven't studied Austrian economic theory yet, but I plan to. I think a lot of people would be interested in hearing that, for example, for the period of 2000-2006, with the amount of money the federal government has created, prices should eventually adjust to make domestic products cost approximately 174% of what they used to and foreign products $280% of what they used to. Tax revenues increased by 22% due to higher pre-inflation adjusted incomes pushing people into higher tax brackets. Real incomes are down by 15% after being adjusted for inflation and taxes. (numbers fabricated by me)

I love what you're doing and I'm writing in Ron Paul for president on Nov 4th.
Comment by carl davis
September 02, 2008 05:09 PM
Dear Dr. Paul,

I am with you on that. That wars would be limited if money was backed by gold as taxation of the citizens would be necessary to fight any wars thought absolutely necessary. There would also be hardly any inflation and trade would be balanced, etc. but the key question is...

Where would the bankers find profits?

After all wars are extremely profitable for central bankers because it forces governments to further borrow money at interest. Aside from that there are of course numerous other widespread opportunites in wars for large profits.

As we review the history of America as short as it is we can make a case that a handful of our presidents were assassinated because they tried to deny the bankers their profits and/or tried to abolish the central bankers system.

Lincoln, Kennedy, Garfield come to mind and Andrew Jackson was just plain lucky twice as both barrels misfired.

Is it mere coincidence that the only presidents who were murdered or attempts made were anti-bankers?

In my opinion and I believe yours as well as I have followed you and Nelson Hultberg's writings for many years, the first step must be the elimination or "assassination" of The Federal Reserve" and the second step is putting old back in our U.S. Mint.

The next question is, who dares?
Comment by Camden McConnell
September 02, 2008 05:54 PM
Dr. Paul is absolutely right as usual. The fact is that there should be no such thing as a national currency, and the market should be free to do business in whatever commodity the parties to a contract choose. The hands-down favorite will be gold. The extreme opposition to such a proposal will invariably come from the professional politicians who see an erosion of their power. We, the people, should seek exactly that erosion of their power.
Dr. Paul is also right on target with his explanation of the effect of sound money in promoting peace. Without its ability to pay for war materiel without taxing directly and to hide the actual value of taxation, our government would be much more circumspect in its military expenditures.
"The elephant in the room" in the current election cycle is the impending economic collapse of the United States, brought about by the unsound monetary actions of the Federal government. We all will shortly pay the price for the lack of vigil by the citizens of 1913 who allowed the creation of the Federal Reserve System to go unchallenged.
Comment by John Morgan
September 02, 2008 05:58 PM
A "printer friendly" option would be more useful
for the two current issues discussion groups I moderate.
Please consider adding one.
Comment by bert lindsey
September 02, 2008 06:59 PM
Dr. Paul...thank you, many times over, for your courage in speaking out the truth to power...would that there were more cast in your mold exercising power in Washington...
Comment by Bob Schwarz Sr
September 02, 2008 07:10 PM
Amen hallaluia
BE OUR LEADER
Comment by Jim Manly
September 02, 2008 09:23 PM
Just wish you could become our president.
Comment by Joe
September 02, 2008 11:54 PM
I agree with Dr. Paul on this. If you look back at history most wars were fought over money or a lack thereof.
Comment by Jim Sanders
September 03, 2008 05:17 AM
Ron Paul is the only choice for President of these United States. Dr. Micheal Savage is the only voice remaining for truth in America. ALL VOTERS must write in Ron Paul for President. Not "none of the above" as some dork has started. We need Ron Paul NOW!
Comment by Jim Sanders
September 03, 2008 05:17 AM
Ron Paul is the only choice for President of these United States. Dr. Micheal Savage is the only voice remaining for truth in America. ALL VOTERS must write in Ron Paul for President. Not "none of the above" as some dork has started. We need Ron Paul NOW!
Comment by Leon Dodson
September 03, 2008 06:04 AM
Honorable Dr. Paul,

I have for some time been intrigued with politics and how the policies of the federal government affect everyday citizens. One thing that I have noticed is that our monetary systems seems very flawed and that an end to our economy as we once knew it is about to come. I am a man of little education although I have worked very hard and sacrificed to get where I am at and obtain the things that I do have. With our current monetary system a select few banks are allowed to drive the market in any direction that they want for their own gain with out government control or oversight. I have often wondered why we have a privatized monetary system. I thought that the constitution that was ratified specifically stated that only congress has the power of the purse. Does our government not have the power to make its own money?

With the upmost respect,

Leon Dodson
Comment by James
September 03, 2008 08:19 AM
I cannot disagree with anything Dr. Paul has said here, however there is another way of looking at the fiat world we live in. Even if the major countries of the world held to a sound money policy, it is a sure bet that once a country became involved in a loosing war they would revert back to fiat money rather than face surrender, since the first mandate of any government is to maintain the institution of that government, monentary issues will always take the back seat. Fiat goes hand in hand with greed since it is human nature to borrow from tomorrow to pay for today.
Comment by Louis R. Woodhill
September 03, 2008 10:02 AM
FYI: Your statement, "The Federal Reserve has lately been auctioning off large amounts of treasury bills as a way to finance the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and our crushing entitlement burden." is simply not true, and it would be strongly deflationary if it were true. When the Fed *sells* bonds, it contracts the monetary base, which tends to depress, rather than elevate, prices.
Comment by Bill Roberts
September 03, 2008 10:20 AM
Mr. Paul:

God bless you in your work and multiply its effect that His blessing can remain on our nation. Thank you for your commitment to speak the truth.

Bill Roberts
Comment by Zac Singleton
September 03, 2008 10:59 AM
Monetary policy is absolutely, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the #1 most important issue facing all American's today. All other issues need to be put on the back-burner until the issue of monetary policy is resolved. Taxes, government spending, trade agreements, foreign invervention, gay marriage, abortion rights, gun rights, and any others you can think of are not nearly as important as monetary policy. (Maybe gun rights... There's ALOT to be said about gun rights. After all, anyone intent on taking your guns is intent on ruling you!)
Comment by Douglas Keith
September 03, 2008 01:07 PM
I wish to thank you for your candor and respect for our Republic. I too have realized the threshhold is before us to explicitly create for capitalism what implicitly the Industrial Rev. brought us. I stand with you, citizen Paul. I would trade you $100 to answer the following question.(email me your answer and the address to send the $; as we are all just traders, I simply wish to buy your intellect and I have no ulterior motive - just one thinker to another): Do you have any notion of how many hundreds of thousands of Objectivists you reached the mind of, last night? Cordially, Doug Keith
Comment by douglas keith
September 03, 2008 01:08 PM
I wish to thank you for your candor and respect for our Republic. I too have realized the threshhold is before us to explicitly create for capitalism what implicitly the Industrial Rev. brought us. I stand with you, citizen Paul. I would trade you $100 to answer the following question.(email me your answer and the address to send the $; as we are all just traders, I simply wish to buy your intellect and I have no ulterior motive - just one thinker to another): Do you have any notion of how many hundreds of thousands of Objectivists you reached the mind of, last night? Cordially, Doug Keith
Comment by bert lindsey
September 03, 2008 01:10 PM
submission failed.
Dr. Paul..thank you for the courageous stand you take on the constitution and on being an American!.
Comment by Clericus
September 03, 2008 03:22 PM
Abandon both "parties," vote for Chuck Baldwin!
Comment by Bruce Gaarder
September 03, 2008 03:50 PM
Considering the clear intent of our nation's founders, if our paper dollar isn't the very definition of high treason, then I don't know what is.

Dr. Paul, you're absolutely right. I did not vote for this. By hook & crook, our elected gov't 'officials', who all swore to uphold the Constitution, have deceived not only us, but also our neighbors throughout the world. I wish I could apologize to them for our government's swindling ways. What our politicians have done is shameful, despicable, and criminal.
Comment by John Topolnak
September 03, 2008 04:50 PM
i just wanted to say that I have seen your name mentioned here in North Carolina and took it upon myself to really see what you are about. Your policies are Exactly what America needs. I'm impressed with your integrity which is unparrelled from any person that I have seen in Congress. I'm a republican and I dont like either candidates running for president. Thank you for being a real voice of America
Comment by Yvonne
September 03, 2008 04:54 PM
I'd be a rich woman if I had a nickel for every common-sense thing you've ever said! Thanks, again!! yw-Texas
Comment by shannon ring
September 03, 2008 06:57 PM
These are undoubtbly true statements, it's not hard to figure out why the mans own party turned there backs on him, corruption is so ingrained in the way they operate they cannot conceive that the system could work much better for the PEOPLE in the way outlined in this article
Comment by stephen Spencer
September 03, 2008 09:07 PM
Congressman Paul,
You've hit the nail on the head(again). Now its up to citizens like me to ask my own congressman & senators why we are ignoring Article 1 of our constitution & why we are tolerating the private banking cartel called the federal reserve. Without the backing of gold or silver, our currency is just pictures of dead presidents. Thank you for your service to our country.
Comment by Keith
September 03, 2008 10:03 PM
It's a damn shame. A man with your knowledge, record, and ambition was looked over by so many during the popularity contest (aka the primary).
Many I have talked to said they liked what you said but didn't think you'd win. Then I found out who they were voting for and, after a few, it dawned on me... THEY DIDN'T WANT WHAT WAS RIGHT! They want what "looks" good, "feels" right, or whatever keeps things easy for them. The march of the lemmings.
Mr. Paul, I appreciate your fight. Keep it up. There are many out here in real America fighting week to week to keep our families fed and a roof over their heads.
If you could run someway, somehow and be on the ballot, I'm sure you'd find a heck of a lot more people voting for you this time around. Not a big fan of him, however, Jesse Ventura agrees with you on many issues. Maybe get him as a running mate and start a fire. You can use the consitution as lighter since all the rights on it are being taken away anyway.

Loyal Supporter,

Pissed-off American
Comment by Van
September 03, 2008 11:13 PM
Fiat currency enables the warfare/welfare state. Hard money is honest money.
Comment by Travis
September 04, 2008 07:23 AM
The government is corrupted beyond repair, I believe and will continue to get worse, I'm afraid. As the bible suggests: mens hearts will wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
I'm not voting for anyone since I know nothing will change! The FED will remain since they are to powerful, the national debt will increase to insanity, effectively destroying this republic and transforming it into a union, like the EU and a world government will emerge and take away everyones rights. No one really ever talks about the possibility of a global fascist/communist government, since they are afraid and think it's just a "conspiracy theory". I'm glad that you, Ron Paul actualy know about such a Godless plot to destroy freedom.
Comment by Daniel Crouch
September 04, 2008 10:07 AM
Finally! You may have been saying this for a while, but I'm just now reading it. Finally, a congressman recognizes the "house of cards" that is our monetary system. How can we educate the country on this issue and overturn years of deception?
Comment by Eric Carter
September 04, 2008 10:34 AM
I am a registered Democrat, however, I find you to be very refreshing. I was a big fan of your's doing the primary. It's rare that you find a government official who tells it like it is and leaves the rhetoric at the door. In this election cycle, I find myself truly not having a clear choice on either side, be it Democrats or Republican. Both parties claim to want to "shake up" or "change" Washington. However, the same old policies are still being promoted. I watched your convention Tues. night instead of the more publicized RNC convention because you were the only one actually saying something. Keep up the fight! We need more Congressmen like you!
Comment by Paul
September 04, 2008 12:13 PM
great commentary as always. I enjoy the sensibility and knowing of does exist today in the government. So what bills or laws should we be looking for coming up to curb this type of bad policy?
Comment by Michael Delavar
September 04, 2008 03:34 PM
Few people realize the close link between money manipulation and war. Thank you for the insightful article. We need more congressmen who are willing to read the Constitution, understand it, then act upon it. Once that happens, our nation will place itself back on the right track. Thank you for your commitment to your country and oath of office.
Comment by Brandon Danaher
September 04, 2008 04:24 PM
Ron Paul is the man!
Paul/Ventura 2012
Comment by Dan
September 04, 2008 06:54 PM
Thank you Ron Paul for standing up for the values that made this country great. You are one of the few voices out there that are keeping my hope in this country alive.
Comment by Evan
September 05, 2008 01:39 AM
I have been enlightened by your open talk about his issue of money. It has been said that money is the root of all kinds of evil, but we are currently embracing that evil as the status quo.

I am sorry that I didn't notice you before - during the primaries. I am currently supporting Barrack Obama - but whoever gets elected as the next president, they face a tough challenge. Maybe you will be the contender in the next election!!
Comment by Brad
September 05, 2008 08:22 AM
It's sad to see how much of America is fooled by the Government. I'm only seventeen and I can see the cycle. People need to realize that as long as they support either a Democratic or Republican government, that we will never get out of this hole that we have dug ourselves.
Comment by Glenn White
September 05, 2008 03:12 PM
You and Andrew Bacevich are my political heroes. And I'm not even a republican. Thank you.
Comment by Chris Calvert
September 05, 2008 08:17 PM
Congressman Paul, I cannot agree with you enough. In November my close friends and I are writing your name in. You are a modern day James Madison. Thank you.
Comment by Ayesha Depay
September 06, 2008 03:54 AM
Amen Mr.Paul I am 20 year old African American in New York. When I think about the fact that so many in this country are in debt and paying for basic needs with credit cards. It reminds me of my government and the fact that my children and their children are expected to pay for this war
Comment by shirley huneycutt
September 06, 2008 10:19 AM
I agree 100% with Dr. Ron PAul. The american people are so stupid and are being taken by the Gov. We can not continue doing the same thing because we will finally destroy ourselves, and our country.
Comment by Jim C Holseth
September 06, 2008 04:30 PM
Hello, how can our government be stopped tinkering with the dollar?
Comment by M Mattes
September 06, 2008 04:39 PM
I agree totally with the sound money and gold ideas.

In addition, we need the FAIR TAX to get rid of the lobbyists, and allow American corporations to compete fairly overseas. It brings jobs back home.

Natural gas and electricity for cars is also an idea whose time has come. MHM
Comment by Michael Floyd
September 07, 2008 00:02 AM
A very sound idea. Maybe America could help bring reform to other countries, specifically Cuba, using free trade instead of embargoes.
On another note: We'd better hope the Chinese Central Bank doesn't start dumping the $1 trillion in Treasury notes and Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac debt they hold. The results would be disastrous for our already6 crippled economy.
Comment by Martha J. Lair
September 07, 2008 00:24 AM
Dr. Paul,

Thanks for this information; I never had thought of money's role in wars and peace. One of my neighbors is not for the war in Iraq, but he told me on primary election day that a gold standard scares him to death. In light of your information his thinking seems strange.
Comment by Steven Ziliak
September 07, 2008 08:05 AM
As a related side note to the government creating money, the continued bailout of banks and non-government institutions such as Freddie and Fannie are an example of taxation without representation because the Treasury Dept. is conducting this process instead of congress.
Comment by sam assil
September 07, 2008 08:18 AM
Ron you are a beacon of hope and a voice of truth in a sea of deception,arrogance and greed.You have my vote!I will continue to spread the word about you. Stay the course.God Bless! Sincerely, from a guy that still believes in the American Dream!
Comment by PeaceClinic Institute
September 07, 2008 04:06 PM
BRAVO!
Comment by George Taylor
September 07, 2008 08:15 PM
I agree with almost everything you say. So now what?
Comment by Richard
September 08, 2008 08:11 AM
Could you perhaps talk about the US flag in certain courts or where ever, the golden or yellow pieces of thread that hang around it?

What do they mean?
Comment by Richard
September 08, 2008 08:14 AM
Hi there, nice article.

I've got a question about the certain US flags that are present in courts and where ever else.

What do the yellow threads that hang around it mean?

You could produce an article on that or something?

Thank you.

There is a republican would be party here in England.

http://www.republicans.org.uk
Comment by Rudi Glos
September 08, 2008 03:03 PM
Isn't it about time that Bernanke is asked if the Fed is directly/indirectly responsible for the continuous knockdown of the gold/silver prices?
I agree totally with your column but until this question is answered how do you believe your message will get through to people.This whole scenario has turned into a circus and many people are put off by this blatent market manipulation that's going on.At least if an admission was made, many more would believe you.
Comment by Todd in Sacramento
September 15, 2008 02:21 PM
Gamma say's "You can't eat gold."
But you can't make a very good salad with Fed notes either. At least have some pre-65 (90%) silver coins around as a means of exchanged should there be an economic collapse and FRN's become worthless.

cassie said, "I do really like Ron Paul's economic policy - but please tell me where I can buy a loaf of bread for $1.00???"

Cassie, that 2.50 loaf of bread from WalMart you are referring to has been taxed to death in it's production plus all the added government regulations to get it to the grocery shelf. I think RP was thinking of a locally produced loaf of bread.

Buy junk silver, if you can find it. (Dealer supplies are low). It is easily traded and holds it's purchase value. The silver market has been fluctuating between $10 and $20 an ounce but you don't have to worry about the changes because you will never unload all your coins at once.

I would rather have a bag of real money (silver coins) than a truckload full of worthless paper.
Comment by John Christensen
September 15, 2008 04:02 PM
Dr Paul: You MUST abandon your principals and temporarily become a politician. Promise everyone will be rich and happy. A chicken in every pot etc. Don't threaten the "Military Industrial Complex"
After you are elected President, you can go back to to being honest. Think of it as your patriotic duty.
Comment by Todd in Sacramento
September 16, 2008 03:10 PM
This is priceless!

1927-1933 Chart of Pompous Prognosticators

http://www.gold-eagle.com/editorials_01/seymour062001.html

Deja ‘vu

- Todd -
Comment by Charlie Dinan
September 16, 2008 04:00 PM
Common sense isn't common.

This country has cancer. It lives in Washington. I think we know who has the cure! Somebody call a doctor!
Comment by mark carducci
September 16, 2008 07:11 PM
It is past time to ramp up the WRITE IN campaign NOW to prevent or at least shorten the duration and avoid a repeat of this certain depression. Like I told Ron at the Book signing 9/1/08 while I attended the Rally, "I'm still writing you in since you are the only person consistently correct for 30 years" on economic matters and would have the perfect patient for Austrian Economics. I've got my 8' banners of his book cover and write in banners... all over my house. Anyone in the Las Vegas area drive 15 minutes to the town of Blue Diamond, 25 cerrito street and replicate the portrayal on my house to spread the word. Stop in for a drink too. Dr Mark Carducci, Ron Paul supporter since '88
Comment by Nicklas
September 16, 2008 09:43 PM
Very wise words.
Why is Ron Paul the only voice of reason?
Comment by Alex
September 16, 2008 10:53 PM
I'm voting Ron Paul for a sound financial future in America, and you should too!
Comment by Nathan
September 18, 2008 04:43 PM
I have to say I like you alot Ron, the only statesmen running for president. However, when it comes to the gold standard, how do you explain the protection of gold that has yet to be found? Is there not an immoral enticer in snatching up gold from the ground thereby increasing the value of your currency? The trading aspect makes very logical sense. However it is the threat of trading unfairly that makes me question.

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