An Evening With Mark Schauer

Mark Schauer is the Congressional Democratic Candidate for the 7th District here in Michigan, and I had the opportunity to sit down with him last night with some other voters at the Jackson Coffee Co. for a round table discussion.

Before I go any further, I think I should say that I respect the current Michigan State Senator for putting himself in a position to answer the questions of real voters in an open forum. This is something that is seriously lacking in today’s political arena where most people are rendered mute spectators instead of active participants. That being said, there is very little that myself and Mr. Schauer agree on.

There were a total of seven voters who showed up for the discussion, two of which (myself included) were Libertarian minded individuals. There were also two retired school teachers in attendance, a manager for a local restaurant, a retired automotive engineer, and another gentleman who retired from an industry he did not mention.

Discussion at times was quite lively, particularly dealing with the constitutional role of government. When asked point blank by Craig Radala whether or not taking money from one group of people through taxation, and giving that money to another group was socialism, Mr. Schauer after a lengthy pause responded, “no.” There was also much discussion on government intervention within the marketplace. Mr. Schauer left the meeting visibly flustered, however all but one of the other voters in attendance seemed to have enjoyed the experience, with one participant commenting during the discourse, “I’m having fun just sitting back and watching”.

I closed out the meeting with State Senator Schauer with a handshake and this quote by George Washington, “Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.” Mr. Schauer responded with a distasteful tone saying, “It sounds to me like you’re anti-government.” I replied that was not the case, but that I was in fact pro small government. Overall it was a good experience for everyone all around, even for Mr. Schauer who I hope will not let his apparent frustrations keep him from holding future events like this one.

Andrew Jackson On The Federal Reserve

Thanks to Matt Hawes for posting this over at C4L.  This is part of Andrew Jackson’s (7th President) farewell address before leaving office.  If President Jackson was worried about government spreading past its Constitutional bounds then, I’m sure he’d love to see things now.

“The distress and sufferings inflicted on the people by the bank are some of the fruits of that system of policy which is continually striving to enlarge the authority of the Federal Government beyond the limits fixed by the Constitution. The powers enumerated in that instrument do not confer on Congress the right to establish such a corporation as the Bank of the United States, and the evil consequences which followed may warn us of the danger of departing from the true rule of construction and of permitting temporary circumstances or the hope of better promoting the public welfare to influence in any degree our decisions upon the extent of the authority of the General Government. Let us abide by the Constitution as it is written, or amend it in the constitutional mode if it is found to be defective….”

“The paper-money system and its natural associations–monopoly and exclusive privileges–have already struck their roots too deep in the soil, and it will require all your efforts to check its further growth and to eradicate the evil. The men who profit by the abuses and desire to perpetuate them will continue to besiege the halls of legislation in the General Government as well as in the States, and will seek by every artifice to mislead and deceive the public servants. It is to yourselves that you must look for safety and the means of guarding and perpetuating your free institutions. In your hands is rightfully placed the sovereignty of the country, and to you everyone placed in authority is ultimately responsible.”

“But it will require steady and persevering exertions on your part to rid yourselves of the iniquities and mischiefs of the paper system and to check the spirit of monopoly and other abuses which have sprung up with it, and of which it is the main support. So many interests are united to resist all reform on this subject that you must not hope the conflict will be a short one nor success easy. My humble efforts have not been spared during my administration of the Government to restore the constitutional currency of gold and silver, and something, I trust, has been done toward the accomplishment of this most desirable object; but enough yet remains to require all your energy and perseverance. The power, however, is in your hands, and the remedy must and will be applied if you determine upon it.”

New C4L Video

The “Right” To Bear Arms

Putting my 2nd Amendment right into action, I recently purchased a new pistol which has spawned this rant that has been brewing within my mind over the course of the last week or so. Unfortunately, things have been rather busy, so I’m now just getting the opportunity to let my thoughts spill forth.

Let’s first address the issue of my “right” to bear arms, which I was able to exercise as soon as I got my permit to do so. Now, is it just me, or does there seem to be something fundamentally wrong with that last statement? I had to get a permit to exercise a right. Let’s take a look at the definition of the word “right”… “that which is due to anyone by just claim, legal guarantees, moral principles, etc.” By definition, and indeed by principal, it is completely ludicrous to require that a permit be obtained to practice something that is a right. However, as long as this unconstitutional law remains in effect I will continue to abide with its absurdity.

Continuing along the same vein, the issue of the concealed carry of a weapon and the need of a special permit to do so is also an unconstitutional requirement. The requirement of a CCW permit somehow would almost lead a person to believe that jackets and coats did not exist in 1776. Of course they existed then, and they have existed throughout history until CCW laws began to be enacted. It is more than obvious that the founders of our nation, the framers of our Constitution, did not see a difference between bearing arms in the open, or bearing them concealed.

People who do not own a gun or who have an aversion to guns may find blatant violations of the 2nd Amendment as “not a big deal.” However, whether a person is a gun owner or not, they should be concerned with the gradual erosion of the rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Today it may be a right they’re not too concerned with, but tomorrow they may find the cross hairs on a right they would consider a big deal, and here’s the rub — all of the Amendments are a big deal, so let’s treat them as such.

Presidential Debate #2

Last night marked the 2nd Presidential Debate of which the format was a town hall style meeting.  I really don’t have a whole lot to comment on the debate other than it was rather dry, and I felt more like I was watching two Democrats in a primary debate, rather than two members of differing parties vying for the Presidency.  When people are given the choice between a real Democrat and a fake one –  they’ll choose the real one every time.

The New Campaign For Liberty (C4L)

The all new Campaign For Liberty (C4L) website is up and running, and I’m currently in the process of putting my profile together. I highly recommend checking things out and joining the campaign. There is a free option, and a paid option for $35 dollars a year. Make sure you add me to your contacts should you get things up and running. Kudos to the folks at C4L for putting together a great site, and a great resource.