Tag Archives: Bob Barr
Bob Barr on the Bailout
3 comments | tags: bailout, Bob Barr, Politics | posted in Politics, Video
Bailout from Hell: Message from Bob Barr campaign advisor
The sheep are bleeting
I know that I’ve spent some time recently expressing my political views. Some people ignore my views because I am a Libertarian and they don’t think “it counts.”
I’ve been very disturbed by attitudes of the ‘sheeple’ in the U.S. lately. The flock is bleeting about their woes, but they don’t seem to be able to run from the wolf. They just stand in the pasture and watch the same old things happen. And, to me, the wolf is closer and closer, yet they just stand there.
Redistributing the message
So, I continue to try to share the messages that show there are alternatives. I don’t claim to be a shepherd trying to rescue the flock; I only want to share some options for people to consider.
The message that I’m including in this post is from Russ Verney, Bob Barr‘s campaign advisor. With all that is happening in the U.S. right now, I think it NEEDs to be reposted. I received this letter in my email this morning.
Russ Verney message
Yesterday’s vote in Congress confirms to me that only Bob Barr is in touch with the American people, and both the Democrats and Republicans are following Bob’s lead!
The New York Times reports:
But a majority of the House voted along with Bob Barr, the Libertarian who said, “We need to make Wall Street take the hit for its irresponsible investment decisions. . .”
And the highly read Politico.com slams both McCain and Obama saying:
There was, however, one presidential “contender” who got on the right side of this issue: former Georgia Congressman Bob Barr. Barr called today’s bill “the bailout from hell ” and warned it would make Henry Paulson “an economic dictator, empowered to reengineer [sic] the economy as he sees fit.”
Of course, it isn’t just Bob Barr who scored major political points yesterday, it was redemption for the American people when the vote – which wasn’t even close – went against Wall Street and in favor of average Americans.
Many of Bob supporters – old and new – took a moment to show their appreciation for this initiative by making generous gifts to the campaign yesterday and today. (Perhaps you would like to join now with a gift to keep the pressure on. Thanks!)
But of course, the powerful corporate special interests, with both of Bob’s opponents backing them in the Senate, aren’t going to give up. The Bush administration continues in their efforts to scare Americans and convince them that only his bill can provide salvation for our economy.
Another vote is going to come, and it may be within the next 48 hours, or sooner.
To appease a few interests, they are likely to make some cosmetic change but the bottom line is that it will still be a bad bill — and taxpayers are going to be soaked with $700 Billion in bailout funds for Wall Street. And when a Treasury Department official was asked by Forbes.com how this amount was chosen, the response: “It’s not based on any particular data point. We just wanted to choose a really large number.”
We must not retreat in our opposition to this outrageous scheme. Today Bob is giving speeches on the campaign trail and he is drawing larger crowds, greater enthusiasm, and the media is taking notice. Just as the New York Times acknowledged, only Bob Barr’s approach to fiscal sanity will work.
I encourage you to keep up the heat. Call your Representative in Congress. If they voted the right way, thank them and encourage them to hold the line. If they voted wrong, turn up the heat and grant them a chance to change their mind.
Next, I ask you to help me fund the next stage of this important campaign. We have a radio ad ready for national distribution and plans for TV commercials as well. Your gift will help us spread the word that there is an alternative to the Bush-McCain-Obama Wall Street bailout. Any amount is a big help, but a gift of $50 or $100 goes a long way.
Thanks.
Sincerely,
Russell Verney
Campaign Manager
Bob Barr for PresidentP.S. – By the way, I personally believe that this is just the beginning of a very bad trend. First there was money for Bear Stearn and AIG. Then home mortgage payouts of $300 Billion and $25 Billion for the auto Industry this year (and another $25 Billion for next year). Next, $200 Billion to clean up Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and now $700 billion for big banks and Wall Street moguls. Who else will be “bailed out?” Some are suggesting that $700 Billion may just be a down payment for Wall Street. Others needing “bailouts” include local and state governments. Have you noticed how state and local bureaucrats are crying about a decline in revenue? Mark my word, they will seek bailout protection, too.
To donate by mail:
Barr 2008 Presidential Committee
P.O. Box 725007
Atlanta, GA 31139To donate by phone:
Call 1-800-Bob-Barr
Leave a comment | tags: bailout, Bob Barr, campaigns, election, Libertarian, Politics | posted in Editorial, Politics
Bob Barr Approves This Stand Up Routine
Leave a comment | tags: Bob Barr, Libertarian, Politics, Video | posted in Politics, Video
Bob Barr Not Invited to Presidential Debate
Debates don’t include all candidates
Though the Libertarian party is the oldest of the “third” parties the candidate for this party is not invited to the donkey and elephant show starting 26 September 2008.
Public seems unaware of their options
Are you truly given a voice? Do you really know who you’re voting for? Is it fair that two parties control YOUR information and options? Are these REALLY the people that hold your values, your freedoms, and your future in high regard? Or is this just a drama that seems to entertain the American public in the traditional media outlets?
I am continuously disgusted by the lack of options given to most voters. And many are just lemmings following the others over the cliff. They simply don’t know any better. Shouldn’t ALL of the presidential candidates be given an opportunity to speak in these debates?
Bob Barr comments on the upcoming debates
Leave a comment | tags: Bob Barr, debates, libertarians, Politics | posted in Politics, Video
Bail Out from Hell
Russ Verney, Campaign Manager for Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr, had this to say today:
Today on Fox News, former Congressman Bob Barr called the taxpayer bail out of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac a “BOFH” — the “bailout from hell.” In case you missed it, here’s the YouTube link.
Here’s what Barr campaign manager Russ Verney has to say about it…
I am sure you must be as angered as I am by the government take over of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This taxpayer rip-off is guaranteed to cost you and me billions. . . and who is to benefit?
First and foremost, THE BANK OF CHINA. That’s right, the government bank in the People’s Republic of China. Among others, numerous countries in the middle east and institutions around the world are also benefiting. Billions and billions are being sent overseas at our expense.
What do Senators McCain and Obama say about this government nationalization of our home lending system? They are both reported to be supportive.
I can tell you unequivocally, that Presidential candidate Bob Barr opposes this bail out!
Why? Because our tax dollars are being used (once again – remember Bear Stearns?) to fatten the bank accounts of speculators who bought bad loans. This is a case of the government rewarding those who took high-risk investment positions and were about to lose. . .
And where is Congress through all of this? Today they are back from a six week vacation and after just three more weeks, they quit work for the rest of the year! Between lengthy paid vacations, you can be sure they will be privately encouraging federal regulators and bureaucrats to bail out their friends. You see, Congress is paid handsomely – in the form of campaign contributions and other gifts – to make sure that the wealthy are protected from their own mistakes.
Do you need still more evidence that the only ones to benefit from this bail-out are foreign investors and Wall Street, check out all the major stock exchanges TODAY and you’ll see massive gains that you are paying for.
John McCain and Barack Obama support this. No surprise there. Bob Barr is alone in blowing the whistle on this multi-billion bail out.
Leave a comment | tags: Bob Barr, campaign, Libertarian, presidential election | posted in Connecting
Why Less Support for 3rd Party Candidates?
Lip service
A few days ago Jack Cafferty from CNN asked “Why isn’t there more support for third party candidates?” I was traveling at the time and unable to get my mobile phone to connect to his blog. I had a few comments to make. Unfortunately, the comments are now closed for that post. But many people there shared my opinions.
Scared to vote their own minds
I feel that some people are “scared” to vote outside the bipartisan circus. They think their “vote won’t count” or that it will “only boost the wrong candidate by taking away votes from the right.” Ridiculous. Remember, a vote for a candidate is a vote for THAT candidate. It doesn’t take away votes from one candidate or another. It takes away votes from EVERY other candidate.
If enough of the people that “claim” that they are tired of the current system would actually step up and do something about it we’d see change. But I know a large number of people that say “I believe in the libertarian view” or “I believe in an independent system as opposed to the bipartisan system.” And these are the same people that end up saying “I went ahead and voted for the republican” or “I broke down and voted for the democrat” because “that’s what it seemed like everyone else was doing.” Again, I say RIDICULOUS.
Media perpetuates the zoo parties
The other problem that I see is that the third parties are simply not given ANY attention from main-stream [sic] media. People like Jack Cafferty ask about it, but when I watch CNN I see no further mention beyond his blog question. He instead engages in the commentary about the elephants and the donkeys with no further mention of alternative candidates.
I have more opinions, but I’m going to reserve comment for now. Instead, here is the text from a letter I received today from the Bob Barr campaign. It was sent by Barr’s campaign manager, Russ Verney.
Dear friend,
“I would not ask for your help if the circumstances were not so dire.”
No, those are not my words; those are the words of John McCain in a letter he sent to supporters thGoing for the Goldis week, despite having raised $27 million in July.
If Sen. McCain thinks his situation is dire, he would not get out of bed in the morning if he were dealing with our situation.
– We’ve raised less than $1 million
– We’re blocked from upcoming debates
– We’re polling at 6% nationallyNo, John McCain could not handle our situation.
But our man, Bob Barr, isn’t slowing down and now he’s fighting mad.
This Saturday, Senators Barack Obama and John McCain will take the national stage for their first combined national event. It will take place at Saddleback Church in Orange County, California.
For the past several weeks, we have put in requests and phone calls to the church’s pastor, Rick Warren, who was quoted this week in Time Magazine as saying, “I want what’s good for everybody, not just what’s good for me. Who’s the best for the nation right now?”
Unfortunately, Pastor Rick Warren doesn’t care to know the true answer to that question as he has willingly excluded Bob Barr and other candidates from his forum on Saturday.
After weeks of negotiations and calls to Saddleback Church from leaders from every corner of the political spectrum supporting Bob Barr’s inclusion, we’ve been left out in the cold.
The only people getting into the event are Obama, McCain and those who reportedly paid $500 to $2,000 to the church to sit in the audience.
Yesterday, I reported to former Congressman Barr that we’ve exhausted every avenue. I told him, “We’ve had calls placed to Pastor Warren from very powerful leaders from the left and the right, we sent in our personal request, and placed numerous phone calls that have not been returned. You are not going to be included.
“Our only option left is to threaten to file an temporary injunction as our attorneys believe they are in violation of the law.”
Bob responded by saying, “No, don’t threaten to do that . . . Just do it.”
As you read this, our attorneys are filing an injunction against Saddleback Church to include Bob Barr in their forum this Saturday.
You are the first to hear about this.
The complaint is based upon a violation of McCain/Feingold campaign finance legislation. While we’re no fans of that legislation, we don’t write the rules, we’re just forced to play by them. In this case, we’re using McCain/Feingold to our advantage.
The reason I am disclosing so much to you is because this is just the beginning. At every way you look at it, we’re at a disadvantage.
– We are being blocked from the national stage by the media, debate commissions and now even groups like Saddleback Church.
– Both the campaign and our party have put most of its manpower and money into getting on the ballot in every state.
– And we have our hands tied behind our backs by laws like McCain Feingold that benefit the two major parties.But none of that matters.
We have a candidate who is worth fighting for and that’s is exactly what we’re going to do.
One way or another, Bob is going to get his message of liberty out to our nation.
We now have lawsuits active in Oklahoma, West Virginia, Massachusetts and now California to challenge the obstacles thrown in our way by the two-party system.
We’re also waging media battles as Bob continues his Midwest tour in Chicago and St. Louis this weekend that will be interrupted by a trip to Orange County, California.
And we’re not slowing down.
The only way to break through the two-party strangle hold is to fight them at every opportunity.
I need your help to continue our efforts.
Our ballot access battles have left our coffers nearly dry and I need you to make a donation today.
Please make a donation right now and help us continue our efforts and fight with every step that we take until Election Day.
Please make your most generous donation today and give as much as you can up to the maximum limit of $2,300.
Thank you for your loyalty, your generosity and for your commitment to liberty.
Sincerely,
Russell Verney
Campaign Manager
Bob Barr for PresidentP.S. According to campaign finance law, our campaign is still in “primary election” season and donations made before the Republican Convention will be counted against the primary limit of $2,300. You can give another $2,300 for the general election. If you can, try your best to reach or get close to the $2,300 limit today or at least before the Republican Convention. If you want to know how close you are to the limit, please call us right now by dialing 1-800-Bob-Barr.
Message approved by the Bob Barr 2008 Presidential Committee
What do YOU think? Leave comments, either video or text. Your voice counts, regardless of your opinion. I wanna know.
Leave a comment | tags: Bob Barr, Libertarian, Politics, third party | posted in Editorial, Politics
The Time for Liberty
Leave a comment | tags: Bob Barr, elections, freedom, Libertarian, liberty, presidential election | posted in Politics
Don’t Waste Vote on Current Bipartisan Choices
On November 4, 2008, give liberty a chance. This election doesn’t have to be between the lesser of two evils. Americans need a choice, and Liberty needs a voice.
Leave a comment | tags: Bob Barr, election, Libertarian, voting | posted in Politics
What’s My Stance?
Talking politics
I have maintained for many years that I don’t “talk” politics. I have been very quiet publicly about my views and my engagement in political water cooler discussions has been minimal. However, this year I find myself “speaking up” more often.
Tonight I read an email from my dad. I had seen this circulating during the 2004 elections, as well, but it stirred up some thoughts. I’m going to share the email text first. I will then “state my opinion.”
The email
Father/Daughter Talk
A young woman was about to finish her first year of college. Like so many others her age, she considered herself to be a very liberal Democrat, and among other liberal ideals, was very much in favor of higher taxes to support more government programs, in other words redistribution of wealth.
She was deeply ashamed that her father was a rather staunch Republican, a feeling she openly expressed. Based on the lectures that she had participated in, and the occasional chat with a professor, she felt that her father had for years harbored an evil, selfish desire to keep what he thought should be his.
One day she was challenging her father on his opposition to higher taxes on the rich and the need for more government programs. The self-professed objectivity proclaimed by her professors had to be the truth and she indicated so to her father. He responded by asking how she was doing in school.
Taken aback, she answered rather haughtily that she had a 4.0 GPA, and let him know that it was tough to maintain, insisting that she was taking a very difficult course load and was constantly studying, which left her no time to go out and party like other people she knew. She didn’t even have time for a boyfriend, and didn’t really have many college friends because she spent all her time studying.
Her father listened and then asked, ‘How is your friend Audrey doing?’ She replied, ‘Audrey is barely getting by. All she takes are easy classes, she never studies, and she barely has a 2.0 GPA. She is so popular on campus; college for her is a blast. She’s always invited to all the parties and lots of times she doesn’t even show up for classes because she’s too hung over.’
Her father then asked his daughter,’Why don’t you go to the Dean’s office and ask him to deduct 1.0 off your GPA and give it to your friend who only has a 2.0. That way you will both have a 3.0 GPA and certainly that would be a fair and equal distribution of GPA.’
The daughter, visibly shocked by her father’s suggestion, angrily fired back, ‘That’s a crazy idea, and how would that be fair! I’ve worked really hard for my grades! I’ve invested a lot of time, and a lot of hard work! Audrey has done next to nothing toward her degree. She played while I worked my tail off!’
The father slowly smiled, winked and said gently ‘Welcome to the Republican party.’
If anyone has a better explanation of the difference between Republicans and Democrats, I’m all ears.
Rich’s stance
And then you could be like the Libertarian party (of which I am)…
Let me do my thing and let me earn my way — and get the hell out of the way. I don’t need your limitations and I don’t want your hand outs. I don’t want YOU to tell me where I can shop, what doctors I can see, what car I should drive, or how much I need to provide others. If I feel they need something — and have the means to provide it (and want to) I will.
I don’t need or want you to watch out for “my” safety by listening to my phone calls, watching my online activities, or judging my buying habits as something that might be harmful to others.
Don’t push your beliefs on me. If I want to own a gun, I will. If I don’t, I won’t. If I want to be gay, whatever. If I don’t care for it and don’t believe in it, I’ll keep my opinion to myself. If you are gay, don’t expect me to give you something extra to reward you. I won’t judge you, but I won’t help you along either. Nobody gives me a prize because I chose to have sex with my wife (or not).
Don’t tell me what religion is “right” or tell me that I shouldn’t be so religious.
For the most part… I just want you to let me be who I am and do what I can to support my family. I should have the liberty to do so.
Our founding fathers said,
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
I think it is time for people to stop their whining about “who’s going to win” and start looking at the people that don’t care if they win or not… other than to make some drastic changes to the system that we have so greatly broken. It is the RIGHT of the people to ALTER or ABOLISH faulty government. Government that becomes destructive. Haven’t the elephants and the donkeys trampled and shit upon us enough already?
“Libertarianism is unquestionably the American message because libertarianism is the only political message that empowers the American people by giving them more control over their lives and their wallets,”
says Libertarian Party spokesperson Andrew Davis.
For more about the Libertarian view, visit www.LP.org
Oh, if you couldn’t guess, I’m voting for Bob Barr/Wayne Allen Root and the Libertarian way in the coming election. Even if I have to write in my vote on my state’s illegal and unconstitutional ballot.
What do you think? I would love to hear your views and WHY they are important to you.
Cheers,
Rich
Leave a comment | tags: Bob Barr, election, Libertarian, Politics, president, Wayne Allen Root | posted in Editorial, Politics
Libertarian Convention Chooses Bob Barr
From the official release of the Libertarian Party:
Libertarian Party selects Bob Barr as 2008 presidential nominee
Former Congressman plans to take the White House as Libertarian candidate
Denver – The Libertarian Party has nominated former Congressman Bob Barr as its candidate for president for the 2008 election.
“I’m sure we will emerge here with the strongest ticket in the history of the Libertarian Party,” Barr stated in his victory speech shortly after being selected as the Party’s nominee. “I want everybody to remember that we only have 163 days to win this election. We cannot waste one single day.”
More than 650 Libertarian delegates met in Denver from May 22 till the 26 for the 2008 Libertarian National Convention. After six rounds of voting Sunday afternoon, Barr was selected as the Party’s presidential nominee.
“We’re proud to present to the American voters Bob Barr as our presidential nominee,” says Libertarian Party spokesperson Andrew Davis. “While Republicans and Democrats will fight for their own power in November, Libertarians will fight for Americans. Bob Barr is one of the strongest candidates in the Party’s 37-year history, and we look for him to have an enormous impact in the 2008 race. Republicans and Democrats have good reason to fear a candidate like Barr, who refuses to accept the ‘business-as-usual’ attitude of the current political establishment. Americans want and need another choice, and that choice is Bob Barr.”
The Libertarian Party is America’s third largest political party, founded in 1971 as an alternative to the two main political parties. You can find more information on the Libertarian Party by visiting www.LP.org. The Libertarian Party proudly stands for smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom.
For more information, or to arrange a media interview, please call Andrew Davis at (202) 333-0008 during normal business hours, or at (202) 731-0002 during any other time. For an interview with the Barr campaign, please contact Audrey Mullen at (703) 548-1160.
As a matter of comment, I WILL be voting for Bob Barr, even if I have to write in my vote in the State of Ohio. I’ve not been at all pleased with this state’s existing blockade toward recognizing more than the donkey and elephant tribes. Give me Libertarian.
I’ve included a video that is offered by the Libertarian Party. I have posted it here in the past.
[display_podcast]
Leave a comment | tags: Bob Barr, candidates, Libertarian, nominees, presidential race | posted in Politics, Social Media, Video
Bob Barr explores presidential race option
From the Bob Barr web site:
Bob Barr represented the 7th District of Georgia in the U. S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003, serving as a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, as Vice-Chairman of the Government Reform Committee, and as a member of the Committee on Financial Services. He now runs a consulting firm, Liberty Strategies LLC, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and with offices in the Washington, D.C. area.
Bob Barr chose to join the Libertarian Party because at this time in our nation’s history, it is essential to join and work with a party that is 100 percent committed to protecting liberty.
You may want to explore some of the issues that Barr feels are important at bobbarr2008.com/issues/.
Leave a comment | tags: 2008 election, Bob Barr, campaigning, issues, Libertarian, liberty, reform, Video | posted in Editorial, Politics
