http://www.lewrockwell.com/jacobs/jacobs7.1.1.html

I was in the Boston airport late this morning flying to LaGuardia. As I was talking on my phone, I recognized Congressman Barney Frank walking past me. Not wanting to miss the opportunity, I hung up my cell phone and approached Congressman Frank. Here is our conversation:

Me: “Congressman Frank (handshake), why are you holding H.R. 1207 in committee?”

Frank: “What is 1207?”

Me: “Ron Paul’s bill to edit the Fed.”

Frank: “Oh, yeah. Ron and I have talked about that. We are going to attach it to a comprehensive monetary Fed bill.”

Me: “But you’re not going to water it down, right?”

Frank: “No, we don’t want people to trade off of what the Fed is doing so we don’t want it released the same day.”

Me: “Cause the American people deserve to know what the Fed is doing?”

Frank: “That’s what I just said. You come up to me and you’ve got a chip on your shoulder. And I don’t understand it!” Turns and walks away.

(Frank’s statement that he “doesn’t want people to trade off what the Fed is doing” is absurd. An audit takes place after an action. Even releasing it the same day wouldn’t matter as one would need foreknowledge to take advantage of the Fed’s actions in the way Frank is talking about. Besides, the Fed already publishes press releases, policy statements, speeches, etc. In addition, how perverted is it that every investment decision is subject to the actions of a small group of central planners?)

Now, to be fair, I should have introduced myself to Congressman Frank and thanked him for some really great piece of legislation he had introduced – except that as a libertarian, I couldn’t think of anything worthwhile to thank him for – but I was excited and wanted to catch him before he boarded his plane (he was flying to Reagan, one gate down from mine). However, I was pleasant, courteous, and respectful during the entire encounter and would have gladly thanked him for his time given the chance. Instead Congressman Frank stormed off like a petulant child.

I guess when it comes to politicians and their constituents (read employees and their bosses) courtesy and respect are a one-way street.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LCTL-SpecialEdition

This is Liberty Cap Talk Live with Todd Andrew Barnett: The Special Edition Show. This is a special edition of LCTL, where Liberty Cap Talk Live’s free marketeer/libertarian talk radio show host Todd Andrew Barnett talks about cultural, social, and economic issues from a pro-freedom perspective. The show will feature roundtable guests and discussions of topics of mutual interests.

In the third episode, Todd and his panelists Dale Everett of AnarchyInYourHead.com, JailedActivist.Info creator Bile, and libertarian writer, activist, and freelance social media consultant Mariana Evica discuss Sam Dodson’s release from the Cheshire County Department of Corrections, GM’s bankruptcy filing, H.R. 1207 a.k.a. Fed Audit Bill, etc. Todd and his panelists interview Sam Dodson, CEO of the Obscured Truth Network and occasional co-host of Free Talk Live who was jailed for nearly eight weeks after being arrested for videotaping in the Keene District Court in Keene, New Hampshire. They dig really deep into the living conditions of the jail, how Sam was treated by his jailers, etc.

I’ll post the cast here tomorrow but feel free to listen live.

http://rawstory.com/…

Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) yet again went against the grain in Congress when he
stood up in the House and argued against a proposal that would tax 90
percent of AIG executive bonuses, saying that it was a “disgrace,” a
“distraction” and an “outrage” that undermined the Constitution.

Despite the protestations of Paul and a few others, the House voted
overwhelmingly to pass the bonus tax legislation Thursday afternoon.

Roll Call reports the vote was 328-93 to impose a 90 percent tax on
employee bonuses at companies that received federal bailout funds.

“While the vote was bipartisan, the GOP was split on the bill, with
Minority Leader John Boehner (Ohio) voting against it and Minority Whip
Eric Cantor (Va.) voting in favor of it,” reported Roll Call.

CNN notes that the measure, which now heads to the Senate for
consideration, would tax individuals on any bonuses received in 2009 from
companies getting $5 billion or more in money from the Troubled Asset
Relief Program. Those with incomes more than $250,000 would see their
bonuses taxed at the 90 percent rate.

“We can’t have any concept of we’re getting even, but we must have a
concept that we’re trying to show that Congress … cannot tolerate that,”
said Charlie Rangel (D-NY), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee
on Wednesday.

Said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, “We must also protect the American
taxpayer from executives who would use their companies’ second chances as
opportunities for private gain. Because they could not use sound judgment
in the use of taxpayer funds, these AIG executives will pay the Treasury
in the form of this tax.”

It’s just sad. As Paul said it’s just a distraction. They are worrying about a minute amount of money which was unconstitutionally allocated and not earmarked. Then they go and pass this unconstitutional bill of attainer while they sit back and watch as the Federal Reserve System tosses billions of dollars around, debases the currency and further destroys the economy.