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| Dr. David Marlett, Editor | March 28, 2002 | Vol. III - No. 7 | ||
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| Dr. David Marlett, Editor | March 28, 2002 | Vol. III - No. 7 | ||
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"(W)here are the (conservative) grassroots activists?. . . Do they know how to walk a precinct? How often do they write a letter to their elected representatives? Listening to Rush Limbaugh does not influence a single vote in Congress. Tuning in Dr. Laura does not register a single voter. Applauding Michael Reagan or Ollie North does not turn out any votes.
"If our grassroots had been as strong as they should have been, John Ashcroft would have been confirmed by a comfortable margin. If our grassroots activists were doing what they should have been, campaign reform advocates would still be biting their nails instead of celebrating. And Judge Pickering would be on the federal bench now." - Connie Marshner, Free Congress Foundation
Texas Straight Talk, Rep Ron Paul
April 15th is coming, and you're getting ready to file your tax return. Throughout the year you paid federal taxes through withholding, including Social Security payroll taxes. You also paid state income taxes, unless you're fortunate enough to live in Texas or another state without an income tax. You paid local property taxes. You paid local sales taxes every time you bought something, and you paid numerous miscellaneous taxes such as vehicle license fees and federal gas taxes. Like most people, you probably feel taxed to death by all these city, county, state, and federal taxes. Well, hold on to your wallets, because the United Nations now wants to impose a whole new level of global taxes on us.
The UN is meeting this week in Monterrey, Mexico to discuss exactly such a tax. The meeting is billed as a "Conference on Financing for Development," which is a nice way of saying it's a conference to consider the best ways to shake down rich nations for money. UN bureaucrats think rich nations like America ought to give more money to poor nations- a lot more- simply because we're rich. Never mind the billions of foreign aid tax dollars we send overseas every year; never mind the billions donated to overseas charities by Americans, the most charitable people on earth. The UN mindset blames the western world for poverty everywhere, assuming that our relative wealth must have come at the expense of the third world. The poor countries themselves are never deemed responsible for their own predicaments, despite their often corrupt governments, lack of property rights, and hostility toward wealth-producing capitalism. Somehow, it's always our fault. So the UN holds conferences to talk about how we should pay to make things right, and the idea of a UN tax naturally arises.
Understand that the UN views itself as the emerging global government, and like all governments, it needs money to operate. The goal, which the UN readily admits, is to impose a comprehensive set of global laws on all of us- laws that supersede sovereign national governments. To do this, the UN needs a global military, a global police force, international courts, offices around the globe, and plenty of highly-paid international bureaucrats. All of this costs money.
Rest assured that the UN is absolutely serious about imposing a global tax. In fact, it has been discussing a global currency tax for years. The "Tobin tax," named after the Yale professor who proposed it, would be imposed on all worldwide currency transactions. Such a tax could prove quite lucrative for the UN, given the vast amount of currency that trades hands at certain times. It also might be a politically acceptable starting point, because most average people do not engage in cross-border currency transactions. A dangerous precedent would be set, however: the idea that the UN possesses legitimate taxing authority to fund its operations.
The Tobin tax is not the only idea being considered. Some have suggested taxing all airline travel or carbon emissions. The ultimate goal is an income tax, which will be imposed after we've all swallowed the concept of UN taxing authority.
The Bush administration thus far has been firmly opposed to any global UN taxes, and the State department has officially voiced our opposition. We should all be very thankful for that, because another administration might not have had the same response. It would be a mistake, however, to think the UN tax idea will go away. Some usually sensible nations like Britain and Germany support the concept, and the drumbeat for global government in general has been growing louder since September 11th. Hopefully, this latest bogus UN conference will make more Americans aware of exactly what the organization really intends, which is the imposition of worldwide income taxes. We need to focus the nation on how truly anti-American the UN is, to generate public support for a complete U.S. withdrawal from the organization. The history of the past 50 years clearly shows that our national sovereignty is incompatible with participation in the UN.
Several years ago, New Jersey Senator Bob Torricelli said "It wouldn't be honest to say I've played by life's normal rules."
You probably know Torricelli has been dogged by allegations of impropriety for several years now . . . . but did you know he allegedly took improper "gifts" of custom made Italian suits, Tiffany cuff links and even a home entertainment center from his "friend" (and convicted felon) David Chang?
Visit www.TorricelliDuck.com to watch Torricelli duck question after question. Doesn't New Jersey deserve a Senator who plays fair?
When Bill Clinton was in office, he rammed an expensive tax hike on Social Security benefits through Congress. Thanks to Bill Clinton, 85% of your Social Security benefits can be taxed! This tax hike has sucked more than $7 billion a year out of taxpayers' pockets and put it into the hands of politicians in Washington, D.C.
There's a good chance we can now repeal this outrageous tax and return the $7 billion dollars to the American people. Each year support builds and we get a step closer to repealing this tax on Social Security benefits. One year, repeal even passed the U.S. House. However, Bill Clinton only killed it in the U.S. Senate by threatening to veto it.
The pro-government fanatics say this Clinton tax hike only takes "from the rich." Well, did you know that earning $25,000 a year means you're rich? This tax kicks in when you start making $25,000. Each year inflation and bracket creep means more and more people living on a fixed Social Security income get hit with this tax. For years you've paid income taxes, sales taxes, gas taxes, property taxes and all other sorts of taxes, fees, and licenses.
Bill Clinton has left Washington. There's a new president in the White House and we now have the best chance we've ever had to end this outrageous tax on your Social Security benefits. H.R. 122 would repeal this tax. It has over 118 cosponsors. Take action today to keep the support for H.R. 122 growing.
Go to http://capwiz.com/liberty/issues/bills/?bill=121284 to urge your U.S. representative to cosponsor H.R. 122.
Kent Snyder
The Liberty Committee
http://www.thelibertycommittee.org
Beginning in 1690, The New England Primer was introduced to the Boston Public Schools. This small book taught first graders the alphabet and grammar, including moral and religious values. The popularity of the book grew to such an extent that by 1900 the book was referred to as the second most influential book in America. The New England Primer was used in American public schools for over 200 years. Young first graders learned the ABC's by referring to Bible characters or biblical passages.
In order to learn the letter "A", first graders were taught to say the following rhyme: "In Adam's fall, we sinned all." From A to Z, the students were taught biblical doctrine. Obviously, the framers of the First Amendment did not believe The New England Primer violated the First Amendment. Indeed, religious education was freely taught in American public schools. I encourage you to read this little book, because it presents a stark contrast between then and now. There is no way that I can tell you in a short time the jewels contained in The New England Primer.
Religious Curriculum in Schools
For over 200 years, almost every first grader in American public schools was taught using The New England Primer. This instruction continued through the early 1900's. Can you believe that in the public schools for 200 years students were asked questions such as, "Who was the first man?" The answer according to The New England Primer was, of course, "Adam." The series of questions continues on by asking who was the first woman, who was the first murderer, and who was the first martyr.
Students were also asked about Jesus and salvation. When you read The New England Primer, you will be astounded at the fact that the book can pass for a Sunday School textbook. I guarantee that most of the adults in your Sunday School class will not know all the answers. This little book was mandatory in the public schools. The introduction to the 1900 edition stated that The New England Primer shaped American public school students and reflected the era in which America stood for freedom. I encourage you to read this little book. It is one of the best little books to have in your library.
The Lord's Prayer
In the 1960's, the United States Supreme Court ruled that public schools may not recite the Lord's Prayer over the intercom. Contrast the 1960's with The New England Primer that was used in American schools from the 1600's to the early 1900's. Can you believe that first graders were taught the Lord's Prayer for 200 years in American public schools? First graders were required to learn the Lord's Prayer. Since The New England Primer was taught in public schools during the 1700's at the time the First Amendment was drafted, it is inconceivable that teaching religion in public schools was deemed to be an establishment of religion.
The founders who drafted the First Amendment obviously did not believe that religious education in the public schools established a religion. The New England Primer is a powerful little book that shaped American education for over 200 years. You may be brought to tears when you read the book and contrast our education then with the present. This little book is a must read for anyone concerned with religious liberty and family values.
A Dialogue Between a Student, Christ and the Devil Taught in Public Schools
What do you think would happen today if a public school teacher taught first graders by having the class act out a dialogue between a student, Christ and the devil? I'm sure the ACLU would rant and rave and shout "separation of church and state." However, for 200 years in American public schools, The New England Primer was taught to first graders.
This little book contains a dialogue between a student, Christ and the devil. The student dialogues with the devil, who encourages the student to be disobedient and to follow pursuits of pleasure. The student gives in, but then has a dialogue with Christ. Regaining some sense for a little while, the devil begins dialoguing with the student to steer the young person astray. The student starts agreeing with the devil, but then Christ steps back in and continues the dialogue. All through this discussion, the student is taught basic Christian doctrine and morality.
You will be astounded and amazed at this little dialogue. To learn how you can obtain a copy of this powerful little book, call Liberty Counsel at 1-800-671-1776. Ask for The New England Primer. I guarantee you will be amazed.
http://www.lc.org/radiotv/fc0202.html#21
Order The New England Primer online:
https://www.lc.org/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/Store/p-NEP.html?L%2Bscstore%2Btfjj1831ff0edd0e%2B1014327474
Liberty Counsel
www.LC.org
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