Topic: Libertarianism
Good Plan, Wrong Target, Poor Timing The Granny Warriors seek support for their April 15 rally. I can't give it to themby rtbohan
(Libertarian)
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
The Granny Warriors are seeking support for the anti-IRS rally they have planned for April 15. If you wish to express support for this rally, or to participate, you should contact them at (http://grannywarriors.com).
I wish them success in their demonstration, and I appreciate the effort they have made in organizing it. As the title of this column suggests, I have serious reservations about the rally,both in its pupose and in its possible effect on the broader libertarian goals of the Ron Paul movement.
It is easy to get people to complain about the IRS, and a rally against it may appeal to many libertarians. The anti-war rally in Washinton on the fifth anniversary of the Iraq War specifically attempted to blockade the IRS building. (The war protestors in San Francisco chose the Federal Reserve, which seems to me a more relevant target.)
But the IRS is just the collection agency of the Federal government. Whatever complaints we may have against the tactics of the Bureau, they do not write the checks (The Treasury does), they do not loan the money to the government (the Fed does), and they do not set government policy or tax rates (The Congress does). A rally against the IRS simply signifies a dislike of paying taxes rather than opposition to the constitutionally questionable acts of the government.
People have become supporters of libertarianism and of the Paul campaign for a variety of reasons. Some have become supporters because of opposition to the erosion of our civil liberties, a reason which might lead them to be members of the ACLU, as some undoubtedly are. Some are supporters because of Representative Paul's consistent record of opposition to the war. Some have become members because they believe that the federal system of government is being eroded by the expansion of powers in the national government. Some have become members because they support Representative Paul's position that the income tax is unconstitutional. The Paul movement is larger and more diverse than can be represented by a protest against the IRS alone.
I am opposed to the income tax because I view its demise as either a result or a cause of a smaller, less intrusive government. Since my retirement, by the way, I probably pay less tax on my income than I would pay under the 24% sales tax on everything, with which conservatives want to replace it. So while I support Representative Paul on this question, it is not the most salient issue for me.
The Granny Warriors, as part of their appeal for support, stress that they have all of the necessary permits and site locations for their demonstration and have already lined up speakers and entertainment.They note that the Ron Paul march is rather slow in getting organized. This is a valid point, but the latest news is that the permits have been granted for the demonstration, although the date has not yet been secured. (http://revolutionmarch.com) The better preparation for the April 15 March shows the effort the Granny Warriors have put into it, and the short notice given for the Ron Paul march. But I now believe that the latter march will occur, and I think that it is important to show not only the size but the diversity of libertarians. For those who have been brought into the Ron Paul movement primarily by his position on the income tax, and for those who can afford the time and the money to go to two demonstrations in the next few months, I recommend the Freedom Day March. But I feel that the Ron Paul march is far more important to the movement and to the nation, so I recommend that, forced to make a choice, Ron Paul supporters and libertarians in general opt for the June 21? march.
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2008 rtbohan, all rights reserved.
Published: Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Last modified: Wednesday, March 26, 2008
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I fear that the April 15th event is going to be poorly planned, poorly attended, poorly executed and poorly reported.
The Granny Warriors have their use... but they jump the gun sometimes and divert energy and momentum away from more useful efforts. For example, it was the GW's that pushed heavily for the NH ballot recount even when Paul was openly stating that he didn't think it was necessary.
June 21st was our best option for a march on DC. It shouldn't have been limited to a single issue as it has been done by staging an anti-IRS protest.
Then again, it doesn't look like anyone else is making any substantive plans for any alternate dates... the two main march websites have all but closed down.... so maybe this is better than nothing.
The Ron Paul March website seems to have pretty well closed down after they announced they were working with Revolution March.com. The latter is pretty uncommunicative, but they announced this week that they have all the necessary permits. They applied for several dates, with June 21 listed as preferred date, but have not secured a date yet. Something may still come of this. I hope so.
Posted By: Linda Hunnicutt
Date: 2008-03-27 08:26:43
This article is one that shows why we as a nation are in the situation we are in now. No unity, there are always those who think they know everything yet have no real solutions. First this Rally is not totally a Tax Revolt, that is not our venue if you had read the articles about the Rally you would understand that our position is that this project is aimed at uniting many different sects of opposition. We need as a nation to unite and work together which is something the writer of the article evidently does not believe in. The old adage of "DIVIDE AND CONQUER" is being used here as well as in other articles by this man or woman?
Hopefully true patriots will see the futile efforts to destroy the movement by these people who evidently have another agenda. Personally I could care less if he does not attend as he would most likely be one of the ones that would cause a disturbance in order to bring attention to himself and the ire of the police on us.
Tax Day April 15th is the best day, it has a impact on everyone, we have planned this for months, and the preparations are done and in place, we have over 13,000 people saying they will be there. The speakers are great and have all confirmed their attendance and have secured their travel tickets and rooms at their expense so that means they evidently feel the Rally is worth while and meaningful. We do have permits.
I am not trying to discourage anyone from going to a march in June, just the opposite I will certainly be part of it if it occurs. That is the problem...IF.. Who is organizing this? How long have they been doing it? Who are their speakers? have they confirmed who will be there? Have they taken into consideration the routes of the march? Do they have the funding to pay for the extra security which they are responsible for? Do they have clean up crews lined up? How about the sanitation problems? There are many areas that have to be addressed.
Please before any of you take someones word that this is a bad idea think about it. Who is this person, why should you listen to his opinion? What has he done that you know about to promote Dr. Paul or his message? Do you even know who this writer is? What credentials do they have to make their opinion one which should be listened to? Are you even sure this person is a Supporter? Does he work for the other side?
You all know who the Grannys are. We have been out in the public for several years now, we have taken hits from the opposition and like the Bunny just keep on going. We are dedicated to this country, to Dr Paul and most of all to his message.
I am encouraging you to think for yourself, make that extra effort to get to DC on the 15th and enjoy the company of many others who have the same beliefs and are working to make this country a better place for all of us.
Congress and the Senate will be in session on the 15th which means the politicians will be able to see the huge mass of people who are telling them to shape up or they will be replaced. That is the point.
Linda Hunnicutt ( 828-683-2009) And no I am not afraid to show my name or contact information. This is still a free country at least for a while yet. Lets all work to make it really free. REMEMBER THE MESSAGE.
Posted By: Linda Hunnicutt
Date: 2008-03-27 08:33:07
I had a old age moment and forgot to give you all the url of the Real April 15th Freedom Rally. go to: [link edited for length] for all the straight information.
Boy did you miss the mark! Where did you read anything that the Freedom Rally was all about taxes? That is just one tiny part of the LIST! What about National ID? NAIS? NAFTA? CAFTA? Did you know that RCalf and the No NAIS people are involved with this Rally? They have very little to do with taxes. April 15 is IDEAL! It is NOW, which is what is needed. BEFORE all the caucauses are done, if you are a Ron Paul person then do you not want to turn the table in the few states that are left? After all everyone thinks he's quit or quitting! My state is in June and you bet I want the tables turned in my state!
I support fully April 15, because it is already ORGANIZED! Guest line up, all the crews needed, and they already have the PERMIT IN HAND! There is no IF's, When's or But's about this Rally. And its spreading like wild fire... every newspaper, TV station and Radio station is hearing that this event is happening by many informants and the Rally is mentioned now on several online radio stations. RPRRadio was just recently and you can find it in the Archives for March 26.
Though NOTHING is setup for anything afterwards that including the so hoped for June 21st day, but you bet your buttons that everyone attending the 15th Rally would be attending any other Rally's planned in the future! But lets not miss the boat! Because you don't know if the June boat is even floating!
PS I sat on RevolutionMarch and RonPaulMarch for WEEKS waiting for movement. Nothing has changed there.. the date should have been settled long ago, permits applied for and done, crews lined up. Now I see RevolutionMarch is making an attempt in one of their forums... now.
When I received word that Granny Warriors Got it done and done now, I joined up with them immediately. I am not waiting and sitting around any longer, I WANT ACTION AND I WANT IT NOW! How much time do you really think we have left for action?? I want my voice heard now, I have already been waiting for a long long time for something like this. NAIS is supposed to be volunteer, they are already forcing it in many states and they better not ever come knocking on my door because someone like you said "don't bother and wait".
Personally, I am tired of all the "know-it-alls" that submit columns with all the "answers".
1). This is not just a "anti - IRS" rally. Had the writer, read any of Granny's Newsletters, press releases or visited the websites he would know that. (www.grannywariors.com, www.freedomrally.info).
2). April 15, 2008 is a weekday and congress will be in session. Congress will be there to receive the "Restore the Constitution" petition, which will be delivered by hand and to hear and see the throngs of people united in the cause of freedom.
3). The permits for the Freedom Rally have be obtained and all of the guest speakers have confirmed their participation.
I have gone to both sites for the June 21st march. They still have not obtained the permits. They were given a "permit number", but don't have it in their possession yet and no speakers or performers have confirmed their presence.
4). Granny is a reputable person and has shown her resolve and determination time and time again to get things done. No grass grows under this woman's feet. Let's look at New Hampshire, who took the initiative and followed through with having that recount done? Granny.
Who is organizing this weekend (congress isn't in session) march in June? What do we Know about them?
I would hope, in the future, that the author would read all the available information about an event before he/she posts an column regarding it.
Posted By: Linda Hunnicutt
Date: 2008-03-27 19:06:51
"The latter is pretty uncommunicative, but they announced this week that they have all the necessary permits. They applied for several dates, with June 21 listed as preferred date, but have not secured a date yet. "
Perhaps you can tell me how anyone got a permit without a date???? that is the purpose of the permit to allow you to do whatever on a certain date. Please elaborate on this.
Apparently I overestimated the time you are spending working on the march, since you have all this time to devote to me.
lol....
I've been quiet on the NolanChart front for a couple weeks as it's frustrating as an avid Ron Paul supporter to see what has happened to his movement.
I just spent a little time going to Ron Paul Forums.com and Daily Paul and saw zero mention of any March on the front page of each site.
What does that tell you/us?
What it tells me is that this whole "movement" has been about a leader (Ron Paul) and nothing has been the same with the rEVOLution since that leader decided to concentrate on his House seat which we are all glad he won.
From that point forward, it's been chaos and "the March" is just a victim of no leader. It's not that one group is right or another is wrong. Is the game "Follow the Leader" played with all the children running around in all different directions? No! Get my drift?
And I don't claim to know anything more than anyone else....I'm just stating an "opinion."
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2008 rtbohan, all rights reserved.