Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2001 19:28:04 -0700 From: alan@bloomfieldpress.com (Alan Korwin) Subject: Nice Boost From Ron Paul To: alan@bloomfieldpress.com (Alan Korwin) Reply-To: alan@bloomfieldpress.com
Congressman Ron Paul has a vision!
I had a seat at the packed house when Ron Paul spoke recently in Scottsdale, Arizona, and my notes are below -- you're in for a good time!
Alan.
Before I begin, two more quick new items about the gun show bill -- the travesty that just won't quit.
WARANTLESS SEARCHES APPROVED WARANTLESS SEARCHES APPROVED
A writer in Pennsylvania (Kim Stolfer of Allegheny County Sportsmen's League, Inc.) pointed out a small cross-reference in the back of the bill; I checked it out and he's right -- in order to run a gun show anywhere in America, the show organizer must agree to submit to no-warrant searches by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, under the McCain-Lieberman bill.
ATF can stop by unannounced and search annually to make sure you're following their record-keeping rules. If you resist, armed agents can arrest you. Isn't that supposed to be illegal?
[Citations: S. 890, SEC. 105. INSPECTION AUTHORITY. Section 923(g)(1)(B), of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking 'or licensed dealer' and inserting 'licensed dealer, or special firearms event operator'. The statute they're referring to currently reads: 18 USC 923. Licensing. (g)(1)(B) The Secretary may inspect or examine the invenory and records of a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer without such reasonable cause or warrant -- (ii) for ensuring compliance with the record keeping requirements of this chapter]
RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE DENIED RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE DENIED
One of the strict limits The First Amendment places on the federal government is this: "Congress shall make no law restricting... the right of the people peaceably to assemble..." The McCain-Lieberman bill is supposed to be dealing with background checks. But it criminalizes anyone who would "plan, promote, or operate" a gun show without prior federal approval (Sec. 931(a)).
A gun show is clearly made up of people peaceably assembling, so this proposal would normally be prohibited by the Bill of Rights on those grounds alone. Doesn't the Bill of Rights still place restrictions on Congress?
So which is worse: Senators McCain and Lieberman (and "bipartisan" co-sponsors like Schumer and McCarthy) don't know what's in their bill, or they've known all along nd didn't say? (For the original article and follow-up analysis click here -- http://www.gunlaws.com/newstuff.htm.
AND ON A TANGENT: Don't miss the outrageous social commentary from my new political parody band -- The Cartridge Family -- at the Arizona Republican Assembly Banquet, Saturday evening, June 23. For info and reservations call 1-800-603-0750. Long live The Little Armed Lady From Pasadena!
The recent Arizona appearance by Congressman Ron Paul, sponsored by The Arizona Breakfast Club, attracted a packed house at the Scottsdale Civic Center Library Auditorium. Paul may be controversial, but seems quite intelligent. Here are some of his core remarks, as I noted during the speech. To reach the event's sponsors, email damcelroy@juno.com. Alan.
REMARKS BY CONGRESSMAN RON PAUL REMARKS BY CONGRESSMAN RON PAUL REMARKS BY CONGRESSMAN RON PAUL
Summarized by Alan Korwin Author, Gun Laws of America http://www.gunlaws.com
Ron Paul is probably the most outspoken constitutionalist in Congress today. These remarks are pretty much in chronological order from my handwritten notes. I did my best to capture the essence of his most telling comments. Do not take these as quotes, which they are not, nor as a complete review of his speech. It simply represents my impressions of the parts that seemed most noteworthy to me at the time.
His colleagues admire his honesty but believe they can't get re-elected if they speak honestly, as he does.
Congressional visitors don't come for freedom, they come for influence, contracts and handouts.
We're voting for Santa Claus.
The surplus mentality puts us in great danger since the surplus may not materialize. It is also an indicator that we are way overtaxed.
The Drug Enforcement Agency is an excuse to attack our liberties, to protect the children.
We spend a lot of time enforcing so-called laws.
Today there is very little thought of the Constitution in Congress.
As recently as the 1950s, Congress would not ac without considering the constitutionality of its actions. The Eisenhower administration didn't just build a national highway system because they thought it was a good idea, they relied upon their constitutional power to defend the nation, to build a system with at least a veneer of delegated authority. (It's interesting to note that John Shadegg's proposal, to require every new bill to identify where in the Constitution it draws its authority, is defeated repeatedly by the very people sworn to uphold the Constitution.)
Membership in the United Nations is unconstitutional.
In Congress, money is fungible.
Paul met with the new director of the DEA recently. He asked the man where the authority for his DEA job was to be found in the Constitution. The director paused for a long while. No one's ever asked me that, he replied. I suppose it's from the same place where we regulate prostitution. (I'm not making this up.)
President Bush is dictating to Congress how to comply with UN funding demands. There is no separation of powers.
A system that taxes painlessly is bad -- if people knew how much they're paying, like by eliminating payroll withholdings -- they might rebel sooner.
The Bricker Amendment -- you cannot change the U.S. Constitution or laws by international treaty.
He found out why he's not been allowed on any international committees. It's because they know he'd vote against foreign aid.
The government run school is probably our greatest threat.
Calling for federal enforcement of gun laws is a risky business. Most of the laws violate the Second Amendment. Violent criminals should be dealt with on a state level, where police power is supposed to reside. (The federal government has no constitutional police power.)
The FBI should be limited to collecting information, as it was initially intended.
He's in favor of prohibiting the FBI from coming into a state to take over an investigation without an invitation from the state.
The market can protect the environment better han the EPA. Private property is the best way to protect the environment and land.
The real tragedy is in giving up on the idea that freedom works. Thinking and acting as if only government can save us is what dooms us.
What is the one goal of government? Most people have forgotten or don't know. It is to preserve freedom. Freedom releases our creativity and deters our enemies.
In contrast to a belief and trust in freedom, those in charge now believe in one world government, a federal reserve that should be abolished, taxes and spending your money.
We need more restraint on government.
We must never go to war without an act of Congress.
We must never go to war on UN authorization.
One of his goals is to make the idea of freedom palatable to the public.
How does he deal with the constant onslaught of inequities he faces daily? Tomorrow may bring pleasant surprises. Only by meeting people back home does he maintain his equilibrium.
We need more people who believe in the Constitution.
Pragmatism is a belief system unto itself (said pejoratively).
Congress neglects its responsibility to limit illegal executive orders.
Short of personal actions during warfare, there's no way to make treason charges stick against the worst offenders against constitutional order.
He's against overseas tariffs. Tariffs are taxes on you to stop you from buying cheap goods.
Government has a right to protect our borders.
He's against fast track authority, because it's an illegal transfer of power from the Congress to the President. International trade is and should be the responsibility of Congress.
He supports the Liberty Amendment (q.v.).
We won't change government incrementally, but there may be a crisis where America will make the right decision, if enough people have become convinced that freedom works and government should be limited.
There's a consensus to let government keep marching on.
He's against the numerous acts that confer police powers on the federal government, where they clearly do not belong -- the EPA, the DEA, the Endangered Species Act, intimidation by radical environmentalists.
If you don't vote for foreign aid you're anti-Semitic.
There is no surplus if you consider all -- not just some -- of our debts.
Produced by: Alan Korwin, Author Gun Laws of America Bloomfield Press 4718 E. Cactus #440 Phoenix, AZ 85032 602-996-4020 602-494-0679 fax alan@gunlaws.com
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If you knew all your rights you might demand them. If you knew all your rights you might demand them. If you knew all your rights you might demand them.
See "Licensed to Carry" -- the guide to permits in the 31 "shall issue" states.
Also, The Traveler's Guide to the Gun Laws of the 50 States.
And, "In The Gravest Extreme" The classic and great read on armed self defense.