Incessant Bureaucratic (Cancerous) Growth
By Dana Ives
I will try to keep this article civil, but in light of the idiocy of our ruling bureaucratic class, believe me, it’s a herculean task.
A recent (October 18, 2023) speech given by Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) addressed a newly proposed rule that was issued by the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB). A draft of the rule was issued earlier this year seeking public comment. By the way, I highly doubt many people succeeded in wading through this rule’s 888 pages (!). Following the public comment period, the rule was placed before Congress for their approval, allowing it to become enforceable by regulators of the lending industry. Thankfully, the Senate declined to approve it. While the rule is officially called 12CFR Part 1002, in general discussions, it is referred to as 1071 based on the section of the Dodd-Frank Act the rule addresses.
The following is the CFPB’s partial summary of how the rule affects certain parties:
“In 2010, Congress passed the Dodd-Frank Act. Section 1071 of that Act amended ECOA (Equal Credit Opportunity Act) requires that financial institutions collect and report to the CFPB certain data regarding applications for credit for women-owned, minority-owned, and small businesses. Section 1071’s statutory purposes are to (1) facilitate enforcement of fair lending laws and (2) enable communities, governmental entities, and creditors to identify business and community development needs and opportunities of women-owned, minority-owned, and small businesses.”
In the past, lending institutions were required to ask certain reasonable questions on commercial loan applications. Questions such as debt load, bank references, credit history, the number of principal owners, and the like are typical. However, Rule 1071 now adds to those required questions such as:
- Are you a male?
- Are you a female?
- What is your race?
- Are you a Lesbian?
- Are you gay?
- Are you trans?
- Are you bi-sexual?
- Are you queer?
- Are you intersex? (whatever THAT means)
Looking over these questions, one can rationalize the necessity for financial information, debt servicing history, male, female, and race info. However, I would submit that those last three are too invasive. BUT questions about your sexuality? I find it laughable that one can rationalize the need for answers to those questions. I’m hazarding a guess here, but I assume that if you, as a small business owner, were applying for a business loan and those questions were posed to you on your application, your response would be “None of your damned business.”, correct? However, if the form needs to be fully completed to successfully apply for a small business loan, would you be quite adamant in your response? Would you worry that your loan application is going to be denied for refusing to answer those invasive questions? Would you worry that your small business is on a “no loan list?” Make no mistake; these rules will eventually trickle down into personal loans.
A rule like this drives any reasonable, critically thinking human (yes, I’m including myself in this category) absolutely bonkers. The idea that government agencies have the authority to delve into your personal life on the pretext of being “fair” is pure hogwash (I’m really struggling to be civil here). Generating rules and regulations that are arcane at best and byzantine at worst seems to have the intention of wearing down opposition. But this is the current state of our “leadership.” In order to level the “playing field,” “provide for equity,” and “embrace all citizens,” we are forced to deal with bureaucrats 1) that have political agendas, 2) that have personal missions, 3) that lack moral character, 4) that are, in summation, TYRANICAL. And this particular example of government overreach I cite above is one infinitesimal part of American bureaucracy. Yet, this single rule change to a law enacted 13 years ago consists of 888 pages of bureaucratic ishkibibble.
This rule is emblematic of the state of our Republic’s ruling bureaucracy. Complexity, compartmentalization, failure of intelligence, two-tier justice system, no accountability, increasing costs to the small business owner, foreign aid without audits and no consistency in our foreign policies are the current stance of our ruling class. Government policies catering to the military-industrial complex, the medical-industrial complex, and the “climate change-industrial complex” are KILLING this country and extinguishing the “lamp beside the golden door.”
You might think this rule only affects a small segment of the business sector. But in 2019, the Small Business Administration estimated that small businesses accounted for 44% of the US economic activity while employing 47.5% of US workers. If you add the effects of other rule-making Federal agencies, such as the CDC, the FDA, the FTC, the EPA, OSHA, and others imposing rules on Americans in general, the suppression of economic development, let alone the right to privacy, becomes pervasive.
And another thing…In August 2023, Breitbart News reported that the Biden administration requested $4B for “border security.” Of those funds, $800M was intended to fund new illegal alien “pathways” from Columbia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Ecuador into US communities. The request also included an ADDITIONAL $714M for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). However, the request asks permission to move funds around within ICE to pay for housing and legal advice for aliens to exploit loopholes in the immigration rules. The request asked for yet another $600M for FEMA to fund transport networks and more shelters. Yesterday (October 20, 2023), the Biden administration requested Congress to approve ANOTHER $14B to address “border security”. When reading the fine print, very little of the requested funds will be used to amend the border’s integrity. In fact, the money will be used to increase the bussing of illegal aliens into the heartland and to pay for social services for those illegals. As of today, the funds requested by the Biden administration just this year total $2.114B to assist illegal aliens into the US. This most recent request is buried within the administration’s overarching “national security” request (demand?) to fund aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Of course, the requests are couched as investments. “Never let a crisis go to waste.”
The Convention of States is the ONLY way we can rein in Federal overreach. Spread the word, Fellow Patriots. God help us all.
Honor JFK’s Legacy By Supporting COS
By Brian Harris
This November 22nd marks the 60th anniversary of the assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 35th President of the United States of America. To this day, the official government position regarding the killing of Kennedy is that a lone gunman felled him and that there was no conspiracy. If we are being honest, it is safe to say with confidence that the position of the Warren Commission should be relegated to the trash heap of history.
Rogue elements of our intelligence apparatus and the military-industrial complex eliminated President Kennedy. Lee Harvey Oswald was, as he claimed, a patsy. In this article, we will briefly explore these elements, how they came to be, and why we must do what is needed to dismantle these institutions through an avenue such as the Article V Convention of States.
The National Security Act of 1947, signed into law by President Truman, authorized the creation of the Central Intelligence Agency. The CIA was created to be an entity that coordinated intelligence gathered from other government agencies. It was limited to evaluation and dissemination. It was not intended to be involved in intelligence collection or clandestine operations.
On January 17, 1961, outgoing President Dwight D. Eisenhower delivered his farewell address to a national television audience. He issued a dire warning to all Americans, including the incoming President, John F. Kennedy.
“In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence by the military-industrial complex, whether sought or unsought. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.”
President Kennedy had been in office shy of ninety days when the Bay of Pigs operation blew up. Just as President Eisenhower had to do when the CIA’s U2 spy plane, piloted by Gary Powers, was shot down over Russia on May 1, 1960, Kennedy fell on his sword after a botched CIA operation. After this fiasco, President Kennedy set about to rein in the CIA. On June 28, 1961, he issued National Security Action Memoranda 55, 56, and 57. In NSAM 55, Kennedy identified the Joint Chiefs of Staff as his primary advisors for all things military AND paramilitary. He expected their advice to come to him “direct and unfiltered.” The Joint Chiefs were responsible for the intentions and activities of the CIA. In NSAM 57, Kennedy mandated that the CIA’s paramilitary (clandestine) operations be small, covert (secret), and deniable. Any operation not completely covert or requiring military assistance would be the responsibility of the Department of Defense. Clearly, President Kennedy was attempting to place the CIA into a position of subservience to the Department of Defense (DOD), and Joint Chiefs for anything other than small clandestine operations. This did not sit well with CIA higher-ups.
Kennedy wasn’t done dealing blows to the CIA. In November 1961, Allen Dulles was relieved of his post as the Director of Central Intelligence. During housecleaning, he also forced the resignations of Deputy Director General Charles Cabell in January 1962 and Deputy Director of Plans (clandestine ops) Richard Bissell shortly after that.
By the time of the Kennedy administration, the organization that Dulles built had taken on a life of its own, like a snowball rolling downhill. According to Fletcher Prouty, author of The Secret Team, Dulles’ plan from the beginning, as laid out in the 1949 report, The Central Intelligence Agency and National Organization for Intelligence, “was to place the CIA quietly within the structure of the entire US Government, ostensibly to obtain complete secrecy when necessary.” According to Prouty, this was how the Secret Team was born, and the Agency’s tentacles began to spread into all federal government reaches by the placement of Agency contacts with other departments.
Prouty outlines that “by 1955, the CIA had progressed from its assigned role as the “quiet intelligence arm of the President” to become the major operational center of power within the military and foreign policy infrastructure of the Government of the United States.” When Kennedy took office, the CIA had become a secret power manipulating events at home and abroad. After the Bay of Pigs fiasco, Kennedy reportedly vowed “to splinter the CIA into a thousand pieces and scatter it to the winds.” This part of the secret team had an axe to grind and a motive for murder.
During Kennedy’s administration, the US had around 16,000 military advisers serving in Vietnam and an unknown number of CIA and other personnel. JFK, RFK, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, and the administration inherited a growing problem in South Vietnam from Eisenhower and Nixon. Through 1965, the US paramilitary activities were under the operational control of the CIA. Prouty aptly points out that the CIA “is the opening probe, the agitator, or facilitator,” and on their heels comes the rest of the military-industrial complex. This scenario has played out time and time again over the years. Recent American history is littered with military adventurism, covert action, and meddling in the affairs of other nations.
In late September 1963, President Kennedy sent Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara and General Maxwell Taylor to Vietnam to provide “the best on-the-spot appraisal of the military and paramilitary effort to defeat the Viet Cong.” Based on their recommendations, President Kennedy issued National Security Action Memorandum 263 on October 11th, 1963, which called for the withdrawal of 1,000 US military personnel from Vietnam by the end of 1963 and for the bulk of US personnel to be withdrawn by the end of 1965 (occurring during a 2nd Kennedy term).
Walter Cronkite interviewed President Kennedy on September 2nd for CBS television. Cronkite asked the President about Vietnam, and his reply was interesting. Kennedy said, “I don’t think that unless a greater effort is made by the (South Vietnamese) Government to win popular support that the war can be won out there. In the final analysis, it is their war. They are the ones who have to win it or lose it.” Does this sound like the statement of a President who is gearing up for military escalation in Vietnam? In the nuclear age, wars were waged for dollars, not victory, and there was a lot of money to be made from putting combat troops into the field. Incidentally, the war in Vietnam would come to be known as the “helicopter war” for the famed Bell “Huey” airship that shuttled troops in and out of the jungles of Vietnam. There was money to be made in Southeast Asia, and the Secret Team would not let John Kennedy get in the way of their plans.
Did you know that former Nazi General Walter Dornberger became the Vice-President of Bell Corporation? His relocation to America, along with hundreds of other Nazi military and science personnel, was made possible as part of Operation Paperclip. Allen Dulles and fellow Warren Commission member John J. McCloy were instrumental in Operation Paperclip.
Within six weeks of issuing NSAM 263, Kennedy was dead. Lyndon Baines Johnson swiftly countermanded NSAM 263, and over the next twelve years, America would lose 58,000 of its finest while the military-industrial complex reaped untold profits.
The assassination operation that snuffed out President Kennedy is much more complex than what we have discussed here and is another story for another day. The main takeaway is that elements of permanent Washington had a hand in killing our President, and their heinous deed altered the course of American history. I would argue that we have been on a slow and steady descent into the abyss since November 22, 1963.
The course can only be corrected by us. Washington and the Secret Team won’t fix itself. There is too much money to be made by maintaining their status quo. An Article V convention is our last and best option to dismantle the deep state before it is truly too late. We can honor John F. Kennedy’s vision for America by standing up and standing firm for what we know needs to be done.
America, Resilient at Embracing Truth and Overcoming Challenges
By Jim MacDonald
America, where challenges and uncertainties loom, the United States finds itself at a crossroads, facing many trials. The prevalence of evil and misinformation has sometimes cast a shadow over the nation, making it imperative for Americans to seek the truth. But this seemingly daunting journey has room for hope, resilience, and progress.
Understanding the times is crucial, and it’s remarkable to acknowledge that while the average lifespan of a national constitution across world history is a mere seventeen years, America’s Constitution has stood firm for over an astonishing 236 years. It serves as a beacon of stability, fostering the values and principles upon which the nation was founded.
The Bill of Rights, a cherished part of the Constitution, was crafted with the intent of protecting the God-given rights of every American. These rights are the nation’s foundation, preserving individual freedoms and promoting justice.
Challenges abound when it comes to morality and truth. It’s disheartening to learn that three out of five Americans believe there is no moral absolute truth, and one in two Christians shares this sentiment. Yet, it is precisely in the face of adversity that the potential for change and growth emerges.
The fastest-growing forms of religion in America may be non-religion and anti-religion, but this need not be a sign of surrender. Instead, it can be viewed as an opportunity to engage in open, meaningful dialogue and foster an environment of patience and respect.
Where opinion often overshadows fact and truth, every American is responsible for seeking and upholding the truth. Pursuing truth demands effort, discernment, and intellectual honesty, and it requires us to stand firm in our convictions.
America’s history is one of resilience and reinvention. It broke free from the shackles of socialism in the 1600s, a remarkable achievement that stands as a testament to the nation’s unyielding spirit to overcoming challenges.
Believing a lie comes at a high cost and with consequences that cause harm to individuals and society. It is the duty of each citizen to engage in the relentless quest for truth, dismantling falsehoods with the power of knowledge and wisdom.
Defending the truth requires courage. It necessitates standing up against falsehoods and misconceptions, even when uncomfortable or challenging. But it is in these moments of bravery that change begins to take root.
To turn the culture around and promote a society based on truth, we must not only love the truth but actively seek it out and defend it. Truth must become the firm foundation upon which our society stands, guiding our actions and decisions.
The words of Dr. Benjamin Rush, a Founding Father and a pioneer in American education, resonate deeply in this environment. He believed that the purpose of public schools is to teach students to love and serve God, their country, and their families. The emphasis on placing “country before family” underscores the belief that a strong nation ultimately ensures the well-being of its citizens and their families.
Hence, the well-being of our family, intertwined with the American people’s choices and actions, we rise to the challenge. The path may be difficult and the road ahead uncertain, but it is precisely during such moments that the true strength and character of a nation and its people are revealed.
So, with staunch determination, let us stand united in our quest for truth and our commitment to the principles that define our great nation. America has faced challenges before and emerged stronger. There is every reason to believe that it will do so again as long as its people continue to embrace the truth, seek it out, and defend it with the courage and conviction that define the American spirit.
Reader’s Note: This article is Part 1 of a three-part series on the issue of the Executive and Judiciary branches of our Constitutional Republic acting in collusion with each other. Please follow up in subsequent monthly newsletters for Parts 2 and 3. Craig Wills
The Unholy Union of the American Judiciary and Executive Branches – Part 1
By Craig Wills
In their efforts to quell suspicion of government and the new constitution finalized by the Constitutional Convention in 1787, John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton wrote what we now know as the Federalist Papers. These 85 documents, originally written to the people of the State of New York but eventually circulating across all thirteen states, focused on the needs of the new nation and explained this newly created and experimental form of government of the people. Mankind had never experienced a Constitutional Republic anywhere in the world, and most colonists were leery of any form of central government due to their dreadful experience with King George III. They gained their freedom from England through years of horrible war and were not ready to relinquish their newfound liberty to another tyrant.
In Federalist 78, Alexander Hamilton walked through the genius plan of a federal government with separation of powers to counterbalance the risk of unprincipled and evil men taking the reins of power. He explained the new model of the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches of government, showing the intention of each having the ability to offset each other through checks and balances written into Articles I, II, and III. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on Hamilton’s words concerning the judicial branch. He wrote:
“Whoever attentively considers the different departments of power must perceive, that in a government in which they are separated from each other, the judiciary, from the nature of its functions, will always be the least dangerous to the political rights of the constitution; because it will be least in a capacity to annoy or injure them. The executive not only dispenses the honors, but holds the sword of the community. The legislature not only commands the purse, but prescribes the rules by which the duties and rights of every citizen are to be regulated. The judiciary on the contrary has no influence over either the sword or the purse, no direction either of the strength or of the wealth of the society, and can take no active resolution whatever. It may truly be said to have neither force nor will, but merely judgment; and must ultimately depend upon the aid of the executive arm even for the efficacy of its judgments.
This simple view of the matter suggests several important consequences. It proves incontestably that the judiciary is beyond comparison the weakest of the three departments of power; that it can never attack with success either of the other two; and that all possible care is requisite to enable it to defend itself against their attacks. It equally proves, that though individual oppression may now and then proceed from the courts of justice, the general liberty of the people can never be endangered from that quarter; I mean, so long as the judiciary remains truly distinct from both the legislative and executive. For I agree that “there is no liberty, if the power of judging be not separated from the legislative and executive powers.” And it proves, in the last place, that as liberty can have nothing to fear from the judiciary alone, but would have everything to fear from its union with either of the other departments…”1
It is clear our Founding Fathers never intended for our Constitutional Republic to have three equal branches of government. In effect, we have a Legislative branch with the most power because it is closest to the people and the Judiciary with the least power and under the behest of the Legislative and Executive branches. However, the last sentence in Hamilton’s quote above (in bold) presents a problem for us in 2023 (actually, this has been a problem for several years). Hamilton’s view of the Judiciary obviously was very different from what we experience today. In my opinion, the decisions coming out of the halls of justice, or should I say injustice, within our current judicial system should frighten Americans.
Next month: The Unholy Union of the American Judiciary and Executive Branches – Part 2
1 https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-04-02-0241
Cherishing the Blessings of Liberty and those Upholding our Values
By Jim MacDonald
The whole world is filled with turmoil and uncertainty, and getting lost in the storm of negativity and despair is easy. However, as we celebrate Thanksgiving Day this month, let us pause and reflect on the countless reasons we should be grateful. If history has taught us anything, we live in the greatest country ever created, and it is a blessing that we should never take for granted.
Our journey as a nation traces its roots back to the brave Pilgrims who embarked on the Mayflower. These early settlers, seeking religious freedom and a new beginning, made a profound declaration by dedicating the land to God through the Mayflower Compact. Their actions laid the foundation for the nation we know today, emphasizing the importance of faith and dedication to a higher purpose.
As the years passed, our Founding Fathers, inspired by a profound sense of purpose, repeatedly acknowledged the hand of God in the formation of the United States. They understood that their endeavors, grounded in the principles of liberty and self-governance, were a testament to the divine providence guiding their efforts.
Throughout history, our leaders and presidents have set aside days of Thanksgiving to acknowledge God’s benevolence. George Washington recognized the need to express gratitude and worship for the blessings bestowed upon this great nation. Countless other presidents followed his example, reminding us that a spirit of thanksgiving and reverence for our Creator has always been integral to our national identity.
As we celebrate Thanksgiving Day with our loved ones this month, let us extend our gratitude to all the patriots actively working with organizations like Convention of States and the Patriot Academy. These dedicated individuals, often unsung heroes, are tirelessly committed to the cause of preserving our liberties and the principles on which our nation was founded.
Also, remember our prayer warriors who continue to intercede on behalf of our great nation through their unwavering faith and dedication. Their commitment to sacrificing their time for the cause of liberty is a source of inspiration for us all.
In the face of the challenges and adversities that may permeate our nation today, it is crucial to maintain a positive attitude and firm commitment to our cause. We must remember that the struggle for liberty is ongoing, and it is only through the collective efforts of those who love their country that we hope to overcome our difficulties.
As we share our enthusiasm for the Convention of States and work tirelessly to educate others on the principles of Biblical Citizenship in Modern America, we can witness God’s hand clearly moving in our land. The principles of faith, freedom, and self-governance that have defined our nation’s history are still alive and well. With each passing day, we can make a difference and uphold the legacy of our forefathers.
I want to express my gratitude to those working industriously for the cause of liberty. Your dedication and passion are truly inspiring, and I am thankful for each of you. When we gather around our Thanksgiving tables, remember to thank God for life’s blessings and the freedoms and opportunities our great nation provides.
I pray that the God of the universe will continue to bless each of you in the coming months. May the principles of faith, freedom, and liberty guide us as we pursue God’s plans for His kingdom.
Tennessee on the Move...
Patriots from Ashland City, TN.
Patriots from Cleveland, TN.
Patriots from Hamilton County, TN.
Patriots from Hixson, TN.
Patriots from Maryville, TN.
Patriots from Sevierville, TN.
Patriots from Signal Mountain, TN.
Patriots from Tullahoma, TN.
Patriots from White House, TN.
Upcoming Meetings and Events
Ashland City, TN. Tuesday, November 14th, 2023, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Bethlehem Community Center,1506 SR-12 N. Ashland City, TN. 37015, Debbie MacDonald
Capitol Tour, Nashville, TN. Thursday, November 9th, 2023, at 10:15 CST. Meet in the Parking Lot, See Bob Patterson for details and RSVP (423) 779-2332
Jamestown, TN. Saturday, November 11th, 2023, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at Fentress County Courthouse, 101 N. Main St, Jamestown, TN. Larry Wilke
Loudon, TN. 1st Wednesday of every month at the Chota Rec Center 145 Awohili Dr., Loudon, TN 37774, Room D from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. - Call Terri Hult for more information: 865-304-6997
Murfreesboro, TN. Saturday, November 18th, 2023 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Unity Freewill Baptist 1901 Florence Rd. Murfreesboro TN. 37129 Richard and Linda Black
Powell, TN. Saturday, November 11th, 2023, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at Shoney’s on Emory Rd. Powell, or second Saturday of each month, Anne Martin and Dan Mobley
Sevierville, TN. Saturday, November 18th, 2023 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. King Family Library 408 High St. Sevierville, call Christine Solomon at 832-868-3674 for more information
Shelbyville, TN. Saturday, November 18th, 2023, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Shelbyville-Bedford County Library, 220 South Jefferson St., Shelbyville, TN 37160 Claire Root and Joyce Reed
BattleCry, Join Mark Meckler for the BattleCry every Sunday night at 8:00 p.m. EST on Facebook and Rumble.
For the most up to date schedule, go to the calendar on our Tennessee website: www.conventionofstates.com/tennessee
