Bill Moyers, Resolutions, and the March Primary Elections

We had an energetic conference call on Saturday. The meeting notes are below. Thanks to Michael Greenman from Columbus for preparing them.

BILL MOYERS

Bill Moyers supports Move to Amend. http://vimeo.com/35388815
Forward the link, share on social media, etc...

RESOLUTIONS

Several communities are looking into passing resolutions calling for an end to corporate personhood and/or money as speech — beginning with Athens. Draft language of the Athens resolution (as of a couple of weeks ago) is posted on our Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/MovetoAmendOhio

The prototype Move to Amend resolution language (their proposed 28th Amendment) is at
http://movetoamend.org/amendment

Contact 330-928-2301 or gcoleridge@afsc.org if you’d like some guidance or help.

MARCH PRIMARY ELECTIONS

The March primary elections are just a few short weeks away. One US Senate seat and all US House seats are up for grabs. It’s a great time to raise the issues of money as speech and never-intended corporate constitutional rights. Here are 4 ideas
1. Circulate the Move to Amend petition outside or inside debates, forums, meetings or anywhere else candidates will be attending. Download a petition at http://www.movetoamendohio.org/
2. Hand out a Move to Amend flier with the proposed 28th Amendment at the abovementioned events. Several fliers are available on their website -- the best one is a 1/2 page version with the proposed 28th amendment on one side with Move to Amend info on the other side.
3. Dress up as a corporation. Ask candidates if you should possess inalienable Bill of Rights protections. If outside where a Presidential candidate will be attending, hold a sign saying “I’m a person and am willing to be your Vice President!” Direction on constructing a corporate costume is at http://movetoamend.org/occupythecourts under “Instructions to Make a Corporate Personhood Costume,”
4. Request your candidates for federal office complete a survey asking if they agree with Mitt Romney that corporations are “persons” and should possess constitutional rights. The survey is at http://www.afsc.net/PDFFiles/CorpPersonhoodSurvey.doc [Note: Make sure to fill in the candidate’s name before handing or sending it to him/her.]

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Move to Amend Ohio Conference Call
Saturday, January 28 / 10 am - 11 am

Attendance: Dick Bozian (Cincinnati); Greg Coleridge (Cleveland); Michael Greenman (Central Ohio); Karen Hansen (Central Ohio); Doug Jambard-Sweet (Toledo); Mary Nichols-Rhodes (Akron); Carol Wagner (Akron); Robert and Sally Jo Wiley (Athens).
Agenda:
* Occupy the Courts reports / other local reports

-Columbus/Athens – (Michael and Karen) Friday 20 Jan – bitter cold – 120-125 people – lots of signs, great talks – Occupy Columbus – Athens (Democracy over Corporations) group – from several other locations – Met afterwards at Progress Ohio for Potluck. One politician plus three other candidates. Sally Jo – 15th Congressional district candidate was busy, told him his opponent was there!
-Dick – (Cincinnati) – very cold – two state representatives there, Occupy, League of Women Voters, AIR, Common Cause of Ohio; Interfaith Alliance. Very active group – building a coalition of all of them
-Doug (Toledo) – linked to MTA a couple of weeks ago. About 20 people at Federal Courthouse. Traffic responded.
-Greg (Cleveland) – 60-70 people in front of Courthouse, marched. 3 dressed as “corporations”. 1%ers had megaphones – showing that their voices were disproportionately loud. People in tunics: “End Corporate Personhood” on front. Money taped over their mouths showing their voices are silenced. AP was there and got pictures in national media.
-Carol (Akron) – 15-20 people. Spoke out slogans. “Money is not Speech”; “End Corporate Personhood”; coverage in local papers.

* Municipal resolutions

There are already a dozen or so around the country with various wordings.
-Athens – Sally Jo – Their proposal is before Athens City Council. It was discussed last week. On Feb 6 they will take a vote. Two women asked for language to be stronger: asking state and federal government to get on board! Will be first in Ohio.
Next going for County Commissioners – stretching into Vinton and Morgan Counties, trying to get groups going there.
One of our members ran and is on City Council, so very helpful.
(Greg will post language on Facebook and Web Site)
Columbus (Michael, Karen) – one of members is friend of City Council Chair – talking to him. Michael sent letter to Mayor suggesting Columbus could be first in state. No response.
-Toledo (Doug)– contact with liberal City Council Member. Indicated would like to get more popular support to bring resolution to city council. Suggested getting letters of support from civic groups. Going to Democratic Clubs to present the information. Not as widely publicized as in other communities.
-Cincinnati – (Dick) - Parallel initiative. At state level putting in petition for reform of redistricting.
-Cleveland – (Cuyahoga) (Greg) – City Council spoke at OTC so local MTA meeting on Tuesday will strategize how to approach City Council.
Greg – Suggestions: Take the time and figure out ways to maximize education and media attention. Worst is to have something passed quickly that no one knows about. What can we do to have a public hearing or a town hall meeting prior to that; a rally, a vigil, write letters before hand to get visibility?
-Sally Jo – talking about ours in city council for a month. Best approach is to write letters to the editor – once a week. Athens Messenger, Athens News – letters to the Editor. Encouraging “Mardi Gras” celebration on Monday.
-Carol – Plans for Akron City Council? Greg: Akron may not work, but County Council might be a good approach. Mary – Summit County Council – let’s pursue.
Greg encourages to post on Facebook Page: “Move to Amend Ohio”. Send to Jeff Klein at Toledo who does the web site: Jeff.warrenproffitt@gmail.com

* Proposal for MTA workshop at Ohio Rootscamp

-Karen – annual event – nationwide – every community puts together day-long meeting of grass-roots organizations. Come in morning, sign up for slot you’d like to make your presentation. Have one hour to make presentation and discussion. Hundreds show up. Very successful. About 8 tracks, each having 5 or 6 workshops.
Saturday, February 25 at Ohio Civil Service Employees Association, 390 Worthington Rd., Suite A.
– Michael and Karen– will discuss with Columbus group this morning.
Sally – friend who is banker could talk about problems. Also talk about resolution.
Karen will be point person – others contact her to link in. to be a part of the session: Klh.ohio@gmail.com 280-3631

* Ohio State Constitutional Panel formation

Greg - Columbus Dispatch described fact that every 20 years in Ohio there is to be consideration of a constitutional convention. State is looking at opportunity – doesn’t like the idea. Setting up commission – 12 legislators + 20 citizens from around the state to review the constitution and make recommendations to modernize, reform it. Anyone can submit their information to participate.
Opportunity to remove some of the powers of corporations?
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2011/12/29/state-constitutional-panel-is-forming.html
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=129_HB_188
Deadline is February 1! Get your information in if interested.
Good opportunity!

* Website/Facebook

Any reports, put them on Facebook.
Michael – Encourage people to “Friend” the site, and to add more local pages.
Web site manager Jeff Klein – contact to put items on the site: Jeff.warrenproffitt@gmail.com

* National MTA report
Karen – when make Ohio a formal state group? Greg – need to have affiliation by cities representing more than 50% of population. With 3 “C”s as affiliates, we would have enough. Columbus is an affiliate, Cleveland and Cincinnati are not yet. Go to MTA web site to download application process.
“United for the People” – coalition of groups supporting effort to get amendment. Number of different efforts – all deal with different aspects. http://united4thepeople.org/
Sign as many petitions as you can to get attention to this issue.
-Availability of names on petitions to affiliates? Greg says has availability to people who signed papers petitions and not to those who signed on line. Greg will check on availability.

*Upcoming Primaries in Ohio
-March 6 in Ohio
- Michael – Will make a card based on the letter sent to Ohio Congressional delegation to take to meetings asking candidates if they believe corporations are persons, yes or no, if no, what they will do about it.
-Dress up as a corporation with sign as “potential vice presidential candidate”. Multiple corps, saying “pick me” (at Presidential forums). With money hanging out of pockets.
-Hand out MTA flyers
-Half page sheet with amendment on back, simple statement on front (Greg will send out).
-Poster and bumper sticker available from MTA.
-Greg will send out letter to all congressional delegation – Take it to debates or meetings, get candidates to sign.
-Mary – Each in our area get team of people with corporate costume so when find out someone is in the area, get crash team to go to the event.
-Greg – MTA web site has instructions on how to make Corporate costume.

* Next meeting/facilitator

- February 18 – 4:00 – Karen Facilitate; Dick will take notes.

MONETARY HISTORY CALENDAR - January 30 - February 5

JANUARY 30

1835 — ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AGAINST US PRESIDENT ANDREW JACKSON
Three years earlier, Jackson called for an end to the Second National Bank of the United States by calling on Congress not to renew its charter. He vetoed a bill to renew the bank’s charter, saying the bank was guilty of fraud, corruption, controlling the money supply (expanding and contracting the supply of money to economically and politically benefit the bank) and because “beyond question...this great and powerful institution had been actively engaged in attempting to influence the elections of the public officers by means of its money.” Jackson ordered the US government to move its money out of the Second Bank. In response, the bank called in all its loans and ceased issuing new loans. An economic panic followed. In 1835, Richard Lawrence fired 2 guns at Jackson but both misfired. He claimed his assassination attempt was because, in part, "money would be more plenty.”

1882 — BIRTH OF PRESIDENT FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT
"[T]he real truth is…that a financial element in the large centers has owned the government ever since the days of Andrew Jackson."

1934 – PASSAGE OF GOLD RESERVE ACT
The US government ended minting and circulation gold coins. The bill required all holders of gold coins and certificates to surrender them to the US Treasury – at the price of $20.67 per ounce. Collectors and a few others were exempted. Federal Reserve Notes were no longer convertible (or backed) by gold coins.

2009 – US TREASURY DEPARTMENT PURCHASES STOCK FROM US BANKS
The U.S. Treasury Department purchases a total of $1.15 billion in preferred stock from 42 U.S. banks under the Capital Purchase Program.

JANUARY 31

1934 - PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT INCREASES VALUE OF GOLD
A day after the Gold Reserve Act is passed, President Roosevelt issued an executive proclamation which resulted in the value of gold increasing to $35 per ounce. This yielded a windfall profit for the US government and those who retained possession of gold.

FEBRUARY 2

2010- DEATH OF EUSTACE MULLINS, AUTHOR, SECRETS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE
"The Nation magazine was the only public organ so far as I can find out which printed out that the issue of the money of the U.S. was being turned over to a body of men who were neither elected nor answerable to elections."

FEBRUARY 3

1913 – RATIFICATION OF THE 16TH AMENDMENT, ESTABLISHMENT OF THE US FEDERAL INCOME TAX
The income tax provides a guaranteed and consistent source of income for the payment of any federal government function, including payment of interest on national debt. It was ratified earlier in the same year as passage of the Federal Reserve Act which turned over the nation’s money power to a private central bank. Many economists believe the dollar holds its value better than the Euro in times of economic
crisis since US interest payments from debt can be covered by US income taxes. There is no equivalent European income tax to cover Euro debts. This provides investors greater confidence in the dollar over the Euro.

1924 – DEATH OF WOODROW WILSON, 28TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATESAND SIGNER OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE ACT
"Some of the biggest men in the United States in the field of commerce and manufacture are afraid of something. They know that there is a power somewhere so organized, so subtle, so watchful, so interlocked, so complete, so passive, that they had better not speak above their breath when they speak in condemnation of it."
“A great industrial nation is controlled by its system of credit. Our system of credit is privately concentrated. The growth of the nation, therefore, and all our activities are in the hands of a few men who, even if their action be honest and intended for the public interest, are necessarily concentrated upon the great undertakings in which their own money is involved and who necessarily, by very reason of
their own limitations, chill and check and destroy genuine economic freedom. (1911)
[Note: Despite such misgivings, Wilson signed the Federal Reserve Act two years later]

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Why this calendar? Many people have questions about the root causes of our economic problems. Some
questions involve money, banks and debt. How is money created? Why do banks control its quantity? How has the money system been used to liberate (not often) and oppress (most often) us? And how can the money system be “democratized” to rebuild our economy and society, create jobs and reduce debt?
Our goal is to inform, intrigue and inspire through bite size weekly postings listing important events and quotes from prominent individuals (both past and present) on money, banking and how the money system can help people and the planet. We hope the sharing of bits of buried history will illuminate monetary and banking issues and empower you with others to create real economic and political justice.
This calendar is a project of the Northeast Ohio American Friends Service Committee. Adele Looney, Phyllis Titus, Donna Schall, Leah Davis, Alice Francini and Greg Coleridge helped in its development.
Please forward this to others and encourage them to subscribe. To subscribe/unsubscribe or to comment on any entry, contact monetarycalendar@yahoo.com
For more information, visit http://www.afsc.net/economiccrisis.html

One Hundred Thirty Cities Across the US Protest on Anniversary of Citizens United

Sunday 22 January 2012

by: Britney Schultz, Truthout | Report
http://www.truth-out.org/one-hundred-and-thirty-cities-across-us-protest-anniversary-citizens-united/1327262241

Occupy the Courts - Radio Interview

Progressive Radio Network Interview of Greg Coleridge:
http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/community-currency/

Occupy the Courts - Cleveland and Akron actions

CLEVELAND

Cleveland Plain Dealer:
http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/index.ssf/story/protests-to-occupy-us courthouses-over-elections/ab6797987dca44c8b1da17f06c0c3b44

Cleveland Scene:
http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2012/01/20/cleveland-activists-occupy-the-court

Associated Press pictures:
- Photo of a member of our Economic and Political Justice program committee: http://news.yahoo.com/photos/carla-rautenberg-participates-rally-friday-jan-20-2012-photo-185223604.html
- Photo, from the India Times website, is of a member of our Monetary Reform workgroup: http://oneclick.indiatimes.com/photo/0fyh2AV2WTcG5#0_undefined,0_

The Alliance Review:
http://www.the-review.com/ap%20financial/2012/01/20/ohio-groups-take-part-on-occupy-court-protests

AKRON

Akron Beacon Journal:
http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/occupy-protesters-seek-change-against-big-money-in-politics-1.256175

Photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neoafsc/sets/72157629000602629/

MONETARY HISTORY CALENDAR January 23-29

JANUARY 24

1811 – CHARTER OF FIRST BANK OF UNITED STATES NOT RENEWED
A 20-year charter was issued by the federal government (very unusual at the time since most corporate charters, or licenses, were issued by states) to create the first national private bank. This was the first private institution empowered to create paper money -- with all the power and profit that goes along with it. The bank’s paper money was accepted for taxes. Eighty percent of its shares were privately owned, among these 75% were foreign owned (mostly by the English and Dutch). The bank was modeled on the Bank of England. Within 2 months of its creation, it flooded the market with loans and banknotes and then sharply shifted course and called in many of its loans. The result was the first US securities market crash -- what became known as the “Panic of 1792” – the first of many panics, recessions and depressions due to the private/corporate control of our money system. The result was Congress voting to not renew its charter, thus dissolving the bank. During the first 50 years of the US, legislatures and courts routinely chose to not renew or revoke corporate charters, which were considered democratic instruments and used to control the actions of corporations.

1939 – STATEMENT MADE BY ROBERT H. HEMPHILL, CREDIT MANAGER OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF ATLANTA
"We are completely dependent on the commercial banks. Someone has to borrow every dollar we have in circulation, cash or credit. If the banks create ample synthetic money we are prosperous; if not, we starve. We are absolutely without a permanent money system. When one gets a complete grasp of the picture, the tragic absurdity of our hopeless position is almost incredible, but there it is. It is the most important subject intelligent persons can investigate and reflect upon. It is so important that our present civilization may collapse unless it becomes widely understood and the defects remedied...”

JANUARY 25

1898 – SECOND INDIANAPOLIS MONETARY CONVENTION BEGINS
Billed as a grassroots effort for monetary reform, the second convention brought together nearly 500 representatives from 31 states. It was a follow up gathering of major corporate leaders (including many bankers and economists representing leading corporations) to the first convention held a year earlier. Participants advocated for a privately run national central bank. Just as the proposed national central bank was misleading (to be privately controlled), the first and second Indianapolis Monetary Conventions were equally misleading. They were hardly “grassroots,” yet the image was useful when lobbying Congress and communicating with the public.

JANUARY 27

2010 — DEATH OF HOWARD ZINN, HISTORIAN
"The challenge remains. On the other side are formidable forces: money, political power, the major media. On our side are the people of the world and a power greater than money or weapons: the truth. Truth has a power of its own. Art has a power of its own. That age-old lesson – that everything we do matters – is the meaning of the people’s struggle here in the United States and everywhere. A poem can inspire a movement. A pamphlet can spark a revolution. Civil disobedience can arouse people and provoke us to think, when we organize with one another, when we get involved, when we stand up and speak out together, we can create a power no government can suppress. We live in a beautiful country. But people who have no respect for human life, freedom, or justice have taken it over. It is now up to all of us to take it back."

JANUARY 29

1737 -- BIRTH OF TOM PAINE, US REVOLUTIONARY
Commenting on the value of colonial-issued money, the “Continental”...
"Every stone in the Bridge, that has carried us over seems to have a claim upon our esteem. But this was a corner stone, and its usefulness cannot be forgotten."

1956 — DEATH OF H.L. MENCKEN, US JOURNALIST
"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace in a continual state of alarm (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing them with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary."

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Why this calendar? Many people have questions about the root causes of our economic problems. Some
questions involve money, banks and debt. How is money created? Why do banks control its quantity? How has the money system been used to liberate (not often) and oppress (most often) us? And how can the money system be “democratized” to rebuild our economy and society, create jobs and reduce debt?
Our goal is to inform, intrigue and inspire through bite size weekly postings listing important events and quotes from prominent individuals (both past and present) on money, banking and how the money system can help people and the planet. We hope the sharing of bits of buried history will illuminate monetary and banking issues and empower you with others to create real economic and political justice.
This calendar is a project of the Northeast Ohio American Friends Service Committee. Adele Looney, Phyllis Titus, Donna Schall, Leah Davis, Alice Francini and Greg Coleridge helped in its development.
Please forward this to others and encourage them to subscribe. To subscribe/unsubscribe or to comment on any entry, contact monetarycalendar@yahoo.com
For more information, visit http://www.afsc.net/economiccrisis.html

"I'll believe a corporation is a person when..."

Thank you to everyone who contributed suggestions. You are a creative bunch!

Feel free to share these at Occupy the Courts actions (there are now over 130 cities with planned actions) and/or with your friends via email and social networks tomorrow. It’s one way to mark the second anniversary of the bizarre Citizens United decision extending never-intended corporate constitutional rights.

“I'll believe a corporation is a person when...
... Arizona deports one
... Texas executes one
... Massachusetts marries two of them
... The US government issues one a Social Security number
... one gets a STD after jumping in bed with an elected representative
... one returns from the Mideast with PTSD
... the CIA extradites one to Guantanamo
... one sacrifices its life in military service
... one is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
... one is baptized
... one dies from hunger or sickness
... one falls in love
... one is awed by beauty
... one is humbled by things it does not know
… it is NOT too big to JAIL
… one values the life and well being of any one individual before it's own existence
… The Ohio State University graduates one
... Ohio denies two same sex marriage (and divorce) rights
... one can't find a job
… one is elected president or dies in childbirth.
… one is put in prison (which would most likely be for defrauding its investors)
... one dies and is buried in a cemetery
… it grows a heart
… it develops a conscience
... one stays up all night with a sick baby, a troubled teen, or a dying parent
… one worries about the meaning of life
… one is capable of empathy
… one has an ultrasound detected heartbeat
… when its conception occurs in utero
… one is actually held responsible for its actions
… one adopts any of those babies delivered from the women who were denied access to a legal abortion
.... they have to register for the draft
… when one gets pregnant, gives birth and breastfeeds the newborn.
… our budget is balanced
… the created is equal to the creator
… one gives up their personhood to save another person
… they pay their fair share of taxes
… disco music is finally eradicated from the face of the earth
… Lucy lets Charlie Brown kick the football
… a winter storm warning is posted for hell
… Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. return to Earth and declare corporations are people.
… one teaches a child
… they all start laughing out loud at these remarks
... it shows me its birth certificate
‎... it grows an opposable thumb.
... when gepetto makes it a real boy
... they are able to reproduce sexually
... one endorses Ron Paul for President."
And finally…
"I will never believe a corporation is a person."

Help complete this sentence: "I'll believe a corporation is a person when..."

In commemoration of the second anniversary this Friday of the Citizens United decision which extended never-intended rights of people (personhood) to corporations, your help is needed to complete the sentence below.

A list will be compiled and send Thursday night. It can then be read if desired by organizers of the Occupy the Courts events in Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Akron and Toledo. For those unable to attend any one of the events, you can forward the completed list to your own email lists, Facebook page or blog — as a way to commemorate the day wherever you are.

“I'll believe a corporation is a person when...
[Add to the list]
... Arizona deports one
... Texas executes one
... Massachusetts marries two of them
... The US government issues one a Social Security number
... one gets a STD after jumping in bed with an elected representative
... one returns from the Mideast with PTSD
... the CIA extradites one to Guantanamo
... one sacrifices its life in military service
... one is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
... one is baptized
... one dies from hunger or sickness
... one falls in love
... one is awed by beauty
... one is humbled by things it does not know
...

For details of the Occupy the Courts actions in the abovementioned communities, go to
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=212543303386647618890.0004b3214495abde956d0&msa=0

MONETARY HISTORY CALENDAR January 16-22

JANUARY 16

1911 - ISSUANCE OF PAMPHLET SUGGESTING PLAN FOR NATIONAL PRIVATE CENTAL BANK
US Senator Nelson Aldrich introduced a plan for creation of a national private central bank based on the conclusions developed by bankers who met secretly on Jekyll Island. GA. The Citizens League, later the National Citizens League, was formed to promote the plan. The establishment of the Federal Reserve System was the result of the plan. [Source: Nathaniel Wright Stephenson, Nelson W. Aldrich, A Leader in American Politics, Scribners, N.Y. 1930]

JANUARY 17

1706 – BIRTH OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
"The inability of the colonists to get power to issue their own money permanently out of the hands of George III and the international bankers was the prime reason for the revolutionary war."
“This effect of paper currency is not understood in England. And indeed the whole is a mystery to the politicians how we have been able to continue a war for four years without money and how we could pay with paper that had no previously fixed fund appropriated specifically to redeem it. This currency...is a wonderful machine.”

1863 – BIRTH OF LLOYD GEORGE, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, 1916-1922
“The international bankers swept statesmen, politicians, journalists and jurists all to one side and issued their order with the imperiousness of absolute monarchs.”

JANUARY 18

1910 – BIRTH OF KENNETH BOULDING, ECONOMIST, PROFESSOR, PEACE ACTIVIST, QUAKER
"Anyone who believes exponential growth can go on forever in a finite world is either a madman or an economist."
[editor: the same goes for debt]

JANUARY 20

1859 – BIRTH OF CHARLES LINDBURGH, SR., US REPRESENTATIVE AND FATHER OF THE FAMOUS AVIATOR
"The Federal Reserve Act establishes the most gigantic trust on earth. When the President signs this bill, the invisible government by the Monetary Power will be legalized. The people may not know it immediately, but the day of reckoning is only a few years removed."

__________________________________

Why this calendar? Many people have questions about the root causes of our economic problems. Some questions involve money, banks and debt. How is money created? Why do banks control its quantity? How has the money system been used to liberate (not often) and oppress (most often) us? And how can the money system be “democratized” to rebuild our economy and society, create jobs and reduce debt?

Our goal is to inform, intrigue and inspire through bite size weekly postings listing important events and quotes from prominent individuals (both past and present) on money, banking and how the money system can help people and the planet. We hope the sharing of bits of buried history will illuminate monetary and banking issues and empower you with others to create real economic and political justice.

This calendar is a project of the Northeast Ohio American Friends Service Committee. Adele Looney, Phyllis Titus, Donna Schall, Leah Davis, Alice Francini and Greg Coleridge helped in its development.

Please forward this to others and encourage them to subscribe. To subscribe/unsubscribe or to comment on any entry, contact monetarycalendar@yahoo.com

For more information, visit http://www.afsc.net/economiccrisis.html

MONETARY HISTORY CALENDAR - January 9-15

JANUARY 10

1843 – BIRTH OF LORD ACTON, ENGLISH HISTORIAN, POLITICIAN, AND WRITER
“The issue which has swept down the centuries and which will have to be fought sooner or later, is the people versus the banks.“

JANUARY 11

1757 – BIRTH OF ALEXANDER HAMILTON, FIRST SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY OF THE UNITED STATES
Major proponent of First Bank of the United States. The bank’s name gave the impression that the bank was public when it was actually privately owned. The nation's money was created out of thin air by the private bank and loaned to the government - at interest - and to private individuals. Eighty percent of the stock was privately held. Hamilton considered public debt "a public blessing" because it would tie the wealthy (who would own the government bonds) of the country to the government, and they would in turn provide political support for higher taxes to pay off the government bonds.

1893 – DEATH OF BENJAMIN F. BUTLER, US GENERAL, US REPRESENTATIVE (MASSACHUSETTS) AND GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS
“The government shall issue an amount equal to its taxes…which shall be lawful money and legal tender for all debts, public and private, which by law are not made payable in coin.”

JANUARY 13

1808 – BIRTH OF SALMON P. CHASE, US SENATOR (OHIO), GOVERNOR OF OHIO, US TREASURY SECRETARY UNDER ABRAHAM LINCOLN, CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE US SUPREME COURT
"My agency in procuring the passage of the National Bank Act was the greatest financial mistake of my life. It has built up a monopoly that affects every interest in the country. It should be repealed. But before this can be accomplished, the people will be arrayed on one side and the banks on the other in a contest such as we have never seen in this country." 1863

2007 – ARTICLE PUBLISHED BY JAMES PETRAS, PROFESSOR (EMERITUS), BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY, NEW YORK
"Within the financial ruling class,…political leaders come from the public and private equity banks, namely Wall Street - especially Goldman Sachs, Blackstone, the Carlyle Group and others. They organize and fund both major parties and their electoral campaigns. They pressure, negotiate and draw up the most comprehensive and favorable legislation on global strategies and sectoral policies...They pressure the government to "bailout" bankrupt and failed speculative firms and to balance the budget by lowering social expenditures instead of raising taxes on speculative "windfall" profits...These private equity banks are involved in every sector of the economy, in every region of the world economy and increasingly speculate in the conglomerates which are aquired. Much of the investment funds now in the hands of the US investment banks, hedge funds and other sectors of the financial ruling class originated in the profits extracted from workers in the manufacturing and service sector." Global Research - January 13, 2007

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Why this calendar? Many people have questions about the root causes of our economic problems. Some questions involve money, banks and debt. How is money created? Why do banks control its quantity? How has the money system, been used to liberate (not often) and oppress (most often) us? And how can the money system be “democratized” to rebuild our economy and society, create jobs and reduce debt?
Our goal is to inform, intrigue and inspire through bite size weekly postings listing important events and quotes from prominent individuals (both past and present) on money, banking and how the money system can help people and the planet. We hope the sharing of bits of buried history will illuminate monetary and banking issues and empower you with others to create real economic and political justice.
This calendar is a project of the Northeast Ohio American Friends Service Committee. Adele Looney, Phyllis Titus, Donna Schall, Leah Davis and Greg Coleridge helped in its development.
Please forward this to others and encourage them to subscribe. To subscribe/unsubscribe or to comment on any entry, contact monetarycalendar@yahoo.com
For more information, visit http://www.afsc.net/economiccrisis.html

Evolution of Supreme Court decisions on corporate personhood?

A friend of mine, Joe Mosyjowski, mused about the direction of the Supreme Court in their decisions regarding granting corporations the same constitutional rights as persons. He said, "Maybe someday the Supremes will rule that people AREN'T people. Just Corpses are."

Given the bizarre "logic" of the Court, it makes perfect sense.

HALLELUJAH CORPORATIONS

Handel would be proud!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws0WSNRpy3g

Growing Resistance to Corporate Personhood and Money as Speech

Montana Supreme Court Upholds State's Ban on Corporate Campaign Cash
http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/756452/montana_supreme_court_upholds_state's_ban_on_corporate_campaign_cash/

NY City Council Passes Resolution Declaring that Corporations Are Not People
http://nycprogressives.com/2012/01/04/ny-city-council-passes-resolution-declaring-that-corporations-are-not-people/

L.A. and Bernie Sanders Challenge “Corporate Personhood”
http://www.progressive.org/bernie_sanders_challenges_corporate_personhood.html
Please read the important letter to the editor at the end of the article from attorney Steve Justino, Move to Amend, National Action Coordinator, OCCUPY THE COURTS – 1.20.2012! He explains the difference between the Move to Amend proposed constitutional amendment and the half-measures currently proposed.

January 20, 2012 – Move to Amend Occupies the Courts!
A one-day occupation of federal courthouses in more than 75 locations across the country on Friday, January 20 to commemorate the second anniversary of the undemocratic and bizarre Citizens United decision
http://movetoamend.org/occupythecourts
Occupy the Court actions in Ohio:
Cincinnati: Kate Gallion, kategallion@gmail.com
Columbus: Sally Jo Wiley & Michael Greenman, sjwiley@frognet.net, mgreenman@wowway.com
Cleveland: Susan Gaydos and Greg Coleridge, onasandybeach@yahoo.com, gcoleridge@afsc.org

NEXT MOVE TO AMEND STATEWIDE CONFERENCE CALL
Saturday, January 28 / 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Toll free #: 866-256-1242 / Access Code: 10534078

A Call for the Tea Party and Occupy Movements to "Occupy the Courts"

http://www.opednews.com/articles/A-Call-for-the-Tea-Party-a-by-Greg-Coleridge-120104-686.html

The Tea Party movement's disdain for big, unchecked government power and the Occupy movement's disdain for big, unchecked banking power can find common ground in the effort to end never-intended corporate "personhood" constitutional rights. Both should help organize one-day occupations of more than 75 federal courthouses across the country on January 20, 2012.

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by Greg Coleridge and Britney Schultz


Occupy the Courts by Move to Amend


The Tea Party movement's disdain for big, unchecked government power and the Occupy movement's disdain for big, unchecked banking power can find common ground in the effort to end never-intended corporate "personhood" constitutional rights. Both should help organize one-day occupations at more than 75 federal courthouses across the country on January 20, 2012.

The campaign is being initiated by Move to Amend ( http://www.movetoamend.org ), a broad coalition seeking to amend the US constitution to abolish the bizarre twin legal doctrines that corporations are people and money is speech. Both movements have in different ways educated and organized in support of the majority gaining or regaining control from a privileged few over the political and economic decisions affecting them and their communities.

The major concerns of many within the Tea Party are rising taxes, increasing spending, exploding debt and the lack of true political representation. The major issues sparking the Occupation movement was and remains the growing wealth gap, Wall Street bailouts and speculation, home foreclosures, lack of free speech and assembly rights, and lack of true political representation.

The root of the concerns of both movements have less to do with specific politicians, political parties, corporations, CEOs, regulations or laws. The cores of all these problems are several defining rules enshrined and shielded by constitutional decisions - specifically those anointing corporations as persons and equating money as speech.

The nine appointed-for-lifers of the Supreme Court have exerted for generations judicial supremacy by stripping away the rights of people to govern themselves. The January 2010 Citizens United v Federal Election Commission 5-4 decision was the latest in a long line of Supreme Court rulings going back more than a century granting corporations Bill of Rights and other constitutional protections intended solely for human beings. These decisions have collectively usurped the authority of people to fundamentally define, not merely regulate, corporate actions. Corporations, as legal creations of the state, were intended by our nation's founders to be subordinate to We the People . They possessed no inalienable rights, only privileges granted by charters at the state and federal levels.

Such definition or control in the past has including prohibiting corporations from directly or indirectly engaging in political activities, including lobbying or donating corporate funds to issue campaigns or in support of political candidates. They also have permitted the public to examine corporate books for fraud, inspect corporate facilities for unsafe working conditions, and pass local laws ensuring the health, safety and welfare of citizens and communities.

The Supremes also exerted their judicial activism in their 1976 Buckley v. Valeo decision, also ruled 5-4, equating money as political speech. If money is speech, as opposed to it being property like land and other physical possessions, then those with the most money possess the greatest political speech. That's not a recipe for democracy, but of plutocracy - which fairly accurately describes our current political system.

Occupy the Courts is an educational and organizing vehicle for shedding light and heat in the middle of the dark and cold winter that real authentic self governance on behalf of all the issues and concerns Tea Partiers and Occupiers care about is not possible unless the defining rules governing corporations and money are changed.

In the past, massive social movements led by women, people of color, and young people have driven themselves into the constitution through amendments - where they should have existed all along. Today, a massive social movement of people from all backgrounds is needed to drive corporations and money out of the constitution - where they were never intended.

It's time to Occupy the Courts.

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Coleridge is Director of the Northeast Ohio American Friends Service Committee. Schultz is a Move to Amend activist in Ohio

MONETARY HISTORY CALENDAR - January 1-8

Understanding monetary issues is paramount in 2012 as Congress and the President, in the name of “reducing the federal debt,” will be proposing many “austerity” measures that call for slashing or privatzing/corporatizing public programs benefiting over 100 million people. It’s unlikely many of them (except for John Conyers and Dennis Kucinich, proponents of the National Emergency Employment Defense Act, HR 2990) will discuss the integral role monetary issues plays in both creating/expanding the federal debt and how we can end it by “democratizing” our money system.

That means it’s up to us, We the People, to force the issue into popular and political discussion — especially this year during federal elections. There is no need for any austerity measures to reduce and end the federal debt. We the People can issue and circulate our own money (as permitted in the Constitution, Art 1, Sec 8) debt-free — without paying banking corporations a penny of interest. We can do it without increasing inflation. And we can create more than 7 million jobs repairing our vital infrastructure.

It’s up to us -- as it’s always been when sane, humane, just and nonviolent change is at stake -- to raise and push this issue.

Onward!

JANUARY 1

1817 - SECOND NATIONAL BANK OF THE US OPENS
This was the third quasi national bank of the US — following the Bank of North America (1781-1785) and Bank of the United States (1791-1811). While called a “national” bank, it was not public but actually a commercial/corporate bank with the power to issue money directly (just like its two predecessors). It issued initially a huge amount of money (more than 20 times its reserves) as loans that led to financial speculation and large corporate profits. A year later, it stopped issuing loans, resulting in a severe contraction of the money supply — which led to massive bankruptcies and the Panic of 1819. President Andrew Jackson believed the bank was a threat to the nation. He vetoed a bill in 1832 renewing the bank’s charter (license).

1879 – DATE TO REDEEM GREENBACKS FOR GOLD
Forces in opposition to public money passed the Resumption Act in 1875. It established January 1, 1879 as the date anyone could redeem federal Greenbacks for gold. Greenbacks were debt free money created by the Lincoln administration in his effort to avoid borrowing money from banks and having to pay interest. Why not simply create the money as stipulated in the Constitution (Art 1, Sec 8 giving the government the authority to coin money)? Bankers hoped most Greenbacks would be turned in – so that they could once more exclusively control the issuance and circulation of paper money – at enormous profit. Doomsayers predicted as Greenbacks were redeemed for gold, the nation would go bankrupt. Neither occurred Only $135,000 in Greenbacks were exchanged for gold – nationwide. Meanwhile, $400,000 gold was exchanged for Greenbacks! The New York Daily Tribune called the day, “the grandest page in the history of the United States.” (Jason Goodwin, Greenbacks)

1909 - BIRTH OF US SENATOR (REPUBLICAN) BARRY GOLDWATER
“The Trilateralist Commission is international and is intended to be the vehicle for multinational consolidation of commercial and banking interests by seizing control of the political government of the U.S. The Trilateralist Commission represents a skillful, coordinated effort to seize control and consolidate the four centers of power -- political, monetary, intellectual and ecclesiastical.” (Barry Goldwater With No Apologies)

1911 - US POSTAL SAVINGS SYSTEM OPENS
The Postal Savings System offered savings accounts to depositors, but no loans. When banks failed after the Great Depression, many people shifted their remaining funds. With post officers serving as bank branches, the Postal Savings System held upwards of 20% of the nation’s savings in the mid 1940’s. Commercial/corporate banks lobbied against their expansion and for their elimination — which occurred in 1967.

JANUARY 3

1977 - DEATH OF CARROLL QUIGLEY, PROFESSOR AND HISTORIAN
“The influence of financial capitalism and of the international bankers who created it was exercised both on business and on governments, but could have done neither if it had not been able to persuade both these to accept two 'axioms' of its own ideology...by basing the value of money on gold and by allowing bankers to control the supply of money. To do this it was necessary to conceal, or even mislead, both governments and people about the nature of money and its methods of operation.” (Carroll Quigley, Tragedy and Hope)

JANUARY 5

1066 – DEATH OF KING EDWARD THE CONFESSOR
Calling usury (interest) the root of evil, the English King declared all those who charged usury outlaws and banished them from the country.

JANUARY 7

1782 – BANK OF NORTH AMERICA OPENS
This was the nation’s first private commercial bank. At that time, the nation’s constitution was the Articles of Confederation. Article 9 of the Articles gave Congress the power to “emit bills of credit” -- to create money debt free. By a single vote, Congress voted to transfer their authority to issue money to the The Bank of North America when it approved its charter on December 31, 1781. Thus, the Bank served as a quasi central bank (which created money as loans, called “debt money”). Why did Congress willingly give up their money power? The public argument was that the business of finance could not be competently conduced by a public body (Congress) — only by a small number of private financiers. The first head of the Bank was Robert Morris, the richest merchant in America.

1868 – SPEECH OF CONGRESSMAN SAMUEL FENTON (INDEPENDENT REPUBLICAN) OF OHIO ON FLOOR OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
“Our Constitution gives to Congress the exclusive power to coin money and regulate the value thereof... These are attributes of sovereignty and belong exclusively to the representatives of the whole people...The value of money has no relation to or dependence upon the material of which it is made. If it has the properties or powers of representing, measuring, and exchanging value it is money, and these properties or powers are not inherent in any substance, but are conferred upon any chosen material by the sovereign power....The greenback, as it has been denominated, was an invaluable expedient, backing our boys in blue and covering their backs at the same time. It served our purpose well and will serve us still if permitted. It helped us through one danger and will bear us triumphantly through another unless the cupidity of bankers, bondholders and shoddy contractors shall triumph over the industrial and tax-paying classes of our people...The first step in the right direction will be to pass a law to call in and cancel the entire bank circulation and simultaneously issue an equal quantity of Treasury certificates or legal tenders. The people having this circulation would be enabled to pay off $300,000,000 of debt and save $18,000,000 of gold interest. We will thus shorten the road to specie payments by reducing the interest-bearing debt.”

JANUARY 8

1786 – BIRTH OF NICHOLAS BIDDLE, PRESIDENT OF SECOND NATIONAL BANK
Biddle threatened to cause a depression if President Andrew Jackson did not re-charter the Bank. The privately owned Second Bank was chartered in 1816. President Jackson did not sign the bill to renew the charter. "This worthy President thinks that ... he is to have his way with the Bank. He is mistaken...[opposition] can only be broken by the actual conviction of exiting distress in the community... Our only safety is in pursuing a steady course of firm restriction [of the money supply] - and I have no doubt that such a course will ultimately lead to restoration of the currency and the re-charter of the Bank." The result of the contraction of the money supply was a financial panic followed by a deep depression. (Edward Kaplan, The Bank of the United States and the American Economy)

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Why this calendar? Many people have questions about the root causes of our economic problems. Some questions involve money, banks and debt. How is money created? Why do banks control its quantity? How has the money system, been used to liberate (not often) and oppress (most often) us? And how can the money system be “democratized” to rebuild our economy and society, create jobs and reduce debt?

Our goal is to inform, intrigue and inspire through bite size weekly postings listing important events and quotes from prominent individuals (both past and present) on money, banking and how the money system can help people and the planet. We hope the sharing of bits of buried history will illuminate monetary and banking issues and empower you with others to create real economic and political justice.

This calendar is a project of the Northeast Ohio American Friends Service Committee. Adele Looney, Phyllis Titus, Donna Schall, Leah Davis and Greg Coleridge helped in its development.

Please forward this to others and encourage them to subscribe. To subscribe/unsubscribe or to comment on any entry, contact monetarycalendar@yahoo.com

For more information, visit http://www.afsc.net/economiccrisis.html