Vote Wisely This 2016 Election

We have an opportunity this election that hasn't come along in recent memory.  This year there are 10 candidates for President of the United States that are either on the ballot or are registered as a write-in candidate in enough states to win the election.  That frees you from "holding your nose" and voting for one of the two most horrible candidates that the Republican and Democratic parties have ever offered the American people.  

Here is a quick summary:

Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and Gary Johnson will appear on the ballot in every state.

Jill Stein is on enough basllots to win and will be on the ballot or can be a write-in candidate in every state except Nevada, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

Darrell Castle is on the ballot in enough states to win and will be on the ballot or can be a write-in candidate in all states except California, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Oklahoma.

Evan McMullin is on the ballot and can be a write-in candidate in 42 states.

Lawrence Kotlikoff is on the ballot or can be a write-in candidate in 37 states.

Tom Hoefling is on the ballot or can be a write-in candidate in 36 states.

Rocky De La Fuente is on the ballot or can be a write-in candidate in 33 states.

I've heard many people say they won't vote for President this election because both of the mainstream candidates are so disgusting.  I've also heard people say that they are going to vote for the lessor of two evils because they feel they don't have a choice.  YOU DO HAVE A CHOICE!!  In many states you have 10 choices.  Take the time to find out which candidates are eligible to receive your vote on the ballot or be written in where you live.  Then research those candidates and vote for the one that best supports your vision for the future of the United States.  If you like Trump or Clinton the best, then fine.  However, don't be one of the sheeple who are bullied by the Republicans or Democrats into voting for their candidate by fear the other may get elected.  The United States is still a country "of the people, by the people and for the people."  This is the election to show the power brokers that the people still rule.

An Open Letter To Presidential Candiates

Dear Presidential Candidate:

  My name is Howard Galt and I am the editor of a blog titled "A Conscious Conservative" (www.conservativeconscious.blogspot.com).  We have been in existence since 2010 and have thousands of readers.  My readers and I would like to cut through all of the noise of a typical election year and get your view on the most significant issues of this or any election.  I plan to post your response in its entirety in an unedited format.  Thank you in advance for your response.

Please answer the following questions:

It has been more than ten years since the Kelo v. City of New London decision gave government broad capabilities to take property from its citizens through eminent domain.  What is your plan to assure that private property rights are protected and people can feel secure in the ownership of their homes and businesses?

Since the decade of the 1950s, the Income Tax has become increasingly complex and invasive in the lives of Americans.  What are your plans for the future of the Income Tax?

It has been documented that almost one-half of all Americans do not vote.  One reason for this is a belief that their vote doesn't count.  What are your plans to increase choice for voters and limit election fraud and corruption?

The dollar has been the world's reserve currency for almost three quarters of a century.  The people of the United States get tremendous economic benefit from the dollar being a trusted mode of exchange.  How do you plan to make sure that the dollar remains a solid currency?

Thank you,

Howard Galt
Editor
A Conscious Conservative

I plan to send this letter to each presidential campaign and will post the response in its entirety.

Don't Throw Your Vote Away on Trump or Clinton

     As in the last two presidential elections, election 2016 does not offer a Conscious Conservative alternative.  Both Trump and Clinton are big government devotees who show little evidence respecting civil or property rights.  Unlike 2008 or 2012, there will be many other choices in much of the United States.  According to the latest report from the Coalition for Free and Open Elections (COFOE), there are at least three candidates who will be on enough ballots to win the election.

GARY JOHNSON

Gary Johnson is the candidate for the Libertarian Party.  He is expected to be on the ballot in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.  Johnson is probably the most Conscious Conservative candidate of the bunch.

JILL STEIN

Jill Stein is the Green Party candidate.  She is expected to be on the ballot in 43 to 45 states and the District of Columbia. Stein is not a Conscious Conservative choice, but others may find her a good alternative to Trump or Clinton.

DARRELL CASTLE

Darrell Castle is the Constitution Party candidate.  He is expected to be on the ballot in 23-25 states.  That makes Castle a long shot.  He could win, but would have to win in every state in which he is on the ballot.  Castle may also be a choice for some Conscious Conservatives.


We need to show the Republicans and Democrats that the choices they are giving American voters are unacceptable.  Research these three alternatives and vote for whichever one best suits your conscience.

MORE INFORMATION: 

COFOE                              www.cofoe.org

Gary Johnson                    www.johnsonweld.com

Jill Stein                            www.jill2016.com

Darrell Castle                     www.castle2016.com

Student Loans: A Conscious Conservative View

     One of the many things I do is provide training/consultation to new hires at a local employer.  A disturbing trend I am seeing is that many of the new employees are beginning with a student loan debt of about $200,000 (many positions require a graduate degree).  According to the loan calculator available at http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com, these employees would have to make more than $275,000/yr. to be able to afford this debt.  The new employees make 1/8 of that.  The senior manager of the organization makes 1/2 that salary.  The expected monthly loan payment equals 2/3 of the average new hire's monthly take home pay and is 1 1/2 times the average mortgage payment in the area.
     This situation is abhorrent.  There is currently a system where a $1.5 trillion dollar industry uses an army of guidance counselors to hoodwink unwitting students with the backing of government.  A major part of what causes this crisis is the improper transfer of information.  New students are given inflated salary information, often given "average" salaries which include senior people in a given profession and people who have a degree, but work in different, more lucrative field.  The monthly student loan repayment schedule is usually not discussed at all, or downplayed.  It has caused a problem for everyone seeking higher education.  The dumping of $1 trillion dollars into the system has caused tuition pricing to become non-competitive.  Tuition at the local public university has increased 30 fold in the last 20 years.  If the same happened to gasoline, it would now be $30-$35 per gallon.
     This leads you to two questions which you should consider.  Should I or my children use a student loan to attend college?  Re-read the first paragraph.  I think you will have trouble deciding on any answer except, "NO!" Should I or my children attend college?  That is more complicated.  If someone has the desire and ability to become a doctor, attorney, engineer, social worker or any other licensed professional, then the proper degree is required to enter the profession.  However, realize that you will not gain an economic advantage.  I've spoken to many physicians and attorneys who have been disappointed that even though they make large salaries, they cannot live the expected lifestyle because of their student loan burden.  For the majority of people, finding something they like to do, getting good at it and managing their money well will leave them wealthier in the end.  Think about this.  Somebody who goes to school for eight years and becomes an attorney begins life $240,000 in debt.  Somebody who works at minimum wage and saves 10% for those eight years now has $ 12,000 plus gains in savings.  Who is wealthier?

World Indigenous People's Day

     Today is World Indigenous People's Day.  As I spent some time watching The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, I thought about how crazy gold can make people act.  Although I love the United States of America, one of it's failings is how it has treated the Indigenous Peoples.

     The United States had made peace with the Lakotah and Oglala people of the Northern Great Plains.  The treaty was honored for a period of time.  Then the "yellow metal that they worship and makes them crazy" was found in the Black Hills.  All treaties went out the window and it was decided to starve the people to death by killing the bison, their main food source.  This was genocide of the cruelest kind.

     Go forward 100 years and I have had the privilege of knowing Russell Means.  I knew him through his various political campaigns, including his run for President of the United States.  He was known for his activism on behalf of the American Indian and in his final years started the Republic of Lakotah movement.  The Republic of Lakotah covers the traditional land of Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull.  I think he knew that the United States would never honor it's word and give the land back, but raising the issue shed light on the plight of Indigenous Peoples worldwide.

     Russell Means said that he was an American first.  He showed his love for the United States by both challenging us to treat all Americans with respect and he reminded us that a government who could starve a group of people within its borders was a government which had to be carefully watched.  Don't trust them, especially when gold is involved.

  

The Federal Reserve--A Conscious Conservative View

A Special Guest Post From-

Stephen Lucas 

     I have been reading a book called 'Gold and Liberty' by Richard M. Salsman and re-acquainting myself with monetary policy. Between the 1820s and 1913 – inflation was relatively low because the dollar was linked to gold. Gold was $18.93 (HISTORICAL GOLD PRICES- 1833 to Present) for almost 90 years! (I didn’t take this at face value; I checked several different websites for historical prices of gold – true - some will say $20.65). There were minor recessions referred to as business panics during this time. This was the period known to practice what is called free banking. As a response to a business panic in 1907 when rumors led to run on some major New York banks, the Federal Reserve Bank was created in a practice known as central banking. During the time of the central banks (around the world) would de-link paper money from any metal primarily gold and silver; hence, the period of rapid inflation begins.

     In 1933, Roosevelt furthers the devalue of the dollar by making it illegal for Americans to own gold and making the dollar worth less gold. Then after WWII, the Bretton Woods agreement was signed where countries can have Special Drawing Rights (SDR) which would give other governments rights to US gold. This worked until France in 1971 would not accept a SDR, they wanted the gold. Nixon then delinked the dollar from gold and inflation has really taken off since. During times when governments seem to be pro-business (producer), gold will decline in comparison to fiat money (dollar); gold will increase in value when governments over-regulate, over borrow and in general act fiscally irresponsible. Therefore, the dollar is backed by the full faith and guarantee of the US government.

     The goods produced and services provided are still worth something. Look at the size of the US economy in terms of GDP of the US as a single pie when the pie is the GDP of the US, as we purchase and sell our G&S in US dollars. Let’s say there is $10 T that have been printed and is used to represent the GDP; now Obama recently had congress approve the debt ceiling by $1.9Trillion. Therefore, our current GDP must now support more debt in an environment that is not seen as friendly toward business. The increase in deficit spending will create more inflation, as the dollar is devalued (more dollars at the same GDP). A welfare state and/or a state that is at war (whether just or unjust) needs a central banking system to devalue it’s currency. This book sited examples from the 1600s through 1900s of how this has been done throughout history by governments. It is an added tax – unseen, yet felt by anyone who who tries to save, spend or invest in dollars.

     The dollar is monetized debt. The US government needs money; they create notes (accounting transaction) and send to the FED. The FED reissues the notes as bills. As the US government draws down on this loan ( US government is the first users of this new money). Then the government contractors and employees deposit these funds and more money is created through the fractional reserve banking system – the bank only needs to keep a fraction of this “new” deposit and loan the rest, creating more money. One of the functions of the central bank (FED) is to have policies that are to maximize employment. I have not checked, but from what I have read, under free banking unemployment rate never topped 25% ( NPR- Paulson Calls For More Financial Regulatory Power), like in the Great Depression (under the FED’s watch). I would draw a conclusion that free banking is more responsible and freer than central banking.

Can't We Stop Runaway Government Spending?

Why were are stuck with so many useless government programs.

Video Courtesy of Libertarianism.org.

Is Belief in Government a Religion?

Statism: The Most Dangerous Religion (feat. Larken Rose)

Happy Juneteenth from A Consicous Conservative

     Conscious Conservatives are always ready to celebrate freedom in whatever form it comes.  Today marks the celebration of Juneteenth.  Here is a description of Juneteenth, from the website http://www.juneteenth.com.

     Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.  Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19^th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.

What Happened to the Goldwater Republicans?

I am a Goldwater advocate (not Republican) and there still is a Goldwater Institute that studies and promotes his ideas.  There are Goldwater Republicans in the Republican Party, although many, like myself, have joined the Libertarian Party.  
 
A Goldwater Republican is somebody who believes in traditional conservative values of a smaller, constitutionally bound government.  They advocate a Free Market and personal responsibility.
 
They differ from most modern Republicans in both their religious and racial policies.  Goldwater was of Jewish ancestry and did not embrace the "Christian Nation" standpoint that became a feature of the modern Republican "Southern Strategy."  He was involved in the founding and expansion of Planned Parenthood.  He also was for racial equality.  He advocated an immigration policy that led to Mexican workers freely coming to the United States.  After the graduation of the Phoenix Union Colored High School, no venue in Phoenix would let the "Colored" students have a reception.  Barry Goldwater invited the entire class to his house.  He had sharp words for people that said it would hurt his political and business career.
 
Several Goldwater campaign workers became disillusioned with the politics of Richard Nixon and formed the Libertarian Party in the early 1970s.  Those that stayed with the Republican Party can still be found in the Republican Liberty Caucus and in support of candidates such as Dr. Ron Paul and his son Rand.

A Conscious Conservative Solution to Workers' Rights

  A corporation is not a creation of the market.  It is a collectivist creation of the government.  Individual states allow groups to create corporations and provide special protection to  members of those groups (look here for information on those protections, C Corporation: A Definition).  Over time, the states have competed with each other as to how many protections they offer, with Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware leading the way.  For example, even though General Motors has traditionally had it's corporate headquarters and most of it's operations in Michigan, it is officially a corporation protected by Delaware.  Why?  Because Delaware offers more protection and lower taxes than Michigan.  

By creating what is known as a "corporate veil" (What is corporate veil? definition and meaning) in legal terms, the principle decision makers of a corporation are protected financially and sometimes have limited criminal liability for their actions.  Even the CEO is merely an employee of the business.  An example of this is the recent meltdown of the banking industry.  None of the executives of the large banks lost their personal fortunes.  They were protected by the "corporate veil."  The banks were owned by individuals (sole proprietorship) or a group (partnership), the owners would have lost  their personal fortunes and could have been sued personally.  They might have even faced criminal prosecution.  Do you think they might have made different decisions if that was the case?

Back to the relationship with workers.  If the owner of a business does not have corporate protection, they become personally responsible for how an employee is treated.  If an employee was abused, the owner(s) would be held directly responsible, civilly and/or criminally.  If nothing else, the employee can leave and go work for somebody else.  Although there is a disagreement as to how big, there is agreement that companies cannot get megalithic without government protection and support.    

The combination of the lack of government protection for employers and the increased competition for labor from more numerous smaller companies should be more than adequate to protect individual laborers.

Dedicated to all of our Veterans this Memorial Day.

A Consicous Conservative View of Economics

If you wish to know more about conservative economic theory, I recommend reading Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith, On Liberty by John Stuart Mill and The Law by Frederic Bastiat. End the Fed by Dr. Ron Paul is another good choice.

Probably the work that had the most influence on me was the introduction to an edition of The Communist Manifesto which was written by A. J. P. Taylor . Taylor led me to understand how the capitalism and the free market are not the same thing. He also left me with the impression that the only difference between a capitalist and a socialist system of government is which elite controls the economy.

Alan Greenspan is not a choice.

A Conscious Conservative View of Wealth Inequality

One way to fight wealth inequality is by fighting for sound money and an end to inflation.  When statistics are listed in regards to wealth inequality, they are usually measured in a currency, like the US Dollar.  Because of inflation, that creates the illusion of a growing wealth gap that doesn't exist. 

50 years ago (1966) a person who had a total net worth of $20,000 was considered solidly middle class.  In 1966, you could buy a modest house, a new car and have money left over with $20,000.  A person with a net worth of $200,000 was considered wealthy.  That is a $180,000 difference.  In today's (2016) dollars, the same people would have to have a net worth of about $150,000 and $1.5 million to have equivalent buying power.  People say "Wow! The wealthy person is now more than $1 million dollars richer than the middle class person.  Something must be done."  In terms of buying power, the ratio is still the same, about 10 times.

So a large part of the problem is not that actual inequality is growing, but that the measuring unit (dollar , pound, yen euro) is ever shrinking.  If we return to a sound currency, where the unit of measurement stays the same year after year, the inequality stops growing.

A Conscious Conservative View of the Presidency

Presidential power has increased to unhealthy levels.  People should reject any presidential candidate that says what they are going to do.  The job of the president is to efficiently manage the government and execute the laws passed by Congress.  That is why he heads the Executive Branch.

Ted Cruz NOT as Conservative as His Supporter's Think

As of now, the press is lauding Ted Cruz as contender for the Republican Party nomination for President of the United States.  This leads us to wonder if Mr. Cruz’s views are conservative.  Let’s put him to our Conscious Conservative test.  How does Mr. Cruz score on the Conscious Conservative rating system.

---Does he respect private property?  It's hard to tell. He has made statements that he is in favor of private property, except when it gets in the way of oil pipelines.  0 POINTS

---How about the Income Tax?  Mr. Cruz falls in the “reform” camp.  He supports a "flat tax."  0 POINTS

---Where is Ted Cruz on inheritance tax?  He has doesn't specifically state on his web site.  However, it appears that in the past he has voted against increasing the inheritance tax and stated he supports eliminating it.  10 POINTS

--What are his beliefs about confiscating private property for public use?  He doesn’t appear to mind confiscating property for public use.  0 POINTS

---What about banking?  Ted Cruz appears to be firmly in the audit The Fed camp and has made statements against the US Import-Export bank.  He has not mentioned a plan to eliminate central banking..  5 POINTS

---Ted Cruz on free speech, assembly and travel-- Mr. Cruz makes a display about fighting for Christian speech, but it is doubtful where he would stand on more unpopular speech.  I’m also going to deduct some points because he wants to build a wall around the United States.  0 POINTS

---Is Mr. Cruz a Free Enterprise advocate?  He states he would like to get rid of several government agencies.  He does however seem to have supported subsidizing some industries in the past.  5 POINTS

---About Ted Cruz and the free exchange of labor and services—He appears to give at least lip service to small business deregulation.  10 POINTS

---What is Mr. Cruz’s record on freedom of living quarters?  He does appear to wish to get rid of HUD and some government housing restrictions.  10 POINTS

---Education-- Ted Cruz has pledged to eliminate the Department of Education.  He appears to want to return education to a decision that is made locally.  10 POINTS

OVERALL SCORE--- 50 POINTS

That is a Moderate score that has him leaning towards Liberal views. 

How does he rank compared to other prominent politicians?

Ron Paul            90 POINTS

Rick Santorum  55 POINTS

Ted Cruz           50 POINTS

Newt Gingrich   50 POINTS

Mitt Romney     35 POINTS

Donald Trump  35 POINTS

Barack Obama  20 POINTS

Mr. Cruz is definitely not a Conscious Conservative.   

A Conscious Conservative Quote

"There are two types of people who will never amount to anything...

those who will not do what they are told...

and those who will do nothing else."

--Napoleon Hill

A Conscious Conservative Get Together

Manifest Your New Year's Resolutions!

People all over the world set goals, intentions and plans for the New Year.  Momentum begins to fade by week 2 or 3.  Join us a we support each other to make 2016 the most wonderful year ever! 

When--January 29th, 2016 at 4:00 pm 

Where--Old Chicago, Alma School Rd. and the US 60 (Superstition Freeway) in sunny Mesa, Arizona.

RSVP HERE

Conscious Conservative Happy New Year Wishes