Reagan alone didn't have a chance. It takes a mass movement, a general change in moral values from the people...not a lone President, to effect change. He had the right idea and tried to take it to people...but we're just too "indoctrinated" to think it through and too much in "fear", to act against it. After all, the government does use force against us in such matters, don't they? Which leads to a competition to avoid being victimized by the "benevolent" government.

The Government does not "give" any one, anythinhing it did not "steal" from someone else. What has been achieved in the US was the result of free enterprise, unchecked, and not the result of so called "Government Benevolence" But now that the US is truly becoming a socialist welfare state, look for the demise of society's morals, productivity, education and currency (and that's just getting started). Socialism is a disease...not a solution. Bastiat had the basic sense to see this in the 1700's. And anyone defending this socialist system is "rationalizing", Which shows what a good "state" education can do for you. It will provide you with an "Anthill Mentality"

And also sadly, the statement still allows for taxation.

Interesting way to put it Mike..."A Fast Boat"...in the "Perfect Storm"? (Keep your powder dry, you might need it)

"Thus, if there exists a law which sanctions slavery or monopoly, oppression or robbery, in any form whatever, it must not even be mentioned. For how can it be mentioned without damaging the respect which it inspires? Still further, morality and political economy must be taught from the point of view of this law; from the supposition that it must be a just law merely because it is a law. Another effect of this tragic perversion of the law is that it gives an exaggerated importance to political passions and conflicts, and to politics in general." -- Frederic Bastiat, from "The Law"

"Men naturally rebel against the injustice of which they are victims. Thus, when plunder is organized by law for the profit of those who make the law, all the plundered classes try somehow to enter -- by peaceful or revolutionary means -- into the making of laws. According to their degree of enlightenment, these plundered classes may propose one of two entirely different purposes when they attempt to attain political power: Either they may wish to stop lawful plunder, or they may wish to share in it." -- Frederic Bastiat, from "The Law"

Interesting viewpoints on the Fed: http://mises.org/

Hopefully the good professor was suggesting a "what if" scenario. I think he is saying that if it were voluntary...no one would participate. I know I wouldn't.

Anon- I think, in here, we're all aware that the money isn't real. But what passes for money / debt is based on our slave labor. But keep spreading the message, its a good one.

The SS may be there for those who don't save, but what is it we are trying to save? A dollar that is increasingly worthless and will have no buying power after 20 or 30 years in the bank? The problems here are manyfold....It would "seem" that we might as well just spend everything as we go, while the money still has any value at all. Makes no sense? No it doesn't. Inflation is the great thief here. I don't know if its people so much as the government's fiscal policy of endlessly borrowing, spending, printing up money, and passing the bill onto the taxpayer that needs to change. If that happened we could well return the responsibility to each individual to care for their own future's. But until then...why not get a new flat screen TV from China?

Always have loved that quote. Its quite possibly one of the reasons for the civil war too.

Privately owned, unelected, unaccountable, psychopathic,subversive, parasitic, corrupt, power hungry, controlling, uncaring, treasonous, opportunist, one world governement sponsoring, **sholes. But otherwise just a bunch of good ol boys who we love to give our money too.

What Mike, Norwalk said. Yep! The IRS and its cousins worldwide...The Fed and its cousins worldwide are in fact communism. No wonder they want to bury the constitution.

The Fifth Plank of the communist manifesto is complete control of the economy. We're getting there.

In other words, A prisoner of the system who's life is "granted" by the state. Disgusting. This is what must be fought at every turn.

I know here in Canada that we have no rights to speak of. I ask someone every day, "Do you know what your rights are?" I usually get a blank stare. I pray the American public soon becomes enraged...unfortunately, once again, its up to you guys. You are the driving force.

Ignorance is bliss?

I'm not a very religious man, but something so simple as a return to "God Given Rights" might be all that is required. The founders must have been divinely inspired.

We no longer have a genuine government...we have "owners". This has to be stopped dead in its tracks.

It suits the pattern.

"If men, through fear, fraud, or mistake, should in terms renounce or give up any natural right, the eternal law of reason and the grand end of society would absolutely vacate such renunciation. The right to freedom being the gift of Almighty God, it is not in the power of man to alienate this gift and voluntarily become a slave." -- Samuel Adams. Smart man that Sam!

It takes patriotism and faith in the principles that are uniquely American to see the evil in such things as the Patriot Act, the Military Commissions Act, Immunity for Federal Agents (read: gestapo) Torture Camps, Real ID, Emminent Domain, The Fed....... and on and on.... But It takes blind "loyalism" to endorse it. Didn't America fight a war against a bunch of "Loyalists"? You know, for Freedom?

We shouldn't let government protect our freedoms...by taking them away. Real ID, airport check points, surveillance...All setting the stage for what is to come.

I'm not trying to belittle the tragedy that was 911. Just pointing out the similarity in politics.

“Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” Hermann Goering quote Look familiar?