ACORN in the news: leftist group launches campaign of lawlessness to seize foreclosed homes, mysterious bank payment of $2 million, Obama promises ACORN role in White House policy, and NY ACORN leader confronted by TV anchor. In other news, regulators inch towards bank ownership, Medicaid receives emergency $15 billion from spending bill, economists predict recovery in 2010, Biden appointed “stimulus Czar”, and poll shows Americans trust politicians more than business leaders to run economy…just the latest in your Freedom Under Fire Report!

Everyday our liberties and freedom come under fire. The American Republic once protected its citizens from arbitrary abuse, extortion, and deliberate social engineering. Now the very same public servants who were meant to work for us connive daily on how to control our lives. The Republic is gone and we are left to fend for ourselves, to put up resistance to every encroachment on individual self-determination. The Freedom Under Fire Report provides daily coverage of the most important issues, so that you remain informed and ready to defend yourself. Read on and pass this around to everyone you think could benefit:

Regulators Inch Toward Bank Nationalization. Federal regulators will launch a revamped program to “shore up the nation’s troubled banks,” including the option of increasing government ownership. Reluctant to head down the road to nationalization, regulators continue to suggest that keeping banks private in the long run is still a priority: “Because our economy functions better when financial institutions are well managed in the private sector, the strong presumption is that banks should remain in private hands.”

Medicaid to Receive $15 billion from Spending Bill. Addressing the nation’s governors, President Obama announced that $15 billion of the recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be immediately available for Medicaid. Medicaid is a jointly underwritten program between the federal and state governments, designed to provide health coverage for the poor.

Economists Predict Recovery in 2010. A survey of leading economists forecasts a deep and painful recession through the end of 2009, at which point they see a modest recovery, followed by solid growth in 2010.

New Role for Vice President Biden: “Stimulus Czar”. Vice President Joe Biden has been appointed to oversee implementation of the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Part of the spending bill will be maid immediately available this week for Medicaid programs.

Poll: People Trust Politicians More than Business Leaders to Fix Economy. According to a new poll it seems as though people have more faith in politicians to manage the economy than they do business owners and managers. 30% of those questioned have confidence in Wall Street executives to make the right decisions, while 75% believe Obama can do better. Republicans scored 53%, while Democrats in Congress scored 66%. Can lawyers and career bureaucrats really run businesses better than those who actually run businesses? This well written, witty article suggests Congress runs its business horribly. In fact, Congress manages its affairs so poorly that if it were held to the same standards to which it forces businesses, most members would be fired, or imprisoned.

Why is a Bank Paying Off a Leftist Group Attacking Banks? Bank of America forks over $2 million to ACORN Housing Corporation to “prevent foreclosures and educate people about finances and purchasing homes.” President Obama has long worked witih ACORN in his community organizing days, which explains why the majority of the Bank of America payoff is going to ACORN’s Chicago chapter.

NY ACORN Leader, Bertha Lewis, Confronted on Fox Business. Fox Business host, Stuart Varney, confronts ACORN leader about the group’s home squatting program. “Do you think that you’ve got a right to these houses? They’ve got a right to the house even though they haven’t been paying their bills?” “What right do you have to get my money to pay for you? I’ve read the Constitution and I don’t see that right.” Lewis tries several times to dodge Varney’s questions, positing parallel arguments, but Varney stops her on every occasion. Ultimately, the ACORN leader states:

“I wish we could force banks to our will, we wouldn’t have this problem.”

Obama Calls on ACORN to Shape Federal Agenda. With the recent resurgence of the radical leftist group, ACORN, which is receiving federal funding, and $2 million from Bank of America directly to the group’s chicago chapter, it raises questions as to the influence this group now holds over government. In a speech to thousands of community organizers, including ACORN, at the Heartland Democratic Presidential Forum on 12/1/07, Obama clearly sends a signal of support for the group saying:

“Before i even get inaugurated, we’re going to be calling you all in to help shape the agenda. We’re going to be having meetings all across the country with community organizations so that you have input in the agenda of the next presidency of the United States of America.”

Obama later refuted direct affiliation with ACORN, saying that his campaign does not need the group’s help. Obama could have been merely posturing to the group in the 2007 rally hoping to gain votes, but recent funding and other support for the group at least raises serious questions.

You just finished reading Freedom Under Fire, Feb. 23rd, 2009 on The Freedom Factory. Please consider leaving a comment!

Signs of inflation, troubles with the Taliban, Baltimore turning into Zimbabwe with ACORN crime spree, another radical preacher appointed to White House staff, nationalizing banks, find out how your state ranks in taxation, Obama halts mileage tax idea, the how-to’s of bureaucratization, and being reprimanded by Communists on poor economic policy…just the latest in your Freedom Under Fire Report!

Everyday our liberties and freedom come under fire. The American Republic once protected its citizens from arbitrary abuse, extortion, and deliberate social engineering. Now the very same public servants who were meant to work for us connive daily on how to control our lives. The Republic is gone and we are left to fend for ourselves, to put up resistance to every encroachment on individual self-determination. The Freedom Under Fire Report provides daily coverage of the most important issues, so that you remain informed and ready to defend yourself. Read on and pass this around to everyone you think could benefit:

Consumer Prices Begin their Ascent. Fears of deflation gripped markets and the Federal Reserve in 2008, but it appears as though preliminary government estimates indicate that consumer prices have increased so far this year. January’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) statistics show 0.3% growth in January, compared to a 0.8% loss last December. The NY Times blames the inflation on rising energy costs, but anyone who invests in energy markets knows that is rubbish. Energy prices are collapsing, but the Federal Reserve is printing money at a pace never before seen in our history. That is the cause of inflation, and seems to be ramping up with trillions more in deficit spending subsidized by the printing press.

Radical Left Launches Civil Disobediance Campaign to Stop Home Foreclosures. Lawlessness is on the rise in America. Respect for property is on the decline. The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), a radical leftist group, has begun a campaign to halt home foreclosures. The group says,

Participants in the ACORN Home Savers campaign nationwide will simply refuse to move out of foreclosed homes, or in some cases, will move back in. ACORN homesteaders intend to squat in their homes until a comprehensive, federal solution for people facing foreclosure is put in place.

ACORN receives public funds and was even encouraged to defy the law by Ohio Congresswoman (Democrat) Marcy Kaptur, who said “Stay in your homes. If the American people, anybody out there is being foreclosed, don’t leave.” The group has begun breaking into homes in Baltimore, claiming, “This is our home now.”

Kyrgyz Parliament Votes to Shut Down U.S. Base, Americans Scramble to Keep it Open. Despite the Kyrgystan Parliament voting to shut down a U.S. base in their country, the U.S. is looking for ways to thwart leaving. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said “We have not resigned ourselves to this being the last word,” and is considering increasing payments for continued military access. The base plays a central role in Afghan operations.

U.S. Continues Clandestine War Inside Pakistan. With two missile strikes in the last week, President Obama continues Bush’s clandestine war against the Taliban inside of Pakistan. C.I.A. direction of the war seems to be limited to missile strikes and unmanned operations.

Radical Black Preacher Appointed to White House Council. Now that the scrutiny of the Presidential campaign is behind him, Obama has tapped into his controversial inner circle for advisory positions. Reverend Otis Moss Jr. has been appointed to serve on Obama’s Advisory Council established as part of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Moss has deep ties to controversial Reverend Jerimiah Wright, and has his own laundry list of controversial sermons, writings, and lectures.

Not All States are Created Equal, at Least with Taxation. Check this table for 2008 state individual income taxes to find out where your residence stands compared to everyone else. We fall into ruts in life, letting inertia carry indefinitely. But there is no reason to reside in a heavily taxed jurisdiction when you can move elsewhere and enjoy equivalent, if not higher, quality of life, with far less government burden in your life.

Obama Against Nationalizing Banks, Feels Banks Should be Private for Symbolic Reasons. Congressional Democrats, in an effort to preempt a major continuation of the financial collapse are working out the details of a plan nationalize the U.S. banking system for an undefined period of time.  In an effort to show caution and diligence, the Executive branch is not showing initial support for the move, citing it is symbolic to keep some remnants of Capitalism in the new Socialist era.

Senator Chris Dodd-Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee-voices “shock” at discontent over forced Wall Street compensation caps and the idea of nationalization. “I’m sort of stunned in a way that some people are reacting the way they are about all of this,” Dodd said. “At a time like this, everyone needs to pull in the same direction.” What if we disagree with that direction?

Obama Will Not Pursue Mileage Tax. Obama stands firm on halting proposed law that would tax motorists based on the amount they drive. The tax was propsed by Dept. of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. In a written statement the department made it clear: “The policy of taxing motorists based on how many miles they have traveled is not and will not be Obama administration policy.”

The National Institute of Forensic Science: How Government Agencies are Formed. It starts with a Congressional study. This is usually funded by some interest group to push some agenda. The study of course cites deficiencies in the decentralized forensics system, including order backlogs, delays, and understaffing. The solution, of course, is for the federal government to increase its power: “A new federal agency is needed to regulate these laboratories, standardize forensic techniques and pay for research, according to the report, which was financed by Congress in 2005.” Identifying problems is easy, but is there any indication that a government run bureaucracy would solve them?

Chinese Communists Chastise World: Protectionism Doesn’t Pay. With international trade rapidly declining and several world governments rushing to protect domestic industries, China is speaking out agaisnt what it perceives as a rush towards retaliatory trade wars. “China still firmly believes that trade protectionism isn’t a solution to the world’s problems.” In fact, in 2008, while global trade contracted, China increased its foreign imports by 18.5% over the previous year. “Buy American” clauses in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and unprecedented state intervention in businesses, are worrisome. Policies of this nature spark retaliatory measures around the world, as foreign governments do the same to protect their industries from the negative consequences. This means mounting trade barriers, tariffs, restrictions, and other regulations that stiffle any chance of economic recovery.

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