The Freedom Factory

HUD program turns out to benefit contractors and not the poor…go figure! China cranks up its printing presses-expect global inflation, Peter Schiff (“Dr. Doom”) discusses his book “Crash Proof”, Goldman Sachs plans to sell billions in stock to pay off government aid ASAP, gas prices up 5% in 3 weeks…inflation? Top U.S. general says we’ll be out of Iraq by 2011, and 75% of Americans want to lift Cuba embargo… Continue Reading

Former Federal Reserve Chairman, Alan Greenspan, published an editorial in the Wall Street Journal today that absolves himself of any wrong-doing in the housing bubble and its subsequent destructive aftermath. Latching onto a weak argument that circa 2002 long-term mortgage and short-term federal funds rates had statistically diverged in correlation, he suggests that the overcapitalization of housing resulting from cheap credit was not his fault. Many critics have pointed the finger at Greenspan for setting short-term rates too low for too long. Access to cheap credit, according to critics, sparked “irrational exuberance” in the housing market, flooding the sector with unprecedented capital and driving prices to ridiculous levels.

Rather, Greenspan blames global trade in boosting foreign savings rates and leaving the U.S. with large current account imbalances that were subsidized by our trading partners. The current account cash flows went almost exclusively into housing, driving long-term mortgage rates to unprecedented lows and encouraging speculation.

Hilariously, in his editorial Greenspan cites famous economist Milton Friedman as saying that during Greenspan’s tenure from 1985-2005, “There is no other period of comparable length in which the Federal Reserve System has performed so well. It is more than a difference of degree; it approaches a difference of kind.”

Friedman did not live to see the aftermath of Greenspan’s policies. Short-term federal funds and long-term mortgage rates did diverge in correlation, but they did so precisely because of Fed and other governmental policies. The structural distortions in our economy leading to sustained trade imbalances were caused by irresponsible monetary and fiscal policies. Congress legislated the creation of the secondary mortgage market, mandated that it funnel capital to subprime borrowers, and taxed away America’s industrial base. Couple this with a sustained period of negative real interest rates orchistrated by Greenspan, and the U.S. economy grew ridiculously distorted over time, channeling the world’s savings towards our consumption, leaving the country bereft of productive capacity. Housing is not productive, but consumptive.

Global trade is not the problem. Current account and trade deficits, of themselves, are not the problem. Artificial interest rate manipulation, social engineering legislation that drives consumption over production, and inflationary monetary policy that drives perpetual inflation and currency debasement are the issues.

Mr. Greenspan accuses his detractors of rewriting history, but that is precisely what he is attempting to do.

China launching massive domestic stimulus, details on the $275 billion homeowner bailout, landmark Supreme Court ruling for drug makers, Chavez declares war on opposition media and nationalizes a U.S.-based company, lawmakers defend 9,000 earmarks including “swine odor research”, and a Russian economist predicts civil war in U.S. in 2009…just the latest in your Freedom Under Fire Report! Continue Reading

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.