Campaign For Liberty Blog




1» Free to Compete?
      Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:22:32 -0500

By Matt HawesJohn Stossel's latest column goes a bit more in depth into a subject he addressed yesterday on Fox Business' Varney & Co.: government regulations and those that love to use them to stifle competition. Every day, federal, state and local governments stifle small businesses to privilege well-connected incumbent companies. It's a system of protectionism for influential insiders who don't want competition. Every locality has its share of business moguls who are cozy with politicians. Together, they use the power of government to keep competition down and prices high.... Read the examples in his "Entrepreneurs Under Attack" piece here.  The article serves as an important reminder that not all threats to liberty come from the federal government.  Though it's easy to focus our attention and e


2» Insurers cite new requirements as they raise rates
      Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:25:13 -0500

By Matt HawesVia The Wall Street Journal: Aetna Inc., some BlueCross BlueShield plans and other smaller carriers have asked for premium increases of between 1% and 9% to pay for extra benefits required under the law, according to filings with state regulators.... Read the rest. Wasn't "lowering costs" what ObamaCare was supposedly all about? (if you listened to the White House and the media)  Like with many other so-called government "solutions," we're now stuck with bigger government and ever-increasing costs.  Spread the word about C4L's Operation Health Freedom and help us get government out of health care.


3» Man Arrested For Defending His Property
      Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:31:55 -0500

By Tim ShoemakerIn Long Island, George Grier was arrested for firing an AK-47 into his lawn to deter approaching gang members who were threatening his life and that of his family.  "I went around and went into the house, ran upstairs and told my wife to call the police. I get the gun and I go outside and I come into the doorway and now, by this time, they are in the driveway, back here near the house. I tell them, you know, ‘Can you please leave?' Grier said. Grier said the five men dared him to use the gun; and that their shouts brought another larger group of gang members in front of his house. "He starts threatening my family, my life. ‘Oh you're dead. I'm gonna kill your family and your babies. You're dead.' So when he says that, 20 others guys come rushing around the corner. And so I fired four warning shots into the


4» "The Real Provocateurs"
      Wed, 08 Sep 2010 09:28:51 -0500

By Matt HawesCongressman Paul gives his thoughts on the Quran burning and what is really provoking terrorists: LAKE JACKSON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Congressman Ron Paul today issued the following statement about a Florida pastor's plan to burn copies of the Quran on the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. "A professed Christian pastor in Gainesville, Florida, Terry Jones, plans to burn copies of the Quran on 9/ 11. He indicts all Islam for 9/ 11 and argues that it is a hate-driven religion. He's convinced he's on God's side even though he is getting little support from other Christians, who believe that Jesus is the Prince of Peace. "General David Petraeus, our military commander in Afghanistan, strongly condemned Mr. Jones' plan, arguing it would be provocative, make his fight against the


5» Drowning in Regulations
      Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:10:00 -0500

By Matt HawesFollowing on Matt Holdridge's post, Fox Business' John Stossel discussed how federal regulations affect small businesses on Varney & Co. www.youtube.com/ watch?v=6Yxj9Pudxh0


6» GOP takeover of House would move White House focus to regulation
      Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:09:15 -0500

By Matt Holdridge Jon Ward at the DailyCaller is reporting that if the GOP manages to take back the House in November, many suspect that the Obama Administration will pivot from moving its agenda legislatively to doing it through the regulatory agencies.  Opponents of the Obama administration’s agenda said they are shifting their attention away from the legislative arena and toward the regulatory field of battle. “Right now we see the next two years, the battles moving from Capitol Hill probably to the regulatory agencies,” said Randel K. Johnson, senior vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.


7» I Am Campaign for Liberty - Regional Competition
      Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:23:06 -0500

By Tim ShoemakerC4L is announcing our first competition for the "I Am Campaign for Liberty" video project.  We've split the country into four regions.  The region with the most videos submitted by 9:30am EST on Monday, September 13 will win, and all participants within that region will receive a copy of the Rally for the Republic DVD autographed by Ron Paul!  Regions are based on geographic location consisting of the Northeast, South, Midwest, and West.  For more information regarding the competition please visit the I AM C4L website.


8» Legalize Home Distilling?
      Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:22:26 -0500

By Tim ShoemakerReason thinks so, and I would have to agree. Jimmy Carter legalized home brewing in 1978, and that newfound freedom fueled the craft beer movement that continues to lavish beer lovers with endless choices. But in many ways, laws that govern whiskey, gin, and other distilled spirits are stuck in the 1920s. The home brewing movement has changed the dynamic and taste of beer in America.  Who's to say that legalizing home distilling wouldn't do the same for liquor?  Take a look at Reason.tv's video below, "Free the 'Shine! Why It's Finally Time to Legalize Liquor," and let us know what you think.


9» Financial Regulators to Convene This Month
      Tue, 07 Sep 2010 10:37:55 -0500

By Tim ShoemakerFinancial regulators Central planners are set to meet this month to craft the "new financial regulations."  The gargantuan Dodd-Frank bill created a new "US council of financial regulators" who are to "oversee systemic risk," in addition to the new bureaucracy housed at the Federal Reserve - the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.  While specific implementation of the Dodd-Frank bill will fall at the feet of Geithner, the rules and regulations will be flowing from the other two.  The Hill reports: In Basel, [Switzerland] international regulators aim to strike a deal on new capital standards - known as Basel III - that will impact the world's largest banks and financial firms. "Everything else flows from here," said Sco


10» The AP on Iraq
      Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:50:16 -0500

By Matt HawesKudos to the AP for refusing to go along with the story that all the combat troops are out of Iraq.  Read about the memo from the AP's standards editor, Tom Kent, here.