MD, Baltimore

For 40+ years, I've been living by the admonition to "Think Globally; Act Locally". And, although I know that this organization was probably designed to "act nationally", I like the idea of being able to talk to Maryland people about Maryland problems, as well as national ones.

It seems to me that, more and more, it is only the crazy fringes that get heard at both the state and national levels. It would astounding if The Coffee Party could finally bring rational voices together, so that they can be loud enough to be heard.

Here's something, for instance, that doesn't seem important, but could not only cause some real harm to the economy, but portend government abuses in the future.

Recently, both the U.S. House and Senate quietly passed a bill to, supposedly, prevent "tobacco trafficking". The idea is that it is supposed to prevent criminals from buying and selling tobacco illegally, but that's not what it's for. Criminals will buy and sell tobacco illegallyl no matter what; what this bill is doing is making it illegal to buy tobacco products wholesale on the internet and ship them by U.S. Post.

If Mr. Obama signs this bill-- which he may have already done-- it will cut the Post Office's already ailing income by some $50 million a year, and, basically, bankrupt the Seneca Indians. Whether you are a smoker or a smoking "nazi", you should be concerned about a bill that creates this kind of carnage in the present economy. But I fear also what this bill is the precuror of.

This bill was lobbied for by the States, like Maryland, which have placed usurous taxes on tobacco products and want to keep receiving their pound of flesh. Maryland has other laws in place that restrict what one can buy. For instace, it already makes one pay a Maryland sales tax on cars bought in other states, even if a sales tax was paid in that state; it prohibits the shipping of furniture from West Virginia; and more. It is throwing up walls around the State, saying to its residents, "Buy here and pay our taxes or you don't get to buy it al all."

The other effect of this bill is, if it is successful for tobacco, the Feds may begin to restrict the sale of other products that can be bought locally-- and taxed-- by states. A lot of personal restrictive laws begin with tobacco, because the pundits believe that no one will object to tobacco-- and they're right. But, because cigarette taxes have been successful, taxes are about to be put on soda and fattening snacks, and possibly cheeseburgers and other things. Such taxes affect the poor and working poor more than anyone and limit their choices. Government, whether right or left, uses as its excuse for overtaxing us its belief that it has the obligation to "incentiveize" citizens to "do the right thing." I don't believe that it does.

We are not 50 individual countries; we are a Republic. Trade should not be restricted across state lines. America is about choices; our personal choices should not be restricted.

What say you?

Fellow Citizens,

I may have stumbled upon the answer.

I have authored a book that explains a specific strategy to regain control of our federal government. Though listening carefully, I’ve heard of no other solutions being offered so far. The book includes as yet unspoken analysis, entirely unique perspectives, a full explanation of the logic leading to my conclusions and a step-by-step plan that could enable the masses to re-establish control of our Federal government. Here's a sample

Votimate Our Politics

Our country needs a new way of doing business. Under the current system politicians have many motivations. This strategy could reduce their need for multiple motivations. This strategy could help create a system where politicians are:

Votimated

Politicians Motivated for Votes Only

PREFACE

We’ve heard from the Politicians, the Pundits, the Experts and from all of those who can buy a platform from which to speak, yet nary an answer for that which ails our country. Clearly it is getting worse with no end in sight. Perhaps it is time to hear from “Joe Public.”

I can’t say that I speak for the 99%, but I come from the 99% and after losing everything, perhaps even the bottom percent. How can the 1% get away with robbing and causing such harm to the 99% when the 99% of us control the vote? Armed only with the logic of a layman and the urgent need of a pauper I drilled down deep into this dilemma and made some discoveries that might be worth hearing.

The first several chapters offer unique, unspoken perspectives, intended to expose, categorize, organize and simplify the basic core issues within the bigger issue, our politics, or more specifically, our lack of effective governance for the 99%. The next several chapters offer unique comparative analysis, completely “out of the beltway” ideas and surprisingly possible solutions to the core problems. The final few chapters include stunning, previously undisclosed analysis exposing clearly why we must take action soon - and what the result of taking action could mean for us.

This is not just conceptual. I propose specific action. This is “nuts and bolts.” This is “what’s the next step”, a potential roadmap to restoring a government that works for us, the 99%. Restoring our democracy is the only issue worth talking about. Until we adapt and upgrade our political system, the 99% will continue to lose. Until we do, nothing else matters. Without a functioning government, we have nothing.

INTRODUCTION

I’m not experienced with politics and have no education in economics. Like many, I’ve lost everything and see little happening to bring me hope while watching our country implode seemingly like never before. This is saying a lot because at 54 years old, I survived the horrific Richard Nixon 30,000-dead-to-get-re-elected-war/impeach-a-crook-Watergate era.

Many of us are in need of hope. They say that need is the mother of invention. America is in need of solutions. While most solutions to complex issues include in-depth analysis and long explanations, true also in this case, like most straightforward arguments, mine too has a short answer. So I’ll cut to the chase and work my way backward.

In January 2010, while watching the disturbing display of the four “Too Big To Fail” banksters acting innocent and clueless in front of Congress, I found myself wondering, “How can our country become as successful as these corporations have become?” Even more to the point, how can we, Joe Public, benefit from our government like their shareholders benefit from their successful banking corporations? After all, who would argue that those corporations have pimped our system and punked us all? We know it. They know it. Everyone knows it.

Simply put, it is an industry licensed by, governed by and residing in the United States of America that has become more powerful than the Federal Government of The United States of America. That’s a mouthful. Other than two senseless wars, this is the worst realization of my lifetime. It’s huge. It cannot be overstated. It is bleeding us dry and I don’t see it changing on it’s own. It has stolen our Democracy. But what on earth can we do about it?

The status quo approach would be to peck away at it with legislation that will start with good intentions, but with powerful lobby bribes end up watered down, rendered ineffective and/or reversed by the next congress and administration. First, it is: our political/governing system needs an overhaul from the bottom up. It no longer works, which begs one of many questions, “which specific part is broken?”

To that purpose, I analyzed the differences between how the Wall Street banksters and health insurance providers do business from within their system – the free market corporate model – and compared it to the way the U.S. Government, does business from within our current political/governing system. I drilled down deep and what I found astounded me and might surprise you too. They are very different. Ergo, it’s the differences in the two structures/systems that allow the banksters and insurance providers to be so successful while operating from within theirs and what makes our government fail while operating from within ours, which allows private industry to dominate us.

By comparing the structures side-by-side it became obvious; the deficiencies in our system of governing are glaring and alarming when compared to their adapted, efficiently incentivized system. Upon identifying it the ultimate question arose, “how can we fix it?” The answer to fixing it is surprisingly obvious and has been readily apparent all along, despite the requisite in-depth analysis and long explanation disclosed herein.

My argument’s short answer is to propose applying elements of their successful free market corporate model to our system of politics and governance and we, Joe Public, should be rewarded like shareholders of a successful corporation. Once you go to this simple, logical perspective fantastic advantages naturally arise benefiting the citizens of America, not just the chosen few as it is now. On the following pages I will propose specific, step-by-step methods to reigning in the parasites.

Paradigm Shift

In my view, we can’t expect this type of “system overhaul” perspective and change to come from – or to be driven by – politicians fighting for their careers within our broken system. Ever since special interest groups have been counting profits in the billions, maybe even trillions, they’re far too powerful and already own our political/governing system.

If ever a “grass roots movement” were needed, it is for this “paradigm shift.” The 99% must conceive and drive this change and do it soon or our beloved country will implode from the unintended consequences of insatiable special interest capitalism. So let’s take a page from those who are doing it to us and make it work for us. With the strategy outlined herein, “we the shareholders” can take our government back from special interests.

United and armed with this plan, we can simply insist.

To find out more, visit votimate.com. I have lowered the cost for the “download” format to my cost only, $1.49, through Friday, March 12. You can find the “download” option just under the “Add to Cart” button on the right side of my publisher’s page. By Saturday, March 13th, the price will go back to $10 for the immediate download and Ebook versions. You won't be disappointed.

Best wishes, JP Sayles