PoliticalAction.com Blog

How to Defeat the Patriot Act

February 9, 2010

Taking away our freedoms is not Patriotic. In fact, there is nothing more un-American.

The badly misnamed Patriot Act is not the Act of Patriots. It is the act of petty tyrants seeking more and more power and control over our country.

Now, ever so quietly, the Obama administration is working with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to sneak reauthorization of the Patriot Act through without creating a stir among liberty-minded Americans.

Well, I’m for making a stir. A BIG STIR.

How about you?

We’ve all heard the defenses. How the Patriot Act was needed to combat terrorism. How it would not be used against U.S. citizens.

How it would not be abused.

These lies have all been clearly exposed. For eight years, the American people have ignored the wisdom of our founding fathers and traded freedom for security – and as predicted, we are losing both as a result.

And now, Congress and the White House are set to reauthorize the so-called Patriot Act.

They have until the end of this month to act. Even talk about a window-dressing reform bill has stopped. The Mainstream Media, fixated on Obama and tea party rallies, doesn’t say a word about it.

Frankly, you and I know the Patriot Act should be scrapped, or at least massively re-written to block federal snoops from casting fishing nets over the lives, histories and data of hard-working Americans.

Unless you and I act today, however, this won’t happen. . .

. . . and the Patriot Act will be reauthorized for another five years or more without hardly a peep or a dissent.

The weak link for the snoop-state insiders remains the U.S. Senate — where one Big Government boondoggle after another has been bottled up or defeated.

But my contacts in the Senate say there’s not hardly a peep of opposition to the Patriot Act being heard right now. They say they are willing to fight — some even admit privately it was a mistake supporting it the first time when President Bush demanded it in the midst of the outrage following the 9/11 attacks.

But no one will take this on unless there is a shout of opposition from the American people.

That’s why I urge you to let Senator Bob Casey and Senator Arlen Specter hear from you today. Please click here to sign our Liberty Petition, demanding your senators allow the Patriot Act to expire.

If we do not stop this reauthorization, we’ll see a whole lot more of what we’ve gotten over the last eight years:

*** Federal and State law enforcement on fishing expeditions, searching telephone, email, medical, financial, and other records looking for a needle in a haystack – and abridging the freedom of law abiding citizens everywhere.

*** Warrantless searches and roving wiretaps, paying telephone providers for access to TRILLIONS of phone records and ignoring Fourth Amendment protections.

*** Broad powers for the Treasury Department and Immigrations Department to rewrite regulations, access records, and conduct proceedings in secret.

*** Holding American citizens in violation of their constitutional rights simply because someone in the government has declared them an enemy combatant.

*** Vast amounts of electronic data on virtually every American swept up by insider arrangements and purchases from phone companies, airlines and other businesses afraid to say no to a government request.
As you well know, this isn’t some conspiracy theory. This is happening all around us.

And you and I can help put a stop to it today.

One of the most egregious abuses of the Constitution, using the Patriot Act as its basis, is so-called National Security letters, used commonly by the FBI.

It has been estimated that the FBI has used these NSLs – which allow access to records WITHOUT any court or search warrant – at least 50,000 times since 2001.

Just one example, noted in BusinessWeek in 2005, showed that the FBI had issued tens of thousands of NSLs and had obtained one million financial, credit, employment, and health records from the customers of targeted Las Vegas businesses. Selected businesses included casinos, storage warehouses and car rental agencies.

And that’s just one case.

Our federal government is out of control, and every day we see it attempting to abridge more of our constitutional rights.

We know they’d take away our Second Amendment rights in a heartbeat if they could, and we must also remain vigilant to this threat.

They’re spending us and our children into poverty, with crushing trillion dollar deficits.

And they’re allowing the out of control Fed to ruin the dollar and push forward toward the collapse of our currency and way of life.

All of these are vital fights.

But none are more critical at the moment than taking back our freedoms from the statists and power-hungry federal thugs who use the Patriot Act to dig into every aspect of American lives under the false pretense of making us safer.

We cannot be a free nation and have this un-American law on the books.

Liberty-minded Americans from the left and the right are outraged. But outrage alone won’t be enough. Every single one of us must take action today.

Campaign for Liberty has a three point plan to get as many senators as possible to vote against the Patriot Act:

** Your Petitions, and hundreds of thousands like them, will be delivered to the Senate, showing the tidal wave of opposition to the Patriot Act. You can sign by clicking HERE.

** Editorials and Op-Eds across the country to help swing the tide of public opinion to oppose this dangerous abuse of power.

** TV and Radio Ads in targeted states. As you may recall, our program has helped keep Socialized medicine from becoming a reality.
Public pressure works. Think of the agenda items that are stalled in Congress in no small part due to pressure from outraged citizens. Socialized Medicine. Big Labor’s Card Check. Gun grabbing bills. You name it; we’re beating it back.

The time is now to turn our attention to stopping the Patriot Act in its tracks.

The issue already became hot enough that the Senate could only muster a 60 day extension of the bill because of the threat of a Senate filibuster back in December. But now the politicians think all is clear. There is silence on this issue.

Well, I think it’s time for them to hear us loud and clear.

Remember, the statists need 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. We can and must win this fight.

Please join us and help Campaign for Liberty win this fight by signing your Petition and by making a contribution today.

In Liberty,

John Tate
President

P.S.: If you and I don’t take the lead, I’m certain the Patriot Act will be renewed, and we will continue to have our freedom and our private information taken away by our government.

You and I need to shine a bright spotlight on what Congress hopes will be a quiet fight.

Please help Campaign for Liberty wage this fight today by signing your Liberty Petition and by making a contribution to Campaign for Liberty if you can.

Campaign for Liberty

Dear Friend of Liberty,

You and I have stood together in our battles for Liberty and the Constitution before. Now, even larger threats – and greater opportunities – are in front of us.

Our constitutional principles and freedom-centered values are being assaulted at every turn. More bailouts, nationalized health care, cap and tax, trillion dollar “stimulus” plans, expansion of our interventionist foreign meddling. I could go on and on.

But the good news is, with your help, Campaign for Liberty has been fighting back.

And we’re even on offense, putting the statists and the Fed on notice with our Audit the Fed bill.

You and I are making progress every day.

As you may know, Campaign for Liberty is carrying the Revolution forward and fighting our battles in Congress and all across the country.

And it needs your help.

Please read the enclosed letter from Campaign for Liberty’s President, John Tate.

John and Campaign for Liberty need your advice and your help as we head into 2010. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read this letter and to continue the fight alongside me and Campaign for Liberty.

In Liberty,

Congressman Ron Paul

———-

Dear Member:

I’ve just finished a series of long and difficult planning meetings with my staff.

You see, right now, you and I are at a key stage in many of our current battles – and I’m faced with some decisions unlike any others I’ve ever had to make.

And I’m writing you today because it’s vital that as Campaign for Liberty goes forward, we receive your advice on C4L’s Confidential Member’s Directive.

The good news is, thanks to your help, we’ve really made an impact in Washington.

Today, AUDIT THE FED is up to 317 House cosponsors and 31 Senate cosponsors. Campaign for Liberty has grown like no other Liberty organization in history, both in number of supporters and in our impact across the country. All thanks to Patriots like you!

We’re helping keep back many of the big government power grabs many thought would already be law – like Cap and Tax and nationalized health care.

Though many of the battles still rage on, we’ve proven to the statists in Washington, D.C. we won’t just roll over and play dead for their radical freedom-robbing agenda. If they want to continue to try to take our liberty, well – now they’ve got a fight on their hands like never before.

But the truth is, there are so many battles to fight right now, we’re being stretched thin at the most crucial time.

So today, I regret to inform you — with all the critical battles we’re facing right now — without an IMMEDIATE influx of funds, I’m going to have to start cutting some of our most vital programs.

You see, unlike our overlords in the Federal Government, I can’t just print money when the bills come due!

Nor would I want to.

But the battles we are fighting don’t come cheap. The fact is, I hope you’ll help Campaign for Liberty fight ALL of our battles. But if we are faced with hard choices, I’d rather quit some fights (even though we could win!) than risk losing everything.

But before I cut anything, I want to be sure to receive your advice.

I’m sure you’ll agree: the idea that we may have to cut some of our vital programs is not welcome news. And it couldn’t have come at a worse time considering everything we’re facing right now.

And any of these battles could be won or lost depending on the resources Campaign for Liberty can spend fighting them, including:

*** Socialized, Government-run Medicine that would not only include astronomical tax hikes, but would give big government bureaucrats decision-making power over virtually EVERY medical decision;

*** The Cap and Tax scheme that would drive already sky-high energy costs through the roof, massively hike taxes on hardworking Americans and give the Federal Government unprecedented control over the economy;

*** Audit the Fed, so the American people can finally see the corruption and economic devastation caused by a handful of bankster bureaucrats;

*** PATRIOT Act renewal, and the new, even more DANGEROUS ID Bill that would not only allow the government to listen to phone calls and monitor internet accounts, but would mandate Americans get a federally-approved ID card complete with an RFID tracking device.
To me, all of these fights are so foundational to our freedoms it’s almost like asking which amendment in the Bill of Rights I would like to keep.

That’s why I need your advice.

You see, the Big Government crowd isn’t hurting for funds. The statists inside government just tax, borrow or print money when they need it.

Those outside are happy to ride the taxpayer gravy train with their bailouts, their welfare checks, and their bloated government contracts.

I’ll tell you up front: I don’t want to quit fighting anywhere.

Honestly, I’d rather meet the barrel of a loaded shotgun than to see Big Government politicians ham it up for the news cameras after they ram one of their statist schemes into law.

I’m sure you feel the same way.

I also know that without your financial support, there would be no Campaign for Liberty.

That’s why I need YOU to tell me WHICH FIGHT to focus on.

But, believe me, there’s no easy choice. Let me lay out the options.

Should I concentrate on efforts to stop government’s total takeover of medicine?

Even besides the massive costs that could literally bankrupt our country, this dangerous scheme strikes at the heart of everything you and I hold dear.

Under their Big Government Health Care power grab, American citizens will be nothing more than a dehumanized statistic — a number on a piece of paper.

So those federal bureaucrats won’t be making their decisions on what health care you and your family receive based on what you and your doctor decide is best — they will decide what is best for you.

I don’t know about you, but that sends shivers up my spine.

So if stopping Big Government’s takeover of medicine is your number one priority, please mark OPTION 1 on your Member’s Directive.

But before you do, please consider what’s at stake with the dangerous Cap and Tax Bill.

Of course, you and I both know this bill has nothing to do with the environment.

It’s really about raw government POWER.

Government POWER to tax.

Government POWER to enter your home to check for compliance.

And government POWER to control the economy, our lives and our freedom.

If passed, Cap and Tax would give the Federal Government UNPRECEDENTED control over the private sector — and our very lives.

And it will virtually guarantee our economy grinds to an IMMEDIATE halt.

I’m sure you can see why I’m torn.

If this is where you believe we should concentrate our resources, please mark OPTION #2 on your Member’s Directive.

And, of course, I haven’t even mentioned AUDIT THE FED yet.

Thanks to the help of folks like you, we’re at a truly historic crossroads in our fight.

Of course, from here on out, our battle will only get more difficult because the Fed banksters and their cronies in Congress are going to do everything they can to stop us.

But if you and I can somehow pass AUDIT THE FED, the American people will finally see it’s the Federal Reserve that’s the cause of inflation, our constant economic crises and the destruction of the middle class . . .

. . . and well be well on our way to finally ENDING the Fed once and for all.

If you believe we should concentrate solely on the AUDIT THE FED Bill, please mark OPTION #3 on your Member’s Directive.

But please remember, that’s not all.

You see, I know you weren’t fooled by Barack Obama’s campaign rhetoric . . . his empty promises to protect civil liberties.

The truth is, the assaults are continuing and only getting worse.

Today, the PATRIOT Act is up for reauthorization, and Obama Administration officials support its provisions.

You know, the provisions that allow government goons to wiretap American citizens and search everything from banking to library to medical records.

Just as bad, they’re pushing a new DANGEROUS ID bill.

If passed, DANGEROUS ID would allow Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to establish virtually any standards she wants.

Retinal scans. Fingerprints. DNA information.

RFID tracking chips so anti-gun government goons can watch your every movement.

And after reading all those Homeland Security memos and directives calling patriotic Americans like you and me terrorists, I can’t imagine sitting idly by while police state cheerleaders in Congress continue their assault on our civil liberties.

If you believe Campaign for Liberty should focus on this fight, please mark OPTION #4 on your Member’s Directive.

Of course, there is one more option.

I’ve hesitated until now to bring it up because it’s absolutely critical you understand the situation we’re in.

Without an IMMEDIATE and massive influx of funds, I will be FORCED to make cuts to our programs.

In fact, without an immediate contribution of at least $100 or $50, I may have to make cuts across the board.

OPTION #5 is FIGHT ALL OF THE ABOVE.

Don’t back down. Don’t leave anything to chance. FIGHT.

If you choose this option, please make a contribution to Campaign for Liberty of $500 or at least $250.

I know that’s a tremendous amount to ask.

If our backs weren’t against the wall, I wouldn’t even consider it.

But if we don’t fight back, who will?

I know we can count on Ron Paul in Congress. Can he count on us?

Please click here to fill out your Member’s Directive and make your most generous contribution today. Your advice and your support will make all the difference.

Sincerely,

John Tate
President

P.S. The tough economic times are affecting us all — and Campaign for Liberty isn’t immune.

Without an influx of funds, your Campaign for Liberty is going to be forced to make devastating cuts.

So I need your IMMEDIATE advice.

Hey folks,
Thanks for your patience with the videos from the rally. I finally got everything uploaded to our youtube channel (www.youtube.com/truth215freedom). If you’ve ever had the pleasure of making a video, chopping it up, and uploading it to youtube, while you’re in the middle of moving and setting up your new house, you can appreciate the time that was put into these videos. That said, please rate, comment, and share them with the world, I’d appreciate the help! Thanks again everyone, see you all on 12/11/09 for the holiday party!!!

Love and Liberty,
Mike Salvi

End the Fed March
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcQHwZysYd0

Mark Passio at the Fed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ik4js_8FmE

Jake Towne at the Fed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g-dpY0seEY

Rob Pepe at the Fed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ryy56O9q62A

Pat Sellers at the Fed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7Ncx0qa6aw

Jake Towne inside (3 videos)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73yfuMMf188

Dr James G Allen inside (2 videos)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbGhYPeErXg

Larken Rose inside (2 videos)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6tzOS1SQNA

William Kern inside (2 videos)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GuhbxC_AWY

Jacob Hornberger inside (2 videos)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw-PhhxznIA

REMINDER:
If you’d like to be more involved in helping out with events/outreaches/action items/ideas, please RSVP to our open organizer meeting this Saturday (you don’t need to be an organizer, this is open to all members, new and old) Open Organizer Planning Meeting

This message was sent by Mike Salvi (salvi@libertysolutions.ws) from TRUTH, FREEDOM, PROSPERITY.

Thanks,
Michael Salvi
www.truthfreedomprosperity.org
www.pennsylvaniarevolution.com

Dear Friend of Liberty,

Exactly one year ago today, over 10,000 passionate grassroots activists gathered in Minneapolis, Minnesota to proudly proclaim their support for limited constitutional government, sound money, free markets, and a free people.

The Rally for the Republic was a clear call to all political parties to return to the founding principles that made our nation great. Featuring premier speakers and musicians from our movement, the Rally officially kicked off Campaign for Liberty and energized and motivated us for the battle ahead.

It served notice to the political establishment that our Revolution, which so many assumed would fade away after the Ron Paul presidential campaign, was just getting started.

Every day, you continue to spread the message in innovative ways. It is through your actions and your involvement in C4L that we will take back our country and pass on a legacy of freedom to future generations.

Here are just a few of the exciting activities being done by your fellow C4L members all across the country:

Florida: In our last update on member activities, we reported that Florida Campaign for Liberty was preparing for their Liberty Summit and working hard to recruit additional Local Coordinators to promote liberty in their own backyards.

As one of the attendees, I can proudly say that I was overwhelmed by Florida C4L’s tremendous turnout for the Summit! It is estimated that over 1,500 people came to the Summit’s Liberty Celebration, which featured speakers including Congressman Ron Paul and Tom Woods.

Read Interim Florida State Coordinator Mark Cross’ report here.

And congratulations to Florida C4L for their continued success in recruiting Local Coordinators. Our last report noted that they had 159, and they have since added 44 for a nation-leading total of 203!

Keep up the great work!

Missouri: After the Missouri Information Analysis Center released their report attacking the freedom movement last March (which was eventually retracted after C4L members and others in the freedom community put enormous pressure on them), Missouri C4L members promised to hold those responsible for the report accountable and to do all in their power to prevent another such blatant abuse of power in their state.

On August 31, C4L Director of Membership Services Deb Wells, Interim Missouri State Coordinator Paul Hamby, and C4L member Larry Flinchpaugh testified before the Missouri House Interim Committee on State Intelligence Analysis Oversight. This committee is charged with taking recommendations about the MIAC back to the state legislature.

Read Paul’s report on what happened here, and thanks to all those in Missouri and every other state who are taking such courageous stands for the freedom movement.

California: On August 8, Sacramento Campaign for Liberty held an event called the “Federal Reserve Sunshine Day.”

As member Tom Davenport says, it was an outdoor event to be held in an accessible, high traffic, high visibility location for the specific purpose of promoting Federal Reserve transparency in a non-partisan manner. They decided to hold the event on Second Saturday, which Tom reports is a long standing Sacramento tradition in which local art galleries, restaurants, bars, and businesses participate by keeping extended hours and holding special events. Second Saturday is a draw not only for residents of Downtown and Midtown, but for residents of the greater Sacramento area as well, which made a perfect opportunity for exposure.

Read his full account (including video) of what happened here. Congratulations to Sacramento C4L for their success with this event, which resulted in over 500 petitions signed for Audit the Fed. Tom’s blog post also includes many helpful tips for those who are interested in holding a similar event.

Maryland: In Hartford County, local Campaign for Liberty members gathered outside of Congressman Frank Kratovils office on August 11 to protest the latest government attempt to completely take over health care. Around 400 people gathered to make their views known, and they were able to garner some local press coverage from Fox 45.

The Hartford County Campaign for Liberty has been rapidly expanding, and we congratulate them on their success. Their county blog reports they will be taking seven full buses to D.C. for the 9-12 March!

Across the country, your efforts are also continuing to gain media exposure. In Tennessee, a local newspaper covered Campaign for Liberty members collecting and dropping off petitions for HR 1207 to Congressman Bart Gordons office. In Arkansas, Regional Coordinator Rob Richard was interviewed by Greta Van Susteren on Fox News after asking a question during a town hall meeting on health care. In Pennsylvania, York County Coordinator Michael Koffenberger was interviewed for 30 minutes on a cable access show called Uprisings specifically to discuss Campaign for Liberty, local events, the upcoming Northeast Regional Conference, and much more.

C4L members are using Congressman Paul’s new book, End the Fed, to educate their countrymen on the Federal Reserve and the dangers of fiat money. Brevard County C4L in Florida has a goal of placing a copy in every single Brevard County library, as well as in four college campus libraries.

You are not the usual brand of activist the establishment was expecting to easily dismiss. You are educated on the issues, passionate about our message, and confident in the real change that we can bring about by restoring our Constitution.

Wherever they turn, there you are.

At townhalls. In front of their offices. On their phones. In their inboxes. At county fairs. Writing to editors of local papers. Knocking on doors and recruiting even more supporters.

And later this month, we will gather to hold our biggest Regional Conference yet! Joining us in Valley Forge, PA on Sept. 17-19 will be an incredible roster of speakers including Congressman Ron Paul, Judge Napolitano, Daniel Hannan, Tom Woods, Peter Schiff, and Phil Giraldi. Don’t miss this chance to hear from these leaders in our movement and to network and train with other C4L members. (Register using promotional code Henry to receive a free gift from C4L.)

Be sure to visit our Recent Member Blog Posts section at CampaignforLiberty.com to catch the latest news and reports from your fellow C4L members!

Do you have a state success story you want to see included in future installments? Send them along! Email any reports you would like to see highlighted to StateStories@CampaignforLiberty.com.

Thank you for all of the hard work you do in defense of our freedoms. May we proudly look back one day and know that when tyranny threatened on all sides, we answered the call, overcame the challenges, and took back our country.

In Liberty,
John Tate

President

August 21, 2009

Dear Friend of Liberty,

Our Northeast Regional Conference on Sept. 17-19 in Valley Forge, PA will feature Congressman Ron Paul, Judge Napolitano, Tom Woods, Phil Giraldi, and Peter Schiff.

How can an event with such a powerful lineup get any better?

I am proud to announce that British Member of Parliament Daniel Hannan is now confirmed as the latest addition to our Conference!

Daniel Hannan has become an international sensation for defending the principles of a sound fiscal policy. He made headlines when he openly criticized British Prime Minister Gordon Brown for his policies of spending Great Britain into even larger debt, referring to Brown as “The devalued Prime Minister of a devalued Government.” The video of that interaction has achieved worldwide fame and reached approximately 2.5 million views on Youtube alone!

Don’t miss out on what is sure to be the biggest Regional Conference yet! Register or become a sponsor today and use promotional code Madison when registering to receive a free gift from Campaign for Liberty.

Daniel Hannan has graciously agreed to take part in two private events with C4L members. Hannan will be holding a private briefing on Saturday afternoon, Sept 19, in which he will discuss his time in the British Parliament, his battles against the forces of big government, and his continued struggle to uphold liberty.

This is a very rare opportunity to hear Hannan in person in what will be a very intimate gathering. Spots are extremely limited, so sign up today!

Later that evening, he will also take part in our “Gold Reception,” where he will be joined by Peter Schiff and Tom Woods for a time of appetizers, drinks, and interaction with C4L members.

The private briefing and Gold Reception are each $100.

Become a sponsor and receive admission into both of these events as well as access to grassroots training, our Diamond Reception with Ron Paul, briefing with Judge Napolitano, and more!

You may also purchase tickets for both of these events separately by visiting our registration page. If you have already purchased tickets for the Conference or any related event, you can purchase a ticket the same way you used to register for those events. Just uncheck the boxes of the events you’re already scheduled to attend and then select the Private Briefing with Daniel Hannan and the Gold Reception.

Don’t forget to use promotional code “Madison” to receive your free gift!

Finally, on Saturday night, Hannan will once again join Peter Schiff and Tom Woods for our Economic Liberty Symposium. The Symposium is a FREE event that is open to the public.

Click on the video below to watch Daniel Hannan take on Gordon Brown and champion restoring Britain to sound economic footing:

With Congressman Ron Paul, Judge Napolitano, Tom Woods, Phil Giraldi, Peter Schiff, and now Daniel Hannan, as well as hundreds of liberty minded activists, this will be without question an event of a lifetime.

I look forward to seeing you there!

In Liberty,
John Tate

President

August 9, 2009

Dear Friend of Liberty,

The speaker lineup for Campaign for Liberty’s Northeast Regional Conference continues to grow!

Not only will Congressman Ron Paul and Judge Andrew Napolitano be present, but I am proud to announce that they will be joined in Valley Forge by best-selling author and historian Tom Woods as well as former CIA counterterrorism specialist and military intelligence officer Phil Giraldi.

Only in Valley Forge will Tom Woods give the fourth installment of his Foundations of Liberty lecture series that was developed specifically for C4L.

Phil Giraldi, a recognized authority on international security and counterterrorism issues as well as a regular contributor to The American Conservative and CampaignForLiberty.com, will speak to attendees about the state of current US foreign policy. This will give you the information about our foreign affairs the mainstream politicians and media pundits refuse to provide.

You can attend these lectures plus much more for only $76! Register today using promotional code Jackson to receive a FREE gift from Campaign for Liberty.

Campaign for Liberty is committed to giving Regional Conference attendees top-notch political training and networking opportunities to strengthen our movement and prepare grassroots activists to reclaim their country one neighborhood at a time. With Congressman Paul, Judge Napolitano, Tom Woods, and Phil Giraldi, our Northeast Regional Conference will be the biggest yet!

In Liberty,

John Tate
President

P.S. Don’t miss this chance to hear what they won’t teach you in most schools or tell you on the news. Space for C4L’s political training is limited, so reserve your spot today and use promotional code “Jackson” to receive your free gift!