State considers return to gold, silver dollars

State considers return to gold, silver dollars
Proposed bill slams Fed, allows payments in precious metals

By Drew Zahn
© 2009 WorldNetDaily

A bill being considered in the Montana Legislature blasts the Federal Reserve’s role in America’s money policy and permits the state to conduct business in gold and silver instead of the Fed’s legal tender notes.

Montana H.B. 639, sponsored by State Rep. Bob Wagner, R-Harrison, doesn’t require the state or citizens to conduct business in gold or silver, but it does require the state to calculate certain transactions in both the current legal tender system and in an electronic gold currency. It further mandates that the state must accept payments in gold or silver for various fees and purchases.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE...

Good commentary from "RECLAIM (.org) AMERICA": Click here

"Why Gold Is The Currency Of The Free And Idle"

"Why Gold Is The Currency Of The Free And Idle"
A Reading by Dominic Frisby of his essay on gold for The Idler Magazine

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Part One

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Part Two

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Part Three

Two Recently-Discovered YouTube Videos

We just stumbled across two good home-made YouTube videos that are relevant to the use of Constitutional Tender or to the Constitutional Tender Act itself.

The first discusses a number of different news items, but check out what is said beginning at 7:18:



The second has some interesting information regarding the fact that States have abandoned their Constitutional requirement to use ONLY gold and silver coin in payment of debt, and how that fact can actually benefit you in issues of taxation and fees... if you're willing to take that chance! :-)

Let's get our States back to doing what the Constitution REQUIRES them to do, and we won't have to "play around" with this kind of stuff!

Silver-90% Silver & ASE requested as payment under Ga. HB 430 as payments to the State in 2011

[UPDATE] Looks like "Michael" removed this video from YouTube. Oh well - thanks for having it up while you did! :-)

This is an interesting post by "Michael" on YouTube, who writes that he is from "deep Southern Georgia".

A good take on the Constitutional Tender bill.



Thanks for promoting it, Michael!

One Thousand Supporters today!

Hi folks - I haven't written since the end of the legislative session here in Georgia, but I wanted to give you a quick update:

We've now hit ONE THOUSAND SUPPORTERS in our cause on Facebook! (Thanks, Tara!) That puts us at "Guild" status (only 1500 more needed to reach "Tribe" status!).

That's FANTASTIC. Things are going to start heating up again as a number of state legislatures (maybe including Georgia) go back into session, and we see our efforts moving forward. As the economy nosedives, thanks to fiat money and the fractional reserve system, more and more people are looking to REAL money -- CONSTITUTIONAL TENDER -- as the only real solution to what our "leaders" and the Federal Reserve have brought upon us.

We CAN win this -- if we stick to it! Thanks so much for being willing to support this cause, and God bless!

Bill Greene

Constitutional Tender - Wow, Check It Out!

Dear Friends of Constitutional Tender,

One week ago, we sent a message to all of the members of our Facebook "cause," that we had reached another milestone in our efforts to return our States to using REAL money: namely, that we had reached 500 MEMBERS, making us an official "SQUAD"!

That was then; THIS IS NOW. In just ONE WEEK, we added ANOTHER 100 members!

It took us 11 weeks to get from zero to 500... then it only took ONE week to get to 600!

So what does that mean? It means we're only 400 members away from the next level of "GUILD" (1000 members) -- and at this rate, we could hit that in just a couple of weeks!

This is an incredibly important cause -- perhaps one of the most important causes on Facebook, when it comes to the best chance America has to save our economy... and our money.

That's why I'm asking you to do something very special, to advance the cause of returning our States to using what the U.S. Constitution requires them to use: gold and silver ONLY. THAT is what can save our citizens from the coming monetary crash.

If you're not a member of Facebook, and are willing to help out by joining Facebook and then joining the Cause, then go here: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/209010/

If you're already on Facebook... could you go right now and "invite" as many friends as possible to join the "Support the State Constitutional Tender Act" cause? You can invite up to 60 friends a day -- just go here:

http://apps.facebook.com/causes/cause_invitations/new?cause_id=209010

Remember: it's our future we're trying to save. Can you take just a couple of minutes right now to help?

Thank you!

Bill Greene
http://www.ConstitutionalTender.com/

Constitutional Tender: Another Milestone Reached!

Dear Friends of Constitutional Tender,

We have reached ANOTHER milestone in our efforts to return our States to using REAL money:

Our Facebook "cause" has reached 500 MEMBERS! That makes us an official "SQUAD"!

So what does that mean? It means we're ready to take the next ACTION STEP:

Contact YOUR State Representative and Ask Him or Her to Introduce the Constitutional Tender Act!

We've made great progress in Georgia with HB 430, culminating in a two-hour no-holds-barred hearing on the bill before two major subcommittees of the House Banks and Banking Committee. As soon as they come back into their next session, we'll be able to push for a vote to get it to the House floor!

We've also seen other sound money proposals introduced in at least six other states across the country!

All of this has ONLY been possible thanks to patriots like YOU, who have been willing to take a couple of minutes every once in a while to send a quick email, or make a quick phone call, or fax a quick letter. And IT'S WORKING.

But time is growing short. The Federal Reserve keeps pumping TRILLIONS more dollars into our economy, with no end in sight -- which means hyper-inflation is right around the corner. If we want to protect the citizens of each state from the coming monetary collapse, then we MUST get our states to begin the process of adopting SOUND MONEY -- NOW, before it's too late.

So, now we're ready to "branch out" and start REALLY pushing this bill, in ALL 50 STATES!

Think about it: with just our Facebook members alone (not to mention the many more who support this bill outside of Facebook), we can generate over 25,000 MESSAGES to every State Representative in every State in the Union.

TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND MESSAGES, and every single one of them asking for one simple thing: INTRODUCE THE CONSTITUTIONAL TENDER ACT IN YOUR STATE!

So here's the steps YOU can quickly take to make a HUGE impact in advancing the goal of returning every State to the use of Constitutional Tender -- REAL money -- as they are required to do:

If you don't know how to contact your State Representative...

• Go to http://www.congress.org/
• Enter your ZIP code in the box where it says "Find Your Officials" or "My Elected Officials" and click "Go"
• On the next page, fill in your "ZIP + 4" OR fill in your full address in the boxes in the middle of the page
• Click on the name of your State Representative
• Click on your state legislator's Contact tab
• Click on the link to Contact your state legislator

Then just write a quick note to your State Representative; you can use the sample message below, or write your own:

***********************************************

Dear Rep. __________________,

As a voting constituent in your district, I am writing to ask you to please introduce a bill called the Constitutional Tender Act.

Time is growing short. The Federal Reserve keeps pumping TRILLIONS more dollars into our economy, with no end in sight -- which means hyper-inflation is right around the corner. If we want to protect the citizens of our state from the coming monetary collapse, then we MUST begin the process of adopting SOUND MONEY -- NOW, before it's too late.

The surest and quickest way to do that is to simply do one thing: OBEY THE U.S. CONSTITUTION. In Article I, Section 10, it reads, "No State shall... make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts". But, in fact, our state DOES make some other "Thing" besides gold and silver coin a "Tender in Payment of Debts" -- some "Thing" called "Federal Reserve Notes." That's why we need the "Constitutional Tender Act" -- a bill that would return our state to adherence to the United States Constitution's actual legal tender provisions.

A bill like this, that would mandate the use of only constitutional money in state transactions (taxation and payables, contracts, etc.), would immediately begin the flow of real wealth toward our state's treasury. This would stabilize the our state's economy, protect the pensions of state employees, etc. -- and offer many other immediately recognizable benefits.

The Constitution is the only true "hedge fund" that can protect the people of our state from the effects of inflationary paper money.

I'm sure you have a lot of questions about how such a bill could work, and how it can save our state from the collapsing economy. Please do me this favor and visit this website: http://www.ConstitutionalTender.com/ . Here you can click on "FAQ" to read the answers to almost all questions about this bill.

You can also click on "Template" to download this bill in Word, PDF, or Text format, in order to modify it so that you can introduce the bill in our state's legislature.

This bill has already been introduced in other states like Georgia, where it is now winding its way through the approval process. We need to make sure the citizens of OUR state are protected, too. PLEASE, introduce the Constitutional Tender Act -- and begin the process of adopting SOUND MONEY once again in this great state. Thank you.

Sincerely,


***********************************************


Now, we've made this as simple as possible; if you already know who your state legislator is and how to contact him or her, please do so! If at all possible, send an actual email with the Bill Template attached (in PDF, Word, or Text format, available for download from our website).

And by the way, if you live in Georgia -- just modify the letter to ask your Representative to SUPPORT HB 430 in the State House!

PLEASE, take just a couple of minutes of your valuable time to send this message. If we ALL take part -- and send over 25,000 MESSAGES -- we can make a REAL difference for REAL money, in every single state!

Thank you!

http://www.ConstitutionalTender.com/

Listen to recent interview on PPR show

On April 2nd, the topic on the "Patriot Pastors Radio" show was the Constitutional Tender Act.

Click here to listen to an archive of this show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Patriot-Pastors/2009/04/03/C4Ls-Dr-Bill-Greene-and-the-Constitutional-Tender-Act-of-Georgia

We'll be doing more interviews soon - so stay tuned, and spread the word! :-)

Upcoming Interview on PPR radio show

This Thursday night (4/2/09), at 10pm CT (11pm ET), be sure to tune in to the "Patriot Pastors Radio" show. The topic will be the Constitutional Tender Act!

Click here for info on this show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Patriot-Pastors/2009/04/03/C4Ls-Dr-Bill-Greene-and-the-Constitutional-Tender-Act-of-Georgia

To listen online, go to Patriot Pastor's Radio and click on the "Click to Listen" icon at showtime. The "click to listen" icon will not show until showtime. To listen in by phone, the call in number is 1-646-929-0529 (call is free if you have free long distance). For those who will listen on their computers, you must have Windows Media Player for PC's or Quicktime for MAC users to listen online.

If you cannot make it to the live show, every show is recorded and archived for your convenience. To listen to archived shows, please click here.

Constitutional Tender Bill was heard in Committee!

Dear Friends of Constitutional Tender,

This week, HISTORY WAS MADE. And we have patriots like YOU to thank for it, because YOU took the time to demand that legislators LISTEN.

Now, we have another quick task to do -- which we'll tell you in a moment.

This week, testimony was given at the Georgia House combined Financial Institutions & Services Subcommittee / Regulations & Oversight Subcommittee hearing on HB 430, the "Constitutional Tender Act". Testimony in favor of the bill was given by Rep. Bobby Franklin, Bill Greene, Aaron Krowne, Sean Mangieri, Jesse Bickel, and Franklin Sanders.

View the testimonies here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u3B2KbVWto
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv1MDWac9-E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXqNQNj4T-M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peEs2SteMM8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oHqdEf0Hjk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VKvzeePmL4

The witnesses testified and explained to the Members of these Banks and Banking Committee subcommittees the absolute requirement of the U.S. Constitution for the State of Georgia to ONLY use gold and silver coins in its transactions, and a dialogue was begun in the best MEANS by which this should be done. The bureaucrats and banking lobbyists were concerned with cost, efficiency, and change, but it was apparent that they had not read the bill thoroughly or with an open mind, and especially had not read the FAQ on the ConstitutionalTender.com website.

These experts and Rep. Franklin explained to the Members the need to shift away from our fiat money system, and into a sound money system. The hyperinflationary end of various countries' fiat money was explained. The fallacies of fractional reserve banking was shown, and how the system robs the inherent wealth of the American citizens. The likely complete devaluation of Federal Reserve Notes, and thus the need for Georgia to protect its citizens via returning to Constitutional Tender, was also explained.

Testimony in opposition to the bill was given by a state bureaucrat and two banking industry lobbyists. Dan Ebersole, Director of the Georgia Office of Treasury and Fiscal Services, worried that the State would have to start storing physical gold and silver right there in their office, and he'd have to have a bodyguard wherever he went. The question, of course, is why would it have to store the gold physically, if we are already dictating that depositary banks will have to have the appropriate gold/silver backed accounts? Do they have to store physical Federal Reserve Notes right there in their office, too?

Mr. Ebersole also worried that he would have a hard time investing the State's money if we went back to using Constitutional tender. What he doesn't seem to understand is that, as the value of FRNs drops like a base-metal balloon, all that fiat money he has so "wisely" invested will be GONE -- and the people of this State will want to know just WHO is responsible.

The two banking industry lobbyists, Joe Brannen of the Georgia Bankers Association and Steven D. Bridges of the Community Bankers Association of Georgia, were worried that they'd have to change the way they do business. They might have to convert FRNs to real money; they might have to store gold and silver in vaults; they might have to hire bank security; they might have to initiate electronic transactions...

In other words, as one of our folks remarked, it was largely a puerile dodge, where they pretended like we were demanding they go back to pre-19th century money handling, where there aren't even banks and so every transaction consists of gold coin being moved around. They then made a straw man out of that. In reality, we are merely establishing gold coin as a standard backing for electronic money in the manner of the current banking system.

Overall, our folks -- simply citizens of the Sovereign State of Georgia, not bureaucratic wonks or paid lobbyists -- made stunningly adept & forceful presentations. Yes, there was at least one legislator that left in a red-faced huff, remarking that he wasn't going to "waste his time" listening to this stuff; but it was just as clear that many eyes were opened that day, and it seems that several legislators were actually swayed by the sound argumentation.

So, I repeat: HISTORY WAS MADE.

But our work is FAR from over.

You see, with only one week left in this particular session of the Georgia legislature, we won't be able to get a vote on HB 430 yet. It will still be alive (GOOD NEWS!); but in order for the bill to continue to move forward, we need for the next important step to take place:

The LEADERS of the Georgia House of Representatives MUST hear from the people about how IMPORTANT this bill is, and WHY it needs to be considered by the ENTIRE House next session!

So, fellow Constitutionalists, we need to TAKE ACTION AGAIN! Here's how:

Contact the two Republican leaders of the Georgia House, Glenn Richardson & Jay Roberts -- their contact info is at the bottom of this message.

Quote Article I, Section 10 of the U.S. Constitution to them: "No State shall... make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts".

Simply ask each Leader to read HB 430, the "Constitutional Tender Act," very carefully. It's only four pages long, so it's simple and straightforward. If you're emailing them, point them directly to the bill and to the FAQ page -- if you're faxing them, print those out and include them in the fax.

If you want to write more, explain to these Leaders why this bill is so important: because Georgia, like every other state, is in violation of the U.S. Constitution without such a bill (because the State is making some other "Thing" a Tender in Payment of Debts, both to and by the State). Remind each one that State legislators are all required to swear an oath to uphold that Constitution, so ethically and morally they need to do whatever the Constitution requires.

You could also inform the Leaders that this type of bill is also needed because, due to the ever-widening circle of economic disaster that is affecting the citizens of every State, we MUST do something to at least begin the process of restoring sound money and a sound economy, whether or not the Federal government or any other State government does so. This would immediately begin the flow of real wealth toward the state's treasury. This would stabilize the state's economy, protect the pensions of state employees, etc. -- and offer many other immediately recognizable benefits.

THANK YOU SO MUCH -- it's because of people like YOU, who are willing to take a few minutes of your valuable time to do something like this, that this bill has moved further through the General Assembly than we EVER thought it would this year! We CAN get it even further over the next few months! :-)

LET'S ROLL! -- http://www.ConstitutionalTender.com/ -- click on "FAQ"



(Please email info@constitutionaltender.com if any of these contacts don't work)

PLEASE REMEMBER - BE NICE IN YOUR MESSAGES AND CONVERSATIONS!

Rep. Glenn Richardson, Speaker of the House
Room 332 State Capitol
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Office: 404-656-5020
Fax: 404-656-5644
Email: glenn.richardson@house.ga.gov

Home office:
PO Box 1750
Hiram, GA 30141
Phone: 770-445-4438

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Rep. Jay Roberts, Chairman of the Majority Caucus
415 State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334
Office: 404-656-5025
Fax: 404-657-8278
Email: jay.roberts@house.ga.gov

Home Office:
767 Brushy Creek Road
Ocilla, GA 31774
Phone: 229-468-5404
Fax: 229-468-7018

Constitutional Tender hearing scheduled - please help!

Dear Friends of Constitutional Tender,

YOU DID IT!

This week, we asked you to contact the Chairmen of the two subcommittees that HB 430, the "Constitutional Tender Act," was assigned to. Well, you must have done a good job -- because we got a call today from Rep. Calvin Hill's office, letting us know that the subcommittees will be holding a combined hearing on HB 430 -- THIS TUESDAY, March 24th, from 10am-12pm! (in room 415 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building)

That means we're scrambling to bring in people to testify for those two hours -- experts, regular citizens, etc. But the BIGGEST thing we need is to FILL THAT COMMITTEE ROOM with supporters of the Constitutional Tender Act!

It's a sure bet that there will be lobbyists there to testify AGAINST this bill. The Georgia Bankers Association has gone on record in opposition to it. The lobbyist for the Community Bankers Association of Georgia stated clearly that they would fight it. And these guys carry a lot of political clout.

THEY will be there. Will WE?

You see, WE carry clout, too. Or at least -- we SHOULD. We should be able to stand up and demand that our legislators OBEY the U.S. Constitution.

We shouldn't HAVE to demand it -- but we SHOULD be able to MAKE it happen!

There are a number of Members of these subcommittees who have a good idea of what this bill is attempting to do. But in order for the bill to continue to move forward, we need for the next important step to take place:

The members of these subcommittees MUST hear from the people about how IMPORTANT this bill is, and WHY it needs to be voted favorably back up to the Committee!

So, fellow Constitutionalists, we need to TAKE ACTION AGAIN! Here's how:

• Contact the members of the two subcommittees -- their contact info is at the bottom of this message. We've listed them out individually, with names, phone numbers, and email addresses; we've also grouped their addresses with commas and grouped them as a list, so you can pick a list to cut and paste them into your email "To:" line.

• Quote Article I, Section 10 of the U.S. Constitution to them: "No State shall... make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts".

• Simply ask each Member to listen to the testimony on HB 430 with an open mind. Ask them to please begin each question they may have with this phrase: "Since the U.S. Constitution requires every state to ONLY use gold and silver coins in payments to and by the State, then... [insert question here]".

• If you want to write more, explain to each Member why this bill is so important: because Georgia, like every other state, is in violation of the U.S. Constitution without such a bill (because the State is making some other "Thing" a Tender in Payment of Debts, both to and by the State). Remind each one that State legislators are all required to swear an oath to uphold that Constitution, so ethically and morally they need to do whatever the Constitution requires.

• You could also inform each Member that this type of bill is also needed because, due to the ever-widening circle of economic disaster that is affecting the citizens of every State, we MUST do something to at least begin the process of restoring sound money and a sound economy, whether or not the Federal government or any other State government does so. This would immediately begin the flow of real wealth toward the state's treasury. This would stabilize the state's economy, protect the pensions of state employees, etc. -- and offer many other immediately recognizable benefits.

THANK YOU SO MUCH -- it's because of people like YOU, who are willing to take a few minutes of your valuable time to do something like this, that this bill is moving further through the General Assembly than we EVER thought it would this year!

LET'S ROLL! -- http://www.ConstitutionalTender.com/ -- click on "FAQ"



(Please email info@constitutionaltender.com if any of these contacts don't work)

House Banks & Banking Committee:
CHAIR - James Mills (R-25) - james.mills@house.ga.gov - 404-656-5099

Financial Institutions & Services Subcommittee:
CHAIR - Calvin Hill (R-21) - chill@gilainc.com - 404-656-0129
Stephen Allison (R-8) - stephen.allison@house.ga.gov - 404-656-0177
Clay Cox (R-102) - clay.cox@house.ga.gov - 404-656-0188
Earl Ehrhart (R-36) - earl@ehrhart.4emm.com - 404-656-5141
Virgil Fludd (D-66) - vfludd@mindspring.com - 404-656-0314
Penny Houston (R-170) - penny.houston@house.ga.gov - 404-656-0202
Rahn Mayo (D-91) - rahnmayo@gmail.com - 404-656-6372
Greg Morris (R-155) - greg.morris@house.ga.gov - 404-656-5116
Butch Parrish (R-156) - butch.parrish@house.ga.gov - 404-463-2247
Allen Peake (R-137) - allen@allenpeake.com - 404-656-0188
Bobby Reese (R-98) - bobby.reese@house.ga.gov - 404-656-0254
Jay Shaw - (D-176) - jay.shaw@house.ga.gov - 404-656-7859
Willie Talton (R-145) - willie.talton@house.ga.gov - 404-656-0254

Regulations & Oversight Subcommittee:
CHAIR - Mike Coan (R-101) - repcoan@charter.net - 404-656-6801
Stephanie Stuckey Benfield (D-85) - stuckey@mindspring.com - 404-656-7859
Clay Cox (R-102) - clay.cox@house.ga.gov - 404-656-0188
Dee Dawkins-Haigler (D-93) - dee.dawkins-haigler@house.ga.gov - 404-656-0287
SPONSOR - Bobby Franklin (R-43) - bobby.franklin@house.ga.gov - 404-656-0152
Cecily Hill (R-180) - cecilyhill@tds.net - 404-656-0177
Darryl Jordan (D-77) - darryl.jordan@house.ga.gov - 404-656-0116
David Knight (R-126) - david.knight@house.ga.gov - 404-656-0152
Pete Marin (D-96) - marinstatehouse@aol.com - 404-656-0314
Randy Nix (R-69) - randy.nix@house.ga.gov - 404-656-0177
Butch Parrish (R-156) - butch.parrish@house.ga.gov - 404-463-2247
Martin Scott (R-2) - martin.scott@house.ga.gov - 404-656-0254
Jay Shaw (D-176) - jay.shaw@house.ga.gov - 404-656-7859
Tom Weldon (R-3) - tweldon@weldonlawfirm.com - 404-656-0152



COPY & PASTE:

james.mills@house.ga.gov
chill@gilainc.com
stephen.allison@house.ga.gov
clay.cox@house.ga.gov
earl@ehrhart.4emm.com
vfludd@mindspring.com
penny.houston@house.ga.gov
rahnmayo@gmail.com
greg.morris@house.ga.gov
butch.parrish@house.ga.gov
allen@allenpeake.com
bobby.reese@house.ga.gov
jay.shaw@house.ga.gov
willie.talton@house.ga.gov
repcoan@charter.net
stuckey@mindspring.com
dee.dawkins-haigler@house.ga.gov
cecilyhill@tds.net
darryl.jordan@house.ga.gov
david.knight@house.ga.gov
marinstatehouse@aol.com
randy.nix@house.ga.gov
martin.scott@house.ga.gov
tweldon@weldonlawfirm.com


OR:

james.mills@house.ga.gov,chill@gilainc.com,stephen.allison@house.ga.gov,clay.cox@house.ga.gov,earl@ehrhart.4emm.com,vfludd@mindspring.com,penny.houston@house.ga.gov,rahnmayo@gmail.com,greg.morris@house.ga.gov,butch.parrish@house.ga.gov,allen@allenpeake.com,bobby.reese@house.ga.gov,jay.shaw@house.ga.gov,willie.talton@house.ga.gov,repcoan@charter.net,stuckey@mindspring.com,dee.dawkins-haigler@house.ga.gov,cecilyhill@tds.net,darryl.jordan@house.ga.gov,david.knight@house.ga.gov,marinstatehouse@aol.com,randy.nix@house.ga.gov,martin.scott@house.ga.gov,tweldon@weldonlawfirm.com

.

Constitutional Tender - Help Needed TODAY

Dear Friends of Constitutional Tender,

I need your help RIGHT NOW, to take ONE MINUTE of your very valuable time, for a very quick Action Item to advance HB 430, the "Constitutional Tender Act."

Tomorrow - Wednesday - I'm heading down to the State Capitol in Atlanta, to lobby several key legislators on the bill, including: Rep. Calvin Hill, Chairman of the Financial Institutions & Services Subcommittee, and Rep. Mike Coan, Chairman of the Regulations & Oversight Subcommittee.

One week ago, Rep. Bobby Franklin, who sponsored HB 430, asked these two Chairs to schedule subcommittee hearings "for the purpose of obtaining input and suggestions from the banking community on how to best comply with the Constitution's mandate that the State use only gold and silver coin."

http://www.sicm.com/constitutionaltender/BillRequest-HB430.pdf

To date, neither has agreed to do so -- even though both had said they would.

So today, RIGHT NOW, I'm asking you to do just one quick thing: Drop Rep. Hill (chill@gilainc.com) and Rep. Coan (repcoan@charter.net) a quick email.

It doesn't even matter if you live in Georgia. They MUST hear from a LOT of folks, so we can move this bill forward! Again, their contact info is:

* Chairman of the Financial Institutions & Services Subcommittee, Rep. Calvin Hill (R-21) - chill@gilainc.com - 404-656-0129

* Chairman of the Regulations & Oversight Subcommittee, Rep. Mike Coan (R-101) - repcoan@charter.net - 404-656-6801

THANK YOU SO MUCH -- it's because of people like YOU, who are willing to take a minute of your valuable time to do something like this, that we have a GOOD SHOT at getting this bill moved through the General Assembly this year -- and even introduced in other states!

LET'S ROLL!

http://www.ConstitutionalTender.com/

Business Journals report on the Constitutional Tender Act

One of our folks was handed a copy of last week's Atlanta Business Chronicle at a Toastmaster's meeting recently. Inside was a long article on the Constitutional Tender Act!

Click Here to read the article in its entirety. (By the way, the article was apparently also published in sister business journals across the country!)

Of course, as happens in the media, there were misunderstandings of the bill. For example, it said that while "the state would accept checks or other payments linked to gold coin- or silver coin-backed accounts," it could also "accept Federal Reserve dollars — the existing U.S. standard for nearly four decades — for other types of transactions." That, of course, is incorrect; that section of the bill is referring to what everyone ELSE in the State is allowed to do -- they can use gold, silver, or even worthless pieces of paper with pictures of dead politicians on them. It's their choice under this bill.

Also, as happens with members of academia, there were even more misunderstandings of the bill. Surprisingly, they came this time from Dr. George Selgin, the "BB&T Chair in Free Market Thought / Professor of Economics" at West Virginia University, whom the article called "an expert on the history of currency standards and monetary theory." Here's what he had to say:

Selgin said the challenges of re-introducing such a standard, if the bill became law, are numerous.

“We as a country walked away from gold to fiat money,” Selgin said. “It’s very hard to walk back.”

Selgin said he sees the bill, rather than attempting to re-introduce a now-defunct financial standard, as creating the artifice of one.

“Banks would have to meet two sets of standards, one for doing business with the state, and one for everyone else because everyone else uses another standard,” he said. “You’re asking them to create parallel systems, and that’s very difficult.”

OK, yes, "it's very hard to walk back" to real money. No one is saying that would be something that could happen overnight. BUT, this bill would actually put us on that ROAD back to real money -- by introducing competition in currency. By getting the State to obey the Constitution, and ONLY use gold and silver coin in receiving and making payments, we can begin to get people used to using real money again, because they'll have to use it in their transactions with the State. Once they start doing that, they'll be more willing to use it in their everyday transactions as well -- especially as the fiat money continues its spiral downwards in purchasing power, and the gold and silver maintains its value. At that point, we can see "Gresham's Law" work in reverse -- good money will chase out bad money.

What is most unsettling, though, it that a prominent academic like Dr. Seglin is willing to look at a bill that attempts to make the State obey the U.S. Constitution in the area of money... and he calls it "a bit kooky." Instead of making suggestions of better ways to make the State enforce the requirement for Constitutional tender, he dismisses it outright as just "creating the artifice" of a "now-defunct financial standard."

Is this what "experts" in "free market thought" are teaching in the schools these days?

Constitutional Tender: ONE MINUTE of your time needed right now!

Dear Friends of Constitutional Tender,

I'm writing this note to ask you to take ONE MINUTE of your very valuable time, for a very quick Action Item to advance HB 430, the "Constitutional Tender Act."

As I reported before, HB 430 was brought up last week in Georgia's House Banks and Banking Committee, and assigned to TWO subcommittees: Financial Institutions & Services, and Regulations & Oversight. This means we're making great progress -- but it also means we now have a LOT of work to do EDUCATING these state legislators on the need for this bill.

For example, this past week, one of our folks met with the Chairman of one of those subcommittees: Rep. Calvin Hill, from the Financial Institutions & Services Subcommittee. In this conversation, Rep. Hill was asked if he would support HB 430; his response was, "I'm with you in spirit, I believe in a gold standard, but I don't think it would be practical to make banks accept gold and silver coins. Where would they store them?"

Yes, I'm not kidding, that's what he said.

Another one of our folks had a chat with the Chairman of the other subcommittee: Rep. Mike Coan, from the Regulations & Oversight Subcommittee. In this conversation, Rep. Coan was asked if he would call a hearing to take input from the banks themselves on HOW to enforce the clear language of the U.S. Constitution's requirement for the State to use ONLY gold and silver coins, and since it says we MUST use that, what would be the best way to do so; his response was, "I'll see what I can do."

Yes, that's what he said when asked to get the State to obey the U.S. Constitution: "I'll see what I can do."

We need to set these two gentleman straight on this issue... QUICKLY!

So today, RIGHT NOW, I'm asking you to do just one quick thing: Drop Rep. Hill (chill@gilainc.com) and Rep. Coan (repcoan@charter.net) a quick email.

• In your emails, you can politely explain to them WHY this bill is so important: because Georgia, like every other state, is in violation of the U.S. Constitution without such a bill (because the State is making some other "Thing" a Tender in Payment of Debts, both to and by the State). Remind them that State legislators are all required to swear an oath to uphold that Constitution, so ethically and morally they need to do whatever the Constitution requires.

• Inform Rep. Hill and Rep. Coan that this type of bill is also needed because, due to the ever-widening circle of economic disaster that is affecting the citizens of every State, we MUST do something to at least begin the process of restoring sound money and a sound economy, whether or not the Federal government or any other State government does so. This would immediately begin the flow of real wealth toward the state's treasury. This would stabilize the state's economy, protect the pensions of state employees, etc. -- and offer many other immediately recognizable benefits.

• Finally, ask Rep. Hill and Rep. Coan to please listen with an open mind to the testimony from experts on what exactly it would mean to carry out this bill.

Chairman Hill and Chairman Coan MUST hear from the people about how IMPORTANT this bill is, and WHY it needs to be voted favorably back up to the Committee!

These two subcommittees are going to be holding hearings on HB 430 very soon, and we're going to be bringing in as many of our experts as we can to testify and explain the need and the necessity of passing this bill. We'll be letting you know when those meetings are.

So, fellow Constitutionalists, we need to TAKE ACTION AGAIN! Here's how:

• Contact the Chairman of the Financial Institutions & Services Subcommittee, Rep. Calvin Hill (R-21) - chill@gilainc.com - 404-656-0129

• Contact the Chairman of the Regulations & Oversight Subcommittee, Rep. Mike Coan (R-101) - repcoan@charter.net - 404-656-6801

By the way -- you DON'T need to live in Georgia to send these two Chairmen an email! We need EVERYONE'S help!

THANK YOU SO MUCH -- it's because of people like YOU, who are willing to take a minute of your valuable time to do something like this, that we have a GOOD SHOT at getting this bill moved through the General Assembly this year -- and even introduced in other states!

LET'S ROLL!

http://www.ConstitutionalTender.com/

Action Needed This Week - Constitutional Tender Act

Dear Friends of Constitutional Tender,

HB 430, the "Constitutional Tender Act," was brought up this week in the State House Banks and Banking Committee, and assigned to TWO subcommittees: Financial Institutions & Services, and Regulations & Oversight. This means we are making GREAT progress here in Georgia in advancing this bill!

There are a number of Members of these subcommittees who have a good idea of what this bill is attempting to do, including a few co-sponsors. But in order for the bill to continue to move forward, we need for the next important step to take place:

The members of these subcommittees MUST hear from the people about how IMPORTANT this bill is, and WHY it needs to be voted favorably back up to the Committee!

Both of these subcommittees are going to be holding hearings on HB 430 very soon, and we're going to be bringing in as many of our experts as we can to testify and explain the need and the necessity of passing this bill. We'll be letting you know when those meetings are.

So, fellow Constitutionalists, we need to TAKE ACTION AGAIN! Here's how:

• Contact the members of the two subcommittees:

Financial Institutions & Services Subcommittee:
CHAIR - Calvin Hill (R-21) - chill@gilainc.com - 404-656-0129
Stephen Allison (R-8) - stephen.allison@house.ga.gov - 404-656-0177
Clay Cox (R-102) - clay.cox@house.ga.gov - 404-656-0188
Earl Ehrhart (R-36) - earl@ehrhart.4emm.com - 404-656-5141
Virgil Fludd (D-66) - vfludd@mindspring.com - 404-656-0314
Penny Houston (R-170) - penny.houston@house.ga.gov - 404-656-0202
Rahn Mayo (D-91) - rahnmayo@gmail.com - 404-656-6372
Greg Morris (R-155) - greg.morris@house.ga.gov - 404-656-5116
Butch Parrish (R-156) - butch.parrish@house.ga.gov - 404-463-2247
Allen Peake (R-137) - allen@allenpeake.com - 404-656-0188
Bobby Reese (R-98) - bobby.reese@house.ga.gov - 404-656-0254
Jay Shaw - (D-176) - jay.shaw@house.ga.gov - 404-656-7859
Willie Talton (R-145) - willie.talton@house.ga.gov - 404-656-0254

Regulations & Oversight Subcommittee:
CHAIR - Mike Coan (R-101) - repcoan@charter.net - 404-656-6801
Stephanie Stuckey Benfield (D-85) - stuckey@mindspring.com - 404-656-7859
Clay Cox (R-102) - clay.cox@house.ga.gov - 404-656-0188
Dee Dawkins-Haigler (D-93) - dee.dawkins-haigler@house.ga.gov - 404-656-0287
SPONSOR - Bobby Franklin (R-43) - bobby.franklin@house.ga.gov - 404-656-0152
Cecily Hill (R-180) - cecilyhill@tds.net - 404-656-0177
Darryl Jordan (D-77) - darryl.jordan@house.ga.gov - 404-656-0116
David Knight (R-126) - david.knight@house.ga.gov - 404-656-0152
Pete Marin (D-96) - marinstatehouse@aol.com - 404-656-0314
Randy Nix (R-69) - randy.nix@house.ga.gov - 404-656-0177
Butch Parrish (R-156) - butch.parrish@house.ga.gov - 404-463-2247
Martin Scott (R-2) - martin.scott@house.ga.gov - 404-656-0254
Jay Shaw (D-176) - jay.shaw@house.ga.gov - 404-656-7859
Tom Weldon (R-3) - tweldon@weldonlawfirm.com - 404-656-0152

(Please email info@constitutionaltender.com if any of these contacts don't work)

• Explain to each Member why this bill is so important: because Georgia, like every other state, is in violation of the U.S. Constitution without such a bill (because the State is making some other "Thing" a Tender in Payment of Debts, both to and by the State). Remind each one that State legislators are all required to swear an oath to uphold that Constitution, so ethically and morally they need to do whatever the Constitution requires.

• Inform each Member that this type of bill is also needed because, due to the ever-widening circle of economic disaster that is affecting the citizens of every State, we MUST do something to at least begin the process of restoring sound money and a sound economy, whether or not the Federal government or any other State government does so. This would immediately begin the flow of real wealth toward the state's treasury. This would stabilize the state's economy, protect the pensions of state employees, etc. -- and offer many other immediately recognizable benefits.

• Ask each Member to listen with open minds to the testimony from experts on what exactly it would mean to carry out this bill.

• You can also contact Chairman Mills (james.mills@house.ga.gov - 404-656-5099), and thank him for bringing up HB 430 and assigning it to subcommittees -- and remind him again why it's important to pass this bill.

THANK YOU SO MUCH -- it's because of people like YOU, who are willing to take a few minutes of your valuable time to do something like this, that we have a GOOD SHOT at getting this bill moved through the General Assembly this year -- and even introduced in other states!

LET'S ROLL!

Bill Greene
http://www.ConstitutionalTender.com/

DIGG The Constitutional Tender Website

Now you can DIGG the Constitutional Tender website:

CLICK HERE to digg it!

WOW, Things Are Moving Quickly!

Dear Friends of Constitutional Tender,

THINGS ARE MOVING VERY QUICKLY! We need YOU to help us keep HB 430, the Constitutional Tender Act, moving forward!

When I say "quickly," I mean this: the bill is on the agenda for discussion TOMORROW MORNING, 2/26, at 8:00 A.M.!

We need YOUR help right away! Can you join us at 8:00 a.m., in Room 406 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building, which is right across the street from the Gold Dome (Capitol building)? The address is 8 Capitol Square SW, Atlanta, GA 30303.

Directions: http://tinyurl.com/d7wlg3

Calendar: http://tinyurl.com/b93ung

To recap:

• The bill was introduced on 2/17.
• On 2/18, we held the first "Constitutional Tender Day" at the State Capitol.
• The bill was assigned to the House Banks and Banking Committee.
• NOW, it's on the agenda for TOMORROW, 2/26!

What we need now is for the bill to either be approved as is (that usually doesn't happen), or assign it to a relevant Subcommittee -- hopefully, a special investigatory committee to take testimony from lots of OUR experts on what exactly it would mean to carry out this bill. This would not only garner a LOT of publicity -- especially if we get some big names to come testify, including perhaps Dr. Paul himself -- but it really WOULD educate these legislators on exactly WHY we need to pass this bill.

So, fellow Constitutionalists, we need to TAKE ACTION AGAIN! Here's how:

• Come to Atlanta TOMORROW, Feb. 26th, for the Banks and Banking Committee meeting -- be seated in Room 406 of CLOB by 7:45 a.m.;

• If you get a chance to chat with Rep. James Mills, the Chair of the Committee, before the meeting begins, mention that you're there in support of the Constitutional Tender Act;

• If attendees are given the opportunity to speak, please do so, with short pithy comments asking for a special investigatory committee to assign HB 430 to, discussing how Georgia is in violation of the U.S. Constitution without such a bill, and that we MUST do something to at least begin the process of restoring sound money and a sound economy.

THANK YOU SO MUCH -- it's because of people like YOU, who are willing to take a short morning out of your valuable time to do something like this, that we have a GOOD SHOT at getting this bill moved through the General Assembly this year -- and even introduced in other states!

LET'S ROLL!

http://www.ConstitutionalTender.com/

Please Take Action TODAY!

Dear Friends of Constitutional Tender,

We are making GREAT progress here in Georgia in advancing HB 430, the Constitutional Tender Act!

The bill was introduced last Tuesday, 2/17. On Wednesday, 2/18, we held the first "Constitutional Tender Day" at the State Capitol, and it was a rousing success. The author of the legislation, Rep. Bobby Franklin, had a great number of other state legislators come up to him all day long, asking him what this bill was about -- so apparently, they WERE getting calls, letters, faxes, and emails!

Now, the bill has been assigned to the House Banks and Banking Committee, which is exactly where we prayed it would go. There are a number of Members of that committee who have a good idea of what this bill is attempting to do. But in order for the bill to continue to move forward, we need for the next important step to take place:

The Chairman of the Committee MUST bring the bill up in Committee, and assign it to a relevant Subcommittee.

So here's what we need to do now: the best thing would be for the Chair, Rep. James Mills, to create a special investigatory committee to assign this to. The committee could then take testimony from lots of OUR experts on what exactly it would mean to carry out this bill. This would not only garner a LOT of publicity -- especially if we get some big names to come testify, including perhaps Dr. Paul himself -- but it really WOULD educate these legislators on exactly WHY we need to pass this bill.

So, fellow Constitutionalists, we need to TAKE ACTION AGAIN! Here's how:

• Contact Rep. James Mills, the Chair of the House Banks and Banking Committee:

Email: james.mills@house.ga.gov
Office: 404-656-5099
Fax: 404-656-6897
Home Office: 770-967-6801
Home Fax: 770-967-6801

• Ask Rep. Mills to please bring up HB 430, the Constitutional Tender Act, before the Banks and Banking Committee;

• Ask Rep. Mills to please create a special investigatory committee to assign HB 430 to, in order to take testimony from experts on what exactly it would mean to carry out this bill;

• Remind Rep. Mills about why this bill is so important: because Georgia, like every other state, is in violation of the U.S. Constitution without such a bill (because the State is making some other "Thing" a Tender in Payment of Debts, both to and by the State). Remind him that State legislators are all required to swear an oath to uphold that Constitution, so ethically and morally they need to do whatever the Constitution requires.

• You can also respectfully remind Rep. Mills that this type of bill is also needed because, due to the ever-widening circle of economic disaster that is affecting the citizens of every State, we MUST do something to at least begin the process of restoring sound money and a sound economy, even if (and especially if) the current federal administration refuses to do so. This would immediately begin the flow of real wealth toward the state's treasury. This would stabilize the state's economy, protect the pensions of state employees, etc. -- and offer many other immediately recognizable benefits.

To recap what we DESPERATELY NEED people to do:

• Contact. Rep. Mills, ask him to bring up HB 430 and assign it to a special subcommittee, and tell him why it's important.

THANK YOU SO MUCH -- it's because of people like YOU, who are willing to take a couple of minutes of your valuable time to do something like this, that we have a GOOD SHOT at getting this bill moved through the General Assembly this year -- and even introduced in other states!

LET'S ROLL!

http://www.ConstitutionalTender.com/

Report on "Constitutional Tender Day"

Wednesday -- "Constitutional Tender Day" -- went great at the state Capitol. We talked to a number of "good" guys and gals whom I believe will co-sponsor HB 430. One of them is the chairman of the Banking Committee, where the bill has been assigned. If we can get him to at least allow the bill to be debated & voted on, we've actually got a shot, believe it or not!

Also, Rep. Bobby Franklin said that he had a GOOD number of legislators coming up to him and asking what this bill was about, so apparently, they ARE getting calls, letters, faxes, and emails!

So YES, it's still a great idea to call your state Representative if you live in Georgia. The next step will be to get it brought up in committee, so we'll keep everyone informed of the action that needs to be taken on that.

Thanks!

Gold & Silver Bill Introduced in Georgia!

Today - Friday, February 13 - the fight for a return to Constitutional money begins.

HB 430, the "Constitutional Tender Act," has been introduced in the Georgia House of Representatives.

As noted, the bill number is HB 430. Since the House isn't back in session until Tuesday 2/17, it won't be "official" until 9:00 a.m. that morning, and then the link to it will be live. But the bill is THERE!

HB 430 was introduced by Rep. Bobby Franklin (R-43), who is a member of the Banks & Banking Committee. Bobby is a good friend of ours, and a good friend of the U.S. Constitution.

NOW THE FIGHT BEGINS. The first step needed is for every citizen of Georgia to contact their State Representative TODAY and ask him or her to co-sponsor this bill. Here's an example of what you can say when you call or write:

As your constituent, I'm contacting you to ask you to please co-sponsor HB 430, the Constitutional Tender Act.

This bill is needed because Georgia, like every other state, is in violation of the U.S. Constitution without such a bill (because the State is making some other "Thing" a Tender in Payment of Debts, both to and by the State). As a state legislator, you swear an oath to uphold that Constitution, so ethically and morally you need to do whatever the Constitution requires.

This type of bill is also needed because, due to the ever-widening circle of economic disaster that is affecting the citizens of every State, we MUST do something to at least begin the process of restoring sound money and a sound economy, even if (and especially if) the current federal administration refuses to do so.

Please, put the people of Georgia and their well-being above any partisanship or politics, and especially above any fears about your "reputation" with others. What is important is the welfare of the citizens of this state, and the need to abide by the U.S. Constitution.

PLEASE, co-sponsor HB 430, the "Constitutional Tender Act," TODAY. Contact Rep. Bobby Franklin's office at 404-656-0152 to become a co-sponsor. I will be watching your actions on this bill very closely, and will remember them on election day. Thank you.

If you don't know how to contact your state Representative, you can go to the GA Secretary of State's "Poll Locator" website, enter your information there, click the Submit button, then scroll down to see what Georgia House District you live in. Then go to the GA House website, find your House District number, and click on your Representative's "Fact Sheet" to get his or her contact information.

Or, if you don't want to go through all that, you can just call the Secretary of State's office at 404-656-2881 and ask them to help you contact your state legislator.

PLEASE, contact your State Representative TODAY and ask him or her to co-sponsor HB 430. It's time to return to Constitutional money -- and this is a great start. Thanks!

Website Goes Live!

OK, we finally finished the website and went LIVE with it today!

Next task: Get the bill introduced! Oh boy...

Welcome to the Constitutional Tender blog

This blog is being set up to facilitate discussion of the "Constitutional Tender Act," which is being proposed (at first) in Georgia.

We'll mostly be posting the latest news about the bill, along with links to articles around the 'net that bear some relation to it.

All are welcome to comment, but the usual caveats that you see everywhere else about unacceptable posts apply here as well.

Thanks for your interest!