The Case for Sound Money

In 2008, at the Idaho Republican Convention in Sandpoint, delegates voted to adopt new language for the Idaho Republican Party Platform.  That new language reads: 

Sound Currency:  We recognize the failure of the Federal Reserve System to maintain a sound U.S. dollar and the dangers of private bankers controlling the issuance of our currency.  We believe the Federal Reserve Bank should be abolished and the issuing power restored to the people through their representatives in the U.S. Congress with the stipulation that the U.S. dollar be backed by gold and silver.

This wording flustered the neo-conservative Twin Falls Republicans (see previous post about "neo-conservatives"). While I've discussed this issue with many so-called "republicans" some reject this idea of going back to a gold/silver standard without having educated themselves on the issue since the passage of the new wording.

This education has not taken place by the Twin Falls Republicans because, well, if you have been following this blog at all we've pointed out that the committee is full of neo-conservatives, liberals and many who "don't talk about policy" and would rather focus on the next picnic. This is sad.  Thus the need for a Restoration!

Our adopted mascot, Phil Hart (Idaho House of Representatives, District 3) introduced a Sound Currency Bill to the House floor (and passed) per the direction from the Idaho Republican Convention, though this bill died in the Senate Affairs Committee. As it is said, the "House sends great bills to the Senate to die".

Twin Falls Republican Chairwoman, Gretchen Clelland, commented while at the State Committee on the need for sound money (or lack of) by saying, "the economy was just fine...and a gold standard would just make the situation worst"...and concluded that "my idea of a gold standard is a gold necklace around my neck".

So, apparently there is a disconnect between the Twin Falls Republicans and the rest of Idaho Republicans. Though this is no secret if you talk to others around the state, as you might hear: What are you all doing there in Twin Falls anyway? Alluding to our candidates liberal voting records.

Perhaps if the Twin Falls delegation would send more than a quarter of their representatives to the State Convention we would have a more informed party and they would thus share this information with the rest of the voting electorate (see previous post about elected delegates not attending the Convention).

One interesting piece of education published in the Times News hit the nail on the head in regards to sound currency: http://www.magicvalley.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_30738e0d-cde5-5533-a83e-9eb097286d46.html

The author, Jeremy SasserCollins, publicly supported the Republican Platform change, even after he lost his election bit to Laird Stone (see previous post about Laird's Obama yard sign). The only apparent support for this platform change came from outside the party establishment.  Since then the Twin Falls Republicans have been mum on the issue or even railed against an asset-based currency.

[Editor's Note: Jeremy is running for Precinct Committeeman again in Twin Falls 8 and supports the Restoration]

So, where is the education on this subject?  Or do we continue to go around blindly supporting the "funny money" Federal Reserve Notes as their value withers away in our wallets? 

Allow us to provide three pieces of education on this issue... 

1) the article link above written by Jeremy S. Collins.

2) the Tea-Party address by Phil Hart (below)

3) a lecture by John McManus called "Dollars and Sense" (about 40 minutes long)

Phil Hart's video: 

John McManus' video:

Support Ideals of the Republic, Support Education of Those Ideas and Support the Restoration!