Welcome to Forward-USA: America's Roadmap to Success (ARTS)

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'America's Roadmap to Success' (ARTS) is a non-partisan project to restore traditional American values and principles to Federal and State government methods and activity, including votes and conduct by elected members of legislatures, and executive offices at all levels nationwide. Conduct of their appointed staff, and the lobbyists who pursue both, will receive equal scrutiny. Our members observe that our current Republican-led government has been hi-jacked by off-course 'leaders', including George Bush and his staff, and others known as Neo-Cons. To make matters worse, most of their illegal and abusive misconduct is both tolerated and supported by the Democrats. This gives us a damaging combination we call 'Republicrats', and ARTS is fighting them to undo their damage and stop them from causing more!

ARTS' goals are more liberty, peace, justice, prosperity, and better ethics in the USA. We are not 'anti-government'. We are anti government abuse, bad ethics, and corruption! Sadly, our citizens consider much of this misconduct as 'normal' and part of the give-and-take of getting what you want from the government (the Great 'Mother and Funder'), starting with 'gang-theft-by vote' to make 'someone else' pay for their benefits (this is charity by force; should the Red Cross and Salvation Army be allowed to use force to collect funds??). As you read below, and the items in the left margin, notice that all of our proposed interaction between people, and between people and business, is VOLUNTARY.

Our Federal and State governments were created by, and are still controlled by, 'we the people' to protect our rights (a short list of 'natural rights' you are born with, which does not include subsidized, or free, health, education, etc.). Thus, the government is our servant, not our owner, manager, funder, or nanny. To implement this protection, we grant the government 'police powers' (the right to use force), and thus we need to be ever on guard to avoid abuse, including use of laws beyond their intended purpose (RICO, FISA, etc.). For individuals, the flip side of this is ; "A person should never initiate force except in self defense", or " Persons can do whatever they want to, short of violating the equal rights of others".

ARTS judges the value of a program or method based on RESULTS and ETHICS (including all of the side-effects and unintended consequences, moral and financial), not just INTENTIONS or HOPES !! This is the magic of free enterprise capitalism! It is not only productive, but moral. By our laws and constitution, only the government is allowed to use force (coercion by police, courts, etc.), but then only to protect our rights from violation by others, within the powers granted by the Constitution (see 'Core Principle'; a. in left margin, Part 3 'Issues', item 1b, and b. in 3d below).

ARTS members are small-government moderates, including party members and Independents, who are dedicated to minimal government intrusion into both personal and business matters. It follows that they are conservative on economic issues, but liberal on personal freedom; Strong on Homeland defense, but opposed to imperialistic pre-emptive wars for political and economic goals (oil, land, etc.) to enlarge and secure 'Empire-USA'.

The ARTS approach: 1. Rewards, thus gives incentive to, personal responsibility, honesty, and work (i.e., merit), and 2. Does not provide, thus gives no incentive to depend on, government grants, subsidies, legislative favors, and welfare, for both personal and business matters. This type of government is not pro-business, pro-labor, or 'pro' anything except adhering to the Constitution, with Liberty and Justice for All ! It is neutral, unbiased, and just protects the rights of individuals and other legal entities, from violation by others. Voluntary interaction takes care of the rest, and results, today and in history, show this works best for all !

The 'big-government' systems touted by Progressives, Liberals, Greens, etc. depend on gang-theft-by-vote (called 'tax the rich') for taxes to fund their benefits and projects, and are thus inherently immoral, plus ineffective. The ARTS approach is what made the USA a strong and respected leader, and is a message of HOPE for all. BUT, to become great again, we must first shed the five bad habits and conditions shown below.

1. End Creation of Fake Money, and Its Damage: As described at length in Part 1 'Fake Money' in the left margin, and summarized here, the USA ended the right for other nations (FDR took it from mere people in 1933) to convert paper dollars to gold when Nixon abrogated the Bretton Woods Agreement in August, 1971 due to our serious financial problems such as; a. We were running out of gold; France and others were converting their 'EuroDollars' to gold (US$ accumulated in Europe due to our spending there); b. The US was poor after spending on Vietnam and LBJ's 'Great Society', etc. Under this pressure, Nixon illegally 'floated' the US$ (no fixed-price for gold; no fixed exchange rates with foreign currency), and ended convertibility to gold by any person or government. This meant the US could make dollars out of thin air at will, and did they ever! Whoopee! The main purpose of convertibility of paper (or electronic dollars) to gold is to prevent excess expansion of the money supply ('inflation') by the government, and thus reduction in purchasing power. Without convertibility, this 'easy money' is an unlimited 'piggy-bank' and credit card for the government. The excess money has allowed damaging, unconstitutional, corrupting, massive increases in government spending for wars, welfare, and pork. It has also created the growth in the number of lobbyists seeking favors. Prices started their 'hockey stick' shaped rise a few years later as the effect of excess money and spending trickled to the world economy. Within in a few years, all nations worldwide ceased convertibility, even the prudent Swiss floated the Swiss Franc (SF), but have been less abusive than others; hence while 1 USD$=about 4 sf in 1961, it is now about 1 US=1 sf, so they only inflated by 2.5 while by 2008 the US inflated by 10; 4 times more! The USA has been the worst abuser among developed nations (older countries remembered their lessons from past monetary failures). The US has created so much new 'free, fake money' since 1971 that the US$ has lost about 80% of its purchasing power (this excess expansion of the money supply is called 'inflation', like a balloon) with its consequent price increases. Check prices of common 'commodity' items, that are not imported, subsidized, cheaper due to new technology, or under price control, such as a pizza, or a restaurant meal. A good example is that a room at 'Motel 6' cost $6 in the '50s and is now in the $60 range in 2008 (same type of room and service). There is your 10X loss of US$ value! This goes along with a 95% loss since the Federal Reserve monopoly was created in 1913! The only reason we can get away with this is because the US$ is the world's 'reserve currency' (any person or bank will take and keep it as if 'good as gold'), because it is viewed as a share in 'USA, Inc.', the world's strongest economy, which sadly is fading (starting 2007) as we continue the long abuse of our economy (by spending, taxing, and harmful intervention 'management' by the Fed and gov't) and money (by excess expansion of the supply). The era of USA world dominance is ending, as it does with all empires (see #5 Empires in left margin).

What is the answer? ARTS says; a. Abolish the Federal Reserve System and go to 'free banking' (no government monopoly on money; see 'Recommended Reading' ,'What has the government done to our Money?' and other books by M. Rothbard, at end of Part 3 'Issues' in left margin, plus 'Empire of debt' by Wiggins and Bonner) with a law that all paper money must be convertible to gold, on demand, by anyone. Any fraud by banks in creating excess money (not fully backed by gold), or abusing deposits (low reserves), could be prosecuted by users and depositiors (to protect property rights, a proper role of government). This is a sensitive and massive project, but if we don't start soon, the US$ will crash in value (by 40 to 60% or more) as people, merchants, and governments worldwide refuse to accept or keep it (for payment or savings), and it will be too late, and many people and firms will suffer pain and losses due to government abuse and treachery. Sad.

2. End dependence on government for personal and business favors and hand-outs (grants, welfare, legislative favors, subsidies, price controls, etc.). Cut spending and taxes by 50% or more. This can be accomplished, without resulting deficits, by first ending our 'foreign aid' (bribery), and military spending overseas, and unconstitutional and poorly-managed waste and pork at home.

3. End voting to take 'other peoples' money and rights ('the rich', or anyone else) to pay for your benefits, and projects (education, health, down-zoning without compensation, housing, mass-transit, etc.), and

4. End worldwide domination for Empire-USA; a. End being the world's policeman and boss, which in fact reduces our security and liberty at home; close all overseas bases; end NATO membership, fake 'Free Trade' agreements, SALT, etc., and other alliances where we seek 'influence' abroad at great expense, and b. End starting or entering wars for economic and political gain, not for defense, and

5. Repeal Unconstitutional laws and Executive Orders: While presidents since Adams-Jefferson (Alien and Sedition laws), and Lincoln (suspending Habeous Corpus, jailing journalists, starting the Civil War which is fact was a legal secession, etc.) used Executive Orders and a compliant Congress to violate the Constitution, G.W. Bush has been the worst by far. It is a long list, so we refer you to; a. The 35 articles of impeachment submitted by Rep. Kucinich on June 9, 2008, and b. Rep. Ron Paul's HR 3837 'American Freedom Agenda Act' of Oct. 15, 2007, which showed eight issues of unconstitutional conduct by the Bush gang

All five have damaged our prosperity, liberty, and ethics. Bad ethics have permeated all segments and levels of our society. Politicians have been famous for bad ethics for centuries, but there has been a noticeable decline among regular people and business managers in the last 50 years. The 1960's Hippy culture of 'do whatcha gotta do', and 'do your own thing' has become broadly adopted. Now many people think it is 'normal' to be about 80% honest. When someone is caught lying or stealing, supporters say; 'He was under pressure', or 'Everyone does it, so why pick on him?', etc. Executives conspire with their Boards in 'white collar theft' for excessive pay, back-dated stock options, etc. (see Part 3-'Issues' in the left margin, and go to # 23 'Corporate Greed'). This all ties-in with the decadence of a failing Empire (see Part 5 in left margin) where everyone wants handouts and favors. Even religious leaders, the supposed bastions of ethics, have succumbed to immoral conduct as shown by the recent scandals. The lesson learned in all this is: 'Corruption tends to occur whenever you have an excess concentration of money and authority', whether government, church, or business. Hence our emphasis on; 1. Small, distributed government to minimize the abuse, and 2. Real money (convertible to gold; not the unlimited supply of fake paper money that now finances our wars and welfare).

The ARTS approach is 'sustainable', but our nation's conduct in the last forty years of fake money, excess spending and welfare, declining ethics, and war to build and maintain Empire-USA IS NOT !

We are at risk of major loss of the US Dollar's value (already down 40% against the Euro since JAN-02), and the depression that will surely follow! For more info, go to #3 'Issues' in the left margin, then #1 'Fake Money'.

Join ARTS for Reform and Progress !

Funding determines our ability to make progress.

Please read this site, and if you like our plan to end war, restore proper Constitutional government in the U.S., and add jobs and reduce inflation, please help with a donation. Click the 'Donate Now' button above to make a credit card donation, or click on the 'Donation' section in the left margin for more information. Thanks for your interest and support.

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Home Page Contents

1. Introduction to the ARTS project

2. Dave's Book

3. Problems with Major Political Parties

a. Introduction

b. Plan to Restore American Principles

c. Core Principle

d. Plan to Eliminate 'Earmark' Funding

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1. Introduction to the ARTS project: We favor the 'less-government' approach in the tradition of our USA Founders. During a successful career in engineering, sales, and management, ARTS Founder and President David Redick became concerned in the '80s about problems caused by government interference in our personal and business affairs, and failure of the Political Party leaders, Congress, and the President to support 'The People', rather than their own careers. Dave founded ARTS as a concerned citizen to fight for solutions to these problems.

Our Founders were men of wisdom, who did their homework as to what types of government had worked best in the past. Unlike the leaders of most revolutions (or those that took them over soon after victory), our Founders were not seeking personal power. Their greatest strength and virtue was their goal of using 'limited, decentralized government' to avoid the damage and losses caused by the oppressive English monarchy they had been subject to. A quest for liberty was their guide. Hence the Constitution was written as a short list of powers granted to the Federal government by the people (for more, go to #3 'Issues' in the left margin, then #1a). The States viewed themselves as sovereign, and warily created the federal government only for mutual defense and a few administrative duties. Indeed, in the early days, our country was called 'These United States'; a name for a group, not a nation. This 'state' orientation is why the Constitution had US Senators elected by the State legislatures, not the people. 'States Rights' (Federalism) was very important to our Founders. Over time, the Feds have become bullies, and write laws that override State laws, etc., etc. This reduces differences in State conditions, and prevents people from 'voting with their feet' to move to a better State when one State gets oppressive; a very important incentive for State governments to avoid writing oppressive laws and taxes! For more, go to #3 'Issues' in the left margin, the #10 'States Rights'. A key problem is that the Federal Reserve can create money out of thin air, so DC never runs out, and thus becomes the funder for many State projects (thanks to vote-seeking Congresspersons), with controlling strings attached, and States Rights whither. For more info on money, go to #3 'Issues' in the left margin, then item #1 'Fake Money'.

In keeping with the Constitution, ARTS will fight for minimal government intervention and control in both the personal and economic parts of our lives and businesses. For details about our 'Core Principle', refer to Part 3d below, or for more detail, click in the left margin on Part 3 'Issues', and go to item 1b.

History and logic show that this 'less government' approach not only yields more liberty, but more peace, justice, prosperity, and better ethics. This approach rewards personal responsibility and work, and private charity cares well for the needy (and there are about 80% fewer cases due to reduced abuse, reduced perverse incentives, and no 'entitlements').

'Less government' results in 'more Peace' because it is the power-hungry 'leaders' of big-governments that start the wars. For a list, refer to Part 8 'Dave's Writings' in the left margin for the article 'Wars and the Lies that Start Them'.

The 'more government' programs promoted by all of today's political parties, and the traditional big-spending Progressive, Liberal, and Socialist interest groups do more harm than good, especially when you count the side-effects (unintended consequences). For example, FDR's 'New Deal', and LBJ's 'Great Society', were both counterproductive pits of waste, dependency, and political favors. The failure of these, and all other government social and business projects, is largely due to; a) Justification of the bad ethics needed for immoral fundraising (accepting 'tax the rich', and 'gang-theft-by-vote' as OK!), b) Concentration of power in the central government, which always leads to less liberty, and prosperity, and more corruption, c) Violation of property rights as they force business owners to do 'nice' things (no smoking, required employee benefits), rather than allowing competition and consumer choice to rule, and uncompensated partial takings through down-zoning (forcing farmers to provide 'open space', etc.), and d) Damage to society due to social programs that reward lack of personal responsibility and work (career welfare, etc.). Their version of 'social justice' is to rob from 'the rich' (or 'successful') and give to the 'poor and disadvantaged' (note the 'vicitim' implication) by force. Everyone loses in the long run (over 2 to 5 years) due to the reduction in incentive for personal responsibility, honesty, and work, and yet the Progressives righteously whine; 'At least we tried!'. Again, voluntary charity will care well for the truly needy.

Minor parties such as Libertarian and Constitution offer some good principles, but have little impact on government activity. The Libertarians in particular are under constant challenge to trade principle for 'popularity' (more members and votes), by 'toning down' their objections to abuse and corruption. This conflicts with their Party Founder's intent to be 'the loyal opposition'. Hence the need for hit-'em-hard ARTS.

When people become dependent on government, they care less about support from, and relationships with, friends and family. As these relationships whither, other social problems such as crime, broken homes, and laziness grow. For proof, look around you!

Liberals think the government can do anything the people, or legislators, vote for that seems 'nice' or 'good' and view the Constitution and property rights as archaic limitations they can ignore. They like using the government to fund their projects with taxes or fake money, its easier than working to get donations!

ARTS members say that most things are none of the government's business, and supports a strict view on the Constitution and property rights, as protection against 'tyranny of the majority', whether from the Left or Right!

Join ARTS for more liberty, peace, justice, prosperity, and ethics for all.

2. Dave's Book: 'A Guide to Better Government: Problems and Solutions' is now available (36 pages, 8.5 X 11). Mail $10 (checks payable to 'Redick for Congress-08') to our Contact address (click in left margin), and we will mail your copy. It tells the whole story of how Dave's approach will save the USA from depression and cultural decay. Feedback comments are appreciated. The purchase is treated as a donation to the campaign.

3. Problems with Major Political Parties

3a. Introduction: Congress, most party leaders, and self-serving 'loyalists' (at the DC, State and County levels) of the major political parties have failed the people, and should reform or be replaced!

Most Republicrat activists operate with self-serving 'Me-First' and 'Party-First' priorities, where the needs and votes of the citizens are ignored, and keeping their Party jobs and social and business connections comes first! Their failure to end the tragic and illegal Iraq and Afghan wars is a shameful example.

Excess spending and debt loom as threats to the U.S. economy, and Congress and Bush ignore the problems! More and more State projects are funded in DC (pork, grants, mandates; with strings attached) because DC never runs out of fake money. The U.S. debt (Treasury Bills and Bonds) is over $9 trillion and growing! Worse, this does not count the 'off-budget' unfunded over $53 trillion dollar liabilities of Social Security and Medicare. These debts can only be paid by massive creation of more dollars, which will reduce the value of all dollars, and cause a depression!! We are 'stuck between a rock and a hard place', and only a major reduction in spending will solve the problem. For more info, go to #3 'Issues' in the left margin, then item #1 'Fake Money'; and next to #8 'Dave's Writings' in the left margin, then #E 'Fake Money'.

Neocon warmongers drive our foreign policy. The 'Project for a New American century' (PNAC, www.newamericancentury.org) was founded by 'use more power' pushers such as neocons Cheney, Rumsfeld, Perle, and the like, and their plan, a white paper produced in September of 2000 entitled "Rebuilding America's Defenses: Strategy, Forces and Resources for a New Century." depends on war to defend and expand Empire-USA control world wide. It became the blueprint for the Bush team to invade Iraq and Afghanistan (for oil, Israel and bases). The 9-11 tragedy was the trigger they needed! (click on #3 'Issues' in the left margin, and go to item 4 '9-11'; and then click on #4A in left margin '9-11 A Crime, Not a War').

Many neocons are Zionists (all are Empire builders), which means they put the success of Israel before the USA, and expect the USA to pay for its defense with our blood and treasure. The Israeli lobby AIPAC (American-Israel Public Affairs Committee; www.aipac.org) is their enforcer in the USA. If a Congressperson doesn't support Israel, they don't get re-elected!! AIPAC attacks them, or supports their opponent. Take note that most Congresspersons (plus Cheney, Rice, Powell, McCain, Obama, etc.) attend their annual banquet in DC and kiss-up by promising vast military and financial support for Israel!! Only a retiring Congressperson will criticize AIPAC. A massive scandal!! For more, go to #8-A 'True Reasons Bush Invaded' in the left margin. No cries of anti-semitism please; this is a legal, political and financial issue, not religious.

Bush and his team 'used' 9-11 and their 'War on Terror' to justify a long list of excess powers for the Executive branch, plus a host of violations of domestic laws and liberties (spying, excess control of travel, torture and jailing of 'non-combatants, etc.). Again, see #4, '9-11, A Crime, not War' in the left margin.

The Democrats took 'End the Iraq War' and 'Impeach Bush-Cheney' off-the-table in a self-serving move to help them win as 'pro-defense', 'support the troops' boosters in Nov-08. Tell that to the family of those who will die and be maimed in the meantime!! Shame on the Dems.

Only a few courageous Congresspersons such as Maxine Waters, Lynn Woolsey, Barbara Lee , Ron Paul, Chuck Hagel, Jim Webb, Russ Feingold, and a few others, have shown courage in opposing control by their Party Bosses. Sen. Hagel's Oct. 17, '07 letter to Pres. Bush is a good example. It starts with: 'I write to urge you to consider pursuing direct, unconditional and comprehensive talks with the Government of Iran.', and goes on to cite how our arrogant 'preconditions' make a joke out of our offer to talk. See the full letter, and more on Hagel, in Part 6 of the left margin. Bravo to all of them !

3b. The ARTS Plan to Restore America's Principles:

The major political parties have veered off-course in the last thirtyfive years (since Nixon abrogated the Bretton Woods Monetary Treaty, and imposed price controls, in 1971), and need new leadership and reform at all levels. They now condone or promote 'more-government' for war, spending, religion, illegal immigration, unconstitutional restriction of rights, illegal 'signing statements', illegal Executive Orders, torture, and corruption! Some say suspensions of rights are 'needed for a while'; Baloney, the rights rarely come back! ARTS members are 'Small-Government Moderates', and very word on this site supports that description! We will work to restore key principles such as:

1) Limited Constitution-based government emphasizing personal responsibility, Liberty, property rights, low taxing and spending, and a non-interventionist foreign policy, with strong defense against attack and valid threats, but

2) No wars (or 'Police actions') without the express approval of Congress,

3) No pre-emptive wars or invasions,

4) Use war only for defense of homeland from invasions or proven threats. No foreign wars or invasions for economic or political goals (such as for oil, land, defense of Israel, and Empire-USA), and

5) Repeal unconstitutional, and unnecessary restrictions on liberty and privacy, and Executive Branch power-grabs, such as the Patriot Act, and Military Commissions Act, and restore Habeas Corpus.

Ronald Reagan said; 'No mother would ever willingly sacrifice her sons for territorial gain, for economic advantage, or for ideology.' Another way to say it is; 'No wars for Empire-USA'.

We urge party activists to support the idea, 'When your leaders 'go bad' and hijack your Party, a loyal Party member fights to reform or replace them! ', and also join ARTS.

The Bush-Lovers tout themselves as loyal. Sadly, this is a close analogy with 1776 when 'Loyalists' and 'Royalists' supported King George III (we have 'George W'), largely to protect their self-serving 'connections', despite his misconduct. But the reformers (such as John Adams, Ethan Allen, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington, etc.) said NO, we will fight for Liberty!

It is time to repudiate the misconduct, and violation of America's Principles, of our 'leaders', and start an honest rebuilding plan. Rather than continuing the present leadership's mode of avoidance and denial, this honest approach will achieve needed changes, and win more votes, right away!

Dave predicts Ghandhi's aphorism will prevail:

"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win."

3c. Core Principle - All of ARTS' 'Issue Positions' are based on the following objective principle:

'The government's proper role is to protect the personal and property rights of it's citizens, as individuals, from threat or violation by others'.

This is consistent with the federal constitution. The intent of the Constitution is to limit federal power to truly national functions such as defense, foreign affairs, etc., and retain all other power for the States and the people. History and logic show that this approach yields not only more liberty, but more peace, prosperity, ethics, and justice. (to see details and examples, click Part #3 'Issues' in the left margin, and go to Item 1b).

3d. The ARTS Plan to Eliminate 'Earmark' Funding: Most Congresspersons like to 'bring home the pork' to fund state projects and win votes. These 'earmarks' are hidden add-ons to other funding bills such as transportation, and 'Omnibus Appropriations Bills' (5 or 10 funding bills combined), and are not part of the normal approval process. Even worse, the omnibus bills are usually many hundreds of pages and few Congresspersons read any part of them! Since the government is already 'in the red', this spending is a serious add-on to our national debt problem! ARTS will promote a bill to make earmarks and Omnibus Appropriation Bills (and sneaky 'Minibus' bills) illegal for all Congresspersons. This will eliminate cries by some voters of; 'We're not getting our share of pork'. Of course we will also fight for reductions and elimination of improper grants and subsidies.

Move FORWARD with ARTS!

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