Although his presidential campaign is coming to a close, the constitutional revolution is on the rise and on fire with large scale rallies scheduled in places like MN and DC. A new website has been launched; now there will be a place for Freedom loving Americans to connect to make freedom a reality.
http://www.campaignforliberty.com
It's no understatement to say, the work of Ron Paul and his devoted freedom loving Americans has not ended, but it's just beginning.
FASHION AROUND THE WORLD
It’s no secret that many luxurious, fashionable and well-made items come manufactured from Europe. Italians have some of the best tailors and leather tanners in the world. The French can boast and toast some of the most classic handbags and drinks in existence. Germany has a reputation for having the most popular, fashionable and reliable cars often associated with status and success. The Russians can boot that their Sable furs are the epitome of winter luxury and by far the best and most expensive furs money can buy. Antwerp, Belgium has a majority of the best diamond cutters and has a long solid history of being the center of the diamond trading industry.
The east also has its fair share of luxury products. The best cashmere on the market, Pashmina, is manufactured in Nepal and Kashmir, India where the Himalayas are the native habitat for the goats that produce these high-end fibers. India also has some of the most beautiful, exotic textiles and hand-beading artisans, which are utilized by haute Couture design houses in the US and Italy. No fashionable interior design would be complete without the investment purchase of an authentic Persian carpet. Hand knotted Persian rugs can accent a wide range of décor styles from palaces of Kings to middle-class American homes.
WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE AMERICA?
US JOBS JOBS HAVE BEEN LEAVING OUR SHORES
The US trade deficit began in the 1970’s but has accelerated rapidly after 1997. During 2006, the US experienced a $765.3 billion trade deficit; China alone contributed $232.5 billion-the highest it’s ever been. It is unfair to the American people, to have such an imbalance, not only because we are supporting a government that is communistic in nature, that thrives on sweat shop child labor, but also because manufacturing jobs for Americans are in decline. The trend is continuing with the movement of US jobs to call centers off shore in developing countries where wage and cost of living is much cheaper. What does this unbalanced trade practice and increase in our unemployment say about us Americans? Aren’t we a nation that believes in freedom, human rights, and prosperity of our own people first? It’s obviously all in the name of maximizing corporate profits at the expense of the American people’s jobs, and our productivity as a country. We could learn allot from the fashion houses in Europe, who pride themselves on the talent and expertise produced by their country’s own people. Many Italian design houses such as Missoni, Pucci, and Versace still have family involved in crucial aspects of the business and they like keeping the production at home.
THE DOLLAR AND GLOBAL TRADE AGREEMENTS
Even if we wanted to bring back our American products, could we afford them? Our dollar value has dropped to 4 cents ever since the creation of the Federal Reserve System in 1913, and it continues to drop today. Many politicians want to solve the problem by increasing the minimum wage, but that won’t strengthen our dollar or offer a permanent solution to drastic inflation. Only one presidential candidate, Congressman Dr. Ron Paul, wants to get to the root of the problem by bringing our currency back to the integrity it once had, backing it by either silver or gold as the constitution demands.
These were the plans JFK had with his executive order 11110 just before his assassination. Dr. Paul also wants to end “managed trade” agreements (NAFTA, GATT, WTO, and CAFTA), which do not help the prosperity of the American worker, but increase the profits of the corporations. They also undermine the voice of the American people and congress, forcing us to accept laws of other non-democratic nations. These agreements promote the relocation of our jobs overseas, and the spending of our tax dollars on non-US products.
STANDARD OF LIVING FOR MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES DECLINES
A good indication of how quickly inflation is affecting the US dollar is to examine not only how the standard of living for the American family has gone down over time, but also how the prices of European designer goods have drastically increased for Americans over the last few years. Aren’t you glad you splurged on that Louis bag years back? It’s probably unaffordable for you now. The Euro has also ruined tourism and shopping in Europe for many middle-class Americans. It must be very difficult these days for mother’s and father’s starting a new family to stay fashionable in an economy where their purchasing power goes down every year, and their jobs are at risk to be outsourced to countries where the locals can’t speak English clearly.
CONSUMER DEBT ON THE RISE
So where are we getting the money to look so fabulous if we can’t afford it? The consumer debt has been rising at an alarming rate. Credit card, car loans and foreclosures are at an all time high. If we keep moving in this direction, we are going to crash harder than we did in 1929. Digging ourselves deeper in debt won’t help our families, especially if it causes us to lose our homes. There are alternatives: we can shop at end of season sales, outlets, vintage shops, consignment stores, or share and swap our closet finds with trusted family and friends. Be nice ladies, give that delicate bag a seat at a restaurant and dry clean before returning! Otherwise, you will loose your borrowing privileges.
IS THERE A POSITIVE SIDE?
So what’s the bright side to all this? Get involved in politics, email and call up your representatives, ask them to take a stand on these issues. Don't feel discouraged, we can all make a difference.
Independent designers and small businesses that want to support our home made products have found a niche on the Internet, where they have a chance to survive with very little to no overhead. New Balance, a major athletic shoe retailer, prides itself on manufacturing their sneakers in US factories. Hopefully more of our American companies will follow suit. There are some American fashion shops that still carry some “made in the USA” products within their inventory; you just have to look for them. Be a more educated shopper. So next time you visit one of our domestic boutiques looking for that killer number for your special occasion, check the label before you fall madly in love. Forget the brand, where is it made?
