“We agree and support all of Nader’s great work, as well as that of the American Monetary institute. We livestreamed this wonder Nader event as well.
Hazel Henderson, Editor“
I just returned from an eventful ten day trip to Washington DC, which included attendance at the spectacular Ralph Nader, “Breaking Through Power” convention, at Washington’s huge Constitution Hall of the DAR- what a venue that is!
One important reason for the trip was to hear Dennis Kucinich speak on “Public Budgets” (at Ralph’s convention). Understand that I admire Ralph Nader as a great and heroic American figure, equal to some of the key founders of our nation. If we had more like him, we’d have our Nation back from the corporate numbskulls! You can hear Ralph’s concluding remarks at the 7 hour, 15 minute point, in the link just below. Also see Ralph at the 6 hour, 10 minute point, and learn about the “Citizen Summons.” Ralph is always great!
Dennis’ talk was the morning of Day 4. What a stirring enthusiasm building talk it was- with the audience cheering and rising to their feet in a standing ovation at its conclusion! Do watch it at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKbsEQLH_aw. Dennis’ talk starts at the 52 minute point, and lasts about 20 minutes. It’s an unequivocal call for monetary reform, and the NEED Act.
He started by honoring his wife Elizabeth, and told the audience how she helped organize the first AMI Annual Monetary Reform Conference in 2005. Towards the end, he introduced yours truly- I am in the video! Take a look at the link. All that was much appreciated, and very apropos, as Elizabeth is one of the key speakers at our upcoming 12th Annual Monetary Reform Conference in Chicago, September 29-October 2, 2016. You can see the great Speakers line up at http://www.monetary.org/2016-speakers-2!
It’s also the AMI 20th Anniversary, so we will celebrate!
One of the ideas behind Ralph Nader’s “Breaking Through Power” Convention, is to encourage and instruct the people around the nation, who are motivated to advance social justice in many ways: to broaden their activities on several levels, and ultimately get these ideas into national effect through the Congress. That will be really important for monetary reform- won’t it! We (Dennis and the AMI) have gotten the issue to the national level, but the AMI has not yet built the national demand for it.
I met with Matt Zawisky, one of Ralph’s Lieutenants, and was clued in on how to approach Ralph to build that interest in monetary reform, starting from the important impact of Dennis Kucinich’s talk.
Naturally I had meetings with Aides of key congressional finance committee members, and I’m really happy and encouraged to report that these are among the smartest, most dedicated Congressional Aides (both House and Senate, Democrat and Republican) I have ever met! That’s a really good sign. Was it just that they were paying more attention? No, I think they were really understanding it much deeper than before.
Among other things, they can see how the political scene is in flux (Trump/Clinton/Bernie). Regarding monetary and banking reform, they observe the failure of Obama, and Dodd Frank legislation to bring any criminal bankers to heel! Yes, this is “close to the surface” and easy to discuss. The people I talked with really care about our nation and look for ways to help.
I had some really good meetings with Jim Wert, retired after 31 years as Legislative Counsel, specializing in money and banking, who helped formulate much of the NEED Act. Jim will be addressing our Conference in Chicago. We discussed adding 2 sentences to the Kucinich bill in Title V, Section 505 (which pays for education). Adding those two sentenceswill make that education section retroactive.What would that mean? It will wipe out over a $trillion dollars of student debt- that’s what it would do, and it will do that overnight, without raising taxes, without borrowing money or causing inflation!
Yes, that sounds incredible, but only to people who don’t realize what the “MONEY POWER” conveys! How else do you think the bankers, who you know are not the brightest, gain and keep their riches and power?
Another major reason for my trip was to meet with a very important citizen who can bring large, very large numbers of people into the monetary reform movement; I won’t tell you his name yet, not just yet, but very soon! He too will address our September Conference!
Well people, thanks for listening! Now please remember that traveling to Washington DC, even on the bumpy Amtrak rails, paying for hotel and hostel rooms costs money- food is ridiculously expensive there! The AMI still has not achieved dependable funding (my fault)! So please make donations. We do need your assistance.Without your help we are essentially unfunded; with it we will succeed! Click on the donate button at our website http://www.monetary.org. Consider making a monthly donation of $5, $10, or more! Its easy – just click the little monthly box.
Warm regards Folks,
Stephen Zarlenga, Director,
American Monetary Institute