DEBATING WITH AN IDIOT
A few years back Glenn Beck wrote a book named, “Arguing With Idiots.” I never read it, but I always regarded that as a thought-provoking title.
For quite some time I have been trying to get anyone that believes the nonsense constantly presented as economic science to engage with me on the subject.
People read my articles on inflation, and sometimes “like” them, but rarely does anyone comment on the subject matter. It almost seems like people think that what I say about the perversion of money in America may have some validity, but since so many experts say the exact opposite, they are afraid to entertain the possibility that there might be something to what I write.
On the other hand, they may firmly believe that I am an idiot, and clearly out of my mind, so they choose to ignore the substance of my thesis for fear of offending me.
Either way, no discussion of substance is allowed to happen.
With this in mind, and since my recent challenge, “I HAVE QUESTIONS FOR SOMEONE SMART,” garnered one “like,” and zero responses, I will debate myself, and allow my readers to “listen in.” I’m not sure that I'm smart enough to have this discussion.
I hope that since I have been so far unable to inspire the type of thoughtful consideration on this essential subject, a more imaginative tactic may prove useful.
Let us begin this “debate.”
[idiot]
On one side we have me, a barely educated cabinet builder of nearly 67 years. My belief is that I have two critical strengths.
The first is that I love my God, I believe that He loves me, and first revealed His Word to give guidance to His creation, (people.)
The second is that I love my country and that the basis for that love is found in the Declaration of Independence, and the US Constitution. I believe that these two founding documents as written in 1776, and 1789 are God-inspired, and thereby more perfect in their construction than nearly any other man-made resource on earth.
I believe that the reason that we Americans do not enjoy the perfection inherent in the construction of these documents is found in a quote by John Adams, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” As Americans become less moral and religeous, we experience the likely results.
I believe that the lack of a moral and religious people sufficient to secure the intended level of perfection is embodied in a Quote by Ronald Reagan, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”
I believe that the road back from the brink of destruction lies in a quote by John Quincy Adams, “Duty is ours, results are God’s.”
It does not matter how many oppose the righteous requirements of our Constitution, or how intelligent, or powerful they are, faithfulness to righteousness, and the rule of law, (according to the Bible and our Constitution,) is the key to enjoying the fruits of its promises.
As I have written repeatedly, our Constitution says clearly that only gold and silver can be money, and only Congress is authorized to set the weights and measures of its value.
The only way to constitutionally modify this requirement is to amend the US Constitution, and that has never been done. This means that the Federal Reserve notes that we trade as money is constitutionally illegitimate. It only has the value that we believe it has. If confidence in its value diminishes, Americans and likely America will suffer greatly.
I submit that our founders and the framers of our Constitution were completely correct, and even prophetic concerning the danger of fiat currency, and the ONLY WAY to correct our problem with money is to restore the constitutional standards for money.
[Having now given my initial address, laying out the basis for my position, I will let my opponent set their position, and go first. (How completely polite am I?)]
[Smart person]
The US Constitution is indeed the governing document and therefore sets the guidelines for all manner of rule, and statutory governance, including national currency.
Our Constitution, though important, and authoritative when written, was inadequate as written for modern society, and meant to be a living document, able to bend and adjust to changing needs.
The Congress and executive branch have the ability to interpret the contemporary needs of constitutional provisions and adjust to fulfill those needs.
The federal court system, and ultimately the Supreme Court is the final word on the meaning of constitutional provisions.
In 1913 Congress determined through the Federal Reserve Act to outsource the management of our national currency to an entity and named it the “Federal Reserve.”
It is the authority of Congress to make laws, and this law authorizes the Federal Reserve.
Therefore, the Federal Reserve sets the value of our currency, the instruments for the control of its value, and how those instruments are to be used.
[Having set forth the basis of both sides’ arguments, let us progress to the debate.]
[Smart Person’s 1st point]
Modern economics is based on free market principles, supply and demand, and the regulation of supply and demand then becomes an important tool in regulating the value of our nation’s currency.
Interest rates are essential in regulating that value. Inflation happens when there are too many dollars compared to goods and services available. As inflation expands, slowing our economy reduces the number of dollars, allowing a more equitable relationship of dollars, to resources.
[Idiot’s response]
This is completely unsubstantiated by logic, facts, and history. While rising interest rates do indeed slow the economy, it only affects civilian commerce, it rarely affects government spending, which averages more than 30% of the gross domestic product. This means that our government spends more than any other entity in our society while producing nearly zero resources.
[Smart person’s response]
Here’s where they would likely begin quoting mathematical statistics, completely ignoring the principles at issue. I am not smart enough to know what numbers they might quote, or where they might be found, nor do I care, because I recognize that it is a smoke screen.
[Idiot’s next response]
As interest rates rise, industry is less able to borrow capital for economic expansion, limiting their ability to increase wages, and reducing profits to our industries. This will likely contribute to rising costs for consumers as products and services become less available. This may contribute to layoffs, and increased unemployment. This will then likely increase the government spending/GDP relationship causing a need for higher taxes. Rising taxes will likely further stifle industry, and reduce receipts to the general treasury, causing a repeat of each of the previously stated occurances.
The FED will likely create more fiat currency to “compensate” for the “lack of resources” for the American public. This will in turn reduce the value of every dollar in circulation, making every aforementioned problem infinitely more damaging.
[Smart person’s next response]
Probably another recitation of facts and figures, with certifications by respected institutions. Not one recognition of the irrefutable nature of the idiot’s assertions. Their objective would likely be to present an excessive number of “dollar values" and experts to cause the listener to doubt foundational principles’ relevance to this discussion. No real answer would likely be given.
[idiot’s question]
Since our Constitution clearly stipulates the method by which any amendments can be made to the Constitution, and we can see that the Constitution would need to be amended to allow for the Federal Reserve, how can the Federal Reserve be constitutional? None of the 27 Constitutional Amendments mention the management of currency, or the Federal Reserve.
[Smart person’s response]
I can’t even guess what their answer might be. There can be no intelligent response since Article V provides only two ways to amend, (change, or update,) any provision of the Constitution, and neither has ever been actuated with regard to American currency. No Constitutional authorization of the Federal Reserve has ever been made.
[Idiot]
I can go no further since I am not smart enough to envision where the [smart person] might direct our attention in their pursuit of reigning our perspective on this subject. I am sure they would use their verbal talents, vivid imagination, and knowledge of facts and figures to deceive “we the peolpe.”
I could go on, and on reciting why our modern economic system and money supply are farcical, but I’ve been doing that for nearly a decade already. My goal is not to reveal anything new, but to shake my fellow Americans awake to the truth. We are being lied to by nearly every expert, and most of the people we trust.
Milton Friedman is regarded by conservatives, and constitutionalists for decades, and throughout American society as having been a brilliant, economic mind. I believe that it is respect for him, and his arguments that have led many conservatives astray, whether intentionally, or unintentionally. I am unable to judge which. I will leave that judgment to God.
It is high time that we, the American people begin to ask these important questions of our “rulers.” Questions that I’ve brought up in this mock debate.
As of this last week, foreign nations have begun leaving the US dollar out of International trade. China, Iran, Russia, and many others are making trade agreements without the input, or participation of the United States of America.
All of the experts seem to agree that this will have a grave effect on the value of our currency, though I have heard very few that are not downplaying the huge impact of these developments.
As I have written in the past, If we want to see examples of what might be in store for us, we only need to look at the history of the Weimar Republic, Zimbabwe, and Venezuela. These all treated their currency, their industries, and their citizens in much the same way that our government is treating America at present. Their results are there for all to see. I believe that ignoring them is irresponsible, and dangerous.
God bless you, Dave
“Duty is ours, results are God’s” John Quincy Adams