What's this? Ron Paul runs a conservative campaign with no loans?

Rep. Ron Paul of Texas and his thousands of fervent supporters may be fighting more over the soul of the Republican Party nowadays than they are for the actual presidential nomination, seeing how the congressman is more than 1,000 delegates shy of what he'd need to head the ticket.

And John McCain has already wrapped up the September nomination so tightly he's not even campaigning and has headed off on an overseas trip this week with congressional colleagues.

This just so happens to provide photos back home of him talking to foreign leaders like a president and praying at the Wailing Wall while Democrats argue over Florida again.

McCain's entourage includes Connecticut's Joe Lieberman, former Democratic vice presidential candidate, former Democratic senator, current independent senator and probably McCain's future secretary of defense. Although that hasn't been officially announced yet because McCain first has to win this little thing called a presidential election.

The 72-year-old Paul has plenty of free political time now because no Democrat, not even in Texas, is dumb enough to take him on in the November House election, which will award Paul his 11th term. On March 4, Paul vanquished his main Republican challenger in the 14th District by capturing 70% of the vote. Other than that, it was close.

Paul says he'll continue to take his conservative message of...

smaller government, more personal freedoms and an end to American troops abroad wherever his followers are strong and loyal, places like Pennsylvania, North Carolina, maybe Idaho. But they're actually all over, even allegedly liberal California, where one branch posed nearly-naked for a Hotties4RonPaul pinup calendar. Others did a music video.

As noted here earlier this week, Paul's volunteers are winning GOP influence the old-fashioned way, at the grassroots level county by county, tedious meeting after tedious meeting, largely under the radar of the national media, except The Ticket. Paul's volunteers, many of them new to politics, hope to exert some influence on the platform in St. Paul and go from there, the way the 1964 Goldwater generation of conservatives finally won in 1980 with Ronald Reagan.

This is supposed to be a bad year for Republicans, whose turnout in caucus states, for instance, has been low compared with Democrats. But although Paul has yet to win an actual primary or caucus, he's taken some fourths, fifths and seconds.

And with a minimalist campaign organization and a ton of money from about 400,000 dedicated donors (just watch the comments section below for their bounteous vows of loyalty), Paul has won about 803,000 votes. Which, in case you didn't notice, is more than that New York mayor guy with all the ex-wives got, and more than that tall, slow fellow from Tennessee who was a prosecutor and also played one on TV.

In fact, Paul, a former OB/GYN, raised more money in the fourth quarter of 2007 -- nearly $20 million -- than any other Republican candidate, including those rich guys from the East who were supposed to walk away with the nomination. In fact, Paul's website has a delightful photo display of all 11 Republican presidential candidates.

Nine of them have big black Xs across their face because they're gone. And guess who's not? Paul even outlasted (and easily out-fund-raised) that Arkansas governor who stayed around forever.   

Speaking of money, Paul has now filed his required monthly campaign finance report with the Federal Election Commission. Knowing how interested The Ticket remains in the Ron Paul Revolution, The Times' dutiful Dan Morain dug out the Texan's new report.

Not only does Paul talk the conservative talk, it seems he walks the conservative walk. He reported having raised $34.65 million since he launched his (get ready, Paulunteers) long-shot White House bid last year. Paul reported spending about $29 million as of Feb. 29. And he reported having an impressive $5.57 million cash left in the bank.

Now, get this: The Ron Paul presidential campaign reported no debts. Not a dollar. Not even a penny. What has this country come to when half the members of Congress run for president and fully one of them campaigns within his means? This conservative revolution will not be run on funny money like the Federal Reserve system they want to abolish.

-- Andrew Malcolm

Photo: John A. Bowersmith / Killeen Daily Herald

Comments

[craig seganti]

Good comment--no one can ever complain there are no good candidates when they are not willing to vote for one when there is.

[Ron]

Huckabee stayed in so long to take votes from Paul. The faux Christians wanted one of their own. The GOP knew this.
Paul would (will) have a landslide in November had not the TV media excluded his message.
It is a conspiracy.
And Mr. Malcolm, it's a journalist's job to disprove the conspiracy theorist. Not the other way around.
Just compare media time since Paul and Guliani declared their intent to run.
What are the minutes?
Just give us the facts, please.

(We've written about all of this many times and responded many times on many of the other Ron Paul items we've published. Please read back over them. The Ticket excluded, there wasn't much coverage and he did get less debate time. It looks like a conspiracy, but that gives media folks too much credit. It's partly ignorance. But it's also partly the campaign, which could have done so much more effectively to force the media to pay attention. I've mentioned this before because it's so illustrative. Remember the big money bomb day last fall? That was a Sunday. Do you remember how it was "announced"? In a press release on the website at midnight Sunday night, when everyone, except The Ticket, is in bed. We were waiting for it and had a big immediate item on the new record. But that's no way to get attention. What if there'd been a big ceremony at 10 A.M. Monday morning with 3 Ron Paul supporters presenting a giant $6 million record online check to Dr. Paul for all the cameras to film? Yes, he was ignored. But sometimes there are reasons. You heard Gov. Huckabee complain on-air about not getting his share of debate time. Not Dr. P. Remember, this is supposed to be a competition. Voters want to see the candidates scrap for it.)

[Brent Burk]

Much love.

Who destroyed the campaign? His stupid campaign team. They were incompetent. He should of fired all of them when he raised the first 4million in one day. But, he trusted them too much. :[

[dawn marie clark]

Vote for Dr. Ron Paul - the ONLY statesman of our time!

What a magnificent man!

[Dan]

Well, looks pretty bleak for RP this year.

Still, I think what he has done is to set someone up very well for a run in 2012 who shares his philosophies. If there are very many more banking collapses. If there is a three year recession, and it is severe. If it is accompanied by double digit inflation. If the government cannot meet its obligations and foreign investors stop buying U.B. bonds. If all of this happens, then a guy like Ron Paul will have a window, especially if they are young, charismatic, and photogenic.

I'm not saying all of that or even any of it will happen. It's beyond my capacity to predict these things. But if they do, then the Ron Paul campaign in '08 has created a huge network of grassroots activists who will have a much more attentive audience the next time around.

[dawn marie clark]

i forgot to add - mccain has NOT wrapped up the nomination and that will be his downfall - thinking he has.

mccain = the manchurian candidate

[Minute Man]

The key words in the title of this article are:

True Conservative

Period

[Tara Kelly]

Thank you Mr. Malcolm for posting this article. Ron Paul and those of us supporting his campaign want the messages to reach the general public. Mr. Paul offers the same answers and solutions to whomever his is speaking. He knows the issues. He offers solutions - even if they are a bit painful. He is intelligent. He is honest. Are we ready to hear the truth and make some tough changes for the good of our nation?

I hope others in the media will take a look and follow your lead. Bring us more articles about Ron Paul and his thoughts and solutions. They are worth reading.

[Chip]

I'd glad that Paul will keep his congressional seat; at least there is one person in DC that represents me!

[Amberlicious]

3 cheers and then some for this fantastically unbiased piece. This is well written and tells the facts straight out. I also enjoyed a bit of humor when referring to the other candidates in a manner such as "that Arkansas governor who stayed around forever." That is truly the appropriate lack of praise all of the others in the GOP nominee race deserve to be heralded by.

Not only did Ron Paul bring sound principles for freedom and economic reform, but he out performed every single one of his CFR member competitors. They each had the media behind them telling Americans who to support, while the media blackout Ron Paul received gave all the others a handicap advantage to their campaigns. And still Ron Paul received more financial & military support and grassroots turnout than any of them were capable of creating. It reminds me of the story of the tortoise and the hare. Just let the Bilderberg group funded, warmonger "hare" feel cocky enough to nap while in the lead... as the slow, but steadily building freedom movement walks the tortoise's path to victory... despite the results of our sham election. We will not quit until America is once again a free nation.

Rest assured, we will march faithfully until we see the global elitist, tryannical empire fall to its knees. Love, gratitude, faith and peacefulness are greater forces of nature than control and suppression of life could ever be. Look not at what appears to be. Instead, look within and know that victory is ours and that our numbers and unity of purpose grows stronger with each day.

[MJ]

Ron Paul is publishing a new book in April and it should be a top ten bestseller hopefully number one. Until then tell your local banker to read up on the Federal Reserve and the history of money. RON PAUL 2008

[Vincent M]

I will be donating more to Dr. Paul as I get it. I have to make up for the legions of brain dead McWar followers. Listen up GOP, I will never, and i mean NEVER vote for Juan McSenile! AND there are over 400,000 just like me out there, possibly double that and growing. You have several months to fix things. We are the future of the party and you can no longer carry on ignoring our Constitutional values by supporting McJuan. Yes, this is a threat!

[Loren Schooley]

9 out of 11 black X's ask: What happens if old clogged artery McCain has a stroke trying to beat up a reporter when he gets back from vacation in Iraq?

[Tannim]

Google "Green Zone Follies" for a candid glimpse of the man who thinks he's the GOP nominee.

Then ask yourself if you voted for him, "Why did I make such a boneheaded decision?"

Then go watch any of Dr. Paul's public speeches on YouTube, especially those that accurately predicted this fiscal mess.

Then ask yourself that same question again.

We knew. We warned you. We were ignored. We were disparaged. We were right. We told you so.

Enjoy the reaping of what you sowed.

[Bodybuilding Blog]

You just HAD to say "longshot" didn't you?

(Well, yes, but I warned you so you could skip it. Alas, it's also true.)

[GL]

Dr. Paul had my vote here and will get it in November. He is the only one who made any sense in the debates. His insightful comments about Iraq and monetary policy were never challenged by any of his opponents...because they are true!!! His campaign is waking up the American People albeit slowly.

[Tess]

Mr. Malcolm:

I have enjoyed reading your blog, but would like to make a suggestion. Would you please get with the Editor of the L.A. Times, and see if your work can actually be published in the paper as an article verses a blog on line. I guarantee the sales on that day would skyrocket, if not I will personally send you a check for $20.00. We Ron Paul supporters will not be going away anytime soon.
Thanks for this piece about Ron Paul.

(Well, I'm flattered, Tess. The truth is it's really two different worlds. This online blog is a lot less formal than newspaper writing, one reason I like it so much. And we can write up stuff that might not merit a lot of inches in a newspaper. Every Sunday the newspaper does publish excerpts from 3-4 blog items from the previous week. And that selection is also available online on our Campaign08 page next door here. Each one of those colllections of excerpts also have links back to all of the weekly excerpts starting last June. A lot of Paul supporters seem to think that if it doesn't appear in print in a newspaper, it's not real somehow. The fact is, already this evening this morning's newspaper is going in to line birdcages and under kitty litter pans. And everything we've written since this blog started June 11, 2007 is still right here online for anyone anytime, including the dozens of items on Dr. Paul. A lot of people think printed papers are eventually going to disappear in their current form. I wouldn't know. But I do know from our readership that many more thousands of people will read this item -- in fact, already have -- than would ever even scan the same thing in the printed paper. So you got what you got. Thanks for the suggestion and for reading and re-visiting us.)

[Barney Palmerston]

Contrast the interest in Dr Paul on the internet versus the MSM coverage of the man.

Go ahead, write an article on any candidate or subject, and see if you get a viewer response like when you mention Dr Paul.

Even you Mr Malcolm, have to admit,... that an orchestrated effort by the establishment to mute his message is not a conspiracy, but a blatant reality.

[Parke]

Another goodie Mr. Malcolm.

I stand with T. Jefferson. 'Advertisers are the only truths to be relied upon in newspapers.' After seeing the treatment of Paul by the media.. I cancelled my cable subscription. I get the news I need online, watch what I want all over the net.. I do not like, trust or allow television media anywhere near my home any longer. They dismiss the right to inform us and lead America down a slippery slope that looks to run us into the gates of hell. Or Depression.

Heres a sample of what my newspaper front page would read:
-GOLD $1000/OZ
-DOLLAR CRASHING
-38m ILLEGALS INVADING
-WAR COULD LAST 100 YRS SAYS McCAIN
-NOBODY RUNNING WILL EASE SPENDING
-RIGHTS STRIPPED BECAUSE OF PATRIOT ACT
-TEXAS MOVING FORWARD WITH TCC PLANS
-NORTH AMERICAN UNION IS REAL
-AMERO IS PLANNED NEW CURRENCY WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF SOVEREIGNTY

Only Lou Dobbs will touch the last two on my list. The pansy ass media is either to cowardly, explicitly involved or just plain to stupid to defend Americans. When a tv is near me i hear about whether or not Brintey Spears takes it in the pooper while smoking crack with her kid in the front seat.

Im telling you folks. One day soon a pretty face on a bright screen will tell us with a smile that those bankers have figured out a way to 'bail' us out of our financial situation. Its called the Amero and you can kiss America goodbye.

So to the media:

Eff you
Eff you
Eff you
(Mr. Malcolm) Youre cool
and eff you.

Im out.

[mistermr]

Thank you Mr. Malcolm. The 400,000 donors that have financially supported this campaign are only a small portion of Americans that are searching for real change in D.C.. Clearly the majority of people supporting the Obama camp are also in the hunt for change. I wonder when the two groups merge out of necessity what will come of politics over the next few years. You can be sure that lines will be drawn in the sand between the status quo folks and those that want big changes. Keep up the reporting so we can stay informed on the situation. Besides, this is history in the making and what writer in their right mind wouldn't want this story line.

[sean truitt]

i can see clearly in my mind how the conversation must have went:
the stogie-chomping chief editor of the times, pacing the floor of the blog-closet.
"circulations down, malcolm! what is it? typos? . . .ANSWER ME, DAMMIT!"
"n-n-no sir! n-n-no typos sir. . ."
"there have been several spikes and then NOTHIN! SQUAT! NADA! ZILCH!"
"well. . .it's ron paul, sir."
"WHO?"
". . . .ron paul, sir. it seems that there is some . . . inactivity. . .
"ron paul?" drops cigar from slack jaw.
"yes, well, you see. . .ron paul is the reason for all the internet traffic these last months, and. . ."
"well then get this 'ron paul' person back and let's get this web traffic back up there where it belongs. do this malcolm, or your blog will be lining bird cages from now 'til 2012!"
"yes sir!"
(sound of typing)

thanks andrew!

[dj]

The only one's who sank the Paul campaign are the 9/11 conspiracy whackos and white supremecists who came to the campaign rallys and turned off alot of everyday people, it's guilt by association I love Ron Paul's message but when most people see a guy holding a sign saying "9/11 was a inside job" they dismiss that person and whatever he's associated with

[Tom J]

Christy said:
"Besides, I've already set aside funds to purchase my "Don't Blame Me, I Voted Ron Paul" bumper sticker to replace my Presidential bumper stickers. I was thinking something along the lines of ... Don't blame me I actually checked out my candidates voting record... haven't quite got the wording down the way I want it."

How about a Ron Paul version of:
http://www.barackobamaisyournewbicycle.com/

[Jack Richardson]

Word is the Independent Green Party of Virginia has collected over 10,000 petition signatures to put Ron Paul on their Presidential ballot line in November.

[Eloy Gonzalez II]

Wow! Finally a GREAT, accurate, fair and balanced article about Ron Paul! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

RON PAUL 2008!!!

[Andrew]

Thank you Malcom for yet another fair piece on Ron Paul. You have been a great outlet for all of the people that support our man R.P.. The media blackout has been so blatant that alot of people have awakend, we have come to realize the FULL power of our current political system. Its a scary thing. Your post has pointed out the most important thing. This idea of liberty, freedom and small Gov. isn't stoping with Ron Paul. This message will last forever. Thanks again for keepin it real.

[William]

"In the beginning, the patriot is a lonely man, hated and scorned. But once his cause is won, the timid him, for then is costs nothing to be a patriot." - Mark Twain

God bless the Ron Paul revolutions. God bless Ron Paul. God bless America.

[Rhys]

good report

[chug]

The "federal" "reserve" is controlled by the likes of the rothchilds, rockefellers, and their globalist cronies in the bilderberg mob. Greenspan, Bernanke, our presidents, English P.M.s, are their puppets, let alone most of our senators and congressmen, except for RON PAUL.

[Trent G.]

Andrew, I love the article. You warned your readers about all of our comments to come, warned us before you mentioned Paul's "Long Shot" at the nomination, and you didn't even name the contenders that have dropped out.

Myself, being a self-proclaimed Paulite (another word for people that share common belief in limited government and that little piece of paper called The Constitution), am growing to really enjoy your articles. Whenever I see A Ron Paul article and it says that it's from the LAT, I always click because you feed my need for news on events that are not reported by most mainstream media outlets. Congratulations, this isn't the first article where you have done a remarkable job, hence the remark. ;-)

[tim, minnesota]

I am life long republican, state delegate looking to make national. Yet in November if my only choice is McCain against a democrat, I vote democrat. Logic is a democrat president is actually proud of the label and I know who they are. McCain is a liberal democrat hiding in republican form. People would have four more years of thinking McCain’s view is Republican and lean toward that thinking when really is democrat views.

[ART DEKKO]

THE FACTS ARE SIMPLYTHAT:

THE PEOPLE CONTROLLING THE MEDIA FEAR RON PAUL ( THE LITTLE DEARS)....
HE STILL CAN WIN....
HE HAS MY FAMILIES VOTES REGARDLESS OF ALL THE IN-JUSTICE....
HE WILL NEED YOURS ALSO.....
THE OTHER CANDIDATES WILL BE DEADLY....
SPREAD THE WORD, AS USUAL, AND THEN SOME!

[jimmy]

Last summer my family and I seriously considered relocating to Australia on a work visa. Then I became involved with supporting Ron Paul for president.
Now I am a state delegate, trying to go to national (unbound delegates in my state). I was also just elected to town council for a four year term. Talk about grass roots!
I also dropped lots of cash into Paul's campaign.

Republicans only shot at the White House is Ron Paul. If not Paul this cycle, then our grass roots will be entrenched for the next cycle. In the meantime, the Republican party continues to make a farce of themselves and their liberal "values".

[Pete Mackin]

While Ron Paul may not become president, it appears hundreds and one day perhaps thousands of his fans will walk into township, county, state and even federal office.

You should do a story on the Ron Paul Republican running for senate who happens also to be a USAF Major. Looks like Kennedy with Paul content. Look out Obama - 2012!

[Freedomexplo]

You say Paulunteers. I say American Patriots.

Australia supports Ron Paul.

[James]

We may not be the majority but we are the willing. Nice article pretty impressive.

[David A. Dudenhoefer]

I would like to thank the Times for bascially writting fair stories about Dr. Paul. I am hopefull for our future with good men and women like him, and I know that out of the ashes of this campaign will emerge many honest candidates in future contests. GOD help us all

[AO in MN]

"For a President to accomplish anything he/she requires a Congress with like views. We aren't there yet for someone like Paul. He may be leading us to that day. Thanks for continuing the coverage."

A lot of truth to that statement, but the prospect of no truly stupid legislation being passed for four years has some appeal.

[Web Smith]

The founders believe in the overall wisdom of the Citizens. It appears that things will have to get much worse before they wise up. Hopefully, it won't be too late.

With the economy tanking, states announcing record unemployment rates, and 20 million illegal aliens in the country, Congress is now attempting an end-around the wished of the American people to bring in 100s of thousands more foreign workers who will work for less money and put more people out of work.

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz) has introduced the Innovation Employment Act (H.R. 5630), which would DOUBLE the current H-1B visa cap to 130,000 per fiscal year. H.R. 5630 would further raise the cap to 180,000 beginning in 2010 if the 130,000 cap is reached during the 2009 fiscal year.

Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas) has introduced the Strengthening United States Technology and Innovation Act (H.R. 5642), which would TRIPLE the current H-1B visa cap to 195,000 in 2008 and 2009.

These workers will serve corporate greed by working for less money and force more Americans into the unemployment lines. The money they earn will end up outside of the U.S. economy. In other words, they will accomplish the same thing that failing to enforce immigration laws has.

Please write, call, fax , or email your Congressional Representatives and let them know that this is not acceptable and work to elect a Congress that remembers that it is comprised of public servants who are supposed to serve the will of the people not Presidential servants serving a tyrant and corporate interests.

[Sharon]

Thank you to all the Ron Paul supporters for all the hard work they have been doing. I say hard work because if it were not for them Ron Paul would not have gotten the message across to as many as he did. The MSM has been a major obstacle for the campaign to overcome. Just from reading your article I see the hard work paying off. Albeit, we are so close and yet so far. Ron Paul 2008 The only candidate with courage, integrity and principles.

[Todd]

Thanks for the great article.

[Cola]

This is one Native American Indian voting for you, Mr. Ron Paul. You touch on the real important and relevant issues especially eliminating Birthright Citizen with regards to Immigration/Border Security.

[Javier]

McCain has not been nominated yet. the Convention has not happened yet. Ron Paul will continue his Presidential campaign as long as we support him.
I remain positive in believing that something mind-blowing will occur in the next few months, that will take us to the beginning of a major positive change. I still think Ron Paul will somehow get the nomination and eventually get into the White House. Let's all remain positive about this and we will help Ron win!

[jeaneane landers]

Thank you for the article. The American Public is buying into the idea that we have to "settle" for officials who aren't TOO bad.Why do Americians have a hard time supporting a candidate who "walks the walk" Paul supporters operate on common sense and facts not propaganda.

[Kate Szot]

Dr. Paul is not out of the race. McCain only has 1/3 of the delegates bound. That means 2/3's of delgates that are not bound. I hear conservatives are sick of having McCain shoved down their throats and are re-thinking their voting power.

Don't be surprised when the people wake-up and realize, they have been lied to again and can vote conservative, not liberal on their ballots.

[Tom from Texas]

What can you say about Ron Paul and his supporters? Not only are we honest, faithful, and believers in the tenets of this country, like liberty and justice for all... We are tenacious... We don't give up. And do you know why? Because we really believe what we believe in... We're not just toeing the party line and following uninspirational leaders that are dishonest. Like the false phony candidates both parites are gearing to put up for election in 2008, promising economic doom with failed policies, sentencing our youths to death in wars we cannot win. No, we're are fighting onward with hope to overcome those in power and by some miracle we're holding on to this hope that we could get a candidate like Ron Paul on the ticket to run for President. Will it happen? God only knows, but, we are not giving up... And neither is Ron Paul.

[sharief]

thank you Andrew for this article. i had to write you just to let you know that i'm a die-hard Ron Paul fan, i would do anything to get this honest man elected to be a president. i never lost hope or confidence in his campaign.

RON PAUL'S FRIENDS ARE MY FRIENDS.

(Thanks for revisiting our blog. Hope to see you again soon.)

[Canuck Student]

Dear Andrew;
I dunno if youre gonna see this comment. I have a news story for you. Its Saturday the 22nd and I couldnt find your email so I gotta post this here and hope that youll see it.

I made a note on Scott Martelle's blog hoping hell pick it up or you will.

I got a news story for you. hope someone on your paper can cover this and give it some publicity.
Since you guys already covered the story on Ron Paul's delegates in Missouri.

This was Already covered on the St Louis Today newspaper blog

http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/political-fix/political-fix/2008/03/ron-paul-backers-tangle-with-state-gop-over-caucus-reports/

Just like Louisiana was stolen from Ron Paul because the GOP cheated and broke their own rules to deny Paul's delegates. Maybe media coverage of this story may make them think twice before doing anything stupid.
I will be indebt if you guys cover this

You guys are the watchdog on the governments. I hope you can make the best of this and help bring it to light.
Thank you so much Mr. Malcolm.

(Thanks for the tip.)

[Canuck Student]

A couple more links that will interest you

A voice message and emails were sent out before the caucus by the GOP chairman in Missouri Jared Craighead "warning" republicans against Ron Paul's supporters.
They asked people to come out en masse yet Ron Paul dominated the largest 5 counties. I think his supporters earned it honorably. It is unfair and un-ethical to warn against them in the first place let it be trying to rig the results after losing like a big baby.
heres the voice recording:
http://www.missourinet.com/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=AFA81D15-A29C-F830-984086DE9E15930C

and heres the email intercepted by "Paulites" lol
http://journals.aol.com/rrchill/unique/entries/2008/03/15/parade-skipping-and-g.o.p.-juvenile-conduct./2533

I hope I was of help to you my new media friend. Hope I didnt ruin your weekend Mr. Malcolm have a great one.

(Ruin? Are you kidding? Always great to hear from loyal Ticket readers. Thanks for coming.)

[John]

Ron Paul runs his campaign like he would run a government. No debts would mean that that Americans would keep all of their money and free markets will solve most if not all of the country's needs. Sounds good to me, but nnooooo, we have inherited a monopoly system that sucks the life of the country. And here we are in 2008 with a dream candidate, and what do we do? We get brainwashed by the media and inherit McCain, Obama, and Clinton. If it looks and sounds like a conspiracy, than it IS a conspiracy! The bankers own us and our government...DOWN WITH THE FED!!!