“Not Yours to Give”
The story “Not Yours to Give” is a personal favorite of Dr. Paul. He loves to hand it out to children, especially. This is a Davy Crockett story, but not another story of Davy at the Alamo. This is a story of Congressman Davy Crockett, who was once reminded by one of his constituents that all of his votes must be faithful to the Constitution.
The point? The federal government does not have free reign to do whatever it wants to do. This story is a great, simple introduction to the principles we stand for. Make sure to read it if you have not done so before, and also pass it around to your family and friends. Everyone loves a good Davy Crockett story, and this one will not only entertain, it will educate, and maybe even change some minds.
March 22nd, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Oh for a Davy Crockett today….
March 22nd, 2008 at 9:14 pm
This excellent story was also just published by The Foundation for Economic Education in their current Notes from FEE newsletter. Ron Paul supporters will feel right at home with this organization’s philosophy. The Foundation is a staunch defender of free-market economics, civil liberties, and constitutional government. Visit www.fee.org.
March 22nd, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Matt,
Good idea to post this for all to read. Actually this is what “introduced” me to Ron Paul about two years ago. Some one had posted it on www.rense.com and related it to Congressman Paul. That then took me to his Congressional website where I read his “no interventionism policy” that matched what I remembered reading of our Founding Fathers. At that time I then signed up for his weekly “Texas Straight Talk” and now…..
I’m going to be a state GOP delegate. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine I would be taking this active of a role in the polical process when I read that article two years ago.
Thank you Ron Paul!
March 22nd, 2008 at 11:12 pm
That Davy story matches RP’s actions (specifically the Ronald Reagan gold metal story… if you didn’t know, this 2 minute video summarizes it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaKrPNpBsfQ ). Ron Paul is truly unique is his amazing consistency and honesty.
Also, this Newsweek interview (online exclusive, of course, because they couldn’t be bothered to let anyone who isn’t online know about RP via the print magazine) has some good content: http://www.newsweek.com/id/124451/page/1
I certainly hope they let him speak at the convention as implied in this part…
Newspeak: You mention going to the convention. Is that something you are definitely expecting to do?
RP: Yeah, sort of. I never thought it was about to happen, actually. I’ve always assumed it was not likely. But I think from the [Republican Party’s] viewpoint, it couldn’t hurt them. It would be wise on their part to give me a little time at the convention–what would it hurt to let me talk about monetary policy? I would be polite, and that is an important issue, especially given that the dollar is on the ropes.
March 23rd, 2008 at 4:00 am
please read my comment under Jesse Braxtonblog. Please respond. We nee to take back our country and we may need to take back the RP movement.
March 23rd, 2008 at 5:15 am
We could use some more Horatio Bunces too.
March 23rd, 2008 at 6:19 am
Enjoyed that a lot - thanks
!
March 23rd, 2008 at 7:09 am
Matt Hawes,
Is it true that Dr. Paul is going to be speaking in Louisville, Kentucky in May? If so, can you give us details of what and when? Thanks again for all your hard work. By the way, Happy Easter.
March 23rd, 2008 at 9:23 am
MATT, I was pretty hard on you in the begining,You really stepped up to the plate.Your doing a great job of keeping us informed Thanks for your hard work and commitment.
March 23rd, 2008 at 10:51 am
Matt, great story and Happy Easter. Here is a good link to email to friends.
http://www.juntosociety.com/patriotism/inytg.html
March 23rd, 2008 at 10:54 am
It would be a good idea to send this story to every elected official in the country.
March 23rd, 2008 at 11:34 am
Happy Easter all…. While we here discuss integrity in Congress, real id issues, and the Constitution, Mccain’s site is busy playing sports games. I went to his blog to keep an eye on their campaign, I find his supporters caught up in a smoke screen. I find it appalling that the so called front runner has nothing better to blog about. Our country’s founding documents are on perhaps the final flush, and their worried about sports score. What a travesty…..
March 23rd, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Happy Easter.
Pete - what a contrast.
March 23rd, 2008 at 12:19 pm
“Not Yours To Give” - what a good story.
Also - thanks Colette for the link
March 23rd, 2008 at 12:44 pm
fee.org is a great source for free market economic information. The government monopoly of “public” education is a horrible place for any information.
March 23rd, 2008 at 2:35 pm
A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have.
~Gerald R. Ford
Is that freedom?
March 23rd, 2008 at 3:43 pm
I had read the part of this story, about his speech in Congress to the others, about why it was wrong to give Public money to the widow…but had not seen the whole story. It is great. Now, I posted this at the Real ID article, but want everyone to take a look at it. It is an article by Jon Christian Ryter, at www.newswithviews.com posted today, 3/23 and the title is: “The New American Revolution” and it is all about Ron Paul, the campaign, history, etc…I thought it was very good; would be curious to hear what others think. It is 3 pages. Matt, what do you think?
March 23rd, 2008 at 4:28 pm
ATTENTION UTAH: Caucuses Tuesday at 7pm March 25th.
Once again a state who held a meaningless polls on an earlier date. I encourage this site to update its Utah page to give the people some info. Lets bring more messages back of Dr. Paul taking over another state.
Utah GOP site. Give caucus sites.
http://home.utgop.org/page.php
Salt Lake Tribune article.
http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_8661859
March 23rd, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Re: AAron Russo’s DVD on sale:
That previous site and hyperlink isn’t working properly. Please just type in the following and do a Google search:
America:Freedom to Fascism DVD-Sales Page
still on sale for $1.00 (50 min.) ships quick. CSR phone# from shipping box (423)-894-7113, WTS Media, Chattanooga, TN
PS: If you haven’t seen it, there is a free view on line. click on home (left side), then scroll to center of the page.
March 23rd, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Off topic, but how should Dr. Paul and we counter reports like this one today?
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — As the Iraq war entered its sixth year, the country’s national security adviser urged Americans to be patient, contending that the war is “well worth fighting” because it has implications about “global terror.”
A U.S. soldier secures the site of a suicide car bombing Sunday in Baghdad.
2 of 3 “This is global terrorism hitting everywhere, and they have chosen Iraq to be a battlefield. And we have to take them on,” Mowaffak al-Rubaie said Sunday on CNN’s “Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer.”
“If we don’t prevail, if we don’t succeed in this war, then we are doomed forever,” he said. “I understand and sympathize with the mothers, with the widows, with the children who have lost their beloved ones in this country.
“But honestly, it is well worth fighting and well worth investing the money and the treasure and the sweat and the tears in Iraq.”
I hear this argument a lot from Republicans.
March 23rd, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Jane - If they promote that excuse for the war, ask them why they didn’t feel that way about it five years ago, or even earlier. That excuse for the war was about fourth or fifth one that they tried to sell it on, and was only finally settled upon in the last 2-3 years. Principles are timeless. Any actions taken based upon spontaneous ideas (eg “save” Iraq) are not principled.
If you have dug yourself a hole, and have trouble getting out, the first thing you need to do is stop digging!
March 23rd, 2008 at 6:49 pm
This doesn’t exactly answer Jane’s question, but it does offer some perspective.
How do we handle our foreign affairs? Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb.
Is there a better way? This is what China is doing……
by Martin D. Weiss, P.H.D.
“How do you get all that oil out of Brazil when its infrastructure is not up to par? No problem for China.
They’ve offered many billions to improve Brazil’s port and railway infrastructure — so they can extract natural resources more efficiently. China is also building the world’s second largest dam in the Brazilian Amazon.
And energy from that dam will power mines that send raw material to … China. Brazil’s natural resources are equivalent to those of the U.S. and Canada combined…..
Best of all, Canada is sitting on massive deposits of gold, uranium, coal, oil and other vital resources.
And they’re already cashing in. Canada recently recorded its fifth-best trade surplus in history.
The reason? China.
Chinese importers are buying all the raw materials that Canada can sell them. That, plus a boom in mining projects and fattening margins, helps explain why the TSX-Venture exchange (Canada’s small-cap market) has outperformed the S&P 500 by 153% over the past five years. Meanwhile …
China has bought one of Canada’s largest oil companies.
China has blanketed the country with a vast network of scouts (armed with truckloads of money) to scoop up coal mines, oil sand fields, natural gas pipelines and metals.
In the 1800s, Chinese miners flocked to Australia for the great gold rush. Today, it’s happening again.
Only the Chinese aren’t looking for gold; they’re after uranium. And they’re not coming with picks and shovels.
They’re coming with mountains of money. Why? Because Australia happens to sit on the world’s largest known deposits of uranium — with more reserves than the United States, Canada, Russia and Brazil combined. And with more than 900 new nuclear plants now being planned, the hunger for uranium is just beginning.”
We’re warmongering and going bankrupt, China is embracing capitalism and on the rise.
We’re destroying bridges, China is building them.
We’re playing checkers… China is playing chess.
March 23rd, 2008 at 7:01 pm
It’d be great to see some sort of re-enactment, or audiovisual telling of the “Not Yours to Give” story. A youtube of an actor re-enacting it, or of Dr Paul reciting the tale, would be a sensation. That would be something EVERYBODY could forward to ALL their contacts. A million hits, at least.
Any takers?
March 23rd, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Patty,
Not sure about the Kentucky speech. If it gets officially scheduled, we’ll have it up on the site and I will make a note on the blog. Thanks!
Matt
March 23rd, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Vince,
Thanks, man! Appreciate ya being here.
Matt
P.S. Happy Easter to all as well!
March 23rd, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Jane - That would sure take a lot of words to answer. But…I say the war in Iraq will not and cannot rid the world of terrorism. Whether we end tomorrow or ten years from now, the truth is - it can still disrupt the US as 911 did or worse tomorrow or 10 years from now. There are consequences for such an invasion with all the misinformation as to the motive. The question is - are we going to carry it on ‘increasing’ the incentive for those who hate us to target us? Instead of empowering Iraq to stand for themselves ? How does retreat cause those to hate us more? Overall…it is sad to think those who want us harmed are actually succeeding indirectly in ways - as we go broke - our society suffers the effects of it here, lives are continuously lost and we are weakened in our ability to ensure safety. I do not see a ‘win’ in the spectrum of all this by staying. I do believe a president could be elected who not only wants to bring home the troops, but has the ability to approach these issues in a non-threatening way that could help everyone far and near.
March 23rd, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Happy Easter! Thanks for the inspiring article! Dr. Paul is our Davy Crockett. And, every time we spread the message of abiding by the Constitution, limiting the size and scope of government, and promoting fiscal conservatism and a sound monetary policy, each of us is a Horatio Bunce. Together, we will make our voices heard and take back our country!
I forwarded this article to my family — including 5 relatives who will be voting for Dr. Paul in the PA Primary and 2 Independents who say they’ll vote for Dr. Paul if he is on the ballot in the General Election.
Matt — Thanks for reviving the blog! You’ve been doing a great job!
Laura
March 23rd, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Thanks so much Lastnymleft, A. S., and H.S. for your answers! They really helped me and I am printing them off for future reference.
March 23rd, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Dear Matt,
Thank you for posting this GREAT story of Davy Crockett. It is so inspiring. I can see why it would be one of Dr. Paul’s favorite stories, and now is certainly one of mine and one that I will share far and wide.
March 24th, 2008 at 7:26 am
ON March 23rd:
Britain imposed the 1764 Currency Act, 1764 Sugar Act, 1765 Stamp Act, 1765 Quartering Act, 1766 Declaratory Act, 1767 Townshend Act, 1773 Tea Act, 1774 Boston Port Act, 1774 Justice Act, 1774 Massachusetts Government Act, 1774 Quartering Act, 1774 Quebec Act, and 1775 Proclamation of Rebellion. On MARCH 23, 1775, Patrick Henry spoke to the 2nd Virginia Convention, which was meeting in Richmond’s St. John’s Church due to British hostilities: “I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery…We have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated…We have prostrated ourselves before the throne…Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence.” Patrick Henry continued: “There is a just God who presides over the destines of nations…who will raise up friends to fight our battle for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave…Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death.”
March 24th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Jane - You’re welcome.
March 24th, 2008 at 8:34 am
This a great story. I should like to hire someone to turn this into a cartoon for my children.
March 24th, 2008 at 8:45 am
wow.. I am truly amazed.. and now see what has become of our country. It has become clear to me this day that we have allowed our government to take what is not theirs . This must change!!
Ron Paul, the Davy Crockett of today…
March 24th, 2008 at 8:53 am
Hello!
That was a very good story! Thanks for posting that!
I agree, why did the so called Republicans feel that way about the war when it first got started? Everyone seemed against it at first. I guess now they are making money off of it so they don’t care anymore. Hypocrits! Everyone jumped on the bandwagon.
Tracie
March 24th, 2008 at 9:57 am
April Fools Money Bomb…..Tuesday, April 2nd…Please contribute what you can. and let the RP HQ know about it… Meanwhile, try to think of some other good pranks to play on the neo cons. Like???
http://www.dailypaul.com/node/43512
March 24th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Why is Mc Cain leaving the country for several months for medicle reasons…??
http://www.dailypaul.com/node/42267
Perhaps to get rid of the lump on his cheek, neck area… ?? Cancer ? if at all
March 24th, 2008 at 10:19 am
I remeber seeing an illustrated presentation of “Not Yours to Give” on video cassette at least thirty years ago…never forgot the story. It’s a high-impact lesson.
March 24th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Bruce K,
Good idea to send this story to elected officials…I will do so in my home state.
Also the summary may be good for a news editorial. The title Davey Crockett would be an attention grabber. He is a nostalgic figure from childhood stories.
Makes me think of the millions given out for 9-11…
March 24th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
The Davy Crockett story reminded me of one I had heard about Ron Paul. Just like Davy Crockett offered to give one week’s salary for the widow, rather than to take it from public funds, and challenged his fellow Congressmen to give one week of their salary as well, Ron Paul offered $100 toward payment for a Congressional medal of honor for Rosa Parks and challenged his fellow Congressmen to contribute from their own pockets rather than take the money from public funds. Ron Paul really is our Davy Crockett. I guess the more things change, the more they stay the same.
March 24th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Here’s a link to the story about the Congressional medals of honor:
http://media.www.dailycampus.com/media/storage/paper340/news/2007/12/03/Commentary/Paul-Right.To.Vote.Against.Rosa.Parks.Medal-3128419.shtml
March 29th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
In my study of Andrew Johnson (Defender of the Constitution is a positive history of his life) I came across a similar story. During the Irish potato famine, when Johnson was in Congress, there was a bill proposed to give “relief” to the Irish. Johnson rose in opposition to it, but offered $200 of his own money to the cause and proposed the Congressmen did the same- however, as opposed to in Crockett’s time, the Congress ignored him and spent the taxpayers money anyway. Ron Paul did the same in regards the Rosa Park’s medal. Principled integrity, the true mark of statesmanship.