V.
PREFACE –
Are You Kidding Me: “Small towns In America where there’s no taxes!”
Can you imagine American towns in which the businesses and the people who locate there permanently have:
NO federal or state income taxes to pay,
NO property taxes to pay,
NO capital gains taxes to pay,
NO dividend or interest taxes to pay,
NO unemployment taxes to pay,
No Payroll taxes to pay,
NO gasoline taxes to pay, and
NO federal government paperwork or IRS to deal with!
Can you imagine the gigantic rush to build and locate in these high profile incubators for success because of the huge attractions and incentives of little or no federal taxation and regulation. Where the new businesses and new town councils operate with an inspiring mission to educate and train the poor and the unemployed and the undocumented immigrants longing for something better for themselves and their families. Where interns and students and apprentices quickly become highly motivated and skilled workers. Where workers eventually become investors and owners. And just as importantly, where businesses and individuals are inspired to work closely together and focus on a mandate to put pure free enterprise on full display for all the world to see.
Even before the ratification of "The 28th Amendment", this phenomenon would begin attracting thousands of businesses and hundreds of thousands of residents to have plans ready for these new, small rural town incorporations to launch throughout the land and it all seemingly happened overnight!
Read the letters addressed to two of America’s most prominent businessmen, Mr. T. Boone Pickens and Mr. John C. Chambers to understand why the world “beat a path” back to America to do business. The answer to the question of "why" it all occurred was a simple concept founded in 1787 and approved by the founders. The solution to America's economic doldrums was uncanny in how quickly it influenced business and commerce. It forged successful, close bonds between rich and poor, wage payers and wage earners, and made stockholders out of job holders and unleashed unbridled ambition and creativity where there had only been the dull and the commonplace. The answer to the question built respect and comaraderie between the proverbial "red, yellow, black and white" races and joined them in joint success in matters of the purse, and in matters of the Spirit, and in terms of developing shared values. What was "the answer"? It was complete and unfettered FREEDOM from government, and the FREEDOM of enterprise, and the freedom to disdain government's examples of mistrust and dishonor and build a culture of mutual trust and common honor, and just re-claim to prominence those old-fashioned values of "Faith, Hope and Charity".
The two sample letters below are explored fully in Chapter 10 but both of them are included here in part because their preview is vital to understanding all the factors that were coming together in 2012 as Americans yearned for a return to innovation, imagination and productivity. They joined forces and demanded to be free of the chains that oppressive government had wrought on their nation. These letters were two out of hundreds sent out in which the writers requested one hundred to two hundred co-sponsoring companies to pledge first to a non-binding “Letter of Intent to Locate”. Later, upon the passage of the 28th Amendment, these companies would be asked to then pledge a binding intent to build and locate and help establish at least one "Free Enterprise Town" (FET) at its founding.
Free Enterprise Towns (FETs) were the proverbial "breath of fresh air" that a stale country needed. Undocumented immigrants and the recently unemployed and the chronically unemployed, longing for something better, found what they wanted so desperately by partnering with those businesses and individuals that wanted to lend a helping hand and who wanted a fresh new pattern for cooperative success. By working closely together, everyone involved (trainees, interns, apprentices, employees, owners and investors and educators) could bring business back to success and return the American economy back to prominence and stability. Most critically, FETs would help American workers secure their family finances, and give them opportunities to invest further in themselves and in their educations, and to invest in the stock of the companies that they were helping to expand and grow.
In addition to Her economy and infrastructure, America was, once again, becoming the free and open “melting pot” of mankind. She was represented again by those who, though they were not perfect, were the rugged, charitable and welcoming. They were the dreamers, the doers, and the ones who saw vast horizons and opportunity for all. The walls were about to come down between Americans as their similarities, aspirations, and common purposes were coming together. The halls of Congress were about to be populated again by regular citizen legislators. The goals were centered around the benefits of success in America that focused on "the People" instead of "the Government".
As the power brokers ended their careers, the prospective guest workers, citizenship applicants, and the soon-to-be re-employed were about to begin their careers as newly trained, educated and successful partners in both business and in the community. “Free Enterprise Towns” (FETs) were about to put Americans back to work again and in doing so to put America back together again.
Exhibit A
A PRAIRIE FIRE – The Amazing CNG Race combines with the new, high-octane, envy of the world – Free Enterprise Towns (FETs)
Mr. Boone Pickens has taken up the cause to make America energy Independent and to steer Her away from a crippling $700 billion annual outflow of American dollars to foreign countries - many of whom would dearly love do us great harm as the world stage becomes more unstable. Pickens’ plans for wind power, especially in the Great Plains, and his plans for compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles to power the nation's highways would go a long way toward achieving that independence—starting with the nation's 8.5 million member fleet of 18-wheelers first and then tackling the 250 million fleet of 4-wheelers secondly. By converting to the lower cost, clean burning CNG fuel that is in staggering abundance in America, the trucking industry would save millions, fuel efficiency and cost efficiency and air quality would improve, new industry would be created along with thousands of jobs, and America would begin to greatly improve Her balance sheets and propel the velocity of money in circulation to go "round and round" and turn over much quicker at home instead of going overseas. Mr. Pickens has draft legislation that is working its way through Congress as this is written. If he has his way, and he frequently gets it, his goals will be on their way to fruition soon.
Dear Mr. Pickens:
“In Search of George Washington: The Story of the 28th Amendment” is a two year flashback that shows a proverbial “prairie fire" flashing across America with amazing speed in 2012 and 2013. Free Enterprise Towns (FETs) were the reason for this incredible phenomenon. Sheltered by the 28th Amendment from most taxes (Please see the list at the beginning of this preface), and sheltered from federal regulations during the 25-year incubator period - these towns brought back just about every business and repatriated nearly every dollar that abandoned American shores. These were only the first of incredible incentives and allures that corporate America and a watching world were discovering as these FETs were becoming a model for outstanding success and an almost magical magnetic force for attracting capital and investment as they began showcasing the heights that unfettered free enterprise can attain.
FETs created a building boom the likes of which had never been seen in America and probably never will be seen again. This fictional flashback—that could well become non-fiction as it sweeps across America-- includes the story of a man who has a passionate vision to spearhead a build-out across America to mass produce fleets of CNG trucks and cars and convert millions of existing vehicles to CNG from gasoline and diesel. The 28th Amendment was an incredible success in 2012 and 2013 because a culmination of consternation was finally reached in which the American people-- and their state governments --had become so disgusted with the accumulation of massive and dysfunctional power in their federal government that a massive outcry to restore a balance of power was inevitable. The 28th Amendment centered around its 20 tenets that addressed the great imbalances that dragged America down from her positions of respect and historic leadership in the world. This book details the proverbial “perfect storm” in which 34 State Legislatures first call a National Constitutional Convention with the ultimate goal to persuade 38 states to ratify the amendment. Prior to 2012, five of the last 17 amendments had been ratified in less than a year. Looking back from 2013, that number quickly flashed to six times in less than a year.
A large part of the success of the amendment and the establishment of "Free Enterprise Towns" stemmed from the States' realization that FETs were going to be under their purview and control. Additionally, as the reality set in that business owners were signing by the thousands, the non-binding "Letters of Intent to Locate" (in FETs should the amendment pass), the point of emphasis for each state shifted quickly from the previous, all-consuming question of whether the amendment would pass to the understanding that if the amendment was successful, they better be poised to act quickly as it would be crucial to persuade as many profitable businesses to their state post haste before they lost out to other states. Yet another incentive for both the states and the ultimate small towns was that the amendment required a 6% income tax to "repatriate" the nearly $1.5 trillion in overseas corporate profits and bring that money back into the country. If there was a "binding letter to locate" signed with the corporation, only 3% went to the federal government, 1.5% went to the state, and 1.5% went to the small town in question. The competition between states became immense as the stakes were extremely high and the whole sense of urgency propelled the process and made proposal and passage a foregone conclusion well in advance of ratification and within a very short time.
The entire letter to you is included in Chapter 10 of this book. There is a similar letter addressed to all of the S&P 500 companies and to thousands of Chambers of Commerce around the country. Correspondence has been sent to the National Federation of Independent Businesses as well as the 251 companies whose officials sent letters to President Obama in 2011 in which they opposed his half-trillion-dollar jobs bill. If you would like to share your intriguing perspective that stems from an illustrious career of dedicated exploration and extraction of gas and oil, the American people thirst for answers and information as they work feverishly to straighten out their federal government—and its priorities. Read also about the unbelievable potential of FETs to reduce the line-loss problems of the Great Plains by bringing the populations to the source of the power. The tax-advantaged power of FETs is absolutely that strong. There are other ideas for harnessing FETs abilities to quickly bring together work forces and investment to strategic locations to build new oil refineries with both the tax advantages of FETs and especially due to the sheltered regulation advantages.
Thank you for considering the amazing incentives the 28th Amendment and FETs offer for a quantum leap in energy independence for America.
Sincerely,
The Framers of the 28th Amendment
Exhibit B
Letter #2.
THE AMAZING CORPORATE RACE BACK TO AMERICA
Why the $40 Billion that Cisco has “trapped” overseas – will SPRINT “back home”--
with the $1.2 TRILLION that left America for other shores because of oppressive regulation and taxes—as you explained so clearly to 60 Minutes correspondent, Lesley Stahl:
John Chambers" (CEO CISCO)
Dear Mr. Chambers:
Mr. Boone Pickens received the attached letter. As we both know, he is one of America's most legendary businessmen who is working very hard to steer America toward energy independence. The letter features long list of reasons that the new envy of the world, high-octane Free Enterprise Towns (FET’s) can help restore America’s prominence and create a building boom the likes of which may never be equaled. This letter outlines several important measures designed to bring business back to America and reverse the incredible flight of business and assets to other countries that you spoke of so candidly and persuasively to Lesley Stahl.
Your interview with Stahl on 60 Minutes was dead-on in its explanation of the sheer scope of the hole America has dug for itself, how extensive that flight of business to other shores has become, and where this unwelcome exodus is leading America. Here is a recap of the interview by Eric Savitz (Attachment 2) that summarizes the analysis you presented to the CBS audience. The numbers you present-- and the apparent unwillingness to correct the obvious consequences of its war against business-- are truly hard to fathom. The political officials in Washington DC have become so incapable of governing the utter monstrosity they have created that an immense backlash by the American people resulted in a mass an exodus to more favorable business climates. Even wealthy individuals are fleeing to other shores in addition to all of the businesses looking for friendlier countries whose officials appreciate the opportunities—and the financial capital and potential—that they have to offer.
Please consider joining our efforts to give 545 people in Washington (535 members of Congress, one president, and nine justices) some new directives and structure for conducting the nation's business and, in reminding them that they are here to serve the American people WITHOUT lining their own deep pockets, provide some new guidelines as to how power is divided between the federal government and " We the People".
The 20 tenets of the 28th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States serve as the foundation of “In Search of George Washington: The Story of the 28th Amendment.” It is a comprehensive set of changes that highlights solutions that could solve the massive problems we face. We know from your CBS interview that your perspective aligns with many of the changes that reflect how Washington and the country should operate. It is important to note that much of the change requires nothing less than slamming on the brakes on those in Washington who got us into this mess. Dragging the federal government back to its limited and enumerated powers is the key prerequisite to any meaningful progress for our nation. Attachment 1 shows the tentative National Constitutional Convention schedule to introduce this amendment and these changes to an angry nation whose people deserve substantive, lasting change.
We would appreciate some collective, thoughtful feedback from you and other CISCO officials on the message itself—as well as what it would take to restore America back to its rightful place as the undisputed leader of a free and prosperous world as we prepare to present “The 28th Amendment Project” (http://iso28.com) to so many receptive Americans who are demanding that substantive, permanent changes be instituted as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
The Framers of the 28th Amendment
ATTACHMENT 1
August 28, 2010, was a huge turning point for our country.
For those who made the trip, it was a transformational privilege to be in Washington DC for the "Restoring Honor" rally with about half a million other Americans. Glenn Beck's challenged everyone there to get back to God and country and honor and love for our fellow man. That event and those thoughts and words have set the stage for another potentially pivotal turning point for our country.
April 15, 2012, is the sequel to "Restoring Honor".
It will be remembered as the day “We the People" began to take back our country because it is the day that two-thirds of the states came together to propose the 28th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. It will be the first National Constitutional Convention to propose a Constitutional amendment since the original Constitutional Convention in 1787. The details are attached.
ATTACHMENT 2
Cisco CEO Chambers Says U.S. Tax System Is A “Dinosaur”
Mar. 29 2011 - 1:55 pm
By ERIC SAVITZ
In case you missed it, Cisco Systems (CSCO) CEO John Chambers appeared on 60 Minutes on Sunday to talk about one of his favorite topics: corporate taxation and the repatriation of profits held overseas.
Here are some key quotes from Chambers in the piece:
•“We are dealing with a tax system that is a dinosaur,” Chambers told correspondent Lesley Stahl.
•“Every other government in the world has realized that the U.S. has it wrong,” he says. “They’re saying, ‘I’m going to have lower taxes, period.’ That’s what you see all across Western Europe, that’s what you see in Asia in the developed countries.”
•Asked if he’s judged as a CEO on issues like taxes, Chambers said, “Absolutely.”
•Stahl noted that Cisco has eight companies in Ireland, which has much lower corporate tax rates than the U.S. “We do what makes sense to the shareholders,” Chambers said. “We go where there are incentives in countries that say, ‘We want you here, we’re going to give you tax advantages, and we want you to add jobs here, etc.’ We can no longer in America say, ‘This is how we do it, therefore you must do it.’ We’ve gotta change, or we’re going to be left behind.”
•Chambers repeated his previous pleas for a tax holiday on overseas profits so they can be brought back into the U.S. “We leave the money over there. I create jobs overseas; I acquire companies overseas; I build plants overseas; and I badly want to bring that money back,” Chambers told Stahl.
•Chambers said Cisco has almost $40 billion in cash overseas which the company could bring back to the U.S. if there weren’t a steep tax penalty to pay for repatriation. “”What is your downside for money that isn’t going to come back anyhow? I’d say your downside is zero,” he told Stahl.
• Here’s Chambers’ response to Stahl on what would happen if the U.S. cut the corporate tax rate to 20%. “My answer’s very simple: every other developed country in the world has already done this. I’m not asking to give me a favor or a hand out…All we’re asking is: Give us a level playing field. Get us close.”
