But I cannot leave without a discussion of monetary policy.  Cong. Paul cannot End The Fed without an act of Congress.  But he would start with these two acts:

There are additional steps a pro-freedom president should pursue in his first term to restore sound monetary policy. He should ask Congress to pass two pieces of legislation I have introduced in the 110th Congress. The first is the Audit the Fed bill, which would allow the American people to learn just how the Federal Reserve has been conducting monetary policy. The other is the Free Competition in Currency Act, which repeals legal tender laws and all taxes on gold and silver. This would introduce competition in currency and put a check on the Federal Reserve by ensuring that people have alternatives to government-produced fiat money.

It will be good for monetary policy to implement many of the prior items.  Spending control, debt repayment, solvent Social Security and Medicare and non-interventionist foreign policy will help make monetary policy more libertarian. 

Education of the American people must continue.  YAL and Campaign for Liberty  are great allies in the struggle.  Get more involved.  Work for liberty candidates for local, state and federal office.  Run for office!  Speed the day when we’ll see a constitutionalist President.

They are Andy Harris of Maryland, a state senator challenging Rep. Frank Kratovil Jr. in a rematch of their close 2008 race in the 1st District; Martha Roby of Alabama, a Montgomery city councilwoman who is taking on Rep. Bobby Bright in the 2nd District; Steve Pearce of New Mexico, a former House member who lost a Senate race in 2008 and is seeking to reclaim his old 2nd District seat, now held by Rep. Harry Teague; Steve Stivers of Ohio, who is waging a rematch campaign against Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy in the Columbus-area 15th District; and Van Tran of California, an assemblyman who is taking on Rep. Loretta Sanchez in the 47th District.

It COULD mean he has 2012 on his mind.  But it could more likely be preparation for a future leadership advance.  Congressman Roy Blunt, his “boss” in the leadership, is running for US Senate.   That means Cong. Cantor is a decent chance for the (hopefully) Majority Whip position and maybe even higher (Don’t count on it happening like Salon suggests!).  Also the ERIC PAC has been around since at least 2004.

Moreover, there is a huge obstacle in Cong. Cantor’s way to running for President and Congress at the same time (this also applies to VP, too!):  Va. Code 24.2-504 (emphasis added)

Only a person fulfilling all the requirements of a candidate shall have his name printed on the ballot for the election. No person shall have his name printed on the ballot for more than one office at any one election. However, a candidate for federal or statewide office, or a candidate for an office being filled in a special election, may have his name printed on the ballot for two offices at an election.

This means that, unlike Cong. Paul, Congressman Cantor must decide between Congress and President.  My faithful readers will be the first to know after I do if there is any attempt to change this law.  With divided government in Richmond (The GOP controls the house and the Dems the state senate and we’ll know shortly who is governor), it seems unlikely.  It is a shame in that Cong. Cantor would make a great candidate for either President or VP.

Now, things are very different.  Several things can happen:  The GOP can get either control of one house of Congress or working control of either the House or the Senate – this might actually improve President Obama’s chances of winning re-election by finding an outlet for most of the voter anger building up.  If the Dems do maintain control of both houses of Congress, 2012 may be a better year for the GOP candidate. 

I would not be discouraged.  Join your local GOP committee and work for great candidates who need you.  We have great candidates in VA and NJ this year.  Get involved in local tea parties and similar mainstream groups (be careful of extreme groups disguised as mainstream groups) and make your voice heard.  If it is the Lord’s will, Governor Jindal will be a candidate for President in 2012!