OK, I'm being a little melodramatic. Maybe it was the reaction of the audience or maybe it was the standing ovation in the over-filled-to-capacity auditorium; but I got a little choked up by the 90 minute screening of a new documentary called "America - From Freedom to Fascism". The movie was shown for free at Adirondack Community College in Queensbury, New York Saturday the 24th of March. It was produced and directed by Aaron Russo, director of such films as "The Rose" with Bette Midler and "Trading Places" with Dan Akroyd and Eddie Murphy. He was also involved in bringing the rock group "Led Zeppelin" to America. Russo also ran for governor of Nevada and President of the United States under the Libertarian Party.

The film dealt with the dubiousness of the privately-owned Federal Reserve Bank (I never knew that - it does say "Federal" right in the name) that bankrolls our Government. No conflict of interest there, eh boys and girls? Another large topic was the fear tactics of the IRS and the actual legitimacy of the income tax based on the old argument of the 16th Amendment of 1913 never having been ratified. Like, if proved to be true, we'll all get a lifetime of refunds plus penalty and interest from the IRS.

One of the scariest subjects for me was "The New World Order". No, I'm not talking about the dispute over the source of drinking water in Saratoga Springs, New York. I'm talking about National ID cards with radio chips in them (already manufactured), as well as micro tracking devices in cash, credit cards and virtually all purchases made by the consumer. Now there's something I can't wait to pass on to my kids along with WalMart's "Low (sweatshop) Prices Every Day." Under the guise of the Patriot Act, these devices, no larger than a grain of rice, will ultimately be planted into every human body. Go ahead and laugh, they already do it with unruly dogs! Other subjects touched on were the vulnerability of electronic voting machines and "big business" influencing government to turn a blind eye to illegal immigrants crossing our borders so they can capitalize on cheap labor.

Although political in nature, the flick seemed unbiased towards either the "Republocrats" or "Demicans" (I still haven't figured out the difference between the two). Laced with humor, the movie was well-presented, thought provoking and dealt with what appeared to be undisputable facts backed up by congressmen, historians, four IRS agents, lawyers and legal advocates. With all the hype in recent years for Michael Moore's and other political agenda movies, this documentary seemed less predictable and never came close to putting me to sleep. I didn't buy into every premise of the movie, but if you didn't leave this flick with at least some feeling of enlightenment, patriotism and a desire to be more vigilant with your government, you probably hated Jimmy Stewart in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" too.

The film was presented by my local political hero Bob Schulz of Fort Ann, New York (about 25 miles north of Saratoga Springs). Schulz is a Jeffersonian and champion of the U.S. Constitution. He is also a founder of the We The People Foundation for Constitutional Education, a national nonprofit organization working to challenge unconstitutional and unlawful conduct by government. He comes across as an educated, passionate and articulate man who has worked on Wall Street, high-level government jobs and served honorably in the Air Force. He never thought that his government was anything but benevolent; a word he likes to use often. His naivet was to be challenged. Wronged by his local Town Board back in the mid 80's, Schulz turned into a government watchdog. He came to realize he could ask for a "redress of grievances" per the First Amendment of the Constitution as a pro se litigant (representing himself in court without the aid of a lawyer) and started filing his own petitions in all levels of the judicial system. He has never looked back. "Ours is a fragile system, and we are in a battle for freedom that's never more than one generation from extinction," Schulz said prior to the movie. He will, in his own words, continue [monitoring government] until he dies.

Although I don't agree with everything he does, I can't help but respect Schulz for his diligence and sacrifices. He is not unlike our Founding Fathers; putting his wealth and reputation on the line. While many others (myself included) complain and do nothing as our government spins out of control, Schulz talks the talk and walks the walk. People like him, for whatever reason or motivation, seem to make the world a better place for the rest of us.

For more information and to keep track of where and when Aaron Russo's movie will be available for viewing, check out Schulz's website at http://GiveMeLiberty.org Then judge for yourself. You won't be disappointed.

"I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education. This is the true corrective of abuses of constitutional power." Thomas Jefferson