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by Michelle Lerner and Jacob Johnson

August 14, 2008 (LPAC)-- As the torrents of the ongoing breakdown of the financial-economic system rage, perhaps one can secure a firm footing upon the shore from which we have departed. The U.S. Congress, House of Representatives and Senate alike, have done nothing to hold back the flood of money being pumped into the financial system by the likes of the Federal Reserve and others. Ironically, though, there is a history, whose presence, however subtle, we cannot escape.

Visit the website of the U.S. Senate, http://www.senate.gov/ There, you may be shocked to find an invitation to explore "Classic Senate Speeches of Great Orator's of the Senate's Past." In fact, right up front, they offer you a link to speeches by Henry Clay and Daniel Webster. The short description of the Clay speech provided by the site reads:

Henry Clay's "American System," devised in the burst of nationalism that followed the War of 1812, remains one of the most historically significant examples of a government-sponsored program to harmonize and balance the nation's agriculture, commerce, and industry. This "System" consisted of three mutually reenforcing parts: a tariff to protect and promote American industry; a national bank to foster commerce; and federal subsidies for roads, canals, and other "internal improvements" to develop profitable markets for agriculture…. Clay argued that a vigorously maintained system of sectional economic interdependence would eliminate the chance of renewed subservience to the free-trade, laissez-faire "British System."

One might wonder, who wrote these words? Has any member of the Senate bothered to even look at their own website? Certainly the policies, which they choose to adopt, tell us otherwise.

Henry Clay

"Thus viewing the question," [the decision of policy to be embraced for the future destiny of the United States], "I stand here as the humble but zealous advocate, not of the interests of one state, or seven states only, but of the whole Union."

-Henry Clay 1932 In Defense of the American System (Link= http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/AmericanSystem.pdf) When the War of 1812 came to a close, hostilities on the high seas and western frontiers may have ceased, but the economic warfare of Great Britain continued ravishing the world. Attacks on the United States from witting and unwitting agents held a common aim: the American system, as conceived by the founding fathers, and further developed by men such as Henry Clay, John Quincy Adams, and Henry Carey, must be destroyed, and that at any cost.

In 1820, the country was in a state of ruin. Free Trade had been implemented, and every argument was brought out against any high tariff, protectionist system. In fact, many of the arguments are heard up to the present day. "Man always desires to buy where goods are the cheapest, and likewise to sell his own goods where he may attain the dearest price." Such arguments stopped any such policy from being implemented; it would be four more years of deteriorating conditions until the Tariff of 1824 was passed. Henry Clay gave a speech, instrumental to this Tariff's passage, and considered it one of the great arguments for protection. Shortly after it's passage, Clay became the Secretary of State under President John Quincy Adams. Though little talked about, the two achieved much good. In fact, they created more treaties with other countries for trade and recognition than any administration before, including all free trade administrations.

This is a beautiful irony about "Protectionism." The Free trader says, "Isolationism, (protectionism) not only diminishes trade and commerce, but is a war upon capital and labor." History says otherwise, as does Henry Clay. "Gentlemen deceive themselves. It is not free trade that they are recommending to our acceptance. It is, in effect, the British colonial system that we are invited to adopt; and, if their policy prevail, it will lead, substantially, to the recolonization of these States, under the commercial dominion of Great Britain."

By the time the 1832 debates on the tariff had commenced, the country was more prosperous then ever before, and only drastic measures could possibly stop the course the United States had taken. Civil war was the only thing that could destroy us now, and it nearly happened, in 1832. The American system survived in the halls of congress, and the debates led to a continued protective system, but it took a severe blow from the threat of secession and nullification by South Carolina. "The second Great Compromise" was made, allowing Free Trade to storm in to the country leaving a path of desolation under "the Destructive Dynasty," leading to financial panic and a collapse of standard of living.

Today's U.S. Congress is ill informed of their history. Not only do they seem to be painfully unaware of the fight this country has waged against the Free Trade system of the British Empire, but are so cowardly as to wish not to know that history. What must be made clear is that the "globalized economy," is the same British system of slavery. That fact, and the intention by that system to wipe off of the face of the planet any vestige of the American system, or anyone who will defend it, is what is driving the broadening financial chaos, and eminent war danger we are currently facing. It is to the patriotic citizens and statesmen of this great country, that civilization depends.

"The eagle does not dart a keener gaze upon his intended prey than that with which the British manufacturer and merchant watches the foreign market, and the course even of our elections as well as our legislation." 1824 Speech, Henry Clay.

The U.S. Congress should start by looking at it's own website. Then proceed to immediately implement LaRouche's 4% interest rate and his Three-step solution.