Thread: Ron Paul on the Issues

The Great Revealing: US Marshals Expose Biggest Scandal in History

Submitted by Katherine on Fri, 07/20/2012 - 22:52
Daily Paul Liberty Forum

The Federal Reserve is the chief culprit behind the economic crisis.
Its unchecked power to create endless amounts of money out of thin air brought us the boom and bust cycle -- and causes one financial bubble after another.

Since the Fed’s creation in 1913, the dollar has lost more than 96% of its value, and by recklessly inflating the money supply, the Fed continues to distort interest rates -- and intentionally erodes the value of the dollar.

For the past 30 years, Congressman Ron Paul has worked tirelessly to bring much-needed transparency and accountability to the secretive bank.

And in 2009 and 2010, his unfaltering dedication showed astonishing results: HR 1207, the bill to audit the Federal Reserve, swept the country and made the central bankers shudder at their desks.

The bill passed as an amendment both in the House Financial Services Committee and in the House itself. But eventually the most significant portions of the bill were derailed.

NOT THIS TIME

Ron Paul's original bill led to a shocking disclosure.

The Federal Reserve paid 26 trillion dollars in bailouts -- with American money it printed, without our permission -- to its own member banks surrounding the financial crash of 2008.

This has still not created anywhere near the degree of outrage that it should have. Corporate media has completely ignored it -- because to publicize it would speed their own destruction.

I find it very interesting that the Department of Justice blew the whistle on the LIBOR scandal on the same day that the new Audit the Fed bill passed the House Committee.

Clearly there is a "read between the lines" message being given here -- for those who are paying attention.

The Federal Reserve IS the heart of the "cartel" of bankers that are manipulating the LIBOR rate.

THE MEDIA IS ALSO IMPLICATED

The Great Revealing has not yet become the one thing everyone is talking about.

The arrests and resignations have only just begun -- and the mainstream Western media is equally as culpable as those controlling the financial system.

After all, it's the same people.

This is one of many popular notions that are proven in Financial Tyranny. It is no longer a "conspiracy theory."

Vast psyops have been used -- including tens of thousands of professional online hit-men, paid to look like normal people sharing their opinion.

Shame has been a very powerful weapon to stop people from learning the truth. No one wants to be "crazy" or hated for their beliefs.

You are about to see a variety of article links where the writers express surprise that the American media isn't covering this story yet.

As you are well aware, this has nothing to do with the press being "shy." They are simply staring into the face of their own destruction.
THE COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION -- WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

On June 27, 2012, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or CFTC, filed a surprise legal order against Barclays Bank -- in a move that has shocked the world.

A wealth of emails were presented, giving irrefutable evidence that Barclays was manipulating their own credit score -- to generate almost unthinkably vast profits.

Here is the link where you can download the legal order yourself -- and a photograph of the top page of this historic document.

http://www.cftc.gov/ucm/groups/public/@lrenforcementactions/...

ALL THE BIGGEST BANKS ARE IN BED TOGETHER

Indeed, the world just found out that all the biggest banks are in bed together.

They are all implicated in a vast conspiracy to lie to the public, and create artificial investor confidence that benefits no one but themselves.

Mass criminal charges are already being prepared -- by labor unions, local banks, local governments, state governments and federal governments -- as a result of this move by the Department of Justice.

All the evidence is now freely available, as we will see -- and the story is nearly moving faster than we can keep up with at this point, with new developments on a day-by-day basis.

SOME PEOPLE PROMOTE A GENOCIDAL BELIEF SYSTEM

Some people are so war-weary that they refuse to believe anyone in government, military, finance, intelligence or the judiciary could be a trustworthy human being -- or want to do the right thing.

As I have said before, this is ultimately a genocidal belief system that seeks to paint the world in black and white, reinforce victim consciousness, and create an "us" versus "them."

Everyone in the "us" category is universally good... and everyone in the "them" category is diabolically evil.

The evil ones must be utterly tortured and destroyed -- with prejudice.

If even one of them survives, it will all grow back again.

If this sounds like the teachings of a fundamentalist cult, you are absolutely correct.

Hitler was only one of many who put these types of thoughts into practice.

The reality is that humans are complex creatures. No one is "all good" or "all bad."

Each person is quite capable of thinking for themselves -- regardless of where they work.

Plenty of people now realize that the goals and aspirations of this cabal could literally destroy our entire planet.

We cannot simply stand back and watch it happen. Actions must be taken.

THE NUMBER OF "GOOD GUYS" IS NOW AS HIGH AS 75 PERCENT
Between 70 to 75 percent of the United States military community is now aligned against the cabal as of this past week.

This is according to top Pentagon sources I am in contact with, by one degree of separation -- as a result of years of building up insider contacts as a public investigator.

Critical steps have been taken to remove powerful opposing forces that were loyal to the cabal -- who would have sabotaged this planetary healing process.

Many brave men and women have put their lives on the line to uphold their Oath of Enlistment -- and defend our freedom.

They deserve our respect and support.

There is nothing more dangerous on Earth than to take on the ruling cabal. This also makes it a uniquely powerful act of valor.

As a result of these heroic efforts -- including criminal investigations -- we are now seeing a Point of No Return for the global bankers.
If you don't grasp that yet, the wealth of excerpts you are about to read may well change your mind.

THEY HAVE BEEN WEAKER THAN WE REALIZED ALL ALONG

In truth, these financial institutions have been much weaker than they led us to believe for years now -- since at least 2007.

They have played around with their own credit reports to convince everyone that they are still a worthwhile investment.

If they had told us the truth about how much trouble they were in, they would probably have already been exposed and defeated.

A vast international alliance has been financially choking off the Cabal for years now -- knowing that their collapse is inevitable. They are still too powerful to be exposed until a collapse becomes visible to all.

Their fraud is so vast that it encompasses every single type of financial investment there is -- stocks, bonds, commodities, currency, mutual funds, derivatives, mortages, loans, you name it.

All the money there is in the world -- either real money or fake numbers in a computer -- has been manipulated to create the largest financial fraud in recorded history... so far.

Many experts now estimate the amount of investments that are affected could be as much as 800 trillion ( ! ) dollars.

THE SCIENCE ALREADY CAME IN -- BUT NO ONE WAS PAYING ATTENTION

Last September, an incredible scientific paper was released that proved, irrefutably, that the world is being controlled by a vastly interconnected cabal.

It is rather ironic that these scientists are based in Switzerland -- the world capital of secretive, off-the-books banking.

http://arxiv.org/PS_cache/arxiv/pdf/...107.5728v2.pdf

More Here:
http://divinecosmos.com/start-here/davids-blog/1066-great-re...

The Great Revealing: US Marshals Expose Biggest Scandal in History | Peace . Gold . Liberty | Revolution

Paul vs Obama Poll

Submitted by JamesRushing on Fri, 07/20/2012 - 04:22
California
Project

Romney is losing to Obama in the polls as reported by http://RealClearPolitics.com.

Romney is losing 57 to 41 in the Intrade Prediction Market. He is losing in the electoral count 220 to 180.

Romney can't beat Obama so why do the GOP want to nominate a sure loser at Tampa? They don't, and maybe they won't since they have a choice.

But the Tampa Delegates need to know Paul can beat Obama. They already know that Romney can't. If Tampa wants "anyone but Obama," then a national poll showing Paul beating Obama would convince them Paul can give them what they want. That would be the compelling reason to nominate Paul.

A national poll asking, "Who would you vote for in November, Paul or Obama?" can be conducted by a reputable pollster for $2500. I believe we need three polls commissioned with poll results on August 10, August 17 and August 24. Three national polls for a total of $7,500.

The pollster is located at: http://pulseopinionresearch.com

I started a ChipIn.com account to raise the money to pay for these polls. Time is short. This vital project will happen only if you chip in now.

ChipIn: Paul vs Obama Poll

Our strategy for Tampa should be to educate the voters that Paul can win, and this is what we are already doing, but we need these poll results to be compelling.

No one is polling Paul vs Obama. We must commission our own Presidential Poll, and lobby the pollsters to take more National "Paul versus Obama" polls. The Paul Activists need to be able to show that Paul is winning in the polls when pitted against Obama, and that Romney loses when he is polled against Obama.

National polls with Paul against Obama should be a main component in our strategy for Paul to win the nomination.

Only Ron Paul can defeat Obama and the polls will prove it!

We will never lose the struggle for Individual Freedom and Limited Government until we give up, and Free People will never give up.
See you in Tampa.

Harm no one. Let no one harm you.
ChipIn: Paul vs Obama Poll


Paul vs Obama Poll | Peace . Gold . Liberty | Revolution

Denver Shooting - Very Strange Interview from "Eyewitness" Who says "Honestly" Over and Over.. Is This Staged?

Submitted by thepaulstalservice on Fri, 07/20/2012 - 20:03
Current Events

How many times did this guy say "honestly"? This looks very staged:

Dark Knight Shooting Denver False Flag



Denver Shooting - Very Strange Interview from "Eyewitness" Who says "Honestly" Over and Over.. Is This Staged? | Peace . Gold . Liberty | Revolution

Felonious Munk Presents: Stop It B! OBAMA PAY YOUR &*%$#% BILLS

~ 7/21/2012 - FBI theater attack warning issued on May 17, 2012 - Withheld from public

Submitted by Barracuda_Trader on Sat, 07/21/2012 - 06:16
Daily Paul Liberty Forum




Pdf Link
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
ROLL CALL RELEASE

I n C o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h t h e I T A C G

(U) Prepared by the Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A), Cyber, Infrastructure, and Science Division. Coordinated with the I&A Homeland Counterterrorism Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Interagency Threat Assessment and Coordination Group. Shared with the DHS Office of Infrastructure Protection.

(U) Warning: This document is UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY (U//FOUO). It contains information that may be exempt from public release under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552). It is to be controlled, stored, handled, transmitted, distributed, and disposed of in accordance with DHS policy relating to FOUO information and is not to be released to the public, the media, or other personnel who do not have a valid need to know without prior approval of an authorized DHS official. State and local homeland security officials may share this document with authorized critical infrastructure and key resource personnel and private sector security officials without further approval from DHS.

17 May 2012
(U//FOUO) Terrorists’ Interest in Attacking Theaters and Similar Mass Gatherings
http://info.publicintelligence.net/D...terAttacks.pdf

~ 7/21/2012 - FBI theater attack warning issued on May 17, 2012 - Withheld from public | Peace . Gold . Liberty | Revolution

Gun control: Mitt Romney and Barack Obama’s political record

By Matt Williams, The Guardian
Sunday, July 22, 2012 0:51 EDT


Topics: barack obama ♦ President Barack Obama


The Colorado theatre shooting has put the two candidates for president on the spot about their stances on gun control
The tragic events that unfolded inside a Colorado movie theatre on Friday have prompted greater attention on the gun law stance of the two men fighting it out to lead the US.
Within hours of the news that a gunman had shot dead 12 and injured many more, New York mayor Michael Bloomberg presented President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney with a stark challenge over America’s loose restrictions on gun ownership.


“Maybe it’s time the two people who want to be president of the United States stand up and tell us what they’re going to do about it, because this is obviously a problem across the country.”
A look at the White House rivals’ stance on the issue shows that both have evolved on the issue, but not in the way that those like Bloomberg would want.
Romney signed a ban on assault weapons as Massachusetts governor, but as the presumptive Republican nominee, he now bills himself as the candidate who will protect gun owners’ rights.
Obama called for reinstating the federal ban on assault weapons during his 2008 presidential campaign. But since his election, he hasn’t sought to get that done or pushed other gun control proposals.
Here’s a glance at how both candidate’s views and comments on gun laws have evolved over the years
Barack Obama

1997-2004: As an Illinois state senator, Obama supports banning all forms of semi-automatic weapons and tighter state restrictions generally on firearms, including a failed effort to limit handgun purchases to one per month.


2005: In the US Senate, Obama votes against protecting firearms makers and dealers from lawsuits over misuse of their products by others. The bill is signed into law by President George W Bush.
2008: During his first presidential campaign, Obama supports a return to the federal ban on assault weapons, which began during the Clinton administration and expired under Bush. He also endorses requiring background checks for buyers at gun shows. The National Rifle Association attacks him as an anti-gun zealot – a stand the group continues to take today.
April 2008: Obama is criticised for elitism after sounding dismissive of gun owners in a talk to campaign donors. He said voters in struggling small towns in middle America “cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them” to explain their frustrations.
September 2008: Obama seeks to reassure gun owners: “I believe in people’s lawful right to bear arms. … There are some common-sense gun safety laws that I believe in. But I am not going to take your guns away.” Nonetheless, gun sales go up when Obama wins, apparently because of fear that new restrictions are imminent under his administration.
2009: As president, Obama signs a law allowing people to carry concealed weapons in the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and other national parks and wildlife refuges and another that lets people carry guns in their checked bags on Amtrak trains.
2010: The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence gives Obama a grade of “F” for failing to push even the gun restrictions he supported while campaigning.
2011: Obama says the shooting that severely wounded then-Representative Gabrielle Giffords and killed six people should lead to “a new discussion of how we can keep America safe for all our people”. He calls for “sound and effective steps” to keep guns out of the hands of criminals, including strengthening background checks on gun buyers. But he’s short on specifics, and the Obama administration hasn’t proposed any new gun initiatives since then.
March 2012: Obama calls the fatal shooting of black teenager Trayvon Martin by a neighborhood watch volunteer in Florida “a tragedy”, saying Americans should do some soul-searching and “examine the laws” to figure out why it happened. He hasn’t called for any legal changes in response to the case, which mostly brought attention to some states’ stand-your-ground laws making it easier for a shooter to claim self-defence. Indeed, most gun regulations are imposed by states. The primary federal law is the Brady law requiring background checks on firearms purchasers.
July 20: Obama says he’s heartbroken by the Aurora movie theatre massacre and calls for Americans to unite in prayer for thevictims: “If there’s anything to take away from this tragedy it’s the reminder that life is very fragile, our time here is limited and it is precious.”
Asked whether the mass shooting should prompt a new review of gun laws, White House spokesman Jay Carney declines to comment beyond reiterating Obama’s existing stance in support of “common-sense measures that protect second amendment rights of Americans, while ensuring that those who should not have guns under existing law do not get them”.
Mitt Romney

1994: In his unsuccessful challenge to liberal Democratic senator Edward M Kennedy, Romney sounds moderate on guns, supporting an assault weapons ban and insisting, “I don’t line up with the NRA.”
2002: Running for governor of Massachusetts, Romney says he supports and will protect the state’s “tough gun laws”. The NRA gives his Democratic opponent a higher rating on gun-rights issues and makes no endorsement in the race.
2003: As governor, Romney upsets gun owners by signing a law that quadruples the state’s gun-licensing fee – from $25 to $100 – as part of a widespread effort to eliminate the budget deficit.
2004: Romney signs a Massachusetts ban on assault weapons. He mollifies many gun rights advocates by coupling it with looser rules on gun licenses and an extension of the duration of licenses, reducing the effect of the earlier fee increase.
2005: Declares May 7 Right to Bear Arms Day in Massachusetts.
2006: As he prepares for his first presidential run, Romney becomes a lifetime NRA member.
2007: While campaigning, Romney declares he sometimes hunts “small varmints” – a comment ridiculed by some as an awkward attempt to pander to pro-gun voters.
2008: In a Republican primary debate, Romney says he would have signed the federal assault weapons ban if it came to his desk as president, but he opposes any new gun legislation.
2011: Making his second presidential bid, Romney’s campaigns on a promise to protect and promote the second amendment.
2012: Romney tells gun owners that Obama wants to erode their rights. “We need a president who will enforce current laws, not create new ones that only serve to burden lawful gun owners,” Romney told the National Rifle Association’s annual convention. “President Obama has not. I will.”
July 20: Like Obama, Romney avoids talking politics on the day of the Aurora shooting. He says Americans are coming together in their sorrow: “There is something we can do. We can offer comfort to someone near us who is suffering or heavy laden, and we can mourn with those who mourn in Colorado.”
© Guardian News and Media 2012
[Tactical vest with U.S. battle flag and assault rifle with tactical grip close-up, via Shutterstock.jpg]

Gun control: Mitt Romney and Barack Obama’s political record | The Raw Story

Romney Is The Darkest Of Insider Operatives
Can You Spell C-I-A? If Not,
Let Me Help You, It's Easy

By John Hankey
7-19-12

With Cheney & Bush Sr. cheerleading at the top of their lungs, you have to know that Romney is a very dark member of the the darkest innermost circle

But there are a number of facts from the article below, from today's L.A. Times that show that he has been an operative of this group, groomed, guided, and nurtured since, at least, his first day at Bain Capital.

1) "Bain Capital was enmeshed in the largely opaque world of international high finance from its very inception." Where did Romney get all these international contacts? In Panama? Panama is where the CIA laundered it's drug money. You won't have any trouble, I don't think, finding documentation that the profits from the sale of cocaine were laundered in Panama. It was one of the main charges against Manuel Noriega, the Panamanian strongman that Bush Sr. overthrew (after Noriega stopped co-operating in the cocaine trafficking and money-laundering). You will have much more trouble documenting that all these cocaine profits were CIA profits - but it has been done for you by Gary Webb and others. (3:08 to 5:15 of this video nails it meth - YouTube)

2) The first outside investor in Bain was a leading London financier, Sir Jack Lyons, who made a $2.5-million investment through a Panama shell company set up by a Swiss money manager, further shielding his identity. Years later, Lyons was convicted in an unrelated stock fraud scandal. OK. So the first guy they recruited to invest in Bain was a crook. But not all crooked bankers are CIA, are they? No. But all CIA bankers are crooks.

3) That first investment fund — used to invest in start-up companies and leveraged buyouts — paid out a stunning 173% in average annual returns over a decade, He was just starting out. His average return was 173%. 8% is a good, sound return. Where does he get the inside information that allows for this kind of return? It is a centuries-old tradition that investment bankers deal in inside information. Which is why the CIA was headed and manned by investment bankers from day-1. Allan Dulles was an investment banker. Spying and stealing information was his bread and butter. Where was Romney getting the inside information that allowed this kind of return? Dude! They were money laundering! How else? Please!

4) At the time, U.S. officials were publicly accusing some exiles in Miami of funding right-wing death squads in El Salvador. Some family members of the first Bain Capital investors were later linked to groups responsible for killings, though no evidence indicates those relatives invested in Bain or benefited from it. "right-wing" death squads means "CIA," if you didn't know. "Some exiles in Miami of funding right-wing death squads." No. Here's how it works. The CIA approaches a wealthy right-winger. They tell him, "Invest in this CIA front. We're laundering money, and we need some front people, civilians, to give us cover. You will kick us back a certain portion of your outrageous profits." So the whole thing is a CIA operation. And it has to be kept dark because the books are utterly cooked, and the profits, 173%, would attract the attention of any prosecutor worth a half a nickel. You can't make such a return honestly

5) Romney "was the most confident executive I've ever come across," translation: He knew the fix was in on all his deals.

6) Romney and Bill Bain were initially "terrified of bringing in Central Americans," Strachan told the Boston Globe in August 1994. "They were afraid of drug money." Reassured by Strachan, Romney flew to Miami to meet the group in 1984. "My friends were impressed by Mitt and the team and signed up for 20% of the fund," Wait. Romney and Bain were initially terrified of drug money. This is Nicaraguan money, the heart of CIA drug operations. But Romney met with the investors and laid the investors' worries to rest. Who was worried, now? Romeny was terrified, so he flies to Miami to reassure the men he's terrified of. Right. Makes sense. This Strachan character is a lead to be investigated.

7) The last part of the article, about investors from El Salvador, is hardest to analyze. It's meant to be complex. The 9 or so wealthiest families in El Salvador ruled the country for centuries like it was their kingdom; and slaughtered union, community and political leaders with impunity, eventually sparking a civil war. The CIA moved in on the side of the rulers. Among the Bain investors were Francisco R.R. de Sola and his cousin Herbert Arturo de Sola, whose brother Orlando de Sola was suspected by State Department officials and the CIA of backing the right-wing death squads, according to now-declassified documents. The point is that Bain is tied to the families who are closest to the CIA and their death squads. Most of the money they put into Bain Capital was through corporations set up in Panama with names such as Velof Trust, Jolla and Universal Selling Co. ... In the 1980s, Panama was "the country of choice for foreigners wanting to make investments on a confidential basis," said Steven H. Hagen, a Miami lawyer who provides tax advice to offshore companies and international investors. I suppose this confidentiality might be explained as a means of tax evasion. What do you think at this point? 173% return? Bain was using the ruling elite to launder CIA drug money. Bet the farm on that.

Jack Hanley, former head of Monsanto Co., put in $1 million. "It seemed like a hell of a smart thing for me to do to ride their coattails," said Hanley, now 83. "I got rich." Wait. Got that? The head of Monsanto did not get rich by being the head of Monsanto. He got rich by investing with Romney. ! ? ! ?

Let me spell it out for you. First comes C then comes I then the last letter is A Invest with confidence! You can't lose! The dice are loaded. The fix is in. Water runs uphill, time moves backwards, lone assassins kill progressive politicians. All in a day's work.


latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-bain-creation-20120719,0,192124.story

latimes.com

Bain Capital started with help of offshore investors

Mitt Romney's firm raised more than a third of its first investment fund from wealthy foreigners — who mostly used companies in Panama, then known for tax advantages and banking secrecy.

By Joseph Tanfani, Melanie Mason and Matea Gold

3:00 AM PDT, July 19, 2012


Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON — When Mitt Romney launched Bain Capital in 1984, he struggled at first to raise enough money for the untested venture. Old-money families like the Rothschilds turned down the young Boston consultant.

So he and his partners tapped an eclectic roster of investors, raising more than a third of their first $37-million investment fund from wealthy foreigners.

Most of the foreign investors' money came through corporations registered in Panama, then known for tax advantages and unusual banking secrecy.

Previously unreported details, documented in Massachusetts corporate filings and other public records, show that Bain Capital was enmeshed in the largely opaque world of international high finance from its very inception.

The documents don't indicate any wrongdoing, and experts say that such financial vehicles are common for wealthy foreign investors. But the new details come as President Obama has criticized Romney for profiting from Bain Capital's own offshore investment entities, which are unavailable to most Americans.

The Romney campaign declined to comment on the specifics of Bain's early investors. Romney has argued that his offshore investments are entirely proper, and that he has paid all the U.S. taxes that he owes. The offshore funds do provide tax advantages for foreign investors, allowing Bain to attract billions of dollars.

"The world of finance is not as simple as some would have you believe," Romney said in an interview this week with National Review Online.

The first outside investor in Bain was a leading London financier, Sir Jack Lyons, who made a $2.5-million investment through a Panama shell company set up by a Swiss money manager, further shielding his identity. Years later, Lyons was convicted in an unrelated stock fraud scandal.

About $9 million came from rich Latin Americans, including powerful Salvadoran families living in Miami during their country's brutal civil war.

That first investment fund — used to invest in start-up companies and leveraged buyouts — paid out a stunning 173% in average annual returns over a decade, according to a prospectus prepared by an outside bank. It was the start of the private equity powerhouse that ultimately fueled Romney's political career. He now cites his experience at Bain as a chief qualification for the White House.

Romney faced unusual complications when he launched Bain Capital, a spinoff of Bain & Co., the Boston consulting firm he joined when he graduated from Harvard Business School.

At the time, U.S. officials were publicly accusing some exiles in Miami of funding right-wing death squads in El Salvador. Some family members of the first Bain Capital investors were later linked to groups responsible for killings, though no evidence indicates those relatives invested in Bain or benefited from it.

Romney has said he checked the foreign investors' backgrounds. His campaign and Bain Capital declined to provide specifics.

Alex Stanton, a spokesman for Bain Capital, said confidentiality rules barred him from commenting on the investors.

"The hyperbole of political campaigns cannot change the fact that Bain Capital has operated with high standards of integrity and excellence, including compliance with all applicable laws and regulations regarding the vetting of our investors in consultation with experienced counsel and other advisors," he said. "Any suggestion to the contrary is baseless."

Matt McDonald, a spokesman for the Romney campaign, also declined to discuss details of the original fund. "There were many investors who saw the opportunity of a firm that could help fix broken companies and help them grow."

But when Romney and his partners started the firm, Bain & Co. founder Bill Bain — worried the new venture could fail — barred them from soliciting current clients or corporations that would have to publicly disclose the investment, according to an early Bain Capital employee.

Bain partners put in $12 million of their own money, then sought the rest from wealthy individuals.

Records show the first investment in Bain Capital — $1.25 million in June 1984 — was in the name of Jean Overseas Ltd., registered in Panama by Marcel Elfen, a Swiss money manager. Later, the investment was doubled.

The Panamanian shell company apparently was a vehicle for Lyons, the British businessman and philanthropist. Lyons died in 2008.

His son, David Lyons of Quebec, said in a phone interview that he had never heard of Jean Overseas, but he confirmed that his father was "absolutely" an early investor in Bain Capital and said that Elfen, who died last year, was his father's money manager.

David Lyons said that wealthy Europeans like his father often invested through offshore shell corporations. "It allowed some confidentiality," he said. "It allowed a lot of things."

Jack Lyons worked as an outside consultant for Bain & Co., but that ended when he and three others were charged in the Guinness Affair, a stock scandal that rocked Britain. Convicted of fraud in 1990, he was spared prison time due to his failing health, but was stripped of his knighthood.

Romney and his partners also won over the money manager for one of California's wealthiest families, the Crockers, whose family trust put in $4.8 million. Romney "was the most confident executive I've ever come across," said William Swanson, who at the time managed the family's investments.

Other early investors included Robert Maxwell, the British publishing baron, who invested $2 million. After his drowning death in 1991, investigators discovered Maxwell had stolen hundreds of millions of dollars from his company's pension funds.

But early on, the fundraising was still falling short. Harry Strachan, a Bain Capital partner who was born in Costa Rica to American missionary parents, knew Central American businessmen through his involvement in a Harvard-backed business school in Nicaragua. Why not pitch to them?

Romney and Bill Bain were initially "terrified of bringing in Central Americans," Strachan told the Boston Globe in August 1994. "They were afraid of drug money."

Reassured by Strachan, Romney flew to Miami to meet the group in 1984.

"My friends were impressed by Mitt and the team and signed up for 20% of the fund," Strachan wrote in his self-published memoir, "Finding a Path." He did not respond to requests for comment.

The group included some of El Salvador's wealthiest people: coffee grower Miguel A. Dueñas; members of the De Sola family, also coffee exporters; and Ricardo Poma, whose family conglomerate now owns car dealerships and luxury hotels across Central America. Other investors included Frank Kardonski, who co-founded the Panama Stock Exchange, and Diego Ribadeneira, nowEcuador'sambassador to Peru.

Most of the money they put into Bain Capital was through corporations set up in Panama with names such as Velof Trust, Jolla and Universal Selling Co.

In the 1980s, Panama was "the country of choice for foreigners wanting to make investments on a confidential basis," said Steven H. Hagen, a Miami lawyer who provides tax advice to offshore companies and international investors.

The use of an offshore corporation to invest in a U.S. business shields foreign investors from estate taxes, but not income taxes, Hagen said.

At the time, El Salvador was being torn apart in a civil war that ultimately left tens of thousands dead. The Bain investors — some of whom had their plantations seized and family members targeted — were waiting out the war in Miami.

"Many of them were trying to move their money elsewhere," said Jeffery M. Paige, a University of Michigan professor who wrote a book about the Salvadoran ruling class. "It was a difficult transition, and of course their investment outlets were limited."

Among the Bain investors were Francisco R.R. de Sola and his cousin Herbert Arturo de Sola, whose brother Orlando de Sola was suspected by State Department officials and the CIA of backing the right-wing death squads, according to now-declassified documents.

Orlando de Sola, who has denied supporting the death squads, is now serving a four-year prison term for unrelated fraud charges. In an interview at the prison in Metapan, El Salvador, he said he did not benefit from the family investment in Bain Capital.

Before Bain, the family's holdings were based in El Salvador, he said. "I would say their relationship with Bain Capital was a step to diversify into foreign investments. But I insist to you, I was not part of it."

The other Latin American investors declined or did not respond to requests to comment.

Other early investors were happy to talk about their lucrative early bet. Jack Hanley, former head ofMonsanto Co., put in $1 million.

"It seemed like a hell of a smart thing for me to do to ride their coattails," said Hanley, now 83. "I got rich."

joseph.tanfani@latimes.com

melanie.mason@latimes.com

matea.gold@latimes.com

Special correspondent Alex Renderos in Metapan, El Salvador, contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2012, Los Angeles Times

Romney Is The Darkest Of Insider Operatives

Related: RNC Confirms Ron Paul Will Be Up For Nomination

Ron Paul Slams Bernanke & Congress Over Money - Vid

USA Today *POLL* on your Right to Keep and Bear arms

Submitted by The Libertybelle on Sun, 07/22/2012 - 12:17
2nd Amendment


In response to Eric Holder's assertion that, "We have no rights to possess guns", USA Today has a poll:

USATODAY.com - Quick Question

Does the Second Amendment give individuals the right to bear arms?

Yes - 97%
No - 2%
Undecided - 1%

TOTAL VOTES: 11,294,970