BRTP Book Club has voted to read and discuss our selection for two club meetings.  This will enable us to get as much information and outside information on our subject as we can.  You are still welcome to read other selections and bring them in to be discussed for future book selections.  We look forward to seeing you in 2012. The following are a sampling of some of the books read and discussed in 2011. Bring your book suggestions with you to the bookclub. Hope to see you there.

January 19, 2011   

Guide to Investing in Gold and Silver by Michael Maloney

Throughout the ages, many things have been used as currency: livestock, grains, spices, shells, beads, and now paper. But only two things have been money: gold and silver. When paper currency becomes too abundant, and thus loses value, man always turns back to the precious metals. During these events there is always an enormous wealth transfer, and it is within your power to transfer that wealth either away from you or toward you.

The Next American Revolution by Charles R. Hooper

DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND, WE WILL CONTINUE WITH THIS BOOK AT THE NEXT BOOK CLUB MEETING. IF YOU WISH, DO SOME FOLLOWUP READING ON ARTICLE 5 AND BRING YOUR NOTES WITH YOU TO CONTINUE OUR DISCUSSION.

Summary

In this remarkable book, “The Next American Revolution,” Charles R. Hooper empowers the citizens of America with the information needed to demand congressional reform. Each individual American has the right and the power to legally, safely, and effectively take back their Congress. Beginning with a description of how Congress is broken, the book describes the institution as little more than an arena for ever-escalating partisan warfare. Buoyed by an equally corrupted electoral system, many members of Congress have turned their attention from their constituents to their own desire to stay in office. In doing so they’ve allowed campaign money to drown out the voice of the people. The four constitutional mechanisms available to the people to improve their government; speech, assembly, petition and elections, have apparently stopped working. Fortunately, the Founding Fathers left their descendants with a never used, yet very real and effective fifth constitutional power. Americans can momentarily lay aside their differences and focus their combined powers toward one common cause---a revolution calling for a convention of the states specifically and solely for the purpose of restoring a people’s legislature. The author explains why this is the peoples’ best (and last) hope of seriously reforming the legislative branch of government. Each step of the process is summarized and three proposed amendment ideas are suggested: term limits; campaign finance reform; and increased electoral competition. To bridge modern American’s love for their Constitution and liberty with other generations, the book is interspersed with quotes and images of leading figures from America’s rich, revolutionary history. A hospital social worker, the author describes himself as a “professional problem-solver”. Relying on his educational background in sociology and political science, the author wants to help America solve its greatest challenge: tyranny from within. He invites readers to visit his website at itsmycongress.com for more information.

About the Author

Charles R. Hooper graduated from the University of North Carolina at Asheville with a concentration in sociology and political science. He later received a master’s degree in social work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Working as a hospital social worker, he describes himself as a “professional problem-solver.” He wants to help Americans solve the greatest challenge our nation has ever faced - tyranny from within.(taken from