Aron Russo: Freedom or Fascism?

CORPORATISM AND THE END OF FREEDOM IN AMERICA! 

By Rick Thorne

The late famed Hollywood film producer Aron Russo (1943-2007) created this unique video to reveal the vast corruption within our U.S. Government.  It’s even more relevant today as we edge towards passing laws to have even more government corporatism.

I urge every Veteran to watch this video and send it to friends, family, and loved ones. If you pay taxes then you should give a damn about this documentary!  Watch out Tim Geithner, head of the I.R.S., we’re watching!

In 1994, Russo created a one-hour, politically themed TV show entitled Aaron Russo’s Mad as Hell. The program, part stand-up comedy monologue and part slash-and-burn political rant, offered Russo’s views where he criticized the North American Free Trade Agreement, the War on Drugs, the concept of a National Identity Card, IRS, Social Security, and the federal budget. When he was unable to find a syndicator for the show, Russo sold it as a video.

Russo made his first run for political office in 1998, when he ran in the Republican party primary for the Governor of Nevada. He came in second in the primary, winning 25.9% of the vote in a four-way race. He then endorsed the Democratic candidate, Las Vegas mayor, Jan Laverty Jones, who lost to Republican Kenny Guinn. Russo then joined the Libertarian Party in 1999, saying it was his "true political home." In 2000, he delivered a fiery speech at the Libertarian National Convention, calling Libertarians the "last, best hope for freedom in America." Russo subsequently planned to run for governor in 2002 as a Libertarian, but he was temporarily sidelined by cancer.

On February 15, 2004, Aaron Russo endorsed the Free State Project (FSP).

In January 2004, Russo announced he was seeking the Libertarian Party’s nomination to run for the President of the United States. Russo told LP News (February 2004) he was running because the United States is "heading to totalitarianism. I have a sincere belief [in] the Constitution and Bill of Rights as envisioned by Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Ben Franklin. Unfortunately, neither political party respects the vision of our Founding Fathers, and these documents have been relegated to the dustbin. I want to dust them off and restore them to their proper role in our lives." At the Libertarian National Convention in May 2004, Russo received 258 votes, as opposed to 256 for Michael Badnarik and 246 for Gary Nolan, a majority being required to receive the presidential nomination. Russo was be defeated on the third and final ballot by nominee Badnarik by a vote of 423-344. While some questioned his style, others argued his media experience would enable him to pose a serious threat to incumbent President George W. Bush, pulling enough votes from otherwise likely Bush voters to affect the outcome in battleground states, in the same way that Ralph Nader was considered to be in relation to Democrat John Kerry.

In 2006, Russo wrote, produced, directed, and starred in a documentary feature film entitled America: Freedom To Fascism. The film questioned the legality of the income tax and attacked the growing authoritarianism in American life. The film was made after Russo had over $2 million of tax liens filed against him by the Internal Revenue Service, the state of California, and the state of New York for unpaid taxes. In an interview with the New York Times, however, Russo refused to discuss the liens, saying they were not relevant to his film.

On January 14, 2007, Russo announced his full support for U.S. Congressman Ron Paul’s 2008 presidential bid. Russo also joined the advisory board of Jews for Ron Paul 2008

Russo died of bladder cancer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California on August 24, 2007, at age 64, following a six year battle with the disease. Shortly before his passing, in 2007, Russo founded RestoreTheRepublic.com to fulfill the political ambitions laid out in his final film. He publicly passed the torch to Gary S. Franchi Jr., founder of the Lone Lantern Society of America to lead this new organization and to carry on his fight. Russo said his goal was to "try and get the word out to the public about what’s happening to America — and give them an opportunity to try to change things." Regarding an epitaph for his headstone after his death, he told the Las Vegas Sun (November 4, 1999), "I want it to say, ‘Freedom Fighter.’"

On February 14, 2008 Russo’s organization produced a gold and silver commemorative piece to immortalize their founder. On the front side of each piece, the words "Freedom Fighter" were embossed. 

About the Author:

Rick Thorne is a Staff Writer for VeteransToday.com. He’s a professional photographer. For 35 years Rick has traveled much of the U.S. recording nature and many other unique subjects along the way. His work isn’t for sale but he uses it to help others in time of depression and despair. Photography has been his life blood for many years now. Rick is on Social Security Disability and was discharged from the Navy in 1968 for a nervous breakdown. The VA is currently treating him for his mental and physical injuries. http://web.me.com/rthorne2/SITE!/TRUTH_REVEALED!.html