USAA and CCC Valuescope RICO Act Violations Defrauding Insured - Letter to Florida Governor Charlie Crist

July 24, 2008

State of Florida, The Capitol400 S. Monroe St.Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001

Fax: 850-487-0801 / File 1-506669660

Honorable Florida Governor Charlie Crist,

It is with great displeasure that I have to write you this letter today filing a consumer complaint against CCC Valuescope used by my insurer USAA to allege a fair “market value” of my automobile.

MADD Victim Services points out “It’s against the law to kill or injure another human being intentionally, maliciously, with criminal negligence, or while operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”

Nancy Stent, a 47 year-old drunk driver and repeat offender, whom Progressive Insurance breached its duty to protect the public when insuring her, was arrested by Volusia County Law Enforcement on July 8, 2008 for driving while intoxicated and causing bodily harm to me and destroying two automobiles before crashing her own.

My insurer USAA has breached its duty to exercise the utmost good faith to me its insured. By using CCC Valuescope (a company violating the U.S. federal RICO Act) USAA has intentionally provided me a low and fraudulent valuation of my automobile in hopes of obtaining an unreasonable and unfair settlement.

CCC Information Services Group Inc. ("CCCG"), incorporated in Delaware in 1983 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, is a holding company, which operates through its wholly owned subsidiary, CCC Information Services Inc. ("CCC").

CCC Valuescope (formerly known as CCC Information Services Group Inc – CCCG) can by no means be deemed a fair and market value of automobiles as CCC Valuescope works exclusively for insurers and therefore has an economic interest to supply valuations that are intentionally below the actual fair market value of what insured vehicles are truly worth. It is known fact throughout the insurance industry that CCC gathers its values from what car dealers would sell a vehicle for at basement wholesale prices, not the true “retail value of an auto of like kind and quality prior to the accident” as mandated by FL insurance regulations.

Cutting costs and denying its insured “the utmost due care” historically can be documented against USAA beginning with the class action lawsuit against USAA in Washington’s King County (March 12, 1999) for compelling auto repair shops to use "imitation" parts in repairs, while simultaneously hiding this practice from policyholders. Beyond auto insurance, USAA has countless complaints filed against it in 27 states across the country.
I noticed that a Mississippi couple - Admiral James Lisanby and his wife Gladys have sued USAA for $910,000, pursuing punitive damages for USAA’s neglect and resistance
to pay them what they are rightfully due for the Katrina tornado that tragically took so many people’s homes. This apparently is the 1st Hurricane Katrina insurance lawsuit to go to trial (June 16, 2008).
David and Marilyn Aiken (Gulfport, Mississippi) filed a lawsuit against USAA on January 18, 2008 for conspiring to defraud them full payment of their $680,000 homeowner-insurance policy with USAA.
As for CCC Valuescope it is not independent in their valuations since they are a hired gun for the insurance companies! Upon conducting a VIN search on the vehicles within the CCC report, many of them had over 20 records indicative of numerous collissions, issues with the vehicle, and several changes of ownership. By relying upon CCC’s intentionally low valuation of my vehicle, USAA is breaching its fiduciary duty to act in good faith in handling my claim. No fair and honest evaluation of my claim can be performed by CCC as it is contracted by insurers for the primary purpose of minimizing monies paid out by insurers to its fiduciaries. Hence by using CCC Valuescope, USAA is clearly not exercising the “utmost due care” in the interest of me its insured as required by Baxter v. Royal Indemnity (FL case law).

Even if CCC Valuescope is currently an “Official Used Car Guide” in the State of Florida, USAA (and any other insurers for that matter) can still violate the Unfair Trade Practices Act and State administrative regulations by relying on the CCC Valuescope product.

Such was determined also by the Court in the State of West Virginia cited below:

Sharon A. Bolyard and Patricia One-Bull, individually, and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, Nationwide Assurance Company, Michael Higgins, Raymond Little, and Mary Shafer - No. 062305. Petitioners seek to docket the certified questions from the circuit court as follows:
1. Whether an insurance company can violate the West Virginia Unfair Trade Practices Act or the administrative regulations promulgated thereunder by using, in compliance with West Virginia Code of State Rules §114-14-7.4, the CCC Valuescope valuation product if the Insurance Commissioner approved the CCC Valuescope product as an "Official Used Car Guide" pursuant to West Virginia Code § 33-6-33, and as defined by West Virginia Code of State Rules §114-14-7.2(d)?
ANSWER OF COURT: Yes.

2. Can an insurance company be found to commit common law bad faith, fraud, or constructive fraud for using, in compliance with West Virginia Code of State Rules §114-14-7.4, the CCC Valuescope valuation product if the Insurance Commissioner approved the CCC Valuescope product as an "Official Used Car Guide" pursuant to West Virginia Code §33-6-33, and as defined by West Virginia Code of State Rules §114-14-7.2(d)?
ANSWER OF COURT: Yes.

CCC admitted itself in its SEC Filing on 3-16-2005 that “the Company sometimes pays a new customer for the remaining commitment of its previous contract with third parties as an incentive”. In regard to regulation, CCC mentions in the same filing “in most states, however, there is no formal approval process for total loss valuation products”. CCC itself confesses in the same report “individual state departments of insurance have taken positions as to whether the use of CCC Valuescope valuations is in compliance with a states claim handling regulations”.

“The Company is aware that since 2002 the California Department of Insurance has advised some of the Company's customers (which management estimates to be approximately 14% of the total revenue earned in 2004 from the Company's CCC Valuescope valuation product and service) that the Department believed that their use of CCC Valuescope had not been in compliance with the California insurance regulations in effect prior to October 4, 2004, with respect to certain components of the products methodology. The Company believes the product was in compliance with the applicable California regulations.”

“On April 24, 2003, the California Department of Insurance formally adopted new regulations that required the Company to change its methodology for computing total loss valuations in California.” There is good reason therefore to believe CCC Valuescope’s valuation methodology is terribly flawed and skewed to favor its insurance company customers.

In CCC’s annual report filed February 13, 2004 the legal proceedings and numerous class action lawsuits against CCC are documented in pages 35, 42, 43, and 44 of the 53 page report.

On page 35, CCC Valuescope admits to setting aside $4.3 million as an estimate towards potential settlement to “resolve potential claims arising out of approximately 30% of the transaction volume of CCC Valuescope”.

By acknowledging 30% of transaction volume becoming potential claims, CCC Valuescope thereby makes it public record that it anticipates a sizeable percentage of lawsuits for unfair and fraudulent valuations. Such a high percentage of transaction volume alone attests to the flawed methodology of CCC’s report, its unscrupulous dealings, and wholehearted commitment to protect the financial interests of the insurers it serves.

Ironically, four of CCC Valuescope’s automobile insurance company customers have made contractual and, in some cases, also common law indemnification claims against CCC for litigation costs, attorneys' fees, settlement payments and other costs allegedly incurred by them in connection with litigation relating to their use of CCC’s flawed TOTAL LOSS valuation product.

Certainly the countless class action lawsuits filed across the United States against CCC Valuescape provides further evidence concerning the grossly low and inaccurate valuations of vehicles they give the insurers they serve. Among the many are:

CCC Settles Class Action Suit on Valuation of Total Loss Vehicles (July 15, 2005)

Chicago-based claims software-maker CCC Information Services Inc. announced that it and 15 of its customers signed a settlement agreement with the plaintiffs in various class action suits pending in Madison County, Ill. These consolidated suits, Case Nos. 01 L 157, et al., relate to the valuation of vehicles that have been declared total losses by insurers.

Terms of the settlement agreement will require CCC to pay notice and administration fees and other costs associated with the settlement. The company estimates that these costs will total about $8 million, and including available insurance proceeds of $1.8 million, the company is fully reserved for these payments. Other settlement costs, including claims by class members, will be paid by the insurance companies that are participating in the settlement.

On or about August 23, 2000, a putative statewide class action was filed in the Circuit Court for Hillsborough County, Florida, against CCC and USAA Casualty Insurance Company. The lawsuit is captioned Peter Sintes et al. v. USAA Casualty Insurance Company and CCC Information Services, Inc., Case No. 00-006308. Plaintiffs allege that USAA contracted with CCC to provide valuations of "total loss" vehicles and that CCC supplied valuations that were intentionally below the actual fair market value of the insured vehicle. The plaintiffs assert various common law claims against USAA seeking unspecified damages. The plaintiffs also assert a single claim for injunctive relief against USAA and CCC. Plaintiffs also request an award of pre- and post-judgment interest and an award of attorneys' fees, litigation expenses, and costs. The group of plaintiffs' attorneys who filed the Sintes case includes several attorneys who have previously filed similar cases against CCC and various of its customers in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois.

On January 31, 2000, a putative class action lawsuit was filed against CCC, Dairyland Insurance Co., and Sentry Insurance Company in the Circuit Court of Johnson County, Illinois. The case is captioned SUSANNA COOK V. DAIRYLAND INS. CO., SENTRY INS. AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., NO. 2000 L-1.

During January and February of 2001, the group of plaintiffs' lawyers who filed the COOK lawsuit filed ten (10) additional putative class action lawsuits against CCC and several of its insurance company customers in the Circuit Court of Madison County, Illinois. Those cases are captioned as follows:

LANCEY V. COUNTRY MUTUAL INS. CO., COUNTRY CASUALTY INS. d/b/a COUNTRY COMPANIES, AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., CASE NO. 01 L 113 (FILED 1/29/01); SCHOENLEBER V. PRUDENTIAL PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INC. CO. AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., CASE NO. 01 L 99 (FILED 1/18/01); EDWARDS V. MID-CENTURY INS. CO. d/b/a FARMERS INS. AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., CASE NO. 01 L 151 (FILED 2/6/01); BORDONI V. CGU INS. GROUP d/b/a CGU INS. CO. OF ILLINOIS AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., CASE NO. 01 L 157 (FILED 2/6/01); RICHARDSON V. PROGRESSIVE PREMIER INS. CO. OF ILLINOIS d/b/a PROGRESSIVE AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., CASE NO. 01 L 149 (FILED 2/6/01); BILLUPS V. GEICO GENERAL INS. CO. AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., CASE NO. 01 L 159 (FILED 2/6/01); HUFF V. HARTFORD INS. CO. OF ILLINOIS d/b/a THE HARTFORD AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., CASE NO. 01 L 158 (FILED 2/6/01); KNACKSTEDT V. ST. PAUL FIRE AND MARINE INS. CO. AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., CASE NO. 01 L 153 (FILED 2/6/01); MOORE V. SHELTER INS. COS. AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., CASE NO. 01 L 160 (FILED 2/6/01); TRAVIS V. KEMPER CASUALTY INS. CO. d/b/a KEMPER INSURANCE AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., CASE NO. 01 L 290 (FILED 2/16/01).

In each case, each plaintiff alleges that his or her insurance company, using a valuation prepared by CCC, offered an inadequate amount to settle his or her total loss claim. Each plaintiff seeks to represent a nationwide class of the defendant insurance company's customers, who, during the period from January 28, 1989, up to the date of trial, had their total loss claims settled using a valuation report prepared by CCC. Plaintiff asserts various common law and contract claims against the defendant insurance companies, and various common law claims against CCC. Plaintiff seeks an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages, as well as an award of attorney's fees and costs.

Between October of 1999 and July of 2000, a separate group of plaintiffs' attorneys filed a series of putative class action lawsuits against CCC and several of its insurance company customers in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. The cases are captioned as follows: ALVAREZ-FLORES V. AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC., ATLANTA CASUALTY CO., AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., NO. 99 CH 15032 (FILED 10/19/99); GIBSON V. ORIONAUTO, GUARANTY NATIONAL INS. CO. AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., NO. 99 CH 15082 (FILED 10/20/99); KEILLER V. FARMERS INSURANCE GROUP OF COMPANIES, FARMERS GROUP, INC., FARMERS INSURANCE EXCHANGE, FARMERS INSURANCE CO. OF OREGON, AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., NO. 99 CH 15485 (FILED 10/20/99); STEPHENS V. THE PROGRESSIVE CORP., PROGRESSIVE PREFERRED INS. CO. AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., NO. 99 CH 15557 (FILED 10/28/99); MYERS V. TRAVELERS PROPERTY CASUALTY CORP., THE TRAVELERS INDEMNITY COMPANY OF AMERICA AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., NO. 00 CH 2793 (FILED 2/22/00); LEPIANE V. THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC., HARTFORD INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE MIDWEST AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., NO. 00 CH 10545 (FILED 7/18/00).

Between June and August of 2000, a separate group of plaintiffs' attorneys filed three putative class action cases against CCC and various of its insurance company customers in the State Court of Fulton County, Georgia. Those cases are MCGOWAN V. PROGRESSIVE CASUALTY INS. CO., PROGRESSIVE INS. CO., AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., CASE NO. 00VS006525 (FILED 6/16/00), DASHER V. ATLANTA CASUALTY CO. AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., CASE NO. 00VS006315 (FILED 6/16/00) AND WALKER V. STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INS. CO. AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., CASE NO. 00VS007964 (FILED 8/2/00). The plaintiff in each case alleges that his or her insurance company, using a valuation prepared by CCC, offered plaintiff an inadequate amount for his or her automobile and that CCC's TOTAL LOSS valuation product provides values that do not comply with the applicable Georgia regulations. The plaintiffs assert various common law and statutory claims against the defendants and seek to represent a nationwide class of insurance company customers. Additionally plaintiffs seek to represent a similar statewide sub-class for claims under the Georgia RICO statute. Plaintiffs seek unspecified compensatory, treble and punitive damages, as well as an award of attorneys' fees and expenses.

On August 2, 2000, a putative class action purportedly on behalf of certain residents of fourteen states was filed in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, State of Ohio, against Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and CCC. WHITWORTH V. NATIONWIDE MUTUAL INS. CO. AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., CASE NO. CVH-08-6980. The Whitworth lawsuit was filed by a group of plaintiffs' attorneys that includes certain attorneys who previously filed three putative class actions against CCC and various of its customers in Fulton County State Court (reported above). The plaintiffs assert substantially the same claims and seek substantially the same relief as in those previously filed Fulton County actions. The plaintiffs further allege that CCC's TOTAL LOSS valuation service provides values that do not comply with applicable regulations in Ohio and 13 other states.

On or about March 27, 1998 a case entitled GARDNER V. ALLSTATE INDEMNITY
CO., CIVIL ACTION 98-D-480-N (M.D. ALA.), was filed in the Circuit Court of Montgomery County, Alabama. CCC is not named as a defendant in the case, and no relief is sought against CCC by the plaintiffs. In the Complaint, plaintiffs asserted claims against one of CCC's customers, Allstate Indemnity Co., for unjust enrichment and constructive trust and for breach of contract based on Allstate's use of an unidentified total loss valuation product. Allstate removed the case to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama in April 1998 (GARDNER V. ALLSTATE INDEMNITY CO., CIVIL ACTION 98-D-480-N).

Plaintiffs moved for class certification on August 28, 1998. Plaintiffs' class certification motion was granted on April 28, 2000. Pursuant to the April 28, 2000 order, the district court certified a plaintiff class of all Alabama customers who, from March 26, 1992 through the time of final judgment in the case, (1) have been insured under or paid pursuant to an Allstate auto policy, (2) whose vehicles have been declared a total loss by Allstate; and (3) to whom Allstate has paid out a claim for a total loss adjusted based on CCC valuations.


CCC Fairness Hearings
Final fairness hearing for the settlement of several class actions filed against CCC Information Services, Inc. was set for December 20, 2005 in the Circuit Court of Madison County, Illinois. The suits were styled:
(1) LANCEY v. COUNTRY MUTUAL INS. CO., AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., Case No. 01 L 113 (filed January 29, 2001);
(2) KMUCHA v. COLONIAL PENN INSURANCE COMPANY AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., Case No. 03 L 1267 (filed September 18, 2003)
(3) JACKSON v. ATLANTA CASUALTY COMPANY, INFINITY PROPERTY & CASUALTY CORPORATION AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., Case No. 03 L 1266 (filed September 18, 2003)
In connection with the settlement, CCC Valuescope was added as a party to the following additional cases, which assert claims and seek relief substantially similar to the above cases, namely:
(i) BORDONI v. CGU INSURANCE COMPANY OF ILLNOIS AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., Case No. 01 L 157;
(ii) SCHOENLEBER v. PRUDENTIAL PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., Case No. 01 L 99;
(iii) RICHARDSON V. PROGRESSIVE PREMIER INSURANCE COMPANY OF ILLINOIS AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., Case No. 01 L 149,
(iv) KNACKSTEDT v. ECONOMY PREFERRED INSURANCE COMPANY, METROPOLITAN PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., Case No. 01 L 153;
(v) HUFF AND MADISON v. HARTFORD INSURANCE COMPANY OF ILLINOIS, HARTFORD INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE MIDWEST AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., Case No. 01 L 158;
(vi) JACKSON v. NATIONALGENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., Case No. 02 L 628;
(vii) PARCHMENT v. TRAVELERS PROPERTY CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY OF ILLINOIS, TRAVELERS PROPERTY CASUALTY COMPANY, AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., Case No. 02 L 1135; and
(viii) CARTER, VANOVER AND URKE v. ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, NATIONAL-BEN FRANKLIN INSURANCE COMPANY OF ILLINOIS AND CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., Case No. 02 L 717
The proposed settlement class consists of all customers of the settling carriers who had a total loss claim from January 28, 1989 to July 18, 2005, for which the Company provided a valuation to the carrier. This settlement includes no admission of liability or wrongdoing by the Company or its customers. Upon final approval of the settlement, the above-described cases will be dismissed and the Company will receive releases with respect to the matters raised in the lawsuits. The Company, in turn, has agreed to pay for all costs of settlement administration and certain other costs associated with the settlement. The Company estimates that these costs will total approximately $8.0 million. Other settlement costs, including the payment of claims made by class members, will be paid by the insurance companies that are participating in the settlement.
On July 18, 2005, the Court granted preliminary approval to the settlement, and a final approval hearing is scheduled for December 20, 2005. In the third quarter of 2004, the Company increased its reserve for this potential litigation settlement by $1.9 million to $6.2 million, which is net of an expected insurance reimbursement of $1.8 million. The settlement administrator has undertaken certain settlement administration activities and has sent notices to the class. The Company has paid approximately $2.7 million related to this work, which has been charged against the settlement reserve. Additionally, the Company has reached an agreement in principle to contribute approximately $2.9 million to the settlement of an additional case that has previously been disclosed, styled "PAK et al. v. FARMERS GROUP INC. and FARMERS INSURANCE EXCHANGE, Case No. CV98-04873 (Second Judicial District of the State of Nevada in and for Washoe County). As a result, the current recorded reserve has been increased by $2.9 million in the third quarter of 2005 to account for this anticipated settlement.


CCC Consumer Suits Against It:
Plaintiffs filed a writ of certiorari with the Georgia Supreme Court over the Georgia Appeals Court's affirmation of the dismissal of the charges in three class actions filed against CCC Information Services, Inc., namely:
(1) McGOWAN v. PROGRESSIVE CASUALTY INS. CO., PROGRESSIVE INS. CO., and CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., Case No. 00VS006525 (filed June 16, 2000);
(2) DASHER v. ATLANTA CASUALTY CO. and CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., Case No. 00VS006315 (filed June 16, 2000);
(3) WALKER v. STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INS. CO. and CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC., Case No. 00VS007964 (filed August 2, 2000)
The Plaintiffs in these three cases, initially filed in the Superior Court in Fulton County, Georgia, seeks to represent a nationwide class of insureds against the Company and the named insurance company defendant and alleges that CCC's Valuescope valuation service provides values that do not comply with applicable state regulations governing total loss claims settlements. Plaintiffs assert various common law and statutory claims against the Company and the insurance company defendants, including claims under the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statute. Plaintiffs seek unspecified compensatory, treble and punitive damages, attorneys' fees and expenses.

As Attorney Edward M. Ricci, Esq. has written: http://www.riccilaw.com/CM/Articles/Articles37.asp

Insurance companies are in the business of protecting their insureds by spreading risks. In so doing, they are entitled to make a fair and reasonable profit. However, in the conducting of their business, insurance companies "owe a duty to the insured to exercise the utmost good faith." Baxter v. Royal Indemnity Company, 285 So.2d 652 (Fla. 1st DCA 1973).

Florida courts did not choose the word "utmost" loosely. The word is defined in the dictionary as "of the highest or greatest degree-the greatest possible amount-the maximum." American Heritage Dictionary of the English language.

The key to understanding insurance bad faith is to first understand the duty owed by an insurance company to its insured. Before one can understand bad faith, one must understand the definition of good faith. Paraphrasing the Florida Standard Jury Instruction MI3.1

"Good faith consists of settling a claim within policy limits when under all the circumstances the insurance company could and should have done so had it acted fairly and honestly towards its insured and with due regard for its insured's interest."

Phrasing the issue as simply as possible: an insurance company must put the interest of the insured ahead of its own. When it fails to do so, it is presumed to have acted in bad faith.

Why have the courts come down so strongly against insurance companies? Why have the courts imposed such strict duties upon insurance carriers? The answers lie in the nature of the insurance business. Insureds - ordinary citizens - sign contracts of adhesion when they buy insurance policies.

"When the insured has surrender to its insurer all control over the handling of the claim, including all decisions with respect to litigation and settlement, then the insurer must assume a duty to exercise such control and make such decisions in good faith and with due regard for the interest of the insured." Boston Old Colony v. Gutierrez, 336 So.2d 783 (Fla. 1980).

The consumer does not get to pick the language of an insurance policy. The ordinary consumer, unlike huge corporations, are faced with a "take it or leave it" deal. Accept the insurance in the form presented, or get no insurance at all. The standard policy reserves to the insurance company all control over the handling of claims. As a consequence the courts impose strict duties upon insurance carriers to act "fairly and honestly toward the insured and with due regard for his interests." FSJI MI3.1.

In conclusion, given the countless and ongoing class action lawsuits against CCC Valuescope there should now be no question that CCC Valuescope is not independent in its auto valuations and is guilty of violating the U.S. federal RICO Act and Florida Insurance Regulations, along with many of the complicit insurance companies such as USAA who willingly and knowingly use their product with the intent to deceive

What then do you propose to do about it to protect the insured motorists within the State of Florida?

Sincerely concerned.

Paul F Davis

www.PaulFDavis.com

RevivingNations@yahoo.com

Paul F. Davis is a world-changer who has touched over 50 countries & 6 continents building bridges cross-culturally and empowering people throughout the earth to live their dreams!

Paul is the author of 14 books. Paul has appeared on numerous internationally broadcast radio shows from Oprah & Friends to Fox News Radio to talk about conflict resolution, peacemaking, foreign policy, and diplomacy. Playboy Radio’s Afternoon Advice host Tiffany Granath calls Paul an "awesome" relational coach and recommends his books on love, dating, and sexuality.

Academically outstanding Davis was trained in transformative mediation & conflict resolution (Hofstra Law School); strategic negotiations (Harvard Business School & U. of Washington); advanced interrogation (Reid & Associates founders of the polygraph); and NLP & Life Coaching (NLP & Coaching Institute of California).

Paul humorously and elegantly transforms individuals and organizations.

Paul's organization Dream-Maker Inc. builds dreams, transcends limitations, & reconciles nations.

Paul worked at Ground Zero in NYC during 9/11; helped rebuild a home at the tsunami epicenter; comforted victims of genocide in Rwanda; spoke to leaders in East Timor during the war; inspired students & monks in Myanmar; promoted peace & reconciliation in Pakistan; and has been so deep into the bush of rural Africa where villagers had never before seen a white man.

Paul empowers people to love passionately and live fearlessly.

http://www.PaulFDavis.com
RevivingNations@yahoo.com

Florida Towers and Tow Truck Companies Working with Police to Defraud Citizens, While Violating Safety and Consumer Business Practices

Dear Governor Crist,

Warm summer greetings from Orlando's city beautiful.

First I want to thank you for your outstanding and heartfelt service to our State and its people.

As you know Senator Victor D. Crist has been tirelessly working for years to reform legislation and toughen tower regulations before local law enforcement discard Florida citizens' automobiles to unscrupulous towers.

I urge you to give the utmost attention to this matter considering the safety and personal property of the people of Florida are at stake.

Please allow me to document a dreadful incident I experienced after I was hit by a repeat offending drunk driver in Volusia County at 4:40pm on July 8, 2008. Following a near deadly accident in which I was hit repeatedly by an out of control drunk driver who never thought to apply her brakes until she hit me and thereafter drove off the highway to hit another car parked at a restaurant, my car ended up in the restaurant drive way.

Deland Police Officer Quinn did an excellent job attending to the accident and filing the crash report 09675822. Another officer working for Deland's law enforcement however was very pushy and impatient with me when informing me that my car would have to be towed by reason of State law, which I was told required all vehicles be removed within 30 minutes.

I had every intention of removing the vehicle and bringing it back to my home in Orlando, but first needed to attend a brief interview for a Masters degree program in Mental Health Counseling at Stetson University two blocks down the road. Nevertheless the unknown officer was so overbearing I had no choice, but to comply after which the police assigned tow truck "Johnny's Auto Body" arrived to remove my car.

When I phoned Johnny's Auto Body (230 S Industrial Dr. Orange City, FL 32763) on the morning of July 9th to inquire as to the itemized charges, they were very unprofessional and rude to me. When I arrived at 9:00am on July 11th to pick up my car from the storage yard, the following series of events transpired.

My car was kept at Johnny's Auto Shop for 3 days, but they charged me for 4 days. Johnny's receptionist and owner refused to show me an itemization of charges and demanded I pay in cash beforehand.

Hence I could not see what I was paying for and was made to pay for highly questionable charges and fees that I knew nothing about before I could see an itemized invoice. When I looked at my car before the AAA tow truck arrived, Johnny's refused to allow me to take any of my personal items (like breath mints) out of my car.

As our relations immediately reached an impasse, the secretary and owner barking out orders behind the desk refused to give me their names when I asked. Beyond lacking professionalism, they were quite rude and condescending.

I felt like I was being treated like a criminal just released from jail on bond, but I was nothing of the sort as I had been hit by a drunk driver and just wanted to retrieve my car.

After paying $331.52, Johnny refused to allow me and my mechanic next door into Johnny's storage yard (which is marked "not responsible for vehicles or contents"). Johnny wanted $55 to move my car 20 yards on to the street so my mechanic could make a free estimate for repairs. Johnny himself offered me an estimate for $25 for repairs, which I refused. Furthermore, Johnny's refused to allow me to park my rental car in his massive empty parking lot, neither did the company allow me to wait in their lush AC showroom while AAA took 2 hours to come.

So after enduring being hit by a drunk driver and sustaining back and neck injuries, I had to wait outdoors in the hot sun to retrieve my vehicle from a tow company I in advance paid in full and was afterward treated by the company like a criminal.

Johnny's has big jugs of water from Crystal Springs but wouldn't give me a cup to have a drink when I was thirsty. Johnny's wanted to charge me $25 to use his bathroom.

When I finally received a somewhat itemized invoice for charges amounting to $331.52, the invoice was not legible as the ink was extremely faded. I kindly asked for another darker and more legible copy, but was told by the secretary that they were out of ink. I than asked for a copy to be mailed me once they purchased ink for their printer. Johnny immediately offered to mail me a legible copy for a fee of $25.

Upon walking around a bit and talking to Johnny's neighbors, I also discovered Johnny is disliked by some businessmen on his street. Auto Work next door told me, "Johnny's Auto Body is unprofessional in their approach. He treats people unfair and his neighboring businesses."

Auto Works are some very nice guys next to Johnny's Auto Shop. Auto Works told me that Johnny called the police on a woman who's battery died in front of his shop to have her arrested and her car removed.

Upon examining State records, I noticed numerous traffic citations against Johnny's and owner John Brucato which brings up safety concerns.

This being said, as a matter of public safety I must ask:

1. What professional standards does the Statewide Traffic Incident Management Team adhere to when adding towers and tow truck companies to law enforcement's roster to render services to the general public?

2. Does the State of Florida not regulate towing companies responding to law enforcement requests for service? And if not, should not local law enforcement and the State of Florida be jointly liable for referring such faulty and fraudulent companies to the general public?

3. Is not the quality of towers being given business in response to law enforcement needs a matter of legitimate concern to the State of Florida? And if not, are not transportation systems across the State being grossly jeopardized?

4. Are there no proper site management practices to which towers should be made to adhere when working on behalf of law enforcement across the State of Florida?

5. To what extent is the State of Florida and its respective countries properly training towers and tow truck responders?

6. Is not the State of Florida, its counties, and cities liable for the negative impact of improper tow procedures if it willfully neglects the above mentioned?

7. Should there not be some mutually agreed and acceptable safety and business practices for all towers responding to calls from law enforcement?

8. What procedures are currently being discussed and implemented to reduce the number of emergency vehicle crashes across the State of Florida?

9. When a tower has a record of traffic violations should he be licensed and referred business from law enforcement in the State of Florida? Should this industry be no less regulated than the Department of Education that will not hire a teacher with a criminal record?

10. When more deaths and injuries occur on our highways daily than anywhere else, what can be said for a State that carelessly neglects to attend to these matters?

11. Is the State of Florida currently complying with the Federal Highway Administration guidelines? To what extent are towers and tow companies being made to comply with National ITS Standards?

12. How is towing dispatched by law enforcement regulated and contracted for across the State of Florida? What minimal qualifications are required of towers before law enforcement dispatches business to these towing companies?

13. How committed are you to establish a team that meets on a regular basis to evaluate and improve coordinated incident responses to law enforcement and to address these above mentioned problems?

14. Are towers in the State of Florida required to be certified under the Towing and Recovery Association of America's National Driver Certification Program?
Governor Crist, I respectfully urge you to strategically plan and quickly attend to the matter of towers conspiring to defraud the general public and breaching their fiduciary duty to law enforcement and Florida's citizens.

Such safety violations and unfair business practices as mentioned above will no longer be tolerated by the people of Florida.

Sincerely concerned and wholeheartedly committed,

Paul F Davis
www.PaulFDavis.com

RevivingNations@yahoo.com

PO Box 684
Goldenrod, FL 32733

Paul F. Davis is a world-changing minister who has touched over 50 countries, more than 50 islands, and 6 continents building bridges cross-culturally and empowering people throughout the earth to live their dreams!

Paul is the author of 14 books. Paul has appeared on numerous internationally broadcast radio shows from Oprah & Friends to Fox News Radio to talk about conflict resolution, peacemaking, foreign policy, and diplomacy. Playboy Radio’s Afternoon Advice host Tiffany Granath calls Paul an "awesome" relational coach and recommends his books on love, dating, and sexuality.

Academically outstanding Davis was trained in transformative mediation & conflict resolution (Hofstra Law School); strategic negotiations (Harvard Business School & U. of Washington); advanced interrogation (Reid & Associates founders of the polygraph); and NLP & Life Coaching (NLP & Coaching Institute of California).

Paul humorously and elegantly transforms individuals and organizations.

Paul's organization Dream-Maker Inc. builds dreams, transcends limitations, & reconciles nations.

Paul worked at Ground Zero in NYC during 9/11; helped rebuild a home at the tsunami epicenter; comforted victims of genocide in Rwanda; spoke to leaders in East Timor during the war; inspired students & monks in Myanmar; promoted peace & reconciliation in Pakistan; and has been so deep into the bush of rural Africa where villagers had never before seen a white man.

Paul empowers people to love passionately and live fearlessly.

http://www.PaulFDavis.com

RevivingNations@yahoo.com

Johnny's Towing and Auto Body Shop Bad Business Practices - Deland, Orange City, Volusia County

Beware of John Brucato and Johnny's Autobody Inc. - Shop and Towing

230 S Industrial Dr
Orange City, FL 32763

Beware of doing business with Johnny's Towing and Autobody Inc. in Orange City, Florida. They have some highly questionable business practices, which many may deem bad and unethical. They also lack professionalism pertaining to standard and customary business practices.

I had my Honda taken from me in Deland on July 8, 2008 by the police against my will after I was hit by a drunk driver who was taken to jail. My car was kept at Johnny's Auto Shop for 3 days, but they charged me for 4 days when I arrived at 9am to pick up the car on the morning of July 11th. Johnny's refused to show me an itemization of charges and demanded cash before they would give me an itemized invoice and my car. Surprisingly, Johnny wouldn't let me take any of my personal items (like breath mints) out of my car. Johnny and his secretary were too ashamed to give me their names when I asked and were quite rude, evasive, and secretive. It kind of gave me the feeling that they knew they were up to no good and were always trying to cover their tracks.

They refused my minister's tax exemption with the state of Florida. After paying $331.52, Johnny refused to allow me and my mechanic next door into his storage yard (which is marked "not responsible for vehicles or contents"). Johnny wanted $55 to move my car 20 yards on to the street so my mechanic could make an estimate. Refused to allow me to park my rental car in his massive empty parking lot, nor to wait in his lush AC office lobby while AAA took 2 hours to come. So I had to wait outdoors in the hot sun.

Johnny has big jugs of water from Crystal Springs but wouldn't give me a cup. Johnny wanted to charge me $25 to use his bathroom and $25 for a legible copy of the invoice to be mailed me - having no ink for the copier initially providing me a very poor faded copy of the invoice, which could hardly be seen.

Upon walking around a bit and talking to Johnny's neighbors, I also discovered Johnny is disliked by some businessmen on his street. Auto Work next door told me, "Johnny's Auto Body is unprofessional in their approach. He treats people unfair and his neighboring businesses."

Auto Works are some very nice guys next to Johnny's Auto Shop. Auto Works told me that Johnny called the police on a woman who's battery died in front of his shop to have her arrested and her car removed. Auto Works next door told me Johnny complains about the grass when they mow it and any cut grass gets blown over into his side.

www.PaulFDavis.com

RevivingNations@yahoo.com

I found other concerns about Johnny online, beginning with traffic citations filed against Johnny's and John Brucato bring up safety concerns about the company.

I encourage you to add your complaints here as well and most importantly with the Better Business Bureau.


May 14, 2006 post by a disgruntled customer on http://yellowpages.superpages.com/reviews/userreviews.jsp?SRC=local&LID=WUKb0eGfQcshe8BI6qt66A%3D%3D&PI=1&CID said below:

Lied to. Would not release my vehicle for 3 days .Told police they were closed.Should lose privledge
advertised as open 24 Hrs. Towed vehicle after a arrest on a Fri. night. Were told by DeLand P.D. to release car.... advertised as open 24 Hrs. Towed vehicle after a arrest on a Fri. night. Were told by DeLand P.D. to release car. Said they would call me on Sat. Never did. I called 20x and was told they will not open till Mon. And will add money because I "aggravated them". I will be suing in civil court. They were also not on they Counties rotation to tow vehicles. I lost 2 days of work and they charged me 2 extra days of storage.



Send any additional complaints you have about Johnny's auto body and towing to RevivingNations@yahoo.com ......state in your complaint that you authorize Paul F Davis to post these complaints on your blog to notify and alert the general public and consumer.

www.PaulFDavis.com

John Brucato and Johnny's Towing Bad Business Practices - Auto Body Shop

Beware of John Brucato and Johnny's Autobody Inc. - Shop and Towing

230 S Industrial Dr
Orange City, FL 32763

Beware of doing business with Johnny's Towing and Autobody Inc. in Orange City, Florida. They have some highly questionable business practices, which many may deem bad and unethical. They also lack professionalism pertaining to standard and customary business practices.

I had my Honda taken from me in Deland on July 8, 2008 by the police against my will after I was hit by a drunk driver who was taken to jail. My car was kept at Johnny's Auto Shop for 3 days, but they charged me for 4 days when I arrived at 9am to pick up the car on the morning of July 11th. Johnny's refused to show me an itemization of charges and demanded cash before they would give me an itemized invoice and my car. Surprisingly, Johnny wouldn't let me take any of my personal items (like breath mints) out of my car. Johnny and his secretary were too ashamed to give me their names when I asked and were quite rude, evasive, and secretive. It kind of gave me the feeling that they knew they were up to no good and were always trying to cover their tracks.

They refused my minister's tax exemption with the state of Florida. After paying $331.52, Johnny refused to allow me and my mechanic next door into his storage yard (which is marked "not responsible for vehicles or contents"). Johnny wanted $55 to move my car 20 yards on to the street so my mechanic could make an estimate. Refused to allow me to park my rental car in his massive empty parking lot, nor to wait in his lush AC office lobby while AAA took 2 hours to come. So I had to wait outdoors in the hot sun.

Johnny has big jugs of water from Crystal Springs but wouldn't give me a cup. Johnny wanted to charge me $25 to use his bathroom and $25 for a legible copy of the invoice to be mailed me - having no ink for the copier initially providing me a very poor faded copy of the invoice, which could hardly be seen.

Upon walking around a bit and talking to Johnny's neighbors, I also discovered Johnny is disliked by some businessmen on his street. Auto Work next door told me, "Johnny's Auto Body is unprofessional in their approach. He treats people unfair and his neighboring businesses."

Auto Works are some very nice guys next to Johnny's Auto Shop. Auto Works told me that Johnny called the police on a woman who's battery died in front of his shop to have her arrested and her car removed. Auto Works next door told me Johnny complains about the grass when they mow it and any cut grass gets blown over into his side.

www.PaulFDavis.com

RevivingNations@yahoo.com

I found other concerns about Johnny's online, beginning with traffic citations filed against Johnny's and John Brucato bringing up safety concerns about the company. 

I encourage you to add your complaints here as well and most importantly with the Better Business Bureau.


May 14, 2006 post by a disgruntled customer on http://yellowpages.superpages.com/reviews/userreviews.jsp?SRC=local&LID=WUKb0eGfQcshe8BI6qt66A%3D%3D&PI=1&CID said below:

Lied to. Would not release my vehicle for 3 days .Told police they were closed.Should lose privledge
advertised as open 24 Hrs. Towed vehicle after a arrest on a Fri. night. Were told by DeLand P.D. to release car.... advertised as open 24 Hrs. Towed vehicle after a arrest on a Fri. night. Were told by DeLand P.D. to release car. Said they would call me on Sat. Never did. I called 20x and was told they will not open till Mon. And will add money because I "aggravated them". I will be suing in civil court. They were also not on they Counties rotation to tow vehicles. I lost 2 days of work and they charged me 2 extra days of storage.



Send any additional complaints you have about Johnny's auto body and towing to RevivingNations@yahoo.com ......state in your complaint that you authorize Paul F Davis to post these complaints on your blog to notify and alert the general public and consumer.

www.PaulFDavis.com

July 4th Message to United States of America from Benjamin Franklin - Founding Father and Independence Leader

Happy 4th of July to you...and a message below from Benjamin Franklin, the man who drafted the Constitution and helped achieve our independence.

Nevertheless even with all our flaws, we still live in a great nation for which we can give God thanks. Yet if we don't learn from the men who framed the Constitution and birthed our independence, are we not destined to lose it?

And if such were to occur, would we not be resolute to fall on our knees and return to the God of our forefathers (two-thirds of the signers of the Declaration of Independence being graduates from Biblical seminaries) and hearken to the principles of government they first established? Why than shall we not remove ourselves from the present day vanity and give heed to the ancient and timeless principles of good government to today secure the union?

www.PaulFDavis.com - author of United States of Arrogance

Rules By Which A Great Empire May Be Reduced To A Small One

[Presented privately to a late Minister, when he entered upon his Administration; and now first published.]

An ancient Sage valued himself upon this, that tho' he could not fiddle, he knew how to make a great City of a little one. The Science that I, a modern Simpleton, am about to communicate is the very reverse.

I address myself to all Ministers who have the Management of extensive Dominions, which from their very Greatness are become troublesome to govern, because the Multiplicity of their Affairs leaves no Time for fiddling.

1. In the first Place, Gentlemen, you are to consider, that a great Empire, like a great Cake, is most easily diminished at the Edges. Turn your Attention therefore first to your remotest Provinces; that as you get rid of them, the next may follow in Order.
2. That the Possibility of this Separation may always exist, take special Care the Provinces are never incorporated with the Mother Country, that they do not enjoy the same common Rights, the same Privileges in Commerce, and that they are governed by severer Laws, all of your enacting, without allowing them any Share in the Choice of the Legislators. By carefully making and preserving such Distinctions, you will (to keep to my Simile of the Cake) act like a wise Gingerbread Baker, who, to facilitate a Division, cuts his Dough half through in those Places, where, when bak'd, he would have it broken to Pieces.
3. These remote Provinces have perhaps been acquired, purchas'd, or conquer'd, at the sole Expence of the Settlers or their Ancestors, without the Aid of the Mother Country. If this should happen to increase her Strength by their growing Numbers ready to join in her Wars, her Commerce by their growing Demand for her Manufactures, or her Naval Power by greater Employment for her Ships and Seamen, they may probably suppose some Merit in this, and that it entitles them to some Favour; you are therefore to forget it all, or resent it as if they had done you Injury. If they happen to be zealous Whigs, Friends of Liberty,^[1] nurtur'd in Revolution Principles, remember all that to their Prejudice, and contrive to punish it: For such Principles, after a Revolution is thoroughly established, are of no more Use, they are even odious and abominable.
4. However peaceably your Colonies have submitted to your Government, shewn their Affection to your Interest, and patiently borne their Grievances, you are to suppose them always inclined to revolt, and treat them accordingly. Quarter Troops among them, who by their Insolence may provoke the rising of Mobs, and by their Bullets and Bayonets suppress them. By this Means, like the Husband who uses his Wife ill from Suspicion, you may in Time convert your Suspicions into Realities.
5. Remote Provinces must have Governors,^[2] and Judges, to represent the Royal Person, and execute every where the delegated Parts of his Office and Authority. You Ministers know, that much of the Strength of Government depends on the Opinion of the People; and much of that Opinion on the Choice of Rulers placed immediately over them. If you send them wise and good Men for Governors, who study the Interest of the Colonists, and advance their Prosperity, they will think their King wise and good, and that he wishes the Welfare of his Subjects. If you send them learned and upright Men for Judges, they will think him a Lover of Justice. This may attach your Provinces more to his Government. You are therefore to be careful who you recommend for those Offices. -- If you can find Prodigals who have ruined their Fortunes, broken Gamesters or Stock-Jobbers, these may do well as Governors; for they will probably be rapacious, and provoke the People by their Extortions. Wrangling Proctors and petty-fogging Lawyers too are not amiss, for they will be for ever disputing and quarrelling with their little Parliaments. If withal they should be ignorant, wrong-headed and insolent, so much the better. Attorneys Clerks and Newgate Solicitors will do for Chief-Justices, especially if they hold their Places during your Pleasure: -- And all will contribute to impress those ideas of your Government that are proper for a People you would wish to renounce it.
6. To confirm these Impressions, and strike them deeper, whenever the Injured come to the Capital with Complaints of Mal-administration, Oppression, or Injustice, punish such Suitors with long Delay, enormous Expence, and a final Judgment in Favour of the Oppressor. This will have an admirable Effect every Way. The Trouble of future Complaints will be prevented, and Governors and Judges will be encouraged to farther Acts of Oppression and Injustice; and thence the People may become more disaffected, and at length desperate.
7. When such Governors have crammed their Coffers, and made themselves so odious to the People that they can no longer remain among them with Safety to their Persons, recall and reward them with Pensions. You may make them Baronets too, if that respectable Order should not think fit to resent it. All will contribute to encourage new Governors in the same Practices, and make the supreme Government detestable.
8. If when you are engaged in War, your Colonies should vie in liberal Aids of Men and Money against the common Enemy, upon your simple Requisition, and give far beyond their Abilities, reflect, that a Penny taken from them by your Power is more honourable to you than a Pound presented by their Benevolence. Despise therefore their voluntary Grants, and resolve to harrass them with novel Taxes. They will probably complain to your Parliaments that they are taxed by a Body in which they have no Representative, and that this is contrary to common Right. They will petition for Redress. Let the Parliaments flout their Claims, reject their Petitions, refuse even to suffer the reading of them, and treat the Petitioners with the utmost Contempt. Nothing can have a better Effect, in producing the Alienation proposed; for though many can forgive Injuries, none ever forgave Contempt.
9. In laying these Taxes, never regard the heavy Burthens those remote People already undergo, in defending their own Frontiers, supporting their own provincial Governments, making new Roads, building Bridges, Churches and other public Edifices, which in old Countries have been done to your Hands by your Ancestors, but which occasion constant Calls and Demands on the Purses of a new People. Forget the Restraints you lay on their Trade for your own Benefit, and the Advantage a Monopoly of this Trade gives your exacting Merchants. Think nothing of the Wealth those Merchants and your Manufacturers acquire by the Colony Commerce; their encreased Ability thereby to pay Taxes at home; their accumulating, in the Price of their Commodities, most of those Taxes, and so levying them from their consuming Customers: All this, and the Employment and Support of Thousands of your Poor by the Colonists, you are intirely to forget. But remember to make your arbitrary Tax more grievous to your Provinces, by public Declarations importing that your Power of taxing them has no Limits, so that when you take from them without their Consent a Shilling in the Pound, you have a clear Right to the other nineteen. This will probably weaken every Idea of Security in their Property, and convince them that under such a Government they have nothing they can call their own; which can scarce fail of producing the happiest Consequences!
10. Possibly indeed some of them might still comfort themselves, and say, `Though we have no Property, we have yet something left that is valuable; we have constitutional Liberty both of Person and of Conscience. This King, these Lords, and these Commons, who it seems are too remote from us to know us and feel for us, cannot take from us our Habeas Corpus Right, or our Right of Trial by a Jury of our Neighbours: They cannot deprive us of the Exercise of our Religion, alter our ecclesiastical Constitutions, and compel us to be Papists if they please, or Mahometans.' To annihilate this Comfort, begin by Laws to perplex their Commerce with infinite Regulations impossible to be remembered and observed; ordain Seizures of their Property for every Failure; take away the Trial of such Property by Jury, and give it to arbitrary Judges of your own appointing, and of the lowest Characters in the Country, whose Salaries and Emoluments are to arise out of the Duties or Condemnations, and whose Appointments are during Pleasure. Then let there be a formal Declaration of both Houses, that Opposition to your Edicts is Treason, and that Persons suspected of Treason in the Provinces may, according to some obsolete Law, be seized and sent to the Metropolis of the Empire for Trial; and pass an Act that those there charged with certain other Offences shall be sent away in Chains from their Friends and Country to be tried in the same Manner for Felony. Then erect a new Court of Inquisition among them, accompanied by an armed Force, with Instructions to transport all such suspected Persons, to be ruined by the Expence if they bring over Evidences to prove their Innocence, or be found guilty and hanged if they can't afford it. And lest the People should think you cannot possibly go any farther, pass another solemn declaratory Act, that `King, Lords, and Commons had, hath, and of Right ought to have, full Power and Authority to make Statutes of sufficient Force and Validity to bind the unrepresented Provinces IN ALL CASES WHATSOEVER.' This will include spiritual with temporal; and taken together, must operate wonderfully to your Purpose, by convincing them, that they are at present under a Power something like that spoken of in the Scriptures, which can not only kill their Bodies, but damn their Souls to all Eternity, by compelling them, if it pleases, to worship the Devil.
11. To make your Taxes more odious, and more likely to procure Resistance, send from the Capital a Board of Officers to superintend the Collection, composed of the most indiscreet, ill-bred and insolent you can find. Let these have large Salaries out of the extorted Revenue, and live in open grating Luxury upon the Sweat and Blood of the Industrious, whom they are to worry continually with groundless and expensive Prosecutions before the above-mentioned arbitrary Revenue-Judges, all at the Cost of the Party prosecuted tho' acquitted, because the King is to pay no Costs. -- Let these Men by your Order be exempted from all the common Taxes and Burthens of the Province, though they and their Property are protected by its Laws. If any Revenue Officers are suspected of the least Tenderness for the People, discard them. If others are justly complained of, protect and reward them. If any of the Under-officers behave so as to provoke the People to drub them, promote those to better Offices: This will encourage others to procure for themselves such profitable Drubbings, by multiplying and enlarging such Provocations, and all with work towards the End you aim at.
12. Another Way to make your Tax odious, is to misapply the Produce of it. If it was originally appropriated for the Defence of the Provinces and the better Support of Government, and the Administration of Justice where it may be necessary, then apply none of it to that Defence, but bestow it where it is not necessary, in augmented Salaries or Pensions to every Governor who has distinguished himself by his Enmity to the People, and by calumniating them to their Sovereign. This will make them pay it more unwillingly, and be more apt to quarrel with those that collect it, and those that imposed it, who will quarrel again with them, and all shall contribute to your main Purpose of making them weary of your Government.
13. If the People of any Province have been accustomed to support their own Governors and Judges to Satisfaction, you are to apprehend that such Governors and Judges may be thereby influenced to treat the People kindly, and to do them Justice. This is another Reason for applying Part of that Revenue in larger Salaries to such Governors and Judges, given, as their Commissions are, during your Pleasure only, forbidding them to take any Salaries from their Provinces; that thus the People may no longer hope any Kindness from their Governors, or (in Crown Cases) any Justice from their Judges. And as the Money thus mis-applied in one Province is extorted from all, probably all will resent the Mis-application.
14. If the Parliaments of your Provinces should dare to claim Rights or complain of your Administration, order them to be harass'd with repeated Dissolutions. If the same Men are continually return'd by new Elections, adjourn their Meetings to some Country Village where they cannot be accommodated, and there keep them during Pleasure; for this, you know, is your PREROGATIVE; and an excellent one it is, as you may manage it, to promote Discontents among the People, diminish their Respect, and increase their Dis-affection.
15. Convert the brave honest Officers of your Navy into pimping Tide-waiters and Colony Officers of the Customs. Let those who in Time of War fought gallantly in Defence of the Commerce of their Countrymen, in Peace be taught to prey upon it. Let them learn to be corrupted by great and real Smugglers, but (to shew their Diligence) scour with armed Boats every Bay, Harbour, River, Creek, Cove or Nook throughout the Coast of your Colonies, stop and detain every Coaster, every Wood-boat, every Fisherman, tumble their Cargoes, and even their Ballast, inside out and upside down; and if a Penn'orth of Pins is found un-entered, let the Whole be seized and confiscated. Thus shall the Trade of your Colonists suffer more from their Friends in Time of Peace, than it did from their Enemies in War. Then let these Boats Crews land upon every Farm in their Way, rob the Orchards, steal the Pigs and Poultry, and insult the Inhabitants. If the injured and exasperated Farmers, unable to procure other Justice, should attack the Agressors, drub them and burn their Boats, you are to call this High Treason and Rebellion, order Fleets and Armies into their Country, and threaten to carry all the Offenders three thousand Miles to be hang'd, drawn and quartered. O! this will work admirably!
16. If you are told of Discontents in your Colonies, never believe that they are general, or that you have given Occasion for them; therefore do not think of applying any Remedy, or of changing any offensive Measure. Redress no Grievance, lest they should be encouraged to demand the Redress of some other Grievance. Grant no Request that is just and reasonable, lest they should make another that is unreasonable. Take all your Informations of the State of the Colonies from your Governors and Officers in Enmity with them. Encourage and reward these Leasing-makers; secrete their lying Accusations lest they should be confuted; but act upon them as the clearest Evidence, and believe nothing you hear from the Friends of the People. Suppose all their Complaints to be invented and promoted by a few factious Demagogues, whom if you could catch and hang, all would be quiet. Catch and hang a few of them accordingly; and the Blood of the Martyrs shall work Miracles in favour of your Purpose.
17. If you see rival Nations rejoicing at the Prospect of your Disunion with your Provinces, and endeavouring to promote it: If they translate, publish and applaud all the Complaints of your discontented Colonists, at the same Time privately stimulating you to severer Measures; let not that alarm or offend you. Why should it? since you all mean the same Thing.
18. If any Colony should at their own Charge erect a Fortress to secure their Port against the Fleets of a foreign Enemy, get your Governor to betray that Fortress into your Hands. Never think of paying what it cost the Country, for that would look, at least, like some Regard for Justice; but turn it into a Citadel to awe the Inhabitants and curb their Commerce. If they should have lodged in such Fortress the very Arms they bought and used to aid you in your Conquests, seize them all, 'twill provoke like Ingratitude added to Robbery. One admirable Effect of these Operations will be, to discourage every other Colony from erecting such Defences, and so their and your Enemies may more easily invade them, to the great Disgrace of your Government, and of course the Furtherance of your Project.
19. Send Armies into their Country under Pretence of protecting the Inhabitants; but instead of garrisoning the Forts on their Frontiers with those Troops, to prevent Incursions, demolish those Forts, and order the Troops into the Heart of the Country, that the Savages may be encouraged to attack the Frontiers, and that the Troops may be protected by the Inhabitants: This will seem to proceed from your Ill will or your Ignorance, and contribute farther to produce and strengthen an Opinion among them, that you are no longer fit to govern them.

Lastly, Invest the General of your Army in the Provinces with great and unconstitutional Powers, and free him from the Controul of even your own Civil Governors. Let him have Troops enow under his Command, with all the Fortresses in his Possession; and who knows but (like some provincial Generals in the Roman Empire, and encouraged by the universal Discontent you have produced) he may take it into his Head to set up for himself. If he should, and you have carefully practised these few excellent Rules of mine, take my Word for it, all the Provinces will immediately join him, and you will that Day (if you have not done it sooner) get rid of the Trouble of governing them, and all the Plagues attending their Commerce and Connection from thenceforth and for ever.

www.PaulFDavis.com - author of United States of Arrogance

Paul F. Davis is a world-changing leadership & diversity speaker who has touched over 50 countries & 6 continents building bridges cross-culturally and empowering people throughout the earth to live their dreams!

Paul is the author of 14 books. Paul has appeared on numerous internationally broadcast radio shows from Oprah & Friends to Fox News Radio to talk about conflict resolution, peacemaking, foreign policy, and diplomacy. Playboy Radio’s Afternoon Advice host Tiffany Granath calls Paul an "awesome" relational coach and recommends his books on love, dating, and sexuality.

Academically outstanding Davis was trained in transformative mediation & conflict resolution (Hofstra Law School); strategic negotiations (Harvard Business School & U. of Washington); advanced interrogation (Reid & Associates founders of the polygraph); and NLP & Life Coaching (NLP & Coaching Institute of California).

Paul humorously and elegantly transforms individuals and organizations.

Paul's organization Dream-Maker Inc. builds dreams, transcends limitations, & reconciles nations.

Paul worked at Ground Zero in NYC during 9/11; helped rebuild a home at the tsunami epicenter; comforted victims of genocide in Rwanda; spoke to leaders in East Timor during the war; inspired students & monks in Myanmar; promoted peace & reconciliation in Pakistan; and has been so deep into the bush of rural Africa where villagers had never before seen a white man.

Paul empowers people to love passionately and live fearlessly.

http://www.PaulFDavis.com

Ezinearticles.com Censorship - Expert Platinum Author Censored for Political and Foreign Policy Poetry

http://ezinearticles.com/?Celebrate-Banned-Books-Week---Top-20-Censorship-Quotations&id=300329

As one of ezinearticles own authors has revealed President Dwight Eisenhower encouraged us to read everything and censor nothing.

Mark Twain said we censor what reveals our own shame.

Thankfully the final word shall not be censored when we all stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account for our actions at the end of the age.

God's prophets shall not remain silent. Believe them and be blessed (2Chronicles 20:20).

Like me God loves America, but He is not an American ....for He loves the world (John 3:16).

Paul F Davis

www.PaulFDavis.com

American Fascism and Nationalism Gone Awry

As we celebrate the 4th of July, I a man who worked at Ground Zero the first week of 9/11 and was intimately acquainted with our national grief, ask you a question.

Is it possible for Benjamin Franklin the drafter of the Declaration of Independence to be patriotic while writing an essay titled "Rules by Which a Great Empire May Be Reduced to a Small One"?
Was Benjamin Franklin against the very America he helped construct? I say on the contrary. Yet he was honest enough as a citizen of the world, as a man esteemed in France and Great Britain, to address the flaws and dangers which he saw in his own country.

Am I less of a citizen for doing likewise? Should my words and writings be censored and the U.S. Constitution violated so your patriotism is not questioned? What would Benjamin Franklin say?

Paul F Davis - author of United States of Arrogance and Poems That Propel The Planet

www.PaulFDavis.com

American foolhardy fascism
Causing international schism
Global wars and demonization
Unprecedented hostile division
Political arrogance and polarization
Is this democracy truly freedom?
Or merely hypocrisy and domination
By aristocracy in government serving self
Profiting greedily and hurting everyone else
A lame duck in the White House floating
Our currency, bankrupting our country
Destroying our international credibility
With his executive new world disorder
The son worse than the oil rich father
Covertly operating and kissing Saudis
Bowing to oil rich, terrorist supporting royalty
Yet at home rhetorically saying support the troops
While his dealings and policy do something else
Nationalism done in the name of morality is not godly
Neither is it in the best interest of national security
As we irritate, anger, and create new terrorists daily
Why can't we open our eyes, be honest, and see
That our foreign policy is presumptuous and proud
Full of deceit, phony intel, WMD, and lies to cloud
The good American people's judgment to resolve
Hopefully Obama can get elected and problems solve
Before the USA does soon disintegrate and dissolve
In an abyss of ignorance, arrogance, and global defiance
America must realize around it the world does not revolve.
God break us free from our own propaganda and presumption
Our tendency has been global alienation and alleviation of truth
As our leaders lie, deny, detour us, and call opposition uncouth
Yet the reality is it is those who vainly lead the show that must go!
They have called immorality American, to which the people say no!
Invading nations, occupying lands, and killing innocents is not democracy
Neither are leaders who don't take responsibility and deceive with duplicity.
God expose the lies and restore to this crumbling nation truth and liberty.


Paul F Davis - author of Poems That Propel The Planet: Love, Liberation & Reconciliation

http://paulfdavis.com/booksvideos.htm