User reviews

Aaron Russo set out to find out about legality of taxing income in the United States and ended up discovering more than he bargained for, or at least so he tells us. Although Russo seems to have a preconceived view on the topics he examines in this film, it is well worth a close viewing.

The film asks a lot of important questions that aren't tackled in the mainstream media; its importance lies in the fact that it encourages people to question the actions of those in power (the U.S. government and the elite) and demand answers.

I follow the debate on our civil liberties pretty closely, and I was still surprised to learn many things about the income tax, the Federal Reserve Bank, national ID cards, and other threats to the civil liberties of Americans and the citizens of the world.

I took issue with certain sections of the film, especially the section on immigration. But, overall, the issues covered were very important to be educated about and are never touched by media sources in the U.S.

Check this film out for a shock and a reality check.

9 out of 10

So you like hearing about how you are being grifted by what was supposed to be the "servant of the people"… Great! Here is a good place to start.

As a film… the first half of this was excellent. It is completely worth seeing if you pay taxes… or are considering paying taxes someday. Aaron Russo sets out to make a point… and does it pretty well. Very good interview footage and great editing. You can argue the validity of his claims with outside information all you want and cite whatever technicality that you wish… and you might be right… but NOBODY can refute this statement; "You don't get all the facts from Uncle Sam… and when you don't get the facts, usually there is something to hide." So at the very least, this doc is effective at illustrating that point using the IRS and the income tax issue as a case study.

The second half of the movie gets a little more wide eyed and points, vaguely, in the direction some other issues that Russo would like us to look in including RFID, corporate monopoly over the media, and the New World Order wisely avoiding the word "Illuminati". The fastest way to get anything legitimate you have to say dismissed is to even whisper that word. I didn't mind it, but I could see how the ending could off putting to those of us who haven't read "Behold a Pale Horse" or spent a few hours in a room with Jim Marrs.

Russo's sincerity shines through this movie and I don't recall him directing the viewer towards any particular interest group, (other than a general acceptance of 3rd party candidates) which is refreshing.

In conclusion… go see this movie. It is a wonderful piece of work that will shine a very uncomfortable light on your current perspective… unless you've been bull-horning the Bilderbergers for years, in which case you already knew all of this was happening and are probably just happy that you and your family haven't been forced to manually turn the turbines that power Mt. Weather.

This is one documentary that EVERYBODY should see. Be you American, British, Asian, Chinese, black, white, purple or green this film is a door opener to the world of the elitist brigade that are running our entire planet. I am English, so this movie doesn't affect me directly, but if I were American I would be sincerely worried about the state of my country (I know I am about my own).

As a film this works kind of awkwardly,Russo's commentary is sometimes dull and monotone but the message it carries is difficult to ignore. I do not want to compare this with the current flood of 911 'conspiracy' documentaries but it is difficult to measure against any other kind of film, however, saying that I think this is a great eye opener to a wider picture that maybe will appeal to more people because of it's 'you don't have to pay income tax' narrative. I hope that people that see this film are prepared for the can of worms that will open when they look to the internet for answers on the Federal Reserve system.

There is a very interesting interview with Robert Ross on Google video that people might like to check out, it explains the banking system in shocking detail. It can be found here: http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay docid=2627291467605375185&q=robert+ross

Hundreds turn out for screening of Aaron Russo's "America: From Freedom to Fascism" By Kat Dillon About 300 people attended the We the People Foundation (http://givemeliberty.org) screening of Aaron Russo's new movie, "America: From Freedom to Fascism" in Londonderry on Sunday March 26th. Russo's movie delved into a wide array of subjects, from the Federal Reserve system, lack of accountability from Fort Knox gold reserves, the legality of the Federal Income Tax, IRS abuses of the innocent, lack of constitutional restraint, similarities of the US to a police state, The New World Order, the upcoming National ID Card, to abuses of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.

The film's impetus was the Truth-in-Taxation Movement's claim that the Federal Income Tax does not apply to most people living and working in American. The We the People Foundation has been asking the government a simple question, "Where is the law that says average Americans have to pay taxes on their wages?" Easy question, right? But since 2002, the Federal Government and the IRS have refused to answer this straightforward question. The Supreme Court has ruled that the 16th Amendment did not confer to the government any new taxation powers (Stanton v. Baltic Mining Co.) The movie points to lower court judges blatantly refusing to allow this Supreme Court decision be entered into evidence in trials of tax resisters. Ex-IRS Commissioner Sheldon Cohen ended the interview when asked about this Supreme Court decision, rather than answer Russo's questions about it.

The issue of the Federal Reserve has surprises for even those familiar with the subject. In 1913, the power allotted to Congress to coin money was handed over to a private group of banks otherwise known as the Federal Reserve. Author Franklin Saunders asks, "Why have we given a monopoly of creating money out of thin air to a private corporation?" That the public is not allowed to even know what banks are a part of the Federal Reserve is driven home by author Michael Ruppert. Toward the end of the movie, it is revealed that there has not been an accounting of the gold in Fort Knox in recent history.

In an interview with Congressman Ron Paul of Texas, Paul states, "You have to get permission for almost everything. If that's a definition of a police state, that you can't do anything unless the government gives you permission, we're well on our way." Dramatic footage brings the police state into focus with a Florida woman being repeatedly tasered to her pitiful screams of pain. Her crime? Driving with a suspended license. Another woman is tasered while huddled on the ground. She had been protesting.

Programmer Clinton Eugene Curtis is questioned at a hearing about programs for the new electronic voting machines, "Mr. Curtis, are there programs that can be used to fix elections?" Curtis replies with a definitive, "Yes." And when asked if he thought the Ohio presidential election in 2004 was rigged, he said that it appeared to have been.

New Hampshire activist and Spychips author Katherine Albrecht is interviewed in the movie about the dangers of RFID technology. She paints a frightening picture of our every move, our every purchase being tracked by the government in the near future. With the use of RFID in money, you could not make purchases with regular money without the approval or knowledge of the government. To be a political dissident would be a condemnation to live completely outside normal society.

At the end of the movie, Russo poses the very apt question, "What are you going to do about it?" He first poses the idea of civil disobedience, a great suggestion, which I think he should have stuck with. The movie screams for revolt. But he dilutes the whole message of the movie by then suggesting electing people who will not do these horrible things to us, even after making it clear that the elections are rigged. He would have done well to stick with the idea of non-violent, non-cooperation in the tradition of Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. I wonder if Mr. Russo realizes the power of such action. It cannot be ignored, and puts pressure on everyone to act. It is feared by government more than any other means of resistance, for good reason. They must have our consent to enslave us. They are too few, and we too many for it to be otherwise.

You can view a preview of the movie online at http://www.freedomtofascism.com/. Russo plans to release the movie to theaters this summer.

Wow! I thought I knew what to expect when I saw this film. However, I didn't realize how deep Aaron Russo would dive into the inner workings of the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Reserve. Even the IRS doesn't know the very laws that it is supposed to be(and doing a good job of) enforcing. One wouldn't think that Gestapo-like tactics would be used in America, land of the FREE, but they are. Every American who thinks he/she is truly free (as our Founding Fathers intended us to be) will be shocked and disturbed at the truth. We are enslaved and the truth shall set you free. You can't ignore the facts in this film. I commend Aaron Russo for his fearlessness as well as for educating his fellow Americans.

This movie is a must see to every American who is fed up with or questions the government. This documentary is engaging and presents a mystery from the beginning. Why do we pay income tax? Who really controls this government? Go on an investigation with Aaron Russo and the people he's interviewed. Prepare to be intrigued and entertained and to leave the movie with answers! It is set to be released in July, but if there is a pre-screening near you, go! He gives both sides of the issues and presents a fair but skeptical view of what is happening in this country. Unlike Fahrenheit 911, this movie does not shove anything down the audience's throats. It presents questions, answers some, and leaves room for your own investigations. This movie is truly spectacular and worth the travel to see it: I flew from Milwaukee, WI to San Francisco just to see it!

I've been studying American History (the real history, not the high school version) all my life and I'm 58 years old now. I have read countless out of print and rare books and done much investigation, and I can say, without a doubt, that this movie is 99% accurate, and those of you who spoof at it and rate it low - I'd be willing to bet that you don't know enough about the country you live in, and how we got to where we are, to even intelligently judge it.

The Federal Reserve and the IRS - both private corporations and NOT part of the US Government - have ruined this country. It is a fact that the US declared bankruptcy in 1932 with HJR192 and that every country which has gone off the gold standard for money and started printing fiat money, has collapsed. We will be no different - just a matter of time.

This film is a political film from a concerned producer who doesn't need to do this movie.... He has been successful and is doing this from the concern he has developed for his country.

It covers many aspects and unlike michael moore, he is not approaching this from a partisan viewpoint. He was very balanced and bipartisan, simply approaching these terrible realities from the viewpoint of a genuine person who cares about the decline of a great nation.

This film was good. The content was substantiated and he built a good case... I think anyone who cares at all about their future as a US citizen, and the future of their children should watch this movie.

Watch it , bring your friends....

It's always good to ask those who are sending messages in documentaries "what's in it for you?". As we left the theater there was someone handing out brochures for an organization called 'World Freedom Ventures'. Part of their package that you buy when you join will "help you obtain a Limited Liability Corporation which will manage a bank account that holds all savings and earnings... You will also be given the opportunity to be trained and developed as a World Freedom Ventures Associate, enabling you to create your own Sovereignty business". Yes folks; it's a business. If you get fired up enough by watching this film and check out the website (and the film does a good job of prodding you to do so if you're a 'real' patriot), you'll get the whole picture. Prosperity is the name of the game, not patriotism. Why pay your hard-earned money to a corporate government when you can be your own corporation sticking it to the little guy? That's the rub of course; working class and poor people have no "assets, valuables and property" to invest; somebody's gotta get screwed! "As long as it's not me!" is maybe 'The American Way' to some people but I grew up in the incandescence of the JFK administration that said, "ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country".

I know our tax system is screwed up and our current administration is the most vile and corrupt for some 74 years. This film has some important and excellent points on the corruption of our government and the incompetence of our legal system (well, we all knew about that!). The atrocious militarism of our police force is a reality here and now, and many of the waves of the future they are foretelling are not science fiction. But... when it comes to taking in information that is as radical as we see in this film, one must consider all the sources. In this film, they've got everyone from left-wing muckrakers like Mike Ruppert to right-wing muckrakers like Dave Champion. Many of the folks in this film are from waaaaay-out there movements or at least dumb enough to hang out with those folks. Katherine Albrecht for instance recently gave a talk for the Berean Chronicle; a group so radical that they believe that Billy Graham is Satan and that the moon landing was a fake. (Check: retakingamerica.com/past_guest for verification).

I sort of recommend this film as a springboard for asking questions, not as a cause that may have you unknowingly supporting some other political agenda that you have strong disagreements with. Do your homework, and then ask the same hard questions of any organization you might join as you would your government (by all means, question them too!!!). A true patriot would do no less.

Russo's presentation of the income-tax fraud is brilliant, and his warnings of the imminent government card & chip ID and control systems, chilling. The effect is sadly and badly marred, however, by his relentless attribution of blame to a shadowy group of "international bankers" and the Federal Reserve.

The Fed is a club of banks, granted special privileges by the Federal Government in exchange for its role in creating "money" for its use out of thin air. Those privileges include the right for member banks to lend money at interest which they did not possess on deposit the instant before the loan was made and the mortgage received; this is called "fractional reserve" banking and is a prime cause of inflation.

Every other company and industry group that beds down with government also gains benefits at productive peoples' expense; there is no fundamental difference. The correct solution is to terminate government; then, all such companies would be free to compete - but only honestly. Government can (alas) survive without bankers; bankers can survive without government only as harmless players in the marketplace, with no special powers to harm anyone.

"America: from Freedom to Fascism" is a fine production. Tragically, it blames the wrong culprit.

It's depressing to see how many people actually believe the material presented in this "documentary" is true. The movie claims to expose a huge, hidden plan to financially and politically enslave the American public.

The first portion of the movie "reveals" that there is no law requiring individuals to pay income tax. Somehow they think that the US Code of laws passed by Congress isn't law? For the income tax section, read Title 26 U.S.C. § 1; it's all online at http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/. Maybe laws passed by Congress are unconstitutional? Could happen. Try reading the Sixteenth Amendment, "The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration." Sounds pretty clear. The claim is that the 16th Amendment wasn't properly ratified. Before typewriters and copy machines, getting the states to ratify identical text was a challenge. Some documents from states certifying the 16th amendment's ratification had trivial errors: "States" not capitalized, "income" instead of "incomes", missing commas or the word "levy" instead of "lay". The Secretary of State obtained verbal confirmation from the Legislatures involved and declared the Amendment passed, which was the correct legal procedure. The film maker conveniently neglects to mention whether this is why he claims the 16th Amendment invalid.

Next the film asserts that the Federal Reserve was created and is currently controlled by powerful bankers with the goal of financially enslaving middle class America. Really? The Fed Chairman Bernanke from Princeton has never worked in the public sector, was appointed by the President and confirmed by Congress. The other board members have similar credentials. Created by powerful bankers (photos of J.P. Morgan are shown in the movie) to control the economy? Excuse me, but before the Federal Reserve, J.P. Morgan and other powerful bankers already had control of the money supply. Read the history of the the Free Silver movement, or Agrarian Populism. Farmers in the Midwest were under Morgan's thumb and were begging for government oversight. Morgan himself got on board after the Bank Panic of 1907 where he had to inject his own money to prevent total financial collapse. When Morgan saw the light, the final obstacle to a National Bank was removed. Claiming the Federal Reserve was created by Morgan, or some shadowy banking overlords is outright deception.

The film spirals downward into paranoid fantasy when it begins to claim there a plans to embed RFID tracking chips into all U.S. citizen to obtain total control of all aspects of our lives. Evidently some reviewers here accept this uncritically. Wake up. Read more than one book that contains a different viewpoint than your own. The majority of Americans aren't deluded, believers in this movie are.

Just saw the film and WOW!!! I would highly encourage every American to see this film and make YOUR OWN decisions based on the very real and verifiable evidence presented. Most Americans complain about the 8 trillion dollar debt we owe but never ask themselves WHO DO WE OWE? Most Americans have never read the Constitution so how can one know if it is, in fact, being violated? My recommendation, start with Article 1 section 8 and, again, ask yourself Who do we owe and, further, why do we owe it. A little food for thought. " Give me control of a nation's money, and I care not who makes its laws" (W. Rockefeller). " If you control the food supply, you control the people. If you control the fuel supply, you control the continent. If you control the MONEY, you control the world". ( H. Kissinger). Many Americans are afflicted with this thing called ARROGANCE and think they know, when in fact it is this ARROGANCE that keeps them from learning or even considering something less known but nonetheless true. It is almost impossible to convince someone of something different of what they THINK they know. In my humble opinion, One must put aside their arrogance, check the facts, and formulate one's own opinion based on the facts they can easily find. If you find that you were lied to, deceived, etc, Then you have a responsibility to do something about it. What kind of country will you leave to your grandchildren? What would it feel like to know you could have done something about it. I think this very same thing happened in the not too distant past, the place was called NAZI Germany. THINK FOR YOURSELF!!

First of all, The ruling in EISNER vs. MACOMBER is misrepresented. Secondly, the quote from Clinton about individual rights is taken out of context and misrepresents the complete quote. These deceptions are both clearly done with and intent to mislead and misrepresent the facts. Please understand that I wish I could give this film a higher rating, but if we are ever to eliminate the income tax and the federal reserve system we will only do so by sticking to the facts. You can review the case here and read for yourself how "income" was defined. http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi- bin/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=252&invol=189

I absolutely love this documentary because it helps to open the worlds eyes to all the real problems in this world. It shows us what the future has in store for us if we don't start sharing this information. I think it's a bad idea to talk negative about this movie because if you don't like his style of documentary making, then go and make your own and if you have problem with believing the things he says, then go and look at the facts for yourself instead of complaining that he doesn't give you all the answers. This documentary is a great activist tool and a great help in the information war. Open Your Mind - See The Real Truth! Watch America: From Freedom to Fascism !!!

Every person that wants to be informed about anything, needs to see this film. It may be better than Fahrenheit 9/11. You will be outraged and sickened after seeing this film. It may just be enough for you to start calling this government communist. It may just be your duty to see this film. You will be shocked and awed all through the film. Make sure you bring someone to help carry you out of the theater. It will make you go home and join the fight. From the beginning to end, your eyes won't leave the screen. Bring your family and friends, and be prepared for a shock. You may have known about these going-ons for a long time, or you may be just hearing about them now, but regardless, you MUST see this film. You may just end up feeling more scared of your own government.

After watching this film, it has now made me question what is REALLY happening in America. The film asks, "Have you ever seen a law that says you have to pay taxes?" The filmmaker (Aaron Russo) goes on a search for the law.

People have been brainwashed into thinking that these taxes are normal and have never question it even though the Federal Reserve Act of 1913 is unconstitutional. The Federal Reserve is a privately held corporation owned by stockholders that borrow the American Government money. American Tax payers are just paying the interest. It also highlights and shows you examples of how America is already in the 1st stages of living in a Police State.

Aaron does a great job; he provides plenty evidence to back up his claims, like the IRS Agents who found that what they are doing is unconstitutional. There are no ulterior motives for making this film, he's just an American whose realised his country is being taken over by a few powerful individuals who won't think twice of trampling on the very freedoms and liberties Americas forefathers fought and died for.

We have the power of knowledge, lets use it before it's suppressed and Orwells vision becomes reality.

The problem of the federal income tax is the power relationship State vs Federation. Without quoting the constitution or various laws it is clear that the ability of the federal government to tax all citizens of all the states in a directly federal controlled system is ( regardless of the actual % of tax ) for the states and cities to surrender almost all sovereignty to the federation and for the money system and taxes to be yet another tool of an overpowered and over-centralized form of government that is strictly prohibited by the constitution. The states united primarily as to have a large, controllable army that would keep the states safe, and free of oppression from other powerful countries in the world. The states DIDN'T unite, to be able to monitor each of its citizens in such detail as to know how many times each and every citizen uses the bathroom each day. ( or any other completely ridiculous and resource wasting surveillance )

That is also why the federal government has to sidestep, loop, and bury these facts in massive incoherent text, in law-books that no one reads. ( not even lawyers, judges or IRS employees ) And that is why they can't easily change the laws to allow for such a degree of federal control. Also, if they finally made actual, clear laws for federal income tax then all former disobedience can't be punished or continue to be punished, and compensations would have to be payed before legally being able to continue with the current system.

However it is still possible to legalize the current system and that is what should be prioritized before changing it. One way would be to shift the income tax to State level and then have different transactions between States and the government. This might give economic leverage to the States because they would become a entity between the IRS and the citizen but it would also find stronger support in the constitution and an increased security against unlawful IRS raids on citizens since the IRS would essentially have to raid a State first resulting in civil war if they choose to enforce any dissatisfaction by raw physical force without any consideration to laws or any primarily peaceful process.

Finally I would like to add, the issue is NOT about the actual amount of money. It is not necessarily about giving more money to the people. It is a matter of principle. The federation can collect enough taxes and money thru other means. Even by inventing new taxes and laws. The central issue is the way the federal income tax unlawfully executes an unnecessary central control of every citizen forcing them to account for every economical transaction and income, forcing control with certain deductions of taxable income and affecting the core of every citizens economical lifestyle. It is about Big brother watching ur every move and even forcing u to selfincrimination. There must be a better way, more democratic that preserves privacy and freedom regardless of the actual amount of money payed in federal tax. As u might have guessed, it is that control that will be missed by the federal government and agencies, more than the actual money. The money is nothing but one of the tools.

This whole movie is based on the idea that the 16th amendment does not confer the rights for the government to tax income.

Thats all fair and fine.

But he, and several of the interviewed people, keeps on saying that there is no law that requires you to file an income tax.

But as one of the experts he was referred to by IRS states; There is a law. Title 26. The producer behind this movie just think its unconstitutional. Thats a whole different ball game though.

Read it again: The law is there. You have to pay income tax. According to that law at least.

What remains is finding out whether the law is constitutional. And instead of spending time on that, he spends time on circular arguments created by the twisted idea that the law does not exist - because he _thinks_ it should not.

He even claims to be threatened when a smarter guy than him, that is NOT working for the IRS, tells him he will learn the truth. When all he was basically doing was calling him stupid, which was well deserved.

For sane person with a minimum of logical ability, viewing this "documentary" fast becomes an exercise in restraint as you want desperately to reach in and tell the idiot to stop.

He might be on to something in terms of the 16th amendment. But he loses it all in useless tinfoilhattery.

about what the Federal Reserve is, about what the laws of US Income Tax are and most profoundly, what Fascism is.

Those 'flag waving - America is Always Right - Gotta Fite the War on Terir - God wants GW for President' folks need to see this flick more than ANYONE.

I have already done so - yes, I've put my money where my mouth is - and now I know more about the US government and the Federal Reserve than will allow me to sleep soundly at night.

See This Film! Read 'The Creature From Jekyll Island'! Read Alternative News Sites !

WAKE UP!

None of us want to believe the facts brought out in this documentary. Russo makes many of them undeniably clear. If you are suspicious of the underlying forces at work in American government, you'll be scared, stunned and angered by this sad expose. You'll see a former IRS commissioner squirm when asked exactly the questions he doesn't want to answer.

This documentary helped me piece together many bewildering actions of those in government.

Why are we occupying Iraq and building permanent bases? Why the constant scare tactics about the "War on Terror"? Why is the media so absent on certain issues? NPP? This movie explains a lot. Every American should see it.

Authoritarian rulers have come to power over and over again throughout history. Why do you believe it can't happen in our country?

If you care about money or how this country is run by money, you need to see this movie. I would compare it to Money Masters, but it goes less in depth BUT actually provides more information that you can retain since it's so easy to follow.

EVERYONE in America (or the world, for that matter) needs to see this movie. It's not a "left" thing or a "right" thing, it's not a "democrat" thing or a "republican" thing. It's not a "christian" thing or an "athiest" thing. It's, to coin a phrase used in the movie, it is "What any red-blooded American would do." (ie. see this movie) Think the IRS and/or the Federal Reserve aren't doing their jobs? Do you think they are? Well, what is their jobs? Are their jobs even legal? What income is apportioned to improving our way of life that's deducted from our income tax? If these questions strike a nerve, or if you can't answer all of them, watch this film - then you'll be able to answer every single one of them, and more.

Enjoy.

Mr. Russo's documentary is excellent. It truly shows both sides of the issue. He doesn't just get one-sided on this like a lot of documentaries. He shows how both Republicans and Democrats know of this fleecing to the American people. I liken the IRS tactics to that of Hitler. To give a organization such power to strong-arm the American citizens is such a travesty! Its also interesting how Aarron unveils more than his original quest of how big a fraud is being perpetrated on the public. It makes you sit up and take notice that if even X IRS agents speak out and X commissioners threaten that we can't be saved makes one realize its time to become leaders. Now I know most will thing just to go along with the status quo and say I'm doing fine well you might be now but what if a ripple in our standard of living affects us more personally. Do you think a corrupt government will think of you first. Remember New Orleans and remember how they put their interests first. I am Canadian but we are the same just divided by a border.

Great movie everyone in the USA should go see it.. there should be free screenings @ schools, colleges, places of worship. If you going to see only 1 movie this year make it this one! Please for the Love of this country go watch this movie! If you do not think its thru research into how the BEAST aka the Fed Robbers were created. Jekly Island + Federal reserve has some good hits on goggle. There is also another movie on this same subject its all the The Money Masters is goes into all the details about this very important topic. There is also a book printed on it as well by Eustace Mullins called Secrets of the Federal Reserve the London Connection. Give it as a gift to a friend in the dark. Wake up people when there is still a chance. Get rid of the attitude who cares!