David Horowitz: The Art of Political War

There was a very good article written by David Horowitz on Front Page that I found on the tea Party Patriot site. In this article Horowitz details "The Art of Political War for the Tea Parties."

Though we do not support or endorse candidates, there are many interesting items in the article that can be applied to our groups and what will be the drag on all the new groups. I took a couple paragraphs out of the article that can be applied to the groups the same as Horowitz has applied them to the Republican problems. But, many of what Horowitz points out is spot on about why the Republicans, especially here in Ohio, fail to win elections and support from outside the party.

The first paragraphs that should be singled out is the single biggest problem faced growing the groups -- conservatives want to much structure and bureaucracy within the groups. This is deadly for the movement and exactly what we are fighting against in our government. An overly structured group and especially formal alliances is like dead weight. It is far too restrictive. Loose-knitted working relationships between the groups is what is needed for this to succeed....

Republicans play right into the Democrats’ trap because they approach politics as a problem of management. To Republicans, every issue is a management issue—the utility of a tax cut, the efficiency of a program, the optimal method for running an enterprise. Republicans talk like businessmen who want a chance to manage the country so that it will turn a profit.

There is nothing wrong with instituting good policies and running things efficiently or turning a profit. But while Republicans are performing these Gold Star activities, Democrats are engaged in a different kind of drama. They are busy attacking Republicans as servants of the rich, oppressors of the weak and defenders of the strong. And enemies of “the people.”

Interpretation --- as some want to install more structure, positions, alliances, councils, etc and talk about what to do or how to do it -- the democrats are out casting the Tea Party's and 9.12 groups as tools for the Republican party and extremists.

We need to concentrate on doing rather than structuring. The key really is to keep it simple -- and this is the hard thing for the well-intentioned & structured-minded conservatives to do. We need the freedom and flexibility to address the issues as they surface. Too much structure takes away from this flexibility and creates tunnel vision within the groups, alliances, councils, etc...

The above leads to the next paragraph being cited -- too much preaching to the choir and worrying about too many things.... (emphasis added)

Of course, you have a base of supporters who will listen for hours to what you have to say if that’s what you want. In the battles facing you, they will play an important role. Therefore, what you say to them is also important. But it is not going to decide elections. The audiences that will determine your fate are audiences that you will first have to persuade.

Therefore it is absolutely essential to focus your message and repeat it over and over again. Lack of focus will derail your message. If you make too many points, your message will be diffused and nothing will get through. The result will be the same as if you had made no point at all.

Discussing topics, new developments, opinions, etc... within our groups is essential and very, very important. Good debate is crucial -- but continually talking about the same issues or wasting time on the daily "Reid or Pelosi just said...." amongst ourselves gains no ground and is counterproductive. Politicians love when you lose focus and we turn our efforts to their latest press release or statement. Why? It takes time away from where we need to be focused.

We already know where we stand -- it is vital to get our message out for the Independents and the voters still watching American Idol or Dancing with the Stars.

We must keep our messages short, sweet and to the point. The average person does not care if Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid just made another statement about health care. Many people get turned off by this stuff and only want to know how it will affect them -- but only if it takes a couple minutes and is easy to understand and digest.

Think about it -- how politically active were you before the Tea Party's and 9.12 groups came around? Did you want to hear every detail about a bill or the daily political events? Most likely the answer is no. We need to remember that as we talk to others that are not yet involved.

To read the whole article click here.

People are getting fed up!

Sign Glenn Becks "Open Letter to our Nation's Leadership" Petition

These principles come from an open letter to America that was sent from a listener to the Glenn Beck Program. Currently there are 152,751 signatures You can read & sign by clicking here.

Principles

I. Illegal immigration

I want you to stop coddling illegal immigrants and secure our borders. Close the underground tunnels. Stop the violence and the trafficking in drugs and people. No amnesty, not again. Been there, done that, no resolution. P.S., I'm not a racist. This isn't to be confused with legal immigration.

II. TARP

I want it repealed and I want no further funding supplied to it. We told you no, but you did it anyway. I want the remaining unfunded 95% repealed. Freeze, repeal.

III. Czars

I want the circumvention of our checks and balances stopped immediately. Fire the czars. No more czars. Government officials answer to the process, not to the president. Stop trampling on our Constitution and honor it.

IV. Cap and trade

The debate on global warming is not over. There is more to say.

V. Universal healthcare

I will not be rushed into another expensive decision. Don't you dare try to pass this in the middle of the night and then go on break. Slow down!

VI. Growing government control

I want states rights and sovereignty fully restored. I want less government in my life, not more. Shrink it down. Mind your own business. You have enough to take care of with your real obligations. Why don't you start there.

VII. ACORN

I do not want ACORN and its affiliates in charge of our 2010 census. I want them investigated. I also do not want mandatory escrow fees contributed to them every time on every real estate deal that closes. Stop the funding to ACORN and its affiliates pending impartial audits and investigations.

I do not trust them with taking the census over with our taxpayer money. I don't trust them with our taxpayer money. Face up to the allegations against them and get it resolved before taxpayers get any more involved with them. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, hello. Stop protecting your political buddies. You work for us, the people. Investigate.

VIII. Redistribution of wealth

No, no, no. I work for my money. It is mine. I have always worked for people with more money than I have because they gave me jobs. That is the only redistribution of wealth that I will support. I never got a job from a poor person. Why do you want me to hate my employers? What do you have against shareholders making a profit?

IX. Charitable contributions

Although I never got a job from a poor person, I have helped many in need. Charity belongs in our local communities, where we know our needs best and can use our local talent and our local resources. Butt out, please. We want to do it ourselves.

X. Corporate bailouts

Knock it off. Sink or swim like the rest of us. If there are hard times ahead, we'll be better off just getting into it and letting the strong survive. Quick and painful. Have you ever ripped off a Band Aid? We will pull together. Great things happen in America under great hardship. Give us the chance to innovate. We cannot disappoint you more than you have disappointed us.

XI. Transparency and accountability

How about it? No, really, how about it? Let's have it. Let's say we give the buzzwords a rest and have some straight honest talk. Please try %u2011%u2011 please stop manipulating and trying to appease me with clever wording. I am not the idiot you obviously take me for. Stop sneaking around and meeting in back rooms making deals with your friends. It will only be a prelude to your criminal investigation. Stop hiding things from me.

XII. Unprecedented spending

Stop it now. Take a breath. Listen to the people.

(Click here to sign)

Tax & Spend

From the Tea Party Patriots

Liberal Group creates Task Force "Bad Democrat" over Health Care

The Progressive Puke Brigade on the left is readying a full frontal assault on the Blue Dogs and other so-called "bad Democrats" that voted against the Health Care Bill.

From The Hill --

The Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) e-mailed supporters on Tuesday asking for funds to take on Blue Dogs and other "bad Democrats."

"They betrayed us on this core Democratic issue," PCCC co-founder Aaron Swartz wrote. "It's payback time."

"Blue Dog Democrats are wholly owned subsidiaries of corporate America, and they will pay a political price back home for putting their corporate contributors ahead of their constituents who want reform," said PCCC co-founder Adam Green.

I don't know how much stock I would put in the fact that the Blue Dogs voted against the bill for a government run health care bill because they were really against it. A much more probable reason would be that they were given a pass from Pelosi or that they more fearful of losing their House seats and heard the Tea Party Patriots & 9.12ers at the Town Hall meetings. Being somewhat biased, I believe it to be the latter.

More important than why these Blue Dogs voted against the House Health Care Reform -- is that they did! For us, the TPP's & 9.12ers, this means we need to hold these votes against the government take over of our health care if any Bill comes out of the Senate. If this happens then we must counter in full force and go back to concentrating on the Blue Dog's to shore up their support against the bill.

We must let the Blue Dogs know that Pelosi & the Progressives can't help them! Why? Because it is the conservatives, and now increasingly more everyday, the moderate Democrats and Independents in their districts that are against the job-killing government forced health care that may or may not reelect them -- NOT Nancy Pelosi or the Progressive Change Campaign Committee.

Obama vs President Lincoln

By Speak up America
From Facebook

President Obama once compared himself to President Lincoln and I do not see the comparison.

I am quoting the following powerful words from a book called "A Heart That Yearned For God" by G. Frederick Owen. You have the choice to continue reading wonderful information or chose to be a closed minded person and delete the following information, but I ask you to read.

President Lincoln's profound insight was shown in his "Ten Guidelines" not only went far in guiding him in administrative affairs, but also helped to stimulate the country's economic and social wellbeing.
Note the depth of wisdom couched in the ten lines:

You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.

You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.

You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.

You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.

You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.

You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.

You cannot further brotherhood of men by inciting class hatred.

You cannot establish security on borrowed money.

You cannot build character and courage by taking away man's initiative and independence.

You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.

My fellow American's that are the front line of our new's should stand for what is right, not for what is popular.

Now tell me where our President compares to Lincoln!

Thank you for taking the time to read.

The "Freedom" CD

Hey all you patriots out there -- here is the "Freedom" loving CD you have all been waiting for!

Cleveland Tea Party Patriots co-coordinator Glynn Urban, along with her sister Adeena, her brother Noah, a rocker & recording engineer from Cleveland, and their pal C.J. teamed up with Ron Mason, a former Capitol Records country music recording artist, and recorded a CD named -- Freedom.

For those that were at out Tax Day Tea Party, Adeena & C.J. sang the Star Spangled Banner and America the Beautiful, which is also included on the CD. Rumor has it that they did such an outstanding job that the Canadians from across the lake must have heard it and gave them a standing ovation!

Ranging from God-loving patriotic tear jerker's, country music style innocence and rockin' kick-butt songs, Freedom is a must have collection of patriotic songs that are sure to make you reflect, sing-a-along and tap a toe!

With the political landscape of today, how fitting is it that there is a song called -- "Feeding at the Federal Trough"?

For a sample of some of the songs click here.

Want to order your own Freedom CD?

Send a check or money order to:

Zerin Music
P.O. Box 56
Avon, OH 44011

Cost is $10 plus $2 for shipping & handling. Make checks or money orders out to Zerin Music. Delivery time is less than 2 weeks.

To help with our fundraising activities a portion of the sale from each CD purchased by our members will be donated to the Cleveland Tea Party Patriots. So be sure to write Cleveland Tea Party in the memo section of your check or money order.

While Freedom is a great gift for yourself, don't forget the upcoming holidays -- a Freedom CD makes a perfect stocking stuffer!

Money from the Stimulus Bill, Bail Out's

and/or TARP will not be accepted!

Happy Thanksgiving and Farm Relief & Freedom Relay Recap

From the TPP's national leadership team....

Dear Fellow Tea Party Patriots,

Tea Party Patriots had our final stop in the Farmer Relief and Freedom Relay in Fresno, California. We had roughly 33 stops in 2 weeks around the country.

During these stops we raised awareness about the Copenhagen Climate Summit, the Cap and Trade vote in the Senate, and the water issues in the Central Valley of California. Besides only raising awareness, we also raised donations for the Farmers on Central Valley. We raised approximately $15,000 in cash donations to Saving the Valley, hundreds more in gift cards, and truckloads of canned foods and clothing.

You can click to watch a video recap of Sunday's closing event. We will have more links added to our website next week.

As you watch this video, realize what a difference you are making. You have made a difference in the lives of these farmers. You have made a difference to the local coordinators in California who have felt alone in their struggle. You have made a difference in lives of others around the country as they have seen how united we will work together to further our core values.

As the Relay was ending, we began to learn about the climate change cover-up. We are learning more and more that this is another tactic to increase taxes and take more control our lives. Senators are beginning to call for a Congressional nvestigation into this scandal. Watch for action alerts in coming weeks as we continue to work together to ask Congress to vote no on Cap and Trade and to turn the water in California back on.

Health Care will heat up again next week in the Senate.

The National Coordinator Team is working with Local Coordinators from around the country on what our next actions will be. We know Congress can hear us now but they are choosing not to listen. So, we are thinking outside the box. We have taken into account many of the ideas you have given us in the past few weeks. Watch for action alerts in coming days about what we are doing next.

As Thanksgiving draws near, we want to thank each and everyone of you for standing shoulder to shoulder with Americans from around the country to make our voices heard! You are the heart and soul of the tea party movement. As we give thanks tomorrow, the National Coordinators will be thankful to each of you for joining this movement and working to protect the future of our country. Thank you!!

You are the heart and soul of the Tea Party Movement. Thank you for promoting the causes of fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited government, and free markets with us!

Your Tea Party Patriots National Coordinator Team,

Debbie Dooley, Mike Gaske, Kellen Giuda, Ryan Hecker, Jenny Beth Martin, Mark Meckler, Sally Oljar, Diana Reimer, Billie Tucker, and Dawn Wildman

"Thank You America" Rally

Here is a clip from the "Thank You America" Rally held on November 22, 2009 in Fresno, CA and hosted by the Central Valley Tea Party Patriots group.

The "Thank You America" Rally Caravans traveled across the United States collecting food, clothing, gift cards and monetary donations for the Farmers and Farm Workers of California's Central Valley as part of the Tea Party Patriots "Farm Relief & Freedom Relay."

Central Valley Farmers and Farm Workers continue to be devastated by the regulatory water shortage that has caused thousands of acres of farmlands to lie fallow and hundreds of Californians out of work.

Tea Party Patriots National Coordinator on Cavuto today

Mark Meckler (One of our National Coordinators for the Tea Party Patriots) will be on Neil Cavuto's TV show today (1pm - 2pm on FOX) discussing efforts to REPEAL AB32!

AB32 is the most far-reaching, intrusive piece of legislation that will absolutely DESTROY our already suffering economy once it is fully implemented, in addition to telling us where to live, what to eat and what to drive.

You can click here for the Face Book link of -- Stop AB 32! Defeat California's job-killing global warming law! Go there sign up and sign the petition.

If you haven't already make sure you go to the National Tea Party Patriots (www.teapartypatriots.org) site where you can sign up, create a profile and track all the calls, faxes, emails you have made. Plus you can join the TPP Google Groups, follow the TPP Blogs and a whole bunch of other fun and informative Tea Party Patriot stuff.

My reality: Big Government vs. Small Business

A couple of months ago I went back to work. Not the kind of work from home work, but physically being a presence in the business my husband and I started 13 years ago. Our years of dedication in its early years afforded me the ability to stay at home once we had kids. But now the honeymoon was clearly over. The economy is on life-support, and we knew we had to audit every facet of our business to make it profitable again.

When a small group of us started the Cleveland Tea Party, I knew that taxes and big government were out of control. That's what fueled me. I knew government had become a beast you don’t tangle with. I’ve seen how suffocating they can become to a small business. When we had a business in another state, I watched that state come in, tear apart my conference room, audit me, threaten me, and scare the crap out of me. The scary man said we owed them over 300K. He wanted us so sign a note saying so and set up payment arrangements. Two phone calls to my attorney ended it right there, and we proved that we had done everything legal, and guess what? We owed them nothing. Nada, Zero, Zip. But that day I learned about the power of big government. By damn they wanted to show me who was boss, and I’m afraid at that, they succeeded.

So after examining every aspect of our business, why am I so surprised that the number one headache I have right now is the government? I think seeing it all sitting there, all the paperwork, tax bills, tax notice increases, and licensing fees has had a way of waking me up from my Mommy coma. The melody of “The Sound of Music” is no longer playing in my head. Now it’s more like the chorus of “I will survive”. It simply gets overwhelming.

I’d love for some liberal to come to my office so I can show them what it takes to “comply” with our Great state of Ohio. How insane the accounting is when you sell products in different counties and the sales tax rates are all different. How much work it takes to “comply” with Ohio BWC. Or, let me show you how our city business income tax just doubled. How about my bill for my corporate accountant that is enormous because the tax laws are enormous. Yesterday I got a notice from the city informing me that the withholding rates were going up and to notify my payroll company. Today I got a notice from Unemployment that those rates are going up. While we’re trying to keep our doors open, I now must pay an increase to cover the multitudes that couldn’t. Then there’s the child support enforcement paperwork that comes through weekly that says I must collect from my subcontractors and forward to the state. And this wouldn’t be complete without giving a “shout out” to payroll taxes. Until you see an amount every week get automatically withdrawn from your checking account to cover the payroll taxes, you just can’t get it.

And just when you think this blog couldn’t get any more depressing, I must tell you about Total Merchant Services in Colorado. They have been one of our merchants for Visa/MasterCard processing. Everything is fine, we process a transaction, and the money shows up in our account in a couple days. Well, on Friday, an $8000.00 deposit was supposed to be there. I was told it was a “glitch” and it would be in my bank on Monday. On Monday I’m informed that they are reviewing us for fraud. After I picked myself off the floor I promptly faxed over the customer contracts with signatures figuring that would be the end of it. Not so fast. Now they admit that no “fraud” is occurring but because we did too much business with them in a week, they will hold the money for 60 days and then review us again to see if we’re worthy to have our own money. And yes folks, this is legal. In fact, I’ve been informed that they can hold any businesses credit card funds for up to 6 months if you sneeze wrong. I suppose this is what happens when the banks and the government are in bed together. They can and will do whatever, whenever they choose. Some quick googling tells me that this practice with merchants is becoming quite common. They call it “stepping out of the parameters of your contract”. Meaning, that if you estimate to them initially that you’ll do 35K a month with them and you have the audacity to give them more business, you’ve stepped out of the parameters of the contract.
Think about it, if you’re a bank you can collect money for a client, charge them a fee to do so and then decide you’re going to keep it for a while and sorry about your luck. And there’s not a damn thing you can do about it. Last night I was warned that if I continued to argue with them on this matter they would put me on a “list” that would prohibit me from being able to process credit cards for 7 years. Why? Because I had the audacity to question them, that’s why.

Big government IS against small business. You can’t be for something while your force our heads under water. And every day, it gets harder and harder to come up for air. That, my friends, is the reality of small business these days. While our president pardons turkeys and throws lavish parties for Hollywood, while our Congress keeps getting fatter, Main Street cries out for help.. Problem is, nobody is listening.

The more big government strangles small business, the freedom of owning a business is eroded. My family is filled with small business owners, and is one reason that motivated us to join our musical forces, and write and record the album “Freedom”. It’s a story in and of itself. Soon I’ll blog about how my dad and I wrote “Give it to me Nation”. And I’ll tell you the true story about the day I wrote the song “Freedom” and the slippery lawmaker who inspired me to write it.
Listen here...

Lieberman: "Nobody thinks that this Bill will Pass"

Talkin' Turkey about Health Care

Below are some great points about the Senate version of the health care bill put out by Take Back Medicine.

Click here for the one page PDF handout that you can hand out to relatives and friends over the Thanksgiving holiday.

From Take Back Medicine --

SENATE HEALTH CARE BILLS ARE THE REAL TURKEYS THIS THANKSGIVING

Reid’s Senate version of ObamaCare calls for:

• Hiding the $1.8 Trillion price tag by not accounting for actual costs.

• Major reductions in Medicare benefits to seniors.

• Major Tax Increases on every American to pay for it all.

• Reid called for increasing the Medicare payroll tax.

THE AAPS SURVEYS SHOWS THAT 70% OF DOCTORS WOULD REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PUBLIC PLAN IN THIS BILL

“TALKING TURKEY” (Courtesy: www.PatientsFirst.com)

1. Harry Reid has had his bill for 6 weeks – shouldn’t the American people have the same time period to review it and know what the bill contains? After all, 2,074 pages isn’t exactly light reading.

2. Some treatments could be deemed unnecessary – A government task force recently declared that mammograms for women younger than 50 were not recommended. The Health and Human Services Secretary quickly backed away from her task force’s declaration, but under these bills unaccountable bureaucracies would have vast new powers to coerce doctors to follow their recommendations.

3. Young people would be required to pay higher premiums – A study by actuarial firm Oliver Wyman found the restrictive new insurance regulations in both the House and Senate bills would increase premiums for young people by 69 percent.

4. Everyone would be forced to purchase costly plans – Requiring everyone to purchase expensive health care plans with high premiums – and not allowing people to choose affordable options that meet their budgets and needs – would mean lower-cost high-deductible plans would no longer be available.

5. Loads of new taxes – Nonpartisan experts at the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) have concluded that new excise taxes on medical devices would be passed on to patients, increasing insurance premiums and increasing prices on everything from wheelchairs to pacemakers. The tax increases in the Senate bill add up to almost $500 billion.

6. Expands Medicaid and shifts costs – The Senate bill would force 15 million Americans into the flawed Medicaid program, which 4 in 10 doctors won’t accept because the program underpays providers. Studies show that expanding the program directly increases costs for everyone else, since doctors and hospitals must make up for their losses under Medicaid by shifting costs to other patients.

7. Taxes “Cadillac” and union plans – The new 40 percent tax on high-end “Cadillac” health insurance plans (any plan over $8,500 for an individual or $23,000 for a family) would force companies to shift costs to employees or to reduce the value of the health benefits they provide.

8. Government-forced health care mandates on employers would require employers to pay up to 8% higher payroll taxes in the House bill and $750 per employee in the Senate bill. This will result in lower pay and job losses, especially for low-income workers.

9. Medicare benefits would be slashed by over $400 billion, reducing benefits for seniors and jeopardizing access to care for millions of others. If these cuts do not materialize, then the bills will dramatically increase deficits.

10. Millions will still be uninsured. Even though the whole health care system will be turned upside-down, the CBO says at the end of 10 years there will still be 24 million uninsured Americans under the Senate bill.

SENATE DEMOCRATS BILL “BY THE NUMBERS”
From Sen. Tom Coburn, MD (OK)

0 — provisions guaranteeing taxpayers do not finance abortion
0 — provisions prohibiting the rationing of health care
0 — number of senators required to enroll in the new government-run plan
8 — number of new taxes created in the bill, according to JCT analysis
13 — pages in the bill’s table of contents
20.8 – pounds the bill weighs printed out
36 — pages in the CBO estimate of the price tag
70 — government programs authorized by the bill
1,697 — times the Secy. of HHS is given authority to create, determine, or define things in the bill
2,074 — pages in the bill

3,607 — uses of the word "shall" in the bill
$6.8 million — cost to taxpayers per word
24 million — people left without health insurance
$1.2 billion — cost to taxpayers per page
$5-$10 billion — additional funding needed for the IRS to implement the bill
$8 billion —taxes levied on uninsured individuals
$25 billion —additional Medicaid mandates placed on states
$28 billion —new taxes on employers not providing government approved plans
$100 billion — estimated annual fraud in Medicare and Medicaid $118 billion —cuts to Medicare Advantage
$465 billion — total cuts to Medicare
$494 billion — revenue from new taxes/fees levied on American families and businesses
$2.5 trillion — cost for full implementation of the legislation
$12 trillion — total U.S. national debt

What is Cloture?

We want to thank Amy & Jeff of the Medina Tea Party Patriots for forwarding over the link for the website Take Back Medicine.

A Dr. David Lowther sent this email into www.takebackmedicine.com --

What is Cloture?

According to this Reference:

"By 1915 (under President Woodrow Wilson), the Senate had become a breeding ground for filibusters. In the final weeks of the Congress that ended on March 4, one administration measure related to the war in Europe tied the Senate up for 33 days and blocked passage of 3 major appropriations bills. Two years later, as pressure increased for American entry into that war, a 23-day, end-of-session filibuster against the president's proposal to arm merchant ships also failed, taking with it much other essential legislation.

For the previous 40 years, efforts in the Senate to pass a debate-limiting rule had come to nothing. Now, in the wartime crisis environment, President Wilson lost his patience. Calling the situation unparalleled, he stormed that the "Senate of the United States is the only legislative body in the world which cannot act when its majority is ready for action. A little group of willful men, representing no opinion but their own (that would be the minority), have rendered the great government of the United States helpless and contemptible." The Senate, he demanded, must adopt a cloture rule.

On March 8, 1917, in a specially called session of the 65th Congress, the Senate agreed to a rule that essentially preserved its tradition of unlimited debate. The rule required a 2/3rds majority to end debate and permitted each member to speak for an additional hour after that before voting on final passage. Over the next 46 years, the Senate managed to invoke cloture on only 5 occasions.

In 1975*****, the Senate reduced the number of votes required for cloture from two-thirds (67) to three-fifths (60) of the current 100 senators."

***** Interesting little side notes I noted trolling the web:

#1: Guess how many Democratic Senators there were in 1975? 60 (the same number needed for cloture as mentioned above).

#2: During the 35 years from 1945 through 1981, the Democrats were the majority in Senate save for 8 years (1st 2 years of Eisenhower's first term and the 1st 6 years of Reagan). During late Eisenhower years through JFK and LBJ, the Democratic Senate majority numbers were as follows: 65, 64, 66, 68, and 64 (ie - total dominance).

When Nixon was elected, their majority slipped to 57, 54, and 56. Once Ford was in place, they regained numbers to 60. So after ceding their 2/3rds control of the Senate during Nixon, they changed the rules while still in the majority and suddenly 60 was the magic number for cloture.

#3: From the moment Cloture was first instituted during Wilson until the Cloture rules were changed from 67 votes necessary to 60 (1975), Cloture was invoked only 21 times. In 1975 alone, it was used 17 times by the Democrat-controlled Senate.

#4: During Carter, Reagan, Bush I, Clinton and Bush II it was invoked an average of 12 times a session (6 times a year) and ranged from 3 (Carter) to 34 (Bush II).

#5: Since Democrats took control of Congress in 2007, it has been used 90 times.
90.

QUESTION:

So, how do you feel about Harry Reid using a rule that was originally designed as a means of funding WWI by expediting war appropriations bills NOW being used to force Universal Health Care upon the public?

Keep in mind the following:

1. Obama's approval rating is only 47%, his lowest since taking office when he was at 65%. While his approval rating has dropped 18%, his disapproval rating has climbed from 30% to 52% in only 10 months.

2. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's approval rating in her own state of California is only 34%.

3. Senator Harry Reid is behind in his re-election campaign in NV by 10% ("Sue Lowden beating Reid by 10%, 50% to 40%. Lowden is chairwoman of the Nevada Republican Party and the preferred candidate of the Republican party establishment. GOP hopeful Danny Tarkanian beats Reid by seven points, 50% to 43%").

4. In the race for California's next governor in 2010, Republican Meg Whitman and Democrat Jerry Brown are tied at 41% each.

5. After Pelosi's bill passed the House, the public was against the bill 54% v. 42%. Even CA comes in at 51%, down 4% since last week.

To pull a cloture vote on one of the largest entitlement programs in US history, federalize 17% of the economy, and to do it on a Saturday, off the regular news cycle, is an atrocity.

Click Here for the "Health Care Turkey" handout you can give to your family & friends while the Senate is on recess during Thanksgiving.

Senator Voinovich Where Are You?

In the Democrat hijacking of the Vote for Cloture on the health care bill this past Saturday the vote was 60 - 39. That totals 99 Senators. As is still true in what we were taught in Government Class -- our country has 100 Senators -- two for every state.

One Republican senator did not do his job. That one senator would be the State of Ohio's own Senator George Voinovich.

Even though Voinovich's vote would not have stopped the motion for cloture, it would have been a show of solidarity against this country killing version of health care reform. It would have shown that Senator Voinovich has not only heard the voices of the over 54% of Ohioans who do not agree with the health care reform being rammed down our throats but that Senator Voinovich is acting on their wishes.

Up until now Voinovich or his staff would tell all the Tea Party Patriots and 9.12er's contacting them that the Senator is against this health care reform. Really? Then why didn't he show this with action and vote against the Motion for Cloture?

Being a known social conservative who is very much against abortion, and the Senate Bill allowing for federal dollars to be used for abortions -- Voinovich not voting against the Motion for Cloture is a serious cause for concern and shows he may be wavering.

Regardless of whatever reason Senator Voinovich comes up with for not even voting on the Motion for Cloture until his vote is cast -- nothing can be certain. We must take action to hold his vote against the Senate Health Care Bill.

With that we are asking everyone in OH that is against this country-killing health care reform to do the following items:

Contact Senator Voinovich's offices

Washington, D.C. Office Phone: (202) 224-3353 Fax: (202) 228-1382

Columbus Office: Phone: (614) 469-6697 Fax: (614) 469-7733

Cleveland Office: Phone: (216) 522-7095 Fax: (216) 522-7097

Cincinnati Office: Phone: (513) 684-3265 Fax: (513) 684-3269

Toledo Office: Phone: (419) 259-3895 Fax: (419) 259-3899

Reinforce your message that he vote against any further measures advancing the Senate Health Care Bill.Senator Voinovich is retiring at the end of this term, ask if he really wants to end his long political career knowing he turned his back on the Ohio voters and conservatives - again?

• Call OH GOP Chairman Kevin DeWine (614)228-2481

• Call your Republican Party County Chairman (See list below).

• E-mail members of the Republican State Central Committee. (See list below).

Inform these individuals that with his actions, Senator Voinovich is showing that he is NOT listening and is dangerously ignoring the voices of the voters in OH. Ask that as the leaders of the Republican Party in Ohio that they also contact Senator Voinovich (R) and hold him accountable in acting as the voice for the conservative voters in Ohio.

State Central Committee Members

E-mail them as a group by copying / pasting their e-addresses:

1val@sbcglobal.net; acoughlin@neo.rr.com; Aesabath@aol.com; Bennett@ohiogop.org; betkitchen@aol.com; bjbinkley@msn.com; bryancwilliams@verizon.net; Burkeamb@hotmail.com; casey524@aol.com; cetodd1@aol.com; chairman@starkgop.org; christa.criddle@fuse.net; christim@fuse.net; cscal81@zoominternet.net; Curt3638_2000@yahoo.com; cwing@lakewoodrepublicans.org; dalefellows@sbcglobal.net; davebaileybadco@yahoo.com; dean@en.com; DGunning@ralaw.com; dhtalmage@voyager.net; djbjsherman@gmail.com; dmehaffie@woh.rr.com; doug@franklincountygop.org; dwjohnson@summitville.com; edonsim@aol.com; jadavidson@ameritech.net; JBecker@Fuse.net; jeantwinoaks@voyager.net; jowac@aim.com; kay1@zoomnet.net; kjohnston@insight.rr.com; lauragroux@hotmail.com; ledicesae@roppe.com; llf@bright.net; mark@compcoind.com; Montgomery@aol.com; nancegop@adelphia.net; NCLaria@gmail.com; nuts2u2@earthlink.net; Ohioandy@aol.com; owenhall@owenhall.com; payne@ohiogop.org; pflanaga@aol.com; ph@putnamtruckload.net; philbow@roadrunner.com; phog@northcoastwindandpower.com; phyllismosley1234@yahoo.com; randylaw4ohio@aol.com; rexdamschroder@yahoo.com; rhouck@willard-oh.com; seau@adelphia.net; Spaethchair@aol.com; srjones5@sbcglobal.net; Stewartd@mcohio.org; swain5030@yahoo.com; tmorgan@gradyhospital.com; mauk@ohiogop.org; gormley@ohiogop.org; chairman@ohiogop.org

Republican Party County Chairmen

Find your county Chair & call him/her:

Allen Keith Cheney 419-228-7040 / 419-331-5655

Ashland Bob DeSanto 419-289-1710 / 419-289-1454

Ashtabula Richard Hornstein 440-992-4008 / 440-576-6925

Athens Pete Couladis 740-589-9914

Belmont Kent Moore 740-676-0206

Brown Paul Hall 800-525-4255

Butler Joseph Schwarz 513-893-5292

Carroll David Jones 330-735-2200

Champaign Ron Coder 937-653-6073 / 937-653-1477

Clark Dan Harkins 937-324-8482 / 937-307-0607

Clermont Tim Rudd 513-876-3466 / 513-732-1611

Clinton Roger Bennett 937-382-3778 / 937-382-3444

Columbiana David Johnson 330-223-1511

Coshocton David Burns 740-622-8960 / 740-622-2011

Crawford Don Long 419-562-8739

Cuyahoga Robert Frost 216-621-5415

Darke Gerg Fraley 937-548-0313

Defiance Jeffrey Strausbaugh 419-782-2625 / 419-784-3700

Delaware Teri Morgan 614-888-6085

Erie Jude Hammond 419-433-3031 / 419-627-6650

Fairfield Steve David 740-689-1746

Fayette Robin Beekman 740-426-6273

Fulton Sandra Barber 419-335-4428 / 419-337-9282

Gallia Lawrence Tawney 740-446-1856

Geauga 440-834-0680

Greene Marilyn Reid 937-431-5000

Guernsey Donald Brown 740-439-3443 / 740-432-5638

Hamilton Alex Triantafilou 513-381-5454

Hancock Rick White 419-422-3824

Hardin James Crates 419-675-7272 / 419-673-1129

Harrison Dennis Watson 740-968-0112

Henry David Grahn 419-592-5520 / 419-592-3503

Highland Kay Ayers 937-393-6512

Hocking Rod Hedges 740-385-6044 / 740-385-5392

Holmes Robin Hovis 330-674-3763 / 330-674-5000

Huron David Kniffen 419-668-4622 / 419-668-7576

Jackson Alan Stockmeister 740-286-2122

Jefferson Rick Desmar 740-283-3981

Knox Ken Lane 740-397-2462 / 800-307-8038

Lake Dale Fellows 440-352-0704

Lawrence Ray Dutey 740-532-1760 / 740-533-4308

Licking Richard Salvage 740-973-5440

Logan Robert Erwin 937-593-7120 / 937-593-9065

Lorain Robert Rousseau 440-235-6298

Lucas Bernadette Noe 419-842-1777

Madison Pete Kitchen 614-879-7044 / 614-879-6400

Mahoning Mike Smith 330-482-0200

Marion Karyle Mumper 740-389-4329 / 740-244-4344

Medina Ralph Berry 330-723-0415

Meigs Charles Barrett 740-742-2578 / 740-992-2911

Mercer Owen Hall 419-586-4078 / 419-586-7728

Miami John O'Brien 937-339-1112 / 937-332-6912

Monroe Roger Clause 740-567-3168

Montgomery Patrick Flanagan 937-434-0734 / 937-223-5200

Morgan Dean Cain 740-559-2248

Morrow Dan Osborne 419-947-3435

Muskingum Pat Hennessey 740-454-2841 / 740-454-1221

Ottawa Terry Lowe 419-898-0628 / 419-898-6874

Paulding Tony Langham 419-399-4933

Perry Dave Freriks 740-342-4130 / 740-605-0647

Pickaway Jeffrey Call 740-869-3884

Portage Norm Sandvoss 330-297-5718

Pike Doug Miller 740-493-2459 / 740-493-3199

Preble Hal Yoder 937-456-8148

Putnam Gary Grant 419-596-3327 / 419-596-3848

Richland Mike Smith 419-524-1808

Ross Ron Fields 740-775-2323

Sandusky Lee Shaffer 419-665-2316 / 419-332-1527

Scioto Dr. Terry Johnson Tjohnson@somc.org

Seneca Charles Knight 419-435-4000

Shelby Ralph Bauer 937-295-3714 / 937-497-7222

Stark 330-456-6333

Summit Alex Arshinkoff 216-650-5055 / 330-434-9151

Trumbull Craig Bonar 330-638-3251 / 330-392-2511

Tuscarawas Doug Wills 330-343-6131

Union Jim Westfall 937-642-0869

Van Wert Martin Burchfield 419-238-5198 / 419-238-6553

Vinton Patricia Napier 740-385-5898

Warren Tom Grossmann 513-357-9384 /513-754-8660

Washington Marilyn Ashcraft 740-373-6830 / 740-732-2331

Wayne Jim Carmichael 330-264-4744 / 330-466-1474

Williams Bob Winzeler 419-485-3543 / 419-485-3147

Wood John Miller 419-354-5927

Wyandot Sherman Stansberry 419-294-3237

Go Get 'em Patriots!

Cloture Vote on Health Care was a Historical Hijacking of the Political Process

By this time we are all aware of the shenanigans with the health care bill in the Senate yesterday

"We the People" -- not just conservatives, Tea Party Patriots and 9.12 members, but the American public as a whole should be outraged by the way the votes for this procedural motion took place. This wasn't a legitimate vote on moving the Senate Bill forward -- this was an unmatched historical highjacking of the political process!

Notice how not only did they "buy" the votes from another elected idiot from Louisiana, the deciding vote was from Kennedy's old seat. The same seat they changed the rules so they could give it to a democrat -- former Democratic National Committee Chairman Paul Kirk -- anticipating the need for every vote they could muster for this health care chicanery.

So by buying off Rep. Cao in the House, Landrieu in the Senate and stealing the appointment of the MA Senate seat for the 60th vote they got the bill on the Floor. Was this a transparent victory on good policy and political partisanship? Not hardly.... this mockery was more like a move out of the Politboro.

Keeping in step with parliamentary procedure maybe "We the People" should 'move' that the White House be temporarily renamed -- The Red Shed on the Hill.

Can I get a "Second"?

Converging on the Capitol for NO Cloture

While we are busy burning up and shutting down the phones, faxes and emails of our targeted Senators some of the Tea Party Patriot groups near D.C. will be paying our Senators another visit --

From the Tea Party Patriots

Harry Reid has introduced the Senate version of the so-called "health care reform" bill. Just like the bill that passed in the House, Reid's version will increase health care costs, kill medical care in America, and explode the deficit.

Harry Reid knows Americans don't want this bill, which is why he has scheduled the cloture vote for 8 PM on Saturday!

It's not too late to kill the bill -- but you must unite right now with your fellow Americans to show each and every Senator the massive opposition to this latest attempt at controlling your health care.

Patriots from across America will meet on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 1 PM on the East Lawn of the Capitol Building to protest this dangerous bill.

That is across the street from the Cannon House Office Building, along Independence Avenue.

For a map, click here.

If the cloture vote passes, debate will begin on the health care bill, and it will be more difficult than ever to stop the bill from passing. That's why you must take a stand on Saturday!

So if you can make it to Washington, DC tomorrow -- please, come and join your fellow Americans to stop this dangerous takeover of the health care system.

If you can't make it to Washington, you can still help stop this bill! Look below for a list of Senators who are on the fence about Saturday night's vote. Call them RIGHT NOW and firmly, but politely demand they vote "No" on cloture.

Targeted Senators

Sen. Michael F Bennet, Colorado
DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-5852, DC Fax Number: 202-228-5036

Sen. Mary Landrieu, Louisiana
DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-5824, DC Fax Number: 202-224-9735

Sen. Mark Pryor, Arkansas
DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-2353, DC Fax Number: 202-228-0908

Sen. Blanche Lincoln, Arkansas
DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-4843, DC Fax Number: 202-228-1371

Sen. Robert Byrd, West Virginia
DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-3954, DC Fax Number: 202-228-0002

Sen. Jim Webb, Virginia
DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-4024, DC Fax Number: 202-228-6363

Sen. Mark Warner, Virginia
DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-2023, DC Fax Number: 202-224-6295

Sen. Jon Tester, Montana
DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-2644, DC Fax Number: 202-224-8594

Sen. Joe Lieberman, Connecticut
DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-4041, DC Fax Number: 202-224-9750

Sen. Mark Begich, Alaska
DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-3004, DC Fax Number: 202-224-2354

Sen. Evan Bayh, Indiana
DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-5623, DC Fax Number: 202-228-1377

We (CTPP) just want to add this little special note into the above targeted Senators --

Leaving nothing to chance and knowing we cannot count on his support until he casts his vote -- we must not forget the Curious Conservative that has routinely let us down --

Sen. George Voinovich, Ohio
DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-3353

Remember to sign up on the national site - www.teapartypatriots.org -- where you can keep track of all your phone calls, faxes & emails you make in your personal profile.

Tea Party Patriot Action Alert: Must Stop Cloture Vote

As of today the below Senators are UNDECIDED on how to VOTE FOR CLOTURE on SATURDAY. The vote IS HAPPENING SATURDAY!

These Senators can make the difference in whether or not this bill passes. Please take the time to call, fax, and email them immediately. The vote is expected around 8pm Saturday afternoon. We can stop this with your help. They need to hear from all of us!

THE MESSAGE SHOULD BE TO VOTE NO ON THE VOTE FOR CLOTURE! TO VOTE NO ON GOVERNMENT RUN HEALTH CARE AND GOVERNMENT MANDATES!

THESE FOUR SENATORS SHOULD BE YOUR FOCUS:

Senator Bill Nelson (NE)
Chief of Staff: Tim Becker (timothy_becker@bennelson.senate.gov)
Washington, DC (202) 224-6551 / (202) 228-0012 fax
Lincoln (402) 441-4600 / (402) 476-8753 fax
Omaha (402) 391-3411 / (402) 391-4725 fax

Senator Blanche Lincoln (AR)
Chief of Staff: Elizabeth Burks (elizabeth_burks@lincoln.senate.gov)
Washington, DC (202) 224-4843 / (202) 228-1371 fax
Little Rock (800) 352-9364 / (501) 375-7064 fax

Senator Mary Landrieu (LA)
Chief of Staff: Jane Campbell (jane_campbell@landrieu.senate.gov)
Washington, DC (202) 224-5824 / (202) 224-9735 fax
New Orleans (504) 589-2427 / (504) 589-4023 fax
Baton Rouge (225) 389-0395 / (225) 389-0660 fax
Shreveport (318) 676-3085 / (318) 676-3100 fax
Lake Charles (337) 436-6650 / (337) 439-3762 fax

Senator Mark Warner (VA)
Chief of Staff: Luke Albee (luke_albee@warner.senate.gov)
Washington, DC (202) 224-2023 / (202) 224-6295 fax
Abingdon (276) 628-8158 / (276) 628-1036 fax
Norfolk (757) 441-3079 / (757) 441-6250 fax
Roanoke (540) 857-2676 / (540) 857-2800 fax
Midlothian (804) 739-0247 / (804) 739-3478 fax

An Open Letter to Congress

Monday, November 9, 2009

Get to the back of the line!

An open letter to The 111th Congress of the United States of America

As a resident of Cleveland Heights, I am privileged and thankful for the service’s I receive from The Cleveland Clinic, a world-class hospital with few rivals anywhere in the world. These are services I do not take for granted. Like many Clevelanders, I am aware and proud of the clinic’s world-renowned reputation, which often brings kings and queens, presidents and other leaders from all corners of the world to our city for health care.

And our close proximity to Canada means that Cleveland is a frequent stop for Canadians who must rely on the American health care system to get their treatment done in time to save one’s quality of life.

With this being said, I have a question that begs an answer. Can Congress tell me….

If America follows through with president Obama’s request to nationalize health care...the ubiquitous cry we will all hear is...“Hey buddy, the line starts back there”.

But wait just one moment…What will happen when your doctor’s appointment calendar is filled up for two months or more and you find that someone scheduled a Canadian or Saudi king ahead of you, an alien who never paid one red cent in US taxes? Are we Americans going to surrender our place in line too?

1) If the government grants us a “healthcare right”, what might they grant Canadians?
2) Will the health care system be open to any world citizen who simply visits our hospitals?
3) Will aliens line-up behind taxpayers or pushed to the front of the line with cash in hand?
4) Will taxpayers have the right to “bump” any alien from the line?
5) Will the aliens be charged a higher rate to offset line jumping?
6) If so, would 100% of their medical fees be returned to the taxpayer’s pockets?
7) Or, will we simply tell them to find healthcare in Cuba or Venezuela?

Hmmmmmm!

Mike Prokop
Cleveland Tea Party Patriot / 912 Project
http://clevelandteaparty.webs.com/

…"On average, the Congressional approval rating stands around 15% yet incumbents enjoy a 95% re-election rate. This proves only one thing….WE CITIZENS ARE MISUSING OUR POWER".

Driehaus (OH-1) Defends Health Care Vote

Left hung out to dry by the House Democrats, Rep. Steve Driehaus (OH-1) is out trying to justify his vote in support of the governmnt run health care plan. If passed in the Senate, it is all but assured the Stupak abortion amendment will be removed in committee.

From The Cincinnati Enquirer --

Driehaus said he stood firm against covering abortions under the plan and that he’ll run on the vote that helped seal a 220-215 victory for the Democratic plan.

“I will certainly be talking about health care on the campaign trail,” he said Monday after supporters praised his vote in an appearance at Good Samaritan Hospital.

“I had drawn a line in the sand early on about not spending federal dollars on abortions,” he added. “Look, this is a competitive district. It will remain a competitive district. I think the voters will face a choice. Do they want to go back to where we were or do they want to move forward?”

The poll that accompanied the below article in the Cincy Enquirer had 74% of the people stating they would vote against Driehaus in the next election because of his vote on health care. So it looks like the voters look like they want to move forward -- but without him.

Using Katrina Dollars to pass Health Care Reform in the House

Knowing that his father was a prisoner of the communist North Vietnamese Army (NVA), I am shocked that Rep. Joseph Cao (LA-2) would support a government take over of our health care. But, politicians being politicians.... self-preservation remains their highest character trait.

Again, that Cao became a turncoat for conservatives is shocking, but in hindsight, was he doing this in a way of appeasement to the strong democrat district he serves and as a way to ensure Katrina Dollars kept rolling in at Stupid-Star GOP Governor Bobby Jindal's, also of LA, request?

Press Secretary Robert Gibbs urged Republicans on Wednesday to follow the advice of Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who urged party members to start working more constructively with the president in passing health care legislation.

You think that is a stupid, far-fetched conclusion that Katrina dollars bought the health care vote? Then ask yourself this...

"Is it a coincidence that Gov. Bobby Jindal was sucking up to the administration's socialized health care plans, obviously for reasons related to Katrina dollars, and now Cao is the lone Republican to vote for it?"

House Narrowly Passes Health Care Bill

The House passed the Health their version of the health care bill with a vote of 220-215. This one step closer to government run health care and a take over of 1/6th of our economy was aided by RINO -- Rep. Joseph Cao....

The bill drew the votes of 219 Democrats and Rep. Joseph Cao, a first-term Republican who holds an overwhelmingly Democratic seat in New Orleans. Opposed were 176 Republicans and 39 Democrats.

From the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada issued a statement saying, "We realize the strong will for reform that exists, and we are energized that we stand closer than ever to reforming our broken health insurance system."

In his written statement, Obama praised the House's action and said, "now the United State Senate must follow suit and pass its version of the legislation. I am absolutely confident it will."

Nearly unanimous in their opposition, minority Republicans cataloged their objections across hours of debate on the 1,990-page, $1.2 trillion legislation.

United in opposition, minority Republicans cataloged their objections across hours of debate on the 1,990-page, $1.2 trillion legislation. (Yahoo News)