Tea Party Patriots Ordinary citizens reclaiming America's founding principles.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Republican Study Committee members introduce a Bill to prevent Default on the Debt

It looks like Congressman Jim Jordan is on a mission in D.C.! 

From The Republican Study Committee --
Led by Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA), Republican Study Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), and Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ), RSC members have introduced H.R. 421, the Full Faith and Credit Act.  In the event the statutory debt ceiling is reached, this legislation would direct the United States Treasury to prevent a default by paying principal and interest due on debt held by the public before making any other payments.  The bill has also been introduced in the Senate by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA).

“The ‘full faith and credit’ of the United States should not hang in the balance on every adjustment to the national debt limit,” said Rep. McClintock.  “States protect their credit by pledging first call on revenues to their debts and so should the federal government.  After all, before you can ‘provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty,’ you have to be able to finance them.”

“A pitiful scare tactic already being used by the Treasury Secretary in the debt ceiling debate is the threat of allowing the federal government to default on its obligations,” said Chairman Jordan.  “This is government mismanagement at its worst.  Secretary Geithner knows full well that he has the authority to prioritize federal spending so that default is not an option.  This bill will take Secretary Geithner’s disastrous scenario completely off the table.”

“America's sterling credit rating is vital to our future prosperity,” said Rep. Foxx.  “This bill offers a simple safeguard to protect our credit and prevent a sovereign debt crisis.  It's the sort of common sense solution that we can easily put in place without wading into the debate over raising the debt ceiling.”

“This important piece of legislation ensures America’s debt rating and the threat of default on our debt cannot be used as political weapons.  This bill will remind the markets and the world that America will never default on its debt while giving Congress time to have a meaningful, reasonable discussion about how to rein in out-of-control spending and prevent our country from sliding further into debt,” remarked Rep. Garrett.

# # #
Keep up the good work Congressman Jordan!

Saturday, January 29, 2011

The Senate Tea Party Caucus

In July 2010, in response & in support of the Tea Party movement, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann formed the House Tea Party Caucus.  Bachmann stated the House Tea Party Caucus was created not to be the voice of the Tea Party movement but more of an outlet for Tea Party groups to voice their concerns at the House level. 

At the time, while Bachmann has been a great supporter of the movement, many Tea Party coordinators & members had mixed feelings and many concerns on having an 'official' House Tea Party Caucus and the effects - good & bad - it may have on the movement. (Read here & here).

This past Thursday Senator Rand Paul & Senator Jim DeMint held the first Senate Tea Party Caucus...
Only four U.S. senators attended the Senate Tea Party Caucus' first meeting, with at least three new senators who won under the populist banner staying away.

"I sprang from the Tea Party and have great respect for what it represents," Sen. Ronald H. Johnson, R-Wis., one of the movement's stars, said in a statement.

But he will not join the caucus because he fears it could be divisive, he said. Instead, he said he will seek to bring Tea Party ideas under the broader Republican umbrella.

Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Patrick J. Toomey, R-Pa., also declined to join the caucus, whose Thursday meeting was organized by freshmen Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Jim DeMint, R-S.C., as a venue for promoting Tea Party ideals.

They were joined by freshman Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan. (UPI)
Defending Senator Marco Rubio's decision not to join the Caucus and, without casting any doubt on Senator Paul or DeMint's intentions or die-hard support of the Tea Party movement, some Tea Party coordinators are concerned about the outside influences behind the Senate Tea Party Caucus...
"Sen. Rubio has been sincere and faithful to the tea party values of fiscal responsibility, constitutional limited government, and free markets," writes Everett Wilkinson, head of the South Florida Tea Party. "Neither Rubio nor any other elected official should feel compelled by the grassroots tea party to join any 'Tea Party Caucus.' The tea party movement is comprised of grassroots, leaderless, bottom up, and decentralized organizations that operate opposite to DC business." More... 
We want to think, and have every reason to believe, Senator Paul & Senator DeMint, can and will resist any agenda-driven forces. If there are two people in D.C. that really appear to understand and respect the power of the Tea Party movement -  it would be Senator Rand Paul & Senator Jim DeMint.

Considering what has been accomplished by the informal "We the People" Caucus built over the last two years by Tea Party, 9.12 & Liberty-minded groups across the U.S., the question moving forward should be -- Do we really need a Tea Party Caucus in the House or Senate? 

Please share your thoughts and concerns below or email them to us at clevelandteaparty@gmail.com. From email's received so far the sentiment has been evenly mixed from strongly support to strongly oppose and the majority of them being cautiously optimistic.  You input is needed and will be greatly appreciated.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Jordan, Garrett and DeMint Unveil the Spending Reduction Act

Jordan, Garrett and DeMint
Unveil the Spending Reduction Act

Outline $2.5 trillion in spending cuts to help resolve growing debt crisis

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), Chairman of the Republican Study Committee (RSC), Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Chairman of the RSC Budget and Spending Task Force, and Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC), Chairman of the Senate Steering Committee, unveiled the Spending Reduction Act, which begins to address the rapidly growing national debt by making substantial spending cuts immediately and throughout the next decade.

“The national debt has grown from $8.6 trillion four years ago to more than $14 trillion today,” said Jordan.  “This mountain of debt, nearly the size of our entire economy, threatens to create a whole new financial crisis.  Every day we refuse to change course and instill some fiscal responsibility, the problem grows even larger.  Unless Washington acts soon to cut spending, massive tax hikes, economic stagnation, and national bankruptcy will rob our children of the opportunity to reach for the American Dream.”

“The Spending Reduction Act gives us a $2.5 trillion head start in the race to preserve the fiscal stability of the United States,” said Garrett.  “This bill represents the first step in the process, not the last.  To achieve long-term fiscal stability, we must finish the race by making the tough decisions Congress has put off for far too long.  Only after we tear down barriers to job creation and make reforms to our entitlement programs can we truly resolve our debt crisis.”

“Our nation stands on the edge of a fiscal cliff and we face a stark choice: go over the edge into bankruptcy and declining freedom or choose to make the hard decisions today to save our country for our children and grandchildren," said Senator DeMint. "I'm proud to stand with Congressmen Jordan and Garrett against the wave of wasteful Washington spending. The Spending Reduction Act begins the difficult task of shrinking the federal bureaucracy that threatens our future prosperity. Congress must take the steps now to balance the budget, pay off our debt, and preserve freedom for future generations.”

Compared to current projections, the Spending Reduction Act would save taxpayers $2.5 trillion through 2021.  It starts by keeping House Republicans’ pledge to take current spending back to 2008 levels and repeal unspent funds from the failed “stimulus.”  

At the beginning of the next fiscal year on October 1, 2011, spending is further reduced to 2006 levels and frozen there for the next decade.  To help achieve these savings, the bill shrinks the size and cost of the civilian federal workforce and specifically targets over 100 budget items and spending reforms.

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Monday, January 24, 2011

Senator Rob Portman's First Legislation Focused On Ohio Jobs

Press Release
of
Senator Portman


Senator Portman's First Legislation 
Focused On Ohio Jobs

Legislation Would Create Over One Million New Jobs
and Repeal Key Anti-Job Aspects of Democrat Healthcare Law

Monday, January 24, 2011

WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) announced the introduction of his first piece of legislation, the Job Creation Act of 2011.  The Job Creation Act of 2011 would provide needed tax and regulatory relief to the private sector to help create new jobs and provide greater certainty for our economy at a time when it is badly needed.

“Over the past two years, I have traveled to every one of Ohio’s 88 counties and visited over 100 factories, farms and other businesses to get input on how to bring jobs back to Ohio.  I received a lot of good ideas from small business owners, workers, and economic development groups.  The result was the Portman Plan for Jobs and this legislation, the Job Creation Act of 2011,” said Senator Portman.

“We need to focus on pro-growth policies, like those included in the Job Creation Act, in order to create an environment that fosters job growth and gets Americans back to work.  If passed, this legislation will create over 1.4 million jobs, provide nearly $240 billion in tax relief, reduce the deficit by $85 billion and eliminate some of the most burdensome mandates on job creators,” continued Portman.

Over the past two years, Washington has been making it harder, not easier, for companies of all sizes to create jobs.  The Job Creation Act of 2011 is a significant step in the other direction which will immediately help companies grow, create jobs and invest in the future.  Economists estimate the payroll tax section of the Job Creation Act alone would create more than 1.4 million jobs.  The legislation would provide nearly $240 billion in tax relief to foster hiring and investment while reducing the deficit by $85 billion and ending job destroying mandates on job creators.

“The Job Creation Act of 2011 is a robust first step towards a pro-job atmosphere here in Washington, and I will continue to remain laser focused on fixing Ohio’s economy and creating an environment conducive to job growth,” stated Portman.

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Sunday, January 23, 2011

Support the Economic Freedom Act

Below is the Press Release from Congressman Jim Jordan (OH-4) and his proposed Economic Freedom Act.  Please contact Ohio's members of Congress and ask them to support Congressman Jim Jordan's "Economic Freedom Act".  Contact information is listed below.

From Congressman Jim Jordan (OH-4) --

Economic Recovery Through Private Sector Growth

The American economy lost over 7 million jobs, and the American people are more than 4 trillion dollars deeper in debt today because the tax-and-spenders in Washington, D.C. failed to heed President Reagan’s words:

“Government is not the solution to our problem.
Government is the problem.”

The multi-trillion dollar government stimulus programs and taxpayer-funded bailouts have failed. A growing private sector economy is the only “stimulus program” that will create the jobs needed to restore America’s economic strength.

Congressman Jordan and Congressman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) have introduced H.R. 5029, the Economic Freedom Act, a plan to unleash the power of America’s private sector economy.

The Economic Freedom Act would terminate the TARP and repeal the remaining stimulus, replacing them with a real stimulus plan to create jobs by:

           Reducing The Payroll Tax by Half for 2010 Providing immediate stimulus by increasing workers’ paychecks and improving the bottom line for employers.

Eliminating The Capital Gains Tax Encouraging the risk-taking and investment that is at the heart of the entrepreneurial spirit

Reducing the Corporate Tax Rate to 12.5% Improving America’s competitiveness in the global market and providing incentives for expansion and job creation

Permanently Eliminating the Death Tax Ensuring that small businesses and family farms, the engine of our economy, will continue creating jobs for future generations

Providing Immediate Business Expensing Encouraging long-term reinvestment in business, increasing competitiveness and creating jobs

Click here and listen to Congressman Jordan explain the EFA.

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Contact Info:

Below is the contact information for Ohio's members of the U.S. House.

Rep. Steve Chabot, OH-1
D.C. Office Phone: (202) 225-2216
D.C. Office Fax: (202) 225-3012
Email: https://chabot.house.gov/contact-me/email-me

Rep. Jean Schmidt, OH-2
D.C. Office Phone: (202) 225-3164
D.C. Office Fax: (202) 225-1992
E-mail: http://www.house.gov/schmidt/contact.shtml

Rep. Mike Turner, OH-3
D.C. Office Phone: (202) 225-6465
D.C. Office Fax: (202) 225-6754
E-mail: http://turner.house.gov/Contact/

Rep. Bob Latta, OH-5
D.C. Office Phone: 1-800-541-6446 (OHIO)
D.C. Office Fax: 1-800-278-8203
E-mail: https://latta.house.gov/Contact/default.aspx

Rep. Bill Johnson, OH-6
D.C. Office Phone: (202) 225-5705
D.C. Office Fax: (202) 225-5907
E-mail: https://forms.house.gov/charliewilson/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm

Rep. Steve Austria, OH-7
D.C. Office Phone: (202) 225-4324
D.C. Office Fax: (202) 225-1984
E-mail: http://austria.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=7&sectiontree=4,7

Rep. John Boehner, OH-8
D.C. Office Phone: (202)225-0600
D.C. Office Fax: (202)225-5117
E-mail: SpeakerBoehner@mail.house.gov

Rep. Marcy Kaptur, OH-9
D.C. Office Phone: (202)225-4146
D.C. Office Fax: (202)225-7711
E-mail: https://forms.house.gov/kaptur/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm

Rep. Dennis Kucinich, OH-10
D.C. Office Phone: (202)225-5871
D.C. Office Fax; (202)225-5745
E-mail: http://kucinich.house.gov/Contact/ContactForm.htm

Rep. Marcia Fudge, OH-11
D.C. Office Phone: (202)225-7032
D.C. Office Fax: (202)225-1339
Email: http://fudge.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=190&sectiontree=4,190

Rep. Patrick Tiberi, OH-12
D.C. Office Phone: (202)225-5355
D.C. Office Fax: (202)226-4523
Email: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Rep. Betty Sutton, OH-13
D.C. Office Phone: (202)225-3401
D.C. Office Fax: (202)225-2266
E-mail: http://sutton.house.gov/about/emailform.cfm

Rep. Steven LaTourette, OH-14
D.C. Office Phone: (202) 225-5731
D.C. Office Fax: (202) 225-3307
Email: http://latourette.house.gov/contact/contact-form.aspx

Rep. Steve Stivers, OH-15
D.C. Office Phone: (202)225-2015
D.C. Office Fax: (202)225-3529
E-mail: https://stivers.house.gov/contact-me/email-me

Rep. Jim Renacci, OH-16
D.C. Office Phone: (202)225-3876
D.C. Office Fax: (202)225-3059
E-mail: https://renacci.house.gov/contact-me/email-me

Rep. Tim Ryan, OH-17
D.C. Office Phone; (202)225-5261
E-mail: https://forms.house.gov/timryan/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm

Rep. Bob Gibbs, OH-18
D.C. Office Phone: (202)225-6265
D.C. Office Fax: (202)225-3394
E-mail: https://gibbs.house.gov/contact-me/email-me

*** Please note: some members of the House are using the "Write your Representitive" U.S. House email program and refusing to accept emails/comments from people outside their District.  For residency verification a zip code and at times an address is requested.

If you live within the District and do not wish to use your own address or if you live outside the District and still want to comment, you can enter the zip code and/or address of the local District Office for the member you are trying to contact.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn Introduces Health Care Choices Act

Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (TN-7) introduced a bill that will allow people to purchase health insurance across state lines...
Congressman Marsha Blackburn (TN-7) introduced the Health Care Choices Act today. She was joined by Rep. Fred Upton, Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Rep. Joe Pitts, Chairman for the Subcommittee on Health, and over sixty other co-sponsors.

The Health Care Choices Act replaces onerous Washington mandates with true competition for health coverage by permitting the sale of health insurance products across state lines. The Act will allow consumers to shop for health insurance just like they do for other insurance products- online, by mail, over the phone, or in consultation with an insurance agent in their hometown. It opens the consumer to greater insurance options than those offered in the state where they live.

"The health care law we repealed yesterday forces the cost of health insurance ever higher through Washington driven mandates. The Health Care Choices Act will drive down the cost of insurance through competition. Once we remove the artificial barriers created by state lines, insurance companies will be free to compete for your business; giving consumers the policies they want at a price they can afford." Mrs. Blackburn said.

In speaking about the bill Chairman Upton said: “Competition is one of the most powerful market forces. It drives down cost while improving quality, and it creates a vast array of options to meet consumers’ individual needs. Yet rigid federal constraints prevent Americans from shopping for health insurance the way they shop for car insurance and consumer products, looking at the costs and benefits offered by providers from coast to coast. I’m pleased to cosponsor this bill to empower Americans, and I welcome this and all efforts to replace Obamacare with commonsense solutions designed to bring down costs, expand access to coverage, and protect the doctor-patient relationship.”

Judicial Watch files Suit Against Maryland Community College for giving In-State Tuition break to Illegal Immigrants

From Judicial Watch --
Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, announced today that on Thursday, January 20, it filed a taxpayer lawsuit against the Board of Trustees of Maryland’s Montgomery College for unlawfully charging discounted “in county” tuition rates to students who graduate from Montgomery County public high schools, regardless of their place of residency or immigration status. The new lawsuit alleges Montgomery College’s tuition policy violates both Maryland and federal law and places a substantial financial burden on Montgomery County taxpayers who subsidize the cost of students attending the community college. Judicial Watch filed the lawsuit on behalf of Montgomery County taxpayers Michael Lee Philips, Patricia Fenati and David Drake in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County (Philips, et al. v. Board of Trustees of Montgomery College (V342882)).

According to Judicial Watch’s complaint:
Under federal law, unlawfully present aliens generally are ineligible for state or local public benefits, including post-secondary education benefits such as reduced tuition, unless a state has enacted a law affirmatively providing for such eligibility. The State of Maryland has never enacted a law affirmatively providing that unlawfully present aliens are eligible to receive reduced, in-county tuition at public institutions of higher education, including community colleges such as Montgomery College…

Pursuant to Maryland law, “Montgomery College is required to charge out-of-state tuition to any student who attends a community college in the State of Maryland and is not a resident of the State…”

Defendant Board's long-standing policy is causing substantial, pecuniary loss to taxpayers in Montgomery County and the State of Maryland. By providing reduced, in-county tuition to all students who graduate from Montgomery County public high schools, regardless of their residence or status as unlawfully present aliens, Montgomery College is failing to collect revenue that, by state and federal law, it is required to collect.
By law, the tuition paid by a student who attends community college is determined by a student’s place of residence. Students who are residents of the county or counties supporting the community college they attend are charged an in-county rate. Students who are residents of the State of Maryland, but reside outside the county or counties supporting the community college they attend are charged an instate rate. Students who reside outside the State of Maryland are charged an out-of-state rate.

However, Montgomery College has a long-standing policy of providing graduates of Montgomery County public high schools, including illegal aliens who unlawfully reside in the United States, the lowest “in county” tuition rate regardless of their place of residence. Montgomery College described this policy in financial statements for Fiscal Years 2007, 2008 and 2009: "[T]he Montgomery College policy is applicable to all persons, equally, and includes all citizens as well as undocumented aliens…" The tuition policy was formally adopted by Montgomery College’s Board of Trustees on November 15, 2010.

Between 2006 and 2009, Montgomery College failed to collect $5,870,852 in tuition fees due to its policy of unlawfully allowing a discounted “in county” tuition rate to illegal aliens and other “out of state” students.
The policy has been questioned by the College’s own auditors. Maryland State Delegate Pat McDonough first alerted Judicial Watch to this issue last year, prompting Judicial Watch to conduct an independent investigation, which led to this taxpayer lawsuit.

“Montgomery College’s funneling of tax dollars to tuition benefits for illegal aliens is against the law. The policy is especially egregious in this age of government budget crises,” stated Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. “Our taxpayer clients hope the court will put a stop to Montgomery College’s policy of providing illegal perks at taxpayer expense.”

Ohio Republican Congressional Delegation comments on House Repeal of Obama Care

H/T Weapons of Mass Discussion

Speaker John Boehner --


Rep. Bill Johnson (OH-6) --


Rep. Bob Gibbs (OH-16) --


Can You Fix OH's Budget Woe's? Give it a Shot!

The Columbus Dispatch has a nifty little application that allows you to play Governor and gives you an opportunity to pick cuts or increases in state spending.  Upon completion of your made up budget, the application generates headlines you may expect to see if your cuts or increases were enacted.

Click here to give it a try. 

Leave a comment on your results below...

Pathway to Repealing Obamacare in the U.S. House (Awesome Video)

Here is a great video highlighting all the hard work done by Tea Party Patriot groups and members from across the U.S. in our fight to Repeal Obamacare in the U.S. House....

How to repeal Obamacare in the Senate

Here is a great piece at the Heritage Foundation laying out the procedure in which the Senate can force a vote on the repeal of Obama Care...

From The Heritage Foundation --
This week the House will pass a bill to repeal Obamacare. Congressional experts will argue that the Senate won’t pass a full repeal. They are correct to argue that full repeal will not be passed by both the House and Senate in the next few months, but they may be wrong that a full repeal bill will not pass in this Congress within the next two years. If Senators don’t take two procedural steps this week, they will make it virtually impossible to ever get a vote on the House-passed full repeal bill this Congress.

The House will pass H.R. 2 this week. Once that bill is passed, it will be sent to the Senate for consideration. Once the Senate receives the bill, any Senator can use Rule 14 to object to the second reading of the bill. This procedural objection will “hold at the desk” the House-passed bill and allow the Senate to act on the full repeal measure.

If the bill is referred to committee, it will never get to the Senate floor. This procedural objection by one or a number of Senators will stop the bill from being referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP). If the bill is referred to committee, there is little to no expectation that the committee will pass the bill, let alone have one hearing on the bill.

Objecting to Rule 14 would hold the bill at the desk of the Senate and would put H.R. 2 on the Senate calendar. This procedure could be done with a letter or call from one Senator to the party leader. This would allow the Senate Majority Leader to commence debate on the matter when he so chooses. It is unlikely that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D–NV) would move to proceed to the bill, yet there is a procedure that any Senator can use to force a debate.

Any Senator can use Rule 22 to commence debate on H.R. 2 if they have held the bill at the desk. Rule 22, the filibuster rule, states:
"Notwithstanding the provisions of rule II or rule IV or any other rule of the Senate, at any time a motion signed by sixteen Senators, to bring to a close the debate upon any measure, motion, other matter pending before the Senate, or the unfinished business, is presented to the Senate, the Presiding Officer, or clerk at the direction of the Presiding Officer, shall at once state the motion to the Senate, and one hour after the Senate meets on the following calendar day but one, he shall lay the motion before the Senate and direct that the clerk call the roll, and upon the ascertainment that a quorum is present, the Presiding Officer shall, without debate, submit to the Senate by a yea-and-nay vote the question: “Is it the sense of the Senate that the debate shall be brought to a close?”

And if that question shall be decided in the affirmative by three-fifths of the Senators duly chosen and sworn—except on a measure or motion to amend the Senate rules, in which case the necessary affirmative vote shall be two-thirds of the Senators present and voting—then said measure, motion, or other matter pending before the Senate, or the unfinished business, shall be the unfinished business to the exclusion of all other business until disposed of."
If any Senator can gather 16 signatures on a cloture petition, then they could file that petition with the clerk of the Senate. This would commence a proceeding that would end with a vote requiring 60 votes to shut off debate on a motion to proceed to a full repeal of Obamacare within two days of the filing of the petition. It is expected that Senate liberals would use Rule 22 to filibuster a full repeal of Obamacare. This would put many Senate Democrats in the interesting situation of voicing support for so-called “filibuster reform” while at the same time using the filibuster rule to block an up or down vote on Obamacare.

Once a bill is held at the desk, they can gather 16 signatures, then wait until the appropriate time to file cloture. They could do so next week or next year. If the courts continue to declare parts of Obamacare unconstitutional and the American people continue to despise this law, then the probability of full repeal may go up over time. At a minimum, Senators have the power to force a vote on full repeal of Obamacare if they have the will to do so.

If the supporters of a full repeal of Obamacare don’t use the Senate’s rules to force a vote on full repeal, don’t take them seriously when they say they are really want to repeal President Obama’s de facto government takeover of health care.
Will they have the backbone to do this?

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Tea Party Patriots Statement on House Repeal of Obamacare

Repealing Obamacare 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CONTACT: Ralph King
Clevelandteaparty@gmail.com

January 19, 2011                                      


GRASSROOTS AMERICANS APPLAUD HOUSE
REPEAL OF HEALTHCARE
Tea Party Patriots Calls on Senate to Follow Suit

(Cleveland, OH) - Today, the Tea Party Patriots applauded the 245-189 vote by the House to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act, also known as ObamaCare.

"During the 111th Congress politicians who consider themselves the 'ruling elite' passed a job killing, tax raising, liberty stealing bill which they called 'health care reform,'" said Jenny Beth Martin, National Coordinator of Tea Party Patriots.  "This was done against the clearly expressed will of the majority of the American people, and they voted to remove their unresponsive representatives in November.  Following through today, the House of Representatives lived up to its duties as the people's house and voted to repeal the disaster foisted on the American people.

"Now the question is: Will the Senate resolve to listen to will of the American people?  Many have said that Majority Leader Reid will not allow the bill to even be debated, let alone come to a vote in the Senate.  What is he scared of?  Is he unwilling to allow each Senator to stand up and be counted?  The American people have stood and been counted on this issue, and repudiated this law.  It is time for the Senate to openly and transparently debate repeal so the majority of Americans can know where they stand."

"November 2012 is not far away, and Americans will remember what happens in the Senate," said Mark Meckler, National Coordinator of Tea Party Patriots.  "If the Senate refuses to allow such a debate and repeal, 2012 will once again see an historic number of incumbents removed from their seats as the people continue their quest to wrestle control of their government from an out of touch ruling elite."

"Now the ball is in Senator Reid's court," said Ralph King of the Cleveland Tea Party Patriots and TPP State (OH) co-coordinator.  "Will he stand with, or against, the American people? TheTea Party Patriots are watching." 


Tea Party Patriots is a national grassroots coalition with more than 3,000 locally organized chapters and more than 15 million supporters nationwide.  Tea Party Patriots is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting the principles of fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited government, and free markets. 

Visit Tea Party Patriots online at www.TeaPartyPatriots.org.

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Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Eric Cantor tells Harry Reid - "Go Ahead, I dare you!"

And the fun starts!

The House opened debate today on the full repeal of the health care reform law (Obamacare). While expected to easily pass the GOP led House, the projected outlook is not so good in the Democrat led Senate.

Responding to the cock-sure attitude of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid that repealing the health care bill does not stand a chance passing in the Senate, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor threw a log on the fire and dared Reid to bring it up for a vote on the Senate Floor....

From Politico --
“If Harry Reid is so confident that the repeal vote should die in the Senate then he should bring it up for a vote if he’s so confident he’s got the votes,” Cantor said.

Reid’s office rejected the idea.

Cantor questioned whether Democrats actually have all the support for health reform that they think they do.

“If Harry Reid is so confident that the members of that body are where he is, then let’s see them vote in that body.” More...

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Tea Party Patriots American Policy Summit; Pathways to Liberty


Tea Party Patriots (www.teapartypatriots.org) will celebrate the 2nd Anniversary of the tea party movement in Phoenix, February 25-27th, with the first Tea Party Patriot American Policy Summit. (Click here to register.)

We believe it is every citizen’s duty to defend America’s founding principles. That’s why one of the Tea Party Patriots’ goals is to gain the support of 60% of American citizens for the three core values of Fiscal Responsibility, Constitutionally Limited Government, and Free Markets.

It has taken the country a long time to get where we are. Now is the time to equip future generations to turn things around—to make wise decisions in elections, exercise their civic duties, and be active and educated about government.

The focus of the summit is on policy - how can we shape it to serve liberty and freedom? How do we tackle the significant challenges facing us in reaching that goal? What do we need to do become more effective activists? And much, much more.

To achieve this goal, we will focus on reforming six key areas in American life, known as the Pathways to Liberty
  • Education
  • Legislation
  • Judicial
  • Elections
  • Culture
  • Economics

Register today (CLICK HERE) to help write a new chapter in American history as Tea Party Patriots become as effective at shaping public policy as we were in shaping the last election.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Governor Kasich Cuts $300,000 from Staff Payroll

Facing a predicted budget gap of over $8 Billion (Thanks Ted), Governor Kasich immediately lopped off $300,000 in office staff payroll.

This will hardly solve having a Grand Canyon size hole in our next state budget -- but it is a step in the right direction!

From the Columbus Dispatch --
Gov. John Kasich is paying some top staff members significantly more than their counterparts in the previous administration, but his total projected office payroll is about $300,000 lower with eight fewer workers, data released yesterday show.

Kasich's office provided the salaries of 43 people hired so far and salaries for 26 other positions it intends to fill, a total of 69 employees and a combined annual payroll of $4.5 million without benefits.

At the end of Gov. Ted Strickland's term, he had 77 staff members earning a combined $4.8million, Kasich's office said. That's nearly $300,000 more than Kasich said he intends to pay once his office is fully staffed. More...

OH House Appointments

From Weapons of Mass Discussion --
COLUMBUS – Speaker William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) today announced the appointment of three new members of the Ohio House of Representatives, each of whom were sworn in during Tuesday’s House session. The House Republican Caucus members have unanimously approved of the three appointments.
 
“While it is ultimately the responsibility of the House of Representatives under the Ohio Constitution to make an appointment in these instances, we rely heavily on the input of the constituents and local leaders of the individual House Districts,” Speaker Batchelder said.  “Thanks in no small part to the efforts put forth by the constituency in each of these districts, we are privileged to welcome three excellent new members to our caucus.”
 
The appointments are as follows:
 
House District 37: James Butler, Jr.
Rep. Peggy Lehner (R-Kettering) was recently appointed to fill the remaining two years of former state senator Jon Husted’s term due to his election as Ohio’s Secretary of State.  The Montgomery County Republican Party unanimously recommended local attorney Jim Butler (R-Oakwood) to fill the remainder of Rep. Lehner’s term.
 
“Jim’s record of service to Montgomery County and our nation is outstanding,” Speaker Batchelder said.  “His service and intellect will be a tremendous addition to our caucus.”
 
Rep. Butler is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy with a bachelor’s degree in history and a graduate of the University of Maryland with a master’s degree in history.  He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in the top 10 percent of his class and then entered flight training at the Naval Academy where he graduated first in his class.  He is a 2005 graduate of the University of Cincinnati College of Law and is currently an associate at Thompson Hine, LLP in Dayton.
 
The 37th House District, located in Montgomery County, includes the cities of Kettering, Miamisburg, Oakwood, West Carrollton, and several townships.

House District 77: Jim Buchy
Recently, Governor John Kasich announced that Representative Jim Zehringer (R-Fort Recovery) would lead the Ohio Department of Agriculture, creating a vacancy in the 77th House District.  Former State Representative Jim Buchy (R-Greenville) has been selected to fill the remainder of Rep. Zehringer’s term.
 
“Jim is a wonderful man with an exemplary record of service in the legislature and in the private sector,” Speaker Batchelder said.  “Having the support of all three county Republican parties, Rep. Zehringer, Senator Faber, Congressman Jordan and the constituents of the district made this an easy choice for our caucus and I look forward to working with Jim again.”
 
Rep. Buchy served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1983 to 2000 and served as the assistant director for the Ohio Department of Agriculture from 2001 to 2004.  He is the President of Buchy Food Service in Greenville, Ohio and serves on the NFIB-Ohio statewide leadership council.
 
The 77th House District includes all of Mercer and Preble Counties and the western portion of Darke County.

House District 98: Richard Hollington
Rep. Dick Hollington (R-Hunting Valley) has been re-appointed to the 98th House District seat after a unanimous recommendation by a legislative screening panel. 
 
“After interviewing a dozen well-qualified, thoughtful applicants for this vacancy, we believe Representative Hollington’s previous service in the legislature coupled with his private sector work experience will be best suited to work with our caucus during these challenging economic times,” said Rep. Lou Blessing, who chaired the legislative screening panel in December.
 
Rep. Hollington served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1967 to 1970 and recently served the 98th House District during the 2010 legislative session after being appointed following the resignation of former Representative Matt Dolan. He is a senior partner in the Cleveland Law Firm of Baker Hostetler LLP and finance director for the Village of Hunting Valley.  He is a graduate of Harvard Law School.
 
The 98th House District encompasses all of Geauga County and portions of Cuyahoga County.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Education Revolution: Restoring America's Exceptionalism

American 15-year-olds rank 35th out of 57 countries in math and literacy, behind almost all industrialized nations! I don’t believe America should be 35th in anything.  It’s time to restore America’s Exceptionalism!


On Monday, January 24, Americans for Prosperity Ohio will co-host an exciting town hall in the greater Cleveland area with Fox News Commentator Juan Williams and national radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt!  Click here for a full list of sponsoring organizations.

You can register for this free-ticketed event HERE

Be a part of the revolution to restore America’s exceptionalism!  Hugh Hewitt and Juan Williams will be taking your town hall questions at The Education Revolution– Restoring American Exceptionalism Town Hall

The Education Revolution is not a partisan issue.
It’s an American issue –and our future depends on it!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Ohio AG Mike DeWine to join Multi-State Lawsuit against Obama Care

The Cleveland Tea Party Patriots would like to thank Attorney General DeWine for being a man of his word and immediately fulfilling one of his most important campaign promises. 

From Columbus Dispatch --
On his first day in office yesterday, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine sought to fulfill a campaign pledge by asking Florida's attorney general to let him join a lawsuit challenging federal health-care reforms.

DeWine, a Republican, sent a letter to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi asking to join a multistate lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of reforms championed by President Barack Obama.

Florida is the lead plaintiff in a case in which about 20 states are contesting the federal government's authority to require Americans to buy health insurance.

Bondi's office couldn't say yesterday how many other states have asked to join the case this year. DeWine and five other Republicans replaced Democratic attorneys general after the 2010 election cycle.

The PROUD Act; The DREAM Act's Little Brother

After having the nightmarish back-door amnesty DREAM Act act shot down the left is again ignoring the will of the American people with a newly named Amnesty for Illegal Immigrants bill -- The PROUD Act.

From Rep. Joe Baca --
Today, Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) introduced legislation to allow motivated immigrant high school graduates to apply for United States citizenship after meeting certain academic requirements, which would replace the naturalization exam, and paying a reduced fee.  The People Resolved to Obtain an Understanding of Democracy (PROUD) Act, mandates that any high school graduate who can furnish transcripts proving completion of grades 6 through 12, displays an understanding of United States history, government and civics, and can prove they are of good moral character be allowed to apply for U.S. citizenship.

“America is the land of opportunity, we are blessed to live in a nation where people of diverse backgrounds can come together as one,” said Rep. Baca.  “The PROUD Act is important legislation that puts our most responsible and successful immigrant students on a streamlined path for citizenship, and at the same time motivates all our students to do their best and to stay out of trouble.”

Currently, the minimum age to take the United States citizenship exam as part of the naturalization process is 18 years.  The PROUD Act would amend the Immigration Nationality Act to allow exemplary non-citizen high school graduates, who are of age, to apply for citizenship as long as they provide the necessary academic transcripts, proof of essential civic knowledge, and are in good moral standing within the community.

“It is wrong to have policies that unfairly punish the innocent young people who came to America by no choice of their own as children,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “By recognizing those hard-working, immigrant students who are here to make a better life for themselves and their families, the PROUD Act can make a positive impact in schools and communities throughout our nation.  And by increasing the number of high-skilled, citizen workers, this legislation can boost our economic recovery by creating additional tax revenue at the local, state, and federal level.”

Rep. Baca also sponsored the PROUD Act in the previous (111th) Congress.  The legislation was included as a key provision in the larger comprehensive immigration reform legislation introduced in the House of Representatives, H.R. 4321, CIR-ASAP.  Last Congress, the PROUD Act was endorsed by numerous advocacy organizations including LULAC, HACU, the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, MANA, and the National Latino Farmers & Ranchers Trade Association. 

Two Bills introduced to Stop the Over-Regulation of the American People

A great step in the right direction!

From Rep. Don Young --
Alaskan Congressman Don Young has introduced two bills aimed at curbing the overregulation of the American people.  Both H.R. 213, the Regulation Audit Revive Economy Act of 2011 (RARE Act of 2011), and H.R. 214, the Congressional Office of Regulatory Analysis Creation and Sunset and Review Act of 2011, intend to not only review existing regulations but limit future ones as well.

“Quite often contentious regulations are issued through agencies, thus bypassing Congress and the voice of the people,” said Rep. Young.  “This legislative trick by the Executive Branch has contributed to our massive federal deficit and overall debt, while sometimes restricting small business growth.  Hundreds of thousands of pages of regulations are on the books, making the amount of red tape industry has to navigate almost paralyzing.  And more often than not, these regulations are written in convoluted legalese making them near impossible to understand.

“With the abundance of regulations already coming from legislation such as the health care bill and the inevitability of thousands more this year, it is incredibly important that we do this review sooner rather than later.  The excess of government has gotten out of hand, and with these bills I am calling on Congress to finally take a hard look at these overreaching rules that stifle American freedoms.”  

For the text of H.R. 213 click
here
For the text of H.R. 214 click here

•   There are over 160,000 pages of regulations on the books right now

•   In 2005, the Small Business Administration study found that enforcing all the regulations costs $1.1 trillion per year (Americans paid less in income taxes in 2009)

•   3,500 new rules were adopted in 2009 alone at a cost of $13.6 billion, most of these new rules were a result of the outgoing Bush Administration

•   For the last couple of decades, the federal government has issued on average 4,000 new rules each year in the Federal Register

•   The Code of Federal Regulations in 2006 had 33 percent more pages than in 1980

•   Three years into the George W. Bush Administration, the cost of new regulations hit $4 billion.  One year into the Obama Administration, the cost of new regulations hit $4 billion.

New Website Tracks Lobbyist Registrations & Trends in D.C.

From The Sunlight Foundation --
With the 112th Congress officially convened, a new session of lobbying in Washington has also started. In order to know who is lobbying for whom, the Sunlight Foundation today launched its new “Lobbyist Registration Tracker”. The website is a go-to resource on federal lobbying where users can find information on recent registrations made by lobbyists and lobbying firms, the client who hired them and what issues are being lobbied.

Lobbyists have filed more than 350 new registrations since Election Day. Currently, clients are seeking to influence issues from the federal budget and health care to Kyrgyz government negotiations with the United States. Lobbyists must file registrations with the House and Senate within 45 days of being hired. The Lobbyist Registration Tracker utilizes filings made with the Senate Office of Public Records to provide a snapshot — updated weekly — of who is hiring lobbyists and why.

“This website gives you the earliest insights into what policies and topics are drawing the attention of special interests in Washington,” said Bill Allison, editorial director of the Sunlight Foundation. “While we can't fully track campaign money, this is one arena where we have information on about who is meeting with Congress to influence policy matters and government spending.”

The Lobbyist Registration Tracker can be browsed via a single issue, such as banking or defense; by registrant, an individual lobbyist or firm; or by the client that hired the lobbyist. The issue, registrant and client pages include a listing of all new registrations made since 2009 and a timeline of trends over the past 12 months. These pages are available as a RSS feed or can be downloaded as a .CSV file. The Lobbyist Registration Tracker also connects users to the Sunlight Foundation’s Influence Explorer, which provides political contribution, lobbying activity, earmarks and federal spending information on people, organizations and corporations.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Ballots not Bullets

This weekend has been one of great tragedy and loss. This has been a weekend of heartache and great despair for all Americans. Let's keep in our prayers those who have suffered loss. Let's pray for the speedy and full recovery of Gabrielle Giffords.

I had the opportunity to speak on the air with Dave Ramos on WTAM between 4:30PM and 5:00PM on Sunday afternoon. The conversation was along the lines of the horrific events that transpired over the weekend. More specifically, the conversation was about how the sheriff of Pima county and the media in general were trying to blame talk radio and the Tea Party for these heinous acts. My point was lucid and direct. I said, "The Tea Party is about ballots not bullets! The November election was a very clear indication of that. They (the Left) tried to do the same thing back when McVeigh went off in the mid 1990's They tried to blame Rush Limbaugh" Yes I was a bit fired up. You see, I feel personally insulted when the media points the finger at people like me. My point was that the Left tries to create the public perception that folks who are pro small government, pro limited government, and pro constitutional government are, in fact, anti-government. This is a purposeful ruse which has no basis in fact. I went on to say, "Here's this guy Loughner complaining about illiteracy ... yet he can't put together a coherent logical thought in his own mind. Despite his ability to read, he himself could not put together a literate, cohesive philosophy. It doesn't matter if he's reading Karl Marx, or Hitler's Mein Kampf, or my blog. He is not operating on a core set of values." A few more things were said in the stream of consciousness ...then the conversation ended. Mr. Ramos went on to make a very shrewd point. He wondered if this Loughner guy had some kind of weird  "Jody Foster" like obsession. Maybe he was just one of those loons ... the product of a fatal attraction. Mr. Ramos did indicate that there was some type of prior communication between Miss Giffords and the shooter. I believe he said that the shooter had previously attended one of her functions. So, who knows what is in the mind of the person truly on the edge.

But I wanted to vocally defend the Tea Party and all of the wonderful Americans who have an affinity for its tenets. I want to encourage all of the Tea Party strong to be assured in your stance. Keep in mind the mantra of "Ballots Not Bullets" ... then VOTE! Do not be deterred by the laconic labels of the misinformed. Let us keep growing and sharing the common sense of our wise forefathers. Let us stay vigilant. May we learn how to disagree without being disagreeable. Let us be here and now in this moment vital and strong. Harry Reid said on Sunday that, "as soon as the economy improves, the Tea Party will disappear." Harry Reid continues to be wrong ... his streak remains unbroken. Do not give him the satisfaction of being right for the first time in his life. Long live the Tea Party! Gold bless America!

Jeffrey Jay Moore

Although I have graciously been granted permission to post to this blog for over two months, I have (until now) been content to post to my little blogosphere world at fishyspeech.blogspot.com. I only post this link so you can see what I believe qualifies as a lucid rant. My tongue is sharp and vitriolic. This I cannot deny. But my demeanor in the face to face real world is diplomatic. I am fervent in my beliefs but never disrespectful to those with whom I disagree. This crazed shooter did not have a lucid rant and was very disrespectful to those he disagreed with.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

AZ Congresswoman Shot at Speaking Event

Speaking at a public event AZ Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head.  Numerous reports indicated Congresswoman Giffords was fatally wounded. The Congresswoman survived the attack and the operation at the hospital and is repsonding to doctors. Various reports also state 3 of her aides and 12-15 bystanders were also shot.

From Fox News --
Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head at close range by a gunman Saturday morning outside a grocery store in Tucson while holding a public event, Fox News has confirmed.

Eight others were shot, including three of the Arizona Democrat's aides, at Giffords' "Your Corner" event held at a Safeway grocery story. A suspect is in custody.
Our hearts & prayers go out to the family of Congresswoman Giffords for this senseless and tragic murder. 

The Cleveland Tea Party Patriots in no way, shape or form condone this type of senseless killing over political differences.  We can only hope an pray that the gunmen bears the full brunt of the law.

But as expected, and by clicking here you can see the comments, the progessive's and those on the left already have their wide brush out and want to hang this murder on the conservative movement, the 2nd Amendment and of course by nature the Tea Party movement. 

Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) Introduces Legislation to Permanently Repeal Estate Tax

While a battle still rages in OH to repeal the state version of the Estate Tax, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) has introduced a bill that would permanently repeal the federal estate tax.

For more information on repealing OH's Estate Tax please click here.  Below is the press release from Congressman Latta on his introduced legislation for permanent repeal of the federal estate tax...

From Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) --
Washington, Jan 6 - On the first day of the 112th Congress, Congressman Bob Latta (R- Bowling Green) introduced H.R. 143, a bill that if passed, would permanently repeal the estate tax and ensures that individuals are not taxed on the increased value of an estate by retaining the stepped-up basis at death.  A copy of the legislation can be found here.

The estate tax, also known as the death tax, is a federal tax levied against the assets of a person’s estate when they pass away.  Historically, the estate tax was levied at fifty-five percent of one’s estate over $1 million, but the exemption level was increased over the past ten years after a series of tax cuts were signed into law in 2001 and 2003.   In 2010, individuals were freed from having to pay the estate tax.  On January 1, 2011, the estate tax was reinstated for a two year time period at a 35% rate and a $5 million per person exemption.

“The estate tax is archaic and goes against the grain of hard working American families who strongly believe in a founding principle of our country that with hard work, future generations can be better off than the last. Permanently eliminating the estate tax is an important step in ensuring that our small businesses and farmers, an integral part of our nation’s economy, can grow and prosper into future generations.  While the federal government may have taxed a portion of hard-earned American family dollars in the past, it doesn’t mean they have the right to do the same to future generations,” Congressman Latta stated after introducing the legislation.

H.R. 143 has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.

Judicial Watch Sues to Obtain Documents Regarding Cost-Based Rationing of Medicare/Medicaid

Judicial Watch, who just recently filed another suit against the Dept. of Health & Human Services (HHS) to obtain documents about the granting of 'exemptions' from Obama Care for some companies and Unions, has again filed suit against HHS requesting information about the rationing of Medicare/Medicaid services based on cost.

From Judicial Watch --
Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, announced today that it filed a lawsuit on January 3, 2011, against the Obama Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding a controversial decision by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to undertake a one-year review of the prostate cancer treatment Provenge to determine if the treatment is “reasonable and necessary” and should therefore be reimbursed.

Provenge, the first ever therapeutic vaccine cancer treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), was shown to have extended life spans by an average of four months in clinical trials with few side effects. It costs $93,000 to administer the three necessary treatments. Medicare and the FDA are legally prohibited from denying approval of a medical treatment based solely on cost. Yet multiple press reports suggest that cost is the major factor in the unusual decision by CMS to undertake a review of the treatment which could signal a move by the Obama administration to begin implementing healthcare rationing based on the cost of treatments.

Judicial Watch’s original FOIA request, filed on November 9, 2010, seeks the following information: “All records concerning CMS’s national coverage analysis of the vaccine Provenge, including but not limited to the criteria being used to analyze Provenge.”

Health and Human Services was required by law to respond to Judicial Watch’s request by December 15, 2010. However, to date, the agency has failed to provide any documents or indicate why documents should be withheld. Nor has it indicated when a response is forthcoming.

CMS Administrator Donald Berwick is on record supporting the idea of rationing healthcare based on cost. Berwick said the following in a June 2009 interview with Biotechnology Healthcare: “The social budget is limited — we have a limited resource pool. It makes terribly good sense to at least know the price of an added benefit, and at some point we might say nationally, regionally, or locally that we wish we could afford it, but we can’t… The decision is not whether or not we will ration care, the decision is whether we will ration with our eyes open.”

Owing to the controversy surrounding Berwick’s statements, President Obama bypassed Senate confirmation and made Berwick a “recess appointment,” a decision criticized by both Democrats and Republicans in Congress.

“The Obama administration claims there is no merit to the charge that the Provenge decision is the first step in implementing healthcare rationing so why not release these records? What does the Obama administration have to hide? Provenge is an FDA approved drug that has a proven track record and the Obama administration has no legal right to deny this treatment based on its cost. But the American people are right to be concerned about this Provenge review, given the fact that a man dubbed ‘Death Panel Donald’ Berwick is in charge of Medicare and Medicaid,” stated Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.

2011 Statistical Abstract of the United States

The Census Bureau released on online version of the 2011 edition of the Statistical Abstract of the United States, a vast compilation of data and statistics. The 1,407 tables describe the state of the nation's social, political and economic condition.

Constitutionalism

Below is a great column by Charles Krauthammer....
For decades, Democrats and Republicans fought over who owns the American flag. Now they're fighting over who owns the Constitution.

The flag debates began during the Vietnam era when leftist radicals made the fatal error of burning it. For decades since, non-suicidal liberals have tried to undo the damage. Demeaningly, and somewhat unfairly, they are forever having to prove their fealty to the flag.

Amazingly, though, some still couldn't get it quite right. During the last presidential campaign, candidate Barack Obama, asked why he was not wearing a flag pin, answered that it represented "a substitute" for "true patriotism." Bad move. Months later, Obama quietly beat a retreat and began wearing the flag on his lapel. He does so still.

Today, the issue is the Constitution. It's a healthier debate because flags are pure symbolism and therefore more likely to evoke pure emotion and ad hominem argument. The Constitution, on the other hand, is a document that speaks. It defines concretely the nature of our social contract. Nothing in our public life is more substantive.

Americans are in the midst of a great national debate over the power, scope and reach of the government established by that document. The debate was sparked by the current administration's bold push for government expansion - a massive fiscal stimulus, Obamacare, financial regulation and various attempts at controlling the energy economy. This engendered a popular reaction, identified with the Tea Party but in reality far more widespread, calling for a more restrictive vision of government more consistent with the Founders' intent.

Call it constitutionalism. In essence, constitutionalism is the intellectual counterpart and spiritual progeny of the "originalism" movement in jurisprudence. Judicial "originalists" (led by Antonin Scalia and other notable conservative jurists) insist that legal interpretation be bound by the text of the Constitution as understood by those who wrote it and their contemporaries. Originalism has grown to become the major challenger to the liberal "living Constitution" school, under which high courts are channelers of the spirit of the age, free to create new constitutional principles accordingly.

What originalism is to jurisprudence, constitutionalism is to governance: a call for restraint rooted in constitutional text. Constitutionalism as a political philosophy represents a reformed, self-regulating conservatism that bases its call for minimalist government - for reining in the willfulness of presidents and legislatures - in the words and meaning of the Constitution.

Hence that highly symbolic moment on Thursday when the 112th House of Representatives opened with a reading of the Constitution. Remarkably, this had never been done before - perhaps because it had never been so needed. The reading reflected the feeling, expressed powerfully in the last election, that we had moved far, especially the past two years, from a government constitutionally limited by its enumerated powers to a government constrained only by its perception of social need.

The most galvanizing example of this expansive shift was, of course, the Democrats' health-care reform, which will revolutionize one-sixth of the economy and impose an individual mandate that levies a fine on anyone who does not enter into a private contract with a health insurance company. Whatever its merits as policy, there is no doubting its seriousness as constitutional precedent: If Congress can impose such a mandate, is there anything that Congress may not impose upon the individual?

The new Republican House will henceforth require, in writing, constitutional grounding for every bill submitted. A fine idea, although I suspect 90 percent of them will simply make a ritual appeal to the "general welfare" clause. Nonetheless, anything that reminds members of Congress that they are not untethered free agents is salutary.

But still mostly symbolic. The real test of the Republicans' newfound constitutionalism will come in legislating. Will they really cut government spending? Will they really roll back regulations? Earmarks are nothing. Do the Republicans have the courage to go after entitlements as well?

In the interim, the cynics had best tread carefully. Some liberals are already disdaining the new constitutionalism, denigrating the document's relevance and sneering at its public recitation. They sneer at their political peril. In choosing to focus on a majestic document that bears both study and recitation, the reformed conservatism of the Obama era has found itself not just a symbol but an anchor.

Constitutionalism as a guiding political tendency will require careful and thoughtful development, as did jurisprudential originalism. But its wide appeal and philosophical depth make it a promising first step to a conservative future.