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

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Budget Deficit Projected to Eclipse U.S. Total Gross GDP in 2021

Referring to a new report issued by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), CBO's 2011 Long-term Budget Outlook (click here to read report), which indicates that unless the out of control spending is stopped our budget deficit will outpace our GDP by 2021, and calling our current fiscal path "reckless & irresponsible," House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Tom Price, M.D. (R-GA),  issued the following statement...
"Today’s report serves as the latest in a long list of reminders that the nation’s current fiscal path is both reckless and irresponsible,” said Chairman Price.  “One has to wonder how much more evidence the White House and Democrats in Congress need in order to take our debt crisis seriously.  A future saddled with skyrocketing debt will result in America having a weaker hand to play globally as our economy here at home will continue its current anemic state.  The job creators of tomorrow will live under the same cloud of uncertainty that plagues current entrepreneurs.

“House Republicans believe we owe a better future to our children and grandchildren which is why we have a plan that addresses the cost drivers of our debt and puts us on a positive path forward.  Our Democrat colleagues have a choice whether or not to be a part of solving this crisis.  To date their decision has been to demagogue the good faith efforts of others.  Under their vision of the future, the American people are left with more debt, more doubt, and more despair.  House Republicans refuse to condemn our great nation to such a fate, and we will continue to fight for an honest accounting of our nation’s fiscal and economic challenges while offering positive solutions to ensure the American Dream for future generations.”
And hopefully Congressman Price will convince the rest of the GOP in Congress, Speaker Boehner too, that raising the debt ceiling is not an option.  Anymore, and after the GOP's broken promise of cutting $100 Billion in spending this year, and in reality the CBO now says they actually increased spending by $2.5 Billion, however well intentioned, Congressman Prices comments are empty words.

We do not have faith that Congress will actually make significant cuts or be able to keep this promise.  Congress can and should make cuts to the budget and still NOT increase the debt ceiling.

Congress has been making promises to constituents for years about what future Congresses will or will not spend money on (Social Security and Medicare are prime examples) and they cannot live up to these promises.  Decreasing government spending from 24% of GDP to 18% or lower is a good goal. The reality is that this Congress cannot bind another Congress to those caps unless it is done through an Amendment.

Congress needs to quit making promises for how they will deal with problems in the future and deal with the crisis we have today. It is time has come to cut America's credit card and cut the out of control spending now.

The Tea Party Patriots, along with some upcoming tele-town halls on the subject, will be rolling out another Engagement Center with emails, tweets, phone calls, letters, etc. for supporters to make over the next several weeks.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Americans Deserve Better

Fellow Patriots,

We've already told you the Four Big Lies you will hear in connection with raising the debt limit and over the coming days we will show you the reasons why we don't have to increase the debt limit.

At what point do we say enough is enough? At what point of government borrowing will our liberty be encroached upon enough that Americans will demand REAL change in Washington? The time may very well be upon us.

Five Reasons
Why Not To Increase the Debt Ceiling 

1. We won't default if we prioritize our spending.

The federal government takes in enough revenue to cover our debt obligations. The real problem is the spending. We must act now to control our spending for the sake of America's future.

"The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government can't pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government's reckless fiscal policies."  - Senator Barack Obama, March 16, 2006*

2. If they raise it they will spend it.

Since the debt ceiling was first put into place, Congress has not failed to raise it when the debt was critically close to reaching and exceeding the limit. The debt ceiling has been raised 10 times in the last 11 years and we are on the verge of raising it yet again. What makes this time any different? What is to stop them from raising it the next time we reach the limit? Isn't that the point of the debt ceiling, to prevent the borrowing of more money?   

"If Washington were serious about honest tax relief in this country, we would see an effort to reduce our national debt by returning to responsible fiscal policies. But we are not doing that..."   - Senator Barack Obama, March 16, 2006* 

3. We have been warned to stop the reckless spending.

Moody's, Standard & Poor's, economists, and even China have warned us to stop our reckless spending. Increasing the debt ceiling is an enabler to our spending problem. If the government is not able to borrow anymore money, they will be forced to start prioritizing spending. 

"[T]he more we depend on foreign nations to lend us money, the more our economic security is tied to the whims of foreign leaders whose interests might not be aligned with ours. Increasing America's debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that ''the buck stops here.'' Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better. I therefore intend to oppose the effort to increase America's debt limit." - Senator Barack Obama, March 16, 2006*
   
4. We don't have to reinvent the wheel on spending.

If we go back to 2003 spending levels we can begin to pull ourselves out of this fiscal crisis that we are in. If we went a step further back to the spending levels at the end of the Clinton administration, we could balance our budget. It is true that sacrifices will have to be made but if we don't make those sacrifices now, just imagine how much harder it will be in the future.

"The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure."  - Senator Barack Obama, March 16, 2006*    

5. A rising national debt hinders jobs and the economy. 

As the government continues to borrow money, confidence in the economy dwindles, business owners worry about how the government will pay its debts, and the talks of increasing government revenues by raising taxes causes businesses to save capital and plan for survival rather than planning for growth.  

"[T]he cost of our debt is one of the fastest growing expenses in the Federal budget. This rising debt is a hidden domestic enemy... interest payments are a significant tax on all Americans-a debt tax that Washington doesn't want to talk about." - Senator Barack Obama, March 16, 2006*

Enough is enough.

America deserves better.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Tea Party Patriots at FreedomFest 2011

We are excited to announce that Tea Party Patriots National Coordinators Jenny Beth Martin and Mark Meckler will be speaking at FreedomFest 2011, July 14-16, in Las Vegas!  
 
FreedomFest is an annual festival where free minds meet to celebrate "great books, great ideas, and great thinkers."  It is independent, non-partisan, and not affiliated with any organization or think tank.  Founded and produced by Mark Skousen since 2002, FreedomFest invites the "best and the brightest" from around the world to talk, strategize, socialize, and celebrate liberty.  

We would like to invite you to come represent Tea Party Patriots at FreedomFest!  In addition, will be hosting a personal meet and greet with Jenny Beth and Mark for all Tea Party Patriots immediately after their session. Don't miss this opportunity to attend the premiere gathering of freedom fighters worldwide and personally talk with Jenny Beth and Mark!

FreedomFest
July 12-14
Las Vegas, NV

FreedomFest will be held at Bally's Resort, July 12-14.  Rooms are only $97 per night, but availability is limited.  Be sure to mention FreedomFest to receive the group discount!  Registration for the conference is $495 per person or $795 per couple.  Please register at  http://FreedomFest.com/TPP.   In order to be invited to the exclusive TPP reception to meet Jenny Beth and Mark, select Tea Party Patriots in the "How did you hear about this event?" section. 

"FreedomFest wasn't a good conference... It was the BEST I've ever been to!"
-Richard Norman, National Finance Director of Tea Party Patriots

Other confirmed keynote speakers include: Dick MorrisAmerican political consultantJudge NapolitanoFox News Senior Judicial AnalystJuan WilliamsFox News contributor and author; Peter ThielCo-founder of PayPal and early investor in Facebook; John MackeyFounder & CEO, Whole Foods; Steve ForbesChairman and CEO, Forbes; Editor-in- Chief, Forbes magazine; Michelle BernardMSNBC political analyst; David BoazExecutive Vice President, Cato Institute; and many, many more!

"FreedomFest is so good I changed my schedule to attend all 3 days."
-Steve Forbes, Chairman and CEO, Forbes; Editor-in- Chief, Forbes Magazine

Join over 2,000 freedom fighters for the "world's largest gathering of free minds" this July! Register here: http://FreedomFest.com/TPP.

Mr. Speaker, Who's Team Are You On?

Republicans promised in their Pledge To America:  "With common-sense exceptions for seniors, veterans, and our troops, we will roll back government spending to pre-stimulus, pre-bailout levels, saving us at least $100 billion in the first year alone and putting us on a path to begin paying down the debt, balancing the budget, and ending the spending spree in Washington that threatens our children's future." 

Americans returned Republicans to power in the House for two main purposes:
1.  Repeal and/or defund ObamaCare
2.  Drastically reduce spending

Boehner and the GOP didn't cut $100 billion as promised. In fact, they ended up increasing spending in some areas. And they certainly didn't push very hard to defund Obamacare. 

The American people expect results, not excuses. The tea party movement fought tooth and nail to defeat ObamaCare, even though we knew it was an uphill battle. We expect the Republican leaders in Washington to fight just as hard and to keep their promises!

And we expect it NOW.

Soon, the House will decide whether or not to increase the debt limit.  Americans have spoken soundly, and a large majority oppose any increase in a limit that has been increased 10 times in 11 years!

When all of the real debt is added together, America's debt is closer to $130 trillion. So... should we raise the debt ceiling further?

Speaker Boehner has already indicated that he's willing to raise the debt limit for a certain price... Is he not listening to the American people?

Speaker Boehner, who's team are you on?

If you believe the Republicans have not lived up to their promises and oppose any increase in the debt limit, please let Speaker Boehner and your Republican representative hear from you today.  Common sense Americans must let their elected officials know in very clear terms that we expect results and not excuses. 

We expect the Republicans to live up to their Pledge To America and we oppose an increase to America's debt limit. 

You may reach Speaker Boehner's office at (202) 225-0600.

Hermann Cain to Speak at Ohio "We the People" Convention

 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 
 
June 14, 2011
 

GOP PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL
HERMANN CAIN TO SPEAK AT “WE THE PEOPLE CONVENTION”
Cain Scheduled to Appear at Saturday Night PAC Dinner

    COLUMBUS, Ohio – June 14, 2011 – We the People Convention, Inc., a 501 (c) 4 non-profit organization today announced that Hermann Cain, one of the GOP presidential candidates, will be a featured speaker at the Saturday night Ohio Citizens PAC dinner at the “We the People Convention”  being held on July 1-2, 2011, at the Columbus Convention Center. (www.WethePeopleConvention.org). 

Cain is an American businessman, columnist, minister, and radio host from Georgia. He is best known as the former chairman and CEO of Godfather's Pizza.  His poll numbers have been climbing ever since the first debate in South Carolina

    “I am very pleased and excited that Hermann Cain has agreed to reach out to Ohioans by speaking at the We the People Convention,” said Tom Zawistowski, convention president. “He has excited conservative voters with his performance in recent debates and his common sense approach to solving problems. Our Ohio Citizens PAC dinner is not a black-tie high roller event reserved only for the state’s elite political class.  It a chance for common citizens to hear Mr. Cain with their own ears and see him with their own eyes and have a chance to look him in the eye and shake his hand. These are the citizen activists that will decide who wins Ohio in 2012.”

    Many political analysts have projected the successful GOP candidate will need to win the state of Ohio if he or she expects to capture the White House in the 2012 presidential election. Historically, Ohio has been critical in deciding the outcome of the presidential election. Rarely has a presidential candidate won the presidency without the backing of Ohio.

    Cain participated in Monday night’s GOP presidential debate, sparring with the other seven political figures who have declared their intentions to fight for the GOP presidential nomination including Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, Michelle Bachmann, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul. 

    In addition to Cain’s appearance, “We the People Convention” will be hosting notable figures such as Wall Street Journal columnist John Fund; Political Analyst Dick Morris; Tea Party Patriots Co-Founder Jenny Beth Martin, Matthew Spalding, Vice President for American Studies at The Heritage Foundation; Rebecca Hemleich of Americans for Prosperity; and ACORN whistleblower Anita Moncrief.
 
For more information or to register, visit http://www.wethepeopleconvention.org/.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Health Care Compact introduced in Ohio Senate

For Immediate Release

June 17, 2011

Contact: Marianne Gasiecki
                    Ohiohcc@gmail.com

Health Care Compact
introduced in Ohio Senate
Ohio Continues the fight against Obama Care

COLUMBUS, OH -- The Tea Party Patriot Groups of Ohio are excited to announce that the Health Care Compact, an agreement between participating states that restores authority and responsibility for health care regulation to member states, was introduced into the Ohio Senate this past Wednesday. As part of the 50 state initiative to enact Health Care Compacts, the compact will allow Ohio to create its own health care policies by joining an interstate compact that supersedes prior federal law.

The Health Care Compact has been introduced in 14 states, and has passed the State House of Representatives in Montana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Colorado, Arizona, Georgia and Texas.  It has passed the State Senate in Arizona, Missouri and Georgia. In addition, in more than 36 states, citizen groups and state legislators are actively considering the Health Care Compact.
Interstate compacts have been used throughout U.S. history to allow states to coordinate in important policy areas. Authority for compacts was established in the Constitution (Article I, Section 10), and more than 200 such agreements are currently in effect. They are voluntary agreements between states that, when consented to by congress, have the force of federal law.
"We would like to thank Senator Grendell and his staff for working with us on this important piece of legislation.  Oklahoma and Georgia have already signed the Health Care Compact legislation into law, and we hope to be the third", stated Gary Young of the North Ridgeville Tea Party Patriots and Chairman of the Ohio Health Care Compact Committee.

*Note - For more information or to set up an interview with the board of the Health Care Compact Alliance or a local Ohio supporter of the Compact please contact Marianne Gasiecki at Ohiohcc@gmail.com or (419) 961-4439

Ohio Tea Party Patriot Groups

* Mansfield Tea Party * Cleveland Tea Party Patriots *
Medina Tea Party Patriots * North Ridgeville Tea Party Patriots * New American Patriots * Stark Tea Party Patriots * Buckeye Lake Tea Party Patriots * Geauga Lake Tea Party Patriots * Morrow County Tea Party Patriots * Newark Campus Tea Party Patriots * Lorain 9.12 Tea Party Patriots * Zanesville Tea Party Patriots

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

New EPA Regulations Cause Power Plant Shut Downs in Ohio

Continuing to use the Clean Air Act as the Hammer (the Clean Water Act is the Sickle) the goose-stepping green energy goons at the EPA have imposed new regulations for coal-fired power plants. Not stopping until they have the country running around in loin clothes and rubbing sticks together for heat, these new EPA mandates will increase the costs of electricity from 10% - 35% and put over 600 people out of work.

With these new "air cleaner than God ever intended" regulations under the Clean Air Act's, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act for Coal-Fired Power Plants, American Electric Power (AEP) is having to spend billions of dollars to come into compliance and will shut down or down size five coal-fired power plants, three of them in Ohio....

From Rep. Bob Latta --
Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) issued the following statement after Columbus-based American Electric Power (AEP) announced Thursday it would close and downsize three plants in Ohio at a loss of 157 jobs, to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new coal-fire plant regulations:

“This is a perfect example of the EPA’s assault on American business and the economy.  The cost of complying with burdensome regulations will cause higher electricity bills and fewer jobs in America. Time and time again, I, along with other members of the Energy and Commerce Committee, have said that overreaching regulations and stringent timetables for compliance are a deterrent to job growth and energy stability.

“The EPA must come to terms with the fact that their overly broad one-size-fits-all regulations hurt companies. The EPA should setup a mechanism by which states can apply for regulatory waivers, giving states the flexibility to determine their business and environmental priorities.”

AEP expects EPA regulations to cause a net loss of approximately 600 power plant jobs with annual wages totaling approximately $40 million.

Friday, June 10, 2011

FCC Chief says "Fairness Doctrine is Unconstitutional"

The Federal Communications Commission has come to the correct conclusion that the free-speech squelching Fairness Doctrine is unconstitutional....

From Senator James Inhofe --
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a leading Senate conservative who has long fought against the Fairness Doctrine, today made the following comment after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) agreed to strike the controversial regulation. 

Inhofe said, “I am pleased that FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski has formally acknowledged what we have long known to be the case -  that the Fairness Doctrine is unconstitutional and should be eliminated from the Code of Federal Regulations.  Over the past several years we have seen effort after effort by the radical left to limit free speech in this country through the regulation of the airwaves.  Such efforts not only threaten First Amendment rights, but also overly burden businesses in a manner that stifles job creation, investment and growth.  I suspect we have not seen the last of such efforts, but I am pleased with today’s announcement, and will continue to fight against the regulation of free speech.”  
###

Monday, June 6, 2011

Tea Party Patriots Adopt-a-School Program


“….in Order to form a more perfect Union,….”

 Written 223 years ago, those words changed the course of history, establishing the freedoms and rights Americans enjoy today. Yet, many of our schools have ignored teaching the meaning and significance of our nation’s founding documents. For this reason, Ohio Tea Patriot groups are launching an initiative to bring awareness to Constitution Day/Week, which begins September 17th, among parents, teachers and school districts.

Did you know?

Schools that receive federal funds MUST teach the Constitution.

In 2004, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2005 into Public Law 108-447. Section 111 of that law mandates that "each educational institution that receives federal funds for a fiscal year shall hold an educational program on the United States Constitution on September 17 of such year for the students….”  This joint resolution designated September 17th as “Constitution/Citizenship Day” and the week beginning September 17th and ending September 23rd of each year as “Constitution Week.”

Patriots across the country are concerned that students in the public schools are not being taught about our founding documents. Tea Party Patriots are mounting a national campaign for 2011 Constitution Week to pressure our public schools to comply with a law passed by Congress in 2004 requiring an educational program on the Constitution be taught in all public schools during Constitution Week (September 17-23).

Here is How it Works in Three Easy Steps:

  1. “Adopt a School”
  2. Send a series of 3 letters to the school board, superintendent, and/or principal, and local media in your community. One letter will be sent in May 2011, one in August, and one in September. Sample letters can be found at www.TeaPartyPatriots.org/constitution and can be personalized for use in your community.
  3. Help Your School Implement a Program. Visit www.nccs.net or www.ConstitutionWeekUSA.com for Constitution Week materials, resources, and additional ideas.
If you find resistance from your school toward implementing the program, or need further information, please contact us at; clevelandteaparty@gmail.com.

We want our children and grand children to be taught the meaning and significance of the fundamental documents that created our incomparable nation.