1000 Days & Counting; The Epic Failures of the Senate Democrats & Senator Sherrod Brown

Today marks the 1000th day that the US Senate has failed to pass a budget. Budgets are something that most Americans encounter, whether in their homes, in their jobs, in their businesses, or in their community groups, etc.


The purpose of a budget is to lay out a guideline for revenues and expenditures, so that one can have a forecast of the year to come.

It is no wonder our elected officials can’t seem to balance the budget and get our fiscal house in order. There is no budget; no guide to even point them in the right direction. In fact, they can’t find the “BOLDNESS” to cut even $1 from the federal budget!

In an economic environment where many Americans are out of work, losing their jobs, and struggling to find jobs, it is unacceptable that the members of the US Senate have been allowed to go on without completing a basic function of their jobs for nearly 3 years!

A budget is one of the most basic and fundamental requirements of our legislature and now for 1000 days, the Democrat led Senate & Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) has failed.

What would happen to you if you failed to do your job for 1000 days? You would lose your job!  But thinking they are better than the American public, the Senate Democrats along with Ohio Democrat Senator Sherrod Brown, even after failing to do their job for 1000 days - still keep their job

No Budget. No Direction. No Leadership.

Unacceptable!

Judicial Watch Sues Obama Administration for Documents Detailing Secret Settlement Negotiations with Mortgage Lenders Accused of Faulty Mortgage Practices

From Judicial Watch --

(Washington, DC) – Judicial Watch, the organization that investigates and fights government corruption, announced today that it filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit on January 3, 2012, against the Obama Department of Justice (DOJ) and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to obtain documents pertaining to accusations of fraud against the nation’s five largest mortgage companies and the creation of “federal accounts” to settle probes into faulty mortgage practices (Judicial Watch v. HUD and DOJ (No. 1:12-cv-0002)). The Obama administration has reportedly been engaged in settlement negotiations behind closed doors with mortgage companies that would result in at least $20 billion in payments from the nation’s major banks.

Pursuant to a Judicial Watch FOIA request filed with the DOJ and HUD on May 17, 2011, Judicial Watch seeks the following records:

• A set of government audits used to support allegations that the nation’s five largest mortgage companies of defrauding taxpayers in the handling of foreclosures on homes purchased with government-backed loans.

• A term sheet which outlined the Obama administration’s settlement offer to the mortgage companies accused of fraud. The terms described on this document allegedly included the creation of a federal account funded by the nation’s largest mortgage firms to help distressed borrowers avoid foreclosure and settle state and federal probes into alleged faulty mortgages practices.

The DOJ notified Judicial Watch by letter that the agency received the FOIA request on May 27, 2011. Under the law, a response from the DOJ was due within twenty working days, or by June 24, 2011. On September 22, 2011, the DOJ reported to Judicial Watch that it had located nine documents totaling 346 pages responsive to the FOIA request, but had referred the documents to HUD for processing and direct response.

A similar FOIA request was filed with HUD, also on May 17, 2011. According to a letter from HUD, the request had been received on May 18, 2011, which means that the response was due by June 16, 2011. On September 13, 2011, HUD indicated in a letter to Judicial Watch that under instruction from the DOJ “the records responsive to your request are being withheld in full…”

As Judicial Watch noted in its FOIA requests, in his “exclusive” May 16, 2011, article detailing the settlement negotiations with mortgage lenders, Huffington Post reporter Shahien Nasiripour referred specifically to the audits and the term sheet at issue in Judicial Watch’s FOIA lawsuit. According to the article, four federal agents briefed Nasiripour on the “set of confidential audits,” while the confidential term sheet “was reviewed” by the Huffington Post.

In addition to conducting behind-the-scenes negotiations with the mortgage lending industry, the Obama administration is also reportedly pressuring state attorneys general to close down their investigations and sign off on the deal. Judicial Watch previously obtained documents calling into question the veracity of testimony by Elizabeth Warren, a then-Obama administration official, about the involvement of the new Consumer Production Financial Bureau in these negotiations.

“All Americans deserve to know the full truth about the Obama administration’s effort to extort $20 billion from the nation’s banking industry,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. “This is another example of the federal ‘gangster government’ – in this case, the selective leaking of information to harm targeted businesses while denying access under law to the full truth.  This is an affront to transparency and the rule of law. It is this type of gamesmanship that has resulted in the Obama administration’s transparency crisis.”

The Last Time Senate Democrats Passed a Budget...

While President Obama does his best to claim we have a do nothing congress, we quickly approach the 1000 day mark since he and his Democrat led Senate have passed a budget.

Maybe he should look at the mirror and ask, "Mirror, Mirror on the Wall -- why am I the biggest hypocrite of them all?"

From the RSC -- 

Washington, Jan 19 - January 24, 2012 marks the 1,000^th day without a budget from Senate Democrats. The last time they passed a budget, you had never heard of the iPad. Tiger Woods was only known for his golfing abilities. General Motors had never declared bankruptcy. You had never heard of Swine Flu. And the national debt was $4 trillion smaller than it is today.

When Republicans took over the House last year, passing a budget was one of the first things we did. We’re trying to solve problems, cut the crazy spending, and stop the reckless borrowing. We’re trying to cut, cap, and balance the budget.

In the real world, there are limits to how much families and businesses can spend. They have to budget. So the question is, when will Senate Democrats join the real world?

###

New Congressional Record App for iPad

Read the Congressional Record on your iPad wherever wi-fi is enabled, courtesy of the Library of Congress and the Government Printing Office.

Read the daily edition of the Congressional Record on your iPad. The Congressional Record App is presented by the Library of Congress using data provided by the Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Office of the Secretary of the Senate, and the Government Printing Office.

The link for the free app is http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-congressional-record/id492077075 or you can search in the App Store for "The Congressional Record."

Statement on Appointments for 87th & 98th House Districts from OH House Speaker

H/T Matt at Weapons of Mass Discussion

From Speaker of the Ohio House Bill Batchelder --

COLUMBUS—Speaker of the Ohio House William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) today released the following statement regarding the currently vacant 87th and 98th House district seats, formerly held by Republican Representatives John Carey and Richard Hollington:

“As the Speaker of the House, it is of the utmost importance to me that each House district has appropriate representation and that every Ohioan has a means to make his or her voice heard in Columbus. However, we are also in a situation that gives Ohioans themselves the opportunity to help us choose the appointees to succeed Representatives Carey and Hollington in the Ohio House during this General Assembly.

“Given the fact that multiple Republican candidates have filed for these offices prior to the March primary, voting for which begins in less than two weeks, we feel it would be most prudent given this timeline for the residents of the 87th and 98th districts to decide for themselves who their representatives will be. The Republican Caucus has decided to honor the outcome of the March primary for these two districts and ultimately appoint the winner of each race. We believe waiting until the results of the primary election will give the people of the 87th and 98th districts the most influence over their representation and ensure that their voices are being heard.

However, I also believe it is of the utmost importance that the constituents of these two House districts have a voice during the next few months of what promises to be a busy legislative session before the March primary. Therefore, I have been in contact with local officials in these individual House districts about the possibility of appointing someone to fill these seats until mid-March, so the voices of the constituents in the 87th and 98th House Districts can continue to be uninterrupted.”

Speaker Batchelder intends to make an announcement as details become available in the coming days about any potential appointments to the vacated seats.

SOPA & PIPA Only Delayed NOT STOPPED - Keep up the pressure!

 

Since our last Action Alert on SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and its Senate cousin PIPA (PROTECT IP).there has been a lot that has happened and much more to be done to stop these bills.

On the same day that thousands of websites had gone dark to protest the Stop Online Piracy Act and Protect IP Act; Florida Senator Marco Rubio announced he was withdrawing his name and support for the House and Senate bills and it's been a domino affect every since.

Senators Jim Inhofe, John Cornyn, Orrin Hatch, John Boozman, David Vitter, Kelly Ayotte, and Roy Blunt have dropped their support and on the House side so did , former co-sponsors Representatives Ben Quayle, Lee Terry, Dennis Ross, Steve Scalise, Tim Griffin and Tim Holden.

 

SOPA is currently in the House Judiciary Committee, and just today House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) said he will postpone consideration of his Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) until there is wider agreement on the controversial legislation.

 

On PIPA, with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky) calls to shelve the bill, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has rescheduled a procedural vote on the legislation that was set for Tuesday afternoon.  Reid says he is confident some sort of compromise can be reached.

 

Trying to amend or fix SOPA & PIPA is like putting whip cream on crap - they might look more appealling, but underneath they are still crap and they must be flushed not fixed! SOPA & PIPA are not bills that can be amended into something acceptable, they must die completely.

What can you do?

 

Ohio has two Congressmen on the House Judiciary Committee, Congressman Steve Chabot (R-OH), a co-sponsor of SOPA and Congressman Jim Jordan (R-OH).

Please contact Congressman Chabot and ask him to withdraw as a co-sponsor of SOPA and to drop his support.

Congressman Steve Chabot

  

Cincinnati Office

Phone: (513) 684-2723
Fax: (513) 421-8722

Washington DC Office
Phone: (202) 225-2216
Fax: (202) 225-3012

Email: http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=9rxmyrdab&et=1109108093105&s=1117&e=001JB1HOv_G1JVQI4NjoCbIsbm8xy-2BN83SMyJ6vCPplesKYu2_NtIzZ6eOyfJRt3rpqVSktTRiepnNR8aBqNMxyrFc-M9lmcCGguHTgwVYrbbP4P5fROmHxra5M2BajXxu8fESd7fpOE=

Contact Congressman Jim Jordan and ask him to defeat SOPA by any means necessary.

 

 Congressman Jim Jordan

Mansfield Office

Phone: (419) 522-5757

Fax: (419) 525-2805

Washington DC Office

DC PH#: 202-225-2676

DC Fax#: 202-226-0577

 

Email: http://jordan.house.gov/Contact

On PIPA contact Senate President Harry Reid and Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and ask them to once in their careers do the right thing and to STOP any and all discussions on PIPA.

Senate President Harry Reid
DC Phone: (202)224-3542
DC Fax: (202)224-7327
Email: http://reid.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Senator Patrick Leahy
DC Phone: (202)224-4242
Email: http://leahy.senate.gov/contact/

For a list of all the members on the Senate Judiciary Committee click here.

Tea Party Patriots Co-Sponsoring Presidential Debate Tonight

Tea Party Patriots, along with the SRLC and CNN, will co-sponsor a primetime Presidential debate this Thursday in Charleston, South Carolina – two days before the crucial South Carolina primary.

“The South Carolina primary is a critical contest in the march towards the Republican presidential nomination,” said Mark Preston, CNN political director. “The support of the Southern Republican Leadership Conference and the Tea Party Patriots is invaluable in helping us to provide the Republican candidates an opportunity to answer direct questions on the many challenges facing the nation.”

The debate will air live from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET on CNN, CNN en Español, CNN Radio and worldwide on CNN International and CNN.com. It will re-air on CNN for the primetime West Coast audience at 8 p.m. PT/11 p.m. ET. CNN will also provide a live feed of the debate to the American Forces Network, which is seen in 175 countries and aboard naval ships around the world so that U.S. airmen, marines, sailors, soldiers and officials serving overseas can view the debate.

Freshman Congressman Bill Johnson (OH-6) Faces Challenge in GOP Primary

Freshman GOP Congressman Bill Johnson from Ohio's 6th Congressional District will be facing challenger Victor Smith in the primary this year.  The winner will face off against the winner of the Democrat primary between former Congressman Charlie Wilson and Cas Adulewiz.

Working through the Ohio Project and helping to form Grassroots Ohio, Victor worked tirelessly to help pass Issue 3 the Ohio Healthcare Freedom Amendment.

Getting into office as a result of the GOP sweep across Ohio more so than being elected because of his ability, Congressman Bill Johnson has been a loyal servant to Speaker John Boehner instead of the people he was elected to represent.

Sent to D.C. to stop the out of control spending, Congressman Johnson did just the opposite and voted in support of the Continuing Resolutions, Omnibus Bills and Raising the Debt Ceiling.  Equally, if not more disturbing is that Congressman Bill Johnson voted in support of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2011 (NDAA), a new law allowing for Indefinite Military Detention of U.S. Citizens Without Charge or Trial.

While this is NOT an endorsement of any candidate, it should be noted that Congressman Bill Johnson, after ignoring the requests of many of Tea Party / Liberty group members that voted him into office, continually sided with the establishment elected elite & Speaker Boehner. 

From The Marietta Times --

Waterford resident Victor Smith has spent recent months working with The Ohio Project to get the Ohio health care freedom amendment on last November's ballot but in the next few months, he'll be campaigning as a candidate for Ohio's 6th district Congressional seat in the March primary election.

Smith, a Republican, is running along with Republican Incumbent Bill Johnson, of Marietta, Democrat Charlie Wilson, of St. Clairsville and Democrat Cas Adulewicz, of Steubenville.

Smith is a 1965 Warren High School graduate and 1969 graduate of the West Point United States Military Academy in New York. He retired from the military in 1989 and became a registered professional engineer in Ohio, working for several local plants, including DuPont and Union Carbide. He most recently worked as a consulting engineer for Apex Engineering's Marietta office.

Smith said his No. 1 priority is ensuring that the government does not stand in the way of Utica shale drilling.

New horizontal drilling technology is expected to be used in the coming years to tap into Marcellus and Utica shale deposits that are present in Ohio.

"It represents a great boom for our region, our state and our country," he said. "Everything is taken out at 10,000 feet, so this idea that they're going to pollute the groundwater - it doesn't happen."

Smith said he's also concerned about the National Defense Authorization Act, which was signed into law at the end of December by President Barack Obama.

"Sections 1021, 1022 and 1023 need to be taken out," he said. "Those sections give the president the right to define what constitutes a terrorist...and that's not a power you give to any president, period."

Smith said he's also concerned about the debt ceiling, saying it should not be raised. Obama asked Congress Thursday to raise it by $1.2 trillion.

"What Congress is doing right now and they're continuing to do is max one credit card and take another credit card to pay it off with," he said. "Congress, by increasing the debt ceiling, has managed to not kick the can down the road - they're saying 'we don't care, we will never, ever fix this.'"

Santorum Unable to Make the Ballot in 3 Ohio Congressional Districts

This will not help Santorum in his bid for the GOP nomination.  Santorum is the only candidate in the GOP primary that was unable to make the ballot in all the Ohio Congressional Districts...

From the Cleveland PD --

If Rick Santorum is still among the Republican presidential hopefuls come Super Tuesday, he'll compete in Ohio's March 6 primary with a significant disadvantage of his own making.

Santorum, the former Pennsylvania senator who surged after a strong finish in last week's Iowa caucuses, failed to qualify for local-level delegates in three congressional districts.

Secretary of State Jon Husted said Wednesday that Santorum did not file for the 6th, 9th or 13th districts. Under the Ohio Republican Party's system for awarding delegates to the national convention this summer, Santorum is ineligible for the districts' nine combined delegates.

Santorum will appear on ballots statewide as a candidate for 18 at-large delegates. Including three from each of Ohio's 16 congressional districts, 66 total delegates will be up for grabs.

Republicans Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry and Mitt Romney were certified to compete for local-level delegates in all districts and for at-large delegates. More...

NYC Gun Charges Dropped on Tea Party Patriots Co-Founder Mark Meckler

Many of you have heard how there have been several cases where CCW licensed individuals have been arrested in New York while they were attempting to legally declare their weapons.

In mid December of last year (2011) one of our National Coordinators and co-founder of the Tea Party Patriots, Mark Meckler, who also holds a CCW permit was arrested at LaGuardia Airport while attempting to declare his weapon that was being transported in a TSA approved travel case. 

Now that Mark has had his day in court he is finally able to speak out on the incident...

From Across the Fence --

On December 15, 2011 at approximately 5:15 a.m., I was at LaGuardia International airport preparing to check in for a flight out of the city.  During a routine check-in, I requested a firearms declaration form from the ticket agent.  It was my intent to declare and check my unloaded firearm.

I purchased this firearm legally, and I have a valid concealed carry permit for it issued in California.  The unloaded gun was locked inside a TSA-approved travel case, and the case was locked inside my checked luggage.  I carry the firearm for my personal safety, having received numerous threats due to my role in the Tea Party Patriots.  I have checked this firearm at airports dozens of times before, all across the country.
As I traveled through LaGuardia that morning, I passed TSA signs telling me I had the right to check this unloaded firearm in my luggage, and that I am required by law to declare the firearm to the ticketing agent. This is exactly what I did.

The ticketing agent provided me with the declaration form, and I signed it and returned it to her.  She advised me that she would need to call Port Authority police to inspect.  This is not unusual when traveling with a firearm.  Procedures vary from airport to airport, from airline to airline, and even from day to day, and as a law-abiding citizen, I have always been happy to cooperate.

Unfortunately, that day, I didn’t realize that I was about to cross paths with New York City’s anti-Second Amendment stance.  Upon showing my case and the weapon to the officer who arrived on the scene, and after a few brief questions, she advised me that she was placing me under arrest for violating New York City’s firearms laws.

To say that I was stunned would be an understatement.  I am from a law enforcement family.  My mother is a retired correctional officer, and I have spent my life around folks from the law enforcement community.  I have always considered myself a law-abiding citizen.  I have never been arrested before.  I have never been in police custody.  I can never say those things again.  On December 15^th, 2011, I was arrested, handcuffed at the ticket counter, and taken to a waiting squad car for transport to the Port Authority Police station at LaGuardia.

I was subsequently transferred, in handcuffs, to the Queens Central booking facility in New York City.  I was charged with felony possession of a firearm with intent to do harm.  I spent the day in Queens…in jail.

It was a nightmare that I can scarcely describe to you.  Until you have felt the handcuffs on your wrists, and until you have heard that cell door close behind you, it is impossible to understand what it means to actually lose your liberty.  And since that day, my liberty has been at stake, and because of that threat, based upon the advice of counsel, I’ve been unable to publicly speak about this case.  Today the silence ends.

I am pleased to announce that the criminal case against me has been dropped.  Although I was originally charged with a violent felony, the case against me was resolved with a plea to “disorderly conduct. ” Disorderly Conduct is not a felony or a misdemeanor, or even a crime.    The facts underlying my plea are that I declared a legally purchased, properly licensed and unloaded firearm at an airport counter.  Apparently, much to my surprise, in New York City, it is considered “disorderly conduct” to exercise your constitutionally guaranteed, Second Amendment rights.

Strangely, now that the case against me is over,  the authorities refuse to return my firearm.  There is no law that allows them to confiscate a weapon in this manner.  They simply say “no” when you ask for your weapon back.  This is apparently their “policy.”  It is done regularly in New York.  This is government robbery.  Not only is New York City anti-Second Amendment rights, but they are depriving citizens of their legally owned property.  My lawyer has advised me that I can attempt to pursue the return of my firearm, but that to do so would cost me more than the firearm is worth.  I am not alone in facing this tyranny.  It has happened to hundreds of people in the New York metro area.  My lawyer, Brian Stapleton, has handled over 400 of these cases himself, so he is an expert on the subject.

While the end of this case is the end of a horrible nightmare for my family and I, it is not the end of this fight.  It is just the beginning.  Since the original incident, I have received more emails, phone calls, texts and tweets of support than you can possibly imagine.  To those people, I want to say heart-felt thanks on behalf of my entire family.  We have come to know that we are not alone in this particular fight.  Apparently, this happens to hundreds of people per year in New York City.  And New York City is not alone in its attack on our rights.  This sort of Constitutional abuse, Second Amendment and otherwise, is taking place all over the nation.  And we as citizens must stand against it.  We must protect our rights, or we will lose them.

Many of you know me as someone who is willing to stand and fight for self-governance in this country.   I’m no politician, and I’m not from a powerful or connected family.   I’m an average American citizen.  And I stand shoulder to shoulder with millions of other Americans who, despite enormous obstacles, and despite the politicians and ruling elite who oppose us, intend to return this country to the bounds of the United States Constitution.

The politicians and ruling elite will try, but we must not let them label us Democrat or Republican, conservative or liberal.  We cannot let them make us fight against each other.  Too much is at stake.  We the People are losing our sovereignty to the government.   We the People, must stand and fight for our inalienable rights.

I’m not alone in this fight.  There are so many laws, that no one can possibly know or understand them.  We are all affected.  From the inner city to the farm, from the heartland of America to the coasts, people are under pressure from a government that no longer serves them.   From my home in California, to the farmland of Kansas… from the small towns of South Carolina to the metropolis of New York, every year the legislatures pass thousands of laws and regulations that do not serve the people.

The legislators don’t read the bills they pass, and even if they did, they couldn’t understand them.  Our criminal justice system is terribly broken, and no longer serves the people and the communities it was intended to serve.  Our regulatory system is broken; small businesses and the communities that rely on them crushed under the weight of unnecessary regulation.

We are, step by step, destroying the heart of America.  And we are doing so because we are not governing ourselves according to the Constitution.  It’s up to us…the People.

It’s time to stand for self-governance.  It is time to stand for the plain meaning of the Constitution.  Every word of the Constitution is important, and we must fight for them all.  We must fight for every inch of this country, from the inner city to the smallest rural town.  We are, all of us, first and foremost, American citizens.  We’ve always governed ourselves…and we always intend to.  And we’ve always been willing to stand when freedom is at stake.   It is time to stand…time for all of us, every race, every religion, every gender, every American to stand up and fight for liberty and take responsibility for governing ourselves.

No one should ever have to go through what my family has been through, simply for exercising a fundamental right, specifically enumerated in the United States Constitution.  I am committed to making sure no one does.  And I’m willing to work with anyone…anyone, who agrees that it’s time for the people to govern themselves once again.

Will we as citizens fight for our inalienable right to govern ourselves, or will we quietly allow ourselves to be “governed” into submission by a ruling elite, disconnected from our citizens and our communities?  Only history will tell, but I intend to fight.

(Note:  Every law enforcement officer I dealt with through the process was polite and professional.  They are not to blame for NYC’s unconstitutional or tyrannical behavior.  From my experience, they seem to be good people, just doing a difficult job.).

It should be noted that during this ordeal, Mark had the unwavering support of all the TPP State Coordinators and local coordinators across the country.  While we are happy this is now past, you can rest assured we, The Tea Party Patriots, will stand with an undying resolve in working to restore a much needed respect and adherence to our God given and Constitutionally protected rights for all citizens of this great country.

Oakland County (MI) Democrat Official Sentenced Over Fake Tea Party Candidates

It looks like if the democrats can't win through voter fraud, they are not above candidate fraud...

From the Detroit Free Press --

A former Oakland County Democratic party operative was sentenced to one year probation and ordered to pay more than $2,500 in fines and court costs for his role in creating “fake” tea party candidates in the 2010 election, in an effort to siphon off support for legitimate Republican candidates.

Jason Bauer, 31, of Waterford said nothing as Oakland County Circuit Court judge James Alexander, a former official with the county’s Republican party, told Bauer what he did was equivalent to murder.

“This is as heinous as someone who tries to kill somebody else,” Alexander said.

Bauer, in November, pleaded no contest to five felony counts of perjury and falsifying notarized documents. He and fellow Democratic official Michael McGuinness were indicted by a one man grand jury in March for attempting to put unknowing residents on the ballot as “tea party” candidates. Investigators said the ruse was an attempt to lure Republican votes, which would dilute the votes for authentic candidates. Click for more...

Running a "Smoker" in a race is not uncommon, but working to get someone on the ballot without their knowledge is taking it to a new low for the left and nothing short of political idiocy.  How these two guys thought they would not get caught is remarkable -- but when dealing with party hacks like this -- anything should be expected.

Here in Ohio I am sure we had some candidates using the "Tea Party" tag to get votes and raise money - the most noted fake Tea Party candidate was current Secretary of State John Husted during the 2010 elections. 

Thankfully most of the grassroots Tea Party groups in this state were already aware that SoS Husted, Ohio's Happy Hypocrite, was anything but a Tea Party candidate. In fact, the only relation John Husted would have with the Tea Party is if he would have been driving the British ship into the Boston Harbor."

If a candidate is a 'real' Tea Party supporter, you will see it in their actions and not their words or glossy handouts.

Learn how to take the Second Step for Health Care Freedom in Ohio

The Ohio Healthcare Freedom Amendment (OHFA) was a monumental undertaking by many patriotic individuals and grassroots groups across Ohio, and made a huge statement in its success in protecting us from the individual mandate in Obamacare. Now we need to effect a solution.

Now is the time to take the second step for a true healthcare freedom in Ohio with the Ohio Health Care Compact (OHCC).

The Health Care Compact is an agreement between participating states that restores authority and responsibility for health care regulation to member states. The Health Care Compact does not make suggestions on what policies individual states should pursue, but advocates that health care policy should be decided at the state level.

Want to learn more about how the OHCC will work as the second step for health care freedom in Ohio?  Want to learn how you can help Ohio implement market-driven and patient-centered health care reform,through free markets?

Register below and join the Ohio Healthcare Compact Team for an informational conference call tomorrow at 8pm.

To register for an informative conference call on January 11, 2012, 8:00 p.m.

Click Here 

Or email - ohiohcc@gmail.com  RE: RSVP

Once registered, we will send you an agenda and dial in information.

Cordray CFPB Appointment Biggest Government Power Grab Since ObamaCare

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Ralph King / TPP State Co-Coordinator

                     Clevelandteaparty@gmail.com

January 9, 2012

Cordray CFPB Appointment Biggest Government Power Grab Since ObamaCare

“Consumer Protection” Czar Not Accountable to Congress or the People

Washington, DC – The Tea Party Patriots, the nation’s largest tea party organization, today sounded the alarm bell over the Obama Administration’s naming of Rich Cordray as Czar of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), an action which, according to Investor’s Business Daily “has crossed over from socialistic extremism into lawlessness and, perhaps, impeachability.”

“The White House has usurped the power of the Senate by naming Rich Cordray as Czar of a new government bureaucracy that itself usurps the power of Congress,” said Jenny Beth Martin, National Coordinator of Tea Party Patriots.  “Worse, President Obama made this appointment – and two appointments to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) – without so much as a criminal or conflict-of-interest background check.”

As reported at WSJ.com, the CFPB is “the most powerful regulatory bureau in our history, it’s totally unaccountable to Congress, it sets its own budget and it is already, by the way, having a chilling effect” on America’s free market system.

“Congress has no power over the CFPB’s budget, and the Senate’s power has just been usurped by this so-called ‘recess’ appointment of Czar Rich Cordray and two unvetted members of the NLRB,” said Martin.  “It’s time for Congress and the Senate to do their jobs – and restore power to the people they were elected to represent.

“It’s time to stop the assaults on America’s Constitution and free market system, and to stand up for the American people – whose voices should be expressed through the Congress and the Senate.”

Tea Party Patriots is a national grassroots coalition with more than 3,400 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.

CFTC Commences Public Comment Period on NADEX’s Proposed Political Event Derivatives Contracts

From the Commodity Futures Trading Commission --

Washington, DC – The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) on January 3, 2012, issued a letter informing the North American Derivatives Exchange (NADEX) that it has commenced a 90-day review of NADEX’s proposed political event derivatives contracts. The review is based on the possibility that these contracts may involve, among other issues, “gaming or an activity that is unlawful under any State or Federal law.”

The Commission requested that NADEX suspend the listing and trading of its proposed contracts during the review period.

The CFTC has posted NADEX’s submission on its website and is seeking public comment on the proposal during a 30-day comment period. In addition, the Commission is seeking public comment on specific questions related to political event contracts to assist in its evaluation of NADEX’s submission.

The 30-day public comment period ends on February 4, 2012, and the Commission’s 90-day review period ends on April 2, 2012

For NADEX's Submission Click Here

For CFTC's Letter to NADEX Click Here

For Questions related to Political Event Contracts, Click Here

For CFTC Comments On Line Click Here

President Obama Jeopardizes Extension of Pay Roll Tax Deduction with Raises for Federal Workers

In another campaign year move to buy votes at the expense of hard working Americans, President Obama, while also wanting to again raise the debt ceiling, feels pay raises for federal employees running our over-bloated government are in order...

From The Hill --

President Obama is on track to propose a modest increase in federal civilian workers’ pay as part of his 2013 budget due in early February, an administration official confirmed Friday.

The 0.5 percent pay increase comes after two years during which civilian pay was frozen to save billions. The 2013 pay increase is far less than the current rate of inflation, which stood at 3.4 percent in November compared to a year earlier.

Republicans have proposed keeping the civilian pay freeze in place for at least one more year.

By keeping the increase modest, the White House expects to free up $2 billion for other uses in 2013, and $28 billion over 10 years compared to the budget baseline.

Even though he has yet to complete his 2010 budget and the Republicans continually fail to point out this fact, President Obama is actually thinking about putting forth a budget for 2012. Well bless his heart - what a splendid idea!

But if you look at the costs and the projected savings, we see they are again using magic government math to showed a proposed savings to pay for these raises.  Yes, by using magic government math (budget baseline) over real math you are able to spend more and make it look like less. Yep, just like that - Abracadabra... and "Poof" - imaginary cuts and savings.

For a quick video to explain how magic government math works click here.

Republicans in the House have proposed continuing a pay freeze for federal employees as a way of paying for the temporary and any further extension of the pay roll-tax deduction benefiting scores of hard working Americans and business owners across the states.

Putting their checking accounts before what's best for our country and in donning the "woe is me" cape of victimhood, Federal workers are more than willing to accept President Obama's campaign year payoff....

“Federal employees are working with severely limited resources,” NTEU President Colleen Kelley wrote in a letter to the 20 lawmakers on the conference committee earlier this week. “They have faced government shutdowns four times this year, yet they have worked diligently to deliver services to the public. To ask them to bear such a disproportionate additional burden is unfair and unacceptable.”


"The good news is that the pay freeze is ending, but I am disappointed at the size of the proposed 2013 increase,” she said.


But, “a permanent pay freeze is not an acceptable policy,” one of the senior administration officials said Friday, according to a Washington Post report.

First, the ONLY REASON we faced four government shutdowns the past year is because President Obama and the Democrats failed to do their job and never put forth or passed a budget. 

Simply put, the threat of government shut downs were over the need to pass Continuing Resolutions in order to pay for running our already over blown federal government through the year.  These Continuing Resolutions would not have been needed, thus no threats of government shut downs, had President Obama and the Democrats put forth a budget that was passed.

Second, and the point of this post - with the defiant and determined stance of the Administration that these federal workers will get a pay raise clearly shows President Obama, by jeopardizing any further extension of the pay roll tax deductions set to expire at the end of February, will put big government spending, political patronage and buying votes with tax dollars before the financial well being of the hard-working, middle class American people he "claims" to represent.

Federal Election Commission Announces New Mobile App

The Federal Elections Commission (FEC) has just released a new mobile app for iPhones...

From FEC --

WASHINGTON – The Federal Election Commission today released the first in a series of FEC Mobile web pages designed to run on mobile devices. These web pages provide easier public access to campaign finance data and information about Commission activities.

“I am pleased to announce the launch of the FEC's new mobile interface,” said Chair Cynthia L. Bauerly. “I greatly appreciate the efforts of the agency staff who worked on this project, which will further the FEC's mission of disclosing campaign finance data.”

“By optimizing our data for mobile devices, we are making it possible to access the wealth of information available through our website in a more convenient manner,” Bauerly said. “Once again, the FEC is leveraging new technologies in an effort to serve the public in innovative ways.”

The series released today at http://www.fec.gov/mobile/ includes:

• presidential candidate summary data in a graphic view that allows drilling down for details such as receipts, disbursements and cash-on-hand;
• a calendar with dates for commission meetings, reporting deadlines, conferences, advisory opinions and litigation;
• audio with links to audio files of recent hearings;
• the FEC channel on YouTube with instructional videos on campaign finance law and practices; and
• a Twitter feed with FEC updates.

This is a Beta release.  It is designed to run on devices using the iPhone platforms.  Many of the features also work on other platforms. Full versions for other mobile devices will be released at a later date.

Click Here For App

Tea Party Patriots (OH) statement on Cordray appointment to CFPB

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 5, 2011

Contact: Marianne Gasiecki
              State Co-Coordinator
              (419)961-4439

 I Will Obey the Constitution of the United States

Ohio - January 5, 2012 - "This is part of the whole theory of George Bush that he can make laws as he is going along. I disagree with that. I taught the Constitution for 10 years. I believe in the Constitution and I will obey the Constitution of the United States."  That's what candidate Barack Obama said in 2008. Apparently, he was kidding.

 

According to our Constitution, Congress must remain adjourned for at least three days before the adjournment constitutes a "recess" for the purposes of recess appointment power.   The House and Senate both met the day before Obama's appointment, and have held pro-forma meetings every three days since before Christmas, as Democrats did during the Bush administration to prevent the president from making recess appointments.  Additionally, neither chamber passed an adjournment resolution in December.

 

Tea Party groups in Ohio had asked Senator Portman to be more vocal against the Cordray appointment, as well as the Consumer Finance Protection Board, but his response to this appointment yesterday was "this is not about Rich Cordray, who I believe is a good public servant..." 

 

"If Cordray is such a "good public servant" as Portman claims, Cordray would refuse this appointment based on the manner in which it was done and how the department itself violates the Constitution.  For many Tea Party people, that would be a good public servant," said Ralph King, State Co-coordinator and Co-Founder of the Cleveland Tea Party Patriots.

 

Regardless of who's appointed, and how, the CFPB has the power to interfere with every consumer financial transaction in the economy. It is housed in the Federal Reserve and funded out of Fed operations, therefore creating a governing entity in and of itself, and avoiding congressional oversight.

 

"This President is ignoring the separation of powers in the Constitution by ignoring Congress.  He is dictating what he believes is best for the country and boasting about it while in Shaker Hieghts this week when saying he has an 'obligation as President to do what I can without them (meaning Congress).'  This president has no intention of obeying the Constitution, and has done everything to create a governing entity outside of the Constitution.  Everyone should be concerned about one man who believes he can wield that much power, on his own, without the consent of our elected representatives," said Marianne Gasiecki, State Co-coordinator and Founder of the Mansfield Tea Party.

 

It is critical that the Senate does not confirm this recess appointment.  According to another statement issued by Senator Portman, a statute creating the CFPB makes clear that only Senate confirmation of a director - not a recess appointment - can activate the new powers of this agency to regulate consumer transactions.

 

*Ralph King - State Co-coordinator Tea Party Patriots

*Marianne Gasiecki - State Co-coordinator Tea Party Patriots*

 

###

NCSL Top 12 Legislative Issues of 2012

From the National Conference of State Legislatures --

Forty-six states will hold a legislative sessions in 2012, and many policymakers cannot shake the fact that the sluggish economy has controlled the nation’s legislative agendas for the past six years. But for the first time since the recession began, lawmakers will not spend the first part of their legislative session addressing new budgets shortfalls that have opened up since the legislature passed a budget. States are now halfway through the second quarter of FY 2012; new budget gaps are practically nonexistent.

This does not mean states are rolling in the dough. Revenue collections over the past year have increased for states, but at a very slow pace. A new "State Budget Report" released in December by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) shows state economies are starting to rebound and show signs of strength.

“The revenue growth states have experienced has helped to mitigate budget shortfalls,” said William Pound, executive director of NCSL. “It could help stave off some of the deep cuts that lawmakers have made in previous sessions.”

Innovation has been the key over the last few years, as state lawmakers and legislative staff have been forced to do more with less. States have looked at public-private partnerships in corrections and transportation, creating state-owned banks, privatizing social services and even consolidating state agencies and functions, such as combining state park and wildlife duties under one agency.

Money is the starting and stopping point for virtually every state program and service. This year will be no exception and the budget will still dominate the agenda for most states in 2012, especially with the uncertainty of the how federal deficit reductions will affect fiscal year 2013 state budgets.

Each year, NCSL develops an annual list that examines some of the most pressing and important topics on state legislative agendas. The Top 12 of 2012 is not meant to cover every topic or issue states will tackle during the upcoming legislative session, but rather to highlight some of the program areas and issues that will command the attention of policymakers.

The top 12 Issues of 2012 are listed in no particular order.

Federal deficit reduction affect on state budgets

The actions taken by Congress to reduce the federal deficit will have a significant impact on the states and FY 2013 budgets. Lawmakers in eight states—Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont and Virginia—developed contingency plans in the event that federal cutbacks were recommended by the Joint Select Committee on Deficit reduction or in case automatic cuts went into effect. Action by Congress will likely happen in FY 2013. Several states have indicated this will be a significant issue to grapple with in 2012 legislative sessions.

Budgets

The Great Recession has given way to what some are calling the Great Unknown for several reasons. Unemployment rates are still in the double digits in some states and the demand for state services, especially Medicaid, are expected to remain high for the foreseeable future. In addition, the level of support from the federal government could be changing. Even though half the states predicted in NCSL’s "State Budget Update" that revenues are likely to meet FY 2012 estimates, budget officials recognize state economies are fragile.

Jobs and state economies

Many states have proposed job creation initiatives to address the effects of the recession on state unemployment rates. A number of these initiatives involve state tax credits for creating new jobs. Other proposals include small business development, increased capital in local financial markets, changes to state development funds and investments in green energy. In addition, a number of states have initiated state-level stimulus plans to create jobs and spur economic development. Public spending on infrastructure projects, small business development, job creation incentives, and investments in green energy and health technology are some of the ways states have tried to jump start their own economies.

Pensions

Over the past two years, 40 state legislatures enacted significant revisions to at least one state retirement plan. The changes have ranged from increasing employee contribution requirements, and age and service requirements for retirement, to revising cost-of-living adjustments. In 2012, states are expected to continue to look at redesigning retirement plans, controlling costs for retiree health care programs, and emphasize managing unfunded liabilities.

Medicaid: Efficiencies and quality

Recent studies have confirmed what many policymakers already know: The tough economy is making it difficult to balance or even plan for their state’s Medicaid budgets. In 2011, nearly every state implemented some form of cost containing action within their Medicaid program. However, states are not just cutting to meet budget demands. State policymakers—looking toward the 2014 eligibility expansion of Medicaid dictated by the ACA—are exploring innovative ways to improve the value of the Medicaid program. To do this, states are aligning incentives with their desired outcomes and experimenting with new payment models, such as attaching provider payments to patients’ health outcomes, and with new delivery systems by creating medical homes and streamlining services for those eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare.

Elections: ID and early voting

In an election, the goal for states is to ensure all votes cast are valid, and that all valid votes are counted. While 2012 may not see the volume of voter ID legislation that states saw in 2011, the issue will continue. A flurry of lawsuits could surround the voter ID legislation states passed in 2011, and some states will reintroduce voter ID laws in 2012. Also, the 2012 presidential election will be the first big election with so many new voter ID laws in place; 31 states now require all voters to show ID before voting at the polls. States may struggle with implementation of their voter ID laws well before Election Day, since they must run voter education campaigns and get free IDs into the hands of those who need them. The voter fraud vs. voter disenfranchisement arguments will continue, as both sides seek evidence to support their views. Making sure voters are registered in time to cast a ballot in 2012 is another key issue lawmakers could grapple with in 2012. Issues like same-day registration, modernization (online and iPad voting), proof of citizenship to register, and keeping voters on voter rolls. Over half the states allow some method of early voting. In 2011, key states such as Ohio and Florida cut back the timeframe in which voters can cast a ballot. 2012 may bring more legislation to restrict pre-Election Day voting because of administrative and/or cost concerns, or partisan lines.

Health: Reform in the states, health care exchanges, technology and benefits

This spring, the U.S. States Supreme Court will hear arguments on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, better known as federal health reform law. With a ruling not expected from the nation’s high court until the summer multiple elements of health reform—establishing health benefit and health information exchanges, along with essential benefits packages—will remain a dominant issue for legislative sessions.

ESTABLISHING HEALTHE BENEFIT EXCHANGES: 
The establishment of exchanges will be a 2012 priority for those states that intend to do so. Many states will be considering action in 2012 to meet the Jan. 1, 2013, deadline to have a state plan and to be eligible to receive financial assistance from the federal government to set up a state-based exchange. Fourteen states passed legislation in 2011 to establish an exchange. Two states, Massachusetts and Utah, established exchanges in 2006 and 2009 respectively prior to passage of the ACA.

HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE:
One focus for state legislatures in 2012 will be how to move health care providers, especially those participating in the Medicaid program, toward the adoption of certified electronic health records (EHRs). Essentially, instead of having a different health record at each doctor or provider you visit, an EHR will serve as one file that all of your doctors can see. EHRs, once fully implemented, are expected to provide doctors and health professionals with easier access to patient histories and data, resulting in cost-savings and better health outcomes by removing costly errors and duplications in services. In addition, states are responsible for building and implementing health information exchanges (HIEs) where those EHRs can be accessed by health care providers. HIEs function like an online file cabinet where your medical record is securely stored, and can be accessed by any doctor or health care professional you visit. By mid-year 2012, every state should have Medicaid EHR Incentive programs in place and will be working toward building an HIE by late 2014 or early 2015 as required by deadlines attached to federal cooperative agreements.

ESSENTIAL BENEFITS PACKAGE AFFECTING STATE MANDATES:
Major federal requirements are scheduled to be announced in the coming months. Almost 2,000 state laws already mandate varied health coverage, but some states’ requirements will differ from the federal list. This means an intense discussion in 2012-13 because premiums in some areas may go up and some may go down. State and federal requirements also cover different types of insurance, so coordination of benefits also will be part of the discussion. For states that are challenging the legality of the individual coverage mandate, the pending lawsuits also may affect legislative agendas next year.

Criminal Justice: Reducing crime, managing resources and reexamining juvenile justice systems

Lawmakers are interested in results-based, data-driven sentencing and corrections policies. A number of states are achieving safer communities with “justice reinvestment” and related strategies that manage growth in corrections expenditures, generate savings and increase the effectiveness of current criminal justice spending, and make investments that improve offender accountability and reduce crime. At least 10 states during the last two years have adopted justice reinvestment related sentencing and corrections reforms, often directing savings to improved probation and parole supervision or expanded access to drug treatment. In 2011, at least a dozen states addressed improved community supervision with laws requiring the use of evidence-based programs and providing alternatives to incarceration for probationers and parolees who break the rules. Recent sentencing and corrections reforms also expand access to drug treatment, and continued state legislative interest is expected in review of drug crime sentencing and diversion policies. In 2011, at least nine states expanded eligibility for community-based treatment programs such as drug courts or adjusted downward the criminal penalties for lower-level use and possession offenses. At least 13 states currently have study committees exploring corrections and sentencing policy changes to consider in 2012 legislative sessions.

The past decade has seen a steady decline in juvenile crime rates and also a reexamination of appropriate boundaries between juvenile and criminal justice systems. States also are pursuing juvenile rehabilitative and treatment policies; and actions to provide due process protections for juveniles. At least 10 states passed laws in the past two years requiring that counsel be provided to young people during all critical stages of juvenile proceedings, and at least half of the states increased mental health and substance abuse treatment for youth. Juvenile justice reforms in 2012 are expected to focus on approaches that control costs while also providing for public safety and better outcomes for young people in the justice systems. This includes actions to divert youth from institutional placement, invest in community based alternatives to incarceration, and expand prevention programs.

Education: Funding and compliance

As states embark on their sixth straight year of budget deficits, they will look to education—both K-12 and higher education—for additional cuts. While higher education has suffered very deep cuts, K-12 has been somewhat immune. Together, K-12 and higher education consume nearly 50 percent of state budgets, so cash-strapped states looking for more cuts will have to go where the money is. As states look at K-12 cuts, they will want to consider how they might reallocate K-12 resources to programs that have shown consistent return on investment in terms of student achievement. This includes improving teacher and principal quality/effectiveness and funding K-12 differently. Higher education is likely to face even more cuts, pushing states to consider dramatic new arrangements with colleges and universities that will give them more flexibility over the limited dollars they receive from the state.

2012 will be a very important year for key federal education actions that will affect states. First, reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act may occur early in the year and the U.S. Department of Education has announced waivers from some provisions of existing law. The waivers and reauthorization legislation both move away from some of the more restrictive components of No Child Left Behind. Accountability structures, including state standards, tests, and evaluations of teachers and principals will still be a focus of federal policy. In addition, the federal government may move on some important issues in higher education that will affect student financial aid and student debt. With many states expected to continue to cut both K-12 and higher education budgets in 2012, policy decisions at the federal level may affect state flexibility, state authority and state budgets. Over the last two years, 48 states have adopted the voluntary common core state standards. Two assessment consortia are now working with the states to design new tests that link to the new standards. State legislators will have much to do to prepare for implementing the new standards and assessments. This includes finalizing the design of the new standards, making sure teachers are trained and ready to teach to the new standards, and incorporating new tests into current state accountability systems.

Transportation: Funding and drugged driving

A large gap still exists between available revenue and actual money needed for infrastructure maintenance and new transportation projects. States will continue to seek new revenue sources in 2012 as revenue from the gasoline tax continues to decline. In addition, states expect a ruling on the federal surface transportation reauthorization in 2012 that will help stabilize state planning and funding of transportation projects.

Distracted driving is another transportation concern that made its way onto the radar screens of lawmakers during the 2010 legislative session. States continue to address the dangers concerning distracted driving, impaired driving and drugged driving. Drugged driving, in particular, has been implicated in an increasing number of vehicle crashes and fatalities. All but two states have passed legislation to create Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs), and the big issue now is funding them and getting them established. Only about 35 are currently functioning; most of those states track data only within their state and do not share information with other states. There has been a discussion of a national controlled prescription database (NASPER), but it remains pending in Congress. In the meantime, states are examining ways to address impaired driving that involves illegal substances and/or prescription drugs.

Environment: Implementing new federal regulations

As it expands to meet growing demands, the energy industry will have to comply with a wave of new federal regulations.  Aimed at protecting public health and environmental quality, new clean air and clean water rules will force significant changes by coal, natural gas and nuclear power providers. While utilities will pay the compliance costs, those costs will be passed on to consumers and ratepayers. States will largely be responsible for implementing the new federal standards in a way that protects natural resources, citizen’s health, and the economy. Many state lawmakers are concerned about these costs and how they can be reduced. Long-term planning for clean energy and efficiency can help avoid regulatory costs.

Natural Gas

New natural gas discoveries have been a game changer for the industry, lowering prices and adding stability. This has led to more construction of natural gas plants and some displacement of coal with natural gas. The new technology that has opened up these resources, fracking, has some worried about water contamination and other environmental impacts. States are working to develop adequate regulations to protect the environment given the explosion in natural gas extraction.

Other issues of interest to state lawmakers:

FORECLOSURES: States continue to address the ongoing housing crisis. With housing values staying depressed and unemployment numbers still elevated, policymakers are trying to find ways to help families stay in their homes.

FOOD SAFETY AND SYSTEMS:With the recent deaths from listeria-contaminated cantaloupes and salmonella outbreaks in eggs, food safety is topping many agendas. Congress passed the Food Safety Modernization Act in January 2011, which enhances the nation’s food safety regimen, much of which is done by states. States will either have to update their food safety programs or rely on the federal government to enforce these programs. Bills in 44 states were introduced in 2011 regarding food safety, and more are expected in 2012.

POVERTY AND THE IMPACT OF PUBLIC PROGRAMS: In this economic climate, states have had to cut funding at the same time that many families need support to find and keep a job. Many of these providers, like small businesses, have struggled. According to NCSL’s November "State Budget Update," four states reported overspending in social service programs. Maryland’s Department of Human Resources will need at least a $143 million to cover several programs and agencies, including the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Massachusetts noted its emergency homeless shelters were over budget in FY 2012 and Maine projects its Child Development Services program will request supplemental budget funding this fiscal year. Many states will look at the pros and cons of privatization as state funds remain tight and lawmakers look to improve the effective delivery of services.

NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.

To the "anybody but Obama" ... Santorum faction.

Nothing would make me happier than to have Obama be greeted by a slew of these posters on his way to Shaker Heights tomorrow. I welcome any Tea Partier to download this eight panel poster.

This is my gift to the Santorum faithful. Feel free to download this and pass it on to your friends. I hope there is a strong Tea Party presence in Shaker Hts. on Wednesday. No matter who you back ... even if it is Ron Paul, print the poster anyway just to scare the pants off Obama as he makes his way into Shaker. Santorum surged big and Obama has another front to defend. That's good for the good guys.

I have coined the word "Swinlyndra" to represent "swindle" and "Solyndra." I think it fits ... and it conveys the tone of the drawing. Unfortunately, I cannot make it to Shaker Hts on Wednesday. I have another commitment. If I could be there, I would be happily displaying this poster. I remember some of the good folks at the Tri-C west protest and also those at Obama's appearance at the Convocation Center last fall. I hope some of you will see this and lend a hand.

Just print it, cut it out, and glue the puzzle pieces together onto a piece of cardboard. It's like a grade school project!

White House Releases 1.9 Million Visitor Records

From the White House Blog --

In September 2009, the President announced that—for the first time in history—White House visitor records would be made available to the public on an ongoing basis. Today, the White House releases visitor records that were generated in September 2011. Today’s release also includes several visitor records generated prior to September 16, 2009 that were requested by members of the public in November 2011 pursuant to the White House voluntary disclosure policy. This release brings the total number of records made public by this White House to more than 1.9 million records—all of which can be viewed in our Disclosures section.

My early pick for the Republican nomination

An Open Letter to Tea Party Voters

        By Jeffrey Moore

I have been trying to logically ferret out any misconceptions I may have about the Republican presidential field before the start of the caucus and voting season. I want to take a look at each one here and try to come to a reasoned decision by voting time. For the fact that all of these candidates have desirable attributes among them, it would be preferable to nominate an amorphous being which possesses the best aspects of each one. Unfortunately I do not have that option. Needless to say, most of these candidates represent the possibility of stepping back from the brink. Each has an element that stands up favorably to the one man wrecking crew named Obama. In contravention to common belief, we have the strongest field of candidates in DECADES. Yes … decades! This is for the fact that they possess an assortment of distributed qualities and the fact that the pendulum has swung so far that the swing is about to go over the top of the swing set. Very strong field. Very strong!

Who can beat Obama? Any one of them! Any one! Obama has been busy the last three years planting powder kegs of self destructing policy bombs. He has blown up the economy, corrupted the justice department, corrupted the energy department, and puffed up the unions and foreign banks with fiat Wall Street cash. This is just the start of the list of complete failures (or radical leftist warrior successes, depending on your point of view).

Many of the lucid out here in fly-over country are wise to the latest shell game. Obama and the shape shifter political class have turned the notion of a contribution to the Social Security fund straight on its head. In the good old days this deduction from wages was an insurance payment but now suddenly, it’s a tax! So Obama and his cronies are allowing Social Security to “wither on the vine” while telling the uninformed that he’s cutting taxes. He can hasten the end of Social Security, a so-called ideal of the leftist disposition, and take credit as a tax cutter as well. It is completely absurd!

This is an election that will be decided by common sense working men and working women. We need a free market leader who understands the meaning of purpose and work. I myself experienced a stint of unemployment. I took the state aid and felt the pull of the addiction to getting money for nothing. It breeds hopelessness. This administration is intent on shifting the mentality toward acceptance of the Nanny state for everyone.

This is what we’re up against. This is what the candidate will be up against. Which candidate can best articulate a different vision and act upon that vision to create positive results? In a future debate against Obama any one of the Republican hopefuls could almost just read the list of disasters, turn deadpan to the camera and say, “Really America? Is this what you truly want?”

Who among these can stir the optimism required to jump-start America?

For my pick, read the full article