Cleveland Tea Party Patriots

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

2012-01-24T21:19:00.004-05:00

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

2012-01-24T06:58:00.000-05:00

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...

2012-01-21T06:53:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-21T05:53:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-21T05:34:00.000-05:00

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!

2012-01-20T14:08:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-19T07:03:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-14T05:26:00.001-05:00

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

2012-01-13T06:51:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-13T06:31:00.002-05:00

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

2012-01-11T19:16:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-10T11:43:00.000-05:00

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?

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

2012-01-10T06:25:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-09T05:32:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-08T12:32:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-07T06:09:00.001-05:00

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

2012-01-06T07:12:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-04T06:25:00.000-05:00

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.

2012-01-04T02:23:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-03T06:23:00.001-05:00

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

2012-01-02T02:50:00.002-05:00

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

Obamacare for the Internet: Stop SOPA NOW!

2011-12-30T09:22:00.002-05:00

Obamacare for the Internet!

SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and its Senate cousin (PROTECT IP) are government solutions in search of a problem. Created under the false flag of piracy protection, this bill allows unelected bureaucrat US Attorney General (Eric Holder) to close down without due process, any site listed in a complaint. SOPA grants the federal government the right to restrict search engine results, freeze merchant accounts and force your internet provider to block any site branded in violation of SOPA. An unelected bureaucrat will decide which sites qualify.

What does this mean for you? Under SOPA, if a single complaint is filed against YouTube alleging pirated materiel, the entire website can be shut down while the claim is investigated. If a single complaint is registered against Google claiming they link to pirated materiel in search results, the entire site can be shut down during the investigation. If a single complaint is logged against Amazon.com claiming pirated goods are being sold, the entire site can be shut down and their online payment service frozen!

Who thought this was a good idea? SOPA is sponsored by Representative Lamar Smith, A Republican from Texas who has been in Congress for over 25 years. His biggest campaign donors are from the TV/Movie industry, giving him over $50,000 a year for at least the past 10 years. SOPA also has 31 co-sponsors and is currently moving through the House Judiciary Committee (chaired by Lamar Smith). Outside Washington D.C., bloggers and experts across the political spectrum have warned against this legislation. SOPA is sponsored by a Republican, PROTECT IP is sponsored by a Democrat. It’s becoming clear that this battle is not about partisan politics or liberal vs. conservatives. This is the Washington elite, using overblown piracy fears to control our internet.

What can you do?

Contact your congressman and let them know SOPA (H.R. 3261) has no place in America. This is not a bill that can be amended into something acceptable, it must die completely.

Contact members of the Judiciary Committee specifically and urge them to defeat SOPA by any means necessary.

If you or someone you know lives in Wisconsin, North Carolina, California, Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Florida, Arizona, Texas, Nevada, Iowa, Utah, Arkansas, Pennsylvania or South Carolina, please forward this alert to them. These states have congressional members on the Judiciary Committee, see below for the complete list.

Judiciary Committee

GOP Members

Lamar Smith (R-TX) [Chairman]

D.C. PH#: 202-225-4236

D.C. FX#: 202-225-8628

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

F. James (Jim) Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-WI)

D.C. PH#: 202-225-5101

D.C. FX#: 202-225-3190

Email: http://sensenbrenner.house.gov/email_zip.htm

Howard Coble (R-NC)

DC PH#: 202-225-3065

DC FX#: 202-225-8611

Email: http://coble.house.gov/Contact/ZipCheck.htm

Elton Gallegly (R-CA)

DC PH#: 202-225-5811

DC FX#: 202-225-1100

Email: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Bob Goodlatte (R-VA)

DC PH#: 202-225-5431

DC FX#: 202-225-9681

Email: http://goodlatte.house.gov/contacts/new

Dan Lungren (R-CA)

DC PH#: 202-225-5716

DC FX#: 202-226-1298

Email: http://lungren.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=84&sectiontree=384

Steve Chabot (R-OH)

DC PH#: 202-225-2216

DC FX#: 202-225-3012

Email: https://chabotforms.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=58& …

Darrell Issa (R-CA)

DC PH#: 202-225-3906

DC FX: 202-225-3303

Email: http://issa.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&vi …

Mike Pence (R-IN)

DC PH#: 202-225-3021

DC FX#: 202-225-3382

Email: https://forms.house.gov/pence/IMA/webforms/contact_fo …

J. Randy Forbes (R-VA)

DC PH#: 202-225-6365

DC FX#: 202-226-1170

Email: http://randyforbes.house.gov/Contact/ZipAuth.htm

Steve King (R-IA)

DC PH#: 202-225-4426

DC FX#: 202-225-3193

Email: https://forms.house.gov/king/webforms/issue_subscribe …

Trent Franks (R-AZ)

DC PH#: 202-225-4576

DC FX#: 202-225-6328

Email: http://franks.house.gov/contacts/new

Louie Gohmert (R-TX)

DC PH#: 202-225-3035

DC FX#: 202-226-1230

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

Jim Jordan (R-OH)

DC PH#: 202-225-2676

DC Fax#: 202-226-0577

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

Ted Poe (R-TX)

DC PH#: 202-225-6565

DC FX#: 202-225-5547

Email: https://forms.house.gov/poe/webforms/zipauthen_contac …

Jason Chaffetz (R-UT)

DC PH#: 202-225-7751

DC FX: 202-225-5629

Email: https://chaffetz.house.gov/contact/email-me.shtml

Tim Griffin (R-AR)

DC PH#: 202-225-2506

DC FX#: 202-225-5903

Email: https://griffin.house.gov/contact-me/email-me

Tom Marino (R-PA)
DC PH#: 202-225-3731
DC FX#: 202-225-9594
Email: https://marino.house.gov/contact-me/email-me

Trey Gowdy (R-SC)
DC PH#: 202-225-6030
DC FX#: 202-226-1177
Email: http://gowdy.house.gov/Contact/

Dennis Ross (R-FL)
DC PH#: 202-225-1252
DC FX#: 202-226-0585
Email: https://dennisross.house.gov/Contact/

Sandy Adams (R-FL)
DC PH#: 202-225-2706
DC FX#: 202-226-6299
Email: http://adams.house.gov/Contact/

Ben Quayle (R-AZ)
DC PH#: 202-225-3361
DC FX#: 202-225-3462
Email: http://quayle.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=58§io …

Mark Amodei (R-NV)
DC PH#: 202-225-6155
DC FX#: 202-225-5679
Email: https://amodei.house.gov/contact-

Democrat Members

John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) [Ranking Minority Member]

DC PH#: 202-225-5126

DC FX#: 202-225-0072

Email: http://conyers.house.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact …

Howard L. Berman (D-CA)

DC PH#: 202-225-4695

DC FX#: 202-225-3196

Email: http://www.house.gov/berman/contact/

Jerrold Nadler (D-NY)

DC PH#: 202-225-5635

DC FX#: 202-225-6923

Email: https://jerroldnadler.house.gov/Forms/WriteYourRep/de

Bobby Scott (D-VA)

DC PH#: 202-225-8351

DC FX#: 202-225-8354

Email: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Mel Watt (D-NC)

DC PH#: 202-225-1510

DC FX#: 202-225-1512

Email: https://forms.house.gov/watt/webforms/zipauthen_conta

Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)

DC PH#: 202-225-3072

DC FX#: 202-225-3336

Email: http://forms.house.gov/lofgren/webforms/landing.html

Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX)

DC PH#: 202-225-3816

DC FX#: 202-225-3317

Email: http://www.jacksonlee.house.gov/Contact/

Maxine Waters (D-CA)

DC PH#: 202-225-2201

DC FX#: 202-225-7854

Email: https://watersforms.house.gov/Contact/ContactForm.htm

Steve Cohen (D-TN)

DC PH#: 202-225-3265
DC FX#: 202-225-5663
Email: https://cohenforms.house.gov/Forms/WriteYourRep/

Hank Johnson (D-GA)
DC PH#: 202-225-1605
DC FX#: 202-226-0691
Email: https://hankjohnsonforms.house.gov/contact-form.shtml

Pedro Pierluisi (D-PR)
DC PH#: 202-225-2615
DC FX#: 202-225-2154
Email: http://pierluisi.house.gov/english/contact-us.html

Mike Quigley (D-IL)
DC PH#: 202-225-4061
DC FX#: 202-225-5603
Email: https://forms.house.gov/quigley/contact-form.shtml

Judy Chu (D-CA)
DC PH#: 202-225-5464
DC FX#: 202-225-5467
Email: https://forms.house.gov/chu/contact-form.shtml

Ted Deutch (D-FL)
DC PH#: 202-225-3001
DC FX#: 202-225-5974
Email: https://deutchforms.house.gov/Forms/WriteYourRep/defa …

Linda Sanchez (D-CA)
DC PH#: 202-225-6676
DC FX#: 202-226-1012
Email: https://forms.house.gov/lindasanchez/webforms/issue_s …

Jared Polis (D-CO)
DC PH#: 202-225-2161
DC FX#: 202-226-7840
Email: https://polisforms.house.gov/Forms/WriteYourRep/defau …

Newt Gingrich Wins Tea Party Patriots Straw Poll

2011-12-19T06:24:00.000-05:00

More the 23,000 people participated in the Tea Party Patriots Presidential Tele-Forum and Tea Party Straw Poll last night. Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Michele Bachmann and Rick Santorum were on the call last night to answer questions that were submitted by local Tea Party leaders.

The results of the straw poll taken from the more than 23,000 participants on the call are as follows;

Newt Gingrich 31%
Michele Bachmann 28%
Mitt Romney 20%
Rick Santorum 16%
Ron Paul 3%
Rick Perry 2%
Jon Huntsman 0% (.34%)
(Results are rounded to nearest percentage point. Margin of error +/-1.59%)

(Interpretation: The following question was posed to the listeners for each candidate with 1 being Not Enthusiastic and 5 being Extremely Enthusiastic. “On a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the highest, how enthusiastic would you be if were the nominee?” This chart shows how enthusiastic the participants would be in the event that each candidate were the nominee.)

Check the TPP website later this week for audio clips of all of the candidates and speakers

Special Thanks to:

Emery McClendon, TPP Local Coordinator, Fort Wayne, IN
Julianne Thompson, TPP Local Coordinator, Atlanta, GA
Herman Cain, Businessman / Former GOP Presidential Candidate
Steve King, Congressman from Iowa

Thank you to all of the candidates & callers who were able to participate!

-- Ohio Health Care Compact Web Site Launched -- Help Secure Health Care Freedom in Ohio

2011-11-29T07:56:00.002-05:00

Introduced into the Ohio Senate earlier this year, efforts by Tea Party Patriot groups in Ohio to enact a Health Care Compact were put on hold so as not to confuse or undermine efforts to pass Issue 3, the Ohio Health Care Freedom Amendment.

Now that Issue 3 has passed with a mandate in all 88 counties, and the voters of our state have clearly stated their support for health care freedom in Ohio, it is time to take the second step in securing true health care freedom for Ohio -- with the Ohio Health Care Compact.

As part of a 50 state initiative between the Health Care Compact Alliance and the Tea Party Patriots, Health Care Compacts have already been passed in 4 states (TX, MO, GA & OK ) and have been introduced in 11 other states, including the Ohio Health Care Compact.

To learn more about the Ohio Health Care Compact and how you can help fight to secure a true health care freedom in Ohio go to www.ohiohealthcarecompact.com.

Health Care Policy is about who & what is covered.
The Health Care Compact is about who decides.
And Ohio should decide what is best for Ohio!

The Politically Incorrect Story of Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T09:24:00.003-05:00

At this special time of year when we give thanks, it is important that we recognize the true origins of Thanksgiving.

With Happy Thanksgiving wishes to you, your family and your loved ones from the Cleveland Tea Party Patriots, the below story gives a politically incorrect but accurate history of Thanksgiving...

By Richard J. Maybury

Each year at this time school children all over America are taught the official Thanksgiving story, and newspapers, radio, TV, and magazines devote vast amounts of time and space to it. It is all very colorful and fascinating.

It is also very deceiving. This official story is nothing like what really happened. It is a fairy tale, a whitewashed and sanitized collection of half-truths which divert attent ion away from Thanksgiving's real meaning.

The official story has the pilgrims boarding the Mayflower, coming to America and establishing the Plymouth colony in the winter of 1620-21. This first winter is hard, and half the colonists die. But the survivors are hard working and tenacious, and they learn new farming techniques from the Indians. The harvest of 1621 is bountiful. The Pilgrims hold a celebration, and give thanks to God. They are grateful for the wonderful new abundant land He has given them.

The official story then has the Pilgrims living more or less happily ever after, each year repeating the first Thanksgiving. Other early colonies also have hard times at first, but they soon prosper and adopt the annual tradition of giving thanks for this prosperous new land called America.

The problem with this official story is that the harvest of 1621 was not bountiful, nor were the colonists hardworking or tenacious. 1621 was a famine year and many of the colonists were lazy thieves.

In his 'History of Plymouth Plantation,' the governor of the colony, William Bradford, reported that the colonists went hungry for years, because they refused to work in the fields. They preferred instead to steal food. He says the colony was riddled with "corruption," and with "confusion and discontent." [Socialism always has corruption to gain power, confusion to deceive and discontent because it is so harmful, causing the people to suffer] The crops were small because "much was stolen both by night and day, before it became scarce eatable."

In the harvest feasts of 1621 and 1622, "all had their hungry bellies filled," but only briefly. The prevailing condition during those years was not the abundance the official story claims, it was famine and death. The first "Thanksgiving" was not so much a celebration as it was the last meal of condemned men.

But in subsequent years something changes. The harvest of 1623 was different. Suddenly, "instead of famine now God gave them plenty," Bradford wrote, & quot andthe face of things was changed, to the rejoicing of the hearts of many, for which they blessed God." Thereafter, he wrote, "any general want or famine hath not been amongst them since to this day." In fact, in 1624, so much food was produced that the colonists were able to begin exporting corn.
What happened?

After the poor harvest of 1622, writes Bradford, "they began to think how they might raise as much corn as they could, and obtain a better crop." They began to question their form of economic organization.

This had required that "all profits & benefits that are got by trade, working, fishing, or any other means" were to be placed in the common stock of the colony, and that, "all such persons as are of this colony, are to have their meat, drink, apparel, and all provisions out of the common stock." A person was to put into the common stock all he could, and take out only what he needed.

This "from each according to his ability, to each according to his need" was an early form of socialism, and it is why the Pilgrims were starving. Bradford writes that "young men that are most able and fit for labor and service" complained about being forced to "spend their time and strength to work for other men's wives and children." Also, "the strong, or man of parts, had no more in division of victuals and clothes, than he that was weak." So the young and strong refused to work and the total amount of food produced was never adequate.

To rectify this situation, in 1623 Bradford abolished socialism. He gave each household a parcel of land and told them they could keep what they produced, or trade it away as they saw fit. In other words, he replaced socialism with a free market, and that was the end of famines.

Many early groups of colonists set up socialist states, all with the same terrible results. At Jamestown, esta blished in 1607, out of every shipload of settlers that arrived, less than half would survive their first twelve months in America. Most of the work was being done by only one-fifth of the men, the other four-fifths choosing to be parasites. In the winter of 1609-10, called "The Starving Time," the population fell from five-hundred to sixty.

Then the Jamestown colony was converted to a free market, and the results were every bit as dramatic as those at Plymouth. In 1614, Colony Secretary Ralph Hamor wrote that after the switch there was "plenty of food, which every man by his own industry may easily and doth procure." He said that when the socialist system had prevailed, "we reaped not so much corn from the labors of thirty men as three men have done for themselves now."

Before these free markets were established, the colonists had nothing for which to be thankful. They were in the same situation as Ethiopians are today, and for th e same reasons. But after free markets were established, the resulting abundance was so dramatic that the annual Thanksgiving celebrations became common throughout the colonies, and in 1863, Thanksgiving became a national holiday.

Thus the real reason for Thanksgiving, deleted from the official story, is: Socialism does not work; the one and only source of abundance is free markets, and we thank God we live in a country where we can have them.

Happy Thanksgiving

Is Sen. Rob Portman making backroom deals with Sen Sherrod Brown over new Consumer Czar?

2011-11-23T07:21:00.000-05:00

H/T Medina Tea Party Patriots

According to a recent article on Big Government, Senator Rob Portman may be breaking ranks with his party by voting to confirm the former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray as the first director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), or in more accurate terms -- Consumer Financial Protection Czar.

The director of the CFPB is empowered to regulate almost any industry for any reason and cannot be removed for any reason other than malfeasance. The position is a five-year term, so the next president will have to deal with Cordray regulating our economy, despite the president’s wishes.

Many Conservatives are wondering why Portman would join Senate liberals in supporting Cordray, who has shown himself to be an extremely liberal Progressive. The below article indicates Portman may also be facing pressure and making backroom deals with Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) to confirm Cordray, which is why it is imperative that we let Senator Portman know that we will not stand for this outrageous betrayal of conservative values.

Please contact Senator Portman and demand that he vote against the appointment of Richard Cordray for director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Senator Rob Portman

D.C. Office Phone: 202-224-3353

Local Office Phone: 513-684-3265

Twitter: @robportman

From Big Government --

In the pitched battle over whether government should take over our health care system, a group of pro-life Democrat congressmen held the line to oppose the legislation because they knew the bill authorized funding for abortion. Under intense pressure from the president and their pro-choice comrades in the Congress, the group, led by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) flip-flopped when they received a letter from the president ensuring that government would not spend money for abortion. They were had.

Now Sen. Rob Portman appears ready to “pull a Stupak.” Under pressure from Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown, Portman appears ready to cut a deal to confirm former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray to a five-year term to head the super-regulatory agency known as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Word on Capitol Hill is that Portman has assured Cordray he has no problems with his nomination and is asking for assurances that his concerns about the Bureau will be address – not in legislation, but in a letter. Has Portman learned anything from the Stupak incident? Apparently not.

Unlike Portman, Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) is taking a principled stand against the creation of a new super regulatory agency and is not shaking in his boots. Shelby has organized his colleagues who have pledged to oppose the nomination of Cordray or any other nominee unless the Bureau is reformed. Unlike Portman, apparently, Shelby is smart enough to demand real statutory changes as opposed to “promised” changes.

The CFPB was structured in a way to give huge, and perhaps unconstitutional, power to its Director. Alan Raul, who served as general counsel of the Office of Management and Budget and associate counsel to President Ronald Reagan, described the CFPB’s power as “an independent agency on steroids because Congress essentially exempted the director from any meaningful accountability or strong presidential oversight.”

As structured, the Director is empowered to regulate almost any industry for any reason and if Cordray is confirmed by the full Senate, would be given a five-year term and be removable only by malfeasance. So if a Republican wins the presidential election, they would enjoy four years of Mr. Cordray regulating the economy, no matter what the president did or said.

Not only should the CFPB be reformed, it should be eliminated. If Mr. Portman gets weak knees, he will ensure that another government regulatory agency – one with more power than most – will be around for a long time.

Please call Senator Portman and remind him he was not elected to make back room deals with Senator Sherrod Brown but to act with conservative conviction and integrity like Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL).

Senator Rob Portman

D.C. Office Phone: 202-224-3353

Local Office Phone: 513-684-3265

Twitter: @robportman

The Ohio Health Care Compact: The Second Step for Health Care Freedom in Ohio

2011-11-15T06:30:00.001-05:00

Finally bringing the Constitutionality of Obamacare to an end the U.S. Supreme Court has decided to hear the lawsuits brought by 26 states and the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) sometime this spring.

Taking the first step towards healthcare freedom in Ohio and sending the U.S. Supreme Court a booming message against Obamacare, voters across the state -- Democrat, Republican and Independents alike -- passed the Ohio Healthcare Freedom Amendment with a mandate vote in all 88 counties.

Now it is time to take the second and most meaningful step in securing our Healthcare Freedom in Ohio!

Regardless of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Obamacare, be it ruled Constitutional or Unconstitutional, the old healthcare system in our country was sorely lacking and clearly not working.

An exciting & fast-growing 50 state initiative of the Tea Party Patriots & The Health Care Compact Alliance to enact Interstate Health Care Compacts, is the second step in securing true Healthcare freedom in Ohio.

Health Care Compacts are quickly becoming a big hit for states looking to take back control of their health care and move the decision making process away from federal bureaucrats and closer to the people. These Constitutional Interstate Compacts (Article 1 Section 10) for Healthcare shift the responsibility of health care decisions closer to the people will give the states more flexibility in combating the rising costs of medicaid/medicare and health care in general.

The Health Care Compact has been introduced in 14 states and has passed the State House of Representatives in Montana and Colorado. In more than 36 states, citizen groups and state legislators are actively considering the Health Care Compact. In addition, the Governors for the states of Georgia, Oklahoma, Missouri & Texas have already signed the Health Care Compact into law.

Ready to take the second step in securing Health Care Freedom in Ohio, the Ohio Health Care Compact (SB 189) has already been introduced in the Ohio Senate (Click to read the full text).

To learn more about the Tea Party Patriots Ohio Health Care Compact efforts and how you can help, please click here.
*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 or Gary Young at Ohiohcc@gmail.com.

Real Cuts vs Fake Cuts

2011-11-13T04:38:00.001-05:00

With the deadline for the Super Committee fast approaching Tea Party Patriots have put together this little clip to explain real cuts vs fake cuts. As witnessed in the fights over the Debt Ceiling increase and Continuing Resolutions, the definition of "spending cuts" is much different in D.C. than it is in the real world in which we live.

In D.C. a spending cut is defined as spending less than they were GOING to spend, in the real world a spending cut is defined as spending less than you ARE spending....

It’s as simple as that. So when the Super Committee (or any politician) comes out with a plan, look at the summary tables at the back of the plan, after it’s published. Look at the level of spending at the start of the timeline, and look at the level of spending at the end of the timeline (the timeline is usually ten years). If the number they end up with is smaller than the number they started with, that’s a REAL CUT. If the number they end up with is bigger than the number they started with, that’s a fake cut, a.k.a. business as usual.

Don’t allow the politicians to use gimmicks to lie to you. When you hear the inevitable outcry about Drastic Cuts® destroying the country, you first must look at the numbers and check to see if they increase or decrease.

Click Here for contact info on members of the Super Committee and tell them you want REAL cuts!

Contact the "Super Committee"

2011-11-13T03:56:00.000-05:00

The “Super Committee” was formed as a condition to the “Debt Ceiling” debate, this past late-summer’s effort to increase federal spending authority for the president without really saying so. We believe it is an unconstitutional construct, but it is there and we have to deal with it.

This Super Committee, comprised of twelve Congressmen (six from each party; half from the House and half from the Senate) was tasked to reduce the deficit. If the Super Committee does not come to bi-partisan terms, and Congress fails to pass the recommendations they propose, automatic “cuts” kick in.

Democrats are looking to pass $1.3 trillion in tax increases, with a similar amount in cuts, over the next 10 years. As usual, especially with the likes of Sen. John Kerry and Sen. Patty Murray sitting on this Super Committee, the Democrats are pushing for more spending on top of the tax increases. The same game plan they have been preaching for the last 3 years.

For a good analysis on the Super Committee, see this from The Heritage Foundation.

It appears that those involved are NOT attempting to look for real cuts. And any cuts to Medicare/Medicaid will be overturned as soon as the next Congress convenes.

Republicans offer to cut deficits by about $2.2 trillion over a decade; about one-third of that coming from increases in items such as Medicare premiums, the sale of public lands and airport fees -- measures that increase government revenue without raising taxes. The GOP plan also assumes that tax reform would generate economic growth that would also lift revenues.

The GOP plan would also cut about $500 billion from Medicare over the next decade and $185 billion from Medicaid, officials said.

Democrats say that elsewhere in the budget they plan to reduce deficits by more than $3 trillion over the coming decade, while financing a $450 billion jobs bill along the lines that President Barack Obama is recommending. The same worthless “jobs bill” that was defeated in the Senate.

Tea Party Patriots has railed over the last 2 ½ years - Reduce the size of government; Slash spending and Repeal Obamacare - for trillions in savings!

Credit rating agencies, yet again, have stated emphatically that nothing less than $4 to $5 trillion in spending cuts will stem another downgrade in the U.S. credit rating... but, apparently, members of the Super Committee believe their half-baked ideas (that they know will be rejected) will lead to some sort of consensus (and maybe political gain) in 2012?

Write to the Super Committee - but don’t just stop there; e-mail, phone, fax, and tweet!

Click here for a direct link to the Super Committee website.

Whatever you can do - create a presence, from Tea Party Patriots groups all across the country!

The lobbyists are all there, waiting to add more dollars to Super Committee members’ campaign coffers! We have millions of members, enthusiastic Patriots who stand for their Country, NOT Party! Put pressure on them for: NO increase in ANY taxes, and CUT spending, PERIOD!

“Super Committee” Members

Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) Committee Co-Chair
Twitter: @RepHensarling

Phone: 202-225-3484
Fax: 202-226-4888

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) Committee Co-Chair
Twitter: @PattyMurray

Phone: 202-224-2621
Fax: 202-224-0238
Toll Free: 866-481-9186

Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)
Twitter: @ChrisVanHollen

Phone: 202-225-5341
Fax: 202-225-0375

Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ)
Twitter: @SenJonKyl

Phone: 202-224-4521
Fax: 202-224-2207

Sen. John Kerry (D-MA)
Twitter: @JohnKerry

Phone: 202-224-2742

Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA)
Twitter: @SenToomey

Phone: 202-224-4254
Fax: 202-228-0284

Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT)

Phone: 202-224-2651
Fax: 202-224-9412

Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH)
Twitter: @robportman

Phone: 202-224-3353

Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA)
Twitter: @RepBecerra

Phone: 202-225-6235

Rep. Dave Camp (R-MI)

Phone: 202-225-3561
Fax: 202-225-9679

Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC)
Twitter: @Clyburn

Phone: 202-225-3315
Fax: 202-225-2313

Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI)
Twitter: @RepFredUpton

Phone: 202-225-3761
Fax: 202-225-4986

Tweeting to the Super Committee, should have a # setup... Example below-

@RepHensarling #SuperCommittee – NO tax inc., CUT spending #tpp

@RepHensarling #SuperCommittee - Repeal Obamacare, Save $2T #tpp

Call Your Senator; Repeal the CLASS Act

2011-11-04T21:11:00.001-04:00

REPEAL THE CLASS ACT NOW!

A few weeks ago the bipartisan majority on the Democrat led Senate Appropriations Committee voted to defund part of the ObamCare law, the CLASS Act. The head of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, and other Administrative wonks finally realized that the unsustainable program would be an albatross around their necks if they didn’t shelve it now.

However, it is not gone, just merely waiting in the background for some new infusion of taxpayer cash, to once again forge creative financing for the current Administration. This is where the “savings” in the ObamaCare bill came from and now it is finally out and for the whole nation to see the enormous failure of this program.

Polls are continuing to show that the law is going out of favor with most people as the following Reuters article highlighted...

(Reuters) - Americans' opinion of President Barack Obama's healthcare reform in October reached its lowest point since the law passed in March 2010, according to a monthly poll by the non-profit, non-partisan Kaiser Family Foundation.

The view of the law has been roughly evenly split since its passage, but in October 51 percent said they had an unfavorable opinion, while 34 percent said their opinion was favorable, poll results released on Friday showed.

Although Democrats were still much likelier to view the law favorably than Republicans or independents, the percentage of Democrats who said they and their families were better off under the healthcare law dropped significantly to 27 percent in October from 43 percent in September.

Yesterday on the Senate floor Senators Barrasso (WY), Thune (SD) and Sessions (AL) were discussing the need to repeal this program altogether and they are right. Now is the time to get rid of another failed government program that would have only been yet another taxpayer subsidized program for years to come. Richard Foster the long time actuary for the government said this was a “recipe for disaster” and as such the Administration finally cried “uncle” and defunded it, so why would we keep it around in any form?

Let’s see government shrink by at least one failed program and find out who the real heroes are in Congress by asking all of our Senators to Repeal the CLASS ACT now!

Call Senator Brown & Senator Portman and ask them to support S720 to

Repeal the CLASS Act.

Senator Sherrod Brown

Cleveland Office PH: (216) 522-7272
Cleveland Office Fax: (216) 522-2239

D.C. Office PH: (202) 224-2315
D.C. Office Fax: (202)228-6321
Email: http://brown.senate.gov/contact/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/sensherrodbrown

Senator Rob Portman

Will the U.S. become a Medicaid Nation?

2011-11-04T19:51:00.000-04:00

From NewsMax --

America is in danger of becoming a Medicaid nation. It will bankrupt our government, make private health plans unaffordable, and rob the elderly of the care they've been counting on.

The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction — the supercommittee — should repeal the vast expansion of Medicaid enacted just 18 months ago as part of President Barack Obama's health law. That brand new entitlement, not in effect yet, threatens the nation’s future solvency.

The Obama health law converted Medicaid from a safety net to a permanent health entitlement in place of private insurance. A decade from now, when the temporary surge in Medicare demand caused by the baby boom generation subsides, Medicaid will cost more than Medicare and continue to grow.

According to actuaries from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (Health Affairs, July 28), Medicaid spending will increase faster than Medicare spending even in the coming decade, and the two programs will cost about the same by 2020. That’s amazing, considering the wave of baby boomers entering Medicare.

Medicaid spending will top $900 billion in 2020 (state and federal funds) up from $343 billion in the last year of the George W. Bush administration. The Obama health law makes more people eligible and increases benefits.

The president promised to reduce the number of uninsured by making health plans more affordable. But twice as many of the uninsured will gain coverage by enrolling in Medicaid as in private health plans. The actuaries estimate that Medicaid enrollment will reach 75 million people in 2014.

In addition, the actuaries cautioned that some workers and their families will be forced into Medicaid, when large employers drop coverage and choose to pay the $2,000 penalty, a mere pittance compared with the expense of providing what the Obama health law deems “essential” coverage.

McKinsey & Co., management consultants, found that 30 to 50 percent of employers polled were considering dropping coverage in 2014; Towers Watson, another consulting firm, found 9 percent and Lockton Benefit Group reported 19 percent of its middle-market clients likely to drop coverage.

When employers stop providing insurance, workers with household incomes below 138 percent of poverty ($30,500 for a household of four) will qualify for Medicaid. The Medicaid rolls could swell beyond the actuaries’ already alarming predictions.

The more Medicaid is expanded, the more the costs are shifted onto private health plan premiums. Medicaid shortchanges hospitals and doctors, paying only about 86 cents for every dollar of care delivered. Doctors and hospitals make do by shifting the cost onto patients with private coverage, pushing up their premiums.

The 9 percent premium hike employers experienced this year is partly due to the increase in Medicaid rolls during the downturn. The cost shifting will get much worse in 2014.

To avert these unintended consequences, the Medicaid expansion should be repealed. The Supercommittee should target Medicaid, not Medicare.

Keep in mind that the Obama health law reduced future Medicare funding by over $500 billion, largely by slashing what hospitals and doctors will be paid to care for seniors. At that time, CMS Chief Actuary Richard Foster cautioned Congress that these cuts are so severe that some hospitals may be forced to stop accepting Medicare. Then the debt hike deal signed this Aug. 2 cut another 2 percent from payment rates to care for seniors.

Now the president’s deficit reduction proposal calls for a third round of reductions, this time by $248 billion, including even further reductions in what doctors and hospitals are paid to care for seniors.

The more Medicare reimbursement rates are cut, the less likely it is that doctors and hospitals can afford to provide hip replacements, bypass surgeries, cataract operations, and the other procedures that have transformed the experience of aging.

The president’s rhetoric makes him sound like a defender of the elderly. He threatened to “veto any bill that takes one dime from Medicare benefits seniors rely on without asking the wealthiest Americans and biggest corporations to pay their fair share.”

But numbers tell the truth. The president is robbing Grandma to spread the wealth by radically expanding the Medicaid entitlement.

Democrats Backdoor Elderly to provide Healthcare for Illegal Immigrants

2011-11-04T19:43:00.003-04:00

Just like they did in the Debt Ceiling fight, the Democrats in D.C. are stooping to their usual low and are again using scare tactics on the elderly. While ignoring the truth is something they do well, the calls for no cuts in Medicaid/Medicare spending by the Democrats in D.C. -- are NOT because of their concern over the elderly.

With the Supercommittee deadline fast approaching the Democrats in D.C. are playing both sides and coyly hiding behind their calls for no cuts in Medicare/Medicaid, or any other social services for the matter.

In fact, and truth be told -- they do not want any cuts in Medicaid/Medicare not because it will hurt the elderly, but because these cuts may negatively impact their plans for Community Health Centers that will serve illegal immigrants...

From NewsMax --

Again we see the left pulling the emotional heartstrings and victimizing the elderly by using scare tactics to

The culture war is moving from when life begins to how it should end. Like a drum beat, supporters of the Obama agenda are protesting that the elderly are consuming too many health resources, and their care needs to be cut back.

The current target of this unrelenting campaign against the elderly is the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, which is charged with devising a plan to reduce federal deficit spending by Nov. 23.

Among those calling for less care for seniors is H. Gilbert Welch of Dartmouth Medical College.

“If you were hoping to play the ‘death panel’ card, now’s your chance,” Welch says to his critics. “But don’t play it and then pretend you care about the budget.”

That brazen statement — pitting grandma's well-being against the nation's fiscal health — is a false choice. Future federal healthcare spending can be significantly reduced by repealing the expansion of Medicaid and the billions poured into medical and interpreter services for illegal immigrants under the Obama health law before these provisions go into effect.

The Obama health law, enacted 18 months ago, raided Medicare to fund new entitlements for low-income groups — in essence, robbing grandma to spread the wealth.

The law reduces future funding for Medicare by $575 billion over 10 years, and applies most of it ($410 billion) to increase Medicaid enrollment and benefits. The Obama health law transforms Medicaid from a temporary safety net to a permanent alternative to private health insurance.

Medicaid spending will top $900 billion in 2020 (state and federal funds), costing about the same as Medicare. That’s amazing considering the wave of baby boomers entering Medicare in this decade.

In addition to expanding Medicaid, and contrary to the president's promise, the new law allocates billions of dollars to expand services largely for illegal immigrants, including $11 billion for community health centers serving those ineligible for Medicaid. Why should grandma's care be cut to free up resources for lawbreakers?

This year the Department of Health and Human Services announced an Action Plan to increase spending on “promotores” or “trusted local people to serve as community health workers” and software for people with limited English to enroll in government programs.

Cuts to Medicare are not about reducing federal spending. They are about redistributing healthcare. More...

You ask what are these Community Health Centers? The Department of Health & Human Services at the future expense of Medicaid/Medicare for the elderly just funded 67 of them for an initial cost of $28.8 million...

From CNSNews -- (Emphasis Added)

Even if (when) the U.S. Supreme Court rules Obamacare to be Unconstitutional, the ruling will have a hard time defunding programs such as these. The elected elite in D.C.will just look for other ways to continue funding for these Obamacare-born Community Health Centers at the expense of the elderly in this country for the benefit of illegal immigrants.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on Tuesday that it has awarded $28.8 million to 67 community health centers with funds from the Obamacare health reform law.

Of that $28.8 million, "approximately $8.5 million will be used by 25 New Access Point awardees to target services to migrant and seasonal farm workers," Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Spokeswoman Judy Andrews told CNSNews.com. HRSA is a part of HHS.

Andrews said that grant recipients will not check the immigration status of people seeking services.

“Health centers do not, as a matter of routine practice, ask about or collect data on citizenship or other matters not related to the treatment needs of the patients seeking health services at the center,” Andrews said.

Further, the grant recipients are required to serve "all residents" who walk through their doors.

“The Program’s authorizing statute does not affirmatively address immigration status,” said Andrews. “Rather, it simply states that health centers are required to provide primary health care to all residents of the health center's service area without regard for ability to pay.”

These Obamacare disbursements seem to contradict a claim President Obama famously made in a nationally televised speech to a joint session of Congress on Sept. 9, 2009.

“The reforms I'm proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally,” Obama said then. More...

Take Action: Balanced Budget Amendment

2011-11-03T20:09:00.000-04:00

Speaker Boehner is considering which Balanced Budget Amendment (BBA) to bring to the floor for a vote. There are two versions. Read about them below.

The “Clean” Version

Does not cap spending as a percentage of GDP
Does not require a super majority to raise taxes
Will undoubtedly lead to tax increases & bigger & bigger government

The Strong Versions

Cap spending as a percentage of GDP
Some require a super majority to raise taxes, some do not
Due to the cap, will prioritize cutting spending before ever raising taxes

More details about the variations of the BBA are below this call to action.

The bottom line is this: The clean version will get more votes, making it more “bipartisan.” The strong version will get fewer votes because it takes a more principled, fiscally responsible stand, but we are talking about amending our Constitution! We should never amend our Constitution out of expediency!

There has been some serious concern expressed about amending our Constitution in our discussions of a BBA, but you have overwhelmingly said that that if there is a vote on a BBA, you want Congress to vote for something that is meaningful and is not just a tactical move leading into an election year to get votes.

Congressman Paul Ryan told some of our National Support Team yesterday that he is committed to a strong version; he is on record as only supporting a strong Balanced Budget Amendment. The top 3 in GOP Leadership are not so committed to a strong version.

With all this in mind, here is what you need to do today:

If you can only make one call, call Congressman Paul Ryan and thank him for his commitment to principle on the seriousness of amending the Constitution and sticking to a "strong" Balanced Budget Amendment. We must support people who stand strong!
Paul Ryan: (202) 225-3031
Call Speaker Boehner, Congressmen Cantor and McCarthy and tell them that if they are bringing a BBA to the floor for a vote, it needs to be the “strong” version with spending caps.
Speaker Boehner: (202) 225-6205
Eric Cantor: (202) 225-2815
Kevin McCarthy: (202) 225-2915

For more information on the Balanced Budget Amendment (Click Here)

Support Transparency in Government

2011-11-02T06:06:00.001-04:00

From Open Secrets --

Transparency lovers, take note: now you can fight to make the campaign finance system more open and publicly accessible right from OpenSecrets.org.

The Center for Responsive Politics has integrated a new, user-friendly tool that allows constituents to write and urge their members of Congress to support the issues and legislation that matter most to them. The tool, called POPVOX, is now available in the Action Center on OpenSecrets.org.

With this feature, you can write to lawmakers in support of three pieces of transparency-oriented legislation:
S. 219, the Senate Campaign Disclosure Parity Act: This bill would require all U.S. senators and candidates for the Upper Chamber to electronically file their fund-raising reports. The Center supports this measure because it would expedite public disclosure of senators' fund-raising records. (Senators are currently the only lawmakers not required by law to file their reports electronically.)
H.R. 1974, the Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports Act: This legislation would collect all congressionally mandated reports and make them available to the public online. The bill would make available all fact-seeking reports Congress requires federal agencies to produce by putting them all on one publicly accessible website.
H.R. 2571, the Transparency in Government Act: This broad legislative effort is intended to make the work of Congress and the executive branch more transparent through laws and regulations that would bring information online in a timely manner. H.R. 2571 is an amalgamation of different bills, and it would create historic changes in the way the two of our branches of government provide information to the public.
In the OpenSecrets.org Action Center, you will now be prompted with this feature, which allows you to write to your elected representatives.

Stimulus Funds Used to Employ Foreign Workers Instead of Unemployed Americans

2011-10-31T12:54:00.000-04:00

President Obama is bouncing around the U.S. spouting how we need jobs in this country and that he can no longer wait for the Republicans in Congress to pass his jobs bill.... so he must do it through an Executive Order.

Let's take a look at some of President Obama's previous attempts at putting unemployed Americans back to work...

From ALIPAC --

Rep. Peter DeFazio demanded Tuesday that the federal Department of Labor add muscular - and clear - new provisions to a guest-worker program that was used to hire foreign workers for forest jobs in Oregon intended for unemployed U.S. citizens.

"Over the past year it has come to light that several contractors exploited loopholes in the H-2B visa process to intentionally hire foreign workers, rather than available Americans, for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-funded jobs on Forest Service lands in Oregon. This is unacceptable," DeFazio said in a letter sent Tuesday to Labor Secretary Hilda Solis.

The letter came less than a week after the department's inspector general released a report about the contracts and the fact that 254 foreign workers were hired to perform work that most believed should have been filled by unemployed Americans.

"Taxpayer money was spent to hire foreign workers while unemployed Oregonians were denied these jobs. The Department of Labor owes it to the American taxpayer and the over 13 million unemployed Americans to make sure this can never occur again," the letter says. More...

In light of his continued failures, one must wonder who exactly does President Obama want to create jobs for -- illegal immigrants or unemployed Americans?

U.S. to spend $20 Million on Pakistani Sesame Street

2011-10-31T07:12:00.003-04:00

Bert & Ernie, Oscar the Grouch and Big Bird need not apply!

As part of an overall commitment to spend $7.5 Billion over the next 5 years for civilian aid in Pakistan, the U.S. will also fund a new Pakistani version of Sesame Street in attempts to increase tolerance....

From Fox News --

Sesame Street is coming to Pakistan but not as generations of Americans know it.

The U.S. is bankrolling the initiative with $20 million, hoping it will improve education in a country where one-third of primary school-age children are not in class. Washington also hopes the program will increase tolerance at a time when the influence of radical views is growing.

"One of the key goals of the show in Pakistan is to increase tolerance toward groups like women and ethnic minorities," said Larry Dolan, who was the head education officer for the U.S. Agency for International Development in Pakistan until very recently. More...

So we raised the debt ceiling for a Pakistani Muppet show?!? Any bets on how long this show is declared as blasphemy by the Islamikaze's in Pakistan and Elmo is sentenced to death by stoning?

What do the Top 1% Really Pay in Taxes?

2011-10-25T07:02:00.001-04:00

From The Tax Foundation --

The income earned by the top 1% of Americans has declined for the second year in a row while their average tax rate has increased, according to a new Tax Foundation study. The average federal tax rate for those reporting at least $343,927 in income has increased from 22.5% in 2007 to 24.0% in 2009, while the average income for the top 1% has declined from $1.4 million to $1 million over the same period.

The Tax Foundation's analysis is based on new data from the Internal Revenue Service on individual income taxes, reporting on calendar year 2009. The amount of individual income tax paid steeply declined by $166 billion, twice the decline from 2007 to 2008. Nationally, average effective income tax rates were at their lowest levels since the IRS began tracking them in 1986. The average tax rate for returns with a positive liability went from 12.2% in 2008 to 11.1% in 2009.

"During a time of economic downturn, we expect to see significant changes in both total income reported and the share of taxes paid by those with the highest incomes," said Logan. "Unlike middle-income wage-earners whose incomes and tax liabilities are fairly steady, high-income people tend to realize significant capital gains that fluctuate wildly with the economy, causing their income tax liabilities to fluctuate as well."

In 2009, the top 1% of tax returns earned 16.9% of adjusted gross income and paid 36.7% of all federal individual income taxes. In 2008 those figures were 20.0% and 38.0%, respectively. Each year from 2005 to 2007, the top 1 percent's constantly growing share of income earned and taxes paid set a record. The 2008 reversal of this trend continued in 2009.

The study also takes a look at the very highest earners, the top 0.1 percent of tax returns, which the IRS only began singling out in recent years. In 2009, those 138,000 tax returns accounted for nearly 7.8% of adjusted gross income earned (down from almost 10% in 2008), and they paid around 17% of the nation's federal individual income taxes (down from 18.5% percent in 2008).

"The very highest income group—the top one-tenth of one percent—actually has a lower average effective income tax rate than the rest of the top 1 percent of returns because these extremely high-income returns are more likely to have income from capital gains and dividends, which are typically taxed at lower rates," said Logan. "It's worth pointing out that in the case of capital gains and dividends, however, income derived from these sources has already been taxed once by the corporate income tax, which is not included in the current study, meaning the average effective tax rate numbers can be somewhat misleading."

Tax Foundation Fiscal Fact No. 285, "Summary of Latest Federal Individual Income Tax Data," by economist David S. Logan is available online..

New Tool to Track the Money in the 2012 Race for the White House

2011-10-24T06:31:00.000-04:00

Here is a great new tool from Center for Responsive Politics to track the money for the 2012 White House race....
From Open Secrets --

As the presidential money chase continues to heat up, the Center for Responsive Politics is rolling out several new features to help you keep tabs on the 2012 race for the White House.

Part of the "Banking on Becoming President" database on OpenSecrets.org, these features aim to help the public better understand the relationships between the men and women currently campaigning to lead the country and the moneyed special interest groups eager to help them raise the massive amounts of money needed to do it.

Among the new features are new graphs and tables that display how much candidates are raising and from whom -- as well as how their war chests stack up against one another.

Presidential candidates recently reached another milestone in the the 2012 race when they filed their third-quarter fund-raising reports with the Federal Election Commission.

OpenSecrets.org is now not only tracking the summary information, we also allows users to break down those fund-raising figures over time -- comparing day by day, week by week, month by month or quarter by quarter.

And the New Sanctuary City is.... Washington D.C.!

2011-10-23T07:10:00.000-04:00

The Capital of our country - Washington D.C. - ignoring our laws and U.S. Constitution, opens their arms and your wallets by putting out a "Welcome" sign for illegal immigrants...

From ALIPAC --

If there were only one way to sum up the illegal immigration crisis in the United States, the people who run the government in the nation’s Capital may have found it: Washington D.C., where our laws are made, where there the words “Equal Justice Under Law” are displayed over the Supreme Court Building and where the Chief Executive of the Republic resides … is now a sanctuary city for illegal aliens.

The District of Columbia became a sanctuary city on Wednesday after Mayor Vincent Gray signed a new order forbidding D.C. police to ask about an individuals immigration status.

Furthermore, Mayor Gray said District police will not help Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents execute federal warrants unless the individual has committed another crime.

The new order also forbids D.C. police from contacting Immigration and Customs Enforcement to inquire about an individual's immigration status. More...

A Match Made in Liberal Heaven: OWS & NPR (National Propaganda Radio)

2011-10-23T06:00:00.001-04:00

In a video that surfaced earlier this year, NPR Foundation President Ron Schiller called Tea Party supporters, "Islamaphobic, xenophobic, uneducated, radical, racist, gun-toting whites of middle America." Schiller also candidly admits in the video that NPR doesn't need federal funding, and welcomes the opportunity to slant their reporting without the oversight of the taxpayer,"

In response, scores of Tea Party, 9/12 and other liberty-minded groups from across America, contacted members of Congress and demanded that NPR be defunded. Under the leadership of Speaker John Boehner, the GOP controlled U.S. House dismissed and ignored these requests. As you will see below, some members of Congress even defended the continued funding for these purveyors of presidential propaganda.

And once again, never missing a chance to push their progressive views over the airwaves, the taxpayer-funded propagandists at NPR are allowing one of their hosts to serve as a spokesperson for the Occupy Wall Street movement....

From the Media Research Center --

The Media Research Center’s President Brent Bozell sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner today calling on him to jumpstart Congress into stripping the government-subsidized corporation of taxpayer dollars, following the latest outrageous violation of ethics by NPR.

The laundry list of offenses by NPR is long and robust, but the most recent revelation that NPR host Lisa Simeone is serving as a spokesperson for Occupy DC, the Washington-based effort of the radical Occupy Wall Street movement, has gone much too far. More...

Earlier this year, Tom Zawistowski of the Portage County Tea Party and I hand delivered a letter to Congressman LaTourette's office as part of the Tea Party Patriots "Deal in the District" initiative. (Deal in the District Letter)

In response to the "Deal in the District" letter and commenting on an earlier conversation I had with him, Congressman LaTourette defined defunding NPR as a social issue...

"On the NPR and EPA votes, I have explained to Ralph, but am happy to repeat, that this fight over spending can either focus on social issues or money."

It appears the woefully misguided and establishment-elite infected Congressman LaTourette feels it is OK for the "left" to use tax-payer money to promote their social issues on and through NPR, as the Occupy Wall Street movement is all about leftist "share the wealth" social issues and is a direct attack on personal property and liberty.

We need to support Media Research Center and continue with our previous calls for the defunding of NPR, a State-Run Media outlet for the progressive and now OWS movement.

Contact Speaker John Boehner and your member of Congress and demand the funding of NPR cease immediately. And of course don't forget to contact Congressman LaTourette and inquire if he supports the use of the left pushing social issues with taxpayer money.

Speaker John Boehner
D.C. Office Phone: (202)225-0600
D.C. Office Fax: (202)225-5117

Rep. Steven LaTourette, OH-14D.C. Office Phone: (202) 225-5731
D.C. Office Fax: (202) 225-3307

Rep. Steve Chabot, OH-1
D.C. Office Phone: (202) 225-2216
D.C. Office Fax: (202) 225-3012

Rep. Jean Schmidt, OH-2
D.C. Office Phone: (202) 225-3164
D.C. Office Fax: (202) 225-1992

Rep. Mike Turner, OH-3
D.C. Office Phone: (202) 225-6465
D.C. Office Fax: (202) 225-6754

Rep. Jim Jordan, OH-4
D.C. Office Phone: (202)225-2676
D.C. Office Fax: (202)226-0577

Rep. Bob Latta, OH-5
D.C. Office Phone: 1-800-541-6446 (OHIO)
D.C. Office Fax: 1-800-278-8203

Rep. Bill Johnson, OH-6
D.C. Office Phone: (202) 225-5705
D.C. Office Fax: (202) 225-5907

Rep. Steve Austria, OH-7
D.C. Office Phone: (202) 225-4324
D.C. Office Fax: (202) 225-1984

Rep. Patrick Tiberi, OH-12
D.C. Office Phone: (202)225-5355
D.C. Office Fax: (202)226-4523

Rep. Steve Stivers, OH-15
D.C. Office Phone: (202)225-2015
D.C. Office Fax: (202)225-3529

Rep. Jim Renacci, OH-16
D.C. Office Phone: (202)225-3876
D.C. Office Fax: (202)225-3059

Rep. Bob Gibbs, (OH-18)
D.C. Office Phone: (202)225-6265
D.C. Office Fax: (202)225-3394

Tea Party Patriots Co-Founder Mark Meckler; "Occupy Wall Street is No Tea Party"

2011-10-20T07:25:00.000-04:00

One of our National Coordinators and Co-Founder of Tea Party Patriots, Mark Meckler, offers up a rebuke of the MSM's intellectually dishonest attempts of linking the Occupy Wall Street movement with the Tea Party movement...

From Politico --

The media chorus is singing a new song this week in its anti-tea party echo chamber. It goes something like this: The law-breaking anarchists who want to tear America down are somehow just like law-abiding tea partiers — who are working tirelessly to build America back up.

This boneheaded comparison reminds me of what has now become an oft-repeated political euphemism. In 1988, during a vice presidential debate, Democratic candidate Sen. Lloyd Bentsen said to his Republican opponent, Sen. Dan Quayle, “Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy, I knew Jack Kennedy; Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you’re no Jack Kennedy.”

So despite the risk of sounding cliché here, I say to the small band of misfits and anarchists now occupying Wall Street: I was one of tens of thousands of patriotic Americans who were there at the beginning of the tea party movement. I stood shoulder to shoulder with tea partiers all across this country. And you, who are occupying Wall Street and trying to tear America down, are no tea partiers.

The tea party movement started spontaneously from the rant of CNBC’s Rick Santelli on Feb. 19, 2009. His words resonated with millions across the country, and his spontaneous call for a “tea party” spurred tens of thousands to action.

Within a week, in close to 50 locations across the country, almost 40,000 people turned out to protest the U.S. government’s fiscal irresponsibility. By Tax Day in April 2009, the movement had grown to millions — and there were more than 850 peaceful, lawful protests across the nation attended by more than a million people.

The movement was organic, fast moving and had a cogent message: It’s time for fiscal responsibility in government.

Tea party rallies have always felt like “parties” — and safe and clean ones at that. Unlike protesters in New York, I can find no reports of tea partiers being arrested, individually or en masse, at the thousands of tea parties across the country with millions of attendees that have taken place for years now.

We are not lawbreakers, we don’t hate the police, we don’t even litter. A quick glance at the TV reveals the sharp contrast to the Wall Street occupiers.

In recent days, I’ve been repeatedly asked by reporters, “Does the comparison now being made in the media between the tea party and the Wall Street protesters bother you?”

My answer is an unequivocal: “Hell yes, it bothers me.”

It bothers me because it groups millions of patriotic tea partiers, who want to build America back up, together with a bunch of criminals who want to tear America down.

For two years now, tea partiers have stood firmly on principle and helped shape the political debate. They believe in time-honored American values, principles and systems — including the freedom to innovate and employ people to implement and distribute your ideas to the public.

Consider the career of the late Steve Jobs. The freedom from government allowed him to try new things, see what worked and discard what didn’t. Tea partiers agree, not believing corporations like Apple are inherently evil or that bankers should be beheaded. They do not believe this country should be divided by class but united in a return to the principles that undergird success.

In fact — we want more of what made America great. More constitutional restraint on government, so the people have more freedom to achieve the good things the country offers.

In contrast, those occupying Wall Street want less of what made America great — and more of what is damaging America. They want a bigger, more powerful government to come in and take care of them, redistributing the wealth of those who innovate and create something, so they don’t have to work like the rest of us who pay their bills.

When tea partiers first took to the streets, we were ignored and then mocked by the media and those threatened by our principles. Then we were attacked with labels like “AstroTurf,” “racists,” “fringe,” “radical,” “terrorists,” “jihadis,” “hostage takers” and “Nazis.”

In just the past few weeks, we have been told by Democratic elected officials to “go to Hell,” called “the real enemy” and accused of wanting to see fellow citizens “hanging from trees.”

Meanwhile, some of the media continues to cheer for a group of law-breaking miscreants who occupied a park in New York, blocked the Brooklyn Bridge, were arrested by the hundreds and treated law enforcement with disrespect and disdain — all while trying to tear down the foundations of the greatest nation on earth.

We expect that kind of idiocy from the media. But when you compare these people with tea partiers, now you’ve got a problem with We the People.

Mark Meckler is a co-founder of the Tea Party Patriots, the nation’s largest tea party organization, with more than 3,500 affiliated local groups.

Super Committee will hold Public Meeting on Discretionary Spending

2011-10-20T06:56:00.000-04:00

According to Senator Max Baucus, the Super Committee will be holding at least one public meeting and it will address discretionary spending. Also, that no final decisions will be made behind closed doors.

From USA Today --

The joint deficit reduction congressional committee will hold one, maybe two, public meetings next week, and no decisions are being made behind closed doors, Sen. Max Baucus, a member of the committee, said Wednesday.

The Montana Democrat said the first meeting will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday and will cover discretionary spending, those parts of the federal budget that are not mandated, such as Medicare and Social Security.

The meetings have been closed thus far to prevent interest groups from influencing members, he said.

"We're really going to keep all of this to ourselves. Once a proposal gets up to the public domain interest groups will jump all over it -- it makes things difficult," Baucus said.

No votes or final decisions will be made behind closed doors, said Baucus, who promised to open up Congress when first elected to the U.S. House in 1974.

"There were decisions made by members of the House and Senate in that Congress that were made not in public and that's wrong. This is different. All votes and all decisions will be made in public," Baucus said.

While it is good they are negotiating privately to keep the discussions focused, that no public input has been taken to formulate their 'great compromise' is suspect. It smells more like the typical "we know what's best" elite establishment attitude of D.C.

Newt Gingrich offers up probably the best description on the Super Committee...

"If you want to understand how totally broken Washington is, look at this entire model of a [deficit] supercommitte, which has now got a magic number to achieve and if it doesn't achieve the magic number then we'll all have to shoot ourselves in the head. So when they come back with a dumb idea to merely cut off our right leg, we will all be grateful that they are only semi-stupid instead of being totally stupid." – Newt Gingrich

Most likely we will see a "plan" that is fiscally unappetizing to most and then, like the debt ceiling / default fraud, we will be told we must take it or we face imminent doom.

Dick Morris on the Herman Cain "9-9-9" Plan

2011-10-20T05:46:00.000-04:00

From Dick Morris --

In 1980, facing a terrible economy, Ronald Reagan called for a new tax program: 10-10-10. Based on the Kemp-Roth bill, he called for 10 percent cuts in income taxes for three years. He got it, and it kindled 20 years of prosperity.

Now, Herman Cain understands that we need fundamental reform to get our economy moving. He calls for replacing the current system with just three levies of 9 percent each on personal income, corporate income and consumption. There would be no capital gains tax, inheritance tax, Social Security tax or Medicare tax. Just 9-9-9.

His proposal is breathtaking. Currently, the lowest top tax rate is Poland’s 18 percent. And Poland is the only European nation that had no recession. If Cain passes 9-9-9, we will thrive and become the destination of choice for every business and businessman. Look at what Reagan’s tax cuts achieved, and at the best-performing state economies, where there is no income tax.

The proposal, naturally, attracts critics and skeptics.

Some worry that it will add to the deficit. But that’s not likely.
Americans now earn $12.5 trillion of personal income. Tax it at 9 percent with no deductions and you generate about $1.125 billion.
We spend $10.3 trillion. A 9 percent tax would yield about $927 billion.
Net corporate income (after dividends) is $1.1 trillion. A 9 percent levy would generate $100 billion.
That comes to $2.152 billion, about the same as our actual revenues of $2.162 billion for fiscal 2010.
And then, when you factor in the economic growth this plan will engender, the scenario becomes even better.

Liberals worry that the tax would shift the burden from the rich to the middle class. No, sir. Americans making $50,000 to $60,000 a year now pay an average of 6 percent of their income in income taxes. But they also pay 6.5 percent in FICA levies and 2.9 percent in Medicare payroll taxes (a total of 15.4 percent). The Cain proposal would replace these with a flat 9 percent, saving them 6.4 percent.

Of course, the middle class would also have to pay a 9 percent sales tax, but it would be largely offset by the savings in their payroll taxes.

Cain says that competitive pressures would hold down prices and force businesses to eat much of the 9 percent sales tax. Employers would not have to pay their 6.5 percent share of payroll in Social Security taxes, and their corporate taxes would be cut. For commodities with high price elasticity — like cars — competition will hold down prices. But for inelastic purchases — like food and drugs — some of the tax would probably be passed on. For the middle class? It’s a wash.

More compelling is the possible impact on the poor. A family making $20,000 to $30,000 a year pays only 3 percent of its income in taxes (much of it more than offset by tax credits). But it still pays 6.5 percent in FICA and 2.9 percent in Medicare taxes. So the requirement that such a family pay 9 percent in personal income taxes would probably be fully offset by the cut in payroll taxes. But the poor might face higher prices. Cain plans to spell out how he can mitigate the impact on the poor through special empowerment zones. We need to see the details. Certainly, the poor would benefit from the increased employment, wages and growth the Cain tax cuts would generate.

Conservatives worry that 9-9-9 will open the door to a European Value-Added Tax that starts at 9 percent but goes up each year. Cain proposes that a two-thirds vote be required to raise rates. But a simple act of Congress could change that.

The real answer is political. If the Republican Party surges back to power in 2012, captures the Senate, keeps the House and takes the presidency, it can make sure the rates don’t go up. Republicans usually can count on 40 votes in the Senate; we just have to use them.

The 9-9-9 is a good, good plan that can save our economy.

The Cost of Freedom -- Some Are Still Paying For It

2011-10-02T09:44:00.000-04:00

While we talk about our national debt, there is a debt our country can never repay -- it is to the Americans that have served our country at a time of war.

In what was and will always be a black eye on our country -- the treatment of our Vietnam Veterans, while serving , coming home and, for many years after -- and knowing the Cost of Freedom isn't Free, these interesting Veterans Statistics off the Vietnam Memorial Wall show the cost some paid and how many are still paying it and will for many years to come.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is the only war memorial dedicated to the soldiers and not the war in which they fought. There are 58,267 names now listed on that polished black wall, including those added in 2010.
The first known casualty was Richard B. Fitzgibbon, of North Weymouth , Mass. Listed by the U.S. Department of Defense as having been killed on June 8, 1956. His name is listed on the Wall with that of his son, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Richard B. Fitzgibbon III, who was killed on Sept. 7, 1965.

The names are arranged in the order in which they were taken from us by date and within each date the names are alphabetized. It is hard to believe it is 36 years since the last casualties.

Beginning at the apex on panel 1E and going out to the end of the East wall, appearing to recede into the earth (numbered 70E - May 25, 1968), then resuming at the end of the West wall, as the wall emerges from the earth (numbered 70W - continuing May 25, 1968) and ending with a date in 1975. Thus the war's beginning and end meet. The war is complete, coming full circle, yet broken by the earth that bounds the angle's open side and contained within the earth itself.

Most of the surviving Parents are now Deceased

There are three sets of fathers and sons on the Wall.

39,996 on the Wall were just 22 or younger.

8,283 were just 19 years old.

The largest age group, 33,103 were 18 years old.

12 soldiers on the Wall were 17 years old.

5 soldiers on the Wall were 16 years old.

One soldier, PFC Dan Bullock was 15 years old.

997 soldiers were killed on their first day in Vietnam.

1,448 soldiers were killed on their last day in Vietnam.

31 sets of brothers are on the Wall.

31 sets of parents lost two of their sons.

54 soldiers on attended Thomas Edison High School in Philadelphia . I wonder why so many from one school.

8 Women are on the Wall. Nursing the wounded.

244 soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War; 153 of them are on the Wall.

Beallsville, Ohio with a population of 475 lost 6 of her sons.

West Virginia had the highest casualty rate per capita in the nation. There are 711 West Virginians on the Wall.

The Marines of Morenci - They led some of the scrappiest high school football and basketball teams that the little Arizona copper town of Morenci (pop. 5,058) had ever known and cheered. They enjoyed roaring beer busts. In quieter moments, they rode horses along the Coronado Trail, stalked deer in the Apache National Forest . And in the patriotic camaraderie typical of Morenci's mining families, the nine graduates of Morenci High enlisted as a group in the Marine Corps. Their service began on Independence Day, 1966. Only 3 returned home.

The Buddies of Midvale - LeRoy Tafoya, Jimmy Martinez, Tom Gonzales were all boyhood friends and lived on three consecutive streets in Midvale, Utah on Fifth, Sixth and Seventh avenues. They lived only a few yards apart. They played ball at the adjacent sandlot ball field. And they all went to Vietnam . In a span of 16 dark days in late 1967, all three would be killed. LeRoy was killed on Wednesday, Nov. 22, the fourth anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Jimmy died less than 24 hours later on Thanksgiving Day. Tom was shot dead assaulting the enemy on Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

The most casualty deaths for a single day was on January 31, 1968 ~ 245 deaths.

The most casualty deaths for a single month was May 1968 - 2,415 casualties were incurred.

For most Americans who read this they will only see the numbers that the Vietnam War created. To those who survived the war, and to the families of those who did not, they see the faces and feel the pain that these numbers created.

They are, until they too pass away, haunted with these numbers, because they were their friends, fathers, husbands, wives, sons and daughters. There are no noble wars, just noble warriors.

Tea Party Patriots Tele-Town Hall with VA Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli

2011-09-26T19:30:00.003-04:00

Dear Patriots,

Please Join Tea Party Patriots for a free national telephone town hall event on Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 8:00 PM EDT. We are honored to host Virginia's Attorney General and Tea Party champion, Ken Cuccinelli. CLICK HERE to register.

As you may already know, Mr. Cuccinelli championed a Virginia lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the individual mandate clause in ObamaCare. Many experts believe that this lawsuit poses the single best opportunity to repeal ObamaCare. However, earlier this month, the Fourth Circuit Court in Virginia decided unanimously to throw out the case on standing and did not address the merits of the constitutional arguments. Next stop: the Supreme Court.

Attorney General Cuccinelli will be joining Tea Party Patriots from around the country to talk about:

The court's ruling that Virginia lacks standing to bring the lawsuit
The implications of the court's standing ruling for state sovereignty
And the extraordinary position of the court as compared with Federalist 51 (you know, written by that radical guy by the name of James Madison...)

This is a FREE tele-townhall event, but register today as space is limited! CLICK HERE to register. Please forward this information to all your Tea Party friends. We want as many Patriots to join us as possible.

Action Alert: Protect Voter Integrity in Ohio / Call the Ohio Senate

2011-09-25T19:09:00.002-04:00

Action Alert

The bill requiring Photo ID for voting in Ohio (HB 159) is expected to come up for a vote in the Ohio Senate this Tuesday 9/27/11.

Already passed in the OH House and delayed in the OH Senate since June, HB 159 will require voters casting provisional or voting in person to furnish a photo ID for identification purposes...

To amend sections 3501.01, 3503.14, 3503.15, 3503.16, 3503.19, 3503.24, 3503.28, 3505.18, 3505.181, 3505.182, 3505.183, 3509.03, 3509.031, 3509.04, 3509.05, 3509.08, 3511.02, 3511.05, 3511.09, and 4507.50 of the Revised Code to generally require electors who appear at a polling place to vote or who cast absent voter's ballots in person to provide photo identification, to establish a process for electors to receive free photo identification, to establish a process to permit electors with a religious objection to being photographed to vote, and to revise the information that must accompany a provisional ballot for that ballot to be eligible to be counted.

With more than can be counted examples of illegal immigrants voting illegally, and with OH being a known battleground state for the Presidency, it is important we protect the integrity of the voting process in Ohio.

The OH Senate passing HB 159 will minimize the chance of illegal immigrants and non-residents from voting in Ohio.

The OH Senate, though having a GOP majority, is not the bastion of conservatism as you may think. The vote on requiring Photo ID for voting has been put off by the Ohio Senate since June. WHY?

Because of this, we must let them know keeping the highest standards in voter integrity is of the utmost importance. It is important pressure be put on the GOP members in the OH Senate to pass HB 159.

The question is very simple... if you cannot provide an ID proving who you are and that you are a resident of OH -- why should you be allowed to illegally vote in elections affecting Ohio?

OH Senate Leadership

PresidentState Senator Tom Niehaus
Phone: (614) 466-8082
Email: SD14@senate.state.oh.us

President Pro Tempore

State Senator Kieth Faber
Phone: (614) 466-7584
Email: SD12@senate.state.oh.us

Majority Whip

State Senator Shannon Jones
Phone: (614) 466-9737
Email: SD07@senate.state.oh.us

Majority Floor Leader

Senator Tom Patton / District 24

Phone: (614) 466-8056
Email: SD24@senate.state.oh.us

N/E Ohio Area GOP State Senators

Senator Gayle Manning / District 13

Phone: (614) 644-7613
Email: SD13@senate.state.oh.us

Senator Larry Obhof / District 22

Phone: (614) 466-7505
Email: SD22@senate.state.oh.us

Senator Frank LaRose / District 27

Phone: (614) 466-4823
Email: SD27@senate.state.oh.us

State Senators from the Cuyahoga County area

Senator Shirley Smith / District 21

Assistant Minority Leader (D)
Phone: (614) 466-4857
Email: SD21@maild.sen.state.oh.us

Senator Michael Skindell (D) / District 23
Phone: (614) 466-5123
Email: SD23@maild.sen.state.oh.us

Senator Nina Turner (D) / District 25
Phone: (614) 466-4583
Email: SD25@maild.sen.state.oh.us

For contact information for OH Senators outside Cuyahoga County, please click here.

New legislation to counter EPA attempt to Regulate Farm Dust

2011-09-16T08:19:00.000-04:00

Trying to make air cleaner than God ever intended -- The EPA!

From The Voice of Agriculture --

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 13, 2011 – New legislation introduced by Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) that would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating naturally occurring farm dust is welcome news for the nation's farmers and ranchers, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

"Regulation of farm dust by EPA could severely hamper the ability of farmers and ranchers to meet the world’s food needs," said AFBF President Bob Stallman.

EPA is reviewing existing regulations for particulate matter, which includes soot and dust. Soot is generated by car emissions and factories; dust occurs naturally.

According to Stallman, planting and harvesting crops, livestock moving from place to place and people driving down dirt roads are just a few of the ways dust occurs naturally on farms and in rural areas.

"The current rules pertaining to dust are adequate," said Stallman. "Increased regulation of farm dust could result in decreased productivity and higher food prices, coupled with lost jobs in the rural economy. Moreover, the scientific basis for establishing such regulation has been called into question and it has not been demonstrated that the benefits of EPA regulation would outweigh the costs."

The new legislation introduced by Johanns prevents EPA from making dust regulations even more stringent, while taking health concerns into consideration.

"State and local governments would have the authority to regulate dust in localized areas if necessary," Stallman explained. “But a national standard would not be imposed.”

-30-

9/11: Never Forget!

2011-09-11T14:26:00.000-04:00

Reason #5,750: Why Ohio MUST Pass the Ohio Healthcare Freedom Amendment / Support Issue 3

2011-09-10T18:03:00.001-04:00

The below rulings take the unconstitutional mandates in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act one step closer to the U.S. Supreme Court....

From the Liberty Counsel --

Richmond, VA – Today, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (commonly known as “ObamaCare”) in the case of Liberty University v. Geithner and issued a separate opinion on the case of Commonwealth of Virginia v. Sebelius. Liberty Counsel represents Liberty University and two private individuals, challenging both the individual and the employer mandates in ObamaCare.

The panel of judges for the case included one judge appointed by President Clinton, Judge Diana Gribbon Motz, and two judges appointed by President Obama, Judges Andre M. Davis and James A. Wynn Jr. Judge Motz wrote the opinion, in which Wynn concurred. Judge Davis wrote a dissenting opinion.

In the case of Liberty University, the divided court ruled that the mandate is a “tax” under the Anti-Injunction Act (AIA), and thus the court does not have jurisdiction to rule on the merits until the “tax” is paid and a refund sought by the taxpayer. Thus, the case could not be brought until the mandate becomes effective in 2014. Every court which has considered this question has found that the mandate is a “penalty,” not a tax, and the AIA does not apply. Even the federal government defendants argued that the AIA does not apply and that the statutory intent clearly indicated that the AIA was inapplicable.

In the Virginia case, the court ruled 3-0 that Virginia does not have standing to bring a challenge to the individual mandate, because that right is for individuals affected by the mandate.

In the case of Liberty University, the next and final stop in the battle over ObamaCare will be the United States Supreme Court. Liberty Counsel will file a petition with the High Court.

Mathew Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law, presented oral argument in early May. Staver said: “From the beginning everyone knew that the final frontier in the battle over ObamaCare would be the United States Supreme Court. The court’s ruling goes against every court in America that considered this case. Even the United States Government argued that the Anti-Injunction Act does not apply to this case. We look forward to the final round in this battle over ObamaCare at the United States Supreme Court.”

The main thrust of the mandates in the federal healthcare law allows the government to take an unconstitutional control over the freedom & liberty of the American public, more than they are about reforming or making healthcare more affordable.

And this is just another one of many reasons why it is so important that in Ohio we take the needed steps to protect our God-given and Constitutionally protected rights, and that can be done by passing Issue 3, "The Ohio Healthcare Freedom Amendment" this November.

Help Defeat Obamacare in Ohio! Support Issue 3

2011-09-05T19:35:00.001-04:00

HOW BADLY DO YOU WANT TO DEFEAT OBAMACARE IN OHIO AND SEND A BIG MESSAGE TO WASHINGTON THIS NOVEMBER?

Because of your help and support the Healthcare Freedom Amendment petition succeeded and is now Issue 3 on this November ballot!

Now it’s time to Get out the Vote and offer our support for Ohioans for Healthcare Freedom - go to http://ohioansforhealthcarefreedom.com - the primary organization running the campaign to get Issue 3 passed.

Take action now! We need volunteers to help in Cuyahoga County to participate in the following:

Going door-to-door to get out the vote.
Visiting a local phone bank to make telephone calls.
Fundraising Efforts
Visiting local businesses and organizations to distribute posters and brochures.

The Call Center Coordinator is Greg Fedak (greg@ohiohealthcarefreedom.com) and the Call Center for the Cuyahoga County area is located at;

Independence Call Center (Click for Map)

6393 Oak Tree Blvd, Suite 103

Independence, OH 44131

A Sneak Preview of President Obama's Job Package for Americans

2011-09-02T06:45:00.000-04:00

Putting together the brightest minds from his team of bedazzling bureaucrats and Department heads, President Obama will be giving a much anticipated speech on a jobs package for Americans.

According to President Obama's crack team, more people should go on unemployment as it is a direct stimulus which 'creates' jobs AND more people should be on food stamps as it is also a direct stimulus that creates jobs....

From White House Spokesman Jay Carney -- (Click for Video)

"There are few other ways that can directly put money into the economy than applying unemployment insurance," Carney said.

Carney answers the question: "It is one of the most direct ways to infuse money directly into the economy because people who are unemployed and obviously aren't running a paycheck are going to spend the money that they get. They're not going to save it, they're going to spend it. And with unemployment insurance, that way, the money goes directly back into the economy, dollar for dollar virtually."

"Every place that, that money is spent has added business and that creates growth and income for businesses that leads them to decisions about jobs, more hiring. So, there are few other ways that can directly put money into the economy than applying unemployment insurance, Carney said.

From Agriculture Department Secretary Tom Vilsack --

To see President Obama's job package for illegal immigrants, click here.

President Obama's Job Package for Illegal Immigrants

2011-09-02T05:58:00.001-04:00

With the unemployment rate slowly creeping up to meet Presdient Obama's plunging poll numbers, President Obama, through the U.S. Department of Labor, has taken bold steps to get people working.

The only problem with the Presidents plan is it appears he forgot he is President of the United States -- and that he is supposed to represent and protect the "American" worker....

From CNS News --

The U.S. Department of Labor told CNSNews.com in a written statement on Wednesday that it will enforce the federal wage laws on behalf of anyone working in the United States “regardless of their immigration status.” The statement was in response to a written question from CNSNews.com.

The written statement backed up a video statement that Labor Secretary Hilda Solis made to CNSNews.com on Monday in which she indicated that “partnership” agreements she had signed that day with a group of Latin American countries will obligate the U.S. government to protect the working conditions for both “documented and undocumented” migrant laborers here in the United States. (See earlier story.)

The Labor Department’s determination to make U.S. employers treat illegal aliens taking jobs in the United States as if they were U.S citizens or legal immigrants seems to contradict the Immigration and Nationality Act. That act says “employers may hire only persons who may legally work in the United States (i.e., citizens and nationals of the U.S.) and aliens authorized to work in the U.S.” and that the U.S. government “protects U.S. citizens and aliens authorized to accept employment in the U.S. from discrimination in hiring or discharge on the basis of national origin and citizenship status.” More...

After issuing his recent Executive Edict of granting amnesty to over 300, 000 illegal immigrants, it only makes sense President Obama would again flout the law and push this illegal immigrants jobs package. How else couldthey to donate to his campaign fund?

Constitution Day Celebration (Medina, OH)

2011-09-02T04:49:00.000-04:00

Constitution Day Celebration

In an effort to energize and educate citizens about the Constitution and its importance, the Medina Tea Party Patriots are hosting a Constitution Day Celebration on Saturday, September 17th. We invite you to join us as we reclaim the truths and liberties that are found within this extraordinary document.

What: Constitution Day Celebration
Date: Saturday Sept. 17, 2011
Time: 4pm - 6:30pm
Location: Medina City Square (Map / Directions) (Parking Map Click here)

Speakers for the event include:

Sheriff Richard Mack – One of Arizona’s renowned sheriffs who is a strong advocate of states' rights and individual freedoms (bio)
Bill Federer – Nationally known author and historian who recently penned Change to Chains – The 6000 Year Quest for Control (bio)
Dr. Michael Schwarz – Assistant professor of history at Ashland University and a fellow of the Ashbrook Center (bio)
Chris Long – President of Ohio Christian Alliance who has been instrumental in getting the American Founding Documents Bill introduced in the Ohio Legislature (bio)
Ken Hammontree – Historical reenactor who will be portraying Thomas Jefferson

Daniel Shy and the John Hancock Ad Hoc Band will be performing patriotic music. Other speakers and musical performers will be added…

On September 17, 1787, delegates gathered in Philadelphia for the last time to sign the Constitution. Their desire to “form a more perfect union” changed the course of history, putting the power of government into the hands of “We the People.”

What was a significant moment for our nation has sadly become an afterthought for many in our culture today. It seems Americans have forgotten the significance and meaning of the Constitution, which grants us freedom and liberty, and our elected officials have forsaken the very document our founders masterfully created.

What is a significant moment now is how the U.S. Constitution is under constant attack by the left. It is important, now more than ever, that we as Americans, embrace and hold dear the the document protecting our God-given rights and assuring our freedoms & libertys as citizens of the United States.

The 10th Annual "Support Our Troops" Luncheon (Cleveland)

2011-08-28T09:57:00.000-04:00

THE 10^TH ANNUAL “SUPPORT OUR TROOPS” LUNCHEON!

“A Celebration of Patriotism and Bravery to Honor Our Military Personnel”

Thursday, September 8, 2011 ~ Windows on the River

2000 Sycamore, Cleveland, Ohio, 44113

Doors open 11:00 a.m. Luncheon At Noon ~ Silent Auction ~ Cost: $35.00 per person *

Keynote Speaker: David Beamer, Father of Todd “Let’s Roll” Beamer, one of the heroes of Flight 93, United Airline’s flight that was hijacked by four al-Qaeda terrorists on Sept. 11^th. Mr. Beamer will talk about his son, Todd, and the permanent memorial planned for construction where Flight 93 eventually crashed. Todd Beamer’s last audible words were, “Are you guys ready? Let’s roll” which would later become the war cry for those fighting al Qaeda in Afghanistan.

With Special Guests: Bob Hope, nephew of the legendary Bob Hope, speaking about the renovations taking place at the Bob Hope USO Lounge at the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, one of only two in the country with permission to use the Hope name.

Well-known Cleveland News Anchor, Tom Sweeney, who will speak to us about the new Greater Cleveland Fisher House, a place where the families of wounded, rehabilitating and stricken soldiers, sailors, marines, aviators and coast guardsmen will have the opportunity to support and be with their veterans as they undergo treatment and healing.

For Information, or to be a sponsor contact:

Lucy Stickan, 440-759-2551, lucygop@aol.com -Sally Florkiewicz, 440-247-6945- sallysofchagrin@msn.com , or Steven Backiel, 216-621-5417, SBackiel@cuyahogacountygop.com

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Please reserve _____ seats @$35.00 per person. Enclosed find my check for $________.

I would like ____ vegetarian plate(s) instead of the chicken entree.

I cannot attend but would like to make a donation $__________

Name: ______________________________________________________

Contact Information: ____________________________________________

Mail Checks (Payable to Support Our Troops) & Reservation Form to:

Support Our Troops, 1500 West 3^rd Street, Suite 120, Cleveland, Ohio 44113

Bill to Require Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients in Ohio

2011-08-28T08:18:00.001-04:00

State Senator Tim Grendell (District 18) will be introducing a bill that will make it a requirement for people receiving state assistance to submit to drug testing.

You can expect the usual howling from the left about how this bill is racist, will harm the poor, and of course -- will hurt the children.

From the News-Herald --

State Sen. Tim Grendell announced Thursday that he intends to introduce a bill that would require any Ohioan receiving state assistance to submit to a drug test.

“Hard working taxpayers of the State of Ohio should not have to pay for the drug habits of illegal drug users,” Grendell said. “This assistance from the state is for those who need these funds for food and shelter, not illegal drugs.”

Under the potential legislation, state welfare and unemployment applicants would pay for their own testing. People who pass the drug test would then be reimbursed.

Applicants who fail the test would be required to enter into a drug treatment program approved by the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services.

As long as the program is fully complied with, the applicant would continue to receive his or her benefits.

Noncompliance would result in the person’s benefits being revoked immediately. The applicant could not reapply for benefits for six months from the time they are revoked.

Anyone who fails a second drug test would be banned from receiving their funds for three years.

Children of applicants who fail a drug test would still be able to receive their benefits.

The parents could name a state-approved person to receive and administer cash benefits on behalf of the children. That designated person must also pass a drug test.

Dismissing the expected howls from the left, the proposed bill is not racist as it requires drug testing for ALL recipients of State Assistance, allows those that qualify (the poor) to continue receiving State Assistance as long as they are not drug users, and has provisions safe guarding support for children of drug users.

One would think with Ohio trying to save every penny we can and trying to cut future costs this bill should fly through the Republican led Ohio Senate. Sorry to say that is not the case, and we will have to fight to get this bill passed out of the Ohio Senate.

Under the leadership of former OH Senate President Bill Harris and current OH Senate President, State Senator Tom Niehaus, (both Republicans) it should come as no surprise that several versions of this type of Bill have either died or are sitting stagnant in Committee.

Last year, an alternate version of this Bill died in the GOP-led Senate Finance Committee. Currently, SB 69 as introduced in February of 2011 by State Senator Tim Schaffer (R-Lancaster) and co-sponsored by State Senatot Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville), is sitting stagnant in the Ohio Senate Health, Human Services & Aging Committee and has yet to even have one Committee hearing.

So as you can see, even though Ohio's State Senate is GOP-led this year - as it was last year - there is no guarantee the new version of this bill will make it out of the OH Senate.

Please contact your State Senator and urge them to support Senator Grendell's Mandatory Drug Testing for Ohio residents receiving state assistance bill.

Ohio Senate Leadership

President

State Senator Tom Niehaus
Phone: (614) 466-8082
Email: SD14@senate.state.oh.us

President Pro Tempore

State Senator Kieth Faber
Phone: (614) 466-7584
Email: SD12@senate.state.oh.us

Majority Whip

State Senator Shannon Jones
Phone: (614) 466-9737
Email: SD07@senate.state.oh.us

State Senators from the Cuyahoga County area --

Senator Shirley Smith / District 21

Assistant Minority Leader (D)
Phone: (614) 466-4857
Email: SD21@maild.sen.state.oh.us

Senator Michael Skindell / District 23
Phone: (614) 466-5123
Email: SD23@maild.sen.state.oh.us

Senator Tom Patton / District 24
Phone: (614) 466-8056
Email: SD24@senate.state.oh.us

Senator Nina Turner / District 25
Phone: (614) 466-4583
Email: SD25@maild.sen.state.oh.us

For contact information for OH Senators outside Cuyahoga County, please click here.

Black Tea Party Leader Demands Apology From Maxine Waters

2011-08-23T21:23:00.001-04:00

From the South Central L.A. Tea Party --

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE!!!
August 23, 2011 Contact: (323) 556-2623

Black Tea Party Leader Demands Apology From Maxine Waters

LOS ANGELES— South Central L.A. Tea Party Founder and President, Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson is demanding an apology from Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), for her remarks that the “tea party can go straight to hell.” Rep. Waters made her comments last Saturday at a forum in Inglewood, Calif., while vowing to push Congress to focus on creating more jobs. “I’m not afraid of anybody,” said Waters. “This is a tough game. You can’t be intimidated. You can’t be frightened. And as far as I’m concerned the ‘tea party’ can go straight to hell.” According to reports, Waters comments were met with cheers from the audience, which included SEIU members. Newly released figures indicate that California’s unemployment rate last month went up to 12%, from 11.8%. California now has second-highest rate of unemployment in the nation, trailing only Nevada at 12.9 %.

“Scapegoating the tea party for the wasteful liberal social policies which are destroying the U.S. economy is wicked and irresponsible,” said Rev. Peterson. “On behalf of millions of patriotic Americans we demand that Waters apologize! The tea party is the solution, not the problem. I’m sure Maxine Waters would like her attacks on the tea party to distract from her failures and serious ethics issues.”

The House ethics committee is investigating Congresswoman Waters for allegations that she improperly tried to obtain a federal bailout for a bank where her husband owns stock. Last week, the committee announced that it has named Washington Lawyer Billy Martin as an outside counsel to investigate the embattled California lawmaker. Waters, a senior member of the Financial Services Committee, has denied wrongdoing.

Rev. Peterson said, “Maxine Waters helped cripple the U.S. economy by pushing home loans to people who couldn’t afford them.” He added, “Waters rant damning the tea party is an attempt to fire up her base and shore up support since the committee will not dismiss her case.”

The South Central L.A. Tea Party (SCLATP) motto is “Power to the People!” It is open to patriotic American men and women of all races. SCLATP was formed in 2011by Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, who is the Founder and President of BOND Action, a 501 (c) (4) nonprofit organization dedicated to “educating, motivating, and rallying Americans to greater involvement in the moral, cultural and political issues that threaten our great country." The SCLATP recently held a successful rally to expose NAACP lies about the Tea Party, click here to watch report. For information visit www.bondaction.org

###

BREAKING: Tea Party Terrorist's Exposed!

2011-08-23T20:23:00.001-04:00

We have finally been exposed....