Tea Party Patriots -- "Our Time is NOW!"

H/T Jeff & Amy of the Medina County Tea Party Patriots --

Please act NOW

Time is running out!

Keep focusing on the 13 Senators as well as Snowe, Lincoln and Pryor.

There is only one thing that can stop our government from taking over the healthcare system – that is YOU and millions of grassroots activists like you! We must do this NOW. There is no time to wait.

We had a great conference call Wednesday evening to discuss the current healthcare legislation. From the information shared on the call, we have revised our action plan for the week. We have added a few additional action items to our original Action Alert from Monday night.

According to the experts in DC, the legislation will probably go to the floor of the Senate on October 19th and to the floor of the House on October 26th. So what we must do NOW is continue the action plan from earlier in the week and take the following action steps:

Contact Senators Snowe, Lincoln and Pryor

First action step is to contact Senator Olympia Snowe from Maine and the two Senators from Arkansas. These Senators need to hear from us more than any other Senators. When contacting their offices, let them know that while you may not live in their states, their votes affect all Americans and that you’d be happy to support their next campaign, if they listen to the American people. If they don't listen to the American people, you would be happy to contribute to the campaign of their opposition. Their contact information follows:

Senator Olympia Snowe (ME)
Chief of Staff: Unknown
Washington, DC: (202) 224-5344 / (202) 224-1946 fax
Auburn: (207) 786-2451 / (207) 782-1438 fax
Augusta: (207) 622-8292 / (207) 622-7295 fax
Bangor: (207) 945-0432 / (207) 941-9525 fax
Biddeford: (207) 282-4144 / (207) 284-2358 fax
Portland: (207) 874-0883 / (207) 874-7631 fax
Presque Isle: (207) 764-5124 / (207) 764-6420 fax

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

Senator Mark Pryor (AR)
Chief of Staff: Bob Russell (email address unknown)
Washington, DC: (202) 224-2353 / (202) 228-0908 fax
Little Rock: (501) 324-6336 / (501) 324-5320 fax

According to a recent AP article, Snowe is looking more favorably at the bill, since it received a “positive” cost report. Read the full article here. We really need to apply the pressure. If she swings to the other side, there is a greater chance of the Senate getting the 60 votes it needs for cloture.

Click Here to contact the 13 Senators and urge them to "Kill the Bill"

Geauga County Tea Party Patriots host Tea Party on Chardon Square

There will be a Tea Party hosted by the Geauga County Tea Party Patriots in Chardon on the Square on Sunday, October 11, from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.

Speakers include:

• Tom Baher (GCTPP Coordinator)"Information, Our Responsibility as Americans

• Pastor Ernie Sanders (Geauga County Right to Life)Invocation, "America, Judeo/Christian Nation"

• Mike Gutierrez (WELW radio personality)"Cyber Security Concerning The Internet"

• Jason Rink (Founder, Ohio Freedom Alliance)"A Parallel Between the American Revolution and Today"

• Joseph Logan (Ohio State Farmers Union)"Ohio State Issue 2 Exposed, and HSUS"

• Daniel Shy (speaker on engineering, religion, and home schooling)"Why I Attend Tea Parties"

• Robert Najmuski (Creator of the Criminal Alien Task Force for NW Ohio)"Illegal Immigration"

• Ralph King (Cleveland Tea Party Patriots Co-Coordinator) "Bringing You Up To Date in Ohio"

• Music will be provided by Edward Monett.

There will be many organizations represented. You will be able to ask questions and pick up literature from:

Cleveland Tea Party Patriots
Mentor 9-12 Group
Burton 9-12 Group
Akron 9-12 Group
Stark 912 Patriots
Summit 9-12 Group
Ohio Freedom Alliance
Chesterland Campaign for Liberty
Lake County Liberty Meet-up
The Grassroots Rally Team of Ohio
Lake County Right to Life
Geauga County Right to Life
Ashtabula Friends for Life
The Heritage Group
The National Rifle Association
The Chardon Chamber of Commerce
Ashtabula County Ron Paul Meet-up Group
Lake County Ron Paul Meet-up Group
Trumbull County Ron Paul Meet-up Group
Portage County Ron Paul Meet-up Group
Summit County Ron Paul Meet-up Group
Mahoning County Ron Paul Meet-up Group
Columbiana County Ron Paul Meet-up Group

Help Kill The Bill

Together we can “Kill the Bill”

Focusing on 13 Senators who could turn the tide

Over the past couple of weeks, we have put the pressure on the Senate Finance committee to let them know that we do not want the government to takeover healthcare. The time has come where the legislation will be voted on within the next 2 to 3 weeks, and we need to turn up the heat!

One of our messages over the next week needs to be No Vote for Cloture. This means that if we can get one Democrat Senator of the 60 not to vote for cloture, we can kill the bill! According to one healthcare expert, there are 13 Senators that we have the possibility of turning to cast a vote against the bill! Of these 13 Senators, two are up for reelection in 2010. The time has come for us to target and pressure these 13 Senators!

You can do your part and stand shoulder to shoulder with other Patriots this week by applying pressure to these 13 Senators.

To make this as easy as possible, the Tea Party Patriots have broken the country into five regions and the 13 Senators into five groups. This allows us as a national movement to stagger the calls from each region, inundating the Senators with calls every day this week. For our region, we are being requested to call:

Tonight: Group #3 (Pryor, Warner, Begich)
Tuesday: Group #4 (Byrd, Carper)
Wednesday: Group #5 (Webb, Tester)
Thursday: Group #1 (Bayh, Bennet, Lieberman)
Friday: Group #2 (Nelson, Lincoln, Landrieu)

All of the contact information is listed below. Also, please target the Senators' local district offices when calling, as the local offices are not used to getting pressure like the DC offices. When making your calls and sending your emails, please be sure to make four simple points:

• No Government Takeover of Health Care
• No Public Option
• No Mandates
• No Vote for Cloture

We ask that you also email the Chief of Staff for each Senator.

Of course, you can always do more and call more than just the one group assigned to your region that day! If you want to call more, we would suggest calling and emailing the Senators in Group 1, because these are the ones that are up for reelection in 2010.

If you want to do even more, please focus on the Senate Finance Committee. You can get all of their contact information here (

http://teapartypatriots.ning.com/page/health-care).

One last point – when calling a Senator' office from another state, you can tell them that their vote will affect all Americans. You can also let them know you will be happy to contribute to the campaign of their opponent the next time they are up for reelection!

Thanks for all you are doing! Together we can Kill This Bill!

Group #1

Senator Evan Bayh (IN)

Chief of Staff: Thomas Sugar (thomas_sugar@bayh.senate.gov)
Washington, DC: (202) 224-5623 / (202) 228-1377 fax
Indianapolis: (317) 554-0750 / (317) 554-0760 fax
Evansville: (812) 465-6500 / (812) 465-6503 fax
Fort Wayne: (260) 426-3151 / (260) 420-0060 fax
Hammond: (219) 852-2763 / (219) 852-2787 fax
Jeffersonville: (812) 218-2317 / (812) 218-2370 fax
South Bend: (574) 236-8302 / (574) 236-8319 fax

Senator Michael Bennet (CO)

Chief of Staff: Jeff Lane (jeffrey_lane@bennet.senate.gov)
Washington, DC: (202) 224-5852 / (202) 228-5036
Denver: (303) 455-7600 / (303) 455-8851 fax
Durango: (970) 259-1710 / (970) 259-9789 fax
Colorado Springs: (719) 328-1100 / (719) 328-1129 fax
Fort Collins: (970) 224-2200 / (970) 224-2205 fax
Fort Morgan: (970) 542-9446 / (970) 542-3088 fax
Grand Junction: (970) 241-6631 / (970) 241-8313 fax
Pueblo: (719) 542-7550 / (719) 542-7555 fax
Alamosa: (719) 587-0096 / (719) 587-0098 fax

Senator Joe Lieberman (CT)

Chief of Staff: Clarine Riddle (clarine_riddle@lieberman.senate.gov)
Washington, DC: (202) 224-4041 / (202) 224-9750 fax
Hartford: (860) 549-8463 / (866) 317-2242 fax

Group #2

Senator Bill Nelson (NE)

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

Senator Blanche Lincoln (AR)

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

Senator Mary Landrieu (LA)

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

Group #5

Senator Jim Webb (VA)

Chief of Staff: Paul Reagan (paul_reagan@webb.senate.gov)
Washington, DC: (202) 224-4024 / 202-228-6363 fax
Danville: (434) 792-0976 / (434) 972-0960 fax
Virginia Beach: (757) 518-1674 / (757) 518-1679 fax
Falls Church: (703) 573-7090 / (703) 573-7098 fax
Norton: (276) 679-4925 / (276) 679-4929 fax
Richmond: (804) 771-2221 / (804) 771-8313 fax
Roanoke: (540) 772-4236 / (540) 772-6870 fax

Senator Jon Tester (MT)

Chief of Staff (Deputy): Mary Walsh (mary_walsh@tester.senate.gov)
Washington, DC: (202) 224-2644 / (202) 224-8594 fax
Billings: (406) 252-0550 / (406) 252-7768 fax
Bozeman: (406) 586-4450 / (406) 586-7647 fax
Butte: (406) 723-3277 / (406) 782c8-4717 fax
Glendive: (406) 365-2391 / (406) 365-8836 fax
Great Falls: (406) 452-9585 / (406) 452-9586 fax
Helena: (406) 449-5401 / (406) 449-5462 fax
Kalispell: (406) 257-3360 / (406) 257-3974 fax
Missoula: (406) 728-3003 / (406) 728-2193 fax

Group #3

Senator Mark Pryor (AR)

Chief of Staff: Bob Russell (robert_russell@pryor.senate.gov)
Washington, DC: (202) 224-2353 / (202) 228-0908 fax
Little Rock: (501) 324-6336 / (501) 324-5320 fax

Senator Mark Warner (VA)

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

Senator Mark Begich (AK)

Chief of Staff: David Ramseur (david_ramseur@begich.senate.gov)
Washington, DC: (202) 224-3004 / (202) 224-2354 fax
Anchorage: (907) 271-5915 / (907) 258-9305 fax
Fairbanks: (907) 456-0261 / (907) 451-7290 fax
Juneau: (907) 586-7700 / (907) 586-7702 fax
Ketchikan: (907) 225-3000 / (907) 247-3000 fax

Group #4

Senator Robert Byrd (WV)

Chief of Staff: Barbara Videnieks (barbara_videnieks@byrd.senate.gov)
Washington, DC: (202) 224-3954 / (202) 228-0002 fax
Charleston: (304) 342-5855 / (304) 343-7144 fax
Martinsburg: (304) 264-4626 / (304) 262-3039 fax

Senator Thomas Carper (DE)

Chief of Staff: Jim Reilly (james_reilly@carper.senate.gov)
Washington, DC: (202) 224-2441 / (202) 228-2190 fax
Wilmington: (302) 573-6291 / (302) 573-6434 fax
Dover: (302) 674-3308 / (302) 674-5464 fax
Georgetown: (302) 856-7690 / (302) 856-3001 fax

Van Jones & Sherrod Brown—what do they have in common?

The Apollo Alliance!

Mr. Jones was a long-time board member and Mr. Brown has this organization’s support for his proposed legislation called “Investments for Manufacturing Progress and Clean Technology (IMPACT) Act.

We recently wrote to Mr. Brown asking him to vote “NO” on the Cap & Trade Legislation; this is his reply:

Thank you for sharing your views about clean energy legislation.

Effective clean energy legislation will reduce climate pollution and promote the production of renewable energy—but most importantly it will ensure the creation of new clean energy jobs and industries. Clean energy legislation must also ensure the competitiveness of domestic manufacturers and protect consumers by keeping utility rates affordable. We must work to reduce our dependence on foreign oil by making America a global leader in clean energy manufacturing.

For this reason, I recently announced legislation called the Investments for Manufacturing Progress and Clean Technology (IMPACT) Act. This legislation, which was included in the House energy bill, would support manufacturers' transition to the clean energy economy and ensure clean energy jobs are created here in the U.S. This legislation would create a revolving loan fund for small and medium size manufacturers to retool and expand facilities to produce clean energy technology and energy efficient products. It is estimated this measure will create hundreds of thousands of new jobs.

I appreciate hearing your input on this important topic. As clean energy legislation continues to be discussed in Congress, I will work to ensure that an unfair burden is not placed on Ohio families and businesses. I will only support legislation that creates new jobs and economic opportunities across Ohio.

Thank you again for writing.

Sincerely,

Sherrod Brown
United States Senator

In other words, reading between the lines, he’s voting “yes” on Cap & Trade!

Incidentally, at the time Mr. Brown announced this legislation (June 17, 2009—how’d we miss this one OHIO???), his Senatorial website proclaimed:

"Brown Announces New Bill Providing $30 Billion in Funds to Help Auto Suppliers, Manufacturers Retool for Clean Energy Jobs"

"In Anticipation of Comprehensive Energy and Climate Legislation, Senator Joins Business, Environmental Leader to Announce Plan to Respond to Industry Credit Crisis, Invest in Domestic Clean Energy Manufacturing"

“Brown was joined today by clean energy, business, and labor leaders in announcing this initiative. The IMPACT Act is supported by the Apollo Alliance, Alliance for American Manufacturing, Blue Green Alliance, Campaign for America’s Future, Environmental Defense Fund, High Road Strategies, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Manufacturing Skill Standards Council, MAPA Group, Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Policy Matters Ohio & Ohio Apollo, Precision Metalforming Association (PMA), Shepherd Advisors, Solar Energy Industries Association, United Steelworkers, and United Automobile Workers.”

“The only way to put our existing manufacturing sector to work and to scale up to meet the new demand created by the cap-and-trade program is to have a dedicated source of funding for investments in component manufacturing,” Phil Angelides, Chairman of the Apollo Alliance said. “We are proud to support Sen. Brown’s bill, which will allow manufacturers across the country to tap into clean and efficient energy markets.”

On the same day, the Apollo Alliance website announced:

“Apollo Alliance Joins Sen. Sherrod Brown to Introduce Bill to Help Manufacturers Retool for Clean Energy Economy”

Then, as recently as September 22, 2009, the Apollo Alliance Daily Digest stated:

“Senator Sherrod Brown (D. - Ohio) wants to add money for clean energy manufacturing to the climate bill. Senator Brown’s IMPACT ACT - a plan to implement a $30 billion dollar revolving loan fund to strengthen green manufacturing - was influenced by the Apollo Alliance’s GreenMAP.”

We have a few questions for Mr. Brown. First, though, allow us to refresh your memory.

The Apollo Alliance helped draft the stimulus package that was passed earlier this year.

Harry Reid has even thanked The Apollo Alliance for helping with the final bill.

On their own website, The Apollo Alliance states, “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 – Opportunities for Cities and States is a memo prepared by Apollo’s research associate, Elena Foshay, that begins to answer some critical implementation questions. The memo summarizes the clean energy, good job elements, answers a few frequently asked questions and discusses strategies for state and local leaders to implement.”

Question: Is it a coincidence then that Mr. Brown, who cast the deciding vote to pass the Stimulus,

(“The bill passed the Senate late Friday night with a vote of 60-38 after Democratic leadership held the vote open for several hours to allow one member, Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, to return to Washington to cast the deciding vote)

is now working with the “architects” of that monstrosity on more legislation?


Enter SEIU and Mr. Gerald Hudson, International Executive Vice President, SEIU.

Mr. Hudson is on The Apollo Alliance Board of Directors.

Mr. Brown has a daughter that works for SEIU (sorry to drag her into this, it’s not about her).

Mr. Brown has, over his career, received $40,750 in campaign contributions from SEIU.

Question: Mr. Brown, have you sold Ohio’s vote on (more than one piece of legislation) the Cap & Trade legislation for Apollo’s verbal and financial support?

In our opinion, there seems to be an extreme conflict of interest here, Mr. Brown--do you represent Ohio or The Apollo Alliance and SEIU?

"“Oh what a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive”--Sir Walter Scott

Looks like Mr. Brown has some explaining to do!

P.S. Think any of Ohio's news outlets will look into this?



http://brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press_releases/release/?id=9F3064D8-3F11-4FC5-9E3D-5FE77E102B8C

http://apolloalliance.org/press-releases-2009/apollo-alliance-joins-sen-sherrod-brown-to-introduce-bill-to-help-manufacturers-retool-for-clean-energy-economy/

http://apolloalliance.org/digest/?tag=sherrod-brown

http://apolloalliance.org/feature-articles/states-cities-and-the-stimulus-package/

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/02/13/congress-readies-final-vote-b-stimulus/

Joe Biden Coming to Cleveland

Like Santa... Joe Biden is coming to town! Well Obama would be Santa -- Biden would be like Joe the Elf --but close enough and you get the point.

Biden will be in town to attend a fund raiser for Rep. John Boccieri and Rep. Zack Space. I trust these two do not need an introduction.

Here's one measure of how worried Democratic strategists are about next fall's congressional elections: Freshman Rep. John Boccieri of Alliance and second-termer Zack Space of New Philadelphia are telling supporters that Vice President Joe Biden will be raising money for them in Cleveland on Oct. 26th. (Cleveland.com)

Being the gracious hosts that we are here in Cleveland-- of course we will give them a warm welcome!

Clear your calendar for that date and stay tuned for details.

Sherrod Brown pushes harder for public option while George Voinovich warns of "gag order"

Was hoping not to have to post and have a nice weekend, but this story was just posted on:

www.cleveland.com

and we felt it was too important to let go by.

Time to step up the calls/emails/letters OHIO!



Sherrod Brown pushes harder for public option while George Voinovich warns of "gag order"
By Stephen Koff, The Plain Dealer
October 02, 2009, 6:05PM

With Sabrina Eaton

Washington, D.C. -- Ohio's two U.S. senators re-entered the health care debate Friday, as usual from different perspectives, with Democrat Sherrod Brown petitioning colleagues to include a government insurance option while Republican George Voinovich said he worried about benefit cuts to seniors.

Brown is seeking other senators' signatures for a letter he'll give to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid next week. "We are concerned that -- absent a competitive and continuous public insurance option -- health reform legislation will not produce nationwide access and ongoing cost containment," the letter says. "For that reason, we are asking for your leadership on ensuring that the merged health reform bill contains a public insurance option."

Voinovich voiced concern about a different aspect of the proposed health care package, which would save money in part by ending extra payments the government gives to private insurance plans for covering health care for senior citizens.

About a quarter of the nation's seniors are in these plans, called Medicare Advantage, and the plans get more taxpayer money than traditional Medicare pays its providers. In turn, Advantage plans often provide additional services such as vision or dental care. Some insurers say they might have to cut services or go out of business if the government pares back its subsidies. Dueling government studies and testimony suggest that both sides could be right -- that Advantage plans are not as cost-effective for taxpayers as Congress originally planned, but that the plans might pare back services if cut.

Humana, Inc., a leading insurer, recently advised its Advantage patients to contact lawmakers to state their concerns about potential cuts. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in turn told providers to stop sending communications that could mislead seniors.

"Seniors on Medicare should not be subjected to misleading information about their Medicare benefits," HHS' Nick Papas told the Associated Press. He said that "certain communications from a major insurance company" may have violated regulations.

Voinovich on Friday joined the complaints of other Republican lawmakers, some of whom have vowed to hold up nominations of President Barack Obama's health nominees because of what they say is a gag order on insurers.

"I don't see how Medicare's 'gag order' helps seniors," Voinovich said. "Over the past several weeks, I have talked to many Ohio seniors who are very happy with their Medicare Advantage coverage and who deserve to know if the benefits they are currently receiving are going to disappear. The way I see it, this is a violation of First Amendment rights, and I hope that the Secretary will consider reversing the Department's decision."

Also on Friday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi traveled to Moreland Hills, Ohio, to help Democrats raise money for upcoming congressional elections. She told The Plain Dealer in a telephone interview that she expects the final health care package to include a public insurance option.

"We will have a bill that lowers costs, improves quality, expands coverage and retains choice," Pelosi said. "If you like what you have, you can keep it. That can only happen if we pass this bill. The current system is unsustainable."

Have a Good Weekend Cleveland! Relax and enjoy being with your families.