If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude
greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us
in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down
and lick the hand that feeds you; May your chains set lightly upon
you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.
Lee County Republicans held their annual feed/fund raiser Saturday, July 18, 2009, in Ft. Madison.
Office holders and seekers were there; lots of them.
Mariannette Miller-Meeks addressed the nearly 100 assembled on growing the party. The good doctor from Ottumwa was the only speaker to receive a standing ovation.
I attended the local Townhall Meeting this morning.
Some observations are
Unlike the defamations we have been hearing about Citizens exercising their First Amendment Rights to Assemble and Redress the Government of the Grievances.
I saw only handmade signs by the Anti-Administration Health Care Plan, and while I did see ONE handmade Pro Plan sign the rest were Mass Produced,
So who are the Astroturfers?
During the meeting there was a heated conversation between a couple sitting beside me and a woman on the row below us, When the man exclaimed " YOU want People to die in the streets" I jumped in with the statement that NO ONE in America is denied essential medical care due to lack of insurance or ability to pay, He backed down because he knew that was true.
While there I heard my Congressman making light of the idea that Death Panels would be enacted, and claiming that what had folks upset was merely a provision to have health professionals help patients with End of Life Decisions.
My Friends Death Panels are ALREADY in action in this Country and they actually are helping patients with End of Life Decisions.,
Patients who are DENIED treatment are helped to enter Assisted Suicide Programs
In Oregon, One of the States whose program is pointed to us as a Model for the proposed National Plan
The Oregon Health Plan, more or less a real-world model of ObamaCare, is under tremendous pressure to cut costs. They have found a unique way of doing so: They no longer pay for life-saving chemotherapy for cancer patients with less than a 5% chance of survival for five years... but they will pay to help kill them:
Barbara Wagner has one wish - for more time.
"I'm not ready, I'm not ready to die," the Springfield woman said. "I've got things I'd still like to do."
Her doctor offered hope in the new chemotherapy drug Tarceva, but the Oregon Health Plan sent her a letter telling her the cancer treatment was not approved.
Instead, the letter said, the plan would pay for comfort care, including "physician aid in dying," better known as assisted suicide.
"I told them, I said, 'Who do you guys think you are?' You know, to say that you'll pay for my dying, but you won't pay to help me possibly live longer?' " Wagner said. [Hat tip to Sachi]
So... under government medicine, Barack H. Obama's grandmother shouldn't get a hip replacement, because she's going to die soon anyway; Sarah Palin's son Trig, who has Down Syndrome, wouldn't get long-term treatment because Down is incurable; and Barbara Wagner begs for cancer treatment -- and instead gets a not-so-subtle hint that she should contact a physician about how to "reduce the surplus population" by committing suicide.
There is really no nice way to spin this.
Yes there will be NO Death Panels who will deny an individual patient treatment, just Criteria which will do the same thing.
BUT they will offer them a Painless Easy Death.
I wonder will they also have showers for Undesirables?
Yes such a wonderful program we Taxpayers will get to fund
Tim Pugh of local TEA Party notoriety asked me to post this article and comments for the edification of us all here in Flyover Land
Tim Huwaldt: Obama's Idea of healthcare reform? Not such a good idea after all
It’s no secret that we need some form of health care reform in America. Health care costs are rising, health insurance premiums and deductibles are rising… but our congressmen and women are going about the situation all wrong.
I spent some time today reading through a few of the bills that are currently in various committees throughout congress. They all aim to do essentially the same things:
a.) Force every American to have health care coverage. Whether you like it or not. If you are uninsured you are penalized.
b.) The expected cost for one of these bills is going to be around 1 trillion dollars. Who’s going to pay for that? You guessed it. You, the taxpayer.
c.) It will give the Federal Government control over your health. A bunch of bureaucrats deciding my health care needs isn’t my idea of quality health care. I want to decide my health care needs.
d.) Perhaps the most fundamental tragedy that will come about from this legislation is simply the government having control of yet another facet of your life, and you losing another freedom. Are you as tired as I am of big brother sticking it’s nose in all of your business and trying to control you???
It is estimated that 120,000,000 Americans will be forced into this socialized health plan. Despite what Obama says, most of us will not have any choice on this matter, as most of us receive Health care through our employers.
Please contact your senators and representatives and tell them that you are opposed to a government run health care system, proposed by such bills as s.391 (which is in the senate financial committee right now. Our own Senator Grassley is the ranking member of that committee),
H.R. 193, and S. 698 because as an American YOU and YOUR DOCTOR should be in full control of the type of care you receive.
Senators: Charles Grassley D.C.: 202-224-3744 Des Moines: 515-284-4890
Tom Harkin D.C.: 202-224-3744 Des Moines: 515-284-4890
Representatives: Bruce Braley, 1st District 202-225-2911
Dave Loebsack, 2nd district (he represents us in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City) 202-225-2911
Leonard Boswell, 3rd District 202-225-3806 Tom Latham, 4th District 202-225-5476
Steve King 202-225-4426
Please call these guys with me. I can’t do this alone! And this is very important!
Absolutely Tim. Thank you! Feel free to correct any errors I may have made, or add anything to it that you would like to see in there. Which blog so I can see it?
Another error! Geez! I wrote this in about 5 minutes at work! Sorry everyone. And Tim, please correct these before you pass it on! Dave Loebsack, 202-225-6576
False Assumptions: Proponents of cap and trade point to the low cost estimates by the EPA and CBO as a reason to pass Waxman-Markey. The EPA underestimates that the bill would cost households an additional $140 a year.
Based on Consumption: The EPA's numbers are based on consumption changes, which are typically less than income changes, as families respond to income losses by saving less.
Uses Discounting: Discounting is a reasonable approach for comparing costs and benefits that occur at widely different times. However, costs of climate change rarely use a discounted rate this high. Without discounting, the impact per household is $1,288 in 2050. Adjusting household size to reflect a family of four raises this cost to over $1,900.
Assumes Rebates: The EPA assumes all the allowance proceeds will be rebated directly to consumers. This clearly isn't the case, since most of the allowances have been promised to industry.
No New Taxes?The loss that the EPA calculates doesn't include the cost of the energy tax to consumers, since the EPA assumes that all of the money is rebated. The cost of the energy tax is actually $4,600 per family of four in 2035.
The CBO Is Wrong
False Assumptions: CBO underestimates that the bill would cost households $175 in 2020. They assume that the carbon tax isn't a tax if the government spends the money. When have Americans ever seen all of a tax returned to them? It's like suggesting your tax rebate will be as large as the amount taken from your paycheck every year.
Numbers Don't Add Up: The CBO's allowance cost numbers don't add up. They say the allowance price will be $28. Since there are 5.056 billion tons of CO2 equivalent in the cap that year, that implies a $141 billion gross cost. They list $91.4 billion.
Hard to Believe: In the CBO's June 5 analysis, they projected allowance revenues of $119.7 billion, $129.7 billion, $136 billion, $145.6 billion and $152.9 billion for the years 2015-2019. It's hard to believe that the next number in that series would be $91.4 billion.
Ignores Economic Damage: The CBO doesn't include the decrease in GDP as a result of the bill. The GDP hit in 2020 would be $161 billion (in 2009 dollars) according to our analysis. For a family of four, that is $1,870 that they ignore.
Cap and Trade Is Wrong
It's a Massive Energy Tax
It Will Not Make a Substantive Impact on the Environment
It Will Kill Jobs
It Will Cause Electricity Bills and Gas Prices to Sharply Increase
It Will Outsource Manufacturing Jobs and Hurt Free Trade
It Will Make You Choose among Energy, Groceries, Clothing and Haircuts
It Will Be Highly Susceptible to Fraud and Corruption
It Will Hurt Senior Citizens, the Poor, and the Unemployed the Worst
It Will Cost American Families Nearly $3,000 a Year
President Obama Admitted "Electricity Rates Would Necessarily Skyrocket" Under His Cap-and-Trade Program (January 2008)
What is in a name? What do people think when they hear "republican?" To some, it's enemy number one. To others, it's their parents' party. They stick with it and vote for it, but only because they were raised with it.
Then there are some (and I believe this number is growing rapidly) who are disgusted with the name.
It used to stand for solid conservatism. It was the party for people who believed in smaller government interference, people's rights, the Constitution, and The Bill of Rights.
Now we have RINOs and moderates and spineless politicians who don't even know what conservatism is! Our party is in shambles. There is a solid conservative base out there, but they have all but ceased to speak or be involved. It seems hopeless or not worth the effort any longer. Corruption is rampant (okay, so when has it not?), even to the lowest levels of the party.
This name, republican, used to stand for something good. It stood for people who stood together
. For people who knew each other and cared for each other. It stood for a group of people who believed that government should start with the people!
Men and women who were involved, who knew the issues and felt strongly about them.
We have lost our connection with each other. And worse than that, we've lost our passion.
In this modern world, we don't connect with each other on a personal level anymore. We text, email, chat, post, and of course call....We don't know our neighbors the way our parents did. Neighborhoods aren't close-knit families any more. Maybe that's a generalization, but in many cases, it's the truth.
Do you know your neighbors?
I don't.
So, the challenge. We need to take up our name and make it great once more.
Make it a name that people want to be associated with. How do we do that?
We need to connect with our neighbors.
Connect with our co-workers, our communities.
With all this technology has come a loss of personal, face-to-face relationships. Technology is not a bad thing. It has also given us the means to connect with more people than ever before possible. Whether it's your neighbor down the street, or your neighbor across the nation, we need to re-connect with them.
This party should be a haven for people who have become disenchanted, disillusioned, downright disgusted with what's going on in the country today.
Our platform should be solid, not wishy-washy
. We aren't going to attract people by trying to please every one.
This name needs to stand for solid values and beliefs! People will come when they see that we are not reeds blowing in the wind of politics. People will come when they see that we are deeply rooted in what we believe and are willing to stand up and vote for it!
So, what are you going to do about this name?
Are you going to walk away from it?
Are you done with it?
The party as it stands now is pathetic.
Do we have what it takes to fix it?
Or will we continue to watch silently while our party rushes down the drain?
It's up to you. And me. And our neighbors. Do you know your neighbors?
Well the Precinct Junction Post has only been up a short time and the number of Precincts that have formed Facebook Groups has DOUBLED!
From one to two, Dontcha just Love statistics? -
Seriously there are about 6 more I expect to be online shortly.
We have also been getting great feedback and suggestions for content.
A photo of the polling place? Dynamite idea and would be a great icon for the Groups.
A map of the Precinct. Also a good idea, and maybe also maps of the legislative districts the Precincts are within,
For those who happen on a Group by accident, maybe a Link to the County Auditor's Find out what Precinct you are in tool.
I shall try to incorporate these into the Precinct 38 Group site and keep the feedback rolling.
Handy Tools are Find Your Polling Place Which will also give you the name and acronym of your Precinct
Precinct Maps that address also has the Iowa House District Maps. While the State Legislature website also has the District Maps, I think these will be handier as the map also includes a list of the local Precincts in the District.
Precinct Junction will have a table of all the Precinct Facebook Groups
THAT should come in handy for local candidates. If the Precinct Initiative is successful, the Precinct Facebook Groups will enable then to contact individuals in the voting area in which they wish to campaign.
Traditional campaigning includes speeches before citizen groups, literature drops, door knocking and those are time worn and worthwhile endeavors.
But you cannot avoid placing yourself in the manner of a sales person, or lecturer.
Compare that with an afternoon spent with people who think like you do, not giving a speech just enjoying the weather and conversation.,
Brandon Marsh is running for the 38th Iowa House district.
Picture if you will a nice Iowa weekend afternoon,
Folks are sitting around enjoying the weather and the company of those they have gotten to know or are getting to know.
The conversation is spirited but not rancorous.
Someone looks over and says, "Brandon-- what do you think about---?"
With a cold beverage in one hand and a tasty braut in the other, he replies
"I have given that a lot of thought and --"
And so it goes until the afternoon draws to a close.
The ladies are puttering with the dishes and one hears, "Such a NICE young man,"
The OFs like me are stretched back and one takes a thoughtful draw on a cigar, looks at his fellows and declaims, "The boy has his two feet firmly on the ground he will go far. Guys we all need to do a few more of these events in our own blocks and give our neighbors a chance to get to know him."
You can't buy connections like those. There are politicians who would sacrifice their firstborn to be able to do so.
Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives, urged on by President Barack Obama, announced progress on Tuesday toward quick passage of legislation to fight global warming by reducing industrial emissions of carbon dioxide.
At a midday White House press conference, Obama said the "historic" climate change bill moving through the House would "transform the way we produce and use energy in America."
With incentives to encourage utilities, manufacturers and other companies to switch from higher-polluting oil and coal to cleaner energy alternatives, Obama said the legislation would spark a "transformation that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil and confront the carbon pollution that threatens our planet."
I bet we have to do it NOW. Like we will get to see the text one night and it will need to be passed before the following evening, otherwise the public might wake up and realise how much they are being lied to, AGAIN.
We keep hoping they will change, but sometimes things seems hauntingly familiar.
In June's Linn County GOP Central Committee Meeting, a Precinct Initiative was discussed.
I STRONGLY support Precincts being organized. But one phrase kept popping up.
To Elect Republicans.
Now of course I ALSO want to help Elect Republicans,
But my interest in Precinct development has a different primary focus.
This system of political organization that has served Iowa so well for generations, has broken down.
IT needs no change but WE certainly need to change.
In the Past the Precinct Caucus was your neighbors, you KNEW your neighbors, Your families knew each other, possibly for generations.
When the Caucus met, it was an assembly of citizens who knew each other and chose from their numbers people they respected to represent them on the next level of political organization.
Today when we go to a Caucus few know anyone else in the room, They have no basis with which to gage anyone who wants a political position,'
So how to we fix this gapping wound in the Body Electorate?
We arrange for Republicans in a Precinct to meet and become acquainted.
Backyard cookouts.
Picnics in the Park
Neighborhood coffee meetings
Using the new Social Networking systems such as Face book.
Creating a PRESENCE in our neighborhoods.
Form a sense of Community and Connection.
THOSE are the reasons I find the topic of a Precinct Initiative energizing.
Not simply to Elect Republicans in the next Election cycle and then let them go to sleep until awakened for the following cycle
But to BUILD a PARTY.
Give Power to the People on the basic levels of Politics.
Because they are in fact the Foundation of Democracy.
The Party is not the officers at the County, State and National Levels.
Not our Elected Officials.
It is WE who are the Party.
They exist to serve and fulfill OUR wishes.
It is said
If He Knows and Knows that He Knows
He is Wise Follow Him
If He Knows Not and Knows Not that He Knows Not
He is a Fool Shun Him
If He Knows Not and Knows that He Knows Not
He is a Child Teach Him
But if He Knows and Knows Not the He Knows?
He is Asleep Waken Him.
Friends.
We have been asleep.
And In our Slumber?
Things have not gone well.
It is time in the words of Yamamoto Isoroku
For the Sleeping Giant to Awaken
and perhaps be filled with a Terrible Resolve.>
We must take back our Government.
The Battle lines are drawn and the War is not to be fought or won
in distant Capitals but on the sidewalks of our Blocks and Streets.
Gather together, Talk to your Neighbors,
All the other desires, Election Republicans, Gathering Volunteers
Collecting Donations?
They will FOLLOW as Healthy byproducts of a Political Base that rests on a Sound Foundation rather than the Shifting Sands of we must do anything, we must ignore violations of our basic Core Beliefs just to amass numbers.
For if we continue to follow those sorts of Paths?
Instead of Elected Officials to whom we can look with Pride?
We may get, and deserve rather than healthy sound leaders the
ghostly image of a
Specter
Click here to play Senator Specter's welcome message
So I say to you
Aux Barricades mes Amis
To the Barricades my Friends
For your Homes
For your Families
For the Souls of Your Party and Nation
Fiat justitia, ruat coelum
Let Justice Be Done,
Though The Heavens May Fall
My Friends this struggle is not for the faint of heart,
There are always those who value, Tranquility over Disruption, even if the disruption leads to a better, Freer Life
They are with us now, as they were at the Birth of this Republic.
Those who do not wish to enter into a Stuggle for Democracy
To Them one of Our Founding Fathers said.
Samuel Adams
American Patriot & Politician
1722 - 1803
If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.
There is compromise on issues to find a common ground.
Then there are things that should be carved in Stone.
Lines that cannot be bent, because they become broken.
Constitutional Mandates and the Rules of Law are among
the latter.
Once a Compromise is made in those areas, the next compromise
becomes easier.
Until finally there are no Boundaries, no Rules, because that is
The Way Things are Done.
Tonight we have a Meeting of the Linn County Central Committee.
I will sally forth with my 4 Aces.
If for some reasons of your own, you disagree with the points I have raised in previous posts?
Then you have the obvious Duty, to attend and support those ideals you find important.
It will be here.
LCRCC June Business Meeting
Dear Daniel,
We invite you to attend our next regular business meeting on Tuesday, June 16 starting at 7:00 p.m. Jeff Boeyink, Executive Director for the Republican Party of Iowa, will be our guest. A copy of the agenda and treasurer's report will be posted here. Registration will start at 6:30 p.m. Location: Cedar Rapids Marriot
1200 Collins Road NE
Phone: 319-393-6600
Sample the many tasteful options and enjoy your favorite beverage in the newly renovated Cedar Grille.
The Night of the Rising Stars
You're invited to the blockbuster GOP event of the summer!
Thursday, June 25, Hoyt Sherman Place, Des Moines
Chairman Matt Strawn and the Republican Party of Iowa present "The Night of the Rising Stars" with Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and the Rising Stars of the Iowa Republican Party. Two of the Rising Stars are our own Linn County Representatives Renee Schulte and Nick Wagner.
Sponsor one of our Rising Stars for $1,000 and receive 10 general admission tickets to the event.
Individual tickets are available for a $100 donation.
RPI would like every Republican to have the chance to meet our Rising Stars, so they are offering discounted $50 tickets to people 35 and younger.
To reserve your spot at the Night of the Rising Stars, click here!
If you have any questions please contact Dawn Brown via email or phone (319-533-2289).
Sincerely,
Dawn Brown Secretary, Linn County Republican Central Committee
Paid for and authorized by the Linn County Republican Party Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee
Do you want this published on a well seen blog in the area?