Question in Response to Mailer

We had the following feedback concerning our recent mailer:

 

Message: I received a pamphlet from your organization that said Gov will have access to Bank Accounts  That is one reason this bill is not going to pass because of the lies you and others tell  that is not what it says at all

 

Our Response:

 

We appreciate you voicing your opinion that the language in our mailer is inaccurate.  We have re-reviewed the language of the proposed legislation and, although it does not specifically state that the government would have access to individual bank accounts, it is broad and vague enough to leave that possibility in question. 

That is one of the reasons we collectively oppose the legislation – it is so broad, so vague, and so wide-sweeping that it leaves too much room for the government to grab power from the people.  We do not oppose the entire concept of improving health care in our country.  On the contrary, we believe many things could be improved.

We also believe in open debate amongst citizens in this country is so critical, and we do truly appreciate your letting us know when you disagree with us and the respectful way that you approached it.  Our mailer may have given the impression that we are only focused on opposing the healthcare legislation, but that is only a minor part of what we are trying to do.

We stand together for educating the citizens of our community so that they can stand up and let their representatives know how they feel, on any matter, and to let those representatives know they will be held accountable on Election Day for the choices they make when those choices are contrary to the views of their constituents.  We welcome you to come to one of our meetings, find out who we are – everyday citizens just like you – and learn with us about the Constitution, the concepts of liberty, and making a difference in the community.  Thank you

 

Diana D. Huffman (1950-2009)

For those of you who may not be aware, our group has suffered a great and unexpected tragedy. Dee Dee Huffman, our Chairman Steve's wife, passed away this last Sunday. I am sure that like myself and the other leaders you are stunned by this loss, and share in our grief for Steve and his family. We humbly ask that you keep Steve and their children in your prayers during this, their time of need.

I trust, If you had even cursory contact with Dee Dee, it would be difficult not to have seen the fire and determination with which this beautiful lady discharged, what she regarded as, her solemn mission. I think I can speak on behalf of us all when I say, in the brief time that we had the distinct honor to know and work with her, she made a lasting irrevocable impact upon all our lives. Seldom these days do we find ourselves in the company of such a special person.

The leadership and I have made arrangements for a gift to be given to the Huffman family on behalf of us all. Should you feel compelled to send your own personal gift, we encourage you to do so. But, we feel no greater tribute to her blessed life can be offered than to see that which she and Steve began, carried forward to its fruition. In this we ask your continued support.

We will still be having our regular meeting on the 31st August at 7:00pm, at the same location as the last (Christian New Light Fellowship Hall,1011 W.Washington Street, Bluffton, Indiana). Please join with us in the pursuit of goals she held so dear to her heart, and constantly remember that we will never be able to replace her.... and never forget her.

 

God speed Dee Dee, God speed

 

Michael L. Yancey (on behalf of us all)

 

Click Here for Information on Service Arrangements

U.S. Debt Clock

Don’t Click the image if you are off your blood pressure meds…..

Send in the Marines…

Yep… Keep Ignoring Us Mister President …

Read Full Article Here 

Voice of America Rally – 5 Sep 2009

The Cincinnati Tea Party has extended invitations to Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana citizens to attend what promises to be the largest Midwest tea party to date:  the Voice of America Freedom Rally, September 5, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at the Voice of America Park Museum in West Chester.  The theme of the event will focus on average citizens becoming engaged in the political process and holding their representatives accountable.

Cincinnati Tea Party Founder and President Mike Wilson says he expects the turnout to be huge and explains the significance of the event.  “For far too long, the average citizen has devoted limited attention to politics.  As a result, the entrenched political elite of both parties have felt comfortable paying lip service to core American values, such as fiscal responsibility, limited government, and free markets, while spending like drunken sailors and infringing on our freedoms.  The silent majority has finally awoken and their voice will be heard in West Chester on September 5.”

Please join Ohioans, Kentuckians and Hoosiers this September 5, and let us make our voices heard.

The rally is being presented by the Cincinnati Tea Party in partnership with the Cincinnati 9/12 Project, the Dayton Tea Party, and the Ohio Liberty Council.

LOCATION:

Front lawn of the Voice of America Park Museum

8070 Tylersville Rd.

West Chester, Ohio 45069

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

12:00pm - Onsite Parking Opens

1:00pm - Music begins, food and merchandise vendors begin

3:00pm - National Anthem

3:05pm - Speakers/Town Hall Program Begins

6:00pm - God Bless America/Event Ends

RSVP Requested

 

21 Aug 2009 – Bluffton News-Banner

 Nice job (and jab) Ted, Lets see if they do something about it……

Statement From Senator Lugar’s Office

Senator Lugar is declining to meet us, His office released his current position statement on Health Care Reform and the Cap and Trade Bill.

Dick Lugar

U.S. Senator for Indiana

Date: 7/28/2009 . http://lugar.senate.gov

Contact: Andy Fisher . 202-224-2079 andy_fisher@lugar.senate.gov

Lugar says ailing economy is the wrong time for costly health care remedies

            A majority of the Members of Congress share President Obama's humane goal that millions more Americans might enjoy health insurance coverage and that medical care to all Americans might be substantially improved.  For the moment, however, President Obama and the Congress must recognize that the overwhelming demand of most Americans is that presidential and congressional leadership should focus each day on restoration of jobs, strengthening of housing opportunities, new growth in small business and large industries, and banks that are not only solvent but confident of normal lending.  In essence, the task facing national leadership is truly monumental.  A national and international recession has not ended and many economists predict that unemployment in the United States will grow in coming months. 

            The President and the current Congress have come into office in the midst of a fiscal year that has already suffered a budget deficit of $1.086 trillion with a final deficit for fiscal 2009 predicted around $1.8 trillion.  The appropriation bills that the Congress is considering, and that will make up the next fiscal year's expenditures, are predicted to result in another annual deficit of more than $1 trillion.  In the first nine months of this fiscal year, Medicaid spending has increased by 23 percent to $186 billion.  Spending on food stamps has increased 36.8 percent to $40 billion.  Unemployment benefits have increased 165 percent to $77 billion.  The current budget deficit can be equated at $8,500 per American family with similar spending projected ahead for the coming year. 

            Republicans and Democrats may feel that passing comprehensive health legislation before the summer recess or adjournment in the fall is crucial to the success or failure of the Obama administration and/or party leadership in the Congress. 

            But I would suggest that successful leadership will be defined, now and historically, by success in bringing a horrendous economic recession to an end, bringing new strength to our economy, and providing vital leadership in international relations as we hope to bring conflicts under control and in some cases, to conclusion. 

            I appreciate that President Obama has strongly argued that comprehensive health care legislation is an important component to reducing federal deficit spending.  He has contended that failure to pass this legislation will increase deficits now and for many years to come.  I disagree with the President.

            After the economic recession in our country comes to a conclusion, a high priority may be extension of health insurance coverage and reform of many health care practices.  When such changes occur, they are likely to be expensive and Americans will need to debate, even then, their priority in comparison to many other national goals.  One reason why health care is likely to remain expensive is that major advances in surgical procedures, prescription drugs, and other health care practices have prolonged the lives of tens of millions of Americans and improved the quality of those additional years.  The Washington Post, in a front-page story on July 26, 2009, mentioned that "the fight against heart disease has been slow and incremental.  It's also been extremely expensive and wildly successful."  Americans should not take for granted all of the advances in health care that have enriched our lives, but we sometimes forget that we require and even pray for much more medical progress in years to come, which is likely to be expensive.

            After the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office reported that current legislative proposals might increase health costs by more than $1 trillion during the next ten years, several Members of Congress have suggested new forms of taxation, reduction of payments to doctors and hospitals, and curtailment of certain types of insurance coverage.  These and other suggestions may temporarily bring about cost reduction but will also have some after-effects in the overall economy.  In fact, strong financial incentives may be needed to enlist men and women to enter the medical field.  Failure to enlist a sufficient number of doctors could lead to rationing of service and longer lines to find someone who will give humane attention. 

            In the meanwhile, it is possible that the President and Members of Congress might find some inexpensive, incremental improvements that could result in a greater number of Americans being served through health insurance and more efficiently operating health care institutions.  The strong desire that most of us have to continue discussing these issues and make improvements need not be postponed even as President Obama and the Congress strive for victory over a devastating national economic recession.

            Because our federal spending deficits have risen so much and are predicted to rise even more, all substantive discussions on health care and other important issues will be conducted during many years of planning and, finally, decisive action to reduce deficit spending and preserve the value and integrity of the dollar as we continue to borrow hundreds of billions of dollars in the form of U.S. Treasury Bonds sold to governments and citizens of other countries.  They, too, are counting on the integrity of our dollar and our financial system to preserve the value of their financial reserves. 

            Starting with President Obama and extending to all Members of Congress, we wish that we had inherited a neutral, peaceful playing field.  We have not been so fortunate.  Our responsibility now is to recognize the extraordinary financial tragedy that has befallen our country and to recognize the unprecedented opportunity that we have to stop the momentum of that tragedy.  We must provide valid hope of constructive vision, idealism, and change in the future.  I look forward to working with the President and my colleagues to tackle first things first. 

# # #

Regarding the cap and trade bill, Senator Lugar said the following, "I'd not be able to support that legislation.  Trying to describe the changes would need a catalogue..It is an extraordinarily expensive bill at a time when our budget situation, the deficits we are running, is already threatening potential inflation."

Thank you, again, for contacting Senator Lugar's office.

Sincerely,

Lesley Reser

State Director

Office of U.S. Senator Richard G. Lugar

1180 Market Tower

10 West Market Street

Indianapolis, IN 46204

317-226-5555 - office

317-226-5508 – fax

 

 

Link to Melissa’s statements on this matter here.

17 Aug 2009 – Meeting Notes

The "Constitutional Patriots" held their 2nd meeting on Monday evening at the Christian New Light" fellowship hall.  We had approximately 160 people attend (64 first time attendees).

We are so glad that so many people are concerned with their country's welfare and the actions of our Congress.

Mike Yancey gave a very enlightening talk about our constitution.

Melissa Lineberry discussed the current bills before Congress that need our constant attention.

Johanna Campbell gave interesting talk on 'pro action".

Dan Harman gave details on upcoming bus trip to Washington D.C. on September 10, 2009.

If you are a concerned citizen and worried about the direction our county is going, come to our next meeting on August 31st at the same location. We would welcome your ideas and contributions to our cause.

Town Hall Meeting Schedule:

A Town Hall meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 7 pm. at the:

New Light Christian Church

1011 West Washington St.

Bluffton, Indiana. 

Directions

 

Indiana Senators Richard Lugar and Evan Bayh have been invited, but so far they have declined attendance. 

 

We need you to contact them and urge them to attend:

Senator Lugar:

Ft. Wayne Office: 260-422-1501

Washington DC Office: 202-224-4814

Senator Bayh:

Ft. Wayne Office: 260-426-3151

Washington DC Office: 202-224-5623

 

There is also a Town Hall meeting scheduled to take place at the on Tuesday, September 1 at 7 pm at the:

Don Hall's Guesthouse - Grand Ballroom

1313 West Washington Center Road

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Directions

Again, Both Senators have been invited and so far have declined. 

Everyone was encouraged to call these Senators and request their presence at these events. 

Top 25 Political Donors from 1989 to 2009

	Donor	$$ Donated	Dem	Rep
1	AT&T Inc	$43,501,240	44%	55%
2	American Fedn of State, County & Municipal Employees	$40,965,173	98%	1%
3	National Assn of Realtors	$35,179,013	48%	51%
4	Goldman Sachs	$31,183,662	64%	35%
5	Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers	$30,920,696	97%	2%
6	American Assn for Justice	$30,734,429	90%	9%
7	National Education Assn	$29,908,625	92%	6%
8	Laborers Union	$28,201,600	92%	7%
9	Service Employees International Union	$27,510,257	95%	3%
10	Teamsters Union	$27,402,304	92%	6%
11	Carpenters & Joiners Union	$27,368,258	89%	10%
12	Communications Workers of America	$26,748,746	99%	0%
13	Citigroup Inc	$26,562,905	50%	49%
14	American Medical Assn	$26,213,449	39%	60%
15	American Federation of Teachers	$25,996,071	98%	0%
16	United Auto Workers	$25,767,002	98%	0%
17	Machinists & Aerospace Workers Union	$24,793,477	98%	0%
18	National Auto Dealers Assn	$24,048,808	31%	68%
19	Altria Group	$23,869,891	28%	71%
20	United Food & Commercial Workers Union	$23,742,074	98%	1%
21	United Parcel Service	$23,649,476	36%	63%
22	American Bankers Assn	$21,945,966	41%	58%
23	National Assn of Home Builders	$21,401,355	35%	64%
24	EMILY's List	$20,984,384	99%	0%
25	National Beer Wholesalers Assn	$20,300,845	31%	68%
		$647,934,533	71%	29%

 

That data is from www.opensecrets.org and excludes individual donations and 527 money. Its interesting to note of this list 12 of these donors are unions and trade organization that contribute heavily to political candidates.

Also notice number 3 and 4. Does TARP and the housing crisis ring a bell? Check out who some of these organizations are. I leave you to draw your own conclusions….