Dear Mr. President

These are the times that try mens souls...

How do the Democrats REALLY feel about the "Nuclear Option"?

With Harry Reid threatening the use of reconciliation or nuclear option to pass the health care abomoination, I found this video to be facinating how quickly principles change in Washington.

Come on Democrats did your mother ever tell you that "two wrongs don't make a right" or "if everyone was jumping off a cliff, would you jump off too?"

Healthcare DMV Style

Big Government, Big Recession

There's no evidence for the theory that state spending has shortened this or any other slowdown.

See the full article here.

Opening Statement on Health Care

Congressman Mike Rogers' opening statement on Health Care reform in Washington D.C.

Unbelievable!

Glenn Beck wants you

...to be a Constitutional Watchdog, that is.

Full story here.

State vs Federal

Here's an interesting article:

Nebraskan's Assert State Sovereignty

Some have argued this is a peaceable approach to getting the big, onerous federal government out of our lives. A revolution of sorts, without ever firing a bullet. From the article it looks like a majority of states are following suit.

"Seven states passed resolutions this year affirming their sovereignty, and resolutions were introduced in 30 others. Some states have filed lawsuits or taken legislative action to challenge federal laws."

Right Wing Extremists

This video and others by Molotov Mitchel had my 9 year old in stitches...





You can find more of Molotov Mitchel's "For the Record:" segments on World News Daily or YouTube.

Oh what a tangled web we weave....

Please take the time to watch the whole clip. We can't let apathy overtake us.



Stunning.

Obamacare...bureaucracy at its best.

House Democratic Leaders unveiled their plan for health care...

The visual is breathtaking...



I'm at a loss for words. Yes, I think health care/medical costs are out of control, but isn't that because of the bureaucracy we ALREADY have in place? I'm certainly not an expert on the subject, but I don't think adding more cooks in the kitchen will make this soup any easier to swallow. Obama HEAVILY criticized John McCain during the campaign for proposing a tax on Health Care benefits...but apparently Obama's okay with that now?



Confusing.

Look, I don't want to see anymore taxes to pay for anything? Can't we just cut back on the out-of-control spending we already have going on? Oh, and I hate to mention it, but have we forgotten about this big, bad economy thing we are dealing with? I know Obama said he can walk and chew gum at the same time, but really his performance is underwhelming. Apparently I'm not alone -- the latest from Rasmussen Reports:

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Friday shows that 29% of the nation's voters now Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Thirty-five percent (35%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of –6 (see trends).

In the health care debate, 50% of voters now oppose creation of a public insurance company to compete with private insurers. Seventy-eight percent (78%) believe that health care reform is likely to lead to middle class tax hikes.

Any thoughts?

So this is what the GOP minority leader had to say...




I do have to mention a couple of pieces of legislation/amendments that I've caught wind of that I can definitely get behind and hopefully you can too. I'm not sure if they are still in conceptual phase or have actually made it onto a legislative agenda...maybe someone with more expertise in maneuvering bureaucratic government websites could possibly find them...

• Read the bill: Nothing too tricky about this, require everyone to read the bill before final passage.
• Let us read the bill: Again, is it too much to ask that our Representatives post the bill online and let us view their legislation/amendments in their full glory, a full 24 hours before the final vote.
• Adopt the same health care: Now this one is intriguing, This would require our representatives to adopt the same health care plan for themselves that they pass for us. Update: just found this resolution, click here, and send a letter of support to your representative. (H. Res. 615)
  

If any of you have any information on these proposals, please share!

And so for my final thought...


It might not be as far-fetched as it seems.

Tea Party and Information

Submitted by Monica Shumway.

I attended the Gilbert Tea Party on July 4. Many speakers encouraged us to become educated and involved. We were encouraged to not wait for someone else to do something, but to become educated, speak up and act.

Here are some of the resources that were given to us. I share them purely for your information. This is not intended to be an endorsement for any of the following groups.

The National Center for Constitutional Studies will be presenting a Principles of Liberty Seminar on Saturday, July 18 from 8:00am to 4:30 pm at Mesquite High School 500 S. McQueen Rd. Gilbert, AZ the cost is $20 per person or $35 per couple register online at www.constitutionweekusa.com (Tuition includes Lunch and the Book "The 5000 Year Leap" by W. Cleon Skousen. (I have attended Seminars through The National Center for Constitutional Studies before and they are extremely informative.)

National Center for Constitutional Studies
The John Birch Society- State and National Issues

The New American-REAL current issues

Gilbert 912 project (Glen Beck) Sounds like our organization

National Rifle Association

Heritage Foundation
James Allen's talk show

Defending the Constitution

202-224-3121 -Switchboard for all U.S. Senators and Representatives

Governor Jan Brewer, azgov@az.gov (602-542-4331)

The Constitution Party (group trying to form a new political party)

Coalition for a Conservative Majority (Grassroots action and Advocacy organization)
Chandler Mayor and Council Email: mayor&council@chandleraz.gov

We'll continue to list these links in the link list to the right.

Information Requested on Afghanistan

By Jason Mow
Subject: Info requested about Afghanistan

I originally posted this several weeks ago in an e-mail. At the last meeting I was asked to re- post this along with some photos of my adventures in Afghanistan. When I sent this out we were dealing with the Somali Pirates and the question was asked why it took so long to solve a basic security problem and why we waited for 5 days to invoke our rights as humans to not be terrorized by thugs and criminals. Social engendering has left us impotent and no better then sheep when we face a clear and present danger to our freedom and security.

100 years ago we as a society would hang a criminal for stealing a horse in the public square for to see and remember that there is consequence to our actions. Now we are told by those who “We” have empowered to control our life that if a criminal is breaking into our home where our children are sleeping the best option is for us to hide in the closet and pray the “Government” arrives in time to stop the thug from hurting us. Then we willingly spend on average $50,000 a year to make the criminal comfortable and secure while he pays back his debt to society.

IF only you all knew how widespread this problem really is. From Command Authority, to the local law enforcement, to you and me (we) have all collectively lost the will or refuse to fight for our own freedom.

Example #1: The city of Phoenix is the kidnapping capital of America and second in the world only to Mexico City. Drug cartels and criminal street gangs are dressing up like cops and kicking in doors taking whole family hostage for ransom. Every day we, the police, find dead bodies left on the streets as a warning to others not to re port or interfere. Children and young women are raped and/or sold into the sex trade. Boys forced to assist in the illegal sales, transporting and distribution of drugs on our streets. Mothers and fathers ripped from their children and held against their will. Remember, it took 5 days for our military to free one American man from four teenage thugs floating in a life boat. They were completely surrounded by the most powerful Navy the world has ever known, 1/2 a world away in the middle of the ocean. We, the American government, controlled every aspect of the encounter including the news media and the flow of information. Yet still we refused to save the hostage. It was dealt with only when the local Navy commander on scene made a career ending choice to let the Navy SEALS shoot the thugs as they tried to kill the hostage. If you noticed that right after this event, that Navy Commander was whisked away from the media spot light and has not been heard from at all. He embarrassed the White House and has been “reassigned”. Knowing this, how long do you think it will take for the local government to act if it is your family the drug lords take tonight, here in Chandler, with the ACLU, the Reverend Al Sharpton and La Raza watching? I know how long it will be...Those criminals are nothing more then land pirates and should be treated as such.

Example #2: CNN reports, and I personally witnessed, that 96% of the world’s supply of raw opium comes from the poppy fields of Afghanistan. The only reason the Taliban are even a threat to us is the funding that they get from the sales of this opium on the world market. That's right folks, a fact you will never see or hear on the news is the Taliban control the opium trade. Opium is processed into heroin and sold to our children on the very street in front of Basha High School. The poppy plant is where the Taliban get opium from and I have stood in fields of poppy plants that were larger then the cotton or corn fields here in south Chandler. Our official government stance on the poppy fields is "Leave them alone". The very product the enemy of freedom is using to fund the holy jihad against us is the same product the United States Military has been told not to harm in any way. It is also the product that the government will not stop by closing our borders and holding the drug dealers accountable for their actions. Imagine what would happen when our fathers and grandfathers were fighting the Nazis if General Patton came up to the President of the United States and said, "We have found a factory were the Germans are making tanks to kill American soldiers. We want to blow up the factory to stop them from making the tanks.” and the President replied, "No you can't destroy the factory we don't want to upset the workers or make the leaders of Germany angry at us." I know what would have happened then and I sure do know what is happening now...what are you willing to do for your freedom? By my reckoning the trouble in Afghanistan could all be over in 6 weeks. Yup, by the time your children go back to school we could be done fighting in Afghanistan. No poppy, no money, no money, no guns and road side bombs. No food or clothing or payments to Taliban fighters. Another dark secret…the Taliban is getting paid to fight, no freedom fighters in Afghanistan, everyone has their hands out in this conflict.

I could list all day long!!!! Are you sick and tired of all the lies and falsehoods?

Ask yourself these questions.

What would General Washington do?
What would General Joshua do?
What would General Moroni do?

Don't we teach our own children the stories and deeds of these great men?

Are these good men?
Are these honorable men?
Are they in paradise with God right now?

Freedom is not free.

I say again…What are you prepared to do?

This photo is of me standing in a poppy field in the Herat region of Afghanistan.

The second is of me with my "Gurka" security officer. The Gurka's are a legendary warrior tribe of people who live in the mountains of Nepal. We are getting ready to go find some evil doers.

Open Letter to Congressman Flake

As many of you already know, our congressional representative, Jeff Flake, missed a crucial day in Congress last Friday when the House passed a very controversial bill known as "cap and trade". As many of you also know, the bill passed by a very slim margin, seven votes to be exact. We can discuss the bill's pros (are there any?) and cons in another post. The reason for this post is to share with you a letter Jason Mow wrote to Congressman Flake in response to his absence for the vote.

Congressman Flake,

I was truly sadden and appalled at the news of your absence during the vote in Congress for the Cap and Trade Bill. Your leadership and strong stance against this massive socialistic taxation bill is what is most needed from our representation in Washington and sadly what is most lacking.

As a family man, I completely understand the emotions felt when a choice is needed between family and civic responsibilities. I have been making those choices my entire adult life. I have spent the last 17 years in the service of my country as both a professional soldier and a law enforcement officer. I can not recount all the holidays, birthdays, reunions, pageants, sporting events, weddings, funerals, graduations, trips to the zoo, skinned knees, and pretty new Sunday dresses I missed out on while honorably serving my country. You are not special or alone in this world. My family is fully aware of the sacrifice I make and understand it is their sacred offering before God, upon the alter of freedom, to support me in the cause of liberty and defense of the Constitution of the United States of America.

I respectfully remind you, Sir, you asked to be sent to Washington to be the voice of the people and stand up for the rights of the Americans living within your district. You know full and well the requirements of your time. You understood that it would mean time away from your family and sacrificing personal feelings for the greater good.

You are being well paid and well compensated for your time. Time that is to be spent reminding the federal government what the Constitution says, and demanding, with force if necessary, that the rights of the people in your district not be infringed.

I refer to hallowed antiquity and to the man who without question is the most important figure in American history. I speak of none other then General Washington. Remember, he was called out of retirement three separate times to serve his country and did so willingly. He refused to be paid while serving as commander of all patriot forces during the Revolutionary War. He left his beloved home, Mt Vernon, for years at a time then only returning when the war was won and finding it practically in ruin. He had children die while he served his country. He was long separated from his wife Martha. When he could no longer bear being apart from his beloved wife, he brought her to the horrors of Valley Forge where he refused to leave his men. Because of his commitment to his fellow man and his new country his personal fortune was destroyed. When he was sworn in as the first President of the United States he was in such financial desperation that he did not have a proper suit and needed to borrow money from a friend to get a new one.

I could continue on but I would instead direct you to the volumes of books dedicated to the memory of General Washington and his service. I would suggest you read some of them and gain a better understanding of your responsibility as a public servant and the standard he set for all of us as Americans.

This is a critical time for America. I listened while you spoke of a need to renew values and common sense in Washington. I supported you as you fought against the evils of our day. I even campaigned for you and spent my sacred funds in support of our causes. Now I fell betrayed by your actions. You abandoned your post as the enemies of liberty advanced. I am quite sure what your reaction would be if, as a soldier, I fled the battle field while facing the enemy in the heat of conflict or, as a police officer, I refused to sacrifice my life to save your family or rescue your fortunes from criminals. My contempt is real and my anger is justified.

If this occupation is to tasking and requires too much of your time and talent, then as your employer, I accept your resignation. If you feel being present to vote in opposition of the most audacious assault on American liberty is to tasking or time consuming then you are free to step aside.

We are all accountable to the Maker of heaven and earth for our actions. Like I tell my children, “Right or wrong, good or bad, the consequences for our actions will someday be ours alone.”

I refer to your own words from your web site.

Washington, D.C., Jun 26 -

Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona’s Sixth District, criticized the cap and trade bill that passed today.

“The last thing a fragile economy needs is a new energy tax, yet that’s essentially what this cap and trade bill is,” said Flake. “This bill is more about generating revenue for the federal government than it is about addressing climate change.”

Unfortunately, Congressman Flake was unable to vote on the bill due to a family obligation. Congressman Flake’s daughter was Arizona’s representative in the America’s Junior Miss scholarship program, and Congressman Flake and his wife were there supporting her.

“Obviously, it was a tough decision to miss voting against the cap and trade bill. But I’ve let my daughter down enough over the years, and I felt I just couldn’t let her down again.”

Had he been able to vote, he would have voted against the bill. Unless it is changed substantially, Congressman Flake will vote against the cap and trade conference report when it comes back to the House.

All the words in the English language did not make us free men so long ago. Words are as cheep as the paper they are written on. It is action that makes us free. Action at places such as, Bunker Hill, Trenton, Bull Run, Gettysburg, The Alamo, The Somme, Pearl Harbor, Normandy, Iwo Jima, Pork Chop Hill, Heartbreak Ridge, Tet, The Ia Drang Valley, Beirut, Panama, Mogadishu, Baghdad, Kabul, and the Twin Towers. All of these places are now hollowed ground where Americans drew a line in the stand and said “not one more step back.” These places are where American men and women who “More then self their country loved” stopped speaking and started acting. They acted on their belief that this country is more important then there own “lives, fortunes, and sacred honor”. Arlington is full of the grave markers of men and women who will never see their daughters in a pageant, what makes you so special?

Sir, either lead us or get out of the way.

Jason Mow

jason.mow@cox.net

A Judeo-Christian Nation

Is there any question?

The 545 People Responsible for all of the U.S. Woes

By Charley Reese

(Date of original publication unknown)

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.

Have you ever wondered why, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, we have deficits? Have you ever wondered why, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don’t propose a federal budget. The president does. You and I don’t have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does. You and I don’t write the tax code. Congress does. You and I don’t set fiscal policy. Congress does. You and I don’t control monetary policy. The Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president and nine Supreme Court justices – 545 human beings out of the 235 million - are directly, legally, morally and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered but private central bank.

I excluded all but the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman or a president to do one cotton-picking thing. I don’t care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it.

No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislation’s responsibility to determine how he votes.

A CONFIDENCE CONSPIRACY

Don’t you see how the con game that is played on the people by the politicians? Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.

What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of Tip O’Neill, who stood up and criticized Ronald Reagan for creating deficits.

The president can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it. The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating appropriations and taxes.

O’neill is the speaker of the House. He is the leader of the majority party. He and his fellow Democrats, not the president, can approve any budget they want. If the president vetos it, they can pass it over his veto.

REPLACE SCOUNDRELS

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 235 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted — by present facts – of incompetence and irresponsibility.

I can’t think of a single domestic problem, from an unfair tax code to defense overruns, that is not traceable directly to those 545 people.

When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it’s because they want it unfair. If the budget is in the red, it’s because they want it in the red. If the Marines are in Lebanon, it’s because they want them in Lebanon.

There are no insoluble government problems. Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take it.

Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exist disembodied mystical forces like “the economy,” “inflation” or “politics” that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people and they alone are responsible. They and they alone have the power. They and they alone should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses – provided they have the gumption to manage their own employees.

This article was first published by the Orlando Sentinel Star newspaper

Taking Back Our State

Submitted by Jarrod White.

[At the Book Club Meeting], one of the things we discussed was how to grab the ear of our State representatives and to turn their attention to State rights as described in the 10th of amendment of the Constitution. I spent a better part of the morning going over the activities of our representatives Warde Nichols and Steven Yarbrough.

I am happy to report that Warde Nichols cosponsored HCR2024.

This bill reasserts the limitations of the federal government as described in the 10th amendment. Further this bill passed the House Committee in April. The debate is interesting:

Forward this video clip to 21 minutes.

I am not sure how this bill moves along now as I am still learning. I think it goes to the floor for a full house vote and then goes the Senate. I am not sure what we can do to get behind this type of thing.

I was also looking at the volume of bills and resolutions going on right now (hundreds). It is mind-numbing. It is no wonder our government has grown so large…. Simplicity and common sense has escaped it.