Hello Friends!(Some event info below has just been updated based on the planning meeting held Friday night 5/15.)
Armed Forces Day is Saturday, May 16, 2009. President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.
Events
Update: Monday, May 25, Columbus 4th Annual Memorial Day Commeration 10am
Sponsored by Coweta Falls Chapter of Sons Of The American Revolution.
Update: July 4 Independence Day Suggestions and Volunteers Needed!
We want to have a booth about the Tea Party goals at "Thunder on the Hooch"; a couple of volunteers are looking into this. We will need people to help create materials to hand out, to decorate, and to man the booth or table.
September 12, Washington DC:
9.12.09 National Taxpayer Protest is sponsoring a national march on Washington on September 12, with a rally on the Mall. We might have a local event for those who can’t travel to DC.
October 2, Washington DC:
Taxpayer Tea Party and “Defending the American Dream Summit” sponsored annually by Americans for Prosperity (AFP). No details available.
Tea Party News and Columns
Check out the new website for the Columbus Tea Party, It's under construction, but coming along. Send in ideas of what you'd like to see on it.
Anti-tax crusade to storm Capitol Grassroots 'tea parties' build strength by Donald Lambro 5/10/09
Allies from the Tea Party an interesting list of the organizations that support (directly or indirectly) the goals of the Tea Party movement.
How well do you know American history? Read about the 1773 Boston Tea Party from an eyewitness!
In the News (Take Action)
Oppose Cap & Trade
The following ad has been produced by Competitive Enterprise Institute. National Taxpayers Union has a letter you can send to Congresss. AFP also has an email you can send.
Obama Begins Push for Rationed, Inferior Government Health Care "Which is better, public schools or private schools? Public housing or private housing? Public transportation or private transportation? Compare anything. Government always turns out an inferior product. It has an astonishingly abysmal track record." After you read the article, write to your representatives in Congress, and consider signing the petition.
Did You Receive an Email from the White House? Here’s an email I received Wednesday 5/13 from “The White House". I never signed up for it, so I wondered how I got on their list. Today someone here in Columbus told me that she and her sister received the same email although neither signed up for it. Both attended the tea party on 4/15. Have any more of you been put on the white house email list without your permission? Has our email list gotten into the wrong hands? I have tried to be careful when sending emails, only to use BCC, but I suppose a computer whiz could get to it anyway. Please know that those of us who have access to the Columbus Tea Party email list treat it confidentially, we do not intend for your email to be used by any other groups. Maybe one of the other tea party or 912 project websites we've signed up for have released their database. I'd like to know if you've also received this email:
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Good afternoon,
Now the House and Senate are beginning a critical debate that will determine the health of our nation's economy and its families. This process should be transparent and inclusive and its product must drive down costs, assure quality and affordable health care for everyone, and guarantee all of us a choice of doctors and plans.
Reforming health care should also involve you. Think of other people who may want to stay up to date on health care reform and other national issues and tell them to join us here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/EmailUpdates
Health care reform can't come soon enough. We spend more on health care than any country, but families continue to struggle with skyrocketing premiums and nearly 46 million are without insurance entirely. It is a priority for the American people and a pillar of the new foundation we are seeking to build for our economy.
We'll continue to keep you posted about this and other important issues.
Thank you,
Barack Obama
P.S. If you'd like to get more in-depth information about health reform and how you can participate, be sure to visit http://www.healthreform.gov/.
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Tenth Amendment - States Rights Thirty-five states are acting or considering proposals to reclaim state rights not specifically given to the federal government. See: States to Feds: Stay in DC! and States Rights – Tenth Amendment
Almost 200 years ago, Thomas Jefferson recognized this problem: I see… and with the deepest affliction, the rapid strides with which the federal branch of our government is advancing towards the usurpation of all the rights reserved to the States, and the consolidation in itself of all powers, foreign and domestic; and that, too, by constructions which, if legitimate, leave no limits to their power… It is but too evident that the three ruling branches of [the Federal government] are in combination to strip their colleagues, the State authorities, of the powers reserved by them, and to exercise themselves all functions foreign and domestic. –Thomas Jefferson to William Branch Giles, 1825
Question to Left: If you Love America, Why Transform It? By Dennis Prager 5/6/09 “If you met a man who said he would like to "transform" or "remake" his wife, would you conclude that he: a) thought very highly of his wife and loved her? Or b) held his wife in rather low esteem and therefore found living [with] her rather difficult?… Little is as revealing of Barack Obama's and the left's view of America than their use of the words "transform" and "remake" when applied to what they most want to do to America.”
Empathy Vs. Law a four-part column by Dr. Thomas Sowell, 5/5. “That we are discussing the next Supreme Court justice in terms of group "representation" is a sign of how far we have already strayed from the purpose of law and the weighty responsibility of appointing someone to sit for life on the highest court in the land.”
A massive tax-hike in California - Will it happen to the rest of us?
Proposition 1A is being peddled to the people of California as a measure to control spending. Michael Reagan writes: Tax Increases - Coming Soon to a 'Theater' Near You
Tea Parties and CA Prop 1A: California Republican Party Chairman Continues to Show Disdain for Tea Party Patriots. Leftists might claim that the Republican Party is directing and controling the tea party movement, but articles like this one show that's false. This same GOP pary chairman was booed at the Sacramento tea party on April 15 (see reports by Michelle Malkin here and here).
Georgia News on Tax Cut Veto:
Perdue pulls out veto pen on sweeping tax breaks 5/11
Republican Sonny Perdue is a Squish 5/12
Sonny Perdue says Georgia can’t afford supply-side economics by Jim Galloway 5/11
Some call for override of Perdue’s tax cut veto 5/13
Links You Can Use
Your Guide to the Conservative Movement in America This is a comprehensive list of not only conservative organizations and websites but also issues and current legislation, historical records, etc. It is a huge amount of information.
The Complete List of Emails and Fax Numbers for the US Congress
When writing to a Senator or Representative other than your own, you will probably not get a reply unless you make it clear why they should reply; for example, if you represent an organization or company which has members or does business in their district, that might help. Many members automatically delete e-mail from outside their district, or may reject messages copied to other members. Every American has the right to contact any Congressmen they wish, because their votes affect the entire country. Most Senators and Congressmen are using website contact forms where you must have a zip code and address from the district of the representative you want to write. Tip: Go to the Congressman's web site and get the zip code of one of their district offices, or get a zip code for any city.
The next section, Grassroots Training, has tips on writing to Congressmen.
Grassroots Training - Writing to Congressmen
On Tuesday, May 12, fourteen local Tea Party members received some “Grassroots Training” with Virginia Galloway from the Atlanta office of Americans for Prosperity (AFP).
Virginia gave me permission to summarize a the tips she gave us regarding contact with government representatives. She says, “Believe it or not, your state legislators want to hear from you! … If you want your legislators to represent your views, you must first let them know where you stand. Keep your letter local, keep it personal, and keep it concise.”
Tips for writing effective letters to legislators
- Be polite and brief; write on only one side of one page. Write on personal or business stationery that includes a return address, as envelopes are discarded.
- Discuss only one topic per letter.
- Identify the specific legislation or proposal you are writing about, include the bill number or title. State whether you support or oppose the legislation and why. Use facts to provide specific examples of how a legislative proposal will affect your business or community. Indicate that you are aware of the main arguments against your position.
- Use your own words; avoid phrases from form letters. Express your opinion strongly, but never threaten or be offensive.
- Don’t mention Election Day! Legislators are already well aware of the political implications of disagreeing with constituents.
- Clearly state the action you would like your lawmaker to make on the bill and ask for a reply that states what action the Senator or Representative plans to make.
- Use the accepted form to address the letter: Dear Senator Doe, or Dear Honorable Doe. See Sending Mail to Congress for examples of the proper way to address letters.
Faxing is best. Paper letters may take several weeks to be scanned and irradiated. Virginia suggests that faxing letters is the best method to send mail. Faxing a handwritten letter is fine if you write legibly, otherwise fax a typed letter. Faxing is more effective than email.
Don’t be surprised if you receive a non-committal response; many times, legislators will not take a position on an issue until the last minute. Your best strategy is to try to education him on the implications of the legislation and how it will affect you. Write back, make two or three good points and restate your position and request. Remind the legislator that you are following the issue.
If you disagree with the legislator’s position, write a follow-up letter thanking him for his response, express your disagreement, refute his arguments, and make a new point if needed. Do not delay in sending the follow-up letter and don’t slam the door! You will need to contact him later on other issues.
I asked Virginia about the effectiveness of online petitions. She said it depends on how they are presented, but don’t pay money to sign a petition.
You can hear Virginia speak at a Georgia tea party and watch her illustrate how much a trillion dollars is using split peas! See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-4ADdk66jU I hope to pass along her recommendations for phoning or visiting your legislator’s office in the next newsletter.
About Americans for Prosperity (AFP)
The mission of AFP is to “educate citizens about economic policy, mobilize citizens to achieve fiscal and regulatory restraint by state governments, and return the federal government to its Constitutional limits”. This mission matches up well with the goals of the Tea Party Movement. You might want to read more about AFP and consider joining them at http://www.americanforprosperity.org/. AFP is asking all citizens to email your congressmen to say NO to Cap&Trade: Click Here to Send Your Congressman a Email
Think About It
I receive a note today from LaTala Colfield (a Columbus tea party attendee) saying that the tea parties are a great idea but “knowledge is key and in order to get people to understand the meaning behind the tea parties, you have to educate all people on what is going on. Do you think that somehow we can begin to have classes discussing the laws that are being sent in place to rid us of our 1st and 2nd amendment as well as our sovereignty and liberties? For example, HR 2159, HR 1388, HR 1955, HR 1966, Cyber Security Act of 09, etc. and the list goes on and on. Or maybe we can start a class online where we all meet and discuss information that is of interest to our future and well-being. What do you think?”
- Could you do some research on these bills and send in a short description for the newsletter? LaTala has offered to help, will others join her? We could spread the work if several of you could get together online and decide which bills to research, then send the results to me (or to the new website) to be published. If you are interested, contact me and I will send an email just to those people.
- We should be able to write comments soon on the website. We can discuss bills there.
- Could meet for a monthly training/discussion session in one of the conference rooms at the public library?
- Any thoughts or suggestions?
Bills in Congress
Thanks to LaTala Cofield for sending this information on some bills in Congress that we need to know about so we can contact our senators and representatives.
Attack on 1st Amendment Rights
HR 1966 Megan Meier Cyber-bullying Prevention Act - Referred to Committee
Sec. 881. Cyber-bullying
‘(a) Whoever transmits in interstate or foreign commerce any communication, with the intent to coerce, intimidate, harass, or cause substantial emotional distress to a person, using electronic means to support severe, repeated, and hostile behavior, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.
‘(b) As used in this section--
‘(1) the term ‘communication’ means the electronic transmission, between or among points specified by the user, of information of the user’s choosing, without change in the form or content of the information as sent and received; and
‘(2) the term ‘electronic means’ means any equipment dependent on electrical power to access an information service, including email, instant messaging, blogs, websites, telephones, and text messages.’.
(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 41 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item:
‘881. Cyber-bullying.’.
Cyber-Security Act of 2009
It would establish the Office of the National Cyber-security Advisor—an arm of the executive branch that would have vast power to monitor and control Internet traffic to protect against threats to critical cyber infrastructure. Sounds important right? I mean if cyber security is a big deal, then it would make sense that we would be doing something that would create a department to oversee such an endeavor. But what else does the Cyber-Security Act of 2009 do?
It gives the president the ability to “declare a cyber-security emergency” and shut down or limit Internet traffic in any “critical” information network “in the interest of national security.” [Now if that isn’t a statement that has been used to take away individual liberty in the past I don’t know what is.] The bill does not define a critical information network or a cyber-security emergency. That definition would be left to the president. The bill does not only add to the power of the president. It also grants the Secretary of Commerce “access to all relevant data concerning [critical] networks without regard to any provision of law, regulation, rule, or policy restricting such access.“ This means he or she can monitor or access any data on private or public networks without regard to privacy laws.
2nd Amendment Infringements. All of these go hand-in-hand:
DHS: Right-wing Extremism: Current economic fueling resurgence in radicalization and recruitment
Please read the Dept of Homeland Security (DHS) Domestic Extremist Lexicon Reference
Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2009: Referred to Committee, click on the title to read the entire bill.
More to Think About
Here's a valuable message from President Reagan:
Quotes
Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views. –William F. Buckley Jr.
Back in the thirties we were told we must collectivize the nation because the people were so poor. Now we are told we must collectivize the nation because the people are so rich. –William F. Buckley Jr.
Everyone wants to live at the expense of the state. They forget that the state lives at the expense of everyone. –French economist and statesman Frederic Bastiat (1801-1850)
When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it. –Frederic Bastiat
If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in five years there’d be a shortage of sand. –Milton Friedman
If Congress can do whatever in their discretion can be done by money, and will promote the general welfare, the government is no longer a limited one possessing enumerated powers, but an indefinite one subject to particular exceptions. –James Madison
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Final thoughts:
During the week, I save links to news that I hope will be interesting or useful to tea party members. I'm sure you are also reading and sending out good links to friends. If you find something that would be helpful to this group, please send me a note at colsteaparty@gmail.com.
Thanks for reading. Sandy Cols.
