Illinois General Assembly—Senate Bill 1716: “civil unions” for homosexual behavior


From: Illinois Family Institute

“IFI Update: Same-Sex ‘Civil Unions’ May Be Called This Week

by David E. Smith, IFI Executive Director—Illinois Family Institute http://www.illinoisfamily.org/

During the first half of the Illinois Veto Session in Springfield (Nov. 16-18), IFI’s two lobbyists and I spoke to dozens of lawmakers about the ramifications of passing same-sex ‘civil unions’ legislation (SB 1716) in Illinois. Many lawmakers are unaware that section 10 of this bill states that any partner in a civil union shall be legally considered a ‘spouse’ and ‘family.’ (Do they read and understand the bills they vote on?—my addition) It isn’t just conjecture to say that the proponents of this bill are trying to redefine the very meaning of marriage and family.

To make matters worse, too many lawmakers do not realize that if passed, this legislation will open the floodgates to discrimination and civil rights lawsuits. Religious liberty and freedom of conscience will diminish for conservatives in Illinois.

Lawmakers will be in Springfield for the second half of the Veto Session Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week (Nov. 29-Dec. 1). According to one pro-homosexual website,

http://www.nowingaychicago.com/2010/11/calls-to-legislators-urged-on-civil.html

(The following is a quote from the website: “‘What it’s going to hinge on is whether our community can mobilize,’ Harris said. ‘The haters are out there calling. ... The question is are we in Illinois going to leave no stone unturned to get this passed.’” Two points from this quote: First, the “community” is homosexual activists. Second, he just can’t get over not using the same old erroneous tactic. If you are opposed to “civil unions”/“marriage” between homosexuals, then ipso facto, you MUST be a HATER. Consequently, to keep society as GOD directed and established, one has to be a hater. What total nonsense. It’s the continued attempt to try to made good/evil and evil/good. GOD is not fooled!!! Neither should we be fooled!—my addition)

a vote on this bill may come as early as Tuesday, November 30th.

Take ACTION:

Please call your State Representative during this time and ask him/her to vote ‘NO’ on SB-1716 and to inform you of his/her decision before casting a vote. Simply call the Capitol switchboard at (217)782-2000, tell the operator you need to find your state representative, and give the operator your zip code. You should be transferred to his/her Springfield office via the switchboard immediately.

The Left has a full-court press on. House Speaker Mike Madigan, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, and Chicago Mayoral candidates Rahm Emmanuel and Carol Moseley Braun are all lobbying state legislators for this bill. They need 60 votes to pass this bill in the Illinois House, and they are working hard to achieving that number.

That is why they must hear from us! Grassroots Illinoisans must be heard on this issue now. Voters in 31 states have rejected the redefinition of marriage and family at the ballot box. The people in Illinois are no different.

Thankfully, Cardinal Francis George and the Catholic Conference of Illinois issued a strong statement in a press release last week saying that ‘the public understanding of marriage will be negatively affected by passage of a bill that ignores the natural fact that sexual complementarity is at the core of marriage.’

Background

A recent e-mail from Penny Pullen, a former state lawmaker and current state president of Eagle Forum of Illinois http://www.eagleforum.org/, warned that the passage of a civil unions bill would result in the following:

1) Civil union legislation would force employers to grant registered same-sex cohabiters the benefits currently provided for spouses of married employees.

2) Such legislation undermines the unique position which marriage holds in our society as the foundation of the family.

3) It also will cost taxpayers to add unrelated persons to health insurance coverage for public employees and as dependents under workers compensation benefits.

4) And it will force employee benefit costs to rise in the private sector.

5) Additionally, based on experience with the impact of such legislation in other states, this corruption of Illinois’s official treatment of marriage will likely lead to mandates on schools to teach quasi-spousal relationships as equivalent to marriage.

SB-1716 is a jobs killer and an added burden for taxpayers. It will negatively affect our state’s moral climate and our children’s understanding of the family.

Equality Illinois, the state’s full-time pro-homosexual lobby and political group, lists the following organizations and unions as supporters (the usual suspects—my addition) of SB 1716:

01) Access Living
02) ACLU of Illinois
03) Anti-Defamation League
04) Advocacy Council for Human Rights, Bloomington
05) Chicago Bar Association
06) Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches
07) Citizen Action Illinois
08) Chicago Teachers Union
09) Heartland Alliance for Human Needs and Human Rights
10) Illinois Department of Human Rights
11) Illinois Federation of Teachers
12) Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living
13) Illinois Planned Parenthood Council
14) Illinois State Bar Association
15) National Association of Social Workers of Illinois
16) Northwest Suburban Now
17) People for the American Way
18) Protestants for the Common Good
19) Quad Cities for Diversity
20) Service Employees International Union
21) Unite Here, Local 1

Prayer Request

Finally, I am urgently seeking your prayer covering this week as we work to educate our lawmakers on the perils of this bill. I ask you to pray that we are able to connect with the key lawmakers that we’ve identified as ‘on the fence’ and that the Lord would give us favor in their eyes. I ask you to pray that the Lord would give these lawmakers wisdom and understanding of how the passage of ‘civil unions’ will lead to the weakening of the family and God’s institution of marriage.

Please pray that these lawmakers would recognize how this will undermine the foundation of our Judeo-Christian culture and harden the hearts of people to the Gospel message through the promotion of sexual behavior and a humanistic ideology that the Bible clearly identifies as sin. And pray that God would give them the courage to stand for truth.

Take Action:

http://www.votervoice.net/core.aspx?aid=728&issueid=10350&atid=17922&siteid=0&app=GAC&isvisited=false”

Bottom Line:

Homosexual behavior is SIN. Any law that gives support to homosexual behavior is SIN. SIN has consequences for the individuals involved and for the State that permits and encourages that SIN to occur. We are at WAR against evil!

GOD intended marriage for one man and one woman—period!!! GOD created marriage for the benefit of one man and one woman—only!!! GOD does NOT need man’s assistance to improve upon HIS CREATIONS!!! GOD created man and woman. HE did NOT create man and man and/or woman and woman.

HE did that for a reason. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” Genesis 2: 24 [NIV] “‘Haven’t you read,’ he [JESUS, the SON of GOD—my addition] replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.’” Matthew 19: 4-6 [NIV] State legislators beware: Your pay grade is well below what is necessary to change what GOD has ordained through HIS WORD! You don’t have the power, you don’t have the authority, you don’t have the intellect to change GOD’S design for man!!!

We stopped this bill during the first veto session. We need to do it again, and again, and again until the legislature comes to its senses. Contact your representatives today, Wednesday, Thursday! Don‘t let them do this!

It is still we the people who are in charge if we are united. Don’t acquiesce to this nonsense!

One last comment: Why is the Illinois General Assembly even dealing with this “issue” during a veto session? The State of Illinois is violating the State Constitution because it has a 13+ billion dollar unbalanced budget. Where are the priorities of the members of the General Assembly? Balance the budget! Forget about social engineering! Balance the budget!

Illinois General Assembly—the second veto session


The following excerpts are from the Peoria Journal Star, November 21, 2010, page B7.

“Springfield—During the first week of its fall veto session (which was after the general election and is therefore, by definition, a “lame duck” session—my addition), the Illinois General Assembly passed none of the controversial measures talked about before the veto session. In each case, the sponsors still are trying to heard enough members together to pass their legislation.”

“Lawmakers return to Springfield the week of November 29 (the session begins Tuesday, November 30—my addition) for the final three days of the six-day veto session.

Here is where things stand with the major legislation floating out there (I am not covering all the bills—my addition).”

1) “Gambling expansion

Senate Bill 3970

Status: In Senate Gaming Committee”

“Situation: Link (Senator Terry Link, Democrat from Waukegan—my addition) said amendments are being drafted to put the bill in a form that can pass the Senate. None of the amendments will change the bill’s scope, which calls for new casinos in Chicago, Rockford, Danville, southern Cook County and Lake County, he said. It also authorizes slot machines at horse race tracks (which may and will operate even when horse racing is NOT occurring—my addition) additional gaming positions at existing casinos and temporary (Right! As if anything created by government will only be temporary!—my addition) slot machines at Chicago’s two airports.

The bill needs to be approved in the Senate and then the House before it can be sent to Governor Pat Quinn, who has expressed reservations about the size of the expansion (He supports expansion but is questioning the amount of the additional gambling being proposed!—my addition). Link said he has not discussed details of the bill with Quinn.”

My response: The last thing the State should be doing is expanding gambling. In fact, the State should be doing just the opposite. Gambling, when authorized by the State, is simply State sanctioned stealing. Every law—EVERY LAW—authorizing gambling in this State should be repealed.

We stopped this bill during the first veto session. We need to do it again, and again, and again until the legislature comes to its senses. Contact your representatives today, tomorrow, Wednesday, Thursday! Don‘t let them do this!

State sanctioned gambling is immoral, is harmful to State government, is harmful to local governments, is harmful to the people of the State. The State doesn’t need more money! The State desperately needs to properly handle the money it already has! You don’t stop spendthrift spending by giving the spendthrifts MORE MONEY! It just CAN’T happen.

2) “Civil unions (for homosexual behavior—my addition)

Senate Bill 1716

Status: Awaiting a vote on the House floor.”

“Situation: Harris (Representative Greg Harris, Democrat-Chicago—my addition) said a number of House members were absent this week, including some expected to support the bill, which would give same-sex couples (homosexual individuals pretending to be couples—my addition) the same legal rights and benefits as married, opposite-sex couples (The people GOD intended marriage for and the people GOD created marriage to benefit. GOD created man and woman. HE did NOT create man and man and/or woman and woman. HE did that for a reason. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” Genesis 2: 24 [NIV] “‘Haven’t you read,’ he [JESUS, the SON of GOD—my addition] replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.’” Matthew 19: 4-6 [NIV] State legislators beware: Your pay grade is well below what is necessary to change what GOD has ordained through HIS WORD! You don’t have the power, you don’t have the authority, you don’t have the intellect to change GOD’S design for man!!!—my addition). The vote is expected to be close.

Has said he believes most of the absent lawmakers will be back after Thanksgiving, when the second half of the veto session is held. However, he still would not make a firm commitment that he will call the bill for a vote then.

The civil-unions provision was added in the House. That means if the bill is OK’d by the House, it must return to the Senate for its approval.”

My response: GOD intended marriage for one man and one woman—period!!! GOD created marriage for the benefit of one man and one woman—only!!! GOD does NOT need man’s assistance to improve upon HIS CREATIONS!!! GOD created man and woman. HE did NOT create man and man and/or woman and woman.

HE did that for a reason. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” Genesis 2: 24 [NIV] “‘Haven’t you read,’ he [JESUS, the SON of GOD—my addition] replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.’” Matthew 19: 4-6 [NIV] State legislators beware: Your pay grade is well below what is necessary to change what GOD has ordained through HIS WORD! You don’t have the power, you don’t have the authority, you don’t have the intellect to change GOD’S design for man!!!

We stopped this bill during the first veto session. We need to do it again, and again, and again until the legislature comes to its senses. Contact your representatives today, tomorrow, Wednesday, Thursday! Don‘t let them do this!

It is still we the people who are in charge if we are united. Don’t acquiesce to this nonsense!

3) “Medical marijuana

Senate bill 1381

Status: Awaiting a final vote on the House floor.”

“Situation: The bill sets up a pilot program that would let people with debilitating medical conditions possess and use marijuana. The Senate passed the bill with the minimum 30 votes in May 2009. However, it has never been called for a final vote in the House.

Lang (Representative Lou Lang, Democrat-Skokie—my addition) said some members won’t make a commitment to support the bill until the last minute. That’s made it difficult to gauge exactly how much support it has in the House.

Even if the bill gets out of the House, it faces another vote in the Senate. The House changed the effective date of the bill to July 1, a change the Senate must also endorse.”

My response: When I lived in Arizona, a Constitutional initiative was on the ballot to establish a similar law. The financial backer of the initiative, who actually lived in California, readily stated openly that the initiative was a movement to get the proverbial “foot in the door” to legalize marijuana for all. Candor that is unusual for these groups.

However, that is exactly what is intended in all instances when this “movement” is advocated. The goal is to legalize marijuana. This bill should be defeated! There are valid reasons why marijuana is illegal. Also, marijuana is still illegal at the federal level even if the current Obama Administration refuses to enforce the law. Prayerfully, the Obama Administration will be history in two years.

We need to stop this bad bill again, and again, and again until the legislature comes to its senses. Contact your representatives today, tomorrow, Wednesday, Thursday! Don‘t let them do this!

It is still we the people who are in charge if we are united. Don’t acquiesce to this nonsense!

4) “Lifting Smoking ban in casinos

House Bill 1846

Status: Awaiting a vote on the House floor. It has no Senate sponsor.”

“Situation: Burke’s (Representative Dan Burke, Democrat-Chicago—my addition) bill would lift the smoking ban in casinos until states adjacent to Illinois ban smoking in their casinos. Burke said the ban has hurt Illinois casinos and is depriving the state, which has a $13 billion budget deficit, of much-needed revenue.

A recent study by the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability found a 28 percent drop in state casino revenue since the ban went into effect, citing the smoking ban as the biggest reason. (If true, all the more reason for KEEPING the ban!—my addition)

Opponents point to a bad economy and revenue numbers showing that the Jumer’s Casino in Rock Island did better when it opened a brand-new, Las Vegas-style establishment, exceeding revenues of a nearby Davenport, Iowa, casino, where smoking is allowed.

They also worry about the legislation opening up the possibility for exemptions for bars or others who claim to have been harmed by Illinois’ nearly 3-year-old smoking ban.

Next year, Burke said, he will explore filing legislation that would require casinos to have non-smoking areas for patrons and employees.”

My response: Since the State should not have gambling casinos, anything designed to increase gambling should NOT be approved. Furthermore, to grant smoking in casinos will lead to other establishments crying for the same “relief.” Smoking in public establishments, which was outlawed for health reasons, will be meaningless. Has the legislature never heard of equal protection under the law? People could be smoking medical marijuana at casinos for their “health” as they gamble away their money! Really makes sense!

On November 26, 2010, page A8, the Peoria Journal Star carried an advertisement opposed to this legislation paid for by the American Lung Association, American Cancer Society, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Respiratory Health Association, American Heart Association, and the American Stroke Association. The ad stated:

“Call your Illinois State Representative and tell them to Vote No! Don’t let them gamble with the health of casino workers. Go to www.smokefreeillinois.org for contact info.”

We need to stop this bad bill again, and again, and again until the legislature comes to its senses. Contact your representatives today, tomorrow, Wednesday, Thursday! Don‘t let them do this!

It is still we the people who are in charge if we are united. Don’t acquiesce to this nonsense!

Thank YOU LORD!!!


Give Thanks to the Lord

Psalm 92: 1

“Hello friend! I’m Mack Lyon. It’s a real joy to welcome you to our program, In Search of the Lord’s Way. We’re searching the Scriptures for the Lord’s way to be saved, and His way to live this life. They’re in the Bible, you know, so ours is a Bible study. Say, we’re glad you have joined us today.

This is Thanksgiving week in America. It’s been our American holiday since our land was first settled. And, you know what? In spite of all of the things that are not what we think they ought to be in our country today, I’m so very glad and thankful to God that I live in a nation whose people are sufficiently God-conscious as to set aside one day in every year for a day of national thanksgiving to God, no less! The ways that we use the day will vary greatly, of course. Some will picnic and some will do other things. But the fact that, nationally we still recognize God and thank Him for the blessings that He has blessed us with—with peace and freedom. Well that’s a blessing in itself. Judging by the direction we’ve been going in the past decade or so, we can’t be sure that even this will be ‘Constitutional.’ But, it is this year, this week, so let’s make it a good season of Thanksgiving, what do you say?

Oh my! There’ll be many sermons and lectures given this week about the spirit of thanksgiving that prevailed in the hearts of our Pilgrim fathers. In my years of preaching and teaching the word of God, I’ve delivered quite a number of those myself, for churches and Bible classes, and for civic clubs and school events, for study groups and discussion groups, and well, even others. But what I’m going to say today is not going to be ‘the ordinary’ Thanksgiving Day sermon, extolling the blessings of our national day of Thanksgiving. I’m anxious to study with you about some things that I’ve learned from the study of God’s Word, about a Christian being thankful to God, things I hope you’ll find helpful in your life, too.

Write us, In Search of the Lord’s Way, P.O. Box 371, Edmond, OK 73083, or by e-mail at searchtv@searchtv.org. Our toll-free telephone number is 1 (800) 321-8633. We’re audio and video streaming these programs on our website at www.searchtv.org. There’s other information there, too, for those of you who are interested. Our Bible text for today’s message will be one verse: Psalm 92, verse 1. Ken Helterbrand is going to lead the Edmond church in singing, and then I’ll be back and we’ll read God’s Word and pray together.

We’re going to have one verse as our text today. That will be from Psalm 92, verse 1. ‘It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High . . .’ Now let us go to God in prayer. Holy God, Most High, we thank You, thank You, thank You for the blessings that You have granted our country in its past history. We pray that You will be with us and with our leadership throughout the day, the week, and the years to come. We pray Your blessings on us as individuals and help us as we study Your word to understand the blessing of thanking You daily for the blessing of life its self. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray. Amen!

When asked, ‘What is the chief aim and end of life,’ many people will subscribe to the philosophy of the British poet, Alexander Pope. He said, ‘O happiness! Our being’s end and aim! Good, pleasure, ease, content! Whate’er thy name: That something still which prompts the eternal sigh, For which we bear to live, or dare to die.’ Even though it’s the universal desire, happiness is as elusive as the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Because you see, what a person’s told will make him happy, doesn’t always do that. And what makes one person happy doesn’t make another person happy; therefore, when we begin following all the advice on being happy, we’re confused. And, what makes a person happy today won’t necessarily make him happy tomorrow. And what a person thinks would make him happy if he had it, doesn’t always do it, even if and when he achieves it or acquires it.

Happiness is not a place or a possession; but, it’s an attitude or a way of life. William Law said, ‘If anyone would tell you the shortest, and the surest way to happiness and all perfections, he must tell you to thank and to praise God for everything that happens to you. (Well,) it’s certain (he said) that whatever seeming calamity happens to you, if you thank God and praise Him for it, you turn it into a blessing.’ Well, not everything that happens to a person is necessarily good. But the way we cope with it is the difference between victory and defeat. God can and often does bring a blessing out of evil, and for that we can give Him thanks. That’s what Paul’s saying in that familiar and often abused verse in Romans 8: 28: ‘We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, and to them who are the called according to His purpose.’

The Bible says, ‘Rejoice always, and pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.’ That’s 1 Thessalonians 5, verses 16 through 18. Why do you suppose David, the man after God’s own heart, said, ‘It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord?’ I’m sure we don’t have all the answers, but I’m also sure that I’ve found some of them, and I’d like to explore some of them with you, so you, too, may see the good thanksgiving, that thanksgiving adds to the dynamics of our lives.

First of all, it is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord on this day of thanksgiving, and for that matter every day, because the thankful spirit is the key to overcoming worry, depression and defeat. Worry is so common in our society that it’s been called ‘the universal sin.’ Worry is a very paralyzing, deadly, and destructive thing. There’s absolutely nothing good about it, yet it seems that we’re all subjected to its evil forces to some degree or in some measure. We’re told that 40% of the things that we worry about never happen; 30% of the things we worry about have already happened; 12% about our health, our concern for our health (what if we have cancer or a heart attack or something?); 10% of our worries are over trifles; and 8% of our worries are about things that are really important. What do you think about that, friend? Only eight percent of all the things we worry about are really important. Ninety-two percent of our worrying is for nothing.

The word ‘worry’ comes from combining two Greek words. One of them means to ‘divide’ and the other means the ‘mind.’ Thus, the Biblical word for worry literally means to ‘divide the mind.’ And if we approached the 8% of the things that we worry about and we are deeply concerned about with an undivided mind, it’s likely we could conquer them anyway. So, worry is useless, isn’t it? And, the Bible says, ‘Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.’ That’s Philippians chapter 4, verses 6 and 7. My friend, you know, if when we’re troubled about those things that might happen, the things that have already happened, and the trifles that, well, probably won’t happen anyway, we would simply count our blessings and thank God for them, one by one; we could overcome that needless, destructive trio—worry, defeat and depression in our lives.

Secondly: David said, ‘It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord,’ and I’m sure that’s true because the practice of thankfulness makes us feel better about other people. Many years ago I heard a nationally known, and loved, preacher; he was well loved among everybody, saint and sinner alike, and he preached the gospel. But he said one time that he had a very lovely wife; she was the best mother a man could want for his children; and she possessed very many beautiful and gracious characteristics in her life. But she had one terrible fault that ‘bugged’ him greatly. And if he had dwelt upon that, or thought about that one fault, he would probably divorce her and as a consequence the entire family would suffer the great and innumerable tragedies of a broken home. But, why should he overlook all of those beautiful things in her character and think about the one fault that troubled him so much? Why not count his blessings and give God thanks for all of them. That’ll work in our family relations; it’ll work, well, it’ll work anywhere, won’t it? Friend, if we develop the habit of fault-finding, it can ruin our lives; but if we will develop the habit of giving thanks to the Lord for the good things in other people, we’ll feel better about them, too.

Thirdly: not only that, but the best spirit of thankfulness will make other people feel better about us, too. All of us like to be liked. We like to be ‘accepted.’ We not only like it, we need it. And when a person develops a thankful spirit, when he counts the good things about his associates, names them and talks about them, and gives God thanks and praise for them, he becomes the friend of many people. Such an attitude comes right back to us. It just works that way. God’s word says, ‘Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.’ That’s Galatians 6, verse 7. And we would believe that if we read it in The Farmer’s Almanac, wouldn’t we, now? It applies, not only in the physical world, but in the spiritual world as well.

Fourthly: It’s also a good thing to give thanks to the Lord every day, because it will make us feel better about ourselves. I read in a book awhile back that every successful person has risen to success over, and in spite of, some physical handicap, or some kind of a handicap. It’s so generally true, that it can be said to be a ‘universal truth.’ Every person has what might be called a ‘handicap.’ It may be visible; it may not. It may be physical or otherwise. Some are more serious than others, of course. A fellow wrote me a few weeks ago about the bad things that God had done for him, or to him. Not once did he mention anything good about himself and attribute it, that thing to God. Would it surprise you if I told you he wrote me from his prison cell? Everyone has a lot of good going for him.

And, if he’ll look at the good things about himself, his talents, his skills, his opportunities, his strengths, and those things instead of the other; and give God thanks for it all, he’ll have a higher estimate of his own worth and his own being. Oh, he’s on his way up now, isn’t he?

Fifth: Here’s something else: ‘It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord,’ not just on Thanksgiving Day but everyday because, thanking Him will make a person feel better about God. It will enhance his faith in God, and make God a joy. To many people God is a burden to be carried about. The Scripture says, ‘Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation nor shadow of turning.’ That’s James 1: 17. Instead of saying, ‘where was God when all of this happened to me,’ let’s remember that just one hair of our head does not fall, that God doesn’t know and care about it. (Luke 21: 18) There’s no phase or facet of our lives in which He is not concerned. Indeed, it is good to give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.

But above all things, we can thank Him every day for salvation that He procured for us in the gift of His only begotten Son on the cross, not because we deserved it, not because we earned it, but because we didn’t deserve it and because we couldn’t earn it. The sacrifice of His only begotten Son, for the remission of our sins, is worthy of the expression of our thanks, don’t you think? That’s the least we can do. He has made our forgiveness possible. God, the offended one by our sin, has made reconciliation to Him possible in Christ Jesus. That’s Second Corinthians 5: 18 and it says, ‘Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us unto Himself that through Jesus Christ.’ (Now, that’s the New King James Version. The old King James Version says God has reconciled us to Himself by ‘Jesus Christ.’) And, ‘God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself.’ He forgives our sins and gives us a new beginning in life and makes us sons of God. And He has made all spiritual blessings available to us in Christ Jesus. That’s Ephesians 1 and 3. Ah, my! We should find it good to give thanks to the Lord. Let us pray. O Father, we have so many things for which we are thankful today. We’re thankful that we can assemble with so many people in their homes, and in the privacy and the quietness of their homes today and think about Your word and the blessings that we have in our relationship with You. We’re thankful, O Father, that You hear our prayers in the name of Jesus, and we thank You that we are free in America today to have a day of thanksgiving. In the Holy Name of Jesus we pray and thank You. Amen!

Now once more, I come to that all-important question for you, my friend. Are you a Christian? How can you not be when you consider all of the good things that God has done for you? Will you continue to receive all the blessings of God’s amazing love of which we have spoken and others, and yet continue to reject His Son as your savior? Oh, I hope you’re not that kind. Surely it is the goodness of God that will lead you to repentance, as we read in Romans chapter 2 and verse 4. Just as surely then, as a true believer in Jesus Christ, you will be baptized into Him, for the remission of your sins, as we’re taught in Acts chapter 2, verse 38. Jesus said, ‘He who believes and is baptized will be saved.’ At that moment you will receive the forgiveness of your sins when you are baptized. And you can also be reconciled to God in Christ! And if you’ll live as a child of God all the rest of your life, you will live with Him in eternity. Do that without delay. Do it today, friend. Would you? And make this Thanksgiving Day one to remember.

Among the many things for which I will be giving thanks to the Lord this week, as I do every week, is for you; and also for those people who help to make this program possible, those right here in your community who are members of churches of Christ. We’re being sponsored on this station by churches of Christ, and some members of these churches, right here in the area served by this station because they love you and they would like to have you attend their worship assemblies and be in their Bible classes. Do that, will you? Oh, I hope you will.

If you would like an audio cassette tape of this program on giving thanks to the Lord, write: In Search of the Lord’s Way, P.O. Box 371, Edmond, OK 73083. Or by e-mail it’s searchtv@searchtv.org. Some of you are finding it more convenient to call. If you prefer to do that, you may, and we’ll pay for the call. Our toll-free telephone number is 1 (800) 321-8633. For more information about the Search program and about churches of Christ, visit our website at www.searchtv.org. We’re streaming many of our programs on the website now, so if you had to miss one, it’s available there. Let me mention our free Bible Correspondence Courses, too. One is an eight-lesson course (eight colorful lessons) and you go from one end of the Bible to the other. The more advanced course is thirty lessons. Be sure to tell us now which one you want.

Let me repeat my invitation to you to attend your local church of Christ wherever you are.

Somewhere near you, probably, there’s a church of Christ who would welcome you warmly into their assemblies and classes. It would be no real problem to learn the time of their meetings, and if we may assist you in that, I hope you’ll let us. Be with us again next week, will you? And be telling other people about the program and encouraging them also because they can be built up spiritually as well. May God bless you now because we love you.”

Barack Hussein Obama—red envelop and letter to


Get red envelops. You can buy them at FedEx Kinko’s, at party supply stores, or just about any office supply store before Christmas—stock up. Address the envelop to:

President Barack Hussein Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20500

On a 3” X 5” card or a sheet of paper, write the following message or something similar: “This envelop represents one child who was MURDERED because of Supreme Court edict. The preborn baby that was destroyed is now unable to be part of our world. LIFE begins at conception.” Please sign your name with whatever message you send. Mail the message. Don’t forget to put your return address so it will show that it comes from different people and not a mass mailing of envelops with messages from one person.

Why red? The envelops represent the innocent blood shed through abortion and the blood JESUS shed for our sins. This campaign is a symbolic act to flood the mail with red. The more we send, the more powerful this symbol will be. Therefore, three days a year have been designated for mass mailings to the President—three because every preborn child has a body, soul, and spirit just as we do. The three times:

1) April 1: Why April 1st? It is recognized as April Fools Day. A Florida Court set April Fools Day as the atheist’s holy day. The judge said “The calendar says April 1st is April Fools Day. Psalm 14: 1 states, ‘The fool says in his heart, there is no God.’ Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day. Court is adjourned.” This is a footnote on page 462 of my Bible: “The Hebrew words rendered fool in Psalms (also in Proverbs—footnote on page 536) denotes one who is morally deficient.” (NIV) By definition, anyone who supports, condones, or MURDERS a preborn child must be morally deficient in GOD’S sight.

2) July 3: July 4th is the day we celebrate our independence—an independence that is based upon LIFE, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

3) November 24: (This year. The actual date should be the day before Thanksgiving.) Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for the gifts GOD has given us and has given mankind. One of those most precious gifts is the gift to create new life. Yet, we have become so morally depraved that we would rather allow the MURDER of that new life than give thanks for such a blessing. We MUST return to the attitude that children are a blessing and not a curse!

Do this each and every year until this obscene, immoral practice of MURDERING our own preborn children is ended. Praise and honor to GOD the CREATOR of all things! PRAY! LOVE! OBEY! SERVE! The VICTORY is won through JESUS, the CHRIST!

Barack Hussein Obama defeated in 2012—a petition


1 Million People to Defeat Barack Hussein Obama in 2010

“The new campaign to oust Barack Obama from the White House in 2012 is gaining steam. In the first hours since it was launched, nearly 4,500 people have signed up to join the campaign to ‘Defeat Barack Obama’ in the 2012 elections. And another 3,000 people have joined up via Facebook.

The Our Country Deserves Better Committee (the people who brought you the Tea Party Express effort) have launched a campaign to get 1 MILLION people on board to ‘Defeat Barack Obama.’ http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/1milliontodefeatbarackobama/

The first step is easy—we need you to sign up, and forward this campaign to every friend you have who will join us in the fight to ‘Defeat Barack Obama.’ We know we can reach 1 MILLION people if every person such as yourself does your part.

Online petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/1milliontodefeatbarackobama/

Next step: Forward this email to 3 of your conservative friends, please and share via social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc ...) by clicking the button below:

http://paracom.paramountcommunication.com/hostedemail/share.htm?h=10731a0e8256ce668a8628aa47236850&CID=7446438586&ch=36BC649400C77EDAC94C81D39ADF0CE8&show=1”

“The Petition

In the 2010 Midterm Elections ‘We The People’ fired Nancy Pelosi from her failed performance as House Speaker.

Now we take the next step by working to fire Barack Obama in the 2012 elections. But in order to be successful we will have to build a massive campaign to ensure that in 2012 we are strong enough to ‘Defeat Barack Obama’ and stop this nation’s slide towards socialism.

Please join the ‘Defeat Barack Obama’ campaign that we at the Our Country Deserves Better Committee have launched (we’re the same people who brought you the hugely successful Tea Party Express effort).

Sign the petition below and then send this to as many friends as you can who share our view that it’s time for ‘We The People’ to ‘Defeat Barack Obama’ once and for all!

SIGN PETITION

Name (required—my addition)

e-mail (required—my addition)

Comment”

Online petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/1milliontodefeatbarackobama/

My comment:

It’s a given. We the people need to remove him from office! It’s time to Take Back The Nation!

Update: Dick’s Sporting Goods plans to make changes

Two posts today:
From: American Family Association

“Dick’s responds to Christmas boycott: ‘Significant changes’ coming
November 19, 2010

Dear AFA Supporter,

Dick’s Sporting Goods has told AFA that ‘Christmas’ will become a huge part of their advertising beginning November 28.

According to Vice-Chairman Bill Columbo, in a phone conference with AFA today, ‘We have made significant changes from past years, when ‘holiday’ was the dominant theme of our advertising.’ Mr. Columbo told AFA that these changes were already in the works prior to AFA’s boycott announcement. (Do you believe this?—my addition) He apologized for not returning AFA’s phone calls and letters earlier to convey this message.

Dick’s issued a statement to AFA and its pro-Christmas supporters, outlining their plans to incorporate ‘Christmas’ in their advertising:

—Beginning November 28, Sunday newspaper inserts will read ‘Christmas 2010.’ It will continue each Sunday through Christmas.

—Dick’s website will display the Christmas message prior to the first insert (next week) in time for Thanksgiving day.

—Television commercials running after November 28th will also refer to Christmas season.

As a result of Dick’s response, AFA is cancelling the boycott. (If I shopped at Dick’s Sporting Goods and I don’t, I think I would wait until after I saw the actual ads and/or checked out the new website—my addition.)

It is amazing to see the culture change that is occurring inside corporate board rooms. All across America, companies are coming to realize they should include Christ and Christmas in their advertising.”

Christmas as supported by selected companies and a boycott


From: American Family Association

“Dear AFA Supporter,

As the Christmas shopping season begins full swing, AFA has prepared its annual ‘Naughty or Nice’

(http://action.afa.net/Detail.aspx?id=2147486887)

retailer list. We have taken the top 100 national retailers and reviewed their websites, media advertising and in-store signage in an effort to help you know which companies are Christmas-friendly.

Over the past five years, your AFA has stood firm in the ‘War on Christmas.’ Companies who used to refuse to acknowledge Christmas now have Christmas ‘shops’ inside their stores. Many of them now liberally use ‘Christmas’ in their advertising and in-store signage. Sadly, there are still some companies which refuse to use ‘Christmas.’ They continue to insult and offend Christian shoppers by sticking with their politically correct ‘holiday’ term.

On Friday, November 19, AFA will announce a ‘Christmas shopping boycott’ of a well-known major retailer who doesn’t deserve your business. This particular company has ignored yours and AFA’s pleas for years. We will be asking you to tell this company that you will not do any ‘Christmas’ shopping in its stores this year. Watch for the AFA Action Alert coming to your In-box this Friday!

Sincerely,

Tim Wildmon, President
American Family Association”

From: http://action.afa.net/Detail.aspx?id=2147486887

“Naughty or Nice?

AFA’s 2010 listing of top retailers and how they recognize Christmas

Based on current advertising, below is a list of companies that avoid, ban, or use the term ‘Christmas’ in their advertising. We will continually update the list, so check back often.

Criteria—AFA reviewed up to four areas to determine if a company was ‘Christmas-friendly’ in their advertising: print media (newspaper inserts), broadcast media (radio/television), website and/or personal visits to the store. If a company's ad has references to items associated with Christmas (trees, wreaths, lights, etc. [In my opinion, these are trappings that subtract, not add, to the meaning of Christmas. However, they are popular to some who profess to be Christians—my addition.]), it was considered as an attempt to reach ‘Christmas’ shoppers.

If a company has items associated with Christmas, but did not use the word ‘Christmas,’ then the company is considered as censoring ‘Christmas.’

Color Code:

GREEN: Company uses the term ‘Christmas’ on a regular basis, we consider that company Christmas-friendly.

YELLOW: Company refers to Christmas infrequently, or in a single advertising medium, but not in others.

RED: Company may use ‘Christmas’ sparingly in a single or unique product description, but as a company, does not recognize it.

A company may be removed from the ‘bad’ list by providing documentation to AFA.

SPECIAL ALERT! Legal group offers valuable resources

If you hear of instances of hostility toward Christmas expression, please let us know. AFA is working with the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) to provide resources for government and public school authorities laboring under the misimpression they must censor Christmas. You can contact ADF at [1 (800) TELL-ADF] for a copy of their legal analysis and memo on rights of seasonal expression at Christmas. We want to inform public officials about the law, and then encourage them to take a stand for Christmas.

Companies FOR ‘Christmas’ updated 11-17-10

Amazon.com
Bed Bath & Beyond
Belk
Best Buy
Big Lots
Books-A-Million
Cabella’s
Collective Brands
Costco
Dollar Tree
Family Dollar
Dollar General
H.E.B. Stores
Hallmark
Harris Teeter Stores
Hobby Lobby
Home Depot*
*See AFA’s current boycott of The Home Depot
[(http://action.afa.net/item.aspx?id=2147496231) I plan a blog on this issue shortly—my addition]

JC Penney
JoAnn Fabrics & Crafts Stores
Kmart
Kohl’s (I don’t shop at Kohl’s because it is owned by a libertine Democrat—my addition)
Kroger
Lowe’s
Macy’s
Meijer
Menard’s
Michael’s Stores
Neiman Marcus
Nordstrom
Petsmart
Pier One Imports
Publix
QVC
Rite Aid
Sears
Super D Drug Stores
Target
Walgreens
Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club

Companies marginalizing ‘Christmas’ updated 11-17-10

Bass Pro Shops
Banana Republic
Bath & Body Works
Gap Stores
Hancock Fabrics
Hy-Vee Stores
Old Navy
Limited Brands
Safeway
Starbucks
Toys R Us
Whole Foods

Companies against ‘Christmas’ updated 11-17-10

Barnes & Noble
CVS Pharmacy
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Office Depot
Radio Shack
Staples
SUPERVALU
Victoria’s Secret”

From: American Family Association

“AFA Calling for a ‘Christmas’ Boycott of Dick’s Sporting Goods

11/18/2010 7: 50:00 PM
By Press Release—American Family Association

(http://www.afa.net/)

American Family Association (AFA) is calling for a limited ‘Christmas’ boycott of Dick’s Sporting Goods over the company’s censorship of the word ‘Christmas.’

The boycott is part of AFA’s ongoing campaign to encourage businesses, communities and individuals to put Christ back in Christmas. The boycott runs from November 18 through Christmas Day. AFA has issued an AFA Action Alert on its homepage http://www.afa.net/ and at http://action.afa.net/Detail.aspx?id=2147500566.

The material in the [ ] is from the second link above:

[“Take Action: Dick’s Sporting Goods snubs Christmas
Dick’s has purposely banned Christmas in its advertising for years.
November 19, 2010

If you go into a Dick’s Sporting Goods store, don’t look for ‘Christmas.’ It won’t be there.

You won’t find it in their newspaper inserts or on their website either. As for their television commercials ... forget it. Ironically, Dick’s website makes a big deal out of its ‘Holiday Shop.’ Complete with bows, ornaments and trees. But it’s not Christmas, it’s ‘holiday.’

In our research of the Top 100 retailers in America, Dick’s advertising is likely the most ‘anti-Christmas’ of all. We looked high and low for ‘Christmas’ at Dick’s, only to find they couldn’t care less if they offend you and other Christians.

Sure, Dick’s wants you to buy their products ... but no retailer in the nation has appeared to go out of its way to snub ‘Christmas’ more than Dick’s. (You might rarely find it as a manufacturer’s item description)

AFA has tried repeatedly to meet with Dick’s Sporting Goods. Unfortunately, they have chosen to ignore our calls and registered letters addressed to company president Joseph Schmidt.

TAKE ACTION

AFA is calling for a nationwide boycott of Dick’s Sporting Goods stores now through December 25.

Let Dick’s know you are offended by their complete disregard for ‘Christmas’ and will boycott their stores this season.

Email Dick's Sporting Goods president Joe Schmidt, then call and share your concern with Chief Marketing Officer Jeff Hennion at (724) 273-3400 (ask to be connected to his office).

To send an e-mail: http://secure.afa.net/afa/activism/TakeAction.asp?id=385”]

For years, Dick’s has refused to use the word ‘Christmas’ in its television commercials, newspaper ads and in-store promotions, despite thousands of consumer requests to recognize Christmas and in spite of repeated requests from AFA to do the same. AFA’s registered letters to Dick’s president, Joseph Schmidt, were ignored.

‘AFA calls on Dick’s to join the growing number of national stores that are now using the word ‘Christmas’ again,’ AFA president Tim Wildmon said. ‘There is a movement to rid America of its Christian heritage. One of the ways to do this is get rid of Christmas as a special holiday. People do not buy ‘holiday’ gifts, they buy others gifts for Christmas, everyone knows this, and that is precisely what gives companies like Dick’s a huge boost this time of year. Dick’s should not feel like they are offending shoppers to use the word ‘Christmas.’’

In the past AFA has played a part in convincing other retailers to change their approach. For example, Sears backed away from its censorship of the word ‘Christmas’ and now even offers a ‘Christmas Club’ on its website. Lowe’s revamped its in-store signage and website to spread ‘Christmas’ to customers nationwide. Wal-Mart has a dedicated ‘Christmas Shop’ in its stores.

Randy Sharp, AFA director of special projects, said that since Dick’s is boycotting Christmas, AFA will boycott Dick’s Sporting Goods during the Christmas season.

American Family Association is a pro-family advocacy organization with over 2.5 million online supporters.”

I believe that Christians and others who support Christian values and morals should spend their money at businesses that are like minded. The two areas I think are most important are in the areas of MURDERING unborn babies and supporting homosexual behavior. We should not spend money with businesses that support MURDER and/or homosexual behavior. However, there is no question that libertine groups like the ACLU have been waging a war against Christianity in the public sphere. This war includes an attack on Christmas.

I’ve written on a past post that the ACLU successfully demanded that the city of Tucson not support a Day of Prayer. And yet, during that same time period, the ACLU was silent when the mayor of Tucson led a Hanukah celebration at his office with school children as participants. Hanukah was okay; a Day of Prayer was not. I also wrote where the choir of Morton High School sang Christmas songs at a school event and nothing traumatic occurred and, as far as I know, no one from the public was “offended” or complained.

Because of the continuing attacks by the ACLU and similar groups upon Christians and because of these groups misuse and abuse of the First amendment, I’ve decided to post this material today. The nation NEEDS MUCH MORE of CHRIST; not less! As I’ve said before, government can and will save NO ONE; only through JESUS the CHRIST is salvation possible. ONLY THROUGH JESUS the CHRIST!!!

History learned


A change of pace today. Tuesday, July, 06, 2010 according to the website.

I don’t know how long it took to get this video or what percent of the people gave the right answers and therefore were edited out. However, aren’t these questions that every American should be able to answer?

If you haven’t seen this you’ve got to watch! I’ve been going through my old e-mails and came across this. It seems to be a sad commentary until grandpa saves the day.

From: http://townhall.com/video/jay-leno-shows-americans-lack-of-basic-historical-concepts

Illegal immigration back before Congress


From Tea Party Nation

“The Nightmare returns

Posted by Judson Phillips on November 17, 2010 at 7: 26 pm in Discussions

The left calls it the Dream act (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act which, of course, includes illegal immigrants in the concept of aliens—not just those here legally—my addition). We should call it the nightmare act. It is back in front of Congress and once again, we need to stop it.

The Dream act, contrary to the lies the left is spreading is not simply an act to help children who were brought to this country at a young age and had no control over their circumstances. This is a stealth amnesty bill.

Among the other provisions of the bill:

The bill is not limited to children. This bill would put illegals that are over 30 or even 40 on a ‘path to citizenship.’ Of course, you and I are going to pay the bill for this. This bill includes Federal Student Aid and Guaranteed Student Loans.

If you are an illegal, you may stop all deportation proceedings. This will even apply to criminals.

Gang members, those who have absconded from deportation orders, those who have committed voter fraud or other frauds may now apply for amnesty under this bill.

One estimate says over two million illegals will be eligible for amnesty under this bill. Given the magic that happens when amnesty is mentioned, the number is surely going to be significantly higher.

There is no requirement that an illegal who applies under this section even complete the education they are taking advantage of.

This is going to be one of the toughest fights we have had. The lame duck congress is going to take this up the week after they return from the Thanksgiving holiday. There are so many retiring or lame duck members who simply do not care, it will be hard to stop this in the House, but we must try.

Our best shot at stopping this is in the Senate where we maybe able to get Republican senators to filibuster.

Call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and call your Senators and Congressman. Tell them to stop the Dream Act.

If the Obama/Pelosi/Reid axis … listened to the American people and cared about the will of the people, they would not bring this matter up. They do not care. We must care and we must fight.

Call your Senators and Congressmen today. This is the left’s last gasp and we must stop them.”

From suing the State of Arizona illegally (Illegal because the federal government, in its wisdom, sued Arizona in the wrong court—the Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in cases involving States.), to trying to get an amnesty bill for all illegal immigrants, to this watered down version of amnesty for some; the libertine Democrats have been desperate to increase their voting base by adding illegal immigrants to their core groups of supporters. Given the results of the last election and the distaste for Obama policies, they realize this may be their last attempt to accomplish this goal. The Senate probably is the best place to stop this. Concentrate on your own Senators and on the 23 Democratic Senators who are up for reelection in 2012. Contact information on the 23 is available on my post of November 10th: “Democratic Senators up for reelection in 2012—contact information”

Newly elected West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin does not yet have his official website up and running. However, he is up for reelection in 2012 and information about him is given at the link below:

http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/senators/one_item_and_teasers/Manchin_Joe.htm

From that link, his office address is:

Senator Joe Manchin
311 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-3954
Using my format and the information I currently have:
West Virginia—Joe Manchin (Democrat)
Hart Senate Office Building—311
Washington, D.C. 20510
http://www.manchin.senate.gov/ Website (probably, but not yet available)
Phone: (202) 224-3954
FAX: ()
District Office: ()
Religion: Listed as
Occupation before elected: Businessman, Public Official

In Illinois, newly elected Senator Mark Kirk has not yet been sworn in. I don’t know if appointed Senator Roland Burris still has any authority to vote. I would hope NOT!!!

Senate primed for cloture vote to regulate food producers


From Tea Party Nation

“Harry Reid In Your Dinner—A critical cloture vote is scheduled for this Wednesday S 510 ... please act!

Posted by Eve N. Stephens on November 15, 2010 at 8: 30 pm

A critical cloture vote is scheduled for this Wednesday, November 17, on S. 510, the so-called ‘Food Safety Modernization Act,’ which will open the floodgates for tyrannical federal bureaucrats to crush local producers of healthy food.

The statists in the Senate are banking on us not paying attention after the elections in order to ram another disgusting bill down our throats.

Don’t fall for their rhetoric about a few provisions that supposedly address concerns of small-scale farmers; the FDA still has all the power it needs to shut down family farms on a whim.

In other words, it will be up to bureaucrats to decide whether or not local food production is decimated by federal regulations or shut down if the FDA has ‘reason to believe’ the food on the premises is contaminated.

While family farms face greater scrutiny and increased costs, the government’s Big Agriculture allies will have no problem adjusting to the new rules.

In these tough economic times, S. 510 will drive up the costs of food production by adding more layers of government interference. Like Cap and Tax, which will guarantee higher energy bills, S. 510 will ensure you pay more to meet an essential need. (Almost a given when increased government regulations are applied. I’m not familiar with this bill or with what is and is not needed. However, later in this post, Dick Durbin is listed as one of the cosponsors of the bill—Dick Durbin of Illinois. That, in and of itself, is sufficient reason to oppose the bill unless overwhelming, accurate evidence is available to be in support of the bill. I don’t trust Dick Durbin under any circumstances!—my addition)

We know Congress won’t be the one tightening its belt: Section 401 of S. 510 authorizes nearly $1 billion to grow the government’s reach and calls for over 17,000 new bureaucrats to be hired through fiscal year 2014 (just for starters). (That’s only approximately $59,000 per new bureaucrat—probably an underestimate of the real costs for this new program—my addition.)

The bill also grants blanket authority for federal agencies to impose international guidelines and standards on domestic food producers—giving agencies authority to harmonize all American food production and processes in line with the globalist Codex.

Well-intentioned amendments to this rotten bill are not enough to make it anything other than unconstitutional.

It should be noted that Senators:

1) Tom Harkin (Democrat-Iowa) [up for reelection in 2014]

2) Mike Enzi (Republican-Wyoming) [up for reelection in 2014]

3) Dick Durbin (Democrat-Illinois) [up for reelection in 2014]

4) Judd Gregg (Republican-New Hampshire) [a lame duck Senator who is retiring at the end of this session]

5) Chris Dodd (Democrat-Connecticut) [a lame duck Senator who is retiring at the end of this session] and

6) Richard Burr (Republican-North Carolina) [reelected this year]

coordinated to reach a ‘bipartisan’ agreement earlier in the year to forge ahead with the otherwise stalled bill.

If you are a constituent of any of these senators, they especially need to hear from you.

Don’t let the statists empower their Big Agriculture allies and destroy reputable food producers like the independent family farm, where the free market works every day to provide the public with healthy choices.

Please contact your senators opposing S 510 NOW, before it’s to late!”

“Democratic Senators up for reelection in 2012”—my post on November 10th gives contact information for these specific Senators.

Illinois General Assembly wants to expand gambling AGAIN during the Veto Session!


From Illinois Family Institute

“IFI E-Alert: Massive Expansion of Gambling during the Veto Session?

From our friends at ILCAAAP:

(http://www.ilcaaap.org/home/index.php)

Gambling interests and lawmakers are working behind closed doors on a massive expansion of gambling that will triple the amount of casino gambling in Illinois:

1) Land-based casino in Chicago, with more than twice as many gambling positions (4,000)

2) 3 additional casinos in Lake County (Park City), Danville, Ford Heights (3,600 positions)

3) 6,300 video gambling/slot machines at 6 racetracks in Arlington Heights, Maywood, Balmoral, Hawthorne, Quad-City Downs (East Moline), Fairmount (Collinsville)

4) 800 more gambling positions at existing and new casinos (10,400 more gambling positions)

5) Allocates money to County Fairs to conduct wagering on horse racing

6) All riverboats may become land-based casinos

Two gambling bills could be voted on during the upcoming Veto Session, which starts next week! The first bill (SB 3146)

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/96/sb/pdf/09600sb3146lv.pdf

transforms the six racetracks into land-based casinos by legalizing video gambling and slot machines. Local people could gamble on the machines 365 days a year, not just when live horse racing occurs. The experience in other states is that 90 percent of the revenue comes from the gambling machines, not from betting on horses. The second, larger bill, the massive expansion of gambling described above, has something for all the gambling interests.

The racetracks and horsemen held a Rally [recently], and they are personally contacting State Legislators to emphasize this is a jobs bill. We need you to also make personal contact by visiting or phoning your State Legislators to emphasize the HARM and jobs that will be LOST with a MASSIVE EXPANSION OF GAMBLING.

(Increased gambling IS NOT job creating! When the government is involved, IT IS STATE SANCTIONED STEALING!!! Plain and simple!—my addition)

Note: One net job is lost each year for each operating electronic gambling device/slot machine. (U. S. International Gambling Report)

Click here:

http://www.votervoice.net/core.aspx?aid=728&issueid=10773&atid=17866&siteid=0&app=GAC&isvisited=true

to contact your state lawmakers today. These gambling bills could move very fast during the VETO Session!

Please tell them ‘NO MORE GAMBLING—PERIOD.’” (AMEN! And then we move to remove the gambling that these uninformed so-called representatives have permitted!—my addition)

From: http://www.ilcaaap.org/home/index.php as of 11/15/2010

“Communities that Banned Video Gambling

a.k.a. Communities that have made a wise decision in relation to economic growth and social development

01) Addison

02) Arlington Heights

03) Batavia

04) Beach Park

05) Bloomingdale

06) Buffalo Grove

07) Burbank

08) Campton Hills

09) Carbondale

10) Carol Stream

11) Country Club Hills

12) Darien

13) Downers Grove

14) East Dundee

15) Elburn

16) Elmhurst

17) Evanston

18) Glen Ellyn

19) Glenview

20) Grayslake

21) Gurnee

22) Hanover Park

23) Hawthorne Wood

24) Highland Park

25) Hinsdale

26) Itasca

27) Kenilworth

28) Kildeer

29) La Grange

30) Lake Bluff

31) Lake Forest

32) Libertyville

33) Lincolnshire

34) Lincolnwood

35) Lisle

36) Mettawa

37) Morton

38) Mt. Prospect

39) Naperville

40) Northbrook

41) Oak Park

42) Oakbrook Terrace

43) Orland Park

44) Palos Heights

45) Palos Park

46) Park Ridge

47) Rochester

48) Roselle

49) Rosemont

50) Schiller Park

51) South Barrington

52) South Holland

53) St. Charles

54) Villa Park

55) Wadsworth

56) Warrenville

57) Wayne

58) West Chicago

59) West Dundee

60) Westmont

61) Wheaton

62) Wilmette

63) Winfield

64) Winnetka

65) Wood Dale

Counties that have banned video gambling within their jurisdiction:

a.k.a. Counties that have made a wise decision in relation to economic growth and social development

01) Cook County

02) Du Page County

03) Lake County

04) McHenry County

Communities Discussing Video Gambling

a.k.a. Communities that have not yet realized and/or accepted the consequences of gambling on economic growth and social development

01) Antioch

02) Barrington

03) Burr Ridge

04) Champaign

05) Deerfield

06) DeKalb

07) Elgin

08) Fox Lake

09) Homewood

10) Johnsburg

11) Lindenhurst

12) Oak Lawn

13) Oak Forest

14) Oswego

15) Palos Hills

16) Pingree Grove

17) Schaumburg

18) Southland

19) Tinley Park

20) Urbana

Counties Discussing Video Gambling

a.k.a. Counties that have not yet realized and/or accepted the consequences of gambling on economic growth and social development

01) Champaign County

02) Effingham County

03) Peoria County

04) Tazewell County

05) Will County

Communities that Will Not Ban Video Gambling

a.k.a. Communities that haven’t got a clue about economic growth and social development

01) Homer

02) Lake in the Hills

03) Mt. Zion

04) Rock Island

05) Rockford

06) Wauconda

Counties that Will Not Ban Video Gambling

a.k.a. Counties that haven’t got a clue about economic growth and social development

01) Kane County”

Illinois General Assembly to try to sneak through “civil unions” for homosexuals at “veto session” this week


From Illinois Family Institute
http://www.illinoisfamily.org/

“Oct 14, 2010

IFI E-Alert: Pending Vote on Civil Unions During the Veto Session?

(This is no longer a question mark. It has been stated that the General Assembly will try to pass a bill establishing “civil unions” for homosexual behavior!—my addition)

Contact Your State Rep. Today!!

By David E. Smith, IFI Executive Director—Illinois Family Institute

Late last week, the Chicago Tribune and other media outlets reported that in a sit-down with the editorial board of the Daily Herald, Gov. Pat Quinn was asked if civil unions could be a reality in the state by Christmas.

Quinn's answer as reported by the Herald:

(http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20101005/news/710069999/)

‘The votes are there, I believe,’ Quinn said. ‘In the Senate for sure, and definitely I think we can do it in the House.’

He called himself a ‘strong advocate of civil unions …’

‘I think we can pass it this year. I would like to see it voted on earlier,’ Quinn said.

Take ACTION: Contact your state representative to preserve natural marriage in Illinois!

Click >>>HERE<<< to send an email or fax to your state representative.

(http://www.votervoice.net/core.aspx?aid=728&issueid=10350&atid=17831&siteid=0&app=GAC&isvisited=true)

You can also call the Capitol switchboard at (217) 782-2000 and ask your representative to please vote “NO’ on SB 1716 and, instead, pass a constitutional amendment to preserve marriage and its unique benefits for one man and one woman. (Be assured, legislators take very seriously the calls, letters and emails they receive.)

The only difference between same-sex ‘marriage’ and ‘civil unions’ is in name. The rights and privileges would be the same.

(TRUE!!! And BOTH are contrary to the WORD of GOD!!! Government BEWARE, when you think you know more than GOD!!! You don‘t!!! You can‘t!!! You will only bring condemnation upon the government and its citizens!!! GOD does NOT allow sin to go on indefinitely without PUNISHMENT—my addition)

Background

We must point out that victories by pro-family candidates on November 2, 2010 do not take effect until January 2011, which means that defeated and retired lawmakers (aka lame ducks) will return to the legislature in mid-November and again in early January to wrap up unfinished business. This is when things can get very interesting. Lame duck lawmakers have nothing to lose politically, and may surprise constituents in how they cast their votes.

(And this has happened before in relation to homosexual behavior! A “lame duck” General Assembly snuck in legislation in support of homosexual behavior. One Peoria area legislator voted for it after losing to now Congressman Aaron Schock and a Peoria area State Senator was bribed with a Democratic Party leadership position to change his vote. He then retired at the end of his term thus avoiding another election before his constituents—my addition.)

Current state lawmakers are scheduled to return to Springfield November 16-18 and November 29 -December 1.

(Up date: And Speaker of the House—Mike Madigan—has already said the House will meet in January before the beginning of the new legislative session to deal with “pressing” proposed legislation—my addition.)

(Note that this Senate bill was originally filed in May of 2009 as an amendment, as often happens, to by-pass the required three readings using this specific language and has NOT to this point been able to be passed by the General Assembly. Thus, this latest sneak attack to circumvent the will of the people! This State is SO CORRUPT!!!—my addition)

SB 1716

(http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/96/sb/pdf/09600sb1716ham001.pdf)

would create homosexual ‘civil unions’ in our state. This anti-family legislation passed the House Youth and Family Committee on March 5, 2009 and is now on 3rd Reading—the last step before a vote.

IT IS VITAL THAT WE MAKE OUR WILL KNOWN TO STATE LEGISLATORS.

If our legislators give all the rights and benefits of marriage to homosexual partners (through civil unions), the next step will be to allow gay ‘marriage.’

Civil unions, same-sex ‘marriages,’ and domestic partnerships will destroy marriage as we know it. When governments offer sex-partner benefits, they are essentially endorsing the behavior. (NOT essentially! THEY ARE ENDORSING homosexual behavior. THEY ARE ENDORSING SIN!!!—my addition)These government-sanctioned sex-partner benefits will take us one short step away from legalizing ‘marriage’ between two people of the same sex. Marriage by any other name is still marriage.

Those who want to redefine marriage often insist that the only necessary qualification for marriage is ‘love.’ Under that rationale, there can logically be no boundaries as to what constitutes marriage. Any combination or number of consenting individuals must ultimately gain the same legal and societal sanction as traditional marriage. While love is vital, it is not the definitive element of marriage, and love is certainly not the concern of government. We love many people we do not marry. (TRUE!!!—my addition)

Natural marriage and family must not be undermined. The data are clear and irrefutable—children do best in stable, healthy homes with both a mom and dad. Illinois’ children deserve the ideal environment and must have healthy examples. Today, with millions of fatherless children, it is callous and irresponsible to make matters worse by redefining the most basic institution of marriage to suit the desires of a few selfish (AND SINFUL—my addition) adults.

We have an opportunity to stop this bill that would establish counterfeit marriage. We must preserve one-man, one-woman marriage as the highest social good for society and for our children by urging our legislature to vote against HB 2234 and to support the passage of HJRCA 2

(http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/96/hjrca/pdf/09600hc0002lv.pdf)

—an amendment preserving marriage and banning all counterfeits—introduced by State Representative David Reis (R-Olney).

Please call your state representative now. We cannot afford to let this bill get to Governor Patrick Quinn’s desk, as he is on record in support of it.

Bottom line: People should not be granted special legal protection and benefits based on their sexual preferences and voluntary behaviors. Moreover, homosexual ‘marriage’ is not a civil right. (And NEVER will be!!!—my addition)

Voters are able to send an e-mail to their State Representatives (House and Senate) from this website by clicking the ‘take action’ button and following the directions.

http://www.votervoice.net/core.aspx?aid=728&issueid=10350&atid=17831&siteid=0&app=GAC&isvisited=false”

This immoral and unacceptable proposal has been defeated before because of a public outcry. It can and will be again if the people respond once again. The FINAL RESPONSIBILITY IS OURS!!!

DON’T TREAD ON ME!—three months later
 
The following is my post from August 13, 2010:

“‘Early flags designed for use in the American colonies reflected the Old World origin of the colonists. In the British colonies many flags were adaptations of the British Union Jack (see Flags, National). The colors red, white, and blue, which symbolized colonial unity, were first used in a flag in New England in 1737. The flag was blue with a white canton quartered by a red cross. In one upper quarter of the canton was a globe symbolizing the New World.

As relations with Great Britain became more strained, the colonists designed a large number of flags expressive of their political sentiments and ideals. A favorite emblematic device in the flags of the southern colonies was a rattlesnake, usually depicted as coiled and ready to strike and having 13 rattles. In South Carolina it was emblazoned on a yellow flag and was accompanied by the inscription ‘DONT TREAD ON ME.’’” Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2007 [DVD]. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft, Corporation, 2006.

I don’t know about others, but I have issues where I have figuratively ‘drawn a line in the sand.’ I will not obey laws that are in direct violation with GOD’S will. One of those lines is being required to support the MURDER of American citizens by law—in this case, the MURDER of unborn babies financed by the federal government. This is an instance of ‘DON’T TREAD ON ME.’ GOD’S law supersedes any man-made law!

I have, for a long time, taken the position that I don’t give my money to governments any sooner than required. Consequently, I owe taxes to the federal government every year when I file my income tax. Also, because I prepare taxes for others, I usually don’t file until the August 15th extension deadline.

This year, as normal, I owe taxes to the federal government. This year, I WILL NOT FILE! AND I WILL TELL THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT JUST THAT!

The question is when. If you’ve read my book, you know that 13 is the prime number for The Black Sword. It is also mine. As it happens, August 13th is on a Friday—Friday the 13th. Would there be any better day to say to the federal government—DON’T TREAD ON ME; DON’T TREAD ON GOD’S LAW!

Consequently, that’s the day I will notify the federal government that I refuse to help finance the MURDER of unborn babies.

I WILL NOT SUPPORT A GOVERNMENT THAT REQUIRES ME TO HELP FINANCE THE MURDER OF UNBORN BABIES!

DON’T TREAD ON ME!

DON’T TREAD ON GOD’S LAW!

The letter to the IRS attached to a 1040 form with just my name, address, social security number, and signature included on the form:

Donald L. Vance
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Morton, Illinois 61550
August 13, 2010

Be it known that:

MURDERING unborn babies is obscenely immoral and illegal.

Requiring citizens to finance the MURDER of unborn babies is obscenely immoral and illegal making every citizen an accessory to the crime of MURDER.

Therefore:

In all good conscience, as a Christian who must answer to a higher authority—GOD—WHO is both just and moral, I will neither file nor pay income tax to an immoral, illegal manmade institution which condones and finances the MURDER of unborn babies.
GOD bless the United States if it is obedient to the WILL of GOD.

GOD condemn the United States if it is immoral, rebellious, and unrepentant as it disobeys the WILL of GOD.

Donald L. Vance

Copy sent to Barack Hussein Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid.

Naturally, I will update this situation on this blog as appropriate.”

I did mail the above letter to the IRS. Three months later, I have still not heard from them. No one claiming to represent the IRS has knocked on the door late at night, early in the morning, or at any other time.

This is not really surprising. The IRS tends to run slow. I had a client this year who filed in February. The IRS held up the return and he did not receive his total refund until early in September.

From my September 13th blog used to update any IRS action:

“Probably after the November election—November 13th—I will list possible actions the IRS may take. Or, the agency may have taken action by then. Stay tuned for the latest updates.”

Here are some possible reactions by the IRS:

1) Do nothing. The agency may decide that going after this one small fish is not worth the resources and the possible consequences. Going after me may/will generate publicity and may/will encourage others to refuse to file for the same or similar reasons.

2) Wait. Wait for a second, third, or more filing deadline to be passed to help build up a case against me. Then too, if Obamacare is repealed and I start paying my taxes again (including any back taxes owed) the problem will be solved naturally.

3) Begin the notification process. Send out that ubiquitous “IRS form letter” seeking information on why I have not filed my income tax/encourage me to file to avoid penalties and possible criminal action against me.

4) File criminal charges. It is a crime to deliberately NOT file a federal income tax form if certain conditions requiring a filed form are met.

5) Send out Obama “enforcers.” Ok, I’m not too serious about this one. But then, who knows what this administration will do to get its way?

Stay tuned.

Joe Miller and Alaska’s Fraud


I am posting two e-mails I received concerning the Alaskan Senate election. The first was dated October 30th—the Saturday before the 2010 general election—and the second I received within the last couple of days. Also, included is a short newspaper article about the recount of the ballots cast in the Alaskan Senate election.

Republicans are now trying to steal an election from another Republican? Do some of these RINO Republicans in Alaska think they are Democrats? We all expect libertine Democrats to cheat. Is that now also the standard for RINO Republicans?

From: http://www.teapartyexpress.com/

“October 30, 2010

We always tell you the truth—even when it’s bad news.

And in Alaska, the past few weeks have been nothing but bad news. The deck, it seems, is stacked against us. RINO Lisa Murkowski was able to get her friend, who is the head of the Elections Division in Alaska to violate the law and print out a list of write-in candidate’s names, so that voters would be given a sheet listing Lisa Murkowski’s name —in order to maximize the votes for Murkowski.

But it doesn't end there. The Elections Chief, Murkowski’s friend, has also announced that voters need not spell Murkowski’s name correctly and they’d still count the votes for Murkowski—again breaking with not only tradition but the law.

For the past few weeks, Murkowski has been smearing Joe Miller, because while he worked as a Federal Magistrate in Alaska he used his computer, and other computers in the office to vote in an online poll.

That’s Joe Miller’s big offense. Never mind that Murkowski voted for the bailouts, the ‘Son of Stimulus’ and hundreds of millions in earmarks. Joe Miller voted in an online poll and the media, along with Murkowski’s allies are smearing him.

And if that wasn't enough, the National Republican Senatorial Committee refuses to campaign against Murkowski—as they don’t want to offend or alienate her, even though she lost the Republican nomination for Senate.

So it seems that only we, the Tea Party Express, are willing to campaign against her. Thus, we need your help in these final days of the campaign, as we place radio and TV ads in support of Joe Miller, and in opposition to RINO Lisa Murkowski.
Please, help us fight back. If you can give $50, $100, $500, $1,000 or more (up to the maximum allowed contribution of $5,000 per individual) to our campaign supporting Joe Miller, we can overcome the dirty tricks of Lisa Murkowski’s campaign. Contribute online—HERE.
(https://secure.donationsafe.com/jms)”

From the Peoria Journal Star, November 11, 2010, page A2:

“Juneau, Alaska—Alaska election officials began counting more than 92,500 write-in ballots Wednesday in a Senate race that may hinge on voters’ penmanship and their ability to spell ‘Murkowski.’

Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski ran as a write-in candidate after losing Alaska’s GOP primary to Joe Miller.

An early tally of 19,203 ballots Wednesday showed Murkowski winning 89 percent of the write-in vote without dispute. Another 8.5 percent of ballots were counted for her but contested. There were two write-in votes for ‘Joe Miller.’”

The second e-mail:

From: Senate Conservatives Fund

“Joe Miller recount fund

Dear Fellow Conservative:

I have some good news to report on the still too-close-to-call Senate race in Alaska. Absentee ballots are breaking decidedly in Joe Miller’s favor.

If the absentees continue on this path, Joe will have narrowed the margin by 2,800 votes or more, leaving him approximately 10,000 votes behind the number of ‘write in’ votes. That’s roughly a 5.1% deficit for Miller, down from 6.6%.

To put this into perspective, consider that at least 1% of the ‘write-in’ votes are likely for Joe or one of the many other write-in candidates, and more than 5% of the votes could be ruled invalid (previous write-ins have seen as high as 7.8% ruled invalid).

The bottom line is this: If the write-in ballots are counted according to the standard required by Alaska law, Joe Miller has a very real chance of winning.

I want to thank each of you who contributed to the Joe Miller Recount Fund. We’ve raised over $130,000 so far thanks to your generous support. These funds will be critical in maintaining the integrity of this election.

Alaska law is very clear on what constitutes a valid write-in ballot. Alaskan voters must spell the name of the write-in candidate correctly on their ballot in order for it to count. Alaska’s law does not permit election officials to use the messy, subjective standard of ‘voter intent.’

Let’s make sure Joe Miller has the resources he needs to stop anyone who might want to bend the law to change the outcome of the election. Please support the Joe Miller Recount Fund today.
(https://senateconservatives.com/savejoemiller?c=O94CDA867A53122)

The Joe Miller Recount Fund is a separate committee with separate contribution limits. Individuals may give up to $2,400 even if they donated to Joe Miller’s campaign before the election.

Thank you for your continued support. Please pray for Joe and his family and for everyone involved in the election process in Alaska.

Respectfully,

Jim DeMint
United States Senator
Chairman, Senate Conservatives Fund

Please support the Joe Miller Recount Fund today.
(https://senateconservatives.com/savejoemiller?c=O94CDA867A53122)”

A fair WARNING to Alaska:

America is watching! With the internet, this election recount WILL NOT occur in the dark! Alaska already has one Senator who was elected through fraud—federal prosecutorial impropriety and misconduct. Do you want a second straight Senatorial election tainted by fraud and GOVERNMENTAL misconduct?

“November Speaks Event” in Washington, D.C. and virtual march


This is time sensitive material so I am posting it today. Besides signing the virtual petition, remember the Congressmen who can be most likely influenced includes all members of the House and the Senators who are up for reelection in 2012.

From: Americans for Prosperity

Prosperity Alert: November 2010

Take Action—November Speaks Event—Nov. 15

November Speaks Event - Nov. 15 - Washington, D.C.

(http://novemberspeaks.com/)

The Lame Duck Session is now a reality, with both the House and the Senate set to return Nov. 15th for a one week session, followed by a one week break for Thanksgiving, and at least one more week at the beginning of December. AFP activists will travel to the nation’s capital to tell Congress that November has spoken and Washington can’t ignore the American people in a lame duck session.

November Speaks Event on Capitol Hill
Monday, Nov. 15th, NOON

Featuring Rep. Michele Bachmann and other speakers

Coalition Partners:

1) Institute for Liberty

2) Smart Girl Politics

3) Tea Party WDC

4) 60+ Association

5) and Let Freedom Ring

1st and Constitution (across from Cannon House Terrace)

If you can’t make our event in Washington, D.C., click here

(http://novemberspeaks.com/)

join the virtual March on Washington and let Congress know you won’t let them ignore the election.

Save the Date—U.N. Climate Change Conference in Cancun, Mexico—Dec. 2nd

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 16) will meet in Cancun, Mexico from November 29–December 10 2010; and Americans for Prosperity is taking our Hot Air Tour there to meet them on December 2nd. The COP meetings are a series of conferences aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions; transferring wealth and technology from developed to developing nations; and raising the cost of traditional energy in order to prop up politically popular new sources.

To stay up to date on AFP’s Hot Air Tour event planned for Dec. 2nd, click here!

(http://hotairtour.org/index.php?content=newpa)

National Review—An Opportunity, Not an Endorsement

Over the past several years, we’ve had the honor of working with millions of free-market activists across the country. You have taken time away from your families, your work, and your lives to get involved in the public-policy process in an unprecedented way.

Washington ignored your concerns and pushed forward with a big-government agenda of out-of-control spending, regulation, and taxes. Voters decisively rejected that agenda in this election.

We caution Republicans, however, against interpreting this election as an endorsement of their recent performance, which has too often fallen short of their professed principles.

This election provides an opportunity for Republicans to prove themselves worthy of the support of grassroots free-market activists. Indeed, this may be the best opportunity they will have for a generation.

Click here
(http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/252430/opportunity-not-endorsement-tim-phillips)

to read the rest of this article by AFP’s Tim Phillips and Phil Kerpen.

Military spending in the hands of an Obama appointed commission


From Tea Party Nation

"Obama’s birthday present to the United States Marine Corps.

Posted by Judson Phillips on November 10, 2010 at 7: 19pm in Discussions

“The White House Commission on Reducing the Deficit did what all liberals do. When the budget needs to be cut, cut the defense budget. In this case, the commission recommended that the F-35B fighter be scrapped and there be no more purchases of the V-22 Osprey for the Marines.

The left always does a rope-a-dope with conservatives on big-ticket military items. They say if you will cancel the current one, to save money, we think this next item coming along is worthy of support. The only thing is, when that one comes along, the libs have problem with it too.

The F-35B is designed to replace the AV-8B Harrier, the famous jump jet. The Harrier first flew in 1969. Although Harriers remained in production until 2003, it is an old design. Liberals complain about American casualties when we have to fight. Has it ever occurred to them that if they supported the military and gave them the modern equipment they want, there might not be as many casualties?

The F-22 is the best fighter in the world. The Air Force wanted 750 of them. In 2009, Obama threatened to veto a defense bill if it contained any more funding for the F-22 program. Congress went along and production of that airplane ended with only 187 planes. Obama said he favored the F-35 over the F-22. Now that the F-22 is gone, Obama now wants to start gutting the F-35 program.

The V-22 is a hybrid aircraft that takes off like a helicopter but then transitions so it flies like an airplane. This gives it greater speed, range and payload than a regular helicopter. The commission wants to stop buying these in favor of a thirty-year-old helicopter design that is much less capable.

This makes no sense. It is a dangerous world out there. We have enemies (Islamic Terrorists) and those who want to see how weak we are (China) and this is the wrong time to be gutting the military.

Ronald Reagan built the American military back up and every President since then has been blowing the peace dividend. Unfortunately military equipment gets old and outdated and has to be replaced. Now is the time the equipment has to be replaced.

When our Soldiers, Sailor, Airmen and Marines go into combat, they deserve the best equipment we can give them. That is a sentiment all Americans can agree with. All, except Obama and the liberals in congress.

All we can hope for is, three years from now, when the Marine Corps celebrates its birthday, they have a real American President who will make sure they have the tools to do the job.”

Today is Veterans Day. Remember our veterans.

The primary purpose of the federal government is to protect the nation. I’m all for cutting the federal budget. It needs to be done and needs to be balanced. However, as I’ve said before, the function of budgeting is to allocate scarce resources based upon priorities. Since protecting the nation is the most important purpose of the federal government, military spending to provide that protection is the highest priority. I doubt if this Presidential appointed commission has the expertise to determine the level of military spending. I doubt if this Presidential appointed commission has the expertise to determine the requirements of the military in relation to new equipment and systems.

Today is Veterans Day. Remember our veterans.

Democratic Senators up for reelection in 2012—contact information


Democratic Senators up for reelection in 2012—contact information

Notes: If an e-mail address is provided with this public information, I included that information. Most Senators provide an e-mail address on their website. Most Senators have more than one State office. I provided the phone number for only one of the State offices.

01) California—Dianne Feinstein (Democrat)
Hart Senate Office Building—331
Washington, D.C. 20510
http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/ Website
Phone: (202) 224-3841
FAX: (202) 228-3954
District Office: Los Angeles (310) 914-7300
Religion: Listed as Jewish
Occupation before elected: Public official
4th term, elected with 59% of the vote

02) Connecticut—Joseph Lieberman (listed as an Independent but caucuses with the Democrats)
Hart Senate Office Building—706
Washington, D.C. 20510
http://www.lieberman.senate.gov/ Website
Phone: (202) 224-4041
FAX: (202) 224-9750
District Office: Hartford (860) 549-8463
Religion: Listed as Jewish
Occupation before elected: Attorney
4th term, elected with 50% of the vote

03) Delaware—Thomas Carper (Democrat)
Hart Senate Office Building—513
Washington, D.C. 20510
http://www.carper.senate.gov/ Website
Phone: (202) 224-2441
FAX: (202) 228-2190
District Office: Wilmington (302) 573-6291
Religion: Listed as Presbyterian
Occupation before elected: Public Official
2nd term, elected with 67% of the vote

04) Florida—Bill Nelson (Democrat)
Hart Senate Office Building—716
Washington, D.C. 20510
http://www.billnelson.senate.gov/ Website
Phone: (202) 224-5274
FAX: (202) 228-2183
District Office: Orlando (407) 872-7161
Religion: Listed as Protestant
Occupation before elected: Attorney
2nd term, elected with 60% of the vote

05) Hawaii—Daniel Akaka (Democrat)
Hart Senate Office Building—141
Washington, D.C. 20510
http://www.akaka.senate.gov/ Website
Phone: (202) 224-6361
FAX: (202) 224-2126
District Office: Honolulu (808) 522-8970
Religion: Listed as Congregationalist
Occupation before elected: School Principal
4th term, elected with 61% of the vote

06) Maryland—Benjamin Cardin (Democrat)
Hart Senate Office Building—509
Washington, D.C. 20510
http://www.cardin.senate.gov/ Website
Phone: (202) 224-4524
FAX: (202) 224-1651
District Office: Baltimore (410) 962-4436
Religion: Listed as Jewish
Occupation before elected: Attorney
1st term, elected with 54% of the vote

07) Minnesota—Amy Klobuchar (Democrat)
Hart Senate Office Building—302
Washington, D.C. 20510
http://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/ Website
Phone: (202) 224-3244
FAX: (202) 228-2186
District Office: Minneapolis (612) 727-5220
Religion: Listed as Christian
Occupation before elected: Attorney, Prosecutor
1st term, elected with 58% of the vote

08) Missouri—Claire McCaskill (Democrat)
Hart Senate Office Building—717
Washington, D.C. 20510
http://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/ Website
Phone: (202) 224-6154
FAX: (202) 228-6326
District Office: St. Louis (314) 367-1364
Religion: Listed as Catholic
Occupation before elected: Attorney
1st term, elected with 50% of the vote

09) Nebraska—Ben Nelson (Democrat)
Hart Senate Office Building—720
Washington, D.C. 20510
http://www.bennelson.senate.gov/ Website
Phone: (202) 224-6551
FAX: (202) 228-0012
District Office: Lincoln (402) 441-4600
Religion: Listed as Methodist
Occupation before elected: Attorney
2nd term, elected with 64% of the vote

10) New Jersey—Robert Menendez (Democrat)
Hart Senate Office Building—528
Washington, D.C. 20510
http://www.menendez.senate.gov/ Website
Phone: (202) 224-4744
FAX: (202) 228-2197
District Office: Newark (973) 645-3030
Religion: Listed as Catholic
Occupation before elected: Attorney
2nd term, elected with 53% of the vote

11) New Mexico—Jeff Bingaman (Democrat)
Hart Senate Office Building—703
Washington, D.C. 20510
http://www.bingaman.senate.gov/ Website
Phone: (202) 224-5521
FAX: (202) 224-2852
District Office: Albuquerque (505) 346-6601
Religion: Listed as Methodist
Occupation before elected: Attorney
5th term, elected with 71% of the vote

12) New York—Kirsten Gillibrand (Democrat)
Dirksen Senate Office Building—531
Washington, D.C. 20510
http://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/ Website
Phone: (202) 224-4451
FAX: (202) 228-0282
District Office: New York City (212) 688-6262
Religion: Listed as Catholic
Occupation before elected: Attorney
1st term, elected with 62% of the vote

13) Michigan—Debbie Stabenow (Democrat)
Hart Senate Office Building—133
Washington, D.C. 20510
http://www.stabenow.senate.gov/ Website
Phone: (202) 224-4822
FAX: (202) 228-0325
District Office: Detroit (313) 961-4330
Religion: Listed as Methodist
Occupation before elected: Training Consultant
2nd term, elected with 57% of the vote

14) Montana—Jon Tester (Democrat)
Russell Senate Office Building—204
Washington, D.C. 20510
http://www.tester.senate.gov/ Website
Phone: (202) 224-2644
FAX: (202) 224-8594
District Office: Helena (406) 449-5401
Religion: Listed as Christian
Occupation before elected: Farmer
1st term, elected with 49% of the vote

15) North Dakota—Kent Conrad (Democrat)
Hart Senate Office Building—530
Washington, D.C. 20510
http://www.conrad.senate.gov/ Website
Phone: (202) 224-2043
FAX: (202) 224-7776
District Office: Bismarck (701) 258-4648
Religion: Listed as Unitarian
Occupation before elected: Personnel Director
5th term, elected with 69% of the vote

16) Ohio—Sherrod Brown (Democrat)
Russell Senate Office Building—455
Washington, D.C. 20510
http://www.brown.senate.gov/ Website
Phone: (202) 224-2315
FAX: (202) 228-6321
District Office: Cincinnati (513) 684-1021
Religion: Listed as Lutheran
Occupation before elected: Educator
1st term, elected with 56% of the vote

17) Pennsylvania—Robert Casey (Democrat)
Russell Senate Office Building—383
Washington, D.C. 20510
http://www.casey.senate.gov/ Website
Phone: (202) 224-6324
FAX: (202) 228-0604
District Office: Philadelphia (215) 405-9660
Religion: Listed as Catholic
Occupation before elected: Attorney
1st term, elected with 59% of the vote

18) Rhode Island—Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat)
Hart Senate Office Building—502
Washington, D.C. 20510
http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/ Website
sheldon_whitehouse@whitehouse.senate.gov E-mail
Phone: (202) 224-2921
FAX: (202) 228-6362
District Office: Providence (401) 453-5294
Religion: Listed as Episcopal
Occupation before elected: Attorney
1st term, elected with 53% of the vote

19) Vermont—Bernard Sanders (listed as an Independent but caucuses with the Democrats)
Dirksen Senate Office Building—332
Washington, D.C. 20510
http://www.sanders.senate.gov/ Website
Phone: (202) 224-5141
FAX: (202) 228-0776
District Office: Burlington (802) 862-0697
Religion: Listed as Jewish
Occupation before elected: Educator
1st term, elected with 65% of the vote

20) Virginia—Jim Webb (Democrat)
Russell Senate Office Building—144
Washington, D.C. 20510
http://www.webb.senate.gov/ Website
Phone: (202) 224-4024
FAX: (202) 228-6363
District Office: Richmond (804) 771-2221
Religion: Listed as Protestant
Occupation before elected: Attorney, Consultant, writer
1st term, elected with 50% of the vote

21) Washington—Maria Cantwell (Democrat)
Dirksen Senate Office Building—511
Washington, D.C. 20510
http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/ Website
Phone: (202) 224-3441
FAX: (202) 228-0514
District Office: Seattle (206) 220-6400
Religion: Listed as Catholic
Occupation before elected: Businesswoman
2nd term, elected with 57% of the vote

22) West Virginia—Joe Manchin (Democrat) [I heard on the Rush Limbaugh radio show on Monday that, at least, some Republicans are suggesting that he change to the Republican Party since he ran as a conservative Democrat opposed to much of the Obama agenda. Earlier this year, one Democrat in the House did change. I don’t know if he will though since the Democrats still have the majority in the Senate—my addition.]

Because Joe Manchin was just elected to complete the seat of Robert Byrd who died before his term ended, I do not yet have contact information for him.

23) Wisconsin—Herbert Kohl (Democrat)
Hart Senate Office Building—330
Washington, D.C. 20510
http://www.kohl.senate.gov/ Website
Phone: (202) 224-5653
FAX: (202) 224-9787
District Office: Milwaukee (414) 297-4451
Religion: Listed as Jewish
Occupation before elected: Pro Basketball Team Owner
4th term, elected with 67% of the vote

If I counted correctly, of the 23 Democrats up for reelection, eleven are FIRST TERM Democrats and another 6 are SECOND TERM Democrats. This is a ripe field for the Republicans with work, effort, money, prayer, and good conservative candidates to pick up an even larger number of new seats than this year. Keep records of their votes against we the people and whether or not they actually support the United States Constitution as written. WE MUST keep the Democrats “FEET TO THE FIRE!”

We MUST continue the process of TAKING BACK THE NATION!!! The nation is at stake!!!