Monday, February 28, 2011

“Black History Month"—another perspective


Today is the last day of “Black History Month.” I receive the following late last week and decided to post it today. I will, the LORD willing, return to the federal budget series tomorrow.

From: Tea Party Nation

“Black History Month: Learn Anything?

Posted by Ron Miller on February 26, 2011 at 4:49am

Monday marks the end of Black History Month, and I’ve heard some people carp about black people getting the shortest month of the year. I hope they’re saying this in jest, but you never know.

When I first offered my thoughts on Black History Month, I indicated that I was of two minds on the subject.

On the one hand, a commemoration of our history as separate from that of American history denies us our rightful place alongside our American brothers and sisters as equal investors in this great experiment.

On the other hand, it is vital for black Americans to understand and appreciate that we are an accomplished and victorious people, and our contributions to the establishment and growth of this nation are so much greater than the victimhood of slavery, oppression and discrimination.

In the end, I decided it was worth delving into Black History Month with the objective of demonstrating one point: Our heritage is greater than what we have become.

I read about the great men and women who achieved success in American society despite the chains of slavery into which they were born, and the pervasive, permissible racist attitudes of the time.

Frederick Douglass, an escaped slave with no formal education but a thirst for knowledge, became one of America’s greatest orators and writers, and a champion for liberty and justice for blacks and women.

Harriet Tubman also found her way to freedom out of bondage, but she went back time and again, helping other slaves to escape to freedom through the Underground Railroad.

She went from cook and nurse to spy and scout for the Union during the Civil War, and she was the first woman to lead an armed assault in that conflict, freeing over seven hundred slaves in the process.

Bridget “Biddie” Mason was a slave until her 38th year, when her master’s travels took her to the free state of California, where she was able to petition for and secure her emancipation. She worked as a nurse and saved enough money to buy land in the heart of what is now downtown Los Angeles.

Her subsequent real estate investments and business dealings made her a very wealthy woman. She gave much of her money to care for others, and donated land for schools and churches. This illiterate former slave became a real estate entrepreneur and philanthropist, and she created wealth that sustained her family for generations after she died.

So what did I learn from these icons of American history? Plenty.

Lesson One: Today’s self-anointed black leaders are to these great men and women of yesterday what the Lilliputians were to Gulliver.

Black author and commentator Debra Dickerson went through an exercise similar to what I’ve been doing as of late, examining the lives of some of the great black leaders of the past, and reading their own words. She came away with a much different perspective on black history than what she had been taught:

‘Their thinking was so much more elevated than what our leaders are putting out there today. I felt so robbed, so lied to, so bamboozled—and not by the people I thought had been bamboozling me. I’d been lied to about my moral and intellectual traditions …

Those books are really about communal critique … these guys faced lynchings just for being who they were at the time, but here they were talking not about white people, but about what the standards of our community should be!

It just—oh, man—rocked me on my heels. And it made me really angry. But it was also inspiring …’

When she took measure of what these men and women endured to become great, and compared them to today’s black leadership, she found the modern variety wanting. She criticized contemporary black leaders for creating a racial persecution meme around trivial issues, dishonoring those who encountered and overcame greater injustices in the past:

‘In a perverse way, it speaks to the amount of progress we’ve made, because no black person before the civil-rights movement would have concerned himself with such superficial things. It was matters of life and death back then. I don’t think the situation today is a matter of amnesia so much as a reflection of the very poor quality of black leadership today.’

When asked why she believed the moral and intellectual tradition of blacks in America had been lost, she attributed it to ‘a general dumbing down’ of America, and our lack of desire to work hard at acquiring knowledge:

‘Mediocrity sells. It’s a lot easier to listen to these Chicken McNugget Black History Month speeches than it is to sit down with Frederick Douglass’s very ornate and flowery phraseology … Another factor is that those serious writers are saying things that we don’t want to hear. We’d rather hear about the evil of white people.’

One doesn’t have to look far back into 2010 to see how superficial and irrelevant our self-anointed black leaders have become.

Whether it’s alleged racial slurs uttered by an audio greeting card—hearing ‘black whore’ when the astronomically-themed card was saying ‘black hole’—and demanding it be removed from shelves where it sat unnoticed for three years, or chasing racist bogeymen in the Tea Party movement, organizations like the NAACP squandered their political and moral capital to the point of bankruptcy.

These aren’t the issues that concern black Americans in their everyday lives. Substandard public schools, high unemployment, crime, single parenthood and its crushing consequences—these are the kinds of issues that should drive the black agenda, but they don’t. That leads me to the second lesson I learned.

Lesson Two: Then as now, black elites sold out the black community for favor with the Left.

Lower income black families decry the horrific state of the schools to which they have to send their children, and one would think our self-anointed black leaders would be champions of school choice to give parents hope, and their children opportunity.

Yet they are the ones standing in the doorway to prevent inner city black children from pursuing education options other than failing and violent public schools, condemning one generation after another to dismal, helpless lives. Why?

Because black leaders today are beholden not to the black community, but to the liberal establishment that has seduced them into believing that the current system is inherently and irredeemably racist, and that we cannot succeed unless we throw it out and replace it with something else.

That ‘something else’ for generations has been the siren song of socialism and Marxism. They stand in the doorway, denying our children educational alternatives because their liberal enablers ask them to do so. They have become nothing more than an advocacy group for the political Left.

This isn’t a new development, and most people are aware of the shift in the black electorate toward the Democrats that began under President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

What they may not know is that some of the best and brightest minds in the black community were deeply suspicious of this fascination with socialism, and made their objections known in clear and unmistakable terms.

Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington, the nation’s first preeminent black leaders, knew that their newly freed brothers and sisters needed more than freedom and justice—they needed to make a living and build a life for themselves and their families.

They also knew that there was no sympathy for their plight in the larger American society, either out of hostility or indifference, and they rejected the well-meaning but meddlesome coddling of white benefactors who wrung their hands over the question of what to do with this population of illiterate people with few possessions beyond the clothes on their backs.

Douglass had a simple answer: ‘Do nothing with us!’ To the black community, he said, ‘… we may explain success mainly by one word and that word is WORK! WORK!! WORK!!! WORK!!!!’ If you want to take measure of yourself as a person, read the excerpts

http://artofmanliness.com/2009/07/11/manvotional-self-made-men-by-frederick-douglass/

from one of his most famous lectures, ‘Self-Made Men.’

Booker T. Washington emphasized work and education with the intent of achieving self-reliance and making oneself useful to society. He proclaimed, ‘The individual who can do something that the world wants done will, in the end, make his way regardless of his race.’

Were these men apologists for the status quo? Hardly—read their own words rather than allow others to define them for you. They did not believe, however that circumstances gave us an excuse not to constantly strive for excellence. When one examines their lives, they clearly had the moral authority to make such statements.

Those blacks who had achieved some level of classical education, however, and felt they should immediately be welcomed into the same economic and social strata as their white contemporaries, demanded a shortcut, and were easily seduced by the rhetoric of socialism and Marxism, which promised to give them their fair share of the collective ‘sweat equity’ of American society.

Black historian Carter G. Woodson, among others, sounded an alarm at this fascination the black elites had with these Utopian and ultimately foreign ideologies. In his famous book, “The Mis-Education of the Negro”, he writes:

‘In suggesting herein the rise of the New Negro in politics the author does not have in mind the so-called radical Negroes who have read and misunderstood Karl Marx and his disciples and would solve the political as well as the economic problems of the race by an immediate application of these principles. History shows that although large numbers of people have actually tried to realize such pleasant dreams, they have in the final analysis come back to a social program based on competition.

If no one is to enjoy the fruits of his exceptional labor any more than the individual who is not prepared to render such extraordinary service, not one of a thousand will be sufficiently humanitarian to bestir himself to achieve much of importance, and force applied in this case to stimulate such action has always broken down.

If the excited whites who are bringing to the Negroes such strange doctrines are insane enough to believe them, the Negroes themselves should learn to think before it is too late.’

Black author Zora Neale Hurston, a strong and proud black woman by any measure, mocked those who decried our history in America and, in her words, declared, ‘Look upon us with pity and give!’

A friend told me how her daughter came home from school after a discussion on Black History Month and said, ‘I feel sorry for African Americans. People were so mean to them.’

That is precisely what frustrates me about Black History Month. Woodson envisioned it as a time to celebrate black achievement and accomplishment, and to elicit pride in our indispensable contributions to the making of America. Instead, it’s been turned into a white guilt-trip and a black pity party.

Hurston would have had none of that:

‘If I say a whole system must be upset for me to win, I am saying that I cannot sit in the game, and that safer rules must be made to give me a chance. I repudiate that. If others are in there, deal me a hand and let me see what I can make of it, even though I know some in there are dealing from the bottom and cheating like XXXX (expletive deleted by me—my addition) in other ways.’

Likewise, Woodson said the idea that blacks couldn’t succeed in a capitalist society ‘is to deny actual facts, refute history, and discredit the Negro as a capable competitor in the economic battle of life.’

Does it surprise you as much as it did me to learn that these great men and women of black American history were so disdainful of the socialist ideology and the victim mindset that have shackled the black community today?

When I read their words, I feel pride and strength—and a connection to the values that all Americans should share.

Frankly, like Debra Dickerson, I feel like the black leaders of today have robbed us of this great legacy by cloaking us in victimhood, resentment and perpetual grievance.

Is the pleasure of having one’s hindquarters massaged and kissed by fawning, guilt-ridden white liberals so great that it justifies the betrayal of an entire race and their separation from American society?

Unfortunately, there is one other lesson I learned from the past that carries over into the present day, and I can’t phrase it any better than Booker T. Washington:

‘There is a class of colored people who make a business of keeping the troubles, the wrongs, and the hardships of the Negro race before the public. Some of these people do not want the Negro to lose his grievances, because they do not want to lose their jobs.

There is a certain class of race-problem solvers who don’t want the patient to get well.

Our heritage is greater than what we have become. Herewith endeth the lesson.'

Ron Miller is a conservative writer and commentator, author of the book, “SELLOUT: Musings from Uncle Tom’s Porch”, and the president of Regular Folks United, a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of individual liberty, free markets and our nation's founding principles. The nine-year plus veteran of the U.S. Air Force and married father of three writes columns for several online sites and print publications, and his own website, TeamRonMiller.com. Join him on Facebook and Twitter at @TeamRonMiller.”

The Democratic Party was, of course, the major supporter of slavery before the outbreak of the Civil War. Slavery which provided food, clothing, shelter, and protection in return for obedience and slave labor. The Republican Party was formed, in part, by individuals opposed to slavery—this opposition was not addressed adequately by either major political party of the time. The Republican Party was the only political party to begin as a third party and evolve into one of the two major parties. It was the Party of Lincoln and the Party of most freed slaves and free Black men.

Consider this example of modern day Black “leaders”:

From: “The Party of Death: The Democrats, the Media, the Courts, and the Disregard for Human Life,” Ramesh Ponnuru, Regnery Publishing, Inc., Washington, D.C., © 2006, page 21:

“‘I WAS BORN OUT of wedlock (and against the advice that my mother received from her doctor) and therefore abortion is a personal issue for me,’ wrote the minister. He went on to compare abortion (the MURDER of unborn babies—my addition) to slavery. ‘If one accepts the position that life is private, and therefore you have the right to do with it as you please, one must also accept the conclusion of that logic. That was the premise of slavery. You could not protest the existence or treatment of slaves on the plantation because that was private and therefore outside of your right to be concerned.’ He asked, ‘What happens to the mind of a person, and the MORAL (My capitalization—my addition.) fabric of a nation, that accepts the aborting (MURDERING—my addition) of the life of a baby without a pang of conscience?’”

Those words were written in 1977. Eleven years later, their author, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, was running for the Democratic nomination for president—and speaking very differently. “Women must have freedom of choice over what to do over their bodies (Ah, but unborn babies are NOT women’s bodies! One only has to check the DNA of the woman and the baby to KNOW that the baby IS NOT the woman!—my addition),’ said the candidate.” (Jesse Jackson may have had an epiphany moment! He could not be selected as the Democratic candidate for President and also be opposed to the MURDER of unborn babies! He sold his soul for his thirty pieces of silver!—my addition)

Earlier this month:

From: http://www.salon.com/life/feature/2011/02/24/anti_abortion_billboard_in_new_york_city/index.html

(From what I can tell, this website is a pro-MURDER website.)

“Thursday, Feb 24, 2011 15:25 ET

New York City billboard likens abortion to black genocide
‘The most dangerous place for African Americans is in the womb’
By Amy Steinberg

A 4-story anti-abortion billboard in SoHo recently angered quite a few New Yorkers, sent shock waves throughout the country. The billboard—which stands just a half-mile from one of the city’s Planned Parenthood centers (Planned MURDERHOOD—my addition)—pictures an young African-American girl and bears the headline: ‘The most dangerous place for African Americans is in the womb.’ (And, that IS a TRUE statement!—my addition)

The Texas-based anti-abortion group Life Always is behind the new campaign, which attempts to accuse Planned Parenthood of exploiting minority neighborhoods. On its website,

http://thatsabortion.com/

Life Always cites recent data from the Census and Centers for Disease Control showing that African Americans constitute about 13 percent of the population, yet receive 36 percent of abortions.

Life Always board member and pastor Steve Broden says of the campaign, ‘During Black History Month, we celebrate our history, but our future is in jeopardy as a genocidal plot is carried out through abortion.’ His fellow board member Reverend Derek McCoy also backs his groups efforts by claming that the billboard ‘highlights the tragedy that abortion is the number one killer since 1973 in the black community, and the truth that we must confront in a city with a near 60 percent abortion rate for black women.’

Unsurprisingly, Planned Parenthood (Planned MURDERHOOD—my addition) is outraged by Life Always’ crusade on abortion that hit the streets of New York this week. The recently de-funded organization issued a statement calling the campaign, ‘an offensive and condescending effort to stigmatize and shame African-American women, while attempting to discredit the work of Planned Parenthood.’ (To EDUCATE Black women and men! Planned MURDERHOOD is already discredited!—my addition)

UPDATE: Due to pressure from local black leaders (NOTE who complained! Modern day Black “leaders”!—my addition) including the Reverend Al Sharpton, who had planned to stage a protest in front of the billboard on Friday, Lamar Outdoor advertising has agreed to remove the contentious anti-abortion sign at the corner of 6th and Watts in New York City. (What happened to Freedom of Speech! Do only select groups have this freedom?—my addition) Black leaders were not the only ones promoting the dismantling of the billboard, local politicians also cited the campaign as offensive and misguided.” (Offensive to whom? Misguided?—my addition)

Saturday, February 26, 2011

The federal government IS a SPENDOHOLIC!!!


Tucked away in the 2010, 1040 Tax Booklet on page 97 are two pie graphs showing the revenue collected and borrowed by the federal government and the expenditures of the federal government for fiscal year 2009 which began in October of 2008 and ended in September of 2009. Of course, we are currently in the fiscal year 2011 budget even though the Congress has not yet passed said budget. President Obama has already sent to Congress the proposed fiscal year 2012 budget.

The House of Representatives recently passed a fiscal year 2011 budget and sent it to the Senate. That budget cuts, according to news accounts, 61 billion dollars from the budget proposed by President Obama. Even with the cuts of 61 billion dollars, the deficit would be approximately 1.5 trillion dollars. President Obama’s proposed 2012 budget includes a deficit of approximately 1.65 trillion dollars.

Isn’t spending fun when it is NOT your money!!!

From: 2010, 1040 Tax Booklet, page 97

“Major Categories of Federal Income and Outlays for Fiscal Year 2009”

In fiscal year 2009 (which began on October 1, 2008, and ended on September 30, 2009), federal income was $2.105 trillion and outlays were $3.518 trillion, leaving a deficit of $1.413 trillion.

Income Outlays

1) Borrowing to cover deficit 40%

Amount borrowed: $1,413,000,000,000 = one trillion, four hundred thirteen billion dollars

2) Personal income taxes 26%

Amount from personal income tax: $914,680,000,000 = nine hundred fourteen billion, six hundred eighty million dollars

3) Social security, Medicare, and unemployment and other retirement taxes 25%

Social security, etc. taxes: $879,500,000,000 = eight hundred seventy nine billion, five hundred million dollars

4) Excise, customs, estate, gift, and miscellaneous taxes 5%

Excise, etc. taxes: $175,900,000,000 = one hundred seventy five billion, nine hundred million dollars

5) Corporate income taxes 4%

Corporate income taxes: $140,720,000,000 = one hundred forty billion, seven hundred twenty million dollars

Total taxes collected: $2,110,800,000,000 = two trillion, one hundred ten billion, eight hundred million dollars (Difference due to rounding.)

NOTE:

$2,110,800,000,000 = amount collected in taxes
$1,413,000,000,000 = amount borrowed (increase in national debt!)
$3,518,000,000,000 = total spending
(The amount of taxes collected and amount borrowed do not equal total spending due to rounding.)

Outlays
(The percentages for outlays do not total 100% due to rounding.)

1) Social security, Medicare, and other retirement 34%

Social security, Medicare, and other retirement: These programs provide income support for the retired and disabled and medical care for the elderly.

$3,518,000,000,000 = total spending

Amount for social security etc: $1,196,120,000,000

That is, one trillion, one hundred ninety six billon, one hundred twenty million dollars (NOTE: the amount taken in in taxes for this same specific category is “Social security, etc. taxes: $879,500,000,000 = eight hundred seventy nine billion, five hundred million dollars” leading to a deficit in this category of -$316, 620,000,000. That is, the deficit in this category is over three hundred sixteen billion dollars!

2) National defense, veterans, and foreign affairs 22%

National defense, veterans, and foreign affairs: About 18% of outlays were to equip, modernize, and pay our armed forces and to fund national defense activities; about 3% were for veterans benefits and services; and about 1% were for international activities, including military and economic assistance to foreign countries and the maintenance of U.S. embassies abroad.

$3,518,000,000,000 = total spending

Amount for national defense etc: $773,960,000,000

That is, seven hundred seventy three billion, nine hundred sixty million dollars

3) Social programs 21%

Social programs: About 13% of total outlays were for Medicaid, food stamps, temporary assistance for needy families, supplemental security income, and related programs; and the remaining outlays were for health research and public health programs, unemployment compensation, assisted housing, and social services.

$3,518,000,000,000 = total spending

Amount for social programs: $738,780,000,000

That is, seven hundred thirty eight billion, seven hundred eighty million dollars

4) Physical, human, and community development 15%

Physical, human, and community development: These outlays were for agriculture; natural resources; environment; transportation; aid for elementary and secondary education and direct assistance to college students; job training; deposit insurance, commerce and housing credit, and community development; and space, energy, and general science programs.

$3,518,000,000,000 = total spending

Amount for Physical, human, and community development: $527,700,000,000

That is, five hundred twenty seven billion, seven hundred million dollars

5) Net interest on the debt 5%

$3,518,000,000,000 = total spending

Amount for interest on the debt: $175,900,000,000

That is, one hundred seventy five billion, nine hundred million dollars just in interest payments!!!

6) Law enforcement and general government 2%

$3,518,000,000,000 = total spending

Amount for law enforcement etc: $70,360,000,000

That is, seventy billion, three hundred sixty million dollars

NOTE that the federal government borrowed 40% of ALL the money spent. Let’s simplify the spending problem involved in this budget. If a household had an annual income of $60,000 (sixty thousand dollars) and spent $100,000, that household would have to borrow $40,000 to spend that much money. That household has then borrowed 40% of the money it spent. If that household continued to do that year, after year, after year; what would be the result?

The House of Representatives just cut the fiscal 2011 budget by 61 billion dollars. Using the figures for total expenditures for 2009 which is lower than the total expenditures that will occur for the 2011 budget, what kind of cut would this be?

It would look like this: $61,000,000,000 divided by $3,518,000,000,000 = .0173. That’s right! A 61 billion dollar cut in the fiscal year 2011 budget is a cut of LESS than 2%. A cut of less than two percent of a budget that will borrow over 40% of the money spent. That’s not even a drop in the bucket in comparison to what NEEDS to be cut from the budget.

And yet, you can already hear the Democrats complaining about the extreme and excessive cuts! Are they serious! WE need to CUT much more from the 2011 budget and even MORE from the 2012 proposed budget. NO ONE, not even nations, can continually spend more than it has without major, detrimental consequences.

DEMAND that the cuts be approved by the Senate! DEMAND major and significant CUTS in the 2012 budget. It’s time to TAKE BACK the NATION!!!

Friday, February 25, 2011

Democrats’ Wisconsin Fiasco—two videos


There are two posts this morning. This is the second post.

Union protester hits phone out of a young woman’s hand! No political vitriol with this leftist crowd!

From: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm_Fl3AszuU&feature=player_embedded

Watch as a teacher union leader refuses to answer a repeatedly asked question!

From: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/megyn-kelly-confronts-milwaukee-union-president-over-sick-teachers/
Petition to Senators—cut the budget by approving the House’s Appropriation Act of 2011

From: Grassfire Nation

“Citizens Say: ‘Read My Lips: Stop The Spending!’

The House just passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) that shaved $60 billion in spending off the federal budget. Now as the bill moves to the Senate, where it is expected to be met with fierce opposition from liberals and Big Spenders who are looking to score political points by painting Republicans as ‘mean-spirited’ and ‘callous’ for their cost-cutting actions. House Speaker has maintained his resolve to cut government spending, saying, ‘Read My Lips, We are going to cut spending.’ Debate begins on February 28 with a final vote by the end of next week.

ACTION: Grassfire Nation has just launched a national petition giving citizens an opportunity to weigh-in on the Senate debate. Go here to sign the petition and tell the Senate, ‘Read My Lips: Stop The Spending!’ Your petitions will be delivered to the Senate before next week’s vote.

http://www.grassfire.com/149/petition.asp?Ref_ID=4962

From: http://www.grassfire.com/149/petition.asp?Ref_ID=4962

“Citizen Petition to Elected Leaders:

“‘Read Our Lips’ Cut Federal Spending in the Budget Bill and Stop the ‘Statist Uprising’ Threatening the Nation

Petition Sponsor: Grassfire Nation

The Issue

After the House passed a budget cutting more than $61 billion from 2010 levels in spending for federal programs and agencies, Senate Democrats began complaining that debate over the deep cuts could force a shutdown of the government.

Meanwhile, proposed cuts on a number of state budgets have triggered a ‘statist uprising’ with unions and the Obama political machine fanning the flames. Despite what is happening on Capitol Hill and across the nation, one thing is clear—the Left will NOT tolerate any cuts in government—federal or state. And they are committed to using their ‘statist uprising’ strategy to expand their agenda.

The Action

With only a very tight window of opportunity for citizens to make a significant impact on the spending/budget crisis that is gripping our land, Grassfire Nation has launched this petition to quickly rally and mobilize at least 50,000 grassroots citizens who are challenging the ‘statist uprising’ and demanding no compromise in cutting the budget.

URGENT UPDATE! Grassfire Nation is delivering petitions to Wisconsin governor Scott Walker in a massive grassroots show of support for his ‘get tough’ stance on balancing his state budget.

Grassfire Nation will also begin delivering petitions to Capitol Hill offices on February 28—the first scheduled day of debate, and will continue delivering your petitions right up to the vote.

Simply complete the form below to sign the petition!

The Petition States:

As a concerned citizen of the United States, I am signing this petition to demonstrate my deep concern over the federal Government’s out of control spending habits as well as efforts by the Left and unions to hijack state governments in an organized opposition to spending restraints.

Following the midterm elections, Americans issued a clear mandate to curb fiscal irresponsibility at all levels of government and we expect our elected legislators to respond accordingly. As a result:

1) I demand the Senate not only consider passing the House spending cuts as contained in the Continuing Resolution Bill but also use those cuts as a jumping off point in seeking out additional cost-cutting measures.

2) I support the efforts by Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and other elected officials in the 50 states to bring a responsible approach to government spending in order to balance our budgets and restore fiscal sanity.

The irresponsible approach taken by President Obama and his administration to simply print more money is both reckless and irresponsible. I will not tolerate one party or the other politicizing this crisis, but rather it is time for the parties to roll up their sleeves and commit to executing real fiscally responsible solutions that curb the out-of-control spending habits of our federal government.”

Thursday, February 24, 2011

House of Representatives final vote for full-year Appropriations Act, 2011 and selected amendment votes


NOTE: Because of the number of votes I’m covering and the size of the House of Representatives, I am not listing the Republicans who voted for the bill and each specific Amendment covered. All Republicans not listed for a particular vote voted in favor of the proposal. Likewise, I am not listing the Democrats who voted against each proposal. All Democrats not listed for a particular vote voted against that particular proposal.

From: U.S. House http://clerk.house.gov/legislative/legvotes.html

H.R.1
Latest Title: Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011
Sponsor: Rep Rogers, Harold [KY-5] (introduced 2/11/2011) Cosponsors (None)
Related Bills: H.RES.92
Latest Major Action: 2/19/2011 Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 235 - 189 (Roll no. 147).
Latest Action: 2/19/2011 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

H R 1 YEA-AND-NAY 19-Feb-2011 4:40 AM
QUESTION: On Passage
BILL TITLE: Making appropriations for the Department of Defense and the other departments and agencies of the Government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, and for other purposes

Republicans:

Ayes: 235
Noes: 3
Present: 0
Not Voting: 2

Republicans Noes:
(A NO vote was cast because not enough money is being cut!)

01) Campbell
02) Flake
03) Jones

Republicans voting Present:

01) NONE

Republicans Not Voting:

01) Paul
02) Quayle

Democrats:

Ayes: 000
Noes: 186
Present: 0
Not Voting: 7

Democrats Ayes:

01) NONE

Democrats voting Present:

01) NONE

Democrats Not Voting:

01) Giffords
02) Harman
03) Hinojosa
04) McCollum
05) Peters
06) Stark
07) Wilson (FL)

Totals:

Ayes: 235
Noes: 189
Present: 0
Not voting: 9

Selected Amendments and the vote to add or not add the amendment to the final bill:

70. H.AMDT.80 to H.R.1 An amendment numbered 404 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds used to implement the Report and Order of the Federal Communications Commission relating to the matter of preserving the open Internet and broadband industry practices (FCC 10-201), adopted by the Commission on December 21, 2010.

Sponsor: Rep Walden, Greg [OR-2] (introduced 2/17/2011) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 2/17/2011 House amendment agreed to. Status: On agreeing to the Walden amendment (A070) Agreed to by recorded vote: 244 - 181 (Roll no. 83).

H R 1 RECORDED VOTE 17-Feb-2011 6:45 PM
AUTHOR(S): Walden of Oregon Amendment No. 404
QUESTION: On Agreeing to the Amendment

Republicans:

Ayes: 234
Noes: 4
Present: 0
Not Voting: 2

Republicans Noes:

01) LaTourette
02) Lewis (CA)
03) Reichert
04) Rigell

Republicans voting Present:

01) NONE

Republicans Not Voting:

01) Brady (TX)
02) Pearce

Democrats:

Ayes: 10
Noes: 177
Present: 0
Not Voting: 6

Democrats Ayes:

01) Barrow
02) Boren
03) Boswell
04) Cuellar
05) Hinojosa
06) Holden
07) Larsen (WA)
08) Meeks
09) Peterson
10) Scott, David

Democrats voting Present:

01) NONE

Democrats Not Voting:

01) Braley (IA)
02) Crowley
03) Giffords
04) Kaptur
05) Lewis (GA)
06) Sires

Totals:

Ayes: 244
Noes: 181
Present: 0
Not voting: 8

Amendment to cut funding for Czars:

79. H.AMDT.89 to H.R.1 An amendment numbered 204 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds to be used to pay the salaries and expenses for specified federal agency positions and their offices.
Sponsor: Rep Scalise, Steve [LA-1] (introduced 2/17/2011) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 2/17/2011 House amendment agreed to. Status: On agreeing to the Scalise amendment (A079) Agreed to by recorded vote: 249 - 179, 1 Present (Roll no. 87).

H R 1 RECORDED VOTE 17-Feb-2011 7:01 PM
AUTHOR(S): Scalise of Louisiana Amendment No. 204
QUESTION: On Agreeing to the Amendment

Republicans:

Ayes: 236
Noes: 1
Present: 1
Not Voting: 2

Republicans Noes:

01) Ribble

Republicans voting Present:

01) Amash

Republicans Not Voting:

01) Farenthold
02) Mulvaney

Democrats:

Ayes: 13
Noes: 178
Present: 0
Not Voting: 2

Democrats Ayes:

01) Boren
02) Chandler
03) Costello
04) Cuellar
05) DeFazio
06) Green, Gene
07) Kissell
08) Matheson
09) McIntyre
10) Pastor (AZ)
11) Rahall
12) Ross (AR)
13) Shuler

Democrats voting Present:

01) NONE

Democrats Not Voting:

01) Crowley
02) Giffords

Totals:

Ayes: 249
Noes: 179
Present: 1
Not voting: 4

Prohibits funding for Planned MURDERHOOD!!!

85. H.AMDT.95 to H.R.1 An amendment numbered 11 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds for Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc.
Sponsor: Rep Pence, Mike [IN-6] (introduced 2/17/2011) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 2/18/2011 House amendment agreed to. Status: On agreeing to the Pence amendment (A085) Agreed to by recorded vote: 240 - 185, 1 Present (Roll no. 93).

Roll Call 93

H R 1 RECORDED VOTE 18-Feb-2011 2:13 PM
AUTHOR(S): Pence of Indiana Amendment No. 11
QUESTION: On Agreeing to the Amendment

Republicans:

Ayes: 230
Noes: 7
Present: 1
Not Voting: 2

Republicans Noes:

01) Bass (NH)
02) Biggert (from Illinois 13th District)
03) Bono Mack
04) Dent
05) Dold (from Illinois 10th District)
06) Frelinghuysen
07) Hanna

Republicans voting Present:

01) Amash

Republicans Not Voting:

01) Harper
02) Quayle

Democrats:

Ayes: 10
Noes: 178
Present: 0
Not Voting: 5

Democrats Ayes:

01) Boren
02) Costello
03) Donnelly (IN)
04) Lipinski
05) McIntyre
06) Peterson
07) Rahall
08) Reyes
09) Ross (AR)
10) Shuler

Democrats voting Present:

01) NONE

Democrats Not Voting:

01) Giffords
02) Gutierrez
03) Hinojosa
04) Keating
05) McCollum

Totals:

Ayes: 240
Noes: 185
Present: 1
Not voting: 7

91. H.AMDT.101 to H.R.1 An amendment numbered 466 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit use of funds by EPA to implement, administer, or enforce any statutory or regulatory requirement pertaining to emissions of greenhouse gases.
Sponsor: Rep Poe, Ted [TX-2] (introduced 2/18/2011) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 2/18/2011 House amendment offered

FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 96

H R 1 RECORDED VOTE 18-Feb-2011 2:23 PM
AUTHOR(S): Poe of Texas Amendment No. 466
QUESTION: On Agreeing to the Amendment

Republicans:

Ayes: 236
Noes: 2
Present: 0
Not Voting: 2

Republicans Noes:

01) Hayworth
02) Reichert

Republicans voting Present:

01) NONE

Republicans Not Voting:

01) Grimm
02) Quayle

Democrats:

Ayes: 13
Noes: 175
Present: 0
Not Voting: 5

Democrats Ayes:

01) Altmire
02) Barrow
03) Boren
04) Cardoza
05) Costa
06) Costello
07) Critz
08) Donnelly (IN)
09) Holden
10) Kind
11) Peterson
12) Rahall
13) Ross (AR)

Democrats voting Present:

01) NONE

Democrats Not Voting:

01) Giffords
02) Green, Gene
03)Hinojosa
04) Kaptur
05) McCollum

Totals:

Ayes: 249
Noes: 177
Present: 0
Not voting: 7

Finally, a budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year, over four months into the budget year, has been passed by the House of Representatives. Now, it is UP TO the Senate and the President to complete the process. Will we have a budget for the 2010-2011 budget year? The State of Illinois—Barack Hussein Obama’s home State—never did!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Illegal immigration and the federal government—MUST WATCH VIDEO!


The third of three posts today:



From: http://www.youtube.com/embed/tsH8xvjTAlo

Bonus: vote to remove Barack Hussein Obama in 2012 http://www.obamacarepoll.com/
Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s letter to a public union president


Second of three posts this morning. Be sure to sign the petition in support of Scott Walker and the people of Wisconsin which was posted as the first post!

From: http://www.projo.com/opinion/contributors/content/CT_fdr14_02-14-10_LVHE3BD_v8.3f8bee2.html

“Franklin D. Roosevelt: No strikes by government employees
01:00 AM EST on Sunday, February 14, 2010

Letter to Luther C. Steward, president of the National Federation of Federal Employees, from President Franklin Roosevelt, on April 16, 1937:

‘All Government employees should realize that the process of collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot be transplanted into the public service. It has its distinct and insurmountable limitations when applied to public personnel management. The very nature and purposes of Government make it impossible for administrative officials to represent fully or to bind the employer in mutual discussions with Government employee organizations. The employer is the whole people, who speak by means of laws enacted by their representatives in Congress. Accordingly, administrative officials and employees alike are governed and guided, and in many instances restricted, by laws which establish policies, procedures, or rules in personnel matters.

Particularly, I want to emphasize my conviction that militant tactics have no place in the functions of any organization of Government employees. Upon employees in the Federal service rests the obligation to serve the whole people, whose interests and welfare require orderliness and continuity in the conduct of Government activities. This obligation is paramount. Since their own services have to do with the functioning of the Government, a strike of public employees manifests nothing less than an intent on their part to prevent or obstruct the operations of Government until their demands are satisfied. Such action, looking toward the paralysis of Government by those who have sworn to support it, is unthinkable and intolerable. It is, therefore, with a feeling of gratification that I have noted in the constitution of the National Federation of Federal Employees the provision that ‘under no circumstances shall this Federation engage in or support strikes against the United States Government.’’” (And the same is true for individual States. A strike against a State government is a strike against the people of the State. A strike against a local government is a strike against the people of that local government. A strike against a school district is a strike against the people of that local school district. Any strike against any government is a strike against we the people!—my addition)
Petition in support of Scott Walker and the people of Wisconsin


I received this petition yesterday and decided to post it today. It is my last post, along with two others today, for now on Wisconsin. Tomorrow I will post on the vote in the House of Representatives on the 2010-2011 Appropriations bill

From: Americans for Prosperity

“As I looked out from the stage on the faces of thousands of folks at the ‘Stand With Walker’ rally in Madison, Wisconsin today a young 7 or 8 year-old girl atop her dad’s shoulders stood out. She was waving a ‘Fight Back Wisconsin’ sign and cheering happily.

Before the rally her dad had told me they gave up her basketball game today to come to the rally because ‘It’s time to stand tall.’ Next to them in his hard hat was Mansfield, a tall, wiry gentleman who runs a small brick laying business near Madison. These two individuals symbolize what’s at stake.

It’s a decisive moment in Wisconsin and a watershed moment for our nation, and we urge you to join the fight at http://www.standwithwalker.com/.

http://americansforprosperity.org/walker/

On our side Governor Scott Walker, a newly-elected GOP-controlled legislature and tens of thousands of tea party and AFP activists are working to balance the state budget by finally cutting spending and reining in sweetheart pensions and benefits enjoyed by government employees unions.

On the other side are a privileged class of liberal politicians and government unions demanding higher taxes and even more spending for themselves and their ideology—all while private sector unemployment still runs high.

It looked and felt like the government workers marches in Athens, Greece throughout the week as the Wisconsin government unions, augmented by union activists from around the nation and President Obama’ s Organizing for America, marched, chanted, banged drums, and jeered at anyone daring to support Governor Walker’s policies.

Here’s what Governor Walker’s Budget Repair Bill that they’re so angry about actually does:

- Ask government workers to pay half the cost of their pensions—still less than private employees pay for their pensions

- Ask government workers to pay 12% of their own health insurance premiums—the national average for the private sector is over 20%

- End collective bargaining for government unions for pensions and benefits. Allow bargaining only for raises that are less than inflation.

- End forced union dues, collected by the state. Union dues would become voluntary.

- Union members get to vote yearly on whether to keep their union.

To stop these sensible reforms, the unions and their Democratic allies are pulling out all the stops. President Obama has even weighed in attacking Governor Walker. (As I told the crowd today, President Obama should stop worrying about Wisconsin and get to work on Washington’s out-of-control federal budget.)

Democratic state senators are so desperate they have actually fled the state to stall a vote—and are hiding out at a resort in Illinois. Can you imagine elected legislators being so beholden to special interest unions that they would flee the state? Have they no shame? (Wisconsin, by the way, has citizen recall of elected officials and I’ve heard petitions are already being circulated to kick the senators who have fled the state out of office.)

Much is at stake because every other governor and every other legislature is watching what happens in Wisconsin. We have to win. Please stand with Scott Walker by signing our petition at

http://www.standwithwalker.com/.

http://americansforprosperity.org/walker/

Know that we’re on the ground here in Wisconsin. AFP and our allies are going all out to victory. We’re pouring emails into the legislature, running radio ads and we’re helping with rallies like the one today. We’re going to win.

Sincerely,

Tim

P. S. We’re going to win, but we need your help. Please share

http://www.standwithwalker.com/

http://americansforprosperity.org/walker/

with your friends, family, neighbors, Facebook friends, and Twitter followers. The stakes are too high to think this is someone else’s fight. We need to send a strong message to the unions by winning in Wisconsin and taking these common sense reforms to every other state and the federal government. Today, we are all Wisconsinites. Please help spread the word about http://www.standwithwalker.com/.

From: http://americansforprosperity.org/walker/

59250 CITIZENS ARE STANDING WITH SCOTT WALKER (When I signed it on Tuesday morning—my addition)

1) read the Petition

Help send the following message to the Wisconsin Senate and to Governor Scott Walker:

Union dues should be voluntary, and the state should not be in the business of collecting them. Union certification should require a secret ballot. Collective bargaining should not be used to force extravagant pension and health benefits that cripple state budgets.

These common-sense reforms have made the union bosses desperate to disrupt Wisconsin government and overturn an election. They must not be allowed to succeed. In fact, every state should adopt Governor Scott Walker’s common sense reforms.

2) Sign the Petition

Thank you! Your petition has been received, and your message of support will be forwarded to Scott Walker. Please make sure to use the share buttons above to send this petition effort to family and friends.”

“3) Educate and Share

Download talkings points, use the share buttons at the top of the page to share this effort with family and friends, and connect on Twitter and Facebook”

From the talking points:

“Quick facts about Wisconsin’s Budget Repair Legislation

1) The plan is about reform: Wisconsin’s Budget Repair legislation is about enacting modest—but critical—reforms to public sector entitlement programs that are long past due. The proposal takes on some of the most egregious violators of taxpayer dollars including public employee unions and public sector pensions.

2) Ending public sector collective bargaining: The plan would end the practice of public sector union bosses strong-arming politicians for exorbitant benefits and absurd contract concessions. The plan rightly calls for an end to the ability of certain public sector unions to band together to pressure policymakers into unnecessary contract concessions.

3) Respecting the taxpayer: When public sector workers—who are paid with taxpayers dollars—resort to bullying tactics to gain sweetheart contracts filled with plush benefits unheard of in the private sector the taxpayer loses every time.

4) Respecting the public’s trust: When teachers choose not to teach purely to pad their already lavish contracts with taxpayer dollars they are violating a sacred public trust. Using students and their parents as leverage in contract disputes is a tried and true practice of teacher’s unions that must end.

5) Stopping out-of-control benefit costs in the public sector: The proposal would prevent unions from forcing extravagant pension and health benefits on the state that only serve to further cripple state budget. Also, the plan would make the commonsense change that public sector wage increases could not exceed a cap based on the consumer price index (CPI) unless approved by voters.

- Also, some contracts would be limited to one year and wage rates would be frozen until the new contract is settled (As a school board member, I could never understand trying to negotiate a contract longer than one year. Leaders do not know how much money they will have for more than one year—my addition.)

6) The public vs. private sector: In Wisconsin, private sector workers make 74% of their state-level public sector counterparts. This is the 48th worst pay differential in the nation and clearly shows that the public sector employee unions aren’t hurting for better pay or benefits.

7) Paying a fair share: The plan also would help ease the tremendous financial burden placed on the state by its bloated pension plan by finally requiring some public workers to pay their fair share into the program.

- Overall, public employees would fund 50 percent of the annual pension payment—a total that would require a modest contribution of 5.8 percent of 2011’s salary.

8) More needed reforms: The plan also makes much needed reforms to other problems complicating Wisconsin’s fiscal future. Among them, restructuring the state’s debt burden will help reduce debt service costs by $165 million in fiscal year 2010-11.”

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Democrats’ Wisconsin Fiasco—federal money provided to the State of Wisconsin. Plus, doctors committing fraud to help lying public employees?


I thought I was going to post on the House vote for the 2011 budget today. Then, I heard more information on the Rush Limbaugh show about the Democrats’ Wisconsin Fiasco. Hopefully, one more post on the Wisconsin Fiasco. Then, tomorrow the post on the vote.

From: http://dpi.wi.gov/pb/index.html

“Full Summary of 2009 Wisconsin Act 28, the 2009-11 Budget Bill”

is a link to the following information given. I could not preserve the link. The following information is the amount of money from the federal government—that is, we the people—to the State of Wisconsin to help finance public education in Wisconsin in 2010. In fact, we the people of the United States are helping to pay the educational budget for these public employees who are protesting in Wisconsin, calling in sick, and shutting down schools.

“Final 2009-11 Budget

Provisions Related to Elementary and Secondary Education and State Agency Operations

2010 Fiscal Year

Appropriations from Federal Revenues

1) $041,748,800 program operations
2) $002,791,400 Indirect cost reimbursements
3) $624,166,600 local aid
4) $177,200,000 stimulus funds
5) $236,722,000 state allocations
6) $001,107,100 local assistance
7) $054,424,700 individuals and organizations”

Total Federal Revenues to the State of Wisconsin for educational related operations:

$1,138,160,600

That’s right, we the people through the federal government gave the State of Wisconsin one billion, one hundred thirty eight million, one hundred sixty thousand, six hundred dollars in fiscal 2010 for educational purposes. Don’t you enjoy watching public employees, along with the minions bussed in by Organizing for America—Barack Hussein Obama’s personal organization, protesting in Wisconsin instead of doing the job they were hired to do.

I don’t care if they spend every minute of their OWN time including weekends protesting. I do care that we are paying them through federal funds and they are lying about being sick to protest for their own benefit. These protests are NOT for the students of Wisconsin! These protests are NOT for the people of Wisconsin! These protests are NOT for we the people who are helping to support them! These protests are for their own self interest!

From the Peoria Journal Star, February 21, 2011, page A3 entitled “Wisconsin standoff intensifies:”

“Meanwhile, doctors who wrote medical notes over the weekend excusing protesters from work are getting slammed with angry phone calls and profane e-mails from people telling them they deserve to be thrown in jail, one doctor said Sunday.

The physicians wore lab coats Saturday as they stood on a street corner and offered medical notes to protesters. (Do you think they were auditioning for jobs under Obamacare—nationalized healthcare—where they’ll be working for the government?—my addition)

Many of the protesters were teachers who missed classroom time during the week to attend rallies. In some districts, teacher absences were so widespread that entire schools were shut down. (They’re doing this for the students?—my addition)

As faculty absences grew, districts warned that teachers who missed time without prior approval or a doctor’s note could face disciplinary action, including docked pay for the days they were out.” (Just as I wrote yesterday! Not only could they; they should be disciplined including docked pay!!!—my addition)

From: http://politics.blogs.foxnews.com/2011/02/21/university-wisconsin-medical-school-investigating-doctors-notes-protest

“University of Wisconsin Medical School Investigating Doctors’ Notes at Protest

by Fox News
February 21, 2011

The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health is investigating whether some of its doctors wrote fake sick notes to people protesting the governor’s plan to strip public union employees of the right to collectively bargain.

Over the weekend, FOX News reported that doctors from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine were manning a doctor station to write medical notes excusing those protesting at the Wisconsin State Capitol from work. Physicians were seen standing on a street corner wearing lab coats and giving out medical notes.

‘Anyone who was doing it was doing it on their own accord and they do not represent the school,’ Lisa Brunette, Director of Media Relations for the school told FOX News. ‘We don’t know the extent of this. Because we don’t have all the facts yet we can’t determine the violations. We’re gathering information.’

Many protesters could be in violation of their work contracts if they call out sick without a medical excuse. Fraudulent doctors’ notes would protect them from punishment by their employers even though they weren’t sick and were out protesting.

‘Obviously we’re concerned but I don’t want to prejudge the situation until we know what we’re dealing with,’ Brunette said.

FOX News Chicago Bureau Chief Todd Ciganek contributed to this story.”

Watch the video! Are doctors committing fraud for protestors in Wisconsin?

From: http://hotair.com/archives/2011/02/19/video-doctors-handing-out-fake-medical-excuses-at-wi-union-protest/

“‘I asked this doctor what he was doing and he told me they were handing out excuses to people who were feeling sick due to emotional, mental or financial distress,’ said Christian Hartsock. ‘They never performed an exam—he asked me how I was feeling today and I said I’m from California and I’m not used to the cold, so he handed me a note.’

Another woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said they were handing out excuses like they were leaflets.

‘I asked if they were handing out doctors’ excuses and a guy said yes and asked me if I needed one,’ she said. ‘When I told them I needed one for February 16 and 17th, he wondered if I wanted to come back here for the protests next week.’

What happened next?

‘I said, ‘sure,’ and I received a doctor’s note for the 16th through the 25th of February, without a medical exam.’ (Without a medical exam and for “sickness” in the future. I want to know what date the doctor put on the note! Did the doctor post date it?

Don’t miss the doctor who scolded the cameraman because he doesn’t hang out at the capital every day for a year before asking questions about aiding and abetting fraud.

Perhaps the state might want to look into these cases of inadequate examination and potential misdiagnosis by the ‘doctors’ who issued those notes, too.”

Is this not fraud?

Monday, February 21, 2011

Democrats’ Wisconsin Fiasco—Fox News video


Video on the Democrats’ Fiasco in Wisconsin emphasizing the planning role of “Organizing for America” which I covered in a previous post.

From: http://video.foxnews.com/v/4545520/white-house-fanning-protest-flames-in-wisconsin/

2 posts today. I just received this link to the Fox News video. About a minute into the video, check out the flag hanging from the balcony. Does it look like an American flag to you?
Democrats’ Wisconsin Fiasco


From: Western Representation PAC
http://www.westernpac.org/

“Dear Patriot,

Wisconsin has become a battleground for more than just a single piece of legislation. The coalition of unions and leftist politicians realize that if the state of Wisconsin is able to make significant cuts, then the fear tactics that they have used to bully Governments into unsustainable contracts will be a thing of the past. The liberal political machine has mobilized because they realize that if Wisconsin takes control of its employees, there is nothing stopping other states from taking similar action.

The left has unleashed everything in its arsenal to try and stem the tide of fiscal responsibility in Wisconsin before it can spread across the nation. Liberals have chosen Wisconsin as the place where they will take a stand, using all of their power to defend their failed ideas and policies. In their panic, they have taken their actions too far!

Schools have been forced to close because teachers have failed to show up so they could join the protest. (If I was on a school board, I WOULD NOT close the schools in the district even if administrators would have to take on the role of teacher! As a board member, I‘d come in and teach if necessary!—my addition) When Ronald Reagan faced an illegal strike by the air traffic controllers union, he offered them a choice—return to work immediately or be fired. Everyone who didn’t show up for work was immediately fired. Governor Walker should treat this illegal strike by the teachers union the exact same way. (Having been both a teacher in Illinois and a school board member in Arizona, I doubt that any governor has the authority to fire a teacher. I also doubt that most school boards have the power to fire a teacher for calling in sick when not sick. However, depending upon the contractual agreement [conservatives SHOULD ALWAYS follow the law even if the left does not], each teacher may be required to provide a doctor’s statement regarding said illness. If no statement is presented, it may be possible, depending upon the contract, to dock their pay for each day without a doctor’s statement. Also, depending upon the contact, the teacher may be disciplined and this incident along with other incidents could be grounds for dismissal. However, I doubt if any teacher with tenure could be fired because they called in sick and weren’t. The difference between Reagan’s situation and this is drastic including that this is NOT an illegal strike regardless of trying to define it as such. Talk of illegally firing teachers is NOT helpful to our cause. STOP IT!!!—my addition)

We are ready to play our part in mobilizing conservatives in Wisconsin by producing and running radio and television ads that pledge our support for the legislation that the unions are so afraid of. To get these ads produced we need to raise at least $10,000 over the weekend. We must match the efforts of the left and we can only make a difference if you make a generous contribution by clicking ---HERE---

https://www.westernpac.org/donate.html

This is more than a battle over a single piece of legislation in Wisconsin, this is a war to help our conservative agenda take hold across the nation. This is an opportunity to deal a crushing blow to corrupt unions and the Democrats that they own. This is an opportunity to advance our priorities, and we can help make history by providing cover to the courageous public servants who are being viciously smeared. Will you contribute $50, $100, $250, or even $500 to help us secure this critical victory. Donate by clicking this ---LINK---

https://www.westernpac.org/donate.html

Patriots from across the nation have already helped get us started, but if we are going to reach our goal we still need 64 patriots to make a contribution of $50 or more and 42 patriots to make a contribution of $100 or more. Take an active role in changing history by joining the list of heroes who have stepped up to support this critical cause! We understand that times are tough and not everyone can afford to make a contribution. You can still help! Forward this email to your conservative friends and help us get the word out.

https://www.westernpac.org/donate.html

Dustin Stockton
Western Representation PAC

You can also mail your contributions to:

Western Representation PAC
PO Box 50655
Sparks, NV 89435”

From: Tea Party Nation

“The left versus America
Posted by Judson Phillips on February 18, 2011 at 7:11am in Tea Party Nation Forum

It is starting to get ugly. The left is losing power and they do not like it. In Wisconsin, Republican Governor Scott Walker is trying to do what a lot of Governors are trying to do. Make ends meet.

The economy is bad and government workers, particularly teachers in Wisconsin, have an incredibly generous employee pay and benefit package. As working Americans face layoffs and are bearing the brunt of this economic catastrophe, the state workers are complaining if they are asked to endure even the most minor cuts. Last year, when Milwaukee wanted to cut payments for Viagra and other erectile dysfunction medications from the teachers’ insurance plan, they sued. The teachers have an insurance plan that is on average, valued at about $22,000 per year and the teachers do not have to pay for any of it.

For those of us who work for a living (Teachers don’t work for a living? This statement is NOT helpful!—my addition), we do have to pay for at least some, if not all of our insurance.

For years, government employee unions have pushed for better pay and benefit packages. Now, government employees not only make more in salary than those in the private sector, but the benefits and time off are well beyond anything any private sector employer could offer. (I think it depends upon the State. It would be good if he gave some documentation on this instead of a blanket statement. Support your argument! Don’t be like the leftist agitators who just make things up!!!—my addition)

In the past, every time there has been an economic downturn, the unions have said, ‘No, do not cut our benefits; raise taxes.’ (As they said in Illinois last year!—my addition) Now the economy is so bad, raising taxes is not an option and most Americans are tired of Union antics. (It was in Illinois! However, it won‘t solve the problem!—my addition)

The Unions realize what is going on here. There is a battle brewing that could destroy public sector unions. In several states, legislation is being considered that would restrict the collective bargaining abilities of government unions. Wisconsin is the state where this has hit first.

The Unions are pulling out all of the stops to try and win here. Obama’s group Organizing for America, as well as out of state unions, such as the Illinois Education Association, have been helping push this controversy. Wisconsin teachers have even resorted to taking their students with them to the protests, though as shown on Fox News, most of the students were clueless as to why they were there. (Doing so may be illegal—my addition)

For Americans, this battle is of crucial importance and it is a battle Governor Scott Walker and Americans must win. In Europe, public sector unions have bankrupted most of the countries. They have lavish benefits that the working citizens of those countries must supply. Those unions have become so powerful, they can cripple a government when they do not like what is going on and cuts are now impossible. (Some nations have been cutting. When I was a member of a school board, our operational budget was about 65-75% salaries and benefits. We were told that was normal. I would imagine the same is true for State governments. I have already pointed out that the State of Illinois is the largest single employer in the State and that does NOT include teachers in the State who are employed by local school boards. In a democracy, a State should not be the largest employer! I am certain that if Wisconsin is going to balance its budget without raising taxes, public employee unions MUST give up something—either salary and/or benefits or jobs!—my addition)

If we do not win this battle, America’s public sector unions will become that powerful. This is, of course, what Obama and the hard left want. They want these unions to become more powerful and continue to have compulsory dues, which unions then use to fund liberal democratic candidates. (And that’s the difference between public and private unions! Private unions don’t select the leadership in the companies. Public unions have the ability to have a substantial impact on the leaders who make the decisions that impact union members. Furthermore, for the most part, governmental leaders are spending other peoples’ money and are not as concerned with balancing the budget let alone making a profit. The leadership in Illinois has not balanced the budget for several years even though Constitutionally required to do so. It’s a lot easier to spend other peoples’ money particularly when you are doing it to help assure that you are reelected! Public unions should not have the same privileges that private unions do. It can be and has been very detrimental to the State(s)!—my addition)

Wisconsin, along with a lot of other states, is broke. When businesses are broke, people take pay cuts or get laid off. (Or the business goes out of business. Unless they receive a federal bailout!—my addition) The public sector unions do not want either one of those.

They just want real Americans to keep paying even more.

They need to remember, when you work for the government, you are a public servant, not our public master.”

From: Tea Party Nation

"Ending the unholy alliance
Posted by Judson Phillips on February 18, 2011 at 1:46pm in Tea Party Nation Forum

There is an unholy alliance between public sector unions and liberal politicians. It is time for us to end this alliance.

There has been something of a social contract that existed between this country and those who worked in government service. The contract went something like this. You choose to work for the government. You are going to get less money than if you were in the private sector and you will not have to work nearly as hard. In exchange, you are going to get benefits, a pension and will not be as exposed to the harshness of the free market.

Over the years, this has changed. Public employee unions began representing more government workers. They channeled massive amounts of cash into the campaign coffers and perhaps even the pockets of liberals in state and local governments. When those liberals were in office, they then negotiated the new employment contracts with those unions. (I can say unequivocally, that the leadership of the National Education Association is much more liberal than most teachers! Some teachers are not members because of the policies of the NEA. I was a member of the NEA when I was a teacher because it was required if you were a member of the local association. I would NOT be a member of the NEA today and therefore not of the local association!—my addition)

The results? Higher and higher pay and benefits for government workers. Now, government workers make more than their opposite numbers in the private sector and they get a benefit package that the private sector cannot match. When the economy has turned south and government revenues fall, instead of taking cuts, like the people in the private sector who work for a living do, the unions have had one response. Don’t cut our benefits, raise taxes! (Illinois!—my addition)

Now, that cannot be done anymore. The public has had enough of being over taxed.

Unions are being told that public sector workers are going to have to start paying for parts of their pension and benefits. Sort of like people who work for a living do. Like those who are in the private sector.

The Unions have screamed about this. Don’t forget, even with these ‘cuts’, the average public sector union job will still have a benefit package that is much more attractive than in the private sector.

Across America, states like Wisconsin are broke. America is broke and this is a fight that is long over due. (Particularly at the federal level. The second largest employer in the State of Illinois—the federal government! Those people in Washington, D.C.!—my addition)

In Europe, public sector unions have become so powerful that they dictate to the government what it will and will not do. When there are ‘austerity’ measures, including cutting benefits, the government workers riot in the streets.

This is what the socialists want for America.

For Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin, this could be his Reagan moment. He simply wants the Unions to be responsible and share the same pain the rest of America is feeling. Unfortunately, the unions feel like they are our public masters, not our public servants.

Governor Walker should fire every teacher that has called in sick the last three days (See my above comment! This statement is NOT helpful!—my addition). It is an illegal strike and the teachers are not allowed to strike. Firing the teachers could give him the opportunity to remake the Wisconsin educational system so that it actually educates the children, instead of existing by the union and for the union.

This battle is going to be fought across the country in the next year. If we are going to pull our country back from the edge of the fiscal brink, we are going to have to defeat the public sector unions and defeat the liberal politicians they put in office.” (The last statement is probably true or, at least, substantially reduce the power of public unions! We should certainly defeat liberal politicians! Again though, it depends upon the State. Why do so many teachers leave the profession? It’s not because they are overpaid! It’s not because their benefits are too good!—my addition)

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Governor Scott Walker news conference about SB 11


I just received this and decided to post it immediately. Two posts today.

Note that the reporters’ questions are geared to be in support of the public employee unions!

From: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VtbjmX3Ql4&feature=player_embedded#at=21
Rockford Tea Party member confronts Wisconsin Senators. Plus, more on the Democrats’ Wisconsin Fiasco


Watch this video:

From: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxKk3DSW6Sk&feature=player_embedded

The driver in the video is Wisconsin State Senator Jim Holperin from District 12. His website is http://legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/sen12/news/

The passenger in the video is Wisconsin State Senator Bob Jauch from District 25. His website is http://legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/sen25/news/

1) President Barack Hussein Obama—President of all the people? Or is it, President of all the unions?

From: http://techpresident.com/blog-entry/organizing-america-injects-effort-and-obama-wisconsin-union-fight (From what I can tell, this website supports President Barack Hussein Obama)

“According to participants and observers, OFA (Organizing for America—my addition) has been rallying people to join the protests in Wisconsin, where we’re seeing thousands of people gather in the state capitol. Phone banks are being organized, and supporters are being called on to call state legislators and encourage them to oppose the bill. Other groups and individuals are, of course, pitching in on the collective effort. But the New York Times’ Michael Shear reports a DNC (Democratic National Committee—my addition) official stated that Organizing for America is ‘quietly, but significantly, involved in building grassroots energy and organizing protests.’

Blog posts on the Wisconsin labor fight are, for example, front and center on the Organizing for America website, which still, for the record, lives at BarackObama.com.

‘Organizing for America is mobilizing on the ground in Wisconsin,’ reads a post by Mary Hough, ‘to defend the rights of public employees from an attempt by the governor to take away their right to organize.’ (Which is not a “right” any more than MURDERING unborn babies is a “right.” Furthermore, I’ve read the bill—SB 11. It is not an attempt to take away the privilege of organizing by State workers. However, it does rightfully redefine what the relationship is between a sovereign State and public employee unions whose members actually work for the State—my addition.) Another, this one from Elizabeth Chan, reads, ‘Organizing for America–Wisconsin, who has been among the most vocal advocates for state employees’ rights is tweeting live from the rallies and pulling together the voices, videos, and photos of this movement.’ (Staged and orchestrated movement!—my addition)

Organizing for America’s Wisconsin branch has been tweeting out coverage of events in the field from its OFA_WI account. Jeremy Bird, Organizing for America’s deputy director in Washington, has been tweeting in support of the Wisconsin effort.”

“To get meta for a moment, Organizing for America’s engagement in the Wisconsin fight highlights some of the fundamental questions about just what sort of organizing OFA is shaping up to be.

While Obama has himself spoken out about Walker’s plan to rollback labor rights, calling it ‘an assault on unions’ in an interview with Milwaukee television, you can still read what OFA is up to in Wisconsin as a challenge to this idea that OFA can and should only exist as a people’s army (People’s army? Army? Is this political vitriol? Like the People’s Republican Army of Communist China?—my addition) to be called on in support of the president’s legislative plan in Washington.

Where has that idea come from? For one thing, ‘our number one mission is to support the president’s agenda,’ said Stewart in 2009.

Add to that the fact that the way that Organizing for America has been designed and managed has made it an extension of Obama—which drags him more fully into this debate than some other approaches would have dictated. After the 2008 election, you’ll recall, the decision was made in Obama circles to simply move Obama for America to the Democratic National Committee, rather than try to channel the momentum and lessons learned from the campaign into some sort of free-standing, grassroots-driven progressive organization. Organizing for America stands today as Obama’s proxy.”

By the way, according to a now retired Democratic Illinois State Senator, he participated in a well organized effort that bussed thousands of Illinois Democratic workers to Iowa before the Iowa caucus to work for the selection of Barack Hussein Obama in the 2008 Presidential caucus. He did not say if he actually voted in the Iowa caucus. It seems that the Iowa caucus was more of an Iowa-Illinois caucus than an Iowa caucus, per se!

2) Michelle Malkin’s take on Wisconsin’s showdown between public employee unions and the State government

From: http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/260047/apocalypse-now-wisconsin-vs-big-labor-michelle-malkin

“Michelle Malkin

February 18, 2011 12:00 A.M.

Apocalypse Now: Wisconsin vs. Big Labor
In bankrupt and near-bankrupt states, fiscal discipline can’t wait.

Welcome to the reckoning. We have met the fiscal apocalypse, and it is smack dab in the middle of the heartland. As Wisconsin goes, so goes the nation. Let us pray it does not go the way of the decrepit welfare states of the European Union.

The lowdown: State-government workers in the Badger State pay piddling amounts for generous taxpayer-subsidized health benefits. Faced with a $3.6 billion budget hole and a state constitutional ban on running a deficit, new Republican governor Scott Walker wants public unions to pony up a little more. He has proposed raising the public-employee share of health-insurance premiums from less than 5 percent to 12.4 percent.

He is also pushing for state workers to cover half of their pension contributions. To spare taxpayers the soaring costs of byzantine union-negotiated work rules, he would rein in Big Labor’s collective-bargaining power to cover only wages unless approved at the ballot box.

As the free-market MacIver Institute in Wisconsin points out, the benefits concessions Walker is asking public-union workers to make would still maintain their health-insurance-contribution rates at the second-lowest among Midwest states for family coverage. Moreover, a new analysis by benefits think tank HCTrends shows that the new rate ‘would also be less than the employee contributions required at 85 percent of large Milwaukee area employers.’

This modest call for shared sacrifice has triggered the wrath of the White House–Big Labor-Michael Moore axis. On Thursday, President Obama lamented the “assault on unions.” AFL-CIO and Service Employees International Union bosses dubbed Walker the ‘Mubarak of the Midwest’ while their minions toted posters of Walker’s face superimposed on Hitler’s (No political vitriol here!—my addition). Moore goaded thousands of striking union protesters to ‘shut down’ the ‘new Cairo’ while the state’s Democratic legislators bailed on floor debate over the union reform package.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan spurned the opportunity to condemn thousands of Wisconsin public-school teachers for lying about being ‘sick’ (Don’t you know it is alright for Democrats to lie if it will advance their cause!—my addition) and shutting down at least eight school districts across the state to attend capitol protests (many of whom dragged their students on a social-justice field trip with them). Instead, Duncan defended teachers for ‘doing probably the most important work in society.’ Only striking government teachers could win federal praise for not doing their jobs. (Not only not doing their job but walking off their job and, in practice, closing down schools. Ah, but they’re doing it “for the students!”—my addition)

Yes, the so-called progressives truly believe that bringing American union workers into the 21st century in line with the rest of the workforce is tantamount to dictatorship.

Yes, the so-called progressives truly believe that by walking off their jobs and out of their classrooms, they are ‘putting children first.’

If ever there were proof that public unions no longer work in the public interest, this is it. Big Labor dragoons workers into exclusive representation agreements, forces them to pay compulsory dues that fatten Democratic political coffers, and then has the chutzpah to cast itself as an Egyptian-style ‘freedom’ and ‘human rights’ movement.

Meanwhile, union leaders elsewhere are quietly forcing their low-wage members to share the sacrifice in order to preserve teetering health funds. In New York State, Skidmore College campus janitors, dining-service workers, and other maintenance employees received late notice from the SEIU (Service Employees International Union—my addition) that 4.15 percent of their gross earnings will now be deducted from their paychecks to cover the cost of the health plan provided through the behemoth 1199 SEIU Greater New York Benefit Fund. (If the name sounds familiar, it’s because this is one of several privileged SEIU affiliates that have received an Obamacare waiver.)

These workers are forced to join the union in order to preserve their jobs, and unlike non-union workers, they are locked into a single health plan. The SEIU has now decreed that they must pay new fees to include spouses on their plans and has hiked employee co-pays for doctor visits and prescription drugs.

What’s necessary for New York union workers is necessary for Wisconsin union workers—and for the rest of the protected union-worker class in bankrupt and near-bankrupt states across America. The ‘persuasion of power’ so ruthlessly and recklessly exercised by the SEIU and its thuggish allies must be broken by the moral courage of fiscal discipline. It’s now or never.

— Michelle Malkin is the author of Culture of Corruption: Obama and His Team of Tax Cheats, Crooks, & Cronies (Regnery, 2010). © 2011 Creators Syndicate, Inc.”

Friday, February 18, 2011

Democrats demonstrate democracy in action—a tale of two States


The last two days, I changed my direction, which was on the MURDER of unborn babies, and posted about the new federal budget proposed by Barack Hussein Obama. I’m changing directions, once again, and am discussing the States of Illinois, my State, and the State of Wisconsin, which is directly north of Illinois.

Illinois:

Since I have been back in Illinois which will be seven years in early June, the Democrats have controlled both houses of the General Assembly, the Governor’s office, and almost all of the other executive Statewide, elected offices. The Democrats also control the judiciary. And until the November election of last year, the Democrats also controlled the majority of the seats in the House of Representatives and both Senate seats. And of course, the elected President of the United States—Barack Hussein Obama—is from Illinois.

Last year as in previous years, the State of Illinois failed to balance its yearly budget although required to do so by the Illinois Constitution (The Illinois Democratic Party in action). The projected deficit for the budget was $13 billion (The Illinois Democratic Party in action). During the course of the year, the State, not having the money, failed to pay its bills on time and still owes many entities a sum total of billions of dollars (The Illinois Democratic Party in action).

Of note which I posted a few years ago (Monday, September 14, 2009 “Give US more money”), the single largest employer in the State of Illinois is the State of Illinois (The Illinois Democratic Party in action). The second largest employer in the State of Illinois is the federal government. The third largest employer in the State of Illinois is the city of Chicago (The Chicago Democratic Party in action). It is not until the fourth largest employer is reached that a private business is listed. The fourth largest employer in the State of Illinois is Jewel Foods. The fifth largest employer in the State of Illinois is the Chicago School District. Of the five largest employers in Illinois, the only private company that makes the top five list is a grocery store chain.

The five largest employers in the State of Illinois listed from 1-5:

1) the State of Illinois

2) the federal government

3) the city of Chicago

4) Jewel Foods

5) the Chicago School District

Not surprising under the circumstances, public employee unions last year rallied at the State capitol demanding chance. However, their rallying cry was not to obey the Constitution of Illinois and balance the budget. Their rallying cry was not to stop spending more money than collected by the State. Rather, their rallying cry was to “Raise our taxes!” Of course, raising the taxes on public employee union members also raises the taxes on every other tax paying citizen in the State of Illinois.

Also not surprisingly, the Democratically controlled General Assembly did not raise our taxes since 2010 was an election year and the Democrats rightly feared a taxpayer revolt at the ballot box if taxes were raised right before the election. The Democrats were reelected although with slightly less majorities than before. Public employee unions although not receiving their desire to be taxed more, nevertheless, worked tirelessly to reelect a Democratic Party majority in both houses.

However, the work of the public employee unions did not go unnoticed. After the election, the lame duck General Assembly finally realized the urgent need to RAISE OUR TAXES! (The Illinois Democratic Party in action) The individual income tax rate was increased by 67% (The Illinois Democratic Party in action). As far as I know, not a single Republican in either house voted for the increase. The corporate income tax was also raised (The Illinois Democratic Party in action). As far as I know, not a single Republican in either house voted for the increase.

Wednesday, Democratic Governor Pat Quinn proposed the State’s new budget for fiscal year 2011-2012. Before the new taxes were passed, the budget deficit for the coming year was projected at $15 billion. According to the Peoria Journal Star, February 17, 2011, pages 1 & 5, the Governor proposed approximately $1 billion in budget cuts as well as borrowing billions of dollars to pay off bills owed (The Illinois Democratic Party in action). He also proposed INCREASED spending in selected areas (The Illinois Democratic Party in action).

Quoting from Governor Quinn’s speech before the General Assembly, “‘All unnecessary spending will be eliminated (The Illinois Democratic Party in action).’” Really? The Democratically controlled General Assembly could NOT control spending in previous years (The Illinois Democratic Party in action). Now, they are going to cut all unnecessary spending? Why then is Governor Quinn proposing additional spending?

Also from the same story, “Republicans said they don’t believe it. They said spending for operations is going up by $1.7 billion despite cuts to some programs.

‘We got into this mess because we spent money we didn’t have, and it’s just a continuation of the same old song,’ said House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego.”

From an editorial in the Peoria Journal Star, February 17, 2011, page 4:

“He (Governor Pat Quinn—my addition) doesn’t go far enough.

Indeed, spending from the state’s main bank account—it’s General Fund—would climb $1.1 billion, to $26.9 billion. Operational expenditures beyond that—including debt service, mandatory transfers to other funds, etc.—would raise that total to $35.3 billion, a $1.7 billion increase.”

In short, the propose budget STILL increases spending by the State of Illinois. It has already been admitted that the new increases in taxes will NOT raise enough money to balance the budget even without the proposed budgetary increases. If the budget is passed without radical reductions in spending, the State budget STILL will NOT be balanced as required by the Illinois Constitution! (The Illinois Democratic Party in action) However, the public employee unions will be happy! Their jobs remain safe! Their influence remains intact! (The Illinois Democratic Party in action)

As I’ve said repeatedly, The State of Illinois DOES NOT HAVE a revenue problem. The State of Illinois has a SPENDING problem! You don’t cure a spending addict by giving the addict more money to spend. The State MUST drastically CUT spending!!! It almost certainly will NOT! (The Illinois Democratic Party in action)

The majority of voters in the last election voted for a continuation of more of the same. They, assuredly, will get what they voted for. The rest of us will also be saddled with the same! You get what you vote for! (The Illinois Democratic Party in action)

Wisconsin:

I admit that I don’t know a lot about Wisconsin government and politics. The following is from an Associate Press story yesterday. It seems that the public employee unions are rallying against proposed cuts in the Wisconsin State budget—part of which will be achieved by radically reforming (Change that the unions don’t believe in!) the “bargaining rights” of public employee unions.

First, the political power in Wisconsin changed (Change that the unions don’t believe in!) in last November’s election as it did in many States throughout the nation. The voters of Wisconsin elected a conservative Republican governor. The voters of Wisconsin elected a majority of Republicans to both houses of the Wisconsin General Assembly.

In a republic, which is a type of democracy, the will of the people is expressed through elections. The voters will in Wisconsin was to elect a conservative Republican governor and a majority of Republicans to both houses of the General Assembly.

Wisconsin, like most States, is facing budgetary problems. It is my understanding that Wisconsin is required to operate under a balanced budget. The newly elected Governor and newly reelected General Assembly seem to have chosen to lower spending instead of raising taxes as did the State of Illinois. It seems reasonable to say that such cuts in spending are the will of the people since the Republicans now are in the majority in State government in Wisconsin.

However, it seems that cutting spending is not the will of the Wisconsin public employee unions when those proposed cuts will impact their perceived well being. It seems that such cuts are not the will of the minority Democrats in the Wisconsin Senate.

From: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41644074/ns/us_news-life/?GT1=43001

“Wis. union vote on hold after Democrats leave state
Senate adjourns, governor calls exodus a “stunt’ and expects holdouts to return

By SCOTT BAUER
The Associated Press”

“The Wisconsin Senate adjourned for the day after minority Democrats blocked an attempt by Republicans to vote on an anti-union bill by leaving the state.”

What! The response of the minority Senate Democrats to a proposed vote in the Senate was to FLEE! The Democrats ran away from their Constitutional duties to participate in the governmental process because they feared losing the vote!

Where did they flee to? According to reports, they fled to Illinois. Why did they flee? 20 members present are required for a quorum in the Wisconsin Senate. The Republicans hold a 19-14 majority but one Democrat needs to be present to reach the 20 members present quorum requirement. “The dirty little cowards” who fled the State and fled their responsibilities.

So much for democracy Democratic Party style. In Illinois, the Democratic Party waits until after the election to vote for a 67% increase in individual income tax rates while routinely violating the Illinois Constitution. And then, proposes even more spending in the upcoming budget year. In Wisconsin, the Democrats lose control of the State government in the last election and then FLEE the State to avoid a vote that they think they will lose.

Democracy in Democratic Party style in action. Why would anyone who is NOT under the influence of the Democratic Party vote for ANY of the candidates of the Democratic Party? How undemocratic can elected representatives of we the people be? Do Democrats really believe that we the people are that stupid!