HOUSE DEMS STRUGGLE FOR FINAL VOTES

Pay....or Pay

Today, Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Committee Dave Camp (R-MI) released a letter from the non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) confirming that the failure to comply with the individual mandate to buy health insurance contained in the Pelosi health care bill (H.R. 3962, as amended) could land people in jail.

The JCT letter makes clear that Americans who do not maintain “acceptable health insurance coverage” and who choose not to pay the bill’s new individual mandate tax (generally 2.5% of income), are subject to numerous civil and criminal penalties, including criminal fines of up to $250,000 and imprisonment of up to five years.

In response to the JCT letter, Camp said: “This is the ultimate example of the Democrats’ command-and-control style of governing – buy what we tell you or go to jail.

This is outrageous and should be stopped immediately.”

Press Release by Ways & Means Republicans

Look at the Side by Side

Sometimes a picture speaks louder than words, so here it is - a side by side picture of Pelosi Health Care Bill and the GOP Alternative. What do you want - more freedom or more government?

Keep calling (numbers in previous post) and if the line is busy send an e-mail while you wait. Google your Rep and get on it!

And let's all call Pelosi now
(202) 225-0100 and (415)556.4862
and give her a little freedom loving patriot love too!

Right Now!

Right now in Washington DC American citizens, led by Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-MN) are giving voice to the millions of us who oppose the Democrat takeover of our healthcare.

We can't be there but we can add our voice to support them!

Right now...call both our Senators and your Representative with your strong message opposing the Democrat takeover of healthcare.

RIGHT NOW CALL:
Senators:
Maria Cantwell - (202) 224-3441
Patty Murray - (202) 224-2621

Your Representative:
1st District: Jay Inslee - (202) 225–6311
2nd District: Rick Larsen - (202) 225-2605
3rd District: Brian Baird - (202) 225-3536
4th District: Doc Hastings - (202) 225-5816
5th District: Cathy McMorris Rodgers - (202) 225-2006
6th District: Norm Dicks - (202) 225-5916
7th District: Jim McDermott - (202) 225-3106
8th District: Dave Reichert - (202) 225-7761
9th District: Adam Smith - (202) 225-8901

Press Release:

Congresswoman Michele Bachmann released the following statement as the House of Representatives approaches a vote on the Democrats’ health care reform proposal:

“The American people spoke loud and clear at town hall meetings all across the country throughout August. But, it would appear that Congress didn’t hear a word they had to say. The Democrats’ latest health care proposal unveiled late last week may be packaged a little differently, but it’s the same old bad bill as before.

“This bill is a trillion-dollar, budget-busting, government takeover of our health care system. It will put bureaucrats between people and their health care. It will lead to rationed care, hurting the most vulnerable amongst us first. It will break the bank, leaving our children to pay the bill with diminished freedoms and dwindling prosperity.

“The American people need to stand up again and make sure that Congress hears them this time. Speaker Pelosi is putting her bill on fast track to a vote – and it remains to be seen if the House will even get a chance to vote on the commonsense Republican alternatives. The people need to make a House Call on Washington this week and tell their Representatives to vote no to a government take-over of one-fifth of our economy. This is gangster government at its worst.

“I urge all Americans to come to Washington this Thursday. Come and meet up with your Representative and tell them that you want to control your health care.”

America's Message: Too Far Too Fast!

What Today’s Election Means
November 3rd, 2009
by Saul Anuzis

In my opinion…

The real question and really the only question is does Obama’s aggressive liberal agenda get clipped because moderate Democrats get a real taste of how main street America is not only reacting in polls…but at the polls.

In MI we will pick up State Senate seat that has been held by Democrat Mark Schauer since 2002 until his election last year to the US Congress!
That’s bodes well for MIGOP in the upcoming reapportionment battle and for the potential GOP challenger to Schauer in 2010.

VA is still a win…it’s just that polling shows us it going to be a win, so some are trying to minimize the impact.

NJ is huge…win or close, this spells trouble for the Democrats.

NY is more symbolic and important for the conservative base in our party.
Winning as a conservative vs Republican will have a great impact within the party, more than in DC.

Conservatives can win when they emphasize the right things and don’t allow their message to get co-opted. The Democrats & some of their friends in the media attempt to paint all conservatives as fire breathing cavemen.

But Dede Scozzafava was drubbed, not for being a “moderate” Republican, but for not being a Republican at all. McDonnell was an example on how to do it right.

To some extent American voters like checks & balances – they don’t like one party control – and one party dominance even less. This reflects on Obama’s agenda, Congressional Democrats aggressiveness and the apparent “out of touch” and low approval ratings of Congress in general.

Voters are trying to send the White House and Democrats a message that they’re going too far, too fast, for too many special interests, and if they don’t get the message from tonight, voters will have to send them a louder message in 1 year.

Economy & Government Spending Concerns Trump Health Care & Climate Change

For voters, the economy outpaces all other issues by a wide margin, according to a new Public Strategies Inc./POLITICO poll.

As the nation struggles to climb out of a recession, 45 percent rated the economy as the most important issue in deciding their vote if the congressional election were held today, followed by 21 percent who said government spending, 20 percent who chose health care reform and 9 percent who said the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Just 4 percent ranked climate change as the top issue.

Economic worries also led a majority of Americans to place jump-starting the economy ahead of concerns about the environment.

Even as the Obama administration is pushing for climate protection legislation, 62 percent of those polled agreed that “economic growth should be given priority, even if the environment suffers to some extent.”

...Less than half, 45 percent, said regulation of corporations should be increased, while 29 percent preferred that regulation be kept “about the same as it is now” and 26 percent wanted to see regulation of corporations decreased.

...A wide majority, 62 percent, said business will play a larger role in helping the economy recover than the government will, while 38 percent sided with the government. While the majority remains strongly in favor of business, it has actually dropped some since July, when 68 percent chose business and 32 percent said government.

From Politico

$526,610 Per Job - And We Thought a $600 Hammer Was Bad!

Obama’s billions-of-stimulus-dollars-spending-of-your-money created or saved only 30,383 jobs

by Dan Spencer

October 15, 2009

The Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, the government watchdog which oversees how the stimulus monies are spent reports contractors who received money from President Obama’s failed $787 billion stimulus program created or saved 30,383 jobs by the beginning of October.

According to the Wall Street Journal, this report covers only spending on infrastructure and social programs being carried out by private companies, which were awarded about $16 billion in stimulus funds. That amounts to $526,610 per job created or saved.

Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers claims the stimulus and “other policy actions caused employment in August to be slightly more than one million jobs higher than it otherwise would have been.”

I can’t wait to hear the CEA’s Obama-speak explanation as to how the contractors’ measly 30,383 jobs supports the council’s million plus estimate.

Baucus Health Care - Bad for America:

The Senate Finance Committee voted out the “Baucus Plan” for universal health care on October 13, and the Democratic Leadership in the Senate is now writing a bill which combines the Baucus Plan and a bill reported by the HELP Committee, which they plan to bring to the Senate floor as soon as they can overcome procedural hurdles that will surely be raised by Republicans. There is much to dislike in the Baucus Plan, some of which has been widely discussed.

ACTION: We urge you to contact your Senators and tell them that the Baucus plan is not an acceptable way of reforming healthcare for the reasons outlined below, and to join any of the public rallies & bus tours in your area.

ISSUE-IN-BRIEF: There is much more to dislike in the Baucus Plan than the most obvious. Here are a few:

1. No Bill and no Transparency. The Baucus “Bill” is no bill at all but a 300 page outline and summary of what a bill would look like. The actual bill will contain over 1000 pages and is yet to be written. Democrats have voted down an amendment to make it available for 72 hours before a vote, so when it is brought to the Senate Floor for a vote, no Senator will have read it.

2. Higher spending. The Baucus “summary” is a big spending bill rather than health care legislation. The cost has been estimated at $829 billion over ten years (and will surely go much higher), and the legislation would raise taxes on everybody, including the middle class. Plus the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) also says that the takeover would still leave 25 million people uninsured.

3. Higher Taxes. The Baucus summary includes at least $327 billion in new taxes -- a tax on high-cost insurance plans ($210 billion), penalties for not having insurance ($27 billion), and "indirect offsets" (whatever they are -- $83 billion). In addition, state taxes will surely rise as costs are fobbed off on state governments in the form of more Medicaid spending.

4. Higher Health Insurance Premiums. According to an independent study done by an actuary and the Council for Affordable Health Insurance: Health insurance rates will almost double for most American families who buy their own policies if Congress passes universal coverage, guaranteed issue and modified community rating! These are all main features in both versions of the Senate bill. On top of this families will be fined $759--$1500 if they do not buy insurance, even if they cannot afford it.

5. Hidden Employer Mandate. The Baucus summary includes an employer mandate -- watered-down, but still there. There is no specific requirement for employers to provide insurance, but any employer who fails to do so would have to pay the cost of all subsidies that the government provides his or her workers to help them pay for insurance on their own, up to $400 per worker. Since it will ultimately be the employee who pays the cost of the mandate, through reduced compensation or reduced employment, the government will be giving the worker a subsidy with one hand and taking it back with the other.

6. Tax Dollars for Abortion. Current federal law protects American taxpayers from paying for abortions as part of the health benefits given to federal employees—not one of the insurance plans offered includes abortion coverage. To maintain the “status quo” on abortion any health-care bill would have to explicitly prevent federal dollars from being used for elective abortions. Provisions that would have done that were defeated by all five committees that have handled health-care reform bills this year.
7. Big Cuts in Medicare Advantage. The Baucus summary cuts payments to the Medicare Advantage program. In response, many insurers may stop participating in the program while others could increase the premiums they charge seniors. Millions of seniors (the bulk will be lower income elderly and minorities) will be forced off their current plan and back into traditional Medicare.

8. No More Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). The bills that each committee has approved in the Senate and House would eliminate HSAs as an affordable health insurance option for Americans. The government would determine what each health insurance plan looks like, and after all the requirements, mandates, and regulations, the high deductible health plans that accompany tax-free HSAs would not qualify as an acceptable health insurance product.

9. Invades Patients’ Privacy. The Baucus summary would eliminate patients’ rights to health privacy and a patient’s right to control sensitive health information in electronic systems. Every American would be required to have an electronic health record by 2014 and all electronic health records will be data mined without legal and ethical informed consent.

10. Ignores Tort Reform. Despite the fact that medical malpractice litigation adds billions of dollars to healthcare bills and results in billions (some estimate as much as $100 billion) being spent on defensive medicine, the Baucus summary makes no attempt to fix this curse on our system.

Our Constitution is on Life Support

By Mark AlexanderPublisher, PatriotPost.US,

"Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." --Benjamin Franklin

That wise old sage, Ben Franklin, was prescient back in 1748, when he issued his simple Rx for success. Unfortunately, the wealth and wisdom of generations of Americans have been progressively supplanted by our central government's exercise of unconstitutional authority.

In regard to wealth, I refer most directly to our government's colossal spending and debt accumulation, and unlawful taxation.

As to wisdom, well, there's not much of that emerging from government-run school systems.

Having already depleted the wealth and wisdom of our great nation, the Obama juggernaut is determined to do likewise to health, that third prong of Franklin's trident. If successful, then we may rightly fear it as a deathblow to the greatest experiment in human history.

Where is Doctor Franklin when we really need him?

Simpletons across the United States and, indeed, the world, are beguiled by the Democrat health scare cacophony. While so much has been said, so too has so little. And, as we approach the seemingly inevitable passage of some such diabolical legislation, almost to a citizen everyone is screaming, "Stop the world, I want to get off!" Indeed, only elitist Democrats are charging full-steam ahead, constituents be damned.

Intentionally lost in all this noise is the Leftist tactic of drowning its opposition in waves of excessive and ever-changing health care minutia. With the devil being so well hidden in the details, this ensures that we remain distracted while Rule of Law is further usurped by the rule of man.

As Patriots, we are summoned to slice through this diversionary blather. And, to obtain proper analysis of this overarching objective, we must seek guidance from our founding documents, the Constitution of the United States of America and its superordinate document, the Declaration of Independence.

In a search of the Constitution, we find that the words "health," "medicine" or "medical" are mentioned -- drum roll please -- not even once: not within the original text, nor within 220 years of amendments. (A search of the Articles of Confederation yields similar results.)

To some, this exclusion indicates that the Founding Fathers were unconcerned about the health of their countrymen. But, supporters of this argument expose their condescension, and it is here mentioned to disabuse them of their disdain. For our Founding Fathers sacrificed so greatly for the birth of our nation -- in both blood and treasure -- that to posit such indifference does a great and grotesque disservice to their honor and their memory.

To others, this exclusion indicates that health care was mercifully omitted since medical care of the 1700s was so "primitive" that the cure often caused more harm than the ailment. They further argue that, given the foresight of modern medicine, our Founders would have surely incorporated universal health care within the Constitution. But, supporters of this argument expose their arrogance, and it is here mentioned to disabuse them of their haughtiness. For the medicine of our Founding Fathers was actually advanced in its day, just as the U.S. medicine of today is advanced, and just as tomorrow it will be thought primitive. This, of course, assumes that we successfully restore Rule of Law.

Alas, we discern seemingly little counsel from the Constitution.

And, as we turn to the Declaration, a search for the words "health," "medicine" or "medical" once more yields exactly zero results.

Furthermore, the itemized grievances therein make nary a hint concerning health, even considering the "primitive" conditions discussed above.

Alas, we also discern seemingly little counsel from the Declaration.

However, neither do the Constitution nor the Declaration counsel us with direct verbiage concerning agriculture, textiles, construction and the whole raft of goods and services upon which those everyday necessities of food, clothing and shelter are stationed.

But, the Declaration does aver that all men are created equal, not of outcome but of opportunity; that they are endowed with the right to Life, not a guaranteed good life, not a guaranteed healthy life, but life with all of its miraculous potential; that they are endowed with a right to Liberty, the fusion of freedom and personal responsibility; and that they are endowed with a right to the pursuit of Happiness, the eclectic amalgamation of hopes and dreams and desires and necessities as defined by each individual -- not by faceless, nameless bureaucrats.

Furthermore, the Constitution's Preamble declares that its purpose is to establish Justice, the even-handed application of law to all citizens; to insure domestic Tranquility, the exclusion of class warfare; to promote (not provide) the general Welfare; and to secure the blessings of Liberty, there again, the fusion of freedom with personal responsibility.

So, our founding documents do guide us to proper health care legislation: for it is that which encompasses equality and liberty for consumers and providers alike; that which promotes life above death panels; that which encourages the medical hopes and dreams as defined by each individual; that which constrains, not magnifies, class warfare; and that which secures "the blessings of Liberty, to ourselves and our Posterity."

Anything more than this is an affront to constitutional order and Rule of Law. As Thomas Jefferson so keenly observed: "Were we directed from Washington when to sow, and when to reap, we should soon want bread." And, it takes little thought, or even imagination, to extend his estimation to the current health care debate.

The bottom line is that Article 1, Section 8 of our Constitution, which addresses powers of the legislature, never endowed Congress with authority to regulate or collect taxes for banking, mortgage or automaker bailouts. Neither does it present authority for them to subsidize production or service sectors such as health care. Indeed, James Madison wrote, "I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents..."

Sadly, not one Democrat bill addresses "health care" so much as it seeks omnipotent centralized government power and control, the currency of the Left. However, the proposals certainly betray the Left's condescension and contempt for Rule of Law, along with their frontal assault upon our Essential Liberty.

Patriot Readers, the U.S. Constitution is on life support. To prevent it from flat-lining, we must exude high dudgeon, we must slice through the Left's onslaught of minutia, and we must surgically endeavor with our every thought and deed to restore a healthy Rule of Law.

For What?

By Gary Bauer

Eyes rolled across America today as the sunrise brought news that our apprentice president had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Obama’s name is now added to an esteemed list that includes such note-worthies as Jimmy Carter (2002), Kofi Annan (2001) and Yasser Arafat (1994). (Somehow the Nobel Committee never got around to recognizing the achievements of Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher or Pope John Paul II, who brought down Soviet Communism and peacefully liberated tens of millions of people behind the Iron Curtain.)

All the commentators are suggesting the prize is premature because President Obama hasn’t actually accomplished anything yet to bring about peace. That view fails to understand the mindset of leftwing elites who run international organizations like the Nobel Committee. To them, America is the real threat to peace, particularly when we are led by men like Reagan and Bush, confident leaders who believed in American exceptionalism and willing to confront tyranny.

It also sends a message of just how much disdain the European elites have for the rest of us who dare to oppose the president’s appeasement and his socialism. George Bush’s efforts to keep America and the world safe from radical Islamic terrorism – the biggest threat to world peace today – were never deserving of recognition. But by electing Barack Obama, America got it “right,” and the liberal elites want to make sure you understand that fact, so they have bestowed Barack with one of the highest honors the international community can offer.

Today America is led by the “anti-Reagan.” In his eight-and-a-half months in office, Obama has made apologizing for America a top priority. He couldn’t find his voice when the Iranian regime crushed skulls. He tells the United Nations that no country or group of countries can be above anyone else. He has turned U.S. policy in the Middle East on its head – reaching out to Syria, Iran and Libya while regularly suggesting too many Jews in Jerusalem are the roadblock to peace. He has dissed our allies, cancelled a defensive missile system and has been silent on human rights abuses in Cuba, Venezuela and around the world.

Just so you know, there were other nominees, including folks like Greg Mortenson, a decorated Army veteran, son of a Lutheran missionary and best-selling author. Mortenson has dedicated more than a decade of his life working in remote regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan building schools and helping to educate tens of thousands of children, especially young girls. You can read more about Greg Mortenson here.

That Mortenson’s incredible record of accomplishment lost out to Obama’s rhetoric is not surprising. If you are a left-wing internationalist who thinks the key to peace is a weaker America willing to take orders from the U.N., who in the world would you give the Nobel Peace Prize to other than Barack Hussein Obama?

Keeping You Blindfolded With Your Hands Tied Behind Your Back

As the American people become more vigilant at watching Congress, they apparently feel the need to restructure and manipulate the legislative process by any means necessary.

And as opposition to Obamacare grows they continue to advance their dirty work in aggressive but stealth ways, all the while neutralizing their constituents in what can only be described as blindfolded with their hands tied behind their backs.

They want Obamacare, and they are willing to exclude you and anyone else who would stand in their way.

Fix Health Care Policy is an organization on the job for the people, and you need to plug into this resource right away. They released an alarming report today that you need to read "Congress's Secret Plan to Pass Obamacare". As the plot thickens so must our vigilance.

"The San Francisco Examiner published an editorial today that exposed the fact that the American people can't see the bill.

"When then-Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama promised not to sign major legislation until it had been posted on the Internet for public reading at least five days, trusting voters took him at his word. Now they know better.

Not only is the actual language of what is likely to become the main legislative vehicle for Obama's signature health care reform not available on the Internet, it hasn't been given to members of the key Senate committees or the Congressional Budget Office."

The procedure being used, in addition to the exclusion of the American people from the process, should be of grave concern to all who want to participate in democracy and have a say in Congress' health care debate that will touch one-sixth of the U.S. economy."

What is Vat? Pelosi's Massive Tax Hike

**Information From The Heritage Foundation

Speaker Nancy Pelosi has joined the growing liberal chorus calling for a massive tax hike through the implementation of a value added tax (VAT).

A VAT is similar to a national sales tax. Businesses would pay it at each stage of the production process and consumers at the cash register. European countries have suffered with VATs for years.

As we pointed out earlier this year, Congress should not pass a VAT to pay for a government takeover of the health care system or expand the size of government. If it does, it will mean a massive tax hike for YOU!

Some suggest the VAT rate should be set as high as 20 percent. At that rate, a VAT that covers all goods and services in our economy – including food, clothing, housing, and health care – would collect an additional $1,260 billion a year and cost every U.S. household $10,680 annually.

Right now the rate being considered is 15%, but know that if Congress passes a VAT at any rate it WILL be pushed higher in the future.

Evidence from other countries that already have VATs prove that once it is implamented it is easy to raise.

The American people would be better off if Congress would stop spending other people's money.

Adding a new entitlement will only make the country’s fiscal situation worse and painful tax hikes more likely. Unfortunately, that might have been the plan all along.

Send Congress Their Pink Slips!

After all the Tea Parties, Townhalls, and the massive demonstration in Washington DC it seems Congress STILL hasn't gotten the message the people are sending.

So it's time to SHOW them just how serious we are, and SEND right to their door a tangible message aimed directly at what they care most about - getting re-elected.

Let's put Congress on notice - all 535 of them - by sending each of them a pink slip. Remind them just WHO it is they work for - WE THE PEOPLE - and WHAT you're willing to do about it - REPLACE THEM!

In the first 10 days alone this campaign to send "pink slips" to Congress has resulted in an unprecedented and historic effort generating 2.25 million individually addressed notices to all members of the House and Senate – and proving, once again, that Americans are mobilized to take action to stop Washington's plans for bigger, more expensive and more intrusive government.

The "pink slips" specifically warn that we will oppose in the next election any member of Congress who votes for more spending, intrusive legislation that restricts personal freedom and more big government programs.

The cost of each message translates to six cents per message – $29.95 - for 535 "pink slips" individually addressed for both the recipient and the sender and shipped by Fed Ex.

Last week, suppliers of paper to the campaign reported the campaign had completely tapped the nation's supply of 8.5 x 11 inch pink paper. As the last full pallet of pink paper was delivered to the printer, new supplies had to be ordered and manufactured.

Click on the link below and join this historic opportunity to SHOUT our message to Congress "If you vote for big government, anti-family legislation your REAL pink slip will be issued in the next election. COUNT ON IT!"

http://www.sendcongressapinkslip.com/

ACTION: They're Voting on the Draft!

Within 48 hours, the Senate Finance Committee is expected to vote on its draft of ObamaCare--complete with the Individual Mandate, the Corporate Mandate and its version of the Public option.

It is a "draft" because the Finance Committee has not published actual legislative text but instead (as is the tradition of this committee) is working off what is called the "Chairman's Mark" of the bill.

Our Senator serves on the Finance Committee, and she needs to hear from Washington State voter right now regarding her upcoming healthcare vote.

We know that Senator Cantwell is preparing to cast a vote that could radically change the face of our nation, and it's critical that you weigh-in before that important vote is cast!

Let Sen. Cantwell know you oppose healthcare reform
and any form of an individual mandate.

Your phone call is critical--especially at this late hour.
What a coup it would be if your phone call motivated your
Senator to cast a NO vote!

Sen. Cantwell 202-224-3441

Please also call Senator Murray and express similar sentiment about ObamaCare. Calls to other key members of the Senate Finance Committee are critical - URGE THEM TO VOTE NO!

Sen. Murray 202-224-2621

Sen. Baucus (Chair): 202-224-2651

Finance Committee: 202-224-4515

**info from Grassfire.org**

Obama's Doctors

Yesterday, President Obama held a press conference at the White House with a backdrop of doctors supportive of his government-run health care plan.

After about 5 minutes of research, we found that Doctors for America, the group to which the doctors belong, was formerly known as the campaign group Doctors for Obama (note how this site instructs you to visit drsforamerica.org), a group that falls under the umbrella of Obama's ongoing community organizing and legislative agenda campaign group, "Organizing for America."

Obama's hosting of this activist group at the White House is a testament to the true lack of support for his health care proposal within the medical profession--Obama had to rely on his community organizing group to supply his health care press conference participants!

An interesting side note - The invited physicians were told to be camera ready in their white lab coats to make the most of this photo op for Obama. However, some apparently forgot and showed up in businesswear. White House staffers quickly rustled up white coats handing them to the suited physicians already seated on the White House lawn. Too funny!

Losing Private Insurance Trumps Public Option

Sixty-three percent (63%) of voters nationwide say guaranteeing that no one is forced to change their health insurance coverage is a higher priority than giving people the choice of a public option.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that just 29% take the opposite view. They say it’s more important to give people the choice between private insurance and a government-sponsored non-profit health insurance option.

Most liberal voters say giving people the choice of a public option is more important. But, most moderates take the opposite view and Republicans overwhelmingly agree with them.

Taxpayer Alert: YOU Are On Their Mind

Legislators are back in Olympia for the next two days and YOU are on their mind.

It is the annual session known as Committee Days, and joining them in Olympia are a motley crew of tax hike advocates vying for their attention...and your money.

SEIU and others plan to pressure lawmakers to raise YOUR taxes rather than cut THEIR spending to fix the rapidly growing 2011-13 budget deficit.

Even Governor Gregoire has stated that raising taxes is on the table. You can count on it!

So YOU NEED TO CALL to call Olympia tomorrow... and Friday. Yes, call them again. Let the know THEY are on your mind too. Legislative Hotline - 1.800.562.6000

Tell them to get a grip on THEIR spending, and to leave you and your paycheck ALONE. To even think of increasing taxes in this economy is insane.

After you call, check out other candidates running for your legislators seat. Get to know them a bit. Ask them if they will pledge to cut government spending and give taxpaying citizens a break. If they agree, get involved in their campaign immediately.

I don't know about you, but I'm ready for some change in Washington State. I'm so done with this Democrat dominance and their fixation on what I work to earn.

Time for some serious fiscal restraint, and leaders courageous enough to do it. Let's elect some starting right now!

Take America Back

Eagle Forum, a conservative public policy organization founded by Phyllis Schlafly, will host the national How to Take Back America Conference this weekend in conjunction with its 38th Annual Eagle Council on September 25th and 26th at the Hilton Frontenac Hotel in St. Louis.

Eagle Forum will join forces with some of today’s leading conservative activists and media personalities, including radio talk show host and president of Faith2Action Janet Folger Porter, radio mogul Dick Bott, owner of WorldNetDaily Joseph Farah, founder of Home School Legal Defense Association and chancellor of Patrick Henry College Michael Farris, dean of Liberty University Law School Mat Staver, and founder of American Family Association Don Wildmon.

Featured speakers will include six Members of Congress: Rep. Steve King (IA), Rep. Tom McClintock (CA), Rep. Tom Price, M.D. (GA), Rep. Michele Bachmann (MN), Rep. Trent Franks (AZ) and Rep. Todd Akin (MO). Other national figures will include three-star General Jerry Boykin, “Joe the Plumber,” former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, and musical guest Sonicflood.

“President Obama and his radical left-wing policies are uniting conservatives all over the country and are motivating people who have never been politically active to pay attention and to get involved,” said Eagle Forum President Phyllis Schlafly. “So, we decided to expand our annual conference this year to bring together experienced grassroots activists and those who might be newly engaged in politics through the Tea Party movement.”

The How to Take Back America Conference is designed to be a crash course in conservative grassroots activism, featuring nearly forty speakers presenting twenty-four “how-to” workshops, including How to use New Media technology, How to defend America from missile attack, How to deal with voter fraud, the Census, and ACORN, How conservatives can win in 2010, How to stop socialism in health care, and How to bring youth into the conservative movement.

“This Conference is designed to encourage and educate conservative activists through knowledgeable speakers and through ahead-of-the-curve strategy sessions,” said Schlafly. “Those who are new to the movement will learn from those of us who have been laboring for many years, but most importantly, we will teach them that conservatives really can win.”

“I Absolutely Reject that Notion.”

President Obama ran into a problem from an unlikely source yesterday during his television marathon of five Sunday talk shows. ABC host George Stephanopoulos confronted the president on whether the large penalties in the bill ($3,800 per family) for those who refuse to buy health insurance constitute a tax.

The president, understandably, was adamant in denying it was a tax. If it is a tax, then he is violating his pledge not to raise taxes on middle class families – a political disaster.

As Stephanopoulos pressed the point, Obama said, “No. That’s not true, George.” A few minutes later, he objected again, and said, “No, but, but, George, you – you can’t just make up that language and decide that that’s called a tax increase.”

Stephanopoulos then cited a Webster’s dictionary, which defines “tax” as “a charge, usually of money, imposed by authority on persons or property for public purposes.”

Obama objected again, and told Stephanopoulos that by looking up tax in the dictionary, he was “stretching a little bit right now.” Stephanopoulos gave up and asked, “But you reject that it’s a tax increase?” President Obama responded, “I absolutely reject that notion.”

The president may reject that notion, but right about now Congressman Joe Wilson might again need to yell “You lie!”

Several news outlets took a look at the Senate bill to see what it called the penalties. There it was in black and white on page 29: “The consequence for not maintaining insurance would be an excise tax.”

According to Politico, the legislation goes on to state that the tax would be collected: “through the tax code and applied as an additional amount of federal tax owed.”

By the way, here is another $1,800 middle class tax increase the administration is pushing and trying its best to deny.

~ Gary Bauer

Millions of Stimulus Dollars For Signs

By Stephen Dinan & Salena Zito

They're spending hundreds of billions of dollars to stimulate the economy, so Senate Democrats said Wednesday they might as well spend millions putting up signs to highlight where the money is being spent.

The road signs, which let motorists know the paving and construction projects they see are being paid for by the $787 billion economic stimulus program, have popped up across the country.

In a 52-45 vote, the Senate decided the signs should stay.

Lori Irving, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Transportation, acknowledged the department strongly encouraged states to use stimulus funding to develop the signs.

"The signs are not required," she said.

Some states, like Virginia, chose not to erect signs.

"Personally I think it is ridiculous that any of the stimulus money is used by government entities to make signs," said Mike Cupp of Morgantown, W.Va.

Another Bizarre Czar

On Thursday, the Senate confirmed, by a vote of 57-40, the nomination of Cass Sunstein to be Director of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, a.k.a. "Regulatory Czar," overseeing all federal regulations. That makes at least 33 or so of these "czars" currently in the Obama administration, most without facing a Senate confirmation hearing, and all with wide-sweeping powers.

Sunstein has some bizarre and frankly scary ideas. Related to health care, he has written: "I urge that the government should indeed focus on life-years rather than lives. A program that saves young people produces more welfare than one that saves old people."

He also believes that animals should be allowed to sue their owners. Sadly, he is not the only bizarre czar at the White House.

The "Science Czar," John Holdren, believes trees should be allowed to sue, that a born baby "will ultimately develop into a human being," and in a 1977 textbook proposed forced abortion and sterilization as potential government methods for population control.

Recently the "green jobs czar," Van Jones, resigned when his radical views became widely known. Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) has called for President Obama's czars to testify before Congress.

While the hearing might need to be held in the House chamber to hold the entire czar army, more people need to know the extremist views of those with whom the President has surrounded himself for counsel.

President Obama's health care plan envisions no less than 53 new federal panels, boards and organizations; if enacted into law, the new Regulatory Czar will have even more to regulate!

Tony Perkins

Five Things the President SHOULD Say on Health Care

By FRC

Tonight, President Barack Obama will address a joint session of Congress to discuss health care. While he and his speechwriters are putting their polishing touches on what he will say, I would like to give him some unsolicited advice by reiterating what FRC has been saying for years about what any health care reform should include.

First is portability and accessibility. The national priority should focus on affordable health insurance for insured and uninsured families; not on creating government-controlled programs to ensure all Americans receive a one-size-fits-all insurance policy.

Second, any such plan should, at the minimum, maintain current public protections from forcing taxpayers to pay for abortion -- this can only be done by specifically excluding it, something none of the current plans being discussed do.

The third priority is there should be no government mandates. Families (and businesses) should not be faced with massive fines if they fail to follow the orders of Washington on health insurance. Enough with the Nanny State!

A fourth concern should focus on choice, which would include real portability that is long term portability. Choice also includes the right of parents to be involved with the health decisions of their children and to have access to their medical records. And choice means being able to select physicians and plans based on those benefits deemed most appropriate for a specific family.

Choice also plays into the final criterion--the right of conscience needs to be protected. This means the conscience of health care providers and medical students must be protected as well as the corporate conscience of health insurers and their subscribers.

These principles are what I hear as I travel the nation and as I attended town hall meetings. Is the President listening?

UN Wants New Global Currency to Replace Dollar

By Edmund Conway
07 Sep 2009

The dollar should be replaced with a global currency, the United Nations has said, proposing the biggest overhaul of the world's monetary system since the Second World War.

In a radical report, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has said the system of currencies and capital rules which binds the world economy is not working properly, and was largely responsible for the financial and economic crises.

It added that the present system, under which the dollar acts as the world's reserve currency , should be subject to a wholesale reconsideration.

Although a number of countries, including China and Russia, have suggested replacing the dollar as the world's reserve currency, the UNCTAD report is the first time a major multinational institution has posited such a suggestion.

Lawmakers Seek Political Survival

Political survival will be high on lawmakers' minds when the Democratic-led U.S. Congress returns to work on Tuesday amid widespread voter dissatisfaction with its performance.

While the debates over healthcare reform, global warming and banking legislation and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will dominate the airwaves, many incumbents, both Democrats and Republicans, are beginning to worry about holding on to their seats in November 2010 elections.

Polls show only about one-third of Americans approve of how lawmakers are doing, less than a year after President Barack Obama led Democrats to big gains in Congress.

Surveys find voters have a dim view of both parties, but history suggests Obama's Democrats face greater risks because they control Congress and the White House.

"There's a lot of discontent out there and when that's the case the party in power pretty inevitably gets the blame," said Dean Debnam of Public Policy Polling, a private firm.

A recent survey Public Policy Polling underscored the anti-incumbent mood.

It found that only 47 percent of voters say they would vote to reelect their member of Congress. Incumbents have long received upward of 60 percent of the vote.

The poor poll figures frustrate Democrats who have touted the major legislation they passed with Obama's help.

- Reuters

The Obama Depression - Speaking of Hope & Change...

The Administration’s mismanagement of the economy continues to take a heavy toll.

In August the economy lost 216,000 jobs, roughly equivalent to the population of Reno, NV, just in case Harry Reid is interested. Over 5 million Americans had been out of work for over 6 months. Over 9 million were working at part time jobs because that was all they could get. Another three-quarters of a million were no longer bothering looking work.

If workers who have accepted part time employment and discouraged workers were included with the unemployed, the unemployed rate would now be in Jimmy Carter country at 16.8%.

Speaking of Hope and Change, the Change came through in August with average hourly wages increasing by six cents, or $124.80 a year. Woo hoo, time to party like it was 1979.

by Streiff at RedState

Democrats Plan To Give You A Raise

Raise electricity rates 90 percent after adjusting for inflation

Raise inflation-adjusted gasoline prices by 58 percent

Raise residential natural gas prices by 55 percent

Raise an average family’s annual energy bill by $1,241

[numbers from Heritage Foundation Study]

That is the devastating raise Obama and the Democrats have in store for you when they pass their Cap & Trade bill. It has already passed the House [how did your Congressman vote?] and is now in the hands of the Senate.

The stimulus has accomplished nothing, and yet the Democrats in Congress are intent on making a bad situation worse by now passing Cap & Trade legislation that will cripple American businesses and devastate families even further.

According to Kevin Holtsberry "Voters need to understand that this bill won’t help the environment and won’t magically lead to a Utopian world of green jobs and renewable powered energy. This is big government, bad science, and terrible economics.

It is not an easy time. Jobs are scarce and there are battles on multiple fronts. But the only way to dig ourselves out of this hole is to stop digging and start making policies that help not hurt.

Cap and Trade is a dagger aimed at the economy of the heartland and it must be stopped."

Homosexuals, Marriage and Referendum 71

Homosexuals have a right to live as they choose,
they don’t have the right to redefine marriage for all of us

Referendum 71 has successfully exceeded the 120,577 valid signatures needed to qualify, and Secretary of State Sam Reed has certified Referendum 71 to the Nov. 3 statewide ballot in Washington state.

Barring a successful 11th-hour court challenge, voters will decide the fate of a newly adopted state law that gives state-registered domestic partners the full rights and responsibilities that married couples have.

It is described by state Elections Director Nick Handy as possibly the narrowest margin ever for a measure winning a ballot spot.

From here our resolve to protect marriage in Washington State only intensifies as we will work tirelessly to inform and educate every citizens on this important and pivotal vote in November.

Three important reads:

"Spin a globe and pick virtually any place on earth at any previous time in human history; you will find that they do marriage one way — between men and women. There may be other differences, but marriage has always required a husband and a wife.

Why? Marriage teaches that men and women need each other and that children need mothers and fathers. A loving and compassionate society comes to the aid of motherless and fatherless children, but no compassionate society intentionally deprives children of their own mom or dad. But this is what every same-sex home does — and for no other reason but to satisfy adult desire.

Same-sex marriage advocates want to force everyone to dramatically and permanently alter our definition of marriage and family. The great, historic, cross-cultural understanding of marriage as the union of husband and wife will be called bigotry in the public square. The law will teach your children and grandchildren that there is nothing special about mothers and fathers raising children together, and anyone who thinks otherwise is a bigot."

~ National organization For Marriage

"It is often difficult to determine gay activists' true intentions since, from the beginning, most have been less than honest about their goals or the facts. In addition to their co-opting the Civil Rights Movement as an extension of the gay cause, let us examine some of the other falsehoods they have advanced over the past decade.

Ten years ago, gay activists claimed they had no interest in pursuing gay marriage. They asserted that all they wanted was equal protection under the law, hospital visitation rights and the right to transfer property in the event of a death -- all of which I support.

It is now obvious that their goal all along was the advancement of gay marriage. How else can one explain the methodical way in which they have worked to change marriage laws in small, liberal states initially, and later in as many other states as possible."

By Gwen Richardson

"Back in April, homosexual activists in Montpelier, Vermont's state capital, managed to get 100 votes in the state's House--the bare minimum necessary--to legalize counterfeit "marriages" for homosexuals.

That law took effect today, but the number of same-sex couples who had applied for marriage licenses in Montpelier was--zero. The same for Brattleboro and Manchester. In Burlington , the state's largest city, there had been only three.

Again, we see that the push to legally recognize homosexual unions is not based on any need for the "benefits" of marriage, or desire to "marry." Instead, it's about providing affirmation of homosexuality itself."

by Tony Perkins

Obama Celebrates Ramadan Tonight

As it turns out our President has chosen to return from his vacation early in order to celebrate Ramadan at the White House tonight:

“In the evening, the President will host a dinner celebrating Ramadan and highlight the contributions of American Muslims in the State Dining Room."

How nice. It turns out that he is willing to celebrate some form of religion though he didn't find it necessary to participate in our National Day of Prayer activities in May.

From the Washington Times:

"President Obama is distancing himself from the National Day of Prayer by nixing a formal early morning service... For the past eight years, President George W. Bush invited selected Christian and Jewish leaders to the White House East Room, where he typically would give a short speech and several leaders offered prayers..."

Then in July the Pentagon blocked the traditional flyover at the God & Country Family Festival in Nampa as reported by KTVB News:

"More than four decades of tradition were changed this year at the God and Country Family Festival in Nampa. Typically, a military flyover is a highlight of the event, but this year it did not happen."

The group submitted all the usual forms and paperwork, had the approval of the FFA but was shut down by a shocking denial from the Pentagon citing the groups beliefs "which appear to endorse selectivity benefit or favor any special interest group, religious or ideological movement."

Event coordinators assumed an error and "called them immediately and just said, you know hey we've been doing this for 42 years, we've had flyovers, what is the problem? And they said, well we have looked up your Web site and everything on your Web site seemed to focus on Christianity, ministry booths. And he said, in fact, it sounds like it focuses on Christianity.

So I guess the new standard is if it has something to do with Christianity it will not be acknowledged or respectfully observed.

Opportunity of a Century by Phyllis Schlafly

Speaker Nancy Pelosi said one correct thing: health care legislation is our "opportunity, not of a lifetime, but of the century."

Passage of the bill she supports would put us forever on the road to trillions of dollars in debt, bankruptcy, and European mistakes; defeat of the bill will safeguard the unique American recipe for liberty and prosperity.

The Opportunity of a Century

President By The Numbers

President Obama's approval numbers continue to tank.

Rasmussen has compiled the numbers on a full-month basis and the results which are shown in the graphics.

Looking back, after the initial euphoria of inauguration day, the President’s ratings slipped a bit but remained steady and positive from February thru May. In June, the numbers began to move down a bit, still remained generally positive. July and August were less positive months for the President.

Overall, the number who Strongly Approve has fallen from 43% in January to 30% in August. During that same time frame, the number who Strongly Disapprove has grown from 20% to 39%. Those numbers translate to a Presidential Approval Index that has declined from +23 in January to -9 in August.

Also in August, the President’s total approval fell below 50% for the first time.

While opposition to the President’s proposed health care reform is partly responsible for the declining approval ratings, the numbers reflect a broader level of frustration.

Last fall, during the Bush Administration, voters overwhelmingly opposed the bailout plans for banks but the bailout went ahead.

Earlier this year, voters overwhelmingly opposed the federal takeover of General Motors and Chrysler, but they went ahead as well.

In the short-term, resolution of the health care legislation may have a significant impact on the President’s ratings. Looking further ahead, the economy and federal deficit numbers are likely to set the tone heading into the mid-term elections.

~ Rasmussen Reports

Elections Have Consequences

Elections Have Consequences. I hope we have learned that lesson well both nationally and here in Washington State.

by Neil Stevens

Congress now debates giving President Barack Obama, Democrat, sweeping authority over Internet Service Providers, including the authority to nationalize whatever Internet resources he declares to be important.

S. 773, a bill by West Virginia Sen. Jay Rockefeller, Democrat, has a 55-page draft bill that would create new “emergency” powers for the President, a ‘cybersecurity’ Enabling Act of sorts, that would give the President the authority broad powers over any “non-governmental” computer networks, whether public or private, that are declared by the President to be “critical.”

On its own, this power is already dangerous, and even frightening to anyone in the industry. Whether large or small, we all who operate on the Internet invest in online capital.

Large firms spend billions on the task, and now the Democrats want to nationalize it at the drop of a hat. This is threatened theft on a scale not usually seen outside banana Republics.

These powers extend beyond declared emergencies, however. Rockefeller’s bill would immediately grant the ability of the government to control hiring and firing of jobs related to these so-called critical networks, because the President could unilaterally declare that jobs related to those networks would be required to be filled by people certified to the task by the government.

And much like with the car dealerships, the Obama administration is fully expected to use its power to favor political allies for these jobs by granting or denying certification depending on your level of donations to Obama for America or the Democratic National Committee.

Elections have consequences, and all those people who told themselves that Democrats would leave the Internet alone now have a lesson to learn regarding letting the scorpion of big government onto their backs.

But it is not too late, and we all now can unite against the socialist threat now looming over the Internet.

Hide The Children!

"Obama's Plan For America...debt, debt and more debt." [Patriot's Post] Looks like a bad hand to me

Love this quote from the WSJ on Obama Deficits:

"Obamanomics has turned into an unprecedented experiment in runaway government with no plan to pay for it, save, perhaps, for a big future toll on the middle class such as a value-added tax.

White House budget director Peter Orszag promises that next year's budget will have a "plan to put the nation on a fiscally sustainable path." Hide the children."

Truth Matters

Truth matters...and it doesn't always match up with liberal-left talking points. Case and point:

Lion of the Left

By Mark Alexander

"The foundation of national morality must be laid in private families. ... Public virtue cannot exist in a nation without private, and public virtue

is the only foundation of republics." --John Adams

Have you ever attended a funeral service out of respect for a friend or colleague, and left perplexed as to whom the eulogy was referring? Just once, I would like to go to a service for some disreputable rogue and have a clergyman deliver a eulogy that was faithful to the facts rather than full of fiction. (Hopefully, that won't be my own!)

I am certainly not suggesting that we should stand in judgment of any man, for that is the exclusive domain of our Creator. However, we should never abandon our responsibility to discern right from wrong.

On that note, Edward "Teddy" Kennedy (22 February 1932 -- 25 August 2009) died this week at age 77.

Kennedy spent the last 47 of his years as a senator, having been perpetually re-elected by the people of Massachusetts. This made him the third-longest serving senator -- behind Robert Byrd (D-WV) and Strom Thurmond (R-SC) -- in that chamber's august history.

Of course, a fawning Leftmedia will inundate us with non-stop coverage of Kennedy's life, featuring interviews with his political sycophants up to, and probably well after, his interment at National Cemetery. The airways and printed pages are already sodden with accolades, mostly framing the senator's life as one of great personal tragedy but great public success.
Let's take a look at both.

Kennedy was born into great wealth, privilege and political influence, the fourth son and ninth child of Joseph and Rose Kennedy. He never worked a day in a private-sector job, and like his brothers before him, he owed his political career to his father's considerable political machinations.

But, the mainstream media's reference to TK's life as one punctuated by personal tragedy is an understatement.

Before the age of 16, he had suffered through the death of his brother Joseph Kennedy Jr. (his father's heir apparent), who died when his B-24 bomber exploded over Surrey, England, during World War II, and the death of his sister Kathleen Agnes Kennedy, who died in an airplane crash in France.

In 1941 his father ordered a lobotomy for Ted's sister, Rosemary Kennedy, then age 23, because of "mood swings that the family found difficult to handle at home." The procedure failed and left Rose mentally incapacitated until her death in January 2005 at age 87.

Ted, like his brother John, developed a reputation as a serial womanizer in college. Unlike his Ivy League brothers, however, Ted was kicked out of Harvard for cheating, though allowed to return a few years later to complete his undergraduate degree.

Thanks to some election-night manipulation of returns by Old Joe, JFK was elected president in the closest race of the 20th century (49.7 percent to Richard Nixon's 49.5 percent). That paved the way for TK's victory in a 1962 U.S. Senate special election in Massachusetts.

The thrill of victory was brief, however. On 22 November 1963, during a political visit to Dallas, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
In June 1964, Ted Kennedy was flying with friends on a private plane that crashed on a landing approach, killing the pilot and a Kennedy staffer. Kennedy survived but suffered severe injuries.

On 4 June 1968, Robert Kennedy, then a candidate for the Democrat Party's nomination for president, was assassinated after a Los Angeles political event. The political baton then went to Teddy, the last of the four Kennedy brothers, but his alcohol abuse and philandering would keep the presidency out of reach.

In 1969, on one of his infamous junkets to "the island" (Martha's Vineyard and Chappaquiddick), Kennedy's moral lapse would cost a young staffer her life, and would cost him any chance of becoming president.

On the night of 18 July, Kennedy left a party with an attractive young intern en route to a private secluded beach on the far side of Dike Bridge. Kennedy lost control on the single-lane bridge and his vehicle overturned in the shallow tidal water. (Note: I drove across this bridge in a large 4x4 truck a few years after this incident, and it was not difficult to keep it out of the water -- but then, I was not intoxicated.)

Kennedy freed himself from the vehicle leaving his passenger, 28-year-old Mary Jo Kopechne to suffocate in an air pocket inside the overturned car. After resting at the water's edge, he walked back to the party house, and one of his political hacks took him back to his hotel.

Nine hours later, after sobering up and conferring with political advisors and lawyers, Kennedy called authorities to report the incident. Kopechne's body had already been discovered.

With the help of Father Joe's connections, Kennedy was charged only with leaving the scene of an accident. In his testimony, he claimed, "I almost tossed and turned... I had not given up hope all night long that, by some miracle, Mary Jo would have escaped from the car." He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to serve two months in jail -- sentence suspended.

With Joan, his pregnant wife of 10 years, and their three children by his side, he claimed that charges of "immoral conduct and drunk driving" were false and he was promptly re-elected to his second full Senate term with a landslide 62 percent of the vote. However, his responsibility for the death of Kopechne would all but disqualify him from ever holding national office. Indeed, the moral composure of the nation differs significantly from that of his Massachusetts supporters and defenders.

Kennedy's political advocacy swung evermore to the left in the years that followed, and his personal conduct led the way.

In January 1981, Joan announced she had had enough, and they divorced.
Two Senate terms later, Kennedy was partying at the family's Palm Beach compound with his nephew, William Kennedy Smith, who was charged with the rape of Patricia Bowman during that evening. The Kennedy machine was able to undermine Bowman's charges by assassinating her character ahead of the trial.

Not surprisingly, Kennedy was an ardent backer of his friend Bill Clinton after the latter lied about sexual encounters with a subordinate White House intern in 1998.

In turn, Clinton awarded Kennedy the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which, along with the Congressional Gold Medal, is the highest civilian award in the U.S. It is designated for individuals who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."

Setting aside all of his personal tragedies, what about the tributes and rave reviews of Kennedy's public life, his success as a legislator?

According to Barack Obama, "Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States Senator of our time."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi insists, "No one has done more than Senator Kennedy to educate our children, care for our seniors and ensure equality for all Americans. Ted Kennedy's dream of quality health care for all Americans will be made real this year because of his leadership and his inspiration."

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid adds, "Ted Kennedy's dream was the one for which the Founding Fathers fought and for which his brothers sought to realize. The Liberal Lion's mighty roar may now fall silent, but his dream shall never die."

Oh, really?

Kennedy has a very long legacy of legislative accomplishments, but not one of them is expressly authorized by our Constitution, that venerable old document he has repeatedly pledged by oath "to support and defend."
Kennedy's long Senate tenure was, in fact, defined by hypocrisy.

For example, consider that this fine Catholic boy's advocacy for abortion and homosexuality was second to none.

In regard to Operation Iraqi Freedom, consider his claim during the Clinton years: "We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction." A few years later, with his cadre of traitorous leftists at his side, Kennedy claimed, "The Bush administration misrepresented and distorted the intelligence to justify a war that America should never have fought."

Who can forget Kennedy's outrageous 2006 inquisition into the integrity of then Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito? In 1987 when Ronald Reagan nominated Alito to be a U.S. District Attorney, Kennedy's vote was among the Senate's unanimous consent. And when Sam Alito was nominated for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in 1990, he again received Kennedy's vote and unanimous consent from the Senate. But after impugning Alito's character in his Supreme Court hearings, Kennedy blustered, "If confirmed, Alito could very well fundamentally alter the balance of the court and push it dangerously to the right."

Of course, Kennedy was an expert at "borking" judicial nominees. Indeed, he is responsible for the coining of the term. In 1987, President Ronald Reagan nominated an exceptional jurist, Robert Bork, to the Supreme Court. During Bork's confirmation hearings, Kennedy proclaimed, "Robert Bork's America is a land in which women would be forced into back-alley abortions, blacks would sit at segregated lunch counters, rogue police could break down citizens' doors in midnight raids, schoolchildren could not be taught about evolution, writers and artists could be censored at the whim of the Government, and the doors of the Federal courts would be shut on the fingers of millions of citizens." Despicable.

No agenda was more sacred to Kennedy than opposing Constitutional Constructionists in order to convert the Judiciary into what Thomas Jefferson called the "Despotic Branch" stacked with jurists who subscribe to the notion of a so-called "Living Constitution".

But among über-leftists like Kennedy, there is perhaps no greater hypocrisy than the fact that they are among the wealthiest of Americans but pretend to be advocates for the poor. Of course, they never give up their opulent trappings and lifestyles while pontificating what is best for the masses. (I have written on the pathology associated with this hypocrisy under the label "Inheritance Welfare Liberalism, or "rich guilt" if you will.)

And there is a long list of Kennedy legislation that has proven disastrous.
Second only to the looming disaster of his pet nationalized health care promotion, Kennedy led the charge for the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, ending quotas based on national origin. He argued, "[O]ur cities will not be flooded with a million immigrants annually. The ethnic mix of our country will not be upset. ...[T]he bill will not inundate America with immigrants from any one country or area..."

How did that one turn out?

Kennedy also had some dangerous dalliances with the Soviets in 1983, endeavoring to undermine Ronald Reagan's hard line with the USSR. Fortunately, his efforts did not prevail.

But Kennedy did have one thing in common with his older brothers: He had powerful oratorical skills.

At the 2004 Democrat Convention to elect his lap dog, John Kerry, Kennedy, who wrote the book on political disunity, declared to delegates, "There are those who seek to divide us. ... America needs a genuine uniter -- not a divider. [Republicans] divide and try to conquer."

Fortunately, the American people weren't buying his rhetoric -- at least not until the 2008 convention, when Kennedy joined Barack Obama's "hope 'n' change" chorus: "I have come here tonight to stand with you to change America.... For me this is a season of hope -- new hope for a justice and fair prosperity for the many, and not just for the few -- new hope. And this is the cause of my life -- new hope that we will break the old gridlock and guarantee that every American -- north, south, east, west, young, old -- will have decent, quality health care as a fundamental right and not a privilege."
Predictably, and before the man has even been laid to rest, there is already a rallying cry from Ted Kennedy's grave: The Left and their mainstream media talkingheads are exhorting us to fulfill the late senator's misguided mission to nationalize health care. (I checked, and the Constitution doesn't authorize this either.)

As I contemplate the life of Ted Kennedy, I am left with two primary conclusions.

First, Ted Kennedy was no JFK.

In his 1961 Inaugural Address, John Kennedy said famously, "My fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country." Ted Kennedy inverted that phrase to read, "Ask not what you can do for your country, ask what your country can do for you," and in the process, turned the once-noble Democrat Party on end.

Second, a man who can't govern his own life should never be entrusted with the government of others.

One of our most astute Founders, Noah Webster, wrote, "The virtues of men are of more consequence to society than their abilities. ... In selecting men for office, let principle be your guide. Regard not the particular sect or denomination of the candidate -- look to his character."

In Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language, the first use of "government" is defined in terms of self-government, not the body of those who govern.
Despite the Left's insistence that private virtue and morality should not be a consideration when assessing those in "public service" (unless, of course, they are Republicans), the fact is that the two are irrevocably linked.
Finally, in 1968, when Ted Kennedy delivered the eulogy for his brother, Robert, he said, "My brother need not be idealized, or enlarged in death beyond what he was in life..."

I would hope that whoever is slated to deliver Ted Kennedy's eulogy follows that advice because we do a disservice to him and our country to suggest Kennedy was anything more than he was.

Referendum 71 Signature Rate Still On Track To Qualify For November Ballot

Seattle PI reported this update on the numbers for Referendum 71:

Elections officials said Tuesday they've checked more than 110,000 Referendum 71 signatures. Backers of the measure want to overturn Washington's new "everything but marriage" same-sex domestic partner law.

Officials say 97,261 signatures have been accepted and 13,027 rejected. The overall error rate is 11.81 percent, up from the 11.72 percent rate reported Monday.

Sponsors need 120,677 valid Washington voter signatures for R-71 to win a place on the November ballot. Based on the number of signatures they turned in, the error rate can't go over 12.4 percent.

The secretary of state's office hopes to finish the count by the end of this month

A False Choice

by Erick Erickson

Liberals keep saying that insurance companies need competition. 3% profit margins — and yes, that is the profit margin for health insurance companies in America — are too much for the left.

Competition, we all agree, will reduce prices, improve innovation, and give people more flexibility and choices.

So what do liberals want to do to foster competition? A “public option.”

A public option would be a government run healthcare plan.

Here is what liberals willfully ignore in their sales pitch and what we must point out over and over and over — there is no competition when the government is involved. Why? Because of two reasons:

The government operates on tax dollars.

The government writes the rules.

When the government uses tax dollars to fund its competition in the marketplace it is not the same as a company raising private capital.

Government bureaucrats lack responsibility and accountability to taxpayers in a way a company does not with shareholders, debt holders, and consumers.

It is unfair competition and unfair competition is no competition at all. Because the government can fund itself by, in the final measure, simply printing more money, a private business cannot compete. The private business will go out of business leaving only the government.

In the same way, because the government will write the rules, it will write the rules in a way to benefit the government. With no real accountability for the dollars it spends, the government can write rules oblivious to costs and constraints, thereby driving up costs on private businesses, putting them out of business.

People who say the government offering a public option in healthcare is merely a way to bring competition to the marketplace either do not understand the way the marketplace works or are willfully lying.

Given that the “public option” was first proposed as a way to bring about single payer healthcare while obfuscating the language, the odds are with “willful lying.”

Put it to you this way — I’ll support a single payer healthcare system when the government ends the post office’s monopoly on first class mail. After all, it’ll promote competition.

AARP Loses 60,000 Members Over Support For Government-Run Health Care

Between July 1 and mid-August, approximately 60,000 AARP members canceled their memberships explicitly citing AARP's stance on Obama's health care reform bill.

The people speak.

Citizens Apply Pressure to the "Seat" of Legislative Arrogance - "We'll Meet With or Without You"

In her bio she describes herself as a "skilled public servant", but those who elected her would beg to differ. They had to actually corner her into being the public servant she touts - and their strategy was brilliant!

After a series of unsuccessful requests to arrange a town hall over the August recess with Democratic Congresswoman Betsy Markey (CO-4), citizens opted instead to host their own health care town hall in the congresswoman’s absence – complete with an empty chair and placard for the reticent Markey.

The Northern Colorado Townhall Committee, who say their objective is to “provide a forum” for the voters of Northern Colorado, announced today they would hold a health care town hall on August 25th, and extended an open invitation to Representative Markey.

“With the August recess nearly half way over, we can’t wait any longer,” said the group’s founder, Kelly Trosper. “When other Reps across the nation are adding extra meetings, we still don’t have a schedule from her.

This is a forum to discuss urgent topics, to include Health Care reform. We’re having to set one up ourselves, because our Rep isn’t making herself available.”

Well guess what? Following the public outcry Markey had a change of heart and her staff announced a town hall blitz of public forums on health care reform.

Property Rights Meeting Draws 450

BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- Over 450 people showed up at a meeting on property rights at Meridian High School Tuesday night. It was the first meeting of the newly-formed Whatcom Chapter of the Citizens’ Alliance for Property Rights (CAPR).

Several local farmers and business owners spoke about struggles with county restrictions on their property, discussing the Critical Areas Ordinance, septic system inspection rules, and proposed zoning changes in many rural Whatcom County areas.

Krause Manufacturing in Laurel is the biggest tax contributor to the Meridian School District, said owner Darryl Krause.Proposed new zoning could force the company out of business or out of the area, he said.

“If they take all these businesses out of Laurel, what’s next? Put sign on [the] Meridian High School reader board [that] says, ‘school closed due to county government’?” asked Krause.“That’s basically what it’s going to be. I mean, it’s just plain and simple, it’s absolutely just stupid.”

Ferndale-area farmer Mark Harting spoke about restrictions resulting from the county’s Critical Areas Ordinance intended to protect the Drayton Harbor watershed. The rules make it hard for farmers in the area to stay in business, said Harting.

“It’s all been based on the assumption that we’re trying to preserve a oyster harvesting business in the county, and under the assumption that we are guilty, with no way to prove our innocence,” he said.

CAPR founder and former King County Councilmember Steve Hammond also addressed the crowd, urging people to get involved in local government.

Dillon Honcoop, KGMI News

Citizens Revolt Against Democrat Health Care

Rep. Tom Price

The revelation last week that a majority of Americans may actually disagree with the President was something for which his team was clearly not prepared. Their attempt to marginalize citizens across the country who dared to speak out against a government-takeover of health care is shameful, arrogant, and desperately sad.

With the American people growing increasingly unhappy with the President’s health care plan, Democrats in Congress are working feverishly to cast those who are concerned as, in their words, “phony, manufactured, staged, un-American, political terrorists”.

It appears that community organizing and grassroots are terms reserved solely for liberal activism.

The fact of the matter is that the White House and Democrats in power don’t want to hear from anyone who may have a different opinion on matters.

Blue Dog Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN) revealed, Democrats were told directly not to work with Republicans. The only dialogue taking place is between Democrats and, well, Democrats. That’s when they’re not bullying doctors, hospitals, or insurance groups.

The notion that health care protests are now getting in the way of a civil discussion on health care is nonsense.

The outrage is coming from a health care plan that will force millions of Americans into a government-run system.

The outrage is coming from folks who don’t want a bureaucrat between them and their doctor.

The outrage is coming from a President whose actions lead many to believe he simply is not interested in people’s real concerns.

When Americans feel like no one is listening to them, they are going to speak up. There’s nothing manufactured about that! It’s what has defined our democracy for more than two centuries.

That the White House has asked people to report casual conversations they hear about those who may be opposed to their intrusive health care plan is both astounding and frightening.

When average Americans are not allowed to express dissent without having their motives being purposefully perverted, our democracy is truly at risk.

Americans want health reform that respects them, their decision making power, and their well-being.

And they want a debate that respects the democratic principles by which so much greatness has been accomplished.

If the White House wants to achieve positive reform, they ought to start with a baseline that preserves the positive elements of the best healthcare system in the world. That’s the one we have, not the one envisioned by the House bill against which Americans are speaking out.

Americans Want to Talk

CNN Poll: Americans want to talk about Obama's Health Care Plan at town hall meetings.

While the White House blog asked readers to report on "fishy" information about Obama's plan to socialize our medical system and the mainstream media are accusing ordinary citizens (a.k.a. "angry mobs") attending Town Hall meetings of being paid lobbyists, Americans voters want to talk about the proposed changes.

The CNN poll, conducted between July 31 and August 3, shows that 71% of respondents would attend "a town hall meeting or some other public forum where voters get a chance to speak" to "tell member of Congress what think about health care." 41% say they are "very likely" to do so.

Carville's 'Secret' Poll

By Brian Faughnan

Regardless of the national mood, James Carville and Stan Greenberg seem consistently to find that things are going swimmingly for Democrats. Take a look at the headlines for their polls this year:

Don’t Believe the Hype: Support for Health Care Reform is Still Fundamentally Strong
New Survey Shows Cheney, Sotomayor Debates Threaten to Further Isolate GOP
Obama Closes the Democrats’ Historical National Security Gap
Americans See a Lot to Appreciate in Obama’s First 100 Days
As Specter Leaves the GOP, New Surveys Show Republicans in Disarray

It's rare to see a headline that doesn't radiate warm good news for Democrats, and it's rare to see one of their polls not touted across most of the liberal blogs.

For that reason, I was surprised today to notice a survey that lacked a headline, and that had not been splashed all across the Leftosphere. It was released two days ago, and it carries nothing more than the headline 'National Survey,' without a single line of narration or interpretation.

That's extremely unusual for the site - as you can see just by glancing at previous surveys.

So what's in the 'secret poll?' I bet you get it in one.

By 53%-42%, those who are likely to vote in the 2010 election say Barack Obama is 'too liberal.'

They believe by a margin of 53%-40% that he will 'raise my taxes.'

By 55%-42% they say 'he promises things that sound good' but that won't get done.

By a whopping 65%-32%, likely voters call Obama a 'big spender.'

The news for 'Democrats' more generally is no better.
On the economy, likely voters give 'the Democrats' just a 6 point edge (45%-39%) over 'the Republicans.'

Likely voters give the Republicans an 11 point edge (49%-38%) on taxes.

The Republicans have a 13 point lead (47%-34%) on government spending.

Republicans have a 5 point edge (42%-37%) on the budget deficit.

Furthermore, by a margin of 54%-34%, likely voters believe Obama is not keeping his promise to 'save or create 3 million jobs.'

And by 51%-43%, likely voters are more worried that the government will 'spend too much,' rather than 'fail to take strong action on important priorities.'

All-in-all, this is terrible news for Democrats.

Carville and Greenberg confirm that across a range of issues, support for Democrats has fallen dramatically.

This becomes clearer when you look at the findings among what Carville and Greenberg term as 'drop off' voters - those who voted in 2008, but are less likely to turn out in 2010. While likely 2010 voters give Democrats a 5 point edge on the economy, the advantage among 'drop off' voters is 25%.

Among likely voters Democrats trail by 11 on taxes; among drop off voters they lead by 20 points. The pattern holds across a range of questions. Across-the-board, those who voted in 2008 but will likely miss 2010 are far more favorable to Democrats and Obama than other voters.

The Carville-Greenberg poll - published on the site, but not publicized and not widely noticed - confirms both a significant shift toward Republicans on the issues, and a significant gap in enthusiasm between voters inclined to Obama and those inclined against.

For those used to reading the poll for good news, the 'radio silence' should be a sign of serious trouble.

Next Car on the Obama Tax Train - National Energy Tax

Have you ever watched a train coming out of a tunnel amazed at just how many train cars are actually attached? Every time you think "that one must be the last one" another is actually right behind it.

Obama's Tax Train Express is just like that - we just keep seeing another after another after another...

Keeping citizens distracted by the very real threat of government-run health care, the next equally troubling threat is poised to strike every citizen - a national energy tax.

Vigilant House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Doc Hastings exposed this stealth strike yesterday.

“Americans should know that the threat of a National Energy Tax is as real as ever. In fact, earlier this week, a Senate Democrat reported that committees are on track to move forward with their National Energy Tax bill by the end of September."

The cost:

• 2.5 million American jobs


• decrease our Gross Domestic Product by 2.5 percent


• raising gas prices by 58 percent.

Are you kidding me?

Hasting continues, "As the West suffers from a 10.2 percent unemployment rate – the highest regional rate in the country - now is the worst time possible for the Democrat Congress to move forward with their job-killing National Energy Tax."

Stop the train!

Act Now on Obama Health Care

Barack Obama has launched his full court press to get his socialized ObamaCare passed before the August recess.

First, like an angry "father", he took Democrat Blue Dogs to the woodshed at a White House closed door meeting. To no one's surprise, they emerged over two hours later having "struck a deal" behind closed doors that is even WORSE...

The new "deal" would give an outside panel even more
power and control over tough healthcare cost decisions --
allowing Congress and the President to "pass the buck"
when healthcare costs skyrocket and rationing is enforced!

It is outrageous that members of Congress are putting politics ahead of the needs of this country -- and then passing the buck to an outside panel!

But this fight is far from over. Bloggers are reporting that many in Congress are still resisting ObamaCare, its $1 trillion price tag, the so-called "public option" that destroys private sector health insurance and the oppressive mandate on small business with as few as nine employees.

And many members are openly saying that Obama's artificial August deadline cannot and should not be met!

It is clear that we are heading for a major showdown over the next two weeks. We must counter the intense pressure that is coming from the White House and liberal groups - Americans ARE saying "NO!" to socialized health care.

WE MUST STEP UP THE FIGHT NOW!!
Action #1 -- call your Representative today and tell him or her you oppose socialized ObamaCare:

U.S. Representatives:

1st District: Jay Inslee - (202) 225–6311
2nd District: Rick Larsen - (202) 225-2605
3rd District: Brian Baird - (202) 225-3536

4th District: Doc Hastings - (202) 225-5816
5th District: Cathy McMorris Rodgers - (202) 225-2006
6th District: Norm Dicks - (202) 225-5916
7th District: Jim McDermott - (202) 225-3106
8th District: Dave Reichert - (202) 225-7761
9th District: Adam Smith - (202) 225-8901

Talking Points:

· I oppose the President's socialized healthcare plan.
· I do not want the government to have more control and influence over my health care. That is why I reject the so-called "public option" which is really socialized health care and will destroy private options.
· American's cannot afford the $1.5 trillion price tag of socialized health care during these difficult economic times.
· I flatly reject any health care proposal that increases costs or imposes new taxes on any American.

Obama knows his socialized ObamaCare plan is in trouble. That's why he took key Democrats to the woodshed yesterday. And that's why he went on national TV.

Action #2 -- Call the White House Today!

Obama is ramping up the pressure to get his socialized ObamaCare passed so let's flood the White House with calls opposing ObamaCare!

White House Switchboard: 202-456-1414

White House Comment Line: 202-456-1111

[Alert information from Grassfire]

Think About It...

The Capitol Visitor Center was years overdue and grossly over budget -- a fitting monument to bureaucracy in a time of bailouts and belt tightening.

In addition, it failed to recognize the central principle about our nation’s founding – that our rights come not from government, but from God.

If the politicians and bureaucrats can’t manage to build a visitors center twenty feet from their front door on time and on budget, what makes them qualified to run our healthcare system? Or the auto companies? Or the nation’s energy supply?

Gary Bauer

Prayer for America

Long may our land be bright with freedom’s holy light.
Protect us by Thy might, great God our King

Congressional Travel Up 50% Under Democrat Control

How are you spending this holiday weekend? While many Americans are scaling back travel plans Congress is traveling up a storm!

The Wall Street Journal reports that "spending by lawmakers on taxpayer-financed trips abroad has risen sharply in recent years". Hundreds of lawmakers traveled overseas in 2008 at a cost of about $13 million.

That's a whopping 50% jump since Democrats took control of Congress two years ago.

Lawmakers frame this travel as "a good use of government funds allowing them to learn more about the world, inspect U.S. assets abroad and forge better working relationships with each other".

However, the WSJ contends this taxpayer-funded travel is nothing more than "a big and growing perk for lawmakers and their families".

Consider this example from one of our state's Congressmen as cited in the WSJ article:

Last summer, Rep. Brian Baird (D., Wash.) took a four-day trip to the Galápagos Islands with his wife, four other lawmakers and their family members. The lawmakers spent $22,000 on meals and hotels, records show. Mr. Baird, a member of the House Science Committee, said the trip was to learn about global warming.

On the first day, lawmakers toured a breeding center for giant tortoise and land iguanas before dining with scientists, according to an itinerary for the trip. The next morning, lawmakers headed to the Galápagos National Park while their family members had the option of hiking, swimming or shopping. That afternoon, the group boarded a boat to visit a sea-lion colony and search for white-tip sharks.

According to the WSJ Mr. Baird didn't respond to their request for a comment. I bet he didn't.

So while Congress pontificates about the extravagant travel perks of corporate America they take theirs on the backs of American tax-payers.

Happy 4th America!

A Democrat Health Care Nightmare

House Democrats on Friday finally unveiled their long-awaited 852-page health care “reform” legislation (pdf) that engineers a government takeover of medicine.

The bill is a staggeringly expensive bureaucratic nightmare that Democrats will try to defend in a series of hearings beginning this week.

As details of this leviathan bill begin to emerge, what is becoming increasingly clear is this plan, if passed, will cost American jobs. Democrats would use the cost of a business’ annual payroll to define whether or not a small business is subject to a new eight percent federal tax. Only those with less than 10 employees on average would be spared the onerous new tax.

Subjecting these small businesses who employ 47.3 million people and provide $1.7 trillion in wages annually to the Democrats’ new tax will place these jobs and wages at risk.

Additional employer mandates that will require some small businesses to offer employee coverage would cost another 4.7 million jobs according to a model from the President’s own economic advisors.

The House Democrats’ plan also places mandates on every individual American citizen to buy health insurance or pay a hefty penalty to Washington equal to almost two percent of their annual income.

Of course, if you can’t afford to pay for the coverage, you would be forced into the government-run system that will make health care more expensive and ration care based on age, cost and survivability rates.

Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, has admitted that their health care plan would be financed by raising taxes.

There have been reports of a whole slew of new taxes on individuals being considered, from a national sales tax to additional taxes on cigarettes, new taxes on sodas, and raising taxes on everyone making more than $200,000 a year.

According to news reports, even the White House has admitted that statements made by the President promising you can keep your current health care coverage if you like it shouldn’t be taken literally.

Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio), the House Republican leader, talked Friday about the Democrat plan. “This plan is nothing less than a government takeover of health care, and families and small businesses who are already footing the bill for Washington’s reckless spending binge will not support it,” Boehner said.

“Raising taxes, rationing care, and empowering government bureaucrats -- not patients and doctors -- to make key medical decisions is not ‘reform.’

This plan will make health care more expensive, reduce the quality of care for millions of families and small businesses, cost American jobs, and force untold millions of Americans off their current plans and into a government-run nightmare operated by federal bureaucrats.”

- Connie Hair

Patient/Taxpayer Friendly Health Care Plan Indtoduced

Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), the man who brought you the Tax Holiday stimulus plan, has a fresh, innovative health care plan that centers on health savings accounts that give individuals control over health care spending.

(Gohmert’s “tax holiday” alternative to Obama’s stimulus plan would have simply excused Americans from paying taxes for most of the year. It would have worked -- at far greater speed and lower cost -- than Obama’s failed stimulus package.)

Every American citizen would maintain a personal, family, household or employer-provided Health Savings Account (HSA), all contributions from pre-tax dollars.

Rather than filtering money through “premiums, profits and taxes first,” patients would spend the money directly from their own HSA.

There is no limit on how much pre-tax money could be put into this health savings account. This would work in conjunction with a catastrophic insurance policy that is adjustable as the savings account grows over years and even generations.

These HSAs would roll over each year and would also be an asset that would be passed on to your family or designee.

Any amount over $3,000 could also be invested in a manner that would “include stable, inflation-protected federal treasury bonds so that your investment can have added growth.

A separate type of federal Treasury bond may be created in other legislation specifically for such investment. That way, as long as there is a United States, your healthcare savings will be there for you when you need it.”

Each person would be issued a debit card to access the funding. These cards would be coded and could only be used for health care purchases. No hassles or paperwork.

“We are rolling out a new health care plan because the plans we’ve seen so far have involved too much government and too much insurance company involvement, which has been a big part of our problem,” Gohmert said at the announcement.

“If you liked my Tax Holiday Plan, you’re going to love this one. This plan will give every American the treatment that they need, when they need it, with the doctor of their choosing and at a price that is affordable.”

You can read the plan online here.

- Connie Hair

Falling.....

President Barack Obama's job approval rating fell to 58% in Gallup Poll Daily tracking from June 16-18 -- a new low for Obama in Gallup tracking,

Census Abuse

Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann says she's so worried that information from next year's national census will be abused that she will refuse to fill out anything more than the number of people in her household.

In an interview Wednesday morning with The Washington Times "America's Morning News," Mrs. Bachmann, Minnesota Republican, said the questions have become "very intricate, very personal" and she also fears ACORN, the community organizing group that came under fire for its voter registration efforts last year, will be part of the Census Bureau's door-to-door information collection efforts.

"I know for my family the only question we will be answering is how many people are in our home," she said. "We won't be answering any information beyond that, because the Constitution doesn't require any information beyond that."

Shelly Lowe, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Census Bureau, said Mrs. Bachmann is "misreading" the law.

She sent a portion of the U.S. legal code that says anyone over 18 years of age who refuses to answer "any of the questions" on the census can be fined up to $5,000.

The Constitution requires a census be taken every 10 years. Questions range from number of persons in the household and racial information to employment status and whether anyone receives social services such as food stamps.

Mrs. Bachmann said she's worried about the involvement of ACORN, the Association of Community Organizers for Reform Now, in next year's census.

- The Washington Times