Let The Debate Begin

Americans everywhere are reeling from one blow after the other being leveled at them by Democrats in control of our government. As they shove their policy through the force of law down our throats at what could only be described as “ludicrous speed” all we are left with are the devastating consequences.

Well, I have a few questions:

Where is the transparency they promised? Even they aren't reading what they're passing.

Where is the discussion and open exchange of ideas? No time for that now – we can’t waste a crisis

What about "We the People"? Uhhhhh….what people?

We are quickly learning that with lopsided power comes lopsided rule, and the tragic loss of free and open debate.

Well, if their ideas are that great then let them stand up to the light of public scrutiny and debate.

There are solutions that would elevate all citizens and empower everyone with freedom and the ability to prosper. And there are principled leaders in both Washington’s working relentlessly to bring these solutions to the people.

They know that true economic recovery is built on policy that gets out of our way, that controls government, curbs spending, creates private sector jobs, lowers taxes for everyone, controls debt and is built on tried and true principles of freedom and free enterprise.

One blueprint for such a plan is now outlined in "Republican Road to Recovery", a substantive, comprehensive budget alternative that will soon be introduced on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Instead of massive government and spending, this plan ensures that the federal budget cannot grow faster than family budgets. What a concept!

Instead of raising taxes on every citizen in the midst of a recession this plan would reduce the crippling tax burden on working families and small businesses unleashing the potential of the private sector in creating jobs and unlock private capital.

This plan would keep energy and fuel costs low, end the era of bailouts and reform the financial system.

A substantive debate about how to get the economy growing again must be allowed to unfold.

Principled leaders continue to work for the freedom to offer better solutions that are built on the time-honored principles of fiscal responsibility and growth, and every American deserves to hear and have the opportunity to engage in the process.

So read the alternative to what the Democrats are shoving and let the debate begin.

Obama and Democrats Must Own Their Deficit

According to the Wall Street Journal:

Mr. Obama keeps saying he has "inherited a trillion dollar deficit," which is true. But he's hardly an innocent bystander. CBO shows that the President is seeing that $1 trillion and raising it again and again, as far as the eye can see.

In only two months, since the last CBO budget review in January, Democrats have passed laws that increase spending by $134 billion in the last six months of this fiscal year alone, and $1.2 trillion over the next 10 years. And that's all before his 2010 budget proposals.

Where does this take the Obama budget deficit? Up into the great beyond.

A Giant Economic Dagger

Senator Inhofe has an excellent article exposing the very real danger of Cap and Trade legislation. In his article he quotes several publications:

Wall Street Journal: “Cap and trade, in other words, is a scheme to redistribute income and wealth -- but in a very curious way. It takes from the working class and gives to the affluent, takes from Miami, Ohio, and gives to Miami, Fla., and takes from an industrial America that is already struggling and gives to rich Silicon Valley and Wall Street ‘green tech’ investors who know how to leverage the political class.”

Warren Buffet: “That tax is probably going to be pretty regressive. If you put a cost on issuing -- putting carbon into the atmosphere -- on the utility business it’s going to be born by customers. And it’s a tax like anything else.”

CNBC’s Jim Cramer: Obama’s budget is “pushing an aggressive cap-and-trade program that could raise the price of energy for millions of people.”

The Detroit News: “President Barack Obama’s proposed cap-and-trade system on greenhouse gas emissions is a giant economic dagger aimed at the nation’s heartland -- particularly Michigan. It is a multibillion-dollar tax hike on everything that Michigan does, including making things, driving cars and burning coal.”

This "giant economic dagger" is right now being pointed directly at the citizens of Washington State in SB 5735. (see prior post)

Apparently our Governor and the Democrats who control Olympia want the chance to use the Cap and Trade dagger on the citizens and businesses of Washington State before the President and the Democrats who control Washington DC do.

Call - Write - Defend!

Last week the State Senate passed SB 5599 - a bill that circumvents the U.S. Constitution and radically alters our current election system.

This stealth bill will change the way we elect our president by entering our state into the NPV (National Popular Vote) interstate compact—essentially doing away with the Electoral College and replacing it with a national popular vote.

The House will now be deliberating on this bill in committee and then on the floor.

For background information please read Trent England's excellent article here.

There will be a committee hearing at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 26 (House Hearing Rm D, John L. O'Brien Building) on SB 5599.

Your presence there is crucial. The more people that are able to show up, the greater chance we have of convincing our legislators to vote "NO" on this destructive bill.

If you are unable to make it to the Capitol you can submit written testimony by e-mail to the committee. Their email addresses can be found here.

You can also email the committee members - their email addresses can be found here.

A complete legislator email list can be found here.

And please call the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000 and tell your representative to VOTE "NO" on SB 5599.

Please help us defend our Electoral College!

Senate Bill 5688

Here's an update on Senate Bill 5688 - Homosexual Marriage:

There was a public hearing on SB 5688 Monday afternoon in the House Committee on Judiciary in Olympia.

The hearing was standing room only with about 3 to 1 opposed.

Representative Matt Shea pressed the question whether in this bill, "The term marriage was defined to include domestic partnerships through out the bill." The sponsors finally admitted that it did.

The financial reality of this bill was also finally exposed - it will cost about $2 million this fiscal year and $8.5 million over the next 5-6 years.

The committee was given 1700 letters from citizens expressing opposition to this bill.

They are scheduled to vote the bill out of committee Friday.

Info from Faith & Freedom

Stand Up For Marriage Rally Speech

It is for a most important reason that we have left our homes, our families, our work today to be here in Olympia. It is because we value traditional marriage – marriage between one man and one woman for life.

We are here because we understand that marriage and family is the foundation and fundamental institution of our society, and it must be defended and protected at any cost.

I want to be very clear about one thing – last week when the Washington State Senate voted for homosexual marriage – that wasn’t the end. Oh no my friends, this issue isn’t over…none of this is over.

It is just the beginning! The battle to defend marriage is just beginning.

And I’m going to really rock your world here today and tell you the battle to defend marriage begins with you.

Now when I say that, I don’t want any of you turning around looking for who it is I’m pointing at. I’m pointing at you!

It is just the beginning, and it begins with you.

I only have a few minutes so I need you to listen carefully and I’m going to tell you how protecting marriage begins with you.

If I could hand each one of you something right now it would be a small mirror….as a reminder….

So anytime you are tempted to ask “why doesn’t someone do something about this?” you would remember this mirror…and you would remember that “doing something about this” begins with you.

And here’s how…

First - Protecting marriage begins with repentance – YOU repenting. I’m talking about personal repentance - a genuine sorrow over sin. Not sin in general…but for MY sin. If we want to be a nation that is blessed by God we need a firestorm of revival to sweep our nation, and for that to happen we must first be a people of repentance - personal repentance.

Look in the mirror….and remember….repentance begins with you!

Second - Protecting marriage begins with prayer – YOU praying.

Prayer injects the very presence of the living God into my life, into my home, into my marriage, and my family. When I pray for “His will to be done” that must begin in my life. From there as prayer moves outward it become intersession for my community, for my state, for my nation, for my world.

Look in the mirror…and remember…prayer begins with you!

Third - Protecting marriage begins with vigilance – YOUR vigilance!

Oh people, you are here today because you care about marriage….and you should. It is so very important.

But if you truly had any idea of the decisions that are made every day of every legislative session in this very building…and how those decisions affect every facet of your lives – of your faith, your freedom, your homes, your children, your work, your property – you would be so much more attentive…and informed…and engaged…and involved in who is elected to represent you. You would be vigilant. It is your responsibility.

Marriage brought you hear today. By Gods grace may it be just the spark…that begins the flame…that builds a fire of you truly grasping what is at stake and what is your responsibility in government. It is your duty.

Look in the mirror….and remember…vigilance begins with you!

Fourth - Protecting marriage begins with doing something – YOU doing something!

Nothing will ever happen if we don’t do something.

I know you are busy. I know you have other obligations and responsibilities in your life, but by God’s grace and in His strength we must… each one of us…stand and speak Truth to the issues of our day. And work…work very hard to build a voice for Truth in our culture!

I have been working in Olympia on issues for a long time now – for over 25 year I have been engaged as a citizen in political action, and I’m going to be honest, it’s not easy. And sometimes I just get weary…and sometimes it all just feel too big, and too hard.

But I can’t let my mind go there, not for even one moment I can’t…because there is truth – God’s truth – that is at stake. And I know with everything in me that when God’s truth is not upheld in the laws of a nation it hurts everyone. But when God’s truth is affirmed, and respected, and upheld in law it blessed every person…it blesses every culture….every time.

And because I know that, I have no choice but to speak, and stand, and act, and press on! This is God’s call on my life as a believer. It is your call.

So when Truth is challenged don’t look around for someone to do something.

Look in the mirror….and remember…doing something begins with you.

I want to leave you with a promise from Scripture – a great a precious promise. A sure Word…because God said it: “I am with you!”

If there is nothing else you leave here with today I hope it is that promise that settles on your heart and in your mind. God is with us.

And may He bless every effort to defend marriage in Washington State…for His Glory.

Leading in Self-Inflicted Wounds

Governor Chris Gregoire made a rare appearance testifying before a state legislative committee in Olympia yesterday urging them to pass a state Cap and Trade bill.

She asserted that Washington needs to lead in shaping a cap-and-trade program.

The bill that was passed last week by Democrats in the State Senate was not strong enough, according to Gregoire, so she urged the House committee "to strengthen the bill by limiting the amount of pollution industries can emit, and by continuing to work with a regional initiative to curb global-warming pollution." - Seattle Times

The reality of a Cap and Trade bill would be very different from what Governor and Democrats will describe to you.

The reality is it's an enormous energy tax that will hit everyone at every economic level.

It will further cripple businesses. And, since China and India have no interest in participating, it will amount to a huge self-inflicted wound on our ability to be competitive.

The Chronicle made that point in their op-ed State Economy Doesn't Need Cap-and-Trade stating:

"Cap & Trade legislation will increase the cost of energy and put our state's businesses at a competitive disadvantage when attempting to retain or attract jobs with states that do not have cap-and-trade regulations.

In light of today's economic environment and the need for jobs in this state, this legislative session is clearly not the time to be the leader on cap-and-trade."

The only thing Cap and Trade is leading in is insanity.

The Obama Budget Disaster

According to Congressman Joe Jordan (R-OH) the Obama budget does five things:

1) It raises taxes
2) It greatly increases spending
3) It greatly furthers forced unionization (”card-check”)
4) It nationalizes health care
5) It imposes an expensive and disastrous “cap-and-trade” scheme

Any of these alone would be bad, all five together are disastrous...and trying to push them through in the middle of a recession only makes it all that much worse.

Tax At Your Own Peril

Democrats are hearing that you will "accept" their plan to tax you more.

Chris Grygiel's blog in the P.I. reports the following:

An $8 billion state budget deficit has left lawmakers with two unattractive options - cut programs or raise taxes.

A new Elway Poll suggests at least 50 percent of voters would favor - or "accept with reservations" - five of seven tax increases being discussed in Olympia.

According to the survey:
Seventy-eight percent would accept an increase in the cigarette tax.
Sixty-one percent would be OK with a temporary increase on the state sales tax by one cent for two years.
Fifty-four percent would accept a tax on Internet downloads.
Fifty-one percent would accept an increase in the sales tax to pay for reducing public school class sizes.
Fifty-one percent would accept a hike in the car tab tax to pay for transportation improvements.

Only two proposals didn't see majority "acceptance" : a plan to extend the sales tax to professional services like doctors and architects and a proposed increase in the state's controversial business and occupation tax.

The survey of 405 registered voters was conducted March 7-9 and has a margin of error of 5 percent.

There had better be another plan because citizens are furious that the Democrat controlled legislature's only plan for the huge budget deficit they created is to take more money from you through taxes.

Be warned: a revolt is brewing among the people and you will tax us at your own peril.

Dodd's Dirty Little Secret

After personally adding an amendment to the $787 billion stimulus bill allowing AIG executives to receive millions of stimulus dollars in retention bonuses.

Democrat Senator Chris Dodd has been caught and is now frantically trying to play the typical one-note game Democrats always play - tax 'em!

Oh, did I mention that Senator Dodd just happens to be AIG’s largest single recipient of campaign donations during the 2008 election - $103,100 -directly to Senator Dodd according to opensecrets.org.

State Senate Fast Tracks Cap & Trade

The WA State Senate version of Cap and Trade Bill E2SSB 5735 - reducing greenhouse gas emissions - will be heard in committee, tomorrow, Tuesday March 17th at 10:00 am.

Democrats are determined to pass this legislation to protect us from the myth of global warming, despite a gross lack of any credible scientific evidence.

What this legislation will do is further damage our struggling State economy.

We cannot afford this disastrous bill.

Democrats have it on a fast track and apparently plan to HEAR AND VOTE on it in the same committee session!

What's their rush? It seems the longer this bill is out there the more citizens hear about it and realize the damage it will do to businesses, jobs, homes and families.

They don't want to hear from you.

Please use your voice and the contact information below to raise a strong voice of opposition TODAY to committee members who will hear the bill tomorrow.

Ecology and Parks Committee: http://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Committees/EPAR/membersstaff.htm

E2SSB 5735 – Bill Text: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2009-10/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5735-S2.E.pdf

What's the Difference?

Bernie Madoff is to billionaires as Barack Obama is to the rest of us

What's the difference between what Madoff did and what Obama is doing, really?

We have a guy who ran a ponzi scheme that stole billions of dollars from people to fund who knows what.

Granted the American people elected him President, but compare what Barack Obama is doing to what Bernie Madoff did and I fail to see a substantial difference beyond Obama having a "mandate" from voters and Madoff not having one.

Both Madoff and Obama have put people out of work.

Both Madoff and Obama have destroyed the financial health of lots of people.

Both Madoff's and Obama's schemes have convoluted accounting schemes designed to obfuscate the criminal mismanagement of other people's money.

The difference is that Madoff did it to powerful billionaires who are now millionaires. Obama did it to the rest of us.

by Erick Erickson

Creating And Funding Your Crisis

Taxpayer dependants – those who are paid with money other people work to earn – are trolling WA citizens to figure out just who to raise taxes on to fund their massive budget deficit.

The state hospital association, community clinics, Group Health, the Washington Education Association and SEIU each put up $20,000 in their search for approximately $2 billion in new taxes.

“All of us felt that the (state budget) cuts, without revenue, are so devastating, especially to health care and education, that it would be irresponsible, immoral and unconscionable not to consider whether to raise revenues,” revealed a spokesperson from the hospital association.

While they won’t share the polling data, they will say the results gathered over the past month suggest that the public has no idea how deep state budget cuts could go, and when told, voters seem willing to pay for some taxes to offset those cuts.

“People are aware that there’s a huge budget shortfall, but they don’t know what’s at risk. When they hear what’s at risk, they’re stunned.”

The coalition is also preparing a campaign to convince voters just how much they really want to support the planned tax hike.

We The People - The 9/12 Project

Over 140 energized patriots came out on a Friday afternoon to watch Glenn Beck's announcement on FOX of a new grassroots citizen effort called The 9/12 Project.

In fact all across the United States citizens gathered in various venues. The web response to Becks announcement was so massive that their server collapsed.

I met people from all over my community who are concerned for our country and recognize that good never actually comes out of Washington DC but from God's Truth, and through a citizenry united by the core values and principles that made our country great.

I urge you to lend your voice to the cause of Truth and our great nation. May God Bless America!

Having It Both Ways

Our Senator Maria Cantwell voted in favor of an amendment offered up by Senator John McCain, R-Arizona, to strip the $410 billion omnibus appropriations bill of earmarks....and then voted in favor of the bill touting her own earmarks. Go figure.

Illusions of Hope

"It is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth -- and listen to the song of that syren, till she transforms us into beasts." -Patrick Henry

A Sad Day For Washington State

Just in from F&F……

Senate Bill 5688 Passes at 9:51 PM Tonight

This is a sad day for Washington State.

Standing against economic concerns, religious concerns, tradition and marriage itself, the Washington State Senate passed SB5688 at 9:51PM tonight, thus setting the stage for homosexual marriage in Washington State.

I cannot tell you how profoundly saddened I was, personally, as I watched the proceedings tonight.

Sen. Dan Swecker attempted to pass an amendment to send the matter to the people for a vote. The amendment was defeated. Sen. McDermott said, "No. We're elected to vote on behalf of the people."

Senators Swecker, Stevens, Roach, and Holmquist spoke in opposition to the bill pointing out this bill creates an equivalency to marriage.

I have included the roll call vote below. Please note how each senator voted tonight.

Also note that Senators King, Pflug, and Brandland abandoned their own party and voted against traditional marriage.

E2SSB 5688 Registered domestic partners Senate vote on 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yeas: 30 Nays: 18 Absent: 0 Excused: 1

Voting Yea: Senators Berkey, Brandland, Brown, Eide, Fairley, Franklin, Fraser, Haugen, Hobbs, Jacobsen, Jarrett, Kastama, Kauffman, Keiser, Kilmer, King, Kline, Kohl-Welles, Marr, McAuliffe, McDermott, Murray, Oemig, Pflug, Prentice, Pridemore, Ranker, Regala, Rockefeller, and Tom

Voting Nay: Senators Becker, Benton, Carrell, Delvin, Hargrove, Hatfield, Hewitt, Holmquist, Honeyford, McCaslin, Morton, Roach, Schoesler, Sheldon, Shin, Stevens, Swecker, and Zarelli