Roanoke Tea Party

Next Tea Party Meeting and GREAT Letters to the RT and the Governor

Chip — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 04:07:05 +0000

Do you want to start really getting involved in making a difference? During this next meeting, we will be asking everyone that attends to start helping us build an organization that can start reshaping politics in the Roanoke Valley.

Join us at Parker’s Seafood on Monday, March 8th.

The meeting will start promptly at 6:30 PM. We look forward to seeing you there.

Here are two great letters. This letter is from Tea Party Member Sandy Smith and is a response to a ridiculous article printed in the Roanoke Times comparing Tea Party members to hippies…Her response is perfect.

“Hi Chip,
If you take the Roanoke Times, (I haven’t subscribed in years…because of stuff like this…Chip) I hope you noticed the article this morning, on the Opinion Page ~ “THE TEA PARTIERS ARE AGING HIPPIES”. It was a nasty article, by two Democratic political consultants, Jim Spencer and Curtis Ellis of the McClatchy Tribune. The Roanoke Times will go anywhere to find liberal bias materials. I sent the following letter to the editor. I hope more Tea Party Patriots respond to it as well.
Sandy Smith

Editor,
As Tea Party Patriots, I am a wife, mother and grandmother and my husband is a Korean War Veteran. We are proud “average Americans”.
After years sitting on the couch, listening to the news, we awakened to the realization that our country was going down the tubes at the hands of a bunch of crooked politicians. We have a bunch of Congressional Dukes and Duchesses who think they know better than the citizens they are supposed to represent. The politicians treat we American citizens like morons.

Tea Party folks would NEVER don a Che t-shirt. Idolizing a mass-murderer is something we would never do! Also their comparing us to the likes of Bill Ayers, a confessed militant terrorist, was the last straw!

So to our arrogant political consultants from Boston and New York…we Tea Party folks are about saving our country, for our children, grandchildren and future generations, so they may enjoy the freedoms that so many have fought and died for. We love our country and are patriotic Americans…not aging armed militiant hippies. We do not protest in violence, but we are angry. We are the formerly silent majority bringing our concerns to Washington.

I picked up this letter from our one our partners in the Virginia Tea Party Patriots Federation. It is a response to the Governor’s jobs bill, which is very Obamaesque. The author takes apart this bill piece by piece. I’ve also attached the original email from Lt. Governor Bolling. Progressive garbage is progressive garbage, no matter what party it comes from…

Dear Lt. Gov. Bolling:

I appreciate the effort that you and the Governor have expended in attempting to create “jobs and economic opportunity,” but I believe you both are making a costly mistake. Specifically:

1. You are engaging in a lot of meddling with economic activity that presumes that you are smarter than market forces in selecting investments. This kind of central planning didn’t work in the Soviet Union or Eastern European countries. Even Japan learned that central planning and “industrial policy” misdirected investments and wasted resources.

2. By granting tax breaks to activities that you consider important, you are shifting tax burden to ordinary taxpayers who don’t have the benefit of tax breaks and subsidies. When you shift tax burden to ordinary taxpayers, you take money out of their pockets and out of the areas where they live, draining economic lifeblood from those areas.

3. You apparently have fallen for the “green jobs” mythology. Even a small bit of research on the part of your staff should have revealed that claims about jobs from “renewable”energy are FALSE. For example, spending on wind energy facilities is the LEAST effective of all energy sources in terms of job creation.

4. Energy from renewable sources is very expensive and, in the case of electricity from wind and solar, is low in quality and value. European countries that have pursued “renewables” have some of the world’s highest electricity prices. Denmark and Germany have the highest in the industrial world. Spain is near the top and would be higher except that large parts of the subsidies it provides for wind energy are hidden in government debt that no one knows how to pay off.

Recent announcements that some groups are planning to pursue offshore “wind farms” are worrisome. European countries and Northeastern US states pursuing this course of action are setting up electric customers for huge costs. The true cost of electricity from offshore “wind farms” is 2 to 3 times the cost of on shore “wind farms” which are much more costly than electricity from traditional sources. The Governor of Rhode Island, in a really unwise move, recently forced a New England electric utility to agree to pay more than $0.23 cents per kilowatt-hour for electricity from a proposed “wind farm” off Rhode Island. The Governor of Massachusetts is considering a similar action for the infamous “Cape Wind” project. Both actions demonstrate (a) the “clout” of the wind industry and its lobbyists, (b) the weakness of political leaders, and (c) the sad implications fro electric customers; i.e., escalating electricity prices.

I would hope for better from Virginia’s leaders.

5. Spending state tax dollars for “renewable energy R&D” really makes no sense. The federal government, through the US Department of Energy is spending billions on renewable energy R&D. Much of that money is wasted because there just aren’t that many useful areas for R&D. So, it is being spent on propaganda rather than genuine R&D.

6. If the Legislature approves all your proposals, I’m sure that there will be lots of people and organizations that will be eager to take advantage of the proffered tax breaks and subsidies. Sadly, too many people have come to realize that there is more profit and less risk in pursuing government tax breaks and subsidies than in devoting efforts to innovative and productive activities that result in goods and services that are useful in the private, competitive economy.

7. Has no one in Richmond read the message from Massachusetts, and from the steadily growing “tea party” and similar independent citizen movements? Ordinary citizens are NOT eager to see governments — federal or state — extending their roles, presuming that they are smarter than the private sector, caving in to special interest lobbyists, and taking action in areas they do not understand.

The Obama Administration is making similar mistakes but on a larger scale. Why is it necessary for those of you in Richmond to do the same?

Glenn Schleede

In a message dated 1/30/2010 6:06:58 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, campaign@billbolling.com writes:

Jobs and Opportunity Agenda Good for Virginia
McDonnell/Bolling plan will create 30,000 new jobs and generate $311M in state and local tax revenue

During this year’s statewide campaign, Bob McDonnell and I talked a lot about getting our economy moving again and creating jobs. We said then, and we reaffirm now, that this is the most important issue currently facing our state.

Over the past several months we have worked to put together a comprehensive set of legislative and budget initiatives that will position Virginia to take full advantage of a future economic resurgence. On January 26th we unveiled our Jobs and Opportunity Agenda in a press conference at the State Capitol that was attended by more than 300 legislative and business leaders.

Even though state government is current facing significant budget shortfalls, we have asked the General Assembly to appropriate an additional $50M toward proven economic development and job creation programs. That means more money for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Virginia Tourism Corporation, the Virginia Film Office, the Department of Business Assistance and more.
With this additional funding we will be able to open new economic development offices in China and India and implement an aggressive media campaign to market Virginia as a great place to do business or take a vacation.

We will be able to invest in a number of strategic programs that are designed to improve Virginia’s ability to attract enhanced manufacturing facilities, become the East Coast’s energy leader and assert our position as a great place for biotechnology and life sciences companies.

And we will be able to double the size of the Governor’s Opportunity Fund, which provides incentives to new businesses locating in Virginia; and the Jobs Investment Partnership Program, which provides grants to businesses that need workforce training assistance.

In addition, we have proposed a number of legislative initiatives that will give our economic development professionals the tools they need to recruit new companies to Virginia.

We have proposed a number of new and expanded tax incentives for businesses that create jobs in Virginia, including a doubling of the Major Facilities Business Tax Credit and the implementation of a new Green Energy Jobs Tax Credit.
In addition to doubling the size of the Governor’s Opportunity Fund, we have proposed providing additional flexibility in the fund by allowing grants and loans based on anticipated state and local tax revenue and more latitude for local matching funds for certain projects.
To assist small businesses in gaining access to the capital they need to start a business or expand a business, we have proposed tax credits to financial institutions that invest in a new $100M Small Business Investment Company fund that will make loans to small businesses.
We have proposed reprioritizing how money is invested in Virginia’s Enterprise Zones by requiring that available funds go first to those companies that are creating jobs. Currently, we are only funding 46% of these obligations.

And we have proposed continuing Virginia’s Business One Stop program, which is designed to assist small businesses in understanding state licensing and regulatory requirements, and streamlining these requirements to enable anyone to create a small business in Virginia within 48 hours.
A conservative economic impact analysis estimates that our Jobs and Opportunity Agenda will create nearly 30,000 new jobs in the next two years and generate $311M in additional state and local tax revenue.

I am pleased that our Jobs and Opportunity Agenda has strong bipartisan support in the General Assembly.

Now is the time to invest in these important economic development programs and pass this job creating legislation. These changes will better position Virginia to compete for new business, industry and jobs.

These are challenging economic times, but if we make the right decisions now we can position Virginia to take full advantage of a future economic resurgence.

Please contact your legislator today and encourage them to support the McDonnell/Bolling Jobs and Opportunity Agenda so we can get Virginia’s economy growing again.

Can You Hear Us Now? Obvioulsy Not. An Open Rant

Chip — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:12:29 +0000

Many of us in the Tea Party movement were genuinely happy with the sound victory that Bob McDonnell won in Va. in the fall. I was pleased, but I have tried to take a wait and see attitude with the new governor. So far, we should not be pleased.

We have discussed on this site our concern with Governor McDonnell’s participation in President Obama’s Council of Governors. Other patriot groups have also questioned the governors office about his participation. The Governor has chosen not to respond to any of our inquiries. At least our worthless US Senators will at least send back a crummy form letter. We expect more from a Governor who was widely supported by the Tea Party movement.

We have a bi-weekly call with 20-30 Tea Party groups from across Virginia. Additional stories about McDonnell have come to light, including his endoresment of John McCain and his breaking of promises related to handling key budget issues. The sense of anger and betrayal on the call with state wide Tea Party groups was palpable.

We have to reject the notion that we have to walk lock step with GOP members. Many members of the GOP are too tied down by party loyalties to ever speak out against a member who is doing something wrong. One of our members attended a GOP function and had the gumption to ask questions about the Council. He received icy stares and disgusted head shaking. I’ve sat in on GOP meetings where I was told by an influential GOP member that the Tea Parties can’t just “take their toys and go home” when we don’t get our way.

In that they are wrong. As one of our GOP friends pointed out at our last busness meeting, the GOP has a Creed. It’s a good document. And it isn’t worth a warm bucket of spit. In some ways I actually respect the Democrats more. At least they have the courage of their convictions (even if they are wrong on every issue)

We, unlike many Republicans, actually believe in our principles. There are some GOP members that do have principles…but we need to judge them as individuals and not just because the have an R behind their name.

The Virgina Tea Party Patriots Federation (VTPP) will be putting out a press release detailing our issues with the Governor. It is obvious that McDonnell doesn’t understand what got him elected. We may need to plan a protest in Richmond soon if things don’t change.

Obamacare is also back on the table. Please email and call your Federal Officials on this issue AGAIN. We may need to scramble back into the streets soon on this one. Be ready for action.

Everyday that goes by shows the arrogance of both parties as they continue to treat the citizens of this Commonwealth and this nation as suckers. How many different ways does our President and Congress need to hear that we REJECT Health Care “Reform” and the rest of their Progressive Agenda?

How can a Governor, elected by people to help us fight back againt the tyranny of the Progressives, so suddenly turn on the very people that got him elected?

A watchdog group is needed now to watch both parties…because neither one can be trusted. That is the Roanoke Tea Party and other groups like ours across Virginia and America.

Please join us at Parker’s Seafood on Monday Evening, March 8th at 6:30 PM. We need all Patriots involved now as we need to work…in every election cycle to replace bad politicians of BOTH parties. And then hold them accountable to KEEPING THEIR PROMISES.

We hope to see you there.

Chip Tarbutton

President

Roanoke Tea Party

News Review

Chip — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 13:44:31 +0000

Here is some local and national news that might shape our local Tea Party movement.

Old News: In Case you Missed it…

First no news….the McDonnell Administration has been completely mute about our governor’s role in Obama’s Council of Governors. Not a return call or email to be found from anyone that I know, other than to confirm he is participating. More on this issue here.

In case you missed it, a review of legislative successes in Richmond and our March Meeting is set for March 8.

New News

Looks like Pelosi/Reid/Obama Health Care Reform measures will be back up for a vote again soon. More information here. Get ready for action.

To McDonnel’s credit, he’s taking the difficult steps needed to reign in our budget. Tough decisions are absolutely going to have to be made.

However, this is a bad idea. This is touted as an “alternative to property tax increases.” If you believe that other taxes will be reduced if this goes through, you are a much more trusting soul then I.

And this is another bad idea. How about the governor get out of the way and not waste money on Obama inspired “jobs” legislation. Want to create jobs? Lower regulations and taxes and get the government out of the way.

Make sure you have these facts when your liberal friends try to link the idiot that flew his plane into the IRS building to the Tea Party movement.

Some information on the interesting race in the 5th Disctrict for their Congressional seat. Right now you have Tom Periello, who has voted in lock step with the Obama/Reid/Pelosi agenda and a dopey RINO named Robert Hurt. Virgil Goode….please come back!

Our role is to be a watchdog group for the principles that make the USA great. This article is exhibit one in why the GOP needs that oversight too. Hatch (and many other GOP members) just don’t get it.

As a follow up to John’s excellent post on Keith Olberman, here is more on MSNBC.

Lastly, if you don’t know Lisa Miller, she is the head of the DC Tea Party and an excellent advocate for our cause. She attended the Michael Steele Tea Party meeting and gave this excellent interview. She’s on Facebook and her posts are fantastic.

Take that, Keith Olbermann!

John — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:29:43 +0000

By now, you may have seen or heard MSNBC commentator Keith Olberman casting aspersions on the Tea Party movement. His comments on the 2/15 edition of the barely-watched Countdown with Keith Olbermann painted us as either flagrantly or incipiently racist because of the lack of black faces at Tea Party events.

From the transcript:

I’m now taking a lot of heat for emphasizing a particular phrase which originated at a freerepublic.com rally a year ago this month, originated with a Tea Partier. And I know phrases like “Tea Klux Klan” are incendiary, and I know I use them in part because I am angry that at so late a date, we still have to back back that racial uneasiness which has to envelop us all. And I know if I could only listen to Lincoln on this of all days about the better angels of our nature, I’d know that what we’re seeing at the Tea Parties is, at its base, people who are afraid – terribly, painfully, cripplingly, blindingly afraid.

Do you suppose they agree with you that they’ve just chosen to attend their own separate meetings, that they’re not at your Tea Party because they have a Tea Party of their own to go to? Are you thinking like my father did about Satchell Paige and the Black Yankees tht they want this? My father had an excuse for that: He was 12 years old; it was 1941. Are you of the Tea Party 12 years old? For you, is it 1941?

But let me ask all of you who attend these things: How many black faces do you see at these events? How many Hispanics, Asians, gays? Where are these people? Surely, there must be blacks who think they’re being bled by taxation. Surely there must be Hispanics who think the government should have let the auto industry fail. Surely there must be people of all colors and creeds who believe in cultural literacy tests and speaking English. Where are they? Where are they?

These remarks led Randy Haddock, a blogger living in Brooklyn, to create and post this video response.

Olbermann insults not only the hundreds of thousands of good American citizens who attend Tea Party events, but also black Americans in general by presuming that they couldn’t – or wouldn’t – be willing to stand with their fellow citizens against a too large and growing government that endangers our liberty.

To all Roanoke-area citizens without regard to race, color or national origin: You are all invited to be a part of The Roanoke Tea Party! Please attend one of our meetings to see if you would like to stand with us as well.

Overall we are having a successful Legislative year…in Virginia

Chip — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:37:09 +0000

Former Speaker of the House Tip O’Neil used to always say that “all politics is local.”

While D.C. is still befuddled and stuck between the ineffective leadership of the 2 parties in and out of power, Richmond seems to be moving in the right direction in regards to issues we should be able to agree on Tea Party members.

Below is an email from John Taylor, President of Tertium Quids, and a real patriot who continues the bi-partisan fight to pass common sense, Constitutionaly sound legislation in our state legislature. If you aren’t a member, you need to join today!

Please don’t forget about our March 8th business meeting and to call the Goveronor’s Office about his participation in the Council of Governors. So far, the governor’s office has not been responsive to repeated email and phone queries about thie brainchild of the Obama Admnistration. Very dissapointing.

But here is some good news from Tertium Quids.

Legislative update – 2/17/10

Since the bills that passed either the House or Senate have now crossed over to the other chamber, let’s review:

SUCCESSES!

HB 10 (Health Care Freedom Act) – passed the House.
SB 417, SB 311, SB 283 (health care) – passed the Senate and the House.
SB 512 (ethics, SB 4 was rolled into SB 512) – passed the Senate
HB 570 (changes burden of proof on tax assessments) – passed the House.
HB 652 (eminent domain compensation) – passed the House.
HB 223 (resurrection of death tax – we opposed) – killed in committee
HB 275 (resurrection of death tax – we opposed) – killed in committee
HB 269 (gas tax increase – we opposed) – killed in committee
HB 230 (gas tax increase – we opposed) – killed in committee

DISAPPOINTMENTS!

HB 31 (health care reciprocity) – killed in committee
HB 119 (eliminates corporate income tax) – apparently killed in committee.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

HJ 7 (health care) – left in committee, will be brought back in 2011.
HJ 26 (TABOR) – left in committee, will be brought back in 2011.
HJ 115 (eminent domain) – left in committee, will be brought back in 2011.

Not a bad showing, but don’t let your guard down. We’re not finished, yet.

If you have any questions about legislation or the legislative process, do not hesitate to give us a call at 703-753-2268 or send us an e-mail to TMGCoalition@aol.com.

John

John Taylor
President
Tertium Quids
www.TertiumQuids.org
www.TertiumQuids/blogspot.com
JTaylor@TertiumQuids.org
Office: 703-753-2268
Fax: 703-753-1900

Opposition to McDonnell’s Role with the Council of Governors grows.

Chip — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 05:15:15 +0000

From the VirginiaTea Party Patriots site:

President Obama issued an executive order on January 11, 2009 to establish a Council of Governors. The councils purpose is to “to strengthen further the partnership between the Federal Government and State Governments to protect our Nation against all types of hazards.” Here is a great explanation and “dots” connected on why citizens should be concerned.

Just as concerning, is that our Virginia Governor, Bob McDonnell, has agreed to serve on this committee. Chip Tarbutton, President of the Roanoke Tea Party has send Gov. McDonnell the following letter and we urge all concerned citizens to do the same.

Governor McDonnell,

You have agreed to serve on President Obama’s Council of Governors. This Executive Order from the President is troubling and seems to be an attempt by the Federal government to gain even more control over states, in the guise of emergency management.

I voted for you sir, and I believe that you understand that the 10th Amendment is being trampled over by the Federal Government on a daily basis.

I, and the rest of the Roanoke Tea Party, need to understand why you are participating in this Council, given the grave Constitutional issues raised by this Executive Order. Unless, you can provide us with some justification for your participation, we would respectfully ask you to pull out of the Council of Governors as soon as possible.

We eagerly await your reply.

Chip Tarbutton

President

Roanoke Tea Party

You can contact Gov. McDonnell’s office at 804-786-2211 or you can send him an email

Here is a letter from the 2nd Tuesday Constitution Group which discusses some of the state and Federal Constitutional issues with McDonnell’s participation.

Honorable Robert F. McDonnell

Article 1, Section 2 of the Virginia Constitution states that all power is vested in and consequently derived from, the people, that magistrates are their trustees and servants and at all times amenable to them.

Our founding fathers would never have created a government whose purpose was to usurp the power of the sovereign people of the states. They never gave the Congress, or the Executive branch, of this federal United States direct rule over any citizen of any state, as our war of independence makes evident, and stated plainly in our 10^th Amendment. “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

Article 5, Section 1 of the Constitution of Virginia states “The chief executive power of the Commonwealth shall be vested in a Governor. He shall hold office for a term commencing upon his inauguration on the Saturday after the second Wednesday in January, next succeeding his election, and ending in the fourth year thereafter immediately upon the inauguration of his successor. He shall be ineligible to the same office for the next term succeeding that for which he was elected, AND TO ANY OTHER OFFICE DURING HIS TERM OF SERVICE.”

Governor, we have read the Executive Order written on January 11, 2010 by the President pertaining to the Council of Governors. This list of nominees for the Council includes you.

Under Article 1, Section 12 of the Virginia Constitution we are, as freeborn sovereign individuals, and citizens of this Commonwealth assembled together as the 2^nd Tuesday Constitution Group. We now call upon you to adamantly refuse, and distance yourself and the Commonwealth of Virginia, from this executive ordered Council of Governors.

Under Article 7 of the Virginia Constitution, the sworn oath is to the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of Virginia. Within these constitutions we can find no authorization of any executive orders, or any authorization for any council of governors.

Perhaps we have somehow failed to see how your participation in this could be constitutional. We anticipate that you will respond with that explanation.

Sir, our loyal hand of cooperation to the restoration of Virginia’s greatness is extended to you always.

With Highest Regards,

2^nd Tuesday Constitution Group

Victory! And more on our Governor and is participation in the Council of Governors.

Chip — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 02:06:46 +0000

SUCCESS! SB 417, SB 311, and SB 283 (Health Care Freedom Act) have passed the General Assembly and are now headed for the Governor’s desk. Governor McDonnell is expected to sign them into law. There was some last minute manuevering by Progressives in the GA to derail this, but their efforts failed. Again, none of this would have happened without Tea Party support.

While we are confident our new Governor will support Health Care Freedom, repeated calls and emails to the Governors office have yielded no real answers to why McDonnell has agreed to participate in President Obama’s Council of Governors. Read more about this dangerous idea here. Make sure you take the time to write and call the governor and ask him to pull out of the Council. All of that information can be found on the same link….as well as info on our upcoming March 8th business meeting.

Much more to come on McDonnell’s participation in the Council of Governors. We have alerted all of the Tea Party groups in the state and we hope concerted efforts will persuade McDonnell to pull out of this potentially disasterous Council.