Can You Hear Us Now? Obvioulsy Not. An Open Rant
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. Read more
News Review
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.
Victory! And more on our Governor and is participation in the Council of Governors.
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.
Health Care Freedom is shaping the Health Care Debate Countrywide
As we look at what we have accomplished so far in 2009/2010, the Health Care Freedom Act may be the biggest thing we got done.
In the letter sent to President Obama from the GOP in response to the sham of a health care summit Obama is now suggesting, was the following passage.
As you may know, legislation has been introduced in at least 36 state legislatures, similar to the proposal just passed by the Democratic-controlled Virginia State Senate, providing that no individual may be compelled to purchase health insurance.
Not only does this protect our rights as Virginians, but it has emboldened politicians from both parties to stand up and say no to oppressive government intervention.
And this bill would not have passed in Virginia without the coordinated efforts of Tea Party groups across the state that convinced the Democratically controlled State Senate to pass this legislation.
As we continue to evolve as a group, we should be able to shape and mold the debate on other key issues. More to come as we work together to save our nation.
Dear Congressman Hoyer…
Brent Powell, who has attended several of our Tea Party functions, shared this letter which he has sent to Congressman Steny Hoyer, Majority Leader of the US House Of Representatives. Brent voices many of the concerns that we share about the size and scope of our federal government.
Honorable Steny Hoyer,
The actions of the Speaker of the House are inconsistent with the wishes of the American people. I am asking you as an American to formally request that the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi step down as Speaker. I am requesting this because Americans have given the Congress plenty of signs that the current path toward federal government takeover of health care is not what this country elected her or you to bring to fruition.
The elections of Scott Brown in MA, Governor Bob McDonnell in VA and Governor Chris Christie in NJ should be enough to show her to slow down or stop health care take over. Since this is not enough to show the Democratic Majority that Health care is not a major concern to the people that elected you to the House, here is more. According to Gallup, 55% of Americans say that both Congress and the President should suspend work on the health care bill. Before the election of Senator Scott Brown in December, the Gallup poll said 48% oppose the Health-care bill. Yet in January after the election of Scott Brown and others, Madame Speaker said this about health-care “We will get the job done. I am confident of that. I have always been confident of that.”
I believe Speaker Pelosi is out of touch with the American people. Senator Jim Webb, a Democrat in VA, said “In many ways the campaign in Massachusetts became a referendum not only on health care reform but also on the openness and integrity of our government process.” Also Senator Ben Nelson said, “Both sides need to sit down and work together. They haven’t because they didn’t think they had to. Now they have to.” Even with all of this evidence your elected leader is continuing with a health-care bill.
Again, this is a formal request from an American. Please request that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi step down because of the above evidence.
Thank you for your time. God Bless you and God Bless America!
Sincerely,
Brent J Powell
Roanoke, VA 24018
Feb 4th Public Meeting and Radio Clip from Freedom and Prosperity Radio
Our first public meeting of 2010 will be held on Thursday, February 4 at the Roanoke County Public Library on Rt 419, just across from the Cave Spring Post Office. We will meet from 6:30-8:45 p.m., and all are welcome.
There will be an open meeting like this each month from here on out, and we hope that you will make a point to attend as often as possible.
The primary purpose of the 2/4 meeting is to:
Outline the structure of the organization now that we are incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Discuss our plans to move forward our agenda in 2010.
And hear from you. This is your organization.
We are organized as a membership-based group, with leadership chosen in regular elections.
Our current board members have agreed to serve as the interim officers of the organization, but elections will be held once we have things properly laid out. There will be two levels of membership: regular members can join at no charge, but only voting memberships will be able to take part in elections. There will be a nominal fee to become a voting member.
We have a lot of plans for 2010, and we want your feedback and input. Fundraising will be a big part of what we do moving forward, as the membership fees we collect will not support much in the way of promotion or advertising.
Please make a point to attend this meeting. We need to start planning very soon for another Tax Day Tea Party protest on April 15, and will need volunteers and organizers for much of the work that’s yet to be done. We want this year’s event to be even bigger than in 2009!
Even more importantly, we need to impact legislation and election this year. We are already having a big impact as witnessed by our lobying efforts in Richmond.
If you have questions…feel free to email chip.tarbutton@gmail.com
Our profile keeps gowing. Here is an interview heard locally on WFIR on Freedom and Prosperity radio which airs Sunday evenings. The January 10th show featured some clips from our visit to Senator Webb’s office.
Update From Richmond on the Health Care Freedom Act (HB10)
Update! The health care bill hits the Senate floor for a vote Friday. If the 2 Democrats that voted for this in committee hold strong….and all of the Republican’s stay united…this would end up in a 20-20 tie. And then the Lt. Governor would cast the deciding vote. Presumably he would vote for this (but with Bolling you never know). A lot of things have to go right, but getting this through the Senate (which is the biggest obstacle) is within grasp. Contact your local Senator and let them know to please vote for SB 417.
Below is a post from the Tertium Quids website regarding SB 417, the Senate version of HB10 that we lobbied for in Richmond on January 18. Great news as the Health Care Freedom act passed a major legislative hurdle.
None of this would be happening without our massive Tea Party rally in Richmond on January 18th. We are making a difference! Notice that this wouldn’t have gotten out of committee without Democratic support. As always, it’s about the ideals and not the political party.
The stronger we get, the more effective we become, so please join us for our public meeting on Feb 4th to keep our movement going strong into 2010…and beyond.
“SB 417, a bill that protects Virginia residents from being forced to purchase healthcare coverage, PASSED the Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor, 8-7. THIS IS BIG. Senators Colgan and Puckett crossed party lines to vote for this bill. No one in the room expected the bill to pass the committee, and now the bill goes to the Senate!! Three identical bills, patroned by Sen. Quayle, Martin, and Vogel all passed simultaneously. These bills could come up for a vote in the Senate as early as Thursday. A play-by-play of the committee will be coming soon.
For now, e-mail and call Senators Puckett and Colgan THANKING them for voting yes on SB 417, SB 311, and SB 283. This is as important as calling a committee member to vote. We have to thank these guys and let them know that we appreciate them coming across the aisle to support our effort.
Senator Charles J. Colgan (D) (804) 698-7529 district29@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Phillip P. Puckett (D) (804) 698-7538 district38@senate.virginia.gov
THANK these guys today for their votes. “
Roanoke Times Criticism means you are doing something Right! Plus new info on the page….
This political cartoon appeared in the Roanoke Times last week.
If you changed the script on the patient’s chest to “Ridiculous Sham Masquerading as Health Care Reform” I’d gladly take some of the credit for helping THAT flatline. If it wasn’t for concerned citizens like us, rising up to defend our nation, health care reform, Cap and Trade and other destructive bills would have already passed. I’m proud of the role we have played!
I don’t think the Times is happy with us. We must be doing something right!
If you would like to help continue to irritate the left by derailing their destructive agenda, please plan on attending our business meeting on Feb 4th at the main branch of the Roanoke library on Electric Road. The meeting starts at 6:30 PM. More info is here.
I have added several new pages that will be key.
Legislative Agenda/Legislative Grades will be one of our cornerstones for the future as we hold our elected officials accountable for supporting our values.
Another major push will be getting involved in local politics. More on that here…
Plus, videos from recent events are here.
10th Amendment Rally a Rousing Success
Over 50 members of the Roanoke Tea Party joined about 2,000 Tea Partiers from across VA at lobby day in Richmond in support of state legislation that supports our state’s 10th Amendment rights. We participated in a rally featuring speechs by Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and other state officials who are willing to stand up for our state rights.
We then visited delegates and Senators at their offices to solicit their support. According to Delegates we spoke with, this is the largest crowd ever at a Richmond Lobby day. At this point:
Senator Ralph Smith, Delgate Morgan Griffith and Delegate Lacey Putney support HB 10 and HB 69. Please take time to thank these patriots for their support of these critical pieces of legislation.
The speakers and the crowd were energized. It was nice to have political leaders, in a position of power, who were supportive of our initiatives. 2 videos are below that capture the spirit of the proceedings. Cuccinelli’s speech is brilliant, but Bob Marshall drops a bombhell concerning his conversation with an unnamed US Senator from Va.
According to Delegate Marshall, this US Senator agreed that forcing citizens to purchase health care coverage, or face fines and imprisonment, was probably unconstitutional. But that was not his primary concern?!? Senator’s swear an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution and this attitude should be disturbing to anyone who cares about the Constitution.
In a just world, the US Senator that said this nonsense (either Warner or Webb) should be removed from office. Check out the videos below. And please contact your Delegate or State Senator and make sure they are fighting for HB 10 and HB 69.
WDBJ7’s report. From Charlottesville’s NBC affiliate.
The Bus is full, but you can still attend.
Thank you for filling up our bus trip to Richmond. We are thrilled that so many of you are taking time on Monday to go to the 10th Amendment rally in Richmond. Unfortunately, we didn’t fill the bus up soon enough to get another bus.
However, if you still want to go, here is logistical information if you would like to drive up and support us.
Email me if you have any questions or you would like to check and see if there are any last minute cancellations on our bus trip. chip@roanoketeaparty.com
For more info on the HB 10 and HB 69.
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