Failed Votes in House Indicate GOP Establishment Not in Control

FoxNews reports it as a blunder, but I call it damn fine politics!

Yesterday there was a GOP backed bill to permanently extend key provisions of the Patriot Act. The GOP establishment have lived off of the Patriot Act as their bread and butter for the last decade. Now with a near super majority, passing such a Bill should be simple, right?

Wrong.

There are a number of Patriots in Congress right now, elected as members of the Tea Party, who are very serious about the role of the government and the constitution, and who are very serious about returning rights stripped from the citizens over the last decade. These GOP Tea Partiers are voting in the style of a true third party, sending a very clear message to the GOP - You are NOT in control.

Our Congress is made up of three or four parties right now, though there are only two official party caucuses... The Democrats who are strongly united to the left, as most of the "fourth party" blue dog moderates lost their seats in 2010, the remaining moderate Blue Dogs, the centrist GOP, and the Tea Party Republicans. If you run the numbers, there is no majority party in our government - so in the style of the British House of Commons, a unity government must be formed. If the GOP continues to ignore the constitution, you can be sure that the Tea Party will not be voting in favor of the Bill; and the GOP becomes a minority party once again.

The power in Congress lies in the hands of the Tea Party/Libertarian/Constitutionalist officials. What we have seen in Congressional voting in the past two days is a lesson in the Constitution, and a civics reminder for the establishment (minority) GOP - WE THE PEOPLE hold the power!

The Foreseeable Shortcomings of a Republican Majority

There is no doubt that the Republicans will sweep into Legislative Majorities in one or both houses after a short four year exile. It is not, however, a radical change in the GOP that has swung the electorate into 'the big tent'; it is a clear civil unrest over some very key faults of the Federal Government. Those elements are spending, budget, taxes, and jobs. The fact that the only platform put forth by the GOP establishment in 'The Pledge' is vague in solutions to these ends, and that the party is still decisively split on foreign issues, banking issues, etc. is clear evidence that the 2010 Republican Majority may find itself causing more harm than good.

In the simplest of statements, the GOP majority stands poised to squander any significant fundamental ability to change the legislation of the past ten to twenty years. This goes beyond Obama, extending through Bush and right on into Clinton. In fact, one could make an argument that fundamental reconstruction of the make-up of the US essentially starts with legislation that is a hundred years old.

What should the new, independent, Constitutionally backed GOP minority push the greater GOP establishment into tackling over the next two years? More importantly, what will the GOP establishment and the Liberals who survive the coming blood-letting work fervently to stop? Below is a list of the top SEVEN issues needed to repair the economy and structure of this nation:

7. Repair Social Security. When Social Security was adopted in the 1930's, it was intended to be a safety net. That safety net, for better or for worse, became a staple in the American Work Force, establishing secure retirement for elderly and providing a social welfare for the disabled. In the 1960's, Democrats tapped into the extra revenue of the SS program in order to balance their budget. This pillaging of the senior retirement fund fundamentally destroyed the system as a safety net, transferring the burden from a personal savings to a necessary tax item on the annual budget. Democrats looked to Social Security income as a source of revenue, depleting the savings account of America. We need an act of congress to completely restore the coffers and remove Social Security receipts as 'income' to the federal government. We also need to ensure that only those truly eligible receive funds, non-illegals, etc (and those who have paid into the system for a certain number of years). Payments should be a factor of contribution, etc, etc. This approach is constructive to the current dependency on the system, does not alienate the elderly or disabled who may be at a disadvantage, and is a good faith common-sense compromise that works across the aisle.

6. Fix Healthcare. Obamacare and other forms of socialized medicine are destructive to industry - both in the medical field and across the board. Obamacare was so invasive that it made it a federal crime to NOT purchase insurance from a private company. This and other aspects of the law are grossly unconstitutional and will not survive the courts. There are, however, positive glimpses within the document that were horribly implemented - for instance, denied coverage due to past illness, and coverage for children. Congress can pass legislation under equal protection and non discrimination forcing insurers to allow equal and affordable coverage for all. There are many ways of restructuring the system within the current set of rules (pre-Obamacare); However, what if we cast aside the set of current rules and changed the playing field? If we combine tort reform, state government ownership (on a state by state basis as voted on by the people of each state in accordance with the 10th amendment), and a true level playing field for insurance (interstate plans, restriction of price fixing, etc.) the free market competition would drive insurance prices down. A top down Federal health system is unconstitutional, and should be left to the states, thus the current system needs to be absolutely repealed and reframed.

5. Pay down the National Debt. Throw a wrench in the cogs of ALL the National debt calculator widgets by reversing the trend. Pay down the national debt. This should be made a priority as a good faith gesture to America that the government tyrants are going away. A well planned budget could effectively pay off the entire national debt in two presidential terms. That is right. I personally claim to have a plan to pay down $14 Trillion in 8 years. The following three items lay out the general ingredients to how this is possible.

4. Fix the Tax Structure. The tax codes change from year to year, written in such a way that only those with access to high cost lawyers can curtail true tax rates, and end up paying less than their fair share; in most cases those tax evaders are the tax code writers - your Congressmen and Senators. A flat tax is not absolutely necessary, but it provides an excellent model for restructuring the US tax code into a simple handbook. Combine the Flat Tax and the Progressive Tax (under which we currently operate), and eliminate deductions for incomes over a set dollar amount. Restructure the tax rates to reflect typical current payments based on deductions for lower and middle earners, and then simplify by eliminating the deductions for all. Eliminate EIC, as it is simply a pay-out of wealth redistribution. remove everything from the US tax code other than a simple chart indicating income and expected taxes. Business and corporate taxes would embody a similar system with an adjusted flat rate with no deductions. The system would be uniform and constitutional. The revenue to the US government would reflect a net increase without any significant modification to current tax burdens. I could easily calculate a $0.5 Trillion annual revenue increase by eliminating loopholes for the rich senators and their friends. Other adjustments may need to be made to balance a debt pay-down plan.

3. Cut Government Spending. Current government budgets are usually never reduced, and often simply push forward funding for programs plus a percentage budget increase each year. Anyone currently addressing "significant budget cuts" simply mean that the percent increase was reduced - but facts show that the net program spending increases! Some system! Do a full scrub of the entire budget. Make some deep and necessary cuts - to the tune of at LEAST $1.5Trillion (or half of the 2010 budget). I have run these calculations and major defense cuts associated with eliminating unnecessary multi-billion dollar federal departments and cutting unnecessary portions of the remaining department funds, while placing certain obligations back into the hands of the states or citizens (like education), cutting $1.5Trillion comes easy without even broaching the Medicare/Medicaid coffers. Eliminating them in favor of a Social Security Medical system and other healthcare changes reducing the cost and increasing the availability of private healthcare easily makes immense gains toward elimination of debt.

2. Take Control of Monetary Policy. A repeal of the Federal Reserve Act, or a restructure of the way the Treasury handles the monetary system would immediately eliminate a grand portion of our debt, would eliminate the need to pay interest on our own monetary system to a private conglomerate of banks who have no connection to the Federal Government, and would fundamentally change the way we do business in the US with regards to spending and borrowing. It is a drastic move and a massive show of force against the banks who continually suck the government and the citizens dry for profit. Eliminating the debt by a swoop of a pen would by far be the most dramatic law in the history of the world. Other less drastic steps could be taken, like renegotiation of all interest on debts to 0.0% (since it is OUR money). Such a step would immediately save $164 Billion annually, and could be used to negotiate down total debt to the Federal Reserve. International debt would be handled separately.

1. Repeal the Patriot Act. Next to financials, the Patriot Act was the single most restrictive piece of legislation to American Liberties. The frustration in 2006 & 2008 against Bush was due to such invasive laws (as well as the wars). A restructure of the intelligence agencies does not necessitate a collapse of civil liberties. This law is an abomination and should be struck in its entirety.

These are some of the most extreme examples, but necessary to turn our country away from social tyranny toward a peaceful economic powerhouse. If the new GOP pushed for even a tiny part of these changes, they would establish themselves as sound leadership for generations. If these are the principles we truly embrace (smaller government, lower taxes, more freedom), then the above changes are not radical or extreme; they are necessary elements in the fundamental restructuring as part of a more perfect union. One in which ideas like "the new deal" can provide security for citizens while the focus and structure of the government can return to a less powerful advisory board focused on defense and equal protection under the law. There is a perfect equilibrium, but we are far removed from it. hard work and sacrifice on the part of the Federal government is key to reach the higher middle ground. The new GOP needs to lead us there.

Election Polls, National Pulse

With five and a half weeks remaining before the Constitutional Resurgence, speculation and polling is as active for an off year as I have ever seen - perhaps because defeat after defeat have been dealt to the Democratic White House in a wave of special elections and Primary upheavals. If the Clinton victory in '92 forced the establishments to re-write the book, and the 2000 presidential election caused them to tear a few pages from it, then the 2010 political season is sure to have political scientists wondering how they could have been so wrong on so many levels. How is it, they will wonder, that a country who gave a blank check to a clearly and openly socialist establishment suddenly finds itself so diametrically opposed to the media announced mandate of 2008?

Let's look to the people for answers.

Obama is polling at ~45% with a solid 50% disapproval rating (45% of those, according to Rasmussen "Strongly Disapprove" - compared to 26% who "strongly approve"). The great emancipator from the evils of the Bush and Clinton empires has proven to be what opponents recognized him as during the primary and general elections in 2008. He has proven that he does not and cannot associate or empathize with the American People. He is an ideologue, so blinded by his agenda that he refuses to associate with the people - tending, instead, to lecture and talk at the people. He no longer inspires Hope, but for a small minority... and even for them, hope has begun to fade. The people are beginning to awaken... it seems he is bringing change to America - change toward a constitutional class of leaders, and an educated and active constitutional electorate.

The Tea Party has already mounted their attack against the GOP and sufficiently dealt them a death blow, forcing the leadership to hearken back to the days of '94, when the party promised change in a Contract with America. That contract was breached as soon as the GOP had control, and a new age of pork spending, corruption, and continued abuse of the constitution once again became the norm in DC for both parties. However, the Congress will have a strong delegation of Tea Party officials. The Senate will have an unusually high representation of Tea Party officials. A few constitutionalists will even preside over state houses for the next four years. This places the GOP in a bind. They fought hard for establishment candidates, and come out denouncing Tea Party victors, only to have to lick their wounds publicly the following morning. The GOP could forever be crippled in 2010 if there is a Tea Party fissure, and the conservative block caucuses as a legitimately strong third party - especially because current leadership would abandon ship for a fresh caucus with no excess baggage. If the GOP does not respond correctly, the Republican Party may find themselves an annotation in the pages of history, alongside the Whigs and the Bull Moose parties.

And finally, who will hold the seats of power for the United States come November? Polling tells us that state after state is moving into the 'toss up' region for the US Senate. Long time incumbents, like Russ Feingold (D - WI), are now trailing conservative candidates. Feingold is currently expected to lose his state, polling double digits behind the GOP. Real Clear Politics' election map indicates a 52-48 Democrat margin on November 3rd. I remain skeptical that Boxer (D) in California, Maj. Ldr Reid (D) of Nevada, and Patty Murray (D) of WA can hold on to their narrow margins. At best, the senate will remain in Democrat control by way ONLY of the Biden vote. I predict a 50-50 senate, with as many as eight NEW Tea Party senators, making way for a strong 20-25% party control by hardcore constitutionalist senators. That is enough fresh leadership to make a plan, not for a new contract with America, but to restore America's ORIGINAL contract - the Constitution... and pledge to hold the Congress and the Executive within the bounds set forth by the People.

It's a Tea Party Year!

Delaware is the latest stomping ground for the Tea Party, where establishment candidate Rep. Castle was handily beaten by Tea Party favorite and political newcomer, O'Donnell. This, as the GOP establishment says, puts the state of Delaware in jeopardy for a very secure senate seat - however, now that the GOP has been proven wrong at the polls, the people of Delaware are going to respond to O'Donnell positively... and the GOP establishment is going to have plenty of crow to eat! RCP has moved Delaware into the "likely Dem" category from "likely GOP" based on old polling, but rest assured that O'Donnell's stock is going to rise tomorrow, and those numbers are going to change!

Across the nation, from Alaska to Delaware, we are seeing establishment candidates fall to the no-name citizen army candidates. We, the people, have mounted a fierce battle, and come November we are going to see a solid core group of Conservative Senators that WILL move the Senate back in line with the constitution.

Joe Miller, Alaska
Ken Buck, Colorado
Sharon Angle, Nevada
Rand Paul, Kentucky
Marco Rubio, Florida
Mike Lee, Utah
Christine O'Donnell, Delaware

This is not a regional flux. The left can not blame this on the rednecks clinging to their guns and bibles in the south. They cannot blame this on the isolated and out of touch separatists in the frozen hills of Alaska. This is a national movement - state by state, election by election, incumbents were felled by their constitutionalist rivals. Called extremists by their foes for drawing a line in the sand and saying, "On behalf of the American People, NO MORE", they have become the generals in the people's army... Not Glenn Beck or Sarah Palin... Nay... those whose necks are on the line, and who are in a position to win, win big, and change the debate in the US Senate.

Even in New Hampshire, as I write this, are we witnessing a HUGE night for the Tea Party, where a Palin-backed candidate is losing to the will of the Tea Party movement, indicating that, in fact, it is not her party (as I stated above), rather the party of the people.

Add the name Ovide Lamontagne from NH to the list above, and with the right campaigning across the board we can add 8 staunch constitutional conservatives to the US Senate, where a few constitutionalists eek out an existence, and you have got a solid 10% of the entire US senate as a hardcore constitutionalist voting block... My eyes are getting moist just thinking about it - it really is beautiful - in my lifetime! (imagine the irony of an American being happy that 10% of the senate is going to follow the constitution!)

With that said, there are a few hard races:
1. Angle (who is now tied with Reid in NV) must win to knock out the Majority Leader of the Senate. She is holding her own this early out, which is a very bad sign for Reid, who's own son has stopped using his last name in his campaign for governor of NV due to bad name recognition. (I love it!)
2. Rubio has a good lead on Independent Charlie Crist in Florida, but Crist is an old dog at the political game. Fortunately for the TP movement, Crist's numbers are beginning to nosedive, and he may have peaked too early for this three man race.
3. Miller in Alaska is plagued by a raging case of the "incumbents" - like syphilis which is supposed to go away with penicillin, the incumbent is supposed to go away after losing the primary. However, his mild rash, Murkowski, is floating every possibility to attempt to get on the ballot and give this race to the Dems.
4. O'Donnell in Delaware was a major victory, a major upset, and a major challenge moving forward into November. Donate $20, now, to her campaign. Call the Delaware GOP and tell them to immediately support and endorse her. She needs the bump to keep the state, and she is the kind of leader the GOP needs in the Tea Party wing.

It's a tea Party night, and it will be a tea Party year. The GOP and America have much to celebrate. The pendulum is swinging toward our constitution!

Alaskan Libertarian Party Offers Nomination to Murkowski?

Did I miss something? Liberal Republican incumbent Murkowski was offered a nomination by the Libertarian Party of Alaska if she could not overcome Tea Party candidate Joe Miller's 2.5% primary election lead. Other than to ensure a possible Libertarian (in name only) Senator, I cannot, for the life of me, guess as to why they would do this. Why would the Libertarians endorse an established know-nothing RINO?

It is such a crazy story that we are talking about it down here in Seattle!

Tea Partiers are More Educated and Angrier than the Average American

The New York Times, as reported by MSNBC, has let the cat out of the bag about the redneck racist revolutionaries running and supporting the tea party: "Tea party supporters are wealthier and more well-educated than the general public, tend to be Republican, white, male, and married, and their strong opposition to the Obama administration is more rooted in political ideology than anxiety about their personal economic situation"

Does this mean that the liberal left is going to stop pushing the 'Racist Tea Party' talking points, or the 'uneducated gun toting redneck' talking points? Most likely not.

Though they, being the left, fail to see the irony in the educated leaders of this country revolting in general angst over the direction of the federal government, they can no longer ignore us!

Recent polling indicates that more people identify with the tea party movement than with the direction Obama is taking the country. More people align with the policies of the Tea Partiers, the policies of liberty, than with the leftist agenda in D.C. And the liberal left is grudgingly reporting these as "surprising results" - surprising because we have been ridiculed as racist idiotic rednecks for over a year now... The truth shall set you free!

I proudly identify with the liberty movement in America. I am a proud advocate for limited government and responsible local government. I think that a great political awakening is beginning to take place, and that folks are starting to see that the change for change's sake is bad, simply supporting the lesser of two evils is worse, and politics as usual is simply no longer acceptable.

Vive La Liberte!

Hypocracy of the Left

Code Pink. MoveOn.ORG. Sheehan.

The loudest most vocal and visible protesters of Bush/Cheney, their foreign policy, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan...

Silent?

Code Pink is now silently petitioning Obama to end the wars, by not protesting, rather signing a "reminder petition" - to remind him of his campaign promises to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are actively protesting the G20 event this week by creating a pink Tent City, not covered at all by the media. Their "Actions" page is grossly out of date, and they seem content with going from a very active anti-war group to a pretty pink website with ne'er a harsh word against our enlightened one.

MoveOn.Org is pressing forward not with anti-war talk, rather carrying the banner of the Democrats on Healthcare, releasing a propaganda puff piece highlighting Hollywood comedians mocking the CEOs of Insurance Companies as the "true victims" of the public option. They have become the well funded strong arm of the left, openly targeting political conservatives. No question about Obama's continued wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, nor outrage over the prospect of surging 40,000 more US troops into Afghanistan. When we talked of a troop surge in Iraq, it was political hell on earth... under Obama it is second page news to Healthcare and Global Warming... and MoveOn.Org seems none the wiser. They are merely a recruiting and full time elections prep organization... puppets and political relics.

Cindy Sheehan seems to be the only one protesting Obama openly about the War... after finishing a distant second to Pelosi in the Congressional Race in SF, Sheehan has hit the protest trail once again... but, wait... the once embraced Sheehan is now being told "Enough Already" by Charlie Gibson of ABC. Why protest Obama - these are Bush's wars... and we shouldn't bring any negative attention to a DEMOCRAT President, right Charlie?

Again, I ask - are these once loud anti-government protesters silent?

• Code Pink... not silent, but muffled and neutered.
• MoveOn.Org... silent as a Monk in Prayer.
• Sheehan... Not silent, but her Media Stage has been packed up and stored until the next GOP President and Majority is in need of media scrutiny.

The hypocrisy on the left is sickening. It is obvious that these protests, mostly media and Soros sponsored, were for nothing more than a political coup - an attempt to disrupt and distract the American public so much that they would angrily vote out the party in power.

Now that they are the party in power, suddenly the hose is turned off and the world is filled with harmony... So they are trying to convince us all...

The truth is that they won nothing. Obama is talking troop surges in Afghanistan. We still have thousands of troops in Iraq. They hold power, but now the emperor, and their tactics, are exposed - naked... They wanted an end to nothing... they merely wanted POWER... The power to push their agenda, the power to rule America and the world. Absolute power of the government is theirs... but in the hearts of free men burns a flicker of hope... liberty... but will we fall victim to the same tactic on the right?

Let this be a lesson to all the Tea Party protesters. When we win in 2010 and when we win in 2012, DO NOT STOP PROTESTING because a party change has occurred. Stop only when the government removes itself from private life. Stop only when all our demands are met. Stop only when the government retreats back to the bounds of its constitutional role. This is our goal... and lest we be classified as hypocrites, we should hold government, not parties, to the fire.

Liberty is not a partisan issue... it is an issue of the people. Until the government releases its death grip from the throat of liberty, we MUST NOT back down.

Learn from the mistakes of the hippies and pinkies... Never retreat.

Anti-Conservatism Goes Mainstream

After the Tea Parties there was considerable talk about the meaning, intent, and lasting effect of conservatives protesting the government. What is notable, however, is the majority of the coverage was negative - portraying the protests as racist, proclaiming that conservatives were simply protesting a black president. MSNBC went so far as having a lengthy discussion about the mental retardation of conservatives due to the misshapen brains which we all poses... and this is the news of our nation in this time:


As was discussed in a previous article regarding CNN reporters "confronting" protesters instead of interviewing or reporting the story, suggesting that these 100% peaceful rallies were somehow "not suitable for Family Viewing", there is a dangerous lurch in the mainstream media onto the bandwagon of anti-conservatism. In short, the "Free Media" has become the "State Media", acting as a mouthpiece for a political movement rather than a genuine group interested in true journalism. It is one thing to pick and choose stories and add respective commentary, etc. - but the "reporting" as seen in the news clip above is shameful and sickening!

The common theme for this mainstream movement is "Capitalism is Dead", or that Capitalist ideas and "corporate greed" are somehow responsible for our economic crisis. This is a fear tactic aimed at confusing and diluting the truth - used many times before to drive a populist frenzy against a political adversary.

The truth of the matter is that the Radical Left is now the "mainstream", socialism is being publicly embraced as the new face of America, and all those in opposition are being directly targeted for social re-education... first through public "floggings", and eventually through re-education camps as part of Obama's "Civilian Security Force".

America is being changed dramatically - from a society of freedom and prosperity, into one of dependency and welfare.

Anti-Conservatism has gone mainstream - with the full intent to associate those identifying as Republicans, Conservatives, or otherwise anti-Socialist as mental defects whose brains are deformed and are therefore incapable of intelligent thought.

We know what THEY think about us... and we know that they think we all need to be cast aside... there is no will or want for negotiation, moderation, or otherwise sensible reasoning. They want conservatives and conservative ideals eradicated - like a plague on our New Society...

Equally - I want, and am sure most of my readers want, the mainstreaming of Socialism eradicated...

This nation thrives on individual success - however, the generational theft is complete... the push for equal outcome through my entire childhood, and those of my generation has succeeded in re-educating our nation into one of anti-liberty, pro-tyranny subjects!

Gone is the age of state pride - as collectivism trumps localism.
Gone is the age of national pride - as internationalism trumps nationalism.
Gone is the age of reason - as fear and misinformation trumps science.
Gone is the age of liberty - as social dependence trumps individual success.

If Economic Conservatism, also known as Capitalism, is the enemy then Socialism is the new norm.

Realized are the Entitlements.
Realized are the Dependents.
Realized are the Fools.

There is a common truth, that when any system becomes unbalanced it is thrown into chaos. It is true with the mind, the eco-system, and politics. Just as a Hurricane forms from unstable hot air, the more unbalanced the temperature the more destructively chaotic the storm; so to is the political realm... when such an unbalance arises, a chaos scenario is forming in the wings.

Our nation is seeing this perceived unbalance - where an economic Socialist like George Bush is demonized for not doing enough... and future Republican candidates attempting to run to the right of GWB economically will be lambasted as the enemy of America - when in truth, as was the truth since the dawning of the Cold War - IT IS SOCIALISM AND TOTALITARIANISM WHO IS THE TRUE ENEMY TO AMERICAN VALUES.

When these ideas go mainstream, there is a question: are we losing, or we have already lost?

The answer is that we are striking fear into the heart of the Socialist movement within the Democratic Party... and their retaliation is this attempted death blow... Fortunatley for logical beings, their tactics are easily exposed and will eventually backfire - hopefully in 2010, definately in 2012. If not, then the answer becomes that it is not just we as individuals who have lost, but the nation as a whole!

Are We Intelligent Enough to Understand Symbols?

I am the gentleman pictured with the "Hope/Change/Obey" sign in this image taken at the Denver Tea Party - and want to take a moment to address the use of the swastika in the image. The Swastika was the symbol of a political party/movement in Germany, that of the Nationalist-Socialist movement... The use of the symbol merely identifies the political movement of the individual associated with "Hope" for Germany in the 1930s. Similarly, the Hammer and Sickle represented a political party/movement in Russia. Obama-ites use their symbol for political purposes - and history will judge the future use of that symbol.

To compare Obama (or Bush, for that matter) to Hitler or Lenin is not to directly relate to their historical outcome (i.e. mass genocide), rather to the threat of such similarities in policy. When our political leaders push for totalitarianism, history shows the consequences. I am not blaming Bush or Obama for genocide - rather warning that all cases of Social Collectivism and Totalitarianism have led to historically grim results. We need to stay aware of historical trends... which is precisely in line with the theme of the Tea Party - that large government, intrusive government, and government aimed at targeting political dissidents is dangerous.

I shared these same concerns with anyone questioning my sign - though those photographing from a distance were free and likely to draw their own preconceived notions about the intent of such propaganda at a rally.

Ultimately, as is reported by the Peoples Press Collective, the use of the Swastika is not appropriate, however common themes of Hammer and Sickle were widely used and not demonized - though more people were murdered under the symbol of the Soviet Union than the symbol of Nazi Germany.

So I pose this question - Are we intelligent enough to understand symbols? Are we intelligent enough to discuss trends, threats, and historical parallels?

I understand that perception is king when mob rules - however, to identify negativity with a swastika and not with the hammer/sickle is asinine. And to think that policies for continued power, including the creation of civilian security forces, are anything less than comparable to the same tactics used by political tragedies of the past is outright wrong.

I am not insisting that the outcomes are going to be equal - but the opportunity surely is!

Observations from the Tea Party and Lessons Learned

Crowd Control
First and foremost, I have never seen Police Officers so relaxed during a large scale protest of between 5000-10,000 individuals. From my location, which was along Broadway, State Troopers and other officers were largely smiling, happily discussing issues with protesters, and generally at ease. At no time did I notice that police were on edge, even during the peak of the protest when the crowd swelled and there was a lot of movement of a large amount of people. Namely, this can be attributed to the fact that conservative protesters were angry, but carried a gentile disposition. The left has labelled us as right-wing nuts for our protests - but reality would indicate that we were a group of intelligent, level headed citizens, wishing only to carry a clear message: Individual Responsibility is NOT Dead!

Our message
Signs present were vast, but there was one major message - stop government growth and spending. Signs were present that expressed individuals being "tea'd off" at both Dems and Rep politicians, which was an underlying theme of these parties - non-partisan with a common message of government accountability. Some protesters related government spending to government sponsored abortion, as Obama's funding for pro-abortion programs is just that - federally funded murder. Some protesters went satirical, some were serious - stating that "we will fight you for it" referring to resisting Socialist America. My sign read: Hope, Change, Obey with pictures of Hitler, Stalin, and Obama - with a supporting document on hand - the DHS briefing targeting "right wing extremists". It was my intention not to distract from the tea theme, but to draw attention to the specific targeting of political dissent as enemies of the state. This melded with the ultimate theme of government growth and encroachment - which includes spending - on state and individual rights. About 400 pictures were taken of me and my sign - some from media - and some with video cameras. The intent of the video camera was clearly to catch a "right wing nut" compare Obama to Hitler, but my level headed response was such: "What Bush did in growing government and government spending, Obama is perfecting. I am here in support of states and individual rights protected by the 9th and 10th amendment to the Constitution. Many others are here in protest of the growth in spending and the encroachment of government beyond constitutional bounds." Needless to say, I doubt my response will actually make the cut - opting instead to use footage from less-articulate protesters.

Media and Leftist Reporting/Blogging
Media coverage on site was minimal, and national coverage by news organizations other than Fox was mocking or non-existent. In fact, Local Denver 9 o'clock news on Fox 13 (after American Idol) led with a story about a transgender murder, and after the first five minutes no mention, not even in the introduction highlight of stories for the day, did they mention the protests. Fox Cable News, this morning, ran a story which I was unable to watch, but the headline was "Media Mockery" with aerial footage of some of the events of the day. Leftist Blogs are calling the tea parties failures, indicating that the gathering of 200,000+ protesters, each easily representing 10 who couldn't attend because they had jobs, was little more than right wing extremists - twisting messages on signs to fit an agenda of perceived racism, etc. In Denver, how could you consider one of the largest protests ever at the state capital a failure? Media bias bent on talking down to angry citizens, marginalizing our message and purpose, and deterring individuals from joining the angry majority. In short, the left and the liberal media are attempting to dismiss the meaning, seriousness, and potential impact of these protests. In fact, the most stunning sign in Denver read "I hate that you have made me a protester"... the general feeling of many who were in attendance as well as those not able to make it... How dare our government radicalize core conservative values - and how dare the media marginalize our protest! Hugh Hewitt played a clip on his radio show during the protests in which a CNN or MSNBC reporter began yelling at a protester in the middle of an attempted interview - indicating my next topic - the left just don't get it

The Left Just Didn't Get It
Obama made a speech in regard to the tax day protests, admitting that he didn't fully understand why folks were protesting, as he had just cut taxes for certain individuals. Some counter-protesters (all four of them) held signs saying "Just Shut Up and Pay Your Taxes". General Liberal Media rejected the protests as simple partisan venting with no major implications on American Politics - going so far as attempting to back up their case with a "poll" from their website which indicates that "most Americans support the stimulus packages". On every level it is very clear - the Left just don't understand why Conservatives and Libertarians are enraged.

As such, let me spell it out for our, ahem, slower friends...

1. A majority of us on the right didn't support Bush's stimulus spending. Bailouts, entitlements, etc - these are all failed economic programs that do nothing more than stagnate economies - take special note of Japan's economy during the 90's, where bail-outs and entitlements to the citizens increased debt and did nothing to stimulate their economy - we are in the same trap. The left claims that free market killed the economy, but they are lying... it is the encroachment of these failed socialist economic principles that killed the economy, but they on the left used a wool blanket lie that "Bush was in Charge, he is a conservative, so therefore conservative free markets failed". In philosophy 101, this is clearly identified as a false logical argument... also known as an attempt to make something appear true when it is, in fact, not... Bush was a social conservative, NOT an economic conservative... These are two very different and distinct issues that the left want to confuse, but it must be our role to tell the truth.

2. The right don't mind paying taxes - we just want to eliminate unnecessary taxes. We pay more than our fair share. We want an overhaul of the tax system - to a flat or fair tax. Make those in the lower tax bracket buy a stake in America - make them pay a flat rate of 18%... the same rate that the wealthy should have to pay... This rate is proven to promote maximum economic growth - anything less and there is not enough for "social balance", anything more and there is incentive to cheat taxation (and less incentive to succeed).

3. We want the government to curb spending. We want the government to eliminate debt owned to foreign nations.

4. We want the government to return to the Constitutional Republic structure on which it was founded... with smaller federal government, and more control at the local and state levels... re-enact the 9th and the 10th amendment, returning powers to the states, and reducing the role of the federal government to within the boundaries of the constitution.

5. We want the government out of businesses, out of banks (including the Federal Reserve - which is a private bank), out of mortgages, etc. Reduce your size and your role to the powers given to you by the people in the founding document - the Constitution. You have taken an oath to support and defend it - now do so!

6. And we want you and the government to leave our f-ing guns alone! We have a right to arm ourselves for personal, property, and civil defense as an unorganized militia. This is not a right from the government, but a natural right of existence.

To our friends on the left who still don't get it... You want equal outcome for all, we want equal opportunity for all... there is a difference. We should all have the opportunity for success without interference from other forces - least of all the government! We should not ensure that, regardless of level of effort or level of personal contribution, we all get the same product. This is the mindset that de-motivates and de-incentivizes a population, and as such removes or reduces the amount of individuals able or willing to strive for success. We want a reward system for success... you want a reward system for status-quo.

In closing - we will not be marginalized, we will not be cast aside. We will accept that you are radicalizing us, and we thank you for the motivation. We are stronger, smarter, and proven ideals that all free men strive toward. You are weaker, more easily duped, and support ideology that has failed throughout human history.

We will win - you will lose!

Dept. of Homeland Security Labelling Conservatives as Terrorists, joins Missouri and Other State Intel Organizations

Just last week I reported that the Democratic Government of the state of Missouri released an intelligence briefing warning that those bearing conservative bumper stickers, clothing, etc should be considered potential right-wing extremists and terrorists. Now Obama's Department of Homeland Security is joining the chorus...

The DHS released an intelligence briefing warning that conservatives - that is, those opposing Obama's ultra-Liberal agenda - should be considered potential terrorists. This on the eve of the Tea Party Protests, clearly meant as a show of force by the Obama administration to Conservatives that noncompliance will not be tolerated - the first step toward totalitarianism...

The briefing can be read here

Specific areas I would like to highlight -

1. Regarding Lone Wolfs, as reported on Monday in my question into the Fiber Optics cut -

"The possible passage of new restrictions on firearms and the return of military veterans facing significant challenges reintegrating into their communities could lead to the potential emergence of terrorist groups or lone wolf extremists capable of carrying out violent attacks."

2. Those who have legally purchased weapons in the wake of the election have now been targeted as right wing extremists -

"Proposed imposition of firearms restrictions and weapons bans likely would
attract new members into the ranks of right wing extremist groups, as well as
potentially spur some of them to begin planning and training for violence
against the government. The high volume of purchases and stockpiling of weapons and ammunition by right wing extremists in anticipation of restrictions and bans in some parts of the country continue to be a primary concern to law
enforcement."

3. Special warnings have been set for "Disgruntled Military Veterans" of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars -

"DHS/I&A assesses that right wing extremists will attempt to recruit and radicalize returning veterans in order to exploit their skills and knowledge derived from military training and combat. These skills and knowledge have the potential to boost the capabilities of extremists—including lone wolves or small terrorist cells—to carry out violence. The willingness of a small percentage of military personnel to join extremist groups during the 1990s because they were disgruntled, disillusioned, or suffering from the psychological effects of war is being replicated today."

The report summarizes that those concerned with the following are potential terrorists:
1. concern over planned bans on guns, forced gun registration, and shortage of ammunition
2. concern over loss of US manufacturing ability to foreign countries
3. concern over UN involvement in US affairs, such as the new "Child Care" world treaty that Obama is signing the US into, and a broad move toward a One World Government
4. concern over lack of government action regarding illegal immigration
5. concern over economic downturn related to civil unrest and protests against the govt (Tea parties)
6. Christians who believe in "end times" prophecies
7. concern over same-sex marriage, abortion, and other leftist social agenda items

In short, just as the MIAC reported that conservative values were being deemed potential terrorist ideology, now so is the Department of Homeland Security echoing that call.

There is further discussion that Conservative Talk Radio is acting as the mouthpiece against the government, and is merely fanning the flames of dissent, leading to radical extremism - also known as conservatism...

Folks - the ideals of the Republican Platform, the basis for conservatism, and the fundamentals of libertarian free markets have officially been identified by the Obama Administration as threats to his new government - his new country.

I never would have thought that in America one who truly believes and defends the ideals on which this country were founded would be labelled as extreme.

So there you have it. As you join the tea parties today, know that the government is watching you - labelling you as a threat to American Security - and will treat you like the extremist terrorist that you are.

Give 'em hell, then, I suppose!

LIVE BLOGGING FROM DENVER TEA PARTY

I plan to mobile blog from the Denver tea party today. Stay posted for any developing news. The reports will be short tweets posted directly to the blog, as developments occur.

My theme for protest will be:

Don't Tread On Me - Stop the Growth of Government, Stop Asset Seizures and Spending

I hope you can all make it down to one of the local rallies!

The Tea Parties - So Long As We Are Free

On November 4th, 2008, the United States was drastically changed - the most liberal leftist President in the history of the US had been elected - running on a platform of wealth redistribution and a slew of other socialist ideals. Since November 5th the left has been joining in chorus, relishing in song that "capitalism is dead." If Capitalism is dead, then the fundamentals of liberty have died with it - including personal property and personal responsibility.

The common theme of the Tea Parties is "Silent Majority No Longer" - indicating that the ideal of liberty, personal property protection, etc, is not a minority ideology, it is one shared by a majority of Americans - and that we are not going to sit idly by and allow the erosion of such liberties.

Participation in these events is nothing less than a show of force by usually calm and collected conservatives, indicating the extreme polarity being caused by the Obama administration and his extremely left leaning congress. Where we have been quietly disgruntled, breaking our backs at work instead of protesting every government event, the left have put into place an infrastructure to legally steal our hard earned personal property, our paychecks, the value we have placed on our lives and the work we have chosen to accomplish. The fruits of our labor are being harvested by the left in order to "spread the wealth" to those who choose not to work, or have chosen such an alternative lifestyle that they are unable to provide for their family in the way that you have done - though they expect that with their lesser amount of work that they deserve what you have worked so hard for.

These Tea Parties are protests against the reaping of our personal property. They are protests against entitlement mentality being supported by the government. They are protests in support of fundamental freedoms.

I ask that you give up half of a day of work - half a days paycheck - a few hours of your time in order to secure your rights as a free citizen of these United States... help like-minded individuals stand up and shout at the top of your lungs that Liberty is not Dead, so long as there is breath in these free lungs!