 | Dr. Greg Brannon
for US Senate |
Moore Tea Citizens Endorses Greg Brannon for Senate!
Moore Tea Citizens is proud to give our endorsement to Dr. Greg Brannon. Greg has long been a friend to Moore Tea Citizens, and he completely shares our Tea Party values and principles.
We have known Greg not only through meetings, events, and activities across the state of North Carolina, but Greg has attended Moore Tea members' meetings and events locally.
We and our members know that we can depend on Greg Brannon to act in accordance with Constitutional principles. He will not go to Washington only to be seduced by the temptations, power structures, influence of big money, and big government establishment. Greg will change Washington -- not the other way around.
Our Candidates, Campaigns & Elections Committee has thoroughly vetted Greg. We waited until it was clear which candidates would enter the race, and we wanted to look at each and every one of them. It is clear that there is no better and more trustworthy candidate to run against incumbent Kay Hagan than Dr. Brannon.
Greg Brannon has opened a Grassroots Headquarters in Southern Pines at 863 SW Broad Street. We urge all conservatives and libertarian-minded voters to visit -- and to consider giving your vote to the best candidate to be North Carolina's next Senator -- Greg Brannon!
Greg Brannon for US Senate
CC&E Chair
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If you missed our January 25 Saturday Seminar on Common Core, then you missed a really well presented, informative, and engaging event. But all is not lost! A video of the entire event is posted on our website, and you can still take advantage of this opportunity -- or review a portion of it again if you wish!
Now, you'll want to mark your calendar to save the following date:
Date: Saturday, March 1, 2014
Time: 1:00 -- 4:00 P.M.
Place: Pinehurst Village Hall
395 Magnolia Road
Pinehurst, NC 288374We will show the movie "They Come to America" by documentary film maker Dennis Michael Lynch. Lynch went to the border to film firsthand what was going on. He became friends with an undocumented work and his family. I have seen this film and was very impressed by it. A trailer of the movie can be seen here.Presentations and discussion will follow. Refreshments will be served. To properly prepare, please sign up here at Event Page or email me.
Legislative Chair
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Welcome to our Newest Members!
We want to extend a hearty welcome to our newest members of Moore Tea Citizens who joined us during the month of December. Please welcome:
Our membership continues to grow, and we ended the month of December with 1,745 registered members! You might be interested in some updated statistics about our membership. Our members are::
- 71% Republican
- 18% Unaffiliated
- 5% Democrat
- 1% Libertarian
- 5% Unregistered (as far as we can tell)
- 80% of our members reside in Moore County
- 20% of our members reside in other counties
(no that's not an approximation -- it's an accurate calculation rounded to the nearest 1%) Since so many of our members are Republicans (we DO love ALL our members!), you might be interested to know how much we influence the Republican Party of Moore County:
- 78% of the County GOP Officer Team are members of MTC
- 73% of the Republican Precinct Chairs are members of MTC
- 19% of all Elected Officials* are members of MTC
* Base includes all federal, state, county, and municipal elected officials who appear on Moore County ballots. We'd love to see more of our members at our meetings and events. Don't be shy! Come on out!
Membership Chair
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Here's a theme for February: "What Can I Do?"
I am proposing four community action programs to increase local control and empower individuals. I need the input and creativity of our members to flesh out and implement these goals.
1. Community, municipality or precinct based concern groups. These would be the equivalent of neighborhood crime watch groups, just focused on "political" isssues and personal rights infringement. MTC would hopefully be able to depend on these individuals for input as to candidate recommendations and vetting.
2. Editorial and counter-propaganda group. Felice Schillacci has already volunteered to help facilitate this group with assistance from Gordy Mordini.
3. "Who's Feeding Your Candidate?" Based on the premise that politicians rarely bite the hand that feeds, I would like to train political sleuths to investigate and expose where candidates are really getting their campaign funds, and thus explaining their true loyalties. Among the first measurable objectives for this project would be the creation of a YouTube tutorial on FEC.gov and PAC identification.
4. School Board, government education/indoctrination action group. We need to focus on many local issues involving Moore County Schools and our local Board of Education.
Members! There are not enough of you involved for us to be as effective as we must be. We'll be seeking you out soon. Please step forward and be counted!
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For the Sake of the Children
For several months the News and Observer has printed editorials in support of Common Core, the national education standard/curriculum being implemented in NC public schools.
In addition, the paper published letters and op-ed pieces by former governor Jim Hunt and SAS CEO Jim Goodnight, stating Common Core is critical for our country to be globally competitive.
As I read this high praise I thought of what I learned this past year which led me to conclude that this untested standard is not what our schools need to improve education. Why is it that the standard which troubled me did not concern the N&O, Hunt or Goodnight? Did they not see the problems that I saw?
In my research I learned more about Common Core than anything I read in the News and Observer. From the very beginning, even the promotion of Common Core was tainted. States were told that unless they adopted it, they would not receive funds for the Race to the Top initiative.
Now why would the U.S. Dept. of Education do this, especially since its own mission statement explicitly states that it does not involve itself with state standards or curriculum? It is especially unseemly for the Dept of Education to use what could be described as extortion in order to get financially hard pressed states to adopt the standard.
The public should also be aware they did not have a say in the adoption of Common Core as their 'voice', the state legislatures did not vote on it. It was a decision made by governors, with the support of the National Governor's Association, that has no legal authority. So, adoption of Common Core was an Executive Order by former governor Bev Perdue.
But, this was only the beginning. Consider the Common Core Validation Committee. This twenty-nine person committee included five members who refused to sign off on the standard which the public was not aware of. The reason? Any criticism was purged from the final report, leading the public to believe that there was unanimous consent.
Why should concerns of professional educators be kept from the public? It was only after these five members spoke out did we learn of the flaws in the development of the standard.
Nor was the public aware that the Common Core standard which was developed by the states was copyrighted by an outside consortium which would have control, not public educators.
But, there is more we are to learn about Common Core from the people on the front lines: parents, teachers and even students. Assisting their children with homework parents saw first hand what their children were being taught and the frustration of attempting to work with a standard which was never tested.
Add to this testing, which seems to be the Holy Grail that drives Common Core, which incidentally cost almost three times the amount per test that NC tests do.
Consider teachers who are required to teach Common Core standards. Many are troubled about the curriculum, as they feel children are not learning a subject, only how to pass a test. Teachers who question are instructed not to criticize it.
The cost of Common Core is something never discussed and for good reason. The price tag would give state legislators "sticker shock"if they knew the amount before it was adopted.
At this moment the NC General Assembly is doing something it should have done four years ago, carefully scrutinizing Common Core to determine whether we should go forward with implementation or reject it -- and use our own Dept of Education and the excellent educators we have to address problems unique to NC.
For the sake of public school children, I hope it's the latter.
Anthony Bruno
Western Wake Republican Club & Friend of MTC
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Understanding the Campaign Season
While walking down the street one day, a politician is tragically hit by a truck and dies. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.
"Welcome to Heaven", says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a politician around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you."
"No problem, just let me in." says the politician.
"Well, I'd like to but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in Hell and one in Heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity."
"Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in Heaven," says the politician.
"I'm sorry but we have our rules." And with that, St. Peter escorts the politician to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to Hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a club, and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him. Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, hug him, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at expense of the people.
They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster and caviar. Also present is the Devil (a politician too), who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes.
They are having such a good time that, before he realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a big hug and waves while the elevator rises.
The elevator goes up, up, up -- and the door reopens on Heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.
"Now it's time to visit Heaven." So 24 hours pass with the politician joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.
"Well then, you've spent a day in Hell and another in Heaven. Now choose your eternity."
The politician reflects for a minute, then answers: "Well, I would never have thought it... I mean Heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in Hell."
So Saint Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to Hell. Now the doors of the elevator open, and he is in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags.
The Devil comes over to the politician and lays an arm on his neck.
"I don't understand," stammers the politician. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and club and we ate lobster and caviar and danced and had a great time. Now all that's here is a wasteland, full of garbage -- and my friends look miserable."
The Devil looks at him, smiles and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning. Today you voted for us!"
Chair
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"An army of asses lead by a Lion is better than an army of lions led by an ass."
- Gen. George Washington
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"A new King was seeking counsel from his advisors. He was proposing, as he looked to his most wise and valiant leadership, that it was high time to renew an old custom. This King posed that it was time to re-institute the persecution of Christians.
His General arose and stated, 'Sire, Christianity is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.'"
- Maximin, A.D. 235
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"A 'Liberal Paradise' would be a place where everyone has guaranteed employment, free comprehensive healthcare, free education, free food, free housing, free clothing, free utilities, and only Law Enforcement has guns.
And believe it or not, such a place does indeed exist... It's called prison."
- Sheriff Joe Arpaio
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"Have an exit plan."
- Matt Drudge, 1/27/2014
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Selective and Prudent Politicking
Now is not the time for independents to retreat but, the time to strike back. If the Establishment GOP wants our financial support and leg-work but not our principled approach to governance, we must be more selective in the campaigns that we participate in.
Statewide, we have a US Senate race begging for our support and ideas. One cannot examine the wheelings and dealings of Thom Tillis, which include, just to name a few, reversals in energy mandates, subsidies for the film industry and protection for large beer distributors at the expense of smaller brewers, all resulting in large donations to Thom's senate race, without coming away knowing that Dr. Greg Brannon is our best hope for real change in Washington. Tillis, if he were to arrive in DC would instantly become an InOnIt.
It's time for that independent spirit that used to identify North Carolina to reappear. Let's offer amnesty to Edward Snowden instead of 12 million illegals and prosecute James Clapper for lying to Congress. We don't need a new military base in Okinawa nor do we need a ten-year treaty, involving 8 billion dollars per year for the next ten years, with the thugs in Afghanistan.
With InOnIts like McCain and Graham over in Afghanistan pleading with them to accept our money, independents need to look elsewhere for candidates to support. Locally, we have commissioners, state reps and senators that need to be screened for possible support. There is much to be done in many of our congressional races. We have three years to identify a conservative candidate for North Carolina governor. Seventeen state attorneys general are suing the President for his unconstitutional actions but North Carolina's AG is nowhere to be found. Shouldn't he be about this work?
Our yardstick can be as simple as this... We are for less government (size, cost and intrusiveness), plain and simple. So when an incumbent seeks our support, we simply ask: "What have you done since you have been in office towards these goals? What specific legislation have you sponsored and/or aggressively supported/passed?" To an unelected candidate, we ask: "What specifically would you do if elected?" Then, we hold their feet to the fire.
Holding their feet to the fire is hard work. Emails, phone calls and meetings in which we keep it simple and stay focused. When an incumbent decides to become an InOnIt, we withdraw our support. Hanging on to a lesser-of-the-evils is not a winning strategy. Allowing a more socialist candidate to win, by withdrawing our support from a weak candidate, can actually bring the situation to a breaking point much faster and with better long-range results.
There are also steps that we, as individuals, can take to carry the battle onto turf where the rules are more fairly applied. The power of the purse! Stop all contributions to organized charities. Offer your aide directly to the needy. Charities and so-called non-profits have become proponents of expanded government, our natural enemy.
Work with anyone who will loosen the requirements for independent candidates to gain ballot access w/o the onerous petition route. The same for voters' rights to recall elected officials and place referendums on the ballot. Finally, as many offices as possible should be non-political, defusing some of the power that has falsely accrued to political parties. Any government that bypasses the consent of the governed is tyranny. This is particularly true for the appointment of representatives that should be have been elected by the consent of the governed rather than selected in a back room.
Ever wonder how, with only about 20% of the populace claiming to be liberal, they gained so much political power over the rest of us? They learned the lessons of history from their previous failures. They captured the media, public education and the culture. Then, the political part was easy.
Now, we must stop supporting these institutions that have become accomplices in the work of destroying our Republic. The cumulative effect of millions of individual choices will have telling results. Just think... more people have signed up for concealed permits than have signed up for the Affordable Care Act. More people supported Phil Robertson, of Duck Dynasty, in three hours than signed up for the ACA in three months. Gun-grabbing state legislators in Colorado have been successfully recalled. The second most popular man in the US, according to one national poll last year, was Ted Cruz. The Tea Party Movement is alive and well.
Alternative education is everywhere... take your pick. Alternative media can be found with websites, email, social networks and other internet offerings. Unplug the TV and abandon the pop culture outlets. If movies don't meet our standards, keep your money in your pocket and buy/rent acceptable videos for home use. Support businesses that understand both God's laws and the nature of man. This is the Achilles Heel of most liberals. They don't understand. Prudent consumer choices remain the best tool in our arsenal. It's time to use them widely and wisely.
Mike Armstrong
Unaffiliated Independent Voter
[Note: This article does not necessarily reflect the policies and positions of Moore Tea Citizens in every point made therein. However, it is a thoughtful and very well-written piece by a Friend of MTC, and Mr. Armstrong's piece probably does reflect the positions of many other unaffiliated independent voters. Speaking for myself, I completely agree with Mr. Armstrong's statements and positions. We recommend that you read his article and think about what he says very carefully. Although you may or may not take some issue with certain points in this article, you will likely agree with the overall premise -- and you will be better able to refine your own positions after the effort. Bill Cochrane]
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Let's Break the Cycle of Re-Electing Incumbents!
Good laws require good lawmakers! Let's break the cycle of re-electing incumbents!
According to a Pew Research Center poll released in October, 2013, 74% of registered voters would like to see most members of Congress defeated in 2014. However, 48% of voters in the Pew poll want to see their own representatives re-elected, while 38% want a replacement. In 2012, 90% of House members and 91% of Senators won re-election. An incumbent has a decided advantage because of name recognition. However, the more that incumbents think they are assured of re-election, the less they listen to their constituents. The Republican leaders of the House are supporting immigration reform bills, even though the majority of their constituents oppose amnesty. If the trend were reversed -- if voters change their mindsets, all other factors being equal -- and vote to elect the non-incumbent over the incumbent, I believe that Representatives and Senators would respect the voices of their voters.
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Please patronize the businesses who support Moore Tea Citizens:
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Spend your money with those who don't support your opponents!
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 | | Judge Bill Southern |
Feb. 10 Monthly Members' Meeting
We're going to have an informative and interesting meeting on February 10th. Here's what's in store for you:
● Judge Bill Southern, candidate for an open seat on the North Carolina Court of Appeals, will speak about his candidacy to Moore TEA Citizens at their monthly meeting on Feb. 10. Judge Southern has served as a District Court Judge for District 17B (Surry and Stokes Counties) since 2009. Prior to that, he served as an Assistant District Attorney for the same district.
Judge Southern is currently completing a fellowship with the E.A. Morris Fellowship for Emerging Leaders, sponsored by the John Locke Foundation. Judge Southern is a member of the NRA, the Surry County Child Fatality Prevention Team, Stokes County Stop Child Abuse Now, and the King Lions Club. Judge Southern is a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in King, North Carolina, where he lives with his wife and children.
You can find more information about Judge Southern and volunteer for his campaign at http://southernforjudge.com/. You can "like" him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/judgesouthern and "follow" him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/judgesouthern. Please come out to the MTC meeting on February 10 and meet Judge Southern!
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 | Steve Adams
Candidate for Moore County Sheriff
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● We'll also hear from both candidates who are running against one another in the May Republican Primary for the office of Moore County Sheriff. And the good part is, both of them are members of Moore Tea Citizens!
We'll hear from Steve Adams, owner and Program Director of WEEB 990 AM radio here in Southern Pines. Steve has been a long time member and great supporter of Moore Tea Citizens. We all know him and love to listen to WEEB, especially for his morning show where Steve (under the air name Steve Leader) shows off his wit and wisdom around current events and the culture.
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 | Neil Godfrey
Candidate for Moore County Sheriff
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We'll also hear from Neil Godfrey, currently the Moore County Sheriff, who is running for a full term. Neil was nominated by the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Moore County for Sheriff upon the retirement of former Sheriff Lane Carter. Neil was appointed by the Moore County Board of Commissioners and took office effective May 1, 2013. We also all know Neil Godfrey who has been a longtime member and great supporter of Moore Tea Citizens. Neil regularly attend our meetings and events. We are fortunate to have men of this character running for office in Moore County. It's gonna be hard to choose, so come out and hear what they have to say. Ask your questions and get prepared for the primary!
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 | | Kent P. Misegades |
● We'll also hear from Kent Misegades, who will speak to use about NCTAP (NC Triangle Apprenticeship Program) and Thales Academy.
Kent P. Misegades is head of aviation sales at U-Fuel, the oldest and largest supplier of turnkey aviation fuel systems. Mr. Misegades has over 30 years of professional experience in the aerospace, defense, computer and nuclear power industries. He is also a licensed pilot since 1973 and works as a freelance journalist for several aviation media outlets. Mr. Misegades was appointed to the North Carolina Global TransPark Board of Directors in July 2011 by the Speaker of the NC House. Mr. Misegades obtained his Bachelors of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Auburn University; and his Masters of Science degree in Applied Aerodynamics from the Von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics in Brussels, Belgium. Mr. Misegades is active in several civic and professional organizations, including: Experimental Aircraft Association, North Carolina Airports Association, Thales Academy, North American Alumni Association of the Von Karman Institute and co-founder of the NC Triangle Apprenticeship Program. He and his wife, Ulrike, live in Cary, NC and he is the father of three grown children.
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 | | Bonnie Dougherty |
● Finally our own Bonnie Dougherty will give a brief recap of the highly successful Saturday Seminar on Common Core that we held on Janauary 25th.
There will be other news and announcements, too! You don't want to miss this meeting, and we don't want to miss you!
We're counting on seeing you there! Come join us, won't you!
Date: Monday, February 10, 2014
Place: Russell's Restaurant
1405 Central Drive (NC Hwy. 22)
Southern Pines, NC 28387
Please register either at the above link or by replying to this email address. Russell's needs to have an accurate count for food preparations and seating.
Communications Chair
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Upcoming Event Plans
The following shows the currently planned dates and meeting leads for our upcoming monthly members' meetings. Mark your calendar! And if you have input or suggestions, please get back to the person shown or to your Board.
February 10, 2014Communications Gordon Mordini
Immigration Saturday Seminar
March 10, 2014Bylaws & Policy John OltesvigJoin us, won't you!
Secretary
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The Framers' Reading List
First of all, thank you for indulging me and allowing me to speak at January's MTC meeting on the history and principles of the right to keep and bear arms. I apologize for the "dryness" of the subject. Sometimes Constitutional Law and British History & Common Law aren't the most exciting subjects on which to speak. However, if I am (ever) asked to speak again, I promise to jazz things up a bit. In other words, the 9:30 show will be completely different from the 7:30 show.
Nevertheless, I was glad to hear from a number of you that, as a result of the presentation, you learned some things that you did not previously know. By this, most of you were referring to texts and documents on which the Framers of our Constitution relied when drafting it. Therefore, I have included a number of these texts and documents below. You could call it the "Framers' Reading List." While I could not possibly include every single work of history which influenced the Framers, I believe this list is fairly comprehensive and a good starting point if you want to dig deeper. Happy Reading!
- Magna Carta
- English Bill of Rights (1689)
- Articles of Confederation
- Declaration of Independence
- Virginia Constitution of 1776 & Virginia Declaration of Rights
- John Locke - Two Treatises of Government
- Thomas Hobbes - Leviathan
- Federalist Papers
- Anti-Federalist Papers
- Baron de Montesquieu - The Spirit of the Laws
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau - The Social Contract
- Sir Edward Coke - Institutes of the Lawes of England; Law Reports
- Sir William Blackstone - Commentaries on the Laws of England
- John Trenchard & Thomas Gordon - Cato's Letters
- Plato - The Republic
- Aristotle - Politics
- Polybius - Histories
- Cicero - On the Republic; On the Laws
- Adam Smith - The Wealth of Nations
Neil Oakley
Programs Chair
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Opportunity to Show NC Legislators Your Opposition to Common Core
The Common Core Seminar on Jan. 25 illustrated how Common Core transforms the solving of a simple math problem - the addition of three numbers - from 30 seconds into 8 minutes, using a system of drawing rectangles and boxes, and producing the incorrect answer. Go to www.mooreteacitizens.com home page to view the video. The math problem appears at hour 1:05 on the video. The NC General Assembly has formed a study group, called Committee on Common Core State Standards. Their next meeting is on Thursday, February 20, at 10 a.m., in Raleigh at the Legislative Office Building, Room 643. Show your opposition to Common Core by attending this meeting. If you would like to carpool, click hereto sign up to meet at 8 a.m. at the Armory on Morganton Road in Southern Pines.
Senator Jerry Tillman is on the Committee. His General Assembly phone number 919-733-5870. For others on the Committee, go here. See additional videos and commentary about Common Core on the www.mooreteacitizens.com home page, as well as Brieitbart's Big Government. My mind wanders and wonders if the Common Core math curriculum teaches students not to think in the simplest, easiest way, but in the most convoluted, difficult way in order to prime them to follow government orders, even if those orders defy logic and common sense, or to follow government orders because thinking for themselves is too difficult.
Peggy SmetanaLegislative Chair |
 | | Illegal Immigrants |
Immigration Reform:
Visiting Ellmers' Office in Dunn, NC
Immigration reform is a watershed moment, just as The Affordable Care Act was a watershed moment. It will affect America profoundly, and not in a good way.
Both are opposed by a majority of the American people. Then why has the Senate passed their amnesty bill under the guise of immigration reform? Why are the House Republican leaders - Boehner, Cantor, and McCarthy, -- and our own Renee Ellmers, ready to pass immigration reform? Why will their strategy be to break down the immigration reform package smaller bills, more "digestible to the American public", giving the appearance that they did not cave to the Democrats?
See Ellmers article in the 1/18 Fayetteville Observer.
Immigration reform is not about sympathy for immigrants. It is about politicians caving to big businesses and the Chamber of Commerce, who want a cheaper supply of labor. It is about politicians caving to big labor, who see a new group of workers to bolster their dwindling numbers.
Follow the money. The Chamber of Commerce has set aside $50 million to impose discipline on Republicans who are not towing the Chamber's line. Last fall, Mark Zuckerberg (#20 on Forbes 400 list), Facebook Founder, announced plans to spend $50 million to get an immigration bill through the House. Other billionaires lobbying for the immigration bill include George Soros (#19), Rupert Murdoch (#30), Michael Bloomberg (#10), and Bill Gates (#1).
Ron Woodard of NC LISTEN has organized a meeting with Renee Ellmers' staff in her Dunn, NC office, 406 West Broad Street, 28334 at 2 pm on February 11.
If you wish to attend or carpool from the Armory (leaving at noon), please email me.
House Republican members will attend a Republican Retreat 1/30-31. Roy Beck of NumbersUSA has said that House GOP leaders intend to indoctrinate our Republican Representatives with the importance of giving legal status and work permits to millions of illegal aliens.
Roy has provided the Capitol Switchboard toll-free number: 888-995-2085. His talking points include (I suggest using your own wording):
- Granting legal status to illegal aliens while 20 million Americans can't find a full-time job is just plain heartless;
- the American people don't support rewarding illegal behavior - why is the Republican leadership supporting it?
Renee Ellmers' direct number is 202-225-4531 or visit her website.
To speak to any other Representative, the non-toll-free number is 202-224-3121.
Or you could do nothing, and support lower wages for American citizens, reward illegal behavior, and erode the rule of law.
Peggy Smetana
Legislative Chair
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Second Amendment & Firearms Refresher
- An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.
- A gun in the hand is better than a cop on the phone.
- Colt: The original point and click interface.
- Gun control is not about guns; it's about control.
- If guns are outlawed, can we use swords?
- If guns cause crime, then pencils cause misspelled words.
- "Free" men do not ask permission to bear arms.
- If you don't know your rights you don't have any.
- Those who trade liberty for security have neither.
- The United States Constitution (c) 1791. All Rights reserved.
- What part of "shall not be infringed" do you not understand?
- The Second Amendment is in place in case the politicians ignore the others.
- 64,999,987 firearms owners killed no one yesterday.
- Guns only have two enemies: rust and politicians.
- Know guns, know peace, know safety. No guns, no peace, no safety.
- You don't shoot to kill; you shoot to stay alive.
- 911 - government sponsored Dial-a-Prayer.
- Assault is a behavior, not a device.
- Criminals love gun control -- it makes their jobs safer.
- If guns cause crime, then matches cause arson.
- Only a government that is afraid of its citizens tries to control them.
- You only have the rights you are willing to fight for.
- Enforce the "gun control laws" we ALREADY have, don't make more.
- When you remove the people's right to bear arms, you create slaves.
- The American Revolution would never have happened with gun control.
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Plug Into a Strong Power Source!
Are you like me? Do you sometimes feel that you're a "lone voice in the wilderness" for freedom and liberty? Do you ever wish there were more folks who actually contacted their elected officials and made their voices heard? Have you ever felt like you're just about out of fuel in your quest to restore the Constitution? Fear not; you're not alone.
Making grassroots activism work is a lot like making a lamp work: you've got to plug it into a power source. You could hook your bedside lamp to a 9-volt battery and you might get a dim light, but the battery is not strong enough to keep the lamp lit. You could hook the lamp up to a car battery and do a little better, but eventually that battery will wear out, too. For best results, you can plug the lamp into the outlet in your wall because you know the electric current there comes from a strong power source: a major power plant.
If you're trying to save this country on your own, you might make a small impact, but you'll burn out quickly. If you have a small group you're working with, that will help, but you need more. Therefore, you have two choices: political parties or grassroots groups.
While many of us may feel a pull toward one political party or another, all political parties exist solely to elect members of that party, regardless of philosophy. However, many of us are turned off to the major political parties, or at least their governing leadership in DC. Plus, today, many issues concern all parties. Take, for instance, the outrage from the Left and Right over the NSA scandal, or the outrage from historically left-leaning Catholics and right-leaning Evangelicals over forced government funding for abortion through Obamacare. Therefore, issue-oriented grassroots groups are a good power source for grassroots activists like us.
Below is a non-exhaustive list of conservative and libertarian non-partisan organizations that put pressure on politicians of all parties over issues that people care about. These organizations help ordinary citizen-activists like you and me do things like contact our elected officials, make phone calls, knock on doors, and -- in some cases -- support candidates locally and nationally. Please note -- I am NOT discouraging you from getting involved in a political party and making your voice heard that way. I am only suggesting that there are "power sources" for grassroots activism outside the political party system.
I encourage you to contact the organizations you're interested in and "plug in" by signing up to be an activist. I am sure I am inadvertently leaving off many good organizations, but this list is a good start. I have also provided a short description about each organization borrowed from its own website along with a link to the website. I myself take grassroots action with a number of these fine organizations.
National:
- Americans for Fair Taxation (FairTax): Americans For Fair Taxation was formed in 1995 as a 501 (c)(4) nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots organization solely dedicated to replacing the current tax system.
- Americans For Prosperity: Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is committed to educating citizens about economic policy and mobilizing those citizens as advocates in the public policy process.
- Association of Mature American Citizens: AMAC is the senior organization for conservative Americans aged 50 plus.
- Club for Growth: The Club promotes a High Growth Economy through Limited Government and Economic Freedom.
- Concerned Veterans for America: The goal of Concerned Veterans for America is to translate the experience, concerns, and hopes of our fellow veterans and their families into a common vision of liberty and freedom.
- Concerned Women for America: Concerned Women for America (CWA) is the nation's largest public policy women's organization with a rich 30-year history of helping our members across the country bring Biblical principles into all levels of public policy.
- Faith &Freedom Coalition: The Faith and Freedom Coalition is a non-profit organization committed to educating, equipping, and mobilizing people of faith and like-minded individuals to be effective citizens.
- FreedomWorks: FreedomWorks recruits, educates, trains and mobilizes millions of volunteer activists to fight for less government, lower taxes, and more freedom.
- Gun Owners of America: The only no-compromise gun lobby in Washington, D.C.
- Heritage Action for America: Heritage Action for America is a widely respected government relations team and dedicated grassroots activists that advance conservative policy.
- Madison Project: Madison Project raises money for conservative candidates through our network of grassroots conservatives.
- National Rifle Association: A major political force, America's foremost defender of Second Amendment rights, and the premier firearms education organization in the world.
- National Right to Life: Through education and legislation, National Right to Life is working to restore legal protection to the most defenseless members of our society who are threatened by abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide and euthanasia.
- Patriot Voices: Patriot Voices is a grassroots organization committed to fighting for faith, family, freedom & opportunity in America.
- Senate Conservatives Fund: SCF is a grassroots organization dedicated to electing strong conservative leaders to the United States Senate. We do not support liberal Republicans and we're not affiliated with the Republican Party or any of its campaign committees.
- Susan B.Anthony List: Dedicated to electing candidates and pursuing policies that will reduce and ultimately end abortion. To that end, the SBA List will emphasize the election, education, promotion, and mobilization of pro-life women.
- Young Americans for Liberty: Young Americans for Liberty (YAL) is the largest, most active, and fastest-growing pro-liberty organization on America's college campuses.
- 60 Plus Association: A non-partisan seniors advocacy group with a free enterprise, less government, less taxes approach to seniors issues.
North Carolina:
- Civitas Action: A 501(c)(4) non-profit that educates and informs North Carolinians on policy issues and the actions of their elected officials.
- Grass Roots NC: North Carolina's only "no-compromise" gun rights group
- NC ValuesCoalition : A non-partisan, statewide grassroots network of North Carolinians who support and advocate for pro-family positions.
- North Carolina Right to Life: NCRTL was founded for the purpose of educating the public about abortion, infanticide and euthanasia. Through public policy and legislation on both the federal and state levels, it works to protect all innocent human life threatened by abortion, infanticide and euthanasia.
- Voter Integrity Project: Our purpose is to organize, train, and equip people who want to ensure that our elections are fair and free. We are dedicated to protecting the rights of all lawfully registered voters. The only condition for Voter Integrity Project volunteers is that all must agree to support and defend the constitution of this great nation.
Programs Chair
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The Chamber of Commerce has gone astray!
Most folks still believe that the Chamber of Commerce stands for free markets, personal liberty, and prosperity for all. Nothing could now be further from the truth. The Chamber, particularly at the national level, but also all the way down to the local chambers, has committed to support the march to fascism along the path of corporatism.
Don't believe me? Then I suggest that you haven't been paying attention. I'll give you four examples to consider:
1. The Chamber has dropped its opposition to the Affordable Healthcare Act (a.k.a. "ObamaCare") and is not pushing for "fixes" to make it more "business friendly". This is the same collaborative tactic that the insurance and pharmaceutical industries tried. This leads to a slow erasure of the lines between business and the government.
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Liberty Flight Raffle
The raffle of Miriam's original oil painting, "Liberty Flight" is well underway! Hurry to get your tickets!
We will be selling a maximum of 500 raffle tickets at $10 apiece. Once again, the duration of the raffle will be limited, and the drawing will occur at a monthly members' meeting. The lucky winner will win an original oil painting valued at over $5,000. But every participant will know that every dime of their ticket purchase will go to help turn out the conservative vote and elect conservative candidates in 2014. A great cause for your country!
Help Moore Tea Citizens and yourself by purchasing our raffle tickets!
Pud Kent
Ways & Means
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Light Bulbs
It's those damned light bulbs that stick in my craw. I spent most of my working life under those harsh, bright white fluorescent bulbs, and I can't stand them. That's not really the point.
Which is: Where did Congress get the power to come into my house and change my light bulbs? I have read the Constitution and did not see any mention of "Congress shall have the power to change household lighting."
In fact the grant of power to the Federal Government was very limited. The yielded powers were few and they were enumerated. Further, the 10th Amendment states specifically "if we (the people) did not explicitly give you the power, then you don't have it (I paraphrase)."
So how does Congress justify denying me my incandescent bulbs? They say they have two grants from the Constitution:
- To promote the general welfare. Even the courts agree this is crap. Improving the general welfare is the goal of all the enumerated powers, not a means, but an end.
- To provide for the common defense. Seriously, it's in print, check the Federal Register! I'm sorry, building fighter planes is providing for the common defense, denying me a light bulb is Greengate gone Wild.
If the Congress wants to save energy and they think they have the power (they obviously do), let them ground Al Gore's jet or turn off half the lights in his California mansion. The entire Energy Conservation Act is just another egregious example of Washington's disregard for their Constitutional limits and their lack of respect for the citizens.
James Creson
Moore Tea Citizen
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