tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5074203741858387832024-03-14T03:20:48.889-04:00Rising RevolutionThere is a Rising RevolutionKirby Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05274757163676918775noreply@blogger.comBlogger186125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507420374185838783.post-89913500739154675402018-02-05T16:29:00.001-05:002018-02-05T16:29:18.996-05:00Trump: First State of the Union Address<div style="width: 480px; height: 270px; overflow: hidden; position: relative;"><iframe frameborder="0" scrolling="no" seamless="seamless" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitAllowFullScreen" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" id="okplayer" width="480" height="270" src="http://youtube.com/embed/oi8aMfSlC2Y" style="position: absolute; top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 480px; height: 270px;" name="okplayer"></iframe></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507420374185838783.post-75531513910971892142017-11-12T16:46:00.001-05:002017-11-12T16:46:17.654-05:00Danica Roem, Trump, the missing GOP base and the Republican Blood Bath<div style="width: 480px; height: 270px; overflow: hidden; position: relative;"><iframe frameborder="0" scrolling="no" seamless="seamless" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitAllowFullScreen" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" id="okplayer" width="480" height="270" src="http://youtube.com/embed/rKbKF7f1c9g" style="position: absolute; top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 480px; height: 270px;" name="okplayer"></iframe></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507420374185838783.post-88111576959222787232017-10-07T05:00:00.001-04:002017-10-09T15:13:19.935-04:00Rising Revolution Introduction Show<div style="height: 270px; overflow: hidden; position: relative; width: 480px;">
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507420374185838783.post-28086409915192004042014-09-11T07:34:00.001-04:002014-09-11T07:34:39.667-04:00911 – We Will Never Forget!<p><font size="3">Remember the Fallen!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oqZ3D1YN_0o/VBGIyzB-MGI/AAAAAAAAJCI/IjUqFiRiduA/s1600-h/911-events%25255B23%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="911-events" border="0" alt="911-events" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eqA_DftTifE/VBGIzKAKIKI/AAAAAAAAJCQ/0kDLgomztOo/911-events_thumb%25255B21%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="624" height="360" /></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507420374185838783.post-59595534357463718822014-05-26T13:33:00.001-04:002014-05-26T13:33:02.275-04:00We Give an Honorable Shout Out our Soldiers on Memorial Day<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_KHvlV5Fblk/U4N6ybuWL-I/AAAAAAAAIoY/Lwgba7_t82U/s1600-h/amercian-soldiers%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><font size="5"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="amercian-soldiers" border="0" alt="amercian-soldiers" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-s6N7EiFJG-M/U4N6zLtL_TI/AAAAAAAAIoc/MTBeO2jDrH0/amercian-soldiers_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="169" /></font></a><font size="5">This is to honor our soldiers, who chose to serve their fellow Americans by giving of their time, their talents and in many cases their lives.</font></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507420374185838783.post-90480606120336654552014-04-03T12:00:00.000-04:002014-04-03T12:00:07.423-04:00Doctors Coburn And Barrasso: Obamacare Prognosis Not So Good<h3>April 2, 2014 by <u>Sam Rolley</u></h3> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UG5hRYkn6Cg/Uz16cZdpWfI/AAAAAAAAGno/Fbx3jGX-WpE/s1600-h/progno%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 15px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="progno" border="0" alt="progno" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NnXk2fww0oI/Uz16c1ipguI/AAAAAAAAGnw/stBvQ5iURa0/progno_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="217" /></a>A report released by Senators Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), both of whom are physicians, this week gives President Barack Obama’s healthcare overhaul a checkup. The Senators’ prognosis for the health of Obamacare: “Outlook not so good.” </p> <p>In their report, titled “Prognosis,” the lawmakers revisit Obamacare concerns outlined in previous reports dating back to 2010. </p> <p>“For millions of Americans, Obamacare itself has become a pre-existing condition that has limited their access to quality, affordable health care,” Coburn said in a statement. “As we warned in our previous reports, Obamacare is fundamentally flawed. The law strengthens the hand of government and weakens the hand of doctors and patients. Obamacare is cutting choices, not costs, and costs will likely continue to rise.” </p> <p>In 2010 the Senators claimed that President Obama’s “keep your plan” promise was bunk. In their report, the doctors say that their original diagnosis not only is confirmed but that the situation is actually worse than they had imagined. </p> <p>“Despite President Obama and Democrats’ promises that ‘if you like your plan you can keep it,’ more than five million people in 35 states have lost their current health insurance plans due to Obamacare,” the report says. </p> <p>The lawmakers go on to note that many employers have also chosen to drop coverage for part-time employees because of Obamacare. They also point out that once the deadline by which plans “grandfathered in” must meet additional healthcare requirements is reached in 2017 more cancellations will occur. </p> <p>The report goes on to note that the lawmakers’ prediction that Obamacare would send healthcare costs through the roof has been vindicated. </p> <p>They cite the following as evidence: </p> <blockquote> <p>“Of the 51 states studied, all experienced health insurance rate increases, with 44 of those states experiencing triple digit percentage increases in premiums for the lowest priced coverage. Pre-ACA premiums average $62.00 monthly, while post-ACA premiums average $187.08 per month, a $125.08, or 202 percent, increase.” -Sam Cappellanti, American Action Forum </p> <p>“A study by Avalere Health found that ‘consumers could face steep cost-sharing requirements—like co-payments, co-insurance and deductibles—layered on top of their monthly premiums … furthermore, there is a risk that patients could forgo needed care when faced with high upfront deductibles.’” -Kyle Cheney, Politico </p> <p>“The ACA imposes an excise tax on insurance plans with an $8 billion cost the CBO expects to be passed to the consumer in the form of premium increases…Over the next decade, the HIT is estimated to cost the average individual $2,171 and family $5,140 in additional premiums.” -Sam Cappellanti, American Action Forum</p> </blockquote> <p>Some of the lawmakers’ other Obamacare predictions are still developing, according to the report. </p> <p><a href="http://personalliberty.com/doctors-coburn-barrasso-obamacare-prognosis-good/" target="_blank"><u>READ ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE</u></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507420374185838783.post-30076396715844838672014-04-03T09:12:00.001-04:002014-04-03T09:12:03.733-04:00Fort Hood gunman was being treated for mental illness<p>From FoxNews.com - Published April 03, 2014 </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-azXd0GymlIQ/Uz1eIIN0gAI/AAAAAAAAGkc/MChWUXZze6E/s1600-h/forthood2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 15px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="forthood2" border="0" alt="forthood2" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xMVZjLmYgX8/Uz1eIh4PIkI/AAAAAAAAGkg/LVIhbgDINIM/forthood2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="383" height="230" /></a></p> <p>An Iraq War veteran being treated for a mental illness opened fire Wednesday at Fort Hood, killing three soldiers and injuring 16 before killing himself, officials said </p> <p>Army Lt. Gen. Mark Milley, the senior officer at the facility, said at an evening news conference that there was no indication of terrorism, but added "we're not ruling anything out." Fort Hood is the same base where in 2009 U.S. Army Maj. Nidal Hasan killed more than a dozen in the shooting. </p> <p>Authorities identified Wednesday’s shooter as Spc. Ivan A. Lopez, 34. He was armed with a .45 caliber Smith & Wesson and turned the gun on himself when confronted by a female military police officer in a parking lot. </p> <p>Milley said he did not know any motive for the incident, but the shooter, who had served four months in combat in Iraq in 2011, had "behavioral and mental health issues" and was being treated for those. The gunman had been undergoing an assessment to determine whether he had post-traumatic stress disorder, Milley said. </p> <p>The shooter was married with a family and had arrived at Fort Hood in February, Milley said. He did not identify the shooter by name, saying his family had not yet been notified. However, senior U.S. officials earlier named Lopez as the gunman. </p> <p>Milley said he could confirm three victims had been killed, along with the shooter, and 16 injured were at two hospitals in the area.  </p> <p>The gunfire began around 4 p.m. local time and occurred in two buildings at the post, the scene of a 2009 shooting that left 13 soldiers dead. </p> <p><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/04/03/ft-hood-shooting-that-left-four-dead-was-reportedly-soldier-on-soldier-incident/" target="_blank"><u><font size="3">READ ENTIRE STORY AND WATCH VIDEO HERE</font></u></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507420374185838783.post-49936433655741542752014-04-02T21:00:00.000-04:002014-04-02T21:00:02.966-04:00Should you abandon the words liberal and conservative?<h3><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ew_2yUyxCrQ/Uzxe2XooK6I/AAAAAAAAGdo/uwsA_sbkHmI/s1600-h/consent_chronicle%25255B12%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="consent_chronicle" border="0" alt="consent_chronicle" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1DlXsqR9Ynk/Uzxe3ZZD1hI/AAAAAAAAGds/LU4_tcTWUr0/consent_chronicle_thumb%25255B6%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="644" height="146" /></a><font style="font-weight: normal" size="2">By Perry Willis and Jim Babka</font></h3> <p>Last week we used five Zero Aggression Project mini-articles to promote the idea that <a href="https://www.zeroaggressionproject.org/heuristic/government-a-definition/" target="_blank"><u>government</u></a> and <a href="https://www.zeroaggressionproject.org/heuristic/the-state/" target="_blank"><u>The State</u></a> are <em>NOT</em> the same thing. </p> <p>We closed the week with a <a href="https://www.zeroaggressionproject.org/our-lexicon/embrace-word-government/" target="_blank"><u>strategic essay</u></a> arguing that libertarians should embrace the word government. In other words... </p> <p><a href="https://www.zeroaggressionproject.org/heuristic/pro-government-and-anti-state/" target="_blank"><u>We should be pro-government but anti-state.</u></a> </p> <p><strong>Today we want to introduce two new mini-articles...</strong> </p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://www.zeroaggressionproject.org/heuristic/statists-and-statism/" target="_blank"><u>Statists and Statism -- The Modern Religion</u></a> (82 words)</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="https://www.zeroaggressionproject.org/heuristic/left-statists-and-right-statists/" target="_blank"><u>Left-Statists and Right-Statists -- Truth in Labeling</u></a> (123 words)</p> </li> </ul> <p>These articles go together. The second one makes another strategic proposal about how you should use words. </p> <ul> <li> <p>Should you stop using the words liberal and conservative? </p> </li> <li> <p>What should you use instead? </p> </li> </ul> <p>We make a proposal that also covers terms like socialist and progressive. </p> <p>You can read each of the articles listed above in under 30 seconds, and share them with others even quicker. Click on the titles... </p> <p><a href="https://www.zeroaggressionproject.org/heuristic/statists-and-statism/" target="_blank"><u>Statists and Statism</u></a> </p> <p><a href="https://www.zeroaggressionproject.org/heuristic/left-statists-and-right-statists/" target="_blank"><u>Left-Statists and Right-Statists</u></a> </p> <ul> <li> <p>If you like one or both of the articles, share them, using Facebook, etc.</p> </li> <li> <p>Please also consider using these ideas in your own conversations and Internet discussions</p> </li> </ul> <p><strong>Coming soon:</strong> More Zero Aggression mini-articles, plus, our new ZAP polling software. Stay tuned! </p> <p><strong>Ending soon: </strong>The ZAP Founders Committee will close at the end of March. To join, <a href="https://secure.downsizedcfoundation.org/zap-contrib/" target="_blank"><u>contribute before the deadline</u>.</a><u></u> </p> <p>  </p> <p>Perry Willis and Jim Babka </p> <p>Zero Aggression Project </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507420374185838783.post-72597273029558002062014-04-02T19:30:00.000-04:002014-04-02T19:30:00.243-04:00Eric Cantor is Technically Ineligible to Participate in the 7th Congressional District Convention<h4><font size="2">By <a href="http://www.varight.com/author/tjwhitejr/" target="_blank"><u>Tom White</u></a>  -   Posted on 02 April 2014  </font></h4> <p><font size="2"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QSYkBUwWaDM/Uzxzd7FzLPI/AAAAAAAAGhE/StI37_sFFg8/s1600-h/cantorargh%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="cantorargh" border="0" alt="cantorargh" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tfJK6QG_D34/UzxzgjbhiRI/AAAAAAAAGhM/0n889zTxEgc/cantorargh_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="145" /></a></font>I am hearing from some friends via email and Facebook that there is a move afoot to disallow any voters that have supported a non-Republican candidate running against a Republican Candidate in the last 4 years. Once again, the <em>slaters are looking to cheat the system.</em> </p> <p>According to the <a href="http://www.rpv.org/sites/default/files/Party%20Plan%20Amended%20March%202014.pdf" target="_blank"><u>Republican Party Plan</u> :</a> </p> <p>Article 1 Section A(2) </p> <blockquote> <p>2. A voter who, subsequent to making a statement of intent, publicly supports a candidate in opposition to a Republican nominee shall not be qualified for participation in party actions as defined in Article I for a period of four (4) <br />years.</p> </blockquote> <p>And that section would seem to indicate that anyone who supported any candidate against a Republican is not eligible to participate in any way in Republican Party actions, which would include Conventions. </p> <p>And if the reports I am hearing are true, the rule must be applied evenly to all – regardless of who they happen to be. </p> <p>A Washington Post article from October 14, 2011 (within the 4 year period in question) <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/virginia-politics/post/virginias-top-republicans-removed-from-party/2011/10/14/gIQA98WgkL_blog.html" target="_blank"><u>documents the following</u>:</a> </p> <blockquote> <p>U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R) has been removed from his local Republican committee in Virginia. </p> <p>So have state officials Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and House Speaker Bill Howell from theirs. </p> <p>Every Republican who endorsed Del. Bill Janis, the Republican turned independent who is running for the post of commonwealth’s attorney in Henrico County next month, is out. </p> <p>The Republican Party of Virginia’s party plan says any Republican who supports a non-Republican in a contested race will be automatically removed from the rolls of his or her local committee, according to the state party’s executive director, Dave Rexrode.</p> </blockquote> <p>And whom did Linwood Cobb support in that race? The Republican? Hmmm. </p> <p>And just to jog the memories of those who so easily forget, Janus lost, the Republican lost and a Democrat now sits as Commonwealth Attorney in Henrico. And all those Republican Assistant Commonwealth Attorney’s were fired in favor of Democrats. </p> <p>Cantor and his Slaters really hurt us with that one. </p> <p>Now I read the entire Republican Party Plan – several times. And nowhere in the document does it exempt Eric Cantor. </p> <p>So if the Slaters want to cheat the system again, they might want to be careful here. They need to play by their own rules. If the people I have heard from can’t participate, there is a good case to legally remove Eric Cantor from the Convention Process as well. </p> <p>You Slaters need to stop working so hard to disenfranchise voters. </p> <p><strong>This War on Conservatives HAS to STOP!</strong> </p> <p><strong></strong>  </p> <p><a href="http://www.varight.com/opinion/eric-cantor-is-technically-ineligable-to-participate-in-the-7th-congressional-district-convention/" target="_blank">THIS ARTICLE REPRINTED IN ITS ENTIRETY</a> BY PERMISSION of Tom White on <a href="http://www.varight.com/" target="_blank"><u>Virginia Right</u></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507420374185838783.post-51126715358852174362014-04-02T18:00:00.000-04:002014-04-02T18:00:03.745-04:00Democrats Scramble to Stave Off Midterm Disaster<p>By <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/h/john_harwood/index.html" target="_blank"><u>JOHN HARWOOD</u></a> - MARCH 31, 2014</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--BwdBQRX6Bw/UzwtO5Tz49I/AAAAAAAAGaQ/fy2lqtZuI2s/s1600-h/obama_grouch%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 15px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="obama_grouch" border="0" alt="obama_grouch" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-B74Ln-rAsnM/UzwtPoGD9LI/AAAAAAAAGaY/BdcF0CMI7Zw/obama_grouch_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>WASHINGTON — If it were only President Obama’s flagging poll numbers, the problem for Democrats of how to mobilize core supporters to vote this fall would be bad enough. Midterm elections for an unpopular president’s party are almost always bleak.</p> <p>But it is not only that. The very structure of the 21st-century national Democratic coalition makes its November turnout predicament bad, perhaps historically so.</p> <p>“There’s never been a worse coalition for the purpose of a midterm election,” said David Wasserman of The Cook Political Report. The ability of Democrats to counter the problem will help determine how politically difficult Mr. Obama’s last two years in the White House could become.</p> <p>Turnout for American presidential elections (roughly six in 10 eligible voters in recent contests) is always higher than for midterm congressional elections (fewer than half). But the rate of falloff from one to the next varies for different groups of voters.</p> <p>In 2012, exit polls showed, Mr. Obama won a second term by rolling up margins of 11 percentage points among women, 24 percentage points among voters ages 18 to 24, and 87 percentage points among blacks. Over the last four midterm elections, turnout by all three groups fell more from the previous presidential race than turnout by Republican-leaning men, <br />whites and those over 65.</p> <p>Young voters have abandoned the midterm electorate at more than twice the rate of seniors. Hispanics, who favored Mr. Obama by a margin of 44 percentage points, have voted at just two-thirds the rate of whites. Unmarried women, the source of the Democratic advantage with women, vote less often than their married counterparts.</p> <p>“I’m worried this could be a disaster,” said Celinda Lake, a Democratic pollster.</p> <p>These patterns have not always hurt her party this badly. Retirees, for example, invariably cast ballots more often than younger voters. But as recently as the 2000 presidential race, they leaned Democratic.</p> <p>And as recently as 1976, the gender gap did not exist. Blacks and Hispanics have traditionally voted less often than whites, but their share of the electorate — and the Democratic base — is much larger today.</p> <p>Democrats have begun efforts to mitigate the damage, with their House and Senate campaign committees tripling investments in voter mobilization since the last election.</p> <p>“When you’re looking at historic trends, you don’t agonize, you organize,” said Representative Steve Israel, Democrat of New York, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.</p> <p>With its sophisticated voter identification and mobilization programs, the 2012 Obama presidential campaign produced a more Democratic leaning electorate than many Republicans had thought possible. In 2014 battlegrounds like North Carolina and Colorado, vulnerable Senate Democratic incumbents hope to capitalize on the results of those efforts <br />the way Terry McAuliffe did in winning the Virginia governorship last year.</p> <p>But “just because they find these people doesn’t mean they have a message that will work” to turn them out, said Zac Moffatt, a Republican strategist who was an aide to Mitt Romney’s 2012 campaign. Mr. McAuliffe, for instance, had less success mobilizing young voters than he did with African-Americans.</p> <p>Most of the crucial Senate races lie in battlegrounds so friendly to Mr. Romney that Mr. Obama did not contest them in 2012. Among those pivotal states are Arkansas, Alaska, Louisiana and Montana.</p> <p>About 70 percent of House Democrats’ targeted races occur in four states Mr. Obama won (California, Illinois, New York and Florida). Only Florida was competitive enough to attract a full-blown Obama campaign.</p> <p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/01/us/politics/democrats-scramble-to-stave-off-midterm-disaster.html" target="_blank"><u>TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE CLICK HERE</u></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507420374185838783.post-90265945269005045252014-04-02T16:30:00.000-04:002014-04-02T16:30:01.231-04:00All Hands on Deck! 10th Amendment Center Request<h5 align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CQcm0jKT9j8/Uzwj4BI45vI/AAAAAAAAGXI/paRhlY37n9A/s1600-h/TAC_Logo%25255B3%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="TAC_Logo" border="0" alt="TAC_Logo" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZmqNWjzbUYU/Uzwj4jEYy4I/AAAAAAAAGXQ/ZQMgUIqasJ4/TAC_Logo_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="451" height="145" /></a></h5> <h5>We can win, but only with your help.</h5> <a href="http://tenthamendmentcenter.com/volunteer">http://tenthamendmentcenter.com/volunteer</a> <br /> <p>Every single day behind the scenes, a small handful of dedicated volunteers work in the trenches to do everything they can to help the TAC and the nullification movement push forward.</p> <p>But - when we're going head to head with the establishment - the politicians, the media, the well-funded organizations who hate the constitution - we really need more than a handful of people to take things to the next level.</p> <p>We don't have anywhere near the funding to hire three new full time people here - but if 120 people dedicated JUST ONE HOUR PER WEEK, we could accomplish just as much, if not more.</p> <p> <br /><strong>We're going to train volunteers how to do what's needed. Will you pitch in and help us out today?</strong></p> <p><a href="http://tenthamendmentcenter.com/volunteer">http://tenthamendmentcenter.com/volunteer</a></p> <p>At the link above, you'll be able to go through many of the openings and projects we need to operate at full capacity - allowing us to reach more people, build stronger coalitions, and get more nullification done.</p> <p>You don't need to know HOW to do anything, just have a desire to learn and help out the cause. Whether it's blogging, leading a campaign, helping with research, outreach - and more - we'll give it everything we can to teach you how you best help.</p> <p> <br /><strong>Can you pitch in? 1 hour a week means a great deal!</strong></p> <p><a href="http://tenthamendmentcenter.com/volunteer">http://tenthamendmentcenter.com/volunteer</a></p> <p>We're in this for the long haul - pushing back on more than a century of unconstitutional federal power isn't going to stop their attacks on liberty overnight.</p> <p>While we'd love to see an angel investor drop $500K in our lap today - we aren't basing our success on such a miracle happening.  We're going to push on for the constitution and liberty whatever the finances may bring.  A large network of people pitching in to help out an hour or so a week will make all the difference in the world.</p> <p>Are you on board?</p> <p><a href="http://tenthamendmentcenter.com/volunteer">http://tenthamendmentcenter.com/volunteer</a> <br /></p> <p>Concordia res parvae crescunt <br />(small things grow great by concord) <br /><img src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/3a5a3fb1ad250e247bde9f42d/images/boldin_signature_200.png" width="120" height="52" /> <br />Michael Boldin <br />Executive Director <br />Tenth Amendment Center</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507420374185838783.post-21406974848022753252014-04-02T15:00:00.000-04:002014-04-02T15:00:04.605-04:00Nancy Pelosi: Founders Would Have Supported Obamacare Because They would not have wanted Job-Lock!<p>By <a href="http://www.kirbyharris.com/p/about.html" target="_blank"><u>Kirby Harris</u></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NCgCQglABTY/UzwaIXFKzLI/AAAAAAAAGkY/Oe3prKSXP1I/s1600-h/nancypelosi%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 15px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="nancypelosi" border="0" alt="nancypelosi" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bxS_dDT1LLk/UzwaI0WjhiI/AAAAAAAAGkg/Yt4mFRrltn4/nancypelosi_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="305" height="215" /></a>At a press conference on April Fool’s day Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi claimed the Founders would have welcomed Obamacare because it would have realized their dreams for the American people for Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness.</p> <p>Pelosi told reporters, “It is really so heartwarming for those of us who worked so hard [to make sure] many more people in our country would have access to healthcare,” . </p> <p>She went on to suggest that the brave men who fought and died for American independence weren’t just fighting for  individual liberty, but for things like Obamacare. </p> <p>She said they fought for freedom from “job-lock” because of insurance. </p> <p>She went on to imply the Founders wanted ““They have not been an obstacle to the American people having healthier lives that our founders wanted for them, like a healthier life, liberty, the freedom to pursue their happiness — not job lock, the self-employed, the photographer, small business, those who want to change jobs and reach their aspirations.”</p> <p>She went on to hint that those who opposed Obamacare were fighting against the Founders when she said, “There are those critics, bumps in the road, but they’ve only been turbulence. They have not been an obstacle to the American people having healthier life that our founders wanted for them,” she said. </p> <p>I might be crazy, but maybe just maybe this was an April Fool’s joke? But I am afraid I would be wrong. </p> Kirby Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05274757163676918775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507420374185838783.post-729489214454588082014-04-02T13:30:00.000-04:002014-04-02T13:30:02.189-04:00Raw Milk Upsets “Big Milk”<p>by <a href="http://www.campaignforliberty.org/author/ts_admin/" target="_blank"><u>Tim Shoemaker</u></a> on <abbr>APRIL 1, 2014</abbr></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Lb-tef9K-C4/UzsqttsfnOI/AAAAAAAAGRQ/7yMUjMa7L9A/s1600-h/rawmilk%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 15px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="rawmilk" border="0" alt="rawmilk" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8npHbCxltn8/UzsquOLl_uI/AAAAAAAAGRY/NwGXeTGok-Y/rawmilk_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="309" height="201" /></a><font size="4">The dairy lobby, or Big Milk, is upset over Rep. Thomas Massie’s introduction of the “Milk Freedom Act,” </font><a href="http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/4307" target="_blank"><u><font size="4">H.R. 4307</font></u></a><font size="4"> that would allow for the interstate sale of raw milk, and the “Interstate Milk Freedom Act,” </font><a href="http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/4308" target="_blank"><u><font size="4">H.R. 4308</font></u></a><font size="4"> that would allow the interstate sale of raw milk between two states where the sale of raw milk is already permitted. </font></p> <p><em><a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2014/03/raw-politics-drive-milk-wars-105163.html" target="_blank">Politico notes</a></em>, </p> <blockquote> <p>The swing in momentum can, in part, be attributed to a transformation of the argument that advocates are using. The debate used to be centered on the health and nutritional benefits of raw milk versus the safety of pasteurized milk, but the likes of Ron Paul — who mentioned the issue in several speeches during his 2012 presidential run and introduced similar bills when he was in Congress — have turned it into one about freedom of choice.</p> </blockquote> <p>When Dr. Paul would travel the country speaking at college campuses about personal freedom, he would often frame it in an argument about food freedom, and freedom of choice — raw milk provided the perfect example of Nanny State regulators who outlaw choice in the name of “keeping us safe.” </p> <p><em><a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2014/03/raw-politics-drive-milk-wars-105163_Page2.html" target="_blank">Politico continued</a></em>, </p> <blockquote> <p>Despite the growing grassroots movement in favor of loosening raw milk regulation and bipartisan support, getting a bill through Congress will continue to be an uphill battle, especially with strong opposition from the dairy industry. The National Milk Producers Federation and International Dairy Foods Association — usually on opposite sides of dairy policy — have repeatedly compared consuming raw milk to “playing Russian roulette.” </p> <p>Chris Galen, spokesman for NMPF, said his group will be educating members of Congress on the risks associated with raw milk to deter Massie’s bills from gaining traction.</p> </blockquote> <p>Freedom comes with a certain amount of risk. If you wanted to live a risk free life, then a benevolent dictatorship might be your preferred form of government. But, as Thomas Jefferson wrote,  ”I would rather be exposed to the inconveniencies [sic] attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it.” </p> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/RepThomasMassie" target="_blank"><u>On his Facebook page</u></a>, Rep. Massie at least had a sense of humor about the opposition to his bills from Big Milk, posting “The lactose lobby can be so intolerant! It’s time to legalize freedom.” </p> <p>We’re glad to see Rep. Massie is in line with a great American political tradition that places personal freedom over the desire for the Nanny State to keep us safe from ourselves. This sort of strong opposition, this early, from Big Milk is actually a good sign that they’re worried about the number of original cosponsors this legislation has and the potential for momentum to swing in our direction. </p> <p>Please <a href="http://www.house.gov/representatives/" target="_blank"><u>contact your representative</u></a> and tell them to legalize freedom by urging them to cosponsor H.R. 4307 & H.R. 4308! </p> <p><a href="http://www.campaignforliberty.org/national-blog/raw-milk-upsets-big-milk/" target="_blank"><u>ARTICLE FROM CAMPAIGN FOR LIBERTY</u></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507420374185838783.post-81209659472941471952014-04-02T12:00:00.000-04:002014-04-02T12:00:01.981-04:00White House looks to regulate cow flatulence as part of climate agenda<p>By <a href="http://dailycaller.com/author/michaelb/" target="_blank"><u>Michael Bastasch</u></a> </p> <p>As part of its plan to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, the Obama administration is targeting the dairy industry to reduce methane emissions in their operations. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AIzbuol4wLk/UzskIyMuR6I/AAAAAAAAGNY/cYTLaEHRIDw/s1600-h/cow%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 15px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="cow" border="0" alt="cow" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Snumb2GIA_0/UzskJf_oLJI/AAAAAAAAGNg/p3ExMaqIVx0/cow_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="178" /></a>This comes despite falling methane emission levels across the economy since 1990. </p> <p><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/03/28/fact-sheet-climate-action-plan-strategy-cut-methane-emissions" target="_blank"><u>The White House has proposed</u></a> cutting methane emissions from the dairy industry by 25 percent by 2020. Although U.S. agriculture only accounts for about 9 percent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, it makes up a sizeable portion of methane emissions — which is a very potent greenhouse gas. </p> <p>Some of these methane emissions come from cow flatulence, exhaling and belching — other livestock animals release methane as well. </p> <p>“Cows emit a massive amount of methane through belching, with a lesser amount through flatulence,” <a href="http://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/methane-cow.htm" target="_blank"><u>according to How Stuff Works</u></a>. “Statistics vary regarding how much methane the average dairy cow expels. Some experts say 100 liters to 200 liters a day… while others say it’s up to 500 liters… a day. In any case, that’s a lot of methane, an amount comparable to the pollution produced by a car in a day.” </p> <p>“Of all domestic animal types, beef and dairy cattle were by far the largest emitters of [methane],” <a href="http://epa.gov/climatechange/Downloads/ghgemissions/US-GHG-Inventory-2014-Chapter-6-Agriculture.pdf" target="_blank"><u>according to an EPA analysis charting greenhouse gas emissions in 2012</u></a>. Cows and other animals produce methane through digestion, which ferments the food of animals.</p> <p>“During digestion, microbes resident in an animal’s digestive system ferment food consumed by the animal,” the EPA notes. “This microbial fermentation process, referred to as enteric fermentation, produces [methane] as a byproduct, which can be exhaled or eructated by the animal.”</p> <p>It’s not just the dairy industry that the Obama administration is clamping down on. The White House is looking to regulate methane emissions across the economy from agriculture to oil and gas operations — all this despite methane emissions falling 11 percent since 1990. <br /> <br /><a href="http://dailycaller.com/2014/03/28/white-house-looks-to-regulate-cow-flatulence-as-part-of-climate-agenda" target="_blank"><u>READ THE ENTIRE STORY HERE</u></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507420374185838783.post-5669673955684266542014-04-02T10:30:00.000-04:002014-04-02T10:30:00.035-04:00JOE BIDEN: 'WE COULD LOSE' CONGRESS TO MORE CANDIDATES LIKE TED CRUZ<p>by <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/Columnists/Tony-Lee" target="_blank"><u>TONY LEE</u></a> 30 Mar 2014</p> <h4><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zcnUpBeII3Q/UzsQRQl9vKI/AAAAAAAAGD4/YmQCFna3fzU/s1600-h/biden_woah_AP%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 15px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="biden_woah_AP" border="0" alt="biden_woah_AP" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1v0yKUtwGVA/UzsQSK7Ir_I/AAAAAAAAGD8/1hHizacLI1U/biden_woah_AP_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="218" /></a>In another sign that Democrats are worried that the 2014 midterm elections may resemble the 2010 midterms in which the Tea Party movement gave the GOP historic gains, Vice President Joe Biden sent out a fundraising email Sunday imploring Democrats to donate to prevent more conservatives like Ted Cruz from getting elected.</h4> <p>Biden and Cruz (R-TX) may be rivals for the presidency in 2016, and Biden's email on behalf of the Democratic National Committee a day before the end of the fundraising quarter warned supporters, "We could lose." </p> <p>“Losing will mean more senators like Ted Cruz, and more Tea Party Republicans in the House,” he <a href="http://washingtonexaminer.com/article/2546514#.UzhaSNNmvZM.twitter" target="_blank"><u>writes</u></a> in the email. </p> <p>Claiming that he is not engaging in hyperbole, Biden urges supporters to chip in $3 before the fundraising deadline to help Democrats because "the deadline tomorrow is among the most important." </p> <p>"If we wake up on Tuesday and find out we came up short, we're in bad shape for November – that is not hyperbole," Biden writes. </p> <p><a href="http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/03/30/Joe-Biden-We-Could-Lose-Congress-to-More-Candidates-Like-Ted-Cruz" target="_blank"><u>READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE</u></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507420374185838783.post-41146859507635939062014-04-02T09:00:00.000-04:002014-04-02T09:00:05.799-04:00Common Core emerges as potent election issue for fed-up parents<p>By <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/archive/ben-evansky" target="_blank"><u>Ben Evansky</u></a> - Published March 29, 2014 - FoxNews.com </p> <p>Parents across the country may hold the key to this year's mid-term elections as they vent their anger over the implementation of a controversial education achievement measure called the Common Core State Standards Initiative. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZN17Zc0Q8NU/UzsAIdX-FpI/AAAAAAAAGAg/gmmcSlJ1V3o/s1600-h/commoncore-girl%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="commoncore-girl" border="0" alt="commoncore-girl" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qwxfmdtltcU/UzsAJShCURI/AAAAAAAAGAo/XXthpa7sCoI/commoncore-girl_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="364" /></a> </p> <p>Forty-five states and the District of Columbia have adopted the initiative in a bid, they say, to improve education standards in Math and English, and give new life to what many view as a sagging education system. Indiana recently voted to back out of Common Core. </p> <p>But many parents see the initiative as a bid by the federal government to take over the education system. They are also angry over the "data mining" of students' personal information, and say the stepped-up standards are not age-appropriate and are leading to anxiety and depression in their children. </p> <p>Analysts warn the parental opposition could spill over into the November elections. </p> <blockquote>"Those populist candidates are running against the Common Core, and they are going to say Washington is interfering with children's schooling ..." <p>- Tom Loveless, Brookings Institute</p> </blockquote> <p>"You really have a populist reaction, and that's true on the left and the right," says Tom Loveless, a senior fellow with the Brown Center on Education Policy at Brookings Institute in Washington, D.C. </p> <p>He predicts candidates opposing politicians from the establishment - or "at least trying to paint them as establishment candidates" - will take up the parental concerns. </p> <p>"Those populist candidates are running against the Common Core, and they are going to say Washington is interfering with children's schooling and that teachers, parents and principals at the local level are better equipped to decide on what kids learn," he said. </p> <p>Concurring is education expert Joy Pullmann. </p> <p>"Common Core opposition is so completely grassroots, and support is so astroturf, " says the education research fellow for The Heartland Institute, a think tank headquartered in Chicago that promotes individual liberty and free enterprise. </p> <p>"It is already becoming a primary and general election issue in everything from local school board races to gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races," she added. </p> <p>According to Pullmann, the issue is "huge among mothers." </p> <p><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/03/29/common-core-emerges-as-potent-election-issue-for-fed-up-parents/" target="_blank"><u><font size="3">READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE</font></u></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507420374185838783.post-58480963476288432132014-04-01T21:00:00.000-04:002014-04-01T21:00:01.090-04:00HealthCare.gov stumbles on deadline day as consumers race to sign up for insurance<h5>By <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/amy-goldstein/2011/02/02/ABNs9AJ_page.html" target="_blank"><u>Amy Goldstein</u></a> and <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/lena-h-sun/2011/03/03/ABUvPGP_page.html" target="_blank"><u>Lena H. Sun</u></a>, Published: March 31</h5> <h5><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Q7nr-6RiOII/Uzr6RDwuFDI/AAAAAAAAF9c/WWfLAAHiRqU/s1600-h/happingtodayaca%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 15px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="happingtodayaca" border="0" alt="happingtodayaca" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nnDOSKi8ut4/Uzr6R8K3uKI/AAAAAAAAF9k/pYm2z-uRJ7A/happingtodayaca_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="335" height="236" /></a>The first six-month window for Americans to gain health insurance under <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/2014/03/30/2b98fbca-b756-11e3-a7c6-70cf2db17781_story.html" target="_blank"><u>the Affordable Care Act</u></a> closed on Monday with large numbers of consumers speeding to get coverage at the last minute. Some of them encountered obstacles as HealthCare.gov, the main enrollment Web site, faltered on and off throughout the day.</h5> <p>Union halls, shopping-mall kiosks and insurance company lobbies across the country were jammed with people racing to get insurance on the final day before the law required most Americans to choose health insurance or risk a financial penalty. </p> <p>“It’s like going into the mall on Christmas Eve,” said Brian Lobley, senior vice president of Independence Blue Cross, which set up a “Countdown to Coverage” with extra desks and phone lines in the usually empty lobby of its headquarters four blocks from city hall in Philadelphia’s Center City. Employees whose jobs have nothing to do with sales were pressed into service, and customers were triaged as they walked in, with priority given to people who had not even begun to shop for insurance before Monday. </p> <p>In Los Angeles, the local affiliate of the Service Employees International Union began an enroll-athon at 5 a.m. and, by the end of the day, had attracted more than 700 people to a lively scene with food trucks, music and more than 50 staffers and volunteers. </p> <p>By the time President Obama appeared Monday on “The CBS Evening News,” he sounded relieved. “We admittedly had just a terrible start because the Web site wasn’t working,” Obama said, referring to the site’s rocky beginnings. “But given how gloomy I think everybody’s assessment was back in the middle of November, I’d say that we’re on our way to making sure that no American ever has to go without health care.” </p> <p>By Monday evening, federal officials could not say how many people had signed up. But health officials said that by 8 p.m., 1 million people had phoned in to a network of call centers across the country — nearly a half-million more than the total for any other day since the federal insurance marketplace and 14 similar state ones opened on Oct. 1. And 3 million had visited HealthCare.gov, they said. </p> <p>Late in the day, more than 150,000 people were on the Web site, and the volume stayed at that level through much of the evening, according to a person familiar with the numbers. </p> <p>The outpouring of last-minute interest reinforced arguments by the Obama administration and its allies, made since the law was enacted four years ago, that it would become popular once Americans had a chance to get the new health plans that it spawned — and, in most cases, with federal subsidies to help pay for them. </p> <p>Still, as the deadline arrived, fresh evidence emerged that the law, which has set in motion the broadest changes to the U.S. health-care system in nearly half a century, remains mired in a wide partisan divide. A new Washington Post poll indicates that three in four Democrats support the law — a rise of 11 percentage points since January — compared with one in five Republicans. </p> <p>The last day of sign-ups contained an echo of the computer troubles that dominated the early months of the open-enrollment period last fall. During two periods of the day that lasted a total of several hours, HealthCare.gov was inaccessible to new customers — and early on, to anyone at all. </p> <p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/healthcaregov-pushed-beyond-capacity-new-applications-halted/2014/03/31/03cbc234-b8fb-11e3-96ae-f2c36d2b1245_story.html?wpisrc=al_comboPEN_p" target="_blank"><u>READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE</u></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507420374185838783.post-62071447225500758772014-04-01T19:30:00.000-04:002014-04-01T19:30:00.094-04:00Poll: Large Numbers of Virginians Back Medical Marijuana and Gay Marriage<p>Admin Commentary: We Report, you decide. Is Virginia Changing? Is Virginia Becoming More Libertarian? More Liberal? Are you part of the Majority who support these policies? <br /> <br />Here is an article from the Richmond Times Dispatch that talks about the Poll:</p> <h3>Poll: 84% of Virginians back medical marijuana</h3> By <a href="http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/state-regional/virginia-politics/majority-in-va-backs-gay-marriage-medical-marijuana/article_99ea64da-b8c1-11e3-a29b-0017a43b2370.html" target="_blank"><u>MARKUS SCHMIDT</u></a>  -  <em>Tue Apr 1, 2014  -  Richmond Times-Dispatch</em> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6MTG7PQC78A/Uzrv3Me8LCI/AAAAAAAAF6E/sMYU5tyZPc8/s1600-h/weed%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 15px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="weed" border="0" alt="weed" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-h53xwtd_YHk/Uzrv3mdzGQI/AAAAAAAAF6M/tiqtWePkpO4/weed_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a>A new poll finds that Virginia voters support legalizing medical marijuana by an overwhelming 84 percent to 13 percent, but support for recreational marijuana is divided with 46 percent in favor and 48 percent opposed. </p> <p>Thirty-nine percent of Virginia voters say they have tried marijuana, according to the survey released Monday from Quinnipiac University. </p> <p>Dick Kennedy, with Virginia NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said Monday that the poll numbers show that Virginia “is moving toward more sensible drug policies, along with the rest of the country, and the overwhelming support for medical marijuana is something the legislature can’t ignore in 2015.” </p> <p>The almost-even split on full legalization shows “a significant change” in the past year, Kennedy said, citing a January 2013 poll by Christopher Newport University’s Wason Center for Public Policy showing Virginians opposing it 53 percent to 40 percent. </p> <p>In that survey of 1,015 registered Virginia voters, 72 percent said they support legalization for medical use. But 53 percent opposed legalization for recreational use, while 40 percent were in support. </p> <p>Of all candidates running for statewide offices last year, only Robert C. Sarvis, the Libertarian candidate for governor, supported legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes. </p> <p>“Support is growing quickly among all segments for a controlled, taxed cannabis market,” said Ed McCann, executive director of Virginia NORML. “Legislators would also be well-served to implement medical cannabis access, since the overwhelming majority of Virginians support such. Support from those under 30 for more progressive policies is widespread and will only increase as more states legalize cannabis.” </p> <p>Republicans support medical marijuana 75 percent to 21 percent, and Democrats support it 92 to 6 percent, according to the Quinnipiac poll. </p> <p>Democrats back legalizing marijuana for personal use by 58 to 35 percent, Republicans are opposed 68 to 27 percent and independent voters are split 47 to 47 percent. </p> <p>“More than four in five Virginians favor allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes, although on this question and others involving the drug, support for its use is a bit lower than in some other states where we conduct surveys,” said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. </p> <p>“When it comes to legalizing marijuana for recreational use, Virginians are divided,” Brown said. </p> <p>The survey also shows that support for same-sex marriage among Virginia voters remains unchanged since last summer, when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down parts of the federal Defense of Marriage Act. </p> <p>Fifty percent of voters support allowing gay marriage, with 42 percent opposed, according to the poll. </p> <p>Women are stronger supporters of same-sex marriage than men with 54 percent in favor and 38 percent opposed, the poll finds. Men are divided with 46 percent supporting and 48 percent opposed. <br /> <br /><a href="http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/state-regional/virginia-politics/majority-in-va-backs-gay-marriage-medical-marijuana/article_99ea64da-b8c1-11e3-a29b-0017a43b2370.html" target="_blank"><u><font size="3">READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE</font></u></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507420374185838783.post-57567606389654878712014-04-01T18:00:00.000-04:002014-04-01T18:00:02.844-04:00Aid to Ukraine Is a Bad Deal For All<p>written by <a href="http://ronpaulinstitute.org/archives/featured-articles.aspx?author=Ron+Paul" target="_blank"><u>ron paul</u></a>  -  sunday march 30, 2014 </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-44UTKDMIC0A/UzrrqbEwkGI/AAAAAAAAF2w/3WrsWCq43zU/s1600-h/ronpaul-tst_184x65%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 15px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ronpaul-tst_184x65" border="0" alt="ronpaul-tst_184x65" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Qa9JyhQQFT8/Uzrrq6TE7HI/AAAAAAAAF24/2d3KgjoAmxQ/ronpaul-tst_184x65_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="188" height="69" /></a>Last week Congress overwhelmingly passed a bill approving a billion dollars in aid to Ukraine and more sanctions on Russia. The bill will likely receive the president’s signature within days. If you think this is the last time US citizens will have their money sent to Ukraine, you should think again. This is only the beginning.</p> <p>This $1 billion for Ukraine is a rip-off for the America taxpayer, but it is also a bad deal for Ukrainians. Not a single needy Ukrainian will see a penny of this money, as it will be used to bail out international banks who hold Ukrainian government debt. According to the terms of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)-designed plan for Ukraine, life is about to get much more difficult for average Ukrainians. The government will freeze some wage increases, significantly raise taxes, and increase energy prices by a considerable margin.</p> <p>But the bankers will get paid and the IMF will get control over the Ukrainian economy.</p> <p>The bill also authorizes more US taxpayer money for government-funded “democracy promotion” NGOs, and more money to broadcast US government propaganda into Ukraine via Radio Free Europe and Voice of America. It also includes some saber-rattling, directing the US Secretary of State to “provide enhanced security cooperation with Central and Eastern European NATO member states.”</p> <p>The US has been “promoting democracy” in Ukraine for more than ten years now, but it doesn’t seem to have done much good. Recently a democratically-elected government was overthrown by violent protestors. That is the opposite of democracy, where governments are changed by free and fair elections. What is shocking is that the US government and its NGOs were on the side of the protestors! If we really cared about democracy we would not have taken either side, as it is none of our business.</p> <p>Washington does not want to talk about its own actions that led to the coup, instead focusing on attacking the Russian reaction to US-instigated unrest next door to them. So the new bill passed by Congress will expand sanctions against Russia for its role in backing a referendum in Crimea, where most of the population voted to join Russia. The US, which has participated in the forced change of borders in Serbia and elsewhere, suddenly declares that international borders cannot be challenged in Ukraine.</p> <p>Those of us who are less than gung-ho about sanctions, manipulating elections, and sending our troops overseas are criticized as somehow being unpatriotic. It happened before when so many of us were opposed to the Iraq war, the US attack on Libya, and elsewhere. And it is happening again to those of us not eager to get in another cold -- or hot -- war with Russia over a small peninsula that means absolutely nothing to the US or its security.</p> <p>I would argue that real patriotism is defending this country and making sure that our freedoms are not undermined here. Unfortunately, while so many are focused on freedoms in Crimea and Ukraine, the US Congress is set to pass an NSA “reform” bill that will force private companies to retain our personal data and make it <a href="http://http//www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/mar/25/house-nsa-bill-end-bulk-collection-act-reform" target="_blank"><u>even easier</u></a> for the NSA to spy on the rest of us. We need to refocus our priorities toward promoting liberty in the United States! <br /> <br /><a href="http://ronpaulinstitute.org/archives/featured-articles/2014/march/30/aid-to-ukraine-is-a-bad-deal-for-all.aspx" target="_blank"><u><font size="3">Taken from The Ron Paul Institute Website</font></u></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507420374185838783.post-79223960310809985352014-04-01T16:30:00.000-04:002014-04-01T16:30:00.511-04:00Floyd Bayne Gives Details on a Recent House and Senate Mega-Vote<p>By <a href="http://www.floydbayne.com/" target="_blank"><u>Floyd Bayne</u></a>  -  March 31, 2014</p> <p><strong><font size="4">In this MegaVote for Virginia's 7th Congressional District:</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="4"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UIgqlF_ZUP0/UzrnroFw5AI/AAAAAAAABHU/FwWPIEE0Hig/s1600-h/capitol%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="capitol" border="0" alt="capitol" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lbeSZbn5pRw/UzrnsEhknPI/AAAAAAAABHY/8nILgFlGpvM/capitol_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="229" /></a></font></strong><font size="2"><strong>Recent Congressional Votes</strong></font></p> <p>Senate: Ukraine Aid Substitute Amendment</p> <p>Senate: Unemployment Benefits Cloture</p> <p>House: National Monument Designations Passage</p> <p>House: Ukraine Aid Passage</p> <p> <br /><strong><font size="4">Upcoming Congressional Bills:</font></strong></p> <p>Senate: Medicare Doc Fix</p> <p>Senate: Unemployment Benefits</p> <p>House: Ukraine Aid</p> <p>House: Health Care Reform</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><font size="4">Recent Senate Votes:</font></strong></p> <p><font size="3">+ Ukraine Aid Substitute Amendment - Vote Agreed to (98-2)</font></p> <p>The Senate agreed upon a substitute amendment offered by Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J. to a Ukrainian aid package on Thursday. As amended, the bill would offer $150 million in aid to the Ukrainian government and offer loan guarantees from unobligated funds in the State Department budget. It would expand visa restrictions, freeze the assets of Russian officials and require the Defense Department to review Russian military capabilities annually through 2020. As amended, the bill passed by voice vote later that day.</p> <p>Sen. Mark Warner voted YES</p> <p>Sen. Tim Kaine voted YES <br /></p> <p><font size="3">+ Unemployment Benefits Cloture - Vote Agreed to (65-34, 1 Not Voting)</font></p> <p>The Senate invoked cloture on a bill that would exempt volunteer service hours by firefighters and other first responders from the 30-hour-a-week threshold under the 2010 health care reform laws that established a full-time employer mandate for health coverage. The bill is intended to serve as a legislative vehicle to extend expired long-term unemployment benefits.</p> <p>Sen. Mark Warner voted YES</p> <p>Sen. Tim Kaine voted YES <br /></p> <p><font size="4">Recent House Votes:</font></p> <p><font size="3">National Monument Designations Passage - Vote Passed (222-201, 8 Not Voting)</font></p> <p>The House narrowly approved a bill on Wednesday to limit the power of the president to designate national monuments under the 1906 Antiquities Act. The bill would limit presidential authority to one designation per state over a four-year term. It also would require an environmental impact statement for designations over 5,000 acres and a cost estimate study for the proposed monument. Sites less than 5,000 acres would expire after three years without a full environmental review, but could be made permanent if the environmental review process was used.</p> <p>Rep. Eric Cantor voted YES <br /></p> <p><font size="3">Ukraine Aid Passage - Vote Passed (399-19, 13 Not Voting)</font></p> <p>On Thursday, the House approved a $120 million aid package to Ukraine and expanded sanctions against Russian government officials in the wake of that country's annexation of Crimea. The bill easily cleared the two-thirds majority required for passage under a suspension of House rules.</p> <p>Rep. Eric Cantor voted YES</p> Floyd Baynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13453924752200191336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507420374185838783.post-21827018391734928492014-04-01T15:00:00.000-04:002014-04-01T15:00:03.991-04:00White House Pretends 6 Million Have Enrolled In ObamaCare, Pops The Champaign Corks<p>BY <a href="http://mikesright.wordpress.com/author/mikeymils13/" target="_blank"><u>Mikey Mils</u></a> <em>on</em> MARCH 28, 2014 </p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="3">The lies continue, America</font></strong> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-B3bTHW7Em8A/UzrhjslttVI/AAAAAAAAFw4/uiyLX061tpA/s1600-h/20120819_obama_sebelius_pelosi_large%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 15px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="20120819_obama_sebelius_pelosi_large" border="0" alt="20120819_obama_sebelius_pelosi_large" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ktLEP5YDAiY/Uzrhka-lz5I/AAAAAAAAFxA/HoWiScyufto/20120819_obama_sebelius_pelosi_large_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="213" /></a><font size="3">The Regime announced on Thursday that ObamaCare has hit its March 31 objective — four days ahead of schedule. It says more than 6 million Americans have signed up for coverage through new insurance markets. Sure they have.</font></p> <p><font size="3">The initial goal of 7 million enrollees was revised downward by the Congressional Budget Office in February, a move that was jumped on by Team Obama like a pig on an acorn.</font> </p> <p><font size="3">But here’s where the <del>big fat lie</del> ambiguity begins:</font> </p> <ol> <li>The administration has yet to announce how many “enrollees” have paid their first month’s premium. Some <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/obamacare-hits-enrollment-target-sort-of/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+primary_source+(CBS+News+-+Primary+Source)" target="_blank"><u>independent estimates</u></a> say that as many as 10 percent to 20 percent have not paid, which would bring the real enrollment number down to between 5 million and 6 million people. </li> <li>Of the 3.3 million people that the White House said had “signed up” through January, <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2014/03/08/mckinsey-only-14-of-obamacare-exchange-sign-ups-are-previously-uninsured-enrollees/" target="_blank"><u>less than 500,000</u></a> were uninsured people who actually gained  new healthcare coverage, according to McKinsey, a leading management consulting firm. </li> <li>The White House counts Medicaid enrollees in its numbers. Through December, between <a href="http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/Obamacare-Medicaid-fewer-signed/2014/02/05/id/551109/" target="_blank">1<u> and 2 million</u></a> ObamaCare enrollees actually signed up for Medicaid vs. health insurance. </li> <li>Moreover, when <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/02/13/a-guide-to-understanding-obamacares-sign-up-numbers/" target="_blank"><u>states report Medicaid enrollment data</u></a> to the federal government, they don’t break down the number between the “gained Medicaid because of Obamacare” population and the “would have gotten Medicaid anyway” group. </li> </ol> <p>So, while Team Obama congratulates itself on hitting its “goal,” many questions remain as to the bottom-line,<em>actual number of people</em> who have gained healthcare coverage exclusively because of ObamaCare. </p> <p>Chances are, we’ll never know. But then, that’s all by design, isn’t it? <br /> <br /><a href="http://mikesright.wordpress.com/2014/03/28/white-house-pretends-6-million-have-enrolled-in-obamacare-pops-the-champaign-corks/" target="_blank"><u>ARTICLE FROM HERE</u></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507420374185838783.post-80286821184147557152014-04-01T13:30:00.000-04:002014-04-01T13:30:01.117-04:00Thousands petition Congress to ban Internet access taxes<p>By <a href="http://watchdog.org/author/jpeterson/" target="_blank"><u>Josh Peterson</u></a>  /   March 31, 2014 </p> <p>More than 43,000 people are <a href="https://www.change.org/petitions/tell-congress-to-permanently-ban-internet-access-taxes" target="_blank"><u>petitioning</u></a> Congress to permanently ban taxes on Internet access. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Hg7pRhroMPk/Uzra6quxS5I/AAAAAAAAFso/WjJ_6yeC2Nk/s1600-h/internettaxes%25255B2%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="internettaxes" border="0" alt="internettaxes" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LMdMenbHxgk/Uzra7ENRUGI/AAAAAAAAFsw/Qe9tPlawOuM/internettaxes_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="244" height="190" /></a> </p> <p>Governments, like businesses, see the Internet as a revenue source. Several bills would place a permanent ban on Internet access taxes. </p> <p>As of early Monday afternoon, 43,646 had signed the online petition on Change.org, sponsored by MyWireless.org, a nonpartisan nonprofit wireless advocacy organization. </p> <p>“Internet access is a critical necessity for economic growth, and is also providing all of us tremendous benefits in our daily lives,” said Amy McLean, communications director of MyWireless.org. </p> <p>“With more and more Americans turning to wireless as their primary means of accessing the Internet, we think it’s more important than ever for people to weigh in now on the importance of keeping service as affordable as possible,” said McLean. </p> <p>The organization is currently promoting a number of initiatives, including the <a href="http://watchdog.org/127496/wireless-tax/" target="_blank"><u>Wireless Tax Fairness Act</u></a>, which places a five-year moratorium on new wireless taxes at the state and local levels. </p> <p>MyWireless.org’s new petition increases awareness about two bills <a href="http://watchdog.org/130332/wireless-competition-tax/" target="_blank"><u>pending</u></a> before the House and Senate: the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act of 2013 in the House, and Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act of 2013. </p> <p>Not only would the bills prevent state and local governments from taxing Internet access, they would also prevent multiple taxes from being imposed upon an online purchase by ensuring that only one state can tax each transaction. </p> <p>MyWireless.org hopes to keep the cost of broadband access down for consumers. </p> <p>“The petition is a collective voice supporting the permanent extension of the ban on Internet access taxes, and sends a clear message to Congress to take action on behalf of hundreds of millions of American wireless consumers,” McLean said. </p> <p><em>Contact Josh Peterson at <a href="jpeterson@watchdog.org" target="_blank"><u>jpeterson@watchdog.org</u></a></em>. <em>Follow Josh on Twitter at <a href="@jdpeterson" target="_blank">@jdpeterson</a> <br /> <br />Article from <a href="http://watchdog.org/135474/ban-internet-taxes/" target="_blank"><u>watchdog.org</u></a></em></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507420374185838783.post-35533624949440688422014-04-01T12:00:00.001-04:002014-04-01T15:47:19.488-04:00Constitutional conundrum: Michigan demand for a balanced budget could trigger amendment convention<p>By <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/staff/stephen-dinan/" target="_blank"><u>Stephen Dinan</u></a>  -  The Washington Times  -  Monday, March 31, 2014 </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Qm9-8YvXLKo/UzsXvhQq-NI/AAAAAAAAGIw/onk4_IW9Ycc/s1600-h/madison%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 15px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="madison" border="0" alt="madison" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sxPx63thHoU/UzsXwJqvRYI/AAAAAAAAGI4/3ZEa_EUfH7Y/madison_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="188" height="277" /></a>Michigan lawmakers last week voted to demand a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution, a move that could set into motion a never-tested, widely feared convention with the power to rewrite part of the founding document. </p> <p>The lawmakers voted to ask Congress to call what is known as an Article V constitutional convention. </p> <p>If Congress agrees with the count, Michigan is the 34th state to do so, creating the two-thirds majority required to force the historic gathering. </p> <p>But plenty of questions remain unanswered: Is Michigan really is the 34th state? If so, will Congress respond, will the courts get involved in forcing a convention, and what happens once a convention begins? </p> <p>“It’s a bunch of question marks,” said Gerard N. Magliocca, a law professor at Indiana University who has performed some of the key research on Article V conventions. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IZXpjgjNdIY/UzsXwy4TRwI/AAAAAAAAGJA/i1_vvKvb2DU/s1600-h/constitution%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 5px 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="constitution" border="0" alt="constitution" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-n9dcn6Fq8FI/UzsXxT5OssI/AAAAAAAAGJE/0Nji-qQyS3k/constitution_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="328" height="313" /></a> </p> <p>Among those questions is whether an application can be rescinded and how similar the states’ calls must be in order to be valid. </p> <p>Article V of the Constitution is strikingly vague. It lets Congress propose amendments, but it also allows that “on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, [Congress] shall call a convention for proposing amendments.” </p> <p>That second option has never been exercised. All 27 amendments to the Constitution have been proposed through approval by two-thirds of Congress, but Gregory Watson, a constitutional scholar, said Michigan’s application last week could test the other method under Article V. </p> <p><strong>Taking it back</strong> </p> <p>By Mr. Watson’s count, Michigan is the 34th state to call for a convention on a balanced budget. The chief problem is that about a dozen legislatures have rescinded their states’ applications. </p> <p>“There is disagreement among scholars as to whether a state that has approved an application may later rescind that application. If it is ultimately adjudicated that a state may not rescind a prior application, then Ohio’s 2013 application for a Balanced Budget Amendment convention would be the 33rd and Michigan’s 2014 application would be the 34th [out of the necessary 34] on that topic,” Mr. Watson wrote in an email. </p> <p>Rob Natelson, who has studied similar conventions among the states or Colonies going back to the 17th century, said states always have been able to rescind calls for a convention. </p> <p>That means, by his count, 18 states that have issued valid convention calls on a balanced budget amendment. He said Florida’s 2010 application could be considered the 19th, but the Legislature added specific language on federal limits to state spending that might not be similar enough for Congress to consider. </p> <p>Ultimately, it’s up to a skeptical Congress to judge whether enough states have crossed the threshold, said Mr. Natelson, a retired law professor who is now senior fellow at the Independence Institute. </p> <p>“Congress has to make that initial decision,” he said. “I think it’s unlikely that a request for Congress to call a convention at this point would get anywhere.” </p> <p><u>READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE HERE </u></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com