Steve Buyer learns about The Apollo Alliance

Who writes the bills? Who is the Apollo Alliance? A high school student asks Congressman Steve Buyer – if HR 3200 passes, and salaries for physicians are capped, what motivation does he have to enter med school?

 

Danville, IN, Town Hall with Rep. Steve Buyer (R), cont.

More questions:

Part 5:

Part 6 (SCHIP):

 

Danville, IN, Town Hall with Rep. Steve Buyer (R)

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

 

Why YOU SHOULD BE Concerned with what Happened to Palin

What Happened Once will Happen Again

By: Esther Petersen

 I got involved  in a discussion with a group of Campaign for Liberty supporters and some people from the Constitution party who were down right GLEEFUL at what happened to Palin and it got me to thinking about the extremes that were equally thrilled with her demise……the ultra-right wing and the modern day Feminist. Amazing, isn’t it, how extremes are so likely to circle back together?

 Why Conservatives and Feminists SHOULD be upset with Palin’s resignation:

 I contend, as a person who did not vote for the McCain/Palin ticket, that those in this country who do care about statesmanship SHOULD be very upset by the Palin resignation. Why? Because her resignation shows a triumph of the cruelly liberal left driving someone out of the public eye because that person dared to be the antithesis of what the liberal left media THOUGHT they should be.

 Sarah Palin is someone the status quo liberal despises because she is a woman who does not hold up women like Betty Freidan, Gene Boyer, Mary Eastwood, Margaret Sanger, or Carol Sue Weathers as the “heroic” women who changed the course of her life. No, Sarah Palin does not look to these “feminist icons” for her inspiration. Palin was not inspired to run for political office to assert the feminist ideal or because she wanted to further a feminist agenda. She ran as (gasp, horror) a pro-life, conservative woman. Because she DARED the sacrilege of opposing that most sacred feminist institution (the right to kill your baby if that is what you feel like doing), she immediately put a big bulls eye on her back and the media took aim. The onslaught began with: Who is Trig’s real mother? If Bristol is Trig’s mom, then is it possible that Todd is the father and that is why he has Down’s syndrome? Does Trig have Downs’ because his mother neglected her prenatal care? Would not Trig have been better off had she done the responsible thing and aborted him? After that, came the onslaught of her intelligence, or lack thereof: She was called “disabled”, a “redneck”, a “a bad b-list porn actress”, she has been called a MILF, she has been called a word I refuse to even type, and she has of course been called the favorite buzz word always lobbed at anyone with a conservative slant…….stupid.

 They did not just take aim on Sarah Palin; they took aim on her family as well. The children of candidates have always been protected by the unspoken political rule that the shots can be taken at the candidate and the candidate’s spouse (in recent years) but the children are off limits. Not so, with Palin’s children: Trig was called the “devil baby”, jokes were made about statutory rape concerning her second daughter, her children were NEVER granted the same “hands of policy” of all other children from political families. Even now, amid the Sanford scandal, the Sanford sons have their faces blurred every time a picture of the family comes on the screen. This is done out of respect for the children. Palin’s children received no such respect.

 I have heard Palin derided by conservatives because she did not stay home with her children, a valid point considering the religious context in which that opinion is given.  I am not saying that I completely agree with that position, but I do understand the background in theological thought for those that hold that position.   I have also heard FEMINISTS make the exact same argument which I find laughably ironic. Feminists are both angered and afraid of what she represents; a woman who does not conform to the mold the feminist agenda feels is appropriate. I find the diatribe of virulent hatred irritating on the feminist side and disturbing on the conservative side. Did Palin make mistakes? Yes, she did. She should have been as strong in her knowledge of foreign policy as she was on energy independence. Even though I believe she was mishandled by the McCain campaign due to the jealousy her popularity produced, she could have educated herself much better on her weaker issues. That being said, make no mistake that most of those early in their political life will not know every detail of every issue that faces our nation. It takes years to cultivate that, as Obama is now learning. Her second mistake was, after the election, she should have immediately stopped giving any “personal interest” stories to the likes of Greta VanSusteren, and focused her interviews solely on how current domestic and foreign policy would impact her state. She did not do either of those things and I do believe that she had a hand in her own current political situation. She will most likely never be considered a viable candidate by those who believe her sex is an immediate disqualifier, and she certainly will never be a favored candidate by the feminists because she is diametrically opposed to their agenda. Yet both of these groups should be concerned with what happened to Sarah Palin.

 Feminists should be worried that the existence of Sarah Palin’s active uterus was an immediate deterrent for so many people. They should be concerned that references such as I outlined above were acceptable forms of description for a woman who dared to enter the political realm. Any self-respecting feminist should find the myriad of comments made concerning Sarah Palin’s looks to be in no way conducive to a furthering of the stated feminist goal as outlined in this statement, “is not a problem with certain angry and difficult women, it is a program for liberation and a vision of justice for all. – Batzell”. If the feminist or liberal does not like Palin based on her political stances, fine, the problem, from a feminist view point, is that Palin was attacked far more on the peripheral of her looks than she was on her record or policies. When is the last time you witnessed this kind of an attack on a male candidate?

 Conservatives, you stand to lose the most with the kind of attacks that the Palin family has endured since October of 2008. I have already listed many of the attacks the family received so I will not go through them again. I will ask: where were the bloggers and the press when Bidens’s daughter was in a picture that seemed to suggest she was doing crack? What if that had been Bristol in the photograph? Where are the “all meant in good humorous fun” jokes concerning Michelle Obama’s looks and the statutory rape of one of her daughters? The press was no where to be seen with Ashley Biden and there would have been an outcry had it been Michelle and Malia Ann sitting in the stands of the Yankees game that night. Conservatives, the question you have to ask yourself is this: What if Chuck Baldwin, Bob Barr, or Ron Paul were able to garner enough support to make a true run at the White House? Because we were not loud enough in opposition, and in some cases joined in on the complete war on the Palin family in the press, would those families now be forced to endure the same level of virulence and slander just for being willing to stand in the gap? What if a man or woman out there is willing stand up and run for Congress, Senate, Governor, ect. on a staunchly pro-constitution/pro-family platform? The door has been opened for the media to declare an open season on YOUR family because you DARE to think outside their conventional little box. Allowing the media to get away with their never ending onslaught of Sarah Palin has given them the green light to continue their attacks on ALL conservative people, and it will not end. Those who participate in the Tea Parties have already been called a vulgar name with no ramifications, so the media WILL continue that onslaught. Any conservative woman who dares to speak her opinion in opposition to the feminist platform will be opening up both herself and her family to obscene and frightening hatred.  Many “so called” feminists have sat silent in the onslaught of Palin based solely on her sex because they simply did not agree with her opinions and policies.   Many conservative men have shown that they are willing to sit on their collective hands and allow a courageous woman to be attacked in this vicious manner because it simply is not her place to speak out. In sitting on those hands or simply remaining silent, however, you also open the door for YOUR family to be slandered, should you ever decide to do more than just complain about the state of your country. When we, as conservatives, remained silent on the Palin attacks, we hurt ourselves.

 Again, I did not vote for the McCain/Palin ticket as I am not a fan of John McCain. It is the “Palin deserved what she got” mentality I am hearing among conservatives that I find truly disturbing. I am glad that she was willing to speak to many of the issues that concern me. It is a shame that more Conservatives are not stepping up to the plate. But does the fault for that really lie with Palin or with the Conservatives who are content to complain about the state of the country rather than do something about it?”

 

Ask not what your country can do for you…

Remember that famous quote from John F. Kennedy in his inaugural address? That famous line, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country,” has been repeated by many different people over the past 48 years in a variety of contexts and for a variety of purposes. But it seems that we have forgotten it, and are only asking what our country or our government can do for us.

During this past election cycle, I got in a conversation with someone who was planning on voting for Obama and basically an entire Democrat and/or liberal ticket. She asked me why I was going to vote Republican, because “what have the Republicans ever given you?” I’ve thought about that question a lot in the past several months, and found it to give insight into the reason why government is so big, why they take so much from us in taxes, and why they are elected into office again and again, despite their massive failures. [Massive failures? Yes! Pres. Johnson declared “War on Poverty” in the 60s, and it’s only gotten worse. Yet we continue to throw good money after bad, in the apparent insane hopes that maybe this time history won’t repeat itself. And that’s just one example.]

This woman didn’t realize it, but she was selling her vote to the highest bidder — to whomever was able to convince her that s/he was going to give her the most. In one way, that’s not too different from what everyone does — everyone votes for the person that s/he thinks is the best. The difference comes in the way someone determines who will be the best candidate for the job. It’s an easy thing to vote for someone who promises you to “give” you what you want (even if, like so many campaign promises, the promise is forgotten the day after the election). It’s much harder — requires more discipline, more maturity, more circumspection, more thought — to vote for someone who does not promise you the moon.

But it is important to remember, that “the government” cannot give unless it first takes. They take our money in the form of taxes, then they take a percentage of our money off the top for bureaucracy, then they give us back a smaller portion of our money in the form of “benefits” and services. Some taxation is necessary, and some benefits and services are needful; but it’s time to say enough already!!!

We have to step up and let our voice be heard. A reader named Craig sent the link to this news story about various Representatives and Senators going apoplectic about proposed budget cuts, because the cuts were going to affect their districts. One of the items was a Presidential helicopter that Obama says is not necessary. Although $800,000,000 is a drop in the bucket, compared to the monstrosity of the “stimulus” package, it is still eight hundred million dollars of your money and my money that will be spent unnecessarily unless it is ultimately cut. And it will be spent because people voted, not for what they could do for their country, but what their country could do for them. Unfortunately, that comes at a very steep price, because as I said before, the government cannot give anything that it does not first take away.

 

Ripley, MS, TEA Party

Earlier, Chuck gave his perspective on the TEA Party he helped organize [in seven days] in Ripley, Mississippi. Here is the video of the rally, with speaker Les Riley.

 

A Call to Conservatives

The government has gotten too much control away from the people — we are fast becoming an oligarchy and we don’t even know it. When they speak of right-wing groups being dangerous because we want states’ rights, they may be correct. But it is not because we are wrong, but because we are right. The only thing that has kept the federal government at bay this long is that our states were more independent. Now, our states’ rights are being eroded on a daily basis, and no one seems to be noticing or caring — and the people who do care are now being labeled dangerous conspirators. We are not dangerous to the government created and restrained by the Constitution, but rather to the government that has thrown off the restraints of the Constitution, which serve to keep us a free people — free not from outside enemies, but from inside enemies, and from the government itself.

We have forgotten the famous (and truthful) quotes of past leaders — “That government is best which governs least”; “America is great because she is good. When America ceases to be good, she will cease to be great”; “Power corrupts; and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” We are fast heading towards a government with absolute power, and it is guaranteed to be absolutely corrupt. May God have mercy on this country.

 

Exit Stage Right

My day at the Indy TEA Party started the day before, gathering up medical supplies and equipment. I am a proud and uniformed Defender of Liberty; when I saw that Lori was looking for medical team members, I stepped up as we all have. Every one of us has different skills and talents, that’s why we work so well together. The Muncie 9.12 members traveled down to the TEA Party with Grant County Tea Party members on a bus, looking forward to an amazing event that exceeded all expectations! When we got to Indy around 2:30 PM, folks were already gathering. The medical area was set up and ready, thanks to Lori and the other med team members. We were prepared, so we got acquainted and mingled around. Being right of stage meant that we could not see the stage and speakers, but we could hear very well. We also had a great vantage point for the crowd, the sidewalk, and newcomers. Shortly before the program began, did you all notice the street lined with people holding signs? Did you hear the constant barrage of car horns responding with encouragement? These were sights and sounds I will not forget!

I was thrilled to hear Wes address the crowd. He is an RN and fellow medical team member, a friend, and a staunch defender of Liberty. Ask him about some of his adventures if you have the opportunity. He is the future of our country and we are in good hands! I was also inspired to hear the young woman from Ireland. To borrow a line from Ollie North: “Hers is a story that deserves to be told.” We rarely hear the good things, the uplifting things, the things that strengthen us as the fabric of America. Indy TEA Party was a wonderful exception — thanks Richard and Laura.
Right of stage was colder than…never mind — a little chilly on that cool and cloudy day. There was a cold wind blowing in from the north and straight around the corner of the building. Every time I got chilled to the bone, I stepped away and walked into the crowd. There is strength and warmth in our numbers, folks! I saw wonderful signs, spoke with friendly and concerned citizens, noticed many families of all varieties and ages. We came together as members of a common cause — known by name. We parted as friends and fellow Defenders of Liberty. We will stand together and see this through! The Indy TEA Party was just the beginning.

Dot

 

A volunteer gives it to us straight… no handouts needed

My name is Steven; I am 25 yrs. old with a family. I rent an apartment, I paid cash for all my cars, and I have never asked the government for anything except for safety in my neighborhood — and really I pay for that along with every other tax paying citizen. The reason I attended the Tea Party Was to let the Government know that I am pissed because I have to bail out the people who irresponsibly took out loans they could not afford, I am paying for the people who gave them the loans to go on expensive vacations and buy them flashy cars. Again I am PISSED OFF and I will not rest until the American people are in control of this government not the other way around. My 20 month old son could run things better than the idiots in Washington. The Tea Party is only the beginning. We need to keep pushing with different issues. We organized this — we can do anything!

My experience at the Tea Party was great — I worked Security and didn’t have any problems. To see all those people gather without incident was truly moving and gave me inspiration to show Washington we are not going to keep quiet any longer.

Steven N

 

Connection

Hi Jeff and readers…

I have been thinking about Jeff’s request for everyone to share their Tea Party thoughts, and I have found myself at a loss of words (which those of you who know me, know this is very rare)! So, after allowing the event a few days to soak in, I’ve decided to attempt writing about it. My view is unlike the others that have been posted so far, primarily because I have been intimately involved with the Tea Party process and planning from the beginning. My journey started with me showing up late (what’s new) to a meeting Laura and Richard hosted when they decided to start planning the Indy Tea Party, and it has grown to be one of my life’s most meaningful experiences.

This may come as a complete shock to those of you who have worked with me on this project (if it doesn’t, just pretend for my sake), but I felt COMPLETELY unequipped for my mission and had no idea what I was doing much of the time. I volunteered to lead the Sign Committee because I thought it was something I could do with my children if I needed to have them with me; I later learned this was not the case because a large number of Sharpies working at the same time can cause quite a buzz (ask anyone at the sign making parties)!

After our first meeting I felt like I had failed the group because it didn’t seem as though much was accomplished. It wasn’t until our first sign making party, when we had 30+ volunteers show up to help make signs that I realized we were on the right track. People worked feverishly, but more importantly, they connected. That’s when the light bulb came on for me…we are not putting on a protest, we are giving people a way to connect and engage in solving the problems of our country! From that point on, I didn’t care what I had to give-up for this moment in time; I was dedicated to the event and to getting people together to make signs because I knew if they got together they would get energized to take action.

I was latter asked to be the “Stage Coordinator” (aka: bossy lady up front) and again was totally clueless until the day of the event. I knew it had something to do with the “ENOUGH” letters, making the stage area look good for viewers, and keeping people off Laura and Richard. I did not know it would entail re-arranging the band for national TV viewing purposes after they had already set everything up (thanks again, guys…I still owe you donuts), locating seemingly lost speakers 5 minutes before show time, or arguing with the “handler” of a strange man in a chicken suit supposedly hiding from the law…yeah, weird. Anyway, the audience members that sat on the stairs were fantastic helpers and such good sports! You deserve a round- of- applause for sitting there so politely for such a long time without complaint, and working with me willingly as I replaced some of your signs and put huge letters in front of your faces. THANK YOU!
I have learned a lot, gained a ton of experience, and had some well-earned mistakes, but more than anything, I feel as though I have grown as a person. I have had the greatest privilege to become intimate friends with the Behneys; I have been fed enlightenment by the man and legend, Dr. Bob Basso himself; and have grown to love my fellow committee members as part of my family. Seeing the crowds show-up for me was of secondary thought on Wednesday, my first priority was seeing all the efforts of the people I care for come to fruition in the most complete way possible, I am so proud of you guys!

All of my involvement and ability to make a difference with this amazing group would not have been possible without the unwavering support of my beloved husband, Pat, who has knowingly sacrificed his time, attention, and efforts to ensure I could stay connected where my skills were needed most. I want to publically thank all of the spouses and family members who have sacrificed time with their loved ones to allow them an opportunity to work with the organizers; you are a critical part of the team!

Like others have already stated, Wednesday was just the beginning! I do not know where this journey is going to lead all of us, but I am certain of this, my family and I pledge our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor to the cause of Freedom. May God be merciful on us all!

Your fellow American,
Kristine C
For “What’s Next” watch http://www.Justin.tv/icaucus or visit http://www.ICaucus.org