Voted for Change?

Let's see how we are doing this week. We will visit these figures on a regular basis.

The Rasmussen Reports is an independent electronic publishing firm that specializes in public opinion polling. Here are some current results on some main issues:

Presidential Tracking Poll

   30% Strongly Approve
   37% Strongly Disapprove

Right Direction?
Thirty-four percent (34%) of likely voters believe the United States is moving in the right direction, down four points from a week ago and the lowest result found since early March.

Trust on Issues
Voters now trust Republicans more than Democrats on eight out of 10 key electoral issues, including, for the second straight month, the top issue of the economy.

Obama Healthcare

   50% Favor it
   45% Oppose it

State Budget Bailouts
Sixty-two percent (62%) of Americans now oppose federal government bailouts for states like California that are experiencing major budget problems.

Campaign Donations
Should the government regulate how much money individuals can give to political campaigns?

   YES - 56%

     NO - 25%

     NOT SURE - 19% 

Cash for Clunkers
Congress now has sent its “Cash for Clunkers” bill to President Obama to sign into law, but most Americans oppose the plan to encourage people to trade in old cars for new, more fuel-efficient models. Few adults plan to take advantage of the program at this time.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 54% oppose the “Cash for Clunkers” proposal. Thirty-five percent (35%) favor the plan, and 12% are undecided.

So what do you think? Are these the RIGHT changes? Are we headed in the RIGHT direction?

The Tea Bag as a Symbol

The Boston Tea Party of December 16, 1773 was protest by Boston colonists against the British Crown government.

A group of sixty colonists boarded three British ships in Boston Harbor containing cargoes of tea. The tea carried a tax that the colonists refused to pay. Sam Adams devised a plan to dress as Mohawk Indians, board the ships, break open all 342 chests of tea and throw them overboard.

The Tea Party was an act of defiance by the colonists in refusal to pay the taxes. It was a culmination of the frustration they felt because they had no representation in government who passed laws against them.

Today's Tea Parties similarly are demonstrations by citizens who feel lack of representation in Washington. They feel the government is out of control passing laws, breaking records in deficit spending, approving takeovers of banks, insurance companies, automobile manufacturing, and giving bailouts.

The Boston Tea Party was a defining moment in the growth of America. Hopefully, today's Tea Parties will do the same thing. Use the tea bag as a symbol to reflect the same thoughts and ideas that the colonists had.

It symbolizes sovereignty, unity, liberty, integrity, and courage. It promotes hope and determination to change present day government. People display this symbol to indicate they are committed to this effort and to help make others become aware they need to become involved.

Wear it in pride...

Global Warming and How It Directly Affects You

Global Warming is a theory that the earth's average temperature is increasing because of man-made pollution. It is theorized that increasing global temperatures will cause sea levels to rise and will result in vast climactic changes like glaciers melting, rain forests shrinking, species extinctions, and changes on agricultural yields.

Another theory was widely held in the 70's. Back then, it was believed that the earth was cooling and that we were headed for a new Ice Age! So much for that idea!

Note: Global Warming is presently still just a theory. Scientists around the world do not agree that this is happening as outlined by the United Nations and the Kyoto Protocol scientists. An opposing group of eminent scientists strongly believe that the sun is the underlying cause for our climate fluctuations and not humans. (Incidentally, President Bill Clinton signed the Kyoto Protocol during his administration. However, Congress never ratified it. Ironically, China and India to this day, refuse to sign this treaty. They say that it will cost too much to abide by it).

But our government has accepted the Global Warming theory without conclusive proof. Currently they want to pass massive legislation to help stop Global Warming that will have serious consequences to all Americans. This legislation is the Cap and Trade bill. Unfortunately, there has never been any meaningful discussion on the pros and cons regarding this subject. In fact, our government has closed the door to any discussions and automatically assumed that Global Warming is reality!!

Regrettably, our own Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) just suppressed a comprehensive report that contradicts the "accepted" theory, making the passage of the Cap and Trade bill more difficult, if published. Ironic that it DOES NOT support the theory HUH? We should demand that Congress investigate the reasons that this report was squelched, as well as, publishing the uncensored findings to the public.

Politicians like Al Gore are seriously interested in promoting Global Warming because he has made financial investments in companies that deal in selling and trading carbon credits - so called "green companies." Isn't this a conflict of interest? Shouldn't we be skeptical when we know this is happening? Who should we believe?

Cap and Trade and You

This is new legislation that just passed in the House of Representatives and is now being considered in the Senate.

The American Clean Energy and Security Act (HR 2454) is a complex bill that contains provisions for reducing green house emissions to help stop global warming. It "supports" climate change and clean energy legislation. The bill does this by placing caps (limits) on the amount of some industrial pollution. Some industries will be permitted to exceed the specified limits by buying permits for the additional pollution generated. These costs are passed along to consumers.

How Does This Affect Me?
In Section 304, called the "Building Energy Performance Labeling Program", it says that your house belongs to the state. The government wants a country of energy efficient homes - including yours! This bill mandates that new homes be 30% more efficient than the current building code. This efficiency rating goes to 50% by 2014 and higher after that to 2030. So you don't have a new home?

You're not off the hook! The law requires states to "label" all their buildings (including homes) so they know their respective efficiency ratings. All Buildings!!! The state becomes empowered to inspect your home for one of these reasons:

• You want to sell it.
• You want to renovate it.
• You want to change the name of the person responsible for the utilities.

During the middle of the worst recession since the Great Depression, does it make sense to increase all consumer energy costs? Why expand government powers to regulate homes? Opponents to the legislation say that it will cost the average person several thousand dollars a year. Electricity costs will double, gasoline will increase by $1.00 per gallon, and on and on... THIS IS JUST A THEORY!!!

Stop the insanity. Tell your Senators to vote a resounding "NO" on Cap and Trade.

Who Attends a Tea Party?

Everybody! Men, women, kids, and even pets. Here is the crowd that attended the first Tea Party in the town of Hendersonville, NC.



We had approximately 350 to 400 individuals. Not bad for the first gathering. As you can see the folks came prepared to show their government dislikes.



This was Hendersonville's first Tea Party celebration. Although the local news channel was notified, they chose not to come and video tape the gathering. This seems to be a common thread running in the media. The only major network that ever mentions and shows Tea Parties is Fox News. Rarely when the media DOES report on these parties, they report attendance incorrectly. They seriously underestimate numbers. They don't want main stream America to learn that 30,000 to 35,000 demonstrated in just one town in Texas! Or that there is an increasing number of Americans who are becoming unfond of Washington politicians and are not afraid to show it.

It is not clear if anyone knows exactly how many people participated in Tea Parties on the 4th. However, you should be aware that the number of participants is increasing each time these events are schedule. This shows a growing awareness and concern by fellow Americans that our government is NOT listening and that they are out of control!

What Are Tea Parties and Why Are They Important?

A Tea Party is a group of people from all backgrounds and all political parties (or with no party affiliations) who are unhappy with the complete lack of representation in Washington.

They are composed of regular folks and NOT politicians. All have a common feeling or understanding about government. It's no longer working for us any more. However, we CARE about America and the direction it is headed.

This isn't just about the current administration, but also applies to the past ones as well. It always boils-down to the worst of two evils when it's time to vote. Why is this? Why can't we have better choices?

We feel ignored, and worse, talked-down to in a condescending way from those in office (either party). Government officials believe we (Americans) don't care about government or that we are too stupid to "understand" the "complexities" in the new laws. Consequently, they treat us like a 10 year old or like people who have a low IQ. How dare they think that!

We need to change this! And, we can - peacefully! How? We need to organize as a grass roots movement. That's why Tea Parties are becoming more and more popular and somewhat more visible throughout the country (no thanks to the media). There is a current interest growing in joining these Tea Parties.

The last thing politicians want is a large formal organized group to ask questions publically and demand straight answers for their behavior, bailout legislation, and extreme deficit spending (that they don't even read before passing)!

We know that the media will NOT ask any tough questions. A strong example of this occurred recently when ABC aired a one hour "infomercial" to help the President market and sell his expensive National Health Care program. There were no opposing views allowed to air.

That's pure government propaganda sponsored freely by the mass media. (Incidentally, when opposing views wanted to pay for commercial air time during the presentation, they were denied air time by ABC executives). This should make you feel uncomfortable, if not outraged!

Tea Parties help fill this gap and strive to get the "silent majority" active with a group that shares common interests. Think of a Tea Party as a lobbying group. United we stand. Divided, we get what we have - on out-of-control government.

Target Audience

This blog is written for common everyday people--not politicians. Just regular folks from any political party (or none). This includes: Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Libertarians, or any other party or group. (Listed in no particular order).

People who read this blog are not happy with our government. This includes taxes, the deficit, government spending, bailouts, government take-overs of banks, automobile companies, insurance companies, and the expanding powers of the Federal Reserve.

Anyone who cares about America and wants to help do something positive is the audience!

Purpose of This Blog

What It Is
This blog is a blog of personal opinion. It discusses political issues that affect our lives. It contains discussion and opinions on Federal legislation and the people writing it. It describes their objectives and goals.

Hopefully, it will contribute in a positive way to the grass root movement in the United States that (for the moment) remains nameless. It supports Tea Parties and the 912 Project movements and the ideas they promote for America.

What It Is Not
This blog is Not a tool for anarchy. It is Not an organized plan for violence. It does Not advocate an overthrow of the government. It is not a hate website. It does Not intentionally post content to upset people to promote anger or aggressive behavior. It is Not a political party. It is Not a Fascist or Progressive organization nor does it support Fascism or Progressivism in any way. This blog is Not a wing of ANY government.

Goals
To get you to consider joining a Tea Party or 912 Project group. To get people who care about America to become aware that they can make a difference as an individual. To provide information regarding legislation and say why it is important to you and how it affects your family and life.