Lansing Tea Party Sends a Message

It was a cold and blustery Friday, not ideal for a rally on the Capitol steps. Yet, over 250 people showed up on only four days notice, with their flags waving to show their true patriotism.

Patriots love their country; they love what their country stands for. In the case of the United States, that means life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

No country on earth enjoys the God-given liberty that this great nation does. When patriots see that liberty being eroded by a growing government bureaucracy that wants to drain more and more personal resources to feed its appetite, the patriots get concerned.When patriots see our nation sinking into debt by over $12 trillion, and annual deficits of $1.5 trillion, they become alarmed. And when they see the burgeoning ruling class start to take away their second amendment rights, their freedom to choose their own comforts with their own resources, their very livelihood, they get angry.

In a great show of respectful dissent, these 250 brave souls stood out in the cold to send a message, not only to Washington, but to Lansing as well: "stop taking away our liberties and our resources. Leave us alone to run our businesses and raise our families."

It was great to see this outpouring of passion and especially heartening to see the upbeat mood of the participants. That is another thing about patriots, they are optimists. They never give up hope.

Lansing Tea Party Sends a Message

It was a cold and blustery Friday, not ideal for a rally on the Capitol steps. Yet, over 250 people showed up on only four days notice, with their flags waving to show their true patriotism.

Patriots love their country; they love what their country stands for. In the case of the United States, that means life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

No country on earth enjoys the God-given liberty that this great nation does. When patriots see that liberty being eroded by a growing government bureaucracy that wants to drain more and more personal resources to feed its appetite, the patriots get concerned.When patriots see our nation sinking into debt by over $12 trillion, and annual deficits of $1.5 trillion, they become alarmed. And when they see the burgeoning ruling class start to take away their second amendment rights, their freedom to choose their own comforts with their own resources, their very livelihood, they get angry.

In a great show of respectful dissent, these 250 brave souls stood out in the cold to send a message, not only to Washington, but to Lansing as well: "stop taking away our liberties and our resources. Leave us alone to run our businesses and raise our families."

It was great to see this outpouring of passion and especially heartening to see the upbeat mood of the participants. That is another thing about patriots, they are optimists. They never give up hope.

Thomas Paine Didn't Really Say That...

In a previous posting, I included a quote that had been passed along to me, which was attributed to Thomas Paine: "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism." I have since discovered that he never said that. So, let me give you two other quotes that are very appropriate for all of you who are heading up to Lansing today.

"It does not take a majority to prevail ... but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men." — Samuel Adams

"Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never--in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense." - Winston Churchill

Thomas Paine Didn't Really Say That...

In a previous posting, I included a quote that had been passed along to me, which was attributed to Thomas Paine: "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism." I have since discovered that he never said that. So, let me give you two other quotes that are very appropriate for all of you who are heading up to Lansing today.

"It does not take a majority to prevail ... but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men." — Samuel Adams

"Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never--in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense." - Winston Churchill

State Mandated Common Sense (Lansing Sees the Light)

There was a time when individuals exercised enough personal responsibility and common sense that they did not need the government telling them what to do. Now, Michigan government is not only "telling," they are legislating! HB4217 mandates that all departments of government. "shall issue directives to require all buildings and facilities owned by this state to use high-efficiency lamps when replacing an existing lamp or installing a new lamp."

What would we do without the legislature watching over us! I guess the new phrase will have to be, "Will the last one out of Michigan please turn out the high-efficiency lights?"

State Mandated Common Sense (Lansing Sees the Light)

There was a time when individuals exercised enough personal responsibility and common sense that they did not need the government telling them what to do. Now, Michigan government is not only "telling," they are legislating! HB4217 mandates that all departments of government. "shall issue directives to require all buildings and facilities owned by this state to use high-efficiency lamps when replacing an existing lamp or installing a new lamp."

What would we do without the legislature watching over us! I guess the new phrase will have to be, "Will the last one out of Michigan please turn out the high-efficiency lights?"

House Poised to Move "Card Check" Resolution

A non-binding resolution has been introduced in the House calling on Congress to enact the "Employee Free Choice Act" (EFCA). That sounds like a good thing, but in fact the "Card Check" legislation, as it is also known, would deny the right of an employee to vote on a private ballot whether s/he would want a collective bargaining contract in his or her place of employment. Currently, private ballots are used to decide whether a shop is represented by a union.

House Resolution 10 was discharged from the Labor Committee, without a hearing in ncommittee, and sent directly to the House floor for a vote. It could be taken up any day. Incidentally, a resolution was also introduced in the Senate to oppose the Card Check legislation. Senate Resolution 16 passed the Senate on February 19, along party lines.

It would be unfortunate if the House sent a message to Congress that employees should be denied the right to decide whether they want union representation with a secret ballot. The EFCA would allow for intimidation to take place on the shop floor or even in the employee's home when the union rep. comes to visit. This bill is so radical that even that staunch pro-labor liberal, former US Senator George McGovern staunchly opposes it. You can learn more at EmployeeFreedom.org

House Poised to Move "Card Check" Resolution

A non-binding resolution has been introduced in the House calling on Congress to enact the "Employee Free Choice Act" (EFCA). That sounds like a good thing, but in fact the "Card Check" legislation, as it is also known, would deny the right of an employee to vote on a private ballot whether s/he would want a collective bargaining contract in his or her place of employment. Currently, private ballots are used to decide whether a shop is represented by a union.

House Resolution 10 was discharged from the Labor Committee, without a hearing in ncommittee, and sent directly to the House floor for a vote. It could be taken up any day. Incidentally, a resolution was also introduced in the Senate to oppose the Card Check legislation. Senate Resolution 16 passed the Senate on February 19, along party lines.

It would be unfortunate if the House sent a message to Congress that employees should be denied the right to decide whether they want union representation with a secret ballot. The EFCA would allow for intimidation to take place on the shop floor or even in the employee's home when the union rep. comes to visit. This bill is so radical that even that staunch pro-labor liberal, former US Senator George McGovern staunchly opposes it. You can learn more at EmployeeFreedom.org

Governor Bobby Jindal Hits a Home Run

Governor Jindal gave the Republican response to the President's Address to Congress tonight. It was a huge hit. Now, if we can just get Republicans in Congress to do as he recommends...

Excerpts...

To find work, my dad picked up the yellow pages and started calling local businesses. Even after landing a job, he could still not afford to pay for my delivery -- so he worked out an installment plan with the doctor. Fortunately for me, he never missed a payment.

As I grew up, my mom and dad taught me the values that attracted them to this country -- and they instilled in me an immigrant's wonder at the greatness of America. As a child, I remember going to the grocery store with my dad. Growing up in India, he had seen extreme poverty. And as we walked through the aisles, looking at the endless variety on the shelves, he would tell me: 'Bobby, Americans can do anything.'

I still believe that to this day. Americans can do anything. When we pull together, there is no challenge we cannot overcome.

To read the entire speech click here.

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Who among us would ask our children for a loan, so we could spend money we do not have, on things we do not need? That is precisely what the Democrats in Congress just did. It's irresponsible. And it's no way to strengthen our economy, create jobs or build a prosperous future for our children.

In Louisiana, we took a different approach. Since I became governor, we cut more than 250 earmarks from our state budget. And to create jobs for our citizens, we cut taxes six times -- including the largest income tax cut in the history of our state.

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In the end, it comes down to an honest and fundamental disagreement about the proper role of government. We oppose the National Democrats' view that says -- the way to strengthen our country is to increase dependence on government. We believe the way to strengthen our country is to restrain spending in Washington, and empower individuals and small businesses to grow our economy and create jobs.

In recent years, these distinctions in philosophy became less clear -- because our party got away from its principles. You elected Republicans to champion limited government, fiscal discipline, and personal responsibility. Instead, Republicans went along with earmarks and big government spending in Washington. Republicans lost your trust -- and rightly so.

Tonight, on behalf of our leaders in Congress and my fellow Republican governors, I say: Our party is determined to regain your trust. We will do so by standing up for the principles that we share -- the principles you elected us to fight for -- the principles that built this into the greatest, most prosperous country on earth.

Governor Bobby Jindal Hits a Home Run

Governor Jindal gave the Republican response to the President's Address to Congress tonight. It was a huge hit. Now, if we can just get Republicans in Congress to do as he recommends...

Excerpts...

To find work, my dad picked up the yellow pages and started calling local businesses. Even after landing a job, he could still not afford to pay for my delivery -- so he worked out an installment plan with the doctor. Fortunately for me, he never missed a payment.

As I grew up, my mom and dad taught me the values that attracted them to this country -- and they instilled in me an immigrant's wonder at the greatness of America. As a child, I remember going to the grocery store with my dad. Growing up in India, he had seen extreme poverty. And as we walked through the aisles, looking at the endless variety on the shelves, he would tell me: 'Bobby, Americans can do anything.'

I still believe that to this day. Americans can do anything. When we pull together, there is no challenge we cannot overcome.

To read the entire speech click here.

----------

Who among us would ask our children for a loan, so we could spend money we do not have, on things we do not need? That is precisely what the Democrats in Congress just did. It's irresponsible. And it's no way to strengthen our economy, create jobs or build a prosperous future for our children.

In Louisiana, we took a different approach. Since I became governor, we cut more than 250 earmarks from our state budget. And to create jobs for our citizens, we cut taxes six times -- including the largest income tax cut in the history of our state.

----------

In the end, it comes down to an honest and fundamental disagreement about the proper role of government. We oppose the National Democrats' view that says -- the way to strengthen our country is to increase dependence on government. We believe the way to strengthen our country is to restrain spending in Washington, and empower individuals and small businesses to grow our economy and create jobs.

In recent years, these distinctions in philosophy became less clear -- because our party got away from its principles. You elected Republicans to champion limited government, fiscal discipline, and personal responsibility. Instead, Republicans went along with earmarks and big government spending in Washington. Republicans lost your trust -- and rightly so.

Tonight, on behalf of our leaders in Congress and my fellow Republican governors, I say: Our party is determined to regain your trust. We will do so by standing up for the principles that we share -- the principles you elected us to fight for -- the principles that built this into the greatest, most prosperous country on earth.