Tea Party Patriots

12 Days of Solutions - Downsizing Government

December 13, 2012

Right now, Washington is discussing how many billions of your hard-earned incomes don’t belong to you. Rather than cut spending, your elected officials want to increase your taxes.

When it comes to balancing the budget, hard choices must be made across the entire federal government’s budget. Downsizinggovernment.org, a project of the libertarian think tank, has outlined ways to cut well over 10% of the federal budget through devolving of the federal government’s powers back to the states and elimination of certain federal spending. These include reforms to subsidies, the Defense Department, Transportation, and many other agencies and spending.

Unfortunately, it seems that Republicans and Democrats alike are okay with taking your money to make up for their corruption and errors with the federal budget. We urge you to call your Member of Congress and tell him or her to instead consider Cato’s great work, and begin returning federal spending to that to which it is limited in the Constitution.

Go to http://www.teapartypatriots.org for more information.

Balanced Budget Amendment fails in House

The House rejected a Balanced Budget Amendment today. According to Politico:

The House voted 261-165 on Friday to reject a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. The vote fell short of the two-thirds majority needed. The House last voted on a balanced budget amendment in 1995, which passed with a 300-132 vote.


Read more at NetRightDaily.com: http://netrightdaily.com/2011/11/balanced-budget-amendment-fails-in-house/#ixzz1e5g5TbBT

FREEDOM WORKS: Washington Can't Ignore the Tea Party

November 17, 2011

As you know, the Senate has failed to pass a budget resolution for three years running. Now they won't even let the American people do the job for them.


This afternoon, 200 FreedomWorks members and representatives from tea party groups across the country met in the Russell Senate Office building to formally present our plan to balance the federal budget and cut $9.7 trillion in spending over the next 10 years. Unfortunately, it seems like the only thing Washington wants to hear is excuses.

The Democrats who run the Senate Rules Committee were so afraid of the tea party plan to balance the federal budget that they ordered committee staff to remove the microphones we had set up for the event while Capitol Police blocked the doors of our hearing room, which had been reserved by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) specifically for this event more than two weeks ago. At the same time, a "suspicious package" was reported in the room next door and all visitors and staff were barred from the area.

Click below to watch footage of what happened next.

CCTA FEDERAL Watchdog Report- November 15, 2011

Lynn Childs—Federal Watchdog Report/Tea Party Report

Coastal Carolina Taxpayer Association
November 15, 2011

Beaufort Observer: Walter Jones votes "no" of Vets' job bill. One of only 6 no votes. Palombo blasts Jones' vote-- November 14, 2011
The Committee released this video: http://www.beaufortobserver.net/Articles-NEWS-and-COMMENTARY-c-2011-11-14-256985.112112-Walter-Jones-votes-no-of-Vets-job-bill-One-of-only-6-no-votes-brPalombo-blasts-Jones-vote.html

Rep. Walter Jones, of North Carolina's Third Congressional District vote against H. R. 2433. Jones was one of only six representatives to vote "no."
On November 10 the Senate passed the VOW Act. to review the key provision of the VOW Act. Frank Palombo, Jones' opponent in the May Republican Primary, said:  "It is inexcusable that Jones opposed the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act," said Palombo after his interview. "Veterans in eastern North Carolina deserve a Congressman who leads for their benefit," continued Palombo. "Instead we have Jones, who after 16 years in Washington, isn't influential enough to work on this very important bill for his constituents."

"After serving two tours in the Air Force and then building relationships with wonderful veterans while serving in law enforcement, I will be the strongest advocate in Congress for our military heroes and their families. Jones' vote against the VOW Act is another example of how his votes are harming eastern North Carolinians. After 16 years in Congress, Jones has lost touch with the citizens of eastern North Carolina."

RESPONSE FROM WALTER JONES OFFICE—Glen Downs, Chief of Staff:
First of all, “The Beaufort Observer” actually hosted Frank Palombo’s campaign website when he first launched his campaign. We most definitely consider alternative media to be legitimate news sources. But the Beaufort Observer is something else altogether – they are advocating for a candidate.

If he was a real news source, he most likely would have gone and checked our news release from October 13 (see link below), “JONES VOTES AGAINST $1.6 BILLION IN MORTGAGE FEES FOR VETERANS”, and learned his rationale. http://jones.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=268954

“This bill would force veteran homeowners to pay billions more in mortgage fees and then use that money to help other veterans find work,” said Congressman Jones. “Picking the pockets of some veterans in order to help out other veterans is a false choice, and this Congress can do better. To pay for these new work incentives, we should have cut funding for Obamacare, or foreign aid, or any number of other wasteful Washington spending programs, not take money from other veterans. “

Anyway, thanks for checking in to get the facts! Please share the word with other leaders that we are always happy to talk to Tea Party, Liberty, and Tax Payer leaders directly. They can express opinions or concerns, or ask questions, directly with us – no filters!!


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WEBSITE: HOLD THEIR FEET OT THE FIRE-- Feet to the Fire was created to be a one-stop-shop for conservatives seeking a clear view of what our members of Congress actually do, as opposed to what they say. To accomplish this, the site presents a clear and concise ranking showing which representatives adhere to the core values of the Tea Party movement. All bills, amendments, and votes from this session of Congress are easily accessible and are updated regularly throughout the day. Further, the site includes tens of thousands of frequently updated news stories related to members of Congress and to specific pieces of legislation. All of these items are easily searchable.
http://feettothefire.org/

SUPER COMMITTEE UPDATE:
The Hill: GOP wobbles on no-new-taxes vow-- Republicans are beginning to wobble from their categorical opposition to raising taxes, opening the possibility of a deficit-reduction deal by the beginning of next week.

Ten days until the supercommittee’s absolute deadline (counting today) ... six days until the CBO needs to know what it’s scoring if there’s going to be a deal ... and still no glimmer of a bipartisan bargain remotely in sight no matter what co-Chairman Jeb Hensarling says. In fact, Clyburn says his fellow Democrats on the panel are getting more and more itchy to get off the same page, and the Republicans in the group are getting ready for a fusillade of criticism from the rank and file — especially House members returning from a week back home — for their offer to raise $250 billion in new revenue (without actually raising tax rates), which would get one-fifth the way toward the panel’s $1.2 trillion minimum target.

The boomlet today is for the idea that the deal would do nothing more than set reconciliation instructions for a net-revenue-rasing tax overhaul (size not yet determined) to be written next year — and with the same up-or-down-vote/no-filibuster process that’s supposed to help the supercommittee now. It’s the last plausible escape hatch left for the supercommittee to wriggle through, especially because the lawmakers can say their move would be more than kicking the can down the road — it would be facing the reality that rewriting the tax code in a few days would be nearly impossible, because of the prospect that a single misplaced comma could mess things up seriously down the road.

The talk of dismantling the punishment trigger — the across-the-board sequester cutting both military and civilian programs in the absence of a deal — is getting louder again today, mainly because Obama over the weekend made clear that he opposes the idea but pointedly did not use the word “veto” in discussing how he would react to a bill that would disarm the trigger.

2nd Amendment Alert: H.R. 822 is scheduled for a floor vote today!
H.R. 822 is scheduled for a floor vote today, and it is imperative that you call Rep. G. K. Butterfield at (202) 225-3101 and let them know that the federal government has no business messing around with your concealed carry permit.

As you know, I’ve been vocal about my opposition to H.R. 822. I’m worried it will open the door to MASSIVE federal overreach and intrusion into the concealed weapons permit process.

The LAST people we want involved in setting concealed weapons policy are the federal government.

In fact, one of my biggest concerns about concealed carry permits -- the lists of gun owners a permit process creates -- should send shivers down your spine: Imagine Eric Holder and the BATFE with a national database of concealed carry permit holders.

It’s bad enough to have those lists exist at a state level. Once Eric Holder and his cronies find a way to request that list from a state, they’ll do it -- all the in the name of “implementing H.R. 822.” See post on our blogspot!

SUPREME COURT AGREES TO HEAR OBAMACARE LAWSUIT IN MARCH 2011! The Supreme Court said Monday it will hear arguments next March over President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul – Focused on the heart of the 2010 law, a requirement that individuals buy medical insurance starting in 2014 or pay a penalty--a case that could shake the political landscape just as voters are about to decide if Obama deserves another term.

The decision to hear arguments in the spring allows plenty of time for a decision in late June, just over four months before Election Day. This sets up an election-year showdown over the White House’s main domestic policy achievement.

The justices announced they will hear more than five hours of arguments, an extraordinarily long session, from lawyers on the constitutionality of a provision at the heart of the law. The provision in question is the requirement that individuals buy health insurance starting in 2014 or pay a penalty, and other related questions about the act.


CAUTION: ELENA KAGEN still refused to recuse herself—while uber-liberal left and lamestream media try to discredit Clarence Thomas because his wife is Tea Party Supporter—so, if you disagree with Obamacare you can’t hear the case

TEA PARTY PATRIOTS ALERT: Deal in the District--ALERT--November 17, 2011, 12pm-1:00 Local Time -- URGENT! This Thursday, thousands of Tea Party Patriots from across the nation will visit their Representatives’ local offices to tell them…


No more gimmicks. No more lies. Make REAL CUTS and prioritize. Note: Please visit the office at any time on Thursday if you can’t go at noon.  More information on our blogspot: http://cctaxpayers.blogspot.com/2011/11/tea-party-patriots-alert-deal-in.html

TEA PARTY WIN: My inspirational friend Helen in Cary, has been working the phone on the Occupy Wall Street Movement (and helped kick start the eviction in NYC). The plan is we tea partiers would like to camp out and live rent and tax free on government lands and has a tax free organizations set up to help feed and provide us. And while we are at we can cure the homeless problem and move all the homeless to the cities!  See The Blaze and our blog for more information on the OWS efforts!


ANNOUNCEMENTS
Our regular website is http://cctaxpayers.com/
Be sure and read today’s on CCTA Blogspot at http://cctaxpayers .com
And read Lynn’s Daily’s News Digest at http://cctaxpayers.blogspot.com/p/lynns.html

Respectfully,
Lynn Childs
Federal Watchdog and Tea Party Chairman

CCTA Issues and Watchdog Report- November 15, 2011

16 NOVEMBER 2011

ISSUES WE ARE WATCHING AND WANT TO ADDRESS

LOCAL

Craven County Board of Commissioners:

Regular Meetings: The Board of Commissioners holds regular meetings on the first and third Monday of each month. If a regular meeting day is a holiday on which County offices are closed, the meeting is held on the next business day or such succeeding day as may be specified. Regular meetings are held in the Craven County Commissioners Meeting Room at the Craven County Administration Building, New Bern, North Carolina. The meeting held on the first Monday convenes at 7:00 p.m. and allows the citizens to petition. The meeting held on the third Monday convenes at 8:30 a.m. and does not allow public comment.

Meeting November 7, 2011

Tax Releases and Refunds. Over $18,000 was refunded to citizens at this meeting. Close to $200,000 to date.

Sheriff Matters- Commissioner Jeff Taylor and a citizen named Susan Piller continued to press the Sheriff about allegations of poor training and fiscal control over the Sheriff's Office.

Present use Property Assessments & Voluntary Agricultural Districts. Tyker Gonzales attended a meeting the State conducted in New Bern for assessors and county employees from all over the State. She was told there that she is the only citizen other than government employees and contractors who has ever attended one of these meetings. She says she learned a lot. She can't be here tonight but will report her findings to us at a future meeting. The county Commissioners will consider adopting an ordinance to require a minimum of 10 acres to be eligible for a farm to be included in the Voluntary Agricultural District.

Voter ID Resolution-Legislative Request . We need you to call your Commissioner. Commissioner Dacey does not have the full support on this from fellow Commissioners that you would expect him to.

Convention Center- $150,000 for carpet. The Finance Officer says it came from the settlement with the builder, but I remember that legal fees took all of that settlement but $125,000. How did they get $150,000 out of $125,000?

DSS Crisis Intervention Program- Another $388,779 of tax money was thrown at this program. No Local or state tax money- ALL FEDERAL-That's ok with the Board.

Conduit Issuers of Tax Exempt Debt- A presentation on this subject on the agenda was skipped over. It may be "Tax Exempt" for the holder of these bonds, but I bet it is not "tax exempt" for the Taxpayer!

Craven County Board of Elections
No meeting schedule on their website. No minutes posted since Nov 2007.

Craven County Board of Education-The Board of Education holds two regularly scheduled meetings each month and special called meetings as needed. All meetings are open to the public. The Board Work Sessions are usually held at 8:30 a.m. the Tuesday prior to the Board of Education Meeting which is held at 6:00 p.m. the third Thursday of each month. The Work Session is an interactive meeting in which board members and staff discuss the current business and agree on proposals to be made at the official board meeting. Citizens interested in the details of the work of the school system are encouraged to attend this meeting.

The official Board of Education meeting is held at 6:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. At that meeting there is a Public Participation section for citizen input, an Education Spotlight recognition section and a section for approval of discussed items. Meetings are held in the Board Room of the Administrative Building, 3600 Trent Road, New Bern, unless otherwise announced.

We will continue to explore the quality of education and the accurate portrayal of American history and the values of our nation's founders and adherence to the US Constitution related to instruction and books used in the curriculum.

We are also interested in the process of hiring a new Superintendent of Schools and what values he or she holds relative to the values we espouse for our children.

Havelock Board of Commissioners
Next Meeting 28 Nov 11. All regularly scheduled meetings of the Havelock Board of Commissioners are held in the City Hall Auditorium, 1 Governmental Avenue, Havelock, NC and begin at 7:00 p.m.

We found that the Havelock Board of Commissioners abuse the "Consent Agenda" the same way the Craven County Board of Commissioners did before the present Board came into office.

Concealed Carry- On 28 Nov 11 the Havelock Board of Commissioners will consider an ordinance of prohibit the carrying of concealed weapons in their parks when the State removes the prohibition state wide on 1 Dec 11. WE NEED TO PACK THEIR MEETING ROOM THAT NIGHT!

The Commissioners are angry with NC DOT about the median splitting highway 70.

They did vote down several proposals to recklessly spend taxpayer money. Most will probably come up again. These are big-ticket items coming to more than a half million dollars.

New Bern Board of AldermenWe had a big flap with the Board of Alderman on their move to restrict the Constitutional right to petition the government for redress of grievances. The Mayor helped resolve the issue somewhat with us by agreeing that if we requested to be on the agenda we could have more time that the 4 minutes allowed to petition at the beginning of a meeting.

We also have some concerns with the "Advance Metering Infrastructure/Demand System."  It seems ok as it is being conducted on a volunteer basis but they obviously have the ability to make it mandatory and thereby regulate how much energy a customer is allowed.

REGIONAL ISSUES

Global Transpark- A colossal failure. Now actually less than 400 new jobs. Sold as providing 55,000.

Economic Development Commission- 100 Industrial Drive, New Bern, NC 28562--I couldn't find a meeting schedule.  Phone: (252) 633-5300, Fax: (252) 633-3253, Jim Davis' Cell: (252) 670-0033,
Email: edc@yescraven.com

Watch out for the Industrial Facilities and Pollution Control Financing Authority. Another way to get into a money spending situation for the taxpayer.

Military Growth Task Force (MGTF)- I Couldn't find a regular scheduled meeting open to the public.
Military Growth Task Force, 656 W. Corbett Avenue P.O. Box 814, Swansboro, North Carolina 28584, Phone: 910-325-8112, Fax: 910-325-8114.  Salaries way too high and very unproductive.

East Carolina Council-Down East Rural Planning Organization ~ Board Meetings:  January 24, 2012; March 27, 2012; May 22, 2012; July 24, 2012; September 25, 2012; November 27, 2012--9:30 a.m., OMarks Building, 233 Middle Street, Second Floor Conference Room, New Bern, NC.  In big trouble without producing much. I'll be surprised if other scandals don't break on this one. Not fulfilling it's mission and the Treasurer left and the Chairman replaced.

Coastal Community Action
"We will persevere as the voice and the catalyst of empowerment and opportunity for those who cannot succeed on their own."

Carteret Community Action, Inc. was established in 1965 as a private corporation with a public mission.
There are 15 Board positions available on the CCA Board. One third of the membership is composed of public officials or their representatives, one-third is composed of representatives of the poor, and the remainder represent business, industry, labor, religion, welfare, or other private groups and interests. One member of the Board of Directors represents the Head Start Policy Council. Directors may succeed themselves for a period not to exceed six year.  Huge numbers of taxpayer dollars for health agencies.

STATE ISSUES

Voter ID- Governor Purdue vetoed. Will be hard to override, but there is a plan in place called the Local Bill Option.

Norman Sanderson's Promises Made-Promises Kept! Rep. Sanderson attended our November 15th meeting and gave us and update on the NCGA special sessions and what is happening at the state level.
Who Are These People?

State Superintendent of Schools- June Atkinson
Attorney General- Roy A. Cooper
Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshall-Wayne Goodwin

National Concerns- Lynn Childs (Lynn's report has also been posted on this blog!)

• Supreme Court to hear Constitutionality of Obama Care
• Super Committee
• Job Bill for Veterans
• 2nd Amendment Alert
• EPA Strangling Business

Immigration- Mary Delaney

Popular Vote Initiative
HUD
Department of Energy
Department of Education

INVESTIGATIVE TOOLS

Attendance at Governmental Meetings (as many as possible)
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and FOIA Letter Generator
Attorney General's Office
State Superintendent of Schools
Follow-the-money Website
FBI Files (the moment a person dies)
CCTA's Website
Facebook
Constant Contact
Letters to the Editor(s)
Guidestar.org Search for Non-profits formed by Governmental Agencies)
Liaison with other Tea Party Type Groups

Why the "Balanced Budget Amendment" is a Hoax and a Deadly Trap

By Publius Huldah


You can not responsibly support a proposed Amendment to Our Constitution unless you have read and understand the proposal and how it would change our Constitution. You must look behind the nice sounding name! Will the Balanced Budget Amendment (BBA) really "reign in" the federal government? Will it really "show them" that they have to balance their budget the same as we do?


Or does it actually legalize spending which is now unconstitutional? Is it actually a massive grant of new constitutional powers to the President and the federal courts - a grant which will cut the Heart out of The Constitution our Framers gave us?

Amending the Constitution is serious business - and you are morally bound to get informed before you jump on The Amendment Bandwagon.

So, lay aside your giddy joy at the fact that all 47 U.S. Senate Republicans are co-sponsoring the Balanced Budget Amendment, Senate Joint Resolution 10 (March 31, 2011). Let's go through it. What you believe the BBA will do, and what it will actually do, are two very different things indeed.

READ THE ARTICLE:  http://www.teapartynation.com/forum/topic/show?id=3355873%3ATopic%3A1095036&xgs=1&xg_source=msg_share_topic

RSC Chairman Jordan Calls for “Cut, Cap, and Balance” Approach as U.S. Hits Debt Ceiling

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


5.16.2011

RSC Chairman Jordan Calls for “Cut, Cap, and Balance” Approach as U.S. Hits Debt Ceiling Rebuts Liberal Rhetoric on Debt Ceiling and Default

Republican Study Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan issued the following statement as the federal government hit its legal debt ceiling of $14.294 trillion today:

“Five years ago, when the national debt was $8.2 trillion, then-Senator Obama said raising the debt limit was a ‘sign of leadership failure.’ Today, with the debt nearly 75% higher and trillion-dollar deficits as far as the eye can see, the Obama administration now says it is irresponsible not to raise the debt ceiling.”

“Let’s get one thing straight. Spending trillions more than you take in, that’s irresponsible. Bankrupting your children’s future to avoid today’s tough decisions, that’s failed leadership.”

“Keeping the debt ceiling at its current level would force Congress to prioritize spending, but it would not force a default on our debt. The only thing forcing a default would be Treasury Secretary Geithner allowing such a catastrophe to take place."

“Conservatives are currently building support behind a ‘Cut, Cap, and Balance’ approach to reduce spending. This plan would cut the deficit in half next year, cap spending at average revenue levels, and send to the states a strong Balanced Budget Amendment. A ‘Cut, Cap, and Balance’ solution will give job creators and the markets a strong message that the Washington is finally getting its fiscal house in order."

“Washington can either cut spending to balance the budget or continue to kick the can down the road. If we don’t choose spending cuts today, the bond markets will eventually and painfully make the choice for us. One way or another, the buck stops here.”

NOTE: The “Cut, Cap, and Balance” plan being advanced by RSC Chairman Jordan and other conservative leaders would:

•Cut – Cut the federal deficit in half from this year to next.
•Cap – Cap total federal spending at the historical average for revenue intake, 18% of GDP.
•Balance – Permanently change the game on spending by sending to the states a Balanced Budget Amendment with strong protections against tax hikes and a spending limitation at 18% of GDP.

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Congressman Jim Jordan is Chairman of the Republican Study Committee (RSC).

http://rsc.jordan.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=241665