Legislative Update and Newsletter

From Tea Party Patriots:  November 28, 2011

Federal Budget & Overspending


 Today is the 944h day since the Senate, under Harry Reid’s (D-NV) leadership, has passed a budget.
 Another credit rating agency, Fitch, has cut our outlook to “negative,” though they are keeping the actual rating at AAA for now.

Regulations, Jobs, & Growth

 ClimateGate II: 5,000 more emails leaked, showing global warming scientists fudging data and conspiring against skeptics.
 
Education


 Charter Schools and Choice: What’s All the Fuss About? By Debra England.
 America is falling further and further behind economically as a result of our failed government education monopoly. Competition through school choice can reform education. If you believe that Parental Choice = Freedom, then contact Bruce Gardner (bruce@teaforeducation.com ) or Beverly Elliott (beverly@teaforeducation.com ) or visit our website at http://www.teaforeducation.com to find out how you can help make transform education in America.
 Schedule film viewings (“Waiting for Superman”, “The Cartel”) to educate the public and your elected officials---use the Power of TEA to get comprehensive school choice legislation passed. After all, isn’t it time education is about the children?

Agenda 21

 Is Agenda 21 a part of Obamacare? You bet it is!
 Florida: Gov. Rick Scott recently urged repeal of the 30-year-old “smart growth” law as one way to increase jobs in FL. If you live in FL, keep this momentum going! Research shows “smart growth” hurts economic growth.

 Wisconsin: Check out the bills that would allow local governments to opt out of Agenda 21! Assembly bill and Senate bill.
 New Jersey: A “redevelopment plan” was approved on Nov. 14, which will supplant local policies. Public comment supposedly was solicited by "invitation" earlier this year. Email Shelly Kennedy for info on how to fight this at shellyskennedy@yahoo.com.
 KAREN BRACKEN STILL NEEDS VOLUNTEERS IN THE FOLLOWING 16 COUNTIES – to fight against the regional 40 year “Growth Plan.” Email her at karenbracken5@gmail.com. If you live in the following counties, you probably will want to know what’s going on.

o TN: Bledsoe, Bradley, Hamilton, Marion, Meigs, McMinn, Polk, Sequatchie, Rhea
o GA: Catoosa, Dade, Murray, Walker, Whitfield
o AL: Dekalb, Jackson

Illegal Immigration


 Remember, if you are interested in participating in the Tea Party Immigration Coalition’s weekly phone call, please send an email to berksteaparty@berksteaparty.org, expressing your interest.

Special News

 After the Richmond Tea Party called attention to the unequal treatment perpetrated by the Mayor of Richmond, in terms of charging the tea party for their events while forcing taxpayers to pay for Occupy Richmond’s events, the city is now auditing the tea party group. Retribution and intimidation, also known as “hope and change.”

House of Representatives

 The big item this week in the House is the bill (HR 3049) that would counter a proposed rule by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that seeks to rush union elections through, thereby disallowing employers enough time to make their case to employees. The NLRB is yet another executive agency overstepping their bounds and a bill to reel them back in is long overdue.

Senate

 Most of the time this week will be spent on judicial confirmations and the DOD Authorization bill. Within the DOD bill is a provision that has been making the email rounds today. The provision supposedly says that American citizens, on American soil, can be picked up by the military for alleged crimes in the name of homeland security. One of our state coordinators heard from Marco Rubio’s office that said that this is not true, but that he is also offering an amendment to ensure that this could never happen. Hmmmm… we aren’t sure what the exact truth is yet so we encourage everyone to see what you can find out from your Senators (if you trust them) or from other trusted sources, and let us know what you find out/think.
 Harry Reid also wants to use a vote on the payroll tax cut extension, combined with

increased taxes on higher earners, to pin Republicans down on taxes in preparation for the elections next year. Because the Republicans will oppose the bill due to it’s increased taxes, Reid is hoping to be able to say that the Republicans want to raise taxes on middle class families while protecting "millionaires and billionaires." KEY POINT: many small business owners file their tax returns as individuals rather than corporations so they would be hit hard by any increase in taxes on "higher earners." So while Reid claims to want to protect small business owners, the reality is that they would suffer.

PLEASE, PLEASE GO TO WWW.PARENTALRIGHTS.ORG

The parental rights of parents is be systematically taken away from parents as to how their children are raised and what they are being taught in school. Please watch the 36 min. video (link listed below) to find out how to protect your parental rights. There is an Amendment being introduced in Congress to protect parents rights to raise their children the way they see fit and not let the United Nations and foreign governments utilizing a Treaty signed by President Clinton to decide for parents here in America. It just takes Obama now and his ilk to make it a law that will trump our State laws and our State Constitutions on this issue.

Please act now before your parental rights are taken away from you.


The doctor... The principal... The judge...

YOU are the parent. So why do THEY make all of the decisions?
See the gripping 35-minute online docudrama that reveals real dangers to your own family.
See why we must act and how you can help.
http://www.overruledmovie.com/

State Department Promises Move Toward Ratification - Parentalrights.org - Protecting Children by Empowering Parents

PLEASE TAKE A STAND FOR PARENTAL RIGHTS BEFORE IT IS TO LATE!

On March 10, the Obama administration told the UN Human Rights Council that it supports the UNHRC's recommendations that the United States should “ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child [CRC].” Moreover, the administration promised that it “intend[s] to review how we could move toward its ratification.”In the meantime, SR 99 opposing ratification of the CRC is very close to its first major milestone. As of yesterday, Senator Jim DeMint's resolution, which expresses the reasons Senators oppose the UN child rights treaty, has 32 cosponsors, with 2 more senators committed to sign next Monday.This is great news - but it is not enough!We need to recognize that the Obama administration and the UN will not give up so easily. Thirty-four senators signed a similar measure regarding the Panama Canal treaty a few years ago, and the administration twisted arms until enough changed their minds to ratify that controversial treaty.We cannot be satisfied with 32 Senators, or even with 34. We need to aim for at least 40 co-sponsors of SR 99 to make sure that the CRC cannot move forward in this term of Congress.

Pro-CRC States?Additionally, state legislators in both Illinois and Rhode Island have introduced resolutions calling for the ratification of the CRC. Amazingly, the Rhode Island resolution admits, “If enacted, the [CRC] would become superior to the laws of the states and their judicial systems, and would be subordinate only to the text of the [U.S.] Constitution.” Any state legislator who wants a treaty to become superior to his or her own state’s law is confessing the inability to enact state laws that are sufficient to protect children. They should do the honorable thing and resign if they feel so incompetent.(Residents of Rhode Island please see our alert here and call today!)

Take Action: Call Now!In light of the promise to the UN made just two weeks ago, we can expect greater pressure coming from the administration in very short order. We must continue to press on while we have the momentum.Check the list of co-sponsors of SR 99 and call your senators today if they are not on the list. Urge them to stand for American self-government and the freedom of families to make good decisions for their children.Finally, if you can help us with a donation for this cause, please click here.

Gratefully, Michael Farris
President, ParentalRights.org
http://www.parentalrights.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={C2D9CE73-357C-4F02-9DA2-5D4D8D3C6666}

ParentalRights.org--Protecting Children by Empowering Parents

January 11, 2010


Let's Jump-Start the 112th Congress!

Next week, we're going to start calling this brand new Congress and urging members to sponsor the Parental Rights Amendment. Our immediate goal is to reach 180 cosponsors, because the most popular constitutional amendment proposed in the last Congress had 179. But to reach that goal, this call blitz has to be our biggest yet.



So this week, we need everyone to do two things: First, plan to call next week. We will start on Tuesday, January 18, so just decide now that when you see that email, you are going to call.

Second, enlist someone else to call with you. Find someone who hasn’t signed the petition yet or who no longer receives our emails, and urge them to join you for this call blitz. Ask them to sign the petition so they can receive their own email notice when it’s time to call. Invite them to visit parentalrights.org/call for a sneak peak at what that call blitz will look like – and check out our new Call Blitz Center for yourself while you’re at it. And once you’ve enlisted them, see if you can find a second and a third “call buddy” too!

Each congressman is starting out this term with a list in mind of things he or she would like to address. Let us prepare this week, and then take next week to make sure Parental Rights get on the mental agenda of all 435 representatives!

Sincerely,
Michael Ramey
Director of Communications and Research

Host a Screening of "The Child"--We are nearing 800 screenings of "The Child" - our goal is 1000 screenings. Schedule your screening today!   http://parentalrights.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={58D0E1F1-4EA2-45BA-9B40-941D71ED987F}
Read and Sign the Petition for the Parental Rights Amendment: 
http://parentalrights.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={2CC263EB-DB6D-446B-9B0E-FC0A4C2778D3}

Visit the Website:  http://parentalrights.org/

Understanding the Parental Rights Amendment

SUPPORT THIS MUCH NEEDED PARENTAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT!http://www.parentalrights.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7BDE675888-E60A-4219-8A5E-000083244D13%7D&DE=

January 4, 2010

PROPOSED PARENTAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION


SECTION 1:  The liberty of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children is a fundamental right.

SECTION 2:  Neither the United States nor any state shall infringe upon this right without demonstrating that its governmental interest as applied to the person is of the highest order and not otherwise served.

SECTION 3:  No treaty may be adopted nor shall any source of international law be employed to supersede, modify, interpret, or apply to the rights guaranteed by this article.

Parental Rights: Why Now Is the Time to Act

http://www.parentalrights.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={B70D1F5F-97FF-499A-A123-16CAE9385046}



4 Resolutions You Can Make to Preserve Parental Rights

Welcome to 2011! As this exciting year begins, many of you have made resolutions regarding how you will live differently this year. Here are four more commitments you can make to preserve parental rights in 2011 and beyond:

1. Resolve to show “The Child” to at least 20 people.
“The Child” documentary is an excellent tool for sharing the need for the Parental Rights Amendment. So gather your friends, family, congregation, or colleagues and use this film to share with them why you are so concerned about protecting the role of parents in America. (For some, 20 people might be too easy a goal – so resolve to show it to 100 or more!)
http://parentalrights.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={58D0E1F1-4EA2-45BA-9B40-941D71ED987F}

2. Resolve to call your lawmakers regularly.
America is supposed to be governed by The People through our duly-elected representatives, but too often we just vote and then leave them alone. They need to hear from you. Throughout this year, we will let you know when we need you to call your congressmen, senators, or state lawmakers to support the Parental Rights Amendment. Instead of waiting until you get the email to decide what you will do, why not resolve now to make those calls and be part of the solution? Your first call might make you nervous, but every call is empowering and important!
http://parentalrights.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={32683D71-2778-4842-AB94-4BE6581810E9}

3. Resolve to stay plugged in.
Of course, you won’t know when to call if we can’t reach you with that email. Think about it this way: the strength of ParentalRights.org is not in the names on our petition, but in the number of calls we can generate to Congress and state legislatures. It’s not your name, but your voice that matters. So resolve now to keep getting our emails this year. Let us know of any email address changes, keep us among your safe senders, and generally help us keep you up-to-date. Then, when your congressman needs a gentle nudge – or a loud shout – you will know about it and can take action.   AND SIGN THE PETITION!
http://parentalrights.org/

4. Resolve to support ParentalRights.org as much as you can.
Our organization has done a remarkable amount on precious little, but things are ramping up in 2011. When we push the Amendment through the U.S. House, it is going to cost us. The added attention to our mutual cause will prompt opponents to publish misinformation we will need to refute. All in all, the effort from here on is going to get more expensive, and we need your help. Even if you can give just $5 or $10 each month, resolve to help fund us so we can continue to be a resource to you in the ongoing protection of parental rights.    http://parentalrights.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={1BC4FCCD-7A39-4990-BE36-8FFD88003D5F}

NCFPC Joins Parental Rights Brief

NCFPC Joins Parental Rights Brief

ParentalRights.org--Protecting Children by Empowering Parents

Abandoned to the State?


In 2006, parent David Parker insisted he would not leave his son’s elementary school until someone spoke to him about opting his kindergarten son out of offensive sexual material. Parker was arrested for trespassing and spent the night in jail. Further, the school refused to excuse his son from the class. The case of Parker v. Hurley ensued.

The United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts in that case held that “Parents do have a fundamental right to raise their children. They are not required to abandon that responsibility to the state. [They] may send their children to a private school…. They may also educate their children at home.” In other words, the court outlined three options for parents: send your child to private school, teach them at home, or “abandon [your] responsibility to the state.”

The court further held that allowing students to opt out of offensive materials “might also undermine the [school’s] efforts to educate the remaining other students to understand” the subject being taught.

In 2008, the Supreme Court refused to grant review to this case, leaving the District Court’s decision to stand as precedent nationwide. Parents who believe they have a right to opt a child out of offensive material in the public school, therefore, should think again; the courts have already decided otherwise. (Read more on this case here.  http://parentalrights.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={21351315-D12C-435B-B553-B1267BF782CB})

The proposed Parental Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution will restore the responsibility of all government institutions (including public schools) to treat parental rights as a fundamental right. As a result, these rights will have to be respected even inside the school, and not evaporate at the front door.

Take action now to restore this and other reasonable rights of parents by signing the petition to support the Parental Rights Amendment.

Then, please pass this message along.

ParentalRights.org--Protecting Children by Empowering Parents

Parents of 50 Million U.S. Children Soon to Lose Parental Rights

If your children attend public school, you are among those parents whose rights will end the moment your child enters the school. That’s because in 2005 the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals found in Fields v. Palmdale School District “that the Meyer-Pierce right [of parents to direct the upbringing of their children] does not exist beyond the threshold of the school door.”  Read the story!



http://parentalrightsus.org/palmdale/