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The Impact Of The Tea Party Movement On Future Candidates

Posted by im2byteme on Thursday, December 10, 2009 3:42:49 AM

A new Rasmussen poll clearly substantiates the power behind the "Tea Party Movement", and the effects it will have in future elections as well as opposition to bogus legislation.  A quick search of Rasmussen polls on tea party popularity shows a movement garnering momentum and a voice that can sway almost any outcome desired.  This is evidenced by the support of tea party candidates, which breaks down the support for Democratic 36%, Tea Party 23% and Republican 18%, assuming an election were held today.

The message is clear, but I believe is being missed by both Democratic and Republican parties.  The tea party patriots are not only angry at the current administration, and tired of government intervention in their lives, but also sick of politicians in general.  The continuing rhetoric is stale and ineffective, and politicians fall far short in ability to address the new breed of well informed Americans found at the impetus of this movement.  The new breed of American Patriot is often better informed than many of the politicians who lay idle claim to representing us.  Very few politicians have any business acumen and have never made a payroll, paid business taxes, met a premium on Workers Comp, liability, or malpractice insurance.  How could it even be remotely possible that these same politicians could actually represent our best interests?

It is no longer acceptable that we put in office a representative that possesses a silver tongue, a $400 haircut, or is the first to break the glass ceiling.  We have learned the hard way that the cookie cutter image is the very thing we should be vehemently rejecting.  The new breed of representative to Congress needs to pass a litmus test far more defining than popularity and the ability to say the right thing.  Before all the blame appears to be heaped on the hundreds of dirt bags that currently represent us, we need to accept full responsibility for putting them there, and vow to be more vigilant to ourselves and future generations.

The tea party movement is just what the doctor ordered, but the movement needs to continue to grow and build momentum at ten times the rate it has since its inception.  There are many groups out there that combine at protests and scheduled events that help to fortify the movement on the whole, but it troubles me that it is fragmented to a degree.  Talk of a third party concerns me, but the opposition loves it.  First let us hypothetically create this new party and call it "Tea Party" and have an election tomorrow.  Using Rasmussen’s numbers the outcome would declare the Democratic candidate the winner with 36% of the vote followed by the Tea Party candidate with 23% and the Republican candidate 18%.  Good showing by the Tea Party candidate compared to the Republican candidate, but a loss nonetheless to the very party’s administration we want out of power.

Prudent advice would be to not introduce a third party into the mix, but allow a more united Tea Party Movement vetting the candidates in spite of the party they represent.  An endorsed Tea Party candidate would have met all the criteria or core values mandated by a united doctrine of the Tea Party Movement, which would be avowed to by oath and signature.  This is my appeal to the various patriotic sites out there to unite under one mandated doctrine that is sworn to by any candidate running for office.  There can be millions of websites out there that rally around their patriotic cause and they will not have to give up any of their autonomy to agree on a common doctrine and force candidates to comply in order to achieve an endorsement by the "Tea Party Movement".  This would solve the potential dangers of a third party doing nothing more than watering down the vote’s cast.

The Tea Party Movement has already made history, and it continues to generate a momentum equal to or surpassing the movement I witnessed in the late 60’s and early 70’s.  There is no need to repeat the history of failure of third parties.  Lessons learned and good common sense practiced could result in a public voice calling the shots for government the way our founding fathers sacrificed much to accomplish.  Now is the time for all of today’s patriots to become selfless for the cause of the American people in taking back OUR government.
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The Elderly Deserve To Be Spoiled

Posted by im2byteme on Monday, October 19, 2009 5:54:28 AM

I flip-flopped on what to do about how the Steve Chapman’s column for Townhall effected me.  I read the column twice to make sure I wasn’t being misled by my own prejudice in my respect and love for seniors.  I wasn’t wrong, this opinion column was sour grapes.  Opinions are like anuses, everybody has one!  It’s sad when a seasoned columnist fills good writing space with less than researched facts, and shallow commentary.  I apologize to anyone reading this, that I quoted Mr. Chapman’s column for flow and emphasis.  You are certainly welcome to punish yourself by going directly to Mr. Chapman’s column yourself Treating the Elderly Like Spoiled Brats


He starts out his column helping everyone understand how the economy works relative to inflation of the dollar.  "Deflation is just the opposite: You put your feet up and watch your money grow in value."  As if this is some type of an everyday occurrence, when in actuality the last time deflation (currently –0.56%) was an issue it happened the year Mr. Chapman was born.  I’m sure he remembers his grandparents with their feet up watching their social security checks and all their money almost growing out of control (1954 –0.74%).  If you look at the big picture there are times in life that things just don’t seem fair.  I distinctly remember in 1980 when inflation was 13.58% that no one came to me and said that my purchasing power sucks so we are going to reduce the amount of FICA being withheld from your paycheck to ease the pain.  I didn’t whine that those evil seniors like someone’s grandma and grandpa were going to be rewarded at my expense by a COLA increase, and I certainly didn’t suggest that they might become spoiled brats at a poverty level fixed income.  I wholly believe that Mr. Chapman's view of things would be entirely different 12-15 years from now if circumstances beyond his control placed him in a predicament that his only security ended with Social Security and Medicare.


"Last year, seniors got a big raise because consumer prices had jumped 5.8 percent in one year", that’s right Steve.  Now, the greedy old seniors can toss aside that once-a-month treat night to Red Lobster and ramp up for let’s say dinner at Ron of Japan!  Need I remind Mr. Chapman that it is not the senior’s fault that the Social Security Fund is not as flush in surplus as it should be, but as a result of atrocious money mismanagement by decades of irresponsible Congressional spending.

 
Wait a minute!  Mr. Chapman still has his shorts in a knot because since deflation has hit, you seniors can’t have your cake and eat it too!  "Consumer Price Index has dropped by 2.1 percent. So in the coming year, Social Security payments will stay the same and be worth more than they used to be."  I think Mr. Chapman would be happy if you seniors returned 2.1 percent. "Groups representing the elderly, like AARP, have come to regard the annual raise as a sacred birthright in good times as well as bad" and seniors sure wouldn’t want to bear that cross because it would make them feel like UNIONS or CONGRESS.

 
A good example of these spoiled brat seniors Chapman speaks of might be the case of my own mother who just reached her 85th birthday.  She has a good life and her needs are well met.  She might fall into that category of a Social Security recipient that does not depend entirely on the entitlement. She is compassionate and understands that she is able to help her sister and other seniors with whatever benefit she receives and is mature enough to deal with whatever windfall may come her way.  After reading Steve Chapman's column, twice more than it deserved, I have arrived at the conclusion that from his perspective he could use a little attitude adjustment himself.  Oh and by the way maybe both he and the politicians should grow up!
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Obama’s Far-Left Agenda Crystal Clear

Posted by im2byteme on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 6:10:26 AM

In respectful response to Phyllis Schlafly’s opinion column "If Obama Had Told Us Before His Election", I disagree that what Obama has been trying to accomplish was even remotely a hidden agenda.  If we who love this country, the Constitution, and the traditional values of our heritage are appalled by what we have seen so far, the worst is yet to come.

To the discerning mind Obama's agenda was as plain as the "in the air" nose on his face!  Nobody listened.  For months before the election there were countless factual links and stories about his socialist past, my own included in Blogs and Twitter.  Nobody listened.  His past associations, ethics, political motives, racial motives, and his unequivocal thirst for power could not have been clearer.  Unfortunately, very few paid attention.

The only redemption for those independents, conservative democrats, and republicans thirsting for change that voted for Obama is a sorrowful admission of ignorance.  In all fairness to those that now suffer from buyers remorse fall into the category of naive Americans that almost refuse to believe that corruption and evil could be so prevalent among elected officials.  Obama shares the blame for decadence with Congress, and unfortunately Congress represents the elected foundation for the direction our country goes.

We have all failed the brave and unselfish founders of this great country by allowing all that is good and noble to be slowly trampled.  We now all have a call to duty with the same conviction as our forefathers to proclaim to the New World Order that hang on "yes we can" by actively defeating them with "NO YOU CAN'T", not on our watch!
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Does Anyone Speak The Truth?

Posted by im2byteme on Sunday, August 16, 2009 10:54:55 PM

I didn't arrive at 64 years old by accident, and have arrived here by being a good student of life.  The greed and corruption that surrounds us in all walks of life is shameful.  There is no race, gender, political ideology, or religious affiliation involved in turpitude, it surrounds us.  If the motives aren't motivated by money, they are for power.

It doesn't matter what AARP says now that the heat has been turned up on this health care issue.   I read the information sent to us by AARP, and even since CEO Bill Novelli AARP policy has been to promote health care reform, nothing has been more clear since A. Barry Rand has been on board. Bill Novelli stuck to the claim of being bipartisan and although very political, used that to his and AARP's advantage.  Barry Rand is an avid Obama supporter, and supports his agenda in spite of the lack of clarity in both House and Senate versions of the health care legislation.  Proof of the fact that Barry Rand is a passionate supporter of all that Obama has on his agenda is campaign contributions which maxed out at $4600 for 2008.  Bill Novelli in all his years with AARP as CEO contributed nothing to a party or presidential candidate.

When Bill Novelli was CEO, the following statement was made in a 02/25/2009 AARP document in which he was applauding the president for his commitment to reform healthcare.  Novelli also laid out bipartisan guidelines for specific issues that addressed those 50-64 years of age that represented the fastest growing group of uninsured. "AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates."  Barry Rand may not be violating this policy, but he sure is bending the spirit of the intent by his clear support for Obama and his agenda.  No matter how close in line Barry Rand was with Obama we’ll never know for sure, but it is clear that opposing public opinion has altered a health care agenda filled with blind corners and deceit.

In spite of what party you support, we have concrete evidence over the years that it would be irresponsibly naïve to blindly trust anyone in Washington D.C. to legislate what is best for us, especially something as crucial as our health and well being.  We as Americans, especially us seniors, need to be vigilant and independently informed of, each and every legislation that is being pushed through Congress at unprecedented speed.  Our future and the future of generations to come rely on decisions we allow to be made by representatives that live by totally different rules than those that govern us.  How is that genuine representation?

Here is what we do know about the current health care bills in Congress, and at the very least should raise red flags for any logically clear thinking citizen. If we as citizens wanted to read the legislation that effects us what would we read?  There are no less than four versions of legislation in Congress, one of which is 1,017 pages, none of which are clear enough to interpret without a law degree and capable of explaining intent.  Why such urgency in signing into law when so few have even had a chance to digest the content, including our elected in Congress?  What happened to the current administration’s highly touted transparency and ability of citizens to review legislation before it becomes law?  What happened to eliminating business as usual and mandating a bipartisan effort to legislation?  There are many more red flags and causes for concern, but this has to end somewhere, so I will finish up with this last thought.  It is pretty certain that tax on health care benefits is one of the ways this $1.5 trillion-dollar monster will have to be funded, but it brings up my final question.  Why would Congress and Union workers be exempt from such a necessary taxation?

Seniors that belong to AARP are 40 million strong, and along with millions of other concerned American citizens need to continue putting pressure on the elected officials.  We have seen the results, and they are positive!  Don’t be fooled by members of Congress and the administration into thinking that we don’t matter.  The only time we don’t matter is when we are silent and don’t ask questions that demand answers.  We have two weeks left of directly having our voices heard before Congress can once again hide behind their unanswered phone calls, and senseless boiler-plate email and snail mail responses to legitimate questions.  Don’t forget there are other issues we should be addressing like Cap & Trade and Immigration reform which both severely effect the miserable economy and unemployment which will be with us for untold years.
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Is It Time To Throw Mom And Dad, And Grandma And Grandpa Under The Bus? If Obama Has His Way, Yes!

Posted by im2byteme on Monday, August 03, 2009 11:17:07 PM

The relentless push for healthcare reform has become much more complex than just a commendable attempt by lawmakers in Washington D.C. to look out for the health concerns of those citizens they represent. It is hard trying not to make this a politically motivated issue when all but 52 "blue dog" democrats, including the Executive Branch of this administration, will do or say anything to hastily pass this legislation. Recent history should ring true in the ears of the American voters using the stimulus package as a gage for catastrophic urgency. After only 10% of the stimulus spent, there is little to show for how effective it is short of the rhetoric used to the contrary. Then months later a Cap and Trade bill was narrowly passed by the House of Representatives with such urgency that it was passed a majority that didn’t’ even read the bill before voting. How irresponsible is that? Now we are faced with a healthcare reform that unless acted on responsibly could negatively effect your family, your parents, your grandparents, and many generations to come. Yet it has to be done TODAY! Ever ask yourself why?

It is a harsh truth that many Americans refuse to deal with reality and will often journey to the far side of it because, well it’s just not fun, or a slice of it is already consuming them, and more would be too much to deal with. If I were to ask an unmarried 24-year-old who recently entered the job market, what his/her views were about healthcare or retirement, I may be met with a puzzled stare. For starters a vast majority are healthy, close to a half century away from retirement, invincible, and likely part of the 47 million uninsured that choose to be that way. The furthest thing from their mind is this healthcare fiasco, and how it may effect the older folks, including their parents and unfortunate victims of health ailments in spite of what their age is.

The current healthcare reform that is in the House and Senate right now, being obsessively pushed by Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and Waxman is clearly a matter of power and control. As I write this there has been an appeal from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for a donation to combat what they call an attack from the Republican Party, citing fear mongering, misleading attacks, and downright dishonest. Translation: There is opposition, Democratic I might add, to the stealth program the power brokers want pushed through, and they don’t like it! I need to qualify that I have no Party affiliation, I think they are both despicable. My concern is for comprehensive elderly healthcare, uninsured citizens, no denial for pre-existing condition, ability to choose provider, no government involvement, and at the lowest cost possible. Addressing these issues for positive change is true genuine healthcare reform, and anything less is disingenuous politicking.

The costs of healthcare is outrageous, everyone knows that. Healthcare providers will pass along costs to insured and yet nothing has been mentioned about legislation to address these hidden costs like tort reform to reduce malpractice insurance and frivolous lawsuits. Have you seen what the cost of an aspirin or Band-Aid is during a hospital stay, you get my point. There are many services in healthcare, which are provided that prove to be unnecessary. Why does this go unmentioned? Medicare and Medicaid are out-of-control programs, run by the government that could use major attention to get costs under control. Instead, the government wants to assume a new undertaking that will grow government and take control of our lives to a degree that is unhealthy. If the government can’t offer a solution for what is a current failure, how can it entertain something new and even more insidious than its counterparts.

If I would ask a 24-year-old voter to opt out of the Social Security and Medicare system, and offer a comprehensive retirement and healthcare benefit that would provide far more than the current system, it would more than likely be well received. It would be an entirely different story if I went to a 60-year-old worker, or someone who was already a recipient of Social Security and Medicare, and tell them what they have is in jeopardy, and there may be dramatic changes. I promise that it will not be well received, and the prescriptions for Zanax will go through the roof. Your parents and grandparents count on Social Security and Medicaid, and some have worked 50 years contributing to the present system trusting in those that represent them in government to protect them, and have their best interests at heart. You see, back in the day, a handshake or a man’s word meant something. Nobody ran to a lawyer to have a contract drawn up for something that was considered ethical or just the right thing to do. Today there is a lawsuit for everything. Honesty just isn’t very popular anymore, especially when it may be uncomfortable, or restrictive to achieving an ultimate goal. Almost sounds like something Saul Alinsky would say!

Your parents and grandparents have an ability to bolster their healthcare provisions under Medicare with a private insurance plan (Medicare Advantage) that allows them much greater freedom to choose their doctors, go see specialists, etc., and under the new healthcare plan could be in jeopardy according to the CATO Institute. The point they make is that it impedes the ability for a government-run single-payer health care system and it could effect 9 million seniors and I have read numbers as high as 10.5 million. Your parents and grandparents don’t want their healthcare micro managed by a Federal Health Board or whatever they would call it, dictating the extent of coverage that would be provided. This is where the decision could be made to deny a knee or hip replacement to an 80-year-old because it is just not a prudent expense, and they should double-up on the ibuprofen instead. Or, ignore the doctor’s recommendation for cancer treatment because it would just prolong the inevitable, and pain management should suffice. Your parents and grandparents worked hard and sacrificed to arrive at this point in their life and they deserve far better than what is being proposed by politicians that are not even effected by it. In an open letter from the President of The Heritage Foundation, Edwin Feulner, Ph.D. he challenged President Obama to debate or discuss the plans, but I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for that to happen. Obama never goes further than the rhetoric of his challenges.

Your parents and grandparents need you now to stand up and not only be their spokesperson but your own as well. There are other options and alternatives to this healthcare reform. If no one is willing to take the time to logically discuss all the options in the House and Senate then you need to smell the rat too! Nothing this important, for all citizens, deserves to be rushed through Congress and the Senate. The perfect test for good legislation on healthcare would be the mandatory participation of ALL federal employees (including the President) to become a part of the public option that was offered should the Healthcare Bill pass.
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We All Deserve The Truth About This Frantic Push On Healthcare No Matter What Side Of The Aisle Your On!

Posted by im2byteme on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 4:01:57 PM

Please put your label maker away. It doesn’t matter whether you are a Democrat/Republican, Left/Right, Liberal/Conservative; the issue of healthcare affects us all. In spite of whatever is said from Washington D.C., this has clearly become a political issue, and if you believe it hasn’t you need to step back and trust your instincts after absorbing the truth.

No matter what your political or social leaning is we all agree that healthcare needs attention and comprehensive reform. What is going on in Washington D.C. is an experiment with our lives, health, security, and money. This is not a game show or reality TV program called "Beat the Clock". This is more than likely THE most important legislation we have or will install certainly in my lifetime. I am going to ask some serious insightful questions that I want you to think about. I have researched and soul searched each issue, and you owe it to yourself to think out each one, and then voice your wishes to the house as quickly as possible. I would send a letter of commendation to Barack Obama if he would get on TV tonight and inform the Americans that he wants the House to continue their work, but the legislation will not be voted on until their return from the August break.

If the new Healthcare reform is comprehensive, and a solution is and/or will be good for all Americans, then there is no reason why there should not be a mandate. Once the legislation is passed, all Federal employees will become a part of the government option provided that President Obama speaks of. That would be fair and would ensure a secure feeling in any American choosing or forced into this option, wouldn’t it?

I’m not a Rhodes scholar, but I shouldn’t have to be in order to understand the three bills that sit in Congress. We want a comprehensive reform, not a complicated reform. There is no way, more than a thousand pages of legalese can be uncomplicated is there? There is good reason to believe that buried in that more than a thousand pages of legalese, there are issues lawmakers do not want us to understand, don’t you think? I believe it should be mandatory for each legislator to have read, and had time to digest any legislation before it is voted on, don’t you think?

Why is the DNC and a list of contributors http://tinyurl.com/49f37s under the umbrella of Healthcare for America Now spending $40 million to promote something that is being sold to all Americans as a cure for what ails us? Shouldn’t it sell itself, well if we understood it? Heck President Obama hasn’t even read the bill!

Today Nancy Pelosi presented testimony from citizens that have suffered catastrophic medical trauma that not only challenged their lives, but compromised their financial well being. It was sad to hear the stories, and it really stirred the sympathies of many and may have even introduced a little fear into those that have uncertainty in their medical coverage. You may think I am taking a coldhearted view of this theatric ploy? Nothing could be further from the truth. My family has faced as troubling a reality as any I heard today. I lost a job that provided health insurance, when my wife fell to breast cancer. It was a financial and emotional nightmare that went on for six years until finally she was given a clean bill of health. She died six months later leaving me with a broken heart and an eleven-year-old daughter and an eight-year-old son to raise without their mother. So it doesn’t mean I lack compassion, but what I do lack is a sincere and comprehensive understanding of this legislation that is being rushed down our throats. Do you understand the more than 1,000 pages of legalese that even Congress wants passed without reading?

We need to vet the 47 million figure of uninsured Americans that is so loosely thrown around. Just to throw out a massive figure like this is disingenuous without also explaining the truth of what makes up such an astounding number. One of many articles or research on the uninsured can be found here http://tinyurl.com/m9ezpy but the choices are numerous so if after your own research you can find contrary facts please comment on this blog. It needs to be addressed that 21% of uninsured are not citizens or close to 10 million. That issue falls under illegal-immigration which should be a topic for another problem that challenges our lawmakers. Aside from that what makes up the balance of the supposed uninsured is often temporary and in reality far lower than stated and there are many options already in place to address these circumstances including state-run programs. Do you take the 47 million uninsured figure as truth?

Something doesn’t smell right to me. What is the huge rush? Why can’t the legislation have the time to thoughtfully consider every aspect of what is being proposed? Are we truly "We the people"? Once the lawmakers agree on the legislation, why can’t we have a shot at seeing and understanding what is being proposed? Do you think it is a good idea to get all these Federal Employees in the same program that is good for us, if it’s passed? Mandated Healthcare, is that Constitutional? It’s clear that a government option for Healthcare coverage would be available, does that allow my small business employer the choice to drop my coverage? He said it’s really expensive to cover all twenty of us! Is it possible that this administration just wants more control of our lives at our expense?

If even one question remains that you do not have an answer to, call congress and tell them no vote until after the August break (202-224-3121). Call now and call often.

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