Some Questions - Where are the Answers?

Glen Beck has asked some questions:

I think most, if not all deserve answers. What do you think?

All this week we are asking questions; I may not have the answers, but power left unchecked can turn very ugly, very rapidly.

So it's vital that we all question with boldness, hold to the truth and speak without fear.


- Why do we need a civilian force?

- Who is posing a threat to us?

- Who will this "force" be made up of?

- Who is the real enemy?

- Does the president know of a coming event? If not, who builds an army against an unrecognized enemy?

- Why won't the media get off their butts and look into these radicals in the White House? And into this civilian army?

- Why does the FCC have a diversity "czar"?

- Who is Mark Lloyd and how does he plan to "balance" the airwaves?

- Will he bring back the Fairness Doctrine or worse?

- Cass Sunstein once said he wants to balance the Internet; is that next?

- Will broadcasters who leave the airwaves be allowed to go to satellite or Internet without government regulation?

- Is there any place (that has a mass audience) where the government wont regulate free speech?

- Why does it seem every member of the Obama advisory team hates capitalism, unless those companies (like G.E.) are in bed with the administration?

If Lloyd has his way, stations who don't comply to the governments definition of the "public interest" will have to pay a massive fine — that helps support public broadcasting:

- What will be the definition of "public interest"?

- Who defines "public interest"?

- Why should it be balanced? Because it's public airwaves? (Well, there are public roads that go by my house and I don't count how many Republicans and Democrats are driving on them)

Who is "surrounding" the President in the White House?

- Do any of the President's advisers have criminal records?

- Are the President's advisers working to better the country or their own ideals?

- Who are the anti-capitalists in Washington?

- What roles do they have in crafting bills?

- What was "STORM"?

What happened to the founders, where are they now?

- What qualifications must one have to be a Presidential adviser?

- What is the difference between a community organizer and a community activist?

- Do the czars have power?

- Should a communist have the ear of the President of the United States?

- What role did the Apollo Alliance play in crafting bills?

- Does the President know the co-founder of the Weather Underground is a board member of the Apollo Alliance?

- How many people in the administration are connected to the movement for a democratic society?

- What role does George Soros play... CONSTITUTIONALLY?


- Our unfunded liability for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid is close to $100 trillion. Is there any way to pay for these programs without bankrupting America?

- We are in so much debt, why spend more borrowed money on cap-and-trade and healthcare programs before we stop the flow of red-ink?

- The stimulus package funneled billions of dollars to ACORN. How does giving billions of dollars to ACORN stimulate the economy?

- If it was so important for congress to pass the stimulus bill before they even had time to read it why has only a fraction of the stimulus money been spent 6 months later?

- Bush said he had to abandon free market principles in order to save them, how exactly does that work?

- Why won’t members of Congress read the bills before they vote on them?

- Why are citizens mocked and laughed at when they ask their congressman to read the bills before they vote on them?

- Was the cash-for-clunkers program meant to save the earth or the economy?

Did it accomplish either?

- How did Van Jones, a self-proclaimed communist become a special advisor to the president?

- Did President Obama know of Van Jones’ radical political beliefs when he named him special advisor?

- The Apollo Alliance claimed credit for writing the stimulus bill—why was this group allowed to write any portion of this bill?

- If politicians aren’t writing the bills and aren’t reading the bills, do they have any idea what these 1000 page plus bills actually impose on the American people?

- If the ‘public option’ health care plan is so good why won’t politicians agree to have that as their plan?

- If town hall meetings are intended for the politicians to learn what’s on our mind—why do they spend so much time talking instead of listening?

- Politicians are refusing to attend town hall meetings complaining, without evidence, that they are scripted. Does that mean we shouldn’t come out and vote for you since every campaign stop, baby kiss and speech you give is scripted?

- Why would you want to overwhelm the system?

- Is using the economic crises to rush legislation through congress what Rahm Emanuel meant when he talked about "not letting a crises go to waste"?

- What are the czars paid? What is the budget for their staffs/offices?

Let us all question with boldness. This is a government of "We the People" it is time that they answer to the people.

If you get a chance to attend a town hall soon, ask some of these questions and report on the answers that you get. I am interested in hearing the answers.

My Bittersweet Moment

I don't normally post much in the way of the personal on this blog. But, this is going to be a rare exception. In just a few short days I will be saying a bittersweet good-bye. Two of the best people you would ever want to know will be leaving Virginia and moving back to New England.

I am a first generation American. Many, many years ago a childhood friend of my dad made his way over to the United States to fulfill the American dream. While he was settling into a new land where he didn't know the language, he lived with my parents. Several months before I was born his family came to join him. So I have literally known these people since the day I was born. So there was always a joke about who I was going to look like. Although when I was born, that went by the wayside, I was a little version of my grandma. All my childhood holiday memories are split between our two CT homes.

They helped me through my very rocky move to Virginia, which was very rocky and a funny story now. They made sure that I was taken care of during my cancer treatments. They always made sure I had the things that I needed during the bad times that sometimes come with life, and shared with me the good things that happen in life as well.

She has taught me to bake pepparkraker cookies for the Christmas holidays, gave me the traditional lutefisk on Christmas Eve (If your not Scandinavian, you won't understand the attraction) and were there all the rest of the year as well. They know all my faults but love me anyway. There is not a mean bone in either one of their bodies.

They have been not just understanding but completely encouraging of this passion that I have for conservative politics and activism to see our government return to the roots of our Constitution. Even though I have not been able to bring them over to the "right" side, I will sorely miss our debates about the issues of the day. And I won't be giving up either. I just may convince you yet!!

On Monday, it is his last day of work EVER!! He is retiring from the State Department and moving back east to be with their children, grandchildren, and even a few great-children.

So to Ralf and Inger, it is with a heavy heart that I say good-bye to you, and wish you a happy retirement. New Hampshire is very lucky to have to you both, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything that you have done for me over the years. I will see you next summer when we all go to Finland for mid-summer.

I am going to dry my tears, and tell you that you have been my family and that I love you both more than words can say. By the way, the big green monster looks perfect in my dining room!!

Conservative Girl Adventures - Moran & Dean Town Hall Part 2

I really have so much to say on this topic and want to make sure that I am articulating clearly. I have decided to put this experience into different posts. One of the reasons that this town hall was a little different than many others that have been reported on is the fact that the unions are starting to fight back. I have one picture below of Planned Parenthood. The rest are just some signs I saw throughout the evening. I will be posting more on this over the next few days. I have gathered up all the handouts that I was given and will be scanning many of them to post. They are of particular interest. It really was quite an experience. It makes me look forward to 9-12 march on Washington even more.

The planned parenthood activists were so young, college-aged. It makes me wonder if they know who founded Planned Parenthood and why. I am not that conservative on more social issues, but if you are going to support an organization you should understand how they became what they are. Do they understand that the founder of Planned Parenthood gave lectures at KKK rallies? That she believed in ridding society of undesirables? Doesn't sound like a liberal cause that you want to wrap yourself in to me.


Since the man is a moron, that is a really good thing. (he is so aptly named)

R.I.P. Senator Kennedy

Teddy Kennedy's battle with brain cancer came to an end late last night. He was one of the longest serving Senators in US history. He had the nickname of The Liberal Lion.

Senator Kennedy's name is on far too many pieces of legislation to name; but there are at least two things that most people in this country can agree on; The American with Disabilities Act and the Family Medical Leave Act have helped millions of people across the country. His family's support of Special Olympics is something that everyone who has a disabled person in their life needs to remember. While his sister Eunice was the founder, the entire family heralded the achievements of people that many in society leave behind.

We all know that he was far from perfect. His many personal failings have been fodder for his foes for years. One mistake that he made caused the death of Mary Jo Kopechne, and that is part of his life, but it isn't the only part. But I think that this is a time for respect and for tribute. He was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a brother and an uncle.

The senator had given many high profile family eulogies during his life. One of the most memorable for me was the one he gave of his nephew John. His love for his family was easy to hear while listening. I remember thinking at the time that I hoped for his sake that would be the last.

I am hoping that we can be better than the people who so disrespected people like Tony Snow and the conservatives' beloved President Reagan. From what I have seen on my facebook page I think the answer to that sadly is no. Which is disappointing.

Rest in Peace, Senator Kennedy. While I didn't agree with your politics, I admire your service.

Conservative Girl Adventures - Jim Moran and Howard Dean Townhall

Now, I have much to say on this topic and will not be able to get it done tonight.

Just a few tidbits:

MANY MANY Union signs - I found it very amusing when they started a chant about "Astro-turf".

Planned Parenthood was very well represented.

I was given a copy of an email (which could have very well have been made up) that said to show up with postive signs and wear blue shirts. You will see from the pictures, that they indeed had on blue shirts and pre-printed signs.

The pro health care side had a bus that had electronic signs saying things like how many people have lost insurance this year.

Fox News' Griff Jenkins reported that the ratio was 60 for 40 against. I think he was being kind. I believe that the people for had a much higher percentage.

I had some very interesting conversations.

Their was some confusion about it being an open townhall or you needed to be a resident of the district to show up. They were checking ID's at the entrance. I went up to one woman who had a Obama sign from Loundon County. I tried to tell her that she wouldn't be allowed in since she was not a resident. She told me that she didn't need any advice from me. So sorry, I thought I was being kind.

I will post pictures tomorrow.

Spreading The Wealth - Not So Much

While perusing other blogs I enjoy reading the comments. In many cases we are really just preaching to the choir, but every now and then we get the real treat of hearing opposing opinions. Sadly, sometimes they are not opposing opinions, but the comments are outright mean-spirited. While reading a post on a blog I read often; Left Coast Rebel I came across one such comment.

This is a comment left by Anonymous:

I find it far more elitist to think that the poor deserve to die starving, diseased, and ignorant while the those who happen to be born with talents the market happens to be seeking at the time are rewarded with opulence and excess beyond measure

Now, this comment is placed on a post about MSNBC’s deception of showing a picture of a man who came to a town hall meeting with guns. During the showing of this picture they were having a discussion about racists possibly taking a shot at a black president. The problem was the man with the guns was also black, but they cropped the picture in such a way that you wouldn’t know that.

I will be the first to admit that bloggers on both sides of the aisle can be, let’s just say, not very tolerant of other views. I sometimes cringe when I read some of the things that are posted. I recently hid someone on facebook because I found the postings to be vile and unproductive. This particular person epitomizes what is wrong with the political landscape in this country. The posts have racial undertones that I find very uncomfortable. But I digress here. What exactly is the correlation here?

I have been reading LCR’s blog for a while now. I have yet to find anything on there that would warrant such a charge. There is a stereotypical view of conservatives; we have outright disdain of the poor. The facts just don’t bear out that conclusion.

Studies have shown that conservatives/republicans/Christians give more money to charity than the leftwing/democrats/atheists’ of the world. One has to look no further than Vice President Biden. This is a man that has the audacity to go on television and talk about paying higher taxes as a patriotic duty as we need to help the vulnerable of our nation; yet he gives a mere pittance of his yearly salary to help these people. I give a larger percentage of my salary to charity than he does.

Recently I came across a very interesting tidbit. Regular readers of my blogs know that I love little tidbits, and post them regularly. So here is one that should make anonymous think. I may be incorrect here, but I have this feeling that (s)he believes in the president’s view of “spreading the wealth”. Economists call the total global wealth supply the M3 value. We will take the entire world’s wealth and put into one large pot and “spread” out equally among every person on earth we would each get $9000. Does this still sound like a good idea? If you live in say North Korea or the poorest sections of South Africa I guess the answer would be yes. But if you are living in America, you will be thinking this is not such a good deal.

So, let us take this one step further. Does anyone believe that after making everything equal financially that it will stay that way in say 18 months? There is no way a logical thinking person can conclude that it will. One needs to look no further than Chris Gardner. This is a man who against all odds succeeded. He is far from the only person who makes a very successful life for himself after having virtually nothing. There are plenty of people who don’t make that type of wealth, but still make a decent life for themselves and their families. Yes, luck is sometimes a factor, but almost always hard work is involved.

It just irks me that people feel like some sort of Utopia actually exists. It doesn’t. It would be nice if that were true, maybe it would be more “fair”. The reality is life is not fair. No government or human being can make it so. Good things happen to bad people, and bad things happen to good people. All we can do is work hard and help others along the way.

Liberal Logic in Action

I guess it isn't possible that I may actually not agree with the President's policy. I must be racist. Doesn't she realize that not every person of color supports the President?

Isn't the left the party of understanding? Don't they believe in inclusion? She doesn't know that the "R" word is no longer used and very insulting?

Garofalo: Tea Party Protesters 'Functionally Retarded Adults'; Says 'I Want My Country Back' Code for 'I Want My White Guy Back'

You probably already knew Jeanane Garofalo was no fan of conservatives, Republicans or just about anything that could be described as right of center. But the former Air America host and MSNBC regular really has a low regard for conservative activists.

In an appearance at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. on August 21, Garofalo ripped into tea party protesters, or what some of the wizards of smart on the left have deemed "tea baggers" calling them "functionally retarded adults" and "racists."

"Do you remember tea baggers?" Garofalo said. "It was just so much easier when we could just call them racists. I just don't know why we can't call them racists, or functionally retarded adults."

Garofalo has made prior overtures alleging any public display of discontent with the current president is nothing more than racial hatred. Back in April she called tea party protesters "a bunch of tea bagging rednecks" on MSNBC's "Countdown with Keith Olbermann." However, she contended the public's frustration expressed over the direction of the country was code for racism.

"The functionally retarded adults, the racists - with their cries of, ‘I want my country back,'" she said. "You know what they're really saying is, ‘I want my white guy back.' They apparently had no problem at all for the last eight years of habeas corpus being suspended, the Constitution being [expletive] on, illegal surveillance, lied to on a war or two, two stolen elections - yes, the John Kerry one was stolen too. That's not tin-foil hat time. That's just..."

According to Garofalo, the media were the reason George W. Bush defeated both former Vice President Al Gore in 2000 and Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., in 2004 to hold on to the White House for eight years.

"Our media is quite happy to report on any stolen election around the world, any stolen election around the world except ours," Garofalo said. "And it's just unexamined narcissism. It's just, if you were to say this to the average American, ‘You know they steal elections in Uganda.' ‘Yeah.' ‘You know they steal elections in America.' ‘Why do you hate America?' ‘Why didn't you ask me why do you hate Uganda?'"

And throughout Garofalo's stand-up routine, she reiterated her belief that the outrage over President Barack Obama's and the Democratic-controlled Congress' branded of domestic policy is veiled racism.

"This is neuroscience," Garofalo continued. "This is not politics, this is neuroscience. It is purely limbic brain activity - this emotion over being angry that there's a black guy in office, with the people showing up armed to the health care meetings - to whatever, the town halls. But it's just, and these tea baggers. It makes me soul sick."

Garofalo has described herself thus: "I guess I just prefer to see the dark side of things. The glass is always half empty. And cracked. And I just cut my lip on it. And chipped a tooth."

Nice way to go through life huh?

Conservative Girl Adventures - Whole Foods Bust

I heard on the news last night that my local Whole Foods was going to be protested today. So I wanted to go take a look to see what people, that undoubtedly Speaker Pelosi and Sen. Boxer would approve of, looked like. You know, a girl has to have some fun.

We have had a very dry summer this year. So the rain was a very welcome thing. It poured for about 30 minutes. So when I get to Whole Foods I was a little surprised to see no one at the protest.




So, I went around to the other entrance. Nope, no one there either. I guess that rain was a little to much to protest in. After all, who would want to protest in the rain?

Parking lot pretty full for that time of the day.

Oh, wait. Here are protesters out in the rain. The astro-turf, redneck racist, tea baggers. The tax day tea party in DC was not only really wet; it was also cold. It was in the low to mid forties that day. This lady cracked me up.

For those who are not aware, Whole Foods CEO John Mackey has found himself in the middle of some ire. He wrote an OP-ED Piece that appeared in The Wall Street Journal. He does not want to see a single-payer system to become law in the United States. This is a very well thought out plan to reduce costs for companies and individuals; that will allow everyone to get coverage.

Russell Mokhiber, an attorney, and the head of a group called Single Payer Action is leading this boycott. If they want to boycott, than fine go ahead and boycott. That is the American way. But at least look at the totality of the man you are boycotting. Mackey is a man who doesn't get paid. His entire salary goes to charity. The company that he leads, gives back to every community that they are located in. His company pays 100% of the health benefits for his full time employees. How many companies can say that?

Maybe I got the location wrong. I will have to check the local news to see if any protests were held here today.

For a more full accounting of the Whole Foods dust-up you can read a post by Left Coast Rebel. His insightful blog is always well put together and thought provoking.

As for the boycott, I just finished some chipotle chicken from their bistro. Umm Umm Good.

Things that make you say hmm

A miracle happened. I finally found something that I agree with the President on. Yesterday during a radio show he told a caller that the takeover of financial sector happened under a conservative administration. On that we sort of agree. It did start under the Bush administration. My question becomes is that fact supposed to make me feel better? To me, that is a child’s answer. Is that the logic we should use to raise our children? Well mommy, Jimmy is allowed to stay out after dark so I should be able to as well.

AARP has spent $5.3 million on ads and direct mail to promote the healthcare bill. Didn’t they say they weren’t endorsing the legislation?

President Obama’s approval rating among democrats has fallen 13% points since January.

NBC has 29 items in their gift shop promoting President Obama. Such as the Yes We Did T-shirt. Yeah, they are not in the tank.

Senator Kennedy wants to change the law in Massachusetts to ensure that the Governor will get to appoint an interim Senator in case of an opening. Teddy is the one who championed this law. But I guess that since at that time there was a Republican Governor who would have replaced Senator Kerry had he won the presidency; it was ok. So let me get this straight Teddy; it is all about you. What is best for the actual voters doesn’t matter, just what benefits you and the Democratic Party is what is important?

Export/Import Bank is guaranteeing $2B in loans to Petro Bras for offshore oil drilling in Brazil. Again, it is ok for others to drill but not us? Doesn’t the left realize that offshore drilling is still offshore drilling? How can the argument still be believed that this is about the environment? Oh, by the way Petro Bras made billions in profits last year. Why are subsiding a foreign oil company anway?

In the most recent ratings of cable networks:
#2 Fox
#24 MSNBC
#26 CNN

MSNBC gets more viewers than CNN? That is truly stunning to me.

Jayson Blair, the disgraced NY Times reporter, is now a life coach.


Can someone please explain to me what "Wee wee'd up" means?

A Little Late Now

A facebook buddy found this website: It will be interesting to see if this grows over time.

I am sorry I voted for Obama

Most posts are stories of other people saying they know people who regret it, but some are from the voters themselves

This from Bubbabelly:

No kidding. And he better stop claiming he is providing tax relief for 95% of all Americans. Every major bill in the works is only going to raise taxes, and the largest rise in U.S. history at that

This from anoymous in Denver:

I actually voted for Barack Obama. I will never again vote Democratic and I am in the process of changing my voter registration card over to be a registered Republican. I voted for change, but I defiantly did not vote for this kind of change. I would like to publicly APOLOGIZE to my fellow Americans for making such a bad decision.

Charlie from North Carolina:

What a tragic disappointment. He says he will get the economy back on track, instead we have millions more out of work with an unemployment rate of 9.5%... he promised it wouldn't go over 8.... damn me, damn me to hell!

The Apology Tour Continues

It would seem that the worldwide apology tour is not just limited to President Obama. Hillary Clinton recently told an audience in Africa “you know we had some problems in some of our presidential elections. As you may remember, in 2000, our presidential election came down to one state where the brother of one of the men running for president was governor of the state. So we have our problems too.”

Am I reading this correctly? She is making moral equivalents about our elections to what takes place in Nigeria. The elections two years ago in Nigeria have been labeled as a “charade” by the Nigerian monitoring group, former Secretary of State Albright has been quoted as saying it “represents a step backward…” Chief EU observer “the process cannot be considered to have been credible.”

In this election candidates were beaten, about 200 people were murdered, polls closed early, some poll places had no ballots. Where is the equivalency to the U.S. election of 2000? The levels of corruption that befalls virtually the entire continent of Africa is truly breathtaking. For the Madame Secretary to stand up on foreign soil and say something like that is quite incredulous to me.

Yes, we had problems with our elections in 2000, and some even in the last election. What is most disturbing about her statement has to be the fact that she brought up Jeb Bush. If memory serves, it was Kathleen Harris who certified the election results; according to Florida election law. With the entire hullabaloo that surrounded that election, this is the first time I have heard Governor Bush being used as an excuse for the results.

Has she, like many others, forgotten the fact that Vice President Gore lost his home state of Tennessee? Had he won his home state the results of Florida would have been moot. Personally, I feel that if you can’t even win your home state you don’t deserve to win the presidency. Let’s just say if they don’t think you are worthy, they may just be correct.

While I don’t agree with Mrs. Clinton politically, in some ways I respected her. Once she could no longer blame the “vast right winged conspiracy” for her husband’s indiscretions with Monica Lewinsky she handled herself with more grace than I would have been able to muster after being publically humiliated. Where has that dignity gone? I liked her more when she kept her emotions to herself. So the question for me is she tired, over her head, or has she simply just drunk the Obama kool-aid?

Provisions from House Healthcare Bill

Page 19 - Section 102(c) prohibits the sale of private individual health insurance policies, beginning in 2013, forcing individuals to purchase coverage through the federal government
So I think that people need to stop saying this isn't going to be single-payer.

Page 30 - Section 123 establishes a new board of federal bureaucrats (the "Health Benefits Advisory Committee") to dictate the health plans that all individuals must purchase-and would likely require all Americans to subsidize and purchase plans that cover any abortion
Unless the wording is put into the bill that abortions are not allowed with tax-payer funds, the courts will rule that it can be used.

Page 74 - Sections 202(c) and (d) protects Members of Congress with existing federal employee coverage (as defined in Section 100(c)(6) on page 9) from joining the government-run health plan offered through the Exchange
Big shocker here, the bill is so great that they don't have to be in it.

Page 116 - Section 221 establishes a new government-run health plan that, according to non-partisan actuaries at the Lewin Group, would cause as many as 114 million Americans to lose their existing coverage
Again, more proof that we are moving towards single-payer system.

Page 139 - Section 245 includes language requiring verification of income for individuals wishing to receive federal health care subsidies under the bill-however, the bill includes no requirement for individuals to verify their citizenship or identity before receiving taxpayer-subsidized health benefits
Why should I pay for the healthcare of people who are in the country illegally?

Page 167 - Section 401 imposes a 2.5 percent tax on all individuals who do not purchase "bureaucrat-approved" health insurance-the tax would apply on individuals with incomes under $250,000, thus breaking a central promise of then-Senator Obama's presidential campaign
Anyone who believes that our taxes are not going to increase is clearly delusional.

Page 183 - Section 412 imposes an 8 percent "tax on jobs" for firms that cannot afford to purchase "bureaucrat-approved" health coverage; according to an analysis by Harvard Professor Kate Baicker, such a tax would place millions "at substantial risk of unemployment"- with minority workers losing their jobs at twice the rate of their white counterparts.
Great idea, lets put the onus on small business, they only employee about 70% of American workers.

Page 197 - Section 441 imposes additional job-killing taxes, in the form of a half-trillion dollar "surcharge," more than half of which will hit small businesses; according to a model developed by President Obama's senior economic advisor, such taxes could cost up to 5.5 million jobs.
Yet more good news for small businesses.

Page 331 - Section 1161 cuts more than $150 billion from Medicare Advantage plans, potentially jeopardizing millions of seniors' existing coverage.
This plan gives comprehensive coverage to individuals. Isn't this what the President says will save money? Treating the patient as a whole as opposed to a particular illness?

Page 425 - Section 1233 makes end-of-life care consultations eligible for Medicare reimbursement.
The government should not be involved in discussions on end-of-life care. This is a decision that should be made by families.

Page 501 - Section 1401 establishes a new Center for Comparative Effectiveness Research; the bill includes no provisions preventing the government-run health plan from using such research to deny access to life-saving treatments on cost grounds, similar to Britain's National Health Service, which denies patient treatments costing more than £35,000
Who is going to be sitting in on this board?

Page 835 - Section 1802(b) includes provisions entitled "TAXES ON CERTAIN INSURANCE POLICIES" to fund comparative effectiveness research, breaking Speaker Pelosi's promise that "We will not be taxing [health] benefits in any bill that passes the House," and the President's promise not to raise taxes on families with incomes under $250,000
How much do you want to bet the taxes won't be on the policy that they get to keep?

A Doctor's point of View

ObamaCare and me By Zane F Pollard, MD - American Thinker

I have been sitting quietly on the sidelines watching all of this national debate on healthcare. It is time for me to bring some clarity to the table by explaining many of the problems from the perspective of a doctor.

First off, the government has involved very few of us physicians in the healthcare debate. While the American Medical Association has come out in favor of the plan, it is vital to remember that the AMA only represents 17% of the American physician workforce.

I have taken care of Medicaid patients for 35 years while representing the only pediatric ophthalmology group left in Atlanta, Georgia that accepts Medicaid. For example, in the past 6 months I have cared for three young children on Medicaid who had corneal ulcers. This is a potentially blinding situation because if the cornea perforates from the infection, almost surely blindness will occur. In all three cases the antibiotic needed for the eradication of the infection was not on the approved Medicaid list.

Each time I was told to fax Medicaid for the approval forms, which I did. Within 48 hours the form came back to me which was sent in immediately via fax, and I was told that I would have my answer in 10 days. Of course by then each child would have been blind in the eye.

Each time the request came back denied. All three times I personally provided the antibiotic for each patient which was not on the Medicaid approved list. Get the point -- rationing of care.
Over the past 35 years I have cared for over 1000 children born with congenital cataracts. In older children and in adults the vision is rehabilitated with an intraocular lens. In newborns we use contact lenses which are very expensive. It takes Medicaid over one year to approve a contact lens post cataract surgery. By that time a successful anatomical operation is wasted as the child will be close to blind from a lack of focusing for so long a period of time.

Again, extreme rationing. Solution: I have a foundation here in Atlanta supported 100% by private funds which supplies all of these contact lenses for my Medicaid and illegal immigrants children for free. Again, waiting for the government would be disastrous.

Last week I had a lady bring her child to me. They are Americans but live in Sweden, as the father has a job with a big corporation. The child had the onset of double vision 3 months ago and has been unable to function normally because of this. They are people of means but are waiting 8 months to see the ophthalmologist in Sweden. Then if the child needed surgery they would be put on a 6 month waiting list. She called me and I saw her that day. It turned out that the child had accommodative esotropia (crossing of the eyes treated with glasses that correct for farsightedness) and responded to glasses within 4 days, so no surgery was needed. Again, rationing of care.

Last month I operated on a 70 year old lady with double vision present for 3 years. She responded quite nicely to her surgery and now is symptom free. I also operated on a 69 year old judge with vertical double vision. His surgery went very well and now he is happy as a lark. I have been told -- but of course there is no healthcare bill that has been passed yet -- that these 2 people because of their age would have been denied surgery and just told to wear a patch over one eye to alleviate the symptoms of double vision. Obviously cheaper than surgery.

I spent two year in the US Navy during the Viet Nam war and was well treated by the military. There was tremendous rationing of care and we were told specifically what things the military personnel and their dependents could have and which things they could not have. While I was in Viet Nam, my wife Nancy got sick and got essentially no care at the Naval Hospital in Oakland, California. She went home and went to her family's private internist in Beverly Hills. While it was expensive, she received an immediate work up. Again rationing of care.

For those of you who are over 65, this bill in its present form might be lethal for you. People in England over 59 cannot receive stents for their coronary arteries. The government wants to mimic the British plan. For those of you younger, it will still mean restriction of the care that you and your children receive.

While 99% of physicians went into medicine because of the love of medicine and the challenge of helping our fellow man, economics are still important. My rent goes up 2% each year and the salaries of my employees go up 2% each year. Twenty years ago, ophthalmologists were paid $1800 for a cataract surgery and today $500. This is a 73% decrease in our fees. I do not know of many jobs in America that have seen this sort of lowering of fees.

But there is more to the story than just the lower fees. When I came to Atlanta, there was a well known ophthalmologist that charged $2500 for a cataract surgery as he felt the was the best. He had a terrific reputation and in fact I had my mother's bilateral cataracts operated on by him with a wonderful result. She is now 94 and has 20/20 vision in both eyes. People would pay his $2500 fee.

However, then the government came in and said that any doctor that does Medicare work cannot accept more than the going rate ( now $500) or he or she would be severely fined. This put an end to his charging $2500. The government said it was illegal to accept more than the government-allowed rate. What I am driving at is that those of you well off will not be able to go to the head of the line under this new healthcare plan, just because you have money, as no physician will be willing to go against the law to treat you.

I am a pediatric ophthalmologist and trained for 10 years post-college to become a pediatric ophthalmologist (add two years of my service in the Navy and that comes to 12 years).A neurosurgeon spends 14 years post -college, and if he or she has to do the military that would be 16 years. I am not entitled to make what a neurosurgeon makes, but the new plan calls for all physicians to make the same amount of payment. I assure you that medical students will not go into neurosurgery and we will have a tremendous shortage of neurosurgeons. Already, the top neurosurgeon at my hospital who is in good health and only 52 years old has just quit because he can't stand working with the government anymore. Forty-nine percent of children under the age of 16 in the state of Georgia are on Medicaid, so he felt he just could not stand working with the bureaucracy anymore.

We are being lied to about the uninsured. They are getting care. I operate at least 2 illegal immigrants each month who pay me nothing, and the children's hospital at which I operate charges them nothing also.This is true not only on Atlanta, but of every community in America.
The bottom line is that I urge all of you to contact your congresswomen and congressmen and senators to defeat this bill. I promise you that you will not like rationing of your own health.

Furthermore, how can you trust a physician that works under these conditions knowing that he is controlled by the state. I certainly could not trust any doctor that would work under these draconian conditions.

One last thing: with this new healthcare plan there will be a tremendous shortage of physicians. It has been estimated that approximately 5% of the current physician work force will quit under this new system. Also it is estimated that another 5% shortage will occur because of the decreased number of men and women wanting to go into medicine. At the present time the US government has mandated gender equity in admissions to medical schools.

That means that for the past 15 years that somewhere between 49 and 51% of each entering class are females. This is true of private schools also, because all private schools receive federal funding.

The average career of a woman in medicine now is only 8-10 years and the average work week for a female in medicine is only 3-4 days. I have now trained 35 fellows in pediatric ophthalmology. Hands down the best was a female that I trained 4 years ago -- she was head and heels above all others I have trained. She now practices only 3 days a week.

Background:

Dr. Zane F. PollardI did my undergraduate work at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. I graduated Tulane University medical School Alpha Omega Alpha ( medical school's top 10% of graduating class). Internship at the Univ. of Southern California in Los Angeles, one year of General surgery residency at the U. of California in San Francisco. Two years in the US Navy. Residency in Ophthalmology at the U.of S. California in Los Angeles, fellowship in pediatric Ophthalmology at the Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. In practice with Eye Consultants of Atlanta for the past 35 years. Published 90 papers in peer reviewed Scientific Ophthalmology Journals. Member of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Ophthalmological Society. Board certified in Ophthalmology

Comprehensive List of Townhalls

There is a great deal of interest on the dates and times of the town halls, so I decided to put this list up again. This is done in Alphabetical order.

Rep. Joe Barton REP TX 6 Town Hall 05:00 PM 06:00 PM 08/17/2009 Lovelady Church of Christ Fellowship Hall 150 South Read Street Lovelady TX 75851

Rep. Joe Barton REP TX 6 Town Hall 12:00 PM 01:00 PM 08/17/2009 Community Center 141 North Pearl Street Marquez TX 77865

Rep. Joe Barton REP TX 6 Town Hall 07:30 PM 08:30 PM 08/19/2009 Kennedale City Hall Council Chambers 405 Municipal Drive Kennedale TX 76060

Rep. Joe Barton REP TX 6 Town Hall 06:00 PM 07:00 PM 08/19/2009 Mansfield City Hall Council Chamber 1200 East Broad Street Mansfield TX 76063

Rep. Joe Barton REP TX 6 Town Hall 06:00 PM 07:00 PM 08/20/2009 Arlington City Hall Council Chambers 101 West Abram Street Arlington TX 76004

Rep. Joe Barton REP TX 6 Town Hall 12:30 PM 01:30 PM 08/27/2009 Wortham Presbyterian Church 201 South 3rd Street Wortham TX 76693

Rep. Kathy Castor DEM FL 11 Office Hours 10:30 AM 12:30 PM 09/02/2009 Jan K Platt Library 3910 S. Manhattan Avenue Tampa FL 33611

Rep. Jason Chaffetz REP UT 3 Town Hall 07:00 PM 08/25/2009 Utah County Courthouse 3rd Floor Ballroom 51 S. University avenue Provo UT 84601

Rep. Jason Chaffetz REP UT 3 Town Hall 07:00 PM 08/26/2009 South Jordan Library 10673 S. Redwood Road South Jordan UT 84095

Rep. Danny Davis DEM IL 7 State of the district Town Hall 09:00 AM 08/22/2009 Malcolm X College 1900 West Van Buren Chicago IL 60612

Rep. Danny Davis DEM IL 7 Town Hall 09:00 AM 08/29/2009 2nd Baptist Church of Maywood 36 South 13th Avenue Maywood IL 60153

Rep. Susan Davis DEM CA 53 Workshop 06:00 PM 07:00 PM 08/24/2009 Bayside Community Center 2202 Comstock Street San Diego CA 92111

Rep. Susan Davis DEM CA 53 Workshop 06:00 PM 07:00 PM 08/25/2009 USD Joan Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice 5998 Alcala Park San Diego CA 92110

Rep. Susan Davis DEM CA 53 Workshop 12:30 PM 02:30 PM 08/26/2009 NTC Promenade Command Center 2640 Historic Decatur Road San Diego CA 92106

Rep. Susan Davis DEM CA 53 Neighborhood Day 01:00 PM 02:00 PM 08/29/2009 836 Kempton Street Spring Valley CA 91977

Rep. Susan Davis DEM CA 53 Neighborhood Day 01:00 PM 02:00 PM 08/29/2009 Spring Valley Library 836 Kempton Street Spring Valley CA 91977

Rep. Mary Fallin REP OK 5 Public Event 06:30 PM 08:30 PM 09/28/2009 Kingfisher County Fairgrounds Exhibit Building 300 S. 13th Street Kingfisher OK 73750

Rep. Trent Franks REP AZ 2 Town Hall 01:00 PM 08/22/2009 First Assembly of God Church 1850 Gates Avenue Kingsland AZ 86401

Rep. Martin Heinrich DEM NM 1 Congress On Your Corner 02:30 PM 04:00 PM 08/22/2009 Jerry's Market 7553 Isleta Boulevard SW. NM The one-on-one sessions are limited to 5 minutes each. There are 18 spots at each event, so RSVP today to reserve your spot (505) 346-6781.

Rep. Martin Heinrich DEM NM 1 Congress On Your Corner 12:30 PM 02:00 PM 09/12/2009 MAC's La Sierra Restaurant 6217 Central NW NM The one-on-one sessions are limited to 5 minutes each. There are 18 spots at each event, so RSVP today to reserve your spot (505) 346-6781.

Rep. Martin Heinrich DEM NM 1 Congress On Your Corner 12:30 PM 02:00 PM 09/19/2009 Kathy's Carry Out 823 Isleta SW NM The one-on-one sessions are limited to 5 minutes each. There are 18 spots at each event, so RSVP today to reserve your spot (505) 346-6781.

Rep. Martin Heinrich DEM NM 1 Congress On Your Corner 12:30 PM 02:00 PM 09/26/2009 Pro's Ranch Market 4201 Central Avenue, NW. NM The one-on-one sessions are limited to 5 minutes each. There are 18 spots at each event, so RSVP today to reserve your spot (505) 346-6781.

Rep. Martin Heinrich DEM NM 1 Congress On Your Corner 12:30 PM 02:00 PM 10/03/2009 Abuelita's 6083 Isleta Boulevard SW NM The one-on-one sessions are limited to 5 minutes each. There are 18 spots at each event, so RSVP today to reserve your spot (505) 346-6781.

Rep. Bob Inglis REP SC 4 Town Meeting 07:00 PM 08/17/2009 Sue Cleveland Elementary School 375 Woodmont School Road Piedmont SC 29673

Rep. Bob Inglis REP SC 4 Town Meeting 07:00 PM 08/18/2009 Travelers Rest Library 17 Center Street Travelers Rest SC 29390

Rep. Bob Inglis REP SC 4 Town Meeting 07:00 PM 08/20/2009 R.D. Anderson Applied Tech. Ctr. 1151 Moore Duncan Hwy 290 Moore SC 29369

Rep. Bob Inglis REP SC 4 Town Meeting 07:00 PM 08/24/2009 New Prospect Elementary School 9251 Highway 9 Inman SC 29349

Rep. Bob Inglis REP SC 4 Town Meeting 07:00 PM 08/25/2009 Lake Forest Elementary 16 Berkshire Avenue Greenville SC 29615

Rep. Jesse Jackson DEM IL 2 Town Hall 06:00 PM 07:30 PM 08/18/2009 Sheldon Heights Church of Christ 11249 S. Halstead Street Chicago IL 60628

Rep. John Linder REP GA 7 Constituent Outreach 01:00 PM 03:00 PM 08/19/2009 Covington Library 7116 Floyd Road Covington GA 30014

Rep. John Linder REP GA 7 Constituent Outreach 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 08/19/2009 Monroe- Walton Library 217 West Spring Street Monroe GA 30655

Rep. Frank Lucas REP OK 3 Town Hall 04:00 PM 05:00 PM 08/19/2009 City Hall Commission Chamber 516 East Grand Avenue Ponca OK 74601

Rep. Frank Lucas REP OK 3 Town Hall 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 08/19/2009 Medford City Hall 615 North Front Street Medford OK 73759

Rep. Frank Lucas REP OK 3 Town Hall 01:00 PM 02:00 PM 08/19/2009 Newkirk Public Library 116 North Maple Avenue Newkirk OK 74647

Rep. Frank Lucas REP OK 3 Town Hall 02:30 PM 03:30 PM 08/19/2009 Kay Electric Kay Room 300 West Doolin Avenue Blackwell OK 74631

Rep. Frank Lucas REP OK 3 Town Hall 04:00 PM 05:00 PM 08/20/2009 Autry Technology Center Room 22 1201 West Willow Road Enid OK 73703

Rep. Frank Lucas REP OK 3 Town Hall 12:00 PM 01:00 PM 08/20/2009 Perry Municipal Building 729 Cedar Street Perry OK 73077

Rep. Frank Lucas REP OK 3 Town Hall 01:30 PM 02:30 PM 08/20/2009 Billings City Hall 122 West Main Street Billings OK 74630

Rep. Frank Lucas REP OK 3 Town Hall 09:30 AM 10:30 AM 08/20/2009 Park Pavilion Casey's Trail and Highway 64 Morrison OK 73061

Rep. Frank Lucas REP OK 3 Town Hall 03:30 PM 04:30 PM 08/21/2009 City Hall Community Room 123 S. 6th Avenue Fairview OK 73737

Rep. Frank Lucas REP OK 3 Town Hall 12:00 PM 01:00 PM 08/21/2009 Northwest Oklahoma State University Wyatt Room inStudent Center 709 Oklahoma Boulevard Alva OK 73717

Rep. Frank Lucas REP OK 3 Town Hall 01:30 PM 02:30 PM 08/21/2009 Alfalfa Farm Bureau 113 South Grand Avenue Cherokee OK 73728

Rep. Dan Lungren REP CA 3 Town Hall 07:00 PM 08:30 PM 08/18/2009 Citrus Heights City Hall 6237 Fountain Square Drive Citrus Heights CA 95621

Rep. Dan Lungren REP CA 3 Town Hall 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 08/22/2009 Jackson City Hall 33 Broadway Jackson CA 95642

Rep. Dan Lungren REP CA 3 Town Hall 07:00 PM 08:30 PM 08/26/2009 Rancho Cordova City Hall 2729 Prospect Park Drive Rancho Cordova CA 95670

Rep. Patrick McHenry REP NC 10 Town Hall 06:00 PM 08/17/2009 Western Piedmont Community College Phifer Learning Resource Center (LRC), Second Floor, Room 120 1001 Burkemont Avenue Morganton NC 28655

Rep. Patrick McHenry REP NC 10 Town Hall 06:00 PM 08/18/2009 Rutherford County Schools Offices School Board Chambers 382 West Main Street Forest City NC 28043

Rep. Patrick McHenry REP NC 10 Town Hall 06:00 PM 08/19/2009 Cherryville Fire Department 411 East Church Street Cherryville NC 28021

Rep. Patrick McHenry REP NC 10 Town Hall 06:00 PM 08/20/2009 Charles A. Harry Cleveland County Administration Building County Commissioners Chambers 311 East Marion Street Shelby NC 28151

Rep. Tom Perriello DEM VA 5 Tom In Your Town 06:00 PM 08:00 PM 08/17/2009 Fluvanna County School Board Office 14455 James Madison Highway Palmyra VA 22963

Rep. Tom Perriello DEM VA 5 Tom In Your Town 06:00 PM 08:00 PM 08/18/2009 Charlotte Court House 250 LeGrande Avenue Charlotte Court House VA 23923

Rep. Tom Perriello DEM VA 5 Tom In Your Town 06:00 PM 08:00 PM 08/19/2009 Kenbridge Community Center Auditorium 511 E. 5th Avenue Kenbridge VA 23944

Rep. Tom Perriello DEM VA 5 Tom In Your Town 05:30 PM 07:30 PM 08/20/2009 The Nelson Center 8445 Thomas Nelson Highway Lovingston VA 22949

Rep. Tom Perriello DEM VA 5 Tom In Your Town 06:00 PM 08:00 PM 08/21/2009 Mecklenburg County School Board Office 175 Mayfield Drive Boydton VA 23917

Rep. Tom Perriello DEM VA 5 Tom In Your Town 01:00 PM 03:00 PM 08/22/2009 Tiger Express 137 W. Hicks Street Lawrenceville VA 23868

Rep. Tom Perriello DEM VA 5 Tom In Your Town 06:00 PM 08:00 PM 08/24/2009 Buckingham Middle School Auditorium 1184 High School Road Buckingham VA 23921

Rep. Tom Perriello DEM VA 5 Tom In Your Town 06:00 PM 08:00 PM 08/25/2009 Prince Edward Middle School Cafeteria 35 Eagle Drive Farmville VA 23901

Rep. Tom Perriello DEM VA 5 Tom In Your Town 06:00 PM 08:00 PM 08/26/2009 Cumberland Restaurant 1465 Anderson Highway Cumberland VA 23040

Rep. Tom Perriello DEM VA 5 Tom In Your Town 06:00 PM 08:00 PM 08/27/2009 Victory Hall 401 Valley Street Scottsville VA 24590

Rep. Tom Perriello DEM VA 5 Tom In Your Town 06:00 PM 08:00 PM 08/28/2009 Campbell County Technical Center 194 Dennis Riddle Drive Rustburg VA 24588

Rep. Tom Perriello DEM VA 5 Tom In Your Town 11:00 AM 01:00 PM 08/29/2009 The Franklin Center for Advanced Learning 50 Claiborne Avenue Rocky Mount VA 24151

Rep. Tom Perriello DEM VA 5 Tom In Your Town 06:00 PM 08:00 PM 08/31/2009 Appomattox Community Center 220 Community Lane Appomattox VA 24522

Rep. Janice Schakowsky DEM IL 9 Town Hall 06:30 PM 08/31/2009 Niles West High School Auditorium 5701 Oakton Street Skokie IL 60077

Rep. Adam Smith DEM WA 9 Town Hall 07:00 PM 08:30 PM 08/25/2009 Lakewood City Hall 6000 Main Street SW Lakewood WA 98499

Rep. Jackie Speier DEM CA 12 Family Forums 11:00 AM 08/23/2009 Cypress Meadows Conference Center 343 Cypress Avenue Moss Beach CA 94038

Rep. Jackie Speier DEM CA 12 Family Day 08/29/2009 Burton Park 1017 Cedar Street San Carlos CA 94070 Time TBA

Rep. Fortney Stark DEM CA 13 Town Hall Meeting 12:00 PM 01:00 PM 09/12/2009 Alameda City Hall Council Chambers 2263 Santa Clara Avenue Alameda CA 94501

Rep. Fortney Stark DEM CA 13 Town Hall Meeting 09:00 AM 10:00 AM 09/12/2009 Ruggieri Senior Center 33997 Alvarado Niles Road Union City CA 94587

Rep. Fortney Stark DEM CA 13 Town Hall Meeting 10:30 AM 11:30 AM 09/12/2009 Hayward City Hall Council Chambers 777 B Street Hayward CA 94541

Conservative Girl Adventure - Meet the Next GOP Governor

On Friday night the Republican Women's Coalition in Northern Virginia had a meet and greet with Bob McDonnell who is running for Governor in Virginia. All polls have him well ahead. More than 200 people showed up. Which for early Friday evening in August is a great showing. The DC area is normally not very happening in August. I was interested in hearing him talk about the 10th ammendment. It is becoming more and more apparent that the federal government is ignoring states rights. Bob has made a pledge to protect our rights as a state. He was against taking some of the stimulus money. A wise move since the state is now tied to keep funding projects, regardless of our budget. Again we heard some discussion regarding transportation and job creation. We also heard him discuss the technology sector that Northern Virginia is home to in the Dulles Corridor. I have signed up to help on the campaign and will be working at the polls on election day. I will keep you updated on the happenings.






Terri Christoph is one of the original founders of Smart Girls Politics. She is full of energy and working hard to help conservative women to get their voices heard.

Sasha Gong is running for Virginia Delegate for the Virginia 46th. She has an amazing life story, growing up in communist China. She has spent time in a Chinese jail for speaking out for human rights. Her book is available on Amazon. Well worth the read.

I met some people who grew up in Sudan and have been blessed enough to come and live in America. They are working hard to help get Sasha Gong elected. They also understand the importance of our constitution and the freedoms that many take for granted.

I have said before, Smart Girls Rock!!! This is Annie, a young woman who has put her education on hold to work for the McDonnell for Governor campaign. She is dedicated and hardworking. A good thing she is on our side.

Conservative Girl Adventures - GEICO

Mr. Chris Tasher
GEICO Media Relations
One GEICO Plaza
Washington, DC 20076

Dear Mr. Tasher:

I am writing you today to inform you why I will no longer being doing business with GEICO. I am very disturbed to hear that you have fallen to pressure and will no longer be running ads on The Glen Beck program that airs on FOX News Channel.

The Color of Change organization has put pressure on you and some other companies to drop your advertising. The co-founder of this organization is Van Jones. Van Jones, Green Jobs Czar, is now working directly with President Obama. While there is no dispute that Mr. Beck if no fan of the Czars that the president has employed, what he has put on his show is the same information is readily available from other news sources; the Capital Research Center and The Washington Examiner are just two examples.

I recently put myself through the sheer torture of watching the Keith Olbermann Show and noticed that you are indeed a sponsor of this program. Several months back Keith Olbermann had Janeane Garfalo as a guest on his program. During this segment Ms. Garfalo referred to people who exercised their constitutional right to assembly and peacefully protested against the excessive spending of the federal government as tea-bagging rednecks and racists. During this segment Mr. Olbermann could be heard agreeing with this comment.

The segment that The Color of Change is so upset about was Glen Beck saying that he believes that the President has a problem with race and used as example the fact that he sat in a church with a pastor that one can fairly say has said some controversial things about race and people of the Jewish faith. During this segment Mr. Beck was called on his statements by the hosts of the show. But your media department feels that Mr. Beck is deserving of the media being pulled but you continue to advertise on the Olberman program? The comment wasn't even made on his show.

My conclusion to this hypocrisy is that you have a problem with conservatives. Since I happen to be one, I don’t feel that you want my business. Nor, do I want to do business with you. I have cancelled my policies with you this morning. While I am going to spend a little more money with Allstate, I feel that a company that doesn’t publically pick sides on the political spectrum is more deserving of my hard-earned money.

Just a Conservative Girl.

More Attacks on Glen Beck

The left is trying to silence Glen Beck.

Wonder why?


I will be changing insurance companies tomorrow.

Read full article from Newsmax here

Healthcare Tidbit

The Mayo Clinic is one of the most respected healthcare facilities in the world. Mayo provides top-notch care at lower costs. These are people we need to listen to. The Mayo Clinic must be brought to table in regards to health care reform.

Mayo Clinic Says Government-Run Health Care Will Force Doctors To Drop Patients.

'[L]awmakers are on track to approve across-the-board federal payment reductions of $155 billion over 10 years for hospitals ... Mayo and similar health systems object to the sweeping cuts. 'Across-the-board cuts will be harmful to everyone and we think it is particularly bad to penalize the high-value organizations,' said Jeff Korsmo, executive director of the Mayo Clinic Health Policy Center. 'We will have to violate our values in order to stay in business and reduce our access to government patients.'" (Phil Galewitz, "'Model' Health Systems Press Case For Medicare Fix In Reform," Kaiser Health News, 7/20/09)

The Mob - Maryland Style

Maryland is a liberal state. So the passion of this crowd just goes to show, it is not just far right winged nuts that are against this bill.


A pretty good crowd for Wednesday night. Hagerstown is small town USA.

Is this attire OK Senator Boxer?

Two fewer members of AARP.

Now, this is a man after my own heart

These signs look homemade to me.

You go girl - You vote for socialized medicine - start looking for another job.

Now, this is surprising. Sen. Cardin is very well respected and liked in Maryland.

A Marylander reading Levin. Could he be correct that conservatism is on the ascendency?

Hey, Nancy these look like real Americans to me.

Smart Girls Rock

This is a real life letter from a very real young woman. The people who continue to demonize us need to realize; we are voters too. I removed her last name for privacy purposes.

Dear Madam Speaker Pelosi,

I would first like to introduce myself. My name is Heather. I am a 23 year old single mother of a two year old little girl. In three short weeks, I will also be a nurse. I currently work as a waitress, and have put myself through college while supporting my daughter by myself, with no financial help from my family or from her paternal family.

When not in school or at work, you can find me at home playing with my daughter or at Chuck-e-Cheeze chasing her around a maze of tunnels. I also enjoy baking, reading, dancing and playing baseball with my daughter, although with my busy schedule, these leisure activities are very limited.

My favorite color is pink, and my favorite author is Johanna Lindsey. I am absolutely fascinated by wolves, and I really respect Native American history. I love to travel, although in these economic times that passion has been placed on the backburner. My favorite holiday is the 4th of July, because I love America, and I value a day in which the entire country comes together to give thanks and respect to the greatest country on earth.

I have never been considered wealthy, or even middle class. Because of this, I took the initiative to go to college so that I could give my daughter things that I did not have as a child. In three short weeks, I will successfully move myself from the lower to the middle class. I really think that this accomplishment is the true essence of the American Dream.

So I ask you, Ms. Pelosi, what in the above description of me depicts to you someone who is an UN-AMERICAN, swastika carrying, right-wing extremist with a mob mentality?

Perhaps I forgot to mention that I do not support the current 1,017 page health care reform bill supported by President Obama and Congress. I do not believe that a bill that will increase the national debt by at least 1.6 trillion dollars, as well as ration healthcare, increase the payroll tax, decrease competition, and ultimately eliminate personal medical choices will benefit a country already in economic crisis. Perhaps these views qualify me as irrational; I don’t know. In these days, I don’t know which way is up and which way is down.

Or maybe I am Un-American because I attended a tax day tea party in Columbus, Ohio on April 15th of this year. I took several hours out of my extremely hectic schedule to make hand-made posters and to join thousands of concerned Americans in a PEACEFUL assembly to show my apprehension of not only the growing federal spending, but the growing role of the government into once private sectors. I guess I misunderstood the first amendment when it said we as Americans have freedom of speech, peaceful assembly and a right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. Instead of being hailed as a patriotic American for embracing my constitutional rights, and I would argue, obligations, I have been mocked by my president, my elected officials and the media. Janeane Garofal called me a teabagging, racist redneck who hates black people (although that would mean I hate members of my own family) and I have yet to hear one national figure come out and rebuke her comments. And of course, we can’t forget that you diminished my concerns by claiming that my grassroots effort, which I can assure you, was homegrown and not sponsored by a single group or entity, was “astroturfed”. I have to say, Ms. Pelosi, that’s pretty offensive. Just because I don’t agree with you does not mean that I allow others to think for me. I may be young, but I am completely capable of forming my own opinions and educating myself on political, social and economic issues that affect not only me, but the future of my toddler, as well.

Or perhaps I’m a “CRAZY RIGHT WING EXTREMIST”, as a recent homeland security memo claims, because I value certain fundamental rights such as the right to life. I think the author of this statement must be an extremist as well: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Yes, I have to say that John Hancock must be a swastika-carrying, un-american, lunatic as well.

If I could, Ms. Pelosi, I would like to tell you what I think is Un-American. I think it’s Un-American to criticize your own constituents and marginalize their concerns simply because they disagree with you. I think it’s Un-American to call informed citizens “political terrorists” because they attend town hall meetings and don’t just sit and nod, as some on the left have said. I think it’s un-American for the president to tell opponents to basically shut-up and get out of the way, and to go on an apology tour across the world apologizing for the actions of his own country. I think it’s un-American to try to spend our way out of debt, and to attempt to make the poor rich by making the rich poor. I think it’s un-American to vote for bills you have not even read. I think it’s Un-American to try and pass a 550 million dollar bill to purchase jets for congressional use when I counted out change yesterday to put in my gas tank.

Ms. Pelosi, we Americans, democrats and republicans, young and old, rich and poor, are watching you and the rest of the ELECTED officials on capital hill disregard your own constituents. We are listening as you mock and belittle American citizens while you defend the contrived rights of international terrorists. We have seen how you embrace the radical actions of organizations such as ACORN and yet call every day Americans “crazy mobs.” We are watching. We are listening. And when the time comes, we will be the ones who are voting, and no one will have to pay or bribe us to do it.

My concern is not contrived. My efforts are not organized. I am not a mouthpiece for the RNC, and I have not been fed talking points from Michael Steele. I am not an extremist. I am not a nazi or a racist. I am not an heiress with an agenda and I most certainly am not Un-American. I am a mother. I am a daughter. I am a nurse. I am a contributing member of society. I am patriotic. And I love my country. And I will not be deterred because you and your colleagues unrightfully label me as something that I am not. I will not back down; the governments place is not in my pocketbook or in my doctors office. The recent actions of congress are inconceivable, but every action has a reaction. We will not sit down and shut up; instead we will rise up and vote. It is the AMERICAN way.

Respectfully yours,

Heather

Credit where credit is due

Senator Specter showed up at his townhall today. Considering what happened to him last week, I give him credit. He is also having another one this afternoon. He answered questions. Well, sort of. He avoided and dismissed some, but he stood there.

Senator Cardin showed up in Maryland as well. Again he answered the questions and stood there when it was tense and emotional. He will be hosting another one tomorrow.

The reason I am pointing this out; neither one of my senators are planning any. I actually voted for one of them.

I want to give a hat tip to those that show up knowing it is going to be uncomfortable and hard.

Conservative Girl Adventures - Breakfast with Barbara, Newt, and Jerri

As some of my readers may know, this is an election year here in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This morning there was a fundraising breakfast for Barbara Comstock. She is running for delegate in the Virginia 34th. A big part of her campaign is discussing issues of transportation and of course jobs. Transportation is a very big issue in Northern Virginia. The only place in the country that has worse traffic than us is Los Angeles. So while it may not seem all that sexy or important to you; it is very important to me and my neighbors.

Barbara had many guests, most of which are involved in the Republican Party in Virginia. But there were also some more recognizable names as well. Newt Gingrich and Jerri Thompson were also in attendance. Barbara was working in the house at the time of the “Contract with America”, so she has had a working relationship with the speaker in the past. It was a very nice event held at the home of a former treasury department employee.

We heard some stories from Barbara herself about her adventures of going door to door in her district. She told a funny one about approaching the door of a family who considers themselves independents and when they answered the door, she was told “No democrats, we don’t want any democrats here”. This is funny because this part of Virginia is very liberal. We were also introduced to a man who is from Romania originally. He told his story of growing up in a communist country and this is why he is a republican. A very moving tale of his believe in capitalism, freedom, and the how important the freedoms we have in this country are.

Newt gave a short speech. He wanted us to understand the importance of being involved with politics at the local level. If we can get good solid candidates at the local level it will be only a matter of time before we get them at the national level. He also talked about with this seat being very competitive we are going to see the left-winged 527’s such as moveon.org moving into Virginia to try and take the seat away. With both money and volunteers that will be coming from out of state. We have even had the left wing bloggers talking about how this seat is looking like it is going to be lost. This is coming as a big shock. As Mark Levin has said recently “Conservatism is on the ascendency”. I believe that he is correct.

A very nice surprise at this breakfast this morning was not only the sheer volume of people who showed up at 8AM on a Monday morning, but the youth that showed up as well. I met some college and high school students who have spent their summer helping with the campaign. So the Young Republican groups are alive and well in Northern Virginia; which is a very promising sign of things to come.