LibertyTeeth

A whole lot of groups will be meeting at the Tax Day Tea Party in Olympia, WA on April 15th!

For us in Cowlitz County we have a few choices.

TEA FOR TWO on TAX DAY!
Olympia & Seattle, Washington
Thursday, April 15, 2010
12 pm – 8 pm
Olympia, North Capitol Steps/Seattle, Westlake Park
416 Sid Snyder (Olympia) / 401 Pine St (Seattle)

Olympia: 12 pm – 3 pm with speakers David Boze, Amber Gunn, Kirby Wilbur, Tea Party Charlie, music & more! North Capitol Steps. Then join the caravan heading north to Seattle!

Seattle: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm with speakers Dori Monson, Liberty Belle, improv comedy, and live music! Westlake Park, downtown Seattle.

For those in Cowlitz that cannot make it up, not to worry, there will be a group at the Allen St. Bridge in Kelso from 12pm to 6pm, so come by and show your support when you can.

Also, We the People are hosting an event on Saturday in Vancouver! So no excuses!

We the People Freedom Rally

Saturday April 17th, 2010
11:30am to 1:30pm
Esther Short Park ~ 301 W. 8th Street
Vancouver, WA.

Our Great line up of Speakers
and live music will inspire and challenge you!

• Victoria Taft ~ KPAM 860 AM
• Rev. Wayne Perryman ~ Author
• Juliana McMahan ~ Evergreen Freedom Foundation
• Samuel Adams (Tom Niewulis)
• Tom Hann ~ Founder We The People SW WA
• Greg Noelk ~ Columnist for Wapathub.org

A Family Friendly Event presented by:
We The People of SW Washington

www.wepeeps.org
www.wapathub.org

I am so very excited to see the renewed energy of my fellow citizens taking action in the upcoming election process and governance.

The Tea Party movement has been such an invigorating and rewarding adventure of true grassroots politics and I am excited to see how it is evolving into a true platform for information, expression and action.

A great example of this is the Washington Patriot Hub and the We The People of Vancouver group, these are citizens coming together to share information and take an active role in both the governance and election processes.

As a citizen who attends my city council and county commissioner meetings often, I used to be one of only a few conservative citizens in the room. Often I was the only conservative to ask questions or make statements. Not anymore.

Local groups like this are providing training and encouragement to citizen on how to involve themselves in the process, how to influence the legislation and policy our elected officials often decide in the absence of the common man.

They are also taking the considerable time to run local candidates though a vigorous vetting process. No longer will we be left with inside politics and endorsements based upon “who you know”. They taking back the right of the People to ask the questions, influence the process and watch the interviews. No back room deals here.

The “Hub” specifically is a great clearing house of candidate and issue information as it is gathered by regular folks and accountable to regular folks.

From the Washington Patriot Hub site:

About The Washington Patriot Hub

“Today’s Committee of Correspondence”

In early October of 2009 many leaders gathered together over coffee and outlined some of the challenges we all faced. They saw the need for a better way for all members to communicate and the idea for the Washington Patriot Hub was born.

The Washington Patriot Hub is not a group or organization. It is a central communication vehicle for groups around the state that share common goals where they see a for change, some of which are:

* Education
* Energy/Cap & Tax
* Healthcare
* Illegal Immigration
* Precincts
* States Rights
* Sovereignty
* US Constitution
* Taxation
* Voter & Census Fraud

Local groups working together can build committees and share the research, planning and manpower so we can beat back the progressive agenda. As we have all learned over the last year, it is a monumental task just trying to keep up with it all. Every group has members that give varying amounts of time that is scheduled around their lives, family and work. With so many issues coming towards us all so quickly, we need to pool our resources and work together. Although we do not agree on all things, but where we do we can be a force for change.

1776 – “Unite or Die”

2010 – “Unite or Fail”

If you are interested in getting involved in your area, check out the sites above. Even if you are just looking for information on candidates, take a look.

I would also encourage you to attend the vetting meetings. What a great opportunity to find out for yourself who deserves you all important vote.

We The People – Vancouver: Candidate Vetting Meetings
Meetings on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 PM
Harney Elementary School
3212 E Evergreen Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98661 (map)

Agenda for April 6th Candidate Vetting:
Sean Salazar – US Senate
David Hedrick – US House Congressional District 3
Shannon Barnett – WA 18th Legislative District

Agenda for April 20th Candidate Vetting:
Arthur Coday – US Senate
Jaime Herrera – US House Congressional District 3
Jon Russell – WA 18th Legislative District

WeThePeople-Vancouver have active teams of people focused on education and civic responsibility.

Join one of the following committees:
Elections Committee
Legislation Committee
Education Committee
Local Government Committee
Events and Fundraising Committee

We look foward to seeing you at our next meeting or an upcoming event.

www.WeThePeople-Vancouver.org

Below is the memo from Casey Bowman, the campaign manager for Jaime Herrera, explaining the “Pro Union Vote” Herrera was supposed to have taken.

I certainly understand her vote, trying to get fair reimbursement for small business owners who are getting short changed by the State of Washington. It is not unlike the poor reimbursement rates that doctors receive from Medicare and other “state run” health insurance. In the end the average consumer pays more to cover the real cost of care. More than a few Conservatives voted for this bill in the House and Senate, they tried to right a wrong, which is more than some have done.

This was NOT a great bill, but that is often the case we you are trying to get something done while a bunch of liberals have the majority. We can fix that by electing more Conservatives like Jaime Herrera!

As always Jaime is a candidate with a voting record, you can see what she has done and will do for yourself. Her voting record can be found here: washingtonvotes.org

From: Casey Bowman, Campaign Manager, Jaime Herrera for Congress

Memo: Jaime Herrera and SEIU

It won’t shock you to learn that there’s a false accusation being made in the race for Washington’s 3rd Congressional Seat, but you might be surprised at just how off base the claim is that Rep. Jaime Herrera is a big union supporter. In 2008 Jaime was endorsed by every major business group in Washington state, including the Association of Washington Business, NFIB, Independent Business Association of Washington, Washington Restaurant Association and others. She has never supported compulsory unionism and never will. She is a strong opponent of “card check” because she has seen the excesses of union leaders and is fully aware of the threats and intimidation that card check would inflict on workers.

To prove the false claim that Jaime is a big union supporter, her detractors point to legislation, HB 1329, she supported involving child care centers. Their claim is that the legislation forced “compulsory” unionization of child care workers. That simply is not true. Here are the facts:

· Washington state reimburses child care centers for care of kids under the state’s sponsorship. Many of these business owners believe that they should receive a better reimbursement rate from the state for caring for the most vulnerable children.

· The bill allowed child care center owners and workers to choose to have SEIU represent the business in negotiating better reimbursement rates from the state.

· The bill said nothing about unionizing the workforce. Child care center workers wouldn’t pay union dues or fees and wouldn’t be forced to join a union, at any time. The bill was at the request of the small business owners of day care centers.

Those are the facts about this legislation. Again, Jaime has never supported compulsory unionism and never will. That is why she is such a fervent opponent of card check. If the facts don’t sound anything like the claims of those attacking Jaime and her voting record, then you should ask them why they are spreading these false claims.

Check out this post on Politico regarding the slow burn FreedomWorks is fanning with its actions.

Tea partiers air doubts about Dick Armey

You may have heard that a Washington, DC-based organization named FreedomWorks recently endorsed David Castillo in the 3rd Congressional District primary race.

FreedomWorks’ website claims the organization is made up of “grassroots volunteers,” and supports those who “fight for lower taxes, less government, and more freedom.”

In the past I have been a supporter of FreedomWorks, they have provided support and infrastructure to conservative grassroots over the years.

However, this endorsement is very disheartening to me; you see FreedomWorks endorsed Castillo without ever asking Jaime Herrera for an interview or even a single piece of information.

I can tell you that Jaime Herrera has a lot of grassroots support here in Cowlitz and throughout this district – she was formally endorsed by the Cowlitz County GOP party delegates (regular folks) last weekend – because she has a record of fighting for lower taxes, less government and more freedom.

So what “grassroots” are they claiming to represent? How did the “grassroots” in the 3rd Congressional District influence this endorsement? It sounds all too hollow, but read on.

In the press release that Castillo and FreedomWorks sent out regarding the endorsement they stated “FreedomWorks has provided organizational muscle to the tea party movement across the country. It is currently at work on a 2010 Tax Day Tea Party on April 15th in Washington, D.C.”

As many of you know I have be very active in the grassroots for years, I was an organizer (in a small way) of the first Tea Party rally in Portland, OR in February of 2009, long before FreedomWorks ever got involved, before even Fox News gave us any credence. (Only Victoria Taft gave our local rally any real coverage)

While I appreciate the support FreedomWorks is now providing, the “muscle” has been provided by the People! We the People! It is a citizen’s movement and cannot be leveraged or co-opted for political gains. I resent and protest the idea that some national group, any PAC, is trying to use the people’s movement for their own inside the beltway gain.

So how could this have happened? No input from the real grassroots, no interviews of the other Conservative candidates, not even a request for positions. It sounds so hollow, so…. Politics as usual….

Newsflash!!!! David Castillo used to work for FreedomWorks. Instead of listening to those of us who have been putting our shoes to the pavement in support of smaller government and lower taxes since before Fox News even knew we existed, FreedomWorks made a blind endorsement of someone with an insider’s connection.

Before FreedomWorks brings its DC money into this race and blindly supports one candidate, I urge you to contact them and let them know that they have ignored the grassroots.

If you support Jaime Herrera, you should let them know that, too. Tell them that any organization claiming to represent the grassroots should have an open and fair endorsement process where every candidate gets a chance.

Here’s how you can contact FreedomWorks:
• Submit an online message here: http://www.freedomworks.org/contact
• Call them at 1.888.564.6273

Keath Huff

Hello fellow Conservative, my name is Keath Huff.

As a Tea Party organizer and long time conservative activist I was appalled by the recent voice mail I received about my friend Jaime Herrera.

You may have received that call as well, and like me you may have thought it came from a Democrat.

Unfortunately it did not, though it was almost word for word the same comments a liberal Democrat recently uttered.

This phone call, with its blatantly false accusations, came from a politician, that much is for sure.

And that is why I am contacting you, I will not sit on the sidelines while another “politician” plays the game of destructive insider politics.

While Jaime has been in Olympia fighting to protect us from the Liberal agenda, including the dismantling of the people’s will on I-960, this politician could not even use his own voice for his propaganda.

I have worked hard with many of you to rid ourselves of the politicians and the political games.

We want conservative statesmen and stateswomen and a process of the people, by the people and for the people.

That is why I am asking you to join me in supporting Jaime Herrera for Congress and help me say “no more” to the politics of old.

Now is the time for the people, now is the time for conservative leadership, now is the time for Jaime Herrera.

For more information about Jaime Herrera, or to find out how you can help, visit Jaime Herrera’s Web Site.

Keath Huff

UPDATE

To be clear… The false allegation that Jaime is an absentee legislator is FALSE. The record is clear. Check out her voting record, which is available at washingtonvotes.org

UPDATE 2

Check out the piece written by Liz Mair

“A representative of the Washington State Legislature with whom I spoke
today confirmed that none of the committees on which Herrera serves met
on Thursday; nor were any votes taken in the Washington State House of
Representatives on that day. That, specifically, has one prominent
Republican in the district outraged a…t Castillo’s attack.”

Bullet Points:

• I have no idea how many attended, over 500 I would guess
• I estimate 65% – 70% were against ObamaCare, an easy majority
• The questions were civil, pointed and well thought-out
• I did not get to ask my question
• I knew over 30 people there and only one person I knew got to ask a question (great question Dave)

I have now personally heard Baird speak to the Health Care bill 3 times and here is what I have learned

He agrees that tort reform and background checks should be part of any health care reform out of congress, but he will support the bill even if neither are included. To him the importance of getting a bill done takes precedence over these desires.

Baird also says that he will not support a bill that is not revenue neutral, forces citizens into the government option and must be firewalled from “alternate” federal revenue.

The obvious problem with this statement is that the CBO states clearly that HR 3200 will not be revenue neutral and will in-fact add $239 billion to the deficit. It also states that the bill will force citizens out of private insurance and into the government “option”. He dismisses the CBO numbers.

Baird is very well spoken and will answers questions politely  and attentively often beginning the answer with “good points” and “I agree with x”. He is very good at speaking to the other side of the critics point, he does not however complete the linear logic of questions, follow-up is necessary.

Make no mistake, despite his INCESSANT use of “center-right” buzz words,  Baird is in favor of and wants to pass health care reform that guarantees insurance to all Americans, regardless of desire, income or need.  He does want to pay for it (how???) and does want some freedom in the market, but dismisses the eventual outcome the American people are very aware of.

He dismisses any problems with the government option (like subsidization, rationing, forced participation) with the quip that all those problems exist in the current system and 45 million are uninsured.

He also dismisses the argument that government does a poor job of managing and delivering services, claiming that Medicare does a good job, as does other agencies like the CDC.  Beside, the private sector does a poor job as well, just look at AIG and GM!

Baird only claims the “Commerce Clause” (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3) as the power necessary for congress to regulate all health care and provide a tax subsidized government option, the same power that allows congress to manage and fund SS, Medicare and VA care.

I believe Baird has  blurred the lines of logic and common sense that the average American sees clearly. While not as bad as other members of Congress, Baird has lost touch with his constituents.

What is astroturf? Well, it is an artificial surface primarily used in sports complexes in place of grass.

It is touted as a more easily managed, consistent and a safer alternative to dirt and the real stuff. Some athletes like the stuff because it is a faster surface to run on, others dislike it because it is less “forgiving” making injuries more likely.

In political circles astroturf describes political groups or parties “manufacturing” grass roots participation (generally considered bottom up) to give the appearance of broad public favor/disfavor for a topic/policy/candidate.

Recent examples of events labeled as astroturf would be the Democrat group Organizing America blasting an email to its members asking them to show up at a town hall in Longview with signs and talking points or when Americans for Prosperity called its members to show up at a town hall in Oregon with the same agenda.

The problem with the astro-turf label in these examples is that this activity really IS grass roots activism. Like minded individuals tend to join together in groups and communicate information about things that matter to them.

This type of “community” organization is less like astroturf and more like a mowed and fertilized lawn. The grass may be watered, but the individual blades are real. These citizens are showing up because they care. The grass may not be wild and “free range”, it may be a little too manicured when a Presidential campaign team has to “remind” supporters to show up, but it is not “fake”.

Real astro-turf is when President Obama called on what was presented as a “random” citizen with a question during the recent Portsmouth town hall who turned out to be the daughter of a presidential campaign aide, from another state.

Or when an Obama delegate claimed to be a physician in support of ObamaCare at Congresswoman Lee’s town hall and it turned out she really just plays one at town hall meetings.

Astroturf is not a bunch of seniors emailing each other to show up at a town hall to get their voice heard; it is when unions pay “protesters” or “supporters” to show up at an event and the union handles the transportation and sign construction.

To be sure astroturf does exist, but it is usually much more deceptive and underhanded than sending out an email to a list of “members”.

So before labeling a bunch of your fellow citizen’s as astroturf, look for people getting paid to show up or lying about who they are, that type of “organization” is the foundation on which astroturf is truly built.

In other news the “rumored” secret town hall meeting at the Cowlitz County Expo turned out to only be the reported Congressional Mount St. Helens Advisory Committee report to the congressional delegation (Baird/Murray/Cantwell).

And now it has been canceled, citing security concerns about an expected 900+ turnout:

http://www.tdn.com/articles/2009/08/12/breaking_news/doc4a835963f300a289231604.txt

Organizing for America, the group that led President Obama’s campaign last year and now promotes his agenda, misconstrued the meeting’s agenda (thinking it was concerning Health Care) to their “people” via their web-site and email blasts. This led to mass confusion by the local Democrats & local astro-turf installers as to how and why they were to show up at the Expo Center Thursday.

As word spread around the community, Republicans questioned how a “secret” Town Hall was possible and why the Democrat party members were organizing for counter protests at a innocuous Congressional Mount St. Helens Advisory Committee report to the delegation.

I would suggest that the Democrats slow down, take a deep breath and focus on paying down the 11 trillion dollar deficit before doing anything else. One thing at a time…

Congressman Baird apologizes (sort of) to ObamaCare opponents on Wednesday. Congressman Baird released an “apology” for his remarks calling the Town Hall “protesters” un-American, brown shirts (tactics) and Timothy McVeigh “like”.

You can read the apology here: http://www.tdn.com/articles/2009/08/12/breaking_news/doc4a83521378f98293357175.txt

He has also announced that he will indeed hold town hall meetings of his own, stating “My hope and trust is that we can have the kinds of informative exchanges that I have valued for so long and that reveal the very best of public discourse,”

The first Town Hall will be held in Clark County:

Date: Tuesday August 18

Time: 7:00-9:30pm

Location: Skyview High School Auditorium

1300 NW 139th St Vancouver, WA 98685