We Surround Rochester Distilled

Visit our main site WeSurroundRochester.com

2010-12-06T12:02:00.000-05:00

This site was created to help people find the best content on our main web site WeSurroundRochester.com, but we are not currently posting here, since the main site has some improvements.

Please visit WeSurroundRochester.com to see the latest news and join us at our monthly events.

The main home page now lists all current discussion posts and events, which will help you see what's new.

Also check out other learning opportunities we have like the ReValue America tour and the Foundations of Liberty Courses discussed here on ReValueNY.com

Members of the Foundations of Liberty Class discuss topics from an American Founders perspective on the Blogs at Foundations of Liberty NY site HERE.

Thanks for visiting and we hope you learn a lot from these resources!

Defining the Tea Parties

2010-04-01T12:29:00.000-04:00

What I think is fascinating is watching all the media and politicians try to "define" and co-op the tea party. The tea parties are an enigma to them.

The paradigm has shifted. We know that, so it is amusing to watch the show.

Some of think that the tea party is a political party. (although there is one guy running under a "Tea Party Party" in Nevada which has been denounced by all of the Nevadan tea parties ... which seems to be a left-wing ploy to split the vote so that Reid will get back into power...)

Now they think it came from Perot? That's funny.

Well, they are wasting their time and energy on this subject by looking through their progressive glasses trying to put labels on us. After all, they love stereotypes to exploit and they do LOVE labels!

Americans are diverse and the issues that the tea party folks care about are many. I would go out on a limb and say that ALL of the issues get down to one thing --- The Declaration of Independence and Our Constitution. The documents our Founding Fathers created is what unites and defines us.

So I say to the politicians and the media...

Pick up a copy of the constitution and read it.

In fact, they can read it for FREE online here:
U.S. Constitution Online

If they would actually take off their rose-colored progressive 3D spectacles and read our founding documents (instead of the DailyKos and the Huffington Post), they would get a glimpse from where the Tea Party springs forth from!

From Abigail in reply to the conversation HERE at We Surround Rochester.

Pro-Life Democrats Who Switched Vote for Health Bill Request Billions in Earmarks

2010-03-30T09:25:00.001-04:00

You've just gotta shake your head sometimes... how do we fight a system where they can dole out $3.4 BILLION for votes?? Either party, both have and both will again...

I think this fits in with Glenn talking about us being personally free of debt and able to handle anything, so that there will come a point where we can just elect the people who'll make the hard choices... the choices that'll financially kill anyone tied up with Federal this and that (Like I'm willing to vote for school cuts that would hurt the PR budget I'm paid under... bring it on).

Louise and company saying 'look at all the goodies I bring home to the district' has to be repulsive to enough voters, that the idea of earmarks and pork lose their power. I dunno. Seems a tough fight.

Here's my favorite part:

Pro-Life Democrats Who Switched Vote for Health Bill Request Billions in Earmarks
FOXNews.com
The 11 House Democrats led by Rep. Bart Stupak who dropped their opposition to health care reform mere hours before the final vote have requested $3.4 billion in earmarks -- and one watchdog group wants to know whether the money represents business as usual, or a political payoff.

Full Article HERE on FoxNews

Discuss it here and learn more about how you can get involved at WeSurroundRochester.com

Mike K Has Spoken: How the Patriot movement is different from Progressivism

2010-03-26T12:49:00.000-04:00

From WeSurroundRochester member Mike K, in a posting battle with a 'Coffee Party' Progressive that joined the group to 'ask us to not get violent' and to remind us that " Our initial form of government was communism. Please review the Mayflower Compact. This is where we really started and without this communal living we would not have survived."

BTW: The answer to that ill-informed view is here: "Why the Pilgrims Abandoned Communism"

So Mike the conversation went on a bit, and Mike had this to say:

Its simple Alice.

You think that morals are a matter of law. We think that morals are a matter of life or death regardless of law.
You think that individual rights are granted to you FROM government. We think we grant government certain powers and reserve individual rights for ourselves. Not only that, you also believe that certain groups should have extra rights or afforded extra protection. We think that they are all already protected as individuals...we are then branded racists, homophobes, partisan wing nuts and bigots. We thank you for the third label by the way, but id change it to "principled wing nuts" in the interest of precision.
You think that property rights shouldn't exist. We do.
You think that being provided healthcare is a human right. We think its a privilege we earn through hard work, where we exchange the fruits of our labor for the service of a doctor.
You think that principles are a starting point for compromise. We think that principles are a point that you don't cross, PERIOD.
You think the wants of the many outweigh the rights of the few.
You think that when we are attacked our first reaction should be foreign aid and/or UN sanctions to the aggressor. We think they should be declawed with tomahawk missiles and special forces teams.
You think that the constitution is a living document. We think its an unbreakable social contract with very specific meaning that should be followed or fought for, peaceful at first violent if, and only if, you run out of options and your individual rights went the way of the Dodo. (And they haven't yet, we have stated this for a very long time day in and day out, so stop implying we are violent and get to the next fake issue.)
You think man determines the climate based on political science. We think physical science needs to prove its case beyond a shadow of a doubt before we change fundamental and proper ways of living through law.
You think the family is community property. We think the community should mind their own business.
You think the government can solve all problems. We think that, more often than not, government IS the problem.
You and your Coffee party think that principles are open to subjective interpretation and are roadblocks to compromise to get what you want. We think that principles are a matter of natural law and relate to human nature and furthermore they are not burdens but guideposts in how we live our lives.
You and your party think that diversity and equality imposed by law are paramount over the content of a persons character. We don't, we think that a man should be judged by his deeds and his character, and laws don't stop others from making ignorant judgments on others but instead ostracize good and decent people breeding discord and inequality.
You think that no man should fail. We think that failure is one step in a determined and moral mans path to success.
You think that corporations are ruining this country. We understand that without them we wouldn't be a country.
You think that defying a president now, after we tolerated one that did things just as stupid is a sign of our "racism". We often did yell and scream that he was doing wrong, but we thought we were alone. We don't anymore and the color of a mans skin won't stop me and everyone else from finally doing whats right, I will not apologize for my timing.
You think we should apologize to the rest of the world. We think the rest of the world should thank us for almost everything they have including the little freedom left to many of them.
You think that the product of a mans labor is a matter of proper and equal distibution. We think that the product of a mans labor is his to do with as he wishes, up to and including charity or 72" flat screen plasma televisions.
You think that schools ought to teach environmentalism, we think they should teach economics. You think they should teach social studies, we think they should teach civics. You think that schools should teach diversity, we think schools should teach history.
You think our country is a democracy. We Know that it is (unofficially "was") a constitutional republic with independent states guaranteed Republican forms of government, guaranteed.
You obviously think that this country was created through coercion and social/economic engineering. We know that Capitalism (the only moral economic system) and individual initiative made this country the way it is, you should be happy, its allowed you and your kind to thrive as no other parasite has for many decades, the ride will soon be over though, the host can only take so much before it collapses. Nothing in nature is free, someone must pay in the end.
You think that equality is best imposed through laws. We think that equality is best expressed through the protection of the individual, the smallest minority on earth.

We have principles, you want to eat your cake and have it too. We say A=A you say A=P+(XYZ - C). Your standard of value is need, ours is individual human life. Conclusion: There is no compromise, do not waste your breath.

PS. Before you say. "don't put words in my mouth". Don't join a political movement, it makes things to obvious for people like us.

From RochesterConservative.com: Where from Here?

2010-03-23T12:09:00.000-04:00

I know, things are looking kind of bleak right now for the Republic and liberty, but we still have a chance of overturning or repealing this awful, freedom stealing piece of legislation.

Attorney Generals from 12 States are filing suit challenging the Constitutionality of the bill. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) are working together in an effort to get the bill repealed.

The most effective method though of turning back this Health Care “Reform” legislation and taking back our country lies with you and me, individual citizens. We have the power to vote out those who have subverted the Constitution and voted for the bill. Locally in the Greater Rochester area, Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY 28th) and Rep. Jim Maffei (D-NY 25th) both voted for the bill. We need to VOTE THEM OUT on November 2, 2010! We must make the best effort to mobilize the constituents in the NY 25th and NY 28th Congressional Districts to get out and campaign for the challengers of Slaughter’s and Maffei’s seats and defeat them!

Please come to the 2010 Tax Day Rochester Tea Party, not only to rally against the socialist power grab that’s occurring, but also to meet with other like minded patriots and start forming coalitions to defeat Slaughter and Maffei!

Remember in November!

Read more of this article HERE and see info on the Tea Party HERE at WeSurroundRochester.

Want to track the payoffs being made for 'Yes' votes on the Healthcare bill?

2010-03-19T20:27:00.001-04:00

See each Representative as they are bought off for their votes here at CodeRed

Health Care Takeover Vote

2010-03-19T12:37:00.000-04:00

So it's here. The big vote. What can you do?

Understand the key issues:
• The only way this is 'deficit neutral' or 'cuts the deficit' is by taxes and fees. This bill does NOT cut any expenses magically.... just the normal Washington answer to raise taxes. Hey, if we pay more taxes, they say the defect will be lower... wow, great plan!

• You are NOT getting anything for free. You still pay for healthcare, and add increased taxes and fees on top for many.

• Taxes and fees start right away... any possible benefits start in... drum roll.... 2014!
Are you excited to pay more for the next 4 years in some hopes that Washington will not waste that money (Just like the Social Security money paid in that Washington has misused).
Think: 10 years of taxes to get 6 years of health care. IF they don't waste the money.

• 37 States are going to fight this. Idaho is the first to make it formal in a lawsuit (Info HERE). It's also totally outside of the Constitution for the Federal government to require all citizens to purchase something to live here. That's all nice, and gives us hope... BUT, the financial key here is that this whole plan just melts down if you start having states bail on it. How can they afford this program if even ten states nullify the bill and do not pay into the Federal plan?

• What is a takeover of College Loans doing in there?

• We're no longer sleeping. We see and discuss each buyoff of a Representative. We have the audio and video of where all the bodies are buried. Unlike any other time, these facts will have a huge impact on elections. Politicians are not very web-savvy as a group... they haven't gotten messages like NY 23 or Scott Brown election.

They will.

Discuss this on WeSurroundRochester HERE

How to Pass the Healthcare Takeover Without Voting on It

2010-03-16T10:49:00.000-04:00

Here's a good summary of what's going on with Rep. Louise Slaughter and company:

Under the "reconciliation" process that began yesterday afternoon, the
House is supposed to approve the Senate's Christmas Eve bill and then use
"sidecar" amendments to fix the things it doesn't like. Those amendments
would then go to the Senate under rules that would let Democrats pass them
while avoiding the ordinary 60-vote threshold for passing major
legislation. This alone is an abuse of traditional Senate process.

But Nancy Pelosi, fearing she does not have enough votes, commanded New
York Democrat Louise Slaughter, Chair of the House Rules Committee, to
insert what's known as a "self-executing rule," also known as a "hereby
rule." Under this procedural ruse, the House would then vote only once on
the reconciliation corrections, but not on the underlying Senate bill. If
those reconciliation corrections pass, the self-executing rule would say
that the Senate bill is presumptively approved by the House - even without a
formal up-or-down vote on the actual words of the Senate bill. This
two-votes-in-one gambit is a brazen affront to the plain language of the
Constitution, which is intended to require democratic accountability.
Article 1, Section 7 of the Constitution says that in order for a "Bill"
to "become a Law," it "shall have passed the House of Representatives and
the Senate."

If Congress can now decide that the House can vote for one bill and the
Senate can vote for another, and the final result can be some arbitrary
hybrid, then we have abandoned one of Madison's core checks and balances.
If you must resort to tricks like this to pass this unpopular bill, YOU
MUST VOTE NO!!!!

Here is an article on FoxNews about this.

Thanks to Sil at CNY912 for sharing that!

2 Seconds on Global Warming and Snow

2010-03-01T10:01:00.000-05:00

It's easy to poke fun at the Global Warming crowd who had been (for the most part) shouting that 'Global Warming = Less Snow'... as evidenced by this quote by activist Robert Kennedy HERE) now that we've had record cold temps and snowfall this year.

Of course, careful GW Skeptics always point out that one event, or even one year doesn't make a trend.

Now the GW party line is that the larger snow is of course exactly PROOF OF Global Warming.... warmer air, makes a greater uptake of water, makes more snow.... Let's think this one through.

Pretty much any weather of any kind = Global Warming if you get $$ to keep researching by saying that.

Same thing with the Hurricanes after Katrina.... they were Global Warming induced... the end is nigh. It's been pretty calm in years since, and historically we know hurricanes ebb and flow, but that sort of sane, balance view doesn't get you grants, or sell windmills.

OK, so the point.

IF Global Warming were causing more water uptake and more snow... and we have an undisputed DROP of global temps for the past 11 or so years, wouldn't the snowfall have PEAKED 11 YEARS AGO and have been falling ever since.

And just how much more snow would one expect from a .75 degree raise in global temperature over 100 years?

Enjoy the snow. Take your kids out and build a fort. Have a good snow-day off of school with them. Then come inside and warm up next to the carbon-based fuel of your choice and relax. It's gonna be all right.

The Dinner Roll

2010-02-22T08:55:00.001-05:00

Once upon a time I was invited to the White House for a private dinner with the President. I am a respected businessman, with a factory that produces memory chips for computers and portable electronics. There was some talk that my industry was being scrutinized by the administration, but I paid it no mind. I live in a free country. There's nothing that the government can do to me if I haven't broken any laws. My wealth was earned honestly and an invitation to dinner with an American President is an honor.

I checked my coat, was greeted by the Chief of Staff, and joined the President in a yellow dining room. We sat across from each other at a table draped in white linen. The Great Seal was embossed on the China . Uniformed staff served our dinner.

The meal was served and I was startled when my waiter suddenly reached out, plucked a dinner roll off my plate and began nibbling it as he walked back to the kitchen.

"Sorry about that," said the President. "Andrew is very hungry."

Being upset, I began: "I don't appreciate.. ......." but as I looked into the calm brown eyes across from me, I felt immediately guilty and petty. After all, it was just a dinner roll.
"Of course," I concluded and reached for my glass..

However, before I could take a hold of the glass another waiter took the glass away and swallowed the wine in a single gulp.

"And his brother, Eric, is very thirsty." said the President.

I didn't say anything. The President is testing my compassion, I thought.. I withheld my comments and decided to play along. I don't want to seem unkind..

My plate was whisked away before I had time to lift my fork.

And, the President said; "Eric's children are also quite hungry."

With a lurch, I crashed to the floor. My chair had been pulled out from under me.
I stood, brushing myself off angrily and watched as my chair was carried from the room.

"And their grandmother can't stand for long", said the President.

I excused myself, smiling outwardly, but inside feeling like a fool. Obviously I had been invited to the White House to be sport for some game. I reached for my coat to find it
too had been taken.

I turned back to the President as he said, "Their grandfather doesn't like the cold."

I wanted to shout, "that was my coat! " But again, I looked at the placid smiling face of my host and decided I was being a poor sport. I spread my hands helplessly and chuckled.

Then I felt my hip pocket and realized my wallet was gone. I excused myself and walked to a phone on an elegant side table. It wasn't long before I learned my credit cards had been maxed out, my bank accounts emptied, my retirement and equity portfolios had vanished and my wife had been thrown out of our home. Apparently, the waiters and their families were moving in.

The President hadn't moved or spoken as I learned all this, but finally I lowered the phone into its cradle and turned to face him.

"Andrew's whole family has made bad financial decisions. They haven't planned for retirement and they need a house.. They recently defaulted on a sub prime mortgage. I told them they could have your home. They need it more than you do."

My hands were shaking. I felt faint. I stumbled back to the table and knelt on the floor.

The President cheerfully cut his meat, ate his steak, and drank his wine. I lowered my eyes and stared at the small gray circles on the tablecloth that were water drops.

"By the way," he added, "I have just signed an executive order nationalizing your factories. I'm firing you as head of your business. I'll be operating the firm now for the benefit of all mankind. There's a whole bunch of Eric's and Andrews out there and they can't come to you for jobs groveling like beggars."

I looked up. The President dropped his spoon into the empty ramekin which had been his creme brulee. He drained the last drops of his wine. As the table was cleared the President leaned back in his chair and stared at me. I clung to the edge of the table as if it were a ledge and I were a man hanging over an abyss. I thought of the years behind me, of the life I had lived, the life I had earned with a lifetime of work, risk and struggle.

Why was I punished? How had I allowed it to be taken? What game had I played and lost? I looked across the table and noticed with some surprise that there was no game board between us.

What had I done wrong?

As if answering the unspoken thought, the President suddenly cocked his head, locked his empty eyes to mine and bared his million dollar smile chuckling wryly as he folded his hand and saying;

"You should have stopped me at the dinner roll," he said.

WAKE UP AMERICA !!!

That Would Be It In a Nutshell

2010-02-21T12:59:00.002-05:00

One American's response to Speaker Pelosi's charge that the citizens at the Town Halls and Tea Parties are "not really a grass-roots movement. It's AstroTurf by some of the wealthiest people in America to keep the focus on tax cuts for the rich instead of for the great middle class." In plain terms, who we are and who we are not.

Opinion: A Grassroots View of the Tea Party Roy Nix

Special to AOL News (Feb. 21) -- Ever since the first Tea Party protest happened just over a year ago, the movement and its participants have endured any number of insults -- they're extremists, racists, etc. My favorite, though, was House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who dismissed the entire phenomenon last year by saying that "it's not really a grass-roots movement. It's AstroTurf by some of the wealthiest people in America to keep the focus on tax cuts for the rich instead of for the great middle class."

I haven't participated in any Tea Party events, but I am sympathetic to their cause. And if I had the opportunity to respond to Pelosi, here's what I would say:

Madam Speaker, it isn't the Tea Party that's AstroTurf, but both political parties in Washington.

Think about it. Unlike the Democrat and the Republican parties -- which listen to the chattering class inside the Beltway to determine what the people supposedly want -- the Tea Party movement is made up of real American citizens in real American neighborhoods with real American lives. They don't eat, drink and sleep politics 24/7/365 as you do. They actually do know what they want.

The Tea Party movement consists of those poor dumb bastards who get up every morning and go to a real American job to earn real American money to pay their real American bills and raise their real American kids. They pay taxes that you waste on things they neither desire nor need. They worship each week and take their kids to school and to soccer, football, baseball, dancing lessons or wherever their kids need to go.

They are white, black, brown and yellow, and they get along fine as long as you are not stirring them up to get their vote.

They don't dream of power, and they don't dream of telling their neighbors how to worship, how to spend their money, what kind of car to buy, what kind of food to eat and how to save the environment. They expect their neighbors to decide all of those things for their own families.

They don't want big government, they don't want socialistic policies and they don't want to spend more money for things they don't need. They don't see Washington as Robin Hood, robbing the rich to help the poor, but as the Sheriff of Nottingham -- taking their tax money and giving it to big business while we starve.

They don't want to have to march in the streets, and they don't want to be "activists" in politics because they have lives to live.

They don't hate immigrants, but they don't like lawbreakers who come here illegally. They don't mind helping people, but they are out of money and want to help those closest to home first until their bills are paid off.

These real Americans vote for politicians who promise to let them live this way. But then they wake up to find that these same politicians ignore them once the election is over. And then they're told how stupid or uninformed they are when they tell their representatives how they should vote.

These lawmakers have forgotten what "representative" means, and they end up in Washington doing what their party tells them to do, rather than what their constituents tell them to do. That's the real AstroTurf. And that's what's motivating so many who've joined the Tea Party movement.

The Tea Party is sending a genuine grass-roots message to both Democrats and Republicans. And they'd better listen up and learn fast.

Roy Nix is a golf professional and club fitting professional in Columbus, Ga.

You can follow this discussion from John and Donna A. at WeSurroundRochester.com

Glenn Beck's CPAC 2010 Speech

2010-02-21T09:22:00.002-05:00

If you missed Glenn's CPAC speech last night, you missed classic Glenn presented to the masses. No, he didn't cry... though at the very end he was either channeling Rudolph or fighting back tears. (I didn't last that long. I'm so proud of that man... so sue me.) Easily the most talked about aspect in the blogosphere was his rendition of the Statue of Liberty poem, "The New Colossus" delivered as it should be. (If you only have 3 minutes, scroll to the last video to see it.)

See the speech, in 6 - 9 minute chunks, on the message board HERE.

What conservative government looks like

2010-02-19T11:14:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Paul for finding and posting this on WSRochester... titled 'My New Hero', he loves the way that NJ's new governor is focusing on changing his state's fiscal problems.

What if we heard this kind of solid action being discussed in NY, not just a trial baloon, wishy-washy 'Were gonna freeze some thing maybe' talk??!

Check out the video of Governor Chris Christy on CNBC (click 'read more' if you don't see it):

Discuss this on WeSurroundRochester HERE.

More from the D&C Opinion Page

2010-02-11T12:14:00.000-05:00

This letter to the editor (below) was in the paper this morning. The author either has a misinformed view or is outright being nasty for a reason. That reason is some people would much rather belittle an organization or a group of people to achieve an ends. The author doesn't mention one principle or fact that supports his statements. I know i plan on responding with a letter to the editor that pulls apart the authors statement. I suggest that if you have some time to do the same. I have noticed that the D&C has been somewhat fair with its representative views in the letters to the editor section. They are pragmatic. If they feel that the majority of readers are are conservative or libertarian, they will begin to print more conservative / libertarian letters. In the last 3 months they have printed 2 of the 3 letters that i sent in.
Matt T

Why I appreciate Tea Party activism
Last week, Tennessee gave welcome to hundreds of Tea Party activists, and an army of media reporters. We all love this Fox News, grass-roots organization of conservative, white Americans, because nothing supports social progress better than putting a face on its antithesis. Tea Party members are understandably angry and confused that their way of life is becoming uncomfortable. They long for a more uninformed time in America, when the world was only as complex as your immediate neighborhood; as far as you need or want to know. Adults call that time childhood. We all miss it. So let's appreciate the tea partiers for what they do in spite of their vague intentions, and hope that half-term Gov. Sarah Palin continues sharing her simple, folksy wisdom with Facebook comments and incoherent interviews. It's exactly what we need.

—JOHN CLARE
ROCHESTER

20 Reasons the Global Debt Time Bomb Explodes Soon

2010-02-04T14:45:00.004-05:00

Most of us have pondered what event(s) would trigger the 'Great Depression II' but few know just how many ways we're vulnerable. The Wall Street Journal covers the topic in clear and disturbing terms. The article could be used as a checklist to discover where one might concentrate on strengthening their own personal circumstances. After reading the article, follow the discussion HERE at www.WeSurroundRochester.com

Wall Street Journal / Market Watch

by Paul B. Farrell

Commentary: Which trigger will ignite the Great Depression II?

Excerpt from full article here

Poll: 20 economic weapons of mass destruction triggering ticking Global Debt Time Bomb
1. Federal Budget Deficit Bomb. The Bush/Cheney wars pushed America deep into a debt hole. Federal debt limit was just raised almost 100% with Obama's 2010 budget, to $14.3 trillion vs. $7.8 trillion in 2005. The Congressional Budget Office predicts future deficits around 4% through 2020. Get it? America's debt at 84% of GDP will soon pass that toxic 90% trigger point.

2. U.S. Foreign Trade Bomb. Monthly deficits actually dropped from $50 billion per month to roughly $35 billion. But the total continues climbing as $400 billion is added each year. Foreigners now own $2.5 trillion of America, with China holding over $1.3 trillion in Treasury debt.

3. Weakening U.S. Dollar as Foreign Reserve Currency Bomb. Fear China and other currencies will replace dollar as main foreign reserves. The dollar's fallen: The main index measuring dollar strength has gone from 120 at the Clinton-to-Bush handoff to below 80 today.

4. Cheap Money Bomb: Credit Ratings Down, Rates Up. Economists at S&P, Fitch and Moody's were totally co-conspirators of Fat Cat Bankers, misleading investors before meltdown: Soon, debt up, ratings down, interest rates soar.

5. Global Real Estate Bomb. Dubai Tower, new "world's tallest building" is empty. BusinessWeek warns that China's housing collapse could be worse than America's. Plus the U.S. commercial real estate bubble is now $1.7 trillion, a "ticking time bomb" bloating 25% of bank balance sheets.

6. Peak Oil and the Population Bomb. China and India each need 500 new cities. The United Nations estimates world population exploding 50% from 6 billion to 9 billion by 2050: Three billion more humans demanding more automobiles, exhausting more resources to feed their version of the gas-guzzling "America Dream."

7. Social Security Bomb. We have no choice; eventually we must either cut benefits or raise taxes. Politicians hate both, so they'll do nothing. Delays worsen solutions. Without action, by 2035 Social Security and Medicare benefits will eat up the entire federal budget other than defense.

8. Medicare: A Nuclear Bomb. Going broke faster than Social Security. Prescription drug benefit added an unfunded $8.1 trillion. In 5 years estimates rose from about $35 trillion to over $60 trillion now.

9. Health-care Insurance Bomb. Burden increasingly shifted to employees. Costs rising faster than inflation. Recent Obamacare plan would have cost $90 billion annually, paid to Big Pharma and insurers.

10. State and Local Government Budget Bombs. Deficits of $110 billion in 2010, $178 billion in 2011on top of more that $450 billion in underfunded state and municipal employee pension funds.

11. Underfunded Corporate Pensions Bomb. From $60 billion surplus in 2007 to $409 billion deficit in 2009. And a whopping 92% of the pension plans of companies are now underfunded. Defaults are guaranteed by taxpayers.

12. Consumer Debt Bomb. Americans are still living beyond their means. Even with a downturn, consumer debt rose from about $2.3 to $2.5 trillion. Fat Cat Bankers love it -- yes love making matters worse by gouging cardholders and mortgagees, blocking help in foreclosures and bankruptcies.

13. Personal Savings Bomb. Before the 2008 meltdown savings rate dropped from about 10% in the early 1980s to below zero. Now it's increasing, slowing retail recovery. Today, government's the big "unsaver."

14. War and Military Defense Deficits. Costs of Iraq and Afghanistan wars -- $200+ billion annually, $3 trillion minimum, with massive long-term costs for veteran medical care, equipment renewal, recruitment.

15. Homeland Insecurity Bomb. Security at airports, seaports, borders, vulnerable chemical plants all increase budgets.

16. Fed/Treasury Bailout Bombs. Tax credits, loans, cash and purchase of toxic assets from Wall Street banks estimated at $23.7 trillion as new debt was shifted from too-big-to-fail Fat-Cat banks to taxpayers.

17. Insatiable Washington Lobbyists Bombs. Paulson, Goldman, Geithner, Morgan and Wall Street banks, through their lobbyists and former employees working inside now have absolute power over government spending. Democracy and voters are now irrelevant in America's new corporate-socialism.

18. Shadow Banking: The Derivatives Bomb. Wall Street wants no regulation of this $670 trillion, high-risk, out-of-control casino that's highly leveraged versus the $50 trillion total GDP of all nations. We forget that derivatives almost destroyed global economies in 2008-09, finally will by 2012.

19. Dysfunctional Two-Party Political Bomb. Polarized partisanship increasing: Every day both parties show zero interest in cooperating for the public good. Instead they fight viciously, resisting everything and anything proposed by opponents. Only goal: Score political points, make the other side look bad.

20. The Coming Populous Rebellion Bombs. Nobody trusts anyone in authority. For good reason. So immediate gratification, short-term betting and a lack of long-term perspective wins for individual investors, consumers and taxpayers as well as Washington, Wall Street and Corporate America CEOs. Today: "Doing what's right for the common good and country" is just empty political rhetoric.

Forbes. The Economist. Davos-World Economic Forum. Bloomberg BusinessWeek. All one voice, one loud, lonely chorus echoing that famous Beatles tune: "Head in a cloud ... The fool on the hill, sees the sun going down ... a thousand voices talking perfectly loud. But nobody ever hears him, or the sound he appears to make ... And the eyes in his head, see the world spinning 'round ...ooh, round and round and round."

Historians and behavioral economists tell us most investors are blind optimists. Investors cannot see bubbles from inside their bubble. Nor Fat Cat Bankers from inside their mega-bonus-bubble. Nor politicians from inside the beltway bubble.

Why? The optimist's brain filters out bad news. They know their dreams of prosperity will come true. Then, when they finally do see that the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train, it's always too late.
I will say it again, gently: A new meltdown is coming. The Great Depression II is coming, soon. And yet, I know your mental filters are working, blocking warnings of a bomb. I can even hear you calling me "the fool on the hill who sees the sun going down, the world spinning round" ... sees you kissing your retirement goodbye

Writing a Letter to the Editor

2010-02-03T23:50:00.005-05:00

This practical 5 step guide to writing effective letters to the editor is offered by member Sue S. A well-written letter is an effective way to get our message out to the the larger community.

WRITING A LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Step 1

Decide why you are writing a letter to the editor. Letters to the editor serve a specific purpose. Sometimes they are to correct a previously published error. More often they are to express an opinion about an issue recently in the news. Sometimes they debate an opinion letter previously published by the publication.

Keep a copy of news articles or previous letters to the editor you are responding to handy while you are writing your letter. You will want to refer to them for accuracy if you quote anything previously published to be certain it is an exact quote. Research any facts or statistics you plan to use to support your opinion or argument. The more factual your letter, the stronger it will be in making your point and possibly even convincing others that you are correct.

Step 2

Write yourself some notes to follow as a guideline for your letter. List all the important points you want to make in your letter. Jot down the appropriate facts or statistics you will use to support each point next to the appropriate item.

Step 3

Focus your letter on an issue, not a person or business. Express your opinion about that issue, making reference to relevant people or businesses only as needed to clarify the issue specifically or to avoid reader confusion about what you are saying.

Step 4

Begin your letter by clearly stating your opinion and to what you are responding. Use subsequent paragraphs to make individual points that support the opinion you expressed in paragraph one. Incorporate facts that demonstrate your opinion is well founded, accurate and logical

Maintain a professional tone throughout your letter. You want to come across to readers as a reasonable, articulate individual with a valid opinion and solid facts to back up that opinion so that they will agree with you. You do not want to be perceived as radical, liberal, crazy, foolish, inconsiderate, unintelligent or uninformed or any of dozens of other labels that might be applied to a writer who rambles, uses his letter as a personal attack or vendetta, or otherwise writes a letter to achieve his own personal agenda.

Step 5

Keep your letter short and to the point. Use only as many paragraphs as required to clearly express and support your opinion. When you've achieved that goal, your letter should be complete. Check your notes to be sure you've included all of your relevant points and supporting facts.

Close with thanks to the editor, a short summary of your opinion or thanks to others who may be the subject of your opinion letter. Type or print your name a few lines below the close of your letter. Include your address, telephone number, email and other applicable contact information below your name.

Proofread your letter for accuracy, typos, spelling errors or other mistakes. Make any necessary changes before finalizing your letter. Make a copy of the letter for your records.

The full discussion is HERE at WeSurroundRochester.com

What YOU paid for the failed Copenhagen trip

2010-01-27T12:09:00.000-05:00

I think we should flag info like this as very powerful to sway the 'average voter' in November.

Jared at 912.US posted this CBS investigation into how much money Washington spend on going to the failed global warming talks in Copenhagen.

Full info HERE and a great, short read.

Here's a key part:

Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., is a key climate change player. He went to Copenhagen last year. Last week, we asked him about the $2,200-a-day bill for room and food.

"I can't believe that," Rep. Waxman said. "I can't believe it, but I don't know."

But his name is in black and white in the expense reports. The group expense report was filed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. She wouldn't talk about it when our producer tried to ask.

Pelosi's office did offer an explanation for the high room charges. Those who stayed just two nights were charged a six-night minimum at the five-star Marriott. One staffer said, they strongly objected to no avail. You may ask how they'll negotiate a climate treaty, if they can't get a better deal on hotel rooms.

Total hotel, meeting rooms and "a couple" of $1,000-a-night hospitality suites topped $400,000.

Flights weren't cheap, either. Fifty-nine House and Senate staff flew commercial during the Copenhagen rush. They paid government rates -- $5-10,000 each -- totaling $408,064. Add three military jets -- $168,351 just for flight time -- and the bill tops $1.1 million dollars -- not including all the Obama administration officials who attended: well over 60.

In fairness, many attendees told us they did a lot of hard work, and the laid groundwork for a future global treaty.

"I was there because I thought it was important for me to be there," Rep. Waxman said. "I didn't look at it as a pleasure trip."

"It's the People's Seat"

2010-01-12T14:05:00.003-05:00

Man, this is frankly the shot heard round the world for 2010... from MA again. Short clip from the debate for who'll now legitimately claim the Senate seat (Remember they twice changed how a replacement Senator was chosen to suit the big political parties). In such a short statement, sums up the old thinking about political reps and the new 'Liberty' mindset.

Discuss this HERE on WeSurroundRochester.com

How to Share Photos

2010-01-08T18:23:00.006-05:00

We'll be talking about taking better photos and video at this month's meeting (Tomorrow, Saturday 1/9/10 at 4pm)... and here's a very quick example of getting the photos out of your camera and onto the web easily, via a blog (like the WSRDistilled one here!) and the Flickr photo sharing site.

The whole point of our talk wasn't to start a 'photo club'... but for everyone to realize that each of us will be in situations this year that could provide amazing, powerful, photos. We will be documenting history, and by moving those photos off our your computer and onto the 'net at public sharing sites, and by taking better photos, you'll be impacting thousands of people, not just a few friends. You know for yourself the power of some of the images you have seen from 912Project events around the country and the DC912 March. Now it's your turn to add to that with your great photo moments.

Here are the photos I took as examples during my photo talk... these are NOT beautiful photos (Since I was doing the talk, I didn't want to drag my big camera to the meeting)... the point is how easily the photos were shared.

You saw me take the photos, they went straight up to Flickr wirelessly from the camera via the restaurant's WiFi Hot Spot.

I went to one of the photo adjusting sites I told you about (Picnik.com) and adjusted some simple things on the shots like making the color warmer, red eye fix on one shot (you're welcome Valerie!), and the like.... and then just grabbed the 'embed' code from Flickr's slide show and there it is all done... about 15 minutes of my time... and all pretty much free.

Here's what I said about what we can do to better use the photos and video we take... If I get a sec, I'll record the presentation and put it up on YouTube as well.

Facebook.com:
• Connecting with friends
• Meeting like-minded folks
• Advocate Groups like 10th Am Ctr.
• Letting friends see what you believe in
• Showing that ‘We Surround Them’... there are more of us 'normal folks, conservatives' than anyone guesses

Twitter.com:
• Instant News (Twitter was *the only* source of info during Glenn Beck's talk at 'The Villiages'
• Short is very sweet
• Broadcast to everyone
• Receive from your chosen sources

Flickr.com:
• Photo Sharing
• Little for free, inexpensive for unlimited (you have to pay some for unlimited photos monthly)
• Getting Photos OUT is great... so use the photos you put on Flickr very easily in a slide show on a Blog...Like you are seeing right here!

YouTube.com:
• Universal... Everyone looks there (works on all computers and the iPhone)
• Multiple ways to upload (from their web site, from programs on your computer)
• Quality isn’t the best, but improving... use the HQ button when viewing videos that have it
• Sharing, embedding very easy (you can copy the 'embed' code and past it into many web sites, like this one!)

More geeky extra stuff:

Slide Show Creation:

Slide.com

Animoto.com

One True Media

Better Quality than YouTube:
Vimeo.com

Live events:
Stickam.com (we have an account and can actually stream live video events to the 'net)

A few last thoughts:

Editing:
Photoshop Elements $50 ad all you'll ever need... iPhoto comes free on every Mac and is great

Picasa (Google)

Picnik.com

Start with good material
a $40 camera better than a phone cam usually... use Ron's tips to take better photos to start with

Look at good photos, videos, web sites

National class stuff can be seen HERE on Flickr and always changing

You can even search for terms like 912Project on Flickr and see what other groups are posting... like HERE as a slideshow

Another example with nicer photos:
Photos from our Global Warming Education Event... which included the movie premier of the documentary 'Not Evil, Just Wrong' and a talk by Meteorologist (and Global Warming sceptic) Kevin Williams.

Critical Meeting This Saturday 1/9/10

2010-01-07T10:15:00.001-05:00

Come join us to talk about our group's focus in 2010.

Ken & Ron will also be talking about taking better photos and videos... as well as how to use the internet, Facebook, Twitter and other modern tools to get information and be more effective in reaching our goals.

We need to ask our representatives to take a pledge. We need to find out RIGHT NOW if our representatives believe, support or reflect our principles and values and if they will not do so in their actions then they are not supporting us. More importantly they are not supporting, protecting, or defending the constitution. Come join us for this important meeting.

More info and sign up to attend (always free and fun) HERE on WeSurroundRochester.com

Meeting 4 pm Saturday 1/9/10

Location

Bathtub Billy's

630 Ridge Rd W
Rochester, NY 14615
(585)865-6510

Stunning and Confirmed: Detroit Air Bombing Planned by Released Gitmo Terrorists

2010-01-02T19:46:00.001-05:00

(editing note... title changed to be more accurate... the *bomber* wasn't in Gitmo, just the bombing planners)

This is totally ridiculous. WE are letting these murderers go and then when their plots fail reading them their rights. We had 'em and let 'em go. THIS HAS TO STOP!

Two al Qaeda Leaders Behind Northwest Flight 253 Terror Plot Were Released by U.S.
Former Guantanamo Prisoners Believed Behind Northwest Airlines Bomb Plot; Sent to Saudi Arabia in 2007

From ABCNews.com

By BRIAN ROSS, JOSEPH RHEE and REHAB EL-BURI
Dec. 28, 2009 —

Two of the four leaders allegedly behind the al Qaeda plot to blow up a Northwest Airlines passenger jet over Detroit were released by the U.S. from the Guantanamo prison in November, 2007, according to American officials and Department of Defense documents. Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the Northwest bombing in a Monday statement that vowed more attacks on Americans.

American officials agreed to send the two terrorists from Guantanamo to Saudi Arabia where they entered into an "art therapy rehabilitation program" and were set free, according to U.S. and Saudi officials.

Guantanamo prisoner #333, Muhamad Attik al-Harbi, and prisoner #372, Said Ali Shari, were sent to Saudi Arabia on Nov. 9, 2007, according to the Defense Department log of detainees who were released from American custody. Al-Harbi has since changed his name to Muhamad al-Awfi.

Both Saudi nationals have since emerged in leadership roles in Yemen, according to U.S. officials and the men's own statements on al Qaeda propaganda tapes.

Both of the former Guantanamo detainees are described as military commanders and appear on a January, 2009 video along with the man described as the top leader of al Qaeda in Yemen, Abu Basir Naser al-Wahishi, formerly Osama bin Laden's personal secretary.

In its Monday statement claiming responsibility for the Northwest bombing, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula called bombing suspect Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab a "hero" and a "martyr" and lauded him for beating U.S. intelligence.

The two-page written claim included a photo of Abdulmutallab and boasted of Al Qaeda's success in designing "advanced explosive packages" that can pass through airport screening undetected.

The statement also asks for attacks upon Americans in the Arabian peninsula, and promises further attacks on the American people.

Abdulmutallab: Northwest Airlines Bomb Suspect

The suspected bomber, 23-year-old Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, told FBI agents he was trained for his Christmas Day mission in Yemen by top leaders of al Qaeda who provided him with the explosive materials.

"The so-called rehabilitation programs are a joke," a U.S. diplomat said in describing the Saudi efforts with released Guantanamo detainees.

Saudi officials concede its program has had its "failures" but insist that, overall, the effort has helped return potential terrorists to a meaningful life.

One program gives the former detainees paints and crayons as part of the rehabilitation regimen.

A similar rehabilitation program in Yemen was stopped because so many of the detainees quickly joined with al Qaeda or its affiliates, the official said.

The increased role of al Qaeda in Yemen, which joined with the Saudi al Qaeda unit, has underscored the problem of how to best handle the repatriation of detainees at Guantanamo.

Copyright © 2009 ABC News Internet Ventures

Thanks to Paul for posting this... discuss it HERE on WeSurroundRochester.com

Simple Point to Tell Your Pro-Health Care Takeover Friends

2009-12-16T14:32:00.001-05:00

Tell your friends who think 'free health care' is gonna be great that... the taxes are coming way before any possible (and obvious to us fake) improvements in the health care system.

• Taxes go up as soon as it passes.
• 'Changes' come in 2013!

Under the Democratic bills, federal tax credits to help make health insurance affordable for millions of low- and middle-income households won't start flowing until 2013 -- after the next presidential election. But Medicare cuts and a sizable chunk of the tax increases to pay for the overhaul kick in immediately.

Full article HERE

Discuss this topic on our main site HERE

Nice Sane Discussion on Global Warming

2009-12-15T16:28:00.000-05:00

John Stossel had a simple, clear discussion about the issues:

EPA Doing Cap & Trade... who needs Congress??!

2009-12-09T16:39:00.001-05:00

Seems that we have Cap and Trade with or without the congress. Our republic stands bloodied by the current executive and their shadowy goverment full of czars handpicked to "Fundamentally transform our nation".

Article from Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration took a major step Monday toward imposing the first federal limits on climate-changing pollution from cars, power plants and factories, declaring there was compelling scientific evidence that global warming from manmade greenhouse gases endangers Americans' health.
The announcement by the Environmental Protection Agency was clearly timed to build momentum toward an agreement at the international conference on climate change that opened Monday in Copenhagen, Denmark. It signaled the administration was prepared to push ahead for significant controls in the U.S. if Congress doesn't act first on its own.

The EPA finding clears the way for rules that eventually could force the sale of more fuel-efficient vehicles and require plants to install costly new equipment or shift to other forms of energy.

Energy prices for many Americans probably would rise—though Monday's finding will have no immediate impact since regulations have yet to be written. Supporters of separate legislation in Congress argue they could craft measures that would mitigate some of those costs.

Environmentalists hailed the EPA announcement as a clear indication the United States will take steps to attack climate change even if Congress fails to act. And they welcomed the timing of the declaration, saying it will help the Obama administration convince delegates at the international climate talks that the U.S. is serious about addressing the problem. Obama will address the conference next week.

But business groups said regulating carbon emissions through the EPA under existing clean air law would put new economic burdens on manufacturers, cost jobs and drive up energy prices.

"It will choke off growth by adding new mandates to virtually every major construction and renovation project," declared Thomas Donohue, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which in recent months has been particularly critical of the EPA's attempt to address climate change.

The EPA signaled last April that it was inclined to view heat-trapping pollution as a threat to public health and welfare and began to take public comments for formal rulemaking. That marked a reversal from the Bush administration, which had refused to issue the finding, despite a conclusion by EPA scientists that it was warranted.

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said Monday, "There are no more excuses for delaying," adding that the so-called endangerment analysis from global warming had been under consideration at the agency for three years. After the official finding, she said the agency is now "obligated to make reasonable efforts to reduce greenhouse pollutants under the Clean Air Act."

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said President Barack Obama "still believes the best way to move forward is through the legislative process"—something Obama has expressed on a number of occasions as he has pressed Congress to shift the nation's energy priorities away from fossil fuels and to reduce climate-changing pollution.

The EPA said scientific evidence clearly shows that greenhouse gases "threaten the public health and welfare of the American people" and that the pollutants—mainly carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels—should be reduced, if not by Congress then by the agency responsible for enforcing air pollution.

"These long-overdue findings cement 2009's place in history as the year when the United States government began addressing the challenge of greenhouse-gas pollution," said Jackson.

She rejected claims by climate skeptics that the science of global warming remains in doubt, an argument given additional attention in recent weeks with the disclosure through intercepted e-mails that a British scientist had privately discussed ways to shield certain climate data from public scrutiny.

"The vast body of evidence not only remains unassailable, it has grown even stronger," said Jackson.

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., a lead author of a climate bill before the Senate, said of the finding: "This is a clear message to Copenhagen of the Obama administration's commitments to address global climate change. ... The message to Congress is crystal clear: Get moving."

Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., also a co-author, said, "The Senate has a duty to act."

Business groups have strongly argued against tackling global warming through the Clean Air Act, saying it is less flexible and more costly than the cap-and-trade legislation being considered by Congress. Any regulations from the EPA are certain to spawn lawsuits and a lengthy legal fights.

"Such regulations would be intrusive, inefficient and excessively costly, chill job growth and delay business expansion," argued Jack Gerard, president of the American Petroleum Institute, which also has been critical of the climate legislation before Congress.

"The Clean Air Act can complement legislation," said Jackson. In fact, if Congress were to cap greenhouse gas emissions, the EPA probably would be given the responsibility of implementing the law.

The EPA's involvement in reducing climate-changing pollution, stems from a 2007 Supreme Court decision that declared that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are pollutants under the Clean Air Act. But the court said the EPA would have to determine if these pollutants pose a danger to public health and welfare before it could regulate them.

___

On the Net:

Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov...
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

article here

Thanks to Paul for posting this on the WSR main site... join us in discussing & fighting it HERE.

Video of the New, Exciting, Unashamed Patriot Candidates

2009-12-05T10:53:00.000-05:00

LT Colonel Allen West is much more than a Great Speaker / motivator .
He tells it like it is and if you don't like the truth ,he'll show you the door
and you can leave . We need more candidates with this fire & honesty &
courage to speak the truth and shove PC ,BS to the side for the
survival of Our Country. I recommend everyone watch this video in
it's entire length , just shy of 6 minutes .

Thanks so much to Jiggs for posting this to the group and Guy for the above comments. I think it's a great example of the new kind of bold conservative candidate that we will see in 2010. I think conservative voters are sick of the old mealy-mouthed PC candidates and will support great, solid candidates. Now we don't officially 'endorse' anyone... but just like to show you some of the folks who are out there (and LT. Colonel Allen is in FL anyway!). And it's funny, but I totally didn't look to see his Party affiliation... totally didn't care. I checked the state to see if I could vote for him!!

Visit WeSurroundRochester to discuss this video HERE.

Climate Gate: Follow the Money (From the Wall Street Journal)

2009-12-04T09:11:00.000-05:00

Here was their very succinct description of 'Climategate' for anyone who asks:
Climategate, as readers of these pages know, concerns some of the world's leading climate scientists working in tandem to block freedom of information requests, blackball dissenting scientists, manipulate the peer-review process, and obscure, destroy or massage inconvenient temperature data—facts that were laid bare by last week's disclosure of thousands of emails from the University of East Anglia's Climate Research Unit, or CRU.

Here were my favorite parts:
Consider the case of Phil Jones, the director of the CRU and the man at the heart of climategate. According to one of the documents hacked from his center, between 2000 and 2006 Mr. Jones was the recipient (or co-recipient) of some $19 million worth of research grants, a sixfold increase over what he'd been awarded in the 1990s.

Why did the money pour in so quickly? Because the climate alarm kept ringing so loudly: The louder the alarm, the greater the sums. And who better to ring it than people like Mr. Jones, one of its likeliest beneficiaries?

(snip)

In the U.S., the House intends to spend $1.3 billion on NASA's climate efforts, $400 million on NOAA's, and another $300 million for the National Science Foundation. The states also have a piece of the action, with California—apparently not feeling bankrupt enough—devoting $600 million to their own climate initiative.

From the Wall Street Journal Online HERE. Thanks to Dan at WSR for finding it... Discuss this article HERE

Glenn Beck Education Conference in Rochester NY

2009-11-21T17:19:00.002-05:00

Glenn Beck is doing education events across the country in 2010. He's asking to see where he should hold them (The first one will be in Orlando at UCF Arena on March 27th.)
He'll be using this system to see what other cities to add:

View all Rochester events on Eventful

Please click on this badge above and vote for him to come to Rochester!

Here's what Glenn Says about this event:

- Education is key, and not just for our children. To that end, we will be conducting a series of conventions. These will be full-day experiences where you will be immersed in learning about topics ranging from self-reliance, community organizing, the economy and how to be a political force in your own neighborhood and country. The first one will be in Orlando at UCF Arena on March 27th. You will also be able to vote to have a convention in your region by clicking here.

- I have begun meeting with some of the best minds in the country that believe in limited government, maximum freedom and the values of our Founders. I am developing a 100 year plan. I know that the bipartisan corruption in Washington that has brought us to this brink and it will not be defeated easily. It will require unconventional thinking and a radical plan to restore our nation to the maximum freedoms we were supposed to have been protecting, using only the battlefield of ideas.

2009-11-18T12:39:00.000-05:00

And this administration thinks the answer to our problems is to grow government and create more programs?

Govt report: Over $98B wasted in improper payments
Nov 17 11:35 PM US/Eastern
By HOPE YEN
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - More than $98 billion in taxpayer dollars spent by government agencies was wasted, much of it on questionable claims for tax credits and Medicare benefits, representing an increase of $26 billion from the previous year.

In all, about 5 percent of spending in federal programs in fiscal year 2009 was improper, according to new details of a government financial report that were released Tuesday. Saying the overall error rate was similar in 2008, officials attributed the $26 billion jump to some changes in how to define improper spending as well as an increase in overall spending due to the recession.

President Barack Obama is expected to sign an executive order within the next week aimed at cracking down on government waste and fraud, particularly in Medicare and other benefit programs. In the 2009 report, the government officially reported questionable Medicare payments of roughly $36 billion, but that amount will be revised upward to about $48 billion next year as the Health and Human Services Department fully converts to a new methodology that imposes stricter documentation requirements.

"We need to protect taxpayer dollars," Peter Orszag, director of the Office of Management and Budget, told reporters. "Every dollar that goes to the wrong recipient or in the wrong amount is a dollar not available to help an unemployed worker, or to invest in education or key priorities of the administration."

Under the executive order, every federal agency would have to maintain a Web site that tracks improper payments, error rates and outstanding payments. If an agency doesn't meet targets for reducing error rates for two years in a row, the agency director and responsible official will have to directly report to OMB to explain the delinquency and new actions they will take.

The Obama administration will also seek to impose penalties on government contractors that receive improper payments so they have incentives to return the money, Orszag said.

Among the reported waste:

_Agriculture: $4.3 billion in improper payments, or 5.9 percent of total department spending. Much of it was in the food stamp, federal crop insurance and school meals programs.

_Defense: $849 million, or 0.5 percent.

_Education: $599 million, or 2.1 percent.

_Health and Human Services: $55.1 billion, or 9.4 percent. That included improper payment rates of 7.8 percent and 15.4 percent in the Medicare fee for service and Advantage programs, respectively.

_Homeland Security: $644.5 million, or 3.7 percent. Much of it was in the Homeland Security grant program as well as Disaster Relief Fund Vendor Payments.

_Housing and Urban Development: $1 billion, or 3.5 percent. All of it was attributed to public housing and rental assistance.

_Labor: $12.3 billion, or 9.9 percent. Almost all of the improper payments were in the unemployment insurance program.

_Treasury: $12.3 billion, or 25.5 percent. All of it was attributed to improper payments in the earned income tax credit.

_Transportation: $1.5 billion, or 3 percent. Much of it was in the Federal Highway Administration planning and construction program.

_Veterans Affairs: $1.2 billion, or 2.7 percent. That included improper payments in the pension and other compensation programs.

_Social Security Administration: $8.0 billion, or 1.2 percent.

Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., who chairs a Senate panel on federal financial management, said he worried that the latest numbers "may still be just the tip of the iceberg" since they don't include estimates for several programs such as the Medicare prescription drug plan.

"It goes without saying that these results would be completely unacceptable in the private sector, as they should be in government, especially at a time of record deficits," Carper said.

http://www.breitbart....

Thanks to Lorene for posting this... discuss it HERE on WeSurroundRochester

Where do we go from here?

2009-11-17T10:43:00.000-05:00

Posted at the Tenth Amendment Center. Exactly what we've been talking about... what's our next effective move, since it seems 'write your Congressman' is moot with these non-representing 'Representatives'??

If only 35% of people *wanted* the Health Care Takeover, and it's such a radical change... it's obvious that we are no longer being heard in Washington.

So, check out this article posted below, and also this one on a great idea... States Nullifying bad Federal laws.

Here's the article:

by Rob Natelson

The recent election results in Virginia and New Jersey – representing in part a strong repudiation of the threats to freedom over the past year – have energized many pro-liberty activists. It is imperative that we keep the pressure on.
But we can be sure the other side will try to trick us into damaging statements in order to discredit us, or lure us into time-wasting strategies.

So here are a few things to remember:

* Let’s keep our eye on the ball. The ultimate goal of most in the Tenth Amendment movement is to restore constitutional limits to the federal government. Our Constitution – not any peripheral or personal causes – is what we are working for.

* Swarm, swarm, swarm. The focus for the short-term has to be continue to “swarm” our elected representatives, get in their faces, and tell them over and over that more deficit spending or tax increases are simply unacceptable. So also is any major expansion of government control, particularly a takeover of heath care.

* Restoring limits on the feds. The focus long-term has to be one or more constitutional amendments to put the federal government’s house back in order and protect future generations from the kinds of assaults on our freedom we have faced over the last year. When a system breaks down, sometimes you have to patch up to set it right — just as our fathers and grandfathers adopted the 22nd Amendment to re-establish the two-term presidential tradition that Franklin Roosevelt had disregarded. That’s our situation now.

* 2010 elections. The focus medium-term is now the 2010 elections – not just for Congress, but particularly on the state level. This is because constitutional amendments to curb Congress’s powers are probably not going to come from Congress. The states will have to use the Constitution’s state-proposal procedure.

* Don’t let the bad guys marginalize you. Talk of actions such as secession suggest that we are the ones willing to destroy our constitutional system – when in fact the opposition has that dubious distinction.

* Work smart. The other side has a lot of people who work full-time in politics or who work for the government, which sometimes amounts to nearly the same thing. That’s in addition to Soros money. So we have to carefully husband our resources – devote your time and energy only to things that make sense in view of our goals.

* Don’t waste your time on stupid or impossible causes. Here are a few causes that are certain time-wasters: (1) impeaching Obama (impossible while the Dems control Congress, even assuming there are grounds to do so), (2) recalling U.S. Senators or Congressmen before their terms are up (there is no recall procedure authorized by the Constitution or federal law), and (3) secession movements (which, besides conceding the Constitution to the other side, overlooks the fact that they have the nuclear weapons).

* Again, keep your eyes on the ball – restore the Constitution. That means letters to the editor, candidate identification, working in the political party of your choice, fundraising, keeping in touch with others in the Tenth Amendment movement, and educating yourself by visiting great websites like the Tenth Amendment Center.

Rob Natelson is a constitutional law professor at the University of Montana, and runner-up in the 2000 “open primary” for Governor of Montana. His opinions are his own, and should not be attributed to any other person or institution.

Discuss it on our main site We Surround Rochester HERE

A Laugh at Unions' Expense (Video)

2009-11-12T07:55:00.002-05:00

Fed X vs. UPS Union costs example... funny and makes a great point.
Gang, this is the paradigm of changing people's minds on the net, fast, funny, makes the point clearly.

From Reason.tv

Thanks to Jon Lane for finding this! Discuss it HERE on WeSurroundRochester.com

Dear 'Representative'

2009-11-10T12:19:00.003-05:00

Dear “Representative",

You do not know me, but I know you; for I have been watching your work in Congress very carefully. Unlike my previous letters and phone calls to the so called representatives in Washington DC, this is not a plea for my voice to be heard, and I am not going to ask that you “take my views into consideration” when you vote on legislation that can affectively eliminate my personal liberties. The time for pleas has come and gone, and so has my tolerance for your complete disregard of The Constitution. No, this letter is not coming in the form of a request, but more it should be regarded as a warning of what is to come for you and your colleagues on the Hill.

In August, 2009 thousands of Americans attended town hall meetings to voice their displeasure with the healthcare reform bill; you mocked us. On September 12, 2009, an estimated ONE MILLION patriotic Americans gathered on your front lawn to protest the growing strong arm of the government; you ignored us. On November 5, 2009 an estimated 40,000 Americans left their families and jobs on only days notice to protest the passage of “Pelosi/Obama-Care”; again you ignored and mocked us. We have taken every civilized measure to prevent the American Dream from morphing into a socialized nightmare, and yet we have been ignored.

We are done being ignored, and quite frankly we’re tired of being the only ones that are playing nicely. So we’ve decided to play the game your way; bat in hand and target in site. And who is our target, you may ask? Well…you are. Like our forefathers, the time has come to make war with our oppressors to preserve our freedoms. Unlike them, our weapon will be action, not artillery. Over the span of mere months we have built an army of millions, all willing to sacrifice their time, money and sweat to one cause, and that cause is to remove you from office and regain control of this country. From this day forward we will dedicate ourselves fully to the cause, and we will not stop until you have either agreed to abandon party politics and defend the Constitution with every vote you cast, or until you are removed from your position of power.

After we are finished organizing thousands of impassioned voters in your district to campaign against you, whether that be going door to door delivering handouts, financing commercials or supporting your opponents, we will move on to those entities that have pledged their financial support behind you. Slowly but surely we will expose every corrupt tie you have forged, every lie you have told, and every promise you have made to every special interest that backs you. The downfall of ACORN was just the beginning, and you can rest assured that you and the entities that have pledged their allegiance to your corrupt ways will not only suffer a similar fate, but all of the public humiliation that followed.

Like you, General Cornwallis underestimated the power and wrath of We The People before he was defeated by “mere farmers with pitchforks,” and like your career in politics, this miscalculation will be short-lived. We have put down our pens and picked up our pitchforks, and this is only the beginning.

With a Watchful Eye,

An American Patriot

"Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"

I'd been mulling over what to do next when I received this letter from Heather. This I know: Like Heather, and I think like all of you, if the "Reps" in DC think they've beaten us, they've got another thing coming. I thought that I would go absolutely ballistic if the health care bill was passed, and yet I didn't. I'm disappointed, but more than that, I'm DETERMINED. They're going to have to pry my free America away from my cold, dead hands, if that's what it takes. Thanks to everyone here at WSR, and to folks across the nation like Heather (who is from Ohio), for helping me see that I am not alone! - Wendy A.

From a young mom named Heather in the "As A Mom" group, who has a true gift for writing. She's the author of the following letter, and has said: "Feel free to repost and send this to your reps!!!"

Video of DC Health Care House Call

2009-11-06T19:24:00.000-05:00

From another Group, but a great overview of the tone of the event. Reports from our group have the size at over 25,000 people... who dropped everything on 5 days notice, during the work week to go to the event. Rochester sent 1 bus and Albany did as well. NJ sent something like 14 busses.

DC 'Health Care House Call' Protest Report

2009-11-06T19:22:00.000-05:00

(Posted by Wendy Ann)

I'm soooo exhausted - The bus had a flat on the way back, which delayed our return by nearly two hours, so I didn't get home 'til 6:15 am - just enough time change my clothes and get to work on time (I was the only one in today, so I HAD to be here!) Anyhow - The rally on the Capitol lawn was AWESOME!

Michele Bachmann rocks - She's a rare politician - says what she means and means what she says. John Voight & John Ratzenberger were the celebrity speakers, as well as Mark Levin, author of "Liberty & Tyrrany." Just in the area where we were standing, we met people from Atlanta, Long Island, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, Connecticut, Missouri, California! Also met one of the moms who was on the Glenn Beck show that spawned "As A Mom." The crowd was at least 25,000. Not bad for a short notice. We're getting to be like a patriotic flash mob. At the rally, several times the crowd just started chanting "Nancy, Nancy, Nancy." We figure at that point Pelosi was hiding under her desk, cowering from the "angry mob." "Kill the bill" was also a favorite, and they are asking everyone to fax their congressman today with just "Kill the Bill" written on it. Michele Bachmann says they're going to vote on the bill tomorrow, and that everyone needs to call, call, call, fax, fax, fax, e-mail, e-mail, e-mail until they vote. PS - If you heard of 9 arrests made - According to what I heard on the Laura Ingraham show, the arrests occurred in the morning before the rally even took place, and it was a bunch of Lefties protesting in Joe Lieberman's office, saying things like he was on the insurance company's payroll, and that they were there to keep people from "dying every day." Definitely not tea partiers! After the rally, everyone descended on the Congressional office buildings. People shouted "kill the bill" as they waited to enter. The group I was with visited Eric Massa's & Louise Slaughter's office. Of course, the reps weren't there, but their chiefs of staff met with us. Massa's guy was pleasant enough, but he openly scoffed when the conversation turned to the "stimulus" package and I told him a tax cut for business, especially small businesses, would have stimulated more growth and jobs (too bad the announcement about unemployment hitting 10.2% didn't come out 'til this morning). He did refer to us more than once as "tea bag" people. After about the third time, Mike said, "it's not tea bag, that has some bad connotations, it's the tea party movement." Massa's staffer said, well, I'll just call you the "teas." God forbid, he was NOT going to make a connection between us and the original patriots. He was definitely sending a message that was not unnoticed by us. The good news is that he said Massa was not going to vote for the bill (but only because it DOESN'T have the full public option - what a socialist loser!), and he also said that he attended a staff meeting in the morning, and at that point, the votes weren't there to pass the bill. Slaughter's guy didn't even try to hide his disdain for us. He started right off the bat refering to us as "you people." They were sure to hand out three pages of pro-health care propaganda, and they only wanted to feed us the company (or should I say socialist) line as to why the bill was so great, and how it was really deficit neutral (BULL!). He wanted nothing of what we had to say. He went on this great tout and read a list of all the union groups that "support" the bill, including SEIU.

One of our guys is a union member, and he said something to the effect of "The union reps don't represent the members when it comes to this political stuff - we're realizing that now. Nobody in my shop voted for Obama, but we know the union supported him in our name. That means nothing to me." (Hurray for our side!) At that point, another member of our group, who works in a hospital, whipped out a petition she circulated the morning before she left, containing over 50 signatures, and she said everyone on staff said that the bill won't work and that it's a joke. Slaughter's rep was not amused (TS!) It's really sickening how openly, sneeringly disdainful this dude was. Yeah, way to treat the taxpayers who are footing the bill for all of your hair-brained schemes. Thanks to everyone back home for their support and prayers. Thanks for calling, e-mailing, faxing, and visiting local offices. Don't know if it will work, but we have to keep trying. This is really catching fire. For example, my sister lives in Orlando, and she e-mailed me first thing this morning: [color=royalblue]"I was looking for you on TV last night. They showed quite a bit on Hannity. Looks like a great turnout. Do you know that Suzanne Kasmas (D) said today that she won’t back the bill “as is”. She knows she’s up for re-election next year in a predominantly Republican district. You guys are making a difference. I’m so proud and excited!"[/color] I know my sister and her hubby are hard-working conservative types, but I've never known them to be politically interested 'til just recently. We are truly connecting, nation-wide - Let's keep the ball rolling, 'til we take back our great nation from our domestic enemies. P.S. A big THANK YOU again to Mike for pulling the bus trip together. I would have not been able to make it otherwise.

(Posted by Wendy Ann) Discuss the message on our main site HERE

Fox Showing Health Care Protest Live Now 12:25pm 11/05

2009-11-05T12:29:00.000-05:00

Fox is showing this press conference (and hopefully everyone down there protesting... We Surround Rochester send a bus down).

Go to the live fox video, and it's an alternate choice to what's on the TV now.

Here's the direct link.

Meeting Saturday: Global Warming

2009-11-05T10:56:00.002-05:00

Our next monthly meeting is this Saturday 11/7/09 in Rochester. Get the details HERE. We'll discuss the elections, the Washington 'Health Care House Call' event, do a project for a Serviceman's birthday and watch this movie debunking Man-made Global Warming... and more!

The Movie:

"Not Evil Just Wrong" is the film Al Gore and Hollywood don't want you to see. It reveals the true human cost of Global Warming hysteria. Kevin Williams, meteorologist from Channel 10, will be there to discuss his views on global warming after the 90 minute movie.

"Not Evil Just Wrong" shows how Global Warming alarmism and the tax increases that go along with it are going to increase costs for working families during one of the worst recessions in living memory.

Al Gore and his allies want to ban fossil fuels in the developed world. This would devastate the American economy and drive jobs to India and China.

Be part of the resistance. With your help we can bypass the barriers to distribution that Hollywood and the mainstream media put up to stop you from hearing the truth.

More info and sign up to come HERE. Movie web site HERE.

Wow, this one's already filling up... get on the waiting list to come... it's going to be a great meeting!

Vote Today (11/3/09)... Lots of Local Races

2009-11-03T09:50:00.001-05:00

Hi friends... here is voter information for our Rochester area (and Counties like Wayne).

This is our first chance to make some small statement since all this craziness in Washington started...

Obviously vote for whom you are led to vote for.

Could I suggest one thing to 'send a message'...

I am not going to pull the lever in either of the Repub or Dem rows this year... but always use one of their other affiliations... perhaps Conservative, etc.

I feel the less the two main parties feel we are voting with *them*, and that we are really voting for the best *individuals*, the better. Just an idea.

Get Involved:

If you find yourself wanting to get more involved in things to stop the craziness, spending, and just plain Socialism in Washington, you might be interested in the group: We Surround Rochester, which is part of the 912 Project that Glenn Beck founded.

Our group has over 800 members now in Rochester (that's right... 800 solid conservative, active, patriotic folks in ROCHESTER!)... doubling in the last few months.

We had 4 busses and countless cars that were part of the over 1 million people who went to Washington on 9-12, if you saw that on Fox. We are not about any particular party... but about taking Washington back to our Constitutional roots.

Shout with any questions and check out the group:

http://www.WeSurroundRochester.com/

••••••••••••••••••••• Election Info ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Here is a link to the County Boards of Elections websites.

You can get a .pdf of your ballot by town, as well as check your polling place, and other information.

Monroe County Board of Elections: https://www.monroecounty.gov/apps/voterapp.php

Wayne County Board of Elections: http://www.co.wayne.ny.us/departments/elections/elections.htm
with sample ballots for your town, etc.

Ontario County Board of Elections: http://www.co.ontario.ny.us/elections/

Livingston County Board of Elections: http://www.co.livingston.state.ny.us/boe.htm

Genesee County Board of Elections: http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/dpt/elections/

Orleans County Board of Elections: http://www.orleansny.com/default.aspx (not a direct link)
(polling locations: http://www.orleansny.com/Portals/1/Departments/Elections/Documents/ORLEANS%20COUNTY%20POLLING%20PLACES.pdf)

Wyoming County Board of Elections: http://www.wyomingco.net/BOE/Index.htm

____________________________________________
Polls are open 6:00am to 9:00pm in Wayne & Monroe County.

THE FOLLOWING NYS BALLOT PROPOSALS WILL ALSO BE VOTED ON BY NYS VOTERS ON NOVEMBER 3RD:

PROPOSAL NUMBER ONE:
Amendment to section 1 of article 14 of the Constitution, in relation to the use of certain forest preserve lands by National Grid to construct a 46 kV power line along State Route 56 in St. Lawrence County. The proposed amendment would authorize the Legislature to convey up to six acres of forest preserve land along State Route 56 in St. Lawrence County to National Grid for construction of a power line. In exchange, National Grid would convey to the State at least 10 acres of forest land in St. Lawrence County, to be incorporated into the forest preserve. The land to be conveyed by National Grid to the State must be at least equal in value to the land conveyed to National Grid by the State. Should the amendment be approved?

What will this amendment do if approved by the voters? (Proposal Info Prepared by the League of Women Voters of New York State... so take it with a grain of salt)

The "Forever Wild" clause of the NYS Constitution prohibits any development in the Adirondack Forest Preserve, including the building of power lines, unless the constitution is specifically amended to allow it. A constitutional amendment requires passage by two separately elected state Legislatures and then approval by the voters. This amendment has been passed unanimously by the Legislatures that took office in 2007 and 2009, and is now being presented to the voters on the November, 2009 ballot.
This amendment will make constitutional an action that has, in fact, already taken place. The NYS Power Authority, with the involvement and agreement of the interested environmental and municipal groups, approved the building of a back-up power line through forest preserve land to protect the health and safety of the residents of the village of Tupper Lake. The line was built and activated in May of 2009. What is the background on this proposal?

Before this new power line was built, the village of Tupper Lake had frequent power outages caused by damage to its single electrical supply line, principally from falling tree limbs in forested land along its route. There was no back-up line in the event of power failure, and during the winter alternative shelter had to be provided to village residents. This was considered an urgent situation that could not wait for the completion of the constitutional amendment process for relief, since it affected the health and safety of the villagers. The most environmentally friendly route for the new line traverses about two miles of Adirondack Forest Preserve land, affecting a small number of physical acres. While the new line could have been detoured to avoid forest preserve land, the detour would have involved a six mile cut through old-growth undeveloped forest and wetlands, endangering the habitat of wildlife. The chosen route along an existing road through previously cleared preserve land was judged to be more ecologically friendly. National Grid, the builder of the line, will compensate for the loss of existing preserve land by conveying new forest preserve land to the State. This new land must be of equal or greater value than the land that was lost. Environmental and civic organizations are supportive of this remedy to what was a serious and persistent public health and safety issue. Since the amendment is specific to this situation, it does not give broader constitutional permission to other such solutions; each would require another constitutional amendment.

PROPOSAL NUMBER TWO:
Amendment to article 3 of the Constitution, in relation to authorizing the Legislature to allow prisoners to voluntarily perform work for nonprofit organizations. The proposed amendment would authorize the Legislature to pass legislation to permit inmates in state and local correctional facilities to perform work for nonprofit organizations. Shall the proposed amendment be approved?

What will this amendment do if approved by the voters?

I'm concerned about this... What would keep the 'not for profit' being a place like ACORN, and the 'giving back' to be calls and involvement in the ACORN voter registration fraud (as in many states so far). Personally, I don't like this idea.

(The Following Proposal Info Prepared by the League of Women Voters of New York State... so take it with a grain of salt)

The NYS Constitution currently prohibits labor performed by prisoners in state or local correctional facilities to be "be farmed out, contracted, given or sold to any person, firm, association or corporation", except the state or any political division of the state and its public institutions. This means that prisoners cannot perform work, even voluntarily, for nonprofit organizations, such as churches, charities, social service agencies or educational institutions. If passed by the voters, this amendment will remove this constitutional impediment, and will authorize the Legislature to allow these inmates to voluntarily perform work for nonprofit organizations. What is the background on this proposal?

The sponsors for the legislation proposing this constitutional amendment argue that prohibiting prisoners from voluntarily performing work for nonprofit organizations denies these often under-funded organizations access to a willing labor force for tasks such as grounds-keeping. They say that many localities have requested that the prohibition be removed. They also say that allowing inmate work crews to provide labor to these organizations will help fill the gaps in funding them, and will give the inmates a sense of "giving back" to the community.
The sponsors also make the point that passing this amendment would only give the Legislature authority to pass a law allowing inmates to do such work. This "enacting legislation" could include restrictions, in the interest of public safety, on which inmates would be eligible to perform this work. Two separately elected Legislatures passed this constitutional amendment with near unanimous votes in favor.

( Proposal Info Prepared by the League of Women Voters of New York State)

PROPOSAL NUMBER THREE:

For Macedon, Wmsn, Marion and Sodus : whether or not to change town supervisor positions from 2 years to 4 years.

http://co.wayne.ny.us/departments/elections/documents/GE09WILLIAMSONSAMPLEBALLOT_000.PDF

Increase size so you can read it.

Clear Message on Less Spending from Tommy

2009-10-29T12:36:00.002-04:00

The Rev. Dr. Tommy Davis has a good article up on the D&C Blog about spending less, and NY State fees, etc. It's simple, clear and logical... that's why we love having Tommy speak at our events.

Here's a sample:

The current situation in Albany should serve as confirmation. The expansion of government with the ability to tax utilities and hike Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) rates in the form of “fees” is a direct tax on citizens who are attempting to brave this economic storm. Do we want in Monroe County what we have in Washington and Albany? If we elect Democrats who will vote with their colleagues to “tax our way into recovery” we have no one to blame but ourselves.

If your monthly household expenses total $5,000.00 and your monthly income is $4,270.00, would you continue to spend and suffer overdraft charges to your account because you are borrowing money from fellow depositors? Would you continue to purchase items you cannot afford? A wise decision would be to stop spending, cut costs by eliminating non essential items and services from your budget, and build up savings. The same principle should apply in Albany and Washington. The literal meaning of “economics” is “home management.”

Full Article HERE. Discuss it HERE on WeSurroundRochester.com

Emergency Planning Speakers

2009-10-26T20:07:00.002-04:00

For those of you that missed the meeting on Saturday 10/24/09 or wanted contact information for our speakers:

Our 1st speaker, Don, was speaking to us on the phone from Virginia from REACT (Radio Emergency Associated Communications Teams). More information can be found athttp://www.reactintl.org/public. If you are interested in forming a team please contact Member Dean Morgan through the We Surround Rochester website.

Our 2nd speaker was Joe Indelicato, talking about general Preparedness Planning, including which telephones will and won't work when the power goes out. Joe has a lot of valuable information and gives presentations in the Rochester area. He can be reached (Join the group for this info please)

Our 3rd group of speakers was from the Rochester Amateur Radio Association (RARA):
Bill K, Peter Fournia and Bill Marinucci. They were very knowledgeable, and will set up licensing classes for group members is we want. They can be contact through the local website (www.rochesterham.org) or Phone (585) 671-2424. If you are interested in the classes please contact Lori at (Join the group for this info please)

Some local meetings that may be of interest:

Rochester Amateur Radio Association, Inc.
First Friday of each month, 7:30 PM at the Henrietta Fire House, corner of Lehigh Station Rd and East Henrietta Rd (15A)

Also, the next meeting of the Monroe County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) will be held on Wednesday morning, November 18, 2009 at the Public Safety Training Facility, 1190 Scottsville Rd, Suite 200 (Emergency Operations Center). LEPC meetings are federally mandated to prepare for and respond to hazardous material spills and related emergencies. The LEPC is open to the public and all are welcome. Please sign in as a guest; coffee and doughnuts are available.

Local Website:
Rochester Amateur Radio Association (RARA)
www.rochesterham.org
111 Westfall Rd
Rochester, NY 14620-4647
(585) 671-2424

The National site is www.arrl.org.

(Thanks to Lisa G for the info... discuss it HERE on our main site)

Good Discussion on 10th Amendment/State's Rights

2009-10-23T11:53:00.001-04:00

The idea that the Federal Government should do very little and only what the Constitution says is being discussed at the Tenth Amendment Center.

Check out this letter from Tennessee to the other 49 State Legislatures.

One key part:
There are clear limits to the power of the federal government and clear realms of power for the states. However, the simple and clear expression of purpose, to secure our natural rights, has evolved into the modern expectation that the national government has an obligation to ensure our life, to create our liberty, and fund our pursuit of happiness.

Read and learn more HERE

A Congressman Says What We are all Thinking

2009-10-15T22:00:00.000-04:00

From July... great summary of the free market, small government view of the Health Care Takeover (thanks to John for posting it to the group!)

Big Public Event This Saturday 10/17

2009-10-15T15:31:00.000-04:00

All info and to register visit our main site HERE

Couldn't go to the 9/12 Rally in Washington DC? Went but want to meet up with your local Patriots? "Operation Can You Hear Us Now?" will take place on October 17th, 2009 to re-create the DC Rally in cities and towns all over our great country.

2 million taxpayers traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in the largest protest in DC in history, but most media outlets couldn't seem to cover the story correctly, and if they covered the story at all, they grossly underestimated the number of Patriots who feel this country is in trouble.

This time, we will be rallying right outside our local media outlets, where they cannot ignore us! In Rochester, we have decided to rally outside our two of our local media outlets, WHEC-Channel 10 and the Democrat & Chronicle. We will start at NBC, 191 East Avenue, 14604, at 11:00am, rally, and then around 11:30am March down to the D&C, 55 Exchange Blvd, 14614 and rally some more.

Bring your signs and your enthusiasm to this peaceful demonstration!

We've heard that "they" are expecting that us pesky protesters will rally for a few months and then go away. We need to show them that we are NOT GOING AWAY, that we will STAND UP FOR THE AMERICA WE LOVE and for our CONSTITUTION and that we BELIEVE IN FREEDOM and will not let it DIE, and we will continue to protest for as long as it takes - we will not stand by and do nothing while our rights are being trampled on one by one.

October 17th, 2009 will be a great day in American history. Join your fellow Americans in every state in the USA.

Healthcare Takeover: Senate Finance Committee Voting

2009-10-12T13:17:00.003-04:00

The Senate Finance Committee will be voting on this plan 10/13/09. PDF of the Congressional Budget Office info I mention is HERE. The members of the Committee and easy contact info is (including e-mail) HERE.

FYI for anyone that cares, here's my (way to long, but I'm mad) message to Senator Schumer:
Dear Sir, As a registered and active voter in your district, I want to strongly tell you to NOT vote for the 'America's Health Future Act 2009'.

FIrst, I believe the Federal government has no Constitutional authority to undertake such sweeping changes to such a critical area of my life.

Second, the only way this bill is even remotely 'revenue neutral' (as per my reading of the CBO information on your web site), is through TAXATION and FINES of our citizens.

Third, the idea that fines and taxes on high-rate plans will fund the expensive program is fatally flawed. Once fined, a person will then switch to your system... causing a double negative effect to the budget: The costs increase with their addition, the revenue decreases by losing their fines. Finally Sir, I am outraged that you are even considering such fines and taxes.

What gives the Federal government of the United States the right to charge an individual money FOR NOT DOING WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WISHES.

Sir, this is a tyrannical act that will not stand with citizens.

If a person is wealthy and choses to self-insure, how can you tax them for that? If a person chooses to belong to a private co-op that is faith based, how can you fine them, and essentially drive these sort of ideas out of business?? Forcing less health insurance options will not serve anyone. Please think beyond the details of this or that program and look at the big picture.

Americans can figure this issue out themselves. It is NOT a crisis. If Medicare is in crisis, fix that, but DO NOT meddle in my health care in this way.

Or at least consider that in such a crisis time in our country, there is no reason to experiment with such a key area and one that even the most positive polls show 40% support. We may have trouble voting you out of office for acts like this Sir, but you may wish to consider how many of your associates are not so well seated and will be affected by the nationally strong feeling against these plans.

This is a new era in American politics, as evidenced by the millions of attendees at Tea Parties and Town Hall Meetings. You are acting in a way that will create a wave of votes against anyone that supports you.

Please err on the side of caution and vote against ANY additonal Federal Government involvement in the health care system.

And to the Republicans (with variations for Sir/Madam Senator, etc):

Dear Senator Ensign,

As a registered Republican and active voter, I want to strongly tell you to NOT vote for the 'America's Health Future Act 2009'.

FIrst, I believe the Federal government has no Constitutional authority to undertake such sweeping changes to such a critical area of my life.

Second, the only way this bill is even remotely 'revenue neutral' (as per my reading of the CBO information on a Senate web site), is through TAXATION and FINES of our citizens. Third, the idea that fines and taxes on high-rate plans will fund the expensive program is fatally flawed.

Once fined, a person will then switch to your system... causing a double negative effect to the budget: The costs increase with their addition, the revenue decreases by losing their fines. Finally Sir, I am outraged that they are even considering such fines and taxes. What gives the Federal government of the United States the right to charge an individual money FOR NOT DOING WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WISHES. This is a tyrannical act that will not stand with citizens.

If a person is wealthy and choses to self-insure, how can you tax them for that? If a person chooses to belong to a private co-op that is faith based, how can you fine them, and essentially drive these sort of ideas out of business?? Forcing less health insurance options will not serve anyone.

Please think beyond the details of this or that program and look at the big picture. Americans can figure this issue out themselves. It is NOT a crisis. If Medicare is in crisis, fix that, but DO NOT meddle in my health care in this way.

Or at least consider that in such a crisis time in our country, there is no reason to experiment with such a key area and one that even the most positive polls show 40% support.

This is a new era in American politics, as evidenced by the millions of attendees at Tea Parties and Town Hall Meetings.

IF the Republican party has any interest in my considering their candidates in the future, this is a key issue I will be watching to see if they are strongly AGAINST.

I am in no way loyal to the Republican party. Their liberal, big-government actions over the last 20 years have made that so. Does your party want my vote again? I am watching to see who will stand up against these plans on principle, not just for Party.

Please err on the side of caution and vote against ANY additonal Federal Government involvement in the health care system.

The Key Misunderstanding of Socialism

2009-10-06T12:18:00.003-04:00

In Glenn Beck's new Book 'Arguing with Idiots', he notes a terrific quote from The Economist:

"[France has] and archaic socialism that fails to understand, or at least explain that wealth needs to be created before it can be shared." (emphasis mine)

I think that is a stunning summary of many of America's current problems as well.

With as much discussion about redistribution of wealth and how it's unfair for so and so to make 'too much money', or that taxes should be raised, people are forgetting that at some point the money has to be earned by someone taking risks, with ideas and skills. What the liberal world is planning would kill the incentive for people to create wealth in the first place.

It sounds great to want to help people, but once everyone is 'equal', where does the money to do that come from? After you've driven all of the Tom Golisano 's out of town with the NY State millionaire's tax... who will have the money to give (charitably, like Mr. Golisano... or forcibly by taxation) to anyone??

Of course, on an even more fundamental level, the real 'Key Misunderstanding' is deeper than a financial one... it's misunderstanding human nature...

A Letter to Nancy Pelosi

2009-10-05T23:18:00.004-04:00

It is over. The American people are beginning to shine the light of truth on your contempt and complete disregard for the Constitution. Your voice is wavering and ours is growing stronger.

I am part of a movement of freedom-loving Americans who have never before been politically active and who are now devoting nearly all of our spare time to thwart you and your and your corrupt colleagues from causing any more harm to this great nation. We will work hard to ensure that you and your comrades will be defeated in the next elections that you are up for office. Of course, if you all are convicted of participating in illegal activities and removed prior, all the better.

Before you write me off as an uneducated, white/racist party hack. Know that I hold a Ph.D., am an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe, and recently left the Republican party to register as independent because too many party leaders had become a watered down version of you.

While I believe the two-party system is salvageable, we must rid both the Democratic and Republican parties of the disease which now sickens our great country. This means you.

You are now quarantined. Your voice is irrelevant and lost upon us. Whatever noble aspiration you once had of doing great things is over. We will seek out and speak out about your misdeeds and your career as a politician will end in the shame of your own making.

We will do this with our voices and our will, not with the violence you appear to be fantasizing about. I am led to believe that in a sick way, you may actually desire violence to erupt in order to justify your continued power grab. I have no plans or desire to oblige this notion, but know also that as a veteran of the U.S. Army, I, unlike yourself, took seriously my oath to defend the Constitution of the United States of America.

I have now done my duty to notify you of our demands, which in summary, is that you take responsibility for your actions which have caused great harm to our Country and depart your office post-haste so we can occupy it with an honest, Constitution loving American Patriot.

I offer you my mobile telephone number and address, not in any anticipation of you wanting to speak with me, but so that if desired, you can verify that I am a real citizen, not beholden to anybody but my creator and my family.

With utmost sincerity,

Paul S., Ph.D.

Let them know we mean business!
Here is a message that I just sent to Nancy Pelosi. In addition to sending electronic messages, I am also sending signed hard copies of my letters.

How One Member Takes Action Everyday

2009-10-02T22:21:00.002-04:00

I'll give it a try, but I'm really not the most organized person in the world. Some days I feel like a whirling dirvish.

I'd say the most important thing I do is keep an eye glued to Fox, and my ear glued to the various news outlets on the radio while zipping around doing my "mom's taxi service" thing. Now that I have a car with satellite radio, I can really go nuts. I also keep an eye on our boards, because even with my obsession with the news, I miss important things that other folks have picked up on.

When I see or hear something that sets my blood to boil, I'll usually send an e-mail to each of my senators & to my congressman (just google the word "contact" and the reps name). Cut and paste is a great feature & saves a lot of time. If I have the time, I'll also send the e-mail to the members of whatever committee might be working on a bill. Of course, I'll often send "love letters" to the white house, along with Nancy and Harry.

If it's a really important, hot topic (like shoving through health care by next Thursday), I'll also call - I have my reps' numbers on my cell phone.

If it's something that doesn't appear to be passed right away, I'll drop some post cards in the mail from time to time with simple messages like "Our family says no to public option." (Buy the pre-stamped cards from the post office and have a stack on hand.)

When the Blue Dog Dems were the hot ticket, I called their offices (someone forwarded me a list of their names & numbers, which was posted on the Denver 9-12 site - ain't networking grand?!), and I spent a couple of hours over the weekend leaving messages (free cell phone minutes).

I work part-time, get the kids off to work & school, kiss the husband and walk the puppy, and try to get to church every Sunday. What else do I do? Pretty much what I've outlined above. I don't expect everyone to spend so much time on this endeavor, but every little bit counts. I like to refer to it as "needling" our reps, to constantly remind them of where we stand and what we expect of them. - So it's family, faith and freedom (or working hard to preserve it) for me, unless or until we get this country turned back around in the right direction.

-From Wendy A., after being asked to chronicle how she manages to get so much done for the cause. Read the thread HERE.

Working Families Party = ACORN

2009-10-01T12:37:00.002-04:00

Media coverage of ACORN and that organization's illegal activities in New York, California and elsewhere has largely ignored one of ACORN's most successful projects; New York's Working Families Party (WFP).

Because of the unique nature of New York State election law, candidates are allowed to be endorsed and appear on the voting machine ballot as the candidate of multiple parties, winning the cumulative total of all votes cast for that candidate on multiple party lines. Minor parties such as the Conservative, Liberal and Right to Life Party have played significant roles in New York politics.

The Working Families Party is not about working people or families and it isn't really a party. The WFP is a wholly owned subsidiary of ACORN. Bertha Lewis co-chair of the Working Families Party is the Executive Director of New York ACORN. New York ACORN leader, Steven Kest was the moving force in forming the party and WFP headquarters are located at the same address as ACORN's national and New York office at 88 Third Avenue in Brooklyn, New York.

WFP is essentially a money funnel which pays for an aggressive door to door canvas. Largely funded by unions, the WFP is ACORN's "political arm" in New York State. Candidates supported by the Working Families Party and issues supported by ACORN are both advocated on the door steps of target voter homes as they share one major voter canvas.

The Working Families Party has no county organizations or county committee men or women and no local structure beyond its top leadership and an army of paid canvassers. Since the major parties no longer have the man power to organize an effective voter canvas, Democrats have turned to the WFP for their door to door campaign activities.

But more importantly, the Working Families Party is a criminal enterprise utilizing a for-profit political consulting firm, Data and Field Services (DFS) to skirt New York City election laws regarding public finance and campaign spending limits.
CONTINUE READING HERE

From an email sent out by the NY Liberty Council, whom we met when we went to Albany to greet the POTUS:

Working Families Party = ACORN

What Will AG Cuomo Do?

By Roger J. Stone

It's Embarrassing Being "Represented" by Charles Schumer

2009-10-01T10:38:00.003-04:00

Outrageous claims abounded among anti-gun senators as well. Sen. (Charles) Schumer (D-NY)claimed that if the amendment became law, a juvenile gang member from New York could obtain a permit in Vermont, buy handguns there, shove them in a backpack, walk the streets of New York City trafficking the guns to criminals, and use the carry permit to satisfy the curiousity of any NYPD officer who might notice.

The author of the piece, NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris Cox, properly noted that Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) pointed out "that Vermont does not issue carry permits, that juveniles are generally prohibited from buying and possessing handguns, and that no police officer could be fooled in the way Schumer suggested". To this I would add that Senator Media Hound also forgot that New York City already has a handgun ban, and that knowingly selling firearms to a criminal is a violation of federal law.

This is the kind of representation in Washington that makes New York Republicans wince. Oh, Al D'Amato, why couldn't you have run a better campaign in 1998?

I'd like to end with a great quote from P.J. O'Rourke -- "I'm not a liberal, so I have a poor grasp of subjects I know nothing about".

From member Glen M:

I posted this on my TownHall.com blogsite. I thought a few may be interested.

It's Embarrassing Being "Represented" by Charles Schumer

Posted by The Hermit Crab on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 8:12:00 PM

From the NRA's America's First Freedom magazine, October edition, Page 44

Voting Begins on Health Care Takeover in Senate Committee 9/29/09

2009-09-28T19:57:00.000-04:00

I was just e-mailed info from the US Chamber of Commerce.

The vote will begin on Tuesday 9/29/09 for amendments and the 'public option'.

•• Click here to easily send your reps e-mails about their flawed takeover of the Health Care system. ••

I think what they say below is is a great summary from a business perspective about what's wrong with the takeover):

Tell Congress to Oppose Flawed Health Care Proposals:

The U.S. Chamber continues to support reforming the health system, specifically efforts to control costs and improve quality, reforms of insurance markets, and the creation of a streamlined, simplified marketplace to purchase insurance.

However, bills in both the House and Senate fail a simple litmus test for health reform legislation: in its current form these proposals do not improve the current situation; in fact, they will largely make it worse.

Tax increases to pay for a public plan, employer mandates, and minimum coverage will do more than devastate the private insurance industry--they could bankrupt our economy.

This type of health reform would bankrupt our government and leave tens of millions of Americans without the health care they deserve. Tell Congress to oppose the creation of a "public plan," burdensome employer mandates, and minimum coverage requirements.

Tip:
I really dislike the 'boilerplate' text they suggest on those sites to e-mail your Reps, so I always make it very personalized... and then hopefully it also looks a little less like a form letter..

What I wrote for the House version (Some of it's their wording, some mine... I like to ratchet it up from 'I oppose this in it's current form' to 'OR ANY form!'.....just FYI):

I strongly urge you to oppose H.R. 3200, "America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009" in its current or ANY form.

The small business surtax would devastate small businesses already struggling with a severe recession.

I strongly urge you to oppose ANY legislation that would enact a government-run, public health care plan. I do not want the federal government in any way inserted further into my health care.

If you are looking to work on a critical project, please make Medicare and Medicaid viable, stable programs that are not gushing losses & fraud, before we can even have a dialog about the Federal Government being involved in any other program.

Instead, I encourage Congress to allow positive reforms the insurance market and find ways to control costs.

Don't create legislation to insert more government bureaucracy into the system, work with business and Health Care professionals to free them to work better with Health Savings Accounts, competition across borders, etc.

This legislation will not address the nation's health cost explosion, will steeply hike taxes in an already precarious economic situation, will fail to lead to more affordable, accessible, quality health coverage, and will lead us toward government-run health care.

In short, it will make a bad situation worse, at great costs to the nation in jobs, taxes, and freedom.

I strongly urge you to oppose the "America's Affordable Health Choices Act."

How to Find & Contact Your Government Representatives

2009-09-27T10:44:00.001-04:00

People just learning about these issues often ask us how to figure out who their representatives are in Washington and how to contact them.

CitizenLink:
This is a web site that makes it very easy by your zip code or other info: CitizenLink

You can also research 'family friendly' legislation issues there.

US Chamber of Commerce:
If your interests are more business related, you can find the same resources to contact your elected representatives, along with key business issues from the US Chamber of Commerce

Very complete lists are kept HERE on WeSurroundRochester.com along with local and NY State officials.

Overview Video of Washington DC912 March

2009-09-27T10:20:00.002-04:00

Good assortment of images from the event in DC 9/12/09:

It's clear that the momentum is on the side of the 'patriot', small government, stop the spending, 912Project movement.

There are enough people now to have a huge impact on the future of our country... join us in making it happen!

Discuss this and see more great topics on WeSurroundRochester.com

New Media & Propaganda

2009-09-26T22:53:00.001-04:00

We had an interesting discussion on our main web site about the Obama Administration's 'New Media' Director asking for Democrats to make videos about why they support the Health Care Takeover (It was only sent to Dems). And someone asked exactly what 'New Media' meant... was it 'media' as in 'Journalism' and so I wrote this...

You may already know this, but 'New Media' is just the buzzword for promoting things through the Internet, YouTube, Twitter, Social Networking on the web, texting, etc... Not so much 'What TV newscasters do is 'old' now' or investigative journalism kind of 'media' is old... but more in the TV vs. Internet is Old vs. New Media... make sense? Old Media: Phone Tree New Media: Text message Blast to supporters Old Media: Have one $200,000 video produced for your cause New Media: Have 2000 videos made for free and posted to YouTube by your supporters Old Government: Feel it's below your office to ask people to create propaganda for your socialist programs New Government: Actually give them grants through the NEA to do it!! I think seeing how they are doing things is instructive...

You can find the original discussion HERE on our main site.

Healthcare Takeover: Penalty for Not Signing Up

2009-09-26T18:05:00.002-04:00

Just found this article on Politico: http://www.politico.c...

According to the Joint Committee on Taxation, Americans who fail to pay the penalty for not buying insurance would face legal action from the Internal Revenue Service.

Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) asked the committee's chief of staff, Thomas Barthold about it, he replied that the IRS would "take you to court and undertake normal collection proceedings."

Ensign made the point that it criminalizes citizens simply because they do not believe that the health insurance mandate is constitutional. The committee obviously didn't care, because they rejected an amendment from Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) to eliminate the individual mandate.

Posted on WeSurroundRochester.com by Eileen

Visit Original Discussion and Comment Here

Welcome!

2009-09-26T13:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome!

• Do you watch the direction America is being taken in and feel powerless to stop it?

• Do you believe your voice isn’t loud enough to be heard above the noise anymore?

• Do you read the headlines and feel an empty pit in your stomach…as if you’re alone?

• Do you wonder how to take steps to let Washington know how you feel?

• Do you want a dose of good news daily, and action steps to make a difference?

Connect with others just like you in the Rochester, NY area who agree with the Nine Principles & Twelve Values of the 912 Project (started by Glenn Beck).

Let's get involved and take back our wonderful country.

Who are we?

We are a patriotic organization...
committed to restoring the principles and values upon which the United States of America was founded, as stated in the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
We are not about the parties or candidates.
We are all about principled people standing up for Liberty!

"These folks are probably the largest group of civic minded individuals that Rochester has ever seen."

Bob Lonsberry on WHAM Radio (about our having 4 busses for DC March, etc.)

Don't Jump on the Soapbox... But What to Say??

2009-09-24T11:03:00.003-04:00

Question??:

What is your non-inflammatory response to liberals?

I'm new to this group, because I can't stand feeling alone anymore. Please help!

I work in "the world" - but what do you say in an arena where it is NOT okay to jump on the soapbox and really say what we believe? I must not be the only one who has a vanilla answer to use.

What are some other "one-liners" you use to get your point across but NOT start an argument?

You get my point - Thanks!
Betsy

Answer:

My world is very similar. Talking to very few conservatives as I work around Rochester...

I like to hit points of agreement that let them open their eyes a bit to what we're doing.

Topics many people from all backgrounds see as a problem (Pick your favorite):
• Washington wasting money (buying themselves jets, bailouts... then more bailouts and the companies are still failing)
• Rushing thing through without reading the bill
• Messing with our health care... It'll end up like Medicare, Social Security, Cash for Clunkers, the DMV, etc... What government program has *ever* run more efficiently
• Cap and Tax: Around the world it's made energy costs spike and done NO environmental good
• Drill for oil, real alternatives... not just taking us to use less
• Stupid freaking CF light bulbs. They can tell us now what light bulb we can use!!?
• Czars: This is really gaining momentum... who are these people, why should they run things and earn money from us? There's over 30 now (source).
• Founding Fathers: Small Fed Government... leave us alone, don't try to run everything
• Tired of BOTH parties. Time for them all to go and if the next batch we vote in thinks they can waste our money and run our lives... we've just proved we can kick them out in a heartbeat.

So you get the idea... just think of which topic bugs you most and know a few good facts on it.

I find most 'normal' people (and we believe that the normal folks surround the hip, liberal, media types)... most normal folk understand in their gut that politicians are doing a terrible job, are out of touch, and run so much by special interest money, the party's power, etc.

We've tried hard to build ourselves up on the facts, the Constitution, knowing both sides of the argument and how to refute theirs.

I still hate confrontation, but throwing in a little comment here and there lets people know that we're out here... it gives others hope that they are not alone and crazy to think the government is out of control.

Good luck as you are talking to folks... let us know how it goes!

KenH

Original Discussion on WSR Site

Tips for New Members: by Wendy Ann

2009-09-23T09:45:00.002-04:00

I, too, like to personally welcome each new member as they join, and give them some tips to get their feet wet and give them the "lay of the land," but like Richard, I'll be boarding a bus soon to join the March in DC. So, if you join while I'm away, here's the pointers I'd normally give you on a more personal 1:1 basis:

1.) If you haven't already, open the "About" tab to learn a bit more about us and our mission.

2.) Then open the "Info for New Members" folder in the Message Board tab.

3.) Don't be afraid to read, start, join in on any discussion on the message board - it's our main arena for communication, where we discuss, ask, answer, and learn from one another.

4.) Keep an eye on the calendar for meetings and coming events/protests, etc, and join in whenever you're able. First of all, we'd love to meet you. Secondly, the more of us at each event, the more "they" (media, politicians, etc.), take notice, and the louder our collective voice becomes. And "they" are taking notice. Remember Van Jones' resignation - I'd like to think our grassroots movement had just a "little" something to do with that victory.

5.) Go to the next meeting. Trust me, you'll enjoy yourself, you'll be made to feel welcome, and you'll make many fast friends. I speak from experience. [snipped out old meeting date]

6.) Continue needling your elected officials every chance you get. Call/write/e-mail/visit often to remind them where you stand on the issues, and what you expect of them. Never forget that we surround them, and they work for us. Be ever vigilant.

7.) Learn as much as you can about the issues, and share what you learn with your neighbors, family, etc - you'd be amazed at the number of people who have no idea the damage being done to our government from within (maybe because they only watch network news). Get the word out.

8.) Stay true to the 9 principals/12 values.

9.) And finally: Question with boldness - Hold to the truth - Speak without Fear

Welcome to We Surround Rochester, home of the peaceful revolution.

Posted Sep 11, 2009 6:47 PM
Go To Original Discussion on WSR

by Wendy Ann

545 People

2009-09-19T23:40:00.006-04:00

545 PEOPLE
By Charlie Reese:

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.

Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?

Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does.

You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.

You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.

You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.

You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president, and nine Supreme Court justices 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.

I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a president to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash.

The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.

What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The president can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? Nancy Pelosi. She is the leader of the majority party. She and fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they want. If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red .

If the Army & Marines are in IRAQ , it's because they want them in IRAQ

If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.

There are no insoluble government problems.

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the economy," "inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.

They, and they alone, have the power.

They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.

Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees.

We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!

Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper.

(Editor Note: You can see the full details on Snopes.com, but this is a real column, someone just updated a few things to bring it up to date with current issues... The message on Congress vs. the People is still sound.)

Interesting: Michael K Posts "I am a Racist"

2009-09-19T22:04:00.003-04:00

Yes, I am a racist!

The left wing media and the democrats say I am a racist because I do not agree with Obama's communist agenda.

So I am trying to figure this out!

Do I hate my black parents?

Do i hate my black siblings?

Do i hate my black Children?

Hmm' that does not seem to jive!

I got it!

I hate Obama's white liberal half!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On a serious note, if you hear some one say that to you, let them know that the truth is that they are the real racist! And that you were told to say that by an AMERICAN who happens to be black

Michael K

Posted Sep 19, 2009 12:29 AM

Link to this discussion

Video of our Tax Day Tea Party

2009-09-19T21:59:00.001-04:00

This is our best overview of the event:

We'll be posting more videos over time, there are 2 other good ones up from the Tea Party now: http://www.youtube.com/WeSurroundRochester

Just to be clear, we didn't officially sponsor the Tea Party event, but we were solid supporters and all of the yellow shirts you see are 'We Surround Rochester' members. The event had around 1,500 attendees.

The Goal Here

2009-09-19T21:51:00.000-04:00

This is a sister site to WeSurroundRochester.com.

There is so much great content that flies by there daily, that I'd like this site to capture it and cleanly present some of the best thoughts and happenings with our group in Blog format.

Several folks will post here, and most of the messages will be copied and pasted from the site above with notes as to who wrote them. We'll also share some key videos and posts from other 'patriot' and '912Project' groups.

We won't be taking comments from anyone on this site. To join us and deeply discuss topics, please visit WeSurroundRochester.com... the Message Boards are burning up with discussions.

See the 'About' page there to learn all about our group.

We're all in this together,
JohnAdams4NY