Call To Action
Posted December 1st, 2011 by Konni
RINOs are the curse of the GOP, but, as hard as it is to believe
after two years of Tea Party activism, many key RINOs are still in
office and Joe Straus is still the Texas Speaker. Despite the
current redistricting turmoil, we need to organize to give the boot
to as many RINOs in Austin and DC as possible.
Full report:
In 2012, Texas conservatives need to focus our energies on removing
our own RINOs from office, and keeping them off the Republican
ticket, this coming election.
It's impossible to overstate how important this task is, on both
the state and the national levels. RINOs are poison to a
conservative agenda. There is little real difference between them
and Democrats, and once elected they use their power to sabotage
attempts to enact good conservative legislation. We've seen this
take place in Austin over and over. No matter how loudly
conservatives speak at the polls, and how good prospects for
conservative legislation look, the RINOs in the party often manage
to water good bills down, or block them altogether.
Posted November 1st, 2011 by Konni
As many are aware of, American Majority Action has come out publicly against HR 1380, the NAT GAS Act. It is also known as the Pickens Bill for the Texas billionaire who is pushing Members of Congress to give him anywhere from $5 to $10 billion in subsidies so the American taxpayer can shoulder the burden up front and he can make all the profit on the back end. For a quick recap, we agree on two things with T. Boone Pickens. We should end our dependence on foreign oil and we should be lifting the regulations domestically so we can explore our own natural resources.
However, as believers in the free market, we believe for there to be a whole scale change to natural gas, the markets here in the United States will create the demand. It should not take $5-10 billion in subsidies to do so and right now, there is no demand, so Pickens has asked Washington, DC to create an artificial demand. This, in my mind, is the status quo in Washington, DC, the collusion between Big Business and Big Government. It was described to me one time as a match between the Washington Generals and the Harlem Globetrotters. Everything is pre-arranged before the ball is even tipped and the take at the door split, but there still has to be a game to entertain folks and make them think there is actually something at stake. However, the entire thing is a sham. There is no real game.
So we have the party perceived as friendly with Big Business (the Republicans) versus the party of Big Government (the Democrats). For years, the American voter actually thinks it matters who wins and loses elections. In rare instances, it does matter. I think of the few dozen Members of the House and the handful of US Senators who are actually making a difference in Washington, DC (most of which is simply stopping bad legislation). But for the most part, there is no whole scale change. Government and its intrusion into our lives has continued to grow.
Then came April 2009 and the tea party movement. It was a reawakening of the silent majority. I have described it as a three stage process. One, the awakening (something is wrong!). Two, outrage and frustration (the rallies). Now we are in the third stage: action. That action is two fold in my mind. The first part is engaging in overt politics and actually winning campaigns. The second part is what the conservative movement has long been awful at and that is holding elected officials accountable once they get to either their state capitols or Washington, DC.
A perfect case in point is Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-8). As an incumbent, he lost to Democrat up and comer Patrick Murphy in 2006. But in 2010, with the support of the tea party in his area, the Kitchen Table Patriots, and American Majority Action, he won in a district that is heavily slanted towards Democrats in voter registration. Step One accomplished and an election won.
Then came Step Two-holding him accountable. A few months ago, it came to our attention that Fitzpatrick was a co-sponsor of the NAT GAS Act. We alerted the Kitchen Table Patriots to this as well as the inherent problems with the bill and they met with Fitzpatrick and asked him to get off the bill. Over several weeks, they kept the pressure on him and one month ago, he dropped his sponsorship of the bill. For that, the Kitchen Table Patriots and Fitzpatrick deserve congratulations (and thanks). Tea Party Movement-1, Pickens-0. And this morning we received more good news. Congressman Mike Turner (OH-3), after receiving pressure from the tea party umbrella group in Ohio, the Ohio Liberty Council, removed his name from HR 1380. This is real progress.
There is still a lot more work to do, not just on the NAT GAS Act, but on other pieces of legislation that need to be stopped. Then, as a movement, we conservatives can actually send Members to Washington, DC not just to stop the growth of government, but to be proactive in pushing great legislation that renews the American promise.
Posted October 24th, 2011 by Konni
Fellow Patriot,
Democrats are teaching “voter suppression.”
Earlier this month Van Jones, together with MoveOn.org, ThinkProgress, and a host of others, hosted the Take Back the American Dream conference in Washington, DC. At the conference they offered a breakout session entitled “Voter Suppression in the 2012 Election: The Civil Rights Movement to Take Back the Right to Vote.” Several speakers made it a point to single out True the Vote for vilification. No, I’m not kidding. We’ve grown accustomed to outlandish schemes to attract new voters, but equating the fight against election fraud to disenfranchisement is a spin I can’t quite make sense of. Here are a couple of the factually false talking points they use against us:
False Talking Point #1: Election fraud is an imaginary problem.
The claim is that election fraud is a figment of the imagination, used to disenfranchise groups of voters. They couldn’t be more wrong. Here’s just a sample of what we’ve seen in recent election cycles – In Wisconsin, more than 30,000 voter registrations were questioned after it was learned ACORN used felons as registration workers. In Pennsylvania, more than 57,000 registrations were thrown out due to falsification of information, and in Florida there were questions about how 30,000 felons were registered to vote. And just yesterday, an Indiana official resigned over the revelation of hundreds of fraudulent petition signatures that ultimately put Barack Obama on the ballot. Fraud is a problem – and it’s only getting worse.
Fact: Citizens must engage in the support and defense of our electoral process.
True the Vote is a group of concerned citizens from all walks of life, whose political affiliations include Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. We are focused on restoring integrity to our election processes. We are training and mobilizing thousands upon thousands of citizens to volunteer as poll monitors in all 50 states; we are making a difference and you can be a part of it. Every dollar you contribute goes directly towards covering the costs of True the Vote training programs and ongoing support, so please help us by following this link right now to make the most generous contribution you can afford.
False Talking Point #2: Voter ID laws depress turnout.
Opponents of Voter ID laws make outrageous claims of voter disenfranchisement. They are are quick to cry that low-income, minority and elderly voters might be prevented from voting if they have no personal identification, causing overall turnout to be depressed.
Fact: Voter turnout increases in states that have implemented voter ID laws.
As of today, six states (Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Texas) require individuals to produce a photograph identification card when they vote at their polling place on Election Day. In 2008, the first election in which Georgia had a voter ID law, turnout increased by 6.7%; Democratic turnout increased by 6.1%. During the same election, Indiana saw Democratic voter turnout increase by 8.3% compared to neighbor (and home of President Obama who was on the ballot) Illinois’ 4.4% increase.
The facts are clear. Our electoral system is under assault. With the potential for presidential primaries as early as December this year, we urgently need your support to train poll workers, especially in early voting states like New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. Your immediate donation is critical to successfully implementing our programs in time for the 2012 elections. That’s why I’m asking you to follow this link to make a donation of $25, $50, $100, $250 or more right now.
If our elections are not truly fair, we are not truly free.
This is your chance to make a difference and ensure that every American enjoys the right to cast their ballot and have it counted.
Onward,
Catherine Engelbrecht
President and Founder, True the Vote
P.S. Don’t be fooled—election fraud is a serious problem in America. That’s why True the Vote is working tirelessly to train and mobilize thousands of volunteer poll monitors in all 50 states ahead of the 2012 elections. With primary season almost here, we urgently need your support. Will you follow this link right now to make the most generous contribution you can afford and take a stand for election integrity?
Posted October 10th, 2011 by Konni
The following notice has been sent to us via CLEAN (http://www.cleanresources.org). CLEAN Resources is a group of concerned citizens, small businesses, and other Texans who represent more than 100,000 jobs in the Barnett Shale. They are a non-profit organization that focuses on education. They advocate for the development of American energy recources, especially shale gas as a way to lead this country down the path of energy security, national security, better air quality, economic progress and a cleaner environment.
On Thursday, October 20, 2011, DAG will host a panel for its series about urban gas well drilling. This will take place at UNT Denton Main Campus, ENV Building from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm. The panel includes:
- Jay Ewing, Devon Energy (Manager, Completion and Construction)
- John Tintera, Railroad Commission of Texas (Executive Director)
- Tony Walker, TCEQ (Dallas/Fort Worth Regional Manager)
A question and answer session will follow the presentations. Questions may be submitted in writing to the panel before the meeting begins.
Posted October 2nd, 2011 by Julie
Patriots,
This is probably THE most important message NETTP will send out regarding the 2012 Elections.
It’s FULL of details you need to read. Please take the time to do so. The tea party is 100% volunteer, which means we are completely dependent on grassroots members to make things happen…
Whether you did or did not make it to our meeting on precinct activism, you’ll want to take a look at the two videos from the evening:
- Giovanni’s pep talk (10 min) – We started the evening off with examples of how precinct activism changes elections. It is the one sure-fire way to affect the vote.
- Ken’s details (20 min) – We offered an overview on what precinct activism is.
- Raz’s new app – We don’t have a video of this because the app has not yet been officially launched, but we’ll teach you how to use it at our follow-up training on Oct 29. I know I said the Sept 26 meeting was don’t-miss, but this Oct 29 meeting is 10x’s moreso. You will walk away with the tools you need and hands-on experience in using them so that we can fully engage in precinct activism.
So here’s our plan… Everyone needs to take note!
- now thru Oct 29 – we’ll be working behind the scenes to conduct surveys of every voter in our 14 cities to discover who is favorable to the tea party
- Oct 29 – precinct activism training focusing on how to walk your neighborhood using a really cool new survey tool that makes walking fun and easy for both you and the voter
- Oct 29 thru Thanksgiving – Precinct Walk #1 – take a few hours over a couple weekends to walk your neighborhood, utilizing the new survey tool and targeting houses we discovered are favorable to tea party values. We’ll have door hangers to pass out inviting folks to join the tea party, as well. The data we gather on this first round of walks will be put into use for our second round of walks.
- Jan 29 – Candidate Fair & Forums (details to be announced soon)
- shortly after Jan 29 – the NETTP PAC will announce our endorsements for State House and State Senate
- Feb 1 – Mar 6 - Precinct Walk #2 – we’ll pay a second visit to houses in our neighborhoods utliizing the data we gathered in the first walk so that we can speak to people directly about the issues they say concern them the most and provide candidate responses that address them. This is our big Get Out The Vote push.
- Feb 18 – NETTP members will caravan down to San Antonio to walk for Joe Straus’ opponent
- Mar 6 – Election Day
Folks, I have to say… this plan illustrates how far we’ve come and how much we’ve learned and grown in just 2-year’s time. A whole lot of effort has gone on to put it together, and we can only pull it off with your help. Without money, we cannot conduct the surveys nor print the door hangers. Without you walking your precincts, the surveys and door hangers are worthless. We need you to be involved in both aspects.
- You can donate to this effort by clicking here.
- RSVP for training on Oct 29 by sending an email to NETTPregistrar@gmail.com.
- Sign up to walk your precinct by clicking “update my profile” in the red box at the bottom any NETTP email. Scroll down to the question “I will participate in walking my precinct. Yes or No” and mark YES! Make sure your precinct number is provided on your profile! If you don’t know your precinct number, a link is provided on the form to look it up. (If you are not on the NETTP email list, click here to sign up).
- Order a tshirt to walk your neighborhood in! It’s not required, but it is a lot fun! Click here to order. Orders must be in by Oct 10.
The tea party is pointless if we don’t sacrifice to make a difference in the 2012 Elections. I’m not asking you to do anything I haven’t already committed to myself, so please make your best effort.
In it together,
Julie McCarty
PS. Did you catch all the aspects of your Elections 2012 homework assignment above?
- Attend the training on Oct 29. RSVP to NETTPregistrar@gmail.com.
- Sign up to walk your neighborhood by updating your profile (in the red box at the bottom of any NETTP email).
- Donate if you can so we can pay for the surveys and door hangers.
- Buy a tshirt just for fun!
- Note the above calendar plan for this election. We only get one shot at this! Let’s put in the effort and do it right!
Posted September 27th, 2011 by Konni
Here are just a few local success stories of people who walked or worked their precinct in the last election cycle. It DOES make a difference!
Sara walked her precinct (Medina supporter). Medina received 18% throughout Texas, 20% in Tarrant County, but 32% in Sara’s precinct.
Giovanni Capriglione, who Natalie was walking for, received 55% of the votes in her precinct – 2.5 times the average.
Chuck, a Precinct Chair in Ft. Worth mailed 200 letters to his Republican neighbors. He had the highest percentage turnout for any precinct – 25% of the registered voters – for a June election!
The 30+ Keller amendments failed in only three precincts: Dennis’, Billie’s and Sara’s. These three walked their precincts and educated the voters on why to vote “no” on these amendments – not a coincidence, they worked it hard.
In the November 2011 election the percentage of voters who voted was related to activism. There was a 16% turnout for a District 98 precinct with no Precinct Chair, but 40%+ for Natalie’s who is a Precinct Chair and worked her precinct.
Posted September 27th, 2011 by Konni
A great deal of time, energy and money is spent encouraging citizens to get involved in our political system. Much of it is wasted. This slide show “The Art and Science of Citizen Engagement” will help you to employ your limited resources effectively. Please take the time to watch it and let’s change the outcome of elections by effectively working for the conservative candidate!
The Art and Science of Citizen Engagement
Posted September 27th, 2011 by Konni
Good Morning,
I am contacting you on behalf of CLEAN Resources. CLEAN Resources is a group of concerned citizens, small businesses, and other Texans who represent more than 70,000 jobs in the Barnett Shale. We are a non-profit organization that focuses on education. We advocate for the development of American energy resources, especially shale gas, as a way to lead this country down the path of energy security, national security, better air quality, economic progress and a cleaner environment.
On Thursday, September 29, 2011, the EPA is hosting a public hearing at Arlington City Hall. The EPA is considering additional restrictions on the oil and gas operations by proposing further regulations on air quality standards. These new regulations will impact job creation and economic development in North Texas.
- The hearing is from 9:00 am until 8:00 pm. Please feel free to come to any portion of the hearing that is convenient for you.
- There will be opportunities for citizens to speak at the hearing regarding this issue. If you are interested, you may register to speak at the hearing by contacting Joan C. Rogers at (919) 541-4487 or rogers.joanc@epa.gov. Also, you may sign up to speak in person on Thursday at the hearing.
- Public comments will be accepted through October 24, 2011. When you submit your comments, identify them by Docket ID number: EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0505.
- You can submit written comments by doing any of the following:
- online at the Federal rulemaking portal – www.regulations.gov
- by email to A-and-R-Docket@epamail.epa.gov
- by FAX at 202-566-9744
- by postal service (include 2 copies) to: Docket ID number EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0505, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20460
- If you mail comments, please mail an additional copy to: The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attn.: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th St. NW, Washington, DC 20503
I have attached a flyer here that contains more information about the EPA public hearing on Thurdsay.
CLEAN Resources wants to encourage as many supporters as possible to join us in speaking out at this public hearing. It will be highly beneficial to have supporters at the hearing throughout the day to demonstrate to the EPA that we support drilling in the Barnett Shale and oppose unneeded additional regulations that will harm this vital economic sector.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me anytime at (817) 583-4292 or chelsea@cleanresources.org.
Thank you so much for your support.
Best,
Chelsea Bacher
CLEAN Resources (817) 583-4292chelsea@cleanresources.org
Posted September 27th, 2011 by Konni
Have you recently heard your city leaders talking about a “sustainability plan” for your community, or mentioning something called “Smart Growth”? Take a minute to do a quick experiment. Open a browser window on your computer and search using the following three word phrase: “Carrollton Sustainability Plan”. Chances are you will see page after page, each mentioning multi-million dollar grants and the words “green” and “sustainable”. Now try a second search. This time remove the word “Carrollton”, and search on the two word phrase, “Sustainability Plan”.
Surprised at the results?
To learn more and to find out how to resist this UN Agenda, please join this Webinar with John Marler on Wednesday, September 28th at 7:00 PM (CST). The webinar is estimated to run until 9:00p.m. (CST)
John’s Presentation Will Include:
Background
Key Events of Agenda 21
The Program
ICLEI – Int’l Council for Local Environmental Initiatives
Education- Deliberate Dumbing Down of America
Smart Meters – Technocracy invading our Homes
Competing Philosophies
What We Can Do
Q&A
WEBINAR INSTRUCTIONS:
Please sign in 15 minutes before the webinar. It is a 2 step process:
1. Log into FreeScreenSharing – to see John’s presentation – 1st go to www.freescreensharing.com. 2nd You will see 3 boxes: Get Started/Host a Meeting / Join a Meeting. In the Pink Join a Meeting box please fill in:
Name: Your name – first or first and last (your choice) – others will see your name
Email: type in your real email address
Meeting ID: 409-212-584
Then click “Join Meeting”
An Installer message will appear on your screen – Click “RUN” when the popup window appears to run the FreeScreenSharing software. Next, a downloading popup window will appear – should only take 30 seconds to load – (depending on your computer speed)
Once complete you will see the Meeting room – You will see a list of participants on the left (you will not see your own name but everyone else in the room). There is a chat window where you can type a message.
2. Log into Free- Conference call – for Audio of this meeting
Dial 559-546-1200 prompt will ask for your Meeting ID enter: 409212584# (make sure you hit the #) (sometimes it will ask you for your name – if requested just state your name so others can hear who is entering the call)
You will then join the Conference call and be able to hear the audio for this Webinar.
Please keep phone line clear for Presenter. If you have a question type it into chat box on left. Please note that unless presenter is watching the chat box – your question may go unanswered – just remember to ask it again during Q&A.
Posted September 27th, 2011 by Konni
Since it’s inception in 2009, NE Tarrant Tea Party has been fortunate to have use of a facility donated by the Highland Meadow Montessori Academy. Unfortunately, that school is closing and will no longer be available to our group.
We are currently seeking a donated (or significantly reduced rate) space for our monthly meetings and periodic special events. Our wish list includes the following, but we are flexible:
- 2000 to 3000 square feet of space
- Lecture style seating, and occasionally table seating, for 150
- Kitchen (or at least a sink)
- Second Mondays of each month – regular meeting
- Occasional meetings on Thursdays and Saturdays
- Most meetings are in the evenings
- Sound system and projection screen would be appreciated, but not required
Our mission statement is: “promoting constitutional governance in every precinct in our districts, one voter at a time.” We cover 14 cities in northeast Tarrant County, and we have approximately 1300 members. We are a non-partisan organization, and our goals for our members include educational opportunities, promoting constitutional principles, and encouraging active involvement in all levels of government. Our group is 100% volunteer, and depends on donations from our members and the community for all funding. We are a 501(c)4 non-profit organization and will not have an impact on tax status for any donors.
Our commitment to you if we are allowed to use your space:
- We will always leave the space in better, cleaner condition than we found it.
- We will respect your property, your rules, and your requests regarding use of the property.
- We will honor your donation of the space (or reduced rental rate) by acknowledging the donation at every meeting.
NE Tarrant Tea Party core beliefs: Limited Government; Fiscal Responsibility; Rule of Law; National Sovereignty; Personal Responsibility; Two – party system
We hope that you will favorably consider our request for use of your space, and we look forward to establishing a mutually successful relationship.
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YOU can help us to find a new facility! The above letter is printed out on our NETTP letterhead and can be found here. If you are aware of a facility that fits these parameters, you can print out this letter and give this to the people in charge of okaying this request. You can then have them contact Julie McCarty @ heyjuliesue@gmail.com if they have any more questions about our space needs. Thank you sooo much in advance for helping us!
