National Politics
Posted February 9th, 2012 by Julie
Patriots,
Yesterday I had the opportunity to bring in 60 grassroots and tea party leaders from all over the state of Texas to interview Rick Santorum, candidate for POTUS. After his 3 big wins on Tuesday, the media demanded a lot of his attention, which unfortunately meant he had much less time to share with us, but we did get to fire off a few questions of him, and I wanted to share it with you. It is a big responsibility to educate yourself on all the candidates. Please watch and listen in at the video link by clicking here.
Our own NETTP member, Tom Moore, was on-hand to do a write-up of the event, and below is what he’s put together…
Momentum–Rick Santorum has it. Energized by significant wins in Minnesota, Missouri and Colorado, he brought his campaign for the presidency to North Texas. Santorum met with area Tea Party leaders for a “grassroots” question and answer session. Julie McCarty, President of the NE Tarrant Tea Party, organized the event and led the discussion.
Santorum responded to the four most popular questions submitted by tea party members.
- When asked to what extent the US should be involved in the United Nations, he responded that most of what the UN does goes against our interests in terms of values and national security. He says its role should be limited to international security and in that regard we need to continue to be involved even though it’s not optimal. He pledge to take a systematic look at all of the other things the UN is involved with and reevaluate funding and participation. The UN undermines US sovereignty and funding of the UN should be reevaluated. (See his full response at the 0:28 mark of the video link).
- On the question of Right-to-Work legislation, he responded that he has signed a Right To Work pledge and as President he’ll sign a Right To Work bill. He supports it, and is not in favor of public employee unions because the taxpayers do not have a seat at the negotiating table. (See his full response at the 1:35 mark of the video link).
- When asked what he would do to encourage domestic energy production he replied that he has recently met with Boone Pickens to discuss the natural gas industry and its implications for job creation and the development of abundant, cleaner energy sources. He said we have a tremendous amount of energy in this country that we can and should get out to make us as self-sufficient as possible. Production from the Alaska pipeline is dramatically decreasing and new sources must be brought online to provide the energy independence that we need to decrease our reliance on OPEC. The Keystone pipeline and natural gas development are high priorities. (See his full response at the 2:50 mark of the video link).
- When asked if the 2nd Amendment is only for hunting and sports he emphatically responded that the 2nd Amendment is there to protect the 1st Amendment. He asserted that if Obama is reelected the Supreme Court’s Heller Decision which holds that the individual has a right to possess a firearm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home, is in jeopardy. (See his full response at the 8:18 mark of the video link).
Santorum had time to take a couple more audience questions (which unfortunately are not on the video), and then he closed the event with a response to an ad claiming he is against the tea party. He explained that he is against those who believe we need NO government (folks who believe that people should be allowed to do anything they want as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone). He fully supports the tea party stance of limited government. This is one of 5 defined beliefs for NETTP.
Santorum’s victories provide momentum and increased stature as the credible conservative candidate. This provides the opportunity to obtain the donations necessary to develop the organization and infrastructure required to move forward as the primary process gathers steam. Considering the overreach and abuses of Barack Obama to date, imagine the consequence of an Obama administration freed from restraint without the fear of reelection.
As a side note, Rick Santorum was a guest at NE Tarrant Tea Party back in October. You can see the link to that presentation by clicking here (
Part 1 – presentation) and here (
Part 2 – Q&A). I re-watched it recently and got more out of it the second time…
If we are able to interact with any of the other Presidential candidates, we’ll be sure to let you know!
Thank you,
Julie McCarty
Posted January 24th, 2012 by Julie
Some of you may recall that 2 years ago NETTP put on a fantastic candidate fair, providing voters with the opportunity to speak personally with every candidate before voting. I can’t tell you how empowering it was to go to the polls and know each candidate on the ballot! I was able to make an educated and informed decision on public offices that I’d never even heard of prior to getting involved in the tea party! The fair received rave reviews and really put NETTP on the map as a tea party to pay attention to.
This year we were planning to host the same sort of event, but discovered that another group was wanting to host it instead. Knowing how much effort and work it took to pull it off in 2010, we let ‘em!
TCGOP Candidate Fair & Straw Poll
Saturday, February 4
Hurst Convention Center, 1601 Campus Dr, Hurst 76054
1-6pm – meet your candidates and vote in the straw poll
6-6:30pm – straw poll winner ceremony
For more details, click here.
I cannot encourage you strongly enough to attend this fair. There are two reasons to do so…
- It gives you an opportunity to know who to vote for and why. The candidates will not be giving speeches. They’ll be standing at booths and speaking one-on-one with voters who approach them. Think of it as a job interview, and ask them, “Why should I vote for you?” You’ll learn a lot about the issues and the roles of the different offices. And you’ll have the power to decide who best will deal with those issues and perform those roles.
- There will be a straw poll. You’ll have a chance to cast your ballot in each race in Tarrant County, and the winners will have bragging rights that they won the TCGOP Straw Poll! That’s a big deal. If you think the RINOs won’t have their supporters there voting for them, think again. We must as conservatives show up to unite behind the conservative candidates. We most certainly don’t want the RINOs announcing that they have won!
NE Tarrant Tea Party will have a booth at this event, and we need help manning it. We’ll divide volunteers up into several shifts to cover set up, the event itself, and tear down. Another endeavor we are working on (a petition to get term limits on the ballot for the City of Grapevine) also needs volunteers for their booth (Better Grapevine PAC). If you can help with either one, please email heyjuliesue@gmail.com.
Posted January 14th, 2012 by Konni
The Saddle Up Texas Straw Poll, THE conservative state-wide straw poll in TEXAS, is underway in Houston at Minute Maid Park. If you were unable to join us, you can cast your vote via text. You can find all the directions at our website at www.saddleuptexasstrawpoll.com. Show support for YOUR candidate today through 2:00. Its easy and its FREE!
Vote HERE.
We are streaming the event live. Watch us ONLINE! Matt Kibbe of FreedomWorks will kick off the event today at 9:00 a.m., Joe Barton, US House Rep, will join us around 1:00 p.m. and Herman Cain will join us around 3:00 p.m. We have a host of conservative speakers and candidates lined up as well.
Brought to you by your
Saddle Up Texas Straw Poll Team
GIVING TEXANS A VOICE IN THE PRIMARY!
www.saddleuptexasstrawpoll.com
Posted January 7th, 2012 by Konni
UPDATE: More tickets for the January 12th US Senate Debate are now available! But just a very limited number…
On Thursday, January 12, Empower Texans and the Texas Public Policy Foundation will co-host the first debate of the Republican US Senate candidates of 2012!
Participants are: Glenn Addison, Ted Cruz, David Dewhurst, Craig James and Tom Leppert!
Send In Your Debate Questions!
We neesd you to help define the issues in the debate! A segment of the debate will feature questions submitted on a special Facebook page we have established.
Visit http://www.facebook.com/First.Tx.Senate.Debate today and let us know what question you want posed to the candidates! (Be sure to specify which candidate you are asking the question.)
Get Your Debate Tickets!
So, would you like to attend the debate? We have a very limited number of additional seats available right now. The first 75 people to register will receive a ticket for themselves and a guest.
Register here: http://www.empowertexans.com/more-us-senate-debate-tickets/
ACT FAST – we have only a limited number of tickets available right now. To claim one for you and a guest, visit the link above before 5pm Jan. 3!
The debate will be held at 7 p.m. on January 12, 2012, at the Downtown Austin Hilton. Everyone attending should be seated by 6:30pm; doors close for seating at 6:55pm.
If you are registered for the TPPF Policy Orientation, please do NOT claim tickets here. Your Policy Orientation registration includes a pass to the US Senate Debate.
Posted January 4th, 2012 by Konni
DO YOU WANT A VOICE IN WHO REPRESENTS YOU IN THE 2012 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION?
DO YOU WANT TO WIN IN NOVEMBER AND SEND OBAMA HOME?
IF YOU DO, IT’S TIME FOR CONSERVATIVES TO BAND TOGETHER!
JOIN THE SADDLE UP TEXAS STRAW POLL TO CAST YOUR VOTE!
January 12 -14 @ Minute Maid Park
UPDATE!!
Straw Poll Voting Now Available to all Texans via Text!!
The text poll feature will be available to all Texans, with results to be reported separately from in-person voting.
HOUSTON – JANUARY 11: In order to help Texans have a voice in the presidential primary process, Saddle Up Texas organizers have created a free text poll to accompany the in-person straw poll at the Saddle Up Texas Straw Poll event this weekend.
The expanded polling will allow voters unable to attend the event to participate in choosing a candidate. “For too long, Texas has had no voice in choosing presidential candidates. We want to change all that,” said Organizer Dale Huls, who spearheaded the text polling effort. Huls and his fellow organizers believe this expanded polling effort will cause candidates to take notice, and may inspire similar efforts in other states in the future.
The poll will also include the same races featured on the ballot for voters at the Saddle Up Texas event. Text options include the U.S. Senate race, U.S. House races, Texas Senate races and Texas House races. Voters will not be charged for voting in the text poll, and will only be allowed to vote using phones with Texas area codes, and may vote only once in each race.
The Saddle Up Texas Straw Poll text option will be available from noon Thursday, January 12th to 2 p.m. Saturday, January 14th. Instructions for voting in the straw poll are available at http://www.saddleuptexaspoll.com/text , including a link to help voters find their district numbers if needed.
Results of the straw poll will be announced at the same time as the in-person vote results, 5 p.m. Saturday, January 14th.
About the Event:
The three-day straw poll will take place January 12 -14 at Minute Maid Park and has an amazing lineup of conservative speakers, such as Herman Cain and U.S. Senatorial candidates. As I’m sure you know, the second most important race on the Texas ballot is the U.S. Senate race. You will be able to hear the candidates speak and visit their booth for more information. There will be sensational trainings, great music by Kevin Black and Karl Brunig and awesome food! BEST OF ALL? Profits from this event will go to area veterans organizations, such as the Texas Wounded Warrior and the Lone Survivor Foundation, and Get Out The Vote efforts. THIS IS NOT A FUNDRAISER.
The event begins Thursday night with a social mixer and live music on the Club Level where you will get to browse the candidates and vendors booths. Friday morning, we will kick off the event with Dick Armey of FreedomWorks and will have a series of conservative speakers and US. Senate candidates along with quality training sessions. The Veterans Program will take place Friday afternoon with special guest Ted Poe. It will be followed by a concert that evening with Kevin Black and conservative speakers. Also Friday night, we are hosting a VIP Reception where you will enjoy high-end hor d’oeuvres and quality drinks in the Executive Boardroom while chatting with U.S. Senatorial Candidates and other VIPs.
On Saturday, we will conduct the straw poll all day and will host conservative speakers, U.S. Senatorial Candidates and HERMAN CAIN in the afternoon. The straw poll results will be announced between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. Saturday.
One of our speakers, Karen DeSimone, is the founder of Truth for American Teens and is a frequent guest on the Glenn Beck show. She is an inspiring young lady who is unapologetically Christian and Conservative. This would be a wonderful opportunity to bring your teenagers to learn about and get engaged in the political process.
A list of some of our speakers:
Herman Cain
Dick Armey, FreedomWorks
Matt Kibbe, FreedomWorks
David Dewhurst, Candidate for U.S. Senate
Ted Cruz, Candidate for U.S. Senate
Lela Mae Pittenger, Candidate for U.S. Senate
Tom Leppert, Candidate for U.S. Senate
Glenn Addison, Candidate for U.S. Senate
Doc Joe Agris, Candidate for U.S. Senate
Kevin Brady, US House Rep
Ted Poe, US House Rep
Louie Gohmert, US House Rep
Dan Patrick, Texas State Senator
David Simpson, Texas State House
Tito Munoz, Founder of the Conservative Hispanic Coalition PAC and Columbian immigrant
Karen DeSimone, Founder of Truth for American Teens and guest on Glenn Beck
KrisAnne Hall, Disabled Veteran and Conservative Speaker
Several radio personalities will be emceeing segments of the presentations as well as airing live from Minute Maid Park:
Michael Berry, Chris Baker, Matt Patrick, Sam Malone, Jon-David Wells out of Dallas and Natalie Arceneaux.
Visit WWW.SADDLEUPTEXASSTRAWPOLL.COM to buy your tickets.
Posted December 1st, 2011 by Konni
Lela Pittenger is the grassroots candidate, running for Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison’s seat.
Lela Pittenger placed 2nd in the straw polls at both senatorial candidate forums held in September and October in the Dallas area, and received TWO STANDING OVATIONS at the TFRW convention in Ft. Worth!
If you missed her before, you won’t want to miss her next week!
She will be in the DFW area next Monday.
You are welcome to join Lela and me for lunch……
MONDAY, Dec 5th
12:30PM
Addison 75254
Please RSVP to:
Posted November 3rd, 2011 by Konni
Liberty Central is excited to serve as an Ambassador-at-Large to our grassroots friends. We are continually meeting with conservative leaders and coalition groups, as well as our conservative champions on the Hill to provide a dialogue between grassroots and D.C. This also enables us to report to you about the current topics inside the Beltway:
Today, the Republican Study Committee unveiled its new “Jobs Through Growth Act.” Here’s a quick overview:
- Provides taxpayers with an optional tax system: 15% on the first $50,000 for single filers, $100,000 for joint, and 25% on taxable income above these amounts. The plan incorporates a standard deduction of $12,500 for single filers; $25,000 for joint, and additional deduction of $12,500 for each dependent. It eliminates all other individual deductions.
- Slashes corporate tax rate to 25% – down from the current 35%.
- Eliminates death tax and eliminates capital gains tax on inflation.
- Allows businesses to repatriate $1.2 trillion in capital sitting overseas due to the current system of double taxation. This allows businesses to bring money back into the country at a tax rate of 5.25% for one year.
- Places moratorium on all new regulations that result in job destruction – until unemployment falls to 7.7%
- Incorporates the REINS Act requiring congressional approval of major regulations, requires agencies to give greater consideration to regulatory impact on small businesses, and allows small businesses to opt-out of federal regulations imposed since the beginning of the recession in 2007.
- Expands domestic energy production in the Gulf, ANWR, and through the Keystone Pipeline, extends OCS leases, repeals EPA greenhouse gas regulations, and prevents new climate change regulations.
Balanced Budget Amendment:
A vote in the House is approaching as soon as November 14. Since the Budget Control Act merely requires a vote on an amendment (regardless of its contents), many in the conservative movement are advocating that we vote against a weak version if it is offered, and push for a strong and substantive amendment in 2012.
Don’t forget to check out Jobs Tracker – a great illustration of the pro-growth legislation passed in the House and stalled in the Senate: http://majorityleader.gov/JobsTracker/
Some of these bills were incorporated in the RSC’s latest jobs proposal.
Majority Leader Eric Cantor recently released the 2012 House Legislative Calendar, available here: http://majorityleader.gov/Calendar/112th2ndSessionCalendar.pdf
Katy E. Blackwell
Liberty Central, Inc.
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 17th, 2011 by Konni
Since 1989, the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) has examined roll call votes to help identify which members of Congress stand up for the taxpayers’ interests and which fail to deliver on campaign promises of fiscal responsibility. The ratings separate the praiseworthy from the profligate by evaluating important tax, spending, transparency and accountability measures. CCAGW applauds those members of Congress who cling to their waste-cutting mission in the face of a recalcitrant spendthrift majority. However, those who turn a blind eye to the needs of taxpayers and forge ahead with their big-government agendas deserve to have a negative spotlight cast upon them.
CCAGW’s 2010 Congressional Ratings score 46 votes in the House and 62 votes in the Senate. By comparison, in 2009, CCAGW rated 120 votes in the House and 74 votes in the Senate. The decrease in the number of votes scored in 2010 is due to the stalemate that characterized the second half of the 111th Congress, as members of Congress did all they could to avoid taking politically difficult votes in the aftermath of the notorious 2009 stimulus, cap-and-tax, and healthcare votes.
CCAGW rates members on a 0 to 100 percent scale. Members are placed in the following categories: 0-19% Hostile; 20-39% Unfriendly; 40-59% Lukewarm; 60-79% Friendly; 80-99% Taxpayer Hero; 100% Taxpayer Super Hero.
Download the Full Introduction
Learn More About CCAGW
Posted October 17th, 2011 by Konni
Liberty Central is excited to serve as an Ambassador-at-Large to our grassroots friends. We are continually meeting with conservative leaders and coalition groups, as well as our conservative champions on the Hill to provide a dialogue between grassroots and D.C. This also enables us to report to you about the current topics inside the Beltway:
The Senate is still looking towards the free trade agreements with Columbia, Panama, and South Korea once these get through the House. These are expected to all pass, especially considering the South Korean president’s upcoming visit and address to a joint session of Congress. The Senate will then consider appropriations for Agriculture, Transportation, Housing & Urban Development, and Commerce, Science, and Justice likely in a minibus.
We currently have 17 free trade agreements with other nations – and have a manufacturing and exporting surplus to each of those countries. The 3 pending free trade agreements are estimated to create 250,000 and $13 billion.
Conservative Representatives and Senators are brainstorming ideas for tax policy reform, one of those ideas being a 10% and 25% two-tier system, similar to the Ryan budget. With respect to job growth, deregulation is still a primary focus. The House finished debate on HR 2250, the EPA regulatory relief bill, and is considering HR 2273 to rescind EPA regulation of coal ash.
Although the required vote on a Balanced Budget Amendment is approaching, Congress is uncertain which version will be voted on. The ‘naked’ version provides a BBA with no spending restraints and is supported by several Democrats, while most Republicans support the stronger versions offered by their colleagues.
Katy E. Blackwell
Liberty Central, Inc.
