If you’re like me, you probably spent endless nights wondering what Nancy Pelosi’s favorite word was. Her favorite word is the word. Word.

They ask me all the time, ‘What is your favorite this? What is your favorite that? What is your favorite that?’ And one time, ‘What is your favorite word?’ And I said, ‘My favorite word? That is really easy. My favorite word is the Word, is the Word. And that is everything. It says it all for us. And you know the biblical reference, you know the Gospel reference of the Word.

And that Word,” Pelosi said, “is, we have to give voice to what that means in terms of public policy that would be in keeping with the values of the Word. The Word. Isn’t it a beautiful word when you think of it? It just covers everything. The Word.

Yeah, that pretty much covers it Nancy.

Reich Want’s To Takeover BP So Obama Can Run Things

Robert Reich Wants Government Takeover Of BP.

If the government can take over giant global insurer AIG and the auto giant GeneralMotors and replace their CEOs, in order to keep them financially solvent, it should be able to put BP’s North American operations into temporary receivership in order to stop one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history.

Good idea Rob. The Government could use the same crack team of experts who designed the levies in New Orleans…hmmm….maybe not. Let’s hope McDonald’s doesn’t screw up his order in the drive-though or Ronald McDonald will have to sling Happy Meals on the street.

County Boycotts Arizona – Immediately After Awards Arizona Business

Another local government has decided to take a principled stand and boycott Arizona over the controversial immigration bill…unless it would cost them money.

approved today by a 10-6 vote directs the county to refrain from signing contracts with Arizona-based companies “to the extent practicable, and in instances where there is no significant additional cost to the County…

Apparently  Arizona isn’t so bad after all.

Arizona Native American Runs For Secretary of State

Arizona State Rep. Chris Deschene, a Native American, runs for Secretary of State. He hopes as his campaign can raise awareness to all those illegal pale faces in Arizona.

Canada To Reassess Health Care

With an growing elderly population and soaring medical costs, Canada is realizing that you can’t give everything away for free.

Scotia Capital’s Webb said one cost-saving idea may be to make patients aware of how much it costs each time they visit a healthcare professional. “(The public) will use the services more wisely if they know how much it’s costing,” she said.

STOP...I'll go on the waiting list instead...Please?

Sources inside the Great White North indicate that there might be a system called the “Free Market” that could help but nobody remembers what that means.

Lawmaker Proposes Licenses For Journalists

We Just Cut and Paste the Government News Release

According to Michigan Senator Bruce Patterson (R) who serves Michigan’s seventh district, that answer is yes.

Under the details of Patterson’s proposed law, journalists making application to a state board would have to demonstrate “good moral character” and demonstrate they have industry “ethics standards acceptable to the board;” possession of a degree in journalism or other degree substantially equivalent; not less than three years experience as a reporter or any other relevant background information; awards or recognition related to being a reporter; three or more writing samples; reporters will also have to pay an application and registration fee.

The plan is stuck in committee since nobody can find any mainstream journalist that is ethically qualified.

                          

Mark Knockoffler sings the ObamaCare blues with his band Dem Strait. Turn the collar up on your iZod and rock out like it’s 1985.

                          

What this line of argument is doing is equating legislation with virtue. The entire basis of this argument is that we need to follow the law no matter what. In the mind of the person making this argument, whatever the laws are, they are moral.

This means that it is immoral for me to pull a gun on my neighbor and force him to buy health insurance from me, not because it’s inherently wrong to pull guns on innocent people and force them to do anything, but because it is unlawful for me to do such a thing. However, when Nancy Pelosi pulls a gun on my neighbor and forces them to buy health insurance, that will be a moral act when Obama Care passes — because, after all, it will be the law.

Now I won’t even bring up slavery, fugitive slave laws, or Jim Crow laws because that’s just too easy. Instead, I’ll bring up instances where these same conservatives will not hide behind the law. Which is typical of conservatism — believe something when convenient only — not universally.

Gun control. Having laws restricting certain guns that look scary is moral right? I mean, they call them ILLEGAL firearms for a reason, keyword ILLEGAL. (Ever hear a leftist say, “I’m not against guns, I’m just against ILLEGAL guns.”)

Nanny state laws. Seat belt laws, helmet laws, smoking and drinking laws, and soon to be laws against fatty foods…. clearly not bending over for the nanny state is immoral. It’s the law!

Here’s one you’ll often hear from conservatives: when confronted with government controlled health care, you’ll often hear the conservative lament not being able to buy insurance across state lines. Just once I’d love to hear a leftist reply, “Well, buying insurance across state lines is illegal. The mere fact that you want to buy ILLEGAL insurance shows your disrespect for the law. You’re a criminal at heart.”

While we’re on the topic of health insurance, do you think the leftists in Canada regard their countryman as criminals for wanting to spend their money on illegal private health insurance? I wonder what they think of the folks who fly to the U.S. to get illegal treatment?

Truth is, morality is independent of whatever legislation is on the books. It doesn’t need Congress’ stamp of approval. An immoral act does not all of the sudden become moral when it becomes law. Nancy Pelosi has about as much right to force insurance on my neighbor as I do, regardless of the law. Does my wanting to be left alone from health insurance controls make me a criminal?

Lastly, when some version of Obama Care passes down the road, and it just so happens to contain a provision for tax-funded abortion, what will conservatives do? Did abortion become a moral act after Roe v. Wade? It’s called a LEGAL abortion for a reason. And when our tax money goes to fund them, too bad. It’s the law.

Originally Posted on November 16, 2009 on Justin Longo’s blog.

                          

Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro on Thursday declared passage of American health care reform “a miracle” and a major victory for Obama’s presidency, but couldn’t help chide the United States for taking so long to enact what communist Cuba achieved decades ago.

“We consider health reform to have been an important battle and a success of his (Obama’s) government,” Castro wrote in an essay published in state media, adding that it would strengthen the president’s hand against lobbyists and “mercenaries.”

Castro then proceeded to offer some constructive criticism to Obama.

But the Cuban leader also used the lengthy piece to criticize the American president for his lack of leadership on climate change and immigration reform, and for his decision to send more troops to Afghanistan, among many other things.

Relax Fidel. Obama and the Democrats have legislation in the works to address climate change, and immigration that will make you proud. They are way ahead of you on that. They may even try to adopt some of Cuba’s immigration policies such as ruining the economy so badly that no one wants to come. This may seem a bit extreme but when you don’t have the economic competence to allow the free market to work you get desperate and we all know competence in pretty scarce in Congress. Hey, at least everyone will be equal…equally poor anyway. The’ve proven they have the tools and know how to destroy wealth and capital at historic levels so don’t underestimate them Fidel.

Oh and before you go back to your outstanding medical care Fidel, check in on your brother, Raul. Apparently things aren’t quite so rosy.

The government has warned that some of those benefits are no longer sustainable given Cuba’s ever-struggling economy, though it has so far not made major changes.

In recent speeches, Raul Castro has singled out medicine as an area where the government needs to be spending less, but he has not elaborated.

Rumors abound that involuntary euthanasia above 70 years of age is being considered to cut costs. Sorry Fidel. Thanks for the endorsement anyway.

                          

In Michael Riley’s article in the Denver Post entitled “Colorado Democratic delegation in dilemma on how to proceed on health care” he quotes Rep. Perlmutter in regards to the health care battle:

“It’s a mess,” said exasperated Congressman Ed Perlmutter, a Democrat from Golden, last week, noting that he’d be happy as long as Congress manages to pass a provision prohibiting insurance companies from excluding coverage because of pre-existing conditions.

“That’s still my focus, that will be my focus when it comes to health care stuff. . . . It’s a moral imperative and I think it’s a constitutional (emphasis mine) one,” he said.

Excuse me? What the heck are you talking about Edwin? Certainly not the U.S. Constitution in which no mention of “health” is written in the document. To be fair, Perlmutter isn’t the first politician or judge to liberally interpret the Constitution to fit his or her own desires but you really have to dig deep into imagination land to come up with a constitutional “right” to health care. I wonder if Ed Perlmutter even read the Constitution prior to taking his oath? It seems unlikely but what’s even scarier is the thought that he did read the Constitution and still came away with the idea that health care is a constitutional right. I shudder to think what other “rights” the next politician will conjure.

                          

For starters, (and this is for all you aspiring politicians, don’t waste your time with ethics courses- they are not required in the U.S. Senate) it pays to be the Senate Finance Committee Chair, well, for the Senate Finance Chair and residents of Libby, Montanta anyway. Senator Max Baucus has assurances that the residents of this old mining town would be paid compensated for their asbestos related injuries thereby offering them medicare benefits. Congratulations Libby, Montana, all your political pressure paid off.

You don’t live in Libby Montanta and won’t get any of those benefits? Don’t worry, there is still alot more pork well deserved benefits to pass out courtesy of our younger generations (Thanks Kids!).

The next big winner is of course, the Cornhusker State, Nebraska. Erica Werner of the AP writes:

In the case of Nebraska — represented by Sen. Ben Nelson, who’s providing the critical 60th vote for the legislation to pass — the federal government is picking up 100 percent of the tab of a planned expansion of the program, in perpetuity(emphasis mine).

While perpetuity is a rather long time, there is some justification for such a monumental commitment of money from this generation and all future generations until the end of time. The justification is that Sen. Ben Nelson represents Nebraska and he was able spin the wheel and hit $45 million dollars! Nice negotiating there Ben, my hat’s off to you.

The competition at the event debate was not to be outdone though. The AP also reports that,

Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu negotiated $100 million for 2011 before announcing her support for the legislation.

It’s really unfortunate that the AP could get this so wrong. The Associated Press should issue a statement of clarification immediately. Sen. Mary Landrieu is a better person than that and resents the insinuation that she could be bought convinced for such a low figure. Sen. Mary Landrieu got 300 million dollars! Good job Mary! Louisiana really pulled it out this time. Great effort and teamwork! Word around the grapevine was that her staff pulled some long hours to get this. That should be a lesson to all you aspiring politicians. Taking money from other people to redistribute to your own chosen special interest is hard work and that’s what America is about.

Other notable mentions include the AARP, Community Health Centers (thanks Sen. Bernie Sanders for the 10 billion..:-), University of Connecticut, and the:

Doctors and hospitals in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming, who will get paid more than providers elsewhere under formulas in the bill.

Now while these Senators will get to take more of our money from us to give to their own interests they are the “Big Winners of The Health Care Debate.” Scoreboard!  Don’t despair though, there are many more rounds of action and games to follow so if you didn’t see your state or special interest yet, there is still time.

The losers of this round included the people making over $200,000. Apparently:

A proposed 0.5 percent increase in the Medicare payroll tax was bumped up to 0.9 percent in the latest version, putting the tax at 2.35 percent on income over $200,000 a year for individuals, $250,000 for couples.

Obviously everyone’s a bit disappointed by “>200K Gang” effort’s here. Perhaps, this group should consider spending less time being productive and more time lobbying. We expect more people.

Another loser is of course the tanning salon industry.

Tanning salons, which are getting hit with a 10 percent tax on indoor tanning services, replacing the cosmetic surgery tax.

We all saw this coming since the odds of the tanning salons competing with the cosmetic surgery industry is a long shot and the cosmetic surgery tax was very unfair. Something had to be done and tanning isn’t healthy anyway. Most importantly, I don’t use tanning salons so I don’t care. Hmmmm. Since most people don’t use tanning salons and they are bad for you perhaps we should ban them. No, that would be crazy. Government would never do something like that.

And finally the taxpayer’s lost again. Despite millions of letter, phone calls, demonstrations, and pleas, the lobbyists won again. Congratulations lobbyists, the people voting for the same politicians saved your butt once again.

                          

UPDATE: The new location for the Denver stop will be at the Civic Center Park
100 W 14th Ave 
Denver, CO 80204
(720) 913-0633

                          

Paul Hsieh, MD, practices in the south Denver metro area. He is co-founder of Freedom and Individual Rights in Medicine.

                          

Here is Ari Armstrong’s (FreeColorado.com) speech about the moral and political choices we face.

al

UPDATE: Here is a link to some photos of the rally in Denver.

UPDATE: Here is another video of 9/12 ralliers speaking at the event

                          

CONSERVATIVE GRASSROOTS PROGRESS & STRATEGY MEETING

**** Special Focus: Nationalized Healthcare ****

- Steve S. S. Hyde, author of “Cured – The Insider’s Handbook for Healthcare Reform”

- Stephen Metcalfe, ex-British “What Nationalized Healthcare is Really About”

WHAT: The Coalition for a Conservative Majority is a local grassroots coalition comprised of “we the people” whose primary purpose is to regain and retain a conservative majority that reflects our nation’s founding principles at all levels of government.

WHO: In our ongoing effort to educate, empower, and mobilize the public about pertinent issues before Congress, we welcome the following speakers:

~ Author Steve S. S. Hyde will speak about his book “Cured:”

“Veteran health care insider Stephen S. S. Hyde says we can cure today’s health care crisis by enabling every American consumer to demand the answers to two question: “Which are the best doctors and hospitals for my medical needs?” and “Which of them are the least expensive?” None of these answers are available now. They should be, and they can be. But to get there we must first correct the fundamental market and regulatory failure that has given us 7 decades of misguided actions by employers, government, insurers, medical providers, and consumers to produce the dysfunctional mess we have today. Hyde reveals how we can have affordable, portable health insurance and high-quality health care for everyone, and how we can double medical quality at half the cost. Why the government must adopt 3 critical regulatory reforms. The 7 key elements of health care reform to achieve 8 essential goals.”

~ Ex-British citizen Stephen Metcalfe will speak on the realities of nationalized healthcare:

Mr. Metcalfe is a self-proclaimed “ex-British” citizen, (now a proud American citizen) who has intimate knowledge of nationalized health care and how it really works, as well as a thorough understanding of the real agenda behind the urgent push for nationalized healthcare, that of complete government control over citizens.

WHY: Special health care focus will educate citizens to the realities of nationalized health care reform and equip to defend against and prevent its passage.

WHEN: Tuesday, September 1, 2009

*** Please note Meeting time and breakdown ***

MEMBERS BUSINESS MEETING: 6:00 – 6:30pm
PROGRESS & STRATEGY MEETING open to public, visitors, volunteers: 6:30 – 8:00pm

                          

There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care.  These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation.  Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov.

At least they aren’t attempting to be inconspicuous about creating their lists of dissidents. Copying BlueCarp and  FreeColorado I have sent a letter similar to the following:

Dear Minister of Propaganda,

As per your request, I’d like to report an American citizen to you for daring to exercise his First Amendment rights and speak out against Barack Obama’s attempted political takeover of medicine.

I am reporting myself.

Not only do I believe that political interference in medicine is wrong and impractical, but I’ve told many other people about my views, and I intend to repeat this grave offense again today.

I fear I am an incorrigible practitioner of the First Amendment and an intransigent defender of individual rights. Please notify me when you have established your re-education camps, so that I may report in person.

Sincerely,

Join us on Obama’s list of dissidents and send your own letter to flag@whitehouse.gov

                          

Day One – Thursday, August 6th

Ft. Collins – 7:30am – 8:30 am
Washington Park
301 Maple Street.
Corner of Maple and Howes

Greeley – 10am – 11am
Lincoln Park
North-East Corner of the Park
8th Street and 9th Avenue

Longmont – 12:45pm-1:15pm
Rodgers Grove Park
220 Hover Street

Wheat Ridge – 2pm-2:30pm
Youngfield Business Park
4000 Youngfield Street
North end of the parking lot

Highlands Ranch – 3:15pm-3:45pm
Upper Parking Lot Area
9135 Ridgeline Blvd
Highlands Ranch, CO

Colorado Springs – 5-5:30pm
Colorado Springs Flea Market
5225 East Platte Avenue

Pueblo – 7:00pm-8:00pm
Castle Investment & Loan Building
830 N. Main Street

Day Two – Friday, August 7th

Canon City – 8:30-9:00am
Veterans Park
211 South 3rd Street

Salida – 11:15-11:45am
Alpine Park
399 F Street

Gunnison – 1:45-2:15pm
Legion Jorgersn Park
600 E Tomichi Ave
Gunnison, CO 81230

Montrose – 4:15pm-4:45pm
2296 Townsend
Intersection of South Townsend and Oak Grove

Delta – 5:30-6pm
Next to the Wells Fargo
5th and Main Street
Delta, CO 81416

Day 3 – Saturday, August 8th

Grand Junction – 9am
Old Mesa County Courthouse
533 Rood Avenue

                          

COLORADO RECESS RALLY

The Recess Rallies, by default, are all scheduled for noon local time. If you are an organizer in your area and would like to be listed as a local contact, please contact us at rally@americanlibertyalliance.com.

The Nationwide Recess Rally takes place on Saturday, August 22nd, 2009. If you believe your liberty, your hard earned money and your way of life is under attack through dangerous healthcare legislation currently being proposed, get to your local Representative office on August 22nd and make sure he/she knows.

—
NOT SURE WHO YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IS? CLICK HERE AND FIND OUT

For specific addresses of your representative follow the jump

CD-01 is Diana DeGette:

600 Grant Street, Suite 202 Denver, CO 80203 Ph: 303-844-4988 Fax: 303-844-4996

CD-02 is Jared Polis:

4770 Baseline Drive, Suite 20 Boulder, CO 80303 Ph: 303-484-9596 Fax:303-568-9007

West Main Professional Building, PO Box 1453 101 West Main Street, Suite 101D Frisco, CO 80443 Ph: 970-668-3240 Fax: 970-668-9830

1200 East 78th Avenue Thornton, CO 80229-5930 Ph: 303-387-4159 Fax: 303-287-4385

CD-03 is John Salazar:

134 West B Street Pueblo, CO 81003 Ph: 719-287-4159 Fax: 719-287-4385 609

Main Street #6 Alamosa, CO 81101 Ph: 719-587-5105 Fax: 719-587-5137 1188

East 2nd Avenue Durango, CO 81301 Ph: 970-259-1012 Fax: 970-259-9467

225 North 5th Street, Ste 702 Grand Junction, CO 81501 Ph: 970-245-7107 Fax: 970-245-2194

CD-04 is Betsy Markey:

123 North College Avenue, Suite 220 Fort Collins, CO 80524 Ph: 970-221-7110 Fax: 970-221-7240

822 7th Street #9 Greeley, CO 80631 Ph: 970-351-6007

301 South 5th Street Lamar, CO 81052 Ph: 719-931-4003 Fax: 719-931-4005

109 1/2 South Third Street Sterling, CO 80721 Ph: 970-522-0203 Fax: 970-522-1783

CD-05 is Doug Lamborn:

1271 Kelly Johnson Boulevard, Suite 110 Colorado Springs, CO 80920 Ph: 719-520-0055 Fax: 719-520-0840

415 Main Street Buena Vista, CO 81211

CD-06 is Mike Coffman:

9220 Kimmer Drive, Suite 220 Lone Tree, CO 80124 Ph: 720-283-9772 Fax: 720-283-9776

CD-07 is Ed Perlmutter:

12600 West Colfax Avenue, Suite B-400 Lakewood, CO 80215 Ph: 303-274-7944 Fax: 303-274-6455

                          

Fort Collins Rally – On August 6th, 2009, in Fort Collins, there will be a Patients First Healthcare Rally, in which doctors, nurses, and patients, discuss the catastrophe of socialized medicine.This event begins at 7:30 A.M. It is being held in Washington Park, directly behind the Fort Collins City Hall, the same spot that the Tax Day Tea Party began: 301 Maple Street. It is an American’s For Prosperity Event.

Greeley Rally

WHEN: Thursday, August 6th

WHERE: Lincoln Park

8th Street and 9th Avenue

Downtown Greeley

Immediately following the rally in Greeley, we will march the half block to Betsy Markey’s regional office to make sure she is hearing our message loud and clear. Please be thinking of questions you would like to go inside and pose to her staff.

Both events will have the Patients First bus, which is making its way across America, a petition to Congress, top notch speakers and a chance for your voice to be heard.

In the spirit of rationing, only the first 200 people to arrive at each event will receive a free Hands Off My Healthcare tee shirt! Rationing kinda stinks, huh? But that IS what we have to look forward to under this proposed legislation. Rationing and lots of it.

THE CHALLENGE: Colorado Springs had 1,200 people turn out for their rally on July 29th and they have challenged us to beat them! Not that Larimer and Weld Counties are competitive, but we NEED 1,201 people to turn out for each rally!

Also, if you know a doctor, a nurse, or a major illness survivor who received excellent care without Obamacare (and might not with Obamacare) who might be willing to speak at either rally, please have them call:

Karen Pelzer at (970) 397-9610 for the Greeley Rally

Larry Carillo at (970) 227-5898 for the Ft. Collins Rally

                          

Want to make a statement about Health Care?

The Independence Institute will be holding two rallies related to the government push for nationalized health care.

The first will be held July 28th (this coming Tuesday) 11:30 AM-12:30 PM at the Colorado State Capitol.

The second will be held the following day, July 29th in Colorado Springs, 11:30-12:30 PM at Acacia Park. 115 E. Platte Avenue Colorado Springs.

Just because Scary Harry Reid has said no vote will come until the fall session does not mean it is time to breath a sigh of relief.

It simply means more time for us to inform more people as to the truth of nationalized health care, what it is, what it means. It also presents us more time to contact our various representatives and continue to pressure them.

Hear Us Now encourages you to attend one or both rallies. Washington D.C. has noticed our Tea Parties, they can notice this as well.

If they notice it or not is completely up to you.

More information can be found @

http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.i2i.org/main/event.php?event_id=75

and

http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.i2i.org/main/event.php?event_id=76

Go to the Facebook pages to RSVP

Denver RSVP

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=133268165995

C. Springs RSVP

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=103448186383

For a bitter look at Obama Care and all +1000 pages http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20090714/aahca.pdf

Much of the groundwork for the free-market case for health reform was

laid in our own state by Freedom and Individual Rights in Medicine:

http://www.westandfirm.org/

Liberty Toastmasters is now starting!

Do you feel tongue-tied? Having a hard time articulating what you feel? Need some help communicating the principles of the freedom?

Attend a FREE Toastmasters Demonstration Meeting and learn to speak with confidence and clarity. We are a non-profit, peer driven group which practices speaking and leadership skills in a safe, friendly environment. The best investment in professional

development you’ll ever participate in.

Saturday – August 1, 2009

10:00 am – 11:30 am

5555 DTC Parkway, Suite D Conference Room

Greenwood Village, CO 80111

Seating is limited. Please RSVP today to reserve your seat by contacting Brad Beck, 303-775-7473 or at brad@dmcolor.com.

3) Texting for Liberty!

Would you like to help advance liberty while receiving great deals at the same time?  Liberty on the Rocks has a way to do both – and it costs nothing more than a regular text message (that means if you have unlimited texts, or plenty to spare in your plan, it costs nothing)!

Just text LOTR to 39970 to receive text messages each month about hot deals in Denver from restaurants and bars.  All text messages will come from me – no one else! Not only will you get special deals in Denver sent to you by phone, you will also be helping to advance Liberty, as the bar and restaurant owners will donate around 35 cents to LOTR for each person on the list who lives in the Denver area.  So if you have unlimited texts or you don’t use them up each month – you have nothing to lose, but plenty to gain!

Celebrate Freedom

By Sharing the Legacy and Ideas of Milton Friedman

July 31, 2009 would have been Milton Friedman’s 97th birthday. Now, more than ever, we need his vision. To honor the impact he has had on our society, and to help clarify his moral framework for freedom and free enterprise, we will celebrate the Friedman Legacy for Freedom in partnership with the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice. 

The Independence Institute cordially invites you celebrate Friedman’s contribution to free-market theories with a lunch and presentation by Dr. Barry Poulson, Independence Institute Senior Fellow and Professor of Economics at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Date: Friday, July 31, 2009
Time: noon -1:30 p.m. Place: Irish Snug
1201 E. Colfax Avenue (map) Space is limited. RSVP is required. The event is free of charge. RSVP by e-mail to RSVP@i2i.org or call Mary MacFarlane at 303-279-6536

RSVP for this Event

Tea Parties for the Week

The Colorado Tea Party will be having a volunteers meeting on Aug 1, 2009. The Fort Collins Tea Party will be having a rally/counter protest in Fort Collins on 29 July 09.