Bad News
Today, I write with a heavy heart, saddened that I must give you this news.
Liberty has died.
Liberty in the United States died on New Year’s Eve. No, that’s not an exaggeration or just plain old spin, Liberty really DIED!
You see, this past New Year’s Eve President Obama signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2012. That single stroke of the pen drove a dagger into the heart of Liberty.
For the first time in the history of the United States the president can now order the military to arrest and indefinitely detain you.
Yes, that’s right, the Military can arrest you or your loved ones and hold you indefinitely!
Unbelievably, Congress gave President Obama the power to claim YOU are a suspected terrorist and lets the military arrest you and hold you without trial indefinitely!
How could such a shocking and egregious act ever pass Congress? It’s simple, by their actions Congress told us they don’t care about Liberty!
In a 299-120 vote on May 18th last year the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill.
You can see here how your Representative voted to give President Obama this radical new power: http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2012/roll291.xml
Sadly, things in the Senate were not any better – check out the 93-7 vote here: http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=112&session=1&vote=00218
The NDAA declares the homeland to be part of the battlefield in the “War on Terror.”
In simple terms, the NDAA allows suspected – not convicted – American citizens to be detained indefinitely – without charges or trial until the “War on Terror” is declared over…all based on the say-so of President Obama or any future president.
Now the question arises, why would a U.S. Citizen be suspected of terrorism? To be safe, all you have to do is remain within the law, right? Why then should anyone worry about this? Well, the criteria for “suspected of terrorism” is not so logical or narrow as one might think.
Here are just some criteria which may result in YOU being suspected of terrorism:
- Do you have 7 days’ worth of food in your home?
- Are you a critic of the federal government?
- Do you favor local and state authority?
- Do you support animal rights?
- Is there ammunition in your home?
- Are there guns in your home?
- Have you participated in a “Tea Party?”
- Have you participated in the “Occupy” protest?
- Are you an environmentalist?
- Do you oppose gun regulation?
- Do you own a gun?
- Are you a veteran?
- Do you dislike the IRS, BATF, or the Federal Reserve?
- Do you oppose war?
- Do you support third parties?
- Do you support the Constitution?
- Have you ever used a Gadsden flag?
The passing of this bill is a direct attack on your Liberty. We have the right to bear arms, we have the right to property, and we sure have the right to keep food in our homes.
If the President deems you are demonstrating suspicious activity he can have the military arrest and detain you until the “War on Terror” is over.
- No evidence has to be presented.
- No phone call to your lawyer.
- No chance to face your accuser.
- No right to due process.
- No notice to your family.
The good news is we may still be have time to resurrect Liberty…
This law must be repealed. Specifically, sections 1021 and 1022, those which are offensive to the God -given rights of humanity, can and must be repealed but only if you act.
Sign the petition today demanding that sections 1021 and 1022 of the National Defense Authorization Act be repealed.
Dangerous legislation like this will only be overturned by a clear message from our Republic’s citizens to Congress. Silence equals consent. Don’t think for a second that your voice cannot help change the course on which Congress has embarked. Help protect yourself and your loved ones – sign the petition today.
Contact Your State Rep to Co-Sponsor HB 1823
We filled the hearing room in Olympia yesterday to speak out against traffic cameras. We didn’t show up just to complain, but came bearing a solution.
Washington State Campaign for Liberty wrote language for a bill repealing the state law that allows Automated Ticketing Machines – or as the politicians like to call them, “traffic safety cameras”. We identified a bill sponsor in the State House, and have begun recruiting co-sponsors.
The bill is HB 1823 – “Repealing the authorization for automated traffic safety cameras.”
Here’s an opportunity where you can make an immediate difference.
Call / email / fax your State House Representatives today and urge them to co-sponsor HB 1823 repealing Automated Ticketing Machines.
The deadline for co-sponsorship will be Thursday, Feb. 3rd at 2pm.
Look up your representative’s contact information here.
Consider writing something like this:
“There is a bill being circulated regarding the repeal of state laws that allow the use of traffic cameras – HB 1823. As a voter in your district, please know that I and many of my neighbors support this legislation.
Many studies reveal that traffic cameras actually reduce safety. I certainly support ways to make our streets safer but there are engineered methods that are effective, Automated Ticketing Machines are not.
I strongly encourage your support of this bill. Please consider co-sponsorship of HB 1823, the deadline is Thursday, Feb. 3rd at 2pm.”
The way bill introduction works in Washington State, co-sponsors can only be added for a limited time after the bill’s official introduction. The cutoff to co-sponsor will be Thursday, Feb. 3rd at 2pm.
Many legislators – from both parties – have signed on already:
- Rep. McCune – 2nd LD
- Rep. Shea – 4th LD
- Rep. Crouse – 4th LD
- Rep. Rodne – 5th LD
- Rep. Kretz – 7th LD
- Rep. Short – 7th LD
- Rep. Haler – 8th LD
- Rep. Schmick – 9th LD
- Rep. Condotta – 12th LD
- Rep. Johnson – 14th LD
- Rep. Taylor – 15th LD
- Rep. Walsh – 16th LD
- Rep. Orcutt – 18th LD
- Rep. Blake – 19th LD
- Rep. Liias – 21st LD
- Rep. Zeiger – 25th LD
- Rep. Dammeier – 25th LD
- Rep. Green – 28th LD
- Rep. Kirby – 29th LD
- Rep. Miloscia – 30th LD
- Rep. Hurst – 31st LD
- Rep. Upthegrove – 33rd LD
- Rep. Haigh – 35th LD
- Rep. Morris – 40th LD – PRIME SPONSOR
- Rep. Overstreet – 42nd LD
- Rep. Goodman – 45th LD
It’s important to act quickly!
There have been bills introduced this year modifying the law allowing Automated Ticketing Machines. The bills tinker with requiring mandatory study periods, lengthening the “yellow change interval” at intersections, etc.
These are prime examples of trying to make a bad law into a law that is “less bad”. The tinkering bills would make the law worse than it already is!
If there is a bad law on the books, the right thing to do is to repeal the law.
Support HB 1823 that simply repeals Automated Ticketing Machines.
Contact your representative today!
Hold Onto Your Assets
Filed under: Elected Officials & Candidates, Legislation, News
It’s Monday, January 10th, do you know where your wallet is?
You’d better get a tight grip on it. Today was the first day of the Washington State legislative session.
Gregoire Ignoring the Will of the People?
Last week, our fearless Governor proclaimed,“I’m not gonna let 1053 stand in the way of me moving forward for what I think is right.”
Do you, like me, wonder what she means by that?
Initiative I-1053 was, as you recall, the reinstatement of the thrice-ignored voter-approved measure which states “legislative actions raising taxes must be approved by two-thirds legislative majorities or receive voter approval, and that new or increased fees require majority legislative approval.”
It appears Governor Gregoire wants to shove another bloated budget down the throats of the taxpayer, washed down with a healthy dose of bureaucratic fees – regardless of the overwhelming message sent by the voters!
Will Our Representatives Go Along With This?
Will they have the backbone to represent the over-taxed and over-regulated citizens of Washington State?
Did you know, according to a state legislative office, our current state budget spends almost $1300.00 more per person than the State of California? That’s absolutely unsustainable!
Our legislators are facing billions (yes, that’s billions with a big “B”) in revenue shortfalls. And, of course, we know that “revenue” is the polite political term for your hard earned tax dollars.
Even worse, those billions in shortfalls are completely separate from the billions of unfunded liabilities our representatives in the legislature have passed down over the years!
Brace Yourself for the Scare Tactics
What’s a politician to do? Make as many painful cuts in the budget as they can in an attempt to scare you, the taxpayer, into letting them off the hook with higher taxes and fees.
Here’s an example from the Office of Financial Management, on the Governor’s 2011-2013 proposed budget:
“Deep cuts are made across all areas of state government. The most significant of these include:
- Elimination of the Basic Health Plan, which now offers subsidized health insurance to 66,000 low-income individuals. This saves $230 million in state funds and $117 million in federal funds.
- Elimination of the Disability Lifeline grant for the temporarily unemployable, which serves 28,000 individuals each month, and the Disability Lifeline Medical Program, which serves 21,000 clients each year who have a temporary disability and are unable to work. This saves $327 million.
- Suspension of the Student Achievement Program under Initiative 728, which provides smaller class sizes, extended learning time for students and professional development for teachers. This saves $860 million.
- Suspension of employee salary increases under Initiative 732 for K-12 and higher education teachers and other employees. This saves $280 million.
- Elimination of K-4 class-size reduction funds provided to school districts that exceed the state’s basic education allocation. This saves $216 million.
- Reduction of 3 percent in compensation for state employees. This saves $176 million in state funds and $269 million in all funds.
- Elimination of state general fund dollars for State Parks. This saves $47 million.
- Closing McNeil Island Corrections Center by April 2011. This saves $17.6 million.”
Tune Up Your Political Polygraph
We will surely hear more in the coming weeks and months about how all of the stuff that’s easy to cut has already been pared out of the budget and now we’re “down to the tough choices”.
It’s true, for the political class, the budget binge that bought ballots in prior years, bringing us to this uncomfortable reality was surely much more pleasurable than the inevitable budget purge they face today.
It’s up to liberty activists like you to see through the ploys that legislators may use. We must recondition our legislators to understand that they can’t buy votes with a bloated budget, but they sure can spend their way out of widespread support.
Gear Up For Focused Action!
As the legislative season unfolds, we’ll be tracking some critical bills. From time to time, we may be able to stop a bad bill by contacting individual legislators . It’s interesting how differently legislators can act when they know the folks in their district are “playing along at home.”
Now’s the time to help make sure we can get critical information to you. Are you willing to:
Use this form today to raise your hand so we can let you know when your strategically timed phone call, letter, or email to your representative could help us win victories for liberty!
Sausage and Legislation
Filed under: Elected Officials & Candidates, Legislation, Poll
Don’t we have enough laws already?
The tax code is impossibly complicated. It is entirely possible to break laws unintentionally. Enforcement is inconsistent – some very important laws are ignored, while other revenue-generating laws are enforced to the letter.
Patriots believe that we should simply roll back bad legislation of prior years, or remove complicated provisions to condense and simplify the laws of the land.
But…at the state level, our friends in Olympia are already lining up dozens of new laws and additions to old laws to be considered in the upcoming legislative season – before the session has even started!
Beginning in December prior to a new session, legislators are allowed to “prefile” legislation for consideration during the upcoming session.
Do these prefiled bills sound worthwhile to you?
- “Concerning beer and wine tasting at farmers markets”
- “Establishing energy efficiency standards for consumer products”
- “Creating a Washington state ferries commission”
- “Adding to the scenic and recreational highway system”
- “Protecting consumers by assuring persons using the title of social worker have graduated with a degree in social work from an educational program accredited by the council on social work education”
Sausage and Legislation
Is the punchline to the old joke, “What are two things you don’t want to watch being made?”
And yet, watching is exactly what must be done! If the citizens do not pay attention to what our legislators are doing, politicians are free to propose and pass all manner of laws – from the harmful and liberty-encroaching, to the downright silly and time-wasting.
Washington State Campaign for Liberty urges you to join us in holding politicians accountable. With your support, we can keep an eye out for legislative shenanigans.
When we find liberty-encroaching legislation, we’ll need your help to put the politicians on notice!
I know we can count on you, the patriots of Washington State.
A Question of Legislative Philosophy
It seems that today’s political class is more concerned with “getting things done” so they can get re-elected rather than getting things done RIGHT.
Far too many politicians are willing to “reach across the aisle” and attempt to make a bad law “less bad” than to do the right thing and repeal the bad law.
Loading ...When you’re done voting, feel free to post your more detailed opinion in the comments below.
TSA Porno-Scanners – Follow the Money
The most important question you’ll ever ask yourself as a political activist is,
“If I believe what ‘they’ tell me, how does the politician benefit?”
Who are “they” in this sentence? Well, “they” are the politicians themselves, their staffers, the lobbyists, the party insiders and last but not least the media.
For example, if I believe that Automated Ticketing Machines are all about safety, then ATMs seem like a good idea….until I do the second most important thing any activist does,
“Follow the Money”.
Once you discover that traffic cameras increase accidents at intersections, it begs the question – what are they really about? Money.
Why else would our “friends” at Goldman Sachs buy a large enough stake in the camera company to seat two Goldman members on the cameras company’s board?
If I believe that giving up personal liberty somehow makes me safer, then it stands to reason that I need the government to protect me, right? Well, let’s look at the TSA’s new porno-scanners that do a virtual strip search. All about safety, right? Well, not exactly.
First, the head of the US Airways pilots union advises his members not to go through the porno-scanners because of the radiation exposure. Does that sound “safe” to you?
Secondly, the political class claims that there are “credible threats” from which they must protect us. Besides the obvious question of, “Oh really?”, how does doing a virtual strip search of 85 year old grandmothers and small children defeat these “credible threats”? And why has the GAO reported “it remains unclear…” if the porno-scanners would have even found the underwear bomber’s device?
Now it’s time to “follow the money.”
- Did you know that Michael Chertoff as head of Homeland Insecurity in 2005 ordered the first porno-scanners from Rapiscan Systems? Right after the attempted underwear bombing on Christmas Day 2009, Chertoff used his position as the past head of Homeland Insecurity to pimp porno-scanners all over the media. Hmmm…
- Why the big push for porno-scanners? Did you know that Michael Chertoff is head of a consulting firm called The Chertoff Group? And did you know one of his clients is none other than Rapiscan? That’s right, the very makers of the porno-scanners!
- Did you know that Homeland Insecurity has already spent about $173 million of mostly “stimulus” money to purchase Rapiscan porno-scanners? Pretty cool, huh?
Now here is the challenge for Homeland Insecurity and TSA – the American people won’t put up with dangerous, radiation emitting, porno-scanners. So what’s an agency to do?
Hey, here’s an idea. Why don’t we force people to be humiliated by sexually assaulting them if they won’t use our porno machines? Gotta love those bureaucrats, just looking out for your safety – the fourth amendment be damned!
Here is another interesting question. Do the fine folks at TSA change their gloves for every passenger? They don’t? Really? So let me get this straight; If I refuse to jeopardize my health by passing up on radiation exposure, then I get to have some stranger grope me with dirty gloves?
Well, think about this (when you are not eating). That means TSA screeners are running their hands through urine splatter, down moist body crevices, and then touching ties, collars, hair…and then going to the next person in line. So, as a bonus, the TSA screeners could be spreading germs, parasites, bed bugs from hotel rooms, and who knows what else from your fellow travelers on to you. Do we need to start checking out the backs of heads in the security line in front of us for lice?
In America, people have right to “…be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizure”. Further, this right, “…shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”
What are we the people going to do about this unconstitutional assault against Liberty?
As some of you know, Congressman Ron Paul introduced HR 6416 – The American Traveler Dignity Act (see video here) which puts an end to porno-scanners and sexual assault by TSA agents.
Contact your congressman and demand that
they co-sponsor HR 6416 – The American Traveler Dignity Act.
