Kicked out of House of Representatives

Believe it! My friend and I were actually kicked out (along with a few other people) to make way for late-comer visitors to the House of Representatives to witness the dastardly Healthcare bill passage last night. And we were threatened with hand-cuffs if we did not leave our seats. We could, however, come back into the Gallery, but we had to go to the end of the line (very long, snaked around two corridors +). Reminded me of education's "no one is a winner" mantra - all are equal - except in this case, the late-comers were the "winners." Those of us who got to the Gallery earlier "lost." Don't know who ordered this outrageous affront to taxpayers who own this House. Could it be Nancy Pelosi, who has final say re ingress and egress of House, and had to make way for all those staffers to witness her most glorious moment?

DC Protest Nov. 5

By Barbara Howey, in Washington,DC Washington, DC. Thursday, November 5. This was not fun. Compared to the 9/12 protest, which I attended, this protest was deadly serious. At the 9/12 protest, people were laughing, joking, smiling, meeting new people, a party-atmosphere. Not so with the 11/4 Healthcare Reform protest. At this protest, we Patriots were packed in like sardines on the grassy area below the West steps of the Capitol. I could not even make my way up to where my friend - another Patriot (a small business woman in Novato) who had taken the red-eye the night before, and flew out of DC that afternoon at 4pm, was standing. She managed to fight (politely, of course) close to the front of the crowd. So many signs, so many TALL people, so much earnestness was sobering. This crowd realized what was at stake if this dastardly Healthcare Reform bill that the Dems so love is passed. The people I met were from all over the States, but it seemed quite a few were from Texas. Michelle Bachman gave a brief speech, as did Mark Levine, and Jon Voight. Of course, many of the Republican Representatives had to get their few seconds of fame, so the speeches went on and on. About 1.5 hours after the start, I, and quite a few others, started leaving. I met up with my Novato friend in the security line of the Rayburn Bldg, where I was going to deliver a reasoned letter written by my husband to Nancy Pelosi's office (see below). Of course, the intern in Pelosi's office was...young, but smiling. She offered us House Gallery tickets. So, we ran off to the House Gallery to view the boring minutea of inconsequential, bureaucratic details - again, some Reps getting their 30 seconds of fame. I can't even remember the subject. It certainly was not Healthcare, or I would have listened. My Novato friend had to dash to Reagan Airport, so I ran to the Senate bldg to hand my letters to Boxer and Feinstein. From Boxer's office, I got Senate Gallery passes. Off I went to sit in the (Rogue's) gallery for 2 hours, watching all those Senators, Republicans and Democrats, pat each other on the back. Hail fellow, well met!

*****

Dear Congresswoman Woolsey,

Thank you for e-mailing me a copy of H.R. 3962. After starting to read it I discovered it was 1,990 pages long. YIKES! And I thought Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged” was long at 1,168 pages. At least that was entertaining!

This only strengthens my resolve to tell you how much I do NOT want government controlled health care. I am a senior citizen and I am not ready to give up my freedom of choice; Or the quality of my health care. The quality of my health care can only be diminished by the resulting inevitable rationing if government run health care is implemented. I do not believe this is the "American Way." Neither do I believe it is consistent with the revered American traits of individual personal freedom and responsibility.

I believe a better way to provide affordable, quality health care for all is by making well-considered incremental changes because polls consistently show that the majority of citizens are satisfied with their existing health care coverage and choices. A good start would be to reform what I believe are two of the most pressing issues; pass Tort reform legislation and allow the free market to deliver real competition by authorizing the sale of Health Insurance across State lines.

Women’s health care is particularly important. A recent poll by the Independent Women’s Forum reports three out of four women surveyed (74%) consider their own health care as good or excellent. Only 40% would want even slight modifications to their own health care, and 35% would leave their health care as is. Furthermore, 64% of the women surveyed would rather have private insurance than a government-run plan and 61% do not support the individual mandate. Women also oppose the rush to pass a bill. Only 16% rate health care as their top issue and two thirds (67%) don’t want something passed that is poorly crafted. And this poll was taken before the swine flu vaccine shortage. This poll can be seen at www.iwf.org.

In contrast, the currently proposed radical restructuring of the entire health care system for the country is being rushed through the House of Representatives without allowing adequate time to read, much less debate, the proposed bill in order to even begin to understand this complex legislation or its consequences. Rather than promoting competition, I believe the proposed government-run health care plan will ultimately diminish competition, and result in government-run monopoly, runaway costs, and rationing; Or worse, denial of care.

Why do I believe this? For starters, because under the government-run program Politicians and Bureaucrats will control health care choices and decisions, Not Individuals and their Doctors. The proposed program is a vast expansion of government that goes far beyond the existing Medicare program; the same program that currently results in an estimated $68 Billion in losses from Fraud, each year!

I thank you for your attention. Fred Howey Constituent and Taxpayer

cc: Senators Boxer and Feinstein, Congresswoman Pelosi

From the Hill - Washington, DC

There were about 12 Patriots in my group today. We visited (for 4.5 hrs) most of the Blue Dog Dems who were on the fence re Healthcare. Also Pelosi's office, and Woolsey's office. We encountered mostly polite receptionists and staffers, but never met with the Reps. A GA congressman, Brown, from Atlanta, stopped us in the hall, and spent about 10 mins encouraging us to continue the pressure - with our visits, with emails, telephone calls, and faxes. I also stopped in at those CA Republican Reps with a "thumbs up" when I passed their doors.

Diane, the Tea Party Patriot organizer from PA, had faxes produced from all over the country, and she handed them out at each stop. As the day wore on, our numbers dwindled. We had a female Dr from Texas who talked to Pelosi's aide for about 20 mins. Then the Dr went off on her own to lobby the Blue Dogs, stating that she thought she could be more effective in her argument/presentation alone.

All offices seemed to be aware of big event tomorrow on Capitol steps.

Woolsey's office gave me two passes to the House of Reps gallery, so I may get a chance to go & hear some of the speeches on Healthcare, either Friday, or Sat.

Real democracy in action! Barb

Danoodle Goes to Washington

Going to DC to protest Healthcare Bill, along with thousands of Tea Party Patriots. Will post pictures soonest.

Happy Halloween

SF Tea Party in SF today at 5pm, Union Square

Danoodle is back in town. Much has happened the last 6 months while I have been gone. Will post whenever possible. My friend Sally Zelikovsky heads up Bay Area Patriots. She has done a stellar job in organizing events for Marinites and SF conservatives. Click on title above for information re today's protest in SF at 5:00pm. See you there! Sally's website is www.bayareapatriots.com.

Local Businesswoman takes on Lynn Woolsey

How sweet it is! Local businesswoman Catherine Bragg took on Lynn Woolsey at a Town Hall Meeting that would make any conservative proud! Go Catherine! Click on title above to view to Catherine's UTube spot.

Update - Danoodle on the road

Am currently touring the South on a road trip. Things definitely move slower here - possibly because of the HOT weather. Outside Charleston, SC, our car temp gauge showed 107 degrees. Am not in Marin currently, so don't know what's happening since I haven't had many Internet connections on this road trip. It's amazing how uninformed one can get - deliberately! Busy sightseeing.

Marin Republican Central Committee - CLUELESS!

-----Original Message-----
From: Sally Zelikovsky
Sent: Monday, April 06, 2009 7:54 AM
To: Sally Zelikovsky
Subject: FW: Tea Party

This is the response I FINALLY got from the MRCC about having them forward
the press release to their email list. By the way, the SF-GOP sent it to
their 7000 member email list; didn't hesitate.

In any event, you will have rec'd my response to them already, but thought
you should see this to know the context.

I am thoroughly disgusted.

-----Original Message-----
From: Errol Tremolada
Sent: Sunday, April 05, 2009 3:45 PM
To: sallyzel@comcast.net
Cc: Kevin Krick; Sashi McEntee
Subject: Tea Party

Sally,

I received your email via the executive chairs. I have previously emailed
with Elizabeth Appell regarding this issue but here's our policy:

We would like to fill our events calendar on the website with as many events
as possible, Republican sanctioned or not. We've added the tea party there
now. However, the email blasts will remain for official MCRCC news and
events (meetings, newsletters etc.) This is to prevent activist groups and
coalitions from using us basically as an advertising business, which is not
what we are. There are environmental conservatives that will hold events,
log cabin republican events, pro life events, traditional marriage events
etc and we cannot be in the business of advertising on their behalf all the
time. We will have these events on our website calendar. Another important
issue is to be careful how many emails get to our list's inboxes. We cannot
flood them. With meeting reminders, newsletters and the occassional press
release we will be treading a thin line. The more emails the more vulnerable
we are to people ignoring them because they are annoyed and worse they exit
the list. I support your efforts with the tea party just as I have
personally supported other coalitions events (enviromentall, pro life etc)
but we cannot use the MCRCC as a tool in that manner. I would love my por
life events to get that exposure but we can't be blasting every event. If we
did, we would create a precedent that would leave us answering emails like
yours for months and years to come. We believe this policy is clean cut
rather than picking and choosing events to blast.

Thanks for your efforts and I hope for the best success at the Tea Party.

Errol Tremolada
Communications Chair

Reply to Marin Central Committee's clueless stance

-----Original Message-----
From: Sally Zelikovsky
Sent: Monday, April 06, 2009 7:52 AM
To: 'Errol Termolina'
Cc: 'Kevin Krick'; 'Sashi McEntee'
Subject: RE: Tea Party

Thanks for your reply.

I do have a few thoughts to share.

This struggle is remarkably different than your run-of-the-mill political
issue.

People justifiably feel they are fighting for their future, for the future
of the country, for their children, for their safety and economic security.
Every day, there is a new pronouncement from the Admin or Cong of some
liberty being whittled away. People feel they are fighting for the life of
the Republic as well as the Republican Party.

Republicans and conservatives of all shapes and sizes, are scared. People
like me, who have never protested in their lives, are taking to the streets,
clamoring to be heard in fear and desperation. For those of us having to
pay college tuition, losing our jobs and homes, seeing our retirements drip
down the drain, this isn't a game. It's real life and has real, painful
consequences. We feel like we aren't being heard or listened to and sadly,
by Democrats as well as many in our party.

This is a nationwide movement, one that the Republican Party desperately
needs to support in order for it to survive. Without the votes of the
millions who are undertaking this effort, the Republican Party will continue
in its downward spiral. What use is a party that won't take a stance on an
issue as compelling and prosperity-threatening as this one? This myopic
perspective is rooted in impotence and that's not going to recruit members,
drum up dollars or cultivate strong future candidates. If the party won't
stand behind the people, the people will not be there for the party.

Honestly, not one of us is thrilled we have to protest. We have jobs and
school and families we would rather be with on April 15th. I have been
working 24/7 on this as a volunteer-I have much better things to do w/ my
time, like look for a job. But we have literally been forced onto the
streets. Are you afraid to get your hands dirty by forwarding the press
release? It's ok for us to take to the streets, but you don't want any part
of it? And then you are going to ask us to support the candidates you prop
up? Well, I can tell you that when the 150 people on my email list get wind
of this one, they aren't going to be happy w/ the MRCC. And by the way, you
should know that many constituents are miserable that they have to protest
and feel they wouldn't have to be doing this if the Republican Party had
done its job in the first place. Yes, that's how many feel.

You can embrace your limited view or choose to do what other republican
parties have done across the country-they not only plan to use their email
lists to forward information about this event, but intend to show up to the
Tea Party and register voters while sending the message that the Republican
Party stands with the people on this issue. Now, that's a Republican Party
your average Joe will support.

The issue of our economy is vast in scope and affects all aspects of our
lives. It goes to the very core of conservatism and therefore, the
Republican platform, that is, limited government, low taxes and liberty,
including economic liberty and free enterprise. This issue is so profound,
I am even getting support from democrats. This disaster BHO has created is
giving us the opportunity to recruit disillusioned Democrats, much like 9-11
did. Yes, this is that big.

If the Republican Party cannot wrap its hands around an issue that is
uniting millions of conservatives (most of whom vote Republican) and cannot
see this as a struggle not only for the success of the Republican Party but
for the life of the country, then the Republican Party is in more trouble
than I could have ever imagined.

I think I am beginning to understand how it is the democrats can continue to
walk all over us, when we are unwilling to work with one another for petty
reasons such as (1) glutting people w/ emails (emails many of them have
indicated to me they would have liked to receive from the MRCC-and, by the
way, all I asked is for a one time distribution of the press release) and
(2) doing our advertising (I cannot even come up w/ a parenthetical for this
pathetic excuse).

I have heard rumors about the last few meetings and refused to believe them.
I stood up for the MRCC on several occasions the past few months. I know
you are facing some battles with a group of conservatives who want to take
the party in a different direction in order to have a real impact. I've
been reluctant to agree with them and have mistakenly defended the MRCC and
some of the outrageous actions that have been taken recently. However, after
seeing how you have taken such a hands off approach to this issue, the MRCC
itself has reinforced all of the negative rumors floating about town.

This is a truly sad state of affairs. My arm is still outstretched and I
remain willing to work with you on this. I hope you can see things from the
perspective of hundreds of your constituents/members.

Thank you,
Sally Zelikovsky