OKC 912 Project

Hi all,

Hope you're planning on attending our meeting on Monday at Belle Isle Library (lower level), Northwest Expressway and Villa from 6:30-8:30. If you get chilly easily (seems impossible given our hot summer), you might want to bring a sweater. The librarians like to make sure everyone stays awake!

Hope to see you then!

America Is at Risk of Boiling Over
And out-of-touch leaders don't see the need to cool things off.

It is, obviously, self-referential to quote yourself, but I do it to make a point. I wrote the following on New Year's day, 1994. America 16 years ago was a relatively content nation, though full of political sparks: 10 months later the Republicans would take the House for the first time in 40 years. But beneath all the action was, I thought, a coming unease. Something inside was telling us we were living through "not the placid dawn of a peaceful age but the illusory calm before stern storms."

The temperature in the world was very high. "At home certain trends—crime, cultural tension, some cultural Balkanization—will, we fear, continue; some will worsen. In my darker moments I have a bad hunch. The fraying of the bonds that keep us together, the strangeness and anomie of our popular culture, the increase in walled communities . . . the rising radicalism of the politically correct . . . the increased demand of all levels of government for the money of the people, the spotty success with which we are communicating to the young America's reason for being and founding beliefs, the growth of cities where English is becoming the second language . . . these things may well come together at some point in our lifetimes and produce something painful indeed. I can imagine, for instance, in the year 2020 or so, a movement in some states to break away from the union. Which would bring about, of course, a drama of Lincolnian darkness. . . . You will know that things have reached a bad pass when Newsweek and Time, if they still exist 15 years from now, do cover stories on a surprising, and disturbing trend: aging baby boomers leaving America, taking what savings they have to live the rest of their lives in places like Africa and Ireland."

Democrats: Say, Let’s Exempt Rich People in Blue States From Tax Hike!

-By Warner Todd Huston

If this doesn’t exemplify the left’s propensity to act in the mode of for-thee-but-not-me, nothing does. The Wall Street Journal (by way of the Wash. Examiner’s Mark Hemingway) reports that at least one Democrat has suddenly realized that when the Bush tax cuts fade away his state will be hit by a massive tax hike on the same rich people that donate to his election campaign.

The Journal notes that the “irony” of the tax increase coming on January 1 is that the bluest states will be hardest hit. New York, California, Connecticut, and New Jersey will be hit pretty hard and this poses a “problem” for those pro-tax Democrats that will suddenly find rich constituents who will be angry about the new hit on their income.

But, Representative Jerrold Nadler (D, NY) has come up with the perfect solution. Nadler wants to pass a law that exempts his rich constituents and those of other taxpayers in areas with a higher cost of living, i.e. other Democrats. The Journal reveals that Nadler’s new law would “require the IRS to adjust tax brackets proportionally in regions where the average cost of living is higher than the national average.”

In other words, the various tax brackets would apply to residents in certain regions at higher income levels versus other parts of the country. A family with an income of $50,000 or even $1 million in Manhattan would pay less federal income tax than a family with the same earnings in Omaha. The bill is called the Tax Equity Act, but a more accurate title would be the Blue State Tax Preference Act.

Imagine that, eh? A Democrat that wants the coming tax hike to affect only Republican states. Who wudda thunk it?

This was on the CPUSA's list/platform of 2008. The very first two items on its list:
1.1 A moratorium on foreclosures and evictions.
1.2 Reset mortgages so payments are affordable.

An August Surprise from Obama?
James Pethokoukis
Aug 5, 2010 00:26 EDT

Main Street may be about to get its own gigantic bailout. Rumors are running wild from Washington to Wall Street that the Obama administration is about to order government-controlled lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to forgive a portion of the mortgage debt of millions of Americans who owe more than what their homes are worth. An estimated 15 million U.S. mortgages - one in five - are underwater with negative equity of some $800 billion. Recall that on Christmas Eve 2009, the Treasury Department waived a $400 billion limit on financial assistance to Fannie and Freddie, pledging unlimited help. The actual vehicle for the bailout could be the Bush-era Home Affordable Refinance Program, or HARP, a sister program to Obama's loan modification effort. HARP was just extended through June 30, 2011.

The move, if it happens, would be a stunning political and economic bombshell less than 100 days before a midterm election in which Democrats are currently expected to suffer massive, if not historic losses. The key date to watch is August 17 when the Treasury Department holds a much-hyped meeting on the future of Fannie and Freddie.

Mo. voters reject key provision of health care law

Aug 4, 12:51 AM (ET)

By DAVID A. LIEB

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly rejected a key provision of President Barack Obama's health care law, sending a clear message of discontent to Washington and Democrats less than 100 days before the midterm elections.

About 71 percent of Missouri voters backed a ballot measure, Proposition C, that would prohibit the government from requiring people to have health insurance or from penalizing them for not having it.

The Missouri law conflicts with a federal requirement that most people have health insurance or face penalties starting in 2014.

Tuesday's vote was seen as largely symbolic because federal law generally trumps state law. But it was also seen as a sign of growing voter disillusionment with federal policies and a show of strength by conservatives and the tea party movement.

"To us, it symbolized everything," said Annette Read, a tea party participant from suburban St. Louis who quit her online retail job to lead a yearlong campaign for the Missouri ballot measure. "The entire frustration in the country ... how our government has misspent, how they haven't listened to the people, this measure in general encompassed all of that."

Missouri's ballot also featured primaries for U.S. Senate, Congress and numerous state legislative seats. But at many polling places, voters said they were most passionate about the health insurance referendum.

"I believe that the general public has been duped about the benefits of the health care proposal," said Mike Sampson of Jefferson City, an independent emergency management contractor, who voted for the proposition. "My guess is federal law will in fact supersede state law, but we need to send a message to the folks in Washington, D.C., that people in the hinterlands are not happy."

h/t ZeroHedge

Raoul Pal, who retired from managing money at the ripe age of 36, after co-managing GLG's Global Macro Fund, and the hedge fund sales business in equities and equity derivatives at Goldman among others, and has been publishing the attached Global Macro Report since, has just come out with the most condensed version of truth about our economic reality we have read in a long time. The attached report provides the most in depth observation on the "future recession in an ongoing depression" which is arguably the best way the describe the current economic predicament. Raoul goes all out in describing he worst recovery in history, touches on he complete disconnect between the bond world and the imaginary equity surreality, provides countless evidence the economy has not only not left the recession but is getting progressively deeper into it, shares several trade recommendations, and on occasion swear like a drunken sailor. A must read report for everyone who is sick of the CNBC/sellside daily onesided propaganda.

A Guide to State Ballot Questions

Now that the Oklahoma legislative session is over, we know which State Questions will be on the ballot in November. Below is a list of them including a short synopsis of how they will affect you. This will give you a basic understanding before you go to the ballot box in November. Spread the word…because one of these questions is very dangerous.

744: Education spending. A constitutional change that raises the per pupil spending by the state to the regional average. That average would be determined by the State Equalization Board as part of the revenue certification process and based on other states’ spending on education. There are no provisions in the bill on how the state would fund this. MY TAKE: While no one is opposed to ensuring we have the best education possible in this state, throwing more money at a failing system is not the way to solve our problems. We have some great schools in this state. But is it because of the money or something else? Education spending already consumes 54% of Oklahoma’s budget. This measure would increase that amount by nearly $1.2 Billion, thereby shutting down many agencies or raising taxes. The Governor, LT Gov, AG, and even pro-tax groups are against SQ 744. Let’s properly spend the funds we have now before throwing more money into the huge bureaucracy. Read more at www.Stop744.com.

746: Voter ID. In order to vote, a person must present either a valid, unexpired photo identification or the voter identification card issued by their county election board. Those without valid ID can still cast a provisional ballot which will be counted once they confirm their identity. MY TAKE: This is absolutely necessary to ensure our most sacred right is not infringed upon or abused.

from Monty Pelerin's World

When Did Rome Realize It Was Finished?

Most know my negative views on what is happening in this country. I thought the following article from 20smoney.com put things into proper perspective.

The point is that we are going through our lives just as usual. Sure, a neighbor or two might be out of work but everything else is the same. No it isn’t! A bell doesn’t suddenly go off signaling that the U.S. has passed its zenith and is on the downside. Nor will you get a warning before your company, municipality or pension fund collapses. Things move glacially, until they don’t. Then they move mercurially.

This article puts this point into perspective.

Is America Just Like The Roman Empire?
27 JULY 2010

The similarities between the Roman Empire and America today are fascinating to me. There was a great article recently that discussed this connection and I’d like to comment on some of the points made in it. You can read the article here.

First, the article starts off with an important question:

When do you suppose the citizens of imperial Rome first realized that their way of life had tipped into inexorable decline?

It’s important question because I would submit that we should ask the same thing of us today here in America. For more evidence on WHY we should be asking this question, read the following article entitledhow to tell if you’re in a depression. I would suggest that most Americans are in denial about the direction of America. As I’ve discussed many times, there is a rebalancing that is starting that will be unavoidable. Standard of livings have to decline in America. We’ll do what we can to fight it, but it will be futile.

I know many of us can't walk precincts for many reasons, however, we can:
- post information about the candidates we support on our Facebook pages
- we can send out email to our email lists about the candidates we support - many of those emails get passed on to other like-minded thinkers we don't even know!
- we can call the precinct offices of the candidates we support and ask for phone lists that we can call
- we can call the precinct offices of the candidates we support and ask them for pamphlets or other items to hand out at groups we might be hosting

If you don't see information for your candidate listed here, get on the web and Bing (Google) your candidates name. That will help you find their campaign website. Once you find that, find the CONTACT section. Contact the person listed for that person's campaign and go from there!

NOW: for those of us that CAN walk, here are some great opportunities to do just that. If you need more information, please click on the links that go to the Sooner Tea Party meetup http://www.meetup.com/SoonerTeaParty/

If you have questions, I can try to get you to the right place for those to be answered! Now GET OUT THERE AND GET YOUR CANDIDATE ELECTED!!!!
Marydith Harris Precinct Walk
Jul 21 Wed 6:00 PM
Location
Braums
111 S. Mustang Rd
Oklahoma City, OK 73099
How to find us
"Look for the people wearing yellow tea party shirts. If you are late, call 412-6233 and we will guide you to the area"
Who’s coming?
3 Patriots
Who's hosting?
Al Gerhart and Marydith Harris

Marydith Harris wants to finish walking her precinct tomorrow night, Wednesday night. She lives over near I 40 and County line road, south of Yukon. The precinct doesn't look very large so six to eight teams ought to cover it in one night.
She has the maps and walking lists ready to go, just RSVP and show up and she will put you to work. If you need to come in late, just call me when you get in the area and we will guide you in.

July 26, 2010
A Prelude to Global Governance?
Phil Boehmke
This morning our friends in Great Britain awoke to this frightening headline in the UK Daily Mail, "European police to spy on Britons: Now ministers hand over Big Brother powers to foreign officers." The European Union which has been so wildly successful in economic matters is implementing two new law enforcement policies which will further weaken the sacred and time honored protections of national sovereignty.

The new powers are known as the European Investigation Order (EIO), which is intended as a partner to the highly controversial European Arrest Warrant (EAW).


One of the major concerns about the EAW, to which Britain is signed up, is that it has been used to investigate the most minor misdemeanors, such as "theft of a dessert" in a Polish restaurant.


Now member states want to make it easier to gather evidence on another's soil. The proposal requires an ‘opt in', which means Britain could sit back and play no part in the new regime.


[...]


...the powers in the directive are available to prosecutors only. Britons under suspicion will not have any right to demand information from overseas police which could prove their innocence.

Announcing a new Meetup for Sooner Tea Party!

What: Tim McCoy precinct walk number two

When: Friday, July 23, 2010 6:30 PM

Where: Johnnies Charcoal Broiler
6629 NW Expressway
Oklahoma City, OK 73132

Join Tim McCoy to walk a couple of neighborhoods in his house district. Campaign literature will be provided. Tim will have maps and walking lists printed out and ready to go.

I might be late and I might not make it to this one. I have to get to Guthrie to reload the teams working Ponca City and I need to check on a possible interview around 7 pm Friday night, might have been an old message but I gotta check.

RSVP to this Meetup:
http://www.meetup.com/SoonerTeaParty/calendar/14188500/

Title:Question 744
Subject:Education
Description:Mandates money State must provide to public schools

Title:Question 746
Subject:Elections
Description:Potential voters must provide proof of identity

Title:Question 747
Subject:Admin. of gov't
Description:Limiting terms of office of elected officials

Title:Question 748
Subject:Admin. of gov't
Description:Legislative re-apportionment done by bipartisan commission

Title:Question 750
Subject:Admin. of gov't
Description:Initiative signatures based on votes for governor in recent election

Title:Question 751
Subject:English
Description:English is "common and unifying language of Oklahoma"

Title:Question 752
Subject:Admin. of gov't
Description:Modify composition of Judicial Nominating Commission

Title:Question 753
Subject:Admin. of gov't
Description:Senate approves person chosen by governor for Workers' Compensation Court

Title:Question 754
Subject:Admin. of gov't
Description:Legislature not required to make expenditures based on pre-determined formulas

Title:Question 755
Subject:Admin. of gov't
Description:Federal/state laws used to decide cases forbidding courts from considering international law.

Title:Question 756
Subject:Health care
Description:Allow residents to opt out of any federal health care mandates.

Title:Question 757
Subject:State budgets
Description:Increases amount of money to be put into constitutional reserve fund.

A Few Reasons Why This Depression Will Be Even Greater

By Bill Bonner

07/22/10 Vancouver, British Columbia – “This is the Greater Depression…and it’s going to be worse…far worse…than the Depression of the ’30s,” said Doug Casey.

“We’re just in the eye of the hurricane now. It seems calm. But the other side of the storm is going to hit soon. And it’s going to be much worse…”

Doug proceeded to list all the reasons this storm will cause more devastation than the ’30s tempest.

For one thing, people have much more debt. There was relatively little consumer debt in the ’20s. Credit cards hadn’t been invented yet. And if you wanted to buy something from a store you had to pay for it in advance. They had ‘lay-away’ plans. You could pay a little each month. Then, when you’d finished paying for it, they’d give you the merchandise. Generally, people still believed in saving money.

Other reasons:

There was no expensive social-welfare establishment.

There were few bailouts and few boondoggles.

The US government had little debt and was relatively little-involved in the economy.

The US had a positive trade balance.

The US was still a growing, dynamic economy…and the world’s leading exporter.

And the US wasn’t involved in any foreign wars. Its military expenses were trivial compared to those of today.

People wanted to invest in the US. The US dollar was backed by gold.

“Now, smart Americans are getting their money out of the US,” said Doug. “This time it’s going to be much worse.”

Bill Bonner
for The Daily Reckoning

From American Thinker

July 20, 2010
Journolist docs show libs conspiring to kill Rev. Wright story
Rick Moran
It appears that the famous liberal listserv -- the so-called Journolist made up of prominent MSM reporters, academics, and pundits -- was everything conservative critics said about it.

The Daily Caller has acquired documents that show the conspiratorial nature of the list and its ability to massage and manipulate the news.

This is especially true in the case of how the press leaders on the list conspired to kill the Reverend Wright story:

According to records obtained by The Daily Caller, at several points during the 2008 presidential campaign a group of liberal journalists took radical steps to protect their favored candidate. Employees of news organizations including Time, Politico, the Huffington Post, the Baltimore Sun, the Guardian, Salon and the New Republic participated in outpourings of anger over how Obama had been treated in the media, and in some cases plotted to fix the damage.
In one instance, Spencer Ackerman of the Washington Independent urged his colleagues to deflect attention from Obama's relationship with Wright by changing the subject. Pick one of Obama's conservative critics, Ackerman wrote, "Fred Barnes, Karl Rove, who cares - and call them racists."

Michael Tomasky, a writer for the Guardian, also tried to rally his fellow members of Journolist: "Listen folks-in my opinion, we all have to do what we can to kill ABC and this idiocy in whatever venues we have. This isn't about defending Obama. This is about how the [mainstream media] kills any chance of discourse that actually serves the people."