Declaring that "this is our battle of Trenton," Tea Party activists are gearing up for a last stand against the health-care reform effort they see as putting the country on a glide-path to socialism.
With the House set to vote on reform as early as this week, Tea Party Patriot leaders yesterday sent out a lengthy email to volunteers -- forwarded to TPMmuckraker -- announcing "It's Make or Break Time with Health Care," and laying out a frenetic schedule of direct lobbying activities for the next few days, including phone calls and in-person visits to members of both houses of Congress.
The email, said by Tea Partiers to have been long in the works, also announces that on Thursday the Tea Partiers will join Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), who has revealed her own plans to rally supporters on the steps of the Capitol, then march through the halls of Congress in a show of strength.
Bachmann's plan has generated a frenzy of excitement on internal Tea Party email lists. In one email obtained by TPMmuckraker, a Tea Partier wrote:
Michelle Bachman . . . Sarah Palin . . . these women are writing a
completely new chapter in the history of women in American politics.
What Michelle is doing is absolutely heroic.This may be the most exciting time in American history in 50 years.
You can feel the electricity in the air.
When another Tea Partier responded that he preferred Bachmann to Palin, a third wrote:
i LOVE THEM BOTH.
THEY HAVE MORE KAHONIES (spell) then 99% of the senators in Congress.
Separately, one Ohio activist wrote to recruit other Tea Partiers to the Bachmann event:
This is our battle of Trenton. When George Washington and his troops surprised the British by crossing the icy Delaware river on Christmas night to get the first victory of the Revolutionary War. It was the turning point of the war. This Thursday we must march in the cold of winter to Washington DC, to surprise our representatives, and take back our country from those intent on destroying it.
Wavering members of Congress can brace themselves for an interesting week.
Here's the formal TPP announcement in its entirety:
It's Make or Break Time with Health Care Dear Fellow Tea Party Patriots,Thank you for your generous monetary donations last week! If you were unable to get through on Paypal and would like to mail a check you may do so to:
Tea Party Patriots Inc
1025 Rose Creek Drive
Suite 620-322
Woodstock, GA 30189If you are not able to make a monetary donation, know we still appreciate your phone calls, emails, faxes, organization, and participation in the many Tea Party Patriots protests and events. We are all doing as much as we can and everyone's combined effort is greatly appreciated!!
This week is make or break week with the government takeover of health care in the House of Representatives. It is our understanding that Speaker Pelosi is working to bring the bill to the floor of the House on Friday or Saturday of this week. She would not be setting that as a deadline if she were not fairly confident that she can line up the votes.
Additionally, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is working to line up 60 votes so that the bill may be brought to the Senate Floor. The Senate cannot bring a bill to the floor as easily as the House. In the Senate, the bill must have unanimous consent to be brought to a vote (which this one will not) or there will have to be a motion to proceed. When the motion to proceed is announced, objections will occur. After this Senator Reid will file a cloture motion, which will attempt to stop debate and actually allow vote on his original motion to proceed. For the cloture motion to win, there must be 60 votes.
As you saw last week in our emails, Tea Party Patriots has been working on an Operation House Call program. We had an incredible number of members step up to the plate and they are going to be in DC this week. Then Friday afternoon, we received word that Congressman Michele Bachman would be making an announcement on Friday about another House Call program on Thursday. Many of the original TPP Operation House Call Members are going to stay through Thursday.With all of this in mind, here is this week's Passion to Action Weekly To Do List. Keep pulling from your reserves. Right now, we have to make sure Congress knows that we do not want the government to takeover our health care!
Passion to Action Weekly To Do List
TPP Square Flag Logo The phone calls, emails, faxes, and protests have been working. While it is hard work, please keep up the effort.
Monday:* TPP Members will be traveling to DC.
* Watch for an email announcement about a new Tea Party Patriots project to come late Monday. This project is going to be powerful and important so be sure to check back for it.
* Read below about our efforts this week. If you cannot go to DC but you are able to go to your local Congressional District Office on Thursday at 12:00 noon eastern time (especially if you are in or near one of the targeted Congressman's districts), plan and list a protest outside of their office for Thursday at 12:00 noon eastern time. To enter the protest on http://teapartypatriots.org, login, then click My Account from the top right hand corner, then selects Add Event on the right hand sidebar.
* Begin planning for the encore showing of Not Evil Just Wrong, which will be on Saturday, November 21. We will have a planning packet for you shortly.
* If you have not written a letter to the targeted Senators and Congressmen, take the time to do so today. It does take time to do this, especially when it is a letter you are writing from your heart rather than copying and pasting text. These individual letters truly make a difference and we encourage you to write one and fax it to us at 678-302-5377. We will hand deliver it for you.Tuesday:
* Tea Party Patriots members will begin Operation House Call circulating throughout the Senate Office Buildings beginning at 1:30. They will deliver the faxes you have sent to the targeted Senators. Additionally, they will tell staff members why they are opposed to government takeover of our health care.
* We need you to back up their efforts by calling all the targeted Senators today. We especially need the phone lines to begin lighting up at 1:30 eastern time and continuing until 6:00. The targeted Senators phone numbers (including local phone numbers) are listed below.
* If you did not originally plan to attend but have decided you want to make the trip, please email Diana Reimer (philatppatriots@gmail.com) and Debbie Dooley (debbie0040@yahoo.com) so they can get the details to you.
Wednesday:* Tea Party Patriots members will continue Operation House Call circulating throughout the House Office Buildings beginning at 10:30 am. They will deliver the faxes you have sent to the targeted House members. Additionally, they will tell staff members why they are opposed to government takeover of our health care.
* We need you to back up their efforts by calling all the targeted Representatives today. We especially need the phone lines to begin lighting up at 10:30 eastern time and continuing until 6:00. The targeted Representative phone numbers (including local phone numbers) are listed below.Thursday:
* Tea Party Patriots members will continue Operation House Call by joining Congressman Michelle Bachman at 12:00 noon eastern time to make additional House Calls on Congress. We have groups that are coordinating caravans and chartered buses in many states including:
o Delaware: Christy Shirley, delawaretaxteaparty@gmail.com
o Georgia: Joy McGraw, jlmcgraw@aol.com
o Illinois: Denise Cattoni, dcattoni@aol.com
o Louisiana: Rob Gaudet, rob@teapartypatriots.org
o New York (Central and Syracuse): Joanne Wilder, jwilder4@twcny.rr.com
o Rhode Island: Ron L'Heureux, Ron@riteaparty.com
o Texas: Rowlett Tea Party, info@rowlettteaparty.com
o Virginia, James Spiess, jimspiess@gmail.com
o If you are planning a caravan or a chartered bus trip, please be sure to list it in our events. (See Monday's action items for details on how to do this.)
* If you cannot attend the House Call in DC, then attend the House Call at your local Congressman's Local District Office. These protests will be planned quickly. Be sure to list the protest on our site so others can find out about it. The time for these protests is 12:00 noon eastern/9:00 AM pacific. This way they will correspond with House Call in DC. As you are protesting, send 1 person into the office at a time to tell the staff members how you feel about government takeover of our health care.
* If you cannot attend in DC or at a local District Office, then call and fax the targeted Congressmen again today. We must continue to keep the pressure on this week.Friday:
* The vote is expected to take place on the House Floor on Friday or Saturday. We will do our best to keep you updated about any developments without overwhelming your inbox.
* Call your Congressman and your 2 Senators to tell them why you do not want government takeover of health care. Call their local offices and the DC offices.
* Call the local offices and district offices of the targeted Congressmen again today.Targeted Senators
We are including the DC office phone numbers and fax numbers below in case you would also like to call and fax directly to the Senators. If you fax your letters to: 678-302-5377 we will hand deliver them.
Sen. Michael F Bennet, Colorado
DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-5852, DC Fax Number: 202-228-5036
Sen. Ben Nelson, Nebraska
DC Office Number: 202-224-6551, DC Fax Number: 202-228-0012
Sen. Mary Landrieu, Louisiana
DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-5824, DC Fax Number: 202-224-9735
Sen. Mark Pryor, Arkansas
DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-2353, DC Fax Number: 202-228-0908
Sen. Blanche Lincoln, Arkansas
DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-4843, DC Fax Number: 202-228-1371
Sen. Robert Byrd, West Virginia
DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-3954, DC Fax Number: 202-228-0002
Sen. Jim Webb, Virginia
DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-4024, DC Fax Number: 202-228-6363
Sen. Mark Warner, Virginia
DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-2023, DC Fax Number: 202-224-6295
Sen. Jon Tester, Montana
DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-2644, DC Fax Number: 202-224-8594
Sen. Joe Lieberman, Connecticut
DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-4041, DC Fax Number: 202-224-9750
Sen. Mark Begich, Alaska
DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-3004, DC Fax Number: 202-224-2354
Sen. Evan Bayh, Indiana
DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-5623, DC Fax Number: 202-228-1377
PriceWaterhouseCooper released an independent study of the Senate Finance Committee version of the government takeover of health care bill. The study showed that American family's budgets will be severely impacted by the bill and that health insurance premiums will increase dramatically. You may wish to read the study and use this as supporting documentation when you contact the Senators. Additionally, you may find some these resources helpful as well:
Tea Party Patriots Health Care Talking Points
Why Is Tea Party Patriots Focusing on Health Care
Questions to Ask Your Representative About Health Care
Targeted House of Representative Members
Rep. Michael Arcuri, New York 24th
http://arcuri.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-3665, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-1891
Local Office Number: (315) 252-2777/2778, Local Fax Number: (315) 252-2779
Rep. John Boccieri, Ohio, 16th
http://boccieri.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-3876, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-3059
Local Office Number: (330) 489-4414, Local Fax Number: (330) 489-4448
Rep. Allen Boyd, Florida, 2nd
http://boyd.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-5235, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-5615
Local Office Number: (850) 561-3979, Local Fax Number: (850) 681-2902
Rep. Christopher Carney, Pennsylvania, 16th
http://carney.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-3731, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-9594
Local Office Number: (570) 585-9988, Local Fax Number: (570) 585-9977
Rep. Gerald "Gerry" Connolly, Virginia, 11th
http://connolly.house.gov/index.html
DC Office Number: (202) 225-1492 DC Fax Number: (202) 225-3071
Local Office Number: (703) 256-3071, Local Fax Number: (703) 354-1284
Rep. Henry Cuellar, Texas 28th
http://cuellar.house.gov/
DC Office Number: 202-225-1640, DC Fax Number: 202-225-1641
Local Office Number: (210) 271-2851, Local Fax Number: (210) 277-6671
Rep. Steve Driehaus, Ohio, 1st
http://driehaus.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-2216, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-3012
Local Office Number: (513) 684-2723, Local Fax Number: (513) 421-8722
Rep. Chet Edwards, Texas, 17th
http://edwards.house.gov/
DC Office Number: 202-225-6105, DC Fax Number: Fax: 202-225-0350
Local Office Number: (979) 691-8797, Local Fax Number: (979) 691-8939
Rep. Brad Ellsworth, Indiana, 8th
http://www.ellsworth.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-4636, DC Office Fax: (202) 225-3284
Local Office Number: (812) 465-6484, Local Fax Number: (812) 422-4761
Rep. Bob Etheridge, North Carolina, 2nd
http://etheridge.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-4531
Local Office Number: (919) 829-9122
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Arizona, 8th
http://giffords.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-2542, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-0378
Local Office Number: (520) 881-3588, Local Fax Number: (520) 322-9490
Rep. Deborah "Debbie" Halvorson, Illinois, 11th
http://halvorson.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-3635, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-3521
Local Office Number: (815) 726-4998, Local Fax Number: (815) 726-8024
Rep. Paul W. Hodes, New Hampshire, 2nd
http://hodes.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-5206, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-2946
Local Office Phone: (603) 223-9814, Local Fax Number: (603) 223-9819
Rep. Jay Inslee, Washington, 1st
http://www.house.gov/inslee/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-6311, DC Fax Number: (202) 226-1606
Local Office Number: (360) 598-2342, Local Fax Number: (360) 598-3650
Rep. Paul Kanjorski, Pennsylvania, 11th
http://kanjorski.house.gov/
DC Office Number: 202-225-6511, DC Fax Number: 202-225-0764
Local Office Number: 570-825-2200, Local Fax Number: 570-825-8685
Rep. Marcy Kaptur, Ohio, 9th
http://www.kaptur.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-4146, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-7711
Local Office Number: (419) 259-7500, Local Fax Number: (419) 255-9623
Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, Arizona, 1st
http://kirkpatrick.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-2315, DC Fax Number: (202) 226-9739
Local Office Number: (928) 226-6914, Local Fax Number: (928) 226-2876
Rep. Ron Klein, Florida, 22nd
http://www.klein.house.gov/index.html
DC Office Number: (202) 225.3026, DC Fax Number: (202) 225.8398
Local Office Number: (561) 544-6910, Local Fax Number: (561) 544-2864
Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, Florida, 24th
http://www.kosmas.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-2706, DC Fax Number: (202) 226-6299
Local Office Number: (407) 208-1106, Local Fax Number: (407) 208-1108
Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich, Ohio 10th
http://kucinich.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-5871
Local Office Number: (216) 228-8850
Rep. Jim Langevin, Rhode Island, 2nd
http://langevin.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-2735, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-5976
Local Office Number: (401) 732-9400, Local Fax Number: (401) 737-2982
Rep. Stephen Lynch, Massachusetts, 9th
http://www.house.gov/lynch/
DC Office Number: 202-225-8273, DC Fax Number: 202-225-3984
Local Office Number: 617-428-2000, Local Office Fax: 617-428-2011
Rep. Daniel B. Maffei, New York, 25th
http://maffei.house.gov/
DC Fax Number: (202) 225-3701, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-4042
Local Office Number: (315) 423-5657, Local Fax Number: (315) 423-5669
Rep. Ed Markey, Massachusetts, 7th
http://markey.house.gov/
DC Office Number: 202-225-2836
Local Office Number: 781-396-2900
Rep. Alan B. Mollohan, West Virginia, 1st
http://www.mollohan.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-4172, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-7564
Local Office Number: (304) 292-3019, Local Fax Number: (304) 292-3027
Rep. John Murtha, Pennsylvania, 12th
http://www.murtha.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-2065, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-5709
Local Office Number: (814) 535-2642, Local Fax Number: (814) 539-6229
Rep. Glenn C. Nye III, Virginia, 2nd
http://nye.house.gov/index.html
DC Office Number: (202) 225-4215, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-4218
Local Office Number: (757) 326-6201, Fax: (757) 326-6209
Rep. Tom Perriello, Virginia, 5th
http://perriello.house.gov/index.html
DC Office Number: (202) 225-4711, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-5681
Local Office Number: (434) 293-9631, Local Fax Number: (434) 293-9632
Rep. Gary Peters, Michigan, 9th
http://peters.house.gov/index.html
DC Office Number: (202) 225-5802, DC Fax Number: (202) 226-2356
Local Office Number: (248) 273-4227, Local Fax Number: (248) 273-4704
Rep. Nick Rahall, West Virginia, 3rd
http://www.rahall.house.gov/index.html
DC Office Number: (202) 225-3452
Local Office Number: (304) 325-6222
Rep. Laura Richardson, California, 37th
http://richardson.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-7924, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-7926
District Office Number: (202) 225-7924, District Fax Number: (202) 225-7926
Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, Texas 23rd
http://www.rodriguez.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-4511, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-2237
Local Office Number: (830) 757-8398, Local Fax Number: (830) 752-1893
Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, Maryland, 2nd
http://dutch.house.gov/
DC Office Number: 202-225-3061, DC Fax Number: 202-225-3094
Local Office Number: 410-628-2701, Local Fax Number: 410-628-2708
Rep. Linda Sanchez, California, 39th
http://lindasanchez.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-6676
Local Office Number: (562) 860-5050
Rep. Kurt Schrader, Oregon, 5th
http://schrader.house.gov/index.html
DC Office Number: (202) 225-5711, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-5699
Local Office Number: (503) 588-9100, Local Fax Number: (503) 588-5517
Rep. David Scott, Georgia, 13th
http://davidscott.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-2939, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-4628
Local Office Number: (770) 210-5073, Local Fax Number: (770) 210-5673
Rep. Adam Smith, Washington, 9th
http://adamsmith.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-8901
Local Office Number: (253) 593-6600, Local Fax Number: (253) 593-6776
Rep. Peter Visclosky, Indiana, 1st
http://www.house.gov/visclosky/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-2461, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-2493
Local Office Number: (219) 795-1844, DC Fax Number: (219) 795-1850
Rep. David Wu, Oregon, 1st
http://www.house.gov/wu/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-0855, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-9497
Local Office Number: (503) 326-2901, Local Fax Number: (503) 326-5066Rep. John Adler, New Jersey 3rd
http://adler.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-4765, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-0778
Local Office Number: (732) 608-7235, Local Fax Number: (732) 608-7268
Rep. Jason Altmire, Pennsylvania 4th
http://www.altmire.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-2565, DC Fax Number: (202) 226-2274
Local Office Number: (724) 378-0928, Local Fax Number: (724) 378-6171
Rep. Brian Baird, Washington 3rd
http://www.baird.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-3536, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-2478
Local Office Number: (360) 695-6292, Local Fax Number: (360) 695-6197
Rep. John Barrow, Georgia 12th
http://www.barrow.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-2823, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-3377
Local Office Number: (706) 722-4494, Local Fax Number: (706) 722-4496
Rep. Melissa Bean, Illinois 8th
http://www.house.gov/bean/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-3711, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-7830
Local Office Number: (847) 517-2927, Local Fax Number: (847) 517-2931Rep. Marion Berry, Arkansas 1st
http://www.house.gov/berry/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-4076, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-5602
Local Office Number: (870) 972-4600, Local Fax Number: (870) 972-4605Rep. Rick Boucher, Virginia 9th
http://www.boucher.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-3861, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-0442
Local Office Number: (276) 628-1145Rep. Dennis Cardoza, California 18th
http://www.house.gov/cardoza/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-6131, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-0819
Local Office Number: (209) 383-4455, Local Fax Number: (209) 726-1065Rep. Travis Childers, Mississippi 1st
http://childers.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-4306, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-3549
Local Office Number: (662) 841-8808, Local Fax Number: (662) 841-8845Rep. Jim Costa, California 20th
http://www.house.gov/costa/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-3341, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-9308
Local Office Number: (559) 495-1620, Local Fax Number: (559) 495-1027Rep. Artur Davis, Alabama 7th
http://www.house.gov/arturdavis/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-2665, DC Fax Number: (202) 226-9567
Local Office Number: (205) 752-5380, Local Fax Number: (205) 752-5899Rep. Joe Donnelly, Indiana 2nd
http://donnelly.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-3915, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-6798
Local Office Number: (574) 288-2780, Local Fax Number: (574) 288-2825Rep. Parker Griffith, Alabama 5th
http://griffith.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-4801, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-4392
Local Office Number: (256) 551-0190, Local Fax Number: (256) 551-0194Rep. Baron Hill, Indiana 9th
http://baronhill.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-5315, DC Fax Number: (202) 226-6866
Local Office Number: (812) 288-3999, Local Fax Number: (812) 288-3873Rep. Steve Kagen, Wisconsin 8th
http://kagen.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-5655, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-5729
Local Office Number: (920) 437-1954, Local Fax Number: (920) 437-1978Rep. Daniel Lipinski, Illinois 3rd
http://www.lipinski.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-5701, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-1012
Local Office Number: (312) 886-0481, Local Fax Number: (773) 767-9395Rep. Jim Marshall, Georgia 8th
http://jimmarshall.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-6531, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-3013
Local Office Number: (478) 464-0255, Local Fax Number: (478) 464-0277Rep. Jim Matheson, Utah 2nd
http://www.house.gov/matheson/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-3011, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-5638
Local Office Number: (801) 486-1236, Local Fax Number: (801) 486-1417Rep. Michael E. McMahon, New York 13th
http://mcmahon.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-3371, DC Fax Number: (202) 226-1272
Local Office Number: (718) 351-1062, Local Fax Number: (718) 980-0768Rep. Michael Michaud, Maine 2nd
http://michaud.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-6306, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-2943
Local Office Number: (207) 942-6935, Local Fax Number: (207) 942-5907Rep. Harry Mitchell, Arizona 5th
http://mitchell.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-2190
Local Office Number: (480) 946-2411Rep. Collin C. Peterson, Minnesota 7th
http://collinpeterson.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-2165, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-1593
Local Office Number: (218) 847-5056Rep. Mike Ross, Arkansas 4th
http://ross.house.gov/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-3772, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-1314
Local Office Number: (870) 881-0681, Local Fax Number: (870) 881-0683Rep. Ike Skelton, Missouri 4th
http://www.house.gov/skelton/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-2876
Local Office Number: (816) 228-4242Rep. Bart Stupak, Michigan 1st
http://www.house.gov/stupak/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-4735, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-4744
Local Office Number: (906) 786-4504, Local Fax Number: (906) 786-4534Rep. Gene Taylor, Mississippi 4th
http://www.house.gov/genetaylor/
DC Office Number: (202) 225-5772, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-7074
Local Office Number: (228) 864-7670, Local Fax Number: (228) 864-3099
You are the heart and soul of the Tea Party Movement. Thank you for promoting the causes of fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited government, and free markets with us!Your Tea Party Patriots National Coordinator Team,
Debbie Dooley, Mike Gaske, Kellen Giuda, Ryan Hecker, Jenny Beth Martin, Mark Meckler, Sally Oljar, Diana Reimer, Billie Tucker, and Dawn WildmanJenny Beth Martin
Dawn Wildman
Mark Meckler

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Johann
November 2, 2009 4:26 PM
It is amazing that so many people have been convinced to demonstrate for something which is so much against their own interests.
The way the laws are being written, the "Tea Baggers" can still pay those massive profits to the Health Insurance Industry instead of having that money used to further their own health care at a lesser cost.
What is the problem with having a self-insurance option which would allow people to be self-insured and when sick, have medical care available at 10% above what the least expensive private option would be. This, combined with a Medicare option with costs limited to 5% above the least expensive private option would provide three options for everybody.
Of course, everybody with any sense would opt out of private insurance - eventaully eliminating this unnecessary middleman in the health equation and placing the current Health Insurance profits where they belong - with Health Care.
.
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Chris
November 2, 2009 9:47 PM in reply to Johann
Why is everything they do a fucking Freedom Fighting Revolution?
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ivy22
November 3, 2009 8:22 AM in reply to Chris
Because they are not just any Americans, they are REAL Americans. The rest of us? Not so much.
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ivy22
November 3, 2009 8:20 AM in reply to Johann
Agreed. Don't these people know that if they gather together now, many may contract H1N1 and need to go the doctor and hospital? And the older ones will need to use their Medicare benefits. One other thing, if you have had the flu before, is that a pre-existing condition?
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Minnesotan
November 2, 2009 4:55 PM
"This may be the most exciting time in American history in 50 years. You can feel the electricity in the air."
Seriously, this is the most exciting event of the last half-century? It's not like we have had Civil Rights, Women's Liberation, the rise of counter-culturalism, marriage equality, landed on the moon, or elected the first African-American as President...oh wait.
Goes to show how narrow their understanding of the world is. They're so self-absorbed they really think that this is a huge moment in American history when the majority of the country wishes they would just go away.
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Armageddon T. Thunderbird
November 2, 2009 8:46 PM in reply to Minnesotan
Their behavior is a product of their beliefs. Their God is the angry old white man Neil Young wrote about.
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EastWest
November 3, 2009 2:19 AM in reply to Minnesotan
Wait a minute.... The moon? Seriously? You mean that really happened? Oh, wow....
This crap is intended only to provide cover for those self-proclaimed "moderates" (you know, the ones without any kahonies) to say, "See? America - real America - hates the government takeover of the death panels. I'm joining Joe and his republican friends' filibuster!"
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Matt Jones
November 3, 2009 8:29 AM in reply to Minnesotan
Of course this is more exciting for them than all the things you listed - the average teabagger was AGAINST every one of those things. I wonder what they'll do when they lose...
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freshwaterluddite
November 2, 2009 5:00 PM
Worth noting that Palin & Bachman are the only high-profile names mentioned. Anyone spotting any gender trends among the TPers?
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rbeats
November 2, 2009 6:21 PM
Never underestimate the power of a large group of marginally educated rednecks.
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dal
November 2, 2009 7:04 PM in reply to rbeats
...with well-funded industry front-groups telling them exactly what to say and to whom."
Some might argue, its what marginally educated rednecks are for.
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dal
November 2, 2009 7:25 PM in reply to dal
... Dick Armey, for example, might argue that. Or Rick Scott.
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OldenGoldenDecoy
November 2, 2009 8:20 PM
It's a wonderful thing . . .
Where else but the great country of the United States can we witness so many who are so wrong all gathered in one place? Washington D.C.
~OGD~
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Armageddon T. Thunderbird
November 2, 2009 8:48 PM in reply to OldenGoldenDecoy
Germany, 1939
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ivy22
November 3, 2009 8:44 AM in reply to Armageddon T. Thunderbird
This explains their behavior:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWuiGWkd7mM
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patmcgrowen
November 2, 2009 8:47 PM
I think it is time for the pro-reform supporters to start showing their numbers. If we do not start the pushback against the teabagger fringe, they are just going to get more and more vile. Just laughing them off and ignoring them is NOT working. We need to get more active and more vocal. But we have truth, facts, and sanity on our side. I think it would be awesome to see a pro-reform counter-protest, you know for "fair and balance" sake. It would be very moving to see 44,000 people lying on the mall lawn to represent the American lives at stake. We need more than just Grayson to have guts. We need to show the Bachman/Limbaugh/Teabaggers that we have guts, too.
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loria
November 2, 2009 9:30 PM in reply to patmcgrowen
You are right. 44,000 people would be a powerful message, as would lumanaries with names of those who are dead because of the healthcare system. Line the mall with lights honoring or remembering those who lost their lives or are fighting for their lives because of the crappy system we have now.
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patmcgrowen
November 2, 2009 10:39 PM in reply to loria
I like your idea. It would be like a memorial service. That could be very powerful. It would be a stark contrast of the insanity and coldness of the teabaggers. It is time we take things into our own hands. We know we are the majority, now we must show we are the majority. Let's act like it.
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jo3wang
November 2, 2009 9:58 PM
Why do Democrats always act like such cowards and let the Republicans steal the show. Where the hell are all the Democrat politicians organizing stuff like this. No wonder we can't get shit done in Congress with our majorities.
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xargaw
November 2, 2009 11:10 PM
Do any of these have any idea where America stands in relation to other countries on longevity, disease outcomes, access, etc? The collective IQ of the teabaggers must be the lowest of any gathered group in the country.
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MonicaDickey
November 2, 2009 11:10 PM
Yeah I would really like to see the Dems have some balls and actually fight back.
Someone needs to launch a movement for liberalism that uses republican strategies of clever naming like calling health care reform the "Health Freedom Act" or something. Notice how every rips on the war in Afghanistan now that's it not called "The war on terror"?
These things make a difference in public perception, and it's a huge one.
Giving TEA party people some weird platform where they feel like freedom fighters is exactly what a certain part of the population craves, regardless of the more complex principles behind them. It sucks but it's a truth that needs to be embraced. Maybe it can be used to expose some truth once the fancy naming game is evened out.
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Plotius
November 3, 2009 8:09 AM
These people need taking out. They are not going to stop. They need to be confronted in the streets and beat down.
They will not compromise so it IS TIME TO TAKE THEM OUT.
Either that or stand by and watch them get what they want.
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silentnolonger
November 4, 2009 4:17 PM in reply to Plotius
I will tell you exactly why they do what they do. They are not lazy, dumbed down americans sitting in an armchair on their hind ends watching soap operas, worrying about fashion or the next freaking game. If the government gets involved in health care after everything else they have done its over. Our constitution is the issue. Our rights our freedoms. If you want to live under communism go somewhere else because my friend american patriotism is the lifeblood of this country. Our husbands and sons have died for idiots that think this is all ok you think about that.
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