A packed agenda, a full house and a new format for our Monthly Luncheon

Melissa packed a lot into today’s RCPB Monthly luncheon!  We began with an invocation by Dr. David Donnally (husband of Tami Donnally who is running for the FL 85th District) after which he led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Lou Galterio sang a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner and we were off with a bang.

Our new luncheon format is a buffet.  While as with any change, there were folks who loved it and folks who didn’t – it allowed us all to get our lunches prior to the meeting and thus there was minimal disruption for our program.

Melissa introduced guests amongst us, and then introduced Shannon Armstrong, co-founder of  the South Florida 912 Project.  Shannon explained the call to action and described the Nine Principles and Twelve Values that define the group.  She then segued into an introduction of Elizabeth Andrijauskas, an immigrant from Lithuania who gave a deeply felt talk on her life and how she sees our country sliding into Socialism and Communism.  Elizabeth has conducted her own protest, since 9/11/2009 on the corner of Okeechobee Blvd and 441 and wants to make sure we understand that change creeps in gradually.  Come join us at at the Rally for America.

Ed Lynch, candidate for Congressional District 19, was our featured speaker and did a great job in focusing on how every vote counts.  We have to pull together, aim high to take back 435 seats in Congress – not just 40!  To accomplish this, we have to help candidates outside our own districts – with time, money or even just spreading the word.  The grassroots can’t waste time with in-fighting but will have to pull together to accomplish this.

We had brief talks by Tami Donnally and Patricia Hughey (who is running for Palm Beach Gardens City Council) followed by an introduction by Aubie Baltin, who will be the speaker at our next luncheon on March 24th.  Melissa also announced that RCPB will be showing “Tea Party: The Documentary Film” and played the trailer for the movie.  For more information and tickets see the post Tea Party: The Documentary Film. Hope to see you next month at both the luncheon and our exciting Right Nights at Muvico!

Sen Nelson Speaks to Forum Club – Summary

Several RCPB members had the opportunity to hear from Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) when he spoke to the Forum Club on February 18, lamenting that his friend, Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN), felt that things in Washington were so broken that he would not run for re-election.

Although Senator Nelson agrees many things are not working, he vows to continue his fight.
Senator Nelson was asked to address the economy and finances of the country. He was not afraid to mention the foot-dragging of the Secretary of the Treasury and the Obama Administration.

He offered some thoughts:
. Credit at the banks should be unlocked for small business
. Money should be available for community banks
. TARP money should be used to get to people whose mortgages are under water.
. Look at Wall Street, SEC problems, excess bonuses
. Offer Tax deductions for banks who will agree to do something about irresponsible risk and re-organize their bonus structures.
. The stimulus was meant for short term; no more stimulus; no more bailout of state governments by stimulus money.
. Small and struggling businesses are the backbone of our country and need help
. Continue the Bush tax cuts –but pay for them by reforming tax laws to close corporate loopholes and tax companies that are sending jobs overseas.
. Look at new technologies such as clean energy and high speed rail (changing our transportation methods)—will provide thousands of jobs.

The students from Spanish River High School asked what to do about the high cost of education.
Answer: Blister your state legislators for whacking the state’s education budget.

The students from the medical program at Lake Worth High School asked how the public option in the health bill will affect illegals.
Answer: Senator Nelson asked them to rephrase their question to the topic of either public option or illegals. They opted for public option. Senator Nelson voted for the bill as it came out of committee but agrees now he cannot vote for a bill that has morphed. The original intent was to have a nationwide program for a small group who do not have insurance and generally use the emergency rooms which means that TAXPAYERS handle the burden. There are not 60 votes to pass it. Asking the public if they support “the bill”, you get one answer; but asking them if they support the different components, the answers are different.

Question: What is going to happen to advancing the SS age upward?
Answer: He and 12 other Dems offered a Blue ribbon panel (similar to the one in 1983 that got the Social Security Fund out of trouble with an up/down vote in Congress.) This new bill on SS did not pass as 7 of the original sponsors did not vote for it. Nelson says the President may put a panel in by executive order but it won’t have legislative teeth.

Question: Re shutting down of NASA Kennedy project. , what are you doing to help keep these NASA employees in FL?
Answer: Problem: Obama is letting OMB run the program. The president should set the goals and have the experts run with it. NASA has been starved for a # of years. He is hoping the CONGRESS will fix this situation. In the meantime, he is getting every R&D company to come to FL to keep the launch force.

Question: With 80% of the public against the Supreme Court decision about corporations helping candidates, will congress introduce legislation to offset this decision?
Answer: I HOPE SO.

Question: How do you balance what you do in regard to your constituents? The country? And your morals?
Answer: Tough question. He hopes FL will amend its constitution so judicial panel will look at the redistricting issue.

Question: Are you planning on running? And have you heard that George Le Mieux is going to run for your seat when you retire?  Yes, he is running and he hopes to have the same great bi-partisan relationship with George that he had with Mel Martinez.

Vote in the Uniform Municipal Elections on March 9th!

The Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections has posted the sample ballots for the towns that will be having Municipal Elections on March 9th. Click HERE to see if your municipality is having an election, do your research and vote!

Glenn Beck at CPAC 2010

Local Heros at CPAC-2010

South Florida is well represented this year at CPAC. Marco Rubio gave the keynote address, Ed Lynch spoke at a panel on illegal immigration, and Allen West had both a panel on Jihad as well as a 15 minute address on Saturday afternoon. Watch their speeches here.
(NOTE: You can watch the CPAC Finale with Glenn Beck HERE)

Also, check out the Post on Politics stories on Allen West and Edward Lynch.

Marco Rubio

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Edward Lynch

Lt. Colonel Allen West

Rubio/Crist to debate on Fox News Sunday on March 28th

Marco Rubio promised Fox News Sunday the first debate.  Charlie Crist is trying to force him to go onto Meet the Press at an earlier date, however Rubio is holding fast to his promise.  See Rubio/Crist debates.

A good essay on the people, teaparties and progressivism

There are more similarities between the Boston Teaparty and the current grassroots teaparties than most acknowledge.  The Progressive Movement, beginning with President Wilson, has made the government less accountable to the people.  This has only increased since then.  The author explains why in Party Like It’s 1773.

Ed Lynch Volunteers Needed for Lake Worth and Boynton Beach Area

This is from Kathy Robbins of the Ed Lynch Campaign

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We are creating a team to get out the vote for Ed Lynch in the Lake Worth, Boynton Beach area. We are looking for people who live in area gated communities (or know anyone who does!) as well as those willing to distribute Ed’s literature to small businesses. We have several projects going and our needs are varied so there is a place for everyone willing to give some time (even a couple of hours) to this important election in the next 57 days. But please sign up now so we can get organized! Also, anyone you know who may be willing to help is welcome! Just contact me at kathy@electlynch.com

Looking forward to working with you!

Kathy Robbins

After you hear Elizabeth’s story – join her in making a statement!

Elizabeth Andrijauskas stands up for America Monday through Saturday every day rain or shine.  The South Florida 912 group had a rally for Elizabeth in January, surprising her on the corner of 441 and Okeechobee.  They’ve decided to make it a monthly meetup.

Details can be found here.

RNC Chief Courts Grass Roots Leaders

According to the Washington Post, about 50 leaders of grass roots groups are meeting with RNC Chairman Michael Steele and top party “operatives” tomorrow in Washington. Karin Hoffman, the South Florida leader of DC Works for US  is quoted in the story:

Karin Hoffman, founder of DC Works For Us, a South Florida tea party group, said she initiated the meeting by approaching Steele last month and asking him to sit down with a range of tea party organizers.

essay order

She said her goal is to open a civil dialogue with the GOP leadership, but she dismissed any suggestion that tea party groups would merge with the Republican Party. “From the get-go, the grass-roots movement emerged from people desiring to be heard and not feeling like their voices are being heard in Washington,” Hoffman said in an interview. “This is the beginning of a formal discussion with the political establishment.”

Read the full story HERE, and the local update in Post on Politics HERE, and the Politico take on it HERE.

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