Francisco Rodriguez Town Hall

This afternoon, in the picturesque seaside Palm Beach Shores Community Center, Francisco Rodriguez, candidate for Florida House District 83, held a town hall for members of that community.  Organized by Carol Hurst, a supporter and Palm Beach Shores community leader, the event was an opportunity for Francisco to give his views on a variety of issues facing Florida today.

When asked for his view of the Sunrail bill, passed by the legislature earlier in the year and sold as a way to bring federal stimulus dollars into the state, he was very clear.  It should not have been passed and he would have voted against it.  Accepting federal money now but obligating the state to provide significant funding for it in future years is a bad deal for Florida.

A common theme that pervades Francisco’s thinking on several subjects is the Constitution and the rights of states to determine their own destiny.  For example, the Federal Government is required to manage the border and control immigration – it is not a state responsibility.  That said, when the job is not being done it is acceptable for the states to see that federal law is enforced.  Arizona did not need to pass the controversial law, but by doing so it provides political cover for law enforcement.  In another example, states are free to adopt any fiscal model they wish – and spend and borrow as they see fit, but when the day comes that bad decisions lead to potential default, the other states (or their citizens through federal taxes) should not be asked to bail them out.  The time has come for states to stand up for their rights and start using the 10th amendment to push back against federal overreach.

The Health Care Freedom Act is one example of this, and Francisco would support a mechanism whereby the states could control the amount of taxes collected in the state that gets sent to the federal government.

On state taxes, Francisco is not a fan of property taxes – which he equates to “paying rent” on a property which you own, and instead prefers use-based taxes with defined purposes such as a gas tax to fund only roads.

Schools, he believes, should be controlled at the local level – including such things as curriculum content and testing approach.  He was not a fan of the recently vetoed education bill, saying it gave too much control over local decisions to the bureaucrats in Tallahassee.

Florida House district 83, currently held by Carl Domino who is running for Senate district 25, sits at the northeastern part of the county and includes parts of Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Juno Beach, North Palm Beach, along Singer Island and Palm Beach Island to just south of Southern Boulevard. ( Click HERE for map. ) In the Republican primary on August 24, Francisco faces Realtor Nancy Cardone and Palm Beach Kennel Club manager Pat Rooney.

A number of RCPB members were in attendance, including organizer Carol Hurst, Jim Vissi, Melissa Andrews,  Delia Garcia Menocal, Clair and Don Jones, Sue Varey, Bette Anne Starkey, Helen Wilkes, and Fred and Iris Scheibl. Following are a few pictures from the event.

Wake Up, America! Please!

You’re invited to join us to hear from author, attorney and  Palm Beach County Committeeman, Peter Feaman.  Peter will be talking about his two books and the war against terrorism, both domestic and foreign.

BOOK # 1:  “WAKE UP, AMERICA”-

BOOK # 2:  “WAKE UP, AMERICA!  PLEASE!” 

PETER M. FEAMAN, ESQ., Author, Attorney, Activist, has subtitled his books, “Understanding Jihad for Dummies”

WHERE:              Bear Lakes Country Club, 1901 Village Blvd, West Palm Beach

                                 Club Rules: Business Casual Dress (No Jeans); Please Silence Cell Phones, NO VALET TONIGHT—SELF PARKING

TIME/DATE:      Wed. May 26 ; 5:30 Gathering;  Program 6-7

COST:                   $5 Members and Guests  /  Light Refreshments / Cash Bar

RSVP:                       by MONDAY, May 24 NOON — 561-697-4911 or email:  info@gopclubpb.org  (NEW EMAIL ADDRESS AND WEBSITE)

Ambassador Al Hoffman Highlights RCPB April Lunch Meeting

Starting with the premise that the Obama “Change Revolution” has more in common with the French Revolution than the American one, Ambassador Hoffman related Obama’s desire to “share the wealth” to the French concept of Equality (Liberté, égalité, fraternité).   This French system, which devolved into a “tyranny of the majority”  led quickly to the Napoleanic dictatorship.  This is not an uncommon result of socialism when equality of result is mandated by the state.   Laws, said the Ambassador, should encourage us to “harmonize with”,  not “conform to” the social compact.

In the question and answer session, Ambassador Hoffman was asked about the problems of dealing with the liberal media, and this led to a general discussion that focused on the Palm Beach Post, particularly since a reporter for that organization was present.   Sid Dinerstein suggested that the Post was worse than the media in general because rather than being simply biased, the Post goes out of their way to disparage conservatives in an overtly hostile way.   The reporter responded along the lines that if you get all your news from Glenn Beck you are intellectually challenged.   There was at this point a general show of support for Glenn Beck in the room.

After this interesting exchange, a number of candidates in attendance spoke to the group, including Sharon Merchant (FL Senate district 27),  Mike Lameyer (also district 27), Steven Rosenblum (House district 89), and Nancy Cardone (House district 83) who gave a spirited discussion of the coming dénouement following Governor Crist’s decision to abandon his friends and supporters in the Republican Party.  Javier Manjarres of the “Shark Tank”, CRA, and a past RCPB speaker, spoke for Marco Rubio, and the latest challenger for Debbie Wasserman-Schultz seat, Brian Reilly (Congressional District 20).  Ralph Eltringham spoke for Colonel Allen West and Carol Hurst spoke for Francisco Rodriguez (FL House district 83).

The Children’s Project of Palm Beach

Have you seen the recent commercials on television or seen the ads in the paper?

The Early Childhood Initiative Foundation is spearheaded by Dave Lawrence of The Children’s Trust in Miami-Dade County. The Foundation is sponsoring The Children’s Project of Palm Beach– a feasibility study about the potential for organizing and building a politically powerful Children’s Movement of Florida, significantly shaping the State’s priorities for children.

Those priorities include:

• Access to quality health care.
• Training for parents and guidance for mentoring.
• Early screening and treatment for children who might have special needs.
• Stimulating and nurturing child care.
• High-quality pre-kindergarten.

This is a countywide outreach project to strictly educate and inform Palm Beach County residents about essential issues regarding children in order to ensure that they are prepared and ready to learn in school and able to succeed in life.

To that end Dave Lawrence at The Early Childhood Initiative Foundation  http://www.teachmorelovemore.org/ECIF.asp , funded by the Kellogg Foundation www.wkkf.org , is promoting the Children’s Project of Palm Beach during April and May.  The goal during these two months is to learn how media messages and grassroots organization might educate and inform the public about the need for a “movement” for children.  This non-partisan effort seeks to measure the extent to which people, once informed, can actually tell us how they received new information and why it is important for children. That then gives us a better chance of prioritizing resources to benefit children and families.

RCPB is pleased to be co-hosting an event which will further our understanding of the program.  The event is FREE – but reservations are REQUIRED.  Please contact Bette Anne at 561-697-4911 or via email info@gopclubpb.org

The Childrens Project 5-11-10 Click Here for Invitation

Cordially invite you to a presentation about early childhood development and children’s issues: If children are our future – shouldn’t we invest more in them now?

Presented by

 Roberto Martinez, Esq.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Meet And Greet: 5:45-6:30 p.m.

Presentation: 6:30-7:00 p.m.

Bear Lakes Country Club

1901 Village Boulevard

West Palm Beach, FL 33409

Business Attire, No Jeans Please

Cell Phones must be silenced

Light Refreshments and Beverages Provided

The Bar will be OPEN for Credit Card Purchases

SELF PARKING – No Valet Service

There is NO Fee to attend and learn more about the Children’s Project of Palm Beach County

Reservations are REQUIRED

R.S.V.P. to

(561)-697-4911

Right Nights – Uncommon Common Sense – Encore by Aubie Baltin

5:30 to 7 pm – By Popular Demand at Bear Lakes

Hear a Pin Drop as  DR. AUBIE BALTIN, Publisher/Editor, “UNCOMMON COMMON SENSE” connects the dots between Communism and Progressivism.

Apply for 2010 SCHOLARSHIP by May 3 at www.gopclubpb.org

 

RSVP by Mon Mar 22 (561) 697-4911—BA Starkey

or e-mail:   info@gopclubpb.org

RCPB Luncheon – Take Back Our Country

“Take Back our Country”

Lunch – Bear Lakes Country Club

AMBASSADOR AL HOFFMAN

West Point graduate, Fighter Pilot, Entrepreneur, CEO & Founder of WCI Communities, Nat’l Republican Leader, Nat’l Finance Chair for Presidents Bush 41 & 43; State Finance Chair for Jeb’s successful elections; Appointed Ambassador of Portugal by Pres. GW Bush

Lessons learned from the Democrats- How to get past being the minority party-How to get rid of the elitist tag and portray Republicans as common folk–

11:30am Meet & Greet 12:00 Program Begins

Tax Day Tea Party Pictures

These are from Joy and Delia
To see videos of the entire event (from Boris Balaban) Click HERE.

Tax Day Tea Party Rally – West Palm Beach

Passage of the Health Care Bill is just the end of the beginning of the fight against the growth of government.  Join the South Florida Tea Party for a tax day rally at the Palm Beach Government Center at 5:30pm on April 15th.

Judge Napolitano at the American Revival

Video courtesy of Joe Sekula, Sons and Daughters of Liberty.

A summary of an energizing luncheon and outstanding movie!

Yesterday was a very busy day for RCPB – with both the luncheon, plus the Right Nights showing of Tea Party, The Documentary.  Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make both outstanding events!

Luncheon: 

We had a sellout crowd at the luncheon.  There were more than 10 walk-ins and the Bear Lakes staff had to scurry around to get more place settings set at the check-in tables.   Melissa Andrews (President) called the meeting to order, and Yvonne Inglis led us in the Invocation and Pledge.  Anita Mitchell, club 2nd VP, introduced our first speaker, Holly Benson – who is one of four candidates running for Florida Attorney General.  Holly cited her experience as the Former Secretary of the FL Agency for Health Care Administration as vital to supporting and following up on Attorney General Bill McCollum’s suit on behalf of Florida against the Health Care law.

Sid Dinerstein, the Palm Beach County GOP Chairman introduced his long-time friend and our main speaker, Aubie Baltin – Editor of “Uncommon Common Sense” an e-mail Economic, Political and Financial newsletter.  Aubie spoke about his views of the current banking system (it’s broke), advised buying gold, and told an interesting story from his youth with the resulting point: ‘don’t play the other guy’s game’.  That’s one we have to keep in mind as we fight the political battles ahead of us.  Melissa extended his time as we wanted to hear more.

After Aubie, candidates Sharon Merchant (Fl Senate, District 27), Pat Rooney and Nancy Cardone (both FL House 83) and Tami Donnally (FL House 85) had their few minutes to call for action.  Richard Bowman Carr spoke on behalf of Francisco Rodriguez – also running for FL House 83.

Right Nights:

Ken Barnett in Revolutionary attire ahold of his Gadsden flag, greeted people in the plaza outside of Muvico Parisian at City Place.  Attendees were directed downward by club VP John Jamason, and welcomed by Melissa Andrews – our club President.  Lots of other club members helped out at merchandise tables and holding signs to inform the public about the movie.  Melissa kicked off the meeting with the Invocation and Pledge lead by David Donnally.   Ed Lynch – Republican candidate for the April 13th CD19 Special Election spoke about the importance of the election and the short time remaining.  We all have to get involved to make it happen!

Time for the movie – and it was great!  As one of the several folks in the club who marched on Washington last September 12 – it brought everything back – the march was amazing!  The movie traced five normal people (read non-activist) who first got riled up with the bailout of the banks and TARP in 2008, then even more incensed by the Stimulus Bill in early 2009, and each ensuing outrage which turned them into activists.  The audience applauded in agreement several times throughout the movie.  It was extremely well done and lasted about 105 minutes.

After the movie, Melissa held a drawing for a free copy of the DVD and Sec’y/Treasurer Bette Anne Starkey sold additional copies.  If you weren’t able to join us – see the club for additional copies that may be available or find a friend who bought one.  You won’t be disappointed.  And if you’re feeling down after last weekend – the movie will get you energized to keep on fighting. 

If you’re not involved yet – stop complaining and STAND UP.  SILENCE IS CONSENT!

Here are some pictures taken by member Shirley Schaff – thanks Shirley! Click on the picture to see the full size version.

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