Caffeinated Thoughts |
- Steve King: The Obamacare Gordian Knot
- Cary Gordon, Keith Ratliff, & Judge Roy Moore Rally Hundreds at Iowa Marriage Amendment Rally
- Ron Paul’s Legislation This Week: Home School Tax Cut, Repeal Obama Care, End The Fed, End the IRS, No War with Libya
- Potential Presidential Candidates to Keynote Iowa “Homeschool Day at the Capitol” Rally March 23
- New Hampshire Supreme Court Rules Homeschooled Girl to Stay in Public School
- Iowa House Says Homeschool Parents Can Teach Drivers’ Education
- Iowa House Leadership’s Stand on Zero Allowable Growth for Education Is Courageous, Not Cowardly
- Michele Bachmann: Where Was The Media When Obama Referred to 57 States?
| Steve King: The Obamacare Gordian Knot Posted: 16 Mar 2011 08:00 PM PDT
In 333 B.C., Alexander the Great faced the challenge of untying the enormous and complicated Gordian Knot. Many had tried and, though the reward was a kingdom, all had failed. Alexander drew his sword and slashed the knot in two. The "Alexandrian solution" was born. Alexander received the kingdom of Phrygia, and he went on to spread civilization throughout the known world. Obamacare is today’s Gordian knot. The law was drafted to be incredibly difficult for lawmakers to unravel. When then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), President Barack Obama, and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) drafted Obamacare, they quietly included provisions that automatically spend $105.5 billion over the next 10 years to implement the law. Annual congressional appropriations are the regular order of business, yet some automatic funding continues in perpetuity. Unprecedented in scope, these self-enacting provisions grant Obamacare its own self-contained, automatic money machine. These are the resources that fertilize this malignant tumor, which is extending its roots into every aspect of our health care system. These roots are tightening their grip, despite the House’s vote to repeal it; the public’s opposition to it, and the decisions of two federal courts ruling it unconstitutional. These roots are the Obamacare Gordian knot. I have proposed an Alexandrian solution to the complicated $105.5 billion problem of automatic Obamacare funding. During the continuing resolution debate on funding the federal government for FY 2011, I offered an amendment to cut off all automatic Obamacare funding. House leaders would not agree to write my amendment into the bill, an act that would have protected my language from a point of order. The next course of action was to request that the Rules Committee protect my amendment from the same point of order — a request that was refused and led to a parliamentary ruling on the floor denying my amendment a vote. Instead of boldly adopting the Alexandrian solution, House leadership and the Rules Committee sheathed the legislative sword that would have cut the Obamacare Gordian knot. House Republicans then proceeded to add nine amendments, two of which were mine, to the continuing resolution — to prevent its funds from being used to further the implementation of Obamacare. These amendments, however, could not touch Obamacare’s automatic spending provisions. As a result, the Obamacare knot remains securely tied — and $105.5 billion continues to stream into federal agencies to fund and build its framework. From the beginning, repeal strategy hinged on winning a Republican majority in the House, holding a clean up or down vote, and then shutting off funding for Obamacare’s implementation and enforcement. If we do not slash the Obamacare Gordian knot by killing the automatic funding, it will soon be a part of all our lives. Some members fear that a direct House challenge to Obamacare funding will lead to a government shutdown and Republicans would be blamed. Others believe a confrontation is futile — because if we passed a funding ban, the president would veto it anyway. They should instead fear the wrath of the American people, to whom we pledged to repeal and defund Obamacare. The same American people who sent 87 freshmen Republicans to Congress — all pledged to pull Obamacare out by the roots. Will the president shut down the government rather than watch his signature program starve for lack of funds? Would he hold all government functions hostage for a king’s ransom of $105.5 billion? Then so be it. This battle will ultimately be decided in the court of public opinion. The best opinion poll taken was the Nov. 2 election. If the president refuses to sign a continuing resolution that provides for responsible funding of all government functions except Obamacare, Americans will know that serving them is not his priority. Preserving his signature socialized medicine plan is. This is why Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) and I are circulating a letter to House members for language to be in the FY 11 CR that would shut off both the annual and the automatic appropriations for ObamaCare’s implementation. Our proposed language reads: "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, none of the funds made available by this or any previous Act with respect to any fiscal year may be used to carry out the provisions of Public Law 111-148, Public Law 111-152, or any amendment made by either such Public Law." This is the Alexandrian solution to cut the Obamacare Gordian knot. More important, our letter contains a pledge to vote against any CR that lacks this language. We are asking every member of Congress who supports repealing and defunding Obamacare to sign this letter and take this pledge. After all, the language we want added to the CR is the best solution to ensure that no additional money, regardless of its source, is expended on the discredited health-care law. We can cut the Obamacare Gordian knot. The solution is in front of us, and the must-pass CR maximizes our political leverage and our opportunity for success. To do so, we must be willing to deliver as bold a stroke as Alexander once did — and, like him, we must be willing to fight. Share and Enjoy:                 |
| Cary Gordon, Keith Ratliff, & Judge Roy Moore Rally Hundreds at Iowa Marriage Amendment Rally Posted: 16 Mar 2011 07:15 PM PDT The FAMiLY Leader via LUV (Let Us Vote) Iowa rallied around 500 activists to the Iowa Statehouse to demonstrate their support for an Iowa Marriage Amendment and to speak with their Senators to urge its passage out of the Iowa Senate. Pastor Cary Gordon of Cornerstone World Outreach in Sioux City, IA was the first to speak. He challenged pastors to not let the sacrifices made by the "Black Robed Regiment" (pastors who served during the Revolutionary War) be in vain because of their silence. He discussed the assumption of natural law in our founding. You can watch his speech below.
Rev. Keith Ratliff of Maple Street Baptist Church in Des Moines spoke next. Rev. Ratliff is the former head of the Iowa/Nebraska chapter of the NAACP and he challenged the homosexual community's civil rights rhetoric as related to marriage. His speech is below:
Judge Roy Moore, the former chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court spoke last. He discussed judicial review, separation of powers, and where the ultimate power of government lies. You can watch his speech below:
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| Posted: 16 Mar 2011 06:42 PM PDT  A few months back we held our annual Caffeinated Conservative award. When nominating Ron Paul I highlighted some of his impressive legislation from the past several years. Ron Paul ended up winning the award, and rightly so, and he continues to author impressive legislation. Here are some of his more recent bills. H.R. 956: Education Improvement Tax Cut Act: The act would allow a $5,000 tax credits for private and homeschooling. H.R. 1101: To restore the American people’s freedom to choose the health insurance that best meets their individual needs by repealing the mandate that all Americans obtain government-approved health insurance. Yes that is a long title for a bill, but there is no hiding what it is all about. Frankly I’m tired of bills being called “The Patriotic for the Children Act of 2011″, which pretty much guarantees it is not Patriotic nor for the children. H.R. 1094: To abolish the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal reserve banks, to repeal the Federal Reserve Act, and for other purposes. Again another long name, but if you want the short version: “END THE FED” To use updated numbers, Obama’s 2011 budget is 3.82 Trillion dollars, of which 1.6Trillion is deficit spending. Projected income tax receipts are 956Billion. If you eliminated the income tax from the current budget you would be at 2.8 Trillion dollars to spend. 2.8 trillion is equivalent to what the Federal Government spent in 2007. I think we could live with the same amount of government we had in 2007, in fact, I think we could go even lower! Please note, I would advocate first reducing spending to eliminate our deficit before eliminating the income tax…but maybe we need to give them a little incentive by eliminating 1/3 of their funding stream. Last but certainly not least: H. Con. Res. 31: Expressing the sense of Congress that the President is required to obtain in advance specific statutory authorization for the use of United States Armed Forces in response to civil unrest in Libya. Essentially, Mr. President, read the constitution, you MUST check with us before starting another war! And yes, a no fly zone would most likely result in full war with Libya. To find out more about Paul’s position on Libya read here. Share and Enjoy: |
| Potential Presidential Candidates to Keynote Iowa “Homeschool Day at the Capitol” Rally March 23 Posted: 16 Mar 2011 06:30 PM PDT (Des Moines, IA) The Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators (NICHE) will hold its 2011 "Homeschool Day at the Capitol" on Wednesday, March 23. The event, which attracted nearly 900 attendees last year, is held annually to help homeschooling families effectively communicate and build relationships with their elected officials. Featured speakers this year will include Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, radio talk show host and former Godfather's Pizza CEO Herman Cain, Iowa Congressman Steve King, Texas Congressman Ron Paul and Federal Judge William Wagner. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the competent private instruction (homeschooling) law in Iowa, and NICHE is focusing on a new initiative — "It's Time to Simplify" — with two companion bills that would simplify what is one of the most complex homeschooling laws in the nation by proposing an additional option for families: Independent Private Instruction (HF 588 and SF 160) National studies over two decades have consistently shown homeschooled students to excel an average of 15 to 30 points higher than their public school counterparts in standardized tests. Studies also show that homeschooled students excel in every area, from socialization to citizenship to college and career. To highlight the success of homeschooling, NICHE has invited an array of national speakers who support the freedom of families to homeschool without government interference. Activities will begin at 9 a.m. in the West and North Wings of the Capitol Rotunda where families will be guided on how to call out their legislators from the chambers to meet them personally. Homeschooling exhibits will be displayed in the rotunda. Additionally, tours of the Capitol, provided by Capitol Tour Guides, will be available in the morning on a first-come, first-served basis, with two tours of the Iowa judicial Building also available. A noon outdoor rally (12-12:45 p.m.) will be held on the Capitol's west mall, with introductions of Iowa legislators who were homeschooled themselves or are homeschooling their children. Judge Wagner will present an update on the state of parental rights and the other three guest speakers — Congresswoman Bachmann, Congressman Paul and business leader Cain — will give an introduction to their afternoon speeches, which will take place a few blocks away at the Embassy Suites. Following the noon rally, activities will reconvene at 1:30 pm. at the Embassy Suites ballroom (101 E Locust St.), with free shuttle bus service provide by NICHE. Governor Branstad will kick off the afternoon session with a welcome and comments on the new homeschooling bills in the Legislature. The afternoon guest speakers will include Congresswoman Bachmann, Business Leader Cain, Iowa Congressman Steve King and Congressman Paul addressing homeschooling freedoms. Judge Wagner, speaking on parental rights, will discuss how parents can protect their families from pending law that would shift decision-making authority from parents to government officials. Iowa legislators, including House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, will give brief presentations between the keynote speakers. More information on the event, and online registration, is available at the following link: https://www.homeschooliowa.org/2011capitolday.html
Formed in 1992, NICHE is Iowa's only statewide homeschooling organization providing support and information to home educating families and groups through a variety of events and resources, including an annual conference; a formal graduation service; a newsletter, e-newsletter and magazine; legislative services; and multi-faceted assistance to local homeschooling groups and individual families. Share and Enjoy: |
| New Hampshire Supreme Court Rules Homeschooled Girl to Stay in Public School Posted: 16 Mar 2011 05:28 PM PDT (Purcellville, VA) The New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled today in favor of a divorced father who wanted his previously homeschooled daughter enrolled in public school. In the contentious case, Matter of Kurowski, the court confined itself to the facts and circumstances of the case holding that the trial court did not exceed its "discretion" when it ordered the homeschooled girl into public school. In its opinion, the Court found that there was "an objective basis sufficient to sustain the trial court’s discretionary judgment." However, the Court stated that it was NOT giving an opinion as to which form of education among public, private, or homeschooling is "most suitable" for children. The Court also recognized that "in recent years home schooling has become a widely used alternative to more traditional public or private schools. . . ." HSLDA disagrees with the Supreme Court’s ruling in this case and had filed an amicus brief in support of the mother who was being represented by ADF allied attorney John Anthony Simmons. HSLDA became involved because the lower court’s ruling could have been read to create precedent in favor of public education over homeschooling. The Court flatly rejected that the lower ruling created any such precedent and HSLDA will oppose any efforts to wrongly use the case beyond its limited scope. The court recognized that fit parents have a fundamental right to direct the education and upbringing of their children. Citing a string of United States Supreme Court cases the court noted, however, as between two divorced parents who share identical rights, courts have the difficult role of making "difficult and sensitive decisions in a highly contentious atmosphere." HSLDA’s attorney for Member Affairs in NH, Michael Donnelly, who as a NH licensed attorney submitted the amicus brief, noted that he was disappointed but not surprised by the court’s ruling. "We are disappointed that this young girl is being forced to attend a public school over her mother’s, and reportedly her own, wishes," Donnelly said. "However, the NH Supreme Court confined its ruling to this case and these facts avoiding any collateral impact on the rights of other parents in New Hampshire who homeschool their children. While the lower court’s decision could have been read to create a presumption in favor of public education over homeschooling, the court emphatically rejected this notion." Share and Enjoy: |
| Iowa House Says Homeschool Parents Can Teach Drivers’ Education Posted: 16 Mar 2011 03:45 PM PDT
The Iowa House today decided that was a stupid law as well on a 59-35 vote. I'm disappointed 35 legislators voted against this bill as it's just codifying common sense. I'm going to find out who exactly voted against this and ask them why they don't believe parents can teach their children to drive. (It isn't like kids don't have to pass a written and driving test before they can get their license). Let me ask you, how many of you didn't have any clue how to drive before entering driver's ed? If you didn't shame on your parents. I can't say that I really learned anything new… at least about driving anyway. I did learn more about my driver's ed teacher than I cared to know however. There is nothing that makes somebody with a teacher's license more qualified to teach kids how to drive, and am thankful that the Iowa House sees it the same way. Now it heads off to the Iowa Senate. Will Majority Leader Mike Gronstalling (D-Council Bluffs) put the kibosh on this bill as well? Share and Enjoy: |
| Iowa House Leadership’s Stand on Zero Allowable Growth for Education Is Courageous, Not Cowardly Posted: 16 Mar 2011 09:45 AM PDT
Of course it will. The House wanted zero allowable growth, the Iowa Senate who lives in budget la la land wanted 2% allowable growth. So the House doing nothing will accomplish that. Dick Murphy who is a member of the Des Moines Public Schools Board quoted by Clayworth said, "It’s Speaker Paulsen’s responsibility to work with the Senate and develop a good program that will help the students of this state. To assume we can get by on zero percent is fantasy thinking." Dick Murphy is also living in budget la la land where money evidently grows on trees. The budget must be cut and education makes up the lion's share of the budget. Everybody in this economy has had to make sacrifices, local schools should as well – start with preschool, then move to non-essential services schools provide… also teacher could forego raises like many of us in the private sector have had to do the past couple of years. Wherever local school boards decide to do it, cuts can be made. Not that Murphy or the Des Moines school board would want to ever consider that since they actually want to raise Des Moines residents' property taxes. Murphy also called the House Republican leadership approach in the House cowardly. Why is that? They had a vote, and allowed debate. Now compare that to the Iowa Senate with Majority Leader Mike Gronstalling (D-Council Bluffs) who hasn't allowed a single bill he's disagreed with to be debated or voted on. Now that's cowardly. Apparently in Dick Murphy's mind cowardly is not acquiescing to Senate Democrat demands. That's ridiculous. Share and Enjoy: |
| Michele Bachmann: Where Was The Media When Obama Referred to 57 States? Posted: 16 Mar 2011 05:30 AM PDT
She was on the Laura Ingraham Show yesterday as was able to respond saying she made a mistake, but then noted a double standard in the press. Where was all of the reporting on when President Barack Obama said on the campaign trail that his campaign had been to 57 states? Great question. You can listen to the interview above. Share and Enjoy: |
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