I Picked the Wrong Week...

I felt like Lloyd Bridges in Airplane, "I picked the wrong week to stop drinking"... Red Bull...






My youngest daughter, Hannah, and I spent this past week pacing the halls of the state Capitol trying to keep a pulse on what is going on with all the tax increases, tax cuts and new government regulations. 


It started very late Monday night when news spread fast about Governor Beebe hoping to make Arkansas the Flagship for socialized healthcare by being the first state to fully implement Obamacare. (Read more...)


Which, among other reasons, is why Rep Ed Garner chose to not run HB1002, Captial Gains Tax Cut on Wednesday (will run next Wednesday), to allow the focus to be on Sen. Missy Irvin's bill SB 709, a bill that would have required  state agencies to document the expenses they incur to implement the federal health law. That committee meeting (IMHO) was a embarrassment to the system and to our state. (Read why...)


Thursday brought the "Internet Tax" bill that flew threw the Senate 26-7, meaning many thought-to-be conservatives voted YES to this tax increase. (Read more...)

But Friday was the clincher. I was truly feeling the depths of Mr. Bridges' sentiments as I scoured the Capitol for the nearest Red Bull vendor.


Yesterday morning bright and early the "Shale Tax" bill was heard in the House Insurance and Commerce Committee. (scratching my head) One might think that it would be heard by the House Revenue and Tax Committee. Oh wait the House Revenue and Tax Committee is majority Republican....


This meeting was the Coup de grace' of  back room politics. 


(this is a true parenthetical moment ...My brain just did a flash to Tony Soprano saying "I'm in the waste management business. Everybody immediately assumes you're mobbed up. It's a stereotype. And it's offensive... There is no Mafia.")  I'm not sure why that scene just popped into my head, let's continue.


The "Shale Tax" meeting was packed. The media reported 250 but I can tell you if there was one, there were 400. The word was spreading fast that Speaker Moore was considering not running the bill because he felt he did not have the votes, even in this stacked committee, to get a do pass; plus the size of the turn out (and I am not speaking of the number of people).


But he ultimately did and  it was quite the show. Don't take my word for it, watch it for your self here http://arkansas-house.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=393




I was slinging the Red Bull back one after the other around the time the House convened at 10 am, anxiously awaiting the floor vote on HB1902, another bill Speaker Moore supports, the "Diesel Tax" bill, that would raise the price of diesel fuel on Arkansans an additional .05/gal over the rest of the nation. (Read more...)


In case you haven't heard the diesel tax passed through the Arkansas house 67-24. Once again legislators Arkansans thought they could trust to protect us from additional taxation and government regulations voted to increase the cost of diesel fuel on us by .05/gal. 


Don't be fooled by any rhetoric you hear them justifying it about putting it to a vote of the people, Horse Feathers!, we sent them there with a CLEAR message in November, NO MORE TAXES.




Not only that but with that vote the said yes to spending millions of tax payer dollars to do it. See the powers that be recognize you can't let a good crisis go to waste, when thousands of Arkansans are dying everyday because of lack of good roads and safe bridges. We must implement this tax NOW by holding a SPECIAL ELECTION, which will cost more than 1million tax payer dollars (some estimates I have gotten over the last 24 hours say $2million) EACH time.


I say each time because unbeknownst, evidently, to several who voted for this tax increase, the language in the bill provides that the Governor can run "subsequent" elections if the proposition fails as many times as it takes to pass and as often as every six months (page 10 staring line 7 http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/HB1902.pdf)


We also know that there will be an "education" campaign from our illustrious protectors, to ensure that every Arkansan knows the urgency that is before us with regards to our roads.


Watch the House vote here~http://arkansas-house.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=394


Friends, I know you are busy, tired and perhaps feel unable to make a difference. But that is simply not true. If not for the people who have engaged in the past two years all of this stuff would have already been implemented with not a single hiccup. We have been able to shine the light on what has been going on now for decades right under our noses, and we ARE MAKING a difference.


Regardless of what you have been told the government is still run of, by and for the people. The people just need assert their power by the means afforded us in our system, IT WORKS! We just need to work it.


What you can do~

1. Spread this information FAR AND WIDE, make sure those in your spheres of influence    know what is going on, it affects their families too.
2. Find out who your elected officials are and COMMUNICATE with them. Let them know you willing to do the work it takes to come alongside them so they CAN represent YOU according to your beliefs and values
3. Read and investigate. What episode of Glee is more important than the future of your children and the families in our communities.
4. Ask questions. Tons of questions
5. GET INFORMED AND ENGAGED~

If you need help and want a little more direction, call me 501-258-6353, the more people we have seriously involved the faster we get our state on the right track and the more we secure the futures of the next generation.

Chain Reactions~ Protest Across the Nation

Protest are flaring up across the nation by unions fearing their shtick is up. For decades now they have cost working taxpayers throughout the nation millions of dollars annually and driven state budgets well beyond responsible spending levels.

For nearly a week now teachers belonging to powerful teachers unions in Wisconsin have ignored their duties as educators and filled the Capitol building in Madison. Today one of the major teachers' unions has called on members to start returning to work but keep fighting a proposed rollback of union protections for public employees.

This has sent ripple effects across the nation. A news story this morning from 4029 TV reported that "Hundreds of state employees are expected at the Oklahoma Capitol on Monday to urge lawmakers to retain their pension benefits and implement a total compensation package that would include better salaries."

In Indiana "thousands of union supporters that packed the Statehouse this morning and spilled out onto Downtown sidewalks hoped their show of solidarity would be enough to dilute legislative support of a proposed right to work bill" according to the IndyStar.com

West Virginia state employees plan a rally at the Capitol on Monday to call for pay raises, improved benefits and better working conditions. (Read more...)

Ohio union workers are calling for their Governor to be fired the Sandusky Register reports "Lending support to the public employees were local leaders, politicians and private-sector union workers who held signs describing the Senate bill as a "thief" in disguise and calling for Republican Gov. John Kasich to be fired."

And as I wrote yesterday (Arkansas Unions Perk Up), here in Arkansas the AFL-CIO is calling for a protest on Tuesday at our state Capitol in Little Rock. 

I found this wonderful info graphic below by American Majority Action and an amazing website I referenced yesterday, http://www.unionfacts.com/ that might shed some light at to what is really going on. FACTS MATTER.

I hope you will join us on Thursday in Little Rock for the Defending the American Dream Summit  as hundreds of Arkansans gather to say NO to overspending, overreaching government and yes to ideas like those purposed by Gov. Walker to get our state budget in order. You are needed! 

 

Standing in Wisconsin

I try to stay focused on Arkansas politics because I realize that to be the most effective I have to concentrate where I have the most influence. Having said that this ordeal in Wisconsin is really at the core of the challenges that face American in every state.

Don't you find it funny that folks screaming "Freedom, Democracy, Union" are literally blocking and preventing the process from happening? Democratic Senators have fled the democratic process? 

Does it say anything about the Teacher's Unions favorite mantra "it's about the children" when teachers and administrators have shut down schools to get their way? 

I mean shouldn't union dues be voluntary? Should the state be in the business of collecting them?

State budgets are faltering because collective bargaining tactics are used to force extravagant pension and health benefits. Do we want unions to have this sort of power?

Seems to me that union bosses in WI are frantic because they know their hand has be revealed. They know that Americans, by in large, are screaming for reforms, transparency and accountability. 

Arkansans should look long and hard at the example WI legislators are setting and perhaps adopt Governor Scott Walker's reforms for our state. 

Americans For Prosperity and American Majority will join forces again along with thousands of conservative activist to stand in support of Governor Walker (details here and here)

If you wanna know the nitty gritty details, I encourage you to read Michelle Malkin's blog she has followed the story rather closely. 

GET INFORMED AND ENGAGED~ You matter and TOGETHER we are making a HUGE difference~

Oh, and yes Max, my lexicon for Governor Walker would be "Champion of Liberty". 

Another Chapter in My Book

As many of you know today is my last day with American Majority. It is the epitome of bitter sweet!


I was as proud to work for American Majority as I was to serve in the US Navy, both are a service to this nation.

I am thankful for the opportunity that American Majority provided for me to share my passion for liberty and freedom. It is especially gratifying that we have had such success in Arkansas. As a matter of fact I believe history was once again made here Wednesday, three tax cuts passed out of our House and are headed to the Senate. Eight democrats (one with amazing courage) stood against our very (faux) powerful Governor, the details of this story are EPIC! Thanks in no small measure to what we accomplished with American Majority Arkansas.

Being this is more of a life path than a career choice, I am positive that our trails will cross again, as we march FORWARD to prevail.  I pray blessings over the folks at American Majority as well as their families and future endeavors.



When my friend Kerry Baldwin went out on that proverbial limb to hire me despite my "explosive" personality (funnier if you know my background)  it was the beginning of what will be a life long friendship and eternal voyage to obtain and maintain, transparency and accountability in our government on every level.  

I will now be working with Americans For Prosperity, as the Director of Grassroots for Arkansas. WOOT WOOT!! 
Joining forces with my friends Teresa Oelke and Elizabeth Aymond~ Watch Out Arkansas, you ain't seen nothin yet.

PAGING SENATOR DAVID JOHNSON~WHERE ARE YOU?

(This was originally posted to the American Majority Blog page)

Kudos to Senator David Johnson (D, Little Rock) who received ZERO dollars in per diem, mileage and expense money for 2010, according to an admirable enterprise story by Michael Wickline in Sunday’s Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Going back to 2009, during a regular session as is 2011’s session, Mr. Johnson received only $1081.

I recognize Mr. Johnson is at an advantage over the majority of Arkansas legislators because he lives in Little Rock. Yet so does Senator Joyce Elliott who in 2010 received $25,979 in expenses along with Representatives Greenberg ($31,826), Allen ($31,332), Webb ($29,754), Adcock($28,2 00), D. Williams ($27,976), J. Edwards ($26,500) and A. Kerr($24,600). These 8 legislators alone were reimbursed tens of thousands of dollars, all in addition to their regular salaries of $15,869.

The closest example to Mr. Johnson’s fiscal restraint in 2009 was Representative James Word, (D-Pine Bluff) who received $24,600. And the totals soar from there, reaching a maximum collected of $60,092 by Senator Jimmy Jeffress (D,Crossett, appoximately 150 miles from the Capitol)…YES~I just wrote 60 thousand dollars in expenses reimbursements. This year, Sen. Jeffress cut back a bit after receiving some backlash over his steep expenses during 2009, and only collected $52,427.

We should give Rep. Nate Steel recognition, too, because in 2010 he only received $3,833, and he lives in Nashville, which is some 150 miles from the Capitol. Third runner-up for most fiscally responsible legislator is Rep. Steve Cole (D-Lockesburg) who rang in at $13,647 for 2010 (much less than his figure in 2009 of $35,468). Lockesburg is also right around 150 miles from the capitol.

Wonder why there is such a HUGE discrepancy in the amount of money reimbursed for basically the same travel? I understand that different legislators are on different committees and have different responsibilities but a $60,000.00 annual difference is a pretty big difference…

Wickline’s article points out that the first time an Arkansas legislator collected more than $50,000 in a single year was in 2007. Since then: In 2008 four lawmakers collected in excess of $50 thousand and in 2009 a whopping TWENTY legislators joined the crowd. The word obviously got around.

Those in the Top 20 during 2009 and what they collected from taxpayers for expenses (again, not including their salaries)

Sen. Jimmy Jeffress, D-Crossett $60,092
Rep. Bill Abernathy, D-Mena $56,592
Rep. Ray Kidd, D-Jonesboro $56,366
Rep. Mark Martin, R-Prairie Grove $56,290
Rep. Eddie Cooper, D-Melbourne $54,892
Rep. Buddy Lovell, D-Marked Tree $53,998
Sen. Gene Jeffress, D-Louann $53,949
Rep. Billy Gaskill, D-Paragould $53,524
Rep. Mike Patterson, D-Piggott $52,588
Rep. Monty Davenport, D-Yellville $52,047
Rep. Jon Woods, R-Springdale $51,949
Rep. Gregg Reep, D-Warren $51,898
Rep. Tommy Baker, D-Osceola $51,641
Rep. Curren Everett, D-Salem $51,492
Rep. George Overbey, D-Lamar $51,452
Rep. Nathan George, D-Dardanelle $50,860
Rep. Robert Moore, D-Arkansas City $50,603
Sen. Kim Hendren, R-Gravette $50,522
Sen. Steve Bryles, D-Blytheville $50,442
Rep. Allen Maxwell, D-Monticello $50,087

And then there were 8 lawmakers collecting over 50 thousand dollars in 2010:

Sen Laverty, D-Jasper $59,745
Rep. Kidd, D-Jonesboro $54,064
Sen. J Jeffress, D-Crossett $52,427
Rep. T. Baker, D-Osceola $52,199
Rep. Gaskill, D- Paragould $52,100
Rep. Patterson, D-Piggott $51,814
Rep. Woods, R- Springdale $51,467
Rep. Davenport, D-Yellville $51,186

Senator Laverty was the only one of the 2010 big expense collectors not to also reach the $50K mark in 2009, although he was just shy at $43,966.
These numbers are stunning to me, especially since I spent 2010 continuously traveling Arkansas from corner to corner and back again. Kerry Baldwin and I held 41 trainings, over a dozen events and a handful of speaking engagements from Texarkana to Mt. Home to Jonesboro and over to Fort Smith.

I traveled over 100 days and sometimes hit four cities encompassing 400 miles over a two-day period and never submitted a travel reimbursement voucher for more than $1000 in any single month.

It’s my understanding that legislators who live within 50 miles of the Capitol receive a flat fee” per diem of somewhere between $2,000 to $2,200, never having to even fill out an expense report. Those living more than 50 miles away receive $.51 per mile, round trip, and $149 a day per diem, with no expense report required.

As a business owner, I can’t turn those kinds of records into the IRS. Could you? I mean, can we talk some common sense here? And as a person who works for an organization that reimburses my proven travel expenses, I have to turn in a detailed expense report every two weeks with receipts attached. That’s if I expect to receive reimbursement. So someone tell me why should our public servants be any different?

Today (Jan 31, 2011), and not a moment too soon, Arkansas legislators introduced SB194. A bipartisan “Ethics Bill”. Please read this bill (it’s only 2 pages) and let me know if you think this will alleviate the obvious problem of paid officials continually soaking the taxpayers?

In 2010 $4.7 million was paid to 135 part-time legislators, most of whom have other vocations outside of their public service. I don’t think there’s a constituent in our state that would expect or want our law makers to absorb personal costs for officially tending to the affairs of our State. Yet I believe – and am convinced- that the sizes of these “expense” numbers as reported by Mr. Wickline are questionable.

I’d also encourage each of you to contact legislators in your area and make a habit of regularly submitting FOIA requests for their expense records. Show them you care and are watching our business as closely as any newspaper reporter. Itemized accountability has a way of curbing anyone’s desire to “inflate” numbers in the private or public sector.

For a Limited Time Only: Getting While They Can

Local and state governments are scrambling to get their “share” of tax payer money while the getting still seems possible.
Here in Arkansas local school districts are seeking millage increases, city councils are proposing local A & P Taxes (Advertising & Tourism Promotion tax) and municipalities are requesting sales tax boosts to build sports complexes; taxpayers are now being bombed with a steady rain of requests to shell out more “for the greater good” in different areas of our state.
My belief is that local and state governments are well aware of the tax tsunami building on the federal level and want to make sure they get their portion while it’s even remotely possible.
Imagine your own paycheck. Now visualize another nickel removed here, and another dime taken there, each and every month being siphoned away. Talk about being nickled and dimed to death. Arkansas is already one of the most heavily taxed states in the union. Every man woman and child breathing in our state today owes $4,305 in state and local debt alone. Not to mention the fact Arkansas is 12th among states growing in its debt. Which means for Arkansans our “tax free day” is not May 31st like some
would have you believe but it is actually July 29th, more than half way through the year!

Friends we don’t have a revenue problem, we have a BIG spending problem-

The Arkansas Primary is just over a month away on May 18th. We have tons of folks (candidates) running around getting their message out of what THEY promise to do if elected. My thought is what will they NOT do if elected? Will they NOT raise taxes? Will they NOT spend more than we take in? Will they NOT put my children and theirs in further economic bondage?
Here is a simple way to tell if those running for office will commit to fiscal responsibility and limited government- ask them if they have signed the American’s for Prosperity’s NO CLIMATE TAX PLEDGE?
http://www.noclimatetax.com/
There is a link on that page that will give you the opportunity to put your candidates and the already-elected officials on record saying they "oppose any legislation relating to climate change that includes a net increase in government revenue."
Traveling the state as a field representatives for American Majority, I meet people regularly with an earnest desire to become more proactive and involved in the political arena. American Majority Arkansas has partnered with American’s for Prosperity Arkansas to help Arkansans to do just that-become more informed, engaged and empowered. If you want to learn more attend one of our Impact Arkansas Tour stops. Join our crusade. http://americanmajority.org/arkansas/events/

If not now, when? If not you, who?

I heard it said recently that before a new congressional member gets
to Washington, they say: “It’s a swamp that needs to be drained.” But
once they get there many change their tune to: “Ahhh, it’s a comfy
hot tub.”

There is an answer to this sad situation. It’s to build a
conservative infrastructure from the local level up. And isn’t that
just what our Founding Fathers envisioned? Surely they didn’t have in
mind self-absorbed people who are groomed to suck the life energy out
of the nation for their own advancement and pleasures?

NO!-They intended that farmers, merchants, businessmen who felt
compelled to serve their nation be elected to serve. Those who would
go and represent the people of their communities, knowing full well
the status of those communities BECAUSE THEY LIVED THERE! Not in some
cushy flat in Washington or Virginia. They did not see men and
women, Manchurian candidates so to speak, being groomed then hoisted
to majestic, privileged status to lord over their subjects while now
and again pitching them a bone ( a new high school, ball park, or
national cemetery, aka: Stimulus pork tax money) to appease the
public’s moaning.

We must start within our specific spheres of influence: home, friends,
local community, putting into practice justice based on Golden Rule. I
think we can ALL agree, left, right, Republican, Democrat; we want
LIMITED GOVERNMENT. And that – above all else - should be the unified
voice of the TEA Party. Uniting, educating and taking action to that
end, and that end alone. All the other issues are irrelevant for now,
because without a limited government "we" will not be able to argue
the issues. They will be decided for us~

I encourage each person reading to start today educating yourself on
what is happening in your community government and public affairs. Our
Primary election in Arkansas is scheduled May 18th - in 50 days. Find
out what’s on your ballot. Who are the candidates and what initiatives
are proposed? Invest some time each day finding the answers to those
questions. Then engage and inform your family, friends and neighbors;
encourage them to do the same. Look into your local public meetings
such as city council, school board and quorum court, find out there
schedule. Then attend those meetings. Show your dedication and
determination through your actions. Again find others you know are
concerned and ask them to go with you or to alternate attendance with
them. Find a group of people and take turns going, then meet over
dinner or coffee to discuss and collaborate.
Then get the word out! Let others know what is going on!

If not today, when? If not you, then who?

All it takes for evil to prevail is for good men to sit idly by and watch

Scott Brown, Still a good Decision?

Did we expect anything different?
Scott Brown is steppin in it- just check out the Facebook fan page
“Seat Scott Brown Immediately” :

You are no different than the rest of them! Shame on me for trusting you!!!
Good riddance!

TURNCOAT!

Traitor

His decision to support the Jobs Bill alongside the Democrats in Washington is really causing quite the stir.

I for one am certainly not surprised. All I ever heard Scott Brown say that I agreed with is he would not vote for the healthcare bill. Brown was elected as “the lesser of two evils”

Still don’t you think Scott Brown holding that seat in Massachusetts is infinitely better than the other option the people of Massachusetts were faced with?
Friends we are eating an elephant, and we can only do it one bite at a time. Yea it is slow goin but we are making progress. It took decades to get here, let’s give it a lil time to get turned around. We have momentum. Brown’s election is no less a referendum for change than before, but hopefully we can stop putting ourselves in the position of choosing death by fire or death by drowning. Let’s get some real viable citizens on the ballot.

What about this? We start a search, let’s call it Patriot Idol, you know where we have a choice of citizens who desire to be PUBLIC SERVANTS, on local and state levels. People from communities across our nation that we can help get elected, support and work beside to start from the ground up implementing change. Once we get representatives in local and state offices that exhibit real fiscal conservatism and prove they will protect the Constitution of their states, enforcing the laws and not interpreting them, and then we have a “plentiful bounty” (in my best Scottish accent) of seasoned and tried servants from which to choose.

Over Stimulated Yet?

‘Stimulus Helping,’ Lincoln says”
There it was staring back from the front page of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette yesterday morning. It read in part:

“Lincoln…touted the stimulus in Little Rock at the Arkansas School for the Deaf, which received $42,000 for new cafeteria serving-line equipment, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Science, which received $10.5 million toward a cancer research center.”

Oh really? My question is, of the above millions given from our taxes (and debt), how many jobs were created? And how much revenue was generated from it? In short, what has been stimulated other than the gratitude of several folks at these institutions? Seems to me the answer is NOTHING!
No one with a heart beat is against the Deaf School getting a new milk machine or the UAMS finding a cure for cancer. Most of us like milk and hate cancer. Yet neither of those has ANYTHING to do with stimulating our economy, creating jobs or producing income.

Sen. Lincoln was quoted in the story this way: “That’s what we want to see. We want to see [the stimulus] go to good use.” Poppycock! We want to see it do some honest STIMULATING in the private sector. Actually the majority of Arkansans don’t want the burden of this incredible debt at all, but if it is forced on us we would at least like to have it be productive. We are now an additional $787 BILLION dollars in debt over so many things like milk machines rather than helping foster new employers. Think I’m joshing with ya? Just Google the list of waste in this stimulus bill. See for yourself. And shake your head.

This is the point where some folks likely will say “Oh my goodness, this woman hates deaf people and wants others to die from cancer.” To that I respond is that the best, most intelligent and reasoned response you’ve got? This stimulus hasn’t worked as billed – period.

Equal Opportunity Addiction

To quote from a recent Facebook posting by Mark Martin, candidate for Secretary of State in Arkansas, “The conservative population in Arkansas is just as addicted to big government handouts, special regulatory protections, & other favors as the liberals. The only difference is conservatives say, "Slaughter somebody else's sacred cow, but don't touch mine." And liberals say, "If you will give me more grain for my sacred cow, then I will help you get more grain for your sacred cow.”
Sad to say this has become the truth and we can see where it’s left our nation and states that are facing bankruptcy today. People are running around screaming “the sky is falling and we have got to do something.” Asked what should we cut or eliminate?” They reply: “Everything, well except funding for “that which affects me and my family.” Let’s ask this- “What are you doing to stop it?”

To implement meaningful, positive “change” and impart real fiscal conservatism in a free enterprise system responsible people have to control the money. It is our economy and our futures at stake here as well as our children’s freedoms and liberties. Do you sincerely believe that? Maybe that is the really challenge. Maybe we should take a few steps back and ask: Do you honestly believe there is a problem, or are you just hopping on the bandwagon because it seems entertaining and exciting? Lots of folks do you know

Here’s where we can start. First ask yourself, “Do I truly believe we are at a crossroads in America?” Then YOU have to find out what YOU genuinely believe in and why you believe it? Next, find a group or coalition of people with similar views. There are TEA Party groups, 9/12 groups, church groups, civic groups. The list is lengthy. Heck, form your own group. Finally, commit to spending 30 minutes to an hour each day educating yourself, researching, and networking with your organization members. Make a list of the public meetings in your community. Find others willing to attend with you and then implement a plan to get and stay informed and aware.
Get Informed and Engaged!