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!

How to Def-"eat" Health Care, et al-

You’ve heard the question:“How do you eat an elephant? Answer: “One bite at a time.”
Well that’s what I think of when defeating health care and the myriad other ultra radical political agendas we are facing here in America. There’s no way with one election, or one law, or even with a single ballot initiative we are going to obliterate this mess. However we can slowly and steadily turn our ship by making one right decision after the other.

I’ve received numerous messages and comments about supposedly being “pro” Scott Brown in the U.S. senatorial race of Massachusetts that takes place tomorrow. Comments like: “You’re not a real conservative”or “You’re compromising your values”, or my favorite: “How can you encourage people to vote for a rhino?”

My answer is simple enough. What’s the objective? If the objective is to elect an ultra-conservative Senator in historically liberal, heavily Democratic Massachusetts, then we could wait until our country has national health care, we are completely unionized and hell freezes over. You can’t ignore the reality that in 84 years, Massachusetts has had only 5 republicans elected to ANY Senate seat. For me, the immediate and pressing objective is to plug the sinking ship. If there is a leak in your boat do you really care if the color of the finger pluggin’ the hole is blue, red or purple? The choice here is limited between a progressive and one who’s a long way from that.

Why don’t we take a realistic look at how to change our nation’s direction and stop with all the “absolute,” all-or-nothing, completely perfect candidate declarations that got us here in the first place. There’s just no way that Massachusetts is going to elect a conservative republican to their U.S Senate right now. But Brown’s election would send a powerful message to those seeking to hurriedly convert our nation into a socialized vessel with a compass pointing south.

For all those purists, if Coakley is elected because people refuse to vote for Brown being their conscience just won’t allow them to, how many abortions do you think our tax dollars will wind up paying for over the years once Coakley is elected and Obama Care passes?

To return the country we love to a place where individual liberties, personal freedoms, free enterprise and limited government are a reality we have to begin fighting the individual battle at hand - and stop projecting the entire war. We have to alter our thinking and remind ourselves that America is a nation of free ideas and thinking individuals with a wide variety of beliefs and convictions. I believe we should concentrate on changing our own homes and communities to reflect our deepest and truest beliefs then work diligently to find individuals who will honestly and conscientiously represent the people they are elected to serve.

Until that time we are left to consume the elephant we have standing before us one bite at a time, or we will surely all wind up trampled.

Due Diligence Becomes Critical

Perhaps the members of the 111th Congress have started to read some of their own legislation that has been proposed, passed and thrust upon the American people. There have been more politicians retire in the last few month than the golf courses they frequent.

News came just yesterday of Arkansas Democratic Rep. Vic Snyder deciding to “retire” after 7 terms. He joins a handful of other prominent Democrats to announce similar plans.

There are those that see this as a wonderful windfall for the Republicans, of which I would say, my heart wouldn’t be broken if the majority of them choose to retire. The challenge comes for us conservatives. If incumbents choose not to run my fear is that the people will let their guard down. They will go back to “siding” with their perspective party and not “vetting” the candidate properly.

This would be a catastrophe! Take for instance Vic Snyder’s seat, if the democrats find a purple dog (my new term for blue dogs because they try and look so red)to run then that person does not particularly “own” the mess we are in. Now voters are, in my opinion, susceptible to false rhetoric once again. "You know… I am for change…blah… I am conservative…blah… I am for the people of Arkansas, blah blah blah." When what they really mean is- "I want this seat so badly I will say whatever I have to, to get elected and hopefully no one will challenge me on it."

One long time Arkansas Commentator says he would not be surprises if this entourage of “retirees” is soon the resting place of Sen. Blanche Lincoln. And why not, she has a retirement, health care benefits and I am sure a wonderful job waiting in the wings, perhaps even in the West Wing.

My hope and prayer is that the people of Arkansas will NOT let their guard down for even a second! I encourage us all to continue to ask questions, write letters, send faxes and truly scrutinize the next group of legislators we choose to serve, "serve" being the key word. If we once again ignore our due diligence then one would have to wonder just how much of “enough” we truly have had.

A New Era to Resolve~

Happy New Year!~ The rest of today and a wake-up away from 2010.

I have labored over my New Year’s resolutions, commitments, pledges and over all, what I like to call, the Hoo Ya. You know the “rally call.” I see 2010 as not just a new year and a new decade but the continuation of a new era. An era of American Patriots who are informed, engaged and stepping out of mediocrity and complacence to protect and defend the American way of life.

I have come to realize that freedom is not a destination, it is a lifestyle, a process by which one lives, and it needs constant and vigilant effort to maintain. Given that I have decided instead of making the typical New Year’s resolutions, to embrace a change of living techniques, ways of thinking and viewing of life

My family and I will survey our personal lives, our own home and our local community for changes needed to coalesce people, be bridge builders and ensure freedom.

We will continue connecting with those around us, interacting and discussing our concerns, steadily building networks of friends. After all a nation by definition is a community of people. If we intend on mending our nation we have to mend its people. There is a saying- “People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” Having a vested interest in our neighbors and them in us is a huge step in the protection of individual freedoms.

In our home will use our time wisely cutting out those things that are time suckers such as TV, video games, etc, so we can read truly important books like, "The 5000 Year Leap" and "The Real George Washington”. We will do our due diligence to research the daily news for truth and the too-often inaccurate e-mails we receive in an effort to be genuinely informed and not merely reactionary. And we will re-evaluate frequently our motivations.

Last, but by far the most important act is that we continue to pray. We will ask questions daily based on a list of priorities we prepared as a family; God, Family, Church/friends, Country and Career. We will ask for guidance in how we can most effectively spend our time, energy and resources. We resolve to pray earnestly for our leaders to become and remain men and women of godly principles and ask that holy and wise leaders be raised up to help guide us from this present darkness and confusion.

It will take time to get back to daylight, there is no quick fix. If we commit to work diligently together and vow to never again become complacent, to teach our children to be vigilant, I am confident we will prevail!

I look forward to meeting many of you as I travel across our state to help encourage Arkansans to become informed, engaged and empowered!

Happy New Year and richest blessing to you and your family. May God continue to bless America.

God’s Speed

Laurie Masterson

Stuffing Stockings and Reindeer Games~ Throw a Wrench at Construction Industry

The monstrosity of a largely -unread Health Care Bill is going before the Conference Committee probably as I write this, the Senate voted for cloture and sent this devastating 2000-plus pile of paper on it’s way to become the new law of the land.

Not only does the bill include fines and prison time for American Citizens who refuse to comply with it’s egregious and unconstitutional provisions, but just today we learned that only 3 minutes prior to the cloture vote, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) added an amendment that specifically excludes the construction industry (and ONLY that industry) from the small business exemption of mandated health care insurance for 50 employees or less. In other word’s this amendment requires construction businesses with 5 employees or more to insure its employees while other small businesses with fewer than do not.

For instance, suppose a small businessman has a four year-old company that employs himself, his two sons, one son-in-law, and two others. This person, who business has dropped 60 percent in a year, is struggling to stay afloat with the current construction downturn.Now, under this Senate Bill, he somehow must find money for health care insurance for his business to meet the new government mandates. He is faced with closing his business, firing some of his employees, or paying hefty fines and even possible jail time. This mandate will likely seal the fate of this small entrepreneur, who otherwise, might be able to weather the economic storm.

And the new tax credits for small businesses, which our senators both have boasted about, are so narrowly defined that few will qualify. And if they do, the credits only last for two years, making them little more than a slow bloodletting.

Many good people will be affected. There are over 4000 licensed construction businesses in Arkansas, alone, plus who knows how many other construction subcontractors, easily representing tens of thousands of our citizens whose livelihoods hang in the balance.

This is a crippling blow to an already devastated industry with a 20 percent unemployment rate in Arkansas. As one of my Democrat friends put it: “This is a slap in the face for the Democrats. It’s [the Merkley Amendment] a back door for the Unions.”

Instead of being able to focus on our families during this sacred holiday season, we Arkansans find ourselves, along with people across this nation, having to constantly chaperone and press our senators and congressmen as they prance around Washington playing reindeer games, holding secret meetings and stuffing their own stockings.

Senators Lincoln and Pryor each have broken their promise that we would have 72 hours to read the bill and amendments.

In a conversation with Senator Pryor’s office this afternoon I was told Senator Pryor was definitely concerned with this development (the Merkley Amendment) but that enough of his criteria had been met he would be voting for the bill. When told that if this amendment should pass the state’s construction industry is likely to implode a Pryor spokesperson replied: “that’s one way to look at it”.

Meanwhile, over at Blanche Lincoln’s office, she’s reported to also have had “enough of her goals met” and that she, too, would be voting to move the bill forward. Although her spokesperson did add the senator would have some reservations if the Bill came out of committee with this amendment still attached.

Shame on them for shady, back room politics and last-minute amendments that they had not read and don’t understand. But, shame on us if we have not faxed, emailed and called constantly to stop this travesty. Remember the admonishment from Edmond Burke: “All it takes for evil to prevail is for good men to stand idly by and do nothing.”