Hey Folks,

Check out this crazy legislation to protect rats and mice.  Great, are cockroaches and maggots next on the Endangered Species Act?  

Dec 20, 2012 — Introduced

 H.R. 6693: To amend the Animal Welfare Act to provide for the protection of birds, rats, and mice, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep. Gerald Connolly [D-VA11]

 This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on December 20, 2012. It will typically be considered by committee next.

 

Hey Folks,
This is just in time for the signing of the NDAA 2013 and FISA 2013.  Both laws are being extended until the year 2017 and both laws erode privacy and the right to a trial.  Now the USFWS is getting its own squadron of drones to spy on the people of the US.  Orwell would be darn proud of our accomplishments.   

The Service is already involved with several land grabs in Oregon, so this explains why they need an airforce on top of their well armed foot soldiers!.....

Guard drones could launch airport into new era
http://www.heraldandnews.com/breaking/article_fe14b15e-52d8-11e2-add3-001a4bcf887a.html?success=1


Related Posts:
The National Fish & Wildlife Foundation
Land Acquisition Green Group Gets $2.4 Billion from BP Settlement
Judge grants logging delay
The US Forest Service Is Involved With Another Land Grab in Coos County 
Obama administration increases 'critical habitat' for northern spotted owl
BLM---Lawsuit expands to lock-up 90 million bd-ft of timber  
WANTED: Examples of Economic Hardship Due to ESA Critical Habitat
GOA Alert: Senate to vote on the Federal Land Seizure Act on Thursday‏
RMP's for Western Oregon
Urgent, Urgent, Urgent, House May Cave On LWCF. Call Now.

Parry's Puddle
http://mgx.com/blogs/2012/12/27/the-puzzle-behind-parrys-puddle/

Here is an informed response to Commissioner Parry's plan for The Johnson Pond
Hi Rob!
  
The pond is only for sorting logs.  I don't know if the right is still valid since it may have been longer than 5 years since the right was used for the intended purpose.  In order for water to be taken out of the pond for any
use, water rights will be needed by anyone "buying" water from the Co.  The right to store will need to be changed thru the transfer process to something that will fit those uses.  I have suggested the Co. change the right to store to multi purpose, so any secondary rights will be acceptable.
 
The transfer will take 1 to 1.5 years, barring any protests.  The secondary rights to take water out will likewise take about the same time frame.  If protests are filed, and they can be by anyone, it may be years.  I know of
several State-wide that hae been tied up in protests for 15 years.
 
The storage limit is 491 acre feet, once each year.  As a public entity, the Co. will be required to meter and report their water use to the Dept.  annually.  More than likely so will anyone using the water out of the
pond.
  
The market value Cam talks of, in my opinion, isn't there.  The south coast actually has a large surplus of water, and not many places where water could be used that is, in fact, arable, and not already covered by existing rights.
 
So, barring protests, I don't see any money, or water, changing hands prior to 2015.  In addition, as a public entity, the County can only recoup their expenses, they cannot by law make a profit.
 
Finally, any water lines that cross other property lines will need easement or access agreements.  Proof of those agreements will need to be provided along with any and all applications in order for them to be processed.
 
I've explained all this to all 3 commissioner's more than once.  At this time, there is no legal definition of water banking in Oregon water law.


Related Posts:
MGX---Mayor Schamehorn insecurity goes too far
MGX---rat PAC(K) news‏
MGX---Spinmeisters at The World newspaper.....
MGX---plans underway to dismantle county government‏
MGX---healthy local skepticism‏
MGX---Barton admits Fred is lacking in leadership‏
MGX---ORC, does it still get its enterprise zone exemptions???
MGX---Ex-Post-Facto Planning Fee Reductions 

From:  Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board

OWEB invites public feedback and discussion on the proposed direction for its Long-Term Investment Strategy for Conservation. The purpose of the Long-Term Investment Strategy is to identify how OWEB structures its grant portfolio to achieve its mission, priorities and ecological outcomes and to guide the Board’s programs and granting decisions. OWEB is engaged in a process to determine the direction of the investment strategy and is interested in your thoughts on the benefits and consequences of the proposed direction.

Briefly, the proposed direction is: 

• Operating Capacity Investments - Continue these investments, with proposed changes
• Open Solicitation Investments - Continue these investments, with proposed changes
• Focused Investments - Continue these investments, with proposed changes and a gradual increase over time
• Effectiveness Monitoring and Reporting  - Continue these investments, with proposed changes
• Emerging Issues - Develop a new competitive grant offering

 For more information on the proposed changes, please download:
 

• Correct link:At-a-glance -The Direction for OWEB's Long-Term Strategy for Conservation
• Proposed Directionfor OWEB's Long-Term Investment Strategy for Conservation

Please plan to attend an upcoming Board meeting or
Listening Session
Listening Session
Agenda


OWEB will consider public input prior to making a final decision on the direction of the Long-Term Investment Strategy, currently planned for the June 2013 Board meeting.

Opportunities to provide input include:
 
Jan. 17 Board Meeting
Cottage Grove

Feb. 20, 2–5 pm Listening Session
Newport

Feb. 21, 2–5 pm
Listening Session - with Webinar
Salem

Feb. 25, 3– 6 pm Listening Session
Roseburg

Feb. 26, 2– 5 pm Listening Session
Bend

Feb. 27, 2– 5 pm Listening Session
Baker City

Feb. 28, 2– 5 pm Listening Session
Pendleton

Mar. 12-13 Board Meeting
Salem

Jun. 11-12 Board Meeting
Pendleton

 Based on the Board’s direction, details will be developed starting in the summer of 2013. During this phase of the strategy, there will be additional opportunities for input.

Related Posts:
OWEB---Post Listening-Session Survey Available‏
Subject: CWA meeting recap and information
Oregon Water Resource Commission approved the Integrated Water Resource Strategy
2010 Coastal Wetlands Grants
OWEB Listening Session Information & Agenda

Oregon Firearms Federation
PO Box 556
Canby, OR 97013

Voice: (503) 263-5830

http://www.oregonfirearms.org
OFF ALERT 12.21.12
NRA CHANGES GEARS, FINALLY.
 
After long opposing guns in schools by anyone but police, the NRA today held a press conference that
implies they would support civilians in schools with guns. Although most of the press conference referred primarily to police officers :
 
"I call on Congress today to act immediately, to appropriate whatever is necessary to put armed police officers in every school — and to do it now,”

LaPierre’s speech seemed to leave the door open to train and encourage school staff to be armed as well:

"Is the press and political class here in Washington so consumed by fear and hatred of the NRA and America’s gun owners that you're willing to accept a world where real resistance to evil monsters is a lone, unarmed school principal left to surrender her life to shield the children in her care?”

This is a long overdue and welcomed response by the National Rifle Association and mirrors what have been saying and suggesting since the Sandy Hook massacre.

Welcome aboard NRA.

For a transcript of the press conference see the following link:
 http://home.nra.org/pdf/Transcript_PDF.pdf

Related Posts:
[OFF Alert] Where We Stand After The Election‏
[OFF Alert] DOJ PROPOSED RULE ON CHL PRIVACY DRAFTED‏
[OFF Alert] "CHL PRIVACY" RULE TO BE ADOPTED‏
[OFF Alert] OFF ON THE RADIO.
OFF ALERT 8.29.12---“PERMANENT RULES” TO BE ADOPTED FOR CHL “PRIVACY” 
[OFF Alert] Earl Blumenauer's embarrassing survey
OFF ALERT 07.23.2012---UN SMALL ARMS “TREATY” CLOSE TO REALITY.
OFF ALERT 06.29.12 Eric Holder Held In Contempt of Congress. 

Mayor Schamehorn insecurity goes too far
http://mgx.com/blogs/2012/12/26/schamehorn-insecurity-goes-too-far/

One company holds entire state hostage, guest author Chuck Sheketoff‏
http://mgx.com/blogs/2012/12/13/the-35-million-increase-in-tax-loophole-spending-not-tied-to-a-single-job/

The Cost of ORC
http://mgx.com/blogs/2012/12/06/oregon-gives-away-865-million-annually-to-companies-like-orc/ 

Related Posts:
MGX---rat PAC(K) news‏
MGX---Spinmeisters at The World newspaper.....
MGX---plans underway to dismantle county government‏
MGX---healthy local skepticism‏
MGX---Barton admits Fred is lacking in leadership‏
MGX---ORC, does it still get its enterprise zone exemptions???
MGX---Ex-Post-Facto Planning Fee Reductions 

From: Karla Kay Edwards  AFP State Chair

The elections are over; the TV ads and campaigning are finished. The politicians have stopped making
promises and drowning us in their rhetoric. Now is the time for citizens to begin working in earnest. As the 2013 legislative session approaches, who will take the time to watch over our representatives as they “work for the people”?
 
This is what Oregon Citizens Lobby does. Oregon Citizens Lobby is a statewide collaborative
effort by citizens and organizations like AFP to promote legislative accountability. We analyze bills, lobby our representatives, provide testimony, and work with other citizens to let our legislators know that we are
involved in the process, we are watching them, and we are keeping score. As you can imagine this kind of effort takes coordination, but, more importantly, it takes a large number of concerned citizens who are willing to volunteer their time and their talent to join in this effort.
 
The 2013 legislative session will begin on February 4th. Between now and then, we will be training and organizing our members in preparation for the session. We hope that you will take the time to consider how you might contribute to our efforts and join our cause. Please fill out one of the signup sheets and send it in or go online to submit the information there.
 
Then join us at one of the following OCL trainings where we will teach you some basics on how to analyze and grade a bill. This will include how to use the technology we have designed to help make this citizen effort easier.
 
Trainings will be around the state as follows:
 
Monday, January 21st from 6pm to 8pm at The Saddle Restaurant: 
2220 SE Court Ave. Pendleton
 
Tuesday, January 22ndfrom 6pm to 8pm: 
Location to be announced. Bend
 
Wednesday, January 23rd from 6pm to 8pm 
Medford Public Library: 205 South Central Ave. Medford
 
Thursday, January 24th from 6pm to 8pm 
Springfield Utility Board (SUB): 223 “A” Str., Springfield
 
Monday, January 28th from 6pm to 8pm 
West End Building, Willamette Rm.: 4101 Kruse Way, Lake Oswego
 
The Monday, January 28thtraining in Lake Oswego will also be available live via the web in case anyone was unable to attend a prior training in person.
 
Click here to register to attend the webinar training.


Thank you for your willingness to actively participate in the governance of our state. It is imperative that the citizens of Oregon remain vigilant during this and future legislative sessions. Without the voice of reason from the citizens of Oregon, there will be little accountability for the decisions legislators will be making on our behalf. If you have any questions contact us at:oregoncitizenslobby@gmail.com or find us at Oregon Citizens Lobby on Facebook.

Related Posts:
AFP---Monthly Meeting w/Tom McKirgan at the ESD Building 12/13/2012 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
AFP---2 websites as resources for us‏
AFP National Freedom Phones!
important case for folks impacted by the proposed Bandon Marsh project
AFP National Freedom Phones!
Americans for Prosperity Presents the Panal on the Home Rule Charter
Next AFP Meeting at ESD on 9-13

Hey Folks,
The following link is to a good article on the difference between “defined benefit” & a "defined contribution" health insurance plan. The article points out one of the most powerful incentives of a defined benefit plan, which is its guaranteed security this type of plan offers to the employee.
Rob T. 

Hoffman: Study shows advantages of 'defined benefit' pensions
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20121224/COLUMN0105/312240022/1064

Related Posts:
PERS---issue heads back to Oregon Supreme Court
PERS---What is it? 
PERS---executive director answers questions about possible reform
We most solve unsustainable increases to the cost of government
More on PERS.....
Wheeler, Cox differ on ways to deal with PERS
What is the PERS crisis? 
EDITORIAL:  A heavier PERS burden
James Dalton offers reforms for PERS.....
Brookings Tea Party---<<< The Debate + Great Videos + PERS Impacts! >>>
Candidate Tom Cox leads on PERS 

Oregon Mall Shooter Stopped by Armed Citizen‏
http://www.examiner.com/article/oregon-mall-shooter-may-have-been-stopped-by-armed-citizen

While reports of Tuesday's shooting at the Clackamas Town Center Mall in Oregon, dominated the national media, until Friday's horrific shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, one very important detail has been repeatedly (and intentionally) left out of the MSM's coverage.
 
The shooter,  Jacob Tyler Roberts, was confronted with an armed citizen, at which time he ran away and shot himself. By the time police arrived on the scene, Roberts was already dead.
 
That armed man was 22-year-old Nick Meli, who was at the mall shopping with a young woman who was babysitting her friend's baby. 

Here are a few facts about armed Americans: 

-In 1982, the town of Kennesaw, Georgia, passed an ordinance which required all heads of household to have at least one gun in the house. The burglary rate immediately dropped an astounding 89 percent. Ten years after the law was passed, the burglary rate was still 72 percent less than it was in 1981.
 
-Armed citizens shoot and kill at least twice as many criminals as the police do every year in this country (1,527 to 606).
 
-A 1996 University of Chicago study concluded that states which passed concealed carry laws reduced their
murder rates by 8.5 percent, rapes by 5 percent, aggravated assaults by 7 percent, and robbery by 3 percent.
 
-According to the National Safety Council, with guns being used 2.5 million times a year in self defense
against criminals, firearms are actually used more than 80 times more often to protect lives, rather than to take lives.
 
-A 1979 Justice Department study entitled Rape Victimization in American Cities, concluded that
of more than 32,000 attempted rapes, 32 percent were actually committed. But when a woman was armed with a gun or knife, only 3 percent of the attempted rapes were actually committed.
 
-Another Justice Department study found that 57 percent of felons agreed that "criminals are more worried about
meeting an armed victim than they are about running the police."

PERS issue heads back to Oregon Supreme Court
Oregon will get another chance to plead its case

Oregon will get another chance to argue it should recoup $10 million lost by the public-pension fund after it bought stocks from Marsh & McLennan, one of the largest providers of insurance and brokerage services.

 The unanimous decision  by the Oregon Supreme Court does not automatically result in damages awarded to the Oregon State Treasury, which oversees investments for the Public Employees Retirement Fund. The current
balance is about $56 billion.


Related Posts:
PERS---What is it? 
PERS---executive director answers questions about possible reform
We most solve unsustainable increases to the cost of government
More on PERS.....
Wheeler, Cox differ on ways to deal with PERS
What is the PERS crisis? 
EDITORIAL:  A heavier PERS burden
James Dalton offers reforms for PERS.....
Brookings Tea Party---<<< The Debate + Great Videos + PERS Impacts! >>>
Candidate Tom Cox leads on PERS 

PERS is the retirement system for approximately 95 percent of public service  workers in Oregon including state, local government, and school district employees.

There are approximately 900 PERS employers, including all state agencies, universities, and community colleges; all school districts; and almost all cities, counties, and other local government units.

PERS serves approximately 346,000 members, including 113,000 retired members.

PERS was created by the legislature in 1945.
 
PERS At A Glance (overview of funded status, investment returns,  employer contribution rates, system benefits,
etc.) (9/20/12)

PERS By The Numbers (detail regarding funded status, investment  returns, employer contribution rates, system benefits,  etc.) (12/4/12)

Benefit Component Comparisons

Employer Contribution Rates (for individual  employers)

What are Employer Side Accounts?

PERS  Reform of 2003

Benefit  Caps and Reductions

Economic Benefit of PERS

Court Cases (Oregon Supreme Court, 2005-2011)

A-Z Quick Answers listings for Tier One/Tier Two and IAP  (membership and retirement program info)

A-Z Quick Answers listings for OPSRP Pension Program and IAP  (membership and retirement program  info)

PERS History

Public Records Requests

Auto-Pilot Toward the Fiscal Cliff
With the failure of “Plan B” in the House last night, it appears very likely that the “fiscal cliff” is going to arrive.
Of course, the mainstream media is blaming Tea Party-minded (read: principled) Congressmen for not supporting the plan.

This is outrageous, and an insult to the American people. Yes, principled Members of Congress held the line on tax hikes. Yes, Speaker Boehner has been awful in negotiating an alternative to the “fiscal cliff." But in the end, blame lies almost exclusively on the backs of two people: President Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (R-NV).

Consider that even before details of “Plan B” had been released, President Obama and Senator Reid had already declared the legislation dead. The Senate departed Washington until after Christmas, and President Obama went on vacation, leaving the nation on auto-pilot as we speed toward the fiscal cliff. Apparently, kicking the proverbial can down the road is more important than actually doing the jobs for which both men were elected. Apparently, the ideology of raising taxes is more important than actually solving the spending problem that Washington has.  

Because of their lack of leadership, America is likely to go over the fiscal cliff. Yet looking at the facts, it’s clear that raising taxes and not cutting spending really is the problem:

 
1. A major study has found that the combination of expiring tax cuts and the implementation of ObamaCare will cost the country 710,000 jobs.


2. Imposing a 100% tax on all households earning more than $250,000 – the “wealthy,” according to the President and Senator Reid – would keep Washington running for only 190 days according to
   Walter E. Williams.


3. The government currently spends about of $30.60 per hour on welfare compared to the median income of $25.03 per American worker according to a study by Congressional Research Service.


4. Cutting taxes in a time of economic stagnation would help boost the economy, boost employment, and increase revenue to the federal government to reduce the deficit.


5. Many in the media and Washington will try to accuse the Tea Party of causing the dive over the “fiscal cliff.” Yet, we have outlined over the last 12 days, 12 solutions that would be a positive step in the right
   direction. It is time for Washington to stop avoiding their responsibilities, as they seem to have done here by leaving the country speeding on auto-pilot toward the fiscal cliff.

Related Posts:
The Tea Party---Some Republicans Caving to No New Tax Pledge
The Tea Party---Sign Our New 'No New Taxes' Petition‏
THE CHERYL PERIL or Why property rights have been lost to government by bureaucracy?
Oregon Tea Party----We Have Not Yet Begun To Fight‏
CGI (OLC) Benghazi Protests Sat Nov 10th‏
Brookings Tea Party---<<< The Debate + Great Videos + PERS Impacts! >>>
The Blaze documentary, The Project presented by the Lane County 912 Project
The Balance the Budget Petition Sponsered by The Tea Party.net 
The Tea Party---You Are Keeping The Pressure On Holder‏

Public invited to comment on proposed bike/ped and enhancement projects
12/20/2012

$8.5 million is available for alternative projects
Dec. 20, 2012

  For more information: Shelley M. Snow, Public Affairs, (503) 986-3438 or Pat Fisher, Transportation Enhancement Program Manager, (503) 986-3528


 SALEM – The Oregon Department of Transportation is seeking input from the public on projects being considered for funding through the Transportation Enhancement-Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Committee (TE-OBPAC) 2012 Combined Solicitation program. Projects chosen will receive state-funded grants from ODOT’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Program (OBPAC) or federal funds from the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), formerly the Transportation Enhancement (TE) Program. An online survey will collect
input. 

To provide input over the phone, call the ODOT Active Transportation Section at (503) 986-3528 or (503)986-3555. Comments will be accepted through 5:00 p.m., January 31, 2013. 


Fifty-three projects, requesting approximately $50 million, have advanced to the public input portion of the process. ODOT initially received 155 proposals. The total amount available for the program is approximately $8.5 million. The combined OBPAC and TE advisory committees will use the input to help determine which projects to recommend for formal approval by the Oregon Transportation Commission in March, 2013; funds will then be awarded beginning in July, 2013.

 Eligible projects include bicycle and pedestrian facilities within or outside a street right-of-way, such as sidewalks and pedestrian crossings; intersection improvements; streetscapes; bike boulevards and minor roadway widening for bikeways; and shared-use paths within or separate from a roadway corridor. Projects also include transportation-related scenic, environmental, and community improvement activities shown in the Transportation Alternatives” list below.

 Transportation Alternative Activities

 (Paraphrased; for complete text, see Section 1103(13) of the MAP21 legislation)



A)          Bicycle & Pedestrian Facilities
On-road and off-road trail facilities, sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, pedestrian and bicycle signals, traffic calming techniques, lighting, other safety-related infrastructure, and ADA compliance



B)          Safe Routes for Non-drivers
Infrastructure and systems that help children, older adults, and indi­vi­duals with disabilities access daily needs.



C)         Rails-to-Trails
Conversion and use of abandoned railroad corridors for trails for pedestrians, bicyclists, or other nonmotorized transportation users.



D)         Scenic Viewpoints
Turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas.


E)          Community Improvement Activities

(i)     inventory, control, or removal of outdoor advertising

(ii)     preservation and rehabilitation of historic transportation facilities

(iii)    vegetation management to improve roadway safety, prevent invasive species, or provide erosion control

(iv)    archaeological activities relating to impacts from eligible transportation projects.



F)     Environmental Mitigation
Any mitigation activity, including:

(i)     Stormwater management and control, water pollution prevention or abatement,

(ii)     Reducing vehicle-caused wildlife mortality, restoring and maintaining connectivity among terrestrial or aquatic habitats.


 To keep up-to-date on the TE-OBPAC process, visit the website. 

## ODOT ##

Related Posts:
Related reports from ODOT

From: Common Sense for Oregon

The Negative Impact of the Oregon Estate Tax
By Evelyn Robinson
At the beginning of 2012, the Oregon Inheritance Tax changed into the Oregon Estate Transfer Tax, which ushered in new rules and regulations on the passing on of estates. This has affected all Americans, but particularly those who own and run businesses, be they shops, factories or farms. This has had a massive impact on these kinds of people, who need to pass on a full and functioning business to their descendents and who cannot afford to pay vast levies on these transfers. It may also have a negative impact on the Oregon economy as a whole due to the fact each inheritance transfer could tear apart a business or farm.

Gray whales are migrating along the Oregon Coast
 
Migrating gray whales have started their southward migration to Baja.  Christmas break is typically when the observations of these mammals is most reliable. At many sites there will be Whale Watching Spoke
Here volunteers to tell you about the migration and help you spot whales.   Remember to bring binoculars and/or spotting scopes for best viewing.

Related Posts:
Letter to Editor Eel Lake trade by Bob Main 12-07-2012
Oregon Fish & Wildlife Meeting Subject: EEL LAKE/COQUILLE VALLEY LAND EXCHANGE
Breakfast Meeting Announcement Bay Area Chamber of Commerce 11/16/2012
ODFW holds public meetings on proposed Eel Lake/Coquille Valley land exchange 
New Bandon Marsh Maps showing the 7 Priority Stages and the   Winter Lake Project

Hey Folks,

Check out the legislation that had to be enacted, so medical companies could sell their remaining stock of inhalers.  This would not be important, except these are the people who will be in control of our healthcare.
Rob T........

Preliminary summary Region 3_final.pdf

Preliminary Summary Region 4_final.pdf

Related Posts:
Subject: CWA meeting recap and information
Oregon Water Resource Commission approved the Integrated Water Resource Strategy
2010 Coastal Wetlands Grants
OWEB Listening Session Information & Agenda

From: The NRA 
December 11, 2012
  
NRA Victory for Self-Defense and the Second Amendment: Federal Court Strikes
Down Illinois Ban on Carrying Handguns In Public
The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled today that Illinois' total ban on carrying firearms for self-defense outside the home or business is unconstitutional. To review the Shepard v. Madigan Seventh
Circuit Court of Appeals decision, click here. The NRA funded Shepard case involves lead plaintiff Mary Shepard, an Illinois resident and trained gun owner, who is licensed to carry a concealed handgun in both Utah and Florida. The National Rifle Association is funding this case. The Illinois State Rifle and Pistol
Association is a co-plaintiff in this case. All of the court filings in this case can be viewed at http://michellawyers.com/shepard-v-madigan/.

From: the National Tea Party
Dear Patriot,

Now that Barack Obama has been reelected, Republicans in Congress need to know where Tea Party
members stand.

Please take our online National Tea Party Survey right away. Just click here. It will only take a few minutes and the politicians need to hear from you.

 They need to know if you want them to keep battling Barack Obama's big government policies or simply accept our economic fate.

They need to know if you want them to fight for smaller government or if they should seek a "compromise" with the President.

 I am very serious. This is an extremely important survey and Republican Congressional leaders must know where Tea Party members stand right away.

 You see, a great many Republican politicians believe that the Tea Party movement has outlived its usefulness and that it's time for "compromise" with Barack Obama.

 They say the American people care more about bipartisanship and that it is important to seek consensus with the President no matter what the cost to our economy.

 They say that the cutting the size and scope of government, repealing Obamacare and balancing the budget are impossible and that we shouldn't even try.

 Personally, I don't agree. Not at all.
 
And I don't believe you do either.

Please complete the National Tea Party Survey right now. This is your chance to make your voice heard.


I'm going to tabulate the responses to this critical project and share them with our Board of Directors and all of our 3,400 local Tea Party affiliates.

And, of course, I'm going to show these results to key Members of Congress, too.

 This survey may be the only TRUEgauge of where Tea Party supporters stand that these politicians ever see.

 Right now they are being bombarded by Washington pundits touting biased media polls that say the American people want bigger government and higher taxes.

That's why this survey is so critically important.

The politicians need to hear from you. They need to hear directly from grassroots America.

 Please complete the survey right now.

 Thank you in advance for your help!
 
Jenny Beth Martin
Co-Founder and National Coordinator

PS: I know there are many demands on your time, but this is important. In fact, it may be the most effective use of your time today! By answering only 6 simple questions you have an opportunity to influence the course of the election. Click Here to take the survey now!

Related Post:
AFP---Monthly Meeting w/Tom McKirgan at the ESD Building 12/13/2012 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
AFP---2 websites as resources for us‏
AFP  National Freedom Phones!
important  case for folks impacted by the proposed Bandon Marsh project
AFP National Freedom Phones!
Americans for Prosperity Presents the
Panal on the Home Rule Charter
Next AFP Meeting at ESD on 9-13‏
Next  AFP--Coos County Chapter Meeting Wednesday, August 8th, 2012, 
Stop the vote on the Wind Production Tax Credit
CONGRATULATIONS to Merv for all his hard work bringing economic
freedom and liberty to Reedsport!
Basic  American Rights Seminar sponsored by AFP Foundation

Hoffman: PERS executive director answers questions about possible reform
(Statesman Journal)
YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN 
 PERS system is unfair and unconstitutional
(Statesman Journal)

PERS by the numbers: $24,000 is not an average
(Statesman Journal)

 Related Posts:
We most solve unsustainable increases to the cost of government
More on PERS.....
Wheeler, Cox differ on ways to deal with PERS
What is the PERS crisis? 
EDITORIAL: A heavier PERS burden
James Dalton offers reforms for PERS.....
Brookings Tea Party---<<< The Debate + Great Videos + PERS Impacts! >>>
Candidate Tom Cox leads on PERS

A Plum Book of Political Positions

What is the Plum Book? Known officially as the “United States Government Policy and Supporting
Positions,” the Plum Book is published alternately by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs or by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, who handled this year’s version. The 2012 edition lists over 8,000 civil service leadership and support positions (filled and vacant) in the Legislative and Executive branches of the Federal Government that may be subject to noncompetitive appointments.

History of the “Plum Book”
The Plum Book was first published in 1952, when the Dwight D. Eisenhower Administration was voted into office after 20 years of Democratic administrations– first under President Franklin D. Roosevelt and then under
President Harry S. Truman.

With a touch of humor, someone at the original publishers decided the book should have a purple or plum-colored cover to reflect that it contained the “plum” political appointee jobs, and the tradition has stuck ever since for the printed version.