Tea Party revolution brewing

[Soldier4Christ]

Independence Day tea parties in 350 cities
Round 2 of tax protests scheduled for 47 states

Planning for Round 2 of the nation's tea parties is under way – with more than 350 cities planning protests for Independence Day.

While WND has been tracking 34 upcoming tea parties across the nation, the American Family Association has posted a list of rallies in 366 cities and 47 states for July 4.

AFA is sponsoring Taxed Enough Already, or TEA, parties to be held at 12 p.m. in front of city halls across the nation.

The organization launched a Tea Party Day website before the Tax Day events so volunteer organizers may register their protests with AFA.

Michael DePrimo, special counsel to AFA President Tim Wildmon, told WND that AFA is still being inundated with e-mails from citizens who want to attend or organize tea parties in their own cities.

"Our goal is simply to keep the grassroots organizations mobilized," he said. "We want to keep people pumped up and excited, and we want them to continue to knock on the door of Congress and the White House."

DiPrimo continued, "We don't want people to think of it as a one-time event and then have it fall by the wayside. Every time you look in your wallet, think that 40 percent of what's in there goes to the government in taxes."

The tea party website asks, Are you fed up with a Congress and a president who:

    * vote for a $500 billion tax bill without even reading it?
    * are spending trillions of borrowed dollars, leaving a debt our great-grandchildren will be paying?
    * consistently give special interest groups billions of dollars in earmarks to help get themselves re-elected?
    * want to take your wealth and redistribute it to others?
    * punish those who practice responsible financial behavior and reward those who do not?
    * admit to using the financial hurt of millions as an opportunity to push their political agenda?
    * run up trillions of dollars of debt and then sell that debt to countries such as China?
    * want government-controlled health care?
    * want to take away the right to vote with a secret ballot in union elections?
    * refuse to stop the flow of millions of illegal immigrants into our country?
    * appoint a defender of child pornography to the No. 2 position in the Justice Department?
    * want to force doctors and other medical workers to perform abortions against their will?
    * want to impose a carbon tax on your electricity, gas and home-heating fuels?
    * want to reduce your tax deductibility for charitable gifts?
    * take money from your family budget to pay their federal budget?

The group encourages tea party attendees to bring a cell phone and call the president, 202-456-1414, and Congress, 202-224-3121, while attending the rallies.

AFA lists tea party organizers from various cities to coordinate the July 4 events and is rapidly adding more by the day. DePrimo said volunteers who do not see their location on the list should visit the Tea Party Day website to add their tea party information. The current list includes the following towns and cities:

cont'd

[Soldier4Christ]

Alaska

Anchorage, Wasilla

Alabama

Birmingham, Daphne, Florence, Fort Payne, Gadsen, Hartselle, Headland, Huntsville, Killen, Scottsboro

Arkansas

Bella Vista, Conway, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Mountain Home, Mulberry, West Memphis

Arizona

Arizona City, Camp Verde, Cottonwood, Marana, Mesa, Tucson, Vernon

California

Bloomington, Buena Park, Fallbrook, Irvine, La Quinta, Laguna Woods, Long Beach, Los Olivos, Napa, San Clemente, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Simi Valley, Temecula, Thousand Oaks, Tracy, Yuba City

Colorado

Arvada, Carbondale, Cripple Creek, Evans, Peyton, Sterling

Connecticut

Glastonbury, New Milford

Florida

Arcadia, Bell, Brandon, Bronson, Deland, Estero, Fernandina Beach, Gainesville, Gulf Breeze, Homestead, Jacksonville, Kissimmee, Lakeland, Lithia, Miami, Navarre, North Port, Port Charlotte, Royal Palm Beach, Saint Johns, Seminole, Tallahassee, Venice, West Palm Beach, Wildwood

Georgia

Albany, Alpharetta, Bainbridge, Brunswick, Columbus, Duluth, Enigma, Fayetteville, Hiawassee, Lawrenceville, Marietta, Mcdonough, Newnan, Richmond Hill, Savannah, Senoia, Sunny Side, Tunnel Hill, Valdosta

Hawaii

Kihei

Iowa

Burlington

Idaho

Almo, Garden City, Idaho Falls, Nampa, Pocatello, Sagle

Illinois

Arthur, Barrington, Berwyn, Bloomington, Champaign, Chicago, Flora, Hoffman Estates, Joliet, Moline, Palatine, Pekin, Peoria, Rolling Meadows, Spring Grove

Indiana

Columbus, Knox, Lafayette, Otterbein, Rossville, Terre Haute, Warsaw, Westfield, Zionsville

Kansas

Athol, Garden City, Olathe, Overland Park, Salina

Kentucky

Jenkins, Richmond, Utica

Louisiana

Covington, Deridder, Leesville, Maurepas, Minden, New Iberia, Slidell, Sulphur

Massachusetts

Fall River, Middleboro, West Roxbury

Maryland

Lutherville Timonium, Silver Spring

Maine

South Portland

Michigan

Big Rapids, Byron Center, Clare, Farmington, Fife Lake, Gaylord, Grand Rapids, Hersey, Holland, Jackson, New Baltimore, Owosso, Port Huron, Taylor

Minnesota

Walker, Watertown, Winona

Missouri

Doniphan, Eureka, Kansas City, Saint Peters, Springfield

Mississippi

Forest, Gulfport, Hattiesburg, Hernando, Purvis, Ridgeland, Tupelo

Montana

Billings, Boyd, Sunburst

Nebraska

Omaha

Nevada

Eureka, Gardnerville, Las Vegas, Reno

New Hampshire

Berlin, Keene

New Jersey

Bloomsbury, Caldwell, Colts Neck, Hillside, Jackson, Keansburg, Landing, Manahawkin, Milltown, Wayne, Westfield

New Mexico

Clovis, Hobbs

New York

Camden, Candor, Commack, Greene, Huntington, Kew Gardens, Lindenhurst, Lyons, Marion, Massapequa, Norwich, Olean, Port Jervis, Poughkeepsie, Shoreham, Smithtown, Utica, Warrensburg

North Carolina

Buxton, Denver, Elizabeth City, Fayetteville, Goldsboro, Kernersville, King, Kure Beach, Maysville, Morganton, Murfreesboro, Newton, Shelby, Wilmington, Winston Salem

North Dakota

Williston

Ohio

Bascom, Cleveland, Columbus, Defiance, Galion, Girard, Mansfield, Medina, Newark, Republic, Sylvania, Wellsville, Zanesville

Oklahoma

Atoka, Bartlesville, Bixby, Hulbert, Jenks, Oklahoma City, Okmulgee, Sasakwa, Tulsa

Oregon

Beaverton, Clatskanie, Eugene, Newberg, Veneta

Pennsylvania

Bernville, Canonsburg, Chicora, Erie, Greensburg, Johnstown, Linesville, Somerset, Union City

Rhode Island

Pawtucket

South Carolina

Boiling Springs, Columbia, Moncks Corner, Myrtle Beach, Spartanburg, Townville, York

South Dakota

Belle Fourche, Rapid City

Tennessee

Cordova, Franklin, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kingsport, Knoxville, Munford, Paris, Signal Mountain

Texas

Abilene, Amarillo, Arlington, Austin, Azle, Bastrop, Bedford, Big Spring, Borger, Clyde, College Station, Coppell, Coppell, Copperas Cove, Crockett, Crowley, Dallas, Denton, Dublin, Duncanville, Friendswood, Garland, Gatesville, Gilmer, Graham, Grapevine, Hamlin, Howe, Kerrville, Laredo, League City, Lewisville, Lindale, Livingston, Lumberton, Melissa, Midland, Orange, Palestine, Paris, Plano, San Antonio, Sealy, Spring, Staples, Stephenville, Sugar Land, Tomball, Tye, Uvalde, Waco, Weatherford, Wylie

Utah

Bountiful, Orem, Saint George, Springville, Washington

Virginia

Abingdon, Midlothian, Woodbridge

Vermont

Essex Junction

Washington

Bellingham, Bothell, Clarkston, Granite Falls, Greenacres, Puyallup, Wenatchee

Wisconsin

Antigo, Fort Atkinson, Kaukauna, Superior, Wausau, Clarksburg, Greybull, Riverton

WND has been hosting its own tea party forum so citizens can exchange ideas, information and announcements about the "revolution." WND readers have been sending information on upcoming tea parties, including the following 34 protests being planned in 19 states and Washington, D.C.:

California

Buena Park – Saturday, July 4, 12 p.m. at city hall, 6650 Beach Blvd., bring flags, banners, signs; lunch to follow

Los Angeles – Saturday, July 4, from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Santa Monica Pier

San Diego – Saturday, July 4, time and place to be announced

San Francisco – Saturday, July 4, time and place to be announced

Colorado

Denver – Saturday, July 4, time and place to be announced

Florida

Walton Beach – Sunday, May 17 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Emerald Coast Convention Center, 1540 Miracle Strip Pkwy

Orlando – Saturday, July 4, time and place to be announced

Georgia

Atlanta – Saturday, July 4, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the capitol building located at 206 Washington St.

Watkinsville – Saturday, May 9, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Oconee County Veterans Memorial Park

Illinois

Chicago – From Saturday, July 4, at 7 p.m. to Sunday, July 5, at 5 a.m. at Belmont Harbor on Lake Shore Drive

Louisiana

Lake Charles – Saturday, July 4, time and place to be announced

Massachusetts

Boston – Saturday, July 4, from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Griffin Harbor on Congress Street Bridge

Michigan

Petoskey – Friday, May 1, 2 p.m., downtown in Pennsylvania Park

Minnesota

St. Paul – Saturday, May 2, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., state capitol building

Mississippi

Jackson – Saturday, May 16, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.on the steps of the capitol building

Laurel – Saturday, July 4, location to be announced

Montana

Billings – Saturday, July 4, location to be announced

New Jersey

Marate – Saturday, July 4, time to be announced, Washington and Amherst Avenue

New York

New York – Saturday, July 4, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at South Street Seaport and Pier 17

White Plains – Saturday, April 25, time to be determined, at county office building at 148 Martin Ave

Oregon

Medford – Saturday, April 25, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park

Pennsylvania

Philadelphia – Saturday, July 4, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Independence Mall

Valley Forge Park – Saturday, April 25, 11 a.m., Valley Forge Rd and Gulph Rd., in grassy location behind arch near bus parking lot

Tennessee

Jackson – Friday, April 24, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Liberty Gardens, 38 Channing Way, people should bring tailgate items such as grills, food, tea

Texas

Austin – Saturday, July 4, time and location to be announced

Dallas – Saturday, July 4, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Victory Park

Fort Worth – Saturday, July 4 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Cowtown Bar & Grill

Kerr County – Friday, April 24, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Guadalupe River at Louise Hays Park pavillion, speakers, barbecue, please feel free to bring children

Waco – Saturday, July 4, time and location to be announced

Virginia

Annandale – Saturday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mason District Park, 6621 Columbia Pike

Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. – Saturday, July 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Upper Senate Park adjacent to Capitol building on north side

Washington, D.C. – Saturday, Sept. 12, march on the capitol

Wyoming

Cheyenne – July 4, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the state capitol building

[nChrist]

YEAH!

I'll even have to

start drinking TEA

at least

once every day!

[Soldier4Christ]

Look for your $10,000 energy tax bill
'Every time you turn on a light switch … you're going to pay'

The federal affairs manager for Americans for Tax Reform says American families should be watching out for their new $10,000 energy tax bill.

"Obama lied when he was campaigning and said he was only going to raise taxes on 5 percent [of Americans]," said Brian Johnson, a spokesman for the ATR. "Every time you turn on a light switch, go to the store … you're going to pay higher taxes."

Other estimates of the increased costs resulting from Obama's proposed energy taxes have ranged around several thousand dollars per person. Dan Kish of the Institute for Energy Research earlier confirmed to WND that "everything" will cost more.

Johnson said he got his figures from the president's own budget plan, which counts on, among other tax increases, an additional $345 billion in taxes from "changes and loophole closures" and still another $645 billion from "climate" taxes.

That's $1 trillion, or roughly $10,000 for a family of three or four in the United States.

The numbers come from Table S-6 of Obama's budget proposal at the website for the Office of Management and Budget.

Johnson said that in addition to the extra bills, estimates are that about 600,000 jobs would be lost because of the taxes.

"Every time we manufacture or produce something in the United States we emit carbon dioxide," he explained. "Obama wants to put a carbon cap on."

That means if you own a company that makes brake pads and you get an order for 50,000 brake pads in a particular month, but only have "permission" for the emissions that allow you to make 40,000, you cannot provide the extra 10,000.

Guess where manufacturing jobs are going to be taken? he asked. Overseas.

According to the Associated Press, Democrats in Congress are on the bandwagon, fending off criticism from Republicans that Obama's proposal will undermine the economy.

The report documented EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson's statement that Obama's plan will "create good American jobs."

Republicans aren't giving up.

"The proposal for cap and tax will raise the energy rates for producing everything in the United States of America," said Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich. "If we dramatically raise the rates of electricity we will not be competitive when it comes to building anything."

[Soldier4Christ]

Tea party leaders would welcome meeting Obama
'We want to address the president's runaway march to socialist-statism'

Leaders of a nationwide "tea party" movement that saw an estimated 1 million people gather at hundreds of locations across the United States on Tax Day to protest not just taxes but the sudden rampant spending in Washington say they have accepted an invitation from President Obama to meet.

The national leadership team of the Nationwide Tea Party coalition confirmed members were responding to Obama's invitation "to have a serious conversation about how we are going to cut our health care costs down over the long term, how we are going to stabilize Social Security."

The invitation came at a "town meeting" appearance by the president in Arnold, Mo., today, and was reported by Politico.com.

"We want to broaden the scope to address the president's runaway march to socialist-statism, and the rampant across-the-board irresponsible spending he is promoting with his $787 billion stimulus plan and his $1 trillion annual deficit, his takeover of General Motors, Chrysler and the banks," said Michael Patrick Leahy, a member of the leadership squad.

The team includes more than two dozen of the more than 900 local organizers of the April 15 Tax Day Tea Parties, which were attended "by more than 1 million Americans." Also on the team are Judson Phillips, who organized the Nashville event that attracted 10,000 people, and James Dickey, who set up the Dallas event attended by 5,000.

Kellen Giuda, organizer of New York's party attended by 12,000 and of Parcbench, said, "I think a constructive dialogue with the president would be a great opportunity for him to acknowledge that, yes, many Americans have a problem with the way Washington is handling our taxpayer dollars and also that we are concerned about health care and Social Security reform.

"I am happy he is open to a discussion," Giuda said. "The tea parties are protesting against fiscal irresponsibility and any dialogue we can have will hopefully bring a better public understanding of our country's finances. Health care and social security reform is a large concern to us."

It was at the Missouri meeting marking his 100th day in office that Obama commented on the tea party demonstrations.

"Those of you who are watching certain news channels on which I'm not very popular, and you see folks waving tea bags around," said the president, "let me just remind them that I am happy to have a serious conversation about how we are going to cut our health care costs down over the long term, how we are going to stabilize Social Security."

Reports said it was the president's most direct response to date to the April 15 rallies.

Giuda said the leaders soon will be reaching out to the White House to request the details of a meeting the president suggested.

As WND has reported, on and around April 15, citizens gathered in nearly 2,000 U.S. cities to issue a coast-to-coast protest of increased government control, taxes and spending. More than 350 "tea party" protests already are on the calendar for Independence Day."

"We are leading a revolution, and this is the first day of that revolution," Sacramento tea party organizer Mark Meckler said before the crowd that gathered at the California capitol. "Politicians will no longer be able to divide our nation. They are taking our money, and we aren't going to stand here and take it anymore."

WND was at the Sacramento rally, reporting on the "sea of red, white and blue U.S. flags waved above a large crowd that surrounded the building and spilled into city streets."

"We've had it!" Meckler shouted. "We're tired of being punished by politicians!"

The crowd cheered wildly and drowned out Meckler's voice, chanting, "Vote them out! Vote them out!"

[Soldier4Christ]

States to feds: Stay in D.C.!
$11 trillion 'micromanaging' price sparks explosion in sovereignty movement

A movement to reclaim for states all rights not specifically designated to the federal government in the U.S. Constitution is exploding across the nation, with 35 states already acting or at least considering such proposals – and one state lawmaker estimating the nation as a whole could save $11 trillion in coming years if it would succeed.

WND reported not long ago when the number of states with lawmakers considering such sovereignty efforts reached 20.

Now, according to the Tenth Amendment Center, such provisions have been launched in at least 35 states. They all address the Tenth Amendment that says: "powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

South Carolina's S. 424 is an example. It is titled: "To affirm South Carolina's sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution over all powers not enumerated and granted to the federal government by the United States Constitution."

Essentially it's a reminder that the United States is made up of individual states; it's not a federal authority broken up into political subdivisions.

In South Carolina, the proposals remains pending in the state Senate, where Sen. Lee Bright said he still hopes that it will be adopted this year.

The proposal there notes specifically that the "federal government was created by the states … to be an agent of the states," and the states currently "are treated as agents of the federal government," many times in violation of the Constitution.

The resolution states:

    Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring: That the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, claims for the State of South Carolina sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government by the United States Constitution.

    Be it further resolved that all federal governmental agencies, quasi-governmental agencies, and their agents and employees operating within the geographic boundaries of the State of South Carolina, and all federal governmental agencies and their agents and employees, whose actions have effect on the inhabitants or lands or waters of the State of South Carolina, shall operate within the confines of the original intent of the Constitution of the United States and abide by the provisions of the Constitution of South Carolina, the South Carolina statutes, or the common law as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States.

Bright told WND the movement is spreading from state to state as fast as lawmakers discover it.

Michael Boldin, a spokesman for the Tenth Amendment Center, said his organization has created a posting for all such proposals to be tracked.

Among the states where such proposals at least have been considered are Louisiana, Colorado, Wisconsin, Illinois, West Virginia, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Nevada, Oregon, Alabama, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Idaho, New Mexico, South Dakota, Virginia, Kentucky, Alaska, Indiana, Tennessee, Arkansas, Minnesota, South Carolina, Georgia, Kansas, Texas, New Hampshire, Missouri, Iowa, Montana, Michigan, Arizona, Washington and Oklahoma.

In North Dakota, it passed the House and Senate both in April, with the House a short time later adopting changes made by the Senate.

In South Dakota, it was approved by both houses of the Legislature, and under that state's rules does not need the governor's signature.

Just last week, Rep. M.J. "Manny" Steele, a Republican, in South Dakota wrote that he believes up to $11 trillion is being wasted in the coming years by Washington's efforts "to duplicate and micromanage our states' affairs."

He said states should manage their own affairs, and not be dependant on a federal cash cow to make ends meet. Likewise with industries, he said, citing federal cash dumps on the banking, insurance and automobile industries.

After all, he agreed, with enough federal money allocated to the industry, Americans all still could be listening to 8-track tapes in their cars, but would that really be the best outcome?

Steele told WND his dollar estimate was based on what President Obama himself has allocated in the coming years to spend on stimulus packages, industry bailouts and the like.

"If we would just let the market take care of these things," he said.

His letter noted that Alaska, Georgia, Idaho, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Carolina legislatures joined South Dakota's in passing some statement on the Tenth Amendment this year. The results vary based on state procedures, however. In Oklahoma, the governor vetoed the plan and it was launched on its second trip through the legislature.

"Over the course of decades, there have been increasing federal mandates and acts designed to effectively step in and legislate the affairs of our various states from Washington D.C.," Steele said. "Federal usurpation into state affairs severely limits the ability of state governments to operate according to their citizens' wishes."

[Soldier4Christ]

AUTOGATE
GM to import Chinese-made cars
As thousands of company's workers await word on more U.S. plant closures

As thousands of General Motors workers await word on more U.S. plant closures, reports that the company plans to import Chinese-made vehicles to the U.S. have created a political problem for the automaker and the White House.

The reports, which GM will neither confirm nor deny, could mean trouble because GM is supported by $15.4 billion in U.S. government loans, largely due to the Obama administration's desire to preserve the company's 90,000 U.S. jobs.

The United Auto Workers charged last week that the Detroit automaker intends to almost double over the next five years the number of vehicles it imports to the U.S. from Mexico, South Korea, China and Japan.

"GM should not be taking taxpayers' money simply to finance the outsourcing of jobs to other countries," Alan Reuther, the union's Washington lobbyist, wrote in a letter to U.S. lawmakers.

The carmaker, which was in danger of running out of cash early this year, faces a June 1 government deadline to cut costs and complete other restructuring measures or go into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. It also has requested another $11.6 billion in government loans to make it through this year, and faces the prospect that the government will soon be its largest shareholder.

On Wednesday, Shanghai Securities News and other Chinese media reported that GM plans to begin exporting vehicles from China to the U.S. within two years, ramping up sales to more than 50,000 by 2014.

GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson in Detroit would not comment on the reports. The White House and Treasury Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

"GM is reviewing various options," GM's China office said in a written statement received Thursday. "We are not discussing details of our future portfolio, beyond what we have disclosed in auto shows and our viability plans."

But the report reiterated the company's emphasis on first meeting demand in the Chinese domestic market.

"GM's philosophy has always been to build where we sell, and we continue to believe that is the best strategy for long-term success, both from a product development and business planning standpoint," it said.

Harley Shaiken, a professor at the University of California at Berkley who specializes in labor issues, said increased overseas production and imports could prove politically tricky for GM.

"The reason is simple - production location is a corporate decision, but when it's on the taxpayer dime, there are different sensitivities, so the notion of billions for a rescue package and offshore production, I think, could be politically combustible," he said.

Shaiken said GM needs to lower costs, which is accomplished with cheaper overseas labor. But it must also address concerns of the U.S. government, which wants to preserve American jobs.

"GM is getting funding from U.S. taxpayers to help save the company," Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said. "Taxpayers deserve more than Chinese imports in return. Taxpayer funds should be used to build the next generation of fuel-efficient vehicles in the U.S., not abroad. This is about creating jobs and rebuilding our economy."

GM, though, says the percentage of cars made and sold in the U.S. will remain stable.

Company documents show that American-made cars will comprise 67 percent of all vehicles sold in the country this year. The number drops slightly to 66 percent in GM's 2014 projections. Imports will amount to 33 percent this year, rising to 34 percent by 2014.

The company says the import mix could change by 2014, with fewer vehicles produced in Canada and more produced in Mexico and other countries.

"The percentage sold in the U.S. will stay constant within a percent or two," Wilkinson said. "The number of vehicles built in the U.S. will increase as the market recovers."

He reiterated that the company's goal is to build vehicles in the regions where they are sold, in part to avoid getting stung by currency fluctuations. GM, he said, builds 90 percent of vehicles sold in the U.S. in North America, and that is not expected to change.

Of the 3 million vehicles GM sold in the U.S. last year, it imported the Chevrolet Aveo and Pontiac G3 subcompacts from South Korea, the Pontiac G8 muscle car from Australia and the Saturn Astra compact from Belgium. The Saturn Vue, Chevrolet HHR small sport utility vehicles and several pickup truck models were imported from Mexico. Full-size pickup trucks, several sedans and small SUVs and the Chevrolet Camaro were brought in from Canada.

Still, the UAW generally opposes importing vehicles into the U.S. According to its figures, the percentage of GM's U.S. sales from Mexico, South Korea, Japan and China will increase from 15.5 percent now to 23.5 percent in 2014.

Reuther wrote that GM's increased imports would be equal to the output of four U.S. assembly plants, "the same number that GM plans to close."

The union currently is negotiating with GM for government-demanded labor cost cuts, including 16 plant closures. At a leadership meeting in Cleveland Wednesday, leaders were told to expect a vote on concessions before the June 1 deadline.

GM millwright Ron Bear of Belleville, Mich., who attended the meeting, said the rank-and-file would be unhappy with any more imports.

"As far as importing cars, what is that going to do for our jobs? I guess that's the question," he said.

GM would be the first company to import cars from China although automakers have brought in components in the past to save on labor costs. Most Chinese automakers have been daunted by meeting U.S. safety standards. They also face the uphill battle of winning consumer confidence for unfamiliar brands.

According to Chinese media reports, the primary exports to the U.S. would be small cars similar to the Chevrolet Spark subcompact.

David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, says it makes good business sense for GM to import subcompacts from China because the U.S. market for them is uncertain, but there is strong demand in China.

With gas prices around $2 per gallon most Americans will keep driving bigger cars. U.S. sales would be too small to justify the expense of building and equipping an assembly plant, he said. At the same time, exports to the U.S. would allow GM to keep its Chinese plants running at maximum capacity, which is the formula to make money, he said.

"In the short term, you're going to locate your plants where the core of the market is for that product," he said.

Cole suggested that for Obama, returning the company to viability would outweigh the drawbacks of importing some cars.

"What's more important, some jobs in a particular factory somewhere or the overall success of the company?" Cole asked. "That is really far more important."

[Soldier4Christ]

How Do You Feel About A National Sales Tax?

Perhaps if we were talking about doing away with our current federal system and replacing it with the Fair Tax, but, not, that is not what Los Federales are considering

    With budget deficits soaring and President Obama pushing a trillion-dollar-plus expansion of health coverage, some Washington policymakers are taking a fresh look at a money-making idea long considered politically taboo: a national sales tax.

Can’t blame this one on Bush! (Though they’ll try)

    Common around the world, including in Europe, such a tax — called a value-added tax, or VAT — has not been seriously considered in the United States. But advocates say few other options can generate the kind of money the nation will need to avert fiscal calamity.

Most nations around the world are the size, if not smaller, then our States, who have their own sales taxes. And quite a bit of that fiscal calamity is being made worse or created by the current Congress and administration. So, now you may have to pay for their malfeasance.

    “There is a growing awareness of the need for fundamental tax reform,” Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) said in an interview. “I think a VAT and a high-end income tax have got to be on the table.”

Before saying that you should read the whole article, I say, the Dems should go for it. Bring it up and out into the open. Many of them, and their liberal interest groups and other elites, seem to think this is a wonderful idea. But, we’ll see how far it goes, and how high the national anger from the people of this country, the ones who would be paying 10 to 25 cents extra per dollar spent.

Of course, what would happen is that purchasing would be minimal. Luxury items? Forget it. That new TV you were thinking of? Nope. Not now.  The damage to the economy would be amazing. And virtually every single elected official who favored a VAT would be looking for a new job.

[nChrist]

I would currently say NO to a National Sales tax because of the MASS CORRUPTION, CRIMES, AND PLANNED EXTORTIONS OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT!

I would say YES to a National Sales tax if the entire system was CONSTITUTIONAL! I'm talking about getting the Federal Government COMPLETELY OUT OF STATES' BUSINESS AND STATE SOVEREIGNTY. The POWER of the Federal Government MUST BE REDUCED to Constitutional Limits before any plan makes any sense. National Defense is one of the FEW CONSTITUTIONAL DUTIES OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT - AS A SERVANT TO THE STATES! SO:

FIRST - The STATES must take back all RIGHTS, SOVEREIGNTY, AND AUTHORITY BACK!

SECOND - The FEDERAL budgets must be slashed dramatically to CONSTITUTIONAL LIMITS! This would END the dreams of want to be dictators, socialist, and communists. The ILLEGAL AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL programs and budgets would be GONE! Then we could have the STATES decide the CONSTITUTIONAL BUDGET for the slave FEDERAL GOVERNMENT! It would primarily be NATIONAL DEFENSE - THE CONSTITUTIONAL BUSINESS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT!

[light2light]

Tea Party protestors can pick up Reagan’s mantle
By: Examiner Editorial
-
06/04/09 12:05 AM EDT Frustrated Americans participating in Tea Party protests across the country upheld the nation’s proud tradition of citizen participation, even though they are under increasing assault from politicians and bureaucratic planners in Washington. But demonstrations alone are not enough to reverse excessive government intrusion into the private sector. The challenge now is to re-energize the essential principles of constitutionally limited government in an enduring and lasting way. With Americans using the power of the Internet to organize and galvanize a growing anti-tax movement aimed at restoring limited government, the time is ripe to revisit the unfinished business of the Reagan Revolution.  This is especially relevant in the nation’s capital this week as a bust of the 40th president is unveiled in the Capitol and former first lady Nancy Reagan visits with Michelle Obama.
 
In a speech at the Jefferson Memorial on July 3, 1987, Reagan reminded Americans that political freedom cannot long survive unless economic freedom is equally respected. To that end, Reagan used the address to propose a series of legislative initiatives that went largely unheralded at the time, but that could serve as a detailed blueprint for Tea Party protesters seeking to link their  demonstrations to a compelling program for reform. Reagan’s “Economic Bill of Rights” was built around four fundamental freedoms: The freedom to work, the freedom to enjoy the fruits of one’s labor, the freedom to own and control one’s personal property, and the freedom to participate in a free market. To secure these freedoms, Reagan outlined 10 initiatives folded into a series of constitutional amendments that have a special salience today. For example, Reagan called for a balanced budget amendment and the line-item veto. Would we face a $1.7 trillion deficit today had Congress acted on Reagan’s ideas in 1987?
 
Steven Hayward of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) has suggested that Tea-Party protestors apply Reagan’s 1987 reform package to the contemporary crisis by, among other things, adding provisions for term limitations and anti-earmark legislation. “We’re still Thomas Jefferson’s children, still believers that freedom is the unalienable right of all God’s children,” Reagan said in his 1987 speech. Jefferson fervently believed that restraints were needed on the federal government to protect individual freedom. Contemporary revolutionaries now have the opportunity to channel the best of Jefferson through Reagan.

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/Tea-Party-protestors-can-pick-up-Reagans-mantle---46847482.html

[nChrist]

Thanks Light2light!

I think it will eventually require much more than just tea-parties. Legislation is already in the works for over 30 States to demand and take back CONSTITUTIONAL STATE SOVEREIGNTY. The Federal Government is to be the SERVANT to the STATES - NOT the other way around. The Federal Government has USURPED POWER that it does NOT have the power to take. In the process, the Federal Government has trampled all over the RULE OF LAW AND THE CONSTITUTION! They MUST be HELD ACCOUNTABLE, and they WILL BE!

The dreams of want-to-be DICTATORS and COMMUNIST PARTY ELITES MUST BE DASHED TO A MILLION PIECES, and THEY WILL BE! This is still a FREE COUNTRY, and GOVERNMENT IS BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE. THE PEOPLE haven't authorized, NOR WILL THEY, the GROSS VIOLATION OF LAW AND THE CONSTITUTION! IT'S TIME FOR IMPEACHMENTS AND CRIMINAL CHARGES!

[Soldier4Christ]

Independence Day tea party tally explodes
National organizers expect more nationwide protests on July 4 than ever

The tea party movement is showing fresh signs of momentum as the national tally is once again exploding.

Amy Kremer, national organizer for the Tea Party Patriots, told WND her organization is expecting more rallies on Independence Day weekend than were held on April 15 this year.

"They are going on all across the country," Kremer said. "Last time it was on one day; this time it is all July 4 weekend. We will have more tea parties this time around than we did last time, for sure."

Tea Party Patriots is organizing more than 220 national tea parties scheduled for Independence Day weekend that will focus on the following three principles: fiscal responsibility, limited government and free market. In addition to protesting excessive government spending, Kremer said the organization will also emphasize citizen opposition to government-run health care.

"The administration is ratcheting up its rhetoric on pushing through its 'health care reform,'" Kremer said. "We can have tea parties until the end of time, but we need to be effective. We're using our tea parties as a platform and an opportunity to educate people about what is going on with this and why we are opposed to government-run health care. If the government gets involved and imposes any kind of governmental health care, it is intrusive into our lives, and it will absolutely affect the free market."

Tea Party Patriots held a town hall forum in Washington, D.C., Wednesday. It focused on the Obama administration's plans for government-run health care.

"We're going to continue holding them throughout the country until the legislation comes to a vote on the floor of Congress," she said. "We are already starting the conversation with the town hall forums. For those who are not already looped into that conversation, the Independence Day event will be an opportunity to start that conversation."

But the party won't end there. Kremer said Tea Party Patriots has organized another national protest to be held July 17. Her group is encouraging motivated citizens to meet simultaneously at every representative's and senator's office in the country at 12 p.m. EST to show their commitment to stopping Washington's health care agenda.

"It's important because all of these people are concerned about this slippery slope to socialism," she said. Every day there is something the Obama administration or Congress is trying to push through to take more control over our lives."

Kremer referenced Obama's recent firing of the CEO of GM and is sale of Chrysler to Fiat.

"That's not America," she said. "That's not about free market and capitalism. All of these people are coming together to protect this country and the Constitution. We want to protect America and our capitalist society."

Meanwhile, the American Family Association's Tea Party Day website reports its list of registered organizers will be hosting tea parties in nearly 1,200 cities scheduled for Independence Day. 

WND readers have been sending information on upcoming tea parties. Tea Party Patriots lists events by state on its website. Most of the following protests are organized by Kremer and her Tea Party Patriots team: (see the following link for this information)

http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=100831

additional information can be seen at:

http://www.resistnet.com/

[nChrist]

If we want to celebrate our Independence and Freedom next year, we'd better SPEAK UP AND STAND UP! Socialism and communism are the OPPOSITE of FREEDOM, and our representatives MUST KNOW that WE WON'T TOLERATE IT! We are a FREE PEOPLE, and we're going to STAY A FREE PEOPLE! The socialist and communists need to be removed from office, charged with any and all criminal violations they have committed, and sent either packing or to prison!

LORD Willing, I think that I know what I'll be doing this July 4th. I am determined to keep my FREEDOM, and I won't tolerate any less. I think that most folks feel the same way I do, and what's being done is now being EXPOSED! There's nothing more UGLY than naked socialists and communists!

[HisDaughter]

Well, I'm off to my "Tea Party".......

Have a Happy 4th, ya all!

[Soldier4Christ]

Well, I'm off

At least you're willing to admit it.