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From America, You Asked For It!

Note: As of March 18, David Dayen at FireDogLake has the vote count currently at 191 Yeas, 206 Nays on Obamacare. With leaners, it goes to 203 Yeas, 210 Nays.

Keep up the pressure, emails, phone calls, and faxes! They're working.

Citizens in Action always offers everyone the opportunity to send free faxes to their legislators, but now you can send their "Vote NO!" fax to 30 undecided members of Congress to help convince them we the American people don't want the Obamacare tragedy visited upon us.

1. Click here to visit the CIA fax center.
2. Complete the required info and check "Vote NO!" in the fax list.
3. Click the "Request Fax" button at bottom of form.

And, voila! You just sent the following fax to 30 undecided Congressmen.

TO Representatives Harry Mitchell; Gabrielle Giffords; Ann Kirkpatrick; Jerry McNerney; John Salazar; Jim Hines; Alan Grayson; Bill Foster; Baron Hill; Mark Schauer; Gary Peters; Dina Titus; Carol Shea-Porter; Tim Bishop; John Hall;Bill Owens; Mike Arcuri; Dan Maffei; Earl Pomneroy; Steven Driehaus; Mary Jo Kilroy; Zach Space; Kathy Dahlkemper; Patrick Murphy; Christopher Carney; Paul Kanjorski; John Spratt; Tom Perriello; Alan Mollohan; Nick Rahall; Steve Kagen: For the past year and a half, we, the American people, have repeatedly told our elected officials that we do not want Healthcare Reform legislation in its present form. For the past year and a half, our pleas have fallen on deaf ears. PLEASE LISTEN TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE! Please vote NO on HR 3962! How you vote on HR 3962 will determine how we, the American people, will vote in November 2010! VOTE NO ON HR 3962! VOTE AGAINST HEALTHCARE REFORM!

Thanks and please help spread the word!

All Arkansas Democrats in Congress Vote For Obamacare!

Oh not directly. But yesterday their "Yea" votes on House Resolution 1190 are, without a doubt, votes for Obamacare. And votes against the will of their constituents in Arkansas!

HR 1190 was a Republican attempt to block Democrats' "Slaughter Solution" (aka "Deem & Pass") that is being considered by Democrats as an end run around the Constitution's Article I, Section 5 requirement for an up or down vote on the Senate's version of Obamacare. Our Democrat Congressmen are so rash, narcissistic, and condescending they believe this unconstitutional tactic to avoid a direct vote on the bill will fool their constituents in Arkansas.

Pelosi and her Democrat allies (all the other 221 Democrats who voted for this resolution) think their constituents are stupid enough to believe yesterday's vote isn't a vote for Obamacare. But voting to avoid a direct vote and consider a bill passed without voting on it can't be considered anything but a "Yea" vote for the bill being avoided. (If that sentence seems a little confusing, it's because we want you to get the idea just how this Democrat play is designed to confound and confuse voters.)

In the last two days calls to Marion Berry's (AR-01)office yielded assurances that he will read the entire bill before voting on it, and no final bill was even out yet. Mike Ross (AR-04) outright lied when he declared his opposition to Obamacare. And Vic Snyder (AR-02) never made any bones about his disdain for his constituents' will. Now this.

Even President Obama admitted yesterday's vote IS a vote for the unpopular Obamacare in his contentious interview with Brett Baier on Wednesday. When asked by Baier if he supported the use of the "Slaughter Rule" he responded,

"What I can tell you is that the vote that's taken in the House will be a vote for health care reform. And if people vote yes, whatever form that takes, that is going to be a vote for health care reform. And I don't think we should pretend otherwise."

*emphasis added

This kind of Democrat shenanigan is exactly the reason we must send a conservative Republican to Congress from the 1st District in November. Doing so will guarantee a vote against Nancy Pelosi for Speaker of the House and put an end to this chicanery.

Rick Crawford, one of two GOP candidates for Berry's seat spoke out against this unconstitutional tactic in his blog post, "Crawford Speaks Out Against 'Deem and Pass'."

On a day where a Fox News poll shows only 35% of Americans favor the health care reform bill, Pelosi is attempting to use a tactic dubbed “deem and pass” to push through the Senate’s health care reform bill, without having members of Congress actually vote on the bill. FoxNews.com reports this plan is being considered because, “…many House Democrats don’t want to cast a vote in favor of the unaltered Senate bill, which they oppose for numerous reasons.”

Republican central Arkansas businessman Scott Wallace, running for Vic Snyder's 2nd District seat says it's time to "unequivocally say NO to government run health care" and put this issue to rest for good. Wallace's primary opponent Tim Griffin, a US Army reservist and former US attorney, called the vote against this "common sense resolution" a vote for Nancy Pelosi, and against the people of Arkansas. From Griffin's press release:

“It is clear Arkansans must elect a new conservative majority to Congress in 2010. More importantly, we need to elect conservative leaders who will represent our values, not Speaker Pelosi’s, and work for the people of Arkansas, not against them."

Garland County Tea Party President and GOP candidate for Mike Ross' seat in the 4th District, Glenn Gallas slammed all three Arkansas Democrat congressmen in his press release. Gallas says,

" [Ross] allowed the bill to go forward to the detriment of his constituents to please Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. When the Republicans moved to stop the “Slaughter Rule”, Mike Ross, Vic Snyder, and Marion Berry, voted along their party line as they often do, shooting down the chance of stopping the Slaughter rule, thereby permitting the Obama Health Care bill to move forward..."

These Arkansas turncoats can't hide behind the dishonest Democrats' devious tactics.

They voted for the bill, they voted for Obamacare, and they voted against the will of their constituents in Arkansas!

Help us remove Nancy Pelosi's gavel as Speaker of the House by electing conservative Republicans this fall!

Obama’s Health Care Summit Backfired!

from America You Asked For It!

There's little doubt our Socialist President, Barack Hussein Obama, hoped his health care summit would would change Americans' minds.

Remember? After lecturing us all summer last year on all the great things a Socialized system would do for us, Obama remained convinced we didn't know enough about his planned government takeover of another 1/6 of the US economy. After the election of Republican Scott Brown to the Massachusetts Senate seat formerly occupied by Ted Kennedy, President Obama told us we just didn't understand what he's trying to do for (to?) us. So he decided it was up to him to educate us.

Earlier this month, the President told his supporters

“What I’d like to do is have a meeting where I’m sitting with the Republicans, sitting with the Democrats. Sitting with health care experts. And let’s just go through these bills. Their ideas, our ideas, let’s walk thought them in a methodical way so the American people can see and compare. What makes the most sense. And then I think we’ve got to go ahead and move forward on a vote.”

Thursday, he did sit down. He did have his meeting. And the results weren't what our narcissistic Socialist President envisioned.

Yesterday, one day after Obama sat down with Republicans and Democrats, live on CSPAN, the Rasmussen Daily Presidential Tracking poll showed the President's approval rating hit a new low. And today, it's dipped even lower!

Presidential Approval Index = -21%
Total Approve = 43%
Total Disapprove = 55%

Because this poll is based on a three-day rolling average with data collected nightly, two thirds of responses for today's poll were collected after the televised summit. Even though Obama and Congressional Democrats were allowed more than twice as much time to make their case, this poll shows American voters don't like and DON'T WANT Obamacare!

Columnists and commentators from both ends and the middle of the political spectrum seemed to think Republicans landed the most punches in the match on Thursday and this poll confirms their initial calls.

We the people are informed, we are educated, and we understand what Obama and his Socialist pals want. WE DON'T WANT OBAMA'S SOCIALIST SOLUTION!

Editorial Boards Weigh in on Democrats’ Decision to Break the President’s “C-SPAN Pledge”

From the Republican Leader's Blog
by Kevin Boland

Reports that President Obama and Democratic Congressional leaders have cut a deal to skip a formal Conference on their health care legislation - a flat violation of the President’s promise that such negations would be broadcast on C-SPAN for the American people to see - has provoked outrage across America.

Today, editorial boards from coast to coast weighed in, and - to say the least - they disagree with Speaker Pelosi’s assertion that “There has never been a more open process.”

A roundup of newspaper editorials from this morning’s papers follows:

Boston Herald: “Let Public in the Room”

"This administration - and Democratic leaders - talk a good game about transparency in government. Now they have an opportunity to practice it. If they’re going to throw the legislative rulebook out the window, at the very least they could give congressional Republicans a chance to watch the process on TV."

Investor’s Business Daily: “Let the Sun Shine”

"House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, has called the Democrats’ plan to bypass a conference committee a “shady backroom deal.” An overstatement? Hardly. One House Democratic aide told a blogger that “this process cuts out the Republicans.” The Democrats fear that if they follow the traditional route, the GOP could use the Senate filibuster rule to shut down the process of organizing the committee.

"Bypassing a conference committee also cuts out a public that will suffer losses from whatever monstrosity is produced by the cover of darkness. Americans stand to lose their power of choice over health care decisions and be stripped of a significant portion of their earnings to pay for a plan most don’t want. They deserve to see in an open forum what is being done to them. Instead, they’re likely to get whatever the Democrats want to force on them."

New York Daily News: “Ready for Prime Time”

"Candidate Barack Obama made a straightforward health care reform promise on the campaign trail in 2008: ‘We’ll have the negotiations televised on C-SPAN, so the people can see who is making arguments on behalf of their constituents and who is making arguments on behalf of the drug companies or the insurance companies.’ At the time, he hit all the right notes. Populism. Transparency. Good government. But today, President Obama is not quite with the program."

Las Vegas Review-Journal: “Broken Promise”

"What Americans don’t know — and what they won’t get to see — is how far Sen. Reid and Rep. Pelosi will go to get what they want. Taxpaying voters will be cut off from the decisive debate on a monstrous increase in consumer costs and federal authority. Can senators and representatives defend the economically impossible concepts they embrace — more health care, lower costs — in spontaneous, free-flowing discussions? Or will they simply push forward a slip of paper with the dollar amount needed to secure their support, as Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., already has?"

New York Post: “Dems Against Democracy”

"As DC Democrats slink behind closed doors to craft a final health-care bill — thousands of pages long and sure to sap the nation’s economic future — Americans need to ask: Just what are Dems so ashamed of? ‘We will do what is necessary to pass the bill,’ House Speaker Nancy Pelosi insisted, as she and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid moved to forgo a panel to finalize legislation. Instead, they’ll build their Frankenstein’s monster of a bill in secret, mocking democratic principles all the way."

The Wall Street Journal: “The Tom DeLay Democrats”

"Evading conference has become standard operating procedure in this Congress, though you might think they’d allow for the more open and thoughtful process on what Mr. Obama has called ‘the most important piece of social legislation since the Social Security Act passed in the 1930s and the most important reform of our health-care system since Medicare passed in the 1960s’…Apparently this Congress knows no shame."

CSPAN: Let's make good on Obama's promise of transparency

by House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH)

Washington-Congressman John Boehner is strongly endorsing a request from the head of C-SPAN that the public have full access to health care negotiations as Democratic leaders continue to indicate they will shut the American people out and write a final bill behind closed doors.

“As House Republican Leader, I can confidently state that all House Republicans strongly endorse your proposal and stand ready to work with you to make it a reality,” Boehner wrote in response to a letter C-SPAN CEO Brian Lamb sent to congressional leaders. “Hard-working families won’t stand for having the future of their health care decided behind closed doors. These secret deliberations are a breeding ground for more of the kickbacks, shady deals and special-interest provisions that have become business as usual in Washington. Too much is at stake to have a final bill built on payoffs and pork-barrel spending.”

President Obama repeatedly promised on the campaign trail that health care reform negotiations would be public and broadcast on C-SPAN.

Transparency issues continue to dog Washington Democrats, who have compiled a troubling track-record of jamming through massive bills that have not been properly scrutinized. Boehner’s letter highlights the GOP’s congressional transparency initiative, a series of reform measures that includes a resolution introduced by Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) requiring that these health care negotiations be made open to the public.

The letter to C-SPAN Chairman and CEO Brian Lamb is available here and follows:

January 5, 2010 Brian Lamb Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, C-SPAN 400 N. Capitol St. NW Suite 650 Washington, DC 20001 Dear Brian, Thank you for your recent letter requesting that the American people have full access to health care reform negotiations. As House Republican Leader, I can confidently state that all House Republicans strongly endorse your proposal and stand ready to work with you to make it a reality. C-SPAN’s role in fostering government transparency is so significant that on several occasions during the last presidential campaign, then-Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) pledged that health care reform negotiations would be broadcast on C-SPAN so the “American people will know what’s going on.” Unfortunately, the President, Speaker Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Reid now intend to shut out the American people at the most critical hour by skipping a bipartisan conference committee and hammering out a final health care bill in secret. Of course, every issue of national import should be debated by the people’s elected representatives in full public view, but this is especially true with something as personal and important as health care. Clocking in at a combined 4,765 pages, the House and Senate health care bills propose drastic and expensive changes in the way Americans live. Dozens of differences between the two bills have been identified, including fundamental changes to the patient-doctor relationship. Hard-working families won’t stand for having the future of their health care decided behind closed doors. These secret deliberations are a breeding ground for more of the kickbacks, shady deals and special-interest provisions that have become business as usual in Washington. Too much is at stake to have a final bill built on payoffs and pork-barrel spending. As you know, congressional transparency has long been a concern of citizens and congressional observers, but never before has the need for reform been more apparent than in the past year under the Democratic majority. Republicans have listened to the American people and are committed to making Congress more accountable to the people it serves. In November, we proposed a congressional transparency initiative, a series of reform measures that includes a resolution introduced by Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) requiring that these health care negotiations be made open to the public. While you await a response from Speaker Pelosi, we will continue to call on her to allow a vote on Rep. Buchanan’s resolution. Since the first New England town meetings of the colonial era, open government has been a hallmark of American democracy. Over the last 30 years, C-SPAN has helped continue and strengthen that tradition. The American people are well served by your continued vigilance in this matter. Sincerely, John Boehner Member of Congress Republican Leader, U.S. House of Representatives

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Blanche Lincoln Schedule--January 4-8, 2010

It's no secret by now that Senator Blanche Lincoln has abandoned any pretense of representing Arkansas voters in the Obama Administration's quest to take over the US health care system. She's counting on her traitorous Christmas Eve vote putting the issue to rest, on Arkansas voters to accept defeat and be ruled by the desires of her and her elitist colleagues.

Now is the time to gather our strength. Make sure she returns to Washington with the understanding that Arkansans feel betrayed and will vote accordingly in 2010. She can still stop this madness when the House and Senate present a reconciled bill. She must feel the pressure.

The following is a list of events and locations where voters can find Senator Lincoln during the Senate recess. If at all possible, please make plans to attend one or more of these events to communicate your displeasure with Lincoln's refusal to represent Arkansas voters.

The following is a list of my schedule of events for January 4-8, 2010:

Monday, January 4—Searcy, McCrory, Augusta 1:00 p.m. Tour of Bryce Corporation plant. 500 Benton Avenue, Searcy. 4:00 p.m. Meeting with Mad Butcher employees. 901 N Edmonds Avenue, McCrory. 6:30 p.m. Keynote speaker, Celebrate Augusta dinner. White River Rural Health Center Augusta Wellness Center, 906 N. 4th Street in Augusta.

Tuesday, January 5—Little Rock, Stuttgart 11:45 a.m. Keynote speaker, Downtown Kiwanis Club of Little Rock. The Little Rock Club, Regions Bank building, 30th Floor, 400 W. Capitol, Suite 2435. 6:30 p.m. Keynote speaker, 70th Annual Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce Dinner. Occasions, 2114 South Main Street, Stuttgart.

Wednesday, January 6—Sheridan, El Dorado 9:00 a.m. Keynote speaker, Sheridan High School Assembly. Sheridan High School, 700 West Vine Street. 2:30 p.m. Meeting with poultry growers. South Arkansas Community College, Library, El Dorado.

Thursday, January 7—Little Rock, Conway 12:00 p.m. Keynote speaker, Annual Quality Asphalt Paving Conference. Holiday Inn- Airport, 3201 Bankhead Drive, Little Rock. 4:00 p.m. Press availability following tour Conway Hewlett-Packard facility. Meadows Technology Park, Conway.

Friday, January 8—Gillett 7:00 p.m. Annual Coon Supper in Gillett. Gillett High School cafeteria. Please try to attend one or more of these events to let Senator Lincoln know she's let Arkansas down. Share|

Health Care Lies from Senator Lincoln

For weeks, Senator Blanche Lincoln allowed Arkansas voters to believe she just might save them from the prospect of a government-run healthcare system. It turned out she had no intention of listening to the majority. Senator Lincoln chose to represent the Harry Reid/leftist zealot-wing of the Democrat Party, against the will of the majority of Arkansas voters.

Following her vote to support passage of the final version of Harry Reid's 2,034 page bill, Senator Lincoln sent an "eNewsletter" to those who had previously contacted her about this issue. Following the Democrat game plan that's been used throughout the debate on health care reform, Lincoln's letter is filled with lies, omissions, and misrepresentations.

Senator Lincoln Lies About Her Priorities

Near the end of her newsletter, Lincoln claims "my first priority remains the people of Arkansas and not any political party or partisan organization, and I will not support legislation that does not serve the best interests of our great state." In fact, her vote to support this legislation is a slap in the face to the 64% of Arkansans who oppose the bill.

It was obvious to anyone paying attention as far back as November, and Lincoln would have to have been wearing blinders if she didn't notice. Before she voted for cloture on the bill drafted by the Senate Finance Committee, Zogby released a poll showing the sitting Senator held a slight lead over her potential Republican challengers in next year's election. When asked who they would vote for if Lincoln voted for the health care bill, the tide turned.

But when voters were asked how they would vote in a Lincoln-Baker race if Lincoln voted in favor of the healthcare legislation, the incumbent Democrat fell behind her possible GOP challenger 37-49.

It's quite obvious Lincoln's first priority wasn't with the people of Arkansas when she voted for Reid's government takeover of the US health care system.

Senator Lincoln Lies About Medicare Cuts

Lincoln's newsletter also claims "I have worked hard in this bill to ensure seniors will not see a reduction in the Medicare coverage and benefits they have always relied upon." But that's not consistent with the near $500 billion in cuts to the program that even President Obama's Department of Health and Human Services says is likely to cause fewer doctors to treat medicare patients.

Though she states "I believe in the promise our government made to working Americans - that if we work hard, Medicare will be there to help us in our golden years," she voted for Reid's bill that will, according to Senator Tom Coburn (a medical doctor from Oklahoma), deny treatment for ailing seniors!

For instance, the Reid bill (in sections 3403 and 2021) explicitly empowers Medicare to deny treatment based on cost. An Independent Medicare Advisory Board created by the bill—composed of permanent, unelected and, therefore, unaccountable members—will greatly expand the rationing practices that already occur in the program.

Evidently Lincoln believes in empty government promises to Arkansas' seniors!

Senator Lincoln Lies About Transparency

Lincoln also boasts in her newsletter, "Throughout this process, I have pushed to ensure the Senate is conducting this debate in a public and transparent manner." But her definition of transparent may not be as clear as one would expect.

Though she did set up a health care resources page on her website, Lincoln didn't quite fulfill her promise to post ALL relevant information on the page in a timely manner.

In fact, Lincoln was a participant in closed-door meetings that forged the final version of Reid's bill. The text of that "compromise" apparently wasn't considered a "health care resource" because it wasn't posted on her site for all to see. Even though Harry Reid sent the text to the Congressional Budget Office two weeks before the first vote on the bill, Lincoln agreed to keep it hidden from her constituents in Arkansas!

"[T]he real action on the bill is taking place not on the Senate floor, but in [Majority Leader Harry] Reid's office, just steps away. That's where he's struggling to bring together the liberal and moderate wings of his caucus, in an effort to get the 60 votes he needs to thwart the united GOP front that will otherwise prevent the bill from winning final approval. On Sunday, Obama will address a closed meeting of Senate Democrats, presumably for a pep talk, and also to give them more guidance on just what he wants from a final health bill"

Apparently the Senator grew tired composing her newsletter, because she lumped several blatant lies all in one sentence when she said, "I support the revised Senate health care plan because it will curb rising health care costs over the long term, expand access to quality, affordable, health insurance plans to more than 400,000 uninsured Arkansans, and reduce the federal deficit by $132 billion in the next 10 years-all without a new government plan that places taxpayers at risk."

Senator Lincoln Lies About Bill's Impact on Deficit

First, the $132 billion deficit reduction is a flat-out lie that was exposed the day before Lincoln voted for passage of the Senate bill. Democrats, including our less-than-transparent Senator Lincoln utilized accounting methods that would have been the envy of Bernie Madoff and Enron to come up with their fictitious figure.

Harry Reid had to shift more than $200 billion in costs to a separate "doctor fix" bill to arrive at his contrived figures. Taking that into account instantly puts the net cost of the bill in the red, but there's even more trickery up the sleeves of Blanche Lincoln and Harry Reid. The day before the final vote, the CBO released a statement showing the devious Democrats were inappropriately double counting $300 billion to arrive at their claimed deficit reduction.

Assuming Lincoln, Reid and the rest of their Democrat colleagues didn't take any as yet undiscovered lessons from Madoff and Enron, we're looking at a $370 billion increase in the deficit over the next 10 years. Hardly the deficit neutral bill promised by Lincoln and the other dishonest Democrats.

Senator Lincoln Lies About Bill's Impact on Health Care Costs

According to the Obama Department of Health and Human Services' own Office of the Actuary (OACT), Reid's bill will increase national health expenditures over the next 10 years. The OACT reports that we can expect health care costs through 2019 will be $234 billion more than they will if Congress doesn't pass this bill. OACT states that, if this bill passes, $20.90 of every $100 will be spent on health care in 2019. If Congress does nothing, Americans are expected to $20.80 of every $100 for health care in that year.

Contrary to Lincoln's claim, health care costs will increase under the bill she voted for last week.

Senator Lincoln Lies About Government Plan

Actually Senator Lincoln claimed this bill doesn't have a "a new government plan that places taxpayers at risk." What she actually means is this isn't going to be a taxpayer funded government plan, but a plan that is owned by private industry and run by the government.

The bill calls for the government to dictate to private insurance companies what benefits they must include in their plan, who must be qualified to participate in their plan, and how much they can charge for their plan.

A government-run plan, but privately owned. How long does anyone expect that to last?

At least 64% of Arkansans don't expect it to last, and more likely expect it to turn into a single-payer government system before all is said and done. Senator Lincoln doesn't represent Arkansans, she represents big-government liberals seeking more control of our lives and freedoms.

Blanche Lincoln is perfectly willing to twist the facts and make back room deals behind closed doors to satisfy her wealthy out-of-state donors. With their money, Lincoln believes she can buy your vote. Or spend enough money to hide her allegiance to rich, out-of-state liberals.

In November, Arkansans will have the opportunity to let her know, in no uncertain terms, that we don't believe her lies.

Join our fight to elect a Senator who will represent Arkansas, not the liberal wing of the Democrat Party.

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Tell Blanche Lincoln to "Pick up the phone!"

Originally posted on America, You Asked For It!

Today or tomorrow, Arkansas Democrat Senator Blanche Lincoln plans to vote again to move Harry Reid's Senate health care bill toward passage. This, in spite of the fact that 60% of her constituents oppose the bill.

With a vote looming on such important legislation, legislation that will impact every man, woman, and child in America, one would expect Senator Lincoln to want to hear her constituents' opinions on the matter. But no!

She won't even take their calls. Her office phone goes unanswered today. But just in case they're reading the emails, please click here to email the link for the video below to Senator Lincoln today. If you're from out of state, use Zip Code "72023", and city "Cabot", street address "112 S. First Street" to be sure the system let's you through. (That's the address of Democrat Representative Marion Berry's Cabot office.)

Tell Lincoln to "Pick up the phone!" by copying and pasting the following link in your message: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Qh7bQ5cocE

You can also try calling her office at 202-224-4843, but good luck getting through.

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While you slept...

Early this morning, around 1:00 AM, while most Americans lay fast asleep, the Democrat dominated US Senate voted to move forward on what has affectionately come to be known as "Obamacare." Both Arkansas Senators, Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, voted for the so-called health care reform that a majority of Americans, including a majority of Arkansans, don't want!

Wheeling and dealing to get some Democrat holdouts to sell out their constituents, Harry Reid used earmarks and President Obama used threats to secure the 60 votes necessary to overcome a Republican filibuster. Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) was supposedly holding out for a tougher stance against federal funding of abortion, but decided to give up on that principled position when Harry Reid (D-NV) offered him $500 million in earmarks for Nebraska.

Nelson's vote cost the American people five times as much as the $100 million it took last month to get Mary Landrieu (D-LA) to sell out the people of Louisiana. But Nelson may have demanded a bigger bribe after President Obama threatened to jeopardize national security as payback if the Nebraska Senator didn't give up his demands to save the lives of unborn babies.

Barack was apparently willing to close Offutt Air Force Base as retribution for Nelson's lack of support for the President's number one priority on his domestic agenda. Offutt contributes ~$2.4 billion to the local economy of southeast Nebraska, but more importantly serves as a key component of our nation's security. The base is home to the Air Force's 55th Wing, the largest wing in Air Combat Command and the second largest in the Air Force.

55th Wing Mission Statement

"The 55th Wing's mission statement is, "Provides dominant intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, electronic attack, command and control and precision awareness to national leadership and warfighters across the spectrum of conflict any time, any place."

Though Arkansans are overwhelmingly opposed to the bill, Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor put up no resistance. Arkansas received no special earmarks, no special treatment, no money for the votes of two Senators who are supposed to represent citizens of our state. Lincoln and Pryor didn't need to be threatened by the President, they willingly capitulated without resistance.

Two weeks ago, both Arkansas Senators were part of a dubious "compromise" created behind closed doors and without Republican input. But their constituents were denied Lincoln's promised transparency when the text of their deal was kept hidden until this weekend. There's only one reasonable explanation for not allowing the public to examine the text.

Because they knew it wouldn't stand public scrutiny!

Lincoln and Pryor no longer represent their Arkansas constituency!

RPA Executive Director: "Let's make our voices heard."

Letter from RPA Executive Director Chase Dugger:

As the Democratic healthcare scheme moves closer to a final vote, we have one question for Sen. Blanche Lincoln: how will she vote? As you all remember, last month Blanche Lincoln was the 60th vote to advance the healthcare scheme in the U.S. Senate. She said at the time, “I, along with others, expect to have legitimate opportunities to influence the health care reform legislation that is voted on by the senate later this year.” The problem is she has been silent ever since – refusing to stand up for two-thirds of her constituents who oppose this legislation and voice their concerns. We all know there is a price tag of nearly $1 trillion associated with the bill. Even Democrats like Arkansas governor Beebe shutter at the cost: Gov. Mike Beebe (D-AR) Says Dems’ Bill Burdens State With $205 Million In Unfunded Mandates While Arkansas Already In Budget Crisis. “The day before the House approved a $1.2 trillion healthcare proposal, Beebe said his office had determined that it would add $205million to the state’s Medicaid budget by 2015 … he said he was definitely opposed to the price tag it would bring the state. ‘We’re running a pretty tight budget now, and I don’t know where we’d get that,’ Beebe said.”(Andrew DeMillo,” Analysis: Beebe Playing Role In Health Care Debate,” The Associated Press,11/15/09) Time is running out. The Senate is trying to ram this bill down our throats on Christmas Eve and I’m asking for your help. Let’s make our voices heard. Everyone who receives this email should call Blanche Lincoln’s office at (202) 224-4843. Our goal is to make sure Blanche Lincoln listens to Arkansans and there is no better way than launching a massive call into her office. In addition, email her office by clicking here and copy me at communications@arkansasgop.org at the state party and ask her to vote no on the healthcare scheme. A massive grassroots effort is underway and we need your help. Thank you for all you do. Chase Dugger RPA Executive Director

RPA Chairman Call to Action

Letter from Doyle Webb, Chairman, Republican Party of Arkansas

Friends, As the debate over President Obama’s healthcare scheme rages on, I’m asking for your help. Blanche Lincoln will be a deciding vote on whether our country is saddled with another trillion dollars of debt and we need to make our voices heard. Media reports indicate Sen. Ben Nelson (NE) is the only undecided vote. The thing is Blanche Lincoln has been silent on how she’s going to vote. Don’t you think as a fellow Arkansan you deserve to know how your elected officials are going to vote? Call Blanche Lincoln today and tell her to vote no on the healthcare scheme and ask her office how she intends to vote. Don’t delay! Harry Reid and the Democrat leadership want to ram this bill down our throats before Christmas. Call Senator Lincoln today. Sincerely, Doyle Webb Arkansas Republican Party Chairman Contact Senator Lincolns Offices: Washington D.C. Office Phone: (202)224-4843 Little Rock Office Phone: (501) 375-2993 Dumas Office Phone: (870)382-1023 Jonesboro Office Phone: (870) 910-6896 Fayetteville Office Phone: (479) 251-1224 Texarkana Office Phone: (870) 774-3106

Thursday: Business Forums on Health Care Reform

Americans for Prosperity is paying close attention to the health care reform debate in Washington. What do these bills mean for business and what impact will they have on our economy?

The group is holding important strategy sessions on Thursday, December 17. Bring your questions, as they will have policy experts to wade through the details with you. Their guest speaker is Dr. Erick Novack of Phoenix , Arizona. Dr. Novack is an orthopedic surgeon, who has testified before Congress this year on the health care reform bill.

Once again, Senator Blanche Lincoln will be a deciding vote on this issue, making YOUR participation critical Please take the time to forward this invitation to your business contacts as well. Please RSVP to teresa.oelke@afphq.org.

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Conway

Join AFP for a free breakfast

When:	7:30 a.m Thursday, December 17
Where:	Nabholz Construction Co. Conference Room 612 Garland Street Conway
Hosted by:	Nabholz Construction Company Americans for Prosperity Arkansas Campaign for Responsible Health Care Reform Association of Builders and Contractors

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Little Rock

Join AFP for a free luncheon

When:	11:30 a.m. Thursday, December 17
Where:	Wyndham Hotel 2 Riverfront Place North Little Rock
Hosted by:	Nabholz Construction Company Americans for Prosperity Arkansas Campaign for Responsible Health Care Reform Association of Builders and Contractors

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Fort Smith

Join AFP for a free dinner

When:	4:00 p.m. Thursday, December 17
Where:	Holiday Inn 700 Rogers Ave. Fort Smith
Hosted by:	Crossland Construction Company Americans for Prosperity Arkansas Arkansas Progressive Group Campaign for Responsible Health Care Reform Association of Builders and Contractors

Desperate Democrat Sinks to New Low

Letter from Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele

With a shocking speech on the U.S. Senate floor, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid showed just how desperate and divorced from reality the Democrats have become in their unrelenting quest to impose socialism on America's health care.

In bemoaning Republican senators' opposition to the unprecedented Obama Democrat scheme to seize a fifth of our economy, impose hundreds of billions of dollars in taxes and trillions in new debt on our nation, and put Washington bureaucrats between Americans and their doctors, Reid has gone way too far, and I quote:

"Instead of joining us on the right side of history, all the Republicans can come up with is, 'slow down, stop everything, let's start over.' If you think you've heard these same excuses before, you're right. When this country belatedly recognized the wrongs of slavery, there were those who dug in their heels and said 'slow down, it's too early, things aren't bad enough.'"

"When women spoke up for the right to speak up, they wanted to vote, some insisted they simply, slow down, there will be a better day to do that, today isn't quite right."

"When this body was on the verge of guaranteeing equal civil rights to everyone regardless of the color of their skin, some senators resorted to the same filibuster threats that we hear today."

If Harry Reid cared more about real health care reform needs -- like ending his trial lawyer allies' massive fraudulent litigation costs -- than forcing his party's socialist pipe dream upon an unwilling American people, he might be tempted to apologize for his shameless, and false, accusations.

Don't hold your breath.

I'm not surprised that Harry Reid has resorted to such a laughably desperate attack on our Republican senators and the truth.

The Obama Democrats will go to any length to attain their leftist goal of controlling every facet of American life. He knows that the American people don't want to surrender their health care freedoms to Big Government.

Republican senators are on the side of the American people, who adamantly oppose the Obama Democrats' health care takeover -- and with your help, history will prove it.

You and the RNC are all that stand between our sensible Republican plan for real health care reform and the Democrats' scheme to take more of your hard-earned income to pay for two new unsustainable entitlements while making the quality of your health care worse.

You can let Harry Reid know what you think of his poor understanding of history -- and his socialist health care takeover -- by sending him a personalized e-postcard here.

Health Care Town Halls with John Stossel

Thursday, October 29 will be an extraordinary opportunity for conservative Arkansans to voice their concerns over the monstrosity of a health care bill being constructed by Democrats in Washington behind closed doors. Americans for Prosperity is bringing John Stossel to Arkansas to conduct three town hall meetings on President Obama's government takeover of our health care system.

Stossel was, until recently, a lonely conservative voice on ABC where he co-anchored the popular news show 20-20. Last month, the conservative correspondent decided to leave the biased network to join Fox News.

On Thursday, Stossel will put in a full day as he travels across Arkansas from the southwest corner to the northeast. The events begin at 7:00 am in Texarkana and end with a 5:00 pm town hall in Jonesboro.

With conservatives being completely excluded from the writing of this bill that is now said to include the increasingly unpopular "public option" and our own representatives sending mixed signals on where they stand, a strong show of conservative angst is critical at this juncture.

Here's the schedule for Thursday. Please do everything you can to attend at least one of these events to help us get the message out.

October 29 – 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Texarkana Fair Grounds Fine Arts Building 3700 E. 50th Street Texarkana, AR

October 29 – 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Statehouse Convention Center Lower Level 7 Statehouse Plaza Near Intersection of Main & Markham) Little Rock, AR

October 29 – 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Health Care Forum Statehouse Convention Center Hilton Garden Inn, Ballroom 2840 South Caraway Jonesboro, AR

Register here to attend one or more of these town hall meetings!

Health Care Action Alert!

The time is now to let your voice be heard on President Obama's proposed government takeover of the US health care system! The Senate Finance Committee will vote TODAY on Sen. Max Baucus' (D-MT) completely partisan bill!

Chairman Baucus wrote the outline without input from any Republicans on the Committee and Republican amendments put forth during the bill's markup have been repeatedly voted down by Committee Democrats! This bill is completely written from the Democrats' perspective! It's time we let OUR Senators know they represent US and we don't want this bill to pass!

Everyone is needed, Please CALL, fax a letter to our Senator’s district offices today. Can you take a moment now to write a note and mail or fax in?

Also, would you please ask your friends to do the same? Just a simple statement or note asking our Senators to vote NO on Cloture, NO on rules changes to cram a bill through, and NO on the individual mandate which is another first step to the public option.

Their office information follows - email does not work especially with Sen. Pryor. PLEASE CALL or FAX:

Senator Lincoln, Little Rock Office
912 West Fourth Street
Little Rock , AR 72201
Phone: (501) 375-2993 or toll free 1-800-352-9364
Fax: (501) 375-7064

Senator Pryor, Little Rock Office
The River Market
500 Clinton Ave
Suite 401
Little Rock , AR 72201
Phone: (501) 324-6336
Fax: (501) 324-5320

More Health Care Events This Week

If you missed the Recess Rally last Saturday or the "Hands Off Our Health Care Rally" on Monday, you still have an opportunity to let our Democratic DC officials hear what you have to say about President Obama's dream of a government-run health care system.

On Wednesday, August 26, 2009, at 4:30 pm, the Pulaski County Tea Party will gather at the State Capitol for another stop by the "Hands Off My Health Care" tour bus stop. Americans for Prosperity is funding the tour and will be gathering signatures on a petition demanding our legislators oppose any bill that "imposes greater government control over my health care..."

What	Hands Off Our Health Care Rally
When	August 26, 2009 @ 4:30 pm
Where	State Capitol

On Thursday, August 27, 2009, at 2:00 pm, Representative Vic Snyder will be holding a town hall meeting at the University of Central Arkansas. This one is being pushed hard by President Obama's permanent campaign organization, Organizing for America. In fact, attendees are asked to RSVP through OFA's website. Conservatives who oppose Obamacare should attend this event if at all possible to guarantee our voices are heard. Doors will open at 1:00, so get there early to make sure you get a seat.

What	Vic Snyder Town Hall
When	August 27, 2009 @ 2:00 pm
Where	University of Central Arkansas Reynolds Performance Hall Rooms 5A & 5B 201 Donaghey Avenue Conway, AR 72035

On Friday, August 28, 2009, Republican candidate David Meeks, who seeks to unseat Vic Snyder in the 1st district, will hold a town hall meeting at UALR. "Secure Arkansas will have a panel discussion and townhall meeting Friday August 28th 7-9pm at UALR. Following the panel discussion, there will be statements by any attending candidates and then townhall discussions."

If at all possible, please attend at least one of these events to help defeat the Democrats' government-run health care plan. Our side has the momentum, but we must keep up the fight if we hope to keep health care decisions between doctor and patient, with no government bureaucrat wedging himself in between.

Tell Sen. Lincoln to Say No to Gov't-Run Health Care

President Obama's stubborn clinging to his dream of a government-run health care system has recently given our party some much needed traction in the battle for the American electorate. He and other leaders of the Democratic party have slandered concerned citizens across America who've stood up and voiced their opposition to what has become known as "Obamacare."

Condemning conservative Americans who exercise their 1st Amendment rights as "un-American" and members of "angry mobs," Democratic leaders imply the rights of free speech and freedom to peaceably assemble somehow subvert the Constitution and the ideals of the founders when utilized by those who disagree with left-wing ideology.

Our own Democratic Senator Blanche Lincoln cast her lot with those condemning citizens who don't trust government bureaucrats with the decisions now left to patients and their doctors. Calling their opinions "unproductive" and "un-American," Lincoln's excuses for not originally scheduling town hall meetings this month didn't fly with Arkansas voters. The resulting backlash from insulting her constituents led the Democratic Senator to retreat from that position and seek some controlled venues to engage a few of those she supposedly represents.

Several members have sought information on when and where these events will take place. We're posting that information here and encourage all who can to attend and make certain Senator Lincoln hears our voice.

When	September 2, 2009 at 12:00 noon
Where	Arkansas Tech University Doc Bryan Auditorium 1605 Coliseum Drive, Room 109 Russelville, AR
Map	Mapquest

When	September 3, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Where	University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Fine Arts Building 1200 North University Pine Bluff, AR
Map	Mapquest

When	September 4, 2009 at 9:00 am
Where	Arkansas State University Fowler Center 201 Olympic Drive Jonesboro, AR
Map	Mapquest

Report: Cabot Recess Rally

From Boot Berry

Approximately 100 people who our Democratic elected officials would call right-wing extremist un-American members of an angry mob gathered today outside Congressman Marion Berry's office in Cabot, AR yesterday. The exercise of their 1st Amendment right to peaceably assemble and voice their grievances with government by these concerned citizens earns them such monikers from President Obama, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and even their own Arkansas delegation in DC.

The Good Lord blessed rallygoers with outstanding weather for the Cabot, AR Recess Rally. After several weeks of 90+ temperatures, high humidity, and rain, they had sunshine, low humidity, and a high in the mid 80's.

Speakers at the rally included Jacque Martin, Buddy Rogers, Dr. James McNair, and organizers John Allison and Belinda Whitley.

Martin organized the Heber Springs Tea Parties and serves as a coordinator for the organization, Secure Arkansas. She passionately explained to the crowd that Obama's government-run health care plan is less about providing quality care than it is about controlling the American people. Rogers and Dr. McNair are both exploring the possibility of seeking the GOP nomination for the 2010 Senate race against Democratic incumbent Blanche Lincoln.

Dr. McNair is a practicing opthamologist in Heber Springs and Rogers is currently working as a financial adviser in Rogers, AR. Rogers is an Army veteran who served 21 years as a medical officer in health care administration. For almost a quarter of that time he worked as a professor in a Baylor University-US Army master’s degree program in health care administration, teaching, advising graduate students, and conducting research. Rogers and Dr. McNair proposed alternative solutions to the Obama plan for health care reform, which proved Obama and congressional Democrats are lying through their teeth when they state Republicans have no alternatives to offer. The alternatives proposed at the rally did not include a government-run or single-payer system.

Whitley, a Registered Nurse, read several quotes from one of Obama's top health care advisers, Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, which make clear the doctor's vision for our health care system will deprive the elderly and the very young of quality care, in order to preserve those "productive" citizens who contribute to the US Treasury.

Allison kicked off the rally by debunking the myth propagated by Democrats that rallies such as this are "astroturf" campaigns, implying special interest backing from lobbyists and other DC political interests. He explained that he spent his entire life in Arkansas with the exception of four years he served in the US Marine Corps. Allison told the crowd prior to taking on his current career as a high school math teacher at Vilonia High School, he and his wife owned and operated a chicken farm in north central Arkansas. He stated, "Folks, it doesn't get much more grassroots than chicken farming."

Allison and Whitley said they'd hoped for a larger crowd, but this was a start. Compared with other rallies held across the country, the turnout was pretty good on a per capita basis. Cabot, AR has a population of less than 24,000 compared to almost twice that in Salina, KS. According to one internet article, the rally in Salina also had approximately 100 in attendance. It was estimated about 2,000 showed up for rallies in Chicago which has a population of almost 2.5 million. So, for a small town like Cabot, the turn out was good and organizers consider the rally a success.

Only time will tell if Berry will listen to his constituents. Rallies held in Jonesboro and Mountain Home outside Berry's other Arkansas offices coincided with today's event in Cabot. He was invited to address the crowd in Cabot but refused.

Snyder Town Hall Tomorrow 8-18-09

Obama's permanent campaign organization, Organizing for America, just sent out a notice a couple of hours ago to (supposed) supporters of the President notifying them of a Vic Snyder town hall meeting at the Statehouse Convention Center, Wally Allen Ballroom, tomorrow at 12:00 noon. The email also included instructions to arrive no later than 11:30, but the page on the OFA website doesn't mention that.

Also required to attend is an RSVP by emailing publicprograms@clintonschool.uasys.edu or calling 501.683.5239.

This super late notice and the complicated instructions are an obvious attempt to pack this meeting with the President's supporters. These back door tactics remind us we must be ever vigilant and remain on guard, even when things begin to go our way. This administration will stop at nothing to force feed us its version of change for our country.

We need anyone and everyone who can be there and who opposes President Obama's dream of a government-run health care system to attend.

Anti-Government Run Health Care Rally in Cabot--Aug 22

*This event is not sponsored by the Lonoke County Republican Committee

from Boot Berry


Just a quick update on the upcoming Recess Rally in Cabot to protest President Obama's attempt to force a government takeover of the health care system on August 22.

The rally will be held in the parking lot next to City Hall at 110 S. 2nd St. in downtown Cabot. Detailed maps and directions will be included in a post later this week.

Curtis Coleman's campaign had to cancel. His campaign called us the other day and explained they'd double-booked him that day. But we have some good news too!

Buddy Rogers, who's also considering a run for US Senate against Blanche Lincoln, will be speaking at this event. Rogers' speech will invalidate the administration's claims that there are no alternatives to his government takeover of our health care system. He plans to offer just such alternative reforms based on his experience working in the system. Rogers spent more than 20 years in the US Army serving as a health care administrator. He's authored a paper on switching the military health care system to a market based system and served as a professor in a US Army-Baylor University master's degree program in health care administration. Subscribers to the Arkansas Democrat can also check out another of his recently published article on health care reform: Reject Public Option.

Yesterday, we visited Marion Berry's office in Cabot and extended the Representative an invitation to speak and/or take questions at the rally. You may have read that Berry has scheduled no events to hear from or address his constituents during the August recess, but we thought the polite thing to do was make certain he's invited to our event. Once he responds, we'll let you know whether or not we can expect him next Saturday.

Be sure to invite your friends and family and bring signs. Next week, we'll post an update including directions, maps, and parking instructions. Be sure to invite your friends and family so we can make Berry and our other elected officials understand how real our movement is.

We're still looking for those interested in speaking or helping out. If you're interested, or even if you're planning to attend and would like email updates, please RSVP using this form.