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Stamp Out The U.S. Postal Service?

annie@grassrootsannie.com (Grass Roots Annie) — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 01:02:33 GMT

Life as we know it -- the institutions we take for granted -- are they doomed? Does it matter? Big news out of the Postal Service this week is that it will default on a $5.5 billion payment due the end of this month, on September 30, unless Congress comes to the rescue. What's the payment supposed to cover? You guessed it, retirees future
health care coverage.

The Obama administration is proposing to give the Service an extra three months to make the payment. And what will that do? Delay the inevitable without a long-term solution. Postmaster General, Patrick R. Donahoe, testifying at a Senate hearing said that even with a three-month delay, the post office will probably run out of cash and face a shutdown next July or August without a long-term solution.

The U.S. Postal Service is a semi-independent federal agency, mandated to be revenue-neutral. In other words, it is supposed to break even and not make a profit. Breaking even would be good news. It has been years since this outdated, overgrown monopoly showed a decent balance sheet and the experts say it will continue to get worse --to a projected $10 billion deficit this year and a whopping $238 billion deficit by 2020.

About 700,000 are employed by the USPS in the United States. The average age is 53 and retirement can begin at age 55. Benefits vary a little depending on the number of years a retiree has been with the service. For example, take total length of service, subtract 2, and then multiply by 2. Use the result as a percentage of 90 percent of the
annual salary. An employee with 34 years of service and a final salary of $50,000 a year receives about $2400 a month. This is in addition to qualifying for Social Security benefits..

About 10,000 carriers retire each year adding to the proposed deficit. Another case of benefit packages that can't be sustained as more and more workers retire. Why didn't someone in government figure this out years ago when all those union contracts were signed, dooming the security of those who were supposed to benefit?

So Is anything actually being done to save the Postal Service? Can anything be done? And why does Congress continue to fiddle while the Postal Service burns? Perhaps because adding to unemployment numbers now is political suicide. According to Fox News, the Postal Service wants to lay off about 120,000 workers but Congress needs to pass a law that nullifies a contract prohibition on layoffs.

In addition to the lay offs, Mr. Donahoe has proposed eliminating Saturday delivery, and closing up to 3,700 postal locations. But wait a minute! It is now September 2011. Remember all the whoopla in early 2010 when the Postal Service said it wanted to end Saturday delivery by early this year? That was projected to save an estimated $3.3 billion annually and approximately $5.1 billion by 2020. This plan would also eliminate 49,000 full and part time jobs.

According to a 2009 Gallop poll, 66 percent of us agree that it would be OK to end Saturday delivery. Time flies! And the President finally endorsed the idea in September 2011. Johnny-come-lately, again.

Donahoe has some good proposals, like pulling out of the Federal retirement plan and starting a new one. The sticky-wicket is that he is powerless without the OK and action by a do-nothing Congress. He needs to be given the power to make some decisions and like any CEO, if he fails, he goes.

There's a more recent recommendation out there -- to reduce overall mail services for you and me, perhaps taking longer to get mail from here to there? That proposal last month is the result of a study commissioned by the Postal Service inspector general and prepared by Christensen Associates. Instead of your first class mail arriving in one to three days, it would take four. In fact everything would take a day longer. Does it really matter?

Regarding that study, the Office of the Inspector General referred us to their July 6 report that indicates some companies would prefer consistency and predictability over speed. How can this be true for a majority of companies when the total number of companies interviewed is only 27. And, the report doesn't indicate the type of business, just the mail categories they were queried about. When asked what geo locations these 27 companies were in, we were told “all over the country.”

I thought that the minimum number to canvas for a fair sampling should be at least 200. In this case, the numbers in each of the sampled categories are surprisingly small – companies interviewed using First-Class Mail 5, Periodicals 5, Standard Mail 4, Package Services 3, Priority Mail/Parcel Select 1, Consolidator/Logistic Providers 5, Other 4 (Competitors, Paper & Envelope Manufacturing, Remittance Mail, etc.) The problem with these numbers is easily understood if you take note that the mailing industry alone employs more than 8,000,000 people and is over a $ trillion. Only 4 companies in this category were questioned nationwide.

According to the Christensen study and based on the responses of 27 companies, this would cut about $336 million in pay for employees working overnight and overtime to meet current delivery schedules. It would also save an additional $1.1 billion by delivering some priority-mail by ground instead of air, consolidating facilities and by
requiring fewer postal workers.

These savings are a drop in the bucket compared to that 2010 no Saturday delivery recommendation. If that had been started at the beginning of this year, the Service would save by the end of this year, $3.3 billion.

What about never sold stamps? The Postal Service destroys billions of stamps each year because they are obsolete. In 2008, the Service printed 37 billion stamps, which cost $78 million to print. In that same year, they destroyed old stamps, that were valued at approximately $2.8 billion. Read more at the Office of the Inspector
General's blog.

If you know anything about printing, it costs less to print more of one kind of stamp than it does to print a lot of different stamps. Do we really need stamps commemorating movies including Toy Story, Up, Wall-E, Ratatouille, and Cars? Nice movies but I really don't care if my letter to Aunt Ellen in Florida promotes Cars. And then there are Go Green stamps reminding us of how to be more green, tributes to people I never heard of like a Purto Rican poet and so many others.

If we must have different stamps, lets stick with the American flag, traditional American holidays like the Fourth of July and special places like Mt. Rushmore and the Statue of Liberty. Forget the picture of a wedding cake and a neon graphic that says "celebrate".

For collectors, maybe one or two very special stamps a year would be enough like a tribute to 9/11.

According to the Postal Service, during the past five years mail volume has declined by 43.1 billion pieces; and consumer visits to post office locations have declined by 200 million. Retail transactions have declined by $2 billion. Reduced mail volume includes First-Class Mail, which has dropped by 50 percent over the past 10 years.

And then there’s the question, “Why didn’t the Postal Service become inventive when online bill pay and e-mail started replacing snail mail in the 90’s?” Maybe a functioning on-line postal service way back when would have reduced costs with some on-line services being provided as options to regular mail, such as registered and certified services. What about Internet bill paying through the Postal Service with something similar to PayPal? What about a postal service that took periodicals and published them on-line for those who preferred digital access? If a digital post office had been started at least ten years ago, by now one would logically conclude that the digital post office could be thriving.

It is interesting that the Postal Service is finally looking at the digital revolution as revealed in two white papers, Part 1 dated February of this year. Then, Part 2 dated April 19, 2011. This is White Paper RARC-WP-11-003, dealing with expanding the Postal Service Platform in the digital age. I particularly noted one sentence, “The Postal
Service should consider new products and services . . . “ Better late than never.

Then perhaps we can all avoid that occasional trip to the post office. We've all had experiences like "A Day at the Post Office". detailed at NetAdvisor.org, a web site worth noting.

Read the Posral Service white papers and other documents online at the Postal Service Reading Room.

It appears that one of the concerns of government is that “the Internet and all its functions are not available to ALL citizens.” Well, what about offering more convenient, less costly OPTIONS to the millions who are already using the Internet? Offer a better mousetrap and those with Internet access will use it. An estimated 239,893,600 people
or 77% of those in the U.S. use the Internet. Neilsen states that by the end of this year, 1 in 2 Americans will have smart phones and those are also links to the Internet. The key words when it comes to digital Postal Services are “options” and “choices”.

If you adopt the theory that everyone has to have access to everything, then have the government (the taxpayers) give car-less people cars.

It would be a mistake not to mention Postal Service executive salaries at a time when record short falls exist. Being billions of dollars in the hole for years hasn’t prevented increases for key postal executives. Benjamin Franklin, the first Postmaster General, is probably rolling over. Today’s Postmaster General’s compensation has enjoyed at least a 40% increase in pay since 2006. And in 2008, compensation, including salary and retirement benefits, came to more than $800.000 and is the second highest paid U.S. government official salary next to the President.

The Deputy Postmaster General receives a salary of $276,840, which is more than the Country’s Vice-President’s salary listed as $230,700. The deputy’s total compensation is estimated at over half a million dollars. The rationale for postal executive salary increases seems to be the comparison to comparable private sector positions. For example, the head of Federal Express, who makes millions, but what the Postal Service seems to ignore is that Federal Express is profitable.

I also find it interesting that the Service has been using the same economic consulting firm for thirty years. Christensen Associates began working with the Postal Service in 1981 and claims that through their long standing relationship, they have “become experts in understanding and analyzing the ever-changing issues in a highly dynamic communications market.”

So what’s the hang up in getting something done? Is it a lack of bold new recommendations from advisors and consultants? Is Congress the political sticky wicket? Is it the Postal Regulatory Commission? Is it another example of government’s love of research and reports and committees and proposals and hearings and studies and delays and busy work? Is it the union? Probably all of the above.

Stamp out the U.S. Postal Service? Personally, I hope this age-old institution figures out how to survive and thrive. But if it doesn’t, some bold thinking, innovative, entrepreneur will come along and create the next concept of mail in the United States....if entrepreneurs still have the freedom to start a business and succeed.

Annie's Take on Obama's Address To Congress

annie@grassrootsannie.com (Grass Roots Annie) — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 00:20:11 GMT

I Take It With A Grain of Salt.

Wall Street wasn't too receptive either as evidenced by the sell off the morning after. It's almost like President Obama's speeches have become irrelevant.

In my book, the President gets a B plus for delivery. The rating would have been less except for a display of more energy than usual. Maybe it was a hyper reaction to recent poll numbers.

Unlike a lot of expert opinions, I don't think the President is a great speaker. His speech pattern is predictible and his emphasis is always the same -- as if someone highlights the same old punch lines over and over again.

I never get the feeling he is speaking from the heart. They don't seem like his words but the rhetoric of a puppet master. I quit watching him because the experience is irritating to say the least. I prefer to read the text of Obama's speeches to get their true meaning, and believe me, when you read Obama's words it is easier to read between the lines. You get a different picture.

He deserves a D minus for substance. The $400 billion American Jobs Act is more of the same. Short term boosts and long term deficits. Nothing new, just new ways to say the same old things. And we waited a month for this? No! We waited more than two and a half years for this. And Congress gets to wait a few more days before they
receive the plan in writing. Why another delay?

F is for for choice of venue. I would have taken the President a little more seriously if he had delivered his proposal from his desk in the privacy of the oval office -- a one-on-one with the American people --- a serious presentation that stressed solutions for a tired, worried people. This seemed more like a performance; more like a sales job.

And I am not sold.

Meet Boomer Bachman

annie@grassrootsannie.com (Grass Roots Annie) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 01:24:00 GMT

Meet Boomer Bachmann (R-MN)

Boomer became a member of Congresswoman Michele Bachmann's family on Saturday, May 6, 2006, the same day she was endorsed to run for Congress. This master of the household had been rescued by a family who couldn't keep him and the minute the Bachmann's saw him, they could not resist this delightful, responsive pooch. Next to attention, Boomer’s favorite thing is food. Visit the AKC web site for more information about Beagles.

Michele Bachmann's voting record

Contact Information:
House Website http://bachmann.house.gov/
Campaign Website http://www.michelebachmann.com/

Washington Office: 107 Cannon HOB, Washington, DC 20515 202-225-2331
Woodbury Office: 6043 Hudson Rd., Ste 330, Woodbury, MN 55125 651-731-5400
St. Cloud / Waite Park Office, 110 2nd Street S., Ste 232, Waite Park, MN 56387 320-253-5931
Campaign Mailing Address: PO Box 25950 Woodbury, MN 55125

Why You Need To Be Concerned About Medicare Cuts Regardless of Your Age

annie@grassrootsannie.com (Grass Roots Annie) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 23:16:00 GMT

Why you need to elect a President who will repeal Obama Care.

I truly believe that if health care reform is explained in simple logic, everyone would be on the same page, and regardless of age and financial situation, we would all be demanding that Congress and the administration start from scratch to fix only what needs to be fixed first.

Here is Annie's plain and simple, grass roots explanation. You are probably aware of all of this, but it might help you explain the realities to those who aren't.

Most of us are keenly aware that the government doesn't have any money.It comes from the people through taxes. Add anything to government services and social programs,and there is only one way to get the money to pay for the additional costs. More taxes or cuts in government. Or,as in the case of Obama Care, disguise tax increases as surcharges, fees, penalties, fines and mandatory purchases.

Take a minute and look at your pay check stubs or your costs if you are a small business. Really look at them and pay attention to all the numbers -- the reductions and deductions you don't really think about because you take them for granted -- and when the amounts creep up a penny here and a dollar there, there is nothing you can do about it --so you think.

What do you pay out before you even get the money in? FICA-OASDI (Social Security), FICA-Medicare, Federal Income Tax, State Income Tax,Unemployment Insurance and Disability. Obama Care will increase insurance costs. It is mandatory or you pay the piper. Deduct that from what's left or become a close buddy of the President and get a waiver!

Remember too, that someone's gotta pay for all those back door deals like buying the Congressional votes of Nebraska, Florida and Louisiana.Oh yes. I forgot to mention the cost of administering this huge program-- paying for the thousands of departments and employees who will be added to the payrolls and retirement coffers you will pay for.

Then of course, all levels of government -- local, state and federal take a bite every time you put gas in your tank or buy just about anything from toys for your kids to the shirts on your back. Do you believe there will be no inflation now?

So what does this have to do with Medicare cuts? Things are tough enough, right? What happens to what's left of your income or your operating capital if mom or dad rely on Medicare and suddenly can't get the treatment they need? Like cardiac care that is already in trouble? Or when suddenly their doctor or clinic says, "No more Medicare. Cash only?" One of the Mayo Clinics already did that because the Medicare reimbursements were only 50% of their actual costs? Think others won't follow?

Of greater concern, what if mom or dad don't have the cash? Bingo! It's you to the rescue. And that means you pay for it or let them suffer and go without the care they need. Of course, the government says reductions won't affect you or your family because they are reducing payments to medical services. Really! Then logic says, those services will have to be paid for one way or another, so the charges are increased and those increases are not covered by Medicare. Many medical devices that are crucial to care and even life saving are also on the hit list.

Consider this. What if you really can't afford to help your family member who relies on Medicare? You just don't have it! That's a what-if we all should think about.

"Wait a minute!" you say. AARP, that huge org that serves seniors, approves of this health care reform. Well of course they do. AARP is one big insurance broker marketing supplemental health insurance, life insurance, prescription drug coverage, auto insurance and more. They stand to benefit big time, also at your expense.

Don't forget that you and your children will eventually qualify for Medicare, perhaps sooner than you are willing to admit. And then what?

Perhaps you will consider joining the rest of us who are insisting that we fix what's broken before we socialize medicine in the United States.There are some pretty good arguments in favor of that.

Take tort reform. Want to know what it is and why there's so much hoopla about it? Tort Reform means changing the Medical Malpractice Insurance System which the Congressional Budget Office says could save $54 billion over ten years. Combine that with focusing on reducing Medicare fraud and we could probably cover everyone who is not insured right now with some kind of coverage. Physicians are paying through the nose for medical malpractice insurance to cover liability, thanks to a legal system that is lawsuit crazy and to single damage awards that could buy a country.

The argument against tort reform is that there would be caps on non-financial and punitive damages and who wants to prohibit that?Trial lawyers. I'm not suggesting that patients who suffer from medical malpractice should not be compensated, but some caps are warranted and lawyers should not be allowed to grab a ridiculous share of patients' deserved compensation.

Reducing fraud? That's a more difficult challenge but worth the effort. Maybe we should consider looking at government as a whole to reduce fraud.

Let's put the breaks on Congress. Contact your representatives and tell them to repeal Obama Care. We'll find out who's willing to do what's best for the country and who wants to hurry us down the path to disaster.

No doubt I will be chastised for talking about Medicare and AARP. I've had messages in the past saying that I should stay out of the business of seniors. Sorry, but this is everybody's business.

Copyright 2009 Grass Roots Annie

© 2011 GrassrootsAnnie.com

The Incredible, NON-edible, Contaminated Egg!

annie@grassrootsannie.com (Grass Roots Annie) — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 17:53:00 GMT

In Your Refrigerator?

There are more food, medicine and medical device recalls each week than we can keep up with, but when something is national or extremely serious, we try to bring you the details. This is worth noting.

First published August 19. Updated August 22, 2010.

How can it happen -- that in this age of so called advanced and supposedly safe food production, more than 500 million eggs distributed throughout the United States have been recalled during the past week? The recall of shell eggs due to salmonella poisoning began on August 13 2010 and continues, involving numerous brand names and a number of states..

If you live in California, Arizona, Missouri, Minnesota, Texas, Georgia, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Nevada, Iowa, Illinois, Utah, Nebraska, Arkansas, Wisconsin, South Dakota, North Dakota, Missouri, Texas and Oklahoma, you should be concerned. Wholesalers, distribution centers and food service companies in these states are affected by the recall and there may be more to come.

So far, the brand names affected by the first recall are Albertsons, Farm Fresh, James Farms, Glenview, Mountain Dairy, Ralphs, Boomsma, Lund, Kemps and Pacific Coast and its not over yet. On August 17, NuCal Foods of Ripon, California issued a recall notice of eggs packaged in 5-dozen containers with brand names Bayview, Mountain Dairy and NuLaid. Access a more detailed list.

Where did these eggs originate? Wright County Egg of Galt, Iowa, owned by Jack DeCoster. According to the New York Times, DeCoster has had trouble with regulators in the past over poor and unsafe working conditions, environmental violations, harassment of workers and the hiring of illegal aliens.

Subsequent to the Wright recall, Country Eggs, Inc., Los Angeles, California, recalled eggs distributed to food wholesalers, distribution centers and foodservice companies in California, Arizona and Nevada. Eggs were packaged under the Country Eggs, Inc brand name in 15 dozen bulk pack with the identifying plant code of P 1946 and P 1026.

Hillandale Farms of Iowa also issued a Voluntary Recall of Shell Eggs due to the same problem. Their press release did not list Wright as the supplier. Hillandale eggs are distributed through grocery distribution centers, retail groceries and food service companies in Arkansas, California, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin.

Hillandale brand names affected are Hillandale Farms, Sunny Farms and Sunny Meadow in 6, 12, 18 cartons and 30 and 60 egg packages. Carton codes are P1860 and P1663, as well as loose eggs under the names Wholesome Farms and West Creek.

These are voluntary recalls, so what else is out there? Keep in mind that loose eggs can be repackaged under different brand names. The FDA is investigating. Just how long will this investigation take?

A dramatic increase in the number of reported human salmonella infections, a four-fold leap over the expected number of reported cases, was recorded in late June and early July. Approximately 200 isolated cases were uploaded to the CDC on a weekly basis compared to an expected 50 uploads a week on average during this same period in the previous 5 years. Many states have reported increases of this pattern since May.

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention) says, "A person infected with Salmonella Enteritidis usually has fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea beginning 12 to 72 hours after consuming a contaminated food or beverage. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without antibiotic treatment. However, the diarrhea can be severe, and hospitalization may be required. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems may have a more serious illness. In these patients, the infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics."

The CDC lists tips to reduce your risk of getting Salmonella Enteritidis.

How does this bacteria get into chickens and eggs? Which comes first? Salmonella can infect the ovaries of hens and therefore the eggs. The egg industry regularly tests hens for ovarian bacteria. Note that the CDC reports that only a small number of hens are affected at any one time and that an infected bird can lay a great number of normal eggs and only occasionally, one that is contaminated. Isn't that comforting? --- especially because an infected hen will appear healthy and there is no way for a consumer to look at an egg in the shell or after it is opened to determine whether or not salmonella is present. Egg shells can be contaminated by chicken fecal matter when the hen sits on her eggs.

Best protection is to well-cook your eggs. Of course, that means no raw eggs in your ceasar salad and no "over-easy" breakfast.

Contact Information:
Concerned about the eggs at your local supermarket or the ones in your fridge? Contact the Egg Safety Media Hotline, 404/367-2761. More information is also available at the Egg Safety Center web site.

© Grassrootsannie.com

© 2011 GrassrootsAnnie.com

Annie's On The War Path! There's a National Border Emergency!

annie@grassrootsannie.com (Grass Roots Annie) — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 17:15:00 GMT

Turncoats: Border Governors Richardson & Schwarznegger

Why has Governor Bill Richardson (D-NM) decided to host the annual conference in spite of the fact that all six Mexico border state governors boycotted the conference when it was to be held in Arizona following the State's new immigration law, SB-1070? And why is Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA) going to attend the conference that has been rescheduled for late September?

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer was to host the 2010 Conference but after the boycot by the Mexico Governors, Brewer sent a letter the Honorable Governors of the States of Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Sonora and Tamaulipas with copies to the Governors of California, New Mexico and Texas.

"Dear Colleagues: Acting in my capacity as Chair of the XXVIII Border Governors Conference, I am writing you to let you know that your recent confirmation regarding non-attendance at the upcoming conference has led to my decision to cancel the Conference. As you know, all member Governors originally agreed many months ago to have Arizona as the site for the 2010 event. At this time, I find no appropriate alternative to cancellation, since each of you has stated in your correspondence that you will not come due to legislation recently passed in Arizona. Naturally I am disappointed by your decision, as I sincerely believe the gathering of the Governors in Arizona would have presented a great platform to initiate dialogue about the legislation and other topics of great importance to the border region." Read the entire letter here. .

Both Governor Jan Brewer (R-AZ) and Rick Perry (R-TX) have indicated they will not attend the September event in New Mexico. Who can blame them? Border security should be a number one priority among the four Southern United States border states and solidarity is called for. I have to question the motives of Richardson and Schwarzenegger. Why are they being solicitous of a government that ignores the soverenty of another country?

On Wednesday, after only three days of contacting other states, Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox filed a legal brief in U.S. District Court supporting Arizona's immigration law. Joining Michigan are Alabama, Florida, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas and Virginia, as well as the Northern Mariana Islands. Conspicuously absent are California and New Mexico. The Michigan brief puts forth the argument that States have the authority to enforce immigration laws and protect their borders.

On the other side of the fence or lack thereof, on June 22, Mexico ask a federal court in Arizona to declare the state's new immigration law unconstitutional. How brazen is this? They actually stated “grave concerns,” saying that having consistent relations with the United States shouldn’t be frustrated by one U.S. state. Mexico also said it has a legitimate interest in defending its citizens’ rights. May I remind Mexico that once your citizens cross the border illegally, they are breaking U.S. law.

What about the rights of American citizens to be safe and secure in our own country; Not to have to pay millions of dollars in welfare and services for illegal aliens; to protect the environment and beautiful countryside that is being damaged by thousands of illegals moving through these states without regard for anything including private property and protected species. Mexico president, Felipe Calderon, should be apologizing to the United States for his failure to curb the violence and illegal crossings along the border.

Let's not forget the outrageous hypocracy of Mexico. Mexican law requires their law enforcement officials to demand that foreigners provide proof that they are in the country legally prior to any other issues, so if you visit Mexico, you should have your papers with you at all times. The Arizona law requires that a person must be stopped because of another infraction and then can be asked for papers.

If Mexico is so concerned about the rights of their own citizens, why don't they protect their own at home? Drug cartels are killing people right and left. Americans are being warned not to travel in the country. Schools across Mexico are teaching students how to avoid bullets amid constant urban gunfights. Now, it is suspected that islamic terrorist groups are operating at the Mexican border.

The best indication of this occurred July 15 and 16 -- terrorist killings in two of Mexico's border cities. In downtown Ciudad Juarez in the state of Chijuajua, across the border and spitting distance from El Paso, Texas, A car packed with 22 pounds of C4 explosives and detonated by mobile phone killed two police officers and a paramedic, and wounded at least 16 other civilians or officers. The French press reported a doctor was also killed. This is the first time a car bomb has been used.

Associated Press has reported that on July 16 in the border city of Nuevo Loredo in the state of Tamaulipas, a stone's throw from Loredo, Texas, a shootout between soldiers and suspected drug-cartel gunmen killed twelve and wounded twenty-one people including three children, seven listed in serious condition. No wonder Texas is supporting Arizona's SB 1070.

In case you haven't been to El Paso or Loredo Texas, you probably don't know that they are separated from the Mexico cities only by the Rio Grande. These are not little villages. Juarez has an estimated 2.4 million people and is known as one of the most violent zones in the world outside of declared war zones. Four bridges connect Juarez with El Paso.

Nuevo Loredo is connected to Loredo, Texas by three International bridges and a rail bridge that cross the Rio Grande. It is the largest inland Mexico port and larger than Loredo, Texas -- close enough to see and hear the violence.

If you have the naive attitude that this violence isn't spilling over into the United States, you probably work for the administration, and you should know better! NewsMax Online reported that Anthony Placido, Assistant Administrator for Intelligence at the Drug Enforcement Administration. testifying before Congress in March of this year, said that some drug smugglers in the U.S. - Mexico region have had relationships with Hezbollah. In 2006 the House Homeland Security Committee released a report detailing incidents of Hezbollah operatives apprehended when trying to come into the United States through the U.S. Mexico border. That's four years ago for gosh sakes!

According to Fox News, Republican National Committee representative, Sue Myrick, asked Janet Napolitano to create a special team to investigate the potential threat. We know Alcaida is in South America. It has been reported that these groups are now recruiting Mexicans to do the dirty work in the United States. Obama fiddles while the border burns. Amazing.

Americans have already lost their lives on both sides of the border. An army of gun toting smugglers of both people and drugs are moving through the Southern United States like tourists -- unchecked and unstopped. Who are they really? Where are they really headed? Your state? Your city? Next to Mexico city, Phoenix already has the unique distinction of being the second largest kidnapping city in the world. You didn't know this? You must be living your life on main stream media sound bites!

The Feds don't seem to care. They'd rather add to the deficit by sueing Arizona for doing what the government is supposed to do. Why is the Justice Department taking on our own citizens? Personally, they should go after Mexico for failing to be good neighbors; failing to protect their own citizens; spilling their confounded crime into this country! Take the lawsuit resources and help secure the border? The government is not upholding the law and is not protecting us. The administration is politicizing a critical National problem. Why? Beats me! Got any ideas?

Makes you wonder why anyone who is an American citizen would protest securing the border and the Arizona law. Wait until these lame brains are personally affected by illegal criminals and terrorists in their own backyards, neighborhoods, cities and states -- the way it is happening in Southern Arizona. Then we can say "We told you so." Unless -- the government takes action now.

So just what is this "Border Governors' Conference" between the ten U.S. and Mexico states? What are their goals and what have they accomplished? More to come.

Remember the President saying he was ordering 1200 troups to the border? Of course, he couldn't say exactly when. Knowing this President and his lack of any sense of urgency, it could take months. Well, on July 16, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger ordered 260
members of the California National Guard to become part of the federal effort to deter drug trafficking and illegal immigration along the Mexican border. This won't happen right away. Some kind of politically correct training no doubt. What if this was a national emergency? Isn't it?

Troops will assist with federal border protection, customs and immigration agents for about a year. The big question is, "what does 'assist' mean?" If they are assisting customs and immigration officials does that mean at legal crossings? I hardly think thousands of illegals and terrorists are going to tromp through the official points of entry. Will they be paper pushers? Do they have to leave their guns at home? Are the troops supposed to intimidate by their mere presence or actually do something to protect us? Wait -- that's right. Wait and see.

Securing the border is not complicated to anyone outside of Washington. Just take some bucks from the billions in non-military aid we are sending to Pakistan or from the unspent stimulus money and put people to work building the gosh darn fence!

Next, give the border patrol and the guard the OK to do their jobs and stop tip-toeing through the tulips. Quit tying their hands behind their backs. Then the country would probably be behind exploring immigration reform providing it does not include blanket amnesty and is looked at with good old fashioned common sense.

Is there any of that left in Washington?

© 200=10 - 2011 GrassrootsAnnie.com

© 2011 GrassrootsAnnie.com

Thank You Scott Brown & Massachusetts. Why Did He Win?

annie@grassrootsannie.com (Grass Roots Annie) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 01:18:00 GMT

Congratulations Scott Brown. You have proved that the people of America want to be represented in Washington, not controlled by Washington. Not just those in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, but all Americans.

Why did Scott Brown win? I think there is a bit of Sarah Palin's plain, honest talk we can all relate to and some of Mitt Romney's directness and class. And of course, we're not the lemmings this administration was hoping we were.

American's always seem to come back from the edge of disaster just in time. We like bandwagons. Our risk-taking personalities go out on a limb for the newest fad like electing a Chicago progressive we knew nothing about (and still don't) to head the greatest country on earth, and then we complain when we wind up with a pig in a poke.

I've always found it interesting that you can feel the energy of winners and the lack of it in those who are destined to lose. Obama had that winning energy before the general election spurred on by tapping into a universal desire for change without explaining what his change would mean. His deceptive, slick presentation mesmerized voters. We can only hope that will never happen again.

On the other hand, Scott Brown's energy came from honesty and an acknowledgment that the people we send to Washington are there to express our wishes. He will be sitting in "the people's seat."

Martha Coakley did not have that energy. You could see it in her face Tuesday morning -- her eyes -- there was no spark. You could read it in her carefully phrased comments. She was not going to win. Even the liberal pundits on MSNBC were predicting Brown would come out ahead. Chris Matthews on Morning Joe wondered how someone like Coakley could even get as far as she did and Joe Scarborough, a former moderate Republican Representative from Florida, now the "cup a Joe" anchor, joined the chorus along with the rest of the gang and guest Tom Brokaw who was a bit more reserved in his comments.

All day Tuesday political analysts from both sides were blaming Coakley for running a bad campaign. True, this was no genius effort. She assumed she would inherit the senate seat and her elitist attitude told her she deserved it. Coakley's gaffs rivaled Joe Biden's, and let's face it, she was just plain lazy! But those are not the reasons she sank like a rock in the polls and popularity.

Mitt Romney indicated election day on Fox and Friends -- that this was about more than Coakley's lousy campaign -- it's a referendum on Obama's policies. I think all American's have had an overdose of Obama -- his unbelievable bon vivant attitude about spending the tax payers money -- like a kid in a candy story. We have been over-exposed to Obama rhetoric. We have learned we can't trust Obama or the Democrat Congress. Why would we want to strengthen the outrageous behavior by sending an obvious clone to D.C.?

To those who say that this win for the Republicans will bring Obama to the center, stop dreaming. He is a progressive with Marxist tendencies. He supports one-world socialism. He will craft speeches that sound like a moderate, but don't you believe it. This President will not "change" to follow the will of the people.

Frankly its been a relief to focus on this Senate campaign and think about something other than health-carelessness. Now we have to make sure that the Senate seats the newest Senator. Harry Reid said election night that Brown would be seated as soon as the Senate receives the proper paper work. We shall see.

Again, congratulations Scott Brown. Let's keep "trucking." We have a long way to go before we stop this health care reform, among other things, and return truth, sanity and Constitutional government to Washington. Are you ready?

Copyright 2009 Grass Roots Annie

© 2011 GrassrootsAnnie.com

Why Scott Brown Just Might Pull It Off (Updated Sat Jan 16)

annie@grassrootsannie.com (Grass Roots Annie) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 20:46:00 GMT

(Above) Martha Coakley, Scott Brown

UPDATED FROM JAN 14: Now that Brown has surged ahead of Coakley 50% to 46%, (Suffolk University/WHDH-TV poll Thursday) Dems are panic- dumping big bucks into advertising. You can help support Scott Brown who really has a good chance of winning. Visit TeaParty Express III to donate today or tomorrow. Last chance to purchase TV time is Monday. And forward the link to this story to your friends and relatives in MA. Remind them to vote for Scott Brown.

At first glance, she is attractive. On second and third glances, she is tough and quite rude. She could be all of those things and still warrant winning but the perception is that she is another progressive, far-left, controlling big government clone of the majority party -- deceptive, secretive and doesn't give a hoot about the people.

Martha Coakley, the 55 year old lawyer and current Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is the Democrat candidate for the seat in the United States Senate vacated by the death of Ted Kennedy.

Now she is concerned about her diminishing popularity, so she revs up the negative ads, drags out the big Washington guns and that may be a mistake. They just add to the perception that she is one of them --another one of those out-of-control, power-hungry, socialistic group of lying dictators who want it their way regardless. And she'll see that anyone gets literally, pushed out of the way who doesn't agree that the terrorists have left Afghanistan!

Then there is Republican, Scott Philip Brown, a 50 year old lawyer and three-term Massachusetts State Senator. Browns record is proof of his promises. In the State Senate he has helped lead the fight against wasteful government and against raising taxes. He has helped reduce pension abuses by elected officials.

Nude Cosmo photos or not, the perception of Brown is that he is intelligent, that he listens and that he has heard what the people are saying about a lot of issues, especially health care reform, taxes and out-of-control spending. He has acknowledged that the Senate seat belongs to the people of Massachusetts and not to any elected official. Because he has lived up to his promises in the past, one can assume he will indeed, represent his constituents in the future. His positive TV messages are perceived as direct and sincere.

This is a special election and therefore, voter turnout may be low. Liberal democrats will respond to Obama's cry that the passage of his health care reform legislation depends on electing Coakley.

But, you live in Massachusetts, ignore the last minute pressure by progressives. If you are a Republican, moderate Democrat or an independent ,and are a registered voter, your vote for Brown could turn the tide and help bring truth and trust back to Washington. Snow or not, please vote for Scott Brown on January 19.

All eyes are on you.

Copyright 2009 Grass Roots Annie

Medicare Cuts Starting January 1: Decrease In Access To Cardiac Care and Increase In Mortality Expected

annie@grassrootsannie.com (Grass Roots Annie) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:14:00 GMT

In an effort to get an injunction to stop the January 1st 40% reduction in Medicare reimbursements to heart specialists for vital routine office procedures, the American College of Cardiologists (ACC) has filed a lawsuit against the administration, specifically, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius. The cuts involve imaging and diagnostic tests, changes that will increase the mortality rate according to Jack Lewin, CEO of ACC. The organization represents 90% of the 40,000 heart specialists in the United States.

This reduction in fees has nothing to do with the health care reform legislation proposed in the House and the Senate. According to the government's Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), cuts are mandated by law not to increase the cost of reimbursement spending each year. This is not the first time cuts have occurred. The profession has seen regular cuts over the last five years while costs have continued to rise.

Lewin also emphasized that lower income people and those in rural areas will suffer most as costs increase and access decreases. The four major cardiology groups in urban Kansas City are already selling their community based practices and moving out of the city to urban hospitals. Similar moves are taking place in areas throughout the country as heart specialists cut staffs, sell equipment, close offices and/or move to hospital environments. Once cardiologists make these changes from private practices to hospital environments, reversal won't happen, says Lewin.

Dr. Lewin also remarked that the ACC, one of the few health organizations attempting to work with government to promote health care reform, was stunned that nothing was being done to alter the rule. The government's own consultant group had advised Medicare that the survey data they used to justify the cuts was flawed.

During the last ten years, the management of people with cardiac diseases in the United States has resulted in a 30% reduction in the mortality rate, thanks to dedicated specialists and heavy investing in expensive equipment. This 30% could be reversed if cuts in the reimbursement fees cannot be stopped.

The affected imaging and diagnostic tests will still be available in hospitals but the costs are three times more than they are in community based private practices. So the costs to Medicare go up substantially while access to vital services is already going down.

Peter Ashkenaz, spokesperson for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Management, said "CMS can't comment on the suit, but strongly believes that the 2010 physician payment rule ensures that Medicare beneficiaries continue to have access to the services provided by all physicians and that those physicians are paid appropriately. The rule was adopted after the opportunity was provided for public comment, including affected medical specialties."

Jack Lewin of the ACC said the cardiologists did respond in opposition. In addition to requesting an injunction, the American College of Cardiology is asking that the government conduct a new survey to get valid data.

Annie believes the writing is on the wall when it comes to Medicare cuts as advocated by proposed health care reform legislation and this is proof.

Copyright 2009 Grass Roots Annie

© 2011 GrassrootsAnnie.com

Conservative & Liberal Senior Groups Differ Over COLA and A One-Time-Payment; And Health Care Reform

annie@grassrootsannie.com (Grass Roots Annie) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 14:55:00 GMT

(Updated December 27, 2009) Two groups, both representing senior Americans, are at polar opposites when it comes to philosophy and two prime issues; the President's one-time $250 payment to seniors instead of a regular 2010 cost of living (COLA) increase, and the government health care reform as it is currently proposed by Congress.

House Bill HR-3572, introduced by Rodney Alexander (R-LA) would provide the average Social Security recipient with a 2.9% increase in 2010 or approximately $403 for the year compared to Obama's one-time $250 payment. The Bill was referred to the House Ways & Means Committee on September 15.

Jordan McNerney, Media Relations Manager for liberal AARP, formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons, told us that, at this time, AARP supports the one-time $250 payment rather than the cost of living increase.

American Seniors Association (ASA), a conservative group, is supporting the COLA increase, according to Phil Kent, the organization's media consultant.

The cost of membership in either association is about the same; $15 a year for ASA with about 150,000 members and $16 for AARP's reported 35,000,000 members. Both groups provide similar member services and access to insurance programs for seniors.

Kent also told Grass Roots Annie that ASA has hired additional processors to handle a substantial increase in membership applications submitted recently by former AARP members. Reports vary about the number of members lost by AARP. There is a reported 40,000 to 60,000 who resigned between July 1 and August 18, and some say that the fallout continues although there are no official numbers from AARP.

Just as they are at polar opposites on the cost of living issue for seniors, these two groups do not agree on the current health care reform bills.

AARP supports Obama's health care plan. McNerney stated that the proposed savings in Medicare are not actually cuts in services. He continued, “To be clear, AARP strongly supports legislation (H.R. 3961) that would permanently fix the Medicare physician payment system as a part of health care reform. This bill would ensure seniors can continue to see their doctors by stopping a drastic cut in physician pay scheduled for next year.

“Health care reform proposals would also add important preventive benefits to Medicare at no additional cost, and they would completely close the Medicare prescription drug program’s doughnut hole—a dangerous gap in coverage that forces seniors to pay the full cost of their medicines out-of-pocket.

“We can pay for these improvements without adding to our deficit by rooting out waste, fraud and abuse. That includes cutting over payments to insurance companies that don’t meet high quality standards, rewarding hospitals and doctors for providing follow-up care to prevent unnecessary re-admissions to the hospital and lowering the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs.”

ASA reflects the opposition to this reform as voiced by the millions of seniors who have attended tea parties and town hall meetings this summer and fall. A recent ASA press release criticized AARP's support for Obamacare and stated, "The AARP continues to lose thousands and thousands of members because of its sympathy toward Obamacare, higher taxes and big government . . . "

No one has really explained how the drastic cuts in Medicare will be paid for, and many say that if waste fraud and abuse could be rooted out, why hasn't this already been done? Actions speak louder than words and therefore, it can be assumed that there will be no elimination in fraud and abuse. Something's got to give and that leaves cuts in services.

If you or someone you know is receiving Social Security, visit these web sites.

Why The White House Jobs Summit Was About Payback, Not Jobs

annie@grassrootsannie.com (Grass Roots Annie) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:52:00 GMT

Trying to close the barn door at this late date Mr. President? With unemployment over the top, any dummy knows the work horses have already left. What's even worse, is that you are insulting our intelligence by hosting a payback get-together and calling it a jobs forum. This is the President's 12th such gathering in as many months.

Obama always stacks the deck to generate the results he wants and this is no different. Once again, our puppet President is dancing at the end of the strings manipulated by the radical left. It's the President's guest list that's troubling to workers in America and the small businesses that hire 80% of them. There are some small businesses that are reportedly attending including a Washington government contractor. But it is the exclusions from the summit list that will minimize or nullify any ideas and conclusions reached or proposed today.

If you are unemployed or run a business that has been suffering; if you find that financially, things are more difficult and getting worse; if you want to enjoy opportunity for you and your children in the future, and not be a slave to government, consider who's missing from the summit table --

The United States Chamber of Commerce: According to the organization's description of itself, "The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations. More than 96% of U.S. Chamber members are small businesses with 100 employees or fewer."

A December 2008 public opinion survey conducted by Harris Interactive found that Americans rank the U.S. Chamber of Commerce among the top five best-known and respected organizations in Washington. The Chamber consistently leads the pack on lobbying expenditures.

That's right! The Chamber is located near the White House and has a staff of hundreds of the nation's top policy experts. It is a pro-business organization with special initiatives that cover energy, infrastructure, education and training.

The National Federation of Independent Businesses: This is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded in 1943, representing the consensus views of its members in Washington and all 50 state capitals. It's own statement says, NFIB’s mission is to promote and protect the right of our members to own, operate and grow their businesses.

NFIB also gives its members a power in the marketplace. By pooling the purchasing power of its members, the National Federation of Independent Business gives members access to many business products and services at discounted costs. NFIB also provides timely information designed to help small businesses succeed.

NFIB members have the opportunity to help protect small business owners across America by contributing to NFIB's PAC, the SAFE Trust (Save America's Free Enterprise Trust), a powerful and effective small business political action committee. It is dedicated to supporting Congressional candidates who promote small business interests.

Small Business Owners: Insignificant representation at this gathering yet if small businesses provide most of the jobs in this country, wouldn't you think their presence and contribution would be appreciated, let alone needed? But remember, small business are big supporters of free enterprise and that's not what this administration is all about. Finally getting the picture of what this "change" is all about? It's a wowser, isn't it!

Now let's look at the invited. (Not a complete list but a good indication.) It's not that I think these people should not be included. Again, it is the uninvited that makes this summit a farce.

Unions and big Obama supporters during the 2008 election including The Service Employees International Union (more than $29,000,000 contributed to Obama) and linked to Acorn, if you remember. The American Federation of Teachers (along with the AFL-CIO contributed almost $2,000,000). The United Food & Commercial Workers International Union ($673,300). The United Steel Workers Union professing strong support for Obama early in his campaign and throughout. (Figure not available.)

Academics, Economists & Politicians: Among them, Joe Stiglitz, Columbia University (an Obama contributor); Susan Collins, dean of the University of Michigan's Ford School of Public Policy; and let's not forget Detroit Mayor, Dave Bing. Michigan of course, has the highest unemployment rate in the country.

Entertainment & Media : Disney chief Bob Iger, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts, New York Times Columnist, Paul Krugman and Wall Street Journal's Alan Blinder.

Corporations responsible for laying off thousands of workers including AT&T, ComCast, Siemens, Qwest and others. The CEO of Google, Eric Schmidt personally donated to Obama and will be at the summit. His company contributed more than $803,000 to Obama's campaign.

There is a token CEO rebel who donated to the Republican campaign, Fred Smith, CEO of Federal Express.

I can't wait to see the statement released after this payback summit. Obama double talk at its best, no doubt carefully crafted to convince the clueless that he will solve the problem. Without the free-market small business voices, the solutions are bound to emphasize spending that will result in more taxes that will stimulate unemployment.

© 2011 GrassrootsAnnie.com

John Carter (R-TX) Has Dems Squirming Over His Geithner Penalty Waiver Act

annie@grassrootsannie.com (Grass Roots Annie) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:44:00 GMT

You just have to love Rep. John Carter (R-TX). The former Texas judge has Dems squirming tonight and tax payers chuckling. He is introducing the Geithner Penalty Waiver Act to grant all taxpayers currently seeking penalty relief on foreign deposit back taxes the same percent penalty rate as Geithner was assessed for failure to report or pay taxes on IMF income. And that my friends, is ZERO.

Carter and his co-sponsor, Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA) say the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution mandates equal penalties for similar offenses. They state that the failure of the IRS to assess any penalties against Geithner demands similar penalties for all taxpayers with substantially equivalent cases. Seems fair to me and Constitutionally correct.

Watch the video and see what these two Republicans had to say on the House floor today.

"The Geithner case has established a legal precedent for the determination of penalties by the IRS, and that precedent can be cited in all federal tax courts," said Carter.

No doubt this action has administration and congressional democrats pounding their shoes on their desks wondering how to respond. They can't deny Geithner's zero penalty. Wish I was a mouse in the White House tonight.

Visit Carter's web site for his press release.

Withdrawal Speech Was No Home Run for President Obama

annie@grassrootsannie.com (Grass Roots Annie) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:10:00 GMT

Mr. President: Your "Withdrawal From Afghanistan" speech gave us no feelings of pride. You did not exude the strength of a Commander in Chief, nor the emotions from the leader of the free world who should be deeply engaged in an awesome task.

You did not own the speech. We watched a plastic-faced, head-jerking robot deliver programmed words tainted with politics. Even the military setting, chosen to lend authenticity to the subject matter, didn't help.

Shame on you, Mr. President. Where was the "we're going to win" attitude? Our military waited too long for that support. We waited too long. Our allies waited too long. Yet the words didn't come. What were you thinking?

Did you notice, Mr. President, that there was no roar of the crowd, no thundering West Point applause that comes from an inspiring presence? I watched the faces of those cadets who have chosen the military as their career. There was no enthusiastic spark. There was reserved politeness.

You did accomplish two or three things Tuesday night.

1. You told the enemy your game plan.
2. You telegraphed your weakness, once again.
3. You tried to pacify your supporters and satisfy the opposition and you did neither.

Your announcement should not have been used as a public relations opportunity. The truth is, Mr. President -- based on your pre-election campaign, Americans expected that Afghanistan would be your first order of business; that you would have jumped full force into the problem when you took office. You should have ordered the deployment of necessary troops long before this, instead of leaving General McChrystal high and dry and putting more soldiers at risk for months.

You announcement should have been simple and straightforward, on the steps of the White House, in front of a microphone, early one morning.

Acorn Sues Government; Member of Congress Advising Acorn's Attorney

annie@grassrootsannie.com (Grass Roots Annie) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:25:00 GMT

Revised November 23, 2009 - Scroll Down For Video

Rep. Steve King, (R) Iowa is still pushing for an official investigation of ACORN but committee chairmen are blocking the progress. It would seem that House Judiciary Chairman, Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich) would certainly move the process forward. He originally seemed to favor an investigation but is now using the on-again-off-again game as a delaying tactic.

In March Conyers suggested a probe.
On June 22, he was the keynote speaker at an ACORN convention.
In July, he dropped the idea of investigating the organization.
In September, he once again called for a probe.
And now, according to Rep. King, Conyers is again delaying the process.

Even more disgusting are the actions of Chairman of the House Constitution Committee, Jerold Nadler, (D- NY) who, according the The Villager, has been giving advice to ACORN's attorney. (Shouldn't he be asked to resign?)

The community organizing group, ACORN, filed a federal lawsuit on November 12 claiming they have a right your money. According to AP, ACORN has been cut off by not just the government but by banks and most of its private foundation funding sources. This has severely hampered its housing operations and raises the possibility that it will not survive in its current form, claims the suit.

The document also claims that Congress' decision to drop all funding to the group and its affiliates was unconstitutional because it punitively targeted an individual organization. Read a pdf of the Acorn lawsuit.

Congressman Steve King, who fortunately for taxpayers, continues the good fight, emphasizes that Congress has a right to fund or not fund whomever. Considering ACORN operates like organized crime, I can't help wondering what Bobby Kennedy would do.

Here's what you can do. Contact your representatives now. Click here for e-mails and fax numbers.Then click on a name for e-mail. This will send you to an e-mail form on the member's web site or simply provide an e-mail address for your own email program.

Watch Steve King's recent comments on Fox News then scroll down for information about Acorn's internal investigation.

First published on November 6 - The Internal Acorn Investigation

Henry Cisneros worked with Acorn when he was HUD Secretary and as Mayor of San Antonio. We asked him recently about the internal investigation being conducted by former Massachusetts Attorney General, Scott Harshbarger, and about the future of Acorn. Cisneros said the future of the organization was an open question. He also felt that the problems were related to the complexity of the subjects Acorn dealt with and not its rate of growth.

Cisneros, Executive Chairman of Cityview, is a member of the ACORN Advisory Council that also includes John Podesta, President and CEO of the Center for American Progress, a Soros funded organization; Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Board Member, RFK Foundation, former MD Lt. Governor; Andrew Stern, International President, Service Employees International Union that has close ties to Acorn; John Banks, registered lobbyist for Consolidated Edison; Eric Eve, Senior VP of Global Consumer Group, Community Relations, part of Citigroup; Harvey Hirschfeld, President, Lawcash, a company promoting more affordable "ethical legal funding;" and Dave Beckwith, Executive Director, The Needmor Fund, a Toledo community organizing group.

Harshbarger, who is now an attorney with Boston law firm, Proskauer Rose LLP, specializes in corporate defense and investigations. In a released statement he said, "I have been asked by the leadership of ACORN to conduct an independent and comprehensive inquiry and review of the management of its service to communities. The CEO and Board have also asked me to make a full report, including recommendations for restoring ACORN's full capacities to carry out its mission on behalf of low and moderate income families."

Carrying out its mission may be more difficult as the financial noose tightens around ACORN. Amendments were added to the Department of the Interior, Department of Defense, Commerce, Justice, Science, and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bills for fiscal year 2010 that would ban ACORN from receiving funds appropriated through these bills. These amendments were agreed to and included in their respective underlying appropriations bills when each passed the Senate.

Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) comments on his Senate web site, "While these amendments are a positive step to prevent numerous federal agencies from funding ACORN out of their budgets for fiscal year 2010, broader legislation is required to ensure that ACORN has received its last penny of taxpayer-provided funding. For this reason, I cosponsored S. 1687, the “Protect Taxpayers From ACORN Act,” which would prohibit the federal government from providing any federal funds to, or engaging in activities that promote, ACORN."

Read the full text of S.1687, sponsored by Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE). In addition to Shelby, other co-sponsors include Sen Barrasso, John (WY), Sen Bennett, Robert F. (UT), Sen Brownback, Sam (KS), Sen Bunning, Jim (KY), Sen Burr, Richard (NC), Sen Chambliss, Saxby (GA), Sen Crapo, Mike (ID), Sen DeMint, Jim (SC), Sen Ensign, John (NV), Sen Enzi, Michael B. (WY), Sen Graham, Lindsey (SC), Sen Gregg, Judd (NH), Sen Hatch, Orrin G. (UT), Sen Hutchison, Kay Bailey (TX), Sen Inhofe, James M. (OK), Sen Isakson, Johnny (GA), Sen Risch, James E. (ID), Sen Roberts, Pat (KS), Sen Thune, John (SD), Sen Vitter, David (LA), and Sen Voinovich, George V. (OH). Remember that although this bills is on the Senate calendar, the controlling party can determine when or if the bill is presented for a vote.

House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.) and House Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) have formally
requested the Congressional Research Service provide a “clear and objective analysis” of the “charges and counter charges” that have recently been levied against the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now. This request came after some implied that the denial of Federal funds may be unconstitutional.

And what about the House Oversight Committee Report on ACORN almost four months ago? The report was released in July by Rep. Darrell Issa, the top Republican on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Issa's GOP colleagues. Issa stated, "This report is about getting to the truth and when there are significant accusations and questions outstanding regarding an organization that has benefited from millions of taxpayer dollars, those questions should be answered and the truth should be brought to light."

The report summary says ACORN provided contributions of financial and personnel resources to indicted former Illinois Gov. Rod
Blagojevich, Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown and candidate Obama, among others, in what the report calls a scheme to use taxpayer money to support a partisan political agenda, which would be a clear violation of numerous tax and election laws.

And remember both the Senate and the House passed separate bills to defund Acorn on September 14 and September 17 respectively? House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, has refused to call for a reconciliation. Senate Democrat Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., refused to hold a Senate hearing on ACORN's activities claiming that additional investigations might distract lawmakers from addressing more important matters, including health care and economic recovery.

Watch for the release of the ACORN internal investigation expected toward the end of November according to Mr. Cisneros.

© 2011 GrassrootsAnnie.com

Harry Reid's Health Care Bill Is Another Boondoggle; Lindsey Graham Tells Us Why.

annie@grassrootsannie.com (Grass Roots Annie) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:15:00 GMT

A vote may happen as early as tomorrow. Read this article, watch last night's revealing Greta interview with Lindsey Graham and continue the good fight. Scroll down for Senate contact information.

Where was Senate Funny man, Harry Reid, on November 18, 2009? He was trying to look serious in front of the press while announcing the latest Senate health care bill with an almost straight face. There was a hint of a smirk -- Reid doesn't ever really smile -- and he revealed the enormous 2,074 page, health care reform bill at a whopping cost of $849 billion. (Text of the entire bill.)

In almost the same breath, Reid said this monstrous, bureaucratic creation would reduce the federal deficit by $127 billion over the next ten years while covering 31,000,000 uninsured. He proved once again that government thinks (or hopes) we are all dumber that dirt.

Who is laughing? Just the proponents who think they are fooling the public. The rest of us know that Washington can't add 2 and 2. Cash for Clunkers cost us a lot more than predicted -- the government also calculated wrong when they awarded stimulus money to consumers so the country could spend its way out of recession (now they want millions to pay it back) -- they are claiming success with their "stimulistless" program by counting jobs saved, a calculation that isn't really possible, and counting jobs created in places that don't exist. And the list is endless.

The socialists in Congress have side tracked the media and the public by focusing on bits and pieces like the abortion issue (not that that isn't important but it does not reveal the big picture) and pulled our attention away from things that also matter, like quality of care and cost.

HOW WILL OBAMA and CONGRESS PAY FOR ALL OF THIS?

Sen. Lindsey Graham showed some backbone in a frank and revealing interview with Greta "On The Record" last night. This video starts with some discussion about Graham's heated exchange with Eric Holder about criminalizing the war but continues with Greta's entire interview.(Must Watch)

Read a revealing Wall Street Journal article that confirms what concerned citizens, tea party participants and those of us that can add 2 + 2 have known from day one. The article emphasizes that ". . .the most dangerous parts of ObamaCare aren't receiving the scrutiny they deserve—and one of the least examined is a new commission to tell Congress how to control health spending. Democrats are quietly attempting to impose a "global budget" on Medicare, with radical implications for U.S. medicine."

The article that also states, ". . . the various health bills stipulate that Congress will arbitrarily decide how much to spend on health care for seniors every year—and then invest an unelected board with extraordinary powers to dictate what is covered and how it will be paid for."

The Journal quotes prominent health economist Alain Enthoven who has has likened the global budget to "bombing from 35,000 feet, where you don't see the faces of the people you kill."

The joke is really on the millions of "gimme" lemmings who are being duped by a government that has promised to take care of them; by the millions who have been raised and organized to work the welfare system and vote for socialism; by the millions who actually believe that money comes from the government if not from trees; and by the millions who will sooner or later, receive Medicare and/or Medicaid that will limit their care substantially.

PLEASE HELP.

Today -- please call or send an e-mail or fax to your Senators. If you have time, send one to as many others in Congress as you can.

Click here for e-mails and fax numbers. Then click on a name for e-mail. This will send you to an e-mail form on the member's web site or simply provide an e-mail address for your own email program.

This link will allow you to select the web sites of Senators and Representatives.

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In a Land Named "US," Millions Received a Stimulus Tax Credit & Then, Pshaw, Millions Had To Give It Back

annie@grassrootsannie.com (Grass Roots Annie) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:34:00 GMT

There's no such thing as a free lunch.
Too good to be true.
Here today. Gone tomorrow.
Two things are certain, death and taxes.

Once upon a time, all of these trite little phrases came to the minds of the citizens of "US" as they learned that their government had bungled the management of a simple tax credit for the people -- the allocation of small amounts of funds to certain recipients, keeping track of those allocations, ($250 or perhaps more), the writing of checks and mailing the checks to millions of "US-ers in the spring of the year two-thousand-and-nine.

The bungling of this little task stimulated multitudes to exhaustive laughter when they envisioned how government might handle the enormity of the health care of this vast kingdom. A large governing body called Congress, that existed in a fairy tale region named Washington D.C., far removed from the reality of "US-ers," had created a king-sized health care proclamation, much the same way they had conceived the bigger-than-believable stimulus proclamation months before. In a hurry!

The way these laws, as they were known, were created is also laughable. Scores of members of the governing body would each create portions of the fantasy and these tidbits would get tossed into one big collective piece of prose that no one understood. Therefore, no one ever read the documents which were then sent to the King to sign and forwarded to "departments" to administer. They didn't read or understand the documents either. Eventually, the sheer madness of it all doomed the ruler and his czardom, (But that's another tale.)

Apparently,the ruler named Barack Hussein Obama and sometimes called "Obummer," in his rush to "change" when he was first anointed, behaved more like the court jester than the crown. (He confirmed this by submissively bowing to majesties in far away lands.)

Looking for praise from his subjects, Obama insisted that the Congress expedite the sending of stimulus tax credits to the masses far and wide. Everyone in the land knew that the devil was in the details but no one cared. This was manna from heaven if not from the King's stash! The kingdom was infested with greed and mesmerized by a figurehead who enjoyed grinning and traveling. All seemed right with the world.

How quickly the multitude, some 15,000,000 subjects, sobered up when they realized that their behavior, much like lemmings, had made them victims. They were being robbed of the sheer joy of spending money -- the joy of spending the "US" economy out of a recession. The tax credit increased weekly take-home pay for 95% of working families, but alas. the government screwed up and miscalculated. Thousands of individuals with more than one job and married couples, if both parties worked, had to repay $400 or more depending on their earnings. They did this by getting unexpected smaller tax refunds or unwanted bigger tax bills. Even many older citizens who could hardly afford it, had to repay a paltry $250.

And so, the stimulus came and the stimulus went. And so did the ruler. And so did his czars. And so did the Congress of that time.

##

If you are in the real world of today's U.S. and want more information about calculating what you may need to fork over your tax credit, try these resources.

IRS Making Work Pay tax credit

IRS withholding calculator

© 2011 GrassrootsAnnie.com

Slim Pickins' for Seniors, Fat City for Congress? More "Dumb-Nut" Washington Economics

annie@grassrootsannie.com (Grass Roots Annie) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:12:00 GMT

If you or a relative, a parent perhaps, collects Social Security, in just a few weeks, the usual cost of living increase should be reflected on monthly checks. That won't happen in January of 2010 unless House Bill HR-3572, introduced by Rodney Alexander (R-LA) and referred to the House Ways & Means Committee on September 15 becomes law .

The Bill, HR-3572, would give Social Security recipients a 2.9% increase in 2010. If you are one of the lame brains who thinks seniors don't deserve increases, or you think all today's retirees are well off, or you agree with the excuse makers, including some economists, who say the cost of living is going down, not up, step into the real world.

Some experts say that one in ten seniors are impoverished, others say more. And a vast number are squeaking by. Seniors paid into the social security fund for years. It was supposed to be their money. On top of that, the average monthly Social Security check is $1160.90 and a 2.9% increase amounts to a whopping $33.67 a month or $403 a year. See Table 2 at this site.

In order to survive today, retirees need to have substantial investments or savings, or they continue to work. Thousands lost their security, thanks to the economy, bankrupt companies, decisions by Congress and more.

Then there is Medicare. In case you didn't know it, this government health care insurance doesn't come out of "Obama's stash!". There is a monthly premium just like any other insurance coverage. (This will be a shock to those who think the government health care option will be free.)

In 2010, the standard Medicare Part B monthly premium will increase from $94.60 a month to $110.50, a 15% increase. If you are a senior and still working, that amount may be higher depending on the amount of income you receive. Who knows what will happen to these premiums with probable fees and surcharges, and heaven only knows what --- if the Health Care Reform Bill passes. (I refuse to call it "affordable") More information about Medicare is available on the government Medicare web site.

So why is there no COLA for seniors next year? Because, by law, the usual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is determined by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, which is tabulated by the career professionals at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Last year, they determined that Cost of Living rose 5.8%. This year, they say it now stands at 1.9% below a year ago.

Don't you just love it when bureaucrats tabulate things? The key word here is "now." The "Dumb-Nut Economics" is not considering the dollar which is losing value faster than Obama is losing approval ratings, and not considering real world costs and estimates. Those who site a dip in prices from a year ago should remember that those prices were soaring beyond anything that was considered possible. So the little dips today are hardly economic relief.

Consumer prices typically go down in a recession, but not this time. The Government's own U.S. Department of Agriculture expects food prices to rise as much as 4% in 2010 and some economists are predicting a 5% rise. Predicting? Have you tried to by a chicken recently? Doesn't seem like too long ago I paid $6 or $7 for a roasting hen that now costs $10 or $11, even more. Price Thanksgiving turkeys and get sticker shock, or try to buy a steak that seems like you should be getting the entire cow!

Could it possibly be that it costs more to feed cattle, chickens and hogs that normally consume corn and soy because corn-based ethanol and soy-based bio-diesel are having an effect?

Speaking of fuel, gasoline prices are expected to rise in 2010 as well. Some are predicting that $3.25 a gallon will be the low for a national average. See what DailyFinance.com has to say. And what about increases in basic utilities, sales taxes and property taxes? State taxes in California just added another 10%!

At a time when $34 a month could mean a lot to those receiving Social Security, the usual cost of living increase may not be realized. Yet the President wants to send out $250 checks to seniors, a trickle than half the amount most would receive with a COLA. Why? Do you really think mature Americans will fall for a bribe like this?

And here's a real gem. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) wants to map the United States into 14 regions and determine the rate of COLA based on the consumer price index for each region. It will probably cost more to research this than the Cost of Living Adjustments for years to come. And what will happen to the Social Security amounts for those seniors who move from one region to another? Sounds like another fine mess to me!

While seniors tighten their belts, lets not forget Congress. This will get your dander up in the middle of this economic crisis. The average automatic raise for members of Congress in January of 2009 was $4,700 bringing their annual salary to $174,000. Queen Nancy receives $223,500 a year. The majority and minority leaders of the Senate and the House receive $193,400 each. This doesn't include some rather spectacular perks and pensions to die for.

Compare this with the average salaries for executives in the United States as of November 15, 2009. (Average salaries, not including inflated Wall Street super compensation.)

I don't object to paying our representatives for jobs well done and we can discuss that another time. If all goes as currently planned, Congress will forego an automatic increase in salaries next year. But do you know that the Congressional budget was recently increased to $4.7 billion? A nifty maneuver.

What's included? A $500,000 pilot program to send out post cards, $4,000,000 for consultants and funding for House office building improvements and renovations jumps a whopping 128% to $84,000,000. And that's just a sample. Proponents of the increase say they were frugal last year without significant increases since 2001. Opponents think this is not an appropriate time to increase expenditures. You think?

So let's just watch to see who the "Dumb-Nuts" are (those who vote against HR-3572) and consider this another indicator for 2010 elections.

© 2011 GrassrootsAnnie.com

ACLU Joins Mexico Commission; Anti Border Security & Assault on U.S. Sovereignty

annie@grassrootsannie.com (Grass Roots Annie) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:52:00 GMT

The President, Janet Napolitano and the whole of Congress do nothing about America's border security while on November 12, 2009, the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties (of California) joined Mexico's National Commission of Human Rights with another assault on U.S. sovereignty. They have filed a petition to the Organization of American States’ Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, calling for an investigation of the "humanitarian crisis." Read the press release.

The number of deaths of illegal aliens crossing the southern border of the United States is estimated to be over 5,000 in the past 15 years, or approximately one a day. This is indeed tragic. The estimate is in a 76 page white paper (report) filed with the petition. But it is overshadowed by the estimated twelve Americans murdered every day by illegal aliens, according to statistics released by Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa. If those numbers are correct, it translates to 4,380 Americans murdered annually by illegal aliens. That's 21,900 since Sept. 11, 2001.

Simply put, the ACLU and its Mexico partner are blaming the injuries and deaths of illegals on the U.S. Government's Operation Gatekeeper. They are saying that Illegals are dying in the rough environment of the desert southwest not because they choose to enter this country illegally, through the back door, but because we intentionally force these law breakers into hostile wilderness environments by concentrating border patrols and fencing along more populated areas of the border --- that our policies are deadly.

They are demanding that U.S., Mexican and international officials must recognize the deaths of migrants occurring during unauthorized crossings of the U.S.-Mexican border as an international humanitarian crisis and should address the ongoing violations of the right to life and identify protective measures, according to a letter sent to a commission of the Organization of American States (OAS).

The letter calls on the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to request the permission of the U.S. and Mexican governments to make an onsite visit to the region, conduct an investigation on the crisis, issue a report for the General Assembly of the OAS, and identify measures that both countries should adopt to bring them in compliance with their international human rights obligations.

The ACLU and CNDH say they documented the humanitarian crisis in the 76-page white paper, Humanitarian Crisis: Migrant Deaths at the U.S.-Mexico Border. Taking the one-world approach, the report states, "The deaths of migrants are a direct product of border security enforcement that has been designed and implemented at the federal level." Again, PLAIN AND SIMPLE, we do not have the right to protect our borders and therefore, protect our citizens.

In fact, this report is an attempt to change our immigration policies by referring to recommendations made in 2002 by a U.S. Commission on Civil Rights to reduce deaths at the border. (Remember, that we are talking about illegal immigrants and not migrants or legals.)

1. Demilitarizing the border;
2. Establishing a guest-worker program;
3. Increasing the number of permanent resident visas available to Mexicans;
4. Legalizing undocumented immigrants already in the United States;
5. Modifying immigration laws that deport immigrants for minor criminal offenses;
6. Encouraging cooperation with Mexico;
7. Protecting the rights of asylum seekers; and
8. Recognizing U.S. citizenship of the Tohono O’odham.*

*This is interesting as the Tohono O'odham tribe is considered a sovereign nation and its members inhabit a large area extending South to Sonora, Mexico, north to Central Arizona (just north of Phoenix, Arizona), west to the Gulf of California, and east to the San Pedro River.

What the report does not state:

It does not refer to illegals as such. Instead the report calls them "migrants."
The report does not call attention to criminal activities associated with these illegals including every possible offender type from drug smugglers, coyotes (people smugglers), to terrorists.
It does not site the outrageous number of crimes committed against U.S. citizens by illegal aliens including murder.
There is no mention of destruction of private property, theft, and the endangerment of residents on ranches and in communities near the border within the U.S.
It does not suggest that Mexico educate its population about the dangers of crossing the border illegally.
Nor does it demand that Mexico campaign to help prevent illegal crossings.

This is a blatant attack on our right to protect our borders and our citizens, and even refers to our border enforcement as "a scheme" with the beneficiary being Homeland Security and its budget increases. It suggests that we use the threat of terrorism as an excuse.

Page 18 includes the testimony of Martin Gonzales about the death of a 30-year-old illegal during a crossing. Yet there is no mention of American tragedies -- countless stories of senseless murder by illegals from Mexico and South America like the drive-by shooting deaths of Tony Bologna, 48, and his sons Michael, 20, and Matthew, 16, in San Francisco by a 22-year-old illegal, Edwin Ramos; or the crimes against rancher, Roger Barnett, who had his house broken into, trucks stolen, cattle killed and property damaged by illegal immigrants crossing the border via his 22,000-acre Arizona ranch. In 1998, he decided enough was enough. He began rounding them up at gunpoint and turning them over to the U.S. Border Patrol. Barnett claims to have captured around 12,000 illegal immigrants attempting to cross his property - a spot along the border that authorities have since deemed "an avenue of choice" - into the United States. Illegals sued the rancher for violating their rights and as outrageous as it seems, Barnett was ordered to pay $77,804 in damages, $60,000 of which were punitive.

Don't you find it interesting that the report also refers to the controversial 800 mile wall as being a problem, which of course, indicates that it is more of a solution?

© 2011 GrassrootsAnnie.com

Likeable, Useful Links.

annie@grassrootsannie.com (Grass Roots Annie) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:29:00 GMT

Useful, enjoyable and sometimes, perhaps outrageous blogs and web sites. Any suggestions? Annie@GrassRootsAnnie.com

912 Project - March on Washington
Official site of the Tea Party Express Get Cities and Dates.

American Center for Law and Justice focuses on Constitutional law.
Liberty's Army is an excellent source for vital current affairs.
Bruce Kelly - Conservative Blogs, Web Sites and News
Blogs about or in Washington D.C.
Mr. Payback - Enjoyable Site with Great Resources At A Glance
News Rot has a different twist
Personal Liberty Digestt by Bob Livingston

© 2011 GrassrootsAnnie.com

Geert Wilders -- Freedom Prevails at Columbia; Temple University Gets Annie's "Chicken Award."

annie@grassrootsannie.com (Grass Roots Annie) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:30:00 GMT

Universities were once the temples of discovery; hallowed halls of debate with freedom to explore incredible menus of ideas and concepts; environments that encouraged the exploration of different points of view. Universities taught students how to gather facts and make informed decisions.

Today, these places of higher learning are clone factories, indoctrinating minds to think not for themselves, but like their indoctrinators.

Take the scheduled Geert Wilders speeches in October at Temple and Columbia Universities. Wilders is the outspoken Dutchman who is critical of Islamic terrorists and their attacks on Jews and other religions. On October 17, I wondered if he would be allowed to speak. Scroll down to read that article.

Temple University gave in to Islamic pressure and canceled the speech, proving that radicals are afraid of opposition and different points of view. Columbia however, was a triumph for free speech, giving students an opportunity to hear what Wilders has to say and draw their own conclusions.

You can do the same and watch Wilders' speech at the Atlas Shrugs web site. Scroll down when you reach that page. If you prefer, you can read the full text of his speech.

Below posted on 10/17/2009
While we watch Congress vote on health care bills that haven't been written and argue about costs estimated out of imagination and thin air; while we wait for a President who travels about flashing tiresome grins instead of making critical decisions during a time of war, other things are taking place. Too many things to even contemplate at once, so this commentary will focus primarily on Geert Wilders' scheduled appearances at Columbia and Temple Universities on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 20th and 21st, 2009.

The events were organized by The David Horowitz Freedom Center. Read more on the Center's awareness activities.

My question is not "Will he be allowed to speak?" but rather, "Why wouldn't he be allowed to speak?"

(Call or e-mail the presidents of these universities and tell them to allow Geert Wilders to speak and not to give in to radical Islamic pressure. Their contact information is included at the bottom of this article.)

Who is Geert Wilders? He is the Dutch politician who has been successfully demonized worldwide by radical Islamists since he produced a short film, "Fitna," about what influence the Qur'an (or Koran), the Holy book of Islam, has on today's radical Islamic terrorism. Wilders is outspoken in his criticism of Islamic terrorists and their attacks on Jews and other religions. And for that, he has been vilified, protested against, denied entrance to England, turned away by the Lowes Vanderbilt Hotel in Nashville and charged with racism in the Netherlands. Now the question is, "What will happen next week?"Show me the truth and allow me to make my own decision. Or, is extreme censorship going to hide the facts and limit my knowledge?

It is quite possible, that one or both of these universities will cave into pressure and cancel appearances using the safety of others as an excuse. The Temple University Muslim Students Association is attacking our first amendment rights by demands that the administration deny Wilders' address to Temple. As is typical, the organization is citing incidents orchestrated by leftists and jihadists as valid reasons to deny the appearance. Just think about the angry protests by Islamic radicals in Britain on the 16th of October -- waving pre-printed banners saying, "freedom go to hell" and "Islam will be superior". Read the article on Britain's "MailOnline."

Now, watch Geert Wilders in his own words speaking at a Jewish Temple in Soughton, Mass., February 2009.

While Islamists try to shut Mr. Wilders' voice, we should remember when Tufts University's Interfaith Initiative used federal money to host a dinner and speech by Edina Lekovic, a radical Islamic sympathizer who has defended Osama bin Laden.

Don't forget that traditional Christian activities and prayers are now prohibited in American schools, yet Muslim prayer rooms and footbaths are appearing at our education institutions everywhere. What other religion, minority or not, has ever demanded special accommodations for religious rituals?

What about George Mason University in Fairfax County, Virginia and its agreement to accept $1.5 million from the International Institute for Islamic Thought to endow a chair in Islamic Studies? This organization has a lengthy relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood and according to the FBI, is part of an Islamist organization in Herndon, Virginia with a plan to Islamize the United States.

Doesn't anyone remember the 2008 U.S. Senate investigation into the agendas of Islamic radicals?

This undermining of our freedom of speech is happening all around us. I hate to say it, but factions in Congress and the White House are trying to silence or demonize any of us who do not agree with them as well. Their attacks are so overt and "out there" that we tend to be more stunned than reciprocal. Think about it. Oppose the radicals in government and we are racists, Nazis, bigots and worse.

In a free society, one man's opinion, including Geert Wilders', may be the opposite of another's, but open discussion and exchange of ideas are critical to our liberty. Have you noticed that in recent years even a minority of one has been able to silence the values and ideas of many? Just consider the case now before the Supreme Court involving a memorial to veterans in the middle of the Mojave Desert, miles from anywhere.

Gain a little insight from this interview with Wilder and Glenn Beck from February, 2009.

This commentary not an endorsement of Mr. Wilders' views, nor is it a criticism. It is an effort to help expose the negative efforts of radical Islam and the dangers they pose to our very way of life. Radicals, regardless of their philosophy or purpose, don't want you to know the truth. Whenever a group "doth protest too loudly," be wary and do your own research. That goes for radical Islamists as well as the current political radicals in Congress and the White House.

Take a couple of minutes and call or e-mail these university presidents. Ask them NOT to cancel the Geert Wilders appearances.

Ann Weaver Hart, President
Temple University
1801 North Broad StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19122 USA
Phone: (215) 204-7405,Fax: (215) 204-5600
http://www.temple.edu/president/contact.html

Lee C. Bolinger, President
Columbia University
202 Low Library535 West 116th Street, Mail Code 4309New York, NY 10027
Phone: (212) 854-9970,Fax: (212) 854-9973
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/president/docs/contacts/index.html

© 2011 GrassrootsAnnie.com

Will Harry Reid Play an Enormous Health Care Reform Dirty Trick On The American People?

annie@grassrootsannie.com (Grass Roots Annie) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 21:39:00 GMT

If you want to know what your senators and representatives do before they do it, you need to contact them now. Let them know in no uncertain terms, that if they vote for health care reform that is an amendment to another bill ---- using this kind of slight-of-hand, by-passing normal channels, they will indeed be voted out of office.

Another reason to get the current, do-anything members of Congress out of office regardless of which side of the isle you favor: Reliable rumor has it that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is contemplating adding a senate health care reform bill (which one, we do not really know) as an amendment to House bill, HR 1586, a revenue initiative. With 60 votes, he plans to approve the Bill and send it back to the House without a joint conference committee -- without releasing the contents to the public. *

HR 1586, introduced by Rep. Charles Rangel [D-NY15] in March would impose a new 90% tax on bonuses received by employees of certain companies that received funds from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).

This bill has already passed in the House and is waiting to be voted on in the Senate. Read a more comprehensive story about Harry Reid's plan by CNS News' Matt Cover.

There are rumors that the Baucus bill is not a complete bill -- reason why the budget office could not accurately cost it out and why Baucus refuses to upload it to the Internet.

Any President who serves on behalf of all the people, would not sign such a bill. If President Obama receives health care reform as an amendment and he signs the bill, he will not be credited with passing health care reform. Instead he will be discredited, having signed secret legislation maneuvered by one of the most despicable Senate majority leaders in history.

© 2011 GrassrootsAnnie.com

What You Should Know Before You Take The H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine

annie@grassrootsannie.com (Grass Roots Annie) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:32:00 GMT

UPDATED FROM 9/30/09. Gather facts and consult a medical professional you trust, then make your own decision about flu shots including the H1N1 vaccine. The article below provides information from a number of sources and hopefully, encourages you to do more research in order to make an informed decision.

An Associated Press poll conducted October 1 - 5 shows that 72% of those surveyed are worried about side effects and 38% of parents are unlikely to give permission for their children to take the vaccine. Health officials say there is an unprecedented system to monitor for side effects but the monitoring will be after the fact.

The vaccine can cause Guillain-Barre syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that damages nerves. It can worsen existing medical conditions like asthma, diabetes and heart disease. It can cause digestive disorders, metabolic and nutritional disorders, respiratory disorders, neuropathy and paralysis, and a long list of discomforts and irritations like pain, rash, chills, fever, headaches, fatigue and more.

All this, yet in a few days millions of Americans, perhaps even you, will take the H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine. If that is your decision, you should make it based on knowledge and not "fear of flu" or the government marketing of a product that they own.

Consider the swine flu scare of 1976. 60 Minutes, during a November 4th, 1979 program (this is a "must watch"), revealed blatant U.S. government propaganda and fear-mongering during that swine flu outbreak. The incisive report said that although only one person died as a result of the swine flu, there were 300 vaccine related deaths and 4,000 Americans claimed damages from Uncle Sam amounting to three and a half billion dollars because of the swine flu vaccine.

Could this happen again? A warning that the new swine flu vaccine is linked to the deadly nerve disease, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) was sent by the Government of Great Britain to 600 senior neurologists in a confidential letter on July 29, 2009.The letter from the Health Protection Agency, the official body that oversees public health, was leaked to The Mail. GBS attacks the lining of the nerves, causes paralysis and can be fatal. The letter also referred to the 1976 U.S. swine flu vaccine.

Another warning comes from German Lung specialist, Wolfgang Wodarg, who said that there are many risks associated with the vaccine for the H1N1 virus. The nutrient solution for the vaccine consists of cancerous cells from animals and he said, "we do not know if there could be an allergic reaction".Wodrag also described people’s fear of the pandemic as an "orchestration": “It is great business for the pharmaceutical industry,” he told the German ‘Neuen Presse’. Swine flu is not very different from normal flu. “On the contrary if you look at the number of cases it is nothing compared to a normal flu outbreak,” he added.

What else is in the 2009 H1N1 vaccine? About the same ingredients as in the regular flu vaccine. PhysOrg.com™ a web-based science, research and technology news service, LifeSciences Blog and the government's own flu site, state that the new H1N1 vaccine contains thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative that has been phased out of childhood immunizations since 2001 due to concerns that the preservative MAY be linked to autism.

Thimerosal is about 50% mercury and will be found in most vials of the H1N1 vaccine. According to the CDC, "Single-dose syringes will be thimerosal-free, which will address concerns about this additive, especially regarding pediatric and pregnant vaccine recipients. Inhaler sprayer vaccine products also will be thimerosal-free." Worth noting: before the CDC advocated vaccinating children under the age of five, the number of children dying from the flu was very low, and on the decline. Then, in 2003, just after children aged five and under started receiving flu vaccinations, the number of flu deaths among children escalated The death toll was much larger compared to the previous year, when the flu vaccine was not administered to that age group!

Other toxic or hazardous ingredients included are

Aluminum -- a neurotoxin that has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease
Triton X-100 -- a detergent Phenol (carbolic acid)
Ethylene glycol (antifreeze)
Betapropiolactone - a disinfectant
Nonoxynol - used to kill or stop growth of STDs
Octoxinol 9 - a vaginal spermicide
Sodium phosphate
And of course, the virus or viruses.

Flu shots are include dead flu viruses that are usually injected into the arm. FluMist, the only government-approved flu nasal spray, delivers a live but weakened strain to the nostrils.

Want to know what the CDC says about the swine flu? Use this link for updates, vaccine information and other references.

Pharmaceutical companies are also promoting the flu vaccines, so its worth noting that the Obama administration is protecting drug companies by extended broad legal protection to anyone who makes, distributes, prescribes or administers the H1N1 pandemic vaccine. This is nothing new. Protecting drug companies from lawsuits by requiring claims to be handled in federal court came after the 1976 swine flu outbreak.

I have never had a flu shot and I don't intend to start now, partly because flu shots are determined based on known flu strains that are occurring on the other side of the world in January and February, way ahead of our winter flu season and may not even include the right strains. The basic content of the shots and known reactions are also not appealing to me. I am however conscious of the efforts I should take to protect myself like making sure I have good levels of Vitamin D in my system, eating lots of fruits and veggies, spending more time away from the computer exercising, and washing my hands frequently. If there is an increase in the flu in my neck of the woods, I will probably also avoid unnecessary shopping and wear a flu mask on trips to the market regardless of how I look.

Dr. Mercola's web site includes a video that puts some of this in perspective and includes other information you may want to consider like anti flu health tips.

© 2011 GrassrootsAnnie.com

Another Defining Moment for Freedom: The Supreme Court October 7th.

annie@grassrootsannie.com (Grass Roots Annie) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:44:00 GMT

Is there any respect for freedom left in this country?. It is quite possible that one of the only remaining freedoms is the freedom to destroy the liberty of others. Can a single individual tear down the traditions and heritage of millions? Of course and it may happen again.

The restriction of our freedoms is no more apparent than in a case the Supreme Court will review this Wednesday, October 7th. They are looking at a decision by a federal appeals court that determined a simple white, unadorned, 75 year old cross literally in the middle of nowhere, erected in 1934 as a memorial to veterans, should be destroyed. This nonsense was the result of a lawsuit filed by the ACLU, acting on behalf of a single Oregon resident and former National Park Service employee who says he would be offended if he happened to drive by the memorial. Will this be the reason thousands of veterans and all Americans will be denied this meaningful tribute?

Since the federal court decision, the cross has been boarded up. The U.S. Government recently acquired the once private land on which the memorial sits when the site became part of the Mojave Federal Preserve. After the ACLU and its nutty client filed the lawsuit, Congress acted on the side of freedom and worked with veterans to preserve the monument, voting to give an acre of land containing the memorial back to the veterans who had maintained it for decades. This was in exchange for five acres given to the government.

You would think the Oregon radical and an equally radical ACLU (which should be renamed the American Anti-Civil Liberties Union) would back off after the "acre exchange." But ask yourself why the ACLU would take such a remote matter all the way to the Supreme Court?

The cross is used around the world to honor the military for courage, sacrifice and honor. Our nation's second highest military award is the Distinguished Service Cross. And what about the crosses at military cemetaries, not the least of which is Arlington and includes the Canadian Cross of Sacrifice, dedicated in 1927.? Thousands of police, firemen and others are so honored with the cross after death. These memorials are part of our heritage, our love of country and our respect for those who have fought for freedom and for us.

Could it be that all of these simple memorials will be trashed? Is that the reason the ACLU, using a lone protestor, is willing to go to such lengths -- to remove an important symbol of strength and courage from public places? I say "yes," that's it exactly.

Take away the symbols of freedom --- the traditions of "We the people" and you take away some of the fabric of this nation. Watch what happens Wednesday. Will freedom win?

You may have seen this video, but if you haven't, please watch.

© 2011 GrassrootsAnnie.com

Is It Illegal To Oppose Illegal Immigration? Feds Buckle Under ACLU Pressure.

annie@grassrootsannie.com (Grass Roots Annie) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:24:00 GMT

Ask yourself this question and think about it when you do: "Is it now illegal to oppose illegal immigration?" Has our own government abandoned respect for the law and therefore, respect for our country? Is that why lawless groups like Acorn think they can run amuck, trample our values and make a sham of our right to vote? Is fear of racial profiling more important than our Constitution?

Why are we even debating the issue about whether or not illegal aliens are illegal -- whether or not they should be given the same rights as legal immigrants and citizens born in this country? Well! Here's another something you can put in your pipe and smoke! Keep in mind that what affects one of us -- affects all of us.

The Arizona/Mexico border is now even more vulnerable as Feds buckle under pressure from the ACLU, labor, religious and pro-immigrant groups because of, you guessed it, fears of racial profiling. I say, "If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it is definitely NOT a mongoose! We might want to find out what a mongoose is doing in the duck pond!"

That's what the controversial Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Arizona has been doing -- checking the duck pond. His jail-screening efforts helped catch nearly 30,000 illegal immigrants since a special program, known as 287(g), began in February 2007. His street level enforcement that has been a deterrent, also helped catch more illegals.

Next to Mexico City, Phoenix, once a desert paradise, is now the kidnapping capitol of the world with almost 400 kidnappings last year. Phoenix law enforcement has been quoted as saying that the city is now “”ground zero”" for the violent Mexican and Latin American drug cartels who have moved north through Mexico into the United States. There has been a 325% increase in kidnapping for ransom cases in Maricopa County since 2005. Many victims are women and children targeted as hostages and held for ransom. If you think it isn't going to spread, you're wrong. Nevada has seen an increase in this kind of illegal activity and no doubt other areas as well.

Yet democrats in Congress and some republicans fail to protect our borders.

If you are looking for a hero in the middle of this mess, there is "Sheriff Joe," the outspoken, play-it-by-the-book, prisoners-wear-pink-underwear lawman who makes a lot of people in Maricopa County, where 50% of Arizona's population lives, feel safer. When he or his men stop a "Coyote" suspect with a van full of Latin American look-alikes, is that outrageous? Should it be forbidden under the guise of racial profiling? Evidently the Feds think so.

Part of the sheriff's success has been an agreement authorizing him and his deputies to act as federal immigration agents on the streets, but late yesterday the new agreement says he can continue to check immigration status for those booked into county jails, but that does not extend to street enforcement.

This makes the ACLU very happy as indicated by a reported statement in the Arizona Republic. Spokesperson, Alessandra Soler Meetze said, "He's not going to be able to arrest people for those kind of routine civil-immigration violations."

Please tell me what is routine about 3,000,000 to 4,000,000 illegal aliens entering this country annually, an escalating drug problem, growing numbers of kidnappings and fear in American cities? To those who say illegals are peaceful people, look at the facts. Of course some are peaceful and just want a better life. But do it legally!

And what about this "spin" by the Arizona Republic that claims they analyzed arrest records from 10 of the sheriff's crime-suppression operations which showed that more than half the illegal immigrants arrested during the sweeps were held on federal immigration violations and hadn't committed another crime. Isn't being an illegal immigrant a crime?

The Sheriff has been dubbed everything from a white supremacist to a fascist and a racist -- some of the same names American's who protest big government are called.

You have to love Sheriff Joe who said, "It looks like they're taking away my authority on the streets for political reasons, They don't have the guts and the courtesy to even come back and say in writing, 'We are not going to continue.' " He also said that the deal requires the approval of the county Board of Supervisors, which meets on Wednesday, the last meeting before the deadline.

If you live in Maricopa County (and even if you don't), support Sheriff Joe and his efforts to keep at least one part of this country safer. Please E-mail all the Supervisors. Tell them to support Sheriff Joe. Use this link and click on one or all of the districts for e-mail addresses.

Now ask yourself this question: Is it too late to save America, our freedoms and the Constitution? Are we turning into a lawless country without hope? Not yet, but our work has just begun. Let's vote the radicals out of office. Watch for "Annie's Lists" coming soon to this blog.Watch this Lou Dobbs report on Sheriff Joe from 2007.

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