From the Tea Party Express website, the tour schedule from Sacramento, CA to Washington, DC on September 12, 2009:
“The Tea Party Express national bus tour will host a series of tea party rallies all across the nation. The effort will begin in California and travel eastward, building momentum as the tour reaches its final destination: the big 09.12.09 Taxpayer March on D.C.
At each stop the tour will highlight some of the worst offenders in Congress who have voted for higher spending, higher taxes, and government intervention in the lives of American families and businesses. These Members of Congress have infringed upon the freedom of the individual in this great nation, and its time for us to say: “Enough is Enough!”
The “Tea Party Express” tour will feature leaders in the anti-tax, conservative, tea party movement along with musical performances of “American Tea Party Anthem” and “A Bailout Song” at each tea party event. The tour delegation includes:”
Yesterday, the Citizen Wells Blog posted the announcement of a Tea Party to be held today, Monday, August 31, 2009 in Las Vegas, NV. We have a reporter on the scene and will provide updates as we get them. CNN is supposed to have their CNN Express news bus on the scene in Nevada and hopefully other media outlets will cover this story. Will Harry Reid pay attention?
Thanks Upstate Warrior for this video link:
*** Update from the local Fox affiliate (this was very brief) September 1, 8:30 ET ***
“Rally Held Against Big Government
Las Vegans Hold Tea Party Rally
POSTED: 5:48 pm PDT August 31, 2009
Hundreds of people protested in Las Vegas against what they characterized as big government.
Those who turned out at the Sports Center of Las Vegas Monday for the Tea Party Rally criticized what they call big government — things like bailouts and deficit spending — as they waved signs.
*** Update from on the scene reporter – September 1, 2009 5:30 PM ET ***
“CW, We were at the Party from 8:45am to 2:00pm.”
“We were there first.”
“We were not allowed to be by the grandstand,… due to our signs. THEY WERE ANTI OBAMA. The organizer said that the media would have a hay-day with them. (ridiculous to say the least….. XXXX (my husband was HOT!) I WILL SEND YOU PICS OF THEM”
Hundreds of people protested in Las Vegas against what they characterized as big government.”
*** Update from on the scene reporter – September 1, 2009 5:30 PM ET ***
“CW, We were at the Party from 8:45am to 2:00pm.”
“We were there first.”
“We were not allowed to be by the grandstand,… due to our signs. THEY WERE ANTI OBAMA. The organizer said that the media would have a hay-day with them. (ridiculous to say the least….. XXXX (my husband was HOT!) I WILL SEND YOU PICS OF THEM”
Look for more pictures soon.
Here is the announcement from yesterday: “ATTENTION NEVADANS: We need your urgent help!
We here at the Tea Party Express have been informed by several national news media outlets that they will be on hand to cover our “Tea Party Express” rally in Las Vegas, Nevada this Monday, August 31st at 11:00 AM. The rally will be held at the Sports Center of Las Vegas (located at 121 E. Sunset Road).
We know this is not the most convenient time for some people to attend a rally, but we simply must have a huge crowd on hand. To help underscore why this is so important, consider this: CNN is planning on having their CNN Express news bus. Some news outlets will be broadcasting live. We can’t afford to have a rally with a small crowd on hand (especially given how successful the “Tea Party Express” rallies have been so far these first two days).
So we need your help. If you live close enough to Las Vegas to attend the rally (even if you have to take an early lunch) then PLEASE make it to the rally. Load up your car with as many people as you can.
If you live too far away, or absolutely cannot attend, then we need your help to get the word out. Forward this email on to everyone you know. Post messages to online discussion forums and blogs. Call anyone and everyone you know who lives in or near Las Vegas.
MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2009
11:00 AM — Las Vegas “Tea Party Express” Rally
The Sports Center of Las Vegas
121 E. Sunset Road”
“Please email your neighbors and friends…anyone you know who lives in Las Vegas or surrounding areas about the Tea Party Express on Monday…all the information is below… and you might want to have them read the following….very telling of “Dirty Harry” Reid and the present power hungry LIBERAL THUGS how occupy our White House and who are taking our country down a destructive path!!”
“ATTENTION NEVADANS: We need your urgent help!
We here at the Tea Party Express have been informed by several national news media outlets that they will be on hand to cover our “Tea Party Express” rally in Las Vegas, Nevada this Monday, August 31st at 11:00 AM. The rally will be held at the Sports Center of Las Vegas (located at 121 E. Sunset Road).
We know this is not the most convenient time for some people to attend a rally, but we simply must have a huge crowd on hand. To help underscore why this is so important, consider this: CNN is planning on having their CNN Express news bus. Some news outlets will be broadcasting live. We can’t afford to have a rally with a small crowd on hand (especially given how successful the “Tea Party Express” rallies have been so far these first two days).
So we need your help. If you live close enough to Las Vegas to attend the rally (even if you have to take an early lunch) then PLEASE make it to the rally. Load up your car with as many people as you can.
If you live too far away, or absolutely cannot attend, then we need your help to get the word out. Forward this email on to everyone you know. Post messages to online discussion forums and blogs. Call anyone and everyone you know who lives in or near Las Vegas.
MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2009
11:00 AM — Las Vegas “Tea Party Express” Rally
The Sports Center of Las Vegas
121 E. Sunset Road
** FORWARD THIS EMAIL – CLICK HERE **”
JOHNSTON COUNTY – U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan thinks the economy is on track to recovery, and she says health-care reform is a critical national goal.
Hagan, who took office in January, spoke with The Herald recently by phone.
The economy
“I think that the stimulus package is starting to work,” she said. “We’re seeing some of those investments in infrastructure and transportation and education.”
The money from the federal recovery bill is starting to flow faster, and positive signs have begun to surface, Hagan said. But a job-market recovery will likely not come until later, she added.
“I think jobs will lag a little bit behind … but once again, we’ve got the stimulus money out there, and we’re working hard to make sure we get the programs up and running,” Hagan said. “We’re running swiftly along those lines.”
This recession is a lingering one, but North Carolina’s workers could help pull the state ahead early, she said. “I think North Carolina has the most-eager workforce,” Hagan said. “I hear that from companies all the time.”
She sees education as a way to shorten the doldrums – and as a way to prevent another recession. Hagan has introduced a bill that would give schools money to teach personal finance to students in grades 6-12.
“Debt is good for you if you’re investing in a long-term investment, but not good for paying for your everyday expenses,” Hagan said. “It’s not rocket science; we just haven’t taught it.”
Health care
Hagan believes health-care reform is linked to economic recovery. Changes to health care could help small businesses, she said.
“I think small business is having a hard time with the health-care costs,” she said. “We’ve got to drive down the cost of health care.”
Under President Obama’s plan, a government-run program or nonprofit cooperative could compete with private insurance. For either to work, Hagan said, it must stabilize costs, ensure that people can use the plan and avoid adding to the federal deficit.
More money in health education could also drive down public health costs, Hagan said. She supports a bill that would give more money for diabetes education.
In recent weeks, some town hall meetings have echoed with protests against health-care reform. Hagan said that’s all part of the process and that the dour economy likely stirred stronger emotions and doubts about health care.
“I think many people are concerned about health care,” she said. “I think it’s important for the people in our country to be able to have discussions about any legislation, and you certainly have the right to do so.”
Hagan, a former state senator, said she has cherished her months on Capitol Hill. “It’s pretty exciting time, and I am honored to be serving the people of North Carolina,” she said.”
No wonder Senator Hagan does not want to host a town hall meeting with her constituents.
Blindly following or embracing the Obama far left strategy will not work in NC.
I have never been more proud of my fellow NC citizens than when I watched a video of a town hall meeting they held after many attempts to get the attention of Senator Kay Hagan.
The good folks in Wilmington, NC have been busy. Here is a video of one of their Tea Part protests from August 22, 2009.
Was this an Isolated case of miscommunication? Apparently not. Senator Hagan was interviewed on WBT talk radio by Keith Larson on Friday, August 28, 2009.
Senator Kay Hagan has time for a Health Care for America Now, a radical Obama controlled organization, town hall, but not time for her hard working constituents.
Please pass this along to as many people as possible. Even if you do not live in NC, Senator Hagan’s attitude toward her constituents is typical of many in Congress. If you do live in NC, make sure everyone in NC is aware of Hagan’s position.
If you would like to have a town hall meeting hosted by Kay Hagan and have her explain her position on health care or why she is not listening to the public, contact her or comment on this site.
Correct me if I am wrong, once they opened this public property up to politicians of the Democrat party, for a public forum, how can they legally exclude opposing views?
“This video was taken on Tuesday, August 25th, 2009 at Rep. Jim Moran’s (D-VA) Town Hall meeting on Obama Deathcare (Howie Dean was there too) held at South Lakes High School in Reston, VA.
Many people were left outside when the school filled to capacity. School security officer Wesley Cheeks, Jr. did not like my anti-Obamacare poster which used one of the gone-viral “Joker” graphics.
When I said to Officer Cheeks, “This used to be America!” his response was: “It ain’t no more, OK?”
I feel sorry for Officer Cheeks. He, like many African-Americans are being played by the racist Obama administration. Wake up people. They used to want you only for your votes, but now with the huge hispanic illegals pouring in they won’t even need you for that. Watch those inner city abortion clinics get stimulated though. Democrat and church leaders sure seem to have time and money to build those.
Google “margaret sangar black children eugenics” (no quotes) and find out what’s REALLY behind those Democrat abortuariums run by Planned Parenthood. Democrat eugenicists like Rahm Emanuel and his brother Zeke “Dr. Mengele” Emanuel and John Holdren and George Soros and Mr. Abortion himself, Barack Obama can’t kill enough black babies. The ovens are fired up. Wake up people.
Satan is in da house.”
Thanks to commenter Fernley Girl
*** Update ***
I have sent an email request to the Reston, VA police requesting the statute allowing the police officer to demand that the poster be taken down.
I rarely listen to WBT radio in Charlotte, especially since Jeff Katz was let go. However, this morning, quite by chance, I caught the tail end of an interview of Kay Hagan by Keith Larson. Kay Hagan is a Democrat Senator from NC. Larsen did a really good job of forcing Hagan to answer questions about her support of the health care bill and about her not hosting town hall meetings. Senator Hagan provided very evasive and non commital answers. She claimed that she has an open door in her Charlotte office to answer questions from citizens, but when asked when she would be available she stated that she was going to Ted Kennedy’s funeral and had such a hectic schedule that she could not provide an answer as to when she will be available for her constituents.
This is unacceptable!
The Citizen Wells blog will get to the bottom of this and help the NC citizens hold Kay Hagen accountable.
The Charlotte Observer, today, Friday, August 28, 2009, has an article about Kay Hagen and her position on health care reform.
“Hagan held no town hall meetings over the August recess, but she noted that she held open office hours in Sanford this week in which she met in small groups with 50 to 60 residents.”
Sanford is a small city in the center of the state.
Keith Larson was trying to pin down Hagan as to when she would be available in Charlotte, the largest city in the state. He never got an answer.
Perhaps we should demand a town hall meeting from Senator Kay Hagan.
If you are a NC resident, let us know if you want a town hall meeting.
Listen live to WBT radio:
*** More on the real Kay Hagan and her disrespect for her constituents ***
Senator Kay Hagan has time for a Health Care for America Now, a radical Obama controlled organization, town hall, but not time for her hard working constituents.
CW, Thank you for posting Larson interview. You are right, it is the best I have heard.
I am very active here in Wilmington. Kay Hagan will not answer our emails, phone calls, ect. We have tried for weeks to get a commitment from her to visit Wilmington. Finally, we had a mock Town Hall without her. A video was made, and of course, sent to her. No response so far.
Congressman Steve King of Iowa held a town hall meeting recently. Apparently it was civil. After reading an article in the Daily Times Herald based in Carroll, Iowa, I would like to comment on a few statements that he made.
August 26, 2009
“Clearing some air with congressman King”
“King, who thinks Obama is clearly a native of Hawaii, addressed this issue in our interview after the town hall meeting.
Daily Times Herald: Unlike some of the town-hall meetings that are looped over and over again on cable news this one was exceedingly civil. You had some people bring up points that were obviously at odds with your viewpoint. One thing that has happened at some of these town-hall meetings that have been so highly publicized is that people have held up birth certificates and questioned the legitimacy of Obama’s presidency.
That’s not something I’ve ever seen you do, and I’ve actually heard you speak movingly about what it was like being there in January and watching Obama be inaugurated. Obviously some of these people that hold these views about Obama’s legitimacy are conservative.
Would you have any message for them? Do you think Obama’s a legitimate president, that this birther issue should be set side and that those people should move on on the issues?
Congressman King: “I spent my time before the inauguration to look into that because I thought it was the time to do so.
“We discovered working with a small group and their staff in the Library of Congress the microfiche copy of one of the two Hawaii newspapers that published the birth announcement of President Obama on Aug. 4, 1961.
“It was published on either Aug. 10 or 16. I looked at that copy, and we began to play that out on how would that actually be there in many of the public libraries in America if he wasn’t born in Hawaii.
“It almost comes down to, yes, that information could have been sent, but his mother would have had to imagine that she was protecting the interests of a future president in order to do such a thing.
“I don’t think anyone has that kind of clairvoyance, yet alone a young mother, at that time.
“I came to the conclusion that it’s improbable that Obama was not born in Hawaii as he says.
“I just don’t understand why he wouldn’t ask under Hawaiian law that the certificate of live birth, the real legitimate birth certificate, be released to the public. I’ve seen the one that they put out. It doesn’t look exactly like some of the others they’ve used to compare it.
“So I just wish the subject weren’t there. I think he could have avoided the subject if he would have just simply laid his birth certificate out.
“I don’t know what his motive for not doing that would be unless it would be something that is embarrassing, that he doesn’t want us to know, and, otherwise, I think he would have let us know. But he’s the one that has to answer that, and we have core public policy things to move forward on, and that’s not a priority of mine to dig into it.
“The truth will eventually emerge.” ”
Citizen Wells comments:
Since when does a birth announcement vet a presidential candidate?
Congressman King does question why Obama does not reveal his original long form birth certificate. However, he should demand that Obama do so.
“Daily Times Herald: You have a lot of concern about government involvement with health care. One place where that occurs right now, some would say successfully, others would have issues with it particularly in light of some of the stories that have broken in the last few weeks, is the Veterans Administration. If the government is terrible at running health care, should the services provided through the VA be privatized?
Congressman King: “I think our Veterans Administration does a good job with the health care that they deliver to our veterans. We’ve been expanding the clinic access in the district – Shenandoah and here (Carroll) and up in Spirit Lake. We continue to work on that. The standard that we want is I don’t want to see a veteran drive more than an hour to go to any clinic. That expansion’s taking place, although the Veterans Administration deserves the lion’s share of the credit.”
Citizen Wells comments:
If congressman King believes that the VA is doing a good job of health care, he is ill informed. A cursory examination of recent news reveals that there are major problems in VA hospitals. I personally know someone that was butchered in a VA hospital. I have an aunt that is active with the American Legion and she works with a lot of veterans being processed at a VA hospital. She has told me about many problems that the veterans have.
The VA hospitals have outlived their usefulness. The Government has no business managing healthcare. I am certain that if the VA hospitals were closed and the money guaranteed for the veterans at non government hospitals, the cost would go down and most important, the quality would go up.
“None of the attendees challenged Barack Obama’s constitutional legitimacy as president as has been the case elsewhere where so-called “birthers” have hijacked elected officials’ town-hall meetings to charge that Obama wasn’t born in the United States.”
Citizen Wells comment:
Note the insulting, condescending tone. Using the term birthers for concerned Americans and using the term hijacked for exercising their First Amendment rights.
Congressman King and the reporter require educating.
Thanks to commenter ccwarrior and the Count Us Out blog for the info.
** Update – This was posted by commenter JustMe **
“CW,
the VA is a sorry excuse for health care, especially given the fact the folks that gave life/limb to protect our freedom. My husband, a physician, until earlier this year could see some Veterans in private practice (after jumping through a bazillion hoops). No more! Don’t know exactly what’s changed but know that it has.
Now they have to drive great distances just to be seen in a clinic. Then must drive even greater distances (in the case of our west TX town… they must drive to another state) to have access to a hospital. None of it makes sense.
They are also having difficulty getting their meds. My husband is greatly saddened to see how these people are treated.
If we got rid of the VA system, I bet we could afford to have healthcare for all. The operating costs have to be enormous.
My gardener’s father is a Vet and has cancer. He has had to travel great distances recently just to be seen. He said the VA has written him off and referred him to hospice to die. He isn’t ready for hospice at this point. They also refused to consider a small procedure to put his “elimination system” back together that would have allowed him and his care givers an easier time.”
Question anything about Obama, his past or his policies and you are attacked. Whether you are exercising your Firstment Amendment rights at a town hall meeting or asking simple questions about Obama, like the actor Jon Voight did.
Bishop Harry Jackson: Universal Health Care ‘Reverse Classicism’
From Conservative Black Woman:
“Bishop Harry Jackson Tells The Truth About Healthcare Reform But Liberal Bloggers Are Truth-Resistant”
“Liberal bloggers at Huffpo and blackpoliticalthought (because we are all supposed to think the same thoughts, you see) are busy disparaging Bishop Jackson and accusing him of perpetuating “misinformation”. Matthew Palevsky (Huffington Post) writes “Bishop Jackson continued by picking up on a common misnomer that the right invented and then railed against, spending tax dollars to pay for abortions.” Good grief…I guess Mr. Palevsky and “DAD” (Dumb-AZZ-Donna, the condescending elitist reader), typical Obama drones have fallen for the semantic tricks of President Obama and the leftist demon-crats. Yes, it is factual that the Senate’s healthcare proposal does not specifically mandate abortion but what these deceptive azz-wipes fail to mention is that anytime Congress fails to exclude funding for abortion it is always included. Case and point, for the last 13 years no federal dollars were have been used to fund abortions in the District of Columbia because pro-life lawmakers specifically excluded abortion funding in the DC spending bill — that is until this year. The demon-crats successfully removed the exclusion so now your tax dollars are being used to kill off black babies otherwise known as genocide. Yes, I’m aware that I’m not suppose to follow the ramifications of that through to the logical conclusion because that makes me a “right wing loon” or worse. It fascinates me how this is lost on the “fight the power” “power to the people” types. I guess they trust the government now….because we have a black(ish) president and all.
I wonder how many religious leaders fell for President Obama’s “ethical and moral obligation” crap yesterday as he urged them to get behind this abominable plan? Too many I fear. But Obama is right it is a moral obligation. We are our brother’s keeper — so the government should leave it to us.”
Orwellian lies are one of the hallmarks of the socialist left in this country. Earlier today, in an article about SEIU and their so called union constitution, the Citizen Wells blog reported,
“Our nation’s healthcare crisis has touched every kitchen table, every worker, every boardroom, and every patient and continues to grow worse each day. 48 million people in the United States have no health insurance and hundreds of millions more are under-insured”
Please explain to me, how is it possible to have hundreds of millions more under-insured…unless, of course, you are including a great many from other countries.
Yesterday, August 26, 2009, the Citizen Wells blog presented an article about Obama’s ties to SEIU, a group that claims to be a union representing working people.
“SEIU,Service Employees International Union, thugs have been a prominent feature at many of the town hall meetings on health care. Did you ever wonder why they were there. This article from American Thinker on January 6, 2009, months before these town hall meetings, will shed some light on their presence.”
Today, August 27, 2009, a great commenter on this blog alerted us to another article referring to SEIU as the new mafia.
“SEIU, The New Mafia”
“We all have heard about the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) during the 2008 general election. Even more recently, the SEIU was active in being “ushers” at the Tampa town hall meeting on August 6, 2009 sponsored by Florida State Representative Betty Reed (D-Dist. 59) with special guest, Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D-FL), on the topic of healthcare reform. It was no surprise that SEIU members acted on their best, I mean, not on their best behavior when using mafia-like tactics in preventing ANY proud American willing to practice their first amendment right of free speech.”
“Furthermore, the SEIU advocates for illegal alien employment as evidenced by their adopted amendments and resolutions from their 2008 convention in Puerto Rico! Yes, in an economic climate where LEGAL immigrants and Americans are losing their jobs, the SEIU writes “How To” guides for employers if they are subjected to an I.C.E. raid. This would partly explain their behavior at town hall meetings around the country as they do not want the COMMON SENSE voice being heard about some of the issues surrounding the healthcare crisis; i.e. illegal aliens who receive free healthcare at the American’s expense!”
“So, I’ve browsed the SEIU’s 2008 amendments and resolutions and provided specific examples of how their intended goal of promoting jobs in all industries for all people actually has counterproductive practices. On face value, this organization is just the street level thug division of the Organize for America movement which is an extension of the Obama’s 2008 campaign. In fact, I actually feel sorry for SEIU members for being exploited by the liberals to advance their agenda instead of filling their ranks with people that fully understand issues and grasp the severity of their actions.”
Obama’s SEIU Thugs Attack a Black Conservative Outside Russ Carnahan Town Hall.
The following comes directly from the SEIU constitution. There is so much unAmerican, anti business, marxists propaganda there that I had a difficult time deciding what to include.
Resolution # 102a Adopted at the 2008 SEIU Convention
Building Workers’ Strength with Comprehensive Immigration Reform
SEIU members have many reasons to stand united for comprehensive immigration reform.
All working people face lower pay and benefits when some hard-working, taxpaying workers are driven into an underground economy because they are denied legal status.
The political strength of working people is seriously undermined when millions of workers are denied the right to vote because they have no real path to citizenship.
Our primary mission – to unite all working people for a better future – cannot be achieved as long as many workers face exploitation and discrimination.
Our communities are weakened when politicians eager to exploit divisions pass laws that result in workers being denied access to drivers’ licenses and insurance or qualified high school graduates being denied a college education.
As a result of the U.S. Senate’s failure to pass comprehensive immigration reform last year, we have seen an alarming increase in local laws that target immigrant workers and their families, along with costly deportation raids that make headlines but do not realistically fix a broken system. Deportation threats without reform have pushed undocumented immigrants further into the underground economy, dividing the workforce and driving down wages and benefits for all working people.
When the Bush administration announced a federal attack on undocumented immigrant workers, including a new policy on “no match” Social Security cases, SEIU developed a tool kit and held legal trainings to educate employers and workers on their rights in the event of a worksite raid and/or “no match” letter.
As the federal crackdowns increase, so do state and local laws that target immigrant workers and fuel fear, hate, and division in communities across the country. Legislation in states such as Arizona, Oklahoma, and Virginia that deputizes local law enforcement and empower them to persecute undocumented immigrants will cost billions in taxpayer dollars, but solve nothing.
We will oppose initiatives including guest worker programs if they do not provide future immigrant workers with a safe, orderly, and legal process that includes full protection of U.S. laws and a pathway to citizenship.
SEIU members will continue to help immigrant workers organize to unite their strength with us.
Resolution # 105b Adopted at the 2008 SEIU Convention
Justice for All: Reforming Our National Healthcare System
This Moment Calls for Our Leadership
Our nation’s healthcare crisis has touched every kitchen table, every worker, every boardroom, and every patient and continues to grow worse each day. 48 million people in the United States have no health insurance and hundreds ofmillions more are under-insured, making it difficult or impossible for them to access quality health care;
SEIU will bring its full resources to this fight in the form of national membership mobilization, political action, and local resources to amplify our voice on this issue and be prepared for the real healthcare reform work that begins on November 5, 2008 with a newly elected President and Congress.
3. While we continue to defend employer-based plans that provide quality healthcare for our members, the current employer -based health care system is not a realistic foundation for 21st century health care reform, particularly given the competitive challenges of a global economy.
Further be it resolved:
To win national healthcare reform SEIU members pledge to:
Help to build and grow Healthcare United, an organization of both union and non-union nurses and healthcare workers, and support the work of Americans for Health Care — to speak out with healthcare consumers to help lead the fight.
Resolution # 106a Adopted at the 2008 SEIU Convention
Quality Public Education for All
A high quality, universal public education system is crucial to ensuring equal opportunity for our children. But our nation’s children do not have equal access to a quality public education. The opportunities provided by public schools have been selective and have excluded too many of our children. Millions of children of working families, particularly in lower income communities, do not have access to schools in which all students can thrive.
Resolution # 107 Adopted at the 2008 SEIU Convention
Rebuilding the Middle Class
Commit 50% of the growth budgets and 50% of non-growth staff during the first 100 days of the 111th • Congress toward the passage of Employee Free Choice and healthcare reform.
Resolution # 115a Adopted at the 2008 SEIU Convention
Solidarity with Latin America and the Caribbean
Today, progressive, democratically elected movements continue to grow in strength across Latin America and the Caribbean. Currently Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela are increasingly committed to fighting against poverty and illiteracy and for a more just society.
Resolution # 122 Adopted at the 2008 SEIU Convention
Resolution on the Campaign for the New American Dream
WHEREAS in February 2008, the International Executive Board endorsed Barrack Obama to become the next President of the United States, and since that time SEIU members and leaders from around the country have worked tirelessly in primaries and caucuses from Oregon to Pennsylvania, from Texas to Wisconsin, in Puerto Rico, Indiana, Ohio and other states. We have also built upon our successes in the 2006 Congressional General Elections in 2008 to preserve a democratic seat in Massachusetts, elect a progressive democratic in Maryland and make unprecedented gains in difficult congressional districts against anti-worker candidates.
SEIU will help expand the work of nonprofit entities such as Mi Familia Vota, Strengthen Our Lives (S.O.L.), and The American Dream Fund so that all working people, including immigrants, will be active and united.
SEIU,Service Employees International Union, thugs have been a prominent feature at many of the town hall meetings on health care. Did you ever wonder why they were there. This article from American Thinker on January 6, 2009, months before these town hall meetings, will shed some light on their presence. And while your reading this article, note the mention of Robert Blackwell, you remember, the man who received many favors from Obama and donated a lot of money to Obama’s campaigns.
“Pay-to-Play Politics, the SEIU and Obamacare
The Governor of Illinois, for all his well-documented faults, has performed at least one valuable public service. He has made it clear to the meanest intelligence that our new President-elect emerged from a hopelessly corrupt political culture. Barack Obama oozed from the same stinking Chicago swamp that produced Blagojevich, and a man whose formative years were spent wallowing in the muck with such creatures isn’t likely to be long in White House before the stench of pay-to-play politics begins to pervade the place. That this has important implications for the future of health care in this country has already been demonstrated by a brazen episode of cronyism involving one of America’s most prestigious health care institutions, the University of Chicago Medical Center.
It is no secret that, immediately following Obama’s election to the U.S. Senate in 2004, UCMC created a new position called “Vice President for Community and External Affairs” and bestowed it-along with a lavish salary-upon Michelle Obama. It is less well known, however, that one of her husband’s cronies subsequently received preferential treatment in a UCMC contract bidding process. Specifically, the medical center altered its normal procedure for soliciting contact proposals so that longtime Obama “friend” and political donor, Robert Blackwell, could submit a bid to upgrade UCMC’s intranet. Naturally, officials of the medical center deny that the expanded process was in any way connected to Obama’s influence, but Blackwell Consulting was awarded the $600,000 contract.
What does this have to do with national health care policy? Well, Mr. Obama achieved his November victory with more than a little help from such “friends.” These benefactors paid a lot to put him in the White House, and they weren’t all motivated by a desire “make history.” Among the most generous of Obama’s supporters was another entity that has figured prominently in the Illinois culture of corruption — the Service Employees International Union. According to CNSNews, the SEIU’s political action committee made “more than $27 million in independent expenditures” in support of Obama’s presidential campaign while its members “knocked on 1.87 million doors, made 4.4 million phone calls, registered 85,914 voters and sent more than 2.5 million pieces of mail.”
In return for all this largesse, the SEIU wants help in unionizing the health care industry. And a clear sign that Obama intends to provide that assistance can be found in his nomination of California Representative Hilda Solis, the hand-picked candidate of SEIU President Andy Stern, for U.S. Secretary of Labor. Solis made her priorities clear during the press conference at which her nomination was announced: “As secretary of Labor, I’ll work to strengthen our unions …” And a key strategy in “strengthening” unions will be an aggressive program to organize health care workers. Indeed, she has a track record of doing just that. As it was phrased in the gleeful news release from SEIU United Healthcare Workers-West, “She has stood alongside healthcare workers as they fought to form unions in their hospitals.”
Citizen WElls 