Friday, April 30, 2010

Patriot Movement Needs Deputies

Published again! Wow, I don't know why I've received such favor from the local newspaper. This is a taste of what I've been doing locally with the "tea party" I organized in my area for a year now. Well, since before that with the Ron Paul meetup community outreach events. Anyway, the point is that anyone can do this. Just get out there and get busy! If you plan it, they will come. (If they see you on the busiest street corner and/or see the article in the newspaper!)

Feel free to comment: http://heraldbanner.com/letters/x1271725116/Patriot-movement-needs-deputies
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The Greenville Area Patriots thank you for the coverage of our Tax Day event and follow up editorial dated April 18th. I also thank everyone who came out and signed our letter to Governor Perry and the passersby who encouraged us with their enthusiastic honks and waves.

I appreciate the Herald Banner's encouragement to focus our energies on the local level. I have encouraged that as well.

The main effort we focused on Thursday, April 15th was to pressure the state to keep the Feds at bay. People are realizing that we have no true representation in DC and the state government must do its duty to protect its residents from the ever increasing unconstitutional Federal actions by using the tools of nullification and interposition.

Most people still think that DC is the main culprit, so you will see that as the focus of many people. I hope to help folks see the bigger picture as they get involved.

Excerpts from the "mission statement" I try to make sure everyone receives:
GREENVILLE AREA PATRIOTS - Standing in the G.A.P.

We came out today, now what???? If we don't work for our God-given freedoms now, what will our grandchildren do??? Never let it be said that we did nothing!!!

1. Educate yourself - the Constitution, Bastiat's the Law, monetary system, true history. Books by Judge Andrew Napolitano, Thomas E. Woods. When listening to the news pundits or politicians, ask yourself "who benefits if I believe what they are telling me"? Think outside the box.

2. Stay connected for future events, alerts, etc. SIGN UP!!!

3. Set differences aside - we must WORK together where we can agree. We MUST realize that the battle is BIG government vs. the people, not left vs. right. Don't let them continue to distract and divide us. Work to reform the party with which you are most closely aligned for the benefit of ALL Americans, not for the sake of the party.

4. Tell others! We must step outside our comfort zones and reach people! Carry flyers or business cards around. Send emails, write the editor. Get together for discussions.

5. Put pressure on our legislators and governor. Concentrate on Austin, DC hasn't paid attention.

6. Show up to city council, commissioner's court, school board meetings and insist on transparency. Our presence will let them know we are watching and will hold them accountable!

I cannot attend every meeting, I need "deputies" to attend and report back their findings. Our numbers are growing, people must realize that demonstrating and reading or forwarding emails is a start, but it won't be enough.

I've been asked why I changed the name (from tea party) to Patriots. I think it's more positive sounding. Some of us have been working to restore our republic for many years. We understand our true history, see the big picture AND the need to find common ground and work together.

Thank you for the encouragement.

Debbie McKee
Greenville Area Patriots organizer

Monday, April 5, 2010

Taking a Stand

(my latest letter to the editor 4.5.10 - GHB in print & on-line http://heraldbanner.com/letters/x1687699021/Taking-a-stand )

We attended the “town hall meeting” arranged by our State Rep. Dan Flynn and the Texas Conservative Coalition in Greenville Thursday night.

Local activists had called the Hunt county GOP and wanted to have a meeting to discuss what we were going to do about the health care legislation. We don’t do that kind of thing, they were told. They then contacted our Rep’s office and would not give up until a meeting was arranged.

We are thankful his office and the TCC took the time and trouble to arrange the meeting and come out.

We received an email about the event (forwarded by others) with the following language: …..Town Hall Meeting to explore what Texas can do to restore liberty by rejecting the intrusive, massively-expensive ObamaCare reforms……“I welcome any and all to come to this meeting to voice their opinions regarding the federal healthcare legislation and to ask any questions about what Texas' plans and options are." ……Please attend this forum to help you remain informed and educated about plans to reject the unprecedented federal takeover of your health care. This event will provide you with an opportunity to participate in a discussion about asserting Texas' constitutional rights.

Many in attendance were sadly disappointed and frustrated. I didn’t look at my watch, but by conservative estimates we sat and listened to them tell us how bad the bill was and congratulate themselves on past victories for approximately 80% of the evening. The time for questions and comments was very limited. It was clear they didn’t intend to give us much “opportunity to participate in a discussion“.

The time spent on what Texas can do about this unconstitutional bill was about 2-5% of the presentation. If that. We didn’t hear much about rejecting intrusiveness, restoring liberty and asserting rights, wording used in the email/press release.

Their number one solution, and they spent the most solution time on this, was to elect enough Republicans to Congress in November so that we can Repeal and Replace. They also mentioned the lawsuit filed by the attorney general’s office. They barely even touched on flat out rejecting the legislation through nullification. They did say that the attorney general’s office was working on a bill they could file in January.

Many in attendance felt that January is too late. We should push for a strictly limited special session as soon as enough support is gathered. All over Texas people are pressuring their representatives and the governor for such. We want something done ASAP.

1. We cannot count on a super majority being elected in November, nor on them actually following through and repealing it (according to an article in the GHB on Sunday, March 28th, page A11, Republicans were for it before they were against it, so we could end up with something similar anyway).

2. We cannot count on the Federal courts to rule in our favor. They are the arm of the Federal government, the bully we are fighting. How many really think we will get a fair shake? Especially when one looks at all the other horrendous legislation and decisions they’ve upheld over the years.

3. And, we certainly have learned we cannot count on campaign promises. We want to see it happen BEFORE the election.

Texas needs to make a stand and NOT back down. The people need to know that our state government will protect us from this and much more past and present encroaching unlawful federal legislation. We aren’t alone, there are over 30 states working on ways to say NO to the feds. We are in such a mess because we did not stand up years ago. How long will we wait?

We are collecting signatures for a letter to Governor Perry, calling for a limited special session to nullify unconstitutional health care legislation. We will be hand delivering those to Austin in the near future. To do something on your own, visit these sites: http://www.notintexas.org/ and http://www.werefuse.com/ . Or email me for info and to receive updates on this and other important activities.

The Greenville Area Patriots (formerly the Greenville Area Tea Party) will hold a peaceful, public demonstration on April 15th focusing on this and other overreaching, unconstitutional Federal legislation and what we can do about it.
Call or email for more info. 903 862 2214 netxlc@gmail.com
Debbie McKee