March 21, 2010
Patriotism in Action
On March 20, 2010 I sent an email to everyone who is a subscriber to Tim Carter's Fire Pit. I begged people to stop what they were doing and go out to one of the protests that were happening at just about every Congressman's office. Craig McCluskey, who lives in New Mexico, sprung into action. I can't say that it was my email that did it, but ....
He wrote to me today saying:
I did that. I made up a couple of signs ("No on 'Health Care'" and, "Don't 'Slaughter' our Constitution") and drove the 39 miles and 1 hour into Santa Fe, where I was the only one on St. Michael's Drive in front of Ben Ray Lujan's (D-NM 03) office this afternoon.The vast majority of the drivers that went by had no reaction to my
signs. I was able, however, to determine the reactions of 40 of them:32 in favor and 8 against what I had to say.
One of the "againsts" was a fellow on a bicycle who figured the health care bill would have no effect, since the drug companies controlled health care before the bill and would control it after, and who said we lost our Constitution years ago, commenting that the last time we declared war on anyone was Italy in WWII and that all of the wars since were unconstitutional.
One of the "fors" was an older fellow who looked at my signs and said, "You're doing a good job."
Another one of the "fors" was a fellow and his daughter who parked their car, came over and said, "I want to shake your hand." He was from Texas and said that they wouldn't put up with the nonsense that has been going on. He mentioned about Texas seceding. I commented that I had gone to graduate school in Texas and heard that Texas had reserved for itself that option.
I got there at 1:27 and left at 5:00, quite sore from holding the signs in the wind and cold.
Craig, I personally thank you for this effort. It's all about social proof. More will do what you did, especially those who saw you, because they need to see others doing it first.
Good for you, Craig. Thanks for standing in the gap for all of us.
Edna Earle on March 21, 2010 5:03 PMAll I can say is "WoooooooHoooooooo!!!!!!!". Health Reform is here. Congratulations America! I want to be one of the first to welcome you to the rest of the civilised world.
tok on March 21, 2010 11:27 PMsweet!...
sharisse on March 22, 2010 1:46 AMI cannot believe how our country's leaders have betrayed us, and how little it seems to matter to people. Our Dems and the President have taken the first step toward social slavery. I talked with a woman at a business conference this week who lives in Canada. She was diagnosed with MS and cannot receive treatment until her conditions worsen. Is there something wrong with that picture? The government healthcare in that country denied preventive, early treatment and has condemned her to allowing disease to get the upper hand.
Jeff Lee on March 22, 2010 8:24 AMPassing this healthcare bill has just crippled our country. Not to mention that the IRS is going to be the branch policing compliance of participation.
Attorney General Abbott: Texas and Other States Will Challenge Federal Health Care Legislation
Terri on March 22, 2010 12:24 PMFollowing the passage of the health care legislation, the Texas Attorney General provided the following statement:
"The federal health care legislation passed tonight violates the United States Constitution and unconstitutionally infringes upon Texans' individual liberties. To protect all Texans' constitutional rights, preserve the constitutional framework intended by our nation's founders, and defend our state from further infringement by the federal government, the State of Texas and other states will legally challenge the federal health care legislation."
Greg Abbott
Attorney General of Texas
health care is not betrayal...wars based on lies, re-construction based on bribes and vested interests, wealth based on liasons with the 'enemy', THIS is betrayal!...bush sank the ship and obama is trying to right it again...will there be mistakes?...of course!...we are humans and make mistakes...no credit is given to clinton for the healthy economy we enjoyed and based our present expectations on...it took bush three years to demolish all the good clinton did...it will take that long or longer to right bush's wrongs...conservatives made mistakes as do liberals...to use these terms as insults, they are just points of view...good and bad can come of either...the economy is recovering...slowly...the real estate market is recovering...slowly...better slowly than not at all...take a moment to reflect on how long it took to recover from bush(1) and apply that to bush(2)...admittedly, bush(1) took the reins after the economic devastation that was reagan and his 5X tax increase...
sharisse on March 23, 2010 1:14 PMoh by the way mr.abbott, my family is from texas...unfortunately for us we of mexican decent and have felt personally the violations of the constitution...death and theft were our experiences and that was as recent as the bush2 regime...i guess honesty is not patriotic?...well the founding fathers kept slaves, so i get it...
sharisse on March 23, 2010 1:20 PMNice job, Craig. I personally plan on attending a Tax Day protest in DC. From reading the comments here, I'm amazed at the people who will use the failings of Republicans, or the fact that the Founding Fathers had slaves, to excuse the lunacy of "Progress." It's because of the system set up by those Founding Fathers that the slaves were eventually freed. And as if Bush's mistakes make it OK for Obama to just do whatever he pleases. Two wrongs don't make a right. We all knew that before we even reached school age. And as for the comparisons to Canada and other "civilised" nations, Canada has 1/10 our population, and there are too many other factors that are completely different to make such a comparison. Just because it "works" (which is debatable) in Canada does not mean it would work here.
Chip on March 23, 2010 3:05 PMwe should all remember that 'the tea party' was an act of 'terrorism' on a sitting government, whatever the results...and politicians who rig elections cannot be called 'patriots'...we have lost our perspective and it seems, our minds...
sharisse on April 3, 2010 12:13 AMI have written to so many sites/people, and have never, to date, have had any feedback whatsoever. Here again, is my comment/suggestion for any and all:
Richard Coppola on April 8, 2010 7:40 PMThe time is RIGHT, the time is NOW. The past words "These Are The Times That Try Men's Souls" written by Thomas Paine 1776 are echoing back to us as we are indeed becoming increasingly more divisive and torn apart as a nation.
I am taking the chance you will read my words. To some, my vision may be too sophomoric (?SP), but I do not care...It is coming from my passion and my heart. At 70 years of age I may not have many more voting opportunities coming my way. It is you, that have the passion, and it is you that may have the connections to reach out and see if what I suggest has any merit.
We (American People) need another 'tool,' that will spread the word to any and all across this nation as to what the word America means. To use Glenn Beck's words "Question With Boldness" I ask: Hell, if Michael Moore can produce a film about all that is negative about America, why can't someone produce a short film about all that is positive about America, and also show it throughout this nation?
No, not from a Nationalistic Nazi/Mao propaganda point of view, but one based on historical accurate accounts..our founding.. our evolution. our core roots, principles and values as envisioned and drawn up by imperfect men, who came to these new lands seeking freedoms/liberties and away form a Monarchy, Religious Intolerance, Taxation, or Serfdom, which ultimately led to the formation of our Constitution and Declaration of Independence. A Dream, an Ideal, for all the world to see and still come to our shores.
This would be about all that is 'Good' about America.
Some ideas that rush through my mind...to help finance, speak with people such as Bill Gates, W. Buffet, T.B. Pickens, Ross Perot etc...Rupert Murdoc himself (FOX)....there are so many potential sources available!
Producer/Director: ? Approach Mel Gibson, Clint Eastwood.
Narration/Introduction: ? Newt Gingrich, as he is also an Historian and author of many books on American History.
If we stand united and hold clear defined positions we can and will stop this Radical Progressive Ideology, currently in Washington, from transforming America into another European Union Member.
Once more I state...The Time is Right, and the Time is NOW....Keep the Dream...Keep The Ideal Alive.