Free Republic

The Federal, New York and California governments aren't the only ones that are out of control regarding taxation. The Oregon state legislature has become infected with Tax-and-Spend disease. Many new bills have been introduced, that if passed, would raise taxes or fees in many different ways, from income and sales taxes to insurance to real estate transfer taxes and so on. There's even a bill that would put a 10% sales tax on Bird seed! As if taxing all those tons and tons of bird seed used in Oregon every year would solve Oregon's fiscal problems. The House Republicans have...

President Obama and a core cabal of far leftist Democrats are finding devious and covert ways of enacting their vision of a new America by circumventing the normal route for legislation. Their underhanded plans include stringent Gun Control, drastic Cap and Trade Carbon Caps, and Universal Government Health Care. Each has been slated for their unique plan tailored to mute all Republican, as well as any Democrat, objections or amendments. So, you ask, how are they going to get around any Republican Filibuster in the Senate and also remove any chance of amendments from either Democrats or Republicans in either...

Truthfully, I’m not writing this article from a political agenda. I’m writing, as one who cares deeply about children and the education profession. I’m writing from a position as an insider. I taught in public schools for 20+ years, served as an adjunct professor in Teacher Education, and now I am an educational consultant. I work with private schools and see parents rushing to transfer their children to our school, as if they are fleeing from some monster. Sadly, teaching according to this legislation seems to place educators in a “social role” of compliance rather than coming into their classrooms...

Gun control advocates said if a man who complained about not getting enough in unemployment benefits could afford enough ammunition to repeatedly practice shooting and go into his killing zone with a satchel of bullets around his neck, new ways are needed to stem gun violence, including raising the price of ammunition.

"Each year, millions of wild animals are captured overseas and imported into the United States," said Michael Markarian, executive vice president of The HSUS. "This trade results in the suffering and death of large numbers of animals, poses unnecessary risks to public health and jeopardizes native wildlife populations here and abroad. We are grateful to Congresswoman Bordallo for working to address this global problem."

Representatives Henry Waxman (D-California) and Edward Markey (D-Massachusetts) today unveiled the Clean Energy and Security Act, a massive bill that incorporates virtually every lame-brained global warming policy ever considered by Congress (and then some).

Senators have tabled, or killed, an amendment offered by Senator David Vitter (R-LA) to the Serve America Act (S. 277 / H.R. 1388) by a vote of 53 to 43.The amendment would state that no funds within the underlying bill for various service-related programs can go to “ACORN or any of its affiliate organizations in any way.”ACORN stands for the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now. It’s a community organizing group for “low- and moderate-income people” according to its website.The group’s political committees generally support Democrats. You’ll recall that it came under fire in the media for alleged voter...

<p>I don't think Wa Po allows excerpts - I apologize for not including, if it does.</p>

The definition of a citizen is one who is ruled and can rule in turn. We must have the capacity for both under the law. All citizens must be able to take the following oath of office: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on...

We aren’t to be trusted. Only the government can be trusted! We aren’t to be trusted with enterprises in achievement or business development, Instead the federal government has decided for us that multi-trillion dollar entitlements and porky pig bills masquerading as emergency stimulus are needed to bring our economy into repair. We aren’t to be trusted with managing and raising our own children. Instead, the Rights of the Child initiative, proposed control and limitation of the parents in parenting from the United Nations, is being discussed in committee for a later vote in Congress. We aren’t to value life as...

Barack Obama’s Big Bang Theory of Governance is starting to face its first big test among the new president’s fellow Democrats. At the White House Tuesday morning, Obama began the day with a sharp push-back against the idea that his uncommonly ambitious agenda on health care, energy and other initiatives is too much, too soon. As Obama’s remarks echoed on Capitol Hill, it soon became clear that the skeptics are not just Republicans. There is rising doubt among Democrats — particularly moderates already concerned about the big costs and deficits called for in Obama’s budget — that either Obama or...

The conspiracy theory over President Barack Obama’s birth certificate has reached the House bill hopper. Late last week, Rep. Bill Posey, a freshman Republican from Florida, introduced a bill mirroring proposed state legislation in Missouri and elsewhere to require presidential candidates to produce copies of their birth certificates and other documentation to prove natural-born citizenship. Obama has actually produced a copy of his Hawaii birth certificate, and it has been certified by the state of Hawaii. The so-called “birther” movement, however, is calling for Obama to release his original birth certificate. “Opponents of President Obama are raising the birth certificate...

Congressman introduces legislation to require candidates to produce a birth certificate In response to the ongoing controversy over President Obama's "natural born" status, a Republican Congressman has introduced a bill to require candidates to produce their birth certificate. In spite of how you feel on the issue of Obama's status, this seems to be a reasonable requirement. Most of us had to produce a birth certificate to get a job or a drivers license. There is no such requirement for the Office of the Presidency. President Obama has produced a shorter Certification of Live Birth from Hawaii, but has refused...

Dear HSLDA Members and Friends, This morning, while radio host Tom Roten was interviewing Delegate Margaret Anne Staggers and me live on WVHU, Del. Staggers said that she did not support her own bill, H.B. 2749, the sports access bill, as written. Your phone calls had an impact!

Governor Dave Heineman told a packed chamber of homeschool families that he was proud of their efforts. Speaking to a capacity crowd in Warner Chamber of the Nebraska Capitol on February 18, the governor recalled last year’s battle over testing bill L.B. 1141. Former Senator Dianne Schimek introduced the bill that would have radically changed Nebraska’s homeschool law, creating unprecedented burden on homeschooling families. “I told you last year that I would veto that bill if it came to my desk. Because of your hard work it never reached my desk. In fact, the bill never left the committee.” L.B....

And how could they know what they do? It’s an open secret that members of the U.S. Congress, for a long time, have not read the very legislation on which they vote. Regardless of the fact that many of the congressmen are lawyers and were taught in law school the definition of “fiduciary responsibility” — which means reading the entire document, from beginning to end, word for word — they choose to ignore this all important responsibility. An excellent case in point is the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, H.R. 1, known as the “stimulus package.” The number...

Oklahoma City - Oklahomans would be allowed to carry a visible rifle, shotgun or pistol without a handgun license under a bill filed by state Rep. Mike Ritze. "In Oklahoma, carrying a rifle or shotgun in your pickup is an accepted practice and most Oklahomans believe they should have the right to carry their guns openly if they have not been convicted of a crime," by Ritze, R-Broken Arrow. "I hope my fellow lawmakers will approve this bill in committee. It is an affirmation of their belief in our Second Amendment rights." House Bill 1414 specifies that the firearm would...

"President Barack Obama may be serious about banning pork in the new “stimulus” bill. And, perhaps, no individual members of Congress will insert “pet projects” (i.e. earmarks) into the legislation that is ultimately passed by Congress and presented for his signature." "But, of course, in the final analysis, that does not mean that the $825 billion legislation will be any less wasteful. Because, it will not matter to the American taxpayer whether the bacon was added to the package piecemeal—or if the entire pig was served up upon introduction, as appears to be the case here."

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- Miami police issued a plea for information Saturday after at least one person with an assault rifle opened fire on a crowd of people on a streetcorner Friday night, killing two teens and wounding seven other people. Evidence markers dot the Miami street where nine people were gunned down with an AK-47 Friday night. Evidence markers dot the Miami street where nine people were gunned down with an AK-47 Friday night. .... ... "These are weapons of war, and they don't belong on the streets of Miami or any other street in America," Mayor Manuel Diaz...

Talk radio’s Rush Limbaugh and Democratic firebrand Rahm Emanuel agree on one thing: Barack Obama’s presidency could alter America for decades. Emanuel, the new White House chief of staff, recently told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos that the financial meltdown provides an opportunity “to do things that Americans have pushed off for years.” Limbaugh offered the contrary view, with this warning: “We're about to see an encroachment by the left that will take a generation to roll back.” Here are a “dirty dozen” changes Team Obama is most likely to enact. Ratings Key [1 to 10 scale]: Probability Likelihood that the measure...

Since I'm really concerned about how socialist we're getting now with all active parts of the Fed being "Democrat", I'd really like to have a site or action-alert or some such that at least lists all pending bills (#s as well as titles) or perhaps even better, alerts us to bills coming up for debate (especially those with conservative concern). Anyone know of anything that can help me know what's going on, so that I can contact my congressmen about it and voice my opinion?

Right Side News Reports from the Federation for American Immigration Reform Chertoff: DHS Has Mexican Border Violence Spillover "Contingency Plan" SCHIP Legislation Passes in House and Senate Finance Committee Homeland Security Nominee Questioned by Senators Freedom Finally Coming for Former Border Patrol Agents

"While she was an officer with the Omaha Police Department, Abbie Cornett would occasionally run across the remnants of a dogfighting operation and the various items used to run it."

The House of Representatives has passed an expanded version of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and made it easier for illegal aliens to access the program's benefits. HR 2, the new version of SCHIP, weakens verification requirements. Those who enroll will be required to show only an easily forged Social Security card -- not secure documents proving U.S. citizenship. The legislation also extends benefits to non-citizen children of legal immigrants. The SCHIP bill is designed to provide health coverage to low-income children, a laudable

California Rep. Henry Waxman said Thursday the environment and U.S. economy depend on congressional action to confront the threat of climate change. Waxman, chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, spoke as he opened Congress' first hearing on climate legislation. A group of 14 corporate

Clinton donor benefited from legislation backed by Sen. ClintonAn upstate New York developer donated $100,000 to former President Clinton's foundation in November 2004, about the same time Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton helped... By CHARLIE SAVAGE The New York Times Originally published Sunday, January 4, 2009 at 12:00 AM WASHINGTON — An upstate New York developer donated $100,000 to former President Clinton's foundation in November 2004, about the same time Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton helped secure millions of dollars in federal assistance for the businessman's mall project. Sen. Clinton helped enact legislation allowing the developer, Robert Congel, to use tax-exempt bonds...

The Federal Communications Commission sponsored a Nascar race car as part of its effort to inform Americans that on Feb. 18, television signals transmitted over the air will be transmitted solely in digital format. Old TV sets will no longer work. It paid $350,000 to emblazon “The Digital TV Transition” and other phrases on a Ford driven by David Gilliland. So how’s that going? In November, the car crashed during a Nascar race in Phoenix. It was the second crash in as many months. And how is the digital TV transition going? According to critics, about as well, despite a...

Confronted with a struggling transportation fund, lawmakers in Texas soon are expected to wage battle on various methods to help generate $14 billion for roads and bridges throughout the state. Another bill is intended to sideline the planned Trans-Texas Corridor. A report released this week from the Texas Department of Transportation says that the state will need to come up with $313 billion by 2030 for road and bridge maintenance and for congestion solutions. The report’s unveiling happened a couple of weeks before the Texas Legislature is set to convene its 2009 session. Lawmakers say they already were committed to...

According to David Bossie, President of the group 'Citizens United for American Sovereignty', based out of Merrifield Virginia, the above- mentioned Senate Bill (S. 2433) is a piece of legislation in the works that all Americans need to know about and know now!

Let's get to the bottom of what party is better for the economy. In the last 40 years has any economic growth legislation been inspired by Democrats ?

Congress has been busy writing and talking. They have introduced over 13,000 pieces of legislation, not counting the amendments. Now let us talk about efficiency. 448 of their proposals became law, but that number is misleading. 146 of those bills were to name post offices or other buildings and parks. That leaves 302. Many others were extensions of previous law, changes of staffing, reauthorizations or appropriations, leaving the number of actual laws at about 40. All this is from a total of 13,500 proposals. A lot of work in congress goes nowhere; we should be thankful for that. If you...

Clinton Signs Legislation Overhauling Banking Laws WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 (Reuters) - President Clinton signed into law today a sweeping overhaul of Depression-era banking laws. The measure lifts barriers in the industry and allows banks, securities firms and insurance companies to merge and sell each other's products. "This legislation is truly historic," President Clinton told a packed audience of lawmakers and top financial regulators. "We have done right by the American people." The bill repeals parts of the 1933 Glass-Steagall Act and the 1956 Bank Holding Company Act to level the domestic playing field for United States financial companies and allow...

Democrats and the MSM are pointing to John McCain's vote for the Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999 (S. 900, Gramm-Leach-Bliley) as evidence that he contributed to the recent financial collapse of Lehman Brothers, AIG, et. al. The truth is that Alan Greenspan, then Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, and Donna Tanoue, then Chairman of the FDIC, not only supported the legislation but testified in front of the Senate Committee that the legislation was essential for economic growth and absolutely necessary. Read the Senate Committee Report at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/cpquery/?&dbname=cp106&sid=cp1064MJzX&refer=&r_n=sr044.106&item=&sel=TOC_12543& President Clinton signed the bill into law on November 12, 1999....

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 31, 2008 Mr. Childers (for himself, Mr. Altmire, Mr. Cazayoux, Mr. Dingell, Mr. Ross, Mr. Tanner, Mr. Stupak, Ms. Herseth Sandlin, Mr. Ellsworth, Mr. Melancon, Mr. Chandler, Mr. Lincoln Davis of Tennessee, Mr. Boyd of Florida, Mr. Matheson, Mr. Cardoza, Mr. Carney, Mr. Kagen, Mr. Holden, Mr. Shuler, Mr. Lampson, Mr. Hill, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Space, Mr. Barrow, Mr. McIntyre, Mr. Bishop of Georgia, Mr. Gene Green of Texas, Mr. Gordon of Tennessee, Mr. Peterson of Minnesota, Mr. Boren, Mr. Donnelly, Mr. Walz of Minnesota, Mrs. Boyda of Kansas, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Souder, Mr....

To require the Department of Defense to grant access to accredited members of the media at military commemoration ceremonies and memorial services for members of the Armed Forces who have died on active duty and when the remains of members of the Armed Forces arrive at military installations in the United States. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the `Fallen Hero Commemoration Act’. SEC. 2. MEDIA ACCESS TO MILITARY COMMEMORATION CEREMONIES, MEMORIAL SERVICES, AND ARRIVAL CEREMONIES FOR...

I was getting ready to send a blistering email to congressman Tanner to demand drilling, opening up oil shale development, and more nuclear energy. When I went to his website, I found this. August 6, 2008 TANNER INTRODUCES 'FUEL ACT' Democratic bill calls for domestic drilling, seeks to lessen dependence on oil Congressman John Tanner has introduced legislation to address the nation’s energy crisis by lifting the ban on domestic drilling, encouraging the development of alternative fuels and investing in nuclear energy. The “Fulfilling U.S. Energy Leadership Act” (“FUEL Act”) was introduced August 1 by U.S. Reps. John Tanner (D-TN),...

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators seeking to end the energy wars raging in Congress unveiled new legislation Friday that would allow some offshore oil drilling but also would invest heavily in wind and solar power, electric vehicles and alternative fuels. The new proposal arose as tempers flared anew over energy in Congress on Friday. As the House adjourned for its August break without a vote on new oil drilling, Republicans refused to leave, continuing the debate in a darkened chamber with the microphones off. Democrats called it a stunt. Republicans likened it to "a Boston tea party on energy"...

-Throughout the 2008 campaign, Obama has made a point of refusing the liberal label. While running for Congress against Bobby Rush in late 1999 and early 2000, however, Obama showed no such compunction. At a November 1999 candidate forum, the Hyde Park Herald reported that "there was little to distinguish" the candidates, who "struggled to differentiate themselves" ideologically. Acknowledged Obama, "[W]e're all on the liberal wing of the Democratic party." -The most interesting characterization came from Obama himself, who laid out his U.S. Senate campaign strategy for the Defender in 2003: "[A]s you combine a strong African-American base with progressive...

Gitmo Merry-Go-Round by: Emily Miller, July 25, 2008 The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) held a congressional hearing last week to revisit Guantanamo policies in the wake of Boumediene v. Bush, a recent Supreme Court decision that extends habeas corpus rights to detainees in Guantanamo Bay. Co-Chairman Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) says that in light of Boumediene the U.S. should “reopen entirely the question of how we handle terrorism suspects.” Calling Guantanamo a “lightning rod for international human rights criticism of the United States,” he encourages the U.S. to look abroad to see how...

(CNSNews.com) - Anxious to look like they’re doing something about rising oil and gas prices -- but unwilling to expand domestic oil drilling -- Democrats have introduced a bill that’s supposed to ease pain at the pump by offering alternatives to driving. The bill does nothing to increase domestic energy supply. Instead, it’s focused on the demand side of the equation, and that’s earned it kudos from environmental activists. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, the bill -- called the Transportation and Housing Options for Gas Price Relief Act of 2008 -- would allocate taxpayer money to: -- expand public...

First Amendment At Risk by: Emily Ham, June 27, 2008 For many congressional representatives, this year Fourth of July is not only a day to observe the freedoms Americans hold dear, its also the deadline to sign a petition that could be the dividing line between broadcast freedoms and a form of governmental censorship and control. At a press conference held on June 11 (Radio Independence Day), members of Congress, the press and organizations throughout Washington D.C. gathered on the steps of the Cannon Senate Building to ask Congress members to stand up for broadcasters’ rights. Speakers beseeched the House...

(English-language translation) With six weeks to go before the United States Congress adjourns, [pro-statehood] New Progressive Party (PNP) candidate for Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi considers "uphill" the effort to address the political-status bill PNP Chairman [and incumbent Resident Commissioner] Luis Fortuño is promoting. During a visit to Washington, D.C., Pierluisi met yesterday with Senator Ken Salazar, who is promoting in that chamber the status bill Fortuño drafted in the House of Representatives and who warned him that he foresees difficulties in its being considered before the current session ends. Although Salazar reiterated his commitment to the status issue, "he was...

A29-MEMBER independent task force of the Council on Foreign Relations released a report Friday that adds another authoritative voice to the clamor for U.S. leadership on climate change. Co-chaired by former New York governor George E. Pataki (R) and former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack (D), the bipartisan document makes an argument that has fallen on deaf ears at the White House. "As the United States takes increasingly aggressive action at home," the authors correctly note, "it will be in a stronger position to ask more of others." "Confronting Climate Change: A Strategy for U.S. Foreign Policy" endorses a reduction in...

“[T]he government of the United States is a definite government, confined to specified objects. It is not like the state governments, whose powers are more general. Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government.” —James Madison

After more than a decade of debate, Congress has reached agreement on the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), which will protect the rights of patients who undergo genetic screening, specifically preventing discrimination by employers and insurers. Conditions that can cause sudden cardiac arrest, such as Long QT and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy can often be identified through genetic testing, and the enactment of GINA is an important step to remove potential legal and financial barriers for individual and family screening.

Bill would hold funds from city unless it retracts Marines remarks SACRAMENTO — The lone Republican Bay Area lawmaker wants to withhold state transportation funding from the city of Berkeley until it rescinds a resolution that grants protesters a parking space in front of a U.S. Marines recruiting office. Assemblyman Guy Houston, R-San Ramon, said the Berkeley City Council is making a political war zone out of what should be a public right of way for those who want to join the military. His bill, Assembly Bill 2615, would suspend $3.3 million in Local Road and Street funding over...

WASHINGTON: A legislation targeting India and seven other countries which allegedly refuse to take back illegal immigrants convicted of crimes in the United States has been introduced in the House of Representatives. The bill requires reports being sent to Congress every 90 days on the countries which inhibit repatriation that will automatically trigger denial of foreign aid as well as suspension of visa issuances to them. The bill, a companion to the Accountability in Immigrant Repatriation (AIR) Act of 2008 introduced last month in the US Senate, was introduced by Congressmen Charlie Dent and Michael Castle.

Items 1 through 100 of 122 1. S.CON.RES.5 : A concurrent resolution honoring the life of Percy Lavon Julian, a pioneer in the field of organic chemistry and the first and only African-American chemist to be inducted into the National Academy of Sciences. Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/31/2007) Cosponsors (5) Committees: Senate Judiciary Latest Major Action: 1/31/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. S.CON.RES.25 : A concurrent resolution condemning the recent violent actions of the Government of Zimbabwe against peaceful opposition party activists and members of civil society. Sponsor: Sen...

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 3, 2008 Mr. Hensarling (for himself, Mr. Akin, Mr. Barrett of South Carolina, Mr. Bartlett of Maryland, Mr. Bishop of Utah, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Brady of Texas, Mr. Broun of Georgia, Mr. Campbell of California, Mr. Cannon, Mr. Cantor, Mr. David Davis of Tennessee, Ms. Fallin, Mr. Feeney, Mr. Flake, Mr. Fortuno, Ms. Foxx, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Gingrey, Mr. Hoekstra, Mr. Kline of Minnesota, Mr. Lamborn, Mr. Marchant, Mr. McCarthy of California, Mrs. Musgrave, Mr. Neugebauer, Mr. Paul, Mr. Pence, Mr. Ryan of Wisconsin, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Shadegg, Mr. Tancredo, Mr. Walberg,...

Today’s title may defend itself against the risk of being read. Before deciding to keep reading or move on, let me ask you a question: Do you have enemies?