Remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

First off, I found this image only on May 29. It was very moving to me. So, no more words.

Healthcare: two reasons the Obama Admin needs to push legislation this year

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

Recently, I posted a response to a story on Politico (www.politico.com) about why Obama ad his administration knows why if universal healthcare is not passed this year. I thought you all might find it intriguing:

Why would we need to press so hard on health care in the context of "now or never?" Don't get me wrong, the need to solve this healthcare question is critical. But if the country has waited this long, why can't we wait until a robust debate has been completed on healthcare reform? It seems to me, gauging the political and economic climates, Obama wants healthcare passed before Labor Day because of two, distinct reasons:

1) From a political standpoint, 42 percent of Americans favor "every one in the United States having free health care". 44 percent oppose. (according to a Rasmussen poll dated May 18, 2009). But, by almost 2-to-1 margin, Americans "reject free health care for all if it means changing their own coverage and joining a program administered by the government." President Obama knows this, and the only way for the government to step in and administer health care at the rate he feels it could, would be a competitve federal healthcare system. The problem there is, as we see with the bailout of companies and the banks, the federal government's coffers are much deeper than any insurance companies. How long would it take for the FEDGOV to bankrupt national healthcare, much like Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid? In the end, only the FEDGOV healthcare could compete in that market, with private health insurance companies going the way of the Edsel. And then, to save money, who do you think will regulate healthcare? I'm sure a non-taxpaying healthcare czar would be appointed to oversee.

2) From an economic standpoint. We read the news each day. Tax revenue for the nation is at one of its lowest points in history. With no tax money coming in, programs either need to be slashed to compensate, or, we do what is being done now: deficit spending. Spend what you don't have to fund what shouldn't be funded. That's the Democratic Congress right now (Repubs can be blamed as well). But as the economic crisis continues, and we move deeper into the recession, Obama knows he needs to pass the legislation on healthcare this year because if it is held off until 2010, the American people will be galvanized by the tremendous debt the nation suffers from, as well as by projected inflation expected to kick in going into Fiscal year 2010.

If Obama doesn't get the healthcare legislation this year, all bets may be off. But it's a perfect storm for anti-government healthcare: The executive and legislative branches are held by liberals dominately, and arguably by far-lefter liberals than most. If conservatives (BlueDog Dems and Repubs) can't stop the legislative, it's game over for free-markets and hello to a quasi-socialist healthcare system.

Is a VAT tax coming to the U.S.? Maybe according to the Washington Post

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

Wow, a disturbing news reporting on the Washington Post's Web site on May 27. It appears there are some lawmakers on Capital Hill who are looking to our European brethern on how best to supply fresh capital into the coffers of government. Under consideration is a value-added tax, or VAT tax. This is, essentially, a national sales tax on everything you buy. It is, essentially, another way for the government to take money from you. 

As we hear more about "universal health care", or socialized medicine as it's really known as, the government will require not only fresh capital, but lots of it to support the enormous costs associated with nationalized health care (that's where the government has a competing health care pool that no health care company can compete with, ultimately ushering in a one-party healthcare system... a la the government). So what's yet another way for the federal government to reach into your pocket and take MORE money? VAT would be that!

Here's the story.

And now I name names. Sen. Kent Conrad, a Democrat from North Dakota, was quoted by the WaPo as saying "There is a growing awareness of the need for fundamental tax reform ... I think a VAT and a high-end income tax have got to be on the table."

Folks, if you don't believe me on liberals wanting to add additional taxes, look no further than Kent Conrad. I know... I know. You're saying we need to blame North Dakota for electing him. While not entirely a bad idea, Conrad is in the senate seat. So do me a favor? Why don't you call his office? Here's the info:

Senator Kent Conrad

530 Hart Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510-3403
Phone: (202) 224-2043
Fax: (202) 224-7776
Online: http://conrad.senate.gov/contact
E-mail: https://conrad.senate.gov/contact/webform.cfm

State Offices

Minot:

U.S. Federal Building, Room 105
100 1st Street SW
Minot, ND 58701

Phone: (701) 852-0703
Fax: (701) 838-8196

Grand Forks:
U.S. Federal Building, Room 104
102 North 4th Street
Grand Forks, ND 58203

Phone: (701) 775-9601
Fax: (701) 746-1990

Bismarck:
U.S. Federal Building, Room 228
220 East Rosser Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58501

Phone: (701) 258-4648
Fax: (701) 258-1254

Fargo:
U.S. Federal Building, Room 306
657 2nd Avenue North
Fargo, ND 58102

Phone: (701) 232-8030
Fax: (701) 232-6449

Are Chrysler dealership closures being cherry picked based upon their owner's campaign contributions?

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

You know folks, we talk a lot about taxation with the TEA Parties. It's obviously important to bring to light the travesties of government of overtaxation ... not only through things like property and sales tax, but the small taxes hiding under the rock, like increased state gasoline taxes, miscellaneous penny taxes they try to pass to "shore up funding" they need... while they refuse to cut spending.

But the TEA Parties also stand for government accountability and returning to a strict interpretation of the Constitution. On that subject, I want you to know about the latest Chrysler information coming from Detroit.

World Net Daily, a conservative-leaning news reporting Web site, is reporting on the more than 700 dealerships getting the axe from the Chrysler bailout/bankruptcy debacle. Of those more than 700 dealerships, WND has learned through their own research that when matching the list of owners of these dealerships versus their political donations, more than 90 percent of the owners gave to Republican candidates. Less than 10 percent gave to either then Senator Clinton, former Senator Edwards and then Senator Obama. 

Yet, many of the most profitable dealerships on the list, which are scheduled for closure over the next two months, are getting the axe. And these profitable dealerships are owned by Republicans.

Here's the story.

Now, I don't know if this is enough evidence. Far from it... it's difficult to tell if there is something fishy going on here. But I would hope that some investigating will get to the bottom of this. I, for one, would like to know the truth on Chrysler's systematic plan for dealership closures. 

There are a lot of people who purchased MOPAR vehicles for their dealerships in the hope of keeping the company alive. After purchasing massive amounts of inventory, which Chrysler, in effect, off loaded, they turned right around and closed a good portion of the dealers. What happens to the cars? After they are closed, they can continue to sell off their inventory, but the popular warranties that usually come with vehicles will no longer be honored by Chrysler. So, who buys a car without a warranty? No one, that's who.

If you want to see the dealer list, it's here.

Folks, I guess my best advice from this column is to be ever mindful of government. Government is still ran by men and women, some of which can and are corrupted. It's sad to think it, but look no further than Sen. Roland Burris from Illinois. He lied to the Illinois Senate committee on the Blago investigation. So, remember, always keep a magnifying glass on them. Because the Chrysler deal, as it continues to unravel, looks like politics, rather than economics, trumped the carmaker's fate.

Statewide petition effort from Doug Bruce's office

It seems Rep. Doug Bruce from Colorado Springs is pushing for petition support to get 120,000 signatures throughout the summer in support of two initiatives. Those are:

Colorado Citizens for Colorado here. 

Limit Property Tax here.

These are two initiatives that aim to give power back to the Colorado taxpayer via the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, or TABOR. Supporting these initiatives forces the Denver state house to come to grips with what all of us already know: money is scarce, we need a balanced budget and additional taxation, especially in times of recession, are not the way an effective representative government operates.

For more information, call Jeff Wright at (719) 330-1358 (cell phone). Get involved!

THE GOOD POST: Results from our local polls

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

Well gang, thought this would be a good opportunity to compile the information from our small, yet modest polls on the future of the Colorado Springs TEA Party movement. Without further ado:

In poll number one, we asked "WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE COLORADO SPRINGS TEA PARTY MOVEMENT DO NOW?"

It was pretty evenly split, but there are some differences. 16 of you said we should do another TEA Party protest in town, which equalled 39 percent of those polls. On the other side, 36 percent, or 15 of you, asked if we can get involved with straightening out local politics. And lastly, 10 of you, or 24 percent, wanted to take the TEA Parties to Denver's capital steps. However, I think one stat that is very important is that no one voted declaring the TEA Parties have no where else to go. Faith, in every day actions and in the movement, is critical.

Now the second poll asked "WE'RE PLANNING ON A TOWN HALL MEETING SOON FOR THE TEA PARTY MOVEMENT ... WHICH DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE DISCUSSED?"

For me, this poll was a bit more interesting as we focused on a specific event, if held. The big items, focusing on talking less and mobilizing as well as talking about a way forward to plan our next move were the same, both garnering 35 percent of the vote, with 11 votes cast each. Those two answers are in stark contrast to each other. Seven other folks, making up 22 percent, wanted to talk about how the TEA Party can get involved with local politics, while 6 percent, or two people, wanted to talk more about the tea parties themselves.

So, what's the bottomline? Looks like the folks who participated in the polls (31 in one and 41 in the other) are showing us the TEA Parties are still getting organized, putting together a solid campaign. But two distinct themes continued through each. 1) People want the TEA Parties to continue and 2) people want to get involved with local politics.

Another poll will be coming out soon and we ask for you to get involved. Until then, keep showing your support for the TEA Parties. After all, our Declaration of Independence from the British Crown will be honored once again July 4th. That's the same day YOU get the chance to speak out against those in government, here in Colorado at in D.C., you're mad as hell and you're not going to take it anymore!

Your socialized health care bill? Make the check to "cash" for the total of $1 Trillion

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

The numbers are staggering and unbelievable. Are you ready for the Democrats plan for socialized health care? Tax your employer health care benefits, raising a $1 trillion for further redistribution to those who can't pay health care. Once again, Karl Marx is getting the last laugh after years of fighting the exact ideology overtaking the halls of Congress and the White House today.

The information, available from the CATO Institute, works to outline the stark differences from the John McCain plan (tax health benefits, but provide a health care credit to works, virtually zeroing out the tax) to the liberal plan, which taxes the healthcare... but doesn't answer the question of controlling spending or putting the money back into the hands of the average citizen.

When does this madness stop? AFTER YOU STAND UP! Call you Congressmen/women, demand your 5 minutes on the phone with them and tell them how you feel about this. HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE! The memory of a free man or woman in our Republic is very long and very sharp.

Fight the growing government bureaucracy threatening each and everyone of us. LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!

Now Rep. Murtha's NEPHEW is in on the pork barrel money trail

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

First off, thanks for the patience in waiting for a new blog post. Over the recent days and nights, I have been studying for a big promotion examination in my Reserve unit in the military. I have never mentioned this, but I can tell you I am a part-time Reservist. And I passed... so now we can get on with the blogs.

You know, this is exactly why ordinary people are standing up and saying to their elected leaders NO MORE! I don't try to post new things on John Murtha from Pennsylvania, but it's so hard not too. Especially since the Washington Post has the exclusive on this story. What's the new update? John Murtha's ... nephew.

According to the Washington Post story, the nephew, Robert Murtha Jr., as an engineer and "small business owner," "benefited from some of the defense contracts when companies brought him in to manage a small portion of the work. Even when the main contract shifted to a new company, he continued to be paid as part of the team."

It gets better though (is this an oxymoron?). Those who worked for the Congressman's nephew, like Jeff Curtis, who worked for Robert Murtha in 2001, did just abut nothing on the job, while collecting government money for work supposed to be performed on biological agents.

Here's Jeff Curtis's words: "I was always thinking, 'Why is the government paying this company? If it's fair to have this kind of no-bid work, I'll start a company and do it for half as much. Because this company didn't do anything."

Insanity... but I say that alot, don't I? Action people, ACTION! Call Rep. Murtha's office. DEMAND AN INVESTIGATION ... DEMAND HIS OFFICE COME CLEAN! AND DEMAND CONGRESS TO LOOK INTO MURTHA'S DEALINGS!

Here are the contacts to his offices:

Armstrong County:
Armstrong County Courthouse
450 East Market Street
1st Floor, New Annex
Kitanning, PA 16201
(724) 543-3607

Fayette County:
20 North Gallatin Avenue
Suite 216
Uniontown, PA 15401
(724) 434-2620

Brownsville Borough Building
2nd and High Street
Brownsville, PA 15417

Connellsville Municipal Building
110 North Arch Street
Connellsville, PA 15425
(724) 626-2910

Greene County:
Carmichaels Borough Building
100 West George Street
Carmichaels, PA 15320

Greene County Office Building
93 East High Street
Room 303
Waynesburg, PA 15370
(724) 852-2209

Indiana County:
Indiana County Courthouse Annex
827 Water Street, 2nd Floor Suite 1
Indiana, PA 15705
(724) 349-3195

Washington County:
Centerville Borough Building
100 East End Road
Centerville, PA 15222

Donora Public Library
510 Meldon Avenue
Donora, PA 15033
(724) 379-9002

56 Maiden Street
Washington, PA 15301
(724) 229-8300

Westmoreland County:
1010 Jefferson Street
Latrobe, PA 15650
(724) 532-0978

Lower Burrell City Hall
2800 Bethel Street
Lower Burrell, PA 15068
(724) 334-8700

Say good bye earlier to Social Security and Medicare

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

Geez, I sure do take a lot of time sometimes to update the blog. But the update I have this evening is definitely worth your viewing.

The trustee report, an annual assessment of the "health" of both the Social Security and Medicare programs, gave a grim assessment to the overall health of both programs for 2009. It was found that Social Security itself will be come insolvent (no money for Social Security) four years earlier than projected, from 2041 to 2037. Even more frightening is the the Medicare/Medicaid situation, in which rising health care costs, coupled with less tax revenue from the recession, is ballooning the cost of health care beyond the average American's control.

Here's the story.

What do you want me to say? I told you so? If our government continues to waste 1 out of every 3 dollars it spends, maybe the systems should fail to remind every American just how precise and needed it is to have oversight over the very government that collects their taxes. In reality, the systems do need overhauling, especially as our own grandparents (my parents are baby boomers... they'll be next) enter into these entitlement programs. Social security has been squandered over the years as politicians from both sides of the aisle have vied for funding and pork-barrel projects for their own districts, forgetting that the very money they were getting allocated was already reserved for Social Security recipients.

FDR really left us his legacy... Social Security spending.

It's coming... taxation against... your soft drink?

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

Well fellow citizens, the Congress has found yet another way to reach into your pocket book and take more from you. And the scary thing is we talked about this in a blog several weeks ago.

According to the Wall Street Journal, "Senate leaders are considering new federal taxes on soda and other sugary drinks to help pay for an overhaul of the nation's health-care system."

Folks, if there was ever a time that something needed to be thrown into a harbor, it was now. Can you image the U.S. Congress taxing soda and surgery drinks? THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS! Think about it... every once in a while, I love to crack open a cold Pepsi, especially from the fountain. People who drink soda know it has sugar. And if you drink it, then you know it's not good for you... but Americans (I think we still have a free country) should be allowed to drink soda into oblivion... where in the Constitution does it give the right to tax drinks to pay for a socialist, government-ran healthcare system. THIS IS NOT WHAT WE PAY THESE PEOPLE ON CAPITAL HILL TO DO!!!

Here's the gist of it all from the WSJ: "... plans to propose a federal excise tax on soda, certain fruit drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks and ready-to-drink teas." A federal excise tax is being proposed. IN-SAN-IT-Y.

And people want to know why the TEA Parties are growing momentum. Because of CRAP like this.

Fight the good fight America... it's coming.

THE GOOD POST: Feedback from an average citizen

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

Well, it hasn't been quite a week, but I think a recent e-mail I received from Theresa in the local area was worthy of "The Good Post." Here's the e-mail:

"I received an e-mail from you and went to your site. I really enjoyed it and think you have some very good points.

Is your group the one that coordinated the Tea Party in Colorado Springs on April 15th? I went to that gathering and it was so great. I was amazed at how well attended it was and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I still have the signs, and am anxious to use them again.

I logged onto the ReTeaParty site looking for information about a Tea Party on Independence Day. The Tea Parties were so successfully around the country, that I would be disappointed if the momentum was lost. It has gotten to be so difficult to be heard by most anyone in Washington, DC. Without the press, this seemed to be the only successful venue in which we were heard.

So, is your group planning another Tea Party? I didn't find anything under "Colorado Springs" on the ReTeaParty site, so volunteered to coordinate something if needed. I was actually very surprised that nothing was listed under Colorado Springs or Denver. And, I would be soooo grateful if someone with actual experience was planning something. I would love to help, or if your group is not doing anything, I will do my best to put something together. At any rate, could you please let me know, as I will need to get started as soon as possible if you are not doing anything.

Thank you so much, and God Bless.

Theresa"

Theresa, thanks for the kind words. So here are some answers for you:

1) Yup, a group of highly-dedicated organizers from Colorado Springs helped to put on the Acacia Park TEA Party gathering. The organizers are just regular folks that heard the call to stand up against the increased expansion of federal powers, the drunk spending fest in Washington D.C. of OUR taxpayer money and the continuing deteriation of what seems to be a large shift away from our Constitution and the beliefs of our Founding Fathers.

2) Yup again, we are planning a second Tea Party protest for July 4. Locations that have been mentioned include Monument and Black Forest, as well as Colorado Springs. Stay tuned to the Web site (www.cspringsteaparty.com) for the latest. We'll update it the minute we have the plan!

3) We would LOVE your help! Obviously, any grassroots campaign (not that "astroturf" stuff you hear about on the news) needs "boots on the ground" to go door-to-door in support of the TEA Party movement. Also, stay informed! Keep your Congressmen/women and Senators (state and federal) apprised of your opinion on how your tax money is being spent. If no one raised their voice, the politicians wouldn't be held accountable.. and that must begin now!

I'd be lying if I said I wanted this to be the last letter we got. So, come on citizens of Colorado Springs, visit the site, tell a friend, get involved and stay tuned... the next TEA Party is coming!

GM's fate toward bankruptcy almost certain

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

Hate being proven right? In this instance, like Chrysler, the TEA Parties should. While economists across the country have said bankruptcy for the auto giants GM and Chrysler is almost inevitable (Chrysler has claimed it), our nation continued to pump BILLIONS of dollars into the auto companies, presumably not for the company's profitability, but to prop up the unions (our current president was propped up BIG TIME by the United Auto Workers). Here's the latest story for proof.

But, even though those dollars could have gone to teachers in Michigan where the Unions hold a death grip over the companies they infiltrate, the BILLIONS of dollars were still pumped into dying companies. Bankruptcies, via the Chapter 11 avenue, allow businesses to have a judge declare null and void debt owed to creditors. Obviously the company's credit rating will plummet as it restructures and retools itself to come out of a bankruptcy better than before. But if that's the case, why didn't GM and Chrysler go through bankruptcy hearings months ago? Weren't we told around Christmas time in 2008 that without an infusion of case into the companies, they would collapse in weeks, if not days?

And here we are just four months later... bankruptcy. So where did all that BILLIONS of TAXPAYER money go, anyways? If the government HAD to spend this money, let's take a look at what the state of Michigan could have gotten:

In 2005, the average teacher's salary was $56,973. That means for the$39 billions spent on the bailout, you could fund more than 6,800 teachers in the state. Or, you could have easily have raised their salaries. Just to put it in perspective.

And we aren't holding any of our political leaders accountable. Are we calling our Congressmen/women, and voicing our opinion as to their original support for the bailout dollars? If not, we are the ones to blame. We need to ratchet up the attacks on those politicians who feel it's okay to spend OUR money on a company that was going to go into bankruptcy anyways.

Here are some the main culprits of the original bailout:

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
Congressman Barney Frank, D-Mass.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
Senator George Voinovich, R-Ohio
Kit Bond, R-Missouri

Just to name a few. Call them... and give them a piece of your mind.

China says 'no' to buying more U.S. debt

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

First off, MY APOLOGIES! I missed Saturday's post! Changing your own brakes might save you some money in the long run, but prepare yourself to give up a big portion of your day! Ford has its own tools you need to change brakes... and it took me three trips to NAPA for the right stuff. ARGH!!

Anywho, on to the serious stuff. I caught this Associated Press story, dated April 30, on Representative Mark Kirk, a member of the House Appropriations Committee and co-chair of a group of lawmakers promoting relations with Beijing, where he said that China had "very legitimate" concerns about its investments. Those investments? U.S. DEBT!

And if I were China, I wouldn't feel compelled to buy our country's debt either, especially since we're creating more! The TEA Parties aren't about political party or affiliation. More so, we target those who have lost their way as far as leading our country in the right direction. President George W. Bush started the slippery slope downward with his approval of "TARP 1," and he got a LOT of flack from everyday, outside-the-Beltway Americans. But then, we learn of TARP 2, the Stimulus Bill, the expanded $3.6 trillion budget and additional spending under President Barack Obama. And they want to know why we criticize him three ways from Sunday.

Folks, China is just the beginning. Why would anyone want to buy our debt when we have no clear plan to re-balance our budget and begin paying down that debt, especially as we look at upwards of 9-10 TRILLION dollars worth of deficit spending up to 2019. Insanity doesn't begin to describe it.

Read this excerpt from the AP story: "Treasury Department data shows that investors in China have sharply curtailed their purchases of bonds in January and February." That is a trend folks, not a one-time deal. We have no clear solution in Washington to save America jobs, other than to throw money at the problem. Money isn't the solution to our problems ... reorganizing is.

We all talk about saving GM and Chrysler jobs.. then why do the Unions continue to reject (until just before the deadline for restructing) any cuts to benefits or wages in the face of their companies going under? American car companies pay their workers almos twice as much as foreign automakers on U.S. soil. BTW.. those car companies built vehicles Americans WANT to purchase. And a good chunk of the cost of your vehicle goes to legacy costs within those car companies that they can't keep up with.

Be forewarned... our incredible spending habits in the U.S. Congress will be our undoing, much like our Roman counterparts from centuries before. Corruption, I dare to say, is the norm.

THE GOOD POST: Tea Party gets Quincy, Ill, mobilized!

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

The power of the Web continually amazes me, folks. And we've proven it once again in the small town of Quincy, Illinois. When the local leader of the Tea Party movement was denied his right to address the city council by a vote to deny his speech, there was a firestorm against the city council there after a blog we posted and provided to the National Tea Party Web site. For those unfamiliar with what I'm talking about, see the link beow to the interview with Mr. Steve McQueen, the Tea Party leader.

Click here for the video.

I just want to let each and everyone of you know that embracing and using the Web for the powers of good is the ultimate goal here. Not once did any Tea party member smear another human being when being outraged over the McQueen incident, unlike many far-left bloggers that use the internet to smear and destroy those they disagree with (>see Huffington post and/or the Daily Kos). This is why we'll prevail over the juggernaut of far-left liberals out there in the world. I am an independent, as many of you know, but there are far more hateful far-left folks out there than any other group of people. I'm not sure if they got picked on as a kid one too many times and never recovered, but one thing is for sure: they are sick and have an illness.

Once again, I am proud of each and everyone of you that stood up, called Quincy's media and local mayor and let your outrage be known. We will get bigger and bigger as the months go on... continue to follow the movement, and continue to stay tuned for bigger and better things ahead.

Taxation without Representation?

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

There are those that tend to view our country in one of two prisms: a country of perfection with on-going challenges or a challenged country that will always be far from perfection. I argue for the former.

But one of our country’s founding principles that led to such famous insurrections such as the Boston Tea Party is ensuring that each of our countrymen are represented based upon their taxation. But today, could one argue there is taxation without representation? I ask you to dwell on the following: The payment of taxation is, in its very essence, justified as part of a citizen’s general obligations to obey the law and support established institutions, to include policing, fire department services and roadway infrastructure as examples. Each of the aforementioned services are afforded to all who pay taxes.

But wait! Therein lies the problem with the previous statement. We have heard time and time again, especially throughout our recent presidential election, that the rich pay too little or too much in federal income taxation. According to Stephen Moore, a senior economist for the Wall Street Journal, the wealthiest 1 percent of our country’s population earned 19 percent of the income in 2007, but pay 37 percent of the income tax. More alarming, the top 10 percent pay an astonishing 68 percent of the tab. Meanwhile, the bottom 50 percent of income tax payers—those below the median income level—earn 13 percent of the income but pay just 3 percent of the taxes. In a word ladies and gentlemen, unconstitutional.

So why is it then that the wealthiest of us who pay an exorbitant amount of taxes don’t have additional representation in their respective government institutions and those who pay no taxes have no representation in government? Simply put, equality for all. Many will hear these words and instantly label me as un-supportive of the poor, a proponent for the rich and just plain uncaring for those in dire financial straits. And to those who claim this I say sit down and remain silent. Let us remind ourselves that in the United States, “all men are created equal.” No better evidence of this can be found but in our president. So if each of us are equal in our own right and have had the fortunate outcome of being born citizens of the U.S., then why don’t we all shoulder the burden equally as we all use and/or rely on the same resources. Ladies and gentlemen, I challenge you to embrace the flat tax program.

Our complicated federal and, sometimes, state income taxes represent overburdening and complex tax systems. And this same system leaves more than half of our citizens out of their obligation to pay these taxes for use of services the government provides. Yet, I ask you that is it allowable for a the few wealthy in our system to shoulder the burden of our entire country? This is simply preposterous. If a flat tax system were introduced, according to Robert Hall and Alvin Rabushka, senior fellows with the Hoover Institution, all business and individual income would be taxed at rate of 19 percent. Most deductions would be eliminated altogether, resulting in a drastic simplification of the tax code and a tax return form that would fit on the back of a postcard.

But how does one’s country continue to prosper in these economic times, even with a flat tax introduction? The need for Congress and government institutions to exercise extreme fiscal restraint has come to a head. If the 111th Congress continues on the same route as the two Congressional sessions before it, the continuation of earmark and pork barrel spending will most certainly lead our country to an economic reckoning the likes of which our generations have never seen.

Fiscal responsibility, one of the Tea Party's biggest rallying cries, will overcome this situation, I have no doubt. But it must be fiscal responsibility with any and all parties, Democrat or Republican. Because there is much more than any political party at stake; an entire nation rests not only on righting our financial ship, but ensuring each and every one of our citizens pay their fair share. You may ask why this is so important? Because I believe it comes down to one word again: equality. We all inhabit our country and use its resources. We should then all pay into her -- equally.

So how do we get there, to a flat tax system? Using our Republic’s number-one ability for change: vote. We must educate and inform the masses of the need for equality in the tax system. Then we must reach out to them again, showing them that fiscally-minded politicians are the ones capable of such fiscal change and spending restraint. It is true that fiscal responsibility lost its way between the 108th and 109th Congresses. But today offers us great hindsight. Americans decided by a small margin to give Democrats the ability to run our country. And many believe the direction they will go will not benefit any American, just those institutions that continue to fund their campaigns. Americans need to look no further than Congressman John Murtha, who has funneled millions of dollars of taxpayer money (that's money you and I earned, by the way) to a small airport in his district that employees more TSA workers than it has travelers. Congressman Murtha has also succeeded channeling $4 million of NO-BID CONTRACTS (see: Washington Post) to his nephew's company in the same area.

Tea Partiers look around and are proud of our Republic, where every man and woman has the right to their vote and no one else's. The only thing Tea Partiers are afraid of more than anything is selling out on their principles. We must show the country that her best years lie ahead, and the direction to those years is not found through larger government, increased taxation or the continued weight of burdening and archaic tax system that shoulders the future on the very few versus the overwhelming majority. Our Founding Father's philosophies on smaller government and personal responsibility that has been etched into our psyche oh so many years ago continue to ring in our ears. We must continue to embrace and remember the legacies of Lincoln, Teddy and Reagan before us. Our country will prosper, but only if we entrust it to its citizens and not to out-of-touch career legislators. And even if those legislators are Democrats or Republicans, any politician who believes the country is best suited by principles other than those I have described are not Americans at all! A true description of a sheep in wolves clothing.

One beautiful way to showcase our fiscal mentality is through the flat tax system. I believe if Americans embraced this system, our country’s future could be brighter than any time before, while all her citizens shared and shouldered the burden of ensuring her brightness remained.

Cap and Trade legislation... are you following it?

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

CNSNews.com is reporting on Republicans opposition to any cap-and-trade legislation in its current form, where companies are are given a "cap" for as much carbon footprint as they are allowed to make, but they can "trade" carbon vouchers from the government for a fee. Now, do you think for a second businesses will say "well, we should really take care of paying for the trade, so we won't push the cost to the consumer." If you believe this, there truly is no coming back for you from la-la land.

It's difficult to get exact numbers on this, because cap-and-trade is nothing but a text book arithmetic math problem that has never been implemented, so people on both sides of the aisle truly have no idea what the costs will eventually be. But there is one piece of fact that will always remain: if the government is involved and thought it could squeeze more money out of something, it probably will try.

Republicans say cap-and-trade will increase the tax burden on people by almost $3,100 a year. Democrats say it's much less, with the possibility of it being no cost at all. This is all based off a report from M-I-T.

My take on cap-and-trade? While it's important to think of natural resources and our country's beauty and preserving it all, especially living in Colorado, we must also remember this: do we put American companies, workers and jobs on the line for cap-and-trade? Compared to other advanced industrial nations out there (China, India), they do not have type of cap-and-trade system in place, nor are they considering such action. Until nations across the globe agree to the same legislation, I am not in favor in giving India or China a leg up and America be the only one out there doing this. Let me put it another way... no industry, no jobs, no stable America. But at least the polar bears will live.

Makes sense, right? Here's the CNS story.

Only 3 out of 10 Congressmen/women show up for stimulus oversight meeting

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

Thank God for the Washington Times. Seems to be the only watchdog in Washington worth a damn. Apparent;y Congress is leaving it up to you and I to be the "watchdogs" over the stimulus program, ensuring the money is spent wisely. What the hell is that all about? We have the FBI in this country to ensure fraud, waste and abuse doesn't take place and they want the everyday citizen to be the official watchdog? Do these people in D.C. not know we all have full time jobs to support the damn stimulus in the first place? (Hits head with V-8 bottle)

Here's my favorite quote from these idiots:

"We are, in essence, deputizing the entire American citizenry to help with the oversight of this program," said Rep. Brad Miller, chairman of the House Committee on Science and Technology's subcommittee on investigations and oversight.

And remember that whole recovery.org Web site? Well, here's what they have to say to that:

"As I mentioned in my testimony," Mr. Devaney said, "that Web site is evolving. ... I would probably be the first to admit today the Web site doesn't give you that kind of information."

Insanity... SIMPLE, UTTER INSANITY that we let these people run our country. Here's the story.

So what's next... questions from Colorado Springs citizens

By Steve Collier, Stephen Collier

I've been asked many times "so you had a Tea Party.. what's next?" An excellent question.

Some ideas being thrown around (bear with the organization... we just came off the April 15 part a little over two weeks ago ;-)

1) Colorado Springs Town Hall meeting. Let's take it to the people. Let's give you, the citizen, an open forum. Not a Democrat, not a Republican, not a political forum. Just an opportunity to go somewhere, take a microphone and tell your fellow citizens what you like and what you don't like. When's the last time you had the opportunity to address thousands of your fellow citizens at one time to let them know what's on your mind in regards to your community and its direction.

2) July 4th Tea Party. It only seems fitting to have a Tea Party on the founding of our nation. Perhaps on July 3rd, so our families can enjoy Independence Day in a non-political environment. But regardless of how and what we do, our Founding Fathers would want us to take the occasion of our nation's founding to protest a large, central government, out of control spending and eventual taxation (there was no income tax at the founding of our nation), and a perceived inability of America's citizens to hold accountable those elected to office.

3) You name it! You know, we can only think of so many things to do for the Tea Party. We want suggestions. Do we focus on specific legislation? Do we focus on Colorado Springs politics and its leaders? Do we take our movement to the state capital? Should we be focused on federal issues? It's a wide range of issues, but issues YOU should be engaged on. Of course, e-mail us for ideas! We've got some, but we'd rather take into account yours first.

So vote in our poll at the top of the page, e-mail us at coloradospringstaxdayteaparty@gmail.com and stay plugged in to the Tea Party. We promise to make sure you know as quickly as possible what's next on the agenda to take our Nation back!

A CALL TO ACTION! Tea party protester denied freedom of speech!

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

DATELINE: Quincy, Illinois. Folks, this is just outrageous! Steve McQueen, the organizer of the city's Tea Party in April, was denied, on a party-line vote (7 Dems, 6 Reps), the ability to address the city council on its recent budget that passed, which included water and sewage tax increases.

According to the story by www.quincynews.org, the motion was passed not to allow him to speak on the issue, and even the mayor chimed in on after he was sworn in to office in Quincy.

So here's what we need to do as a Tea Party folks. We need to support our own, so do the following:

1) Call the town of Quincy. Demand to speak to the Mayor's office. Here's the info:
Mayor John A. Spring
730 Maine Street
Quincy, IL 62301
(217) 228-4545

2) E-mail the mayor's office. Here's the email: mayor@quincyil.gov

3) Quincy media outlets. Voice your opinion. Here's a list of media:

A) QuincyNew.org
P: 217-617-6665
E: http://www.quincynews.org/contact.html

B) Quincy Herald Whig
Managing editor: Don Crim
P: 217-221-3361
E: dcrim@whig.com

C) WGEM (NBC) (Also their number for the radio affiliate)
P: (217) 228-6655
E: news@wgem.com

Start the calls, start the e-mails... let them know you're pissed and the Tea Party's won't stand for it!

Chrysler getting MORE money during bankruptcy than they did during bailout

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

These automaker bailouts just make me want to go crazy! After we, the taxpayer (ya know, those hard-working people that work at least 8-5 and pay into the coffers of government) paid $4 billion into Chrysler to keep it afloat, now the government will be extending up to $8 billion in promised funding for Chrysler's bankruptcy deal to ensure the company can remain stable.

Here's the story

Folks, this is UTTER MADNESS! I want to know what the plan is to bailout every American company that is struggling in this economy. It's not our fault leadership of both GM and Chrysler dropped the ball, letting their companies fail. It's not our fault both car manufacturer's unions held a death grip over the company, ensuring prices are jacked up for over-inflated benefits for unionized workers. And it's DEFINITELY not our fault that both car companies can't built vehicles to compete with their foreign counterparts. When does this end? I want to know when senators like Richard Shelby of Alabama are going to hold the Fed's feet to the fire and demand an extension of credit to foreign automakers that built vehicles on U.S. soil... and that, you know, actually are PROFITABLE!

Here's an e-mail message I recently sent to the White House:

"It appears the White House is very interested in dipping its fingers, at the least, into the world of private enterprise (i.e.-Chrysler LLC's bankruptcy filings for 30 April 2009). Based upon this very delicate, tailor-made bankruptcy, what are President Obama's plans to offer this type of government-intervening type of bankruptcy protection for ALL businesses who feel their products won't be purchased by consumers under the guise of "a bankrupt company". And please don't ask Mr. Robert Gibbs to answer... I want a subject matter expert in your admin. I am entitled to answer from someone whose paycheck I finance. From Colorado Springs, CO, Steve Collier"

The real answer is our country shouldn't be bailing out anyone! You want to bailout someone and don't know where to spend that tax money that doesn't even exist? CUT TAXES! Take a paycut Congress, you obviously aren't working hard enough for the paycheck you're getting now (see John Murtha and corruptness // see Diane Feinstein and her sending billions of dollars to her husband's firm). I really wish I made some of this up people, but I'm not. All I can do is educate the masses.

It is YOU that must stand up and let your voice be heard!

Time for another GOOD POST!

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

It's that time once more for the GOOD POST! To be on the positive side today, I have two really awesome things to let you know about. First, take a look at the video imbedded below. Glenn Beck had on his program today (it might have aired Friday... not sure) a re-attack with Tea Party members and their thoughts on the media. It was, by all accounts, a good exchange. Please enjoy below. Not sure where the video is in its entirety, but I'm sure you can find it ;-)



Second thing is the Coalition for a Conservative Majority meeting is going to be held Tuesday, May 5 at 6 p.m. at the Retired Enlisted Association at 834 Emory Circle. Donna and I are going to attend to gel our resources together with CCM. After that, there will be a scheduled town hall meeting at a location and date yet to be determined. We're sure it will be in May, perhaps later in the month.

So this town hall meeting... why should you attend? Simple... you decide the fate of the Tea Party movement. Once we announce the town hall meeting, we'd love for each and everyone of you to come out and be heard. We're trying to line up some city leaders to get their attention.

You know what to do.. keep fighting the good fight!

Murtha update: $30 million going to "Fort Murtha"

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

The Pentagon has now given $30 million to the Jack Murtha Airport in Pennsylvania. How the hell does this guy get elected anyways? According to the Washington Post, millions of dollars in defense funding has been secured for materials that will never be intended to use. Even the Pennsylvania National Guard has backed off from commented on the funding, with Murtha saying his airport can be used as a backup it Pittsburgh was for some reason destroyed in a terror attack.

Ok, if Pittsburgh is getting targeted, then I weep for the terrorists as they are complete failures. Remember, this is the same place that more TSA agents work than travelers that fly through the airport.

Sad... sad... sad.

Here's the story.