Cap and Trade is on the floor of the House today. Call this list of Blue Dog Democrats and tell them we’ll be watching. Tell them that if they vote yes on this huge tax we WILL remember and we WILL make sure that they don’t get reelected.

Check out the “Blue Dogs” website:
http://www.house.gov/melancon/BlueDogs/index.html. Their names, DC phone # and weblink for email are below.

Blue Dog Communication Director - Kristen Hawn - BlueDog@mail.house.gov

Blue Dog Leadership Team
Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Administration - (202) 225-2801 - http://hersethsandlin.house.gov/contact2.htm

Rep. Baron Hill (IN-09), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Policy - (202)225-5315 - https://forms.house.gov/baronhill/IMA/issue_subscribe.shtml

Rep. Charlie Melancon (LA-03), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications - (202) 225-4031 - http://www.melancon.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=205

Rep. Heath Shuler (NC-11), Blue Dog Whip - (202) 225-6401 - http://shuler.house.gov/zipauth.htm

Blue Dog Members
Altmire, Jason (PA-04) - 202-225-2565 - https://forms.house.gov/altmire/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm

Arcuri, Mike (NY-24) - 202) 225-3665 - http://arcuri.house.gov/IMA/issue_subscribe.htm

Baca, Joe (CA-43) - http://arcuri.house.gov/IMA/issue_subscribe.htm - http://www.house.gov/baca/zipauth.shtml

Barrow, John (GA-12) - (202) 225-2823 - https://forms.house.gov/barrow/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm

Berry, Marion (AR-01) - 202) 225-4076 - http://www.house.gov/berry/zipauth.shtml

Bishop, Sanford (GA-02) - 202) 225-3631 - http://bishop.house.gov/display.cfm?section_id=13

Boren, Dan (OK-02) - 202) 225-2701 - http://www.house.gov/boren/emailsignup.shtml

Boswell, Leonard (IA-03) - 202) 225-3806 - http://boswell.house.gov/?sectionid=81&sectiontree=4,81

Boyd, Allen (FL-02) - 202) 225-5235 - http://www.house.gov/boyd/zip_authen.html

Bright, Bobby (AL-02) - (202) 225-2901 - https://forms.house.gov/bright/contact-form.shtml

Cardoza, Dennis (CA-18) - ((202) 225-6131 - https://writerep.house.gov/htbin/wrep_findrep

Carney, Christopher (PA-10) - 202) 225-3731 - http://www.carney.house.gov/contact.shtml#email

Chandler, Ben (KY-06) - 202) 225-4706 - https://writerep.house.gov/htbin/wrep_findrep?HIP4553291317.8974.3779

Childers, Travis (MS-01) - 202) 225-4306 - https://forms.house.gov/childers/webforms/contact.htm

Cooper, Jim (TN-05) - 202-225-4311 - http://www.cooper.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=117&Itemid=61

Costa, Jim (CA-20) - 202-225-3341 - http://www.house.gov/formcosta/issue.htm

Cuellar, Henry (TX-28) - 202-225-1640 - http://cuellar.house.gov/Contact/ContactForm.htm

Dahlkemper, Kathy (PA-03) - 202) 225-5406 - https://forms.house.gov/dahlkemper/contact-form.shtml

Davis, Lincoln (TN-04) - 202.225.6831 - https://writerep.house.gov/htbin/wrep_findrep

Donnelly, Joe (IN-02) - 202) 225-3915 - http://donnelly.house.gov/contact/email.shtml

Ellsworth, Brad (IN-08) - 202) 225-4636 - http://www.ellsworth.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=325&Itemid=

Giffords, Gabrielle (AZ-08) - (202) 225-2542 - https://giffordsforms.house.gov/contact/email.shtml

Gordon, Bart (TN-06) - 202) 225-4231 - http://gordon.house.gov/contact/contact_form.shtml

Griffith, Parker (AL-05) - 202) 225-4801 -

Harman, Jane (CA-36) - (202) 225 8220 - http://www.house.gov/harman/contact/email.shtml

Holden, Tim (PA-17) - 202) 225-5546 - http://holden.house.gov/htbin/formproc_za/holden/email_zipauth.txt&form=messageform.shtml

Kratovil, Jr., Frank (MD-01) - 202) 225-5311 - https://forms.house.gov/kratovil/contact-form.shtml

McIntyre, Mike (NC-07) - (202) 225-2731 - http://www.house.gov/mcintyre/issue.shtml

Marshall, Jim (GA-03) - 202/225-6531 - https://writerep.house.gov/htbin/wrep_findrep?HIP4553291317.27870.6089

Matheson, Jim (UT-02) - (202) 225-3011 - https://forms.house.gov/matheson/contact.shtml

Michaud, Mike (ME-02) - 202-225-6306 - ttps://forms.house.gov/michaud/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm

Minnick, Walt (ID-01) - 202) 225-6611 - https://forms.house.gov/minnick/contact-form.shtml

Mitchell, Harry (AZ-05) - (202) 225-2190 - Https://forms.house.gov/mitchell/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm

Moore, Dennis (KS-03) - (202) 225-2865 - http://moore.house.gov/contact/index.shtml

Murphy, Patrick (PA-08) - (202) 225-4276 - http://www.house.gov/formpatrickmurphy/zipauth.shtml

Nye, Glenn (VA-02) - (202) 225-4215 - http://nye.house.gov/?sectionid=7&sectiontree=4,7

Peterson, Collin (MN-07) - (202) 225-2165 - http://collinpeterson.house.gov/zipauth.htm

Pomeroy, Earl (ND) - (202) 225-2611 - http://www.house.gov/formpomeroy/zipauth.htmRoss, Mike (AR-04)

Posted on June 26th, 2009 by lloyd
Filed under: Activism, Economy, politics | No Comments »

Memorial Day is the day we set aside each year to honor those brave souls who gave their lives in service of our Country.

Throughout the history of our country, from the revolutionary war to our current war against Islamic Fascists/Terrorists and every fight we’ve been called to in between, we have stories of soldiers who gave all to protect our way of life. Soldiers who gave all so that you and I can continue to live in freedom. Soldiers who gave all so that you and I have the right to express ourselves. Soldiers who gave all so that you and I have the right to choose our religion. Soldiers who gave all so that you and I have the right to gather, to own property, to improve our lives, and the lives of others.

Many of the stories of these soldiers can be read here: Medal of Honor Website.

The feats of selflessness, valor and honor speak for themselves. These stories speak to the heart of what it is to be American.

Remember today that with those rights we are provided, comes a responsibility for all of us. This responsibility is sacred and entrusted to us through the sacrifices of these brave Americans. We must preserve the liberty that they fought and died for. We must ensure that we do not succumb to the seemingly safe, yet ultimately tyrannical path that sings like a siren song for so many. We must defeat not only the enemy outside, but the enemy inside as well. The enemies of freedom do not always wield sword or rifle, but may also wield “tax credits” and “free health care”.

Not only today, but every day, hold in your heart the sacrifices of those who came before us. Never forget, and never allow the memory of our fallen to be dishonored. Honor their memories by standing firm for your freedoms right here at home.

God Bless the fallen, God Bless those who defend our freedoms today, and God Bless America.

Posted on May 25th, 2009 by lloyd
Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

God, please grant our leaders the ability to listen to their constituents. Grant them the courage to do the right things as leaders to protect our nation, our liberties and our future. Grant them the wisdom to not be swayed by what is popular over what is right. Grant them compassion in their hearts and logic in their minds so that justice remains blind and charity remains personal.

I pray that all of us look to you in this great time of need. Grant us the strength to build our families, our churches and our communities through our own efforts and toil. With love and devotion for our families and our friends, I pray to you, Amen.

Posted on May 7th, 2009 by lloyd
Filed under: Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

The bill’s health rules will affect “every individual in the United States” (445, 454, 479). Your medical treatments will be tracked electronically by a federal system. Having electronic medical records at your fingertips, easily transferred to a hospital, is beneficial. It will help avoid duplicate tests and errors.

But the bill goes further. One new bureaucracy, the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology, will monitor treatments to make sure your doctor is doing what the federal government deems appropriate and cost effective. The goal is to reduce costs and “guide” your doctor’s decisions (442, 446). These provisions in the stimulus bill are virtually identical to what Daschle prescribed in his 2008 book, “Critical: What We Can Do About the Health-Care Crisis.” According to Daschle, doctors have to give up autonomy and “learn to operate less like solo practitioners.”

Source: Bloomberg.

Folks, this is yet another huge problem. I know everyone has to be getting tired. Keep pushing. Keep calling. This is another in a long line of fights that we need to win. Contact your representative and tell them to get these provisions OUT of this spending bill.

Posted on February 11th, 2009 by lloyd
Filed under: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

A trillion Dollars is a terrible thing to waste! http://tinyurl.com/ch24zv.

Please contact the Republicans on that list. Support them in standing strong against irresponsible spending. Our nation will recover, if we do not continue the spending sprees on programs that drain our economy.

Currently at least two Republicans are planning to vote FOR the bill. Contact Olympia Snowe (202-224-5344) and Arlen Spectre (202-224-4254 ) and let them know that this is the wrong approach. Support scrapping this bill for something that is responsible, targeted and immediate.

Posted on February 7th, 2009 by lloyd
Filed under: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Building up the GOP for victory.

In order to win in the current political climate, we need to do what every good CEO, Coach, or leader does. We must set measurable goals, and strive to meet and exceed those goals in every candidate that we promote, and in every initiative we support.

There are 6 Pillars of Conservatism.
(1) Limited Government
(2) Free Markets
(3) Individual Liberty
(4) Traditional Values
(5) Strong National Defense.
(6) State’s rights.
These 6 Pillars fit nicely into the three main groups that Reagan enjoyed the support of: Social, Fiscal, and National Security Conservatives.

In order to support Social Conservatism we need to support Limited Government, Traditional Values, and States Rights. Social Conservatism exists in its highest form when the above three pillars are met. Limited government avoids intrusion into personal matters. Traditional Values are the absolute core of social conservatism, standing to enforce morality, family values and traditions that shore up this society, even in times of turmoil. States Rights allow an “opt in” approach for specific values that may be troublesome to an individual’s morality.
In order to support Fiscal conservatism, we need to support Limited Government, Free markets, and Individual Liberties. These Three pillars support Fiscal Conservatism in meaningful ways. It ensures success for those who expect the government to operate with efficiency and purpose. Limited Government simply spends less than large government. Free Markets provide for the greatest opportunity for the largest amount of participants. Individual Liberties enforce both the responsibility and the freedom associated with opportunity to succeed.
In order to support National security Conservatism we need to support Free Markets, The Strong National defense, and States Rights. These three pillars support National Security Conservatism by ensuring a strong, well researched Military arm, and a strong support at Home by way of a well organized militia which defends the nation while the professional soldier is deployed in support of National Security.

Free Markets provide a wealth of opportunity for new military techniques and tools. Strong National Defense is the core value of these conservatives, a successful defense ensures a vibrant environment for all to participate in. States Rights ensure that the populace is informed, educated and ready to lend a hand for the defense of the Nation, especially in the face of reduced budgets and a smaller, faster military.

The 6 Pillars of Conservatism, and the Three main factions of Reaganism work hand in hand. You must meet each of the 6 pillars to succeed. This will draw all of the three factions together in our support. These values have worked in the past. They resonate with the core being of Americans. Each product we support must support all 6 of these pillars, to engage the three major voting blocks that last brought us victory, ongoing success and support.

The products are the individuals and the initiatives that we throw our support, treasure and time behind.
These products must meet the end goal of supporting conservatism, in order to reach success. Lastly, we must embrace measured change. This is often antithetical to conservatives, who believe in the system that exists, and the success that it has brought to us all. Building to a long term success requires that we change in time to meet new challenges. As long as the change that occurs meets the test of time, it is change worth embracing. Move forward with confidence, success and initiative.

Stand firm for the bedrock of our beliefs, derive strength from their everlasting value. Be the reed of change, willing to bend gently with the changing winds of our time, deriving further strength from the flexibility of needed change, to ensure our continued success.

Together we reach the success and freedom that only America offers. Separated, we fall prey to the wiles of liberalism, and their designs upon our past successes. Be the Bedrock and be the Reed. Be willing to support our past success and our future change. Enjoy the success of conservatism by embracing it fully. Thank you for listening. Thank you for your support.

Posted on February 6th, 2009 by lloyd
Filed under: Activism, politics | 1 Comment »

Our Nation is known rightly in this world as the only nation that has successfully changed power many times without violence. Over the last 44 transitions we have used some combination of ceremony, pomp, circumstance and frivolity to encourage each of our new leaders to speak their mind, share their insight and lay out their road map for the future of this Country.

This has no equal in any part of the world and it is a wonderful and joyous event that occurs every 4 or 8 years, adjusted for the occassional mishap or tragedy.

Another transition occurs at this instance in many events. In some of these vaunted events those of us who enjoyed a majority find ourselves in opposition to the current majority. This is not cause for violence, nor cause for grief. Instead, it is simply a change of position. I find myself in this position today, though I feel I have been in this position for a number of years, since perhaps Ronald Reagan was in office. Conservatives are truly now and for much of the last 20 years or so, the minority view in our Nation.

Many of our founding Fathers understood that for the Eagle to balance, she had to have an equal left and right wing. Two opposing political philosophies that balanced one another. That of the conservative on the right, holding our Nation to the original defining principles, and that of the liberal on the left, moving into new and uncharted things, moving our Nation into the future.

Our job as conservatives is a hard one. We have to stand strong on the principles that have made our nation. The natural laws that are ours to conserve and protect are important to define at these moments, so that we can all understand that which we stand to protect.

It is important to note that our founders did not list all of our rights in the Declaration of Independence. Instead they were cautious to list that “that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Among These… There are a number of other rights that our founders believed in. Here is a more complete list:

The right of self-government.

The right to bear arms for self defense.

The right to own, develop and dispose of property.

The right to make personal choices.

The right of free conscience.

The right to choose a profession.

The right to choose a mate.

The right to beget one’s kind.

The right to assemble.

The right to petition.

The right to free speech.

The right to a free press.

The right to enjoy the fruits of one’s labors.

The right to improve one’s position through barter and sale.

The right to contrive and invent.

The right to explore the natural resources of the earth.

The right to privacy.

The right to provide personal security.

The right to provide nature’s necessities - air, food, water, clothing and shelter.

The right to a fair trial.

The right of free association.

The right to contract.

ED: If you would like more information about these natural law rights and why they are applicable, I highly recommend that you purchase a copy of “Five Thousand Year Leap” from the National Center for Constitutional Studies. http://www.nccs.net/ftyl.html (I’m not endorsing this link because of monetary concerns. Instead it is because I agree with their principles and ideals.)

The natural rights listed above provide an excellent framework by which our Nation reached the success that it has seen. In order to encourage the future of our success, we need to ensure that these tenets are followed.

During the inauguration ceremony, Mr. Obama spoke one amazing truth that will ring strong with conservatives.

“In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned.”

This truth is self evident. Each and every conservative understands this. Much of the remainder of his speech is both pretty, and potentially true, if followed by action appropriate to his words.

“But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.”

For this, I withhold judgment. Truly we do not need to protect narrow interests. Truly we must make hard, but correct, decisions. The loyal opposition always awaits a request that is not appropriate, prior to standing in opposition of a policy.

When Mr. Obama spoke today, he also stated at least two items that I must quote, and then strongly disagree with.

“Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control - and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.”

Our Nation has not practiced true Free Market Capitalism for nearly 100 years. It is time to give Free Market Capitalism the opportunity to return. What Mr. Obama speaks of here is true. Again the words must meet the actions of allowing Free Market Capitalism to exist. The favoring of the prosperous is currently only defined by those willing and able to use the government as a coercive force to obtain prosperity. Truly and completely this is NOT free market capitalism by any stretch of the imagination.

“As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience’s sake.”

You cannot reject as false the choice between safety and ideals. It is simply not possible. The simple ideal of liberty makes this impossible. Liberty is NOT won nor maintained by safety provided by another. Safety is the slavery by which socialism is sold. For you to entrust your safety to that of another, is to be in debt to that person in the future.

These are the initial items that I must stand as loyal opposition to. Providing a reasoned argument in counter to Mr. Obama’s wisdom is the correct and appropriate response for now. What items would you stand in loyal opposition to?

Posted on January 20th, 2009 by lloyd
Filed under: Activism, politics | No Comments »

The social conservative is a very misunderstood beast. They are demonized by the liberal left as the raison for the GOP’s demise. That occurs because the social conservative is a fundamental strength of our organization. Their position must be understood in context, so that the demonization that occurs in the media is neutralized.

Social Conservatives are actually State’s Rights advocates. They insist that they have the option to live in a State that matches their belief system. This is classically intoned in the Federalist Papers in several instances. The Federalist Papers called for States as “laboratories” for social issues. If an overwhelming number of individuals flocked to a State that held beliefs that were compatible, that State would grow in power within the Federal system. This actually works, as long as States are allowed the space to choose their own destiny.

All too often, these rights are abridged by the Federal government by fiat, causing States to lose more and more of their constitutional ability to make their own way. This is a terrible removal of your individual freedom, because more and more, States are all simply clones of the federal mandate, with no real choice for you to move to.

Top this off with the removal of the right of secession, and you have a dangerous situation that will eventually move to the point of fascism. Thus, the point we are moving toward as an almost inexorable march.

In short: Don’t give up on ANY of your principles for the “easy” approach, that is the why and how of our failures in recent history. Demand individual freedoms and State’s Rights from every politician who would seek office.

Posted on January 5th, 2009 by lloyd
Filed under: Activism, politics | No Comments »

Andy Burnham, the “Culture Secretary” of the UK has made some pretty bold pronouncements about regulating the Internet. Mr. Burnham says he is planning to negotiate with Barack Obama’s administration to enact “common cause” changes…

“The change of administration is a big moment. We have got a real opportunity to make common cause,” he says. “The more we seek international solutions to this stuff – the UK and the US working together – the more that an international norm will set an industry norm.”

I would disagree about the commonality of the cause. Especially in light of the following statement:

“It worries me - like anybody with children,” he says. “Leaving your child for two hours completely unregulated on the internet is not something you can do. This isn’t about turning the clock back. The internet has been empowering and democratising in many ways but we haven’t yet got the stakes in the ground to help people navigate their way safely around…what can be a very, very complex and quite dangerous world.”

Would you leave your child unattended in the downtown area of New York City? Perhaps any other major metropolitan area? If not, why would you allow your child unfettered Internet access? On the same note, if you so choose to spend a few hours in a downtown district, should you be restricted from doing so?

Clearly Mr. Burnham’s “common sense” is not so common. The world is now, and has always been “very complex and quite dangerous.” It always will be. There is no need for additional regulation on the Internet. Individuals can determine their own way. The democratization and empowerment of the Internet should never be regulated by any government, regardless of the reasons.

Posted on December 29th, 2008 by lloyd
Filed under: Activism, politics | No Comments »

I will return in the New Year with more posts. I hope you find the Rebel Conservative entertaining and informative.

Merry Christmas to everyone. I wish you all the happiest of holidays, and I look forward to spending the New Year with you.

Posted on December 23rd, 2008 by lloyd
Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »