Tea Party Patriots Live » healthcare

ACTION ALERT: FL Healthcare Freedom Act Needs PHONE CALLS

jason — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:19:00 +0000

The Florida Health Care Freedom Act, HJR 37, is stalled in the Rules and Calender Council (it’s final committee stop before a floor vote). This bill will protect Floridians from the ObamaCare mandate! It is also very important for States Rights reasons as well. Rep. Bill Galvano, chairman of the Rules and Calender Council offered an amendment that would change the bill so it would only protect us from a STATE mandate!

The oringinal bill protects us from both! Please call the members of the Rules and Calender Council listed below (and your own legislator) and tell them “No” on the Galvano Amendment and we want them to support Rep. Plakon’s original language. HJR37 is a Constitutional Amendment and would require the voters of Florida to approve it in November. We deserve the freedom to choose. There are only two weeks left in session so we don’t have much time. We need to act now! It’s time for the Tea Party and 9-12 groups to flex our muscle, get this bill to the floor for a vote, and on the ballot in November. Please forward this to everyone you know.

Bill Galvano (chair) - 850-488-4086

Ellyn Bogdanoff - 850-488-0635
Sandy Adams - 850-488-0468
Gary Aubuchon - 850-488-7433
Eduardo Gonzalez - 850-488-1683
Adam Hasner - 850-488-1993
Marcelo Llorente - 850-488-5047
Carlos Lopez-Cantera - 850-488-4202
Ron Reagan - 850-921-7747
David Rivera - 850-488-7897
Baxter Troutman - 850-488-9465
Will Weatherford - 850-488-5744

Talking points:
There are two weeks left in session, we need this bill out of the Rules and Calender Council and on to the floor for a vote so the people of Florida can decide for themselves in November.

We are NOT happy with the Galvano Amendment; we want Rep. Plakon’s original language.

This is the single most important piece of state legislation for the Tea Party and 9-12 groups and we will remember this vote in November.

Remember: HJR 37 is a Constitutional Amendment and the people of Florida will decide for themselves if they want Health Care Freedom in November. We deserve a chance to vote on this. Remember: be POLITE but FIRM.

Please send this to everyone and call every member of Rules, PLUS your own Representative.

“If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around…?”

tomt — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 23:03:26 +0000

“If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” A rhetorical question, for sure, however, this question comes to mind when I think of the recent weekend spent in Washington, D.C. A small group from Central Florida, including several OCREC members (Jason Hoyt, Linda O’Keefe, Barbara Seidenberg, Kelli McNair-Lee and Peter Lee), made the trip up the weekend that Congress was voting on healthcare reform. Yes, we knew the odds were not in our favor, as a scheduled vote meant that the votes were there to pass it. Nonetheless, each of us felt that not only was it our civic duty to stand up against this federal intrusion into our lives, but, at the end of the day, we wanted to be able to say, with all certainty, that we did everything within our power to affect the outcome of this vote. We owe future generations no less!

Well, we all know how the vote turned out, which made the trip back home all the more longer, but, was the trip worth the effort and expense? What was gained from this endeavor? On the Saturday before the vote, approximately 40,000 ‘concerned’ Americans gathered, with just 3 days notice, from all across the country, to voice their opposition to the actions being considered by our so called ‘representatives’. After the rally, many of these same patriots went to the Congressional Office Buildings to lobby the legislators. Jason Hoyt, Barbara Seidenberg (Babs) and I went back to our hotel to do our weekly radio show, Tea Party Patriots LIVE (WORL 660 AM). Our plan was to return to the Capitol grounds for the second hour of our show, which we did.

As we approached the Capitol, I saw a site that stunned me to my very core, a site that has only been rivaled once in my life, which was witnessing the birth of my first child. Upon witnessing my daughters birth, it reinforced, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the idea that God does indeed exist. Upon witnessing thousands of American citizens standing shoulder to shoulder, many holding hands, as they literally and figuratively surrounded the U.S. Capitol in it’s entirety, in a futile attempt to get those inside to respect the will of the people, well…it reinforced my belief in the citizens of this country, in the American spirit and the future of this great nation! So was the trip worth it? You betcha! It could only have been a better experience had more of my fellow citizens made the decision to go…

Which brings me back to my opening question…did it even happen? I saw no media presence at the time, have seen precious few mentions of it in the press, since, and little discussion on it. So, if a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?

Tom Tillison

A Double Standard That Must Go!

tomt — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 03:35:02 +0000

There’s a double standard in the media here in America that we conservatives are foolish to continue accepting. While participating in the rally held in Washington, D.C. this past weekend to oppose the unconstitutional healthcare reform that was being voted on, I personally witnessed numerous attempts by the left to provoke an incident with the peaceful demonstrators. We were even warned, in casual conversation with the Capitol Police, that there were professional ‘instigators’ in the crowd. Considering, it was a minor miracle that there was no violence…

The area chosen to gather after the initial rally, which was held on the west side of the Capitol , was on the south side of the building, as there was a balcony near the House chamber. The crowd was down close to the building, so as to be heard as they chanted, and one would have to walk down a slight decline to get to them.

The left’s efforts started with several individuals on bicycles, which they were walking through the crowd (I assume so they could use the bicycles as a shield between themselves and us). These individuals would go from person to person and challenge their opposition to healthcare reform, being very persistent in their position. This effort was more or less ignored by most, or was shrugged off by others, as these instigators were more of the intellectual type, and, therefore, not very aggressive in engaging people, and, eventually, these instigators withdrew.

The second wave was several individuals with what appeared to be Haitian accents, who came down into the crowd and very aggressively challenged those present. I heard one refer to us as rednecks and racists. It was quite an experience as a natural born American citizen being insulted and ridiculed by immigrants, legal or not, as they demanded that our government, and our tax dollars, provide something for them. One of these individuals was escorted out of the crowd by the Capitol Police, as he was getting very close to accomplishing his goal. These instigators came and went throughout the night, each time being as aggressive as they could be without drawing the attention of the Capitol Police. One of these final efforts resulted in one of these instigators doing something in the crowd that caused a loud bang, although I could not see what that was, upon which he bolted from the crowd in a dead run with 6 – 8 policeman in chase.

The next effort was the kook from Code Pink, who’s name I cannot remember…small woman with short blond hair. She came through the crowd with another gentleman carrying a homemade banner on a pink sheet, promoting healthcare reform. Most did not take her seriously, although, several crowded around the banner as she walked through the crowd, to prevent it from being seen. Not sure if this was effort was coordinated with the others, or if she was doing this on her own.

The next attempt was a couple of individuals with very large professionally made signs, one stating ‘Public Option Now’ and the other a oversized picture of Obama and Biden. Again, these two waded down into the thickest part of the crowd with these large signs, attempting to block out the anti-reform signs and banners. This resulted in some very spirited jockeying for position by each side, until finally, a Capitol Policeman intervened. After a little undercover work by one of ours, who went over and professed his support for their effort, he was told that the signs were provided by MoveOn.org.

The final attempt was by young college age kids, as several groups of 6-8 would come into the thickest parts of the crowd and start counter-chanting, in support of the bill, as those around them were chanting ‘kill the bill’ or what have you. Again, this got quite contentious, and I was sure that something was going to happen. One group would go in for as long as they could, then would pull out, only to be replaced with another group. This continued up to the actual vote, and once the results became known, the group in the crowd at this point became very obnoxious, attempting to get into our faces. Again, kudos to the Capitol Police, who, once they realized what was happening, very quickly forced the group out of the crowd.

Interestingly, there always seemed to be an ‘independant’ journalist or two trailing in the background of most of these occurances…

A long story I know, but this experience showed me firsthand how vicious the left is in their tactics, then all I hear the past two days is the media reporting on how angry and violent the ‘tea party movement’ is. To put it bluntly, it’s a blatant misrepresentation of the truth! And, this double standard will continue if we don’t start demanding fair treatment. The civility and restraint on the part of the conservative protestors was nothing short of inspiring, as their attention all along was on having their voices heard by our so called ‘representatives’. It’s a sobering thought when you realize that the real story of what’s happening in America, a great awakening of it’s citizens, is being buried by ideologues pushing a far left agenda. Will journalistic integrity ever return to our media?

Tom Tillison

Final Vote Scheduled – Let’s Kill The Bill!

jason — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:43:58 +0000

VOTE on ObamaCare this Sunday, currently scheduled for 2pm!

If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention!! So what are you going to do about it!?!?

Patriots all over the country will be taking the battle to Washington, D.C. as well as local congressional offices. A Code Red Rally is scheduled for 12pm Noon on Saturday at The West Lawn of the Capitol and a local rally will be happening at the same time at Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas’ office in Orlando. She voted ‘NO’ last time, but can she be trusted again? She’s still on the fence, so rally at her office with fellow Patriots!

Orlando Rally – Suzanne Kosmas’ Office!
The corner of E Colonial (50) and Alafaya Trail. Park behind Wendy’s at 11:30am. Bring your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers! Please forward this email and SHARE the blog post on Facebook.

What: CODE RED Rally at Suzanne Kosmas’ Office
When: Saturday, March 20th at 12pm Noon – 2pm
Where: Corner of E. Colonial (50) and Alafaya Trail in Orlando, FL.
Park behind Wendy’s at 11:30am.

Patriotism Goes to Washington!
The ‘Tea Party Patriots Live’ radio show crew are joining patriots from across the country in Washington, D.C. for a rally at 12pm Noon on Saturday, and we’re staying until they vote on Sunday. Saturday’s events include the Code Red rally in Washington, DC at 12 noon on Saturday at The West Lawn of the Capitol and a Candlelight Vigil in the evening.

Please, if you can make it, please join us. Our voices heard!!

Broadcasting LIVE from D.C. – Saturday!
On Saturday, from 4-6pm EST, on 660AM WORL in Orlando or streaming live at http://www.TeaPartyPatriotsLive.com, Jason Hoyt, TomT and Babs will be broadcasting live from the Capitol building. The rally starts at Noon, but we’ll be broadcasting from 4-6pm EST.

Code Red Rally – Washington, D.C.
With the critical nature of a looming Congressional decision, a broad coalition of Tea Party organizations and leadership is launching the final push before a possible vote by the House. These events are being coordinated across the US and are aimed at communicating the frustration of the people while demanding the termination of this health bill legislation. While the DNC and the administration continue to obfuscate and confuse, this coalition is focused on getting activists involved prior to Pelosi’s maneuvering.

What: CODE RED Rally and Candlelight Vigil
When: Saturday, March 20th at 12pm Noon – 2pm (rally) & Saturday evening (vigil)
Where: West Lawn of the Capitol

Speakers planned for the Code Red Rally at 12pm Noon:
Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann (MN)
Congressman Tom Price (GA)
Congressman Joe Wilson (SC)
Congressman Phil Gingrey (GA)
Actor & Conservative Jon Voight
Dr. Milton Wolf, Barack Obama’s second cousin who opposes Obamacare
Colin Hanna, Let Freedom Ring
Jim Martin, 60 Plus
Phil Kerpen, Americans for Prosperity
Tim Phillips, Americans for Prosperity
Andrew Langer, Institute for Liberty
Kathryn Serkes, Doctor Patient Medical Association
Mark Skoda, Memphis Tea Party
Amy Kremer, Tea Party Express
Jennifer Hulsey, American Grassroots Coalition
FreedomWorks Representative
Ben Cunningham, Founder of the Tennessee Tax Revolt
Darla Dawald, Grassfire / Resistnet

I want to play this song Sunday afternoon!!! Please get involved and help save our Republic!!!

Florida Healthcare Freedom Act – Action Alert

tomt — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:34:08 +0000

Please contact the five Senators below today by email and voice mail to their Tallahassee offices, and urge them to vote YES on SRJ 72 Thursday in the Senate Health Regulation Committee.

Thursday morning, March 4, at 8AM, the Health Care Freedom Act, Senate Joint Resolution 72 (SJR 72) will be heard before the Senate Health Regulation Committee. The bill is sponsored by Senator Carey Baker (R), who is not on the Committee. If passed by the Senate and House with 60% of the vote, a proposition will be placed on the ballot in 2010 which would supersede any other laws to force Floridians to buy Health Insurance or restricting their options.

Two of the Committee members, including the Chairman, Don Gaetz, and Mike Bennett, have cosponsored the bill. You may of course contact them as well.

There are five other members of the Committee, including the Vice Chairman, Eleanor Sobel (D). See their contact info below.

Sen. Thad Altman (R)
(850) 487-5053
altman.thad.web@flsenate.gov

Sen. Andy Gardiner (R)
(850) 487-5047
gardiner.andy.web@flsenate.gov

Sen. Dennis Jones (R)
(850) 487-5065
jones.dennis.web@flsenate.gov

Sen. Eleanor Sobel (D)
(850) 487-5097 (V)
sobel.eleanor.web@flsenate.gov

Sen. Al Lawson, Jr. (D) Democratic Minority Leader
(850) 487-5004
lawson.alfred.web@flsenate.gov

Please contact these five Senators by email and voice mail to their Tallahassee offices, and urge them to vote YES on SRJ 72 tomorrow in Committee.

The Florida Health Care Freedom Act allows a vote on an amendment to the Florida Constitution that says any “law or rule shall not compel, directly or indirectly, any person, employer, or health care provider to participate in any health care system,” and specifies people and employers can’t be fined for not buying insurance. This bill does not ban federal programs such as Medicare and Medicaid in our state; it simply focuses on restricting the federal government from forcing Americans to participate in an insurance policy, public or private.

ObamaCare – Whether You Like It Or Not

tomt — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:53:40 +0000

Unless we American citizens act, and act with fury, we shall get ObamaCare, whether we like it or not. And, we don’t like it;

	Support	Oppose
Rasmussen Reports	41	53
Newsweek	40	49
Pew Research	38	50
ABC News/Wash Post	46	49
Quinnipiac	35	54
Ipsos/McClatchy	37	51
NBC News/Wall St. Jrnl	31	46
CNN/Opinion Research	38	58
NPR – POS/GQR	39	55
USA Today/Gallup	39	55

Reconciliation appears to be the weapon of choice, and Nancy Pelosi is calling on her fellow Democrats to throw themselves down on the sword, urging her colleagues to back a major overhaul of U.S. health care even if it threatens their political careers. Reconciliation is unprecedented and unusual for a few reasons.

First, the left is using reconciliation as a procedure of last resort to get ObamaCare passed. ObamaCare passed the House in November and the Senate on Christmas Eve, yet they are resorting to reconciliation because they know they can’t get one Republican to support the President’s health care bill in the Senate.

Second, reconciliation has never been used to amend a bill that has yet to pass. It will be used to pass a new bill that amends the Senate passed version of ObamaCare.

Finally, reconciliation has not traditionally been used to steamroll the will of the American people. The American people should take note that Washington continues to view their opposition with contempt and politicians would like you to believe that they know what is best for America.

Your federally elected officials are telling you right now — You shall get ObamaCare, whether you like it or not.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO TELL YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS?

Declaration of Health Care Independence

jason — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:22:23 +0000

On Saturday, January 24th, Congressman Steve King (IA-5), on the ‘Tea Party Patriots Live’ radio show announced the ‘Declaration of Health Care Independence’ he and Congressman Louie Gohmert (TX) have put together. They will be presenting this at a Press Conference today, and have graciously provided us an advanced copy.

Phil Russo, Jason Hoyt and Tom Tillison sincerely thank Congressman Steve King for his leadership and fight for liberty.

Declaration of Health Care Independence

In order to retain the Blessings of Liberty as secured to us by our Founding Fathers and as expressed in our Constitution, We the People reject the imposition upon us of a new, Washington-controlled system of government-run health care. We demand Constitutional protection of the right to make our own health decisions and our own health care choices free of government denials, bureaucratic red-tape, and greater intergenerational debt.

A Washington takeover of American health care will

1) Deny fundamental personal and economic liberties and indisputably violate the Principle of Limited Government as established by the Constitution;

2) Impose increased costs and taxes upon individuals, families, and businesses, as well as taxpayers at the federal, state, and local levels;

3) Irreparably cripple the American economy, at the cost of jobs, businesses, productivity, and quality of life;

4) Create an inescapable new tax by imposing individual and employer mandates;

5) Institutionalize a massive, ever-expanding federal bureaucracy that is impersonal and impractical;

6) Empower bureaucrats to interfere in the doctor-patient relationship, undermine the quality of care, limit choice, and increase the cost of health care.

We have appealed to the decency of the elected majority to respect the rights of all Americans, but their leaders have been deaf to the Voice of the People. We are appalled by their cavalier disregard of the Constitution and of the demands of the People. We are repulsed by their blatant political bribes and kickbacks.

We, therefore, the People and Representatives of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, do solemnly Publish and Declare that health care reform, as a matter of principle must

1) Protect as inviolate the vital doctor-patient relationship;

2) Reject any addition to the crushing national debt heaped upon all Americans;

3) Improve, rather than diminish, the quality of care that Americans enjoy;

4) Be negotiated publically, transparently, with genuine accountability and oversight, and be free from political favoritism;

5) Treat private citizens at least as well as political officials;

6) Protect taxpayers from compulsory funding of abortion;

7) Reject all new mandates on patients, employers, individuals, or states;

8) Prohibit expansion of taxpayer funded health care to those unlawfully present in the United States;

9) Guarantee Equal Protection under the law and the Constitution;

10) Empower, rather than limit, an open and accessible marketplace of health care choice and opportunity.

Let’s stand with Congressman Steve King from Iowa and Louie Ohlmert from Texas and support the ‘Declaration of Healthcare Independence’.

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Florida Health Care Freedom Act

tomt — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:01:25 +0000

The Florida House will be in committee the 1st and 3rd weeks of February and there’s still have time to influence the Health Care Regulation Policy Committee. Please continue the effort to contact Nick Thompson, chairman of the committee, and encourage him to take up the Florida Health Care Freedom Act.

His contact information is:

Tel # – 239-533-2411
Email – http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/SEctions/Representatives/emailrepresentative.aspx?MemberId=4373&SessionId=64

We can also continue this effort once they’re in committee, here is a contact number in Tallahassee for the committee – 850-487-2242

If you have not already done so, please go to www.FLFreedom.org and sign on as a citizen sponsor of this legislation. You will also be able to see if your local elected officials have signed on as co-sponsors. If not, contact them and urger them to do so – http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/

PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH ALL CONTACTS!

High Noon for Healthcare

jason — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 06:55:36 +0000

Had enough? Join Sen. Tom Coburn, M.D., Patients First and other health care allies for the nationwide Code Red Rally to send a clear message to the Senate: Hands off our health care!

December 15th: Code Red Rally – Local Offices of Bill Nelson
http://www.highnoonforhealthcare.org

What are you going to do about it??

What: Code Red Rally
When: December 15th, at 1:30pm ET
Where: Local Offices of Bill Nelson, Landmark Two, 225 East Robinson Street, Suite 410, Orlando, FL

Can’t make it to Washington on December 15th? Visit your senators’ local offices and take the same stand! Make your plans now. YOU are the only thing that can stop Harry Reid and his massive expansion of government. Don’t let the holidays come and go without telling the Senate and the world that we will not put up with them ignoring the voice of “We, the people.”

It’s all or nothing; it’s time to show up for the showdown.

_________________________________

UPDATE:

Well over 100 patriots joined us at Senator Neslon’s Orlando office today from noon to 2pm. We gathered on Robinson in front of the building ensuring every passerby knew we were upset with the Senator’s position. In addition, we marched a few at a time up to his office in suite 410 to sign in and share our opinions with his staff.

Orlando Million Med March

jason — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:33:35 +0000

Join us Saturday, November 21st, 2009 at 11:00am at Constitution Green as we march to City Hall for a forum with the medical community at 12:00 Noon to discuss how they’ll be impacted by the proposed Healthcare reform bills. Don’t miss this opportunity to send a strong message to our politicians in Washington, D.C. It could be your last chance!

1. Ultimately, medical decisions need to be made by doctors and their patients.

2. No legislation should become law without serious tort reform.

3. Insurance can be made more affordable by allowing competition to drive down costs.

4. Transform the reimbursement and billing systems that are strangling physician’s practices.

5. End the unfair censuring of doctors without due-process.

Saturday - November 21, 2009 @ 11:00 AM

Beginning at Constitution Green and proceeding to Orlando City Hall

COME MARCH WITH US!

The General Public is invited to U.N.I.T.E. with Health Care Workers and march with us to Orlando City Hall, where you will hear firsthand from the real health care experts - OUR DOCTORS, as they speak out on Health Care Reform. Don’t miss this!

Program Details - Presented by American Patriots PAC

Q&A Forum w/Physicians Panel – w/Dr. Gonzalez, Dr. Patete and Dr. Scott Gordon
Musical Performance – Performed by FL Express
Dr. Julio Gonzales – Health Benefits Advisory Committee
Dr. Michael Patete – The Sanctity of the Physician / Patient Relationship
Dr. Nizam Razak - The Effects of Health Care Reform on Employment
State Representative Scott Plakon - HJR 37, The Health Care Freedom Act
Mr. Tom Gaitens – FreedomWorks; Call to Action
‘America, The Beautiful’ – performed by Jeanne Plakon

*Constitution Green is located at 300 S. Summerlin Ave., directly across from WFTV Studio on South St. downtown Orlando.