NO time like now to pay attention to politics in our state and in DC.
If you would like to write for the TEA Party Press Journal, please contact Rhonda at 618-786-3338 or email me at abra@gtec.com
Social Security cards up until the 1980s expressly stated the number and card were not to be used for identification purposes. NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION, was removed. Why was it removed? Many people, convicted felons and illegals to name a few, use it as identification at polling places.
Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat, introduced the Social Security (FICA) Program. He promised:
1.) That participation in the Program would be voluntary, * No longer Voluntary
2.) That the participants would only have to pay 1% of the first $1,400 of their annual incomes into the Program,* Now 7.65% On the first $90,000
3.) That the money the participants elected to put Into the Program would be deductible from their income for tax purposes each year,
* No longer tax deductible
4.) That the participants money would be put into the Independent ‘Trust Fund’ rather than into the General operating fund, and therefore, would only be used to fund the Social Security Retirement Program, and no other Government program.
* Under Johnson, the money was moved to the General Fund and Spent
5.) That the annuity payments to the retirees would never be taxed as income.
* Under Clinton & Gore, the Democrats changed that. up to 85% of your Social Security can now be Taxed.
Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are now receiving a Social Security check every month, you may be interested in the following:
Q: Which political party took Social Security from the Independent ‘Trust Fund’ and put it into the General fund so that Congress could spend it? A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the Democratically Controlled House and Senate.
Q: Which political party eliminated the income tax deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding? A: The Democratic Party.
Q: Which political party started taxing Social Security annuities? A: The Democratic Party, with Al Gore casting the ‘tie-breaking’ deciding vote as President of the Senate, while he was Vice President of the United States.
Q: Which political party decided to start giving annuity payments to immigrants? A: That’s right! Jimmy Carter and the Democratic Party.
Immigrants move into this country, and at age 65, began to receive Social Security payments! The Democratic Party gave these payments to them, even though they never paid a dime into it!
Then, after violating the original contract (FICA), The Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want to take your Social Security away! For the last sixty years, the Democratic Party has displayed an arrogant disregard for the well being and wishes of the American people. Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Harry Reid, Dick Durbin and Nancy Pelosi epitomize that arrogance.
YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY HISTORY LESSON, read it and think about it The Next Time You VOTE!!
Government Agenda 21 Update: Family Farms Are Under Attack
by Mike Opelka
Is the US government starting to implement the policies of the United Nation’s plan for global management of people and resources known as Agenda 21? The latest efforts out of the Department of Transportation (DOT) seem to indicate this is happening. And they are starting by targeting America’s farming communities with costly and oppressive regulations.
In Late May, the DOT proposed a rule change for farm equipment, and if it this allowed to take effect, it will place significant regulatory pressure on small farms and family farms all across America – costing them thousands of dollars and possibly forcing many of them out of business. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), part of the Department of Transportation (DOT), wants new standards that would require all farmers and everyone on the farm to obtain a CDL (Commercial Drivers License) in order to operate any farming equipment. The agency is going to accomplish this by reclassifying all farm vehicles and implements as Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs).
(It is also important to note here that DOT Secretary Ray LaHood holds a seat on the newly created White House Rural Council. A powerful group whose members have ties to George Soros and The Center For American Progress.)
The move by the DOT appears to be “legislation through regulation.” By reclassifying all farm vehicles and implements as Commercial Vehicles, the federal government will now be able to claim regulatory control over the estimated 800,000 farm workers in America, at the same time, overriding the rights of the states.
This proposed change literally means family farms could no longer legally allow young workers, not old enough to drive and seniors who no longer drive on the public streets, to operate a tractor… even on the family’s private property.
The proposed change also means ANYONE driving a tractor or operating any piece of motorized farming equipment would be forced to pass the same rigorous tests and fill out the same detailed forms and diaries required of semi-tractor trailer drivers. This reclassification would bury small farms and family farms in regulation and paperwork.
Some of the additional paperwork and regulation required:
Detailed logs would need to be kept by all drivers – hours worked, miles traveled, etc.
Vehicles would have to display DOT numbers
Drivers would need to pass a physical as well as a drug test – every two years.
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation (WFBF) is one of many farm organizations not happy about the idea and has sent the DOT a letter expressing this opinion:
“WFBF opposes any change in statue or regulatory authority that would reclassify implements of husbandry or other farm equipment as Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs)”
WFBF Director of Governmental Relations Karen Gefvert continues, explaining the excessive cost to farmers if this allowed to move forward:
“The proposed guidance by the FMCSA would result in an initial increased cost to each Wisconsin farmer and employee of $124 just for the CDL license, permit and test; not to mention the time and cost for the behind-the-wheel training that is several thousand dollars.”
Additionally, Illinois farmers believe this regulation will also force new restrictions on trucks used in crop-share hauling. (One estimate claims more than 30% of Illinois farmers utilize shared land.) These crop-share trucks are typically limited-use vehicles that often travel fewer than 3000 miles each year, mainly hauling crops from the fields to nearby grain elevators. To require them to follow the same rules as semis would also mean a farmer would be forced to purchase substantial insurance.
The Hancock Journal-Pilot covered the story:
Earlier this year, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) began to define crop-share tenant farmers as “for-hire“ carriers and implements of husbandry as ”commercial motor vehicles.“ The ”for-hire” designation for crop-share tenant farmers would have a dramatic effect on farmers because it voids exemptions from the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program and would require a minimum of $750,000 in insurance coverage for the farmer.
The DOT is holding hearings for public comment on the topic, but only through Monday, August 1st and farmers all across the country are rightfully concerned. No matter what the feedback is from the people who actually grow the food, it appears that the DOT’s mind is made up. Just last week, DOT Administrator Anna Ferro posted an Op-Ed addressing the controversial regulation. The opinion piece closes with this statement:
Everyone in this Administration – from President Obama, Vice President Biden, and Secretary LaHood on down – is committed to the long-term success of America’s agricultural industry. In many ways, agriculture is the backbone of our economy – feeding hundreds of millions of Americans and billions more around the world. As the largest user of freight transportation in the nation, the agricultural industry is also one of USDOT’s most important constituents. We hope that this comment period is the start of a new and productive relationship. We may not ultimately agree on every issue, but we will always listen — and do our best to help America’s farmers succeed.
(A personal aside, when someone tells you, “We may not ultimately agree on every issue, but we will always listen… ” it has always been my experience that they are going to do whatever they wanted to do in the first place. The “listening” was just to make you feel better.)
The FMCSA has said their intent is to create uniformity in how federal safety regulations are carried out across America. The farming community and many of the states that would be affected by this change feel differently. Almost to a man, the farming community believes this to be a local issue, best handled by state governments, and not some Washington DC agency.
To make a comment to the DOT visit their website. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the Federal electronic docket site. Or you can fax your comments here 1–202–493–2251.
H/T – All the active Farm Bureaus working to protect their rights and states’ rights. And to the ever-vigilent “Resist UN Agenda 21” groups (you know who you are)
Grassfire Nation Update
The House Energy and Commerce Committee turned up the heat on the Obama Administration by voting to subpoena the White House for documents related to the Solyndra $528 million dollar federal loan from the Department of Energy (DOE), which President Obama endorsed. The California-based green energy company then filed for bankruptcy protection and laid-off more than 1100 people.
This announcement by the Committee follows a petition delivery by Grassfire Nation with the names of over 60,000 citizens -- and a week-long barrage of faxes into Congress by thousands more citizens demanding a full investigation into the Solyndra debacle.
Also recently exposed is that the DOE was considering an additional cash infusion as a BAILOUT of Solyndra just before it filed for bankruptcy protection – but the deal was struck down by DOE officials.
This scandalous case brewing since the end of August is laced with other allegations including the fact that money was flowing from Solyndra employees back into the Democrat party.
Rush Limbaugh said, “It’s a money laundering racket is what that was ...”
Rhonda, we are now asking key members of our team to fax your outrage over the Solyndra scandal by clicking below to send immediate personalized faxes to your Illinois Representative, your two Senators -- as well as other key Republicans.
Based on the actions of this House Committee, Rhonda, we are making a difference. Our voices are being heard – and using Grassfire Nation’s faxfire system is the most efficient and effective way to quickly communicate to lawmakers!
While a simple click is the easiest way to impact this issue, Grassfire Nation has made it possible for you to download the key contact information as well as our customized fax letters to fax on your own.
+ + Americans demand and deserve answers!
Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fl), chairman of The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s investigations subcommittee, told Fox Business News this week, “I think the American taxpayers deserve an answer... We're asking where the taxpayers' money went. And frankly, we're just trying to understand, did the White House actually push this (loan) out, knowing that it was going to fail?”
Hold accountable the Obama Administration, The DOE and any other “players” in this scheme that bilked taxpayers out of over a half-billion-dollars!
Take action and fax Congress today!
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