David Vitter: update 9 29 09

e-update
09.29.09

 

This month, we recognized  the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Rita's impact on Louisiana.  I also  made a move to reduce the power of the president's "czars" and to increase our  gas and energy exploration to help reduce costs and create new jobs.

Below you can read about  these and other issues that I'm working on, such as ensuring that your tax  dollars don't go to ACORN.

 

 

P.S. – Please feel free to forward the newsletter to your friends, neighbors and business associates, and encourage them to sign up for their own copy by visiting my Web site at http://vitter.senate.gov/.

 

Photo Spotlight

Here I am pictured with representatives of the Louisiana Green Building Council when they came by my DC office to talk about the efforts and goals of their organization. 

REMEMBERING HURRICANE RITA

This past week, we paused  to remember the impact of Hurricane Rita on southwest Louisiana.  Rita's  significant impact on our state is often overlooked by the devastation of  Hurricane Katrina but this event affected the lives of hundreds of thousands of  our friends and neighbors.  On the fourth anniversary of Rita's impact, I  wanted to remember this event and recognize the spirit and determination of  southwest Louisianians as they continue the recovery process even today.   Read the text of my full statement here.

REINING IN THE PRESIDENT'S "CZARS"

This month, I filed an  amendment that would limit the power of the president's "czars" to make and  implement policy.  These advisors now number somewhere in the 20s, and  they wield significant power over domestic programs and government agencies  despite their not being approved by the Senate like members of the president's  cabinet.  You can read more about this amendment here.

PROMOTING OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT IN THE OCS

Last year, the  prohibitions on OCS drilling expired, allowing us to move ahead with a more  sensible approach to gas and energy exploration that would allow us to greatly  reduce costs on American families.  But now we are seeing delays from the  Obama Administration that would stall that progress we made.  That's why I  filed an amendment to the Interior-Environment appropriations bill that would  prevent funds from being used to delay the implementation of an expanding  drilling program that would boost our economy and increase our gas and energy  supplies. You can learn more about the amendment here at my website.

ENSURING THAT YOUR TAX DOLLARS DON'T GO TO ACORN

Over the past year, we've  all seen stories about the voter fraud and other allegations against the  activist group ACORN.  Last week the U.S. Senate voted to block future  taxpayer dollars from being awarded to ACORN.  But this month, it came to  my attention that ACORN had been awarded a $1 million grant from a program that  was designed to assist firefighters and fire departments.  This is simply  unacceptable, and I wrote a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Janet  Napolitano asking her to rescind this grant and see that this money goes to  those fire departments in the need of most assistance.  To learn more  about this situation, click here.

For any other questions or concerns visit my Web site at: www.vitter.senate.gov.

 

 

  

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Audit the Fed Hearing Tomorrow! Your help needed now!

September 24, 2009 Dear Friend of Liberty, This Friday, the House Financial Services Committee will meet at 9 am eastern to hold a hearing on Congressman Paul's Audit the Fed bill, HR 1207. We have come a long way in this historic effort, but your action is needed now more than ever. Click here to find the names of the representatives on the Financial Services Committee and to get their contact information.  Even if they do not represent your district, be sure to call as many of them as you can anyway, as their work on the Committee greatly impacts every one of us. Urge them to pass the Audit the Fed bill to the floor on its own merits and not as part of an overall package that would strengthen the Federal Reserve and further damage our economy.  Transparency in our monetary system is too important to be smothered in yet another Washington regulatory bill. If your representative is not on the Committee, please contact him as well and tell him you want to know what the Fed has done with your money.  Demand a standalone vote on Audit the Fed and that he cosponsor HR 1207 if he has not yet done so. The hearing will be streamed live on the Committee's website. This hearing would not have taken place if not for all of your hard work in calling, writing, faxing, and petitioning Congress to support HR 1207 and S 604, its Senate companion. It's incredible to see all the support we have amassed in this historic effort, but if we want to achieve a complete victory, we must now push harder than ever and turn the heat up! Your call could have a critical impact on your representative's decision.  Contact them immediately! In Liberty, John Tate President P.S. C4L and its members are already having a huge impact on the political landscape, as evidenced by this historic hearing.  Please donate today to help us finish this fight to Audit the Fed and continue to beat back the forces of big government.

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Audit the Fed Will Get Hearing in House Committee!

September 9, 2009

Dear Friend of Liberty,

Your hard work in this historic movement to Audit the Fed continues to pay off!

Thanks to the thousands of Campaign for Liberty members who have tirelessly dedicated themselves to spreading the word, gathering petitions, and putting continuous pressure on Congress by calling, writing, and faxing, Congressman Ron Paul informed C4L today that House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank has officially agreed to hold hearings on HR 1207! The hearings are tentatively scheduled for Friday, September 25 at 9:00 am.

Your efforts have resulted in Washington's most secretive institution having to defend itself before the media, the American people, and now at a House hearing specifically focused on transparency.

This exciting victory is only one more achievement in a battle that we must see through until the end.

Contact your representative and senators and urge them to cosponsor HR 1207/S 604 if they have not yet done so. If they have already signed on, tell them it is imperative that Audit the Fed receive a standalone, up or down vote on its own merits. Full transparency in our nation's monetary system is too important to be a minor footnote in yet another massive Washington bill, and C4L will vigorously oppose any attempts to include HR 1207 in a regulatory reform package that increases the Fed's power over our economy and lives.

Less than a year ago, a thorough audit of the Federal Reserve wasn't on anyone's radar. Now, we have the support of seventy five percent of the American people, almost two thirds of the House of Representatives, nearly a quarter of the Senate, and an official hearing before the House Financial Services Committee!

There will be more exciting information to follow soon, but I wanted you to know right away.  Now is the time to turn the heat up even more.

Together, we will finish this fight!

In Liberty,

John Tate

President

 

 

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Great Victory for conservatives - CNN Fires Roesgen

We have some great victories to pass along to our fellow conservatives - further evidence that your efforts and activism are paying off! 1st:  CNN is dumping their liberal, anti-Tea Party correspondent, Susan Roesgen.  Roesgen was the reporter who decided to harass those who attended the April 15th Tea Party in Chicago, IL, instead of serving as an unbiased journalist (yes, we know -- a bit of an oxymoron there).   In response, we here at the Our Country Deserves Better Committee launched an online grass roots effort that flooded CNN's offices with tens of thousands of phone calls and emails.  And CNN felt the heat - first sending Roesgen on leave for a suddenly scheduled vacation, and now deciding to part ways with Roesgen altogether. 2nd: Polls show a further drop in support for the Barack Obama/Nancy Pelosi socialistic health care plan.  We here at the Our Country Deserves Better Committee are working on a new TV ad that we will unveil this week that will push further to defeat this awful, big-government montrosity.  If you want to help us fight back to defeat Obamacare, please make a donation to our TV ad campaign by - CLICKING HERE. 3rd: Our TV ad, "It's Not Iran, It's Obama's Administration" continues to attract attention from across the nation.  More than 227,000 people have watched the ad online at YouTube alone in addition to the broadcasts of the ad so far! 4th: And that's just the beginning.  In about 40 days we will launch the "Tea Party Express" that will take the tea party movement to the next level - bringing real change to government as we take back our country from the far Left, tax-spend-bailout liberals who currently control Congress and the White House.  Be sure to sign up and get involved for this huge national effort at: http://www.TeaPartyExpress.org _____________________________________________________ COMING THIS THURSDAY... We unveil our new TV ad campaign calling for the defeat of the masive, big-government socialistic health care program being advanced by Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi. You can support our ad campaign against Obamacare by making a contribution online - CLICK HERE to DONATE. Please donate as much as you can afford.  Whether it's a generous contribution of $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or more - or a more modest contribution of $25 or $50.  The maximum contribution allowed by law is $5,000 per individual.  Donate online - CLICK HERE. Or mail in a contribution to our finance headquarters: Our Country Deserves Better Committee ATTN: Betty Presley, Treasurer 30151 Tomas Street Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 ** FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO A FRIEND - CLICK HERE **

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URGENT ALERT: Hate Crimes Bill up for Vote Tomorrow (7/16) in US Senate!

 This is going to be voted on by the Senate tomorrow (http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jul/09071505.html.

Take a moment to call and email your Senators and watch the status of the bill (and others) at http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-s909/show.

Reid—under the thumb of Obama and Holder—is attaching the bill to an unrelated defense bill, in order to force Senators to vote for it if they want to protect our troops. He is allowing no amendments. And he is calling for cloture to rush the bill through before any debate can take place. The Obama "hate crimes" bill is one of the most dangerously bigoted pieces of class warfare legislation ever to come before Congress.  We need to stop it now. So, call your Senators now at 202-225-3121 and tell them to vote NO to the Obama's bigoted attempt to make racial division the law of our land!

From AFA- The Hate Crimes legislation would authorize the Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute certain bias-motivated crimes based on the victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability. Even more troubling is that S.909 could create special protections for pedophiles. Democrats voted down an amendment to the bill that would have excluded pedophilia and other "sexual orientations" from the definition of "sexual orientation."  For years, AFA and other pro-family groups have issued warnings about federal Hate Crimes legislation. The reality is that the purpose of this bill is to silence those who speak out against homosexuality. If the legislation passes, pastors could be prosecuted under the federal inducement statute for preaching the biblical view of homosexuality. For example, a person could commit an act of violence against a homosexual individual and blame it on the pastor's sermon. Similar laws have been used to prosecute religious speech in the U.S. at the state level and abroad.

Senator Leahy Announces Intent To Introduce Hate Crimes Amendment To DOD Authorization Bill – And that bill is scheduled for a Senate floor vote Wednesday, July 15 2009 – that's TODAY! 

 

Read this press release now:  http://leahy.senate.gov/press/200907/071309b.html

 

Here's the Senate floor schedule (see right sidebar referencing S.1390 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010"):  http://www.senate.gov/

 

We can't confirm the amendment anywhere on the bill… but Senator Leahy's intent is clear.  Even liberal websites are all abuzz about getting this passed quickly and quietly, see  here (caution, very liberal website):  http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/7/14/753383/-Take-90-Seconds-and-FIGHT-HATE-NOW.-  

 

Even though CCM can't confirm this as an official amendment, we must take no chances and act now to stop Hate Crimes legislation from passing…

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO STOP THIS?

1)      Stop what you're doing… and email, phone and/or fax all Senators now.  Tell them NO Hate Crimes Legislation!

2)      Go here to find your US Senate contact information:  http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

3)      Forward this alert to all your friends, family, neighbors and encourage them to do likewise.. now!

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As a reminder, here is some summary information about the Hate Crimes bill, compiled from Janet Porter of WorldNet Daily:

-          It criminalizes speech against groups already identified.

-          It adds sexual orientation to the list.

-          Pastors could be charged with inciting a hate crime for sermon content.

-          Individuals could be charged with inciting a hate crime for resisting the actions or advances of a homosexual/lesbian.

-          It would criminalize Christianity by turning those who disagree with homosexual agenda into felons.

-          It would elevate pedophiles as a special protected class, since the term "sexual orientation"  includes them in the American Psychiatric Association's definition of various sexual orientations.

-          Denies freedom of speech and constitutes thought control as we're denied the right to express opinions without risking fines or arrest.

-          Would deny us 14^th Amendment right of equal protection under the law.

-          Would identify a special "preferred" class of victim with more rights than the average citizen would have as victim of similar crime.

-          Federal funds would be proffered to local law enforcement encouraging them to prosecute crimes against this preferred class.

***

SAMPLE LETTER – Use the following letter as a template and personalize it, or write your own.

 

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Dear Senator: 

 

Vote NO on any Hate Crimes Legislation.

(1) Hate Crimes legislation is unconstitutional. The 14th Amendment requires that all citizens be given equal treatment under the law. Hate crimes laws create special classes of victims and do not treat all victims fairly.

(2) Hate Crimes legislation could ultimately lead to prosecution for thoughts and restrictions on free speech and religious liberty. Although it prosecutes only "acts of violence" and does not prosecute expressions or opinions, it opens the door to examining the thoughts of not only a criminal, but everyone with whom he may have come into contact. This bill could be used to advance the politically correct agenda by providing greater protections for certain classes of people. Future legislation could expand these protections and place restrictions on religious liberty and free speech.

(3) Hate Crimes are unnecessary.  Many states already have a hate crimes law and there is no evidence that the states are failing to prosecute hate crimes. States which do not have hate crimes laws still prosecute the crimes under existing criminal laws. A federal hate crimes bill would only increase the control and scope of the federal government.

(4) All crimes are hate crimes! 

Vote NO on any and all Hate Crimes legislation!

Sincerely,

-Name-

-Address-

-City State Zip-

- Email/Phone -

 

***

 

This alert provided by Coalition for a Conservative Majority, Colorado Springs.  To be added to our alert list, go  here: www.ccm-cos.com

To unsubscribe, email info@ccm-cos.com and write "un-subscribe" in the subject line. 

 

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You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatreds.
You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man's initiative and independence.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.
--William J. H. Boetcker in 1916

Colorado Springs Tea Party Team

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Cap & Trade - Yes or Maybe Voters

Call them now!!

Rep. Michael Ross (AR) 202-225-3772
Rep. Charlie Melancon (LA) 202-225-4031
Rep. G. Butterfield (NC) 202-225-3101
Rep. Zack Space (OH) 202-225-6265
Rep. Michael Doyle (PA) 202-225-2135
Rep. Bart Gordon (TN) 202-225-4231
Rep. James Matheson (UT) 202-225-3011
Rep. Rick Boucher (VA) 202-225-3861
Rep. Peter Welch (VT) 202-225-4115
Rep. Jay Inslee (WA) 202-225-6311
Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX) 202-225-8885
Rep. Charles Gonzalez (TX) 202-225-3236
Rep. Al Green (TX) 202-225-7508
Rep. Gene Green (TX) 202-225-1688
Rep. Steve Driehaus 513-684-2723

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Huge Tax Increase Vote Tomorrow

Dear Stacy,

This week a late night deal was struck on the national energy tax. Clearly, Speaker Pelosi is running a machine, and was able to strong-arm a number of moderate Democrats to stand against their own districts and support this energy tax. Now, Speaker Pelosi is trying desperately to get a vote by tomorrow.

This national energy tax would possibly be the largest tax increase in American history, cause gas and electricity prices to skyrocket*, and add to our already spiraling federal deficit. We cannot afford this.

You can help in two ways right now that will have a big impact:

1. Make a small contribution of $15 to keep our TV ad on the air. Your contribution will also be used to run newspaper ads in key districts to inform voters about this bill.
   
2. Call your member of Congress now, and urge a vote against the national energy tax, H.R. 2454. Nancy Pelosi is desperately trying to corral as many Democrats as possible to vote with her, even though many of them have serious reservations. Your call right now can change the game.

If you're wondering what to tell them, here are some points* to bring up. The energy tax would:

1. Reduce aggregate gross domestic product (GDP) by $9.6 trillion
2. Destroy an average of 1-3 million jobs, every year
3. Raise electricity rates 90 percent after adjusting for inflation
4. Raise inflation-adjusted gasoline prices by 74 percent
5. Raise residential natural gas prices by 55 percent
6. Raise an average family's annual energy bill by $1,500 annually
7. Increase the federal debt by 26 percent, which is $29,150 per person

Remember, we only have until tomorrow. Thanks for what you're doing.

Sincerely,


Dan Varroney
Senior VP and COO
American Solutions

P.S.  Keep up to date on all the key issues by joining our Facebook Page and following us on Twitter.

* "Son of Waxman-Markey: More Politics Makes for a More Costly Bill," Heritage Foundation. May 18, 2009.

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ABC News Airing Day-long ObamaCare Infomercial

From the Desk of: David Martin, Executive Vice President MEDIA RESEARCH CENTER 6/22/2009 Brent Bozell Message to the MRC Action Team Regarding ABC's ObamaCare Infomercial President Obama is trying to put our nation on the fast track to socialized health care, and on June 24, the ABC network will help him sell this bill of goods to the American people. Next Wednesday, ABC News will transform the White House into their newsroom for what has been described as an unabashed infomercial promoting the Democrat agenda—more specifically, government-run health care. ++ ABC News Emphatically Rejects Opposing Views ABC News has abandoned all pretense of journalistic integrity in its bid to be the administration's official salesman for ObamaCare. ABC flatly rejected Republican National Committee Chief of Staff Ken McKay's request to add opposition views to ensure all sides of the health care debate were represented in the "town hall" forum. Not only that, ABC News Vice President Kerry Smith responded by saying, "ABC News alone will select those who will be in the audience asking questions of the President." As if that wasn't enough, ABC then rejected an ad from a conservative group trying to counter the liberal health care agenda. They clearly are not interested in a balanced presentation on this subject. Void of opposing views, this "news special" becomes nothing more than an extended infomercial designed to scare and manipulate the American people into supporting a trillion-dollar government takeover of the highest quality health care system in the world! ++ Hold ABC News Accountable stacy, health care is an issue of life and death. If you don't want politicians and faceless bureaucrats making your personal health care decisions – which medical procedures you need, which treatments are affordable, which medications you can have – then stand with us and demand the media present a balanced view on how to reform health care. That's why we are asking MRC Action team members to do two things TODAY. First, take a moment right now to call ABC News executives and demand balance in the health care debate. Ask them why they won't allow the conservative point of view on this show. Second, click here to submit questions to be asked at this "town hall" on Wednesday – questions the liberal media aren't asking. Questions like: · How much will your plan cost? · How will it be paid for? · Can you name one example of the government taking over an industry and the costs falling as a result? Click here to hear MRC founder Brent Bozell's exclusive message to the MRC Action team explaining why we all need to act NOW to stop what he calls "one of the worst examples I've seen in all my years of observing media bias." Here is your contact information: David Westin President, ABC News (212) 456-6200 Anne Sweeney President, ABC-Disney Television Group (818) 569-7700 anne.sweeney@disney.com ++ Alert your Friends and Family A firestorm of protest can bring about quick change. That's why after taking action, we're asking you to forward this update to 25-30 friends and family members. Let them know what is happening, and how they can play a pivotal role by calling as well. President Obama has already taken over the banks, and General Motors … now he's using ABC television to ram his socialist health care plan down our throats unabated. Make your calls, and forward this important message today! Thank you in advance for taking action with the MRC. David P.S. To help you track all the news surrounding ObamaCare and the liberal media slant on health care reform, we created a special website where we will post all the latest news and stories in the coming weeks. Please visit it often to stay on top of this life or death issue. (Note: Please do not reply directly to this e-mail message. This e-mail address is not designed to receive your personal messages. To contact the Media Research Center with comments, questions or to change your status, see the link at the end of this e-mail.) Comments? Questions? Email: MRCAction@mediaresearch.org The Media Research Center is a research and education organization operating under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions are tax-deductible for income tax purposes. To donate to MRC, please click here. Click here to be removed from this list or send a written request to: MRC PO 277 Maxwell,IA 50161

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