Twin Falls Republican Party Restoration

Twin Falls Republicans Espouse Reagan, for What?

2011-07-18T13:35:00.001-06:00

I don't often bother myself with the Twin Falls Republican's website, it lacks substance, vision and personality. But the other day I happen to go there to remind myself when's the next Republican Central Committee (because the postcards don't always arrive when they should).

While I was on their paltry website, I saw a video of Ronald Reagan, titled "Republican for a Reason." A video of the deceased President in his glory day, barking about "freedom," then it goes into the ruling period of the Bushes and shows them waving and kissing babies and such. Hogwash, that is what it is.

Why would a "Republican" claim that Reagan and the Bush Dynasty are anything less than the portrayed "Great Conservatives" they are presented on the Twin Falls Republican website? Well, I was reading some economics literature recently and came across this explanation from Murry Rothbard:

There was no "Reagan Revolution." Any "revolution" in the direction of liberty (in Ronnie’s words "to get government off our backs") would reduce the total level of government spending. And that means reduce in absolute terms, not as proportion of the gross national product, or corrected for inflation, or anything else. There is no divine commandment that the federal government must always be at least as great a proportion of the national product as it was in 1980. If the government was a monstrous swollen Leviathan in 1980, as libertarians were surely convinced, as the inchoate American masses were apparently convinced and as Reagan and his cadre claimed to believe, then cutting government spending was in order. At the very least, federal government spending should have been frozen, in absolute terms, so that the rest of the economy would be allowed to grow in contrast. Instead, Ronald Reagan cut nothing, even in the heady first year, 1981...

The much-heralded 1981 tax cut was more than offset by two tax increases that year. One was "bracket creep," by which just inflation wafted people into higher tax brackets, so that with the same real income (in terms of purchasing power) people found themselves paying a higher proportion of their income in taxes, even though the official tax rate went down. The other was the usual whopping increase in Social Security taxes which, however, don’t count, in the perverse semantics of our time, as "taxes"; they are only "insurance premiums." In the ensuing years the Reagan Administration has constantly raised taxes – to punish us for the fake tax cut of 1981 – beginning in 1982 with the largest single tax increase in American history, costing taxpayers $100 billion.
Creative semantics is the way in which Ronnie was able to keep his pledge never to raise taxes while raising them all the time...

How about deregulation? Didn’t Ronnie at least deregulate the regulation-ridden economy inherited from the evil Carter? Just the opposite. The outstanding measures of deregulation were all passed by the Carter Administration, and, as is typical of that luckless President, the deregulation was phased in to take effect during the early Reagan years, so that the Gipper could claim the credit.Such was the story with oil and gas deregulation (which the Gipper did advance from September to January of 1981); airline deregulation and the actual abolition of the Civil Aeronautics Board, and deregulation of trucking. That was it.
The Gipper deregulated nothing, abolished nothing. Instead of keeping his pledge to abolish the Departments of Energy and Education, he strengthened them, and even wound up his years in office adding a new Cabinet post, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Overall, the quantity and degree of government regulation of the economy was greatly increased and intensified during the Reagan years. The hated OSHA, the scourge of small business and at the time the second most-hated agency of federal government (surely you need not ask which is the first most-hated), was not only not abolished; it too was strengthened and reinforced. Environmentalist restrictions were greatly accelerated, especially after the heady early years when selling off some public lands was briefly mentioned, and the proponents of actually using and developing locked-up government resources (James Watt, Anne Burford, Rita Lavelle) were disgraced and sent packing as a warning to any future "anti-environmentalists."

The Reagan Administration, supposedly the champion of free trade, has been the most protectionist in American history, raising tariffs, imposing import quotas, and – as another neat bit of creative semantics – twisting the arms of the Japanese to impose "voluntary" export quotas on automobiles and microchips. It has made the farm program the most abysmal of this century: boosting price supports and production quotas, and paying many more billions of taxpayer money to farmers so that they can produce less and raise prices to consumers.

And we should never forget a disastrous and despotic program that has received
unanimous support from the media and from the envious American public: the massive witch hunt and reign of terror against the victimless non-crime of "insider trading." In a country where real criminals – muggers, rapists, and "inside" thieves – are allowed to run rampant, massive resources and publicity are directed toward outlawing the use of one’s superior knowledge and insight in order to make profits on the market...

Foreign aid, a vast racket by which American taxpayers are mulcted in order to subsidize American export firms and foreign governments (mostly dictatorships), has been vastly expanded under Reagan. The Administration also encouraged the nation’s banks to inflate and pour money down Third World rat-holes; then bailed out the banks and tin-pot socialist dictatorships at the expense of U.S. taxpayers (via tax increases) and consumers (via inflation)...

I am convinced that the historic function of Ronald Reagan was to co-opt, eviscerate and ultimately destroy the substantial wave of anti-governmental, and quasi-libertarian, sentiment that erupted in the U.S. during the 1970s.

Now if we want to espouse Regan's moderate foreign policy (see video), then we may find some agreement, or perhaps I would be championing his foreign policy, at least compared to the Bushes.

Tom Woods Speaks on Ron Paul's 15 Most "Extreme" Positions

2011-05-31T22:02:00.000-06:00

Tom Woods, author of Nullification and recently RollBack, who spoke in Boise recently to a packed house now speaks about Ron Paul's extremism.

Risch & Crapo: Americans Have No Right to Privacy

2011-05-26T17:54:00.000-06:00

In an appalling vote of imperialism and out-right disregard for the Constitution (the laws governing the government), Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch slam the door on the Forth Amendment and vote with the Democrat-controlled Senate to continue the PATRIOT ACT.

Only four Senators voted against the renewal of the PATRIOT ACT (a misnomer if there ever was one); all are liberty-minded Republicans, out-spoken for their involvement in the Tea Party: Rand Paul (R-Kentucky), Dean Heller (R-Nevada), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina).

Despite a resolution which passed, in March, with the majority of the Twin Falls Republican Central Committee members voting in favor, that declared the Patriot Act unconstitutional and those provisions to be removed, Idaho's Senators continue the course of federal control and oppression under the guise of protecting us from terrorism.

Share your comments below. You can choose to be anonymous, but that doesn't mean the government doesn't already know who you are, what your last deposit at the bank was, who it was from and why you went to the doctor last.

What will the Twin Falls Republicans do?

In a recent response from Jim Risch's office his form letter read...

Thank you for contacting me regarding the PATRIOT Act.  I appreciate hearing from you. 

The number one priority of the federal government is to protect the people of the United States from all enemies, foreign and domestic (within the Law, I would add).  When Congress considers the means to achieve our national security objectives, it must balance individual liberties on the one hand and the government law enforcement powers on the other (read: you are either dangerously free or a safe slave).  As a member of the Intelligence Committee, I am acutely aware of this challenge, particularly as it relates to the PATRIOT Act.  

As I review the PATRIOT Act, important provisions of which require reauthorization this year to remain in effect, I will do everything in my power to make sure my decisions keep the American people both free and safe (our fore fathers fought a war -the Revolutionary War- to protect the people from the government, and now you are saying you protect us? tsss!). 

I really value your effort to get in touch with me to share your thoughts, as many Idahoans do.  Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future on this or other issues. 

The American Dream vs. The Federal Reserve

2011-05-24T15:51:00.000-06:00

Amazingly accurate time-line and depiction of this country's long history against a central bank.

The Lew Rockwell Show

2011-05-24T08:55:00.001-06:00

The Lew Rockwell Show: The Truth About NeoCons

A fascinating account of what drives neoconservatives. Is it freedom or power?

Tom Woods on the Failed "War on Drugs"

2011-05-18T08:44:00.000-06:00

Tom Woods spoke recently in Boise on Nullification to a packed house, with a live stream to over 20 locations across Idaho thanks to Campaign for Liberty of Idaho. Here he is discussing the war on drugs...

This is an interesting movie on the War on Drugs...

Is Mike Crapo coming out of the closet?

2011-05-16T22:08:00.000-06:00

No not THAT closet Larry Craig! The Libertarian closet!

In a recent article in reason magazine (a publication dedicated to "Free Minds and Free Markets") titled The Most Interesting Man in the Senate, writer Matt Welch covers the story of Rand Paul's rise to the Senate. Rand Paul, the most successful Tea Party-branded politician of the 2010 election, as Welch argues, "has done more to inject libertarian ideas into the Washington debate than any senator I can remember."

Despite neoconservative "anitbodies" (as described by former speechwriter David Frum) to Rand Paul's ideals on international aid, domestic and defense spending, Rand Paul counters saying that the Republican Party has become "tainted by neoconservative ideology, mistaking national greatness for a willingness to intervene willy-nilly into the affairs of foreign countries, while tolerating big government spending projects at home...The Tea Party is now a threat to the old Republican guard precisely because its state principles prevent it from being brought into the neoconservative fold."

Welch continues to tell the story of how Rand Paul had surprised a lot of skeptics by sticking with his principles and continuing his push for a cut in both military spending and domestic spending, while criticizing other Republican plans (Rep Paul Ryan R-Wis) to balance the budget by (an hysterical) 2063. Within 3 weeks of being sworn in as Senator from Kentucky, Rand Paul announced a 500 billion dollar spending cut along with a balanced budget amendment.

According to Welch, Rand Paul's ideas caught the privy of "other Republican senators including Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, Mike Crapo of Idaho and a half-dozen others." I was surprised to read this as I had not heard that our own Idaho Senator was supporting this radical of a budget cut!

While a search of Mike Crapo's website does not offer any indication that Crapo supported Rand Paul's budget proposal, it does offer a quote regarding the Paul Ryan budget proposal that mind you, still leaves the deficit at 1.55 trillion (and attempts to balance the budget in 52 years)...Crapo said of this plan: “We need to move the discussion from billions to trillions. Chairman Ryan’s plan puts the budget on a better path to balance the budget and improve the economy, and I look forward to reviewing the details of the proposal.”

To compare the neoconservative budget of Paul Ryan and apparent supporters like our own Mike Crapo to the Democratic budget of Obama, there is only a $100 billion difference. When we spend $10 billion a day, that is a mere 10 day difference in spending; Big Whoop! Rand Paul's ideals to cut 500 billion the first year are a start and he recognizes we need to do a lot more, calling his plan "modest."

So, no Crapo is not coming out of the closet though I think he might have tossed out some under-attire when he won the "Friend of the Taxpayer Award." NICE!

More from Rand Paul's interview with reason:

This (notorious) Blog is Baaaaack.

2011-04-28T21:57:00.000-06:00

Due to an unfortunate respite of which I will refrain from discussing, the Restore Twin Falls GOP is back. If you are just joining us because of all the hoop-la generated at the local Republican Central Committee (thanks for upping our ratings) I will brief you on the nature of the current situation...

The beloved Grand Old Party (GOP) has been hijacked. Once a party of principles of non-interventionism, free-market, civil rights and liberty has been taken over by war mongering, central planning,oppressive group of people right here in Twin Falls who brazenly call themselves Republicans.

But thanks to the keen eyes and ears of long time members who have seen the erosion of Constitutional principles and a respect for liberty, their message has gotten out to the community and more and more people are becoming aware through attending these meetings themselves and finding they are being told to shut up, not to participate and if they do, "keep it to a single minute!"

This committee is at current, over-populated with rank-and-file types who expect committee members to do as they are told and permit no one outside of the committee the time of day. I ask you, is this the form of government you want?

At the last Central Committee meeting, Sharon Block spoke about the virtues of our "elected leaders." What happened to "Representatives" Mrs. Block? When did a peer, elected to represent the constituents become a "Leader" and us, the 'followers?' This is what is wrong with the mentality of this committee. For years it has been a power issue and they are addicted to it so much so that they will bend their own rules and justify their means.

It is quite the spectacle people. I encourage you to attend the next meeting and see for yourself, like one young man did at the last meeting and said his eyes were peeled open to the reality of which he had heard. There is a old adage that seems to be at play here: Make them act like the tyrants they are.

To this end, the behavior of Jennifer Gose-Eells, Gretchen Clelland and the "Republican Women" groupies who have to file their fangs back every night, your behavior is becoming more and more obvious. Soon the full moon will be out and the howls that you hear might be your local elected "leaders" on their way to the next meeting.

Jennifer Gose-Eells Turns and Slanders Me- oh the nerve!

2011-04-12T23:02:00.000-06:00

Tonight's Central Committee Meeting was historical, apparently, if not for one meeting. Tonight was the first night in history the Central Committee met on a Tuesday night, after last month's vote to change the meeting date was approved after a lot of red-faced "Republican Women" stormed out of the meeting and was not present to vote against the date change.

Apparently they wasted no time to change the date back to Wednesday night after they were able to rally their forces. And apparently this blog has quite the following too!

Tonight is the traditional meeting whereas after the legislature has convened in Boise, the local legislators come and praise each other for a tough job well done, and Sharon Block rambles on about how there are poor and suffering people in Idaho who need government assistance. No surprise, but Leon Smith was not in attendance and able to be held accountable for his voting record. He must have sensed that there is mud on his face.

But never mind all of that, or how the legislators were not fielding questions, or how Mr. Killinger was trying to do a good deed and hold attendees accountable by way of sign-in sheet but got nixed by Jennifer Gose-Eells, or that these so called "Republican Women" complained about having Constitutional readings on the floor, or that Mark Goodman was elected Treasurer over a obviously more qualified candidate, Brent Hyatt, because this is "the good-ol boys club." No, no, forget all of that, because the hot topic tonight was this blog and yours truly.

Yes, Jennifer Gose-Eells has it in for me and apparently she was not too happy about my April Fool's Day post. She even read the first part outloud but stopped shy of the obviously and painfully truthful portions of the post. Jennifer, I may now call you 'Jennifer Disguise' for your cleaver tactics.

Anyway, while our country is drowning in debt, war and turmoil, Jennifer Gose-Eells and her so-called "Republican Women" wish to consider a resolution that slanders this blog. Kind of interesting that they wish to slander me for slandering them. Newly elected Commissioner Leon Mills got all hot and heavy too and went on about quoting Bible verses. Mr. Mills, if you wish to keep your name out of my blog, keep your head down! I don't yet have issue with you but if you want to protect the insanity of this Central Committee from the repeated atrocities committed then you too shall find your name searchable here.

New Republican Logo Announced Today

2011-04-01T14:00:00.002-06:00

In an effort to appear more fiscally conscious and responsive to claims that government needs to “tighten their belts,” the Twin Falls Republican Party today announced they will be using a new logo: An Exercising Elephant.

In a public announcement and demonstration at Gold’s Gym today, Gretchen Clelland, Chairwoman of the Twin Falls Republican Party, took to a full-sized elephant suit complete with two teats between the front legs, to demonstrate her endurance on a treadmill. Cumbersome as it was, Gretchen lasted 1.7 minutes to signify the deficit in trillions of dollars.

In a public statement by an unidentified, yet self-proclaimed “Republican Woman” in full-body fur jacket with a mink-faced purse, “This is perfect. We really need to show that we are fit to take on the federal deficit, and having this new logo will show to everyone we can do this. Now excuse me I need to go have a cigarette.”

Mike Simpson was in attendance and applauded the efforts of the Republican leadership in Washington, “It was a tough blow to us when Vice President Cheney said that ‘deficits don’t matter,’ but we have rebounded and this new logo change will help steer public opinion.” Simpson concluded to laughter: “Just don’t look at my voting record, Okay!”

Republican establishment has long been criticized for not following their party platform and principles when it comes to overt spending habits for previously known liberal programs that expand the government. Their dissection from the party on theses fronts have earned them the nick-name “RINOs” for “Republican In Name Only.”

Leon Smith was overheard as saying, “I was for changing the logo to a RINO, but lawyers in Boise would not allow for it.”

Kelly Klaas Drinks the NeoCon Kool-Aid

2011-03-21T18:54:00.001-06:00

Today’s episode of Kelly Klass vs. Jill Skeem on News Radio 1310, Kelly was beating war drums and Jill, save for her defense of Obama, sounded like the Conservative on the show. Today’s blog by guest commentator, Jeremy Sassercollins is meant to be a response to Kelly’s lack of understanding of how we get sold on war and how he has been drinking the Neo-Conservative Kool-Aid.

Once upon a time we had a President who believed in "Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations — entangling alliances with none"…Thomas Jefferson. We also had a president who was privy to understanding the relationship between America’s foreign policy and the money interests…

This president was called “Mr. Republican”…do you know who this was?

Robert Taft.

In Taft’s book, A Foreign Policy for Americans (1951), Taft shared his belief that a nation's foreign policies are entangled in other interests. Would you be concerned if the Honorary Chairman-and past Director-of the Council on Foreign Relations (David Rockefeller) was also a Director at the Federal Reserve?

If this entanglement does not at first alarm you then one needs to understand that the Federal Reserve profits from US operations, even more so when we are operating at a deficit. Whereas the members of the Council on Foreign Relations acts as a who’s who of the political elite, and continues to drive our foreign policy. Kelly, don't you think that is peculiar? That the same hand offering us money to engage in wars, is of the same body pushing us into war?

"Mr. Republican" said: "Only second to liberty is the maintenance of peace."

I believe, like the Barry Goldwaters, the Robert Tafts and Ron Pauls of the “Old Right” that being the world police was the dream of progressive liberals such as Woodrow Wilson who founded the precursor to the United Nations!

Kelly today seemed to believe that America should be the “top dog” by force and at any cost. I say, force is the tool of oppression and does not belong in the foreign policy of the free world. Let us be a beacon of peace, through peace, not war. I don’t think it is possible to force a nation to adopt the ideals of freedom by way of a gun.

It is a neo-conservative ideal to think that, like Dick Cheney said, “Deficits don’t matter.” True conservatives see our war efforts as the biggest threat to our freedom at home, as it is bankrupting us, and furthermore these wars are declared via the United Nations which is a breach of the Constitution-which a caller today pointed out.

In a free society, we should have the right to be left alone. I am not a Quaker, but I sympathize with them as their hard-earned money is striped from them by the IRS and used by world leaders to kill others throughout the world. The US funds over 22% of the United Nations operations-which is currently bombing the hell out of Libya.

In a free society, we should have a choice to choose war or not. Those who feel strongly about spreading democracy by the barrel of a gun (Kelly Klaas), then there should be a private army of mercenaries for hire which are privately funded to go and force people to be free, but not by the name of the US Military, but by some other name, such as the “Ministry of Peace” if you get my reference to 1984.

It is a wonder why neoconservatives believe in supporting our troops, when Ron Paul and his non-interventionist policies attract the greatest financial support from our military personnel. The Kool-aid educed torrents that neoconservatives spout about “supporting our troops” is quite different than those who sold us on the war in the first place; like Henry Kissinger (CFR Member) said troops are “dumb, stupid animals to be used” as fodder for military engagements.

How does a neo-conservative reconcile the facts presented here?

-By Jeremy SasserCollins

Campaign for Liberty County Coordinator

Fireworks at the Republican Central Committee

2011-03-10T23:12:00.000-07:00

Another resigning Treasure (second one in the past year), Republican Woman demand a 15% cut from last month's fundraiser, and the passage of contentious changes all contributed to last night's fireworks at the Republican Central Committee.

In 2010, Ken Edmunds resigned as Treasurer after posts from Jefferson is My Hero shared his blotched filings with the State Board of Elections. Ken has recently resigned as Committee Man giving his post to newly appointed Mrs. Dixon. After Ken stepped down as Treasurer, AJ Church was appointed to take the reigns. AJ resigned last night citing unethical practices after numerous confrontations with Chairwoman Gretchen Clelland, who demanded AJ issue un-approved checks, as all requests over fifty dollars must be approved by the committee. No one was reappointed as the Treasurer, though Gretchen advised the committee she would like to appoint someone of her flavor.

The Republican Woman then, spurred on by a verbal commitment from Gretchen, were all up in their fur-coated arms demanding a 15% cut from the Lincoln Day Fundraiser they hosted last month (to less than stellar attendance). After debating for the majority of the evening, the fleet of Republican Women got their 15%, and then abruptly left the meeting.

The rest of the evening's agenda was disbanded to allow for time to address the PATRIOT Act Resolution, and a change in the meeting date of the Committee. The PATRIOT Act Resolution was to affirm that Twin Falls Republicans believe unconstitutional provisions in the PATRIOT Act should be allowed to expire; that Americans can be both safe and free, and that Americans should not have to give up our Constitutional rights to combat terrorism. This falls on the heels of Rep. Mike Simpson voting for the extension of the PATRIOT Act in recent weeks.

The final order of business was to vote on a proposed change to the monthly meeting day. For many years, committee members have debated on moving the day the monthly meetings are held. Because of some member's religious commitments, it was more advantageous to select Tuesday rather than Wednesday. It had been proposed in 2008, but denied any breathing room, and some started to wonder if the meeting was intentionally being held on Wednesday to keep the religiously active out of the committee. After a spirited speech by Carter Killinger, that was cut off by Chairwoman Clelland, the motion passed. Future meetings will be held the 2nd Tuesday of the month.

Senators Confused About Constitution

2011-03-01T13:48:00.002-07:00

From Sovereign Idaho's Blog

Senators Davis, Hill, Lodge, McGee, Malepeai (Sagness), and Stennett all voted in 2008 “to direct the Idaho Transportation Board and the Idaho Transportation Department not to implement the provisions of the REAL ID Act of 2005.” Senator McKenzie was MIA for that vote.

But last week these same Senators all voted in the State Affairs Committee to kill HO117, which would have prevented the implementation of ObamaCare in Idaho.

Same principle. Now they're claiming that interposition by state government to protect the liberty of the people violates the Constitution. Has the Constitution been amended since 2008? No. The proper role of government is still the protection of liberty.

So did they violate their oath of office in 2008 or in 2011? Their constituents should be informed about this dishonorable misrepresentation so they can judge.

Why do state legislators swear to uphold not only the state, but also the U.S. Constitution? Because state legislators have a role in enforcing the U.S. Constitution, just as everyone does who takes that oath. All unconstitutional power grabs are inherently null and void, unless nobody calls their bluff.

See Governor Otter on Freedom Watch here: http://news.yahoo.com/video/business-15749628/idaho-to-obamacare-shove-it-24354834

Idaho Senate to Hold Hearing/Vote on H117

2011-02-24T10:41:00.003-07:00

Call your State Senator today to express support for H0117: Nullify ObamaCare. If you live in Twin Falls District 24, call Senator Lee Heider at (208) 734-8864.
If you live in District 23, call Senator Bert Brackett at (208) 857-2217.

The Senate will hold a public hearing on the issue at FRIDAY MORNING, Feb, 25TH - 8 AM - STATE CAPITOL, basement, senate auditorium.

FOX News Deception

2011-02-17T08:51:00.000-07:00

I don't tend to cover much national news here unless it relates to Idaho and the Magic Valley in particular. But I have been told that prominent members of the Twin Falls Central Committee have publicly lambasted the Ron Paul supporters in the community for supporting a candidate who was unelectable (forget for a moment that John McCain wasn't elected).

In 2008, Twin Falls Central Committee Members such as Steven Hartgen had pointed to news sources which depicted Ron Paul as unpopular, despite how he continuously wins straw polls and debates across the country, including the latest CPAC Straw Poll.

But you wouldn't necessarily get the whole picture just by watching the beloved FOX news...http://www.thenewamerican.com/index.php/usnews/politics/6345-fox-news-deceives-public-and-ron-paul

When you watch this video you will see FOX news took footage of Ron Paul winning the CPAC Straw Poll in 2010, when the audience was apparently packed with Mitt Romney fans, and yet Ron Paul still won, and FOX news took that footage and superimposed it over the results of this most recent 2011 win when the reaction was much different.

One error, we could pass off as a mistake, right? But here is a list of other deceptive actions FOX news has done to discount Ron Paul...
Was it another “mistake” to omit Paul’s name entirely from a Fox News survey last week that asked who would make the best president?

Was it another “mistake” on behalf of Fox News to exclude Paul from a January 6 2008 presidential forum event?

Was it a “mistake” for Fox News to claim that their own May 2007 presidential poll, which Ron Paul won, was unreliable?

Was it a mere “mistake” for Fox News host Sean Hannity to deride the Texas Congressman’s runaway success in the text messaging poll as nothing more than “Paulites” flood voting, when in reality only one vote per cell phone number was allowed?

Was it another “mistake” when Fox News started editing Ron Paul’s name out of Associated Press stories they syndicated before the 2008 presidential campaign?

and at least 5 other examples are found here...http://www.infowars.com/fox-news-dirty-tricks-against-ron-paul-no-mistake/

Idaho Nullifies and Mike Simpson Fails Idaho (Again)

2011-02-16T15:16:00.002-07:00

This week's developments:
Idaho House of Representatives voted to pass HB117, aka the Nullification Bill on a 49-20 vote. Twin Falls' own Leon Smith, again, joins Idaho Democrats in a vote against the measure, which as Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, told colleagues "A vote against this bill is a vote for the federal mandate."

No thanks to Leon Smith. He must of not gotten the message when Twin Falls Republican Central Committee voted for a resolution in 2009 to nullify the federal health care law. Smith continuously votes against his party and the people of Twin Falls County.

More about this story here: http://www.idahoreporter.com/2011/house-approves-health-care-nullification-bill-on-49-20-tally-despite-bipartisan-opposition/

Also on the home front: Congressman Mike Simpson voted to reinstate the Patriot Act, despite local opposition brewing in the Twin Falls Central Committee and from citizens like Dave Easterly. Idaho's Representative 1st District, Raul Labrador, had stood by his promise to oppose the Patriot Act and voted against it's re-authorization.

The re-authorization of the (un)PATRIOT Act was stopped in the Senate as supporters tried to push through without debate. Fortunately, the Champion of the Constitution Jr., Rand Paul, had opposed the measure. Hear what he had to say here:

Public Hearing to Nullify ObamaCare in Boise

2011-02-07T09:41:00.006-07:00

This is great news. We will be broadcasting the public debate on Nullification live from the Senate Chamber. The feed will be available here at www.RestoreTwinFallsGOP.com

You can also listen to the event live on the radio; Kevin Miller of 580 KIDO

If you can, please attend live at the hearing: Wednesday, February 9th at 8am, in the Senate Auditorium (west wing) of the Idaho Capitol basement.

This video will be best viewed on the FireFox Browser (Video has been taken down after the hearing to prevent uploading the background noise it provided).

Tom Woods: Answering the Objections to Nullification

2011-02-01T13:19:00.000-07:00

The other day, apparently on Top Story, Kelly and Jill had on their show some despicable blog writer who claimed the Constitution's Supremacy Clause trumps nullificaiton. Here is Tom Woods on the matter...

“Nullification violates the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause.”
This may be the most foolish, ill-informed argument against nullification of all. It is the reply we often hear from law school graduates and professors, who are taught only the nationalist version of American history and constitutionalism. It is yet another reason, as a colleague of mine says, never to confuse legal training with an education.
Thus we read in a recent AP article, “The efforts are completely unconstitutional in the eyes of most legal scholars because the U.S. Constitution deems federal laws ‘the supreme law of the land.’” (Note, by the way, the reporter’s use of the unnecessary word “completely,” betraying his bias.)
What the Supremacy Clause actually says is: “This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof…shall be the supreme law of the land.”
In other words, the standard law-school response deletes the most significant words of the whole clause. Thomas Jefferson was not unaware of, and did not deny, the Supremacy Clause. His point was that only the Constitution and laws which shall be made in pursuance thereof shall be the supreme law of the land. Citing the Supremacy Clause merely begs the question. A nullifying state maintains that a given law is not “in pursuance thereof” and therefore that the Supremacy Clause does not apply in the first place.
Such critics are expecting us to believe that the states would have ratified a Constitution with a Supremacy Clause that said, in effect, “This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof, plus any old laws we may choose to pass, whether constitutional or not, shall be the supreme law of the land.”

Read the Full article here: http://www.tomwoods.com/nullification-answering-the-objections/

Leon Smith Proposes 35-100 Million Dollar Tax Hike!

2011-01-27T10:21:00.000-07:00

Twin Falls County's own Leon Smith, a so-called "Republican" (but much in the same vein as former Senator Chuck Coiner), has proposed an on-line sales tax program that he thinks could generate over 35 million dollars annually in new tax money for the government, though other figures guesstimate upward to 100 million annually. This is not the first time Smith has proposed this bill, but rather the fourth time: all previous attempts have failed.

The Idaho Republican Platform (see below) reads.

The Idaho Republican Party recognizes that all government is financed by taxing its citizens. We believe the size and cost of government, as well as the national debt, must be reduced.

and...
We support lower federal, state, and local taxes. High taxes are a burden on businesses, families, and individuals. Family members are required to spend more time working and less time teaching the next generation. Cost to the consumer for products and services increase when taxes are increased.

I wonder what part of this platform Leon Smith doesn't understand? This is a huge tax hike with an apparent miscalculation of over 65 million dollars between Smith's figures and National Conference of State Legislatures' figures. Is this Smith's attempt to undermine the total tax consequences of this bill, or a gross miscalculation on his part?

In the 2010 primary election, Smith earned less than 50% of the vote, though the other 50% was split between two other contenders (Satterwhite and Goodman), so Smith won his seat back. It was rumored that Goodman ran to split Satterwhite's vote and help Smith win again. Goodman had a paltry showing at the pools, though enough to help keep Satterwhite below 51%, thus indicating that there was some truth to this rumor.

"Jefferson is My Hero" and I have documented here in this blog many times Leon Smith has failed to uphold the Republican Platform. If you were to search "Leon Smith" in the search bar at the bottom of this page (where reads "Search this blog") you will find the other articles about our least favorite, local "republican" Leon Smith.

Nullification, the Media, and Idaho: Message from Tom Woods

2011-01-26T20:25:00.000-07:00

Nullification: Interview with a Zombie

Idaho Among States Moving to Nullify ObamaCare

2011-01-26T08:47:00.000-07:00

Re-posted from sovereignidaho.blogspot.com:
The Idaho legislature is expected to take up legislation on Wednesday, January 26, aimed at nullifying Obamacare within the Gem State. The draft bill by state Senator Monty Pearce declares the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (which, combined, comprise what is commonly called "Obamacare") to be "not authorized by the Constitution of the United States," and therefore, "are null, void and of no effect regarding any Idaho citizen residing within the borders of the state of Idaho."

http://www.thenewamerican.com/index.php/usnews/politics/6037-states-move-to-nullify-obamacare

The Rise of Gary Johnson as "Pon Paul and More"

2011-01-21T11:42:00.002-07:00

If you have not heard of Gary Johnson, the former governor of New Mexico who was term-limited in 2003, then you may be missing the rise of our next US Republican President.

Gary Johnson is being coined as "Ron Paul and a lot more" for his libertarian Republican positions on unconstitutional and undeclared wars, federal deficits, protecting civil liberties and ending the drug war.

With Ron Paul recently announcing that he is still not committed to running for President in 2012 and was quoted as saying Gary Johnson is the next "best alternative," the Tea Party and libertarian Republicans across the nation are eying Gary Johnson's Our American Initiative as an early presidential bid to win the White House in 2012.

Gary Johnson spoke at Ron Paul's Rally for the Republic in 2008: Here is that video:

Part 2:

Here is to Gary Johnson's rise in national politics! Go Gary go!

http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/

Nullify ObamaCare in Idaho

2011-01-20T09:09:00.002-07:00

Don’t just hope for the new Congress' partial nullification by repealing only the individual mandate, but rather nullify the entire ObamaCare law by way of the 10th Amendment right here in Idaho!

Below please find a link to sign a petition asking your state legislators to introduce, cosponsor, and vote for nullification of the entire ObamaCare law (officially known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-148, and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, Public Law 111-152) within Idaho.

The exact wording of this Nullification Act is included here: “Federal Health Care Nullification Act”

ObamaCare must be repealed to eliminate the vast, new, unconstitutional regulatory powers over our healthcare system being established by ObamaCare as revealed in this “ObamaCare Org Chart” produced by congressional staff of the Joint Economic Committee of Congress. Download a high-resolution color PDF of this chart by going to http://jec.senate.gov/republicans/public//index.cfm?a=Files.Serve&File_id=8e6dbf03-ca4a-44be-9de4-a100c43fb5c8

Scroll down to send this message to your state representative and state senator.

Click here to download a printable version of the petition for use in exhibits and petition-signing tables.

Click here for more information about the JBS "Choose Freedom -- STOP ObamaCare" campaign.

Click the link below to take action on this issue:

http://www.votervoice.net/link/forward/jbs/FEffR4.aspx

Patriot Act, WikiLeaks, and Twin Falls Republicans Revist Bi-Laws

2011-01-14T09:26:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, January 12th- Twin Falls Conservatives on the Twin Falls Republican Central Committee presented a resolution to curb the unconstitutional Patriot Act. The 2011 Congress will get to vote on the re-authorization of the US Patriot Act, and this resolution--something that Raul Labrador, Idaho's Congressman from District 1, has already agreed to--will send a message to Idaho's delegation saying Idaho Republicans do not care for the assault on our liberties under the guise of fighting terrorism and we wish to end the unconstitutional provisions in the US Patriot Act.

What was quite comical was that Chairwoman Gretchen Clelland then tried to snuff the resolution by saying that "next month the Executive Board would review the resolution and see if we want to entertain them or not." Out-going central committee member Ken Edmunds and County Commissioner Terry Kramer opposed her attempt to these executive powers. This resolution will be held for a vote, though not until March 9th's meeting, because the committee is not meeting in February due to the Lincoln day banquet.

On another note, the Twin Falls Republican Central Committee also agreed to follow state bi-law formalities and end the practice of Chairman appointment of Precinct Members, but not until after some attempt was to keep this power in place but change how/when the appointment was made. The committee, still soar from the fiasco in June when Gretchen Clelland secretly appointed Jim Fort to the only vacant position on the committee to give her a tie-breaking situation in which she incredulously appointed herself to another term as chairperson.

So this change to disallow this power of the chairperson is a repudiation of that action by Gretchen back in June. Cheers to the Twin Falls Republicans for finally seeing that this appointment was made in error and has since come full circle and restored some of those actions.

Lastly, to comment on the last post where seemingly a majority of Twin Falls area Top Story listeners voted that Julian Assange was a "Zero" vs a "Hero," a NEW Wikileaks exposes US espionage on global warming!

The US diplomatic cables reveal how the US seeks dirt on nations opposed to its approach to tackling global warming; how financial and other aid is used by countries to gain political backing; how distrust, broken promises and creative accounting dog negotiations; and how the US mounted a secret global diplomatic offensive to overwhelm opposition to the controversial "Copenhagen accord", the unofficial document that emerged from the ruins of the Copenhagen climate change summit in 2009.

More of that story here: http://www.conservativerefocus.com/blog5.php/2010/12/04/wikileaks-cables-exposed-us-espionage-on-global-warming-climate-hoax-furthered-by-us-officials

It is the position of this writer, and many true conservatives around the nation that Julian Assange is a Hero.

Julian Assange: Hero or Zero?

2010-12-07T13:21:00.002-07:00

Regarding the Today's News Radio 1310 KLIX instapoll: "Wikileak's Julian Assange: Hero or Zero," I was appalled to see that most Magic Valley residents who've voted so far believe that Wikileaks founder should be put in jail for exercising his First Amendment.

If you are in line with the neoconservatives on this issues then you will object and say something like..."He doesn't have a 'First Amendment' right because Julian Assange is not an American!" How pathetic that we have forgotten the Declaration of Independence when our founders declared that "all men are created equal, that are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights...that to secure these rights, Governments are instituted..."

Our Creator gives us the right to free speech, and the Government is instituted (it's whole reason for being) to protect that right irregardless if that person is American or not, but should I argue that as "Americans," our Government should be most proactive in protecting these rights across borders and being a steward of freedom throughout the world.

The social philosophy laid out in Orwell's 1984 has come to America when we as society demand the silence of truth. Ron Paul says in his book, Revolution: "Truth is treason in an empire of lies."

I urge you to consider the precedence being set here. If we argue for the imprisonment of open government, then we will get a closed government, no longer respecting rights for which it's whole purpose of existing is meant to protect.

Please go here and vote "Hero." http://vip.klixam.com/asp3/SurveyDetail.aspx?SurveyScheduleID=57147

Here are some other vantage points that go further on this position:
http://www.ronpaul.com/2010-12-05/wikileaks-exposes-u-s-governments-delusional-foreign-policy/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgkoTIyuElY

Mike Simpson is Only Republican Who Voted for the Lame Duck Session

2010-11-15T16:52:00.003-07:00

Has Representative (sic) Mike Simpson lost his mind? They say that Potomacitis can affect legislators who have spend too much time in DC. After Simpson's voting record as of the last several years, I'd wager to say Mike Simpson has the full blown disease!

Mike Simpson, Idaho's 2nd Congressional Congressman, is a disgrace to Republican ideals. Not only does Simpson vote for Billions of wasteful spending (Cash for Clunkers, appropriations, etc), an unsustainable military budget and energy subsides that only benefit the wealthy, Mike Simpson completely loses his mind and is the ONLY Republican to vote for the Lame Duck Congressional Session.

What is a Lame Duck Congressional Session?
A Lame Duck Session is any meeting of Congress after election day, but before the following January 3 when the new congress is sworn in.

What is the significance of holding a Lame Duck Session right now?
Well, it is obvious the American voters had a massive allergic reaction to socialistic policies the current administration is deploying. The American voters choose to replace liberal legislators with conservative ones to halt the socialist agenda of Pelosi, Reid and Obama. A Lame Duck session gives the current legislators one last chance before being kicked out of office to pass their agenda, AND MIKE SIMPSON VOTED TO ALLOW THIS LAME DUCK TO COME ALIVE!

A Lame Duck session is prohibited in 39 state legislatures, but public sentiment so far has not been sufficiently mobilized to prohibit such sessions for Congress.

A few proposed agenda items for the Lame Duck Session includes...
Amnesty Dream Act -providing Amnesty for millions of illegal aliens,
Cap and Trade -a major power grab over industry and commerce.
Food Safety Modernization Act - making farming without a license criminal (irregardless if the food if for sale or your own consumption.

All pending bills die at the end of a Congressional session and must be re-introduced at the start of the new session. Simpson has worked hard on his CIEDRA bill, which would turn more of Idaho's land over to federal control, despite his own party voting to oppose the legislation. Maybe this is why Simpson voted for the Lame Duck, so he too can ride the wave of liberal control of congress and get his bill passed, where with a more conservative congress he could not. How sad.

Mike Simpson is way out to lunch, out of touch with Idaho voters and the hunt for a real Republican to replace Simpson in 2012 is on!

Preposterous: Times News Turns Back on First Amendment

2010-11-11T09:46:00.003-07:00

The editorial duo of the local newspaper (which is really a corporate out-of-state paper) attacks Representative Phil Hart (Nov. 10, 2010)despite the real story of IRS's retaliation against the First Amendment.

Hear the story from Phil Hart himself instead of the nonsense from the local neutered newspaper columnist.

Steve Millington, Twin Falls' Own Neo-Conservative Cowboy

2010-11-02T10:47:00.006-06:00

Listening to Top Story today on KLIX 1310am, it was disheartening to hear the demeanor to which Twin Falls Republican's unofficial spokesman, Steve Millington, spoke on air about "Republican" values.

A popular KLIX ad has Jill Skeem and Steve Millington bickering back and forth until Jill asks, "Will you let me talk?" and as if to interrupt her, Steve shouts "NO!" Millington's example of civil discourse has become unbearable and my desire to listen to this program has waned.

This is precisely the type of attitude that turns voters off to hearing out Republican positions, albeit Jill's arguments do a pretty good job of keeping voters away from liberal ideals too.

But it is not just the venomous nature for which Steve Millington portrays Republican thought in the Magic Valley. I would argue that it is Steve's neo-conservative thought that confuses voters and maintains this post-2000 perverted Republican attitude that is not in agreement with the old right.

For example, today on Top Story, Steve and Jill were going back and forth about cutting the spending in Washington. Instead of portraying the old right perspective of 'less government is better government' and 'the government that governs closest governs best' compared to the government some 2,200 miles away in Washington--Steve uses the same empty talking points of "I'd go through this budget and cut all the fat."

Translation...."I would criticize the bridge-to-no-where Million dollar programs like Glenn Beck, John McCain and Newt Gingrich are notorious for doing." Big deal Steve! We have a $3.552 Trillion budget! The bridge to nowhere was to cost $398 Million, which amounted to .00001 of the federal budget! Please!

As I've posted previously...these are the big budget items that need to be addressed: http://twinfallsrepublicans.blogspot.com/2010/10/how-congress-spends-your-money.html While frivolous federal spending does need to be reigned in, bickering about million dollar projects will put 2012 establishment Republicans advocating for a return to 2010 spending!

Steve argued that defense does not need to be cut because it is one of the only Constitutional allotted costs of the federal government. To claim because it is "Constitutional" there is no waste is simply irresponsible. But, these ~~wars~~ "occupations" are NOT Constitutional. Even then, the US has over 730 military bases in over 130 countries. This empire building is not sustainable and is contrary to the old right.

"Mr Republican" Robert Taft was adamantly against war, and Bush won in 2000 on a non-interventionist foreign policy.

To claim now, despite 200-plus-years of Republican non-interventionism, that Republicans now believe in endless, unconstitutional wars and nation building is absurd beyond all measure.

Invite to Xavier Charter School Board Members

2010-10-29T08:50:00.001-06:00

To the Xavier Charter School Board members who used a creative lawyer and the loopholes of the Bi-Laws to skirt around their own removal...I foresee a bright future as Twin Falls Republican Executive Members.

Xavier Charter School Board Chairman Jeff Bulkley, Board Member Teresa Berry and Shawn Willsey, like the Republican Chairwoman Gretchen Clelland, would rather find loopholes in the Bi-Laws and exploit what is not said rather than allow common sense to guide the interpretation of the Bi-Laws.

Jeff Bulkley, Teresa Berry and Shawn Willsey, there is a place for you under Gretchen Clelland at the Republican Party, and what fine mentors you will make for each other.

The parents of Xavier Charter School are mad at the apparent disregard for Principal Cindy Fulcher, whereas the board had made attempts to dismiss her without her rightful and constitutional due process. But those were not the charges that were brought in front of the board members of Xavier last night and so Jeff Bulkley, Teresa Berry and Shawn Willsey allowed the mis-guided acquisitions to miss the mark while they portrayed an angelic and dutiful adherence to the charter.

It was as if the Republican re-organizational meeting (but don't call it that Mr. Hansen) happened all over again. If only local Republicans were as aware of what transpired in their local party's meetings as Xavier parents and teachers were aware of what has taken place on the Xavier Board.

And if only lawyers did not force the talking points of meetings into a nice comfortable box, and instead allowed for open dialog of the constituents concerned about the direction of their organization, perhaps too we would have a better society all around.

Cato's Fiscal Policy Report Card on America’s Governors: 2010

2010-10-26T12:29:00.003-06:00

According to Cato's Fiscal Policy Report Card on America’s Governors: from 2008-2010, Idaho's own C. L. “Butch” Otter, Republican, earned the score 58 (grade B) for his fiscal policy as Idaho's Governor.

Otter's Spending and Revenue Variables
Spending Score= 62
Proposed Changes in Per Capita Spending = −3.2
Actual Changes in Per Capita Spending = −6.6
Revenue Score = 54
Changes in Revenues from Proposed and Enacted Tax Changes = 0.6%

"Since coming to office, Governor Otter has pushed hard to increase vehicle-related taxes to fund transportation, but the legislature has repeatedly rejected his plans. In 2009, Otter proposed increasing the gas tax by 10 cents per gallon, imposing a 6 percent excise tax on rental cars, and raising vehicle registration fees. Otter has also supported some tax cuts, such as cuts to sales taxes on groceries and business property taxes. On spending, Otter supported a large increase his first year in office, but he has trimmed spending since then as the recession set in. The governor has taken numerous steps to improve efficiency and accountability in state government, such as trimming state employment."

Highest-Scoring Governors
The highest-scoring governors are those who have supported the largest tax and spending cuts. Here are the four governors who received a grade of “A”:

•Mark Sanford of South Carolina has been a staunch supporter of spending restraint and pro-growth tax reforms. In 2005, he cut the top income tax rate for small businesses from 7 percent to 5 percent, and in 2007 he signed into law sales and incometax cuts. Sanford has proposed replacing the state’s income tax with a flat tax, and he has urged legislators to adopt a legal cap on the state’s budget growth. He has also proposed phasing out the state’s corporate income tax. On spending, Sanford’s budgets have been very frugal. In fiscal 2010, South Carolina’s general fund spending was expected to be slightly less than spending in Sanford’s first year in office, fiscal 2003.3 Sanford might have been more effective at getting proposed reforms passed if he hadn’t made political and personal mistakes, but he gets a lot of credit for trying to cut government and make the state’s tax code more competitive.

• Bobby Jindal of Louisiana has a solid record on both his tax and his spending policies. In 2008, Jindal repealed previous income tax increases to save Louisiana residents more than $350 million a year.4
He has also provided some modest business tax cuts and opposed efforts to raise taxes. Jindal has consistently proposed reductions in the state budget, with the result that proposed spending in fiscal year 2011 is expected to be 17 percent lower than spending his first year in office, FY08.

• Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota has proposed pro-growth tax reforms, opposed tax increases, and been a relatively frugal budgeter. He has proposed cutting the state’s high and uncompetitive corporate franchise tax, and he has repeatedly vetoed giant tax-hike packages passed by the legislature, including increases to gasoline taxes, beer taxes, wine taxes, and income taxes. Under Pawlenty, state general fund spending rose modestly between FY03 and FY08 and has decreased substantially since then. The governor has also proposed a state constitutional amendment to limit general fund spending growth.

• Joe Manchin of West Virginia has been a popular governor for good reason. The state economy has done well under his fiscal policies of business tax cuts and relatively frugal budgeting. Manchin cut the corporate income tax rate, eliminated the corporate license tax, and phased out the business franchise tax. Manchin also has a good record on spending and in most years has proposed reductions to the general fund budget.

Best Tax Reform.The best reform enacted in recent years was pushed through by Governor Carcieri of Rhode Island in 2010. He signed off on a package that cut the state’s top personal income tax rate from 9.90 percent to 5.99 percent, reduced the number of tax brackets from five to three, raised the standard deduction, and reduced the number of special interest tax breaks.

Republicans and Democrats. Republican governors did better in this report card than Democrats, with an average score of 55 for Republicans and 47 for Democrats. Using the same methodology, Republicans edged Democrats in the 2008 Cato report card as well, 55 to 46. This result suggests there are modest but definite differences between the parties on fiscal philosophy. In this report card, Republicans scored better, on average, than Democrats on both spending (53 to 48) and revenue changes (62 to 42). Of course, there are many exceptions—on both the 2008 and 2010 report cards. For example, Democrat Joe Manchin earned an A this year, while Republican Jodi Rell earned an F.

Source: http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/PA668.pdf

How Congress Spends Your Money

2010-10-06T11:21:00.000-06:00

I find it interesting that RINOs and Democrats bicker over million dollar projects, however ridiculous those projects may be, when the three largest slices of the federal budget pie are 1) Health and Human Services 2) Department of Defense and 3) Treasury Debt, as seen in the budget outlay to the left.

Two of these three programs are unconstitutional: 1 & 3. Health and Human Services is a state and personal issue, and should be managed within the states or left to the people (friends, churches, and family).

"Forced charity is an oxymoron. It is impossible to feel charitable when the government is confiscating money from one family to give it to another—especially when the federal government keeps over two-thirds of what is budgeted for welfare for its own bureaucracy.

Right now, 72 percent of the federal tax money that goes to federal welfare programs stays with the bureaucracy in Washington, D.C.! That is right, only 28 percent goes to the people who are supposed to get help (Martin Gross, A Call for Revolution). On the other hand, 75 percent to 80 percent of the money raised by many well-run private charities goes directly to the people they are helping.

What does common sense reveal about those numbers? A system based on local, private, or faith-based organizations will do a much better job of taking care of those in need than the system in place today. And at a much lower cost." (Common Sense Revisted, p 23. www.commonsenserevisited.org, 2008)

The 2nd largest slice of the federal budget pie is Department of Defense. Is there really a reason the US has over 730 military bases in 130 countries housing over 500,000 solders? “U.S. forces and policies are completing the radicalization of the Islamic world, something Osama bin Laden has been trying to do with substantial but incomplete success since the early 1990s. As a result, I think it fair to conclude that the USA remains bin Laden’s only indispensable ally.” -Michael Scheuer, Imperial Hubris, Why the West is Losing the War on Terror.

I recommend returning to the nation’s original foreign policy and the policy that should be pursued now were spoken by Thomas Jefferson during his first Inaugural Address in 1801: “Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none.” It seems to me that this is the truly conservative position. When we look at our current foreign policy as the fiscal issue it is, then we can not continue this nation building philosophy that has historically been a liberal progressive ideology.

The 3rd largest slice of the federal budget pie is Treasury Debt. This is absurd as the Congress has the sole responsibility to "coin and regulate money" as stated in the Constitution. Why then have we delegated this task to a private institution called the Federal Reserve? As Ted Anderson shares in a popular radio ad: [We the] people grow cotton, weave fabric, engrave ink, embed strips and fibers to protect from counterfeit and carting to a private bank having it lent back at interest, forcing taxes to serve as debt. Is this capitalism or is Jefferson incorrect when stating a central bank issuing a public currency is a greater menace to the liberties of the people than a standing army."

A side note here, a Central Banking System is a plank in the Communist Manifesto. If the Constitution authorizes the Congress to coin and regulate money, and we can do so interest free, why would we permit a private company (the Federal Reserve) to do this for us and charge us interest upon the full face value of the money we sold to them at cost? It is absurd and the greatest hoax perpetrated upon the American people!

If these three agencies were brought within the average agency cost (if not eliminated altogether) of the other 21 federal agencies, there would be an immediate reduction of the annual federal budget by nearly 2 trillion dollars (1,900 Billion)!-reducing the debt load of each of the 310+ million Americans by over $6,000! A 2 trillion dollar decrease in expenditures would provide for an immediate 300 billion in federal surplus, and if applied back to the people by way of tax relief, would mean a 28% reduction in taxes. Talk about a STIMULUS!

These are the areas true fiscal conservatives need to hone in on to reduce the size of the federal government in BIG ways. No longer do we need to bicker about million dollar initiatives within 800 billion dollar agencies.

sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_United_States_federal_budget,

http://www.federalbudget.com/, http://www.census.gov/main/www/popclock.html

RINO Remover

2010-10-06T09:20:00.000-06:00

Written By: Gary DeMar, reposted from here.

America would not be in the mess it's in right now if Republicans in Congress had said no to the Bushes and the Bushes had vetoed spending bills. It's hard to tell the difference between a Democrat and a Republican. One way may be that Democrats want to spend 20-percet more money, and Republicans will compromise at 25-percent!

If the Republicans gain a majority, will they cut spending and taxes? Will they work to eliminate various federal agencies like the Department of Education (ED) and the Department of Energy (DOE). Let the states handle their own educational affairs. The DOE doesn't produce energy. The annual budget for the ED will be $71 BILLION in 2011. That's nearly $1.5 billion dollars per state. Close down both agencies! Has education in America gotten better since the ED was established in 1980? Has the DOE ever drilled an oil well?

It's time to clean the Democrats and the RINOs. Right now the polls look promising. Don't take this as a sign to relax. View it as "blood in the water."

Barb's Note: Last night's debate between "Republican" Tom Luna and Democrat Stan Olson for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Luna claimed, as reported from Times News, "Idaho’s losing revenue by not taxing online sales. That’s one issue that Rep. Leon Smith, R-Twin Falls, has pursued in recent sessions, though no bills have passed."

Here are two RINOs -Tom Luna and Leon Smith- that indicate the solution to increased school funding is to instate more taxes, E.G. online sales tax! Luna's opponent Olson did not immediately talk about increased taxes (unusual for a Democrat), but instead called for a "plan" that defines what a “thorough” system of education means, as called for by the Idaho state Constitution.

It seems Olson's comment is a cleaver way to avoid saying "we need to raise taxes," but the REPUBLICAN outright said we need to, not "raise tax" but, instate MORE tax! Am I the only one who sees the irony here?

One last comical note about today's Times News article; it reads: "Luna and Olson gave different answers when asked if they would support raising revenue to boost the public schools budget, and where new money should come from." It seems Ben Botkin is taking some pointers from the editorial staff on how to spin "raising taxes." "Raising revenue" = "raising taxes." Say it the way it means Ben without the spin, Okay?

Meet Brian Schad for Congress

2010-09-09T12:10:00.000-06:00

Where: Idaho Joe’s on Blue Lakes Blvd.
When: at 12noon, September 10^th

First they came for...

2010-08-26T10:34:00.001-06:00

Twin Falls Helmet Law

2010-08-17T10:33:00.001-06:00

The buzz on the street is that the self-perceived rulers of Twin Falls, the Twin Falls City Council, are looking to adopt a city-wide requirement of all those riding bikes must wear helmets.

Too often do we look at a proposed law such as this at first glance and think, "oh, that is good." More kids wearing helmets, less kids with head injuries, etc, etc. That of course ignores the notion that we do not need an elected official to tell us what to do or how to behave. If you need an elected official to tell you what to do or how to behave, please write a comment below telling us why you are incapable of such self-governance.

But imposed laws such as these always have consequences...

In a research study conducted at the University of California, Irvine, called Intended and Unintended Effects of Youth Bicycle Helmet Laws, we find that "these laws reduced fatalities and increased helmet use, but we also show that the laws significantly reduced youth bicycling."

The article continues, "Why do helmet laws lead to reduced cycling? There are several possibilities.
First, the costs of helmet use are likely nontrivial for some youths. In addition to the direct monetary costs of bicycle helmets (usually between $10 and $40), there are likely to be substantial social costs (recall that survey evidence shows that youths do not like wearing helmets primarily because they are "uncool"). These costs are likely to be magnified if there are significant peer effects.

Second, there is evidence that youths have suboptimally high discount rates (Gruber 2001), such that some youths might place too little weight on the expected gain in future utility from the prevention of injury or death relative to the costs of wearing helmets today.

Finally, note that there are several reasonably close alternatives to bicycling (such as skateboarding and in-line skating) that are not regulated in the same way with respect to mandated helmet use. Helmet laws change the relative prices among these activities, such that the robust reduction in bicycling we observe may be at least partially offset by increases in other related activities."

So what is the purpose of this helmet law talk...To practice an authority pose over the populace?
To reduce head injuries? To increase a sedentary lifestyle among Twin Falls population? To spur helmet sells for local businesses?

Let us watch our newly elected Republican legislator/City Council Vice Mayor Lee Heider. Will he vote for more regulation and control or as a good Republican should and less government control and regulation?

It is said that "the welfare of the people is always the alibi of tyrants."

Source: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1537776

Bomb Shell: Central Committee Conspiracy Confirmed!

2010-08-11T11:23:00.008-06:00

I was shocked and amazed by my recent conversations with many of the NEW "Republican" Central Committee members: those that THIS blog has supported and endorsed in the last several months.

Nearly everyone of the candidates (will not name to protect their identify) I spoke to in attempt to gauge whether or not they were part of this "vast libertarian conspiracy" had openly confirmed this was the case.

This conspiracy theory, started by Marilyn Hemplemen and Mel Quale in 2008 in their letters to the editor and paid ads to scare the primary-voting Republicans against electing these libertarian leaning Republican candidates, has finally been confirmed and now is conspiracy fact.

These candidates, in their own words, "intend to take back the government and then leave everyone alone."

Candidate after candidate has confirmed this intention as being their own. What a bombshell confession by nearly a majority of the Republican Central Committee members! This laissez faire mentality is certainly not the standard course of action for Republicans and may be very concerning for voters of Twin Falls who unwittingly thought they were voting for the standard regulate, tax and interfere-Republican.

It is rumored that Rusty Satteryellow broke away from this libertarian group upon hearing of their intentions. A close insider to Satteryellow shared, "Rusty was fiercely opposed to this conspiratorial group. Rusty wants to regulate your lives right along with other trusted Republicans. This libertarian fraction doesn't want to run your life at all...there is just no place for that in current day politics."

Your thoughts on this local libertarian conspiracy...What should be done about this? Should the apparent dictatorial powers of Gretchen Clelland, the Republican Central Committee Chairwoman, be used to dismiss these candidates since they do not tow the establishment party line of big government progressivism?

Bonus Video: Many of those I spoke with who are sympathetic to this libertarian conspiracy mentioned or cited Judge Napolitano. Here is this man live...
http://www.eyeblast.tv/public/checker.aspx?v=XdZuQuqGkU

Hart and the Militia

2010-08-05T09:40:00.002-06:00

The out-of-state, corporate, neutered newspaper--has done it again. They have blasted Idaho's leading legislator, Phil Hart, on the head-in-the-sand position of an "ethics violation."

At first glance this makes sense: Law says there must be taxes paid. Man does not pay taxes. Now man is on taxation committee. Conflict of interest = Ethics dispute. Right?

First, to assume the scenario above is accurate, I'd say we have really out-sheeped the sheep if we are go along with this logic. If law says there must be tax, and man does not pay tax and the conflict is around him being on the taxation committee that is to say we should not have any dissenters on this committee who believe taxes are inherently unjust: as they are taken by force.

You are right neutered-corporate-newspaper-editors, we should have everyone on the taxation committee who believes taxes are the greatest thing ever devised. That seemingly is the counter argument. If so, then unlike sheep which need a sheepdog to keep them in line, we use this perverse logic to keep ourselves in line. I guarantee there is a member on that taxation committee (either Republican or Democrat) who would love to raise taxes to cover all the social programs under the sun, and there would be no claims of a "conflict of interest" from the corporate news.

So why now because there is a dissenter on the taxation committee it is a conflict of interest. Is the mission of the taxation committee to raise taxes only, or to assess the policies of taxation including the use of taxation in the first place? I would wager that the mission of the taxation committee is more broad than to "tax and enforce."

What do you think?

Another interesting story I saw come out of the corporate paper recently was an attack on Idaho Republicans for wanting to form a state militia. I understand the thinking behind this initiative (to offer a competitive choice for service-bound Idahoans to serve and to gain skills comparable to the US military without the risk of being deployed on foreign missions by an out-of-control empirical government). But, I recently heard a campaign promise by Obama which said...

"We need a civilian national security force." So on first glance this state militia is in line with our Commander in Chief's own objectives. But wait, before those crazy Southern Poverty Law Center types go changing their position and praising Idaho's militia initiative as being an Obama inspired program, we need to know that this "state militia" (poorly named if you asked me) is not under the command of the Federal Government.

Oh, so now it makes sense why the attacks are coming out against this state initiative. If this militia would have been able to be called to duty by the President, I am sure the corporate media would have been all in support of more militarization of our federal government. Sad, don't you think?

The 17th Amendment Revisited

2010-07-13T18:15:00.000-06:00

Some "Republicans" dismiss the idea of repealing the 17th Amendment too quickly without a sound assessment of the pros and cons.

The Seventeenth Amendment (Amendment XVII) to the United States Constitution established direct election of United States Senators by popular vote. The amendment supersedes Article I, § 3, Clauses 1 and 2 of the Constitution, under which Senators were elected by state legislatures. It also alters the procedure for filling vacancies in the Senate, to be consistent with the method of election. It was adopted on April 8, 1913. (Wikipedia)

I heard not too long ago on Top Story, one of the callers had said the 17th Amendment put a stop to corruption as there were accounts of would-be senators paying off state representatives and thus getting elected by the state legislature (case in point: William A. Clark of Montana). Yes, that happened, but if we are worried about corruption in the Senate, then rest assured the 17th Amendment did NOT put a halt to Senate corruption.

Just see Judicial Watch's list of corrupt politicians from 2007...many Senators are now common household names.

Another argument is that the States often did not elect their own Senator and we had under-representation and vacancy at the Senate. This is really to the state's own demise, so this argument is a collectivist argument, not a State's rights position or argument. Besides we have fully represented Senators who attend but then sleep through the day.

So where are the real arguments to appealing the 17th Amendment? Chief of them all is the fear of losing our vote for those who are suppose to represent us. Right? That is the chief concern, and the main argument lobbed out by the Opinion Editorial boards by out-of-state corporate newspapers.

So with that I will take aim. Revisiting the founder's goal of having a Senate and a Congress, Judicial Branch and the Executive. It was all meant to be a separation of powers based upon checks and balances. The Senate was to overrule the Congress should the Congress move to trump State's rights, as the Senate was to be elected by the legislature not the public at large.

Seems weird today, one has to admit. But what is the difference in being elected by the public at large versus the State Legislators? Please refer to exhibit A...

This is a picture of all the 3,143 counties (or equivalents) of the United States, and they are color coded either red or blue based upon how they voted in the 2008 Presidential election. Blue voted Democrat and red was Republican.

There is a lot more Republican counties than there are Democrat, but yet Soetoro still won! Now, take this concept of State's Rights and look at each state as a voter, wanting to elect a Senator to protect them from all those blue areas. If the 17th amendment is repealed then it is clear that the Senate would be much more Conservative in nature as the State Legislatures are made up of elected representatives from all these counties. Those state legislators, being from conservative counties would most likely elect conservative Senators.

Since now (imagining that the 17th is revoked), the Senate is elected from all representatives from all over the state, they are much more likely to represent the values and principles of the entire state instead of the population mass of the blue areas that are seemingly taking over the country because of our current election system: which is a modification of the original Constitutional intent of the founders.

That there is the key reason we should advocate for abolishment of the 17th Amendment, and to no coincidence that it is the same reason the liberals don't want the 17th revoked. But they don't show you the map : )

Schad vs. Simpson

2010-07-12T08:41:00.000-06:00

Dear Mr. Simpson,

Congratulations on winning this year's mid-term primary election hands-down. It's good to know we both love The United States of America: You as an elected office holder and me as a former US Navy SEAL.

Although "winning" is the ultimate goal, the first thing I learned as a Navy SEAL is the importance of winning as a TEAM. There is no "I" in "team". The team works together. The team supports one another. Only as a team can we survive, and then thrive.

Mr. Simpson, what we have seen is that you are not a team player, that is, with the "home team" right here in your district. Instead, your team has consisted of political action committees, political cronies, and others that are not on the home team, nor have the same values, needs, and desires as those of us here in Idaho's 2nd Congressional District. This is why you did not run unopposed in the primary election, and why you have opposition NOW. We here in the 2nd CD of Idaho want a voice that represents us and "our team” – the very issue we need to confront.

This mid-term election is about whom can best represent our Congressional District's views, our needs, and our dreams, so that the people of Idaho are assured of getting the very best possible Congressional representation. We should be a state (and nation) that's free and proud.

I have consistently voted for you in the past, because as a Republican in the most conservative state in the Union, I thought you represented the overall political beliefs and values of our district. In these past few years we now learn you have been substantially out of step and have been unable to effectively represent our district - which is why I'm now running against you. Honor, before personal (or political) gain, will always remain engrained in my character.

Idahoans are an independent people, and although I certainly don't think everybody can always agree on every political issue, as our congressman we can certainly agree you have no longer been that conservative Republican. Your type of Republican values no longer represent the values of our district, nor in my view the Republican form of government called for in Article IV, Section 4, of our US Constitution.

Let's not be so quick to take my word for it. Let's have your voting record speak for itself:

Mr. Simpson, a close study of your recent voting record aligns closely with the likes of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senators Barbara Boxer & Harry Reid. Are the ideals of “this” group representative of our district? I don't think so, but let's take a peek…

You, sir, have repeatedly voted for the original stimulus and Obama administration's bailouts: Bailing out the financial institutions…bailing out the insurance groups...bailing out the big-banks…bailing out Greece by sending our hard-earned tax dollars to the UN, the IMF, and even to…China. Although that may be nice for you and your political action committee friends, what that really means is we here back home in Idaho will be paying higher taxes for a very L-O-N-G time to come, while being forced to relinquish personal freedoms. As a Navy SEAL, I happen to cherish freedom - personal freedom and financial freedom. I fought hard for it in the military and I am now fighting for it as a citizen, seeking a seat in the citizen's house, to represent Idaho and to support genuine conservatives in the congress with an important vote from Idaho. These are the issues being vastly overlooked by you and not brought to the attention to the average voter here in Idaho.

Lately your votes have chained us to debt and feed a political machine that lives off the working class to the primary benefit of the wealthy elite (outside of Idaho). The economic policies you have supported with your votes have a strong record of failure as demonstrated with their European models. Unemployment is at levels not seen since the Great Depression, businesses are failing, and people are being forced out of their homes - not because they don't want to work, or wreckless spending habits, but because of the economic policies YOU support from the financial advisors our federal government takes direction from.

Here's another fine example of what I'm talking about, and what most people here in Idaho aren't aware you voted for:

The "Ca$h-4-Klunkers" Program: Here's a classic Obama administration stimulus concept that every working man, woman, and working-age child in this district is supporting with the taxes of their labor – offering up to $4,500.00 in credit (from our tax-dollars no less) when individuals turn in their old car for a new one. As it turned out in the end, to actually implement the program it cost "us" $3,000,000,000.00 in order to sell 125,000 vehicle's nationally. So for every $4,500 received by the car-buyer, in all it was a total $24,000.00 expense for the tax-PAYER ($3B divided by 125K vehicles).

Who made out in the deal? The car companies (mainly overseas) and executives in Detroit. I bet their quality of life, job benefits, and executive perks such as private jets, country-club memberships, and personal chefs are all intact while we here in Idaho's 2nd CD still struggle with taking care of, and providing for, our own families - and in my individual case, deciding which month we will drop health insurance.

Mr. Simpson, we can no longer allow ourselves to be led by you, nor can we afford to allow you to be benevolent with our money any longer. If you were the right kind of Congressman for Idaho, then where were you when the whole financial system was collapsing all around us? You did nothing to stop it. In fact, you are partially responsible for creating the problem with your vote! I contend your actions have been the problem - never the solution - and in part we are now where we are in our nation's history because you were there governing in our district's Congressional seat. We elect Congressmen to go to Washington to fight for "us." If you were a private sector employee, you would have been fired long ago.

Mr. Simpson, these are my main points of contention with you remaining qualified to lead me, my family, my state, and my beloved country. I grew up believing as a Christian we always forgive and allow a person a second chance. However, when it comes to our personal freedom and liberties, we cannot allow a representative like you any more chances to help control our lives any longer than we already have since 1998. Once our freedom, liberties, and unalienable rights as United States citizens are completely gone, it will take much more time and effort to restore them.

Mr. Simpson, I have stood with you in the past, stood with you while I thought you were on "our team." Now I am parting with you. You are a compromised politician. You are no longer solely on the conservative side of the isle.

You will be held accountable for your voting record, your misrepresentation of our District's values, and your willingness to abide with President Obama's overall agenda on major issues threatening our individual sovereignty leading our country down the wrong "dark alley." I contend you are no longer doing the "people's work" in Washington on behalf of Idahoans as evidenced by your individual, liberal actions. You have been in this position to lead our district for 12 years now, but your actions prove that you continue to be part of our country's problems - not the solutions - because matters have only become worse under your watch. Let's change the guard…

As a former United States Navy SEAL, one who has taken several oaths and assumed the responsibility to "protect and defend our US Constitution against all enemies - foreign and domestic"- honorably over the course of 12 years, I am asking you to voluntarily part ways with The House and come home to beautiful Idaho. For the good of the most conservative political state in the Union, Mr. Simpson, please step aside of the race and let others who keep the Constitutional tradition alive compete for your seat.

Respectfully, Brian Schad | Idaho's 2nd CD 'Independent' Candidate

Catch up to Today

2010-07-08T15:53:00.006-06:00

Hello Twin Falls,
I've been out of state caring for a family member, so that explains my lack of posting here. But hey, a lot has happened to report on to get caught up here. But what about that state Republican Convention? By the way the corporate, out-of-state news has reported on it, I can get a pretty good picture of how it all ended!

But to touch on specifically the issues over shadowing the delegates from Twin Falls County...here is the synopsis: Gretchen Clelland who was soundly defeated for her re-election as a precinct committee person in May, and historically has shown to hold one of the highest no-vote records (read "vote of no confidence") from within her precinct was the presiding Chairwoman at the re-organizational meeting
The first offense was that the newly elected precinct members on the committee did NOT know when or where the meeting was going to be held, Restore candidates had to investigate for themselves and find the time and location as it was not provided at least four days in advance as required in the bi-laws (read Article 1, Section 1). Two days later, a postcard was found in the mail disclosing the date and location of the then-past meeting with a post-marked date of the same day of the meeting.

Furthermore, unbeknown to the central committee, Gretchen has secretly appointed Jim Fort and apparently schooled him in how to vote and for whom, despite the bi-laws which state that such appointments may "act on a temporary basis until the next regular meeting of the Central Committee, at which time such appointments shall be submitted to the Committee for confirmation" (read Article IV, Section 1). There was no such confirmation.

Gretchen, apparently having her own blissfully ignorant cabal of supporters including a self-appointed sergeant at arms, Wade Harris (who lost his precinct post to an 80 year old patriot) and appointed moderator Randy Hansen, was dead set on having the re-organizational meeting go her way. Once the vote for the chairman resulted in a tie, the room countered with objections and petitions for Gretchen to remove herself from the tie-breaking decision. Chief amongst them was the call by Greg Nemitz that the Re-organizational Assembly was not a "Special Meeting" and thus did not provide the Chairwoman a vote at the meeting.

If you read the Twin Falls Republican County Party Bi-Law s, Article I-Meetings you will see that there are three types of meetings: 1) "Regular Meetings," 2) "Special Meetings," and 3) "Special Assemblies."

ARTICLE II – RIGHT TO VOTE reads...
Section 1 – REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETINGS – Only Precinct Committeepersons, the State Committeeman, the State Committeewoman, the State Youth Committeeperson, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and the Designated Directors shall be allowed to vote, originate motions, and move nominations at regular and special meetings of the Central Committee. The Vice-Chairman is limited to originating motions and nominations and shall not vote except that he may also serve as a Precinct Committeeperson. The Chairman shall vote only in the case of a tie.

If you watch the video of Greg making the point (at 1:32) that Article II of the Bi-Laws: the Right to Vote section excludes "Special Assemblies" as a place where the Chairman can place a tie-breaking vote (precisely because this is the only time that the Chairman would be placed in the position such as this to break a tie for themselves). Now watch how Randy Hansen discounts his claim without even looking into the matter. One can begin to can see no one here was interested in following the law of the committee, but rather following an agenda that was their way or the highway.

Recall Jefferson-is-My-Hero's posting on how Gretchen was the one who spoke up against a sound currency at the State Central Committee---which is now a two year old position of the Idaho Republicans, and a Constitutional decree.

Apparently many were ignorant to the distaste up to this point with Gretchen. Her own precinct voters (her own neighbors) did not want her elected, what makes one think that the County would want her as a Chairwoman? Add to this her insults to the sound currency movement. Her illegal appointment of Jim Fort, and then to top it off, she gleefully announces she will vote for herself as Chairwoman, breaking the tie vote of the committee.

Hindsight, the preceding of the meeting altogether should have been challenged as proper notice was not given.
Hindsight, the appointment of Jim Fort should have been challenged.
Hindsight, the tie-breaking vote by Gretchen should have been over-ruled.

In speaking with Jeremy Sassercollins, Twin Falls County Campaign for Liberty's Coordinator, Jeremy reports "In 2008, many Idaho Central Committees found themselves in the same predicament and this year a key Ada County position came down to a tie. In all these cases, a coin was flipped to determine the winner, not the vote of the incumbent."
It makes sense that this is how it should have happened, had the proceeding procedures been followed legally (proper notice and appointment of precinct people).

So as the story unfolds, Liz Niccum and Greg Nemitz file a letter of grievance with the State Republican Party, which in turn over 17 precinct committeemen signed. Norm Samanko, the State Republican Party Chairman drags his feet on a response letter. In the mean time, Rick Martin, local Republican Liberty Caucus Chairman, holds a meeting and invites Jana Kemp, Independent Candidate for Governor, to chair the meeting.

After speaking with many who attended this meeting, they reported that Jana did a fantastic job facilitating the meeting and managing the attacks on Kenn Edmunds, who also showed up. A official response letter was read from Norm essentially saying that there are no formal appeals procedures established giving the district or the state committees jurisdiction over county disputes such as ours. The only avenue for resolve he provided was to take our case to the Credentials Committee at the State Convention. With this Norm ends that the consequence could be that all of the convention delegates could be de-credentialed and stripped of any voting privileges during the weekend.

The group of 17 voting members then debated upon the course of action and finally concluded to move forward and take the case to the Credentials Committee, despite the risk of losing the delegates. In addition the group was to petition for the formation of a formal appeals process to resolve such matters in the future.

Rick Martin was to take the case to the Credentials Committee in Idaho Falls. Having prepared a presentation with video clips proving the case, he was only granted five minutes and thus much of the material was unable to be presented.

Ryan Davidson of Ada County had reported, though he was on our side, he voted against our cause because he did not want to strip those who had paid and traveled to Idaho Falls to participate. The result was much the same and the Credentials Committee ruled against our case, not because of the allegations were false, but rather the consequences of the only ruling that could have resulted.

After speaking with others who had supported our efforts, it was made clear that a clear appeals process does need to be established and that the State Central Committee could adopt those measures at their next meeting.

Can We Have Some "Western Conservatives" Elected Already?

2010-06-23T14:43:00.000-06:00

I was getting my car's oil changed the other day and while in the Jiffy Lube waiting room I was reading some mainstream news: Newsweek. There was an interesting article by Jacob Weisberg titled "The GOP Looks West: A party for cowboy constitutionalists."

In his article, Weisberg states that there has been this shift in national Republican talking points and he attempts to simplify it into regional differences, stating:

"Northeastern conservatism is moderate, accepts the modern welfare state, and dislikes mixing religion with politics. Western conservatism is hawkish, hates government, and embraces individual freedom. Southern conservatism is populist, draws on evangelical Christianity, and often plays upon racial resentments. The big drama of the GOP over the past several decades has been the Eastern view giving way to the Southern one."

Weisberg continues saying that the recent shift is characterized by a shift from Southern conservatism to Western conservatism; and in astute passage, he writes:

"Southern conservatism cares about government’s moral stance but doesn’t mind when it spends freely on behalf of its constituents. Western conservatism, by contrast, is soft--libertarian and wants government out of people’s way. Southern Republicans are guided by the Bible. Western Republicans read the Constitution. Seen in historical terms, it’s the difference between a movement descended from George Wallace and one that looks back to Barry Goldwater."

While I was reading this, I was thinking, so why do we have such a issue in our own Central Committee? Why all the contention? Under Weisberg's philosophy we should all agree, being all "western conservatives" right? Well as Jefferson is my Hero has alluded to here in previous posts, there are less than conservative Republicans in the Twin Falls Central Committee. But taking my ignorance of the history of this committee and assuming everyone on the committee is to some degree "conservative" perhaps Weisberg is correct even in our case in Southern Idaho.

Has Eastern and Southern Republicanism been so pervasive that it has shaped the views of our own Republican Party in Idaho? Have we bought into this idea that we ought to be permissive of the welfare state (Eastern ideals), and spend like there is no tomorrow on our own causes regardless if it's Constitutionality(Southern ideals)? Don't these allowances of unconstitutional power set a dangerous precedent that carries over to any future leader of our country?

Case in point, those signing statements and Executive Orders that Republicans allowed of G.W.Bush now seem repugnant when Obama executes them. Apparently the Democrats don't see how this too sets the stage for future Presidents to gain even more power.

I will disagree (maybe because I am a western conservative) with Weisberg and say that we do need a Western Conservative in the Whitehouse, and more of this "soft--libertarian and wants government out of people’s way" philosophy back in Washington. Mike Simpson did you get the message? It's okay to be a western conservative again!

I will distance myself with Newsweek in regards to Dick Cheney; while he is from Wyoming, he is not my idea of a leader for the Republican party as his association with the Council on Foreign Relations is intolerable.

Also, Weisberg states "Where the old Western conservatives had serious thinkers lurking in the background, the new wave is more authentically anti-intellectual." That must be the new talking point the mainstream media is putting out against those who study the Constitution. Since now the Constitution is being printed with a disclaimer!, those who read it must be "anti-intellectual?"

Sound off Twin Falls...What does it mean to you to be a "Western Conservative" and why is the Western Conservative's resource for governance the Constitution and not the Bible as asserted by Weisberg?

A Very Taxing Process by Idaho State Rep. Phil Hart

2010-06-22T09:30:00.003-06:00

Barb E. Dahl's Note: You may have seen some of the recent news stories on Rep. Phil Hart. The summary of the story to date goes like this: Idaho Democrats have petitioned the State Legislature to hold an ethics probe into Phil Hart for "not paying his taxes." Their claim is that while Representative Hart (Idaho House Republican, District 3, Seat B) has written a book about the Unconstitutionality of the Income Tax, has apparently not paid his taxes since the IRS has liens on Hart's property, and Hart sits on the House Taxation Committee.

Below is Mr. Hart's side of the story, which is rather interesting...

A Very Taxing Process by Idaho State Rep. Phil Hart

After fighting what I believed was an unconstitutional federal income tax, six years ago I capitulated, filed returns, and have since then, paid $120,054 in combined state and federal income taxes (including the interest and penalties). At the time, I was also working toward a settlement with the IRS. What derailed this settlement process was becoming a target for an audit. My experiences provide a case study of why we need to get rid of the income tax on wages and salaries.

Years ago I became interested in the income tax and wanted to understand how it worked. I had read a lot of the literature on the subject. In doing so, I noticed there was a big gapping hole in the literature. No one had written about the intent of the Income Tax Amendment when it was debated and finally ratified on February 25, 1913. Plus I thought it would be easier to research the purpose and intent of the income tax rather than study the Internal Revenue Code. I focused my research on the years 1908 to 1913, as this was when the income tax amendment was debated. Because I discovered so much new information in doing this research, I wrote a book about it.

The genesis of the modern income tax was the Democrat Party’s Presidential Platform of 1908. The income tax plank read,

“We favor as part of our revenue system, and we urge the submission of a constitutional amendment specifically authorizing Congress to levy and collect a tax upon individual and corporate incomes to the end that wealth might bear its proportionate share of the burdens of the Federal Government.”

At the time there were no entitlement programs, and the greatest beneficiary of government was the wealthy. But with only consumption taxes, the wealthy were not paying for the benefits they received. The income tax did not start out as a “soak the rich” scheme, but only as an attempt to be fair in distributing the burdens of the cost of government. It was not a tax on people, but only a tax on what was called at the time “accumulated wealth.”

In 1909, the author of the Income Tax Amendment, Senator Brown from Nebraska said “It is the theory of the friends of the income tax proposition that property should be taxed and not individuals.” 44 Congressional Record, 1570 (1909).

I litigated the issue with the government, challenging its constitutionality. My challenge to the income tax included petitioning the United States Supreme Court. But the Supreme Court would not hear my case. The late Mr. Paul Chappell, a former attorney with the IRS Office of Chief Counsel for the District of Columbia said of my Petition “Reading Phil Hart’s work is like returning to law school. After decades of practice as a tax attorney, Phil makes me feel as if I’m a student again.” And after reading my Petition for the eighth time, another tax attorney, Mr. Arch McColl wrote me, “What you did was brilliant legal work in your Petition for Certiorari….”

In 2004, after my judicial remedy had been exhausted, I filed 1040 returns to get caught up. Suddenly I found myself in an IRS audit. I had to sue the IRS to avoid turning over the names and addresses of those who purchased my book, Constitutional Income. I was represented by the Center for Individual Rights, a Washington D.C. public interest freedom of speech law firm. As far as CIR can figure out, I was the first author in American history to have the government demand I turn over such names and addresses.

The Center for Individual Rights won these lawsuits for me. There were actually two lawsuits, and each lawsuit took a year. However, four years later when the IRS issued their final audit report, the IRS denied all my business deductions for eight years. The amount of denied deductions totaled $300,000. Why? An IRS employee told me “When you don’t give us

everything we ask for, you get all of your deductions denied.” For them, this isn’t about the liens or the money; it is about getting the names.

I believe I have a First Amendment right to protect the identities of my readers, just as a journalist has a First Amendment right to protect their sources. I also believe in protecting my readers’ Forth Amendment right against unreasonable searches and seizures. These are principles worth defending!

During this four year audit, I provided the IRS with all my canceled checks, receipts, invoices and so on. Boxes worth. Yet all these deductions were denied solely for political reasons. Losing $300,000 worth of deductions inflated my now purported “taxable income” and the tax imposed thereon. My expenses for engineering and drafting personnel were denied, office rent expenses denied, office supply expenses denied, book publishing expenses including editors, artists and printing expenses denied. All of my business deductions were denied, all of them. What small business can operate with $0 in business expenses over an eight year period?

Protecting my readers from having big government snooping into their lives has increased my state and federal tax liability by about $125,000.

When the Idaho State Tax Commission got their hands on this IRS audit report that reflected the $300,000 in denied business deductions, they wanted their cut of the inflated “taxable income” too. This is the main issue currently being contested in my litigation with them.

After the Supreme Court declining to hear my case, I began making tax payments. But of the $120,054 I have paid since then, not a single dollar of these payments has been used to offset any of the lien amounts. It’s a nightmare. I would happily trade places with any of my detractors who somehow think I’ve gotten a “good deal.”

Regardless of whether or not the income tax on wages and salaries is constitutional, most agree on one thing: it is an inefficient and privacy invading tax. On the private side, it takes 22 cents for its bookkeeping, reporting, accounting fees, and legal fees for every $1 collected. Whereas a consumption tax takes only one cent for compliance on the private side for every $1 collected.

The income tax places a huge tax on wages and salaries. We all know you get less of what you tax. And guess what? We now have fewer jobs. The income tax on wages and salaries is a job killer. And such a complicated system provides many opportunities for abuse on both the private side and the government side.

These circumstances of mine have created a lot of controversy. But how can it be wrong for me to fight for my legitimate deductions and to stand on my principals?

Barb E. Dahl's Ending Note. If the Spokesman Review wants to hold a poll asking readers if Phil Hart should have an ethics probe conducted by Idaho Legislative body for not paying his taxes, then perhaps the Spokesman Review should first cite where the law is to pay an income tax. Where is the law?

In fact, no one has been able to collect the $50,000 reward offered by William Conklin (www.anti-irs.com) to anyone who can:

1) show how to file a federal income tax return without waiving one's 5th amendment rights, and 2) identify what statute in the Internal Revenue Code makes a typical worker liable to pay an income tax.

Any newspaper these days would love to have an infusion of $50,000, and if they were to just do what they are suppose to do and conduct some "investigative journalism" one would think they could easily find and cite the law that says a worker is required to pay an income tax.

For more information watch this:

County Convention Mishap: Lack of Notice.

2010-06-17T11:22:00.001-06:00

Every two years the Republican Party, in every organized county in Idaho, goes through the political process to reorganize itself through the election of a new Chairman, Vice Chairman, 5 Executive Board members, a Treasurer, Secretary, State Committeeman, State Committeewoman, and Youth Director.

Prior to the meeting, the County Chairman is to give proper notice of the location of this Reorganization Meeting. According to the Twin Falls Republican website, their meetings “are always scheduled for the second Wednesday of each month at the Marvin Hempleman Building - 246 3rd Ave. East, Twin Falls.”

Per the Republican Bi-laws: Notice of meetings shall be given at least 4 days in advance of the date of the meeting.

The Idaho State GOP website has no such event on their calendar for June 2nd, at all for the Twin Falls County Republican Reorganizational Meeting. http://www.idgop.org/Events.aspx?Guid=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&passvar=6/2/2010

Twin Falls Republican’s Facebook Page makes no mention of this meeting either: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Twin-Falls-Republicans/233983674637?v=app_2344061033&vm=all

The Twin Falls Republicans provided a Meeting Notice on June 1st: The day before the meeting via the Times News: http://www.magicvalley.com/news/local/article_3672c6d4-57c6-5eb1-80ed-5777af1dded0.html

The Twin Falls Republican Website does have an announcement about the meeting change, though there is no time-stamp indicating when that page was updated. http://www.twinfallsrepublicans.com/2010/05/meeting-location-has-changed/

Does a website post equal a given notice?

Surely one would think a phone call or a postcard would be sent out informing the Precinct Committeemen of the date and time of the meeting “at least 4 days in advance” per the bi-laws, since many on the Committee are not internet users or would know to check the Twin Falls Republican Website. Well, apparently there were postcards sent out, the day-of the meeting: http://www.otf-21.org/images/postmark.jpg

Does the apparent lack of notice about this meeting implicate the Chairwoman and Secretary of deliberate negligence or merely a lack of organization?

Liz Niccum, elected precinct leader of Precinct TF5, said, "Neglect of this duty (to notify precinct leaders) is an example of the ongoing situation that this organization finds itself in. There has been a general disregard for following Republican Party rules and guidelines. There is certainly plenty of room for improvement and I hope that the infusion of new precinct committee leaders will help bring this about as we work together to restore the Republican Party back to its foundation of limited government, less taxes and increased personal liberties."

How about you Readers? Do you see this lack of notice as deliberate neglect or lack of organization? Does it matter? It you break your own laws, can you claim disorganization and escape penalty?

Restoration Forces Redefined

2010-06-09T10:57:00.004-06:00

Good Day Magic Valley! It’s weird writing to readers out in cyber land, anyway…here I begin my blogging adventure to give Magic Valley voters, providing a view of the inner workings of the Twin Falls Republican Party from the Restoration viewpoint.

First of all, I need to define the “Restoration”. We are a group of Twin Falls County Residents who want to advance the principles of individual rights, limited government, and free enterprise within the Republican Party and throughout America.

The Restoration Forces recruit and endorse candidates who support individual liberty and limited government. In doing so, we are able to change the direction of the Republican Party — and shift American policies and politics to once again value our cherished Founding principles. The key networks behind the Restoration is the Republican Liberty Caucus and Campaign for Liberty: You can join our Meetup group here: http://www.meetup.com/TwinFallsLiberty/

As you know, the Republican Party is in rebuilding mode. The time is now for concerned citizens to help return the Republican Party to the most fundamental tenets of American governance — most importantly, that each of us owns our own life and must have the fundamental right to make our own decisions.

Please view this for an illustration of our position:

The distinction between the Restoration Forces and “establishment Republicans” is that the Restoration Forces are fiercely protective of our rights, regardless of which side of the political isle those assaults are coming. Whereas establishment Republicans seemingly not only defend, but PROMOTE the controls, tax increases and regulations their side of the isle creates, albeit those actions violate their party platform, principles and often the Constitution.

Campaign for Liberty’s Twin Falls County Coordinator, Jeremy Sassercollins, spoke at one of our trainings and said, “To dethrone a despot, we must first ensure their throne erected within us is destroyed.” Meaning that the Restoration is focused on purifying the Republican party of those who claim they will be "good rulers", but still want to rule; and also challenges each of us to not take that step upon the slippery slope ourselves and wish to enact laws and regulations to restrain We the People.

I find the principles of Liberty to be so invigorating, and ironic that we even fight to ensure the liberties of those who oppose us! I wanted to post this first before dropping the story about the County Convention. I also want to facilitate the discussion in the comments section. I will attempt to make the comments open to even those without a gmail account…somehow.

In my attempt to facilitate discussion, I will end each post with a question for you to brood on and encourage your post in response.

Today’s question is: Ronald Reagan said, “I believe the very heart and soul of conservatism is libertarianism;” (Reason, 1975) Why in your mind do current day “conservatives” choose more government control over libertarianism?

Phase II: Chairwoman appointment, discouragement and a new chick in town.

2010-06-08T08:44:00.002-06:00

I’m taking over for the previous writer who has struggled with carrying on this message of truth and freedom within the local Republican Party after witnessing the charades at the Twin Falls Republican Central Committee’s Reorganizational meeting on June 2^nd, 2010.

A last post was made by “Jefferson is my Hero” regarding that event, though I’ve asked to take it down and recapitulate the event in my own words if he will no longer be writing this blog. Jefferson agreed; and while I may not be privy to the insight Jefferson had in watching the Committee at work, I am likewise at odds at what transpired and wish for this story to be read by the community.

I will be drafting up my synopsis and will be posting in a day or so. In the mean time, the Times News has covered this event with some accuracy. I suggest reading these links here:

http://www.magicvalley.com/news/local/article_0c1a9b5d-1c50-5969-8480-f68bb2d1b34a.html

Letter of Grievance: http://www.magicvalley.com/pdf_7459e5a0-701e-11df-bfa8-001cc4c002e0.html

P.S. At the suggestion of “Jefferson is My Hero” and in keeping with his anonymous-writer-theme, as writers of controversy have done throughout history, I too will use a pen name: Barb E. Dahl.

Confirmed: Disease Outbreak in Idaho Affects Primary Voters

2010-06-01T16:38:00.001-06:00

The local health department has issued a warning about a new virus which, oddly enough, only affects primary voters in Idaho. The Center for Disease Control confirmed that this virus has not affected a majority of those in Kentucky, Utah, Pennsylvania, or Maine.

The disease is called Gonorrhea Lectim. It's pronounced "Gonna re-elect-em," and it seems to have affected much of Idaho to the astonishment of virologist across the country.

Dr. Newcomer shared, "The affect on Idaho voters is astonishing! We'll be studying this in more detail, running tests on voter IQ, times spent in front of the T.V., and susceptibility to large and liberal corporate-out-of-state-newspapers."

Jan Dumbfounded, a election worker with Twin Falls County elections, said "The daze on the voters faces should have been a clue that there was something really, really wrong...when the results came out that 23% of the voters voted for a Commissioner that pulled out of the race weeks ago, we knew we had an breakout of Gonorrhea Lectim."

Jeff Wisebird, a voter who tested negative for the bug, said, "I feared I might come down with that, so I made sure to read the latest issue of The New American, brush up on the Creature from Jekyll Island, Sovereign Idaho's blog and check in with the Southern Avenger to help keep my informed-voter cell-count up high."

Dr. Newcomer indicated that much of the brain damage has already occurred but is compounded exponentially by denying the contraction of the disease. Dr. Newcomer stated "the best medicine is to view Freedom to Fascism, a documentary by Aaron Russo, drink lots of filtered water, get plenty of exercise, sunshine, limit television viewing and cancel your subscription to the local newspaper."

Studies suggest that the virus is easily transmittable to children and youth. The best defense is proper pre-natal care, breast feeding, tv-less homes and alternative education.

Twin Falls County Primary Election Results

2010-05-25T23:54:00.007-06:00

Bad News: Nearly 23% of Republican Twin Falls County voters are so ill-informed that they voted for a Commissioner (Tom Mikesell) that pulled out of the race weeks ago. Tom Young, you are right: "if you can't inform yourself on the races...stay home!"

Candidate's Name                      # of votes     % of votes
Tom Mikesell  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .           1,622   22.99

Leon Mills .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .               2,333   33.07

Jimbo Jim Schouten  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,203   17.05

Roger Ursenbach, SR..  .  .  .  .  .  .   1,896   26.88

The House Seat...The Good News is that Leon Smith lost the majority vote.  
The bad news is that he still won because the other 52%  was split 
between two candidates.

Mark Goodman  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       996   22.28

Rusty E. Satterwhite.  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,310   29.31

Leon Smith .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     2,164   48.41

Commissioners...The Good news is that Brandon Jones with hardly any 
name recognition did great, comparatively to the same old, same old.

Brandon J. Jones .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     2,952   42.02

L. George Urie.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  4,073   57.98

61% of the voters chose Mike Simpson despite his continuous plundering
of our wallets--Bail out, stimulus, cash for clunkers, etc, etc.

58% of the voters chose Donna Jones despite the irresponsible management of the school endowment fund to bankers like Goldman Sachs. Do you really like paying for your children's schooling twice Twin Falls?

Good News: Chuck Coiner is OUT!!! We are celebrating just for this!!! Congratulations to Lee Heider! We expect your hands off our private property Lee, that includes bars.

Charles H. Coiner. . . . . . . . 1,963 42.79

Lee Heider .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     2,624   57.21

More good news! There are 19 new faces on the Twin Falls Republican Central Committee!

Kent Perkins 
Brian Johns
Vern S. Clarkson
Cindy Seaman
Gregory Nemitz
William Tuttle
Craig J. Manning
DeeAnn H. Jenks
Don A. Zuck
Camille Saxon Forster
Richard J. Stosich
Wm. Craig Nebeker
Orville Knighton
Liz Niccum
Patrick P. Jones, DVM
Joan Hurlock
Precinct Kimberly #2 Write-In
Precinct Twin Falls #16 Write-In 
Lucy Brazil-Wilkes
 (though not new to Republican Women's group, new to the committee)

And a TIE between the two candidates in Buhl Precinct #7

Miles Cunningham .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .    84   50.00
Neola Weaver  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        84   50.00

 Lets hope that this delegation can bring a restoration of true conservatism 
back the the Republican Party.

Those candidates  who were hopeful winners were... 
TF # 8 
Jeremy S. Collins.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .    68   49.28 
Laird Stone.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         70   50.72
Mr. Stone proudly displayed an Obama sign in his yard in 2008.  Tell me 
cross-voting did not win this race for Stone.

TF # 24
Gordon B. Greaves.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .      85   48.57 
Stephen Hartgen  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        90   51.43
This was a close race between two good candidates.

 TF # 25 
Kenneth D. Edmunds  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  187   52.23
Brandon J. Jones .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       171   47.77
Two more years of "We don't talk policy here."

Hollister
Jim Lanting.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .            121   67.98
Lynn R. Stephens .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        57   32.02

Hansen 
Janice W. Hutchison .  .  .  .  .  .  .    150   47.92
L. George Urie.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         163   52.08

Filer 1 
Jay Fort.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .             85   65.38 
Carter Killinger .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         45   34.62

TF # 18 
Jacqueline Chambers .  .  .  .  .  .  111   56.63
Robert Salinas.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         85   43.37

TF #17 
Patrick Bello .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .                39   37.86
Michael S. Mathews  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        64   62.14
Same Old, Same Old.

Over all, a pretty good night!
  You can view the results for Twin Falls County here:

http://twinfallscounty.org/dir/clerk/elections/Results/PRIM2010.txt

Interested in how the rest of the counties throughout Idaho did?  View here:

http://www.sos.idaho.gov/ELECT/Results/ENR/menu.html

Twin Falls County Republican Voter Guide

2010-05-24T11:24:00.011-06:00

People all over the country are fired up for new faces, new ideas and a return to limited, constitutional government.

Secretary of State, Ben Ysursa, is projecting voter turnout at 26%. Races are sometimes as close as one vote that decides who the winner will be. Let that vote be yours!

If we elect more career-first, establishment politicians, we won't get balanced budgets. The deficit will not be reduced. Our eroded liberties will not be returned.

That's why true conservatives have stepped up to run for many offices, from Precinct Committeeman to U.S. Congressman. Here are some big races to watch:

Todd Hatfield for State Controller -having a true fiscal conservative elected to a State position would be a great step forward in the right direction.

Chick Heileson for US Congress -electing a constitutional Republican will help turn the tide in Wahsington away from big government encroachment upon our freedoms and our wallets.

Lee Heider for Idaho State Senate -possibly the most hopeful candidate for State Senate of all of Idaho. Heider will be a welcome voice in Boise's Senate, and a voice more representative of Twin Falls County.

Twin Falls County Republicans Roger Ursenbach for Commissioner, Brandon Jones for Commissioner, and George Haney III for Assessor as a “Dream Team” to help steer us back to proper fiscal management and accountability in government.

The Precinct Committee is the “ground-up” force that forms resolutions which are, in turn, sent to the state to be adopted for legislative efforts. These Twin Falls County patriots are listed only on the following precinct ballots. If you live in their precinct, then you can vote for them…

TF 3- Orville Knighton—He’s been in this fight for freedom a long time and still going!

TF 5- Liz Niccum—Has a deep understanding of the issues we face.

TF 8- Jeremy S. Collins—Bringing about a “New Standard of Republicanism.”

TF 15- DeeAnn H. Jenks—Supports the Constitution and she has more spine than a gun-shop owner!

Hansen 1- Janice W. Hutchison—She’s fed up with the lack of accountability and wants to shake things up.

TF 17- Patrick Bello—A bulldog for our freedoms!

TF 18- Robert Salinas—Bringing a (legal) Hispanic conservative voice to the committee.

OTF24- Gordon B. Greaves—Running to provide a clean, separation of powers of legislators and the Central Committee.

OTF 25- Brandon J Jones—Someone who understands the committee’s role and potential.

Buhl 1- Patrick P. Jones—Can someone call a doctor for this committee?! Here he is.

Buhl 7- Miles Cunningham—Passionate, and ready to make a difference.

Filer 1- Carter Killinger—Standing for principle, morals and calling others out for anything less.

Filer 2- Cindy Seaman—Qualified beyond any measure…a true Stateswoman.

Hollister 1- Lynn R. Stephens—This man knows water rights and will be a valuable asset to the committee.

If the Twin Falls Republican Central Committee is restored, then you will see much more action by the local Republican Central Committee, educational programs, voter outreach and a new era of political involvement. Vote for the Restoration tomorrow! Voter locations: http://twinfallscounty.org/pdf/Clerk/elections/PollingPlaces%202010.pdf

Governor Otter's Problematic Record

2010-05-23T23:00:00.003-06:00

BUTCH OTTER, Idaho Governor has a problematic record, and while a Governor does not cast votes as a legislator does, we can look to his voting record while in Congress and Otter's other actions as Governor...

Vetoed 35 bills trying to force legislators to increase taxes , proposed a highway maintenance tax; leaned on the Idaho Board of Transportation to fire Director Pam Lowe because she would not award a transportation contract to Otter's campaign contributors; refused to sign the 10th Amendment resolution of 2009; has no proposal to improve economy, as he stated, "We're just going through a rough patch.”

While in Congress Otter voted YES on “No Child Left Behind,” YES on the Military Commissions Act; YES for the largest expansion of Medicare in US history, and YES on authorizing military force in Iraq without a formal declaration of war.

When it comes down to it, we have three choices in the Primary: Rex Rammell, Sharon Ullman or, incumbent, Clement Leroy "Butch" Otter. It is our opinion that Otter is a good politician. That, by the way is not a complement, as we shall see. Otter, the good politician, is good at skirting issues, doing a dance and singing a song. When it comes to walking the talk, well as we can see his voting record tells another story.

It was a great disappointment to see that Otter did not attend the Idaho Debates. Instead Berkley Graduate and Ada County Commissioner Sharon Ullman went up against Eastern Idaho veterinarian Rex Rammell. You can see the debate here: http://idahoptv.org/elections/2010/pri/gov.cfm

After viewing the debate, and discussing the issues at hand and how they were presented, Sharon Ullman came off as sounding too soft in her stances (standing next to Rex that is)...wanting to get government involved in this social issue and that social issue. Rammell on the other hand showed that he had trust in Idahoans to resolve their own issues and to keep government out of the lives of Idahoans.

Rammell's strongest point was when he shared how school consolidation would be left up to the counties to decide, and with left that responsibility, the schools themselves would make the right decision. That was strong because it appeases both the Republicans and Democrats, or at least one should think. Though seemingly, Democrats are not content with making their own decisions locally, they would rather force the same system on everyone all across the country and world for that matter.

The hottest topic was of course when Rex asserted that he would use "any force necessary" to keep the Federal Government out of Idaho. Sadly, the focus gets put on Rex wanting to stage a war with the Feds. Rather the more important question would be, "Why would the federal government go to war with one of it's states?"

Rex also made waves with his affirmations about the role, or lack of a roll in regards to certain people in public office based upon their religious beliefs. To which Sharon Ullman flatly discarded. To that end, we encourage you to make a wise gubernatorial vote this Tuesday. Take our poll to the left and see who others are favoring.

[Editor's Note: We've been working on this post for some time and originally posted another version. This has since been updated to show our final posting]

Twin Falls Republicans Should Have Endorsed Heider, Heileson, Hatfield

2010-05-23T11:20:00.026-06:00

Given the record of the current incumbents: Coiner, Simpson and Jones, the Twin Falls Republican Central Committee should have endorsed their more conservative opponents.

CHARLES COINER, District 24 State Senator: Received a “0” (zero) Conservative voting record in 2007, voted YES on Film Industry Corporate Welfare, YES on Benefits for Illegal Aliens, YES on a Gas Tax Increase. Voted NO on telling the Federal Government to cease implementation of a North American Union, NO on Abortion Coercion (penalizing those for coercing another to have an abortion), and NO on Employee Fire Arm Protection Law.
MIKE SIMPSON, 2nd District Congressman: Voted YES for TARP (“Banker Bail-Out”), YES on $2 billion for Cash for Clunkers program, YES on $9.7B for Amtrak improvements and operation, YES on making the PATRIOT Act permanent, YES on $15.2 billion for foreign operations, YES on Congressional pay raise, YES on $99 billion economic stimulus, YES on authorizing military force in Iraq, voted NO on withdrawing from the World Trade Organization¹, and has proposed to turn Idaho's Boulder-White Clouds wilderness area over to Federal control.
DONNA JONES, State Controller: Since Jones was elected as State Controller, her expenditures have increased 25%, she did nothing to advocate to put the State's financial records online (providing transparency and accountability), 4,000 jobs lost in Idaho’s wood producing sector due to federal and state regulations, 14% to 24% unemployment in rural Idaho counties and $360 million dollars of the school endowment money gambled away in the equity markets.
The more reasonable candidates, those who would more closely aligned with Republican values would be Lee Heider, "Chick" Heileson, and Todd Hatfield. We're calling for the "3-H" vote: Heider, Heileson and Hatfield. Click their names to view more online information.

Law-abiding or Law-less: The Choice is Yours Twin Falls.

2010-05-21T08:51:00.004-06:00

The political ramifications of NOT adhearing to laws is concerning only to those law-abiding. As it is said, "if we out-law guns, only outlaws will own guns."

Well, friends here of Twin Falls Republican Restoration have made over 6 charges against the Twin Falls Republican Central Committee over their financial reporting. In filing the reports, one must name the Treasurer of the committee: Ken Edmunds. Being the Treasurer (or now ex-treasurer) and having 6 complaints filled against the committee, Times News and others need to take into account the charges before asuming we just don't like the guy.

We don't care if the Treasurer is our own Father or Pastor, we'd expect him to abide by the law just as everyone else does. What "law" do we refer to? The Idaho Sunshine Laws, as it pertains to political fundraising.

The Idaho Sunshine Laws were in-acted in 1974. "That is odd,", you might say, "legislators who wanted more transparency and accountability to the people wrote a law demanding as much?" Well, No. It was brought about by a ballot messure. Meaning that the citizens of Idaho gathered enough signatures on a petition and then forced the issue to a vote on the November ballot. It won by over 77% of the vote.

That Sunshine Laws dictate how poltical contributions are to be reported and impose peneltes for violations. Apparently the Times News does not have a problem with referring to those reports required by the Sunshine Law as evidence by the last two day's articles, but when we call out the Republican Central Committee for not adhear to those guidelines then we gain the bad press. Nice try.

The Republican Central Committee has not issued an audit of their finanical recordings for over 6 years. We here at Restore Twin Falls GOP have all financially contributed to the local party and thus have an interest in seeing those funds managed in appropriate ways.

If we see red flags in the reporting process then we'll persue them. In a small town like Twin Falls, will we russle feathers? Yes. Will we come off as seemingly untrusting of others in the party? Yes. Should we keep quite because our actions might do those things?

Well, to quote from my "hero": "All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent." -Thomas Jefferson

We will not remain silent while politicians, whether here locally or in Wahsington continue to steam roll us while they disregard the law. Anyone else agree? Mr. Satterwhite?

The Republican Women Fiasco

2010-05-20T15:57:00.002-06:00

Twin Falls Republican Women were all set and ready to hold a candidate debate between incumbent Leon Smith, Rusty Satterwhite and Mark Goodman tonight at the Red Lion. Seemingly. The process was to accept questions from community members and then the Twin Falls Republican Women’s group would select the questions and then field them to the candidates in a debate-like-setting.

Apparently Leon Smith foresaw this event would be biased against him and declined to participate in the “debate”. Interesting…given Leon Smith’s voting record (below), he probably guessed correctly!

LEON SMITH: Voted YES on gas tax increase, YES on allowing airports to incur debt without voter approval, voted NO on the grocery tax credit, consistently abstains from socially conservative votes. Voted NO on transparency in government (twice), NO on allowing school consolidation, NO on classroom virtual instruction (opening the door to tax savings and modernization), NO on permitting tax payment in silver, NO on permitting travelers an alternative to “naked body scanners” in airports, NO on hunter privacy.

Rusty Satterwhite, local Tea Party spokesman, navigated around a similar trap. After a heated conversation at the recent Twin Falls Republican Central Committee over the reading of a letter by Mya Goodman (Mark Goodman’s wife) condemning the local Tea Party for nonsense akin to not attending enough establishment picnics and parades, it was clear that the Republican Women were staging an ambush on Rusty.

Rusty submitted a request to the Republican women stating:

“I need a confirmation and commitment from [Republican Women] (a promise if you will), that Mya and Mark Goodman have not and will not be privy to the questions before or after the question selection process. I also request that when you and Mya excused yourselves from the selection process, that in according to the above request, Mya is not present during the readings or selection of the questions. If The Republican Women cannot ensure this, or have already failed to achieve this then I request that my campaign have the questions available in order to ensure a fair public debate. If my requests cannot, or will not, fulfilled I will have to re-evaluate my intent to attend the debate."

Fair enough request, isn’t it?

The response from the Republican Women:

Given the rise of certain events in the past 48 hours, it is with deep regret that Twin Falls Republican Women executive board has made the decision to withdraw their intention to host tomorrow tonight’s debate for the State Representatives of District 24 Seat A. I know the candidates were looking forward to this opportunity to inform the public of their platforms and how they stand on the issues. Founded in 1938 National Federation of Republican Women is one of the oldest and largest women’s organization in the United States, and our executive board is not willing to compromise the integrity or ethics of the organization with allegations of favoring any candidate during a public debate. Our intention was to set the stage for an informative forum in which issues could be addressed. We are deeply sorry for any inconvenience that has occurred as a result of the board’s decision to not host or participate in this event. Thank you to all who have worked toward this, and for all of the people who have responded so and a big Thank you to you Kelly and to Jill, and to your audience for providing excellent questions, and to the candidates for their willingness to have participated, unfortunately sometimes the best laid plans need to be put aside to ensure the greater good. Remember to vote on Tuesday, May 25 and know that every vote in this election is an important one in deciding the future of our GREAT STATE of IDAHO.
Respectfully,
Twin Falls Republican Women Executive Board
Billee Hasbrouk – President
Bobbie Goss & Ilene Holzier – co vices
Jackie Chambers - Treasurer
Doreen Knight – Past president and Vice president of the Idaho Federation of Republican Women
Lucy Brazil-Wilkes – Media and publicity chair

One can begin to connect the dots here. Whether the Republican Womens' group was planning to blast Rusty for being a Tea Party guy, which in the “last 48 hours” have caused huge wakes on the national political scene and would have turned against them, OR did Rusty’s demand for honesty and integrity position them in a corner that the Republican Women could not easily get out of unless they radically changed the entire event…so why not just cancel it?

The event will still go on, though not the debate format originally intended. Rusty personally paid for the event venue at the Red Lion Hotel tonight, May 20th from 6:00 to 8:00. He has respectfully invited the other two candidates to attend. The candidates will be receiving questions from the public during a “Candidate Forum”. Hope to see you there!

Establishment Politicians Are Losing Ground to Tea Party Statesmen

2010-05-19T09:20:00.002-06:00

The first blow came in neighboring Utah, where three-term Senator Bob Bennet was ousted by his own party for not adhering to the Utah Republican Platform and votes against the Constitution: chief among them was Bennet’s vote for the TARP Bailout and cosponsoring the “Healthy Americans Act” (S. 334) to make American’s buy health care insurance. Bennet was ousted despite the cheerleading support of Utah fav Mitt Romney and his historically "conservative" voting record.

Next Stop: the sleeping giant of Maine…there, the state Republican Party adopted a more classically conservative position of abolishing the Federal Reserve, and fighting "efforts to create a one-world government”—both campaigns of which arose during Woodrow Wilson’s liberal progressive era and are just now catching on to conservatives as major current issues. Maine Republicans also agreed on language that calls global warming a "myth," and sealing the southern American border.

Third hit comes in from the great state of Kentucky, where Rand Paul soundly defeated Republican establishment favorite Trey Grayson in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate. Greyson who at the counsel of Frank Luntz, switched from a Democrat to a “Republican” to run in Kentucky’s Senator race and was opening endorsed by establishment leaders Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, former Vice President Dick Cheney and Rudy Giuliani.

Across the isle (sort of) lays defeated Arlen Specter, once a “Republican” moved over and became a “Democrat” last year. Despite Specter’s 30 year incumbent status and Obama’s endorsed, Specter (PA) could not hold back opposition to his vote for TARP, the banker-bail out, even as he moved over and became a “Democrat”.

Idaho’s Congressional District 2 voters should also take note of establishment favorite, Republican Mike Simpson, who voted for TARP and has continued his push for his HR 222 CEIDRA (Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act) bill, which is a far cry from an "economic development act," as it merely puts more of Idaho’s lands into federal control.

Mike Simpson also voted YES on $2 billion for Cash for Clunkers program, he voted YES on $9.7B for Amtrak improvements and operation, YES on making the PATRIOT Act permanent, YES on $15.2 billion for foreign operations, YES on Congressional pay raise, YES on $99 billion economic stimulus, YES on authorizing military force in Iraq. But Republicans are often accosted as being the party of “NO”, well Mike Simpson did vote “NO” on withdrawing from the World Trade Organization…dooh!, THAT ONE he should have voted “YES.”

Time to vote for a Restoration!

Times News Missed the Mark

2010-05-18T08:55:00.005-06:00

The Times News today published a piece about Ken Edmunds resigning. Noting that we here at Restore Twin Falls GOP had put pressure on Edmunds regarding his lax reporting standards and that was a possible reason that Edmunds resigned.

Times News writer, Ben Botkin, did not touch on the issue that an audit has NOT been conducted in years for this central committee. Due to statements from within the Central Committee concerning the manner in which funds were supposedly managed, it is high time for an audit. What is wrong with an audit and why won't anyone talk about this?

Nor did Botkin apparently talk to others on the Central Committee who have expressed relief that Ken Edmunds is no longer the Treasurer. Why is that -if we are not touching on sensitive issues regarding the management of the treasury? Nor did Botkin even make a peep on this website to try and contact this writer, as Zach Hagadone from the Boise Weekly had done. Nor did Botkin mention that we had an open invitation here for Ken to contact us and make his remarks known right here at the source of the accusations.

Chick Heileson and Steve Symms Oppose the Simpson CIEDRA Bill

2010-05-17T16:57:00.002-06:00

PRESS RELEASE

May 17, 2010

FORMER U. S. SENATOR STEVE SYMMS OPPOSES CIEDRA

The staff of Chick Heileson for United States Congress learned today that retired U.S. Senator Steve Symms is opposed to the CIEDRA bill which is sponsored by Chick Heileson’s opponent. Senator Symms was candid in admitting that there is nothing to stop a President from signing America’s Wilderness Areas over to the United Nation’s biosphere program, giving the U.N. by proxy control of over 300 million acres (in actual surface area) within in the sovereign borders of the United States.

Chick Heileson opposes CIEDRA and is in complete agreement with Senator Symms. “The CIEDRA fiasco could well prove to be my opponent’s undoing,” Heileson said, “And Symms is right on the money by refusing to cower to the powder puff politics behind that bill. The acronym itself is a joke,” Heileson stated, “how does putting more land into a wilderness area do anything to stimulate economic growth? It doesn’t do that. We need quality jobs for productive people, not a recession into the stone age.”

Although Symms has not formally endorsed a candidate in the race, when asked directly about CIEDRA, Symms said, “I’m not in favor of it.”

State Controller Endorsement: Todd Hatfield

2010-05-15T08:03:00.002-06:00

via www.sovereignidaho.com

State Controller's Four-Year Term Brought 25% Budget Increase and Huge Losses in the School Endowment Fund

Boise - The incumbent was elected to the office of Idaho State Controller in 2006. While serving her current four year term, the Controller’s budget has increased 25%. It had a 45% increase appropriated for 2009, but that was held back by the Governor and Legislature. This expansion of government has not brought a benefit to the citizens of Idaho.

Todd Hatfield is running for State Controller in the May 25th Republican primary. He says, “I am a conservative, both fiscally and socially. The incumbent's record shows a lack of conservative management and voting. I believe in limited government as per the Idaho Republican Party Platform.”

Instead of posting the state checkbook online for the public to review where tax dollars are all being spent – as many states around the country have done – the incumbent State Controller actually opposed legislative efforts in 2009 for needed transparency of the state’s finances. There is and has been free software available for this purpose that has been utilized by the federal government and by other states.

The State Controller holds a very important position on the Idaho Land Board. This position is a trust for the School Permanent Endowment Fund, of which 70% of revenue is derived from state timber sales. The current Controller’s record during her short term: 4,000 lost jobs in Idaho’s wood producing sector due to federal and state regulations, 14% to 24% unemployment in rural Idaho Counties and $360 million dollars of the school endowment money gambled away by the investment board in equity markets through managers such as JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs, only to be replaced with future tax dollars through bailout money.

“I have successfully led in adapting to market trends and changes in my industry. She increases her budget and has taxpayers fund her office in these tough economic times.” Mr. Hatfield continues, “I have purchased federal and state timber sales. I have actual hands on experience in the daily operations of the logging industry and therefore possess real relationships and ties to people throughout the state. She has photos of visits to saw mills.”

Todd has owned, managed and funded his own general contracting and log home building business for the past 25 years. The incumbent has received her paycheck from you, the state taxpayer, for over the past 15 years.

Todd has a thorough understanding of the administration of timber sales and the simple administrative policy change that will restore jobs, increase manufacturing, reduce unemployment and increase money for the School’s Endowment Fund. He says we must stop investing the School Endowment Fund in risky equity markets. The State Constitution mandates that this fund “remain inviolate and intact” and “shall be securely and profitably invested.” In the first quarter of 2009 the investment board had gambled away over $360 million dollars of our school money.

“It is time to stop the Idaho Land Board from being led by department heads and demand that the Land Board lead the departments. The Land board members are elected to leadership positions and must follow through in that capacity. I have a college degree in accounting and the experience to take that lead.

“I know everyone has limited money. Believe me, I know. But, I really do need your help! Please help with funds, so I can unseat the incumbent. Any amount contributed ($ 20, 50, 100, 500 to a maximum of $5,000) will be put towards printed material and radio in the last two weeks. We are very close, please help to get us over the top and begin restoring accountability to the State of Idaho. The race for the Idaho State Controller will be determined in the primaries May 25th.

Website: http://www.toddhatfield.com/ - paypal available
Todd Hatfield Campaign: Po Box 305, McCall, ID 83638

“Please forward to all you know - email and text message around the state. Vote for Todd Hatfield for State Controller on May 25th.” Call 944-3305 and listen to a message from Todd Hatfield.

Ken Edmunds Resigns

2010-05-13T23:59:00.001-06:00

According to Rick Martin, Kenneth Edmunds resigned last night at the Republican Central Committee as Treasurer and handed a suspected rat's nest over to AJ Church as the new Treasurer. AJ, you would do well to order a full, independent audit of the books ASAP.

We've exposed the informality of Kenneth's treasury work on the central committee and in wake of the RNC scandal, we as contributors to this Grand Old Party, wish for a full and complete audit of those books immediately.

Was it because of the heat we put on Ken for his work as Treasurer, the criticism from his own party members, or some other reason Ken all of a sudden forfeits his elected duty as Treasurer?

I've encouraged Ken to contact me here, though he has made no such effort to rebut my statements about his work, leading me to believe all I suspect and even more.

Brandon J. Jones is running as Precinct Committeeman (and County Commissioner) in Twin Falls 25 Precinct, of which Kenneth Edmunds now holds. This would be a great precinct to help turn over. If you know of anyone in Precinct 25, please advise to vote for Brandon Jones.

Our Restoration's Goals

2010-05-11T00:07:00.002-06:00

Our Restoration's Goals

To propose legislation that restricts government, pulls control back to the local level and gives the citizens of Twin Falls County more say in public policy. As the Platform says: “Government is best that governs closest”.
To host a series of educational meetings and invite the public to learn and discuss policies so as to educate and involve more people in the political process once again. Currently the Central Committee does not promote their meetings, nor make their agenda public before the meetings and have discouraged open debate regarding policy.
To elect delegates who will attend the state Republican Conventions and provide 100% representation of Twin Falls County Precincts. In 2008, Twin Falls County leadership elected delegates, of which only 28% attended, even after the establishment intentionally blockaded over 30 willing candidates from being elected to attend.

Gem State Voter Guide

2010-05-06T09:46:00.002-06:00

This is a helpful guide showing where your candidates stand on various issues:

http://www.gemstatevoterguide.com/2010primaryall.asp

Please take the time and review the responses from Chick Heileson, District 2: US Representative*. If you click on the "View Scanned Questionnaire" you can see his thoughtful assessment and typed responses to the questions based upon the language of the Constitution. I believe his typed comments really show the voters that Chick knows the Constitution inside and out.

Please take the time and read the responses from Todd Hatfield, State Controller*. If you compare Todd's responses to our mascot, Phil Hart, you will see the only discrepancies are that of "undecided" votes, of which there were only 3. Although the role of State Controller, essentially the Chief Financial Officer of the State is different than law makers in the House Legislature, the questions were the same given to Mr. Hatfield and Mr. Hart. One can then assess their political leanings one way or the other.

Also take time and read the responses from Rusty Satterwhite District 24: State Representative, Position A*. Again, if you compare Rusty's responses to our benchmark, true conservative candidate, Phil Hart District 3: State Representative, Position A*,you can see, save for one response, the only discrepancies were on issues that either Phil voted "undecided" or Rusty voted "undecided". The one response that stood out was to the question about "Granting local option authority to raise taxes fro mass transit systems". Phil Hart voted "Oppose" and Rusty voted "Support".

[It is of the Editor's opinion that more control needs to be given to the local government (county and city) and less control at the State level, as the Republican Party Platform says the "most effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to the people. That government is best that governs least." So permitting a local option tax then makes sense and encourages more participation at the local level for policy decision making within the confines of the Idaho Constitution.]

The issue of a local option tax is garnering much debate in the Idaho legislature. See this article for an insight into the differing views:http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/feb/05/house-speaker-blocking-idaho-local-option-tax-bill/

Support the Restoration!

When Republican Principles are Disregarded

2010-05-06T01:21:00.001-06:00

On April 27^th, during Steve Millington's weekly visit on Top Story (KLIX 1310am), speaking on behalf of the “Twin Falls Republicans,” Steve shared a story about how we should be grateful the banker bail-out passed.

As Steve explained it, Paul Kanjorski (a Democrat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives) explained that Bush is a “profile of courage” and “he was in the twilight of his administration...and stood at the edge of the precipice” and made the right decision to not plunge the economy over the cliff. According to Millington, Kanjorski also spoke of the documented accounts of representatives being threatened their would be “anarchy in this country, and riots in the streets” if we did not pass the Banker-Bailout.

So, despite the unconstitutionality of the TARP bail-outs, or being against the Republican platform and principles, AND having citizens shut down the phone lines in Washington with 9 to 1 calls against the legislation, Steve comes out siding with Kanjorski, speaking on behalf of Twin Falls Republicans praising the “courageous actions” of George W. Bush.

Is this an attempt to win votes back for sell-out Simpson, who voted for the Bailout, the Bush era stimulus program and the despised cash-for-clunkers program? See Mike losing it here:

This is another example of how the establishment Republicans will not hold each other accountable, and instead have protected a rank-and-file system that disregards all matter of principle, chief among them the US Constitution.

Because the Constitution is designed to limit the scope of which government can (and would like) to do, it is important to be very wary of tales for which scare people into thinking they should disregard those limitations and proceed with expansions of government...which always come at an expense to your freedoms.

In this case the banker's robbed YOU, me and future generations. This would not have happened had Bush and others had stuck to the Constitution. Instead, I say, the real courage would have been to play laissez faire and let the market take care of the mistakes of others as the Constitution does not authorize such interventions in the first place.

I find it shameful for Steve Millington and the Twin Falls establishment Republicans to rub this in our face while many of the families in the Magic Valley are financially hurting, and to say that it was courageous to do so.

A restoration is about upholding the values of the Republic despite the threats of the bankers. Join us and vote for the Restoration on May 25^th.

Restoration Scorecard

2010-05-04T09:21:00.001-06:00

Since December of 2009, Restoration and Sovereign Idaho forces throughout Idaho gathered and delivered thousands of signatures on a petition to the state legislature to nullify unconstitutional federal laws.

The Sovereign Idaho Coalition invited the whole legislature, the governor and the media to join us as we Converged on the Capitol. They joined hundreds of patriots from around the state on the steps of the capitol to talk about:

Firearms Freedom: Nullify unconstitutional federal laws and regulations on firearms, accessories, or ammunition manufactured and retained in Idaho.
Sound Money: Nullify federal legal tender laws by authorizing payment in gold and silver or electronic transactions backed 100% by gold or silver.
Health Care: Nullify any future national health care plan.
Midwifery: Amend Idaho's 2009 Mandatory Midwifery Licensure to make it voluntary.
Transparency: Require public schools to post their spending online.

We told legislators that we hoped Sovereign Idaho would be able to give them a five-star endorsement at the end of the 2010 legislative session. Unfortunately, they only delivered three out of five bills to the governor's desk, so there will be no five-star endorsements this year.

With the enactment of the Health Freedom Act, Firearms Freedom Act, and Public School Financial Transparency Act, there is much to celebrate. There's also more that can be done in each of these areas next year. But it's now time to report back to the voters - especially those who signed the petition - and hold the politicians accountable.

2010 Legislature

Recall the Silver Act was killed in a Senate Committee, so Senators did not vote on that bill.

As you can see District 23 Senator Bert Brackett voted against transparency of Idaho schools.

District 24, so called "Republican", Leon Smith voted against transparency and the authorization of legal tender in Idaho right alongside of 9 of the House Democrats.

District 24, so called "Republican", Charles Coiner voted against transparency and the nullification of federal health care mandates. By comparison, Coiner was the only "Republican" that voted that way on those two bills, BUT Coiner voted just like 7 Democrats on the Senate. Proving that Coiner is a closet Democrat.

If these representatives would consult their own voting guidelines: The Idaho Republican Platform (see link at bottom of page), they would see that under the Education paragraphs, page 3 and 4 of the Platform, while the word "transparency" is not explicitly stated, the notion is implied:
We believe that successful education is a joint responsibility of the individual, the family, and the community.

We believe in improving the quality of education for every child by maximizing parental choice through expanded support for public charter schools, public virtual charter schools, school choice programs, and accountable public school systems.

The Federal Health Care Mandates, proposed Gun Regulations and perversions to Legal Tender Laws are all deemed unconstitutional, thus all legislators having taken an oath to defend the Constitution are defying that oath (committing treason*) by voting against the nullification.

Whereas the Silver issue is explicitly stated in the Republican Platform: We believe the Federal Reserve Bank should be abolished and the issuing power restored to the people through their representatives in the U.S. Congress with the stipulation that the U.S. dollar be backed by gold and silver.

Congratulations to District 23, Jim Patrick, Stephen Hartgen, District 24 Sharon Block in voting in a Constitutional and Republican way on these four issues!

*Editor's Note: while searching to define the the word "TREASON" online, I found a very appropriate and telling advertisement by our own Congressman, as if to say: "Right next to the word Treason in the Dictionary, you will find a picture of Representative (sic) Mike Simpson."

In Favor of Lee Heider, but Holding Our Breath.

2010-04-23T23:30:00.003-06:00

In speaking with people from all over the state, one of the first questions I get is: "Who do you have running against Charles Coiner?" Of course if you have your eyes open at all in Twin Falls, you'd know that Lee Heider is running for Coiner's District 24 Senate seat.

Those true conservatives who follow Charles Coiner's voting record, know that he has an abominable record. See here: http://idahoconservative.us/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/senatetable2010.htm

Coiner has the lowest "conservative" voting record of ANY Republican in the 2010 Legislature (25% Conservative, with a Career average of 31%). Coiner votes like a Statist, and yet the Twin Falls Republican Central Committee has been mum on his record and there have been no apparent criticism of his voting against the Republican Platform at the monthly meetings.

So, the Restoration would gladly support a true "Conservative" candidate to challenge Coiner's position, to the celebration of many in District 24 and throughout the state.

Current candidate for Twin Falls County Commissioner, Roger Ursenbach had expressed his intention to run against Coiner early on before the filing. Roger had been an outspoken critic of the proposed Twin Falls City smoking ban and his dedication to the local patriot movement, T.E.A.R.S. of the Patriots, made him an ideal candidate who espoused true conservative values, more closely representing Twin Falls County voters.

Enter, Lee Heider. Lee Heider is the current Vice Mayor of Twin Falls City, the key proponent of the previously mentioned Twin Falls City Smoking Ban and the only Republican contender running against Charles Coiner for District 24 Senate (Roger Ursenbach pulled out to run for Twin Falls County Commissioner).

Lee Heider made waves in February by proposing a city-wide smoking ban in all Twin Falls businesses (the remaining 6 or so that still do). In fact Lee was the only council member who voted for that ban.

MOTION:
Councilperson Clow made the motion to adopt Ordinance #2983 as presented. The motion was seconded by Councilperson
Clow. Roll call vote showed Vice Mayor Heider in favor of the request. Councilpersons Clow, Craig, Mayor Hall,
Councilpersons Johnson, Kezele, and Lanting voted against the request. Failed 1 to 6.

There is a happy ending: Property rights and free enterprise values were upheld in Twin Falls, albeit no thanks to Lee. Within a few weeks, Lee makes the front page of the Times News announcing his run for Coiner's Senate seat. Talk about a bad taste in your mouth!

The story continues with many people talking with Lee until he is blue in the face about how smoking bans are not a "conservative" position (see #5 and the allocated rating), do not uphold the Republican Platform in regards to "governing least", the free enterprise plank nor uphold private property rights, and Lee still does not "get it".

But that is all water under the bridge now. Coiner needs to go, and Lee is the only "Republican" that is in the race. Heider claims to be a "conservative" and those in the community who apparently know him, will confirm that Lee is conservative in nature and will be a stark contrast to Coiner.

However, should Lee Heider win the race against Coiner for Senate, we'll need a strong Central Committee to hold him accountable to his votes against the Platform. It would be disastrous to get Lee elected only for him to turn around and cram in a State-wide smoking ban. A strong Committee can prevent that from happening.

You can elect a strong Central Committee by calling 944-3305 and leaving a message. A package will be delivered to your home with information about the leading Republican Candidate in your precinct. With winning the Central Committee and thus a Conservative Restoration for the Twin Falls Republican Party, we will help direct our Representatives on how to vote with the Party Platform (something that is obviously not being done now with the current rank-and-file establishment leaders).

Lee Heider has been very supportive of our other candidates: Chick Heileson, Rusty Satterwhite and Roger Ursenbach. To that, we owe him credit for supporting a strong Constitutional Republican slate, and to that, with a deep breath of air not yet regulated by our local or state government, we support Lee Heider.

Ken Edmonds Can Contact Me Here

2010-04-21T22:16:00.001-06:00

Mr. Ken Edmunds apparently thinks of me having "no credibility" whereas I simply posted his own documents and made my own judgments. A friend fielded a call by him trying to track me down. I don't do calls, thus you won't find me in the phone book, though I'll take any post here, unedited, Mr. Edmunds, anytime. Just post below. Explain yourself away...

Good luck. : )

Elected to Represent? The State Convention Blunder.

2010-04-18T11:57:00.003-06:00

If we are to believe in principles of the Republic, contribute to the Republican party both in time and money, then we (Restore Twin Falls GOP) expect elected Republicans to conduct themselves within the highest and strictest standards of personal conduct in carrying out their duties.

According to the Idaho State Republican Party, the following elected Twin Falls County state delegates did not attend the 2008 State Conference, as they were elected to do:

Mr. and Mrs. John Cameron, Leon Mills, Mr. and Mrs. Rex Williams, Grant Lobes, Taylor Cllenand and Lard Stone.

Some of them claimed (in an quasi-exposé by the Times News) they had last minute events come up, even though none of them paid the advanced registration fee of $50.00. Registration at the door was $75.00.

Common sense will tell you if you were planning to go to the State Convention you would pay in advance. We feel these so called "republicans" have conducted themselves within the lowest and loosest standards of personal conduct and should explain their actions.

Twin Falls County Republican Central Committee elected precinct committeemen to represent County Voters at the state convention. Elected, were 16 Delegates and 16 Alternates and only 9 of the 32 showed up?! A mere 28% turnout! That's despicable!

What stinks even more is that when the County convened to elect these delegates, the room was packed with Ron Paul supporters willing and wanting to attend the Idaho State Convention in Sandpoint and represent true conservatism but they were intentionally shut out by the establishment, power-hungry, committee members. Meanwhile, Ron Paul continues to gain ground as the leading conservative of the party with recent Straw Polls indicating Ron Paul is the preferred Conservative to run for President in 2012).

Prior to the 2008 Primary, a form letter paid by Mel Quale, was mailed and hand delivered widely in many County precincts. The letter falsely stated that 11 of the precinct committee candidates were incumbents, when in fact all 11 persons were all "green horn" candidates attempting to block the election of true conservatives arising from the Ron Paul campaign.

[Editor's Note: If you are new to this blog, you may ask, "Why would the local republicans block out 'true conservatives'?" Well, as this site has pointed out, over and over, and over again, the Republican Central Committee has been overtaken by a liberal agenda to disregard the Party Platform and act as a dead-weight to the state-wide conservative efforts.]

Ask your self, would you allow your name to be placed on this letter, promoting you as a incumbent when you knew you weren't? The fitness and integrity of the following is called into question: David Heidemann, Mike Mathews, Rex Williams, Beverly Hiatt, Beth Bryan, Mary Wright, Neola Weaver, Eileen Banholzer, Jay Fort, George Urie, and John Brody all green horns that filled to run in vacant precinct yet allowed there name’s to be published (in both a Times News ad and a county mailer) as "incumbents".

The people of Twin Falls County should remind them that they are accountable to the people who elect them.

If the Central Committee elected officials (Grant Lobes, Mr. and Mrs. Melody Cameron, Leon Mills, Mr. and Mrs. Rex Williams, Taylor Cllenand and Lard Stone) to attend a function 600 miles away, they better have planned to attend or they should have declined the nomination.

The decision to fill slots with those obviously uncommitted on attending displays a serious lack of integrity and leadership by this committee.

It is a shame that the delegates who were elected didn't plan to attend the convention, purposely prevented the election of those willing to attend, and then only sent a fraction of those elected attended the convention.

This year, a number of committed people are running for Precinct Committee Person. If you are interested in learning who the true conservatives in Twin Falls County are, please call our Candidate Hot-line: (toll free) 944-3305 and press "0" to leave a message with your mailing address and we will contact you soon.

Thank you for supporting efforts to Restore Twin Falls GOP!

Announcing the West-End BBQ: You are invited!

2010-04-18T10:35:00.001-06:00

THE TWIN FALLS COUNTY REPUBLICAN LIBERTY CAUCUS

“The Conscience of the Twin Falls Republican Party”

10th Amendment Rally & BBQ

rlc.org

Friday, May 7th, 2010

5 pm to 8:00 pm

Far Horizons/ 543-5187

1516 East 4500 North

Buhl, Idaho

Just off the Clear Lakes grade going north, look for signs on right side

Meal Theme: Cindo De Mayo

$5.00 single/ $7.00 family

Please bring a Spanish side dish 543-6029

Audit Gate: Twin Falls Republican Central Committee

2010-04-16T16:45:00.004-06:00

We've made previous calls for a full financial audit of the Twin Falls Republican Central Committee.
Because of...
1) Reports that indicate a full audit has not been performed in over 6 years,
2) In the wake of the National Republican Committee's shameful use of funds to sponsor trips to a Hollywood "bondage-themed night club", local leaders of the Twin Falls GOP should come out and show where our contributions are going.
3) and having seen the handy work of current Twin Falls "Republican" Treasurer, Ken Edmonds, a "professional" CPA, one has to wonder...

Campaign Financial Disclosure Form Page 1

Campaign Financial Disclosure Form Page 2

Campaign Financial Disclosure Form Page 3

Campaign Financial Disclosure Form Page 4

Campaign Financial Disclosure Form Page 5

The reporting seems rife with errors and correction attempts, without taking the time to redo the filling, as certainly a "professional" would be inclined to do with a public document.

Ken crosses out this and that, and writes in his new figures. In this form he originally shows a profit of over $200, but on the second go-around, it shows a loss over over $700. In other forms, Ken fails to submit whole sections of the required report, and files the paperwork after the deadline.

1, 2, 3 more reasons to Restore Twin Falls GOP.

Now Live: Republican Candidate Hotline, 944-3305

2010-04-15T23:20:00.003-06:00

It's local.
It's free.
It's about True Conservatives.

The Twin Falls County Real Republican Candidate Hot-line.

Call in today to hear about upcoming events, leave messages for candidates and to hear their message.

Call 944-3305

Candidate Videos from the "BIG BBQ"

2010-04-14T09:04:00.000-06:00

At the recent Twin Falls BIG, Liberty, Patriot-Family BBQ, there were candidates who spoke about why they are running for office. The discussion revolved around personal responsibility, the Constitution and fiscal responsibility/accountability.

This is Chick Heileson for US Congress:

This is Todd Hatfield for Idaho State Controller:

This is Rusty Satterwhite for Idaho State Representative, District 24:

More Evedince of Liberal (Neo-Con) Encroachment in the Republican Committees

2010-04-13T09:54:00.000-06:00

While Idaho's Second Congressional District incumbent in Washington is hanging by a thread due to his disregard for the Constitution and inappropriate use of tax payer's money, which has the Pocatello conservatives mad as can be (rightfully so): http://www.pocatelloteaparty.com/index/shame-on-simpson, more evidence comes out here in Twin Falls that points to the deliberate liberal infiltration within the Twin Falls County Republican Central Committee.

In Democrat candidate, Keith Allred's (for Idaho Governor) announcement we see a familiar name as honorary co-chair--Laird Noh. Laird is a former State Republican Senator and recently wrote to the Spokesman Review explaining why he, a so-called "Republican", is campaigning for a Democrat.

Please understand, while we here at RestoreTwinFallsGOP.com are the first to claim Republicans have not been sticking to their platform, we disagree that endorsing a Democrat who calls for adherence to the Federal Health Care Mandates and then more mandates on top of that, is the appropriate solution.

But rather it is because of the liberal infiltration in the Republican party that has led to the disregard for conservative principles that has people saying, "I didn't leave the Republican Party, they left me". It has been a deliberate sinking of this ship, thus the need for a Restoration, not a new party or an endorsement of another party, Mr Noh.

This again, is why it is important to study representative's policies and not fall in love with their character. Laird may be a fun, friendly, and helpful kind-of guy (or he may not), but taking a look at his supposed credentials as a "Republican" and the policies of Keith Allred one must wonder...has he fallen off his rocker? Other personality cultists will see this endorsement and flop over and vote for Allred, despite an understanding of principles or policies.

Furthermore Larid's wife, Kathleen, has been the Republican Precinct Committee Person for Kimberly 1 for at least the past four years. See document below showing membership since 2008 and this link shows membership since 2006 election: http://twinfallscounty.org/pdf/Clerk/elections/rep%20central%20committee.pdf

While Kathleen Noh is not running this year (Vote Vern Clarkson), her influence in the committee has certainly left it's mark. These neo-conservatives have disregarded the Republican Platform, formed a good ol' boys (and girls) club and will continue to claim the Republican name while having no such understanding or allegiance to Republican/conservative principles of free enterprise, limited government, or state's rights.

Support the Restoration.

Liberty Symposium: Promoting a New Standard of Republicans

2010-04-12T10:59:00.008-06:00

[EDITOR'S NOTE: You will NOT see this announced on the "Calendar of Events" in Saturday's paper of the Times News despite a request to do so Apparently they have a "new policy" where the Times News will no longer feature political events in their calendars, giving more credence to the adage: "The only truth in the newspaper is in the advertisements". We feel this only weakens the citizen's involvement in local politics and is a bad policy.]

Twin Falls Representatives' Score Cards

2010-04-08T12:19:00.008-06:00

Thanks to the Idaho Conservative Scorecard rating, we can see Twin Falls County Representatives', District 23 and 24, "Conservative Rating" on a scale of 0-100%. 100% being most conservative.

The findings for District 23 and 24 House Members are as follows...

Jim Patrick-R (23): 82% (this session), 64% (2009), and 74% (Career)

Steve Hartgen-R (23): 92% (this session), 93% (2009), and 92% (Career)

Leon Smith-R (24): 70% (this session), 58% (2009), and 69% (Career)

Sharon  Block-R (24): 83% (this session),   87% (2009),  and 83% (Career)
The Senate results are still being compiled. 

Congratulations to Idaho Representatives: Dick Harwood, Phil Hart, Judy Boyle, Raul Labrador, Joe Palmer, Clifford Bayer, Jim Marriott, Lenore Barrett for all scoring 100% in the 2010 legislative session.

Steven Hartgen gets the silver star for Twin Falls County, with Sharon Block getting the bronze. Sorry, Gold is reserved for 100%.

Jim Patrick in 2009 was the only Republican not to sign the 10th Amendment Resolution affirming our State's Sovereignty...what a shame. This is why we call Patrick, "Jim-We-Don't-Need-Sovereignty-Patrick". You can see his first year (2009) was an abysmal rating of 64%.

It is said that Sharon Block loves to spend. Thus her lower scores comes from her departure from financial conservatism.

Leon Smith's 2010 rating is higher than his career average. Do we congratulate him with tongue-in-cheek? Nah, state-wide conservatives are calling for replacement of any so-called "Republican" with a score less than 75%. Even by Leon's best rating of 70%, he needs to go.

There are two contenders for Leon Smith's place: Rusty Satterwhite and Mark Goodman.

Our sources have confirmed-through dialog with Mark himself, that Mark Goodman was only encouraged to run because Rusty, an establishment-outsider, had entered the race. So, chances are that the Twin Falls Republicans wouldn't have ran anyone against Smith, despite Leon's record if Satterwhite wouldn't have ran.

This video precisely explains this phenomenon on a national level as well.

"[this phenomenon] makes perfect sense once one realizes that the mainstream Right’s first loyalty is to the Republican establishment and its agenda, not conservative principle, per se."

Furthermore, Mark is an establishment darling who works with a CSI federally-subsidized, wind-energy program and has endorsed ideas to maintain these programs as well as efforts to maintain funding for Planned Parenthood--of which not even the big-spender Sharon Block will support!

[Editor's note: Idaho Republicans are FOR alternative energy, but we do NOT believe that tax payers should pay to subsidize those efforts, and rather the free market should determine the real price of those services, as the Platform reads:
The Idaho Republican Party encourages the broadening and strengthening of Idaho's base of commerce and industry built on agriculture, timber, mining, manufacturing, processing, technology, and energy through private enterprise and free market means.
Funding for Planned Parenthood does violate our Platform: We oppose the use of federal or state tax funds to aid in the destruction of human life. We oppose the use of Idaho taxpayer funds to finance so-called “health” abortions. We do not support abortion based on sex selection, convenience, or as a method of birth control.]

Rusty Satterwhite, entered the scene in 2009 by hosting one of the TEA Party gatherings on the lawn of the Courthouse on April 15th. He traveled to Washington D.C. for the September 12th gathering which was the largest march on Washington ever. Rusty Satterwhite represents the growing frustration of many Republicans who want their representatives to stick to the platform and their conservative values 100% of the time.

We've pointed out over and over and over again in this blog (see previous posts) that the Twin Falls Republicans are NOT adhering to their party Platform, their own bi-laws nor the US Constitution.

Idaho's Republican House Representatives career average is 79% (last year's rating was 75%). This is excluding Senate Scores which, given Charles Coiner's career 33% Conservative record, we can bet he will drive the County average lower when those results are released.

Do you want C or even F-rated Republican Representatives hand picked by the establishment or do you want A-Rated Republicans who stand for conservative values and are not afraid to talk policy? The choice, primary-voters, is up to you!

Support Restoration-A+, 100%-Conservative-Candidates.

The BIG Liberty Patriot Family BBQ

2010-04-06T22:20:00.001-06:00

Ha! If you've read the previous posts about how the establishment republicans of Twin Falls County are more concerned about the next picnic than debating policy and forming directives for their elected representatives (sic), then you might find it a bit ironic that the Republican Liberty Caucus or the Restoration efforts of Twin Falls County are holding their own picnic and of course encouraging every patriot to attend.

We'll, I've spoken to these folks and they assured me that there some major differences between the "establishment picnics" and their "BIG BBQ".

By the way, this Liberty BBQ or "Patriot Family BBQ" as it's being called will be this Friday, April 9th from 5-8pm at the private residence of Greg Nemitz: 3073 Vickie Lane, Twin Falls.

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It is being promoted as a fund-raiser, as the tickets are $7 a person or just $10 a family. Greg is also the owner of www.beefjerky.com, so he'll be preparing the meat, just as he's known for all over the world--you won't want to miss it.

Anyway the folks running this BIG BBQ are touting it as a come and meet candidates and enjoy good food, with intelligent people who love liberty...now what more could you ask for?!

One significant difference between the Establishment and the Restoration is that the Restoration will provide the candidates at these meetings for you to meet and get to know in an interactive setting. The Establishment, hand you the fliers and yard signs and say "go to work", and criticize you for not supporting their neo-conservatives like Mike Simpson, Brad Little or even the liberal delegation like Charles Coiner, Leon Smith and others.

No, this is all about providing the information, the candidates and providing choice. Furthermore the candidates invited have all been asked to attend because of their stated principles and platform (conservative and constitutional), not because they have donated to us or line our pockets. I like that!

Also, the organizers are touting this event as a working event. Interviews with these candidates will be conducted and posted here on www.RestoreTwinFallsGOP.com as well as YouTube.

Policy will be discussed as the Idaho Initiatives will be available to sign for ballot measures, Sovereign Idaho updates on their efforts and talk about the upcoming TEA Party on April 15th.

I understand that much more work will be conducted and much of the campaign will be laid out for volunteers to sign up, and people to donate towards the Restoration efforts.

So, if you like "good food, with intelligent people who love liberty", come on down to the BIG Liberty Patriot Family BBQ, this Friday evening from 5-8pm.

The weather looks to be favorable. You'll need to brings some friends, family and a lawn chair.

Oh, and give Greg a call to let him know how many will be coming in your group, as cooking up all that meat will take some preparation...thanks!

Call to Greg to RSVP: 316-1802

The Case for Sound Money

2010-04-05T12:15:00.005-06:00

In 2008, at the Idaho Republican Convention in Sandpoint, delegates voted to adopt new language for the Idaho Republican Party Platform. That new language reads:

Sound Currency:  We recognize the failure of the Federal Reserve System to maintain a sound U.S. dollar and the dangers of private bankers controlling the issuance of our currency.  We believe the Federal Reserve Bank should be abolished and the issuing power restored to the people through their representatives in the U.S. Congress with the stipulation that the U.S. dollar be backed by gold and silver.

This wording flustered the neo-conservative Twin Falls Republicans (see previous post about "neo-conservatives"). While I've discussed this issue with many so-called "republicans" some reject this idea of going back to a gold/silver standard without having educated themselves on the issue since the passage of the new wording.

This education has not taken place by the Twin Falls Republicans because, well, if you have been following this blog at all we've pointed out that the committee is full of neo-conservatives, liberals and many who "don't talk about policy" and would rather focus on the next picnic. This is sad. Thus the need for a Restoration!

Our adopted mascot, Phil Hart (Idaho House of Representatives, District 3) introduced a Sound Currency Bill to the House floor (and passed) per the direction from the Idaho Republican Convention, though this bill died in the Senate Affairs Committee. As it is said, the "House sends great bills to the Senate to die".

Twin Falls Republican Chairwoman, Gretchen Clelland, commented while at the State Committee on the need for sound money (or lack of) by saying, "the economy was just fine...and a gold standard would just make the situation worst"...and concluded that "my idea of a gold standard is a gold necklace around my neck".

So, apparently there is a disconnect between the Twin Falls Republicans and the rest of Idaho Republicans. Though this is no secret if you talk to others around the state, as you might hear: What are you all doing there in Twin Falls anyway? Alluding to our candidates liberal voting records.

Perhaps if the Twin Falls delegation would send more than a quarter of their representatives to the State Convention we would have a more informed party and they would thus share this information with the rest of the voting electorate (see previous post about elected delegates not attending the Convention).

One interesting piece of education published in the Times News hit the nail on the head in regards to sound currency: http://www.magicvalley.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_30738e0d-cde5-5533-a83e-9eb097286d46.html

The author, Jeremy SasserCollins, publicly supported the Republican Platform change, even after he lost his election bit to Laird Stone (see previous post about Laird's Obama yard sign). The only apparent support for this platform change came from outside the party establishment. Since then the Twin Falls Republicans have been mum on the issue or even railed against an asset-based currency.

[Editor's Note: Jeremy is running for Precinct Committeeman again in Twin Falls 8 and supports the Restoration]

So, where is the education on this subject? Or do we continue to go around blindly supporting the "funny money" Federal Reserve Notes as their value withers away in our wallets?

Allow us to provide three pieces of education on this issue...

1) the article link above written by Jeremy S. Collins.

2) the Tea-Party address by Phil Hart (below)

3) a lecture by John McManus called "Dollars and Sense" (about 40 minutes long)

Phil Hart's video:

John McManus' video:

Support Ideals of the Republic, Support Education of Those Ideas and Support the Restoration!

Twin Falls Republicans Voted Against Fiscal Transparency

2010-04-04T08:45:00.004-06:00

We have a new link on the sidebar: "We Heart Phil Hart". Mr Hart is a House Representative from Idaho's own District 3, who we feel most closely aligns with our vison of a Twin Falls Republican Restoration. If we could clone Phil Hart and elect him as our own--we would!

Hart has done it again! But without the help of the Twin Falls, so-called "republican", delegation.

Hart introduced House Bill H0699, which "adds to existing law to provide for school districts and other education providers to create an Internet based website with searchable expenditure and revenues". H0699 essentially makes the largest part of Idaho's budget (education) transparent and accountable to the tax payers of the great state of Idaho.

This bill has passed the House and the more liberal Senate and is now onto the governor to sign. No thanks to three Twin Falls Republicans though: House member Leon Smith (24) sided with 10 Democrats and voted against this measure. Senate members Charles Coiner and Bert Brackett BOTH voted against this measure. Steven Hartgen and Sharon Block voted with Phil Hart on this measure (Jim We-Don't-Need-Sovereignty-Patrick was absent for the vote).

Click here to see the Nays: http://legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2010/H0699.htm

The Idaho Republican Platform states:

We believe government must practice fiscal responsibility, and that taxpayers shall allow the government only the money necessary to provide appropriate functions.

By making Idaho's budget (or at least the largest segment of the budget) transparent, and accountable, then we can aim to succeed at our Republican goals of fiscal responsibility. Phil Hart concluded the amount of work his bill would require of school officials is only about 1 hr a month; well worth the end result...

as our Platform also states:

We believe that successful education is a joint responsibility of the individual, the family, and the community. As with government in general, we believe the most effective, responsible and responsive educational system is that system closest to the people. 

Having open books will help the community members to assess the expenditures of our school system, for better or for worst.  This video describes why...

Support the Restoration!

A Comic Strip For April Fools...No, not that kind of "strip" Mr Steele!

2010-04-01T12:34:00.000-06:00

Thank you to Magic Valley's own Nora Golay for the Contribution

Proof Chick is Going to Win

2010-03-31T22:55:00.010-06:00

This milestone "has never been reached against this incumbent"!

Click Here to Donate: https://www.votechick.com/home.html