The Western Thumb TEA Party Group welcomes you!

Click on the folders to the left to navigate the different pages.
Main: The main website page
Activities and Events:  Local meeting and gatherings that you could attend and get involved
Photos:  Pictures of our events
Documents and Articles: Information on how our country is being run that may be of interest or affect you
Contact Us: Information about us and ways to contact us.
Press Releases:  Press Releases we have sent out

Here is a time line put together by the Michigan GOP about when parts of the health care reform bill take effect.

Timeline of Major Provisions in the Democrats' Health Care Package.

Dave Camp (R - 4th District MI) has also written an article about what he sees as major tax issues with the bill.
The Democrats' Health Bill Does What?!!?! Eleven Alarming Tax Issues

Obama Points a Finger at GOP

With the tragic oil spill in the gulf, Obama passes the blame to the GOP.  Additionally, he is using it as a reason to push more green energy with the cap-and-trade bill.

Obama urges swift passage of financial reform

Obama scolds Wall St for resisting reform

Obama is pushing new regulations for banks, and wants to do it quickly.

Arizona governor signs immigration law; foes promise fight

The Arizona governor signed S.B. 1070, a tough new immigration law requiring law enforcement to enforce federal immigration law to the fullest extent possible by law.

It has gotten nationwide attention, including negative comments from Obama.

90 Seconds to Gov't Run Healthcare

This video explains the process being used to pass government run healthcare.  Does it make you feel confident?

Dems May Try To 'Deem' Health Care Plan

Rather than have the House vote on the Senate's Health care plan, the House may pass a rule that says that have already 'deemed' the Senate health care plan to have been passed.  What is happening in Congress?

I just received this letter in the mail from Kildee.  I believe it is in response to an email I sent earlier in the week.

Thank you for contacting me to express your views on national healthcare reform.  I appreciate you taking the time to contact me.

I wanted to let you know that I have seen your letter and will take your specific views into consideration as Congress continues to debate this important legislation.  While the House and Senate passed two versions of the healthcare bill late last year, there remain many significant differences that need to be worked out before we can vote on a final bill.

President Obama recently held a bipartisan healthcare summit with leaders from the House and Senate to continue the dialogue over healthcare reform.  The bipartisan summit gave opponents and proponents of healthcare reform in the House and Senate an opportunity to present their argument and debate the issues.

As you may know, Republicans and Democrats actually agree on about 80 percent of the provisions that were included in the healthcare reform bills that passed both the House and Senate.  My hope is that we can work together to resolve and reach agreement on the remaining 20 percent and pass a bipartisan bill that provides meaningful healthcare reform.

Once again, I appreciate hearing from you.  Please be assured that I will keep your concerns in mind as the House and Senate work to reach agreement on a final bill.  If I may be of assistance to you in the future, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,
Dale E. Kildee, M.C.

This Tuesday, March 16th - a day of direct action

The TEA Party Patriots group is asking people be get involved on March 16th.  Democrats are trying to push through the health care bill.  So the TEA group is asking people to come to Washington DC at 9am to meet with your congressmen.  If you can't make it there, then do some local action, like meeting at your representative's local office to make your voice heard.

Some articles about Kildee's position on the current health care bill discussion:

Kildee Breaks From Stupak Over Senate Abortion Language

Breaking Exclusive: Rep. Dale Kildee *not* a vote for pro-abortion Senate language

Just where is Rep. Dale Kildee, D-Mich., on the health care bill?

Kildee likes to call himself a pro-life democrat, and with the current bill being discussed, it may provide for government abortion funding.  Some pressure is being put on him; here are numbers that can be used to contact his offices.

    –> Flint Office // Phone: (810) 239-1437 // Fax: (810) 239-1439
    –> Saginaw Office // Phone: (989) 755-8904 // Fax: (989) 755-8908
    –> Bay City Office // Phone: (989) 891-0990 // Fax: (989) 891-0994
    –> DC Office // Phone: (202) 225-3611 // Fax: (202) 225-6393

Obama Demands 'Up-or-Down' Vote on Healthcare

Not content to let the issue die after Brown's Massachusetts win, now Obama is pushing the Democrats to use Reconciliation to make the health care bill law.  This would limit the debate and allow the Democrats to pass the bill with 50 votes rather than the 60 votes needed to override a Republican filibuster.

Deal Reached to End Senator's Holdout

Sen. Jim Bunning attempted to hold Congress to hold to its "Pay as you Go" rule but under pressure to continue giving benefits to those unemployed, agreed to submit an amendment, which was defeated by a procedural vote.

How long will the "poor people" argument be used to justify more spending?  Will it stop before the country goes bankrupt?

Planetary Skin Institute - Global Surveillance Infrastructure

Are NASA and CISCO working together to put our lives under a microscope in the name of Climate Change?

UPDATE 1-U.S. Senate could pass a jobs bill this week

From the article:
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he planned to bring up the $15 billion package of tax cuts and highway spending for a vote by early Wednesday... Reid said he was preparing a second jobs bill that would include a 30-day extension of soon-to-expire unemployment benefits and healthcare subsidies for the jobless.

Panel on Obama Unveiling His Own Health Care Plan

Obama proposes his own plan, which is similar to the Senate bill, a White House "bipartisan" meeting this Thursday, with rumors of using reconciliation to bypass a filibuster in the Senate.  The Democrat's push for Health care "Reform" has returned.

'My heart, my choice,' Williams says

To get quality and quick service, Williams chooses a surgeon in Florida, rather than wait in Canada.

The Western Thumb TEA Party Group thanks Jim Keena for his presentation on ACORN.  Jim mentioned a number of areas where ACORN has been undermining our system of government.  ACORN's pledge is "We will continue our fight until the American way is just one way, until we have shared the wealth."  Some of ACORN's activities include overwhelming the welfare system, including pushing New York City into near bankruptcy in 1975.  ACORN signed up 7 million people in sub-prime mortgages, leading to the collapse of the housing market and banking system.  They are involved in fradulent voting registration drives, leading to situations like in Detroit, where there are approximately 600,000 people over 18 eligible to vote, but 630,000 registered voters.  ACORN gets approximately 40% of its funding from the federal government.

Keena also mentioned some of Obama's connections to ACORN, which include registering 150,000 African Americans in Chicago in 1991, a trainer for ACORN from 1993 to 2003, and a lawyer for ACORN, advising on Motor-Voter Laws, forced expansion of the CRA and redlining lawsuits against Citibank.  He also signed the stimulus bill which gave the organization $750 millions in funds and elgible for $4 billion of HUD's Community Development Block Grant Program.

Jim Keena currently has put the chapter Meet ACORN for his upcoming book online, and you can view his powerpoint presentation on ACORN here.

Sarah Palin Keynote Speech at the National Tea Party Convention

Videos of the Sarah Palin speech February 6, 2010.

Granholm, groups prepare for State of State speech

Granholm's last State of the State Speech is tonight.  Some groups including TEA Party groups are also going to Lansing to protest the way the State has been run.

Transcript of Obama's 2010 State of the Union Speech

Republican Response

Is Obama listening to the people, or is he going to stay the course?  Read for yourself!

The IRS's Gun: Not Just a Metaphor but a Remington 870 Shotgun

The IRS is loading up on guns?  Is this related to using the IRS to enforce the Obama administration's policies?

Joe the Plumber at the TEA Party Express in Brighton

It's been a while, but Joe the Plumber spoke in Brighton in September and he had an important message to say.

Obama proposes new limits on big bank risky trading

Obama wants new limits for banks, do we want what he is proposing?

"The proposal aims to deter commercial banks from becoming so large that they put the broader economy at risk and distort normal competitive forces. It also could require some big banks to divest hedge funds, private equity investments and proprietary trading investment banking units so they can continue to operate as commercial banks."

Supreme Court Reverses Limits on Campaign Spending

The Supreme Court ruled that restricting corporations from funding political messages during elections violates the First Amendment, declaring part of McCain-Feingold unconstitutional.

Brown wins Mass. Senate race in epic upset

A significant race because it gives the Republicans the 41 votes it needs to hold a filibuster, Brown, a Republican, wins the special election in Massachusetts for the seat vacated by Kennedy's death.

The U.S. Isn’t as Free as It Used to Be

The United States is losing ground to its major competitors in the global marketplace, according to the 2010 Index of Economic Freedom released today by the Heritage Foundation and The Wall Street Journal.

C-SPAN Calls for More Transparent Health Care Talks

Since the House and Senate passing different versions of "Health Care Reform" bills, they have to be resolved in one bill and will be sent to conference.  However, democrats appear to want the negotiate the changes behind closed doors.  C-Span reminds Obama of his claim for transparency and wants the debate televised.

The Climate Change Hoax

Congress May Probe Leaked Global Warming E-Mails

The climate change hoax was exposed.  Prominent scientists' emails were leaked, exposing the scientists uncertainty about global warming and the methods used to cover it up.

Navy SEALs Face Assault Charges for Capturing Most-Wanted Terrorist

Three SEALS are facing assault charges. The terrorist Ahmed Hashim Abed, probably planner the 2004 Fallujah ambush, accused them of giving him a bloody lip.

The Western Thumb TEA Party Group would like to thank Harald Zieger for his story at the Vassar Library.  One hundred and five people were on hand to hear his story about growing up under the Communist regime in East Germany under the Cold War, his disillusionment with communism, the impact of his Christian faith, and his escape.  He also talked about his appreciation of the freedom to make choices that exists in this country and his concern with the direction the country is headed.

Accused 9/11 Mastermind to Face Civilian Trial in N.Y.

Several terrorists, including Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the self-described mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks, are going to be tried on US soil in a civilian court.

Trying terrorists in federal court: a man-caused disaster

An opinion piece on some possible problems with the decision to try them in federal court.

Michigan State Police gives Mackinac Center a $7 million bill for a request to see spending documents

So, to find out where federal homeland security grants were spent, it will cost $7 million dollars?  Does this sound like freedom of information?

House Dems in final push on health care

It seems the democrats are still trying to push the government takeover of health care through.  We need to keep up the pressure!

GOP solutions for America - Health Care

A link to some of the GOP proposed solutions to health care.

Sign the Petition

I oppose the Democratic Leadership’s health care bill that will result in massive spending, new taxes and higher insurance premiums. Real reform would lower costs without increasing government control of health care.

Romer: Stimulus Will Contribute "Little To Growth" In 2010

Remember how the stimulus was going to save or create 3 million jobs?  Romer says that we've already gone through the time when we were supposed to get the most benefit from the stimulus plan.  Where is the stimulus?

Stop GITMO North Online Petition

There is concern that the Guantanamo Bay will be relocated to Standish, MI.  If you're concerned, sign the petition.  Read the following articles to be informed.

Michigan town lobbies for Gitmo transfers

Michigan town's resolve to take Guantánamo detainees wavers

Though it got a little chilly, we had a good time protesting media coverage at the TV-5 building in Saginaw.  It was great to meet others with the same concern.  Check out the pictures from the event.  Stacey got a video clip as well.  There were over 100 people in attendance.  TV-5 news reported on the event, and showed some video footage on the news, but hasn't uploaded it to its web site; just a short article with a photo not from the event.  A number of cars driving by honked their horns in support.  Thanks to all of you who attended the event!

A message to all members of Citizens in Action

Visit the link below and see what obama's camp has planned to promote his healthcare reform! WE MUST COUNTER-ATTACK!

They are striving to set a call for the most calls to Congress in one day--in support of Healthcare Reform! Their goal is 100,000 calls.

We can do better than that! We need to make sure the phone lines are tied up with calls in opposition!

So MAN THE PHONES! ALL DAY AND EVENING on TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20! Call your representatives--then call other representatives! JUST BE SURE YOU CALL!

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/oct20hostattend/

Anita Dunn How We control news media!

A video of Anita Dunn, the White House Communications Director, explaining how the media was controlled.

Different Presidents, A Different Corps

A video of Bush and Obama meeting with the troops.

California appears poised to be first to ban power-guzzling big-screen TVs

It appears the state government sees it role as banning TVs they believe use too much energy?  But it's for our good, to save us money?

Obama Peace Prize win has some Americans asking why?

What exactly has Obama done to win the Peace Prize?  Call America an arrogant country?  Negotiate with dictators?  Take over industries?

Ethics committee expands Rangel investigation

A quote:
Republicans have forced House votes three times, the latest this week, on removing Rangel from his tax-writing position. While Democrats easily defeated each attempt, the issue has allowed Republicans to ridicule Pelosi's refrain that Democrats would drain the swamp of ethical misconduct that previously plagued Republicans.

What is going on in our government?

Send Congress a pink slip!

Would you like to send a pink slip to everyone in Congress?  Now's your chance.

The Nine Stages Of Civilization / We're In The Seventh ~ Apathy


The average age of the world's greatest civilizations has been two hundred years. These nations have progressed through a nine stage sequence: From bondage to spiritual faith; from spiritual faith to great courage; from courage to liberty; from liberty to abundance; from abundance to selfishness; from selfishness to complacency; from complacence to apathy; from apathy to dependence; from dependency back again into bondage. ( Attributed to Alexander Tytler )

Allan L Roland believes we are in the apathy state, with just dependence and bondage remaining.  Something to think about, anyway.

Obama Recruits National Endowment for the Arts

Excerpt:

The Obama Administration is recruiting again with the hope of finding someone to help promote his unpopular agenda. This time, the administration’s target is the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). This federally funded agency helped coordinate a conference call on August 10 which was hosted by several different agencies including NEA, the White House’s Office of Public Engagement, and United we Serve. This conference call served one purpose: to promote Obama’s agenda through national public figures in the arts.

Obama Draws Charges of Confusing Friend and Foe

The Obama administration has announced plans of canceling the missile defense shield in Poland.

More U.S. troops to Afghanistan? Obama's caught in a vise

Is Obama willing to send more troops to Afghanistan?  What is his strategy?


Does this news make you feel safer?

Federal Government Launches Investigation Into Health Insurance Company Mailer

The Health and Human Services Department is investigating an insurance company, Humana, because it sent out a flier claiming the health reform bill could affect insurees' coverage.

U.S. scraps missile defense shield plans

The Obama administration has decided to end plans of a missile defense shield in eastern Europe, upsetting Poland and pleasing Russia.

Bill Would End U.S. Subsidy For Lenders of College Aid

September 17, 2009 – H.R. 3221, Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act

This bill, passed by the house, affects how student loans will be distributed.

Obama-linked Acorn in major US scandal

The group ACORN, which was in line for billions of government dollars, and was in line to help with the census, has been exposed as corrupt.

Obama did not order Van Jones' resignation, adviser says

Also, the Green jobs czar, Van Jones has resigned amidst the controversy caused by a number of his statements, including that he was a communist. 

Here's some quotes of those some well known people.

“You know about the Taliban? Over here, we call them ‘healthcare protesters.’” - David Letterman

"I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that he's African-American," - Jimmy Carter

"I have concerns about some of the language that is being used because I saw this, myself, in the late '70s in San Francisco. This kind of rhetoric was very frightening, and it created a climate in which violence took place.

So I wish that we would all, again, curb our enthusiasm in some of the statements that are made, so that understanding that some of the people -- the ears that it is falling on are not as balanced as the person making the statement might assume.

But, again, our country is great because people can say what they think and they believe. But I also think that they have to take responsibility for any incitement that they may cause." - Nancy Pelosi 

So, TEA Party protesters are like the Taliban, are racist, and are to blame for any incitement.  Pretty nasty namecalling?

We're very pleased; we've been mentioned in several news articles!

Wake Up America Festival Planned in the Tuscola County Advertiser.

Western Thumb Tea Party has cap and trade session, freedom fest this week in the Saginaw News

Patriot group plans rally at Tuscola County Courthouse by the Bay City Times

Energy Bill draws a different kind of meeting, a couple of news stories shown on Channel 12.

There was also a news report on Channel 5

We also got a link from the TEA Party Express blog for our photos from the Brighton event!

We thank the news articles for their reports, and Onna for her tireless work at publicity.  We're getting the message out!

A couple of videos remembering the events of 9-11.

When the World Stopped Turning: A 9/11 tribute

WTC - 9/11: 911 5th Anniversary Memorial Music Video 9-11-01