If you’re interested in making your feelings known or asking questions about health care or other issues currently before congress, there are over almost 100 Town Hall meetings scheduled for August and the early part of September all over the country. We want to encourage RLC members to attend and go prepared to hold our legislators responsible for the uncontrolled spending and infringements of liberty which have become the hallmark of congress and the current administration.

Work with your local RLC chapter to get groups organized to attend these events. We’ll provide as much advice and support as we can. And we’d love to have written reports to post here on the RLC site and videos of the events so we can learn from each other how best to take advantage of the opportunity which these Town Halls offer.

To find the event nearest you, download this PDF schedule.

The Republican Liberty Caucus (and its California affiliate) has endorsed Gary Clift for Congress.

Due to incumbent Ellen Tauscher’s resignation as California’s 10th Congressional District Representative, an open primary election will be held on September 1. Mrs. Tauscher was appointed Undersecretary of State for arms control.

According to a press release from the California RLC, “Of the 11 candidates running for the 10th Congressional District, Gary Clift is the right choice for Congress … he stands for individual rights, free enterprise, and limited government.”

Says Mr. Clift,”The financial future of our country is at risk if the federal government follows California’s lead. The federal government has grown too big and expenditures greatly exceed tax revenues. This cannot continue. We need to reduce federal government by cutting the waste and mismanagement. One of my first actions in Congress will be to cosponsor HR 1207, which aims to audit the Federal Reserve and make government transparent with our tax dollars.”

The Clift campaign has requested volunteers for phone banking. Phone bank volunteers do not need to live in California’s 10th Congressional district.

“If we Liberty and Constitutional Republicans truly want to restore our Constitutional Republic, we must stand up and support candidates who will take our cause to the halls of Congress. Gary Clift is just that man. Support your freedoms by supporting Gary Clift,” said Matthew Heath, Chair of the California RLC affiliate.

California Congressional District 10 includes Fairfield (Solano County) in the north, Livermore in the south, ad Walnut Creek on the east. It stretches as far west as the San Pablo Bay and as far northeast as route 5 nearing Sacramento.

___________________________________________________________________

GARY CLIFT PROFILE

AGE: 53
PARTY: Republican
HOMETOWN: Vacaville (home is in a rural area north of town in a small finger of the 10th District.)

EDUCATION: Bachelor of arts in political science and Spanish, University of California at Davis, 1980

BACKGROUND: Grows a variety of organic crops for family and friends. Retired 26-year manager and peace officer with the California Department of Corrections. Lived in numerous countries including Cuba, Ecuador and Iraq as the son of a foreign service officer with the U.S. State Department. Married, father of two children in college.

ISSUES

Health Care:

Wants more transparent discussion of benefits and drawbacks of proposals under discussion, particularly effects on people who like their existing insurance. Believes the federal government cannot manage Health Care: insurance well and it could reduce quality and innovation.

Immigration

As a practical matter, supports a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants in the country. Supports strict enforcement of existing Immigration laws.

Federal stimulus package

Says it’s too soon to say if it will work, although he would have voted against it. Says business tax cuts are the best way to stimulate the economy.

National Security

Wants all U.S. troops out of Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries as soon as practical. Says military occupation foments enemies and does not promote democracy. Supports repeal of the Patriot Act, which gives the government latitude to spy on telecommunications, e-mails and phone calls.

Energy Policy

Supports allowing states to fully develop all sources of domestic energy, including oil drilling and nuclear plants.

Transportation

Wants California congressional delegation to use its clout to end the state’s export of tax dollars to other states and to use the money for local needs.

Gay Rights

Says voters should decide whether same-sex couples should be allowed to marry. Says the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” military policy is within the authority of President Barack Obama, who has said he will abolish it.

Education

Would abolish the U.S. Department of Education, return its money and education control to states.

(An open letter from the Chairman of the RLC to liberty activists attending health care Town Hall events this month)

I’ve been studying videos of the Townhall protests which have taken place so far, have talked to participants and have been tracking the media coverage and the spin which the left is trying to put on the protests. As a result I have some suggestions for Republican Liberty Caucus activists who attend these events which I hope you will also share with others who go with you.

The line of attack against the protests is to try to discredit them as “AstroTurf” events sponsored by healthcare lobbyists and organized by national issue advocacy groups like FreedomWorks. They’re also calling grassroots activists “mobs” and “rioters” who are trying to silence debate by intimidation. They’re even suggesting that protesters are being bussed in from other areas in completely staged events. Because it’s what they know and what they have done themselves, they’re assuming that our authentic grassroots protests are as bogus and contrived as the paid picketers sent out by the unions and the fraudulent protest rallies by paid ACORN stooges. At least they think they can make that accusation stick.

There’s almost a month of further opportunities ahead of us as legislators go to their home districts and meet with constituents. Before the left can seize control of the debate and totally distort public perception of our legitimate protests and very real concerns, we need to take some steps to make that more difficult for them and to counter their talking points. So when you go to a townhall meeting — and I hope every one of you will attend one or more — keep these five suggestions in mind.

1. Go to expose the truth, not just to protest. There’s a lot more potential to advance our issues if you get to talk and ask questions and give legislators a chance to hang themselves with their answers. Ask them questions and let them know what you want, what you’re worried about and that you will hold them accountable. Just waving signs and shouting slogans will let them paint you as bullies. Some townhall meetings have already been cancelled because of protests, so you have to appear non-threatening. Be nice, but don’t let them get away with anything. Challenge their talking points and spin with the facts. Keep calm and demand answers.

2. Go with questions in mind. Have several thought out in advance so that if someone else asks one you wanted to ask you have a back-up ready. Read the Health Care bill (HR3200 on opencongress.org) and find something in it which bothers you. Preface your question by telling them that you’ve read the bill or most of the bill. Be honest about it and ask them about specifics. Ask them how they plan to pay for the massive cost of the “public option” without raising the deficit as Obama has promised. Will it mean raising taxes? Ask them if you’ll be able to stay with your current doctor or change from one private plan to another under Obamacare. Ask them how they expect private insurers to compete with a tax-subsidized government “public option.” Ask them if they’re going to enroll themselves and their faimily in the new system. Ask about the penalties for small businesses and individuals which want to opt out of the system.

3. Don’t limit your questions to healthcare. Once you have the floor you can’t be brushed off before you can get a question off, so ask about other issues which concern you. Ask about the new Food Safety act (HR2749) and whether it’s a good idea to put control of our food supply under the FDA. Ask them if they are going to support the Federal Reserve Transparency Act (HR1207). Ask them whether they think the “Cash for Clunkers” program (HR2751) is a good idea considering it encourages so many Americans to take on more debt. Ask them if they support the National Right to Carry Reciprocity Act (HR197) and the Citizens Self Defense Act (HR17) which protect the rights of gun owners. Ask them if they support the Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act (HR2835). Ask about the cost of “Cap and Trade” (HR2454) and how much it will cost taxpayers and small businesses. Ask if they think that creating special classes of privileged citizens under the Hate Crimes Bill (HR1913) is a good idea. There are lots of good issues to raise and you can find all the bills on opencongress.org. Just make sure you know the issue you’re asking about and don’t let them get away with brushing off your question. If all else fails, just ask them if they’ve actually read the Health Care bill or if they read all the bills they vote on. That seems to throw all of them for a loop.

4. Don’t just hold Democrats accountable. If there are Republican Congressmen or Senators in your area who are holding Town Hall meetings don’t give them a break. Attend their events and ask them the same questions you would ask the Democrats and ask them clearly if they are going to support or oppose Obamacare. Ask them about other issues as well. Let them know that you don’t want them caving in to the Democrats on these issues and that you support them if they remain true to Republican principles of fiscal responsibility and individual liberty.

5. It’s a small technical point, but vitally important. When you are called on, state your name and where you are from very clearly. This will allow the media to follow up with you afterward if they want more information and it will make very clear that you are from the congressman’s district or at least his state and have a legitimate reason to be there. Don’t let the media portray you as a shill or an outside agitator. Stand up, be counted and be clearly identified.

Remember to have confidence and not to be be intimidated. These are your representatives. You pay their salary and they should be responsive to your concerns. Be knowledgeable, be polite, make your points and ask your questions clearly and then let them respond. Ask a followup if you can. Their response is likely to do them more harm than anything you say if you can expose them as ill-prepared, ignorant or dismissive. Be informed. Be outspoken. Let them know you hold them accountable.

In Liberty,

Dave Nalle

National Chairman,

Republican Liberty Caucus

Some things about the New Radicalism are very positive. A lot of people are waking up and trying to take responsibility for their own future before that option is taken away. More people becoming politically aware and politically active can only be good for the country.

One way this is being manifested is in the vociferous protests at the town hall meetings which many of our legislators are holding in their home districts during the August recess. People are coming to these events in large numbers; they are asking questions and expressing informed opinions and when the representatives seem shocked or unresponsive their constituents make very clear that they are not at all satisfied.

It's the video age, so we have video from a lot of these events, and with the recess only barely started, I suspect we will see a lot more in the near future. But for now, these clips may give some idea of the questions which are being asked and how genuine the concern which motivates these citizens is. These are not paid protesters bussed in by ACORN or hardcore partisans working for a political group, these are average citizens who have had enough and are demanding more responsive and more responsible government. They are Republicans, Libertarians, independents and even Democrats who had enough big government, big spending and big brother under Bush and don't want 8 more years of the same.

One of the first town hall meetings where large numbers of angry constituents made their voices heard was in Setauket, New York earlier in the summer. Moderate Democrat Congressman Tim Bishop (D-NY) was clearly not prepared to be asked intelligent and specific questions about pending legislation, he barely managed to mumble out responses while looking like a deer in the headlights. The audio on this clip is not great, but the sentiments and outrage come through loud and clear. Pay particular attention to the veteran who caught Bishop out on his fatuous statements about Veterans Administration health care.

One of the best bits of video comes from a townhall held in Downington, Pennsylvania with Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius in attendance. This clip gives a very good feel for how out of touch and arrogant these politicians are and has an interesting focus on the issue of why so many legislators dismally fail in their responsibility to the people by not reading so many of the bills which the vote on. The reaction when Specter admits to not reading major legislation sums up the frustration and disgust of a lot of citizens.

Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) was savvy enough (or arrogant enough) not to show up personally at her recent town hall meeting in St. Louis, but she sent members of her staff, who were faced with some excellent questions and a particularly eloquent statement from a young veteran displeased with McCaskill's lack of regard for her oath to uphold and defend the Constitution. As far as I know, he has yet to be identified, but the video is getting wide play and there's buzz about what a good candidate he would make to challenge McCaskill when she's up for reelection. McCaskill is particularly important as one of President Obama's leading supporters in the Senate and someone who has advocated a variety of socialist positions as well as being associated with some of the government's more questionable anti-liberty positions as a member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security.

I have to give Representative Keith Ellison (D-MN) some credit for seeming genuinely interested in hearing the opinions of his constituents; they were a particularly concerned and informed group when he met with them at a town hall in Minneapolis a few days ago. The problem is that he didn't actually answer any of their questions, despite making a good show of listening. Ellison is about as far to the left as they come and a strong supporter of the administration, but as a first-term Congressman he may turn out to be more responsive to his constituents than others who are more set in their ways.

And the last, but not least, features Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) from an appearance this past weekend in South Austin. Doggett had apparently arranged to have the event attended by picked supporters, but word got out and it was flooded with angry citizens. By all accounts Doggett attempted to answer questions at first, but when the questions became too pointed and critical of his role as one of the farthest left members of Congress, he decided he should just leave as quickly as possible, at which point the previously civil crowd became more hostile and much more vocal. Since then Doggett has made statements to the effect that he plans to vote without regard to the desires of people in his district and on the basis of what he considers right. Not a surprise to those he has misrepresented for years.

I like the idea of town hall meetings, they give people a chance to talk directly to their representatives. The problem is that things don't go well when the representatives clearly aren't really interested in what the people have to say. I hope there will be more of these events and more protests as the month goes on, but I'd bet that right now a lot of these legislators who don't like the idea of having their assumptions challenged are having second thoughts and are likely to cancel future appearances.

For too long the American people have been apathetic and could barely be persuaded to vote. It looks like that is finally changing. It's not representative government if your representatives are not listening to you and actively promoting your interests. Challenging elected officials and members of the administration and holding them accountable is the way to break their complacency and make them work for you. Be informed. Be outspoken. Let no voice of the state go unchallenged.

The Democrats have this impoverishment plan:

1. Teach children that production of wealth is immoral while taxation is moral.

2. Tax output of productive Americans and redistribute it to the wealthy–George Soros, Long Term Capital Management, Bear Stearns, the Washington nomenclature, university professors and Keynesian economists.

3. Tell the poor that you are acting in their interest because of your “conscience”. Develop a social security and medicare plan that redistributes wealth inter-generationally from low wage earner to low wage earner. When it fails, institute a rationing scheme, call it “national health insurance” and raise the social security retirement age.

4. Convince Americans that receiving $180,000 in social security benefits for $200,000 in out-of-pocket contributions is a good deal. Convince Americans that health care in Cuba at $250 per year is better than in America.

5. Set interest rates at zero so that middle income people cannot save and induce them to invest in the stock market at inflated prices. Further ensure that middle income people cannot save by taxing incomes, property, inheritance, capital gains and sales.

6. Allocate freshly printed money (created to reduce interest rates to zero) to unproductive Wall Street, banking, hedge fund and corporate executives, insuring that wage earners will pay higher prices for milk while hedge fund managers buy $30 million houses in Greenwich, Connecticut and the Dakotas. Facilitate this process through subsidization of the stock and real estate markets, repeatedly inducing long term “sucker rallies”.

7. Convince Americans that taxation of 50% of your income is too little for the same level of services that used to be provided at 10% of your income.

8. Increase tax rates most on innovative and harder working Americans and transfer their money to Democratic contributors.

But the Republicans also have an impoverishment plan.

1. Read and parrot all Democratic Party information sources such as the New York Times and CNN.

2. Never repeal the Democrats’ impoverishment plan.

3. Do not educate Americans as to the effects of the Democrats’ impoverishment plan.

4. When elected, spend more than Democrats.

5. Declare a national emergency and emphasize the need to transfer even more printed money to unproductive, wealthy interests six weeks before the presidential election.

Mitchell Langbert is associate professor at Brooklyn College. He can be visited at http://www.mitchell-langbert.blogspot.com.

Eric Olson for Congress TV interview with local channel 56 News

Two dozen Republicans gathered last weekend to charter the Republican Liberty Caucus of Marion County. Participants included Precinct Committeemen, party leaders, former elected officials and GOP activists from across Indianapolis as well as two prominent local bloggers, Gary Welsh of Advance Indiana and Paul Ogden of Ogden On Politics.

The group will work to elect pro-liberty candidates within the Marion County Republican Party and to promote these ideals among party members.

In its first act, the Liberty Caucus adopted a resolution urging Republican members of the Indianapolis City-County Council to reject any new tax increases to finance the Capital Improvement Board of Managers. There is a sense of frustration that Republicans elected during the tax revolution of 2007 to city/county offices have reneged on their campaign pledges to oppose new taxes.

Officers elected to lead the Marion County chapter include: Elizabeth Karlson, Chairman; Steve Smith, First Vice Chairman; Lisa Kelly, Second Vice Chairman; Glenn Hatmaker, Secretary; and Lisa Caulderon, Treasurer.

The leadership team will lead the group through the 2012 election.

The below photo is from a previous Indianapolis Area RLC meeting: