NJ Common Sense

By Lon (Alonzo) Hosford

Conservatives mounted an unprecedented citizens opposition to the US House Nancy Pelosi health care legislation. The rebuff effort has run 4 solid months from the last weeks in July to the November 7th vote and is regrouping to continue for as long as it takes. The US House passed HR 3962 with a 220-215 vote on a Saturday in the wee evening hours. The 215 represent the work of our conservative activism demonstrating our power to persuade. It was an awesome showing.

Trapped Like Rats
We knew they would pass some health care legislation. Democrats had to because their leader, Nancy Pelosi, had them trapped like rats. If any opposed it, the wrath of their own party will come down on the next election. If they supported it, the wrath of the people they face and that does not look good either. In fact it is less clear and definable in the Washington opaque bubble and so most ignored it and blindly voted yes.

Citizen Conservative Opposition Redoubling
The citizen opposition and activism is on a learning curve since the first tea party events in April and July. Folks learned they had nothing to fear to attend those and hold a sign and support the speakers.

Many have broken off into action groups and just act, period, and some act daily. We have the tea party groups. We have small unaffiliated groups meeting in homes and taking action. We have some national groups independent of parties such as AsAMom.org. We have many who are ready to drop at a hat and take action. [See Don’t Make Us Come Back: Tea Party Minutemen To Washington DC]  These folks need more direction to the infected areas: the congressman and senators door steps in DC, local offices and homes; and often.

November 5th, activists learned in mass how to approach the House offices in DC. [See Kill The Bill: House Calls Put Congress Offices Under Siege] I know one activist who likes to remain unnamed was down in the House Office building again Saturday all day and night lobbying. Now I want to be there next round with a sleeping bag if  necessary. This person called me a few times for help in researching facts on HR3962. This person then confronted Congressmen and aides in the battle.

After I outlined this piece this morning I received two emails talking about next actions their groups were taking. One was particularly detailed and I will append to the end here for you to review.

Is All Lost – No We Have A Long Way To Go
Sure the House vote was a  legislative defeat. The original founders fought many battles and lost. They may have lost them all from what I recall in history classes, but they persisted to win the greatest victory in the history of civilization – individual freedom. Persistence and stamina are keys to success to take defeats to victories.  The fight just got traction a dozen weeks back. We are newbies on the block. Making conservatism the mainstream of government is going to take a long time of many battles to wear down the radical progressives as we did with the English King.

Senate Health Care Battle
The Senate fight over health legislation still remains. There lies the chance to stop this health legislation or to make it less intrusive and less powerful. At least we must make it a painful victory for the other side. This means for New Jersey a statewide focus on the Senators Lautenberg and Menendez. However, there is also going to be an important interstate effort on  Senators from other states believed we can influence.

2010 Elections
We have the 2010 elections that require immediate attention. Primaries are soon and candidate choices are on us now. These are votes that do count. In the long run, the bills like the health bill will require power to change the oppressive parts and powers given to the administrative branch that overseas your health care options and costs. These votes are also how we are going to fight battles to slowly dismantle the oppressive progressive government we now have and will be bigger by 2012, the next national election.

National 10 + 10 Conservative Network
You need to create groups of 10 that meet regularly from weekly to no less that twice monthly to discuss the issues and coordinate team actions doable within the group and items to support larger groups like you have with tea party protests. Each member of the group should also be hosting one group with a different set of 9 people. There is a movement on the way for this that you can link your group into and we can have the power of millions nationwide networked for instant action and solidarity.

Minuteman Force In DC
We need a conservative minuteman force in the House and Senate offices in DC. They need to be a lobbying force with an ostentatious presence. If needed they need to be there daily and we should get support from Republicans on how to play the game and then improve on that.

Addendum – Example Plan In  Action Received by Email Today

Dear Concerned Citizens,

In an odd way many of us have been waiting for the House to pass this atrocious and deceptive healthcare bill. As groups, we are already energized. But we knew that nothing could elevate our energy to irrepressible heights more than a massive overreach by Washington. One that can still be stopped. Well, we got everything we wanted on a silver platter.

Late Saturday Night, November 7th, Nancy Pelosi handed us the single greatest boost of the entire Obama saga! In a 215 – 210 squeeker, Democrats and , John Dingell the sole Republican, passed HR 3962. In her frenzied house chamber, Nancy’s Pyrrhic victory unwittingly fired “the shot heard round the world.” Americans are more galvanized than ever! And here is the plan moving forward.

Step one: Objective: Remove from office all Blue Dog Dems who voted in favor in swing districts by flooding their districts with selected pages from HR 3962 accompanied by clear explanations of the consequences and letting them know their representative voted for this.

A. Will someone please volunteer to identify those Blue Dog Dems in the house who voted in favor and are not in “safe districts?”

Step two: Objective: Notify HR 3962 proponents in the Senate that we are exposIng the bill and all who are planning to vote for it.

B. Will please help identify Senate members to best target?

Step three: Objective: Complete and assemble materials to be forwarded and posted nationwide and accumulate network notification lists.

C. Several people are now designing a flyer that will contain pages from the actual bill, explanatory notes and a covering email.

Step four: Objective: To create a door to door nationwide transparency program exposing HR 3962.

D. Once the flyers are completed, we will ask everyone to forward them to everyone they know; pass the email on and; print 10 copies. Hand out 5 to individuals and neighbors and tack 5 copies on local community boards such as a local supermarket or laundramat.

THIS IS IMPORTANT: Several of us have already spoken to representatives in DC, no names mentioned, and they think it is a fantastic idea. Anyone who can help getting FreedomWorks and Americans for Prosperity onboard, please step up!!!!

Target dates:

* Flyer creation will be completed by Sunday evening, Nov 8

* Lists being accumulated today Sun., Nov. 8

* Blasts out by Monday, Nov 9 at 5 PM EST

* Door to door campaign and public postings November 11th – 13th.

Please forward this to all patriots to get ready!