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Legislative Co
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Iranian Nuclear Deal - Does the President Get to
Decide It is Not a Treaty Requiring Two-Thirds
of the Senators to Concur?
Did you see the President on television on April 2nd declaring success with Iran on the framework of a nuclear deal? The deal would include gradual lifting of the economic sanctions and full access to inspections anywhere in Iran. Later that day, Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said that sanctions would be lifted immediately if a final deal were reached. He also said inspections would be preplanned. Obviously, there is a big problem here that affects the safety of the world. Senator Corker (R., TN) proposed legislation, S615, Iran Nuclear Review Act of 2015 that gives Congress 60 days to review a final Iran nuclear deal. I believe that any bill should simply say that any nuclear arms agreement with Iran is a treaty and requires the approval of 2/3 of the Senate. The Constitution states: "He [the President] shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur."
Senator Burr's office insisted that the President has to submit any agreement to the Senate as a Treaty in order for the Senate to be able to treat it as a Treaty.
Call Senator Burr and Senator Tillis and tell them this deal must be treated as a treaty. This is too important to leave to the administration.
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Senators Vote to Aid and Abet
the Lawlessness of the President
Thursday, the Senate voted to confirm Loretta Lynch for Attorney General. Ten Republicans, including Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, joined the Senate Democrats to install yet another radical in one of the most powerful positions in the US Government. Our own Senators Burr and Tillis voted "Nay" on the nomination vote. Unfortunately, they had also voted "Yea" on the cloture vote to end debate instead of filibustering her confirmation.
All Senators who voted to end debate or who voted to confirm Lynch violated their oaths to uphold the Constitution. Lynch testified that she supports and will implement Obama's mass amnesty executive action, an order by which Obama violated his oath to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." By enabling Ms. Lynch to become Attorney General, they are de facto approving Obama's lawlessness.
The GOP leadership, which begged us to give them the Senate so they could do all the things Reid had been blocking, have an 2015 record that deserves nothing but the disgust, anger and alarm of liberty-loving Americans. It includes but is not limited to fully funding Obamacare, fully funding "executive amnesty," self-defeating the 20-week abortion bill, pledging not to exercise the power of the purse or to impeach a lawless president and failing to cut spending. They did, however spend donor money to run ads praising Renee Ellmers and other toadies, while smearing principled conservatives in their own districts. The web of corruption is complex. The only way to ensure your donations aren't used against the things you stand for is to give directly to the campaigns of the individual candidates that you support, not to the Republican Party or one of it's many front groups such as American Crossroads, American Action Network or the
National Republican Senatorial Committee
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See also:
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Threat to North Carolina's Ability to Influence
the 2016 Presidential Primary
Are you aware that within the photo voter ID law signed by Gov. McCrory (late 2013) was a provision to change NC's presidential primary to the Tuesday after SC's primary? Therefore, NC's primary would be on February 16, 2016.
Republican National Committee (RNC) Rule 16(c)(1) states that no primary, caucus, convention or other process to elect, select, allocate or bind delegates to the national convention shall occur prior to March 1.....Except Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada may conduct their processes no earlier than one month before the next earliest state...... Rule 17(a) states that "If any state or state Republican Party violates Rule No. 16(c)(1) of The Rules of the Republican Party, the number of delegates to the national convention shall be reduced for those states with 30 or more total delegates to nine (9) plus the members of the Republican National Committee from that state.... North Carolina's delegates to the 2016 GOP National Convention would decrease from 72 to 12. NC State Senator Bob Rucho, from Charlotte, has said that NC should be able to have more of a say in choosing the GOP candidate for president by holding its primary early. Also, candidates will already be spending their money and time in South Carolina, and it will be easy for candidates to compete next door in NC, particularly with the media markets such as Charlotte, Asheville, and Wilmington also covering northern SC. NC GOP Chair Claude Pope, Jr. said that the NC legislature had good intentions when it wrote the law, to bring media exposure, money, and a little economic boom to NC. However, Pope says that candidates will not come to NC and spend money for just 12 delegates. Representatives Lewis, Jones, and Speciale introduced a bill (H 457) on April 1st to change the law to the Tuesday after the first Monday in March. H 457 was referred to the Committee on Elections on April 2nd. Rucho believes the national GOP is indebted to NC for winning a governorship, 2 U.S. senators and the NC General Assembly and for the GOP to sanction NC would be against people who made great strides in helping the GOP. NC is conservative state. If people like you get involved and push the NC Republican Party, it is likely to support a Constitutionalist over a GOP Establishment Progressive. Some believe that is exactly why the national GOP wants NC to lose its vote. Regardless of the motivation, NC will lose its votes at the GOP presidential convention unless the current NC presidential primary voting date is changed.
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May's Sunday Seminar
by Neil Oakley, Program Chair
Topic:
Compact for America and the use of the Article V provision for a convention by the state legislatures to amend the U.S. Constitution
Are you tired of hearing that the federal government spends more than it takes in? Do you believe they should have to balance their budget like American families and businesses have to? Do you want your elected officials to stop giving excuses? Then join Moore Tea Citizens as we present Nick Dranias, President and Executive Director of the Compact for America Educational Foundation. Mr. Dranias will discuss the Compact for America, a process under Article V of the Constitution which allows the States to set ground rules and streamline the process for a convention to add a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution.
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When:
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Sunday, May 3, 2:00pm - 4:00pm |
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Where:
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Pinehurst Village Hall |
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Price:
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Free |
For a map, updates or to volunteer to bring some finger snacks, click here.
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Did You Know?
The Framers of the Constitution took pains to ensure the United States was a republic and
not
a democracy. It's true!
Why didn't they want America to be a democracy? They wanted to protect the rights of the Minority (whomever that happened to be over the years) from the tyranny of the Majority. They knew attitudes, feelings, language and values would change over time. In a democracy, a majority vote can decide that gays or Tutsi or gun owners or Church of Climate Change zealots... or North Carolina... are persona non grata and deny them their rights. In a Constitutional Republic, that is a painful and difficult process. The denial of basic rights can't withstand the searing light of the Constitution. However, for this to be the case, the Constitution must be inviolable and therein lies the tremendous challenge American liberty is now facing.
We are all keenly aware that all three branches of the federal government are increasingly ignoring the limits and requirements of the Constitution when those limits stand in the way of what they want to do. THIS is why Conservatives are so concerned and angry with the Establishment political class in D.C. This is why a small group of Tea Party politicians, such as Ted Cruz, demand adherence to the Constitution and are so hated by both Democrats and the Republican power structure.
The United States of America is a Republic by intentional and labored design, but that protection is crumbling. Get involved.
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I love argument, I love debate. I don't expect anyone just to sit there and agree with me, that's not their job.
~ Margaret Thacher
One thing is clear: The Founding Fathers never intended a nation where citizens would pay nearly half of everything they earn to the government.
~ Ron Paul
I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.
~ James Madison
Freedom of the press is limited to those who own one.
~ A.J. Liebling
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| Please patronize the businesses that support Moore Tea Citizens |
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| D.C. Trip Report
Special Introduction by Miriam Chu, Chair, MTC
First, I would like to thank Tom Beddow for his excellent work in coordinating and planning this extremely interesting trip.
The experience for me was both depressing and encouraging. I am still reviewing statements made by officials and comparing them to voting records and prior statements. Many of the bad things that I had suspected about DC were even worse than I had feared; the level of complexity and confusion are such that even our elected officials and their staffers disagree over rules and procedures. The sheer number of bills, votes and committees make it difficult to determine what is important, and retain focus long enough to make real progress on any issue. I was pleased by the courtesy with which we were received, and the patience of both staffers and elected officials in answering our questions and hearing our comments. There are some good people in DC, many recently elected, who are just as disenchanted with the system as we are. It will take strategy and patience and hard work on their part, and ours, to effect the significant changes necessary to save our country. We, as citizens, must keep ourselves as informed as possible to know who to trust and what to believe. Nothing in DC can be taken at face value.
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TRIP REPORT (Summarized) MOORE COUNTY CONSERVATIVES' VISIT TO WASHINGTON, DC MARCH 17-19, 2015 Prepared by Lydia Boesch and Tom Beddow
Trip Participants
John Rowerdink - Chair, Moore County Republican Party Tom Beddow - President, Moore County Republican Men's Club Lydia Boesch - Board member, Moore County Republican Party & Moore
Republican Women Miriam Chu - Chair, Moore TEA Citizens Louis Gregory - Former President, Moore County Republican Men's Club John Jarrett - Board member, Moore County Republican Men's Club Linda Jarrett - Board member, Moore County Republican Party Jim Lexo - Board member, Moore County Republican Men's Club Michelle Lexo - Councilwoman, Village of Whispering Pines General Observations
- Our reputation preceded us, due to our electoral success and unity around our priority issues. We were well-received and everyone was interested in our issues document.
- President Obama is universally distrusted by all with whom we met.
- Senator Tillis is viewed very positively by all with whom we met. We were thanked repeatedly for sending him to Washington.
- Disinformation is everywhere. We must carefully study sources and motivations behind news reports and reports of special-interest groups before taking positions and stances. The primary difference in views within conservative ranks are those seeking perfection and immediate action versus those seeking good improvements and practical compromises that can be passed and signed into law.
- We urged all members to improve communications with their constituents, as well as with the general public, regarding their efforts and the principles and goals of the Republican Party. Better communication is essential to GOP victories in 2016.
- We will plan to do this trip annually in the Spring, as well as a trip to the General Assembly in Raleigh later in the long session.
Our Meetings Included: 1) Dinner and a follow-up meeting in the Capitol with Congresswoman Ellmers and her Chief of Staff Al Lytton. 2) A 30-minute meeting with Senator Burr and his Legislative Director Natasha Moore Hickman. 3) A 30-minute meeting in the Capitol with House Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions and his Chief of Staff Kirk Bell. 4) A 20-minute meeting with Speaker of the House John Boehner in his Capitol Office. 5) A 15-minute meeting with the Legislative Director for Senator John Cornyn, Senate Majority Whip (the Senator was on the floor at the time engaged in the debate on the very important Human Trafficking Bill moving through the Senate). 6) A 30-minute meeting with Senator Roger Wicker and his Budget Committee Staffer Joseph Lai. Senator Wicker is the new chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee and is charged with getting us to 60 seats in 2016. 7) A two hour briefing with Bridgett Wagner, Director of Coalition Relations at the Heritage Foundation, and policy experts on Executive Branch Overreach, Immigration, The National Debt, and Growth of Government. 8) A 30-minute meeting with Senator Tillis and his Deputy Chief of Staff Chris Hayes. 9) A two hour briefing at the US Chamber of Commerce with Meredith King, Senior Manager of Federation Relations, and policy experts on Legal Reform, Immigration and Budget and Tax. 10) A 30-minute meeting with Virginia Johnson and Katie Toskey of Governor McCrory's DC office. 11) A 30-minute meeting with Kyle Zebley, Legislative Director for Congressman Tom Price, House Budget Chair (the Congressman was in an all day mark-up of the House Budget introduced that day). 12) A 30-minute meeting with Congressman Mark Meadows (NC-11) and his Deputy Chief of Staff Kevin Klein. The Congressman is one of the founding members of the Freedom Caucus.
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May Members' Dinner Program
Our May dinner program went well. We've worked out the logistics with
our new hosts and now have lots of room (and we can go back to the buffet without disturbing the program).
The Program: "Roundtable" Discussion
Alexander Miles
of the Libre Initiative
Hunter Murphy, candidate for North Carolina Court of Appeals
Brian Rogers
of the Jesse Helms Center
Paul Valone of Grass Roots North Carolina
Mike Westrich
of the Convention of States
During the initial supper portion of the meeting, the speakers each get no more than 5-7 minutes to do their spiel. Then, each speaker sits at one of the big round tables and has a more intimate Q&A/discussion with the folks at that table (and audience members can always pull up chairs). Then, after 10 minutes, the speakers rotate tables. Total of 5 rotations. This would allow more time for more people to ask more questions, and it would give the speakers a better opportunity to give out handouts and get people to sign up on email lists.
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When:
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Monday, May 18, 5:30pm - 7:30pm |
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Where:
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Filly & Colt's Restaurant (inside the Longleaf Country Club)
10 Knoll Rd, Southern Pines |
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Price:
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The buffet is $16, incl. tea/coffee and dessert; tip is discretionary.
Wine, cocktails, beer and soft drinks are available from
the cash bar (with or without dinner purchase). |
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| Your Legislative Chair Needs Help
Your Legislative Chair finds investigating legislation informative, interesting, enriching and even entertaining. However, she cannot do this job alone. She is a volunteer, too, and has other obligations as do we all.
Legislative Committee needs help in following bills as they are introduced, and writing Alerts and newsletter articles. Recently a situation arose where one respected group opposed a bill, while other respected individuals favor the bill as an improvement over current law. NC House Bill 318 is presented by NCListen and NCFIRE as a tougher E-Verify bill. However, reading only the bill itself does not lead to any conclusion. Reading the General Statute which H 318 changes is required. This kind of careful examination is necessary to renew our country's founding principles of limited government, individual liberty and the free market system. Pick an area of interest:
- Education - on the federal level, HR5 Student Success Act/aka reauthorization of No Child Left Behind); on the NC level, the Committee on Education
- Immigration - on the NC level, E-Verify or drivers licensing
- Follow the nomination of Loretta Lynch as U.S. Attorney General to alert members if it looks like a Senate vote is imminent
- Economy - on the federal level, the Export/Import Bank (corporatism/corporate welfare) will die (a good thing) at 6/30/15 if Congress does not renew it. - Watch for any legislation to renew it.
- Iran nuclear deal - he says, she says, what is the framework?
- Health care, border security, energy, environment, debt, etc, etc.
- Moore County Board of Commissioners, Pinehurst or other municipalities or boards or commissions
Or let the Legislative Chair, Peggy Smetana, know you want to help and when a topic arises, she can call you.
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How Do I Do That?
Traffic circles, or "roundabouts," are being used with increasing frequency in the US. Though common in Europe, many of us aren't yet comfortable with negotiating them. If you're thinking, "That's me!" here are three pointers that might help you.
1. Vehicles already in the circle have the right of way. This is true most places in the US and Europe (New Jersey has no specific law to this regard but we shouldn't be going there, anyway). 2. When entering, yield to oncoming traffic. You need not stop if it is clear to go unless there is a posted stop sign. This is why multiple vehicles often lawfully enter the circle without even slowing down. 3. The only time you should use your turn indicator is to exit a roundabout. Turn it on immediately after passing the exit prior to the one you will use. It's worth noting that our big traffic circle (15/501 in Pinehurst) is only a single lane. In the UK, 2-lane circles are common and have their own set of rules, but they are a bit nerve-racking, even for the British. A 2-laner would solve the traffic snarls at Pinehurst circle, but we're not sure we're ready for that animal, yet.
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