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United States Citizens Against Illegal Immigration
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THIS WEEK THE SENATE WILL BEGIN FLOOR DEBATE ON THE GANG OF 8 AMNESTY BILL.
ONE OF THE BEST WRITE UPS ON WHAT IS SO WRONG WITH THE SENATE AMNESTY BILL WAS PREPARED BY SENATOR TED CRUZ OF TEXAS.
READ THE ARTICLE LINKED BELOW FROM THE TEXAS TRIBUNE:
http://www.texastribune.org/2013/06/04/cruz-colleagues-why-i-oppose-immigration-reform/
EVEN BETTER – HERE IS THE LINK TO THE LETTER SENATORS CRUZ, SESSIONS AND OTHERS SENT TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE SENATE.
GREAT JOB SUMMARIZING ALL THE PROBLEMS IN THE GANG OF 8 BILL!
http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/documents/S.744_Dear_Colleague.pdf
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WANT TO TAKE SOME ACTIONS? THREE RECOMMENDATIONS:
1- SEND THE CRUZ LETTER (PDF) TO SENATOR KELLY AYOTTE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. ON THE SUNDAY TALK SHOWS SHE ANNOUNCED HER SUPPORT FOR THE GANG OF 8 BILL! MUST HAVE MIXED UP HER CRUZ TALKING POINTS WITH THOSE GIVEN HER BY (D) SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER OF NY, A MEMBER OF THE GANG OF 8! . KELLY SOUNDED LIKE A GANG OF 8 MEMBER! SCHUMER PROBABLY SOLD HER THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE AS WELL. http://www.ayotte.senate.gov/?p=contact
2- SEND THAT BLOWHEART AND OPEN BORDERS LOVER GROVER NORQUIST OF AMERICANS FOR TAX REFORM THE CRUZ LETTER (PDF). WHILE YOU CAN ARGUE GROVER MAY HAVE A POINT ON TAXES, HIS VIEWS ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ARE, AND ALWAYS HAVE BEEN, CLUELESS. GROVER HAS ALWAYS ADMIRED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FOR ONE KEY REASON, THEY PAY NO TAXES! HIS FANTASY PEOPLE! http://www.atr.org/contact
3- MOST IMPORTANTLY, SIGN UP FOR THE “SAY ‘NO’ TO AMNESTY RALLY IN DC MONDAY, JULY 15, 9:30 AM AS WE MARCH TO THE CAPITOL. JOIN THE BLACK AMERICAN LEADERSHIP ALLIANCE AND OTHER CONCERNED AMERICAN CITIZENS FROM AROUND THE NATION. PROTECT AMERICAN JOBS FOR AMERICAN WORKERS. HELP SAVE MARYLAND IS SUPPORTING THE ALLIANCE!
www.DCMARCHFORJOBS.COM OR 202-349-0858 Sponsored by the Black American Leadership Alliance
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FOR THOSE NERVOUS TYPES WHO THINK WE MUST INSTANTLY MAKE 15 MILLION OR MORE HISPANIC ILLEGALS CITIZENS OF THE U.S. PER THE SENATE GANG OF 8 BILL, HERE IS SOME GOOD READING FOR TONIGHT. BEST WITH A GLASS OF WARM MILK AT BEDTIME TO CALM THOSE NERVES.
”The GOP’s Hispanic Opening” http://www.aei.org/article/politics-and-public-opinion/the-gops-hispanic-opening/
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IMPORTANT RALLY – THURSDAY, JUNE 20 IN BALTIMORE - CONGRESSMAN PAUL RYAN
CONGRESSMAN PAUL RYAN WILL BE IN BALTIMORE, THURSDAY JUNE 20 AT THE RENAISSANCE BALTIMORE HARBOR PLACE HOTEL (202 E. PRATT STREET (AT SOUTH STREET), BALTIMORE 21202 ). http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bwish-renaissance-baltimore-harborplace-hotel/
PARK AT THE RENAISSANCE FOR $6 OR AT THE NEAR BY INNER HARBOR PARKING. GOOD FOOD AND DRINK AT THE HARBOR AFTER THE RALLY!
HIS EVENT IS AT 5:30PM SO AT 4:30PM THERE IS GOING TO BE A RALLY IN FRONT OF THE HOTEL. POSTERS/SIGNS WILL BE PROVIDED OR BRING YOUR OWN.
CONGRESSMAN RYAN, LIKE SENATOR AYOTTE, WAS ALSO GIVEN HIS TALKING POINTS ON THE SENATE GANG OF 8 AMNESTY BILL BY (D) SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER OF NY. LET’S BE THERE FOR ONE HOUR TO REMIND RYAN HE NEEDS TO REVISE THE MATH. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARE A DRAIN ON AMERICA! NO AMNESTY! ENFORCE THE LAW!
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/304041-paul-ryan-endorses-immigration-bill-after-conservative-negotiator-walks-away
CONTACT ED HUNTER FOR MORE DETAILS AT JAN3728@VERIZON.NET OR 410-476-4457
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Chris Crane, president of the ICE Council, which represents US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents:
“Defunding these lawless (Homeland Security) policies is the first step in fixing our nation’s broken immigration system,” he said.
“The most important thing Congress can do to ensure enforcement is to limit the power of political appointees who ignore the law.”
Where do we draw the line between liberty and security?
This is an amazing video by a whistleblower who says “I don’t want to live in a society that does these sort of things.”
NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden: ‘I do not expect to see home again’
Source for the Guardian’s NSA files on why he carried out the biggest intelligence leak in a generation – and what comes next
Link to video:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/09/nsa-whistleblower-edward-snowden-why
Edward Snowden was interviewed over several days in Hong Kong by Glenn Greenwald and Ewen MacAskill.
Q: Why did you decide to become a whistleblower?
A: “The NSA has built an infrastructure that allows it to intercept almost everything. With this capability, the vast majority of human communications are automatically ingested without targeting. If I wanted to see your emails or your wife’s phone, all I have to do is use intercepts. I can get your emails, passwords, phone records, credit cards.
“I don’t want to live in a society that does these sort of things … I do not want to live in a world where everything I do and say is recorded. That is not something I am willing to support or live under.”
Q: But isn’t there a need for surveillance to try to reduce the chances of terrorist attacks such as Boston?
A: “We have to decide why terrorism is a new threat. There has always been terrorism. Boston was a criminal act. It was not about surveillance but good, old-fashioned police work. The police are very good at what they do.”
Q: Do you see yourself as another Bradley Manning?
A: “Manning was a classic whistleblower. He was inspired by the public good.”
Q: Do you think what you have done is a crime?
A: “We have seen enough criminality on the part of government. It is hypocritical to make this allegation against me. They have narrowed the public sphere of influence.”
Q: What do you think is going to happen to you?
A: “Nothing good.”
Q: Why Hong Kong?
A: “I think it is really tragic that an American has to move to a place that has a reputation for less freedom. Still, Hong Kong has a reputation for freedom in spite of the People’s Republic of China. It has a strong tradition of free speech.”
Q: What do the leaked documents reveal?
A: “That the NSA routinely lies in response to congressional inquiries about the scope of surveillance in America. I believe that when [senator Ron] Wyden and [senator Mark] Udall asked about the scale of this, they [the NSA] said it did not have the tools to provide an answer. We do have the tools and I have maps showing where people have been scrutinised most. We collect more digital communications from America than we do from the Russians.”
Q: What about the Obama administration‘s protests about hacking by China?
A: “We hack everyone everywhere. We like to make a distinction between us and the others. But we are in almost every country in the world. We are not at war with these countries.”
Q: Is it possible to put security in place to protect against state surveillance?
A: “You are not even aware of what is possible. The extent of their capabilities is horrifying. We can plant bugs in machines. Once you go on the network, I can identify your machine. You will never be safe whatever protections you put in place.”
Q: Does your family know you are planning this?
A: “No. My family does not know what is happening … My primary fear is that they will come after my family, my friends, my partner. Anyone I have a relationship with …
I will have to live with that for the rest of my life. I am not going to be able to communicate with them. They [the authorities] will act aggressively against anyone who has known me. That keeps me up at night.”
Q: When did you decide to leak the documents?
A: “You see things that may be disturbing. When you see everything you realise that some of these things are abusive. The awareness of wrong-doing builds up. There was not one morning when I woke up [and decided this is it]. It was a natural process.
“A lot of people in 2008 voted for Obama. I did not vote for him. I voted for a third party. But I believed in Obama’s promises. I was going to disclose it [but waited because of his election]. He continued with the policies of his predecessor.”
Q: What is your reaction to Obama denouncing the leaks on Friday while welcoming a debate on the balance between security and openness?
A: “My immediate reaction was he was having difficulty in defending it himself. He was trying to defend the unjustifiable and he knew it.”
Q: What about the response in general to the disclosures?
A: “I have been surprised and pleased to see the public has reacted so strongly in defence of these rights that are being suppressed in the name of security. It is not like Occupy Wall Street but there is a grassroots movement to take to the streets on July 4 in defence of the Fourth Amendment called Restore The Fourth Amendment and it grew out of Reddit. The response over the internet has been huge and supportive.”
Q: Washington-based foreign affairs analyst Steve Clemons said he overheard at the capital’s Dulles airport four men discussing an intelligence conference they had just attended. Speaking about the leaks, one of them said, according to Clemons, that both the reporter and leaker should be “disappeared”. How do you feel about that?
A: “Someone responding to the story said ‘real spies do not speak like that’. Well, I am a spy and that is how they talk. Whenever we had a debate in the office on how to handle crimes, they do not defend due process – they defend decisive action. They say it is better to kick someone out of a plane than let these people have a day in court. It is an authoritarian mindset in general.”
Q: Do you have a plan in place?
A: “The only thing I can do is sit here and hope the Hong Kong government does not deport me … My predisposition is to seek asylum in a country with shared values. The nation that most encompasses this is Iceland. They stood up for people over internet freedom. I have no idea what my future is going to be.
“They could put out an Interpol note. But I don’t think I have committed a crime outside the domain of the US. I think it will be clearly shown to be political in nature.”
Q: Do you think you are probably going to end up in prison?
A: “I could not do this without accepting the risk of prison. You can’t come up against the world’s most powerful intelligence agencies and not accept the risk. If they want to get you, over time they will.”
Q: How to you feel now, almost a week after the first leak?
A: “I think the sense of outrage that has been expressed is justified. It has given me hope that, no matter what happens to me, the outcome will be positive for America. I do not expect to see home again, though that is what I want.”
Ellen Sauerbrey
In response to those who want to further pursue their concerns or complaints about power company billing practices, you may file either an informal or formal complaint with the West Virginia Public Service Commission. Telephone 1-800-642-8544 for details on how to do this. Visit www.LarryKump.us for my entries regarding the power company, and please share this message with others.
Delegate Larry D. Kump
West Virginia House of Delegates District #59
Berkeley-Morgan Counties (Eastern Panhandle)
Working Together to Stay Independent!
Visit www.LarryKump.us for legislative news and views.
Having trouble linking with www.LarryKump.us? Try typing it in by hand, and also check out the video links on the right hand side of the webpage.
May God bless you all real good!
Senator Chris Shank has become such a suck up and whipping boy that he bows and bends over anytime the Liberals need a vote not in Maryland’s General Assembly, he voted to expand Gambling for his boy Delegate Leroy Myers who is not seeking election, but got favors for Construction at Rocky Gap for his vote, let me explain, LeRoy has a Heating and Air Business and is in Construction as well, so for his vote, he gets to help work on Rocky Gap, so his suck up, Senator Chris Shank helped the Casino Expansion by voting for it. The Marijuana bill was a bi partisan bill. Maryland’s over crowded Jail system can not afford to keep putting those in jail for the use of Marijuana, it just doesn’t make sense, yes go after the King Pins, but leave the Joe Blow citizen alone. Not only has Shank turned his back on his fellow Republicans like Delegate Neil Parrott of Washington County during his petition drives by doing absolutely nothing, he also has voted for Lame Duck Governor, Martin O’Malleys Spend and Tax budget which was increased by almost 2 billion dollars more. Let me state this for the record, Shank personally told me that he would never ever vote for an OMalley budget because of all the tax increases and spending, but he lied, turned his back on his voting base in Washington County. One can only hope that, when he runs for re election that the Sheeple of Washington County wake up to this RINO and vote him out. I know I will help whomever runs against him by providing that individual whatever they need, like the promise he made to me and my Wife that he broke. A typical self absorbed man who only thinks about his own career and self. He needs to go. He has gone to the dark side and can not be swayed by his own party to move back. I hope to say, good riddance to this Patsy Lap Dog.
Now, comes word that Shank vote NAY on
SB 297 – Reduces Fine for Marijuana Possession Under 10 Grams – Key Vote
Legislation – Bill Passed (Senate) (30-16) - March 19, 2013(Key vote)
Title: Reduces Fine for Marijuana Possession Under 10 Grams
Vote Smart’s Synopsis:
Vote to pass a bill that reduces the fine for the use or possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana, effective October 1, 2013.
Highlights:
- Classifies the use or possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana as a civil offense punishable by a maximum fine of $100, whereas current law allows for imprisonment up to 90 days and a maximum fine of $500 (Sec. 1).
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I thought you might be interested in seeing how this years’ Legislative Session could affect you. The following is an update from my perspective.
Topics in this legislative summary and update:
A) Gas Tax F) SB 281 Gun Restriction Summary
B) Operating Budget G) Drivers Licenses for Illegal Aliens
C) Capital Budget (Loans) H) Repeal of the Death Penalty
D) Cell Phones and Driving Laws I) Windmills in the ocean
E) Teachers mandatory Union Dues J) Summary of a couple of my bills.
After considering the long-term effects of this session, I feel that the 2013 Legislative Session was one of the most damaging sessions that I have seen in my time in Annapolis. Bills that passed this session are going to affect our wallets, our freedom, our safety, and even our view of the beach. These bills include the state budget, the gas tax, the death penalty repeal, same-day voter registration, offshore wind, drivers licenses for illegal aliens, and mandatory union fees for teachers. Even so, I had a successful session by working with other colleagues to support important legislation, and was successful in helping to stop controversial legislation.
Bills That Affect our Wallets:
Gas Tax:
Our current 23.5-cent-per-gallon motor fuel tax puts Maryland in the middle nationwide of what other states charge. This bill increases the gas tax in two different ways and requires an additional $3.50 surcharge for each vehicle registration.
1) Instead of keeping a fixed-rate motor fuel tax, as Maryland’s has always been, the motor fuel tax is now tied to inflation. That means it is guaranteed to go up by as much as 8% a year, beginning July 1, 2013. The motor fuel tax would never be permitted to decrease, even if our country goes through a deflationary period.
With these increases, we are now just one of four states that ties taxes on gas to the Consumer Price Index. This bill creates an annual automatic tax increase on the people of Maryland without legislators even voting on the increases.
2) In addition, starting on June 1, 2013, a new sales and use tax on gas will be imposed on all gasoline purchases. The new sales tax is 1% of the average price of gasoline for the prior year. It will rise to 2% on Dec. 1, 2014, and then to 3% on June 1, 2015. Interestingly, the most significant rise in the gas tax will occur after the next elections when every State Delegate and State Senator are up for re-election.
Operating Budget:
Like a drunken sailor who cannot get enough whiskey, the Maryland Legislature cannot spend enough of our hard-earned money. The graph shows how Governor O’Malley and the legislature have increased spending with every budget since he has been in office. This spending exceeds the rate of inflation and continued despite the serious financial downturn that forced businesses and individuals to cut spending. This year’s spending is increased by more than $1 billion, or a 3% increase from fiscal year 2013.
The budget relies on Governor O’Malley’s record-setting 26 new tax increases since taking office. Maryland’s legislature continues to make Maryland government bigger while taxpayers struggle to keep up with these new taxes and fees. An alternative budget that I supported would have reduced this budget by 2 % during these uncertain fiscal times, especially in light of the federal sequester.
Capital Budget:
Maryland continues to increase its loans for capital projects and is now risking losing its AAA bond rating by authorizing the Governor’s $1.1 billion capital budget for 2014. In addition, Maryland’s real estate taxes are required by law to pay the annual debt bills. This year, actual real estate taxes collected are $100 million less than the amount needed to pay the loans for this year. The Department of Legislative Services projects that this shortfall will increase to $530 million in four years.
Based on our uncontrolled accumulation of loans, the Department of Legislative Services projects that property taxes will need to increase from 11.2 cents for every $100 of a home’s valuation to 16.2 cents for every $100 of a home’s valuation just to pay for this coming year’s gap, with more tax increases needed each year until 2018. In 2018 the tax would need to be 31.2 cents for every $100 of a home’s valuation in order to pay the interest and principle payments on our loans. That would almost be a tripling of our real estate tax increase simply because although Maryland’s leaders saw the borrowing problems, they refused to cut back on spending.
To decrease our capital spending in the future, I introduced legislation that would prohibit members of the General Assembly from introducing individual bond bills, which in reality are simply “Loan Bills.” Currently, legislators can ask the General Assembly to grant them “loans” for pork barrel projects, simply adding to our debt problems.
Bills That Affect our Freedoms:
Cell Phones and Driving:
Legislators voted to allow police to pull over and ticket drivers for simply talking on a hand-held cell phone while their vehicle is moving, whether or not they noticed any driving deficiencies. Currently, use of a cell phone while driving is a secondary offense, meaning police cannot pull drivers over unless they are committing some other offense.
Mandatory Union Fees for Public School and Higher Education Employees:
This bill will require all public school and higher education employees to pay a union fee, regardless of whether they belong to the union, support its views, or want the union to negotiate for them. The bill simply takes money out of our teachers’ checks and deposits it in the union’s bank account without the teacher’s consent.
Additional Gun Restrictions and Regulations:
Unfortunately, Maryland’s gun control law would not have helped in the recent national tragedies, but will only limit the freedoms of Maryland citizens. The gun control bill will create many new requirements and regulations that will end up pricing many people out of the ability to own a firearm.
One strategy that actually has been proven to decrease crime and violence is allowing citizens the right to carry guns. This is a right that other states allow, but one that is currently very restricted in Maryland. Bills to allow the right to carry and to help provide armed personnel at schools were introduced, but defeated in this legislative session because the Chairman of the Committee hearing the bills refused to allow a vote on the issues.
Among other requirements and regulations, the gun control bill that passed creates a Handgun Qualification License that requires:
1. In order to purchase a Regulated Firearm (handgun) a person is required to pay private firms to take a Firearms Orientation Class consisting of 8 hours of classroom and range training to initially get the license. One of the problems with the range training is the lack of instructors and ranges we have in the state, not to mention the cost of this training to the individual.
2. The fee starts at $50, but could easily be increased significantly in the future. Every ten years, the license will need to be renewed with 4 hours of additional training required to be paid to a qualified instructor.
3. When seeking a license one must fill out the application with the Maryland State Police and submit a full set of digital fingerprints that the applicant pays for in addition to the license fee.
The bill essentially creates a “poll tax” on handguns where it is estimated that just to own a handgun for the first time, fees associated with the licensing requirements will exceed $500. I believe a constitutional right acknowledged in the 2nd Amendment to the United States Constitution in the Bill of Rights should not be available ONLY to those who can pay the money to maintain that right.
Bills That Affect our Safety:
Drivers Licenses for Illegal Aliens:
This legislation makes Maryland the only state on the East Coast to issue drivers licenses to illegal aliens. This bill will make Maryland a magnet for fraudulent driver license applications from around the nation. In 2009 Maryland changed the policy of giving licenses to illegal aliens to comply with the REAL ID Act, but now is trying to get around the rules by creating a two-tier licensing system.
The Under the new law, the Motor Vehicle Administration next January will issue or renew driver licenses for illegal aliens who cannot show legal status or a Social Security number. Under the new law, a permanent, two-tier licensing system will be created. The licenses will look exactly like a legal license except in small print the drivers license will indicate that the license is not good for federal purposes. Both amendments to require fingerprinting of illegal immigrants who were issued an ID and to make the ID a different color were rejected.
Repeal of the Death Penalty:
The Governor’s legislation to repeal the Death Penalty passed, making life in prison without the possibility of parole the maximum penalty in Maryland. This change effectively removes a significant tool for prosecutors, because many criminals plea bargain down from the death penalty to life in prison without parole. Now, life in prison without parole, for the most dangerous and homicidal criminals, can be plead down to life in prison with the possibility of parole.
I am very disappointed with Maryland’s removal of the death penalty as a punishment for crime. I believe that every life has value and that it is the government’s job to protect the innocent. When I consider the heinous crime of first degree murder, I can see no other just punishment than the government judging that the murderer, who stole someone else’s life, should forfeit his or her own life as proper societal punishment. This punishment is supported by our nation’s history in jurisprudence. In addition, I believe my faith supports this position when considering verses such as Genesis 9:6 and Romans 13:4.
Bills That Affect our View of the Beach:
Windmills Constructed in the Atlantic Ocean:
While I can’t be sure how well we will be able to see the windmills from Ocean City, the Maryland Legislature approved a windmill bill that will make every single person’s electric bill go up monthly for 20 years. It will inevitably be expensive — offshore wind is the most expensive energy source in existence, outpacing even solar or hydropower. The levelized cost of offshore is $221.50 per megawatt hour on average, according to the Energy Information Administration. In comparison, onshore wind costs $86.60 whereas natural gas costs as little as $65.60 per megawatt hour.
Even some environmental groups came out against this bill for its ineffectiveness to provide a substantial amount of energy at critical times. Those environmental groups tell the obvious story that on a hot, summer day, when electricity is needed more than any other time during the year, there’s no wind. They object because coal or gas plants will be necessary to make up for production discrepancies with offshore wind.
If the 200 megawatt wind project is finished in 2018, all Maryland residents will bear the $112 million annual net cost of the project. Every homes electric bill will go up by $1.50/month for 20 years to pay for the project, and businesses will pay an even higher surcharge. In addition to the significant cost to all Marylanders, the electricity will not even be delivered to Maryland, but will actually go to a substation in Delaware.
Delegate Parrott’s Bills:
70 MPH on Maryland Interstate Highways:
As a traffic engineer by trade, I worked with the only other traffic engineer in the Maryland General Assembly regarding a bill that could help all Marylanders. Both of us are serving in our first term and this session, Democrat Delegate Aruna Miller and I introduced speed limit legislation that would help Maryland be allowed to set a more reasonable and realistic speed limit on certain interstate highways, like those in rural Western Maryland. The bill would allow the State Highway Administration (SHA) and the Maryland Toll Authority (MdTA) the ability to increase the maximum speed limit on chosen interstates up to 70 miles per hour. The bill also specifically required a 70 mph limit on the new Inter-County Connector (ICC) in Montgomery County.
The speed limit on the ICC was 55 MPH before session started, despite the fact that the road was designed for higher speeds. The speed limit has now been increased to 60 MPH. Our bill put pressure on the MdTA, and, the day before the hearing, they announced that the ICC’s speed limit would be increased to 60MPH.
Regarding the part to allow the SHA or MdTA to increase the interstate highway speeds to 70 MPH if a safety study warrants it, Delegate Miller and I then worked with Democrat Delegate James Malone on a separate bill. The bill passed unanimously in the House, but was stopped in the Senate as it did not come up for a vote in the committee.
Although it sounds counterintuitive, safety is enhanced when speed limits are raised to match the actual design and operation on a roadway. The disparity in the travel speeds along the roadway is reduced when appropriate speed limits are set, thereby enhancing safety for both the motorists who obey the speed limit and for those who travel at a rate closer to the actual design speeds since their speeds will be closer together.
Fetal Pain Bill:
Anesthesia is now used when operating on fetuses that are 20 weeks or older in the womb because of the scientific fact that they feel pain beginning at that age. I worked with Senator Edward Reilly, family advocates, and medical professionals in crafting legislation that would protect unborn children in late pregnancy from pain. Doctors and scientists have proven that unborn children five months or older feel pain, and I felt, given the medical advances, it was time to start the discussion on this important issue.
Our bill, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act would have changed state law to recognize these findings and use common-sense when dealing with proven pain. This bill would restrict abortions after the fetuses reach the 5th month of pregnancy when they can feel pain. Currently in Maryland, abortions are legal up until the day of delivery.
The bill did not pass, but a discussion regarding fetal pain has been started in Maryland that could lead to further action in the future. This legislation has already has been passed into law in eight other states.
Election Law – Polling Places – Electioneering:
This year I introduced legislation in the House to make sure that polling places have consistent rules across the state. Although the bill has been tried before by other Delegates and failed, I worked with Senator Ron Young who cross-filed the bill. The bill passed unanimously in the House and in the Senate. I also worked with Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, and the ACLU to help get the bill passed.
The bill corrects a problem where private locations who hosted voting did not necessarily follow Maryland law by allowing electioneering signs or campaigning on their property which other sites allowed. Also, schools in different counties had different rules regarding when signs could be placed. The bill ensures consistency in all voting locations throughout the state.
Conclusion:
Thank you again for contacting me during this legislative session, I am humbled to serve you as your Delegate from Washington County. Sometimes the biggest responsibility is trying to stop bills that would be harmful to our state. Other times it’s fixing problems we have in our everyday lives, whether by introducing legislation, answering constituents’ questions or simply offering help in navigating the state bureaucracy.
Next year starts new and I look forward to once again working with legislators on both sides of the aisle as I continue standing up for our values, for families, and for common-sense laws. If there is anything I can ever do to help you, please contact me by email at neil.parrott@house.state.md.us or by phone at 240-329-0293.
Sincerely,
Neil
Neil C. Parrott
Delegate, Washington County
240-329-0293 |
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Wednesday night
MDPetitions.com made a big announcement regarding SB 281, the bill that
restricts Marylanders’ 2nd Amendment Rights. Flanked by the
leaders of Maryland’s gun groups and a representative from the NRA, as well as
many Maryland Legislators, Chairman Neil Parrott indicated that:
“The right to bear arms is a
right granted by God and acknowledged in the US Constitution, in particular, in
the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution as a part of the Bill of
Rights.
SB 281 forces Marylanders to
pay a tax and to get a license in order to exercise the right to own a
handgun. If we had to pay a tax and to get a license in order to exercise
our freedom of speech, this would be clearly unconstitutional. If we had to pay
a tax and to get a license in order to exercise our freedom of religion, this
would be clearly unconstitutional. Forcing Marylander’s to pay a
tax and to get a license in order to exercise our right to bear arms is clearly
unconstitutional.
MDPetitions.com does
not believe that fundamental rights granted by God and acknowledged in the US
Constitution should be brought to referendum for a popular vote. Our founding fathers, who wrote the
Constitution and the Bill of Rights, structured it in such a way that our most
important rights would not be subject to public opinion, at any given time, and
would certainly not be eradicated, taxed, or licensed by a tyranny of the majority.
As a result, MDPetitions.com does not plan to
launch a petition drive to overturn SB 281, but supports the lawsuits that
Maryland gun groups and the NRA are planning to launch against the bill as soon
as it is signed into law.”
At the meeting it was also announced that MDPetitions.com helped defeat the “Referendum Suppression
Act”, the bill that would restrict our ability to use the
referendum process effectively in the future. Thankfully this bill was not passed
thanks to many of you who donated, wrote to your legislators, and who came and
testified against the bill.
To everyone who took the survey, contributed to MDPetitions.com, and who attended the Blob’s
Park Event on Wednesday, I want to say thank you and for helping us fight to
protect our constitutional rights and for common-sense legislation in
Maryland.
The event was covered by local media and a video of the event can be seen here. After Chairman Neil Parrott spoke, the leaders
of the NRA and Maryland Gun groups also strongly supported this approach:
The National Rifle
Association (NRA) presented their statement at the meeting which said,
“There is no question
that Senate Bill 281 is an unconstitutional infringement on the rights of
law-abiding Maryland citizens. Our right to keep and bear arms is a fundamental
individual right enshrined and guaranteed in the Constitution. After careful
evaluation of all options to address this deeply flawed legislation, it
is the position of the National Rifle Association that litigation is currently
the best and only responsible avenue to remedy this egregious attack on the
law-abiding gun owners and sportsmen of Maryland. The NRA, in
conjunction with other pro-Second Amendment individuals and organizations in
Maryland, will be pursuing litigation seeking to overturn SB 281 when anti-gun
Governor Martin O’Malley signs it into law, and does not intend to pursue a
ballot measure at this time.”
Ray Givens, the
Legislative Representative of the Western Maryland Sportsmen’s Coalition, said,
“We will finance and work
diligently for candidates that believe as we do. That is, you do not enact laws
that are unconstitutional, and one does not deter predators, the crimes they
commit, or protect society in general by disarming that same law-abiding society.”
Associated Gun Clubs of
Baltimore (AGC) Legislative Vice President, John H. Josselyn, stated,
“We fully support Delegate
Parrott’s decision to not pursue a strategy of taking SB 281 to a referendum.
We agree that God-Given rights, enumerated in the United States Constitution
should not be the subject of a referendum in Maryland, or any State.”
Maryland Shall Issue
President, Patrick Shomo, stated, “Civil Rights violations do not come
with easy solutions. They require work. Our community has demonstrated
their organizational capability, and their motivation to effect real
change. We stood for our rights yesterday, we will defend them today, and
we will teach our children to maintain them tomorrow. In short, we are in
this to win this for now and forever more.”
Many Delegates and one State Senator who support our constitutional rights
also spoke and helped to lead the event. Delegate Mike Smigiel
spoke to the unconstitutionality of this law and the inconsistencies of our
state government based on his wealth of knowledge as a constitutional lawyer.
Our first response was to take this issue to referendum based on the
overwhelming response from citizens all across the state. We know that
thousands of you across the state would work very hard to make this petition
drive succeed by gathering more than the required number of signatures.
However, there are deeper issues in this case.
Please know that Neil Parrott and MDPetitions.com deliberated on this decision
over the last month by talking with elected officials and by working in
conjunction with all the major gun groups, coalitions, and advocacy
organizations. We are confident that fighting this issue in the courts is
the best approach for what is a fundamental right for US Citizens.
The battle to reclaim Maryland for common sense is just beginning,
and with your help we are now sharpening our tools to be more
effective in the future. Other bills are still being considered for a
possible referendum effort this year, and we will let you know when a decision
is made. We look forward to continuing to work with you to make
a tangible and positive difference in our state.
Stay Tuned,
Neil
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MDPetitions.com exists to enable Marylanders to have a say in their government
and serves as the leader in Maryland’s petitioning process. MDPetitions.com
helped collect signatures to allow Marylanders to vote on the bill that would
have given in-state college tuition benefits to illegal aliens, to vote on the
same-sex marriage bill, and to vote on Maryland’s Gerrymandered Congressional
Redistricting Map.
Neil C. Parrott, Chairman; Deborah Miller, Treasurer
Phone: (240)329-0293
Email: MDPetitions@gmail.com
Donations: mdpetitions.com/donate
From Doug Gill – Gregory Kline: the MDGOP’s best or only hope?
“If there is dissatisfaction with the status quo, good,” Democratic senator and frequent presidential candidate Hubert H. Humphrey once said. “If there is ferment, so much the better… then let there be ideas and hard thought and hard work.”
Edited for length, the full Humphrey quote also contains a section that – arguably – echoes the mood of many members of Maryland’s Republican Party and its fractured factions.
“If there is restlessness,” Humphrey added, “I am pleased.”
Well, non-Democrats in Maryland these days that fancy themselves Independents, Moderates, Libertarians, Constitutionalists, Conservatives, Tea Partiers, Federalists, non-Statists, normal taxpayers, etc. should be delighted, because the increasing agitation and exploding impatience with the current state of the state GOP is obvious.
“What’s most obvious,” Gregory Kline says over the phone from his Severna Park law office, “is that we can’t keep going down the road we’re on.”
Kline, not only an attorney but also a long-time political activist, former General Assembly candidate, talk radio regular and one of the founders of Red Maryland, applies dual meanings to his wrong road observation.
http://www.examiner.com/article/gregory-kline-the-mdgop-s-best-or-only-hope?CID=examiner_alerts_article
“It was the perfect example of putting lipstick on a pig,” Kline says. “Just the former chair trying to save face.”
“It” was a Republican Party that immediately distributed press releases that led with the totally irrelevant fact that Maryland now has over one million registered Republicans, more locally elected Republicans than locally elected Democrats, and a Republican voter registration majority in 12 jurisdictions.
The face-saver was one Alex P. Mooney, who should have been knee-capped at the last gathering of the Lost Election Hall of Fame this past winter.
Alas, the establishment – the previously mentioned purveyors of the status quo – didn’t have the Berries to whack him.
Press Announcement from MDPetitions.com re: SB281, Gun Restriction and Licensing Bill
PRESS ADVISORY
MDPetitions.com Will Make an Announcement Regarding SB 281, the Gun Restriction and Licensing Bill, on Wednesday, April 17th, 2013, at Blob’s Park.
HAGERSTOWN, MD – MDPetitions.com and Chairman Neil C. Parrott will be making an announcement regarding the gun restriction and licensing bill, SB 281. Representatives from the National Rifle Association, Maryland Shall Issue, and the Associated Gun Clubs of Baltimore have all been invited to attend and speak on this important issue.
Here are the details for the event:
April 17th, 2013
6:30-8:30 pm
8:00 pm– Press Announcement from Neil Parrott, Chairman of MDPetitions.com
Blob’s Park
8024 Max Blobs Park Road
Jessup, MD 20794
$30/Person ~ $50/family
Please contact my Field Office Director, Kari Snyder by email at mdpetitions@gmail.com or by phone 847-754-8847, if you will be attending the event this Wednesday.
From Accuracy in Media’s, Jim Simpson – Illegal Alien Propaganda: A Critical Lesson in Terminology and Tactics
As we once again face the specter of illegal alien amnesty, and thepermanent Democratic majority it will guarantee, it is critical to understand how the Left plays. They are unethical to the core, but we are so frequently deluded by their tactical use of language and emotion, that we are unequipped to deal with them effectively. The result: they win. This cannot happen again, unless we are all willing to start calling Obama “President for Life,” and Democrats, the “Commissars.”
Introduction
Changes in public perception happen gradually. This is a natural human survival strategy that mistrusts the unfamiliar. A campaign of public education has become necessary to help convince a wary public to accept new ideas or policies that might otherwise take too much time. But there is a difference between education and propaganda.
Our society relies for its security, stability and prosperity, indeed, its survival, on the rule of law. So the idea of giving special privileges to individuals whose very presence is prima facie evidence of lawbreaking, is instinctively rejected. It cannot be otherwise. To grant special privileges to criminals upends and subverts the rule of law on which we depend.
Our nation’s laws constitute a contract that every citizen implicitly agrees to respect. Those who violate it face sanctions of corresponding severity. If certain individuals can avoid sanction and gain special privilege through political power—despite their blatant violations—then the rule of law becomes meaningless, and is replaced by a society based on political power alone. That is called dictatorship. Yet this is what the illegal immigration lobby wants us to accept.
When individuals or organizations attempt to introduce ideas that are self-evidently destructive, like Nazism or communism, for example, a campaign based on propaganda is necessary. Unlike factual information, propaganda manipulates, using fear and instinct in combination with known psychological reactions. It is evident that the illegal alien lobby uses these methods.
http://www.aim.org/aim-column/illegal-alien-propaganda-a-critical-lesson-in-terminology-and-tactics/#
| I wanted to let you know that MDPetitions.com has submitted three draft petitions to the State Board of Elections for advanced determination for a possible new referendum effort. An announcement will be made regarding survey results (take the survey here) and regarding next steps at our upcoming fundraising event, next Wednesday, April 17th, 2013. (See below for details.) Please plan to join us, we’d love to see you there. |
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MDPetitions.com
Kick-Off Event
Join Neil C. Parrott, and other leaders in their fields to hear a wrap-up of the 2013 Legislative
Session and how the new laws will affect you and your family.
Blob’s Park
8024 Max Blobs Park Road, Jessup, Maryland 20794
Wednesday, April 17th, 2013
Press Rally & Main Event
6:30 ~ 8:30 P.M.
($30/person ~ $50/family)
Cash Bar Available
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• Gold-level sponsor-$1,000 • Silver-level sponsor-$500 • Bronze-level sponsor-$250
Please R.S.V.P. and purchase tickets online here (specify “Tickets” in the comments section)
OR pay at the door. Make checks payable to MDPetitions.com.
Whether or not you can come to the Kick-Off Event at Blob’s Park, please consider completing our online survey and making a donation to support this effort financially so we can continue to work for all Marylanders.
I look forward to seeing you next Wednesday, April 17th, and working with you in the future to help make Maryland into a state where our voice is heard.
Sincerely,
Neil
Neil C. Parrott
Chairman, MDPetitions.com
P.S. We would really like to see as many people as possible at Blob’s Park This Wednesday, April 17th, 2013. I hope that you and your family will make a special effort to join us for what we hope will be a big announcement.
P.P.S. Please make an immediate donation at mdpetitions.com/donate to help us get ready for a petition drive.
P.P.P.S. Please fill out a brief survey here and let us know the top issues you’d like to see go to referendum.
Checks are also accepted, payable to MDPetitions.com and mailed to P.O. Box 32, Funkstown, MD 21734
Authority: MDPetitions.com. Deborah Miller, Treasurer.
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MDPetitions.com exists to enable Marylanders to have a say in their government and serves as the leader in Maryland’s petitioning process. MDPetitions.com helped collect signatures to allow Marylanders to vote on the bill that would have given in-state college tuition benefits to illegal aliens, to vote on the same-sex marriage bill, and to vote on Maryland’s Gerrymandered Congressional Redistricting Map.
Neil C. Parrott, Chairman; Deborah Miller, Treasurer
Phone: (240)329-0293
Email: MDPetitions@gmail.com
Donations: mdpetitions.com/donate |
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