We had our second meeting yesterday. Met some new folks. Ate cookies. Got fired up. It was great. Here are my notes:

The Tea Party Express is going to have a rally in Concord on Tuesday, April 13 at 4pm. Alli, Jonathan, and I said we’d go. Jim might. Anyone else? Let me know if you want to meet somewhere to drive down together (maybe carpool?). Jonathan might even wear a patriot costume!

We need to think of good signs to hold up at the rally. David and I went to a march in Washington, DC last September and took lots of photos, which David shared through his blog. Some of those signs might provide some inspiration. A quick online search revealed some free sign artwork and sign slogan ideas.

The Tea Party Express is also going to hold rallies in Boston on April 14th and in Washington, DC on April 15th. Some of us might make it to Boston … not sure about Washington, though.

The NH Tea Party Coalition website shows rallies on April 15th in Manchester, Portsmouth, and Concord. Anyone interested?

There will be a march in Washington on August 28th, called “Restoring Honor” put together by Glenn Beck’s 9/12 Project. Anyone want to go?

Alli mentioned that the creation of a civilian military is included in the health care bill. Judge Napolitano has apparently mentioned it on his radio show. Fellowship of the Minds has a post that includes a video of the Judge talking about it. Background information about Obama telling us that a civilian army is a goal of his administration is at American Thinker.

I typed up a list of our current governor, senators, and representatives with their next election dates and the candidates running for their office. Everyone picked a candidate or two to find out where that candidate stands on the issues. I’m going to create a separate page on this blog to share the information we find. For the people who weren’t at the meeting – I’ll send you an email with a representative to look into. I got the information from The Green Papers.

We also need to research our state-level representatives. I’ll compile that list for the next meeting. Alli mentioned the NH Liberty Alliance website is a great resource for reading current state bills and seeing each representative’s “Liberty Rating“.

Jim discussed a book he read years ago, Our Enemy The State, by Albert Jay Nock (click the title to download the free PDF of the entire book). The book was written in 1935. Nock was reacting to FDR’s New Deal – it all applies to what we’re seeing today. He mentioned that James Madison knew that the government would use “every crisis as an opportunity.” Leaving charity to be taken care of by the government causes a shift in society – we no longer feel responsible to help a begger – we assume that government will help him. And it changes from being charity to an entitlement.

Jim also talked about P.J. O’Rourke – a satirical author of 15 books and Reason Magazine – a Libertarian magazine, which had an amusing interview with Dave Barry about why he is a Libertarian.

We spoke a bit about the Libertarian Party. Some parts of their platform don’t agree with our views (i.e. open borders). John Stossel’s article about being a Libertarian was also discussed.

Three people are starting to read Glenn Beck’s Common Sense. At least three other people have already read it. Looking forward to discussing it next week!

I talked a little about the book I’m reading – A Patriot’s History of the United States by Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen. The part I’m at is about the time of the Articles of Confederation. The emphasis of government then was on preserving the sovereignty of the individual states and having a powerful legislative branch – no one trusted the executive branch, and the judicial was very limited as well.

The next meeting will be on April 22nd. Hope to see you there!

Republicans are starting to back away from their promise to repeal the healthcare bill.

At least one Republican Senate candidate, Mark Kirk of Illinois, has eased back from his earlier, adamant repeal-the-law stance. And the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which fiercely opposed President Barack Obama’s health legislation, now urges opponents to pursue a “more effective approach” of trying to “minimize its harmful impacts.”

The only effective approach is to repeal it. The majority of Americans don’t want it. It shouldn’t have passed in the first place.

With elections coming up this year, keep an eye on which candidates sign the pledge.

My hope for this blog is to share info from our meetings, but also to stay in touch between meetings … share news that we see and want to share, tell about something just learned from a book, or whatever comes to mind. With my three boys keeping my attention most of every day, it’s not easy for me to write often … so hopefully other group members will make some posts here too!

Anyway … I just read about how our tax dollars are hard at work collecting census information. A census worker tipped off Michelle Malkin about what their training and workload have been like. Of course, none of it is surprising – is there anyone who really thinks the government uses our tax dollars in our best interests?? Honestly, I’d like to find one example of how our money is spent wisely by the powers that be.

We had our first meeting! Coffee, muffins, intelligent discussion. It was all good. There were five of us talking about all sorts of things – representatives, books, privacy infringements, upcoming legislation, tea party movement, facebook, liberty, etc. I tried to take some notes to keep track of some thoughts shared …

We need to learn about our representatives. In the Senate is Jeanne Shaheen (D) and Judd Gregg (R). Gregg is not seeking re-election – want to pay close attention to that election in November. In the House of Representatives is Carol Shea-Porter (D) and Paul Hodes (D). Our governor, John Lynch (D) is up for re-election this year. And there are state representatives to think about too. Lots of people to learn more about!

The Green Papers and US Elections are good websites to learn more about who is running in the upcoming elections.

Books that have been read, are being read, were borrowed out to be read and discussed at future meetings, or were mentioned in some way:

• Pocket-sized Declaration of Independence and Constitution – get yours free from the Heritage Foundation.
• A Patriot’s History of the United States by Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen
• Common Sense by Glenn Beck
• American History Stories You Never Read in School but Should Have
• Samuel Adams: The Father of American Independence by Dennis Fradin
• The 5000 Year Leap: A Miracle That Changed the World by W. Cleon Skousen
• The Real Thomas Jefferson by Andrew M. Allison
• Lives of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence – a free PDF download

Some websites and news items that were mentioned:

• Minnesotans for Global Warming Good for a chuckle.
• An upcoming bill may give convicted felons voting rights. Gee, I wonder what party they’ll vote for? I couldn’t find an online article about this, but found an interesting state-by-state breakdown of which people with felony convictions can vote.
• The IRS and Department of Education are purchasing shotguns. Hmm … why?
• Houston, TX police are taking serious crowd control training. What are they preparing for?
• Bible study groups in private homes has been banned in some cities in the USA?! I did a quick Google search and found this is true in Gilbert, AZ and San Diego, CA.
• Social security is paying out more than it’s taking in. Love the timing of this news breaking the day after the healthcare bill is signed. Why do people trust the government with their money?
• Don’t believe what your music teacher tells you; the polar bears are just fine.
• Be concerned about government healthcare invading your privacy. One serious issue is false Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy allegations. This was an epidemic in England (where they have socialized medicine).
• The healthcare bill doesn’t cover everyone they thought it would. Maybe they should have read it first.

Everyone turns to different places to stay informed. Some that were mentioned:

• Glenn Beck – check out videos of his shows at The Right Scoop.
• Patriot Update
• Tea Party Patriots
• #tcot at Twitter

The Tea Party Express is coming our way next month – April 13th in Concord, April 14th in Boston, April 15th in Washington. Who wants to go??! At least mark April 13th on your calendars now!!

Our next group meeting will be Thursday, April 8th at 1pm. I’m looking forward to more lively discussion! … and I think we’ll have a few more people joining us at that meeting … should be fun!

Two hundred and thirty-five years ago today, Patrick Henry boldly stood up in Virginia’s House of Burgesses and delivered a stirring speech, imploring the delegates to join Massachusetts in the Revolution.

His words ring just as true today.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the numbers of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth, to know the worst, and to provide for it.

Read the whole thing.

I’m so happy that Spring is finally here … and I want the warm weather to last forever! But I have to admit part of me is itching for November to get here so I can vote! I can’t wait to see the changes that come with the midterm elections.

I’ve always tried to have some idea of who I’m voting for … but this time around I’m going to make sure I really know every person on the ballot. And thanks to The Green Papers, that job just got easier.

Quote of the day: “Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government.” – Thomas Jefferson

After months of talking about it, we’ve finally set a date and time! This coming Thursday – March 25th at 1pm – will be the first meeting of our book club / political discussion group!

Everyone who’s interested is invited to come! Email me for directions.

Bring any book about American history or current politics that you’ve read or are currently reading (if you have one). And be prepared to talk about any and all political issues!