THE RHEA COUNTY REPUBLICAN

ADVANCING THE CONSERVATIVE CAUSE

Vol. 6 – No. 11 January 2023

The original content of this publication is copyrighted. Requests for reprinting may be obtained by contacting the Editor and Publisher at: pyrope84045@mypacks.net

Table of Contents

Greetings ———————————————————————1

Editorial ———————————————————————–2

Quit Underestimating President Biden——————————–3

The Conservative Catastrophe——————————————4

Thoughts on the Slim Majority——————————————-7

A Letter to a Congressional Representative————————–7

Comments From Representatives—————————————9

Comments From Correspondents————————————10

Legislative Report———————————————————11

Rhea County Republican Party News ——————————–21

Lagniappe ———————————————————————21

Contact Your Elected Representatives Today! ——————–23

WATCH THIS SPACE FOR A VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT NEXT MONTH!

GREETINGS:

It is our wish that you and yours celebrated a joyous Holiday Season

As we begin 2023, let us remain constantly mindful of our many blessings – among the greatest of which is to live in the best country to ever exist on planet Earth! Let us also be ever mindful of the attendant responsibilities that go with our enormous privileges of Citizenship in this great country.

Therefore, let us resolve that we will contribute our time and resources for the purpose of preserving our Constitutional Republic for the future generations of Americans. Decide today that you will join your fellow Citizens in doing your part. Together, we can overcome all challenges – just as did those Patriots who came before us!

EDITORIAL

In the November and December issues of The Rhea County Republican, the Legislative Report feature provided analyses of more than 140 bills. This month’s Legislative Report contains a few of the more notable bills, the remainder of which finalize the last ditch efforts of the Democrat to advance Socialism in the United States before they lose their majority in the House of Representatives.

Along with the publication of those analyses was an appeal to readers to contact their representatives to express their views on those bills.

It has been something of a very pleasant surprise to receive numerous emails from Correspondents all across the USA, stating that they had, in fact, taken a few minutes of their time to contact their representatives and inform them of their opinions of the bills presented. Please note that many of the bills introduced by the Democrats were included as a part of the Omnibus Spending Bill that will be brought up for a vote sometime after December 16^th.

While there may not be a way to accurately assess the degree of influence the many Correspondents will have on the votes taken on the bills, it is safe to say that our Correspondents have at least tilted the scales in favor of ADVANCING THE CONSERVATIVE CAUSE! As we used to say back in the ‘60s: “If you’re not a part of the solution; you’re a part of the problem.” That old saw still rings true today.

We, the Conservative Citizens, must remain active; we must continue to make our voices heard, and every voice matters. Never let anyone, anywhere cause you to doubt this!

This month’s Comments from Correspondents includes some of the emails submitted for publication.

Thank you for taking time to speak up and let your representatives know your thoughts.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

If I can do no more, let my name stand among those who are willing to bear ridicule and reproach for the truth’s sake, and so earn some right to rejoice when the victory is won. -Louisa May Alcott, writer and reformist (29 Nov 1832-1888)

QUIT UNDERESTIMATING PRESIDENT BIDEN

Newt Gingrich

Republicans must learn to quit underestimating President Joe Biden.

The college and professional football seasons always help me clarify the difference between winning and losing. I love the Green Bay Packers, but they are not having a good year. On the other hand, the University of Georgia just executed its second undefeated regular season since Herschel Walker played there. (Of course, the Bulldogs must beat LSU for the SEC Championship and then win their second consecutive national championship to Georgia alumni’s expectations.)

The clarity of winning and losing creates a clarity of analysis about who is doing well and who isn’t.

If you apply that simple model to Biden, you realize how well he is doing by his own definition of success.

Like most Americans, I do not approve of the job he is doing. Like virtually all conservatives and Republicans, I deeply oppose his policies. They are clearly weakening America and strengthening our enemies. And, again, like most Americans, I oppose the woke policies which are undermining and threatening to destroy popular, unique, shared American culture.

However, conservatives’ hostility to the Biden administration on our terms tends to blind us to just how effective Biden has been on his terms. He has only built upon and fortified the left-wing Big Government Socialist woke culture system.

We dislike Biden so much, we pettily focus on his speaking difficulties, sometimes strange behavior, clear lapses of memory, and other personal flaws. Our aversion to him and his policies makes us underestimate him and the Democrats.

But remember: Presidents Dwight Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan both preferred to be underestimated. Both wanted people to think of them as pleasant – but not dangerous. They found being underestimated was a major asset. While people laughed at them, they were busy achieving their goals and getting their programs implemented.

Biden has achieved something similar.

He has spent 50 years in public life (elected to the U.S. Senate at 29 and only eligible to be sworn in after the election in 1972). Biden genially bumbled into becoming a major force in the Senate. While he failed miserably in attempting to run for president, he ended up as vice president for eight years. Then he stayed in the basement and won in 2020.

The Biden team took an amazingly narrow four-vote majority in the U.S. House and a 50-50 tie in the Senate and turned it into trillions of dollars in spending – and a series of radical bills. The latest bill on sexual rights overriding all other rights was bitterly opposed by virtually every conservative even as it passed with Republican support.

Biden has carefully and cautiously waged war in Ukraine with no American troops. Although poorly timed and slowly delivered, U.S. weapons and financial aid have helped cripple what most thought would be an easy victory for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Despite terrible problems with the economy, crime, and the border (which led many analysts, me included, to assume the GOP would make big gains in November) Biden and his team executed a strategy of polarizing Americans against Donald Trump supporters. They turned Jan. 6 into a crisis which eclipsed the Left’s previous summer of fire, chaos, and destruction. They also grossly exaggerated the threat to abortion rights. And it all worked.

The Biden team had one of the best first term off-year elections in history. They were not repudiated. They did not have to pay for their terrible mismanagement of the economy.

If Republicans are going to successfully work through the next two years in the Congress – and win the presidency in 2024 – we need to look much more deeply at what worked and what did not work in 2020 and 2022.

Today there is not nearly enough understanding (or acknowledgement) among leading Republicans that our system and approach failed. We need to rethink from the ground up how we are going to Defeat Big Government Socialism – including almost inevitable second-time Democrat Presidential Nominee Biden.

This is a much bigger challenge than I would have guessed before the election.

THE CONSERVATIVE CATASTROPHE

John Droz, Jr., Media Balance Newsletter

Morehead, NC

US Conservatives are losing — Big Time. They blame the media, major Dem donors, and a variety of other sources. Although those are indeed factors, IMO these losses are primarily because US Conservative organizations have failed to acknowledge and address four (4) major deficiencies. Note that in every one of these situations, the Left does a MUCH better job. Also note that each of these is relatively easily fixable — IF they are acknowledged and prioritized.

1 – Failure to Work Together

Believe it or not, there are 150± US national Conservative-leaning organizations! Do they get together and work out policy priorities, strategies, assignments, etc. (like the Left does)? NO! Evidently they have not heard of — or don’t believe — the idiom: United We Stand, Divided We Fall!

Furthermore, I have been unable to find any Conservative organization that has even put together a comprehensive list of their US allies — much less an email list to keep in touch and share ideas. That omission is simply stunning.

When I have spoken to high-level people at some of the major US Conservative organizations, they acknowledge that they do not work closely with other similar organizations. I was told that their major justification is that doing so “will likely reduce our donor contributions.” IMO it is exactly the opposite, as existing donors would give likely more (and new donors would likely come off the sidelines), when they finally see quality teamwork efforts going on.

2 – Failure to have Unified Sensible Messages

On many important issues, the startling answer is that Conservatives do not have a unified sensible message. Take Energy policy as an example. What is the unified sensible message on renewables? Unfortunately, Conservatives are all over the map regarding whether renewables are a good thing or not. Even worse — much worse — many Conservatives have directly adopted the Left’s mantra “All of the above.” The Left’s mantra!!!

Even ignoring that obvious red flag, the fact is that “all of the above” means that on our electric grid we should give a pass to very expensive, extremely unreliable, and environmentally destructive electrical energy sources. What sense does that make?

This is the type of self-defeating inanity that comes from not working together.

3 – Failure to utilize Sophisticated Communication to convey their Messages

Most Conservative believe that their positions (e.g., secure borders, right to life, etc.) should be so self-evident that they sell themselves. I hear from MANY Conservatives who sincerely believe that “the facts will win the day.” Sorry, but that is not true.

Yes, we need the facts on issues such as climate change. However, unless we can effectively communicate simple, accurate, compelling messages to the public, we will continue to lose.

The Left has put a lot of effort into doing just that. A good example is that they have introduced a wide selection of marketing soundbites into the language. They do this as they are well aware that those who control the words, control the narrative.

For instance, take “wind farm.” Nothing is being “farmed” other than subsidies. The Left’s communication experts knew that depositing a large industrial complex into rural settings, would not go well. So, as a preemptive strike, they named this industrial facility a “wind farm.” The intent was to take the focus off the industrial reality by using a phrase that made it seem bucolic and pastoral.

This is an example of the Left using powerful sophisticated communication. Here is a list I put together of some other misleading marketing terms created by the Left, plus some alternative words we should use instead. How about “All of the Sensible” instead of the absurd “All of the Above?” Not only do those on the Right rarely create such terminology, but (even worse) all the time I hear intelligent people on the Right using the Left’s marketing phrases. Enough already!

4 – Failure to have an Optimum Marketing Strategy

Since organizations on the Right rarely work together, it’s no surprise that they have not agreed on and utilized an optimum marketing strategy. Each Conservative organization is essentially doing their own thing.

Consider this stark difference: One of the Left’s key marketing strategies is to win over people in groups, while Conservatives’ strategy is to win over people as individuals. A good example of this is how the Left has targeted our academic system (i.e., a large group of students). Which side do you think will end up with larger numbers?

There are plenty of wealthy US Conservatives who would be glad to contribute to effective Conservative organizations. However, these intelligent, savvy people are well aware of the above deficiencies, so why would they throw good money after bad?

Donors to Conservative organizations should condition their donation on getting satisfactory answers and actions to achieve the above four issues. Money needs to talk. So, be sure you know exactly what your donation is buying. Don’t be satisfied with platitudes or broad “feel good” generalizations!

[John Droz, Jr. is the Publisher of The Media Balance Newsletter – an enlightening publication that is free for the asking. To subscribe, send an email to: criticallythinking@substack.com ]

THOUGHTS ON THE SLIM MAJORITY

Kris Bancroft, Editor

The Republicans have eked a small majority in the House of Representatives, a mere 222/213 margin, but a few of the establishment Republicans have begun to express their “grave concerns” that such a slim majority will empower the “fringe elements” in Congress.

Could those establishment-types be talking about the Conservative Caucus? That certainly seems to be the case.

The one thing the establishment Republicans have failed to consider is their control of the House of Representatives affords them the ability – and responsibility – to control the government’s purse. Even if the Democrat-led Senate passes a bill, it will receive no funding if it fails to pass in the House!

Properly led and managed, such a slim majority could turn out to be a very good thing. When every vote matters, the Republican establishment will be forced to actually listen to the more conservative Republicans, instead of, as before, telling them to sit down and shut up.

What does “success” look like for the Conservative Caucus? The best hopes are that it will manifest itself in the form of stopping the RINO capitulation known as “reaching across the aisle.”

As it turns out, the slim majority now owned by the Republicans could bring back that long-forgotten identifier “Rock-ribbed Republicans” – a truly unified Republican Party – a thing that is needed now perhaps more than at any time in American history!

Of course, all Republicans, and most especially the RINO “squids,” will still and forever desperately need the guidance of “We the People.” We must, therefore, resolve to constantly remind them that they are (supposed to be) Conservatives, and if they want to hold onto their office, they’d better act as such.

A LETTER TO A CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE

Dear _______,

Conservatives have a partial victory to celebrate with the Republican victory in the House of Representatives, but it will only be meaningful if “someone” can convince Mr. McCarthy (and the rest of the RINOs) to stop with the “reaching across the aisle” capitulation to the Democrats. I think this is a job for the Conservative Caucus, and I am hoping that the Caucus will stand firm against the Democrats and the RINOs. Doing so will help restore the credibility of the GOP, in general, and persuade independent voters that the Republican Party actually does have a spine.

So, what does “standing firm” mean? To me, in part, it means:

Delivering a WORKABLE plan that will both cut spending AND reduce our nation’s debt.
Exposing the serial crimes of the Biden- and 0bama regimes (along with the crimes committed by HRC), and following up by pursuing criminal prosecution for those crimes, with punishment to the fullest extent of the law. (Frankly, we have had enough of the perpetual investigations, hearings, and “probes” that expose all manner of malfeasance but never result in meaningful punishment for the perpetrators, and this has cost the Republican Party credibility among Conservative voters.)
Over the past three months, I have read most of the several hundred bills that have been introduced by the Democrats. It is obvious that many of these bills will be folded into the upcoming “Omnibus Spending Package” and as such they will escape adequate scrutiny by the People. The vast majority of these bills advance Socialism and, in many other ways, do great harm to our country. I am making a plea to you and your fellow Republicans to use your platform to expose the truth about these bills and use “power of the purse” to strangle them. Frankly, I would rather see ALL the non-essential functions of my government shut down than to see these bills enacted into law!

I very much look forward to your response but mostly I am looking forward to seeing you and your colleagues take meaningful action on these matters.

Thank you.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

The further a society drifts from the truth the more they will hate those who speak it. – George Orwell

COMMENTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES

Communications were sent to several representatives urging that they work against providing computer chip manufacturers with subsidies but, instead, place tariffs on computer chips manufactured in China. No responses had been received as of press time. – Editor

Dr. Paul Gosar (R-AZ4) writes:

Biden and Democrats love to lie about Social Security. Not one Republican has a bill to cut benefits. In fact some Republicans, like me, have legislation to increase benefits.

The decision by Congress to tax Social Security benefits in 1983 has been a public policy disaster from the beginning. Not only has it deprived America’s senior citizens of benefits which they rightfully earned after a lifetime of hard work and paying into Social Security, but its failure to account for inflation means senior citizens are subject to an annual tax hike.

The Social Security Administration now estimates that 56% of recipients pay income taxes on their benefits. It makes no sense for the federal government to punish senior citizens who saved for retirement or who continue to work. This merely increases the scope of the federal government and deprives Americans of what they are rightfully entitled to.

Congress also failed to account for inflation on the tax threshold. Originally, only one in ten recipients paid taxes on benefits. Failure to account for inflation has subjected more and more Americans to taxable benefits, equating to an annual tax increase on senior citizens.

That is why I introduced H.R. 4453, the No Tax on Social Security Act. This much needed legislation corrects the nearly four-decade old mistake previously made by Congress and restores full social security benefits to America’s senior citizens by changing current tax policies to exclude those benefits from annual gross income and federal taxation, ensuring recipients receive the totality of benefits they rightly deserve.

Bill Hagerty (R-TN) writes:

Last month, I sought to pass my “Stop Fentanyl Border Crossings Act”, which would add large-scale drug smuggling as an additional basis for Title 42 expedited removal immigration authority, after a federal judge outlawed the continued use of existing Title 42 authority. Unfortunately, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) blocked the legislation. The Biden Administration has dismantled our nation’s most effective border-security policies. When I traveled to the border in April, Border Patrol agents told me that Title 42 was the last tool they had left to partially slow the ongoing tidal wave of illegal crossings. How much longer will we allow our broken border policies to be manipulated by a criminal alliance between the Chinese Communists and the billion-dollar Mexican drug cartels that are shipping huge quantities of deadly illegal drugs into the United States across our southern border? Removing Title 42 will overwhelm processing capacity, and the border would effectively cease to exist. Such a surrender of American security and sovereignty is intolerable.

[Note: The House version of this bill was introduced by Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-4) – Editor]

RANDOM THOUGHTS

Ronald Reagan speaks on the Democracy of Happiness: https://youtube.com/shorts/Ie4WjoF0uYs?feature=share

COMMENTS FROM CORRESPONDENTS

You are invited to become a Correspondent, and share thoughts, opinions, ideas, and announcements with others. Please state your city, state, or country in your submissions and email them to: pyrope84045@mypacks.net . Your fellow Conservatives want to hear from you! – Editor

Ben Stevens, Garland, TX writes:

Our Customs and Border Patrol Agents are stressed to nearly their breaking point. The news of fourteen suicides among these brave individuals brought tears to my eyes and I have tried to reach out to them to let them know it is not the American people who have forsaken them, but the Biden administration who is to blame for the stress they are bravely enduring.

The other day though, my grief turned to anger when I heard that Biden said he was “too busy” to go to the border while he was in Arizona. That was just totally unforgivable. I am hoping the Republican majority in the House can pass a bill to give the CBP the funding and staffing they need to do the job they’re trying to do. Who knows, maybe if enough people will demand that our government finish the border wall and round up and deport all the people who have snuck across our border, the CBP will come to realize that the people are on their side – their only enemies are Biden and his Democrats.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

The biggest problem in American Politics: https://youtube.com/shorts/Isk5q4HcBJI?feature=share

LEGISLATIVE REPORT

The Legislative Report provides information on some of the more remarkable bills that have been introduced in Congress. Its purpose is to provide the reader with information about pending legislation that may prompt the reader to contact their representatives to express their views.

In the emailed version of the Legislative Report, you will see markers + and + on certain bills. The red icon is placed to encourage the reader to contact their representatives and ask them to vote against the legislation. On bills marked with the green icon, the reader is encouraged to contact their elected representatives and ask them to support the legislation. The reader is always encouraged to keep informed about all legislation from other sources so they may be aware of bills that affect our lives. Decide today that you will make your voice heard. If you remain silent, your representatives will never know your thoughts! – Editor

+++++HR 9506 To prohibit the consideration in the House of Representatives and Senate of legislation which includes a provision authorizing the appropriation of an amount of funds for a program which does not include a provision reducing by at least the same amount the amount otherwise authorized to be appropriated for the same program or for any other program, and for other purposes (Byron Donalds, R-FL, Text not yet available).

Representative Donald’s bill would prevent the Omnibus Bill from increasing the national debt. The bill will not pass but it serves as a reminder that our government is on a spending spree that will eventually collapse our nation’s economy.

++S 5135 Protect Farmers From The SEC Act (John Boozman, R-AR, Text not yet available).

To amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to prohibit the Securities and Exchange Commission from requiring an issuer to disclose information relating to certain greenhouse gas emissions, and for other purposes.

This bill is in response to a requirement that farmers must conduct studies and provide a report on their estimated “greenhouse gas emissions” as a prerequisite to doing business with the SEC.

++S 5119 Restoring Military Focus Act (Marco Rubio, R-FL, 3 pages).

A bill to eliminate the position of the Chief Diversity Officer of the Department of Defense, and for other purposes.

+++S 5131 Fair Access for Cannabis Small Businesses Act (Jacky Rosen, D-NV, 11 pages).

A bill to ensure that certain loan programs of the Small Business Administration are made available to cannabis-related legitimate businesses and service providers, and for other purposes.

Legalizing the sale (and possession) of a drug that muddles the minds of its users (marijuana) is one thing, but subsidizing the marketing of the drug with taxpayers’ dollars is totally unacceptable.

++++S 5122 CCP Visa Ban Act of 2022 (Marco Rubio, R-FL, 4 pages).

A bill to provide greater scrutiny of visas for Chinese Communist Party members.

What’s not to like?

+S 5134 United States Foundation for International Conservation Act of 2022 (Chris Coons, D-DE, 26 pages).

A bill to establish the United States Foundation for International Conservation to promote long-term management of protected and conserved areas, and for other purposes.

A companion bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives (HR 9340), by David Joyce (R-OH).

In other words, Senator Coons and his band of “Green New Deal” do-gooders want to use US taxpayer dollars to fund a program that meddles in the sovereignty of other countries. NO, thank you!

+++S 5152 Concerned Citizens Bill of Rights Act (Roger Marshall, R-KS, 9 pages).

A bill to foster transparent crime data, to discourage no-cash bail, and for other purposes.

No cash bail is a recent phenomenon that has become commonplace in many liberal-run cities. Senator Marshall’s bill would compel those cities to eliminate no cash bail by suspending or eliminating grants awarded under section 1701 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10381); and grants awarded under subpart 1 of part E of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10151 et seq.);

+S 5151 End Hedge Fund Control of American Homes Act (Jeff Merkley, D-OR, 10 pages).

A bill to prohibit individuals and entities from owning more than 100 single-family residences, and for other purposes.

Although Senator Merkley’s bill is most likely aimed at preventing wealthy American investors from acquiring properties it also would prevent foreign investors (Chinese, Russians, etc.) from doing likewise. Therefore, this is a bill that should receive bipartisan support.

+S 5154 Strengthening the AfCFTA Act of 2022 (Chris Van Hollen, D-MD, 16 pages).

To promote the African Continental Free Trade Area, and for other purposes.

This Act may be cited as the Strengthening the African Continental Free Trade Area Act of 2022 or the Strengthening the AfCFTA Act of 2022. It somewhat resembles the horrendous NAFTA agreement that Bill Clinton got us into with one major exception: As much as anything, this bill promotes and enables the arrangements between sub-Saharan countries and the Chinese Communist Party.

++++HR 3648 EAGLE Act of 2022 (Zoe Lofgren, D-CA, 26 pages).

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the per-country numerical limitation for employment-based immigrants, to increase the per-country numerical limitation for family-sponsored immigrants, and for other purposes.

This Act may be cited as the Equal Access to Green cards for Legal Employment Act of 2022 or the EAGLE Act of 2022.

This bill is the equivalent of an engraved invitation to all the people in all the countries of Central and South America to enter the United States by claiming they are doing so only for the purpose of seeking employment.

++++HR 9447 For the Relief of Terrence George (James McGovern, D-MA, 3 pages).

The purpose of Senator McGovern’s bill is to bend the existing immigration laws to provide permanent resident status for Terence George, to wit:

“Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, Terence George shall be eligible for issuance of an immigrant visa or for adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence upon filing an application for issuance of an immigrant visa under section 204 of such Act or for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident.”

A law that is not equally enforced in all situations is not a law; it is merely a means of ruling by fiat.

+++++HR 9437 To amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require covered issuers to carry out a racial equity audit every 2 years, and for other purposes (Al Green, D-TX, Text not yet available).

Mr. Green seeks money for those who have not earned it (and are incapable of earning it), as based on their race.

++HR 9434 To establish a grant program to incentivize the energy resilience of air carrier airports to acquire or install solar photovoltaic panels, battery storage systems, microgrids, and related electric infrastructure for on-site renewable energy generation and storage, and for other purposes (Mark DeSaulinier, D-CA, Text not yet available).

The war waged by the Democrats on fossil fuels continues.

++HR 9432 To establish the Airborne Wind Energy Research and Development Program, and for other purposes (Jamaal Bowman, D-NY, Text not yet available).

The war waged by the Democrats on fossil fuels continues.

+++HR 9441 To direct the National Institute of Justice to collect, study, and analyze online content created by mass shooters in an effort to early identify potential mass shooters (Kweisi Mfume, D-MD, Text not yet available).

This bill is a means to weaponize law enforcement agencies for the purpose of blocking free speech.

++HR 9425 To amend the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to require congressional notification if relatives or financial associates of the President are granted security clearances contrary to the advice or recommendation of a background investigation or determination of an adjudicating agency, and for other purposes (Adriano Espillat, R-NY, Text not yet available).

This bill will require the Biden family to disclose parts of their business dealings.

++HR 9426 To prohibit the use of Federal funds made available for foreign assistance to be used to support drag theater performances (Louie Ghomert, R-TX, Text not yet available).

The purpose of the bill is provided in its title.

+S 5207 A bill to authorize the Attorney General to make grants to improve public safety, and for other purposes (Tina Smith, D-MN, Text not yet available).

Senator Smith’s bill enables the Attorney General (AG) to usurp the role of the House of Representatives by allowing the AG to dispense tax dollars. What is most worrisome to the Conservative is to imaging what a character like Merrick Garland might do with a bag of swag. The AG’s vision of “public safety” is, most likely, very different from that of a rational human being.

++S 4577 Clear and Concise Content Act of 2022 (Gary Peters, D-MI, 12 pages).

A bill to improve plain writing and public experience, and for other purposes.

From the text of the bill: “The term plain writing means writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience, including an audience who may be disabled, may not be proficient in English, or may otherwise be disadvantaged or traditionally underserved.”

If only Senator Peters bill could be applied to other government entities who are recognized as the purveyors of gobbledygook, e.g. the IRS!

+HR 9466 To require Community Development Block Grant and Surface Transportation Block Grant recipients to develop a strategy to support inclusive zoning policies, to allow for a credit to support housing affordability, and for other purposes (James Clyburn, D-SC, Text not yet available).

The word “inclusive” means “free.”

++HR 9470 To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to clarify that expedited removal of inadmissible arriving aliens applies regardless of where the alien is encountered or apprehended, and for other purposes (Patrick Fallon, R-TX, Text not yet available).

This is one of the few bills that addresses the removal of illegal aliens. We need more bills like this!

HR 9484 To amend title 39, United States Code, and the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to improve procedures and requirements related to election mail (Nikema Williams, D-GA, Text not yet available).

Having tracked Ms. Williams’ liberal mindset it is very highly unlikely that her bill will make any meaningful improvements in election integrity, especially in the area of preventing fraudulent voting practices.

+++HR 9474 To extend immigration benefits to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other gender-based violence, and for other purposes (Primila Jaypal, D-WA, Text not yet available).

Ms. Jaypal’s response to handing out enormous amounts of Taxpayer’s money to illegal aliens is to hand out even more of the Taxpayer’s hard-earned money. Yeah, right!

++++HR 9481 To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a tax credit for new off-road plug-in electric vehicles (Dean Phillips, D-MN, Text not yet available).

Mr. Phillips, you have got to be kidding! This will cost the American Taxpayer literally billions of dollars. (The left-wing whacko war on fossil fuel continues.)

++++HR 9462 To establish the American Worker Retirement Plan, improve the financial security of working Americans by facilitating the accumulation of wealth, and for other purposes (Terri Sewell, D-AL, Text not yet available).

Dear Ms. Sewell, we already have an “American Worker Retirement Plan,” it’s called “Social Security,” and it worked fairly well until Lyndon Johnson spent $140 billion of the money to fund his war in Vietnam, and the rest of the money was transferred to the “General Fund,” where your colleagues could spend it on any boondoggle they could hatch! As for that “accumulating wealth” thingy you’re talking about, it’s called “savings accounts,” most particularly in the way of 401k and IRA investments. Please, wake up and smell the coffee!

++HR 9374 Countering Malign Russian Activities Globally Act (Gregory Meeks, D-NY, 8 pages).

To direct the Secretary of State to develop and submit to Congress a strategy and implementation plan outlining United States efforts to counter the malign influence and activities of the Russian Federation and its proxies in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and other regions as appropriate, and for other purposes.

+S 5229 A bill to direct the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library to remove the bust of Roger Brooke Taney in the Old Supreme Court Chamber of the Capitol and to obtain a bust of Thurgood Marshall for installation in the Capitol or on the Capitol Grounds, and for other purposes (Benjamin Cardin, D?-MD, five pages).

The ultra-left-wing Senator has conjured up a bill that could have appeared in “1984,” in that he seeks to replace a bust of a staunch conservative with one of a devout communist. Could it be that Mr. Cardin wants to pay homage to one of his “fellow travelers?”

https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1996-12-08-1996343012-story.html

Mr. Cardin’s fellow travelers passed this bill; it has been forwarded to the House of Representatives for consideration.

+++HR 9510 To amend the Federal Trade Commission Act to make hospital organizations and cooperative hospital service organizations subject to the law relating to unfair methods of competition (Primila Jayapal, D-WA, Text not yet available).

Ms. Jayapal is so steeped in her communist-based philosophy that she is unable to understand that promoting competition is one best way to foster improvements in a business practice. It is the absence of competition breeds mediocrity.

HR 9513 To enhance transparency and accountability for online political advertisements by requiring those who purchase and publish such ads to disclose information about the advertisements to the public, and for other purposes (Derick Kilmer, D-WA, Text not yet available).

This stated purpose of this bill has the potential of being an excellent change in the process of supporting political candidates.

++HR 9521 To prohibit any head of a Federal agency from providing assistance to the Wuhan Institute of Virology and other laboratories in certain other foreign nations (Chris Stewart, R-UT, Text not yet available).

What’s not to like?

+HR 9500 To support prioritization and expanded use of innovation at the United States Agency for International Development, and for other purposes (Juaquin Castro, D-TX, Text not yet available).

As is the typical behavior for liberals, Mr. Castro’s bill picks winners and losers, but there is more: The United States government should be totally focused on prioritizing the expanded use of innovation for American-owned companies and leave the rest of the world to solve its own problems until all of our own nation’s problems have been solved and the United States of America is, beyond any doubt, the strongest and most innovative economy on Earth!

++++HR 9522 To authorize affordable housing construction as an eligible activity under the Community Development Block Grant Program, and for other purposes (Maxine Waters, D-CA, Text not yet available).

The original purpose of block grants was to enable (subsidize) business development in poor neighborhoods. Being the genuine socialist and sponsor of the welfare state that she is, “Mad Maxine” now wants Taxpayers (that’s you and me), to also build even more “free” housing for people who have, for generations now, demonstrated that they are unwilling to sustain themselves.

++HR 9508 To protect Americans from the threat posed by certain foreign adversaries using current or potential future social media companies that those foreign adversaries control to surveil Americans, learn sensitive data about Americans, or spread influence campaigns, propaganda, and censorship (Mike Gallagher, R-WI, Text not yet available).

The “certain foreign adversaries” are China and, to a lesser degree, Russia, Iran and North Korea. The “social media companies” are (currently), Tik-Tok. In the meanwhile, Americans should erase Tik-Tok from their devices and especially from their children’s devices.

+S 5242 A bill to prevent international violence against women, and for other purposes (Jeanne Shaheen, D-NH, Text not yet available), and +HR 9497 (Janice Shakowsky, D-IL, Text not yet available).

OK, to be perfectly fair, we have not yet seen the text of neither Ms. Shaheen’s or Ms. Shakowsky’s bill but, prima facie logic suggests that they are either proposing that the USA nuke every country on Earth whose people have ever committed violence toward women, or somehow bribe those people into changing their ways. Either way, their suggestion is stupid . . . which pretty much sums up every other bill they have ever hatched.

+HR 9494 To improve the treatment of Federal prisoners who are primary caretaker parents, and for other purposes (Pramila Jayapal, D-WA, Text not yet available).

Hey Pramila, wait up a minute sweetheart. Tell us how “Federal prisoners” – people whom we are led to believe are incarcerated can simultaneously be “primary caretaker parents?” Might you be suggesting that all those “Federal prisoners” be let out of the hoosegow?

+HR 8393 Puerto Rico Status Act (Raul Grijalva, D-AZ, 42 pages).

To enable the people of Puerto Rico to choose a permanent, nonterritorial, fully self-governing political status for Puerto Rico and to provide for a transition to and the implementation of that permanent, nonterritorial, fully self-governing political status, and for other purposes.

For centuries, Purerto Rico has been a millstone around the necks of American taxpayers. Although it will be expensive on the front end to remove that corruptly governed island off the Taxpayer’s ledger, in the long run we will be better off for it.

While Mr. Grijalva is about as liberal as they come, even a broken clock is right twice a day!

+HR 9550 To establish a task force on the prevention of suicide by U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel, and for other purposes (Ernest “Tony” Gonzales, R-TX, Text not yet available).

Perhaps the most effective preventive measure would be if Mr. Biden actually upheld our country’s laws and its Constitution.

++++HR 9566 To provide grants to States to support State efforts to increase teacher salaries, and for other purposes (Frederica Wilson, D-FL, Text not yet available).

Ms. Wilson is one of Randi Weingarten’s favorite “Useful Idiots,” and for that reason, one is compelled to suspect her proposed handout has absolutely nothing that would require greater performance of those teachers.

HR 9561 To require the President to remove the extension of certain privileges, exemptions, and immunities to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices if Hong Kong no longer enjoys a high degree of autonomy from the People’s Republic of China, and for other purposes (Christopher Smith, R-NJ, Text not yet available). And S 5253 a bill with the same title (Marco Rubio, R-FL, Text not yet available).

In other words, if Xi Jinping and his gang take over Hong Kong, all the trade deals will be kaput!

+++++HR 9374 To prohibit the government of the District of Columbia from using Federal funds to allow individuals who are not citizens of the United States to vote in any election, and for other purposes (Chip Roy, R-TX, Text not yet available).

This bill needs to be PASSED yesterday!

++++HR 9555 To amend the Clean Air Act to create a national zero-emission vehicle standard, and for other purposes (Mike Levin, D-CA, Text not yet available). And ++++S 5263 A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to create a national zero-emission vehicle standard, and for other purposes (Jeff Merkley, D-OR, Text not yet available).

The war on fossil fuels continues.

+++++HR 9558 To direct the Secretary of Education to forgive the Federal student loans of borrowers who are enrolled for benefits under part A of title XVIII of the Social Security Act, and for other purposes (Adam Schiff, D-CA, Text not yet available).

This bill is an INSULT to every person who ever paid their way through college.

+++HR 5261 A bill to protect certain victims of human trafficking by expanding the authority of the Secretary of Homeland Security to grant such aliens continued presence in the United States (Ben Cardin, D-MD, Text not yet available).

This bill is a ruse by the nefarious Mr. Cardin to protect illegal aliens from being deported. It would enable any illegal alien to remain in the United States until their claim that they were victims of human traffickers was proven false (Hint: You can’t prove a negative.)

+++++S 5252 5261 A bill to establish the right of adults to engage in private, non-commercial, consensual sexual conduct in the exercise of their liberty (Brian Schatz, D-HI, Text not yet available).

Is Mr. Schatz incapable of finding something better to do with his time?

RHEA COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY NEWS

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on 5 January, at 7:00 PM, at the Rhea County Sheriff’s Training Center, 711 Eagle Lane, in Evensville.

Please join us and BRING A FRIEND!

PLEASE NOTE:

The Rhea County Republican Party will hold its Biennial Reorganization Meeting on 2 February 2023, 7:00 PM, at the Rhea County Sheriff’s Training Center, 711 Eagle Lane, Evensville, TN 37323.

To vote for the candidates who will serve on the Executive Committee, you MUST be a Member in Good Standing and you MUST have attended at least three of the last six Regular Meetings of the Rhea County Republican Party.

LAGNIAPPE

Five myths about Ayn Rand and Objectivism

Russell Coates

Ayn Rand (1905-1982) was a Russian-American novelist, playwright, and philosopher who has a lasting legacy as one of the foremost thinkers of the twentieth century. Her philosophy of Objectivism, presented throughout both her works of fiction and nonfiction, is groundbreaking and unique.

Objectivism is consistently mischaracterized and stereotyped in popular media, and is blamed as responsible for any right-leaning political development. Here are five common myths that you may have heard about Ayn Rand.

Myth #1: Ayn Rand was against charitable giving

A cornerstone of Ayn Rand’s philosophy was her opposition to altruism and her support of selfishness. Naturally, in common language this would imply she was fundamentally opposed to any and all forms of charity.

Charitable giving under the guise of altruism is contrary to the principles of Objectivism. However, giving can be fully consistent with rational self-interest. Giving money to specific individuals or causes actually has an important role to play in a night watchman state.

Rand held that some individuals are unable as opposed to unwilling to provide for themselves, and thus voluntary charity would be the only legitimate means of survival for some. However, it is of crucial importance that such giving remains motivated by reason rather than a sense of altruism.

In her article “The Ethics of Emergencies,” Rand stated: “By elevating the issue of helping others into the central and primary issue of ethics, altruism has destroyed the concept of any authentic benevolence or good will among men.“¹

Myth #2: Receiving any “government money” is unacceptable

Objectivism holds that government should not be in the business of redistributing money. Critics of Ayn Rand would point to her eventual collecting of Social Security money as a point of hypocrisy.

In Letters of Ayn Rand (letter 524, to Mrs. Milton W. Broberg), she addressed a fan whose husband had become unemployed and was receiving money from the government. Rand asserted that the man should not be ashamed to receive this assistance.

This was on the grounds that he had earned money that the state had plundered from him while he was working, and that he was merely getting back some of what was already his. It is precisely because Rand opposed collectivist wealth redistribution that she viewed collecting Social Security as restitution for what had been taken.

Furthermore, one of the characters in Atlas Shrugged, Ragnar Danneskjöld, would rob US merchant ships, convert the loot into gold, and return it to the people in Galt’s Gulch whose earnings had been taken by the state.

Myth #3: Ayn Rand did not tolerate religious people

Objectivism is a philosophy fundamentally at odds with religion, where there is no room for metaphysical mysticism. This does not mean, however, that Ayn Rand was intolerant of religious people. On the contrary, Ayn Rand is known to have held certain religious people in high regard and, while disagreeing, would gladly listen to their ideas and engage in debate.

Thomas Aquinas, a 13th-century priest, was one of two philosophers that Rand drew significant influence from, alongside Aristotle. Rand’s appreciation of Aquinas stems from the latter’s attempts to apply Aristotelian logic to his own beliefs. Reason was important to Aquinas, even though he ultimately did not reach the same conclusion as Rand.

Moreover, when writing her magnum opus, Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand had initially intended to include a priest in the story, a character who would be a “most glamorized projection of a Thomist philosopher, of a man who thought he could combine reason with religion.”²

Myth #4: Objectivism means our ultimate aim must be to make lots of money

Objectivism does not condemn the pursuit of money – something that makes it stand out from other philosophies. However, money is not one of the cardinal values of Objectivism.

Instead, these are reason, purpose, and self-esteem. The means of reaching these values are rationality, productivity, and pride. As such, money is not a goal in and of itself but is rather the outcome (in a capitalist society) of productivity, which is the central purpose of a rational man’s life.

In Atlas Shrugged, Rand presents heroes and villains at both ends of the wealth spectrum. Indeed, many antagonists in the story, such as James Taggart and Orren Boyle, are wealthy characters, while Galt’s Gulch has a place for productive people in all lines of work.

Myth #5: Ayn Rand was a conservative

Due to a number of conservative figures crediting Ayn Rand as an influence, a pervasive myth has arisen, claiming her as a conservative. Rand, however, would have categorically rejected this idea. Indeed, she was known to be fiercely critical of conservatives, disliking conservative figures such as Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.

Ayn Rand disagreed with conservatives on religion and religious morality. She also disagreed with them on policy. But, importantly, she also staunchly disagreed with the conservative approach to defending capitalism.

When conservatives defend capitalism, it is usually approached from an altruistic or utilitarian angle, i.e. it produces the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Conservatives may also defend capitalism on the grounds of tradition, rejecting the disruption of socialism. However, conservatism does not defend capitalism for the sake of capitalism.

In her essay “Conservatism: An Obituary,” Ayn Rand characterizes conservatives as follows, “They declare that we must defend the American political system not because it is right, but because our ancestors chose it, not because it is good, but because it is old.“³

¹ Rand, Ayn. “The Ethics of Emergencies.” The Virtue of Selfishness: A New Concept of Egoism. Fiftieth anniversary edition. New York: Signet, 1964, 49.

² Rand, Ayn. The Journals of Ayn Rand. Ed. David Harriman. New York: Plume, [1997] 1999. 540-541.

³ Rand, Ayn. “Conservatism: An Obituary.” Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal. 2nd ed. New York: Signet, [1966] 1967, 221.

CONTACT YOUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES TODAY!

Regardless of where you live in the United States, you can find your elected representatives at any level of government by visiting the following link. Remember: While they might be fairly bright, none of them can read your mind, so it is your obligation as a citizen to express your thoughts (and to urge all your friends and family and like-minded folks to do the same!)

https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials

Here’s a handy guide for Tennesseans in the 4^th Congressional District:

Joseph Robinette Biden (the “Big Guy”)

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington D.C. 20500

Phone: (202) 456-1414

Fax: (202) 456-2461

e-mail http://www.whitehouse.gov

president@whitehouse.gov

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn

357 Dirksen Senate Office Building