THE RHEA COUNTY REPUBLICAN

ADVANCING THE CONSERVATIVE CAUSE

Vol. 6 – No. 4 June 2022

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

Editorial ———————————————————————–1

What We Don’t Know —————————————————- 3

Public Schools Continue to Fail—————————————4

Thank You Tennessee Representatives —————————5

The Impending Chip Shortage—————————————–6

Thoughts On Going Cashless —————————————–7

The Sky Is Falling! The Sky Is Falling! —————————-10

Comments From Candidates ————————————— 12

Comments From Representative———————————– 12

Comments From Correspondents ———————————13

Legislative Report——————————————————- 16

Rhea County Republican Party News —————————- 30

Lagniappe —————————————————————– 31

Contact Your Elected Representatives Today! ————— 32

A QUESTION PLEASE

IF the Republicans gain a majority in both Chambers, who are your top three choices to serve as Speaker of the House and Senate Majority Leader? Please send your responses to:

pyrope84045@mypacks.net

Respondents will be entered for a drawing to win a $25.00 gift card!

EDITORIAL

Kris Bancroft, Editor

The final decision as to whether or not the taxpayer will be forced to pay off the $1.6 Trillion student debt still looms in the future. Whether Ms. Pelosi and Mr. Schumer can wrangle enough votes between now and the mid-terms to pass a bill cancelling all student loans remains to be seen but you can bet such a bill has top priority among the Democrats.

What is their motive?

Looking at Mr. Biden’s poll numbers (as unbelievable as it may seem, 33% of voters still “approve” of his performance), the Democrats have become desperate and frantic – they fear the Giant Red Tsunami will give the Republicans a 2/3^rds majority in the House and a significant majority in the Senate.

They don’t want to lose the power to tell the Republicans to sit down and shut up when they protest some piece of anti-American legislation. They don’t want to lose the control that enabled them to filibuster a bill out of existence, or to make cheap shot remarks during committee hearings. They don’t want to be relegated to the ash heap of history when they’re defeated on November 1^st.

The best gambit the Left has is to use their majorities to buy as many votes as possible, and buying votes is precisely what this $1.6 Trillion bill is all about.

How many votes will it buy?

The average student loan debt is reckoned to be in the neighborhood of $110,000. Passing a $1.6 Trillion would pay off slightly more than 14.5 million student loans, which could easily be translated as 14.5 million votes! Those votes (plus whatever cheating the Democrats can get away with this November), would be enough to change the outcomes of elections in many districts and prevent the Republicans from gaining a 2/3^rds majority in the House.

Some “moderates” have advanced the idea that Congress should allow those who have taken out student loans to: (a) make the debt dischargeable in bankruptcy, and; (b) require any college or university that accepts federal student loans to guarantee said loans by not offering degrees in non-marketable subject matter.

Do not be misled: In either case, the taxpayer is on the hook for covering the bankruptcy and it seems totally unacceptable to a rational human being that a waitress, or a truck driver, or a plumber should have a part of their earnings confiscated by their government in order to pay off a student loan for someone who thought earning a PhD in “Zombie Studies” would be a good idea.

To the objective thinker, the only acceptable means of discharging a debt is for the individual who accrued the debt to pay it back through monthly installments or through work of actual benefit to the taxpayers.

When all is said and done, the question of the moment then become this: Are you – the reader – willing to take just a few moments of your time to make a call or send an email to your elected representatives – both in the House and Senate – stating in no uncertain terms that you consider being forced to pay for someone else’s mistakes, e.g. student loans, is totally wrong, and that you could not vote for someone who supported paying off this $1.6 Trillion debt?

If you are fortunate enough to be represented by Republicans, they will appreciate your thoughts and share them with their Democrat colleagues. If your luck isn’t so good – if you are represented by one or more Democrats – you have an opportunity to send chills down their spine and cause them to have nightmares.

WHAT WE DON’T KNOW

Kris Bancroft, Editor

Back in December, 2021, Larry Turner, Inspector General for the Department of Labor, testified that as much as $163 Billion may have been erroneously paid to persons who fraudulently applied for unemployment relief under the provisions allowing for relief due to the effects of the Wuhan virus. https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Testimony-Turner-2022-03-17-REVISED.pdf

On 16 May, Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL), appeared on Larry Kudlow’s TV program (FBN), and stated that not only had that amount been confirmed by Mr. Turner’s office, it is suspicioned that the actual amount of said “relief” could be as much as $400 Billion.

So, where did the money go?

An investigative journalist with the Washington Post shared some insight on that question:

“In many cases, the criminals stole the unemployment funds using real Americans’ personal information. They bombarded states with applications filed in the names of actual workers or people in prison — sometimes to such a degree that, in the case of Maryland, fraudulent claims came to outnumber real requests for help, according to state correspondence reviewed by The Washington Post. Criminals employed tools known as botnets to fire off thousands of applications, federal officials say, often with a single computer click. And they openly swapped tips for defrauding the government on popular websites and apps, including the messaging service Telegram. That has continued this year, as research showed at least two dozen groups with nearly 200,000 members openly discussed ways to avert states’ defenses and siphon funds just over an eight-week period in March and April.

“The tactics are laid bare in a wide array of federal documents, congressional testimonies, technical reports and court filings, as well as interviews with roughly two dozen government officials and outside experts. Some of the malicious actors potentially even avoided detection, at least for a time, after the Labor Department refused to supply information needed to assist federal fraud investigations — a hurdle the White House intervened to resolve last year…In recent months, a wide array of state and federal law-enforcement agencies have sprung into action, training their sights on domestic criminals and gangs, as well as sophisticated networks based in Nigeria, Russia and Eastern Europe.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2022/05/15/unemployment-pandemic-fraud-identity-theft/

To put these numbers into some practical context, please consider the current estimated population of the United States is 320 Million. If those in charge of disbursements allowed $163 Billion to be paid out to people who didn’t qualify for the payments, that equates to their being responsible for allowing the fraudsters to dip into the pockets of every Citizen – man, woman and child – in America to the tune of ~$509.

So, what is it we don’t know?

As of the date of this edition of The Rhea County Republican, we do not know: the number of government employees who were fired for their ineptitude; we do not know the number of US Citizens who have been charged with fraudulently filing for – and receiving – money stolen from American Citizens, we have not been provided with a list of the countries where our money was sent and, we have no assurance that such fraud will never be perpetrated again.

Don’t you think it’s time we asked these questions?

https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/163-billion-in-pandemic-unemployment-fraud-or-error/

https://gop-waysandmeans.house.gov/reminder-over-163-billion-stolen-from-the-workers-and-businesses-who-needed-it-most/

https://gop-waysandmeans.house.gov/watchdog-less-than-1-billion-recovered-as-key-ui-fraud-estimate-increases-to-163b/

PUBLIC SCHOOLS CONTINUE TO FAIL

Hans Bader

“D.C. Public Schools Spent $31,843 Per Pupil; But D.C. 8th Graders Had Lowest Math and Reading Scores in Nation,” reports CNS News. Washington, DC spent more per student than any of the 50 states:

The public schools in Washington. D.C., spent a total of $31,843 per pupil in fiscal year 2020…Meanwhile, the National Assessment of Educational Progress tests administered in 2019 showed that only 23 percent of the eight graders in D.C. public schools were proficient or better in reading and only 23 percent were proficient or better in mathematics.

The average reading test score for D.C. eighth graders was lower than the average for eighth graders in any of the 50 states. The average math score for D.C. eighth graders tied with the averages for eighth graders in Alaska and New Mexico for lowest in the nation.

By contrast, Utah spent only $9,424 per student — less than a third as much as D.C. — yet its students performed above average. The Washington, DC schools have been spending more than any state for years, even as its students lag behind the students of all other states on tests, according to the National Center for Education Statistics:

In 2019 . . . eighth-graders in D.C. public schools had an average score of 250 out of 500 in the NAEP reading test. That was a lower average than any of the 50 states.

That same year, according to NCES, D.C. public school eight graders had an average score of 269 out of 500 in the NAEP mathematics test. That tied D.C. eighth graders with those in New Mexico and Alabama for the lowest average mathematics score in the nation.

You can find all this data and more in reports from the National Center for Education Statistics.

About the author: Hans Bader practices law in Washington, D.C. After studying economics and history at the University of Virginia and law at Harvard, he practiced civil-rights, international-trade, and constitutional law. He also once worked in the Education Department.

https://thebullelephant.com/washington-d-c-schools-spent-more-per-pupil-than-any-state-but-had-the-lowest-scores-in-the-nation/?fbclid=IwAR3mlZYlHPlJV9WXcDHQSyYSb2LKSyC0esO4grU7Av6ZHCthE6l9TjaX0Zs

THANK YOU TENNESSEE REPRESENTATIVES!

The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) ranked both of Tennessee’s U.S. Senators – Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty – and five of its Members of the House of Representatives – Tim Burchett (Knoxville), Diana Harshbarger (Kingsport), Mark Greene (Ashland City), John Rose (Cookeville) and, Scott DesJarlais (Sherwood), in the top 10% of most conservative lawmakers in Washington.

Are you curious as to where your lawmakers rank? The rankings for more than 15,000 elected representatives – including those in your State – may be found at the following link: http://ratings.conservative.org/

RANDOM THOUGHTS

Caught between the wrong-headed and the soft-hearted, our country has stumbled into a shambles. Widespread rioting and lawlessness, surging murder rates in cities across the country, and the demonization, demoralization, and depletion of the police—all driven by left-wing ideologues in office and on the streets—make it much harder to be complacent about criminal violence now, as so many of us were a few short years ago. Are we ready, at long last, to wage a true war on crime?

THE IMPENDING CHIP SHORTAGE

Kris Bancroft, Editor

American private sector has invested more than $200 billion into the semiconductor industry and plans to invest more. We don’t need the government to invest $50 billion more but that’s in the bill. Also, there is a $45 billion set aside for the DOE slush fund, $78 billion for the National Science Foundation (which is ten times their normal budget), $45 billion is added to the Commerce Department to help it figure out how to secure more “critical goods.” Then, there’s a $3 billion set aside for solar manufacturing (Solyndra comes to mind), $8 billion for the UN “Green Climate Fund, Taiwan Semiconductor is investing $12 billion to build a plant in AZ, Samsung is building investing $17 billion in a chip factory in Texas, Intel is building 2 factories in AZ using $20 billion of its own money but they’re using the $8 billion gifted from the taxpayer to build a semiconductor plant in . . . Germany! Why?

https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3D01jc6Mvchxw

As incredible as it may seem, some Democrats (a.k.a. Socialists) are whining that closing off trade relations with foreign manufacturers is “Protectionism.”

So, what’s wrong with looking out for our own citizens? What’s wrong with “protecting” our country from being drawn into foreign wars? What’s wrong with allowing our citizens to be victimized by foreign mismanagement, or being harmed by the whims of foreign dictators? If America is to be free, it must first be TOTALLY INDEPENDENT and have the capability to be TOTALLY SELF-SUSTAINING.

THOUGHTS ON GOING CASHLESS

Kris Bancroft, Editor

The worst part about shopping is going through the checkout line, but some are quick to remind us that it’s getting easier.

Just a few years ago, we would become frustrated as we watched the people in front of us go through their wallet or purse until they found the credit card they were looking for and either the clerk or card holder would run the magnetic strip on the card through the reader.

Just a few years before that, we would become frustrated while standing in line as we watched the people in front of us fumble for their checkbooks, write out a check for the amount of the purchase, fumble in their wallet or purse some more to find their driver’s license to prove they were who they claimed to be, and then be granted the checkout clerk’s blessings to carry away their purchases.

Those who used “plastic” would submit their card to the clerk, who would place it (seldom carefully), into the imprinter, slap an imprinter form (with two carbon copies on top of it, slide the press over the card to imprint the embossed numbers and card holder’s name onto the form, and return the card to the customer after they had signed on the dotted line, indicating they agreed with the purchase amount.

Going farther back, does anyone remember the “old folks” who fiddled through coin purses to find the most efficient coinage so they could pay for their purchase down to the penny?

Today, people are more conscious of time than at any time anyone can recall and maximizing our time seems to be the key driver of what we do and how we do it. Saving time at checkout lanes gives us more time for all the important stuff we do . . . like answering tweets and texts, or checking to see how many “Likes” our last Facebook post received. [Sarcasm implied!]

For whatever reason, spending less time in the checkout lines sounds awfully convenient, and the trend toward “going cashless” has extraordinary appeal, but on closer examination we see there are some heavyweight problems we must consider – convenience is never really “free,” is it?

Right off the bat we see living in a “Cashless Society” means no cash – none, zip, nada, ZERO! It means: no “tuck-away” funds for those wishing to escape an abusive relationship; no more garage sales or flea markets; no more cash donations for the hungry and homeless people we pass on the street; no more money slipped into the hand of a child from their grandparent; no more money in birthday cards; no more piggy banks or tooth fairies.

But, it gets worse – much worse! Going cashless means the banks – and, of course, the government – will have total surveillance and total control over all our finances.

Today, when our purchases have been recorded on the soon-to-be “cashless” register, we most often insert our credit, or debit, card into the device with a chip reader or magnetic strip reader, and within seconds, a ribbon of paper showing our purchases, and the amount we paid for them, comes streaming out of the “cash” register and we’re on our way. Sometimes, our “receipt” is conveyed to our smart phone – no paper (and both Al Gore and the polar bears on the ice floes smile when they hear the news that another piece of a tree has been saved.)

“Spooky Part Number One is: No one seems to mind – or is even aware – of what all takes place in those scant few seconds from the moment we insert our card into the reader and our receipt is printed but, if you’re curious, this is it:

The card/chip reader determines whether your card has been reported stolen, whether or not you are a fugitive from the law, and whether or not a death certificate has been filed in Office of your home state’s Medical Examiner.

Each item you’ve purchased is recorded in a database and an algorithm tracks your purchases – especially booze, drugs, ammunition and “gun-related” products, volatile chemicals, and “stuff” that’s not “good” for you – i.e. “junk food.” A host of government agencies collect these data, e.g. BATFE, DHS, IRS, DEA, and HHS, to name a few. If you buy too many rounds of ammunition, the government knows. If you buy a cleaning kit for a gun not registered to you, the government knows. If you donate money to an organization the government has determined to be “subversive,” the government knows. If you buy products that can be used to manufacture drugs or explosives, the government knows. If you buy too much “junk food” (that might have adverse health effects and increase the amount of 0bamacare you need), the government knows.

To add insult to the injury of having your 4^th Amendment rights trampled by our government, please know the government gives access to these data who use them to market products that are competitive to those you routinely purchase. (Ever wonder why you get those emails, letters, and phone calls trying to sell you more of the things you routinely buy? Now you know.)

“Spooky Part Number 2” follows:

Now we’re told, within five years, we will be living in both a “cashless” society and a “card-less” society. What’s more, we’re being told that our purchases will be made by allowing a scanner to “read” a chip implanted in our hand. No more wallets, no more credit or debit cards, no more identification cards or licenses. In fact, these chips are already in use! It is a matter of only a short, short time before implanted chips totally replace those embedded in our credit and debit cards.

Today, in both the European Union and United Kingdom, one can purchase a chip – about the size of a grain of rice – that is surgically implanted in the fleshy area of the hand, between the thumb and index finger. The individual bearing the chip holds their hand up to a reader and the amount of their purchase is instantly debited against the funds in their bank account. In a few nanoseconds, all the data mentioned previously is acquired and distributed to the “appropriate?” sources.

To think hordes of criminals have not already devised innumerable ways they will use these chips to defraud businesses and individuals is to be hopelessly naïve. By way of a brief illustration, a criminal could use a scanner similar to those used to capture personal information stored on smart phones, or; a criminal might cut the chip out of a victim’s hand (as a short-term strategy) and tape or glue it to their own, thus gaining access to the victim’s finances, or; a criminal could kidnap a victim and their family and compel them to go in person to withdraw funds from their bank account.

In short, in order for all parties in business transactions to be secure in their exchange of “value for value,” it will be necessary to devise a way to make certain a chip has not been purloined – a back-up plan, if you will, and that takes us to “Spooky Part Number 3:”

Read the following using your best Rod Serling voice: Imagine, if you will, you are out shopping with your newly implanted computer chip and you’re making a hefty purchase from a store you’ve never before entered. You place your right hand within range of the chip reader but, since the store management is concerned that you might not be who your chip proclaims you to be, they ask for additional verification. You are taken aback because you no longer carry a wallet or a purse with identification materials, but the store manager instantaneously assuages your concerns with an explanation delivered in dulcet tones:

“No worries dear customer, just point your face in the direction of this verification device.”

You ask what type of device the store manager is pointing at. The response is delivered – again in that soothing voice: “Why it’s simply a retina scanner; we’ve been using them since the days when criminals figured out ways to replicate finger prints. As you may know, a scan of your retina is recorded on your implanted chip because no one can replicate an individual’s retina.”

The following sources were referenced in the production of this article:

THE SKY IS FALLING! THE SKY IS FALLING!

Jim Clarkson, President

Resource Supply Management

jclarkson@rsmenergy.com

We have been reviewing the claims of green activists of the climate alarmist groups in the general news media.

There are some interesting and serious predictions made along with government action solutions proposed.

We decided to discuss the matter with the world’s most well-known authority on climate disasters. Here is how it went:

Ring, ring, ring.

“Hello, Chicken Little speaking.”

RSM: “Ms. Little this a reporter for Resource Supply Management’s newsletter. We want your take on some assertions made by green policy experts that receive wide attention.”

CL: “Certainly, I’m famous for my own prediction; and I’m on the steering committee with John Kerry and Al Gore to think up more scary predictions and the proper actions to counter them.

RSM: “Well that’s just it. These wild predictions and suggested actions are improbable to impossible. Many of the claims have been shown to be untrue.”

CL: “Truth, exaggerations, lies. It doesn’t matter. The point is to induce panic in the public. My prediction about the sky falling was very wrong, but it had the whole barnyard in a turmoil. That’s why I am a folk hero in the green movement.”

RSM: “Well, your tactics have inspired others. Real scientists have continuously exposed the phony stories from scientists on the government payroll. However, the news media still emphasizes the worst-case scenarios.”

CL: “Boy if we had today’s news media back in my day my influence would have been much greater.”

RSM: One more thing while we have you on the line: why did you cross the road?

COMMENTS FROM CANDIDATES

Candidates for elected offices from all States and all levels of government are encouraged to share their thoughts, opinions, ideas, and announcements by emailing them to pyrope84045@mypacks.net . Your constituents want to hear from you! – Editor

Clay Bryson, Candidate for Sheriff of Macon County (Franklin), North Carolina, shares the following:

I was born and raised in Macon County, and have spent half my life, 22 years to be exact, as a Law Enforcement Officer with the Macon County Sheriff’s Office. I enrolled in Basic Law Enforcement Training at Southwestern Community College in the fall of 1999 to begin my career and on April 11, 2000, on my 21^st birthday, I took my Oath of Office with the Macon County Sheriff’s Office. In January 2005 I received my first promotion within the agency and have spent the last 22 years working in various capacities and now serve as Captain over Patrol.

Throughout my career, I served in many roles within the Sheriff’s Office, first as a patrol deputy. From there, I then began working my way through the ranks as Corporal, Sergeant, First Sergeant, Narcotics Investigator, SWAT Commander, K9 Supervisor/Trainer, and now as Captain over Patrol.

I am the most qualified for Sheriff because I am the only “Boots on the ground” candidate in this race. I am out on the roads almost every day dealing with the problems we are facing in Macon County, alongside our Deputies. I am well-versed in many areas within the Sheriff’s Office. I have over 2,500 job specific training hours on top of the mandatory yearly in service training that is required. This job isn’t just a “title” or “job” for me, it’s a passion. I love my career – I’m not interested in the title. The men and women on the Sheriff’s Office deserve someone that can move the agency forward without repeating history, and the citizens of Macon County need someone that will listen and act upon their concerns. This is why I feel I would be a great fit for Macon County Sheriff.

[NOTE: To the 5 subscribers in Macon County, I think you’ve got yourself a winner! I hope you’ll spread the word and help Clay win.]

Blayne Osborn, Candidate for Nevada Assembly – District 39

Fellow Republicans,

The time for conservative leadership in Carson City is now, and I’m the ONLY candidate running for Assembly District 39 who:

Worked for the National Rifle Association (NRA) fighting to protect our cherished 2nd Amendment rights,
Is endorsed by Senator James Settelmeyer and Adam Laxalt
Is endorsed by Nevada Right to Life to fight for the protection of life,
Is not a career politician (this is my first campaign),

I was born and raised right here in our Assembly District, educated in our district and knows the issues important for our working families and retirees.

I’m a lifelong conservative Republican running to bring commonsense, liberty-minded, conservative solutions back to our state government, a government that has run amok under full Democrat control.

As your next Assemblyman, you have my word that I will:

Fight to implement Voter ID in our elections and ban ballot harvesting,
Hold our Governor accountable for his abusive emergency orders,
Oppose higher taxes and onerous regulations on our job providers,
Enact occupational licensing reform to get Nevadans back to work,
Seek to cut red tape and regulations on job providers in our district, and;
Restore Nevada’s Rainy Day fund and restore fiscal order.

COMMENTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES

Elected Representatives from all States and all levels of government are encouraged to share their thoughts, opinions, ideas, and announcements by emailing them to pyrope84045@mypacks.net . Your constituents want to hear from you! – Editor

On Monday, April 25th, Tennessee Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (TN-01) joined a small delegation led by House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy to the southern border.

“I’m not from a Border state, I’m from Tennessee. But every state in the union is going to be a border state. With these illegal drugs being smuggled across the border, I don’t know of a family that’s not been touched at all by someone who has lost a son or a daughter, or a mom or a dad because of the illegal use of fentanyl, methamphetamines – the numbers are unreal,” said Harshbarger.

https://bit.ly/3rVLAos

[Thanks to The Tennessee Conservative for sharing this link. – Editor]

RANDOM THOUGHTS

You can’t sell electric cars if gasoline is affordable. If you don’t think that’s part of what’s going on here you ain’t paying attention. – Allen Schrage

COMMENTS FROM CORRESPONDENTS

You are invited to become a Correspondent and share thoughts, opinions, ideas, and announcements with subscribers to this newsletter. 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

Bill Bastenbeck, Dayton, reveals Mr. Biden’s latest assault against our rights guaranteed by the 2^nd Amendment.

President Biden wants gunshot victims, and their families, to be able to sue gun manufacturers for damages caused by their products. Their goal; bankrupt the U.S. firearms industry. Police departments and military would then get their guns from Russia or China. (I’m sure Hunter, for a small commission, could arrange this.)

Alcohol, like guns, is heavily regulated. Imagine I purchase beer legally and sell it to someone underage. They injure or kill someone or themselves while intoxicated. Should the injured party be able to sue the beer manufacturer? This law could apply to all products misused.

The Federal government, by requiring background checks on all gun sales by a licensed dealer has assumed legal responsibility. They tell the dealers and the public who can and cannot legally buy a gun. The manufacturers are not part of the process. The government controls the legal gun purchase. Period

Unless all manufacturers are able to control who purchases their products, they can hold no liability for their misuse by a 3^rd party. And if they do, be prepared for manufactures denying sales of guns to certain demographic, ethnic or racial groups or to specific locations.

The president’s argument makes no sense. It’s just subterfuge and political pandering. But then again, that’s what Democrats are good at.

Merrily Salyer, Sterling, VA posed the question relative to continuing supply chain problems: What are we going to wear?

I recently ordered several items of clothing from Coldwater Creek. The tee was advertised as cotton. I was expecting it to be soft and comfy as usual. Well, it arrived today and is mesh and thicker than what we are used to. It’s my impression that clothes are becoming drab and increasingly look like they have come out of a rag bag. These items did nothing to change my mind.

For some reason I checked on line and found out Coldwater Creek has been having financial difficulty and recently was sold to someone in Hong Kong.

So I checked further and thought you might be interested in what I found:

Macys is due to close in 2023
Kohls is changing and will not be a department store any more
Talbots is in financial trouble and will be closing its doors soon. It was described as “deep into junk territory.”
Louis Vuitton, a luxury retailer in NY that sells purses for up to $4000 and higher, has closed its doors this past week.

I stopped checking! At this rate we may start missing our ragbag clothes.

Jim Clarkson, President, Resource Supply Management, Columbia, SC

According to seventh grade civics books, electric utilities are “natural monopolies” and must be regulated by state government. The historical explanation is that early utilities abused customers and Ralph Nader-type consumer groups demanded regulation to protect electricity customers. Nothing could be further from the truth. In the early days of electricity markets, the technology of power generation was rapidly improving. New competitors kept entering the market with cheaper power than the incumbents with older inefficient generators. It was these incumbent utilities with investment in obsolete power plants that sought regulation. Utility regulation is still all about protecting poor utility investments. The monopoly regulatory system must destroy real competitors and deny choice to customers. Without competition, the utilities continue to make bad investments, tolerate wasteful operations, and make excessive profits. Regulation stifles innovation, rewards over investment and shelters mismanagement.

MSG Jack Dona, (US Army, ret.) Sierra Vista, AZ shares his endorsements:

I endorse these candidates because I have personally met them. I expressed my concerns to them regarding election integrity, immigration reform, securing the border, mass deportation of illegal aliens, re-enforcing 10th Amendment States rights, and curbing the power of bureaucracies and un-elected officials. They all stated they agreed, and have publicly made these issues a part of their campaign platforms. In particular, Kari Lake, who is running for Governor, openly stated in a town hall meeting, that she would fully support deportation of all illegal aliens in the United States. She stated this in front of the New York Times who were present covering the meeting. I was at the meeting and was the attendee who specifically asked her that question.

Brandon Lewis, Editor in Chief of Tennessee Conservatives United shares with us news of yet another failure in a federally funded operation administered by Tennessee’s Department of Human Services.

The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has once again found issues with sponsors participating in the State’s two federally-funded food programs – the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and The Summer Food Service Program for Children – which are administered by the Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS). These programs most commonly provide snacks and meals to children.

https://bit.ly/37lWnkO

Harriett Lublin, Atlanta, GA shared the following statistics:

In 1960, less than 5% of white babies were born to unwed mothers. By 2010, this was up to 29%. Among Blacks, in 1960 a little over 20% of babies were born to unwed mothers. By 2010, this was up to 72%.

The secularization of the country in the 1960s did not produce more freedom. It produced more dependence on government.

Blacks, in this regard, have been hurt the most.

In 1950, the federal government took 15.3% of the national economy. By 2020, this was up to 32%.

President Joe Biden, now presiding over a nation drowning in debt, inflation and sclerotic growth, said the other day that “The MAGA crowd is the most extreme political organization that has existed in American history.”

If an aging America without married fathers and mothers and without children is where you think our future lies, Biden is your man.

In 1956, 39% of Blacks voted for the Republican presidential candidate Dwight Eisenhower.

We’re going back to the future. More Black Americans, and all Americans, are seeing that rooted in the American ideal of freedom is sanctity of life and family.

https://heartlanddailynews.com/…/parker-freedom-is…/

Danika Begley submitted an ad for Adam Lowe, candidate for State Senator.

Conservative Radio show host, author, college educator, and former Bradley County Commissioner, J. Adam Lowe, is seeking your vote to be your next Senator. Due to the recent redistricting in January, Rhea county, formerly under Ken Yager, has now been included in McMinn, Meigs, and part of Bradley county’s territory.

Lowe, a McMinn county resident, will work tirelessly to fill Yager’s shoes and represent the citizens of Rhea County. As a self-proclaimed pragmatist, Lowe says he’s not content with simply filling the seat, he’s a worker and vows to make things better.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

So, if shutting down Russia’s pipeline is supposed to cripple its economy, why did we shut down ours? (Asking for a friend.) – John Droz

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 effect our lives. Decide today that you will make your voice heard. If you remain silent, your representatives will never know your thoughts! – Editor

+ ++++ HR 4521 America COMPETES Act of 2022 (Eddie Johnson, D-TX, 3610 pages).

The alleged purpose of Ms. Johnson’s bill is to provide for a coordinated Federal research initiative to ensure continued United States leadership in engineering biology. However, while that may be true to some extent, buried deep within the text are enormous set-asides for colleges and universities who have never contributed anything of value to science and technology, and most likely never will. There are also enormous amounts of tax dollars earmarked for STEM programs that have no meaningful oversight capabilities. Finally, there is a Draconian rewrite of sexual harassment laws that would enable persons who fail to meet academic (or other) standards to arbitrarily and capriciously sue for damages. The general theme of this Section seems to abandon the idea of graduation based on merit.

But, it only gets worse!

When Ms. Johnson’s gift to substandard universities made its way to the Senate, it was fully transmogrified – morphed into a capitulation to the Chinese Communist Party in the way of canceling $365 Billion in trade tariffs on Chinese-made goods – a significant portion of which are manufactured by slave labor!

Given there is a virtual tie between the Democrats and Republicans in the Senate, it would be understandable that such a bill might sneak through, but that’s simply not the case: A total of seventeen Republican Senators have voted to pass the bill; they are:

Mike Crapo and James Risch of (ID), Todd Young (IN), Chuck Grassley (IA),

Jerry Moran (KS), Mitch McConnell (KY), Bill Cassidy (LA), Susan Collins

(ME), Roger Wicker (MS), Steve Daines (MT), Ben Sasse (NE), Thom Tillis (NC), Rob Portman (OH), Mike Rounds (SD), John Cornyn (TX), Mitt Romney (UT), and Shelley Capito (WV).

Fortunately, there is a rule that requires a bill to be returned to the Chamber of origin for reconsideration when the other Chamber makes changes in its text, and that is the current status of this bill.

For additional information, see:

https://www.natlawreview.com/article/will-congress-find-compromise-china-competitiveness-legislation-sixteen-top-issues

And

https://www.politico.com/news/2022/04/22/competes-act-china-tariffs-republicans-00026990

+ ++++ HR 350 Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2022 (Bradley Schneider, D-IL, 13 pages).

The stated purpose of this bill is to authorize dedicated domestic terrorism offices within the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to analyze and monitor domestic terrorist activity and require the Federal Government to take steps to prevent domestic terrorism.

In actuality, the text of Mr. Schneider’s bill is focused solely on individuals who may be accused of being white supremacists or neo-Nazis. Neither of these terms are defined in the text of the bill and there is no reference in the bill that points to a definition of the terms. In short, this bill is a tool that can be used both arbitrarily and capriciously to discriminate against – and deny basic rights guaranteed by our Constitution – of a particular class of citizens. (See Section 3 (b)(2).)

This bill passed along party lines (with the exception of Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), who again voted with the Democrats) and has been forwarded to the Senate for consideration.

+++ S 4124 A Bill to Prohibit the Use of Federal Funds for the Disinformation Governance Board of the Department of Homeland Security, and for Other Purposes (Tom Cotton, R-AR, text not yet available).

This bill would defund the Department of Homeland Security’s plans to create a “Disinformation Governance Board,” which threatens our rights to free speech and privacy, guaranteed by the 1^st and 4^th Amendments, respectively.

+++ S 4135 A bill to dissolve the Department of Homeland Security Disinformation Governance Board, and for other purposes (Josh Hawley, R-MO, text not available).

In the way of being a companion bill to S 4124 (Tom Cotton, R-AR), this bill takes another approach to the Biden regime’s attempt to encroach on our rights of free speech and rights to privacy, guaranteed by the 1^st and 4^th Amendments, respectively, to our Constitution.

This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on May 4, 2022. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.

Other activity may have occurred on another bill with identical or similar provisions.

+++ HR 7641

Protecting Free Speech Act (Lauren Boebert, R-CO, 1 page).

To terminate the Disinformation Governance Board of the Department of Homeland Security and to prohibit the use of Federal funds to establish any other similar Board, and for other purposes.

+++ S 4191 A bill to prohibit the expenditure of Federal funds for the establishment or operation of the Disinformation Governance Board in the Department of Homeland Security (Rand Paul, R-KY, text not yet available).

++ HR 7660 RAISE Act of 2022 (Adam Schiff, D-CA, 19 pages).

The stated purpose of this bill is to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a refundable tax credit for certain teachers as a supplement to State effort to provide teachers with a livable wage, and for other purposes.

The “other purposes” is to buy endorsements – and votes – for Democrats and members of teachers’ unions.

See also a companion bill S 4125 with the same title, introduced by Corey “Spartacus” Booker, D-NJ, 19 pages).

+ S 3266 Outdoor Recreation Act (Joe Manchin, D-WV, 41 pages).

The stated purpose of this bill is to “improve recreation opportunities on, and facilitate greater access to, Federal public land, and for other purposes.” In accordance with the text, the means by which greater opportunity and access will be achieved is to decrease – and in some cases eliminate usage and access fees.

I would like to think the Senator simply has not been fully informed on certain matters covered in the text of his bill. The fact is, retired person may gain access to Federal lands (National Parks) simply by furnishing proof that they are past the age of 65. Underprivileged persons and groups of children may gain access to Federal lands by simply filing a request to the Department of Interior (usually through their elected representatives), or by direct contact with the National Park of their interest. (Some National Parks do not charge access fees at all to specified areas.)

It is worthy to note that access and usage fees are used to conduct maintenance and upkeep to areas under the purview of the Department of Interior, and the elimination of the fees would require taxpayers who cannot utilize these areas or have no interest in doing so. The fees should be paid by those who benefit from these areas, or special dispensation for those who cannot afford access should be covered by those who can.

+ S 977 NOPEC Act of 2021 Charles “Chuck” Grassley, R-IA, 3 pages).

This bill may be cited as the “No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act of 2021.” The purpose of this bill is to amend the Sherman Act (see Title 15 U.S.C. 1 et seq.), to make oil producing and exporting cartels illegal. https://www.britannica.com/event/Sherman-Antitrust-Act

While this bill would prevent domestic petroleum exports by foreign-owned companies that operate within the United States and its territorial waters, it also outlaws certain aspects of free market capitalism, in that a domestically-owned oil company would be denied access to free trade.

++ HR 7688 Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act (Kim Schrier, D-WA, 4 pages).

The stated purpose of Ms. Schrier’s bill is: “To protect consumers from price-gouging of consumer fuels, and for other purposes.” The actual purpose of this bill is to open the door to universal government-controlled price fixing, which would enable the government to bankrupt a privately-owned industry and is in direct opposition to free market economics.

This bill passed in the House of Representatives by a vote of 217/207 and has been forwarded to the Senate for consideration.

S 4160 A bill to amend title 40, United States Code, to grant the Supreme Court of the United States security-related authorities equivalent to the legislative and executive branches (John Cornyn, R-TX, text not yet available).

The purpose of this bill is strongly implied in its title. The most notable fact about this bill is that it should be necessary, but it was made necessary after an individual working in the Supreme Court leaked a draft of an opinion that outlaws the “Roe v. Wade” decision of 1973. Since the draft of the decision was leaked, it has become necessary to erect an eight-foot fence around the Supreme Court building, and to station armed guards to protect the Justices and Clerks, as well as to furnish armed protection at the homes of the conservative Justices. Senator Cornyn’s bill serves to further prove a statement made in numerous issues of this newsletter; that we in the United States are living in a de facto state of anarchy.

+ S 4149 A bill to ensure that the background check system used for firearms purchases denies a firearm to a person prohibited from possessing a firearm by a lawful court order governing the pretrial release of the person (Cory Booker, D-NJ, text not yet available)

Is this yet another ploy by “Spartacus” to delay a citizen’s right to purchase a firearm by creating another “hoop” to jump through?

+ S 4148 A bill to require the Secretary of Energy to complete and publish a study and develop a plan relating to the ability of the electric system to meet the electricity demand of new electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and for other purposes. (John Reed, D-RI, text not yet available).

The Left are moving incrementally to fund all projects that would favor EVs while making it more expensive to own and operate a petroleum-powered vehicle.

+++ HR 6531 Targeting Resources to Communities in Need Act of 2021 (James Clyburn, D-SC, 5 pages).

[The story of this bill has a happy ending. – Editor]

Senator Clyburn recognizes – as most of us do – that, after throwing Hundreds of Trillions of taxpayer dollars over the past eight decades at a problem identified as “communities with persistent poverty,” the “problem” still defies all attempts at a solution. The reason why the “problem” continues to defy solutions is not related to a lack of funding; it is directly the result of the cultural and societal issues that are prevalent in the mindset of the majority of persons inhabiting these “certain communities.”

The Senator’s bill proposes to allocate funding ($5,000,000), to an unidentified “Director” to generate a report to explain why all those truths we already know are not true, and to generate answers that comport with the false premises of “social justice” and “human equity” that will explain why the programs and policies of the past have failed.

Senator Clyburn is a clever man, he knows the reasons why certain segments of our population continue to fail to become self-reliant is because they are not inspired to do anything differently than what they’ve been doing for centuries.

Fortunately, on a motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill as amended, it failed to receive a 2/3 majority and thus Mr. Clyburn’s attempt to throw $5 million of the taxpayers’ money at a bill designed to create an excuse for the failure of the policies he has supported throughout his years in Congress is provisionally dead.

+++ HR 7659 To Prohibit the Use of Federal Funds to Establish a Disinformation Governance Board (August Pfluger II, R-TX, 2 pages).

The text of this bill is concise in expressing its purpose that: “No Federal funds authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available to the Secretary of Homeland Security may be made available for the establishment of a Disinformation Governance Board.”

+HR 7066 Russia and Belarus Financial Sanctions Act (Brad Sherman, D-CA, 2 pages).

The purpose of this bill is to require United States financial institutions to ensure entities and persons owned or controlled by the institution comply with financial sanctions on the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus to the same extent as the institution itself, and for other purposes.

This bill is a companion to other bills that are intended to negatively impact Russia (and Belarus) for their attacks against Ukraine. The more prominent of these bills include: HR 6891 Isolate Russian Government Officials Act of 2022 (Ann Wagner, R-MO), and HR 6899 Russia and Belarus SDR Exchange Prohibition Act (French Hill, R-AR).

++ HR 5911 Fair Hiring in Banking Act (Joyce Beatty, D-OH, 15 pages).

The purpose of Ms. Beatty’s bill is to amend the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, and the Federal Credit Union Act, to expand employment opportunities for those with a previous minor criminal offense, and for other purposes.

So, Ms. Beatty thinks it’s a good idea that banks should be forced to hire people with criminal records, knowing full well that 44% of all persons convicted of crimes go on to commit additional crimes.

https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/recidivism-rates-by-state

Yeah, Ms. Beatty, that’s a great idea! (Not!)

The bill passed in the House of Representatives and has been forwarded to the Senate for consideration.

S 4131 No Tax Breaks for Radical Corporate Activism Act (Marco Rubio, R-FL, 5 pages).

This legislation would amend Section 162 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 by re-designating subsection (s) as subsection (t), and inserting the following text after subsection (r) as a new subsection, as follows:

(s) – Disallowance of certain expenses relating to abortion or child gender transition

(1) In general

No deduction shall be allowed under this chapter to an employer for any amount paid or incurred to reimburse and employee for, or to otherwise pay, expenses in connection with –

Travel for the purpose of obtaining an abortion, or
Any gender transition procedure for a minor child of the employee.

The House version of this bill HR 7684, was introduced by Brian Mast, R-FL, and is 8 pages in length.

4160: To amend title 40, United States Code, to grant the Supreme Court of the United States security-related authorities equivalent to the legislative and executive branches (John Cornyn, R-TX, 4 pages).

The purpose of the Senator’s bill is to assign a 24/7 security force to guard and escort Supreme Court Justices (and other Federal Judges), in the same ways that Members of Congress are provided security. However, it seems the Senator is not aware of an already existing law, Title 18 US Code § 115 – U.S. Code, designating as a felony the act of threatening to assault (among other Federal officials), Supreme Court Justices.

While the need for the Senator’s bill is an indicator of the advancing state of anarchy that is becoming too prevalent in our country, would it not be much better if the Senator simply made a criminal referral to our current excuse for an Attorney General, who would then dispatch FBI agents to arrest those persons committing these crimes?

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/115 and https://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-18-crimes-and-criminal-procedure/18-usc-sect-115.html

++ HR 7081 Ukraine Comprehensive Debt Payment Relief Act (Jesus Garcia, D-IL, 3 pages).

The stated purpose of this bill is to seek immediate bilateral, multilateral, and commercial debt service payment relief for Ukraine. However, in Section 2 Paragraph (d) “Multilateral financial support for refugees,” our friend “Chuy” proposes that the US Taxpayer shall fund any and all refugees to meet whatever needs they may have, to wit:

“The Secretary of the Treasury shall direct the United States Executive Director at each international financial institution (as defined in section 1701(c)(2) of the International Financial Institutions Act) to use the voice and vote of the United States to seek to provide economic support for refugees from Ukraine, including refugees of African descent, and for countries receiving refugees from Ukraine.”

While it may be considered an act of compassion to suspend payments from a country embroiled in a war (they couldn’t make the payments regardless of whether they were granted a “suspension”), it is an act of chicanery on the part of the bill’s author to try to sneak in a hidden agenda under the guise of providing humanitarian relief. Alas, this is what we have come to expect from Democrats!

+++ HR 903 Rights of TSA Workforce Act of 2021 (Bennie Thompson, D-MS, 24 pages).

The stated purpose of Mr. Thompson’s bill is: “To enhance the security operations of the Transportation Security Administration and stability of the transportation security workforce by applying the personnel system under Title 5, United States Code, to employees of the Transportation Security Administration who provide screening of all passengers and property, and for other purposes.”

However, the truth of the matter is; this legislation is nothing more than another vote-buying scheme for which the Democrats are infamous. Here’s how we know:

The bill has 200+ co-sponsors, the vast majority of whom are Democrats, but there are a few RINOs in the mix.
The bill addresses a means by which a TSA employee can get an otherwise unauthorized or unmerited pay increase through a clever little scam defined as “adjusted basic pay.”

The Transportation “Security” Administration [emphasis added] is one of thousands of public sector employers represented by organized labor and, as such, is a taxpayer-funded lobbying group. The 60,000+ TSA employees control an estimated voting bloc of more than 150,000 voters.

Meanwhile, there’s this: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-113hhrg86032/html/CHRG-113hhrg86032.htm

This bill passed in the House of Representatives and has been forwarded to the Senate for consideration.

S 4144 ICEE HOT Act of 2022 (Edward Markey, D-MA, 13 pages).

A bill to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to establish an energy efficient appliance rebate program to provide rebates for the manufacturing, distribution, and shipment of certain building electrification products, and for other purposes.

One may be inclined to give accolades to Senator Markey for his promotion of more energy-efficient appliances and machinery, but his bill serves to relieve the consumer of the responsibility to practice due diligence when making a purchase; that ancient Latin phrase should always apply “caveat emptor” – buyer beware! If a consumer has worked to earn the money to make a purchase, any repercussion from that purchase belong solely to the consumer (sometimes, “freedom of choice” comes back to bite us – that’s life!)

Then, there are the unintended consequences stemming from government-funded rebates; at the least, they are a means by which the government picks winners and losers, and this is in direct opposition to the idea of free market capitalism!

There is, however, one accolade that may be due the Senator and it is this: The alternative citation for his acronym – “Installing Clean Efficient Energy Hastens Our Transition” – most certainly challenged the brains of his staffers and those of the bill’s co-sponsors, yet we are strenuously compelled to wonder just what that “transition” really means!

S 4133 Expedited Disability Insurance Payments for Terminally Ill Individuals Act of 2022 (Dr. John Barrasso, MD, R-WY, 7 pages).

A bill to provide for phased-in payment of Social Security Disability Insurance payments during the waiting period for individuals with a terminal illness.

While it is easy to understand the Senator’s compassion for those who are stricken with a terminal illness, given that our Social Security sytem has been bled nearly dry, such a bill would only hasten the day when the entire system goes “kaput.”

In lieu of this bill, a person with a terminal illness would not be denied treatment on the basis of their inability to pay; there are already laws that require many hospitals to provide such care. Given that the Senator is also a medical doctor, such a bill causes one to question the Senator’s motives.

S 4140 PAST Act of 2022 (Christopher Murphy, D-CT, 23 pages).

This bill may be cited as the “Promoting Accountability and Security in Transitions Act of 2022.” If passed, it would amend Chapter 22 of Title 44, United States Code, to ensure Presidential records are preserved, duly created when non-official electronic messaging accounts are used, and made available to the public and the next administration in a timely fashion to advance national security and accountability, and for other purposes.

+++ S 7642 Transportation Assistance for Olympic Cities Act of 2022 (Julia Brownley, D-CA, 5 pages).

To provide assistance for surface transportation projects relating to international Olympic, Paralympic, and Special Olympics events.

One must credit Senator Brownley for her cleverness in knowing how to game the system for the benefit of her constituents. Here’s how her gambit works:

In 2028, Los Angeles will host the Summer Olympics, the Paralympics, and the Special Olympics.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Olympic_Games_host_cities

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Paralympic_Games_host_cities

The City of Los Angeles (as well as the State of California), will rake in hundreds of millions of dollars from visitors coming to see these events.

Under ordinary circumstances, the host city takes out loans to make investments in their infrastructure to accommodate the visitors and the needs of those athletes who participate in the games. The cities pay back the loans from the proceeds. The trouble is, Los Angeles is virtually bankrupt, as is the State of California, and they cannot secure a loan because their government is inept and not trustworthy where transparency is concerned. To make matters worse, the infrastructure of the City of Los Angeles is in shambles. So, what could be better than to force every taxpayer in the United States to cover the costs? This is what the Senator has contrived to do!

By playing on the sense of national pride in projecting the best possible “face” for America (these games will be televised around the globe), the Senator proposes to use taxpayer dollars to cover all the costs for planning activities by utilizing Title 23 US Code, Sections 134 & 135 to conduct all studies necessary to create the design for the city’s surface transportation improvements. Since this project will also have to meet the requirements under Title 42 US Code, Section 7401 (“The Clean Air Act”), the costs to create the design will essentially double!

How much money will it cost? The answer is “no one knows.” However, “funding” is addressed in Paragraph (f) of the Senator’s bill and the text reads:

In general

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as are necessary [emphasis added] for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2034.

Supplement, not supplant

Any amounts provided to a State or unit of local government in accordance with this section shall be in addition [emphasis added] to any Federal funds otherwise available to the State or unit of local government for the surface transportation project.

In other words, the answer is the same for the question: “How high is up?”

++ HR 7730 To provide for the implementation of a system of licensing for purchasers of certain firearms and for a record of sale system for those firearms, and for other purposes (Bobby Rush, D-IL).

The stated purpose of Mr. Rush’s bill is expressed in its title but is, nonetheless, merely another refusal on the part of the collective mind of the Liberals to acknowledge the fact that infringing upon the Citizens’ rights as guaranteed under the 2^nd Amendment will in no way reduce crime. Such legislation has never worked before and it never will.

+HR 7682 Ensuring an Accurate Postal Fleet Electrification Act (Carolyn Maloney, D-NY, 2 pages).

To require the United States Postal Service to conduct a new environmental impact statement with respect to procuring next generation delivery vehicles, and for other purposes.

Apparently, Ms. Maloney (and her benefactors) did not like the previous environmental impact statement because it failed to sufficiently make their case as to why the government must eliminate petroleum-powered vehicles and thus make it easier for the government to pick winners and losers in the automotive industry.

+HR 7725 To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to limit the availability of asylum for aliens transiting through third countries, and for other purposes (Scott Perry, R-PA, text not yet available).

[This one bears watching. – Editor]

+HR 7647 Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2022 Hank Johnson, D-GA, 12 pages).

To amend title 28, United States Code, to provide for a code of conduct for justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, and for other purposes.

Given Hank Johnson’s history of ethical violations, it is remarkable that he, the man who expressed fears to a US Navy Admiral as to whether the island of Guam might “tip over” if too many US troops are stationed there, should ever question anyone’s ethics. If anything is brought to light here it is the perspicacity of the voters in Georgia’s 4^th District is highly questionable!

https://www.rollcall.com/2017/04/24/ethics-group-questions-hank-johnsons-ossoff-help/ and https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DX5dkqUy7mUk

+++++HR 7647 Real Courts, Rule of Law Act of 2022 (Zoe Lofgren, D-CA, 66 pages).

To establish, under Article I of the Constitution of the United States, a court of record to be known as the United States Immigration Courts.

An attempt to contort the words of the Constitution of the United States in order to relieve the requirements of illegal aliens (and those who support their infestation in our country) to justify their presence in our country is totally out of bounds!

+HR 7798 To amend Title IV of the Public Health Service Act to prohibit sale or transactions relating to human fetal tissue (Scott Franklin, R-FL, text not yet available).

The purpose of this bill is expressed in its title.

+++HR 6104 Building the Next Generation of Federal Employees Act (Gerald Connolly, D-VA, 47 pages).

The stated purpose of this bill is “to promote Federal internships and fellowships to prepare the next generation of Federal employees, and for other purposes.”

Best analysis of this bill indicates Mr. Connolly wants Federal funding to help locate, train (indoctrinate), and hire the next generation of “Deep State” actors.

+++++HR 7805

To amend title 13, United States Code, to prohibit the use of questions on citizenship, nationality, or immigration status in any decennial census, and for other purposes (Eleanor Holmes-Norton, D-District of Columbia, text not yet available).

The purpose of this bill is expressed in its title.

+S4229 A bill to empower States to manage the development and production of oil and gas on available Federal land, and for other purposes (John Barrasso, R-WY, text not yet available).

The purpose of this bill is to invoke the Tenth Amendment as a means to defeat Mr. Biden’s Executive Order that halted oil exploration in the United States.

Senator Barrasso has introduced two other bills of interest to Conservative Americans: S4228 A to bill amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to provide for critical maintenance and repair of certain Bureau of Reclamation reserved or transferred works, and for other purposes and S4228: A bill to require the Secretary of the Interior to immediately resume oil and gas lease sales, and for other purposes. Passage of these bills will relieve the “pain at the pump” for working class Americans.

+HR 7819 To amend the Communications Decency Act to remove immunity for online firearms marketplaces, and for other purposes (Jason Crow, D-CO, text not yet available).

The available data on this bill indicates it is nothing more than a continuation of Mr. Crow’s long-running vendetta against the 2^nd Amendment.

HR 7810 To amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to prohibit the manufacture, processing, use, and distribution in commerce of commercial asbestos and mixtures and articles containing commercial asbestos, and for other purposes (Suzanne Bonamici, D-OR, text not yet available).

+S 4245 A bill to impose a moratorium on large agribusiness, food and beverage manufacturing, and grocery retail mergers (Corey “Fartacus” Booker, D-NJ, text not yet available).

The purpose of Mr. Booker’s bill is obvious – like all Socialists, he is trying to usurp our individual rights to practice free market capitalism by picking winners and losers.

HR 7852 To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide for a corporate responsibility investment option under the Thrift Savings Plan (Adam Schiff, D-CA, text not yet available).

This one bears watching! It was recently disclosed that the Thrift Savings Plan (which is the foundation for the retirement pensions for Federal workers), has sought to invest in Chinese companies, a move that would ultimately benefit the CCP. If Mr. Schiff’s bill seeks to block this investment strategy, it is a good bill and is worth of support. If this bill enables investments in Chinese companies, it should be defeated.

+S 4249 A bill to create a point of order against legislation making nondefense discretionary appropriations that would increase the deficit during a period f high inflation (Rick Scott, R-FL, text not yet available)

+S 4250 A bill to create a point of order against legislation making nondefense discretionary appropriations that would increase the deficit during a period of high inflation (Rick Scott, R-FL, text not yet available).

S 4253 A bill to prohibit the mass cancellation of student loans (Mitt Romney, R-UT, text not yet available).

S 4254 A bill to amend the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to clarify a provision relating to certain contents of registrations under that Act.(Charles Grassley, R-IA, text not yet available).

HR 7855 To prohibit Federal funding for institutions of higher education that have agreements with certain academic institutions in the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation, and for other purposes. (Elise Stefanik, R-NY, text not yet available).

This is one of several bills designed to prevent theft of intellectual property by the Chinese government.

+++++HR 7798 To end membership of the United States in the United Nations (Mike Rogers, R-AL, text not yet available).

America has a new hero and his name is Mike Rogers

RANDOM THOUGHTS

The following links offer ratings for elected representatives. Check it out!

https://heritageaction.com/scorecard

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/report-cards/2019/house/ideology

https://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/peter-roff/2010/02/26/the-most-conservative-and-most-liberal-members-of-congress

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

RANDOM THOUGHTS

Harriett Lublin, a Friend and Correspondent to this newsletter sent the following link: https://simulationcommander.substack.com/p/now-that-were-done-pretending-hunters?fbclid=IwAR0glwJreMPQi68EhcuhDCCK_e-Zc1NvHZ-GV2cOqtOo9MXsF_uj2ViUpKE&s=r . It is a reminder of the names and faces those who played significant roles in the 0bama regime and committed innumerable crimes. Should the Republicans ever stumble, fumble, and bumble their way back into majorities in both Houses, and occupy the White House, We the People must do our part to DEMAND that these criminals receive the harshest punishment possible for their crimes.

RHEA COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY NEWS

The Rhea County Republican Party Monthly Meeting

The next meeting of the Rhea County Republican Party will be a regular meeting, held on 2 June 2022, at 7:00 PM, at the Sheriff’s Training Center, 711 Eagle Lane, Evensville, TN 37323. However, there will be a Watermelon Cutting starting at 6:15, hosted by Mitchell Jones, a Candidate for State Executive Committee.

JOIN US & BRING A FRIEND!

Upcoming Debates Hosted by RCRP

The Rhea County Republican Party will host a debate among the State Senatorial Candidates for our District on 7 July, at 7:00 PM, at the Sheriff’s Training Center, located at 711 Eagle Lane, Evensville, TN. The audience will be invited to submit their written questions for the candidates upon showing documentation that they are registered voters in our District (Voter Registration Card), and a government-issued photo ID.

NOTE: Those wishing to read the Minutes from previous meetings may visit the Rhea County Republican website and click on the tab “Meeting Minutes.” – Editor

LAGNIAPPE

[In the May issue of this newsletter, Correspondent MSG Jack Dona (Ret), of Cochise County, AZ provided information on a new tactic deployed by our government that allows them to further encroach on our rights guaranteed under the 4^th and 5^th Amendments. Following are links that elucidate on his remarks, as well as the statement he uses to deny healthcare providers permission to share his personal information. – Editor]

Please see below links. Regarding “Vaccine Passports”…the effort is being rolled out in stages. This is obviously by design as they could not possibly get the general public to essentially surrender to a Gestapo style, “show me your papers” effort overnight. But that is in fact what they are doing, and is the ultimate goal. For a completed model of what they hope to achieve, see the last link which is the EU Digital COVID Certificate.

As for a statement, this is what I paced on the form I submitted to the AZ Dept. of Health, and included on my entry forms at the doctor’s office:

“I request that my immunization record be suppressed in the ASIIS registry. Please suppress all information that is currently showing in the registry. I realize that the ‘Lifetime Immunization Record’ card will be my only record of immunizations.”

My reasons for withdrawal are: I view this database as a violation of my US Constitutional rights to privacy under the 4^th and 5^th Amendments. I absolutely forbid any private company, county, state, or federal official or agency access to ANY of my medical information via this “ASIIS” registry. I DO NOT GIVE MY CONSENT.

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 (a.k.a. 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

Washington, DC 20510