THE RHEA COUNTY REPUBLICAN

ADVANCING THE CONSERVATIVE CAUSE

Vol. 5 – No. 9 November 2021

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

THE RHEA COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY WILL HOST ITS REAGAN DAY DINNER ON 2 APRIL 2022. STAY TUNED FOR MORE EXCITING DETAILS!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Table of Contents

Editorial ———————————————————————-1

The China Reality ———————————————————3

Mr. Biden’s Disguise is Fading————————————— 5

Welcome Smith & Wesson ——————————————- –6

The Many Faces of Dr. Fauci – Part II——————————-7

The Curious Case of the Conflicted Merrick Garland——— 8

Linton Announces Run for Tennessee’s 12^th Dist. Seat——9

A Message from Joni Bryan —————————————– 10

Lt. Gov. McNally Calls for Robinson to Step Down———–11

National Tax Payers Union —————————————— 12

Republicans Cave on Raising the Debt Ceiling —————12

A Call to Action ———————————————————- 13

Our Tax Dollars at . . . “Work?”————————————- 17

Comments from Representatives ———————————-18

Comments from Correspondents———————————–19

Legislative Report——————————————————- 22

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

Lagniappe—————————————————————– 23

Contact Your Elected Representatives Today!————— 24

EDITORIAL

Kris Bancroft, Editor, and Publisher

The Rhea County Republican

The first year of the Biden-Harris regime is nearly behind us. Whew! Three more tough years to go but we can do it!

While Mr. Biden (I refuse to address him as “President”) and his regime have done an incredible amount of damage to our Constitutional Republic, we are beginning to see a glimmer of hope; we are witnessing the beginning of an irreparable chasm in the Democrat Party, and what can be divided is more easily conquered!

In Washington, the Democrats are continually fighting amongst themselves (and we need to do what we can to egg them on as much as possible!).

In several (most?) Democrat-run States and municipalities we continually hear of the turmoil and lawlessness, the corruption and graft, the astronomical taxes, and the inefficiencies in every aspect of government. The people who elected these Democrats are not happy with the choices they made; they realize the crisis they’ve brought upon themselves, and we must not let this crisis go to waste!

Most recently, we saw a recall effort against California’s Governor Gavin Newsom – an effort that might have succeeded had there been a viable Republican candidate to take his place. Let’s face it, while Larry Elder is a good person, and a conservative to boot, he was not prepared to function in the role of Chief Executive of the “People’s Republic of California.” Caitlyn Jenner? Same answer, except more so.

Just now, we are witness to an incredibly tight gubernatorial contest in Virginia, Knowing, as we do, the liberal mindset of the northern regions of the Old Dominion State (and around Richmond, as well), a year ago no one could have guessed any Republican could have stood a chance in a state that Biden and 0bama had won quite handily. Yet, Glenn Youngkin (the former CEO of the Carlyle Group), is running neck-and-neck against the incumbent, Terry McAuliffe, one of the most well-entrenched and incredibly well-funded Democrats in the country. Every pollster in the business says the race is too close to call.

The “Deep Blue” is also beginning to fade states of Illinois and Michigan.

The Detroit News recently reported (September 20^th) that Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s job approval has fallen to a point where Michigan voters are nearly split on how she’s doing, which reflected a sharp decline from prior surveys. (That same poll conducted by the Glengariff Group reported that a majority of the 600 voters surveyed said they were also disappointed with Mr. Biden’s performance.)

One could attribute it to the unusually high amount of corruption in its political subdivisions, the ridiculous increases in property taxes amid a crumbling infrastructure, or just that Chicago is the undisputed murder capital of the United States, but whatever the case, the citizens of Illinois are beginning to grumble.

Back in June, in an effort to put a smiley face on the situation, WGN reported that “48% of Chicago voters approve of Mayor Lightfoot’s job performance . . . “ In other words, 52% – a majority of voters – disapprove of the way she’s running things (into the ground?).

In March of 2021, WMCI, a Chicago radio station, was the first to report on a poll that only 41% of voters approved of Mr. Pritzker’s performance. Although the pollsters claimed the governor’s coronavirus response may have had something to do with his drop in popularity, the people who correspond with this newsletter from Chicagoland inform us their dissatisfaction is due to the shameless and wide-open corruption, rising taxes, and crumbling infrastructure throughout the state that’s to blame.

The enthusiastic crowds that used to gather around Illinois’ Governor J. B. Pritzker, and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, hanging onto and cheering every word they uttered, continue to fade away – even the questions posed to them by their formerly doting media have taken on an acrid flavor. According to an NPR reporter, some of the citizens outside the rope line are now carrying signs emblazoned with “unfavorable remarks.” For a liberal outlet like NPR to even mention something that may be taken as “unfavorable” about a Democrat is quite a confession!

That same mood seems to be present in many Democrat-run States and cities – New York, San Francisco, Baltimore, Seattle, Atlanta, Portland, Philadelphia – it’s the same disgruntled-ness everywhere.

They won’t fully admit it yet – and maybe they never will be unabashedly contrite about it – but the voters in those states and municipalities seem to be coming to grips with the fact they chose foolishly when they elected Democrats!

Those who are able to do so are “voting with their feet.” They’re escaping those liberal-run sewers in droves – mostly to Texas, Arizona, Florida, and Tennessee – and here is where we have presented to us our “Great Conservative Commission!”

We must be a welcoming committee to those who have escaped Democrat rule but we must also remind them why it is they chose to escape to where we are – mainly focusing on the fact that we have continually elected Republicans.

Another task before us is to reach out to everyone we may know who is, for whatever reason, still stuck in those liberal-run sewers and start a conversation. Invite them to tell us what all is wrong with where they are and gently encourage them, letting them know they can be a part of the solution to the problems they are facing.

So, why is undertaking this task so important?

Well, this is, after all, the United States of America, and we are at a pivotal moment in our nation’s history. We must all work to stop our country’s slide toward socialism – and worse! – and the best of all possible things we can do at this moment is to work with others throughout our nation to elect a supermajority of rock-ribbed conservatives in both Houses of Congress, as well as working to elect every conservative to every elected office at every level of government.

Simply stated, if we can succeed in this effort, we can stop the advancement of Mr. Biden’s political agenda – Full-blown Socialism! If we fail? Well, failure is simply not an option!

THE CHINA REALITY

Imdoye Writers Knowledge Platform published an article by Lt. Col. (Ret) Nicholas Bozick, which was shared by Betsy Gorisch, Knoxville, TN. It illustrates why American-owned is just as important as American-made.

In the future, China will employ millions of American workers and dominate thousands of small communities all over the United States. Chinese acquisition of U.S. businesses set a new all-time record last year and is on pace to shatter that record this year.

The Chinese acquisition of Smithfield Foods is an example. Smithfield Foods is the largest pork producer and processor in the world. It has facilities in 26 U.S. states that employ tens of thousands of Americans. It directly owns 460 farms and has contracts with approximately 2,100 others. A Chinese company has bought it for $4.7 billion, so that means the Chinese will be the most important employer in dozens of rural communities all over America. Thanks to our massively bloated trade deficit with China, the Chinese have trillions of dollars to spend, and they are only just beginning to exercise their economic muscle.

Remember, there is little difference between “the communist Chinese government” and “Chinese corporations”. In 2011, 43% of all profits in China were produced by companies in which the Chinese government had the controlling interest.

Last year, a Chinese company spent $2.6 billion to purchase AMC entertainment—one of the largest movie theater chains in the United States. Now, the same Chinese company controls more movie ticket sales than anyone else in the world.

China is not just relying on acquisitions to expand its economic power. “Economic beachheads” are being established all over America. For example, Golden Dragon Precise Copper Tube Group, Inc. recently broke ground on a $100 million plant in Thomasville, Alabama. Many of the residents of Thomasville, Alabama will be glad to have jobs, but it will become another American community heavily dependent on communist China.

Chinese companies are also putting down roots in Detroit. Chinese-owned companies are investing in American businesses and new vehicle technology, selling everything from seat belts to shock absorbers in retail stores, and hiring experienced engineers and designers to soak up the talent and expertise of domestic automakers and their suppliers. If you recently purchased an “American-made” vehicle, there is a good chance that it has a number of Chinese parts. Industry analysts are hard-pressed to put a number on the Chinese suppliers operating in the United States.

China is particularly interested in acquiring energy resources in the United States. For example, China is actually mining for coal in the mountains of Tennessee. Guizhou Gouchuang Energy Holdings Group spent $616 million to acquire Triple H Coal Co. in Jacksboro, Tennessee. At the time, that acquisition didn’t make the news, but now a group of conservatives in Tennessee is trying to stop the Chinese from blowing up their mountains and taking their coal.

China plans to build entire cities in the United States like they’ve been doing in other countries around the world. Currently, China is building a city larger than Manhattan just outside Minsk, the capital of Belarus.

Are you starting to get the picture? If not, here’s more:

When you total all imports and exports, China is now the number one trading nation on the planet.
Overall, the U.S. has run a trade deficit with China over the past decade that comes to more than 2.3 trillion dollars.
China has more foreign currency reserves than anyone else on the planet.
China has the largest new car market in the world.
China produces more than twice as many automobiles as the United States.
After being bailed out by U.S. taxpayers, GM is involved in 11+ joint ventures with Chinese companies.
China is the number one gold producer in the world.
The uniforms for the U.S. Olympic team were made in China.
85% of all artificial Christmas trees sold the world over are made in China.
The new World Trade Center tower in New York will include glass imported from China •China consumes more energy than the United States.
China is the leading manufacturer of goods in the world.
China uses more cement than the rest of the world combined.
China is the number one producer of wind and solar power on the globe.
China produces 3X as much coal and 11X as much steel as the United States.
China produces more than 90% of the global supply of rare earth elements.
China is the number one supplier of components critical to the operation of any national defense system.
In published scientific research articles, China is expected to become number one in the world.

What we have seen so far is just the tip of the iceberg. I will leave you with one piece of advice—learn to speak Chinese.

BIDEN’S DISGUISE IS FADING

Kris Bancroft, Editor, and Publisher

The Rhea County Republican

During his campaign, Mr. Biden projected himself as a “Moderate” Democrat, but many of his actions since he began his occupancy of the Oval Office reveal a truth that even his most staunch “moderate” supporters find shocking.

Most recently, Mr. Biden nominated Saule Omarova to serve as the Treasury Department’s Comptroller of the Currency. In looking at her background, it is easy to see why her nomination has stirred the pot in the Democrat Party.

Saule Omarova is a USSR-born and educated professor, who has praised the former Soviet Union and advocated for ending banking “as we know it” by moving Americans’ finances from private banks into the Federal Reserve. In essence, Omarova’s scheme would allow the Federal government to confiscate a person’s wealth at any time and for any reason!

Several Democrats have reassured us of their true political nature by offering their support for Mr. Biden’s nomination.

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), who has called the nomination “tremendous news,” posted on Facebook: “She is an excellent choice to oversee and regulate the activities of our nation’s largest banks and I have no doubt she’ll be a fearless champion for consumers.” This statement is only true if Senator Warren is defining the Federal government as “consumers,” and if she’s referring to the Federal government “consuming” the wealth of those citizens who have earned it!

In an effort to not be outdone by his fellow traveler, Senate Banking Committee Chair Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), praised the professor’s experience as a “policymaker, in the private sector, and in academia,” urging his colleagues to support the nomination. Inciting Ms. Omarova’s academic credentials, Senator Brown neglected to mention that she graduated from the University of Moscow on a Lenin Scholarship – a scholarship reserved for only the purest of communists!

Senator Brown went on to plead: “I call on my colleagues on the Banking and Housing Committee to support this historic nominee to this position critical to our economy.”

Thankfully, Omarova’s nomination has sparked criticism from Republicans, who seem to realize that she is seeking to radically reshape the basic architecture and dynamics of modern finance.

Even Janet Yellen, Biden’s Treasury Secretary, has raised concerns about her taking the post.

What is crucial to remember is the radical leftward shift in the entirety of the Democrat Party. Mr. Biden’s disguised as a “Moderate Democrat” is fading; those who are paying attention now understand that Mr. Biden is about as far Left as anyone in his regime.

The following links provide in-depth background on Mr. Biden’s choice of a Communist to serve in a crucial post in our government.

WELCOME SMITH & WESSON!

In mid-October Smith & Wesson Inc. announced that they are moving their headquarters and manufacturing operation to Blount County, Tennessee.

Ed Mitchell, Blount County Mayor said in a press release “We are eager to have the premier provider of munitions for law enforcement and the military come to East Tennessee. Their long-standing American heritage, along with their commitment to adding to the economy, makes this a win for the county. A huge thank you also goes to our county commissioners for designating our community as a sanctuary county of the second amendment.

“Welcome to Blount County!”

Read the full press release here: https://www.tn.gov/…/governor-lee–commissioner-rolfe…

THE MANY FACES OF DR. FAUCI – PART II

Sharon Johnson, Williamstown, NJ

The weariness, the fever, and the fret, Here where men sit and hear each other groan; Where palsy shakes a few, sad, last gray hairs, Where youth grows pale, specter-thin, and dies; Where but to think is to be full of sorrow, and leaden ey’d despairs….John Keats “Ode to a Nightingale”.

December 31, 1984, the CDC reported that 7,699 people have died or are dying from AIDS and yet in four years our health “experts”: the FDA, NIH, CDC, NAIAD still cannot approve known drugs to treat common symptoms of the disease, Pneumocystis carinii (pneumonia) and Kaposi’s sarcoma. Although the government experts could not come up with a treatment for the infections that were killing people, there were doctors effectively using Bactrim, a drug first demonstrated to be an inexpensive prophylactic agent against PCP in children with leukemia which was approved in 1977.

Hell hath no fury as a Fauci scorned!

Dr. Joseph Sonnabend, MD, Researcher, was trained in microbiology and immunology in England. He was an outspoken activist for People With AIDS (PWA).

Most physicians or researchers will not risk criticizing another doctor or researcher about their research, but in 1983, Joseph Sonnabend dared to challenge the idea that HTLV was the only cause of aids, additionally, he challenged the accepted program of using AZT as prophylaxis. Dr. Fauci was livid when doctor Sonnabend challenged the idea that HTLV was the only cause of AIDS, and Fauci said, “The evidence that it was caused by a transmissible agent was overwhelming, it hits you like a Mack truck.” Dr. Sonnabend didn’t say it wasn’t a transmissible agent, he challenged the idea that further investigation was not necessary. This was only two years from the initial outbreak of AIDS, yet the subject was closed, no further discussion necessary. HTLV was the cause of AIDS PERIOD! Those who control the research money control the narrative.

Dr. Sonnabend found it difficult to get the money to conduct his research, and he could not get published. Why the rush to judgment that there could be no other cause for AIDS other than a retrovirus? Because, in the words of Dr. James W. Curran, head of the AIDS task force at the CDC, “researchers need to follow a law in medicine known as the Willie Sutton law. Asked once why he robbed banks, Willie Sutton replied: “Because that’s where the money is.” By 1987 16, 998 people had died from AIDS, and still no approved treatment from the government health agencies.

Bactrim, an inexpensive medication, was first approved in the U.S. in 1977 as an antibacterial antibiotic used to treat patients with pneumocystis who have a weakened immune system like children with leukemia. Michael Callen, an AIDS activist, begged Dr. Fauci for help in promoting the use of Bactrim as prophylactic and urge the FDA to approve emergency use. He refused. It would be two more years before the CDC would issue guidelines for the use of Bactrim. Dr. Sonnabend had been effectively using Bactrim to prevent recurrence of PCP in PWA’s for years. The drawback was that Bactrim was controlled by the CDC and physicians had to fill out a form requesting it. Why would Dr.Fauci refuse to acknowledge that Bactrim had been used by physicians to prevent the recurrence of PCP, a disease of AIDS killing people? A drug he knew was effective in treating pneumocystis. What is most important, says Dr. Sonnabend, “in approaching a new illness for which there are no specific cures, there are two broad areas that must be addressed: 1) The first is concerned with the management of the patient and involves all those measures at the disposal of the physician to reduce suffering and prolong life. 2) In contrast the second area of concern deals with the study of experimental approaches which may lead to a cure. Traditionally, the judgment of doctors who treat patients and observe the results of that care had value. Dr. Sonnabend criticizes academic clinicians for becoming insulated from the day-to-day reality of patient care. He describes these academic researchers as being mistrustful of the insight doctors have who are treating their patients. “They call themselves scientists but forget that they are also doctors who must remain responsive to the needs of their patients.” “Patient management should never be abandoned in the pursuit of a cure for a disease.” Why would Dr. Fauci summarily dismiss Bactrim as “anecdotal” and demand a costly and time-consuming clinical trial? Waiting in the wings was a sexier drug called AZT, Dr. Fauci already had his eyes on AZT before Michael Callen came begging him to recognize Bactrim as a treatment for pneumocystis, By February 20th, 1989, 30,534 Americans had suffocated from AIDS-associated Pneumocystis,

THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE CONFLICTED MERRICK GARLAND

Kris Bancroft, Editor, and Publisher

The Rhea County Republican

Christopher Rufo (Breitbart) broke the story on Attorney General Merrick Garland’s allegedly instructing the FBI to “mobilize” against parents who oppose the teaching of Critical Race Theory in their schools.

Predictably, in his testimony to the House Judiciary Committee (21 October), Mr. Garland denied that his instructions implied that parents who show up at School Board meetings are “domestic terrorists” but in reading the memo, it becomes blatantly apparent that this is the case.

What is more important to consider, however, is why Mr. Garland would weaponize the FBI against parents who oppose their children being indoctrinated into Marxist ideology.

As we learned during the lead-up to his testimony to the House Judiciary Committee, Mr. Garland’s son-in-law owns Panorama Education, has already raked in $27 million as the primary distributor of Critical Race Theory teaching materials to public schools and, if nothing changes, is set to earn a lot more.

Mr. Garland refused to answer questions as to whether his decision to weaponized the FBI against his parents was prompted by his conflict of interest relative to his son-in-law’s business venture.

LINTON ANNOUNCES RUN FOR TENNESSEE’S 12^TH DISTRICT SEAT

Dear Sevier County Resident,

Tennessee, and our nation, are facing some incredible challenges. As I and many other Tennesseans see it right now the top challenges are: 1) Out-of-control government spending that is placing future generations of Americans into perpetual debt bondage; 2) our birth-right citizenship is being diluted by illegal immigration enabled by a federal government; 3) a weak General Assembly that is too afraid to assert its proper role because it is populated by politicians that have become addicted to federal funding and their own self-interests, and 4) government and businesses becoming “woke” and wanting to do away with the individual freedom and putting into place discrimination policies and rushing in a new era of segregation. With my background of service to the Constitution over self, I am uniquely qualified to serve your interests in our state’s capital. I know what it means to fulfill an oath.

My name is Larry Linton. I am a father, husband, business owner, brother, son, retired U.S. Navy Command Master Chief, child of God, and a defender of liberty. Some of you may have met me at the church I attend or have read my blog or maybe even listened to my podcast. Most of you, though, may not know me or may have never heard of me at all. I have been a resident here since 2017, and while I may not originally be from Tennessee, I did get here as fast as I could after serving my country for 30-years. I have been blessed to lead a life where I have been exposed to many different cultures and communities of our great country, as well as others all around the world – learning through experience that we are truly blessed to live not only in the greatest state in our Nation but also in the greatest Nation in the history of mankind.

I am reaching out to you today to announce that after much prayer, and consultation with family and friends, I am entering the arena to stand in defense of our liberties by seeking to represent Tennessee’s 12^th House District in Nashville. Now, more than ever, true servant leadership is needed in our state’s Capital to ensure that our constitutionally protected, God-given rights are no longer trampled on by the political class, the new aristocracy, in Nashville, or Washington, DC.!

While Representative Dale Carr is a very nice gentleman, I believe the time is now for fresh, independent, and experienced leadership to represent you in Nashville. I plan to use a lifetime of leadership lessons learned on submarine and surface combatants over the course of 30-years to return power to you, the people of our great state. Upon entering the service, I swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution as a 17-year-old and grew into manhood even more committed to fulfilling that oath. While I may have hung up my uniform, I realize that my oath does not have an expiration date. I swore to defend this country against all enemies…. foreign AND DOMESTIC. That shall continue to be my oath of duty. We, as a free people, need to stand up to the petty tyrants in Nashville and Washington, DC. and against their enablers and promoters in the liberal news and social media.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about me as a candidate desiring your support – and vote. Please consider signing up to receive my newsletter, or volunteer to help my campaign. More importantly, please consider donating to my, our, campaign of restoring the bedrock principles of liberty to our state.

Very Sincerely Yours,

Larry Linton

Independent Conservative Candidate for Tennessee’s 12^th House District

Follow my blog at: libertyleadershipandlies.com

Listen at: https://anchor.fm/libertyleadershipandlies

Donate on Venmo: @Larry-for-TN12

A MESSAGE FROM JONI BRYAN

The Problem: We the people are in danger of losing our God-given freedoms and liberties guaranteed under our U.S. Constitution. Over the last several decade’s Civics and Constitution, Education has been neglected in our classrooms. We cannot protect our rights and freedoms if we do not understand that our Constitution was created to protect us and to limit the power of our government. The lack of Constitution and Civics Education has gotten us to the point today where according to a recent survey by the Heritage Foundation, Americans know more about the Kardashians than about our Constitution. This is a problem for every American that believes in our country and our Constitution.

The Solution: In 2004 Congress passed public law 108-447 that states all schools that receive federal funds are to have a program on the Constitution on our around Constitution Day which is September 17th. When I was asked by a former civil rights activist when I had last read MY Constitution, I realized I had never read it nor considered it MINE. I decided to take action and formed The 917 Society to provide a free program for 8th-grade students each year to honor Constitution Day across America. www.917society.org

RANDOM THOUGHTS

EXCELLENT READING MATERIAL: Sean J. Rosenthal wrote an article for FEE Stories, (Foundation for Economics Education) recently shared by Correspondent Harriett Lublin, of Atlanta, GA. These are lessons we need to teach our young people! For more articles and information please visit the following link:

15 Supreme Court Decisions that Shredded the Constitution – Foundation for Economic Education (fee.org)

GOV. MCNALLY CALLS FOR ROBINSON TO STEP DOWN

State Senator Katrina Robinson (D-Memphis) was found guilty of five counts of wire fraud in Federal court for stealing $600,000 from The Healthcare Institute, a certified nursing school she founded, and spending the money on personal items.

In a press conference after the verdict, Robinson maintained that she was totally innocent and that her attorneys intend to file a motion for a new trial.

Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally, a Republican representing the Oak Ridge area, called on Robinson to step down, and released the following statement:

“While Senator Robinson’s convictions did not stem from actions taken while in office, they are nevertheless very serious. As public servants, we are held to a higher standard. My personal opinion is that it would be in the best interest of the state and her constituents for Senator Robinson to step down at this time.”

Her sentencing is scheduled for Wednesday, January 5, 2022.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

Joe Smith started the day early, having set his alarm clock (Made in Japan) for 6 AM. While his coffee pot (Made in China) was perking, he shaved with his electric razor (Made in Hong Kong). He put on a dress shirt (Made in Sri Lanka), designer jeans (Made in Singapore), and tennis shoes (Made in Korea). After cooking his breakfast in his new electric skillet (Made in India), he sat down with his calculator (Made in Mexico) to see how much money he could spend today. After setting his watch (Made in Taiwan) to his radio (Made in India), he got in his car (Made in Germany), filled it with gasoline (From Saudi Arabia), and continued his search for a job. At the end of yet another discouraging and fruitless day checking his computer (Made in Malaysia), Joe decided to relax for a while. He put on his sandals (Made in Brazil), poured himself a glass of wine (Made in France) and turned on his TV (Made in Indonesia), and then wondered why he can’t find a good-paying job in America. Shared by my friend and Correspondent Joni Schmidt Hargrove, Ridge, TN.

NATIONAL TAXPAYERS UNION

Brandon Arnold, Executive Vice President of the National Taxpayers Union appeared on Larry Kudlow’s program on Fox Business Network and shared some news about the work his organization is doing in the way of protecting U.S. citizens from their government.

You can learn more about Mr. Arnold and his organization at the following link:

Brandon Arnold – About – National Taxpayers Union (ntu.org)

The following link contains informative information for all Americans

Ways and Means Committee’s Proposed Tax Increases Would Significantly Harm American Workers and Businesses – Publications – National Taxpayers Union (ntu.org)

RANDOM THOUGHTS

We must learn to honor excellence in every socially accepted human activity, however, humble the activity, and to scorn shoddiness, however, exalted the activity. An excellent plumber is infinitely more admirable than an incompetent philosopher. The society that scorns excellence in plumbing because plumbing is a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exalted activity will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy. Neither its pipes nor its theories will hold water. -John W. Gardner, author, and leader (8 Oct 1912-2002)

REPUBLICANS CAVE ON RAISING THE DEBT CEILING

Kris Bancroft, Editor, and Publisher

The Rhea County Republican

Late into the evening of October 7^th, the Senate debated S 1301, a bill to raise the national debt ceiling by $480 Billion, to avoid a shut-down of the Federal government. The bill was passed by a vote of 50/48, and it will keep the government open until December 1^st.

Normally, a vote to raise the debt ceiling requires the Senate to move forward on budget matters (under the reconciliation process), requires a supermajority of 60 votes to pass.

However, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell bent to the will of Chuck Schumer and the Democrats, allowing a vote to be taken to end the reconciliation process. A total of eleven Republican Senators “reached across the aisle” and capitulated to the Democrats. Those Senators who caved are: McConnell (KY), Thune (SD), Portman (OH), Cornyn (TX), Murkowski (AK), Capato (VA), Shelby (AL), Collins (ME), Rounds (SD), Blunt (MO), and Barrasso (WY).

Predictably, the sophomoric statement from Senator McConnell displayed his perpetual naïveté in thinking a straightforward and mutually beneficial negotiation can be achieved with the Democrats.

Senator Chuck Schumer, on the other hand, used the occasion to slam his opponents: “Republicans played a dangerous and risky partisan game and I am glad that their brinksmanship did not work.”

NOTE: Republican Senators Portman, Blunt, and Shelby, along with Burr (SC) and Toomey (PA) have announced their decision to not seek reelection. With effort, careful scrutiny over the voting process, and a little luck, perhaps these individuals can be replaced by some rock-ribbed conservatives!

RANDOM THOUGHTS

Drug cartels now control Mexico’s northern border.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LLOLFgE2oo https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/15/world/mexico-cartel-violence-romo-intl/index.html https://apnews.com/article/caribbean-129abf2e577a78fd12cfd6cd284a5aff

A CALL TO ACTION

Kris Bancroft, Editor, and Publisher

The Rhea County Republican

Remember back in May of 2021 when we first heard about illegal alien children being trafficked through Chattanooga, by Mr. Biden’s regime? Here’s a reminder for those who may have forgotten:

https://www.wjhl.com/news/regional/tennessee/tennessee-lawmakers-seek-answers-after-report-of-migrant-children-being-flown-to-chattanooga/

“Someone, somewhere” in the Biden regime has violated a Federal law: Title 8 – U.S. Code § 1323 – “Unlawful bringing of aliens into the United States,” and “someone else” in the Biden regime is failing to prosecute the guilty party!

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1323

To be fair, the systematic failure to enforce Title 8 – U.S. Code § 1323 began a very long time before Mr. Biden became an occasional fixture in the Oval Office, and ALL of Mr. Biden’s predecessors have, to some greater or lesser degree, ignored it.

So, we are given to wonder just how many illegal aliens are in the United States? It depends on whom you ask, and when you ask them.

Early in 2007, I attended a meeting in which a worker at a Federal agency reported an estimate of 31 million illegals were residing in the U.S. Later that year, the estimate dropped to a mere 12.1 million – another amnesty bill had been signed into law.

Most recently, the Pew Research Center published a report toward the end of 2020 estimating the number of “Unauthorized Immigrants” (we’re encouraged to no longer allowed to call them “illegal aliens”) to be 10.5 million. Does it seem that someone in our government has trouble with arithmetic?

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/08/20/key-findings-about-u-s-immigrants/

As we have so often witnessed, our government routinely deploys various amnesty measures that enable them to cook the books.

Today, we know Mr. Biden’s open border policy has resulted in more than a million people rushing our southern border. If anyone knows how many illegal aliens have entered our country in 2021, it would be DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, but it seems he is not fond of providing straight answers to direct questions.

The most reliable information we can access at this time is from the Office of Customs and Border Patrol (CBP). For the fiscal year 2021, as of August, they report a total of 1,741,956 Total Enforcement Actions, with 1,475,131 of those classified as Border Patrol Encounters – interactions with individuals attempting to cross our border.

Then, there are the “got aways” (individuals who were observed on cameras but not apprehended). In late August, Fox News interviewed an Officer with CBP who reported the number of known got-aways stands at more than 500,000 individuals. The same CBP officer then reported that individuals from at least 109 countries have been allowed to enter the United States.

Some of those individuals were found to be from Middle Eastern countries and China, and have ties to terrorist organizations and the Chinese Communist Party, respectively

In mid-September, we saw the videos of some 15,000 Haitians encamped under a bridge, in Del Rio, TX. DHS reported that approximately 3,000 were reportedly sent back to Haiti, leaving some 12,000 Haitians unaccounted for. When Secretary Mayorkas was first questioned about the number of Haitians who had been allowed to cross our border he claimed he did not know the number. Facing some serious criticism from both Republicans and Democrats, Mr. Mayorkas “fessed up.”

In late September, we learned that the government of Panama had warned the Biden regime that those 15,000 Haitians were headed toward our border back in July. A few days later, the story leaked out that the Panamanian government was warning Mr. Biden that 60,000 more Haitians are headed our way and that they are expected to arrive at our border around the 1^st of November.

https://www.borderreport.com/hot-topics/immigration/panama-official-tells-u-s-another-60000-haitians-are-on-the-way/

There is one – and only one – the reason for this current increase in the numbers of illegal aliens encroaching on our sovereignty and it is this: Almost immediately after entering the Oval Office in his “official” capacity, Mr. Biden rescinded President Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” policy, and he ordered the end of construction on our border wall – a project that had already been funded! This had the effect of sending an engraved invitation to any individual from anywhere on Earth to come prancing across our border, without fear of deportation or any other reprisal.

Although Mr. Biden has now reinstated his own version of President Trump’s extremely successful “Remain in Mexico” policy, one fundamental fact remains unaddressed: Someone, somewhere is flagrantly violating Title 8 – U.S. Code § 1323, and it is long past the time that those who are – and have been – guilty of violating this law are brought to justice!

Through the years, I have written numerous times to various “elected representatives,” urging that they uphold our laws and support those who are tasked with securing our nation’s borders. I am not the only U.S. Citizen to have done so. Unfortunately, President Trump has been the only elected official who has ever sought to accomplish this crucial task. He did so of his own volition and he accomplished what he was able to do – start construction of a border wall and establish the “Remain in Mexico” policy – in spite of efforts from both Democrats and Republicans to stop him.

On 30 September 2021, I thought I’d make one more plea to my elected representatives, urging that they honor their oath of office and seek punishment for those who are and have been, violating our trust and our laws, so I sent them my thoughts (below). Maybe you would care enough to send your elected representatives in our nation’s Capital the same – or a similar version of this – letter.

Salutation:

As you may know, unlawfully bringing aliens into the United States, or knowingly permitting their entry, is a Federal crime (See Title 8 – U.S. Code § 1323). https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1323

Specifically, paragraph a (1) clarifies that Mr. Biden, his DHS Secretary Mr. Mayorkas, and all persons in both the public and private sectors who have carried out Mr. Biden’s instructions to allow illegal aliens into the United States, and then to transport them to their various destinations within our borders, are in violation of this law.

The planned and purposeful importation and release of illegal aliens into the United States not only must end today, it should never have been allowed to occur in the first place.

It is long past time for this serial failure on the part of all those who have sworn to uphold our laws to end.

Therefore: As a Citizens of the United States, I am requesting that you make a criminal referral to the Attorney General of the United States, with instructions that he shall order the immediate arrest and prosecution of Mr. Biden, Mr. Mayorkas, and all others who are and have been complicit in this crime.

I look forward to your response.

Thank you.

Will sending this (or your customized version of) this letter result in the immediate arrest and eventual conviction of those who are guilty of violating Title 8 – U.S. Code § 1323? Maybe not – it greatly depends on how many Citizens send this letter to their representatives (many of whom are up for reelection next year!) There are, however, three very important things that will happen if you send this letter to your elected representatives:

Your elected representatives will know you are both aware of and concerned about, the flagrant breach of this law and the problems it presents to Citizens of the United States.
You will have taken an active role as a Citizen in an effort to protect our country from the onslaught of people whose main purpose is to take advantage of the benefits of living in the United States without having taken the time to obey our rules for doing so.
You will have the personal satisfaction of knowing you have done your part in trying to solve one of our country’s most urgent problems.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

I have never understood why it is “greed” to want to keep the money you have earned but not greed to want to take somebody else’s money. – Thomas Sowell

OUR TAX DOLLARS AT . . . “WORK?”

Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), a man who is perhaps the most fiscally responsible representative in all of government, recently informed us of yet another totally STUPID boondoggle hatched out by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Government Services Administration (GSA), who have spent $2,120,040,355.25 trying to turn an abandoned mental hospital into a new DHS headquarters.

St. Elizabeth Hospital in Washington, D.C., has a long history. Congress created the hospital as the “Government Hospital for the Insane,” in 1855. During the Civil War, it served as a general hospital, at which time, according to a D.C. government website, “wounded soldiers were reluctant to admit that they were housed in an insane asylum, and instead referred to their location as ‘St. Elizabeth’s,’” which was “the name given to the original 600-acre tract of land.” Eventually, tenants totally abandoned the West Campus, while a mental hospital remains on the East Campus.

But in recent years, government waste has entered the story. The GSA and DHS have been attempting, since 2005 and at a cost of more than $2.1 billion to the taxpayer to establish a headquarters for DHS on parts of the property.

This effort includes creating office space for the Office of Secretary of Homeland Security and other crucial senior personnel in the West Campus’ main building. If you want to turn a historical mental institution into a high-tech and secure government facility, you will face a multitude of problems along the way. The problems DHS and GSA have faced are particularly fundamental, which raises questions as to why the agencies selected the site in the first place.

First – the slope on which they are building the site is unstable. GSA acknowledged that the entirety of the site was not unstable, but up to 30 percent was subject to “anticipated slope instabilities.”

In 2010, GSA learned the buildings lacked adequate electrical wiring and ventilation. DHS has also spent significant sums recreating interior architecture. The decision to use St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, in light of all of these concerns, becomes even more starkly acute when one considers DHS and GSA considered roughly 12 other sites for their headquarters, instead choosing a site with historical, environmental, and geological issues.

Rest assured there will be legislative action taken to ensure this boondoggle does not continue to waste taxpayer dollars.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

“Justice” meaning social justice is a construct designed to promote collectives. “Equity” – not to be confused with “equality” – is a fraudulent demand for equal outcomes, and negates the idea of equal opportunities. Understanding how and why these terms have become the meme of certain groups is worth every rational person’s attention.

“Diversity” and “Inclusion” are code words used to demand appointments and authorities to be given not on the basis of merit, but on the basis of demographics.

The objective thinker will ascertain the effects of such strategies and decide whether these two approaches ultimately help or harm society as a whole, and then take appropriate action to share the truth about them. – Kris Bancroft

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

Senator Rand Paul (R-KY)

For as much as we know about environmental science, there’s just as much that we don’t know. The National Science Foundation (NSF) cut a $487,528 check to a professor at the University of Washington to teach climate science that the professor, and NSF, admit is unclear.

Their goal, “is to introduce the climate system in an accessible form, using simple models which use one or two equations to represent the evolution of global temperature” responding to greenhouse gases.

Meanwhile, however, researchers admit that “the extent to which the impact of greenhouse gas increases on global temperature can be represented by a single, fixed sensitivity value is unclear.” To summarize, the grantee is attempting to correlate climate sensitivity (the extent to which the temperature changes in response to GHG concentrations) despite saying it is not clear that such a correlation could or would be scientifically relevant, and then disseminating that information to students as authoritative.

First, they wanted the U.S. to sign up for what would become the Kyoto Protocol. Then, when that didn’t do the trick, it was the Paris Climate Agreement that would save the world. And now, it’s the Green New Deal that’s our golden ticket. What a crazy coincidence that is.

The NSF is fully aware of the lack of certainty surrounding this ongoing political issue, even sanctioning the dissemination of information designed to influence our young people to believe one thing or another, despite, again, researchers saying that “the extent to which the impact of greenhouse gas increases on global temperature can be represented by a single, fixed sensitivity value is unclear.” Rightly or wrongly, the NSF carries substantial weight in the scientific community. It’s the sanction of this project, one that purports to push less-than substantiated science, undermines that credibility

It’s time to shift our conversation around how to handle and balance priorities around energy cultivation past the Chicken Little-style prognostications of the sky falling. When the NSF funds study buying into that mentality and use your tax dollars to do it, it just compounds an already existing problem.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

A child who reads will be an adult who thinks.

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

Richard “Rocky” Silverman, Seattle, WA offers the following observation:

There are multiple problems developing since our dysfunctional president and his administration have illegally obtained control of the nation. Most noteworthy to mention is the ripple effect of vaccine mandates and the attempt to control the economy by paying people who aren’t working. These two forces are grinding our nation’s productivity to a standstill. Harbors are full of cargo ships waiting to be unloaded. Port factories are full as there aren’t sufficient drivers or workers to move goods. No doubt it will cost more to live and harder to buy essential products.

I just received a letter from one of our health care hospitals. They are informing us of “severe staff shortages” and asking us to be patent. This is also a partial text that I read this morning:

“Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse will temporarily close 22 of its 35 operating rooms starting Monday in anticipation of a growing staff shortage due to New York’s Covid-19 vaccine mandate.”

Aside from that, I very much fear what sensitive armaments and materials were left in Afghanistan for the Chinese and Russians to buy. I am concerned about the people deserted by our government especially those with special knowledge and skills that will be tortured for vital information for our enemies to use against us.

This administration is crippling our nation. We must be resolute in restoring leadership that can reverse this madness.

Larry Craig, Galena, MO comments on his state’s Attorney General

This morning, at the Farmer’s Daughter Café, people from all over Stone County were praising Eric Schmitt, our State’s Attorney General, for his comments about Merrick Garland’s instructions to the FBI to prosecute parents who criticized their School Boards for teaching CRT and other anti-American material. I have copied and pasted a statement that appeared on AG Schmitt’s website and I hope you’ll share it with your readers. People need to know how dangerous Biden’s regime really is. Thanks!

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt today sent a letter to the Department of Justice and Attorney General Garland slamming their decision to publish a memo that directs the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Justice to work with federal prosecutors to investigate and potentially prosecute parents who show up to school board meetings to advocate for their children.

“Biden’s Department of Justice is weaponizing its resources against parents who dare to advocate for their children. This dangerous federal overreach imposes a chilling effect on free speech by criminalizing dissent. I will always advocate for parents and will continue to push back against unprecedented federal overreach,” said Attorney General Schmitt.
The letter begins with, “Yesterday, you directed the FBI, all U.S. Attorneys, and other members of the Justice Department to investigate and prosecute parents as domestic terrorists for daring to advocate for their kids. This is outrageous and an unconstitutional expansion of federal power. I will stand up for parents and fight any attempts by the Biden Administration to silence them.”
The letter notes, “First, the federal government does not have jurisdiction over local school issues… Second, your directive appears designed to have a chilling effect on speech. Your directive makes only a passing reference to the freedom of speech protected by the First Amendment. But the First Amendment gives parents the right to voice their opinion to elected officials, particularly when it comes to their kids’ education.”
The letter concludes with, “As elected officials, school board members are directly accountable to the voters – parents – they represent. School boards are designed to receive and reflect parent input. Board meetings are supposed to be open to the public with the opportunity for public comment by parents. But now that parents are opposing harmful decisions made by school boards, school boards want to treat parents as domestic terrorists. That is wrong.”
The full letter can be found here: https://ago.mo.gov/docs/default-source/press-releases/2021-10-5-ltr-doj.pdf?sfvrsn=54c36e8e_2

Harriett Lublin, Atlanta, GA shared some thoughts on Mr. Buttigieg’s supply chain fiasco:

“…a little insight into the cargo ship backlog that you won’t hear in the news. There has been some reporting that there’s a shortage of trucks to move the containers off the ports. Here’s why. Historically most of the trucks that worked the ports were independent contractors – often referred to as owner-operators. Many are self-employed people with one truck that they personally drive. Many do this because they prefer to work for themselves instead of a larger company.

Freight at the ports is managed by brokers or sometimes the port itself. There has always been a symbiotic relationship between freight brokers and independent contract truckers. Last year CA modified the definition of who can be classified as an independent contractor under their state labor codes.

The revised definition says that for a person/business to be “independent” they cannot be in the same line of business as the person/business hiring them for their services. If the two parties are in the same industry, then the business relationship is considered an employer-employee and not independent. So, if a freight broker arranges transportation of freight by truck contracts with a trucker to take a load, the trucker is suddenly considered an employee of the broker under the new definition.

The state’s purported reasoning was to make sure that these small businesses had access to better pay & benefits. The fact that redefining the business relationship suddenly reclassified 1099 payments as “wages” which is now subject to CA state payroll taxes was conveniently not mentioned.

Truckers tend to be a defiant breed anyway so it’s no surprise that once this all went into effect, many truckers quit doing business with the ports & quit taking loads that originated in CA. So in their greed for more $ to pay for their broken state, CA has shot themselves in the foot again, and it’s affecting the rest of the country as well.” – Doug Chamness

Diane Bederman, Ontario, Canada shares some observations on the trend of healthcare in her country:

How can we condone health care that includes the unceremonious removal of a patient, especially a senior citizen, from their primary health care provider? It seems we do in Ontario. I wonder if this is all made possible by socialized medicine and the new rules that our doctors are told to follow. Whatever happened to First Do No Harm?

I am sharing my story about “health care” during COVID.

We talk a great deal about death with dignity. But rarely do we talk about life with dignity. We all witnessed the lack of care and compassion for our most vulnerable during COVID: seniors left alone in their beds and then denied the love of family as they died alone in the hospital.

I am a senior citizen. I was unceremoniously dumped from my health clinic; East Wellington Family Health Team in Erin, Ontario after reporting what I consider to be below standard care from my primary physician. You know, the one that coordinates your health care.

I will not bore you with the details regarding the poor care given to me by my primary physician as this is not about him. I did report him to The College of Physicians and Surgeons. I should have accused him of dereliction of duty. I did my due diligence. First I reported my doctor to the lead physician, Dr. Khan, for his lack of care. No, this story is about the clinic.

It is about the ethical practices, or lack of, by the clinic. I am a Hospital Chaplain so medical ethics are deeply ingrained in me. East Wellington Family Health Team has 20 total employees across all of its locations and generates $4.63 million in sales (USD). According to Dun and Brad Street. Kim Bell is the executive director.

What ended my relationship with my doctor was a conversation we had, in person!, regarding the COVID vaccine. I had called and asked him to send a requisition for a blood test for COVID. COVID testing is “free;” testing to see if one has immunity costs $200.00. The test came back: I had no immunity.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

Power is not a means, it is an end. One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes the revolution in order to establish the dictatorship. The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. – George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

It will be of little avail to the people . . . if the laws are so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent they cannot be understood. – James Madison

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 5323 Iron Dome Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022 (Rosa DeLauro, D-CT, 4 pages),

This bill was passed in the House of Representatives by a vote of 420/9 and has been forwarded to the Senate for consideration.

The purpose of this bill is to provide supplemental appropriations in the way of providing monetary support to Israel, for the purpose of assisting them to maintain their anti-missile defense system, known as “The Iron Dome.”

The vote on this bill was taken under a House of Representatives procedure known as “suspension of the rules,” which is typically used to pass non-controversial legislation, and thus requires a 2/3rds majority to pass, however; it does appear that some members of the House thought helping Israel, our only ally in the Middle East to defend itself from perpetual assault from Muslim terrorists is, in fact, “controversial.” Following are the names of those individuals who voted against this bill:

Raul Grijalva (AZ 3^rd), Marie Newman (IL 3^rd), Andre’ Carson (IN 7^th), Ayanna Pressley (MA 7^th), Rashida Tlaib (MI 13^th), Ilhan Omar (MN 5^th), and Cori Bush (MO 1^st). Two Democrats voted “Present,” Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY 14^th), and Hank Johnson (GA 4^th). One Republican voted against the bill, Thomas Massie (KY 4^th).

HR 4350 National Defense Authorization Act for the Fiscal Year 2022 (Adam Smith, D-WA, 1362 pages).

This bill was passed in the House of Representatives by a vote of 316/113 and has been forwarded to the Senate for consideration.

The purpose of this bill is to authorize appropriations for the fiscal year 2022 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes.

The total outlay for this bill is approximately $780 Billion. It might have been $80 Billion less had Mr. Biden not instructed the military to leave behind $78 Billion worth of military hardware during our departure from Afghanistan, for his Taliban friends!

HR 3755 Women’s Health Protection Act of 2021 (Judy Chu, D-CA, 28 pages).

This bill was passed in the House of Representatives by a vote of 211/208 and has been forwarded to the Senate for consideration.

The stated purpose of this bill is to protect a person’s (we assume this means “woman’s”) ability to determine whether to continue or end a pregnancy and to protect a health care provider’s ability to provide abortion services.

HR 5305 Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act (Rosa DeLauro, D-CT, 38 pages).

The purpose of this bill is to make continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for providing emergency assistance, and for other purposes.

This bill was enacted after being signed by Mr. Biden on 30 September 2021.

NOTE: A previous version of this bill failed to receive a cloture vote.

+HR 5434 To Provide an Extension of Federal-Aid Highway, Highway Safety, and Transit Programs, and For Other Purposes (Peter DeFazio, D-OR, 9 pages).

In reading the text of this bill, the Taxpayer would expect to find all sorts of plans explaining how their tax dollars would be used to repair roads, bridges, rail lines, and other items having to do with travel in the United States. Such naïve trust would lead to certain disappointment! Reading through the bill text, in Title I – Section 107, one finds the following:

Title 1 – Section 107. – Sport Fishing

During the extension period, until H.R. 3684 (117th Congress) is enacted, section 4 of the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777c) shall be applied by substituting—

(1) fiscal year 2022 for fiscal year 2021 in subsections (a) and (b)(1)(A); and

(2) fiscal years 2016 through 2022 for fiscal years 2016 through 2021 in subsection (b)(2)(A).

This bill was signed into law on 4 October 2021.

HR 2116 CROWN Act of 2021 (Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-NJ, 12 pages).

This bill prohibits discrimination [for employment] based on an individual’s texture or style of hair.

HR 2873 Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Through Promoting Competition Act of 2021 (David Cicilline, D-RI, 15 pages).

This bill amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to prohibit “product hopping,” and for other purposes. This bill is introduced in conjunction with HR 2891 and HR 2883, for the purpose of reducing prescription drug prices.

S1301 Temporary Extension of Public Debt Limit

On September 29, 2021, this bill became a House proposal to temporarily suspend the public debt limit through December 16, 2022. The Treasury Department had forecast that the federal government would hit the debt limit, i.e. run out of money to pay back existing debts, government salaries, and other pre-existing obligations, on October 18, 2021. Prior to the House vote on that date, the bill was the Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act.

Summary of S. 1301: [Temporary Extension of Public Debt Limit] – GovTrack.us

+ S 2747 Freedom to Vote Act (Joe Manchin, D-WV, 620 pages)

In short, this bill destroys any respect I might have otherwise had for Senator Manchin. There is no shortage of rhetoric but the bill fails to provide a fool-proof method for ensuring that an individual who votes is qualified to do so, a tracking method to ensure individual votes only once in each election and, that the individual is a legal resident in the precinct in which they cast a ballot. There are no prescriptions for punishing those who vote fraudulently nor is there a meaningful method of ensuring an individual taking part in an election will be punished should they commit felonious acts that would skew the outcome of an election. Finally, there is no means to absolutely verify that all votes are legal votes and are counted only once.

+ S 4 A Bill to Amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to Revise the Criteria for Determining Which States and Political Subdivisions are Subject to Section 4 of the Act, and for Other Purposes (Patrick Leahy, D-VT, 118 pages)

This bill imposes reverse discrimination in the way of imposing restrictions on certain States and Political Subdivisions that are not applied to others. Furthermore, this bill imposes reverse discrimination in the way of requiring representation in States and Political Subdivisions reflect the demographics of those States and Political Subdivisions.

The bill would permit voting by disabled persons but “disability” is not specified to the point where voting restrictions would be placed on people who are mentally deficient. Voting is permitted for persons who are illiterate and voting is permitted for persons who do not speak English through a requirement for ballots to be printed in numerous languages.

While the bill prevents discrimination against the “protected classes,” there is no protection against discrimination offered to the “unprotected classes.”

HR 3635 Strengthening America’s Strategic National Stockpile Act of 2021 (Eilssa Slotkin, D-MI, 15 pages).

The theme of this bill is excellent but it only provides a sketchy framework; it lacks specificity in the way of what is to be “stockpiled,” how and where the stockpiles are to be gathered, and the logistics for distribution. This bill was passed in the House of Representatives on 19 October, by a vote of 397/22, and has been forwarded to the Senate for consideration.

HR 3075 Illegal Fishing and Forced Labor Prevention Act (Jared Huffman, D-CA, 48 pages).

This bill addresses seafood slavery and combats illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing, and for other purposes. It enforces the moratorium on driftnet usage and requires all fishing vessels entering United States waters to bear a unique identifying number to prevent fraudulent flag changes. It further authorizes several agencies of the Federal government to board and inspect at will any vessel entering U.S. waters and to seize vessels who violate the standards of this Act.

HR 4369 National Centers of Excellence in Continuous Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Act of 2021 (Frank Pallone Jr., D-NJ, 15 pages).

This bill would amend the 21st Century Cures Act to provide for the designation of institutions of higher education that provide research, data, and leadership on continuous manufacturing as National Centers of Excellence in Continuous Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, and for other purposes. While it is good that universities can conduct research, that research should be funded by the pharmaceutical industry and not the taxpayer since it is the pharmaceutical industry that uses the fruits of the research to generate income. (This approach to medical research is also another step toward a nationalized healthcare system – a model that has FAILED in every country in which it has been tried!) Ironically, on 19 October, a motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended, was passed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 368/56 (Roll no. 318).

+ S 1104 Haiti Development, Accountability, and Institutional Transparency Initiative Act (Ben Cardin, D-MD, 17 pages). The stated purpose of this bill is to measure the progress of post-disaster recovery and efforts to address corruption, governance, rule of law, and media freedoms in Haiti.

After dumping billions of taxpayer’s dollars into Haiti, only to see the corruption of their government expand, Mr. Cardin’s bill would throw good money after bad. This is not surprising; as usual, the Democrats seem to be focused on the wrong targets. Perhaps Mr. Cardin should investigate how the Clinton Foundation skimmed millions of taxpayer’s dollars off the “relief efforts” we funded following the earthquake that occurred there back during the 0bama regime, or address the fact that the Haitian government has done nothing to rescue the seventeen American missionaries that were recently kidnapped.

S 3003 Comprehensive and Overdue Support for Troops of War Act of 2021 (Jon Tester, R-MT, 72 pages). This bill would “improve” (expand?) healthcare and benefits to veterans exposed to toxic substances. The military uses many chemicals that have the potential to cause harm to those who may contact them when not shielded by adequate and properly used personal protective equipment. As well, these materials also emit toxic gases and residues when they are burned, but disposing of such materials in burn pits has been the standard method of destroying such materials. This bill serves to protect military personnel from such exposures.

S 3008 A Bill to Establish the Federal Rainy Day Fund to Control Emergency Spending (Mike Braun, R-IN, 12 pages). The purpose of the bill is presented in its title. What a wonderful thought that such a fund could be allocated after the budget is balanced, of course!

+ HR 2989 Financial Transparency Act of 2021 (Carolyn Maloney, D-NY, 53 pages). The stated purpose of this bill is to amend securities, commodities, and banking laws to make the information reported to financial regulatory agencies electronically searchable, to further enable the development of RegTech and Artificial Intelligence applications, to put the United States on a path towards building a comprehensive Standard Business Reporting program to ultimately harmonize and reduce the private sector’s regulatory compliance burden, while enhancing transparency and accountability, and for other purposes. In practice, enactment of this legislation would totally annihilate a business owner’s rights under the 4^th and 5^th Amendments, in that the Federal government would likely be able to conduct a warrantless search of the commercial and private records of a business.

RHEA COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY NEWS

Rhea County Republican Party Executive Committee

Bitsy Gryder – Chairman Kris Bancroft – Vice Chairman

Judy Bancroft – Secretary Ted Engel – Treasurer

Marvin Keener Sr. – Vice Treasurer

The Rhea County Republican Party Monthly Meeting

The next meeting of the Rhea County Republican Party will be a regular meeting, held on 11 NOVEMBER 2021, at 7:00 PM, at the Sheriff’s Training Center, 711 Eagle Lane, Evensville, TN 37323

Minutes from the Previous Meeting for 14 October 2021

Chair Elizabeth Gryder called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm.

Marvin Keener, Sr., offered prayer and Elizabeth Gryder led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Minutes –

Judy Bancroft read the minutes from the July 8, 2021, meeting. A motion was made by Donna Taylor and seconded by Marvin Keener, Sr. to accept the minutes as read. Motion carried.

Judy Bancroft read the minutes from the September 9, 2021, Executive Committee meeting held via Zoom. A motion was made by Kris Bancroft and seconded by Elizabeth Gryder to accept the minutes as read. Motion carried. Elizabeth Gryder stated that Lorilei Dreibelbis is available again to assist in conducting future Zoom meetings.

Treasurer’s Report –

Ted Engel was unable to attend tonight’s meeting but provided a report via email, which Elizabeth Gryder read.

PAC Report –

Kris Bancroft stated that there has been no activity in the PAC account since his last report. The balance remains the same as the previous report.

Guest Speaker Quentin Kaus –

Mr. Kaus is a pre-law student, with political campaign experience, who was invited to share ideas about starting a Young Republicans group in Rhea County. Mr. Kaus began a Young Republicans group in McMinn County, to give a voice to young conservatives. He also has been concerned that a State may turn from red to blue somewhat quickly as a result of population changes, such as occurred in Colorado.

Mr. Kaus shared the basics required by the State Young Republicans organization for starting a local group. He stated that he has found social media to be the most effective means of communication, and he also suggested several resources for learning of potential members. Several of our members plan to pursue those avenues.

Mr. Kaus also suggested we consider establishing a Constitution group, perhaps named “Young Constitutionalists,” as opposed to a Young Republicans group, as that approach may find more acceptance.

Refreshments –

Elizabeth Gryder thanked Kris and Judy Bancroft for providing refreshments.

OLD BUSINESS:

PAC Treasurer Position –

Marvin Keener, Jr. informed ExCom that he is ready to assume the position as the new PAC Treasurer. The basic duties were reviewed at this time, and he and Kris Bancroft will make the necessary changes at Southeast Bank.

Bylaws –

Judy Bancroft reported that the State will review our revised Rhea County Republican Party Bylaws sometime in the next few months and will let us know if they are approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

The Executive Committee met just before this meeting to review their Zoom meeting from September 9^th. Recommendations were included in the New Business discussions below, including activities to increase our presence in the community:

Reagan Day Dinner –

Possible dates were discussed. Kris Bancroft will contact Rhea County High School to finalize a date. The Executive Committee recommends authorizing payment of $1000 to Rhea County High School for rental and deposit. The recommendation was approved. Political candidates will be invited to speak at the event rather than having a keynote speaker.

Attendance at Community Events –

Elizabeth Gryder plans to consult with Jody Bauer regarding Spring City events that we may wish to participate in. Marvin Keener will plan to attend the monthly Dayton Chamber of Commerce luncheons.

Rhea County Sheriff’s Department Toy Drive –

A motion was made by Marvin Keener, Sr., and seconded by Tom Taylor to approve a $500 donation to the Toy Drive. Motion carried. The Rhea Herald News will be contacted to request they take a photo of the event for the newspaper.

Selling Politically-Conservative Bumper Stickers/T-Shirts/Yard Signs –

Kris Bancroft reported that a local business has T-Shirts for $5 each. Bumper stickers are $2-4, depending on the size, and available at a lower price when bought in bulk. Kris encouraged a focus on positive-themed slogans and solicits ideas. Suggestions were: “Save America, Vote Republican,” “Make a Difference, Vote Republican,” and “Republican” on a red T-shirt with an elephant displayed.

Billboard Ads –

Ted Doss raised the possibility of purchasing a billboard ad. More information will be sought.

School Board Meetings –

A suggestion was made that members attend Rhea County School Board meetings when possible.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

917 Society –

Kris Bancroft handed out pocket-size Constitutions to members, leftover from distribution to Rhea County 8^th Graders. He encouraged us to consider making a donation to the organization, as the 917 Society relies on such donations.

2022 Candidates –

Kris Bancroft encouraged members who may know people in other districts to encourage them to start thinking about who might be good candidates and get behind them, with the goal of electing a super-majority in the U. S. House and Senate.

Elizabeth Gryder plans to contact Tom Davis, Rhea County Administrator of Elections, to obtain a list of all declared candidates – local, State, and Federal – as of this time.

Next Meeting –

Our meeting schedule has recently been temporarily altered due to COVID. It was decided tonight to schedule our next meeting back on our original schedule. The meeting will be held Thursday, November 11^th, at 7:00 pm.

Our several methods of notifying members and the public of our meetings were reviewed. An additional suggestion of placing notices at other conservative websites will be pursued.

Door Prizes –

Mickie Gargano won a T-shirt with a patriotic logo and Donna Taylor won a dream catcher.

The meeting adjourned at 8:31 pm.

Judy Bancroft

Secretary

RANDOM THOUGHTS

“Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book was rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered. And the process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right.” George Orwell “1984”

LAGNIAPPE

JUST A REMINDER

Cyril Ostiguy, Chairman

Carroll County Republican Party

About the Document – The first 10 amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, guarantee essential rights and civil liberties, such as the right to free speech, the right to bear arms, and the right to a fair trial, as well as protecting the role of the states in American government.

Date – Passed by Congress September 25, 1789. Ratified December 15, 1791.

Full Text – The Preamble to the Bill of Rights

Congress of the United States began and was held at the City of New York, on Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.

RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two-thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three-fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.

ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.

Note: The following text is a transcription of the first ten amendments to the Constitution in their original form. These amendments were ratified on December 15, 1791, and form what is known as the “Bill of Rights.”

Amendment I – Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II – A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III – No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV –The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V – No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI – In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.

Amendment VII – In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII – Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX – The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X – The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

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 Bill Hagerty

Russell Senate Office Building

Suite SR-B11

Washington D.C. 20510

Phone: (202) 244-4944

Fax: (202) 228-3398

e-mail: https://www.hagerty.senate.gov

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn

357 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

Phone: (202) 224-3344

Fax: (202) 228-0566

To contact visit website:

www.blackburn.senate.gov

U.S Representative Dr. Scott DesJarlais

2301 Rayburn HOB

Washington, DC 20515

Phone: (202) 225-6831

Fax: (202) 226-5172

e-mail

http://desjarlais.house.gov

Governor Bill Lee

Tennessee State Capitol

Nashville, Tennessee 37243

Phone: (615) 741-2001

Fax: (615) 532-9711

e-mail: http://www.state.tn.us/governor

Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House

https://www.speaker.gov/contact

Link above provides all methods of contact.

Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader

https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=contact

State Representative Ron Travis

301 Sixth Avenue North

Suite G-3

Nashville, Tennessee 37243

Phone: (615) 741-1450

Rep.ron.travis@capitol.tn.gov

State Senator Ken Yager

301 Sixth Avenue North

Suite G-19

Nashville, Tennessee 37243

Phone: (615) 741-1449

Fax: (615) 253-0237

sen.ken.yager@capitol.tn.gov

The Rhea County Republican – November 2021