GOV. GARY JOHNSON: Concerned over U.S. drone program within America

By Karl Dickey, West Palm Beach Libertarian Examiner Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson is calling congressional approval of legislation making it easier for the government to operate unmanned drones over U.S. soil an “ominous step that raises serious concerns about individual freedom and privacy.” The FAA Reauthorization Act, signed into law by President Obama Tuesday, includes a provision directing the Federal Aviation Administration to develop rules for the testing and licensing of drones to be flown in U.S. airspace and to expedite the process for authorizing their use by federal, state and local agencies.  The FAA projects that as many as 30,000 drones could be in use over the U.S. by 2020. In a statement, Johnson said, “The threats to privacy in America – from our own government – seem to never end.  Does Congress really think they can just stick an ‘oh-by-the-way' provision in an obscure piece of legislation directing the FAA to clear the way for 30,000 drones to fly over our neighborhoods, and have no one notice? “Big Brother is alive and well, and now we’re talking about making it easier for him to fly remote control planes loaded with cameras over our neighborhoods.  Based on our experience with the Patriot Act, the National Defense Authorization Act, and several other laws Congress has enacted in recent years, it is not alarmist to fear or assume that when we give the government the power to snoop, they will indeed snoop. “The government, through the FAA, already has the power to permit specific uses of drones, such as in fighting forest fires, looking for lost campers, or helping deal with natural disasters.  And right now, they are being used to patrol the border.  Some of those uses may be justified and legit, and the rules allow for that today.  But directing the FAA to come up with a system that will allow federal, state and local law enforcement to deploy 30,000 drones is a very different proposition, and should absolutely not be allowed to proceed without a serious conversation about a very real threat to fundamental privacy. “The ACLU, the Electronic Freedom Foundation and numerous other groups are expressing serious concerns about Congress’ action, as they should.  I share those concerns.  The idea that the air above our heads and homes should be turned into a wide-open playground for government snooping is an insult to freedom and to what remains of privacy in this country.” Continue reading on Examiner. com Presidential candidate concerned over U.S. drone program within America - West Palm Beach Libertarian Examiner.com

TheTeaParty.net - The Future of American Freedom

Dear Patriot,

Have you resigned to handing control over every decision you make to the federal government?  Are you resigned to worse medical care at higher prices?  Have you accepted the inevitability of Obamacare? 

If the federal government is allowed to takeover healthcare in our country, the Constitution is, for all intents and purposes, nullified. Every decision we make impacts our health and the potential cost of our healthcare. The car you drive, the food you eat, even how much time you spend outdoors all impact the potential burden of your healthcare under Obamacare and the government will have a financial interest and the perceived authority to regulate every aspect of your life. 

Obamacare is a scourge upon this nation and must be the primary focus of the Tea Party movement in 2012.  In March the Supreme Court will begin hearing arguments on the constitutionality of Obamacare, and if the court decides to uphold the constitution, the law will be struck down.  Unfortunately the court has four committed liberals who will rubber-stamp their messiah's power grab, four justices who are consistent strict-constructionists who are likely to strike down the law, and one who revels in being the deciding vote. 

We are currently in the preliminary stages of planning a massive rally outside of the Supreme Court when they will weigh Obamacare.  If we can put together a huge showing, it could swing Justice Kennedy towards the constitution and solidify support among Justices Thomas, Scalia, Roberts, and Alito. 

Putting together an event large enough to make an impact is going to be a challenge. It is going to take logistics to make sure everyone who can be there, is, and it is going to take financial resources to make sure that the scale of this event reflects the dire nature of this threat to American freedom. 

Help us get started by making a generous contribution today! 

Thank You,

Todd Cefaratti
Freedom Organizer

To make a contribution by mail, please click here or
address to: TheTeaParty.net | 1701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW,
Suite 300, PMB #433 | Washington, DC 20006
Toll-free:  866-928-6555

NHDP - NH Senior Citizens Call on Lamontagne to Renounce Right Wing Plan to End Medicare

Concord, NH -New Hampshire Medicare beneficiaries are condemning Republican plans to block grant and end Medicare. Ovide Lamontagne, wrote in a recent op-ed that he will as Governor he would "seek block grants of Medicaid and Medicare" which would end those successful programs.  

The State House is set to vote on a similar proposal today. HB1560 sponsored by by Rep. DJ Bettencourt, a Lamontagne endorser, and Senator Chuck Morse would enter New Hampshire into an interstate compact, block granting Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Insurance Program, and all other federal funded health care programs.

"As a senior who is enrolled in Medicare, I am deeply opposed to both the bill before the legislature today, and Lamontagne's plan to block grant our Medicare program here in New Hampshire.  This would remove any federal rules, including eligibility, coverage levels, and essential services," said Barbara French of Henniker. "Turning Medicare into a block grant system would put at risk what many people like me enjoy about Medicare, that we can continue our relationship with our own doctors. That's not fair"

"For years, I went to work every day Monday through Friday just like countless others in New Hampshire.  And just like them, I paid my share into Medicare.  I do not want the vital Medicare program that I paid into for years either block granted or ended," added John White of Wolfeboro. "That would put my health care at risk, and health care for thousands of people just like me at risk as well.  I sincerely hope that Mr. Lamontagne reconsiders his position, and urges his Republican colleagues in the House today to vote down this bill."

John White and Barbara French are joined in their opposition by hundreds of New Hampshire residents and voters who have signed a petition calling on the legislature not to block grant Medicare. [Petition]

"Today New Hampshire seniors are calling on Lamontange to renounce his support for ending Medicare in New Hampshire, and asking him to join them in opposing HB1560," said Harrell Kirstein press secretary for the New Hampshire Democratic Party. "Either block granting proposal would end Medicare as we know it and put thousands of New Hampshire senior citizens at risk."

Josiah Bartlett Center publishes Certificate of Need Report

"The evidence shows us that for forty years, CONs have done nothing to control health care costs. And if you have no impact, you're useless. And if you're useless, you should be repealed."

(CONCORD)  The Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy today published an in-depth report on Certificate of Need Boards, finding that the government panels have had no success in restraining health care costs over the past 40 years.  "Irrational: Do Certificate of Need laws reduce costs or hurt patients?" reports that state rationing of medical facillities does not meet its original goal of improving efficiency, but does serve as a barrier protecting existing health care providers.

"In New Hampshire, the Health Services Planning Review Board serves as an unnecessary bureaucratic hurdle to new entrants to the health care market. It has done nothing to address shortages in New Hampshire’s health care infrastructure, and there is no evidence that it has lowered costs for New Hampshire patients," concludes Grant Bosse, who authored the report.  "Lawmakers should repeal New Hampshire’s Certificate of Need Law."

Since 1979, New Hampshire has forced health care providers to ask a state panel for permission to build or expand medical facilties or make large medical equipment purchases.  "Irrational" cites state decisions from Kentucky to Hawaii that limited hospital access.  One New York hospital took ten years to receive permission for an MRI machine.  A Connecticut hospital had to wait an entire year just to upgrade its phone system.  Bosse represented the report to the House Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs Committee, which held a public hearing on HB 1617 repealing New Hampshire's Certificate of Need Law.

"I wish central planning worked.  But it doesn't," Bosse added.  "The evidence shows us that for forty years, CONs have done nothing to control health care costs.  And if you have no impact, you're useless. And if you're useless, you should be repealed."

Read the entire report online at http://www.jbartlett.org/irrational.  This report is free for use with attribution to the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy, New Hampshire's free market think-tank.

ALG - Government intervention in the natural gas industry benefits who?

Feb. 1, 2012, Fairfax, VA—Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens' plan to move the nation's vehicle fleet to natural gas is creating excitement in the White House.

President Obama has already unveiled a tax break for commercial trucks that run on natural gas.  And this is just the beginning of his plan; he hopes that other tax breaks and subsidies will result in natural gas stations opening up all over the U.S.

"While using natural gas is in the country's best interest given the enormous supply available, why should taxpayer dollars be used to encourage vehicle manufacturers to make the switch as well as benefit big politically connected investors?" says Bill Wilson, president of Americans for Limited Government.  "This resource is already in demand and the free market will take care of the investment side of the equation. So why does the federal government need to get involved?"

Wilson continues, "As we've seen in several occasions, when the federal government props up a specific industry that industry doesn't seem to last—in the last few months one green energy company after another has gone bankrupt.  Natural gas is a positive and plentiful resource available to this country.  Let the free market designate its purpose and profitability—not the government."

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Americans for Limited Government is a non-partisan, nationwide network committed to advancing free market reforms, private property rights and core American liberties. For more information on ALG please call us at 703-383-0880 or visit our website at www.GetLiberty.org.