The typical complaint that supposedly justifies the Democratic Party’s health care plan is the “fact” that the Republican Party does not have a plan of its own.  This supposed “fact” is not true.  At least to some extent, this “fact” is merely an often repeated lie.  For example, I got a comment from another blogger (here), Henryk A. Kowalczyk, requesting that I check out his article on the Huffington Post (here).   How does Henryk article begin?

The House health care overhaul bill passed not because Democrats prepared a good proposal but because Republicans showed an amazing inability to present a viable alternative.

Henryk statement is simply untrue.  Whether Henryk is simply ill-informed, I do not know, but I can you tell you that the Republican Party has presented a viable alternative.  The party’s plan is at this website.

GOP.gov

The specifics, even the proposed legislation, is right here (See here for the proposed bill.).  Nonetheless, the Democratic Party is totally unwilling to allow the Republican Party’s proposals to go forward.  Instead, the Democratic Party wants to adopt 2000 pages of pure socialism.

So why don’t we know about the Republican Party’s alternative?  I can think of two reasons in particular.

• Much of the corporate news media wants to say nothing positive about Republicans.
• The Republican National Committee’s website, GOP.com, spends too much effort discrediting the Democrats and not enough advertising what Republicans stand for.  For example, the Health Care Issues page really does not say anything.  To find out where Republicans stand on the health care issue, we have to search the web site (see here).   Even then, we have to check out the third hit before we find out what Republicans want to do.  That is shooting yourself in the foot.

Is the Republican Party’s plan/bill better than the Democratic Party’s plan/bill?  The Republican Party’s proposed bill is 219 pages long (as opposed to an almost 2000 page Democrat bill).  Since the devil is generally found in the details, I like that.  There is at least some chance I could read the Republican Party’s plan, and given time I may read much of it.

Suffice to say that I like the general principles (see here), but I really would prefer that the Federal Government just get out-of-the-way.  I do not trust either Republicans or Democrats not to gum our health care system.  Instead of telling the states how to spend Federal funds, I wish the Federal Government would just mind its own business (Where is our health care mentioned in the Constitution?).  What the Federal Government can obviously do is require the states to allow health care providers to compete across state lines, and the proposed bill does do that.

UPDATE at the bottom just before the cartoons; I added Other Views.  Since the blog is not about me, I try as much as possible to propagate other views.  Do I always agree?  No, and I do try to explain why.

When we look around at the Tea Party movement, one aspect is striking, particularly to the corporate news  media.

• Tea party movement has anger, no dominant leaders – CNN
  

  “It’s opened for a leader. I don’t see anyone out there that can grab it,” he says. “I’ll be surprised if someone emerges. I don’t see who that is.”

• What next for the Middle America Rebellion of 2009? — Washington Examiner
  

  Whatever the number of attendees, this was possibly the most significant Washington protest since the civil rights movement’s epic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963. Indeed, about all that was lacking was a charismatic leader like Dr. Martin Luther King to deliver an “I have a dream” address for the ages.

• Obama supporters, not health care protesters, are real mob — San Francisco Examiner
  

  They invested their hopes and dreams in Obama, as did a number of disenchanted moderates and Republicans. The utopian expectation that Obama could exorcise the country’s sins and conflicts was extravagant. He also lacked executive experience.

  The town hall and Tea Party protesters, in contrast, make for a poor mass movement, however discontented they may be. They do not feel empowered — quite the opposite — they have no charismatic leader, no majorities in Congress, nor a clear, overarching alternative agenda to support.

• GOP Sees Protest As an Opportunity — Washington Post
  

  Indeed, many activists say in interviews that they look more to conservative commentators for leadership than they do elected politicians. Ryan Rhodes, a leader of the “tea party” movement in Iowa, noted that Beck and radio host Rush Limbaugh had come to the cause years ago. Rhodes said he had little enthusiasm for George W. Bush or for McCain, the 2008 GOP presidential candidate.

As the quotes from above suggest, the Tea Party protesters do have not a movement leader.   As the San Francisco Examiner’s article in particular suggests, that is a good thing.  Instead of being committed to a man, the Tea Party protesters have committed themselves to a cause.  Hence, instead of being manipulated by a leader, they are insisting upon the loyalty of their leaders to the cause of liberty.

What is the next step? We must replace those leaders who see themselves as our masters with men and women willing to serve as public servants.

How?  We exercise political power when we get our candidates elected to public office.   With just the number of people who rallied in Washington, DC, this last weekend, the Tea Party protesters can take over the Republican Party.  The problem is making the effort.

Politics requires discipline, tenacity and hard work.  Once again just showing up is half the battle.  To become effective activists, Tea Party protesters must show up at party meetings (Republican Party meetings would be the most profitable) and promote those candidates that share their commitment to liberty.  To intelligently exercise influence, Tea Party protesters must learn something about how the local parties in their states operate.  Then they must figure out what it takes to get a liberty loving and God fearing man or woman elected to Congress.

What is the immediate reward?  In 2010, Tea Party protesters can muster the numbers necessary to swing the Congressional majority resoundingly back towards Conservatism.  The entire House will be up for reelection and one third of the Senate.   However, to have maximum effect, the Tea Party protesters must get involved in the nomination process.  When necessary, they must defeat Liberal incumbents, and that will take considerable persistence and effort.   So the Tea Party protesters must start running and supporting their candidates now!

Other Views

YankeePhil in Reason at Tea Party provides a nice synopsis of the views of some of the Tea Party protesters.

We will RockDem provides a CNN video in the post “Indonesian Muslim turned welfare thug and a racist in chief.” As usual, CNN focuses on the tenor of the argument rather than the actual substance of the argument.  Apparently, die hard Obama supporters conceive that any opposition can only come from those with evil and vile intentions.  Thus, when he launches a wholly unwarranted attack (suggesting the Tea Party protesters are racists), Anderson Cooper supposedly destroys one of the leaders of Tea Party protesters.       This is the kind of brainless nonsense that is destroying CNN’s ratings.

In her post, 9/12 March on Washington … faces from Shenandoah Valley #1, SWAC Girl lists some of the names of the supposed bigots.  She arrived with six bus loads of them from the Shenandoah Valley.

JAB, in his post, Meanings for the 9-12 March on Washington (on Deo Vindice), explains what he thinks the march was and is about.

The Write Side of My Brain in this post; You can ignore 9/12, but it’s not going away; praises the blogosphere for its coverage and provides a nice survey of that coverage.  That includes a post by the Gateway Pundit, CLEAN Conservatives vs FILTHY Liberals– A Photographic Essay.  When viewing that photo essay, I suggest some caution.  While there is no doubt some truth to the rumor that Liberals do not know how to pick up after themselves, we did not need to protest to prove that.  We must remember our objective.  The Tea Party movements exists to promote liberty, not to demonize Liberal pickpockets; chastise Liberal loafers; or excoriate Liberal liars.  We do not hate those people; we just want them to stop trying to “fix” everyone else’s lives except their own.  Given their incompetence, their focus is obviously misplaced.

I am a Republican.  On occasion, I contribute a small amount of money to the party.    When I do so, I contribute to the local party, and, when I want to attend a state convention, I contribute to the state party.  I stopped wasting my money on the national party a long time ago.

Why do I have so little use for the national party?  Well, read this stupid letter.

Dear Citizen Tom,

When President Obama was elected, he promised to usher in an era of fiscal responsibility. Even the theme of his inauguration speech was “Era of Responsibility.” So how’s that promise working out for him?

Well, on Tuesday the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a report on the budget predicting a $7 trillion deficit by 2019. This is after Obama’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released its own report predicting a $9 trillion deficit over the same period of time.

The same OMB report shows public debt doubling by 2019 and reaching three-quarters the size of the entire national economy. So with our nation already recording historic levels of debt and facing exploding deficits, what are the Obama Democrats proposing?

If you guessed more spending on bloated federal government programs … you would be correct.

Obama and his liberal Congressional allies want to saddle taxpayers with even more debt through their government-run health care experiment that will cost trillions of dollars. In addition, they are proposing a radical cap and trade tax that will increase Americans’ tax burden by an estimated $150 billion a year. This is on top of the record spending — nearly $5 trillion — Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid rammed through the Democrat controlled Congress in the first 100 days.

Citizen Tom, there’s only one way to stop the tidal wave of Obama’s red ink — electing more conservative Republicans in 2009 and 2010.

That starts today with the continuing support of grassroots leaders like you. Please help by making a secure online contribution of $25, $50, $100, $500 or $1,000 to the RNC.

There is no time to waste. The President has acknowledged, “We are out of money now.” Yet the Obama Democrats continue their reckless spending and borrowing putting our great nation on the path to bankruptcy.

Their soak-the-”rich,” class-warfare rhetoric is just a slick way to hide the fact that you and millions of other hard-working, middle class families — as well as your children and grandchildren — will be footing the bill in the form of higher taxes to bankroll their leftist schemes.

Citizen Tom, Republican candidates are counting on the generous support of grassroots activists like you to lead the fight to stop the Obama Democrats’ outrageous, wasteful spending that threatens the very future of America.

Your contribution of $25, $50, $100, $500 or $1,000 to the RNC today is vital to preventing the Obama Democrats from further bankrupting America by electing Republicans committed to real fiscal discipline and limited government. Thank you in advance for your support and for helping Republicans usher in a true era of responsibility.

Sincerely,

Michael Steele
Chairman, Republican National Committee

P.S. Citizen Tom, Tuesday’s CBO and OMB reports on the budget show that the Obama Democrats’ reckless spending and borrowing has led America into record levels of debt. So much for Obama’s “Era of Responsibility.” Please help elect Republicans committed to reining in our debt and reducing the national deficit through common sense, conservative principles by making a secure online contribution of $25, $50, $100, $500 or $1,000 to the RNC today. Thank you.

So what has the RNC promised to do?  As a practical matter, nothing.  Here is the 2008 GOP platform.   Because it was written by serious party activists, that platform is actually fairly specific, and the RNC puts it up on the party website.  There is even a section on budget reform. Nonetheless, the platform does not matter much.

What is the problem?  Because of our idiotic primary system, party activists cannot hold “their” candidates accountable.  Only the voters can do that.  Are you a voter?  Now that the deficit is doing serious damage to our economy, are you finally paying attention?  Then don’t just go to the town halls of Democrat representatives.  Start calling on your Republican representatives too.  BOTH Democrats and Republicans need to know you want government brought under Constitutional controls.   In particular, Republicans need know that you want the 2010 election to be about something more than disgust with Obama.  Let your congressmen know you will only vote for principled politicians, not wimps who can only promise not to be as bad as that other guy.

First a little excerpt from Bearing Drift.

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Creigh Deeds’s campaign announed today that he has raised $3. million from May 28th through June 30th.

(continued here)

Now I don’t have anything against money in politics — so long as I know where it is coming from.  Unfortunately, when given a choice, the Democrats like to keep such things shady and secret (see here).

So what can we do?  We have to oppose money power with people power.  What follows are suggestions from the July 14th edition of the Lingamfelter Report.

Take Action to Produce Victory in November

Dear Friends,

Well, I have taken a week off for the first time in a long time and I must say, I have had to teach myself how to relax! That said, there is never a break from politics.

And I note Republican fortunes are rising on the news that, according to the Gallup folks, more people consider themselves conservatives than at any time since 2004. I’m not surprised given the sudden lurch to the left that the Obama Administration has taken. Slowly, even those who were his most ardent supporters are now having second thoughts.

• The Government now owns 60% of GM,
• A huge stimulus bill that is not reducing joblessness but mortgaging the future of our kids and grandkids,
• The highest unemployment numbers in 26 years now approaching 10% and will be higher this fall,
• A “Cap and Tax” energy bill that will do nothing to abate so-called global warming (have you noticed how cool it is this month) but designed simply to raise money for other stuff like national healthcare,
• Indeed, an national healthcare program that will put the government between you and your doctor and ration what care you will get as you get older,
• The nomination of a Supreme Court Justice who has her own rulings favoring reverse discrimination overturned by the same court that Democrats want her to sit on, and
• A foreign policy on auto-pilot (North Korea and Iran) while the President hobnobs with the Russians and works to throw away National Missile Defense overboard for silly rhetoric on “climate change.”

Yep, it’s incredible. But take heart. All the polls are pointing to a rejection of the Administration’s liberal agenda and their liberal lieutenants in Congress. In Ohio and Virginia, two states Obama won last year, his popularity has dipped below 50%.
Some say that Republicans want Obama to fail. Wrong. What I want is his far left policies to fail. And as best I can tell, people are beginning to see it that way too.

What can you do? Well first, get behind the Republican ticket right here in Virginia of Bob McDonnell for Governor, Bill Bolling for Lieutenant Governor, and Ken Cuccinelli for Attorney General, as well as your local Republican House of Delegates candidate.

Second, contact your local GOP Committee and become a volunteer to help make calls, go door to door, and work the polls in November. You can Google them up or go to rpv.org and find the right contact.

Third, contribute money. You can help my PAC help other Republicans by making a safe and secure contribution on my PayPal cite at http://www.va31st.com/donations.asp today. I know who needs the help and will help them win.

We can win big in Virginia this November. But we can’t “wish ourselves there”, we must take action. Please do so today. All eyes are on Virginia. Show them who you are.

Sincerely,

L. Scott Lingamfelter
Delegate, 31st District
Virginia House of Delegates

In Prince William County, our local GOP Committee is the Prince William County Republican Committee.  They will happily take your money, but they will be even more pleased to have you as a volunteer.

In Gainesville, VA, we are fortunate to have Delegate Bob Marshall represent us in the House of Delegates.  If you only have time, money, or the heart to support one campaign, please make certain your choice is Bob Marshall.

Unauthorized and paid for by nobody.

UPDATE:  Since I finished the original post late last night, I was sleepy.  Sorry about the typos.  Hopefully, I got most of them.  At the bottom, I have added to the “Other Views” as promised.

Today has been a busy day.  First, I walked in the Dale City Parade, adding what support I can to the Republican Party ticket.  Then I went to the Prince William County VA Tea Party.  At one event, I passed out candidate literature and chanted “Bob 4 Jobs.”  At the other, I listened to speeches from over a dozen people.

The parade is relatively easy to describe.  The people there were happy.  Everybody loves a parade.   They enjoyed each other’s company, and they felt they were doing something useful, supporting their candidates.  Here are a few photos (from my cell phone) of folks getting ready.  Undoubtedly, the PWCGOP will have plenty of photos on their website in the next couple of days.

The Tea Party, on the other hand, is more difficult to describe.  Instead of a time of celebration, the attendees made July 4th a somber day.  The event began with the National Anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a reading of the Declaration of Independence.    Each of these is inspiring; each also brings a grim reminder.  Freedom comes at a cost.   The Declaration of Independence especially brings home this plain fact.  It reminds us there are those who insist on forcing their will upon their fellow men.

The American Revolutionary War had already begun.  The British had evacuated Boston, but signers of the Declaration of Independence knew the British would be back, and the British most certainly did make 1776 a grim year.  The violence did not end until 1782.

Many spoke at the Tea Party.  The most memorable speakers included:

• Former State Senator Jay O’Brien served admirably as the Master of Ceremonies.  Just as Thomas Jefferson had enumerated all the patriots’ grievances against the rule of King George, O’Brien listed our grievances against our president.  His list included the fact that our leaders show no respect for our Constitution, and their taxing and spending knows no bounds.
• Keith Fimian, the Republican Party nominee who provided surprisingly strong opposition to Gerry Connolly in the last election, condemned Congress’ reckless spending.  He fears the effects that increasing indebtedness will have our liberty and prosperity.
• Matt Hawes, Vice President of Campaign for Liberty, reminded us that the Founders based our republic upon respect for the Constitution.  Without respect for constitutional law, we cannot restrain our leaders.
• Delegate Bob Marshall spoke about George Washington’s and the Continental Army’s the long years of struggle.  From the Declaration of Independence itself, Marshall told us where the patriots found the courage and the strength to fight for their freedom.
  

  And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

  To win, Marshall said we must call upon divine grace. We must dedicate ourselves to working harder and smarter than our opponents. We must learn from our opponents. Just as Barack Obama did, we must contact every voter we can.

• John Hanson, founder of Repeal Income Tax-July 12 Movement, emphasized the corrupting power of the income tax.  Hanson proposed that repealing the 16th Amendment should be the focal point of the Tea Party movement.
  

  Article XVI.

  The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

• Ben Marchi, of Americans for Prosperity, spoke up for fiscal restraint, decrying our government’s extravagant spending.
• Jack Martin, of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, made a short but pointed speech.  He said Virginia could do something to discourage illegal immigration.  He suggested that Virginia imitate Arizona’s 2004 law, Proposition 200 (see here).

The program ended with an open mike.  About a half dozen people took up the opportunity.   These included:

• Ron Meyer and Matt Donatelli.  These two young men promoted their own website (wtpshow.com), but they also made a cogent observation.  The Tea Party movement should focus on defending the principles of the American Constitution.  What we lack is principled government.
• Tom Whitmore.  Although he is quite active in the Republican Party, Whitmore did not speak about the Republican Party.  Instead, he emphasized the importance of participating in the process.
• Only one gentleman took the opportunity to express disagreement.  He spoke up in defense of the Social Security program.  Nonetheless, this gentleman made it clear that he understood the program is in trouble, and he blamed our elected officials for raiding the Social Security Trust Fund.

Personal Observations

The people attending this Tea Party were clearly united on one idea.  They want our leaders to obey their oath to support and defend the Constitution.

The speakers uniformly condemned our government’s reckless spending, and they blamed both of the major political parties.  Some expressed fear for future generations.  Others were horrified that we could allow ourselves to become indebted to a dictatorial regime such as China.

The notion of repealing the 16th Amendment received a surprisingly positive reception.  In addition, the attendees like the idea of auditing Federal Reserve.

Other views

The blogs have yet to post much about today’s Tea Parties.  Therefore, I will update this list on Sunday evening.  In the meantime, here are a few samples of what was being posted yesterday.

• Leslie Carbone has a message for the Birmingham Tea Party (here).
• ANTI-BVBL calls the Prince William County VA Tea Party a Tempest in a Teapot (here).
• Spark It Up is excited by the fact Congressman Rick Boucher has opponents (here).
• Blue Virginia is disgusted that Tea Party protesters would dare to protest against Congressman Tom Perriello’s vote for the so-called climate change bill (here).  I offer my opinion of that legislation here.

Tea Parties make big tax and spenders unhappy.  It is not hard to figure out why.

More Other Views

Shadow’s World provides an estimated head count of 500 and pictures (here).  500 is probably not far off.  That is about as many people as usually attend a county-wide political convention.  Inside NoVA, on the other hand, estimates 150 (here).  Given that this Inside NoVA account does not mention Delegate Marshall, Keith Fimian, or Matt Hawes, the reporter obviously arrived late.  We know for a fact there were at least 350 people in attendance.  See this post at Campaign for Liberty.

The PWCGOP has photos of the Dale City Parade and the Tea Party here and here respectively.

RPVNetwork has pictures of the Dale City Parade here.