Alieta Eck Will Be On Ballot — Political newcomer, Dr. Alieta Eck, submitted nearly 2400 signatures to qualify as a Republican candidate for the US Senate in the New Jersey race to replace the late Frank Lautenberg, reports Don Adams of the Independence Hall Tea Party PAC.
The Independence Hall Tea Party PAC, along with the Bayshore Tea Party, assisted other conservatives in this effort, Adams said.
While Alieta Eck has not received the media attention that her primary opponent, Steve Lonegan, has generated, she will be a force with which to reckon, Adams said.
“The inherent problem with the almost perennial candidate, Mr. Lonegon, isn’t just his inability to win a statewide primary battle . . . , it’s his baggage and negative tone–which almost guarantees he will lose the general election,” Adams said.
He noted that polls already show Mr. Lonegon badly trailing the likely Democrat Senate candidate.
Alieta Eck, on the other hand, is the real conservative deal, he said. She practices her conservatism by living it–founding the amazing all-volunteer Zarephath Health Center which provides free healthcare services for the less fortunate.
“Dr. Eck has also fought valiantly against ObamaCare–organizing and leading the medical community in opposition efforts. And in so doing, she, unlike Mr. Lonegon, has not been handsomely paid by Americans for Prosperity. Again, she has volunteered her time and expertise,” Adams said.
Adams said that Dr. Eck if nominated, will put a positive, optimistic face on conservatism. Under the right circumstances, she could, conceivably, pull off a political upset.
He said, however, that Mr. Lonegon is a probable general election loser whose unappealing, negative messaging will drive away independents and set back the conservative cause for years to come.
Alieta Eck Seeks Lautenberg Seat — A prominent conservative medical doctor and ObamaCare opponent, Alieta Eck, has decided to enter the Republican primary for the special election to fill the U.S. Senate seat in New Jersey left vacant by the death of Democrat Frank Lautenberg, reports Don Adams of the Independence Hall Tea Party Association Political Action Committee.
“While our PAC is not endorsing her candidacy at this time, we hope that, if you live in New Jersey, you migt consider helping her gather 1000 signatures over the weekend and on Monday morning so that her name can be placed on the ballot,” Adams said. ” Other conservative groups are already circulating petitions.”
Here are two important links–one to Dr. Eck’s website and one to her nominating petitions for download.
The Independence Hall Tea Party PAC, one of the first federal Tea Party PAC’s in the nation–and one of a few such PAC’s with an overall winning record–is questioning Governor Chris Christie’s appointment of Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa to fill the US Senate seat left vacant due to the death of Frank Lautenberg.
“The Independence Hall Tea Party PAC is dismayed by Governor Chris Christie’s apparent lack of interest regarding this unique opportunity for Republicans to pick up a New Jersey US Senate seat for the first time in over 40 years,” said PAC President, Don Adams.
“His appointment of Jeffrey Chiesa, as a placeholder, is troubling to say the least. By selecting a placeholder–and not a contender– Governor Christie is forfeiting the power of incumbency.
“The Governor seems to be ceding this seat to the Democrats–which is something we are not willing to do. He should have appointed a viable Republican candidate–one who could have carried the Republican torch heading into the
fall general election.”
“Had the Governor saved the NJ taxpayers $12 million by holding the special election at the same time as the general election and made history by appointing the first female US Senator in Garden State history–he could have set in motion an amazing victory and proved the strength of his brand by demonstrating he has long coattails,” said Mount Laurel resident and PAC Vice President Bill Green.
“If he had also managed to win back the NJ State Senate and/or Assembly–he would have catapulted himself into the lead position in the 2016 race for the Republican presidential nomination.
“His obvious fear of Democrat Mayor Corey Booker–who is facing strong primary opposition–and may be terribly damaged if he even wins that primary–suggests that the Governor suffers from a lack of confidence and is adverse to taking the slightest risks.
“One thing is almost certain,” Adams added. “Chris Christie will be re-elected Governor under any scenario–and for the record–the Independence Hall Tea Party PAC endorses his candidacy.
Stop Internet Sales Tax — The Independence Hall Tea Party Association is asking all to call the congressman to stop the Internet Sales Tax bill, known as the ‘Marketplace
Fairness Act,’
The bill passed the US Senate in lopsided vote 69-27 vote but can be stopped in the US House.
“Please continue to call the Capitol Switchboard at 202.224.3121 and ask to be connected to your Congressman/woman. Tell your Representative to oppose the Internet Sales Tax bill,” says Association President Teri Adams. “Then, use the same number to call Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor. Tell them not to move the bill forward.”
She also suggest a call be placed to House Judiciary Committee Chairman, Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) as that committee can deal a lethal blow to the tax bill.
With Amity Shlaes are Jerry Klein of Wallingford and Fran Shusman of Rydal.
Amity Shlaes Wows Philly — The Independence Hall Tea Party Association had another hit with this afternoon’s, April 28, 2013 presentation by noted author and journalist Amity Shlaes, who discussed matters political along with her highly regarded new book, Coolidge, which concerns our 30th president.
“I really like him,” said Ms. Shlaes. “The book I wrote before was called The Forgotten Man. He could be called the forgotten president. He’s the hero we never knew we had.”
The event was held at the Independence Visitors Center Ballroom with Independence Hall across Market Street providing a backdrop to Ms. Shales and the other speakers via a full wall of windows.
Vice President Calvin Coolidge became president in 1923 upon Warren Harding’s death and served until 1929 and the inauguration of Herbert Hoover. Coolidge, despite immense popularity, chose not to seek re-election in 1928.
Ms. Shlaes said that modern politicians of either party work from two assumptions: spending is important and political naysayers can’t get elected. Coolidge, she said, prove both to be wrong.
She noted that when Coolidge left office the federal budget was lower than when he came in, that he had cut the tax rate to 25 percent, and that unemployment during his term was very low.
She noted that the Ku Klux Klan — which enjoyed a resurgence with the film Birth of a Nation. which had been praised by Coolidge’s once-removed predecessor Democrat Woodrow Wilson — was in decline.
She said the Coolidge’s tax policy was formulated by Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon and was based on the business principle of charging what the market would bear. This means that pricing items lower can bring in much more revenue, which is the strategy behind Wal-Mart’s success. She said when she explains this to business students they quickly get it, while history students sometimes are slow on picking it up.
And this worked for Coolidge as the tax money rolled in with the rich paying an increased percentage of it despite being taxed at a lower rate.
Ms. Shlaes graduated magna cum laude Yale University in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in English. She has worked for several publications and was the op-ed editor of the Wall Street Journal for a time. She now writes a column for Bloomsberg News along with being a senior fellow and director of the Four Percent Project at the George W. Bush Institute, where she works closely with Laura Bush.
She has made numerous television appearances including The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Fox News and C-Span.
She is married to journalist Seth Lipinsky and has four children including Helen Ann who was at the event and had been given a tour of Philadelphia’s historic sites by Teri and Don Adams of the Association.
Preceding Ms. Shales at the podium were author Bill Miller and WPHT talk show host Dom Giordano.
Miller spoke of the spiritual significance of the buildings outside the center and described his book, Tea Party Papers, which compared the French and American revolutions. He noted that the British government of 1775 was less intrusive and less arbitrary than the one we have today.
Giordano touched on several issues including the Kermit Gosnell murder case and the Boston Marathon bombing. Giordano said that Catholic priests and other clergy were not allowed to cross the police line in the attack to administer to the dying. He said that this meant that Martin Richard, the eight-year-old boy murdered by the Tsarnevs who had just received his first communion, had died unattended.
Amity Shlaes Headlines 5th Annual T.E.A. Party — Amity Shlaes, author of Coolidge and The Forgotten Man, will deliver the keynote address at the Independence Hall Tea Party Association’s 5th Annual April T.E.A. (Taxed Enough Already) Party, to be held 3-5 p.m., April 28 in the ballroom of the Independence Visitors Center..
Last year’s special guest was Governor Mitt Romney and the event was held at the Franklin Institute.
The theme of Ms. Shlaes talk will be: “The President Who Said ‘No’ to Taxes and Spending.”
Tea Party Seeks To Save Swindled Vet’s Home — The Independence Hall Tea Party Association has come to bat for Ray White, the 88-year-old World War II Army Air Corps combat veteran and South Philly resident who was swindled out of his home and possessions a few weeks ago.
He is now in a rehabilitation facility recovering from a broken hip and is looking forward to getting out, said Teri Adams of the Association.
“Because he has no housing at this time, we have been working with the VA and several Center City real estate agents to find him affordable housing,” said Ms. Adams.
She says that the total dollar value of what White has lost is $383,000.
“We have reached out to City Councilman Mark Squilla regarding whether Ray could reclaim his home. The Councilman’s staff has researched this and found a way that will allow Ray to appeal and quite possibly get back his home,” said Ms. Adams.
She also says that Sen. Pat Toomey’s office has found several federal benefits for White and is standing by to work with Ray to apply for them.
The Association held a fundraiser for White yesterday, April 1, at Tazla’s Restaurant & Bar in Center City.
For those who can’t make the event, please write a check payable to Ray White and mail it to:
Ray White
C/O Joe Eastman
2514 S. 10th Street
Philadelphia PA 19148
Assemblywoman Alison McHose was honored, Feb. 21, as the Independence Hall Tea Party Association’s 2012 New Jersey State Legislator of the Year.
“Assemblywoman McHose is second to no one in matters the Association cares deeply about–tax reform, free enterprise, and Second Amendment rights,” said Association President Teri Adams.
“Alison McHose has sponsored nearly 100 legislative bills designed to limit government, protect citizens rights, and invigorate our free market system,” said Somerset County, NJ resident and Association board member, Bill Miller
BillLawrenceOnline Wins Franklin Award — BillLawrenceOnline.Com and Matt Rooney of SaveJersey.com are the 2012 winners of the Independence Hall Tea Party Association’s (IHTPA) Benjamin Franklin Award for Courageous Journalism.
The awards were presented this afternoon, Jan. 5, in a ceremony outside Independence Hall that followed a re-enactment of the Philadelphia Tea Party of 1773 starting with the readings of resolutions writing by Dr. Benjamin Rush and passed in Philadelphia on Oct. 16. WPHT talk show host Dom Giordano played the role of Dr. Rush in reading the resolutions with the crowd supplying the assenting votes. The Bostonians used the resolutions as justification for their more famous tea party on Dec. 16.
John Peteraf of the IHTPA’s board played the role of Captain Ayers who sailed his ship the Polly back to England on Dec. 27, 1773 after being warned what would befall him if he should attempt to unload his tea in Chester as planned.
The narrator was Tory McClintock, a senior at Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School, who recently served an internship with Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ).
Also receiving awards from the IHTPA were U.S. Congressman Allen West, 2012 Federal Legislator of the Year; Sen. Dave Lawson, 2012 Delaware State Legislator of the Year; Alison McHose, 2012 New Jersey State Legislator of the Year; and Rep. Daryl Metcalfe and Rep. Tom Quigley, 2012 Pennsylvania State Legislators of the Year.
Also a check was presented to Broad Street Ministry on behalf of the work they do for homeless veterans. Accepting the check was Joe Eastman, the retired naval officer who directs veterans service for the ministry. Eastman said more women are availing themselves of this service. He said they are learning that many women have been traumatized by sexual assault during their military service. He said Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) has been instrumental in investigating the problem and seeking ways to address it.
A panel discussion featuring Rooney, Bill Lawrence and former Highland New Jersey Mayor Anna C. Little was held following a hoagie brunch in the National Constitution Center upstairs banquet hall.
One very good reason to attend an IHTPA function is the music. The excellent Whitehall Fife and Drum Corp entertained the crowd before re-enactment and provided the appropriate backing during it.
During the brunch they put down the fifes and drums and used a guitar for some nice background music.
Right after the re-enactment, Mayor Little, who has a professional quality voice, led the crowd in God Bless America making sure to include the song’s rarely sung introduction.
The awards were presented by IHTPA President Teri Adams. Don Adams provided the panel questions.
Don Adams presents a gift to Pam Geller. At the podium is Teri Adams.
Tea Party Movement Alive In Philly — Teri and Don Adams of the Independence Hall Tea Party Association (IHTPA) had another Independence Day triumph before a maximum occupancy crowd of at least 300 at the Independence Visitors Center Ballroom across Market Street from Independence Hall.
The group has held Fourth of July events at Independence Mall featuring nationally known speakers for four straight years. It was moved inside this time due to forecasts of near 100 degree heat and thunderstorms.
This year’s keynoter was the oft-vilified, always underestimated and near heroic Pamela Geller of the Freedom Defense Initiative.
Ms. Geller, a human rights activist, noted that while she is accused of being anti-Muslim, had no problem with Muslims. She said, however, she had a problem with Sharia Law and its demeaning treatment of women and religious minorities. She said she welcomed Muslims coming to America to escape the oppressive law.
Ms. Geller said that the struggle facing this generation is an old one between those who believe in the autonomy of the individual and those who believe in the supremacy of the state. This is why the left usually finds itself on the same side as Islam, she explained, a matter that sometimes confuses the right.
She said that the fight against Sharia is no different than the fight against communism or Nazis, a name that she pointedly noted stood for National Socialism.
Ms. Geller said the Sharia supporters are making surprising inroads into our nation and culture. Islamic leaders shamelessly defend female genital mutilation here, she said. She stressed the importance of voting out President Obama this November, under whose watch moderate Islamic nations have fallen to Sharia throughout the Mideast and who did not lift a finger to help courageous pro-liberty supporters in Iran.
She said Obama has been a strong supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood, support which was instrumental in their takeover of Egypt.
Ms. Geller said that the establishment media is a tool of the left and is effective in marginalizing conservative’s best spokespeople specifically citing Sarah Palin. She said too often the conservatives abandon them when this happens and that conservatives must learn to stick with those who have been knocked down.
Emcee duties were handled flawlessly by Ms. Adams and the flow was kept moving smoothly by presenters WHPT talk show host Dom Giordano and WDEL talks show host Rick Jensen. Jensen pointed out that 40 percent of self-proclaimed conservatives did not vote in 2008, and that the nation couldn’t afford them sitting out again.
Sher Valenzuela, who is Delaware’s Businesswoman of the year and is the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor of that state, described the tragedy to come if Obamacare is not repealed. She said that her son was diagnosed with autism and was told he would never be able to read or write. She and her husband began a second job to raise the money so he could be treated by a specialist. The boy is now a freshman at the University of Delaware. She was emphatic that that could not have happened if the new law was in existence at the time.
Brandon Posner, the chairman of the Bucks County Teenage Republicans and the grandson of refugees from Castro’s Cuba, described the importance of freedom and the American ideal. The poise shown by someone who had just ended his sophomore year at CB East High School was remarkable.
The 2012 Patriot of the Year award was bestowed on Ryan Manion Borke of the Travis Manion Foundation. A prior commitment kept Borke from attending. The award was presented by Giordano on behalf of the late Joey Vento who was last year’s winner.
The presentation of awards by prior winners has become an event tradition.
The 2012 Betsy Ross Activist of the Year Delaware Award was presented by Kristen Sherman of Founders Values to John Radell of Faith and Freedom of Delaware.
The 2012 Besty Ross Activist of the Year New Jersey Award was presented by Bill Miller of Project Shining City to Cort Rosholt of the IHTPA.
There were two Betsy Ross awards given to Pennsylvanians. Carol Klein of numerous groups presented one to Lin DeCesare of the IHTPA and Saturday Morning in America. The other was presented by Phil Schieber of the IHTPA to Lisa Esler of the Delaware County Patriots, who is also a member of the Penn Delco School Board. Ms. Esler also played an instrumental role in Rogers Howard’s primary challenge to Dominic Pileggi in 9th District State Senate race.
The George Washington Leadership Award was presented by Carol Klein, Teri Adams, Sharon Cherubin to Rich Davis of American Sheepdogs whose successful efforts to lead a counter protest against anti-military demonstrators in West Chester that greatly helped the morale of returning veterans and their families.
Also speaking at times were Ms. Adams and Rick Eckert of the IHTPA. The invocation was given by Rev. Jesse W. Woods Jr., associate minister of the 2nd Baptist Church of Germantown. Music was provided by the 286 Band
The formalities ended with a panel discussion about how to defeat Obamacare presented by Don Adams; moderated by Gary R’nel of WPHT; and featuring Dr. Ed Turzanski of the Foreign Policy Research Institute; Arvin Cabali, M.D., of Docs for Patient Care, Pennsylvania; attorney Matt Rooney of SaveNewJerse.com; Mark A. Young, M.D. of Physicians for Palin; Sgt. Robert Mansfield (ret), Iraq War veteran and the Republican congressional candidate for Pennsylvania’s 2nd District; and Rick Jensen.
An expected counter protest by Occupy Wall Street fizzled in the sizzle. Some signs were held up during the city’s Fourth of July Parade down Market Street preceding the event. A handful of unwashed types with duffle bags were seen lounging on the lawn of the Mall, although they denied being with OWS when asked and expressed concern that the asker was with the police.
This fellow said he was not a member of Occupy Wall Street but said he came down to join their protest. He found himself trapped on the south side of Market Street during the parade, while most of the other sign holders were on the north side. His signs, which were made from pizza boxes, say “End The NWO New World Order” and God’s Voice Not Man’s Voice”.
