Franklin County Patriots

Join Us This Saturday in Standing for Tea Party Principles

Jedidiah Smith — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 04:22:54 +0000

We need your help to make this Saturday a defining moment for the cause. You’ve got an opportunity to stand up for the principles of the Tea Parties. Below are the details of the demonstration in St. Louis that Tea Party members around the state will be participating in.

We are set to meet this Saturday, July 31, at 10:30am, on Watson Road between the GOP headquarters (located at 10825 Watson Rd) and Lindbergh, near where Michele Bachmann is scheduled to appear at a fundraiser for Rep. Blunt. We will line the sidewalks spread as far as possible to send a clear signal: Roy Blunt is not Tea Party. The Tea Party is pro-Constitution, pro-free market.

The reason for the uproar among the Tea Party members is simple. Michele Bachmann has a reputation of being Tea Party friendly, and has spoken clearly in favor of embracing the core values of the patriotic movement. Roy Blunt, on the other hand, because of his voting record as a U. S. Congressman, is not particularly popular among many Tea Party groups. Among other things, Blunt voted for the Bank Bailout (TARP), “Cash for Clunkers” and No Child Left Behind. Blunt is also well known for being one of the largest recipients of lobbyist contributions in Washington, D.C., including Fannie and Freddie.

Immediately after news about the Bachman visit was aired, Tea Party groups around the state began to contact her campaign office to express their concern. As a rule, Tea Party organizations do not endorse political candidates. At this time about thirty Tea Party organizations have officially signed a statement saying that they do not support or endorse Roy Blunt because of his big government voting record and lobbyist ties.

The purpose of the rally is not to condemn Michele Bachmann, who is respected by many conservatives. Nor is it to campaign for or endorse any other candidates for the U. S. Senate race in Missouri. We encourage people to bring signs, but ask that they not be anti-Bachmann or ant-GOP. We suggest signs that show Roy Blunt does not represent Tea Party values. Examples: “Bailing Out Banks is Not in the Constitution,” “Tea Party = Principles Before Politics,” and “A Friend of Fannie and Freddie is NO Friend of Mine.”

Parking is available on both sides of Watson Road.

In addition to the rally that will be held Saturday, several Tea Party groups have organized a rolling Tea Party that will begin in Eureka, Missouri. The rolling Tea Party is promoting Proposition C which will also be on the August 3 ballot, and will travel through several communities before arriving at the site of the demonstration in Sunset Hills. You are encouraged to participate if possible. For more information on the rolling tea party, see the details on the Eureka Tea Party website.

Tea Party Groups Have NOT Endorsed Roy Blunt

Jedidiah Smith — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 04:49:18 +0000

Like most Tea Party groups, we do not endorse candidates, but we are united on principles of smaller government, fiscal responsibility and representative accountability. Though members of Patriot groups around the state may not support the same candidate for the United States Senate primary, the vast majority do not support Roy Blunt in that race.

Roy Blunt, like other RINOs, wants to be associated with the Tea Parties for his own political advantage. However, his record of voting for Cash for Clunkers, the TARP bailout, No Child Left Behind and other unconstitutional legislation does not reflect the conservative values of Tea Party Patriots. In addition, Roy Blunt’s association with Washington D.C. lobbyists has earned him a reputation of being one the largest recipients of lobbyist support, including Fannie and Freddie.

We have been surprised and disappointed to learn that Michele Bachman is scheduled to attend a fundraiser for Roy Blunt this Saturday, July 31, in St. Louis. Because we consider this to be very a very dishonest hijacking of the Tea Party name, and damaging to the Tea Party reputation and progress, we are planning a protest at the event. The purpose of the protest is to say to Missourians and the media, that Roy Blunt is not endorsed by the Tea Party groups of Missouri and does not reflect the core values that unite us.

Please take a moment to read this press release signed by 28 (and counting) Missouri Patriot groups.

More details of the event will be coming very soon, but we will meet around noon. Patriot Groups from across the state are encouraged to join us in St. Louis to let Michele Bachmann and the Republican Party know that the principle does matter.

It’s Ours for the Taking

Jedidiah Smith — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:26:17 +0000

This is a great column written recently by Paul Curtman:

JOHN ADAMS, letter to General Horatio Gates, 1776

“The middle way is no way at all. If we finally fail in this great and glorious contest, it will be by bewildering ourselves in groping for the middle way.”

It is coming down to the wire. Here in Missouri we have only 10 days left until the most important election of 2010, the primary election. At the primary polls, the people of Missouri will have an opportunity to exercise their God given, Constituionally protected right to choose their own leadership.

In ten days we will decide for ourselves if our Patriotic efforts will be a success or a failure, if we will move closer to restoring our Republican form of governmet or not. In ten days will decide wether or not we will stand for the Constitution or if we will trade our Constitutional allegiance.

We don’t save our Constitution at Tea Parties, Patriotic rallies, or by carrying signs, we save our Constitution when we go into the ballot box.

I implore you, do not take the middle ground in this election or we will be defeating ourselves.

I am concerned that too many patriots who think they are standing for what’s “right” are actually standing for what’s wrong because they are supporting candidates who say one thing about the Constitution but in actuality don’t adhere to the Constitution or even know it enough to be trusted with Constitutional leadership.

On August 3rd we must replenish our Government with the nutrients of Constitutional Conservatism. If we don’t get the Constitutional candidates in then will we feel it necessary to support unconstitutional candidates? Heaven forbid we do this to ourselves and cancel out our patriotic efforts.

Don’t allow anyone to corrode your moral senses to the difference between right and wrong and remember that whenever anyone undermines the Constitution, they are in fact, casting their vote against our Constitution and at that point they have removed themselves from the camp of Constitutional Conservatism.

On August 3rd we will vote for or against the Constitution. Will we practice what we preach or will we rationalize an unconstitutional vote by voting for what’s best in the “short term?”

Will we take the middle ground and compromise our principles for a “short term” solution? If so then we have already defeated our own efforts to restore our Constitution.

Constitutional Spending VS Unconstitution Spending
=
A Vote for the Constitution VS a Vote Against the Constitution

Don’t forget that the Tea Party movement is a product of unconstituional spending.

County Forum Tomorrow

Jedidiah Smith — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:28:21 +0000

Tomorrow evening at 7:00pm, we will be hosting a forum for several of the county offices in Franklin County. The forum will include Presiding Commissioner, Auditor, Clerk and Recorder of Deeds. Please join us at 7:00pm at the Franklin County Baptist Association building on Hwy 47 between St. Clair and Union.

These are offices that are often unfamiliar to people when they go to the voting booth in August. This is our opportunity to meet and hear these candidates so that we can make an educated decision on August 3rd.

If you are a candidate in one of these races and have not yet confirmed that you will be participating, please let us know as soon as possible.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Support the Free Markets

Jedidiah Smith — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:42:45 +0000

For more than 18 hours, Sen. Chuck Purgason has been filibustering the so-called “Ford Bill” on the Senate floor. Governor Nixon called a special session in an effort to see this bill passed which would provide 150 million dollars in tax incentives to a Ford Plant in Claycomo. These tax incentives are an effort to keep the Ford plant, and the jobs that go along with it, in the state.

Sen. Purgason is arguing that mega companies like Ford should not be given these credits while small and medium sized businesses do without. Tax breaks should be across the board for all businesses. The government is not good at economic development, and should not pick winners and losers in business.

At this point, only two other Senators have had the courage to stand with Sen. Purgason on the Floor – Senator Matt Bartle and Senator Jack Goodman.

Ford is apparently not asking for this money, and has not even stated that the plant and jobs will stay in Missouri even if they receive the money.

If you support Senator Purgason in his principled stand for the free markets, please email him at chuck.purgason@senate.mo.gov.

Include your location, and he will read your letter from the Senate floor. He has read nearly 200 letters from supporters already.

You can listen live on the floor by visiting www.Senate.Mo.Gov

VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE – JULY 7

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 04:12:20 +0000

In Missouri, the deadline to register to vote for the first time or update your voter registration address—in time to vote in the Aug. 3rd primary—is TODAY, July 7.

The application to register to vote can be found here.

If mailed, this form must be postmarked by Wednesday, July 7 to be eligible to vote in the primary. If delivered in person to a county election authority, it must be received in the office of the election authority by Wednesday, July 7. If registering by mail for the first time, you must provide a copy of appropriate identification, current or valid photo ID, copy of current utility bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck .

You can check your voter registration here.

VOTER REGISTRATION QUALIFICATIONS

-17 ½ years of age to register, 18 years of age to vote
-US Citizen
-Missouri Resident

Upcoming Candidate Forums

Jedidiah Smith — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 04:03:27 +0000

The Franklin County Patriots are thrilled to announce that we will be hosting two candidate forums in the month of July. All of us understand the importance of getting strongly behind conservative candidates during this election season. The primary elections are now only six weeks away. The time for choosing and supporting like-minded candidates is now. These forums will give us an opportunity not only to meet these men and women, but also will allow us to hear their views on various issues.

The first forum will take place on Tuesday, July 13, and will include the following races: 98th District, 111th District and 109th District State Representative; 26th District State Senate; and State Auditor.

The second forum, for county races, will be held on Tuesday, July 20, and will include the following offices: Presiding Commissioner, Auditor, Clerk and Recorder of Deeds.

Both forums will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Franklin County Baptist Association building on Hwy 47 in Union, MO.

Because the Franklin County Patriots is a non-partisan organization, we will not refuse any candidates from taking part in the forum, as long as they are willing to agree to a few core principles listed in the pledge below:

All human rights are endowed by our Creator, not government. It is the responsibility of government to protect and preserve these God-given rights.
The U.S. Constitution is not outdated and should be respected and applied according to the original intent of the Founding Fathers. It should only be amended it through the process of Article V and not changed by the Judiciary.
The “Bill of Rights” (first Ten Amendments) enumerated by the Founders were the rights reserved to the people or to the States. Some of the individual rights are the rights of the people to “Keep and Bear Arms” and “Freedom of Speech.” I will protect these rights.
I will not govern outside of the U.S. Constitution.
I pledge to support efforts, such as State Sovereignty acts, that will nullify laws and regulations that were enacted in conflict with the Constitution of the United States.
I will oppose any attempt to redefine traditional marriage.
Life begins at conception and ends at natural death.

Candidates, please let us know as soon as possible that you will be participating. We are looking forward to it!

Independence Day Rally

Jedidiah Smith — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:00:11 +0000

July 4, 2010
4:00-7:00 p.m.
Orchard Drive Park
St. Clair, MO

This July 4th, we will be celebrating America’s independence as well as the one-year anniversary of the Franklin County Patriots with a patriotic rally in St. Clair. More details will come in the near future, but we wanted to get the event on your calendars as soon as possible. The rally will begin late in the afternoon on Sunday, July 4th. There will be an opportunity before and after the event to meet candidates who are running for office and network with other patriots and patriotic organizations.

Schedule:

4:00-5:00 p.m. Meet and greet with candidates
5:00-6:00 p.m. Rally (including patriotic music)
6:00-7:00 p.m. Meeting with candidates and barbeque

The first event hosted by the Franklin County Patriots was scheduled last year on Independence Day at the Orchard City Park in St. Clair. No one could have anticipated the kind of progress or the tremendous growth we would see within our organization, as well as a strong spirit of cooperation with many like-minded patriotic groups, both locally and throughout the state. Orchard Park is the perfect venue to celebrate our national liberty, and also celebrate the progress of the liberty movement over the past year. The involvement of conservative, constitutional patriots is making an impact on current political campaigns and legislation that has not been seen in our nation in many years.

The Independence Day rally will include a fitting tribute to the spirit of independence that continues to thrive in the hearts of true patriots. We also hope that many of our elected officials and candidates will be present. The closer we get to the primary election in August, the more important it is that we work to get true conservatives elected. Invite your family and network of friends to mark their calendars and plan to celebrate our nation’s freedom with a gathering of patriots.

Strategy Meeting Recap

Jedidiah Smith — Mon, 24 May 2010 15:00:53 +0000

On Tuesday, May 18, more than one hundred area residents gathered to get updates on current and future activities of the Franklin County Patriots. Thomas Smith, one the organization founders, moderated the meeting. The agenda included a brief review of the objectives of the Franklin County Patriots and announcements of planned events, but the time was spent primarily on discussing the importance of citizens being active in coming elections.

The Franklin County Patriots is a non-partisan organization which does not endorse candidates. At least six candidates for local offices, both Republican and Democrat, were present at the meeting. In agreement with the standard policies of the patriotic group, the candidates were not allowed to speak to the crowd. They were introduced to the attendees and Mr. Smith encouraged those who were present to meet and get to know the candidates.

The Franklin County Patriots, as an organization of concerned citizens, continues to grow. A large number of those in attendance on May 18 were attending their first meeting and many of them registered to be active and involved in the future. The Franklin County Patriots is not affiliated with any other organizations of a similar nature, but reflects the kind of energy that is being seen in Tea Party/patriotic groups around the country. Future activities of the Franklin County Patriots include additional candidate forums where citizens are allowed to get to know their prospective elected officials, and a patriotic rally on Independence Day in St. Clair.

Strategy Meeting in Union Tomorrow!

Jedidiah Smith — Mon, 17 May 2010 14:43:07 +0000

This is a reminder about the Franklin County Patriots’ Strategy Meeting tomorrow, May 18, in Union. We will begin at 7:00pm at the Franklin County Baptist Association Gymnasium. The building is located at 785 Butterfield Dr., South Hwy 47 in Union. We have several items to discuss, but our primary goal will be to strategize about the upcoming elections. We all understand how vital it is that we all be as informed as possible as we head into the election season.

Agenda items will include voter registration drives, phone banking, Get Out the Vote campaigns and planning for upcoming Franklin County Events. Our input and involvement are now more needed than ever. The freedoms we enjoy are under assault as never before. We know how critical the vote in November is, but if the most conservative candidates do not win in the August primary, we may not be enthused about our choices in November. We have less than 100 days until the November 3 primary.

This will also be a great recruitment opportunity. If you know of someone who is interested in learning more about Franklin County Patriots, invite them or bring them to this event. E-mail your lists and notify your friends.

Candidates will not be speaking at this meeting, but we will be giving an opportunity for individuals who are currently working on campaigns to briefly (very briefly) discuss those campaigns.