Jupiter/PBG Chapter Energized and Ready to Tackle 2012!

This was our first meeting at Abacoa Golf Club and we had a great turnout.  Several folks were new to the Palm Beach County Tea Party – thanks to all for coming!

Mark Wohlschlegel entertained the attendees while we enjoyed the buffet dinner. 

Chapter leader, Gary Summers, kicked off the meeting at 7pm with a welcome, the Pledge of Allegiance and the Star-Spangled Banner.   Then Pam Wohlschlegel, Chairman and County Coordinator, took the podium.  Since there were new attendees, she stated the groups 3 tenets and talked about our upcoming meeting in Boca on Tuesday (tomorrow)  featuring Congressman Allen West,  and next week’s Presidential Preference Portfolio event on January 10th as well as the associated member survey and voter’s guide.  Pam also talked about the need for volunteers in all aspects of our operations.    She also mentioned the new organization that Barry Carson is kicking off – the new Jupiter/Tequesta Republican Organization.  The group’s goals will be to be an activist group, not a dinner-club – with each of the members expected to be REC members, or poll-watchers and to join campaigns.

Gary then introduced our guest speaker, Guido (George) Lombardi.  An acclaimed author and international expert, Mr. Lombardi is the Executive Director of the North Atlantic League, (www.northatlanticleague.us ) which promotes positive foreign relations between Italy, Israel, and the United States. In addition, he is a leader in the Tea Party Italy, which has brought the values of small government and more personal freedom to Italy.

Mr. Lombardi began by telling us about the new Prime Minister of Italy, Mario Monti – and how the first things he’s done is raise taxes even on the smallest of items.  The European Union (EU) is stomping on each of the 3 tea party tenets every day.  The speaker said that the Prime Minister of Hungary stated the desire for Hungary to leave the EU, and that there is tremendous resentment through-out the EU for the un-elected leadership of the EU called the European Commission – which is an entirely appointed body.  Lombardi stated that the EU was convinced to print money as a way out of their financial difficulties by our Secretary of the Treasury – Timothy Geithner.

He also stated that much of the Italian economy is ‘underground’ and thriving.  He spoke positively about Sylvio Berlusconi, who is a personal friend.  Mr. Lombardi felt that Berlusconi’s conservative government, and business background, drove a lot of the more conservative government that have won elections throughout the EU.   

China’s impact on Italy was also a fascinating piece of Mr. Lombardi’s talk.  He described how small farms were being purchased by Chinese groups; then produce/farm products from other countries were delivered on Chinese ships to nearby ports and sold throughout the country in lieu of local production.  Struggling farmers were attracted to the large cash buyouts. 

Several questions were asked by audience members.  Mr. Lombardi concluded his talk by saying that he was optimistic that we would all prevail if we stood up for what we believe!

Some pictures from Fred and Ed:
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Jupiter/PBG Chapter Meeting on Monday, Jan 2nd

Jupiter/Palm Beach Gardens Chapter Meeting with Keynote Speaker:

DATE:

Monday, January 2nd, 2012

TIME:

Doors open 5:30pm
Buffet at 6pm. Meeting starts at 7pm
$15 per person (tax and gratuity included)

PLACE:

Abacoa Golf Club
105 Barbados Drive Drive, Jupiter, FL 33456
Click Here for map.

RSVP:

Register by clicking on the “RSVP” below or call (561) 444-8086 if you have questions.

We look forward to seeing you there!!!

Boca Chapter Meeting Featuring Colonel Allen West

Boca Raton Chapter Meeting with Keynote Speaker:

DATE:

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

TIME:

Doors open 5:30pm
Buffet at 6pm. Meeting starts at 7pm
$15 per person (tax and gratuity included)

PLACE:

Boca Greens Country Club
19642 Trophy Drive, Boca Raton, FL 33498
Click HERE for Map

RSVP:

Email to rsvp.boca@gmail.com, or call 561-302-1479. Or register by clicking on the “RSVP” below

We look forward to seeing you there!!!

Wellington Chapter hosts the Senatorial Candidate Forum

Palm Beach County Tea Party’s (PBCTP) Wellington Chapter hosted our Senatorial Candidate Forum on Monday, December 12th.  Most of the attendees partook of the tasty buffet at the Binks Forest Country Club prior to the beginning of the meeting.

Gina Rascati, Wellington Chapter Leader and PBCTP co-founder, kicked off the event with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Then Mel Grossman, PBCTP Vice President and co-founder, spoke about December events – encouraging attendees to help work the upcoming Gun Show.  In addition, he said that he’d be starting rallies, once again, in the new year.  Iris Scheibl, one of the PBCTP co-founders, described the upcoming Presidential Preference Primary Portfolio Event on January 10th to be jointly hosted by PBCTP and South Florida 912.  Alex Berry, Boca Chapter Leader took the podium and kicked-off the events – first describing the tenets of the PBCTP, then doing the introductions.  The guest moderator for the event was Jim Sackett, former WPTV NewsChannel 5 news anchor; time-keeper was Gina Rascatti; and the participating candidates, in order of opening statements were:  Mike McCalister,  Deon Long, Ron McNeil and Marielena Stuart.

After opening remarks, each of the candidates rotated going first in responding to the questions with one minute responses.  The excellent questions ran the gamut of conservative issues:  Repeal Obamacare?  Which departments to scale back or get rid of?  How to reduce the National Debt?  Would you have voted for the Defense Authorization Bill?  Would you support removing the US from the UN, NAFTA, and NATO and expel the UN from NYC?  Would you refuse to sign any treaty that says the US contributes to global warming or climate change?  Would you work to reform the tax code and repeal the 16th amendment?  Would you work to repeal current executive orders that put restrictions on States’ rights and if so, which ones?  Would you follow current immigration law while striving for a long term solution?  Is the U.S. Constitution a living document?  Would you abolish or limit the number of Czars?  Would you support making the Bush tax cuts permanent?  If not, why not?  While many of the responses were similar – there were distinctions based on the personal viewpoint of each of the candidates.  McCalister brought his military background and other experiences into the mix, Long spoke of his economic outlook and the fair tax as a framework, McNeil cited his paradigm as a successful engineer and businessman, and Stuart her perspective as a Cuban immigrant who lived under Communism and described Agenda 21/Sustainability as socialism.

We had time for two great audience questions as well.  Would you support and pass term limits for the House and Senate? – leading to probably the funniest line of the night, given by McNeil – “Yes – two terms – one in office and one in prison!”, and What would you do with the Federal Reserve and what would you replace it with?

The candidates then closed with 5 minute closing statements.  Alex closed the meeting with calling the raffle.

It was a very informative event offering us an opportunity to learn more about these principled but lesser known candidates.  There is a long time until the August 2012 primary and any one of these fine folks could emerge as a strong Conservative candidate.  Thanks to all who attended.

The following pictures were taken by Alex Berry.

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Senatorial Candidate Forum – December 12

Jim Sackett, WPTV NewsChannel 5 news anchor, will be our special guest moderator at our Senatorial Candidate Forum on Monday, December 12th. 

We have invited all of the primary candidates for the Florida US Senate seat and now have confirmations from: Mike McCallister, Ron McNeil, Deon Long, Craig Miller and Marielena Stuart..

The forum will be held in the large ballroom at Binks Golf Club.  Doors will open at 5:30pm.  The $15 dinner buffet will start at 6pm and the Forum will begin at 7pm.

Directions to Binks Country Club

We will have limited seating so please click on the button below to RSVP by Wednesday, December 8th.

Wellingon Chapter discusses Term Limits

Gina Rascati, Wellington Chapter Leader, began our November meeting by reporting on the State Tea Party Convention in Daytona Beach.  Pam Wohlschlegel, president of Palm Beach County Tea Party and state co-ordinator for Tea Party Patriots, announced the senatorial forum for our December meeting. 

Philip Blumel, our keynote speaker, was acknowledged as the leader of the effort to set term limits for the Palm Beach County Commission.  He is also the national director of  US Term Limits and discussed the importance of term limits and how voters overwhelmingly approve term limits whenever it’s on the ballot.  The lawmakers are the ones that oppose it.  But, Philip ascerted that there are way more of “us” than “them”. 

Announcements:  Pam mentioned two events for this week – Tuesday, 11/15, Anita MonCrief – Acorn Whistleblower/Brandon Darby – FBI Informant; and a Herman Cain Rally on Wednesday 11/16.  Terry Brady – co-founder, mentioned the upcoming Fashion Show Luncheon.  Mike Lamayer, candidate for Fl. Senate District 25 was also present.

Blumel’s mother won the 50/50 raffle-$60.00.  Binks Forest provided a scrumptious buffet (salad, rolls, green beans, carrots, barbecue ribs, mashed potatoes, beef sirloin and chocolate cake for desert.  We ended the meeting well nourished and informed.

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Senator George LeMieux Anchors Jupiter Meeting

The November Jupiter/PBG chapter meeting got started by new chapter leader Gary Summers who led us in a prayer, the Pledge and the Anthem.

Following his appearance at the Boca Chapter earlier this month, former Senator George LeMieux joined us in Jupiter. Of all the candidates in this race, Senator LeMieux is the only one with Washington experience having been appointed to the position following the early departure of Senator Martinez. As he pointed out, in a head to head match against Bill Nelson, he has a record that can be compared point by point and shows him to have solid conservative credentials. He would like to return to Washington as a true partner to Marco Rubio.

The Senator spent some time on his “Four Freedoms” plan – Freedom to work, Freedom from debt, Freedom from foreign dependence, and Freedom to pursue the American Dream. It is a solid framework and compelling value proposition. He then took an assortment of questions from the audience ranging from the economy and jobs, deficit reduction, foreign policy and the threats facing us in these most dangerous times.

Also present at the meeting was a good showing of local candidates, including Tequesta Councilman Calvin Turnquest who is running for Bill Synder’s seat in FH82, Hal Valeche and Laura Hanley for county commission district 1, and Lowell Levine who has filed for the county School Board.

In other business, Pam Wohlschlegel covered the Daytona Tea Party convention that many members attended, Terry Brady described the upcoming Fundraising events, and Mel Grossman pushed the crowd to get active.

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Boca Chapter Meeting Recap, Tuesday, November 1st, 2011

The Palm Beach County Tea Party’s Boca Chapter started November with a bang with its monthly dinner/speaker event on Tuesday, November 1st, featuring senatorial candidate, George LeMieux.  Despite lingering Halloween inclement weather, we had a strong showing of patriots, including an entire table of younger people- a byproduct of some of the educational work we are doing here in Boca. 

Boca Greens Country Club continues to provide an excellent backdrop for this monthly event on the first Tuesday of every month (with NEXT month, December, being an exception due to the Holidays).  People lined up for the excellent buffet, which included all kinds of goodies, especially the salmon.  Raffle tickets were sold until the Boca Chapter Coordinator, Alex Berry, presided over the podium to make announcements before introducing the speaker.  A brief welcome was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, and a review of the three tenets of the Tea Party was presented.  After discussion of Fundraising activities, and alerting people to our merchandise table—featuring our brand new embroidered logo polo shirts–our founder and County Coordinator, Pam Wohlschlegel was then introduced to update the attendees on more PBCTP news and events.

Alex then read an email titled, “Free Ice Cream”—a typical example of how civics and politics can work on a 3rd grade level, and how easily duped we can be if we don’t stick to principals and truth.  Alex then introduced the speaker for the evening: George LeMieux- a senatorial candidate who is up for Bill Nelson’s seat.  George has an unassuming presence, and folksy delivery that was frank and honest.  He has been something of a dark horse candidate, despite having served previously as an interim senator.  Because George’s campaign is not as “slick” or sophisticated as some of the others, I think many were surprised at how much they liked his speech.  It’s funny how “groomed” we have become in terms of our political process—that because someone’s campaign style or look doesn’t fit the current paradigm of expectation, and how quickly we are to dismiss a candidate as “unelectable”.  

LeMieux went on to articulate the severity of our debt crisis, going into granular detail of just how to wrap our arms around the depth and magnitude of the irresponsibility of our leaders in Washington.  He also cited several startling statistics just about our state, including foreclosures.  He went on to describe how political campaigns often have slick speeches and rhetoric, but no actual “plan”.  He mentioned Paul Ryan’s plan- but indicated, in a refreshing way, that it did not go far enough to make spending cuts.  He then unveiled his plan called, “The Four Freedoms Plan”, which covers Freedom From Debt, Freedom From Foreign Dependence, Freedom To Work, and Freedom To Pursue The American Dream.

We had a particularly sprightly Q&A session, as many members asked questions about the Federal Reserve system, Taxes, Term Limits, and a variety of other passionate questions asking about how we can win in November.  One question asked him about why we should vote for him instead of Adam Hasner, our speaker who was warmly received last month.  People watched closely as LeMieux handled the question with grace and aplomb.  He resisted the temptation to go into attack mode – another element that was refreshing about LeMieux’s presentation—but instead provided differences between the two of them from the perspective of how they both voted in the past. 

As usual, a hearty bunch enjoyed further fellowship after the speech, and the raffle was drawn.  It’s always gratifying to see new friendships being forged, and old ones being strengthened at events like this.  We must definitely learn to stick together at times like this in American history.  We must not forget our past, or our future will not be pretty.  We keep hearing how important this election will be, and there is a lot of truth in that.  As LeMieux aptly said, Americans have traditionally risen to each challenge that appeared insurmountable in every generation.  While one might argue that the stakes have never been higher than now, it is important for us to work together to fight the poison of liberalism’s corrosive impact on our society.

We look forward to more great meetings in 2012 for our Boca Chapter—please stay tuned into this site for more information, and INVITE YOUR FRIENDS to our next Boca Chapter event, which will be on January 3, 2012!!! Until then, have a Happy Holiday Season from those of us at the Boca Chapter of the Palm Beach County Tea Party!  See you next year!

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Adam Hasner at Boca Chapter Meeting

Jupiter/PBG Chapter Meeting, November 7

Join us the Doubletree Inn for the November Jupiter/PBG Chapter meeting featuring US Senate candidate George LeMieux.

Date: November 7, 2011
Time: Meet and Greet, 5:30, Buffet 6:00pm, Meeting 7:00pm
Location: Doubletree Inn, Palm Beach Gardens

Please click on the link below to RSVP.

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