Live blogging AFP in Harrisonburg ... Allen & Marchi

2:30: Americans for Prosperity-Virginia is meeting at the Massanutten Regional Library in Harrisonburg and there is a packed room of folks of all ages. As we wait for the George Allen and and Ben Marchi to arrive, everyone is visiting and signing in at the table with lots of AFP materials.

Sixth District Chairman Trixie Averill is passing around a sign-in sheet while Charles Kelley of AFP is getting everything organized.

2:45:Trixie opened the meeting and Clerk of Court Chaz Evans-Haywood is now addressing the group as we begin the meeting. Sheriff candidate Kurt Boshart is here as well as the Mosers, Bill Becker, Barb Tillett, Bruce Richmond, Suzanne Obenshain, and many others. Jeff Mellot of the Harrisonburg Daily News Record is also here.

2:50:"That's Harry Reid calling to complain right now." Ben Marchi didn't miss a beat when his cell phone rang in the middle of his opening remarks about how much debt Democrats have put on Americans. He noted his new-born son is already in debt even though he's only a month old. Speaking to the room filled with 50-plus folks, he said knowing the issues and working means every American can make a difference. Those attending are worried about the direction we're heading and concerned about doing something to stop over spending, over reaching government.

3:00: As Ben is introducing George Allen, he noted that Gov. Allen is the reason he got involved in politics with his Jeffersoniad principles.

3:03: "Good afternoon, Patriots all!" boomed George Allen to to the room. He said one of the better things he did during his term as U.S. Senate was nominate Henry Hudson as a federal judge. We in Virginia certainly know who Judge Henry Hudson is ... he is the judge who allowed the Commonwealth's lawsuit against the federal government's demand that citizens pay for health care.

3:10:Gov. Allen is talking about the health care bill, high costs, the waste that occurs when people don't have direct responsibility for costs. Tort reform is something the states can take up themselves and Virginia has rather good laws concerning tort reform. 

Our debt level is not good. He pointed out a JMU student who is in the room. These are the young people who will carry the debt now being passed on to them and beyond.

Talked about Ronald Reagan and how that was who got him involved in politics ... the line item veto, something he used while governor. There was the Bridge to Nowhere issues in Alaska that came up while he was in the U.S. Senate ... the line item veto could provide more accountability. Forty-eight states have it including Virginia; federal government does not.

(Three young children have now joined the crowd in the room.)

Time for a balanced budget amendment and line item veto. (People still filing in ... perhaps word has spread throughout the library that George Allen is in the house.)

Thank you to everyone for coming out today. Thank you for staying strong and positive for freedom! (applause)

3:25: Trixie is now introducing Dr. Botachelli who is talking about health care. After asking how many in the room are on Medicare, he said every time he sees a Medicare patient, he loses $10. Hospitals are not for profit but also not for bankrupt. $250 billion to reimburses doctors if it happened today ... six month extension for Medicare but after that, if nothing is voted on, it will drop 21%. Most hospital-based practices now see Medicare patients. What is the future? Five to 10 years, Medicare will be pushed out of the picture and that leaves only Uncle Sam to insure. Government-employed doctors will be government workers. Quality of care will decrease over the years, cost of health care will increase, more money will be paid out, money has to come from government. The "pot of gold" is going to disappear, quality of care will decrease if no changes are made to the bill as it is now.

3:35: The panel has now taken their seats in the front of the room. (Reporter Bob Stuart and photographer Roxanne Webber with the Waynesboro News Virginian just arrived.) The panel is made up of George Allen, Dr. Botachelli, and Ben Marchi. Questions are being asked from the audience and the panel is answering.

An interesting discussion is going on now in the room....

3:55: One more question and then the town hall will wrap up....

3:56: Tommy Moser just introduced himself as a member of the local tea party who said he had heard the Governor may get back into the ring and he was here to say he would be there to back him along with many others. (Outburst of applause in the room.)

George  Allen: "Stay tuned. (laugher) I'd love to have you by my side."

4:00: Meeting wrapped up, standing ovation, applause.

AFP-VA town hall meetings next week

As Congress gets closer to revisiting ObamaCare, Americans for Prosperity-Virginia will be on the road holding town hall meetings next week to hear from those who spoke out against what they considered an over-reaching governmental program that was passed despite the objections of a majority of Americans.

AFP-Virginia is also planning to train citizen-activists on how to effectively lobby our two U.S. Senators, Jim Webb and Mark Warner.

A series of town halls will be held at various locations. Please try to attend one near you. To register for the events, please visit their website and sign up.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

LEESBURG- 8:30a
Ida Lee Recreational Center
Downstairs Ballroom
60 Ida Lee Drive Northwest
Leesburg, VA 20176

WINCHESTER- 11:30a
Holiday Inn Winchester SE – Historic Gateway
Meeting Room
333 Front Royal Pike
Winchester, VA 22602

HARRISONBURG- 2:30p
Massanutten Regional Library
Meeting Room
174 South Main Street
Harrisonburg, VA 22801

CULPEPER- 6:00p
Holiday Inn Express Hotel
Meeting Room
787 Madison Road
Culpeper, VA 22701

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

FREDERICKSBURG- 8:30a
Fredericksburg Hospitality House
Palm Room
2801 Plank Road
Fredericksburg, VA 22401

HENRICO/RICHMOND- 12:00p
The Place @ Innsbrook
Salons Meeting Rooms
4036-C Cox Road
Glen Allen, VA 23060

LOUISA- 3:00p
Roma’s Italian Restaurant
406 East Main Street
Louisa, VA 23093

CHARLOTTESVILLE- 5:45p
Hilton Garden Inn
Meeting Room
1793 Richmond Road
Charlottesville, VA 22911

Thursday, January 20, 2011

LEXINGTON- 8:30a
Wingate by Wyndham Hotel
Meeting Room
1100 N Lee Hwy
Lexington, VA 24450

ROANOKE- 11:00a
Holiday Inn Tanglewood
Ballrooms A & B
4468 Starkey Road, SW
Roanoke, VA 24018

LYNCHBURG- 1:30p
The Kirkley Hotel
Meeting Room
2900 Candlers Mountain Road
Lynchburg, VA 24502

2010 Americans for Prosperity Summit

Mark your calendars ... contact Trixie Averill for more info....

2010 AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY SUMMIT
August 27-28, 2010
Washington, DC

We will be attending Glenn Beck's RESTORING HONOR Rally
in conjunction with the summit.

YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS YEAR!!!
Details will follow as they are available.

Activism is more than just talk!!!

Contact Trixie Averill for more
information and to reserve a seat on the free bus.

Americans for Prosperity at Staunton Tea Party

Ben Marchi, Virginia Director of Americans for Prosperity, addressed the tea party at Staunton's Gypsy Hill Park on Thursday. His message of responsible spending and lower taxes resounded with the crowd, many who have traveled on the AFP buses to Washington and Richmond to send that message to elected representatives.

Photo by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
15 April 2010

AFP's Ben Marchi's statement on passage of health care bill

Richmond, Va. – Americans for Prosperity Virginia Director Ben Marchi issued the following statement after the U.S. House passed the health care takeover bill:

"Tonight, 219 Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives put blind adherence to a radical government-first ideology ahead of the wishes of the American people. Now, bureaucrats and politicians will stand between patients and doctors, and our health care will be permanently politicized, subject to the whim of an out of touch political class. They have defied the American people and the Constitution they are sworn to uphold by requiring citizens to purchase healthcare plans and threatening fines for those who fail to do so.

"As a result, we urge Attorney General Ken Cuccenelli to move immediately, through options available to him, to protect the sovereignty of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the rights of Virginia's citizens.

"For more than a year, Virginians have been making their voices heard on this important issue and in doing so, they have told Congress that they don't want a government takeover of healthcare. AFP-VA held more than 80 rallies and town hall meetings that brought out more than 10,000 Virginians who told Congress to get their hands off our healthcare.

"We applaud the 34 Democrats who joined with House Republicans to offer bipartisan opposition to this bill that will kill Virginia jobs and increase our national debt. Unfortunately, Virginians have every right to be angry at the Virginia congressmen who voted for this scam. Those who voted for this bill belong to a congress that has grown out of control, and out of touch with those who elected them. result, more than 320,000 Americans have already signed AFP’s November Is Coming petition, telling House members they will vote NO on them for having voted YES on this health care bill.

This fight is not over. Today we lost in Congress, but we won with the American people.”

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen leaders committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth, and returning government to its constitutional limits. AFP has more than 1 million members, including members in all 50 states, and 30 state chapters and affiliates. More than 60,000 Americans in all 50 states have made a financial investment in AFP or AFP Foundation.

Americans for Prosperity heading to Richmond to protest phone tax

First, the electricity rates went up, and Governor McDonnell managed to get them scaled back. Now, the Virginia Senate wants to raise taxes 24% on every home, business and cell phone! We need to tell them NO! Please join us for a public meeting to prevent the Senate from doing us dirty! Bring your friends to help us stand firm against another tax increase!

AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY
ROAD TRIP TO RICHMOND

FOR A RALLY AT THE CAPITOL AGAINST THE TAX INCREASE
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!
TELL THE LEGISLATORS IN PERSON!

MONDAY, MARCH 8
FREE BUS LEAVING ROANOKE - ONE STOP IN STAUNTON -
AND FREE LUNCH AT A RICHMOND HOTEL

RSVP to SWAC Girl
Refreshments provided! Bus details to come!
More information

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen leaders committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth, and returning government to its constitutional limits. AFP has more than 960,000 members, including members in all 50 states, and 30 state chapters and affiliates. More than 55,000 Americans in all 50 states have made a financial investment in AFP or AFP Foundation. For more information, visit Americans For Prosperity.

AFP hits the road again with the "Cut Virginia Spending" tour

Looks as if Ben Marchi, Virginia Director of Americans for Prosperity-Virginia, will be on the road again as he heads out on the "Cut Virginia Spending" tour to unveil AFP's "Commonsense Model Budget." Watching our pocketbooks, AFP believes:

We MUST hold accountable any Delegate or Senator who attempts to erase this deficit by raising taxes on hard working Virginians. After all, Virginians expect their legislators to lead with real fixes, not temporary band-aids to get through the next budget year or campaign cycle.

Over the next three days, AFP will be in Fredericksburg, Gainsville, Martinsville, Newport News, Norfolk, Charlottesville, and Culpeper.

A press release from AFP-VA explains:

AFP-VA is going after Senators who want to increase your taxes rather than cut wasteful programs!

*Please join us tomorrow, Wednesday, or Thursday as we travel across Virginia to rally against the LIBERAL Senate plan to raise your taxes*

Yesterday, we applauded the House of Delegates while blasting the Senate as legislators unveiled their plans to close a more than $4 billion budget deficit.

This week, we are traveling to a city near you to unveil AFP-Virginia’s "Commonsense Model Budget." The model budget provides an overview of where cuts SHOULD be made. Copies of the model budget will be distributed at the events listed below so you can hold your legislators accountable and give them a roadmap with specific instructions on HOW to shrink the size of government!

Join AFP at one of these stop ... and help them cut Virginia spending!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010
3:00 pm FREDERICKSBURG EVENT
Comfort Suites
541 Warrenton Road
Fredericksburg, VA 22406

7:30 pm GAINESVILLE
Hampton Inn
7300 Atlas Walk Way
Gainesville, VA 20155

Wednesday, February 24, 2010
11:00 am NEWPORT NEWS EVENT
Office of Senator John Miller
12284 Warwick Boulevard
Newport News, VA 23606

3:00 pm NORFOLK EVENT
Azalea Inn
2344 East Little Creek Road
Norfolk, VA 23518-3225

Thursday, February 25, 2010
8:30 am MARTINSVILLE EVENT
Office of Senator Roscoe Reynolds
46 West Main Street
Martinsville, VA 24112

5:00 pm CULPEPER EVENT
Train Depot
111 S. Commerce Street
Culpeper, VA 22701

6:30 pm CHARLOTTESVILLE EVENT
Timberwood Grill
3311 Worth Crossing
Charlottesville, VA 22911

Friday: George Allen to be in Waynesboro

~HANDS OFF MY HEALTH CARE!~

Join the HANDS OFF MY HEALTHCARE EXPRESS as it travels with Gov. George Allen to Waynesboro on Friday, October 16, at 8:30 a.m.

Some in Washington think Americans’ passion at August town halls was a fluke, but you and I know better. As the details of legislation are released by Congress, the level of government intrusion attached to health care reform becomes a frightening reality.

The promise that ‘if you like what you have, you can keep it’ rings hollow when people see the reality of what Congress is proposing. It’s no wonder Congress is trying to keep the shocking details hidden from the public until the last possible moment.

Recently, the Congressional Budget Office estimated the Senate Finance Committee’s bill would leave 25 million people uninsured despite its preliminary price tag topping $800 billion. A new study from PricewaterhouseCoopers projects individual Americans’ insurance costs skyrocketing under the legislation being considered in Washington.

Americans for Prosperity's “Hands Off My Healthcare” Bus Tour will bring updates from Washington to the people of Virginia and allow them to make their voices heard!

Remember ... Friday, Oct. 16, at 8:30 a.m. Charles T. Yancey Municipal Building, 503 W. Main Street, Suite 210.

See you there!

Random conservative encounters

Had a meeting this morning with two local Tea Party ladies who are helping to coordinate the bus trip to Washington, DC, on September 12 for the National Taxpayer Protest. When I returned to my vehicle, the car parked next to me had a bumper sticker that said:

SOCIALISM ISN'T COOL
Americans for Prosperity -- Virginia

It was a great bumper sticker and good to see AFP represented in Staunton. I took one of my business cards and wrote on the back that we had buses leaving Staunton heading to DC on September 12 for the nationwide tea party and invited this anonymous person to join us.

When I returned home, there was an email from the gentleman who is a local businessman. He said he would like to go but would be out of state that weekend but asked to be kept in the loop.

I called Ben Marchi, Virginia State Director of Americans for Prosperity, and caught him as he was driving to Roanoke for the AFP Hot Air Balloon tour event later today, and told him about the bumper sticker on a vehicle in a parking lot ... wanted to let him know AFP is really making inroads and it was neat to see one of their bumper stickers locally.

It was a random conservative encounter ... reaching out to like-minded Americans ... but not the last, I'm sure.

Americans for Prosperity "Hands Off My Health Care" tour

From Ben Marchi, VA State Director of Americans for Prosperity ... news stories about the "Hands Off My Health Care" bus tour....

* "Patients First" Bus Adds Fuel to Health Care Debate
* Hands off Healthcare Rally
* "Hands Off My Health Care" event today
* Health care rally draws big crowd
* "Hands Off Our Health Care" Posted-Group Campaigns Against Government-Run Health Plan
* Conservative Group Protests Health Care Reform in Harrisonburg
* Americans For Prosperity campaign in Roanoke against Government health care plan
* Traveling protestors rally in downtown Roanoke against health care reform
* Bristol greets Obama's health care plan with support, protest, questions
* Supporters, Protesters Voice Opinions on Health Care
* Skeptics and protesters greet Obama in Bristol
* Protesters in Bristol: Health care not broken, keep hands off
* Americans For Prosperity Bus Tour Makes A Stop In Bristol, Virginia
* Rallying Against Reform
* TEA for over 2000 at Liberty 101: Richmond TEA Party
* Tea Party protests federal plans
* Opponents of Obama’s health-care plan rally in Chesterfield
* Virginia speaking up in health care debate
* Tea Party rally objects to health care plan
* Opponents of health overhaul happy as bill drags
* Across Hampton Roads, health care reform hits the streets

Americans for Prosperity: "Hands Off My Health Care"

From Ben Marchi, VA Director of AFP....

Americans for Prosperity-VA has launched a statewide bus tour to expose the truth about Obama’s Canadian-style health care. We hit the road Monday on our first leg traveling through much of Southside Virginia.

Our first stop was in Amelia Court House where we were joined by Delegate Tommy Wright and former Senator Eva Scott. Would you believe we had nearly 200 folks show up at 8 am before they headed off to work? We couldn’t believe it! This was our first clue to how big this tour was going to be.

After Amelia, we got back on the road and headed West to Farmville where Senator Frank Ruff joined over a hundred of his constituents in welcoming us to his district.

Next came South Boston, and let me tell you, the folks in South Boston know how to turn out! Amazingly, 368 citizens showed up signed our Hands Off My Health Care petition.



The last stop of the day was in Danville on the steps of the municipal building where Delegate Don Merricks joined us at what once again was a 100+ crowd. Click here for video highlights.

We’re in the midst of Day Two of what will be a six-day tour of Virginia. We will visit 26 localities and travel through many more. Today we’ll be in Martinsville, Hillsville, Wytheville and Bristol--less than 24 hours before President Obama shows up Bristol to try to give support to Senators Webb and Warner on this issue. They’re taking a beating, you know? And AFP is leading the charge. We’re taking this fight on the road and we’re going to win!

I’ll keep you posted on these exciting events as the week continues.

Daily KOS attacks AFP-VA

From Ben Marchi, AFP-VA Director...

Let's face it, most of us don't normally like being attacked. But when the attack comes from the far left folks at the DAILY KOS blog, we're proud to wear it as a badge of honor.

On May 30, Americans for Prosperity Foundation hosted a breakfast in Richmond that brought out nearly 400 citizen-activists to learn about the dangers of Canadian style health care (aka socialized medicine.) Excellent speakers such as Kay Coles James, Ben Cline, Brenda Pogge, Tito the Builder, and others spoke the truth ... and apparently our liberal friends weren't too fond of it!

Read the liberal's attack here.

In their blog post, they've posted the great video shot by our own Col. O.P. Ditch, USAF (Ret.), and then they wrote, "KNOW THE FACE OF THE ENEMY." You hear that? YOU'RE the enemy to them!? Those are the terms they think in.

If you don't want healthcare to be run like the DMV checkout, check out the AFP Foundation's new web site. This is where we are working to educate folks all across America about what government wants to do to health care. Best wishes and keep fighting!

Ben Marchi
State Director
Americans for Prosperity-Virginia

Libs upset over Americans for Prosperity ads

Check out the new Americans For Prosperity ads that have libs up in arms. Heh.

AFP awards Volunteer of the Year and Thomas Jefferson Award

Americans For Prosperity-VA held their day at the capitol and dinner Tuesday in Richmond, and two statewide achievements were awarded for the first time.

Congratulations to activist Suzanne Curran of Shenandoah County for receiving the Volunteer of the Year award. A tireless worker who is constantly on the move, Suzanne was excited about the recognition. When I spoke with her, she had this to say:

"I was thrilled, honored, touched, and excited to be working with Americans For Prosperity in light of the dismal mess that our elected employees have created for us."

Suzanne is one of those grassroots activists who can make things happen and turn out people for an event. I attended an AFP meeting in Woodstock in November, and Suzanne had the room packed with folks. Her heart is in the right place, working for causes she believes in. We need more Suzanne Currans.

Former Senator George Allen received AFP's first Thomas Jefferson Award for his years of working for the people of Virginia, his Jeffersonian values, and the many ways he has helped the Commonwealth.

Congratulations to Suzanne and Sen. Allen.

AFP-VA to fight hidden tax increase on VA businesses

Americans for Prosperity-Virginia continues to stand up for the citizens of the Commonwealth, protecting them against increased taxes at a time when the financial landscape is dismal.

With the state facing budget deficits, AFP-Virginia seeks to find alternatives to Gov. Kaine's budget proposals -- alternatives that would not punish small business owners. A press release from Virginia State Director Ben Marchi explains how AFP-VA intends to stand up for for hard-working Virginians.

RICHMOND – Americans for Prosperity-Virginia (AFP-VA) is pledging to fight Gov. Kaine's proposal to take back the rebate that businesses across Virginia receive for their time and labor collecting sales tax for the state.

"This proposal is nothing but a tax increase on Virginia businesses," said AFP-Virginia State Director Ben Marchi. "Gov. Kaine should offer meaningful spending cuts and focus on consolidating inefficient government agencies as a solution to our budget crisis. The Governor should not take more money from the very businesses that provide badly needed jobs. Asking hard working Virginians to pay more in these uncertain economic times is unacceptable."

The "dealer discount" was established along with Virginia's first sales tax in order to compensate businesses for the time and effort required to calculate and send money to the state. Gov. Kaine argues that computers and automated systems make the process less time consuming and so the state should no longer compensate business owners.

Delegate Ben Cline (R-Rockbridge,) who is also AFP-VA’s Western Chairman commented, "Businesses are serving as the sales tax collector for the state, and it is only fair that they receive a discount for providing this important service." Cline continued, "When the legislative session starts, we need to work to tighten Virginia's budget and cut wasteful spending, not attack the very businesses that are keeping our economy going."

Marchi added that while Gov. Kaine's complete budget proposal did offer several areas of budget cuts in education and public safety, he failed to address the culture of spending that has gripped Richmond for the last ten years.

“There are other methods to cut wasteful programs that should be looked at before going to taxpayers’ wallets,” Marchi continued. “As of the last count, the Wilder Commission still has 24 recommended cuts or consolidations that have not been implemented, including privatizing the sale of liquor and eliminating the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control.”

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen leaders committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth, and returning government to its constitutional limits. For more information, visit Americans For Prosperity.