Katy Abram

Knowing some of my Twitter friends have brand new crock pots they received for Christmas I would be remiss to not post my absolute favorite crock pot recipe.  I know this strays from my typical political rant, but diversity is good.

1 Chuck roast
1 packet of Onion soup seasoning (I typically use Lipton)
1 can of Cream of Mushroom soup
1-2 cans green beans
peeled new potatoes (as many as desired)

Place chuck roast, can of mushroom soup and packet of onion soup seasoning in a crock pot. Mix together.  Put crock pot on low for 6-8 hours.
About an hour before dinnertime put the green beans and potatoes in the crock pot.

Thats it.  It is really that simple. My 9 and 6 year olds love it and thats a win for any mom.  Simple and good.  Enjoy my fellow Tweeps and moms!

Look at the items listed below. After viewing the list would you vote for the person who has supported these items:

-Believes "FDR is such a dominating figure because he got things done." And is "the greatest President of the 20th century."
-Supported the individual mandate
-Favors ethanol subsidies
-Once supported fairness doctrine
-Supported tarp & bailouts
-Supports more federal intervention on education
-Opposed Paul Ryan's budget plan
-Voted for the Department of Education
-Supports big government solution for climate change.
-Believes SEIU's Andy Stern is a visionary leader
-The liberal establishment Time Magazine names this candidate their
“Man of the Year”

Who is this candidate?  If this were a Democrat would you vote for him?  As a Tea Party activist my answer is a resounding NO!!!!!

When I tell you who this is do you back peddle and say well you don't understand!  He is a great debater!  Indeed, I am sure you have it figured out by now.  And it looks like you've been Newtered.

The debate about whether we should vote for Newt Gingrich for President has been a very difficult one for many of us.  Most everyone I speak to says they would like nothing better than to see Newt debate Obama, but they do not necessarily see anything beyond that once he would get into office. 

It wasn't clear in my mind until last night while watching Glenn Beck.  Glenn has clearly upset a lot of people lately with his recent thoughts on Newt Gingrich and pointing out that if the Tea Party supports Gingrich they have clearly forgotten what they have been fighting against for the past three years among other things.

I've been watching the backlash from the right, which the leftists are most definitely salivating over.  Leftists could have never imagined such cannibalism in their wildest dreams.  Nonetheless, after much angst and soul searching I know I cannot in any way, shape or form vote for Newt Gingrich.  It all comes down to principles for me.  

I have fought too hard and for too long to push the button for Newt.  It goes against everything fiber of my being and every issue I have fought for and against since 2009.  Do you really think Newt would be able to defend himself during a debate?  I really do not think he can.  How do you defend the indefensible? Would it not be in our best interest to have a candidate who doesn't have to explain away every vote, every comment and every flip flop in their life?  Think about it. You may not agree with me.  That's fine.  I just know I cannot hand the wheel over to progressive light who will continue us down the same tracks we're travelling right now but at a slower pace.

Cut the guy some slack.

Imagine yourself running for President of the United States.  Much of your time would be spent listening to the speeches of your opponents, attending rubber chicken dinners and practicing for your next debate.  Your life would no longer be your own as you are beholden to the schedule your handlers lay out for you.

In a moment, which some are calling an embarrassing, former Senator Rick Santorum is caught watching a football game on his iPad during yet another rubber chicken dinner.  In the video you can hear Newt Gingrich in the background addressing the crowd.

Some call this embarrassing, I call this being human.  Kudos to Rick for attempting to hold onto some normalcy.  I just hope he was watching the Penn State game.

You can watch the scandalous moment here http://bcove.me/c2vu4ks5

Utter chills.

About an hour ago as I was brushing my teeth with Fox & Friends on in the background, country music star Clay Walker was singing the praises of Rick Perry.  Apparently they have been friends for 15 years and now Presidential hopeful, Rick Perry, has asked Walker to use a song off his album for the campaign. 

OK, that sounds great. Until you listen further into the interview.  Walker admits was a fan of Obama's and "thought he had a lot of great ideas when he was elected...I think he had good intentions, but I don't think the change has happened."

Then the next thing out of his mouth is, "I think Rick Perry is the guy who can fulfill those good intentions and that change."

If that is the case count me out on the Perry campaign.

While cleaning out my minivan today I heard words which made me do the happy dance in my garage.  The 11th Circuit ruled that the individual mandate of Obamacare, also known as the bane of my existence, was unconstitutional.  They didn't go as far as Judge Vinson with ruling against the entire notion of this abomination of law but nonetheless it was a win for those of us who have worked tirelessly over the pass two years to stop this invasion into our lives.

During the summer of 2009 I asked Senator Specter, "what are you going to do to return this country back to what our Founders created according to the Constitution?"  This ruling gets to the heart of this question: limited government.  So this government is forcing us to buy health insurance.  My question is this...what else will they force us to do? 

Heaven forbid my child becomes overweight (and thankfully they are not) will the government send them to fat camp against my wishes? 

Since they have shown a disdain for all machinery that guzzles gasoline, will we be forced to trade in our ten mile per gallon 1997 Suburban for a Smart Car?  I'd just love to see how my husband would put his shovel, pick axe, tool boxes and the like in there, let alone tow a 4,000 pound trailer.  But don't worry friends, it's for the environment.  Your business will be fine without the tools necessary to complete your work.

Nonetheless, I will continue my happy dance.  This is yet another huge win for liberty and huge win for the Tea party.  And yes, indeed, this is me saying to Obama and his ilk...

If you won't return this government to governing by the Constitution, we the people will!

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out -
because I was not a communist;

Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out - 
because I was not a socialist;

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I  did not speak out -
because I was not a trade unionist;

Then they came for  the Jews, and I did not speak out -
because I was not a Jew;
Then they came  for me - and there was no one left to speak out for me.
 
--Martin Niemöller

First the left smears, then they target, then they actually start to target.  Who are they trying to silence now?  Who have they brought in?  If you are not brought into their fold you will be silenced. 

Sound familiar?  First they came after the town hall attendees who spoke out.  Then they came after the Tea Party.  Now they are coming after innocent people sitting in their cars as they leave a state fair, pulling them to the ground and beating them to a pulp.  Why are we not seeing the real state of the world from the news?

There are riots in Athens, Spain, Lisbon, China and elsewhere. The media has been silent here in the United States.  Why?  I ask you why?

The world is quickly becoming unhinged.  Gold is now over $1,800. (Man I wish we would have bought gold a few years ago.)  Millions of Americans are out of work.  Millions more are milking off the system by choice, voting for those who "get them more stuff."

This is the land of the free...not the land of the FREE (stuff).  50% of Americans pay 97% of the taxes.  We are at a tipping point.

Do me a favor friends.  Prepare for you, your family and friends.  Be a safe harbor if you have the ability.  Lord only knows when push comes to shove who will they run to?  You or the government?  Let it be you.

The debates regarding the debt issue have been heated, but this Monday Congressman Mike Doyle has taken it to a new (or rather old, worn out) level.  In an interview with Politico.com this week, Congressman Doyle stated “We have negotiated with terrorists.  This small group of terrorists have made it impossible to spend any money…They have no compunction about blowing up the economy to get what they want.”  

Who could these terrorists be I wondered?  It turns out these individuals who
apparently now hold the country’s checkbook in their hand unwilling to give it
back to Congress belong to the Tea Party movement.

First, I find it humorous that a group once coined as astroturf can all of a sudden have such power.  Lest we forget that the Tea Party did not spend this country near the cliff of default. Nor did the Tea Party obligate the taxpayers to fund turtle tunnels, cowboy poetry festivals and the like.  Tea Party members weren’t the ones bombing police stations in the 1960’s, nor did they join Communist groups who would like nothing more than the demise of this capitalist system.

This kind of rhetoric by Congressman Doyle brings back to mind the horrific shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in January.  The country, as a whole, was shocked by this atrocity.  It didn’t matter what political party she belonged to. 
She was shot down while serving the public.  The act was condemned by all. 
Even Congressman Doyle shared his thoughts with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette saying, “We've been through some tough debates, like immigration and health care, that have caused some people to react passionately. But there's a line."

So the question remains, what is Congressman Doyle’s “line?”  Because calling stay at home moms, grandparents and veterans terrorists seems to me like crossing Doyle’s “line” of civility.

 

I told ya so.

I knew it then and I can clearly see it now.  I am beyond angry right now with the Governor of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett.  During his campaign last year we were told he would govern much like our neighbor next door, Governor Chris Christie.  Governor Corbett has fallen well short of that campaign promise. Actually, I think  h

This weekend Corbett negotiated a 10% increase in pay for the state workers union.  Soon after I read this bit of news I received a call from a patriot friend of mine who she relayed to me a story of a woman she met yesterday who hocked her wedding rings to buy food.  Did Corbett ask as he shook the hand of the union boss to seal the deal "at who's cost?"  When a deal like this is made it is ALWAYS at the cost of someone else:  in this case it is at the cost of the taxpayers of Pennsylvania.

I've found out that the Governor's budget proposal will fill the gap where the federal governments stimulus left off.  $2.4B is now being put on the backs of Pennsylvanians because, again, Corbett has no spine and is no leader.  Governor Corbett has done EXACTLY what the Obama administration was hoping.  Give the states money with the stimulus. Then the state will become addicted and will fill the gap once we stop the flow of cash.  Here in Pennsylvania that is what is about to happen. 

Go ahead Corbett, give Obama what he wanted.  Get a spine is all I can say.  Be a leader.

My final fit goes to the Governor's own agenda.  His first two priorities were: school choice and privatizing the liquor stores.  It has been six months since he has taken office and NEITHER has come to fruition.

The Tea Party movement in Pennsylvania worked wonders last election cycle to deliver a Republican strong hold.  And this is what we ended up with...a RINO.

Let's just pray that he either wakes up and actually leads or is primaried during the next governors race...until then hold on because it's going to be a bumpy ride.

I am constantly amazed at how the left changes the meaning of the Constitution when they feel that it can help their cause, yet in the next breathe say it is outdated and irrelevant.  Represenative Daryl Metcalfe introduced a Voter ID bill which does exactly what the name implies, requires Pennsylvanians to show photo ID when they vote. 

When I first moved to Lebanon I was astonished when I arrived at the polling place to vote that I did not have to show any form of ID.  All I had to do was tell them my name and they would have me sign the paper that it was me.  Considering low voter turnout wouldn't it be so simple to invite some of your non-citizen friends to come and put someone elses signature on an empty line?

So now the Democrats are having a fit about this bill.  The PA House Democrat Twittersphere had the constant message that Voter ID is Voter Suppression.  This is what they put up on the PA House website this week.

"House Bill 934 is a Republican-sponsored bill which would require every voter 
to provide unexpired, valid government photo identification in order to vote in each election.

Pure and simple, this bill is a move to suppress voter turnout. This type of bill   
 has been introduced and even enacted in Republican-controlled states. It will make voting harder for senior citizens, low-income residents, minorities and naturalized citizens -- groups who are less likely to have photo ID or the documentation and time necessary to acquire one.  These are also groups who tend to vote Democratic. Pennsylvania should be making it easier for residents to vote, not making it harder.

Additionally, the cost to implement this mandate is nearly $10 million -- money that Pennsylvania can't afford to waste now with so many other areas going without.

Join the fight to protect your constitutional right! Send a message to legislative leaders. Tell them to vote against the voter suppression bill. Tell them to make sure our constitutional rights are protected."

Allow me to explain something to the Democrats about the Constitution. The Constitution contains many amendments, clauses, and phrases detailing ways people cannot be denied the right to vote. You cannot deny the right to vote because of race or gender. Citizens of Washington DC can vote for President; 18-year-olds can vote; you can vote even if you fail to pay a poll tax.

But despite all of this the Constitution never explicitly ensures
the right to vote, as it does the right to speech, for example. It does require
that Representatives be chosen and Senators be elected by "the People," and who
comprises "the People" has been expanded by the aforementioned amendments
several times. Aside from these requirements, though, the qualifications for
voters are left to the states. And as long as the qualifications do not conflict
with anything in the Constitution, that right can be withheld. For example, in
Texas, persons declared mentally incompetent and felons currently in prison or
on probation are denied the right to vote. It is interesting to note that though
the 26th Amendment requires that 18-year-olds must be able to vote, states can
allow persons younger than 18 to vote, if they chose to.

Let's just say that it imperative the PA Democrats learn the Constitution. 

And while I'm at it let me continue my pontification about the privelege of voting, because that what it is...a privelege.  I take my ability to vote seriously.  I am blessed to live in the greatest country on this planet.  I am blessed to be free.  And I will not take for granted that thousands of great Americans put their lives on the line so I could vote.  They did not die so my vote would be "suppressed" by an illegal alien (and yes, I said illegal ALIEN) who is not a citizen of this country.  They did not die so the Constitution could be twisted into a lie. I hold their sacrifice seriously unlike that of the Pennsylvania House Democrats.

So when they worry about suppressing the vote of a non-citizen, I'd like to remind them that their opposition to this bill suppresses my privelege

In 2004, Pennsylvania had an opportunity to have a true conservative Senator named Pat Toomey.  Senator Specter was up for reelection and he finally had a formidable opponent in Toomey.  As the primary battle waged on, the Republican machine visably became concerned with the possibility that their beloved Specter would lose his seat.  Next thing you know President Bush and Senator Santorum are singing the praises of Specter on TV. 

This is where I truly lost all confidence in the Republican party and in Santorum as well.  Now don't get me wrong. I've met Rick and he's a nice man.  But with his announcement yesterday I find it difficult to give my support to someone who essentially gave Obama the final vote to force Obamacare through.

I know Santorum's reason for supporting Specter in 2004 came down this...

"The reason I endorsed Arlen Specter is because we were going to have two
Supreme Court nominees coming up," Rick Santorum said.

"I  got a commitment from Arlen Specter that no matter who George W. Bush would  nominate, he would support that nominee."

Hmmm.  Ok.  I understand the rationale.  But when you have a man who has continually tried to moderate the party don't you think you have someone who will eventually stick it to you?  Wouldn't you try to replace him with an individual who holds true to the values of the party?

I'd love to see a Pennsylvanian become president, but I can't get past this. I just can't do it.  Sorry, Rick but my vote will be going elsewhere.  It still stings a bit too much from 2004.