Yearly Archives: 2006

Today’s Downsizer-Dispatch . . .:::

VICTORY!:::

We won our first vote in the House yesterday! :::

The rule not to amend the so-called lobbying reform bill with provisions that would have regulated Downsize DC . . . passed!:::

Narrowly. The final tally was 216 to 207. And the vote was held open for a long time, which likely means there was a lot of arm twisting right up to the end.:::

We think your messages to Congress made a difference. We sent 12,303 total messages on this issue — 6.351 of them in just the past 3 days! Thank you!:::

When we started Downsize DC people on Capitol Hill told us we were needed for close votes just like this one. :::

Does this mean we’re out of the woods? Not yet. The Senate has already passed a version of this bill that does regulate Downsize DC. So now the fight moves to the conference committee, where we need to make sure the House version of the bill prevails. We’ll aim our attention in that direction next week. Meanwhile . . .:::

It would be instructive for you to read the rule that was passed yesterday. It’s only one paragraph long, but it is one of the most convoluted paragraphs ever written in the English language. It’s a perfect example of the surreal way Congress does business. You will also notice that the reading of the bill is waived, several times, in the course of this one Salvador Dali paragraph. Unfortunately . . .:::

The way Congressional materials are posted on the Internet is also surreal, so the link to this rule may not work by the time you click on it. And if you search by the House Resolution number (783) you’ll get something else with the exact same number. Why? Congress moves in mysterious ways. But give it a try. You may laugh. You may cry. You may do both at once. Here’s the link.:::

OUR GAS TANK::::

We still need $5,000 to pay for April. Contribute or start a monthly pledge here.:::

Thank you for being a DC Downsizer!:::

Jim Babka:::President:::DownsizeDC.org, Inc. :::

Today’s Downsizer-Dispatch . . .:::

URGENT ACTION::::

House Republicans don’t have the votes to pass the so-called lobbying reform bill. This might sound like good news, but it isn’t. They lack the votes because many in the House think the bill is too weak. One way to strengthen it is to regulate grassroots organizations like Downsize DC.:::

The Republicans are meeting behind closed doors right now to work out a deal. We must encourage those who are on our side to stand their ground in these negotiations. Please send Congress a message right now, telling them not to regulate groups like Downsize DC. You can do so here.:::

But don’t stop there. When you go to send your message our system will give you a phone number for your Representative. Write it down. Call your Representative after you send your message. Tell him or her to oppose the lobbying reform bill, and NOT amend it to regulate grassroots organizations. :::

This is very important! Please help!:::

OUR GAS TANK::::

We’re still $6,000 short of our financial needs for April. You can make a contribution or start a monthly pledge here.:::

Thank you to the following recent donors::::

Elizabeth C Brierly, James Sopher, Shellie Benton

:::

Special thanks to the following DC Downsizers for starting new monthly pledges::::

J Billy Verplanck, Matthew Vest

:::

REMINDER::::

Write and then call your Representative to oppose regulation of Downsize DC.:::

Make a contribution or start a monthly pledge to keep Downsize DC moving forward.:::

Thank you for being a DC Downsizer!:::

Jim Babka:::President:::DownsizeDC.org, Inc.

Today’s Downsizer-Dispatch . . .:::

We’ve soared past 300,000 messages to Congress! Congratulations DC Downsizers!:::

URGENT REMINDER #1::::

The Incumbent Protection Gang in Congress is trying to strangle Downsize DC with regulation. Don’t let them. Send Congress a message here.:::

URGENT REMINDER #2::::

We’re still short on our fundraising for April. Make a contribution or start a monthly pledge here.:::

Thank you for being a DC Downsizer!:::

Jim Babka:::President:::DownsizeDC.org, Inc.

Will Congress Regulate Downsize DC?

I’m issuing a simple challenge. It could win you a prize. ::::::Note: This message will be “sticky” at the top of this blog until May 24, 2006.::: :::Premise: Big government doesn’t work. ::::::By “doesn’t work,” I mean, it fails to deliver what the politicians promise. ::::::Therefore, I contend that,

Downsize DC Conference Call – April 23, 2006 edition

Today’s Downsizer-Dispatch . . .:::

You can hear and talk to Downsize DC President Jim Babka on the radio or Internet today. The show is called THE DOWNSIZE DC CONFERENCE CALL.:::

Topic: The danger of the National Animal Identification System, with guest Celeste Bishop.:::

You can hear the show at www.GCNLive.com. Click on Listen Live and choose one of the first two channels to get the free feed. You can also call-in to talk to Jim on the air at 1-800-259-9231 :::

The show is broadcast live at … :::Eastern: 5pm – 6pm :::Central: 4pm – 5pm :::Mountain: 3pm – 4pm :::Pacific: 2pm – 3pm :::Alaska: 1pm – 2pm :::Hawaii: Noon – 1pm :::

Thank you for being a DC Downsizer.:::

Perry Willis:::Communications Director:::DownsizeDC.org, Inc. :::

Today’s Downsizer-Dispatch . . .:::

NATIONAL MEDIA APPEARANCE::::

“Steel on Steel,” hosted by John Loeffler, is heard on stations nationwide. This week, Jim Babka taped an interview with Mr. Loeffler about the National Animal Identification System and the Read the Bills Act. :::

The show will air at various times, on various stations, often more than once, during Saturday and Sunday. Like many larger syndicated shows, station lists aren’t available. :::

But on Saturday, the show will appear on the Internet, and you can go and listen by clicking here.:::

It’s a subscription based page, so you’ll need to use “downsizedc” (without the quotes) as both your login and password. In fact, John Loeffler has given all DC Downsizers a one month subscription for free.:::

Plus . . .:::

Today’s Downsizer-Dispatch . . .:::

Congress cannot claim to be representing us if they don’t know what’s in the bills they pass. Ignorance of the law is no excuse, even for a Congressman. :::

Today, I want to encourage you, once again, to take action on the Read the Bills Act.:::

But the action I’m going to suggest will be a little different this time. If you want to send another message to Congress, please feel free to add to the 40,000 others we’ve already sent to Capitol Hill. Click here to send your message.:::

But we need to take things to a whole new level.:::

Today’s Downsizer-Dispatch . . . :::

In this issue . . .:::

* Our progress:::* An action item:::

PROGRESS:::

Welcome back from the Holiday. We hope you and yours had a good Easter. Things have not been so good in Congress. In recent days . . .:::