Health care belongs to the states?

A recent op-ed piece in the Salt Lake Tribune sure thinks so.  Dr Joe Jarvis – who is very involved in local politics – writes that until we address the wasteful spending in the current health care system, we can never have true health care reform.  He writes that,

For example, overhead in American hospitals is five times higher than in other first-world nations and post-operative wound infections occur up to 10 times more often than should be the case, at an average cost of $14,000 per case.

Wasteful health system spending is the direct and inherent result of the business models of American health corporations. What I call waste they call profit. These corporations spend $1 million per member of Congress per year on lobbying to defend their business models.

At the end of his piece, he asks this question: “Why are we even having this debate in Washington?”  Indeed.

What do you think?  Is this a states’ rights issue?

Recent press for the PHC

From a Utah blogger about the caucus and the next legislative session.

Utah’s Deseret News carried an article on potential legislation, including intra-state commerce being carved out from federal oversight.

Speeches from the fundraiser

If you were not able to make it to the Patrick Henry Caucus fundraiser a couple of weeks ago – no worries! We have the speeches here for you.

Founder Carl Wimmer

Representative Brad Daw

Founder Ken Sumsion

Bob Lonsberry, part 1

Bob Lonsberry, part 2

Congressman Jason Chaffetz, part 1

Congressman Chaffetz, part 2

Congressman Chaffetz, part 3

Need YOUR help!!

The Patrick Henry Caucus is seeking people who are committed and passionate to share their beliefs on video at the fundraiser in Herriman tonight, Fri June 5th (details below).

To participate, they ask you to prepare several short (30, 60 or 90 second) sound bites explaining your support for the constitution, state’s rights issues, and specific examples of why and how there must be a balance of power between the state and federal government. This is to be used on their website, in various social networking applications, and to be shown at a conference of national conservative legislators. The tone is to be thoughtful and respectful to appeal to a national audience, of different political persuasions, who are receptive to the imperative to reassert the sovereignty and rights of the individual states.

If you can help, please come tonight and/or reply by e-mail to Becky Pirente ( pirente@gmail.com ). Thank you, and don’t be shy – this is your chance to be seen and heard by thousands, including lawmakers, who want to know that they are not alone and they can stand up for freedom!

The PHC fundraiser is Fri, June 5th at 7 p.m. at the Butterfield Pavilion, 6212 W 14200 S, in Herriman.

You may also be videotaped at the Patrick Henry Caucus booth at the GOP State Convention at the Davis County Convention Center from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 13th. You need not be a delegate to visit the booths.

Glenn Beck and states’ rights

Special Memorial Day program on states’ rights.

Part One of Six – Background from Glenn Beck, Rep Carl Wimmer talks about some of the rights we have lost

Part two – some overlap with #1, talking about loss of personal rights

Part 3 – the 9-12 Project, Rep Keith Grover talking about the Patrick Henry Caucus and what constituents can do

Part 4 – listen to one of the guests compare states to drug addicts – addicted to federal funds

Part 5 – mandatory volunteer service, the proper role of government, repealing the 17th amendment

Part 6 – Montana and their state’s right to control intra-state commerce

Action Alert!!

If you live in Utah, this is for you!

Congress is considering a huge tax increase in its so-called“cap and trade” legislation (Waxman/Markey). The bill is moving to the House Energy and Commerce Committee for a vote AS EARLY AS TODAY, and Congressman Jim Matheson is a swing vote. Waxman/Markey will raise your utility costs by hundreds of dollars per year by imposing economically impossible standards to reduce carbon dioxide emissions on all energy producers. Waxman/Markey will cost the average U.S. household$1,600 a year. Waxman/Markey is a pork bill — billions of dollars in free emission credits to favored industries.· Congressman Matheson’s special carve-out for“small refineries” WON’T fix Waxman/Markey. Congressman Jim Matheson has been key, but it is a mistake to try to “fix” a terrible bill.

Tell Congressman Matheson to vote NO on Waxman/Markey.
Call now: (202) 225-3011 or (801) 486-1236

Rep Carl Wimmer’s speech

The press conference for the Patrick Henry Caucus concluded with rock star Representative Carl Wimmer, a crowd favorite.

Steve Sandstrom’s comments

Representative Steve Sandstrom addressing the crowd

Chris Herrod’s remarks

Representative Chris Herrod talking about freedom

Rep Ken Sumsion’s speech

Here is Utah Representative Ken Sumsion introducing the Patrick Henry Caucus to crowds of hundreds gathered in Utah’s Capital.