Americans for Prosperity Leadership Conference

January 29-30, 2011

Lou Jasikoff, representing the Northeast Pennsylvania Tea Party, NEPA Libertarians, and Luzerne County Campaign for Liberty, in conjunction with our current endeavors Restoring Freedoms Conference and The Political Emporium, attended the Americans for Prosperity Leadership Conference this past weekend in Teaneck, NJ.

Lou Jasikoff,Sam Rohrer,Pete Howe, David Shaw

Not only was it most informative weekend but it was great to spend time with other Tea Party and civic leaders from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York, including the leader of the NEPA Tea Party Mike Lacey and one of Pennsylvania's leading champions for liberty Sam Rohrer.

Mike Lacey and Sam Rohrer

 The conference started off Friday evening with a cocktail hour followed by dinner. Steve Lonegan New Jersey State director for Americans for Prosperity welcomed everyone and outlined the the goals of the conference. Steve has long been a staunch advocate for the working people of New Jersey and our free market system. He was followed by NJ State Senator Mike Doherty who spoke to the state of NJ politics and current economic challenges.

 Steve Lonegan

The keynote speaker was none other than James O'Keefe, a scheduled speaker at our upcoming Restoring Freedoms Conference and someone I have worked with on getting his New Jersey Education Association Teachers Gone Wild Videos released to NJ media. James of course is known for bringing down ACORN with his undercover work and the audience was riveted as they listened to his accounts of what went on, how it was reported, and the trials and tribulations that followed. His account of how he got into this business, and getting Lucky Charms cereal removed from the Rutgers cafeteria while a student there invoked some well-deserved laughs!

James O'Keefe

Steve Lonegan got things rolling Saturday with some of his incredible insights on fundraising and was followed up throughout the day with experts in media relations, legal issues, membership building, new media, etc. sharing their wisdom to help all our groups to be as successful as possible. Lunch guest was Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels and longtime radio host. His firebrand style along with good old time common sense was absolutely loved by the attendees. 

Curtis Sliwa and Mike Lacey

I want to thank the the Americans for Prosperity for the invitation and for the opportunity to network and meet with some of the people I consider the true patriots of our day.

Louis R. Jasikoff

Restoring Freedoms   

The Piggy Bill

Washington loves pork. Main street America loves pork, and a little pork in everyone's diet is a good thing. Who doesn't enjoy a good barbecued pork sandwich, grilled pork chops, or a good old fashioned pig roast? I do, and our politicians certainly do also. Sometimes I think they live on pork. Difference is I want to know where that pork comes from, who supplied it, and is it good for consumption.

I applaud President Obama's recent decision to veto any bill that has pork in it. Great start. I agree with Senator Reid that Washington needs some pork in their diet. I just don't think it should be stuffed into some bill hidden like the stuffing in a Thanksgiving turkey. I think Senator Reid wants to continue his back room deals, making sure his cronies get paid back for political favors. In fact I think most of our politicians from the two old parties want to continue their old ways to make favor with those that help keep them in office.

So I propose the “Piggy Bill” and it works like this: Once a month, once every three months, or once a year whenever our esteemed politicians have a craving for a good pork sandwich they introduce the “piggy bill”. The piggy bill contains all the earmarks our politicians deem necessary for our country and their districts. Out in the open for all to see. No more earmarks in other legislation, a stand alone bill for earmarks. This way when my congressman from Northeast Pennsylvania comes touting that he just got us two, new, very needed fire engines for the local fire department, I get to see what was given up to get it, as does everyone else in the district. Instead of all the “atta boys” for a job well done I might have a different opinion when I see we also paid for a bridge to nowhere, beehives in Montana, a study of the mating habits of the sea turtles in California, and the best way to catch catfish in Louisiana.

Time for our government to be more open and transparent, this seems an easy way to start.

Louis R. Jasikoff

Restoring Freedoms Chair