Palin inspires “domestic engineer” with a PhD in “Mom” to run for Congress

By Stella Lohmann

Patricia Sullivan is daring to go where many women would never have dared to go before Sarah Palin took center stage of the national political scene last year especially after the attacks the Palin experienced. But the 40 year old Floridian is determined to win 8^th Congressional District office currently held by Democrat Alan Grayson. Palin may have inspired her but concern for her children’s futures motivated her to leave her current position as a self described Domestic Engineer/Home School Teacher/Community Organizer with a PhD in ‘Mom,” quips Sullivan.

“The first thing I would like to do is repeal the “stimulus” spending bill and put all unused funds back in the Treasury.  Clearly that was a tremendous failure,” says Sullivan with a confidence.

‘Sarah Palin really was a breath of fresh air. I remember the day she was announced as McCain’s running mate.  We stopped our book work to watch TV.  Our oldest daughter, Jennifer, was immediately engaged in the election because of her.  I remember watching Sarah walk through crowds with Piper holding her waist and now my youngest is doing the same while I’m talking with voters in my district.”

 Like Palin, Sullivan believes in having more than the average two children per household. “My husband and I have four children and have been married for 18 years. We’ve always home schooled which has given us the freedom to volunteer at all hours of the day, from nursing homes to boys and girls clubs.  Two years ago I founded the Lake County 4-H Foundation which secures funding for our county 4-H program, enabling youth to attend leadership camps and participate in activities they otherwise couldn’t afford.  Serving together as a family not only blesses others, but we typically receive the greater blessing!”

What sacrifices and challenges have you endured in running for office and what how do you expect it to change you and your family’s lives?

My family has already had to pick up the slack when it comes to preparing meals!  Our oldest daughter now does the grocery shopping.  Instead of spending evenings at home, we find ourselves out at speaking engagements, but because we usually go as a family, it has been fun.  Home schooling will look a little different than it has in the past, but we adapt. 

As a woman do you think that you will be scrutinized more strictly than male candidates? 

I already have!  One comment on an online article actually read “She’s going to leave her kids and go to Washington?  Nice family values!”  Recently I visited DC for the “Health Care House Call” and was able to visit Representatives Ginny Brown-Waite and Michele Bachmann.  These are both strong, vocal women and have been called names because of it.  They’re paving the way and both offered great advice.  They will be incredible mentors for future congresswomen.  I look forward to learning from their examples.

What is your advice to those who may have tinkered with the notion of running for office at any level at this time of their lives? 

Run it by your closest friends.  At first, I thought my friends would talk me out it, knowing the busy life I have and everything I am committed to already.  I was truly shocked when they weren’t caught off guard by the idea at all!  I think they all saw it coming before I did.  Of course as a family, we individually prayed about this decision and had several discussions about it.   I wouldn’t have moved forward if the entire family wasn’t 100% on board.  If you’ve got support, go for it!  Our country needs you! I am a woman of deep faith.  Everything I do is driven by it.  I believe that is why serving is such a joy, because it is simply an expression of my faith “

Healthcare reform debate matures tea party movement
By Stella Lohmann

November 7, 2009—Washington, D.C.

At 11:07 PM EST Saturday night, the highly debated and emotionally charged HR 3962 Omnibus Health Care Reform Act passed the House along party lines 220 to 215. Republican Party Chairman, Michael Steele, told Geraldo Rivera of Fox News, “Listen to those Democrats applauding their way right out of office next year.”

The late night vote follows days of protests outside the nation’s Capital by protestors of the estimated 1.2 trillion dollar health care reform bill and a slew of rallies, town hall meetings, and bus rides by Americans fearing that the Omnibus bill is actually a move toward socialism and loss of freedom overall. A call by Representative Michele Bachmann (R-MN) on Sean Hannity’s television show drew tens of thousands to Washington and to the steps of the Capital within six days.

Amazingly, many of the reported 1.5 million who had travelled from across the country to the 9/12 Protest March less than two months earlier were back ready to make a ‘house call’ on Congress members before they voted on a two thousand page health care reform bill this weekend. Georgians mobilized through word of mouth, Facebook, and the One Year to Judgment Day Atlanta Tea Party announcing details of buses being filled and possible opportunities of car pooling. Congressman Phil Gingrey offered to pay the way for Brian Donnegan, founder of Can Do Conservatives of America after meeting him at the Monday night event at the state capitol.

Donnegan is legally blind and wanted to join those departing for the Capital to rally behind Bachmann’s call to protest the bill:

“I sat on the right ledge of the Capital behind the press corps. I did not have a sign with me but I held my cane up as if it were a sign many times. I am glad to have been there to be a voice for the disabled because we almost didn’t have one on the stage on Thursday. Thanks to Chris Smith, who was the only speaker to mention the disabled and that will we be adversely affected by Pelosi’s bill. I’ve come a long way in my fight but I still have a long way to go.”

Dozens of Congress members joined their colleague from Wisconsin on the platform while key note speakers energized an already emotionally charged crowd. Academy award winning actor, John Voight, and bestselling author and talk radio host, Mark Levin challenged Americans to choose between tyranny or liberty much like coaches inspiring a football team before an anticipated rivalry. “See that building right there. You own that building!” (pointing to the Capital building in the background). Not surprising that enthusiasm translated to the mass visitations inside and outside of the Capital.

A 78 year old priest was carried from the doorway of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s office days ago in protest of believed provisions concerning abortion. Father Norman Weslin and 11 other pro-lifers were arrested at Nancy Pelosi’s office at #235 Cannon office building. The YouTube video was posted by pro life activist Randall Terry who is no stranger to civil protest and disobedience leading to arrests. However, today the majority of those lining the Canon building hallway were making a House call on the Speaker and other members of Congress to protest a perceived overhaul of the nation’s health care system.

To complicate matters, supporters of the health care reform bill, some dressed in medical garb, chanted “Health care for all!” to which opponents countered, “Kill the Bill!”
The back and forth chanting continued sporadically while most stood quietly in lines to the doorway–others wandered in and out of Pelosi’s office ripping strips of papers from a copy of the healthcare bill—the idea suggested at the rally. Capital Police scurried back and forth talking to one another trying to calm the growing chants as well as they monitored activities. Several were escorted away by Capital Police while others stood along the walls waiting to enter Pelosi’s office, cameras in hand while media rolling tape.
Soon the hallway was cleared.

Outside other protesters waited for Congress members leaving the Capital building in route to their offices across the street. Texas Representative, Ron Paul said, “This is great!” as he engaged with handshakes and picture taking opportunities by those congregated. When (D-CA) Maxine Waters exited the Capital the reception was far less friendly. One woman lunged at her screaming her disgust with the legislation and shouting questions about her support of the bill. Her physical behavior toward the Congresswoman drew the attention of Capital Police.

That’s when another said, “Leave her alone” in an attempt to ward off a possible arrest and subsequent headline in the news labeling all the activists as angry, militant right wingers. Another lady misinterpreted the intervention and began taping what was said. She said later she thought the person worked for Waters and apologized for being confrontational.

Outside the Cannon building, (D-NY) Scott Murphy ventured into the crowd for more than an hour listening to others scream, talk, and watch him move through the crowd. Again, a handful of protesters shook fingers toward him, yelled and interrupted his comments. In reality Murphy’s smirks didn’t help to quiet their emotions or concerns about his expected yes vote on the healthcare bill.

Just before midnight Murphy voted along party lines adding his vote to the slim margin of passage in favor of HR 3962 bill. For the Democrats and President Barack Obama its passage is a victory. For those who sacrificed to actively voice their opposition it is also a victory–Americans are speaking out holding elected officials accountable in a big way. The passage of HR3962 by the House does not end the continuing saga of controlling costs and providing healthcare for Americans. The Senate still has to give its approval. So Tea Party activists will have plenty more opportunities to visit the Capital as Congress continues to confront other polarizing issues such as energy, immigration, and the failing economy riddled by devastating job losses.

By Stella Lohmann http://stellalohmann.com/
November 1, 2009—Atlanta, GA

Representative Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) has mobilized a national Tea Party of her own with just one a few words with Sean Hannity on Fox News Friday night. Buses are being filled as we speak to join her on the steps of the nation’s Capital on Thursday, November 5th at noon. Then Rep. Bachmann wants to walk the halls of Congressional offices with those who answer her call to stop the most recent healthcare reform bill set for a vote by next week.

Tea Party activists in Atlanta are already hosting a One Year to Judgment Day Tea Party at the gold dome Capitol on November 2nd to give notice that Americans are willing to use their voting power as never before to rid Congress of those who will compromise conservative values—fiscal responsibility, strict Constitutional adherence, free markets, and traditional values that have framed this republic since inception.

Many of those returning to Atlanta’s Capitol for yet a third Tea Party there since February will be boarding buses organized by two Facebook friends, Harriet Carter and yours truly, who then contacted organizations to join forces. Not a unique idea but the result was a combined effort of forces between Resist.net, Tea Party Patriots, Freedom Works, 9/12 Project and Smart Girl Nation to fill as many buses as possible on short notice.

Rep. Bachmann’s call gives Americans just five days to organize and to join her in D.C. for face to face meetings with her colleagues. Fox News show host, Glenn Beck, gave a six month notice for 9/12 Project organizers to drew 1.5 million that would march down Pennsylvania Avenue and rally at the Capital for hours the day after 9/11. As it stands now, organizers predict that there will be a least two or three buses or about 150 people leaving Atlanta on Wednesday for a ten hour trek to Washington. For some, it was just six weeks ago that they sacrificed money, time away from work, home, and loved ones to protest in D. C.

Harriet Carter of north Georgia is ready to join other activists on Wednesday calling the group Minutemen/women—those ready to respond on short notice to defend this nation. How many will answer Bachmann’s request is uncertain but what is certainly remarkable is the resolve to which they have responded so quickly.

*If interested please contact stellalohmann@yahoo.com for details.

The title of today’s blog is taken from one of my favorite movies when I was a kid, “Hook.”  In the 1991 Robin Williams feature’s final battle scene, we see the rag-tag ‘lost boys’ led by Peter Pan fight and winning the battle against Captain Hook and his larger group of pirates.  I thought of this the other day when I saw President Obama visibly angry or at least distressed at a press conference this week.  The topic of course was…health care!  ((Thunder and lightning!))  

Known for his cool, placid composure, it was surprising to see him scowling and fidgeting while answering questions.  I saw the same thing tonight as I sat and watched him talk tonight in his fourth televised press conference in six months of his presidency.  Six months into this administration he is finally being shown the downside of the job.  Not everything will go his way.  There were questions being launched at him that he did not want and did not expect.  I had to stand up and shout a few times as some of the most liberal members of the white house press corps gave him some questions that I never thought they would.  A few times my girl ‘Marie’ and I slapped high fives as he evaded one question after another, clearly not pleased with what he was getting.  

(To give my girl a sense of anonymity I will refer to her as ‘Marie.’  Her real name will be kept private)

‘Marie’ and I giggled and laughed a few times as he made these long-winded speeches that I believed were clearly designed to take up time.  I don’t think he wanted to answer any more questions than he had too.  He didn’t like what he was getting thrown at him at all.  I can’t say I really blame him.  On the campaign trail he was asked softball questions, greeted by throngs of blindly adoring followers, and never had to take the bumps that the mainstream media would typically give a candidate.  Governor’s Romney and Huckabee’s personal faith were scrutinized by the various talking heads on prime time.  Endless quotes from Hillary Clinton were talked about, and we won’t even get into what they put Governor Palin through.  Anything they could have looked into about then senator Obama was largely ignored, save for a few commentators and talk radio hosts.

President Obama’s health care overhaul could collapse before it ever gets off the ground.  The fact that some House and Senate democrats might be the reason in the end that it does not succeed has got to be driving Obama right up a wall.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad for all of this.  It is certainly better than the alternative.  If it collapsed after it took off, it would probably take the entire United States economy with it.  Still, he is not exactly used to having things not go his way.  So far in six months he has had almost no opposition worth mentioning.  The republicans are outnumbered in the house, and there are sixty votes in the senate for the democrats.  Before there were sixty democrats in the senate, there were a few liberal republicans that were willing to make back room deals.  

On January 29th he signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.  February 9th saw the signing of an extension of the State Children’s Health Insurance program.  The crippling blow for a generation came on February 17th when he signed The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (better known as the Stimulus bill) into law.  Later on came the Omnibus bill, which like the stimulus bill was loaded with pork projects.  On May 22nd he signed the Credit CARD Act, and then on tuesday of this week he got the senate to strip funding for new F-22 Raptors.  The senate handed Obama a way to actually keep a campaign promise, cutting military spending.  Now I always give credit where credit is due, and I have to give some to Senator Chris Dodd, who spoke out on the senate floor warning that this would cost thousands of jobs.  Good job Chris, but your still in hot water for that whole sub-prime thing.   

A universal health care bill was up for consideration before in 1993.  President Clinton and then first lady Hillary wanted a single-payer universal health care bill passed quickly.  It bombed horribly when the American people learned what was contained in the pages of the bill, and spoke out.  The next year marked the republican takeover of congress, a signal of the publics disapproval with the way Clinton and the democrats were trying to cram things in quickly.  The current crop of congressional democrats may be radical, but they are by no means stupid.  They know that 2010 could be a painful flashback for them if this bill bombs out like its predecessor.  

This health care bill is being read as much as the stimulus bill was by members of congress.  For those playing the home game, this means that they are hardly reading it at all.  It is loaded with projects that do not save people money, or have anything to do with health care for that matter.  People are being made aware of this and it turns their stomachs.  It’s now beginning to show in the polls, and that is giving President Obama his first wake-up call of the season.

I saw in my local paper today the results of a recent Associated Press-GfK Poll.  This poll shows that 54% of Americans now believe that we as a nation are on the wrong path. This figure is up from 46% in June.  President Obama’s approval rating has broken down below the June dreaded 60 mark, and now hovers at a cool 55%.  People who believe that Obama can help the economy have dropped down a sobering 19% from just before inauguration day.  The president is not the only one hurting in the polls.  The democrat-controlled congress has not been showing well for over a year and a half, and is now sinking lower once again.  They are currently hovering at 32%, and I would not be surprised if they sunk lower back into the twenties, which at that point you’re down to blood relatives and a few staff members being the only ones giving you their approval.  

People fear waiting lists, rationed care and clogged emergency rooms.  They see people in Britain being denied treatments because they are not deemed worth it to try and save.  They see the enormous costs of the European and Canadian systems.  What’s worse, if we go to a Canadian style single-payer system, then where will Canadians in need of a serious operation go?!  

Every time most or all of the republicans in congress vote against another huge expensive government project, I give them the ole’ pat on the back and an “Atta boys!”  It’s time I give the same to the American people.  Obama is like a paper champion, a boxer who has never fought a real battle.  He has finally been cut, and it has him frayed at both ends.

Keep at ‘em!