January has been very busy. These are some of the things we did this month.

Tues. 4th. DJ’s AM Constitution classes

Wed. 5th. Tea Party meeting Dan Smithwick, free market expert guest speaker

Thur. 6th Face book classes at Garden Gate Patricia and kids

Tues. 18th. DJ’s AM Constitution classes. Prepare something to share in discussion.

Wed. 19th. NLTP meeting w/KrisAnne Hall as guest speaker. See pictures

Thur. 20th. Hospital tax Constitutionality hearing, rebuttal & decision later. See blog.

Thur. 27th. School Board Retreat, decision on construction at Grassy Lake

Thur. 27th. DJ’s Evening Constitution class. See pictures.

The Constitution classes have been a big success, well attended. Our speakers were very good. If you missed KrisAnne you may get another chance. (To be announced later.) The Hospital tax hearing was well attended. See blog entry below. The School Board is going to look at other alternatives and they have several.

John W

You have probably read the "Right Side of The Lake" attack article on Marilyn Bainter.
This is not the first such attack, but it is the first that the TEA Party has been mentioned.
I feel compelled write a response.

Here are the facts as I see them.

Always follow the money

First, who is the "Right Side of The Lake"?

It is written and published by Don Magruder, manager of RoMac Lumber.

Follow the money.

If the hospitals build something, who stands to make a profit off of the cost of building materials?
After this and other malicious articles, do you think RoMac might be first in line?

A typical liberal approach.

Attack the person, not the facts.

According to the current article, Marilyn Bainter is portrayed as a tree hugging animal lover who loves animals more than humans.

Talk to Marilyn for a moment and you know this is hogwash.

Follow the money

Our tax dollars are paid to the hospitals without oversight.

Consider:

Waterman Hospital

Let's say they purchase hospital supplies (bed pans/needles/etc.) at top dollar.

Why negotiate for the best price when it is possible that end of year rebates may happen.
Rebates; to whom would they be paid?

Lake County residents whose taxes purchased the supplies?

Not on your life, those rebates might be paid to the hospital's parent organization in Orlando.

This may not happen, but you'll never know because there is
no accountability for your tax dollars.

Leesburg Regional and Life Stream Behavioral

How much of their services are provided to residents of Sumter and Marion counties?

You'll never know because there is no accountability for your tax dollars.

Not so much as a thank you to Lake County residents who subsidize these operations.

Did you know Sumter and Marion counties do not have a hospital tax?

Indigent Care

As written, you'd think if it were not for the North Lake Hospital Tax indigents would be turned away from the door.

What about Medicaid?  Are we not paying indirectly for indigent care through Medicaid
then directly through our tax dollars?

Follow the money

Is the tax Constitutional?
The Hospitals are all profitable with profits exceeding the amount received in taxes.

Why are your hard earned tax dollars being spent to increase the profits of private businesses?

Let's see "The Right Side of The Lake" or anyone else defend the Constitutionality
of the North Lake Hospital Tax.

Follow The Money

There is NO ONE but Marilyn Bainter and a handful of patriots defending the taxpayers of Lake County.

Every single entity involved in this tax is making a profit off of your tax dollars
except Marilyn Bainter and the North Lake TEA Party.

Taxpayers

Do you NOT care that your tax dollars are being paid to profitable Corporate medical facilities?

I am outraged.

Contact your State Legislators

Senator Alan Hays: 352-742-6441; email;  hays.alan.web@flsenate.gov
Representative Larry Metz: 352-742-6275; email; larry.metz@myfloridahouse.gov

Is it because this is such a small part of your tax bill that you are silent about this unconstitutional tax?

Dave VonGunten

The hospital tax hearing was held Thursday, January 20th. at 1:30 in Judge Singletary’s courtroom in the judicial building.    In attendance were approximately 60 spectators of which at least 25 were supporters of our NLTP Hospital Board members.    

The setting reminded me of the movie with Atty. Clarence Darrow up against the establishment and three time Presidential candidate,William Jennings Bryan, statesmen, orator, etc. The Bainter's attorney Mr. Joe Little (fits well into the scenario) being the sophisticated Country Lawyer dressed in a gray suit against seven or eight attorneys in black pin striped suits costing i'm sure millions of dollars. Atty. Little's wit and counter points were all highlighted or written down by the Judge.

After about three hours of testimony it was decided to schedule some more half days to finish up the rebuttal before the Judge will make his determination. The determination of the Constitutionality of North Lake Hospital Board to tax us with out ever putting it to a vote of the people.

Our Hospital Board members, Marilyn and Fran, need our support. I will notify you of the next meeting. 

 John W

Here is a link to the WFTV story of the Hospital Tax Hearing: 

http://www.wftv.com/lakecounty/26563308/detail.html 

Marcus Tullius Cicero famously said, "Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice; moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.”  Those thoughts came to this reporter's mind as I stood applauding with over two dozen enthusiastic Tea Party members in Tavares last night.

The standing ovation was in appreciation for an impassioned speech given by Constitutional Originalist KrisAnne Hall, who made the long trip from near Lake City to share her vision of a re-educated, and rekindled, America.

Hall is a meticulous researcher and had the full attention of every audience member as she led them step by step though the reasons the U. S. Constitution Bill of Rights came to be, starting with the Magna Carta.

Hall's one hour talk, aimed squarely at the eyes, ears, and souls of a room of adults blessed with a refreshing 9 year old homeschooler, will not easily be forgotten.  

Hall's main message is that tyrants in various guises stand ready at all times to usurp our God-given rights if we don't constantly refresh our knowledge of those rights. 

Rex Harrill