Georgia Patriots Against “Fannie Med”
Faith & Freedom Rally August 22, 2009
By Sue Ella Deadwyler, Capitol Correspondent, Georgia Insight and Eagle Forum of Georgia
“I’m in the age group they’ve forgotten [for healthcare] and I don’t need [government] to tell me how to leave this life.”
— Lt. Col. Oliver North
The Marriott was abuzz with activity and the packed-out energized crowd assembled ’way before the program started, but it was well worth the wait. Even the announcements were great!
The spearhead of the event was Ralph Reed, the first executive director of the Christian Coalition and founder of the new Faith and Freedom Coalition, about which he says, “This in not your Daddy’s Christian Coalition.” If Saturday’s rally was any indication, he’s absolutely right. FFC is a web-based effort to rally conservative voters that respect the sanctity and dignity of life, family, and marriage as the foundations of a free society.
As he approached the microphone Saturday afternoon to greet the audience, over 1,300 conservative voices boisterously responded as he announced success! Faith and Freedom has caught on in Ohio and is covering the country “like wild fire!” Following him was Dr. Richard Lee, Church of the Redeemer pastor, who closed his invocation with the wonderful (and politically incorrect) phrase, “in the Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.”
Nationally known vocalist and recording artist, Laurie O’Brien’s presentation included these lyrics, “America, keep holding to the Hand and keep the light of freedom for every man. America keep holding to God’s Hand!” Then, all 1,300 of us sang the National Anthem just before District 7 Congressman John Linder spoke FOR passage of his Fair Tax Bill.
Linder explained that there was no media coverage in July, when between 133 and 145 congressmen went to the floor of the U.S. House and spoke in favor of the fair tax, but against cap-and-trade and healthcare, which he dubbed “Fannie Med.” He related this statement by Pennsylvania’s Senator Arlen Specter, “I fear we’ve awakened a sleeping giant,” when confronted by a constituent. Linder declared, “We will turn this [healthcare] back to individuals and my gandsons, Thomas, John, Matthew and Philip, will thank you.”
Next, was Senator Johnny Isakson who said, “Our rights are now up for grabs! I’m 65 and think ‘what can I do for my child and other generations’. I can stand, fight and unite until the sleeping giant has been united! Richard Nixon coined the term ‘silent majority’ in the 70s and the silent majority rose up. That’s going to happen again. Think about soldiers in Afghanistan, Iraq, and say ‘our republic will stand and we’ll turn back to what it’s always been.’”
Congressman Tom Price of District 6 began, “Tonight America is stronger because the values we hold dear were never before so valued. Individuals should hold power over their personal decisions and nothing is more personal than health. As a physician, I know government cannot control it and they have no power to do so. Only freedom and universal liberty must extend to our tax dollars, our religion and our national defense. Don’t fight only for health care. Fight for smaller government, the Constitution and tomorrow! We will succeed!”
Pat Tippett, co-chair of the Faith and Freedom Coalition in South Georgia, introduced Ralph Reed as the former chairman of Georgia’s Republican Party and Georgia Christian Coalition.
Reed started with this, “TV and radio … they’re taking your name in vain! The premature reports of our death have been greatly exaggerated! What happened in the 2008 election can’t happen again. God doesn’t call perfect people, but humble, repentant and those that say, ‘here am I, send me’. We must sacrifice and give what we must to save the U.S.A. …We’re not going to be silent, intimidated or go away. We’re gonna stand up for the right to build businesses, dream American dreams. We’re here to build the most effective formidable organization this country has ever seen. …We’ll restore America to the greatness it has had!”
Sean Hannity’s appearance brought a roar of whistles and applause as he shouted, “Hello, my home in the South – Atlanta! God, bless this group! Is this group going to take back America? I love you!” To which a female voice in the audience responded, “I love you, too!”
“I’m concerned about what’s going on in the U.S., now. I don’t believe in ‘generational’ theft. We have freedom and liberty, not a cradle-to-grave government plan. We’re for hope, freedom and opportunity and I have words for the administration, ‘No, you can’t’! I want to live in the U.S.A. as an American. I want an America that will beat back the enemy with a strong national defense. I want an America to have a balanced budget, to be energy independent, to drill for oil, to build nuclear facilities, to have a free market of capitalism, where kids put their hands over their hearts and say the Pledge. But for the U.S.A., I don’t know what the world would look like. Our responsibility is to stand on the shoulders of [our forefathers], to preserve, protect and defend the single best gift God ever gave man – the United States of America.”
As Sean introduced the next speaker, he said, “Not all Hollywood is liberal, as you read in John Voight’s article yesterday in the Washington Times.” John Voight received a rousing welcome and repeated Sean’s customary greeting to callers, “Let not your heart be troubled,” and continued, “with all these people stepping up, I know we will prevail. On our coins is ‘e pluribus unum’ and we’ve lived this way and shown the world this way and we’ll continue to live this way. We, certainly, are the ‘land of the free because of the brave’. Thank God I came to the understanding that the real saints of our time are the men and women of the military. We will prevail and we will enjoin this battle. We must save our country! God, bless you!”
Sandwiched between gubernatorial candidates was District 11 Congressman Phil Gingrey who said, “This is the first time I’ve been a filler between gubernatorial candidates. Republicans offered amendments to the healthcare, but all of them lost. We wanted to make sure the president and his family, along with Congress, signed up for the public plan, but that lost, too. We tried to pass an amendment for tort reform, but it lost. Before the healthcare issue, the typical town hall drew between 50 to 75 people. Now, 800 to 1,000 people show up. God, bless you! Let’s keep it up!”
The closing prayer was by Kay Godwin, co-chair of the South Georgia Faith and Freedom Coalition. After Kay’s moving prayer, Art Morris sang, “I’m Proud to be an American!” and we’re ALL proud to be an American, too.