PRESS RELEASE
Can-Do Conservatives are TEA’d off, Demand the FairTax!

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009
From: Can-Do Conservatives of America
The Voice For Disabled Conservative Americans
Contact: Press Secretary, Debra Mantey (989) 551-7493

Tomorrow, Wednesday, April 15th (Tax Day) hundreds of thousands of Americans will be taking the streets in what could be the largest single-day peaceful protest in many years. From the big cities of New York, Washington DC, Atlanta, and Los Angeles to the post offices in our smallest towns – the ire of the “Silent Majority” has been awakened! We have watched as our National Debt has grown by leaps and bounds with bailouts and unnecessary pork barrel spending in bills that have come one right after another. And how are we going to pay for all this? Naturally our leadership (or lack thereof) in DC wants to raise taxes. Well, we have one message for you. We are TEA’d off (Taxed Enough Already)!

One may wonder why the disabled also consider themselves to be taxed when most of us don’t file. We are taxed every time we go to the store. When we buy a loaf of bread or a gallon of milk, we are not only paying for those items. There is an embedded tax in the price of everything we buy which represents the tax burden carried by everyone who produced that item. Times are tough for everyone and especially for the disabled. If taxes are increased, it is just going to get tougher for all of us at the bottom. This is due to the fact that prices for the basic necessities are just going to increase to cover the increased tax burden at the production level. Is the Democratic leadership listening or are they just interested in promoting “Class warfare” to advance their “Socialistic” goals?

Our economy is in shambles! In many areas unemployment is climbing at an alarming rate. The answer to this grave problem is not deficit spending and it is not raising taxes either. Doing either of those things (or both) would fast-track us on the road to ruin. The time is come for a true economic stimulus! It’s time to shutter the doors of the Internal Revenue Service for good and end the moronic tax on productivity that has handcuffed our economic growth for the past 90 years. The solution to our woes can be found in the FairTax.

The FairTax replaces our current tax on productivity with a fair, flat, finite, and family friendly consumption tax. The plan was developed by our best economic minds to be revenue neutral. While a 23% sales tax would be added to every new item we buy, the difference will be nullified because the embedded tax in everything we currently buy is about the same. In addition, under the FairTax everybody gets their entire paycheck. Nothing will be withheld any longer! The poor, and disadvantaged will be untaxed since every legal American will receive a prebate for the basic necessities (up to the poverty level). Better yet, April 15th will become just another beautiful spring day! How great would that be?

Under the FairTax, the United States would become the world’s tax haven. All the money and jobs that have left this country because of our tax on productivity will come back and then some. More Americans will be able to seize the American dream. The quality of life for the disabled and everyone will increase. It’s time that we follow the leadership of Neal Boortz, Chuck Norris, Joe the Plumber, John Linder, and Governor Mike Huckabee and get the FairTax enacted It’s a no-brainer! That is why we hope that you will join us at the many Tea Parties and FairTax Rallies around this nation on April 15th and show your support for the plan that will best save our nation from economic ruin, the FairTax!

Supporters can find their local Tea Party at http://taxdayteaparty.com/ and at http://www.teapartyday.com. For info on the FairTax Rally in Columbia, SC (with Governor Mike Huckabee and Iowa US Rep Steve King): http://www.fairtax.org/site/Calendar/233754393?view=Detail&id=107141

MISSION STATEMENT: The Can-Do Conservatives of America is a new political organization founded by Brian Donegan, a legally blind citizen of Lawrenceville, GA. The goal of the Can-Do Conservatives is to make sure the voices of the disabled are heard. They are advocates for freedom and economic liberty, The FairTax, a veterans bill of rights, affordable preventative health care, and the sanctity and value of human life from conception until death. Please visit our website http://candoconservatives.com/

PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
From: Can-Do Conservatives of America–
The Voice for Disabled Conservative Americans
Contact: Press Secretary, Debra Mantey (989) 551-7493

In more ways than one, President Barack Obama rolled a gutter ball last week. In addition to his unfortunate remarks on last Thursday’s Tonight Show, he threatened to raise taxes and cut benefits to our veteran heroes.

On last Thursday night’s “Tonight Show” with Jay Leno, President Obama compared his bowling score to something that was, “…like the Special Olympics.” While he has since apologized publicly and to the Special Olympics, feelings have still been hurt. Mr. President, 129 is a fantastic score. You have ridiculed the athletic abilities of the disabled and while we accept your apology and forgive you, we hope that you will think a little more about your statements on national television.

In addition, President Obama spent the weekend pushing his $3.6 trillion budget proposal. Adding this to the TARP, The Stimulus, and the Omnibus he is increasing our Federal debt to unthinkable heights and threatening to increase taxes. We are being saddled with a debt that we will never be able to pay off. To make matters worse, when taxes are raised on productivity the costs are only going to be passed on the consumers. This hits the disabled really hard and increases our financial burdens since the basic necessities are going to get more expensive. Shame on your Mr. President! These are tough times for all Americans and especially the disabled. It’s time to end taxes on productivity and really stimulate the economy by enacting the FairTax!

Last but certainly not least, President Obama threatened to cut benefits to our Veterans. After heat from the American Legion and other advocates for Veterans, the Obama administration backed off. While there are many things the Federal Government should cut, no expense should be spared for our Vets. They have sacrificed much in serving our nation and fighting to protect our freedoms. They are our heroes and deserve our gratitude and thanks. The last thing they should have to deal with is loss of their benefits. In fact it is about time we pass a Veterans Bill of Rights on their behalf.

There are many problems and issues we face in our Nation today. We hope our President will hone in on his game so that, instead of a gutter ball, he will throw a strike and move our nation forward in a positive manner.

MISSION STATEMENT: The Can-Do Conservatives of America is a new political organization founded by Brian Donegan, a legally blind citizen of Lawrenceville, GA. The goal of the Can-Do Conservatives is to make sure the voices of the disabled are heard. They are advocates for freedom and economic liberty, The FairTax, a veterans bill of rights, affordable preventative health care, and the sanctity and value of human life from conception until death. Please visit our website

http://candoconservatives.com

(NOTE – This is my open letter to the GOP.  It was originally published last week.  After writing it I got the idea for founding the Can-Do Conservatives of America – that I talked about in the previous post…thanks to those who were nice enough to reply to that – I have since added to it and wanted to share it with y’all)

I wanted to write about something that is coming to the forefront of my mind more and more that I think about it. As you may or may not know, I am disabled. I’m legally blind and I am “blessed” with other handicaps as well. It has been very clear to me for many years that the “Champion” of the disabled are the Democrats. However I feel that the only reason is to use us as political pawns to advance their socialistic goals.

I’M SICK OF THIS!!!

If they think I am going to fall into line because of the vote-buying programs they are setting up by playing “Robin Hood” they have something coming. As Governor Huckabee said at the RNC Convention last year and again at CPAC, “I’m not a Republican because I grew up rich. I’m a Republican because I grew up poor and was tired of waiting for the government to help me out!”

There are many groups that Republicans are trying to reach out to (and rightly so – I don’t contest that). What about the disabled? I’ve never heard anyone mention this at all. I see a brighter future for me and for others with conservatism. Many of us are at the bottom rung of the ladder. We are nearly stuck. If we keep moving farther and farther towards socialism we will be stuck with no hope of making our lives better through hard work. I am on SSI disability but I don’t want to. However if I do go out and get a job I’ll lose my health-care which I desperately need. My only alternative is to go back to school and accept more Government aide that is robbed from hard-working people who have no say where that money goes. It could be going down a rat hole for they know. It’s a catch 22 and I am sick of it! It makes me want to cry..and yes, sometimes I do but I keep hope alive. I’m a fighter. I will continue to carry on!  Yes, I have made some mistakes in my life and I take responsibility for them.  My plight is partly my fault and I must take responsibility for it as well.

I see many groups of Conservatives/Republicans but I see little-to-no reaching out to the disabled. I think it is time to change the story! Of course, we are not going to get anywhere if I just tell you what is wrong and don’t offer any solutions. I have a few suggestions.

Within my community (which to be fair is the visually handicapped) we see the Democrats as our champion. It has to do with perception. Most of us are on the lowest rungs of the economic ladder and the overall perception of the Democratic party is that they care more about the little guy than the Republicans do. Perception unfortunately becomes reality. While not a whole lot more, the Democrats reach out more to the disabled in their message. Remember the John Edwards ad about health-care and the disabled person’s story he chronicled in a campaign ad during the last cycle?

However all is not lost. We did have Governor Palin in the last cycle as well. She spoke up for the needs of children with special needs. I spend a decent amount of time volunteering for a school that serves them but I found it unfortunate that she did not go all the way with that. Why just shine the light on them? Why not a more broad based outreach?  We’re on the right track.  Let’s finish the job!

I see Governor Huckabee as my “Champion”. Here is a man who did not grow up with “silk stockings and silver spoons.” He knows what it means to struggle. His compassion towards all people was sincere and heart-felt (and continues to be. I should know. I’ve met him in person). Yet his conservative convictions and principles stay true.

So how should the Republicans reach out to those that are disabled?

1. Make sure campaign websites and materials are adaptive. Make sure the websites are able to be read by screen-readers and the text large-enough for the low-sighted to read. Campaign messages on Youtube could be closed-captioned for the hearing impaired. For example my best friend is totally blind and also supported Governor Huckabee’s presidential campaign. However Mike’s site could not be accessed by the standard of screen-readers for the blind, JAWS. Whenever he wanted to access the site to make a donation I had to do it for him.

2. Don’t forget the disabled veterans. Mike didn’t. Push for the Veterans Bill of Rights. I’m surprised that McCain, of all people, did not even come up with a similar plan. Mike was the lone conservative voice for our Veterans’ interests. They are true heroes. We owe them a lot for fighting for and protecting our freedoms.

3. Also there are other issues that need to be stressed. The FairTax and how the plan will allow us more freedom to make our lives better and advance up the ladder, if we work hard. Also health-care and education reform must be issues of importance because accomplishing them,, through conservative means (pro-active health care and school choice) will improve our overall quality of life.

4. Republicans must go and speak to groups within our community, representing the Blind, deaf, and others.

5. For major state-wide and nation-wide elections coalitions are often formed. I saw coalitions for every interest group under the sun but I have yet to see one on the Republican side for the disabled.

Of course this isn’t a one-way street. This is going to take people, like me, speaking up for my community. That is why I have established the “Can-Do Conservatives of America. I have started with a Facebook group and a group on Rebuild The Party. My eventual goals for the organization are to have an active and full-featured website, state chapters in every state, having an annual convention, and being considered a major Conservative/Republican organization (like the Young Republicans, Federation of Republican Women, National Right To Life, and the Christian Coalition (among others).

Thanks for your response so far and thanks for your support!

My name is Brian Donegan.  I am a 26-year old Conservative from Lawrenceville, GA.  I am very new to grassroots activism but I have always been interested in politics.  I decided to get off the sidelines and was an active volunteer for Mike Huckabee’s presidential campaign.  I have been legally blind since birth and have been “blessed” with other handicaps.

As I was watching the “Reboot” of the Republican party over the past several months I read and heard a lot about reaching out to certain groups.  While I think it is definitely something we must do there was one group of people not even discussed, the handicapped.  That is why I decided to establish the “Can-Do Conservatives of America.”  Our principles are as follows:

We are looking for a hand up, not a hand out. We are in favor of liberty and freedom to pursue the American dream like anyone else.

We resolve that we cannot have the freedom to pursue the “American Dream” under socialism.

We are in favor of less but competent government that allows us to retain our dignity while getting the help and assistance we need.

We are in favor of an economic system that allows us the freedom to move up the economic ladder through hard work and determination, most especially getting the FairTax enacted.

We are in favor of reforming Health Care by focusing on preventative care that will lower the cost and burden on the individual.

We are in favor of passing a Veteran’s bill of rights. they are our heroes and deserve all the thanks and help we can give them after serving and fighting to protect our freedom.

We are in favor of reforming education to allow the freedom to choose how our children our educated to increase competition in order to improve the system so everyone wins.

If you are a “Can-Do Conservative” like I am, or support our movement, please join our Facebook group and our group on Rebuild The Party.  It is my hope that in the coming weeks, months, and years that the “Can-Do Conservatives of America” will grow to having an active website and a chapter in each state of the country. In time we aim to join the ranks of the Christian Coalition, The Young Republicans, the College Republicans, and the Federation of Republican Women as a major conservative group.

Thanks & God bless!

Brian Donegan

-Founder, Can-Do Conservatives of America