Thank you for your help!

Yesterday I sent out an email with an urgent request to help Christian Coalition deliver voter guides to churches in Seminole County. These guides were delivered to my office on Friday for the primary vote on Tuesday.

Well, you guys responded and Citizen2Citizen delivered more than 30,000 voter guides to 75 churches, in the Sanford, Lake Mary, Longwood, Altamonte Springs, Winter Springs, Oviedo, Casselberry and Goldenrod areas. Not bad for a project that lasted less than 24 hours total.

Your response and volunteerism truly benefits the faith community. Thank you so much for your help! We recieved many expressions of gratitude from the pastors of these churches who anticipate these guides.

I will be sending out some alerts in preparation for the November voter guides. I hope we will have a bit more notice then. In the mean time, please hear my gratitude for your involvement today.

Thank you,

Jesse Phillips
Citizen2Citizen

Who are you voting for August 24th?

As I mentioned in the previous email, primaries are just as important as the November election, and sometimes more difficult to navigate. Toward this end I am sending you some recommendations that I have made based on various conversations I’ve had with the candidates, political consultants, pastors and other leaders in the community.

Please do your own homework as well. I hope these recommendations are helpful to you in determining how you can cast a vote responsibly and help defend the freedoms we enjoy as American Citizens.

The PDF version of my picks can be downloaded here.

If you have any questions, please reply to this email or jump over to my Facebook page and interact with others there.

Also, early voting starts THIS MONDAY. You can find information on early voting times and locations on the Facebook page linked to above.

Thank you,

Jesse Phillips
Citizen2Citizen

Happy Independence Day!

234 years ago today the greatest nation on earth was born. The founders of our country declared their Independence from the most powerful nation on earth at the time, and embarked on an American experiment that not only secured their freedom and ours, but has since provided liberty and justice for millions throughout the world.

Although we have in many respects lost our way due to the forces of liberalism that attempt to revise our heritage and threaten our liberty, every 4th of July is an opporunity to thank God that we still live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Please enjoy your freedom today and give thanks for our nation’s founding, our Constitution, and those certain brave men in government at home and military abroad that are working to maintain that freedom for us all.

What’s up with Citizen2Citizen?

Before you go, I just wanted to let you know that there are some great things being planned for Citizen2Citizen. Personally, I’m working with the Yes on 9 Campaign (Florida Healthcare Freedom Act). We’ll be establishing county leadership throughout the state soon. We’re also planning something big for C2C this fall. I’ll send you the inside scoop on that soon.

Stay vigilant,
Jesse Phillips
Citizen2Citizen, Founder

AG McCollum Defends Floridians’ Right to Preserve Healthcare Freedom in Florida Constitution

(Orlando, FL – June 29, 2010)—The YES ON 9 Campaign applauded Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum today for his decision to defend the Amendment against a lawsuit that attempts to block it from the November ballot. Amendment 9 seeks to protect Floridians’ right to choose their own healthcare by placing that right in the state’s Constitution.

“Florida’s Constitution is a sacred document that outlines the liberties, freedoms, and fundamental rights of Floridians,” said Rep. Scott Plakon (R-Longwood.) “By defending the right of voters to place healthcare freedom in the Constitution, Attorney General McCollum is upholding a right that Floridians and people across the nation continue to demand in the face of big-government mandates.”

Amendment 9, which has already been vetted by the Florida House and Senate and approved for the ballot according to Article XI and statutory procedure, unequivocally states that no government can mandate a Floridian’s participation in a government healthcare scheme against his or her will. Under the leadership of Sen. Carey Baker (R-Eustis) and Rep. Plakon, the Florida Legislature approved the amendment and it now has over 4,000 citizen co-sponsors.

“Amendment 9 has already won broad-based support across Florida, reflecting the people’s deep distrust of the federal government’s healthcare plan,” said Sen. Baker. “Small businesses, grassroots volunteers, medical professionals, and everyday Floridians continue to express their support for healthcare freedom, and we are grateful for Attorney General McCollum’s efforts to ensure that they will have the opportunity to preserve this fundamental right in our Constitution.”

Attorney Mark Herron and Democrat operatives with ties to Organizing for America, MoveOn.org, and other liberal special interest groups filed the lawsuit in Friday. Visit the YES ON 9 Campaign at www.FLHealthcareFreedom.org for additional information.

###

Protect our health care freedom

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2010

Contact: Erin VanSickle
erin@flhealthcarefreedom.com

(Orlando, FL – June 18, 2010) The YES ON 9 Campaign announced today that it is launching a statewide campaign to educate voters on and promote passage of Amendment 9, the Healthcare Freedom Act. The amendment, sponsored by Senator Carey Baker (R-Eustis) and Representative Scott Plakon (R-Longwood) will appear on the November ballot and seeks to protect Floridians’ right to choose their own healthcare instead of being forced into a government mandate.

“Amendment 9 will protect Floridians from a Massachusetts-style design that forces them to participate in a healthcare plan under the threat of penalties and heavy fines,” said Senator Baker. “Our goal is to educate voters about what could happen to them without the protections that Amendment 9 would put in place.”

Amendment 9, which will appear on the November 2010 ballot, unequivocally states that no government can mandate a Floridian’s participation in a government healthcare scheme against his or her will. Under the leadership of Sen. Baker and Rep. Plakon, the Florida Legislature approved the amendment and over 4,000 citizens have signed on as co-sponsors. The Yes On 9 website, FLHealthcareFreedom.com, will serve as a web portal to keep voters informed and engaged, as well as providing up-to-the-minute information on town hall events and activities across the state.

“We agree with the need for meaningful health care reform, but not on the backs of Florida taxpayers, and not at the expense of one of our most fundamental liberties,” concluded Representative Plakon. “The people of Florida deserve the right to decide the amount and kind of health care they want. YES ON 9 will ensure that this right is protected and that bureaucrats won’t come between patients and their doctors.” Visit www.FLHealthcareFreedom.com.

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Getting ready for August 24

The choice in November is going to be clear. If I lived in District 8 I would examine the Grayson versus Non-Grayson portion of the ballot for about a millisecond before voting for the Candidate-Not-Known-As-Grayson with every fiber of my being. I’ve considered moving to the district just for that vote, but alas, my own district has one Suzanne Kosmas to deal with.

While the decision in November is easy, the decision in August is more difficult. The Republican primary is chock full of quality individuals, many of whom I have met and all of whom I respect. As one who was home schooled and is actively involved in the Tea Party, I deeply respect Patricia Sullivan. I was one of the first people to order Todd Long’s book “The Conservative Comeback” and was inspired by his passion for our founding principals. I have always respected Daniel Webster, and wish that he would have run for governor. In all of these cases, I wholeheartedly believe that anybody who wins the nomination and potentially defeats Grayson would bring some substantial change to our government.

I am, however, choosing to join a growing faith-based coalition supporting Bruce O’Donoghue to contest Alan Grayson in November. I’ve been impressed with with the no-nonsense approach he has taken in his campaign. He is not afraid of speaking the truth, exposing lies in the media regarding the registered TEA Party. His boldness in challenging the ethically questionable tactics of Mr. Grayson show me he’s the person we should send to confront the destructive habits of career politicians. Bruce is a man we desperately need to break the paralysis that strangles Washington and threatens our Constitution and our republic.

As a pastor and concerned American, I’m very aware of the need for someone who recognizes the danger of dependence on government. Bruce’s experience in small business and compassionate outreach through initiatives like House of Hope prove to me that he has the mindset and character Washington so desperately needs.

I know I’ve alienated some of you by supporting Bruce. I respect your decision to support your candidate. I would, however, encourage you to take time to learn about Mr. O’Donoghue. Look at his business background and the positions he has served to protect small businesses, the backbone of the American economy. Look at his track-record of social conservativism through the House of Hope, Vision Orlando, YMCA, FCA and more. If you do, I think you’ll find a man that demonstrates the character our Founders knew to be so vital to holding public office.

NOTE – Neither Citizen2Citizen nor my church have any interest in endorsing candidates. I am not speaking on behalf of any organization. My support is simply a function of my American citizenship.

On Crist's Desk

An Urgent Message From John Stemberger:

June 7, 2010

This is breaking news. Just moments ago, I learned that the legislature hand delivered to Gov. Crist’s desk the landmark piece of pro-life legislation that everyone has been talking about, HB 1143. The governor now has 15 days in which to sign it into law or veto it. The clock is ticking and we need to ask you to make an online gift now (www.FLfamily.org) because we have to complete our campaign to see this historic bill signed into law.

This bill HB 1143, bans federal and state taxpayer dollars from funding abortions in Florida and requires Ultrasound pictures and information be provided to women seeking abortions. The result can be saving thousands of babies once their mothers realize they are carrying a living, healthy baby.

We have been aggressively educating people all across the state and are pulling out all the stops using every resource we have to lobby for this bill. The ACLU, Planned Parenthood and the Abortion Industry are aggressively opposing this bill and pressuring Gov. Crist to veto it. This is the plan unfolding right now that we need help funding:

• Our Supporters Have Sent Over 4,950 E-mails and dialed thousands of phone calls to the Governor’s office.
• Tens of Thousands of Bulletin Inserts for churches are being printed and distributed.
• Press Conferences and Special Events are being planned to ask Gov. Crist to sign this important bill.
• Hundreds of Automated Calls are being transferred by Florida voters directly to the Governor’s office.
• We Have Sent more than 5,000 faxes into Churches around the state alerting them to this bill and to distribute flyers.
• I Have Been Quoted in Major News Articles about the bill in virtually every major newspaper in Florida.
• We Created a Facebook page which has more than 730 members. “Ask Gov Crist to sign HB 1143!”
• We are Leading a Coalition of other Pro-Life and Pro-Family Groups around the state and across the country to coordinate the activities promoting this bill.

Gov. Crist has indicated that he has “concerns” about the bill but he has said he is listening to the people and we need to keep the pressure up and show him that the people in Florida really do support this bill in overwhelming numbers.

Would you make your best gift and financial contribution today to help support our plan of getting this bill signed into law? Go to www.FLfamily.org to make a donation.

Our total expenses on this campaign which will culminate over the next two weeks will reach about $8,000.

• Would you be one of 2 major investors with a gift of $1,000 toward this effort?
• Would you be one of 4 people to partner with us by giving $500 to cover this need?
• Or would you be one of 20 people that can provide $100 to meet this expense?
• Maybe you can be one of 80 supporters to send a gift of $25 now to help us pay for this campaign?

Any amount will go toward furthering our efforts to promote the Ultrasound Bill HB 1143. Your support is so critical and we need to hear from you now. Thank you!

Sincerely,
John Stemberger
President and General Counsel

P.S.–I believe with all my heart this bill will save untold thousands of babies. Please send us your most generous donation because this issue will be decided in a matter of the next several days. Give online at www.FLfamily.org.

Additional Action and Information:

1) If you have not contacted the governor yet, please call his office at (850) 488-7146 or (850) 488-4441, e-mail him at Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com or to send a pre-written message visit our Citizen Action Center at www.FLfamily.org.

2) If you would like to download a bulletin insert to pass out at your church it is available on our website at www.FLfamily.org.

Vote Yes on 9!

I am happy to announce that the Florida Health Care Freedom Act, which recently passed the Florida legislature, will be placed on the November ballot as Amendment 9. If 60% of Floridians vote Yes on 9 in November, we will take a giant step toward protecting against the enforcement of Obamacare in Florida.

I’m also pleased to announce that Citizen2Citizen will be coordinating with Liberty 4 Florida to work toward getting this amendment passed. I am a county chairman for the statewide effort, and am calling on all of Citizen2Citizen to volunteer to help out with this endeavor.

Some of you have already volunteered. I will be in touch with you shortly. If you have not volunteered, pleased visit the Florida Freedom Project volunteer page. Our goal is to have 100 volunteers in Orange and Seminole counties. If you are in another county, please contact me and I will put you in touch with activities in your county.

If you are on Facebook, please join the Florida Freedom Project group and share it with all of your friends to help us spread the word and recruit volunteers.

Thank you,
Jesse Phillips
Citizen2Citizen, Founder

Speak for the unborn

According to PostOnPolitics.com, Governor Charlie Crist is “likely” to veto the ultrasound bill. If this is true, it would be a denial of his professed pro-life beliefs, and a setback to the rights of the unborn.

GET INVOLVED: Please join the grassroots effort to contact the Governor by joining the Facebook Group. Email your friends, contact Governor Crist, update your twitter and blogs and do whatever you can to spread the word of defense for the unborn who have no voice.

HOLLYWOOD — Gov. Charlie Crist appears likely to veto a bill requiring women to see ultrasounds before they can get abortions, state Sen. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood, said today.

Sobel said she had a brief conversation with Crist as he visited the Seminole reservation for a ceremonial signing of a $1 billion gaming compact.

“I think it looks positive for a veto, but it’s not over ’til he vetoes it,” Sobel said. “I actually went up and whispered in his ear….It means a lot to the women in this state.”

The ultrasound bill didn’t come up when Crist spoke briefly with reporters before leaving the event.

If you want to contact the governor and tell him to sign the bill, here’s how:

Phone: (850) 488-7146 or (850)-488-4441
Fax: (850) 487-0801
Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com

Governor Crist,

On behalf of the 150+ members of Citizen2Citizen (http://www.citizen2citizen.us), I am writing to express my desire that you would sign HB 1143, the Ultrasound Option and Prohibition on Taxpayers funding for Abortion Bill. I know that you are being asked by pro-abortion groups to not sign this bill. Please do not cater to their anger at the fact that the Florida legislature has taken this necessary step to keep Floridians from facing the moral dilemma of supporting a morally reprehensible act simply by paying taxes.

As a pastor, I also speak on behalf of hundreds of parishioners who are gravely concerned about protecting life, and who will be greatly disappointed if this important bill are not signed into law. Thank you for supporting this excellent piece of legislation.

–
JESSEPHILLIPS
Pastor, Programmer & Political Activist
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jessemphillips
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jessemphillips
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jessemphillips

If you want to contact the governor, here’s how:

Phone: (850) 488-7146 or (850)-488-4441
Fax: (850) 487-0801
Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com