Well it’s going to cost us all just like it did for the Dell deal but maybe this time they have at least decided to pick an industry with some legs under it. For those that don’t remember Dell was in the middle of off-shoring it’s operations when it opened the Winston-Salem plant in which millions of both reported and unreported incentives were provided. This time I think we are looking at a company with a long history and solid finances so maybe this one sticks around.

With upwards of $23.5 million in direct local incentives and $50 million in state incentives Caterpillar may employ upwards of 500 people. but are those jobs worth nearly $100 million? Time will tell considering we still don’t know what all our “leaders” have promised other than tax breaks.

By J.R. Dunn

The very belated legacy media reports on the Black Panther intimidation story have overlooked one critical aspect. Concentration on the antics of the two Black Panthers at the polling station — whom careful examination shows to be officers of the New Black Panther army’s specialized “Midnight Slob” unit — has led to a failure to address the Justice Department’s response. Namely, the contention by former DoJ attorney J. Christian Adams that he was ordered “not to bring any other cases against blacks and other minorities.”

Recently the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) passed a resolution condemning racism in the Tea Party movement. It was at once ironic and idiotic when you considered the history and behavior documented for both groups. Any group that holds a demonstration generally leaves behind a mess and very often property damage and personal injuries. The history and video record of Tea Party demonstrations is that their sites are usually cleaner and left in pristine shape. More to the point, they have never required any attention from law enforcement except to enforce standard crowd control. The only message they have ever made central to their protest is too much taxing, too much spending, too much government, and too much infringement on the freedom of citizens.

There have always been a number of videos on the air and on the web, which feature members of the Tea Party movement juxtaposed by a preponderance of Black politicians, office holders, religious leaders, fringe and main stream racially centric groups. The Tea party message is unrelenting and unless the video is doctored there are members of every racial group participating in their protest. On the other side are fire and brimstone protestations of racism, maltreatment, and other allegations which have very few things in common with reality.  Since the election of the Post Racial President Barack Obama the racial atmosphere in the country has become absolutely toxic and there are many who fear that a race war is just on the horizon. It seems almost idiotic when you consider that the racial problems in fly over country versus those in Washington DC demonstrate more clearly than ever that there are more racists per capita in Washington than in any average city in the US. That does not include New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Detroit, and the like. Read the rest of this entry �

Nathan Jones, founder of the Winston-Salem Tea Party announced his candidacy for the NC Senate seat currently help by Linda Garrou.  Nathan has been active politically for the last several years and was struck by what he saw as a need for the people to be represented fairly, honestly, and with a vision toward developing a better future. He is a graduate of Wake Forest University for both his Bachelors degree and his MBA. As the President and small Business owner of a local company, Nathan has direct experience at not just managing finances, but he has direct experience in guiding a business in tough times with a view toward overcoming problems proactively.

Ms. Garrou has held the current seat in District 32 for the last 12 years and is seen as one of the major architects of the fiscal problems that plague North Carolina. Over the last ten years increases in spending have been four times greater than increases in population. This shows the clear willingness to spend without regard for fiscal responsibility. As a result taxes on every front across the state have been increased.  In the current session North Carolina was able to close much of their budget deficits only because of billions of dollars that were provided by the Federal government as part of their ill conceived stimulus package. Those funds however, will not be forthcoming next year and North Carolinians will be put in a difficult position as the State Legislature is forced to cut benefits and services to close a multi billion dollar budget gap. Once a resort state that provided a haven for businesses and tourists alike, North Carolina now has one of the highest sales taxes, unfriendly business taxes, and is losing people to neighboring states which have a much more friendly environment.

Nathan enters the race committed to bringing down the rate of unemployment in North Carolina and avoiding any repetition of the mistakes that have led to the current state of affairs. He wants to make sure that the state fosters an environment which attracts investment and promote job growth. Nathan has been clear that his goals if elected are to work diligently to reduce wasteful government spending. He is committed to reducing taxes so that business and industry will once again see North Carolina as a good place to locate their businesses. It is also important that government be limited to its constitutional size and responsibilities to ensure long term economic growth. As a member of the state Senate Nathan Jones will make the people of North Carolina and the proper conduct of their business and representation the business of his Senatorial Office.

Starting their plan for monthly meetings as the country moves toward the midterm elections, the Winston-Salem Chapter of the NC Tea Party met at Starbuck’s near Stanleyville to determine their strength and levels of enthusiasm.  The venue selected was expected to accommodate the intimate gathering that organizers expected, but attendance quickly forced the meeting to occupy two rooms in order to avoid fire code violations for occupancy. While about 15 were expected to turn out for this first meeting, it quickly grew to exceed 40, surprising organizers and attendees alike.

The meeting was hosted by Nathan Jones, a candidate for the State Senate in District 32, and was addressed by Joyce Krawiec, the NC Grass Roots Coordinator for Freedom Works.  Nathan, who is the founder of this chapter of the NC Tea Party has made his commitment to the people to run for the State Senate and stand up for the people and his conservative values. Nathan has been a tireless advocate for Constitutional rights and for the rights of the people to be protected from government overreach and abuse. Joyce Krawiec is a lecturer and activist associated with the Freedom Works foundation. Founded in 1984, FreedomWorks is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has hundreds of thousands of grassroots volunteers nationwide. The organization is chaired by former U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Armey.

Joyce spoke passionately on the need for citizens to become involved in the processes that supported elections and to stay in touch with their elected representatives after the fact to be sure that they were kept aware of the peoples voice from day to day. Her own visible passion and interest raised the same passions in her audience who were clearly energized and excited about the prospects of working toward initiating substantial change with the mid term election.

It is clear to all who attended this meeting and to many who will come to future meetings and make their voices heard, that the country needs its citizens to step up and save her from the governance under which she literally suffers now. America is indeed in trouble, and only the citizens who are the life blood of our great nation are empowered with the ability to make the changes necessary. The NC Tea Party shares the same values that Tea Parties across the country do. We join hands in the spiritual sense to put our arms around the country we love and bring her prosperity and promise back for generations yet to come.