Tracy Talk

Hi, I’m John Tracy.  I am a Christian conservative, a small business owner, and a community servant.  I have spent my life pouring myself into families while on staff at two local churches and three summer camps.  I’ve had the opportunity to mentor and counsel hundreds of young people and parents.  I was a classroom teacher on the elementary, middle, and high school levels and I know the joys and the frustrations of our teachers in Pasco.  In fact, both of my parents were teachers and I consider excellent teachers to be among our nations heroes!  Currently I do a lot of private music teaching at a Fine Arts Academy where I am also the director.  It is my privilege to serve as the president of the Faith and Family Values Republican Club of Pasco County and I am on the campaign team, as the Pasco church outreach leader, for my friend, Marco Rubio, in his US Senate campaign.

I believe in school safety, student equality, fiscal responsibility, and family values.  I’m for smaller government, fewer taxes, and basic freedoms.

I’m only one voice, just like you.  I don’t have all the answers, and I can’t fix all the problems by myself.  But I promise that I will work hard to do my part, I will listen to the students and parents, I will be a team player with my fellow board members, and I will be a voice for conservative families.  Join me, and together we can make a difference.

I invite you to get to know me by visiting http://www.JohnTracyForSchoolBoard.com.  I would also appreciate your help in spreading the word.  The biggest thing that I need right now is simply to make contact with as many residents of Pasco County as possible in order to spread our conservative message to likeminded friends.  If you find that our values are closely aligned, would you please forward this email to all of your Pasco friends and family.  Thank you!

The First Amendment of the Constitution says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . .” The two parts of that statement, formally known as the “establishment clause” and the “free exercise clause”, provide the foundation for the Supreme Court’s interpretations of the “separation of church and state” doctrine.  The First Amendment, as it reads, is in line with the teaching of Scripture.  God has ordained the government of the church as well as civil government.  Each has a distinct sphere of operation.  The purpose of civil government is stated in Romans 13:1-7.  The purpose of the church is declared in Matthew 28:19-20.  As stated in the First Amendment, I do not believe that the government should control the church.  Neither do I believe that the church should be in power over the affairs of civil government.

Unfortunately, the First Amendment is often interpreted in a way that attempts to drive religious principles and morals out of government and even to limit the role of religious individuals, particularly pastors, from being involved in civil government and community service.  I believe that every individual American has a responsibility to seek to have as great of an influence in society as possible for the good of the nation.  A church employee (i.e. a pastor, priest, rabbi, mullah, etc.) should be no less engaged in current affairs and community service individually than a person representing any other profession.  What should not take place is for a particular church or denomination to be placed in a position of power in government.  In other words, I do not believe in a theocracy, where a particular religion is required for all citizens.  That is an entirely different matter from that of an individual Christian (regardless of profession) who serves in a political office, and is the exact concern of the First Amendment.

I believe in religious freedom.  Religious belief is a personal matter of the heart.  What you and I believe will certainly influence our decisions, or morals, our judgment, and our behavior, all of which will bear specific consequences.  You cannot separate one’s beliefs (religious or other) from their actions.  The one will inevitably influence the other.  It is for this reason that I believe that people with character and Christian beliefs and values are exactly the kind of people that are needed to lead our nation.  They are the ones who founded our nation.  Almost half of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, as well as most every Founding Father graduated from orthodox Christian teaching seminaries and were pastors, church elders, and church officers.  Here is a sample:

Samuel Adams: Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Father of the Revolution, Attended Harvard (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

John Hancock: First signer of the Declaration of Independence, Acting President of the United Sates, Started the “Minutemen,” commissioned George Washington as the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, Governor of Massachusetts, Attended Harvard (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

John Quincy Adams: Sixth President of the United States, Vice-President of the American Bible Society, Vice-President of the Massachusetts Bible Society, Attended Harvard (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

Robert Treat Paine: Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Military Chaplain, Helped write the Massachusetts Constitution, Attended Harvard (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

Rufus King: Signer of the Constitution, Selected as manager of the American Bible Society, Signer of the Constitution, Ratifier of the Bill of Rights, Attended Harvard (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

Bushrod Washington: U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Vice-President of the American Bible Society, Vice-President of the American Sunday School Union, Attended William and Mary (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

John Lowell: Revolutionary Officer, Member of the Continental Congress, Member of the Society for the propagating of the Gospel among the Indians and others, Authored Article I in the Massachusetts Constitution of 1779 and insisted that it be adopted into the Bill of Rights—“All men are born free and equal, and have certain natural, essential and inalienable rights, among which may be reckoned the right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties…”, Attended Harvard (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

Jonathan Trumbull: Governor of Connecticut, Ordained Pastor, Attended Harvard (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

Timothy Pickering: Revolutionary General, Secretary of State, His ideas formed the Northwest Ordinance, Attended Harvard (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

William Samuel Johnson: Signer of the Constitution, Attended Yale (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

Zephaniah Swift: Author of America’s first legal text, Attended Yale (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

James Bowdoin: Governor of Massachusetts, Member of the Society for Propagating the Gospel Among the Indians and Others, Attended Harvard (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

James Kent: Father of American Jurisprudence, Attended Yale (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

Joel Barlow: Diplomat under Washington and Adams, Chaplain in the American Revolution for three years, Did not become liberal until 1794, Attended Yale (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

John Cotton Smith: Governor of Connecticut, U.S. Congressman, Puritan Minister, President of the Litchfield County Foreign Missionary Society, First President of the Connecticut Bible Society, President of the American Bible Society, President of the American Board of Foreign Missions, Attended Yale (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

John Treadwell: Governor of Connecticut, Member of Continental Congress, Member of the Missionary Society of Connecticut, Attended Yale (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

These men, and others, are the same ones who declared that all Americans are free to practice religion in whatever way that we deem best.  Our country was founded by religious men, but they recognized that government cannot require religion or disallow it, it can only protect religious freedom.  Who better to do that, than those who are religious?

In Romans 13:1-3 the Bible also uses similar terms to make it clear that a Christian individual seeking to be an influence in politics is not the same as a denomination or group of churches running the government.  Thus, I do believe in the separation of church and state as originally presented in the First Amendment of the Constitution.  I do not believe that statement to in any way be in conflict with my personal desire to serve my community and country in the realm of politics.  My beliefs and values certainly shape the decisions that I make, and have led me to my current role of a minister.  Those values and beliefs have also driven me to step out and lead in the arena of politics.  Again, I believe strongly that religious people with character and integrity should not be excluded from political leadership, but I do not believe that religion should be regulated by the government whether it is done so in a positive sense by requiring a particular system of belief, or done in a negative sense by denying religious freedoms.  Both are an infringement upon Constitutional rights.  I will not seek to use any political platform to regulate religious belief and practice.  At the same time, I will stand up for religious freedom and the individual’s right to make whatever religious choice that he deems best, so long as it does not hinder another’s equal rights and freedoms.

I believe that providing a quality education to the next generation of Americans must be at the very top of the priority list for all of us.  A quality education will not be realized apart from excellent, dedicated teachers.  Having taught on the Elementary, Middle School, and High School levels, I know the challenges that a school teacher faces.  Teachers are far too often underpaid, overworked, and unthanked.  Now, you would never hear that from most of them.  They are servants who are more concerned with their calling to train young people than they are with making money and receiving praise.  That is why they are a teacher in the first place.  They teach because they care more about others than they do themselves.

I believe that teachers are heroes.  I can think of many special teachers from my past that helped to shape and mold me into the person I am today.  We should do whatever we can to ensure that our teachers are paid respectable wages and are given the resources that they need to provide the best possible education for our children.

I was very disheartened to hear that Florida, once again, fell behind the majority of the states in average teacher salaries.  The latest Rankings and Estimates report from the National Education Association ranks Florida at number 35 compared to all 50 states.  The average teaching salary is $46,921.

I believe that the laborer is worthy of fair and just compensation.  I believe that an honest day’s work deserves and honest day’s pay.  What is a fair and just wage for a Florida teacher?  There are many factors that would play into answering that question, but for starters, it would seem obvious that we should not be well below the national average.

A good teacher works tirelessly, often coming in early and staying long after the school day is finished.  A teacher’s job far surpasses the time spent in the front of the classroom.  Grading papers, tutoring students, meeting with parents, coaching a team, helping with debate, rehearsing with a music ensemble, practicing for the school play, lesson planning, etc. all has to find a place in the day whether it is compensated or not.  In many ways a teacher’s job never ends.

It is a tough, exhausting, albeit very rewarding job.  There are few things as fulfilling as pouring oneself into a young life and knowing that your influence will have a lasting impact on the future of the student.

Florida should not be ranked among the states that pay teachers the least.  Our goal should be to rank near the top.  We want quality teachers to come to Florida, not leave because they cannot make a living.

I am proud to support a fellow conservative for U.S. Senate, former Speaker of the House, Mr. Marco Rubio.  His values closely align with my own.  I have enjoyed getting to know him over the last year, and having several opportunities to work along side of him.  If you believe in conservative family values, and you want your country back from the liberals, vote for Marco Rubio in 2010!  You can learn more about him at:  http://www.MarcoRubio.com.

St. Petersburg Times:
-Click the links below to read the full articles.

September 30:

Pastor announces bid for Pasco School Board

John Tracy, president of the Faith and Family Values Republican Club of Pasco County, announced on his blog late Tuesday that he will seek to replace Kathryn Starkey on the…

St. Petersburg Times:

October 1:

Republican Club president and pastor posts desire for Pasco school board seat…

LAND O’LAKES — The seat isn’t officially open for another three years.

But candidates for Pasco County School Board District 4 are popping up now, with incumbent Kathryn Starkey having announced her plan to resign next summer to…

America…The land of the free and the home of the brave.

In case you have not noticed, that is a statement, that, as modern day Americans, we cannot take for granted.  Nearly every freedom that we value as American citizens seems to be up for grabs.

Let us take a moment to ponder…What is Freedom?

Freedom is the most cherished of all American principles.

Freedom was the dream of our founding fathers as they birthed our nation.

Freedom is the prayer on all of our hearts when we think of our children’s future.

Freedom is the hope that gets us out of bed and sends us off to work every morning.

Freedom is the cause that countless American heroes have given their lives for.

Freedom is the unique, defining characteristic of America.  It is our freedom that is envied by the nations of the world.

Our freedom has overcome turmoil at home and abroad.  It has persevered through the darkest of days.

For you and me, and for any red-blooded American, freedom, quite simply, is who we are.

We are a free people!

Our freedom, though, is not the product of chance, but has been carefully crafted over hundreds of years.  You do realize that when our founding fathers first scrawled their declarations of freedom by dim candlelight, they were, in a very real way, committing treason.  But, loving liberty and freedom more than life, they took up pens; pens more powerful than any sword and called a fledgling nation to a revolution—not with a trumpet and bayonet, but with parchment and ink.  There have been hundreds of other freedom lovers who have followed in their footsteps over the years—brave men and women whose words, faith, and courage give us strength for today and inspiration for the future.  The key is that all of these patriots did not limit their convictions to words on a document; they lived every sentence that they wrote!  Their convictions were seen in the character of their lives.

Many have died at home and abroad to defend our freedoms.  Freedom has always come at a great price.  Ever since that first battle summons went out in Lexington, Massachusetts, Americans have always answered the call to defend freedom.  Even today, although their lives are interrupted, their families separated, their dreams put on hold, the brave members of our armed forces continue to display personal sacrifice for the greater good of our Nation.  For every Husband, Wife, Father, and Mother serving our Country on the other side of the world:  We love you and we are praying for your safe return.  Your courage keeps us strong.  For every son and daughter who has answered the call of our country, to take your place in the ranks of our military, may God protect you.  We could not be more proud of you.  You are our heroes.  You are the protectors of our freedom.

But, our freedoms are not defended solely by our nations military.  There has never been a time in American history when our freedoms were under greater attack within our own borders.

On January 6, 1941, America stood poised on the brink of another worldwide conflict.  In his State of the Union address before Congress, President Franklin D. Roosevelt identified four fundamental freedoms that are universal.  His message was, in essence, a prayer—that our children, our children’s children, and all future generations of Americans might live in freedom.  He said, “Freedom means the supremacy of human rights everywhere.  Our support goes to those who struggle to gain those rights and keep them.  This is not a vision of a distant millennium.  It is a world attainable in our own time and generation.  In the future, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential freedoms.”  He went on to say, that…

The first [freedom] is the freedom of speech and expression.

The second [freedom] is the freedom of every person to worship God in his own way.

The third [freedom] is the freedom from want.

The fourth [freedom] is the freedom from fear.

In light of Roosevelt’s definition of freedom, are we a free people today?

At the founding of this nation, our forefathers placed our destiny in the hands, heads, and hearts of the millions of free men and women who would follow after them; those free citizens who would be willing to do whatever it took to defend their freedom, and who would graciously recognize the good hand of God, governing in the affairs of men.

It is with great sadness and sobriety that I say, that is not the way of government today.  There are those in elected positions right now, ruling in the highest offices of our land, who would strip us of our core, foundational, God-given, freedoms.  We have people representing the American people in Congress who, in contrast to the efforts of the founding fathers, really do not care what you and I think.  They would script our destiny for us without even considering our input.

Just last month Representative Eric Massa of New York went on record saying,

“I will vote adamantly against the interests of my district if I actually think what I am doing is going to be helpful.  I will vote against their opinion if I actually believe it will help them.” (CLICK HERE for video of this statement)

Hold on Mr. Massa!  Before you applaud yourself for taking a stand, let me remind you that you are in office to represent the opinions and interests of those in your district.  If you are not going to do that, what are you doing in Washington?

Maybe you are thinking, “But, wait, John.  Should an elected official vote his conscience or the popular opinion?”  This question assumes that a person will arrive at a one-time moment when he is forced to face that proverbial fork in the road.  It rarely happens that way.  Here is how I see it:  if you are an honest person with integrity, and vote your conscience all along the way, and one day acquire a public office, then you will have been placed in that position to represent your values that the voters on the ground share.  Doing so will not be a big shock to those who have supported you up until that point.  If you one day wake up in office and only then decide to suddenly “vote your conscience,” and in doing so alienate the people that you represent, I would question how honest you have been with them all along the way.  Certainly you cannot please everyone, but if the majority of the people are concerned with your public policy decisions, you are most likely the wrong person to represent those people.

You see, as free citizens, our founding documents afford us the liberty to elect men and women from among us, to represent us, not to lord over us.  The more our elected officials make decisions without listening to the opinions of the people on the ground, the less free we really are.

What about the freedoms detailed by President Roosevelt?  How do we measure up in 21^st Century America?

Freedom of speech and expression?  UNDER ATTACK by the current Administration.

Freedom to worship God?  UNDER ATTACK as seen in numerous legislative rulings in recent months and years (see THIS VIDEO for a small sampling).

Freedom from want?  Freedom from fear?

All of these freedoms are literally slipping through our fingers.

Hear me well, if we will continue to be free men and women, the time to act is now!  The clock is ticking.  We are quickly running out of time.  I fear for the future of America.  What kind of nation will we pass to our children and to our grandchildren?  Will they know anything of a free America?

My friends, the days of standing on the side-lines of this battle are over!  All passivity must be cast aside.  The question is, “Do you love America?”  Do you want to remain free?  Do you want the next generation of Americans to live in freedom?

Then, you must act now!

What will you do to ensure that those freedoms are maintained, not only during your lifetime, but for generations to come?

I cannot do everything to turn things around, but I can do something; and so can you!  How that specifically plays out may look different for every one of us, but are you doing your part to defend our freedoms?

We must stand together in the face of those who would shred us of our freedoms.  We must stand up, speak out, push back, hold the line, and work hard for freedom.  It will require our time, our energy, and our money.  It may cost a dear price!

We must live moral, upright, responsible lives that are consistent with the beliefs and ideals that foster freedom.

We must never forget that the greatness of America is the direct result of Divine Providence, and we must pray earnestly for God to continue to bless America.

I say often, work like it’s all up to you, and pray like it’s all up to God!  That has always been the American way!

My prayer is that after reading this brief article, you will have a renewed conviction to advance the cause of freedom, deeply rooted in faith and dependence on God.  What will you do to make a difference?

Regardless of your political preferences, I urge you for moral reasons to email or call your US congressional representative and senators today (even if you have called or emailed before) to oppose the horrifically bad Health Care Bill that is before Congress.  The legislators are under extreme pressure to pass this bill; we need to exert extreme pressure for it not to be passed.

Click on THIS LINK (Fred Thompson Interview) and please listen to the 8 minute interview with someone who has carefully read this bill.  It will start automatically.  (See also a summary of some of the terrible points of this bill below.)

Contact both of your senators and your representative.  Ask them to read Page 425 of the proposed health care bill.

On Page 425 of this Health Care Bill, the Federal Government will require EVERYONE who is on Social Security (this will include all senior citizens and SSI people) to a MANDATORY counseling session every 5 years in which the counselor will explain to the person why and how to choose one of various ways to end his/her suffering (and his/her life).  Yes, they are going to push SUICIDE to cut Medicare spending! Health care will be denied based on age.  500 billion dollars will be cut from the senior citizen healthcare budget.  The only way for that to happen is to drastically cut health care.  The oldest and the sickest will be cut first.  Paying for your own care will not be an option.

I urge you to email or call your Congressmen in Washington today!!!    Tell them to read page 425 of this bill, if they don’t read anything else.  Surely, some of them have elderly parents who will be affected by this.  And, politicians themselves will be affected by this someday too.

Feel free to send this to everyone you know.  THIS LINK provides the contact information for every elected official in the United States.  It might help others make the necessary contacts regarding page 425 of the proposed health care bill.

The President is trying to rush this bill through Congress — before the American people (and maybe even before your political representatives) find out what is buried on page 425 and other pages of this lengthy Health Care Bill.

Little gems from the Health Care Bill:

. Page 16: States that if you have insurance at the time of the bill becoming law and change, you will be required to take a similar plan. If that is not available, you will be required to take the government option!
. Page 22: Mandates audits of all employers that self-insure!
. Page 29: Admission: your health care will be rationed!
. Page 30: A government committee will decide what treatments and benefits you get (and, unlike an insurer, there will be no appeals process)
. Page 42: The “Health Choices Commissioner” will decide health benefits for you. You will have no choice. None.
. Page 50: All non-US citizens, illegal or not, will be provided with free healthcare services.
. Page 58: Every person will be issued a National ID Healthcard.
. Page 59: The federal government will have direct, real-time access to all individual bank accounts for electronic funds transfer.
. Page 65: Taxpayers will subsidize all union retiree and community organizer health plans (example: SEIU, UAW and ACORN)
. Page 72: All private healthcare plans must conform to government rules to participate in a Healthcare Exchange.
. Page 84: All private healthcare plans must participate in the Healthcare Exchange (i.e., total government control of private plans)
. Page 91: Government mandates linguistic infrastructure for services; translation: illegal aliens
. Page 95: The Government will pay ACORN and Americorps to sign up individuals for Government-run Health Care plan.
. Page 102: Those eligible for Medicaid will be automatically enrolled: you have no choice in the matter.
. Page 124: No company can sue the government for price-fixing. No “judicial review” is permitted against the government monopoly. Put simply, private insurers will be crushed.
. Page 127: The AMA sold doctors out: the government will set wages.
. Page 145: An employer MUST auto-enroll employees into the government-run public plan. No alternatives.
. Page 126: Employers MUST pay healthcare bills for part-time employees AND their families.
. Page 149: Any employer with a payroll of $400K or more, who does not offer the public option, pays an 8% tax on payroll
. Page 150: Any employer with a payroll of $250K-400K or more, who does not offer the public option, pays a 2 to 6% tax on payroll
. Page 167: Any individual who doesn’t have acceptable healthcare (according to the government) will be taxed 2.5% of income.
. Page 170: Any NON-RESIDENT alien is exempt from individual taxes (Americans will pay for them).
. Page 195: Officers and employees of Government Healthcare Bureaucracy will have access to ALL American financial and personal records.
. Page 203: “The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax.” Yes, it really says that.
. Page 239: Bill will reduce physician services for Medicaid. Seniors and the poor most affected.”
. Page 241: Doctors: no matter what speciality you have, you’ll all be paid the same (thanks, AMA!)
. Page 253: Government sets value of doctors’ time, their professional judgment, etc.
. Page 265: Government mandates and controls productivity for private healthcare industries.
. Page 268: Government regulates rental and purchase of power-driven wheelchairs.
. Page 272: Cancer patients: welcome to the wonderful world of rationing!
. Page 280: Hospitals will be penalized for what the government deems preventable re-admissions.
. Page 298: Doctors: if you treat a patient during an initial admission that results in a readmission, you will be penalized by the government.
. Page 317: Doctors: you are now prohibited from owning and investing in healthcare companies!
. Page 318: Prohibition on hospital expansion. Hospitals cannot expand without government approval.
. Page 321: Hospital expansion hinges on “community” input: in other words, yet another payoff for ACORN.
. Page 335: Government mandates establishment of outcome-based measures: i.e., rationing.
. Page 341: Government has authority to disqualify Medicare Advantage Plans, HMOs, etc.
. Page 354: Government will restrict enrollment of SPECIAL NEEDS individuals.
. Page 379: More bureaucracy: Telehealth Advisory Committee (healthcare by phone).
. Page 425: More bureaucracy: Advance Care Planning Consult: Senior Citizens, assisted suicide, euthanasia?
. Page 425: Government will instruct and consult regarding living wills, durable powers of attorney, etc. Mandatory. Appears to lock in estate taxes ahead of time.
. Page 425: Government provides approved list of end-of-life resources, guiding you in death.
. Page 427: Government mandates program that orders end-of-life treatment; government dictates how your life ends.
. Page 429: Advance Care Planning Consult will be used to dictate treatment as patient’s health deteriorates. This can include an ORDER for end-of-life plans. An ORDER from the GOVERNMENT.
. Page 430: Government will decide what level of treatments you may have at end-of-life.
. Page 469: Community-based Home Medical Services: more payoffs for ACORN.
. Page 472: Payments to Community-based organizations: more payoffs for ACORN.
. Page 489: Government will cover marriage and family therapy. Government intervenes in your marriage.
. Page 494: Government will cover mental health services: defining, creating and rationing those services

CALL TODAY!

Thanks to Tony Masella of www.OurTownFla.com for the great video footage and pictures of our July 23, 2009 Faith and Family Values Republican Club Meeting with Marco Rubio.  He has posted video footage of the entire meeting on YouTube.com, including speeches by John Tracy and Marco Rubio, questions from the audience, and closing remarks by Carlos Saenz.  The footage is broken into seven parts:

PART ONE:

PART TWO:

PART THREE:

PART FOUR:

PART FIVE:

PART SIX:

PART SEVEN:

You can also view some great photos from the event on OurTownFLA.com by clicking HERE.

Thank you to Ronnie Blair for an excellent recap in the Tampa Tribune on our July 23, 2009 Faith and Family Values Republican Club meeting.  It was a great night, with the highlight being the speech from guest speaker, Marco Rubio, 2010 U.S. Senate Candidate.  We really appreciate the good press coverage from the Tribune and the support!

To read the article, entitled “Rubio champions family values,” CLICK HERE

Thanks to Jodie Tillman, staff writer for the St. Pete Times, for a great article on July 22, 2009, featuring me and the Faith and family Values Republican Club of Pasco County.  I really appreciate the support and exposure for the Faith and Family Club.

The article is entitled “Republican party endorses countywide faith and values club in Pasco.”

I love that title because it simply states the message that we are sending out from the Republican Party of Pasco County.   As I have said repeatedly to various members of the press in the last few weeks, the Republican Party is the party that will stand up for the issues that Christians care deeply about.  There are three groups of people that should always vote Republican:  Christians, Gun Owners, and Veterans.  You will not find a refuge in the Democratic Party if you represent any of those three.  Now, I know that as soon as I say that, many will immediately scoff and utter the names of some of the party’s embarrassing examples of failed leaders.  Further, I hear far too often, and even feel myself, the great disappointment with those in office who would call themselves Republicans, but not represent the historical party values.  As a result, there is a huge movement of people that would abandon the Republican Party and form a new independent group of voters who are true to their values and morals.  While I am very sympathetic to the frustrations with some of our elected officials, and can certainly relate to the motivations of these conservatives who are fed up with that see in Washington, let me say that desertion from the Republican Party is a grave mistake for Americans!  Like it or not, there is not a day in the foreseeable future that a third party will have a chance at winning a major election.  That is a fact.  We must unite and rally as conservatives under the umbrella of the party that has stood, historically, for conservative values and moral principles.  Splintering the conservative vote by dismissing the Republican Party will only hand over our country to the liberal left and contribute to our moral demise.  Granted, there are a lot of guys in office who have an “R” after their names, who need to be kicked out because they do not represent what we stand for, but do not cave in to them by handing over the party and losing your power as a voter by alienating yourself.  Now is the time for us to unite!  Now is the time for us to make a stand!  Now is the time for us to take back, not only the Republican Party, but also the United States of America!  We must take it back, as conservative people who hold to our Faith and Family Values, from those who would depart further from morality.  If we will not do it, who will?  This is the real issue in America that is at the root of all of the surface problems that we are facing.  Our government has no moral compass.  Together, we can change that.  Don’t leave us.  Like never before, JOIN US!

To read Jodie Tillman’s article in the St. Pete Times please click HERE.

Thanks to Tom Jackson for featuring me and the FFV Club in his Tampa Tribune column on Sunday, July 19, 2009:

“Faith warrior urges others off sidelines.”

CLICK HERE to read the full article.

The Faith and Family Values Republican Club of Pasco County is honored to host 2010 US Senate Candidate, Marco Rubio, at the July 23, 2009 monthly club meeting. The event will take place at 7:00pm at Word of Life Conference Center in Hudson, Florida. We would love to see a large crowd assembled to hear Mr. Rubio speak on issues related to our Faith and Family Values. He is a passionate speaker, a family man, and one who is committed to conservative values.

Will you join us on Thursday, July 23? Will you also help us get the word out by inviting your friends?

For more information, including directions to the event, please visit our website at www.PascoFFV.org.

You do not need to already be a member of the Faith and Family Values Club to attend. The general public is welcome. We hope to see you there!

Thank you!

Dear Friend,
I am very excited to announce the inaugural meeting of the Faith and Family Values Republican Club of Pasco County! This Thursday, May 28, 2009, will mark the day that “we the people” of Pasco join forces and pledge to stand up for our Faith and Family Values. The club will be a place for camaraderie, education, communication, and inspiration! Together we can stand against the attacks on our moral values and get actively involved in what is happening in our County.

Will you make this Thursday night’s meeting a priority? We want you there! Bring your voice and your opinions, but most of all bring your commitment to Faith and Family!

We are privileged to have, as our first keynote speaker, Mr. Randy Maggard, the current Chairman of the Republican Executive Committee (http://www.PascoGOP.org). Mr. Maggard is an outstanding leader in the county, a dedicated Christian, a family man, and has a long history of support for family values.

The club meeting will also feature an open forum discussion and specific ways that you can make a difference!

If Faith and Family are two words that you are passionate about, we want you at the inaugural meeting and we need you to join the club!

The meeting location is: Temple Baptist Church, 37253 Clinton Ave., Dade City, FL 33525.

For more information, please visit http://www.PascoFFV.org. I look forward to seeing you Thursday. Thank you.

For America,
John Tracy

__________________
John Tracy
Faith and Family Values
Republican Club of Pasco County

Web: www.PascoFFV.org
Email: FaithAndFamilyValues@PascoFFV.org
Phone: 813-310-5699
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President – John Tracy
Vice President – Carlos Saenz
Secretary – Jessica Larreau
Treasurer – Jonathan Barnes

Copyright 2009. Faith and Family Values Republican Club of Pasco County. Paid for by the Faith and Family Values Republican Club of Pasco County, not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee. Faith and Family Values Republican Club of Pasco County is an Officially Chartered Club by RPOF-The Republican Party of Florida. This e-mail may contain confidential or privileged information. If you think you have received this e-mail in error, please advise the sender by reply e-mail and then delete this e-mail immediately. Thank you.

Do you feel lost in the political haze of our day?  Do you wish there was a place to go where your voice would be heard, where your values would be appreciated, where you could make a difference in your community?  Are you tired of politicians in Washington, Tallahassee, and even in Pasco County who constantly attack the values and morals that are so vitally important to your family?  YOU ARE NOT ALONE.  There are many who feel as you do.  Let’s stand up for our values and principles in Pasco County!  Let’s take back our county, our state and our country and make a difference!  Let’s collectively demand that our voice is heard by those in office!  Will you join us?  It’s time to rally together to accomplish something great in Pasco County!  Our values and principles are worth protecting.  We need you in the Faith and Family Values Club!

For America,
John Tracy

For more information, CLICK HERE.
To view and JOIN our Faith and Family Facebook page, CLICK HERE.

Club Mission Statement:
Our mission is to promote and protect Judeo-Christian family values and principles by educating, assisting, and uniting the Republican Party of Pasco County to engage our community in the issues of the day.

Topics of Interest:
Religious Liberty
Sanctity of Life (Pro-Life)
Traditional Marriage and Family
Protecting the Innocence of Children
Separation of Church and State
Morality and Integrity in Political Leaders
Quality Education in Public Schools (including the faith and beliefs of our founding fathers)

Club Meetings:
Club meetings will feature member discussions on these and other related topics, guest speakers who passionately address them, and strategic planning to use our resources to influence Pasco County.  The club meeting will take place on the fourth Thursday of every month.

FIRST MEETING:  May 28, 2009, 7:00pm
LOCATION:  Temple Baptist Church, 37253 Clinton Ave., Dade City, FL 33525

Activities:
Club members will be encouraged to join together and volunteer time to support the efforts of various organizations that exist to help and promote our stated areas of interest (examples: Red Envelope Campaign, volunteer at Crisis Pregnancy Center, The Run For Innocence, write specific letters to elected officials, etc.).

Membership:
The Club recognizes the following two classes of membership:
Active – Any registered Republican voter, who resides within the boundaries of Pasco County.
Associate (non-voting) – Any other registered Republican voter who does not qualify for Active status.

Dues:
The Club will not start collecting dues until the June, 2009 meeting.  Prior to that anyone can attend for free.

The annual dues are $20 for an individual, Active or Associate Member, and $30 for a married couple, Active or Associate members, payable to the Treasurer upon becoming a member, and then yearly on or before January 31.

For more information contact us at:  FaithAndFamilyValues@gmail.com or 813-310-5699

John Tracy, President
Carlos Saenz, Vice President
Jessica Larreau, Secretary
Jonathon Barnes, Treasurer

A great interview with Marco Rubio on important current issues:

How many times did we hear President Obama make statements on the campaign trail that he would not take away the rights of gun owners and that he would be supportive of the 2nd Ammendment.  I’ll refresh your memory of a few times when he specifically said “I’m not going to take your guns away.”  He said it very clearly at rallies in Duryea, Pennsylvania and in Boise, Idaho, among others. He also told a news conference that “Lawful gun owners have nothing to fear…I think people can take me at my word.”

Well, we can now see how much his word is worth.  In direct contradiction to the President’s prior statements Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the president will seek to reinstate the ban on semi-automatic firearms.  This is only the beginning.  The Obama administration has made it clear that they do not support the Second Amendment at all.  Get ready for an all-out attack on our right to bear arms.

What can we do about it?  Let these elected officials know that you are not happy and you will not stand for this!  Remember, they all want to be re-elected.  Let them know how strongly you feel about gun rights and that you will not vote for someone who does not support the 2nd Ammendment. Remind them that when you take guns away from citizens who legally own them and responsibly use them, the only people left with the guns are the criminals.  Furthermore, statistics show that the areas of our country that have had gun rights taken away have proven to be the most crime infested parts of America.

This morning I called my Florida Senators and Congressmen as well as President Obama.  I would encourage you to do the same.  You can call the President at the following numbers: 202-456-1111 and 202-456-1414.  You can look up the contact information for your Senators HERE.  You can look up the contact information for your Congressmen HERE.

Again, express to them your complete disdain and ABSOLUTE REJECTION of all GUN BANS and challenge them to be willing to fight for and defend our Constitution and what it stands for.  Do this for America!

A traditional view of marriage must be upheld to ensure the strength and prosperity of future generations of Americans.  This is a key issue that must transcend party lines and be preserved by all freedom lovers of the United States.  Our true strength as a nation does not flow from our military might or our financial prosperity.  It flows from the core values upon which our nation was founded.  Our values underscore our beliefs about God, family, and country.  It is those values and beliefs that set us apart as unique in the eyes of the world and in turn make us a great nation under God.  The heart and life-blood of American society is the family unit.  There is no debating the fact that children raised in a traditional family with a mother and a father are far better off than those who are not.  A child needs the balance of male and female leadership and guidance.  He needs to learn about love, discipline, and faith from his parents.  Schools should complement what is being taught in the home, but the real educating about how to live and function as a responsible citizen should be provided by Mom and Dad.  The influence that parents have on their children cannot be overemphasized.  That is not to say that single parents cannot overcome their adverse circumstances and prove to do an exemplary job at raising their children.  However, they will most often be the first to tell you, that their situation is far less than ideal.    Statistics show that kids raised without a mother or a father and particularly when born out of wedlock, are likely to be pushed into a lifestyle of poverty and welfare.  They are more prone to drugs and crime.  They often drop out of school and acquire low-paying, dead-end jobs, if they get jobs at all.  Again, this is certainly not the story of every child raised outside of a traditional family environment, but unfortunately it does prove to be the norm more often than not.  Americans must understand that marriage is instituted by God in the Bible.  It is to be for one man and one woman for life.  Divorce, same-sex marriage, premarital sex, and unprepared/underage marriage breaks down the strength of our family structure.

What can be done?
1) A federal constitutional amendment is needed that defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman.  Same-sex marriages should not be recognized on the federal or the state level.

2) The Defense of Marriage Act was passed and became law on September 21, 1996.  It must be supported and upheld as law.  It declares that no state or political subdivision within the United States has to recognize persons of the same sex as married, even if their relationship is declared as a marriage in another state.  It also maintains that the Federal government is not permitted to consider same-sex relationships as marriages for any purpose, even if they are viewed as marriages in certain states.

3) All must commit to be part of the solution, not the problem.  Enter into “holy matrimony” only after giving careful thought and prayer to that monumental decision.  Take advantage of every resource available to prepare for marriage, such as pre-marital counseling, books, and seminars on marriage.  Train the next generation to have a reverent view of marriage and to commit to sexual abstinence in relationships until they are married.

Tonight, I’m writing to plead with you to rise up and speak out right now! As you know there is a stimulus bill being debated in Washington that, if passed, will forever change the course of our nation. It has absolutely horrendous implications for our country! To read the details for yourself, please visit this link:
CLICK HERE
Please call or email your Congressman or Senator immediately! We have all got to do our part to try and stop this before it is too late.

For contact information for your elected representative please visit the following link:  CLICK HERE

Thank you!

For America,
John Tracy

Please follow the link below to participate in an MSNBC survey about whether or not our nation’s motto, “In God We Trust” should be removed from United States currency.

Let your voice be heard and tell others to do the same!

Click Here:  MSNBC SURVEY

Please watch the video below and consider the following.  Whether you like him or not, you must admit that President Obama has risen to an incredible place of success and has literally made history.  I wonder if he has ever stopped to think that his mother gave him the first and best gift of all…the gift of life.  Nothing that he has accomplished in life would have been done if his mother had chosen abortion.  Barack’s life was not terminated before birth and as a result he now has the tremendous privilege of leading the greatest nation in the world as the first African American President.  Shouldn’t everyone have that chance?

The following is one of a series of four posts (4/4) that pre-date the November ‘08 elections.  They were originally published on a different site.  I’m re-posting them here on www.JohnTracy.me for sake of consolidation.

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Please watch the video below before reading my comments that follow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfF15cUc9AM

In case you have never heard of Bill Ayres, here is my brief description:
Bill Ayres is an unrepentant terrorist who was a member of the Weather Underground and bombed the Pentagon, the U.S. Capitol and a New York City police headquarters. After 9/11, he was quoted in the New York Times as saying “I don’t regret setting bombs … I feel we didn’t do enough.”

Ayers is currently a professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He and Obama live in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood and served together on the board of the Woods Fund, a Chicago-based charity that develops community groups to help the poor. Obama and Ayres made speeches together in 1997 and 2002. Obama spokes-person David Axelrod said that they were friends. Obama left the board in December 2002. Among the other interesting connections between the two is the fact that Ayers helped launch Obama’s political career by hosting a meet-the-candidate event at his home for Barack when he first ran for office in the mid-1990s.
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Now, consider this…
Should we have to question the American loyalty of the Commander and Chief of this Nation? Obama has a lifetime of “questionable (to say the least)” friends: Bill Ayers, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Tony Rezko, etc. I’m so tired of hearing of his connections with people and organizations that are anti-American. How many times have we heard stories about Obama refusing to wear a flag on his coat, refusing to pledge to the flag during the National Anthem, and along with his wife making terribly derogatory statements about the USA-the greatest nation in the world! Why is someone so anti-American even being considered? Could it be that, if America votes in Barack Obama as the next President, the population at large is just as anti-American as he?

Let me explain. Why do we love America? Is it only the greatness of our land that we love in terms of our economic dominance in recent decades, our military power, our natural resources, or maybe even the wit and wisdom of our founding fathers? Is Barack Obama opposed to that America? Maybe in part, but for the most part, no. He’s not opposed to the existence of America, nor having her be the most influential nation on the world scene. He’s opposed to the America that you and I, who are believers in Jesus Christ, know and love…the America that is based on principles and precepts in God’s holy Word.

Why are we great, people?  Here is the answer: because of the good hand of our good God! The only way we have any hope to continue to be great, is if we continue striving to be good! And, good is not possible apart from God.

Barack Obama is anti-American not just because of his association with terrorists and radicals and his blatant refusal at times to honor the very symbols of our freedom. He is anti-America, primarily because he is against our Christian morals. I don’t know his heart, nor his eternal standing before a holy God, but I do know that he denies the very clear teaching of Scripture on many issues.

Does one have to be a professed Christian to lead this nation?  No, that has never been the case, although it has certainly been ideal when it has happened in our history. On the other hand, should Christians look for a candidate that most closely aligns with their Christian world-view?  Absolutely!  If Obama has his way, he will take America farther from God with his policies than we have ever been in our history.  Trust me, Bill Ayers could be the least of our worries in the near future.

I shudder to think what all this could mean for the eternal-security of our nation (from God’s perspective).

I do know this, the Bible gives no indication at all that America will continue to be the favored nation until the end of time. There are several identifiable nations in the book of the Revelation, but Bible scholars agree, America is not found among them. What does the future hold for our great land?  Only God knows the full answer.  Regardless, you and I must be found faithful until He calls us home.  America has seen great times of revival in the past, and we need that today more than ever. It’s not too late! Centuries ago God said of His chosen people, Israel, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

It always been the case that God has blessed or punished a nation based on the heart condition of the Believers in that land. So, I admonish you as strongly as I can…CHRISTIANS, WORK (and vote) like it’s all up to you, and PRAY like it’s all up to God!  May God have mercy on our nation!  Revelation 22:20: “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

The following is one of a series of four posts (1/4) that pre-date the November ‘08 elections.  They were originally published on a different site.  I’m re-posting them here on www.JohnTracy.me for sake of consolidation.

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The following was written by a black concert pianist named Huntley Brown. There is a lot of stuff flying around about the election, but few better than this. I think it is great! This man understands that we are Christians first, Americans second. And, for those of you who care, I did verify with Snopes that it is legit: http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/huntleybrown.asp

Please take a minute to read it.

JT

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Dear Friends,
A few months ago I was asked for my perspective on Obama, I sent out an email with a few points. With the election just around the corner I decided to complete my perspective. Those of you on my e-list have seen some of this before but it’s worth repeating…

First I must say whoever wins the election will have my prayer support.  Obama needs to be commended for his accomplishments but I need to explain why I will not be voting for him.

Many of my friends process their identity through their blackness.  I process my identity through Christ.  Being a Christian (a Christ follower) means He leads I follow.  I can’t dictate the terms He does because He is the leader.

I can’t vote black because I am black; I have to vote Christian because that’s who I am.  Christian first, black second.  Neither should anyone from the other ethnic groups vote because of ethnicity.  200 years from now I won’t be asked if I was black or white.  I will be asked if I knew Jesus and accepted Him as Lord and Savior.

In an election there are many issues to consider but when a society gets abortion, same-sex marriage, embryonic stem-cell research, human cloning to name a few, wrong economic concerns will soon not matter.

We need to follow Martin Luther King’s words, don’t judge someone by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.  I don’t know Obama so all I can go off is his voting record.  His voting record earned him the title of the most liberal senator in the US Senate in 2007.

To beat Ted Kennedy and Hillary Clinton as the most liberal senator, takes some doing.  Obama accomplished this feat in 2 short years.  I wonder what would happen to America if he had four years to work with.

There is a reason Planned Parenthood gives him a 100% rating.  There is a reason the homosexual community supports him.  There is a reason Ahmadinejad, Chavez, Castro, Hamas etc. love him.  There is a reason he said he would nominate liberal judges to the Supreme Court.  There is a reason he voted against the infanticide bill.  There is a reason he voted No on the constitutional ban of same-sex marriage.  There is a reason he voted No on banning partial birth abortion.  There is a reason he voted No on confirming Justices Roberts and Alito.  These two judges are conservatives and they have since overturned partial birth abortion.  The same practice Obama wanted to continue.

Let’s take a look at the practice he wanted to continue

The 5 Step Partial Birth Abortion procedures:

A. Guided by ultrasound, the abortionist grabs the baby’s leg with forceps. (Remember this is a live baby)
B. The baby’s leg is pulled out into the birth canal.
C. The abortionist delivers the baby’s entire body, except for the head.
D. The abortionist jams scissors into the baby’s skull.  The scissors are then opened to enlarge the hole.
E. The scissors are removed and a suction catheter is inserted.  The child’s brains are sucked out, causing the skull to collapse.  The dead baby is then removed.

God help him.  There is a reason Obama opposed the parental notification law.

Think about this:  You can’t give a kid an aspirin without parental notification but that same kid can have an abortion without parental notification.  This is insane.

There is a reason he went to Jeremiah Wright’s church for 20 years.

Obama tells us he has good judgment but he sat under Jeremiah Wright teaching for 20 years.  Now he is condemning Wright’s sermons.  I wonder why now?

Obama said Jeremiah Wright led him to the Lord and discipled him.  A disciple is one in training.  Jesus told us in Matthew 28:19 – 20 “Go and make disciples of all nations.”  This means reproduce yourself.  Teach people to think like you, walk like you; talk like you believe what you believe etc.  The question I have is what did Jeremiah Wright teach him?

Would you support a White President who went to a church which has tenets that said they have a …

1. Commitment to the White Community
2. Commitment to the White Family
3. Adherence to the White Work Ethic
4. Pledge to make the fruits of all developing and acquired skills available to the White Community.
5. Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting White Institutions
6. Pledge allegiance to all White leadership who espouse and embrace the White Value System
7. Personal commitment to embracement of the White Value System.

Would you support a President who went to a church like that?

Just change the word from white to black and you have the tenets of Obama’s former church.  If President Bush was a member of a church like this, he would be called a racist.  Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton would have been marching outside.

This kind of church is a racist church.  Obama did not wake up after 20 years and just discovered he went to a racist church.  The church can’t be about race.  Jesus did not come for any particular race.  He came for the whole world.

A church can’t have a value system based on race.  The churches value system has to be based on biblical mandate.  It does not matter if it’s a white church or a black church it’s still wrong.  Anyone from either race that attends a church like this would never get my vote.

Obama’s former Pastor Jeremiah Wright is a disciple of liberal theologian James Cone, author of the 1970 book A Black Theology of Liberation. Cone once wrote:  “Black theology refuses to accept a God who is not identified totally with the goals of the black community.  If God is not for us and against white people, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him.

Cone is the man Obama’s mentor looks up to.  Does Obama believe this?

So what does all this mean for the nation?

In the past when the Lord brought someone with the beliefs of Obama to lead a nation it meant one thing – judgment.

Read 1 Samuel 8 when Israel asked for a king.  First God says in 1 Samuel 1:9 “Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do.”

Then God says:
1 Samuel 1:18 ” When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day.” 19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” 21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. 22 The LORD answered, “Listen to them and give them a king.”

Here is what we know for sure.

God is not schizophrenic.

He would not tell one person to vote for Obama and one to vote for McCain. As the scripture says, a city divided against itself cannot stand, so obviously many people are not hearing from God.

Maybe I am the one not hearing but I know God does not change and Obama contradicts many things I read in scripture so I doubt it.

For all my friends who are voting for Obama can you really look God in the face and say; Father based on your word, I am voting for Obama even though I know he will continue the genocidal practice of partial birth abortion.  He might have to nominate three or four Supreme Court justices, and I am sure he will be nominating liberal judges who will be making laws that are against you. I also know he will continue to push for homosexual rights, even though you destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for this.  I know I can look the other way because of the economy.

I could not see Jesus agreeing with many of Obama’s positions. Finally I have two questions for all my liberal friends.

Since we know someone’s value system has to be placed on the nation,

1. Whose value system should be placed on the nation.

2. Who should determine that this is the right value system for the nation?

Blessings, Huntley Brown