America became a great country by letting its people be all they can be without interference from government. In just less than a year all this has changed. We have seen the government dictate everything from toilets to light bulbs and take ownership interests in private enterprises in major segments of our economy.

The formerly largest auto company has been taken over by the government and major banks now have the government sitting on their boards.

The free market is no longer free and government expansionists are not through yet.

Harlingen, Texas The ink had not even dried on our latest commentary about VA care and operations before another flood of email from across the country hit our computer. Veterans had a lot more to say.

Marc Martinez a Navy veteran from McAllen, TX is still expressing his anger over the slow movement of the VA in the Rio Grande Valley.  "We have more than 100,000 veterans here in deep South Texas", he writes.  "They have been fighting for more than 30 years to have a VA hospital built in this area.  During all of that time they have been forced to spend countless hours on the highway driving more than 270 miles one way to a VA hospital in San Antonio.  Even by Texas standards that is a long trip. 

A Conservative's Viewpoint

The recent announcement by International Paper Corporation that it is closing its Franklin, Va., plant is having a devastating effect not only on the 1,100 workers who will eventually lose their jobs, but throughout the area. That includes the historic Albemarle region of North Carolina.

Management cites the declining demand for its products, including stationary as the primary reason for closing the venerable mill. Looking at the amount of paper being used by Congress to write its proposed health care bills, International Paper may want to reconsider.

From 73wire! Breaking News..

In a surprise move, liberal Republican candidate for the special election in New York's 23rd Congressional District, has completely dropped out of the race.

As you know, 73wire.com, our project to get the Tea Party Movement into major coverage of the political battle, has been all over this race.

Earlier this week, we broke news of the NRCC's involvement in the race (by putting ground troops in play). Then, yesterday we broke the story about the NRCC closing up shop and completely backing out of the race.

This morning, we were the first to the scene to post the new poll numbers showing the conservative candidate Doug Hoffman making a huge surge in the race.

A few minutes later, we broke the story of the Dede drop out.The Tea Party Movement Candidate

This news paves the way for Doug Hoffman to ride to a win in NY23. And this wouldn't be possible without the movement.

Now we just need to take Bill Owens, the liberal Democrat out of the race on election night next week, and the movement will be able to claim a major victory over the establishment.

This is what we're all about!

For Liberty,
-Eric Odom

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Bravo Dede and her team.

Dear Friends and Supporters:

Throughout the course of my campaign for Congress, I have made the people of the 23rd District and the issues that affect them the focal point of my campaign. As a life long resident of this District, I care deeply and passionately about its people and our way of life. Whether as a candidate for Congress, a State Assemblywoman or a small town Mayor, I have always sought to act with the best interest of our District and its residents in mind-and today I again seek to act for the good of our community.

The opportunity to run as the Republican and Independence Party candidate to represent the 23rd District has been and remains one of the greatest honors of my life. During the past several months, as I've traveled the district, meeting and talking with voters about the issues that matter most to them, I've been overwhelmed by the amount of support I've received as I sought to serve as their voice in Washington. However, as Winston Churchill once said, Democracy can be a fickle employer, and the road to public office is not always a smooth one.

In recent days, polls have indicated that my chances of winning this election are not as strong as we would like them to be. The reality that I've come to accept is that in today's political arena, you must be able to back up your message with money-and as I've been outspent on both sides, I've been unable to effectively address many of the charges that have been made about my record. But as I've said from the start of this campaign, this election is not about me, it's about the people of this District. And, as always, today I will do what I believe serves their interests best.

It is increasingly clear that pressure is mounting on many of my supporters to shift their support. Consequently, I hereby release those individuals who have endorsed and supported my campaign to transfer their support as they see fit to do so. I am and have always been a proud Republican. It is my hope that with my actions today, my Party will emerge stronger and our District and our nation can take an important step towards restoring the enduring strength and economic prosperity that has defined us for generations.

On Election Day my name will appear on the ballot, but victory is unlikely. To those who support me - and to those who choose not to - I offer my sincerest thanks.