Our Revolution Georgia Endorses Joshua McCall in Bid to Unseat Congressman Doug Collins
State & National January 25, 2018
(Martin, Georgia) – Monday, January 22nd, the statewide Georgia affiliate of Our Revolution, the organization created to continue pushing the policy goals of the Bernie Sanders Presidential Campaign, endorsed Joshua McCall in his bid to unseat Congressman Doug Collins in the Georgia 9th Congressional District. His candidacy will now be passed up to the national organization for consideration.
“I’m running for congress for two reasons. First, Bernie Sanders’ grassroots organization inspired me to examine what forces were limiting political possibilities in our country. I realized, unfortunately, that many of those forces were in the party that I belonged to,” said Candidate Joshua McCall.
He continued, “I’m also running because parts of our government are dangerously close to fascism. Branches of it prey on racial fears and offer simple solutions through state violence. I am running not only to unseat Doug Collins, but in the process speak to the people of this district and unite them behind a Christian and humanist ethic.”
McCall joins Savannah based candidate Lisa Ring as the only currently endorsed congressional candidates in the state. The endorsement includes volunteer coordination and the possibility of national endorsement and fundraising.
Our Revolution Georgia State Committee Member, Vice President of the Young Democrats of Georgia, Hall County Board of Elections Member, and former candidate for State House Michelle Sanchez Jones said of the endorsement, “the Republican Party has purported to represent North Georgia for a generation now, and, outside of the Governor’s backyard, we deserve more from our government. Our hospitals need more money. Our classrooms need more teachers. We need the tools to help those struggling with opioid addiction. The burden of supporting our communities falls disproportionately on our churches and faith institutions. It’s time we got our money’s worth from Washington, and Joshua McCall is exactly the man to help make that happen.”
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Background: Consideration of endorsement by the national organization requires prior endorsement from a local affiliate. Our Revolution has numerous affiliates throughout the state whose leadership jointly approve endorsements – with deference given to the chapter closest to the district in question. McCall’s endorsement represents the agreement of affiliates and leadership from Savannah to Atlanta, Athens to Henry County.
FYN’s All-Star Political Panel Discusses Health Care, Tax Reform, Comey’s Firing and Rod Rosenstien
Politics May 19, 2017
Every Friday morning the great All-Star Political Panel gets together to discuss the latest political issues that have the media buzzing. Jane, BKP, Rick and Bruce sit down today to discuss health care, Comey’s firing, the memo, and Rod Rosenstein. Other topics that come up during this discussion are the Russian investigation and it’s lack of evidence. Lastly they discuss out great tax dollars at work to help Bradley Manning become Chelsea Manning while in a military prison. Thanks to Obama not only did we pay for his transition from male to female he also was released after only serving 7 years of his 35 year sentence. Do you want to get in on the discussion? Come join us on Friday mornings about 8:45 am and you can be apart of the All-Star Political Panel too!
How Will President Donald Trump Pay for the Border Wall
Featured, Politics April 20, 2017
The media won’t be happy until they see a picture of Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto presenting President Donald Trump with the BIG check. You know the Publishers Clearing House size check that has written in the memo area “Mexico payment for the wall”.
Congress has to pass a spending appropriations bill before the end of April to prevent a government shutdown. Trump is asking for money to start the famous wall. You know the one, Mexico will pay for.
Attorney General, Jeff Sessions along with Homeland Security Secretary, John Kelly stress we need to start construction of the southern border barrier now.
Sessions is determined to shut down America’s worst criminal gang MS-13. Kelly warns that the next major attack will come from terrorist groups like ISIS partnering up with Mexican drug cartels. Both Kelly and Sessions sound the alarm on the enormous amounts of opiates, heroin and cocaine coming across the border. Just recently Maryland Governor Larry Hogan signed a State of Emergency to deal with opiate addiction problem.
The media keeps asking how we are going to pay for the wall? We have paid for the wall. We have paid with the blood of our children butchered by illegal alien gangs like MS-13. We have paid with the lives of our children who are dying daily from drug addiction.
Don’t accept your congressman asking how we are going to pay for the wall. Tell them they need to support the President and the wall is already bought and paid for!
Media Update: Collins Praises House Passage of Pro-life Survivor Protection Act
State & National January 22, 2018Collins Praises House Passage of Pro-life Survivor Protection Act
WASHINGTON—Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) helped the House of Representatives pass H.R. 4712, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivor Protection Act today. Collins is an original cosponsor of this legislation.
“The crowds of people joining the March for Life today remind us that support for pro-life policies remains deep across America. I share those convictions and am pleased to see the Born-Alive Survivor Protection Act pass out of the House. Children born alive during an abortion attempt are particularly vulnerable, and they should be guaranteed the medical treatment due to any other newborn. In passing this legislation, we’ve taken action to ensure that doctors deliver such medical care to these children,” said Collins.
H.R. 4712 would also prohibit medical providers from continuing the abortion procedure post-birth and hold doctors criminally accountable for failing to offer care to infants born alive during an abortion.
The Born-Alive Abortion Survivor Protection Act will proceed to the Senate for consideration.
Collins Discusses Abedin Email Revelation with Fox News
State & National January 4, 2018
ICYMI: Collins Discusses Abedin Email Revelation with Fox News
WASHINGTON—Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) joined Fox News today to unpack the latest developments surrounding the Russia investigation and the revelation that Secretary Clinton’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Huma Abedin, shared classified information over a private email account.
On whether any evidence shows collusion in the Russia investigation:
“I think what we’ve seen is none at this point. . . . Let the investigation go. If somebody did something wrong, we’ve always said those should be held accountable.”
“The frustration here is ‘What are we actually going for?’ The president has got an agenda to move American forward . . . we need to focus on what really matters, and, look, Democrats are just simply playing politics with this issue again.”
“Let’s see where the facts lead. This is something that’s been investigated. It’s being investigated—not only through the Mueller investigation, if there’s a Russian connection—but it’s also being investigated on Capitol Hill, both in the Senate and in the House.”
On the revelation that Huma Abedin shared State Department information over a private e-mail account:
“Democrats can say it’s partisan, but I’m just simply saying, ‘What is the law?’ and you can’t be in a position that Hillary Clinton was in or Huma Abedin was in and actually be in a position to say, ‘Oops, I just didn’t know—Oops, it was careless.’ No, it was gross negligence.”
Who is Responsible for Obama Care Now – Republicans or Democrats? Will Republicans Ever be Able to Govern as a Majority Party?
Politics March 27, 2017
Who is Responsible for Obama Care Now – Republicans or Democrats? How will the failed Health Care Bill affect the elections in 2018? How will the failed Health Care Bill Act will affect the GA 6th Congressional District election? When Obama Care collapses who will the voters hold responsible #BKP thinks that the Republicans now own Obama care, lock stock, and barrel, and 2018 voters will hold Republicans responsible for the collapse. Republicans broke the biggest promise that they made to the American people. They can no longer go back to the well and say they are the party that can deliver.
Collins Praises House Passage of Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act
State & National November 29, 2017
Collins Praises House Passage of Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act
“It’s my privilege to join the House in supporting the unique wellness needs of these men and women. They continue to invest in making our communities safer, and the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act invests in providing practical resources to support officers in their work.”
WASHINGTON—Today the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2228, the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act of 2017, by voice vote. Rep. Susan Brooks (R-Ind.) introduced the bill, and Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) is an original co-sponsor of the legislation.
The Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act addresses the challenges inherent to police work. The bill would require the Department of Justice to work with the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to develop tools that local law enforcement could use as they improve the mental health resources available to police officers. In addition, the legislation would establish grant opportunities for programs, research and training focused on delivering mental health support to law enforcement agents.
“As the son of a Georgia State Trooper, I never forget that members of the law enforcement community voluntarily enter dangerous, stressful situations each day, and they do this for the sake of their neighbors.
“It’s my privilege to join the House in supporting the unique wellness needs of these men and women. They continue to invest in making our communities safer, and the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act invests in providing practical resources to support officers in their work,” said Collins.
This legislation is supported by the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Police Officers, the Major County Sheriffs of America, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the National District Attorneys Association and the Sergeants Benevolent Association.
H.R. 2228 will proceed to the Senate for consideration.
Correction: Collins Votes to Extend Chip and Protect DSH Resources
State & National November 6, 2017
Collins Votes to Extend Chip and Protect DSH Resources
WASHINGTON—Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) joined the House of Representatives in voting today to extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) through 2022 and protect funding for rural hospitals.
The Championing Healthy Kids Act, H.R. 3922, uses offsets to fund CHIP and programs like community health centers while eliminating $5 billion in scheduled cuts to Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospitals (DSH). The bill includes a two-year extension of funding for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), which focus on delivering health care to underserved populations through community-based and patient-centered models.
“The House’s bill would extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program for five years while strengthening the program to help the children most in need of health care assistance. At the same time, it protects resources for northeast Georgia’s rural hospitals. I’m pleased that the legislation put forward by House Republicans charts a more cost effective—and therefore sustainable—path forward for serving some of Georgia’s most vulnerable populations,” said Collins.
At least seven hospitals in northeast Georgia serve residents with the help of DSH funding, including Elbert Memorial Hospital, Fannin Regional Hospital, Habersham County Medical Center, Northeast Georgia Medical Center, St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital, Stephens County Hospital and Union General Hospital.
*The original release mistakenly included Hart County Hospital, which merged into St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital, and North Georgia Medical Center, which should be Northeast Georgia Medical Center.
Dems Stage Protest Outside Rep. Doug Collins’ Office
News May 30, 2017
GAINESVILLE, Ga –Bullhorns and chants of “What do we want? Healthcare! When do we want it? Now!” broke the silence outside 9th District Congressman Doug Collins office Tuesday morning as Democrats from across north Georgia protested the congressman and his support for the American Health Care Act.
Marie Head addresses protesters.
One of the protest organizers, Marie Head of Jasper-based Appalachian Indivisible, said, “We’re upset with Representative Collins’ vote on the American Health Care Act. It’s going to put people with preexisting conditions without insurance and on top of that, it’s going to skyrocket their premiums. They voted on this without having it scored (by the Congressional Budget Office) so 23 million people in this country are going to be without healthcare if it passes the Senate.”
The bill has not passed the Senate and there are indications it may be in for a massive rewrite, so protesting the act now could be premature. While the AHCA may be the main issue that brought the group to Gainesville, it was clearly not the only issue they protested. One sign read: “Global Warming Isn’t a Hoax. Another protested Russian interference in America’s elections.
Head said, “The thing we’re most upset about is that Rep. Collins won’t talk to us about why he voted for something like this. I did talk to his staff one time, but we would like to sit down with him and really understand his vote. There are a lot of people who deserve to hear why he voted the way he did.”
Standing on the sidewalk beneath Collins’ second-floor window, some of the protesters shouted for the congressman to “look out your window” and “come down and talk to us.” Even aided by the bullhorn, it’s unlikely the voices carried all the way to Washington where Collins was working to represent his district Tuesday.
Collins has clearly explained his vote for AHCA, however. In a March press release, he said, “For seven years, I have watched Obamacare afflict my neighbors with soaring insurance costs and narrowing health care options. Obamacare shattered the insurance market, and Americans now struggle first to afford insurance and then to find providers that accept it.
“Obamacare saddled businesses and individuals with mandates that robbed them of their freedom to choose health care options that make sense for them. Our families, our workers and our economy have born the weight of bureaucratized medicine for too long. The American Health Care Act removes that burden and demands compassion for both the healthy and vulnerable, the born and the unborn. I have seen the grief that Obamacare has brought to northeast Georgians and have worked for my entire tenure in Congress to repeal this destructive law.”
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at www.fetchyournews.com
Protesters try to get their message out.
Congressman Collins Talks Health Care, Tax Reform and Still Supporting President Trump
Politics May 19, 2017
Georgia’s 9th District Congressman Doug Collins talks with BKP today about the health care bill. Collins also states that he believes and hopes they will be able to start working on the tax reform this year. BKP also asks the Congressman if he is still a supporter of President Donald Trump. Lastly Collins discusses issues that he and his team are working on that are more specifically focused in the 9th District: Dodd Frank Act, the VA – veteran’s health care, police week, and human trafficing week.
9th District Congressional Candidate Josh McCall Holds Town Hall Meeting at Civic Center
News May 12, 2017
Congressional Candidate Josh McCall at Thursday’s town hall
GAINESVILLE, Ga. – Democrat Josh McCall, who has announced his intention to run against 9th District Congressman Doug Collins (R-Ga.) in 2018, hosted a Town Hall meeting in the Gainesville Civic Center Ballroom Thursday.
An audience estimated to be about 150 attended the event that featured a panel of health care experts including, UGA Foundation Professor of Human Health Dr. Phaedra Corso, Dr. Gale Starich, Dean of Brenau’s College of Health Sciences, and Dr. Rebecca Quigg, a practicing physician and former Congressional candidate in Georgia’s 6th District.
The meeting came on the heels of the U.S. House passing the American Health Care Act that replaces the Affordable Care Act (ACA), better known as Obamacare. It now moves to the Senate where lawmakers have a chance to write their own version. Collins voted in favor of the new bill.
About 150 people gathered at Civic Center Thursday
As a backdrop to last night’s meeting, the Associated Press has reported that consumers will be hit with another round of price hikes and limited choices next year on the market places established by Obamacare as insurance providers continue to exit the marketplace. Major insurers like Aetna and Humana have already dropped out, leading to forecasts of up to a 50 percent increase in premiums in 2018. The ACA was intended to keep prices low by increasing competition.
McCall has staked out a very different position than Collins on the health care issue. He strongly supports government health care and he doubled down on that position at Thursday’s meeting, declaring, “I do support single payer unabashedly. I believe every person has a right to live. Nobody should have to worry about getting sick and losing everything they own.”
In her presentation, Corso said, “Despite the fact that we’re spending so much money on health care, we are not having better health care outcomes than other countries.”
She outlined the elements of the Obamacare she said Republicans want to change, including individual mandates, expansion of Medicaid, (which she called “free federal money,” that only lasts 10 years before states must pick up the entire cost), employee mandates that require employers with 50 or more employees to pay for health care and exchanges, which the Supreme Court ruled could not be made mandatory.
Corso reminded the audience of Obama’s promise that if you like your health insurance you can keep your insurance, which turned out to be a lie. She seemed to excuse his statement by saying, “They had crappy insurance. They thought they had coverage when they didn’t have coverage for anything worthwhile.”
Jennifer LaRose speaks at town hall meeting
One of the panelists, Jennifer LaRose, spoke about her personal experience with health care. Her son Logan, now 15 months old, was born with two medical abnormalities that required three surgeries by the time he was six months old.
“In a situation like ours, parents should be able to focus on their child not their finances,” she said. “They shouldn’t have to resort to asking friends and family for charity.”
LaRose said her family has benefited from the cap that ACA placed on out-of-pocket expenses. “The maximum for our family was $7,500 and we met that the month Logan was born,” she said.
She said she isn’t certain if she believes in single payer insurance or not but added there are a lot of “what-ifs” with the new legislation. “We can’t afford what-ifs. My feeling about health care is it should be affordable and available to everyone.”
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C.If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at www.fetchyournews.com
#DCCC Holds Fund Raiser for (D) Jon Ossoff, Will Ossoff have to answer to Nancy Pelosi
Politics March 16, 2017
GA 6th Congressional District special election. Out of eighteen candidates, five registered as Democrat. Why has the DNC chosen to support Jon Ossoff? Why pick Ossoff over the other four candidates?
#GMFTO #FYNTV #BKP interview with 6th Congressional District Candidate (R) Amy Kremer
Politics March 15, 2017
6th Congressional District of Georgia Special Election to replace new HHS Secretary Tom Price. Interview with candidate (R) Amy Kremer
FetchYourNews.com / FYNTV.COM
President Trump Signs NDAA, Collins TRICARE Language into Law
State & National December 13, 2017
President Trump Signs NDAA, Collins TRICARE Language into Law
“PBMs keep their operations in the shadows in order to take advantage of patients and taxpayers. I worked to have this language included as part of the NDAA to help America’s service members and their families get the medicines they need while keeping drug prices appropriately competitive for patients and taxpayers under the TRICARE program.”
WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump today signed the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law. The NDAA included language authored by Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) to require pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to update their MAC pricing lists every seven days so that those lists reflect market prices accurately.
Without this provision, PBMs routinely wait weeks and months to update the MAC reimbursement lists, enabling them to underpay pharmacies and overcharge TRICARE.
“PBMs keep their operations in the shadows in order to take advantage of patients and taxpayers. I worked to have this language included as part of the NDAA to help America’s service members and their families get the medicines they need while keeping drug prices appropriately competitive for patients and taxpayers under the TRICARE program,” said Collins.
Collins’s provision can be found in section 714 of the NDAA and took effect immediately upon becoming law.
6th District Candidate (R) Karen Handel Releases Campaign Video Going After (D) Jon Ossoff
Politics March 27, 2017
The failed American Health Care Act just changed the entire GA 6th Congressional District race. Karen Handel releases a very good campaign video going after John Ossoff but can Republicans promise to stop Nancy Pelosi’s agenda? And that they are the party that can deliver? Although Handel’s campaign video may have the right message, it may be the wrong time. #BKP explains how the failed bill may be a gift to Ossoff and leaves Republican candidates scrambling to decide which side of the Republican party they are on. Three strikes and the Republican party could lose the House.
A TEAM OF PROGRESSIVES & A CONGRESSMAN WITH TEAM THAT SHOW UP TO TALK
Featured, Politics February 28, 2017
A TEAM OF PROGRESSIVES & A CONGRESSMAN WITH TEAM THAT SHOW UP… to talk
In a time that senators and representatives decline to meet with constituents and constituents march, chant, yell, and raise signs from frustration, the pattern was broken last Saturday morning in Gainesville’s District 9 offices of Representative Doug Collins.
Doug Collins showed up with staff and met with 14 people who did homework with the support of many at home who contributed research. The discussion lasted approximately 90 minutes after introductions were made. There were differences between the point of views expressed. No surprise. Constituents and Congressman were from two very different ways of thinking about the role of government. However, the discussion included both listening and time to deliver points of view. It is not practical, or interesting, to provide a verbatim record here. The key issues discussed were:
1. ACA. The stories of District 9 friends and neighbors, progressive and conservative, who depend on ACA to stay alive as well as avoid bankruptcy from healthcare were reviewed. Collins agreed that continuous coverage and coverage of kids under 26 should be part of the plan. Providing affordable access to healthcare was referred to often, but specific solutions were not committed to. Collins holds the position that free market solutions will offer more choices at a lower cost over time. Current plans published indicate that free market solutions may not be as beneficial to those with lower incomes when compared to those with higher incomes.
2. ENVIRONMENT. The constituent group expressed concern about the dilution and reduction of EPA controls. The thought of pipelines running under District 9 streams, of gouged deforested mountain tops, of Copper Hill type of consequences illustrated the concern of loss of control of regulations and oversight. Collins believes state control is, and would continue to be more effective than national controls. Constituents reminded the Congressman that the air is national, that the flow of water is national, that oils spills in the ocean cannot be governed by any one state. We agreed to disagree and learn more.
3. THE RUSSIANS AND TAXES. Collins, a member of the House Committee on the Judiciary, was asked to support the appointment of a Special Prosecutor for an unbiased investigation of the President’s and executive branch staff Russian connections as well as the disclosure of the President’s tax returns. The objective is to clear the air and move on. Collins believes this can be accomplished with a Congressional committee.
4. A WALL VS. PEOPLE OF DISTRICT 9. Time ran out but this topic was the closing line in a leave behind letter signed by participants. Spending $12-15 billion for a wall on the southern border at the expense of
heath care coverage for the people of District 9 is a bad choice. The team clearly supports using tight budget to take care of people first.
