Let Your Voice Be Heard on the Stimulus Bill!
February 12, 2009
Host or Attend
The TCOT Plan National House Party / Focus Group Tweet Chat & Conference Call Event
Thursday, February 12
7:00PM – 8:30PM
Do you want to send a message to Washington and the media about the Stimulus Bill?
You are not alone.
There are people all over the country who want to send a message to President Obama, to Congress, and to the media that there are ways of stimulating the economy, but the proposed bill is not one of them.
Get Involved!
Host or attend the TCOT Plan National House Party / Focus Group Tweet Chat & Conference Call Event
House parties are being organized around the country. Help to make this event have more impact by agreeing to host a party in your own community or by attending.
This is very short notice, but it appears the House will be voting on the bill Thursday. There has been no specific schedule announced for the Senate vote, but it will likely occur Friday or this weekend.
What is the TCOT Plan?
TCOT proposes that all Federal income taxes be cut in half for Fiscal Year 2009.
To discuss the proposal, TCOT, groups will focus on the following questions:
From which would the economy benefit more:
- The proposed stimulus bill
- Cutting income taxes in 1/2 for FY 2009
How would individuals spend the money they would keep?
TCOT is also interested in participant’s input on the following:
- How should the Plan’s proposed tax cuts be paid for?
- State and local impact of the proposed bill
- Thoughts on stimulating the economy in general
What does TCOT hope to accomplish through this event?
We hope to generate enough attention to highlight that despite all that is being said by the President, members of the Majority in Congress, and most of the mainstream media, there are “average” Americans with differing opinions.
Because of the sheer speed at which this bill is being rammed through the legislative process, it is important to signal that there are many Americans who are paying attention.
Even if the House votes prior to the event, the Senate will not. There have been some signals that even Democratic members of Congress are very displeased with the process that has taken place and/or are not pleased with the bill.
TCOT also hopes to bring attention to the Stimulus bill at the local level for those who may not be aware of the many elements it contains. Where possible, party/group hosts will be contacting local media. This will send a signal to members of Congress within their home districts that their constituents are paying attention.
Finally, TCOT wishes to build a network for civic discourse throughout the country that brings local communities together with new media.
How will TCOT accomplish the stated goals?
Specific data will be collected at these events regarding the questions posed. All of the collected data will be aggregated at the national level. The information will be issued to national media through a press release on Friday morning and to members of Congress.
If I want to host a party, what do I need to do now?
1 ) Register to become a member of TCOT
2 ) Go the TCOT Action Project site and join the Project for this Event.
3 ) Go to the Event page and RSVP that you will be hosting a party. Please leave a comment on the page stating that you will be holding a party and where you are located.
4 ) Read General Instruction Kit for Hosts for general tips.
5 ) Start publicizing!
6 ) Read Instructions for Discussing TCOT Plan & Stimulus
7 ) For additional resources and information, click here (link coming).
8 ) Check e-mail up to one hour prior to event time
9 ) Host party!
If I can’t host a party but want to attend, what do I do?
The list of locations is still being compiled. This page will continue to be updated. Some hosts have committed to convening a party / group, but have not listed their location.
Frisco, Colorado
Covina, California
Rancho Cucamonga, California
Boston, Massachusetts
Lincoln, Nebraska
O’Fallon, Missouri
San Antonio, Texas
Central Virginia (host has been contacted for city)
Broad Ripple, Indiana (At Tweet Up Thursday morning)
If you would like to attend an event, please send an email to the following address stating your location:
If there is not an event listed above in your city, there may be one scheduled but not listed yet by the host. Please send an email to confirm. Even if there is not an event scheduled for your city, there are two other ways you can participate (see below).
If I want to be involved but can’t physically attend, there is no party in my area, or am unavailable at the schedule time, how can I be a part of this?
- Connect via the National Conference Call
- Participate via Tweet Chat using the hashtag #halftax (you will need to register with Twitter to do this)
- E-mail a request for a party survey form to the above address. Your input will be most valuable if you can return it by late Thursday night, but it will still be useful if you must turn it in a day or two.
What if I want to help out with preparations but can’t host a party?
Join the TCOT group and sign up for this or any other action project.
TCOT National House Party / Focus Group 
Comments on the Stimulus Package Contents & Process
February 12, 2009
This evening TCOT conducted a national event to discuss the Stimulus Bill that is set to be voted on by Congress on Friday.
Participants convened face to face in many locations across the country, while others participated in a national conference all and simultaneous Tweet Chat.
TCOT proposed an alternative means of stimulating the economy and exercise for individuals to perform to illustrate it:
Participants were presented with a worksheet to calculate their tax savings and asked to consider what they would do with the money they would keep. Individuals were asked to fill out a survey regarding their tax savings and how they would quantify its distribution.
The survey presented additional questions regarding the stimulus.
The survey form is available online until 12:00 AM PST. Final results will be distributed on Friday morning, including a national press release.
Anyone who was unable to participate in the event is encouraged to fill out the form:
TCOT Plan National House Party / Focus Group Survey
In addition, we would like general comments on the following matters from all visitors to this site:
Please leave your comments below this post.
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Tags: comments, conference call, feed back, focus group, house, house party, input, press release, public discussion, senate, stimulus bill, stimulus package, tcot, tweet chat, twitter, vote