The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), held its annual conference February 26 -28, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. Registrants were invited to take part in a straw poll, which 1,757 of them did. Not surprisingly, when they were asked if they approve or disapprove of the job that Barack Obama is doing as president, 95% disapproved, surprisingly, however, 4% did approve. Isn't there always about 4% that don't understand the question ? Poll takers were also asked their opinion of the job Republicans in Congress are doing, 70% approved and 29% disapproved.
The CPAC conferences are traditionally early proving grounds for future Republican presidential candidates and those taking the poll were asked to think ahead to the 2012 presidential election and who they would vote for as the next GOP nominee for president. 20% of those responding selected former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney as their choice for the 2012 GOP nomination, followed by Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal with 14%, and with Ron Paul and Sarah Palin both polling 13%. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich polled 10% and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee pulled in 7% of the vote. Other potential presidential candidates listed on the poll included, Mark Sanford 4%, Rudy Giuliani 3%, Tim Pawlenty 2% and Florida Governor Charlie Crist with 1%. Of those completing the poll, 9% were undecided.
When respondents were asked if they are generally satisfied with the names floated as potential GOP contenders, 55% said they were satisfied and 44% wished the GOP had a better field of potential candidates.
Rush Limbaugh led the pack for favorite conservative media personality with 26%, followed by Glenn Beck with 17%, Sean Hannity with 11%, Bill O'Reilly with 10%, and Ann Coulter with 7%. Michael Savage was voted as the favorite of 3% with Mark Levin, Michael Medved, Neal Boortz and, Bill Bennett each getting 2% of the vote.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Mexican Implosion - Secure the Border - NOW
Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee Chairman, Joe Lieberman, will be conducting two hearings to examine the national and homeland security consequences of the escalating violence along the Mexican border.
The first hearing will be held in Washington, D.C., on March 25 and a second hearing will be held in Arizona sometime in April.
According to a news release sent out by his office, Senator Lieberman said: "The southern border has always been on our radar screen as an entry point for narcotics and human smugglers, and other who might threaten our homeland security, but the recent escalation of violence along the southern border demands our immediate attention. To deal with the spillover of violence into U.S. territory, we must assess border security programs and plans in place and we must review the readiness of federal, state, and local law enforcement. Ideally, we can eliminate the threats and provide the Mexican government with the support it needs to win this war against the drug cartels and other dangerous actors who threaten our national security."
The news release from Senator Lieberman also reported that Arizona Senator John McCain said: "With Phoenix ranking second only to Mexico City for the largest number of kidnappings for any city in the world, it is appropriate that the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs hold this hearing in Arizona. The violence, crime and drug trafficking in Mexico due to the raging wars among the drug cartels is increasingly coming across the border and threatening the safety of Arizonans and all Americans. I look forward to hosting this hearing in Arizona and working closely with my colleagues, the new administration, and Mexican President Calderon to put an end to the violence caused by the Mexican drug cartels and restoring law and order."
Mexico is in a war with drug cartels and according to Barry McCaffrey, retired U.S. Army general and national drug czar during the Clinton administration, "thousands have been murdered," and "squad size units of Mexican police and soldiers have been abducted, tortured and beheaded." During an interview with NPR news, McCaffrey described the Mexican municipal police as, "quasi criminal organizations." NPR also reported that U.S. Special Forces are training Mexican forces in their war with the drug cartels.
Reuters has reported that Mexico is sending thousands more troops and federal police to it's most violent city, Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, Texas. where law and order is on the brink of collapse. This month alone, drug hit men have killed 250 people in Juarez, Reuters reported.
In Arizona, the Mexican government has lodged a protest with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors regarding the treatment of Mexican citizens by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. In a letter sent to the Board of Supervisors by the Consulate General of Mexico in Phoenix, the Mexican government reminds the Board of Supervisors that the U.S. is an active member of the United Nations, which adopted the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. Has Mexico ever taken a look at it's own treatment of prisoners ?
Mexico is rapidly drifting toward implosion and the Chairman of the Senate Committee concerned with homeland security decides to hold a hearing on what to do at the end of March and Arizona's own senator, John McCain, will host a hearing in Arizona sometime in April.
What to do.
Sending money and arms to Mexico would be foolish, it is almost sure to land in the wrong hands. Mexico is a true culture of corruption, bribery of police and government officials are a common practice, police chiefs and officials that don't cooperate with the drug cartels are asasinated. What can the United States do to help Mexico and protect America ? Put the U.S. military on the border and really secure our border. Make the smuggling of drugs into the United States close to impossible, this would dry up the supply on the American side and reduce demand which would also reduce drug cartel profits. Allowing local U.S. law enforcement to take illegal aliens into custody would also take a big bit out of drug trafficking.
Illegal drugs smuggled across the Mexican border has been destroying American lives for decades and our border should have been secured decades ago. The government should use the full resources of the United States to protect the American people. There is no longer any excuse not to put the military on the border.
The first hearing will be held in Washington, D.C., on March 25 and a second hearing will be held in Arizona sometime in April.
According to a news release sent out by his office, Senator Lieberman said: "The southern border has always been on our radar screen as an entry point for narcotics and human smugglers, and other who might threaten our homeland security, but the recent escalation of violence along the southern border demands our immediate attention. To deal with the spillover of violence into U.S. territory, we must assess border security programs and plans in place and we must review the readiness of federal, state, and local law enforcement. Ideally, we can eliminate the threats and provide the Mexican government with the support it needs to win this war against the drug cartels and other dangerous actors who threaten our national security."
The news release from Senator Lieberman also reported that Arizona Senator John McCain said: "With Phoenix ranking second only to Mexico City for the largest number of kidnappings for any city in the world, it is appropriate that the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs hold this hearing in Arizona. The violence, crime and drug trafficking in Mexico due to the raging wars among the drug cartels is increasingly coming across the border and threatening the safety of Arizonans and all Americans. I look forward to hosting this hearing in Arizona and working closely with my colleagues, the new administration, and Mexican President Calderon to put an end to the violence caused by the Mexican drug cartels and restoring law and order."
Mexico is in a war with drug cartels and according to Barry McCaffrey, retired U.S. Army general and national drug czar during the Clinton administration, "thousands have been murdered," and "squad size units of Mexican police and soldiers have been abducted, tortured and beheaded." During an interview with NPR news, McCaffrey described the Mexican municipal police as, "quasi criminal organizations." NPR also reported that U.S. Special Forces are training Mexican forces in their war with the drug cartels.
Reuters has reported that Mexico is sending thousands more troops and federal police to it's most violent city, Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, Texas. where law and order is on the brink of collapse. This month alone, drug hit men have killed 250 people in Juarez, Reuters reported.
In Arizona, the Mexican government has lodged a protest with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors regarding the treatment of Mexican citizens by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. In a letter sent to the Board of Supervisors by the Consulate General of Mexico in Phoenix, the Mexican government reminds the Board of Supervisors that the U.S. is an active member of the United Nations, which adopted the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. Has Mexico ever taken a look at it's own treatment of prisoners ?
Mexico is rapidly drifting toward implosion and the Chairman of the Senate Committee concerned with homeland security decides to hold a hearing on what to do at the end of March and Arizona's own senator, John McCain, will host a hearing in Arizona sometime in April.
What to do.
Sending money and arms to Mexico would be foolish, it is almost sure to land in the wrong hands. Mexico is a true culture of corruption, bribery of police and government officials are a common practice, police chiefs and officials that don't cooperate with the drug cartels are asasinated. What can the United States do to help Mexico and protect America ? Put the U.S. military on the border and really secure our border. Make the smuggling of drugs into the United States close to impossible, this would dry up the supply on the American side and reduce demand which would also reduce drug cartel profits. Allowing local U.S. law enforcement to take illegal aliens into custody would also take a big bit out of drug trafficking.
Illegal drugs smuggled across the Mexican border has been destroying American lives for decades and our border should have been secured decades ago. The government should use the full resources of the United States to protect the American people. There is no longer any excuse not to put the military on the border.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Obama Nominee for Justice Dept, Child Porn is Art !
An Op-Ed by Cathy Ruse of the Family Research Council
http://www.frc.org/frc-op-eds, has exposed some disturbing information about President Barack Obama's nominee for Deputy Attorney General, David Ogden, he is a hero of the porn industry.
Ogden's clients have included such publications as Playboy and Penthouse, but he has also defended what he considers to be a right to receive child pornography.
Americans have a right to free speech and a free press which is protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, however, there are some reasonable limits to free speech when public safety is concerned, we can't go into a crowded theatre and start a stampede by shouting fire and expect to be protected by the First Amendment. The exploitation of children for some sort of sick adult sexual gratification is not and should not be protected speech, regardless of how much a lawyer attempts to bend the law, it's simply wrong.
Here are the facts of the case David Ogden defended, according to the Family Research Council Op-Ed.
In 1991, customs officials intercepted a mailing requesting two videotapes with the titles "Little Girl Bottoms" and "Little Blonds" distributed by the Nather Company of Las Vegas. The purchaser was a man in Pennsylvania and a search of his apartment revealed other videotapes distributed by the same company, which contained numerous vignettes of teenage and preteen females between the ages of 10 and 17, striking provocative poses for the camera.
Ogden filed a brief on the behalf of the ACLU which argued that the videos are just another form of art which is protected by the First Amendment because the private parts of the children were not clearly visible. Thankfully, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals recognized child pornography when they saw it and affirmed the conviction for violating federal child pornography laws.
President Obama, who has two lovely daughters himself, now he wants to make David Ogden the number two person at the Justice Department, which is responsible for prosecuting violations of federal child pornography laws.
This is not the type of news the liberal, Obama friendly, media reports. The American Conservative Republican, however, feels that it is important and that someone who argues that child pornography is, just another art form, should not be holding the second highest job at the Justice Department, we therefore ask our readers to contact President Obama and urge him to withdraw his nomination of David Ogden and to also urge their U.S. Senators not to confirm his nomination, our children cannot afford to let this just slip by.
http://www.frc.org/frc-op-eds, has exposed some disturbing information about President Barack Obama's nominee for Deputy Attorney General, David Ogden, he is a hero of the porn industry.
Ogden's clients have included such publications as Playboy and Penthouse, but he has also defended what he considers to be a right to receive child pornography.
Americans have a right to free speech and a free press which is protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, however, there are some reasonable limits to free speech when public safety is concerned, we can't go into a crowded theatre and start a stampede by shouting fire and expect to be protected by the First Amendment. The exploitation of children for some sort of sick adult sexual gratification is not and should not be protected speech, regardless of how much a lawyer attempts to bend the law, it's simply wrong.
Here are the facts of the case David Ogden defended, according to the Family Research Council Op-Ed.
In 1991, customs officials intercepted a mailing requesting two videotapes with the titles "Little Girl Bottoms" and "Little Blonds" distributed by the Nather Company of Las Vegas. The purchaser was a man in Pennsylvania and a search of his apartment revealed other videotapes distributed by the same company, which contained numerous vignettes of teenage and preteen females between the ages of 10 and 17, striking provocative poses for the camera.
Ogden filed a brief on the behalf of the ACLU which argued that the videos are just another form of art which is protected by the First Amendment because the private parts of the children were not clearly visible. Thankfully, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals recognized child pornography when they saw it and affirmed the conviction for violating federal child pornography laws.
President Obama, who has two lovely daughters himself, now he wants to make David Ogden the number two person at the Justice Department, which is responsible for prosecuting violations of federal child pornography laws.
This is not the type of news the liberal, Obama friendly, media reports. The American Conservative Republican, however, feels that it is important and that someone who argues that child pornography is, just another art form, should not be holding the second highest job at the Justice Department, we therefore ask our readers to contact President Obama and urge him to withdraw his nomination of David Ogden and to also urge their U.S. Senators not to confirm his nomination, our children cannot afford to let this just slip by.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Brett Mecum Appointed GOP Executive Director.
Arizona Republican Party Chairman Randy Pullen has appointed Brett Mecum as the state party executive director.
Mecum was hired in February 2007 as the Arizona GOP communications director and later was promoted to political director.
Pullen said, "Brett has proven time and again that he has the abilities and talents to do the job of executive director effectively." Mecum said he was honored by the trust and confidence that chairman Pullen has in him and pointed out that, "the Republican Party in Arizona is in a strong position to capitalize on its 2008 electoral victories." As Republicans were taking a beating in other states, the number of Republicans in the Arizona Legislature increased. Pullen says that Mecum has, "earned the confidence of party activists," and that, "he is the right person to help move the Republican Party forward through the 2010 election cycle."
The Arizona Conservative Republican applauds Chairman Pullen's choice of Brett Mecum as executive director. Mecum has never been just an employee of the Republican Party, he has always been active and energetic at whatever job he has held with the party and he has never taken a superior attitude toward long time Republican volunteer activists, we appreciate that and urge all Arizona Republicans to fully cooperate with Chairman Pullen and Mr. Mecum and make the Arizona Republican Party even stronger in 2010.
Congratulations to Brett Mecum.
Mecum was hired in February 2007 as the Arizona GOP communications director and later was promoted to political director.
Pullen said, "Brett has proven time and again that he has the abilities and talents to do the job of executive director effectively." Mecum said he was honored by the trust and confidence that chairman Pullen has in him and pointed out that, "the Republican Party in Arizona is in a strong position to capitalize on its 2008 electoral victories." As Republicans were taking a beating in other states, the number of Republicans in the Arizona Legislature increased. Pullen says that Mecum has, "earned the confidence of party activists," and that, "he is the right person to help move the Republican Party forward through the 2010 election cycle."
The Arizona Conservative Republican applauds Chairman Pullen's choice of Brett Mecum as executive director. Mecum has never been just an employee of the Republican Party, he has always been active and energetic at whatever job he has held with the party and he has never taken a superior attitude toward long time Republican volunteer activists, we appreciate that and urge all Arizona Republicans to fully cooperate with Chairman Pullen and Mr. Mecum and make the Arizona Republican Party even stronger in 2010.
Congratulations to Brett Mecum.
Obama Picks Commerce Secretary.
Politico http://www.politico.com/politico44/ is reporting that President Obama is likely to announce that former State of Washington governor Gary Locke is his choice for Commerce Secretary. Politico pointed out that Locke was the first Chinese-American governor in U.S. history. What relevance Mr. Locke's ancestry has to do with his performance as governor of Washington or as a possible Secretary of Commerce, we do not know, except that it should make those that judge peoples by their ancestry, skin color or, gender, happy.
Illegal Aliens Want Your Name and Number.
Imagine a world where; up is down, wrong is right, illegal is legal, common sense is uncommon and, I am you and you are me.
Illegally using a fraudulent name and social security number has long been a method for undocumented workers to illegally gain employment in the United States, now immigrant rights groups, such as the National Immigration Justice Center in Chicago, want illegal immigrants who use your name and social security number to gain employment to be exempt from the identity theft law.
You might think we are making this up, but it's true, illegal aliens that use your name and social security number to illegally obtain work in the United States don't feel that they should be charged with identity theft. No, you did not just enter the Rod Sterling's Twilight Zone, the Associated Press has reported that the United States Supreme Court will be hearing a case this Wednesday claiming that prosecutors' have aggressively used the federal identity theft law, which carries a mandatory two year prison sentence, as leverage to obtain plea bargains from illegal immigrants to accept a lessor immigration charge and deportation.
Some people might being thinking this is frivolous, anyone using another persons name and social security number without their permission is obviously stealing that persons' identity. Three Federal Appeals Court's however; in Boston, San Francisco and, Washington D.C., don't agree with the use of the federal identity theft law against those illegally obtaining employment using your name and number, therefore, the question must now go before the U.S. Supreme Court. Three other Federal Appeals Court's, in; St. Louis, Atlanta and, Richmond however, have come down on the side of the government and agree that using another person's identity without permission is, well, identity theft.
More then 8 million Americans are victims of identity theft each year.
Illegally using a fraudulent name and social security number has long been a method for undocumented workers to illegally gain employment in the United States, now immigrant rights groups, such as the National Immigration Justice Center in Chicago, want illegal immigrants who use your name and social security number to gain employment to be exempt from the identity theft law.
You might think we are making this up, but it's true, illegal aliens that use your name and social security number to illegally obtain work in the United States don't feel that they should be charged with identity theft. No, you did not just enter the Rod Sterling's Twilight Zone, the Associated Press has reported that the United States Supreme Court will be hearing a case this Wednesday claiming that prosecutors' have aggressively used the federal identity theft law, which carries a mandatory two year prison sentence, as leverage to obtain plea bargains from illegal immigrants to accept a lessor immigration charge and deportation.
Some people might being thinking this is frivolous, anyone using another persons name and social security number without their permission is obviously stealing that persons' identity. Three Federal Appeals Court's however; in Boston, San Francisco and, Washington D.C., don't agree with the use of the federal identity theft law against those illegally obtaining employment using your name and number, therefore, the question must now go before the U.S. Supreme Court. Three other Federal Appeals Court's, in; St. Louis, Atlanta and, Richmond however, have come down on the side of the government and agree that using another person's identity without permission is, well, identity theft.
More then 8 million Americans are victims of identity theft each year.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Salute To, "Our True Heroes"
Yesterday, Arizona Representative Jerry Weiers, (R-LD 12), honored Arizona veterans by holding a flag raising dedication ceremony at the State Capitol. The former flag pole at the capitol needed to be replaced because of damage caused by years of exposure to the weather and was slightly bent.
The former single flag pole has been replaced by three new separate flag poles; one for our national flag, one for our state flag and, another for the POW/MIA flag in honor of all American veterans from all wars who were never accounted for. During the ceremony two Arizona Army National Guard helicopters conducted a flyby which was followed by a 21 gun salute.
A large bronze plague inscribed with the words, "Our True Heroes," to acknowledge that, without our veterans our freedoms would not even be possible, was added between the Arizona House and Senate buildings.
Jerry Weiers, who is the Chairman of the House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee, was in-charge of the dedication of the memorial which was build entirely with donated labor and material.
The former single flag pole has been replaced by three new separate flag poles; one for our national flag, one for our state flag and, another for the POW/MIA flag in honor of all American veterans from all wars who were never accounted for. During the ceremony two Arizona Army National Guard helicopters conducted a flyby which was followed by a 21 gun salute.
A large bronze plague inscribed with the words, "Our True Heroes," to acknowledge that, without our veterans our freedoms would not even be possible, was added between the Arizona House and Senate buildings.
Jerry Weiers, who is the Chairman of the House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee, was in-charge of the dedication of the memorial which was build entirely with donated labor and material.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Who's Side Is Congress On ?
Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions has blasted Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for striping E-Verify from the stimulus package.
E-Verify is a federal employment eligibility system operated by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. Participating employers can check the work status of new hires online by comparing information from an employee's I-9 form against Social Security and Homeland Security databases. The system is free to employers and is the best method available to determine employment eligibility.
The availability of jobs for illegal aliens is the magnet that caused the massive illegal immigration problem for America, therefore, ending the availability of jobs for illegal aliens would be a major factor in reducing illegal immigration to the United States.
On Thursday, Senator Sessions attempted to get E-Verify back into the stimulus package and cited studies from the Center for Immigration Studies and the Heritage Foundation that said that several hundred thousand jobs created by the package would go to illegal aliens without E-Verify.
Sessions pointed out that President Obama has already delayed mandatory use of the E-Verify system for federal contractors and that the program was set to expire on March 6 unless there is a reauthorization.
Senator Sessions had this to say about removing the E-Verify program to require that any contractor benefiting from the stimulus package hired only those lawfully allowed to work in United States;
"The purpose of the bill is to put Americans back to work. Is is common sense to include a simple requirement that the people hired to fill stimulus-created jobs be lawful American residents. The Democrats' actions are a clear signal that they want to use taxpayer money to employ people who are in this country illegally. It's ironic that the passage of the final version of the legislation, which will result in a massive expansion of government, could also result in the termination of one of the few government programs that have proven effective and useful."
On Friday the stimulus bill cleared congress without E-Verify protection for American citizens and legal residents and awaits the presidents signature to become law.
In a related development, the unemployment rate for the American worker continues to rise.
E-Verify is a federal employment eligibility system operated by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. Participating employers can check the work status of new hires online by comparing information from an employee's I-9 form against Social Security and Homeland Security databases. The system is free to employers and is the best method available to determine employment eligibility.
The availability of jobs for illegal aliens is the magnet that caused the massive illegal immigration problem for America, therefore, ending the availability of jobs for illegal aliens would be a major factor in reducing illegal immigration to the United States.
On Thursday, Senator Sessions attempted to get E-Verify back into the stimulus package and cited studies from the Center for Immigration Studies and the Heritage Foundation that said that several hundred thousand jobs created by the package would go to illegal aliens without E-Verify.
Sessions pointed out that President Obama has already delayed mandatory use of the E-Verify system for federal contractors and that the program was set to expire on March 6 unless there is a reauthorization.
Senator Sessions had this to say about removing the E-Verify program to require that any contractor benefiting from the stimulus package hired only those lawfully allowed to work in United States;
"The purpose of the bill is to put Americans back to work. Is is common sense to include a simple requirement that the people hired to fill stimulus-created jobs be lawful American residents. The Democrats' actions are a clear signal that they want to use taxpayer money to employ people who are in this country illegally. It's ironic that the passage of the final version of the legislation, which will result in a massive expansion of government, could also result in the termination of one of the few government programs that have proven effective and useful."
On Friday the stimulus bill cleared congress without E-Verify protection for American citizens and legal residents and awaits the presidents signature to become law.
In a related development, the unemployment rate for the American worker continues to rise.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Obama Pays Back Unions
American Conservative Republicans are going to have to start carefully watching on Fridays for damaging news about Obama and the Democratic Party. This past Friday the Arizona Democratic Party announced that their newly elected state chairman was stepping down after only two weeks and, the Friday before that it was announced that Obama's choice for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tom Daschle, had some tax errors.
President Barack Obama on Friday paid back organized labor for their support by quietly signing an executive order requiring the use of union labor for federal construction projects.
Mainstream Media may not have noticed this latest Friday, (keep this out of the headlines), executive order signing by the president but Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele and the RNC did.
Here is what Chairman Steele had to say about Obama's executive order, "President Obama's executive order will drive up the cost of government at a time when we should be doing everything possible to save taxpayer dollars. Federal contracts should go to the businesses that can offer taxpayers the best value - not just the unions who supported the Democrats' campaigns last year. Quietly signing executive orders to payback campaign backers undermines Obama promise to change Washington. It is a disappointment for Americans hoping for more transparency and less politics as usual in Washington."
The American Conservative Republican is in total agreement with Chairman Steele. Tax dollars don't belong to the Democratic or the Republican Party's, they belong to the people and should be spent wisely in the people's best interest, not used to payback political favors. What President Obama did, out of the public spotlight, on Friday was to put party before country and politics before principle.
"Mr President, that's not your money, give government contracts to whomever gives the taxpayer the best value for their money."
President Barack Obama on Friday paid back organized labor for their support by quietly signing an executive order requiring the use of union labor for federal construction projects.
Mainstream Media may not have noticed this latest Friday, (keep this out of the headlines), executive order signing by the president but Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele and the RNC did.
Here is what Chairman Steele had to say about Obama's executive order, "President Obama's executive order will drive up the cost of government at a time when we should be doing everything possible to save taxpayer dollars. Federal contracts should go to the businesses that can offer taxpayers the best value - not just the unions who supported the Democrats' campaigns last year. Quietly signing executive orders to payback campaign backers undermines Obama promise to change Washington. It is a disappointment for Americans hoping for more transparency and less politics as usual in Washington."
The American Conservative Republican is in total agreement with Chairman Steele. Tax dollars don't belong to the Democratic or the Republican Party's, they belong to the people and should be spent wisely in the people's best interest, not used to payback political favors. What President Obama did, out of the public spotlight, on Friday was to put party before country and politics before principle.
"Mr President, that's not your money, give government contracts to whomever gives the taxpayer the best value for their money."
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Arizona Democratic Chair Resigns.
I'm out of here, that is pretty much is what newly elected Arizona Democratic Party Chairman Paul Eckerstrom told the party's state committee.
Taking a page from the Obama playbook, Arizona Democrats issued a news release late Friday that Eckerstrom, who was just elected two weeks ago, was stepping down as Arizona Democratic Chair.
Just one week ago, again late on a Friday, Democrats announced that Tom Daschle, Obama's choice for Secretary of Health and Human Services, had an issue with some tax "errors," On Tuesday, Daschle withdrew his nomination as secretary of HHS over those tax "errors."
Eckerstrom, who lives and works in Tucson and is the former Pima County Democratic Chair, told the state committee that the logistical demands of the job were insurmountable. Two weeks ago, on the same day that Arizona Republicans voted to keep Randy Pullen as their chairman, Democrats decided it was time for change and elected Eckerstrom in an upset victory over their incumbent chairman, Don Bivens.
Conservatives, who dominate the GOP, try to conserve that which works and believe that change should come gradually and only when necessary. Liberals, who dominate the Democratic Party leadership, like to experiment with change for the sake of change and don't tend to look at the consequences of that change.
Sometimes change can be good if it is well thought out, or it could be disastrous if it is not. Two weeks ago, when Eckerstrom and the Arizona Democrats decided it was time for a change, didn't take into consider the fact that Tucson is over 120 miles from Phoenix, which might cause insurmountable logistical demands for a chairman who lives and works in Tucson when their headquarters is in Phoenix.
Harriet Young, the Arizona Democratic Party First Vice Chair, will act as interim party chair until Democrats select a new chairman. Young asked Eckerstrom to serve as the chair of the Democrats Advisory Committee on Strategic Planning to win back the governorship and the Legislature from the Republicans.
Having Eckerstrom in charge of strategic planning for the Democrats may cause the GOP to be overly confident about the 2010 election, which just might be the secret behind the Democrat's strategic plan.
The American Conservative Republican will be watching for more change from the Democrats late next Friday.
Taking a page from the Obama playbook, Arizona Democrats issued a news release late Friday that Eckerstrom, who was just elected two weeks ago, was stepping down as Arizona Democratic Chair.
Just one week ago, again late on a Friday, Democrats announced that Tom Daschle, Obama's choice for Secretary of Health and Human Services, had an issue with some tax "errors," On Tuesday, Daschle withdrew his nomination as secretary of HHS over those tax "errors."
Eckerstrom, who lives and works in Tucson and is the former Pima County Democratic Chair, told the state committee that the logistical demands of the job were insurmountable. Two weeks ago, on the same day that Arizona Republicans voted to keep Randy Pullen as their chairman, Democrats decided it was time for change and elected Eckerstrom in an upset victory over their incumbent chairman, Don Bivens.
Conservatives, who dominate the GOP, try to conserve that which works and believe that change should come gradually and only when necessary. Liberals, who dominate the Democratic Party leadership, like to experiment with change for the sake of change and don't tend to look at the consequences of that change.
Sometimes change can be good if it is well thought out, or it could be disastrous if it is not. Two weeks ago, when Eckerstrom and the Arizona Democrats decided it was time for a change, didn't take into consider the fact that Tucson is over 120 miles from Phoenix, which might cause insurmountable logistical demands for a chairman who lives and works in Tucson when their headquarters is in Phoenix.
Harriet Young, the Arizona Democratic Party First Vice Chair, will act as interim party chair until Democrats select a new chairman. Young asked Eckerstrom to serve as the chair of the Democrats Advisory Committee on Strategic Planning to win back the governorship and the Legislature from the Republicans.
Having Eckerstrom in charge of strategic planning for the Democrats may cause the GOP to be overly confident about the 2010 election, which just might be the secret behind the Democrat's strategic plan.
The American Conservative Republican will be watching for more change from the Democrats late next Friday.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Shadegg Signs No Climate Tax Pledge
Arizona Congressman John Shadegg, (R) CD 3, has signed the Americans for Prosperity, "No Climate Tax Pledge." The pledge is worded, "I, (name), pledge to the taxpayers of the state of (home state) and to the American people that I will oppose any legislation relating to climate change that includes a net increase in federal government revenue."
Americans for Prosperity Arizona State Director Tom Jenny said, "The one thing elected officials should be able to agree on is that global warming shouldn't be used as an excuse to hike taxes on citizens and businesses."
Jenny urged all of Arizona's elected officials to sign the pledge saying that, "Using the guise of climate change to transfer dollars from hard-working citizens to bureaucratic big government is unacceptable," and that "regardless of their stance on global warming, this should be common ground for all our elected officials at all levels of government."
Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is the nation's premier grassroots organization committed to advancing every individual's right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth and returning government to it's constitutional limits.
For more information on Americans for Prosperity visit www.americansforprosperity.org
Americans for Prosperity Arizona State Director Tom Jenny said, "The one thing elected officials should be able to agree on is that global warming shouldn't be used as an excuse to hike taxes on citizens and businesses."
Jenny urged all of Arizona's elected officials to sign the pledge saying that, "Using the guise of climate change to transfer dollars from hard-working citizens to bureaucratic big government is unacceptable," and that "regardless of their stance on global warming, this should be common ground for all our elected officials at all levels of government."
Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is the nation's premier grassroots organization committed to advancing every individual's right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth and returning government to it's constitutional limits.
For more information on Americans for Prosperity visit www.americansforprosperity.org
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Crump Retains Chairmanship.
Becky Blackburn of Arizona House Speaker Kirk Adams' office has issued a news release announcing that Representative Sam Crump (R) LD 6, will continue to serve as Chairman of the House Government Committee.
Crump was removed, or maybe not, as Chairman of the House Government Committee over a dispute with House Speaker Kirk Adams involving funding for the 21st Century Fund.
See next post "Adams vs Crump," for details.
The release from Kirk Adams' office follows:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Becky Blackburn/602-926-3233
Rep. SAM Crump will retain his Chairmanship of the
House Government Committee
STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX (Feb. 4, 2009) – House Speaker Kirk Adams (R-Dist. 19) announced today that Representative Sam Crump (R-Dist. 6) will continue to serve as Chairman of the House Government Committee.
Speaker Adams had every intention of removing Representative Crump from his post as a result of negotiations on the 2009 budget fix. While the House Leadership fully supported the decision, no official action was taken.
“Committee Chairmen have a heightened responsibility to the caucus and must be mindful of the objectives of the House as a whole,” Adams said. “I was concerned that Representative Crump exceeded proper decorum during the budget debates.”
Speaker Adams and Representative Crump have since spoken at length and both acknowledge that, particularly during difficult budget negotiations, some misunderstandings are inevitable.
They also both agree on the importance of the Majority Caucus working collectively to solve the state’s most pressing issues—particularly a looming FY 2010 budget deficit. Speaker Adams stated he has confidence in Representative Crump’s ability to chair one of the House’s key committees.
“I certainly have a better understanding of the significance the Speaker places on the role of committee chairmen,” Rep. Crump said. “I am committed to continuing a positive working relationship with our leadership and look forward to continuing in the role of Government Committee Chairman.”
Both Speaker Adams and Rep. Crump will have no further comments on this matter.
-30-
Crump was removed, or maybe not, as Chairman of the House Government Committee over a dispute with House Speaker Kirk Adams involving funding for the 21st Century Fund.
See next post "Adams vs Crump," for details.
The release from Kirk Adams' office follows:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Becky Blackburn/602-926-3233
Rep. SAM Crump will retain his Chairmanship of the
House Government Committee
STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX (Feb. 4, 2009) – House Speaker Kirk Adams (R-Dist. 19) announced today that Representative Sam Crump (R-Dist. 6) will continue to serve as Chairman of the House Government Committee.
Speaker Adams had every intention of removing Representative Crump from his post as a result of negotiations on the 2009 budget fix. While the House Leadership fully supported the decision, no official action was taken.
“Committee Chairmen have a heightened responsibility to the caucus and must be mindful of the objectives of the House as a whole,” Adams said. “I was concerned that Representative Crump exceeded proper decorum during the budget debates.”
Speaker Adams and Representative Crump have since spoken at length and both acknowledge that, particularly during difficult budget negotiations, some misunderstandings are inevitable.
They also both agree on the importance of the Majority Caucus working collectively to solve the state’s most pressing issues—particularly a looming FY 2010 budget deficit. Speaker Adams stated he has confidence in Representative Crump’s ability to chair one of the House’s key committees.
“I certainly have a better understanding of the significance the Speaker places on the role of committee chairmen,” Rep. Crump said. “I am committed to continuing a positive working relationship with our leadership and look forward to continuing in the role of Government Committee Chairman.”
Both Speaker Adams and Rep. Crump will have no further comments on this matter.
-30-
Adams vs Crump
Arizona Representative Sam Crump (R) LD 6, was removed as Chairman of the House Government Committee by House Speaker Kirk Adams (R) LD 19, on Monday. Crump and some freshman conservative Republican legislators opposed Speaker Adams over funding for the 21st Century Fund, which was a pet project of former Governor Napolitano.
The Gila Courier Blog, http://www.gilacourier.com/, has identified the freshman conservative representatives as; Carl Seel LD 6, Steve Montenegro LD 12, David Stevens LD 25, Frank Antenori LD 30, and David Gowan LD 30.
The Arizona 21st Century Competitive Initiative Fund ( 21st Century Fund ) was established by law for the statutory purpose to: 1) build and strengthen medical, scientific and, engineering research programs and infrastructure with an emphasis on bioscience and, 2) actively engage scientific research, academic and medical institutions.
The fund is administered by the Commerce and Economic Development Commission of the Arizona Department of Commerce under a Memorandum of Understanding with Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz), a nonprofit corporation.
For those taxpayers who like to know where their tax dollars went: so far they has traveled from the general fund; to the Arizona Department of Commerce under the watchful eye of the Commerce and Economic Development Commission; and then to a nonprofit corporation in the private sector, Science Foundations Arizona.
So what is Science Foundation Arizona? It is a 501 (C) (3) nonprofit corporation formed in 2006 by: Greater Phoenix Leadership Inc., The Southern Arizona Leadership Council and, a group called the Flagstaff 40. In other words, it was formed by some people who think they are somehow elite and own Arizona. They want to use your tax dollars to build and strengthen scientific, medical and engineering research programs to help make Arizona competitive in a global economy. The excuse use to be that your tax dollars were given to the private sector by government because it was, "for the children," now it's, "to make Arizona competitive in a global economy."
The Arizona Legislature and Governor Jan Brewer were forced to cut the Arizona budget by $1.6 billion, including major cuts in education, Department of Corrections, transportation, and across the board cuts for legitimate government functions performed by other state agencies.
The economy is in decline and therefore revenue to the state has been drastically reduced and the state must watch every penny of taxpayer money in order to provide essential governmental services to the people of Arizona, this is not the time to waste tax dollars on nonessential items like the 21st Century Fund. Making Arizona competitive in a global economy may be a worthy goal for the private and public sector, but it shouldn't be funded with your tax dollars. Every citizen is free and encouraged to donate to any charity or non profit they wish to, but government funds are the people's money, it is taken out of the pockets of the people by the force of law and should be used, as Lincoln said, to do those things the people can't do for themselves.
Becky Blackburn, a spokesperson for Speaker Adams, said of Sam Crump, "He was chairman of a key committee and he put his personal interest ahead of those of the caucus." I'm assuming Ms Blackburn is referring to the Republican Caucus, the one that stands for less government and less taxation. Sam Crump happens to be my representative and I was under the impression he works for me and not for the caucus, not for Kirk Adams and, certainly not for some elites who think they can use the people's money for whatever they wish.
The American Conservative Republican agrees with Sam Crump when he said, "I don't want to say we took $120 million out of K-12 education and gave $22 million to the Century Fund."
We salute; the Honorable Frank Antenori, the Honorable Sam Crump, the Honorable David Gowan, the Honorable Steve Montenegro, the Honorable Carl Seel, the Honorable David Stevens and every member of the Arizona legislature who showed the political courage to do what is in the people's best interest when under great pressure to do otherwise, they put country before party and principle before politics, they are all American Conservative Republicans.
The Gila Courier Blog, http://www.gilacourier.com/, has identified the freshman conservative representatives as; Carl Seel LD 6, Steve Montenegro LD 12, David Stevens LD 25, Frank Antenori LD 30, and David Gowan LD 30.
The Arizona 21st Century Competitive Initiative Fund ( 21st Century Fund ) was established by law for the statutory purpose to: 1) build and strengthen medical, scientific and, engineering research programs and infrastructure with an emphasis on bioscience and, 2) actively engage scientific research, academic and medical institutions.
The fund is administered by the Commerce and Economic Development Commission of the Arizona Department of Commerce under a Memorandum of Understanding with Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz), a nonprofit corporation.
For those taxpayers who like to know where their tax dollars went: so far they has traveled from the general fund; to the Arizona Department of Commerce under the watchful eye of the Commerce and Economic Development Commission; and then to a nonprofit corporation in the private sector, Science Foundations Arizona.
So what is Science Foundation Arizona? It is a 501 (C) (3) nonprofit corporation formed in 2006 by: Greater Phoenix Leadership Inc., The Southern Arizona Leadership Council and, a group called the Flagstaff 40. In other words, it was formed by some people who think they are somehow elite and own Arizona. They want to use your tax dollars to build and strengthen scientific, medical and engineering research programs to help make Arizona competitive in a global economy. The excuse use to be that your tax dollars were given to the private sector by government because it was, "for the children," now it's, "to make Arizona competitive in a global economy."
The Arizona Legislature and Governor Jan Brewer were forced to cut the Arizona budget by $1.6 billion, including major cuts in education, Department of Corrections, transportation, and across the board cuts for legitimate government functions performed by other state agencies.
The economy is in decline and therefore revenue to the state has been drastically reduced and the state must watch every penny of taxpayer money in order to provide essential governmental services to the people of Arizona, this is not the time to waste tax dollars on nonessential items like the 21st Century Fund. Making Arizona competitive in a global economy may be a worthy goal for the private and public sector, but it shouldn't be funded with your tax dollars. Every citizen is free and encouraged to donate to any charity or non profit they wish to, but government funds are the people's money, it is taken out of the pockets of the people by the force of law and should be used, as Lincoln said, to do those things the people can't do for themselves.
Becky Blackburn, a spokesperson for Speaker Adams, said of Sam Crump, "He was chairman of a key committee and he put his personal interest ahead of those of the caucus." I'm assuming Ms Blackburn is referring to the Republican Caucus, the one that stands for less government and less taxation. Sam Crump happens to be my representative and I was under the impression he works for me and not for the caucus, not for Kirk Adams and, certainly not for some elites who think they can use the people's money for whatever they wish.
The American Conservative Republican agrees with Sam Crump when he said, "I don't want to say we took $120 million out of K-12 education and gave $22 million to the Century Fund."
We salute; the Honorable Frank Antenori, the Honorable Sam Crump, the Honorable David Gowan, the Honorable Steve Montenegro, the Honorable Carl Seel, the Honorable David Stevens and every member of the Arizona legislature who showed the political courage to do what is in the people's best interest when under great pressure to do otherwise, they put country before party and principle before politics, they are all American Conservative Republicans.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
BULLETIN - Daschle Withdraws Nomination
Tom Daschle has withdrawn his nomination to be Health and Human Services secretary.
That's according to a joint White House statement from President Barack Obama and his former nominee.
Obama said Tuesday he accepted Daschle's withdrawal "with sadness and regret."
Daschle has been battling for his nomination since it was disclosed he failed to pay more than $120,000 in taxes.
He said he's withdrawing because he's not a leader who has the full faith of Congress and will be a distraction.
*See, Tom Dascle's Tax "Errors," post below.
That's according to a joint White House statement from President Barack Obama and his former nominee.
Obama said Tuesday he accepted Daschle's withdrawal "with sadness and regret."
Daschle has been battling for his nomination since it was disclosed he failed to pay more than $120,000 in taxes.
He said he's withdrawing because he's not a leader who has the full faith of Congress and will be a distraction.
*See, Tom Dascle's Tax "Errors," post below.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Numbers USA Report Card
Numbers USA is an immigration reduction organization that issues report cards on all members of congress based on their career votes to reduce legal and illegal immigration into the United States. They are a non-profit, non-partisan, public policy organization opposed to the use of federal immigration policy to force mass U.S. population growth which would depress the wages of vulnerable American workers.
NumbersUSA report card for Arizona Congressional Delegation. Updated Feb 2, 2009
Top of the Delegation
Trent Franks, CD 2 - Grade A-
John Shadegg, CD 3 - Grade A-
Needs Improvement
Jon Kyl, Senator - Grade B
Poor
Harry Mitchell, CD 5 - Grade C+
Jeff Flake, CD 6 - Grade C
Failing to Represent the People of Arizona
Gabrielle Giffords, CD 8 - Grade D+
John McCain, Senator - Grade D
The Bottom of the Barrel
Raul Grijalva, CD 7 - Grade F-
Ed Pastor, CD 4 - Grade F-
* Newly elected Ann Kirkpatrick, CD 1, has not yet received any grade.
The entire Arizona Delegation had a C average.
Grading federal officials and posting those grades, is an essential tool to help American Conservative Republicans get the representation they demand.
NumbersUSA report card for Arizona Congressional Delegation. Updated Feb 2, 2009
Top of the Delegation
Trent Franks, CD 2 - Grade A-
John Shadegg, CD 3 - Grade A-
Needs Improvement
Jon Kyl, Senator - Grade B
Poor
Harry Mitchell, CD 5 - Grade C+
Jeff Flake, CD 6 - Grade C
Failing to Represent the People of Arizona
Gabrielle Giffords, CD 8 - Grade D+
John McCain, Senator - Grade D
The Bottom of the Barrel
Raul Grijalva, CD 7 - Grade F-
Ed Pastor, CD 4 - Grade F-
* Newly elected Ann Kirkpatrick, CD 1, has not yet received any grade.
The entire Arizona Delegation had a C average.
Grading federal officials and posting those grades, is an essential tool to help American Conservative Republicans get the representation they demand.
Tom Daschle's Tax "Errors"
President Barack Obama's choice for Health and Human Services Secretary, former Senate Minority and Majority Leader, Tom Daschle, (D) South Dakota, claimed in a letter to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, (D) Montana and, committee ranking Republican, Charles Grassley of Iowa, that he was deeply embarrassed about $128,000 in tax errors and said he would answer all questions about how it happened.
Politicians have mastered the art of announcing bad news to the press late on a Friday, hoping the story will be forgotten by Monday. Daschle, who lost his senate seat to Republican John Thune in 2004, attempted to take the spotlight off his tax problems by telling the press late Friday night that on January 2nd, of this year, he paid the IRS over $140,000 in back taxes and interest in unreported income he received from consulting fees and the use of a car and driver provided by wealthy Democratic donor Leo Hindery Jr, a founder of the private-equity firm, InterMedia Advisors.
If confirmed by the Senate as Secretary of Health and Human Services, Daschle will be in charge of health care policy for the federal government.
Since leaving the Senate, Daschle has made millions of dollars consulting for clients with business before the federal government but was never registered as a lobbyist.
The Health Industry Distributors Association paid Daschle $14,000 to make a speech last year at their conference, they also successfully lobbied Congress to end Medicare's competitive bidding program for health care supplies.
According to the Washington Times, many U.S. Senators have expressed concern over Dascle's tax problems and Senator Jon Kyl, (R) of Arizona said, "You have to be troubled by it."
Let's hope that President Obama is troubled by it enough to change his choice for Health and Human Services Secretary or that the U.S. Senate doesn't make an error by confirming Tom Daschle.
Politicians have mastered the art of announcing bad news to the press late on a Friday, hoping the story will be forgotten by Monday. Daschle, who lost his senate seat to Republican John Thune in 2004, attempted to take the spotlight off his tax problems by telling the press late Friday night that on January 2nd, of this year, he paid the IRS over $140,000 in back taxes and interest in unreported income he received from consulting fees and the use of a car and driver provided by wealthy Democratic donor Leo Hindery Jr, a founder of the private-equity firm, InterMedia Advisors.
If confirmed by the Senate as Secretary of Health and Human Services, Daschle will be in charge of health care policy for the federal government.
Since leaving the Senate, Daschle has made millions of dollars consulting for clients with business before the federal government but was never registered as a lobbyist.
The Health Industry Distributors Association paid Daschle $14,000 to make a speech last year at their conference, they also successfully lobbied Congress to end Medicare's competitive bidding program for health care supplies.
According to the Washington Times, many U.S. Senators have expressed concern over Dascle's tax problems and Senator Jon Kyl, (R) of Arizona said, "You have to be troubled by it."
Let's hope that President Obama is troubled by it enough to change his choice for Health and Human Services Secretary or that the U.S. Senate doesn't make an error by confirming Tom Daschle.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Cheap Politicians Pledge
Here is a pledge for all the cheap politicians from either party who put themselves first, their party before their country, and, political expediency before principle. Those of us who love God and our country, who are willing to give our lives and fortunes for our country have a pledge to our flag and the republic for which it stands, those that don't deserve one also, so here it is.
"I pledge alliance to myself and to nothing else,
One person, me, loyal to nothing and no-one,
Standing for my own election without regard to
God, country or the people,
With fame and fortune for me."
"I pledge alliance to myself and to nothing else,
One person, me, loyal to nothing and no-one,
Standing for my own election without regard to
God, country or the people,
With fame and fortune for me."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
