Monthly Archives: May 2010
Trouble
Recently, Keith Fimian released a new TV ad highlighting Pat Herrity’s record on raising taxes. Also, D.J. McGuire over at Bearing Drift has a great piece up about Herrity’s tax record as well.
Do we want someone who voted to raise taxes representing us in Congress?
Let Your Voice Be Heard
Guest Post by Congressman Bob Goodlatte
Today, the American people are facing one of the most challenging times in our nation’s history. Our economy remains sluggish, people fear losing their jobs and their homes, and many are worried about the future their children and grandchildren will inherit. They are deeply concerned about the outlook for our great country and wonder if their children will grow up in the same America they did. People are looking for solutions to the problems we face.
The Majority in Congress has responded to the outcry of concern by the American people by raising taxes, increasing federal spending at an unsustainable pace, allowing our national debt to spiral out of control, and passing legislation that gives the federal government more control of our daily lives. They have spent trillions on bailouts and stimulus packages to help grow our economy, but all it has done is increase our debt and the size of the federal bureaucracy while leaving our nation’s unemployment rate hovering around ten percent.
The American people have lost trust and confidence in their elected representatives and the time is now for a renewed commitment to the people. From town hall meetings in communities across the country to rallies on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, the American people have stated clearly that they oppose the policies that Congress has forced on us.
Republicans understand that the American people are demanding real solutions with real results. This week House Republicans launched a new online forum, AmericaSpeakingOut.com, where folks from all over our nation can log-on and share their thoughts and suggestions for the future of our country. AmericaSpeakingout.com is a fully interactive, one of a kind website that allows you to talk about your own ideas while also commenting on the ideas of others. This new site represents the start of a national dialogue that aims to bring the halls of Congress into American homes.
Over the coming weeks and months, we will gather the comments, suggestions and priorities submitted on the AmericaSpeakingOut.com site and build an agenda that reflects the priorities of the American people. Hundreds of thousands of Americans from all over our country have already logged on to share their thoughts since we launched the site just a few days ago. If we in Congress work hand in hand with the American people we can change the way business is done in Washington by enacting commonsense legislation.
I understand the serious problems our nation faces. Ten percent unemployment is unacceptable. A national debt spiraling out of control is unacceptable. Runaway spending and the failure to even pass a budget is unacceptable. The American people are demanding accountability and results and that is what House Republicans are offering. Please take the time to visit AmericanSpeakingOut.com and let your voice be heard.
To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.
RIP Gary Coleman
TMZ reports that Gary Coleman has died of an intracranial hemorrhage caused by a fall. This is sad news, as Coleman was an 80s icon starring in the TV Show, “Diff’rent Strokes.” In fact, I still remember watching the show as a child imitating his famous line, “Whatcha talkin’ ’bout Willis?” Sad day…RIP Gary Coleman.
Whatever happened to the Budget?
There is a question that the Americans should be asking Congress and that is: Whatever happened to the budget? It seems like a simple question that is usually addressed every year by Congress, but this year, distractions have popped up. For example, there’s the oil spill, fiscal regulatory reform, and yes, even some meddling in the European Debt Crisis. The budget has hit the wayside.
BankruptingAmerica has a great video out addressing Congress’ ignorance of the budget. The question is: Will they address it this session or will it be saved for the new Congress?
A New Mistake in the 8th
Mistakes happen. They happen a lot during campaigns and some come with consequences. Unfortunately, some campaigns have a habit of making consistent errors in emails. Granted, we are not perfect and I know for certain that I have my flaws and make errors too, but when we make errors, we should learn from them and not make them again.
This lesson has not dawned on Patrick Murray’s campaign, as they have sent out another erroneous email to supporters. Murray’s email cited that he was the only Virginia Congressional candidate to receive an endorsement from the group, Iraq Veterans for Congress.
I am delighted that the Iraq Veterans for Congress has endorsed our campaign to defeat Jim Moran and to restore honor and integrity to the representation of Virginia’s 8th Congressional District. Fewer than 20 campaigns nationwide have received this coveted endorsement, including Alan West’s in Florida’s 22nd. We are the only campaign in Virginia endorsed by Iraq Veterans for Congress which has received high praise from Governor Sarah Palin.
The fact is that Murray is not the only Congressional candidate to receive the endorsement from Iraq Veterans from Congress. Scott Taylor, who is running for Congress in the 2nd District received the same endorsement and was featured on the group’s web page. I think it would have been the first thing that Murray’s campaign would catch, right?
Politics as usual for the Obama Administration
There have been a lot of references within the blogosphere and mainstream media recently comparing the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico as President Barack Obama’s “Hurricane Katrina.” Why would such an analogy be posed? Well, take a look at today’s editorial in The Washington Examiner (reminder: the language in the editorial is a little salty) into why this crisis is being mismanaged by the Obama Administration.
An angry, frustrated President Obama reportedly exhorted aides to just “plug the damn hole” a week after the crude oil and natural gas began blowing out of BP’s Deepwater Horizon well a mile below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico. Here’s a better piece of advice for Obama, his aides, and everybody else in Washington dealing with what is rapidly becoming the worst environmental disaster in American history: Stop the damn politics, quit pointing fingers, and focus on finding a solution. Nothing else matters until the well is capped. What has been desperately needed from the beginning of this tragedy is leadership. What we’ve gotten instead from the White House has been blame shifting, bureaucratic gamesmanship, and political opportunism.
This is great advice. Instead of playing politics and ahem…attending political fundraisers or vacationing in Chicago.
Now, the ramifications are being passed down to other offshore drilling sites. Recently, President Obama canceling the sale of the coast line off Virginia. This decision has been met with unfavorable reactions. Governor Bob McDonnell released this statement regarding the cancellation of the sale.
It is my hope that the President’s action does not signal the end of offshore energy exploration and production off Virginia in the years ahead. Once we have learned the lessons from this tragic accident, and made the necessary changes and improvements in the offshore industry and government oversight, we should move forward with environmentally responsible domestic offshore energy production for oil and natural gas. This nation needs more domestic energy production. If we decrease the amount of energy produced here in the United States, we will only increase the amount of energy we must import from overseas. We must have the foresight and objectivity to not let this tragic accident cripple our ability to increase energy production in the United States. That would be a tragedy in its own right.
Just as Americans did not quit or retreat from innovation after tragedies in space exploration, so must we learn, change and persevere in advancing energy independence by using all our natural resources. The spirit of American progress is to overcome adversity and conquer obstacles, not quit and accept failure. Our nation needs domestic energy production and the jobs and security that come with it. I am a strong proponent of a comprehensive energy policy for Virginia and America. We should greatly increase our domestic production and utilization of all energy sources. That includes offshore and onshore wind, coal, solar, nuclear, biofuels, waste to energy, natural gas and, with the appropriate improvements in the industry incorporated moving forward, offshore oil and gas. I have great confidence in American ingenuity, intelligence and innovation, and our ability to properly and reasonably move forward following this major setback.”
Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling also released a statement saying:
“I am extremely disappointed that President Obama has chosen to cancel the Virginia lease sale for offshore energy exploration that was scheduled for 2012. While I certainly agree that we need to learn from the accident that recently occurred in the Gulf of Mexico and take additional steps to minimize the chance of an incident of this nature occurring again, I remain convinced that offshore energy development can occur safely and I do not believe that we should abandon or postpone responsible efforts to develop our offshore energy resources.
“Proceeding with this lease sale would enable our country to achieve a greater degree of energy security, while enabling Virginia to achieve a greater degree of economic security. The President’s decision will deprive Virginia of the economic resources and jobs that could be created as a result of offshore energy development, resources that are needed to help address critical needs like transportation; and it will keep our country dependent on foreign nations for large amounts of our energy resources. I do not believe that this is the right policy for our country, and I will continue to work to advance the exploration and development of Virginia’s offshore energy resources at the earliest possible opportunity.”
Perhaps, it is time for President Obama to quit playing the politics card and actually display true leadership.
How Scary is this?
If you look at the comments from National Juggernaut‘s post, this cartoon points to many of the things happening today under President Obama’s administration. This is a pretty scary cartoon.
Congratulations Allison and the Class of 2010
Today, I want to do something outside of politics and sports, as it is a very special day for me and my family.
My sister, Allison will be graduating from the University of Maryland this morning with her Bachelor’s Degree. This is quite an achievement, as she will be the second person in our family to graduate from college (I was the first). I am so proud of her and wish her the best as she prepares for a career as a Child Life specialist working with children who have terminal illnesses.
Congratulations Allison and the Class of 2010! In the words of Elle Woods from Legally Blonde, you (she said we, but I wanted to make it more personal) did it! Oh and GO TERPS!
Getting to Know the People Who Endorse You
Shouldn’t a candidate know who is endorsing them? It may sound like an obvious “yes,” but a candidate running in the 8th Congressional District primary upon reporting his recent endorsement forgot some details.
Patrick Murray recently received the endorsement of Jay McConville, who ran against former Fairfax County Democratic Committee Chair, Scott Surovell (who eventually won the seat) for the Delegate seat, left vacated by retiring Delegate, Kris Amundson. In a recent email sent out to supporters, Murray said McConville ran against Amundson.
Delegate Candidate Jay McConville Endorses Patrick Murray
Our campaign to defeat Jim Moran and replace him with ethical and honorable leadership for Northern Virginia’s 8th Congressional District received yet another major boost today with the endorsement of 44th Delegate District candidate Jay McConville. Jay carried proudly the Republican banner against Kris Amundson in the last election cycle. An established community and Republican leader, Jay’s delegate district was spread throughout the 8th District in South Fairfax County (Alexandria).Jay had an enthusiastic and visible campaign in the 44th District and his support is a very welcome addition to our growing team – especially right on the heels of our endorsement by Senator Jay O’Brien, and former candidates Tim Nank and Mark Ellmore!
In making the endorsement, Jay McConville issued the following statement:
I am writing to give my full and enthusiastic endorsement to Patrick Murray. He is the right person to represent Virginia’s 8th Congressional District in the United States Congress.
It is well past time for strong, honest, honorable, and competent leadership in the 8th District. Having had the privilege to spend time with Patrick, I am very confident that, armed with experience, proper temperament, a dedication to first principles, and unquestioned integrity, he will work to set matters right in Washington.
As a recent Candidate for Delegate in Mount Vernon, I saw firsthand how concerned citizens are with the direction Washington is taking our nation. Out of control spending, ever-growing regulation, and a concentration of federal power has rightly alerted our people to the need for a return to the principles that made our nation great. We need new and strong leadership to set our course right. Patrick Murray has served his country with distinction and I am confident he will bring mature, fiscally responsible, and honorable representation back to the 8th Congressional District
It might seem like a small mistake or an oversight error. However, this is someone who endorsed your candidacy.
Congress Needs a Budget
Guest Post by Congressman Bob Goodlatte
Traditionally, Congress is expected to agree on a budget for the upcoming fiscal year by April 15th. It is this budget process at the beginning of each year where the decision is made regarding total federal spending for the year. It is the budget that sets the stage for how fiscally responsible government spending will be. Since the passage of the Budget Act of 1974, the House of Representatives has never failed to pass an initial budget to set the spending priorities for the following fiscal year. However, we are now a month past the deadline and Speaker Pelosi and the Democratic Leadership are showing no signs of complying with the law and coming forward with a budget for fiscal year 2011.
Families and small businesses all across our nation understand what it means to make tough decisions each day about what they can and cannot afford. They understand the importance of creating and living by a budget. Unfortunately, instead of making the tough choices necessary to reduce spending, the Majority in Congress has decided to forgo a budget altogether. Just four years ago the same leaders who are now shirking their responsibility and choosing to move forward without a budget were very clear on how important the budget process is to the operation of the federal government. In 2006, Congressman Steny Hoyer, who is now the House Majority Leader, was quoted as saying enacting a budget was “the most basic responsibility of governing” and Congressman John Spratt, who is now the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, said “if you can’t budget, you can’t govern.”
Without the passage of a federal budget the reckless spending that has run rampant in Congress will only continue. We have already seen the passage, without my support, of the so-called “economic stimulus” legislation which was supposed to put Americans back to work. Not only did the stimulus legislation fail to create jobs but it is now estimated to be costing American taxpayers over $1 trillion including interest.
Not only should Congress produce a budget but, I am a strong supporter of several measures that promote the establishment of a balanced budget and the elimination of wasteful government programs, including a Constitutional amendment that I introduced which requires the federal government to balance its budget. Congress must steadfastly hold the line on government spending which is why I have consistently voted for the tightest budgets offered each year.
As elected officials and stewards of the taxpayer’s money, we have a responsibility to put together a sustainable budget and stick to it. The Congress must continue to work to rein in spending and put to practice a spending approach that many Americans already live by: if you don’t have it, don’t spend it.
To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.
