Boehner Welcomes Rep. Parker Griffith to the House Republican Conference

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement after Rep. Parker Griffith (D-AL) announced his intent to leave the House Democratic Caucus and join the House Republican Conference:

“Parker Griffith is a dedicated public servant who has consistently put the best interests of his constituents first, and it is in that spirit that Republicans welcome him.

“All year long, Alabamians have been well-served by Congressman Griffith’s support for conservative principles and his rejection of Washington Democrats’ wrong-headed, liberal policies. Whether it was the trillion-dollar ‘stimulus,’ the national energy tax, or a government takeover of health care, Congressman Griffith has consistently sided with Republicans and the American people to call for better solutions rooted in common sense. He has also stood up to Speaker Pelosi by joining efforts to advance ‘read the bill’ reform and to ensure that not a single taxpayer dollar is used to fund abortions.

“With today’s decision, Congressman Griffith has added his voice to the growing chorus of Americans who have had it with Democrats’ wrong-headed policies and lack of leadership. Families continue to ask ‘where are the jobs?’ and all they are getting from out-of-touch Washington Democrats is more spending, more taxes, and more debt.

“Democratic leaders should seize this opportunity to reevaluate their entire job-killing agenda, starting with Senator Reid’s 2,733-page government takeover of health care. House Republicans will continue to offer the American people better solutions to address their everyday challenges, an effort that will surely benefit from Congressman Griffith’s leadership.”

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Fulton GOP TailGate Football Party

Sunday, December 20 at 12:00pm.

Joy says, "There's a Tailgate Party at Fulton GOP HQ...Come join us...$5.00 Donation Asked for and lots of Food and Drink. Wear your favorite teams Colors...".

Event: Fulton GOP TailGate Football Party
Start Time: Sunday, December 20 at 12:00pm
End Time: Sunday, December 20 at 4:00pm
Where: Fulton GOP HQ
Street: 5920 Roswell Rd
City/Town: Sandy Springs, GA

To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=202903833089&mid=1958c9aG5d770abcG83f7a6G7

Congressman Lynn Westmoreland: Stimulus II – It’s holiday spending, minus the presents

With House Democrats trying to load their sleigh with billions of dollars in goodies before wrapping up for the year today, U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland opposed the holiday spending binge that raised the nation’s debt ceiling and tacked on another $150 billion in spending – the “Son of Stimulus.”

“On Thursday, Vice President Biden is coming to Georgia to talk about how the $787 billion stimulus bill passed in February is creating and saving all these jobs in Georgia – where the unemployment rate remains above 10 percent,” Westmoreland said. “Well, if the first stimulus is such a raging success, why are we spending another $150 billion?”

The “Son of Stimulus” pours billions of dollars into the very same programs included in the original stimulus. In some cases, such as infrastructure, very little of the money from the first stimulus has even been spent. In other cases, where the money from the first stimulus has been spent, it has failed to create jobs or has been wasted.

Westmoreland, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, cites spending on highways as an example.

“The first stimulus doled out $27.5 billion to highways, and the Son of Stimulus provides another $27.5 billion – even though the government has only spent 18 percent of the original outlay,” Westmoreland said. “The list goes on and on: Amtrak, housing, unemployment benefits, airports, parks, AmeriCorps. All these are getting billions more in spending in a jobs plan that won’t create any jobs.

“Adding insult to injury, Democrats pretend they’re spending ‘free money’ because they’re using unused or repaid money from the TARP program. This flies in the face of the TARP law passed last year which clearly stated that any unused TARP funds go toward paying down the deficit. Instead, we’re sending more money we don’t have out the door and, on the exact same day, raising our nation’s debt limit by another $290 billion, which shockingly will only last for two months.”

Westmoreland notes that in three years of Democratic control in the House, the national debt has increased by 39 percent.
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Isakson Votes to Preserve Medicare Home Health Services for Millions of Seniors

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today voted for an amendment that would have prevented the Democrats’ health care plan from cutting $42.1 billion from Medicare home health services.

Senate Democrats defeated the motion by Senator Mike Johanns, R-Neb., to send the bill back to the Senate Finance Committee with instructions to remove all home health cuts by a vote of 41-53.

“We are talking about cutting services that greatly reduce the cost of health care and improve the quality of life of America’s seniors. We are taking away an affordable, effective way to deliver health care to millions of Americans,” Isakson said. “The Democrats want to slash this vital program that keeps seniors out of the hospital and in their own homes to help fund their terribly flawed, outrageously expensive, government-run health care system. I will continue to vote to protect our seniors.”

On the Senate floor, Isakson referenced a letter he received from the Georgia Association for Home Health Agencies in support of the Johanns amendment. If the Senate bill becomes law, Adams stated 68 percent of the Medicare certified home health agencies in Georgia would go out of business, forcing the patients they serve to be re-hospitalized or seek alternative, more costly care.

According to the National Association for Homecare and Hospice, Georgia home health providers would lose over $967 million under the Senate health care proposal.

Home health services include skilled nursing care, home health aide services and medical social services as well as physical therapy, speech-language therapy and occupational therapy.
Nurses, therapists, home care aides and others who serve elderly and disabled patients in their own homes care for nearly 12 million patients annually with 428 million visits.

Chambliss: Cuts to Home Health Care Takes Away Affordable Option

U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., on the Senate floor today, spoke in favor of an amendment that would have removed the nearly $42 billion in cuts to Medicare’s home health care program included in the health care bill. Senators voted along party lines and the amendment failed by a 41-53 vote.

“Seniors are very concerned about the impact this bill will have on their Medicare benefits, and they ought to be,” said Chambliss.“I don’t know about the folks on the other side of the aisle, but I want our Medicare patients in Georgia to continue to have the option to receive the good home health care that they are getting today, which allows them to have a better quality of life. This bill will take away an important affordable option. This is just another example of how this bill threatens access to care for Medicare beneficiaries.”

On the Senate floor, Chambliss highlighted a letter from the Georgia Association for Home Health Agencies, which is opposed to the home health care cuts included the health care bill. Chambliss quoted part of the letter during his floor speech, which states:

“Under Senator Reid’s bill, 72.15 percent of home health agencies in Georgia will have negative margins by 2016 in the Senate bill, and approximately 68 percent of the 100 Medicare Certified home health agencies in Georgia will go out of business and the patients they serve will be rehospitalized or forced to seek alternative, more costly care."

Statement of Governor Sonny Perdue Regarding the Resignation of Speaker Glenn Richardson

Governor Sonny Perdue issued the following statement today regarding the resignation announcement of Speaker of the House of Representatives Glenn Richardson.

“Today’s decision by my friend Glenn Richardson to step down as Speaker of the House of Representatives was the right one for him personally and for his family. Coping and recovering from depression is difficult enough, even in a private family setting. While I know his personal attributes of resolve, tenacity and perseverance made this act even more difficult, I believe the privacy that he should now enjoy, without the burden of public responsibility, will enable him to recover fully and completely. I look forward to the day very soon when I will once again see the competent, capable and confident Glenn Richardson that I know.”

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Healthcare Town Hall Meeting at the North Cobb Senior Center

Congressman Phil Gingrey is holding a healthcare town hall meeting this Friday,
November 13th. The public is invited to attend.

November 13, 2009
2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
North Cobb Senior Center
4100 Hwy. 293 (Old 41 Hwy.)
Acworth, GA 30101

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Big surge among small donors for GOP helps campaign committees

The Republican National Committee (RNC) and the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) have seen a surge in the number of small-dollar donors making contributions in recent months, according to new reports.

Read more: http://www.thehill.com/homenews/campaign/63697-rnc-nrcc-see-uptick-in-small-donors
By Reid Wilson

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Ray McBerry to Speak at South Metro Young Republican Meeting

The South Metro Young Republicans will host its monthly meeting this Wednesday, October 21 at 7:00 pm. Please note the new location, Downtown Grill in Tyrone (1158 Senoia Road). Ray McBerry, a candidate for governor, will be the guest speaker: http://www.georgiafirst.org/.

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Congressman Joe Wilson Tells the Neal Asbury Show that Incident during President Obama Congressional Address was a “Town Hall Moment”

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Participating in his first full length radio interview since his famously shouted “You Lie” remark during President Obama’s address to Congress propelled him into the media spotlight, Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) appeared on the nationally syndicated Neal Asbury Show on WZAB-AM. Congressman Wilson attributed his dramatic vocal response to a “town hall moment,” a visceral reaction to what he inherently knew was Obama’s misrepresentation of the citizenship immigration policy. Congressman Wilson likened his response to the kind of spontaneous reaction he is seeing during full capacity town hall meetings he is holding in his congressional district.

“I respect President Obama, but we have the right to disagree, especially when he promotes an immigration policy related to health insurance that I knew was meaningless. The proof is that two days after the joint session, the citizen verification policy was overhauled,” said Congressman Wilson, who was elected to the United States Congress in 2001. He was grateful that President Obama and other Democratic leaders accepted his apologies, and was particularly grateful that the Republican Conference supported him, as did his staff and constituency.

Congressman Wilson is convinced that the Democrats don’t want the American people to understand the issues related to healthcare, and is angry that consumers are being treated as if “they are stupid – which they are not; they’re just looking for answers and explanations.”

“At least 95 percent of my constituents support what Republicans are trying to do. Our HR 3400 is a good bill, and a logical alternative to the proposed HR3200 being promoted by the Democrats, which is a Trojan Horse for a government option that would create bizarre rules and regulations likely to be controlled by a ‘Health Czar’ with the power to interpret these regulations. Our bill really reflects the power and potential of free enterprise,” said Congressman Wilson, who outlined some of the provisions of HR 3400: choice of affordable private options; consumers can keep their current coverage; tax incentives will be created for the insured; coverage will be allowed to cross state lines; and the bill will promote tort and medical liability reform.

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Chambliss to Appear on ABC’s “This Week” with George Stephanopoulos on Sunday

U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Intelligence, will be a guest on ABC’s “This Week” with George Stephanopoulos to discuss Afghanistan, al-Qaeda and Iran. He will be joined by Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., U.S. Congressman Jim McGovern, D-Mass., and General Jack Keane, the retired four-star general who was behind the troop surge in Iraq.

Sen. Chambliss Inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame

U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony held at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Md. The Georgia 4-H nominated Sen. Chambliss for the distinction for his leadership and exemplary service to 4-H. This year, fifteen men and women from across the country displaying strong support for the organization on a local, state or national level have been selected to be inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame.

“As the largest youth development organization in America, 4-H has the ability to help shape our nation’s future leaders and I am very proud to support its efforts,” said Sen. Chambliss. “My first public speech was as a sixth-grader in a 4-H competition in Tracy City, Tenn., standing on a table in the lunch room. Since then, I have delivered many speeches, but I will never forget that experience 4-H afforded me as a child. It is truly an honor and privilege to support the mission and principles of the 4-H organization as the co-chair of the Senate 4-H Caucus.”

“Senator Chambliss is a wonderful example of our amazing 4-H alumni,” said Donald T. Floyd, Jr., President and CEO of National 4-H Council. “We are thrilled to honor him today for the passion, dedication and leadership he has shown for our organization and the impact that he has made on the Senate 4-H Caucus.”

Since 2002 when the National 4-H Hall of Fame was created, over 200 individuals have been inducted. Sen. Chambliss joins other distinguished Georgians in this honor including: G.C. Adams, Mary Cresswell, Tommy Irvin, Martha Harrison Jones, W.A. “Bill” Sutton, U.S. Sen. Herman Talmadge, and Dr. Tommy Walton.

This week also marks “National 4-H Week” during which 6 million 4-H members and over 500,000 adult and youth volunteers celebrate their involvement in 4-H. In 2008, over 166,000 individuals participated in Georgia 4-H, with over 25,000 being adult volunteers.

For more information about the National 4-H Hall of Fame, go to: www.nae4ha.org/hof.
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Chambliss to Appear on FOX News Sunday with Chris Wallace at 9:00 a.m. EST

U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Intelligence Committee, will be a guest on FOX News Sunday with Chris Wallace at 9:00 a.m. to discuss Iran and Afghanistan. He will be joined by Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Bob Casey, D-Pa., and Evan Bayh, D-Ind.

World’s bad boys swoon for Obama while our friends get cold shoulder

By Lynn Westmoreland

There aren’t many calls to my office from Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District praising the policies of President Obama.

But Obama need not fear.

As Obama was moving into the White House, his charm, his message of change and his Teleprompter-reading skills, pushed his approval rating to near 70 percent and his disapproval rate a mere 20 percent. Today, that margin has narrowed drastically to 50.4 percent approve and 44.3 percent disapprove.

But, again, Obama need not worry.

Sure, his leftist agenda on deficit spending, cap-and-trade, tax increases and a proposed government takeover of health care has met much resistance in this country.

But who needs the American voters when you have the world’s autocrats singing your praises?

If you’re a national leader who suppresses freedom of speech, jails political opponents on trumped charges or presides over a corrupt regime, you’ve probably had some glowing remarks for our president lately.

Libyan dictator Moammar Gaddafi put many to sleep with his 1 ½ hour diatribe at the United Nations but his bored audience managed to catch his references to “our son” and “our Obama.”
"The election of Obama is the beginning of change,” Gaddafi said. “We are content and happy if Obama can stay forever as the president.”

Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez was equally effusive, albeit in his own unique way. Chavez never had many nice things to say about former President Bush; he famously called Bush “the devil” during a speech before the United Nations.

But he was singing a new tune before his U.N. audience in September: "It doesn't smell of sulfur here anymore. . . . It's gone. No, it smells of something else. It smells of hope."

Ever the jokester, Chavez invited his new best buddy Obama “come join the ‘Axis of Evil’ here.”

Chavez buddy Fidel Castro jumped on the bandwagon to praise Obama’s strong language on addressing climate change, saying no other U.S. president has displayed such courage.

Perhaps we can laugh off some of the bluster of Chavez and Gaddafi. On the other hand, we should look warily at any praise coming from Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

Recently, President Obama pulled the rug out from under our Eastern European allies, the Czech Republic and Poland. Leaders of those nations had braved domestic opposition to stand with the United States to build a missile defense system on their land.

Even though it was intended to thwart any potential nuclear threat from Iran, the missile defense shield faced strident opposition from the Russians.

Putin hailed Obama’s decision to scrap plans for the missile shield as “correct and brave.” I’d bet that the Czechs and Poles, who were blindsided by the move, might use different adjectives.

The Putin example drives home the major point. The world’s sole remaining superpower capitulated to a corrupt, autocratic regime that has invaded our ally Georgia, has blackmailed our European friends by cutting off natural gas supplies and blocked every international attempt to stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

And what does the United States get in return? Absolutely nothing. For Putin, it’s win/win.

For our friends, it’s a different story. In addition to the Czechs and Poles, other NATO nations have been blown around by Obama’s winds of change. As they keep their troops in harm’s way in Afghanistan and face down domestic opposition to the ongoing war, Obama waffles on the war’s future.

As NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told the Washington Post: The right policy for Afghanistan "is definitely not an exit strategy. It's of crucial importance to stress that we will stay as long as it takes to stabilize the country."

Let’s hope the secretary general doesn’t figure out that the best way to bend the president’s ear is to oppose America at every turn.

Lynn Westmoreland represents Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District.

Fayette Women to Meet for Lunch Oct 15th

The Greater Fayette Republican Women's Club will meet for lunch on Thursday, October 15th, at 11:30 a.m. at Frank's, 1095 Hwy 54 W, Fayetteville. All interested Republican Women, their families, and friends are invited to attend. For more information, call Alberta Lucas (770-719-0879) or Debby Dickinson (770-641-2383).

Seniors' Bill of Rights

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Senate Cloaks Obamacare

You can’t read the bill because they refuse to put it in writing. And you’d better not oppose it because the government will try to muzzle you.

President Obama has consistently refused to put his details into legislative language, and now the U.S. Senate is doing the same thing.

Rather than respecting public demands for transparency, they’re figuratively spitting in the public’s face.

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=33682

Independents desert Obama, putting 2010 in play

Independent voters are turning away from President Obama and his fellow Democrats in droves. And if they can't find a way to get them back, the party could be in deep trouble for 2010 and beyond.

Independents gave Obama the White House last year with a vote for pragmatic competence. They have been repaid with partisanship and dithering. And unlike liberals who Obama has quickly re-energized after their summer doldrums, independents are devilishly hard to win back once they lose faith.
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/Independents-desert-Obama_-putting-2010-in-play-8284762-60716767.html

By: Chris Stirewalt
Political Edito
rSeptember 24, 2009

Can the Republicans win the House in 2010?

There’s starting to be some speculation that Republicans might recapture a majority in the House in 2010. That would require them to gain 40 seats—the exact number they needed to gain in 1994, the last time they recaptured a majority from the Democrats. Interestingly, I don’t recall anyone predicting the Republicans would win a majority, much less gain the 52 seats they actually did that year, until July 1994...
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Can-the-Republicans-win-the-House-in-2010-60766582.html

Washington Examiner
By: Michael Barone
Senior Political Analyst
09/23/09 4:12 PM EDT

Marco Rubio Delivers Letter to Governor Crist Regarding ACORN

Another interesting race to watch. Marco Rubio (R) is running for the Senate seat vacated by Mel Martinez in Floriday. Governor Charlie Crist (R) is also running for the seat. www.marcorubio.com

September 17, 2009
The Honorable Charlie Crist
The Capitol
400 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399

Dear Governor Crist:

As you are no doubt aware, the community organizing group Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) is now under intense scrutiny for recent reports of its involvement in questionable behavior and potentially illegal activity in several states.
In addition to the damning video reports of ACORN employees now familiar to most Floridians, just last week the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office announced that arrest warrants were issued for 11 former ACORN employees accused of faking voter registration cards. While it is commendable that ACORN assisted in the investigations that led to the arrests, it begs the question: why were so many people capable of these crimes working for ACORN in the first place?

Last Friday, the Census Bureau severed ties with ACORN. On Tuesday, U.S. Senators Bill Nelson and George LeMieux joined 81 other Senators in an overwhelming and bipartisan vote to strip federal funding from ACORN. Just yesterday, Governors Arnold Schwarzenegger in California and Tim Pawlenty in Minnesota took similar action, asking officials to investigate ACORN’s behavior in their respective states and prevent state taxpayer funding of the group.

Based on the mounting evidence against ACORN and the serious questions surrounding this organization, I respectfully ask that you follow the lead of the other elected officials I mentioned above and take immediate steps to initiate a thorough investigation into ACORN’s activities in Florida, including a detailed accounting of what state funds, if any, ACORN may be receiving. If it is discovered that they are receiving state funds, I believe further steps should be taken to cut off any taxpayer funding of ACORN.

The St. Petersburg Times also reported yesterday that your office may have partnered with ACORN in the past on several initiatives, including your 2007 effort to restore voting rights to convicted felons in Florida. If you partnered with ACORN, I have no reason to doubt you did so unaware of ACORN’s propensity for questionable activity, and with what you believed at the time to be the best interests of Floridians at heart. However, given the recent revelations about ACORN, I believe it is now in the best interest of all Floridians for your office to provide a thorough accounting of its relationship with ACORN and what, if any, influence ACORN may have had in any actions you have taken on behalf of the people of Florida.

Lastly, during last year’s presidential election, despite what now seems to be a prescient chorus of concerned parties asking for an investigation into ACORN’s election-related activities, you insisted that you were unconcerned with ACORN’s activities. In light of the recent allegations against ACORN, I suggest you reconsider your position, demand a full investigation of ACORN’s election-related activities, and take whatever steps available to you to prevent ACORN from engaging in voter registration and other election-related activities until the questions surrounding this organization are resolved.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Marco Rubio
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On NBC's Meet the Press, Boehner Discusses Health Care, Dems' Push for Bigger Government, War in Afghanistan

In an appearance this morning on NBC’s Meet the Press, House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) discussed health care, the War in Afghanistan, and the dramatic expansion of the size of government under the current Administration. Leader Boehner highlighted House Republicans’ better solutions on health care – including allowing the American people to buy insurance across state lines and enacting medical liability reform – and called on the President to scrap his costly government takeover of health care and hit the “reset” button so Republicans and Democrats can work together on a bipartisan bill that reduces health care costs, expands coverage, and doesn’t break the bank. Following are highlights of Boehner’s appearance and video of the interview:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-wppn6_hiQ&feature=player_profilepage

BOEHNER ON DEMOCRATS’ GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF HEALTH CARE AND GOP BETTER SOLUTIONS:

“We’ve outlined a number of ideas to make the current system better. Why not allow small employers to group together through national associations so they can buy health insurance for their employees like big companies and unions can today? Why not allow the American people to buy health care plans across state lines? Why not get serious about medical malpractice reform and more importantly the defensive medicine that doctors practice because we haven't reformed our tort system? There are ideas I outlined some of these ideas in a letter to the President back in may, asked to sit down with him and his Administration, and we got a nice polite letter back that says thank you for your ideas, we'll see you at the end. I’ve not been to the White House since late April, early may. There’s been no bipartisan conversation on Capitol Hill about health care, at some point when these big-government plans fail, and they will, the congress will not pass this, it's really time for the President to hit the reset button and stop all of this and sit down and start over in a bipartisan way to build a plan that Americans will support.”

BOEHNER ON RADICAL GROWTH IN SIZE AND SCOPE OF GOVERNMENT UNDER DEMOCRATIC-CONTROLLED WASHINGTON:

“Let's remember something. The debate that we're in here is not just about health care. It’s about the trillion dollar stimulus bill that was supposed to be about jobs and turned into nothing more than spending, spending and more spending. It’s about a budget with a nearly $2 trillion deficit this year and trillion dollar deficits for as far as the eye can see. It’s a cap-and-trade system, this big giant tax on the American people that this week we just find out the Treasury Department said will cost the average family $1,700 per year. You add to that this whole question of health care and the government option and the government involvement, and Americans today are getting more news about what's happening in their government than they have ever gotten before, and Americans are generally scared to death…

“What’s going on here is unsustainable. Our nation is broke, and at a time when we've got the serious economic problem and near 10 unemployment, we ought to be looking to create jobs in America, not kill jobs in America. Their cap-and-trade proposal, all this spending, all of this debt and now their health care plan will make it more difficult for employers to hire people, more difficult, more expensive to have employees which means we're going to have less jobs in America - but Americans are scared and that's why they are speaking up and that's why they are engaging in their government.”

BOEHNER COMMENTS ON WAR IN AFGHANISTAN, CALLS ON GENERAL MCCHRYSTAL TO TESTIFY BEFORE CONGRESS:

“I said during the year, if the President listened to our commanders on the ground and to our diplomats, that I’d be there by his side, and I supported his strategy in Iraq. I’ve supported his strategy in Afghanistan, but it's pretty clear based on what I heard this morning that the President is changing the goals here. All he talked about was going after al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan. What happened to the statement earlier this year when the President said we cannot allow the Taliban and al Qaeda to have a safe haven from which to train, operate and organize to go after Americans? That is a very big change, and so I’m really concerned. We’ve been asking for general McChrystal to come to Capitol Hill and testify. The request -- we haven't heard anything. There's reports out all last week that the White House has asked general McChrystal to wait four to six weeks before sending his request in, and so there's something -- there's something amiss here, and I am highly skeptical of the debate that we're going to have here over the next couple of months.”

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Mike Huckabee Wins Values Voter Summit Straw Poll

/PRNewswire/ -- Mike Huckabee has convincingly won Family Research Council's second-ever Values Voter Summit Straw Poll. Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, Sarah Palin, and Mike Pence finished roughly tied for second place.

Only registered participants of the Summit who were present at the event were allowed to vote.

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released the following statement in reaction to the second ever Values Voter Summit Straw Poll:

"We were surprised that the event's turnout was more than double our expectations, clearly showing intensity among social conservatives. This was the first time potential conservative candidates could present their vision for change. We have over 1,800 registrants and over 175,000 unique online viewers."

The following are the straw poll results:


Candidate Name Total Votes Percentage

1. Mike Huckabee 170 28.48%
2. Mitt Romney 74 12.40%
3. Tim Pawlenty 73 12.23%
4. Sarah Palin 72 12.06%
5. Mike Pence 71 11.89%
6. Newt Gingrich 40 6.70%
7. Bobby Jindal 28 4.69%
8. Rick Santorum 15 2.51%
9. Ron Paul 13 2.18%
10. Undecided 31 5.19%
11. Other 10 1.68%

* The full results can be accessed at www.frcaction.org

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Isakson, Chambliss Call for End to Federal Program Used To Assist Troubled Banks, Automakers

Urge Administration to Use All Repayments for National Debt Reduction

U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., joined with 37 of their Senate Republican colleagues yesterday in a letter to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner calling for an end to the Troubled Asset Relief Program, known as TARP, which has been used to assist troubled banks, financial institutions and automakers.

The authority for the TARP is scheduled to expire on Dec. 31, 2009.

On Jan. 15, 2009, Isakson and Chambliss voted to oppose the Bush administration’s request to access the remaining $350 billion in TARP funds, citing their disappointment and frustration over how the administration spent the first $350 billion. Isakson and Chambliss also strongly opposed the Bush administration’s decision to use TARP funds to bail out U.S. automakers.

The full text of the letter:

Dear Secretary Geithner:

As we approach the termination date for authority to spend federal funds allocated to the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) through the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) (PL 110-343), we ask you to allow the authority to expire on December 31, 2009. As you know, the latest TARP report shows a significant amount of unobligated funds. Ending the authority for TARP would help improve the Federal debt going forward and reduce the need to increase the debt limit, which Congress has raised three times in the last 14 months.

When Congress passed EESA last October, the financial markets were in a downward spiral, and our country was facing an unprecedented credit crisis. Then Treasury Secretary Paulson requested $700 billion in federal funds to purchase toxic assets, which were at the heart of the financial crisis. Congress was told it was imperative to act quickly before the financial markets crashed, taking with it the pensions, savings and investments of hardworking, American taxpayers. As you know, the Senate passed EESA on a bipartisan basis, including the support of then-Senator Obama. Subsequent to the enactment of this legislation, however, TARP has been used by the federal government to acquire ownership stakes in banks, financial institutions, and automakers. This direct investment certainly was not the intention of Congress in passing this legislation. In fact, Congress explicitly rejected legislation to provide federal funds to bail out car manufacturers.

Based on your comments to the TARP Congressional Oversight Panel on September 10, 2009, it appears that you believe that our financial markets are recovering. In addition, borrowing costs are down for both business and consumer lending and banks are reporting stronger balance sheets. While we understand that our economy is still recovering, we believe it can function without added TARP funding. Additionally, the cost to the taxpayer if TARP authority was extended could be substantial. Already the taxpayer is expected to lose tens of billions of dollars on funding that was provided to GM, Chrysler and AIG.

As elected officials with the responsibility to the American public when it comes to overseeing taxpayer interests, we urge you not to extend TARP. To the extent you have concerns that allowing TARP to expire after this year would jeopardize the progress made in the recovery of our financial markets, we would remind you that Congress stands ready to work alongside the Administration if future action is required. This program should expire on December 31, 2009, and all TARP repayments should be returned to the Treasury for debt reduction.
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Chambliss, Isakson Cast Votes, Cosponsor Legislation to Block ACORN from Receiving Any Taxpayer Dollars

Also Call On Democratic Leader to Hold Hearings to ‘Determine Extent of ACORN’s Wrongdoing’

U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today cast votes and cosponsored legislation to block the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, known as ACORN, from receiving any federal funding. The senators also signed a letter to the Senate Democratic Leader calling on him to hold hearings “to determine the extent of ACORN's wrongdoing.”

ACORN, which has received an estimated $53 million in federal money since 1994, was accused of fraudulent voter registration in several states during the 2008 presidential election. Now, the group is under fire for hidden-camera videos in which ACORN employees in several cities are seen advising two people posing as a prostitute and pimp on how to break the law.

“After repeated revelations of fraud, it's clear that we must move forward to ensure that ACORN is not receiving any federal funding,” said Chambliss. “Organizations that break our laws and undermine our democratic process should not be eligible for taxpayer dollars.”

“It is indefensible that ACORN is eligible for taxpayers funds when it has repeatedly worked to undermine our electoral process and to advance partisan political activities,” said Isakson. “The recent revelations only offer further proof that this organization should be prohibited from receiving federal funding.”

Chambliss and Isakson cosponsored a bill today to block ACORN from receiving any federal funds from any source. The legislation was introduced by Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., and has 16 cosponsors.

In addition, Chambliss and Isakson voted for an amendment on the floor to block ACORN from receiving federal funding through the Interior Appropriations bills. This amendment passed by a vote of 85-11.

Chambliss and Isakson also joined 26 other senators in calling on Democratic Leader Harry Reid to hold public hearings on ACORN and to end all federal funding for the group.
The letter to Reid says in part: “American taxpayers must be able to trust that their money is being spent responsibly and is not being used to fund criminal enterprises. As Senate Majority Leader, we hope that you will deploy all of the resources at your disposal to restore that trust.”
Earlier this week Chambliss and Isakson also cosponsored and voted for an amendment to block ACORN from receiving federal funding through the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill. The amendment passed by a vote of 83-7.
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Westmoreland Supports House Vote Against ACORN

Congressman previously led effort against group’s involvement with Census

As a congressional leader in the fight to sever federal ties to ACORN, U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland joined an overwhelming House majority in voting for a bill to cut all federal funds given to the group.

“Today’s vote marks a rare victory for American taxpayers in this Democratic House, but ACORN’s abuses now are so well documented and so well known that even Democrats can’t defend them,” Westmoreland said. “Undercover videos of numerous ACORN offices giving advice on avoiding taxes and hiding an underage prostitution ring are only the latest examples of this group’s illegal behavior. I hope the Senate will follow the House by passing this legislation and sending it to the president for his signature.”

As chairman of the House Republicans’ Census Task Force, Westmoreland led a successful lobbying effort with the director of the Census Bureau to prevent ACORN from partnering with the bureau on the 2010 Census. The bureau announced last week that ACORN would be dropped from the bureau’s partnership program.

“Republicans didn’t take up this fight because it’s recently become a hot topic on cable news,” Westmoreland added. “In fact, last year, we sounded the alarm about ACORN’s voter fraud activities. In 2007, we started the fight to stop HUD from funding ACORN’s housing activities. Today’s victory has been a long time coming. ACORN’s work will continue even without federal funding and I encourage federal law enforcement authorities to investigate the group’s illegal actions.”
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Nathan Deal: Don't Lie. Verify

On Tuesday, I was honored to stand up for Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina on the floor of the U.S. House.

Joe has apologized to the President for his remarks and the President has accepted. But the liberal, national Democrats are trying to silence anyone who stands in the way of their government-run healthcare program.

Joe Wilson is a good friend of mine. He has four sons who all wear the uniform of our Armed Forces, just as their father did.

I also have proudly worn the uniform of the U.S. Army. Never in my wildest dreams did I believe that I would have to stand up and oppose the Commander-in-Chief. But in this Administration, I have and I will.

For years, I've been leading the fight in Congress to stop illegal immigrants from getting taxpayer-funded health care benefits. In fact, I wrote the law requiring every state to verify identity and citizenship prior to enrolling anyone in Medicaid. No one has been more aggressive about ensuring precious health care funds go only to those here legally.

Just last month, I offered an amendment to the Democrat government-run health care scheme that would prevent illegal aliens from getting taxpayer funded Medicaid benefits by simply requiring verification that an individual is a U.S. Citizen, or in this country legally. Unfortunately, my amendment was defeated on a mostly party-line vote.

However, the buzz on Capitol Hill is that liberal House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is forcing through her government-run health care scheme--without a provision to verify U.S. Citizenship or legal status--to the House floor for a vote as early as this afternoon. And you can help make sure this important taxpayer protection gets an up-or-down vote.

Nathan Deal

Deal for Governor

Call the Speaker's office to tell her to require citizen verification. Her number is 202-225-0100.

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Austin Scott to Speak to South Metro Young Republicans

The South Metro Young Republicans will host its September meeting this Wednesday, September 16, 2009, at 7:00 pm.

Please note the meeting has been moved to El Reposo in Peachtree City (100 Lexington Circle) with the closing of the Irish Bred Pub.

Austin Scott, a candidate for governor, will be the guest speaker.

Jim Tedisco's editorial in TU: Government can't fix our economic woes

Jim Tedisco For Congress to Facebook group:

Philosopher George Santayana once said, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." A Congress looking to pass a health care overhaul would do well to heed that warning.

The rush earlier this year to pass an economic "stimulus" bill did more to add to our crushing budget deficit than it did to add to our job rolls.

In fact, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, the nation has suffered a net loss of more than 2 million jobs since President Barack Obama signed into law the $787 billion stimulus package. The unemployment rate has shot up from 7.6 percent to 9.7 percent, the highest percentage of Americans out of work in 26 years.

At the same time, the Obama administration admitted that the 10-year federal budget deficit projection will be much higher than originally thought -- a staggering $9 trillion, nearly $2 trillion more than the earlier $7.1 trillion forecast.

It has taken our country more than 230 years, from the Founding Fathers up to today, to build up a $10 trillion deficit. Now we're on course to double it in ten years.

More and more, our destiny will be in the hands of America's creditors, like China and Japan. Higher debt means the possibility of higher interest rates rippling through our economy. Families will be burdened with higher mortgage payments and our children entering college will be saddled with higher loan repayments upon graduation.

Most Americans recognize that we cannot continue on this dangerous path. Doing so threatens our prosperity and saddles the future generation with an unfair, undeserved and impossible debt responsibility.

Yet, there are those who are ignoring warnings and are pressing ahead to pass a trillion-dollar plus health care overhaul.

While our health care system is certainly in need of reform, we must look to innovative solutions that will not bankrupt future generations. Too many Americans lack health insurance. Health care costs are rising at an unsustainable rate. Reform is needed, but Americans shouldn't be blamed for being suspicious of a government-led overhaul.

So, what to do?

Lawmakers should scale back plans and work toward incremental reforms that have bipartisan support. Preventing the denial of coverage because of pre-existing conditions, portability of coverage, comprehensive medical malpractice reform and pooling of insurees across state lines are just a few ideas.

What not to do?

Lawmakers should just say no to a "government-controlled plan." When the government competes with the private sector, it's not a fair competition. Government can run deficits and use taxpayer financing. Government would win, while patients and taxpayers would lose.

Lastly, lawmakers must resist the urge to rush through a bill that raises taxes and is not paid for. We shouldn't condemn ourselves to a repeat of the "stimulus" effort. There is a better way, one that not only strengthens our health care system for all but also eases pressure on our ready-to-burst fiscal system.

http://www.jimtedisco.com/

Rockdale GOP Monthly Breakfast Meeting

September 19
You are invited to the monthly breakfast meeting Saturday, September 19 at 9:00 a.m. The meeting is held at Honey Creek Golf Club, 635 Clubhouse Dr. SE, Conyers, GA 30094.

Speakers are Ed Stone, President of GA Carry, an organization working to preserve our 2nd amendment rights and Sue Everhart, Chairman of the Georgia Republican Party.

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John McCain: Health Care Reform Petition

My Friend,

Government-run health care issomething we simply cannot afford.

Sign the Petition Today

Last night, during his speech to a joint session of Congress and the nation, President Obama outlined his new proposal for health care reform. While I respect the President's point of view, and hope for an eventual compromise, I believe his proposal amounts to an egregiously expensive and expansive form of government-run health care.

After a month of hosting and attending town hall meetings with my constituents in Arizona and around the country, I know that Americans want health care reform. But what is so very clear to me is that Americans want to reform health care in the right way.

I am more convinced than ever that we must fix what is wrong with our health care system while doing no harm to the parts that work well. This means we need to have malpractice reform, we must emphasize wellness and fitness, give people the option to get the health insurance of their choice and bring the cost of health care under control.

If you agree, that we need to reform health care reform the right way, then I ask you to sign my health care reform petition today by following this link.

I am very troubled by the potential cost of the President's outlined plans. I know that you are very concerned with the national debt and a projected $9 trillion deficit. The prospective cost of the President's plan could reach $2 trillion, and frankly, our country simply cannot afford this price tag.

I will not support heath care reform that adds to the out-of-control spending spree the Democrats in Congress have gone on this year. And I ask you to join me in rejecting the addition of $2 trillion of debt by signing this petition right away.

Government-run health care is something we simply cannot afford, and I know that the majority of Americans agree with me that it is not the quality of health care that needs reforming, but the cost. But, I need to know you stand with me.

Will you follow this link to sign my petition?

As you know, the Democrats in Washington are doing everything in their power to push through their proposed reform full of political gimmicks. Your action today will send a clear message to them; we don't want government-run health care.

Thank you, my friend, for your support and involvement on this very important national issue.

Thank you,
John McCain

P.S. The Democrats have pledged to "move forward" with their $2 trillion plan regardless of Republican support. But, it is up to us to do everything in our power to put a stop to the wasteful spending and enact health care reform in the right way. Please sign this petition today and if you are able to, make a generous contribution to my reelection effort.
Thank you.

Note: we haven't gone to the petition to sign yet. Hopefully this isn't just a campaign contribution request couched around this very critical issue. - rns

Cash for Clunkers’ woes preview Obamacare

By Lynn Westmoreland

As Democratic members of Congress heard an earful over August from angry constituents worried about a government takeover of health care, hundreds of thousands of Americans were getting a sneak preview of what Obamacare might look like.

Washington, in its wisdom, instituted a seemingly simple Cash for Clunkers program, a plan so well known by Americans that it needs no further introduction.

The Cash for Clunkers window has closed now, of course, but its record of delays, paperwork, refusals, computer crashes and general red tape remained fresh in the memories of Americans as the president addressed the Congress this week to push his ideas for health care reform.

Without doubt, the president is the Democrats’ greatest messenger and he’s gifted in the art of persuasion. But the president doesn’t need to convince Americans that we have problems with our health care system. We could have all agreed on that long before he took up residence at the White House.

The president’s challenge is selling Americans on the dubious idea that the answer lies in a government takeover of the health care industry.

There are many legitimate reasons Americans from coast to coast flooded town hall meetings over August to voice their opposition. There are basic worries about bigger government, higher taxes and even larger federal deficits. Others wonder how an underfunded Medicare program could sustain $500 billion in cuts. But the main concern is intimately personal: Americans know a public option will undermine private insurance and lead to rationing, lower quality care and bureaucratic interference in the doctor-patient relationship.

It’s the latter concern where the Cash for Clunkers program could come into play.

At first, Congress appropriated $1 billion to provide a $4,500 incentive for Americans to trade in gas guzzlers for new, more fuel-efficient cars. This was supposed to rev up the ailing car dealers and auto manufacturers. (While almost 700,000 cars were bought through the program, this is a case of the government picking winners and losers. Cash for Clunkers merely pushed consumers to buy cars in lieu of other big purchases. Plus, dealers may face a dry spell after the taxpayer-subsided binge.)

The Department of Transportation this week will increase its work force for the program to 5,000, up from 3,000 last week, which was up from 1,100 public and private sector employees in mid-August. The bureaucracy keeps expanding.

What are these 5,000 new government workers doing? They’re processing the 27 million pages of paperwork generated by those nearly 700,000 car sales. A huge backlog formed waiting on the mere stamp of federal approval of the sale.

While many dealers appreciated the jump start on lagging sales, common complaints echoed nationwide: The government’s web site kept crashing, dealers couldn’t get their money from the Department of Transportation, their accountants were working around the clock to fill out the bounty of paperwork required on each car and 50 percent of applications were rejected. As of today (Sept. 10), only a little more than 40 percent of submissions have been paid.

Paperwork. Problems with payments to providers. Delays. Backups. New bureaucrats hired. The government picking winners and losers.

These things were bad enough when U.S. consumers were just looking for a good deal on a new car. What’s it going to be like when you need dialysis or a heart transplant?

President Obama’s effort to sell cars may give Americans extra pause as they watch him kick the tires on his health care plan.

Lynn Westmoreland (R-Grantville) represents Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District.
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In Case You Missed It - Senator Bob Dole in The Washington Post: Starting Over on Health Care

/PRNewswire-/ -- In today's Washington Post, Senator Bob Dole urges a 'fresh start' on the issue of health care reform and said it is "the vital issue of our time, and Obama should be out front with his specific plan on this make-or-break issue." In June, Senator Dole, along with other former U.S. Senate Majority Leaders Howard Baker and Tom Daschle, all members of the Bipartisan Policy Center's (BPC) Advisory Board and Leaders' Project on the State of American Health Care, released their comprehensive bipartisan health care proposal, entitled: "Crossing Our Lines: Working Together to Reform the U.S. Health System."

Quotes from today's Washington Post editorial:

"If I were a White House adviser, I would suggest that the day Congress reconvenes, President Obama's version of reform should be introduced by Democratic leaders in the House and Senate. Health-care reform is the vital issue of our time, and Obama should be out front with his specific plan on this make-or-break issue."

"Along with former senators Howard Baker and Tom Daschle, I serve on the advisory board of the Bipartisan Policy Center, a group searching for common ground on health care, energy, agriculture, transportation and national security . . . Out of Congress now, we have no votes and no power -- but we have our credibility. It is pleasing that many lawmakers, particularly the Senate Finance Committee leaders, Democrat Max Baucus and the GOP's Chuck Grassley, have looked favorably upon some of our recommendations."

"A bipartisan ending will have more credibility with the American people. Indeed, most important legislation in U.S. history has had broad bipartisan support. As a supporter of bipartisan health reform, I hope the president has gotten some rest in the past week. I also hope he puts the final touches on his own health bill. I'd bet a bottle of aspirin that it would cure many of his headaches."

The Leaders' Project report, released in June, was authored by Senators Baker, Daschle and Dole, and was co-chaired by Chris Jennings, a veteran of the Clinton White House, and Dr. Mark McClellan, administrator of Medicare and Medicaid Services under President George W. Bush. It offers politically-viable policy recommendations to address the delivery, cost, coverage and financing challenges facing the nation's health care system. For more information or to download a full copy of the report, please visit: http://bipartisanpolicy.org/projects/leaders-project.

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CREW Files Ethics Complaint Against Rep. Deal

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Yesterday, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a complaint with the Office of Congressional Ethics against Rep. Nathan Deal (R-GA) for violating House rules and federal law by intervening with Georgia political leaders to preserve a program that financially benefits him.

This past weekend, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Rep. Deal, along with his business partner Ken Cronan, owns a lucrative business, Recovery Services, Inc., that – through a no-bid contract – provides inspection stations to the state for the inspection of salvaged vehicles. The business earned $1.4 million between 2004-2008 and Rep. Deal personally took home $150,000 a year.

In 2008, Georgia Revenue Commissioner Bart Graham took over responsibility for the inspection system and found the operational costs and locations of the inspection stations to be too costly and restrictive for the state of Georgia and its residents. Comm. Graham decided the best course of action was to reform the system and award contracts through a competitive bidding process.

Rep. Deal and his staff, with assistance from Georgia Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle, then arranged meetings with Comm. Graham at which Rep. Deal and his chief of staff were present, to persuade him to reconsider his decisions, including the proposed elimination of $1.7 million that has been allocated for the program. After Comm. Graham’s plan was passed by the Georgia House, Rep. Deal’s chief of staff used his House email to contact Georgia state officials to ensure the state Senate did not pass the cut in the program. The money for the program was eventually kept in the budget.

Rep. Deal may have committed a federal crime by using his position and congressional resources to engage in self-dealing, thereby depriving his constituents of his honest services. By using congressional resources, including House computers and staff time to pursue his business interests, he violated the federal law and House ethics rule requiring taxpayer funds be applied only to official business. By using his position to force Comm. Graham to meet with him and his chief of staff to discuss his personal business, and by contacting other Georgia politicians to influence a vote on a state budget matter, Rep. Deal violated the House rule prohibiting members from using their positions to obtain financial benefit. Finally, Rep. Deal’s course of conduct violates the House rule requiring members to act in a manner that reflects creditably on the House.

Melanie Sloan, executive director of CREW, said, “Astonishingly, Rep. Deal seems to believe he has the right to use his position as a member of Congress to ensure no one -- not even a Georgia official -- interferes with his sweetheart deal with the state of Georgia. The Office of Congressional Ethics and perhaps the Department of Justice should be able to teach Rep. Deal a valuable lesson: public service is not intended as a path to self-enrichment.”

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DeKalb Young Republican Meeting

"Come join the best Party in the County!"
What: Club/Group Meeting
Host: Dekalb County Young Republicans
Start Time: Thursday, August 27 at 7:00pm
End Time: Thursday, August 27 at 9:00pm
Where: Hudson Grille - Brookhaven Station

To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=113319752873&mid=eec5bfG2210436bG2f066f1G7

Isakson Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Financial Disclosure Rules

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., has introduced legislation to increase transparency and strengthen mortgage disclosure requirements for Members of Congress.

The bill by Isakson and Senator Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., would require Members of Congress to make a “full and complete” disclosure of residential mortgages, which includes, the date that the mortgage was entered, the range of the amount, the interest rate, the term, and the name and address of the creditor.

Isakson and Boxer serve as Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics, respectively.

Senator Isakson said, “Since my first year in Congress, I have always disclosed my home ownership and the mortgages against my home. It’s the right thing to do and I believe it should be required of all members of Congress.”

Senator Boxer said, “Transparency is the key to accountability in government. We must continually revisit ethics in government, and strengthening our disclosure rules takes an important step forward.”
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Town hall violence -- by Obama supporters

Town hall violence -- by Obama supporters

President Obama recently e-mailed followers to attend local town halls, and his deputy chief of staff promised to "punch back twice as hard" in the health care debate. Neither of them probably expected their backers to "get in the faces" of their opponents quite this much. Or to punch anyone -- not literally, anyway.

In Saint Louis, the Post-Dispatch reports that Kenneth Gladney, a conservative activist, was distributing Gadsden Flags at a town hall meeting for Rep. Russell Carnahan, D-Mo., when he was allegedly beaten by a group of Obama supporters. One of them reportedly flung racial epithets at him (he is black). Glandey ended up in the Emergency Room, and six people ended up in jail, including a reporter for the Post-Dispatch whom police accused of interfering. Carnahan was not yet present at the town hall when the incident happened.

Read the full story

Mark Tapscott - Angry Mobs Department: That was then, this is now

Democrats screaming to high heaven about those disrupted town hall meetings could use a little refresher on recent history concerning their partisans' conduct in 2005 in response to President George W. Bush's attempt to get Congress to move on a genuine Social Security reform.

Read the full story

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Cobb Countians for Accountable Government Rally

Wednesday, August 12 at 8:15am.
Event: Cobb Countians for Accountable Government
"Taxed Enough Already" Rally
Host: Cobb Countians for Accountable Government
Start Time: Wednesday, August 12 at 8:15am
End Time: Wednesday, August 12 at 8:45am
Where: School Board HQ, 514 Glover Street, Marietta Georgia

Isakson Criticizes Senate’s Refusal to Stimulate Housing Market by Expanding Tax Credit for Homebuyers

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today criticized the Senate’s rejection of his amendment to stimulate housing demand and boost the economy by expanding the first-time homebuyer tax credit to a $15,000 tax credit for any buyer of any home. The Senate rejected Isakson’s amendment, which he sought to attach to the “cash for clunkers” bill, by a vote of 47 to 50.

Isakson then voted against final passage of the “cash for clunkers” bill.

“I’m disappointed in this vote on the homebuyer tax credit, because every American is suffering in this economy. Every American deserves for Congress to look for positive incentives to bring the housing market back, restore their equity, improve their values and return us back to a vibrant economy,” Isakson said. “The ‘cash for clunkers’ program demonstrates what I’ve known all my life, which is positive incentives cause positive results. The problem we have, though, is it was not the automobile market that disappeared first in America. It was the collapse of housing market.”

Specifically, Isakson’s amendment would have increased the maximum amount of the credit from $8,000 to $15,000 and expanded the current tax credit so that it applies to any buyer of any home, not just first-time buyers. The amendment also would have eliminated the income caps of $75,000 for an individual and $150,000 for a couple under the current tax credit so that there is no income limit for eligibility. The amendment would have extended the tax credit for one year from date of enactment and would have still allowed homebuyers to claim the credit on their 2009 tax return for purchases made in 2010. Finally, the amendment would have required the expansion of the tax credit ultimately to be paid for by stimulus funds.

Isakson’s amendment was endorsed by the National Association of Home Builders and the National Association of Realtors.

Isakson has pushed hard for a tax credit for homebuyers since January 2008 because he knows that it will work. In the mid-1970s, America faced a similar housing crisis when a period of easy credit and loose underwriting flooded the market with new construction. Interest rates rose, the economy slowed and America was left with a three-year supply of vacant homes. Congress responded by passing a $2,000 tax credit for anyone purchasing a new home for their principal residence. Isakson, who was in the real estate industry in Atlanta at the time, says the results were clear and swift as home values stabilized, housing inventory dropped and the market recovered.

Isakson spent more than three decades in the real estate business, beginning his business career in 1967 when he opened the first Cobb County, Ga., office of a small, family-owned real estate business, Northside Realty. Isakson later served as president of Northside for 20 years, presiding over the company’s growth into the largest independent residential real estate brokerage company in the Southeast and one of the largest in America.
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Gary Black to Speak at Hart County Republican Party Meeting

Saturday, August 15 at 8:30am.
Guest Speaker: Gary Black - Agriculture Commissioner Candidate
Hart County Republican Party
Start Time: Saturday, August 15 at 8:30am
End Time: Saturday, August 15 at 10:00am
Where: Hart County Literacy Center (Hart Co. Library basement)

Join the Georgia Federation of Republican Women at their 26th Biennial Convention October 1-2, 2009

Join the Georgia Federation of Republican Women at their 26th Biennial Convention October 1-2, 2009.

The two-day event starts on Thursday, October 1st, 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. with the
four-session Leadership Academy. Proposed topics include: The Importance of Leadership
and Grassroots Involvement; Team Building-Unlocking the Power of an Effective Team;
Making Meetings Memorable and Productive; and Image Building.

On Friday, October 2nd, from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Holly Robichaud will present
her interactive, lecture-style program designed to provide a comprehensive overview
of campaigns, including management and strategy, fundraising, conducting opposition
research, media, get-out-the-vote techniques, writing winning campaign plans and
communicating with voters.

The event is at the Hilton Hotel/Marietta Conference Center. For more information,
contact Millie Rogers, GFRW President at millierogers@bellsouth.net [mailto:millierogers@bellsouth.net].

Register online at: www.gfrw.org [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102662287259&s=730&e=001JliDiKXEOf3NKdB_jMMibQNAQ4DbMwVy6gxVj0VnHXvKqiDOa6Ak9BLsInlypki
dbG9Yd9JeajAaEGUM8kFnLRJkbwSpiiC8PpQ7LGIycSE=]

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Governor Perdue to Co-host Second Annual Southeastern United States–Canadian Provinces Alliance Conference

In second year, group aims to increase economic relationships between southern states, Canada

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue will co-host the second annual Southeastern United States–Canadian Provinces Alliance (SEUS//CP) conference in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador from July 26 through July 28. Last year, Governor Perdue hosted the inaugural conference in Savannah, which drew hundreds of delegates from six southeastern states and seven Canadian provinces.

“Canada is Georgia’s top trading partner and it is critically important to continue to form business connections and collaborations that will only improve the trade and investment relationship that we have developed over the years,” said Governor Perdue. “In these economic times, reaching across borders to find commonalities in business and research is the way to help bolster the economies in our states and provinces.”

Approximately 200 delegates from across the Southeast and Canada are expected to attend the second annual conference. The itinerary includes a town hall session on public sector leadership in today’s economy, business sessions regarding energy, green economic development and ocean technology and many opportunities for participating businesses and organizations to network and form lasting partnerships.

“Last year’s conference was an outstanding start to what we believe will be a long, productive alliance among the six southeastern states and seven Canadian provinces,” said Heidi Green, deputy commissioner for the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “Georgia businesses will have the opportunity to network with Canadian businesses and delve further into our strategic industries.”

The SEUS-Canadian Provinces Alliance (SEUS//CP), which is modeled after the successful 33-year SEUS-Japan association, is designed to present opportunities for businesses to enhance commercial exchanges, promote two-way investment, and encourage technological and scientific exchanges between and among six southeastern States and seven Canadian Provinces. Member states include Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama and member provinces include Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba.

In addition to representatives from southern states, three Canadian premiers will attend the conference: Danny Williams, Newfoundland and Labrador; Shawn Graham, New Brunswick; and Darrell Dexter, Nova Scotia.

“On behalf of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, I extend a warm welcome to delegates of the second annual SEUS//CP conference,” said Premier Williams. “Over the course of this conference, businesses from all jurisdictions will have the opportunity to enjoy an itinerary that focuses on key areas of growth. The opportunity to meet with individuals from across the SEUS//CP region will hopefully result in new partnerships being forged and the valuable exchange of ideas.”

SEUS//CP was initially spearheaded by the State of Georgia and the Province of Quebec with support from the U.S. Embassy in Canada and the Canadian Consulate General for the Southeastern U.S. in Atlanta. The program is led this year by the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Next year, the state of Misssissippi will chair the alliance
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Sen. Balfour Begins Term as President of National Conference of State Legislatures

Sen. Don Balfour (R-Gwinnett) today took office as president of the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) at the organization’s annual legislative summit in Philadelphia. The first legislator from Georgia to be elected to NCSL office, Balfour will lead the bipartisan Conference in serving the nation’s state lawmakers and advocating for their interests before Congress.

“I have dedicated my political career to serving the people of Georgia, and am humbled by the opportunity to serve the states of this nation as president of such an esteemed organization,” said Balfour. “NCSL is at the forefront of bringing state legislatures together to develop public policy that will strengthen our country and the lives of its citizens. I look forward to working with state leaders from across the nation to enhance the state legislatures’ influence in the federal system.”

Sen. Balfour has been an influential member of NCSL throughout his legislative career. Prior to his election as president, Balfour served as vice president and is a member of the executive committee. He will serve as president in 2009-2010. Known for his work in helping Georgia pass some of the strongest ethics and eminent domain laws in the nation, Sen. Balfour’s colleagues agree that his leadership skills will serve him well as NCSL president.

“This is truly a great day for our state,” said Lt. Governor Casey Cagle. “Senator Balfour is one of our strongest and most experienced Senators with over 17 years championing conservative policy and representing his Gwinnett constituents admirably. Now heading one of the most prominent legislative organizations in the nation, Senator Balfour’s expertise and forward-thinking mindset give NCSL a tremendously capable leader who will do an outstanding job as president.”

Balfour’s longtime colleague, Sen. Eric Johnson (R-Savannah), remarked: “Senator Balfour is a driving force in some of the most important political issues facing our state. I greatly respect his commitment and dedication to serving our citizens. We are lucky to have such a seasoned leader representing the state of Georgia in one of the most influential legislative organizations. The states are getting a strong leader at NCSL as we face record deficits and unemployment challenges.”

“I am proud to serve alongside Senator Balfour in representing the citizens of Gwinnett County,” said Sen. Renee Unterman (R-Buford). “Throughout my years in the Senate, I have watched him fiercely champion the issues that are important to his constituents. He is committed to doing all he can to help those he represents, and I am confident that he will serve as NCSL president with the same determination and convictions that have made him a cornerstone in the Georgia legislature.”

NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the nation’s 50 states, its commonwealths and territories. NCSL provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues. The Conference is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of state governments before Congress and federal agencies.
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Rep. Tom Graves Honored as “Legislator of the Year” by ALEC

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) today honored state Representative Tom Graves (R-Ranger) as its “Legislator of the Year.”

The “Legislator of the Year” Award is given to state legislators who are ALEC members in good standing and have distinguished themselves by advancing, introducing and/or enacting policies based on the fundamental Jeffersonian principles of free markets, limited government, federalism and individual liberty.

Graves peers honored him with the award for his work on the Jobs, Opportunity and Business Success Act of 2009 (JOBS Act).

“It has been a pleasure to work with the leadership of the Georgia House and ALEC to formulate a true economic stimulus proposal for Georgia,” said Rep. Graves. “We recognize that sustainable job creation only results from the expansion of the private sector and not from the expansion of government. Hats off to ALEC for their tireless effort to advance sound public policy based on Jeffersonian principles.”

Graves received the award for his authorship and passage of The JOBS Act, HB 481 and 482, which received national attention. These bills were focused on helping small businesses and creating, expanding and attracting jobs through a series of tax credits, cuts, and incentives for businesses to hire Georgians.

ALEC’s 36th Annual Meeting, which began this past Wednesday and wraps up July 18, featured former U.S. Senator and Georgia Governor Zell Miller, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich and others who addressed an audience of nearly 1,500 state legislators and business leaders in Atlanta.

Statement From NEA-Alaska President Barbara Angaiak on Resignation of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin

/PRNewswire/ -- Sarah Palin's announcement that she's resigning provides educators with an opportunity to open a fresh dialog about the pressing issues in Alaska's classrooms. NEA-Alaska stands ready to meet with Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell as he takes over as Governor.

We will meet with him at any time and location of his convenience. Despite numerous overtures during the past year, Governor Palin has not made the time to meet with NEA-Alaska.

Education for Alaska's children cannot be put on hold any longer.

Attracting and retaining the best educators for Alaska is critical to ensure Alaska's students are prepared for tomorrow's challenges.

We're confident when Lieutenant Governor Parnell is sworn in as Governor he'll make it a priority to meet with educators and address our concerns.

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Boehner, Westmoreland Unveil “Bloodhounds” Video Asking: Where Are the Jobs?

Job-Sniffing GOP Bloodhound Ellie Mae Makes Debut, Finds Few Jobs from Trillion-Dollar “Stimulus”



House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today released a new web video targeting Washington Democrats’ trillion-dollar “stimulus” bill and asking “where are the jobs?” The tongue-in-cheek web video, inspired by a classic 1984 TV commercial by now-Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), features a job-sniffing GOP bloodhound named Ellie Mae and a down-home voiceover by Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA).

"This is a lighthearted web video, but the underlying point is no laughing matter,” Boehner said. “At a time when Americans are looking to Washington for leadership, the trillion-dollar ‘stimulus’ isn’t working. Americans were promised the ‘stimulus’ would keep the unemployment rate from going above eight percent. It’s now at 9.x percent, and rising. Where are the jobs?”

In the video, job-sniffing bloodhounds follow the “stimulus” money trail across the nation in search of the millions of jobs the Obama Administration promised to “save or create” if the trillion-dollar spending bill were enacted. The trail takes them to AIG Headquarters in New York City, where “stimulus” funds were used to pay big bonuses to top executives; to Wisconsin, where “stimulus” funds are paying for repairs to a bridge that reportedly carries about 260 cars per day, many to a place called Rusty’s Backwater Saloon, according to a June 16 report in the Wall Street Journal; and to North Carolina, where “stimulus” funds were reportedly used by one town to hire a new worker whose job is to apply for more “stimulus” funds from Washington.

“A real ‘stimulus’ would help small businesses across America get back on their feet and create jobs,” Boehner said. “Washington hasn’t tried that yet. Instead we’ve made government bigger, wasted taxpayers’ money, and piled new debt on our children and grandchildren. Republicans have put forth a better solution – a plan that recognizes small business, not government, is the engine of the American economy. We hope Washington Democrats will work with us in the months ahead to make it a reality.”
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Tonight on Evil Conservative Radio 10-11PM EDT

Note: Well, well, guess this is our day for passing along all kinds of info. Been getting all these updates and info, we look at it, sometimes listen, sometimes click, but generally we've kept it to ourselves. Little light bulbs went off in the brain this morning (caffeine after good night's sleep 'll do it to ya), and we're sharing. Not sure if we'll do it on a regular basis yet, will decide after another cup o' strong Irish tea and a bit of waiting to see if we get a reaction from our readers...

Applied Reaganism for Free Americans

Wednesday (7/1): Gun-Hunting Feds and Grab-Bag Thursday on Wednesday, as EC covers some of the stories we haven't had time to get to during this abbreviated week.

Have a GREAT 4th of July and don't forget EC's on vacation most of next week, but we'll be back LIVE on Thursday 9 July.

EC's Call-in #(347) 215-6246

Live on Liberty Works Radio Networkor GRAB a PODCAST
Click to Listen to Liberty Works Radio Network Live Feed
(**note that there are several 3-minute silences per hour for affiliate advertising)
EC's Call-in #(347) 215-6246
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Listen/Watch ECR Archives on LiveLeak or NMATV
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Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Conservatism

Note: We haven't had time to listen to the program below, but it looked interesting. Some of you have been asking where you can find an alternative to YouTube... http://www.nmatv.com/. They are part of www.heritagenewmedia.com. What's that have to do with this post? We get updates from Heritage New Media, and the following is one we rec'd today. They sponsor or own or whatever the NMATV.com site. We have a page on NMATV (http://www.nmatv.com/users/GeorgiaFrontPage) with one lonely video on it. We're going to add more soon.)

Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Conservatism

Can conservative + grassroots + Christian = edgy and insightful political commentary? Tune in and find out!

Every Thursday at our NEW TIME of 6:00 pm PT hosts Babe Huggett and Warner Todd Huston discuss and examine current political events, put them in historical context and follow trends to their logical conclusions through a conservative, Christian viewpoint. Scheduled guests will enjoy their own featured isegment. Phone in comments from listeners always welcome!On tonight's show:

Hosts Babe Huggett & Warner Todd Huston dig deep & analyze the news with their usual insightful and historical approach all the while being as politically irreverent as possible! We're heading into cloak & dagger territory tonight with Mr. A Nonymous, a retired Department of Defense analyst, Arabic linguist and author of Tremble The Devil, who will explain why the police can not handle terrorism from the African-American community's islamic converts.

Program info

Date / Time: 7/2/2009 at 6:00 PM Pacific/ 8:00 PM Central/9:00 PM Eastern
Tonight's Topic: Mr. A Nonymous explains why the police can not handle terrorism from the African-American community's islamic converts.

Call-in Number: (347) 237-4040
Visit & listen!

Listen to Huggett & Huston on Blog Talk Radio

More from Huggett & Huston:
OutLoudOpinion.com
Publius' Forum
Free Britannia.org
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RNC / Michael Steele: Obama Foreign Policy Survey

(Note: Generally we dislike passing along anything that has a request for money. We figure if you want to donate to a campaign or cause, you'll do so on your own. Although the following asks for money... when do you ever get anything from the RNC without a request for money ... we decided to pass it along in hopes you'll take the survey. At this critical juncture in our country's history it's important that we ALL get involved on some level.)

A couple of weeks ago, I asked for your thoughts and opinions about President Obama's domestic agenda. Thousands of grassroots leaders like you were gracious enough to take the RNC's online survey and make your voice heard about how the liberal Democrats are governing our country.

Today, I am asking for your input on President Obama's foreign policy.

President Obama came into office promising a new kind of American foreign policy. One in which America would open up dialogues with some of the world's worst dictators and tyrannical regimes. The closing of the detention center at Guantanamo Bay -- where some of the world's most dangerous terrorist reside -- would earn us goodwill. And apology tours of Europe and the Middle East would yield greater cooperation.

The results:

Obama kept his promise to engage tyrants by exchanging pleasantries with Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez and starting low level talks with the Iranian Mullahacracy, which has now turned on its own citizens to keep an iron grip on power.

North Korea, feeling slighted by the Obama Administration, brazenly conducted a nuclear test and continues to threaten America and our allies through bellicose rhetoric.

He instructed that the phrase "War on Terror" be discarded for "overseas contingency operations" and acts of terrorism renamed the Orwellian term "man-caused disasters."

And Obama signed an executive order to close Guantanamo Bay, but has no plan on where to move the terrorists except to the United States as his apology tour of Europe yielded no takers, save one, for any of the prisoners.

The liberal media would have you believe that President Obama has already "rebuilt" America's image in the eyes of the world. That our country is now safer and more secure.

I'm not buying it -- and I don't think you are either.

But I want to know firsthand your thoughts about some of the most critical foreign policy issues facing our nation.

Please take a moment right now to fill out online the Obama Foreign Policy Survey to let Republican leaders in Washington, D.C. and across the country know where you stand on matters of global importance.

And when you've completed your survey, I hope you will make a secure online contribution of $25, $50, $100, $500 or $1,000 to help the RNC hold President Obama accountable for his foreign policy decisions.

Your participation in the Obama Foreign Policy Survey -- and your continuing generous support of the RNC -- is vital. Please make your voice heard today.

Sincerely,

Michael Steele
Chairman, Republican National Committee

P.S. President Obama's foreign policy that caters to the "Blame America", MoveOn.org wing of the Democrat Party is detrimental to our nation's security. As a Republican grassroots leader, the RNC wants to know where you stand on the top foreign policy priorities of the Obama Democrats. Please complete your Obama Foreign Policy Survey online today and make a special contribution of $25, $50, $100, $500 or $1,000 to support the RNC's efforts to elect more Republicans at all levels in 2009 and 2010. Thank you.