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Court issues restraining order against anti-Prop 107 spokesperson who threatens to attack Ward Connerly

October 18, 2010 By 2 Comments

Phoenix, AZ – A Maricopa County Court official issued a legal restraining order against the spokesperson for a group opposing Proposition 107 on Friday after he sent a public message threatening to physically attack Ward Connerly, a pro-Prop 107 leader.

Anti-Prop. 107 spokesperson Steve Russell was ordered to stay more than 100 feet away from anti-affirmative action leader Connerly after Russell publicized his threat late Thursday night.

Proposition 107 would ban race and gender based affirmative action in Arizona. Connerly is nationally known for opposing government race and gender preferences and was participating in a debate on Prop. 107 hosted by the Goldwater Institute in Phoenix. Russell is a designated spokesperson for a group calling itself ‘Protect Arizona’s Freedom’, which supports Arizona’s existing affirmative action programs and opposes Prop. 107. Russell was not part of the Goldwater debate.

Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Clancy Jayne issued Friday’s court order after Russell sent out the threatening electronic message late Thursday evening following the debate. Russell announced publicly on his Twitter account that he “would not hesitate to punch connerly [sic] in the face if I saw him…”

Russell served as spokesperson for PAF at the taping of a televised Secretary of State Town Hall Meeting in September. During his taped official PAF statement opposing Prop. 107, Russell accused Connerly, who is black, of being financially supported by the Ku Klux Klan.

“Unfortunately, I must take violent threats seriously, especially when they are in the context of other inflammatory rhetoric, such as has been characteristic of Mr. Russell” Connerly stated. “A  few affirmative action supporters are quite radical and I have been threatened before. Mr. Russell has attempted to incite hatred against me with his bizarre KKK smears, and now feels compelled to brag about his willingness to assault me physically. I don’t know how stable Steve Russell is.”

Russell describes himself as “radical, somewhat socialistic” on the profile he provides to online dating website Match.com.

PAF is lead by AZ State Rep. Krysten Sinema (D-Phoenix), who serves on the group’s advisory committee. Rep. Sinema recently told Time Magazine that, “I’m very concerned about the tone of politics in recent years. We’ve seen a decline in civility and bipartisanship, and a rapid increase in hostility between those who have differing opinions. I think this has led to the alienation of the public in governance, which jeopardizes democratic participation.”

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2023831_2023829_2025183,00.html#ixzz12V061JIK

Connerly called on Rep. Sinema to walk her talk on civility.

“I call on Rep. Sinema, the Mayor of Phoenix, and other high profile public officials who are opposing 107 to condemn Mr. Russell and disassociate themselves from his threats,” Connerly stated. “I have been threatened before and have had a pellet gun fired at my office building because of my stance in favor of the principle of equal treatment for all.  No one should be threatened with violence in our nation because of their views.”

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Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Crime and Punishment, Race Relations

Support Dave Schweikert in Arizona’s Fifth Congressional District

October 18, 2010 By 10 Comments

By Kevin McCarthy

We’re 15 days away from November 2, 2010, and seeing growing momentum for GOP candidates. In Arizona’s Fifth Congressional District, Young Gun candidate Dave Schweikert is challenging Rep. Harry Mitchell in what Politico calls one of the “hottest House races in the country.”

Dave Schweikert

The growing national debt weighs heavily on our nation’s economic future, and is causing economic uncertainty. Rep. Mitchell and the Congressional Democrats have let the debt explode, especially with their record of passing trillion dollar bills like the failed stimulus and the government takeover of health care. For Dave, restoring fiscal discipline is his priority.

Unlike Rep. Mitchell, Dave won’t be a rubber stamp for more spending and more debt. He’ll work to reduce spending to get our fiscal house in order without job-killing tax hikes. Also, Dave pledged to repeal the health care law and replace it with reforms that empower patients and not Washington bureaucrats.

The former county treasurer and state legislator has a track record of being a strong fiscal conservative. It impressed The Arizona Republic so much, they endorsed Dave over the incumbent Democrat:

Schweikert, a former Maricopa County treasurer, is a financial guy. He enjoys poring over a spreadsheet the way most people dive into a good novel. What’s more, he’s a deficit hawk. After the budget excesses of the past 10 years, we need people in Congress who will challenge every penny of spending.

Dave is also winning the support of the voters:

“I’ve seen it in my family and friends who have lost their jobs or had their hours cut at work,” said Goldenetz, a process engineer for Intel who plans to vote for Schweikert. “I know three people whose homes are in foreclosure. The economy doesn’t seem to be getting better, and the Democrats in Congress have done more damage in the last year and a half with all their spending and taxes and regulations.”

Check out Dave’s website and follow him on Twitter.

Thanks,

Rep. Kevin McCarthy

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Endorsements, Guest Opinion Tagged With: ,

Open Letter to LD 7 Republicans’ House Nominee Heather Carter

October 18, 2010 By 18 Comments

Dear Ms. Carter,
You have openly aligned yourself with Expect More Arizona. EMA has come out as supporting the First Things First program and opposing Prop. 302. Republicans are supposed to stand for fiscal responsibility. A failure to adhere to that principle lead to Republican losses in Congress in 2006. Conservative Republicans believe that First Things First is wasteful and unnecessary. Many Republicans support Prop. 302 because we need the money to balance the budget. Do you support Prop. 302 or are you loyal to Expect More Arizona? If you oppose Prop. 302, exactly how do you propose to close the projected $700M + budget deficit next year? Raise our taxes? I remind you that Republicans are supposed to OPPOSE increased taxation. The voters of LD 7 deserve a candid answer. I’d like to remind you, that as our nominee, we expect you to represent REPUBLICAN values, not EMA’s values or the values of the education lobby that is dumping money into your campaign.

Sincerely,
Marcus Kelley

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Economics, Education, State Economy, State Government

Arizona Districts 4 and 7 Need Help!

October 17, 2010 By 2 Comments

A m e r i c a n  P o s t – G a z e t t e

Distributed by C O M M O N  S E N S E , in Arizona
Sunday, October 17, 2010

The following was submitted by a reader.  Please help where you can.  We don’t want to say on November 3rd, “if only I pushed just a little harder.”  This is our time, don’t miss it.

——————————————————————————-

Hello All!

A little while ago, we sent out an email with information for precinct walking and voter education in Districts 1, 5, and 8. We have been concentrating on those districts because they are Republican districts with vulnerable Democrat incumbents in each. If you use the House slider at CookPolitical, you will see that all three races are on the right side of the majority takeover line. That is why we concentrated on those.

Unfortunately, because that was our concentration, we do not have any materials developed for districts 4 and 7. However, those races are very important too. Grijalva has gotten himself in real trouble, and on Wednesday, November 3rd, the entire country may know the name of Ruth McClung! Ed Pastor is an absolute Pelosi clone, and in a year like this, that’s not what voters are looking for.

Those are both Democrat districts, but the Contreras and McClung folks are running great campaigns, and the activists in AZ-4 and AZ-7 are second to none!

We sent out a request for folks in 1, 5, and 8 to help with those campaigns, and for folks in all other districts to forward the message on to activists in those districts. But we were neglectful in not asking the same in return for 4 and 7, and I apologize. Again, we did not concentrate this year on 4 and 7 (we only have so many resources and so much time), but we want to help!

So, if anyone in 4 and 7 has any materials or messages they want to get out, or if they want to make any requests, please let me know and we will be sure to pass the message along to everyone we can.

On November 2nd, things could go really well for us, and on Wednesday morning, the story might just be about you great folks working so hard in 4 and 7. Please let us know if we can help get your message out! We’ll do our very best!

To conservative activists, tea partiers, and everyone fighting for liberty,

The path to taking back the House of Representatives from Nancy Pelosi and her Democrats runs straight through Arizona.

There are three vulnerable Democrats here, and if we are going to win on November 2nd, we MUST take these three seats:

Congressional District 1:

Incumbent: Ann Kirkpatrick (D)

Congressional District 5:

Incumbent: Harry Mitchell (D)

Congressional District 8:

Incumbent: Gabrielle Giffords (D)

If we don’t take these seats, WE WILL NOT WIN THE HOUSE.

(If you are not in one of these districts, you can still help, and please forward this to everyone you know who is.)**

These races are closer than they should be. SEIU and their cohorts are making thousands of GOTV calls to liberal voters. We have to counter them with precinct walking and GOTV of our own!

The Arizona online newspaper Western Free Press is offering excellent handouts you can use to distribute to voters: http://www.westernfreepress.com/metablog_single.php?p=220

Make sure to get walking lists for the right voters. You must only go to Republican and some independent houses. If you go to a Democrat’s house, you won’t convince him or her, and you may turn out a vote against us. To get walking lists, contact one of the following:

Tom Jenney, Director, AFP Arizonatjenney@afphq.org (602) 478-014

Brandon Trichel, AnyStreet Arizona, btbaseball@aol.com

or your local/county Republican headquarters.

Walking precincts is fun and easy . . . and so important.

No matter what group you’re in, you can do this!

If you are on your own or you are not sure how to do it, AnyStreet.org can help. Join AnyStreet.org and they’ll use their Street Leader Program to get you started.

** We know that folks in Districts 4 and 7 are working hard too, and we hope that McClung and Contreras pull it out!  But those races are a much steeper climb, and we must be SURE to win in the more winnable districts of 1, 5, and 8.

Additional information:

Barb Rogers is the volunteer chairman for CD-7. In Tonopah, Avondale and everything in between. She has literature and some signs. She also has call lists. Please contact Barb at goinnutsaz@gmail.com or (623) 556-7393

George Sprankle and all the other volunteers are pushing very hard to get Janet Contreras elected in CD-4. Go to www.vote4janet.com to see if you can help, and read all about this great lady.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Press Release

Deputy County Treasurer shoots down another Harry Mitchell lie!

October 16, 2010 By

Liberal Democrats will stop at nothing to hold on to power! Recently, the Harry Mitchell campaign released another refried false ad about David Schweikert. What the Democrats and union bosses are doing now is resorting to lies about David Schweikert’s record as County Treasurer.

Here is the current Maricopa County Deputy Treasurer debunking these false accusations. The video was produced courtesy of The Cactus Tea Party.

YouTube Preview Image

Please share this with others.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, County Government, Ethics, Spending

Arizona Republic endorses David Schweikert

October 15, 2010 By 15 Comments

I never thought I’d reprint anything from the Arizona Republic (in entirety) but odd and strange things happen during political campaigns. With a sudden case of cognitive dissonance on the mind, I’m not sure if I should congratulate or console David Schweikert for his endorsement by the Republic’s editorial board but since political campaigns are mathematically a process of addition, I’ll assume this helps swell his ranks of voters. Here’s the endorsement reprinted:

SEND SCHWEIKERT TO WASHINGTON

Ignore all that mud smeared across your television screen and splattered in your mailbox. Rep. Harry Mitchell and David Schweikert are honorable men who want the best for this country. They simply have different ideas about what that means.

The two face off for the second time to represent Congressional District 5, which stretches from Fountain Hills and Scottsdale through Tempe, west Mesa and parts of Chandler to Ahwatukee Foothills. Mitchell won in 2008, boosted by the Obama wave.

The Democrat has built an admirable record, particularly on veterans’ issues. He has resisted the partisan upmanship that paralyzes Congress, with a Republican co-sponsor on every bill he introduced. Mitchell’s voting record is moderate, however much Schweikert wants to paint him as a Nancy Pelosi-lapdog liberal. (Mitchell won the endorsement of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, no friend of the Obama administration.)

Mitchell was the right person to represent this district for the past four years. But to confront the challenges ahead, a change is needed. Schweikert, a Republican, has the talents and outlook that will be needed in the next Congress.

Schweikert, a former Maricopa County treasurer, is a financial guy. He enjoys poring over a spreadsheet the way most people dive into a good novel. What’s more, he’s a deficit hawk. After the budget excesses of the past 10 years, we need people in Congress who will challenge every penny of spending.

Schweikert also is willing to consider new approaches to longstanding problems. Social Security, for instance, continues to stumble toward insolvency because re-election-minded politicians are afraid to make tough decisions.

Mitchell says the system is just fine. Schweikert recognizes that unpopular changes will be necessary to save it.

And then there is the health-care bill. Mitchell, in talks around the district while the bill was being debated, displayed conflicting feelings about the bill and opposition to some portions of it. District residents mostly opposed it. Still, Mitchell voted for the bill, a vote he continues to defend.

That puts him at odds with the district. Schweikert, who vows to join Republican efforts to defund the law, is more in line with where voters stand. And he suggests common-sense, market-driven reforms that would accomplish the same ends with less bureaucracy.

Mitchell is likeable. He’s a grandfatherly figure, the kind of guy you wouldn’t mind spending a day with. He’s also at the end of a distinguished political career, with no illusions or ambition to be more than the 5th District congressman. While he dedicates himself to the job, he’s not a dynamic presence on Capitol Hill.

Schweikert is far more likely to bring energy to the office. It takes drive to pick yourself up from a bruising defeat for another campaign against the same opponent. The ambition that has carried Schweikert this far will serve the district’s residents well in Washington.

Voters have two good and honorable men to choose from. But for all these reasons, we recommend Schweikert.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Endorsements

Is Rick Romley attempting to sabbotage Bill Montgomery?

October 15, 2010 By 9 Comments

First of all, I make no statements to the guilt or innocence of any police officer.  This is very much not about that, it is my hope that in time the full truth will be told and justice will be served.  Justice.  Interesting concept.  With that said…..

Rick Romley is a lame duck Interim County Attorney.  He had his wings clipped by the voters of Maricopa County, the area he actually serves and by which he is employed.  His opposition to SB1070 was not lost on voters.  He was soundly defeated, embarrassingly so, by Bill Montgomery in a primary with an empty Dem slot on the ballot.

Now, Mr. Romley has gone to the grand jury procuring an indictment against a Phoenix Police Officer accused of 2nd degree murder, in a short one week after the incident.  A week filled with Hispanic activists blaming the shooting on race…and race alone, calling for murder charges.   Nightly their drama played out at 5, 6 and 10 with local TV giving a sounding board for their anger.  All 25 of them which eventually grew to about 100.

Romley felt he had sufficient evidence to go forward.  In one week.

Was there a completed investigation?  What is the Police Standards Bureau saying about the shooting?  Any experts involved?  What was the rush?  The officer is off the streets.

Are Romley, and his sidekick Jack Harris, merely playing politics with the handling of this case?

Romely is done.  He is out of office in a little over 2 months.  Word is that he is still very angry about his defeat.  It will be Bill Montgomery who will have to prosecute this case.  It is Bill Mongtomery who will have to decide how to proceed after a complete investigation is provided.  Bill Montgomery, the guy who won the election Romley felt was his.

If the evidence should suggest that there was no crime at all…that the officer was fully justified in his use of deadly force…what will the Carlos Galindo crowd do then?  What sort of outrage will be allowed to build as the months go by and they fan the flames of race based anger?  Will the story line be the SB1070 supporting County Attorney lets this case go….or that justice was served?

Romley is playing to the Phoenix voter.  The Phil Gordon, sanctuary city, voter.  He is certainly working the crowd of Hispanic activists, as is Harris.  Interestingly, the Mayor’s race in Phoenix has no front runner and Romley will be out of a job soon.

Mayor  Romley of Phoenix?  Nah…a better idea is to go into private practice with a like minded attorney.  I can see it now…Romley & Woods, PC.

Filed Under: City Government, County Government, Crime and Punishment

Poll: Republican statewide candidates romp Democrats in every race

October 14, 2010 By 10 Comments

(Phoenix, AZ) A poll just released by Moore Information reveals great news for all Republican statewide candidates. The poll conducted among 500 likely voters (October 12-13), shows every statewide Republican candidate leading their Democrat counterpart outside the margin of error (+/- 4% with 95% confidence). Here is a summary of the results:

PARTY
Republicans
45%
Democrats
34%
Independent/Other
21%
GENDER
Male
48%
Female
52%
GOVERNOR
Jan Brewer (R)
51%
Terry Goddard (D)
34%
Larry Gist (G)
*
Barry Hess (L)
3%
None
1%
Don’t know
10%
SECRETARY OF STATE
Ken Bennett (R)
46%
Chris Deschene (D)
28%
Neither
2%
Don’t know
23%
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Tom Horne (R)
46%
Felecia Rotellini (D)
37%
Neither
3%
Don’t know
14%
STATE TREASURER
Doug Ducey (R)
38%
Andrei Cherny (D)
24%
Thomas Meadows (G)
5%
Thane Eichenauer (L)
4%
None
2%
Don’t know
28%
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
John Huppenthal (R)
46%
Penny Kotterman (D)
33%
Neither
2%
Don’t know
20%
STATE MINE INSPECTOR
Joe Hart (R)
38%
Manuel Cruz (D)
29%
Neither
3%
Don’t know
30%
CORPORATION COMMISSIONER
Gary Pierce (R)
28%
Brenda Burns (R)
28%
David Bradley (D)
18%
Jorge Luis Garcia (D)
17%
Theodore Gomez (G)
4%
Kirk Fowlkes (L)
4%
None
3%
Don’t know
33%
Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Political Parties, Polls

Dr. Gosar Applauds Federal Judge’s Ruling

October 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 14, 2010

CONTACT:

Stefani Zimmerman

920-915-5323

Stefani@gosarforcongress.com

Gosar Applauds Federal Judge’s Ruling to Allow States to Overturn Obamacare

Kirkpatrick’s $2.5 Trillion Health Care Vote Is Bankrupting States, Families

PRESCOTT, AZ –Today, U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson ruled that States may continue to sue to overturn the $2.5 trillion health care law.  States are suing the Federal Government because of the unconstitutional provisions in the bill, such as requiring all individuals to purchase insurance and imposing unlawful taxes on individuals, families and small businesses.  Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick voted in favor of the health care bill which raises taxes over $525 billion and does nothing to lower the cost of health care.

“Today is a victory for the American people,” said Dr. Paul Gosar.  “I applaud Judge Vinson for upholding the Constitution and recognizing that individual States have the right to stand up to the Federal Government and fight back against the largest expansion of the government in the history of our nation.  As a healthcare provider I understand firsthand how inefficient the Federal Government is at running health care and I know that this bill will do nothing but lower the quality of care.  We need real health care reform that actually lowers the cost of health care and protects the patient-doctor relationship.”

Liberal Ann Kirkpatrick defended her health care vote by stating, “I am putting my district first again by voting for this reform package.” (Kirkpatrick Press Release, 3/22/10)

Here is how Ann has put her district first:

  • Exemptions from the onerous penalties included in the bill were given to big businesses, such as McDonald’s, but small businesses must abide by the law and continue to pay the fines and taxes found in this legislation.  As Dateline: Washington reported on 10/11/10, “Just days after McDonald’s suggested the new health care laws would force it to end coverage for hourly employees, the Obama administration has issued an exemption to the golden arches and dozens of other firms that were poised to eliminate health coverage over prohibitive costs.”
  • This week, the Special Interest Group for IIAS Standards released a list of over 15,000 over-the-counter medications that are no longer tax-free because of Obamacare.  This list includes allergy medication, cold remedies, pain relievers and more.
  • Strategy 360 recently released a poll of registered voters views on the health care bill:
    • 88% disapproved of the health care reform bill because of government overreach
    • 55% of registered voters and 79% of seniors said the bill shows the incompetence of Congress
    • 72% disapproved of the bill’s cuts to Medicare Advantage
    • 70% disapproved of the increased tax on investments
    • 69% disapproved of the individual mandate with fines
    • 62% disapproved that there was no plan to deal with junk lawsuits
  • Insurance premiums are skyrocketing because of Obamacare.  NWCN reported on 10/12/10, “Ralph Nilssen’s five beautiful kids are about to get more expensive. Regence Blue Shield sent him a letter saying rates are going up – way up. Regence put the blame – at least in part – on the new and controversial health care law. “Obama care went into effect and my rates went through the roof,” said Nilssen. In the letter, Regence told Nilssen his $532 monthly premium could nearly triple next year. “I just sat back and said you’ve got to be kidding me,” he said.”

-30-

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Economics, Federal Budget, Health Care, Press Release, Spending, States Rights

Raul Grijalva Throws the Race Card – Actually He Has His Wife Do It

October 14, 2010 By 3 Comments

Tucson City Councilman Rirdard Fimbres’ blog site, has surprisingly posted an op-ed piece from Raul’s wife Mona Grijalva where she plays the race card against up-and-coming-on-strong Ruth McClung.  From the City Councilman’s website:

With only 23 days left to go before election day, there is a true sense of urgency and NOW is the time to really get busy!! The right wing sees Raul as vulnerable and is working really hard to win the race in CD7….and they have ALOT of money. They already have horrible, biggoted anti-Raul commercials on TV! They have already mailed anti-Raul flyers to thousands of homes in CD7! They had folks waving anti-Raul signs at moving traffic while screaming racist epithets in several areas of town last week!! As the attached article from Politico.com states, we are in a really, really tough race this year!!

Actually Ruth is kicking butt all over Raul, as her campaign has gone viral in the last 48 hours drawing attention from blog heavyweights Michelle Malkin, Hugh Hewitt, Gateway Pundit, Moonbattery and many more.  That endorsement from Sarah Palin helped things along with recent polling putting her up by 2 points over the one-who-would-boycott-his-own-state.

So it should come as no surprise that the now-desperate Raul has his wife throw the very predictable race card.  No proof, no pictures, no YouTube videos, nothing……nada,  just lies and innuendo.  Typical….

What is somewhat of a surprise is that a sitting city councilman would post the race-baiting piece on his personal blog.  Then again, Richard isn’t up for re-election this year.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections Tagged With: ,

Ann Kirkpatrick’s Rhetoric v. Reality

October 14, 2010 By 1 Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 14, 2010

CONTACT:

Stefani Zimmerman

920-915-5323

Stefani@gosarforcongress.com

Kirkpatrick’s Rhetoric v. Reality

Kirkpatrick’s “Stimulus” Vote Sent Taxpayer Money to Companies Overseas

PRESCOTT, AZ –Today, in another desperate attempt to hide her record, Liberal Ann Kirkpatrick continued to spread lies about Dr. Paul Gosar’s positions.  As a small businessman and healthcare provider, he understands that small business is the engine of Arizona’s economy and he has a plan to bring jobs back to the district.  Under Ann Kirkpatrick’s “leadership” unemployment has risen to 12% in the district; meanwhile, her stimulus vote helped to boost China’s economic growth rate.

“As Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick continues to struggle in the polls, she has resorted to outright lies about Dr. Gosar’s plan to bring jobs back to rural Arizona,” said Gosar Communications Director Stefani Zimmerman.  “Ann Kirkpatrick’s vote for the $787 billion failed stimulus bill gave green energy grant money to companies in China. Arizonans are struggling and Kirkpatrick has done nothing but vote to ship taxpayer money and jobs overseas.  This is hypocrisy at its worst.”

The Investigative Reporting Workshop, in conjunction with ABC News and the Watchdog Institute, reported that “more than 80 percent of the first $1 billion in grants to wind and energy companies went to foreign firms.  Since then, the administration has stopped making announcements of new grants to wind, solar and geothermal companies, but has handed out another $1 billion, bringing the total given out to $2.1 billion and the total that went to companies based overseas to more than 79 percent.”

Ann Kirkpatrick’s rhetoric cannot hide the fact that she voted for the $787 billion stimulus bill.  Since passage of this bill, unemployment has skyrocketed.  And, since her time in Congress, unemployment has increased 20% in Arizona’s First Congressional District and more than 33,000 jobs have been lost under her watch.  Voters don’t want to send their taxpayer money overseas and that is why momentum continues to grow behind Dr. Paul Gosar.  As a small businessman he is committed to reining in wasteful spending and stopping the dramatic growth in government.  Small businesses create jobs in Arizona, not stimulus money that is sent abroad to green energy plants in China.

-30-

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Economics, Federal Budget, Press Release

Gosar vs. Kirkpatrick: Reconciling awards & campaign contributions with economic reality

October 14, 2010 By 3 Comments

More odd news coming from the race in Congressional District 1, Gosar vs. Kirkpatrick

If you recall, Ann Kirkpatrick voted for the $787 stimulus bill which gave nearly $25 million in grants to General Electric.  What did GE do?  They pulled in over $156 billion in profits last year and then turned around and cut their workforce by 18,000 people!  This was NOT job creation, this was a job killer!

Yesterday, Ann Kirkpatrick held a press conference in which she was awarded a “Job Saver” award from the American Beverage Association, which, interestingly, has been a contributer to her campaign.  Coincidence? Hypocrisy? We have to wonder if the award was legitimate or just giving her “political cover.” Considering Ann Kirkpatrick has remained consistently down in the polls and her votes actually resulted in the loss of over 30,000 jobs in Arizona, this looks like an attempt to help Kirkpatrick salvage her faltering campaign. We’ll let the money do the talking on this one.

On the positive side, Dr. Paul Gosar has a plan to create jobs by actually empowering small businesses.  One way he proposes to do this is by returning the Federal Government to FY 2008 spending levels and cutting non-defense discretionary spending by 10%! Wow think of that! A congressman who will actually rein in wasteful spending and usher in economic certainty so that small business owners have the confidence to grow their business and create jobs again.

That’s the kind of Congressman we need in CD-1 and that’s why the voters should elect Dr. Paul Gosar!

Filed Under: Campaign Finance, Campaigns & Elections, Economic Development, Economics, Spending, Taxation Tagged With: , ,

Earning a better fiscal grade means no more tax increases

October 14, 2010 By 1 Comment

by Byron Schlomach, Ph.D.
Goldwater Institute

The Cato Institute recently issued a report card on the budget and tax policies of all 50 governors in the United States, and Arizona Governor Jan Brewer barely received a passing grade.

The report card assigned a “D” to Governor Brewer because she oversaw the two biggest tax increases in the state’s history. The first was the return of a $250 million state property tax after a three-year suspension. The second was the 18 percent increase in the state’s sales tax rate with Proposition 100.

So, how can the person who will be elected governor on Nov. 2 improve this score? Let’s start with no more tax increases. Instead, the next governor must focus on spending less. The Joint Legislative Budget Committee has shown that of the $12.5 billion in “solutions” used since fiscal year 2008 to balance the state’s budgets, less than a fifth of that total has been in permanent spending reductions.

Governor Brewer has taken some political risks to reduce spending. She championed a proposed restructuring of the juvenile justice system, and supported the elimination of KidsCare before federal health care reform forced the Legislature to reverse course. She backed efforts to recognize that funding isn’t available to keep supporting the most recent expansion of state Medicaid and AHCCCS through Proposition 204.

Other changes, however, have been slow in coming such as sentencing reform for nonviolent offenders, getting the private sector involved in providing state park services, and ending special subsidies to favored industries that locate here.

The next step to balance the state budget can’t be more taxes. Arizonans, who have watched their average personal income fall to 43rd in the country, just can’t afford them.

Dr. Byron Schlomach is an economist and director of the Center for Economic Prosperity at the Goldwater Institute.

Learn More:

Goldwater Institute: Budget Reduction Opportunities

Goldwater Institute: Put Arizona on a Real Budget: New Spending Limit Can Restore State’s Fiscal Health

Cato Institute: Fiscal Policy Report Card on America’s Governors: 2010

Joint Legislative Budget Committee: Finance Advisory Committee: Revenue and Budget Update

Filed Under: Economics, Government, Spending, State Budget, State Economy, State Government, Taxation

YOU KNOW IT WHEN YOU SEE IT

October 14, 2010 By 1 Comment

Racism.  What is it?  Who is it? 

Do you know it if you see it?

In most cases, if you aren’t sure of something, baby boomers like me do what were taught…we look it up.  In the 1940’s, 50’s, 60’and 70’s, that meant a dictionary or encyclopedia.  Now…we have “Google” and the Internet.  The term “Google it” has become the culturally ubiquitous meaning for cyber research.   My, how our culture has evolved in the last 60-70 years!

Or have we?

Back to the topic….

Wikipedia defines racism:

Racism is the belief that the genetic factors which constitute race are a primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race. Racism’s effects are called “racial discrimination.” In the case of institutional racism, certain racial groups may be denied rights or benefits, or receive preferential treatment.

So…believing that genetic factors determine the inherent ability of an individual or if choices are based on those genetically determined racial differences…it would fit the bill for racism.

Of course it would!

Really?  So anyone can be a racist?  Racism isn’t limited to one group or defined sub-set of people?  It isn’t limited to majority over minority?

That would mean, if someone gets a job, a raise, college admission, or even a better table at the restaurant because their skin is of a certain color, in the existence of others equally or more qualified of a different color, it is a racist decision?

That would mean ANYONE who is subjected to preferential, or derogatory, treatment based on race has been the victim of racism.  Someone better tell Al Sharpton.  Send the memo to Rick Romley, Jack Harris, and Carlos Galindo while you’re at it.

There are still those who “look it up” in their full set of the Encyclopedia Britannica, with the hard, cracked, yellowing cover and volumes of obsolete information.  But, that is what they know and on what they base their information, no matter how irrelevant it may be today.  It serves their purpose, even if it is unnecessary and does not procure the best result.  In fact, it probably gives the holder of such beliefs a false sense of knowledge that is based on old, out-of-date, and possibly misleading “facts”.   

This is 2010.  Internet, Barrack Obama, Sarah Palin, cell phones; diversity and intellectual advancements abound.   

Prop 107…you decide.  But if you don’t know what Prop 107 is, you won’t find it in your Funk and Wagnall’s….that was then, this is now.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Culture, Race Relations

Ruth McClung’s Goodbye Grijalva MoneyBomb!

October 14, 2010 By 8 Comments

Click on the image to go to Ruth’s MoneyBomb.

Goodbye Grijalva MoneyBomb

Filed Under: Campaign Finance, Campaigns & Elections

Viva Ruth!

October 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Absolutely Stunning! Here’s a glimpse of the excitement sweeping through Congressional District 7 as Ruth McClung rises as a star in the Republican Party!

The only other campaign with volunteers this wildly supportive in Arizona is Janet Contreras running in CD-4. Still, I have not seen this much excitement among the men Republican candidates running here in Arizona.

Earlier tonight was the battle of Ruth vs. Raul. I was unable to make it but listened to it on KNST over the internet. Needless to say, the debate went very well for Ruth as she put Raul on the ropes. And who were those other guys?

Watch for more polling over the next week to reveal Ruth continuing to lead in this race.

Go Ruth! You’re winning the hearts and minds of the voters of district 7!

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections

Citizens for Janet Contreras speak out against Ed Pastor!

October 13, 2010 By 2 Comments

Citizens are speaking out against Ed Pastor in congressional district four! Here is one of the videos that was recently released. Listen as Martin Chavez makes the case to fire Ed Pastor and elect Janet Contreras.

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Filed Under: Advertising, Campaigns & Elections Tagged With: , ,
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