GOP Presidential Candidates Answer Tax Question

At Thursday’s GOP "debate," moderator Chris Matthews of MSNBC asked the ten Republican candidates to each "mention a tax you'd like to cut, in addition to the Bush tax cuts, keeping them in effect." Results follow:

Gov. Mitt Romney: "I'd like middle-income Americans to be able to save their money and not have to pay any tax at all on interest, dividends, or capital gains. And by the way..." Matthews: "A zero rate on capital gains?" Romney: "A zero rate on capital gains for middle-income Americans. And by the way, we're all talking about how anxious we are to veto overspending. I was a Governor; I've done it hundreds of times. I can't wait to get my hands on Washington's budget."

Sen. Sam Brownback: "I'd put forward an alternative flat tax and allow people to choose between the current tax code and system which doesn't work which ought to be taken behind the barn and killed with a dull ax, and an alternate flat tax, and let them choose."

Gov. Jim Gilmore: "You know Chris, I've been a Governor of Virginia. I ran on a tax cut proposal and I ran on eliminating a car tax in Virginia. I received terrific opposition to doing that. I kept my word, I kept my promise, and we eliminated that car tax. Now, the question is, who is actually going to do what they say they're going to do? Where you have been is where you are going to go, and I have actually lived up to my word. And the answer is the Alternative Minimum Tax, which is continuing to drive people in the middle class into higher and higher taxation."

Gov. Mike Huckabee: "I cut taxes 94 times as Governor, but I realize tinkering with it doesn't work. I'd overhaul it. I would work for the Fair Tax, which meets the four criteria: Flatter, fairer, finite, and family-friendly. We'd get rid of the IRS. We'd get rid of all capital gains, income, corporate, and we'd have a consumption tax. The Fair Tax proposal I believe offers the best opportunity for all levels of Americans."

Rep. Duncan Hunter: "Right now our manufacturers are getting killed. We're seeing manufacturing move offshore because a dumb trade deal that we signed with the rest of the world allows all of our exports to be taxed twice while their exports to us are not taxed at all. The only way we can come close to leveling that playing field is to eliminate manufacturing taxes. So eliminate all taxes on Americans who will stay in the United States and make products and hire American workers."

Gov. Tommy Thompson: "I'm excited about this question because as Governor of Wisconsin I vetoed 1900 items, 1900 times, reduced taxes 16.4 billion dollars. I think the biggest problem we got in America is the Alternative Minimum Tax; it's bringing more middle-income people in. Let's put it in, let's have the people have a flat tax, and have the option of paying whichever is least."

Sen. John McCain: "I'd give the President of the United States the line-item veto on these bills as well as spending bills. The Alternative Minimum Tax is obviously eating Americans alive and that's got to be repealed. Another one I think is important is a $3,000 tax credit for people to be able to purchase health insurance, so low-income Americans will have access to health care which is an amazing and difficult problem today, and a simple, flatter, fairer tax so that Americans don't have to spend $140 billion as they just did last April to prepare their tax returns."

Rep. Ron Paul: "In my first week I already got rid of the income tax so my second week I'd get rid of the inflation tax, it's a tax that nobody talks about. We live way beyond our means, with a foreign policy we can't afford and an entitlement system that we have encouraged. We print money for it, the value of the money goes down, and poor people pay higher prices. That is a tax. It's a transfer of wealth from the poor and the middle class to Wall Street. Wall Street's doing quite well, but the inflation tax is eating away at the middle class of this country. We need to get rid of the inflation tax with sound money."

Rudolph Giuliani: "We have to adjust the AMT, that has to be reduced. We have to get rid of the Death Tax, which is gonna go to zero in 2010, which is going to create an incentive, I can't imagine what kind of incentive it's gonna create, it's going to go to zero in 2010 and in 2011 it's gonna go to 55 percent, and we have to make sure that the tax cuts that went into effect, that that level remains otherwise we're gonna have one of the biggest tax increases in history in 2011. And I would look to try to regularize the rates and look for some marginal reduction even beyond what we're doing right now."

Rep. Tom Tancredo: "For all the reasons mentioned by some of my colleagues I absolutely support the Fair Tax, it has to be accompanied however with the repeal of the 16th Amendment or we'd end up with a consumption tax and an income tax. And all this talk about vetoing spending bills and how that's going to solve our problem, let me tell you my friends, you can veto all the spending bills you want, you will not touch the deficit until you actually deal with the structural problem of mandatory spending. That's where all the money is. You can veto every one of the bills that come to you as discretionary funding including the military if you want. It is in fact mandatory spending that has to be dealt with."

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Tags: Election 2008, debate, GOP, income tax, increased taxes, presidential candidate To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!

Tenet Spooked

Listen to an excellent audio by Bob Parks released yesterday: Click to listen: The truth always comes out… Parks addresses former CIA Director George Tenet comments in Tenet's new book which he pushed on the talk shows this week. Parks takes comment in the books and then presents Tenet's words which refute his statement in the books. As Parks said, "the truth always comes out" eventually! Also Visit: Bob Parks Black & Right Bob Parks is member/writer for the National Advisory Council of Project 21, VP of Marketing and Media Relations/Staff Writer for the New Media Alliance, and VP of the Massachusetts Republican Assembly

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Tags: Black and Right, Bob Parks, George Tenet, Massachusetts, National Federation of Republican Assemblies To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!

Government-sponsored hostility toward religionSouthern California school district bans references to God from classroom

California Catholic Daily: A couple doors down the hall from Mr. Johnson's classroom at Westview High School in Rancho Peñasquitos, a suburb of San Diego, a teacher has a picture of the grunge rock band Nirvana on her door. Other teachers have slogans from sports celebrities and cartoon characters. Teacher Brad Johnson has decorated his assigned homeroom with pictures of families and nature, and banners relating to American history, such as God Bless America.

That last item, the school district told Johnson in January of this year, is banned and must be removed from the classroom. Why? Because the Poway Unified School District is under the impression that any reference to "Creator," "Creation," or "God" is prohibited by law. The following phrases struck the school board as objectionable: “In God We Trust,” the official motto of the United States; “One Nation Under God,” from the Pledge of Allegiance; “God Bless America,” a patriotic song considered to be the unofficial national anthem of the United States; “God Shed His Grace On Thee,” a line from America the Beautiful; and “All Men Are Created Equal, They Are Endowed By Their Creator,” an excerpt from the preamble to the Declaration of Independence. .The Thomas More Law Center announced on May 1 that it has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Poway School District, claiming that school officials violated Johnson’s constitutional rights. . . . [Read More]

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Tags: Brad Johnson, Christianity

National Language Act of 2007 Would Make Engilish the Official Language of the US Gov't

Bill Smith, ARRA Editor: Rep. John Boozman (R-AR) has become a co-sponsor of H.R. 769, the National Language Act of 2007. The act would make English the official language of the U.S. Government. 54 representatives have co-sponsored HR 769. The U.S. has never had an official national language. It has been reported that "nearly 17 million Americans admit that they not do speak English very well, that the number of Americans who do not speak English has soared since the 1990 census, and that 18% of Americans do not speak English at home." Regardless of the language spoken at home, a common language for government is needed. A 2005 Zogby International poll showed that 79% of Americans support making English the official language of the United States, including more than two-thirds of Democrats and four-fifths of first- and second-generation Americans.

"Official English" doesn't mean "English only." ProEnglish.com details that "29 states with official English laws do not prohibit government agencies from using another languages when there is a compelling public interest, e.g., protecting public health and safety, assuring equality before the law, promoting tourism, teaching foreign languages, providing for national defense, and other legitimate, common sense needs. Having English as our official language simply means that for the government to act officially, it must communicate in English. It means the language of record is the English language, and that no one has a right to demand government services in any other language. Official English would also reinforce America's historic message to new immigrants - that we expect them to learn English as the first step in their assimilation -- and that we are committed to ensuring that all Americans share in the economic, social and political benefits of having a common language."

Last year, the Senate voted 63-34 to adopt an amendment to the Senate immigration bill to make English the "national language of the United States." In support, President Bush said, "The success of our country depends upon helping newcomers assimilate into our society and embrace our common identity as Americans." He called the English language "the key to unlocking the opportunity of America." House bill H.R. 997 was pending with 150 co-sponsors that would have made English the official language. However, the congressional session ended without English becoming the official language of the United States Government (USG).

With the new congressional session, the task begins again. HR 769 declares that:

• English shall be the official language of the USG. The USG shall conduct its official business in English, including publications, income tax forms, and informational materials.
• The USG shall preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language of the U.S. of America. Unless specifically stated in applicable law, no person has a right, entitlement, or claim to have the USG or any of its officials or representatives act, communicate, perform or provide services, or provide materials in any language other than English. If exceptions are made, that does not create a legal entitlement to additional services in that language or any language other than English. If any forms are issued by the Federal government in a language other than English (or such forms are completed in a language other than English), the English language version of the form is the sole authority for all legal purposes.
• This Act does not apply to the "use" of a language other than English: (1) for religious purposes; (2) for training in foreign languages for international communication; or (3) to programs in schools designed to encourage students to learn foreign languages.
• The Act does not prevent the USG from providing interpreters for persons over 62 years of age.
• The Act Repeals Bilingual Voting Requirements.
• All public ceremonies in which the oath of allegiance is administered pursuant to this section shall be conducted solely in the English language. English will be the language requirement for ceremonies for admission of new citizens.
• The Act and the amendments made by this Act shall not preempt any law of any State.

I call on Rep.s Marion Berry, Vic Snyder, and Mike Ross to co-sponsor HR 769! This act alone would save the United States taxpayers BILLIONS of dollars in recurring costs by eliminating printing government documents, laws, regulations, etc., in other languages.

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Tags: ARRA News, Bill Smith, editor, English, John Boozman, National Language To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!

President Bush sent letters to Harry Reid & Nancy Pelosi affirming his pro-life position

Steve Elliot, Grassfire.org: On May 3, President Bush sent letters to Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi affirming his pro-life position -- just as 49,573 Grassfire team members requested! He closed his letter by saying, “I will veto any legislation that weakens current Federal policies and laws on abortion, or that encourages the destruction of human life at any stage.” Grassfire has obtained a copy of the letter, transcribed below:

Dear Mr. Leader/Madam Speaker:
I am concerned that this year the Congress may consider legislation that could substantially change Federal policies and laws on abortion, and allow taxpayer dollars to be used for the destruction of human life. I am writing to make sure that there is no misunderstanding of my views on these important issues.

Our Nation was founded on the belief that every human being has rights, dignity, and matchless value. Every child should be welcomed into life and protected in law. The advancement of science and medicine need not conflict with the ethical imperative to cherish and protect every life. In fact, advances in science have made it possible to see life developing at earlier stages and underscore Americans’ obligation to protect helpless and innocent life from destruction, whether it is in the womb or elsewhere. These issues are deeply emotional and are made even more complicated when the American taxpayer is asked to fund efforts that end human life.

As you know, current law prohibits Federal funding for abortion, both domestically and internationally, except in cases of rape, incest, or where the life of the mother is endangered. Recent legislative practice has ensured that taxpayer funds do not underwrite organizations that perform or promote abortion as a method of family planning. Current U.S. law protects human embryos. The standing pattern is that appropriate conscience protections must be in place for health care entities, and that taxpayer dollars may not be used in coercive or involuntary family planning programs.

I urge that these and other existing, important protections be respected and continued. I believe it is the most basic duty of Government to guard the innocent. With that in mind, I will veto any legislation that weakens current Federal policies and laws on abortion, or that encourages the destruction of human life at any stage. [Read More]

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Tags: Grassfire.org, President, George W. Bush, pro-life, Steve Elliot

Reagan diaries reveal president's private musings

Reuters: Ronald Reagan saved his most private and dramatic thoughts for a handwritten book -- a diary in which he recalled his running frustration with the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, his fear that Armageddon was near and coughing up blood on the day he was shot. Diary excerpts, released by Vanity Fair magazine on Tuesday, also reflect on the troubled relationship he had with his son Ron, his preoccupation with the "mad clown" Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and his personal chemistry with Mikhail Gorbachev during arms-control talks. Reagan hand-wrote diary entries every day of his eight years in office from 1981 to 1989 except for when he was in the hospital after being shot on March 30, 1981, about which he wrote, "Getting shot hurts." The full version of "The Reagan Diaries" will be published on May 22 by HarperCollins, a unit of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. . . . [Read More]

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Tags: diary, Ronald Reagan To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!

The Forced Abortion Act: Dems push bill to free abortion 'forever' from restriction

by Jill Stanek: Promoters call it the Freedom of Choice Act, which is actually true. If passed, it would retroactively and forever free the abortion industry to infinity and beyond from every "federal, state and local statute, ordinance, regulation, administrative order, decision, policy [and] practice," encumbering abortion in any way whatsoever. Pro-aborts reintroduced FOCA immediately following the Supreme Court's April 18 decision upholding the Partial Birth Abortion Ban with expressions of financial panic not seen since the stock market crashed in 1929 . . . [Read More] See also: Pro-Abortion Freedom of Choice Act Officially Introduced in Congress

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Tags: Jill Stanek, FOCA, Freedom of Choice act, forced abortion act, democrats, US Congress To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!

HR 1592 - Hate Crime Bill Passes & Paves the Path for CensorshipARRA Reposts on Arkansas Congressional Delegation (Updated)

Tony Perkins, FRC: Today, the House of Representatives took a further step towards dismantling the U.S. Constitution by passing H.R. 1592, the so-called "hate crimes" bill, 237 to 180. The legislation isolates people in different groups, then rewards and punishes these different groups using a separate standard from the one that applies to everyone else. "All men are created equal" is a principle that brave men and women have died for, and the failure to honor this principle nearly split this nation apart during the Civil War. One outcome of that war was passage of the 14th Amendment, which reads in part, "No state shall . . . deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."

Earlier this morning, President Bush's senior staff released a statement citing these and other reasons to encourage him to veto the bill. If anyone doubts that the ultimate goal of legislation like H.R. 1592 is to stifle free speech, especially the speech of Christians, then consider these chilling words from supporter Rep. James McGovern (D-MA) during the debate today: "Sadly this bill does not go after speech."

Bishop Harry Jackson of the High Impact Leadership Coalition just prior to the vote on the hate crimes bill eloquently described how this legislation paves the way toward censoring pastors and decried the hijacking of the civil rights movement by advocates of homosexual behavior. In the lead-up to today's vote, . . . (supporters) tried to defend this bill's establishment of a two-tier system of justice in our country, they carefully avoided addressing our central argument that the bill paves the way for censorship. FRC has carefully documented the stories where similar laws have been used to intimidate and censor Christians - peaceful expressions of opposition to homosexual behavior have resulted in arrests and prosecutions around the world, in Sweden, England, and Canada. And it has already happened here at home in Philadelphia.
As the bill goes to the Senate, please urge your senators to vote "no." Also please encourage President Bush to listen to his advisers and veto any such measure should it reach his desk.

ARRA Editorial Comment On Arkansas US Congressional Delegation (updated 5/4 - Vote Recorded): U.S. Rep Vic Snyder (D-Dist 2) co-sponsored of the legislation. Snyder continues to align himself with the extreme liberal leadership and has lost touch with the values of a "majority" of Arkansans citizens be they Democrats, Republicans or Independents. U.S. Rep John Boozman (R-Dist 3) voted against the bill. In a press release, Boozman said, “... this bill does not grant equality to anyone. Instead, it grants special status to certain victims over others – which is something I cannot support. In a bow to special interests, the House leadership is attempting to create a new federal ‘thought crime. The concept of ‘thought crime’ is a dangerous one, and this bill places us on a slippery slope where you could one day find members of the clergy called to the stand to defend their words delivered from the pulpit. A crime is a crime, regardless of the thought behind it, and crime should be prosecuted to its fullest extent - which should be equal for all.” Updated Info: Representatives Marion Berry (D-Dist 1) and Mike Ross (D-Dist 4) joined Snyder in voting voted for the bill.

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Tags: Bishop Harry Jackson, FRC, Hate Crimes Act, homosexual activism, John Boozman, Marion Berry, Mike Ross, Tony Perkins, US House, Vic Snyder To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!

May 3rd - National Day of Prayer [Video] --Millions Will Unite in Prayer & Honor God

Tomorrow, May 3, the United States will observe the 56th annual National Day of Prayer. Please plan to pray!! God is calling His people to be faithful for such a time as this! Proclamations from President George W. Bush and the governors of all 50 states will herald this landmark day, as the fervent prayers of millions of Americans in church events and public venues from coast to coast are offered to the Lord. Visit the: National Day of Prayer & Presidential Prayer Team Websites
Below: A Video by Coach Tony Dungy on Prayer & the National Day of Prayer

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Tags: National Day of Prayer, 2007, Tony Dungy, video To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!

House GOP leader blasts 'thought crimes' bill

by Jim Brown, OneNewsNow: A top House Republican is voicing opposition to a federal "hate crimes" bill that's scheduled to be voted on in the House of Representatives this week. House Minority Whip Roy Blunt warns that adoption of that legislation would a terrible mistake.This week the House of Representatives is slated to vote on HR 1592, a measure that would include crimes against homosexuals, bisexuals, and transgenders in federal hate-crimes statutes . . . [Click for more]

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Tags: Hate Crime Bill, Roy Blunt, U.S. House To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!

PBS pushes left-wing film but shelves film produced by conservative

by Chad Groening, OneNewsNow: A media watchdog organization is blasting the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) for airing a liberal documentary but refusing to air one produced by a conservative -- Frank Gaffney's film, Islam vs. Islamists: Voices from the Muslim Center.Tim Graham, director of media analysis at the Media Research Center, says the Public Broadcasting Service is showing a blatant double-standard by pushing a liberal film, but shelving one produced by a conservative . . . [Read More]

See also: PBS TV stations to air three-part documentary on atheism

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Tags: conservative, Islam, Islamist, liberal, media bias, Muslim, PBS, left-wing, film To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!

Republicans Given Leverage With Bush Veto of Iraq War Spending Bill

FoxNews: President Bush showed little appetite for compromise Wednesday, hours ahead of a session with congressional leaders aimed at crafting a new bill to fund the war in Iraq. Fresh from his Tuesday night veto of spending legislation that set timelines for U.S. troop withdrawals, . . . Bush said: "It didn't make any sense to impose the will of politicians over the recommendations of our military commanders in the field." The president defended his argument that U.S. troops must remain in Iraq to help stabilize that country, even as he predicted that "casualties are likely to stay high." "If I didn't think it was necessary for the security of our country, I wouldn't put our kids in harm's way," Bush said.

The standoff gives Republicans leverage, because even with the liberals' votes, Democrats don't have enough support to override Bush's veto. It will force Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., to seek more Republican help in drafting a new bill that Bush might accept, her allies and opponents say. "I think the Democrats are in a box," Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., said in an interview Tuesday. "We're pretty resolute on our side. We are not going to tie this funding to any type of withdrawal deadline or any type of redeployment deadline." . . .

"Our members will not accept restraints on the military," House Minority Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri told reporters Tuesday. He suggested tying benchmarks to continued U.S. nonmilitary aid to Iraq, an idea that many Democrats consider too weak. . . . Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky told reporters Tuesday that his party will accept benchmarks. But he declined to say whether he would agree to binding consequences if such benchmarks go unmet. "You've asked me if there is an area where there's a potential common ground," McConnell said, "and I think benchmarks are a possibility."

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Tags: Democrats, federal funding, Iraq War, President George Bush, Republicans, support troops, veto, presidential veto, To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!

How To Start Each Day With a Positive Outlook (Humor)

Today:
1. Open a new file in your computer.
2. Name it "Hillary Rodham Clinton"
3. Send it to the trash.
4. Empty the trash.
5. Your PC will ask you, "Do you really want to get rid of "Hillary Rodham Clinton?"
6. Firmly Click "Yes."
7. Feel better!

Tomorrow - name the file "Nancy Pelosi"
Continue until you feel totally "liberated" with the names from
The Top 25 Liberal Politicians in America

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Tags: Hillary Clinton, liberal, Nancy Pelosi, political humor To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!

Arkansas Republican Women Support Victory for Troops

Anne Britton, President, AFRW: Fayetteville, AR - The Arkansas Federation of Republican Women (AFRW) will hold their 26th Biennial AFRW Convention Friday, May 4th with an opening dinner event beginning at 7pm. Tickets to attend the dinner event are $50.00 each and must be purchased in advance by calling Julie Harris at 479-750-7754.

AFRW is very proud to support our troops and pledge their support only to Republicans who vote for victory and do not wave the white flag of defeat in Iraq with an artificial timeline for withdrawing from the battlefield before liberty and freedom are achieved for the Iraqi people. AFRW drafted and adopted on February 24, a resolution of support for our men and women in uniform. On March 31, in Washington, D.C., the National Federation of Republican Women Board of Directors adopted the resolution: View the resolution.

The featured speaker will be Colonel Hopper Smith, a former member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives (1996 - 2003). In October of 2003, he resigned his House seat when his National Guard unit, the 45th Infantry Brigade, was mobilized and deployed to Afghanistan. He served in Afghanistan as Team Commander of the 1st Embedded Training Team, Task Force Phoenix, 45th Infantry. His 80 man team was assigned to the 1st Brigade, Afghan National Army to advise and assist the new Afghan Army as they deployed on combat operations across Afghanistan in 2003 and 2004. On his return to the U.S, Col. Smith attended the Post Graduate Intelligence Program at the Joint Military Intelligence College, Defense Intelligence Agency. In August 2006, Smith graduated and became a FA 34, Strategic Intelligence Officer. He remains active in the Oklahoma Army National Guard. Col. Smith's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Army Commendation Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Army Parachutist Badge and the Army Air Assault Badge.

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Tags: AFRW, Arkansas, Arkansas Federation of Republican Women, convention, GOP, Republican To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!

Boozman Praises Bush VetoUrges Congress to quit playing politics, properly fund troops

Washington, May 1 - U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) today praised President Bush’s veto of Democrat-backed Iraq war supplemental which included an arbitrary timeline for withdrawal and over $20 billion in pork-barrel spending.

"The President followed through on his promise to veto this legislation which ties the hands of our military commanders. We all knew this was coming, yet congressional leadership chose to send him this flawed supplemental spending bill," Boozman said. "We have spent the last several weeks dealing with a bill we all knew the President would veto. Instead of being able to provide for our troops tonight, we have to start all over tomorrow morning. It is now time to quit playing politics with our troops and properly fund them without strings and extra pork."

The House version of the Iraq supplemental, as well as the conference report sent to the President passed the chamber by the bare-minimum majority of 218 votes. To override a Presidential veto in the House, taking into consideration the passing of two members, 289 votes are required. "Now that everyone has played their part in this process, I call on my colleagues to take this opportunity to put together a funding plan which does not put our partisan differences above the men and women who remain in harm's way, guaranteeing the freedoms we all cherish."

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Tags: Arkansas, Arkansas Federation of Republican Women, Iraq War, John Boozman, pork-barrel spenders, President George Bush, Representative, US Congress, veto To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!

HAS HARRY REID GONE NUTS?

by William J. Murray, Religious Freedom Coalition: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has just plain gone wacko. In all the years I have worked on the Hill I have never seen anything like this. The man is swinging from side to side on major issues within days and sometimes hours. He claims to have confronted President George W. Bush and told him the "war in Iraq is lost." But I know witnesses at the meeting that said he did not make that remark at all. Just after his meeting with the President he had said it was "constructive." Within a day he changed his story to "the war will be lost." That is three versions of the meeting in less than 24 hours! Secondly, on Dec. 17, 2006 Senator Reid recommended sending more troops to Iraq and now he says the President is wrong for following his (Reid's) advice to conduct the "surge." Thirdly, as I reported last week Reid voted for the Partial Birth Abortion Ban and then criticized the Supreme Court for upholding the law he himself had voted for! His office then made a statement that his criticism of the conservatives on the high Court was general in nature and that he did in fact support the partial Birth Abortion Ban. That, combined with the screaming into microphones, makes me wonder what exactly is going on in this man's head.
See also: "Losers" by Oliver North: "Since Reid announced "this war is lost," I have heard from dozens of the soldiers, sailors, airmen, Guardsmen and Marines . . . None of them agree with Reid's assessment."

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Tags: Harry Reid, Oliver North, Religious Freedom Coalition, Senator, William J. Murray To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!

Earmark stench is getting worse

The Washington DC Examiner Newspaper: Senators who haven’t yet gotten their earmark requests tucked into the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services and Education appropriations bill were no doubt gladdened to hear yesterday that the deadline has been extended. That happy news came in an e-mail circulated on Capitol Hill yesterday from Senate Appropriation Committee aide Jeff Kratz. Now lawmakers have until May 4 to get those juicy pork barrel projects funded in the 2008 Labor/HHS/Education spending bill. . . .

Remember right after the November elections when the Senate’s longtime “King of Pork,” Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) promised an “earmark moratorium” on 2007 spending? The moratorium was supposed to give the new Democratic majority time to pass the promised legislation that would shine needed light on the thousands of anonymous spending measures slipped into bills by senators and congressmen. Since Byrd was about to become Appropriations Committee chairman and was well-known for directing billions of dollars in earmarks to his home state, the moratorium was seen by many congressional reformers as an encouraging sign. Now we find that not only has the moratorium on 2007 spending bill earmarks been forgotten, senators are in the process of larding up 2008 bills as well. Both the Senate and the House have passed earmark reforms, but the Democratic leadership in both chambers is taking its time in resolving differences between the two measures. . . . [Read More]

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Tags: Democrats, earmarks, pork, US Congress To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!

New bills would gives special preference to homosexuals

American Family Association: A new bill, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), has been introduced in the House of Representatives by homosexual Congressman Barney Frank. The bill (HR 2015) would force organizations such as the Boy Scouts, Veterans of Foreign Wars, day care centers, Christian business owners, adoption agencies, public schools, municipalities and a host of other businesses and organizations to hire homosexual applicants. ENDA would make it illegal to fire, refuse to hire or refuse to promote an employee based on his or her sexual orientation or "gender identity." Such acts would be considered crimes subject to severe penalties. For a list of the co-sponsors of ENDA, click here.

The same day that ENDA was introduced, another bill — commonly called the Hate Crimes Act (HR 1592) — cleared committee for a full vote by the House. The Hate Crimes Act criminalizes a vast array of state and local acts and threatens religious leaders with criminal prosecution for their thoughts, beliefs, and statements. The intent of the Hate Crimes Act is to give special status to homosexuals. Republicans tried to expand the “protected class” in the bill to include senior citizens, pregnant women, prior victims, children under 18, the unborn, court witnesses, the military and more. Democrats defeated all amendments, projecting the welfare of homosexuals above other classes of citizens. The House Judiciary Committee then passed the bill on strict party lines —20 Democrats for and 14 Republicans against.

Take Action:

• Send an e-mail to President Bush asking him to veto ENDA (HR 2015) and the Hate Crimes Act (HR 1592) bills.
• Call your representative and ask him or her to vote against ENDA and the Hate Crimes Act. You can reach your representative at 202-224-3121. If you don’t know your representatives name, simply give the operator your address and you will be given his or her name and connected with his or her office.
• Forward this posting to your pastor, family and friends. Ask your pastor to urge members to send this e-mail and to call your Representative.

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Tags: American Family Association, Employment Non-Discrimination Act, ENDA, Hate Crimes Act, homosexual activism To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!

Conservative Black Pastors Fight Bill on Hate Crimes

by Hamil R. Harris, Washington Post: A coalition of conservative African American pastors is lobbying Congress to vote against a bill that would extend federal hate-crimes laws to cover gays, saying they fear it would prevent them from preaching against homosexuality. Several pastors last week urged House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers Jr. (D-MI), a sponsor of the bill, and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus to vote against the proposed Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

They say it would pin the hate crime label on their sermons against homosexuality, which they consider a sin. "This bill will offer a status for gays, lesbians and transgender people under the equal protection status that can muzzle the black church," said Bishop Harry R. Jackson Jr., pastor of Hope Christian Church in Lanham and founder of the High Impact Leader Coalition. "This law can be applied in the way that can keep the church from preaching the Gospel." . . . Among the groups opposing the bill are the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, the Family Research Council and Exodus International, a coalition of formerly gay Christians. The Unitarian Universalist Association, Integrity USA and the NAACP support the bill. . . . [Read More]

Todays Comments by Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council: This week the House of Representatives will vote on H.R. 1592, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007. This legislation seeks to federalize certain violent crimes - but only if you qualify for one of the categories they have created. The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states that every U.S. citizen should be granted equal protection under the law. H.R. 1592 establishes a system where victims would be treated differently based on the "actual or perceived" class or group with which they identify. Merriam-Webster defines a caste system as "a system of rigid social stratification," whereas some are given privileges and priority over others. The very concept of a caste system in the United States should be loathsome; however that is what this bill seeks to create. Under this legislation if a man who defines himself as bisexual is attacked it will automatically be assumed the local authorities are inadequate and he will have access to millions of federal dollars to help in the investigation. In contrast, if a member of the military or a pregnant woman is attacked they have no federal outlet to turn to. I wholeheartedly condemn violence against anyone, but if all Americans are to be treated equally this caste system cannot be allowed to become law.

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Tags: FRC, freedom of speech, Hate Crime Bill, religous freedom, Tony Perkins

1st Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate: Hillary loses

by Star Parker: The first debate of the 2008 presidential campaign was an unimpressive affair. Poor management of the event by MSNBC didn't help. Certainly, to try and be understanding, conducting a meaningful discussion with eight candidates, at least one of whom should not have even been up there, is not easy. . . . If I were any Republican candidate, I'd be feeling good about my prospects after watching this field of Democrats. The views of the group were almost monotone in their uniformity and lack of freshness, originality and boldness. Among this underwhelming crew, I think Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton distinguished herself as the clear loser. I say this because I think the senator from New York was the only candidate whose inconsistencies were particularly glaring.

Clinton's script on her vote supporting the invasion of Iraq has been that if she knew then what she claims she knows now, her vote would have been different. Nevertheless, she has not, like former Sen. John Edwards, expressed regret about that vote. Yet, when Clinton was asked how she would follow up on new terrorist attacks on the United States, she said that she would attack the perpetrators (assuming that they could be clearly identified) but that she wouldn't be "starting up" with others. . . .

Aside from disingenuousness and inconsistency in Clinton's views on Iraq, I was appalled by her comments about Wal-Mart. When asked by Williams if Wal-Mart is good or bad for the country, Clinton responded that it's a "mixed blessing." Could anyone imagine Clinton having said that Wal-Mart was a mixed blessing when her husband was governor of Arkansas? . . . [Read More]
Star Parker is president and founder of CURE, the Coalition on Urban Renewal & Education, and is author of "Uncle Sam's Plantation," where she offers five simple yet profound steps that will allow the nation’s poor to go from entitlement and slavery to empowerment and freedom.

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Tags: debate, Democrat, Hillary Clinton, presidential candidate, Star Parker To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!

Huckabee Releases Internet Videos - Addressing Campaign Issues

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee Exploritory Committee released Internet videos this week . Huckabee is a candidate seeking the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination. In these videos, Huckabee speaks to all Americans on why he is running for President and addresses on the record his position on a number of campaign issues.

Other Topics:
National Security/Foreign Policy; Health Care; Education;
Immigration; Sanctity of Life; Same Sex Marriage;
Israel; Faith & Politics; Taxes/Economy

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Tags: Arkansas, economy, education, healthcare, immigration reform, Israel, marriage amendment, Mike Huckabee, Politics, presidential candidate, Republican, Sanctity of Life, taxes, video

Tom Tancredo on CNN & Fox News [Videos]

Congressman Tom Tancredo and candidate for the Republican Presidential 2008 nomination was on both CNN's Headline News Prime with Glenn Beck and FOX News' Your World with Neil Cavuto discussing jailed border patrol agent Ignacio Ramos and Jose Campean. He also discussed the Salvation Army's firing of non English speaking employees and the Government suing this private nonprofit organization. Also discusses current situation of border agents in prison.

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Tags: CNN, Fox News, Glenn Beck, Ignacio Ramos, Jose Compean, Neil Cavuto, presidential candidate, Republican, Tom Tancredo, video To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!