News Blog for social, fiscal & national security conservatives who believe in God, family & the USA. Upholding the rights granted by God & guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, traditional family values, "republican" principles / ideals, transparent & limited "smaller" government, free markets, lower taxes, due process of law, liberty & individual freedom. Content approval rests with the ARRA News Service Editor. Opinions are those of the authors. While varied positions are reported, beliefs & principles remain fixed. No revenue is generated for or by this "Blog" - no paid ads - no payments for articles.Fair Use Doctrine is posted & used. Blogger/Editor/Founder: Bill Smith, Ph.D. [aka: OzarkGuru & 2010 AFP National Blogger of the Year] Contact: editor@arranewsservice.com (Pub. Since July, 2006)Home PageFollow @arra
One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics
is that you end up being governed by your inferiors. -- Plato
(429-347 BC)
Friday, November 09, 2007
Romney puffs up his record on Immigration
FactCheck.org is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, "consumer advocate" for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. They monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews, and news releases. Their goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding. The Annenberg Political Fact Check is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the Univ. of Pennsylvania. The APPC accepts NO funding from business corporations, labor unions, political parties, lobbying organizations or individuals. It is funded primarily by the Annenberg Foundation.
FactCheck.org reports that Mitt Romney casts himself as tough on illegal immigration in a new ad in which he says that, as Massachusetts governor, "I authorized the State Police to enforce immigration laws." He doesn't mention that his order never took effect. It came in the closing days of his administration and was rescinded by his successor, as we wrote back in August.He also promises, "As president, I'll . . . cut funding for sanctuary cities." Maybe so, but as governor he took no action against several such towns in his state. We find Romney misleading on both counts. . . . [Read More] Tags:Annenberg, Political Fact Check, Annenberg Public Policy Center, debate, Election 2008, errors, facts, Mitt Romney, presidential candidateTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
by Tom Finnigan, The Heritage Foundation: For the first time in the Bush presidency and only the 107th time in the history of the republic, Congress has overridden a presidential veto. With a vote of 79–14 in the Senate, what triggered this abnormal, overwhelming display of bipartisan unity?Pork, of course! The Water Resources Development Act of 2007 spends $23 billion on 751 projects around the country–all necessary, say the bill’s supporters. But as Ronald D. Utt points out, many of the earmarks have not been subject to a cost-benefit analysis. Rather, they were secured by lobbyists representing wealthy special interests. One example is the “beach replenishment” projects that will benefit seaside resorts. Morgan City, La., is getting a new visitor center when it already has two . . . [Read More] See also:The Water Resources Development Act of 2007: A Pork Fest for Wealthy Beach-Front Property Owners Tags:Congressional Pork, pork, pork-barrel spenders, Water Resources Development ActTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Thank you veterans They give so much so that we may live free.
And they have earned nothing less than the highest respect, praise and thanks of from our entire country.
This Veterans Day, we pause to remember the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much in the defense of our freedoms.
Please send a message of support to those military that you know.
Tags:Marine Corps, NRSC, veterans, Veterans DayTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Blanche Lambert a/k/a Sen. Blanche Lincoln Soaks Taxpayers for Farm Aid
Hat tip to Debbie Schlussel for this story. Debbie is a conservative political commentator, radio talk show host, columnist and attorney. We have reported on this before, now it is good to hear from someone else on this issue. by Debbie Schlussel: Have you ever heard of Blanche Lambert? Me, neither. But that's the maiden name of Arkansas' U.S. Senator, Democrat Blanche Lincoln. It's also the name under which she's been receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal farm subsidies, courtesy of you, the American taxpayer. Apparently, 11 Members of the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives have received millions of dollars in federal farm subsidies ($6.2 million!), while voting--surprise! surprise!--to continue those payments. One House member, Democrat Marion Berry of Arkansas (no, not that Marion Barry), got almost $2.5 million. But the one who seems to be most embarrassed about it--since she won't use her real name--is Senator Lincoln.
More from USA Today:
When the bill that would extend farm subsidies for five years goes to the Senate floor this week, eight senators will have special reason to pay close attention: They or their relatives collected about $3 million in federal payments from 1995 to 2005, according to government records compiled by a non-partisan environmental group. They join four House members in a small group of lawmakers connected to farming operations that received a total of $6.2 million in subsidies over that period. Many say their experience with the programs has given them valuable insight into the issue.
"Without these programs, there are some years that we would have been in very, very dire straights," said Sen. Jon Tester, a Montana Democrat elected last year who farms 1,800 acres. Along with his wife, he received about $232,000 from 1995-2005, according to Department of Agriculture records gathered by the Environmental Working Group. Congressional ethics rules allow members who get farm subsidies to vote on the bills that authorize them, on the grounds that the bills affect a general class of people. Some see a problem with that. . . .
Members of Congress must report sources of income totaling more than $200, but most get payments through partnerships or other entities, so it can be difficult to learn which ones receive the subsidies. Recipients are searchable by name on www.ewg.org, but, for example, payments to Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., are listed under her maiden name, Lambert, at a Virginia address near Washington. Records show Lincoln and her family members collected $715,000 from 1995-2005, the most recent year complete data are available. She said she personally received less than $10,000 a year, and the subsidies ended in 2005 when her land was sold.
The proposed $283 billion, five-year Senate farm bill would preserve a system that pays 84% of subsidies to the biggest 20% of the farms, according to the working group, which supports caps on farm payments. Some agribusiness companies receive millions from taxpayers each year, even with crop prices at record levels. One farmer-senator, Republican Chuck Grassley of Iowa, plans to offer an amendment that would cap payments at $250,000 annually. Grassley collected about $225,000 for his corn and soybean farm from 1995-2005. His son took in about $654,000, records show. Neither ever got $250,000 in a year.
President Bush wants to end subsidies for anyone making more than $200,000 in adjusted gross income - a formula that easily could capture members of Congress, who earn $165,000 per year in salary. Grassley says a payment cap is easier to get done. Tester expressed support for the Grassley amendment, as did Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., whose father and brother are listed as some of his state's biggest subsidy recipients. Lincoln has opposed similar payment caps, as have the four House members whose families have received subsidies. "It puts my guys out of business," Lincoln said Monday.
Grassley, Brownback and Tester said they support a system of subsidies for small and medium-sized farmers to provide a safety net and protect the nation's food supply. Only one subsidy recipient in Congress wants to dramatically pare direct payments to farmers: Richard Lugar, R-Indiana, whose family farm received $126,555 from 1995-2005. Lugar backs a plan to cap federal farm payments at $30,000 a year.
Rep. Marion Berry, D-Ark., says the system works well. He and his family's farming interests received almost $2.4 million in federal payments from 1995-2005, records show. His net worth in 2005 was $1.7 million to $6.6 million, according to his financial disclosure statement. "He has firsthand experience of how this really benefits farmers," said his spokeswoman, Angela Guyadeen.
He certainly does. Time to end the federal subsidies for these big corporate-owned and rich-guy farms. This isn't about saving the family farm. The poorest 80% of farms don't get most of the money. Why should we subsidize the corporations? End this form of corporate welfare. Check out this detailed graphic on farm subsidy cash sucked up by Congress: Tags:Blanche Lincoln, Farm bill, farm subsidies, Marion Berry, pork-barrel spenders
From Senate sources: Yesterday, the Senate agreed to the fiscal 2008 Defense appropriations conference report (H.R. 3222) by voice vote. The way for the Defense bill was cleared after Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) agreed to drop his objections to the bill’s lack of bridge funding for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Senate also voted to override President Bush’s veto of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) (H.R. 1495).
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid indicated last night that negotiations were continuing on how to work on the farm bill (H.R. 2419). Reid said he thinks the bill can be completed next week. Work on the bill stalled after Reid’s decision to prevent Republicans from offering amendments. CongressDaily reports that Reid has said he’d like to attempt to move an energy bill next week as well, but internal Democrat division might prevent that.
Late last night, the Senate finally confirmed Judge Michael Mukasey to be attorney general by a vote of 53-40. Despite their early praise for Mukasey, only six Democrats and Sen. Joe Lieberman joined with Republicans to confirm him. His nomination had been pending longer than any other attorney general in 20 years. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said, “[A] clear bipartisan majority of the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Judge Mukasey because he is one of the most qualified candidates ever nominated to the position of Attorney General. This support stands in stark contrast to the partisan politics that delayed this vote for seven weeks, and ends a sorry chapter in the history of the Senate confirmation process.”
The AP reports today on House Democrats’ intractable plans for yet another attempt to attach withdrawal language to funding for the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sen. McConnell said , “What unfortunate timing for Democrats, announcing yet another attempt at a withdrawal date on a day when the papers are filled with encouraging news from Iraq. While our troops are quelling violence and defeating terrorists in Baghdad and throughout Iraq, Democrats in Washington are trying to choke off funds for our troops in the field.”
Sen. Lieberman said of Democrats’ attitudes this week: “Even as evidence has mounted that General Petraeus’ new counterinsurgency strategy is succeeding, Democrats have remained emotionally invested in a narrative of defeat and retreat in Iraq, reluctant to acknowledge the progress we are now achieving, or even that that progress has enabled us to begin drawing down our troops there.”
On the Floor: Not much!! The Senate reconvenes for a pro forma session. The Senate will then stand in recess until Tuesday, Nov. 13. Tags:2008 Defense appropriations, veto override, Water Resources Development Act, WRDA, confirmation, Judge Michael Mukasey, US Congress, US House, US Senate, Washington D.C., To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
by Ralph Z. Hallow, The Washinton Times: Christian conservative leaders, unable to coalesce around a single candidate, instead are spreading their blessings among several Republican presidential hopefuls — and drying up talk of a third-party "Christian values" ticket. The Rev. Donald Wildmon, who founded the American Family Association in Tupelo, Miss., and whose evangelical Christian message reaches several million radio listeners and Internet subscribers, will throw his support to Mike Huckabee . . . Rev. Pat Robertson shocked fellow evangelicals by endorsing Rudolph W. Giuliani, the only pro-choice Republican running. . . . Paul M. Weyrich, who holds a regular Wednesday meeting of conservative leaders in Washington, gave the nod to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas, who ended his run for the Republican nomination last month, yesterday embraced Sen. John McCain of Arizona. James Dobson . . . is expected to reveal his choice this week. . . . [Read More] Tags:Christian Right, Election 2008, endorsement, GOP, presidential candidates, RepublicanTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Conservative Activist Donald Wildmon Endorses Mike Huckabee
American Family Association (AFA) chairman Donald Wildmon has endorsed former governor Mike Huckabee saying that Huckabee "understands the needs of our country and has the ability to lead us in meeting those needs." The endorsement is a persaonal one and not an endorsement by the AFA.
Wildmon is the founder of the AFA and a retired United Methodist minister in Tupelo, Miss. AFA is a pro-family advocacy group and has been active in standing for the protection of children and the family. Afa claims 3,286,290 supporters on their website. AFA has lead boycotts and protests against corporations that sponsor too much sex or violence on television and in magazines. Wildmon also has criticized the National Endowment for the Arts for using federal money to promote what he considers offensive or anti-Christian artwork and Wal-Mart, Corp and the Ford Motor Company for sponsoring the homosexual agenda. Tags:AFA, American Family Association, Don Wildmon, Election 2008, endorsement, Mike Huckabee, presidential candidateTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Washington AP reports: The Republican Party announced today that it will punish five states for scheduling early nominating contests. New Hampshire, Florida, South Carolina, Michigan and Wyoming will lose half of their delegates to the national convention, said Mike Duncan, chairman of the Republican National Committee.
RNC rules require the punishment for states that hold their nominating contests earlier than Feb. 5. Iowa, which plans to hold Republican caucuses on Jan. 3, would not be penalized because, technically, the caucuses are not binding on convention delegates. Nevada, which plans to hold its caucuses on Jan. 19, would not be penalized for the same reason. The RNC voted 121-9 Thursday to impose the penalties. Duncan, who has final say over the matter, said he will abide by the vote. "After significant examination we convened a meeting today and upheld the rules that were unanimously passed by our party in 2004," Duncan said in a statement. ... [Read More] Tags:Election 2008, GOP, Mike Duncan, primary, RNCTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
ARRA Note: The following was furnished directly to the ARRA Editor by Rep. Boozman's staff with permission to share with our readers. However in fairness, we have identified the a link and the published source for the guest editorial. by Rep. John Boozman, Editoral, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Over the last month, the debate over the proper and responsible re-authorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, or SCHIP, has bounced between both houses of Congress, from Capitol Hill to the White House, and over the national and local airwaves as special interests from both sides urged you to call in and tell your representatives how to vote. What has it gotten us? Nothing. We are in the same position we were on Sept. 30: SCHIP still exists and the children who receive these benefits, as well as some adults, continue to be covered.
The Congress, the Bush administration and the people all know we need to reauthorize SCHIP and move on. However, the best we can give them is a roll call vote on the same plan with the same result. It is my hope we can move on past this last vote and seize upon the new opportunity we have available to us to negotiate a responsible plan to renew SCHIP. We have at least three alternatives in the House of Representatives that can serve as a blueprint to finding a truly bipartisan solution that will earn the signature of the president.
The day of the override vote, I joined 48 of my colleagues in putting forth one alternative to re-authorize SCHIP: House Resolution 3888, the More Children, More Choices Act. This plan fulfills the original intent of SCHIP—health insurance for poor children first—by fully funding the coverage of children in households with an annual income up to $ 43, 000. Our plan guarantees this by doubling the amount of money requested by the president. Estimates by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office say that we need $ 8. 5 billion in new spending to make sure that all children currently enrolled in SCHIP are covered. The proposed More Children, More Choices Act provides those funds and goes $ 3 billion farther in an outreach program to find the children who are eligible for SCHIP but not enrolled.
There are no tax increases, no worries about families making $ 60,000 or $ 80,000 per year, no government taking over the health care system. H. R. 3888 refocuses SCHIP to its fundamental mission: putting needy children first and making sure they have the health care they need. My late brother Fay helped bring ARKids First into existence when he was head of the state Health Department under Gov. Mike Huckabee. Since then, Arkansas has maintained a record of success that has earned recognition from across the nation. The last thing anyone in Washington wants is to see such a successful program go away.
One question in this debate is how we do it and whether we ensure poor kids are at the head of the line. Another question is how we pay for it or whether we expand the program beyond poor children so much that we need even more taxes on top of the faulty tax scheme put forward in the first (and “second” ) plan. Yet another question is how we make sure needy American children receive this money or whether we dilute the proof of citizenship rules to such a level that illegal immigrants can use a stolen Social Security number to get SCHIP benefits.
Sadly, these three questions have not been answered, and this is why I have not been able to support the SCHIP plans brought to the floor. The alternative I support does, however, and does so in such a way that I know needy children will receive the health care they need before richer children, adults or even illegal immigrants. It is my hope that we can remember the bipartisan history of SCHIP when it was written by Republicans and Democrats in the Congress and signed by a Democratic president. It is my hope that we can get away from the “my way or the highway” stances undertaken by both sides. It is my hope that House Democrats can meet with House Republicans and draft a real solution that puts the health care of poor children first and keeps the politics as far away as possible. Tags:Arkansas, John Boozman, SCHIP, State Childrens Health Insurance Program, US House
ARRA: Another surprise endorsement for social conservatives to consider! Fox News: Evangelical Christian leader Pat Robertson on Wednesday endorsed former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who has struggled to bridge with conservatives some of his socially moderate policy positions on abortion and gay rights. . . . Robertson on Wednesday said Giuliani is the best candidate to handle the War on Terror. He said Giuliani understands the need for a conservative judiciary, and that he is a "true fiscal conservative" who is tough on crime.
"The overriding issue before the American people, is the defense of our population against the bloodlust of Islamic terrorists," Robertson told the National Press Club audience. "Our world faces deadly peril...and we need a leader with a bold vision who is not afraid to tackle the challenges ahead."
Robertson said Giuliani is "a proven leader who is not afraid of what lies ahead and who will cast a hopeful vision for all Americans ... It is my hope and prayer that he will lead the Republican Party to victory in November of 2008." . . . [Read More] Tags:Election 2008, endorsement, Pat Robertson, presidential candidate, Republican, Rudy GiulianiTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
From Senate sources: A year after the 2006 elections, Democrats have compiled an astonishing record of mismanagement. Democrats have given us political Iraq votes, partisan investigations, repeated attempts to raise taxes, and payback for Big Labor while failing to fund the government, address the AMT, confirm a new attorney general, and properly fund our troops in the field. Senate GOP leaders took the occasion of French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s visit to compare Democrat visions to those French voters reconsidered in their election of Sarkozy.
Yet instead of addressing any of these issues, Democrats appear to have decided to try to vote once again on Iraq withdrawal plans. This decision flies in the face of numerous positive reports of change for the better in Iraq. On Tuesday, Michael Yon described to Hugh Hewitt all the progress he’s seen in Baghdad just this year. Michelle Malkin posted Yon’s iconic picture of Muslims and Christians reopening a church. Even MSM outlets are reporting good news today: The Washington Post reports on Iraqis returning to Baghdad as violence declines; The New York Times reports that the commander of U.S. forces in Baghdad believes al Qaeda forces have been driven out of the city; and The AP sees “dramatic progress” in a neighborhood that was once a center of al Qaeda operations in Iraq’s capital.
Democrats are clearly aware that the news does not square with their rhetoric on Iraq, as a senior Democrat leadership aide toldRoll Call today: “Although a senior Democratic leadership aide acknowledged that earlier this year Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and his team had expected the fall to be dominated by the Iraq debate, events on the ground have temporarily put that issue on the back burner. . . . “‘This [fight on spending] isn’t the fight we wanted, but it’s the fight we got,’ the Democratic leadership aide said.”
Meanwhile, Democrats are fighting among themselves over a patch to the alternative minimum tax to prevent it from affecting 19 million taxpayers next year. Democrats in leadership want to offset an AMT patch with tax hikes, while some rank-and-file members would prefer not to vote for tax increases. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and IRS Commissioner Linda Stiff both wrote letters warning of the consequences of delaying an AMT patch, among them a delay in issuing around $75 billion in tax refunds.
On The Floor: Senate will resume consideration of the vetoed Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) (H.R. 1495). Senators will vote on overriding President Bush’s veto of the WRDA bill.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said this morning that later today the Senate will attempt to take up the conference report on the fiscal 2008 Defense appropriations bill (H.R. 3222) after it is passed by the House.
Yesterday, the Senate considered the conference report on the fiscal 2008 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill. Democrats had added the Military Construction-VA spending bill to the conference report, in an attempt to force President Bush to sign a bill he objects to (the Labor bill) by combining it with one he approves of (the VA bill). Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) raised a point of order against the conference report, allowed by a new rule Democrats passed earlier in the year prohibiting additions to conference reports not passed in the original legislation by either house (the VA bill). A vote to waive the point of order failed 47-46, 13 votes short of the 60 needed. The VA bill was removed and the Senate subsequently voted to send the Labor-HHS bill back to the House.
Roll Call reports today that Democrats could continue to hold the VA funding bill into December in an attempt to use it as leverage against the president.
Work on the farm bill remains stalled thanks to Reid’s decision to prevent Republicans from offering amendments. Tags:AMT, Christian Values, Iraq War, labor-HHS bill, military defense, US Congress, US House, US Senate, Washington D.C., Water Resources Development ActTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
MRA Press Release: Jefferson City, MO – Saturday, November 3 at their Quarterly Membership Meeting, the Missouri Republican Assembly (MRA) voted to endorses Congressman Duncan Hunter, 14-term congressman from California, for President in Missouri’s Republican Primary. “Congressman Hunter is a true social conservative and honestly represents the Republican Wing of the Republican Party,” stated Chris Brown, state President of the Missouri Republican Assembly. “When you add together Duncan Hunter’s commitment to the military, American jobs, and fighting for Family and Life issues, there is no better choice for President. America needs Hunter’s integrity, courage and proven leadership.”
Hunter, a Vietnam veteran, was elected to Congress in 1980. He is the Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee where as he has worked to protect the U.S. defense industry to ensure that the “Arsenal of Democracy” is maintained to provide National security. Hunter has successfully made border security a national security issue and has lead efforts in Congress to seal a porous border susceptible to illegal aliens, drug trafficking and terrorism. Hunter’s efforts resulted in over 59 miles of fencing and border infrastructure in San Diego County. Hunter authored the Secure Fence Act to extend 854 miles of fence across California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
MRA is a member of the National Federation of Republican Assemblies (NFRA). The MRA works to unite conservatives, both economic and social, whose interests range from tax cuts and reform to national defense, from pro-life to education concerns, from Second Amendment to national sovereignty, and for the advancement of traditional Republican values. Tags:Duncan Hunter, Election 2008, endorsement, Missouri, NFRA, presidential candidate, Republican, Republican AssemblyTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
House Passes ENDA - An “Anti-discrimination” bill that's discriminatory to religion
Update:Roll Call Voteavailable for all US Reprentatives on ENDA. As for Arkansas, John Boozman (R), Marion Berry (D) and Mike Ross (D) vote NO. However, Vic Snyder (D) voted for the bill. Vic Snyder remains out of touch with main stream Arkansans. The “Employment Non-Discrimination Act,” H.R.3685, offered by Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), passed the House, 235-184. U.S. Rep John Boozman (R-AR) today voted to protect the religious freedoms of Americans by voting against legislation which will open up expressions of religious belief in the workplace to legal attack. “This legislation does not grant equal protection. Rather, it grants special protections to one group of people at the expense of the religious freedoms of others,” Boozman said. “This bill will put the beliefs, and the right to believe, of millions of Americans in the hands of judges who can read what they want into the law and hand down a ruling. This is a cleverly named anti-discrimination bill which actually discriminates against religion.”
A Republican Motion to Recommit was offered which stated that nothing in the proposed legislation “may be construed to modify, limit, restrict, or in any way overturn any State or Federal definition of marriage as between one man and one woman, including the use of this Act as a legal predicate in litigation on the issue of marriage.” The motion failed on a mainly party-line vote, with few members crossing the aisle. Boozman voted for this motion to protect marriage and said, “With the activism we’ve seen by some judges across the nation, it is important that this language should have been included in this bill, By adding specific language which protects the institution of marriage, we take out any ambiguity that could have been used to attack it and give activist judges an opening to rule on what they believe, as opposed to what is the law.” Tags:Arkansas, Barney Frank, discrimination, Employment Non-Discrimination Act, ENDA, John Boozman, religous freedom, US HouseTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Arkansas GOP chairman says Huckabee endorsement personal
by John Lyon, Arkansas News Bureau: State Republican Party chairman Dennis Milligan said Tuesday his endorsement of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee for president does not constitute an endorsement by the state GOP. Huckabee's campaign named his "Arkansas GOP leadership team," a list of 45 prominent Republicans in the state who support Huckabee's bid for the Republican presidential nomination. Milligan's name appears near the top of the list. "That's a personal endorsement*, if you will, and in no way reflects the party's view with respect to him or any other candidate," Milligan said in an interview with the Arkansas News Bureau. The state party has not endorsed any presidential candidate, Milligan said. . . .
Others on Huckabee's list of supporters include U.S. Rep. John Boozman; former U.S. Attorney Bud Cummins; former congressman and Dept of Homeland Security Undersecretary Asa Hutchinson; former U.S. Reps. John Paul Hammerschmidt and Jay Dickey; former U.S. Sen. Tim Hutchinson; and former Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Betty Dickey. Twelve of the 33 Republicans currently serving in the state Legislature are on the list, though conspicuously absent are most GOP legislators from Northwest Arkansas, traditionally a Republican stronghold. . . . [Read More] * State Party Rule - Article I, Section 5.A.1 reads as follows: "Except for support of candidates in a presidential primary, the State Chairman, National Committeeman, National Committeewoman, County Chairmen, County Election Commissioners, County Committees and State Party employees shall not endorse or otherwise publicly show favoritism to one Republican candidate over another prior to the Republican nominee being selected." The State Chairman, or any of the above, may endorse a candidate in a presidential primary. This is the only exception permitted. However, ARRA could not locate anyone who recalls the State Chairman endorsing a candidate in a presidential primary. Tags:Arkansas, Dennis Milligan, Election 2008, Mike Huckabee, presidential candidateTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
by Liz Sidoti, AP Writer: Sam Brownback, a Kansas conservative and favorite of evangelical Christians, endorsed his former Republican presidential rival John McCain on Wednesday, calling him a friend and a hero. The nod could provide a much-needed boost, particularly in Iowa, for the Arizona senator and one-time presumed GOP front-runner whose bid faltered and who now is looking for a comeback.
Brownback announced his support for McCain in Dubuque, Iowa, and was traveling with the candidate to campaign in two other cities in the state.
"John McCain is the only candidate who can rally the Reagan coalition of conservatives, independents and conservative Democrats needed to defeat Hillary Clinton or any other Democrat in the general election next year," Brownback said in a statement. He praised McCain for spending a lifetime "standing up for human rights around the world, including a consistent 24-year pro-life record of protecting the rights of the unborn." . . . [Read More]See also:Other News Stories in Brownback Endorses McCain
Tags:Election 2008, John McCain, presidential candidates, Sam BrownbackTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Just 5-Miles Of Double-Layer Fencing Built In First Year Of Secure Fence Act
Grassroots Question GAO Report and Claims Of Progress On The Border Maxwell, IA—Grassfire.orgresearchers have discovered that just five miles of double-layer fencing have been built in the first year of implementation of the Secure Fence Act—despite the Act’s specific mandate of 854 miles of double-layer fencing. “The GAO and Department of Homeland Security are playing games with the American people,” said Steve Elliott, President of Grassfire.org.
“There is no real accountability on the border to oversee what kind of fencing is built, or independent assessment. They wrongly assumed the American people would be satisfied.” Although the government claims 70 miles of fence has been built, it’s not the double-layered fencing that was promised and funded in the Secure Fence Act of 2007. “The report claims 73 miles of fencing was erected in the past year, meeting its goal,” says Elliott. “But the GAO report didn’t indicate that the vast majority of fencing wasn’t double-layered. The truth is, the American people are being scammed.”
Though claiming success, it is clear that the DHS goals have little—if anything to do with the text of the Secure Fence Act. In addition, most of the “progress” toward meeting the DHS’s own goal of 70 miles of fencing in fiscal year 2007 apparently was met in the final 60 days of the fiscal year. The latest reports indicate that fence construction has since slowed to a standstill--giving way to speculation that most of the “progress” was simply to meet the fiscal year deadline. Tags:border fence, Grassfire.org, Ron De Jong, Steve Elliot, Where's the FenceTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Arkansas Republican Assembly Endorses Fred Thompson
Bill Smith, ARRA Editor: Delegates from across Arkansas participated in a special Arkansas Republican Assembly (ARRA) Endorsement Convention. They considered 9 Republican presidential candidates. Unlike the Republican Party of Arkansas (RPA), who may not endorse a candidate before the primary, the ARRA may endorse candidates. While all the members of the ARRA are Republicans, the ARRA is an independent caucus made up of social, moral, and fiscal Conservative Arkansans who believe in God, family, and country and who work together in County Republican Assemblies in Arkansas to strengthen and to uphold moral and traditional family values and Republican principles and ideals.
An endorsement convention can be long and tedious. For a candidate to receive an endorsement, two-thirds (66.7%) of the ARRA delegates have to cast their ballots for that candidate. If a candidate achieves this percentage, voting ceases and the candidate is considered endorsed. At this years Endorsement convention, at the completion of the initial balloting, 80 percent of the delegates voted to endorse Fred Thompson. Balloting ceased.
The ARRA is pleased to announce its endorsement of former Senator Fred Thompson of Tennessee as the Republican Candidate for President. Earlier at its 10th annual state convention on Saturday, July 21, 2007 in Clarksville, Arkansas, the ARRA held a straw poll and Fred Thompson won the unofficial straw poll.
In summary, the endorsement convention delegates voted as follows: Fred Thompson 80%; Rudy Giuliani 6.67%; Ron Paul 4.44%; Mike Huckabee 4.44%; Mitt Romney 2.22%, Duncan Hunter 2.22%; John McCain, Tom Tancredo and Allan Keys 0%.
The ARRA was chartered Aug. 9, 1997 under the National Federation of Republican Assemblies (NFRA), which has a 70 year history of success as a true grassroots organization. The NFRA is our nation's oldest and largest Republican volunteer organization. ARRA is presently chartering county chapters and serving as a gathering point for fiscal and social conservatives. Tags:Arkansas Republican Assembly, ARRA, Bill Smith, conservative, Election 2008, endorsement, Fred Thompson, NFRA, presidential candidate, RepublicanTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
At his press conference yesterday, Reid declared that prior to Thanksgiving, he would NOT be passing a “patch” to prevent 19 million taxpayers from having to pay the alternative minimum tax (AMT) next year . Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and IRS Commissioner Linda Stiff both wrote letters warning of the consequences of delaying an AMT patch which includes a delay in issuing around $75 billion in tax refunds. McClatchy reports on the problems that will be created when Congress misses the Nov. 16th deadline to pass an AMT patch.
The House is expected to vote on its version of a patch later this week, which includes offsetting tax hikes. CongressDaily reports today that some Democrats are considering removing the tax hikes in order to avoid a “130-percent tax increase.”
Democrats still have not sent a single funding bill to President Bush to sign. The Hill reports that Democrats are once again looking to debate Iraq strategy and that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi admitted that “the basis of the plan is identical to previous bills moved by the Democrat majority, such as the withdrawal plan that the House passed in July and the war supplemental that President Bush vetoed in May.” Democrats are reviving this debate completely oblivious to the positive changes occurring in Iraq.
All of this adds up to monumental mismanagement of Congress by Democrats. The Senate Republican Leadership will hold a press conference at 12:15 today to highlight all the problems Democrats have had over the past year.
On The Floor: The Senate at10:45 AM, the Senate will join the House for an address to a Joint Session of Congress by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
The Senate will return at 12:15 PM and will consider the conference report on the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill (H.R. 3043), which includes the Military Construction-Veterans Affairs appropriations bill. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) will be recognized later in the day to make a point of order that the combined bill violates new rules adopted by Democrats earlier in the year which prohibit including new matters in conference reports not passed in either chamber. Senators will then vote on waiving the point of order, which takes 60 votes. Tags:AMT, Farm bill, US Congress, US House, US Senate, Washington D.C.To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Springdale, Arkansas based Tyson Foods accused of knowingly hiring illegal aliens
Hat tip to KeepArkansasLegalfor pointing to the following NW Arkansas Democrat-Gazette article by Michelle Bradford: The plaintiffs in a lawsuit accusing Tyson Foods Inc. of hiring illegal aliens to work at poultry plants are focusing on the meat producer’s relationship with the League of Latin American Citizens. The class-action suit in U. S. District Court in Eastern Tennessee claims Springdale-based Tyson Foods knowingly hired illegal aliens to work for wages below what American workers would take. It was filed in April 2002 on behalf of former Tyson workers in several states, not including Arkansas. Trial is set for March 3. (2007 - Wow 5 years to start the trial!) The plaintiffs in Trollinger v. Tyson are chicken plant workers who said they were harmed by a scheme by Tyson’s top management to depress wages, court documents state. “We believe Tyson has used its relationship with LULAC to help carry out a ‘willful blindness’ policy of hiring illegal workers,” said the plaintiffs ’ attorney, Howard W. Foster of Chicago. “Tyson is very close with LULAC, especially in Springdale, and we’re alleging that the groups have agreed not to investigate workers who are suspected illegal aliens.” . . . [Read More]Tags:Arkansas, employing illegals, illegal aliens, LULAC, Springdale, Tennessee, Tyson FoodsTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
At Risk: Military Reservist & Veteran Small Business Reauthorization & Opportunity Act
Steve Robertson, Director. National Legislative Comm., American Legion: S 1784, the Military Reservist and Veteran Small Business Reauthorization and Opportunity Act of 2007, is facing the threat of being dropped from HR 1585, the Defense Authorization Bill. S 1784 makes vast improvements to the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Military Reservist Economic Disaster Loan (MREIDL) program. The MREIDL program provides funding to businesses to meet necessary expenses that they could have made, if not for the deployment of a reservist who is one of their essential employees.
Reasons to Support S 1784
S 1784 establishes a pre-application process so businesses can be prepared, in advance, to apply for an MREIDL and includes a provision allowing businesses up to 1 year, as opposed to 90 days, to apply.
The measure includes a National Reservist Enterprise Transition and Sustainability Provision, which allows the SBA to award grants to entities that assist businesses with preparing and implementing a business strategy to cover the period of time that the owner is called-up on active duty through 6 months after that owner's date of return.
The provisions of S 1784 would also allow small businesses owned and operated by veterans to extend their SBA program participation time limitations by the duration of their owner's deployment.
These veteran small business provisions are critical to the livelihoods of our veteran small business owners.The American Legion strongly endorses the provisions as presented in S 1784 to be included in HR 1585. Please call the House Armed Services Committee Members and Conferees that are listed below to express our support for S 1784.
Capitol Switchboard: 1-877-851-6437, 1-800-828-0498, or 1-800-614-2803. Ask for the office you would like to speak to. You can also request that one office transfer you to the next office. Most staff members are glad to help. Tags:American Legion, military reservist, small business, Steve Robertson, veteransTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
It's Official: Romney is the Social Conservative Alternative
by Matt Lewis on Townhall: Gary Marx, Mitt Romney's social conservative outreach director is smiling somewhere.... A day after Fred Thompson said he would not support the pro-Life plank in the Republican platform, David Brody reportsconservative leader Paul Weyrich has endorsed Mitt Romney.
To me, this endorsement is very significant for two reasons: 1. Weyrich's endorsement implies conservative leaders have finally given up hope of finding the perfect candidate, and have settled for Romney as the better alternative to Giuliani and Thompson. 2. Weyrich is a highly-respected conservative movement leader, and my guess is his endorsement will create a sort of domino effect. ... Could conservative heavy-weights like Richard Viguerie, Morton Blackwell, and Phyllis Schlafly be far behind?
Like him or not, Mitt Romney deserves kudos for pulling this endorsement off. Who would have predicted, a few years ago, that the then-pro-Choice Mormon from Massachusetts would get the endorsement of conservatives ranging from Bob Jones III to Paul Weyrich? Clearly this is a well-run campaign that has also benefitted from a weak conservative field ... See also:Paul Weyrich Talks About Why He Endorsed Romney Tags:Bob Jones III, endorsement, Mitt Romney, Paul Weyrich, TownhallTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Tony Perkins, FRC Washington Update: For the second time in six years, the Alaska Supreme Court has thrown out a state law that requires a minor girl seeking an abortion to obtain parental or judicial consent. In the 3-2 ruling, which pro-life Governor Sarah Palin (R) called "outrageous," the court decided that forcing young girls to get a parent's permission before receiving an abortion "infringes on the child's rights to reproductive freedom." These so-called "rights," which are not enshrined in the Constitution but in the feminist ideology trumpeted by powerful abortion groups, have somehow seeped into the judicial mindset at the expense of explicit constitutional guarantees like the "right to life." Although Chief Justice Dana Fabe did concede that a parental notification law "would probably be all right," her statement did little to appease Alaskan parents who rightly believe that decisions affecting their daughters' health should rest solely on them. Unfortunately, moms and dads in Florida can empathize. Their 4th District Court of Appeals ruled that a 17-year-old girl can go ahead with her abortion, despite a previous denial by a circuit court judge. The teenager testified that she's afraid of telling her parents about her pregnancy because of their standing in the local church. Although she "wouldn't have sought an abortion," she started thinking about it after her fiance's parents suggested it. The appeals court overturned the initial ruling on the grounds that her decision to seek an adult's advice showed signs of maturity. I would argue that true maturity is taking responsibility for your actions. Regardless, it should serve as an important reminder to parents who are hesitant to talk to their children about abstinence. Studies have proven that parents are the "most influential" factor in their children's sexual decision making. When it comes to honest communication about saving sex until marriage, there's no such thing as "enough said." See also:Alaska High Court Throws Out Parental-Consent Abortion LawTags:abortion, Alaska, minors, parent rights, Tony PerkinsTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Ron Paul Campaign Makes History - Raises $4.3 million online in a day
by Kerri Price, Ron Paul 2008: ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA—Yesterday (Nov. 5th) , Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul beat all online primary fundraising records. In 24 hours, the Ron Paul campaign brought in over $4.3 million in online contributions, making it the largest single-day online primary fundraising effort by a presidential candidate in United States election history. Approximately 38,000 Americans made online donations. This effort surpassed John Kerry’s record $2.7 million online fundraising efforts two days after the 2004 Super Tuesday primaries, and Republican John McCain’s $1 million online following the New Hampshire primaries in 2000. Tags:campaign funds, Election 2008, fund raiser, presidential candidate, Ron Paul
From Senate sources: The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on the nomination of Judge Michael Mukasey to be attorney general today. Democrat Senators Chuck Schumer and Dianne Feinstein have said they will support Mukasey which has essentially ensured his approval by the committee. Sadly, other Judiciary Committee Democrat are expected to vote against Mukasey.
The Senate began work on the $283 billion farm bill (H.R. 2419) yesterday and it quickly became the latest show case for Democrat mismanagement of Congress. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced that he would "fill the amendment tree" on the bill, which will allow him to prohibit any amendment he doesn't approve of. For the first time since 1933, the farm bill includes a tax increase. The bill is likely to be the last amendable tax vehicle this year, as floor time is at a premium. Reid's move could block attempts to extend tax cuts or prevent tax increases.
Meanwhile, Democrats are still in complete disarray over how to fund the troops. Some Democrats have proposed including bridge funding for troops in Iraq in the next continuing resolution, while others, such as House Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-WI) are still demanding withdrawal goals or requirements be attached to supplemental war funding.
On The Floor: Senate will resume consideration of the farm bill (H.R.2419). Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) has a substitute amendment (#3500) that will be the basis for debate.
CQ's Senate Watch reports on the farm bill: "Lawmakers from urban areas may offer amendments to cut some farm programs and divert the savings into programs like food stamps. And members from states where environmentalism is paramount may try to shift cash to the conservation title of the farm bill. "Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, and Byron L. Dorgan, D-N.D., have said they would offer an amendment that would cap overall farm payments at$250,000 per year for a two person farming household. Another proposal, by Sens. Richard G. Lugar, R-Ind, and Frank R. Lautenberg, D-N.J., would phase out most crop subsidies in favor of a stronger crop insurance program."
Congress Daily reports that a new continuing resolution to fund the government through December 14th is being prepared, though some agencies are preparing to wait until as late as February 15th for Congress to pass fiscal 2008 funding bills. Roll Call has termed the Democrats' approach to funding the government this year an "appropriations train wreck."
In the House: The House is expected to take up the conference report on the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill (H.R. 3043) which has had the Military Construction-VA appropriations bill (H.R. 2642) tacked on to it. Republican Senators have called fora stand-alone VA funding bill to be sent to the president, who has threatened to veto the combined bill. The conference report could arrive in the Senate later this week.
However, thanks to new rules Democrats passed earlier this year prohibiting new spending from being added in conference committees without approval of the House and Senate, the combined spending bill might be split by a Republican point of order against it. The addition of the VA spending bill to the Labor-HHS bill appears to violate the rule against adding new spending in conference. Tags:Farm bill, labor-HHS bill, Michael Mukasey, US Congress, US House, US Senate, VA, Washington D.C.To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Breaking News Update: NumbersUSA - AgJOBS AMNESTY AMENDMENT WILL NOT BE OFFERED TO FARM BILL Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) has agreed not to offer her revised AgJOBS amendment to the Farm Bill Extension Act of 2007 as she had originally intended. As a reminder, this is the AgJOBS amnesty to reward an estimated 1.5 million illegal aliens with amnesty (plus their spouses and children which could push the total to three million or more). She is quoted on today's Congress Daily as saying: "A broad bipartisan coalition of members believe AgJobs is a necessary solution to the crisis being faced by the agricultural industry," Feinstein said. "But in this session, unfortunately, you need more than broad support -- you need the right time and opportunity to line up as well." "So when we took a clear-eyed assessment of the politics of the farm bill and the defeat of the DREAM Act (which would have allowed college-bound illegal immigrants to earn green cards) and comprehensive immigration reform, it became clear that our support could not sustain these competing forces, . . ." Unfortunately, we are not out of the woods. Capitol sources say that Sen. Feinstein may have worked a deal in which she will be able to bring up the AgJOBS amnesty as a stand-alone bill in exchange for not offering the amendment to the Farm Bill. We will keep you updated to any potential threat.
NumbersUSA Alert: Another disastrous amnesty! Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) may offer her revised AgJOBS amendment to the Farm Bill Extension Act of 2007 as early as this Week. Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) is apparently trying to convince his GOP Senate colleagues that the AgJOBS amnesty has been changed enough to make it palatable to Republican Senators. By and large, however, this is the same AgJOBS amnesty proposed last year, which, if enacted, would reward an estimated 1.5 million illegal aliens with amnesty (plus their spouses and children which could push the total to three million or more). This measure also would provide amnesty for employers who broke the law by hiring illegal aliens.
WHY AG JOBS IS UNNECESSARY:
POINT #1: We don't have an epidemic of crops "rotting on the vine." A few anecdotes are often allowed by the media to create a totally false picture of the overall situation. We've heard these scare tactics from the pro-amnesty forces for years. Somehow, we never seem to run out of food. POINT #2: The federal government offers the H-2A visa which ALREADY allows farmers to import unlimited numbers of foreign ag workers for specific short-term work. If some growers lack workers, it is only because they failed to be creative enough to attract a domestic workforce or failed to use the legal foreign guestworker program that is available to them. POINT #3: Growers who refuse to use the H-2A program mainly do so because they have to pay an almost decent wage under the program, while illegal aliens are cheaper. POINT #4: If growers find the H-2A program too cumbersome, they should direct their lobbyists to support H-2A reforms instead of amnesty. MAIN POINT: Americans will do this work - at a decent wage. The Department of Labor finds that the majority of farm workers (about 55%) in the U.S. are native-born Americans! Contact your senators! or Fax your Senators via free faxes at NumbersUSA. Tags:AgJobs, amnesty, NumbersUSATo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
by Liz Sidoti at GOPUSA: John McCain spent months earlier this year arguing that the United States must combine border security efforts with a temporary worker program and an eventual path to citizenship for many illegal immigrants. Now, the Republican presidential candidate emphasizes securing the borders first. The rest, he says, is still needed but will have to come later. "I understand why you would call it a, quote, shift," McCain told reporters Saturday after voters questioned him on his position . . . "I say it is a lesson learned about what the American people's priorities are. And their priority is to secure the borders." . . .McCain said he listened to what the public was saying when the legislation failed -- and responded accordingly. "I said, OK. We'll secure the borders, but after we secure the borders, we'll have a temporary worker program, we'll have to address the 12 million people here illegally, and I think the best way is the proposal that we had," McCain said. "It's not a switch in position. I support the same solution. But we've got to secure the borders first," he added. . . . [Read More] Tags:border control, Election 2008, GOPUSA, illegal immigration, John Mccain, presidential candidateTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Hat tip to The Influence Peddler for the lead on this story. by Toni-Lynn Robbins, Bangor Daily News: On the first day of class, associate professor Paul Grosswiler offered the credit to members of his History of Mass Communications class, according to sophomore Rebekah McDade. Disturbed by the comment, McDade dropped the class and intends to take the course again next semester with a different professor. "I was offended," McDade said Friday. "I come from a family of military men and women, and the flag and Constitution are really important symbols to me because of my family background."
In an e-mail responding to a request for comment from the Bangor Daily News on Friday, Grosswiler said he thought McDade misunderstood the class discussion, which was intended to elicit thought about the First Amendment. He said he has held this same discussion for years without incident. "I don’t intend for students to burn either the Constitution or the flag, and over the years hundreds of students have understood that," Grosswiler wrote. . . .
When Grosswiler listed the extra-credit opportunities, McDade said the class of approximately 50 students grew very quiet, and some questioned whether he was serious. At first, student Kathleen Dame said she thought Grosswiler was joking, but then he went on to explain to the class that burning the flag was not illegal. While Grosswiler approached the topic in a serious manner, Dame said she felt he used it as a tool to educate the class on the First Amendment. "It was pretty outlandish and [he was] trying to prove a point," Dame said Friday. . . . [Read More] Note:The Leadership Institute, a Virginia-based nonprofit organization has a mission to identify, recruit, train and place conservatives in politics, government and the media. A field representative met McDade when she shared her experience and expressed an interest in spearheading a group "Students for Academic Freedom." The group’s initial goal will be to convince UM to enact a "Student Bill of Rights" which would protect students from professors who treat and grade students differently based on religious or political beliefs. Tags:burning flag, education, Flag, free speech, Maine, The Leadership InsitituteTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Hat tip to HotAir for this story by Bryan: we see that Fred Thompson answers his critics. Huckabee’s statement:
“Senator Thompson’s comments on ‘Meet the Press’ were disappointing and disheartening for those who were expecting him to be a solid voice for conservatives. The marriage and life amendments are critical issues for those of us who have been on the front lines of these cultural battles. Sen. Thompson’s philosophy seems to be more ‘cut and run’ when it comes to these issues, rather than stand and lead.
Fred’s response:
Bryan says sums up his post: Thompson manages to pound Huckabee into a fine powder without ever coming across as harsh or even particularly angry. It’s as solid an appearance as I’ve seen Thompson deliver since the official announcement that he’s running. Takeaway: Don’t mess with the Fred.As identified by StoptheACLU: Thompson makes a good point about the difference between him and most of the others. Thompson: “Thats where I was yesterday, thats where I am today and thats where I’ll be tomorrow.” Fred is consistent.Tags:Election 2008, Fred Thompson, Mike Huckabee, Politics, presidential candidates, videoTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Hat tip to StoptheACLU for this summary: Hillary Clinton should take notes from Mr. Fred Thompson here on how to answer tough questions. One admirable trait of Fred’s is that he has never pretended to be on both sides of any issue during this election. He has always claimed a federalist view on social issues, and he’s been consistent. I am one of the most social conservative bloggers around, and I agree that most of the solution is with the people. I agree that these decisions should be made by the families and the State representing the views of its majority. Most likely, the only way abortion will ever diminish is if Roe Vs. Wade is overturned. Fred Thompson agrees that this Supreme Court decision was a bad one. It was this decision that put the issue of abortion in the Federal government hands in the first place. Liberals should remember this the next time they complain that the Federal government is trying to “trample on women’s rights’”. Whether its abortion or homosexual marraige it is best left at the State levels.
Tags:1st Amendment, abortion, Activist Judges, Election 2008, Fred Thompson, Homosexual Agenda, news, videoTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Congress’s deficit spending has become a moral issue
ARRA Editor: Sen. Tom Coburn is also a physician and while quoted by the Hill reporter as stressing the importance of deficit spending as a moral issue, Dr. Coburn is not stating that abortion is not a major issue. Coburn is pro-life and has a 100% rating for 2005-2006 by the National Right to Life Committee. Mike Soraghan in The Hillreports on Sen. Tom Coburn's (R-Ok) comments about Congressional deficit spending:
Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) said Congress’s deficit spending has become a moral issue surpassing abortion because it saddles future generations with massive debt before they’re born. The greatest moral issue of our time isn’t abortion, it’s robbing our next generation of opportunity,” Coburn told reporters at a breakfast meeting Thursday at the National Press Club. “You’re going to save a child from being aborted so they can be born into a debtor’s prison?” . . .
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