Report: Cabot, AR Recess Rally

From Boot Berry

Approximately 100 people who our Democratic elected officials would call right-wing extremist un-American members of an angry mob gathered today outside Congressman Marion Berry’s office in Cabot, AR yesterday. The exercise of their 1st Amendment right to peaceably assemble and voice their grievances with government by these concerned citizens earns them such monikers from President Obama, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and even their own Arkansas delegation in DC.

The Good Lord blessed rallygoers with outstanding weather for the Cabot, AR Recess Rally. After several weeks of 90+ temperatures, high humidity, and rain, they had sunshine, low humidity, and a high in the mid 80’s.

Speakers at the rally included Jacque Martin, Buddy Rogers, Dr. James McNair, and organizers John Allison and Belinda Whitley.

Martin organized the Heber Springs Tea Parties and serves as a coordinator for the organization, Secure Arkansas. She passionately explained to the crowd that Obama’s government-run health care plan is less about providing quality care than it is about controlling the American people. Rogers and Dr. McNair are both exploring the possibility of seeking the GOP nomination for the 2010 Senate race against Democratic incumbent Blanche Lincoln.

Dr. McNair is a practicing opthamologist in Heber Springs and Rogers is currently working as a financial adviser in Rogers, AR. Rogers is an Army veteran who served 21 years as a medical officer in health care administration. For almost a quarter of that time he worked as a professor in a Baylor University-US Army master’s degree program in health care administration, teaching, advising graduate students, and conducting research. Rogers and Dr. McNair proposed alternative solutions to the Obama plan for health care reform, which proved Obama and congressional Democrats are lying through their teeth when they state Republicans have no alternatives to offer. The alternatives proposed at the rally did not include a government-run or single-payer system.

Whitley, a Registered Nurse, read several quotes from one of Obama’s top health care advisers, Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, which make clear the doctor’s vision for our health care system will deprive the elderly and the very young of quality care, in order to preserve those “productive” citizens who contribute to the US Treasury.

Allison kicked off the rally by debunking the myth propagated by Democrats that rallies such as this are “astroturf” campaigns, implying special interest backing from lobbyists and other DC political interests. He explained that he spent his entire life in Arkansas with the exception of four years he served in the US Marine Corps. Allison told the crowd prior to taking on his current career as a high school math teacher at Vilonia High School, he and his wife owned and operated a chicken farm in north central Arkansas. He stated, “Folks, it doesn’t get much more grassroots than chicken farming.”

Allison and Whitley said they’d hoped for a larger crowd, but this was a start. Compared with other rallies held across the country, the turnout was pretty good on a per capita basis. Cabot, AR has a population of less than 24,000 compared to almost twice that in Salina, KS. According to one internet article, the rally in Salina also had approximately 100 in attendance. It was estimated about 2,000 showed up for rallies in Chicago which has a population of almost 2.5 million. So, for a small town like Cabot, the turn out was good and organizers consider the rally a success.

Only time will tell if Berry will listen to his constituents. Rallies held in Jonesboro and Mountain Home outside Berry’s other Arkansas offices coincided with today’s event in Cabot. Berry was invited to address the crowd but refused.

AR: Democrats Sitting on Fence, Republicans Standing on Principle

Rep Marion Berry (D-AR)

As the President and his super majority in both houses of Congress lead us farther and farther down the perilous path toward Socialism, the American voters are beginning to arise from their slumber and realize this isn’t the change they thought they’d get when they voted last November.  Recent polls show Obama’s approval numbers plumetting, Americans trust Republicans more than Democrats, and a majority of voters willing to vote the Republican ticket for Congress in 2010 in a generic ballot.

The shift in the American mood has caught many Democrats from conservative states flat-footed.  Following Obama’s January inauguration, these politicians bought the party line that the election gave them a mandate to completely reorganize the United States into something more closely resembling Venezuela, Cuba, or the old Soviet Union.  Self-proclaimed Blue Dog Democrats marched in solidarity with the left-wing radicals of their party as they quadrupled the federal deficit and helped enslave future generations to mountains of new US debt.  As you might imagine, the public’s evaporating approval of Obama is rubbing off on those Democrats who want their constituents to believe they’re fiscal conservatives.  So what’s a Blue Dog Dem to do?

Sen Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)

Judging from my Congressman and Senators, they’re sitting on the fence until the last possible moment.  Yesterday I called the offices of Congressman Marion Berry (D-AR-01), Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR), and Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR).  I asked for each of their positions on the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA aka “Card Check”) and the Health Care Reform legislation currently making their way through Congress.  Their responses were noncommittal and vague, worthless really.  Pryor’s office informed me the Senator was waiting to see what came out of committee before making any statement.  The young lady I spoke with in Lincoln’s office informed me the Senator had not made a public statement on either of these pieces of legislation.  Congressman Berry’s aide with whom I spoke told me Berry was waiting to see what happened with “Card Check” legislation in the Senate before taking a position.  The best news I received from any of the three was Berry’s office’s response on the House Democrats’ health care bill.  I was told they were reading the “chronically long” bill and wouldn’t be able to take a position until they’d sorted through the 1,018 pages to see what’s inside.

Sen Mark Pryor (D-AR)

At least Berry’s reading the bill.  That’s the best I could get from both my Senators and my Representative, all Democrats, on two key pieces of legislation.  Even when asked what conditions would need to be met to earn or lose their support, none of the three would step up and give specifics.  Best I can tell…they’re not taking a stand, at all.  Their sitting on the fence as long as they can in the hopes of correctly judging the dominant political winds at the last possible moment.

To me, such a political strategy demonstrates a lack of conviction.  I want elected officials who will stand on principles rather than sit on fences.  So I thought I’d ask some of the potential Republican candidates who will challenge Lincoln and Berry next year to see if they’re standing up for their principles or polishing the top rail of this fence as well.  I emailed Rick Crawford, Curtis Coleman, and Tom Cox and asked the same questions.  Crawford has announced his intent to run for Berry’s seat next year, while Coleman and Cox are interested in unseating Lincoln.  Though I haven’t heard back from Cox, Crawford and Coleman quickly responded.  Read on and you’ll see these two Republicans who wish to represent you in Washington aren’t fence-sitters.  They’re willing to take a stand based on principle.  To avoid redundancy and for brevity, I’ll cover Coleman’s response to the Health Care legislation and Crawford’s response to “Card Check.”

Curtis Coleman

I knew Coleman had posted on Obama’s desire for a government health insurance earlier on his website, but that post dealt primarily with the inevitable end of private insurance if Obamacare becomes reality.  Today Coleman informed me of a new, more comprehensive post he released on the subject.   Here, he blasts Senator Lincoln for cosponsoring the original bill with Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) in the Senate during the 109th Congress.  He goes on to state the government “will completely control your health care.”  Coleman also notes something in his paper that inexplicably escapes virtually every Democratic politician.  Though the Dems like to try and sell their Socialized medicine saying the government will pay for everyone’s health care, Coleman emphatically states “Of course the government won’t be paying for your health care–you will be.  The government only has the money it takes from you.”

Health care needs to be reformed, not destroyed. And destruction of the finest health care in the world is exactly what this seemingly harmless little “public health insurance option” will do.–Curtis Coleman

Rick Crawford

That doesn’t sound like Coleman has any doubts where he stands, unlike his Democratic rival and her Democratic colleague.  Now let’s take a look at what Rick Crawford has to say about the inappropriately named Employee Free Choice Act (aka “Card Check”).

In Crawford’s reply to my questions, there was no hesitation, no equivocation.  “I do not support the Employee Free Choice Act, or Card Check. I’m against denying anyone the right to a secret ballot – a critical element of a representative republic such as ours. That’s the fundamental issue – a secret ballot,” he states.  This one statement displays a glaring contrast between Rick and his opponent, Marion Berry.  While Berry sits on the sidelines, waiting for the battle to be nearly over, waiting to make up his mind, the left-wing zealots pushing this legislation are gaining strength in their efforts to force virtually all American workers to pay extortionists in the form of union organizers.  Vocal, steadfast opposition from Berry would show courage and conviction in standing up for his constituents.  The worst part is that Berry isn’t hesitating in order to make the right decision, but to make the decision that involves the least amount of political risk.  That’s not leadership, it’s self-serving political preservation devoid of the hindrance of any principles or moral base.  Crawford, on the other hand, stands tall and clearly states his position based on his belief in what is best for the country and his would-be constituents.

The Republican candidate for Arkansas’ 1st Congressional District described the adverse economic impact Card Check will impose also–especially on low-income Americans.  The suffering Americans will endure will come in the form of higher prices and higher unemployment when American companies are forced to 1) raise prices for their products, 2) move their operations offshore, or  3) both.  If we force companies and jobs overseas through this legislation, the federal government will see a net decrease in tax revenues as a result.  Then where do you think they’ll come to make up their shortfall?  That’s right, us!  So even though Card Check won’t directly charge us a tax, in the end it will cause tax rates to increase to cover the cash crunch created by the Democratic geniuses who pushed this through.

Crawford closed his response to my questions with the following statement that addresses the history of union thuggery that will almost certainly be encouraged if this bill becomes law.

If pro-union groups are so convinced that a union shop is the best choice for American workers, it ought to be an easy sell. Rather than implement strongarm tactics, let workers enjoy the sanctity of the secret ballot without fear of reprisal. If unions are such a great deal, pro-union groups should have no doubt what the outcome would be. –Rick Crawford

I think we can safely infer from Crawford’s response that he’s not sitting on the fence either.

Unlike their Democratic incumbents, Crawford and Coleman know where they stand on these important issues and they’re not afraid to let the people know.  We need real leaders in the Senate and House, real leaders who will stand for what’s right, not just what’s politically expedient.  Our Democratic Senators and Representatives are showing themselves to be anything but leaders.  They’ve voted too many times as lap dogs for Pelosi and Obama, instead of conservative Blue Dogs.  It’s time we had real conservative leaders representing Arkansans’ conservative values.

Contact Berry, Lincoln, and Pryor and let them know if they won’t stand up for Arkansans, there are folks who are willing to send them home when their terms are up.  Next year for Berry and Lincoln, 2014 for Pryor.

Congressman Marion Berry 2305 Rayburn H.O.B. Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-4076 (202) 225-5602 FAX

Senator Blanche Lincoln 355 Dirksen Senate Building Washington, DC 20510-0404 Phone: (202)224-4843 Fax: (202)228-1371

Senator Mark Pryor 255 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: (202) 224-2353 Fax: (202) 228-0908

John Allison III Cabot, AR US
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Arkansas Republicans on the Move

I posted here not long ago that the Republican party has come to life in my home state of Arkansas.  Last night, at a meeting of the Lonoke County Republican Committee, I was pleased to receive confirmation of this in the form of two speakers–Arkansas Republican Party Political Director Chase Dugger and Republican candidate for Arkansas’ 1st Congressional District Rick Crawford.

Dugger informed those present of the Arkansas GOP’s new website, which I mentioned here a few days ago.  He also let us know there are more Republican candidates lining up for the 2010 election than ever before.  In last year’s election, none of the three Democratic Congressmen from Arkansas faced a Republican challenger, nor did Senator Mark Pryor.  It was as if Arkansas didn’t matter to the GOP.  Dugger, who was campaign chairman for Mickey D. “Stubby” Stumbaugh’s unsuccessful run against Democratic Congressman Marion Berry in 2006, pointed out that even the state party hasn’t been active enough in helping GOP candidates in the past.  But he noted, this is not the old Republican Party of Arkansas and things are going to be different from now on.  He promised the state party would be very involved in the effort to get Republicans elected to state and federal offices.

Rick Crawford spoke next, and I must say, I was impressed.  I’ve long believed the problem with politics is the politicians.  In other words, we need regular people in DC to replace the professional pols.  Crawford is a veteran of the US Army who returned to Arkansas and now runs AgWatch Network, a farm news network broadcast across five states and 39 radio stations.  His links to agriculture may eliminate what has been Congressman Marion Berry’s largest advantage in a district that spans the greater part of Arkansas’ part of the Mississippi River delta. 

Crawford explained that he’s concerned with the direction the country is headed under President Obama, comparing the President’s foreign policy to that of former President Jimmy Carter.  He identified himself as a Reagan conservative who believes in limited, Constitutional government.  Concerned already about the mounting debt from Obama’s frivolous spending spree, he also recognizes the dangers looming if the President has his way on healthcare reform.  When asked by a committee member what his position is on illegal immigration, he made clear that we must secure our southern border.  Crawford said he doesn’t want to stop immigration, but is asking that immigrants “sign the guest book on the way in.”  In other words, immigrants are welcome as long as they’re legal immigrants.

In my opinion, Rick Crawford is exactly what we need in Congress.  A solid conservative, non-politician seeking political office because he cares about this country and wants to stop the current mad dash toward Socialism.  I was really glad I had the opportunity to hear him speak at this early stage of the campaign.

If you’re a conservative Arkansan who’s often wondered just exactly what the Republican Party does in Arkansas, the 2010 campaign season should put your worries to rest.  This may be the best showing in history by the GOP in the Natural State.

NRCC declares Arkansas a 2010 battleground

Many seem to think the GOP and conservatism are dead in the water after their dismal showing in last year’s elections, but Arkansas Democrats better prepare for a fight in 2010. Today, The Tolbert Report released the latest in a series of ads by the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) letting voters in the conservative Southern state know their Democratic representatives in Congress aren’t really representative of their constituency.

The ad takes on Rep. Vic Snyder from Arkansas’ 2nd Congressional District for his vote to send $800,000 to what is practically a private airport for Rep. John Murtha (D-PA). The airport serves a mere 20 passengers a day, with flights serving only one airport–Dulles in Washington, DC. It seems difficult to imagine Arkansas voters would voluntarily offer so much of their hard-earned money to serve the radical Murtha, but Vic Snyder thought this a wise investment for his constituents.

That’s not all the NRCC points out. Most would agree that Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-AR) would never stand a chance of being elected if she were running in Arkansas. Though the embattled Pelosi has a 39% approval rating according to the latest CNN/Opinion Research poll, the ad notes Snyder votes with the forgetful lying congresswoman 97% of the time.

It’s hard to believe a majority of Arkansans would have knowingly elected Snyder had they known he was determined to be a Pelosi puppet.

Some may not consider it surprising the NRCC is challenging Arkansas Democrats, but the state didn’t really seem to matter to the GOP in 2008. Not one of the three Democratic representatives and one Senator who were up for re-election last year ran against a Republican challenger, not one. This was a terrible oversight on the GOP’s part, because every one of those four Democrats were challenged by third party candidates who all made decent showings in their respective races. Snyder’s Green Party challenger took more than 23% of the vote. There’s little doubt a Republican challenger would have had a far greater showing, and might have even defeated Congressman Snyder.

The NRCC seems destined not to repeat the mistake of 2008. It previously released an ad against Arkansas’ 1st District Congressman, Marion Berry, challenging his “Blue Dog” status by pointing out his recent votes on the Obama-Pelosi “Stimulus” plan and budget.

Arkansas may not have been on the GOP’s radar in recent years, but it is now. The Dems better be ready for a fight in 2010.

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See more NRCC ads