Latest Poll Shows Conservative Ahead in NY-23

Since November, many have called for the Republican Party to turn back to its conservative principles.  Though a few have hypothesized the 2008 trouncing of the GOP was due to the party standing too far to the right, conservative Americans refute those who believe a Republican resurgence can only happen if the GOP tries harder to emulate Democrats.

And conservatives now make up a plurality of American citizens!

Reports here and elsewhere of Republican leaders’ failure to understand the key to a Republican renewal continue to fall on the deaf ears of party elites who endorsed the definition of a RINO (Republican in Name Only) in New York’s 23rd Congressional District, Dede Scozzafava.

But some high profile conservatives are listening, and responding.  Michele Bachmann, Tim Pawlenty, Jim Demint, and Sarah Palin are just a few who have rebuked the Republican Party nobility who can’t seem to understand Americans don’t want any Republican elected, they want conservative Republicans elected.  Though the RINO aristocrats of the GOP nominated the Democratic dream candidate Scozzafava and stabbed the true conservative candidate Doug Hoffman in the back, these and other conservative heavyweights have now cast their lots with Hoffman on the 3rd party Conservative ticket.

Now the latest poll is showing what conservatives knew, and the GOP aristocracy ignored, all along.  Hoffman now leads both Scozzafava and her Democratic challenger, Bill Owens.  In fact, over the course of the last month Owen’s support has remained mostly steady, while liberal Scozzafava and conservative Hoffman have traded poll numbers.  This time last month, a Siena poll had Scozzafava leading with 35, Owens with 28, and Hoffman at 16.  Now a Minuteman/Neighborhood poll has Hoffman leading with 34, Owens at 28, and liberal Scozzafava falling fast at 14.

The GOP brass better get it figured out in a hurry.  The people are coming out to elect conservatives, in cooperation with, or in spite of the Republican Party!

Demint (R-SC) Slams Obamacare, Pledges to Read the Bill

Senator Demint takes Obama to task on his rush to take over yet another segment of the US economy.  The Senator lays out the multitude of legislative attempts put forth by Republicans in Congress over the years that were all killed by Democrats who desire nothing less than complete government control over the life and death decisions now made between you and your doctor.

You might expect that Demint has signed a pledge to read the Obamacare bill before voting for it, but you might not know he’s only one of 72 who will make that committment.  Of those 72 who pledge to read the bill, guess how many are Democrats.

If you guessed zero, you’re right.  No Democrat has signed the pledge.

The House version of the bill is 1,018 pages and the CBO’s latest estimate says it will add another $269 billion to the federal deficit.  But still the Democrats won’t even promise to read the bill.

Call your Senators and Representatives today and demand they sign the pledge!

Oh, and here’s yet another example of the failures of a government-run health care system! A 22-year-old alcoholic is refused a liver transplant because his life’s not worth saving!

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Patients First – Vote No on Government Run Health Care — Sign the Petition

John Allison III Cabot, AR US
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!

Demint (R-SC) Stands with People of Honduras

Ousted President Manuel Zelaya called it a coup, but the reality is the left-wing leader (who was attempting to unilaterally subvert the Honduran Constitution to consolidate his power and install himself as permanent dictator of the country) was ousted by the other constitutional branches of government which called in the military to help preserve their Constitution.  Honduran citizen Yolanda Campos posted the following comment on ozarkguru’s post the other day:

I’m from Honduras, and this is the first time I read something that tells the truth about what is happening in Honduras. I can’t not believe Obama will support Mel Zelaya knowing, Hugo Chavez is behind all this.

President Obama sided with the UN and his newfound friends, left-wing Latin American radical anti-US zealots Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez, in demanding Zelaya’s reinstatement to office.  Imagine, an American President demanding the reinstatement of a wannabe Socialist dictator in a country of the Americas!  Hondurans who cherish democracy and freedom must have been as shocked as Iranian supporters of Mousavi were when the American President slipped out for ice cream without comment on their violent deaths at the hands of Iran’s anti-US theocracy.

Yes, it’s becoming a pattern, seemingly a planned part of Obama’s foreign policy, for the US President to stand against any friend and with any foe to support tyrants, despots, and dictators across the globe.  Fortunately for freedom seekers, the power of our government doesn’t rest solely in the Executive Branch.

Yesterday, Sen. Jim Demint (R-SC) issued a press release in which he recognizes the constitutionality of the events in Honduras. “This is not an ideal transition, but Hondurans are adhering to their constitution. The United States should support the Honduran people and their legitimate leaders in their brave and heroic stand for freedom and the rule of law,” says Demint.

He also admonishes President Obama for his “slap in the face to the people of Honduras.” Demint goes on to add, “I am hopeful that as President Obama grows in office, he will eventually turn away from despots like Ahmadinejad, Chavez, Castro, and Zelaya, and give the United States’ full-throated support to the people of any country who are fighting for the same values we cherish and defend in America. The people fighting for freedom around the world, in Iran and Honduras, should never have to wonder which side America will choose between freedom and tyranny.”

I’m glad to see a Republican standing tall on the right side of this issue and condemning our own Socialist President’s defense of Zelaya.

John Allison III Cabot, AR US
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this! vwt4mk2cb9

GOP Senators want N. Korea relisted as sponsor of terror

Senator Jim Demint (R-SC) posted the following letter, signed by himself and 7 other Senators, requesting that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton immediately relist belligerent N. Korea as a state sponsor of terror.

June 2, 2009 The Honorable Hillary Clinton Secretary U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street NW Washington, DC 20520 Dear Madame Secretary: We are writing to request that you immediately place the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) back on the State Department’s State Sponsors of Terrorism List. As you know, the DPRK has never ended the activities for which it was listed as a state sponsor of terrorism. A number of reports have demonstrated this fact. Despite this fact, under the Six-Party Talks framework that focused on “action for action,” former President Bush removed the DPRK from the State Department’s State Sponsors of Terrorism List to encourage the DPRK to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. However, in recent weeks, the DPRK has engaged in a number of nuclear and missile tests that have destabilized the region and increased the threat to U.S. national security. In addition, the DPRK has gone even further in announcing its withdrawal from the 1953 Armistice the United Nations negotiated to end the Korean War. The DPRK has neither ended its sponsorship of terror activities nor moved in the direction intended when President Bush de-listed the DPRK. In fact, the DPRK has done just the opposite. In light of Secretary of Defense Robert Gates’s announcement that DPRK is preparing to launch a long-range missile capable of reaching the United States, it is critical that the DPRK be placed back on the list without delay and that its regime is denied access to multinational loans and other financial vehicles that help fund their destabilizing activities. Sincerely, Jim DeMint John Cornyn Jeff Sessions Tom Coburn Saxby Chambliss Michael B. Enzi David Vitter John Ensign

The following day, Sen. Demint and 15 other Republican Senators sponsored an amendment to the FDA Tobacco bill that would require Sec. Clinton to place N. Korea back on the list. “Now is not the time for rhetoric,” said Jim DeMint. “North Korea’s provocative actions must have immediate consequences.”

The Bush adminstration removed the rogue nation from the list when it promised to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons and agreed to submit verification that its promise was fulfilled. Sen. Demint calls this decision disastrous and says the Communist regime has never stopped supporting terrorism, but exploited the Bush decision to access funds that had been frozen while the country remained on the State Department’s list of terror sponsors.

Demint goes on to say that recent N. Korean actions demand immediate consequences. “In the past two weeks, North Korea has threatened the security of the United States and the entire Pacific region. They have tested a nuclear weapon, fired multiple missiles, and are currently preparing a ballistic missile that could reach Hawaii or Alaska. And if they sell this technology, as they have done in the past, terrorist groups will finally have access to nuclear weapons to wreak havoc on free nations.”

The current administration has stated there will be consequences for N. Korea’s hostile actions, but the lack of any such consequences has emboldened the totalitarian regime to continue threatening its neighbors and even the US.

Sen. Demint (R-SC) Seeks Transparency in Senate Votes

Press Release from Sen. Demint–5/1/09

DeMint Leads Bipartisan Effort to Make Senate Votes More Transparent Democrats and Republicans urge modernizing Senate website with easily searchable XML vote database May 1, 2009 – WASHINGTON, D.C – Today, U.S. Senator Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina), chairman of the Senate Steering Committee, sent a bipartisan letter to the Senate Rules Committee asking it to modernize the way it publishes Senate roll call votes on the internet. Specifically, the letter requests that the Secretary of the Senate make votes available to the public using the XML format, which would allow citizens, government watchdog groups, and the press to immediately access and analyze Senate roll call votes. Senator DeMint was joined in signing the letter by Senators Dick Durbin (D-Illinois), Joe Lieberman (I-Connecticut), John Cornyn (R-Texas), John Ensign (R-Nevada), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), and David Vitter (R-Louisiana). “As Americans increasingly turn to the internet for information, it’s important that the United States Senate continue to modernize the way it provides the public with information,” said Senator DeMint. “Voting is the most basic and the most important Senate action, yet we’re making it unnecessarily difficult for the public to access this information. What we’re asking for here is a simple change that will have a profound impact on the Senate’s transparency and accountability.” On Monday, POLITICO reported on how the Senate has fallen behind the House of Representatives in terms of vote transparency: When it comes to roll call votes, transparency advocates of the technological bent say the House is worlds better than the Senate because the House clerk provides the XML files behind the votes — language that looks like a database to a computer and allows developers to easily reuse the data on their own websites. The Senate clerk’s office has resisted providing that information, despite being pressed by open government advocates, said Wonderlich. The reason they’ve been given: “The secretary of the Senate has cited a general standing policy … that they’re not supposed to present votes in a comparative format, that senators have the right to present their votes however they want to,” Wonderlich said. “It’s pretty bad.” When POLITICO sought to confirm this reasoning, the secretary’s office directed inquiries to the Senate Rules Committee. A spokeswoman at the Rules Committee said she was unable to find someone who could answer the question. J.H. Snider, president of iSolon.org, a think tank dedicated to using information technology to further democracy, said there’s a qualitative difference between making information public and making it “meaningfully” public — that is, in the easiest, most logical and most timely way. The full text of the letter is below: April 30, 2009 Senator Charles Schumer, Chairman Senator Bob Bennett, Ranking Member Committee on Rules and Administration Committee on Rules and Administration 305 Russell Senate Office Building 305 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senators Schumer and Bennett: We are writing today to ask you to change the Senate’s policy on the publishing of roll call votes so they are made available to the public in an XML format, in addition to what is provided on the Senate website today. As Americans increasingly turn to the Internet to stay informed, the Senate as a body has a duty to promote timely and accurate reporting of our actions through the most current and effective technologies. Voting is the most basic Senate action and is of crucial importance to the public. Yet the Secretary of the Senate is constrained by an antiquated policy on how roll call votes can be published on the Senate website. The Secretary of the Senate and the Sergeant at Arms have made strides in the development of the Senate website and the lobbying disclosure database. However, it is our understanding that the Secretary feels constrained not to use “XML” for online voting records. It is crucial that the Senate add XML. XML is more than merely a data format; it promotes the ability of citizens, watchdog groups, and the press to access and analyze Senate roll call votes. The addition of XML will allow the public to use computers to search, sort, and visualize voting records in new ways. While the costs associated with this transition would be negligible, the impact on transparency and accountability would be profound. It is troubling that the current policy makes it more difficult for the public to access and disseminate information about Senate roll call votes. This policy has created a situation where outside groups are forced to create databases that are more likely to contain errors and omissions. The public should not have to resort to subscription-based or mistake-ridden databases to easily obtain this information. It has been suggested that the policy may have been implemented originally because “Senators want to provide their voting records to their constituents themselves.” The suggestion that the Senate would intentionally hamstring the distribution of roll call votes so Senators could put a better spin on them is concerning. The public is capable of interpreting our votes on its own. The House of Representatives has been using XML for approximately five years with no adverse effects. It is time for the Senate to change its policy on sharing XML data and make roll call vote information easily available to the public. Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to working with you improve the Senate’s legislative transparency in this way. Sincerely, U.S. Senator Jim DeMint U.S. Senator David Vitter U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman U.S. Senator James Risch U.S. Senator Richard Durbin U.S. Senator John Cornyn U.S. Senator John Ensign

Sen. Demint (R-SC) understands…

…what the Tea Parties are about.

Reid Ignores Economy in Favor of Pork

 


#TCOT #diggcons

Press Release from Senator Jim Demint (R-SC)

 

Reid Ignores Economy to Force Vote on Pork Laden Omnibus Lands Bill Democrat Majority Leader has allowed a vote on only 1 Republican amendment in last 6 months January 9, 2009 – Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina) made the following statement regarding Democrat Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nevada) decision to hold the first vote of the 111th Congress this Sunday on a massive omnibus lands bill that contains numerous wasteful earmarks: “This Sunday charade is proof that while President-Elect Obama talks about change and bipartisanship, the Senate Majority Leader is stuck in the partisan past. Instead of focusing on the economy, he has dusted off a pork laden lobbyist-giveaway bill from the previous Congress,” said Senator DeMint. “This bill is 1,294 pages of pork, land-grabs, and other special interest goodies. According to the Congressional Research Service, many provisions of this bill are quite controversial. Many others are just plain ridiculous, such as $3.5 million to help celebrate the 450th birthday of St. Augustine Florida — in 2015, $5 million for botanical gardens in Hawaii and Florida, a $14 million tropical research institute in Panama, and a $12 million orchid museum in Maryland. And according to Americans for Tax Reform, Reid’s omnibus would hurt American energy by ending exploration on lands that are estimated to provide 300 million barrels of proven oil and 8.8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. “Senator Coburn reached out to the Majority Leader last week and asked whether he would be able to offer a limited number of reasonable amendments to the bill, as is his right as a senator. The Majority Leader’s response: Nothing. Not even one amendment to strike wasteful programs. “The Senate has only voted on one Republican amendment in the last six months, and it is clear that Senator Reid is returning to business as usual. “The Democrat Leader runs the Senate like a kindergarten. If we don’t follow his instructions, he keeps the whole class after school. “Tom Coburn has an election certificate from the people of Oklahoma, and he has the same right to the floor as the Majority Leader. He is a hero and he will have my full support every step of the way as he fights for the American taxpayer,” said Senator DeMint.

US Officials Denounce Hamas/Support Israel

#TCOT #diggcons

Straight from the blogs and press releases of your elected officials.  I’ll update this post as I find more.

If you know of a Senator or Congressperson who has issued a press release or other public statement recognizing Israel’s right to defend itself against terror attacks by Hamas, leave a comment with a link and I’ll add it as soon as possible.

Senator Kit Bond (R-MO) BOND: ISRAEL HAS EVERY RIGHT TO DEFEND ITS BORDERS, PROTECT ITS PEOPLE WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Kit Bond, Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, today voiced his support for Israel ’s response to Hamas-led attacks on the Democratic nation. “ Israel has every right to defend its borders and protect its people,” said Bond. “With their unprovoked attacks on Israel , Hamas is demonstrating their true commitment is to violence, not peace.” Bond, who two weeks ago returned from a visit to Israel, pointed out that Israel offered an olive branch by fully disengaging from Gaza in August of 2005. Unfortunately, the Israelis’ peace offering has been met with continued rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel . These Hamas-led attacks have increased by 500 percent since disengagement and during the informal six-month cease-fire some 215 rockets were launched at Israel. Bond urged President-elect Obama and the new Democratic-led Congress to continue strong support for Israel . Bond emphasized that America and the international community must also be committed to securing a just and peaceable agreement between Israel and Palestine through a two-state solution. “It is critical that America remain steadfast in our support of Israel ’s right to exist and protect its borders,” said Bond. “I hope President-elect Obama uses his new momentum in office to push for a two-state solution that will bring lasting peace to Israelis and Palestinians living in this troubled region.” Essential to supporting Israel ’s sovereignty is continuing American-Israeli defense cooperation, said Bond. The United States must provide Israel with anti-missile defense systems, like Arrow 3 which Bond supported funding for, that will help keep the Israeli people safe from the multiple dangers they face in the region. In addition to diplomatic and military efforts, Bond noted the importance of American support for humanitarian – or “Smart Power” initiatives to promote peace. While in Israel, Bond was briefed on the success of these initiatives in influencing hearts and minds, like USAID clean sewer and water infrastructure projects in both Israel and Palestinian communities. Bond also pointed to the Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem , which predominantly serves pregnant Palestinian mothers and babies, as a shining example of promoting peace through serving the poor. Bond secured federal funding for Holy Family Hospital which provides quality health care regardless of religion or ethnicity.

Senator John Ensign (R-NV) ENSIGN CALLS ON HAMAS TO STOP ATTACKS Washington, D.C. – Senator John Ensign issued this statement in response to the continuation of attacks by Hamas on civilian targets in Israel: “The right of the people of Israel to defend themselves is not negotiable. Leaders around the world should join together and call on Hamas to stop their civilian-aimed attacks immediately, and Israel will respond accordingly. My thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims—on both sides—of Hamas’ reign of terror.”

Senator Jim Demint (R-SC) Hamas Must Stop Attacks Now I’m deeply troubled by the recent rocket and mortar attacks on Israel launched by Hamas. No one should have to live in constant fear and no sovereign nation can stand by while their citizens are attacked daily by terrorists. Years ago, Israel controlled Gaza and surrendered authority over the area in order to broker a better peace. In exchange, Israel has patiently waited for Hamas to renounce its violent ways, act responsibly, recognize Israel’s right to exist, and come to the negotiating table. However, it is clear Hamas has no intention of living peacefully with Israel. With an unwillingness to move forward, Israel has every right to take the necessary steps to protect and defend its citizens and target those who preach hate and violence. Israelis and Palestinians both deserve to live in peace, and I have always hoped a safe and secure Israel could live side by side with a sovereign and peaceful Palestine. Through their actions, members of Hamas have made it clear the organization is nothing more than a mouth piece and aggressive arm of the Iranians that cannot act independently for the benefit of the Palestinian people. Hamas must renounce violence and act as an honest broker. If it does not, it will be the responsibility of every nation in the Middle East to shut down the long supply lines of rockets, bullets and bombs that run from Iran to Hamas in Gaza.

Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) Sen. Cornyn Statement On Israel’s Right To Defend Itself Against Terrorists WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, made the following statement regarding the current situation in Gaza.“It is the fundamental right of every sovereign nation to defend itself and its people when attacked by an enemy, Israel’s recent defensive military operations in the Gaza Strip against Hamas have been both warranted and fully justified. Recent actions by Hamas – deliberately targeting innocent civilians for death and destruction and using innocent Palestinians as human shields – have reminded the world that Hamas is nothing more than a terrorist organization driven by hatred, fear and radical ideology. Hamas continues to stand as a roadblock to peace in the region, and it must be dealt with accordingly.“Israel is and has been a great friend to the United States, and the Israeli people remain our steadfast allies in the war on terror. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that the United States continue to stand beside Israel as we continue the shared struggle against extremists whose primary objectives are the destruction of both our nations and our shared values of freedom and liberty.”

DeMint Says “Right to Work Will Save Jobs”

DeMint Says UAW Monopoly Must End

Right to Work

Says ‘Right to Work’ Protection Will Save Jobs, Allow American Companies to Compete

from Senator DeMint’s News Room 

December 12, 2008 – Greenville, S.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina) made the following statement regarding the stubborn refusal of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union to agree to concessions needed to save the Big Three automakers.

“Americans are getting to see first hand what it’s like to negotiate with the union bosses at the UAW. It’s heads they win, tails you lose. The unwillingness of the union to accept common-sense reforms to help the American automakers restructure and to save thousands of jobs demonstrates an arrogance that is outrageous,” said Senator DeMint.

“The Big Three are at a serious disadvantage because of the monopoly the UAW has over its workers. Workers at the Big Three are forced to join the UAW, and the automakers must negotiate only with union bosses before they make business decisions. This union monopoly has driven the operational costs for Ford, GM and Chrysler to twice that of their competitors. In 2007, GM had its best year, and sold over 9 million cars. That same year Toyota also sold 9 million cars. But because of unionized labor costs, GM lost nearly $40 billion in 2007, while Toyota made nearly $20 billion. There is simply no way for the Big Three to survive in a global marketplace with the barnacles of the UAW monopoly.”

“The time has come to hold unions accountable and for Congress to stop protecting them from competition. Americans in 28 states can be forced to join a union in order to keep their jobs. Forced unionism restricts Americans’ right to work and encourages the kind of arrogance we have seen with the UAW. Forced unionism is outdated and destructive.

“It is no coincidence that the healthy automakers in the United States are located in ‘right to work’ states and are not unionized by the UAW. Year after year, union bosses have put their interests ahead of the workers they claim to represent. Congress never should have given these unions this much power and now is the time to fix it.

“If we refuse to give workers across the country the ability to hold their union representatives accountable, these unions will continue to exercise their monopoly power in ways that cost Americans jobs, cheat American consumers, and abuse American taxpayers,” said Senator DeMint.

Follow Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) on Twitter

#TCOT:  C’mon folks.  Senator DeMint was a leader in the “Stop the Bailout” operation in the

Sen. DeMint (R-SC)

Senate.  Every member of TCOT should be following him on Twitter.

From Senator DeMint’s blog:

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Follow Jim DeMint on Twitter

December 9th, 2008

We know you are busy, so we don’t expect you to come to our site everyday. We are making it easier for you to stay up-to-date on the lastest DeMint news by getting more active on Twitter. Follow Senator DeMint @jimdemint.

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Keep up the great work Senator! It’s great to know we still have some real conservatives on The Hill standing up for our values.