As the Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC) holds its annual conference, Libertarian Party Executive Director Wes Benedict offered the following statement:
I'm sure we'll hear an awful lot about "limited government" from the mouths of CPAC politicians over the next few days. If I had a nickel every time a conservative said "limited government" and didn't mean it, I'd be a very rich man.
Unlike libertarians, most conservatives simply don't want small government. They want their own version of big government. Of course, they have done a pretty good job of fooling American voters for decades by repeating the phrases "limited government" and "small government" like a hypnotic chant.
It's interesting that conservatives only notice "big government" when it's something their political enemies want. When conservatives want it, apparently it doesn't count.
* If a conservative wants a trillion-dollar foreign war, that doesn't count.
* If a conservative wants a 700-billion-dollar bank bailout, that doesn't count.
* If a conservative wants to spend billions fighting a needless and destructive War on Drugs, that doesn't count.
* If a conservative wants to spend billions building border fences, that doesn't count.
* If a conservative wants to "protect" the huge, unjust, and terribly inefficient Social Security and Medicare programs, that doesn't count.
* If a conservative wants billions in farm subsidies, that doesn't count.
It's truly amazing how many things "don't count."
Conservatives like Rush Limbaugh can't ever be satisfied with enough military spending and foreign wars.
Conservatives like Mitt Romney want to force everyone to buy health insurance.
Conservatives like George W. Bush -- well, his list of supporting big-government programs is almost endless.
Ronald Reagan, often praised as an icon of conservatism, signed massive spending bills that made his the biggest-spending administration (as a percentage of GDP) since World War II.
Some people claim that these big-government supporters aren't "true conservatives." Well, if a person opposes the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, opposes the War on Drugs, opposes border fences, and opposes mandatory Social Security and Medicare, it's hard to believe that anyone would describe that person as a conservative at all. Most people would say that person is a libertarian (or maybe even a liberal).
Obviously, most liberals don't want limited government either. It's just that their support for big government leans toward massive handout and redistribution programs.
The fact is, liberals and conservatives both want gigantic government. Their visions sometimes look different from each other, but both are huge. The only Americans who truly want small government are libertarians.
An article posted at CNS News, linked prominently from the Drudge Report, noted that the Obama administration is on track to beat the Franklin Roosevelt administration in terms of average federal spending as a percentage of GDP. However, the article failed to note that the Reagan Administration already beat the Franklin Roosevelt administration easily. Roosevelt's average was 19.4 percent of GDP, while Reagan's average was 22.3 percent of GDP. (Source: White House OMB data)
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Thursday, February 18, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
North Carolina: Duane Cutlip Files for House District 39
Duane Cutlip Files for North Carolina House District 39 Seat
WENDELL, N.C., February 11, 2010 – Duane Cutlip, the Republican candidate for the North Carolina House District 39 seat in 2008, is filing his candidacy for the 2010 race this afternoon at the Wake County Board of Elections.
“My candidacy will demonstrate that every seat of government belongs to the people,” Cutlip said. “The people are tired of representatives who are just a rubber stamp for the failed leadership and policies that have brought us double-digit unemployment and the worst economic environment in decades. We must return to government of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
A resident of Wendell where he lives with his wife and two children, Duane Cutlip is running for the General Assembly in North Carolina’s 39th House District. For more information about Duane’s campaign, please visit http://www.DuaneCutlip.com.
WENDELL, N.C., February 11, 2010 – Duane Cutlip, the Republican candidate for the North Carolina House District 39 seat in 2008, is filing his candidacy for the 2010 race this afternoon at the Wake County Board of Elections.
“My candidacy will demonstrate that every seat of government belongs to the people,” Cutlip said. “The people are tired of representatives who are just a rubber stamp for the failed leadership and policies that have brought us double-digit unemployment and the worst economic environment in decades. We must return to government of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
A resident of Wendell where he lives with his wife and two children, Duane Cutlip is running for the General Assembly in North Carolina’s 39th House District. For more information about Duane’s campaign, please visit http://www.DuaneCutlip.com.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Tonight: Georgia - Southern Crescent Tea Party Patriot's General Meeting
J. Christopher's at 7:00 Thursday, February 11th
Featured speaker, Mr. Ron Bachman, has worked across party lines on health care reform. Ron worked with "Hillarycare" in 1993-94, he worked with Ted Kennedy over the past 10 years on mental health issues, and he is a Senior Fellow at Newt Gingrich's Center for Health Transformation. He will discuss the contents of the proposed bill, the Congressional process, how Congress is trying to still pass socialized healthcare legislation, and prospects for true free market health care reform.
Mr. Bachman is currently working with the Southern Crescent Tea Party Patriots on a proactive Health Care agenda that will include true free market health care reforms that would not raise ANYONE'S TAXES!! We are working on partnering with our legislators in order to pass bills that are in the best interest of WE THE PEOPLE.
Also speaking is State Representative Matt Ramsey of District 72, who has also spoken at all of our healthcare forums. He will relate how he has already proposed a bill that would allow Georgia citizens to purchase health insurance across state lines, allowing free market competition in order to lower insurance prices for consumers. This is just one of the many reforms that have been highlighted at the SCTPP healthcare forums. We appreciate Representative Ramsey's initiative for the citizen's of Georgia and hope to work more with him in the future to secure legislation to help lower insurance costs in Georgia.
Come to the meeting and hear how you can help our state and federal government become one that is OF the people, BY the people, and FOR the people!
Featured speaker, Mr. Ron Bachman, has worked across party lines on health care reform. Ron worked with "Hillarycare" in 1993-94, he worked with Ted Kennedy over the past 10 years on mental health issues, and he is a Senior Fellow at Newt Gingrich's Center for Health Transformation. He will discuss the contents of the proposed bill, the Congressional process, how Congress is trying to still pass socialized healthcare legislation, and prospects for true free market health care reform.
Mr. Bachman is currently working with the Southern Crescent Tea Party Patriots on a proactive Health Care agenda that will include true free market health care reforms that would not raise ANYONE'S TAXES!! We are working on partnering with our legislators in order to pass bills that are in the best interest of WE THE PEOPLE.
Also speaking is State Representative Matt Ramsey of District 72, who has also spoken at all of our healthcare forums. He will relate how he has already proposed a bill that would allow Georgia citizens to purchase health insurance across state lines, allowing free market competition in order to lower insurance prices for consumers. This is just one of the many reforms that have been highlighted at the SCTPP healthcare forums. We appreciate Representative Ramsey's initiative for the citizen's of Georgia and hope to work more with him in the future to secure legislation to help lower insurance costs in Georgia.
Come to the meeting and hear how you can help our state and federal government become one that is OF the people, BY the people, and FOR the people!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Libertarian Party Backs Voter Choice Legislation
Legislation has been introduced in the Georgia General Assembly to give voters more choice at the ballot box by expanding ballot access to political bodies.
Georgia law states that in order for a candidate to get on the ballot he must turn in petitions equaling 5 percent of the registered voters from the district he plans to run in. If a candidate plans to run statewide, he or she must get signatures from 1 percent of registered voters in the state.
The 1 percent rule also applies to parties attempting to receive a line on the ballot. Provided they are successful they are still not a "party" as defined by Georgia law, they are a "political body" and they must receive 1 percent of the registered vote in any statewide race to maintain that status. In order to receive an automatic ballot line for all candidates and major party status, a candidate for governor or president must receive 20 percent of the popular vote nationally in a general election. If a party falls below 20 percent, it loses major party status.
According to Richard Winger at Ballot Access News, Georgia has the worst ballot access laws in the nation. “There is no other state with a law that has kept all minor party or independent candidates off the ballot for such an important office as US House for decades. Every state has had minor party and/or independent candidates on the ballot in recent years for president, and US Senate (although one must go back to 2000 to make this completely true, for president, because of Oklahoma),” says Winger. “Every state except Georgia has had multiple minor party and/or independent candidates for US House during either of the last two elections. Georgia law for US House is absolutely the worst ballot access law of any type in the nation.”
Senate Bill 359, the Voter Choice and Ballot Access Act, was introduced last week by Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth). This legislation would give political bodies, such as the Libertarian Party, a ballot line for statewide, legislative and local office provided the body receives the support of at least 1 percent of registered voters in a statewide race.
The legislation would also allow for electoral fusion, which would give political bodies the ability to nominate a candidate seeking its endorsement that is also running for the nomination of a major party.
Former US Rep. Bob Barr (R-GA), the 2008 Libertarian Party presidential nominee, has endorsed SB 359. “The citizens of Georgia deserve more than just the status-quo on their ballot each election cycle,” said Barr. “This legislation is a step in the right direction towards meaningful ballot access reform.”
“Reform to our state’s draconian ballot access law is long overdue and we appreciate Sen. Shafer introducing this legislation,” says Jason Pye, Legislative Director of the Libertarian Party of Georgia. “Libertarians believe very much in competition, whether it is in the marketplace or elections. We are calling on the legislature to pass this bill and let voters have choice.”
The Libertarian Party is Georgia’s third largest political party and the only party in Georgia promoting fewer taxes, less government and personal liberty for all Georgians. To learn more, please visit www.LPGeorgia.com.
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Georgia law states that in order for a candidate to get on the ballot he must turn in petitions equaling 5 percent of the registered voters from the district he plans to run in. If a candidate plans to run statewide, he or she must get signatures from 1 percent of registered voters in the state.
The 1 percent rule also applies to parties attempting to receive a line on the ballot. Provided they are successful they are still not a "party" as defined by Georgia law, they are a "political body" and they must receive 1 percent of the registered vote in any statewide race to maintain that status. In order to receive an automatic ballot line for all candidates and major party status, a candidate for governor or president must receive 20 percent of the popular vote nationally in a general election. If a party falls below 20 percent, it loses major party status.
According to Richard Winger at Ballot Access News, Georgia has the worst ballot access laws in the nation. “There is no other state with a law that has kept all minor party or independent candidates off the ballot for such an important office as US House for decades. Every state has had minor party and/or independent candidates on the ballot in recent years for president, and US Senate (although one must go back to 2000 to make this completely true, for president, because of Oklahoma),” says Winger. “Every state except Georgia has had multiple minor party and/or independent candidates for US House during either of the last two elections. Georgia law for US House is absolutely the worst ballot access law of any type in the nation.”
Senate Bill 359, the Voter Choice and Ballot Access Act, was introduced last week by Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth). This legislation would give political bodies, such as the Libertarian Party, a ballot line for statewide, legislative and local office provided the body receives the support of at least 1 percent of registered voters in a statewide race.
The legislation would also allow for electoral fusion, which would give political bodies the ability to nominate a candidate seeking its endorsement that is also running for the nomination of a major party.
Former US Rep. Bob Barr (R-GA), the 2008 Libertarian Party presidential nominee, has endorsed SB 359. “The citizens of Georgia deserve more than just the status-quo on their ballot each election cycle,” said Barr. “This legislation is a step in the right direction towards meaningful ballot access reform.”
“Reform to our state’s draconian ballot access law is long overdue and we appreciate Sen. Shafer introducing this legislation,” says Jason Pye, Legislative Director of the Libertarian Party of Georgia. “Libertarians believe very much in competition, whether it is in the marketplace or elections. We are calling on the legislature to pass this bill and let voters have choice.”
The Libertarian Party is Georgia’s third largest political party and the only party in Georgia promoting fewer taxes, less government and personal liberty for all Georgians. To learn more, please visit www.LPGeorgia.com.
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Ehlers to retire
Rep. Vern Ehlers (R-Mich.) will announce he's retiring at the end of his current term during a press conference in Grand Rapids Wednesday morning, according to media reports.
Read more: http://www.thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/80541-ehlers-to-retire
Read more: http://www.thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/80541-ehlers-to-retire
Monday, February 8, 2010
GA Secretary of State Brian Kemp Certifies Special Election Results in State Senate District 22
Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp today certified the results for the February 2 Special Election to fill the unexpired term in state Senate District 22. The certified results can be found on the Secretary of State’s website: http://sos.georgia.gov/elections.
Candidate Hardie Davis was declared the winner, and will serve the remainder of the term.
In certifying the results, the Secretary of State affirmed that Richmond County has provided to the State the total votes tabulated for each candidate. Further, the Secretary of State affirms that the returns are a true and correct tabulation of the certified returns received by this office from the county.
Additionally, with the certification, the time period for a candidate for state office to request a recount begins. Certification does not preclude the state from continuing any current investigations related to the Special Election or from pursuing any future allegations that may arise from the election.
Brian Kemp was sworn in as Secretary of State in January 2010. Among the office’s wide-ranging responsibilities, the Secretary of State is charged with conducting efficient and secure elections, the registration of corporations, and the regulation of securities and professional license holders. The office also oversees the Georgia Archives and the Capitol Museum.
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Candidate Hardie Davis was declared the winner, and will serve the remainder of the term.
In certifying the results, the Secretary of State affirmed that Richmond County has provided to the State the total votes tabulated for each candidate. Further, the Secretary of State affirms that the returns are a true and correct tabulation of the certified returns received by this office from the county.
Additionally, with the certification, the time period for a candidate for state office to request a recount begins. Certification does not preclude the state from continuing any current investigations related to the Special Election or from pursuing any future allegations that may arise from the election.
Brian Kemp was sworn in as Secretary of State in January 2010. Among the office’s wide-ranging responsibilities, the Secretary of State is charged with conducting efficient and secure elections, the registration of corporations, and the regulation of securities and professional license holders. The office also oversees the Georgia Archives and the Capitol Museum.
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Saturday, February 6, 2010
President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts
Yesterday President Barack Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key administration posts:
· Chuck Close, Member, President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
· Fred Goldring, Member, President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
· Sheila Johnson, Member, President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
· Pamela Joyner, Member, President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
· Jhumpa Lahiri, Member, President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
· Ken Solomon, Member, President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
President Obama said, “I am proud that these distinguished individuals will serve in my Administration. The arts and the humanities enhance the vibrancy of our society, inspire us and strengthen our democracy. I look forward to working with them in the weeks and months ahead.”
President Obama announced today his intent to nominate the following individuals:
Chuck Close, Member, President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
Chuck Close is a visual artist noted for his highly inventive techniques used to paint the human face, and is best known for his large-scale, photo based portrait paintings. He is also an accomplished printmaker and photographer whose work has been the subject of more than 200 solo exhibitions in more than 20 countries, including major retrospective exhibitions at New York’s Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and most recently at The State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. In 2000, Mr. Close was presented with the prestigious National Medal of Arts by President Clinton. Close is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and has served on the boards of many arts organizations.
Fred Goldring, Member, President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
Fred Goldring co-founded the prominent California-based entertainment law firm Goldring, Hertz and Lichtenstein which represents numerous global superstar recording and performing artists, and is also co-founder of entertainment strategic consultancy, MemBrain, which works with Fortune 500 companies and new media and technology enterprises regarding entertainment marketing strategy. Mr. Goldring is also the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Rock The Vote, and has been the co-recipient of an Emmy Award, a Clio Award, a Global Media Award and an NAACP Image Award.
Sheila Johnson, Member, President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
Sheila Johnson is the founder and CEO of Salamander Hospitality; co-founder of Black Entertainment Television; a documentary film producer; and the only African-American woman to co-own three professional sports teams. A classically trained violinist who began her career as a music teacher, Ms. Johnson is a long time advocate for the arts. She serves as Chair of the Board of Governors of Parsons The New School for Design and several boards including Americans for the Arts.
Pamela Joyner, Member, President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
Pamela Joyner is the Founder of Avid Partners, LLC. Her other business experiences include holding senior positions at Bowman Capital, LLC and Capital Guardian Trust Company. Ms Joyner is a former Co-Chair and current Trustee Emeritus of the San Francisco Ballet. She is a Trustee of The MacDowell Colony, The School of American Ballet and Dartmouth College. Ms. Joyner also serves a Director of The California Healthcare Foundation and an Advisory Board Member of First Republic Bank.
Jhumpa Lahiri, Member, President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
Jhumpa Lahiri is a fiction writer whose debut collection of stories, Interpreter of Maladies, received the Pulitzer Prize, the PEN/Hemingway Award, the Addison M. Metcalf Award, and the New Yorker magazine's Debut of the Year. Her novel, The Namesake, was a New York Times Notable Book, a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and was selected as one of the best books of the year by USA Today and Entertainment Weekly. Her latest story collection, Unaccustomed Earth, won the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award and the Vallombrosa-Gregor von Rezzori Prize.
Ken Solomon, Member, President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
Ken Solomon is chairman of Ovation TV, a national cable and satellite network focused on bringing art, culture and personal creativity to all Americans. He is also chairman and CEO of Tennis Channel, the only 24-hour network dedicated to both the professional sport and tennis lifestyle. With more than 25 years of television and multimedia experience, Mr. Solomon has held top posts with the Walt Disney Corp., Universal Television, DreamWorks, News Corp. and Scripps. He is currently vice chairman of the Young Presidents Organization Bel-Air (YPO) and has been named “Humanitarian of the Year” by H.E.L.P. Group, one of the largest and most influential children’s charities in the United States, for which he serves on the Circle of Friends advisory board.
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· Chuck Close, Member, President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
· Fred Goldring, Member, President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
· Sheila Johnson, Member, President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
· Pamela Joyner, Member, President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
· Jhumpa Lahiri, Member, President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
· Ken Solomon, Member, President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
President Obama said, “I am proud that these distinguished individuals will serve in my Administration. The arts and the humanities enhance the vibrancy of our society, inspire us and strengthen our democracy. I look forward to working with them in the weeks and months ahead.”
President Obama announced today his intent to nominate the following individuals:
Chuck Close, Member, President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
Chuck Close is a visual artist noted for his highly inventive techniques used to paint the human face, and is best known for his large-scale, photo based portrait paintings. He is also an accomplished printmaker and photographer whose work has been the subject of more than 200 solo exhibitions in more than 20 countries, including major retrospective exhibitions at New York’s Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and most recently at The State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. In 2000, Mr. Close was presented with the prestigious National Medal of Arts by President Clinton. Close is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and has served on the boards of many arts organizations.
Fred Goldring, Member, President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
Fred Goldring co-founded the prominent California-based entertainment law firm Goldring, Hertz and Lichtenstein which represents numerous global superstar recording and performing artists, and is also co-founder of entertainment strategic consultancy, MemBrain, which works with Fortune 500 companies and new media and technology enterprises regarding entertainment marketing strategy. Mr. Goldring is also the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Rock The Vote, and has been the co-recipient of an Emmy Award, a Clio Award, a Global Media Award and an NAACP Image Award.
Sheila Johnson, Member, President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
Sheila Johnson is the founder and CEO of Salamander Hospitality; co-founder of Black Entertainment Television; a documentary film producer; and the only African-American woman to co-own three professional sports teams. A classically trained violinist who began her career as a music teacher, Ms. Johnson is a long time advocate for the arts. She serves as Chair of the Board of Governors of Parsons The New School for Design and several boards including Americans for the Arts.
Pamela Joyner, Member, President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
Pamela Joyner is the Founder of Avid Partners, LLC. Her other business experiences include holding senior positions at Bowman Capital, LLC and Capital Guardian Trust Company. Ms Joyner is a former Co-Chair and current Trustee Emeritus of the San Francisco Ballet. She is a Trustee of The MacDowell Colony, The School of American Ballet and Dartmouth College. Ms. Joyner also serves a Director of The California Healthcare Foundation and an Advisory Board Member of First Republic Bank.
Jhumpa Lahiri, Member, President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
Jhumpa Lahiri is a fiction writer whose debut collection of stories, Interpreter of Maladies, received the Pulitzer Prize, the PEN/Hemingway Award, the Addison M. Metcalf Award, and the New Yorker magazine's Debut of the Year. Her novel, The Namesake, was a New York Times Notable Book, a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and was selected as one of the best books of the year by USA Today and Entertainment Weekly. Her latest story collection, Unaccustomed Earth, won the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award and the Vallombrosa-Gregor von Rezzori Prize.
Ken Solomon, Member, President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
Ken Solomon is chairman of Ovation TV, a national cable and satellite network focused on bringing art, culture and personal creativity to all Americans. He is also chairman and CEO of Tennis Channel, the only 24-hour network dedicated to both the professional sport and tennis lifestyle. With more than 25 years of television and multimedia experience, Mr. Solomon has held top posts with the Walt Disney Corp., Universal Television, DreamWorks, News Corp. and Scripps. He is currently vice chairman of the Young Presidents Organization Bel-Air (YPO) and has been named “Humanitarian of the Year” by H.E.L.P. Group, one of the largest and most influential children’s charities in the United States, for which he serves on the Circle of Friends advisory board.
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Westmoreland Town Hall Meeting McDonough
Rep. Lynn Westmoreland will be holding a Town Hall Meeting Mon Feb 8 @ 6:30 in McDonough, GA www.Westmoreland.house.gov
Friday, February 5, 2010
President Obama Eliminates Funding for Reading Is Fundamental's Book Distribution Program Serving 4.4 Million Children Nationwide
/PRNewswire/ -- The following is a statement from Carol H. Rasco, president and CEO, of Reading Is Fundamental:
"On February 1, President Obama released his proposed FY2011 budget which eliminates the funding for Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) and its nationwide services. Without this federal funding, over 4.4 million children and families will not receive free books or reading encouragement from RIF programs at nearly 17,000 locations throughout the U.S.
"Unless Congress reinstates $25 million in funding for this program, RIF will not be able to distribute 15 million books annually to the nation's children at greatest risk for academic failure. RIF programs in schools, community centers, hospitals, military bases, and other locations serving children from low-income families, children with disabilities, homeless children, and children without adequate access to libraries. The Inexpensive Book Distribution program is authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (SEC.5451 Inexpensive Book Distribution Program for Reading Motivation) and is not funded through earmarks. It has been funded by Congress and six Administrations without interruption since 1975.
"Since its founding in 1966, RIF has played a critical role in improving literacy in this country by providing new, free books for children to keep and build home libraries. Access to books and the power of choice ignite children's hunger for knowledge and a passion for learning. In addition, research has shown that children who have more access to books not only perform better academically, but also become productive individuals whose contributions help create strong communities. On behalf of RIF and its network of over 400,000 volunteers nationwide, I urge all Americans to contact their congressional representatives and ask them to reinstate funding for this vital program."
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"On February 1, President Obama released his proposed FY2011 budget which eliminates the funding for Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) and its nationwide services. Without this federal funding, over 4.4 million children and families will not receive free books or reading encouragement from RIF programs at nearly 17,000 locations throughout the U.S.
"Unless Congress reinstates $25 million in funding for this program, RIF will not be able to distribute 15 million books annually to the nation's children at greatest risk for academic failure. RIF programs in schools, community centers, hospitals, military bases, and other locations serving children from low-income families, children with disabilities, homeless children, and children without adequate access to libraries. The Inexpensive Book Distribution program is authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (SEC.5451 Inexpensive Book Distribution Program for Reading Motivation) and is not funded through earmarks. It has been funded by Congress and six Administrations without interruption since 1975.
"Since its founding in 1966, RIF has played a critical role in improving literacy in this country by providing new, free books for children to keep and build home libraries. Access to books and the power of choice ignite children's hunger for knowledge and a passion for learning. In addition, research has shown that children who have more access to books not only perform better academically, but also become productive individuals whose contributions help create strong communities. On behalf of RIF and its network of over 400,000 volunteers nationwide, I urge all Americans to contact their congressional representatives and ask them to reinstate funding for this vital program."
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Thursday, February 4, 2010
Bipartisan Fair Elections Now Act Reaches Majority of Majority in US House
/PRNewswire/ -- On Thursday, the House Fair Elections Now Act (H.R. 1826), championed by House Democratic Caucus Chairman John B. Larson (D-Conn.), gained its 134th co-sponsor, pushing the number of supporters to more than half of the Democratic Caucus. This high level of support is a sign of the growing momentum for changing the way campaigns are financed in this country, according to Public Campaign and Common Cause.
"The country needs both parties to work to solve the political crisis created by the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United, and the bipartisan solution that has the broadest support within Congress is Fair Elections," said Nick Nyhart, president and CEO of Public Campaign. "Not only is it the best policy response to the escalating cost to run for office, it will take candidates off the fundraising treadmill and encourage them to seek support from voters back home. This bill is democracy-in-action."
"The Supreme Court has left no room for doubt that we need a campaign finance system that makes elected officials beholden to the people they're supposed to represent instead of the wealthy special interests," said Common Cause President Bob Edgar. "The Fair Elections Now Act would do that."
In the two weeks since the Citizens United decision was released, the groups have stormed the Hill, working with others to mount a significant campaign to:
-- Organize a letter of 41 top business executives to House Speaker Nancy
Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.)
urging them to include Fair Elections in any legislative package.
-- Deliver 177,716 petition signatures to district and Capitol Hill
offices for both House members and Senators.
-- Place nearly 5,000 calls to targeted congressional offices.
-- Line up more than 200 faith leaders, including prominent individuals
within denominations, to sign a letter to Speaker Pelosi and Majority
Leader Reid to urge that the response to Citizens United include Fair
Elections.
-- Brief more than 100 congressional offices on Fair Elections.
-- Launched a "fax" day today, when thousands of faxes will be sent to
targeted congressional offices.
"Over the past two weeks, we have brought Americans' concerns about the big money-dominated system directly to Congress," said David Donnelly, campaign manager of the joint effort. "From business executives to faith leaders to ordinary Americans, everyone is sick of the time Congress spends courting Wall Street and other special interests. We will continue to direct the voices of concerned and angry Americans to urge our elected officials to act in the people's interest and pass Fair Elections."
The Fair Elections Now Act (H.R. 1826) would create a voluntary system that blends limited public funds with a 4 to 1 match on donations of $100 or less. Candidates would be freed from the eternal chase for big campaign checks, able to spend their time talking with voters and addressing our country's challenges. With Fair Elections, candidates would need to rely solely on their grassroots base of support and not Wall Street lobbyists or PACs. Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) is the sponsor of companion legislation in the Senate.
The 134 co-sponsors represent a broad, ideologically diverse array of the House, with strong support across caucuses and party lines. Supporters include 66 percent of new members, 62 percent of Democratic women, and half of all Congressional Black Caucus members.
To learn more about the Fair Elections Now Act and view the full list of House co-sponsors, visit http://www.fairelectionsnow.org/.
Common Cause is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to restoring the core values of American democracy, reinventing an open, honest, and accountable government that works for the public interest, and empowering ordinary people to make their voices heard.
Public Campaign is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to sweeping campaign reform that aims to dramatically reduce the role of big special interest money in American politics.
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"The country needs both parties to work to solve the political crisis created by the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United, and the bipartisan solution that has the broadest support within Congress is Fair Elections," said Nick Nyhart, president and CEO of Public Campaign. "Not only is it the best policy response to the escalating cost to run for office, it will take candidates off the fundraising treadmill and encourage them to seek support from voters back home. This bill is democracy-in-action."
"The Supreme Court has left no room for doubt that we need a campaign finance system that makes elected officials beholden to the people they're supposed to represent instead of the wealthy special interests," said Common Cause President Bob Edgar. "The Fair Elections Now Act would do that."
In the two weeks since the Citizens United decision was released, the groups have stormed the Hill, working with others to mount a significant campaign to:
-- Organize a letter of 41 top business executives to House Speaker Nancy
Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.)
urging them to include Fair Elections in any legislative package.
-- Deliver 177,716 petition signatures to district and Capitol Hill
offices for both House members and Senators.
-- Place nearly 5,000 calls to targeted congressional offices.
-- Line up more than 200 faith leaders, including prominent individuals
within denominations, to sign a letter to Speaker Pelosi and Majority
Leader Reid to urge that the response to Citizens United include Fair
Elections.
-- Brief more than 100 congressional offices on Fair Elections.
-- Launched a "fax" day today, when thousands of faxes will be sent to
targeted congressional offices.
"Over the past two weeks, we have brought Americans' concerns about the big money-dominated system directly to Congress," said David Donnelly, campaign manager of the joint effort. "From business executives to faith leaders to ordinary Americans, everyone is sick of the time Congress spends courting Wall Street and other special interests. We will continue to direct the voices of concerned and angry Americans to urge our elected officials to act in the people's interest and pass Fair Elections."
The Fair Elections Now Act (H.R. 1826) would create a voluntary system that blends limited public funds with a 4 to 1 match on donations of $100 or less. Candidates would be freed from the eternal chase for big campaign checks, able to spend their time talking with voters and addressing our country's challenges. With Fair Elections, candidates would need to rely solely on their grassroots base of support and not Wall Street lobbyists or PACs. Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) is the sponsor of companion legislation in the Senate.
The 134 co-sponsors represent a broad, ideologically diverse array of the House, with strong support across caucuses and party lines. Supporters include 66 percent of new members, 62 percent of Democratic women, and half of all Congressional Black Caucus members.
To learn more about the Fair Elections Now Act and view the full list of House co-sponsors, visit http://www.fairelectionsnow.org/.
Common Cause is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to restoring the core values of American democracy, reinventing an open, honest, and accountable government that works for the public interest, and empowering ordinary people to make their voices heard.
Public Campaign is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to sweeping campaign reform that aims to dramatically reduce the role of big special interest money in American politics.
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Follow us on Twitter: @GAFrontPage
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