Stop the Job-Killing Politicians

From American Solutions:

Unemployment currently stands at 10.2%, the highest in a quarter-century. The stimulus failed and now even more people are out of work.

Rather than creating jobs, the $787 billion pork-filled spending bill has created more debt and more deficits that every American citizen has to pay for in the middle of a recession.

Implicitly acknowledging the failure of the stimulus, the Obama administration has now announced a "Jobs Summit" on December 3rd.

For an administration actively promoting the adoption of job killing health, energy, and labor legislation, holding a "Jobs Summit" is more theater while millions of Americans struggle to find work.

Consider the record of the job killing politicians:

• They promised us that the $787 billion stimulus would keep unemployment below 8%, but unemployment has been above 8% since February.[1]
• They promised us the stimulus would "create immediate jobs,"[2] yet more than 4 million jobs have been "lost and dislocated" since President Obama signed it into law.[3]
• Without reading it, they rammed through a 1,400-page energy tax in the House,[4] which will cost each taxpayer thousands of dollars in higher energy costs and result in the loss of an estimated 1.1 million jobs per year.[5]
• Without reading it, they passed a 2,000-page tax and control bill in the House and called it "health care reform", which will lead to $557 billion[6] in higher taxes and a loss of millions of jobs.
• When faced with the failure to create jobs through the stimulus, they made up, yes made up, a new measurement of jobs "saved or created" that no economist takes seriously. As evidence of what they will do to deceive the public, they produced a "saved or created" report that invented congressional districts that do not exist as recipients of billions of taxpayer dollars[7] and distorted job creation numbers by tens of thousands, all to prove that th e stimulus is working.[8] David Obey (D-WI), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, even called this "outrageous" and described the mistakes as "ludicrous."[9]

This is the record of politicians who promise new jobs and then vote for job killing legislation, record deficits and excessive government control.

This week our General Chairman, Newt Gingrich, will be releasing an internal strategy memo outlining how we can stop these job-killing politicians before they cripple our economy for good and end America's global, economic, and political leadership. Speaker Gingrich will also outline a bold agenda for American job creation and prosperity.

We can't stop these job-killing politicians alone. We need your help. Thank you for fighting to save America.

Sincerely,

Dan Varroney
Chief Operating Officer
American Solutions

---

[1] Bureau of Labor Statistics.

[2] White House, "Remarks by the President and Vice President at the Signing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act."

[3] American Solutions, "The Real Story Behind the Stimulus."

[4] American Solutions, "Pelosi's Crusade to Pass Cap and Trade."

[5] Heritage Foundation, "The Economic Consequences of Waxman-Markey: An Analysis of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009."

[6] http://jct.gov/publications.html?func=startdown&id=3619

[7] Watchdog.org, "$6.4 Billion Stimulus Goes to Phantom Districts."

[8] American Solutions, "Stimulus Jobs Distorted Coast to Coast."

[9] Washington Post, "Flawed Stimulus Numbers - Or a Flawed Promise to Provide Them?"

Haven't we had enough yet? It's time to stop being a Lemming and stand up to those that are working so hard to turn the USA into a socialist state...

-Bob

Let's stop Cap and Trade

From the Desk of: Steve Elliott, President, Grassfire.org Alliance

Robert,

Following closely on the heels of ObamaCare, the Boxer-Kerry Cap and Trade bill has been inconspicuously moving through the Senate with a stealth goal to pass the bill before the Copenhagen Summit this December!

During a heated debate last week Sen. Barbara Boxer, Chairwoman of the Environment and Public Works committee refused to release a full economic analysis of the bill, to which Inhofe bristled, "I can only conclude that they don't want the pubic to know how much money this thing is going to cost."

And cost it will...

Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) said of the coming legislation, "This would be the largest tax increase in the history of America."

Analysts believe the increased taxes and fees will cost the average American household upwards of $1,600 to $3,000 or more each and every year!

Making matters worse, scientists suggest Cap and Trade would have no measurable benefit--except to the federal government.

Robert, when Cap and Trade first appeared on the national scene last year, you took stand with Grassfire, now I'm asking that you help me quickly rally and mobilize 100,000 citizen signers of our national petition opposing what may be the biggest government tax and grab scheme yet!

I fully anticipate liberal lawmakers will aggressively push this bill forward. That's why I must build a strong resistance over the next 10 days.

Please take immediate action by signing the Grassfire petition and take a stand against skyrocketing taxes and increased government control, by clicking here: http://www.grassfire.net/r.asp?u=22874&PID=16196735

-Bob

Quotes of the day - 8/21/2008

This one is from George Skelton at the Los Angeles Times:

"California is the nation's biggest consumer of gasoline - 45 million gallons a day, plus 10 million gallons of diesel. That makes us the third-biggest petroleum-consuming entity in the world, behind on the United States and China. ... So there's a gusher of hypocrisy here: The state that is the biggest consumer of gasoline in the nation - but produces less than 40% of what it uses - is opposed to drilling for more oil off its shores. We're slackers not pulling our weight."

-Bob

Drill Nothing, Tax Everything or Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less?

In a classic Democrats vs. Republicans battle, we now have the battle over energy. So far, it boils to two strategies:

1. Democrats - Drill Nothing, Tax Everything.
2. Republicans -Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less.

What do these statements mean, you ask?

1. The Democrat's plan (Drill Nothing, Tax Everything), attempts to punish the people of this country for using energy by refusing access to domestic energy sources and taxing them at every opportunity. They also seek to punish (with taxes and penalties) "Big Oil" for their "huge" (7 - 10%) profits. They strongly support continuing to purchase oil from foreign sources regardless of how high the price is. Results, you've seen 'em, energy prices will continue to rise...
   
2. The Republican's plan (Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less), attempts to empower the people of this country by providing access to some of the largest sources of energy in the world. By providing access to a rich source of domestic energy, two major things happen: 1. Far less money is spent on foreign energy sources, also helping to correct the trade deficit. 2. As supply exceeds demand, prices fall. Strong competition with an abundant supply will very much favor the consumer. Results, everything may be more affordable again...

Ask yourself, are you paying enough yet for your energy? Are you paying enough for food? Are you paying enough taxes? Maybe too much? Maybe much too much?

I see it like this:

1. Why vote for Democrats? Because you haven't paid enough yet, and you need to pay more. Eventually even everything isn't enough.
2. Why vote for Republicans? Because you have already paid more than enough and don't want to pay more. Enough is enough.
3. 7 - 10% profits are not huge. The taxes alone on fuel greatly exceed 10%. Think about this way, the oil company that did all of the work gets paid less than the government that did none of the work. Doesn't that make "Big Government" more evil than "Big Oil"?
4. Taxes and penalties will never lower the consumer's price. The only effect will be higher prices.
   

Don't get me wrong, the Republicans are far from perfect too. Many of them still want a government that's far too big (among other things). It's more like "not so good" (Republicans) and "really bad" (Democrats). Given only these choices, I would much rather have "not so good" than "really bad". Unfortunately, at this point, all of the "other" parties really don't have much of chance on a national scale.

As the people we have to continue to (strongly) remind our elected officials that they are in their position to represent their people. It is up to us to keep them in check...

-Bob

Supply Matters

From the Heritage Foundation:

Look closely at the laundry list of plans the left has put forward (from both Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s House and Barack Obama’s campaign): higher taxes on oil companies, new restrictions on oil commodity markets, forcing oil companies to drill where there is no oil, releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, free money for everybody, increased fuel efficiency mandates, increased infrastructure spending, government investments in electric cars, etc. What do all of these “solutions” have in common? None of them increase our energy supply.

For you "progressives" (liberals) out there, this isn't about "Big Oil", it's all about increasing our energy supply! Since when is Charles E. Schumer an authority on anything? Since your socialist school forgot to cover Economics 101, it all about "Supply and Demand". It's really quite simple, increase the supply such that it is greater than the demand, and the price falls. Now isn't that a novel idea?

Another questions for the liberals: In your mind, what makes domestic "Big Oil" more evil than the countries that would like to see the end of the US? And, why exactly do you like our country to be so dependent on other countries, especially for energy? Do you even have the "testicular fortitude" to answer?

-Bob

Democrats: An Agenda Americans Just Can't Afford

Here's a clip from the NRCC that sums up the Democrats in Congress pretty well:



-Bob

President Bush to Congress: Don't leave town without lifting the ban

From the Desk of: Steve Elliott, President, Grassfire.org Alliance

Dear Robert,

Our message has reached the President!

According to the Associated Press, President Bush, campaigning to lift
the offshore drilling ban said "All the Democratic leaders have to do
is allow a vote."

He concluded saying, "They should not leave Washington without doing so."

Robert, pressure is mounting for this "do nothing Congress
to do something," and once again Grassfire is in the eye of the storm--
delivering petitions EVERY DAY demanding the ban be lifted before
Congress takes a break.

Do your part and sign the petition today: http://www.grassfire.net/r.asp?u=9751&PID=17360891

Send a message to the Democrat leadership and keep the pressure on to lift the drilling restrictions!

-Bob

Emergency Petition To Congress: “Lift The Offshore Drilling Ban Before Congress’ Summer Recess”

Everyone,

Before Congress has the chance to leave for their summer recess, sign the petition. Actually, sign it today!

http://www.grassfire.org/108/petition.asp?Ref_ID=1583&PID=17360891

-Bob

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ENERGY SAVER LIGHT BULBS!

How many people knew that we were all going to be required to use CFLs? Again, wrong-headed thinking by the left is making life more difficult for everybody.

I wonder what would have happened if he had dropped that light...

Mandating a particular technology is always a very dangerous proposition. This will likely ruin the market for better technologies to come. Why bother coming up with something better and safer when you know that the consumer has to use CFLs? See, everyone loses...

-Bob

Demand Congress take Immediate Action to Lower Gas Prices!

Here's another petition demanding that Congress take Immediate Action to Lower Gas Prices!

From nrcc.org:

WHEREAS,

Democrats in Congress REFUSE to hold a vote on drilling for more oil in America.

Nancy Pelosi has promised to send Congress home for a month-long vacation WITHOUT PASSING AN ENERGY BILL to lower gas prices.

The Democrat Majority is putting their extremist ideology ahead of common-sense solutions.

We, the American people who are paying a national average of more than $4 per gallon of gas, demand Democrats in Congress VOTE NOW!

http://www.nrcc.org/actioncenter/default.asp?ID=288

Were up against a battle here. Here's an excerpt from Nancy Pelosi's most recent CNN interview:

The House speaker has faced heavy criticism from House Republican leader John Boehner, who is leading a congressional delegation to ANWR this weekend and has said Pelosi's action does not adequately address the problem.

He's also said Pelosi is leading the moderate faction of her party "off a cliff" by refusing to allow a vote in the House on offshore drilling.

"Just because John Boehner, who is my friend, has my respect, says it doesn't make it so," she responded, reiterating that she will block any vote to allow lifting the ban.

Read the rest here: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/17/pelosi.interview/index.html


-Bob

Dear Congress: No recess until the drilling ban is lifted

I just signed a petition demanding that Congress lift the federal ban on offshore drilling immediately -- before they take their month-long summer break. Members of Congress are doing nothing while gas prices soar. Let's put their feet to the fire! Join me in signing here:
http://www.grassfire.org/108/petition.asp?PID=17360891&NID=1

Here's more on the issue (from grassfire.org):

It is outrageous that as gas prices have soared for months, Congress has done nothing. Unlike Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and the big government liberals, we don’t want our government to solve our problems -- we just want the government to get out of the way!

And right now, Congress is the last blockade stopping more offshore drilling.

This is absolutely urgent. Again, your Senators and Representative will soon be leaving D.C. for a long, summer recess.

We must band together and demand action...

LIFT THE BAN OR NO VACATION FOR CONGRESS!

Sign the petition now: http://www.grassfire.org/108/petition.asp?PID=17360891&NID=1

Also, please continue to support the "Drill Here. Drill Now. Pay Less." campaign.


-Bob

Stop the Green Pig: Defeat the Boxer-Warner-Lieberman Green Pork Bill Capping American Jobs and Trading America's Future

A must read: Stop the Green Pig: Defeat the Boxer-Warner-Lieberman Green Pork Bill Capping American Jobs and Trading America's Future:

Instead of acting to lower gas prices, your representatives in the Senate began debate yesterday on a measure that will increase gas prices.

Instead of heeding your voice, Congress is acting in defiance of it.

Instead of giving you relief from high gas prices, your elected representatives are debating how to give even more handouts to lobbyists and special interests.

To top this off, here is the response I received from B. Hussein Obama today:

Dear Robert:

Thank you for contacting me about the effect of greenhouse gas emissions on the global climate and your views regarding the Lieberman-Warner proposal to address this issue.

I agree that the issue of climate change requires decisive and urgent Congressional action. I am a cosponsor of the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act (S. 309) introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders in January. This proposal outlines a long-term plan which would cap greenhouse gas emissions economy-wide beginning in 2010, with a goal of reducing emissions by 80 percent of 1990 levels by the year 2050.

I also authored the National Low Carbon Fuels Act, which requires a net 10 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in our transportation fuels by the year 2020. That bill, coupled with my Fuel Economy Reform Act, which requires vehicles to achieve 40 miles per gallon by 2020, would together result in the greenhouse-gas-equivalent of removing more than 50 million cars off the road in twelve years.

On October 18, 2007, Senators Lieberman and Warner introduced America's Climate Security Act of 2007 (S. 2191). In the following weeks, the Senate Environmental and Public Works panel held both subcommittee and full committee hearings on the bill. On December 5, the panel favorably reported S. 2191 by a vote of 11-8. First and foremost, the Lieberman-Warner proposal contains a cap-and-trade framework for addressing greenhouse gas reduction, an approach that I have consistently endorsed. Next, the bill sets targets for a phased reduction in emissions to 15 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and to 70 percent below 2005 levels by 2050. S. 2191 also includes some important provisions such as energy assitance for low-income households, new efficiency standards for appliances and buildings, and incentives for the development and deployment of renewable energy technologies.

The evidence is compelling that even if carbon dioxide emissions are restricted to today’s levels, the earth’s climate could be several degrees warmer in the next 50 years. My two daughters were born in the late 1990s, and if this problem is largely unaddressed, they will likely experience the effects of global climate change in their lifespan. I agree with your views that carbon control legislation must have targets that achieve bold and real reductions in greenhouse gases, both in the near term and mid-century, to prevent irreversible damage to the climate, and I will communicate these concerns with my Senate colleagues.

Again, thank you for contacting me. You may rest assured that I will continue to be an advocate for strong and timely action on the global climate change problem.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama
United States Senator


P.S. Our system does not allow direct response to this email. However, if you would like to contact me again, please use the form on the website: http://obama.senate.gov/contact/

What did I write to B. Hussein Obama, you ask? Here it is:

Senator Obama,

As you know, the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act (S. 2191/3036) AKA the Boxer-Warner-Lieberman Gas Tax Hike bill is currently being debated in the Senate. This bill if passed, could cause gas prices to increase by more than $3.00 per gallon. Gas prices are already way too high due to current policies. This bill would only serve to drive prices higher.

We need real solutions to this problem. There are plenty of domestic sources of oil (and other resources) available. Instead, we have surrendered control to the Middle East and other hostile countries. Please explain exactly how higher taxes, and the resulting higher gas prices will prevent this situation from getting even worse? This problem can be solved and higher taxes are not the answer.

Please do the right thing and strongly oppose S. 2191/3036. The People of Illinois already have a hard enough time affording enough fuel in their cars just to get to work. Taxes on fuel are already way too high. Please don't make it worse. Oppose S. 2191/3036.

Any idea, why he thinks that I agree with him at all? I didn't even mention "climate change" or "Global Warming". I told him to oppose the bill on the basis of gas prices...

As Newt puts it so well:

I've long maintained that there are two ways to protect the environment: There is the old-style, command and control, government regulation and litigation approach. Or there is the new way which uses technology, innovation and incentives to protect our environment.

Of these two approaches, the Boxer-Warner-Lieberman bill is definitely of the old school. The Wall Street Journal calls it "the most extensive government reorganization of the American economy since the 1930s."

Which way do you think will actually work? I'm all for option #2!

-Bob

Drill Here. Drill Now. Pay Less - Sign the petition today!

From http://www.americansolutions.com/:

A Real Change Campaign to Lower Your Gas Prices:
Sign the petition today. Urge Congress to act to lower your gasoline prices. Stop the pain at the pump!

Watch the video:

I've signed the petition. Have you?

-Bob