Herman Cain's Ad Shows Chief of Staff Mark Block Smoking a Cigarette VIDEO

Herman Cain's Ad Shows Chief of Staff Mark Block Smoking a Cigarette VIDEO

Chief of Staff Mark Block talks about Herman Cain's Presidential Campaign and urges people to act because together we can elect Herman Cain!

VIDEO and IMAGE CREDIT: thehermancain

Cynthia Lummis, @SenateDems should pass H.R. 1938, North American-Made Energy Security Act

@SenateDems should pass H.R. 1938, North American-Made Energy Security Act: Digest for H.R. 1938 112th Congress, 1st Session immediately. #Forgotten15 #WeCantWait

Congressman Cynthia Lummis says "Thank you" to veteran Gus Fleischli of Cheyenne at the WWII Memorial in Washington, DC.

TEXT CREDIT: @CynthiaLummis

IMAGE CREDIT: Congressman Cynthia Lummis

Kevin Brady, #WeCantWait to REIN in government regulators

#WeCantWait to REIN in government regulators Gov't Regulations at Top of Small-Business Owners' Problem List

Weatherford Town Hall 10-19-11

TEXT CREDIT: @RepKevinBrady

IMAGE CREDIT: Kevin Brady

Allen West Proud to see Jewish Service Chaplains memorialized at Arlington Cemetery

Proud to see Jewish Service Chaplains memorialized at Arlington Cemetery. 2011 marks the 150th yr Rabbi's have served in our Armed Forces.

Port Everglades- talking Free Trade Agreements. This photo was taken on October 18, 2011 using a RIM BlackBerry 9650.

TEXT CREDIT: @AllenWest

IMAGE CREDIT: By AllenWestFL Congressman Allen West

Richard Burr Republican Weekly Address TEXT VIDEO 10/22/11

Richard Burr Republican Weekly Address TEXT VIDEO 10/22/11

Good morning. I'm Senator Richard Burr from North Carolina, and I'm honored to speak with you today.

For 32 straight months now, unemployment in this country has been over 8%. Thirty-two months -- that's a national record. It's also a clear indictment of the way we've handled the 23 million Americans looking for full-time employment.

Some in Washington, including the President, are suggesting that we simply spend more money. We've already tried that - it did not spur job growth then, and it won't now.

The American people realize that this is not about how much money Washington can spend. It's about getting government out of the way and creating the climate for growth and jobs.

This means listening to the American people and passing common-sense legislation that makes the rules that govern job-creating investments more predictable. Businesses are not going to hire if they can't anticipate what new tax or federal regulation is going to hit them next.

Congress should lead by example and get the nation's fiscal house in order. It starts with better stewardship of taxpayer dollars. The government of the future has to be smaller and less expensive if we want the prosperity of the American people to win out.

The President has even ignored the suggestions of his own commission. Rather than implement even a single one of the strategic reforms and investments suggested by Simpson-Bowles, we continue to ignore our fiscal problems and focus only on spending more money and expanding the size of the federal government.

This lack of fiscal discipline is unsustainable and cannot continue -- you know it, and I know it. The longer we kick the can down the road, the more difficult it will be to address our real problems and spur real job growth.

Fortunately, there is an alternative to the President's approach. While some in Washington are focused on creating more government jobs, Republicans want to drive job creation in the private sector. We have a jobs proposal that would:

Simplify and stabilize the tax code

Rein in government regulations

Cap spending and reduce budget deficits

Propose common sense healthcare solutions

Encourage domestic energy development

Create a competitive workforce, and Increase exports

The American people deserve a debate on these issues.

Our proposal is simple, and it makes it easier for businesses to thrive, grow, and hire. We will simplify the tax code so that businesses can more readily predict their expenses and increase their competitiveness in a global economy.

We'll stop over-regulation at the federal level to ensure stability that businesses will not have to worry about the next burdensome regulation lurking around the corner. We'll lower federal spending and work towards a balanced budget amendment to restore the confidence in our government and our economy. We'll replace Obamacare with common-sense reforms that actually lower the cost of health care for all Americans. We'll increase America's energy independence by promoting increased oil and gas exploration and innovation in the field of renewable energy sources, driving down our reliance on energy imported from around the world. We will provide the tools needed for workers to succeed in the 21st century, and it starts with making sure our education system provides the foundational knowledge needed by tomorrow's workforce. We know that better schools and better workforce training, mean better jobs.

And, we'll promote free and fair trade to provide American businesses with opportunities to expand into new markets and remain competitive in the global marketplace, and hire workers to meet the increased demands of their goods and services.

Despite ideological differences, many of these proposals -- such as tax reform, regulatory reform, and increased trade opportunities - have the support of Republicans and Democrats.

There is bipartisan agreement on the need to fundamentally reform our tax code to make it simpler, more fair, and more predictable for all Americans and job creators.

The American people are hurting, and our economy is in grave danger. It's time for Congress to focus on the American people and not how difficult change might be.

It's time to stop playing games and to get on with the serious business that the American people expect from us. It's time to fundamentally reform the obstacles to job creation and economic growth. It's time we pursue common-sense solutions that make America more competitive and put our nation back on the right track.

This place that some call America and that we call home is the greatest country in the world. We should never forget the principles that made us great and will keep us great.

Thanks for listening. God bless this great country.

VIDEO and IMAGE CREDIT: gopweeklyaddress

Mitt Romney Ad Rick Perry is Misleading VIDEO

Mitt Romney Ad Rick Perry is Misleading VIDEO

AUSTIN – The Perry campaign today released a video highlighting Mitt Romney’s ongoing efforts to mislead the American people regarding his support for Obamacare and knowingly hiring illegal immigrants to tend his lawn and tennis court.

VIDEO CREDIT: RPerry2012

TEXT CREDIT: RickPerry.org

Mitt Romney attack ad on Rick Perry that was pulled from the internet VIDEO

Mitt Romney attack ad on Rick Perry that was pulled from the internet VIDEO.

Reportedly pulled following a complaint from CNN regarding the use of the network's clips.

VIDEO CREDIT: juddlegumDOTcom

CNN / Western Republican presidential debate 10/18/11 FULL GOP DEBATE VIDEO

CNN / Western Republican presidential debate 10/18/11 FULL GOP DEBATE VIDEO

CNN / Western Republican presidential debate 10/18/11 FULL DEBATE VIDEO

Anderson Cooper moderated from The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The seven Republican presidential candidates in the debate: Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, businessman Herman Cain, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.

RELATED:

• Republican GOP Debate Hanover, New Hampshire 10/11/11 FULL VIDEO
• Republican Presidential Debate Orlando Florida Fox News, Google 9/22/11 (Full Length Streaming VIDEO)
• CNN / Tea Party Republican Debate Tampa, Florida 09/12/11 FULL DEBATE STREAMING VIDEO

VIDEO CREDIT: Vote4Paul2012

CNN / Western Republican presidential debate 10/18/11 LIVE STREAMING VIDEO

UPDATE: 10/19/11 CNN / Western Republican presidential debate 10/18/11 FULL DEBATE VIDEO

Feed shoud go LIVE shortly before 8 pm ET. CNN / Western Republican Leadership Conference Debate on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 8 pm ET. FULL STREAMING VIDEO CNN / Western Republican Leadership Conference Debate LIVE STREAMING VIDEO

Submit your question for the CNN Western Republican Presidential Debate. Send your questions by tweeting #CNNDebate on Twitter or visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/cnnpolitics.

CNN / Western Republican presidential debate 10/18/11 LIVE STREAMING VIDEO

Anderson Cooper will moderate from The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The seven Republican presidential candidates in the debate: Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, businessman Herman Cain, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.

RELATED:

• Republican GOP Debate Hanover, New Hampshire 10/11/11 FULL VIDEO
• Republican Presidential Debate Orlando Florida Fox News, Google 9/22/11 (Full Length Streaming VIDEO)
• CNN / Tea Party Republican Debate Tampa, Florida 09/12/11 FULL DEBATE STREAMING VIDEO

H.R.2146 -- DATA Act Endorsement of Darrell Issa Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 2011: Open Government / Transparency Groups FULL TEXT

Endorsement of Issa Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 2011: Open Government / Transparency Groups The Honorable Darrell Issa House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform 2157 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Mark Warner 459A Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510June 21, 2011

Dear Chairman Issa and Senator Warner: We, the undersigned organizations, are writing to express our support for efforts to improve federal financial transparency. Chairman Issa, Senator Warner, and President Obama deserve praise for their leadership in building upon the successes of USASpending.gov and the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board as part of an effort to account for every penny of federal spending. Representative Issa’s efforts in the House and Senator Warner's efforts in the Senate, as embodied in the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 2011, would have the most transformative effect, as the legislation would establish a federal transparency board with the dual missions of expanding spending transparency to the entire government and identifying government-wide financial data standards. The RATB has demonstrated the importance of the former, especially when it comes to preventing waste, fraud, and abuse. Our own experience with incomplete,incompatible, and incomprehensible government data sets underscores the importance of the government-wide standards

President Obama’s June 13, 2011, Executive Order has the immediate effect of creating a Government Accountability and Transparency Board with the mission applying the lessons of the RATB to the entire federal government. Within 6 months, the Board must present a plan to integrate government spending data. It is long past time to move forward on federal spending transparency.

These are complementary efforts. The Federal Accountability and Spending Transparency Board, as envisioned by Chairman Issa and Senator Warner, will have the opportunity to learn from the report to be issued by President Obama’s Government Accountability and Transparency Board. Similarly, if enacted, the DATA Act will revolutionize federal spending transparency by impelling agency compliance and addressing the thorny but crucial questions of data standardization.

There are improvements to both efforts that our organizations are seeking, although our biggest concern is that the plans have a limited duration. President Obama’s Executive Order has a lifespan of his administration’s willingness to pursue these transparency objectives. Similarly, Chairman Issa and Senator Warner’s legislation would sunset after 7 years, ending both this new effort and pre-existing transparency laws. So long as we have government, we must have transparency. We cannot let the sunset on government openness and accountability. President Obama, Chairman Issa, and Senator Warner should work to extend these transparency programs indefinitely.

We look forward to the mark-up of the DATA Act and the implementation of the Executive Order, and encourage Chairman Issa, Senator Warner, and the President to continue to work with one another, members of the transparency community, and the American people.

If you have any questions, please contact Daniel Schuman of the Sunlight Foundation at 202-742-1520 x 273 or dschuman@sunlightfoundation.com

Sincerely yours,

American Library Association Center for Fiscal Accountability Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington FreeGovInfo Government Accountability ProjectiSolon.org The Participatory Politics Foundation Project on Government Oversight Publish What You Fund The Sunlight Foundation

cc: The Honorable Elijah Cummings, The Honorable Joseph Lieberman, The Honorable Susan CollinsThe Honorable Barack Obama.

H.R.2146 -- DATA Act, Bill Summary & Status 112th Congress (2011 - 2012) H.R.2146.

H.R.2146 -- DATA Act FULL TEXT in PDF FORMAT

Kevin McCarthy Weekly Republican Address TEXT PODCAST VIDEO 10/15/11

Kevin McCarthy Weekly Republican Address TEXT VIDEO 10/15/11 Podcast of the address: Download MP3 for PODCAST || FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT BELOW. || Download Video MPEG Video || MP4 Video

Delivering the Weekly Republican Address, House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) discusses areas of common ground with President Obama in Republicans’ Plan for America’s Job Creators. These areas of common ground include free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea, which Congress passed this week, and repealing the three percent withholding tax, which the House will vote on later this month. Rep. McCarthy, a former small business owner, highlights eliminating regulatory barriers to small business job creation as another potential area of common ground. Rep. McCarthy is in his third term representing the Central Valley of California. The full text of the address follows.

“Hi, I’m Kevin McCarthy, House majority whip from the Central Valley of California.

“I’m here to talk to you about something you already know: Our country continues to face serious challenges. And while Republicans are working every day to turn our country around, get people working, and restore the American dream, some in Washington continue to cling to the same government ‘stimulus’ strategy that’s led to more debt and fewer jobs. But the American people realize that Washington is not the solution – Washington is the problem.

“You’ve told us that you want accountability and serious leadership. That’s why we’ve said ‘enough is enough.’ We hear you. We get it.

“Let me be clear: we are on the side of the American people. We join with millions of Americans to say no to new taxes, new regulations, more Washington spending and taxes. It hasn’t worked in the past, and it won’t now.

“ Americans deserve progress, not partisanship. Americans deserve a long-term solution to our nation’s spending problem so that we don’t run up trillion-dollar annual deficits.

“We agree with the American people: No more budget tricks, no more accounting gimmicks, no more broken promises - the American people deserve the right to know the truth. And that’s why we support a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution.

“This proposal has had strong bipartisan support in the past, and I’m hopeful we can again work together to pass this Amendment when it comes to the House floor in November.

“Until then, we are actively engaged in pursuing concrete ideas to jumpstart our economy. You can find them in the Republican Plan for America's Job Creators.

“By finding ways to support small business and promote entrepreneurship, we can rev up our economy and grow the jobs we need. And this shouldn’t be an exercise of partisan gamesmanship or credit-claiming.

“That’s why when President Obama expressed a willingness to work on job creation, we looked at our own plan and outlined specific opportunities for both parties to come together.

“The free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea are one such area of common ground. They open the door to thousands of new jobs and billions more in exports across the nation. They remove job-killing barriers to trade by creating a fair playing field between America and these other nations.

“And I am pleased that just days after the President sent those agreements to Congress for approval, the House passed all three trade agreements with strong bipartisan votes and they will become law.

“Another area of common ground is fixing something the IRS calls ‘the three percent withholding tax.’ This rule makes no sense at all. It’s a mandate on small businesses that lets the federal government automatically withhold three percent of payments to companies that contract with the federal government.

“This is a lose-lose proposition. It’s your money, not Washington’s. You should hold it, not Washington. This rule allows government to capture and waste money that entrepreneurs could – and should – be using to innovate new products and hire new workers. That’s why later this month we will hold a vote to put that money back in your hands.

“You’ve also made it clear you need less government red tape standing in the way of getting people back to work. We’ve heard you.

“We’re working to get rid of unnecessary regulations on small businesses, including those that have been handed down as far back as the Great Depression, well before Twitter and Facebook, before cell phones and color TV’s, even before we landed on the moon.

“Of course, there are reasonable regulations that help keep our kids safe and our environment clean. But there are also unreasonable regulations that stifle innovation and impose unnecessary costs on both small business owners and their customers.

“Here’s an example. There’s a rule on the books dating back to 1933 that makes it harder to raise the money to start or expand a small business – so we’re changing it.

“I think back to the decision I made when I was 20 years old to start a small business in my hometown – a deli creatively named ‘Kevin O’s.’ I like to say it was ‘Subway before there was Subway.’ If I’d wanted to expand the business, or open more delis, I wouldn’t have been able to ask people I didn’t know to invest in my business. I would’ve had to register with the federal government first, and I certainly didn’t have the money it would have cost.

“I cringe when I hear from the small business owners across the country who have to jump through these kinds of hoops. I certainly wouldn’t have started Kevin O’s in today’s regulatory environment. Today’s entrepreneurs can be tomorrow’s employers – but not if they have to cope with yesterday’s regulations.

“That’s why I’ve proposed common-sense legislation that will repeal this burdensome 1933 mandate. This way, entrepreneurs can go out and get the resources they need to create the jobs we need. This can and should be another area of common ground.

“The power of your voice is stronger than ever. You want to know that the American Dream will exist for future generations – you want solutions to get people back to work.

“All told, the House has passed more than a dozen bills as part of our plan to get Americans working again. Unfortunately, the Democratic-led Senate has failed to vote on them.

“That is unacceptable. The President needs to get off the sidelines and get involved. The President needs to come off the campaign trail and get to work.




“In the spirit of working together on jobs, I urge the president to call on leaders in his party to follow the House, listen to the American people, stop pushing ideas we know won’t work, and pass these jobs bills.

“And to everyone listening today, let’s seize this moment to build on our common ground and do what’s right for the common good. With vision and hard work, but also with history as our guide, I believe our country can prosper in ways we’ve never seen before. By supporting individual freedoms and entrepreneurship, we can watch our country grow to new heights and restore the American Dream.

“Thanks for listening.”

VIDEO and IMAGE CREDIT: HouseConference

TEXT CREDIT: Speaker of the House John Boehner Contact H-232 The Capitol Washington, DC 20515 P (202) 225-0600 F (202) 225-5117

AUDIO / VIDEO FILES CREDIT: The House Republican Conference - Digital Communications visual.media@mail.house.gov 202-225-5439

JOBS THROUGH GROWTH ACT FULL TEXT

JOBS THROUGH GROWTH ACT: The Republican Plan To Put Americans Back To Work.

SPENDING REFORM

 Require a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution - (S.J.Res.10, Sen. Hatch) Limit the ability of Washington to raise taxes to pay for runaway spending and would enshrine firm tax and spending limitations in our Constitution. Job creators will have certainty that Washington will not continue to grow unchecked and consume more and more resources that would otherwise be available to fuel job creation.

 Enact Enhanced Rescission Authority - (S.102, Sens. McCain & Carper) This bipartisan proposal would give the President the statutory line-item veto authority to reduce wasteful spending. This is an important tool to ensure that tax dollars are spent wisely and efficiently. Congress would vote up-or-down on proposed spending cuts.

TAX REFORM

 Reduce and Reform Individual, Small Business and Corporate Taxation

A simplified tax system will keep more money in the hands of consumers, small businesses and job-creators. Reduce individual income tax rates to a maximum of 25 percent with two marginal rates. Within 90 days, the Senate Finance Committee will report back on recommended changes in credits and deductions to make this revenue neutral.

Reduce the top corporate tax rate to no more than 25%. Within 90 days, the Senate Finance Committee will report changes in credits, deductions and subsidies, with priority given to eliminating all industry-specific provisions and revenue neutrality.

 Repatriation and Territorial Reform

Our current corporate tax code is outdated and is a major reason why there is up to $1.4 trillion in foreign earnings trapped overseas in countries where U.S.-based multinational companies do business. Under a reformed territorial system of corporate taxation, this plan would create a permanent incentive for companies repatriating foreign earnings to the U.S. economy.

 Withholding Tax Relief Act - (S. 164, Sens. Scott Brown, Olympia Snowe, David Vitter)

Removes the undue burden on businesses of all sizes by repealing the provision in the tax code requiring federal, state and local governmental entities to withhold 3% of payments due to private vendors who supply their goods and services.

REGULATION REFORM

 Repeal the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act - (S.192, Sen. DeMint)

Repealing and replacing Obamacare will remove over $550 billion in new taxes, over $300 billion in higher health care costs, and $2,100 in increased family insurance premiums from employers and workers. The job-destroying policies of Obamacare are estimated to cost the economy at least 800,000 jobs and hit small businesses especially hard. Studies have demonstrated Obamacare – not yet fully implemented – is a huge driver of unemployment. Economists have referred to the passage of Obamacare as a “structural break in job growth,” an economic term describing the correlation between a single event and resulting job-loss. Obamacare ruined our 2010 recovery slowing private sector hiring to one-tenth of its previous clip, down to just 6,500 jobs per month. In addition, nearly 80 percent of small businesses and 70 percent of all businesses may be forced to drop their current health care plans.

Medical Malpractice Reform – (S. 197 – The Medical Care Access Protection Act) Medical malpractice abuse in the US health care system is out of control. Junk lawsuits drive up the cost of health care and the system must be reformed. Reform Medical Malpractice law based on Texas "stacked caps" to improve patient access to health care and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system.

 Financial Takeover Repeal - (S.712, Sen. DeMint)

We need to lift the burdens the Dodd-Frank bill placed on community banks and the small businesses that depend on them for financing, from oppressive new regulations to the resulting uncertainty that prevents growth. Repealing Dodd-Frank will also significantly reduce financing costs for consumers and businesses, as well as reduce costs to manufacturers in hedging their risks in the financial markets. Research compiled by the Financial Services Roundtable indicates that the cumulative weight of new financial rules, from Dodd-Frank to similar efforts abroad, could cost the U.S. economy 4.6 million jobs by 2015.

Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny (REINS Act) - (S.299, Sen. Paul)

The REINS Act would require Congressional approval by joint resolution of any federal rule that would cost the economy $100 million or more.

 Regulation Moratorium and Jobs Preservation Act - (S.1438, Sen. Ron Johnson)

Prohibits any federal agency from issuing new regulations until the unemployment rate is equal to or less than 7.7 percent (the unemployment rate in January 2009).

 Freedom from Restrictive Excess Executive Demands and Onerous Mandates Act - (S.1030, Sens. Snowe and Coburn)

Streamlines and strengthens the Regulatory Flexibility Act by requiring regulators to include “indirect” economic impacts in small-business analyses, requiring periodic review and sunset of
existing rules, and expanding small business review panels as a requirement for all federal agencies, instead of just the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

 Unfunded Mandates Accountability Act - (S. 1189, Sen. Portman)

Requires agencies specifically to assess the potential effect of new regulations on job creation and to consider market-based and non-governmental alternatives to regulation; broadens the scope of Unfunded Mandate Reform Act to include rules issued by independent agencies and rules that impose direct or indirect economic costs of $100 million or more; requires agencies to adopt the least burdensome regulatory option that achieves the goal of the statute authorizing the rule; creates a meaningful right to judicial review of an agency’s compliance with the law.

 The Government Litigation Savings Act - (S.1061, Sen. Barrasso)

Reforms the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) by disallowing the reimbursement of attorney’s fees and costs to well-funded special interest groups who repeatedly sue the federal government. The bill retains federal reimbursements for individuals, small businesses, veterans and others who must fight in court against a wrongful government action. By eliminating taxpayer-funded reimbursement of attorney’s fees for wealthy special interest groups, the legislation helps eliminate repeated, procedural lawsuits that delay permitting, exploration and land management.

 Employment Protection Act of 2011 - (S.1292, Sen. Toomey)

Requires the EPA to analyze the impact on employment levels and economic activity before issuing any regulation, policy statement, guidance document, endangerment finding, or denying any permit. Each analysis is required to include a description of estimated job losses and decreased economic activity due to the denial of a permit, including any permit denied under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.

 Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act - (S.1528, Sen. Johanns)

Prevents the EPA from regulating dust in rural America, while still maintaining protections to public health under the Clean Air Act. The EPA is currently considering a dust standard that would, by the agency’s own admission, double the number of counties that are in nonattainment status and put activities like tilling soil, harvesting crops and driving down unpaved roads under the purview of federal regulations. Under this bill, the EPA would still be allowed to regulate dust, but only after demonstrating scientific evidence of substantial adverse health effects of farm dust.

 National Labor Relations Board Reform - (H.R.2587, Rep. Tim Scott)

From back-door card-check, to threatening jobs in South Carolina, the out-of-control National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is paying back union officials at the expense of worker rights and jobs. To create more jobs, legislation prohibiting the NLRB from stopping new plants and legislation to prevent coercive, quick-snap union elections should be passed.

 Government Neutrality in Contracting Act - (S.119, Sen. Vitter)

Repeals the President’s order requiring government-funded construction projects to only use union labor. This would reduce costs of federal jobs projects by as much as 18 percent.

 Financial Regulatory Responsibility Act - (S. 1615, Sen. Shelby)

Requires financial regulators to conduct consistent economic analysis on every new rule they propose, provide clear justification for the rules, and determine the economic impacts of proposed rulemakings, including their effects on growth and net job creation.

 Regulatory Responsibility for our Economy Act - (S. 358, Sen. Roberts)

Codifies and strengthens President Obama's January 18th Executive Order that directs agencies within to review, modify, streamline, expand, or repeal those significant regulatory actions, that are duplicative, unnecessary, overly burdensome or would have significant economic impacts on Americans. It directs meaningful review and possible revocation of regulations counter to our nation's economic growth.

 Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act - (H.R. 872, Rep. Bob Gibbs)

Eliminates a new duplicate EPA regulation that will cost millions of dollars to implement without providing additional environmental protection. The current rules for pesticides, which have been in place for decades, will remain in force.

DOMESTIC ENERGY JOB PROMOTION

 The Domestic Jobs, Domestic Energy, and Deficit Reduction Act - (S.706, Sen. Vitter)

Will require the Interior Department to move forward with offshore energy exploration, and create a timeframe for environmental and judicial review.

 The Jobs and Energy Permitting Act - (S.1226, Sen. Murkowski)

Eliminates confusion and uncertainty surrounding the EPA’s decision-making process for air permits, which is delaying energy exploration in the Alaskan Outer-Continental Shelf (OCS). It will create over 50,000 jobs and produce one million barrels of oil a day.

 The American Energy and Western Jobs Act - (S.1027, Sen. Barrasso)

This bill streamlines the preleasing, leasing and developmental process for drilling on public land and requires this Administration to create goals for American oil and gas production.

 Mining Jobs Protection Act - (S.468, Sens. McConnell, Inhofe, Paul)

Requires the EPA to “use or lose” their 404 permitting review authority. Under this bill the EPA will have 60 days to voice concerns about a permit application, or the permit moves forward. Any concerns voiced by the EPA would need to be published in the Federal Register within 30 days.

 Energy Tax Prevention Act - (S.482, Sen. Inhofe)

Prohibits the EPA from using the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gases. It is estimated that greenhouse gas regulation could result in a loss to the economy of as much as $75 billion and 1.4 million jobs by 2014.

 Repeal Restrictions on Government Use of Domestic Alternative Fuels

Repeal Section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which prohibits federal agencies from contracting for alternative fuels, such as coal-to-liquid fuel. This provision stifles the coal industry and puts our national security at risk by limiting the Pentagon’s ability to get its fuels from domestic sources.

 Public Lands Job Creation Act - (Sen. Heller)

Eliminates a burdensome and unnecessary delay in approval of projects on federal lands by allowing the permitting process to move forward unless the Department of the Interior objects within 45 days. This will streamline the permitting process for domestic energy and mineral production on BLM lands without compromising environmental analysis.

EXPORT PROMOTION

 Renew Trade Promotion Authority - (S. Amdt. 626, Sen. McConnell)
Provide the President with fast-track authority to negotiate trade agreements that will eliminate foreign trade barriers and open new markets for American goods.

FULL TEXT in PDF FORMAT: JOBS THROUGH GROWTH ACT

Republican GOP Debate Hanover, New Hampshire 10/11/11 FULL VIDEO

Dartmouth College / /Washington Post/ Bloomberg Republican Presidential GOP Debate Oct. 11th, 2011

The candidates: Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum.

Charlie Rose moderator, Washington Post political correspondent Karen Tumulty and Bloomberg TV White House correspondent Julianna Goldman questioned the candidates.

TEXT CREDIT: Vote4Paul2012

Live Video Stream:Republican GOP Debate in Hanover, New Hampshire, October 11, 2011.

UPDATE: 10/12/11

Republican GOP Debate Hanover, New Hampshire 10/11/11 FULL VIDEO

Live Video Stream:Republican GOP Debate in Hanover, New Hampshire, October 11, 2011.

Newt Gingrich Speech at the Values Voter Summit FULL VIDEO and TEXT TRANSCRIPT

FRC Action Values Voter Summit 2011. Remarks by Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) Location: The Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, D.C. Time: 5:02 p.m. EDT. Date: Friday, October 7, 2011. Transcript By Federal News Service Washington, D.C. NEWT GINGRICH: You know, you're here at a historic moment. I think this is the first time in American history that two Georgians running for president have been back to back talking to an audience. (Laughter, applause.) I was just -- I was just comparing notes with Herman offstage. I don't know if you've watched it, but the elite media said several weeks ago this was now a two-person race. And Herman and I have decided that may be right, but they have the wrong two people. (Cheers, laughter, applause.)

And it is kind of interesting that the two guys who have gotten the most money have lost the most votes, and the two guys who had the most ideas have gained the most votes. And that might -- I don't want to be too optimistic, but that might convince the elite media that maybe there is more to politics than fundraising and consultants, and maybe having a heart and a brain actually matters a lot. (Cheers, applause.)

Now, I think we are in a period of enormous challenge. I think that part of that challenge is Barack Obama, but frankly, I think it's much deeper. We have bureaucracies out of control. We have judges who don't understand the Constitution. We have teachers who don't believe in American history. We have an academic class that is in many ways alienated from the American people and an elite media which, frankly, I think, has no understanding of the origins of the
United States and the nature of American civilization.

So we have a lot of work to do. Recently I released -- and you can see it at newt.org -- a contract -- 21st century "Contract with America." And it outlines the scale of change. It outlines both a legislative program, and it outlines a first-day program of very specific executive orders.

Now, let me you give an example. Imagine about 3:30 or 3:45 on inauguration day, the inaugural address is over. We've said goodbye to folks. We take about an hour and a half, and we start signing between 50 and 200 specific orders moving the government away from Obama and back towards the American tradition. (Cheers, applause.)

Now I don't -- you can go to newt.org and you'll see a section -- and this is open to you -- we will release all the executive orders by October the 1st next year, so it will all be a part of the closing month of the campaign. And if the president says he's for one of them, we'll print it out, he can sign it. (Laughter.)

But -- but I can -- I don't know what all of them will be, but I can tell you what the first one will be. Around 3:45 or 4:00 on the afternoon of the inauguration, about the time that President Obama gets to Andrews Air Force Base to get on Air Force One to go back to Chicago -- (cheers, applauses) -- I will sign executive order number one, which will abolish as of that moment every White House czar. (Cheers, applause.)

Now, I wanted to come today to talk about a historic crisis that only indirectly relates to the president. You know, Abraham Lincoln said, if you debate somebody who does not agree that two plus two equals four, you probably can't win the argument because facts make no difference. And I want to start with that example. Newt Gingrich Speech at the Values Voter Summit FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT

TEXT CREDIT: FRC Action The Cloakroom 801 G Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001 Toll-free: 1-877/372-2808

Values Voter Summit FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPTS

Former Sen. Rick Santorum Gov. Rick Perry Herman Cain Speaker Newt Gingrich Rep. Michele Bachmann Rep. Ron Paul Gov. Mitt Romney TEXT CREDIT: FRC Action The Cloakroom 801 G Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001 Toll-free: 1-877/372-2808 IMAGE CREDIT: 2011 Values Voter Summit:

Herman Cain Speech at the Values Voter Summit FULL VIDEO and TEXT TRANSCRIPT

Herman Cain Speech at the Values Voter Summit Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, D.C. 10/07/11 FULL VIDEO and TEXT TRANSCRIPT.

Remarks by Herman Cain. Location: The Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, D.C. Time: 4:31 p.m. EDT. Date: Friday, October 7, 2011.

(Cheers, applause.)

HERMAN CAIN: Thank you. Thank you very much. Now as I was backstage and I heard Ted finishing up his remarks, did I hear you all saying: Yes, we CAIN? (Laughter, cheers.) Was I hearing things?

AUDIENCE MEMBERS: (Off mic.)

MR. CAIN: I want to thank Tony Perkins and his organization for inviting me, but more importantly, I want to thank you for being here, because that means that you get it. You know how important this upcoming election in 2012 is, and you're not going to let the liberals take this country down. (Cheers, applause.)

One of my heroes, Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, used to remind the young men of Morehouse when he said: "Let it be borne in mind that the tragedy of life does not lie in not reaching your goals. The tragedy lies in not having any goals to reach for. It's not a tragedy to die with dreams unfulfilled, but it is a calamity to have no dreams." (Applause.)

The American dream is under attack. The American dream is under attack because we have become a nation of crises. And that shining city on a hill that Ronald Reagan talked about has started to slide down to the side of the hill because of all of these crises.

We have an economic crisis. We have an entitlement spending crisis. We have an energy crisis. We have an illegal immigration crisis. We have a foggy foreign policy crisis. We have a moral crisis. (Cheers, applause.) And we have a severe deficiency of leadership crisis in this country. (Cheers, applause.)

You know, I may not have ever held a high political office, but I know what leaders do. Leaders make sure that they're working on the right problems, that they'll find the right priorities, that they surround themselves with the right people in order to put together the right plans, in order to fix stuff instead of to continue to talk about stuff. That's what leaders do. (Applause.)

And I happen to believe -- I happen to believe that even though the American dream is under attack, the Founding Fathers got it right. Those same principles, those same values that they had when they envisioned this great nation with the Declaration of Independence, when they envisioned our laws with the Constitution, they got it right when they said we are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

They said certain unalienable rights, that among these. I happen to believe they were talking about some others in addition to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. (Applause.) I kind to believe that they had in mind that one of these other unalienable rights was the right to protect yourself, protect your family and to protect you property. We call it the Second Amendment. (Cheers, applause.) Unalienable rights. (Cheers, applause.) Herman Cain Speech at the Values Voter Summit FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT in PDF FORMAT

TEXT CREDIT: FRC Action The Cloakroom 801 G Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001 Toll-free: 1-877/372-2808

VIDEO and IMAGE CREDIT: AntichristComes

Ron Paul placed first in the 2011 Values Voter Straw Poll

LAKE JACKSON, Texas–2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul placed first in the 2011 Values Voter Straw Poll today garnering an impressive 37 percent of the total number of votes cast.

In placing first, Dr. Paul placed ahead of Herman Cain, Rick Santorum and Rick Perry who placed second, third and fourth with a mere 23, 16 and 8 percent, respectively.

Held annually each year since 2007, the Values Voter Summit presidential straw poll is seen as a benchmark for how well Republican candidates will appeal to Christian conservative activists. Endorsement by this core activist community is likely to energize voters nationwide that identify with family-friendly issues such as parental decision-making concerning children’s education, less government interference in local communities, and the sanctity of human life.

“Dr. Paul’s standing among Christian conservative voters is growing as people become more familiar with the man as well as the message,”said Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton.

“Dr. Paul is a humble man of faith, who has personally delivered more than 4,000 babies, so he’s well acquainted with the sanctity of life. And importantly, he never fails to connect the worthiness of the liberty message he champions with that system’s moral superiority over schemes that promote coercive government activism leading to the breakdown of the American family,”said Mr. Benton.

Speaking of Dr. Paul’s speech earlier today Doug Wead, a born again Christian and former adviser to two U.S. Presidents, said he was blown away by Dr. Paul’s command of the scripture. ”He offered a scriptural rationale to every position and moved from one passage to the next without hesitation. The man knows the Bible.”

Mr. Wead says that the rising numbers of born again Christians turning to Dr. Paul shows that, “For many of us, the best way to assure our own religious freedom is to get back to the Constitution and defend everybody else’s freedoms too.”

To view Dr. Paul’s statement of faith, click here. To view his positions on abortion and homeschooling click here and here, respectively.

###

TEXT CREDIT:Ron Paul Presidential Campaign Committee 8000 Forbes Place, Suite 200 Springfield VA 22151 Headquarters Phone (Toll-Free): 1-855-886-9779 Fax: 1-703-563-7330

John Thune Weekly Republican Address TEXT VIDEO 10/08/11

In the Weekly Republican Address, Senate Republican Policy Committee Chairman John Thune explains how President Obama's economic and regulatory policies are making things worse.

Hello, I’m Senator John Thune of South Dakota. As you’ve probably noticed, we have an election coming up in a little over a week.

President Obama has been running around the country trying to reelect Democrat members of Congress.

But if the conversations I’ve had with voters are any indication, the president should spend less time campaigning to save the jobs of Democrats in Congress, and more time trying to create jobs for the American people.

All across South Dakota and the country, I've heard from people who aren’t fooled by President Obama's well-written speeches. They have serious concerns about our economy, and they are all too familiar with the Administration’s failed policies.

One of the Democrats' main responsibilities over the past two years was to improve the economy. Instead, they decided to try an experiment to grow government, raise taxes, and take over health care. After two years, the American people are left asking, ‘Why have the Democrats’ priorities been so different from ours?’

The Obama Experiment has failed. When the president and his Democrat allies in Congress pushed through their $814 billion stimulus bill, they promised it would create millions of jobs, and keep unemployment under eight percent. But their approach didn’t work, and they failed to deliver on their promises.

Unemployment has climbed to nearly 10 percent. Rather than create jobs, the Democrats expanded government, and now the American people are stuck with another bill for nearly a trillion dollars.

When the president was introducing his big government health care plan, he promised to reduce every family’s health insurance premiums by as much as $2,500. But premiums keep going up. Families in some states are seeing increases in the double digits. Here again, Democrats promised but didn’t deliver, and the American people are stuck with rising health care costs and another tab; this one for two-and-a-half trillion dollars.

The Democrats have controlled the White House and both chambers of Congress for nearly two years, and have proven that more government is not the answer. This year they were not even capable of passing a budget. Instead, they spent their time passing more and more burdensome regulations, like their so-called Financial Reform bill that failed to address the main cause of our economic mess.

Despite a dangerously high national debt that is closing in on $14 trillion, the president wants to spend even more money on these kinds of failed policies. And he appears intent on raising taxes to do it.

Giving Democrats more opportunities to manage the economy and spend taxpayer dollars will not give us the economic growth that we need. It will only lead to more growth of government bureaucracy, and to national bankruptcy.

There is a reason unemployment is stuck near ten percent. There is a reason jobs are not being created. There is a reason too many Americans who want a job can’t find one. There is a reason the dollar is weak and our economy is not growing as it should. The reason is that President Obama and Congressional Democrats have led this country in the wrong direction.

Government cannot be openly hostile to American businesses, and expect them to grow and create jobs. Government cannot raise taxes during tough economic times, and expect small businesses to grow and create jobs. A new direction is needed.

The president likes to say that when you want to drive forward you put your car in D, and when you want to go in reverse you put it in R. It’s a clever line, but when you’re speeding toward a cliff, you don’t want to keep the car in drive.

Republicans want to reverse the dangerous course the Democrats have us on. Republicans want to reverse Democrats’ plan to raise taxes on the 750,000 small businesses in this country that employ 25 percent of all workers. So employers have more money to create new jobs.

Republicans support policies that will grow the economy, not the government.

Republicans want to repeal the flawed health care law that has been rejected by the American public, and replace it with a new plan that actually reduces costs. We want to reverse the uncertainty in the marketplace so that small businesses have the confidence to grow and invest and create jobs and Republicans want to reverse this nonsense of government bailouts and takeovers of private businesses. Republicans have proposed real, concrete solutions to the challenges we face as a country.

We have learned the lessons not only of what hasn’t worked over the past two years, but what didn’t work the last time Republicans controlled Congress. Republicans are listening to the frustration being expressed by Americans all across this country, and we are determined to take this country in the right direction.

The choice could not be more clear. Democrats are driving more of the same failed policies they have pushed for the past two years. Republicans are proposing to take this country in a different direction.

So I would like to suggest a simple question people should ask themselves to help cut through all the talk, Are you better off today than you were two years ago? I’m Senator John Thune. Thank you for listening. ####

VIDEO and IMAGE CREDIT: gopweeklyaddress

Herman Cain 9-9-9: A Vision for Economic Growth VIDEO

Herman Cain talks about his 9-9-9 Economic Growth Plan in detail. To read the plan, go to 9-9-9: A Vision for Economic Growth In PDF FORMAT

VIDEO CREDIT: thehermancain

Joint Select Committee Members Urge President Obama to Consider Options for Government Spectrum Reallocation

Additional Spectrum Auctions Can Expand Broadband Access, Spur Job Creation, and Provide Greater Deficit Reduction.

WASHINGTON, DC – Four members of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction today sent a letter to President Obama requesting a review of how spectrum currently used by the federal government can be used more efficiently, with a goal to reallocate portions of existing government spectrum to expand the public’s access to broadband. The letter was sent by Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA), and Sen. Patrick Toomey (R-PA). The full text of the letter follows:

Dear Mr. President:

The Budget Control Act tasks the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction with developing recommendations to reduce the deficit by “at least $1.5 trillion” by FY 2021. One way to produce job growth is spectrum auctions. In February, you set a goal of making an additional 500 MHz of spectrum available for wireless broadband use. You identified voluntary incentive auctions of spectrum currently allocated, for example, to broadcast television as one potential source. We certainly support such voluntary incentive auctions. But we believe that those auctions will not produce all the spectrum we need to meet our country’s growing demand for broadband.

In an effort to produce more spectrum for wireless broadband than in the current proposal, we respectfully request that you direct the Office of Management and Budget to re-examine and consider expanding a proposal in your FY 2012 Budget and in your recommendations submitted to the Committee for consideration on September 19, 2011, specifically, to make more efficient use of federal government spectrum and reallocate some of it for commercial broadband use. In particular, we should put every effort into making available paired, internationally-harmonized spectrum below 3 GHz in sufficient block sizes to support mobile broadband services within the next 10 years.

These efforts enjoy bipartisan Congressional support. Spectrum auctions would generate tens of billions of dollars in auction proceeds, help the Select Committee meet its deficit reduction goals, stimulate billions in private-sector capital investment, provide a job-creating boost to the economy, and ensure that America continues to lead the world in wireless broadband innovation. The Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 yielded spectrum now being used to deploy 4G wireless services and gave the United States an international edge in the growing wireless economy. Let’s build on that momentum.

In light of the time sensitive work of the Select Committee, we kindly request a response by October 14.

Sincerely,

The Honorable Fred Upton U.S. House of Representatives Member, Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction

The Honorable John F. Kerry U.S. Senate Member, Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction

The Honorable Xavier Becerra U.S. House of Representatives Member, Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction

The Honorable Patrick J. Toomey U.S. Senate Member, Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans:

Fred Upton Cliff Stearns Discover Treasury Department Believed DOE Violated Law in Restructuring Solyndra Loan

WASHINGTON, DC – Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Cliff Stearns (R-FL) have uncovered new information as part of their ongoing investigation into the $535 million loan guarantee to now-bankrupt Solyndra about the level of disagreement among federal agencies about how the loan guarantee was handled.

The committee has learned that the Treasury Department was concerned that the Department of Energy’s restructuring of the Solyndra Loan in early 2011 was in violation of the law. Despite the plain letter of the law, DOE allowed Solyndra’s investors to be moved to the front of the line for the first $75 million in the event of Solyndra’s bankruptcy. Upton and Stearns today sent a letter to the Treasury Department seeking information about the agency's involvement with the loan and its concerns. An excerpt from the letter to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner follows:

“In the course of our investigation, we have uncovered information that raises questions as to whether the Department of Energy satisfied the requirement to consult with the Department of the Treasury about the $535 million loan guarantee issued to Solyndra in September 2009 and the restructuring of that agreement in February 2011. On August 17, 2011, Department of the Treasury Assistant Secretary for Financial Markets Mary J. Miller sent an email to Jeffrey D. Zients, Deputy Director of OMB, in which she stated that ‘[s]ince July of 2010, Treasury has asked DOE for briefings on Solyndra’s financial condition and any restructuring of terms.

The only information we have received about this has been through OMB, as DOE has not responded to any requests for information about Solyndra.’ Further, Assistant Secretary Miller also questioned whether DOE’s decision to subordinate its interest in Solyndra to Solyndra’s investors was proper, stating ‘[o]ur legal counsel believes that the statute and the DOE regulations both require that the guaranteed loan should not be subordinate to any loan or other debt obligation. The DOE regulations also state that DOE shall consult with OMB and Treasury before any ‘deviation’ is granted from the financial terms of the Loan Guarantee Agreement. In February, we requested in writing that DOE seek the Department of Justice’s approval of any proposed restructuring. To our knowledge, that has never happened.’”

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans:

Mitt Romney on September Jobs Report VIDEO

"What you're seeing now is the result of a failed economic policy by a president who has been in office three years and is looking for someone to blame." -- Mitt Romney

VIDEO IMAGE and TEXT CREDIT mittromney

Mitt Romney Ad Two Different Plans VIDEO

Two different plans on social security. Mitt Romney: reform and strengthen. Rick Perry: end federal program, send to the states. Rick Perry is irresponsible on Social Security. In Florida, 1 in 4 seniors could lose benefits under his plan.

VIDEO and TEXT CREDIT mittromney

New Rick Perry Ad, Romney & Obama: Carbon Copies VIDEO

New Rick Perry Ad, Romney & Obama: Carbon Copies VIDEO

Romney’s environmental policies and advisors now being used by President Obama

Mitt Romney and President Obama are carbon copies when it comes to environmental policies, as evident in the video “Romney and Obama: Carbon Copies”

VIDEO CREDIT: perrytruthteam

American Crossroads:"Don't" VIDEO

WASHINGTON – American Crossroads on Monday night released a new television ad in St. Louis to offer a counterpoint to President Obama’s visit to Missouri this week. The group also launched a new nationwide online ad targeted at viewers who watch Obama’s recent online interview with ABC News.

The new ad, "Don't" started Monday night and will run through Wednesday in St. Louis on local network TV stations, as well as cable networks CNN and Fox News, with a total buy of $50,000 over three days. The ad will serve to provide a counterpoint before, during and after the president's visit to St. Louis as he sells his tax increase plan and re-election.

The ad features former President Clinton deriding Obama's plan to raise taxes, saying it "won't solve the problem." Crossroads plans to use similar versions of the ad to bracket other Obama appearances over the next few months.

American Crossroads is also launching a new paid web video campaign on Yahoo that offers a counterpoint to President Obama's online Yahoo News/ABC online interview with George Stephanopoulos. Viewers clicking to watch the Yahoo interview over the next week will be greeted by an American Crossroads pre-roll spot that will serve as a counterpoint to the president's speech.

“Our goal is to keep Obama on defense, where he's unable to generate an unchallenged media hit to sell his tax increase or his re-election,” said American Crossroads president and CEO Steven Law. “Former President Bill Clinton and now even Warren Buffett don’t agree with Obama’s policies, which are adding uncertainty and instability to the economy and making it worse.”

American Crossroads is a non-profit 527 political organization dedicated to renewing America’s commitment to individual liberty, limited government, free enterprise and a strong national defense through informed and effective political action. American Crossroads seeks to educate voters and empower citizens to hold lawmakers and office-seekers accountable for where they stand. Paid for by American Crossroads. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. www.americancrossroads.org

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Jonathan Collegio at jacollegio@americancrossroads.org or (202) 559-6424.

VIDEO CREDIT: AmericanCrossroads

American Crossroads: Democrats Anonymous VIDEO

American Crossroads: Democrats Anonymous Because the first step is admitting you have a problem.

VIDEO CREDIT: AmericanCrossroads

Chris Christie announces he will not be running for President 10/04/11 FULL VIDEO

Chris Christie announces he will not be running for President 10/04/11 FULL VIDEO

Governor Chris Christie takes questions during a press conference announcing he will not be running for President of the United States, while in the outer office of the Statehouse in Trenton, N.J. on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011. (Governor's Office/Tim Larsen)

VIDEO CREDIT: governorchrischristie

IMAGE CREDIT: state.nj.us/governor/

Herman Cain "This Week" with Christiane Amanpour VIDEO 10/02/11

Herman Cain "This Week" with Christiane Amanpour VIDEO 10/02/11

"Some black people won't even listen to someone who appears to be a conservative or a Republican, I call that brainwashing."

VIDEO and IMAGE CREDIT: "This Week" with Christiane Amanpour

Morgan Griffith Weekly Republican Address TEXT PODCAST VIDEO 10/01/11

Morgan Griffith Weekly Republican Address TEXT PODCAST VIDEO 10/01/11 Podcast of the address: Download MP3 for PODCAST |||| FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT BELOW. || Download Video MPEG Video || MP4 Video

Weekly Republican Address: Rep. Griffith on Addressing Excessive Regulations to Protect Jobs

Washington (Sep 30)

Delivering the Weekly Republican Address, Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) calls on President Obama and the Democratic-led Senate to support bipartisan House proposals that would protect jobs from excessive federal regulations. Listening to America’s job creators, House Republicans are acting on a series of jobs bills aimed at cutting red tape and addressing excessive regulations that hamper job creation.

The bills that the House will consider next week deal with new cement and boiler rules that put thousands of Americans jobs at risk. “President Obama, who has said he’s willing to consider stopping excessive regulations, should call on the Democrat-led Senate to follow the House in passing these jobs bills,” Rep. Griffith says. A member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Griffith is in his first term representing the Ninth Congressional District of Virginia. The full text of the address and MP3 for PODCAST follows. Once the embargo is lifted at 6 am 10/01/11, the address will be available here for viewing and for downloading.

“Hello, I’m Morgan Griffith, and I represent the people of Virginia’s Ninth Congressional District. It’s an honor to address you on their behalf.

“For years, excessive regulations have been a source of frustration for businesses trying to stay afloat. Now, with our economy struggling and red tape still piling up, these nuisances have become full-blown government barriers to job creation. According to a recent national survey, nearly seven in ten Americans believe new regulations will result in job losses or higher prices on goods and services. They’re right, on both counts.

“That’s why the Republican majority in the House is focused on lifting the burden of excessive regulations.

“Of course, we all recognize the need for reasonable regulations to protect the public. There are good regulations, for instance, that ensure public safety and protect our environment. But there are also unnecessary and unreasonable regulations that hurt jobs in some of our nation’s most critical industries. Here are just two examples:

“The government recently finalized rules that would impose costly burdens on the producers of cement, which is the backbone of just about every construction project. If these rules were to take effect, roughly 20 percent of the country’s cement plants would shut down. Thousands of jobs would be sent overseas permanently, just like that. In Ragland, Alabama, a small town where nearly one in five are considered poor, these new rules led to the suspension of a $350 million cement project. It was on track to create more than 1,500 construction jobs.

“Washington is also trying to hand down rules that would affect boilers used by thousands of major employers, including hospitals, factories, and even colleges. These regulations would impose billions of dollars in new costs, make many goods and services more expensive, and put more than 200,000 jobs at risk. I was startled to learn that because of these rules, Celanese, a Dallas-based chemical company, may significantly scale back or close a plant that employs hundreds of people in my district.

“Understand that the investments required by these rules are irreversible. For those businesses that cannot make these investments, and decide to stop producing their product at a particular location, the job losses are also irreversible. The good news here is, excessive regulations are reversible and fixable.

“Todd Elliott testified on behalf of Celanese at a recent hearing on Capitol Hill. ‘It is very important for the Congress to understand that we compete in a global marketplace,’ Todd said. ‘If our costs become too high, we lose competitiveness and jobs. We encourage you to pursue cost-effective regulations and help create … the jobs our nation so badly needs.’

“Republicans are listening to the American job creators. The House is working on a series of bills this fall aimed at cutting red tape and stopping the excessive regulations that hamper job creation. Next week, we’ll take up bipartisan bills that address the concerns employers have about both the cement and boiler rules.

Morgan Griffith

“The bill I’ve sponsored, H.R. 2250, recognizes the need for reasonable boiler regulations and doesn’t try to haphazardly cancel these rules. Instead, we are saying the government should go back to the drawing board and come up with a more reasonable approach that protects the public without imposing unnecessary costs on employers and workers. “These bills would save thousands of American jobs, and they are bipartisan. Members of both parties support these ideas right now. President Obama, who has said he’s willing to consider stopping excessive regulations, should call on the Democrat-led Senate to follow the House in passing these jobs bills. Let’s take this opportunity to widen our common ground and do whatever we can to get government out of the way so our economy can return to creating jobs. “Thank you so much for listening.”

TEXT CREDIT: Speaker of the House John Boehner Contact H-232 The Capitol Washington, DC 20515 P (202) 225-0600 F (202) 225-5117

AUDIO / VIDEO FILES CREDIT: The House Republican Conference - Digital Communications visual.media@mail.house.gov 202-225-5439

With less than a week before Election Day, conservative candidate Bill Maloney released the ad titled “Pitt.” VIDEO

With less than a week before Election Day, conservative candidate Bill Maloney released the ad titled “Pitt.” VIDEO

NEW MALONEY AD RELEASED: ”PITT”

MORGANTOWN — With less than a week before Election Day, conservative candidate Bill Maloney released the ad titled “Pitt.” The spot runs statewide starting today, September 28, 2011.

The ad highlights Bill’s background and reminds West Virginians why he’s running for governor.

TEXT CREDIT: MALONEY FOR WEST VIRGINIA For immediate release: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 Contact: Michelle Yi, 304-906-3071 michelle@maloneyforwv.com

VIDEO and IMAGE CREDIT: MaloneyforWV