CITING GROWING GAP WITH PRIVATE SECTOR, SCOTT BROWN CALLS FOR FEDERAL WAGE FREEZE

Uploaded on December 21, 2009 by State Senator Scott Brown. All rights reserved.

Citing rapidly-escalating federal pay levels, U.S. Senate candidate Scott Brown today proposed a temporary pay freeze for federal workers until a plan is devised for controlling government spending and debt. In 2008, the average wage for 1.9 million federal civilian workers was $79,197, which compared to an average of $50,028 for the nation’s 108 million private sector workers.

When worker benefits are included, the gap is even more pronounced -- federal worker compensation averages $119,982, more than double the private sector average of $59,909. (Source: Cato Institute)

In addition, the number of federal workers earning six-figure salaries has skyrocketed during the recession, according to a USA Today analysis of federal salary data.

“I recognize that our federal workers do important work, but it’s not right that lesser-paid private sector workers suffering through a recession have to pay for expensive government salaries,” said Brown. “Lavish pay and benefit packages have unfortunately become a way of life for public employees. It’s time to bring fiscal sanity to Washington.”

Brown said his opponent Martha Coakley is too beholden to union bosses to pursue the reforms necessary to restrain expanding federal worker compensation because all the big public employee unions have endorsed her campaign.

“Because I don’t owe anybody anything, I’m free to tell the truth and fight for what’s right for all the people of Massachusetts. That’s the type of senator I will be -- free to speak my mind, and act in the best interests of the people I represent,” said Brown. ###

Scott Brown for U.S. Senate Committee. 200 Reservoir Street, Needham, MA 02494 | info@brownforussenate.com | 781-444-0200

Ken Buck On Health Care

Ken's wife Perry owns a small business in Greeley. She served as the Vice-Chair of the Colorado Republican Party for 4 years. Son Cody is a third year cadet at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Daughter Kaitlin is a freshman at Clemson University

We have the best health care system in the world, and I will not lose sight of that fact as we work to solve the nagging problems within the system that must be fixed. Like the majority of Coloradans, I understand that there are specific health care problems that need to be addressed, such as the uninsured, pre-existing conditions, and escalating costs.

I'm not for the public option. That's another big difference between the "appointed" Senator, Michael Bennet and me. He's strongly for a "public option" takeover of our private health care system by the federal government. I am strongly against it.

Eighty-five percent of Americans are on an insurance plan and we get care that is as good as anywhere else through those plans. In fact, recent studies continue to show that 85% of us are happy with our current health care plan, and we don't want to throw what's working well for us overboard in the name of health care reform.

Only our out-of-touch leaders in Washington, D.C. would seriously consider taking such a catastrophic step as passing legislation that would require turning our private health care system over to the bureaucrats in Washington, D.C.

My hope is that Michael Bennet and his liberal allies will be turned back, and that I will be able to work with other new Senators in the next Congress to provide targeted solutions that will bring quality care to everyone without hurting the 85% of Americans who have quality health care they are happy with.

Buck For Colorado - P.O. Box 101465, Denver, CO 80250 -Ken@BuckForColorado.com

Jane Norton Health Care Reform

There are no easy decisions in healthcare, but solutions are best found in empowering families and individuals and their doctors – not politicians and bureaucrats – to make important healthcare decisions. Government intervention always limits choices. We should empower people by giving them more choices and by promoting competition to drive costs down and increase access to healthcare. Enacting a government-run public option is something that neither I nor a majority of Coloradans and Americans support.

What we need are common sense and market-based solutions that will slash costs without ceding control of 17% of our economy to the federal government: medical malpractice tort reform that limits expensive and frivolous lawsuits that drive up healthcare and insurance costs and result in unnecessary defensive medicine; tax equity so that those who buy their own insurance receive the same tax benefits as those who get insurance through their employers; high risk pools so those with pre-existing conditions may be covered; portability of health insurance; making cost and quality information plainly available to consumers; changing regulations that discourage individuals and small businesses from utilizing Health Savings Accounts; and giving small businesses the opportunities to pool risk and resources across state lines.

I have an extensive background working on the issue of health care reform. Governor Owens asked me to serve as point person for his Administration on reforming Colorado's healthcare system. This effort focused on improving health care for low-income, working families through commonsense reforms; giving individuals and families more power over their health care decisions; helping rural Colorado meet its unique health care challenges; and on making health insurance more affordable for Colorado’s small businesses.

During this reform push in Colorado, we successfully passed legislation allowing small business to purchase a lower cost, basic health plan with fewer government mandates; requiring a thorough cost/benefit analysis on any new mandated health insurance benefit proposed by the legislature before it can be imposed on consumers; and limiting increases in medical malpractice premiums. I am proud of what we accomplished in Colorado and will bring that same record of success to the Senate.

Mail: Jane Norton for Colorado, Post Office Box 3008. Greenwood Village CO. 80155-3008. Phone: Campaign Phone Number: 303-488-2010

TEXT and PHOTO CREDIT: Jane Norton for Colorado

Sen. Gilbert Baker’s Public Schedule for Week of Jan. 4-8, 2010

Uploaded on December 8, 2009 by Baker for US Senate. All rights reserved.

Conway, Ark. – United States Senate Candidate Sen. Gilbert Baker will meet with voters across Arkansas at the following events during the week of Jan. 4 – 8, 2010: Monday, Jan. 4, 2010 7:30 a.m. – Ft. Smith, Ark. – Attends the Sebastian County American Legion meeting, 4901 Midland Blvd. 6:30 p.m. – Fayetteville, Ark., - Attends a Washington County Gilbert Baker Meet & Greet, Bio-Tech Pharmacal, 3481 N. Hwy 112. Tuesday, Jan 5, 2010

5:30 p.m. – Van Buren, Ark. – Attends a Crawford County Gilbert Baker Meet & Greet, SPMI Office, Suite B, 1701 Main St.

Wednesday, Jan 6, 2010

11:30 a.m. – Rogers, Ark. - Hosts a Gilbert Baker Meet & Greet Lunch, Rogers Public Library, Friends of RPL Community Room, 722 S. Dixieland Rd.

Thursday, Jan 7, 2010

6:00 p.m. – Hot Springs, Ark., -- Speaks at the Garland County Republican Committee Meeting, Gospel Light School Auditorium, South St. between Third and Fourth St.

7:00 pm – Hot Springs, Ark., - Attends Garland County Gilbert Baker Meet & Greet, Gospel Light School, South St. between Third and Fourth St.

Friday, Jan. 8, 2010

7:30 a.m. – Russellville, Ark., - Attends breakfast with young professionals at Stoby’s Restaurant, 405 West Parkway.

9:00 a.m. – Russellville, Ark., - Meets with Political Discussion Group at Hardee’s, 1201 West Main.

11:30 a.m. – Russellville, Ark. – Lunch with Nuclear One employees at Fat Daddy’s, 7206 US Highway 64 W.

4:30 p.m. – Russellville, Ark., - Attends Gilbert Baker Meet & Greet at CJ’s Burgers, 416 South Knoxville.

Gilbert Baker for U.S. Senate, 2010, PO Box 3471 • Little Rock, AR 72203 Contact: info@senatorgilbertbaker.com

Gilbert Baker Says Blanche Lincoln's 'Yes' Vote for Health Care is Out-of-Touch

Baker: "I would never support a health care bill that adds to the deficit" Conway, Ark. -- United States Senate Candidate Senator Gilbert Baker has issued the following statement in response to the Senate voting to pass the Obama-Reid- Lincoln health care bill:

"Americans are waking up to find that Senate Democrats have left a lump of coal in their stocking. The desperate attempt to pass this health care bill the day before Christmas, with no Republican support, is a clear sign Democrats want to hide from the scrutiny that lies ahead. Blanche Lincoln did not have to stand with the Obama-Reid leadership for this $871 billion bill to pass; the fact that she did, only shows how out-of- touch she is with the people of Arkansas.

Arkansans can take her 'yes' vote as a sign that she supports higher taxes, taxpayer-funded abortions, massive cuts to Medicare, and higher health care costs for Arkansans. With this vote, she is now more vulnerable than ever. I would never support a bill that would take away patient choices add to the deficit. Although Democrats claim this plan is deficit neutral, a new letter from the Congressional Budget Office shows that $500 billion in cuts to Medicare actually will add $300 billion to the deficit; our country cannot afford that."

Gilbert Baker for U.S. Senate, 2010, PO Box 3471 • Little Rock, AR 72203 Contact: info@senatorgilbertbaker.com

JOHN McCAIN ENDORSES SCOTT BROWN VIDEO

“These are challenging times for America.

We’re fighting two foreign wars, and here at home we’re entering the second year of a severe recession that has caused hard times for millions of workers who have lost their jobs and in many cases their homes.

Our actions today will determine whether we remain as the economic and military superpower of the world.

In Massachusetts, you have the opportunity to elect to the United States Senate someone who is well prepared to meet these challenges.

Scott Brown has a long record of public service fighting wasteful spending and higher taxes.

As an officer in the Army National Guard, he understands the importance of a strong military and the necessity of protecting our interests around the world.

Scott Brown believes that taxes are too high and are going higher if Congress continues with its out-of-control spending.

He will fight for fiscal sanity in Washington.

He wants an economy that creates jobs, powered by the same free market principles that built our nation from the beginning.

And he will never compromise on our security.

I’m proud to endorse Scott Brown for the Senate because he represents a new generation of bold leadership for Massachusetts and for our country.

Thank you.” ###

Scott Brown for U.S. Senate Committee. 200 Reservoir Street, Needham, MA 02494 | info@brownforussenate.com | 781-444-0200

Michael Williams on Big Government VIDEO

We are made in the image of God and endowed with rights inherited from Him. Government’s primary responsibility is to advance the cause of freedom and promote, protect and secure the inalienable rights that were endowed to us by God. As such, the proper role of government is both limited and subordinate to man. In its proper role, the federal government would refrain from usurping the proper functions that should be performed by state and local governments—who are closer to the people. The federal government would assist individuals and institutions more immediate to the people only when the latter cannot fulfill their proper functions.

TEXT CREDIT: Michael Williams for U.S. Senate Committee
VIDEO CREDIT: michaellwilliams

Senator Mitch McConnell Weekly Republican Address 01/02/09 VIDEO FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT

Senator Mitch McConnell Weekly Republican Address 01/02/09 VIDEO FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT

This is Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

The new year always brings with it renewed hope and a spirit of optimism — qualities that have exemplified our nation and its people from the very start. One such moment that stands out took place on this very day in 1777, along the New Jersey-Pennsylvania border. The Continental Army, under the direction of George Washington, had just finished a daring but successful surprise attack on the British at Trenton.

In retaliation, the British launched an attack of its own on the Continental Army.

But instead of retreating, Washington ordered his troops to stay and fight. It was a daring move.

When the soldiers in the Continental Army saw the size and strength of the enemy arrayed against it, many of them were filled with dread.

But, as one historian put it, even in that awful moment … “these men had a sense of their own strength, a confidence in one another ... and a feeling that Providence was with them that night.”

Against impossible odds, these rag-tag patriots broke the enemy column, forcing the British to retreat. And at the moment of victory, the entire continental line is said to have triumphantly shouted as one.

The second battle of Trenton was a great victory for Washington’s troops. And it was a great moral victory for a young nation that had become exhausted and discouraged by war.

Two hundred and thirty three years later, Americans haven’t lost the spirit of....

...Trenton. Two long and difficult wars, a prolonged recession, double-digit unemployment — these are difficult days for our nation.

And in this new year, we’re grateful for the courageous men and women of our own day who keep a lonely watch to defend the cause of liberty. We’re also painfully aware of how many Americans were out of work this Christmas.

But these challenges don’t define us as a people. What’s always defined America is its ability to overcome even the most daunting difficulties.

So in this new year we can be filled with new hope and optimism that our greatest challenges will be met, that better days are ahead … and that in these difficult times, we will persevere as we always have — not just for our own individual good, but for the good of all our countrymen, because we believe that for those to whom much is given, much is expected.

Some look at Washington and wonder how lawmakers who always seem to disagree can ever solve any of our problems. And while it’s true that many of us approach the issues differently, at the beginning of a new year, it’s important to remember that we’re all united by our love of country, and by a common faith that no challenge is too great for the American people to overcome.

Political disagreements will continue in the year ahead. This is an essential part of any vibrant democracy. But Americans expect and deserve their elected leaders to put country first, and work together to solve our common problems.

Powerful forces may be aligned against us, just as they did against the Continental Army on that cold January night in 1777. But when the challenges are greatest, Americans always join ranks. It was true in Trenton. It’s no less true today.

Thank you, and Happy New Year. ###

SCOTT BROWN LAUNCHES 1ST TV AD: “DIFFERENT PEOPLE, SAME MESSAGE” VIDEO

U.S. Senate candidate Scott Brown today released his first TV ad of the campaign with a creative spot that features old newsreel footage of President Kennedy calling for tax cuts to create jobs and stimulate the American economy. In the ad, Kennedy and Brown take turns reading from the same 1962 Kennedy speech.

The 30-second ad -- which is running statewide, on both national cable and network affiliate stations -- makes the point that Kennedy and Brown are two different people, from different political parties and different eras, but with the same message: lower taxes will create more jobs.

The ad begins in black and white with Kennedy describing his tax cut bill: “The billions of dollars this bill will place in the hands of the consumer and our businessmen will have both immediate and permanent benefits to our economy.”

The screen dissolves, and then Brown appears in the same black and white setting. He is slowly brought forward into the present with the use of color, and finishes Kennedy’s remarks: “Every dollar released from taxation that is spent or invested will help create a new job and a new salary. And these new jobs and new salaries can create other jobs and other salaries, and more customers and more growth for an expanding American economy.”

FAST FACTS ON SENATOR BROWN AND TAX CUTS:

Senator Brown would vote to extend the 2001 and 2003 Federal tax cuts, currently set to expire in 2010. These tax cuts provided relief for all by cutting taxes on income, capital gains and dividends, doubling the child care credit, eliminating the marriage penalty and phasing out the death tax. Without an extension, Americans will see a massive tax increase in 2011.

Senator Brown proposes lowering the corporate tax rate. Senator Brown recognizes that American companies must stay competitive to allow our economy to remain the job-creating engine and economic driver of the world. The United States has the second highest corporate tax rate in the world behind Japan. Making America’s business environment competitive with the rest of the world will attract capital, encourage investment and create new jobs.

Senator Brown supports lower taxes for individuals and families. Reducing marginal tax rates across the board will reward productivity and allow people to keep more of their own money. By leaving more money in the economy for consumption and investment, the private sector will respond with more jobs and higher salaries.

Senator Brown has signed the no-tax pledge. Senator Brown is the only candidate in the race who has signed the Americans for Tax Reform pledge not to raise taxes on the American people. ###

The entire text of President Kennedy’s speech from 1962. The excerpt used in the ad is highlighted in bold.

TEXT CREDIT: Scott Brown for U.S. Senate Committee. 200 Reservoir Street, Needham, MA 02494 | info@brownforussenate.com | 781-444-0200

VIDEO CREDIT: scottbrownma

Feda Morton Receives an A Rating on Virginia Gun Rights

Uploaded on November 11, 2009 by FedaforCongress All rights reserved

Scottsville, Virginia (December 30th, 2009) – The Virginia Gun Owners Coalition is the latest grassroots organization to recognize Feda Morton’s staunch defense of principle. “The individual right to bear arms is a fundamental Constitutional right,” stated Feda Morton. “I am very pleased to have the support of the Virginia Gun Owners Coalition and will continue my firm support for gun rights in Washington.”

After soliciting the questionnaire of one of Virginia’s largest and most faithful pro-2nd Amendment organizations, the VGOC heartily gave the highly coveted “A rating” on the 2010 Virginia Gun Rights Survey.

“Feda gets special recognition for being the ONLY candidate in next year’s 2010 primary to contact VGOC asking for our survey,” stated Mike McHugh, president of the VGOC.

The Virginia Gun Owners Coalition is one of the largest Virginia-based 2nd Amendment organizations in the Commonwealth.

No other candidates have filled out or requested the VGOC survey.

Feda For Congress P.O. Box 122 Scottsville, VA 24590 866-486-FEDA (3332) shawn.pattison@gmail.com

TEXT CREDIT: Feda For Congress

PHOTO CREDIT: Uploaded on November 11, 2009 by FedaforCongress

Danny Tarkanian's statement on the Senate health care bill

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Danny Tarkanian issued the following statement on the Senate health care bill: "As usual, Harry Reid plays Santa Claus for other states but he's the Grinch Who Stole Healthcare for his own constituents in Nevada.

Harry Reid's bill, which is a tax-hiking big government boondoggle, is a perfect example of why we should permanently ban pork."

TEXT CREDIT: Tarkanian for Senate 840 S Rancho Dr. | Suite 4-614 | Las Vegas, NV 89106 | (702) 228-8198 |

PHOTO CREDIT: Uploaded on October 20, 2009 by Danny Tarkanian

Barbara Boxer Supports Out-of-Control Federal Spending

Sacramento, CA – U.S. Senate candidate Carly Fiorina today made the following statement after Senator Barbara Boxer voted to raise the federal debt ceiling to $12.39 trillion: “Families and businesses across the nation understand that when someone has a spending problem,

you don’t perpetuate it by giving that person more money. But that’s exactly what Barbara Boxer did this morning by voting to raise Washington’s credit card limit instead of taking action to force the federal government to spend our tax dollars responsibly and to live within its means.

“California’s taxpayers can no longer afford Boxer’s support for this kind of out-of-control spending, which does nothing other than push off today’s irresponsible decisions to our children and grandchildren. As a U.S. Senator, my top priority will be bringing fiscal responsibility back to Washington, creating jobs, reigning in government spending and reducing our national debt.”

TEXT CREDIT: CARLY FOR CALIFORNIA

IMAGE CREDIT: CarlyforCalifornia

Mark Kirk for Illinois - Experience, Integrity, Reform VIDEO

Mark Kirk represents the 10th Congressional District of Illinois located in the suburbs north of Chicago.

Now in his fifth term, Congressman Kirk is a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee and is co-chairman of the moderate GOP Tuesday Group and the bipartisan House US-China Working Group.

In Congress, Congressman Kirk works to advance a suburban agenda that is pro-defense, pro-personal responsibility, pro-environment, and pro-science. He wrote a number of provisions which became law, including funding for commuter rail, improving veteran’s health care, ensuring military voting, and boosting aviation security. Mark Kirk’s father was from Sullivan and his mother from Park Ridge. Kirk was born in Champaign and grew up in Chatham, Downers Grove and Kenilworth. Representative Kirk graduated from New Trier High School (Winnetka) and attended Blackburn College (Carlinville) and the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico before earning a B.A. from Cornell.

He holds a Masters Degree from the London School of Economics and a law degree from Georgetown.

Congressman Kirk began his career on the staff of his predecessor, Congressman John Porter. He later served in the World Bank, the State Department, the law firm of Baker & McKenzie, and the U.S. House International Relations Committee.

Kirk, who holds the rank of Commander, is a Naval Reserve intelligence officer and has served during conflicts with Afghanistan, Iraq, Haiti, and Bosnia. He recently became the first member of Congress to serve in an imminent danger zone since 1942 when he deployed as a reservist to Afghanistan in December. The U.S. Navy named Kirk ‘Intelligence Officer of the Year’ in 1999 for his service in Kosovo.

Mark Kirk for Senate Phone: (847) 498-0300 - Fax: (847) 559-2940 Email: info@kirkforsenate.com - P.O. Box 8 - Winnetka, Illinois 60093

TEXT CREDIT: Mark Kirk for Senate
VIDEO CREDIT: MarkKirkNews

Pending Debate Between Christine O'Donnell and Mike Castle

The Delaware Tea Party and 9-12 Patriots have invited Christine O'Donnell and Mike Castle to debate each other on January 9, 2010 in Dover, DE. Ms. O'Donnell has accepted the invitation. Debate organizers are awaiting Rep. Castle's response. Check back for more details.

Christine O'Donnell for U.S. Senate • PO Box 3987 • Wilmington, DE 19807 • (302) 468-7010

Bob McDonnell Letter Urges No Delay in Virginia Offshore Energy Exploration and Development

Bob McDonnell Votes on Election Day Uploaded on November 3, 2009 by BobMcDonnellforGovernor All rights reserved

Governor-elect writes Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar McDonnell: “….it is time to develop our offshore energy resources to create new jobs and provide necessary new revenue for schools, roads, public safety and alternative energy research and development in Virginia.”

RICHMOND- Virginia Governor-elect Bob McDonnell expressed his continued strong support of offshore energy exploration and development off the coast of Virginia in a letter sent to United States Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar this past Wednesday. In the letter, McDonnell cautioned against any further delay in the Virginia offshore lease sale scheduled for 2011, and presented the Secretary with the position of his incoming Administration on the issue. The text of the Governor-elect’s full letter is below.

The Honorable Ken Salazar
Secretary of the Interior
Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, N.W
Washington DC 20240
Dear Secretary Salazar,

Last month I had the honor of being elected Governor of Virginia commencing January 16, 2010. A key priority for us here in Virginia is the development of the full range of energy resources, both traditional and renewable, to foster energy independence, national security and economic development.

More than fifteen months have passed since the United States Congress allowed the federal moratorium on exploration and development of oil and natural gas resources off the Atlantic Coast to expire, and President Bush repealed a similar executive order banning such action. This cleared the way for Virginia to be the first state on the Atlantic seaboard to explore and drill beginning in 2011. Virginia is eager to get started. Nearly a year ago the public comment period for the potential lease sale offshore Virginia (Lease Sale 220) ended. Unfortunately it appears that virtually no progress has been made at the federal level to get this process rolling.

I am requesting that Virginia remain in the current five-year plan and that the federal administrative process move forward with Lease Sale 220 immediately. Any effort to remove or delay Virginia’s participation in the lease sale would significantly hamper our efforts to create jobs, eliminate much-needed new revenue, and undermine support for President Obama’s stated commitment to make the United States more energy secure.

The opportunity to explore and develop oil and natural gas resources off the coast of Virginia, miles out of sight from our beaches in an environmentally sound manner, is timely for both our nation and our Commonwealth. Like every other state, Virginia is struggling with the high unemployment that accompanies the current tough economic environment. Some parts of our state have an unemployment rate as high as 19 percent. Additionally, America needs secure and diverse energy sources that do not leave us dependent on foreign governments adverse to our national interests.

A 2005 study by a former president at Old Dominion University forecast that offshore natural gas production alone off of the Atlantic coast near Virginia would, over a 10-year period, likely create at least 2,578 new jobs, induce capital investment of $7.84 billion, yield $644 million in direct and indirect payroll, and result in $271 million in state and local taxes. The study also estimated that there could be up to 500 million barrels of oil in this lease area – enough to fuel all four million cars in Virginia for more than four years.

These economic projections, combined with tremendous technological advancements that have transformed the offshore oil and natural gas industry and make exploration and development environmentally sound, make it clear that there is no reasonable basis for further delays in beginning the leasing process. The Gulf States have been safely exploring and drilling for oil and natural gas for years, and have done so safely despite hurricanes passing over the platforms in the Gulf.

Additionally, it is critically important as a matter of equity that the Commonwealth receive the same royalties, rentals, and bonus bid payments as do all the other states which currently allow energy exploration and production off of their coasts. I implore you to work with Congressional leaders, as I will, for passage of legislation to ensure that Virginia participates in a fair and equitable distribution of future offshore revenues.

Offshore energy exploration and production will be a priority in my administration. I would like to work with you and the President to make Virginia an international leader in offshore energy exploration and production on the Atlantic coast. It is important for both our Commonwealth and our country. We also intend to aggressively pursue offshore renewable energy sources such as wind farms, and will be asking for your assistance at that appropriate time.

I ask you today to do everything in your power to ensure Lease Sale 220 stays on schedule, including the prompt completion of an environmental impact statement and the processing of all other administrative steps necessary for holding the lease sale in 2011. I am aware of several major energy companies that are ready to bid for the leasehold rights, generating hundreds of millions of dollars for the state and federal governments. Virginia stands ready to help address America’s energy needs while creating badly needed good-paying jobs for our citizens.

Mr. Secretary, it is time to develop our offshore energy resources to create new jobs and provide necessary new revenue for schools, roads, public safety and alternative energy research and development in Virginia. I respectfully request that you direct the U.S. Minerals Management Service to expedite its preparatory work in support of the lease sale in 2011. The leasing process should not be further delayed.

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. I am committed to working with you as we move forward with this tremendous opportunity for the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States of America.

With warm personal regards, I remain
Sincerely,
Robert F. McDonnell

cc: The Honorable Tim Kaine
Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia
The Honorable James H. Webb, Jr
Member, United State Senate
The Honorable Mark R. Warner
Member, United States Senate
Virginia Delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives
The Honorable Steven Chu
U.S. Secretary of Energy
The Honorable William Howell
Speaker, Virginia House of Delegates
The Honorable Richard Saslaw
Majority Leader, Virginia State Senate
The Honorable Ward Armstrong
Minority Leader, Virginia House of Delegates
The Honorable Thomas Norment
Minority Leader, Virginia State Senate

TEXT CREDIT: © www.bobmcdonnell.com. All rights reserved. Authorized by Bob McDonnell. McDonnell for Governor

PHOTO CREDIT: BobMcDonnellforGovernor's photostream

Why Delawareans Support Mike Castle for Senate VIDEO

Delaware Congressman Mike Castle is the longest serving U.S. Representative from Delaware and is currently serving a record 9th term in the House of Representatives. He won his last race in 2008.

Mike Castle with his wife Jane

Castle uses his experience as a former Governor, Lt. Governor and Delaware state legislator in Washington, D.C. to bring members of both parties together to enact laws that help all Americans. Mike Castle has played a key role in writing and enacting legislation in every term he has served in the U.S. House of Representatives, including: Vocational Education, Intelligence Reform, Child Nutrition, No Child Left Behind, Campaign Finance Reform, Balanced Budget Act, Welfare Reform, Line Item Veto, Assault Weapons Bill and the Brady Bill.

Castle is consistently ranked as one of the most independent Member of Congress by non-partisan publications that cover Congress, such as Congressional Quarterly and National Journal. Castle exerts his independence as the leader of the Moderate Republicans, through his leadership of the Republican Main Street Partnership, the largest centrist organization in the nation.

Conservative Columnist Bob Novak has called Castle “the most influential Member of Congress outside Leadership” and Congress.org rated Castle in the top 15% in terms of influence and effectiveness in getting things done.

Some examples of Castle’s leadership include: expanding stem cell research, increased funding for important social programs like education and healthcare, strengthening environmental laws, opposing tax breaks for wealthy corporations, ensuring the refundability of the child tax credit, increasing the minimum wage, and cracking down on wasteful defense contracts.

TEXT CREDIT: Castle Campaign Fund
VIDEO CREDIT: mikecastle2010

12-28-09 Scott Brown and daughters ask voters to "throw a snowball at Washington" on Jan. 19 VIDEO

With some help from his daughters, Ayla and Arianna, Scott Brown says it’s time for voters to “throw a snowball at Washington” by voting on January 19th.

Support Scott Brown by joining the Brown Brigade www.BrownBrigade.ning.com and you can also join the mobile campaign by texting BROWN to 68398.

Scott Brown for U.S. Senate Committee. 200 Reservoir Street, Needham, MA 02494 | info@brownforussenate.com | 781-444-0200

Harry Reid passes 2,733-page, tax-hiking, deficit-spiking, abortion-funding, Medicare-raiding health care bill Which actually increases health care

Sue Lowden

After maxing out our nation’s credit card on his failed policies, Reid votes to increase our debt limit to a record $12.39 TRILLION (Las Vegas, NV) – The most fiscally irresponsible senator in Nevada history ignored public opinion in Nevada to push through the U.S. Senate a partisan and quite possibly, unconstitutional health care bill. Nevadans have expressed strong opposition to Harry Reid’s legislation in numerous, statewide public opinion polls.

Further, to help fund this new entitlement, along with his other taxpayer-funded failures, such as Wall Street and insurance company bail-outs, stimulus bills and pork-filled spending bills, Harry Reid voted to increase our nation’s debt limit to $12.39 trillion.

“After three decades in Washington, Harry Reid has proven to be the most careless and fiscally irresponsible senator ever to represent Nevada,” Sue Lowden stated. “Harry Reid bribed other senators with our tax dollars for their votes on his bill. During record unemployment, home foreclosures and bankruptcies in Nevada, Harry Reid is forcing massive tax increases on working families and job providers. And, so that he can continue his reckless spending spree with our tax dollars, he voted to increase the debt limit to a new, record level.”

“Unfortunately, Harry Reid turned his back on Nevadans long ago,” Lowden continued. “Just this past summer, Senator Reid refused to conduct a single town hall meeting during his month-long August recess because he knew then that Nevadans were rejecting his push for government-run health care. He refused to listen to concerned Nevadans then – and he has spent every day since ignoring us.”

“Now, after passing a bill that increases health care premiums, raids Medicare, funds abortion, increases taxes, raises the deficit and puts bureaucrats in charge of making our health care decisions, Harry Reid celebrates with his special interest pals in Washington and promises more destruction for Nevada families. On the senate floor, Reid promised MoveOn.org, Nancy Pelosi, the Trial Lawyers and union bosses that, ‘this morning isn’t the end of the process, it’s merely the beginning.’ That statement ought to frighten every American across this country.”

BACKGROUND: Nearly two months ago, Sue Lowden outlined her own plan for health care reform. Sue’s plan would not have increased taxes or our record-setting deficit. It would have included tax relief so Nevadans could keep more of their hard-earned money to purchase health care and her plan would have also provided real, meaningful medical liability reform, which would significantly reduce health care costs. Further, Sue Lowden’s plan would have not allowed taxpayer-funded abortion and it would not have raided the Medicare benefits so many Nevadans use today.

Sue Lowden for US Senate,

Research at LMU Could Presage Avatar-like Future for Internet

The highly anticipated film Avatar, which opened in wide release last week, revolves around a future technology that allows individuals to control separate, genetically engineered bodies from remote locations. While that technology may still be far off, the virtual world of 3D Internet is here today, and it’s a subject of intensive research at Loyola Marymount University’s Psychology Department.

Richard Gilbert is a psychology professor and the head of the P.R.O.S.E. Project (Psychological Research on Synthetic Environments) at LMU. Since 2008, LMU professors have taught courses and conducted research in Second Life, an online world where users travel, communicate, and interact via virtual avatars.

Avatar could be a “game-changer” for the way people view the experience of interacting online. While most online interaction is currently through reading text or viewing images and videos, in the future, immersive environments like Second Life could be the norm.

“This movie is bringing to the big screen an experience that millions of people are already having, albeit on a smaller scale: controlling a remote avatar that walks, talks, and interacts with others, just like any of us would in the real world,” Gilbert said. “Avatar could completely change the perception of the experience represented by Second Life and bring that immersive experience to the forefront of more people’s online lives.

Through the P.R.O.S.E. project, students and researchers have surveyed users about the relationships and personalities they have formed in Second Life, and what effects the experience of using a “healthy” avatar can have on users with disabilities. (The film Avatar features a disabled man controlling a fully abled body from afar.)

“While the technology imagined in the movie does not yet exist, the psychological effects of that kind of virtual relationship are here, and they’re very real,” Gilbert said.

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Congressman Duncan Hunter Weekly Republican Address 12/24/09 VIDEO FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT

Congressman Duncan Hunter Weekly Republican Address 12/24/09 VIDEO FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT

Weekly Republican remarks by Rep. Duncan Hunter of California, as provided by the Republican National Committee.

I’m Congressman Duncan Hunter, and I represent the 52nd Congressional District of California, the area around San Diego.

In this holiday season, I hope we all take time to offer thanks and prayers to the men and women of our Armed Forces. Many of these service members will spend the holidays away from home, on the frontlines in Iraq and Afghanistan, at bases and on ships around the world.

I understand the sacrifices they are making. Shortly after the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, I quit my job and joined the Marine Corps. Prior to coming to Congress, I was deployed to warzones on three separate occasions, twice in Iraq and once in Afghanistan. Just last month, actually, I had an opportunity to visit with our troops in Afghanistan.

I know we all wish everyone could be home for the holidays, but this is not a time for sadness or regret.

Thoughts of home remind us of why we serve: because we’re proud to be Americans, because we want to pass on to our children the blessings of liberty that we inherited from our forefathers, and because nothing matters more to us than protecting our homes and our families.

Our hope is that as a result of this determination and sacrifice, we will never again see our cities and citizens under attack.

I hope we also take a moment this year to reflect on those suffering here at home. For too many families, this will be a difficult Christmas.

One in ten Americans are unemployed. Nearly six million of our citizens have been looking for work for more than six months – the most on record.

All year long, Republicans have offered common-sense solutions to put more money back into the pockets of hard-working families and to help small businesses create more jobs. We’ve also outlined a plan to lower health care premiums by up to 10 percent.

And we have proposed an ‘all of the above’ energy strategy to create more American jobs, ease the strain on family budgets, and clean up our environment. Just as important, these solutions do not raise taxes, grow government, or add to the already skyrocketing debt burden being placed on our kids and grandkids.

After all the promises and all the spending we’ve seen out of Washington this year, out-of-work families are right to be asking, ‘where are the jobs?’ Republicans believe our top priority when it comes to the economy should be simple: first, do no harm.

So let’s resolve in the new year to end misguided efforts to create new laws that will cost even more jobs, whether it’s the “cap and trade” national energy tax, the government takeover of health care, “card check,” or even more tax increases.

Working together, we can make the next holiday season even brighter for all Americans. Thank you, happy holidays and God Bless America. ###