Dec 2009
AG Candidate Luther Strange's Statement on Health Care Monstrosity
31/12/09 15:08
As many of you know I'm a big fan of Attorney General candidate Luther Strange. He released this statement today on Congress' Health Care Monstrosity:
"As most of us were enjoying the holidays with our friends and loved ones, Harry Reid and the Senate Democrats were wheeling and dealing in backroom bribes to pass the healthcare bill - a monstrosity unlike any other and one that runs afoul of the fundamental rights afforded to us by the Constitution. We are a country founded on individual liberty and personal responsibility. The healthcare bill takes away our freedom of choice to purchase health in surance by mandating that individuals buy health insurance or else face fines and other penalties. Unfortunately, overreaching, unconstitutional mandates from Washington are far too common occurrences these days. President Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and the Democrats in Washington think that federal power and government intrusion are the solution to all of our problems. We know better. Thankfully, we have dedicated public servants like Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum, who is standing up to Washington and leading the effort to challenge the constitutionality of the Democrats’ healthcare legislation. While we should support any move to stop this illegal takeover of healthcare, we need to move beyond challenging the fairness of Medicaid payments and challenge the legality of individual mandates as well as the entire takeover of our healthcare system."
"As most of us were enjoying the holidays with our friends and loved ones, Harry Reid and the Senate Democrats were wheeling and dealing in backroom bribes to pass the healthcare bill - a monstrosity unlike any other and one that runs afoul of the fundamental rights afforded to us by the Constitution. We are a country founded on individual liberty and personal responsibility. The healthcare bill takes away our freedom of choice to purchase health in surance by mandating that individuals buy health insurance or else face fines and other penalties. Unfortunately, overreaching, unconstitutional mandates from Washington are far too common occurrences these days. President Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and the Democrats in Washington think that federal power and government intrusion are the solution to all of our problems. We know better. Thankfully, we have dedicated public servants like Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum, who is standing up to Washington and leading the effort to challenge the constitutionality of the Democrats’ healthcare legislation. While we should support any move to stop this illegal takeover of healthcare, we need to move beyond challenging the fairness of Medicaid payments and challenge the legality of individual mandates as well as the entire takeover of our healthcare system."
0 Comments
SCOTUS Deals Government a Much-Needed Blow
31/12/09 12:32
Today the US Supreme Court handed down a summary decision that basically said the government cannot take a troubled companies assets and apportion them among unsecured creditors, ignoring the claims of secured creditors. In other words, The US Government cannot take over Chrysler’s assets and give preference to UAW over its secured creditors.
Dr. Melissa Clouthier has a good summary:
SCOTUS Deals Socialism and Therefore, Obama, a Blow
Dr. Melissa Clouthier has a good summary:
SCOTUS Deals Socialism and Therefore, Obama, a Blow
Riley Asks State Board of Education to Endorse Charter Schools
22/12/09 19:16
I’m glad to see Governor Riley getting serious about education reform in Alabama. Charter schools have more momentum now than they’ve ever had. Several leaders in the black community are supporting Sen. French’s effort in the Senate, and I’ve heard rumors that a member of the black caucus may carry the bill in the House.
Unfortunately, Paul Hubbert and the AEA are doing everything they can to make sure the state legislature doesn’t let a bill pass.
This is definitely an issue to watch in the coming legislative session.
Unfortunately, Paul Hubbert and the AEA are doing everything they can to make sure the state legislature doesn’t let a bill pass.
This is definitely an issue to watch in the coming legislative session.
Conservatives Not Ready To Embrace Party-Switcher
22/12/09 18:55
I am quoted in this article about conservative’s hesitance to embrace Griffith :
Conservatives Not Ready to Embrace Party-Switcher
Conservatives Not Ready to Embrace Party-Switcher
Update on the FL Senate Race
22/12/09 14:11
More bad news today for Charlie Crist in the Florida senate race. Reps. Lincoln and Diaz-Balart withdraw their endorsements.
Crist’s poll numbers are sinking as Rubio’s are rising. In fact, they are polling evenly now.
Rubio is the true conservative in the race. People are finally realizing that Crist is just another RINO. The picture of him hugged up with Pres. Obama certainly helped.
Rubio needs your help. Go to www.marcorubio.com and say Merry Christmas with a campaign donation!
Crist’s poll numbers are sinking as Rubio’s are rising. In fact, they are polling evenly now.
Rubio is the true conservative in the race. People are finally realizing that Crist is just another RINO. The picture of him hugged up with Pres. Obama certainly helped.
Rubio needs your help. Go to www.marcorubio.com and say Merry Christmas with a campaign donation!
More on the Griffith Switch
22/12/09 12:44
Here’s what ALRLC’s Steve Gordon had to say:
“From my perspective, this clearly shows there is blowback from the Democrat’s legislative overreach in DC. Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama are now having to pay a political price for shoving their agenda down our throats.
“However, what seems to be a GOP victory at first may well become another liberal victory in the long term. Unless Parker Griffith starts voting like a true fiscal conservative, Alabama could be stuck with another entrenched big-government Republican congressman.
“Welcome to the party, Parker. Here’s an electronic copy of the Constitution. Read it well, as you will have to continue to dodge us if you continue to disregard it.”
Here’s what the Club For Growth said:
Alabama is a run-off state, so Griffith will have to go head-to-head against a seasoned Republican if he wants to stay in office (assuming he doesn't get 50% of the vote right off the bat).
Griffith's voting record is far from conservative, too. Granted, he voted against the Big 4 - Obama's first budget, the Stimulus, Cap and Trade, and ObamaCare. However, his vote on the budget is slightly deceptive since he originally voted for 9 of the 12 spending bills that make up the budget. And he voted against all the Stimulus amendments that would reduce its size.
But just a quick perusal of 2009 shows that he voted YES on the 2009 pork-filled Omnibus; YES on Cash for Clunkers, NO on waiving the harmful Davis-Bacon provision, and had a pathetic 0% score on the 2009 RePORK Card.
This party switch signals Griffith's nervousness, but it doesn't signal that his incumbency is safe.
“From my perspective, this clearly shows there is blowback from the Democrat’s legislative overreach in DC. Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama are now having to pay a political price for shoving their agenda down our throats.
“However, what seems to be a GOP victory at first may well become another liberal victory in the long term. Unless Parker Griffith starts voting like a true fiscal conservative, Alabama could be stuck with another entrenched big-government Republican congressman.
“Welcome to the party, Parker. Here’s an electronic copy of the Constitution. Read it well, as you will have to continue to dodge us if you continue to disregard it.”
Here’s what the Club For Growth said:
Alabama is a run-off state, so Griffith will have to go head-to-head against a seasoned Republican if he wants to stay in office (assuming he doesn't get 50% of the vote right off the bat).
Griffith's voting record is far from conservative, too. Granted, he voted against the Big 4 - Obama's first budget, the Stimulus, Cap and Trade, and ObamaCare. However, his vote on the budget is slightly deceptive since he originally voted for 9 of the 12 spending bills that make up the budget. And he voted against all the Stimulus amendments that would reduce its size.
But just a quick perusal of 2009 shows that he voted YES on the 2009 pork-filled Omnibus; YES on Cash for Clunkers, NO on waiving the harmful Davis-Bacon provision, and had a pathetic 0% score on the 2009 RePORK Card.
This party switch signals Griffith's nervousness, but it doesn't signal that his incumbency is safe.
Re: The Parker Griffith Switch
22/12/09 12:36
The big news today is Rep. Parker Griffith’s (AL-5) switch from Democrat to Republican. Like many others, I think this is indicative of the backlash against Obama and the Democrats and a good harbinger for Republicans in 2010.
As far as Griffith goes, switching parties doesn’t make him conservative. His voting record stands on its own. Yes, he voted against the so-called “Big Bills” (i.e. Stimulus, Omnibus Budget, Cap and Trade, and Health Care), but he also voted FOR 9 of the 12 appropriations bills in the budget. He voted FOR Nancy Pelosi as Speaker, and FOR cash for clunkers. If Griffith wants to become a Republican his voting record shows he’s going to have a lot of work to do.
My biggest concern with the switch is that we will wind up with another big government Republican who likes to bring pork back to his district and is impossible to get out of office. Both of the Republican candidates in AL-5 are solid conservatives. Unfortunately, Mo Brooks and Les Phillip will both have to raise a lot of money to compete with Griffith’s war chest.
As far as Griffith goes, switching parties doesn’t make him conservative. His voting record stands on its own. Yes, he voted against the so-called “Big Bills” (i.e. Stimulus, Omnibus Budget, Cap and Trade, and Health Care), but he also voted FOR 9 of the 12 appropriations bills in the budget. He voted FOR Nancy Pelosi as Speaker, and FOR cash for clunkers. If Griffith wants to become a Republican his voting record shows he’s going to have a lot of work to do.
My biggest concern with the switch is that we will wind up with another big government Republican who likes to bring pork back to his district and is impossible to get out of office. Both of the Republican candidates in AL-5 are solid conservatives. Unfortunately, Mo Brooks and Les Phillip will both have to raise a lot of money to compete with Griffith’s war chest.
The Promise of Charter Schools
18/12/09 14:15
Senator Steve French and API’s Michael Ciamarra have a great article on charter schools in today’s Legislative Update:
The Promise of Charter Schools
The Promise of Charter Schools
“Alabama has a tremendous opportunity to quickly improve the quality of education outcomes in the state. If we want to answer the questions, “What does Alabama have to do to succeed in the next five to ten years?’ and “What do we want our education outcomes to look like in five to ten years?” with bold vision, it is obvious we need to take dramatic actions. Preparing our students for meaningful lives and 21st century challenges cannot be accomplished within the constraints of our current one-size-fits all public school model.”
Welcome!
18/12/09 10:33
I’m finally joining the blogosphere! Since I am a total political junkie most of the posts here will be about politics, current events, etc. Feel free to comment--I love discourse.
Now for my official disclaimer: The views expressed on this blog are not endorsed by Eagle Forum of Alabama. These are my own personal thoughts and opinions and should not be in any way construed as statements made by the organization.
Now for my official disclaimer: The views expressed on this blog are not endorsed by Eagle Forum of Alabama. These are my own personal thoughts and opinions and should not be in any way construed as statements made by the organization.