Missouri's 7th District, U.S. House of Representatives
Bringing LIBERTY to Capitol Hill -- 2008 OZARKS VIRTUAL TOWN HALL
Saturday Morning, January 24, 2009, 10:30am
A Discussion of The President's Saturday Morning Radio Address
Click here to listen to a replay of the January 24, 2009 Ozarks Virtual Town Hall
Notes and Summary of the President's Address: "The Old Socialism Begins Anew"
THE PRESIDENT: We begin this year and this Administration in the midst of an unprecedented crisis that calls for unprecedented action. That is why I have proposed an American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan to immediately jumpstart job creation as well as long-term economic growth. I am pleased to say that both parties in Congress are already hard at work on this plan,
and I hope to sign it into law in less than a month. (continued below)
How the President Differs from the American vision of "Liberty Under God":
Read about the inauguration of the American Government:
We begin this year and this Administration in the midst of an unprecedented crisis that calls for unprecedented action. Just this week, we saw more people file for unemployment than at any time in the last twenty-six years, and experts agree that if nothing is done, the unemployment rate could reach double digits. Our economy could fall $1 trillion short of its full capacity, which translates into more than $12,000 in lost income
for a family of four. And we could lose a generation of potential, as more young Americans are forced to forgo college dreams or the chance to train for the jobs of the future.
The Bush Bailout took several thousand dollars from every man, woman, and child in America. Obama's bailout will also take more than $12,000 from every family of four.
"Forced to forgo college" means substituting something else for college. What? A Job? This is always bad? Why is the government capable of determining what is best for every American teenager?
In short, if we do not act boldly and swiftly, a bad situation could become dramatically worse.
That is why I have proposed an American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan to immediately jumpstart job creation as well as long-term economic growth. I am pleased to say that both parties in Congress are already hard at work on this plan, and I hope to sign it into law in less than a month.
Just like both parties in Congress worked on the Bush Bailout. Both parties ignore the Constitution, ignore the Free Enterprise system, and create money to redistribute purchasing power from you and me to their friends.
It’s a plan that will save or create three to four million jobs over the next few years, and one that recognizes both the paradox and the promise of this moment - the fact that there are millions of Americans trying to find work even as, all around the country, there’s so much work to be done. That’s why this is not just a short-term program to boost employment. It’s one that will invest in our most important priorities
like energy and education; health care and a new infrastructure that are necessary to keep us strong and competitive in the 21st century.
There is always work that "needs" to be done. I "need" a maid to clean my house. Work, work, work. The question is, who decides which work deserves to have scarce resources allocated to its completion? Why should the government take your money and hire a maid for me? Why does Obama support government socialism and fascism rather than a Free Enterprise system?
Today I’d like to talk specifically about the progress we expect to make in each of these areas.
To accelerate the creation of a clean energy economy, we will double our capacity to generate alternative sources of energy like wind, solar, and biofuels over the next three years. We’ll begin to build a new electricity grid that lay down more than 3,000 miles of transmission lines to convey this new energy from coast to coast. We’ll save taxpayers $2 billion a year by making 75% of federal buildings more energy efficient,
and save the average working family $350 on their energy bills by weatherizing 2.5 million homes.
If our wind, solar, and biofuel capacity is doubled, what percent of our total energy will be covered? 1%? 3%
Am I better off if the government confiscates $1,000 in taxes from my paycheck to "weatherize" my home in order to allow me to save $350 on energy bills? Am I better off if the government restricts the production of energy and raises the price of energy by $350 a year?
To lower health care cost, cut medical errors, and improve care, we’ll computerize the nation’s health record in five years, saving billions of dollars in health care costs and countless lives. And we’ll protect health insurance for more than 8 million Americans who are in danger of losing their coverage during this economic downturn.
We've already talked about government management of all doctors' offices before. This is pure fascism.
To ensure our children can compete and succeed in this new economy, we’ll renovate and modernize 10,000 schools, building state-of-the-art classrooms, libraries, and labs to improve learning for over five million students. We’ll invest more in Pell Grants to make college affordable for seven million more students, provide a $2,500 college tax credit to four million students, and triple the number of fellowships in science to
help spur the next generation of innovation.
Government schools have already proven themselves unable to make American children competitive.
Colleges - regulated and funded by government, even if "private" -- are a failure as well.
These are choices that should be made by Americans, not by politicians.
Finally, we will rebuild and retrofit America to meet the demands of the 21st century. That means repairing and modernizing thousands of miles of America’s roadways and providing new mass transit options for millions of Americans. It means protecting America by securing 90 major ports and creating a better communications network for local law enforcement and public safety officials in the event of an emergency. And it means
expanding broadband access to millions of Americans, so business can compete on a level-playing field, wherever they’re located.
Government subsidies for roads are government subsidies for lobbyists from Detroit, taking investment dollars from the alternative transportation sector of the economy. Why should politicians make investment decisions for all of America?
We heard Obama talk about rural broadband two weeks ago (and saw the internet skills possessed by the government).
I know that some are skeptical about the size and scale of this recovery plan. I understand that skepticism, which is why this recovery plan must and will include unprecedented measures that will allow the American people to hold my Administration accountable for these results. We won’t just throw money at our problems - we’ll invest in what works. Instead of politicians doling out money behind a veil of secrecy, decisions
about where we invest will be made public, and informed by independent experts whenever possible. We’ll launch an unprecedented effort to root out waste, inefficiency, and unnecessary spending in our government, and every American will be able to see how and where we spend taxpayer dollars by going to a new website called recovery.gov.
Obama is hinting that his trillion-dollar bailout is too small, according to some rabid fascists and socialists, who want an even bigger role for bureaucrats.
No one policy or program will solve the challenges we face right now, nor will this crisis recede in a short period of time. But if we act now and act boldly; if we start rewarding hard work and responsibility once more; if we
act as citizens and not partisans and begin again the work of remaking America, then I have faith that we will emerge from this trying time even stronger and more prosperous than we were before. Thanks for listening.
We Americans can solve our problems without politicians. We created prosperity, not the government. Inflation, unemployment, and taxation are caused by government. We can create economic health and prosperity by eliminating the government-caused malfunctions and toxins.
Kevin Craig's Platform:
"Vine & Fig Tree" - the original American Dream - work, profit, save, invest, enjoy - not "easy to borrow," perpetual debt; not "invade other nations" to secure our own wealth.
Making the New Year Extraordinary by
Celebrating Christmas all year long
The Message of Christmas and the Principles set forth by the Christ (the Messiah) who came that first Christmas are the real solution to America's problems. The Federal Government is at war with Christmas and "The Way of Peace" announced by the Prince of Peace.
The Word became flesh. The Creator of the universe becomes a human being. He came to His own, but His own did not receive Him, preferring darkness rather than light.
John the Baptist prepares the way for the Messiah, as prophesied of Elijah.
As you read the Gospel accounts, ask yourself how you would react if you knew these accounts were really true. Not just true in some "religious" sense, but reported in the New York Times, proven in a court of law, or acknowledged by your personal hero. (How do you know something is true? Do you even have any "heroes?") How should you change your life if your Creator became
a human being? How should Washington D.C. react if this human being claimed to be the true Ruler?
The Prophet Micah predicted that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Jesus' parents lived in Nazereth. Therefore God predestined Caesar to issue a decree (probably relating to taxes) that would bring Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem before Jesus was born.
Bush claims the same global power of confiscation and migration as Caesar did. Thousands of Christians have been forced to move out of Iraq to make way for Bush's Islamic Theocracy.
An army of angels announces the birth of the Messiah, saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace to those with whom He is pleased!”
Man's chief end is to glorify God and live in peace. The Bush Administration's chief end is to erect a "wall of separation" between God and government so that the State gives no glory to God, and to wage war, thereby "stimulating the economy."
“Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.”
When Herod got word of the birth of a rival king, he behaved in a perfectly logical way (for someone who wants to protect his power): he massacred all male babies the age of Jesus. Herod recognized that Jesus was a threat to Herod's power.
Every day in America 4,000 unborn babies are murdered. These babies must threaten something.
Millions of Americans who call themselves Christians, on the other hand, are no threat to tyranny. None of them are being killed. Bush has killed a thousand times more human beings than Herod did, and confiscated a billion times more wealth than Herod did.
The The Republican Radio Address was delivered by John Boehner of Ohio, House Republican Leader. Boehner used Harry Browne's line about cutting taxes so that Americans can "spend, save or invest as you see fit."
Response of the Republican Party
Saturday Morning Radio Address
Saturday, January 24, 2009
I'm House Republican Leader John Boehner from Ohio . This week, I had the honor of joining other Members of the Congressional leadership in escorting President Obama to the Capitol for his inauguration as our 44th commander-in-chief. This event reminded us of the greatness of our democracy -- a peaceful transition of presidential power in the most powerful nation on Earth.
"It was also a reminder of the considerable challenges facing our nation -- including our ailing economy. The President has encouraged both parties to join him in crafting an economic recovery plan, and congressional Republicans -- led by Virginia Congressman Eric Cantor -- have answered his call. This week, we presented President Obama with our ideas to jumpstart the economy through fast-acting tax relief -- not
slow-moving government spending programs. We let families, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and the self-employed keep more of what they earn to encourage investment and create millions of new private-sector jobs.
Our plan provides relief for every single American taxpayer, cutting the lowest income tax rates. That's up to an extra 3,200 dollars per family every year -- money that can be saved, spent, or invested in any way you see fit. Our plan provides a tax credit for home purchases to help bring the housing market back to life. It ends the unfair taxation of unemployment benefits,
allowing those seeking work to focus on finding a job, not giving part of their check back to Uncle Sam. And it includes incentives to encourage small businesses to invest more in new equipment and, more importantly, hire new employees. Giving entrepreneurs a chance to expand their businesses will create good-paying jobs and accelerate our recovery.
Our plan is rooted in the philosophy that we cannot borrow and spend our way back to prosperity. Unfortunately, the trillion dollar spending plan authored by congressional Democrats is chock-full of government programs and projects -- most of which won't provide immediate relief to our ailing economy, according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office. There's six billion dollars for colleges and universities, many of
which have multi-billion dollar endowments; 600 million dollars for the federal government to buy new cars; 650 million dollars for digital television coupons; and 50 million dollars for the National Endowment for the Arts.
How was this philosophy borne out during the Bush Administration?
Bush increased the budgets of all these agencies, including the infamous pornographers at the NEA.
Their plan also provides government-funded paychecks -- disguised as tax cuts -- for those who don't pay income taxes. All told, the plan would spend a whopping 275,000 dollars in taxpayer dollars for every new job it aims to create, saddling each and every household with 6,700 dollars in additional debt - paid for by our children and grandchildren.
great point.
Someone has to look out for the taxpayer in this process, and Republicans are going to do just that. We're committed to working with President Obama in search of swift, bipartisan action that creates jobs, not another Washington program that over-promises and under-delivers. Thank you for listening.
bad point. Politicians can never create jobs as efficiently as business owners in the Free Market.
What Would America's Founding Fathers Do?
The men who threw tea into the Boston Harbor over a tax of 3 pence per pound would not be happy with a tax ten times greater on every gallon of gas. Those who took up muskets over a total tax burden of less than 3% would not be happy with the fact that the federal government now takes more than half of everything you earn.
Today it is illegal for public school teachers to teach their students that the Declaration of Independence is really true (and not just an outdated historical document). The federal government is clearly at war with everything the Founding Fathers stood for.
America's greatest Americans would abolish today's federal government.
Muskets are Not an Option
There are two reasons why we should not take up arms to pull off the violent overthrow of the federal government, even if America's Founders would surely do so. First, the feds have nukes. Second, violent revolution is unChristian and unBiblical. We must beat our swords into plowshares and use persuasion to abolish tyranny. This is time for a revolution of ideas.
Revolution Won't Come in a Day
John Adams once wrote that the American Revolution began in 1761, when Massachusetts attorney James Otis began legal challenges to the Writs of Assistance. He lost the case, but "American independence," Adams wrote, "was
then and there born." Now do the math. That means it took 15 years to convince the rest of America to declare Independence (1776). Then another seven years of war was required before a Peace Treaty was signed (1783), and then six years before the Constitution was finally ratified (1789). That's almost 30 years. (And Jefferson said we shouldn't go 20 years
without another rebellion!) How can we hope to convince Americans to fight for principles they were never taught in government schools? We need to be in this battle for the long term. "Eternal Vigilance is the Price of Liberty."
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Action E-List Sign up for the JBS Action E-List and be notified when you can make a critical difference on important issues.
Help End the Mexican Civil War
Black-market profits caused by drug prohibition fund a civil war in Mexico that's threatening to spill over our borders. Drug profits also fuel the terrorists who are killing U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan. It's time to dry up the black-market profits. It's time to end drug prohibition.
Make Congress Read Their Bills Before Voting
Make Congress read every word of every bill they create before they vote on it.
Urge your Representative and your Senators to sponsor DownsizeDC.org's “Read the Bills Act” (RTBA).
End the FED
The Federal Reserve System constantly inflates and deflates the supply of money and credit, causing booms and busts. It's time to get off this roller-coaster. It's time to end the Fed.
No Bailouts!
No government money, whether borrowed or taxed, should ever be used to bailout private financial interests. If you agree, please send Congress a message telling them so.
TWIC - A Backdoor Real ID Card
Real ID is dying. But the Department of Homeland Security has a new plan to subject every American to a national ID card anyway. They plan to pick off one occupational field at a time, starting with the maritime industry. One man is fighting back. Meet him, and help stop this backdoor Real ID plan.
Stop the Killer Horse Hormones
The FDA "outlawed" the use of Estriol, an estrogen medication that's bio-identical to human estrogen. Doctors must now prescribe animal-derived estrogen instead. Are bio-identical hormones dangerous, while animal-derived hormones are safe? No. The practice of medicine is moving to chemically identical to human hormones and away from animal hormones. Learn why the FDA decided to endanger women's health in this way, and take action.
End Asset Forfeiture
If the government suspects you used your house or car in a crime, they can take it and sell it at auction. They don't even have to prove your guilt. They call this practice civil asset forfeiture, but it's really theft. It violates the 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th and 14th Amendments. It also encourages law enforcement to put profits before justice. Tell Congress to end civil asset forfeiture.
Support an Iraq Referendum
Americans keep debating when, how, or if to leave Iraq. Maybe we should ask the Iraqi people what they want. After all, it's their country. Tell Congress to request that the Iraqi government hold a public referendum on the U.S. occupation. Learn more »
Make Congress read every word of every bill they create before they vote on it.
Urge your Representative and your Senators to sponsor DownsizeDC.org's “Read the Bills Act” (RTBA).
Unelected bureaucrats create tens-of-thousands of new dictates each year. Making rules is the job of Congress, not bureaucrats.
DownsizeDC.org has drafted the “Write the Laws Act” to end bureaucratic “legislation without representation.” Click here . . .
"Cap and Trade" is not the way
The politicians seem to be unifying around "cap and trade" as a way to cut CO2 emissions. If they take this step it may be the largest increase in the size, scope, and intrusiveness of government since the creation of Medicare. Worse still, it may not even achieve its purpose. Please tell Congress to oppose "cap and trade." Learn more »
Iraq Waste
Big government prospers through failure. Each new failure is used to justify more spending and new powers. Wasteful spending in Iraq is the latest example. One way to change this is to hold government accountable. A new bill in Congress seeks to provide some of the needed accountability. Please support it. Learn more »
Stop the War for Terror U.S. policy has inflamed the Middle East. It has made terrorism more likely rather than less. We seem to be fighting a war for terror, rather than on terror. This policy must stop. The place to start stopping is with Iran. We must not attack Iran. War with Iran would devastate our economy, disrupt world oil supplies, and recruit more terrorists. Click
here to stop this war before it starts.
Click herefor a replay of this edition of the Ozarks Virtual Town Hall
