Let me first thank those of you who sent birthday wishes yesterday. At my age, 53, you tend to overlook your birthday but it was very nice to hear so many well wishes. It actually started on Saturday, as the nice folks in the Fairfield Harbor section of Craven County greeted me with birthday wishes as I spoke at their precinct meeting. I left with many new friends and supporters, energized with the enthusiasm that is generated with every event I attend.
Of course, many of you saw the front page article in the Raleigh News and Observer Sunday. It is yet another example of our message getting out. If you doubt it, read the quote from former State Party Chairman Ferrell Blount. “He is not the Walter Jones we elected in 1994.” Sound familiar?
It is also reassuring to see that when people take the time to look at the facts objectively, they discover that Walter Jones’ voting record is off base with his constituents on many more issues than support of the troops. His continued assertion that he is a conservative who believes in less government and less spending is laughable in the face of his voting record for some of the most outrageous pork projects in recent memory.
The article also addresses the rumor around Washington D.C. that Walter is considering a move back to his roots with a return to the Democratic Party. He has been openly courted by the liberal left and his voting record shows that it wouldn’t be a huge leap. You would think that if a so called conservative Republican were asked about switching to the Pelosi, Kennedy and Clinton controlled Democratic Party, the answer would be a resounding “No Chance!”. Well, in interview after interview, his answer is always hedged with comments like “At this point” or “At the present time”. In fact, read a portion of his most detailed answer on record from an article in The Hill, when asked earlier this year whether he was contemplating a switch. “I just take each day as it comes. I certainly think about where I will be a year or two or three years from now….” Jones said.
Is this the type of man we want representing us in Congress? Do we want a man who cannot make a commitment to his Party? Do we want a man who cannot make a commitment to support our troops, whether he agrees with the mission or not? Do we want a man who no longer represents the will of his constituents?
I think I know your answer to all these questions. I hear you say it each time I speak with you. Let there be no doubt: Joe McLaughlin will stand for the values that you stand for. I will defend your right to debate the issues surrounding the war, but never waver in support of the troops that are fighting that war. I will vote to uphold your strong values on the issues of sanctity of life and marriage, without hiding behind those conservative stances in order to mask a liberal voting record on almost all other key issues. I will demand that our borders be controlled and never vote for any legislation that would provide a fast-track to citizenship for those who entered this country illegally.
As your Congressman, I might sometimes disagree with my leadership, but I will never disgrace the Party of great men like Ronald Reagan by being a Republican in Name Only. There will never be articles written in newspapers asking questions about why I was voting with the liberal left and against the people I am supposed to represent. I will not sell out my principles in return from political favors from the liberal left.
It’s time we took our Congressional seat back. Whether Walter Jones runs as a Democrat, Republican or Unaffiliated is no concern to me. The citizens of this district want a conservative and I will represent your conservative values. I just need your help to get there. Please keep spreading the word.
Link to the News and Observer Article
http://www.newsobserver.com/politics/story/705713.html
See you on the campaign trail!
Joe
Quote of the Week: "The American people need to be assured that they have a government that supports the commander-in-chief as he seeks to protect our country."
Walter Jones, October 2002. How things have changed.
Showing posts with label Joe Goes to Washington. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joe Goes to Washington. Show all posts
Monday, September 17, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
Mr. McLaughlin Goes to Washington!
Last week I spent two busy days in Washington D.C. and I have to tell you, the trip left me even more convinced we are on the right path.
The schedule was packed full of meetings with conservative leaders and activists, from whom I felt privileged to hear their views on the campaign and share my vision of being the next Congressman to represent the Third District. I thought I’d spend the next few Mondays sharing with you my views on some of the topics discussed in Washington and how those views compare to the record of my expected primary opponent, Walter B. Jones Jr.
The most often talked about issue in Washington was spending & taxes. We'll start off this series with a look at spending. Despite Walter Jones’ constant talk of being a fiscal conservative, his voting record tells a different story.
The Club for Growth is a national network of thousands of Americans, from all walks of life, who believe that prosperity and opportunity come through economic freedom. The club has an excellent website at www.clubforgrowth.org where you can view their 2007 Congressional RePork Card. This is a listing of how members of Congress voted on the 50 “Anti-Pork” Amendments that were put forward this year. There you will find some examples of the outrageous appropriations of taxpayer dollars and then details as to which Congressmen voted to leave this wasteful spending in the budget by voting against these amendments. It is encouraging to see that 16 Congressmen, all Republicans, voted for every one of the 50 Amendments. The average score for Republicans was 43%. The average score for Democrats was 2%. Do you think our “conservative” Congressman’s score fell closer to the Democrats or Republicans? Well, Walter Jones scored an embarrassing 18%! Jones’ vote in favor of wasteful spending and siding with the Democrat leadership was 39 of 50! Does that sound like the voting record of a conservative?
Unlike Jones’, I will not engage in paying off my political friends with special “earmarks” to fund their pet projects using your tax dollars. I have the fortitude to stand firm in my commitment to reduce wasteful spending and make sure that as many of your tax dollars stay where they belong: In your pocket. Hopefully, Americans will come to their senses next year and reestablish a Republican majority in both chambers and that majority will learn from the mistakes of the past and make the same fiscal commitments I have just made. However, even if the Democrats are still in control, I will not sacrifice my principles in hopes of getting payback in the form of a larger office, a better parking space or a few “trinkets” for the folks back home. After 13 years as a Washington insider, Walter Jones has sold you out. I never will never forget the people of my district and turn my back on them as he has.
Please continue to forward this email to as many people as you can. Keep spreading the word that it’s time for a change.
See you on the campaign trail!
Joe
Quote of the Week: "Those earmarks equal one thing: unnecessary pork barrel spending. In 1994 I promised to come to Washington and do my best to eliminate this kind of wasteful spending, not expand it. While the Constitution allows the Congress to make expenditures on behalf of the American people, especially in times of war, the amount of spending in this bill goes far beyond the scope of anything envisioned by our founding fathers."
Walter B. Jones Jr., Dec. 8, 2003, explaining why he voted against the Republican Omnibus spending bill. How times have changed.
The schedule was packed full of meetings with conservative leaders and activists, from whom I felt privileged to hear their views on the campaign and share my vision of being the next Congressman to represent the Third District. I thought I’d spend the next few Mondays sharing with you my views on some of the topics discussed in Washington and how those views compare to the record of my expected primary opponent, Walter B. Jones Jr.
The most often talked about issue in Washington was spending & taxes. We'll start off this series with a look at spending. Despite Walter Jones’ constant talk of being a fiscal conservative, his voting record tells a different story.
The Club for Growth is a national network of thousands of Americans, from all walks of life, who believe that prosperity and opportunity come through economic freedom. The club has an excellent website at www.clubforgrowth.org where you can view their 2007 Congressional RePork Card. This is a listing of how members of Congress voted on the 50 “Anti-Pork” Amendments that were put forward this year. There you will find some examples of the outrageous appropriations of taxpayer dollars and then details as to which Congressmen voted to leave this wasteful spending in the budget by voting against these amendments. It is encouraging to see that 16 Congressmen, all Republicans, voted for every one of the 50 Amendments. The average score for Republicans was 43%. The average score for Democrats was 2%. Do you think our “conservative” Congressman’s score fell closer to the Democrats or Republicans? Well, Walter Jones scored an embarrassing 18%! Jones’ vote in favor of wasteful spending and siding with the Democrat leadership was 39 of 50! Does that sound like the voting record of a conservative?
Unlike Jones’, I will not engage in paying off my political friends with special “earmarks” to fund their pet projects using your tax dollars. I have the fortitude to stand firm in my commitment to reduce wasteful spending and make sure that as many of your tax dollars stay where they belong: In your pocket. Hopefully, Americans will come to their senses next year and reestablish a Republican majority in both chambers and that majority will learn from the mistakes of the past and make the same fiscal commitments I have just made. However, even if the Democrats are still in control, I will not sacrifice my principles in hopes of getting payback in the form of a larger office, a better parking space or a few “trinkets” for the folks back home. After 13 years as a Washington insider, Walter Jones has sold you out. I never will never forget the people of my district and turn my back on them as he has.
Please continue to forward this email to as many people as you can. Keep spreading the word that it’s time for a change.
See you on the campaign trail!
Joe
Quote of the Week: "Those earmarks equal one thing: unnecessary pork barrel spending. In 1994 I promised to come to Washington and do my best to eliminate this kind of wasteful spending, not expand it. While the Constitution allows the Congress to make expenditures on behalf of the American people, especially in times of war, the amount of spending in this bill goes far beyond the scope of anything envisioned by our founding fathers."
Walter B. Jones Jr., Dec. 8, 2003, explaining why he voted against the Republican Omnibus spending bill. How times have changed.
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