After listening to the President’s State of the Union Address I have come but to one conclusion- our President has little regard for individual liberties and views “big government” as the solution for issues our nation is facing. His inability to recognize that his massive expansion of government has not fixed a single thing and the voice of the American people don’t have his ear.

His desire to pass Health Care “reform” in which the people overwhelmingly have said “WE the People” don’t want your Plan, indicates he hasn’t taken the time to listen to both sides. Yet, he want’s unity from Congress in this matter and views the opposition as somehow a personal attack on him personally. It is not a personal issue Mr. President, but is the American people’s voice that isn’t being heard and I will stand up for them long before I stand up for your agenda that is laden with “behind closed doors deals”.

You, Mr. President, were hired by “WE the People”, not the special interest groups, the union bosses, and lobbyists. You convinced the American people that a $787 BILLION Stimulus bill would keep unemployment below 8%, yet no jobs are being created, people are losing their homes, and the banks and Wall Streeter’s are standing on solid and profitable ground.

Small businesses are under attack as you press for Cap and Trade, Health Care, and “Card Check”. As I listen to these business owners, they feel threatened by your agenda and will most likely not survive your onslaught of taxes and fees. Yet, you offer the smoke and mirrors that “capital gains tax reductions” and “hiring credits” which in reality, will not create jobs. “Capital gains” don’t happen in a small business, but it’s capital investment in people, in expansion of inventories, and increased business activity they need. Investment in those areas make business succeed and are never subject to any “capital gains taxes”, but are what fuel the economic engine of our nation and result in those PROFITS you want to tax even more. We are not stupid Mr. President as you pandered the those who have never owned a business and won’t understand either, when they lose their source of family income when their employer closes his doors.

Good speeches don’t pay the bills of the ordinary American, jobs do. Cap and Trade, Health Care, and bank bailouts don’t put food on the table, jobs do. More regulations and higher taxes on our Small Businesses, and the threats of even more, don’t cause economic growth, and won’t create new JOBS, Mr. President.

Making college tuition loans part of a Government sounds all nice and fuzzy and having payback in 20 years has a nice ring to it, but making Public Service a condition of a 10 year payoff tells me that more expansion of GOVERNMENT is on the table for this Administration. Mr. President, the PEOPLE want LESS government, and and end to the deficits and your plans will produce another $1.9 TRILLION this year alone. Sooner or later, Mr. President, no nation will want our Debt instruments (bonds), as they aren’t so sure that your agenda will bring back the needed economic growth to pay back that debt.

It is time for Fiscal responsibility from our government and that means accepting the fact we are spending far too much, not taking the steps to cut the size and scope of government, and to offer a “spending freeze” that isn’t really a “freeze” on the areas where government needs massive overhaul. THAT, Mr. President is nothing more than pandering to the American people and is simply more “smoke and mirrors” that the American people are tired of. You promised to cut spending,  not increase it 25% so you could simply freeze a mere $20 billion.

You want to create more exports from our nation, yet, what did you put on the table that would bring more manufacturing from American shores? Those jobs are gone to where Mr. President? Let me give you that answer- China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and India. You can’t export things you aren’t making, so those cargo ships that come into Jacksonville’s Port, simple return with the ONLY thing we seem to be exporting- AIR.

I’m sorry Mr. President, but your agenda falls well short of the desires of WE the PEOPLE. Excuses and “blame Bush” will no longer cut it for your failures and inability to listen to what the American people are telling you. No longer will promises of transparency, no lobbyists, and no back room deals for the cronies be acceptable as every single promise you ran on have been broken. We are a Representative Republic Mr. President, not a nation that you “RULE”, but one you GOVERN. You can’t govern unless you listen and you have lost the trust of those who hired you. Our government has 3 distinct branches Mr. President, and your chastising the Supreme Court indicates that you feel all 3 are there for you pleasure, and you don’t understand their roles are to protect us from the very tyrannical “RULE” you wish to impose.

Like any CEO will tell you, without the results you promised, the stockholders want a new direction. Let’s make sure we bring that new direction that works to our nation in 2010 and put our nation back in the hands of WE THE PEOPLE. Let’s not be lulled to sleep by a great speech, but compare the words to the actions and the actions have fallen far short.

Careful analysis of the attempted bombing of Northwest flight 253 shows that this Administration has without a doubt, no clue what it is doing to protect American citizens from further terrorists attacks. Statements by Homeland Security head Janet Napolitano indicates that as long as no one got hurt, nothing is that imperative to “fix”. Changes to security policy are nothing more than “window dressing” to attempt to cover their mistakes.

The additional “security measures” that have been implemented are targeting the wrong people. Seldom are you going to find a terrorist that is a 78 year old grandmother or a 45 year old man traveling on business. Nor is a family of 4 going to Grandma’s house for the holidays likely suspects to attempt an attack on an airplane. Yet, we see the implementation of “no books on your lap” or “no standing in the last hour” of your flight. Longer security scans and longer wait times are simply NOT going to stop terrorist attacks.

What WILL stop them is making a realistic determination of the profile of what type of person has attempted a terrorist attack and subjecting them to further screening. Putting the American traveler through the wringer to board an airplane will NOT stop an attack. Preventing those who fit the profile of  a suspected or possible terrorist  from boarding an airplane will.

We are appearing to be heading to a 9/10/2001 mentality from our government security departments. Instead of calling it what it is- a TERRORIST ATTACK- it is being viewed as a violation of law. This administration is fearful of denying a foreigner his “civil rights” to the point of subjecting American citizens to disgraceful and intimidating search and seizure of property and privacy. But allow someone from a foreign country to attempt to board a plane and you get the “go ahead sir/madam” for fear of legal actions by the one needing further inspection.

American citizens are the ONLY persons that I feel have any “rights” protected under the Constitution. I have yet to read in that document where we extend those rights to anyone in this nation who is NOT a citizen. Every American has the right to demand our government take measures to prevent those who would do us harm from even entering this nation. Yet, time and time again, there seems to be a mentality that no longer protects OUR citizens, but bends over backwards to extend even greater rights to violators who are not citizens. This is reflected in not only our airline security measures, but in our educational institutions, our illegal immigrant policies, and any number of government “benefits” extended to non-citizens.

Mike believes that it is time to stop targeting American citizens with increased security measures and instead, start targeting those who are the actual terrorists. The “anti-profiling” measures being adopted by this administration is only going to ultimately lead to another widespread terror attack. It is time to take measures to stop those who fit the profile of a terrorist and end the denial of our own citizens the right to travel freely and without measures being instigated by DHS that will do absolutely nothing to prevent a terrorist attack.

Mike further calls for the resignation letter from DHS head Janet Napolitano. Her remarks that “the system worked” and her previous releases of reports targeting “domestic terrorists” as someone with certain “bumper stickers” only indicates that she is out of touch with the realities of terrorism and who the real terrorists are. Her lack of willingness to seal our borders from illegal entry are also indications that the real security measures needed are not being addressed properly by her DHS policy.

Mike believes that it is also time for Congress to make provisions that will allow our various agencies to once again define and target those persons entering our country who seek to do us harm. Without the proper legal protections to “profile” suspected terrorists, then further attempts by groups like the ACLU will continue to attempt to secure “rights”  for those seeking to kill Americans. Mike believes that it is time for Congress to address that rights are not extended to those committing terrorist attacks and who are not American citizens.

If you believe as Mike does, and are tired of American citizens being the ones suffering from this Administrations botched security measures, then join him and bring real leadership to this District. It is time for leadership in National Security and time to end the overbearing regulations on our own citizens that will do nothing to protect us. It is time to elect leaders and not those fearful of making the tough decisions. Volunteer, donate, and join our efforts.

Today, Seminole Electric shelved a 3rd unit construction project at their Putnam County facility. With that announcement, the energy needs for growth in Putnam and Clay counties went with it. This coal fired unit was going to the largest of the generation units and capable of producing 750 megawatts of new, much needed electricity for Putnam and Clay counties. Seminole is one of the major suppliers of the Clay Electric Cooperative.

This project, located in the heart of the 3rd Congressional District, would have created over 1,500 new construction jobs at a time when the construction trades are at an all time low. Add to that, the economic impact it would have created to a very hard hit area because of this recession just washed down the St. Johns River with this announcement.

Seminole company spokesman, Jeff Fela announced the end of the project:

“because of the uncertain regulatory and legal environment related to coal-fired generation.”

Add to this, the price of coal is expected to rise with the closure of several coal projects in West Virginia due to the EPA revoking the licenses of several coal mines being planned. Consolidated Coal also announcing their “Christmas bonus” for 600 employees in their central West Virginia operations. They would be losing their jobs- all due to EPA regulations and permits possibly being revoked.

Mike’s statement is simple and to the point:

“This is but another indication of the insanity coming from this Administration’s policies. It’s not about creating private sector jobs but about government once again forcing an agenda on the energy needs of this District and this nation.”

Mike further added,

“They would rather spend $2.6 BILLION of taxpayers dollars on a SunRail project that is going to lead to taxpayers subsidizing millions annually than allow private enterprise to meet the future energy needs of our nation. This is but another example of abject failure of government and the insanity it is creating for our nations future.”

This project would have allowed more development in one of the most economically depressed areas of Florida. Again, it shows the failure of leadership by Rep. Corrine Brown for the people of Clay and Putnam counties. Instead, she would rather build a commuter rail project from Tampa to Orlando that is not going to meet the objectives of ridership that will reduce capacity on I-4. There is no transportation modalities at the ends of this project, and when people are going to want to see one of their kids at a ball game or school event, there is no way to get there except to drive.

Once again, Mike sees the wasteful spending and calls it what it is- more budget busting failures from Rep. Corrine Brown. To use the reasoning that “if we don’t use it (Stimulus money) for this, then some other State will” is far from justification enough to build the Sunrail. It was touted as “high speed rail” and now it is nothing more than a 61 mile above ground commuter rail project almost identical to the Tri Rail in S. Florida that consumes $10-15 million in taxpayers dollars. It’s wasteful “Spend and Tax” at it’s finest and more generational theft from the resulting debt.

The failed and forced policies of this Administration and the Pelosi/Reid/Corrine Brown Congress would rather put real JOBS, real economic growth, and the real job creators out in the cold and build a railroad that Putnam and Clay counties will pay for.

If you agree with Mike and want to see an end to the misguided and costly job-killing regulations, then your contribution today will bring real, common sense Conservative leadership to Washington. Bring real economic growth, real jobs, and real prosperity to the 3rd District by helping elect Mike and telling Rep. Corrine Brown to file her retirement paperwork.

As the Florida Legislature debates the future of Florida’s high speed rail development, often referred to as SunRail, one has to wonder why Rep. Corrine Brown is assuring the State of Florida that funding from the Federal government will be available. I have to ask, is this going to be another Amtrak in the making? or another Florida rail system, Tri-Rail in south Florida, currently being subsidized by taxpayers?

Last year, 2008, Amtrak routes running in Florida lost over $145 per passenger for the Silver Star, and the Auto Train, $69 per passenger. Both of these trains combined routes serve the Tampa-Orlando and the Orlando/Sanford-Miami corridors, yet both have constantly lost money. Ridership is at a near all-time low and dropping monthly.

Tri-Rail, the South Florida commuter rail service, is in need today of between $13 and $15 MILLION in subsidies just to keep running. Their ridership currently is around 13,000 per day and even at that level of ridership, has lost money since it’s inception. The Sunrail project is going to be another annual commitment for Florida taxpayers to fund.

What is at issue is the $2.6 billion in Federal Stimulus funding of the Sun Rail project for the Tampa to Orlando route for initial construction. In 2004, once Florida voters understood the real costs of building a high speed rail system, it was flatly rejected. With the Obama administration once again providing the funding with the Stimulus Bill, it seems that everyone is clamoring once again for another slice of that taxpayer funded pie. Again, no one seems to be asking the tough questions about the continual need to subsidize these rail services once built and operational. Because these systems are running on tracks currently owned by private railways, the funding is also going to subsidize their freight services with special tax considerations for those subsidies. CSX stands to gain millions in property acquisition and roadbed leasing costs alone.

It is these types of projects that are proving to do nothing but continue to add to the Federal Deficits each and every year and subsequently add to the already $12 Trillion in debt that is continually rising. It is a burden on taxpayers that will continue in perpetuity unless it is ended once and for all. Keep the profitable routes and end the rest. No amount of funding is going to change the fact that an Amtrak trip from Jacksonville to Washington, D.C. is going to take 14 hours and cost upwards of $120 one way. The drive by automobile is less time and for far less money and a 4 hour airline flight isn’t going to cost that much more either.

No doubt, these projects are going to be infused with further Federal funding through additional earmarks from Rep. Corrine Brown. Her latest press release already indicates her desire to fund this losing proposition and no doubt through the earmark process for future budget items brought before Congress.

Mike believes it is time to stop this fiscal irresponsibility  and call an end to Federal funding of the abject failure in the high speed rail model. The private railroads ended passenger service in the late 1950’s for a reason- they could no longer continue to break even or generate a single cent of profit on an annual basis. No amount of nostalgic appeal, “wishing” for a successful venture in rail transportation, or “built it and they will ride” mentality is going to change the facts- the taxpayers must subsidize these ventures just to keep them running.

You can help Mike bring about an end to this type of government waste and fiscal irresponsibility. Volunteer, tell others, and donate to his campaign today.

If you haven’t read or heard about the “Climategate” scandal, you should have. The Climate Research Unit (CRU) in East Anglia, England had their email server hacked and several hundred of their emails have been released publicly. None of these bode well for the CRU and their “manipulation” of the data used to prove “Climate Change” is being caused by “man-made sources”. They also reveal a very unscientific manner in refusing Freedom of Information requests, deleting data, forging and “tricking” data, and overtaking peer review journals that have dissenting editors reviewing their work. No one in the CRU is denying their authenticity.

To take raw data, “trick” it into making it support your hypothesis isn’t science. Refusing peer review of your data sets (raw), analysis of your computer programs that generate the models, and refusing FOI requests is simply very bad science and obtuse at best. To expect any government body, specifically the IPCC arm of the United Nations, to rely on your “research” in developing legislation or policy is absurd in light of these emails.

Here are the facts regarding the CRU:

1. American taxpayers have been funding the CRU in England for years through various grants directly and through the NOAA
2. The U.N.’s IPCC has been relying heavily on their “research” to develop the Kyoto and Copenhagen Climate Change treaties.
3. The House and Senate version of the Cap and Trade bills are heavily relying on the CRU’s “science” in assuming man-made global warming exists.

Under the Kyoto and the Copenhagen accords, highly industrial nations are going to be required to literally TAX energy. Our scheme in Congress requires the purchase of carbon credits to offset excessive emissions of CO2 over and above the “Cap” you are allotted. These “credits” are going to be a new form of “security” that will be sold like stocks and bonds and will be available to the highest bidder if a companies initial allotment of these carbon credits exceeds their needs. Alternative and renewable energy sources are exempt, but any carbon based fuels used to generate electricity, fuels to run our vehicles, or industries that use carbon based fuels to manufacture products (ie. Steel) will be forced to buy credits over and above their “cap” of CO2. Because these “credits” are traded on the open market, the Goldman-Sachs, the G.E.’s, and others engaged in the trading of Carbon Credits will generate unbelievable profits.

YOUR energy costs will rise as well. Electricity and gasoline prices will skyrocket. Prices for ALL goods transported by any means will rise as well due to increase in transportation costs. It is estimated that 1.9 million jobs will be shed as well as many factories and industries will simply shut down due to these increased energy costs.

The Copenhagen Treaty will assure that our nation, with our existing industries, will pay into the IMF (through initial carbon-credit allocation purchases) and will finance the growth of third world economies by assuring them they can have industries and factories that will allow them to “catch up” to the rest of the world. These low to no interest “loans” will come from the IMF as well as from investments by the Investment Bankers (Goldman-Sachs to name one), the G.E.’s, and any OTHER companies who are now located in the United States and need a good “excuse” to move even more American jobs to developing nations.

ALL of this is being done with YOUR tax dollars. Consider that these utilities, manufacturers, and oil companies that will pay for these “carbon credits”, will pass their costs directly to YOU in the form of higher prices. As more and more of our energy consuming industries move to these “developing nations”, our economic growth base declines. Energy needs WILL be reduced in America and production of energy sources in developing nations explodes- economically and in quantity. Since they are NOT subject to “cap and trade” schemes, the cost of doing business in these countries is so much less, it means OUR industries are moved overseas and we are left with virtually none. Simply look at the number of factories moved to China, Mexico, and Indonesia since the NAFTA treaty and you get the idea of what America is going to look like in a few short years.

Relying on BAD SCIENCE is going to devastate our nations economy even further should the Waxman-Markey Cap and Trade act pass, or if ANY Senate bill passes and the two are subject to reconciliation by both bodies of Congress. Once again, the Liberals in Congress have discovered another way to “SPREAD THE WEALTH AROUND”, and it’s NOT to Americans!! They are selling out America and relying on VERY BAD SCIENCE to do so. Rep. Corrine Brown voted FOR this devastation of our American industries and the loss of jobs to follow should it become law.

It is time for Americans to know the truth and to take action to stop this bill from ever moving to debate. I suspect that the Senate isn’t going to listen as the leadership will push for a vote after the first of the year to consider debate on this bill in spite of “BAD SCIENCE” used to even consider such legislation. It has NOTHING to do with your understanding of the effects on our nation’s economy, but everything to do with making sure YOUR wealth disappears,  and OUR NATIONS’ capability from ever recovering doesn’t happen. It is all about making YOU dependent on government for more and more of your basic needs, and entrenching their power for generations to come.

I ask that you take action to make sure that Common Sense, Conservatives are elected in 2010. Volunteer, tell others, and make a financial contribution to help Mike get elected. He understands the devastation that will happen with Cap and Trade and the Copenhagen treaty will have on our nation and our economy. Mike will work to make sure that America comes first and that WE THE PEOPLE have control of our government once again. It’s time to tell these Special Interest groups, lobbyists, and the Al Gore’s that it’s time they stopped getting rich off the backs of the American people with your bad science and schemes to defraud us all.

Help elect Mike to Congress and put Common Sense back to work for YOU!