Archive for December, 2009

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.