The following comes from a press release from Congresswoman Virginia Foxx.
Foxx launches new Congressional web site
New web site features streamlined navigation, videos, RSS
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx (NC-05) today announced the launch of a completely redesigned Congressional web site at www.foxx.house.gov. The new site incorporates web video, the latest congressional news, information about constituent services and background on legislation and votes in Congress.
“The Internet is one of the best tools available for communicating with my constituents,” Foxx said. “My new web site uses a variety of technologies to keep constituents informed about the issues before Congress, including videos, e-mail and online legislative search tools.”
Web-design experts at the non-partisan Congressional Management Foundation recently named Rep. Foxx’s web site one of the best in Congress. The redesigned site builds on the success of the previous web site and introduces new user-friendly features such as RSS feeds and comprehensive sections dedicated to groups like seniors or students.
“I hope my new web site serves as a one-stop-shop for constituents who need information about the federal government, or who want to know what is happening in Congress or who simply want to get in touch with me about the important issues facing North Carolinians,” Foxx said.
The new web site also includes tools to assist constituents in applying for federal grants, resolving issues with federal government agencies or securing a nomination to one of the five Service Academies. In addition, the site outlines the application process for students who wish to serve as Congressional interns or pages.
Congresswoman Foxx today also reminded constituents to check out her Congressional YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/RepVirginiaFoxx. Her channel is updated weekly with her latest floor speeches, committee hearings and web videos on recent issues and legislation.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Whatever Happened To Personal Accountability?
One thing that we should put on the endangered species list is personal accountability. Unfortunately, it seems to have disappeared in America. Well, you do see it from time to time but it's usually not from someone in the national spotlight. All to often we see personal accountability give way to a victim mentality. "I was misunderstood!" "My words have been taken out of context!" "What I really meant was..." "The media is out to get me!" These are the whiney weasel words we hear instead of the appropriate mea culpa.
Let's get personal accountability off the endangered species list. We can do it! How? When you've made a mistake, take responsibility for your actions. Don't try to hide it, blame someone else for it or pretend it didn't happen. And while we bring personal accountability back in our lives we need to demand it from those who serve the public interests as elected officials.
Let's get personal accountability off the endangered species list. We can do it! How? When you've made a mistake, take responsibility for your actions. Don't try to hide it, blame someone else for it or pretend it didn't happen. And while we bring personal accountability back in our lives we need to demand it from those who serve the public interests as elected officials.
Monday, April 21, 2008
For in politics, as in religion, it is equally absurd to aim at making proselytes by fire and sword.
I've been reading through The Federalist Papers written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay in 1787. I've come across some thoughts that are just as timely now as they were when first written. I will be sharing some of these in this post and some upcoming posts as well.
Here are some great thoughts from The Federalist No. 1: "...we are not always sure that those who advocate the truth are influenced by purer principles than their antagonists. Ambition, avarice, personal animosity, party opposition, and many other motives not more laudable than these, are apt to operate as well upon those who support as those who oppose the right side of a question. Were there not even these inducements to moderation, nothing could be more ill-judged than that intolerant spirit which has, at all times, characterized political parties. For in politics, as in religion, it is equally absurd to aim at making proselytes by fire and sword."
When I first read this it made me think of the talking heads and pundits that try so hard to convince us about a position, a party or a politician. Woe on you if you don't drink the kool-aid they offer. No one should hold a position on an issue or hold to a principle as true just because it is the party line. Truth is truth no matter how many are against it and wrong is wrong no matter how many are for it.
Here are some great thoughts from The Federalist No. 1: "...we are not always sure that those who advocate the truth are influenced by purer principles than their antagonists. Ambition, avarice, personal animosity, party opposition, and many other motives not more laudable than these, are apt to operate as well upon those who support as those who oppose the right side of a question. Were there not even these inducements to moderation, nothing could be more ill-judged than that intolerant spirit which has, at all times, characterized political parties. For in politics, as in religion, it is equally absurd to aim at making proselytes by fire and sword."
When I first read this it made me think of the talking heads and pundits that try so hard to convince us about a position, a party or a politician. Woe on you if you don't drink the kool-aid they offer. No one should hold a position on an issue or hold to a principle as true just because it is the party line. Truth is truth no matter how many are against it and wrong is wrong no matter how many are for it.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
From A Founding Father
"That, as a republic is the best of governments, so that particul ararrangements of the powers of society, or, in other words, that form of government which is best contrived to secure an impartial and exact execution of the laws, is the best of republics." John Adams
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Thank You Readers!!
Today at 3:21pm The Conservative Voice reached a milestone - the 1000th hit from a reader! I never expected I would have that many hits on my blog when I wrote my first post on November 3, 2007. Thank you readers, I appreciate it!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Foxx Works On Behalf Of Bloggers To Protect First Amendment Rights
The following is from a press release from NC Congresswoman Virginia Foxx.
Foxx works to protect First Amendment rights of bloggers
Co-sponsors legislation that ensures bloggers’ right to political expression
Washington, DC—Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (NC-5) today announced her co-sponsorship of the Blogger Protection Act of 2008 (H.R. 5699), a bill that safeguards the First Amendment rights of bloggers. The Blogger Protection Act will transform current regulations that protect bloggers’ rights into permanent federal law.
“Bloggers are a vital part of our national dialogue,” Foxx said. “Everyday, countless Americans take part in the political process via the blogosphere—breaking news, checking facts and voicing support or opposition to various candidates. We must ensure their rights are protected.”
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) issued regulations two years ago to ensure bloggers’ free speech rights were not infringed upon by certain campaign finance laws. This ruling protected bloggers from misinterpretations of the law. Concerns had been raised that some people might construe bloggers writing about or linking to federal campaigns as a contribution or expenditure on behalf of (or in opposition to) a candidate.
Additionally, the FEC ruled that blogs should be treated like any other publication under federal campaign laws. Without such protections, bloggers could be subject to various limitations and reporting requirements under campaign finance law. But all of these blogger protections are merely regulatory—they are not in the law and can be changed without congressional action.
“We must not leave the First Amendment rights of bloggers in the hands of the Federal Election Commission,” Foxx said. “Bloggers’ rights are too important to leave them to the whims of a panel of federal regulators.”
Note: H.R. 5699 does not alter contribution limits to candidates merely because the contributions are made online. Rather, the bill would turn existing regulations into law. It would protect activities such as bloggers linking to campaign websites and editorializing about candidates and would ensure that these activities are not regarded as contributions to candidates.
Foxx works to protect First Amendment rights of bloggers
Co-sponsors legislation that ensures bloggers’ right to political expression
Washington, DC—Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (NC-5) today announced her co-sponsorship of the Blogger Protection Act of 2008 (H.R. 5699), a bill that safeguards the First Amendment rights of bloggers. The Blogger Protection Act will transform current regulations that protect bloggers’ rights into permanent federal law.
“Bloggers are a vital part of our national dialogue,” Foxx said. “Everyday, countless Americans take part in the political process via the blogosphere—breaking news, checking facts and voicing support or opposition to various candidates. We must ensure their rights are protected.”
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) issued regulations two years ago to ensure bloggers’ free speech rights were not infringed upon by certain campaign finance laws. This ruling protected bloggers from misinterpretations of the law. Concerns had been raised that some people might construe bloggers writing about or linking to federal campaigns as a contribution or expenditure on behalf of (or in opposition to) a candidate.
Additionally, the FEC ruled that blogs should be treated like any other publication under federal campaign laws. Without such protections, bloggers could be subject to various limitations and reporting requirements under campaign finance law. But all of these blogger protections are merely regulatory—they are not in the law and can be changed without congressional action.
“We must not leave the First Amendment rights of bloggers in the hands of the Federal Election Commission,” Foxx said. “Bloggers’ rights are too important to leave them to the whims of a panel of federal regulators.”
Note: H.R. 5699 does not alter contribution limits to candidates merely because the contributions are made online. Rather, the bill would turn existing regulations into law. It would protect activities such as bloggers linking to campaign websites and editorializing about candidates and would ensure that these activities are not regarded as contributions to candidates.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Foxx Files For Re-election!
Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (NC-5) filed for re-election on Feb 11, 2008. Representative Foxx has done a tremendous job representing her district in Washington. I urge all NC-5 voters to support her in her re-election bid.
You can read an article on her filing for re-election here.
To visit her campaign website, click here!
You can read an article on her filing for re-election here.
To visit her campaign website, click here!
A Tax Season Proposal From NC Congresswoman Virginia Foxx
This great article is from an email sent by Congresswoman Foxx on 4/2/08.
A Tax Season Proposal: Giving you a choice on tax withholding
Tax Withholding Act repeals mandatory tax withholding
By Congresswoman Virginia Foxx
If you are a North Carolina taxpayer you probably just filed your taxes or will submit your return to the IRS any day now. What you might not know is that for most North Carolinians, federal taxes will skyrocket over the next five years if nothing is done to stop the planned increase.
The 2009 federal budget, which I voted against, includes a $683 billion tax increase over the next five years. That translates into an average tax hike of $2,672 for hard-working North Carolina taxpayers. At a time when average folks are tightening their belts we can ill-afford such a punitive tax increase on the middle-class.
As part of my fight against higher taxes, I am working to help North Carolina taxpayers see the real burden that federal taxes place on their personal budgets. Unfortunately, a major obstacle stands in the way of taxpayers realizing how much tax they pay. It’s a system called mandatory withholding.
Have you ever wondered why you never really write a check to “pay” taxes to the federal government? The federal government takes its share out of your paycheck before you ever lay eyes on the money you earned. This is the essence of withholding.
The withholding system has been in place since 1943. It was instituted in a time of war when the federal government was desperate for a constant funding stream to help pay for the unprecedented war effort of World War II. At the time it was viewed as a way to ensure the government collected every dollar of tax that it levied to pay for the fight against fascism.
This was a time of great national sacrifice when some Americans paid a top income tax rate of 94 percent. High rates of taxation helped to fund an Allied victory, but according to the Treasury Department it also increased federal tax receipts by 520 percent in four short years.
Unfortunately for you, a wartime tax collecting system proved a little too successful and it was not repealed at the end of the war. The government couldn’t kill a mechanism that disguised the true burden of income taxes and thus withholding became the status quo.
In the language of government-speak, withholding is “a way to make tax collection easier.” In real-world terms, it’s a clever way to hide the heavy toll you pay in taxes and, by extension, the cost of government.
This is the worst part about withholding. It silently drains your paycheck before it gets to you, distorting the tremendous bite that federal taxes take out of your earnings.
The thinking goes that if you never get your hands on your money in the first place, you’ll never miss it. That’s government logic for you. And it’s this kind of logic that also helps disguise the negative impact that tax hikes have on your wallet.
If you don’t actually have to feel the pain of writing a check to Uncle Sam each month you are desensitized to future tax increases. The money just slips out of your paycheck and into the embrace of the federal government.
I believe that you are a better steward of your money than the faceless government bureaucracy. That’s why I’ve introduced legislation that does away with mandatory tax withholding. With my bill you have a choice to continue using withholding or to pay once during tax season.
You’d be free to keep the money you earn and then pay the tax you owe on your actual income at the end of the year. Some people might be tempted to complain about losing a “tax refund.”
With my bill you don’t lose a tax refund, you gain control over your finances. After all, a tax refund is simply the federal government admitting it’s confiscated too much of your hard-earned cash. Why not keep it in your bank account and earn the interest yourself?
My bill is called the Federal Tax Withholding Act of 2008 (H.R. 5175). Please let me know what you think of this legislation. I’d be honored to hear your thoughts on this bill or your ideas for other ways to keep the federal government out of your pocketbook and from meddling in your life.
In fact, on Tax Day, April 15th, I’ll be hosting a telephone town-hall from 7pm to 8pm on the topic of taxes and spending. Any constituent can call in and participate by dialing 877-850-4133 and entering the pass-code FOXX (3699). I hope you’ll be able to take part.
Note: Virginia Foxx is a United States Representative from North Carolina’s Fifth Congressional District. You may contact her office toll free at 1-866-677-8968 or e-mail her from her website, www.foxx.house.gov.
Tax Withholding Act repeals mandatory tax withholding
By Congresswoman Virginia Foxx
If you are a North Carolina taxpayer you probably just filed your taxes or will submit your return to the IRS any day now. What you might not know is that for most North Carolinians, federal taxes will skyrocket over the next five years if nothing is done to stop the planned increase.
The 2009 federal budget, which I voted against, includes a $683 billion tax increase over the next five years. That translates into an average tax hike of $2,672 for hard-working North Carolina taxpayers. At a time when average folks are tightening their belts we can ill-afford such a punitive tax increase on the middle-class.
As part of my fight against higher taxes, I am working to help North Carolina taxpayers see the real burden that federal taxes place on their personal budgets. Unfortunately, a major obstacle stands in the way of taxpayers realizing how much tax they pay. It’s a system called mandatory withholding.
Have you ever wondered why you never really write a check to “pay” taxes to the federal government? The federal government takes its share out of your paycheck before you ever lay eyes on the money you earned. This is the essence of withholding.
The withholding system has been in place since 1943. It was instituted in a time of war when the federal government was desperate for a constant funding stream to help pay for the unprecedented war effort of World War II. At the time it was viewed as a way to ensure the government collected every dollar of tax that it levied to pay for the fight against fascism.
This was a time of great national sacrifice when some Americans paid a top income tax rate of 94 percent. High rates of taxation helped to fund an Allied victory, but according to the Treasury Department it also increased federal tax receipts by 520 percent in four short years.
Unfortunately for you, a wartime tax collecting system proved a little too successful and it was not repealed at the end of the war. The government couldn’t kill a mechanism that disguised the true burden of income taxes and thus withholding became the status quo.
In the language of government-speak, withholding is “a way to make tax collection easier.” In real-world terms, it’s a clever way to hide the heavy toll you pay in taxes and, by extension, the cost of government.
This is the worst part about withholding. It silently drains your paycheck before it gets to you, distorting the tremendous bite that federal taxes take out of your earnings.
The thinking goes that if you never get your hands on your money in the first place, you’ll never miss it. That’s government logic for you. And it’s this kind of logic that also helps disguise the negative impact that tax hikes have on your wallet.
If you don’t actually have to feel the pain of writing a check to Uncle Sam each month you are desensitized to future tax increases. The money just slips out of your paycheck and into the embrace of the federal government.
I believe that you are a better steward of your money than the faceless government bureaucracy. That’s why I’ve introduced legislation that does away with mandatory tax withholding. With my bill you have a choice to continue using withholding or to pay once during tax season.
You’d be free to keep the money you earn and then pay the tax you owe on your actual income at the end of the year. Some people might be tempted to complain about losing a “tax refund.”
With my bill you don’t lose a tax refund, you gain control over your finances. After all, a tax refund is simply the federal government admitting it’s confiscated too much of your hard-earned cash. Why not keep it in your bank account and earn the interest yourself?
My bill is called the Federal Tax Withholding Act of 2008 (H.R. 5175). Please let me know what you think of this legislation. I’d be honored to hear your thoughts on this bill or your ideas for other ways to keep the federal government out of your pocketbook and from meddling in your life.
In fact, on Tax Day, April 15th, I’ll be hosting a telephone town-hall from 7pm to 8pm on the topic of taxes and spending. Any constituent can call in and participate by dialing 877-850-4133 and entering the pass-code FOXX (3699). I hope you’ll be able to take part.
Note: Virginia Foxx is a United States Representative from North Carolina’s Fifth Congressional District. You may contact her office toll free at 1-866-677-8968 or e-mail her from her website, www.foxx.house.gov.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Congresswoman Foxx Ad
Here's a look at a campaign ad for NC-5 Congresswoman Foxx. She is a true conservative and really represents us in Washington.
A Responsibility
"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour." (I Timothy 2:1-3)
These verses explain one of a Christian's responsibilities towards government. We are to pray for and give thanks for our leaders and those in authority over us. We need to pray that God will give them wisdom (see Proverbs 8:15-17) and guide their actions. It doesn't say we only pray for those leaders we like or agree with! Why pray for our leaders? So that we can live a peaceable and quiet life! Why pray for our leaders? It is good and acceptable in the sight of God.
Praying for our leaders is one responsibility Christian's have towards government.
These verses explain one of a Christian's responsibilities towards government. We are to pray for and give thanks for our leaders and those in authority over us. We need to pray that God will give them wisdom (see Proverbs 8:15-17) and guide their actions. It doesn't say we only pray for those leaders we like or agree with! Why pray for our leaders? So that we can live a peaceable and quiet life! Why pray for our leaders? It is good and acceptable in the sight of God.
Praying for our leaders is one responsibility Christian's have towards government.
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