tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90129043479137951652024-02-08T10:15:49.266-05:00The Conservative VoiceMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14649122003722658485noreply@blogger.comBlogger305125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012904347913795165.post-20153761145452131262011-05-05T08:01:00.002-04:002011-05-05T08:04:31.100-04:00U.S. Rep Foxx Introduces Spending Accountability Bill<em><span style="font-size:85%;">The following is from a May 4 press release from NC Rep Virginia Foxx.</span></em><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Foxx introduces spending accountability bill<br /></span></strong>Bill requires reporting of all spending on non-English gov’t services<br /><br />WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx (NC-05) introduced legislation today to bring more openness and accountability to federal government spending. Her legislation, the Multilingual Services Accounting Act, requires all federal government bureaucracies to annually report how much taxpayer money is spent to provide government services in languages other than English.<br /><br />“Our government spends large, but undefined amounts of taxpayer money to provide government services in amultitude of languages—with little or no accountability for how this money is spent and with no information on the value of this spending,” Rep. Foxx said. “American taxpayers deserve better. They deserve a complete accounting of how their government spends their tax dollars.”<br /><br />Federal government agencies currently do not have to report how much money they spend to provide government services and publications in languages other than English. Foxx’s legislation fixes this problem by requiring that federal bureaucracies report multilingual expenditures in their annual reports to the Office of Management and Budget. <br /><br />Without this basic accounting information, the federal government has no way of knowing how much it spends to provide multilingual services.<br /><br />“Responsible government must be transparent and accountable,” Foxx said. “By shining the light on how much money is spent on non-English services we can ensure tax dollars are not squandered on wasteful projects.”<br /><br />The advocacy group ProEnglish also endorsed Foxx’s bill as a responsible government accounting practice.Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14649122003722658485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012904347913795165.post-6500920139593841822011-04-27T21:04:00.000-04:002011-04-27T21:04:40.635-04:00From Gov Huckabee's Blog "Another Day - Another Dollar"Gov Huckabee writes, "By just reading the title of this blog, you might think I'm talking about what you do to earn a living – but sadly, I’m talking about another rise in the price of gasoline. It seems like it goes up at least that much every time we fill up, doesn't it?"<br /><br />You can read the rest of Gov Huckabee's blog here:<br /><a href="http://www.huckpac.com/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Blogs.View&Blog_id=3452">Huck PAC - Blogs - Another Day - Another Dollar</a>Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14649122003722658485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012904347913795165.post-84193245096323688962011-04-24T01:57:00.000-04:002011-04-24T01:57:20.550-04:00Huck PAC - Blogs - Standard & Poor's: A WarningIn a recent blog post, Gov. Mike Huckabee writes: "The American people have been raising their voices for many months telling Washington politicians to get our fiscal house in order. To no one's surprise, Washington has simply gone on doing what it seems to do best - spending money we don't have."<br /><br />You can read the entire blog post here:<br /><a href="http://www.huckpac.com/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Blogs.View&Blog_id=3449">Huck PAC - Blogs - Standard & Poor's: A Warning</a>Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14649122003722658485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012904347913795165.post-59321835773483742832011-01-16T16:35:00.000-05:002011-01-16T16:35:37.903-05:00Huck PAC - Blogs - Poll: Huckabee most liked...From CNN: Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee appears to have the clear advantage out of the gate when it comes to the 2012 battle for the GOP presidential nomination, enjoying a significantly higher net-favorability rating and name identification among national Republicans than any other potential candidate. According to the new survey by Gallup, Huckabee has a net-favorability rating (the difference between those who hold a favorable view and those who hold an unfavorable view) of 30 percent.<br /><br />You can read the rest of the article by clicking on the link below:<br /><a href="http://www.huckpac.com/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Blogs.View&Blog_id=3353">Huck PAC - Blogs - Poll: Huckabee most liked...</a>Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14649122003722658485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012904347913795165.post-45372530978928760522010-12-31T18:41:00.000-05:002010-12-31T18:41:23.215-05:00I Am Second Mike Huckabee - Governor, Presidential Candidate<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3WglW3vvKVU?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="480" height="295"></iframe>Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14649122003722658485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012904347913795165.post-39623561396275507472010-12-09T22:25:00.000-05:002010-12-09T22:25:35.662-05:00Huck PAC - Blogs - Mike Huckabee Comments On The Passing Of Elizabeth Edwards<a href="http://www.huckpac.com/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Blogs.View&Blog_id=3330">Huck PAC - Blogs - Mike Huckabee Comments On The Passing Of Elizabeth Edwards</a>Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14649122003722658485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012904347913795165.post-64952626181077649182010-12-09T22:20:00.003-05:002010-12-09T22:24:39.110-05:00Foxx: Overhaul The US Tax System<span style="font-size:85%;"><em>The following is from an e-newsletter from Congresswoman Virginia Foxx.</em></span><br /><strong></strong><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Why we need to overhaulthe U.S. tax systemStep one: burn the current tax code</strong><br /></span>Congresswoman Virginia Foxx<br /><br />About half of American workers didn’t pay any federal income taxes last year.<br />Huge agribusinesses got billions in tax subsidies to turn food into fuel—pushing up the price of food for American families. In fact, last year’s tax subsidies for turning corn into ethanol reached $6 billion. The Congressional Budget Office even estimates that government subsidies for ethanol amount to about $1.78 per gallon.<br /><br />What do these two rather divergent facts have to do with each other? Answer: they each point to the need for fundamental federal tax reform.<br /><br />Let’s face it. Our tax system is a complete disaster. It is so byzantine that only the sharpest tax lawyer or Washington lobbyist can tell you what lies beneath the surface.<br /><br />In true Washington fashion, it gets more complex, more unfair and more indecipherable with each passing year. Congress can’t resist tinkering at the margins, throwing in new provisions or special carve outs and generally adding to the economic dead weight that is our tax code.<br /><br />The year-end debate over tax rates just serves to illustrate the point. There are currently six separate tax brackets that will all increase in 2011 if Congress doesn’t do something to stop it. Some people want to increase taxes on some brackets, others would like to increase taxes on all brackets and still others would like to increase taxes on no brackets. (You can put me in the not increasing taxes on anyone column.)<br /><br />This tax debate is rowdy and the disagreements are sharp. Left unsaid is the fact that no matter what Congress does about these upcoming tax increases, we’ll still have an opaque system that is constantly gamed by special interests.<br /><br />You may wonder what special interests have a stake in the current tax code. The honest answer is almost all of them. This is why real tax reform is such a herculean task. Thanks to hundreds of exemptions, deductions and carve outs inserted into the tax code over the past several decades, almost every interest group with a mailing address in Washington, DC will be crowing for another carve out if Congress sets about retooling taxes.<br /><br />The tax code is so bad that Americans waste at least 6.6 billion hours each year working to comply with the IRS requirements. Add to that the more than $200 billion spent to stay in compliance and keep the auditors at bay and you have a massive drag on the economy and economic growth.<br /><br />So Congress must be bold. Tax reform can’t be a piecemeal sort of operation. Step one must be burning the current tax code. Step two must involve creating a tax system that is fair and efficient and that doesn’t pick favorites. There are plenty of tax reform options out there—many of them far, far better than what we have now. <br /> <br />The core problem is that our tax system is stuffed with needlessly complex provisions. These carve outs mean tax rates are artificially high. The carve outs also end up arbitrarily punishing some taxpayers and rewarding others. As a matter of fairness, any tax reform proposal should strip away the layers of tax carve outs and lower the tax rates everyone pays. After all, if you get rid of the special deductions, you could lower rates without seeing tax collections fall.<br />This kind of reform could look like a Fair Tax or a flat tax or some sort of hybrid proposal. Ultimately the exact type of tax reform should be up for negotiation. The most important thing is to kill off the current tax code and replace it with something straightforward and fair for everyone.<br /><br />The result of fundamental tax reform would be immediate and dramatic. America would experience a profound—and real—economic stimulus. The uncertainty and ambiguity currently plaguing hundreds of thousands of businesses would virtually evaporate. The wasted time and money of tax compliance would be slashed to a pittance. Most importantly, tax rates would fall—empowering entrepreneurs to focus on big ideas rather than long tax forms and families to focus on their budgets and not their tax returns.<br /><br />If we get tax reform right we will spur investment in the people and businesses of tomorrow on a level not possible under the current tax system. In today’s tough economic times, we can’t afford NOT to scrap our tax code and start over.<br /><br /><em>U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx represents the Fifth Congressional District of North Carolina. She currently serves on the House Rules Committee. You may contact her office toll free at 1-866-677-8968.</em>Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14649122003722658485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012904347913795165.post-25731388047988848222010-11-30T14:06:00.000-05:002010-11-30T14:06:48.842-05:00Huck PAC - Blogs - Governor Mike Huckabee takes Presidential Campaign for Test Drive at OC museumHere's a good article on Governor Mike Huckabee. I really hope he runs for President in 2012. I think we need to do all we can to encourage him to run and then support his campaign!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.huckpac.com/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Blogs.View&Blog_id=3319">Huck PAC - Blogs - Governor Mike Huckabee takes Presidential Campaign for Test Drive at OC museum</a>Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14649122003722658485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012904347913795165.post-72510182014496297502010-11-22T10:44:00.001-05:002010-11-22T10:46:14.792-05:00Foxx Renews "No Earmark" Pledge<span style="font-size:85%;">The following is from a 11/18 press release from NC Congresswoman Virginia Foxx.</span><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Foxx renews “no earmark” pledge</span></strong><br />Foxx first made pledge to stop earmarks in 2007<br /><br />Washington, DC—Congresswoman Virginia Foxx today renewed her pledge not to request special federal budget carve-outs, better known as earmarks. Foxx first made her no earmark pledge in 2007 and will maintain her no earmark pledge in the 112th Congress.<br /><br />“Washington’s earmark system is a symptom of out-of-control spending and backroom deal-making,” Foxx said. “It’s time to focus on balancing our federal budget and cutting out earmarks is an important first step.<br /><br />“Earmarks, while a small part of federal spending, are emblematic of how the federal budget is prone to being loaded up with non-priorities and pet projects. Congress must tackle the record federal budget deficits and take bold action to reduce federal spending. As American families make tough decisions to trim their own budgets, Congress needs to learn to do the same.”<br /><br />The House and Senate GOP both adopted party-wide earmark moratoriums for the upcoming session of Congress. The Senate GOP earmark ban passed earlier this week and the House GOP ban passed today. The House GOP also banned earmarks in 2010. Foxx supported both the 2010 and current earmark ban.Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14649122003722658485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012904347913795165.post-71618885668593676392010-10-24T19:50:00.000-04:002010-10-24T19:50:29.565-04:00America's Best DaysAccording to a new Rasmussen poll, "Most voters (65%) say they prefer a government with fewer services and lower taxes rather than one with more services and higher taxes. A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds that only 25% of Likely U.S. Voters favor a government with more services and higher taxes instead."<br /><br />You can read the entire report by clicking on the link below.<br /><a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/america_s_best_days">America's Best Days</a>Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14649122003722658485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012904347913795165.post-59367333911897628952010-10-17T22:09:00.000-04:002010-10-17T22:09:45.567-04:0070% Say Government Does Not Spend Taxpayer Money WiselyAccording to a new report from Rasmussen, we don't believe our tax money is spent wisely. "Most Americans feel the federal government has too much money and doesn't spend it well. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 61% of Adults think the federal government has too much power and money." Please see the link below for the full article!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/business/general_business/october_2010/70_say_government_does_not_spend_taxpayer_money_wisely">70% Say Government Does Not Spend Taxpayer Money Wisely</a>Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14649122003722658485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012904347913795165.post-807020710807462872010-10-17T21:46:00.002-04:002010-10-17T21:57:59.425-04:00Founders Wanted Big Government?How did our founding fathers view government? Consider these quotes.<br /><br />"How prone all human institutions have been to decay; how subject the best-formed and most wisely organized governments have been to lose their check and totally dissolve; how difficult it has been for mankind, in all ages and countries, to preserve their dearest rights and best privileges, impelled as it were by an irresistible fate of despotism." <em>James Monroe</em><br /><br />"It has been said that all Government is an evil. It would be more proper to say that the necessity of any Government is a misfortune. This necessity however exists; and the problem to be solved is, not what form of Government is perfect, but which of the forms is least imperfect." <em>James Madison</em><br /><em></em><br />"[A] wise and frugal government...shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government." <em>Thomas Jefferson</em><br /><em></em><br />"Were we directed from Washington when to sow, and when to reap, we should soon want bread." <em>Thomas Jefferson</em><br /><em></em><br />Our government was never intended to care for our every need, provide us with healthcare or own businesses. Somewhere along the way we've lost sight of that.<br /><em></em><br /><em></em>Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14649122003722658485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012904347913795165.post-16499336270750460482010-10-15T19:28:00.000-04:002010-10-15T19:28:20.040-04:00Huckabee: America's Self-Cleaning Oven Is Heating UpGovernor Mike Huckabee writes, "The genius of our nation’s founders is that they created America to be a self-cleaning oven so that when things get really nasty and the politicians gunk it up, the citizens can turn up the heat, and then come Election Day, open the oven door, sweep out the ashes and give it a new start. The people ultimately win, and that's the good news for America. "<br /><br />You can read the rest of Huck's article using the link below!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.huckpac.com/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Blogs.View&Blog_id=3253">Huck PAC - Blogs - America's Self-Cleaning Oven Is Heating Up</a>Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14649122003722658485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012904347913795165.post-83049671146072379122010-10-15T19:23:00.001-04:002010-10-15T19:25:27.410-04:00Foxx Wins Debate<span style="font-size:85%;">The following is from an email update on NC Congresswoman Virginia Foxx's campaign.</span><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Foxx Wins Congressional Debate<br /></span></strong><br />Ashe County, NC — Today Congresswoman <a title="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=" msgid="177399&act=" c="224667&destination=" style="COLOR: #1f2932" href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=1654760&msgid=177399&act=56EF&c=224667&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.virginiafoxx.com">Virginia Foxx </a>debated her opponent at a public forum in Ashe County. In the debate, Foxx highlighted her fiscal conservatism and her vision to get North Carolina back to work. She also exposed her opponent's extremely liberal views on taxes, government spending, and health care.<br /><br />Voters know that there is just one proven conservative in this race—and that’s <a title="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=" msgid="177399&act=" c="224667&destination=" style="COLOR: #1f2932" href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=1654760&msgid=177399&act=56EF&c=224667&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.virginiafoxx.com">Virginia Foxx</a>. Today’s debate illustrated that Virginia embraces common sense conservative ideas like reducing government spending, keeping taxes low and slashing job-killing federal red tape. <br /><br />But the debate also exposed how out of step her opponent, Billy Kennedy, is with North Carolina voters. He supports big government programs like the trillion dollar health care bill, a job-killing energy tax and the failed stimulus program.<br /><br />The choice this election is between strong conservative values or Washington’s failed liberal policies. Unfortunately Virginia’s liberal opponent would be a rubber stamp for big-government policies that mean more government, more debt and less freedom. In fact, Kennedy can't stop talking about all the new spending he supports. North Carolina simply cannot afford to send big spenders like Kennedy to Washington.<br /><br />Virginia is working to keep America the land of the free and a country of opportunity for everyone. And she isn’t afraid to take on the liberals who run Washington. As today’s debate made clear, <a title="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=" msgid="177399&act=" c="224667&destination=" style="COLOR: #1f2932" href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=1654760&msgid=177399&act=56EF&c=224667&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.virginiafoxx.com">Virginia Foxx</a> is a conservative voice that North Carolina families and small businesses can depend on.Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14649122003722658485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012904347913795165.post-56214732530014889192010-10-15T19:21:00.002-04:002010-10-15T19:23:10.440-04:00Foxx: Non-profits Need To Meet IRS Deadline<span style="font-size:85%;">The following is from a Oct. 14 press release from NC Congresswoman Virginia Foxx.</span><br /><br /><strong>Foxx urges 100’s of local non-profits to update their tax-exempt status by tomorrow’s deadline<br /></strong><br />Washington D.C. – Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (NC-05) today urged local, community-based non-profits across North Carolina’s Fifth Congressional District to make sure their tax-exempt status is up-to-date with the IRS. The deadline to file with the IRS for small non-profits who may be at risk of losing their status is tomorrow, October 15. <br /><br />“As many as 700 small non-profits in Northwest North Carolina could be at risk of losing their federal tax-exempt status if they don’t file a simple form with the IRS,” Foxx said. “By taking a half hour or so to electronically file the form by tomorrow, hundreds of small non-profits can maintain their tax-exempt status and avoid the hassle of trying to get their status back.”<br /><br />The IRS’s October 15 filing deadline is for small tax-exempt organizations (those who typically have $25,000 or less in annual receipts) that have not filed to retain their tax-exempt status with the IRS for three consecutive years. Small non-profits are required to file a short postcard form with the IRS each year, called Form 990-N. It can be filed online at <a title="http://epostcard.form990.org/" href="http://epostcard.form990.org/">http://epostcard.form990.org/</a>. Small non-profits that fail to file three years in a row can lose their tax-exempt status. <br /><br />Many types of organizations that have not filed a Form 990-N are at risk of losing their tax-exempt status. These include local sports associations and community support groups, volunteer fire and ambulance associations, social clubs, educational societies, veterans groups, church-affiliated groups, as well as groups that assist those with special needs.<br /><br />Local non-profits who want to learn more about this issue can visit the IRS web page at <a title="http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=" href="http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=225705,00.html">http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=225705,00.html</a> for more information on what organizations need to file, how to file and much more.<br /><br />IRS Note: A list of North Carolina non-profits that may be at risk of losing their non-profit status is available at <a title="http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=" href="http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=225889,00.html">http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=225889,00.html</a>. This list may be incomplete, as certain organizations may be at risk even though their names do not appear. In addition, the list may include organizations that were required to file Form 990 or Form 990-PF and are not eligible for the relief program, and organizations whose filing dates have not yet occurred.Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14649122003722658485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012904347913795165.post-37883204741499883132010-09-22T00:17:00.000-04:002010-09-22T00:17:53.540-04:00Huck PAC - Blogs - Do The Right Thing - TodayHere's an article by Governor Mike Huckabee urging us all to do the right thing!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.huckpac.com/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Blogs.View&Blog_id=3228">Huck PAC - Blogs - Do The Right Thing - Today</a>Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14649122003722658485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012904347913795165.post-72872212249099132842010-09-21T23:32:00.000-04:002010-09-21T23:32:48.374-04:00Chuck For Huck! Norris Standing With Mike Huckabee!<a href="http://www.huckpac.com/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Blogs.View&Blog_id=3229">Huck PAC - Blogs - Chuck Norris: Standing With Mike Huckabee</a><br /><br />Here's a letter Chuck Norris sent to Huck PAC on why he's standing with Mike Huckabee! Please take a few moments to read it - thank you!Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14649122003722658485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012904347913795165.post-62025715832229885542010-09-16T22:02:00.001-04:002010-09-16T22:04:22.724-04:00Foxx Votes To Require Collection Of Unpaid Taxes<span style="font-size:85%;">The following is a 9/16 press release from NC Congresswoman Virginia Foxx.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Foxx votes to require collection of unpaid taxes from federal employees</strong><br />Measure gives gov’t power to fire federal employees who refuse to pay taxes</span><br /><br />Washington, DC—Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (NC-05) today voted to give the federal government the ability to fire federal employees who refuse to pay their income taxes. The vote is the latest in House Republicans’ YouCut program, which aims to cut spending and reduce the national deficit. Nearly 100,000 active federal employees owe $962 million in unpaid taxes, according to the IRS.<br /><br />“This proposal could save up to a billion dollars,” Foxx said. “While most federal workers are paying their taxes and abiding by the law, there are some who enjoy taxpayer funded jobs and refuse to pay their fair share. This must stop.”<br /><br />Under current law, the IRS is the only federal agency that can fire employees who do not pay their taxes. Under this proposal, which is cosponsored by Foxx, other federal agencies would be able do the same.<br /><br />The proposal, H.R. 4735, allows federal agencies to fire employees who are seriously delinquent tax-dodgers. It applies to those federal workers who are serial offenders and refuse to pay their taxes. Federal employees who may be slightly behind on their taxes or are working with the IRS to pay their tax bills will not be affected.<br /><br />“Prevention is the best medicine,” Foxx said. “This proposal prevents future tax cheating by halting the practice of allowing tax-dodging federal employees to duck and cover. During these times of record deficits we must ensure that unscrupulous federal workers aren’t cheating the very taxpayers who pay their salaries.”Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14649122003722658485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012904347913795165.post-48434371576254542462010-09-14T22:32:00.002-04:002010-09-14T22:34:52.422-04:00NC Senator Burr - Tax Payer Hero!<span style="font-size:85%;">The following is from an email article from NC Senator Richard Burr. I appreciate Senator Burr's stand on fiscal policies and the leadership he provides in the Senate.</span><br /><br /><br />Yesterday, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) was recognized as a Taxpayer Hero by the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) for his “willingness to stand up for American taxpayers” during the 111th Congress.<br /><br />Senator Burr received a 92 out of 100 percent in CCAGW’s 2009 Congressional Ratings system. CCAGW determines who should receive recognition by evaluating actions taken to protect American taxpayers and includes votes on amendments to eliminate earmarks and pork-barrel spending. Senator Burr received this recognition for his efforts towards increasing government transparency, minimizing waste, eliminating earmarks and reducing the national debt.<br /><br />“In these tough economic times, North Carolina families have had to make tough choices with their budgets, and the federal government should do the same,” said Senator Burr. “North Carolinians deserve their money to be spent responsibly and to have transparency and accountability from the federal government. I am honored to receive this award and will continue to fight wasteful spending and work to get our country back on the right fiscal path.”Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14649122003722658485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012904347913795165.post-13742004814984833142010-09-14T22:23:00.002-04:002010-09-14T22:25:02.917-04:00Foxx Launches New Website<span style="font-size:85%;">The following is from a press release from NC Congresswoman Virginia Foxx</span><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Foxx launches new congressional website</span></strong><br />New website features social media integration, streamlined navigation<br /><br />WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx (NC-05) today announced the launch of her new congressional web site at <a title="http://www.foxx.house.gov/" href="http://www.foxx.house.gov/">www.foxx.house.gov</a>. The new site integrates social networking, up-to-date information about constituent services and background on legislation and votes in Congress.<br /><br />“As more and more constituents interact with me through the web, it became clear that my website needed an update,” Foxx said. “The Internet is one of the best tools available for communicating with constituents and my new website uses a variety of technologies to keep constituents informed about the issues before Congress, including Twitter feeds, congressional videos and online legislative search tools.”<br /><br />Web-design and communications experts at the non-partisan Congressional Management Foundation recently named Rep. Foxx’s web site one of the top ten in the House of Representatives. Foxx’s redesigned site builds on the success of her old website and introduces new user-friendly features like social media sharing and smoother site navigation. <br /><br />“This new website is 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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />Congresswoman Foxx today also reminded constituents to check out her congressional Twitter feed at <a title="http://www.twitter.com/VirginiaFoxx" href="http://www.twitter.com/VirginiaFoxx">www.twitter.com/VirginiaFoxx</a>. Her Twitter feed is frequently updated with pictures from her daily activities, videos, links to the latest congressional news and other information. Nearly 3,500 other people have already discovered that it is one of the best ways to keep up-to-date with Congresswoman Foxx.Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14649122003722658485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012904347913795165.post-1850281481246114722010-09-14T22:08:00.003-04:002010-09-14T22:20:23.396-04:00I Don't UnderstandI don't understand. President Bush is blamed for our current economic mess. That is a key part of President <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Obama's</span> economic plan. Back during the Bush administration, Democrats didn't want to support Bush's tax cuts. Now, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Dems</span> are pushing for an extension of the Bush tax cuts that they opposed years ago (maybe they were for them before they were against them!). I don't understand!<br /><br />And now, President Bush's tax cuts want to be "re-branded" as <a href="http://www.lauraingraham.com/b/Democrats-trying-to-rename-Obama-tax-hikes/379502736311573851.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Obama's</span> tax cuts</a>. What? Again, I just don't understand.<br /><br />If President Bush's tax cuts are extended, and they should be for all tax payers, it will be an extension of President Bush's tax cuts. If President Obama wants credit for cutting taxes, maybe he should stop wasting time blaming Bush for the economy and come up with a real plan to cut taxes and fix our economy. Now that I would understand!Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14649122003722658485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012904347913795165.post-74236762669366824372010-09-11T11:26:00.000-04:002010-09-11T11:26:38.582-04:00Huck PAC - Blogs - A Day Of Remembrance<a href="http://www.huckpac.com/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Blogs.View&Blog_id=3214">Huck PAC - Blogs - A Day Of Remembrance</a><br /><br />Governor Mike Huckabee has posted this article on 9/11 - A Day Of Remembrance. Please take a moment to read it.<br /><br />God bless America!Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14649122003722658485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012904347913795165.post-82160734108167977692010-09-07T22:52:00.002-04:002010-09-07T23:12:23.940-04:00The Laffer Curve - No Laughing Matter!John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan share something in common. They both cut taxes and saw government revenues increase. So what does this have to do with the <a href="http://www.conservapedia.com/Laffer_curve">Laffer Curve</a>? The Laffer Curve - in the simplest of terms - shows that when tax rates get higher, tax revenues get lower. <br /><br />In 1963, President Kennedy stated, <a id="pgfId-1118406" name="pgfId-1118406"></a>"In short, this tax program will increase our wealth far more than it increases our public debt. The actual burden of that debt--as measured in relation to our total output--will decline. To continue to increase our debt as a result of inadequate earnings is a sign of weakness. But to borrow prudently in order to invest in a tax revision that will greatly increase our earning power can be a source of strength." Kennedy cut taxes and it had a tremendous impact on our nation's economy.<br /><br />Walter Heller, Kennedy's Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, testified before Congress in 1977 and stated: What happened to the tax cut in 1965...did seem to have a tremendously stimulative effect, a multiplied effect on the economy. It was the major factor that led to our running a $3 billion surplus by the middle of 1965 before escalation in Vietnam struck us. It was a $12 billion tax cut...and within one year the revenues into the Federal Treasury were already above what they had been before the tax cut."<br /><br />When President Reagan cut taxes, it had a similar impact on the economy. Consider the following information from the <a href="http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2004/06/the-laffer-curve-past-present-and-future">Heritage Foundation</a>: "Prior to the tax cut, the economy was choking on high inflation, high Interest rates, and high unemployment. All three of these economic bellwethers dropped sharply after the tax cuts. The unemployment rate, which peaked at 9.7 percent in 1982, began a steady decline, reaching 7.0 percent by 1986 and 5.3 percent when Reagan left office in January 1989."<br /><br />The current administration and Congress has forgotten the lessons learned from past administrations. I think they may have also forgotten that taxes come from us - they come from our earnings. We need a responsible government that shows fiscal restraint when spending our money.Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14649122003722658485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012904347913795165.post-50386282536796066622010-08-27T22:53:00.002-04:002010-08-27T23:13:56.163-04:00The US Economy - It's Greek To Me!Our nation's economy is struggling. This spring, it grew only 1.6% and is expected to keep a snail's pace in growth. With such low growth, there will not be many jobs created and unemployment could actually get worse. I am not trying to paint a picture of gloom and doom, but I think we need to be realistic about our current reality. We need to know our situation and demand action from our elected officials to take the appropriate steps to resolve our economic woes. Taxing and spending is not a good economic strategy.<br /><br />Consider the major economics Greece is facing. What caused their economy to meltdown? One of the primary contributors was decades of governmental overspending. According to a <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/NA_WSJ_PUB:SB10001424052748703961104575226651125226596.html">May 7 WSJ article</a>, "Greece shows that the welfare state model of development, dominated by public unions, onerous regulations, high taxes and the political allocation of capital, has hit the wall. Down that road lies more Greek tragedy."<br /><br />The US economy - it's Greek to me!Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14649122003722658485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012904347913795165.post-77778204070572376162010-08-23T21:53:00.002-04:002010-08-23T21:59:26.340-04:00Observations On Our American Government<em>This is an article I wrote and posted about a year ago but felt strongly about putting it on my blog once again. I hope you enjoy this brief article!</em><br /><br />Allow me to share with you a few important observations about our American government. This is not meant to be in-depth and all-inclusive. It is shared with the hope that it will enlighten the reader and encourage more participation in our American government!<br /><br /><p>1. All men are endowed by God with unalienable rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I must stress that these rights are God-given and are not distributed or granted to us by the government.</p><p>"We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness... " <em>Declaration of Independence</em><br />"The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people." <em>Amendment IX</em><br />"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." <em>Amendment X</em></p><br />2. Men cede to government some of their natural rights in order to give government its powers. Government only has the powers given it by the people.<br /><br />"...governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed... " <em>Declaration of Independence</em><br />"Nothing is more certain than the indispensable necessity of government, and it is equally undeniable, that whenever and however it is instituted, the people must cede to it some of their natural rights in order to vest it with requisite powers." <em>The Federalist #2</em><br /><br />3. Our government's role is to secure our unalienable rights.<br /><br />"...all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men..." <em>Declaration of Independence</em><br />"Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice, without constraint." <em>The Federalist #15</em><br />"A wise and frugal government...shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement...This is the sum of good government." <em>Thomas Jefferson (1st Inaugural Address)</em><br /><br />4. Our government is accountable to the people and the people are to hold the government in check.<br /><br />"In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on the government..." <em>The Federalist #51</em><br /><br />Based on these and other writings from our founding fathers, I am of the firm conviction that our government was designed to be a small and limited government. Our founders did not see a government that dispensed our every need. They saw our government as securing our rights as individuals to pursue life, liberty and happiness.Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14649122003722658485noreply@blogger.com0