Last week, Ed spent the morning at Tammy Luechtefeld State Farm Insurance to not only find out how the Obama economy is affecting the insurance industry, but to also see how it is affected by both Obamacare and the Dodd-Frank Bill.

“Bills like Dodd Frank have added countless hours [...]]]>

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Last week, Ed spent the morning at Tammy Luechtefeld State Farm Insurance to not only find out how the Obama economy is affecting the insurance industry, but to also see how it is affected by both Obamacare and the Dodd-Frank Bill.

“Bills like Dodd Frank have added countless hours to my work load that are spent on paper work and achieving new certifications instead of spending that time with my clients,” said Andrew Broombaugh, son of Tammy Luechtefeld and a top agent at the firm.  ”Over-regulation is clearly causing inefficiency in our business and hurting out bottom line.”

Tammy Luechtefeld, owner and general manager, further explained issues with government involvement as she explained to Ed that insurance companies are now forced to certify even long time agents through an online certification system.

“I consider myself to be a knowledgeable woman, but I simply could not navigate the website to get my certification,” said Tammy.  ”I spoke to an agent this morning to walk me through the site, and she said she is yet to come across one person able to successfully navigate the site!”

And if the new regulations weren’t enough, Tammy’s health costs have gone up.

“I went from paying just over $500 per month for each of my employees’ health insurance before Obamacare was passed to now paying over $600 per month,” she continued.  ”Do you honestly think I made that much more in profits?”

Unfortunately, this has become a common theme seen throughout the “EdWorks” program.

“When Obama and the Democrats touted so called reforms like Obamacare and Dodd-Frank, they claimed they were creating them for small businesses and the middle class,” explained Martin.  ”As our ‘EdWorks’ program continues, it is apparent that the middle class along with small business are the ones hurt the most by the Obama economy.  Obama’s lack of private sector experience is no longer a fear of most Americans, it has become a dangerous reality.”

Earlier this week, Ed Martin spent the day at Hansen’s Tree Service in O’Fallon.  His intent was to gain firsthand knowledge of the challenges local small businesses face due to government overregulation.  It didn’t take long to learn some of the problems OSHA has caused for Jeff Hansen and his [...]]]>

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Earlier this week, Ed Martin spent the day at Hansen’s Tree Service in O’Fallon.  His intent was to gain firsthand knowledge of the challenges local small businesses face due to government overregulation.  It didn’t take long to learn some of the problems OSHA has caused for Jeff Hansen and his business.

“We got a letter not too long ago from OSHA basically telling us that they were going to be looking for us,” said Chad Hansen, son of Jeff.  “It seems to me that they have hired more regulators, the fines are up, and they are basically out to make money.”

While Ed got to work using one of Hansen’s big cat tractors to move mulch to the grinder, Chad went on to explain that Hansen’s has a fantastic safety record.  It is clear to both him and his father that the regulators at OSHA are being pushed to bring in more money with bigger fines.

Jeff Hansen then chose to illustrate his rise in energy costs using piles of mulch.  In 2010 his cost of running business was equal to the profit he was making, which he joked, “I would take even in this economy.”  Things were not so humorous as the conversation progressed.  “My cost of fuel alone has gone up $150,000 in the last 8 months while my revenue has gone down,” said Jeff Hansen.

Ed then toured the Hansen’s recycling plant where they are able to turn everything from horse manure to roof shingles into a useful product.  Ed even got to drive a windrow turner that helps break down some of Hansen’s materials.

“The Obama Administration has spent over $500 million of taxpayer money to insolvent companies like Solyndra while overregulating businesses like Hansen’s that are constantly finding innovative ways to become more efficient,” said Martin.  “Obama needs to spend more time talking to entrepreneurs like Jeff Hansen instead of creating phony stimulus bills that pick winners and losers, namely his biggest political contributors.”

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Ed Martin and Ambassador Ann Wagner meet and give their opening statements in a debate held as part of the GOP primary race for the new 2nd Congressional District in Missouri.

Ed Martin works a shift at McArthur’s Bakery. The owner and workers talk to Ed about their careers and the challenges they face keeping the business afloat.

Lee Presser is host of a cable interview show.  I was his guest recently, and we talked on a wide variety of topics.  Please visit the link to see the interview as we discuss a wide variety of topics.  Special thanks to Lee and his team for having me as their guest.

We have a new television ad up and running in our area.  It highlights Russ Carnahan’s lockstep voting record with ultra-liberal Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

This is a radio spot airing called “Big Difference”

It is becoming clear that Russ Carnahan is following the Washington Insider playbook.  Don’t mention your [...]]]>

We have a new television ad up and running in our area.  It highlights Russ Carnahan’s lockstep voting record with ultra-liberal Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

This is a radio spot airing called “Big Difference”

It is becoming clear that Russ Carnahan is following the Washington Insider playbook.  Don’t mention your support of the government takeover of health care.  Don’t mention your support of the failed stimulus, bank bailouts or your refusal to secure America’s borders.  Their advice? Smear your opponents and try to duck accountability for reckless spending and arrogance.

Your support is needed for victory!  A combination of your generosity and a tight, frugal campaign has helped us keep pace with Russ Carnahan’s wealthy liberal friends.  Can you get us over the goal line with a contribution of any amount?  Do you have the means to “max out” in these last few weeks of the campaign?  Your support will keep our small army of volunteers in the field and on the phones reaching out to voters ready for a return of commonsense leadership.

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