Ed Martin For Congress » Debt

Freedom Week Countdown – My Pledge to YOU: Stop the Out-of-Control Spending

Webmaster — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 13:12:30 +0000

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Contact: Theresa Petry, (314) 807-7077
All Other Campaign Inquiries: (314) 256-1776

I Pledge to Stop the Out-of-Control Spending

(ST. LOUIS, MO.) Oct. 31, 2010 –For the first time since 1974 Congress did not pass a budget. Why? Because it keeps spending and spending with the deficit clock well beyond $13 Trillion and constantly growing – spinning into another time zone racking up debt to China.

Ed Martin’s pledge today is: “I pledge to stop the out of control spending of government and work to bring true transparency to the process.” – Ed Martin

Congressman Carnahan voted time and time again for government takeovers from bailouts to Obamacare without even a second thought for what it would cost the American people. As the people of this district pinch their pennies Carnahan stooped so low as take advantage of their hard earned dollars and used hundreds of thousands of their dollars to mail campaign brochures. Even his sister Robin recognizes his out-of-control spending. “These guys have been spending like it’s going out of style and the long term impacts on our deficit are very real,” said Robin Carnahan. (Allman in the Morning, KFTK-FM. St. Louis. 12 Feb. 2010.)

Ed Martin wants to reel in Carnahan and Pelosi’s spending spree. He wants to return to the spending level of 2006 and create transparency in government spending to help cut the costs.

“Congressman Carnahan is out-of-touch with the hard-working people of this district. His constant rubberstamp on Pelosi’s costly agenda must come to an end. The deficit problems plaguing our country is mortgaging our children’s future,” said Ed Martin.

For more information about Martin’s background and the campaign, visit EdMartinforCongress.com, or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @ed4congress.

Theresa Petry
Press Secretary
“Ed Martin for Congress”
(314) 807-7077 (cell)

theresa.petry@edmartinforcongress.com
www.edmartinforcongress.com

Carnahan Claims Social Security is Stable

Webmaster — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 23:05:16 +0000

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Contact: Theresa Petry, (314) 807-7077
All Other Campaign Inquiries: (314) 256-1776

Laughter Rippling Across the Country

(ST. LOUIS, MO.) September 27, 2010 –During a debate with candidate Ed Martin Friday night, Congressman Carnahan made the claim that Social Security is “stable.” Laughter erupted from the crowd of about 500 voters. They know that the Social Security system is broken. For decades, Congress has “invested” money that was supposed to be in the Social Security Trust Fund into government securities that was borrowed to fund wasteful spending on pet projects. And thanks to Congress’ spending habit, it’s a well known fact that Social Security is broke.

Congressman Carnahan is either simply that out of touch or he is deliberately trying to mislead the people. Either way his words are being passed on and picked up from the likes of FOX National News, the Daily Caller, Hot Air, and too many blogs to even attempt to mention all of them. It seems since Congressman Carnahan refuses to face the facts; he now has to deal with the uproar.

“We need to be honest with the American people. Social Security is broke and putting our heads in the sand and pretending it isn’t – is not how you handle the problem as a leader. On Social Security, I will deal honestly about the actual financial condition and its management. I am committed to finding solutions that make Social Security recipients whole, beginning with a return to a robust, growing economy,” said Ed Martin

For more information about Martin’s background and the campaign, visit EdMartinforCongress.com, or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @ed4congress.

Theresa Petry
Press Secretary
“Ed Martin for Congress”
(314) 807-7077 (cell)

theresa.petry@edmartinforcongress.com
www.edmartinforcongress.com

Social Security: Carnahan Clueless … Or Lying To Us?

Webmaster — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 20:13:28 +0000

Friday night, Congressman Russ Carnahan demonstrated how out of touch he is with the people. When asked a question about Social Security, his response invoked laughter.

Missouri 3rd District voters know that the Social Security system is broke. For decades, Congress has “invested” money that was supposed to be in the Social Security Trust Fund into government securities, borrowed to fund wasteful spending on pet projects.

On Social Security, I will deal honestly about the actual financial condition and its management. I am committed to finding solutions that make Social Security recipients whole, beginning with a return to a robust, growing economy.

I need your support. To combat Congressman Carnahan’s flat out lies about my views on Social Security, we need to take to the airwaves. We need to make phone calls. We need to knock on doors and hand out literature. Your contribution of $25, $50, $100 or more will give our growing army of supporters the resources they need to defeat Rubberstamp Russ Carnahan and return fiscal common sense to Washington and begin the process of fulfilling our commitments to seniors.

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Call on Carnahan Family to Forfeit Stimulus Funds

Webmaster — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 16:30:10 +0000

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Press Contact: Theresa Petry, (314) 807-7077
All Other Campaign Inquiries: (314) 256-1776

Former Chrysler Workers Deserve Better Treatment

(ST. LOUIS, MO.) Sept. 20, 2010 – Today, Ed Martin sent a letter to Congressman Russ Carnahan requesting he ask his brother, Tom Carnahan, to forfeit the $107 Million he received from the Stimulus bill for windmills.

“We should use the $107 million for job re-training here in St. Louis or to help small business startups instead of funding Carnahan family windmills.” said Ed Martin. “This is the very worst of Washington when one Carnahan pays off another – using other people’s hard earned tax dollars.”

It seems Congressman Carnahan was even more generous than his brother expected too. Tom Carnahan requested $90 Million but a report released Friday states he received $107 Million. (Stltoday.com, Bill Lambrecht, Sept. 17, 2010) Congressman Carnahan tried his best to keep reports from the media and constantly denied money was filtered to his family. However, right from the start Tom Carnahan was touting his good fortune – sending out a press release announcing the loan. The Democratic Policy Committee even reported Tom Carnahan’s windfall from the Stimulus bill. “Wind Capital also said it is receiving a $90 million grant for the project through the federal stimulus package.” In an interview Oct. 29, 2009 (which can be seen here) Tom Carnahan explained how the stimulus secured him a $240 Million loan.

“We went to the banks that finance wind projects and they said they were closed. We love your project. This is the kind of stuff that we would have done in a heartbeat six months ago, but, I’m sorry, we’re not lending money.” Tom Carnahan went on to say, “Luckily, the stimulus passed, that gave us the confidence to go forward and culminated actually last week with us securing a $240 million loan on the project. And so that happened last Thursday and we’re very pleased to announce that.”

Now we discover Congressman Carnahan came through with even more money for his family. The $107 Million grant-in-lieu-of tax credit was given to Tom Carnahan in July for a wind farm. It’s money that could be well spent right here in the Congressman’s own district. Yet a bridge, used by his constituents, didn’t even receive one-fourth the money his brother did. The Eads Bridge was only allocated $25 million to make safety improvements – and the project is creating 875 jobs for local folks (as opposed to 300 out of district jobs at the wind farm). It’s about time Congressman Carnahan focuses on jobs in Missouri’s 3^rd district and stops profiting from his position in Washington. It’s not right that as local families struggle, the Carnahans make money.

For more information about Martin’s background and the campaign, visit EdMartinforCongress.com, or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @ed4congress.

Theresa Petry
Press Secretary
“Ed Martin for Congress”
(314) 807-7077 (cell)

theresa.petry@edmartinforcongress.com
www.edmartinforcongress.com

Labor Day, 2010

Webmaster — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:06:49 +0000

Labor day is a day first established to celebrate ”the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations.” Today all of America’s workers enjoy the holiday, both those who are and are not organized. The interests of both categories of workers have converged and in most ways we are all in the same boat. As we enjoy the lovely weather and take the day off from our labors, I think it is important to look at where we are when work resumes on Tuesday.

Too many Missourians are out of work. Recessions are part of the cyclical life of an economy. I have lived through at least three, depending on how you count them, and while it is frustrating and worrisome, America has always bounced back, stronger than before.

This recession has enjoyed a great deal of “help” from the Federal government, or at least what has happened has been billed as help. As the various schemes to “help” the average worker have unfolded, we find the only folks helped were the politically connected.

Consider the Chrysler bailout, ostensibly to help stabilize the job situation for auto workers. First, the deal shut-down hundreds of dealerships. Sales staff were laid off at these firms, along with union service workers, disproportionately in areas away from an urban center. The decisions to shut down one dealership over another had nothing to do with the long-term economic health of the company, but rather was done under an airy rubric of “shared sacrifice.” In reality, the closures brought no measurable improvement to Chrysler’s bottom line, and may be a long-term detriment as buyers switch to other makes that have a local presence.

Fenton workers certainly shared in the “sacrifice” as they watched their tools, equipment and jobs packed up and shipped to Mexico and Canada. Their children and grandchildren will be paying the taxes that cover the cost of Chrysler’s bailout with no job to show for it. The Chrysler bailout fiasco is an unfortunate example of this congress’s incompetence.

The stimulus, another attempt by Congress to borrow enormous sums of money to shore up the economy is proving to be a colossal failure. Among the few types of projects we can all agree create jobs that benefit us all are “infrastructure” projects. How many times did we hear “shovel ready” jobs. The River Des Peres was built during the Great Depression era and benefits St. Louis to this day. However, in nearly a trillion dollars of borrowed money that we will have to pay back, only about 5% is going toward those sort of long-term infrastructure jobs. What of the other 95%? Did Russ Carnahan tell us only 5% will be going toward “shovel ready jobs? Who do we blame for this bald-faced lie?

Any reasonable person would see spending 300 million dollars in our district to make 561 jobs as an insulting waste of resources America simply does not have, but that’s what we have done here in Missouri’s 3^rd District. Millions of dollars have evaporated into the pockets of the politically astute. Congressman Carnahan’s brother Tom is in line to receive $90 million stimulus dollars for his wind farm, one example among thousands of insiders getting their “fair share” at our expense, with no accountability whatsoever, and no jobs as promised.

America’s workers are the most productive in the world, and we love to work. Our government has been overtaken by nannies bent on regulating every aspect of our lives and greedy politicians who cloy and grasp at every dollar they can send to their friends who in return send pennies on the dollar in campaign contributions for favored treatment. 55% of Russ Carnahan’s campaign war chest comes from political action committees who want to keep their place at the trough he fills with borrowed money.

The private sector is being strangled with red tape and robbed with high taxes, wrecking jobs that exist and preventing job growth that would normally occur naturally after an economic correction. It is Congressmen like Russ Carnahan tightening the collar.

These days, what we need in Congress are men and women with a conscience. One of my ancestors is James P. Mitchell (my grandmother’s father’s cousin, though we called him our “great uncle”) who served as Eisenhower’s Labor Secretary. Secretary Mitchell was well-regarded by both labor and business owners for his fairness and obvious concern for the workers of America. As I have come to understand my uncle’s career and approach, I see a man who knew that business owners and their employees need each other to succeed. This congress is punishing business owners without regard to the effect on the tens of thousands who are being thrown out of work, or kept off payrolls all over the country. I will work to be a leader like Secretary Mitchell, who provided commonsense leadership and put the needs of the people first.

No more wealth redistribution, giveaways to family members and campaign donors. Stop the takeover of health care, energy, and finance. Congress needs to change direction and chip away at the taxes and regulation that are creating uncertainty in the business community and destroying growth.

No more bailouts. No more regulatory burdens and stifling taxes for small business. I mean to go to congress and get the IRS and the bureaucracy off the neck of small business. From this new, free environment will flow jobs, jobs, jobs. Congress just needs to get out of the way.

Carnahan Family Feud – Robin Criticizes Bailouts, Brother

Webmaster — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 13:22:57 +0000

Carnahan criticizes bailouts
Democratic Senate hopeful stops in St. Joseph

By Andrew Gaug

Sunday, June 6, 2010 at midnight

Bailouts, oil spills, partisan bickering – Robin Carnahan said it needs to stop.

The Missouri secretary of state, currently running for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, made a stop at a private residence on Lovers Lane Saturday morning to gain support for her campaign.

On Ms. Carnahan’s tour, titled “Stop the Bull,” the self-proclaimed country woman told about 80 attendees she has grown tired of the games politicians have been playing in Washington.

“One thing I learned when I was down on the farm was to know bull when I see it,” she said. “What I need is for you to know bull when you see and hear it as well, and call people out on that.”

Even with a Democratic majority in Congress and a Democrat in the White House, Ms. Carnahan said she has seen too many people get off easy while Americans foot the bill.

“We have too-big-to-fail companies continuing to be bailed out, and we have folks … in the Gulf now that are creating problems and expecting us to pay the bill for that,” she said.

In what might be taken as a counter to her own party’s activities, Ms. Carnahan said increases in government spending need to come to a halt.

“We’re in a situation where people are really changing their habits because we’re in a down economy, and we expect Washington to do the same,” she said.

Ms. Carnahan’s likely opponent in November would be Republican Congressman Roy Blunt, who stopped in St. Joseph on Friday. Ms. Carnahan realizes she’s facing strong opposition.

“It’s going to be a close race,” she said.

Ms. Carnahan warned that Mr. Blunt wields a strong sword, including heavy lobbyist donations. She mentioned a $1,000 contribution he received in May from Halliburton, a point she found offensive, as he serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

“Just last month, he started taking money from Halliburton who, if you remember, is one of the companies responsible for what’s going on in the Gulf right now,” she said.

Also a point of frustration for Ms. Carnahan was Mr. Blunt voting against ideals he claims to base his campaign on. She cited Mr. Blunt’s vote against the Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Tax Act of 2010, which offered $3.6 billion in tax breaks for small businesses,

“This is a guy who runs around on a bus that says on the side, ‘Jobs for Missouri’s Future.’ And yet, when he goes back to Washington, he votes against those things,” she said.

Not skirting the elephant in the room, Ms. Carnahan said the oil spill that has dominated the news should not turn into another case of history repeating itself.

“We’ve got to hold the folks accountable who caused the problem, and not have this be another place where we’re expected to bail them out when they create a problem,” she said. “We’ve seen that story before … and we ought not to have to put up with that again.”

Link to Original Story

Carnahan Photo Op Proves He’s a Hypocrite

Webmaster — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:15:00 +0000

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Theresa Petry, (314) 807-7077

He votes against local cement companies then RSVP’s for ribbon cutting of new cement plant

(ST. LOUIS, MO.) June 4, 2010 –Congressman Russ Carnahan obviously has no scruples and will apparently do anything for a photo opportunity. He pushed his way into a ribbon cutting ceremony that is to be held later today to celebrate the opening of a new Holcim cement plant in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. It is odd behavior from a congressman who voted in favor of the Waxman-Markey Clean Energy and Security Act. It’s a bill known as the cement tax or cap and trade and it is sure to prove devastating to the cement industry among others.

Just last year a Holcim representative talked about the dangers of regulations like cap and trade. “If you’re going to regulate our industry and go with no more coal to power the plants, what’s the alternative?” Sharon Myers, Holcim’s environmental manager, said. “And at what cost to you, your children, and your grandchildren?” Myers went on to say, “We can potentially regulate the industry out of the United States.” (ADA Evening News, Justin Loftin, March 11, 2009)

What does Rubberstamp Russ plan to say to Holcim as he helps cut the ribbon on its newest plant, “Congratulations – I voted to put you out of business?” And as he celebrates the 250 jobs the plant will create in his district will he openly admit that if he has his way their jobs are in jeopardy? Because if the cap and trade bill that Congressman Carnahan voted in favor of actually passes it’s unknown if this new facility will even meet the new government standards and regulations.

Since Carnahan is actually in the district maybe he can go explain why he voted for cap and tax to the 165 employees at the cement company Buzzi Unicem in Festus too. Of course we’ve come to know Congressman Carnahan never truly wants to discuss his actions with the people he is supposed to represent. It’s understandable though; who would want to admitthat they just followed orders from Pelosi? Maybe, like the stimulus bill, he didn’t read the cap and trade bill either. Maybe, like the healthcare bill, he simply didn’t understand the implications it would have on the people of his district – the small businesses it would cause to close, the high energy costs passed on to the people, or the continued job loss.

“The hypocrisy displayed by Congressman Carnahan is typical of a Washington-insider. People are tired of politicians like Carnahan who cast votes against them and then the very next minute pose in a picture smiling as if what they’ve done is a good thing. Carnahan must have learned his spin zone tactics from Pelosi – she was camera ready and smiling as she forced government healthcare upon us. The people of Missouri’s 3rd district are too smart to fall for Carnahan’s posing –they are calling his bluff. They want a real representative not a feel good photo opportunity,” said congressional candidate Ed Martin.

Analysis done by A Concrete Products and Cement Americas found that congressmen with cement interests in their districts voted against the Waxman-Markey Act by a 2-to-1 margin. A large number of the 44 Democrats who voted against it have cement properties in their district. (Concrete Products, Cement Tax, July 1, 2009)

Carnahan as usual did not vote in the best interest of his district but rather rubberstamped the bill along party-lines; once again the actions of a Washington-insider.

For more information about Martin’s background and the campaign, visit EdMartinforCongress.com, or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @ed4congress.

Theresa Petry
Press Secretary
“Ed Martin for Congress”
(314) 807-7077 (cell)

theresa.petry@edmartinforcongress.com
www.edmartinforcongress.com

Agricultural Advisory Group Formed

Webmaster — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 16:36:26 +0000

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Theresa Petry, (314) 807-7077

(ST. LOUIS, MO.) June 2, 2010 – Third congressional candidate Ed Martin recognizes the many agricultural issues facing Missourians especially in the 3rd district. For this reason, he is officially creating Third Congressional District Agricultural Advisory Group.

While most Missouri farmers, agri-businessmen and women, and small business owners in related agricultural fields are keeping their heads down and working hard, the legislative proposals and regulations of the Obama administration are dominating their concerns for the future. In particular, the so-called Cap-and-Trade bill, for which Congressman Russ Carnahan gave his stamp of approval, is at the top of their concerns list. The Missouri Farm Bureau, among many others, is a vocal critic of this government’s activism saying, “The negative implications are very strong for agriculture.” (Hannibal Courier-Post, April 27, 2010) ”More than ever before, farmers and ranchers are literally fearful of what the federal government is planning to do in terms of cap and trade, the Clean Water Restoration Act, possible government run federal health care and spending that is out of control,” said Charles Kruse, Missouri Farm Bureau President. (Missouri Ruralist, Dec 14, 2009)

Ed Martin is taking a stand for Missouri agriculture. He strongly opposes cap-and-trade and understands the detrimental affects it would have on family farms and small businesses – the backbone of our country. Missouri ranks 2nd in the United States in the number of farms with 105,000 farms according to the 2002 and 2007 Census of Agriculture. A 2009 report by the Missouri General Assembly highlights that agriculture adds more than $12.4 billion annually to the Show-Me State economy and employs more than 245,000 people in our state. This is why Ed Martin has created the Agricultural Advisory Group (AAG.)

AAG will hold a number of roundtables in order to address all of the federal issues piling up on the plate of local farmers. The Group will work with agricultural businesses and family farms in the 3rd district to brainstorm real solutions. “I need to be informed and hear their concerns in order to truly represent them in Washington,” said 3rd district congressional candidate Ed Martin

“Big government with its out-of-control spending habit is not an entity we look up to. Missouri farmers are struggling and we need someone to hear us – someone who won’t cave to big business but will look out for the best interest for all of us. We farmers need to be heard and I am thrilled Ed Martin has created this Agricultural Advisory Group and extremely honored to have been asked to be the co-chairman,” said Marty Strussion, owner of Cave Vineyard in Ste. Genevieve.

Members of AAG include David Reed as chairman, Marty Strussion as co-chairman, and Katie Smith as honorary chairman. Click on this hyperlink for a brief list of their relative work experience.

Congressman Carnahan wants to make it appear he is focused on agricultural issues too. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will be in St. Louis fundraising for Carnahan this week.The Congressman can’t pull the wool over the eyes of Missouri farmers though – they knowCarnahan is out-of-touch with farmers – aside from farmers like his brother whose windmill farm would benefit from cap-and-trade.

For more information about Martin’s background and the campaign, visit EdMartinforCongress.com, or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @ed4congress.

Theresa Petry
Press Secretary
“Ed Martin for Congress”
(314) 807-7077 (cell)

theresa.petry@edmartinforcongress.com
www.edmartinforcongress.com

Carnahan & Cash – Easy Come, Easy Go

Webmaster — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:13:19 +0000

The press is noticing that we are staying competitive with Russ Carnahan with cash on hand. Here is an excerpt from the St. Louis Beacon:

The financial success of Sowers and Martin continues to be striking, in part, because their districts are generally deemed safe turf for the incumbent party. The fact that both insurgents are continuing to amass money is seen as a sign of their campaigns’ energy, which in turn has helped Martin and Sowers attract attention — and more money — from national GOP or Democratic groups.

While Russ Carnahan is raising more money, he is spending more too. A good deal more. Here is a table with figures from official Federal Election Commission reports both of our campaigns have to file:

	Total Raised	Total Raised for Quarter	Total Spent	Total Spent for Quarter	Cash on Hand
Martin	$582,278	$202,659	$103,498	$59,443	$478,779
Carnahan	$875,299	$258,697	$533,948	$110,567	$520,545

Often when I ask for your support, I mention that we are being very frugal with your campaign contributions. Here is the evidence. Despite all the events and town halls we are having, Russ Carnahan has spent over five times as much as our campaign. My campaign staff is doing an excellent job maximizing the impact of your support. In comparison, Carnahan’s campaign is spending money like – well – a liberal congressman. Taxpayers are covering the costs of his mailings telling us how wonderful Obamacare will be. Taxpayers are paying for the staff members who hang up the phone when constituents call. It’s not like his campaign is arranging for town halls to explain his voting record, yet there went half a million dollars.

I think his campaign spending record is reflective of his voting record. Russ Carnahan is lavish with other people’s money.

Russ Carnahan may be more shrewd when it is not the taxpayer’s money. His yacht the “Attractive Nuisance”. This boat has not been registered since 2008, the equivalent of not buying plates for your car. It is currently berthed in Alton, even though his home state has a marina just across the river. A cynic might think he is planning to register the boat in Illinois to avoid Missouri’s personal property taxes.

That of course is between Russ Carnahan, his conscience and the Department of Revenue. I bring it up primarily because last summer Russ Carnahan stated that protesting against an expensive entitlement (paid for with other people’s money) is an attack on representative government. However, not paying registration fees and berthing your yacht in your home state passes Russ Carnahan’s smell test just fine.

I have no beef whatsoever with how Russ Carnahan burns through money free people give to him freely. However, Russ Carnahan’s campaign budget demonstrates why he should not be allowed to handle government resources. For Russ’s campaign cash it may be “easy come, easy go”, but we work too hard for that to apply to the federal budget.

What About Earmarks?

Webmaster — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:42:19 +0000

The following comment was posted in another blog page. I thought it deserved a full-throated response.

Ed,

This is my major gripe..Republicans who claim fiscal conservatism. voted against the stimulus,..but still earmark funds, and lobby for constituents to get stimulus funds.

Hey, I will vote and donate $$$ to a candidate, incumbent who, votes for reduced spending, AND does not earmark, doe not lobby for government spending for his district!!

I worked as a contractor at two Federal Agencies..IT IS MY DEEPLY HELD BELIEF: you can eliminate 40.0% of the Federal Civilian Work Force…and the work would get done. The feather bedding is that pervasive!!!!

So where are you on this????

Believe me, when I write the check for my taxes I fume about the pork-barrel spending in which both parties indulge. It’s common for pols to invoke “the children” for this policy or that, but my children right this minute will owe at least $40,000 – and this is just the debt that the Federal government has on the books. Unfunded liabilities are a looming concern that dwarfs even this figure.

I will not support the earmark system that Congress has been engaged in. It is secretive, not transparent and too often wasteful. I do not believe in robbing Peter’s kids and grandkids to pay for Congressman Paul’s memorial rock garden and recycling center. This is is a terrible crime.

A caveat – the private sector does not have the capacity to fund certain types of projects, like dams, levies and bridges. I would much rather these infrastructure projects be managed and funded by the states and I think we need to move in that direction. However I will be less hostile to projects that have an effect on a broad swath of America’s citizens, not a payoff to a local group of supporters.

As to public sector employees – I don’t know about the percentage you cite, but I know that there are many good, entrepreneurial people working in the public sector who would be far more productive in the public sector. The private sector has to trim labor costs but during this recession the only industry reliably gaining jobs and raising pay is State and Federal government. Many of my friends and colleagues are starting businesses or finding new career paths after being laid off in across-the-board layoffs. They will survive and thrive because they are Americans and that’s what we do. I see no reason why public servants should be exempt from this economic reality.

I am going to need the vigorous support of fiscally responsible men in women like you in the days ahead. I will not be buying the support of politically active groups with earmarks nor am I promising to. My opponent does and will, an egregious example being the $90 million in subsidies his brother is slated to get for his wind farm.

That’s a lot of scratch. Politically connected folks need only peel a few layers of bills off that fat, taxpayer-funded wad of cash to bankroll a politician. Those who are used to the free-flowing milk and honey from the taxpayer are going to scream and whine like the world is ending. The moment I lay my hand on that spigot the press will stick a camera in their face and they will lament that I am against sunshine and rainbows. We’ll have to gut-check ourselves daily and not waver from the task of saving our financial future. I’m up for the challenge, but I’ll need your continued support.

Thank you for the excellent question.

P.S. For the record, I am for sunshine and rainbows.

Ed Martin For Congress » Debt

Freedom Week Countdown – My Pledge to YOU: Stop the Out-of-Control Spending

Carnahan Claims Social Security is Stable

Social Security: Carnahan Clueless … Or Lying To Us?

Support the Campaign

Support the Air Campaign

Repeal Russ Carnahan

Support the Mail Campaign

Call on Carnahan Family to Forfeit Stimulus Funds

Labor Day, 2010

Carnahan Family Feud – Robin Criticizes Bailouts, Brother

Carnahan Photo Op Proves He’s a Hypocrite

Agricultural Advisory Group Formed

Carnahan & Cash – Easy Come, Easy Go

What About Earmarks?