Ed Martin For Congress » Economy

Why We Must Have a Balanced Budget Amendment

Webmaster — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 22:44:33 +0000

The current debate over debt limits, deficits and spending cuts are important, but we cannot lose sight of the fact that the budget that will be agreed upon is only binding until the next budget is passed. Though Senators and Representatives speak loftily about trillions cut over ten years, the fact remains that Congress cannot bind its future hands. The next fiscal year is a clean slate, and once the heat is off it is back to mortgaging our children’s future to pay off well-connected interests.

Almost every state in the union has a balanced budget requirement in their constitution. Some are weak, some are strong, some are easily gamed by legislators, but they are there to protect the fiscal health of the state.

Only the constitution of a state can bind a future state legislature to fiscal responsibility. Only the constitution of the United States can bind future Congresses to the will of the States, a fact made all the more critical since the Federal government can print money whereas the States cannot.

Neither party has had the stomach to balance the nation’s books save for one short period in the 1990s. The latest spell of runaway spending has terrified the nation and roiled the people who see their children born with obligations in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Yes, we must stop spending more than we receive, but I have no faith that we will see fiscal discipline over the long haul without a balanced budget amendment. It is a shame that our political class must have such a sword dangled over their heads, but 70 years of profligate spending and half-hearted attempts at restraint have proven utterly that it is desperately needed.

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

Freedom Week Countdown – My Pledge to YOU – Jobs

Webmaster — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 13:09:33 +0000

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs!

(ST. LOUIS, MO.) Oct. 26, 2010 – Jobs are without a doubt Ed Martin’s main focus. His dedication to creating shovel ready jobs is evident from his grassroots effort Shop Local-Hire Local to his determination to stop Cap and Trade, his Agricultural Advisory Group, lowering the regulatory burden on small businesses, to simply where he buys his shoes.

Ed Martin’s pledge today is: “I will work tirelessly and do everything possible to create shovel-ready jobs for Missouri’s 3^rd district. I will fight Cap and Trade and work to lower the regulatory burden on our small businesses. And I will not vote on a stimulus plan that simply benefits my family and does not create jobs.” – Ed Martin

Congressman Carnahan voted for the bailout of Chrysler. The auto company closed its Fenton plant and moved the jobs to Mexico and Canada. He never demanded any accountability in his bailout bargain vote. Carnahan also voted for spending billions on a stimulus bill that only created 568 jobs in Missouri’s 3^rd district. That stimulus funneled a $107 Million cash payment to his brother, Tom Carnahan’s wind mill farm. His brother’s wind farm may be why he also voted for Cap and Trade – which would be crippling for everyone from farmers, small businesses and families. Carnahan’s vote for the government takeover of health care also proved to be job-killing in this district.

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

Russ Carnahan’s “One Minute Speech” on Chrysler Bailout

Webmaster — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 13:11:13 +0000

What did Russ Carnahan do to keep Chrysler from taking taxpayer money and closing down the Fenton Plant? Former Chrysler workers will have to pay the taxes to cover the bailout, as will their children.

Carnahan to Sign Lame Duck Pledge for Jobs?

Webmaster — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:30:02 +0000

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Call on Congressman to Support Small Business/Job Growth

(ST. LOUIS, MO.) Sept. 30, 2010 – Today, Ed Martin sent a letter to Congressman Russ Carnahan requesting he sign a Lame Duck Pledge for Jobs. The Pledge states the Congressman will vote NO on any job-killing bills brought to the House floor by Nancy Pelosi as Congress convenes during the November/December lame-duck session of this Congress. It specifically addresses Cap and Trade, Amnesty for Illegal Immigrants, the Death Tax, Arbitration, Secret Ballots for Union Workers, and so called “Stimulus” money to special interests and family members.

“If Congressman Carnahan would take the time to listen to the small business owners in our district, as I have, then he would know that signing this pledge is in the best interest of everyone. He must realize that our local businesses and families are struggling and hurting. The fear of even more government red tape is such a burden that it is stifling business, clamping down on job growth and ultimately detrimental to our families – his constituents. The Congressman can’t be for the people – yet vote against them,” 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

Call on Carnahan Family to Forfeit Stimulus Funds

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

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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.

Oil Spill Failure of Big Gov’t, not Free Market

Webmaster — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:17:19 +0000

Generally, while in the teeth of a crisis, it is unwise to spend much energy on recriminations. Firemen wait until the inferno is reduced to embers before beginning to piece together the circumstances that caused the blaze. It is a matter of priorities.

Of course, if it is learned that a fire broke out because the building did not have proper wiring, or stored flammables incorrectly, or some other such violation of the fire code and it is learned that the fire department just inspected the place and gave them a series of waivers for violations, that is a different story. In that case, we would see the inspector as indirectly responsible for the damage or injuries.

If it is further learned that the building owner had a very cozy relationship with the fire chief, giving substantial sums of money and support to the chiefs’ favorite causes, we would see corruption.

Far from being a free-market “leave us alone” corporation, British Petroleum has been very cozy with Big Government. BP chief executive Tony Hayward was helping Senator John Kerry promote Cap and Trade legislation. BP funded a lobbying group that agitated for regulation – not de-regulation. Right up until the point 11 people died on the Deepwater Horizon and oil began gushing into the gulf, BP was the very model of a modern corporation – a favored pet of Congress and the Administration. Over and over, BP lobbyists lined up to advocate for subsidies, earning profits by digging into taxpayer and consumer’s pockets. On the ill-fated oil rig, BP received slack from those appointed to enforce the rules. I think we will learn that the long series of waivers from standard practice BP secured from their overseers cost the lives of our fellow citizens – good people who were just doing their job.

The Gulf Oil Spill is not a failure of the free market or the consequences of de-regulation. It is a failure of lax enforcement brought on by judgment clouded by ideological considerations or outright graft. Arguably, overregulation over the decades as government has encroached where it does not belong has lead to a system where big corporations find it easier to influence the regulatory environment than to comply with byzantine laws.

We barely have a free market anymore. Rather than being an impartial referee for the common good, government has gotten into the habit of picking winners and losers through regulations, tax codes, bailouts and subsidies. That’s where the big campaign money is. Big Corporations have learned that it is easier to suck up to the Big Government agenda and earn special consideration in laws and enforcement. Big Government believes it can use corporate cash to buy elections. We need to support efforts to disentangle Government so that it no longer favors individual businesses and industries, but simply and evenly serves the common good as defined by the Constitution.

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