Former Wisconsin 7th Congressional District Candidate Seeks Support in Non-traditional Way

For the many that didn’t know before they went to vote in 2010, there were five possible choices in the Congressional primary and I was one of them.  Dubbed the last minute filer or the Conservative Democrat by many of our media outlets, I chose to run against Julie Lassa so that she wouldn’t be allowed to skate to November’s election without first defending her beliefs and past state voting record to her potential supporters.


This vetting process is an important American tradition in politics as it exposes a candidate in a way that may not be revealed in a general election especially if both party candidates share the same beliefs.  This was fully accomplished in 2010 as both major parties went to a primary.  Presently this is not the case for the 2012 Congressional election and that is unfortunate although avoidable.

With only two announced major party candidates, both with heavily banked campaign accounts, I fear that many issues important to our district will be sidestepped to avoid undue attention.  Sean Duffy, hoping for political gain, voted to give President Obama the authority to raise the debt ceiling $2.1 trillion and voted to extend the payroll tax cut.  Both of which only continues to raise the national debt at an increasingly alarming rate.  Pat Kreitlow, the Democrat challenger, is also likely to do the same as these expenditures where championed by the Democrat party.


Once again I find myself asking “Are the beliefs and values of the candidate with the most connections ~ ergo money ~ the basis of what this country’s future seeks to become”.  As in 2010, I am faced with the same decision on whether to be involved in this vetting process.  Two years ago through my own efforts I obtained nearly all 1000 signatures needed for nomination.  This year due to time and commitments I am asking for your help this spring in acquiring them before the June 1st deadline.


To achieve this goal we will need to obtain a minimum of 1000 nomination signatures to place myself on the primary ballot to face Sean Duffy and provide him with an opportunity to defend his voting record.  Together with a little effort we can make this happen.  Don’t let the political money machine force you into believing there are only two candidates.


Please visit www.votefordon.com for easy to follow instructions and complete information if you are interested in making this election more than just the typical same old political rhetoric.

Afghanistan's Karzai to U.S. " We want $2 Billion a year! "; Sean Duffy's Past Support

In a speech today [4/17/12], Afghanistan’s President Karzai announced he wants a United States written guarantee of at least $2 billion yearly to fund future Afghan army and police efforts under a strategic partnership agreement being negotiated between the two countries.  Several conditions have already been met included control over U.S. run Bagram Prison and Special Forces night raids against the Taliban.  Karzai adds, “We don't want them to spend a lot of money here, we would like to help them save their money, but give some to us too”.  [AFP News] 

Does our thankless efforts to liberate Afghanistan end with a continuous flow of endless unsustainable American tax dollars to which I believe most will be outraged?  Apparently it does and will be decided on who pays what at next month’s NATO meeting in Chicago.  I need to hold back and reserve my verbal tirade for when it is due – I’m assuming something this financially unsustainable and ridiculous needs to be voted on by Congress and not just allocated by the president from some endless pool of available foreign resources.  

Yes, we can blame George Bush for entering these wars [and we shall], but President Obama shares much of the current blame for not following his campaign promises to end this war quickly.  Not only did Obama make promises to end it, but he had a Democrat controlled House and Senate to end it without Republican interference.  As does it continue now with a Republican controlled House; our own representative Sean Duffy voting for countless measures that support the war effort regardless of poll after poll showing unanimous unified support to end the wars now.

I was truly dismayed early last year while attending a Sean Duffy meet and greet in Superior when I asked him how his trip went to Afghanistan and why are we still there.  Without hesitation he replied “we are making tremendous strides over there” and moved on to greet others guests.  Strides to what?  What’s the goal and when does it end?  Even Duffy’s Democrat contender Pat Kreitlow calls for a plan, but his allegiances and rank and file mentality don’t offer anything more than follow the leader politics with Obama’s non-urgent policies in ending this war.  I’d prefer to stick to a decisive decision that is simple and what nearly every American wants – the war is over now and the draw down starts tomorrow.

There should be no shock to the American people if that was the decision of Congress.  I’ve seen polls as high as 90% saying get our boys home and I’m sure those numbers cut across all political spectrums.  So why then are we still there?  This war needed an ending and it had one when Bin Laden was killed in Pakistan but it was passed on by the Obama Administration.  That just leads me to believe that there is another unannounced reason for being there because no matter the reasoning our boys are still being killed and maimed, families are being torn apart with pain and agony and the financial costs further bury this country’s future.

Those are all good reasons to leave as quickly as possible.  Our guys can’t even fight with their hands so tied up with those damn rules of military engagement our leaders have saddled them with.  And all for what?  Afghanistan has only two resources that the world would fight so aggressively over – Opium and rare-earth minerals.  Its history is deep in the opium trade, even today with the on-going war it is still the world’s leader in production.  With the many billions of dollars flowing after every harvest funding countless corrupt governments across the region it is no wonder the enemy is endless. 

In 2010 it was reported by the NY Times that the U.S. had identified vast mineral reserves worth possibly a trillion or more.  This could explain why Russia and China have such a guarded interest in the region.  It could also explain why the American people are not given a reasonable and just cause as to why U.S. troops and financial resources are so expendable.  Let’s leave it at that and you can come to your own conclusion.

Extras:  news source from AFP News and VOA News; Duffy meeting at Perkins in Superior-Spring 2011; http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/14/world/asia/14minerals.html?pagewanted=all

Sean Duffy Votes For Payroll Tax Cut Extension - Adds $143 Billion to National Debt

With nearly a 2 to 1 passing vote margin in both the House and the Senate and a flick of the wrist by President Obama the governing bodies of the United States delivered a gift wrapped addition to the national debt for the American public. The $143 billion compromise extends the ‘temporary’ payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits to the end of the year and will leave Congress with the same dilemma we’ve seen before – either play the Grinch before Christmas or to cave, yet again, on the hard decisions.

I just don’t understand the reasoning and officially none was really championed by either party more or less because both want it quickly off the radar. Democrats are for it, of course I’ll remind everyone that Democrats had controlling power in Congress when it was passed and sign by Obama on Dec 17, 2010 and now the majority of Republicans have caved in to continually damage any chance of fiscal recovery in my lifetime.

Here’s the long winded 13:10 video of the WH response including my favorite comment (early on) that “this bill moves the country forward”, to what I do not know.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2010/12/17/president-obama-signs-tax-cuts-and-unemployment-insurance-legislat

What’s the line up for Christmas 2012 look like? Set to expire at year’s end we have the Bush tax cut extensions (yes, it’s still out there and yes both party’s are afraid to touch it). Next, we have the National Debt Ceiling Cap – here again we classic “Duffy Confusion”, where he voted to give the authorization to President Obama and I’m assuming he didn’t expect him to use it, rrrright! Finally, we have the 2% FICA payroll tax extension which apparently has been permanently attached to unemployment benefits; I guess in the eyes of Congress the two were made for each other and everybody gets a little something.

Why pick on the Duffster? He’s just giving his constituents in the 7th district what they want, right? I’m not so sure about that, if people fully understood the severe dampage that putting an extra $40 in your pocket meant rather than paying it into FICA they would be telling him where to stick his vote. And don’t you Pat Kreitlow fans worry; his tiring Obamanomic retread ideals will get equal play. For now let’s move forward and secure the facts from omission.

Extras: House voted on February 17, 2012 293 – 132 for bill passage. Notable No votes – Michelle Bachmann (R) and Ron Kind (D) whom S. Duffy replaces in St. Croix County through redistricting.

Julie Lassa Throws Dave Obey Under the Bus

News From 91.3 KUWS
Lassa: She's own person, distancing herself from Obey
Story posted Friday at 3:33 p.m.
http://www.businessnorth.com/kuws.asp?RID=3584

9/11/2010

The leading Democrat in the race to replace Wisconsin Congressman Dave Obey is not planning to ask him to campaign for her if she wins Tuesday's primary. Mike Simonson reports from Superior.

Since deciding in May not to run for re-election after serving northern Wisconsin in the U.S. House since 1969, Obey won't be a center piece of State Senator Julie Lassa's campaign. Lassa says she appreciates Obey's service but will campaign apart from him.

"The page has now turned and we're beginning to write a new chapter and I'm hoping to be able to write that chapter with the people of this district to making sure they have someone who will be a strong and independent voice."

Lassa says she'll quote "clean up Washington" if she's elected in November. Republicans are blaming Obey as head of the House Appropriations Committee for running up the federal deficit. Meanwhile, Lassa's Democratic primary opponent Realtor Don Raihala of Superior says he doesn't see Obey as a liability.

"Absolutely not. Dave Obey is very popular. I mean you don't stay in office for 41 years without that kind of influence so, no he wouldn't be a liability."

This is Raihala's first run for office in Wisconsin.

Cap and Trade Hurts Superior [everyone]

Cap & Trade Hurts Superior

For decades oil and coal have supported Superior with high paying jobs and tax revenues. Now is the time to support them with your vote this election cycle. The future success of the planned oil refinery expansion and the continued success of regional coal supplier Midwest Energy are now in the hands of the voter. Simply put, if you want gasoline and electricity rates to remain relatively affordable, vote for a candidate that opposes the Cap and Trade of carbon emissions.

It makes very little sense for the United States to take on the world’s perceived problems by saddling its citizens with outrageous energy taxes while enormous countries like China, Russia, and India are unwilling to participate on the same scale. Even more preposterous is to implement these types of policies when our country is at its most trying point of economic recovery.

Both Superior energy companies share similar viewpoints on Cap and Trade, but Murphy Oil’s viewpoint is more public and direct to the point as stated in the following two paragraphs from its fuel America website, Stand With Us Against Higher Fuel Prices:

If you are one of the many hard-working Americans who depend on their cars to get to work, school and home, you will shoulder the lion’s share of the cost of a climate change bills being considered in Congress.

The Waxman-Markey (H.R. 2454) and Boxer-Kerry global warming bills would increase energy costs, increase U.S. reliance on imported energy, reduce economic output, and jeopardize American jobs at the worst possible time – when we are fighting to climb out of a severe recession. Higher energy prices cause a ripple effect throughout our economy, increasing the costs of goods and services we all use and need.

Leaders in both political parties agree on the bills damaging effects, yet differ on their support. President Obama said “under my plan of a Cap and Trade system electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket”, yet fully supports its implementation. John Boehner, House minority leader, calls it “a punishing tax on American companies and consumers”.

With passage of Cap and Trade legislation looming on the horizon and its fine regulatory details hidden in thousands of pages of text creating an air of uncertainty; it is no wonder that companies are holding their cash reserves rather than expanding their workforce or facilities.

Julie Lassa and Russ Feingold openly support a Cap and Trade system that will ultimately result in drastic cost increases of the energies you consume. Use your vote this fall to let them know that cap and trade not only hurts Superior, but the entire recovery of the United States.

Welcoming remarks

I want to first thank you all that have managed to find this blog or for that matter any information on the internet on myself and my run for U.S. Congress. It has definitely been an extreme struggle, full of stress and anxiety, to please the internet monarchs and make it possible for myself to be search worthy. Nonetheless, we shall eventually prevail and overcome this debacle and start campaigning on an even playing field.

As mentioned in my website, the national debt will be the primary focal point of my campaign. It is such a monstrous problem that it encompasses and hinders literally all governmental decision making progress or at the very least it should. It should not be treated as an afterthought. When I read news stories about how the government is borrowing 41 cents out of every dollar it spends, my stomach churns. I ask myself how in the world can this possibly be going on. How can this not be addressed at every moment on every issue. This is the real issue!

The national debt is like being covered in a big wet blanket. We need to recognize it's on us, we need to admit that it's uncomfortable, and we need to be willing to take the steps to get it off of us.

On February 4, 2010 the House of Representatives voted 217-212 to raise the national debt ceiling $1.9 trillion, from 12.4 trillion to 14.3 trillion dollars. This is a cap that realistically will be reached, based on current spending levels, sometime early next year. There are some major spending decisions that will need to be made in order to end this endless spiral to economic disaster. The biggest current contributors being the two military conflicts and seemingly endless stimulus and bailout spending must come to an end. I, as your next Congressman, will vote not to increase the current debt ceiling and start dealing with the problems everyone seems to be avoiding. We simply cannot continue on this path of economic destruction.