Hunter Walks the Walk

Duncan Hunter Purchases Brand New Ford F-150

HUNTER WALKS THE WALK
Puts his money where his mouth and principles are

Detroit, MI – Republican Presidential Candidate Duncan Hunter gave a tangible demonstration of his support for U.S. manufacturers in a campaign stop in Detroit today.   On a mid-morning visit to Suburban Ford in Sterling Heights, MI., Hunter made good on his "Buy American" platform.  He bought American by driving off with a brand new Ford F-150 pick-up truck.  "Some may call this a cheap political stunt," quipped Hunter, "but my wife will call this an expensive gesture."

Hunter said he traveled to Michigan to make it clear that he will follow through on his commitment to American businesses.   As President, Hunter said he will restore the strength of this country's manufacturing base.

Hunter has contended, in his campaign swings, that good high-paying manufacturing jobs are being lost to China and other countries.  "Our manufacturers are forced to compete against foreign competitors that benefit unfairly from currency manipulation, and from bad trade deals."

Hunter added, "One of the duties of the American President is to make good trade deals.   We have a bad [trade] deal and, as President, I will rectify it."

Excellent Links

Duncan Hunter Video & Audio Links

Right to Life Rally Firefighter's Forum MSNBC Interview Pt.1 MSNBC Interview Pt.2 (truncated) Hardball Interview Let's Build This Fence MSNBC Interview China Ad Fence Ad Pro Life News Interview Glenn Beck Interview Glenn Beck II Blog Interview Memorial Day '06 Audio Link (long) Podcast Interview

Presidential Straw Poll '08

My Kinda Prez Candidate

GOP '08 hopeful keeps visit low-key

By KAREN LOVETT
Telegraph Staff

NASHUA – When Republican presidential candidate John McCain toured the state on a recent stormy weekend, he hired a plow to lead his bus full of staffers, supporters and a "60 Minutes" news crew.

When fellow hopeful Mitt Romney swept through New Hampshire in February, he was traveling with a small entourage of cars full of assistants.

But when yet another GOP presidential contender, Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif ., rolled into the parking lot of the Broad Street Country Store in Nashua on Sunday, it was in a rented Ford SUV.

Store owner Vahrij Manoukian rushed to the passenger side to greet Hunter.

"I said, 'Congressman, how are you?' " Manoukian recalled. "He said, 'I'm not the congressman. I'm the aide.' "

Hunter, it turns out, did his own driving during his visit to the Granite State , which included stops in Goffstown and Keene.

To a crowd of about 50 gathered at the store, the 14-term House member paid little attention to McCain, Rudy Giuliani and Romney, who are widely recognized as theHunter pointed to two recent straw polls – informal votes used to gauge people's opinions – in which he had strong showings South Carolina and Arizona.

And Hunter stands by his main concerns, which are defense, securing the country's borders and bolstering manufacturing jobs, which he says have been pushed overseas.

China is "cheating on trade" by devaluing its currency, Hunter said. The Chinese government gives subsidies to exporters, which ultimately lowers prices and pushes American goods off the shelves.

If elected, he pledged to review trade agreements and take action with countries that aren't complying.

Hunter touted his border-control record, citing a wall built in the 1990s between San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico, that he said knocked down drug-smuggling by 90 percent and slashed San Diego's crime rate. He has written legislation to extend that wall by 854 miles, stretching through Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

An audience member asked his opinion on Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean, two Texas Border Patrol agents who, while on duty, shot a Mexican drug-runner non-fatally.

They were each sentenced to more than 10 years in prison, and the issue has generated controversy because some feel the two men should be pardoned. Hunter agreed and said he would do the same if elected.

"I definitely liked his views on illegal immigration and on pardoning the agents," said Candi Mann of Hudson, adding that she didn't share his concerns about international trade because she's unfamiliar with the policies.

"He's a very detail-oriented guy, which makes an effective congressman," said Mark LeDoux of Hollis. "My suggestion in his campaign is to spare some of the details . . . and stick with the big picture."

Dan Hogan of Nashua said was impressed with Hunter's pro-life stance and said he'd keep an eye on the candidate, no matter what the standings say.

"The media has been saying for some time that the Republican people are not terribly enamored with the top three," Hogan said. "I'd say (Hunter) stands as good a chance as anybody."

1st Amendment -- Right to Free Assembly

From Betsy Russell's blog "Eye on Boise."

March 26, 2007

 

The Senate State Affairs Committee has agreed on a party-line vote to introduce legislation changing Idaho's primary election system. Under the proposed plan, Idahoans would have to register with a political party, but they could choose 'independent' and still vote in primary elections. However, their choice of which party's ballot they vote at each election would be public record. This "modified closed" primary system was promoted by The Common Interest, a citizen group, as a way to avoid losing a lawsuit from the GOP if that party attempts to unilaterally close its primary.

Rep. Marv Hagedorn, R-Meridian, said, "One of the hardest things we've had to do here is taking off our party hats. … It can be very easily misconstrued that this is the Republicans trying to push something down someone's throats."

Keith Allred, head of The Common Interest, said the modified closed primary system has been shown in empirical research to result in election results that are more representative, rather than dominated by party extremists or "tomfoolery" where members of one party attempt to sabotage the results for another party. He said lawmakers face a "stark choice" – if they don't pass the bill, "it is likely that, after a messy litigation process, Idaho's open primary statute will be trumped by an internal Republican Party rule that closes its primaries, including closing them to independents."

Democrats on the panel were suspicious, however, and county clerks testified that the state should "go slow" on changing the primary system – that there's not time to move to a new system before the 2008 election. "It's going to be a major change in the election process," said Sharon Widner, president of the Idaho Association of County Recorders and Clerks.

State Affairs Chairman Sen. Curt McKenzie, R-Nampa, said the bill will return to the committee for a full hearing before proceeding further – though time is running out for this year's legislative session.

Idaho's Top 50 Conservative List for 2006

Top 50 Idaho Conservatives for 2006

This list represents Idaho’s “conservatives’ conservatives.” The previous list generated in 2003 was the work of many individuals and went through numerous steps. It was, however, obvious from the first round of nominations in 2003 who was going to make the Top 50 Idaho Conservative list.

The running comment in 2003 was, “Can you actually find 50 true conservatives in Idaho?” Well, we did with more to boot. We had over 100 nominations.

For 2006, nominees must have actively participated in promoting the conservative agenda in Idaho since 2003.

The Idaho Top 50 Conservative List reflects the notable saying that “Ideas have Consequences.” There are people who have worked diligently promoting the conservative ideas of less government, lower taxes, and the proper role of government by protecting our individual freedoms and our property rights. On the consequences side, a number of prominent elected officials made the list who have a clear record of defending the conservative principles while attempting to implement these ideas through various legislative actions.

Idaho’s Top 50 Idaho Conservative List for 2006

1
Bill Sali
State Representative
Kuna
2
Gerry Sweet
State Senator
Meridian
3
Rod Beck
Frm. Senate Majority Leader
Boise
4
Lenore Barrett
State Representative
Challis
5
Tom Loertscher
State Representative
Bone
6
Phil Hart
State Representative
Athol
7
Cliff Bayer
State Representative
Boise
8
Lawerence Denney
House Majority Leader
Midvale
9
Henry Kuczyk
Frm. State Rep.
Eagle
10
Laird Maxwell
Political Activist
Boise
11
Pete Neilsen
State Representative
Mtn. Home
12
Ralph Smeed
Political Philosopher
Caldwell
13
Stan Hawkins
Frm. State Senator
Ucon
14
Jim Auld
Frm. State Senator
Boise
15
Robert Schaefer
State Representative
Nampa
16
Monty Pearce
State Senator
New Plymouth
17
Mike Moyle
Asst. House Majority Leader
Star
18
Dick Harwood
State Representative
St. Maries
19
Shirley McKague
State Representative
Meridian
20
Russ Fulcher
State Senator
Meridian
21
Jack Wenders
Econ. Prof. U of I (emeritus)
Moscow
22
Tina Jacobson
Political Activist
Rathdrum
23
Irene Gans
Political Activist
Nampa
24
Bryan Fischer
Political Activist
Boise
25
Steven Thayne
Political Activist
Emmett
26
Helen Chenoweth
Frm. US Congressman
Tonapah, NV
27
Scott Bedke
State Representative
Oakley
28
David Ripley
Political Activist
Boise
29
Trish Oak & Halli Stone
Radio Personalities
Idaho Falls
30
Brandi Swindell
Political Activist
Boise
31
Bob & Barbara Forrey
Frm. State Rep. and Activists
Boise
32
Don Burtenshaw
State Senator
Terreton
33
Joe Rohner II
Political Activist
Boise
34
Ron Vieselmeyer
Frm. State Rep.
Coeur d'Alene
35
Maurice Clements
Activist and Frm. State Rep.
Nampa
36
Butch Otter
US Congressman
Star
37
Mike McVoy
Frm. State Representative
Emmett
38
Elysee Barrett
Political Activist and author
Boise
39
Don Schanz
Political Activist
Idaho Falls
40
Charotte Twight
BSU Prof. and author
Boise
41
Cindy Reis
Political Activist
Boise
42
Becky Ponkow
Internet News Service
Pocatello
43
George Detweiller
Political Activist
Twin Falls
44
Dan Symms
Agra-Businessman
Sunny Slope
45
Larry Craig
US Senator
Midvale
46
Norm Semanko
Political Activist
Eagle
47
Dan Dunham
Political Activist
Boise
48
Larry Lyons
I.F. City Council
Idaho Falls
49
Jack Noble
Frm. State Senator
Kuna
50
Ronalee Linsenmann
Political Activist
Nampa

Dear Mr. President

SPUD NOTES: I recieved this letter and thought you might like to read, too. Send it on to some of your friends. It is the best pro-Fair Tax letter I've read in a long time. It is time we redouble our efforts to abolish the IRS.


Dear Mr. President,

We are writing you today regarding the IRS, the most un-American institution of our government.

We have accessed the IRS website to find a way to speak with a human being regarding a tax number for the estate of a family member as it is required for estate processing. Using the only number that can be found on the website and checked against the records of several legal firms in the area as the number to get those answers, all the telephone has done for two days is ring busy and after a period of time, disconnect. This is two days of labor listening to a telephone ring. This is not the only time I have had trouble with the IRS and the first contact was much worse.

We were in a catastrophic auto accident a few months after I made a mistake and had to take money from an IRA. My wife was near death (she has recovered to a small degree since) and I was badly broken and we both spent the next four months in the hospital. All of that time the IRS was on us and even began taking personal property without a hearing. Laying in serious condition in the hospital, I spent every available moment attempting to mortgage assets to pay the tax bill, as they continued harassment. If I put money in my checking account to pay bills, it was confiscated upon deposit. Even with verification that we were attempting to obtain mortgages and with clear evidence that we were likely (and subsequently were) approved, the harassment continued.

Following release from the hospital, my wife, now paralyzed and in a neck and body brace and I, barely able to walk, went to the IRS servive center in Saginaw, Michigan, to ask that the IRS back off a little as we worked, diligently, to get them paid. They refused.

I am sure you have heard similar and certainly worse cases than this, but it shows me that the third word in the name, service, is not what this agency is about unless you attach a perverse meaning to the word.

We are just regular Americans. We are not criminals and we are right with all creditors and have always been so. A quick check by the IRS of our credit would have shown that but instead, we were treated like criminals. This is a rogue agency out of control.

Further, the interpretations of tax law are in the hands of the IRS and it is the only court in the country that assumes guilt rather than innocence. I find no virtue in this supposition.

Let's take an example. If I were an accountant and earned only $30,000 for my services as such, yet other accountants earn $60,000 for their services, the IRS can insist that I, too, earned $60,000 and force me to pay taxes on that amount unless that I can prove that I did not receive that amount. How can one prove that one did not receive that amount?

Our tax laws are archaic, burdensome and are completely against the American ideal in which you are entitled to the money you earn, all of it, no matter how much it is. The graduated income tax is socialistic in nature and stifles productivity, right down to the person working overtime and determining it is not worth the effort as the government will take the rewards for doing so.

You commissioned a panel led by former elected officials to study the tax gathering process in the U.S. with the expectation that they would return to you a fair process in which productivity is rewarded, thus enhancing business and with which the citizenry would be dealt with in a fair manner. They instead returned to you only changes that would keep the current unfair and burdensome tax code in place.

This tax code is no longer in place to gather money from the citizenry but rather a method of social engineering and reelection. This is absolutely wrong. We don't need social engineering. We need social responsibility. We don't need people to be reelected through contributions by organizations seeking different treatment. We need our lawmakers to be reelected through performance. We need a new tax code.

There is one plan out there that eliminates the pariah, the IRS. It reduces the points of income from millions to a much smaller number. It is a radical departure from the current tax structure, not allowed by the framers of our constitution, to a tax system that was allowed. That tax structure is the Fair Tax.

I am asking you to take the lead here. I am asking you to have the fortitude to propose something radically different. I am asking you to back this revenue neutral plan to free the American citizen and business to do what we do best - produce without penalty. At the same time you will fix Social Security without reducing benefits.

You cannot be reelected. Your two terms are on the wane. You have an opportunity to step up and give the American people a much better chance to compete, to earn and to save. America is already the place to be on this globe. We are running into hard times in competetion with other restrictive governments and their manipulations allow their companies to compete, though not really in a fair manner. By releasing the tax disadvantages that hamper American growth, we will boldly go forth and we will permanently take our place as the greatest economy in the world, without challenge.

Once again, Mr. President, please step up, take the lead, and usher in a tax system that is fair, revenue neutral and growth oriented. Please promote the Fair Tax from the bully pulpit which you currently control.

By the way, a really important side benefit would be the elimination of the SS style IRS. The American people will love you for it. The American people will stand behind you and America will grow once again in a way such that you can hardly imagine.

God bless you, Mr. President, our troops and our nation.

Sincerely yours,
Michael L. Spawr and Nancy L.K. Spawr

"We do not need more intellectual power, we need more moral power. We do not need more knowledge, we need more character. We do not need more government, we need more culture. We do not need more law, we need more religion. We do not need more of the things that are seen, we need more of the things that are unseen. If the foundation be firm, the foundation will stand." —Calvin Coolidge

The answer to your taxation questions:WWW.FAIRTAX.ORG

Power Tends To...

SPUD NOTES: This is an article from Paul Jacobs who heads Common Sense.

Doug Bandow agrees with Lord Acton. Me too. The political commentator believes that the congressional Republicans are bent on proving the truth of Acton's famous axiom, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."Bandow writes, "The GOP began to sell out its principles shortly after seizing control of Congress in 1994, but the abuses continue to grow.

Today, as a few courageous House fiscal conservatives press for offsets against the virtually unlimited spending proposed in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Speaker and his coterie have acted like a woman scorned. Preaching unity, they have trashed any Republican suggesting that free-spending bail-outs are not the conservative way."

Bandow also says the Republicans are worse than the Democrats, having learned to lord it over the rest of us even more riotously during their own tenure in control. Now they're even making announcements about which investors should or should not invest in a DC baseball franchise.Are Republicans really so much more power-mad than the Democrats? Their record, when it comes to porkbarrel politics and dictating the fate of baseball franchises, ain't good, that's for sure.

But maybe it's just that every generation of career politicians finds ever-more ludicrous ways to run riot.Bandow is implicitly making a case for term limits. While ideology may matter on certain questions, it apparently does not matter on the question of which entrenched group of career politicians will spend us into oblivion. Both will, either will, given the chance. Birds of a feather flail and splurge together.

This is Common Sense. I'm Paul Jacob.

Cut Idaho’s Gas Tax with Special Session

State tax group supports three month gas tax suspension proposed by Rep. Sali

(Boise) -- Today, Idaho State Representative and 1st Congressional District candidate Bill Sali (R-Kuna) called on Governor Dirk Kempthone to quickly convene a Special Session of the Idaho Legislature for the purpose of suspending the state’s 25¢ gas tax for a period of three months.

Idahoans for Tax Reform chairman Laird Maxwell wholeheartedly endorsed Sali’s call.

“It is time we gave Idaho taxpayers a breather from skyrocketing gas prices,” said Maxwell. “The state’s running a fat revenue surplus and instead of legislators ballooning the already bloated budget; give the folks back home a break.”

“With winter bearing down on us, cutting the gas tax would be a great relief, especially for families that are hit hard by ever increasing energy prices,” said Maxwell.

“Taxpayers were forced to cough up an additional 1¢ sales tax increase when the government was struggling to expand during the recession years, now it is time for elected leaders to return the favor,” added Maxwell.

He predicted that some politicians will “hurrumph” up plenty of excuses as to why we shouldn’t give the taxpayers a break. “But, I believe there will be enough momentum to cut the gas tax from their voters, that many of the big spenders will clam up and not openly object for fear of the backlash.”

Here are some headlines from around the country regarding gas tax cuts:

Democrats Push Bush for Gas Tax Relief
(TALLAHASSEE) -- Senate Democrats on Tuesday urged Gov. Jeb Bush to use his emergency powers to temporarily cut the state's gas tax to give motorists some relief at the pumps. (9-7-05)

Lawmakers Look for Ways to Cut Gas Prices
(AP) -- After prices shot up and panicky motorists topped off their tanks, causing brief shortages, Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue last week ordered a month long moratorium on state gas taxes. (9-7-05)

Governors Should Ease Pain at Pump, Act Now on Gas Tax Relief, Nation’s Largest Taxpayer Group Urges
(ALEXANDRIA, VA) -- “Government can’t, and more importantly shouldn’t, try to control fuel prices, but it can and should reduce fuel taxes,” said National Taxpayers Union President John Berthoud. “By taking action now, especially at the state level, elected officials can not only help consumers cope with still-volatile gasoline costs, they can help the economy by easing the squeeze on businesses that need stable fuel expenses to thrive.” (9-20-05)

White Trash Hurricane Survival Kit

1. Toilet Paper ...................... check
2. Bud Light .......................... check
3. Keystone Ice...................... check
4. Budweiser .......................... check
5. Red Dog .............................. check
6. Misc. other bottles of alcohol ................... check
7. Piece of plywood and air mattress to float your chick and booze on ................... check

Next time let's all be more prepared.

The Final Numbers are In!

SPUD NOTES: Ann Coulter had this little ditty on her web site dated 10/04/05. She made such an excellent observation, so I thought I'd share it with you ---

Final New Orleans death count: 964

French summer heatwave death count: 14,802

You Might be a RINO* If ...

*Republican In Name Only

One of the funniest comedians I know, Jeff Foxworthy, has developed his comedy routine by providing a test for people who are not sure if they are a Redneck. For example he would say, “If you ever took a can of beer to a job interview, you might be a Redneck.” I started to think about the Republicans in my state and others who are not sure if they are RINO's. I was pondering that question and I started to think of ways you can tell if you might be a RINO. Here are some of my random thoughts in no particular order, however they are not meant to be funny.

· If you get the endorsement of the teachers union, you might be a RINO.
· If you go to political functions and brag about how much money you brought back to your district, you might be a RINO.
· If you’ve been reelected to the same legislative seat more that 3 times, you might be a RINO.
· If you have 2 or more close relatives working for the government, you might be a RINO.
· If you are holding more than one elected office, you might be a RINO.
· If you ever voted to raise your own salary, pension, or benefits, you might be a RINO.
· If you haven’t openly defended Wal-Mart who is under attack by the unions, you might be a RINO.
· If you voted to increase the “minimum wage,” you might be a RINO.
· If you ever voted to preserve open space you didn’t personally own, you might be a RINO.
· If you are endorsed by the Sierra Club, you might be a RINO.
· If you ever uttered something like “Conservatives can’t win in this state,” you might be a RINO.
· If you ever uttered something like “75% of the budget is contractual and nothing can be done about it,” you might be a RINO.
· If you ever said anything like “you have to compromise or nothing would ever get done,” you might be a RINO.
· If you ever abstained from a legislative vote to avoid controversy, you might be a RINO.
· If you use the word “fetus” to differentiate from an “unborn baby,” you might be a RINO.
· If you think property tax relief can't be achieved in the state capitol, you might be a RINO.
· If you describe yourself a “fiscal" conservative, you might be a RINO.
· If you have a solution to the high property taxes and it doesn’t include taking down the Education establishment, you might be a RINO delusional.
· If you never sponsored a bill that eliminates a government program, you might be a RINO.
· If you are endorsed by Planned Parenthood, you might be a RINO.
· If you think a progressive tax is fair, you might be a RINO.
· If you means-test any government benefit, you might be a RINO.
· If you think you can solve crime by passing laws, you might be a RINO.
· If you think gun control make us safer, you might be a RINO.
· If you voted to renew the Patriot Act, you might be a RINO.
· If you think you can reduce the crime rate without returning God back into the public domain, you might be a RINO.
· If you are endorsed by any union, you might be a RINO.
· If you think government can rehabilitate substance abuse better than faith based organizations can, you might be a RINO.
· If you think school choice will destroy public education, you might be a RINO an idiot.
· If you ever voted to form and fund a commission or study, you might be a RINO.
· If you voted to ban cell phone use while driving, you might be a RINO.
· If you think government should subsidize college tuition, you might be a RINO.
· If you support parental notification and banning partial-birth abortion, but can’t declare yourself as Pro-Life, you might be a RINO.
· If you’re politically correct first and practical second, you might be a RINO.
· If you need to take a poll to know how to vote, you might be a RINO.
· If you voted for stricter emission restrictions on vehicles, you might be a RINO.
· If you sponsor legislation for the purpose of telling the public you care, you might be a RINO.
· If you voted for CAFTA, you might be a RINO.
· If you don’t regularly attend religious services, other than during a campaign you might be a RINO.
· If you voted to subsidize private enterprise, you might be a RINO.
· If you are personally against abortion but don’t want to impose your values on anyone else, you might be a RINO.
· If you ever voted for a budget with added debt that has not be approved by referendum, you might be a RINO.
· If you support building a new stadium with public money and say it will not cost the taxpayer anything, you might be a RINO liar.
· If you support gay marriage or domestic partnerships, you might be a RINO.
· If you refuse to help business and residents from having their property taken from them to give to a prefered developer, you might be a RINO heartless thief.
· If you oppose allowing state and local law enforcement to round up “illegal aliens,” you might be a RINO.
· If receive the endorsement of a major newspaper, you might be a RINO.
· If you ever traded your vote to get a vote; “I’ll support your pork, if you support my pork,” you might be a RINO.
· If you ever voted for legislation or appropriations on basis of the Supreme Court’s say so, you might be a neutered RINO.
· If you believe the secret to political success is a “Big Tent,” you might be a RINO.

Once I started these thoughts, they just kept flowing. I’m sure you can think of many more, so if you have additional RINO indicators, I would like to hear them. You can reach me at jonelli@optonline.net.

--- Joseph Tomanelli is President and co-founder of the New Jersey Republican Assembly, “The Republican Wing of the Republican Party;” he has earned a BS degree in Business from Ramapo College and an MS degree in Management and Operational Auditing from NJIT. He is also a CPA, former President of the Mahwah Republican Club, an elected County Committeeman, and a self-described RINO Hunter.

by Joseph Tomanelli

No Tax Dollars Left Behind

States Scheme to Tax Internet

by John BerthoudPosted Sep 16, 2005

Across America, state politicians of both parties—joined by some strange bedfellows—are seeking to institute the Streamlined Sales Tax Project (SSTP), which would result in Americans paying billions of dollars more in taxes.

The SSTP is an interstate collaborative agreement that would unify state sales tax systems for the purpose of Internet transactions. Currently, if a consumer makes a purchase from a vendor with no physical presence in his state, he pays no sales tax.The SSTP is another money grab by politicians, dressed up in the garb of “fairness.”

The arguments for the SSTP are bogus, and as more citizens learn about it—and confront their elected leaders—let’s hope it will be defeated.

Proponents claim that unless we enact the SSTP, “critical government services” will be cut. The National Governors’ Association (NGA) has long agitated for the SSTP and has claimed if it’s not adopted, “America would have 200,000 fewer teachers and police officers educating our children and keeping our communities safe.”

But what the NGA and other pro-tax groups don’t tell you is that states are already flush with money. From 1994 to 2004, total state receipts rose by 63%. This is before the large revenue spurt that most states have experienced in 2005. State governments may need many things, but they don’t need another source of money.

The pro-taxers also claim that without SSTP, businesses selling products on the Internet are “escaping their obligation” to fund government. This is false.Businesses, on and off the Internet, are already overtaxed through a great variety of levies. These include: corporate income taxes, personal income taxes, sales taxes, use taxes, property taxes and literally hundreds of different types of fees.

When you buy a book on Amazon.com, it is not coming to you tax-free. There are dozens of taxes embedded in its price. But that’s not good enough for the pro-taxers. Hence, SSTP.

Fake ‘Fairness’ Coalition

Finally, the pro-SSTP crowd rolls out the “fairness” argument. They argue it is unfair that the sales-tax burden imposed on “brick and mortar” stores is not also imposed on “click and order” establishments.

But the playing field is currently quite level for traditional businesses as well as those born on the Internet: Any vendor can do business on the Internet, if it wishes, and there is no requirement for anyone to collect sales taxes on out-of-state vendors.So if the arguments for SSTP are all wet, how is it moving forward? An odd-ball coalition is behind it.

Public employee unions, who always want governments to have more cash, are for it because more government money means either more pay for their current members or more public employees who can become members.

Some retailers who haven’t been particularly successful in Internet commerce are also for it. They hope SSTP will slow the growth of their competitors who have been more successful online.

Instead of improving their own web presence, these retailers are trying to use the tax system to beat down their competition.Together, unions and self-interested businesses have formed a politically powerful coalition that has spent enormous sums lobbying on this issue. Those dollars have paid off. The SSTP is already coming partially into effect. This fall, 13 states will be requesting online sellers to start abiding by the rules of SSTP (see below).

There will soon be a major push in Congress to enact enabling legislation allowing states to require sellers to collect taxes under SSTP.

Instead of creating new tax burdens, Congress and the states should be focusing on ways to lower old ones.

Gay Idaho Sheep -- Your tax dollars at work!

SPUD NOTES: These tax-waisting Ph.D's (Piled Higher and Deeper) from the looney liberal left will do anything to promote the homosexual lifestyle. All the better for them that we schmucko taxpayers foot the bill.

Here is an excerpt from Associate Press' Aug. 13, 2005 report about a research project in Eastern Idaho:


(AP) -- The study began in 1995, when researchers at the federal Sheep Experiment Station in Dubois, Idaho, noticed that some rams refused to mate with female sheep. Of these animals, some showed no interest in males or females, and a fraction preferred to mount other rams

Researchers at Oregon State University think that new studies showing that about 8 percent of rams are "male-oriented" have the potential to help explain sexuality in other mammals, including humans.

The findings, by researchers at Oregon State, Oregon Health & Science University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Sheep Experiment Station, suggest that homosexuality may be biologically driven, a hot topic in the perennial "nature vs. nurture" debate.

Common Sense: In livestock and other animals, males frequently dominate other males by mounting them. (Kinda like in prisons) For some of these alphas, that is all they do. Why do we have to pay for this crap!?!

Click the headline to read the whole story and other comments. Egad!

Revolutions: 1917 Soviet -- 1994 Republican

SPUD NOTES: President of the National Taxpayer's Union, John Berthold, in an article published Aug. 12, 2005 by Human Events stated the following:

"George Orwell’s 1946 classic Animal Farm is a tale of the rising up of the long downtrodden animals to overthrow the hated humans and establish a new order. Under new management, the farm seems to move in the right direction for a while, but the pigs slowly decide that the lifestyle of their former masters was pretty good, and consequently morph into a ruling class indistinguishable from that which they displaced. Originally intended by Orwell to parody the Soviet revolution of 1917, one can now see parallels to the Republican Revolution of 1994. There is no better example of the new management’s taking on the manner of the old regime than the highway bill that President Bush signed this week."

Where do we go to surrender? -- SPUD

[Click headline to read whole article]

SALI now Johnson in race for 1st CD

SPUD NOTES: Rep. Bill Sali (R-Kuna) filed to run for Idaho's First Congressional District, now state controller Keith Johnson has thrown his hat in the ring, too.

Betsy Russell, of the Spokesman Review, posts the Johnson information on her blog Eye On Boise. [See sidebar for future reference.]

You can read her blog story by clicking the headline. [Photo: Sali]

One odd thing, though, she writes:
"Sorensen seems to be the best-informed of the lot – once again, it was her press release welcoming Johnson and Sali to the race that alerted reporters that they were in, before either had made a formal announcement."

Sali faxed and emailed out his news release last evening. It appears the reporters are not the "best-informed."

My guess is that when a conservative sends out a news release, it is automatically deleted or chucked in the trash can; if the past left-liberal reporting is any indication.

Only when a RINO like Sorenson meows does the press pay attention. Just one man's educated opinion.

BREAKING NEWS: Sali files for 1st CD bid

SPUD NOTES: Breaking news -- Sali to run for 1st CD. Below is Sali's news release.

Here is a photo of the Sali family.


MEDIA ADVISORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Rep. Bill Sali at 922-5377

Sali files for 1st CD bid

(KUNA) -- State Representative Bill Sali (R-Dist. 21) today confirmed that he has filed a Statement of Candidacy with the Federal Election Commission for Idaho’s First Congressional District.

When asked about the filing Sali said, “An ever-growing number of my colleagues and friends have encouraged me to enter the race. People want the opportunity to vote for a proven fiscal and social conservative.”

Sali stated, “I voted against the penny increase in sales tax two years ago. I am the only candidate in this race that can say that. Fifteen years ago I pledged I would never vote for higher taxes and I have faithfully kept my word. I will do the same in Congress”

He added, “I want to preserve, protect and restore the God-given liberties that were accepted by our forefathers as essential to human dignity. It is time to end the tyranny of activist judges, out-of-control bureaucrats, unprotected borders, erosion of property rights and a tax and spend system of government.”

Sali added, “My 15-year voting record proves that I will consistently support the Idaho Republican Platform and its timeless principles. The Platform represents the values of individual citizens from across our state.”

Sali said he looks forward to a spirited primary campaign and a successful general election.
###

Bastiat Still Right After 155 Years

SPUD NOTES: Mike Oliver's Aug. 7, 2005 letter-to-the-Coeur d'Alene Press-editor is a peach. Please take note. If Mike happens to read Liberty Spuds, I'll send him a free copy of "The Proper Role of Government." (It sounds like he's already read it because the Bastiat quote is in it, too.)

Visit: www.properroleofgovt.org

Bastiat Still Right After 155 Years

A thought now plagues my mind after meeting with more than 400 fellow citizens in Coeur d'Alene at the recent public forum on property tax reform.

I heard people give reasoned pleas as to why they deserve a tax cut based on age, financial standing, lack of receiving benefits of current programs (the public schools taking the largest hit) and owning property both in Washington and Idaho.

Every claim was a valid claim! I fear, though, in today's era, that each one would be content if they received their desired cut, while others did not.

There is a word that describes the reason for this -- should I dare mention it? I must. It is socialism. We must first learn its definition, learn how to identify it and learn why it is wrong.

Socialism, in its very nature, creates classes from amongst peaceful people who would otherwise not be at odds, and drives a wedge between them. It creates an atmosphere that breeds, in the lives of people, the desire for specialized exemptions (relief) at the sacrifice of other's freedom.

What happened to freedom and justice for ALL? Socialism must be stopped in our hearts before the effects of this heinous idea are removed from our societies. It must die a thousand, a million deaths for the survival of our nation, state, counties and towns.

But how are we to define it? The most brief definition I have found is, "The transfer (taking) of privately held property or liberty from the individual and giving it to another individual or group by force." This so happens to be a good definition of theft as well.

Try this test as suggested in an 1847-48 writing from Frederic Bastiat (The Law): "See if the law takes from some persons what belongs to them, and gives it to other persons to whom it does not belong."

Will you, the good people of Idaho, continue in this theft of property at the sacrifice of your fellow neighbors?
No more discussion about "HOW MUCH property tax," push for "NO MORE property tax."

MIKE OLIVER
Post Falls

Breast Banners are Butts

SPUD NOTES: The pusillanimous European Union bureaucrats have nanny stated that Bavarian barmaids who typically wear a a costume known as a dirndl (a dress and apron with a tight, low-cut top enhanced by a short white blouse) must cover up because of harmful sunlight might harm the more "delicate" areas of skin.

Of course, the stout Germans are outraged over this "tan ban," unlike their lily-livered outrage at gassing the Iraqi Kurds.

[Vocabulary boost: Pusillanimous -- lacking in all manly qualities.]

Will American trial lawyers start suing Hooters if they have an outdoor patio?

Liberty Spuds solution:

Your DVD and VCR will be off an hour, soon!

SPUD NOTES: With passage of the new federal energy bill, you will notice a provision that extends the current daylight savings three weeks earlier and one week later. OK?

Well, it has been pointed out that some of your electronic equiptment like your VCR, DVD, television, computer, etc., have clocks that will not switch on and off of daylight time three weeks earlier and one week later.

Recording programs, and personal digital assistants may be an hour off. Egad!

I for one am so thankful the government has again given me the opportunity to spend more time messing around with silly things that take time away from keeping track of every expense to prove to the tax collectors that I am going broke.