Failure of Leadership, D & R, and the National Debt

Tim — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 21:37:07 +0000

Here is the final “final” word on the debt discussion – take note at the end of the quote who it is attributed to – he was right then and it remains true today – without regard to political party – the “truth is the truth.” “The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. “It is a sign that the US Government cannot pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government’s reckless fiscal policies. Increasing America’s debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that, “the buck stops here.’ Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better.” Senator Barack Obama-March 2006

And now I say to the President – sometimes our words come back to haunt us. Let’s see real leadership and not a continued kicking-of-the-can down the road. Stop the profligate spending NOW! Not more taxes but more tax payers – that will increase revenue and with a significant reduction in EXCESSIVE federal spending we can fix our financial mess. We, as Democrats, will always be saddled with the mantle of fiscally-irresponsible if we don’t lead NOW. We’ve spent over nearly 4 trillion dollars over the past 3+ years and we’re deeper in debt and no closer to realizing economic recovery. The very definition of insanity is to continue to do the same thing and expect a different result. Out-of-control government borrowing/spending is the problem and stopping it represents the BEST ANSWER.

Exceeding Arrogance – Washington’s Rarified Air

Tim — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 14:53:24 +0000

If you want to make your head explode – read EJ Dionne’s column. He clearly is the smartest man on earth – NOT. He KNOWS exactly what the Founders were thinking 200+ years ago and he also KNOWS exactly what I am thinking – I am a 9-12/Tea Party member. He KNOWS NOTHING! But his arrogance is astounding! His thinking is clearly affected by the oxygen-depleted rarified air of the Beltway. So sad – not to be taken serious on any matter but rather to be pitied. He is typical of those whose desire is to rule, not govern. It is nothing new and it is still found in both political parties. There were those who came to this new country over 200 years ago that wanted to bring with them the tired, old, failing policies that inspired so many others to leave the “old.” We threw off the “old” to bring something “new.” Dionne’s claim that because “taxes” were listed number 17 on the list of grievances against the Monarch prove that it wasn’t that important is laughable – and yet, he wants us to take him serious. The position of 9-12/Tea party membership is very simple and straightforward – we desire a government that is functional and reasonable. How do we define functional and reasonable – read the Constitution. It doesn’t require a Harvard law degree to understand that the Founders wanted first and foremost, freedom. And they knew that to enjoy real freedom a government was necessary to ensure that freedom. But they also knew based on their own lives’ experience that the very same government could become oppressive. So they were very specific in the crafting of the Constitution to limit the scope, power, and therefore the cost of the Federal government. There’s nothing mystical or magical about that. What Mr. Dionne hopes to do is to re-write history – not in my time or on my watch. If you’re so infatuated with bloated, costly, burdensome federal government Mr Dionne, there are plenty to be found in the “old country.” This Country affords you the freedom to LEAVE! Don’t let the door hit-cha! Signed, 20-year Marine Vet who served so Mr. Dionne could say really unintelligent stuff.

A “Conservative” Castor – I think not

Tim — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 14:52:16 +0000

A Fiscally “Conservative” Ms. Castor – I think not

Tim — Mon, 23 May 2011 17:42:04 +0000

A little late to the game of financial responsibility – the national debt has nearly doubled during her tenure – and not with “tacit” approval but with active support. To try and claim the mantle of financial responsibility is more than just hypocritical – it’s laughable. Ms. Castor continues to support SPENDING MONEY WE DON”T HAVE. The high speed rail (2 billion) is the latest best example. I’ll support Ms. Castor when she DEMANDS actual reductions in the federal budget – not just decreases in proposed increases. We can start with the entitlements and move directly to DoD, thereby satisfying the “left” and demonstrate to the “right” we believe there is plenty of fraud, waste and abuse that will be eliminated before we ever get to actual reductions. What say ye Ms. Castor?

Can you hear us now?

Tim — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 11:30:50 +0000

It is no longer just from the “right” that we hear the observation this Congress has done NOTHING in a positive manner to rebuild the economy. The President’s townhall meeting was witness to this fact. In fact, each and every action – stimulus I, stimulus II, bank bailout, insurance bailout and the list goes on, have each prolonged or made the situation even worse.

This Congress’ insatiable desire for more spending could spell the ultimate demise of our nation’s economy. The past 4 years have seen our deficits skyrocket and our National debt soar. WE ARE IN A HOLE – STOP DIGGING! Congresswoman Castor – are you listening?

The Scourge of Political Party Machines

Tim — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:20:22 +0000

This is neither right or left or democrat or republican – this is an accurate description of why we, the American people, must take action to replace those who refuse to represent our voice in the Congress.

Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper.

Snopes say it’s correctly attributed http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/reese.asp

545 PEOPLE

By Charlie Reese

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.

Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?

Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don’t propose a federal budget. The president does.

You and I don’t have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.

You and I don’t write the tax code, Congress does.

You and I don’t set fiscal policy, Congress does.

You and I don’t control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.

I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a president to do one cotton-picking thing. I don’t care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator’s responsibility to determine how he votes.

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.

What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits… The president can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? Nancy Pelosi. She is the leader of the majority party. She and fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they want. If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted — by present facts — of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can’t think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it’s because they want it unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it’s because they want it in the red ..

If the Army & Marines are in IRAQ , it’s because they want them in IRAQ .

If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it’s because they want it that way.

There are no insoluble government problems.

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like “the economy,” “inflation,” or “politics” that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.

They, and they alone, have the power..

They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.

Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees.

We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!

What you do with this article now that you have read it…. Is up to you.

Sales Tax
School Tax
Liquor Tax
Luxury Tax
Excise Taxes
Property Tax
Cigarette Tax
Medicare Tax
Inventory Tax
Real Estate Tax
Well Permit Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Inheritance Tax
Road Usage Tax
CDL license Tax
Dog License Tax
State Income Tax
Food License Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Gross Receipts Tax
Social Security Tax
Service Charge Tax
Fishing License Tax
Federal Income Tax
Building Permit Tax
IRS Interest Charges
Hunting License Tax
Marriage License Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Personal Property Tax
Accounts Receivable Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Workers Compensation Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)
Utility Taxes Vehicle License Registration Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax
Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What in the hell happened? Can you spell ‘politicians? ‘ I hope this goes around THE USA at least 100 times

Reasonable Democrats are no different……..

Tim — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 01:02:56 +0000

Reasonable Democrats are no different than reasonable Republicans. Both are based on “reason.”

The reason the republicans are likely to win control of the house and possibly the senate is because our great party has been taken over by out-of-control; out-of-touch; elitists whose only desire is to “control.” Otherwise known as “progressives.” The republicans defintely have their problems. And we have ours.

Look at the number of democrat candidates who have to “explain” their previous support for speaker Pelosi and majority leader Reid’s total agenda. Some were browbeat into support and others are simply kool-aid drinkers. Both are sad examples of “representatives” of the people they are supposed to serve. They are now running far and fast from those positions because “we” the “Democrat” party have been in control of Congress for the past 4 years and all we have to show for it are huge unsustainable deficits/debt and near double-digit unemployment.

And rather than being intellectually honest, the knee-jerk progressives will blame an administration that in some ways began the policies they now support. Congress under President Bush spent too much money! Congress under President Obama spends too much money! CONGRESS SPENDS TO MUCH MONEY! REPUBLICANS OR DEMOCRATS – IT DOESN’T MATTER. THEY DO IT RECKELESSLY AND IRRESPONSIBLY. PERIOD. END OF DISCUSSION!

The GOP does not have proprietary rights to fiscal responsibility! Yet they can claim it because we as Democrats continue to SPEND like there is no end to the federal treasury’s pocketbook. We explain the reason our policies didn’t solve our economic woes is because we didn’t “spend enough.” Hogwash! We have spent 3 trillion dollars over the past 3 ½ years and our situation is worse. We explain that we will raise taxes on the wealthiest taxpayers yet on January 1, 2011 the lowest income tax bracket will increase by 50%. That is the largest percentage increase of any group – yet we claim to represent the “little guy.” Hogwash!

I am tired of having to cede the intellectual high ground to the GOP!

It would also be nice if we had a representative here in the 11th District who would actually show up at an event other than a fundraiser. We, the American people, democrat, republican, and independent will have our voice heard. Machine politics continue to serve only those in the machine and completely ignore the voice of the people.

I invite you to join me as we unite on the basis of principles and values and chart a new course for our great Nation.

What’s next?

Tim — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:46:31 +0000

When I woke up Wednesday morning, August 25th, only 2 things have changed about my life – I am not currently, “Tim Curtis, Democrat Candidate for Congress” and I have thousands of new friends and acquaintances! Beyond that, I am still Tim Curtis, father, friend, “Poppy,” business owner, struggling golfer; terrible comedian, etc. I am blessed and for that I am grateful. Nothing else about my life has changed. That is neither good nor bad.

There are other things that also HAVE NOT CHANGED. People of the 11th Congressional District -

still don’t have jobs;

still don’t have healthcare as promised by Congress;

and STILL DON’T HAVE ACCESS TO THEIR REPRESENTATIVE!

That is both sad and tragic. Congress and the incumbent have failed us as a community and as a Nation.

I have described our effort as a track-meet. In track, many athletes are multi-sport competitors. Between various events in a track meet the competitors must take a brief respite to recover and regroup. That’s exactly what the Curtis for Congress Campaign is doing now. I will not quit! The prize to the winner of the track-meet is the very representative democracy this Nation is founded on.

I am eternally grateful to those who have contributed mightily to our effort. I look forward to “partnering” with you again. Stayed tuned for future announcements about how you can be involved in effecting REAL CHANGE in the future.

Curtis Banner Over the Stadium

campaign — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 04:21:59 +0000

We had a great time at the Bucs game last Saturday!

Tim Curtis on Reform

campaign — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:05:24 +0000