13 Aug 2010

Narcisse Officially in Iowa Governor Race

By Administrator

"None of the Above" Campaign

Continues at the State Fair

DES MOINES, IA - Friday, August 13, 2010 - Jonathan Narcisse, an independent candidate for Governor running on the "Iowa Party" ticket submitted nominating petitions containing signatures from nearly 1,900 Iowans from 47 counties and was ballot certified by the Secretary of State's office at close of business August 12, 2010.

The Narcisse For Iowa campaign started collecting signatures in late June following the announcement of Rick Marlar (Washington, IA) as his running mate but discovered last week, on the eve of turning in the signatures, that the Secretary of State's office changed the petition form for the gubernatorial race on their website July 20, 2010. Rather than risk a challenge by using the previously collected signatures, the Narcisse For Iowa campaign started anew. The new signatures, to put an independent on the ballot, were gathered in just over a week.

"The Secretary of State's office was very gracious and provided our campaign a letter approving use of the old petition forms. I knew, however, our campaign had the organizational strength and human resource power to collect the required signatures and secure support from the number of counties required. The window left open before the filing deadline was never daunting to us. It invigorated our team, especially in light of the skepticism that we could even qualify for the ballot, to begin with. We did it in just over a week. Plus, as a former boxer, I appreciate the value of a tune up and this exercise served as an excellent warm up for our official 99 county campaign," stated Narcisse.

Narcisse, who is seven counties short of completing his second 99 county circuit, has seen a rising tide of grassroots support emerge for his "None of the Above" campaign.

"Entering the contest we had strong support from various constituencies - teachers, labor, pro-family Catholics, and the African American community - on the Democratic side - all groups significantly betrayed by the Culver Administration. We have also enjoyed support from significant numbers of constitutionalist and fiscal and social accountability advocates that have heard my views during weekly radio appearances on KWMT in Fort Dodge, KBBG in Waterloo and WHO Radio, with its statewide audience," stated Narcisse.

"One pleasant surprise has been the number of Vander Plaat supporters breaking our way. They understand, despite the rhetoric of candidate Branstad, that his sixteen years in office make it clear he just doesn't care about their priorities. So I'm seeing a lot of that support pour my way especially from rural communities," stated Narcisse.

"Iowans are not enthusiatic about a sixth Branstad/Culver administration. Despite the two waging the most negative campaign in Iowa's history an honest examination of their records, practices, policies and especially their contributors, confirms the differences between these two men are primarily stylistic not substantive. Neither has offered a concrete plan to address the critical challenges facing our state. If they have I'd love to read it," stated Narcisse.

"As a member of the Des Moines School Board I fought for our children, parents, teachers and taxpayers and spoke truth to power without compromise. Iowans are hungry for that type of open, honest and accessible leadership that will place their needs and the needs of their children and this state above partisan and special interest politics. I bring that to the table," stated Narcisse.

"Our campaign also brings to the table real solutions. As I travel around the state, whether I meet with citizens, civic and political leaders or media I white board solutions. I show how we address the challenges of this state and how to pay for those solutions. In these times Iowans want to hear pragmatic ideas and common sense solutions."

The four pillars of the Narcisse for Iowa governance agenda are consistent with the values and priorities of Iowans:

* Creating accountable, efficient, and transparent government;
* Restoring a "World Class Plus" educational system;
* Rebuilding a low tax, free-market, prosperous state economy;
* Create a healthy Iowa by leading by example to fight lifestyle and obesity induced disease

Jonathan Narcisse is a former Des Moines School Board member, publisher and editor of multiple publications, radio show host and community advocate. During the early part of the decade he authored a 3,500 page report analyzing the condition of African-Americans in Iowa's 99 counties, and headed statewide health and education initiatives.

In 2009 Narcisse published "An Iowa Worth Fighting For: A Ten Step Vision Plan for 21st Century Governance." Narcisse evaluates the history of state expenditures versus population, reducing state government, corruption and accountability, tax reform, education reform through parental control and academic entrepreneurship, local control and property rights, public safety and drug interdiction and immigration reform.  The full text of this can be found at www.AnIowaWorthFightingFor.com

He has received more than 400 national, state and local honors and awards including recognition from the Bush (Sr.), Clinton and Bush administrations and the Branstad, Vilsack and Culver administrations. He has finished second twice in national chess competitions and is a multiple state champion. He also had a 17-0 record as a semi-pro boxer while living in the Washington, D.C. area.

He has a son, Johnce, and two daughters, 14 year old daughter, Integrity, an 11 year old daughter, Perseverance and three grandchildren.

Narcisse, who lives in Des Moines, will spend the next ten days at the Iowa State Fair. Following that he will host "Iowa Issue Forums" throughout the state. Details on Jonathan's grassroots campaign can be found at www.NarcisseForIowa.com.  Media can contact Jonathan directly at 515-770-1218, or at jonathan@narcisseforiowa.com.

03 Aug 2010

Michael White Candidate for Governor of Illinois

By Michael White
August 2, 2010

Say What You Mean / Mean What You Say
Calling Out The Illinois Republican Party


"I'm going to end the old politics and corruption in Illinois . . . , I'm not part of the insider deals. As Governor I'm going to do what I've always done: Stand up for what I think is right." - Bill Brady, Republican Candidate for Governor


To secure ballot access in the November 2nd election, the Constitution Party obtained over 32,500* signatures only to be strong-armed by politics as usual when Republican attorneys filed objections to our nominating papers.  The political and legal wrangling that ensued has accomplished nothing more than increase lawyer fees and waste Illinois taxpayer money. While the Constitution Party acknowledges the right of an individual to file an objection, we maintain that a voter's right to choose a candidate is tantamount to a Free and Equal election.

The Constitution Party has demonstrated in good faith its honorable commitment to the ballot process. At this point, common sense must prevail and Illinois voters must be allowed to make their own decision.  If status-quo politics continue, it will squander Illinois' financial resources, limit voter choice and further encourage voter apathy.

For most in Illinois, there is little difference between "selling" a Senate seat and using Party coffers to eliminate voter choice. Now is the time for the Republican Party to "stand up" and demonstrate to the People of Illinois their commitment to end politics as usual by withdrawing their objections against Constitution Party's Nominating Papers.


Michael White
Candidate for Governor of Illinois
Constitution Party
02 Aug 2010

The Scott county republicans would like to invite everyone attending the mississippi valley fair to come and meet the canidates for the election this fall

By Judy Davidson

Davenport - During the week of the Fair, many candidates, local and statewide, will be visiting Davenport to meet excited voters. All the candidates are excited to represent the Republican party and telling people how they can help Iowa succeed in the future.

Tuesday will have Linda Miller and Carol Earnhardt from 4-6pm and Auditor Vaudt at 6pm stopping by. Wednesday we have local candidate Roby Smith here from 12-2pm and Mark Riley from 4-6pm. Also that day, Lt. Gov. candidate Kim Reynolds will be talking a tour of the grounds with Senator Shawn Hamerlinck and stopping by the booth from 3-5pm.

Friday we have Rep. candidate Ben Lange and Treasurer candidate David Jamison shaking hands from 5-7pm and Jim Bainbridge from 6-8pm. Saturday we will again be hosting Mark Riley from 2-4 and Larry Minard as well from 2-4

We hope to see a lot of smiling faces and meet many people with interesting questions for the candidates so people can make an informed decision about who to choose this November. Please feel free to stop by and talk with any of our volunteer that will be at the booth in the expo center form 10am to 10pm and please take a moment to say hi to all the candidates as they make their way through Davenport.

The Mississippi Valley Fair runs from August 3rd through August 8th. Any questions can be directed to Jon Rasler at 563-370-8854 or visit the new Scott County Republican Headquarters at 311 W. Kimberly Rd. in Davenport.

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02 Aug 2010

Braley Attends National Guard Send-Off, Tours Flood Damage

By Caitlin Legacki

Braley will attend ceremonies in Clinton, Cedar Falls and tour damage in Olin, Oxford Junction

Washington, DC - Congressman Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) will make stops in Iowa's First District this week during the Congressional recess. Braley will attend send-off ceremonies for members of Iowa's National Guard being deployed overseas. This is the largest deployment of Iowa's soldiers since World War II, affecting more than 30 Iowa communities.

Braley will also tour flood damage in Olin and Oxford Junction and discuss recovery efforts with local officials. Braley has visited more than a dozen communities affected by last week's historic flooding. Iowans can visit http://braley.house.gov/disasterrelief for information and sign up for e-mail updates on recovery action.

MONDAY, August 2

WHAT: Rep. Braley tours flood damage in Olin.

WHEN: 11:45am CST

WHERE: Tour begins at Olin Fire Station, 105 West Cleveland Street, Olin

WHAT: Rep. Braley tours flood damage in Oxford Junction.

WHEN: 12:30pm CST

WHERE: Tour begins at Fire Station, 201 Main Street, Oxford Junction

WHAT: Rep. Braley attends National Guard send-off ceremony.

WHEN: 2:00pm CDT

WHERE: Iowa National Guard Armory, 1200 13th Avenue North, Clinton

TUESDAY, August 3

WHAT: Rep. Braley attends National Guard send-off ceremony.

WHEN: 10:00am CST

WHERE: UNI Dome, Cedar Falls

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26 Jul 2010

Election Day Countdown: 99 Days

By Americans Need Change

Election Day Countdown: 99 Days

 

Election Day Countdown: 99 Days

 

Election Day Countdown: 99 Days

 

as of 7/26/2010.

26 Jul 2010

Scott County Republican News Release

By Judy Davidson
On Tuesday,July 27, Scott County Republicans will be hosting a grand opening celebration of our hew headquarters.  There will be a cook-out, with special guest, Lt. Governor Nominee Kim Reynolds.

The Scott County Republican headquarters is located at 311 W. Kimberly, across from North Park Mall at the opposite end of the old Ethan Allen Furniture Store. The grand opening celebration is from 5:00 - 8:00. Kim Reynolds is scheduled to arrive at 6:00.
15 Jul 2010

Governor Quinn Acts on Legislation to Increase Citizen Participation in Primary Elections

By William Palmisano

Amendatory Veto Eliminates Requirement that Voters Publicly Declare Party Affiliation in Primary

 

CHICAGO - July 13, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today acted on legislation to encourage citizen participation in Illinois government by eliminating the requirement that Illinois residents must declare a party affiliation when voting in a primary election.

"This bill is an important step towards making our primary elections fairer and more competitive, but it does not go far enough," said Governor Quinn. "We cannot allow party affiliations to stand in the way of meaningful choice. Today's action will protect the privacy of voters' party preference and encourage greater participation in primary elections."

Today Governor Quinn issued an amendatory veto of House Bill 4842 to create a fairer primary election system in Illinois. The Governor's amendatory veto eliminates the requirement that a voter publicly declare political party affiliation when voting at a primary election. Under current Illinois law, a voter must declare a party affiliation before voting in the primary election, which is then recorded as public record.

As passed by the Illinois General Assembly, House Bill 4842 requires the Illinois State Board of Elections to produce an Internet voters' guide prior to the primary election, as is already required for general elections.

The Internet guide would include a photograph and short statement written and submitted by each candidate. Governor Quinn supports the use of electronic voter guides and the amendatory veto maintains all elements of the original bill, which was sponsored by Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago) and Sen. Martin A. Sandoval (D-Chicago).

From Governor Quinn's amendatory veto message:

"Voting is a sacred right and as long as I am Governor, I will do everything within my power to protect each citizen's ability to cast a ballot. With my recommendation today, a voter's partisan preference will no longer be known to others. The decision to cast a primary ballot for one party or another will be strictly a matter of personal choice."

###

06 Jul 2010

Views on Shariah Law Important to the Outcome of the November US Election

By Esther Levens

Democracy Under Attack is a project of the Unity Coalition for Israel. The national membership has become deeply concerned watching the inroads made by proponents of Shariah law. Gradual introduction of restrictions on the freedoms America and other democracies enjoy through our constitutional guarantees is taking place.

This apprehension is reflected in the groups' wish to determine and measure the extent to which lawmakers are familiar with this encroaching threat to our liberties. It seems increasingly apparent that decision-makers are being asked to make a choice: whether or not to compromise the Constitution by accommodating Shariah law, thereby forfeiting many of our liberties.

The organization feels that a most important question must be asked of all legislators, and especially of the new Supreme Court nominee, Elana Kagan: "What is your opinion of the role of Shariah law in the United States, specifically in relation to our Constitution?

In order to accomplish this the UCI and DUA organizations are sending a questionnaire to all members of the Congress, and asking legislators to address the same question to Ms. Kagan. This question is on the docket for today's Senate Hearings for the Supreme Court appointment.

The question is urgent because Shariah law has already pervaded Britain and poses an imminent threat to the United States. It threatens the basic rights of freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and greatly limits women's rights. Honor killings, mutilation of limbs, and female genital mutilation are routine. Shariah compliant finance is practiced by more that 300 national banks in the United States alone. Some proponents have even said they would like to see the establishment of the Caliphate (a centralized governance under a single Islamic leader). Throughout the United States as well at throughout the rest of the world many advances in this direction have already taken hold.

Michigan and Pennsylvania are two Shariah targeted states, as is New York with the controversy over the 15 story mosque being built at ground zero. A bill has recently been introduced by Rep. Rex Duncan in the Oklahoma state legislature to prevent Shariah law from being introduced and enforced in that state. Many feel that this will serve as a guide for other states to follow.

The opinions of our legislators are critical in formulating a position that will guide US policy in the years to come. Our coalition members agree that when one compares the traditions of Western thought and the development of freedom and human rights the conflict between Shariah and Western legal tradition becomes immediately apparent. The foundation of our nation is based on the notion of religious freedom and the firm establishment of the concept of other guaranteed freedoms as an overarching goal. The very first line of the First Amendment of the US Constitution is clear: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..."

We feel that to attempt to reconcile any one political/religious system of law with the Constitutional framework of the United States would be contrary to these concepts and would be Unconstitutional. To allow one political/religious system to gain an advantage by introducing its structure of laws into the Constitutional system of the United States, or by replacing portions of it altogether, would result in the worst kind of abrogation of both the spirit and the letter of Constitutional law.

The legislators responses will become a matter of public record and appear on our DemocracyUnderAttack.org website, in the section called "Shariah Scoreboard." We feel that this is an issue central to the future of our country, and will be extremely relevant to voters in the November 2nd election.

The Unity Coalition for Israel (UCI) is comprised of more than 200 Jewish and Christian organizations representing millions of Americans. Since 1991 they have been active in supporting freedom in the US and Israel.

21 Jun 2010

BIPARTISAN GROUP OF SENATORS PUSH FOR HOUSE TO END AUTOMATIC PAY RAISE SYSTEM

By U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) are leading a bipartisan group of senators in urging the House of Representatives to take up legislation to end the automatic pay raise system for members of Congress.  In a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, 20 senators asked that the House vote on a bill passed by the Senate last year requiring members of Congress to pass legislation if they want to give themselves a pay raise.  Currently, members of Congress receive an automatic pay increase unless they pass legislation to block it.  The Senate bill ending automatic pay raises would save roughly $80 million over ten years.  Feingold has regularly introduced legislation over the last ten years to end the system.  The letter was cosigned by Senators Barrasso (R-WY), Bennet (D-CO), Brown (D-OH), Casey (D-PA), Coburn (R-OK), Collins (R-ME), Dorgan (D-ND), Enzi (R-WY), Gillibrand (D-NY), Isakson (R-GA), Johanns (R-NE) Klobuchar (D-MN), McCaskill (D-MO), Merkley (D-OR), Murray (D-WA), Snowe (R-ME) and Vitter (R-LA).

"While many Americans are struggling to find jobs, members of Congress still get a raise unless they act to stop it," Feingold said.  "I'm pleased Congress acted to give up its raise next year but it's time to end this system once and for all.  The House should follow the Senate's lead and end this back-door pay raise system."

"The automatic pay raise sends a bad message to the American people who are already cynical about government. There's no reason, in any circumstance, that members of Congress should automatically receive a bump in pay, but it's a slap in the face to do it when people across the country are tightening their own belts," Grassley said.

A copy of the letter is available here and the text is below:

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi

Speaker of the House

H-232, US Capitol

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Speaker Pelosi:

We urge you to bring up for a vote legislation passed by the Senate last year, S. 620, that would end the system of automatic, annual pay raises for members of Congress.  Passing this bill would save roughly $80 million over ten years, and help demonstrate that Congress is willing to tighten its own belt as we work to reduce record deficits. 

We appreciate your efforts to prevent members of Congress from receiving a pay raise in 2011.  While that was an important step, it is time to end a system that guarantees members a pay hike unless they act to block it.  The burden should be on members of Congress who believe they deserve a raise to pass legislation, not on those who want to block one.  Few of our constituents have the power to raise their own pay -- Congress should exercise this power openly, on the record. 

We thank you for considering our request and hope the House will soon take up S. 620.

Sincerely,

Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI)

Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA)

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)

Senator David Vitter (R-LA)

Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)

Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK)

Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO)

Senator Olympia Snow (R-ME)

Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND)

Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA)

Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR)

Senator Susan Collins (R-ME)

Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)

Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY)

Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO)

Senator John Barrasso (R-WY)

Senator Robert Casey (D-PA)

Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)

Senator Mike Johanns (R-NE)

Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)

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21 Jun 2010

Braley Statement on Biodiesel Tax Credit

By Caitlin Legacki

Senate Democrats Unable to Overcome Republican Filibuster

Washington, DC - June 18, 2010 - Congressman Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) released the following statement after the US Senate failed last night to pass the Biodiesel Tax Credit as part of the tax extenders package.  The bill fell when Senate Democrats were unable to overcome a Republican filibuster. All Senate Republicans and two Democrats voted against cloture.

"Six months after the House first passed the biodiesel tax credit extension, Republican obstructionism in the Senate is once again preventing hard-working Iowans from getting back to work," Braley said.  "It is completely inexcusable for Senate Republicans to play more political games while the hard-working employees of Iowa's biodiesel facilities remain out of work. I strongly encourage my colleagues in the Senate to put partisan politics aside, do their jobs and pass this tax credit as soon as possible."

Braley voted in December to extend the biodiesel tax credit. Although that legislation passed the House, the credit expired when the Senate failed to take action until March. The House voted again to renew the extension on May 28.

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