November Update from the Bartow County Republican Party

This week we all have had the opportunity to spend time with family and friends and reflect on those things that we are most thankful for. As for myself, at the very top of that list is knowing that I have a God who loves and cares for me, a wife and eight children who are the center of all I do in this world, and the priviledge of living in the greatest nation in the history of God's creation.

For those of us deeply involved in the political process, we've had additional cause to celebrate this year. A little over two years ago I was dejected and fearful over the seemingly suicidal direction in which our nation was headed. We had just expanded the majorities held by Democrats in the House and Senate, giving Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid even more power. We had elected a smooth-talking political neophyte who had openly talked about his desire to socialize our health care system, weaken our military and "redistribute the wealth" among other things. In short, it was beginning to look like the end of the republic was near.

Two years later things have changed considerably. While the republic is still badly damaged and facing further danger, the alarm has been sounded and millions of our fellow Americans have responded to the clarion call to freedom. In 2006 and 2008 Republicans were decimated at the polls because we became free-spending, big government advocates, essentially differing only in degree from the Democrats. This year, with heavy support from the TEA Party and widespread outrage at Democrats' doubling down on the things that got Republicans booted, low-tax, limited-government conservatives came roaring back.

In a historic election even bigger than the 1994 Republican Revolution (and only two years after many liberal pundits declaring that conservatism was dead and that the Republican Party would be in the political wilderness for 40 years), Republicans picked up a half dozen Senate seats, 62 seats in the House of Representatives, about a dozen governorships, and nearly 700 seats in state legislatures nationwide. By any measure it was a massive victory.

So for the next few days let us enjoy our victory. Let us enjoy time with our family and friends. And then let us go back to work speading the hopeful message of conservatism and the principles of the Founding Fathers. While the media likes to portray conservatives and Republicans and angry and hateful and greedy and so forth, we know that the message of conservatism is one of hope, one of freedom and one that will lift all of mankind. Our message should be conveyed with joy and excitement, for prosperity and increased freedom are the fruits of the principles upon which they are formed.

Thank you for all of your hard work this election season. Thank you for your prayers and your encouragement. Thank you for having enough love of country and fellow man to work to preserve what we have been given. And then may we, in the words of President George Washington "all unite in rendering unto [God] our sincere and humble thanks -- for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country...for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed -- for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted -- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us."

Health Care Reform

The upcoming legislative session should be very interesting. With a large new majority in the House and large enough margin in the Senate to be able to take a few defections by the Northeastern Republicans and still maintain a filibuster, the battle is set for the future of ObamaCare. While outright repeal is not possible before 2013 because of the presidential veto power Obama holds, Republicans will be able to use their constitutional power over the tax expenditures to greatly disable the full implementation of ObamaCare.

Among the old guard Republican establishment there have already been rumors that they would not pursue full repeal, but rather would tinker around the edges. This is wholly unacceptable to the majority of incoming Republican freshmen, and certainly with the voters that put them in office based on the promise to repeal.

With each passing day more and more information is revealed concerning the true cost and impact of ObamaCare. Insurance companies have already begun raising premiums to compensate for the additional burdens of mandates under ObamaCare, and some have pulled out of markets altogether.

Even more telling is the large (more than 110 to date) and growing number of companies that are receiving exemptions from the White House for the most burdensome aspects of the law. Members of the Republican leadership have already indicated that they will investigate the rationale behind these waivers, and why only certain companies have received them while the vast majority of other companies will continue to suffer.

In the mean time, please make sure you stay actively engaged and committed to the repeal of this atrocious legislation. Call Senators Chambliss and Isakson and let them know where you stand. My calls to their offices, and comments within their own newsletters, would indicate that they may not be fully committed to repeal of this law. Just as with support for some form of amnesty for illegals, it may take a strong outpouring of concern from their constituents to help them understand that this is NOT an area where we are open to compromise. We will accept neither a full or partial government takeover of healthcare.

The Economy, Taxes and Deficits

Sometimes I feel like a scratched record when it comes to the economy. There is still not much positive movement in the unemployment rate (which still hovers near 10%), businesses are still nervous about hiring or capital equipment acquisitions, and in general the economy remains sluggish.

Unfortunately, the Obama administration seems to have a knack for doing exactly the wrong thing. Of course, since almost none of the policy directors in his administration have experience in the private sector, this is hardly surprising. The Labor Department recently reported that only 64% of the U.S. workforce can be considered "fully employed". So much for Summer of Recovery.

In addition to the increased taxes and increased regulatory burdens which businesses are facing under this administration, there has been more news of late that does not bode well for a pending recovery. For one, the Federal Reserve has decided to inject another $600 billion into the nation's cash flow, which will almost certainly lead to inflationary pressure and a reduction of the buying power of your dollars. In effect, this is another stimulus enacted by the Fed that could not make it through the legislature. Another issue is the continued uncertainty for tax rates in 2011. Shortly after the election it appeared that Obama would concede to Republicans (and members of his own party) and allow the 2001 and 2003 Republican tax cuts to be extended at all levels for at least two years. He has since given conflicting responses as to whether he would sign the extension. Such continued uncertainty is a killer for businesses.

From a global perspective, Obama has been repeatedly embarrassed. His pleas earlier this year to the European Union to increase stimulus spending in their countries was soundly rejected, and many European countries are enacting significant spending cuts in government expenditures. Germany especially is already reaping the rewards of that decision, seeing a reduction in unemployment and notable economic growth.

Finally, in a story that few probably noticed but which will have long-term repercussions on the strength of the U.S. economy, China and Russia have decided to move away from the dollar as reserve currency and allow their currencies to trade against each other in spot inter-bank markets. This is just the latest example of the world's declining confidence in the U.S. economy. It seems at this point the best we can do is limit the damage done by this administration over the next two years and then vote in a president in 2012 that is more receptive to and appreciative of the free market.

National Defense

The Obama administration will likely try to force through ratification of the New START treaty with Russia over the remaining few weeks of the lame duck session of Congress. This treaty, which distinctly favors Russia's interests while limiting the ability of the U.S. to fully implement an anti-missile missile shield, must be ratified by 2/3 of the Senate. As the Heritage Foundation explains, it is in the best interests of the U.S. to block ratification of this treaty.

In a perfectly timed example of why the U.S. should not let Russia or any other country dictate our defensive policies, North Korea has attacked South Korea, an American ally. The supposed provocation is the joint military exercises with U.S and South Korean forces scheduled long in advance, and of which the North Koreans had been previously notified.

North Korea responded by firing a reported 1000+ mortar shells into a town housing South Korean military members and their families. Two South Korean Marines were killed and dozens of other soldiers and civilians were wounded, plus the property destroyed. This comes on the heels of the North Korean sinking of a South Korean warship earlier this year.

President Obama has released a statement saying that he stands with our South Korean allies, and any further aggression will result in a strongly worded letter of disappointment to the North Korean president, followed by a trip to the U.N. Security council to declare Kim Jong Il to be a "great big meanie". At least, that is what the likely response will be based on recent history.

In other news, the TSA has decided to compound its complete failure to stop terrorists by strip searching and groping 5-years olds and taking high-resolution scans depicting in high level of detail our nude bodies. As Jeff Jacoby of the Boston Globe astutely points out, the TSA has a perfect record of always being one step behind the terrorists.

Of course, if we can't even convict Ahmed Gailani (who participated in the bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, killing nearly 300) of anything more than property damage, then there is not much point in capturing them anyway. This is thanks to Obama's decision to give terrorists the same rights as U.S. citizens and try them in civil court.

Must-See TV

A TSA public service announcement from SNL...lonely? Want more physical contact with someone? Just book a flight and let the TSA do the rest!

I'll leave the decision of whether to laugh or cry up to you, but here are some of the people that cancelled out your vote with a vote for Obama. Thank heavens we outnumbered them this year!

After his speech to the G20, Obama gives the Korean press a chance to ask a question, but NOT ONE taker! A Chinese reporter steps up but Obama rebuffs him, saying that he wants to take a Q from the Korean press. Still no takers. Why would the foreign press pass up a chance to question a U.S. president? This is not a good sign for the level of respect for the American president globally.

The legend of NJ Governor Chris Christie continues to grow, this time after calling out a corrupt government union member at a live press conference.

Good News and Comic Relief

In a sign that maybe even the Senate Republicans are starting to get the message, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell earlier this month agreed to a moratorium on earmarks.

In what may be the most promising sign yet for continued Republican success in 2012, the Democrats have kept their senior leadership team intact...the same leadership team that led to historic losses earlier this month. Speaker (for now) Pelosi says that Democrats did not lose because their agenda is unpopular, but because it did not succeed fast enough.

Obama's overseas trip has been such a disaster that people in Kenya now claim that he has an American birth certificate! - Jay Leno

The Labor Department reported that only 64% of the American workforce is fully employed. The president did his very best to put a positive spin on the latest bad economic numbers. This morning he declared victory in the War on Jobs. - Argus H.

humor - TSA Checkpoint

humor - Obama and Burger King

Reading for Extra Credit

Keeping Up With the World of Politics, Government, and the Social Issues of the Day .

In yet another example of the nanny, Big Brother government mentality of this administration, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that his department is looking at ways to install devices in vehicles to block a cell-phone signal for anyone in the car. A always, this is being done in the name of protecting us from ourselves.

Senior Democrat, and former chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means committee, Charlie Rangel has been recommended by the House Ethics Committee in a 9-1 vote for censure by the full House. He was found guilty on 11 of 13 charges.

May God Bless You,

Louis DeBroux, Vice Chair of Communications

Bartow County Republican Party

Michael W. Huneke II, Chairman

Bartow County Republican Party