Archives for November 2010

November 30th, 2010, Fairfax, VA—Americans for Limited Government (ALG) President Bill Wilson today issued the following statement on the lame duck session of Congress’ consideration of preventing imminent tax increases on all Americans:

“Senate Republicans should block everything that doesn’t include everything; which means they should block any piece of legislation that does not include either permanent or 2-year extensions of the income tax, estate tax, capital gains tax, and dividend tax rates. If Senate Republicans allow any of these pieces to be cut up, they will never be made permanent, nor will they be extended.

“It’s a hard line to take, but Senate Republicans must hold the line to prevent any taxes from going up, especially on job creators. The unemployment rate has been at or above 9.4 percent for 18 consecutive months, the worst economic climate since the Great Depression. We need to create jobs, not increase the tax burden for American businesses at a time when the U.S. is already globally uncompetitive.”

Interview Availability: Please contact Rebekah Rast at (703) 383-0880 or at rrast@getliberty.org to arrange an interview with ALG President Bill Wilson.

###

November 30th, 2010, Fairfax, VA—Americans for Limited Government (ALG) President Bill Wilson today issued the following statement on the lame duck session of Congress’ consideration of preventing imminent tax increases on all Americans:

“Senate Republicans should block everything that doesn’t include everything; which means they should block any piece of legislation that does not include either permanent or 2-year extensions of the income tax, estate tax, capital gains tax, and dividend tax rates. If Senate Republicans allow any of these pieces to be cut up, they will never be made permanent, nor will they be extended.

“It’s a hard line to take, but Senate Republicans must hold the line to prevent any taxes from going up, especially on job creators. The unemployment rate has been at or above 9.4 percent for 18 consecutive months, the worst economic climate since the Great Depression. We need to create jobs, not increase the tax burden for American businesses at a time when the U.S. is already globally uncompetitive.”

Interview Availability: Please contact Rebekah Rast at (703) 383-0880 or at rrast@getliberty.org to arrange an interview with ALG President Bill Wilson.

###

November 29th, 2010, Fairfax, VA—Americans for Limited Government (ALG) President Bill Wilson today urged Congress not to reinstate a federally-subsidized bond program for states and local governments, which he said were being used to “bail out bankrupt states like New York and California.”

“The so-called ‘Build America’ bonds purport to ease the borrowing costs of insolvent states via a federal subsidy of interest payments. These are governments that otherwise cannot finance their spending habits,” Wilson explained, adding, “It’s really a mechanism to nationalize the unsustainable spending of insolvent states and local governments.”

Wilson said the federal subsidy would be directed from taxpayers across state lines. “This is making taxpayers in more responsible states like Virginia, Mississippi, and Texas pay for the wasteful union contracts and social policy programs of California, Illinois, and New York. The states bailout program should be ended as once,” Wilson declared.

According to the Washington Post, under the program, “Treasury pays a 35 percent subsidy on the interest rate of the bonds directly to the city, state or other government entity that issues them. The arrangement dramatically lowers the borrowing cost for local governments while providing lower costs for investors, including pension funds and other major funds that do not usually dabble in the municipal market.”

The Obama Administration wants to make the program permanent. Under the final program, taxpayers would subsidize 28 percent of interest owed on the bonds and certain non-profit universities and hospitals would now be allowed to participate by borrowing money through the program, as reported by Reuters.

Wilson said, “This is a states bailout, because the government agreed to cover 35 percent of the interest costs for the last round of bond purchases. Now, to meet their budget obligations, the states need to borrow yet more money.”

Wilson continued, “Why don’t these states and local governments try to refinance these debts on their own? Because they can’t. The ‘expansion’ of this program really is so that states and localities can refinance the debt they accrued last year. That means that, minus the federal subsidy, municipal bonds are not really a good investment at this point.”

Wilson concluded, “This is just another way for states and local governments to avoid making the severe cuts that are necessary to really balance budgets. Taxpayers should not continue to be held responsible for the reckless decisions of politicians. The states bailout bonds tend to undermine states with balanced budget constitutional provisions by giving a federal mechanism to finance the unsustainable budgets of states that refuse to balance their budgets.”

Interview Availability: Please contact Rebekah Rast at (703) 383-0880 or at rrast@getliberty.org to arrange an interview with ALG President Bill Wilson.

###

November 24th, 2010, Fairfax, VA—Americans for Limited Government (ALG) President Bill Wilson today asked White House Counsel Robert Bauer if he granted an exception to the Center for American Progress in its recent use of the Seal of the President of the United States in a policy publication.

The use of the seal is restricted under law (TITLE 18, PART I,CHAPTER 33, § 713 of the U.S. Code), which prohibits reproduction of the seal for “the purpose of conveying, or in a manner reasonably calculated to convey, a false impression of sponsorship or approval by the Government of the United States”.

Exceptions have been outlined via executive order for educational and historical uses as well as limited uses by news media. Under Executive Order 11649, further exceptions can also be granted by the White House Counsel.

In his letter, Wilson wrote, “As you are well aware, the rationale for restricting the use of the Seal is to prevent any suggestion of presidential support or endorsement of third-party messages. However, as exceptions are provided for pursuant to Executive Order 11649, we would like to know if such an exception has been granted in this case.”

The Center for American Progress prominently used the seal on the cover of its November 2010 publication, “The Power of the President: Recommendations to Advance Progressive Change” at http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/issues/2010/11/pdf/executive_orders.pdf .

The paper advocated the use of executive orders by the Obama Administration to advance its agenda after Democrats lost control of the House of Representatives in the November elections.

Wilson explained in a statement, saying, “The Center for American Progress use of the seal appears to indicate presidential endorsement of its agenda. The question is whether the White House granted an exception in this case or not. If it did, that would appear to be a stretch beyond the intent of the law and the order, in which exceptions are supposed to be provided for educational, historical, and news purposes. If it did not, then it would appear to be a violation of the law by the Center for American Progress.”

###

November 18th, 2010, Fairfax, VA—Americans for Limited Government (ALG) President Bill Wilson today urged members of the House to vote in favor of a Republican motion to recommit on HR 1722, a motion which would eliminate federal funding for National Public Radio.

“National Public Radio is the first to claim that it receives less than 2 percent of its money from the federal government. So, by its own admission, NPR doesn’t need the money, so let’s cut it. The government has a $1.3 trillion budget deficit, and members of Congress have to find every bit of funding that can be cut,” Wilson said.

NPR requested $136 million for FY 2013.

In an exclusive interview with Americans for Limited Government, Representative Doug Lamborn, who authored the bill to defund NPR, blasted it over the firing of Juan Williams: “We see now with the Juan Williams fiasco that they’re not a neutral news organization. They have a left-leaning bias.”

Lamborn continued, “It could be out there in the private marketplace, and compete along with everyone else. Why should government be in the broadcasting business at all?”

Wilson agreed, saying, “NPR can finance itself via donations, or move toward a profit model if they choose, but taxpayers should not be obligated to pay for programming which does not treat all sides fairly.”

ALG launched a national petition drive recently to defund public broadcasting in the wake of National Public Radio’s firing of Juan Williams. The petition is at: www.defundpublicbroadcasting.org.

Background:

“Defund Public Broadcasting Once and For All,” by ALG President Bill Wilson, October 25th, 2010.

ALG Praises Boehner’s Call to Defund Public Broadcasting, October 22nd, 2010

“Where to cut, you ask?” Video by Frank McCaffrey on Doug Lamborn’s legislation, October 19th, 2010.

“The Bare Minimum,” by Rick Manning, ALG Communications Director, October 20th, 2010.

“Time to Stop Funding Luxuries, Like Public Broadcasting,” by Rebekah Rast, ALG News Contributing Editor, June 14th, 2010.

“Is Public Broadcasting Hurting the Arts?” by Robert Romano, ALG News Senior Editor, June 15th, 2010.

Interview Availability: Please contact Rebekah Rast at (703) 383-0880 or at rrast@getliberty.org to arrange an interview with ALG President Bill Wilson.

###

November 17th, 2010, Fairfax, VA—Americans for Limited Government (ALG) is encouraging Republicans in the Senate to filibuster the nomination of judicial nominees Goodwin Liu and Robert Chatigny, for the federal bench. The full Senate is expected to vote on these judicial nominees tomorrow.

“Senate Republicans are under no obligation to support nominees or provide political cover for the other side of the aisle,” explained Bill Wilson, president of Americans for Limited Government (ALG).

“Goodwin Liu is an extra-constitutional thinker who believes that the eligibility requirements for ObamaCare and other ‘welfare rights’ are perfectly within the scope of courts to interpret,” Wilson noted. “With him on the bench, a single-payer system could be just one court decision away. The American people cannot take that chance.”

“Liu also has an expansive view of the Commerce Clause, and does not even hold as an ‘absolute requirement’ that an activity even be economic in order for it to be regulated. Guess what? That encapsulates all activity,” Wilson explained.

“Robert Chatigny told the American people everything they needed to know when he did all in his power to prevent the execution of a convicted serial killer and rapist. He even overturned Connecticut’s sex offender registry law, only to later have his own decision reversed,” Wilson explained.

Americans for Limited Government has run ads urging Senate Judiciary Committee members to oppose Chatigny.

Wilson concluded, “These radical judicial picks, re-nominated by Obama, remind the American people of why judges matter. It is up to the Senate Republicans to put the brakes on nominees whose extralegal views warp and distort the Constitution and thus undermine the rule of law. America does not need more ideologues on the bench.”

Attachments:
Senate to Reconsider Judicial Nominees Goodwin Liu and Robert Chatigny, Bill Wilson, September 22nd, 2010.

Goodwin Liu, Americans for Limited Government Nominee Alert, March 2010.

“Wonderland: The World According to Goodwin Liu,” Bill Wilson, March 24th, 2010.

“Why Goodwin Liu is Important,” ALG News Editorial, April 12th, 2010.

“Liu Guilty by Omission,” Robert Romano, April 8th, 2010.

ALG Nominee Alert, Robert Chatigny, March 2010.

Video: Oppose Confirmation of Serial Killer Apologist for Court of Appeals, June 22nd, 2010.

ALG Letter to U.S. Senate Against Judge Chatigny, June 21st, 2010.

“Editorial: Democrat Senate to Promote Rapist, Serial Killer Apologist to 2nd Circuit Court,” ALG News, June 21st, 2010.

Interview Availability: Please contact Rebekah Rast at (703) 383-0880 or at rrast@getliberty.org to arrange an interview with ALG President Bill Wilson.

###

November 16th, 2010, Fairfax, VA—Americans for Limited Government President Bill Wilson today issued the following statement in response to the guilty verdict issued by the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct of Representative Charlie Rangel:

“The House ethics panel has issued a decisive verdict against Charlie Rangel, but it’s not over yet. It’s now up to the panel to recommend a punishment. If Rangel refuses to resign, the only proper punishment is expulsion.

“Charlie Rangel must go.

“Rangel used a rent-stabilized apartment for campaign activities, failed to pay taxes on rental property in the Dominican Republic, and improperly used congressional letterhead to raise funds for a City University center to be built in his name. These were not small infractions.

“The House ethics panel must err on the side of reestablishing public trust in Congress after this notorious corruption scandal by recommending Rangel’s expulsion from the House forever. Anything less than expulsion will be viewed as simply a slap on the wrist and an affirmation of the ‘good ol’ boy’ network. If Congress should have learned anything from the 2010 elections, it’s that the American people want members of the House to be held accountable for their actions. Rangel is as good a place as any to start.”

###

November 15th, 2010, Fairfax, VA—Americans for Limited Government (ALG) President Bill Wilson today issued the following statement praising Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell for his support of a moratorium on congressional earmarks:

“Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s sincere support of a moratorium on congressional earmarks is a welcome change in the posture of Senate Republicans on the critical issue of reducing government waste. It’s time to listen to the American people, who are demanding that Congress restrain itself when the nation has a $13.7 trillion national debt and trillion-dollar deficits projected every year for the next ten years.

“Americans for Limited Government thanks and strongly praises Senate Minority Leader McConnell. We now urge Senate Republicans to unanimously adopt the earmark moratorium to show a united a front in confronting government waste. Spending reform first and foremost must begin with individual members of Congress agreeing to do their parts by beginning to make sacrifices. Although earmarks are a small part of the budget, having a moratorium will free up members’ efforts to focus on critical budgetary reforms that must be enacted to protect the very solvency of the U.S. government.”

Attachments:

Speech by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), November 15th, 2010.

Interview Availability: Please contact Rebekah Rast at (703) 383-0880 or at rrast@getliberty.org to arrange an interview with ALG President Bill Wilson.

###

November 12th, 2010, Fairfax, VA—Americans for Limited Government (ALG) President Bill Wilson today issued the following statement urging Senate Republicans to support a moratorium on congressional earmarks:

“Now is the time for Senate Republicans to lead by example in pursuing fiscal responsibility by enacting a moratorium on congressional earmarks. With a $13.7 trillion national debt and projected trillion-dollar deficits every year for the next ten years, now is the time for Senate Republicans to send a clear message to taxpayers that they care more about balancing the budget than delivering pork to their home states.

“Americans for Limited Government is urging Senate Republicans to carefully consider the express will of the American people who support a moratorium on congressional earmarks. The American people voted for change in November, and now they want to know if Senate Republicans have changed their ways.

“A moratorium on earmarks is needed so that Congress can focus on and dispense with critical budgetary reforms that must be enacted to protect the very solvency of the republic. Senate Republicans should support the earmark moratorium as a first step to balancing the budget. It will tell taxpayers that the new Congress is committed to changing the way it does business, starting with eliminating unnecessary pork. Earmarks weaken our political process by undermining public trust in our institutions. Earmarks are the grease that tempt members of Congress to vote for trillion-dollar budget busting bills and government takeovers.

“The American people want Congress to work on the big issues surrounding reining in Washington’s unsustainable spending. A moratorium on earmarks by Senate Republicans will send a signal that they are setting aside their own political self-interests in favor of the broader interests of all Americans, who want the budget balanced. It’s time for lawmakers to begin to make sacrifices.”

Interview Availability: Please contact Rebekah Rast at (703) 383-0880 or at rrast@getliberty.org to arrange an interview with ALG President Bill Wilson.

###