“I respect Congressman Berry’s decision to retire and applaud his many years of public service. I will continue to run a strong campaign based on creating jobs, reducing the deficit, and representing Arkansas values. We can’t afford Obama’s liberal agenda and I am ready to go to Washington to be a check and balance on the liberal Congress.”
Crawford Endorsed by Governor Mike Huckabee
First District Congressional candidate, United States Army veteran, and agri-business owner Rick Crawford today announced the endorsement of Governor Mike Huckabee.
“I am pleased to endorse Rick Crawford for Congress, representing the First Congressional District of Arkansas. Rick is a strong conservative candidate and is waging a campaign based on smaller government, and getting the economy back on track.
Rick is the kind of conservative Republican we need to send to Washington to act as a check and balance to the Obama Administration and the liberals in Congress. He recognizes that we have a lot of work to do, but his background and training make him uniquely equipped to help lead the return to fiscal sanity.
Rick Crawford grew up in a military family, and had a chance to live all over the United States, and experience overseas living as well. Rick graduated from Arkansas State University and he and his wife Stacy live in Jonesboro.
Rick knows that the importance of agriculture to Arkansas’ economy cannot be overstated, since it is the state’s number one industry. It is vitally important that our leadership in Washington take a hands on approach in protecting our industry.
As a strong conservative, Rick supports a Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights, which will limit federal spending growth to the percentage in population growth plus the rate of inflation. He also favors ending tax funded abortions and would vote to stop federal payments to Planned Parenthood and prohibit any taxpayer-subsidized health insurance plan from covering abortion.”
“I am honored to have such an incredible endorsement from Governor Huckabee for my campaign,” Crawford said. “Governor Huckabee has been a trusted conservative voice not only in Arkansas but across the nation for many years and understands the importance of reclaiming our traditional American values and our voice in Washington.”
Crawford Endorsed by Statewide Republican Group
Crawford Earns Key Endorsement from Statewide Republican Group
JONESBORO – First District Congressional candidate, former United States Army Sergeant, and agri-business owner Rick Crawford today received the formal endorsement of the Arkansas Federation of College Republicans in his campaign to unseat Marion Berry.
“Having grown up in Forrest City and graduated from Wynne High School I know the traditional American values of Northeast Arkansas and I know Rick Crawford exemplifies these qualities,” said Tom Norsworthy, Chairman of the AFCR. “ He understands the challenges that college students and young professionals face in the First Congressional District and will work hard to provide better paying jobs, decrease the tax burden on family farms and businesses, as well as control spending in congress. I am confident that he will represent the First District’s conservative values.”
“I am honored to receive the endorsement from the future leaders of our nation,” said Crawford. “I want to go to Washington and apply traditional American values to the legislative process to ensure that today’s college students will have the same opportunities that I and many others before me have had to start their own business, enjoy lower taxes, and the opportunity of better paying jobs. I am proud to have their support,” said Crawford.
Crawford Endorsed by Iraq Veterans Group
Crawford Endorsed by Iraq Veterans Group
Iraq Veterans for Congress Announces Full Support
JONESBORO – First District Congressional candidate, agri-business owner, and former United States Army Sergeant Rick Crawford has accepted the endorsement of the Iraq Veterans for Congress (IVC), a Political Action Committee supporting the congressional campaigns of military veterans all across the United States.
“We are excited to support the candidacy of Rick Crawford because his lifetime of service to country and community reflect the PAC’s goal of helping citizen soldiers become citizen legislators” said D. Patrick Mahoney, Iraq Vets For Congress PAC’s Director of Communications. Continued Mahoney, “Rick’s extensive military, business and communications experience make him an exceptional voice for the people of Arkansas’ 1st Congressional District and the United States.”
“As a military veteran I am humbled and honored to receive this endorsement. I will work diligently to represent the traditional American values of Arkansans which includes many proud members of our military, both active and retired. I will tirelessly work on behalf of our men and women in uniform as well as those who have returned home while protecting our country and our freedoms,” said Crawford.
Iraq Veterans for Congress PAC is a federally registered political action committee supporting conservative Republican Iraq Veterans. Founded in 2008, IVC helped elect two Iraq Veterans Congressmen Mike Coffman (R-CO) and Duncan Hunter Jr. (R-CA). IVC chooses veterans who are determined to become a voice for U.S. military veterans, their families, and hardworking patriotic Americans who believe that our country, our Constitution and our way of life are worth fighting for.
Crawford Announces Second Coalition, Farmers for Crawford
Crawford Announces “Farmers for Crawford”, Names Chairman, Experienced Farmer to Lead Campaign’s Second Coalition
JONESBORO – First District Congressional candidate and agri-business owner Rick Crawford today announced the chairman of the second coalition for the Crawford for Congress Campaign, “Farmers for Crawford”.
David Hundley of Bay, Arkansas, will chair the coalition, which will communicate, organize, and mobilize farmers to support Rick Crawford as the next Congressman in the First District.
“Rick has been a part of the agriculture industry in the First District for many years and understands how legislation in Washington impacts farmers. Rick will be a trusted voice and advocate for farmers as our next Congressman,” said Hundley.
“I am honored to have someone like David leading Farmers for Crawford. Farmers all across the First District understand how the current policies in Washington are negatively impacting their operations and are ready for someone with traditional American values to represent them in Washington,” said Crawford.
David Hundley is a native of the First District and spent his entire life being a part of agriculture and agricultural activities. David graduated with a B.S. and an M.S. in Agriculture from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. Upon graduating from A.S.U., David has worked in the farm equipment, seed, and chemical areas of agriculture. David has experience in every aspect of farming in the First District and his ability to understand issues facing farmers is unparalleled. David and his wife Lori have three sons, Chase, Benjamin, and Mackenzie.
An Inconvenient Truth
Christmas Day of this year will go down as a day that defined this Administration’s position on national security and the war on terror. Christmas Day will also be noted as the day that American’s realized that no matter who is in the White House, Al Qaeda and its surrogates are determined to kill Americans and to destroy all that we stand for. All of this shows an inconvenient truth for Barack Obama — you can not be weak in the face of those who want to destroy America.
We have all witnessed the President’s apology tour earlier this year. The President demonstrated that he believed by simply being apologetic and not being George W. Bush he would win us friends and allies in the Islamic world. It’s that naïve approach and complete disregard for what history has taught us that has put our national security in a position to where there is no security at all.
In an op-ed piece in USA Today, Janet Napolitano states, “The administration is determined to find and fix the vulnerabilities in our systems that allowed this breach to happen.” I find this incredibly appalling. The Department of Homeland Security was established “to secure the nation from the many threats we face.” And with this comment, it would appear that since this incident has taken place, suddenly Homeland Security will begin to look for where the lapse occurred. This is a reactive approach to securing our nation rather than a proactive approach.
Al Qaeda wants to see our nation fall. They want to see our way of life — our governing model, our economy, and our religious freedoms — eliminated. Our President seems to be naïve or conveniently, to him, oblivious to what history has taught us about this vicious enemy. And even in the last few months, there have been other steps our President has taken that have further eroded our national security. These are very worrisome to me and should be to every person in this country.
During his campaign, candidate Obama promised the closure of Guantanimo Bay. Gitmo serves a very important role in how we detain those who play a critical role in their attempts to attack our nation and our nation’s interests. While there have been numerous attempts this year to treat these enemy combatants the same way we do American citizens – the reading of their Miranda rights once captured – this leaves me stunned and amazed at how national security for many in this administration has become what appears as an afterthought. Our enemies want to kill Americans and destroy our way of life. The President’s decision to close Gitmo will not change that view no matter how much he tries to sell it as such or appease those who hate us. The closing of Gitmo will not change the enemy’s resolve.
If these terrorists are allowed to be imprisoned in American jails and detention facilities, it would be naïve to think they would not convert other prisoners to the same extreme views. Do we need another attack like the one in Little Rock where Abdul Hakim Mujahid Muhammad, a prison convert to extremist Islamic beliefs, murdered Private William Long to realize how they can do even more damage?
Just last week President Obama signed an executive order giving Interpol all the same immunities of foreign powers. What does this mean? Since Interpol is governed by the United Nations, they can now investigate our law enforcement agencies (FBI, CIA, Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies) and subject our actions and efforts to the International Criminal Court system and other international efforts that would limit our abilities to secure and defend our nation. Interpol will now not be subject to FOIA requests and its actions will now be concealed. They will be able to investigate all that we do and we will never know about it. Who does the ICC investigate? Those who prosecute, investigate, and otherwise protect us from the likes of Osama Bin Laden, Al Qaeda, and other terrorist organizations. American sovereignty just took a backseat to the United Nations and eventually the International Criminal Court. And for what? So the United States will look better in the world? The only conclusion that can be drawn is that our President does not regard our sovereignty as an important issue to uphold and protect.
Non-citizens should be afforded no moral equivalent to rights of American citizens. This administration wants to equate the rights of American citizens to those of terrorists who want to destroy America and her people. This administration is putting national security at significant risk, and putting the American people last and terrorists first. This administration is unwilling to do what is necessary to protect our country. They are also subjecting our country to the international community in a way that has never been done before. This administration is eroding our national security in the interests of reputation. America, our national security, our interests, and our future come before anything else in this world.
As your next Congressman from the First District, I will do everything I can to ensure the security of every American citizen. I will work diligently to ensure that we operate by the Constitution as well as all legal parameters that will protect us as much as possible from those who want to kill us and ruin our nation. I will also work to ensure that this nation answers to no international court, agency, or government. America answers to no one other than its people and the system of governance that we have in place. That is my pledge to you as your next Congressman.
Statement on Pearl Harbor Day and Arraignment of Navy SEALs
“Today we remember one of the most horrific attacks against America. The attack at Pearl Harbor resulted in the death of thousands of servicemen and women as well as civilians. As a result of this attack, the United States entered World War II. Not only should we remember those who died on this day in 1941, but we should also remember the response of those who fought for their country during World War II and the response of the American people who showed a similar spirit of determination, dedication, and support.
Today we will also witness a travesty in the arraignment of three Navy SEALs who are accused of assaulting an enemy detainee. Navy SEALs are some of the most elite special forces in our nation’s military and in the world. The apologetic attitude that is pervasive in our federal government only paralyzes these elite forces from protecting our freedom and our country. The interests of other nations come second to those of the American people and the United States of America.”
When Is A Blue Dog Really A Blue Dog?
When is a Blue Dog really a Blue Dog? That question begs to be asked following the recent actions by Congressman Marion Berry.
First — a little background on the origins of the term Blue Dog.
The Blue Dog Coalition was formed in 1994 in the wake of the mid-term elections in which Republicans took back the majority in the House of Representatives. The Blue Dog Coalition gave the more conservative members from the Democratic Party a unified voice in the wake of these elections.
The Blue Dog Coalition states that a “…top priority will be to focus Congress on balancing the budget and ridding taxpayers of the burden the debt places on them.” But votes just this year by Marion Berry calls in to question this very important tenant of the Blue Dog Coalition and should cause individuals in the First District to ask, “When is a Blue Dog really a Blue Dog?” Here is the evidence:
- October 3rd, 2008: Marion Berry voted for TARP I ($350 Billion Dollars)
- January 21st, 2009: Marion Berry Voted for TARP II ($350 Billion Dollars)
- January 28th, 2009: Marion Berry voted for the Obama Stimulus Package ($787 Billion Dollars)
- February 24th, 2009: Marion Berry issued a press release where he stated that “eight years of fiscal recklessness by the Bush Administration” created “unsustainable deficits” for our country.
- November 7th, 2009: Marion Berry voted for Healthcare Reform ($894 Billion Dollars)
- Total Costs of these four votes: $2,381,000,000,000 Dollars. That is 2.3 trillion dollars! That is $8,460 for every single person in the First District, or over $5 billion dollars in debt for the entire First District, not including interest!
The above votes are extremely revealing in comparison to the comment by Marion Berry just this week. After President Obama proposed an increase in troops being sent to Afghanistan, Marion Berry was quoted as saying, “I don’t remember him saying anything about how we’re going to pay for this.” Berry said after the president’s address at West Point, “I just think it’s got to be paid for.”
In October, lawmakers diverted $2.6 billion dollars from funds in a defense spending bill to pet projects. You can read about those projects and how those funds were diverted here.
Marion Berry, along with his Blue Dog colleagues in both the House and Senate need to ask themselves, “When is a Blue Dog really a Blue Dog”? The votes previously outlined paint a picture of anything but fiscal responsibility. Instead the votes increasingly and excessively burden taxpayers. Indeed, the votes tell quite the opposite story – one of being a Lap Dog for Nancy Pelosi, not a Blue Dog representing the people of the First District. Marion Berry’s conscious-come-lately of fiscal responsibility does not hold water with the people of the First District.
We need someone who will go to Washington who is a fiscal conservative before arrival. We need someone who is willing to cast votes against spending bills when we do not have the money to support them. We need to send someone to Washington who will cut taxes and lower our deficits in a way that is fiscally conservative and responsible without having a coalition determining when those times are.
I want to go to Washington and be your conservative voice and vote accordingly so that families in the First District do not have to worry about soaring deficits, out of control spending, and the liberal Obama-Pelosi-Berry agenda that will bankrupt our country. It is time we send Marion Berry home to Gillete and send someone to Washington who will be a conservative vote, voice, and leader.
($2,381,000,000,000 divided by the total number of Americans in the 2000 census (281,421,906) equals $8,460. $8,460 multiplied by the population of the First District at the time of the 2000 Census (668,360) equals $5,654,325,600.00)
The Perfect Storm
As we head towards the end of 2009 and look towards 2010, there is a perfect storm brewing in regards to our nation’s economy that should cause us all to have great pause. As we have seen so far this year, our national debt has ballooned at a quicker pace than we have seen in decades. What has happened as well is the Federal Reserve has kept interest rates at or near zero percent for much of this duration.
These interest rates will remain low only for a short time. Necessity will demand they go higher. Foreign countries, namely China, have continued to purchase our debt but the interest they are earning on that debt has been minimal and they will more than likely look to increase that very soon. And when China and other countries want that to happen, we will have to oblige their request because if we don’t, we will have even greater economic problems to deal with.
That is where the perfect storm comes in to play. Not only will we have to increase the interest payments to those who hold our debt, but we will have to start to raise our interest rates here at home. As reported in the New York Times today, the storm looks to be very menacing:
“With the national debt now topping $12 trillion, the White House estimates that the government’s tab for servicing the debt will exceed $700 billion a year in 2019, up from $202 billion this year, even if annual budget deficits shrink drastically. Other forecasters say the figure could be much higher.
In concrete terms, an additional $500 billion a year in interest expense would total more than the combined federal budgets this year for education, energy, homeland security and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
When you put in perspective — our interest payments in proportion to our overall federal budget — it is troubling what is looming on the horizon for our country.
If the Federal Reserve does not act precisely in tandem with the White House and Congress to address these upcoming issues, we could be in for a prolonged period of economic distress that shows no signs of turning around. But there are solutions we can deploy that would not cost taxpayers and would restore our economy at a much more advanced pace while also curing many other ills.
Where our Congress has failed miserably over the last three years has been in its desire to create more programs that spend money we do not have. So to counteract that, we need to cut government spending and taxes for individuals and corporations so we can put more money back in the private sector. The private sector needs more of its own money now than it has in the last twenty plus years. The Obama-Pelosi-Berry agenda is to raise taxes in all areas of our country to pay for programs we do not need and that are not fiscally responsible.
We also need to restore the dollar so we can keep its prominence in the world as the reserve currency. When we have a strong dollar all nations prosper. If we do not have a strong dollar, our nation suffers. By employing fiscally responsible economic policy we can restore many segments of our economy and more people will be able to go back to work to good paying jobs.
There are common sense solutions that we can use and have ready for the perfect storm that is ahead. If we chose not to have leaders in Washington who will draft legislation that will reinforce these principles, then what is coming will hurt us even worse than what is going on right now. If we chose to send people to Washington who want to cut federal spending, who want to restore our economy through conservative fiscal policy and cutting taxes, I believe we can turn our economy around.
I want to be your next Representative of the First District and be your voice in Washington to see that these things come to fruition. We need people in Washington who are not afraid to act and act decisively when it comes to our nation’s economic future.
Statement on Healthcare Reform Vote
“Tonight we saw history made where a liberal congress decided they know how to deal better with healthcare decisions than the American people do. Marion Berry voted in favor of this legislation and in doing so, completely ignored what his constituents wanted. Marion Berry proved again how he is nothing more than a Yes vote for Nancy Pelosi and her liberal agenda.”
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