FROM THE CHAIRMAN
STATE OF THE UNION
President Obama’s State of the Union address was certainly
disappointing. Far from the hope we all had that he would
listen to the American people and change his priorities,
all we heard was more of the same. In fact, the speech he
read sounded like a conglomerate of bits and pieces taken
from his campaign speeches in 2008. It seems nothing has
changed.
Jobs and the economy should have been
the immediate focus of this administration and the
Democrat-controlled Congress.
The
White House and Democrat-controlled Congress should have
been focused on the economy and jobs from day one.
Instead, the President’s political ideology and personal
agenda clouded his vision while he pursued socialized
health care, global warming and securing constitutional
rights for terrorists. Sadly, second district congressman
Bob Etheridge (D) helped pass the Obama agenda, voting
with Nancy Pelosi 97% of the time.
Moreover, the President failed to accept responsibility
for his administration’s shortcomings and offered no
apologies for a floundering agenda.
We heard no apology for the failed
stimulus or the crushing debt that now burdens us and our
children. The State Employment Security Commission
reported Friday that North Carolina’s unemployment rate
reached a record high 11.2 percent in
December, shedding another 31,000
jobs. This must change; we can do better.
We
heard no apology for Democrats having spent valuable time,
resources and tax dollars promoting a “global warming
agenda” when we now know what many experts have been
saying for years; that the research behind man-made global
warming is not only in scientific doubt, but has been
intentionally manipulated and distorted for political
purposes. This must change; we can do better.
We
heard no apology from Mr. Obama for wasting an entire year
on health care legislation while the economy deteriorated.
In fact, the President said “I don’t quit” and went on to
state that he would intensify his efforts to pass the
unpopular health care takeover despite the fact that most
North Carolinians – and most Americas – do not want it.
This must change; we can do better.
We
can do better, and America can do better.
If
the Democrats in Congress, including Bob Etheridge, refuse
to listen to the people and instead continue to pursue
Obama’s radical, failed agenda, then we the people must
take matters into our own hands. We must support
conservative candidates who will protect and preserve our
Constitution, lower taxes, reduce the deficit, revive the
economy and increase freedom for all Americans by
promoting smaller, more efficient government. We must
support candidates who will stand up to President Obama
and Nancy Pelosi and represent the people, not the
Washington establishment and big-money special interests.
With
Democrats controlling the House and the Senate for three
years and now the White House as well, this nation has
faced the most difficult times in most of our lives. Since
Democrats took control of congress in 2006, rising
unemployment, record deficits, home foreclosures and
bigger government seem to have become the norm, and when
Mr. Obama entered the White house over a year ago, that
process accelerated. Elections have consequences. We know
that now more than ever, and now it is our turn to make a
change.
Yes,
we can do better and we must do better. We owe nothing
less to those who came before us, to those who fought and
died to preserve this nation, and to the generations of
Americans who are yet to come. It is our cause and our
challenge to once again restore this great republic.
What
we do between now and Election Day can alter the course of
history in America if continue to fight for our country,
our Constitution and our children’s prosperity. Momentum
is on our side but we must not for a moment let up on our
efforts.
This
will be our legacy. Be a part of it.
Mark
Otto
Chairman
The Sanford Herald, Jan. 13, 2009
Two Etheridge challengers debate in Pittsboro
by GORDON ANDERSON
slideshow
PITTSBORO —
Two Republican candidates for North Carolina’s Second District
Congressional seat met with voters in Pittsboro Tuesday (Jan.
12) to voice their opposition not only to incumbent Rep. Bob
Etheridge (D-Lillington), but also President Barack Obama and
Democratic initiatives working their way through the federal
government.
Republicans Frank Deatrich of Franklin County and Renee
Ellmers of Dunn spoke about their candidacies to voters at a
meeting of the Chatham County Republican Party. Candidates Dan
Mansell and Jay Johnson had been billed as participants but
didn’t show up.
“Right now America is in serious trouble,” Deatrich said.
“We’re right on the brink of going over the edge, and that’s
got to be turned around. We’ve got to have people like (U.S.
Rep. ) Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), who stood up at the meeting and
called the president a liar. It may not be kosher to say that,
but I applaud the man for standing up and saying what he
meant.”
Deatrich cited experience running his own business and working
in government as reasons that he’d make a good replacement for
Etheridge.
“I’m familiar with state and federal budgets and the nonsense
you have to go through with the federal government,” Deatrich
said.
Deatrich said his platform includes “getting America back to
work,” providing for national security, making America energy
independent, defending the Constitution, “lowering or
eliminating the income tax,” and providing for states’ rights.
He also stressed that he’s a staunch abortion opponent.
“I’m pro-life, no ifs ands or buts about it. I’m a Christian.
Jesus is my friend. We need to get back to a Christian, moral
base for our government,” he said.
Ellmers joked that she wanted to go to Washington “so I don’t
have to pay my taxes anymore” before saying that she wanted to
be in Congress for her 14-year-old son.
“Washington is broken,” she said. “I want my son to grow up
with the same advantages we’ve had. Our children’s future is
at risk.”
A nurse, Ellmers said she got involved in the debate over
President Obama’s health care reform proposals over the summer
of 2009.
“As a nurse, I felt it was my responsibility to be a voice for
nurses,” she said. “Bob Etheridge was quoted as saying doctors
and nurses are overwhelmingly in favor of health care reform.
That’s absolutely not true. I wanted to make sure that got out
to the people.”
Ellmers said health care reform is one of many aspects of the
Democratic agenda designed to expand government reach.
“As we speak, in the Oval Office, there may be President Obama,
(House Speaker Nancy) Pelosi and (Senate Majority Leader
Harry) Reid having a discussion about our future,” she said.
“This is designed for one purpose — control of our lives. We
can’t allow it to go on anymore.”
The audience also had a chance to ask questions of the
candidates.
Charlie Parks, a Lee County resident, said he wanted to know
what the candidates would do to work against whatever health
care reforms are made in the bill currently being discussed by
Congressional leaders and what they would do to stop spending.
Ellmers said she doesn’t believe Obama’s statement that he
wanted to be the last president to deal with health care.
“We’re waiting to find out what will happen with the health
care bill, and it looks like something will pass. Regardless
of what they pass ... they will not stop,” she said. “You can
be sure they will press forward. Ultimately, they want that
public option. That’s been their main goal all along. iI will
fight all those things. Health care is not a right. There is a
responsibility for individuals to pay for health care.”
As for spending, Ellmers pointed out that China holds much of
the debt for American spending and questioned whether future
generations would be “beholden” to that government.
“We’re borrowing money from China, and now our community
colleges are starting to offer Chinese as a language,” she
said. “Why do you think that is? Our children will be beholden
to China. The buck has to stop here.”
Deatrich pointed out that electing only him or Ellmers
wouldn’t be the answer.
“When we go to Washington, if there’s only one conservative
candidate from the state of North Carolina, it’s not going to
make a difference,” he said. “We’ve got to have conservatives
all over the U.S. We’ve got to replace about 40 of those
representatives. If we don’t have a majority it won’t happen.”
He also told voters to be as engaged as possible with the
issues facing the nation.
“When you leave here, have your friends ask when you’re going
to shut up about politics. Talk about it every day,” he said.
ONLINE
Learn about the Second Congressional District candidates
online:
o Frank Deatrich:
www.frankforrepresentative.com
o Renee Ellmers:
www.reneeforcongress.com
o Dan Mansell:
www.danmansell.com
Congratulations to
Dunn Mayor Abe Elmore!
Winner of the NCGOP's 2nd District 2009 Hall of Fame Award
Nov. 21, 2009, North Raleigh Hilton
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