Mr. Cantor, this is all well and good but with an electorate that is mind numbed by media that is either blind, complaisant, or worse, being driven by a group of hidden elites we have little hope of stopping anything Mr.O’ and his merry band of socialists cook up. All we can do is look towards the future (2010 & 2012) by building awareness of what the Liberal socialists are doing to our children and grandchildren with all the debt they are accumulating.

I am amazed by the number of people I talk to daily that think it is only themselves that are going to be taxed to oblivion and the country will be okay for their children. They have concept about what debt means to their progeny and the terrible burden they will be under. Once I’ve shown them the most likely scenario, a tax burden of around %45 and that their children will basically be working for the State, people’s reactions change.

Any bickering and complaining about what is happening now is understood by the average person as “politics as usual”. Let’s face it, that is all that has occurred in Congress for nearly 40 years.The Republicans (I no longer consider myself a Republican, but a conservative) should be drawing the attention of young voters and middle-aged voters to just exactly what national debt means to them and their children, not engaging in pointless battles they cannot win. Liberals hate truth in the now, they are terrified of truth in the future, e.g. Palin. Stop fighting (especially with eac other) and start educating the electorate.

…common-sense tax relief; smart and necessary reductions in spending, and intelligent policies that do not bankrupt our nation.

We all like mom, apple pie and a good flag video with the Marine Corps Band. Would you please pick just one item that fits into the the above list and tell us what – specifically – Republicans would like to do. And then tell us what needs to be done in both the short term (this Congress) and the longer term (after ’10) to accomplish that single objective.

If you’d like a hint or two for long term goals in the area of “smart … reductions in spending”, it would be nice to see a plan to eliminate the Department of Education and get the fed out of education funding altogether. Or how about elimination of the farm programs and the US Department of Agriculture.

But you’re preaching to the choir here. If the Republican party wants to survive in any sort of meaningful position for the next generation, they need to stop cooperating with the socialists who have taken over the Democrat party (even though they aren’t really a majority in rank and file Democrats) and give conservatives a REAL choice. I know too many people who have simply withdrawn from the political process because they see no difference between the two major parties. And for the most part, they are right.

It is going to take more than empty platitudes and feel good rhetoric from the GOP to alter this course. I am personally watching my business fail because of one simple fact, people (those who actually start small businesses) are scared to death of what is going to be implemented by Obama & Co. The costs and requirements are so vague, the costs so obscure that everyone I know is holding back ANY investment in growth till they know what it’s going to cost them.

So I know you are but one official but it is high time that you and your co-workers become more vocal. Produce reams of press releases and get in front of any and every camera to decry the fact that the mess we are in is a direct result of the fear being delivered by the White House. Sure, it’s going to take a lot to get past the media Pro-Obama filtering, but now is the time.

Nearly everyone I know who are conservatives are coming to the conclusion that the GOP and you currently elected Republicans are unable to do anything. And you know what, I am right there in that sentiment.

I (we) appreciate your nice sentiments, but now the question is – So What?

Anyone who has paid even the slightest bit of attention understands that Obama and the democrats have become socialists (at best). Thier ‘change’ represents the obliteration of the basic founding principles of what used to be America

If you don’t begin to fight them on thier level you will lose. If you don’t believe in your positions at least as much as they believe in thiers and aren’t willing to go to the same extents they are, well, you will lose.

If republicans don’t stop pandering to the disinterested, uninformed citizenry (i.e. moderates) and actually begin to LEAD them, you may as well bring back Bob Michael. No one wins a battle by being ‘nice’.

You have got to put some meat on the bones of what you are talking about. These political words are not going to bring people to you. 2010 will be a BLOWOUT if you and your peer’s decide that SMALL GOVERNMENT is the mantra….please start with ENDING The 787 billion dollar “stimulus”. If you all walk your talk and recently 8 of your members dove off the deep-end which unfortunately gives cover to the Democrats you can win but American’s are not just going to fall in your lap.

I could go on and on but when you all get the majority WE expect hearings on the IG’s and ACORN and with ACORN we expect them to be indicted, these are things that you can include in your platform. American’s are well aware of these illegal things going on and the protection racket that the oldstream media is involved in with these issues. This 2010 election should be a cakewalk but I suspect your liberal members will still try to destroy any chance you have of taking the House back. WE cannot continue to DRAG you all across the finish line you have to offer something concrete not just platitudes.

Obama’s plans so you won’t be perceived as racist and just get on with it. He’s a politician, not a monument. Quit being afraid of the MSM and just start representing the American people. If you know what’s right and what SHOULD be done and said, then get out there and say it and do it. We already know what needs to be done here at RedState and at so many other conservative websites.

SO WHEN ARE YOU PEOPLE GOING TO ACTUALLY LEAD?!!!

If you watch the MSM attack Republicans and they just sit there and take it, you really wonder.

This is war. Political war. War for the future of America. America really does hang in the balance. This isn’t patty cake partisanship anymore.

Why aren’t the Republicans acting like it?

Someone here has a signature quote something like, “You might not be interested in war, but war is interested in you.”

Now is the time to circle the wagons and take a big stand.

Betsy Markey (D, CO-4) voted for the Cap-n-Tax bill. Her reasons…? It will create jobs and reduce energy costs.

You don’t believe she said that? Here’s the email I received after calling her office asking her to vote against the bill.

Dear Randy,

Thank you for contacting me about the American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) Act of 2009. I understand your concerns with this piece of legislation and would like to explain why I ultimately decided to support this bill when it came before the House on June 26, 2009.

As with any critical piece of legislation, I took my time to hear from constituents from across the District, study the bill, and work with my colleagues to make key changes. Draft legislation on this issue has been in the works for months and I, along with my staff, have been continually monitoring the changes since taking office in January. Several critical adjustments were made to protect the agriculture industry and I offered an amendment to help connect Colorado wind farms to America’s wider energy markets. After these changes were accepted, I made the decision to support the bill.

We cannot afford to continue sending billions of dollars overseas while neglecting the vast energy resources right here in America. It is critical to our long-term economic prosperity that we invest in our own domestic sources of energy. I have always supported–and continue to support–pursuing all our energy options, including exploring our domestic oil and natural gas resources. We must decrease our dependence on foreign oil by growing our renewable energy industry. Achieving energy independence is an issue of national security, and this bill is an important step in that direction.

This legislation will bring unique benefits to Northern and Eastern Colorado. The renewable energy industry is a reality in the 4th District and this bill brings jobs directly to our community. ACES is estimated to create 28,000 jobs in the state, many of those in the 4th District. Quite frankly, we stand to see greater benefits from this bill than many other areas of the country. Latest estimates project that 41,000 households in the District will see a decrease in their net annual costs from this bill. This was a reality I could not ignore.

I was excited to be part of introducing an amendment that will ensure regional coordination of electricity transmission, allowing Colorado’s alternative energy industries to flourish by exporting energy around the West. The renewable electricity potential in Colorado leaves the state more than able to generate excess renewable electricity for export to other states, but our outdated transmission infrastructure is inadequate to bring these electrical resources to high demand areas. My amendment to ACES will ensure regional planning and siting of interstate transmission lines will be completed in a timely manner and will create jobs in Colorado.

I worked hard with my colleagues in the House Agriculture Committee to ensure that Colorado’s farmers and ranchers reaped the benefits of this bill. I felt that the cost of regulating emissions from farms across Colorado would be far too expensive for agriculture and result in relatively limited reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. I was pleased the agriculture industry was exempted from the emissions cap–without this critical provision I would not have supported this legislation.

The ACES legislation also contains provisions to protect consumers from energy price increases. Some of the consumer protections are established by giving free carbon credits to utilities in order to keep costs low, while still complying with the standards set by ACES. In fact, 55% of the carbon credit allowances through 2025 will be used for consumer protections. After 2025, that number will go up to 58%. For example, electric and natural gas utilities that distribute to consumers will receive allowances of credits to be used exclusively to keep rates low. States will also receive allowances to provide rebates to consumers who use home heating oil.

I fought hard for a provision that would give rural electric cooperatives additional carbon credits to allow them to more easily comply with the emissions standards set by ACES. My staff and I spoke with local rural electric coops, the Energy and Commerce Committee, the Colorado Rural Electric Association, and the National Rural Electric Coop Association. I, along with six other members, sent a letter to Congressional leadership expressing our concern about the potential impact of this legislation on small and rural electric companies. In the final version of the bill, small utilities like rural electric coops were given additional carbon credits for consumer protections. This means that rural electric companies will receive a fair deal in distribution of carbon credits.

This legislation pays for itself by generating revenue from the sale of carbon credits. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the American Clean Energy and Security Act will result in a net reduction in the federal budget deficit. This was also an important consideration when it came to my support of the bill. We cannot continue to spend our way into debt, saddling our children with unbearable burdens.

ACES updates efficiency standards for new buildings, factories, and appliances while also helping states establish programs for implementing water efficiency programs, building retrofits, and smart grid implementation. With energy efficiency measures taken into account, consumers may actually see a decrease in their energy bill while ensuring we, as a nation, are smarter about the way we use energy. It is always cheaper to save energy than to make it.

I understand that we may continue to disagree on this issue. I hope this letter clarifies the reasoning behind my support for the American Clean Energy and Security Act. I know that you are sincere and are of deep conviction on this issue. I understand and respect your views, as I hope you do mine. Please do not hesitate to be in touch about this or any other issues that are important to you.

Sincerely,

Betsy Markey
Member of Congress

==========================

I could write a novel on how wrong she is in her response, but the short version is this:

1. 95% of the energy generated in Colorado is from coal. There is simply no way that green technologies can replace this even in the next couple of decades. The cost of energy for Coloradans will increase to ridiculous amounts. Fortunately the last couple of summers have been cooler, so energy needs will be reduced during that season, but colder winters are also upon us, the other eight months of the year. The increased cost of heating our homes will have a significant impact on our ability to make ends meet. There’s simply no way that Colorado will be able to generate enough green energy to offset the carbon tax costs to the coal industry, which will likely still be more efficient to generate even after the tax is imposed.

2. The democrat-led legislature passed and Gov. Ritter signed a bill that significantly increases regulations on natural gas and oil production, as well as proposed pipeline projects that will now likely be stalled indefinitely. This will take away even more jobs and increase our dependence on foreign oil.

Rep. Markey, as well as all the other Representatives who voted for this bill has it completely backwards. This law will reduce the number of jobs in Colorado, not increase them. This law will increase the costs of energy and other goods and services for every citizen of the State.

This bill will lower the standard of living for every Coloradan, affecting the poor and elderly the most.

But hey, that’s what Democrats do…

Rep. Cantor, while I appreciate you taking the time to write this, and I understand your sentiments, your post is lacking the specifics necessary for the American Public to take you seriously. After the quite unspecific stimulus plan, the unspecific omnibus spending bill, the unspecific cap-and-trade bill, and the still unspecific health care plan, Americans need less vagueness and more concrete information about exactly what taxes you would cut, and also what spending you will reduce. It is entirely the fault of the Republican Party that they are no longer in power in Washington. While taxes were cut, spending increased. It seemed Republicans were following a version of “Democrat-light” for the past 8 years. I agree whole heartedly that we need to reduce spending, and at the least keep the Bush tax cuts from expiring, (which in some cases it is already too late to do), but what spending is going to be reduced?

I will gladly support Republicans if they can come up with an understandable and clear plan for what they will do differently. But until then,I’ll just keep attending tea parties and hoping we can put responsible people in the government in another year and a half.

I live in your district, and have some questions. Back in June 2008, there was an article in a local paper entitled “Cantor swears off earmarks.”
http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2008/06/08/3486738.htm
In that article you are quoted as saying the following-
“We need to come up with some type of best practices so the public can restore its confidence in the way the federal government is spending taxpayer dollars. ” You said “Not all earmarks are bad, and indeed some are worthy of attention.” The interviewer asked “Considering that most congressional districts across the country receive some level of earmarks through their respective legislators, does the seventh district lose because you aren’t on board with it”? Your reply-”Not necessarily, because other ways exist for localities to pull down federal funds. There are formulas in place for transportation, health care, and other projects. The monies can also come down through the federal bureaucracy through the state by the Governor.” Later in the article you said “Money gets to the local level, but this overwhelming flurry of pork barrell spending needs to stop.”

My first question is-Being a 6 term Rep., were you a part of the Republican spending spree when the Republicans had the majority prior to 2006, but, now think it terrible because the Democrats are doing it with gusto?

More importantly, you are now speaking out loudly against the stimulus, and saying it is a failure because it hasn’t created the jobs it was supposed to do. Why then did you add “earmarks” to the stimulus you are so against? I don’t have the exact dollar amount you were awarded, but, your earmarks were for a railway system connecting Richmond to Washington. You have been asked about those earmarks lately, most recently by a host on Foxnews, and you have not been able to defend your earmarks to anyone’s satisfaction. I am confused as to what jobs that would have created, and how it would have helped small businesses. In June of this year there was an article announcing Gov. Kaine’s (D) new amtrack service between Richmond and Washington.
http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/48753102-virginia-governor-kaine-announces-new-amtrack-service-between-richmond-and-washington
In the article it announces that the service will begin this fall.

Why would you earmark dollars for something that has already been accomplished by Virginia’s Democrat Governor? If I am mistaken about your earmark, and you had another railway project in mind, why would you support stimulus money for jobs that will end as soon as the stimulus dollars run out. That isn’t long term thinking, or job creation. It really isn’t any better thinking
than your vote in support of TARP.

BTW- How’s your listening tour going?

it would be much more respected by the residents here if you come back and answer our questions/concerns.

Doing a driveby posting without bothering to check in and answer comments is guaranteed to irritate all of us. So if you are doing this to try and impress us, don’t bother. We’re not impressed unless you come back and talk to us.

actually come back (like Rep. Sessions and unlike Sen Cornyn) to interact with the foot soldiers in the Republican Party. Otherwise, this will be seen (because it will be) just another ‘post & run’ attempt to mollify ‘the base’.

You’re post shows me that you still don’t really get it. You’re ‘piece’ is not only as fluffy as a freshly baked croissant, it contains the same message that you guys have been trying to run on for the last 8 years which is basically – Please vote to put us in power because we’re not as bad as the mean, old other guys.

I respectfully ask, nee I *beg* you, to stop this approach to trying to win elections. It hasn’t worked…it’s not *gonna* work because the average, uninformed voter sees it for what it is – gloom & doom about ‘the other guy’ w/out any reason to vote for you.The Dems can get by with that because they play Santa Claus better and because they have a compliant media to help them along.

When my wife, who is as conservative as I am but much less ‘involved’, starts ripping on RNC/NRCC/NSRC commercials for their ‘dire’ music, ‘Pelosi/Reid/Obama schtick, and their ‘the world’s going to come to an end’ memes, you’ve got a major problem.

Suggestion – try being bold…quit cowering behind banal platitudes and repeat over and over again – we are the Party of small government and freedom. You can either direct your life or let the government direct it for you. Say it, and repeat it, and repeat it, and repeat it. And then – tie some specific examples to it. It’s not like you should have a hard time finding any.

However, if you and your compatriots in leadership continue to pant the mindless platitudes and fluffy sound bites that you penned here – hunker down, buy some popcorn, and enjoy your lengthy stay in the minority as the country continues to slide downhill into socialism/fascism/corporatism, and you continue to wonder why those who should be supporting you the most passionately have wearied of going to war with you.

that Rep. Cantor never reads one word of the responses to his diary.

.

“most gentile” comment in a diary. Heh.

Guess I gotta toughen up.

exalted status?

Thanks for the clarification, GC.

(but I still want to know if Franz knows.)

You probably don’t remember much about pop culture before you were 5 anyway.

Nest time I am in Richmond?

For what it is worth, I don’t want Republicans to continue to be the “Party of ‘No’”, however. I would like us to be the party of “HELL No”.

Mr. Cantor,

Today people have information overload. With all their problems, they can’t concentrate long enough to read an entire proposal.

They want things presented to them in a nutshell. I think it important these days to have your message boiled down to one operative word that fits in that nutshell, in your above diary I see that word as “bankruptcy”.

It’s a word, unfortunately, that people understand today and are familiar with. It’s a word that has meaning and power in the mind of the populace. It’s a word that brings to mind all of the horrors of what is happening today. It’s a word that when spoken, says that Republicans know what’s going on and what to do about the problem and that the Democrats (who won’t use that word) haven’t a clue and are in denial and making everything worse by digging deeper.

This word “bankruptcy” (in the sense that we want to avoid a national bankruptcy) is the word that we all need to get together on and hammer the Democrats with, in the House and Senate and the White House.

If we use this word over and over and over again, people out there will get the point that the Dems are driving us over the edge of a cliff, and the GOP will get the support that we need to rally and ride into Congress in 2010 with a house majority and a mission to save the US from the Dems reckless trillion dollar spending spree and an embarrassing national bankruptcy.

This is my assessment on the nation’s current political landscape.