Minuteman PAC Honorary Chairman and founder of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, Chris Simcox, announced the official endorsement by Minuteman PAC for the candidacy of Duncan D. Hunter for Congress in his bid to succeed his father in California’s 52nd congressional district.
On the reasons for the endorsement, Simcox detailed, “Duncan D. is cut from the same mold as was his father. Both are patriots, both have talked the talk and walked the walk of service to and defense of our nation. And both have been steadfast allies on the fight to stem the tide of illegal immigration. "
As his father fought against great odds to finally build a border fence on a main incursion corridor outside of San Diego, California, Duncan D. was there standing by his father’s side. And now, as he returns from his third tour of duty serving our nation as a Marine Corps officer in the War on Terror, we have full confidence that Duncan will carry on his father’s legacy and his own outstanding dedication to duty, and continue the fight for our national security and sovereignty by securing America’s borders now.”
(excerpt...see http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/29658.html)
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Duncan Hunter vs. Mike Huckabee
In November, I posted a PDF with comparisons between Duncan Hunter and Fred Thompson. Feel free to check that out if you haven't.
(http://ohioforduncanhunter2008.blogspot.com/2007/11/duncan-hunter-vs-fred-thompson.html)
Now, with Huckabee going up in the polls, here is a comparison between Duncan Hunter and Mike Huckabee.
(http://dhgrassrevolt.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/hunter-vs-huck.pdf)
(http://ohioforduncanhunter2008.blogspot.com/2007/11/duncan-hunter-vs-fred-thompson.html)
Now, with Huckabee going up in the polls, here is a comparison between Duncan Hunter and Mike Huckabee.
(http://dhgrassrevolt.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/hunter-vs-huck.pdf)
Friday, December 7, 2007
Hyde's humor, bipartisanship lauded at his funeral
The tribues to longtime Congressman Henry Hyde were plentiful at his funeral mass today in St. Charles. The eulogies hit on Hyde's sense of humor and his bipartisan spirit.
His son, Bob Hyde, said Rep. Hyde taught his children to never take themselves too seriously. Henry Hyde told his children the story of a basketball game when he had to decline the coach’s offer of playing time because he had leant his shorts to a starter on the team and had nothing but underwear on beneath his warm-ups.
“Whenever I hear someone say ‘He would give the shirt off his back’ I smile and think about that,” Bob Hyde said.
Please read on for Hunter's comments. (excerpt...see http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2007/12/hydes-humor-bip.html)
His son, Bob Hyde, said Rep. Hyde taught his children to never take themselves too seriously. Henry Hyde told his children the story of a basketball game when he had to decline the coach’s offer of playing time because he had leant his shorts to a starter on the team and had nothing but underwear on beneath his warm-ups.
“Whenever I hear someone say ‘He would give the shirt off his back’ I smile and think about that,” Bob Hyde said.
Please read on for Hunter's comments. (excerpt...see http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2007/12/hydes-humor-bip.html)
GOP candidates discuss key business issues: Full Responses
The following are the responses of five of the leading Republican presidential candidates to eight questions posed by New Hampshire Business Review. All candidates were given a 150-word-per-answer limit. Responses were edited down to that length if they exceeded it. Three of the other leading candidates – former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee -- did not participate, despite repeated requests.
Note: If you are interested in reading the answers of Romney, McCain, Tancredo, and Paul to compare to Duncan Hunter, feel free to click on the link at the bottom. I am only provding Hunter's answers to the questions because this is a Hunter blog.)
Health Care
Q: What would you do to relieve the health-care insurance burden on business?
CALIFORNIA CONGRESSMAN DUNCAN HUNTER: I believe the best way to address health-care reform is by bringing freedom back to the system.
First, consumers should have the freedom to buy health insurance across state lines. Second, consumers should make their own informed health-care choices and, therefore, we must require full disclosure of service costs.
We can achieve a more vibrant and cost-effective health-care delivery system if we return the eye of the consumer to the purchase of health care rather than continue the false market that has been negotiated between insurance companies and service providers. Third, I support the development of a direct payment system between patient and doctors. This will revitalize the family doctor and ensure that patients have a relationship with their provider that will ultimately decrease costs and provide for better outcomes. Freedom is the answer to health care, not mandates.
Foreign workers
Q: Many New Hampshire employers are dependent on foreign workers, but others say they take jobs from U.S. citizens. What do you propose to do with the immigrant visa programs specifically and immigration in general?
HUNTER: I have represented a border community for over 25 years, so I know and understand the impacts of illegal immigration on our communities. The U.S. has one of the most generous immigration and guest worker programs in the world. We welcome nearly 1 million people into our country each year – what I like to call the “front door.” We can’t make changes to our legal visa programs until we secure our border and close the “back door.”
As president, securing our borders will be one of my very first priorities and I intend to build the border fence mandated in the Secure Fence Act in six months. After we have fully implemented border security, we can closely consider whether any changes are needed in our existing visa programs.
Sub-prime mortgages
Q: What would you do about bailing out investors and mortgage companies and helping those facing foreclosure? How do you feel about regulating such lending to prevent similar situations in the future?
HUNTER: Owning a home is part of the American dream and I support policies that make home ownership more accessible for families of all income levels. I support the administration’s recent policy adjustments that encourage lenders to work with borrowers to renegotiate terms and increase the flexibility of FHA loans so qualified borrowers can move to longer term fixed loans.
It is important to note that according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, 35 percent of homeowners own their homes outright; 95 percent of all mortgages are being paid on time and 85 percent of sub-prime mortgages are also being paid on time. I support taking steps to increase disclosure to ensure consumers have all the information they need, but additional burdensome regulations are not the answer.
People need to have the freedom to make their own choices, with an understanding of the consequences. More government intervention is not the solution.
Tax code
Q: What changes would you make that would directly affect business?
HUNTER: The backbone of our national economic success is our manufacturing base. Unfortunately, over the last decade, our domestic manufacturing base has been relocating to foreign shores, most notably China. In fact, according to the Economic Policy Institute, as many as 13,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost in New Hampshire alone since 2001.
I believe this decline in U.S. manufacturing will have severe ramifications, including the loss of high-quality jobs and an inability to arm and defend ourselves in the future. Therefore, I support removing all federal income taxes on domestic manufacturing goods which will help level the playing field for domestically manufactured goods here at home and improve the competitiveness of U.S.-made goods in the global marketplace. This will increase tax receipts both locally and at the federal level as more people are employed in higher-yield jobs.
Labor
Q: What specific changes in federal policy– such as minimum wage or union recognition – would you favor or oppose?
HUNTER: Labor unions have made significant contributions in the areas of worker and consumer safety as well as fair compensation for American workers. Their contributions should not be overlooked. However, with the exception of public safety employees, who by the nature of their job cannot strike, I do not believe that membership in a union should be compulsory.
While unions still have a role in today’s workplace, underhanded tactics that take away a person’s right of free association cannot be tolerated. Entering a union should be a choice, not a mandate. Further, dues paid by a union member should not be used in political contributions without the knowledge and permission of that specific union member. Mandated dues should focus on providing core union services, not on political campaigns that are often divisive.
Environment
Q: What policies would you implement that would directly affect business?
HUNTER: Protecting and improving our environment is one of our greatest challenges. To be successful we must strike a balance between the needs of the environment and those of our communities and families. I support implementing pro-business policies that focus on incentives rather than government mandates. Releasing the power and ingenuity of the American business community to innovate and implement new, clean sources of energy will lead to large economic and environmental advances across the economic spectrum. But it must be accomplished through a regime of incentives, like tax credits, rather than imposing an additional layer of burdensome government mandates and regulations, which often add expensive reporting requirements and little actual positive environmental impact.
Already, there are U.S. companies that, without punitive government intervention, are taking steps to create more environmentally sound operations. We must avoid stifling these advances and instead encourage this innovation and investment economy-wide.
Small business
Q: What would your administration do about existing loan and incentive programs, such as the Small Business Administration? What, if any, new programs are needed?
HUNTER: Small businesses [make] up over 90 percent of private firms, employing approximately 50 percent of private sector employees and create 60-80 percent of net new jobs. Unfortunately, small businesses, particularly those with fewer than 20 employees, spend a significant amount of their resources seeking to comply with complicated federal regulations. My administration will reevaluate these regulations and identify those that restrict and stifle small business growth rather than creating an environment in which it can thrive. I will incorporate policies that remove unnecessary bureaucracy and duplicity and emphasize a streamlined approach for new firms with innovative technologies and techniques to do business with the federal government.
America’s small businesses have also been hurt by trade deals that promised to place them on a more equitable economic playing field with their foreign competitors. These promises haven’t been realized and I am committed to removing America from these unfair trade deals.
Corporate governance
Q: Is the Securities and Exchange Commission going too far, or does it need to be more stringent, in its oversight and enforcement of securities laws? What should be done to insure market integrity?
HUNTER: Insuring market integrity is critical to the efficient function of our capital markets. Investors must have the necessary and accurate information to make informed investment decisions. Without this level of certainty, the system suffers. However, as Congress and the SEC have taken steps to impose regulations to ensure that investors receive accurate information about firms whose securities are traded on public markets, the consequences have been heavy compliance costs.
These burdens of compliance have caused concern that companies are choosing to avoid the U.S. public stock markets and instead listing themselves on private and foreign markets to avoid U.S. securities regulations. Ensuring the viability of our public stock markets is critical for our economy. Therefore, I support efforts to reform Sarbanes-Oxley in a manner that protects market integrity but removes some of the regulatory burden that has caused firms to abandon U.S. stock markets.
(excerpt...see http://nhbr.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071207/POLITICS/71206001/0/contact)
Note: If you are interested in reading the answers of Romney, McCain, Tancredo, and Paul to compare to Duncan Hunter, feel free to click on the link at the bottom. I am only provding Hunter's answers to the questions because this is a Hunter blog.)
Health Care
Q: What would you do to relieve the health-care insurance burden on business?
CALIFORNIA CONGRESSMAN DUNCAN HUNTER: I believe the best way to address health-care reform is by bringing freedom back to the system.
First, consumers should have the freedom to buy health insurance across state lines. Second, consumers should make their own informed health-care choices and, therefore, we must require full disclosure of service costs.
We can achieve a more vibrant and cost-effective health-care delivery system if we return the eye of the consumer to the purchase of health care rather than continue the false market that has been negotiated between insurance companies and service providers. Third, I support the development of a direct payment system between patient and doctors. This will revitalize the family doctor and ensure that patients have a relationship with their provider that will ultimately decrease costs and provide for better outcomes. Freedom is the answer to health care, not mandates.
Foreign workers
Q: Many New Hampshire employers are dependent on foreign workers, but others say they take jobs from U.S. citizens. What do you propose to do with the immigrant visa programs specifically and immigration in general?
HUNTER: I have represented a border community for over 25 years, so I know and understand the impacts of illegal immigration on our communities. The U.S. has one of the most generous immigration and guest worker programs in the world. We welcome nearly 1 million people into our country each year – what I like to call the “front door.” We can’t make changes to our legal visa programs until we secure our border and close the “back door.”
As president, securing our borders will be one of my very first priorities and I intend to build the border fence mandated in the Secure Fence Act in six months. After we have fully implemented border security, we can closely consider whether any changes are needed in our existing visa programs.
Sub-prime mortgages
Q: What would you do about bailing out investors and mortgage companies and helping those facing foreclosure? How do you feel about regulating such lending to prevent similar situations in the future?
HUNTER: Owning a home is part of the American dream and I support policies that make home ownership more accessible for families of all income levels. I support the administration’s recent policy adjustments that encourage lenders to work with borrowers to renegotiate terms and increase the flexibility of FHA loans so qualified borrowers can move to longer term fixed loans.
It is important to note that according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, 35 percent of homeowners own their homes outright; 95 percent of all mortgages are being paid on time and 85 percent of sub-prime mortgages are also being paid on time. I support taking steps to increase disclosure to ensure consumers have all the information they need, but additional burdensome regulations are not the answer.
People need to have the freedom to make their own choices, with an understanding of the consequences. More government intervention is not the solution.
Tax code
Q: What changes would you make that would directly affect business?
HUNTER: The backbone of our national economic success is our manufacturing base. Unfortunately, over the last decade, our domestic manufacturing base has been relocating to foreign shores, most notably China. In fact, according to the Economic Policy Institute, as many as 13,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost in New Hampshire alone since 2001.
I believe this decline in U.S. manufacturing will have severe ramifications, including the loss of high-quality jobs and an inability to arm and defend ourselves in the future. Therefore, I support removing all federal income taxes on domestic manufacturing goods which will help level the playing field for domestically manufactured goods here at home and improve the competitiveness of U.S.-made goods in the global marketplace. This will increase tax receipts both locally and at the federal level as more people are employed in higher-yield jobs.
Labor
Q: What specific changes in federal policy– such as minimum wage or union recognition – would you favor or oppose?
HUNTER: Labor unions have made significant contributions in the areas of worker and consumer safety as well as fair compensation for American workers. Their contributions should not be overlooked. However, with the exception of public safety employees, who by the nature of their job cannot strike, I do not believe that membership in a union should be compulsory.
While unions still have a role in today’s workplace, underhanded tactics that take away a person’s right of free association cannot be tolerated. Entering a union should be a choice, not a mandate. Further, dues paid by a union member should not be used in political contributions without the knowledge and permission of that specific union member. Mandated dues should focus on providing core union services, not on political campaigns that are often divisive.
Environment
Q: What policies would you implement that would directly affect business?
HUNTER: Protecting and improving our environment is one of our greatest challenges. To be successful we must strike a balance between the needs of the environment and those of our communities and families. I support implementing pro-business policies that focus on incentives rather than government mandates. Releasing the power and ingenuity of the American business community to innovate and implement new, clean sources of energy will lead to large economic and environmental advances across the economic spectrum. But it must be accomplished through a regime of incentives, like tax credits, rather than imposing an additional layer of burdensome government mandates and regulations, which often add expensive reporting requirements and little actual positive environmental impact.
Already, there are U.S. companies that, without punitive government intervention, are taking steps to create more environmentally sound operations. We must avoid stifling these advances and instead encourage this innovation and investment economy-wide.
Small business
Q: What would your administration do about existing loan and incentive programs, such as the Small Business Administration? What, if any, new programs are needed?
HUNTER: Small businesses [make] up over 90 percent of private firms, employing approximately 50 percent of private sector employees and create 60-80 percent of net new jobs. Unfortunately, small businesses, particularly those with fewer than 20 employees, spend a significant amount of their resources seeking to comply with complicated federal regulations. My administration will reevaluate these regulations and identify those that restrict and stifle small business growth rather than creating an environment in which it can thrive. I will incorporate policies that remove unnecessary bureaucracy and duplicity and emphasize a streamlined approach for new firms with innovative technologies and techniques to do business with the federal government.
America’s small businesses have also been hurt by trade deals that promised to place them on a more equitable economic playing field with their foreign competitors. These promises haven’t been realized and I am committed to removing America from these unfair trade deals.
Corporate governance
Q: Is the Securities and Exchange Commission going too far, or does it need to be more stringent, in its oversight and enforcement of securities laws? What should be done to insure market integrity?
HUNTER: Insuring market integrity is critical to the efficient function of our capital markets. Investors must have the necessary and accurate information to make informed investment decisions. Without this level of certainty, the system suffers. However, as Congress and the SEC have taken steps to impose regulations to ensure that investors receive accurate information about firms whose securities are traded on public markets, the consequences have been heavy compliance costs.
These burdens of compliance have caused concern that companies are choosing to avoid the U.S. public stock markets and instead listing themselves on private and foreign markets to avoid U.S. securities regulations. Ensuring the viability of our public stock markets is critical for our economy. Therefore, I support efforts to reform Sarbanes-Oxley in a manner that protects market integrity but removes some of the regulatory burden that has caused firms to abandon U.S. stock markets.
(excerpt...see http://nhbr.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071207/POLITICS/71206001/0/contact)
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Kline's son to leave Jan. 1 for second tour of duty
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. John Kline, R-Minnesota, revealed Wednesday that his son, Army Lt. Col. John D. Kline, will leave Jan. 1 for his second tour in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Kline, himself a retired Marine Corps colonel, mentioned his son's upcoming tour during debate on the House floor over a motion by Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., related to the 2008 defense authorization bill
Kline's son, who is known as Dan Kline, is a Black Hawk helicopter pilot with the Army's 101st Airborne Division. He previously served in Afghanistan and served a full tour in Iraq from 2005-2006.
(excerpt...see http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?a=318210&z=16)
Let's keep this brave soldier in our prayers as well as all our brave men and women in uniform fighting for our freedom.
Kline, himself a retired Marine Corps colonel, mentioned his son's upcoming tour during debate on the House floor over a motion by Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., related to the 2008 defense authorization bill
Kline's son, who is known as Dan Kline, is a Black Hawk helicopter pilot with the Army's 101st Airborne Division. He previously served in Afghanistan and served a full tour in Iraq from 2005-2006.
(excerpt...see http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?a=318210&z=16)
Let's keep this brave soldier in our prayers as well as all our brave men and women in uniform fighting for our freedom.
'Second-Tier' Republicans Sound Off on Health Care
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 -- As dark-horse candidates often leave footprints on the political trail, three Republicans vying for the presidential nomination may have an impact on the health care debate.
For instance, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who went from obese to svelte, is a passionate advocate of primary prevention these days. (In single digits in polls for most of the year for the nomination, he's surged into a dead heat in the past week with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in the Iowa caucuses).
In this article in the Campaign '08 series, we'll highlight Huckabee's views on health care along with those of other Republican "second-tier" candidates, Reps. Tom Tancredo and Duncan Hunter.
Make sure to check out Duncan Hunter's position. He is listed third after Huckabee and Tancredo. (excerpt...see http://www.medpagetoday.com/Campaign08/Campaign08/tb/7602)
For instance, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who went from obese to svelte, is a passionate advocate of primary prevention these days. (In single digits in polls for most of the year for the nomination, he's surged into a dead heat in the past week with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in the Iowa caucuses).
In this article in the Campaign '08 series, we'll highlight Huckabee's views on health care along with those of other Republican "second-tier" candidates, Reps. Tom Tancredo and Duncan Hunter.
Make sure to check out Duncan Hunter's position. He is listed third after Huckabee and Tancredo. (excerpt...see http://www.medpagetoday.com/Campaign08/Campaign08/tb/7602)
DUNCAN HUNTER ANSWERS THE BIBLE QUESTION (CNN/YOUTUBE DEBATE)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 5, 2007
CONTACT: Gary Becks (619) 334-1655
San Diego, CA – Presidential candidate and U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) took the opportunity today to respond to a question posed to candidates at the CNN-YouTube Republican Presidential debate that occurred last week that he did not have an opportunity to answer. Holding a Bible, Joseph Dearing from Dallas, Texas, asked the candidates, “Do you believe every word of this book? Specifically, this book that I am holding in my hand, do you believe this book?” Congressman Hunter has sent Mr. Dearing the following letter in answer to his question:
December 3, 2007
Dear Mr. Dearing:
At last week’s CNN-You Tube debate, you asked the question of all of us “Do you believe in every word of this book?” meaning the Bible. As you know, the moderator called on my fellow candidates Governor Romney, Mayor Giuliani and Governor Huckabee to answer, but I myself was not given an opportunity. Allow me to respond directly to your question now. Do I believe every word of the Bible? Yes, by faith.
I find the center of the Bible to be these words: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life,” John 3:16. If you believe in this promise, which so obviously is not scientifically provable, then is there any other event in the Bible that God’s hand cannot accomplish?
On June 28, 1787, at the Constitution Convention when the delegates appeared to be hopelessly deadlocked, old Ben Franklin made a speech, the central sentence being the following: “The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?”
Following this statement, Franklin made a request resulting in the delegates approving a motion by James Madison to open every session with a prayer. The U.S. Constitution was thus born and this document, which delivers to every American the freedoms we enjoy, was produced by men of great faith and who very strongly believed in the Bible. Our further freedoms have been defended by American soldiers, 619,000 of whom were killed in battle during the last century, and a vast majority I feel believed the Bible.
I am sending you a book which I hope you will find instructive and persuasive, “A Third Testament” by Malcolm Muggeridge, chronicling the lives of great intellectuals in history who became followers of Christ and who believed in the Bible.
When I am asked by those who pride themselves on the reliance on provable scientific facts regarding the validity of the scriptures, I answer with one such set of facts. There are an infinite number of atoms on the head of a pin, each of which are circled by electrons. Who placed those electrons there? I hope their attempt to answer this question helps them to understand my three-word answer to your original question. Do I believe every word of the Bible? Yes, by faith.
Thank you again Mr. Dearing for your question.
Sincerely,
Duncan Hunter.
CONTACT: Gary Becks (619) 334-1655
San Diego, CA – Presidential candidate and U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) took the opportunity today to respond to a question posed to candidates at the CNN-YouTube Republican Presidential debate that occurred last week that he did not have an opportunity to answer. Holding a Bible, Joseph Dearing from Dallas, Texas, asked the candidates, “Do you believe every word of this book? Specifically, this book that I am holding in my hand, do you believe this book?” Congressman Hunter has sent Mr. Dearing the following letter in answer to his question:
December 3, 2007
Dear Mr. Dearing:
At last week’s CNN-You Tube debate, you asked the question of all of us “Do you believe in every word of this book?” meaning the Bible. As you know, the moderator called on my fellow candidates Governor Romney, Mayor Giuliani and Governor Huckabee to answer, but I myself was not given an opportunity. Allow me to respond directly to your question now. Do I believe every word of the Bible? Yes, by faith.
I find the center of the Bible to be these words: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life,” John 3:16. If you believe in this promise, which so obviously is not scientifically provable, then is there any other event in the Bible that God’s hand cannot accomplish?
On June 28, 1787, at the Constitution Convention when the delegates appeared to be hopelessly deadlocked, old Ben Franklin made a speech, the central sentence being the following: “The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?”
Following this statement, Franklin made a request resulting in the delegates approving a motion by James Madison to open every session with a prayer. The U.S. Constitution was thus born and this document, which delivers to every American the freedoms we enjoy, was produced by men of great faith and who very strongly believed in the Bible. Our further freedoms have been defended by American soldiers, 619,000 of whom were killed in battle during the last century, and a vast majority I feel believed the Bible.
I am sending you a book which I hope you will find instructive and persuasive, “A Third Testament” by Malcolm Muggeridge, chronicling the lives of great intellectuals in history who became followers of Christ and who believed in the Bible.
When I am asked by those who pride themselves on the reliance on provable scientific facts regarding the validity of the scriptures, I answer with one such set of facts. There are an infinite number of atoms on the head of a pin, each of which are circled by electrons. Who placed those electrons there? I hope their attempt to answer this question helps them to understand my three-word answer to your original question. Do I believe every word of the Bible? Yes, by faith.
Thank you again Mr. Dearing for your question.
Sincerely,
Duncan Hunter.
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