Weren’t you appalled when you read the mayor and city council wasted $77 million on Rio Nuevo?

It’s easy to point fingers but now is the time for clarity, transparency and honesty by our elected city officials so we can restore confidence in local government.

The mayor and council must come clean with the taxpayers – show us all the revenues plus all of the detailed expenses – check by check – dollar for dollar – that we deserve.

Next – reset Rio Nuevo priorities.  Develop an economic engine – convention center and hotel, new retail and restaurants to provide the needed tax revenues to develop museums which should come later to add to downtown attractions.  Get Rio Nuevo in the hands of experts and not self serving, manipulative tin horn politicians.  Do this and just watch confidence grow.

Over the next several days and weeks you will hear lots of spin from the council on Rio Nuevo.  Some will blame the city manager. 

Until they disclose where the money was spent, present a cohesive plan to generate new tax revenues and show us progress don’t believe them.  Elections for Leal, Trasoff, Uhlich are around the corner so hopefully progress or change isn’t too far off.

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When Gabby Giffords ran for congress in 2006 she ran, as many of her fellow travelers in the Democrat party,  as a conservative.

One of Gabby’s conservative values was her opposition to illegal immigration but since her coronation – I mean election – she has consistently voted with her party’s leadership as an open borders, pro amnesty liberal.

Her latest attack on secure borders is her bill to gut e-verify – that is the system designed to permanently close the I-9 loop hole used by illegal workers and unscrupulous employers who hire them.

Apparently ignorant of the severity of the problem in her own congressional district Giffords is sponsoring a bill to replace e-verify even over the protests of the Department of Homeland Security, the Social Security Administration plus members of her own party who are sponsoring competing legislation.  With over $2 million in her campaign coffers -  much of it from special interests who are against meaningful employer enforcement measures – is it any wonder Giffords would so consciously ignore her own constituents who support enforcement of our immigration laws.

When will Giffords live up to her 2006 promise that “Change can’t wait” and why should we believe she’ll do anything different if we re elect her?

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Barack Obama claims he will bring change but so far all he’s done is change his mind.

Case in Pointe – Electronic Surveillance

Last year Mr. Obama stated he “Unequivocably” opposed giving retro active immunity to telephone companies and in February voted against the FISA Bill.

During the primaries Senator Obama pledged to oppose any bill which gave immunity to telephone companies who assist government surveillance of foreign terrorists.

Now that he secured the nomination Obama suddenly switches positions and voted to give immunity to telephone companies?

Thankfully Obama did vote the right way on FISA but the flip flop begs the question – Who is Barack Obama and what does he stand for?

He says he’ll bring “Change we can believe in” but Barack Obama doesn’t seem able to hold on to core beliefs like foreign intelligence gathering, the war, taxes, abortion, companion finance or energy.  How can we trust the judgment of a professional nominee who changes his positions like a chameleon.

Is this change we can believe in? Judge for yourself.

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I recently sent you my most recent radio  OP ED on energy independence . Many of you will probably agree Newt Gingrich is one of the most thoughtful leaders in America. Please click on the icon below to hear his thoughts about how to begin solving our current energy crisis. It is a short piece but very insightful.

Thanks to so many of you who commented on the OP ED I sent yesterday on energy.

 

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Saudi King Abdullah has declared, “Consumer countries will (have) to get used to high oil prices.”

Really?  I have two responses and I’ll bet most Americans will agree that:

1.                  We must go and get more of our own domestic oil and we need to get it now.  Offshore, in the Western slope and ANWR; so we are not dependent on foreign sources any longer.

2.                  America must get on with the development of alternative energy sources now and do it the same way we harnessed the atom and sent Americans to the moon.

Mr. Obama and Congressional Democrats we must stop the debate and begin action to develop our own resources to get us safely through the short run and press the edge of technology to develop nuclear, solar, wind as well as harness hydrogen as a new means of transportation.  Thus placing the US on the leading edge of a whole new economy.

We’re in the middle of a national crisis and America needs leadership in Congress, The White House and private industry. 

Solve the riddle of energy development and America will flourish all through the 21^st century as an economic power house.

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Barack Obama

Actions speak louder than words.  “Senator Barack Obama long ago said he would use public financing and now he’s changed his mind.  This election is about the truth.  No matter how beautiful the words are and how well presented; you’ve got to get beyond the words….. It raises some serious questions about what it is (Obama) stands for.”  My words?  No Senator Hillary Clinton.

By being the only presidential candidate since Watergate to reject public financing Mr. Obama has fallen short of his own ethical standards and opts for unlimited private financing; all the while promoting himself as a new generation politician.  Senator Obama’s decision to reject public financing is disappointing as well as disingenuous.   He cannot have it both ways - supporting the concept while in practice demonstrating  it is unnecessary because of his support by questionable 527’s like moveon.org and Big Labor. 

Obama is just like Hillary Clinton said, “Just another presidential candidate exploiting his advantage as a front runner.”

Obama’s real politics sounds a lot like old politics.  Obama has broken his word and done what’s expedient.  This is not change we can believe in and in the future can we really believe Obama will stand by his promises when it isn’t in his self interest?

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City of Tucson

The city of Tucson is a dysfunctional mess being run by our City Council who has placed failed politics and special interests over the best interests of all Tucsonans.

Case in Point – Voting no increase to police officers on the same day fallen TPD patrolman Erik Hite laid to rest.

Case in Point – More fumbling on Rio Nuevo and the latest was an unprecedented radio attack on businessman Humberto Lopez.

Case in Point – The City Council votes to impose so called neighborhood preservation zone stripping rights of property owners.

Failure to support law enforcement.  Half baked ideas, millions of wasted dollars and attacks on local business.  What’s next?

I offer these suggestions to Mayor Walkup to restore faith in his leadership, transparency in government and the basis to move forward.

·                     Order a full audit of Rio Nuevo Revenues and expenses

·                     Appoint the Mayor’s blue ribbon panel to assess the strengths and weaknesses of city government with the sole purpose of adopting a plan for Rio Nuevo.

·                     Adopt a new land use code over the punitive NP2 which currently penalizes neighborhoods and property owners.

·                     Agree to support our police officers, firemen and paramedics who put their lives on the line every day to serve and protect our community.

Good Ideas.  Sound advise for a better Tucson.     

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Barack Obama

Senator Barack Obama has an interesting (but twisted) view of the world. 

Why is it he proposes to meet rogue state strong men like Ahmadinajad, Chavez and Kim Jong Il without pre condition but has so far refused to do the same with General David Petreus or our brave troops in the field serving Iraq?

Why is it the presumptive Democrat presidential nominee says even if he does meet with our commanders he will continue to ignore their briefings and press his strategy to withdraw our troops?

On the other hand John McCain has visited Iraq eight times since 2004 and through his personal observation and determination persuaded President Bush to adopt the Surge Strategy which has helped create a new political and security environment in Iraq.

Friends, why is it no surprise the leftist Senator from Illinois is the only presidential nominee ever to actually have been endorsed by the leader of the terror group Hamas?

It’s a shame the inexperienced Obama declined to visit Iraq with Senator McCain.  He might have learned a thing or two about making peace from someone who has spent his entire adult life in service to America.  A man of great wisdom as well as countless achievements.  Listen to this editorial here:

  Barack Obama

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Memorial Day 2008 Message

A little known fact is our nation has 30,000 immigrant soldiers serving in defense of America.

Laszlo Rabel was born in Budapest in 1939 and escaped from Hungary after participating in the failed 1956 revolution against Soviet-backed Communist forces.  Rabel is thought to have lost several family members and friends in the Hungarian uprising before he eventually found refuge in the United States.

Rabel settled in Minnesota was married and later enlisted with the Army in 1966 at the age of 27.  Staff Sergeant Rabel distinguished himself while serving as leader of Team Delta, 74^th Infantry Detachment, 173^rd Airborne Brigade. 

On November 13, 1968, Team Delta was in a defensive perimeter conducting reconnaissance of enemy trail networks when a member of the team detected enemy movement to the front.

As Staff Sergeant Rabel prepared to clear the area, an incoming grenade landed in the midst of the team’s perimeter.  Rabel immediately threw himself on the grenade and, covering it with his body, received the complete impact of the explosion.

Through his courage, and profound concern for his fellow soldiers, staff Sergeant Rabel averted the loss of life and injury to the other members of Team Delta.  For his valor, Rabel was decorated with the Medal of Honor.  Staff Sergeant Rabel lies at rest in Arlington Cemetery in Virginia.

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Barack Obama and the Democrat party act like modern day Quislings.  There, I said it.  President Bush and others are right to call him out.

Many have said it is 1939 all over again and Barack Obama is the Democrat party’s answer to Neville Chamberlin.

Friends, this is a dangerous world we live in and it is disingenuous as well as foolish to believe that with talk alone we will “reason” or charm our way to a settlement with the leaders of terrorist groups or rogue state dictators.  We’ve been talking to the Iranians for years and they continue on their insane march to development of nuclear weapons. 

Should we propose to talk it out for another four years and wait until they actually produce a weapon before we act decisively?

The news reports are littered with belligerent talk by Mr. Ahmadinajad about the destruction of the Jews in Israel and the great Satan – America.  Why don’t politicians like Barack Obama take these threats seriously?  Before any one on one talks begin with Iran, America must turn up economic, diplomatic and political pressure on the Iranian regime and not limit any option to keep peace in the region as well as Iran’s nuclear threat.  That is real leadership and not appeasement.

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You have to hand it to Governor Janet Napolitano…. She has chutzpah.

In a column she wrote for the Wall Street Journal she accused the White House for causing Arizona’s budget problems.  Well look whose calling the kettle black?

Arizona’s constitution calls for a balanced budget.  Starting last Summer anyone paying attention to revenue projections didn’t require a crystal ball to figure out our budget shortfall was going to be enormous but our Governor did nothing.  No budget cuts. 

No hiring freeze.

Nada.  

Not until embarrassed into doing so by our Republican State Treasurer and legislature did Napolitano reluctantly agree to a hiring freeze this Spring.

Worse yet, when the Republican legislature handed her a property tax cut that would have greatly stimulated Arizona small business and create more total revenues she vetoed it. 

Adding fuel to the fire her budget proposal would only reduce state spending by a paltry 1%.  Poor Janet, haven’t you figured it out yet?  You can’t tax and spend your way out of economic hard times.  Moreover, for years many have long marveled at the Governor’s great political skills.  Are huge deficits the political legacy she wants to rest on when she runs for Senate in 2010.  Probably not.

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NRCC's Tax Freedom Day Video: 
Time Has Run Out on the Democrat-led Congress

The NRCC released a video on Tax Freedom Day to send the message that time has run out for the Democrat-led Congress. Tax Freedom Day marks the first day Americans have earned enough to pay their annual tax burden. Every dime that Americans have earned until today, has gone straight to the IRS.  As the Tax Foundation points out:  “In 2008, Americans will work 74 days to afford their federal taxes and 39 more days to pay state and local taxes. Meanwhile, buying food requires 35 days of work, clothing 13 days, and housing 60 days. Other major categories are health and medical care (50 days), transportation (29 days), and recreation (21 days).”

                               

Now, in a time of economic uncertainty, Democrats have “effectively raised taxes by hundreds of billions of dollars,” hurting middle-class families.  Americans can no longer afford the Democrats’ broken promises and failed policies.