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Title: Traficant Declares: ‘I’m Going to Run’
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URL Source: http://www.business-journal.com/def ... &mad=&sdetail=15357&wpage=1&sk
Published: Dec 31, 2009
Author: Dan O'Brien
Post Date: 2009-12-31 19:07:45 by christine
Keywords: None
Views: 299
Comments: 28
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Former U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. revved himself up in typical fashion (WATCH VIDEO), then eased off as he spoke for 30 minutes before quietly telling a new business networking group last night that he will indeed make a bid for Congress in 2010. “I’m going to run,” Traficant declared before some 35 members of The Biz Society assembled at the Rosetta Stone restaurant downtown to launch the group’s Youngstown chapter. Traficant said he still isn’t sure which district he’ll throw his hat in, but he has nominating petitions circulating in three congressional districts –the 17th, the 6th and the 16th. And, the former congressman noted he hasn’t decided on whether to run as a Democrat, a Republican, an independent, or perhaps on another party ticket. “I’m going to run for Congress somewhere,” he said. U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, a Democrat and former Traficant aide, represents the 17th District, which encompasses most of Mahoning County, Trumbull County and parts of Portage County. U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson, also a Democrat, holds the 6th District seat, which includes parts of Poland, Boardman, Canfield, all of Columbiana County and a 300-mile swath along the Ohio River. And U.S. Rep. John Boccieri, a Democrat who formerly represented the Mahoning Valley in the Ohio Senate, represents the 16th district, which centers on the Akron-Canton area and for decades sent a Republican, Ralph Regula, to Congress until his retirement in 2008. Traficant hinted at the possibility of returning to Congress two weeks ago when he hosted a press conference in Canfield to unveil plans to develop a casino/resort in the Mahoning Valley. He said then that he would be circulating petitions in the three districts to assess his political strength and support in the region, but stopped short of announcing he would jump in the race. Traficant’s announcement comes just four months after the former congressman was released from a federal prison in Rochester, Minn., where he served a portion of a seven-year sentence for racketeering and bribery. The congressman was convicted in 2002 and became the second member to be expelled from of the House of Representatives since the Civil War. “I won’t have much money,” Traficant told the hushed audience. “I don’t even have a campaign account -- I never raised a lot of money,” in his past congressional campaigns, he said. The group sat relatively quiet and refrained from interjecting with applause or supporting remarks during Traficant’s extemporaneous speech. “Most of you in here are probably sight-seers, and half of you are probably predisposed in opposition against” me, Traficant said. "Having heard me now, [you] are probably overzealous on my behalf -- literally crazed in your support of me,” he said with a smile to laughter from the crowd. Kim Cross, founder of The Biz Society, said the group’s decision to select Traficant as a guest speaker drew backlash among some members, but noted the most important goal is to foster small businesses growth. “We asked Jim Traficant to be our guest speaker because he knows a lot about Youngstown and done a lot of business in Youngstown,” she said. The new networking group isn’t the only organization extending invitations to Traficant these days. The former congressman said he’s accepted an invitation to speak at an event Feb. 13 in Washington, D.C., sponsored by a far-right pressure group, the American Free Press. “They want me to run as an Independent for president,” Traficant said, noting organizers have said that he has a solid following among supporters across the United States. “I’m going to address a group down there on Feb 13 unless the government says I can’t travel, and if they do that, we’ll hold it in Cleveland.” Traficant called the current tax code the single most detrimental impediment to growing American business, referring to it as a “communist program” equating the progressive income tax in this country with the policies of Karl Marx. “I don’t like this bashing of the rich,” he scolded. “I’m a capitalist. I don’t like an economy that rewards dependency, penalizes achievement, subsidizes illegitimacy and chases jobs overseas.” Traficant said he prefers a flat, 25% final sales tax affixed to everything sold in the United States, replace the current income tax and abolish the Internal Revenue Service. “If they do not do that, America will collapse like the Soviet Union.” The former congressman says his efforts toward tax reform led to laws that place the burden of proof on the IRS, which helps small business and taxpayers in the long run. “My opposition is getting ready for me, and they better get ready for me.” Traficant said he is heartened to see downtown Youngstown lined with new restaurants and bars, as well as a number of government buildings constructed while he was incarcerated. He credits the opening of Federal Street as a major factor in rebuilding the nightlife and vibrancy of the central business district. “I feel a little bit responsible for it,” Traficant said. “I opened up Federal Plaza with a federal grant and built the only free standing sports arena in history with federal funds,” he said, referring to the Covelli Centre. In 2000, the congressman secured $26.5 million toward the construction of the $45 million project. He also took credit for securing federal funding for infrastructure projects such as the 711 connector and an interchange that connects King-Graves Road with state Route 11 near the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport. “I brought over $2 billion in federal funds to this district during my 17 years in Congress,” he said. In the seven years Traficant was imprisoned, he said the area has missed out on two cycles of highway bills. He said with that money, he could have built the Hubbard arterial and other projects and predicted that area politicians would “build all these projects to keep me the hell out” of Congress. Traficant repeated that he plans to bring officials representing the Indigenous Tribal Affiliates of Native America, or ITANA, to the Mahoning Valley in order to begin the site selection process to develop a $100 million casino/resort to the region. “I expect to have the economic-development director of ITANA in here by mid-January and have a press conference,” he related. Traficant revisited claims of his innocence and that his conviction on bribery and racketeering charges was politically motivated -- and he vowed revenge. He said that five out of the nine people who provided information against him were pressured to lie by the government, and any audiotapes the government may have had in its possession would have exonerated the former congressman. “I want to get these suckers!” Traficant thundered. “You are being addressed by a very bitter guy.”
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#1. To: christine (#0)
I like James Traficant ok but I think he needs to rethink this. If he is talking about EVERYTHING sold in the US, including necessities, I think he hasn't taken into account what effect this would have on poor and middle-class people.
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. I like James Traficant ok but I think he needs to rethink this. I agree. The federal government was designed to be funded with import duties and tariffs. Until we get back to that, and remove from congress the blank check called income taxes, fair taxes, national sales taxes or any other name they want to give it, we will live under tyranny.
Obama's health care plan shall be written by a committee whose head says he doesn't understand it, passed by a Congress that hasn't read it, signed by a president who smokes and has no birth certificate, funded by a treasury chief who did not pay his taxes, overseen by a surgeon general who is overweight and financed by a country that is nearly broke. What could possibly go wrong? - buckeroo
Run as a dem or pub and I will keep my two bucks under the mattress.
This is honesty. He has my full support. In fact I'll be in Ohio this summer is he needs me.
What if he runs as pub or dem??????????
The fastest, and the least harmful to the economy would be a 5% transaction tax on every electronic transaction in the United States. I'm not sure if anyone actually knows how many transactions there are going on at any given time in the United States, but I can tell you that at one company whose people I know, they literally have half a million transactions a night. If there were a 5% tax on every transaction, that was passed on to the consumer, it would generate more revenue than any Income Tax. There are literally TRILLIONS of transactions happening here in the United States. Sure it would add a few bucks to the price of a television or higher ticket items but would only be pennies on things like food and clothing, which are already taxed 3 times before they ever get to the market place. If our government were truly serious about solving our economic woes, they would dump all the taxes we are currently paying, and demand a 5% VAT tax on all transactions, and a 15% tax on all things NOT produced in the United States. Unfortunately, they're so deep into this Socialist/Communist bullshit that they'll never see the power of a TRULY FREE ECONOMIC STATE.
Better to be hated for what you are, than loved for what you are not.
I'm gonna send him $1300 Then another $1000 That's $2300, who'd like to videotape my arrest?
In 2007, the FBI reported on concern about white supremacists recruiting soldiers, saying "hundreds" of neo-Nazis were in the active military. But in April, a Department of Homeland Security report on extremism that reiterated much the same point was widely criticized by veterans groups and some conservative politicians as being unpatriotic, leading the Justice Department to retract the DHS report. Critics acknowledge that extremism in the Army is a touchy political subject. electric mutton...sweet! Mommas and Pappas knew where it was at down in monterrey...
In 2007, the FBI reported on concern about white supremacists recruiting soldiers, saying "hundreds" of neo-Nazis were in the active military. But in April, a Department of Homeland Security report on extremism that reiterated much the same point was widely criticized by veterans groups and some conservative politicians as being unpatriotic, leading the Justice Department to retract the DHS report. Critics acknowledge that extremism in the Army is a touchy political subject. Twenty-five percent is insane! Five percent of everything sold would drown .gov in cash.
right. they are not going to give up that control.
"Obama is outbushing Bush"~Gerald Celente
Why should they "give up control"? The government has Americans begging for security no matter the cost.
“Gold is the money of kings; silver is the money of gentlemen; barter is the money of peasants; but debt is the money of slaves.”
Ain't that the truth?
"The only thing better than a Federal Reserve audit would be a Federal Reserve autopsy." ~ unknown
The US government is the oldest government on the planet. With that historical background, NEVER has the US government rescinded one law other than modifying the same.
“Gold is the money of kings; silver is the money of gentlemen; barter is the money of peasants; but debt is the money of slaves.”
We're on the same page, Critter. They could get all the money they need for any legitimate, constitutionally-authorized function of government by using the tax system as the founders intended--import duties and tariffs. They have gone way too far outside the bounds of the Constitution and that is where the problem is.
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. I would have to see proof of that. Well they did rescind a Constitutional Amendment.
"The only thing better than a Federal Reserve audit would be a Federal Reserve autopsy." ~ unknown
Are we really Buckeroo? Interesting. I might look into it and see if you are correct.
Error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it - Thomas Jefferson
Error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it - Thomas Jefferson
Error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it - Thomas Jefferson
0% on electronic transactions and 5% on everything NOT produced in the USA is more than enough to fund a constitutional version of the fed gov.
Obama's health care plan shall be written by a committee whose head says he doesn't understand it, passed by a Congress that hasn't read it, signed by a president who smokes and has no birth certificate, funded by a treasury chief who did not pay his taxes, overseen by a surgeon general who is overweight and financed by a country that is nearly broke. What could possibly go wrong? - buckeroo Tommy, most of the time you have great ideas, but this one of yours once sparked a revolution.
Somewhere, Jimmy Carter is laughing and saying, "Finally! I won't be the worst President ever!"
Very interesting. Thanks for the history lesson.
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. Good for you. This guy has seen the system for what it is. And it aint pretty. Or fair.
"Satan / Cheney in "08" Give'm Hell Jim!
I'll vote for that! The poor don't pay federal income taxes in this country --- and they can't afford a 25% tax (on top of state taxes). A 25% across-the-board tax would fold up what's left of our economy (and that's not much).
I like James Traficant ok but I think he needs to rethink this. I agree. The federal government was designed to be funded with import duties and tariffs. Until we get back to that, and remove from congress the blank check called income taxes, fair taxes, national sales taxes or any other name they want to give it, we will live under tyranny. I am sooooooooo there with you on taxation. No direction taxation of the citizenry by the Federal Government. Along that road, as we have seen, lies tyranny. And while we are at it no excise taxes on domestically produced goods and commodities whatsoever.
"One of the least understood strategies of the world revolution now moving rapidly toward its goal is the use of mind control as a major means of obtaining the consent of the people who will be subjects of the New World Order." K.M. Heaton, The National Educator
Why? I thought you didn't vote.
Show Me Obama's Birth Certificate!
Big Amen!
Traficant said he prefers a flat, 25% final sales tax affixed to everything sold in the United States,
Lord Acton
#2. To: James Deffenbach (#1)
Traficant said he prefers a flat, 25% final sales tax affixed to everything sold in the United States,
Let me get this straight.
#3. To: christine (#0)
#4. To: christine (#0)
“I won’t have much money,” Traficant told the hushed audience. “I don’t even have a campaign account -
#5. To: christine, Flintlock, Dak, all (#0)
#6. To: Jethro Tull (#5)
#7. To: christine (#0)
#8. To: Jethro Tull (#5)
#9. To: TommyTheMadArtist (#7)
The fastest, and the least harmful to the economy would be a 5% transaction tax on every electronic transaction in the United States.
#10. To: christine (#0)
#11. To: Critter (#2)
The federal government was designed to be funded with import duties and tariffs. Until we get back to that, and remove from congress the blank check called income taxes, fair taxes, national sales taxes or any other name they want to give it, we will live under tyranny.
#12. To: christine (#11)
they are not going to give up that control.
#13. To: buckeroo, christine (#12)
Why should they "give up control"? The government has Americans begging for security no matter the cost.
#14. To: farmfriend (#13)
#15. To: Critter (#2)
I agree. The federal government was designed to be funded with import duties and tariffs. Until we get back to that, and remove from congress the blank check called income taxes, fair taxes, national sales taxes or any other name they want to give it, we will live under tyranny.
Lord Acton
#16. To: buckeroo (#14)
The US government is the oldest government on the planet.
With that historical background, NEVER has the US government rescinded one law other than modifying the same.
#17. To: buckeroo (#14)
The US government is the oldest government on the planet. With that historical background, NEVER has the US government rescinded one law other than modifying the same.
#18. To: buckeroo (#14)
#19. To: buckeroo (#14)
The people of the Six Nations, also known by the French term, Iroquois [1] Confederacy, call themselves the Hau de no sau nee (ho dee noe sho nee) meaning People Building a Long House. Located in the northeastern region of North America, originally the Six Nations was five and included the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas. The sixth nation, the Tuscaroras, migrated into Iroquois country in the early eighteenth century. Together these peoples comprise the oldest living participatory democracy on earth. Their story, and governance truly based on the consent of the governed, contains a great deal of life-promoting intelligence for those of us not familiar with this area of American history. The original United States representative democracy, fashioned by such central authors as Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, drew much inspiration from this confederacy of nations. In our present day, we can benefit immensely, in our quest to establish anew a government truly dedicated to all life's liberty and happiness much as has been practiced by the Six Nations for over 800 hundred years. [2]
#20. To: TommyTheMadArtist (#7)
If our government were truly serious about solving our economic woes, they would dump all the taxes we are currently paying, and demand a 5% VAT tax on all transactions, and a 15% tax on all things NOT produced in the United States.
Let me get this straight.
#21. To: TommyTheMadArtist (#7)
If there were a 5% tax on every transaction
#22. To: A K A Stone (#19)
Lord Acton
#23. To: Jethro Tull (#5)
This is honesty. He has my full support. In fact I'll be in Ohio this summer is he needs me.
#24. To: christine (#0)
Traficant Declares: ‘I’m Going to Run’
#25. To: Critter (#20)
0% on electronic transactions and 5% on everything NOT produced in the USA is more than enough to fund a constitutional version of the fed gov.
#26. To: Critter, James Deffenbach (#2)
Traficant said he prefers a flat, 25% final sales tax affixed to everything sold in the United States,
#27. To: Jethro Tull (#5)
He has my full support.
#28. To: Original_Intent. all (#26)
I agree. The federal government was designed to be funded with import duties and tariffs. Until we get back to that, and remove from congress the blank check called income taxes, fair taxes, national sales taxes or any other name they want to give it, we will live under tyranny.
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