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Title: Welcome, Senate Conservatives - Remember what the voters back home want—less government and more freedom..
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URL Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100 ... 0.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_LEADTop
Published: Nov 3, 2010
Author: Jim DeMint
Post Date: 2010-11-03 10:49:59 by Jethro Tull
Keywords: None
Views: 279
Comments: 29
By JIM DEMINT Congratulations to all the tea party-backed candidates who overcame a determined, partisan opposition to win their elections. The next campaign begins today. Because you must now overcome determined party insiders if this nation is going to be spared from fiscal disaster. Many of the people who will be welcoming the new class of Senate conservatives to Washington never wanted you here in the first place. The establishment is much more likely to try to buy off your votes than to buy into your limited-government philosophy. Consider what former GOP senator-turned-lobbyist Trent Lott told the Washington Post earlier this year: "As soon as they get here, we need to co-opt them." Don't let them. Co-option is coercion. Washington operates on a favor-based economy and for every earmark, committee assignment or fancy title that's given, payback is expected in return. The chits come due when the roll call votes begin. This is how big-spending bills that everyone always decries in public always manage to pass with just enough votes. But someone can't be bribed if they aren't for sale. Here is some humble advice on how to recognize and refuse such offers. First, don't request earmarks. If you do, you'll vote for legislation based on what's in it for your state, not what's best for the country. You will lose the ability to criticize wasteful spending. And, if you dare to oppose other pork-barrel projects, the earmarkers will retaliate against you. In 2005, Sen. Tom Coburn (R., Okla.) offered a measure to kill funding for the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere." Before the vote, Sen. Patty Murray (D., Wash.), an appropriator, issued a warning on the Senate floor. "If we start cutting funding for individual projects, your project may be next," she said. "When Members come down to the floor to vote on this amendment, they need to know if they support stripping out this project, Senator Bond [a Republican appropriator] and I are likely to be taking a long, serious look at their projects to determine whether they should be preserved during our upcoming conference negotiations." The threat worked. Hardly anyone wanted to risk losing earmarks. The Senate voted 82-15 to protect funding for the Bridge to Nowhere. Second, hire conservative staff. The old saying "personnel is policy" is true. You don't need Beltway strategists and consultants running your office. Find people who share your values and believe in advancing the same policy reforms. Staff who are driven by conservative instincts can protect you from unwanted, outside influences when the pressure is on. Third, beware of committees. Committee assignments can be used as bait to make senators compromise on other matters. Rookie senators are often told they must be a member of a particular committee to advance a certain piece of legislation. This may be true in the House, but a senator can legislate on any matter from the Senate floor. Fourth, don't seek titles. The word "Senator" before your name carries plenty of clout. All senators have the power to object to bad legislation, speak on the floor and offer amendments, regardless of how they are ranked in party hierarchy. Lastly, don't let your re-election become more important than your job. You've campaigned long and hard for the opportunity to go to Washington and restore freedom in America. People will try to convince you to moderate conservative positions and break campaign promises, all in the name of winning the next race. Resist the temptation to do so. There are worse things than losing an election—like breaking your word to voters. At your swearing-in ceremony, you will, as all senators do, take an oath to "support and defend the Constitution." Most will fail to keep their oath. Doing these five things will help you maintain a focus on national priorities and be one who does. Congress will never fix entitlements, simplify the tax code or balance the budget as long as members are more concerned with their own narrow, parochial interests. Time spent securing earmarks and serving personal ambitions is time that should be spent working on big-picture reforms. When you are in Washington, remember what the voters back home want—less government and more freedom. Millions of people are out of work, the government is going bankrupt and the country is trillions in debt. Americans have watched in disgust as billions of their tax dollars have been wasted on failed jobs plans, bailouts and takeovers. It's up to us to stop the spending spree and make sure we have a government that benefits America instead of being a burden to it. Tea party Republicans were elected to go to Washington and save the country—not be co-opted by the club. So put on your boxing gloves. The fight begins today. Mr. DeMint is a Republican senator from South Carolina.
Poster Comment: I find this well stated.
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#1. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
I don't get it. Aren't congressmen EXPECTED to represent their district (or state if they are senators)? Or at least 'the consumers' who vote them in the office might expect that. Given the confiscatory nature of the federal taxation it should be a congressman duty to bring as much money back to their state/district as possible and earmarks seem to be the best way to do so. If you don't spend the money on earmarks you are going to spend it on maybe defending Europe from the non- existent threat from Iran's non-existent ICBMs or maybe funding a 100,000-men occupation force in Afghanistan at a cost of $1 million per occupier per year.
great exhortation for the newbies and jab at the insiders.
See anything very important missing in that list??????
DeMint expresses the dangers of earmarks better than I can.
I'm sure there is much missing given this is a simple editorial in the WSJ, but rather than reach for the straight edge and draw a warm bath, I'll take his warning to the Newbies as a positive message.
Jethro... NO mention of this endless war. Stop that and the rest will follow by necessity.
The War Street Journal would never mention their sacred cow among the various things to cut.
Democrats don't mind war as long as they can have big government. Republicans don't mind big government as long as they can have war. Sorry, I had to stop right there. There is no sparing us from fiscal disaster or any other kind of disaster. It is beyond fixing, imo. I have no faith in any politician. My faith is in a hastened crash of this empire that is being run by kikes and for kikes. Gridlock and chaos caused by this election is entirely capable of doing the job of destroying this empire. .
First, don't request earmarks. If you do, you'll vote for legislation based on what's in it for your state, not what's best for the country.
#2. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
#3. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
When you are in Washington, remember what the voters back home want—less government and more freedom. Millions of people are out of work, the government is going bankrupt and the country is trillions in debt. Americans have watched in disgust as billions of their tax dollars have been wasted on failed jobs plans, bailouts and takeovers. It's up to us to stop the spending spree and make sure we have a government that benefits America instead of being a burden to it.
#4. To: Aragorn (#1)
First, don't request earmarks. If you do, you'll vote for legislation based on what's in it for your state, not what's best for the country.
#5. To: Cynicom (#3)
#6. To: Jethro Tull (#5)
#7. To: Cynicom (#6)
If you believe in small government, then you shouldn't be in the White House.
#8. To: Jethro Tull, all (#0)
Because you must now overcome determined party insiders if this nation is going to be spared from fiscal disaster.
Click for Privacy and Preparedness files
”I say to each man and woman, you are unique and sovereign, the center of a universe. However right I may be in thinking as I do, you may be equally right in thinking otherwise. You can only accomplish your object in life by complete disregard of the opinions of other people.“ - Aleister Crowley
#9. To: PnbC (#7)
Without checking, I believe the military took out over 600 billion this year, to spend on wars now and in the future. Stop the wars, bring the troops home and the country might just right itself before it is too late.
The War Street Journal would never mention their sacred cow among the various things to cut.
#10. To: Cynicom (#6)
I have a simple solution for that. Tell the trigger pullers they're a'holes for allowing themselves to become cannon fodder. YouTube is full of vets who have returned home to describe the carnage and waste the war(s) are. You could also send the Wikipedia leaked Pentagon notes & videos to anyone on your email list. They should wake up the faux patriots.
NO mention of this endless war
#11. To: Jethro Tull (#10)
Your effort would be misplaced. This new congress now has the power to refuse to fund the war, THE VOTERS HAVE ELECTED THEM, the grunts on the ground are totally powerless in this process. If the grunts are to blame, what is the government and voters that are paying them????
I have a simple solution for that. Tell the trigger pullers they're a'holes for allowing themselves to become cannon fodder.
#12. To: PSUSA (#8)
You might be right. But I have to say I've been hearing about the economic 'end times' for 25 years so I wouldn't bet the farm that this isn't going to continue for another 25 years. So until I find myself and family huddled under the I-95, I'm going to enjoy the looming chaos.
Sorry, I had to stop right there. There is no sparing us from fiscal disaster or any other kind of disaster. It is beyond fixing, imo.
#13. To: Cynicom (#11)
The grunts are volunteers. They need to know they're dopey for allowing themselves to be tools.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHz4a_sgqCg&feature=channel
#14. To: Jethro Tull (#13)
We have to be honest and admit WE hired them, we pay them, they work for us and their job is to kill people. As you know from your profession, hiring a hit man makes you just as guilty as the man that fires the gun.
The grunts are volunteers. They need to know they're dopey for allowing themselves to be tools.
#15. To: Jethro Tull (#12)
25 years is not much time, imo. I've probably been in it that long myself, in one form or another. I suppose it all depends on where the tipping point is. No one knows. But I think you will agree that this is not sustainable. If we can see that, then the end is not far off imo. The 2012 people might have been onto something. ,
Click for Privacy and Preparedness files
”I say to each man and woman, you are unique and sovereign, the center of a universe. However right I may be in thinking as I do, you may be equally right in thinking otherwise. You can only accomplish your object in life by complete disregard of the opinions of other people.“ - Aleister Crowley
#16. To: Cynicom, PSUSA, 4 (#15)
Speed up the process. Vote for white solidarity. BTW the Kenyan is due to speak in an hour. I'm curious to see if he took last night's shot to the groin well, or will he admonish us.
The 2012 people might have been onto something.
#17. To: Jethro Tull (#16)
I dont own a TV so will have to wait. What do I see? Obumski will whine about hands across the aisle, good of the country etc, the usual BS, and then Boner will assure the American people that the new House will work with the entire House for the benefit of all Americans. Usual BS. We will need the usual knee high boots and a larger shovel.
BTW the Kenyan is due to speak in an hour
#18. To: Jethro Tull (#16)
And if he didn't, there are plenty here who'll offer him a free massage
I'm curious to see if he took last night's shot to the groin well,
WWGPD? - (What Would General Pinochet Do?)
#19. To: Cynicom, 4 (#17)
I'm sure you know that last night any candidate who ran on "hands across the aisle" lost.
Obumski will whine about hands across the aisle, good of the country etc,
#20. To: Cynicom (#6)
I don't post much anymore, but you have been dead on. Lets see how much the defense/intelligence budget gets cut. Also the DHS, the State Dept., Energy Dept. etc....
Mark
If America is destroyed, it may be by Americans who salute the flag, sing the national anthem, march in patriotic parades, cheer Fourth of July speakers - normally good Americans who fail to comprehend what is required to keep our country strong and free - Americans who have been lulled into a false security (April 1968).---Ezra Taft Benson, US Secretary of Agriculture 1953-1961 under Eisenhower
#21. To: Kamala (#20)
Mark Can't cut the national religion artifacts.
Lets see how much the defense/intelligence budget gets cut. Also the DHS, the State Dept., Energy Dept. etc....
"Satan / Cheney in "08" 
#22. To: Cynicom (#6)
To the Gulag with you.
NO mention of this endless war. Stop that and the rest will follow by necessity.
"Satan / Cheney in "08"
#23. To: Kamala (#20)
You should. I learn from everyone here, everyone has something to offer. I get a lot of stones thrown my way ,but consider that worthwhile, as it means the thrower DID READ my post and just perhaps will think about it later.
I don't post much anymore,
#24. To: tom007 (#22)
Had I been born in Russia, I would have been in the gulag, without doubt.
To the Gulag with you.
#25. To: Cynicom (#17)
It's the benefit package that enslaves everyone.
Obumski will whine about hands across the aisle, good of the country etc, the usual BS, and then Boner will assure the American people that the new House will work with the entire House for the benefit of all Americans. Usual BS.
"Politics and Religion are the building blocks of slavery and oppression. Greed is the mortar that bonds them" and bankers are the masons with trowels in hand !
#26. To: noone222 (#25)
Yes, we just switch one jailer for another. We are still in prison.
It's the benefit package that enslaves everyone.
#27. To: Kamala, 4 (#20)
Hello Mark and that's exactly right. Lets see how a vote for gridlock plays out. Gridlock, by definition, is to halt the progress of the Obama agenda. If we can also get the cuts you outline, from this congress, all the better. Nobody I know of who voted against Obama thought things would look differently the day after the election. This appears to be disturbing our more apocalyptic members, but I can promise them had Pelosi & company retained power there would be absolutely no reason to 'wait and see.' That their socialism is no longer present is at least a start in the right direction.
I don't post much anymore, but you have been dead on. Lets see how much the defense/intelligence budget gets cut. Also the DHS, the State Dept., Energy Dept. etc....
#28. To: Cynicom (#24)
We prolly would have shared a potato at the mess hall once or twice.
Had I been born in Russia, I would have been in the gulag, without doubt.
"Satan / Cheney in "08"
#29. To: tom007 (#28)
Tom... I was not a good airman in the military. I was not a good company man when I worked for the government. Short story and I know you will value its worth. Would you believe that during the Korean war, I made my way onto a nuclear aircraft bomb crew and had ...NO...security clearance???? One had to have a top secret clearance just to get near the aircraft. I was on the flight crew, NSA briefings and all. I thot they were gonna shoot me. I got there by playing dumb, asking no questions and offering not a damn thing. They yelled and screamed, threatened but could do nothing because to shoot me they would have had to explain how I got there. Typical military SNAFU that I helped along by saying nothing.
We prolly would have shared a potato at the mess hall once or twice.
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