Tag Archives: Hank Johnson

Leadership Shines During Tragedy

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Our Country is so much better than the individuals who have pointed fingers and who have attempted to use the Tucson tragedy to incite the hatred they claim to condemn.

An incredible statement, which is what our Country needs during a time of tragedy, has been provided by Sarah Palin.   I urge you to read or listen with an open mind and heart, if you do so, you to will hear what I have.

America’s Enduring Strength, by Sarah Palin

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=487510653434&id=24718773587

Ouch, don’t mark my ear!

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Earmarks need to go, here are two examples to show why.

Earmarks are provisions that provide funds to specific named projects or recipients without any public hearing or review. Earmarks are hidden in legislation that typically has nothing to do with the piece of legislation, causing issues with transparency and accountability.

Example –
To pass Obamacare, Rep Stupak and 10 of his closest friends were able to add $3.4 Billion in earmarks, after all 11 had previously stated they would vote no. The requests by the 11 equal as follows:

• Rep. Costello of Illinois.: $1,418.7 million ($256.4 million in 2010)
• Rep. Ortiz of Texas: $618 million ($726.1 million in 2010)
• Rep. Stupak of Michigan: $578.9 million
• Rep. Driehaus of Ohio: $332.2 million
• Rep. Kaptur of Ohio: $294 million ($305.7 million in 2010)
• Rep. Dahlkemper of Pennsylvania: $236.8 million ($54 million in 2010)
• Rep. Oberstar of Minnesota.: $207 million ($226 million in 2010)
• Rep. Ellsworth of Indiana.: $115.4 million ($82.3 million in 2010)
• Rep. Wilson of Ohio: $84 million ($62.3 million in 2010)
• Rep. Kanjorski of Pennsylvania.: $67.1 million
• Rep. Donnelly of Indiana: $19.8 million ($11.65 million in 2010)

In the above example, I believe the earmarks were more like “Pay for my vote”!

Earmarks are also great ways for Representatives to gain support during elections and appear as though they’ve been bringing home the “pork” at the expense of Americans across the country.  God forbid our Representatives do their job and create legislation that encompasses spending on similar projects across the country, allowing for planning, transparency and accountability.

Example –
Rep Hank Johnson requested and awarded the Gwinnett Village Community Improvement District over $1 million to heighten economic development, relieve traffic congestion and revitalize the Jimmy Carter Boulevard area.

Oh yea, earmarks are also used as “tools” to help steer support during an election. Prime example and direct quote from the Gwinnett Village CID after I commented on Hanks lack of support for all the CIDs over the past two years –

“I spent a considerable amount of time on the phone yesterday with Congressman Johnson’s office who was very upset with the quote in the GDP made by Liz Carter concerning CIDs in Gwinnett.…Although this was cleaned up after numerous phone calls yesterday and has actually turned into a positive for us, … As you may or may not be aware, we have spent a lot of time fostering a relationship with the sitting Congressman (including expending funds for a lobbyist in DC) ….  We even have several pending earmarks that this comment almost jeopardized.”

Yes, I’ll be accused of the “sour grape” attitude with the above example, but I’m a firm believer in transparency and accountability. Why is a community improvement district that is collecting a voluntary tax from business owners to “improve their business district” receiving monies in “earmarks” instead of legislation specific to infrastructure and revitalization that encompasses all similar types of spending and can be reviewed by the public and accounted for by the public.  We all know Georgia is behind in transportation, but we will continue to be if we have fragmented efforts. Shouldn’t a CID be working through the State for transportation issues?  Need more sarcasm…  I love that Georgia received over $14 million to conduct yet another study for high speed rail between Atlanta and Chattanooga.

So, if you like your tax dollars being spent on special pet projects that make your Representative “look good” in his district, instead of doing their job and being accountable for every tax dollar spent… well, I guess you don’t mind earmarks.  For me, I believe ever dollar should be accounted for and spent in a transparent way. I believe our Representatives need to create legislation that clearly articulates purpose and cost. In business, we plan and account for every penny – it’s time the Federal Government does the same thing.

End the earmark abuse and we are one step closer to transparency and accountability.  Put the ban on, change the process and realize “because it is, doesn’t mean it has to be”.

A message to the GOP Leadership- 2012 is two short years away, do what is right, not necessarily easy. The earmark moratorium should be a top priority.

Please Vote!

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We have more in common than we have uncommon. Fight for our values, for the next generation and stand strong. Stand as One Community, One State and One Nation. Elect those who have the desire to serve and represent the people with honor. Don’t vote party politics.

Do you support…

The $800 Billion stimulus financed by borrowing?
Hank voted Yes            Liz says No.
“Since the stimulus was passed Georgia has lost over 124,000 jobs and the unemployment rate has risen from 8.7% to 10%.” (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 7/26/10)

Cap and trade?
Hank says Yes.                        Liz says No.
“The cost per American household would be an extra $1,761 a year.” (U.S. Department of Treasury, CBS Report 9/23/09)

Tax dollars paying for abortion?
Hank says Yes.                        Liz says No.
“Hank voted No on H Amdt 509 to prevent federally funded abortion services on 11/07/09″

Eliminating secret ballot in union elections?
Hank says Yes.                        Liz says No.
“By forcing workers to sign a card in public–instead of vote in private–Card Check opens the door to intimidation and coercion”

FairTax?
Hank says No.            Liz says Yes.
“The FairTax has the broadest base and the lowest rate of any single-rate tax reform plan and provides for higher disposable personal income than the current tax system.”

Ethics and transparency in government?
Hank says No.            Liz says Yes.
“Hank co-sponsored H. RES 1416, (a.k.a. ethics neuter bill) a bill to amend the rules on public disclosure of congressional ethics investigations. (05/28/10)

Support and vote beyond party.
Vote for the person you have the most in common and represent your values. I won’t let you down.

Thank you for this opportunity and for an incredible year.

A View from the Outside

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What a wonderful process and year this has been. I want to thank the people of District 4 for an incredible year. I also want to thank the organizations that have put forth a tremendous effort to empower voters.  It is so important to be able to listen to open, honest and candid debates between candidates. When candidates refuse to participate it cheats the voters and demonstrates a lack of respect for those they desire to serve.

I want to thank the Champion Newspaper for providing a snapshot of what took place on October 20th with the League of Women Voters. The article can be viewed here.

Please take the time to read my plan to move our community forward and have had the opportunity to hear my plans to unite our district and address the corruption in government.

We are moving beyond party politics and I have appreciated the open, honest and candid discussions across our district.

Today, Friday, is the last day to vote early. Please take the opportunity to cast your vote and let your voice be heard. If not today, vote on November 2nd.  Precinct locations can be found here.

Information is power and when we engage it is unstoppable!

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.

Carter Thanks Over a Dozen Organizations

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Rep. Hank Johnson Concedes Organizational Support

(ATLANTA)— Congressional candidate Liz Carter thanks Rep. Hank Johnson for stating the following organizations, who have held forums and debates, are supporting her campaign:

DeKalb League of Women Voters
South Rockdale Civic Association
Rockdale Cares
NAACP
Citizens Progressive Club
Gwinnett League of Women Voters
Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church
Tucker Business Association
United Peachtree Corners Civic Association
Main Street Tucker Alliance
Rockdale 20 Coalition
Smoke Rise Community Association
Tucker Civic Association
Junior League of DeKalb
Delta Sigma Theta Alumni

“The only people demanding a forum was the candidate herself and her supporters,” Johnson reported to the Gwinnett Daily Post. “I don’t need to have a forum with (my opponent) in order to make my views known to the public because they’re already known.”

“I’m shocked to say the least, that Hank would continue this type of arrogance and insult the above organizations and the voters,” Carter said. “I don’t believe I have the 100 percent support of the organizations listed above, but Hank’s statement in the Gwinnett Daily Post demonstrates a complete lack of respect for these organizations and the work they have done to inform voters across this district. It is very clear he will not work with everyone and he is the wrong person to send to Washington.”

The article from the Gwinnett Daily Post was released October 26 and can be found here.

About Liz Carter, Republican Nominee GA-4 US House of Representatives
Liz Carter (http://lizcarterforcongress.com) is not waiting until she’s elected to serve the people of Georgia District 4; she is fighting for her constituents daily. Liz has put her career and business on the back burner in order to meet with her fellow citizens and understand the needs and challenges of her community. Among Liz’s many professional accomplishments, beyond owning and operating her own small business, she has successful managed a multi-million dollar business unit and has a track record of effective cost cutting and of increasing revenues– all skills that will be employed to the benefit of her congressional district once she is elected. Liz is focused on sustainable job growth in the private sector, a strong national security, illegal immigration and improving education.

Victory is Within Reach!

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Momentum is on our side and victory for the people of District 4 is within reach! Everyday people are calling, placing signs and getting involved – people representing every political party, race, age and gender! Thank you so much for such incredible support and believing that we must get beyond party politics to move our Country forward.

Last week I sent out our plan to move our Country forward, if you didn’t get a chance to see it, it can be viewed here.

I ask for your continued support and your vote on November 2nd.

The FEC financials have been updated again and the people have spoken – as they will on November 2nd. As of the latest financial disclosures, we have clearly gained the momentum, and we have raised more money and have more cash on hand than Hank Johnson.  With your help, I have raised double during the 13-day reporting cycle.   Momentum is on our side!


What is even more amazing is what we have done with your contributions in comparison to what Hank has done. I do not believe I should financially gain from campaign contributions, I do not believe in wasteful spending, and I do not take your money for granted – be it contributions or tax dollars.

I set a goal of 200 people donating $50.00 or more. We are more than halfway and just need 65 people to donate in order to reach that goal. Will you be one of the last 65? We have an opportunity to strike once more to secure a Victory on November 2nd. If you can, please donate today.

Just think when that broadcaster scratches his head on election night and says “Liz Carter has won Georgia’s District 4,” what a resounding message will be sent across our Country.  The energy that will be shot directly at the West Coast where Nancy Pelosi is defending her seat will be amazing.

I look forward to celebrating with you on the evening of November 2nd at the Doubletree Hotel. It will be an incredible party and all are welcome to join. The party will start at 7 p.m. Directions and hotel information can be found here.

Help Us Reach Our Goal

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Our goal is 200 people and we need 175 more to donate just $50.00 – will you help?

Across the State of Georgia, incumbents are still raking in plenty of cash, according to the AJC, except in District 4. Click here to read the article.

District 4 is a competitive race and the financials tell an incredible story.

Rep Johnson has a relatively small advantage over our campaign. Johnson had $23,808. in cash at the end of September, compared to our $15,181.

What is more telling is how the money is being spent and the level of debt in his campaign. Johnson is over $58,000. in debt. Our grassroots campaign has been frugal and wise – we have billboards, airwaves and yard signs all over our district. Our volunteers are working harder than any campaign I’ve witnessed and I could not be more appreciative.

Johnson has not only paid family members thousands, but has paid thousands in overhead and to his own political party. If his campaign were a business, it would fail, and this is one more reason his bid for re-election will fail.

Many of you donated $50 or more yesterday and are helping us reach our goal, but we aren’t there yet. Our cash on hand went to local newspaper advertisements, brochures and billboards. We must raise additional monies to purchase more signs and to get the word out.

We need 175 more people to donate just $50.00 – will you help?

The numbers show a very close race and the tide has turned in our favor.

Our money is not being spent on high overhead, political parties, family members and cell phones – it’s being spent on getting our message out and it is working!

Please donate $50.00 or more today.

Yesterday I sent you a plan to move this Country forward and get people back to work. Help me implement this plan with your vote and contribution.

Thank you.

*FEC Reports

Plan to move forward!

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There are several issues we must address to get our Country moving forward. Progress is building sustainable job growth and reducing our deficit.  We must focus on jobs, we must create efficiencies and reduce a dangerous level of debt.

The following are actions I plan to move forward once elected:

1.     Sustainable Job Growth
It’s not about profit, it’s about making the United States desirable for corporations to grow. We must cut corporate taxes and eliminate the self-employment tax. Micro-businesses and small businesses need access to capital to expand and hire more employees.  It’s beyond time to end the tax incentives for corporations to hire employees abroad, instead of hiring.

2.     Audit Spending and Implement Zero-Based Balanced Budgets
It’s past time to audit Congressional spending and identify areas that are wasteful and start cutting. Every department within the Federal Government should be held accountable for its spending and implement zero-based balanced budgeting.

3.     Address Fraud
We have billions of dollars in fraud in our federally funded programs. Congress must aggressively implement processes and enact legislation to aggressively attack the fraud in our programs. To turn their backs and say “it’s just how it is” is not right. There are so many options with the technology today that doing nothing is just as fraudulent as the acts of fraud.

4.     Make Legal Immigration the Only Option
We are a Country based upon immigration, but it is based upon legal immigration. We must secure all our borders, not just for immigration purposes, but for security and protecting our Country as well. It’s time to enforce our current immigration laws and increase the penalties for employers who hire illegal workers.

5.     Enact Real Health Care Reform
The current law has far too many “gotcha” provisions that have nothing to do with reducing health care costs and providing better service. The current law favors large pharmaceutical companies and administrators. It is layer upon layer of more bureaucracy that increases taxes and reduces patient care. We can enact legislation that addresses fraud, optimizes our current programs, drives down cost, and makes insurance companies responsible and competitive. I have provided multiple articles on health care solutions on my blog and welcome you to read them.

6.     Education
No more unfunded mandated programs that leave just about every child behind.

There are several issues that must be addressed, but the above are intertwined and impact how quickly we get our communities back to work and reduce our deficit.  Pouring more money into a problem is no longer the answer, sometimes it’s shaking things up enough and focusing on leadership.

We can and will move forward. We can unite this district and have representation that cares more about people, than pleasing special interests and political parties. It’s time for open, honest, and candid discussions – it’s time for District 4 to have a strong voice.

I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to meet with many of you.  Thank you for your vote, and I look forward to serving you with honor.