Thursday, February 09, 2012
Sen. Harry Reid Another example (33 to be precise) of why earmarks are a bad idea has come by way of a Washington Post investigation.
After going through congressional records on spending, the newspaper found 33 representatives and senators had directed more than $300 million in earmarks and other spending provisions to public projects located next to or within about two miles of the lawmakers’ personal property.
Among the lucky legislators are:
· Senator Harry Reid (D-Nevada), who brought in $21.5 million to build a bridge over the Colorado River to link the gambling resort of Laughlin, Nevada, with Bullhead City, Arizona, where Reid owns 160 acres of undeveloped land.
· Representative G.K. Butterfield (D-North Carolina), who obtained $817,500 to revitalize buildings less than three-quarters of a mile from 19 properties he owns.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE:
http://www.allgov.com/Top_Stories/ViewNews/33_Members_of_Congress_Directed_Federal_Projects_within_2_Miles_of_Own_Property_120209
Showing posts with label G.K. Butterfield. Show all posts
Showing posts with label G.K. Butterfield. Show all posts
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Right Angles: "Right Angles JLF Triangle Blog My new congressman gets Washington Post attention"
Februay 7, 2012, by Jon Ham
G.K. Butterfield, who will be my new congressman if the redistricting maps of the GOP legislature pass legal muster, got some attention this morning from The Washington Post:
Butterfield has helped obtain $817,500 over the past few years toward revitalizing buildings in Wilson, N.C. The lawmaker owns 19 properties within three-quarters of a mile of the project. The congressman’s spokeswoman said his properties are outside of the revitalization area. “The location of the Downtown Wilson buildings in no way influenced his decision to support the projects,” she said. “The City of Wilson developed these projects without his consultation or input, and there is no potential for Butterfield to personally benefit.”
YEAH, Right!
CONTINUED:
http://triangle.johnlocke.org/blog/?p=13661
G.K. Butterfield, who will be my new congressman if the redistricting maps of the GOP legislature pass legal muster, got some attention this morning from The Washington Post:
Butterfield has helped obtain $817,500 over the past few years toward revitalizing buildings in Wilson, N.C. The lawmaker owns 19 properties within three-quarters of a mile of the project. The congressman’s spokeswoman said his properties are outside of the revitalization area. “The location of the Downtown Wilson buildings in no way influenced his decision to support the projects,” she said. “The City of Wilson developed these projects without his consultation or input, and there is no potential for Butterfield to personally benefit.”
YEAH, Right!
CONTINUED:
http://triangle.johnlocke.org/blog/?p=13661
Monday, November 21, 2011
Butterfield Disappointed in Craven County Commissioners Request for Voter ID Bill
CONTACT BUTTERFIELD AND TELL HIM WE DO NOT APPRECIATE HIS THREATS TO FIGHT THE WILL OF CRAVEN COUNTY (AND ALREADY THE MAJORITY OF NC) VOTERS WHO SUPPORT VOTER PHOTO ID!!!!
“I am disappointed that the Craven County Board of Commissioners is among the latest to join a nationwide Republican-led initiative to suppress voting rights,” said Butterfield. “Despite very few instances of voter fraud (not true) in North Carolina and in Craven County, these commissioners claim that voter IDs are needed to protect the integrity of elections (THEY SURE ARE). The truth is jurisdictions across the country and state are seeking tougher restrictions on voting only because it will disenfranchise young, minority, and low-income voters--all of which traditionally vote Democratic. These efforts are purely political and have nothing to do with safeguarding elections.”
Free IDs will be provided to those who need it. How dare he insinuate that minority and low income voters are not capable of obtaining photo IDs when photo IDs are required to withdraw mandatory auto deposit government checks, obtain medical treatment or pick up prescriptions at pharmacy. Also needed to access government services!
LIAR LIAR LIAR!!!!!
Perhaps I should send a list of "organizations" who are devoted to going after "young, minority, and low-income voters" -- there sure are a lot of them, including Democracy NC, who provided phony figures!
SEE HIS PRESS RELEASE HERE:
http://butterfield.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=22&itemid=245
“I am disappointed that the Craven County Board of Commissioners is among the latest to join a nationwide Republican-led initiative to suppress voting rights,” said Butterfield. “Despite very few instances of voter fraud (not true) in North Carolina and in Craven County, these commissioners claim that voter IDs are needed to protect the integrity of elections (THEY SURE ARE). The truth is jurisdictions across the country and state are seeking tougher restrictions on voting only because it will disenfranchise young, minority, and low-income voters--all of which traditionally vote Democratic. These efforts are purely political and have nothing to do with safeguarding elections.”
Free IDs will be provided to those who need it. How dare he insinuate that minority and low income voters are not capable of obtaining photo IDs when photo IDs are required to withdraw mandatory auto deposit government checks, obtain medical treatment or pick up prescriptions at pharmacy. Also needed to access government services!
LIAR LIAR LIAR!!!!!
Perhaps I should send a list of "organizations" who are devoted to going after "young, minority, and low-income voters" -- there sure are a lot of them, including Democracy NC, who provided phony figures!
SEE HIS PRESS RELEASE HERE:
http://butterfield.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=22&itemid=245
NEW BERN SUN JOURNAL ADDS A LIBERAL SPIN TO LOCAL COMMISSIONER'S DECISION
November 21, 2011
Craven to ask for photo voter ID
by Sue Brook, Sun Journal New Bern
Warning this article is not exactly honest about the details!
You can read it here: http://www.newbernsj.com/news/local-102230-passed-county.html
Congressman Butterfield has declared he will try and stop it. What is he and the Democrat Party (there were 2 Democrat party representatives at this morning's meeting) trying to hide? What are they so afraid of?
Ms. Brook also wrote the folling article and it ran in the Sun Journal this morning prior to the Craven County Commissioners meeting and vote on the resolution:
Craven commissioners to consider requiring voter ID
http://www.newbernsj.com/news/county-102225-requirement-craven.html
Again Ms. Brooks facts are a little off and her bias is showing!
I urge voters to contact Congressman Butterfields's office and TELL HIM THE VOTERS HAVE SPOKEN and we SUPPORT VOTER ID! Call him at 202-225-3101; fax 202-225-3354.
WITN COVERAGE: Craven Co. Commissioners Want Local Voter ID Bill
http://www.witn.com/home/headlines/Craven_Co_Commissioners_Want_Local_Voter_ID_Bill_134267948.html
Once again--Mr. Butterfield's numbers are WAY OFF! Commissioner Dacey reported about 750 people in the county were estimated to need an ID which will be provided FREE OF CHARGE.
FOX 14 Jon Erickson: Voter ID Proposal Moves Forward
Once again, our chairman Raynor James remarks were taken out of context, (Raynor spoke to the commissioners in support of the bill).
http://www.wcti12.com/foxeasterncarolina/29825138/detail.html
Raynor was interviewed by both stations--I will post any video if they run it.
~Lynn
http://www.newbernsj.com/news/county-102225-requirement-craven.html
Craven to ask for photo voter ID
by Sue Brook, Sun Journal New Bern
Warning this article is not exactly honest about the details!
You can read it here: http://www.newbernsj.com/news/local-102230-passed-county.html
Congressman Butterfield has declared he will try and stop it. What is he and the Democrat Party (there were 2 Democrat party representatives at this morning's meeting) trying to hide? What are they so afraid of?
Ms. Brook also wrote the folling article and it ran in the Sun Journal this morning prior to the Craven County Commissioners meeting and vote on the resolution:
Craven commissioners to consider requiring voter ID
http://www.newbernsj.com/news/county-102225-requirement-craven.html
Again Ms. Brooks facts are a little off and her bias is showing!
I urge voters to contact Congressman Butterfields's office and TELL HIM THE VOTERS HAVE SPOKEN and we SUPPORT VOTER ID! Call him at 202-225-3101; fax 202-225-3354.
WITN COVERAGE: Craven Co. Commissioners Want Local Voter ID Bill
http://www.witn.com/home/headlines/Craven_Co_Commissioners_Want_Local_Voter_ID_Bill_134267948.html
Once again--Mr. Butterfield's numbers are WAY OFF! Commissioner Dacey reported about 750 people in the county were estimated to need an ID which will be provided FREE OF CHARGE.
FOX 14 Jon Erickson: Voter ID Proposal Moves Forward
Once again, our chairman Raynor James remarks were taken out of context, (Raynor spoke to the commissioners in support of the bill).
http://www.wcti12.com/foxeasterncarolina/29825138/detail.html
Raynor was interviewed by both stations--I will post any video if they run it.
~Lynn
http://www.newbernsj.com/news/county-102225-requirement-craven.html
Monday, November 14, 2011
2nd Amendment Alert: H.R. 822 is scheduled for a floor vote tomorrow
H.R. 822 is scheduled for a floor vote tomorrow, and it is imperative that you call Rep. G. K. Butterfield at (202) 225-3101 and let them know that the federal government has no business messing around with your concealed carry permit.
As you know, I’ve been vocal about my opposition to H.R. 822. I’m worried it will open the door to MASSIVE federal overreach and intrusion into the concealed weapons permit process.
The LAST people we want involved in setting concealed weapons policy are the federal government.
In fact, one of my biggest concerns about concealed carry permits -- the lists of gun owners a permit process creates -- should send shivers down your spine: Imagine Eric Holder and the BATFE with a national database of concealed carry permit holders.
It’s bad enough to have those lists exist at a state level. Once Eric Holder and his cronies find a way to request that list from a state, they’ll do it -- all the in the name of “implementing H.R. 822.”
That possibility is enough to make any red-blooded American want to shelf H.R. 822.
However, there is a lot of momentum and misinformation surrounding this bill and I’m worried that we may not be able to stop it.
You see, a lot of normally pro-gun Representatives, despite their opposition of federal overreach, are being pushed -- or worse, deceived -- by the institutional gun lobby into supporting H.R. 822.
That’s why it’s imperative that you take action, right now.
Please call Rep. G. K. Butterfield at (202) 225-3101. Tell them to vote “NO” on H.R. 822, that you want them to keep the government’s hands off your permit and that you oppose federal intrusion into the concealed weapons permit process.
I know many of you are frustrated that you can carry in some states but not others -- I’m frustrated, too.
I carry concealed every day, everywhere I go, and have worked to expand the ability of citizens to carry in dozens of states. I believe I should be able to carry concealed -- without a permit -- in all 50 states. That’s what “bear arms” means. Believe me, that’s a long-term policy goal for the National Association for Gun Rights.
But mark my words, H.R. 822, the National CCW Registration Act, will become nothing more than a Trojan Horse for even more federal gun control. A Republican amendment to the bill requires it be brought up for “review” again in one year!
We’ve already seen in committee that even Republicans are willing to amend the bill to eliminate provisions protecting states’ rights and create a “study” to confront the “problem” of firearm sales over the internet.
That was in the Republican-led House; you can only imagine what Harry Reid and the Obamacrats in the Senate will tack on to this bill.
Unfortunately, the institutional gun lobby is eager to invite the fox into the hen house by forcing H.R. 822 through the House next week. Your member of Congress needs to hear from you, right away.
I understand that many who support this bill sincerely just want their right to carry respected -- but cannot due to the fact that their state won’t do the right thing.
But the devil is truly in the details... and the details are where H.R. 822 gets sticky.
This bill isn’t just about the right to carry for self-defense -- it’s a battle over the role of government and the ability to restrict our Second Amendment rights.
Once gun owners let the Obamacrats start mandating whether states recognize permit reciprocity, they will want to mandate what it takes to get and keep those permits.
We’re talking about:
•More onerous standards to acquire a permit so that only FBI agents can pass muster (look at New York’s permit system);
•Higher fees;
•More training requirements;
•A demonstration of “Need” for a permit;
•More frequent renewal periods;
•Federally-mandated waiting periods;
•A national database of all permit holders, accessible by Attorney General Eric Holder;
•An extensive, federally-created list of Criminal Safezones, where only criminals will carry and where law-abiding gun owners are vulnerable;
•The list of potential problems is endless.
I need you to call Rep. G. K. Butterfield at (202) 225-3101 and make clear that you want to keep the government’s hands off your permit and that you oppose federal intrusion into the concealed weapons permit process.
I haven’t even mentioned that this legislation would shred the Constitutional Carry provisions that are on the books in Arizona, Alaska, Vermont and Wyoming.
It doesn’t stop with just concealed carry. They’ll co-opt the bill to expand the national Brady Registration Check system to block military veterans with PTSD (a bill supported by the institutional gun lobby) or individuals with misdemeanor convictions from even OWNING firearms -- much less use them for self-defense.
I don’t believe the intentions of the bill sponsors are intrinsically bad -- they’re just naive and misguided.
Many statists in Washington will co-opt H.R. 822 as part of their grab for more federal power and less individual liberty.
Even now, the statists in Congress are trying to adopt a National ID card, complete with biometric data that they’ve forced the states to conform to their mandated drivers license “standards.” The National Association for Gun Rights has been part of a group of liberty-minded organizations which have passed state legislation forbidding cooperation with a National ID card.
Please call Rep. G. K. Butterfield at (202) 225-3101 and tell them to vote “NO” on H.R. 822 and keep the government’s hands off your permit. Tell them you oppose federal intrusion into the concealed weapons permit process.
Thank you for joining me in this battle.
For Freedom,
Dudley Brown
Executive Director
National Association for Gun Rights
The National Association for Gun Rights is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, single-purpose citizens' organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the Constitutionally protected right-to-keep-and-bear-arms through an aggressive program designed to mobilize public opposition to anti-gun legislation. The National Association for Gun Rights' mailing address is P.O. 7002, Fredericksburg, VA 22404. They can be contacted toll-free at 1-877-405-4570. Its web address is www.NationalGunRights.org/
As you know, I’ve been vocal about my opposition to H.R. 822. I’m worried it will open the door to MASSIVE federal overreach and intrusion into the concealed weapons permit process.
The LAST people we want involved in setting concealed weapons policy are the federal government.
In fact, one of my biggest concerns about concealed carry permits -- the lists of gun owners a permit process creates -- should send shivers down your spine: Imagine Eric Holder and the BATFE with a national database of concealed carry permit holders.
It’s bad enough to have those lists exist at a state level. Once Eric Holder and his cronies find a way to request that list from a state, they’ll do it -- all the in the name of “implementing H.R. 822.”
That possibility is enough to make any red-blooded American want to shelf H.R. 822.
However, there is a lot of momentum and misinformation surrounding this bill and I’m worried that we may not be able to stop it.
You see, a lot of normally pro-gun Representatives, despite their opposition of federal overreach, are being pushed -- or worse, deceived -- by the institutional gun lobby into supporting H.R. 822.
That’s why it’s imperative that you take action, right now.
Please call Rep. G. K. Butterfield at (202) 225-3101. Tell them to vote “NO” on H.R. 822, that you want them to keep the government’s hands off your permit and that you oppose federal intrusion into the concealed weapons permit process.
I know many of you are frustrated that you can carry in some states but not others -- I’m frustrated, too.
I carry concealed every day, everywhere I go, and have worked to expand the ability of citizens to carry in dozens of states. I believe I should be able to carry concealed -- without a permit -- in all 50 states. That’s what “bear arms” means. Believe me, that’s a long-term policy goal for the National Association for Gun Rights.
But mark my words, H.R. 822, the National CCW Registration Act, will become nothing more than a Trojan Horse for even more federal gun control. A Republican amendment to the bill requires it be brought up for “review” again in one year!
We’ve already seen in committee that even Republicans are willing to amend the bill to eliminate provisions protecting states’ rights and create a “study” to confront the “problem” of firearm sales over the internet.
That was in the Republican-led House; you can only imagine what Harry Reid and the Obamacrats in the Senate will tack on to this bill.
Unfortunately, the institutional gun lobby is eager to invite the fox into the hen house by forcing H.R. 822 through the House next week. Your member of Congress needs to hear from you, right away.
I understand that many who support this bill sincerely just want their right to carry respected -- but cannot due to the fact that their state won’t do the right thing.
But the devil is truly in the details... and the details are where H.R. 822 gets sticky.
This bill isn’t just about the right to carry for self-defense -- it’s a battle over the role of government and the ability to restrict our Second Amendment rights.
Once gun owners let the Obamacrats start mandating whether states recognize permit reciprocity, they will want to mandate what it takes to get and keep those permits.
We’re talking about:
•More onerous standards to acquire a permit so that only FBI agents can pass muster (look at New York’s permit system);
•Higher fees;
•More training requirements;
•A demonstration of “Need” for a permit;
•More frequent renewal periods;
•Federally-mandated waiting periods;
•A national database of all permit holders, accessible by Attorney General Eric Holder;
•An extensive, federally-created list of Criminal Safezones, where only criminals will carry and where law-abiding gun owners are vulnerable;
•The list of potential problems is endless.
I need you to call Rep. G. K. Butterfield at (202) 225-3101 and make clear that you want to keep the government’s hands off your permit and that you oppose federal intrusion into the concealed weapons permit process.
I haven’t even mentioned that this legislation would shred the Constitutional Carry provisions that are on the books in Arizona, Alaska, Vermont and Wyoming.
It doesn’t stop with just concealed carry. They’ll co-opt the bill to expand the national Brady Registration Check system to block military veterans with PTSD (a bill supported by the institutional gun lobby) or individuals with misdemeanor convictions from even OWNING firearms -- much less use them for self-defense.
I don’t believe the intentions of the bill sponsors are intrinsically bad -- they’re just naive and misguided.
Many statists in Washington will co-opt H.R. 822 as part of their grab for more federal power and less individual liberty.
Even now, the statists in Congress are trying to adopt a National ID card, complete with biometric data that they’ve forced the states to conform to their mandated drivers license “standards.” The National Association for Gun Rights has been part of a group of liberty-minded organizations which have passed state legislation forbidding cooperation with a National ID card.
Please call Rep. G. K. Butterfield at (202) 225-3101 and tell them to vote “NO” on H.R. 822 and keep the government’s hands off your permit. Tell them you oppose federal intrusion into the concealed weapons permit process.
Thank you for joining me in this battle.
For Freedom,
Dudley Brown
Executive Director
National Association for Gun Rights
The National Association for Gun Rights is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, single-purpose citizens' organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the Constitutionally protected right-to-keep-and-bear-arms through an aggressive program designed to mobilize public opposition to anti-gun legislation. The National Association for Gun Rights' mailing address is P.O. 7002, Fredericksburg, VA 22404. They can be contacted toll-free at 1-877-405-4570. Its web address is www.NationalGunRights.org/
Friday, September 16, 2011
Sticking it to the NLRB
"North Carolina, a right-to-work state like South Carolina, could have found itself in exactly the same position if Boeing had chosen, say, Greensboro rather than Charleston to open a new production facility. Yet only two North Carolina Democrats, Heath Shuler and Mike McIntyre, voted for this bill.
Brad Miller, Mel Watt, David Price, Larry Kissell and G.K. Butterfield opposed it. That means they would not object if the NLRB took similar action to block a company from locating in North Carolina because of our state's more business-friendly labor climate."
The U.S. House of Representatives struck a well-warranted blow at the National Labor Relations Board today, passing H.R. 2587.
It would stop the NLRB from dictating where a company could or could not conduct business operations.
The action responds to the NLRB's effort to shut down a Boeing production line in North Charleston, S.C., and force it to move to Washington state. The NLRB contends Boeing opened its plant in South Carolina to retaliate against unions, which had orchestrated several strikes in recent years at Seattle-area Boeing installations.
CONTINUED:
http://www.news-record.com/blog/54431/entry/127461
Brad Miller, Mel Watt, David Price, Larry Kissell and G.K. Butterfield opposed it. That means they would not object if the NLRB took similar action to block a company from locating in North Carolina because of our state's more business-friendly labor climate."
The U.S. House of Representatives struck a well-warranted blow at the National Labor Relations Board today, passing H.R. 2587.
It would stop the NLRB from dictating where a company could or could not conduct business operations.
The action responds to the NLRB's effort to shut down a Boeing production line in North Charleston, S.C., and force it to move to Washington state. The NLRB contends Boeing opened its plant in South Carolina to retaliate against unions, which had orchestrated several strikes in recent years at Seattle-area Boeing installations.
CONTINUED:
http://www.news-record.com/blog/54431/entry/127461
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Congressional redistricting--Democrats are like the pot calling the kettle black
We never cease to be amazed at how hypocritical liberals are. And that includes our friends down the street at the Washington Daily News, or more precisely, Jonathan Clayborne. The most recent exhibit was Jonathan's recent article on congressional redistricting, leading with an exclamation by the Honorable G. K. Butterfield, lamenting, and predicting, the illegality of "packing electoral districts" and "disenfranchising minorities." Puh-leaz Judge.
CONTINUED: http://www.beaufortobserver.net/Articles-c-2011-07-03-254180.112112-Congressional-redistrictingDemocrats-are-like-the-pot-calling-the-kettle-black.html
CONTINUED: http://www.beaufortobserver.net/Articles-c-2011-07-03-254180.112112-Congressional-redistrictingDemocrats-are-like-the-pot-calling-the-kettle-black.html
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Current Status of Key Bills Presented to the Governor of North Carolina
June 28, 2011
Current Status of Key Bills Presented to the Governor
1. Abortion - A Woman's Right to Know Act (HB854) - was vetoed by our "education" governor on Monday, Jun 27. Governor Perdue wrote in her objection and veto message, "This bill is a dangerous intrusion into the confidential relationship that exists between women and their doctors. The bill contains provisions that are the most extreme in the nation in terms of interfering with that relationship. Physicians must be free to advise and treat their patients based on their medical knowledge and expertise and not have their advice overridden by elected officials seeking to impose their own ideological agenda on others."
The bill requires pregnant women to have information from a medical doctor, an ultrasound, and a waiting period of 24-hours before ending the life of an unborn baby.
The Senate passed the legislation on Jun 15th in a vote of 29 to 20 with 1 not voting. Republican Senator Stan Bingham (Davidson, Guilford) voted with the Democrats; and Republican Senator Richard Stevens (Wake) did not vote.
The House passed the measure on Jun 8th in a vote of 71 to 48. All Republicans voted for the legislation and were joined by Democrat Representatives William Brisson, Dewey Hill and Tim Spear.
Only one vote is needed in the Senate and one in the House to override the governor's veto.
In the Senate call: Senator Bingham (R) (336) 859-0999 and Senator Stevens (R) Business (919) 851-0228 or home (919) 851-1177.
In the House call the following conservative Democrats:
Rep. Jim Crawford (Granville, Vance) (919) 733-5824; and Bill Owens (Camden, Currituck, Pasquotank, Tyrrell) (919) 733-0010.
2. An Act to Authorize Additional Water Supply Lines Funded by the Clean Water and Natural Gas Critical Needs Bond Act of 1998 and to Direct the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to Waive the Penalty Assessed Against Certain Poor Counties for Certain Water Quality Violations" (HB482) - was vetoed by the governor on Jun 27th, stating, "This bill is unconstitutional. The North Carolina Constitution, as interpreted by our Supreme Court, requires that money paid as civil penalties be given to the public school system and not be used for any other purposes." Further she believes that the measure would allow the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to remit money to counties that could be used for other purposes than education.
The bill was unanimously passed by the Senate filled with lawyers on Jun 14th in a vote of 47 to 0 with 3 excused absences; and in the House the bill passed on Jun 16th in a vote of 64 to 41 with 14 not voting and 1 excused absence.
The vetoed legislation addresses additional water connections and waives environmental penalties assessed in poor counties where at least 18 % of the county population is below the poverty level; and the unemployment rate is at least 2.5 % higher than the state average.
3. Medical Malpractice (SB 33) - The governor vetoed the bill on Jun 24. She said, "Once the bill is revised to adequately protect those that are catastrophically injured, I will proudly sign it into law."
The bill changes medical malpractice laws and the ratified edition caps noneconomic damages at $500,000. Noneconomic damages are defined in the law as "Damages to compensate for pain, suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, inconvenience, and any other nonpecuniary compensatory damage." Complainants still get punitive damages as defined in the General Statutes.
The bill passed the Senate on Jun 9th in a vote of 32 to 9 with 1 not voting and 1 excused absence. The House passed the bill on Jun 9th in a vote of 62 to 44 with 6 not voting and 8 with excused absences.
4. Tort Reform for Citizens and Businesses (HB542) - Governor Perdue signed the bill on Jun 24th that "will allow juries to hear how much of a plaintiff's medical expenses have been paid by insurance." (News & Observer)
5. Workmen's Compensation Reform (HB709) - Signed by the governor on Jun 24th, the bill "lifts the regulatory burden on the state's businesses, large and small, while also adding protection for employees hurt on the job," according to House Speaker Pro Tempore Dale R. Folwell.
It must be noted that a report released recently by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce "shows North Carolina is ranked in the bottom half in many metrics of competitiveness." Specifically, "'Enterprising States: Recovery and Renewal for the 21st Century' ranks North Carolina in the bottom 25 in nineteen of the thirty-two metrics of competitiveness including long term and short-term job growth, budget gap and tax climate." ( NCGOP Communications Office)
Recent U.S. House of Representatives' Votes
1. "Authorizing the limited use of the United States Armed Forces in support of the NATO mission in Libya" (House Joint Resolution 68) failed in a vote of 123 to 295 with 13 not voting on Jun 24, 2011. Only eight Republicans voted for the measure, none were from North Carolina.
NC Representatives voting for the Resolution: David E. Price (D-4th), Larry Kissell (D-8th), Melvin L. Watt (D-12th), and Brad Miller (D-13th).
NC Representatives voting against the Resolution: Renee Ellmers (R-2nd), Walter B. Jones (R-3rd), Virginia Foxx (R-5th), Howard Coble (R-6th), Mike McIntyre (D-7th), Sue Myrick (R-9th), Patrick T. McHenry (R-10th), and Heath Shuler (D-11th). Rep. G. K. Butterfield (D-1st) did not vote.
2. "To limit the use of funds to support NATO Operation Unified Protector with respect to Libya" (HR 2278) failed on Jun 24th in a vote of 180 to 238 with 13 not voting. The bill was intended to defund U.S. military operations under NATO in Libya that would include combat operations such as airstrikes; and would have restricted U.S. participation to support activities including "intelligence, surveillance, and search and rescue." (Megavote)
NC Representatives voting for the bill: Virginia Foxx (R-5th), Howard Coble (R-6th), Sue Myrick (R-9th) and Heath Shuler (D-11th).
NC Representatives voting against the bill: Renee Ellmers (R-2nd), Walter B. Jones (R-3rd), David E. Price (D-4th), Mike McIntyre (D-7th), Larry Kissell (D-8th), Patrick T. McHenry (R-10th), Melvin L. Watt (D-12th), and Brad Miller (D-13th). Rep. G. K. Butterfield (D-1st) did not vote.
Republican Representative Renee Ellmers (2nd District) presented the weekly radio Republican address last week. She focused on job creation in the private sector by removing government regulatory barriers; stopping tax hikes; expanding domestic energy production; and approving pending free-trade agreements.
NC Redistricting
Proposed congressional maps are scheduled to be released this week, and public hearings will be held on Jul 7th. Further details have not been released.
Politico has reported that Democrat Representatives Brad Miller (13th) and David E. Price (4th) may likely compete for one seat and that Democrat Representatives Larry Kissell (8th) and Mike McIntyre (7th) may also go against each other for a seat. Further, Democrat Heath Shuler (11th) may see his district increasingly Republican.
Current Status of Key Bills Presented to the Governor
1. Abortion - A Woman's Right to Know Act (HB854) - was vetoed by our "education" governor on Monday, Jun 27. Governor Perdue wrote in her objection and veto message, "This bill is a dangerous intrusion into the confidential relationship that exists between women and their doctors. The bill contains provisions that are the most extreme in the nation in terms of interfering with that relationship. Physicians must be free to advise and treat their patients based on their medical knowledge and expertise and not have their advice overridden by elected officials seeking to impose their own ideological agenda on others."
The bill requires pregnant women to have information from a medical doctor, an ultrasound, and a waiting period of 24-hours before ending the life of an unborn baby.
The Senate passed the legislation on Jun 15th in a vote of 29 to 20 with 1 not voting. Republican Senator Stan Bingham (Davidson, Guilford) voted with the Democrats; and Republican Senator Richard Stevens (Wake) did not vote.
The House passed the measure on Jun 8th in a vote of 71 to 48. All Republicans voted for the legislation and were joined by Democrat Representatives William Brisson, Dewey Hill and Tim Spear.
Only one vote is needed in the Senate and one in the House to override the governor's veto.
In the Senate call: Senator Bingham (R) (336) 859-0999 and Senator Stevens (R) Business (919) 851-0228 or home (919) 851-1177.
In the House call the following conservative Democrats:
Rep. Jim Crawford (Granville, Vance) (919) 733-5824; and Bill Owens (Camden, Currituck, Pasquotank, Tyrrell) (919) 733-0010.
2. An Act to Authorize Additional Water Supply Lines Funded by the Clean Water and Natural Gas Critical Needs Bond Act of 1998 and to Direct the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to Waive the Penalty Assessed Against Certain Poor Counties for Certain Water Quality Violations" (HB482) - was vetoed by the governor on Jun 27th, stating, "This bill is unconstitutional. The North Carolina Constitution, as interpreted by our Supreme Court, requires that money paid as civil penalties be given to the public school system and not be used for any other purposes." Further she believes that the measure would allow the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to remit money to counties that could be used for other purposes than education.
The bill was unanimously passed by the Senate filled with lawyers on Jun 14th in a vote of 47 to 0 with 3 excused absences; and in the House the bill passed on Jun 16th in a vote of 64 to 41 with 14 not voting and 1 excused absence.
The vetoed legislation addresses additional water connections and waives environmental penalties assessed in poor counties where at least 18 % of the county population is below the poverty level; and the unemployment rate is at least 2.5 % higher than the state average.
3. Medical Malpractice (SB 33) - The governor vetoed the bill on Jun 24. She said, "Once the bill is revised to adequately protect those that are catastrophically injured, I will proudly sign it into law."
The bill changes medical malpractice laws and the ratified edition caps noneconomic damages at $500,000. Noneconomic damages are defined in the law as "Damages to compensate for pain, suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, inconvenience, and any other nonpecuniary compensatory damage." Complainants still get punitive damages as defined in the General Statutes.
The bill passed the Senate on Jun 9th in a vote of 32 to 9 with 1 not voting and 1 excused absence. The House passed the bill on Jun 9th in a vote of 62 to 44 with 6 not voting and 8 with excused absences.
4. Tort Reform for Citizens and Businesses (HB542) - Governor Perdue signed the bill on Jun 24th that "will allow juries to hear how much of a plaintiff's medical expenses have been paid by insurance." (News & Observer)
5. Workmen's Compensation Reform (HB709) - Signed by the governor on Jun 24th, the bill "lifts the regulatory burden on the state's businesses, large and small, while also adding protection for employees hurt on the job," according to House Speaker Pro Tempore Dale R. Folwell.
It must be noted that a report released recently by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce "shows North Carolina is ranked in the bottom half in many metrics of competitiveness." Specifically, "'Enterprising States: Recovery and Renewal for the 21st Century' ranks North Carolina in the bottom 25 in nineteen of the thirty-two metrics of competitiveness including long term and short-term job growth, budget gap and tax climate." ( NCGOP Communications Office)
Recent U.S. House of Representatives' Votes
1. "Authorizing the limited use of the United States Armed Forces in support of the NATO mission in Libya" (House Joint Resolution 68) failed in a vote of 123 to 295 with 13 not voting on Jun 24, 2011. Only eight Republicans voted for the measure, none were from North Carolina.
NC Representatives voting for the Resolution: David E. Price (D-4th), Larry Kissell (D-8th), Melvin L. Watt (D-12th), and Brad Miller (D-13th).
NC Representatives voting against the Resolution: Renee Ellmers (R-2nd), Walter B. Jones (R-3rd), Virginia Foxx (R-5th), Howard Coble (R-6th), Mike McIntyre (D-7th), Sue Myrick (R-9th), Patrick T. McHenry (R-10th), and Heath Shuler (D-11th). Rep. G. K. Butterfield (D-1st) did not vote.
2. "To limit the use of funds to support NATO Operation Unified Protector with respect to Libya" (HR 2278) failed on Jun 24th in a vote of 180 to 238 with 13 not voting. The bill was intended to defund U.S. military operations under NATO in Libya that would include combat operations such as airstrikes; and would have restricted U.S. participation to support activities including "intelligence, surveillance, and search and rescue." (Megavote)
NC Representatives voting for the bill: Virginia Foxx (R-5th), Howard Coble (R-6th), Sue Myrick (R-9th) and Heath Shuler (D-11th).
NC Representatives voting against the bill: Renee Ellmers (R-2nd), Walter B. Jones (R-3rd), David E. Price (D-4th), Mike McIntyre (D-7th), Larry Kissell (D-8th), Patrick T. McHenry (R-10th), Melvin L. Watt (D-12th), and Brad Miller (D-13th). Rep. G. K. Butterfield (D-1st) did not vote.
Republican Representative Renee Ellmers (2nd District) presented the weekly radio Republican address last week. She focused on job creation in the private sector by removing government regulatory barriers; stopping tax hikes; expanding domestic energy production; and approving pending free-trade agreements.
NC Redistricting
Proposed congressional maps are scheduled to be released this week, and public hearings will be held on Jul 7th. Further details have not been released.
Politico has reported that Democrat Representatives Brad Miller (13th) and David E. Price (4th) may likely compete for one seat and that Democrat Representatives Larry Kissell (8th) and Mike McIntyre (7th) may also go against each other for a seat. Further, Democrat Heath Shuler (11th) may see his district increasingly Republican.
Monday, March 21, 2011
DAILY RELFECTOR: Letter to the Editor
Letter: Butterfield district not a mandate
An area paper (not the Reflector) made me laugh Sunday. The headline “G.K. Butterfield calls for fair redistricting” is most amusing.
He's one who benefits from unfair districting. For him to state, “We've got to make sure the lines are drawn fairly,” shows his arrogance. He stated the Voting Rights Act of 1965 requires the 1st District remain a minority-majority district. This is untrue. North Carolina must have two majority-minority districts but nowhere does it say which ones. Convicted felon Frank Balance drew it just so he could be elected and Butterfield benefited. I am sure Butterfield hopes this district remains gerrymandered because he lost quite a few counties last election.
Districts should be made in accordance with the wishes of our founding fathers. If they were, Butterfield would now be retired and we would have a man of integrity in Washington. We were educated by his opponent's campaign in 2010, bringing to light issues about Butterfield that would have never been known.
One, Butterfield admitted to pocketing taxpayer monies following congressional junkets. You should look into what happened to this money.
Following the election and before the new Congress was sworn in, the ethics office said in a report that Butterfield received excess per diem in four trips between June 2008 and August 2009. It found that he had not returned a total of $1,509 from four trips including visits to Lithuania, Belgium, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, England, Italy, Liberia, Ghana, South Africa and Morocco. The office also found that he used per diem for expenses not for travel, like souvenirs. Has this money been returned to the U.S. Treasury? What was he doing in these exotic places? The district is the fourth poorest in the nation and he is going to these countries? Why? We need to know.
BILL SHAVENDER
Washington, N.C.
http://reflector.cookepublishing.net/opinion/letters/letter-butterfield-district-not-mandate-353748
An area paper (not the Reflector) made me laugh Sunday. The headline “G.K. Butterfield calls for fair redistricting” is most amusing.
He's one who benefits from unfair districting. For him to state, “We've got to make sure the lines are drawn fairly,” shows his arrogance. He stated the Voting Rights Act of 1965 requires the 1st District remain a minority-majority district. This is untrue. North Carolina must have two majority-minority districts but nowhere does it say which ones. Convicted felon Frank Balance drew it just so he could be elected and Butterfield benefited. I am sure Butterfield hopes this district remains gerrymandered because he lost quite a few counties last election.
Districts should be made in accordance with the wishes of our founding fathers. If they were, Butterfield would now be retired and we would have a man of integrity in Washington. We were educated by his opponent's campaign in 2010, bringing to light issues about Butterfield that would have never been known.
One, Butterfield admitted to pocketing taxpayer monies following congressional junkets. You should look into what happened to this money.
Following the election and before the new Congress was sworn in, the ethics office said in a report that Butterfield received excess per diem in four trips between June 2008 and August 2009. It found that he had not returned a total of $1,509 from four trips including visits to Lithuania, Belgium, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, England, Italy, Liberia, Ghana, South Africa and Morocco. The office also found that he used per diem for expenses not for travel, like souvenirs. Has this money been returned to the U.S. Treasury? What was he doing in these exotic places? The district is the fourth poorest in the nation and he is going to these countries? Why? We need to know.
BILL SHAVENDER
Washington, N.C.
http://reflector.cookepublishing.net/opinion/letters/letter-butterfield-district-not-mandate-353748
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
How do YOUR legislators score on the AFP Key Vote Alert?
Wed, January 19, 2011 10:09:59
From: Dallas Woodhouse, NC State Director, Americans for Prosperity
Americans for Prosperity Releases Federal Key Vote Scorecard for North Carolina Delegation
Raleigh—The North Carolina chapter of the free market grassroots group Americans for Prosperity (AFP-NC) today is proud to feature the North Carolina federal delegation’s score on its Key Vote Scorecard.
The group rated the top free market votes from the 111th Congress in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House. AFP also included the No Climate Tax pledge in its scorecard for the first time, signifying the importance of the group’s opposition to using the climate change issue as a guise to grow government.
“The record in North Carolina is mixed,” said AFP-NC State Director Dallas Woodhouse. “We are proud of Senator Burr and of Representatives Coble, Foxx, McHenry, and Myrick for their perfect scores. They have shown a real commitment to the free market principals and we applaud them for their efforts. The other returning members from North Carolina have some work to do, and the members that earned an F appear to be hostile to any free market legislation.”
The complete Key Vote Scorecard is available online: http://www.americansforprosperity.org/files/111th_Congress_Scorecard.pdf
The North Carolina delegation earned the following grades:
Senator Richard Burr – A+
Senator Kay Hagen – D-
Representative Howard Coble – A+
Representative Virginia Foxx – A+
Representative Patrick McHenry – A+
Representative Sue Myrick – A+
Representative Walter Jones – B
Representative Heath Shuler – C
Representative Mike McIntyre – C
Representative Larry Kissell – D
Representative G.K. Butterfield – F
Representative Bob Etheridge – F
Representative Brad Miller – F
Representative Melvin Watt – F
Representative David Price – F
Americans for Prosperity® (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen leaders committed to advancing every individual's right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth, and returning government to its constitutional limits. AFP has more than 1,600,000 members, including members in all 50 states, and 30 state chapters and affiliates. More than 80,000 Americans in all 50 states have made a financial investment in AFP or AFP Foundation. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org
From: Dallas Woodhouse, NC State Director, Americans for Prosperity
Americans for Prosperity Releases Federal Key Vote Scorecard for North Carolina Delegation
Raleigh—The North Carolina chapter of the free market grassroots group Americans for Prosperity (AFP-NC) today is proud to feature the North Carolina federal delegation’s score on its Key Vote Scorecard.
The group rated the top free market votes from the 111th Congress in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House. AFP also included the No Climate Tax pledge in its scorecard for the first time, signifying the importance of the group’s opposition to using the climate change issue as a guise to grow government.
“The record in North Carolina is mixed,” said AFP-NC State Director Dallas Woodhouse. “We are proud of Senator Burr and of Representatives Coble, Foxx, McHenry, and Myrick for their perfect scores. They have shown a real commitment to the free market principals and we applaud them for their efforts. The other returning members from North Carolina have some work to do, and the members that earned an F appear to be hostile to any free market legislation.”
The complete Key Vote Scorecard is available online: http://www.americansforprosperity.org/files/111th_Congress_Scorecard.pdf
The North Carolina delegation earned the following grades:
Senator Richard Burr – A+
Senator Kay Hagen – D-
Representative Howard Coble – A+
Representative Virginia Foxx – A+
Representative Patrick McHenry – A+
Representative Sue Myrick – A+
Representative Walter Jones – B
Representative Heath Shuler – C
Representative Mike McIntyre – C
Representative Larry Kissell – D
Representative G.K. Butterfield – F
Representative Bob Etheridge – F
Representative Brad Miller – F
Representative Melvin Watt – F
Representative David Price – F
Americans for Prosperity® (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen leaders committed to advancing every individual's right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth, and returning government to its constitutional limits. AFP has more than 1,600,000 members, including members in all 50 states, and 30 state chapters and affiliates. More than 80,000 Americans in all 50 states have made a financial investment in AFP or AFP Foundation. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Bigotry, Balderdash & Butterfield
On October 16 2010, Congressman G. K. Butterfield gave an interesting and bothersome speech at his Appreciation Rally. Gathered at the intersection of Nash Street and Pender Street, in front of a crowd of his adoring supporters most of whom were Black, Congressman Butterfield said, (1)
"...You must understand that the Right-wing Republican Tea Party, if given one iota of a chance, will take us back to the days that I just spoke about [of slavery, racial oppression and segregation]. Do we want to go back? They say that they want to take back our country. Why do they want to go back? Do they want to go back to slavery? Do they want to go back to disenfranchisement, to segregated schools, to no schools, to 'separate but equal', to not being able to vote? Where do they want to go back?...”
“…I need for all of you…Between now and November 2nd to get fired up and go back into your neighborhoods, go to your churches, into your workplace, and to where you hang out and to where you have friends and to people you call on the telephone. I want you to SHAKE 'EM UP and let them know there's some mean evil forces at work and they are out here to take us back and we cannot allow that to happen...We've got work to do in this community...We've have work to do because if you think it's going to happen with us staying at home, it will not happen..."
Bigotry at its finest, the Congressman manipulates his listeners into believing that his extreme opinions about the Tea Party are not merely his opinions, but facts. In doing so, the Congressman creates a false impression of the true purpose of the Tea Party movement, attempting to negatively sway those who know nothing about what the Tea Party actually represents.
When Butterfield told his predominately black audience to “get fired up” and to go into their neighborhoods, churches, workplaces, and hang-outs, to “SHAKE ‘EM UP and let them know there's some mean evil forces at work” who “are out here to take us back” to the evils of slavery, disenfranchisement, racial oppression and segregation, was he not purposefully inciting one group of people against the other in the worst possible way? Was he not pounding the “hot button” race issue in the hopes of motivating his audience to keep him and his Democrat colleagues in office? As always, with any matter involving race relations, if a white Republican had made similar race-based statements to a predominately white crowd, the speaker would be labeled a racist and his speech would be disregarded as negative and fear-mongering.
Hearing these kinds of statements, such as the statements made by Congressman Butterfield, only divide, agitate, and anger the very soul of Americans. Congressman Butterfield represents a political party that often talks about tearing down walls, ending hate, and uniting together, but yet makes statements that do nothing but incite anger and division. Unfortunately, such statements seem to reach a rather broad audience, spreading untruth on an even larger scale. How can we talk about unity while encouraging division? “Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?” (James 3:11, NIV)
According to the NC State Board of Elections website 102,237 citizens in the 1st Congressional District re-elected Congressman Butterfield.(2) Was his re-election the result of faithful Democratic straight-ticket voting? Are the voters really in agreement with such statements as the ones quoted above regarding the Tea Party movement? Or was his re-election more of a naïve belief that Congressman Butterfield was just plain “right for the job?”
It is one thing to expose bigotry where it exists, but to play the race-card where it does not exist – and never will – is nothing less than reckless, dishonest and downright delusional. In fact, for the Congressman to make statements like this toward those he has labeled a “mean evil force” is false propaganda and classic textbook projection, to say the very least.
Obviously, Butterfield forgot that it was his Democrat Party which kept blacks in slavery and started the KKK in 1866 as its terrorist wing to lynch and terrorize blacks and the Republicans who stood with them.(3) It was Butterfield’s Party from 1870 to 1930 which “used fraud, whippings, lynching, murder, intimidation, and mutilation to get the black vote, and passed the Black Codes and Jim Crow laws which legalized racial discrimination and denied blacks their rights as citizens.”(4)
It was Democrats like President Franklin D. Roosevelt and President Harry Truman who “rejected anti-lynching laws and efforts to establish a permanent Civil Rights Commission.”(5
It was the Democrat Party of President Lyndon Johnson, who called Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “that [N-word] preacher” because he opposed the Vietnam War. It was the Democrat President John F. Kennedy who voted against the 1957 Civil Rights law as a Senator and then as president opposed Dr. King’s 1963 March on Washington. It was the Democrat Party which embraced the late Senator Robert Byrd who was a high ranking official of the KKK and called Dr. King a “trouble-maker”. It is the Democrat Party who supports Planned Parenthood which was founded by Margaret Sanger who referred to blacks, immigrants, and indigents as “...human weeds,' 'reckless breeders,' 'spawning...human beings who never should have been born.”(6)
Oh, and I’m sure Butterfield knows, as someone with such an impressive legal career, about the case of Plessy v. Furguson in 1896 where the U.S. Supreme Court sided with the Democrats in establishing the “separate but equal” doctrine.
Of course, we could expound much more on the Democrat’s very extensive, racist history.(7) We could talk about how the North Carolina Republican party was started with 101 whites and 46 blacks while not a single black person was part of forming the Democrat party. We could talk about how blacks didn’t start really participating with the North Carolina Democrat party until the largest migration took place after the 1964 and 1965 Civil Rights Bill purely for the votes, not because they were commitment to addressing the social ills at that time. But I digress.
Congressman Butterfield’s allegations against the Wilson NC Tea Party, and incidentally, the Republican Party, have no foundation in truth (8) and are lame attempts at projecting onto the Tea Party movement beliefs that are nothing more than a distorted perception of conservative politics. As a matter of fact, according to USA Today and Gallup, the Tea Party movement is 51% non-Republican and is “generally representative of the public at large” as it relates to “age, educational background, employment status, and race”.(9) This is also true of the Wilson NC Tea Party, except that it is 60% non-Republican (10), contrary to our Congressman’s claims.
Luckily, the American people are smarter than to fall for politics as usual. More and more of our citizens are seeing these tactics of emotional manipulation by using controversial topics, such as race, as a way of trying to divert voters from looking at the reality of our government and the dire state it is in; it is an age old trick of smoke and mirrors that Patriots are no longer giving credence to.
Wilson is a small, all-American town. This is our world, our home, our life. We are neighbors, friends,
family, and co-workers, and we all are working together to unite this county so we can come together like never before. Therefore, we don’t need anyone, especially our leaders, to use their influence and power to drive us apart with lies that are meant to pit us against one another on the basis of race, political party, economic status, religion or any other difference we may have in our neighborhoods. If we have any anger or resentment in our hearts, let us sit down and have an honest, open dialogue together, along with the public servants we have put in office, such as Butterfield. Let’s face the “Giants” in our county, those issues that separate and bankrupt us on every level. Truly, it is only the truth that will set us free.
Author: Joel M. Killion
Date: 12/16/2010
(1) Each quote from Congressman Butterfield’s speech was transcribed verbatim from video footage which can be viewed at www.wilsonncteaparty.com/video/gk-butterfield-appreciation (Part 1) and www.wilsonncteaparty.com/video/gk-butterfield-appreciation-1 (Part 2)
(2) http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NC/22580/39565/en/summary.html
(3) For more details about the Democrat Party and the KKK read A Short History of Reconstruction by Dr. Eric Foner.
(4) http://www.nationalblackrepublicans.com/DYK-HistoryTest
(5) http://www.nationalblackrepublicans.com/DYK-HistoryTest
(6) http://www.dianedew.com/sanger.htm
(7) For more information regarding the true history between blacks and the Democrat Party, go to nationalblackrepublicans.com and frederickdouglassfoundation.com/blackandtherepublicanparty.html.
(8) For an accurate account of the Republican Party’s civil rights history, go to http://claremont.org/publications/crb/id.928/article_detail.asp
(9) Source: http://www.gallup.com/poll/127181/Tea-Partiers-Fairly-Mainstream-Demographics.aspx
(10) In October of 2010, after analyzing their 400 members, the Wilson NC Tea Party found that 237 of their members are non-Republicans, making them a 59.25% non-Republican movement.
"...You must understand that the Right-wing Republican Tea Party, if given one iota of a chance, will take us back to the days that I just spoke about [of slavery, racial oppression and segregation]. Do we want to go back? They say that they want to take back our country. Why do they want to go back? Do they want to go back to slavery? Do they want to go back to disenfranchisement, to segregated schools, to no schools, to 'separate but equal', to not being able to vote? Where do they want to go back?...”
“…I need for all of you…Between now and November 2nd to get fired up and go back into your neighborhoods, go to your churches, into your workplace, and to where you hang out and to where you have friends and to people you call on the telephone. I want you to SHAKE 'EM UP and let them know there's some mean evil forces at work and they are out here to take us back and we cannot allow that to happen...We've got work to do in this community...We've have work to do because if you think it's going to happen with us staying at home, it will not happen..."
Bigotry at its finest, the Congressman manipulates his listeners into believing that his extreme opinions about the Tea Party are not merely his opinions, but facts. In doing so, the Congressman creates a false impression of the true purpose of the Tea Party movement, attempting to negatively sway those who know nothing about what the Tea Party actually represents.
When Butterfield told his predominately black audience to “get fired up” and to go into their neighborhoods, churches, workplaces, and hang-outs, to “SHAKE ‘EM UP and let them know there's some mean evil forces at work” who “are out here to take us back” to the evils of slavery, disenfranchisement, racial oppression and segregation, was he not purposefully inciting one group of people against the other in the worst possible way? Was he not pounding the “hot button” race issue in the hopes of motivating his audience to keep him and his Democrat colleagues in office? As always, with any matter involving race relations, if a white Republican had made similar race-based statements to a predominately white crowd, the speaker would be labeled a racist and his speech would be disregarded as negative and fear-mongering.
Hearing these kinds of statements, such as the statements made by Congressman Butterfield, only divide, agitate, and anger the very soul of Americans. Congressman Butterfield represents a political party that often talks about tearing down walls, ending hate, and uniting together, but yet makes statements that do nothing but incite anger and division. Unfortunately, such statements seem to reach a rather broad audience, spreading untruth on an even larger scale. How can we talk about unity while encouraging division? “Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?” (James 3:11, NIV)
According to the NC State Board of Elections website 102,237 citizens in the 1st Congressional District re-elected Congressman Butterfield.(2) Was his re-election the result of faithful Democratic straight-ticket voting? Are the voters really in agreement with such statements as the ones quoted above regarding the Tea Party movement? Or was his re-election more of a naïve belief that Congressman Butterfield was just plain “right for the job?”
It is one thing to expose bigotry where it exists, but to play the race-card where it does not exist – and never will – is nothing less than reckless, dishonest and downright delusional. In fact, for the Congressman to make statements like this toward those he has labeled a “mean evil force” is false propaganda and classic textbook projection, to say the very least.
Obviously, Butterfield forgot that it was his Democrat Party which kept blacks in slavery and started the KKK in 1866 as its terrorist wing to lynch and terrorize blacks and the Republicans who stood with them.(3) It was Butterfield’s Party from 1870 to 1930 which “used fraud, whippings, lynching, murder, intimidation, and mutilation to get the black vote, and passed the Black Codes and Jim Crow laws which legalized racial discrimination and denied blacks their rights as citizens.”(4)
It was Democrats like President Franklin D. Roosevelt and President Harry Truman who “rejected anti-lynching laws and efforts to establish a permanent Civil Rights Commission.”(5
It was the Democrat Party of President Lyndon Johnson, who called Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “that [N-word] preacher” because he opposed the Vietnam War. It was the Democrat President John F. Kennedy who voted against the 1957 Civil Rights law as a Senator and then as president opposed Dr. King’s 1963 March on Washington. It was the Democrat Party which embraced the late Senator Robert Byrd who was a high ranking official of the KKK and called Dr. King a “trouble-maker”. It is the Democrat Party who supports Planned Parenthood which was founded by Margaret Sanger who referred to blacks, immigrants, and indigents as “...human weeds,' 'reckless breeders,' 'spawning...human beings who never should have been born.”(6)
Oh, and I’m sure Butterfield knows, as someone with such an impressive legal career, about the case of Plessy v. Furguson in 1896 where the U.S. Supreme Court sided with the Democrats in establishing the “separate but equal” doctrine.
Of course, we could expound much more on the Democrat’s very extensive, racist history.(7) We could talk about how the North Carolina Republican party was started with 101 whites and 46 blacks while not a single black person was part of forming the Democrat party. We could talk about how blacks didn’t start really participating with the North Carolina Democrat party until the largest migration took place after the 1964 and 1965 Civil Rights Bill purely for the votes, not because they were commitment to addressing the social ills at that time. But I digress.
Congressman Butterfield’s allegations against the Wilson NC Tea Party, and incidentally, the Republican Party, have no foundation in truth (8) and are lame attempts at projecting onto the Tea Party movement beliefs that are nothing more than a distorted perception of conservative politics. As a matter of fact, according to USA Today and Gallup, the Tea Party movement is 51% non-Republican and is “generally representative of the public at large” as it relates to “age, educational background, employment status, and race”.(9) This is also true of the Wilson NC Tea Party, except that it is 60% non-Republican (10), contrary to our Congressman’s claims.
Luckily, the American people are smarter than to fall for politics as usual. More and more of our citizens are seeing these tactics of emotional manipulation by using controversial topics, such as race, as a way of trying to divert voters from looking at the reality of our government and the dire state it is in; it is an age old trick of smoke and mirrors that Patriots are no longer giving credence to.
Wilson is a small, all-American town. This is our world, our home, our life. We are neighbors, friends,
family, and co-workers, and we all are working together to unite this county so we can come together like never before. Therefore, we don’t need anyone, especially our leaders, to use their influence and power to drive us apart with lies that are meant to pit us against one another on the basis of race, political party, economic status, religion or any other difference we may have in our neighborhoods. If we have any anger or resentment in our hearts, let us sit down and have an honest, open dialogue together, along with the public servants we have put in office, such as Butterfield. Let’s face the “Giants” in our county, those issues that separate and bankrupt us on every level. Truly, it is only the truth that will set us free.
Author: Joel M. Killion
Date: 12/16/2010
(1) Each quote from Congressman Butterfield’s speech was transcribed verbatim from video footage which can be viewed at www.wilsonncteaparty.com/video/gk-butterfield-appreciation (Part 1) and www.wilsonncteaparty.com/video/gk-butterfield-appreciation-1 (Part 2)
(2) http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NC/22580/39565/en/summary.html
(3) For more details about the Democrat Party and the KKK read A Short History of Reconstruction by Dr. Eric Foner.
(4) http://www.nationalblackrepublicans.com/DYK-HistoryTest
(5) http://www.nationalblackrepublicans.com/DYK-HistoryTest
(6) http://www.dianedew.com/sanger.htm
(7) For more information regarding the true history between blacks and the Democrat Party, go to nationalblackrepublicans.com and frederickdouglassfoundation.com/blackandtherepublicanparty.html.
(8) For an accurate account of the Republican Party’s civil rights history, go to http://claremont.org/publications/crb/id.928/article_detail.asp
(9) Source: http://www.gallup.com/poll/127181/Tea-Partiers-Fairly-Mainstream-Demographics.aspx
(10) In October of 2010, after analyzing their 400 members, the Wilson NC Tea Party found that 237 of their members are non-Republicans, making them a 59.25% non-Republican movement.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Earmarks Requested
Rep. G.K. Butterfield Jr. (
-North Carolina, 1st) In Office - Earmarks Requested
http://www.legistorm.com/earmarks/details/member/153/Rep_G_K_Butterfield_NC/sort/bill/type/asc/year/all/page/5.html
-North Carolina, 1st) In Office - Earmarks Requestedhttp://www.legistorm.com/earmarks/details/member/153/Rep_G_K_Butterfield_NC/sort/bill/type/asc/year/all/page/5.html
Sunday, October 31, 2010
PoliFrog Blog: GK Butterfield -- Not Your Parent's Democrat.
GK Butterfield – Diving beyond Debt and Morality
Saturday, October 30, 2010
The Disclose Act (H.R. 5175) failed in the Senate. The failure of this bill is a win for free speech. Before it failed in the Senate, though, it passed in the house with GK Butterfield's support.
That is correct; GK Butterfield sided with limiting free political speech. Oh, he would argue that my free speech is fine and that your free speech is OK as well, but if the two of us were to incorporate and engage in political speech GK Butterfield would prefer us silenced and voted to that effect.
Polifrog asks Rep GK Butterfield, how many people engaged in political speech does it take before you think we should be silenced?
Neither Franklin D Roosevelt nor John F Kennedy would have drifted so far from the definition of American as to be asked such question.
GK Butterfield. Not your parent's democrat.
Update:
Another bill supported by GK Butterfield -- Stifling information coming and going. SEC Says New Financial Regulation Law Exempts it From Public Disclosure
So much for transparency.
Under a little-noticed provision of the recently passed financial-reform legislation, the Securities and Exchange Commission no longer has to comply with virtually all requests for information releases from the public, including those filed under the Freedom of Information Act.
GK Butterfield -- Not Your Parent's Democrat.
http://polifrogblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/rep-gk-butterfield-nc-1-on-political.html
Saturday, October 30, 2010
The Disclose Act (H.R. 5175) failed in the Senate. The failure of this bill is a win for free speech. Before it failed in the Senate, though, it passed in the house with GK Butterfield's support.
That is correct; GK Butterfield sided with limiting free political speech. Oh, he would argue that my free speech is fine and that your free speech is OK as well, but if the two of us were to incorporate and engage in political speech GK Butterfield would prefer us silenced and voted to that effect.
Polifrog asks Rep GK Butterfield, how many people engaged in political speech does it take before you think we should be silenced?
Neither Franklin D Roosevelt nor John F Kennedy would have drifted so far from the definition of American as to be asked such question.
GK Butterfield. Not your parent's democrat.
Update:
Another bill supported by GK Butterfield -- Stifling information coming and going. SEC Says New Financial Regulation Law Exempts it From Public Disclosure
So much for transparency.
Under a little-noticed provision of the recently passed financial-reform legislation, the Securities and Exchange Commission no longer has to comply with virtually all requests for information releases from the public, including those filed under the Freedom of Information Act.
GK Butterfield -- Not Your Parent's Democrat.
http://polifrogblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/rep-gk-butterfield-nc-1-on-political.html
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Rep GK Butterfield (NC-1) -- Voted on ObamaCare
Rep GK Butterfield (NC-1) -- Voted on ObamaCare without Full Info. Because Obama Hid the Info.
Yea, common sense leads to the same conclusion that ObamaCare helps to bankrupt a nation rather than fill its coffers, but here we have the paperwork done for us.
http://polifrogblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/rep-gk-butterfield-nc-1-voted-on.html
Yea, common sense leads to the same conclusion that ObamaCare helps to bankrupt a nation rather than fill its coffers, but here we have the paperwork done for us.
http://polifrogblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/rep-gk-butterfield-nc-1-voted-on.html
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Political Connections: House District 1
News 14 Carolina's Tim Boyum talks with candidates for the 1st House District: Democrat G.K. Butterfield and Republican Ashley Woolard.
http://coastal.news14.com//Default.aspx?ArID=631908
http://coastal.news14.com//Default.aspx?ArID=631908
Registering Voters Long after the Deadline
G.K. Butterfield held an "Appreciation Rally" for himself on October 16, 2010 in Wilson, NC.
The deadline to register to vote was October 8, 2010. Why would his staff be registering people to vote on October 16th? I confirmed with Johnnie McClain at NC State Board of Elections that the ONLY WAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE after the deadline would be at a "One Stop Early Voting Location".
What do you suppose Butterfield's staff is going to do with those invalid registrations????
See the video:
http://www.wilsonncteaparty.com/video/g-k-butterfield-appeciation?xg_source=activity
The deadline to register to vote was October 8, 2010. Why would his staff be registering people to vote on October 16th? I confirmed with Johnnie McClain at NC State Board of Elections that the ONLY WAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE after the deadline would be at a "One Stop Early Voting Location".
What do you suppose Butterfield's staff is going to do with those invalid registrations????
See the video:
http://www.wilsonncteaparty.com/video/g-k-butterfield-appeciation?xg_source=activity
Friday, October 22, 2010
ADIOS, G.K. BUTTERFIELD....AUF WIEDERSEHEN, JOE P. TOLSON!!
The Wilson County Tea Party held a "Now or Never" Rally on the Wilson County Library grounds on October 16, 2010 and billed it as a retirement celebration for G.K. Butterfield.
Butterfield whined that The WNCTP crossed the line by celebrating his retirement party and saying "that we don't want him in Wilson and we certainly don't want him in Washington...."
He found it hurtful after all he had done for "his" district....(OUR District)
Yes...Mr. Butterfield....That would be the 1st District. and it covers 23 full or partial counties in North Carolina...Edgecombe and Wilson Counties among them.
While the National unemployment figures hover around 9.6%, Edgecombe County scores an astounding 15.6% and Wilson above 12%.
So, Please, G.K., Tell me what it is that you have done for "YOUR" District!
Our Democratic led State Legislature also has taxed and spent for FAR too long. We need to get the "Good 'ol Boy" network out and elect some folks who "get it" that 'We The people' are the employers and they are the employees.
We need to restore honor in our state legislature AND our Congress in Washington, DC.
That is why I am casting my vote for Ashley Woolard for the US House of Representatives and for Garland Shepheard for the General Assembly House over Joe P. Tolson, another tax and spend liberal.
Actually, I have yet to find a Democrat worthy of serving his country or his state. It is still recognized as public service, isn't it?
Stephen J. Robb
Pinetops, NC 27864
http://www.wilsonncteaparty.com/profiles/blogs/adios-gk-butterfieldauf
The Wilson County Tea Party held a "Now or Never" Rally on the Wilson County Library grounds on October 16, 2010 and billed it as a retirement celebration for G.K. Butterfield.
Butterfield whined that The WNCTP crossed the line by celebrating his retirement party and saying "that we don't want him in Wilson and we certainly don't want him in Washington...."
He found it hurtful after all he had done for "his" district....(OUR District)
Yes...Mr. Butterfield....That would be the 1st District. and it covers 23 full or partial counties in North Carolina...Edgecombe and Wilson Counties among them.
While the National unemployment figures hover around 9.6%, Edgecombe County scores an astounding 15.6% and Wilson above 12%.
So, Please, G.K., Tell me what it is that you have done for "YOUR" District!
Our Democratic led State Legislature also has taxed and spent for FAR too long. We need to get the "Good 'ol Boy" network out and elect some folks who "get it" that 'We The people' are the employers and they are the employees.
We need to restore honor in our state legislature AND our Congress in Washington, DC.
That is why I am casting my vote for Ashley Woolard for the US House of Representatives and for Garland Shepheard for the General Assembly House over Joe P. Tolson, another tax and spend liberal.
Actually, I have yet to find a Democrat worthy of serving his country or his state. It is still recognized as public service, isn't it?
Stephen J. Robb
Pinetops, NC 27864
http://www.wilsonncteaparty.com/profiles/blogs/adios-gk-butterfieldauf
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
News : Congressional race pits Butterfield against Woolard (Roanoke Rapids, NC)
News : Congressional race pits Butterfield against Woolard (Roanoke Rapids, NC)
While Buttefield attended a "forum" Friday where no challenger was present--he refused the opportunity to debate Mr. Woolard in Havelock, NC on Friday evening. Guess he looks better with out competition.
Butterfield has voted with Nancy Pelosi 97% of the time. Is there really any doubt who to vote for?
Read the article: http://www.rrdailyherald.com/articles/2010/10/20/news/doc4cbf1b6401da5715385089.txt#blogcomments
While Buttefield attended a "forum" Friday where no challenger was present--he refused the opportunity to debate Mr. Woolard in Havelock, NC on Friday evening. Guess he looks better with out competition.
Butterfield has voted with Nancy Pelosi 97% of the time. Is there really any doubt who to vote for?
Read the article: http://www.rrdailyherald.com/articles/2010/10/20/news/doc4cbf1b6401da5715385089.txt#blogcomments
Sunday, October 17, 2010
PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULDN’T THROW ROCKS!
I guess President Obama has never heard that old adage or he just assumed that his subjects would agree with everything he says without questioning his veracity.
However, when the New York Times, ABC News, the Associated Press, and CBS start telling the world that his attacks against the Republican Party and the US Chamber of Commerce are bogus, he might come to the astonishing realization that we are not as naïve as he thinks.
President Obama and the Democrat Party are accusing the US Chamber of Commerce and the Republican Party of using foreign money to undermine elections. When Bob Schieffer, host of CBS’s Face the Nation asked David Axelrod “Is this the best you can do,” he replied, “I don’t have to prove that they do; I just have to make the accusation and it is up to them to disprove it.” Based on that logic, a person could make any outrageous claim they wanted and the injured party would be responsible for clearing their reputation. One would think that a normal, decent person would present some proof before making a malicious statement, but some have so little respect for the truth that they will say anything to inflict pain or discredit on another party.
David Axelrod has firsthand knowledge of how an influx of foreign money can taint and influence elections. He has selective amnesia regarding the millions of dollars that foreign contributors funneled into President Obama’s campaign. For example, the two brothers from Gaza who contributed $32,332.19, and the millions that poured in from countries from every corner of the globe. There were foreign donors with no addresses and names that were gibberish or fictitious. Faced with the prospect of massive investigations, Board of Elections members decided simply to ignore President Obama’s irregularities, and focus on John McCain’s bookkeeping error of $50,000, which turned out to be legal.
President Obama isn’t the only Democrat to accept foreign money to influence polices in Washington. The government of Bermuda met with key members of the US Congress, including Charles Rangel and G. K. Butterfield, seeking their support for fiscal assistance that would assure Bermuda’s long range future. Bermudan Premier Brown returned home and bragged about his influence with the U.S. Congress. Rep. Butterfield co-sponsored a bill that would give Bermudian homeowners and businesses susceptible to hurricanes and floods tax credits and financial assistance. An amendment to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus) would set aside part of the $787B for hazard mitigation. Rep. Butterfield received a donation for his services. He also received donations from British Petroleum (BP) which is a foreign corporation.
Yes, foreign money does influence policies and elections, but the accusing finger should be pointed in the right direction regardless of party affiliation.
Marvin Sparks
Hookerton, NC
However, when the New York Times, ABC News, the Associated Press, and CBS start telling the world that his attacks against the Republican Party and the US Chamber of Commerce are bogus, he might come to the astonishing realization that we are not as naïve as he thinks.
President Obama and the Democrat Party are accusing the US Chamber of Commerce and the Republican Party of using foreign money to undermine elections. When Bob Schieffer, host of CBS’s Face the Nation asked David Axelrod “Is this the best you can do,” he replied, “I don’t have to prove that they do; I just have to make the accusation and it is up to them to disprove it.” Based on that logic, a person could make any outrageous claim they wanted and the injured party would be responsible for clearing their reputation. One would think that a normal, decent person would present some proof before making a malicious statement, but some have so little respect for the truth that they will say anything to inflict pain or discredit on another party.
David Axelrod has firsthand knowledge of how an influx of foreign money can taint and influence elections. He has selective amnesia regarding the millions of dollars that foreign contributors funneled into President Obama’s campaign. For example, the two brothers from Gaza who contributed $32,332.19, and the millions that poured in from countries from every corner of the globe. There were foreign donors with no addresses and names that were gibberish or fictitious. Faced with the prospect of massive investigations, Board of Elections members decided simply to ignore President Obama’s irregularities, and focus on John McCain’s bookkeeping error of $50,000, which turned out to be legal.
President Obama isn’t the only Democrat to accept foreign money to influence polices in Washington. The government of Bermuda met with key members of the US Congress, including Charles Rangel and G. K. Butterfield, seeking their support for fiscal assistance that would assure Bermuda’s long range future. Bermudan Premier Brown returned home and bragged about his influence with the U.S. Congress. Rep. Butterfield co-sponsored a bill that would give Bermudian homeowners and businesses susceptible to hurricanes and floods tax credits and financial assistance. An amendment to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus) would set aside part of the $787B for hazard mitigation. Rep. Butterfield received a donation for his services. He also received donations from British Petroleum (BP) which is a foreign corporation.
Yes, foreign money does influence policies and elections, but the accusing finger should be pointed in the right direction regardless of party affiliation.
Marvin Sparks
Hookerton, NC
Friday, October 8, 2010
Butterfield — once again representing DC at the expense of NC.
GK Butterfield and Ashley Woolard — On Federal Education Spending
http://polifrog.com/2010/10/07/gk-butterfield-and-ashley-wollard-on-federal-education-spending/
http://polifrog.com/2010/10/07/gk-butterfield-and-ashley-wollard-on-federal-education-spending/
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