ALG - International Monetary Fund demands U.S. 'repeal the sequester'

June 17, 2013, Fairfax, VA—Americans for Limited Government President Nathan Mehrens today issued the following statement in response to a call from International Monetary Fund (IMF) Director Christine Lagarde for Congress to "repeal the sequester" because she says "the effect of the sequester and deficit reduction more generally are already affecting the economy… [by] shav[ing] 1.25 to 1.75 percentage points of growth":

"Lagarde's complaint that spending cuts lower GDP is simultaneously accurate and misleading, as government spending is proportionately included in the measure of the GDP. This is a bias of the first order in favor of government spending, because when government grows faster than the private sector, it appears to boost GDP and when spending is reduced, GDP appears to slow down. This is an illusion.

"The Bureau of Economic Analysis reports real growth annualized in the first quarter was 2.4 percent, but if government spending is excluded from the measure, the private sector grew by more like 4 percent. By that measure, the private sector is doing just fine even with sequestration.

"Moreover, it is only because of sequestration that S&P has been able to upgrade its outlook on the $16.7 trillion U.S. national debt from negative to stable. It is particularly insulting to taxpayers for the IMF to demand the sequester be repealed at the same time the Obama Administration has also asked for a $65 billion increase in the U.S. quota to the IMF. If anything, this is just one more reason the U.S. should defund the IMF in full."

To view online: http://getliberty.org/international-monetary-fund-demands-u-s-repeal-the-sequester/

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Americans for Limited Government is a non-partisan, nationwide network committed to advancing free market reforms, private property rights and core American liberties. For more information on ALG please call us at 703-383-0880 or visit our website at www.GetLiberty.org.

NHDP - Superior Court Rules GOP Education Voucher Unconstitutional

Concord – After New Hampshire's Strafford County Superior Court ruled the Republican education voucher program unconstitutional, New Hampshire Democratic Party Communications Director Harrell Kirstein released the following statement.   The court’s decision can be read here (http://advancingnheducation.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/superior-court-opinion-skmbt_60113061713550.pdf) while more information about the plaintiffs and the case as a whole can be found here (http://anhpe.org/).
 
“This is a victory for local schools, public education in New Hampshire, as well as Granite State students and their parents.  Jeb Bradley and Senate Republicans' attempts to put their Tea Party agenda ahead of New Hampshire working families and children continue to be rebuffed and are in direct opposition to New Hampshire values and the State’s Constitution. 
 
“Senate Republicans should immediately join Democrats in defunding and repealing their reckless, irresponsible, and unconstitutional diversion of local education funding to private and religious schools.  As it was originally intended that funding should go towards providing a quality education for all of New Hampshire’s children, not funneled through a shady out of state organization with direct ties to radical right wing social conservatives.

 
“The court’s decision raises further concerns about the voucher scheme’s administrating organization, the Network for Educational Opportunity, and their unethical kickback scheme.  The NEO owes the voters of New Hampshire an explanation, why did they offer taxpayer funded kickbacks to religious schools?  And were Republican Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley or any other Senate Republicans aware of the NEO’s reckless kickback scheme when they irresponsibly defended the unconstitutional program on the Senate floor?”
 
Previously, the Nashua Telegraph reported the NEO was rebuffed at least once after offering Religious schools a kickback in exchange for soliciting donations for their unconstitutional education voucher scheme. [Nashua Telegraph, 4/19/2013]

Statement from NEO Executive Director Kate Baker Concerning Strafford County Superior Court Ruling

CONCORD, NH – The Network for Educational Opportunity (NEO) released
today the following statement in response to the Strafford County
Superior Court decision affecting the nonprofit organization’s
scholarship program. Below please find comments from NEO Executive
Director Kate Baker:

“NEO works to expand educational options for students who receive
need-based scholarships sourced from private contributions. To date,
our organization has more than 1,000 scholarship applicants – bright,
young, talented students many, in settings that are failing to meet
their individual learning needs. These student applicants and their
families are counting on us to empower them to overcome barriers to
choice in education. We at NEO will not rest until we have delivered
on our promise to help all parents surmount these obstacles.

“Today’s ruling is regrettable since it imposes a limitation on the
options available to parents. With all due respect to the court, the
judge attempts to take away many parents’ right to direct the
educational futures of their children. We are optimistic that justice
will prevail in our appeal to the NH Supreme Court because the U.S.
Supreme Court has ruled that tax credits are private contributions.
Therefore, the false constitutional argument being bandied about
stands on fragile footing.

“All options should be available to parents seeking to be the ultimate
decision-makers on what arrangements suit their children’s precise
learning needs. Today’s ruling, then, changes little through the
troublesome practice of exclusion. For many parents, the ruling
perpetuates a core challenge. It shifts the current system from a
‘one size fits all’ framework to a ‘choice for some as we see it’
arrangement. This ignores what options-hungry parents tell us they
want, and it fails to meet the definition of authentic choice.

“NEO scholarships are building bridges for children from a school
where they are struggling to a school where they can succeed. We’re
giving hardworking families the power to choose schools that are right
for their child. Parents know what’s best for their children in all
facets of growing into adulthood. Certainly education should fall
within parental jurisdiction before others presume to weigh in.

“The battle for education choice in New Hampshire is a long game.
Once more, we will not rest until we keep our promise to our
applicants, and authentic choice in education is preserved in New
Hampshire.”

NHGOP STATEMENT ON SCHOOL CHOICE COURT DECISION

Concord - New Hampshire Republican State Committee Chairman Jennifer Horn released the following statement today on the New Hampshire Superior Court decision addressing school choice.

"We are disappointed with today's decision and are hopeful that this ruling will be overturned by the New Hampshire Supreme Court.

"Education choice is about parents being able to find the best possible educational opportunities for their children, regardless of family income. The School Choice Bill has leveled the playing field, offering even our poorest students the opportunity to access the educational environment that is best for them.

"Governor Hassan has attempted to repeal this important program and demonstrated an elitist and callous disregard for the most vulnerable students in our community. Private funds, not taxpayer dollars, support Education Opportunity Tax Credit Scholarships raising more than $150,000 to support the nearly 250 students who have applied to the program. It is obvious that citizens of New Hampshire are supportive of this critical program and want to see it continued."

AFP - Don't just complain about government spending, stop It!

Who doesn’t love and appreciate American farmers?  They make up the back bone of our economy and are some of the hardest working, thriftiest people I know.  But their good name is being dragged through the mud, associated with a bill in Congress called “The Farm Bill” that has nearly nothing to do with helping family farms.  Sadly, the Farm Bill is stuffed full of government overspending; $740 billion on welfare alone, and another $200 billion in corporate cronyism.  

Reports show that at least 15 members of Congress directly pocket Farm Bill subsidies themselves.  You know who else gets these subsidies?  Celebrities like Bon Jovi, the Rockefellers and huge politically-connected Agricultural companies. It’s absurd to continue inefficient and ineffective farm policies just so a few politicians and celebrities can profit off of our tax dollars. Are they trying to help American taxpayers or stuff their own wallets?

 You can watch our video exposing this wasteful legislation here.

The good news is, there’s a chance that we can defeat this bill as the House of Representatives considers it this week.  You must act today though, because alarmingly, House members are poised to rubber-stamp this giant spending bill just like the Senate did.  If we have any chance of fighting this bill, then you must take action right now.

Email your Representatives in the House right now that you oppose this bloated welfare bill.

It’s just one bill and Congress is already trying to break the bank, adding nearly a trillion to the debt.

It’s time to remind your legislators of their promises to get runaway federal spending under control.  You didn’t send them to Capitol Hill to spend recklessly and give handouts to special interests, but that’s exactly what they’re on track to do.

Congress must reform the Farm Bill in order to get federal spending under control.

Take action now: Tell your representatives in the House that you want them to make smart budgeting decisions.

In Liberty,

Tim Phillips

Americans for Prosperity President

P.S. To read more on the Farm Bill check out AFP’s information center. Also please join us for a teletownhall tomorrow, June 18th at 3:00 p.m. eastern about this important issues.  To join us call 1-800-759-5287.