ALG's Daily Grind: Republican? Democrat? What's the difference?

Feb. 17, 2012

Republican? Democrat? What's the difference?

Members of the House need to get back to the basics of why they are in charge and not be afraid to throw their weight around.

Video: Greece In Ruins, Can It Ruin All Of Us?

Here is an illustration of what financial woes in Greece can mean for the rest of us.

Food Police go after preschooler, confiscate homemade lunch for being "unhealthy"

Since when does the government decide what types of food children are allowed to eat for lunch?

Zerohedge.com: While You Were Sleeping, Central Banks Flooded The World In Liquidity

"[I]t is sheer idiocy to assume that the printers will stop here... or anywhere for that matter. They simply can't, now that the marginal utility of every dollar is sub 1.00 relative to GDP creation."

NHDP - New TV Ad Can’t Change Bass’ s Votes to Dismantle Medicare, Explode Deficits

$368k in Big Corporate TV Ads Trying to Bail out Bass

CONCORD, NH - Yesterday, the US Chamber of Commerce released a $368,000 New Hampshire TV ad that attempts to bail out Congressman Bass by covering up his vote to dismantle Medicare last year and his repeated votes to explode the national debt over the past two decades in Washington, DC.  The Chamber will spend more on the ads - over $368,000 - than Bass raised during the last six months.

"With an approval rating of just 30%, its is clear that big corporations are trying to bail out Congressman Bass with this expensive TV ad, but no amount of TV ads can cover up his votes to dismantle Medicare and explode the national debt over his 13 years in Washington," said Harrell Kirstein, press secretary for the New Hampshire Democratic Party. 

"The fact is, Bass voted for the hugely controversial Paul Ryan budget last year that would have ended Medicare as we know it and turn it into a private voucher system, and after his many votes for corporate tax subsidies and loopholes, the national debt has more than doubled on his watch," continued Kirstein.

FACTS

MEDICARE:

Bass has consistently voted to cut Medicare[2] and last year voted for the Paul Ryan budget[3] that would have ended Medicare as we know it and turn it into a voucher system for private insurance.

GOVERNMENT SPENDING:

In July of 2011 Bass voted against a bill that would have reduced the federal deficit by $2.2 trillion and curbed excessive government spending[4]. 

While Bass has been in Congress, the national debt nearly doubled and he has consistently voted to extend subsidies for the multibillion dollar oil industry[5].

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[1] The Granite State Poll, University of New Hampshire, 2/8/12

[2] HRS653, Vote #4, 2/01/06. S1932, Vote #670, 12/19/05. HCR 84, Vote #166, 6/05/97. HR 2496, Vote #812, 11/17/95. HR 2491,Vote #743, 10/26/95.

[3] H CON RES 34, Vote #277, 4/15/11

[4] HR 2693, Vote #682, 7/30/11

[5] HR 6, Vote #445 , 7/28/05 (Bass vote for Bush Energy bill with $85 billion in energy company subsidies, primarily oil and gas).

As of January 31, 1995, the month Bass was first sworn into office, the total Public Debt Outstanding was $4.815 trillion.  Exact number in millions $4,815,827. [Public Debt Historic Data, publicdebt.treas.gov, accessed 9/18/10] As of December 31, 2006, when he left office after being voted out,  the total Public Debt Outstanding was $8.680 trillion.  Exact number in millions $8,680,224. [Public Debt Historic Data, publicdebt.treas.gov, accessed 9/18/10]

NHDP -- Corporate Money Can’t Hide Guinta’s Questionable Past or Vote to End Medicare

Concord, NH - Yesterday, the US Chamber of Commerce released a New Hampshire television ad that attempts to hide Congressman Guinta's questionable barfighting scandal-ridden past and his vote to end Medicare as we know it.  The Chamber will spend more on the ads - over $400,000 - than Guinta raised over the last six months.

"Guinta's questionable bar fighting and scandal-ridden past as one of the most corrupt members of Congress can't be hidden by any amount of out of state television ads. This November, voters will hold him accountable for his numerous votes to destroy the Medicare New Hampshire seniors citizens rely on," said Harrell Kirstein, press secretary for the New Hampshire Democratic Party. 

"The fact is, Guinta voted for the hugely controversial Paul Ryan budget last year that would have ended Medicare as we know it and turned it into a private voucher system," continued Kirstein.

FACTS

Guinta didn't believe the reckless Ryan plan to end Medicare went far enough. Earlier this year, Guinta voted for the Republican Study Committee budget, "a radical plan that annihilates the social contract in America by putting the GOP budget on steroids. Deeper tax cuts for the wealthy, more severe entitlement rollbacks." [Vote; TPM, 4/15/2011]

Frank Guinta, Republican Candidate In NH, Fled Scene Of Friend's Bar Brawl Reportedly Stepping Over Victim's Body On His Way Out The Door. [The victim's] leg was broken in multiple places and would require a three-hour surgery...What Guinta considers to be a resolved situation sent English to the hospital for three days. They left before an ambulance arrived. The police were not called to the scene." [HuffingtonPost, 10/11/2010]

Frank Guinta was named one of the "most corrupt" members of Congress. The non-partisan Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington named Guinta one of the most corrupt members of Congress, because he "'fudged the numbers and cooked the books to buy a seat in Congress.' That references controversy over the funding of Guinta's 2010 election campaign." [Nashua Telegraph, 9/21/2011]

NH Democrats want Guinta fundraising answers. "Democrats on Monday asked the Federal Election Commission to investigate a news report about Guinta's fundraising published last month. The report in the New Hampshire Union Leader said 1st District Rep. Guinta tried to get the Republican Governors Association to donate $100,000 to the state Republican Party, but was rebuffed over concerns about former GOP chair Jack Kimball's management of party affairs." [Union Leader, 9/27/2011]  

NHDP - Charlie Bass Co-Sponsors STOCK Act, Would Make His Own Past Actions Criminal

Concord, NH - After being named to a bipartisan list of the most corrupt members of Congress for using his Congressional office to profit from insider investments, Bass is now trying to patch-up his record by co-sponsoring the STOCK Act, which would crack down on members of Congress profiting from their official roles.  But the bill Bass is co-sponsoring would make his own past purchase of stock in his nephew's company, while in possession of nonpublic information, a crime.

The STOCK Act, HR 1148, "Prohibits Members, their staff, Executive branch employees, and any other person from buying or selling securities, swaps, or commodity futures based on congressional and executive branch nonpublic information." [House.gov]

Bass purchased between $500k - $1M in New England Wood Pellet private stock, not available to the public, while he was in possession of significant nonpublic information about legislation and tax credits that materially affected the company's future.   Not only had Bass sponsored and personally lobbied for the tax credit as a member of Congress, but prior to the NEWP stock purchase Bass arranged a private meeting between himself, his nephew, and Energy Secretary Bodman. [Nashua Telegraph, 10/19/2010]

"Not only did Congressman Bass use his office to promote his nephew's company, and later made a lucrative investment in that company with nonpublic information, but now he is sponsoring a bill to make his own actions a crime," said Harrell Kirstein, press secretary for the New Hampshire Democratic Party. "Those are the values of a lifelong member of Congress, not hard working New Hampshire citizens."

Bass has personally made a fortune on the private investment and still maintains close private ties to the company.  The value of his stock went from between $500,000 and $1,000,000 in 2007 to between $1,000,000 an d $5,000,000 in 2010 and he still holds between $500,000 and $1,000,000 in NEWP stock  [Bass Personal Disclosure Reports]  Less than a year ago, NEWP's CEO and Bass's nephew donated $2,000 to his congressional campaign and created an industry group to give Bass their top award.  [Fec.gov]

"With a dark cloud of ethical question still hanging over Bass's head, it should be no surprise he was named one of the most corrupt members of Congress by an independent watchdog group in 2011," continued Kirstein.  "As long as Charlie Bass continues putting his own personal profit before the people of New Hampshire questions will remain about his questionable relationship his nephew's company."

Outstanding Questions About Bass's Questionable Relationship with NEWP:

-          How many stock holders are there currently in New England Wood Pellet and who are they?

-          When is the last time Bass spoke with a New England Wood Pellet CEO or other official?

-          Did Bass sell any stock in the past 2 years?  If so, how much did he make and why isn't the sale on the disclosure?  If not, how did his holding drop in value since this is not a public stock?

-          Bass currently sits as a senior member of the house Energy Committee - in a position to heavily influence and profit from inside information about regulations affecting this company.  If the STOCK Act passes, wouldn't it prevent Bass from ever selling this stock, or buying any more, while in Congress?

History of Bass's Lobbying for NEWP Tax Credit and Private Meetings:

BASS WAS NAMED ONE OF THE MOST CORRUPT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS BY AN INDEPENDENT WATCHDOG.

Rep. Bass misused his position by seeking preferential treatment for his nephew's business, a New Hampshire-based company that produces wood pellet fuel for use in heating systems.  Rep. Bass also appears to have lied on his personal financial disclosure forms about his interest in the company.  [citizensforethics.org]

BASS MAINTAINS DIRECT CONTROL OVER HIS STOCK IN NEWP.

Bass's stock in New England Wood Pellet remains self-directed according to his most recent FEC disclosure form. [Bass Personal Disclosure Reports] 

MARCH, 2006: IN HEARING, BASS PRESSURES BODMAN TO FUND BIOMASS TAX CREDIT

"BASS: Mr. Secretary, on another issue, in the energy bill, Section 206 authorizes the only Department of Energy-managed consumer-focused incentive program for renewable energy. Increased use of smaller- scale biomass, solar and geothermal energy could significantly displace heating oil, natural gas and electricity. .... There is a rebate program that your department could authorize, fund and run that would provide rebates for solar, wind and biomass. But I notice in thedepartment's budget request that there's no funding at all for Section 206. I'm wondering if you've had a chance to look at this section, if you have any comments on it."  [Hearing Of The House EnergyAnd Commerce Committee, 3/9/06]

MARCH, 2006: BODMAN SAYS BASS TALKED TO HIM ABOUT BIOMASS TAX CREDIT DURING NH VISIT

"SEC. BODMAN: I have looked at it. You and I talked about it when I visited. And I have a team working on it. And I do not have a specific answer at this point in time, but I'd be happy to respond to you promptly; that is to say, within the month." [Hearing Of The House Energy And Commerce Committee, 3/9/06]

FEBRUARY, 2006: PRESS SAYS THAT DURING BODMAN VISIT, BASS TOUTS BIOMASS TAX CREDIT

"U.S. Congressman Charlie Bass and U.S. Congressman Jeb Bradley, both Republicans, were on hand for the visit. Bass said other important aspects of the FY07 budget include $150 million for greater use of biomass materials for fuel, such as making ethanol from plant waste and fuel from other waste such as woodchips, stalks or switch grass." [Nashua Telegraph, 2/24/06]

MARCH, 2006: BASS TELLS CONSTITUENTS HE "URGED" BODMAN TO FUND BIOMASS TAX CREDIT

"For the second time this month, I had the opportunity to urge U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman to support greater energy independence and focus on renewable andalternative sources. On Thursday, Secretary Bodman appeared before the House Energy andCommerce Committee to answer questions regarding the President's FY2007 Budget Request. Just two weeks ago, Secretary Bodman joined me to visit one of New Hampshire's leaders in solar energy technology and production, allowing him to see first hand some of the impressive energy work being done in the Granite State.As you may know, I have been a strong advocate for thefunding of research and development in the fields of alternative and renewable energy including solar, biomass, wind, and hydro. During Secretary Bodman's appearance before the committee, I had the chance to ask him about the department's commitment to furthering the biomass andbiorefinery facilities, which had been added to last year's landmark Energy Policy Act." [Weekly Report From Washington By Rep. Bass, 3/10/06]

MARCH, 2006: BASS CALLS HIS OWN ADVOCACY FOR BIOMASS TAX CREDIT "OVERLY REPETITIVE"

"At the risk of being overly repetitive, I believe New Hampshire's massive timber resources can one day soon be converted into energy for our region. This energy can be processed into liquid form as an ethanol or biodiesel, it can be used to heat our homes in pellet or simply split wood form,and it can generate electricity at industrial power plants." [Weekly Report From Washington By Rep. Bass, 3/10/06]

MARCH, 2006:  INDUSTRY NEWSLETTER SAYS BASS SET UP MEETING WITH BODMAN

"Recently, PFI board member Steve Walker had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman. The meeting, arranged by New Hampshire Congressman Charlie Bass, highlighted the growing awareness within energy policy circles of the emerging importance of pellet fuels in meeting America's energy challenge. . . .Congressman Bass, who introduced and championed passage of the Renewable Energy Security Act (RESA) provisions of the 2005 Energy Bill, saw an opportunity to promote the provisions of act through a meeting between Walker and Secretary Bodman." [Charlie Neibling, New England Wood Pellet Co., Pellet Fuels Institute Newsletter, January - March 2006 edition]

FEBRUARY, 2005: IN HEARING ONE YEAR EALIER, BASS PRESSURED BODMAN ON BIOMASS

"REP. BASS: Mr. Secretary, would the -- again, I don't expect a yes/no answer. Would theEnergy Department be willing to embark on some sort of analysis of the resource that exists in this country in renewables, most notably in biomass, corn husker, agricultural waste, biomass, sawdust, woodchips and so forth? . . .  MR. BODMAN: Of course. It's our job." [Hearing of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, 2/9/05]

NHGOP Comments on Cilley's Gubernatorial Announcement

Chairman MacDonald: “Cilley and Hassan Both Fit Into The Narrow Ideology of the Democrat Party – Taxes, Spending, Government”

Concord, NH – New Hampshire Republican State Committee Chairman Wayne MacDonald released the following statement in response to Jackie Cilley’s plans to run for governor:

“With Jackie Cilley’s decision to run for governor, voters in the Democrat primary now have two choices, but they might as well be the same.  Jackie Cilley and Maggie Hassan both fit into the narrow ideology of the Democrat Party – higher taxes, increased spending and more government control. 

“As a state senator, Cilley was routinely a rubberstamp for her party’s leadership, even when it meant going along with a secret meeting to help ram through Governor John Lynch’s small business LLC income tax plan.  In 2010, voters rejected Cilley’s tax-and-spend record because she focused more on growing the size of government than with creating good-paying private sector jobs.

“I’m confident that the Republican Party will re-take the governor’s office in November because there’s a sharp contrast between the two sides.  The party of Jackie Cilley and Maggie Hassan wants to return New Hampshire to the fiscally irresponsible path of taxes, spending and government, while our party wants to continue its fight to reign in government growth and establish an environment that creates jobs.”