It’s time Congress started leading by actually leading.
[NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR – 09 MARCH 2010] Conservative Republican U.S. Senate candidate Curtis Coleman announced today that he is supporting Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick’s (D-Ariz) bill to cut pay for members of Congress by 5 percent.
“It’s time Congress started leading by actually leading,” Coleman said. “Farmers have taken pay cuts. Construction
workers have taken pay cuts. Fireman, builders, salesmen, and many hard-working Americans have taken pay cuts or completely lost their jobs. It’s time that those most responsible for our debt and deficit mess take a pay cut too. Let Congress get a taste of the real world. When our country is being responsibly managed and operating with a surplus, they can get a raise then.
“We desperately need to put small-business men and women in Congress. We just have too many people making the rules who have never played in the game.”
Kirkpatrick’s office estimates the proposal, which if passed would take effect at the beginning of 2011, would save $4.66 million a year. Though it’s small compared to the $12.5 trillion debt, Kirkpatrick argued that it’s hard to justify pay increases. “The last time Congress took a cut in pay was 77 years ago. I don’t know anyone who has not had a pay cut in 77 years,” she said.
Coleman has also said that he will hold a town hall meeting in every Arkansas county every year that he serves in the Senate, and that he will fight for both a constitutional amendment requiring term limits for members of Congress and will limit himself to two terms.
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Curtis,
I have heard you speak and I have traced you online because I am looking for a constitutional candidate. I agree with you on much of what you say – in fact it reflects the conclusions of most truly conservative right wing Republicans. However, my biggest concern is how loyal you will be to the “military industrial complex”. (Got to love those labels!) However, so far your remarks leave a lot of room for debate about exactly where you stand. I am extremely interested in a move away from military bases over seas and strengthening our own borders as well as insuring that the military serves the interest of the people in our country and not the power struggles of the global elite. I find it hard to believe that as important an issue as the Patriot ACT would not have your attention enough to have a definite answer. This causes me to be very skeptical. The forces of power that have gradually taken hold of our country must be rooted out and I want to support someone who I believe will stand up against them at all cost – even the threat of personal safety. Our economy may take an unavoidable dive – but it can recover eventually – if we lose our personal liberty and become subjects of a military state, that may never come back. It is our greatest treasure. Wire tapping individuals who may be arbitrarily considered an enemy combatant or harassed by an unnecessary tax audit and other covert tactics – not to mention targeted for assassination are real concerns as the powerful have gained control of our law making, executive, and judicial branches to supplement their personal ambitions. This power when appropriated will always eventually be abused. The Bill of Rights is our agreement that those we elect to serve us will give us fair treatment. It must be upheld. I also am firmly convinced that the resources allocated to the military are far in advance of what is needed to do the job we need done when appropriated to the service of our country instead of serving the interest of those mentioned above. This should help us cut back gov. spending.
Are you going to DC to fight the unpleasant but necessary battles, or are you just going to dabble around the edges as a politician? Tell me why I can believe you. Trust is imperative at the stage our country is in. If things don’t get better though the political system the alternative probability is a bit scarier. I agree wholeheartedly with a comment that was made on one of your radio talks – our personal freedom and liberties are far more important than any security the state will offer by infringing on them. This is a very big and important job you are asking for – do you really want it? This is a new day – Americans are thinking, watching, and making choices!
Thanks for your concern, and I hope to hear back from you.
Michael Murphy
Thank you for the info..