Manion Calls on Murphy to Explain his Support for ACORN

Murphy supported congressionally-mandated funding of liberal groups with ties to extensive voter fraud as recently as July 2008

(Oct. 15, 2008) * Doylestown, PA. (Manion for Congress)

Republican Candidate Tom Manion (PA-08) today issued the following statement regarding Congressman Patrick Murphy’s support of Barney Frank’s proposal to tax Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This tax created a slush fund for left-wing activist groups like ACORN.

“This past July – as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac spread a financial tsunami of risky loans throughout our banking system – Patrick Murphy supported his party leadership’s plan to mandate a permanent tax on these entities to create a slush fund for radical liberal groups like ACORN.

“Rather than seeing the enormous risk posed by Fannie and Freddie for what it was, Murphy supported an out-of-touch tax on them to fund a permanent entitlement for radical liberal activist groups.

“The press continues to report on state investigations linking ACORN and other shadowy ‘community organizations’ that would have benefited from Murphy’s poor judgment in supporting this bill to shady partisan political activities, such as attempts to register duplicate and fraudulent voter applications.

“Underhanded activities perpetrated by groups like ACORN and underwritten by Murphy undermine voters’ confidence in elections,” said Tom Manion. “At a time when voters in Pennsylvania’s 8th District are already cynical about the political games being played in Washington, it is decisions like this that further decrease their confidence in our Congress’ ability to address the real challenges facing American families.”

“Although Murphy doesn’t seem to realize it, the time for playing partisan games and passing laws to line the pockets of political allies is over. I look forward to helping change the focus in Washington to solving the real problems facing Pennsylvania, like bringing down energy costs for families and businesses and creating new jobs in the Delaware Valley.”

Sources:
HR 3221, Roll call vote 519
Wall St. Journal, Obama and ACORN, 10/14/2008

Will Murphy Return Latest Scandal Tainted Funds?

Donations from Leadership Tainted by Knowledge of Extramarital Affair

(Oct. 14, 2008) – Doylestown, PA. (Manion for Congress)

Republican Candidate Tom Manion (PA-08) today issued the following statement regarding revelations of House Democratic Leadership involvement in the extramarital affair scandal surrounding embattled incumbent Tim Mahoney (D-FL).

“Two years ago, Patrick Murphy called on former Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick to return campaign funds received from then-House Speaker Dennis Hastert for his involvement in covering up a scandal in Florida for his own political gain,” said Tom Manion.

“Back then, Murphy said ‘Fitzpatrick must return all funds tied to these immoral congressmen who have severely betrayed the public trust’. I agree that for too long our nation has been suffering from a severe lack of leadership at the national level, and that the days of allowing party leaders in Washington to ignore scandals for crass political gain must end.”

“Patrick Murphy should demonstrate the courage of his past convictions and immediately return the tainted $14,000 he has received to date from the campaign and Leadership PAC of Democrat Caucus Chair Rahm Emanuel. ABC News has reported that Emanuel has been ‘working with Mahoney to keep the matter from hurting his re-election campaign.’

“Unfortunately, Murphy’s track record on returning scandal-tainted campaign funds is less than honorable. To date, he refuses to return the $14,000 he has received from the tax-dodging Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel.

“Our district deserves a representative who understands that taking money from politicians who ignore the misdeeds of other politicians is wrong, no matter which party is involved. Just last night Murphy said ‘he has lived his life with integrity and honor.’ If so, he will return these funds. If not, than the voters in the 8th district deserve better than this blind partisanship.”

Sources:
The Intelligencer, “Mark Foley Scandal” 10/3/2006
ABC News, “Congressman’s $121,000 Payoff to Alleged Mistress,” 10/13/2008
The Intelligencer, “Three mix it up in debate” 10/14/08
Associated Press, Fla. Congressman seeks probe after affair reports, 10/13/2008

Pinwheels for Energy

Campaign ad distorts facts

(Sept. 30, 2008) – Doylestown, PA. (Manion for Congress)

“Sometimes the solution is right in front of you,” says Congressman Murphy in his newest campaign ad, referring to the energy crisis.

“I agree, Congressman Murphy,” said Tom Manion. “One of the solutions to the energy crisis is right in front of us, and you have repeatedly voted against it. Increasing our domestic oil supply will bridge the transition from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources, and a pinwheel isn’t going to get us to work or heat our homes.”

Not only does Congressman Murphy’s new ad neglect to mention that he has repeatedly voted against one of the key transitional steps towards solving the energy crisis, but both of his campaign ads feature the Gamesa Corporation, located in Fairless Hills, PA.
A manufacturer of wind turbines, the corporation has brought jobs to our area…unfortunately, they have also brought environmental emissions infractions and allegations of unfair labor practices.

In August, Gamesa was fined $639,161 for exceeding emissions levels and inadequate record keeping by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Just this week, three former Gamesa employees filed a lawsuit against the company for wrongful termination. The former employees allege that younger workers, brought in from out of the country, replaced them.

“I’m all for alternative energy and I think harnessing the wind is one of the keys to moving America off its dependence on foreign oil,” Manion said. “However, the hope for the future is that these other sources of power will be better for our environment. Touting a company that’s harming our environment in the process and is under suspicion for unfair labor practices isn’t something I’d be proud of.”

Green isn’t always clean, Congressman Murphy.

Sources:
Associated Press
PA Department of Environmental Protection

7 votes against drilling

• Voted to block consideration of a bill that would establish new refineries, allow energy exploration in ANWR and the Outer Continental Shelf, and provide incentives for alternative energies (Vote 391, 06/10/08, HB 3089)
• Voted against lifting the ban on offshore oil and gas drilling (Vote 553, 06/26/07. Amendment to FY Int. & Ext. Environment spending bill)
• Voted against allowing natural gas development at least 25 miles from the coast (Vote 552, 06/26/07)
• Voted to block consideration of a bill that would extend many alternative energy and energy efficiency tax credits, and also block consideration of amendments that would allow oil drilling in ANWR (Vote 310, 05/14/08. HB 5984)
• Voted to block consideration of amendments that would allow oil drilling in ANWR (Vote 341, 05/21/08)
• Voted to block consideration of a bill that would extend many alternative energy and energy efficiency tax credits, and also block consideration of amendments that would permit oil exploration in the Outer Continental Shelf (Vote 340, 05/21/08. HB 5984)
• Voted to restrict energy production on federal lands, thereby increasing dependence on foreign oil (Vote 577, 06/27/07. Amendment to FY Int. & Ext. Environment spending bill)

Bailout is Just Too Much

Manion calls for more work on the economic crisis

(Sept. 30, 2008) – Doylestown, PA. (Manion for Congress)

“I would have voted no on the bailout, but I do see the value in both sides of this historic vote” said Tom Manion. “I don’t want taxpayers to bear the burden of government mistakes within our banking and finance systems. On the other hand, I am opposed to using these huge sums of taxpayer dollars to support a free market economy. I think we need to take more time to react and balance both of these concerns at this point. I will continue to monitor developments but won’t support any legislation that is not in the best interest of the taxpayers.”

Manion’s opponent Congressman Patrick Murphy voted in favor of the bailout bill rejected by the House, stating that “Politicans voting against this bill today caused the biggest point drop the Dow has ever recorded.” According to the Wall Street Journal and CNN Money, however, there were many factors that brought the stock market to this point.

Congressman Murphy’s vote would have saddled taxpayers with a $700 billion dollar bailout of mistakes made by our government. Perhaps this is no surprise, since Murphy has a history of spending taxpayer dollars. The citizens watchdog group CCAGW rates Murphy’s fiscal policies as 15 out of 100.

Just last week, in the midst of this fiscal crisis, Murphy voted yes on a $60 billion dollar spending bill that contained nearly $7 billion dollars worth of earmarks.

Today’s price tag for taxpayers?
Murphy: $760,000,000,000
Manion: $0

Tom Manion is calling for legislators to return to the drawing board and look at other options like infusing private capital, reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and changing the mark to market accounting.

Sources:
The Intelligencer, Sept. 30, 2008
The Wall St. Journal, Sept. 22, 2008
CN Money, Market Report, Sept. 29, 2008

“Murphy’s Green Energy Not So Clean”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gamesa Corporation Tainted by Environmental Infractions and Labor Lawsuit

(Sept.18, 2008) – Doylestown, PA. (Manion for Congress)

Congressman Murphy’s newest campaign advertisement features the Gamesa Corporation, located in Fairless Hills, PA. A manufacturer of wind turbines, the corporation has brought jobs to our area…unfortunately; they have also brought environmental emissions infractions and allegations of unfair labor practices.

In August, Gamesa was fined $639,161 for exceeding emissions levels and inadequate record keeping by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Just this week, three former Gamesa employees filed a lawsuit against the company for wrongful termination. The former employees allege that younger workers, brought in from out of the country, replaced them.

“I’m all for alternative energy and I think harnessing the wind is one of the keys to moving America off its dependence on foreign oil,” Manion said. “However, the hope for the future is that these other sources of power will be better for our environment. Touting a company that’s harming our environment in the process and is under suspicion for unfair labor practices isn’t something I’d be proud of.”

Green isn’t always clean, Congressman Murphy.

Sources:
Associated Press
PA Department of Environmental Protection

“Pelosi’s No, No, No, Energy Bill”

Murphy votes with Pelosi on energy, abandoning the more comprehensive bill he co-sponsored on July 31st.

(Sept.17, 2008) – Doylestown, PA. (Manion for Congress)

“This is the no, no, no new energy bill,” said Tom Manion after the passage of a new offshore energy bill Tuesday evening. “The American people deserve better from their leaders than rushed legislation that fails to include input from both parties. Our own Congressman co-sponsored a comprehensive energy bill just before his vacation, but abandoned it last night in favor of this hoax of a bill.”

This new bill appears to open up limited areas to offshore drilling, but it does so without allowing states to share in the revenue. This provision significantly reduces the chance that states will exercise the option to drill.

“… This bill most certainly won’t see the light of day in the Senate,” [1] said Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, a state familiar with oil revenue sharing. The more comprehensive Peterson-Abercrombie energy bill, named for the two Congressmen who drafted it, allows for revenue sharing and several other energy options. Congressman Murphy co-sponsored this bill on July 31st. A look at the two bills is below.

“Why would Murphy abandon the better solution that he co-sponsored just a few weeks ago? Why would Murphy say this is ‘the energy package he has been calling for all along?” asked Manion. “I’m sure the voters of district 8 will see this vote for what it is – a pathetic attempt to cover up that this Congress hasn’t been able to find energy solutions and get the job done.”

• The Peterson-Abercrombie bill repeals the offshore ban and allows drilling beyond 25 miles, with states having complete authority from 25 to 50 miles off their coastline.
• The Pelosi bill permanently bans drilling within 50 miles, where nearly 90% of known oil reserves exist.
• The Peterson-Abercrombie bill strikes the ban on gas and oil production in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico.
• The Pelosi bill maintains the ban on drilling in the oil-rich Eastern Gulf.
• The Peterson-Abercrombie bill includes revenue sharing for the producing states and for investments into renewable sources of energy and the low-income home energy assistance program (LIHEAP)
• The Pelosi bill denies revenue sharing to the states.
• The Peterson-Abercrombie bill permits the development of oil shale in the Western states.
• The Pelosi bill permanently prohibits oil shale leasing unless a state enacts a law to authorize it.
• The Peterson-Abercrombie bill repeals the ban on federal agencies purchasing alternative or synthetic fuels such as oil shale, tar sands, and clean coal-to-liquid technology.
• The Pelosi bill maintains this federal prohibition.
• The Peterson-Abercrombie bill includes tax extensions and tax deductions for the production of renewable energy and energy conservation.

Op Ed – Alarm Bells

There is so much talk in this election process, and much of the talk surrounds our future. Our energy future, our economic future, the future of healthcare and Social Security. With all this talk, one might think that at some point the discussion would come around to focus on the actual future; our children, and the education of these children. Is anyone else alarmed at how little focus there is on education during this election?

It may seem to be a stale phrase to say that our children are our future. It will not be today’s work force, however, that will work in the green buildings, with the alternative energy sources, in the increasingly global economy. It will be tomorrow’s work force.

Nationally, 30% of our students are not even graduating high school. What are we doing to ensure that today’s students are ready for tomorrow’s work force? The mandated standardized testing required by President Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act, while a start, is not the answer. From my discussions with local educators, I’ve come to understand that a standardized test is not even the best measure of academic progress. From my experience in the business world, I know that American workers are prized the world over for their creativity and ingenuity. Continued success in the global economy depends on our educational system’s continued ability to produce the world’s most valued workers. Specifically, our schools should produce workers who are adept at twenty-first century skills.

In the twenty-first century, we find ourselves with vast amounts of information at our fingertips. Rather than simply regurgitating information, today’s students need to become masters at analyzing and understanding information. In addition to that, business leaders want employees who can collaborate, work with technology, problem-solve and communicate. How can we improve our educational system to supply our workforce with employees that have these twenty-first century skills?

Many American businesses struggle with the dilemma of outsourcing jobs to other countries to reduce costs. Even with tax credits to keep jobs in the U.S., some jobs may leave the U.S. to follow the cheapest labor path. What can we do to retain the best jobs? We can reform our educational system to ensure it is producing the type of employees the workforce needs. With the right skills, employees can adapt to changes in the workplace, rather than falling prey to a changing economy. Our goal should be no employee left behind.

It has been many years since I took a standardized multiple-choice test, or asked it of one of my employees. Yet, every day in my workplace we collaborate, work with technology, problem-solve and communicate. Some schools here in Bucks County are already providing the relevant instruction that results in these twenty-first century skills. Student progress is already being measured with authentic, real world assessments. Schools should be accountable for their results, and we should build on the examples of our best schools. Instead of penalizing the struggling schools, let’s assist the schools to invest in staff development and training with proven, successful models. Most importantly, educators on the front line in classrooms should be an integral part of the educational reform process.

The new school year has begun, and I think it is time to ring the bell. The alarm bell. Why isn’t anyone talking about supporting or changing our educational system? Was it not a shortsighted energy policy that led us to the current energy crisis? Let’s not allow the same narrow vision to restrain the thinking and reform in our educational system. Such a vision will stifle the potential of our children, who are simply the most precious natural resource, and the foundation of tomorrow’s energy.

Tom Manion

Candidate for the US House of Representatives, PA District 8

Blue Dog Democrats Bark Up the Wrong Tree

Blue Dogs Receive Failing Grade on Fiscal Ranking

(Sept.8, 2008) – Doylestown, PA. (Manion for Congress)

“Someone should explain what fiscally conservative means to the Blue Dog Democrats,” said Congressional candidate Tom Manion. “It’s not fiscally conservative to vote for a debt limit increase, or to vote for a spending bill that contains 9,000 earmarks. The Blue Dogs are misleading the voters with this label, and the failing grade from the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste group is well deserved.”

The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste released their annual Congressional ratings recently, and the Blue Dog Democrats, self-proclaimed fiscal conservatives, earned an 11% out of 100 in the report. Tom’s opponent Congressman Murphy fared slightly better with a still failing grade of 15% out of 100. The Heritage Foundation also reviewed the Blue Dogs, stating that “they have failed as fiscal stewards.”

A recent commentary on the Blue Dogs by syndicated newspaper columnist Froma Harrop overlooked these details, separating Blue Dogs from “the old-time lefties” and supporting the fiscal conservative label.

“It’s pretty clear who Ms. Harrop is voting for in November,” said Tom. “But I think the voters know that 15% is a failing grade by any measure. The Blue Dogs are barking up the wrong tree. Just wait until the pit bull arrives in Washington!”

####

Sources:

http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=reports_Ratings_AtaGlance

www.heritagefoundation.org

Contact Information:

Karen Smith

Press Secretary

Cell: 215-622-1779

Office: 215-348-9080

E:mail: karenformanion@gmail.com and karen.smith@manionforcongress.com

To Tax or Not to Tax

Will Murphy’s Indecision Be the Oil Company’s Windfall?

(August 13, 2008) – Doylestown, PA. (Manion for Congress)

Something changed Congressman Murphy’s mind recently regarding the proposed “windfall profits” tax on oil company profits. Way back on July 2^nd, Murphy said “he wanted to see more taxes on oil company windfall profits.” Now that it is August, Murphy would not “…support such a tax.” Which is it? To tax or not to tax? What decisions will September bring from Congressman Murphy?

Challenger Tom Manion remains opposed to windfall profit taxes. “This is a free market economy. Can anyone even define a windfall profit? If you are a business owner, would you want limits on your profit margins? Congressman Murphy neglects to mention that oil companies also paid record taxes, and perhaps he’s forgotten that over 100 million American households share stock ownership of the oil companies and benefit financially from the increased profits.”

“We already know the windfall profits tax is a tired, failed approach. If Congressman Murphy and the house leadership were really ready to responsibly address this critical situation, they’d agree to a debate on the house floor. Instead they are playing politics at the expense of the American taxpayer,” continued Mr. Manion. “Let’s work together on this energy issue. Get all options on the table, cancel vacation, and get back to work!”

Sources:

“Drilling for lower gas prices,” Bucks County Courier Times, 07/02/08

“Candidates oppose taxing windfall profits,” The Intelligencer, 08/04/08

Zucchini Races or a Debate?

Zucchini Races or a Debate?
Congressman Murphy Refuses Debate Challenge in Order to Judge Zucchini Races

(Aug. 6, 2008) – Doylestown, PA. (Manion for Congress)

“I’ve got nothing against zucchini,” said Congressional candidate Tom Manion. “But I think there are more pressing issues facing our country right now. Last week I challenged Congressman Murphy to a debate on the topic of energy. It seems he is unable to debate, because he will be judging the zucchini races at a local farm market instead.”*

“The Democratic leadership turned out the lights on the debate on energy, and went home for vacation,” said Mr. Manion. “Everyone here at home is struggling. There are steps that can be taken, but when legislation is blocked from coming to a vote, nothing can get done. The least we can do for our community is to continue to discuss the issues while we wait for Congress to re-convene.”

Congressman Murphy has voted against increasing domestic oil supply seven times since taking office. He’s also voted against lowering or stabilizing the price of gas four times, and against thirteen other energy relief measures.

“It’s time to stop voting no, and to stop playing party politics. It’s time to put all options on the table, and zucchinis aren’t going to lower the price of gas,” said Mr. Manion.

The proposed debate for Thursday August 7th between Congressman Murphy and Mr. Manion has been cancelled. Congressman Murphy is scheduled to appear at the Lower Makefield Farmers Market at Edgewood and Heacock Rds from 4:45 – 6:15 pm, a source from his Bristol office reported.

Sources: Bucks County Courier Times, “Murphy at the Races”, Tuesday August 5

Karen Smith, APR
Manion for Congress
Press Secretary
Cell: 215-622-1779
Office: 215-348-9080
karen.smith@manionforcongress.com or karenformanion@gmail.com

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