Where will it end??

The Onion

DENVER - Colorado Republican Sen. Wayne Allard said Monday he will not run for re-election in 2008 but will honor a pledge he made in 1996 to serve only two terms.

“Today, I’m announcing that I will honor my term limits pledge to the people of Colorado,” he said. Associated Press

This is why I have always felt that the term limits pledge many conservatives made back in the 90s was probably the dumbest thing they ever did. Don’t misunderstand what I am saying. I am all for term limits, but they have to apply to everyone. Many Republicans pledged to serve only for so long, as a stand on principle, but the problem with that is they were the only ones to make that pledge. As a result, we have lost a lot of very good Republicans in the Congress who were succeeded by mediocrity and the fanatical left who believe government service is a life time career.

Allard’s retirement does not help the GOP in 2008. They are going to have to spend a lot more money now in Colorado to defend an open seat in a state that has been trending Democrat. Although 2006 bucked the trend, incumbency is generally an advantage and Allard probably could have won reelection with less resources than what will now be required.

Wayne Allard has been a solid conservative voice in the Senate, receiving a 96% lifetime rating from the American Conservative Union and an A rating in 2005 from the National Taxpayers Union. We can only hope that we get a Senator who will be just as good and can pull across the finish line. One hope could be Bill Owens should he decide to run.

On the Republican side, former congressman Scott McInnis said he will run if Allard and former Gov. Bill Owens don’t.

Owens, a Republican, left office last week after term limits prevented him from running again. McInnis did not immediately return calls Monday.

Brownback has officially added the flat tax to his platform. Well Brownback has now officially laid down the gauntlet in the race to the right on fiscal issues. McCain will surely not follow suit, nor would I imagine Giulani, which leaves the question as to what Romney will do. I just am not sure how much passion lies behind the flat tax movement anymore.

Hat Tip: GrassrootsPA

Congressman Charlie Dent, R-Lehigh Valley, joined the entire Pennsylvania delegation last September in signing a letter criticizing how HUD funds authorities.

According to the letter, the system disproportionately redistributes funding from northeastern states which have high utility and maintenance needs to southern and western states.

More than half the state’s housing authorities will lose about $40 million over the next 15 years, according to the letter. Conversely about 92 percent of Texas authorities will gain almost $651 million and nearly all housing authorities in Florida will gain a total of $502 million over the next 15 years.

Dent said the delegation has asked HUD to delay its new system to at least prevent further funding cuts. Congress is also requesting HUD submit a budget that would fully fund public housing operations, he said.

Penn Live

What we have here is another self-serving politician who wants to go out and pander to a base of his constituency and say, “Look what I’ve brought back for you.” Rather than standing up in front of Congress and speaking about the damage done to freedom and liberty in our country when the government provides handouts to those who have chosen to not be responsible for their own livelihood, Dent whines that it’s not fair. It’s not fair that some states get more feed from the public trough than others. It’s not fair that the wealth distribution isn’t equal across the board.

What isn’t fair, Congressman, is that the rest of us in this country who have lead responsible lives get money stolen from us by you to give to those who have made irresponsible choices with theirs. If I rob a guy at the ATM and take $100 from him and hand it to the homeless man down the street, I would be criminalized and sent to jail. When the government robs me of $100 and gives it to the Section 8 lady down the street who didn’t earn it it’s called “compassion”.

It’s nice to know that we have members of our party standing up for small government. But don’t give all the credit to Charlie. He was joined by his fellow Republicans in the PA delegation.

Phil English - PA 3

Jim Gerlach - PA 6

Tim Murphy - PA 18

John Peterson - PA 5

Joe Pitts - PA 16

Todd Platts - PA 19

Bill Shuster - PA 9