bryanleu2002
03-28-2010, 11:57 PM
http://www.swtimes.com/articles/2010/03/28/news/news032810_01.txt
Sunday, March 28, 2010 10:35 AM CDT
Retired Brig. Gen. Bernie Skoch told about 60 people at the Fort Smith’s River Park Events building Saturday that the problems facing America were created by continuing to send politicians instead of citizens to Washington.
Skoch, one of eight candidates seeking the 3rd Congressional District Republican nomination, was speaking at an event hosted by the Arkansas Independence Caucus, Washington County Tea Party and Oath Keepers.
“We are to blame, and we have to fix this,” Skoch told the crowd.
The politicians and lawyers who go to Washington continue to perfect the art of compromise that’s created larger and more intrusive government, Skoch said.
Citing earmarks as an example, Skoch said that despite the country being more than $12 trillion in debt, politicians continue to earmark funds because they want “to buy votes.”
Skoch said he spent 12 years working at the Pentagon and saw the “corrosive culture” in Washington and what it does to elected officials who are there too long.
Politicians will say the United States can’t afford to secure its southern border, while government spent more than $400 billion on social services for illegal immigrants, Skoch said.
It’s not that the border can’t be sealed, but the politicians don’t have the will to act, Skoch said.
“Immigration is good for America, but illegal immigration is against the law,” Skoch said. “Come here the legal way.”
In addition to securing the border, Skoch said he supports legislation requiring U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to incarcerate any illegal aliens detained by law enforcement.
On foreign policy, Skoch said, President Barack Obama should be required to come before Congress and inform lawmakers of the national security imperatives and exit strategies for military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
If the president is unable to satisfy Congress on either ****g, troops in those countries should be withdrawn in six months, Skoch said.
Although he’s running as a Republican, Skoch made it clear he’s not a big fan of his own party.
“I’m running as a Republican, but I wouldn’t give a nickel for the difference between Democrats and Republicans over the last 50 years,” Skoch said.
Skoch said, if elected, he would seek a constitutionality review of all existing federal departments and programs and a balanced budget amendment.
“I have the wrong ideas for politicians, but they’re the right ideas for America,” Skoch said.
Skoch was preceded at the podium by Bob Basso, depicting Thomas Paine, who urged the crowd to understand that they have the power to change America and that it’s all right to be frustrated and angry as long as it’s translated into positive action.
Basso said America was built on the frustration and anger of the founding fathers, led to the civil rights movement and was “the mother” of victory in World War II.
He also urged voters to throw all incumbents out of office in the upcoming elections, not vote one party out and one party in.
“Exchanging one party for another is like exchanging crocodiles in the same putrid swamp,” Basso said.
Former Graham County (Ariz.) Sheriff Richard Mack, representing Oath Keepers, and Jan Lea, representing Secure Arkansas, also spoke to the crowd.
Oath Keepers is a “non-partisan association of currently serving military, veterans, peace officers and firefighters who will fulfill the oath we swore to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic,” according to the organization’s Web site.
Secure Arkansas is spearheading an effort to get a state constitutional initiative on the November ballot that would “prevent illegal aliens over the age of 14 from receiving public funds such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and other public assistance,” according to the organization’s Web site.
Other candidates seeking the 3rd District GOP nomination are Rogers Mayor Steve Womack, former state Rep. Doug Matayo, former DEA special agent Steve Lowry, Boone County Judge Mike Moore, Gravette businessman Kurt Maddox, state Sen. Cecile Bledsoe and former state Sen. Gunner DeLay of Fort Smith.
Sunday, March 28, 2010 10:35 AM CDT
Retired Brig. Gen. Bernie Skoch told about 60 people at the Fort Smith’s River Park Events building Saturday that the problems facing America were created by continuing to send politicians instead of citizens to Washington.
Skoch, one of eight candidates seeking the 3rd Congressional District Republican nomination, was speaking at an event hosted by the Arkansas Independence Caucus, Washington County Tea Party and Oath Keepers.
“We are to blame, and we have to fix this,” Skoch told the crowd.
The politicians and lawyers who go to Washington continue to perfect the art of compromise that’s created larger and more intrusive government, Skoch said.
Citing earmarks as an example, Skoch said that despite the country being more than $12 trillion in debt, politicians continue to earmark funds because they want “to buy votes.”
Skoch said he spent 12 years working at the Pentagon and saw the “corrosive culture” in Washington and what it does to elected officials who are there too long.
Politicians will say the United States can’t afford to secure its southern border, while government spent more than $400 billion on social services for illegal immigrants, Skoch said.
It’s not that the border can’t be sealed, but the politicians don’t have the will to act, Skoch said.
“Immigration is good for America, but illegal immigration is against the law,” Skoch said. “Come here the legal way.”
In addition to securing the border, Skoch said he supports legislation requiring U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to incarcerate any illegal aliens detained by law enforcement.
On foreign policy, Skoch said, President Barack Obama should be required to come before Congress and inform lawmakers of the national security imperatives and exit strategies for military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
If the president is unable to satisfy Congress on either ****g, troops in those countries should be withdrawn in six months, Skoch said.
Although he’s running as a Republican, Skoch made it clear he’s not a big fan of his own party.
“I’m running as a Republican, but I wouldn’t give a nickel for the difference between Democrats and Republicans over the last 50 years,” Skoch said.
Skoch said, if elected, he would seek a constitutionality review of all existing federal departments and programs and a balanced budget amendment.
“I have the wrong ideas for politicians, but they’re the right ideas for America,” Skoch said.
Skoch was preceded at the podium by Bob Basso, depicting Thomas Paine, who urged the crowd to understand that they have the power to change America and that it’s all right to be frustrated and angry as long as it’s translated into positive action.
Basso said America was built on the frustration and anger of the founding fathers, led to the civil rights movement and was “the mother” of victory in World War II.
He also urged voters to throw all incumbents out of office in the upcoming elections, not vote one party out and one party in.
“Exchanging one party for another is like exchanging crocodiles in the same putrid swamp,” Basso said.
Former Graham County (Ariz.) Sheriff Richard Mack, representing Oath Keepers, and Jan Lea, representing Secure Arkansas, also spoke to the crowd.
Oath Keepers is a “non-partisan association of currently serving military, veterans, peace officers and firefighters who will fulfill the oath we swore to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic,” according to the organization’s Web site.
Secure Arkansas is spearheading an effort to get a state constitutional initiative on the November ballot that would “prevent illegal aliens over the age of 14 from receiving public funds such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and other public assistance,” according to the organization’s Web site.
Other candidates seeking the 3rd District GOP nomination are Rogers Mayor Steve Womack, former state Rep. Doug Matayo, former DEA special agent Steve Lowry, Boone County Judge Mike Moore, Gravette businessman Kurt Maddox, state Sen. Cecile Bledsoe and former state Sen. Gunner DeLay of Fort Smith.