An Issue On Which Indiana Conservatives Can Unite
Dick Lugar is a gift to the Indiana conservative movement. There are many potential benefits from using Dump Dick Lugar as our rally point. Lugar is not a conservative and the negative issues with Lugar are well documented.
The conservative movement faces many different challenges to maintain viability in the political environment. There are several aspects of “viability”. First the conservative movement is fragmented due to the very nature of the grassroots evolution. Second, there are many different priorities among the various groups. Third, no central focal point has emerged at the state or national level. These are but some of the problems faced by a spontaneous movement that is not yet unified and does not know exactly what to do with the recent election success. To further exacerbate the problems, both national political parties have national and state organizations that provide continuity, structure and a process to raise money.
While the groups agree on certain basic values and principles there seems to be limited agreement on how to move forward in any coherent manner. The question stands as what is the compelling incentive for groups to recognize that the essential strength to win the next two years resides in the broad based influence generated by groups together.
We need is to find an issue that can be a rally point now for virtually all conservatives. This would seem to be easy but in fact is not because of nuanced interpretations on most issues, individual and group egos and other distracting factors. The various groups need to recognize the difference between the process of having influence versus the process for getting attention.
In life nothing draws attention and a following like achieving success. Once the groups experience success acting in unity we will see the unity process become one in which groups want to be a part of this success paradigm. This creates the basis for a meaningful conservative influence on the political process.
During the November 2010 General Election the groups acted in a rather disjointed unity that was more by accident than intent. The competing Indiana candidates channeled the conservative groups but did not unite them in centrally planned and directed actions. Creating this unity success paradigm will be an empirical work as there is no real model or precedence.
The Republican Party in Indiana is already in the process of forgetting and dismissing the role played by the conservative groups across the state. Like it or not the Republican Party is the organization/structure the conservatives must use if our conservative values are brought back into the political culture and the social fiber of Indiana.
I see three important benefits from this Dump Dick Lugar initiative;
1. We get rid of a RINO/HINO (Republican in name only/Hoosier in name only) and replace him with an individual that lives a life based on our conservative values.
2. We send a strong message to the Republican Party in Indiana that the conservative movement is here to stay and we are not just here but we will be a force to reckon with.
3. The Dump Dick Lugar effort should be a rally point that allows all groups to "do something" and "do it together". We need to start putting the greater conservative value imperatives above the individual group concerns. These local group concerns are indeed important. However, the local concerns are not replaced by a broad cooperation but these local issues become part of the big picture; local issues are still dealt with at the local conservative group level.
What we need to focus on is how we start a unity process based on Dumping Dick.
One simple but potentially effective process is as follows. We propose a plan to send a message to the Republican Party, Lugar and the voters of Indiana. We can provide guidelines and background for the e-mail/letter but it is even better if each comes from a respective group as an original. The plan has two basic phases.
Phase One: Deals with getting the groups to act in concert to influence the Republican Party and Lugar.
1. Each conservative group in Indiana sends a letter and e-mail to the respective Republican County Chairman stating the group opposes any attempt by Lugar to run again for the US Senate. Initiate by 20 December 2010.
2. Each conservative group in Indiana sends a letter and e-mail to the Republican State Party Chairman, Murray Clark, (Murray Clark, mclark@indgop.org) stating the group opposes any attempt by Lugar to run again for the US Senate. Initiate by 20 December 2010. Even better for every member in every group to send Murray Clark an e-mail.
3. Each conservative group in Indiana sends a letter and e-mail to Senator Lugar stating the group opposes any attempt by Lugar to run again for the US Senate. Initiate by 20 December 2010. Go to the Lugar web site at lugar.senate.gov.
4. Each conservative group in Indiana sends a letter to the editor opposing another Lugar candidacy every week until Lugar withdraws. Initiate 4 January 2011
Phase Two: Initiate January 2011
1. We find a strong conservative to run for the Senate in 2012.
2. We develop a process to support the candidate through the primary and general elections.
While it is ideal to send individually crafted e-mails we offer the following as possible models which can be edited by each sender.
Dear Mr. Clark,
I am part of the conservative movement in Indiana. We want to see the Republican Party in Indiana return to basic conservative values.
Dick Lugar has demonstrated by his votes in the Senate and his comments that he does not share our conservative values. I suggest the Republican Party ask Mr. Lugar to make a public statement before January 15, 2011 that he does not intend to run for reelection.
If there is no such statement I will be part of a campaign starting in January 2011 that will ensure Lugar loses the Primary Election.
Dear Mr. Clark,
The DeKalb 9-12 group advises you that we strongly oppose any bid by Dick Lugar to run for reelection. He must announce now that he will not seek reelection. Otherwise we will join other conservative groups to publically oppose him based on his record and his demonstrated disdain for conservatives in Indiana.
Dear Mr. Clark,
Senator Lugar no longer represents the conservative values that are the essence of Indiana voters. If the Republican Party wants support from the conservative groups in Indiana then Dick Lugar must not seek reelection.
We will mount a state wide campaign against Mr. Lugar starting in early 2011 if he does not announce he will not seek reelection.
Dear Patriot Organization Member / Leader:
President Lyndon Johnson was fond of quoting the prophet Isaiah, as he often did when he declared, “Come, let us reason together.” This is such an invitation. But this is also an appeal to reason.
So come, let us reason together . . .
Assorted patriot organizations formed about two years ago. In the tradition of patriotism, all groups were independent, and every member of each group was independent. To maximize their “tents”, conventional wisdom dictated that patriot organizations would be non-partisan. Every member would be a free agent, with no group endorsement of candidates. In effect, each and every patriot would retain the “pride of ownership” over individual endorsement, in the form of single votes. Two years later, how is that system of free agency working ?
Consider the case of candidate Jackie Walorski, Republican candidate in Indiana’s second congressional district. With impeccable Conservative credentials, she also had a track record of acting independent of “the crowd”. Her Conservative independency attracted great favor among the patriot community. During the midterm election, Sarah Palin had to endorse her when only one patriot organization would publicly affirm her candidacy. Progressive opponent Joe Donnelly attacked her standing with a campaign of systematic lying to take advantage of the high gullibility index prevalent in the high population density areas of the district. Donnelly cast Walorski as not as Conservative as the Libertarian candidate. Conservative Walorski lost to Donnelly by less than 2,000 votes when the Libertarian took 8,500 Conservative-leaning votes. The Democrat-backed Libertarian took the margin of victory away from the true Conservative candidate. Rampant lying and cheating had again trumped honest campaigning.
Lack of widespread patriot community endorsement allowed lying to trump truth. But patriot organizations walked away with their prides of ownership intact – at the cost of their cause.
While non-endorsement looks good on the surface, it is non-effectual. While independence is a praiseworthy end, independency cannot provide any effective means to that end. Individuals affirm candidates. However, individuals are largely invisible to public influence; organizations are not. Using membership in a group as context for refraining from any endorsement is simply using corporate association as license to remain silent. But more tragically, non-endorsement yields to the evil that has become pervasive in our government. This is a reasonable introduction to the evil people who are leading our government:
Americans of African descent supported Progressives who sponsor and usher in the Four Horsemen of Satan. Horsemen names are abortion, infanticide, genocide, and euthanasia. Chess boards have four horsemen – knights. But this is a very different game. Rather than sequential capture and removal, these horsemen arrive each in their own turn. Horseman abortion arrived 1973; Horseman infanticide arrived with the Born Alive Infant Protection Act in 2001; and Horseman euthanasia arrived with ObamaCare in 2010. The “holy grail” for Progressives is the legal acceptance of genocide. A few decades ago, Obama associate and kindred spirit Bill Ayers and 25 of his buddies sat in a room and discussed the logistics for the extermination, by murder on a massive scale, of 25 million people who would bitterly cling to Capitalism and the American way of life. This was video recorded testimony of FBI informant Larry Grathwohl in the 1982 documentary, No Place to Hide. That murdering of 10% of our population four decades ago translates to the need to murder 33 million Americans today. The wise King Solomon said, “Wicked people love the taste of evil” (Proverbs 19:28b)
Excerpt from Destruction of a Servant
Ephesians 6:12 has it, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”. Another way of saying this is, “we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
“We do not endorse candidates. We are only about education.”
Yeah right !!! You do realize that students eventually graduate, and then move on ?
Education without practical application played out in public action is a recipe for declining memberships. Consider the Church in America. Today, only about one out of every six Americans attend church. But by 2050, only one out of every ten Americans will attend church. This ominous future is evidenced by the rapid decline in church attendance.
% of U.S. Population
Year Attending Church
1990 20.4%
2000 18.7%
2007 17.0%
2050 est. 10.0%
And how is this happening ? Churches have rendered themselves impotent in public discourse by withdrawing from standing firmly upon positions of morality. In losing their voice, they have lost their way. Our culture has changed Christianity, and not Christianity the culture.
Churches that compromise God-ordained morality to maintain membership, will soon lose both moral authority and membership.
Excerpt from The Attack Upon People of Faith in America
Ungodly powers can be swallowed up in strength. And the ONLY source of strength we have – to compliment godly power – is overwhelming numbers. If large numbers of people fail to rise up against the evil they see, then evil will prevail until God intervenes.
A great patriot of an earlier time said:
“The nation is sick; trouble is in the land, confusion all around. But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars. And I see God working in this period . . . Something is happening in our world. The masses of people are rising up.”
This patriot was Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.
How can we “Question with boldness” without our voices ?
How can we “Speak without fear” without our voices ?
How can we, as patriots, fight without our voices ?
The heroes who are our servicemen and women do not remain silent in defending our country. They speak convincingly with their weapons of war. And all they ask in return for their numerous sacrifices is that we protect their rights at home, while they protect our security in far-away lands. At the end of the day, patriots must show “our terrible swift sword” of our voices. So how can any patriot assembly possibly remain silent, forsaking loud and enthusiastic endorsement of leaders who will faithfully defend our U.S. Constitution ?
We all must ask ourselves, “Who are we going to give the greater faithfulness – to ourselves, or to our cause ? Do we REALLY believe that we can serve two masters ?” As mature people, can we be honest with ourselves and recognize our appalling silence in affirming our candidates – both individually AND corporately – is not serving our cause ?
As American patriots, and as the godly people our founding fathers envisioned that we should be, we have a much higher calling. We are called to be more than conquerors.
Stephen Paul Leykauf
Indiana Legislation
Effective Advocacy
DEKALB 9-12 ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION DECISION PAPER
Illegal immigration is a very serious and costly issue in Indiana. The Federal Government has failed to enforce Federal Laws on this subject resulting in huge burdens and security risks to the states. Indiana must take matters into its own hands like other states to deal with this issue.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Indiana needs to have tough rules which discourages illegal aliens from coming to Indiana and encourages those already here to leave.
2. We oppose any amnesty plan for those who entered illegally. We believe that illegal aliens should leave voluntary or be removed.
3. Legislative actions followed by effective implementation and enforcement are the means to reduce the number of illegal aliens and their associated costs.
DISCUSSION: Per the National Conference of State Legislatures, in the first half of 2010, state legislators in 44 states enacted 319 laws and resolutions relating to immigrants and refugees. As in past years, employment, identification/driver's licenses, and law enforcement remained top areas of interest. States such as Arizona and Missouri have passed legislation to address illegal immigration issues. It has been estimated that Arizona's illegal immigrant population has declined by approximately 100,000 as a result of legislation and increased enforcement. Many other states are in the process of introducing immigration legislation including South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Rhode Island, Michigan Utah, Florida and Texas.
Actions that can be taken to reduce the number of illegal aliens is as follows:
- The State of Indiana should notify illegal aliens that Indiana policy is changing. Indiana, by public media, should notify illegal aliens that they need to leave the state by a specified date.
- Legislation needs to be put into place that would penalize those companies that knowingly hire illegal aliens. The E-Verify program should be used.
- Illegal aliens should not be eligible for welfare or other social service programs.
- Illegal aliens should not be eligible to access public schools. Illegal aliens should not be allowed to attend state supported colleges and universities.
- Fully implement the Secure Communities program. Broaden the authority of the police to investigate and detain offenders.
- Pass legislation that challenges the current interpretation of the 14th amendment which allows children of illegal aliens to be U.S. citizens. Illegal aliens are not "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States nor should their children be.
- Pass legislation that prevents an illegal immigrant from bringing a claim in state court.
- All applicants for drivers licenses must show proof of citizenship. Illegal aliens are not eligible for a drivers license.
- Establish English as the state language. Restrict state agencies from spending money on materials that are not in English.
Backup Information for Illegal Alien Legislation in Indiana:
The illegal alien question has broad philosophical and pragmatic ramifications.
The philosophical point is very simple. When a society allows certain crimes to go unpunished, two things happen. You get even more of the illegal activity (the “everyone is doing it” mentality). You also undermine the general Rule of Law, especially since the illegal status of these people requires them to break a multitude of other laws to survive. Selective and arbitrary applications of laws represent the essence of tyranny and chaos. The United States and Indiana have their foundations in the Rule of Law.
The pragmatic resolution of the illegal alien problem for Indiana has a constructive impact on all legal citizens, legal aliens and legal immigrants. This impact helps rectify budget problems; sets a path for welfare reform; alleviates many school problems; provides a partial solution to the unemployment problem including job availability and the status of the Unemployment Insurance fund.
The Indiana state legislature has a moral and political obligation to draft and pass legislation to address the illegal alien problem in Indiana.
Such legislation should include, at a minimum:
- English as the official language for schools, official state business
- No state-funded benefits for illegal aliens such as health care, education, worker’s compensation, unemployment, welfare, health assistance, poor relief, etc.
- Employers of illegal aliens are heavily fined
- Illegal aliens are fined on a per day basis of residing in the state as an illegal
- Fine those who knowingly aid, shelter or transport illegals
- Require use of E-Verify and deem its use as due diligence.
We have reviewed the efforts of the assembly to study the illegal alien problem in the FINAL REPORT OF THE INTERIM STUDY COMMITTEE ON IMMIGRATION ISSUES November 2008. In particular we observed the major categories examined in the committee work as follows:
“A. The financial impact of individuals unlawfully present in the United States on the following, in Indiana:
(1) Education.
(2) Health care.
(3) The criminal justice system.
(4) Social services.
B. The impact of individuals unlawfully present in the United States on the following, in Indiana:
(1) Wages and employment.
(2) State and local entities that issue or routinely check identification.
C. Federal limitations on state actions regarding immigration.
D. The current and future potential of the E-Verify system (including its successors and/or alternatives) regarding reliability, accessibility, and dependability.”
We fully understand that the quantifiable data on illegal aliens is hard to verify. This fact results because the illegal aliens are involved, by definition, in an ongoing criminal series of illegal actions. Thus the data on illegal aliens are often intentionally corrupted or hidden. Many groups have attempted to collect data and information to assess the negative impacts of the continued violation of the law by the illegal aliens and the failure of law enforcement to enforce the existing laws. There are mitigating factors that make it difficult for state authorities to enforce current statues and this reality makes it even more compelling to produce legislation now that serves the interests of the legal citizens of Indiana and sets a clear datum on the Rule of Law.
Indiana & Illegals
- There are an estimated 110,000 illegal aliens (as of 2008) in the State of Indiana, a 61% increase during the years of 2000-2008. (Some sources go as high as 200,000)
- Currently, there are over 294,000 unemployed in Indiana. This number could be significantly lower if illegal aliens held no jobs in Indiana. This would also help solve the deficit in the unemployment insurance fund.
- Large percentages of illegal aliens have no health insurance and the cost of their health care must be absorbed by hospitals and the public at large due to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act.
- Statistics from 2008 indicate $389 million dollars earned in the state of Indiana was not spent here but was wired to Latin American countries.
- On average, illegals have less education than legal citizens, earn considerably less, and pay less in taxes.
- It is estimated that half of illegal workers pay no state income taxes
- A 2004 study by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) estimated educational expenditures for illegal immigration were costing the Indiana taxpayer $206.2 million dollars annually.
- FAIR estimates as of 2010: At the state and local level, an average of less than 5 percent of the public costs associated with illegal immigration is recouped through taxes collected from illegal aliens; Education for the children of illegal aliens constitutes the single largest cost to taxpayers. Nearly all of those costs are absorbed by state and local governments.
- Indiana Federation for Immigration Reform & Enforcement reports the cost of illegal aliens to Indiana on an annual basis exceeds $700,000,000. This does not include lost taxes.
The specific amounts and specific numbers as to the costs and negative impacts on Indiana generated by the presence of illegal aliens can be debated. However, there is no debate that there is a substantial monetary cost and societal cost due to the presence of persons illegally here in Indiana. The legislature can easily correct these problems by instituting illegal alien legislation now in Indiana. As noted, such an action will also bring relief to Indiana taxpayers in current budget problems and provide an opportunity to improve unemployment and social services for legal residents.
Opposing Arguments in the Illegal Alien Discussion on Indiana Illegal Alien Legislation
The arguments for amnesty and other non-punitive solutions for the illegal alien problem tend to subjective and emotional. Further, these arguments undervalue both the Rule of Law and the actions by legal immigrant, legal aliens and taxpaying citizens of the United States and Indiana.
Arguments in support of illegal aliens:
We need to be compassionate, fair
This argument only addresses one side and ignores the penalties incurred by persons here legally. The Rule of law is the standard for being “fair”.
They do jobs US citizens will not do.
This argument is specious and insulting to legal residents. Occupations such as roofing, building trades, child care certainly are not occupations legal residents will not do. Further, the state of Indiana should not have to pay unemployment benefits when jobs could be available but are filled by illegal aliens.
Possible negative impact upon:
Schools
Housing demand
Businesses
Difficulty/higher costs for food production
This argument also is specious. To argue that reducing quantifiable costs such as needing fewer school teachers or school rooms due to the exit of illegal aliens is a misrepresentation of logic. Making housing more available to legal residents, opening jobs, and so forth cannot be construed as “negative impacts”.
Impossible/expensive to round up and deport that many illegal aliens
The annual costs of illegals to the United States dwarf the costs of enforcing the laws. In any event the argument is not pertinent. When the Rule of Law is followed the reason for the illegals entering the state will be eliminated. The illegal aliens will self-deport at no cost to the state. This has been proven in other states.
Would possibly separate families
These illegal aliens who made a conscious decision to violate US and certain state laws should not be rewarded for their illegal actions. We do not reward persons with families who are sent to prison for violation of the law. Illegal aliens should not receive consideration not afforded to legal citizens who break the law. In any event we will see the illegal aliens and families self-deport at no cost to the state. This has been proven in other states.
There are number of arguments in the INTERIM STUDY COMMITTEE ON IMMIGRATION ISSUES November 10, 2008 meeting report that parallel the above arguments. Careful reading of these arguments shows the lack of hard data to support the arguments and the generally emotional appeals. Even those testifying stated they did not oppose following the rule of law.
Ultimately this illegal alien problem is not one of culture or ethnicity or even economics; this problem is about respecting and enforcing the Rule of Law.
DeKalb 9-12 Group's
Illegal Immigration Example Letter:
January 4, 2011
Dear Representative Pond,
You are aware of the concerns conservative groups in Indiana have as regards the illegal alien issue. We see this illegal alien issue from two perspectives.
Foremost is the fundamental question of Rule of Law. No free society can tolerate uncertainty in the application of the law. This is basic to individual freedom and the maintenance of the fabric of society as intended by our Founders. As a legislator you have a moral imperative to support the Rule of Law as a bedrock issue for the people of Indiana.
While Federal statutes exist to deal with many illegal alien issues, states and citizens across the nation have seen the Rule of Law either ignored or poorly enforced in the case of illegal aliens. Many states have put legislation in-place to clarify and effectively set a process in motion to honor the Rule of Law in these respective states. Examples include Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arizona.
There also is a dramatic pragmatic side of the illegal alien issue. If Indiana would place appropriate legislation in place to enforce the Rule of Law we would see positive collateral effects propagate across the state. As we resolve the illegal alien issue we would see a substantial amount of money become available to address the serious budget challenges facing the state; we would see a new path open to welfare reform; we would have a significant contribution toward fixing the unemployment insurance problem and cutting the state unemployment rate; we would reduce healthcare costs and stresses in the current system. As we set out to “connect the dots” we found that following the Rule of Law is not just the right thing to do but has profound benefits for all citizens in Indiana.
We are aware you have studied this issue and are highly knowledgeable on what should be done. The attachments to this letter may offer you little new as information to build and pass legislation to fix the illegal alien problem for the citizens of Indiana during this legislative session. What we want you to know is we will support your efforts to fix this problem now. Furthermore, conservative groups across the state worked hard to elect a legislature that respects the Rule of Law and respects the will of “We the People”. We are working with other conservatives groups in your district to build a broad and effective base to get this illegal alien legislation enacted - as a priority now. We request you identify a senior staff member who will be our point of contact to allow us to work together on this problem.
Thank you,
Judy Watson Dr. David Powers
Dr. David Powers Captain, Oversight Team Captain, Government PolicyTeam
The Decision Paper PDF:
The Representative Advocacy Letter PDF:
To submit your Indiana Patriot Group's Advocacy Issues to be published here:
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SB 0094 -- Purchase of rifles and shotguns.- Firearms dealers can sell to people in any other state.
* SB 0290 -- Prohibition of abortion. - Prohibits abortion in Indiana unless a physician determines, based on sound medical practice, that the abortion is necessary to save the life of a pregnant woman.
* SB 0291 -- Indiana firearms freedom act. - Provides that a firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition that: (1) is manufactured commercially or privately in Indiana from basic materials; (2) can be manufactured without the inclusion of any significant parts imported from another state; and (3) remains within the borders of Indiana; is not subject to federal law or federal regulation including registration under the authority of the United States Congress to regulate interstate commerce.
* SB 0292 -- Preemption of local firearm regulation. - Prohibits, with certain exceptions, a political subdivision from regulating any matter pertaining to firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories.
* SB 0411 -- Disclosure of firearm or ammunition information. - Provides that a civil action may be brought against a public or private employer that has: (1) required an applicant for employment or an employee to disclose information under certain circumstances about whether the applicant or employee owns, possesses, uses or transports a firearm or ammunition; or (2) conditioned employment, or any rights, benefits, privileges, or opportunities offered by the employment, upon an agreement that the applicant for employment or the employee forego the otherwise lawful ownership, possession, storage, transportation, or use of a firearm or ammunition.
* SB 0434 -- Retail handgun dealer's licenses. - Provides that after June 30, 2011: (1) a retail handgun dealer's license is valid for six years from the date the license is issued instead of two years; and (2) the fee to obtain the license is $60 instead of $20.
* SB 0505 -- Applicability of federal law in Indiana. - Provides that any federal act, order, law, rule, regulation, or statute found by the general assembly to be inconsistent with the power granted to the federal government in the Constitution of the United States is void in Indiana. Provides that a resident of Indiana has a cause of action to enjoin the enforcement or implementation or the attempted enforcement or implementation of a federal act, order, law, rule, regulation, or statute declared void by the general assembly. Provides that a plaintiff who prevails in such an action is entitled to reasonable attorney fees and costs. Finds that the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the federal Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 are inconsistent with the power granted to the federal government in the Constitution of the United States.
* SB 0506 -- Handgun possession. - Allows a person to carry a handgun on or about the person's body without being licensed to carry a handgun
SCR 0007 -- Sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment. - A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION claiming sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over certain powers, serving notice to the federal government to cease and desist certain mandates, and providing that certain federal legislation be prohibited or repealed.
* SJR 0011 -- Right to opt out of health care system. - Proposes an amendment to the state constitution to specify certain rights with respect to health care.
* SJR 0012 -- State approval of federal debt increases. - State approval of federal debt increases. Makes application to Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the Constitution of the United States to propose an amendment to the Constitution that would provide that an increase in the federal debt requires the approval of a majority of the legislatures of the several states.
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SJR 0013 -- Definition of marriage. - Provides that only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Indiana. Provides that a legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized. This proposed amendment has not been previously agreed to by a general assembly.
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SB 0319 -- Firearms on school property. - Makes unlawful possession of a firearm: (1) in or on school property; (2) in or on property that is being used by a school for a school function; or (3) on a school bus; a Class A misdemeanor instead of a Class D felony. Provides that the law concerning unlawful possession of a firearm in or on school property or in or on property that is being used by a school for a school function does not apply to a person who may legally possess a firearm, possesses a valid license to carry a handgun, is not a student enrolled in the school, and stores a firearm: (1) in a motor vehicle that is parked in or on school property or parked in or on property that is being used by the school for a school function; and (2) that is locked in the trunk of the motor vehicle, kept in the glove compartment of the locked motor vehicle, or stored out of plain sight in the locked motor vehicle.
Education Reform in Indiana:
A Parent, Citizen & Taxpayer View
prepared by the Fort Wayne 9-12
January 2011
INTRODUCTION: The Need for Reform
In recent years, we have become surrounded by the media blaring empty platitudes about education: students are failing, American education is lagging behind, class sizes are too large, we’re not spending enough on education, urban and minority students are in trouble, leave no child behind, we need educational reform, we can’t compete. But while the media machine is busy with their 2 minute sound bites, the taxpayer, parent, politician and student remain as unenlightened as ever. From John Dewey’s The School and Social Progress in 1899, Milton Friedman’s “The Role of Government in Education” in 1956, “A Nation at Risk in 1983, Alan Bloom’s The Closing of the American Mind in 1987, to the 2009 America Legislative Exchange Council’s “Report Card on American Education”, teaching America’s youth and leading them to become the best and the brightest has been much discussed, but less thoroughly understood by the public and thoughtfully acted upon through legislative action. In the 25 years since “A Nation at Risk” appeared and gained widespread attention, little has changed for American students. If anything, for many students academic excellence is now more remote than ever. More than 25 years after “A Nation at Risk” appeared, it is time to do much better.
The Problem in Summary
How much does education matter? Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida has commented,
“We live in an era of global competition. Our world today is more interconnected and interdependent. American students coming of age are competing for jobs and opportunities with students from around the world. The security and standard of living of current and future generations depend on whether we succeed in preparing students to meet this challenge. As a nation, are we doing what we need to win this race? The answer is no.” Are American students being prepared to take on the intellectual, creative, inventive, and educational challenges presented by students from across the globe? Recent findings from the National Center for Education Statistics presented in “U.S. Performance across International Assessments of Student Achievement” suggest that American students are falling behind. Students from the United States ranked 25th in Mathematics behind students in the Czech Republic, Poland, Iceland, the Slovak Republic, and Hungary. The United States ranked 22nd in Science behind South Korea, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Poland and Iceland. With the increased pressure of a knowledge-based economy, it isn’t enough, anymore, for students to have basic educational attainment. Modern workers are expected to possess reason, creativity, logic and problem solving skills as well as a high level of proficiency in mathematics, science, language and communication.
Not only are American students falling behind internationally, but there are tragic costs of poor educational outcomes domestically. For students, the cost of being undereducated results in the expectation of a declining standard of living and lower lifetime earnings. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the average High School graduate can expect to earn approximately $30,400 per year. The typical high school drop out can expect only $23,400. Decreased income potential brings a social cost to communities as well. Henry M. Levin, author of “The Social Costs of Inadequate Education” claims that increasing the average educational attainment by one year would reduce murder and assault rates by nearly 30%, auto theft by 20%, arson by 13% and larceny by 6%. Educational attainment (or lack thereof) contributes to rates of child poverty, out-of-wedlock births, and general employment instability.
Adults with poor educational skills are also more at risk for becoming dependent on government services in everything from criminal incarceration, unemployment and welfare benefits, and health care benefits to name only a few. The Foundation for Educational Choice estimates that if every student earned at minimum a high school diploma, the taxpayers would be saved $7 billion per year just from Medicaid savings. For every taxpayer, the benefits of fixing our educational system are easily seen through a reduction in government dependency and an increase in the number of viable taxpayers.
Finally, the great American democracy rests upon a foundation of civic involvement and knowledge among the citizenry. Thomas Jefferson wrote, “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.” The very life-blood of our republic, our collective freedoms are at stake on our nation’s playgrounds, classrooms and school rooms. Again, the prognosis is grim for American civics education. Measurements of history, economics, and government for high schoolers and college-age students are abysmal. Only 13% of 12th graders score “proficient” on a national history exam. A survey of over 14,000 college students given a multiple-choice test about American history, government, international relations and economics found that the average score was only 53%. If we measure the readiness of a student to assume adult civic responsibilities, we are producing a generation ill-equipped with the tools to make educated choices for the future. What’s more tragic is that we are not even producing students with the skills to find the answers or to problem solve their way through the challenging world we are now confronted with.
Where is the disconnect? Why are our students failing? The traditional wisdom, the battle cry so to speak, for many years, has been that schools have not been adequately funded. This argument simply no longer holds water. By age 18, the average American student has had more that $100,000 of taxpayer money invested into his or her education. What has this investment returned? Only 23% of 12 graders are “proficient” in mathematics; 39% scored “below Basic” meaning that they could not perform basic computations with real numbers nor estimate the results of basic mathematical calculations. In reading, only 35% of High School Seniors were proficient meaning that they were able to read and interpret grade-appropriate text. Despite a $100,000 investment, American students are likely to depart from high school unable to read at grade level or do basic math skills. Graduation rates show another alarming trend. While 78% of white students earn high school diplomas, only 56% of black students and 52% of Hispanic students graduate. And in some urban areas graduation rates hover just above 30%. In Indianapolis, the graduation rate is only 31%.
When all is said and done and all is taken into consideration, there is little need to hear the sound bites that tell us that American education is failing. Our current system is failing parents, it is failing taxpayers, it is failing the Republic. And most dire, it is failing our rising generation. It is clear that the time for change has come.
Does Indiana Need School Choice?
Clearly, educational standards nationwide are not what we, as parents, educators and taxpayers would want them to be. But the questions raised by consideration of school reform are myriad. Our Hoosier students aren’t failing, are they? Our tax dollars are being spent wisely, right? Its important to examine each question one by one.
Indiana’s Present Educational Achievement and Status.
The “Report Card on American Education: Ranking State K-12 Performance, Progress and Reform” commissioned by the American Legislative Exchange Council, ranks Indiana’s educational performance at 13th out of 51 (rankings include all 50 states plus the District of Columbia). That puts Indiana in the top 25% of state-ranked educational systems. That might sound impressive, but consider the following. On the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) low-income 4th graders and 8th graders in Indiana scored below the proficient levels in Math and Reading. Although there has been some slight upward trend in NAEP scores between 2003 and 2009, the gains are not significant enough to have given the educational support to Indiana’s students to make them internationally competitive. Even if we consider the state ranked first in the United States for educational achievement, Vermont, the scores of their most at-risk students are below the proficient level on reading and math. As both American and global businesses seek the best qualified employee pools, Indiana students are not what they should or could be to attract and keep the attention of business.
Graduation Rates
Although education spending has increased substantially, graduation rates are low. Of every 100 Indiana 9th graders, only 72 are expected to graduate from high school, and of that 72, only 22 are expected to graduate from college. In comparing racial differences in graduation rates, the contrast becomes quite stark. The graduation rate for Asian students in Indiana in 84%; White student graduation rates are at 78%; Hispanic graduation rates are at 59%; and African American graduation rates are at only 53%. Despite investing over $500,000 per student over the duration of public education K-12, students are not being provided with a high quality, competitive education.
Deficiencies in Hoosier Educational Processes
The ALEC report card identified several areas in which Hoosier education is lacking. The report card gave Indiana a D- in identifying high quality teachers and in removing ineffective teachers. Indiana received only a a C- in retaining effective teachers. There is no pathway for alternative teacher certification for professionals who have high level occupational experience, but not teaching credentials.
Is More Spending a Solution?
Is more spending on education the solution? NO! According to a 2010 Indiana K-12 & School Choice Survey don’t’ by Braun Research, Inc, “Indiana voters lack a basic awareness and knowledge about how much is spent in public schools. ..Nearly 2 out of 3 respondents underestimated per student spending in public schools.” In fact, the survey indicated that 4 out of 10 voters thought the average per-pupil yearly spending, combining expenditures of local, state and federal governments, is less than $4,000. The actual per-pupil spending, including local, state, and federal expenditures is a whopping $10,164. Indiana’s portion of that amount is $5,864 per student and does not include local contributions to public education. How much longer can politicians and the public demand more money as the solution to all the woes of poor public education? Taxpayers need to become informed about the real expenditures on their students, and need to demand cost-effective, student-driven improvements to the educational system.
Does Indiana need education reform? Absolutely! Does Indiana need to spend more money doing it? Absolutely not!
Education Reform for Indiana
Do Indiana parents want educational reform? What are the essentials of education reform that would transform the educational climate for Hoosier students, pushing them to the head of the class, nationally and internationally? These are the questions that must be answered thoughtfully. We must consider how to transition Indiana’s educational system into a high-quality, high-performance system.
School Choice and Funding
As stated previously, $10,000 per pupil should be enough to provide a quality education to every student. Since it is not doing so in many schools, a hard look must be taken at low-performance public schools. The two most at-risk groups, Hispanic and African-American students are often those who are stuck in poorly performing public schools and have families with financial limitations. Students are without the option to go to a higher-performing private or parochial school. According to research provided the The Heartland Institute, “students who attend religious and secular private schools graduate at higher rates and are twice as likely to attend and graduate from college than their public school peers, even though private schools typically spend less than half as much per student as public schools.” As well, parents and students alike report greater satisfaction with their education when they have been able to choose for themselves the school that best fits their needs. School reform that will allow all students and families to choose the best educational fit for their needs, will quite quickly improve the educational climate in Indiana.
According to a study by J.S. Coleman and T. Hoffer “Public and Private Schools: The Impact of Communities”, “higher levels of parental involvement are a major reason private schools tend to outperform public schools.” Across the nation, in states like Florida, where school choice has been successfully implemented, even students who remain in public schools where there is competition from charter and private schools, tend to perform better than those where there is no competition. The power of competition in school choice should be and can be leveraged for all students, driving public, private and charter schools towards improved performance.
How then, to allow students to choose their schools? All students should be allowed to choose their educational institution, whether that be a private secular school, a private parochial or religious school, a homeschool, or an alternative at-home online school. Funding dollars should follow the child to the school of his or her choice. This can be achieved through vouchers or tax credits. High performing schools, public, private or some combination of the two, should be rewarded with adequate funds to provide quality education. In addition to the benefits of improved student and family satisfaction, funding following students also allows for an overall reduction of public money being spent on education. The public treasury is currently being tapped for $10,000 per pupil for a mediocre performance. Allowing student to attend more moderately priced, but high-performing private and/or religious schools could reduce overall spending. At the very least, it could free up additional public dollars to be directed to helping remediate at-risk students. School choice for all and funding following students can be a win-win situation for all schools.
Lastly, in our current educational climate, schools that are failing are being given ever-more money as a misguided attempt to “fix” the problems in the school. It is time to reward successful schools with additional funds to take their students higher and allow failing schools to close altogether. With adequate school choice, there never needs to be a worry about throwing more money down the rat-hole of a poor school. Rewarding good behavior and positive outcomes make a great deal more sense.
Teaching Excellence
As pointed out previously, Indiana does not have a good system to identify and retain excellent teachers. Teaching tenure, established by the number of years a teacher has been teaching, is an outmoded system. The time has come for Indiana to recognize and reward excellent teachers. State support of a merit-based teacher rating and pay system could improve the standards of quality for teachers. Performance based pay, interestingly enough, has proven controversial and has been virulently opposed by teacher’s unions. The focus in education should always be on student-driven success and the desires of teaching unions for guaranteeing a teachers’ position, no matter the relative quality of the teacher, should not be heeded. There is a high price being paid by students, and in fact, by the entire nation, for the protection of sub-standard teachers.
Additionally, it is reported that there are statistically no differences between student achievement with those who have state certified teachers and those who do not. Indiana needs to develop a “fast track” program to allow qualified and experienced professionals to obtain teaching licensure. Indian could adopt a genuine alternative pathway to teacher certification. States which have done so have seen greater test score gains than those that did not. Increasing the pool of potential teachers also increases the pool of potential great teachers, and encourages those less skilled to move out of teaching.
School Autonomy and Curricular Freedom
Among many detractors to the school choice agenda are those who fear more government involvement in private and religious schooling. Competition, not more regulation and government inspection, is the key to creating a climate of increased student performance and achievement. If genuine school choice is to be offered, then all schools need to retain local authority over curriculum, textbook selection, and student admissions, retention and discipline. Making over successful private schools through increased government intervention into the image of the failing public schools isn’t really giving parents or students any real choice at all.
Support should be given, however, to making sure that all American schools are teaching American tolerance. In many states, proposed legislative language for school choice prohibits participating schools from teaching hatred or the inferiority of any person, group, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, or discriminating on the basis of race, color, or national origin. Is it acceptable to have an all-boys, or all-girls academy. Of course! Is it acceptable to have an academy sponsored by the Ku Klux Klan—certainly not!
Maintaining school independence of government regulation seems to be stepping off the ledge. Many parents would fear that schools would be taking public funds and not spending them appropriately. In a genuinely competitive atmosphere, schools would have a great deal of motivation to provide parents with performance-based information. Perhaps initially, parents might be more at-home with standardized performance testing to continue. Certainly over time, schools will adopt performance standards that can be explained to parents, shopping for the best education their money can purchase.
CONCLUSION
Thomas Jefferson wrote, “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.” Schools play an important role in our nation. The current arrangement is not doing all is should be either to educate our population about their civic responsibilities, nor to make the United States the center of industry, creativity and ingenuity. We are at a crossroads in Indiana. The time is NOW to make those changes to Indiana’s educational infra-structure that will reward good behavior, reward excellence and achievement, promote the value of a free market—even in education. Having reviewed all the challenges and benefits of increased school choice, alteration in the funding mechanisms of public education, methods to identify and reward teaching excellence, those states, like Florida—a leader in the school choice movement—has discovered that holding schools accountable, ending social promotion, improving teacher quality, and expanding school choice has been the recipe for success. Isn’t it time for Indiana to become the leader in the education revolution of the 21st Century?
The FORT WAYNE 912
“It is the duty of every patriot to protect his country from its government. “ –
Thomas Paine
An Open Letter to Senator Dennis Kruse, Dr. Tony Bennett and Gov. Mitch Daniels - And Members of the Education Committee of the Indiana State House
The FORT WAYNE 912, and other area groups, heartily support efforts to effect reform of the educational system of Indiana. Below is a bullet-point summary of each point discussed in our position paper.
•Why a Need for Reform?
Why a Need for Reform?•Where Do U.S. Students Rank Worldwide?
Where Do U.S. Students Rank Worldwide?•How Much Are Taxpayers Really Paying for Education?
How Much Are Taxpayers Really Paying for Education?•How to Identify and reward teacher Excellence?
How to Identify and reward teacher Excellence?•Empower School Administrators
Empower School Administrators•SCHOOL CHOICE – Empower Parents and Students.
SCHOOL CHOICE – Empower Parents and Students. These points address a very small part of the whole issue being discussed it is our intent to convey to you our total support and encouragement for this initiative. Attached is the complete Education Reform in Indiana Position Paper giving more detail about each point. Thank you for your efforts on behalf of Indiana’s youth.
The Fort Wayne 912
Attachment
Fort Wayne 912 Education Decision Paper
The Honorable John Boehner,
Speaker United States House of Representatives
Office of the Speaker H-232
The Capitol Washington, DC 20515
Dear Speaker Boehner:
The reading of our Constitution at the opening of the 112th Congress was certainly an historic event. Our Constitution is a remarkable document that contains the principles upon which this great country was founded, and upon which we have thrived for over 234 years. Our Founding Fathers were able to clearly and concisely articulate these principles in a single document of only 4400 words; The very words that were read on January 5, 2011, by our Representatives. We applaud the 112th Congress for going back to the Constitution as its starting point. With that said, we believe that our Constitution deserves a regular place in Congress and suggest that this document be read aloud often in its entirety with the entire Congress seated in the audience. We also suggest that in order to more fully convey its meaning and deliver its impact, it should be read in larger sections with less interruption. The reading conducted on January 5th, while historical and important, was not attended by the entire Congress and many of those that did attend only attended for a portion of the reading. What picture does this paint?
Congressional sessions today are too often a single Representative talking to an empty room and the CSPAN cameras in one or two minute sound bites. Do we want to reduce the reading of the Constitution to this? We should revere our Constitution and give it the respect that it deserves. Surely, our Representatives have time to sit and listen to a reading of this document, the document that they swear to uphold, at least once a year. We humbly request that you give consideration to making the reading of our Constitution a regular and required part of each Congress. We suggest that the Constitution be read with minimum interruption by only four to six readers. Most importantly, we believe that all members of Congress should be required to attend the entire reading. With such a great start, we expect the 112th Congress to succeed in bringing us closer to our Constitutional roots, limiting the role of government, and making the House of Representatives truly the “People’s House.”
Sincerely;
YOUR NAME AND INFORMATION
Download Copy --->
To Call State Senators Dial 1 (800) 382-9467 for the switchboard and ask to be connected to your state senator.
You can stay on the line after leaving your message and ask to be connected to another Senator. Below is a list of current State Senators listed by District, Name, Party and Current city of residence.
1 Frank Mrvan -D Hammond
2 Lonnie Randolph – D East Chicago
3 Earline Rogers –D Gary
4 Karen Tallian- D Portage
5 Ed Charbonneau –R Valporaiso
6 Sue Landske –R Cedar Lake
7 Brandt Hershman- R Wheatfield
8 Jim Arnold – D LaPorte
9 Ryan Mishler- R Bremen
10 John Broden – D South Bend
11 Joe Zakas- R Granger
12 Carlin Yoder – R Goshen
13 Sue Glick- R LaGrange
14 Dennis Kruse – R Auburn
15 Thomas Wyss – R Fort Wayne
16 David Long – R Fort Wayne
17 Jim Banks R- Columbia City
18 Randall Head – R Logansport
19 Travis Holdman – R Hartford City
20 Luke Kenley – R Noblesville
21 James Buck – R Westfield
22 Ronnie Alting – R Lafayette
23 Phil Boots R- Crawfordsville
24 Connie Lawson – R Danville
25 Timothy Lanane – D Anderson
26 Doug Eckerty R- Yorktown
27 Allen Paul – R Richmond
28 Beverly Gard – R Greenfield
29 Mike Delph – R Carme
30 Scott Schneider – R Indianapolis
31 James Merritt, Jr. – R Indianapolis
32 Patricia L. Miller- R Indianapolis
33 Greg Taylor – D Indianapolis
34 Jean Breaux – D Indianpolis
35 R. Michael Young – R Indianpolis
36 Brent Waltz – R Greenwood
37 Richard Bray – R Martinsville
38 Timothy Skinner - D Terre Haute
39 John Waterman – R Shelburn
40 Vi Simpson –D Bloominton
To Call House Representatives Dial 1 (800) 382-9841 for the switchboard and ask to be connected to your state representative.
You can stay on the line after leaving your message and ask to be connected to another state representative.
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Legislative Information
Supplied by State Senator Dennis Kruse
DOWNLOADABLE PDF'S
How to Effectively Advocate Your Issue to Legislators
The legislative session is only a few months away, and most legislators are already
looking at drafting new bills. Maybe you have an issue that you believe should be
considered by the Indiana General Assembly. If so, here are some tips on how to best
advance your Issue with the legislature.
1. Be informed:
Do your own thinking/research and be accurate
2. Get involved:
Participate in public meetings; get involved in crafting solutions instead of merely
identifying problems
3. Get to know your legislators:
Keep it simple, make it personal, understand their roles and keep at it
4. Understand the law/policy-making process:
Familiarize yourself with the mechanical, political and inter-personal aspects of
the process
5. Know the strengths and weaknesses of your issue
6. Understand the importance of compromise and consensus building
7. Understand the need for fiscal responsibility:
Understand your issue is not the only good cause which needs
new/sustained/increased funding
8. Be passionate and persistent, yet patient:
Even the best bills take time to be understood and supported
Fifteen Top Issues For 2011 Session
1. Balanced Budget
2. No Tax Increases
3. Indiana Unemployment Insurance Fund
4. Education Reforms
5. Sunday Alcohol Sales
6. Gambling Laws , Changes to Protect Gaming
7. No Smoking in Public Places in Indiana
8. Indiana Right to Work State
9. Right to Life Pro-life Issues
10. Right to Bear Arms
11. Nullification National Healthcare in Indiana
12. Hands Free Cell Phone Usage for Everyone
13. Authorize New Energy Power Plants Nuclear
14. Local Government Reform
15. Exercise the 10th Amendment Constitution
16. Immigration ( Added during conversation)
17. Redistricting ( Added during conversation)
What do you think? Poll for the Top 5 issues
20 Indiana Education Issues In 2010
1. Encourage Parental Involvement with Students
2. Teach Good Character, Attitudes, & Values
3. Reading Proficiency by Third Grade or Hold
4. Importance of Writing Skills Development
5. Reward Quality Teachers with Merit Pay
6. 6. Teacher Replacement/Tenure Policy Change
7. 7. Student Achievement Tracking for K-16
8. High School Graduation Rate Improvement
9. Raising the Bar for School Grading System
10.Virtual Learning & Innovation in Educational
11. Alternative Certification for Licensing
12. Importance of School Principal Leadership
13.School Building Cohesive Leadership
14.Increase & Improve After School Activities
15.Encourage Adult Education Programs
16.Private Business Investment in Schools
17.School Funding & School Funding Formula
18.National & State Standards Relationship
19.Dual Credit Growth High School to College
20.School Start Date & School Calendar
INDIANA VOTER GUIDES
The Advance America voter guide is comprehensive in covering state and federal candidates in all of the districts in Indiana. CLICK HERE
The Dekalb 912 voter guide offers a rigorous analysis of the 3rd district contest, relevant state races, and some local contests plus additional information on other contests and the Constitutional question. CLICK HERE
Vote Trackers is a great source of information on Indiana's federal representatives votes on the bailout, stimulus bill, cap and tax, cash for clunkers and healthcare. CLICK HERE
Indiana Right To Life voter guides for:
Allen Co. CLICK HERE
Gibson Co. CLICK HERE
Howard Co. CLICK HERE
Kosciusko Co. CLICK HERE
Marshall Co. CLICK HERE
Posey Co. CLICK HERE
Vanderburgh Co. CLICK HERE
Warrick Co. CLICK HERE
Whitley Co. CLICK HERE
Indiana Eagle Forum CLICK HERE
American Family Association CLICK HERE
Indiana Secretary of State Election Info CLICK HERE
Indiana Secretary of State Polling Locations CLICK HERE
CANDIDATE DIRECTORY
LEGEND:
Bold = Active Candidate
Italics = Potential Candidate
* = Incumbent
(Incumbent Party Listed First)
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STATE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS:
2012 Elections:
GOVERNOR:
[ Mitch Daniels (R)* - Term-Limited in 2012. ]
Becky Skillman (R) - Lt. Governor, Ex-State Sen. & Ex-Lawrence County Clerk
Baron Hill (D) - Congressman, Ex-State Rep., Ex-Businessman & '90 US Sen. Nominee
Jonathan Weinzapfel (D) - Evansville Mayor, Ex-State Rep., Attorney & Ex-Congressional Aide
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR:
(Note: Governor & Lt. Governor candidates run together on tickets in the General Election.)
[ Becky Skillman (R)* - Candidate for Governor in 2012. ]
ATTORNEY GENERAL:
STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION:
2010 Elections:
SECRETARY OF STATE:
[ Todd Rokita (R)* - Candidate for Congress in 2010. ]
Charlie White (R) - Fishers Town Councilman, Hamilton County GOP Chair & Attorney
Tom McKenna (D) - Ex-State Commerce Department Director & Ex-Gubernatorial Aide
Vop Osili (D) - Architectural Firm Owner
Mike Wherry (Libertarian) - Attorney, Mechanical Engineer & Navy Engineer
STATE TREASURER:
Pete Buttigieg (D) - Businessman, Non-Profit Group Founder, Ex-Congressional Aide & Democratic Activist
STATE AUDITOR:
Sam Locke (D) - Non-Profit Operations Manager/Fundraiser, Retired USAF Officer & Democratic Activist
Eric Knipe (Libertarian)
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GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
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U.S. SENATOR:
[ Evan Bayh (D)* - Retiring in 2010. ]
Brad Ellsworth (D) - Congressman & Ex-Vanderburgh County Sheriff
Dan Coats (R) - Ex-US Senator, Ex-Congressman, Ex-US Ambassador to Germany, Attorney & Lobbyist
Rebecca Sink-Burris (Libertarian) - Ex-Bloomington School Board Member, Farmer, '98 Nominee & '02 Sec. of State Nominee
Timothy Lee Frye (Independent) - '08 Gov. Candidate
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U.S. CONGRESS:
District 1:
Mark Leyva (R) - Carpenter & Frequent Candidate
Jon Morris (Libertarian) - Recent Law School Graduate
District 2:
Jackie Walorski (R) - State Rep. & International Non-Profit Group Founder
Mark Vogel (Libertarian) - Pharmacy Graduate Student & Navy Veteran
District 3:
[ Mark Souder (R)* - Resigned May 21, 2010. ]
Marlin Stutzman (R) - State Sen., Ex-State Rep., Farmer & '10 US Sen. Candidate
Tom Hayhurst (D) - Former Ft Wayne City Councilman, Physician, USAF Veteran, '06 Nominee
Tom Metzger (Nationalist/Write-In) - White Supremacist/Neo-Nazi Movement Leader
District 4:
[ Steve Buyer (R)* - Retiring in 2010. ]
Todd Rokita (R) - Secretary of State & Attorney
David Sanders (D) - Epidemiologist, College Professor & '04/'06 Nominee
John Duncan (Libertarian) - Elevator Technician, Electrician & Graduate School Student
Mike Hight (Independent) - Thorntown Town Councilman & Retired Electrical Worker
District 5:
Tim Crawford (D) - Construction Cost Estimator & Ex-Republican
Chard Reid (Libertarian) - Teacher
District 6:
Barry Welsh (D) - Methodist Minister, Ex-Teacher & Frequent Candidate
T.J. Thomson (Libertarian) - Tea Party Activist
District 7:
Dr, Marvin Scott (R) - College Professor, Former Management Consultant
David Ezell (Libertarian)
District 8:
[ Brad Ellsworth (D)* - Candidate for US Senate in 2010. ]
Trent Van Haaften (D) - State Rep.,Ex-Posey County Prosecuting Attorney & Posey County Democratic Chair
Larry Bucshon (R) - Cardiologist & Navy Veteran
District 9:
Todd Young (R) - Attorney, GOP Activist & USMC Veteran
Ron Kimsey (Independent) - Factor Worker
Jerry Lucas (Independent) - Nurse & Army Veteran
Christian Coalition Indiana Senate Voting Guide CLICK HERE
Christian Coalition Indiana Senate and US House District 2 CLICK HERE
Christian Coalition Indiana Senate and US House District 8 CLICK HERE
Christian Coalition Indiana Senate and US House District 9 CLICK HERE
To Add Another Voting Guide to this list please email us at: datasupport@fmcoin.org
AVON, Indiana :
The No More Avon Taxes group has asked for assistance in their efforts leading up to Tuesday’s referendum. For those of you who live in Avon, it is extremely important that you vote on Tuesday, as this is your only opportunity to make your voice heard regarding the proposed tax increase.
Concerned Tax Payers of Avon
Thank you for your visit to the website and for your willingness to make a difference in Avon We have5 daysuntil the referendum vote, we need your help.
All of the yard signs have been distributed. We did not start out with as many signs as the "we want more money" group did, and a number of the yards signs that we did have were stolen and destroyed, including at least 6 of the large banners. Police reports have been filed, but that will make little difference in the outcome of the vote. It is not a battle of who has the most signs, but how many voters will show up to make a difference. So, We Need Your Help to get out the vote. At tonight's meeting, we need your help in three areas:
We Need Callers! We have phone lists of registered voters that voted in the last election. We need to contact them individually. We will provide you with a call sheet and a script of bullet points. You may make the calls at your convenience during the next 5 days.
We Need Walkers! We have a number of neighborhoods, apartment complexes and retirement homes (yes, they will be affected by higher taxes also) that we need to visit in the next week. We will provide the locations and fliers - you provide the manpower. These areas represent a large number of voters.
We Need Standers! We need at least 24 people to volunteer to stand at the polling locations and remind people that It's OK to Vote No! There are 6 polling locations, and we need at least 4 people at each one.
If you are able to help, please respond to info@itsoktovoteno.com
Thank you
The Committee For Responsible Government Spending
