hillertexas
10-03-2008, 02:38 PM
The full list of traitors can be found here: http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=160763
Congressman Peter Welch (VT)
http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/congress/members/photos/228/W000800.jpg
http://www.welch.house.gov/
challenger: Thomas Hermann http://www.votepeacevt.com/images/thomas_hermann_2.jpg
Thomas James Hermann For Congress
38 Long Street Unit 3
Barre, VT 05641
(802)461-4433
He is up for reelection, has no Republican challenger.
There is a progressive running against him, but has no money. I have a good feeling about this guy. His name is Thomas Hermann, (http://www.votepeacevt.com/home.shtml) and even though he's pro-choice and for a progressive tax system, buys into global warming, wants state healthcare... He's got a lot of good things going for him and I am willing to bite the bullet and do what I can to get him into office.
I've talked to him about the bailout, he's very much against it for all the right reasons but said he was willing to make some concessions when I talked to him before the house voted. We talked for about 45 mins and I made it clear that I was against it COMPLETELY. I talked to him again today and he seems even more against it now than he was then.
Here's his platform:
1. Peace and Justice
Iraq and Afghan Wars
* Bring all the troops home now and take good care of them when they get home
* Vote against funding for the wars; funding only to bring them home
* Encourage GI’s to take action to end the war: encourage active duty soldiers and Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to join IVAW, to sign on to the Appeal for Redress, and use their rights under US law to speak out, demonstrate, and organize against this illegal, immoral and unjust war.
Torture and Detention
* Stop torture now; prosecute the torturers and those who ordered or facilitated mistreatment of prisoners
* No detention without speedy trial in a US court
* No suspension of Habeas Corpus
Hold Bush and Cheney Accountable
* Prosecute Bush and Cheney and Rumsfeld for violating the US Torture Statute and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
* To Bush and Cheney’s violations of the constitution, the Democratic Party leadership in Congress added their own violation: instead of defending the constitution they put an important part of the US constitution–the impeachment provisions--off the table. (Impeachment is mentioned 6 times in 5 different sections of the constitution).
* Hold Bush accountable for failing his duty under the constitution to "take care that the laws be faithfully executed" by issuing signing statements that claim the authority to disobey laws. And by taking action in violation of these laws, including the US law making torture a crime, laws regarding Congressional oversight that require providing information to Congress, laws regarding domestic spying, laws regarding civil liberties, and laws strengthening whistle blower protection.
Back to top
2. Health Care
* ALL AMERICANS in one publicly funded single payer health plan (www.pnhp.org/facts/singlepayer_faq.php)
o No premiums, no co-pays, no deductibles, no not insured, no pre-existing condition.
o Insurance companies out.
* With less money than we are now paying for health care, all Vermonters and all Americans can be covered with high quality health care by expanding our existing Medicare and VA system to cover everyone.
Back to top
3. Energy and Climate Change
Why Alternative Energy
* Stop subsidies for oil, nuclear, and coal
* Support rapid increase in energy efficiency in homes, offices, factories, and appliances to reduce energy consumption and reduce global warming
* Support rapid growth in wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and wood–clean energy providing jobs, security, a clean environment, and better health
* Progressively mandate high gas mileage automobiles to strengthen the US car industry and fuel efficiency
* Support rapid expansion of rail and bus transportation, including high speed rail
(www.fra.dot.gov/us/content/200)
* Capture toxic metals and sequester carbon dioxide at coal plants
* Implement a carbon tax and use the funds for more rapidly implementing energy efficiency, wind, solar, and biomass, etc.
(www.carbontax.org/)
* Close Vermont Yankee and all other nuclear power plants and make the energy companies pay for cleaning up the sites and storing spent fuel
Back to top
4. Stop Corporate Crime and Start Supporting Working People
* Indict and convict corporate criminals who are stealing trillions of dollars from workers, retirees, investors, and consumers.
* Make corporations and executives pay back all money wrongfully taken
* Democratize corporate governance
* 100% tax on excess executive compensation. Any pay 15 times more than lowest paid worker is excessive. In order for executives to get paid more they must raise pay overall. Example: If lowest paid worker gets $30,000 a year then maximum executive pay is $450,000 a year, any amount over would be taxed at 100%.
* Require full disclosure of all executive compensation including stock options and other bonuses.
* Make organizing a union easier–repeal Taft-Hartley and support the card check bill that provides union certification if a majority sign cards requesting it
* Repeal NAFTA and other trade agreements that send good jobs to other countries and exploit workers
* Adopt a livable wage of $10 an hour, adjusting for inflation
* Close loopholes in the tax system for the super rich and lower taxes on middle class and working people by using a progressive tier tax
* Enforce IRS tax code on corporations; tax evasion costs the average citizen $1600 annually, conservatively, according to testimony from former IRS commissioner Charles O. Rossotti
(query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D03E6D7123EF936A35752C1A9649C8B 63)
Back to top
5. Agriculture
* Mandatory Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) Labeling on all food products
* Protect Bio-Diversity and Food Supplies by banning Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's)
(http://www.seedsofdeception.com/Public/AboutGeneticallyModifiedFoods/index.cfm)
* Provide federal grants and low cost loans to small to mid-size farms that are an integral part of the community
* End subsidies for Big Corporate Agri-business (i.e. Monsanto) and food for fuel crops that can control global food prices and create hunger.
* Tax breaks to organic farming and other green sustainable farming practices.
* Expand local food and agriculture labeling systems
* Enforce Fair Trade, tariffs on violations
(http://www.fairtradefederation.org/ht/display/Faqs/faqcat_id/1736)
* Legalize Industrial Hemp (votehemp.com/general_faqs.html#VoteHemp)
Back to top
6. Civil Rights
* Women have the right to choose when it comes to decisions involving their body. Thomas Hermann supports that right. In addition, he supports comprehensive sexual education and access to birth control.
* Lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgendered (LGBT) people are citizens entitled to the same rights others have, including marriage.
* End discrimination against gays in the military. End the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and replace it with equal rights.
* End spying on Americans without a warrant, a violation of the United States Constitution.
(www.usconstitution.net/const.html#Am4)
Back to top
7.Elections and Civic Duty
* Implement a majority rule voting system such as instant runoff voting and proportional representation so more candidates can participate without risk of being a “spoiler.” The minority rule voting system we have narrows the choices. Providing a majority rule voting system opens the way for more candidates and more choices.
* End the Influence of money in elections which gives power to the corporations, the rich and super rich and that prevents ordinary citizens from their rightful access to power
* Enable Fair Election Now Act (www.cleanupwashington.org/fairelections/)
* End corporate contributions to candidates, PACs, 527s, and political parties
* End corporate participation in conventions and lobbying. Corporations are not people and they have no business participating in elections or in government.
* Require paper ballots and auditing of all elections
* No exclusion from debates of candidates who are on the ballot. Let the American people hear diverse views.
* Implement National Initiative for Democracy allowing citizens to make laws. Develops civic maturity and allows citizens to take ownership of our democracy (ni4d.us/parrishreport.htm)
Back to top
8.Military Affairs
Recruitment/Contract Reform
* Eliminate predatory recruiting practices.
* Stop-Loss and the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR) are both back door draft policies that are deceitfully vague and misleading to enlistees.
* Recruiters use the fear of being activated in the IRR to coerce re-enlistment of personnel into the National Guard and Reserves
* Policies should be clear, concise, and readily available to service members.
* End Military Obligation Service Clauses and Stop-Loss Policies
* Military contracts should be simple and reflect the principles of a true volunteer military Force.
Military Health Care for Life
* In addition to injuries from combat and non-combat events, our veterans were subjected to harmful environmental factors including but not limited to: Agent Orange, depleted uranium, foreign pathogens, military fuel, Anthrax vaccines, immunization cocktail vaccinations, and other harmful chemicals. Other dangers veterans face include undiagnosed traumatic brain injuries and post traumatic stress disorders (PTSD).
* Because symptoms of these environmental factors can take years to materialize, all Veterans should receive immediate comprehensive Health Care treatment/diagnosis with no deductibles, fees, co-pays, or other out of pocket expenses for life (until a publicly funded health-care system can be adopted for all Americans).
Speaking Out
* Active duty GIs and veterans have the right to speak out, join organizations, publish newspapers and blogs, and participate in civic affairs, such as rallies and demonstrations against the war. One example of effective speaking out is the Appeal for Redress http://www.appealforredress.org/ under which more than 2000 active duty GIs have publicly appealed to their Senators and Congressmen to say:
As a patriotic American proud to serve the nation in uniform, I respectfully urge my political leaders in Congress to support the prompt withdrawal of all American military forces and bases from Iraq. Staying in Iraq will not work and is not worth the price. It is time for U.S. troops to come home.
Back to top
9. The Other War
* The So-Called “War on Drugs” has failed and has only filled our jails with non-violent offenders and cost tax payers $40 Billion a year and climbing (http://www.drugpolicy.org/library/factsheets/economiccons/fact_economic.cfm)
* Lessons learned in the Prohibition not realized: Criminalizing a substance only creates a subculture of crime.
* Decriminalize, tax, and regulate marijuana like alcohol and tobacco.
* Treat “Hard” drugs as a health issue not a legal one.
* Education, Treatment, Parental Vigilance will make a responsible moderate society.
Back to top
10. The Second Amendment
* "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." Along with the six mentions of impeachment in five different sections of the constitution, the second amendment was designed to secure a free country in the face of potentially corrupt and malicious government officials. The second amendment provides citizens with the right to bear arms to defend our constitutional form of government from government officials who may choose to take power from the people and concentrate power in their own hands, rejecting civil liberties, our constitutional form of government, and the rule of law. The framers included the second amendment to provide a remedy if first amendment rights to freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the rights of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government are not respected. Thomas Herman supports the constitution, including the second amendment.
* Reform background checks to preserve privacy and keep violent criminals from obtaining firearms
* Improve firearms safety training critical to safeguarding against tragic incidents.
Thomas Hermann has personal experience with weapons.
While serving in the US Army, he received his Rifle Qualification Expert Badge with his M4.
Congressman Peter Welch (VT)
http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/congress/members/photos/228/W000800.jpg
http://www.welch.house.gov/
challenger: Thomas Hermann http://www.votepeacevt.com/images/thomas_hermann_2.jpg
Thomas James Hermann For Congress
38 Long Street Unit 3
Barre, VT 05641
(802)461-4433
He is up for reelection, has no Republican challenger.
There is a progressive running against him, but has no money. I have a good feeling about this guy. His name is Thomas Hermann, (http://www.votepeacevt.com/home.shtml) and even though he's pro-choice and for a progressive tax system, buys into global warming, wants state healthcare... He's got a lot of good things going for him and I am willing to bite the bullet and do what I can to get him into office.
I've talked to him about the bailout, he's very much against it for all the right reasons but said he was willing to make some concessions when I talked to him before the house voted. We talked for about 45 mins and I made it clear that I was against it COMPLETELY. I talked to him again today and he seems even more against it now than he was then.
Here's his platform:
1. Peace and Justice
Iraq and Afghan Wars
* Bring all the troops home now and take good care of them when they get home
* Vote against funding for the wars; funding only to bring them home
* Encourage GI’s to take action to end the war: encourage active duty soldiers and Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to join IVAW, to sign on to the Appeal for Redress, and use their rights under US law to speak out, demonstrate, and organize against this illegal, immoral and unjust war.
Torture and Detention
* Stop torture now; prosecute the torturers and those who ordered or facilitated mistreatment of prisoners
* No detention without speedy trial in a US court
* No suspension of Habeas Corpus
Hold Bush and Cheney Accountable
* Prosecute Bush and Cheney and Rumsfeld for violating the US Torture Statute and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
* To Bush and Cheney’s violations of the constitution, the Democratic Party leadership in Congress added their own violation: instead of defending the constitution they put an important part of the US constitution–the impeachment provisions--off the table. (Impeachment is mentioned 6 times in 5 different sections of the constitution).
* Hold Bush accountable for failing his duty under the constitution to "take care that the laws be faithfully executed" by issuing signing statements that claim the authority to disobey laws. And by taking action in violation of these laws, including the US law making torture a crime, laws regarding Congressional oversight that require providing information to Congress, laws regarding domestic spying, laws regarding civil liberties, and laws strengthening whistle blower protection.
Back to top
2. Health Care
* ALL AMERICANS in one publicly funded single payer health plan (www.pnhp.org/facts/singlepayer_faq.php)
o No premiums, no co-pays, no deductibles, no not insured, no pre-existing condition.
o Insurance companies out.
* With less money than we are now paying for health care, all Vermonters and all Americans can be covered with high quality health care by expanding our existing Medicare and VA system to cover everyone.
Back to top
3. Energy and Climate Change
Why Alternative Energy
* Stop subsidies for oil, nuclear, and coal
* Support rapid increase in energy efficiency in homes, offices, factories, and appliances to reduce energy consumption and reduce global warming
* Support rapid growth in wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and wood–clean energy providing jobs, security, a clean environment, and better health
* Progressively mandate high gas mileage automobiles to strengthen the US car industry and fuel efficiency
* Support rapid expansion of rail and bus transportation, including high speed rail
(www.fra.dot.gov/us/content/200)
* Capture toxic metals and sequester carbon dioxide at coal plants
* Implement a carbon tax and use the funds for more rapidly implementing energy efficiency, wind, solar, and biomass, etc.
(www.carbontax.org/)
* Close Vermont Yankee and all other nuclear power plants and make the energy companies pay for cleaning up the sites and storing spent fuel
Back to top
4. Stop Corporate Crime and Start Supporting Working People
* Indict and convict corporate criminals who are stealing trillions of dollars from workers, retirees, investors, and consumers.
* Make corporations and executives pay back all money wrongfully taken
* Democratize corporate governance
* 100% tax on excess executive compensation. Any pay 15 times more than lowest paid worker is excessive. In order for executives to get paid more they must raise pay overall. Example: If lowest paid worker gets $30,000 a year then maximum executive pay is $450,000 a year, any amount over would be taxed at 100%.
* Require full disclosure of all executive compensation including stock options and other bonuses.
* Make organizing a union easier–repeal Taft-Hartley and support the card check bill that provides union certification if a majority sign cards requesting it
* Repeal NAFTA and other trade agreements that send good jobs to other countries and exploit workers
* Adopt a livable wage of $10 an hour, adjusting for inflation
* Close loopholes in the tax system for the super rich and lower taxes on middle class and working people by using a progressive tier tax
* Enforce IRS tax code on corporations; tax evasion costs the average citizen $1600 annually, conservatively, according to testimony from former IRS commissioner Charles O. Rossotti
(query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D03E6D7123EF936A35752C1A9649C8B 63)
Back to top
5. Agriculture
* Mandatory Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) Labeling on all food products
* Protect Bio-Diversity and Food Supplies by banning Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's)
(http://www.seedsofdeception.com/Public/AboutGeneticallyModifiedFoods/index.cfm)
* Provide federal grants and low cost loans to small to mid-size farms that are an integral part of the community
* End subsidies for Big Corporate Agri-business (i.e. Monsanto) and food for fuel crops that can control global food prices and create hunger.
* Tax breaks to organic farming and other green sustainable farming practices.
* Expand local food and agriculture labeling systems
* Enforce Fair Trade, tariffs on violations
(http://www.fairtradefederation.org/ht/display/Faqs/faqcat_id/1736)
* Legalize Industrial Hemp (votehemp.com/general_faqs.html#VoteHemp)
Back to top
6. Civil Rights
* Women have the right to choose when it comes to decisions involving their body. Thomas Hermann supports that right. In addition, he supports comprehensive sexual education and access to birth control.
* Lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgendered (LGBT) people are citizens entitled to the same rights others have, including marriage.
* End discrimination against gays in the military. End the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and replace it with equal rights.
* End spying on Americans without a warrant, a violation of the United States Constitution.
(www.usconstitution.net/const.html#Am4)
Back to top
7.Elections and Civic Duty
* Implement a majority rule voting system such as instant runoff voting and proportional representation so more candidates can participate without risk of being a “spoiler.” The minority rule voting system we have narrows the choices. Providing a majority rule voting system opens the way for more candidates and more choices.
* End the Influence of money in elections which gives power to the corporations, the rich and super rich and that prevents ordinary citizens from their rightful access to power
* Enable Fair Election Now Act (www.cleanupwashington.org/fairelections/)
* End corporate contributions to candidates, PACs, 527s, and political parties
* End corporate participation in conventions and lobbying. Corporations are not people and they have no business participating in elections or in government.
* Require paper ballots and auditing of all elections
* No exclusion from debates of candidates who are on the ballot. Let the American people hear diverse views.
* Implement National Initiative for Democracy allowing citizens to make laws. Develops civic maturity and allows citizens to take ownership of our democracy (ni4d.us/parrishreport.htm)
Back to top
8.Military Affairs
Recruitment/Contract Reform
* Eliminate predatory recruiting practices.
* Stop-Loss and the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR) are both back door draft policies that are deceitfully vague and misleading to enlistees.
* Recruiters use the fear of being activated in the IRR to coerce re-enlistment of personnel into the National Guard and Reserves
* Policies should be clear, concise, and readily available to service members.
* End Military Obligation Service Clauses and Stop-Loss Policies
* Military contracts should be simple and reflect the principles of a true volunteer military Force.
Military Health Care for Life
* In addition to injuries from combat and non-combat events, our veterans were subjected to harmful environmental factors including but not limited to: Agent Orange, depleted uranium, foreign pathogens, military fuel, Anthrax vaccines, immunization cocktail vaccinations, and other harmful chemicals. Other dangers veterans face include undiagnosed traumatic brain injuries and post traumatic stress disorders (PTSD).
* Because symptoms of these environmental factors can take years to materialize, all Veterans should receive immediate comprehensive Health Care treatment/diagnosis with no deductibles, fees, co-pays, or other out of pocket expenses for life (until a publicly funded health-care system can be adopted for all Americans).
Speaking Out
* Active duty GIs and veterans have the right to speak out, join organizations, publish newspapers and blogs, and participate in civic affairs, such as rallies and demonstrations against the war. One example of effective speaking out is the Appeal for Redress http://www.appealforredress.org/ under which more than 2000 active duty GIs have publicly appealed to their Senators and Congressmen to say:
As a patriotic American proud to serve the nation in uniform, I respectfully urge my political leaders in Congress to support the prompt withdrawal of all American military forces and bases from Iraq. Staying in Iraq will not work and is not worth the price. It is time for U.S. troops to come home.
Back to top
9. The Other War
* The So-Called “War on Drugs” has failed and has only filled our jails with non-violent offenders and cost tax payers $40 Billion a year and climbing (http://www.drugpolicy.org/library/factsheets/economiccons/fact_economic.cfm)
* Lessons learned in the Prohibition not realized: Criminalizing a substance only creates a subculture of crime.
* Decriminalize, tax, and regulate marijuana like alcohol and tobacco.
* Treat “Hard” drugs as a health issue not a legal one.
* Education, Treatment, Parental Vigilance will make a responsible moderate society.
Back to top
10. The Second Amendment
* "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." Along with the six mentions of impeachment in five different sections of the constitution, the second amendment was designed to secure a free country in the face of potentially corrupt and malicious government officials. The second amendment provides citizens with the right to bear arms to defend our constitutional form of government from government officials who may choose to take power from the people and concentrate power in their own hands, rejecting civil liberties, our constitutional form of government, and the rule of law. The framers included the second amendment to provide a remedy if first amendment rights to freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the rights of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government are not respected. Thomas Herman supports the constitution, including the second amendment.
* Reform background checks to preserve privacy and keep violent criminals from obtaining firearms
* Improve firearms safety training critical to safeguarding against tragic incidents.
Thomas Hermann has personal experience with weapons.
While serving in the US Army, he received his Rifle Qualification Expert Badge with his M4.