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View Full Version : Who is the Liberty Movement in Congress?




CaptLouAlbano
08-25-2013, 05:48 AM
Listed below are members of the House and Senate that meet one of more of the following criteria:

1) They are members of the House Liberty Caucus chaired by Justin Amash
2) They were endorsed by Ron Paul, YAL and/or the RLC.
3) They were supported by one of the larger liberty oriented PACs.

The initial list was 25 people based on this criteria. Since only 20 choices can be included in a poll here, I eliminated five names based on the average of their lifetime scores from JBS and Freedomworks (not a perfect means of elimination, but it was fair). The eliminated were all House members: Bentivolio, Griffith, Hartzler, Ribble and Woodall.

So of this group in the poll options, in your opinion, who is on "Team Liberty"

LibertyEagle
08-25-2013, 06:46 AM
People are going to interpret this different ways, Capt. For me, I think Massie, Amash and Paul are from this movement. But, there are a number of others that are worked with on various issues. But, I don't particularly classify them as being part of this movement and they probably don't see themselves that way, either. It doesn't mean that they aren't quite good.

CaptLouAlbano
08-25-2013, 07:10 AM
People are going to interpret this different ways, Capt. For me, I think Massie, Amash and Paul are from this movement. But, there are a number of others that are worked with on various issues. But, I don't particularly classify them as being part of this movement and they probably don't see themselves that way, either. It doesn't mean that they aren't quite good.


I agree that people will interpret things their own way, which is the point of the poll. All of the 25 from the initial list met one or more of the criteria, most met more than one. So they are wearing the "liberty banner", so to speak, in one way or another. For example, Labrador is a member of the House Liberty Caucus, was endorsed by YAL & the RLC and got money from a couple of the PACs. To me, he is saying "hey I am on the team", so for him and the others who are essentially doing so, I want to see what others' opinions are of their desire to be "on the team".

Also, this is helpful to see who is on the radar of the RPF members. We talk alot on here about Massie, Cruz, Amash - but maybe there is more interest in the work that Sanford or Broun is doing, so much that it might warrant a need for a subforum or two.

TaftFan
08-25-2013, 11:08 AM
I was being a bit broad in my voting but still left several off. I don't think there is a coordinated liberty movement.

There are the young guys like Amash, Massie, Mulvaney, Labrador etc. that seem to hang out together, at Conversations with Conservatives meetings for example.

Others seem to be more like lone wolves, though I may be wrong. It's hard to classify people like Stockman, McClintock, Sanford, and Broun. Maybe a traditional conservative label applies.

One person who should have been included is Jimmy Duncan. He is basically like Walter Jones. They are, in my view, the only true paleoconservatives left in Congress.

compromise
08-25-2013, 11:27 AM
I voted for everyone but Flake and Walberg...

Flake has had a mixed voting record so far, I'm hoping he improves before his re-election, if he doesn't, I will not support him. I'm in a similar boat regarding Rep. Garrett (not on your list) from NJ, although his problems are more regarding fiscal issues, while Flake's been bad on foreign aid, immigration and guns. Chaffetz has also had a mixed record, but not bad enough for me to withdraw support for him. Massie says Chaffetz tends to hang out with the establishment guys rather than with the other conservatives. I don't know anything about Walberg or his record.

There are a couple of great guys you've missed... Louie Gohmert has had a near flawless record this year. Matt Salmon has been better on fiscal issues than most of the people on that list and has voted the right way on civil liberties too over the last few months.

Gosar is usually in line with Schweikert, Mulvaney and Labrador on the issues, but like them, he's voted for a few big government bills this year. Gowdy is usually alright too.

compromise
08-25-2013, 11:32 AM
I was being a bit broad in my voting but still left several off. I don't think there is a coordinated liberty movement.

There are the young guys like Amash, Massie, Mulvaney, Labrador etc. that seem to hang out together, at Conversations with Conservatives meetings for example.

Others seem to be more like lone wolves, though I may be wrong. It's hard to classify people like Stockman, McClintock, Sanford, and Broun. Maybe a traditional conservative label applies.

One person who should have been included is Jimmy Duncan. He is basically like Walter Jones. They are, in my view, the only true paleoconservatives left in Congress.

Broun was mostly with the West/Bachmann crowd. I don't know why he doesn't do Conversations with Conservatives.

I imagine Sanford isn't too happy with Jeff Duncan and Mulvaney for endorsing that state senator over him, but Mulvaney and Sanford did appear together at Rand's "Sue the NSA" event.

FrankRep
08-25-2013, 11:43 AM
Why were the Libertarian Party members of Congress/Senate excluded from that list?

enhanced_deficit
08-25-2013, 11:54 AM
15 people think Mik lee is "liberty" ? The guy is leading the way for war rsolutions and pretty solid neocon. Such ignorance is shocking.



Mike Lee on War & Peace
Militarily pressure Iran to abandon nuclear weapons ambition

The government currently ruling in Iran presents a threat to the security of both the United States and Israel. I will therefore support efforts to place pressure on the government of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, with an eye toward persuading Iran to abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions. Should those efforts prove unsuccessful, military action would be justified. Source: 2010 Senate campaign website, www.mikelee2010.com (http://www.mikelee2010.com), "Issues" , Jul 19, 2010
Stay in Afghanistan until all targets are neutralized

My policy on Afghanistan is simple: our troops are there to take out military targets--i.e., things that present a clear and present threat to our national security--and should be brought home as soon as possible after all such targets have been destroye or neutralized and the Afghan National Army has been trained sufficiently to protect their own land from further Taliban incursion. Our duty to those who protect us, and to those they protect, requires nothing less. Source: 2010 Senate campaign website, www.mikelee2010.com (http://www.mikelee2010.com), "Issues" , Jul 19, 2010
Iranian nuclear weapons: prevention instead of containment.

Lee co-sponsored Resolution on Iran's nuclear program


Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the nuclear program of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Whereas, since at least the late 1980s, Iran has engaged in a sustained pattern of illicit and deceptive activities to acquire nuclear capability;
Whereas the UN Security Council has adopted multiple resolutions since 2006 demanding the full suspension of all uranium enrichment-related activities by Iran, particularly possible military dimensions;
Whereas, in Nov. 2011, the IAEA issued an extensive report that documents "serious concerns regarding possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear programme";
Whereas top leaders of Iran have repeatedly threatened the existence of the State of Israel;
Whereas the Department of State has designated Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism since 1984;
Whereas Iran has provided weapons, training, & funding to terrorist groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and Shiite militias in Iraq;
Whereas Iran had forged a "secret deal" with al Qaeda to facilitate the movement of al Qaeda fighters and funding through Iranian territory;



http://www.ontheissues.org/international/Mike_Lee_War_+_Peace.htm

CaseyJones
08-25-2013, 11:56 AM
only Massie, Amash and Paul

FrankRep
08-25-2013, 12:32 PM
Here are the Constitutional Rankings:

Thomas Massie (KY-4) (http://www.thenewamerican.com/freedomindex/profile.php?id=M001184) - Freedom Index Score: 100%
Steve Stockman (TX-36) (http://www.thenewamerican.com/freedomindex/profile.php?id=S000937) - Freedom Index Score: 100%
Rand Paul (Sen-KY) (http://www.thenewamerican.com/freedomindex/profile.php?id=P000603) - Freedom Index Score: 93%
Justin Amash (MI-3) (http://www.thenewamerican.com/freedomindex/profile.php?id=A000367) - Freedom Index Score: 93%
Tom McClintock (CA-4) (http://www.thenewamerican.com/freedomindex/profile.php?id=M001177) - Freedom Index Score: 92%
Ted Cruz (Sen-TX) (http://www.thenewamerican.com/freedomindex/profile.php?id=C001098) - Freedom Index Score: 90%
Paul Broun (GA-10) (http://www.thenewamerican.com/freedomindex/profile.php?id=B001262) - Freedom Index Score: 90%
Mike Lee (Sen-UT) (http://www.thenewamerican.com/freedomindex/profile.php?id=L000577) - Freedom Index Score: 90%
Ted Yoho (FL-3) (http://www.thenewamerican.com/freedomindex/profile.php?id=Y000065) - Freedom Index Score: 90%

Raul Labrador (ID-1) (http://www.thenewamerican.com/freedomindex/profile.php?id=L000573) - Freedom Index Score: 87%
Jeff Duncan (SC-4) (http://www.thenewamerican.com/freedomindex/profile.php?id=D000615) - Freedom Index Score: 86%
Tim Huelskamp (KS-1) (http://www.thenewamerican.com/freedomindex/profile.php?id=H001057) - Freedom Index Score: 85%
Jason Chaffetz (UT-3) (http://www.thenewamerican.com/freedomindex/profile.php?id=C001076) - Freedom Index Score: 82%
Jeff Flake (Sen-AZ) (http://www.thenewamerican.com/freedomindex/profile.php?id=F000444) - Freedom Index Score: 82%
David Schweikert (AZ-6) (http://www.thenewamerican.com/freedomindex/profile.php?id=S001183) - Freedom Index Score: 82%


Mick Mulvaney (SC-5) (http://www.thenewamerican.com/freedomindex/profile.php?id=M001182) - Freedom Index Score: 78%
Walter B. Jones (NC-3) (http://www.thenewamerican.com/freedomindex/profile.php?id=J000255) - Freedom Index Score: 77%
Todd Rokita (IN-4) (http://www.thenewamerican.com/freedomindex/profile.php?id=R000592) - Freedom Index Score: 72%
Tim Walberg (MI-7) (http://www.thenewamerican.com/freedomindex/profile.php?id=W000798) - Freedom Index Score: 71%

CaptLouAlbano
08-26-2013, 05:23 AM
Thanks for all the input. There were a few other names that I would have included on the list above, but wanted to just use the criteria I mentioned in the first post to compile the list. Plus, since there were only 20 options for the poll, I had to whittle it down as best I could.

LibertyEagle
08-26-2013, 05:37 AM
15 people think Mik lee is "liberty" ? The guy is leading the way for war rsolutions and pretty solid neocon. Such ignorance is shocking.

What is ignorant is calling Mike Lee a neocon. :rolleyes:

helmuth_hubener
08-26-2013, 05:39 AM
The reindeer man didn't even make the list? I guess that says a lot about what a disappointment he has been.

CaptLouAlbano
08-26-2013, 05:45 AM
/// error in post

CaptLouAlbano
08-26-2013, 05:49 AM
The reindeer man didn't even make the list? I guess that says a lot about what a disappointment he has been.

Bentovolio's JBS score is 80 (not bad), but his Freedomworks score at 62 brought his average down so that he did not make the cut. In hindsight, I probably should have eliminated Walberg in exchange for him. Walberg's Freedomworks average is decent, but his score this year is low.

CaptLouAlbano
08-26-2013, 04:35 PM
Top 10 as of now:

Amash
Paul
Massie
Lee
Jones
Cruz
Broun
Sanford
Labrador
Stockman

Christian Liberty
08-26-2013, 04:44 PM
I don't know most of these people, so I can't vote as of now. I do believe Rand Paul is in the liberty movement. I honestly don't know Mike Lee well, since I've never heard him loudly advocating for war I've assumed he was with Rand but I don't know if that's the case or not. But Rand Paul, Amash, and Massie definitely are. I'm pretty sure Sanford is too. Honestly don't know the others well enough.

Theocrat
08-26-2013, 04:48 PM
Hey! Why aren't John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Paul Ryan, and John Boehner on that list? :mad:

CaptLouAlbano
08-26-2013, 04:59 PM
I don't know most of these people, so I can't vote as of now. I do believe Rand Paul is in the liberty movement. I honestly don't know Mike Lee well, since I've never heard him loudly advocating for war I've assumed he was with Rand but I don't know if that's the case or not. But Rand Paul, Amash, and Massie definitely are. I'm pretty sure Sanford is too. Honestly don't know the others well enough.

Research and learn then. They all have voting records to view; articles, speeches, and other material out there to educate yourself on. As I said in the OP, these folks meet one or more of the criteria I listed, i.e. they have affiliated themselves with an arm of the liberty movement. With the exception of Rokita and Walberg, they all have damn good voting records. Check out JBS, Freedomworks, Club for Growth, GOA for some ratings.

better-dead-than-fed
09-14-2013, 02:21 AM
Gosar

From my correspondence with Gosar:


… the law does not allow me to intervene.…


... In issue is specific evidence of ongoing fraud, abuse, and waste of the tax-paying public’s money by Department of Justice and Department of Health and Human Services personnel. Which particular law prohibits you from investigating on behalf of the public?

No further reply from Gosar.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1q103etm8gbRP3T4bU2wZOMaq6FsyzmtMM5QuySVe2Y8/pub