Archive for the ‘What I believe’ Category

Join the 10 for 10 for Change Challenge Today!

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010
Speaker Pelosi and Congress have embarked on a big government agenda that threatens our personal freedom and will prolong our economic downturn. The stakes in the upcoming elections could not be higher. This election is an important turning point for our nation – we can either continue to spend beyond our means and amass mountains of debt, or we can return to the free market principles that have built and guided our nation since its founding.  If you join me, and take up the 10 for 10 for Change Challenge, together, we can meet the challenges facing us and build an America that is strong and prosperous.

We will win this race but I need your help:

1. Read the 10 for 10 for Change Challenge. If you like what you read, please click here to contribute $10 or mail a check to my campaign .*

2. Forward this link 10 for 10 for change challenge along with a short note to at least 10 of your contacts ask them to do the same.  Don’t limit your list to Rhode Islanders — this is an important race and we have thousands of out-of-state donors.
3. Follow up with your list and encourage them to follow up and send to 10 of their friends. There is great power in numbers, if you can encourage just 10 people to donate just 10 dollars, and they encourage 10 friends to donate 10 dollars… well you get the picture. With your help, this challenge can “go viral” and help us bring about real change!
10 for 10 for Change Challenge
1.  I want to cut your taxes to create jobs. I will propose  that we cut taxes across the board for individuals and businesses to create jobs and boost the economy.  Its time we get serious about creating private sector jobs and growing our economy.
2. I believe that terrorists are enemy combatants. We are at war with Islamic extremists and other terror groups and must stop the practice of treating terrorism as a law enforcement  matter.  Terrorists should face military justice and not be treated as ordinary criminals in our civil court system.
3.  I support the Constitution. Duties not specifically designated to the federal government under the U.S. Constitution belong to the states.  We are a union of states and government must be conducted as close to the people as possible.  Washington is the problem, not the solution.
4. Cut the pork, end earmarks. I will call for an end to the earmark process and will only seek funding that has been reviewed as part of the appropriations process.  All spending must be voted up or down in the light of day.
5.  I’ll enforce pay-go rules. Pay-as-you-go should mean just that. I will not support new spending that is not paid for by cuts in other areas.
6.  I say Congress must follow the laws they pass. Congress must equally abide in all laws they impose on the American people.  I will call for an immediate end to the practice of exclusions in law for Congress from the laws made to govern the rest of us.  If it’s good enough for us then it’s good enough for Congress!
7.  It’s time to end pensions for Members of Congress. Pensions encourage “careerism” and public service was never meant to be a ticket to an easy retirement.  Members of Congress can contribute to IRAs and 401Ks if they choose, just like the rest of us.
8.  I’m for LEGAL immigration. We must stop illegal immigration.  We must secure our borders, put in place a workable employer verification system and reject amnesty for those who have come here illegally.  We welcome those who follow the laws and enter this country legally.
9.  I’ll just say NO to more bailouts and failed stimulus plans. We can’t continue to throw good money after bad.  No country has ever spent its way out of debt and it’s not going to start now.  Every man, woman and child owes more than $40,000 in debt.  Congress needs to stop deficit spending NOW.
10.  I support a pay freeze for Congress. We should not be borrowing money to pay for automatic raises for Members of Congress.  We’ve all had to cut back and it’s time for Congress to do the same.  We need to implement a pay freeze until we are deficit-free.
Let’s face it, I’m the only thing that stands between you and Nancy Pelosi having one more solid vote for her extreme left-wing agenda.
Your $10 and your friends’ $10 will help ensure that Rhode Island once again sends a balanced delegation to Washington and a congressman who will do more than rubber stamp Nancy Pelosi’s far left wing agenda.
The 10 for 10 for Change Challenge is one answer to the Democratic machine– please help by contributing $10 and finding 10 others to do the same.

Thank you!

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John J. Loughlin II
* Checks should be payable to Friends of John Loughlin and sent to:
PO Box 244, Adamsville RI 02801
Contributions are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. The maximum an individual may contribute is $2,400. Couples may contribute $4,800. Federal PACs may contribute $5,000. Contributions from corporations, labor unions, federal government contractors, national banks, and foreign nationals without permanent residency status are prohibited. Federal law requires us to use our best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in an election cycle
Paid for by Friends of John Loughlin

Another year, Another bad budget

Friday, June 4th, 2010

I am outraged that the Rhode Island General Assembly has once again passed a budget that has slashed local aid and will force cities and towns to raise property taxes.  At the same time, it has granted cities and towns the ability to pass along massive increases in the regressive car tax. This is a budget that will mean that virtually every Rhode Islander will be facing a bigger tax bill.

This budget also failed to make structural changes to the pension system.  We needed to create a sustainable system going forward – like the 401K plans in the private sector – instead we’ve just put a band-aid on a gaping wound.

The budget that passed the House does not include language for relief of unfunded state spending mandates that the towns have begged for to manage through the reduced revenue from the state.  Despite the best efforts of a few House members, the leadership once again shot down our amendments on unfunded mandates.

In short, this was a typical election year budget with no progress on the changes needed to make Rhode Island competitive with neighboring states and grow our economy – a real opportunity squandered for political gain.  This was my last budget as a Rhode Island state legislator and once again, I was forced to vote “no.”

Government works for us!

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

Today I am introducing a bill that would require the State of Rhode Island to pay taxpayers the same rate of interest on his or her refund that the state assesses for overdue taxes. It’s unfair that the state can hold on to YOUR money for an indefinite period of time but can charge interest and penalties if you are just a few days late. Government works for us — not the other way around!

What I know is true

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

I have two beautiful daughters with bright futures. If our government continues to spend money we don’t have, my girls will pay for today’s mistakes for decades to come. The stimulus didn’t create jobs, it just created an unimaginable debt.

My small business is struggling. If we don’t create opportunities for businesses to grow and stop burdening them with excessive taxes and mandates, my business will wither, like so many others before. We bailed out the banks but have left “mom and pop” out to dry.

We are a country at war. If we don’t treat terrorists operating within our borders as enemy combatants, more acts of terror are inevitable. Terrorists get Miranda rights while our SEALs get court martialed.

We need to restore balance to our government. If Rhode Island sends any of the Democratic contenders to Congress, Nancy Pelosi has one more guaranteed vote for her left-wing agenda. Cornhuskers get kickbacks and Rhode Islanders get to foot the bill.

President Obama has been right about one thing. Change is good. Stick with me and this time the change will be for the better.

Welcome to my new website!

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

Welcome!  Thanks to the folks at The Jenn Lee Group for helping to create a crisp new site for my congressional campaign.

Please take a few minutes to explore the site and if you like what you see, hit the big red CONTRIBUTE tab to support my campaign.  With your help, our organization and my determination, we will win in November!

I hope you’ll visit my blog regularly to learn more about me, keep up with the campaign and read about the issues I am passionate about.  I am running for Congress because quite simply, our country is on the wrong track.  Instead of creating more taxes and government mandates, we need to create more jobs and provide businesses with incentives to grow.  Congress has been spending money we don’t have and mortgaging the future of our children and grandchildren.  We cannot afford — and don’t need — bigger government.