August 1st, 2010
On Friday John’s Jobs Tour made a stop at Newport Shipyard where we held a press conference with business leaders from the narine trades industry. The substance of the press conference was this: when Governor Sundlun elinimated the sales tax on boats in 1993, it was a boon to Rhode Island’s boating industry. Since then, more than 3,500 JOBS have been created, new companies have been started and this industry is the one shining light in the state’s economy.
Let’s face it – the stimulus was a bust. We’ve lost billions in borrowed money and we’re not any better off. We need to do what leaders on both sides of the aisle have done — from Kennedy and Sundlun to Reagan and Bush — we need to cut taxes, give more money back to the folks who earned it and let the entrepreneurs and innovators do what they do best — make superior products and earn money.
Tags: jobs, new companies, Newport Shipyard, press conference, sales tax, stimulus
Posted in John's Job Tour, What I believe | 1 Comment »
July 28th, 2010
Judge Bolton’s decision was disappointing, but this fight is far from over. If the federal government fails to do its job – in this case that job is securing the border – then states should be able to protect themselves from the consequences of the federal failure.
We are a nation of immigrants but we are also a nation of laws. I traveled to Arizona to meet with law enforcement officials because I’d been getting many questions about the illegal alien crisis. Even though we’re not a border state, Rhode Islanders are concerned about the issue, the precedent the federal lawsuit sets and our fundamental right to set and enforce a fair immigration policy.
I believe we need to close our borders; crack down on employers who take advantage of the illegal population; use a reliable and enforceable system of determining one’s status and most importantly, have a national conversation about an immigration plan that makes sense for America. It’s unfair to offer a “pathway to citizenship” to people who broke the law when the folks who want to immigrate legally are waiting in line back home.
Tags: Arizona, border, illegal alien, immigrants, Judge Bolton
Posted in Immigration | 3 Comments »
July 14th, 2010
Last night’s debate between the Democratic candidates for Congress in the first district confirmed only one thing. They would all support Nancy Pelosi and help her advance her far-left agenda.
It’s time to stand up to the liberal tax-and-spend agenda that is killing jobs and driving our nation deeper and deeper into debt.
Tags: debt, democratic debate, jobs, Nancy Pelosi, spending, taxes
Posted in What I believe | No Comments »
June 29th, 2010
I support the objectives of our mission in Afghanistan and believe that we should commit the resources necessary to prevent that country from turning once again into a staging area for terrorist attacks on America.
My opponent David Cicilline wrote an op-ed for the Huffington Post yesterday arguing to bring the troops home as soon as possible, regardless of the situation on the ground. This is a recipe for disaster and would hand radical Islam jihadists a massive victory that would fuel terrorism for years to come.
Military decisions should be made based on the best intelligence and the advice we get from our top military personnel, not on what David Cicilline thinks will help him win a Democratic primary. David Cicilline’s far left views may make him a hero with liberal activists, but they contradict the best thinking from our military leaders and undermine support for our men and women in uniform – ultimately making America more vulnerable to a terrorist attack.
Tags: Afghanistan, David Cicilline, military, terrorism, troops
Posted in Campaign, What I believe | No Comments »
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!
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
Tags: 10 for 10 Change Challenge, congress, contribute, donate, John Loughlin, legal immigration, pelosi, Rhode Island, taxes, terrorism
Posted in Immigration, Political, What I believe | No Comments »
June 20th, 2010
By now you’ve probably heard of Daniel Morales, the 2nd grader from Tiogue School in Coventry whose patriotic cap — with a flag and toy soldiers glued to it — was found in violation of the school’s no weapons policy because the toy soliders held teeny weapons. He was told that he could wear the hat only if the soldiers with weapons were removed from his hat. Kudos to Lt. Gen. Reginald Centracchio for pointing out that “the American soldier is armed. That’s why they’re called the armed forces. If you’re going to portray it any other way, you miss the point.”While the Coventry School Department has since reversed its decision in the face of widespread criticism, the truth is that this is symptomatic of a growing disrespect for the military and its veterans.
While we ask more and more of our men and women in uniform, we do less and less to support them. We’re sending our ARMED forces to fight two wars and yet school administrators recoil at a child’s expression of patriotism. Although it was months ago, it still burns me that President Obama barely gave mention to these wars in his State of the Union address and more recently skipped Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery. We can’t allow the “fish to rot from the head down.”
We need to honor our veterans and thank our men and women in uniform every chance we get. Thank you Daniel for showing us how.
Tags: Coventry, Daniel Morales, no weapons policy, veterans
Posted in Veterans and Defense | No Comments »
June 17th, 2010
This has truly been one of the best weeks of my campaign. From our event with Senator Scott Brown on Sunday to some wonderful local events, the excitement about my campaign and the support from every corner of this community is growing every day. If you haven’t had a chance to see the Providence Journal story about Senator Brown’s visit take a look here. I was also quoted in the lead story in Politico this morning.
Thank you for your continued interest in my campaign!
Tags: Campaign, John Loughlin, scott brown, senator
Posted in Campaign | No Comments »
June 6th, 2010
Today marks the 66th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Europe, code named Operation Overlord. the Allied invasion of northern France.
At 6:30 a.m., American troops came ashore at Utah and Omaha beaches. At Omaha, the U.S. First Division battled high seas, mist, mines, burning vehicles and German coastal batteries, including an elite infantry division, which spewed heavy fire.
Many wounded Americans ultimately drowned in the high tide. The United States and Britain each lost about 1,000 men, and Canada 355. Before the day was over, 155,000 Allied troops would be in Normandy.
As we remember the bravery of these service men, let’s not forget that we still have Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Sailors in harm’s way across two major fronts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
It is with this in mind, that I am humbled and honored to receive the endorsement of Colonel Bud Day, USAF.
George Everette “Bud” Day is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and Command Pilot who served during the Vietnam War. He was shot down, captured and tortured by the North Vietnamese and was held as a POW for more than 5 years. For part of that time he shared a cell with now-Senator John McCain. He is often cited as being the most decorated U.S. service member since General Douglas MacArthur, having received some seventy decorations, a majority for actions in combat. Day is a recipient of the Medal of Honor.
He recently sent me a campaign contribution and an endorsement letter. Here is an excerpt from his endorsement message:
“I fully endorse Lt. Col. John J. Loughlin II USAR (Ret.) for election to Congress in the year 2010. He is a veteran who is determined to take our country back and to restore some common sense and spending sense to a Congress with few Veterans, and fewer heroes. Please support this candidate. He will not be signing any legislation that he has not read.”
Thank you Colonel Day and thank you the veterans of the D-Day invasion. I ask that we all give thanks for the men and women who proudly wear the uniform today for their sacrifice and service to this great land.
Tags: Colonel Bud Day, congress, D-Day, endorsement, John Loughlin, US Air Force, veterans
Posted in Endorsements, Political, Veterans and Defense | No Comments »
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.”
Tags: budget, John Loughlin, pension, Rhode Island General Assembly, tax
Posted in Campaign, What I believe | 2 Comments »
June 1st, 2010
Here’s the official invitation for the event with Senator Scott Brown. We are anticipating a big crowd, so please reserve your tickets as soon as possible. Hosts ($2,400) receive two tickets to a private reception and a photograph with Senator Brown as well as two tickets to the garden reception. Friends ($1,000) receive one ticket to a private reception and one ticket to the garden reception. Supporters ($200) receive a ticket to the garden reception.
You can reserve tickets by e-mailing rsvp@johnloughlin.org with your name, e-mail address and mailing a check to: Friends of John Loughlin, PO Box 244, Adamsville RI 02801 or paying with a credit card online at www.johnloughlin.org.
Tags: invitation, John Loughlin, scott brown, senator, tickets
Posted in Fundraisers, Political | No Comments »
