Uploaded by BizPacReview on Feb 20, 2012

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON THIS STORY BY MICHELE KIRK – BizPacReview

ELECT CONGRESSMAN ALLEN WEST TO FLORIDA CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 18

AllenWestforCongress.com

H.R.1142 - Global Combat Zone Recognition Act

Sponsor: Rep Allen West (FL)  CoSponsors: Reps Renee Elmers, Tim Griffin, Peter King, Larry Kissell, Kathy McMorris Rodgers, Sue Myrick, Richard Nugent, Dennis Ross, Steve Stivers, Lynn Westmoreland, Frank Wolf and Todd Young:

To amend title 10, United States Code, to ensure the equitable treatment of members of the Armed Forces and civilian employees of the Department of Defense who are killed or wounded in an attack, occurring outside of a combat zone, that targeted the members or employees on account of their status as members of the Armed Forces or civilian employees of the Department of Defense.

Official Summary

3/16/2011–Introduced.Global Combat Zone Recognition Act – Treats a member of the Armed Forces (member) or civilian employee of the Department of Defense (DOD) (employee) who is killed or wounded in an attack outside a combat zone as a member killed or wounded in a combat zone or an employee killed or wounded while serving with the Armed Forces in a contingency operation, respectively, for purposes of all applicable federal laws, regulations, and policies. Excludes from such consideration any member or employee whose death or injury is the result of misconduct, as determined by the Secretary of Defense. Provides retroactive coverage under this Act with respect to victims of attacks at:

(1) Fort Hood, Texas, on November 5, 2009;
(2) a recruiting station in Little Rock, Arkansas, on June 1, 2009; and
(3) the Frankfurt Airport, Germany, on March 2, 2011. Directs the Secretary to notify appropriate members and employees or their next-of-kin of the availability of benefits as the result of this Act.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS: Global Combat Zone Recognition Act : Open Congress.org

THE FOLLOWING IS AN EMAIL FROM ACT FOR AMERICA:

Did you know that the military victims of Islamic jihad terrorism at Ft. Hood and the Little Rock Recruitment Center are not eligible for the Purple Heart? 

The reason is that our Defense Department is defining these acts as “criminal” acts rather than as acts of “war.” In fact, the Ft. Hood massacre was classified as “workplace violence!”

This is in keeping with the Obama administration position that terrorists like Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind of 9/11, are not “enemy combatants” but “alleged criminals.”

Not only do we strongly disagree with this designation, we find it outrageous and completely unacceptable that those in our armed forces killed by jihadists on our soil are not eligible for the Purple Heart.

Do you agree? Would you like to help us correct this injustice?

Then log on here and add your name to the Open Letter we will be sending to the chairmen of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees.

In the letter, we urge them to pass H.R. 1142, introduced by Rep. Allen West. Here’s an excerpt from this letter: 

H.R. 1142, the Global Combat Zone Recognition Act, was introduced by Congressman Allen West and would assure that a member of the Armed Forces killed or wounded in a terrorist attack is afforded the same protections and treatments as one killed or wounded in a traditional active “combat zone.”

Help us pour tens of thousands of names behind this letter into the Armed Services Committees of both the House and Senate. Let them know the American people are outraged at this injustice and that we expect action!!

This is a chance for us to do more than “honor and support our troops” with our words. It only takes moments to add your name—and you can even forward this letter to others you know.

Let’s take action to correct this injustice today!!

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Uploaded by BizPacReview on Feb 21, 2012

The Congressman related a story to his audience about the time one of his staff members introduced him to a Think Progress article titled “Rep. Allen West’s 15 Most Outrageous Statements.”

“So, I go around and there’s a website she has up,” Rep. West explains, “And it was hilarious!”

Why is it “hilarious”? Rep. West explains:

There are people out there on the other side that are actually tracking every little single thing I say. And they had the top ten things that Allen West is saying. And you know? It really started to look like a bunch of whiners: “He said nuts!“ ”He said he doesn’t want a liberal message in America!“ ”He said…”

You know?

What I can’t understand for the life of me is how people on the other side can certainly dish it out, but when you stand up on principle, when you tell them what you believe in, they can’t take it! They act offended and they act hurt.

Rep. West’s remarks were met with cheers and applause.

READ MORE BY CLICKING HERE: THE BLAZE

Wednesday, February 22nd

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Deerfield Beach City Hall

150 NE 2nd Ave

Deerfield Beach

*A Vietnam Veteran who suddenly lost his life this past month at Fort Lauderdale Executive airport, before ever receiving his proper medals, will be honored at Wednesday’s town hall. The widow of Louis Grabiec, Jr., Martha Grabiec, will receive the medals for her husband. Grabiec will receive posthumously: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Bronze Star Attachment (quadruple), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Expert Badge with Rifle Bar. 

Friday, February 24th

2:30 pm – 4:30 pm

First Baptist Church

1101 South Flagler Drive

West Palm Beach

*No RSVP necessary for either event, just come on out if you can attend.

Uploaded by CBFloridaGator on Feb 20, 2012

(West Palm Beach)— A total of 19 businesses attended Congressman Allen West’s (R-FL) roundtable discussion today to listen and speak directly to Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Panel on Business Challenges within the Defense Industry Congressman Bill Shuster (R-PA) and Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business Congressman Sam Graves (R-MO).  The discussion focused on breaking down the bureaucracy and red tape that makes it difficult, if not impossible, for small and medium-sized companies to successfully navigate the Defense Department’s acquisition system and obtain contracts.

Congressman West is a Member of both the Armed Services Committee and Small Business Committee in the United States House of Representatives.  As a Member of the HASC Panel on Business Challenges within the Defense Industry, he has a unique opportunity to address these concerns.

“Our small businesses are hurting and anxious to get to work where they are needed, and National Security can benefit from the innovative and competitive spirit that only small businesses can bring,” West said. ”In order to do this successfully, we need predictability, certainty and stability in the Defense industry “

Topics discussed today included: contract bundling, removing barriers to the Federal procurement process, and optimizing Department of Defense use of taxpayer dollars to help small businesses compete.

“We need to look at ways to make the Small Business Administration Office within the Department of Defense work more efficiently,” Shuster said.  “It is essential to find ways to make it easier for small businesses to obtain work with the federal government.”

More than 1,000 South Florida businesses are currently seeking opportunities to offer their services to the federal government.  The federal government spends half a trillion dollars on contracted goods and services and owes it to hardworking taxpayers to make sure their money is used wisely and efficiently.  Government contracting offers a unique opportunity to invest in small businesses while also stimulating the economy. Small businesses created the majority of jobs, about 65 percent, over the last 17 years.

“I’ve been struggling for years trying to figure out a way to break in the world of defense contracts, knowing that I have a product the United States military may find useful,” a small business owner who attended the event said.  “After getting the opportunity to talk with both Chairman Shuster and Graves, I am confident I can now get the ball rolling to securing a federal contract, which is essential for my business.  I appreciate Congressman West’s willingness to hold such an event.”

During the event,  Representative Graves and Representative West discussed their cosponsored legislation, the Contractor Opportunity Protection (COP) Act.  The Contractor Opportunity Protection Act provides more transparency in the contracting process, a stronger opportunity to appeal unjustified bundling, and the creation of a third party arbiter.  See more on the legislation here.

For pictures of the event, click here.

ALSO PLEASE SIGN UP FOR ALL CONGRESSMAN ALLEN WEST’S E-POSTS & INFO HERE: west.house.gov

“As the price at the pump continues to increase at a record pace one has to ponder what shall be President Obama’s response. Now is not the time for more of his demogogic rhetoric demonizing the oil and gas industry, we need solutions……other than sending 2 Billion hardworking American taxpayer dollars to Brazil for offshore drilling. What is also telling is the silence from the mainstream media. My recommendation to President Obama, pass the House Energy Bill and stop wasting taxpayer dollars on his political cronies and their renewable energy schemes”. – Rep Allen West

Washington Times Editorial - Obama’s gas-price spike

Here we go again. Gasoline prices are rising rapidly and already have shattered the $4-a-gallon mark in California. Industry analysts say the all-time national average record of $4.11 could be shattered this summer. Some stations in Los Angeles are charging $4.93. Americans hired Barack Obama in 2008 partly in hope of finding relief from that summer’s pain at the pump. As the agony returns, voters could be primed by November to pull the lever for anybody but Barack.

The Golden State has the unwelcome distinction of having the nation’s highest gas prices, having reached $4.03 on Presidents Day, according the AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report. Though the national average was $3.56, the California price jumped 18.9 cents in just the past week. Alaska, Florida and traditionally pricey states in the Northeast are not far behind. The standard rule is that each penny increase sucks about $1 billion out of the economy, so the financial impact will be felt from coast to coast.

This latest gas-price jolt is predictable. President Obama has done much to impede the supply of petroleum products to consumers. Most particularly, he exploited the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico as an excuse to clamp down on oil drilling in the Gulf and also along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.

Last week, the Republican-led House of Representatives passed an energy bill by a vote of 237-187 that would reverse Mr. Obama’s recent decision to block construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline. With his December announcement to delay a final ruling on the project until 2013, Mr. Obama, as a favor to his radical anti-business political base, passed up an opportunity to create an estimated 20,000 construction jobs. The House bill grants pipeline developer TransCanada a permit to proceed with the project and allows for expanded oil drilling in offshore reservoirs and in the protected Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

If Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid sticks to his usual script, he’ll prevent the upper chamber from even voting on the measure, saving the president from the embarrassment of vetoing an economy-boosting measure in an election year. Additionally, fellow Democratic senators can be expected to reiterate support for the president’s move to end tax breaks for the oil industry. Don’t be surprised if they also call for hearings to probe “price-fixing” by oil executives as the pain at the pump inevitably increases.

Mr. Obama would be wise to make a virtue of necessity and orchestrate Senate passage of the energy bill. By signing it, he could win back erstwhile supporters disillusioned with his economy-crippling leadership.

More likely, though, Mr. Obama will simply double down on class-warfare rhetoric about the oil industry needing to pay its “fair share” in hopes of diverting attention from the growing gas-price crunch. Promises of hope and change won’t smooth the campaign trail for the president this time around. If gas prices continue their upward trajectory until Election Day, voters are likely to look to a new leader to heal their wounded wallets.

The current lull in the Republican race is giving others a chance to sport their social media prowess, including the members on Capitol Hill. Analytics fromOhMyGov reveals the Top 10 Social Media Users in Congress from the past week.

The top social media scorers had to demonstrate a proficiency and mastery of both Facebook and Twitter by growing their following at the highest rate over the past week.  They were also scored on the number of Retweets their followers shared from their Twitter feeds.  Finally the amount of Twitter mentions each Congressional leader earned rounded out the scoring.  Each social media component was added together and averaged out to reveal the individual’s social media score for the week.

The gap between Congressional Republicans and Democrats in social media is clear in the Top 10 for the House of Representatives, with 7 of the 10 members clocking in as Republican.  In the Senate, the split is more even: 5 Republicans, 4 Democrats and an Independent.

Regardless of party lines, these 20 Congressional leaders led the pack for Feb 7-14, becoming this week’s most successful social media users on Capitol Hill by earning high scores in four key touch points for social media analysis. To see the numbers for each member, simply click on their names below.

COMPLETE THE REST OF THE STORY BY CLICKING HERE: OhMyGov

Dear Patriot,

Greetings to our constituents, fellow Floridians, and all Americans,  I have spent the last day recovering from my Saturday half-marathon- the last one of the season.  I truly enjoy being out with fellow South Floridians who know their health is a personal matter and also run to support causes for those not as fortunate as this is the essence of being an American!

I suppose that is why I reject the assertion of government dictating edicts of “shared sacrifice” and “fair share” as they are not in a position to be the arbiters of fairness. Americans believe in equality of opportunity and shun the premise of a bureaucratic nanny-state promoting a policy of equality of achievement.

That is why I was absolutely appalled at the horrific Fiscal Year 2013 budget proposal from President Barack Obama released last week. His budget vision does nothing to promote and enhance the American dream of opportunity. What his budget does is endanger the promise that all of us want for our children and grandchildren — fiscal security.

The President’s budget brings about $47 trillion of new Federal Government spending over the next 10 years. It will increase our federal debt to $25.9 trillion by the end of Fiscal Year 2022. It means that we shall have added $10.6 trillion in new debt, resulting in debt payments alone of $5.7 trillion in Fiscal Year 2013-2022.

In the immediate term,  President Obama is asking for $3.8 trillion in government spending for Fiscal Year 2013, $1.9 trillion in higher taxes, and $1.1 trillion in debt held by the American citizen.  This totals $48,000 for each and every one of us in America.  By year’s end, America will be in debt to the tune of $16.3 trillion, equating to a debt to GDP ratio of 106.2%.

Now, I know there are people who are reading this update who will always defend the President’s policies, but I challenge any of you to defend this clear and present danger to the future of the American Republic.  This is not an “economy that is built to last” this is an “economic vision that is built to destroy” any chance for our children to have the highest quality American standard of living.

The politics of demagoguery dividing America will only hasten our eventual demise. The Keynesian economic philosophy of tax and spend of which President Obama and other liberal progressives subscribe will not lift us to  new economic heights. We are crushing hardworking American taxpayers and retarding the incentive for Americans to strive for a better life.

The indomitable entrepreneurial spirit of the American innovator and worker must be unleashed with tax, regulatory, monetary, and fiscal policies that enable investment and ingenuity. It is intellectually dishonest to compare personal income tax rates to capital gains tax rates to justify raising capital gains from 15 percent to 30 percent. The resulting effect on investment in America will be catastrophic. Government has no responsibility to select the winners and the losers by manipulating tax policy, and certainly should not be funneling taxpayer funds to political cronies for its own ideological agenda.

President Obama stated  by the end of his first term, he would cut the deficit in half.  We are instead on our fourth straight year of trillion dollar plus deficits: $1.42 trillion, $1.29 trillion, $1.3 trillion, and an estimated $1.3 trillion for this year.  Please, don’t tell me about what was “inherited.” Continual excuses are indicative of a person who takes no responsibility for his actions.

Payroll tax cut? Please America, see this for the politicized gimmick it really is and do not allow yourself to be bribed over a short term $40.  We are destroying Social Security as well as American homeowners who will be seeing a $9,000-$10,000 increase in loan guarantee fees to fund this one-year extension.

Lastly, as we hear testimony from our military on the Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization (NDA), all I can think about is the volatility across the world. Here we are in economic straits and we send $1.2 billion in aid to a Muslim Brotherhood-controlled Egypt now  holding 19 Americans hostage. Their sheer gall of declaring a threat to our ally, Israel, if we cut off aid, makes my blood boil.

Reports are that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces are now operating in Syria.  Consider if we had maintained a credible American military force in Iraq as an external cordon along the borders with Syria and Iran, as well as in Kurdistan.  Would this situation be so dire?

Elections have consequences.

Steadfast and Loyal,

Legislative Update:

- Domestic Energy Production — Last Thursday, the House approved H.R. 3408, Protecting Investment in Oil Shale the Next Generation of Environmental, Energy, and Resource Security (PIONEERS) Act, by a vote of 237-187, I VOTED NAY. I voted “no” because this legislation would have potentially violated the military training zone in the eastern Gulf of Mexico off Florida’s coast, as well as brought oil drilling within 9-12 miles of Florida’s coastline. I shall always promote a full spectrum development of America’s energy resources but not at risk of our pristine coastline.

- Payroll Tax Cut Extension — On Friday, the House approved a Conference Report to H.R. 3630, the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011 by a vote of 293-192, I VOTED NAY.  41 Democrats also voted no against this legislation. You can view my explanation as to why I did not support this conference report from our press release here. I will not support adding more debt  nor burden American homeowners. Lastly, we must realize that this is not a tax cut, it hastens the demise of the Social Security system. I supported H. R. 3630 in December, an exceptional piece of legislation, not this Band-Aid, politicized gimmick.

Highlights of the Week:

- Monday, 13 February, met with the British Consul General assigned for Florida and the southern Hemisphere. We discussed British fiscal policies and challenges in this area in comparison with American fiscal and national security issues. We had both served in Afghanistan so we had some very good stories to share. Met with South Florida Marine Industry Leaders to discuss the impacts of failing economic and tax policies on their industry. It was a follow- up to the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show where we discussed same issues.

- Tuesday, 14 February, hope everyone had a very Happy Valentine’s Day. Met with a staff group of students from the Army’s Fort Leavenworth Staff Officers College and discussed national security strategy and fiscal security issues. Met with Colonel Pantano and the lead staff of the Jacksonville District of the United States Army Corps of Engineers. We discussed the progress made with our pressing Corps civil works infrastructure projects. Met with representatives from AIPAC on current situation in Middle East with growing belligerence of Iran and volatility in Egypt and Syria as it relates to the security of Israel.

- Wednesday, 15 February, participated in the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) hearing with Secretary of Defense Panetta and CJCS Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dempsey on the Fiscal Year 2013 NDA budget request. Met with representatives from the Marine Corps League’s National Legislative Committee on their annual issues. Met with the leadership of Indian River State College discussing their legislative concerns. Met with students from Cardinal Gibbons High School who were part of the Close Up Foundation Washington program. Delivered a special order speech on House floor addressing the history of the Republican Party and the black community as part of Black History Month, you can view the speech here.

- Thursday, 16 February, attended a HASC classified briefing on Afghanistan/Pakistan operations and intelligence update. Met with the leadership of Palm Beach State College discussing their legislative concerns. Participated in the HASC hearing on Fiscal Year 2013 NDA budget request for the Department of the Navy, including the United States Marine Corps. Met with representatives of the Agriculture industry to discuss the interests of America’s small businesses in the next Farm Bill. Met with the leadership of Broward College to discuss their legislative concerns. Met with Vice Admiral Ryan of the Military Officers Association of America to discuss their legislative concerns- I will be their keynote speaker for their upcoming Annual conference hosted in West Palm Beach. Conducted an hour- long tele-townhall meeting with our constituents, had nearly 6,000 answer our call.

- Friday, 17 February, participated in HASC hearing on Fiscal Year 2013 NDA budget request for the Department of the Army. Met with the JROTC Junior ROTC Cadets from Olympic Heights High School in Charlotte, NC for the second year– the head of their program is my long- time friend from our service in the Army, Lieutenant Colonel (R) Clayton Neal.

- Saturday, 18 February, attended the reception event for the National Republican Congressional Committee Winter meeting in Naples, FL.

- Sunday, 19 February, ran in the Fort Lauderdale A1A half-marathon.  Participated in a Congressional Anti-Terrorism Caucus forum event at the Boca Raton Synagogue.

- Monday, 20 February,  recovered from the half-marathon. Hope you all had a Happy President’s Day.

This Week:

- Constituent Work Week, we will have our regular two town hall meetings, one in Deerfield Beach and another in West Palm Beach. See the full details here. 

SIGN UP FOR ALL E-NEWSLETTERS & UPDATES FOR CONGRESSMAN ALLEN WEST: west.house.gov

Uploaded by publiusforum on Feb 18, 2012

Allen West stopped by blogger’s row at this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) and though I missed the first few minutes, this is the bulk of his comments.

Uploaded by maggiethurber on Feb 10, 2012

Rep. Allen West – part 2 of his visit to bloggers row at CPAC 2012

Allen West is the Representative for Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, now running for District 18.