Oregon's Real Jeff Merkley

Ok, so I've seen the commercials from Gordon Smith and his claims against Jeff Merkley, then I've seen the Merkley commercials about Gordon Smith. The Smith ads just spew out facts and figures while the Merkley ads are based on getting an emotional response with phrases like "sides with Bush…" and "sides with big oil…" - you know the hate talk.

So I decided to check for myself on the voting record of Jeff Merkley (JM) to find out if his voting pattern would be one that would be counter-productive to the citizens of Oregon. Here's a little of what I found from the Project Vote Smart site - full of boring facts and short on emotional stuff:

HB = House Bill, SB = Senate Bill

• JM voted to increase the Tobacco Tax - HB 2967
• JM voted to increase Property Taxes - SB 1106
• JM voted to lower the age children are forced into government schools - SB 392
• JM voted against Oregon offshore drilling taking away possible billions of $$$ in revenue for the State of Oregon and keeping the USA from becoming more energy self sufficient - SB 790
• JM voted for government to dictate what food items can and cannot be sold (eaten) at public schools - HB 2650
• JM voted in favor of government intrusion into the mortgage industry - HB 3603
• JM voted in favor to use taxpayer's money to fund private stem cell research - HB 2801
• JM voted in favor of government intrusion into the Payday loan industry - HB 2203
  

How does Jeff Merkley rate with special interest groups?

Abortion: He's totally in favor of killing babies before they are born (so much for his claim about caring for children huh?). He's supported the interests of Planned Parenthood (what a joke) and NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon. Sort of contradictory to his 100% rating with the "Oregon Stand for Children" socialist front.

Taxes and spending: The Taxpayer Association of Oregon gives Jeff Merkley a 0% rating - which means he is a danger to taxpayers - you and me no matter what your political party!

Business (where jobs are): The Oregon National Federation of Independent Businesses gave Jeff Merkley a rating of 22% - pretty darn close to anti-business as you can get - translation: Jeff Merkley is bad for businesses.

"Civil rights": Jeff Merkley gets a 80% rating by the ACLU of Oregon - so we know he's a card-carrying pimp for the ACLU.

Gun rights: Jeff Merkley thinks only criminals should possess guns and the NRA has, over all Merkley's political career, given him an "F". I mean really - just look at the list and see the majority of Democrats that want you and I to be defenseless!

Illegal aliens: Jeff Merkley doesn't believe in such a term and has been given an 80% favorable rating by the Oregonians for Immigration Reform - one of those liberal trick labels that really is a front to allow amnesty and illegals into Oregon and the USA.

Labor: Jeff Merkley is most definitely a union puppet - bought and paid for by the American Federation of Teachers-Oregon, the Oregon AFL-CIO, and the SEIU Public Employees Union. You can count on Jeff Merkley raising your taxes simply by supporting more powerful union presence throughout the government, education, and public services sectors - and you and I will pay for it.

So facts on his political position are: greater taxes, greater government controls, growing government even bigger that it is, and being a puppet for unions and their extortionist interests - Oregonians can not afford Jeff Merkley!

I know, lots of boring facts huh - and who the hell cares about facts these days?

Mucky Merkley Waters

So yesterday I get this unsolicited (junk) email from some Democrat by the name of Jeff Merkley. It's a pitch to solicit money from Oregonians or whoever. I thought I'd pass it through some analysis since politicians, especially liberals, speak with a forked tongue. Let me translate into reality some of his email:

Merkley: "I began my life in the small town…".
Translation: I have no qualifications so consider that I appear humble, don't I?

Merkley: "My father passed away earlier this year, and now my wife Mary and I are trying…".
Translation: Hey - the sympathy card worked for John Edwards!

Merkley: "Oregon needs a new Senator who will work with our senior Senator, Ron Wyden…".
Tranlation: I will be a party puppet and have no brain of my own. My priority is my party, not you little people.

Merkley: "Congress should pass a commonsense plan to ensure that all Americans -- young and old, rich and poor -- receive quality health care."
Translation: I will push for socialized health care for everyone - legal or illegal. If you have a doctor now you be forced into the government system - no choice. We will support this with higher taxes, more fees, and no deductions for anything.

Merkley: "You can count on me to help launch a strong federal effort to make the switch to clean, renewable energy, and halt our headlong rush toward destructive climate change."
Translation: I'm a bonified Gorist and will raise taxes on gas and oil companies so high and bring back those lines at the gas pump you will wish you had a solar powered bike. You little people should be using public transportation anyway.

Merkley: "Oregon needs a new U.S. Senator who will bring a real passion to the job. A passion for tax fairness…"
Translation: "The more you apply yourself to get ahead, the greater I will tax you".

Merkley: "…public education and for helping ordinary, everyday Oregonians achieve their aspirations and make their dreams come true."
Translation: I will embrace bigger government to pay for more of your college and university education. You won't have to get a job and be responsible for yourself, I'll just raise taxes and fees from everyone else. You will be discouraged from attending private schools - it will be bigger government schools for all.

Merkley: "I believe we can put the public interest before the special interests in our nation's capital again. I've spent my career in Oregon fighting for what matters for regular working families."
Translation: I'm a union puppet and most every union in Oregon endorses me.

Merkley: "Now, I'm ready to continue that fight in the U.S. Senate."
Translation: I'm a union puppet, bought by the unions, and will vote for all pro-union legislation.

Merkley: "But I will fight for ordinary working families…"
Translation: But I won't give you freedom to choose where your child goes to school - you must send them to government schools. I will discourage you from being responsible for yourself, and will make you dependent on bigger government.

Merkley: "I hope you'll join me as we kick off a campaign for new leadership in the U.S. Senate."
Translation: I'll bring in the same old socialist tactics that will make government BIGGER, take away more rights, and force more regulations and edicts upon Americans. And by the way, send me your money!