Zirkle Jumps In
Tony Zirkle has jumped into the race for the GOP nomination in the 2nd Congressional District. Zirkle ran in 2006 but lost to Chris Chocola who was then an incumbent. He never really seemed to break through the media cycle except in a couple of instances.
Zirkle has a few views that are quite compatible with a conservative stance on the issues. His belief in the importance of family is good, though I’m not sure about how he specifically plans to implement his views in policy. His views on other policies lead me to question whether or not the way he would try to implement his good views would be worthy of the title conservative.
Aside from the quirky campaign committee name and campaign style (which isn’t necessarily bad), Zirkle also holds to some views that are very antithetical to conservative principles. Perhaps the most obvious example of this is his belief that personal wealth should be capped at $1 billion. Now, I don’t ever expect to reach the $1 billion level in personal wealth. If I do, come see me and we’ll talk about the good old times we had on this blog.
But back to the point, if the government can cap personal wealth at $1 billion, what is to prevent them from capping it at $1 million? Instead of just capping personal wealth, why not cap personal income too? Once you get started on the idea that government can tell you how much you can own, or what you can earn, the principle is in place and the debate is only on what is amount is “too much.” Zirkle advocates the wealth cap and a tax cut for all but the top 2% of wage earners because he’s for the middle class. That’s nice, but who employs the middle class? If it is not the wealthy directly employing the middle class it is the capital the wealthy have accumulated that is loaned out to others which allows more people to be employed in various jobs.
In considering this I’m reminded of the plumber who once walked up to Ronald Reagan (okay, he went through security and was waiting behind the rope line) and thanked President Reagan for the tax cuts for the rich because, as the plumber said, “I only get hired by rich people.” Folks, the wealthy benefit the middle class and we don’t need to start supporting candidates that may be smart, but don’t have a clue to how the economy works.
Good thing Luke Puckett is set to charge ahead and challenge Rep. Joe Donnelly. Republicans don’t need a candidate who will advocate for Republican values vs. Democratic values, but More Freedom vs. Less Freedom.
February 1st, 2008 at 4:36 pm
I was reading a bit more on his web site. Now this is 2 years old, but I am guessing that his positions are not much different:
http://www.tonyzirkle.com/CAMPAIGN/Why+Tony+Zirkle+is+the+better+choice+for+the+Republican+Party
Item #4: No permanent Bush tax cuts unless tied to raising the payroll tax income limit which is then used to fund health programs.
What? Weird stuff. That is bad understanding of tax cuts and gets the government more involved in health care (more shortly). He includes health care costs as a “tax”. He opposes corporate tax cuts.
Item #10: Federalize catastrophic health care expenses paid for by a payroll tax on incomes over $200,000.
Awful. This could be worse than S-CHIP as far as leading us to socialized medicine–because it IS socialized medicine.
February 1st, 2008 at 6:52 pm
He’s a Democrat running against Joe Donnelly in the Democrat Primary, correct?
February 1st, 2008 at 7:08 pm
No, he’s a Republican running for the GOP nomination, which is of course open. Thankfully Luke Puckett will be entering soon…we hope and pray and think.
As I said in my post, this guy has it right on a few issues, but some other positions are plain out wrong and very liberal.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Notice on his campaign website the Supreme Court building. Now, we all know that is were law is actually made (right?) but he’s running for Congress so maybe the picture should be changed. Of course, it may just be carry over from his law firm site, which is understandable then.
February 2nd, 2008 at 1:49 am
Its very discouraging that the Indiana GOP has been weak in these House races so far. We should be able to recruit a top tier candidate to this post and Elworth too. i can’t believe no State Senators want to take crack at it or that no statewide office holder resides in district?
Time is wasting and Donnelly is gathering big war chest and if we don’t knock him off this time he is going to get more entrenched.
Any news on Elrod and how he is doing? Any signs of whats happening in district cause almost month till election day?
February 2nd, 2008 at 1:28 pm
No new news on Elrod. I talked to his team yesterday though and they are feeling extremely confident right now. Jon’s a tenacious campaigner, who even though he’s busy w/the General Assembly, will work to knock on every door in that district.
As soon as we hear any developments we’ll get it posted.
February 2nd, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Puckett is getting his ground game together…don’t get to worried yet.
Greg Goode seems to be a top tier candidate. http://www.greggoode.com
February 3rd, 2008 at 1:30 am
Thanks for the free press coverage.
The one billion limitation on wealth applies at inheritance, not during one’s life, so that one can only inherit up to one billion. If you hoard more than that up to your last breath, it’ll go to the estate tax.
On health care, my veteran military experience and the efficiency of social security has led me to ask the question as to whether or not health care is a “natural monopoly” exception to the invisible hand free market, which is my otherwise default position as an international economics major. Many in the public are calling for universal health care, but we can not afford it primarily because we ignore the social issues and tolerate drug dealers having children with 5 or more different women while they don’t even pay their $25 a week in child support, so the tax payors have to fund these deadbeats. If you want to cut taxes, look to the ignored social issues. I’m considering a plan that would provide it to those who have 3-4 generations of in-wedlock birth.
I’ve been campaigning for 8 years now. Hopefully, Mr. Puckett will be the first who will debate me publicly. If he doesn’t, he’ll have difficulty getting the name recognition by the fall to beat Mr. Donnelly. Call me names all you want. It gives me good links to my Web site and gets my message out. I can take the heat, so turn up the furnace!
Tony Zirkle
February 3rd, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Brian, I amused at your writing the following:
“Republicans don’t need a candidate who will advocate for Republican values vs. Democratic values, but More Freedom vs. Less Freedom.”
Sorry, Bud, but you cannot wrap yourself in any claim to value freedom. You have been campaigning against the freedom of fellow citizens to pass our lives in ways no impact on you whatsoever. It is clear to me that “freedom” for you is just another word the meaning of which you barely grasp.
Feel free to use “Democracy”, though. A rule of majority over minority without the restraints of a Bill of Rights… there’s no inconsistency there. You can claim an interest in that without appearing hypocritical. I recommend that approach for you.
February 4th, 2008 at 7:05 am
Tony Zirkle: Safe For Democratic Voters…
Crown Point attorney Tony Zirkle — who is running for nomination to be the Republican’s candidate in Congressional District 2 which includes some eastern portions of Porter County — is reaching out to Democrats by advising them it is …
February 4th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Too bad for Tony they can’t vote for him in the primary since Indiana has a closed primary.
Tony, this can’t be endearing you to Republicans in the 2nd CD.
February 5th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
I have lived and worked in 11 of the 12 counties in the 2nd district, so I fully understand that this is a substantially working class district packed with people who seriously care about health care and jobs. If Republicans continue to ignore these critical issues and slate another fall, mono-syllabic tax cut candidate, Donnelly will be re-elected.
Tony Zirkle
February 5th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Okay, it’s a working class district and you understand that. But do you understand that those working class people are more than likely Democrats (some conservative, some moderate and some liberal) and they can’t vote for you in the primary? It’s good to have a modicum of cross-over appeal but first you have to campaign to the people who will get you through the primary and not just to the people who could get you through the General.
You’ve done this before so I’m guessing I’m not telling you what you don’t already know, but don’t work this race backwards if you really are in this to win. Campaign your district like a regular Joe, but work it like a politician.